The Smith's Mardi Gras 2014

So Saturday night was our annual Mardi Gras party. It's a pretty big event for our family and it's just a great way to raise money for our family reunions, reconnect with family and friends and just have a damn good time overall. I was really looking forward to it because,

1. I love spending time with my family
2. Some of my friends were also going to be there as well

So of course I had to make sure I took a nap before the festivities and with an hour to spare I was able to get my makeup on and dress up.

 So my mom and I arrived at the Heman Community Center around 7:30pm to help with the prepping of the place with decorations and food setup. The party started officially around 8:30pm and great times were had by all.

My girls came out and man we had a blast. I of course reiterated the point that me and liquor are an interesting blend.....

Afterwards my cousin talked me into going out with him and some other friends to a hookah bar downtown where we proceeded to have a darn good time.

I eventually arrived home (I think) around 2:45am....and it took me pretty much all of Sunday morning and most of the evening to recuperate from last nights festivities. So as usual I had a great time and I can't wait to do it all over again:)

Until the next episode....

 All That MsJazz

My Birthday in Recap: Feb 17th

That picture could be misconstrued in so many ways...but I digress. So yesterday was officially my 35th B-day. I woke up out of bed and just laid there looking at the ceiling waiting for some special ZAP to come over my body. It didn't happen, so I just got up as usual and stared at the wall near the left side of my bed. After rubbing the sleep out of my eyes a few times I slowly raised up off the bed and did my normal shake out of my body to listen to what might crack first.

My parents wished me happy birthday and gave me a really great card.

So I decided around noon to get out and what greets me at the side entrance when I open the door? A sheet full of ice on the ground. Apparently the weather decided to say HELLO with some ice rain that morning. So I was walking very slowly towards my car. So I would avoid this..



So I make it to my car safely and make my way down to the Central West End. I wanted to stop by SubZero and pick up my birthday bottle of vodka. What I did not remember was that you had to actually eat there first. So it was empty except for 2 other diners and I decided to sit in the add-on area. I ordered a mixed drink, shrimp tempura, and a Philadelphia roll tempura style.

Blue Raspberry Lemonade Martini

Shrimp Tempura

Philadelphia Roll Tempura

Once I was done and the waiter verified my I.D., he brings me my gift in a gift bag and makes the statement that I received a really nice bottle. When I took it out of the bag I was like, JACKPOT!! It was a brand I enjoy and it was in my FAVORITE COLOR!!!!

Afterwards I went across the street to the Golden Grocer to check out some items. I then strolled around to some other stores and then decided to leave the area and make my way to Best Buy to pick up some items for the house. By this time it was about 2pm and I knew I was LONG overdue for a manicure and pedicure. I went by my regular place near the former Northwest Plaza but they were closed. So I went to another shop that I'm familiar with just a few blocks down and the lady there by the name of Lynn hooked me up. She took care of my hands, feet and also waxed my entire face. I know it sounds brutal, and it somewhat is unless you are used to it, but I only get it done once every 4 to 6 months. It hurts like hell but the results leave your face so darn smooth!!!

Brows are ARCHED and face is SMOOTH

So after that great treatment I go home and setup some stuff. By this time the AT&T person has finished up fixing our service issue at the house which we learned was caused by a SQUIRREL!! So I then have to leave AGAIN because of a accessory issue, so I go back to Best Buy to do an exchange out. I meet up with my boy Nolan and we go to the Delmar Loop and enjoy dinner at Fritz. We sat on the second level and just a blast talking about everything we could think of. I enjoyed a Orange Soda Float - Birthday style! and for dinner I was treated to a burger and a side order of pineapples. Then I received a birthday pineapple upside down shot.

Orange Soda Float

Pineapple upside down shot

Afterwards they surprised me with a surprise birthday root beer and then I took a picture with Nolan to remember the evening.

Nolan and I parted ways around midnight and I made my way back home. I bought a salad from Fritz to take home to my mom and she informed me that my lil sis had left me a birthday card. So I go upstairs and wait till I'm relaxed and open the card. Here is the front.

