It's no Ruby Tuesday's Salad Bar...

I went to Jason's Deli for lunch today. The one in the 'Burg is ALWAYS super packed. I mean, damn, does anyone bring there lunch to work in the 'Burg...other than my momma? If you have been to Jason's Deli, it's all about the sandwiches. I usually get the Club Royale and Sweet Tea. But decided to try their salad bar...

Not good...Not good.

Not enough veggies on there for me and the dressings were seriously watery. But, I dig that Potato Salad and Ice Cream Machine alot. Reminded me of the Winthrop University Thomson Hall Cafe. Next Time...I'll stick to my Club Royale.

Any suggestions on what else is good at Jason's?( ck out the website...they got a blog.)

Jamie

photo: www.addisontexas.net

She's Back and She's Living the Life...Of Style!!

Lord have mercy did I miss my blogging friend and music pal Miss Kim! She's back with two new super fabulous blogs for all of her fans in fashion and beauty and lifestyle:

The first of her new blogs is a A Life of Style...

A lifestyle pr blog highlighting all that is current in trends, fashion, events, books, music, and those hidden gems that are out there.

And the other one fab blog is Me and My Products...

She's got a review on Urban Decay's Primer Potion...did some say Rural Glamour Sephora Wishlist?

Check her out!!!

photo:http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/19/04/22780419.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jupiterimages.com/itemDetail.aspx%3FitemID%3D22780419&h=166&w=250&sz=23&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=smCTgdw1oxhf3M:&tbnh=74&tbnw=111&prev=/images%3Fq%3DAfrican%2BAmerican%2BGirlfriends%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DGGLD,GGLD:2005-14,GGLD:en%26sa%3DN

( That's not me and Miss Kim... lol!!)

Weekend Rantings and Ravings...

My brain is shot...I just had one of the most emotional weekends of my life. Thanks Momma and Plaintiff!(grrr...)

Bullet points...is all I got yall:

-I just got stopped by Union Public Safety...for doing about three different things. And he wrote me a WARNING. God is SSOOOOOOO Good to ME!

-I have no edition of Weekend Cooking. I had no appetite and didn't cook anything. But I did decide to do a Mini Thanksgiving dinner at my casa for me and the kids. even though we will probably eat at my mom's too. Will list the menu once I decide.

-I did however rack up at the Hillcrest Goodwill. I'm talking about Banana Republic cardigans, Merona turtlenecks, an electric teapot, two pair of Old Navy jeans,a pair of yoga pants, a London Fog Vintage Windbreaker. I must visit them more often!

-I got a post for ya'll later on this week. A review on ID Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup. Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready!( Meet the Browns)

-The November 2007 of O magazine...so yummy...I got a list of things I must have...

-I spotted some Riedel O wine glasses at Stein Mart for 9.99. Why? Because one glass was missing. Yep...I got them!:)

Talk to ya'll later...be good and be prayerful!

Jamie

photo: www.oprah.com

From Edkerd to Rite Aid: Sale Haulage!

I'm protective about a drugstore.Like this whole Edkerds now Rite-Aid. We had Rite-Aids down here before and they didn't do no good. I remember one in Rock Hill that I used drive across town to get to. It's was all gated up with major cameras like somebody was going to jack it. But I went in one the other anyway...Edkerd, I mean Rite-Aid always has the up-to-date makeup goodies. I walked right into a clearance cart that had all this Booth's yumminess on it. I like Booth's Pomegranate Body Wash. So I scooped this products up all under 3.00. I already love and love the Fruit Enzyme Balance Toner. So hop by there and hunt down the clearance cart. I think that's popping off because of the change in companies and maybe they are not carrying certain products...



Does any remember Revco? lol!

Jamie

The Good ,The Bad and The Mascara...

