Time Out!

I will update my blog soon. A month is a long time. I have a few drafts from May. I didn't have the heart or energy to publish. It would mean facing realities that I tried to out run all month. For the second year in a row May:1, Sorrelle:0. Ugh! I ripping may out of all calendars.

Jet Black...as im writting this im listenting to New Editon 'Would you love me'

This was written June 3rd.


When I was a girl there are a few this I wanted.

1. To marry Kris Smith from the duo Kriss Kross.

2. To be a Jet Beauty Of The Week.

3. To be short and curvy like Six from Blossom.



For a little black girl growing up in the 80s isnt like today. there are so many black women in news media education and so on a young black girl has a lot she can see herself in. So I would look to Ebony, Jet, and Essence . Jet always had a Beauty of the week and she was more often than not chocolaty and bodified. I wanted to be her. I was never tall enough to be a model but I tried. ha ha ha



Kriss Smith was a totally cute boy and as of lastnight after reading about his coffee table book of art, poems and lyrics I once again have a celebrity crush. I went to bed feeling about him like the girls I see tripping for the Jonas Bros.



I wanted to be short and curvy. If you have seen totaly old shool disney cartoons. The ones from the 40s that were silent but full of swing and jazz. The girls were always large in the chest, small in the waist and big on the bottom. At the age of 5 I knew how I wanted my body to be. My mom and maternal Grandmother are tall and pear shaped. No bra required. I don't think I have ever seen them in one in my life. All of a sudden I grew up and I was short and curvy like one of those Disney cartoons.

I may have not gotten the first two but atleast I am happy with my body.

To Celebrate You

Tomorrow is the birthday of someone dear to my family and I . An amazing person for which I am and was forever changed the moment we met. It is true that love changes you. Not for the fact that we were in love but best friends who truly liked each other and hanging out together and making dreams come true side by side.



All the songs he taught me on his bass. I was his worst student. But I LOVE when he would let me jam with him and how he would just high 5 me and smile. Like he was proud. The concerts and music festivals we went to . The shows he was in. I always dreamed of having a musician husband. He would blow kisses to me from stage, wink, or give " the smile". Never wanting to feel like a groupie I was often seen toting his bass bag on my back in stilettos and dresses. Sitting next to Wyclef Jean and watching him play. And then hanging out with Wycelf a bit after the show. SOOOOO FUN!!! Thanks Babes. My private concerts. For this one moment again I would trade a millions of others... I used to sit on my knees backwards on our couch and he would sit behind the couch and play back for me for hours on ends. Some nights I would sit and other nights I would do ballet on the hardwood floors and as he played he would watch, and as I danced I would watch him. He said I reminded him of Moonlight Sonata... We would imagine our Afro haired babies rocking out backstage at a show. Once he said "When he plays the Hollywood Bowl I would be front and center". I knew then he was in it for life. His favortie Beach Boys song was " God Only Know", I can barely listen to it. We loved each other and each others art.



We sort of grew up together. A person changes a lot between 21 and 27. We had experiances that changed and challened us as individuals. We managed to keep growing together but never in eachs others shadow. He was quiet. Not dumb or uninterestiing. Just quiet. He did not waste time with small talk with anyone. Not that he was rude he just wasnt about face or false pretense. Jonathan was so loyal.



We had started looking at rings. I would show him the things I thought were cute. We went to Tiffany a few years before. And I sent a few emails from Tiffany as well. He like and approved my choice. But he still would see me looking and remind me that I like tension set too. He was a sweet man. I was excited. It was a matter of when and where.



The week leading up to his death I called him everyday several times a day and told him that I just needed him to know how much I missed him and that I would be back up north in a few weeks. I tried to get him to come down here and he tried to get me to go up there. In the end we decided that a couple weeks wasnt that bad. We were going to napa for my bday.

***I began to write this a May 14th. I needed a way to celebrate his life and our love. This is incomplete and most like nonsensical but it had to get out. ***

Untitled

14 days until Jonathans birthday.
How this makes my heart ache.
He was my bread.

