I am really excited to announce that I will be blogging and doing interviews for the NC Fashion week here in Fayetteville, NC. This will be the first time , they ever had a blogger/vlogger doing this, I am really excited ! I will be posting each day about this event so come along with me as I give behind the scene through my POV!
Angela-Yvonne
Recently, I decided that I don’t want to be a Chunky Chick no more! Let me explain….
I have always wanted to be in shape! I have collected Shape and Fitness magazines and is obsessed with the shows Extreme Weight Loss and The Biggest Loser . I like many others , have jumped up every year , professed my New Year’s Resolution to get it together and finally be the best shape I could possibly be! First off, let me be the first to say that visually I am not that big. But, physically and health wise, I am chunky! I am real with myself when I say it! I am a foodie but not addicted to food. Pizza, French Fries and Sushi are my favorites. On a good day, I probably could eat a whole thin crust by myself but that is another story! I have always wanted to fit in a bikini not a full piece but a bikini. Some may say do it, love the skin you’re in but I know my limit and back fat ain’t sexy!
So, I am doing a 90 day challenge where I have committed to eating right and exercising. So far, I have lost 5 pounds , some inches and my energy levels have come up. It has been three weeks and a couple of my friends have decided to join me with becoming better images of themselves. This morning, I completed my first day of Boot Camp and it inspired me to write some tips to getting in shape that has worked for me and hopefully inspire some to get started before the New Year!
1. Be Committed! Now I believe and it has been tried and true that you have to get to a point where you don’t want to be where you are and know that there is more!
For example: I am tired of women who have had babies and are in better shape than I am. I want to be a bad b***h for one time in my life! I keep the thought of what it will be like on the other side in my mind constantly.
2. Change the Way You Eat A Day At A Time. I love to eat but you can’t change if you keep eating the same food. I find what motivated me to eat is looking on Instagram and following a lot of the healthy people like: Fitmen Cook, sammybFit, Mankofit, Melissa’s Produce and a few more. These people post great recipes , exercises and before and after pictures that make you want to get it together physically. I have also started to cook more because it tastes better and you can be more aware of what is going into your mouth! And a great benefit is I am finally learning how to cook!
3. Keep Track of the Exercise that you do. It take 3,500 calories to burn a pound ! So I like to use apps on my phone to keep track of exercise or I write it down on a calendar. The apps I am using now are: My Diet Coach, Fooducate and sometimes Fitocracy and Fitness Pal.
I like using these apps because it makes you more aware of calories and it keeps up with your food intake for the day. My Diet Coach sends motivational sayings every hour if you need and reminds you to drink water. Fooducate allow you to scan food items ,see what others say about the food and gives a grading system as to how healthy it is for you!
4. Exercise! I try to commit to exercising at least 4 times a week. I am am not going to lie doing the treadmill can get boring. The elliptical and a machine called the Cybex helps burn at least 500 calories per hour. I use my ipod to make it go a little faster!
Songs I like to listen to have a fast beat to them and also motivate me by thinking of the words and the singer or rapper fitness level: Songs that get me always: Breathe , Stretch, Shake by Mase, Say I by Christina Milian, Grown Woman by Beyonce, Wild by Jessie J and Hard by Rhianna. I have incorporated group fitness classes also such as Cycling, Body Step and Body Pump and recently started doing a Boot Camp twice a week! Another benefit I find by exercising , is that it is a great appetite suppressant and makes you crave clean and fresh food!
5.Have a Support System! Having a support system makes you accountable. I find that if I post a Tweet, my status on Facebook or Instagram a recipe of what I make, it makes me feel accountable because someone it going to either join you or ask why you stopped before your goal! I hate to be embarrassed so that is definitely keeping me honest and on my exercise grind. It also helps to talk about your goals with others because you can exchange ideas of what is working and not working.
