A Woman and Her Hair

Hola, everyone!

It's been quite awhile since I've updated my blog. I've been mad busy with some serious life adjustments...but it's all good! I did find time to make this super short, short digital film titled "A Woman and Her Hair." I decided to share it here...I hope you enjoy! Ms. Jas

Are You Living Your Life Like it's Golden?

Tonight I was in some kind of mood and I started listening to some music. I love music I can sing along to…so it should come as no surprise that Jill Scott is one of my favorite artists. I remember when I discovered her. I was maybe 15 or 16 and while all of my friends were listening to the typical Hip-Hop and R & B songs, I thought I had uncovered a gem in Scott. I guess perhaps that was a few seconds before neo-soul had become popular and was awarded the label “neo-soul.” Since my treasured discovery, I have bought and sung along to every CD she has released.

As the songs rolled from one to another, the feel good tune “Golden” came on.  If I had to choose a song to describe this stage in my life at this very second, this would most certainly be the one. I forgot how wonderful this song was and ended up putting it on repeat. Throughout the song she sings about her "freedom.”

I'm taking my freedom,
Pulling it off the shelf,
Putting it on my chain,
Wearing it around my neck,
I'm taking my freedom,
Putting it in my car,
Wherever I choose to go,
It will take me far

Shamefully I have sung this song a million times and glossed over how powerful those words are. Essentially what she is doing is taking ownership of her freedom. How many of us know what it’s like to be free? How many people own their freedom? Living in the “land of the free,” that word is tossed around frequently without much thought. We are free to own land; free to practice whatever religion we would like to and we have freedom of speech. The list of the many freedoms we have goes on and on.

But when I speak of freedom, I’m talking about the freedom of your spirit, your mind…an unbinding freedom. Hell, some people won’t even pick out what clothes to wear without considering someone else’s opinion.

Let’s take a closer look at her words. In the first verse, she says she is “taking” her freedom. She is pulling it “off of the shelf.” She is “wearing it around her neck.”  So many of us have given our freedom away or neglected our freedom. You can give your freedom away to that 80 hour per week job or that person you’re won’t stand up to. Or you can simply disregard the fact you have the freedom to be you and attempt to be someone else.

In the same verse, she goes on to say that wherever she chooses to go; it will take her far. She is not being held hostage by the expectations of others or society. She is being true to herself. And speaking for myself as I always do, I noticed that when I’m true to myself, I manage to go further than I ever expected to go and places I never expected to go.

So to you my friends, I ask the questions: How many of you are living your life like it’s golden? Like it's important? Like it's valuable? How many of you are taking your freedom?

Ms. Jas

 

Wanna Get Away

I’ve been in need of a change of scenery for such a long time. I truly cannot remember my last vacation. And I’m not talking about those trips that I take to visit my family that usually take place  during the holidays. Although I love my family, that doesn't count as a vacation…it just doesn’t .What I am talking about is taking a trip somewhere…anywhere for no apparent reason other than to just get away and experience something new.

I finally got my chance to do just that. I have never considered visiting Arizona…it really never crossed my mind. Arizona typically (at least in my social circles) doesn’t come up as place to visit. However, one of my longtime friends recently began working in Phoenix and I thought to myself “Self, you’ve never been to Arizona, now would be a great time to take that much needed vacation.” So I purchased one of those Southwest “Wanna Get Away” tickets and a hopped a plane headed to Phoenix.

Since I’ve been stuck inside a cubicle for the last few years, I’ve had this crazy desire to be outdoors, when the weather permits it, of course. There is nothing like feeling the sun on your skin after you’ve been indoors all day. But, I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that it gets pretty hot in Phoenix and you’re right, this is not the sun I was talking about. The temperature reached 105 degrees daily, even the breezes I look forward to were hot and cutting. In order to beat the heat, most of my outdoor activities were reserved for the early mornings or late evenings. However, despite this my friend and I ended up at the Desert Botanical Garden in the middle of the damn day and it was horribly hot! We still walked around and were able to take in some sights of the desert, but eventually we had to do like the animals were doing and retreat to the shade.

