Rantings of a Creole Princess

Instrastin!

Question...

Are YOU doing the different color nail polish on different nails yet?  Are you going to?

Family, Framily and Friends

I was reading the comments just now about people staying home if they don't have money.

I kinda get this.

And I kinda have another spin on it...for me and mineZ.

We entertain our family, framily and friends at our home A LOT!  Pretty much every holiday will find something going on at 13700.  We get to hang with our people, make sure everyone is okay, laugh and have a good time.  They always ask if they can bring something and, if we need something, I absolutely tell them what I need but they know they dont' have to because we always have plenty and then some.  Like...we FORCE folks to take EVERY.SINGLE.BIT of food left with them so I don't have to look at or deal with it.

We have the type of friendships where everyone is well aware when someone is going through something and I'm starting to realize that it's because we TRULY consider each other friends who are more like family (FRAMILY) and have no problem sharing with people who they know love them, support them and have their best interests at heart.

I would feel like shit if I found out someone in our inner circle felt like they couldn't come kick it with us because their money is funny.  Hell...we've given gas money to folks before just so they can make it out to 13700 and back.  Why?  Cuz depression is real and it can take it out of you and being around people who make you feel good can give you a charge that is unmeasurable.

PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE.

And I want to make sure that we all continue to have that.

NOW...THAT SAID...if you show up to a dinner at a restaurant and didn't let somebody know prior to going that your money was funny and you needed some help...you might get cussed out later on by some of OUR framily.  All you gotta do is open your mouth and we will work it out.  We all have each others numbers, emails, facebooks, etc.  You better say something to somebody.  Simple.  I know for a FACT that, in the past, we've changed restaurants at the last minute in order to accommodate everyone's budget.  We recognize everybody's money is different and we're good.  

That's all I wanted to say.  In my circle we do more than enough to make sure everyone gets to kick it no matter what their money is like.  We seriously just like each other enough to want to spend time with each other if it's at the house, at lunch or on a beach in Miami.

I hope yall having game parties where people can show  up with a 6 pack and some dip and have the time of their life around friends.  Or movie night.  Or wine and cheese.  Or hell...going for a hike or coffee or something.  

PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE.  

We feed off the energy we create being with those we enjoy being around.

Aiight.

SIP:  Oh...and I ever show up somewhere without any money and none of my people hook a sister up...Imma toss all their purses and wallets in a corner and set that corner on fire.

 

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM)

Maggy London One Shoulder Matte Jersey Dress

 

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM)

Remain 'Tropical' Print Draped Halter Top

 

Banana Republic Paula Knit Patio Dress

See the dress I'm wearing in this picture?  It's this dress:  Paula Knit Patio Dress

I bought it a couple of months ago and loved the length of it.  Super long in an extra small even on my size 5'9" frame.  I loved the fit and shape of it.

Last night,  I washed it according to the instructions with my still-fancy-to-me washer on the special hand wash cycle.  

It shrunk in length by a good FOOT.

I have it spread out to dry flat and I'm going to fold it up neatly and take it back over to Banana Republic with the worst stink eye the world has ever seen.  I don't want to hear ish about my no longer having the receipt.  I'm not getting back less than what I paid for it.

AND NO I DON'T WANT ANOTHER ONE IF I CAN NEVER, EVER, EVER WASH IT.

Anything like this ever happened to YOU?????????????

Mad As Hell

I went to bed mad as hell last night and woke up still mad.

Robby tried to make me laugh and joke around but seriously...I was just too damn mad.

I'm much calmer now after my morning writing but I'm still kinda pissed.

Any suggestions as to what I should do today in order to shake it off?

What do YOU do when you're pissed almighty?

Hot!

What's the temperature out by you going to be today?

Scenario from real life...

You're at dinner with friends who have more money than you.

You order a meal you can afford and a glass of wine.

They order multiple bottles of wine and ish.

YOU ORDERED A MEAL YOU CAN AFFORD AND A GLASS OF WINE.