6. Have a vision of what you want to look like! All bodies are different! So you can have an ideal shape but it is important to be realistic. I am 5’4 and naturally muscular so I know I will never be a bone nor do I want to be. I know that I can be in the best fit that is perfect for me so I have a vision piece that I look at everyday! I found a pair of jeans at the thrift store that I keep on my wall to remind me to eat well and exercise.
I hope that these tips help you and inspire you to challenge your self!
Here is being the Best You Can Be!
Fitfully Yours,
Angela Yvonne
Last night I sat glued to my seat as the 2nd episode of Scandal got me all the way together as we learned how Huck, Olivia, Addison and Olivia’s father, Rowan lives became entangled 5 years prior. Here is my recap!
The show starts of in flashbacks 5 years prior . Olivia and her father are eating dinner and it is uncomfortable . In exchange of payment of her law school debt, Olivia must have an excruciating meal with her father every Sunday. Olivia has been holding a grudge because she was sent away because of her mother’s death. Reluctantly, Olivia gives her father attitude until he lets her know he does not appreciate her behavior ie. check the attitude because I am paying out of my pocket the least you can do is fake it! Olivia lets down her guard and decides to give her father a chance.
Olivia meets Huck in the subway and develops a fondness for him. She brings him food and they get to know each other. One night as Olivia is standing on the train platform, she is attacked by two men and is saved by Huck. Later, Olivia inquires about how Huck was able to take down her attackers, not knowing yet that Huck was a member of B613. Huck informs Olivia about the B613 and that he is a trained assassin. Olivia asks her father to look up Huck with the FBI. Olivia offers up Huck’s whereabouts without knowing Rowan thought Huck was dead! Edison is introduced as wanting to marry Olivia and she is stalling.
Rowan gets Huck and tells Olivia a made up story that Huck was arrested and that he was crazy and that she should leave well enough alone! Olivia then meets David Rosen.
David is an attorney and Olivia pulls a favor to get information about a recent arrest. David tells her that the fingerprints and information she wanted was clean, that they did not exist. Olivia starts her own investigation about the information Huck gave her about the B613. Olivia searches for Huck in the dead bodies brought to the morgue. The investigation leads her to her father and she realizes that he is Command of B613.
Over their usual Sunday dinner, Olivia confronts her dad and he gives the performance of the evening! He tells her that she does not know that side of him and her prefers not to introduce the two worlds because if he does, it won’t be pretty. Favorite Quote of the night: ” I am Your Father and I will tell you how to behave in my presence” She storms out. Olivia decides to marry Edison to rattle her father and because he could help her possible crack down on B613. She introduces her “fiance” to her father and he conveniently lets Olivia know that in this chess game he is King, by causing Edison to meet up with a horrible accident.
Present day: The craziness that is consuming everyone about the President alleged mistress Jeanine is in full bloom. The President supplies Olivia with a cell phone for her to reach him anytime through his secret service. Olivia holds a press conference letting the people know that the White House is lying about Jeanine and the President. We find out that Rowan leaks the Jeanine video and wants to make sure it is put to good use. The President feels bad for Janine and wants to tell the truth. Millie and Cyrus plotting to make the lies stick about Jeanine by planting possible times she could have met with the president while her First Lady duties called her away from the White House.
Pope and Associates preps Jeanine on what to say in an exclusive interview, she breaks down because of the pressure. Later, Millie contacts Janine after hearing how the news is portraying her as a ” woman of a certain age” she offers Jeanine 2 million dollars to admit to having and affair with the President. Olivia feels like she owes Jake for saving her life. She asks the president to bring Jake back. The president says he can’t and Olivia tells him he can because he is the President. Fitz interrupts Jeanine’s interview and goes on air admitting that he slept with Jeanine which kills the deal Millie makes with her.
