POCKETBOOK DIARY: Art, Love, and Mouth-Watering Food!

A passage from my “Pocketbook Diary”

Dear Pocketbook Diary, June 2012

As I’m writing you this letter, my eyes are sore, my neck has a cramp and I’m literally about to throw my Blackberry against the wall any minute. Yes, I am a bit frustrated at this point in time, but to be honest, I can’t help but smile extremely wide simply because I had another kick-ass weekend! Now that’s two in a row and those who know me, know that I am a workhorse who seldom comes out to play. But this weekend I had no choice but to make an exception because there were a three special events which took place that I couldn’t miss for the world! So let’s begin shall we?

Stuffing my face with yummy deserts at Mike & Samantha’s Jack & Jill party.

FRIDAY NIGHT: I attended a Stag & Doe [no idea why it's called that, I find this title very odd so let's call it a Jack & Jill] party. My dear friends Samantha and Michael are getting married after 10 years! I still can’t believe that they’ve been together since we were 13 years of age! That’s so incredibly rare to find a couple, a young couple, who are willing to dance in the rain and really put 100% into their relationship. Ahh! Don’t you just LOVE love? It’s so beautiful. It’s so magical. It’s … okay, let me relax before I get all emotional. I watch way too many romantic comedies… I’m just such a sucker for this mushy stuff. But seeing my friends [and about 4 other couples this year] take this step is so amazing. I had a blast! It was like a high school reunion and some individuals I hadn’t seen since graduation, so needless to say there was a lot of catching up to do and future dinner dates to set. I had a lovely time.

SATURDAY: During the day I attended a funeral. My friend’s father passed away suddenly last week due to heart failure. I can’t even imagine losing my father. No, really! I’d prolly jump into the casket with him. He’s my best friend, my confidant and I love him with every part of my being. So to witness one of my closest friends go through such a difficult time, it literally kills me. Let’s not even discuss this further. Moving on.

So after the service, I came home to take a nap. My face was so puffy from crying so much that I decided that it was time to shut off from the rest of the world for a few hours. When I arose, I got ready to head on over to Afrochic with my friend Nickesha! A beautiful cultural exhibit [co-founded by tomorrow's 'Girl On Top']. Yes, the event is centered around African cultural and yes, I did rock a cobalt blue turban that didn’t fit the occasion. But that’s the kind of mood I was in, so I did want my heart desired. [What do you think of my turban - Yay or Nay?] The event was great! There was food, music, fashion shows, vendors and more. I also saw my good friends Karen MacKenzie, Justin Wright and Amanda Parris.

Afro chic 2012 online marketing material

Following the event, Nickesha and I were starving so we went to a cute little restaurant [that we haven't visited before] called Nyood. Once inside we found it very ‘romantic-like’ [Not a real word but fits whatever is going through my head at the moment lol] as we laid our eyes on candle lit tables and beautiful people. The atmosphere was just incredible and the waiters… my goodness, those waiters.. words cannot describe. I assume it is a company strategy on the General Managers part to only hire all male waiters who look like they have stepped out of the pages of GQ magazine. Each face so handsome, each slender frame hustling and bustling to cater to all the women who filled the space. But then there was one I had my eyes on. All-night. Not in a lustful way [okay, maybe a little - don't judge me. I'm human], but I also had a deep feeling that there was a story behind his breath-taking smile – to which I later discovered there was.

His name is Jay [not his real name, but I don't have his permission to post his identity on my blog] and outside of working at Nyood, he is a talented painter and sculptor. Nickesha and I were fortunate enough to get a private viewing of his work in the back of the restaurant. He allowed me to run my fingers across the rough texture of the painting as he explained to the both of us the inspiration behind his work. It was a beautifully painted picture of Melanie Fiona on a giant canvas. He presented an original portrait to her and another on-looking client loved it so much as well, that he was asked to duplicate the project and it just so happened that Jay and I randomly crossed paths before he was finished. Ahh! Who doesn’t love a man who can use his hands? Two words. Simply amazing.

On a side note: The food was incredible. Nickesha and I shared a fish dish and then ordered a steak dish. I was very impressed by the presentation and how tastey it was. The only problem I had was the portion size. Like c’mon! I was still so hungry afterwards lol. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy fine dining, but it’s really annoying when I have to pay xxx amount of dollars only to receive a bite size meal. Does anyone else agree with me on this one? Am I alone here? Anyway, the experience was just what I needed to relax. I was highly-entertained by the servers and I was in great company with one of my best friends.

Rocking my fabulous headpiece at Nyood

Overall I have to say that my weekend was great. I spent every day with one of my best friends @hionfashion and to top it all off, I ended it with a lovely dinner at a fabulous restaurant. I’ve added it to my ‘favourites’ list and trust me, you can bet that I will be making another visit very very soon! haha. But now that I really think about how much work I have to get my hands into this week, I’m so stressed because there never seems like enough time to get anything done. You just can’t win and this is why I find it so difficult to take a break. This week I’m styling a photo shoot for DJ Charlie Brown, meeting with clients to conduct image consultations and personal shopping services, preparing for the celebrity MMVA Gifting Louge, and alot more!

Did I mention that I also have to write and produce several news reports for my publishing house due by Monday! I believe they will be published in the National Post, but I will get back to you on that. This is the crazy life that I live, but I will not complain because I am living a dream and I wouldn’t have it any other way

‘Till next time!

p.s. Oh! Here are some more restaurant favorites for those of you who need a great girls’ night out or date night. See below:

Nota Bene
Bankok Garden
Il Fernello
Canoe
Vivoli

Maybe I’ll do a recommendation post soon!

Peace & Love,

Tags: Afrochic, Art, beauty, build confidence, diary, dreams, emotions, fashion, food, happy, life, love, mentor, mission, note to self, passion, pauleanna reid, Pocketbook Diary, relationships, restaurants, Self Confidence, Self Discipline, Self Love, vision

Category: The Pocket Book Diary