The bill comes and everyone passes their cards to the person with the bill and the person says to the waiter to just split the bill.

You good?

How do you handle?

No.

"1 can creamed corn, 1 can sweet corn, 1 stick light margarine, 1 cup elbow macaroni, 1 cup velveeta. Don't drain any cans. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook in crockpot until noodles are done. AMAZING!!"

SIP:  I said...NO.

So...what do you think about the FRENCH potato salad?????

A Summer Salad the French Might Recognize

 

Strong and Wrong!

Every.single.time I hear or read the phrase, "STRONG AND WRONG," I think of 1969's mommy.  LOL!

What about you?  Any phrases your elders say that you consider synonymous with them?

Scenario From Real Life...

A friend is going through a hard time financially.

You know because they've confided in you.

The friend is with some of them funny acting people and something comes up with the bill where they are eating and drinking.

They aren't they kind of people who look out for each other.

You don't kick it with the funny people because they aren't your kinda people.

Your friend tells the funny acting people they only have "X" on the bill because they had to help you out with something.

One of the funny acting people say something to you about it asking in a fake, phony way if you need anything and can they help.

How do you handle?

CNN STILL GIVING JOY!

THEY MAD!

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

Are you going to pay extra special care to the potato salad this weekend and holiday?  

OBAMACARE WINS!

Hmmmmm...

A male friend on Facebook posted a status message that basically says he wants a woman like Cookie Johnson because she is the true definition of Ride-Or-Die chick.  

What say you?

Pancetta

I love pancetta!  One of the things I love to do with it when it's hot outside is saute crumbles of it, let cool, and add to salads.  And oh.my.goodness!  In pasta or soups?  So good.  So very, very good!  Don't mess around and get it next to some skrimps.  YOUR LIFE WILL CHANGE!  

With green beans or brussels sprouts!  WHEW LAWD!  YALL AIN'T READY!

Oh...and I use it in my crawfish mac and cheese too and it's MAGICAL!

I think I'm about to make me an omelet and toss some on the mix with mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes and cheese.  Hmmmmmmm...

What about you?  Do YOU like pancetta?  How do you use it?

From My Inbox:

Neighbor who happens to be my yardman too, called one morning BEFORE I was up and at ‘em. I answered the call and he asked if he could come over. I told him I wasn’t “Up” yet. He then tells me he had gotten  him a piece of “trim” the other night and the “rubber” broke. He felt some kind of way about it and wanted to know if I had any antibiotics.  The sad part, I actually thought about what to tell him before I told him “No, I don’t have any antibiotics. You should go to the health department and get a shot if you feel you have slept around on your wife with some unknown quantity and have contracted something…”

 He was like, “Alright man..”

Now I know he cheats on his wife. I didn’t need to know that info. All this time I thought he was a stand-up guy. I don’t want him cutting my grass any more.

QUESTIONS:  Would YOU continue to let him cut YOUR grass?  Would you be upset if you no longer wanted him to but your husband still let him?

Bacon

When you have REAL bacon...how many slices do you have?

Sent from my iPad

ROFL! POTATO GATE!

Thank you!

Everyone was amazed at the response of the audience to our film.  I was nervous, of course, but that's because we've worked on this SO.HARD.  I knew that if people saw it...they'd love it.

And yall know I like to go out with a bang.

So yeah...we wanted to straight up sell out at both shows.  In order to do this, I asked family, framily and friends who were attending if they'd mind helping us get the word out and baaaaby!  They showed up and showed OUT!

As soon as folks hit Miami they hit me up to find out where we were.  They came got a t-shirt and bags of flyers, water bottles, silicone bracelets, etc. and hit the streets telling everyone about our movie and letting them know when our screening times were and shortly thereafter I saw pretty much every person walking around with SOMETHING from Team Sizzle.

And the buzz grew.

And grew.

And grew.