Quinn had been digging into Olivia’s background and discovers information about Huck. Huck never knew about the deal Olivia made for Rowan not to come after him. The pieces come together in a partial flashback of Huck asking Olivia about a deal that was made for him. The deal is denied by Olivia and Huck realizes that Olivia lied to him. Huck meets Olivia in the parking deck and asks again and in a fit of rage he chokes Olivia and the stops. He finds out that Rowan is Olivia’s father. This scene broke my heart because I know that Huck felt that Olivia was the only one he could trust. Rowan delivers Jake back to Olivia beaten to the last inch of his life on her doorstep.
Whew that was a mess!
Until Next Time,
Angela Yvonne
Thursday Night , October 3, 2014 was the night that Scandal came back and gave us what we needed! For those who have not watched Scandal, you are missing a well written show! Last night’s episode was filled with , back-stabbing, jaw dropping scenes that had me clutching my pearls! Here is my Recap!
The show began with Olivia Pope face to face with her father, Rowan. Olivia was trying to understand why he was trying to kill her? We find out that he was trying to kill Jake the night someone broke into her place. Olivia’s name has been leaked as the mistress of the President. He suggests she hop onto a private plane and get lost for 8 months. . He informs her that her knew about her sleeping with the president and the promises of being First Lady. He reads her like he was the puppeteer of everyone’s lives and he gives everyone just enough rope to hang themselves. He didn’t appreciate that she had so much faith in the people she was associated with and apparently has lost a grip on her life. Favorite Lines: “You have to be twice as good to get Half of what they have”,”Why do you have to be so mediocre?” “I am the Hell and High water”
In a moment of weakness, Olivia decided to board the plane and as she was about to take off ,she calls Cyrus to ask him to tell Fitz goodbye. Cyrus convinces her to not leave and that he would have her back.
Olivia decides she is capable of fixing it so she decides to go to her office. Her limo is swarmed by reporters, Huck rescues her and bring her to safety.
Olivia trys to let it be business as usual, but her clients start to fall by the wayside after hearing the news about her affair. Cyrus and Millie try to find out how the affair was leaked. Cyrus butters up his husband, a journalist for the white house, to try to find out who would know this information. Millie talks with secret service to find out if they were the culprits. In flash backs, they show that the secret security talked about it but did not mention names.
David Rosen, the US Attorney tells Olivia to tell the truth as Olivia listens she says nothing.
A leaked photo of Fitz leaving Olivia’s apartment prompts Cyrus to start a kill folder for Olivia. A kill folder to my knowledge would be everything you can find on a person to help discredit the character of a person. Cyrus and his team gather information to make Olivia seem like an ambitious whore.
Olivia sets up a meeting with Fitz and Millie by using a secret code used for emergencies only. The three in the room was the most memorable one liners and scene stealing acting skills that up the ante for episodes to come.
In the meeting, Millie shows no mercy for Fitz and Olivia. She is not willing to save Fitz from embarrassment and used the word whore often when referring to Olivia. Olivia asks her not to call her a whore to her face. Fitz keeps telling Millie he is in love with Olivia and each time he says it, it’s like a dagger in Millie’s soul. Millie is like a rapid dog spewing out how she is not pleased with the situation and she could care less how it plays out.
Olivia comes up with the plan of telling a “white lie” about how long she has been involved with the president. All agree to say twice and give apologies. Favorite Line: Olivia to Millie ” I gonna need for you to refrain from calling me a whore to my face”
Millie decides that she has a plan of her own, goes to Cyrus and let him in on the plan. Meanwhile ,the Gladiators are planning to help Olivia without her knowledge. The plan is to find an escape goat to be the mistress for Fitz and Olivia can go back to life as she knows. They find it in Jeanine, an unsuspecting aide for the president and feed her to the lions with Cyrus as the ringmaster. All is well, reporters now have new meat to terrorize.
Fitz is not happy about what Jeanine being thrown under the bus. Millie informs him that she knows what he did.He leaked Olivia’s name to the press. In flash backs, Fitz gave the name to the secret security and they leaked it to the reporter . Fitz coldly declares war on his wife, letting her know he leaked Olivia’s name because she would no longer be able use it, and the war was between him and her, not Olivia.