One of the highlights of my trip ended up being saved for the end…the Grand Canyon. I never imagined visiting the Grand Canyon. I just happened to be surfing the internet for things to do in Arizona and I had another thought, “Isn’t the Grand Canyon in Arizona?” It is and instantly I became determined to go. So this past weekend, my friend and I made the 4 hour drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon National Park.

First off let me say, even the drive on the way to park was amazing. Being from Florida and living in Texas, it’s not every day that I get to see mountains. I have to say if I had to choose between the beach (and I do love the beach) and mountains…I would choose to go see mountains every time. There is just something so majestic about them.

Anywho, we finally arrive, park our car, and begin our walk to the Grand Canyon. I couldn’t believe how anxious and excited I was, especially since visiting the Grand Canyon was a recent idea. I don’t know what I was expecting, but when we finally arrived to the canyon I was struck with a speechless smile. It was simply amazing. It felt like I was witnessing one of the many instances of God’s love and existence…even the air was clean and crisp. I honestly could have stayed there forever or at least all day.

While I was standing there taking in the view, I began to reflect on my life and where I came from. I grew up in a working class neighborhood. My family worked extremely hard for what we had which is why I have such a strong work ethic. Our yearly vacations consisted of places like Universal Studios and Bush Gardens. This was truly a treat because some of my friends didn’t have vacations and never visited a theme park much less the Grand Canyon National Park. It was in that moment that I felt truly blessed and my heart was open.

So I had to share my experience because so often people don’t get a chance to experience moments like this. I also decided that I need to take more moments like these for myself. It’s so easy to get caught up in the minutia of everyday life because most people are just trying to survive. Needless to say I can’t wait to go back and when I do I plan on hiking into the Grand Canyon.

Weekend Getaway Inspired

Working a "9-5" for a lot of people can mean complete boredom, stress and so on and so forth. With the summer coming up you might find yourself a little envious of the kiddies who are able to get the entire season off. So I always recommend a weekend rendevous out of town. This outfit is inspired for those who punch the clock everyday and leave work on Friday ready to hit the highway for some weekend fun. This dress is professional enough for work, yet comfortable and chic enough to transition you into a weekend of work-less bliss. Take care!

Weekend Warrior: Pasadena Strawberry Festival

It’s rare that I have a free weekend, but when I do I hate to spend it in the house. Whenever I have a chance I like to explore my backyard.

This weekend was the Pasadena Strawberry Festival in Pasadena, TX. The only Strawberry Festival I’ve heard of was the much talked about festival in the film, “Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.” So I guess I was expecting something similar. Although, the festival was nothing like the film, I was still pleasantly surprised.

Experimenting with Instagram...ha!

I entered the convention center and was greeted by the world’s largest strawberry shortcake.

World's Largest Strawberry Shortcake

So you know I had to have my share, right?

It tasted as good as it looked!

I spent the rest of the festival taking in the sights of the carnival rides, the live music, and trying to eat myself into a food coma.

For my weekend adventure, I rocked a “Nola Darling” inspired ensemble. I purchased this skirt from Old Navy because it reminded me of the skirt Nola Darling wore in the first few scenes of Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It.”

Me rocking my "Nola Darling" skirt with my Strawberry Shortcake in hand!

All in all, I have to say today was a good day and I didn't even have to use my AK...

Ms. Jas

Inspired by Scandal Television Show

The highly anticipated television show, Scandal, featuring Kerry Washington debuted a couple of weeks ago. I think Washington is an excellent actress, so needless to say I was looking forward to the show's debut. I don't know what everyone else thinks, but so far I'm enjoying the show and I can't wait to see how it develops. Naturally, I couldn't help but to notice Olivia Pope's, Washington's character, wardrobe. She makes me want to step my work game up. Elements of her style that I have observed are: she is always wearing very light-colored or white pieces which can be indicative of her "save the day" reputation. Also, the show takes place in high-powered Washington, DC, so she is very tailored, everything fits perfectly and nothing is ever out of place no matter how uncomfortable the situation gets. This is an ensemble that I have put together inspired by Washington's character, Olivia Pope.