Hey cousins!! It's been the LONGEST WEEK OF MY LIFE...at work of course. I've been between three stores courtesy of"Le Lion". But getting paid in the process. I'm moving up like the Jeffersons' all the way to Salisbury NC! I popped in CVS to get the Bams their prerequisite Pull-ups and picked up Cover Girl Lash Exact. I had read a confusing( I didn't know if they were saying it was good or bad) review of it in Allure and decided to give it a try. Shoot...I needed mascara anyway.

The Good: It got that rubber brush that I love. And it a pretty shade of orange. Like a Creamsicle! Yum!

The Bad:It flakes, the brush is too big, the handle to long and the tube too big.

The Mascara: Stick with Lash Exact, Cover Girl.


Jamie

Caution...

I got a pimple. Like a serious under my eye and its got looking like it want to show up to! I'm always surprised when I break out because I'm so tedious with my skin but I'm struggling on this one ya'll. I never have acne medication either. Because I never expect them. So I go a digging away in my little skin care box( It's little now compared to the past...) and found mark. Spots Away AM-PM Blemish Neutralizer. I dabbed the green tip on, let it dry and lightly patted the color around and on the pimple. It was a dream!! The camouflaging, of course. The green meds tip helps with downplaying the redness and color tip gives a little coverage. Now, I'm off to the drugstore to find some nighttime relief!

Jamie

PS- If ya'll want to partake in this item, you'll have to do some serious searching. Its a discontinued mark. item. How special( Their good stuff always get discontinued...) :(

Jamie

Recipe:Parmesan Risotto

From Turn Up the Heat by G.Garvin 2006

Parmesan Risotto INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, diced

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

1 teaspoon chopped shallot

1 cup uncooked Arborio rice

3 cups chicken stock, heated

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

Salt

Black pepper

1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

PROCEDURE:
1. In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and shallot; cook for 3 minutes. Add rice, stirring to coat. Add 1 cup of the hot chicken stock; cook and stir until stock is absorbed.

2. Add another cup of chicken stock; cook and stir until stock is absorbed. Add remaining 1 cup stock; stir in the thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until stock is nearly absorbed. Finish risotto by stirring in the Parmesan cheese and butter.

© Copyright 2004-2007 A RadioOne Company

The Foundation....

If you notice that I've blogged about any new fabulous and expensive makeup products, that's because I have none. Plus, I can't write about things I don't own, haven't used, can't buy, don't want to buy.But I will write many, many wishlists.:)When I unpacked my winter and fall scents and lotions about a month ago, it was alot of half empty bottles and stuff I'll never used again. Just like my clothes, It something I gots to work on. I've been collecting drugstore and BBW coupons preparing for the "Big Haul"...whenever that will be...grrr!

Enough of my broke bitchin...:(

I found in the recent financially strapped times that when I have a perfume and no layering lotion to match, either I use a lotion with similar scents or just use Johnson and Johnson Baby Lotion. I have several big bottles of it due to three years ago having two babies at the same time. Plus, the midgets love lotion and baby powder. And their hair brushed. And their clothes pressed. Pretty Boys.:) I think their dad and the Blue People Nation just lost two.lol! Anyway J&J Baby Lotion keeps the skin soft and it smells good under most fragrances I use.

Jamie

Weekend Cooking III...

I swear on everything I love,I've cooked more this weekend than any week before. I was trying to be "cost effective" and cook at home. Plus I had recipes to try and let ya'll in on.:) This is pic of a Parmesan Risotto I made Saturday night. I've never had risotto but all the cooking shows, magazines and cookbooks make it look to so yummy. So, I picked a simple recipe out of my G.Garvin cookbook. As always, if ya'll want me to list the recipe, I will.:) It was good all by its self with a little salad on the side. My boys ate some too, with some Tyson Chicken Nuggets I popped in the oven for them. Bubba said, "Mommy, this good." I said " Bubba, Mommy, this IS good." lol! G.Garvin's recipe requires to no white wine like most risotto recipes to so I had to add about two extra cups of broth/stock.
After church, I made my "Sunday Supper", Bow Tie Pasta and Chicken from G.Garvin's cookbook. It was so-so. It has asparagus, one of the few veggies I don't like. Plus the recipe called for tomato sauce and chopped tomatoes. Why not the store bought spaghetti sauce of your liking? Because it would have tasted alot better. I had to put my spin on it and put 1tbsp of sugar in it. That saved that situation. The parmesan cheese didn't add much flavor like normally does. I probably make this again, tweaked to my liking. I did like the use of bowtie(farfalle) and chicken.