Charlie the assassin turns up in Cyrus house, he was sent by Olivia’s father Rowan to bring Cyrus to him. Rowan reveiles that something shady went on while Fitz and Jake were on tour! Cyrus jaws drops.
This episode was awesome and I can’t wait til next week for more. Come Tweet with me on Thursdays @AngelaYvonne!
It’s been Handled,
Angela Yvonne
I don’t know who was more excited that The Voice is back than I was! The Voice premiered Monday night with the original judges: Christina Aguilera, Ceelo Green, Adam Levine and three time champ, Blake Shelton.
Christina and Ceelo left last season to pursue their music and were temporarily substituted with Shakira and Usher. This season, they are back refreshed and ready to win. Christina came back looking stunning, reminiscence of the Genie in a Bottle Christina. Ceelo giving ode to Michael Jackson with an interesting hair cut.
This year looks like it is going to be better than ever. The new contestants came prepared with their A game ready to win!
The standout of the evening was Donna Allen, who’s rendition of You are so Beautiful was clear and strong. The 54 year old had been singing background for Gloria Esteban and decided to let her singing take the back seat to raising her son.
Christina turned her chair with Adam, but Donna picked Team Adam to lead her to becoming the Voice. Nic Hawk came through with his version of Hit Em Up Style by Blu Cantrell. He was animated and fun. The highlight was Nic flirting with Adam, saying ” He might not be able to concentrate with Adam as his mentor”. He chose to become a member of Team Adam.
Former pageant contestant turned pageant coach , Shelbie Z was the first to be on Team Blake, singing Gretchen Wilson’s Here for the Party. The only contestant of the night that Blake secured.
Christina came for the win this year and was ready to get her team together with Matthew Schuler . He was the only 4 chair turn of the night.
Ceelo rounded of the night securing giggly, shy and quirky Caroline Pennell singing Anything Could Happen. Raleigh native Kat Robichaud sung the classic Kiki Dee’s I got the Music in Me which secured her place on Team Ceelo.
Last night was part two of the blind auditions. The judges came focused and kept the audience entertained with the banter. Christina scooped up Jaquie Lee who’s Back to Black by Amy Winehouse was awesome but Ceelo was more mesmerized by her boots, even stopping to take pictures in the mist of judges trying to convince her why she should pick them.
Destinee Quinn, a singer who earned her chops singing in Biker Bars and any where she could also secured a spot on Team Christina.
A standout of the night was not necessarily an contestant but the Grandmother of one. Cole Vosbury’s sung Moving on Up, the theme song for The 70’s sitcom, The Jefferson’s. His song of choice was original but his grandmother stole the show with her sassiness and her claim to be the only woman to turn down Elvis Presley.
Ceelo was the only one to turn his chair around for Cole. Team Ceelo added another to his roster.
Team Blake got Austin Jenckes, whose Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd was the first song he was taught by his father who committed suicide. Blake ended the night with getting Holly Henry, a waitress who had never performed in public, but whose voice was a shoe in to make Team Blake.
EG Daly a voice over actress surprised everyone withe her version of Breathe by Faith Hill. EG has been spending her time voicing some of the biggest childhood shows like Rugrats and was a featured character on Pee wee’s Playhouse. While the other judges were impressed with her past. Team Blake stayed on track and got her to come to their side.
Tessanne Chin came from Jamica to sing Try by Pink. Her powerful vocals left the judges in awe.
I know she is definitely the one to beat this season.
The Voice comes on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Come join me on Twitter @ Angela Yvonne.
Talk with You Soon,
Angela Yvonne
I am a fan of international foods. It is just something about the preparation with the herbs and spices that just makes my mouth water and craving more of it. So today was one of those days that I was looking to have something really good to eat. Mexican food is one of my favorite choices, especially if it is close to authentic as possible.