Before long...it was all everyone was talking about.  Going to see "The Coalition."  They had folks out there scanning the QR Code for the trailer, telling them who the actors were, the synopsis of the film.  Like...they REALLY showed out.  It got to the point where you'd walk up on someone and they'd say..."I've heard about "The Coalition" and I DEFINITELY plan on seeing it." before we even said anything because someone else had gotten to them earlier.

Last I counted...we had about 30 people rocking and rolling on our behalf.

A friend called me yesterday in the midst of the madness I had ongoing and wanted to ask me how I was able to get so many people out there on the ground putting the word out.  My answer?  I just asked them and they came.  They didn't get paid.  They just care about me enough to show up because they know I'd do the same.

I am so blessed that my framily is my FRAMILY for real.

My only regret was that I didn't get an opportunity to spend as much time with them as I'd wanted to, but for me it was a work trip and I had a few things on my list that I wanted to cross off so I did what I needed to do in order to do them.  They, however, had a blast without me and I am so grateful everyone got along so well and had so much fun.

If it's true you judge a person by their framily...well...King Kong ain't got nuttin on me!

Thank you to my family, framily and friends who came out and supported us.  I can't put into words just how very much it meant to me.  YALL ROCK!

GET THEM PEOPLE IN THEM SEATS!

From My Inbox: WHOA...

Good morning Mrs. Mingo,

I just wanted to share with you how you have changed my life.  I have always been a go-getter but life knocked me down for a bit and I couldn't find my way.  I was depressed and in a cycle that kept me stuck.  I turned in and shut myself off from the world.  I'd been following your blog for so long.  Watching you battle some VERY tough things yet you had the courage to keep striving.  You kept writing it down and making it happen.  And I would too- but I'd get depressed and forgot to make it happen.  One day I wrote a depressed blog and you commented to me.  I was shocked that you'd take the time to reach out to me.  I kept reading you and watching you make your dreams come true.  I got to watch sisters and was amazed by your talent.  You were seriously making moves.  I would share your blog posts with my girls and my honey.

Little by little I started writing it down.  And then I began to find the strength to make it happen.  Before I knew it my dreams were coming true.  I could take the hard knocks in life and not let them derail me.  

Seeing your pictures from The Coalition premiere brings tears to my eyes.  I'm so overjoyed for you, I can hardly stand it.  And I remain inspired.  Truly inspired.  I look at you and I see a beautiful courageous woman who has triumphed in spite of.  

 Since my "low" point, I have started grad school and my honey and I have finally gotten on track.  We've battled depression and both came out on the other side victorious.  We made a major move 6 weeks ago to Houston, TX and we are building a life here. We are living our dreams with no fears (ok, a few) but we are writing it down and making it happen.  We left our jobs to come see just how great we could be.  We are looking to buy a house and to just live a fulfilled life pursuing our passions and so far we are.  I am happy from within.  I recognize each day as a blessing and an opportunity to live my dreams and be a blessing to others.  We have along way to go but I wouldn't be here with out you.

I hope you know the impact you have on the world.  I hope you know the impact you have had on me.  You completely changed my world and I am eternally grateful.  Thank you!

Cynthia (Cyn/CynCity)

TERRELL GOT NOMINATED FOR AN ESPY!!!!!!!!!

Please go vote for him as BEST NFL PLAYER!  Pretty please with sugar on top!!!!!!!  2012 ESPY VOTING

4th of July "Weekend?????"

The actual holiday is on Wednesday this year so when are yall celebrating?  

What day do you have off from work?  

What do you have planned?

SIP:  *whispering*  Who's making the potato salad?

Can we talk about potato salad?

In 4 days, I had 3 SEPARATE conversations with people about 3 different family reunions and the potato salad.  The first conversation was general and basic conversation kinda.  They were texting back and forth with their sister about who was making the potato salad.

No biggie.

The second time...somebody was MAD.ABOUT.IT!  Apparently, in their family, someone who was not an APPROVED family potato salad maker, put themselves down as the event potato salad bringer.  I listened to them PASSIONATELY discuss this chain of events all the while astonished that...you know what?  THIS WAS THE REAL DEAL HOLYFIELD BEEF going on.