This morning I made Homemade Pancakes for the boys. I got this recipe out of a Food Everyday Magazine. Can you believe I own baking powder? How many chicks in their 20s and 30s own baking powder? But the recipe was actually a recipe for waffles for a waffle iron. Now I don't own one of those... anymore. I had an ex buy one about four years ago and when we broke up, I threw it away...:).

Jamie

photos:Mine all Mine!!

Fashion Depression...

On Friday night decided to go through my fall/winter clothes and get the summer ones packed up. After about only 30 minutes, I found myself staring at a sad pile of l/s shirts, those four pair of jeans, two Target cardis, a pair of ON blk pants and few other worthless items. Is this all I got? Who was I last winter/fall that I have nothing to wear? The funk slowly fell over me. I went laid down on the couch and watch TV but that didn't work. Two chicks were on What Not To Wear whining on how to spend $10,000( $5000 a piece) on clothes and shoes.

"Bitches"....I thought.

So I just went to sleep. I got nothing to wear. Now, here's the thing:

1) I wear a uniform to work, so five days out the week I don't have to go outfit hunting.

2)On the other two days( Saturday and Sunday) one I'm cleaning most of the day and a little errand running and the other I'm dressed up. Thank God for my mother's b'day present to me.

3) I can wear everything in that little pile. Because I have neither gain nor lost any significant weight in about two years. Same with my summer clothes, I could wear everything from the last summer.

So do I need to go out and buy some new clothes to fill up the gaping holes in my closets? And with what money? And where? And for what?

As mothers/single/married/professional/women we always say,"Well, I don't go out alot and I got the kids to think about and I got the house and stuff to think about...And..."

What happen to the Jamie who was "diva fabulous" and had a closet full of things and her girlfriends/sorors/neighbors/enemies would want to come over to raid her closet(s) of things of vintage and new, designer and low-retail and wonder how she puts all together? Next...I'm waiting on my "makeup" depression. I just put on a Becca l/g that's about four years old.:(

Jamie

photo:http://www.neurotherapyclinic.com/depression.jpg

Rural Glamour Restaurant Review:Bangkok Thai Cuisine.

Last Friday I went to see Why Did I Get Married. I arrived in the 'Burg about an hour early so I could grab a bit. Initially I was going to Panera Bread for a Grilled Chicken Salad but changed my mind and decided to try something new...Bangkok Thai Cuisine. I had Crab Rangoon and Pad Thai with Chicken. The Crab Rangoon was good, after it cooled. They gave it to me searing hot and straight out the grease! Then I got my Pad Thai.The only problem I had with it was it had more chicken than noodles. I ate the noodles up and had a full plate of chicken left. But the atmosphere and service was great. It was pretty quiet and low key, a perfect creep spot if you are from the 'Burg!

Will she go back? Yes

Photo:Bangkok Thai Cuisine

Jamie

Apple Brandy Chicken recipe!

Here it is...the recipe for Apple Brandy Chicken. For my girl *B* splurge, girl and do it with shrimp!! or one of those Gardenburger Chik'n Patties.:)

1/2 cup olive oil

4 6=ounce boneless skinless chicken halves

Salt

Black Pepper

1 cup all purpose flour

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1tablespoon chopped shallot

2 Red Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

1/2 cup apple juice

1/4 brandy( I used E&J)

1/2 heavy cream

1. In a heavy saute' pan heat olive oil over medium heat.Season Chicken with salt and pepper.Dredge chicken in flour.Add chicken to pan and saute' until golden brown.