My favorite spot in Fayetteville, North Carolina is Salsa’s and Beer, 519 Grove Street, 910-483-9201. I love this place. For those of you who live in Fayetteville or have been, it use to be a food court and it is located across from Wendy’s and McDonald’s. I tried Salsa’s and Beer for the first time months ago and I was hooked.
When you first come into the restaurant it reminds you of a Cantina, In the middle of the floor they have a salsa bar with different types of fresh salsa for you to try. Our waiter Rigo came to the table with complimentary bean dip and chips. I ordered for my drink, a Tres Generation Margarita with salt. It was so good, with the right amount of tequila.
For the appetizer we ordered the spinach queso . I ask for tortillas because queso in my opinion tastes so much better than with the chips. The queso is made with fresh spinach and you can tell it was made to order.
The entree pictured above was Pollo Loco, A chicken breast with spinach, mushrooms and peppers with queso. On the side was iceburg lettuce with a special dressing, fresh pinto beans with a pico de gallo and spanish rice.
The whole meal was great, fresh and made to order. The customer service is amazing, The staff is very friendly with the limited English that they speak. The atmosphere is not crowded but comfortable. Hispanic music playing but not too loud where you can’t have a conversation.
My Grade for Salsa’s and Beer: A+
Where is you favorite spot for Mexican food? Tweet me @AngelaYvonne
Adios,
Angela Yvonne
Monday night was the Premiere Episode of Season 17 Dancing with the Stars. It was amazing! For starters, the concept of the show being a two-nighter during the week has changed. Viewers now have to wait til the following week to get the news of who is staying and who will be dancing down the yellow brick road home! New faces have come to replace vets like Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Anna Trebunskaya . Real music instead of the cover band singing, as the dancers shake and shimmy was a great surprise.
What looks to be the most well-rounded, amateur dancing cast , everyone brought their “A” game from the beginning. Brant Daugherty and partner Peta Murgatroyd got the viewers and audience buzzing with the instant flirting and possible showmance. The standout of the night was Amber Riley known as Mercedes on the hit show Glee. The singer showed that she was more than her incredible voice . Derek Hough was her partner as they did a sassy cha cha leading the night with the best score of three 9’s.
Next was Corbin Bleu, known as Chad in the very successful movie trilogy, High School Musical. As Corbin was introduced , a segment in the movie showed Corbin as Chad saying he does not dance. Last night he DANCED! A beautiful contemporary number with his partner, Karina Smirnoff definitely made him one to watch.
Last but not least, Elizabeth Berkley aka Jessie Spano from Saved By the Bell and Nomi in the cult classic Showgirls proved that she more than the cheesy characters that brought her fame, she was a bonafide dancing queen! Maksim’s little brother Val Chmerkovsky was paired with the graceful dancer in a contemporary number also.
Those three are my predictions of being in the top 3.
Other dancers brought stories of triumphs with them on the show and shocked audience and viewers how well they were as dancers.
Jack Osbourne who is battling MS and the lost of his child , gave a great performance. Remembering Jack from the Reality show , The Osbourne’s on MTV and as Ozzie Osbourne’s son, he has come a very long way. He looked great,healthy and polished. Cheryl Burke, my favorite pro on the show helped usher him into a whole new light. Valerie Harper known as Rhoda and with a career than spanned decades has been diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer at the beginning of the season. The cancer now in remission, gave the actress a new lease on life and surprised many with how light on her feet she really was. Tristan MacManus partnered with Valerie was welcomed back for his fourth season with the show.
Christina Milian battled nerves with a cute contemporary dance with her partner, Mark Ballas. I was surprised that she was not in the top as one to watch. I had high expectations, but I think that after this performance she will become a force. Snooki aka Nicole Polizzi has grown up! She is not the Hot Mess she professed to be in her introduction. For a beginner, she definitely held her own with one of the new pro faces, Sasha Farber.