Say Wrong, So Wrong, Sarong

It was hot. I put on a sarong and my bikini and did some gardening in the afternoon. Around 2 my pal Margo stopped by. I gave her a new bikini and a sarong and into the back yard we went. After all 48 of my new flowers were in the ground Margo and I enjoyed a beer, some fun music, and the hammock at the top of the trees in my backyward. You can see the top of the trees and below the wall behind us in a 15 foot drop that leads to an acre behing our house. No its not ours.

As we relaxed on the hammock sharring a bowl of mandrin oranges in our bright garb my mother came to the window and said what a pretter picture. Margo broke out the camera phone and this is some of what was taken. We took pics and giggled like school girls. Thankful to be off work so early and to enjoy the first sun of the season. We talked about my bbq this weekend and who would be falling down, who was comming and so on.

While the sun set I asked Margo to be quiet so we could hear the night birds and other noises with out the rush hour cocaphany. Living behind UCR we see lots of traffic. After a few rustles and me saying " look, can you see it climbing?" Margot took of for the other patio on the other side of the house. She wouldnt even go back with me to get my stuff. Sorry margo. No more hammock at night. Its common to be at my house and encounter all sorts of wildlife. Snakes, toddler sized racoons, Skunks on Family night, Roadrunners, pregnant lizards, humming birds (in the house and our plants), and the always fun Coyote.

All in all it was a blessed evening between two people who knew each other as girls and became friends as women. Thanks fun Margo! Grrr

My Secret Garden

Most Afternoons you can find me in my backyard listening to old jazz and working in my garden. There is nothing more satisfying to me than digging in the the brown earth and watching delicate foliage break through.

At a time in my life when more and more friends move towards marriage and motherhood ,while I am single for the first year in 6 years, I tell myself I haven't given birth but I can give life. Giving life to these living,breathing, organisms leaves me in such awe of Gods ability to create such beautiful works. I begin to feel more connect to the world. As if, when flowers dig roots I too dig roots.

Going to my local Nursery ( Park View) and picking seeds or flowers always excites me. I choose carefully and contemplate height, how the plant will spread, and always the shape, color, and texture of foliage. Seeds vary in size sometimes almost microscopic (chamomile) and other times large (morning glory). I enjoy starting from seeds the process is more involved and exciting. After planting the seeds the waiting is hard the first few days. I peek out side to see if something have sprouted. Nothing sprouts in 24 hours but I check anyway. (Its like a childhood December all over again. The first few days you are all excited then excitement wanes and gives way to forgetting then all of a sudden its Christmas). A few weeks go by and suddenly there is a definitive live of fresh seedling. It is so sweet to watch them grow.

As the sun precedes the twilight and gives the sky a lilac tinge. I pour a glass of wine and sit. I sit quiet and I relish the colors running towards me from the ground. Yellow Snapdragons. Orange, yellow and hot pink Gerber daisy. Red standard rose bush (tree). Pink Hollyhocks. Red strawberries scurrying across the ground dropping white petals behind them. Crimson and Clover. Over and over. Rocco red Ronocculus. And so much more. Silvery eucalyptus towering over my head. The Iris' that happen to be purple and gold. They look like 70 Laker fans tailgating. I can always hear myself exhale as I thank God for his perfection and majesty in my backyard. The perfection of Iris' Van Gogh merely imitates.

Cardinal Fashion Rule #1

ALL CLOTHING IS NOT MADE THE SAME!!!
Because you are a 12 in one brand DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE A 12 IN ALL BRANDS.
Open your mind to adjusting sizes due to:

• FABRIC. heavy wovens and linens are to be loose. Knits should be loose.
• SILLOUETTE ( items with darts or empire waist, tent shapes, babydoll, pencil skirts, oxford shirts, tailored items, ect)
• CUT If a garment is cut on the bias ( you might have to go up 2 sizes)
• Color. Bright colors should skim the body, dark can be snug. Still leaving breathing room.
• Chest. IF the garment is too snug in the chest but fits properly elsewhere GO THE NEXT SIZE UP and tailor the rest to fit.
• Hem. If you wear a very mini mini its ok to let it be one size larger. Allow the waist band to gently rest on the lower waist. If an item looks a little loose on the body the overall effect is slimming. It the proportion. If its a dress allow the thighs to float within the skirt.

