'Michael' Listening Session (NYC)

Not sure how I feel about this new Michael Jackson album, but if you're curious about how the album may sound and you live in New York City there's an album listening taking place at Roseland Ballroom on Monday, December 13. DJ Cassidy will give attendee's a full listen to the album which is titled Michael. The event is free, but be sure to RSVP ASAP because tickets are on a first come, first served basis. Click here to RSVP.

Michael will be released globally on Tuesday, December 14.

Zoya Free Color Spoon Friday

In case you haven't had the opportunity to try out Zoya's new color spoons they'll be giving out free color spoons tomorrow (December 10). As part of the promotion you get six spoons for free (free shipping is also included) and a $3 Zoya Color Spoon credit, just use code SP6. Zoya offers around 300 different polishes so have fun choosing your spoons!

For more info on Zoya's Color Spoons check out the video below.

Lush Life: Gingerbread Man

I came across this while on Twitter the other day and it sounds dee-licious. Folks are always looking for that perfect holiday cocktail and this is definitely a great contender for that title. Can't wait to try it out for myself!

Picture Diaries: G-Shock And DGK Launch Party

To celebrate the release of their brand spanking new GX56DGK-1 watch G-Shock and skate brand DGK held an exclusive party at Ventanas in downtown Atlanta earlier this week. Skateboarder Stevie Williams hosted the shindig which was attended by D. Woods, Drumma Boy, DJ Drama, and more. Check out flix from the event below and if you're interested in purchasing G-Shock and DGK's GX56DGK-1 it retails for $160 and will be available in select stores and on G-Shock.com later this month.

Stevie Williams


Stevie Williams & D. Woods






G-Shock x DGK Collab

Half-Off Tickets To Cirque du Soleil's Ovo (Atlanta)

I know it sounds super cliche, but I checked out Cirque du Soleil's Ovo at Atlantic Station a few days ago and it really is a must see. A lot of people pass on seeing a Cirque du Soleil show because of the prices. Their prices usually start at $55 and go up to almost $400 so they aren't cheap. I was recently on the Ovo ticket site and they're actually offering tickets for half off at select shows. I think it's only for the upper level, but it's still a great deal. You can get a ticket for as low as $25. To purchase tickets click here and make sure you click on "Offers."

Paging Rihanna...

Charli Baltimore called and she said she wants her Kool-Aid red packet-colored hair swag back.

2010 Christmas Wish List

I both love and hate writing my annual Christmas wish list. I love it because it's actually kind of fun writing out a list of things I wouldn't mind having and I hate it because chances are I won't be getting any of these things. Hmm, maybe I should create a 2010 Christmas wish list PayPal donation page. Joking of course...But it would be nice if a really, really rich and generous person was reading this. LOL!

E-Reader



For quite some time I had absolutely no desire to have one of these. I really enjoy going to Barnes & Noble and browsing through the books so when the e-readers came out I thought they were pretty dumb. Here we are about a year or so later and now it's on my Christmas wish list. Go figure.

Reebok EasyTone Sneakers



I do a lot of walking for exercise so I really want a pair of sneakers that help tone while you walk. Originally I wanted the Skechers Shape-Ups, but them things are ugly as hell! Reebok's EasyTone sneakers look way better and right now they're on sale so they're actually cheaper than the Shape-Ups.

GAP Gift Card



I used to be obsessed with The Gap back in high school and now they're back on my list of favorite stores. I love accessories so the simplicity of their clothing works well for that. And I've gotten some true gems back in their clearance section.

Vera Wang Princess Perfect Pair



I purchased the Vera Wang Princess gift set from TJ Maxx late last year and one of the products included in the set was this (amazing) perfume rollerball/lip gloss combo. Unfortunately, although there's some lip gloss left there's no longer any perfume in the rollerball. I still like the scent so I'd definitely like to get my hands on another Vera Wang Princess rollerball/lip gloss perfect pair.

Tickets To The December 27 Falcons/Saints Game And Falcons Jersey



This game is going to be absolutely crazyyyy! Right now the Atlanta Falcons boast an impressive 9-2 record and the Saints are one of our biggest rivals. And you know I have to get my jersey game on point if I plan on checking that game out ;-)

Nikon 10.2 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera



I'm becoming more and more interested in photography and if I do plan on experimenting in that field then my Samsung digital camera isn't gonna cut it. I'm gonna need something with a little more "oomph."

Chanel Bag



I've been scouring Ebay for a minute now looking for a reasonably priced (REAL) Chanel bag that's suitable for everyday wear. No luck thus far, but hopefully that'll change during the holidays.

