I don’t have to play music to fit the theme of this post. And why bother with sappy love songs when I’d rather watch Valentine’s Day-themed episodes of my favorite comedy shows today? 😆 I may be single but I’d rather laugh than be lovelorn (which I haven’t been in years).
LMAO at Al Bundy’s poem to Peg!
How am I spending this Saturday evening? Not getting ready to hit the clubs or check out the latest major flick at the movie theater–if it was the mid-2000s, yes to both. Rather, I’m chillaxing to some 80s Madonna (I just watched Who’s That Girl and she was fab in it) while I sip Yogi’s Bedtime tea (the teabag quote is a new one to me) and my apartment fills with the heady tobacco-vanilla aroma from the candle I currently have lit. That candle, which I’ve lit for the past five nights, is superb in throw, by the way. Since it’s also Black History Month, if you’re looking for one way to do some good during BHM, go support the black-owned The 125 Collection and buy their candles! I know I’ll be making another order!
I’ve always been about Me time, but I never knew its value until this past Monday.
I worked a packed schedule for five days straight last week–something I normally don’t do. I’m usually at my day job four days a week, but I had to cover for someone who was out sick. My job happens to be a physical one, and I’m kinda surprised my body is still holding up after doing said job for eleven years. Then there was my commute, all done in the cold, pouring (and occasionally windy) rain. Oh, and my PMS just had to arrive at the same time. When I came home Sunday night, I felt both relieved and fucking drained. Relieved in that my work week was finally over, and fucking drained because obviously. Sure, my paycheck will be looking a little nicer come next payday for that extra day of work. But I felt like I sacrificed something far more important than a few extra bucks on my paycheck: my mental and physical health.
When I woke up from my much-needed long sleep on Monday, it felt like my batteries got recharged. Not really up to 100%, but I was getting there. I’m usually off Mondays and Tuesdays (aka my “weekend”), and that Monday morning, I realized how damn important Me time is. I did as I pleased on MLK day: stayed home (in which I am its only inhabitant, thankfully), watched NBA games, came up with more story ideas for my latest novel-in-progress, making good food if you’ve noticed my Instagram…And once I took a bite of my homemade low-carb pizza pocket (they exist, tastes like the high-carb version, and you can make ’em, too) for lunch, it was as if my skin had cleared up, my debts had been paid off, and all the misogynists, homophobes, and racists in the world were reduced to dust. OK, that didn’t happen, but I did feel revitalized. Even Me time can taste good, too.
I need some comfort amidst all the rain we’re having and PMS creeping up on me. Enter some mid-90s chill-out soul to soothe me on this Saturday/Sunday night…
(Side note: I’m aware of how problematic Erykah has been recently. 
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Happy 30th anniversary to this jam!
And, since it’s still pouring out there…
(I haven’t seen this video in eons and forgot that part where it snows. Whaaaat.)
If there’s one thing I can be grateful for, it’s growing up during a time when songs like these were mainstream. Growing up in the 90s was a mixed bag for me personally, although I can definitely acknowledge it was a golden time for pop culture, fashion, and entertainment. Songs (and music videos) like these prove the latter, and they (along with many other songs) helped me escape from whatever shit I was going through then. It wasn’t all party & sex songs; there was emotion and true soul, honey. It’s easy to lament over the absence of music like this in today’s landscape, but you know what’s easier? Putting on Mary’s “My Life” album while shutting out all the cacophony from today, and just chillin’ to it.
I shall let pop icon Christina Aguilera take this one:
Also, happy born day to one of my idols!
I haven’t been much of a writing fiend as of late (work and life got in the way), but if I’m unable to write my future New York Times bestseller (yeah, sure), one thing that stays constant in my life is enjoying a hot cuppa. If you saw my tea collection, you’d go guuuurrrl because yes I own that much tea. Not enough to open my own tea bar, but I’m pretty stocked, to say the least. (It’s also hard to turn down a BOGO Free sale on Yogi Tea at Sprouts.) What am I about to brew on this cold, rainy night is one of my all-time faves you see in the pic above, about to be paired with my Evil Queen mug. Trader Joe’s better not discontinue that tea!
From left to right: supermodel Claudia Schiffer for Guess Jeans, 1989, pop icon Kylie Minogue for i-D magazine, July 1994, and the master herself for UK Vogue, 2010s.
The imagery of former fashion model turned fashion/celebrity photographer Ellen Von Unwerth never fails to delight me. There’s something to her work that exudes vivacity, insouciance, and pure joy, and it’s something I’d like to see more of in today’s fashion photography, which I feel has gotten quite dreary for my tastes. (I want some fun again, darlin’.)
Some of my favorite captures from her (and there were many to choose from) after the cut!
Music to rouse the rebel girl in you! Courtesy of two of my music idols, Peaches (who celebrated her birthday yesterday, and whom I’ve had the pleasure of seeing perform live–twice), and Kathleen Hanna (of Bikini Kill, who celebrates her birthday today!). LOVE them both.
Two of my faves: scented candles and a Jackie Collins book! That candle is actually bigger than it shows; I bought it last year (found it for cheap in the clearance shelves at TJ Maxx) and it took until this fall for it to burn half way. The smell from it is divinely autumn. And I should be reading the books I bought at my recent thrift store run, but I prefer to finish JC’s LA Connections series…even if I’ve read the whole series before. Nothing wrong with a reread!
One of my idols of style, beauty, side-eyeing, and classic Hollywood: Sophia Loren, who turns 88 today. I hope to age a tenth good as she has. A living legend in the truest sense!
Lex Writes On 