I Reminisce...

So today is Easter. While I was sitting in church observing all of the families and kids running around in their brightly colored Easter dresses, suits, pressed and curled hair and fresh haircuts, I begin to think about the time I was once that little kid. As the days of our lives speed by, it’s easy to feel like we were born an adult. But on days like today, I miss those simpler times when the biggest challenge I had to look forward to was finding the golden egg during the Easter Egg hunt.

Other things I miss from my childhood are:

 

Family cookouts: Whether they were in someone’s backyard, the beach, or my personal favorite, Hannah Park, family cookouts were and are the best. My fondest memory would be my dad and uncles on the grill while my mom, grandma, and aunts were in the kitchen making the sides. My cousins and I would run around outside and with the boom box blasting someone would eventually start a dance contest. The grown-ups would try to get all of the kids to do the latest dance moves, and then my Uncle Bruce would jump into the Georgia Slop while Uncle Daryl would hit a split. Those were good times.

 

Short sets: Okay so if you grew up in the South, you know about short sets, you probably owned a couple. They were basically automatic outfits that you could get from the mall or more than likely the flea market. Maybe I don’t miss those as much lol.

 

Honey drippers: These were the bomb during hot, summer days. You can make them yourself or go to the nearest candy lady. They were simply frozen juice in a cup and on a good day they would have fruit at the bottom.

 

The candy lady: Speaking of honey drippers, as I mentioned your neighborhood candy lady probably had an assortment of these. Back during simpler times, a candy lady was a woman who sold candy, cookies, chips, sodas and pickles to the all of the kids in the neighborhood. Our candy lady was Ms. Jones. She was so old she was the candy lady even when my mom was a little girl. After a day of playing, my cousins and I would walk to her house and purchase all of the above. It’s amazing how much stuff we could get with just a couple of dollars back then.

 

Wood Stock Park: This park was around the corner from my grandma’s house. It was like any old park except maybe it was in the hood, but it didn’t matter because we would have a good time. Men would play basketball while women watched and the kids would see who could touch the sky on the swings. Some of my best memories were when my grandma would take us to the park and buy us ice cream, the kind that came in a plastic cup and had a wooden stick for a spoon or my Uncle Robert would fix all of the kids lunch, then we would all pile on the back of his pick-up truck and he would drive us to the park.

 

Free summer lunches: Since school was out during the summer, neighborhood associations would gather at parks and pass out free lunches to all of the kids. The lunches were so good. They were just sandwiches, fruit and chocolate milk.

Kick ball, freeze tag, hide and seek, etc.: Back before Wii and PSP, we would stay outside ALL DAY. It didn’t matter if we had the latest toys and gadgets because we would manage to make up a game that was just as fun. We would play kick ball in the middle of the street and freeze tag, since I was the youngest I was always “It.”

 

Man, those were the days. I can go on and on. Thanks for coming along with me on my time machine to the past. What are things you miss from your childhood?

 

Ms. Jas

Coachella: Day to Night Contest Entry

So I entered my first contest on Polyvore's website. The challenge was to take one piece from a hot day to a cool night at the Coachella music festival. I chose this two-toned chiffon maxi skirt. Maxi skirts are one of my favorite items to wear because they're cool and breezy for a warm day, however, the length keeps your legs warm at night. White tank tops are once again my favorite and the crop top is an item that is definitely coming back in to style. Since it is a cool night in the desert, I decided to pair the crop top with a denim biker jacket. I can seriously see myself wearing this to Coachella!