Well, that pretty much wraps it up but don't be too surprised if I post a Part 2 to this list because I really feel like I missed a few things.

Picture Diaries: Stone Mountain Park Media Day

Yesterday, November 21 a couple of friends and I had a blast at Stone Mountain Park during their media day. As part of the media day we were able to check out some of the parks holiday attractions and shows including the Holly Jolly Cabaret.

Like all of the attractions the Holly Jolly Cabaret is very family oriented. There was even a part during the show where the kids in the audience pranced around the theater as Rudolph and friends. All and all the show was pretty cute and will definitely get you in the holiday spirit.

Following the show we took part in a little cookie decorating. And I've come to the realization that I kind of suck at it lol.

My Cookie

My Friend Deborah's Cookie

We were a little hungry after all that work cookie decorating so we headed over to Showtime Snacks to build our own funnel cake. I'm salivating right now just thinking about that funnel cake. It was THAT good. We got apples and caramel on ours with whipped cream and nuts on the side but you can put Oreo's on it, M&M's, etc.

All That Funnel Cake-y Deliciousness!

After filling our stomachs with funnel cake we of course had to check out something relaxing so we headed over to the railroad station for a 25-minute train ride around the mountain. While on the train you really get a great look at all of the fall foliage. There's all kinds of shades of red, yellow, green, and brown. It even had us talking about possibly planning a camping trip at Stone Mountain or in the North Georgia Mountains.





We only had a couple of hours to spend at the park so our last stop was the sky lift and the top of the mountain. The sky lift was fun although those of you with a fear of heights would probably beg to differ. The scenery on top of the mountain was great and we got a bunch of great pics while up there.

The view from inside the sky lift.

All those buildings in the distance are downtown Atlanta.






I love this pic!

I would definitely suggest Stone Mountain Park if you have any family coming into town this holiday season. I'm sure they'll love it. On top of the Holly Jolly Cabaret which I mentioned earlier there's also Polar Express 4D, a Sleigh Ride Show, the Snow Angel Snow Fall celebration, and much more. Also, be on the lookout for Snow Mountain Park next month. I'm personally looking forward to that!

Whooga's Monthly Boot Giveaway

If you're looking for an alternative to Ugg boots then you may want to check out Ugg's newest competitor, Whooga Ugg boots. Prices for a pair of Whooga Ugg boots, which come in a variety of colors (even metallic), retail for about $114 and up. But if you happen to be saving up for all those gifts you have to buy next month then you may want to try your luck at Whooga's monthly contest. To enter their contest all you have to do is sign up for their newsletter via their Website. A winner will be chosen towards the end of the month.

Can't wait for the end of the month to get your hands on a pair of Whooga's? Then use the code 971DIARIES to receive 10 percent off your purchase.

Lush Life: Dirty Martini Letdown

It is with great sadness and regret that I inform you, my loyal reader, that the Dirty Martini is the nastiest alcoholic beverage I've ever tasted in my life! In. My. LIFE! Yes, it pains me to say it but that is one gross drink! Yuckaroo buckaroo!

I got a taste of the "DM" (I won't dare say or in this case type the name of this dreaded drink again) while I was in New York City recently. It was a dark and stormy night and some friends and I decided to hit up a lounge in Manhattan. Okay ok, it wasn't actually a dark and stormy night but I'm trying to set a tone here folks! It was a little brisk though, but anyway back to my story. While at the lounge, the Fat Black Pussycat to be exact, I stuck with one of my usual fruity cocktails for my first drink. I opted for a coconut margarita concoction made with rum. It was of course tasty, but I could barely taste the liquor which is a major no-no. One of my friends ordered a "DM" earlier that evening so when the waiter came over to take our orders for the next round I ordered a "DM." I was in the mood to try something different so I figured why not.

When our newly ordered drinks arrived I immediately took a sip of my "DM." Upon tasting the "DM" I couldn't help but wonder to myself what in the world I could have possibly done to the waiter to make him fill this cute little martini glass with water from the East River. Because that's exactly what it tasted like! Like ocean water! Salty and just plain nasty. I had absolutely no idea that a "DM" is made of olive juice. Who puts olive juice in a drink? Yuck! The name is misleading too, they should just call it an Olive Martini. I don't normally send drinks back, but I made an exception for the "DM." I got a pineapple martini instead and it was so gooood I had to get a second one :o)

It might sound wimpy, but I think from now on I'm going to stuck to my fruity drinks.

Red Bull Soundclash This Sunday (ATL)

I'm about 110 percent sure that everyone in Atlanta knows about the Red Bull Soundclash event taking place this Sunday, November 14 but I just had to post the details on here in case some poor soul is out of the loop. From the description it sounds like Soundclash, which will feature both The Roots and Shiny Toy Guns, is more of a live mashing up of genre's rather than a battle of the bands. Details below...

