Do i?
August 30, 2010
Love her!
Been feeling this song on repeat for a few days now . Love it?
Posted in Cleo's Rants | | 1 Comment »
August 30, 2010
Love her!
Been feeling this song on repeat for a few days now . Love it?
Posted in Cleo's Rants | | 1 Comment »
August 25, 2010
“Love never claims: it ever gives” – Ghandi
There are some people I follow on Twitter for their quotes. Every morning @Kay4NJ drops jewels that either make it to facebook statuses or saved in my Blackberry for later use … She rocks. The people she retweet (s) rock … And of course the originators of the quotes rock as well.
Rock. Rock on.
Posted in Randomness | Tags: quotes, random, twitter | No Comments »
August 24, 2010
Lately, I’ve just been an uber positive person living by the motto, things will work out. I used to (and occasionally still) fret about the “what ifs” and “what could be’s” but why? What good will it do? Now, I’m not constantly worried about the small things or the whys and hows. I’m more at peace with myself and the world I’m in. I want to enjoy the good moments in life and focus on them instead of tarnishing them with thoughts of how it could be better or why it isn’t another way, or even how quickly it could change.
I have to say that I have @Jess_Dubb to thank for my amazingly new positive outlook on life… In junction with all the good things that have happened to me (like a new job) Dubb has always given positive yet REAL advice and comments when we chat. And reading her blog is always inspiring because she’s open and honest about herself on her blog. We used to have these bbm convos where I would be incessantly worrying about things I had no control over. For what! Dubb would make me realize I was only harming myself by worrying. I am sooo appreciative of that. It allows me to just enjoy the good in life. And you know what, life is good! Even if I don’t have everything I could want. I have all that I need and by having a positive outlook I’m opening myself up for more good to come. (Do I sound like a groupie? ) Although we don’t talk as much these days I still <3 Dubb. And one day we shall parlay all over the ATL, NYC, or even better Cali!
I find myself trying to share these good spirits with friends and others and that makes it even better! Check out these two posts by the big homie Diq and see if you can figure out where my influence comes in. I’m happy that my friend has discovered an outlet in blogging and hopes she keeps it up!
-Sweetest Thing I’ve Ever Known
Can you guess?
Let me not pretend I don’t get angry or frustrated or annoyed. I do.. But its fleeting. I’m very content to just be. When things go wrong (and they have) I know someone / something will work out. I think about a quote my friends mom said a long time a go. “It’ll all be OK in the end. If its not OK, its not the end. ” #wordstoliveby
Posted in Cleo's Rants | | 1 Comment »
August 17, 2010
It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t’ve left you. . . yep shouldn’t’ve. I’ve always been a fan of pointing out obvious errors and idiotic moments that most people miss.
So imagine how I felt the first time I heard about the prepaid Visa card, or as it is better known by my constituents as, “The Rush Card.”
For those of you who don’t know what a Rush Card is, it is a Prepaid Visa card endorsed by Russell “Def Jam” Simmons. What exactly does it do? Well, I’m glad you asked.
The Rush Card allows you to put your money on a card so you can have access to it whenever you need it and it’s better than a bank account because you can only spend what you have on the card. Also, it allows you to avoid those pesky check cashing fees if you go to a check cashing place. You can even get your check direct deposited onto the card! It’s better than a credit card there are no nasty interest rates!
But wait, this sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch? Ohhh, the fees.
Ok, here’s a rundown of their monthly access plan:
Activation Fee: $3.00; Monthly Fee: $9.95; Transaction Fee: $1.00 for each time you enter your pin, $0 for credit transactions; ATM withdrawal fee: Two (2) FREE each calendar month. $2.50 for each ATM withdrawal after first two (2).
Umm, what’s the difference between this card and a bank account? No credit check. That’s the main selling point. But when was the last time you or anyone you know got denied for a checking account for bad credit? The only way this happens is if you have had accounts at every bank in town and overdrawn them, then decided not to pay them back. If that’s the case, I understand why you can’t get a checking account. You really don’t deserve to be trusted with anything at that point.
But most major banks have FREE CHECKING ACCOUNTS! These accounts have nominal fees if any at all. I mean. . . I got a bank account and I didn’t pay an activation fee nor do I pay a monthly fee. If I go to my bank, I pay no withdrawal fees. And I don’t pay a fee for using my debit card as a debit card.
So here are my real issues with this P.o.S. I saw the commercial for this card on BET. I’ve heard the commercial for this on every urban station in my listening range (Hot 97, Power 105, Power 99, etc.). I have yet to hear it on Z100 or Wired 96.5. I’ve never seen this commercial on MTV or VH1 EVER. This fact leads me to the conclusion that this “product” is aimed at a certain demographic: young urban youth, a majority of which are of African or Hispanic descent.