Coachella: Day to Night by msjas featuring crop tops

Rodebjer crop top
£66 - farfetch.com

Armani Jeans denim jean jacket
£183 - farfetch.com

Maison Martin Margiela chiffon maxi skirt
£860 - brownsfashion.com

Rupert Sanderson ankle strap heels
£555 - brownsfashion.com

Wet Seal roman gladiator sandals
$13 - wetseal.com

A P C studded handbag
$575 - lagarconne.com

Zipper bag
$253 - boticca.com

Tribal necklace
$116 - kylerdesigns.com

Ela Stone gold feather earrings
£70 - julesb.co.uk

Roberta Chiarella crystal hoop earrings
$68 - maxandchloe.com

John Lewis multi strand necklace
£25 - johnlewis.com

Easy Like Sunday Morning

I love the weekend, especially when the weather is beautiful!! This is my easy Sunday ensemble: A pink linen blazer (Charlotte Russe), white tank top (I love these things!!), my favorite pair of jeans (Express) and ballet flats (Target).  With this outfit, I'm cool, comfortable and cute.

This is an old Coach backpack that belonged to my mother that I took out of retirement.

I got this necklace from Forever 21. One thing I can say about Forever 21 is that although you might have a twin walking around somewhere, the accessories are super cheap. I can cheaply create several different outfits just from shopping in the accessories section. I’ve had this necklace for a while, so I don’t remember what I paid for it. I love it, but I have such a hard time finding earrings to match; so I played it cool with some studs.

Happy Sunday!

Rainy Days

These random, rainy days here in Houston had me thinking if I were stuck in the rain this is what I would like to be caught wearing. J. Crew rubber ballet flats, a good trench coat, a nice oversized bag that can fit almost anything and an umbrella that doesn't bend inside out on me :-)

Ms. Jas

Rainy Days by msjas featuring a shopping bag

Junya Watanabe cotton jacket
£989 - farfetch.com

Yigal azrouël
£264 - farfetch.com

J.Crew bow shoes
$58 - jcrew.com

Chloé shopping bag
£1,519 - farfetch.com

J Crew gauze scarve
$125 - jcrew.com

Topshop umbrella
$30 - topshop.com

Work it Girl!

Okay, so for most people getting dressed for work can be a complete nightmare. However, I have some great news...it doesn't have to be! One thing I like to do that also makes my work day go by more smoothly is wearing color...bright colors. I would like to say that there is research available to prove that wearing bright colors improves your mood and attitude, but I haven't found that research just yet. Here is one of my favorite colors, turquoise. I like to call it my "power" color because when I wear it I feel like all eyes are on me. Which may be all in my head, but feeling that way helps me put a little more pep in my step. A way to include color in your wardrobe is to combine your colorful pieces with neutral colors. For example, wearing this turquoise dress with neutral accessories would definitely be the way to go for me. You can actually reverse this look with a beige or black dress and colorful accessories.  Work can be stressful enough, but what you wear on the outside can definitely affect how you feel on the inside. So punching up your wardrobe with a powerful color like this can come in handy if you have a major meeting or presentation. Hope this helps you get your week off to a wonderful start!

Wear to Work by msjas featuring a pink necklace

Cotton dress
£95 - coast-stores.com

Yves Saint Laurent leather tote handbag
€1.400 - montaignemarket.com

Banana Republic pink necklace
$70 - bananarepublic.gap.com

Mango cuff jewelry
£20 - mango.com

Janis By Janis Savitt clear stud earrings
$75 - ylang23.com

Polka Dots are Girl’s Best Friend, Too!

I consider getting dressed to be a fun and creative challenge. I would even go so far as to call it one of my hobbies, one that actually stuck. This week I decided to experiment with polka dots. Wearing any type of pattern can be tricky, but it certainly shouldn’t give you a panic attack. This is one look I wore to work, polka dots with plaid pumps. If you’re scared to go all the way with wearing patterns, try wearing the pattern on something small like a scarf or in this case, tights. Also, wearing small bursts of pattern will kick your outfit up a notch. It’s very inexpensive trick, I got these tights from Wal-Mart for five bucks and these pumps only cost me $12 at a Macy’s clearance sale.