Bill Nye the Science Guy gave a unique performance filled with playing to his strengths. Dancing to “Weird Science” was amusing but the judges were not impressed giving Bill Nye the lowest sore of the night. Bill Engvall, one of the kings of red neck comedy with partner Emma Slater foxtrotted to a score of 18. Although Leah Remini danced her way to a score of 21, her attitude may not be a fan favorite and could possible land her in bottom in weeks to come. And last but not least, Keyshawn Johnson left things to be desired compared to his sports predecessors in other seasons.
Spotted in the crowd: JLo and Casper, the Glee cast, Sharon and Ozzie Osbourne!
Prediction to go Home: Keyshawn Or Bill Nye
Who do you think will win the trophy?
Let Me Know!
Angela Yvonne
I have been in the transition phase of growing my hair and becoming chemical free. I am loving all of the trial and errors I am finding to bring my hair back to life. I have been addicted to the hair crack (relaxers) for as long as I can remember. Now that I am on a healthier lifestyle kick, it only made sense to become healthy from head to toe and from inside out!
About a month ago, I was shopping at a Mediterranean Mart and came across this hair product, Dabur Vatika Naturals. I have finally found a product that moisturizes my hair and has brought life to my Sahara desert. Dabur Vatika Naturals has been a saving grace for my Sahara desert on top of my head. They have multiple products for your all hair needs. I have fallen in love with their Black Seed Hair Mask Treatment.
One of the main ingredients for this product is the Black Seed. Nigella Sativa aka black seed has been known for over thousand years for it’s healing properties. Originated from Western Asia but is now cultivated from the Near East to India, the hair mask treatment boasts other ingredients such as amino acids, fatty acids, minerals and carbohydrates . These are main components for protecting, strengthening and help with growing hair.
This hair mask treatment is so easy to use. I just wash my hair, take a scoop of the mask,put it all over my hair , pop a plastic hair cap on and sit under a warm dryer for about 20 minutes. You can also use a hot towel as the label states.
I wash the mask out and my hair feels AMAZING and moisturized. It retailed at $5.99 but I also saw it can be purchased on Ebay and Amazon.
What unique natural products do you use?
Hairs to You,
Angela Yvonne
I love going to the Farmer’s Market. Wherever I live, my first assignment is to find where I can get healthy foods. I recently have been trying to eat as fresh as possible to get healthy and to lose a few pounds. Everyone knows the drill , walk the perimeter of the grocery store to eat great! On those aisles, you will find where the clean eating ingredients are. Apples, Oranges, and Pears, Oh My! There is nothing that tastes better than fresh spinach, kale , collard greens or sweet potatoes.
It costs more to eat healthy than to eat badly ie. Dollar Menus at any drive thru or any weekly special at the favorite pizza place. Eating healthy can break the bank especially if you eat organic. I have the answer to the question of getting on board!
Farmer’s Market are one of the best ways to getting on the healthy train without busting the bank.
My favorite Farmer’s Market is Reilly Road Farmer’s Market , 445 N. Reilly Road, 910-868-9509.
On any given day you arrive you see rows of fresh vegetables and fruit. For 30 years, this small market has been giving the community varieties of seasonal goodness. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you might get a chance to sample some of their juicy peaches fresh off the truck. Plump plums, Delicious Apples, Watermelons and the list goes on. Vegetables and Fruits are not the only things found at the market. You can find one of a kind products like seasonings, jams and natural foods made locally or nationally. One of the major brands carried is the Amish Weddings Food Products.
Amish Wedding Food Products are all natural food products made in the the Amish Community in Ohio. The name Amish Wedding Food is about traditionally preparing food for an Amish wedding takes about a year to make everything perfect ! I picked up 3 bags of their all natural pastas made from vegetables.
What I would normally spend at my local grocer’s for one bag, I am able to walk with several bags for less that $30 dollars.
Farmer’s markets are best kept secrets filled with lots of goodies that are organically grown, less pesticides and it just makes you feel good when you bring home your finds.
Where do you discover fresh produce?
Here’s to Great Food
Angela Yvonne
AbsolutelyEverything By Angela Yvonne 