Oh Russell, you’re an asshole for this one. You are now bankrupting the community you claim to love. Just taking our money with no remorse. But then again, can I blame you? You might just be a puppet, a figurehead to appeal to the demographic that will use this product. Like Chris Tucker said in Rush Hour 2, “Behind every big crime there’s a rich white man waiting for his cut.” This is a crime of epic proportions, in my humble opinion.
Not everyone can be financially literate, but I still wish for that day. In the mean time, we should all have common sense, Like Water for Chocolate. Russell, if you were that hard up for cash, you should have compiled a “Def Jam’s Greatest Hits” album, hell, even an series of albums like the “Body & Soul” collection. I would order that from an infomercial. What happened with Phat Farm? I loved that line. And I know you still get a cut from anything Kimora does. You were her launching pad, and someone as business savvy as you wouldn’t let her divorce you without getting a chunk of that Baby Phat machine.
People, since corporations will continue to try to rape folks who don’t know any better for their little bit of cheddar, please sit them down and teach them before they give these legal con-artists another dime.
Posted in Man on the Moon | Tags: blasphemy, Def Jam, money, Russell Simmons, White folks | 1 Comment »
August 16, 2010
The first thing I did when I saw these shoes in the Kenneth Cole store on Saturday was take a picture and tweet, “I need these in life”.
It’s true. They are essential to a fall/winter wardrobe. If I save hard enough I can afford the $295 price tag … I’m going to hope for a sale. Things are sooo much better on sale!
Kenneth Cole Talk Tough
These feature Kenneth Cole’s 9-2-5 (too much to explain, but its supposed to make them uber comfortable.. Perfect for all day wear). They have a 4″ heel, 1″ platform, and an 8″ shaft.. wait .. wait .. mmm .. I’m drooling just thinking of my winter in these boots. Must Haves!
Posted in Fashion Friday | Tags: boots, fashion, hot, shoes | 2 Comments »
August 13, 2010
I <3 Solange. I also happen to love Beyonce, but for different reasons. I don’t subscribe to the idea that in order for me to adore Solange I have to be anti Bey.. I’m not that kind of person. They satisfy two different parts of the matrix that is me.
Solange’s music radiates to my soul, her whole style and persona speak to me. Maybe its because she actually seems to have a personality. My ex said he thought Bey was very plastic, and I agree but I still love the part of me that she satisfies. But Solange, I want to actually hear what she may have to say. I completely adore her ‘if you don’t like it, It wasn’t made for you’ attitude. Its exactly how I feel. I also love her funky style. I love that she acknowledges that people would give 2 shits about her if she wasn’t Bey’s sister. She rocks. Her article in Refinery 29 rocks!! (I am also in <3 with them now!) Peep the ar
What’s your secret style weapon?
“Shoes! I’m all about the shoes! I order a ton of them online and play with my entire wardrobe until I find the right shoe. Unfortunately, so many people get it right from the head until the ankles. The shoe is very important. I can’t even fuck with you if your shoe game is slacking.”But because I’m Beyoncé’s sister, I’m an easy target to say, ‘There’s no way those two had the same parents, and have one be naturally this way…this has to be a ploy for her to appear cool!’ It makes me want to pull out pictures of five-year-old me next to nine-year-old her wearing a tutu over polka dot stockings and an old scarf over my head. It would be so much easier for me to put on a little black dress, straighten my hair, and sing about dancing in the club, but it’s not my job to prove anything. I’m here to make music, to inspire myself. I’m not selling my likability, I’m sharing my journeys. If you don’t like it, believe it’s real, or understand it…then keep my name out of your mouth.”
Here are some of my fav Solo tracks .. I incidentally like Beyonce songs written by Solo, like Why don’t you love me, which I featured a few posts back ..
Peep the Refinery 29 Article HERE
Posted in entertainment, Music | | 1 Comment »
August 9, 2010
So … it’s been a while since I’ve done a shoe post … and these are THE perfect way to bring back shoes .. I low-key love fall because 1. the weather is awesome when its not raining because its not so humid. I love the brisk air in autumn .. and I LOOVVEE cute boots! In case you need a refresher, some of the MUST have for me in shoes are platform, 4 inch heels, and FUNKY! I love something that’s just a little different, after all shoes can make or break an outfit!
Meet Raphael Young’s Autumn/Winter collection. I don’t know who this Paris based designer is, but I am into it. He has a big fall collection too, but here are my 3 favs.
1. If I could wear thigh highs, these would be MINE. I’m freaking drooling! Platform: CHECK. 4 inch + heel : CHECK … *drool*

2. Me + these boots + straight leg jeans= PERFECTION. I neeeeeeeeeeeedd these .. more than I need to pay rent in September. #imjustsaying.The ONLY thing that could make me LOVE this shoe more would be if it had a rugged sole, almost cleat like .. it’d be wrap from there …
3. Blue? Ya’ll know I love blue (despite the bright pink background). I love this bootie (my 2nd favorite shoe style). I’m looking for a bootie to add to the rotation this winter. These shall do JUSSTTTTTTT fine!