Third time I was brought up to speed on an argument about the potato salad and the person telling me was so mad...she couldn't even get it out.

And I started laughing which made her side eye the hell outta me but I just couldn't stop laughing cuz I couldn't believe I was being privy to this many conversations about potato salad and family reunions!  AND IT BROUGHT ME HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY, JOY!

Full Premiere Talkback

FARFROMPERFECT GOT ENGAGED!!!!

Hey Monica,

First let me say I'm so proud of you and Team Sizzle! It looks like y'all took ABFF by storm.  Such a joy to watch your dreams come true!

Attached is a picture of my Beau and I after he popped the question (the actual engagement was recorded).

We went to NYC for his birthday weekend.  A surprise visit to the observation deck of Rockefeller Center was the last stop of our day of site seeing.  After taking a million pictures and helping other visitors take good pics (he can't help it, he's a photographer), we begin to make our way to the elevator.  Before we reach the stairs, he stops and looks at me and says "You've made the last two years so good." This is where he gets on his knee, I start screaming, and a crowd gathers.  He then says "I want you to make the rest of my life great.  Will you marry me?" And of course, I say yes.

Never would have thought I'd meet my best friend and love of my life on eHarmony.  

FarFromPerfect

I LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Victor" - by Hilton Carter

VICTOR from Hilton Carter on Vimeo.

What say YOU?

Willow Smith and friend.  

CreoleInDC PSA!

My name is Monica Mingo.

I'm an abuse SURVIVOR.

A cancer SURVIVOR.

An infertility SURVIVOR. 

And none of that slowed me down long enough to break me.

If I can keep swimming...SO.CAN.YOU!!!!!

Whatever you're dealing with is something you CAN deal with. Whatever you're dreaming is something you ABSOLUTELY can do.

WRITE IT DOWN AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!

NO EXCUSES!

LET'S GET IT!  

I MISSED YALL!!!!!!!!!

I feel like yall get mad at me when I have to put the blog to the side for a bit but I promise I miss yall!!!!!!!!!

What's been going on with yall?  I know 1969 and TravelDiva knocked out another Triathlon, TheBrokeSocialite released her first book at a gorgeous soiree and a couple of people had birthdays so let me know what else I missed please!

Kari Nicolle! NOBODY likes a know-it-all!

One of my favorite people on EARTH is actress, Kari Nicolle. Kari is a creative muse for us kinda in that she has that calming level of influence that we sometimes need in order to see our way clear.

We love the hell outta Kari.

Kari walked up to me the other day and stated, "Well...you know it's the end of the trip when Monica goes into full braid mode!"  And we laughed our azzes off cuz it's sooooooooooo true!  LOL!

I always start a trip out with my hair looking all bouncy, nice and full.  

Then...it goes all limp and straight which is cute for all of 20 minutes and I have to keep smoothing it behind my ear to look right.

Next I braid the sides and let the back hang.

Then I braid the sides and ponytail the back.

Final days will see me in side braids with a bun.

And I can't STAND Kari for picking up on my hair trip pattern.  LOL!  Cuz that means everyone else does too! 

Do YOU have a pattern for YOUR hair while traveling too?

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PREMIERE!!!!!

The Coaliton Premiere Highlights! from Team Sizzle Films on Vimeo.

I'm drawn to scrolly things.  LOL!  How many throw pillows do you have on YOUR bed?  What about on your guest bed?  

scrolly pillows

AND THAT'S A WRAP!

SMOOCHES GORGEOUS, AMAZINGLY, AWESOME PEOPLE!!!!!

The screenings were off the charts HOT.TO.DEATH!  Both sold out and the response was AMAZING!  I'm still reeling over the fact that everyone loved it and I love knowing their expectations were blown out of the water!  LOL!  Everyone was blinking with their mouths open like...WOW!  THAT WAS SOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!

And it made us so, so, so very happy!

