DISASTERS IN DATING: Shackled and Shacking

it's been a full three months since we've been back together.
everything is AWESOME. and when i say awesome, i mean AMAZING.
#NoBrag

in all seriousness, i couldn't ask for more. currently, i am shacking with him while saving up to make my official move to LA. it is an interesting experience. granted, we have had a few moments. but they were different this time around. if these same "moments" happened a year ago, we would have been drowning in miscommunication and unhappiness. growth has occurred. we are learning everyday how to talk TO each other and LISTEN. we are understanding ourselves, each other, and our relationship.

i am SO proud of him. so proud of US. i have made a conscious decision to forgive him and trust him. it's hard. i know my ladies out there know how difficult it is to move forward in a relationship where you were previously cheated on, lied to, betrayed, etc. trust issues are no joke.

but i trust him. i see it in his actions....he changed. not saying he is perfect, nor am i...nor is this relationship. i am saying that we are committed to facing every situation head on with each other. with open and honest conversations.

it has become so clear to me how much we are invested in this. i can't even begin to tell you all how good it feels to have someone who truly has your back and holds you down with love being the only expectation of payment for his services.

sometimes i get anxiety about waking up one day and this all being taken from me. but each day i wake he's there...holding me. each day brings us closer, me all up in his space. even when i get on his nerves. even when he pisses me off. we work at it daily. we forgive and kiss. we let love conquer.



we're shackled by love.
we're shacking with love. (temporarily)


so blogger babies, how do you all feel about the dreaded "shacking" option in relationships?



xx,
MiaMcK

POETICALLY INCLINED: Morning Bliss

the first moments of morning tickle my eyelids.
twitching toes and warm breath so close it mixes with mine.
stiff limbs from an intense slumber.
heartbeats and soft snores.
traces of the previous night still present on my thighs.

and i just want to lay here.
thoroughly pleased in every sense.

morning bliss: waking up to love


xoxo,
MiaMcK

DISASTERS IN DATING: remembering your essence... FOR NIKKI

evaluation.

most times when we think of this we relate it back to school or work, but not always relationships.

well, what about our self-evaluation process regarding relationships?

"remember your essence"

whether you're in a relationship, pursuing one, or exiting a relationship, those words can certainly afford to be thought on more often.

IN A RELATIONSHIP: your "I" and "me" has been long ago replaced by "us" and "we". your day to day plans tend to revolve around what your other half is doing. cuz I mean, that's what REALationships are about right? making an effort to align schedules so that the love doesn't suffer?

as a woman who was single and free far more than I was locked down and in a relationship, including my man in my plans and decisions was NOT priority. thus causing his ego and supposed importance to me and the relationship to suffer....

PURSUING A RELATIONSHIP: put your best face forward. the beginning stages of most relationships are like big words in an essay... all fluff. nothing solid or real, just a whole lot of well put together words and imbalanced compromises. women and men tend to get caught up in the warm, fuzzy feelings of the newness which often times causes them to lose their heads...

EXITING A RELATIONSHIP: the hurt, anger, and stress is so thick it's suffocating. the anxiety of heartache can literally make you crazy. things are done and said that can reflect part of our character that we may not have known existed....


in all you do, remember your essence.

what is it that makes you, you? know that you are a whole, beautiful, FUNCTIONING person on your own. even when you feel broken beyond repair, you are whole. know this and truly understand this. YOU define you, not a relationship status. i know so many young ladies who get wrapped up in their man and they forget themselves. they forget their value. remember your essence.

i know i have a few loyal readers out there who may have felt some type of way about the rekindling of my relationship and everyone is entitled to their opinions. i know that my essence has been unequivocally tied to his essence. he's my "end". the one. the difference between myself and a lot of women is that i know my worth, i understand my worth, and i walk in my worth. i have learned how to make my value and love life coexist without either lacking in importance. not only do i remember my essence often, i AM my essence.

i am Mia. i know who i am. i know my worth. i am in love and am a fully functioning complete person with or without a relationship.


remember your essence.


xoxo,
MiaMcK

SPOTLIGHT ON...: the wonderful West 3rd Street

from bakeries and jewelry stores to pizzerias, nail shops, and restaurants....west third street in Los Angeles literally has it all. i practically live on this street because i work at Alexis Bittar (8383 west 3rd st).... and our friendly neighboring shops have welcomed us with open arms! SO, without further ado, i'd like to RAVE about a few of my favorite west 3rd spots thus far.