The Tabernacle
November, 14 At 7 P.M.
Tickets Are $8.50 At LiveNation.com

Alicia Keys In Italian Vogue

Let me first start off by saying Alicia Keys looks absolutely gorgeous in Vogue Italia's latest issue. Okay, now it's time for the sarcasm...Is it just me or does Alicia Keys look like a cross between Willow Smith and Paula Patton in the picture where the front of her hair is flipped? *Waits* Ha! I knew it wasn't just me! Check out the pics of A. Keys below.

Norah Jones To Release Album Featuring Outkast, Q-Tip And More

Wow, it looks like songstress Norah Jones' upcoming album entitled Featured will definitely be one for the Hip Hop lover's out there. The album, which features various collaborations between Jones and other musicians from the last decade, will be released on November 16. Collaborations between Jones and Outkast, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, Willie Nelson, and the late Ray Charles will all be featured on Featured. (How about that for a play on words?)

"A lot of the people on this record are people I've worshiped since I was a kid, and some of them are younger and more my contemporaries," said Jones in a statement. "Even though the musicians are so varied, the vibe of the songs makes sense when we put them all together."

The tracklisting for Featured is as follows:

1. The Little Willies - "Love Me"
2. The Foo Fighters feat. Norah Jones - "Virginia Moon"
3. Sean Bones feat. Norah Jones - "Turn Them"
4. Willie Nelson feat. Norah Jones - "Baby It's Cold Outside"
5. Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson - "Bull Rider"
6. Dirty Dozen Brass Band feat. Norah Jones - "Ruler of My Heart"
7. El Madmo - "The Best Part"
8. Outkast feat. Norah Jones - "Take Off Your Cool"
9. Q-Tip feat. Norah Jones - "Life Is Better"
10. Talib Kweli feat. Norah Jones - "Soon the New Day"
11. Belle & Sebastian feat. Norah Jones - "Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John"
12. Ray Charles feat. Norah Jones - "Here We Go Again"
13. Norah Jones feat. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Ryan Adams feat. Norah Jones - "Dear John"
15. Norah Jones feat. Dolly Parton - "Creepin' In"
16. Herbie Hancock feat. Norah Jones - "Court & Spark"
17. Charlie Hunter feat. Norah Jones - "More Than This"
18. Norah Jones feat. M. Ward - "Blue Bayou"

Zoya Halloween Promotion

For all the nail polish fiends out there you're in luck. Nail polish brand Zoya is holding a Halloween promotion now until Sunday, October 17. If you purchase over $10 worth of nail goody's over at Zoya.com you'll receive a half oz. bottle of three free polishes: Zoya Trixie, Zoya Raven, and Zoya Delilah. Be sure to use VKISS as the promotion code during check out!

Killer Mike And Immortal Technique Perform At A3C

Although Killer Mike's set at A3C was cut short, very short, he still put on a hell of a show (as expected). He even brought out Immortal Technique who went IN! Luckily, Killer Mike was able to get in a few more songs later that night at the Perfect Attendance stage. But of course I missed it. Go figure. Anywho check out my footage of both Killer Mike and Immortal Technique.

Oh and P.S. for some really weird reason it kinda looks like Killer Mike is lip-syncing his performance but clearly he's not. It's Killer Mike we're talking about, not Ashley Simpson. I think zooming in with my digital camera kind of messed up the audio.

Picture Diaries: A3C Hip Hop Festival

As expected the A3C Hip Hop Festival was pretty darn amazing. I saw some favorites perform, gained some new favorites, and met sooooo many cool people. I didn't really take too many pictures since I only had my lil' rinky dink digital camera, but here's the best of what I did capture. Enjoy!

Oddly enough, this was the only picture I have from my first day at A3C. We hit up Vortex in Midtown for some grub following Friday's festivities.

I absolutely love the lighting in this picture. Some b-boys and b-girls were doing their thing Saturday afternoon in front of the big Red Bull stage.

Senor Kaos!

Hollyweerd on the 2DopeBoyz stage.

Next stop...SXSW suckaaaas!

#LushLife

Homeboy Sandman & Pack FM!

Cunninlynguists!

Stalley!

H-Town's own Killa Kyleon.

Mistah Fab!

The Atlanta Brave himself, Donnis.

Double-O!

Kidz N The Hall!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Killer Mike + Immortal Technique = Pure INSANITY! (I'll be uploading video from their performance some time tonight)

Emilio Rojas!
The End.