Here is where you can check the rest of the collection online. I have no info on how to purchase or pricing yet, because their website is still on the way. They have an email contact, but I don’t know if I’m ready to take that leap yet into emailing them. But oh my I sure would!
Posted in Fashion Friday, shoes | Tags: fashion, hot, shoe, shoes | 2 Comments »
What are the first words that come to your mind when seeing this:
Mine?
Provocative. Is that a real ass? Art.
This is Anna Halldin-Maule. This is an oil painting done from a photograph she took. Dope. I found her through globa14, you can visit her HERE .
Posted in entertainment | Tags: art, curiousity, fashion, hot, random | No Comments »
August 5, 2010
Everyone says they want to meet that nice guy / girl that they can take home to meet mama … And this may be true, and all this dating tom-foolery is just a means to get to the end result. However some people you meet may be . full of shit . .for a nice term. Usually a person who falls into this category will reveal themselves in their approach. It can be easy to miss the signs or it can be obvious. You have to be wise enough to know and be able to shut it down. Trust me. You’ll be better in the end..
One of my pet peeves is this :: You are approached by a guy. And he asks or hints if you have someone special in your life. You say yes (whether this is true or not doesn’t matter) and he hits you with some of these lines ::
1. I’d still like to keep in touch with you..
2. Your man doesn’t let you have friends?
3. I just want to get to know you..
What kind of scalawag do you take me for nword? Sometimes they don’t even stop there. They continue with the infamous line :
‘Does he make you happy?’
What the fuck! If I was the kind of girl who wanted to fuck around on my Boyfriend, I would have said NO I don’t have one. When a guy hits me with any of the above his intentions are immediately clear- you just wanna smash. I’m sorry kind sir, I’m not the good-time girl you’re looking for..
Immediately I’m turned off to this approach by guys and NOTHING you can say can convince me to give you a way to contact me. No you cannot have my BBM pin number, nor can you add me as a friend on Facebook. What you can do for me is drive off a bridge. Get some respect. I blame the girls that fall for this for the reason it perpetuates.
This post was inspired by the gentleman who approached me in the waiting area for the train the other day after a long day. (btw commuting is tiring). I happened to be sitting there, typing up something in my Blackberry while listening to music in my headphones. This person sat next to me for a few minutes before tapping me on my shoulder. Um, do you NOT see my headphones? Not only was I not interested, I just was in a bad mood. After I said I had a boyfriend, the conversation proceeded as this:
“How long you been together?”
Me: A few years.
Him: Oh why ya’ll don’t live live together?
Me: Um, it aint for everybody.
him: I’d like to keep in touch with you.
me: o_O. No, thats not appropriate.
Thankfully my train approached at that precise moment. I walked quickly to a seat next to someone else. Leave me be.
Posted in Cleo's Rants | | 1 Comment »
August 4, 2010
*sigh* This song has been on my mind for a few days now. FEAR. How many people are ready and willing to admit what they fear?And I’m not talking, fear of heights and spiders. I’m talking when was the last time you thought about the fears Jazz Sull is talking about (by the way, when is her next album coming out??)
I recently acqiured a composition notebook and labeled it ‘The Book of Truths … or my version of it’
My first entry was about fear. Fear of letting go. I can be pretty lackadaisical about many things in life, and I am for the most part .. but I’m very guarded. I fear letting that guard down. Many people think they know me because I share trivial stories about my day to day life (which can be pretty entertaining and amusing in my own small sort of way) but not many know about the nuts and bolts of Cleo.. and I’m scared of that. Being vulnerable is one of the hardest positions to put yourself in. At least to me. So the next entry .. while on a totally different topic tackled fear of a whole different nature. It’s amazing how many of life’s problems can be attributed to fear. When was the last time you asked yourself, what am I scared of? Is it possible to be scared of success and greatness? Fear doesn’t always hold you back, it sometimes catches you when you least expect it. Fear prevents you from letting go of long time friends and habits. Fear can prevent you from taking a detour in life that may show you a better route. Fear can cause you to constantly compare yourself to others. They aren’t scaring you, you’re scaring yourself.
I vow to tackle my fears (slowly) one by one. I feel like we’re constantly calling ourselves ‘A work in Progress’. When have you met someone who said I love me, allll of me flaws and all? Well, I love who I am. Who I’ve become. I’m not a work in progress. I am progress.
Posted in Cleo's Rants | Tags: rambling, random | No Comments »
August 2, 2010
-There are some people who fill my twitter timeline with the inspiration I’ve been missing in my life. Thank you Ms. McMillan …
I’ve decided to re-establish my original blog, www.desiresinspiration.wordpress.com as a haven for my writings … I’ve updated a theme, added a new pic, and I absolutely adore the new look. Please check it out sometime and give honest feedback.. I’m also going to be updating this blog more frequently .. I am trying to get my <3 back!
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