1) D'Amore's Famous Pizza (8369 west 3rd st):

there is definitely a reason i am the mayor here on foursquare. i eat here dang near every day!! YUM! the pizza bianco is to die for! as is the 5 cheese baked ziti, the garden burger, and the chicken panini! i go here on lunch and get DELICIOUS food and great convo with this location's owner Christie D'Amore! she is AWESOME!!! Did i mention this is like the healthiest pizza EVER? score!


2) Le Labo (8385 west 3rd st)

Le Labo is right next door to my job and i love that i can smell the fragrances through the walls. Dexter, the manager, is one of my besties on the street....always up for a quick fashion chat and encourages me to come put some parfum on daily. #crossMarketing lol. these fragrances are truly an investment $$ but well worth it. a few of my favorites? Musc 25, the exclusive LA scent that you won't find anywhere but here. it's soft and sexy...makes you want to be close to someone special so that they can partake in your yumminess! Another 13 is AMAZING and uberly exclusive. only 500 bottles of this was made. BUT once you buy this bottle you can get it refilled forever. of the 500 bottles made, there are only FIFTEEN left. i want one sooooo badly. *hint hint BOYFRIEND* hahaha. I also lke Neroli, Vetiver, Rose, Ambrette, and Labdanum. If you happen to go in on a day when Isaac is working, be prepared for a true fragrance experience. he truly has a way with words and making you FEEL the scents. he's awesome.


3) Benefit Cosmetics (8387 west 3rd st)

brow waxing, brow tinting, tons of makeup, tons of fun. i j'adore my Benefit gals!! Helena is an AWESOME brow boss and Michelle, the manager, is a bundle of joy. all of the Benefit ladies are fun, friendly, and fierce with it! you will NOT be disappointed. plus, one of the owners, Lisa Edwards is a doll!

4) Tina's Nails (8371 west 3rd st)

quick and professional, the ladies at Tina's Nails are spectacular. they are ALWAYS busy but somehow i never seem to have to wait. i love it! speedy service. whether i need a pedi or a mani, i am always in and out on my lunch break. my new found love? GEL NAILS!! they use the GELish brand here and it's pretty amazing. gel polish that lasts for weeks. if you know me, you know i am slightly obsessed with nail polish. the GEL polish is super shiny, super smooth, and dries SUPER fast with the help of the UV light. i got my nails done on Christmas Eve and i am barely in need of a new mani now. sooooo guess where i'll be on my lunch break tomorrow??


there are TONS of wonderful places on west 3rd and i can't wait to explore them all. Polkadots and Moonbeams, Wockano, and Joan's on third are also places that i frequent.

LA has so many awesome things to do, see, and eat.... i am dedicating this year to new wonders. can't wait to see what i will find and what i will experience!!!


live a little folks!!!


p.s. couldn't end without mentioning the most important place on west 3rd street....my job!!! 8383 west 3rd street will have you at ALEXIS BITTAR!!!



so blogger babies, are there any places where you live that you think deserve a spotlight? excellent service? great food? amazing prices? dope clothes? LET ME KNOW so i can feature it "spotlight on..."



xoxo,
MiaMcK

BAD BISH: Creepy Minaj

like i have said since day one, i am not a huge fan of her music....but there is absolutely no doubt that Nicki Minaj is a force to be reckoned with. granted, she does have a few songs that i can jam out to, i wouldn't be the person first in line to buy an album.

her image though?
impeccable.

she is a well oiled machine making one strategic move after another. can't hate.





xoxo,
MiaMcK

REAL TALK: woman to woman

lately, i have been EXTREMELY inspired by the women around me. from social to personal... the good advice and examples just don't stop. 11 days into the new year and it feels SO good. i am at a really great place...i feel powerful and unstoppable. can i REALLY do anything? of course i can. this year i am so dedicated to Mia and all that comes with being the best Mia i can be.

famous female, friend, foe, and family....the women in my life are awesome. i am so blessed to be surrounded by such beauty, talent, intelligence, and drive. i am in awe.

hopefully, the positive energy i am being fed continues all year. let's make 2011 the start of TRUE sisterhood.

encourage, uplift, and respect.