2.Add butter and shallot;saute until tender.Add apple slices;saute' until tender.Add apple juice;simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.Add cream;simmer until sauce is thickened.

From Turn Up The Heat by G.Garvin Copyright 2006

Jamie

Traveling Woman

In about two weeks...I'm actually going somewhere outside of Union and Spartanburg Counties.

To Rock Hill...To the WU for a reunion.

The reunion is the 100 women who went in October 1997 to the Million Woman March. Just 100 of us on two charter buses up there and back. I saw one of my best friends, my Aunt Bonnie in the mist of thousands of women. She had came down from NY and this was before people had mad cell phones and texting and stuff. I looked over and there she was. They want us to wear all black@ the program...new outfit crisis!!!!

I'm excited but then I don't know. I'm exhausted and hopefully I can get off early that day to get over there in time. And I don't have nowhere to stay! My usual, E-dub, is now shacking and is renting out her house. (If you are reading this, E, I'm going to punch in the face when I see u...Love you!) Plus, I didn't want to do a whole weekend and I want to come home Saturday. But I need to see my homegirl Gab and hit couple place( Sephora, Southpark Mall, etc.)


What shall I do? Go or stay at the house.


Also, I'll post the recipe for the Apple Chicken and I had some restaurant reviews from the Spartanburg area. Fun stuff cousins!!


Peace!

Jamie

Sunday Best?

Okay...is anyone watching that show on BET called Sunday Best, a reality show to pick the next gospel superstar? I caught a rerun of it last night and before I watched it I was skeptical. I mean how do you judge someone singing the praises of the Lord even if they are out of key? Anyways...I found it soooo interesting....

-Kirk Franklin knows he "shawt"! But that's my boy! He was sharp, though.

-Those MaryMary's are like two black Simon Cowells. They are not playing.

-Tina of MaryMarys had on some bad earrings and a hat!

-Her sister...Now don't tell some body not to cover up when you got on a vest and button-up...

-The contestants...its going to be hard to pick a winner, especially that one that sung that Clark Sisters song...Jesus!!

-That dress above,I wore it to church this past Sunday. It one of the Grandma's birthday gifts.

-I guess I'll watch it through...Is BET trying to redeem itself for something?

-Go Bebe, Go Bebe!!


Jamie

Digging in the crates...

I'll admit...I have a love/hate with this new wearing lipstick trend. I love it because it will freshen up the Fall looks, making things more glamorous. But I have a time finding the color I like. So, I decided to go through the "crates", my own makeup collection to see what lipsticks I already had before I got out and spend $ on some more. Guess what, I found a whole lotta colors including all of my L'Oreal Star Secrets Lip Colours.

Tip: go get Kerry's Rosewood, Eva's Caramel and Noemie's Plum for the Fall.

All three of these colors are great basic colors for anything you are wearing as it gets chilly. And to think, I couldn't stand Eva's Caramel OR Noemie's Plum when they first came out. Now thangs have changed!!

Jamie

photo: www.weblebi.com

Weekend Cooking II...

I love cooking my own Sunday Dinner. The reason I say this is that my mom cooks every Sunday, starting on Saturday so when she comes from church, its done and ready. But I like to come from church and start for scratch. This Sunday, I choose G.Garvin, with his sexy ass:), Apple Brandy Chicken. It was super simple, as he would say" and was so good. The only I didn't do was shallots. He puts shallots in everything!
I paired it up with his Vegetable Fried Rice. I've made this so many times as a main dish, its great. I used Tamari soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce, its much richer to me and powdered ginger instead of ginger root( I'm just too lazy for all that chopping). I also used I little sesame oil as a drizzle on top.
Here's that sexy thang's book, chocked full fabulous recipes. I make my girlfriend Jenn's favorite Jalapeno Crab Dip from it and he's got some Bourbon Chicken wings that ain't no joke.


photos: My personal stash and www.amazon.com

Weekend Cooking I...