Support You Local Arts

In the wake of crazy gas prices, wars, and no world peace support your local arts. Every town big or small has some sort of art.Riverside is home to some of the most amazing artist and artisans. So why go to LA or San Diego when you can hang in Riverside at some amazing places that hardly cost a thing.

• Downtown Riverside Arts Walk. Every 1st Thursday of the month.
• Riverside Ballet has a Spring Gala going on next month.
• The Historic Citrus park hold concerts that I believe are free in the Summer.
• Back To The Grind coffee house has a gallery below them and also offers concerts.
• Riverside Community College always put on great plays.
• Mission Tobacco Lounge have great live music and dancing Thursday through Saturday I believe.
• Riverside Monthly has a few notes on the activitys during the month.
• There are also several galleries in the Downtown are.

Get out there, support your locals arts, and boost the local economy by supporting the small guy. Also shop the many amazing boutiques and gift shops. There is always something amazing to discover that you wont find at the Galleria.

Zeke's Is So Rad

Dear Zeke,
By the time you read my blog on Monday there will be something truly amazing, stimulating, and will challenge you. I am hoping it will be something we can disagree on. Take the time to update your Radbrown blog. Thailand is so 5 months ago. ha ha ha

Lets Save Darfur on Saturday through tequila and beer.

xoxo
Sorrelle

Getting It On

Getting dressed is so hard when I am tired. My closet consist of a "uniform" which makes it easier, faster, and gives me a more pulled together look even if its jeans and a T shirt. I will share a few ideas and tricks that make dressing and shopping a little easier. All day I dress, coach, and style women and their closets this is what they tell me "I want to look more polished, pulled together, fresher, fun" and this is what I tell them...

1. KNOW YOUR BODY!!! Take the time to really understand what you are shaped like. EVERY body has some amazing parts.
2. It does not matter if you are a 2 or a 22 confidence matters most
3. Too tight and too sung is ofter too unflattering on anyone. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR MUFFIN TOP! Especially if you are under a size 12. A proper fit is your best friend.
4. THONG panties and knits do mix. I don't know how many times I see a woman with a jiggle tush. ITS NOT CUTE. I know you don't want VPLs but a wobbly behind is more unattractive. PS. If you see pantie lines your clothes are too tight. LOOK AT YOURSELF FROM BEHIND!!! Behind the front is important.
5. Natural fabrics and solid colors are key. A couple patters in key pieces( jackets, blouse, shoes, purse) are good. Only a few patterns per season. Patterns are to punch up and kicks and flair. Use the same pattern principal for hot seasonal colors.
6. Do not hate the models. I love them. I am a size 10. They need to be that small for a few reason. Samples need to be small. A designer doesn't want to waste fabric on something that wont sell. Hence, the teeny tiny samples you see for the models to wear in print ads and in shows. Its about being cost effective.
7. This spring and summer make sure you have some grays and anything you would see in an 8 pack of Crayola Crayons.
8. Build your wardrobe foundation on classic pieces, then add the modern classic and finally the trends. Explaining this will take another blog.
9. Always update your make up and hair. AVOID fad cuts if you don't have time for the maintenance. Frosted lipstick died 20 years ago. The new pinks are gorgeous, creamy and soft. Try YSL and Mac. Don't get the Posh cut. Once you see 5 people in you local town with it you know its time to move on. Same with clothes, accessories and logo purses.
10. As for purses, INVEST in one great leather bag WITHOUT a name or a logo. Especially if it is your only bag. You will look so much more together and fashionable. Coach and Dooney and Burke do make solid leather. Hayden Panettiere has a great line she did for D & B.