#GirlPower


xoxo,
MiaMcK

NEW VIDS: anti-bullying

tear jerker much?



xoxo,
MiaMcK

DISASTERS IN DATING: the resurrection....

time passes.
mistakes are made.
tears are shed.
apologies said and accepted.
then love......


it never ceases to amaze me how incredible love is.
it comes in and covers a multitude of wrongs.
i am absolutely in awe of its power.

when you can look into the face of love and feel God,
that's when you know.
just like the Christian walk, love isn't always easy.
we backslide, we fall off, we make bad decisions along the way.
then love....

saves us.
restores us.
strengthens us.
resurrects us.

i am literally consumed with this life altering emotion.
we are exactly where we're supposed to be.
with each other.
loving every inch of each other.


and we can't get enough,
cuz like he said "you are who i want".
we fit.
literally.



"aint no competition when you're in it...." ;-)



xoxo,
MiaMcK




XIII,
i knew that we'd find our way back to each other.
being apart was the best thing that could have happened to us.
it hurt like hell to leave you, but it was SO necessary.
there is no better feeling than learning, living, and loving WITH you.
i never thought it would be this easy to start from scratch, start over, start anew....
but it is.
we feel so right.
over a year ago, we rushed into something that took yeeeeeaaars to finally establish.
now, standing at the starting line of 2011...i can say that this is where we belong.
infatuated at first sight on a random night in 2005.
we have the stuff that true love stories are made of.
let's work at it baby.

i have fallen in love with you all over again....


welcome home daddy.

xoxo,
Moonlight

DISASTERS IN DATING: when the dust settles...

no one ever talks about the part "when the dust settles". when you're over the hurt and you're back in the "single girl" frame of mind. no one ever talks about how it feels when your heart doesn't ache as much but you know you're not fully healed.

the in between phase.

what do you do next? go on a couple of dates trying to keep your mind and time occupied.

entertain the advances of men who don't give you butterflies, but give you numerous compliments.

no one ever talks about this part.

it doesn't hurt but it doesn't feel "good" either. the tears have dried and the anger has subsided. what now?

what do you do when you know you'll never go back, but you can't see a clear picture of what lies ahead?


#nowPlaying "excuse me" - jazmine sullivan

her voice has me wanting to fall in love again. makes me want to go cook and clean for a handsome man with strong arms, a nice smile, and honest eyes.

but he's absolutely nowhere to be found.

no one ever talks about this part....when the dust settles and it's just you. the only one caring. the only one wanting.

*sits down in the middle of the floor indian style*

guess i'll paint my nails and try not to get this "dust" on 'em.


xoxo,
MiaMcK

LOCAL LOYALTY: a heart for vintage....

for all of my vintage lovers out there, i have the perfect place for ultimate thrift shopping ONLINE!!! throwback pieces that won't break your wallet..#SCORE. oh, did i fail to mention that the store is owned and operated by one of my very good friends? well, it is...and i am uberly proud of her. Blood, sweat, and tears......the reward of it all is worth it.

Love you Jim!

so, my dear blogger babies, GO SHOP!!!! don't say i never put y'all up on anything. #ThankMeNow

DanTChanVintage

follow the store on twitter for updates!! @DantChanVintage


xoxo,
MiaMcK



p.s. shoutout to the featured model @ruthi_baby heeey girl!

PLAYLIST: Umbrella Much???

as you all may know, i am on a slow journey of toleration for my dear Creepy Minaj. i have nothing against her image or who she is as a person....i think she is doing wonders for a lot of silly little girls' self-esteem (in her own twisted way). as far as talent goes, she's entertaining to say the least. i would never knock her hustle, cuz she IS doing it. but fan? not much.

and rihanna.....my boo rihanna. i ADORE this chick head to toe. she's the less amazing version of my Beyonce' adoration. #justSayin.

this song is IT for me....had me ready to put on some poppin lipstick, a freakum dress, & go BE in some club somewhere. YAAAAAAAAAAS!!!!!!!!! put my hand in the air & reject all the scumbags trying to get my attention. #soWhat cuz it's raining men!!!!!



"i aint even worried bout u homie cuz there's plenty mo fish in the sea.....they fallin like the rain, so we aint runnin out"

im bumping this hard until 2011 hits!!!!


enjoy blogger babies!



xoxo,
MiaMcK