Polka dots and plaid, oh my!

If you’re feeling bold, try wearing a patterned top or bottom. Beware the key word is “or.” Do NOT wear patterns from head to toe unless it’s a maxi dress or jumpsuit. I found this fabulous top on a weekend trip to San Antonio at T.J. Maxx, it was about $15. The neutral colors make it less intimidating and actually my first instinct was to rock it with a black pencil skirt which is fine. But I like to have a little fun with my style. So I rocked it with this pink mini-skirt I found at Forever 21 instead…it did everything, but break the bank at $9. I ended up wearing this ensemble to a party at the House of Blues and I really stood out amongst all of the “freakum” dresses and “club” shirts…in a good way.

Anyway, I hope you like what I put together and it inspires you to experiment with different patterns in your closet. Have fun!

Ms. Jas

So the Bet is Over

So the bet is over…three days in and my competition dropped out due to personal reasons. However, I decided to continue on with the challenge because I like the results that I’ve been getting. Since my goal isn’t weight loss, I haven’t been counting calories. My major concern has been making sure that my body gets the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals. So I have increased my daily veggie and fruit servings. I’ve been trying to get my servings as close as possible to the food pyramid…which has actually been changed to a big plate. I have also cut back on the processed sugar. Since I have been out of my parents’ house I haven’t had anyone to tell me “No,” so I have been eating some sweet ridiculousness daily as well as eating out. I haven’t stopped eating out, but I have changed what I eat when I dine out. I don’t go to my usual fast food joints and order greasy burgers and fries. I stick with veggies, seafood, and chicken---usually baked or grilled.  I’m pretty sure that my calorie intake has inadvertently taken a nosedive.

Dinnertime!! Salmon and Spinach

Snackin'!! Strawberries, Blueberries and Granola over Vanilla Yogurt

In addition to changing my diet, I’ve also started to add physical activity to my weekly routine. This wasn’t part of the original bet, I just felt like it. One free weekend (these are a rarity for me) I decided to try yoga. I went to a yoga studio in Galveston---it had an unexpected effect. I freaking loved it! I tried yoga a couple of times when I was younger, but wasn’t really feeling it. Recently I needed to de-stress and as God would have it yoga is the only exercise class that I could fit into my schedule. After that one Saturday, I enjoyed it so much that I found a yoga studio ten minutes away and bought a yoga mat. I’m digging the peaceful and at times challenging workout.

Yoga time!

Since I can only take my yoga class once a week, I’ve been searching for other ways to become more physically active. I happen to catch a clip of Kelly Rowland on Chelsea Lately and she was talking about her new workout video. Kelly Rowland has an awesome body and I liked to think we have a similar body type aside from her enviable abs, new boobies, etc. So I did something I don’t normally do….I purchased a workout tape.  I just got my Sexy Abs workout DVD in the mail and it was on and popping literally. I am sooooo out of shape. I don’t even think I made it half-way through the damn video. And I was reminded why I haven’t worked out in eons. My natural inclination is to give up and resume my exercise-less life, but I won’t! I will forge on and hopefully get better.

It's on and popping!

All in all, I have had more energy, before I would feel fatigue off and on throughout the day. I haven’t had that feeling since I’ve changed my diet. Since I stop eating when I am satisfied and not “full,” I also don’t have that “overstuffed” feeling that usually brings on a case of the “-itis” with it. Lastly, my mood has improved. This may also have been brought on by my weekly yoga, but it feels as though I have found inner peace among all of the chaos of life…I like this!


Ms. Jas

The Bet

When I tell people I want to eat healthy the most common reaction I get is why. I have never had issues with weight gain as an adolescent or as an adult. I have actually had quite the opposite; I have spent most of my life being slim. As a kid I was teased for being skinny. I would eat and eat trying to make myself gain weight to no avail.  Eventually I embraced my small frame and now I have a healthy body image despite all of the bootylicious divas scattered across mainstream media. Because of my size, a lot of people scoff at my desire to eat a healthier and more balanced diet as if weight is the only issue one should be concerned about. However, last time I checked slender people still have much of the same health concerns as larger sized people. Yes, obesity is connected to heart disease and diabetes just to name a few conditions; but those can also be found in smaller people. For instance, family members of mine have had high blood pressure and diabetes. That is something that I have to be cognizant of.