This weekend, I finally chilled out and played around in the kitchen with some recipes I've been dying to try. I had so much fun and things came out great. On Friday night, before the movies I went out Bangkok Restaurant, right across from the movie theater I was going to see "Why Did I Get Married". More on the restaurant and movie later:). But Saturday, after cleaning my house for about four hours, I made Tortilla Soup from Rick Bayless' book Mexican Everyday.


Tortilla Soup
Recipe created by Rick Bayless, Frontera Grill, Chicago
From the October, 2002 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
Serves 6

This spicy soup, jazzed up with the flavors of Mexico, is a great start to a south-of-the-border meal!


INGREDIENTS


6 corn tortillas, halved
Canola oil, for frying
4 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
1 small white onion, sliced
2 pasilla chiles or 1 ancho chile, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
1 (15-ounce) can whole tomatoes in juice, drained, or 3/4 pound fresh tomatoes, cored and coarsely chopped
6 cups unsalted chicken stock, preferably homemade
1 large sprig epazote (a Mexican herb) or cilantro (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
6 ounces queso fresco (a Mexican white cheese), farmer cheese, Monterey Jack, or mild cheddar, crumbled or shredded
1 large avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 large lime, cut into wedges


Cut tortillas into 1/4-inch-thick strips. In a medium (2-quart) saucepan, heat 1/2 inch oil over medium flame until the edge of a tortilla strip inserted in oil sizzles vigorously. Add half tortilla strips. Stir until golden brown and crisp. With a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Pour off all but a thin coating of hot oil. Add garlic and onion and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden, about 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, press garlic against side of pan to leave behind as much oil as possible, then transfer garlic and onion to a blender or food processor. Add chile pieces to hot pan. Turn quickly as they fry and release a delicious aroma, about 30 seconds in all. (Frying too long will make them bitter.) Transfer to paper towels to drain; set pan aside. Chop chiles when cooled. Puree tomatoes with garlic mixture in the blender or food processor until smooth. If using fresh tomatoes, strain puree to remove pieces of tomato skin. Heat same saucepan over medium-high heat. Add tomato puree and stir until thickens to consistency of tomato paste, about 10 minutes. Add stock and epazote; bring to a boil, then partially cover and gently simmer over medium-low heat 30 minutes. Add salt. To serve: Divide cheese and avocado among warmed soup bowls. Ladle broth into each bowl; top with tortilla strips and a sprinkle of fried chiles. Serve with lime wedges. Recommended ingredients: Ancho chiles and epazote are available

It was very good, but I never follow a recipe to a T unless I'm baking, which is rare. I can't bake, seriously. lol! I substituted the tortillas for tortilla chips and bought the Mexican mix shredded cheese for the cheese. It really warmed up a chilly afternoon. I paired it with a Riesling wine. But I really wanted a Corona.:) Next time I make it, Corona and I'll do some Quesadillas.

Jamie

photo and recipe: www.oprah.com

Team Melanie!!!

Oooooo....I want a Team Melanie Shirt!! I cried at the end of The Game and Girlfriends. I swear Joan reminds me of myself, happiness seems always walk away...

I'm going out to see Why Did I Get Married tonight then eat some vittles somewhere. Who I'm going with...I'll tell ya'll later!l0l!


Jamie

photo: www.theybf.com

Girl...Where you been?

Hey peoples...

I'm been slaving away at other location for my new position in the company. Seriously, I have to get up about 4:30 to get me and the Bams ready by 6:00am, be out the door at 6:15 and at work 30 minutes way by 7:00. The mornings are MURDA and my face is paying for it in acne. I haven't had a full face of makeup on in two weeks. I survive on

Loreal HIP Bronzer

Milani Brow Tech in Dark Brown

tarte Lights Camera Lashes! Mascara in Black

And any lipgloss that works that morning.:)

I think that's enough for 4:30 am. But I do have weekend plans to the movies and to find a grill top for stove. And this weekend will be to first installment and posts of foodie edition of the Rural Glamour. Yes, I will be combining my love for food and beauty and fashion. Thanks for all that gave me your input.:) Now I must eat and go to sleep.