There is nothing like sitting with a REAL, LIVE AUDIENCE watching your film and absorbing their reaction.  I wish I could bottle that feeling and use it whenever I'm in need of a quick pick me up or assurance that we're doing this the right way.

My brain is a jumbled mess right now because I have all kinds of things going on right his minute but I'll be back to tell you guys more about it.  If you were there...let us know what YOU thought and if you had a good time.  If you weren't there...let me know if you talked to someone who was and what they thought!

Thanks to everyone for the total unconditional love and support you always show us and know that we appreciate it more than anything.  

BOOM CHICA WOW WOW!

"Marco Polo" Sneak Peek!

We got hate mail so it's back tonight until we lock it back up again. I hope you enjoy it. Humph. Evil azzes!

Cool...

I'm at the hair salon and just looked up and saw this on the wall.

Wow.

Signs all around me.

GOOD SIGN?

This was just on my deck.  

Insecurity

As yall well know...I don't have an insecure bone in my body.

And yet...I can't keep anything on my stomach worrying about the audience reaction to our film.

Yes...I know we've worked our azzes off on this but if the audience doesn't enjoy it...it was all for nothing.

All I've ever wanted to do is make movies so yeah...this feeling has me all kinds of messed up right this minute because it's my life's greatest dream.

"Love and Hip Hop Atlanta"

So Facebook and Twitter was on FIRE last night regarding this show and I'm always curious as to what YALL thought of something.

Did you watch?

Was it entertaining?

Did your mouth drop open at any time?

When?

Will you watch again?

What would YOU grade the program?

O_0

Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless

Question...

Do you sometimes ever wonder if you're TOO comfortable and that you need to shake things up in order to push yourself to the next level?

18 Year Olds

In YOUR opinion...should 18 year olds REALLY be considered an adult?  

Do YOU think they are mature enough to handle being treated as an adult?

Scenario From Real Life...

SIP:  Sometimes even I can't close my mouth over the stuff people do and I'm imaginary so it would stand to be that I can imagine ANYTHING!

You're out and about hanging solo.

You tried to get your best friend to kick it with you but she said she had a migraine and wasn't leaving her house.

Cool.

You go out solo.

You're sitting outside at a nice restaurant overlooking a body of water people watching and having a drink.

You are startled to see your best friend boo'd up walking with a man.

AND EVEN MORE STARTLED to find that the dude she's boo'd up with is your BROTHER-IN-LAW (sister's husband)!!!!!!

What happens next?

All the Pieces Coming Together!

The Importance of College

List 5 reasons you believe college is important...IN YOUR OPINION.

Do / did / will you encourage YOUR child to attend?

From My Inbox:

I took in my cousin's 3 kids. They are ages 9 10, and 11. She abused them and neglected them. The courts called me and said your cousins are going to foster care, would you like them. No hesitation, I said yes. They did a home study on my house same day and the kids were placed there a few hours later. Now here we are 4 weeks later and I don't want them anymore. I regret this decision. I am 9 weeks pregnant and I have had them for 4 weeks. These kids are truly a product of their environment. They are rough, they fight each other, the lil girl is grown as hell and the boys are little thugs in training-obsessed with gore, violence, and death. My son feels displaced in his home. I gave the girl his smaller room and moved the boys into the guest room with a bunk bed. My son prefers to sleep on my futon in my bedroom which is fine since my husband mostly works overnight. But my baby hardly talks to them because they have nothing in common. And they like to pick on him which you KNOW I nip in the bud immediately.  I want them gone. The next hearing is next week on the 20th. I really feel like telling the judge this but then they will go into the system and possibly be split up. They have emotional issues, anger issues, speech impediments, ADHD, asthma. I am trying to be a mother to them but I swear right now I resent them. My husband feels like they are a blessing. When I talk to him he counters me but I can't deal. I want them gone and my house back to normal. My family here is pretty small and their dad gave up his rights after the baby girl was born. There is literally not a single person in my family or on their dad's side (that I know of) that can take them. I am so tired of this. Your honest advice, comments, thoughts, suggestions are appreciated.