After reading it and trying to open it up for about 50 seconds, I finally turned it over because I thought the card was defective. Well the joke was on me but it was a damn good one.

I sent her a text message saying Thank you and I made sure to log on to Facebook and thank everyone who sent me birthday wishes as well as to those who sent them via text and other social media services. Also I cannot forget two of my besties, Danielle and Kamina for my WAY EARLY birthday dinner earlier this month by like......two weeks?? LOLOL


Today, Feb 18th: Well I will say I did enjoy my B-day weekend and know that there are some other things still in store for me this month. Yet I know the best is yet to come and not just talking about my birthday, but about my life. I really am trying hard this year to make changes for myself and break long standing habits that have not been good for me. All I can say and ask is just don't give up on me:) Love, Jazz




Until the next episode....

 All That MsJazz

My Birthday Weekend in Recap: Feb 16th

So on Sunday I was very excited because I had signed up for another Wine/Painting event but this one was being held in Kirkwood at place called Art on the Vines. I held off signing up because I wasn't sure if enough people had signed up so they wouldn't cancel. So I contacted the owner and they emailed me back stating that they had the minimum people signed up and that I could still be a part of the class. So I went on their website earlier this week and registered for a spot. 

Before making it to my destination I went by Dierbergs in Brentwood and picked up some "essential items", by that I mean a bottle of wine, fruit, fruit dip, and some crackers. I must also make note that while debating on a bottle of wine to bring I saw an interesting bottle that I will have to make sure to buy in the future.

The only reason I didn't buy was the top was a cork and not a screw on top.

So after making my purchase I make my way to the Kirkwood shopping district. I park and with twenty minutes to spare I setup at my table and wait for the other participants to arrive.

So after setting up I made sure to take a few pictures of the place.

I also took some pictures of our instructor of the class while she was prepping our painting canvases. She just started working at the Art on the Vines just a few days ago but she informed me that she came from the previous location where I was for my first Wine/Painting event back in January. I found interesting that at this location they actually trace out the picture so all you have to worry about is just painting the picture. Very cool indeed.

Our instructor, Elizabeth doing some prep work.

Right around 2pm the other 4 people show up for the class. They were actually 2 couples, the boyfriends surprised their girlfriends with the event. I told the guys they did a good job.

So shortly afterwards we are settled in our seats and we proceed to Paint....and drink...occasionally. I also happen to nibble on some fruits and crackers as well. The picture below is the main painting that our class was being based on that day.

So here was my progress.....

Wasn't too thrilled with the strong white line I had going down my vase.

So mad I messed up my guitar! I was drawing the strings on it and accidentally smudged some black paint onto the guitar I had to use the white paint to cover it up and then had to paint over it.....

Finished product

So afterwards we took some pictures as a group then I took a picture with our instructor.

So after we finished our paintings we chatted around for a little while and I will say the two couples were awesome. They had me laughing pretty much the whole time. They really enjoyed themselves and I told them, once you have done one of these events, you are hooked:) After we left I was contemplating dinner so I decided on Texas Roadhouse which was just 5 minutes down the street (by car).

The place was packed so I decided to eat at the bar. I had the BEST bartender/waiter and he helped me decide on a Kansas City Steak. It was hands down one of the best steaks I have had in my LIFE!! The flavor, the cut, I could just go on and on....everything was great. Was super-duper pleased..Also was watching a rerun of the USA vs RUSSIA hockey game which was awesome to beat them by shootout:)

Raspberry Lemonade

Believe it or not, there is a steak underneath those sauteed mushrooms and onions.

I still love my Applesauce with Cinnamon

Afterwards I went home and dealt with the issue of no Uverse service. Had to call AT&T for a service call which they wouldn't be able to deal with until Monday. Sooooo it was a long night just staring at my ceiling...but overall had a great day.


Until the next episode....

 All That MsJazz