Another reason why I was interested in eating healthier was the concept that food is medicine. I’ve been interested in veganism for a few months now. I will not be trying a vegan diet simply because I don’t feel like my body can forgo eating meat. I’m not saying that I’m a crazy carnivore and I eat the whole pig from the roota to the toota. I honestly think I need meat even if it has to be a lean meat or maybe it’s the protein my body requires...whatever, I just can’t give up meat. However, I found it intriguing that illnesses can be cured or prevented simply by changing our diet. So when my home girl bet me to eat a healthy diet for the entire month of February I was all in.

I have tried this before and I would go maybe two weeks at a time before falling off of the wagon. My arch nemesis is fast food and/or dining out. I am child of convenience. I crave instant gratification. So when it’s 8 o’ clock at night and the mood’s just right, you might find me at your nearest drive-thru or Chinese restaurant. I do not like working all day, coming home, only to stand on my feet for 30 minutes or more preparing a meal that I will probably be too tired to eat when it’s finished. Also, I love my sleep and most of the time I wake up too late to fix my lunch which means I eat out sometimes at least twice a day. I guess I sound pretty lazy, huh? Don’t judge me. With all of this being said, I will need some assistance with finding simple and quick recipes. Help please!

Another challenge that I have to eating healthy is that I have the palate of a 3-year-old. I have gotten a lot better, but I am still hesitant to try new and weird foods. I will go to a restaurant and order the same thing over and over again. There is nothing worse than deciding to try something new when you’re starving and having it turn out completely disgusting. Which is why I generally stick with the tried and true, however, for the sake of the bet I am willing to try new foods; it may actually be imperative to me winning this bet.

I will be updating my blog with stories from my journey to a healthier lifestyle. And I would definitely love feedback, tips, and recipes. The bet officially starts February 1^st. Let’s get it!!

Motherhood and Marriage vs. Career...what to do, what to do...?

So it’s a few days after my 27^th birthday and shit just got real. I have always been very ambitious, but admittedly, I have been on auto-pilot for the last couple of years. Like most people, I got caught up in the everyday strife of working just to get by. It felt as though my 20s would never be over and then 27 cold-cocked me in the forehead.  My 30s are around the corner and I still have a lot of stuff to accomplish. Now, I do know that I am still very young and I have a lot of living to do, but it’s something about coming upon the end of a decade that makes you put everything into perspective.

With this in mind, I was talking with a co-worker about careers, college, etc. and she asked me, “What about a husband and kids?” And I stopped myself from saying with a hint of stankness, “What about a husband and kids?” Despite my ambitiousness, I never thought I couldn’t have it all, but whenever someone meets me and observes my drive or singleness, I always get the same responses. “Don’t you want to settle down?” “You’re one of those career girls, aren’t you?”

My frustration with these questions is that it’s pretty much assumed and accepted that as a woman you have to choose one or the other….you can’t have both. That annoys the shitake out of me. Yes, I can be very ambitious and lost in my dreams probably more so than the next person, but WHY can’t I have BOTH.


Perhaps I watch too many damn romantic comedies or maybe I shouldn’t have taken the Huxtables at face value, but I want it all: the career, the man, and the kids. And I think it’s possible. The ironic thing is that these questions are always asked by other women. I very rarely get this response from men. I actually get the complete opposite. They usually tell me to run far, far away from the idea of marriage until I’ve gotten all of the shenanigans of my youth out.

Basically, what I’m saying, is it’s nothing wrong with wanting marriage and motherhood, but there also isn’t anything wrong with wanting a great career either. So don’t try to make me choose!