Jamie

It's a small and "shawt" world...

I stand at only 5'0. And I'm a flat shoe fanatic. Bump all that stiletto pumps/ stilt wearing mess. I did that for years, especially in my early twenties when walked around the WU campus in platform boots and strappy high heeled sandals being "Jiggy/Fly Fabulous". Even at a young age of 30, I don't like a whole alot of heel.

The key to wearing a flat at 5'0 is the right kind of bottoms. For me, no skirts, unless they are short( above the knee) and no dresses. That really makes me look short. I wear flats with pants, wide legs or boot cut jeans. And I got flat looking feet. Short story: My kids' father once told me I had Fred Flintstone feet...when I was pregnant. Whatever.

I found these flat today at SPBG Marshalls for 12.99 a pair on the clearance rack. I put back a fondue pot( Already got one, but this one was super cute...) and a 7.00 clearance Cuisinart knife for these shoes! I was "enthralled" by the patent leather.:) I saw some others, but I'll go back some time next week.

Embrace your flat feet ladies...:)

Jamie

I know her!!!

While flipping through the newest edition of US Weekly, their "Style Edition"( yeah, right...) I came across the new talent for the new season of Project Runway, premiering November 14.

*Remind me to call Charter about my DVR...:)

I noticed the only sister, Carmen, and then read her little bio and said to myself...I KNOW HER! Well, indirectly. I use to work with her brother, Maurice, at Dillards Carolina Place in Pineville NC back in 2003. He was a total sweetheart who understood my obsession with fashion. One day he says, "My sister is Carmen Webbber, of Sistahs of Harlem" Instantly, I thought of the cute ts and outfits that Erykah Badu used to rock courtesy of the label. He would talk about her and her label.I almost dated him, just to see if I could pimp some free clothes. Kidding!! I'm so excited to her in Project Runway. I wish her the best of luck.:)) Check out this very fab blog on Project Runway called Project Rungay!

Jamie

photo: www.bravotv.com

Style, J to J...

Okay... bullets yall'

-Kel-Kel( the youngest of the "set") has pneumonia. Like a "little", that's what the doctor said, in his left lung. He's doing really good but I will not start on when he got it( um, yall know about those "weekends" and "tuesdays") and where he was and "whom" he was with hours before I could got him to the doctor. AND who didn't take him take to the doctor. I'm done...I'm done...All I'm doing his taking care of him and his brother and their needs. If you got motherhood issues to use the comments sections to vent!! lol!

-I got a new position in my company and now I'm driving to a different store to train for it. I love it, too. Good to get out of Union for the day.

-I got a new phone( pic above) courtesy of Verizon's Free Phone Every Two Years Plan. Trying to be cute and got this LG Strawberry Chocolate phone that I kinda don't like now. I can't erase when I'm texting so people are just getting weird texts. If you know how( I looked in that Spanish dictionary they call a manual) hit me up in the comments.

-Did I miss the premiere of Girlfriends and The Game Monday?

-I need your opinions. I'm thinking about combining My other blog, Fatback and Sushi and this blog to make it a Food, Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle blog. What y'all think?

-I got some new hair. Like new extensions. Same texture( curly) but longer. I look like a short and fat Kelly Rowland. LOL!

-The SPBG library is holding their annual book sale October 26-27 2007 at the Cedar Springs Shopping Center. If you are in the area, its the bomb peeps. I got some Vintage Vogue and Mademoiselle there and some Versace Lookbooks.

-Got the new Rachel Zoe book, Style A to Zoe. I like it alot. I'm reading it like a novel though, engulfing each page. It's cute...go get it!!

Jamie