we just wanted to have fun :(

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it was all fun and games...we thought he was fun, and then..there were two lesson learned:

NEVER let anyone join you for dinner, and walk away without leaving money on the table...watch the vid below...in one, he's interacting and it all seems cool, then comes his getaway something about his phone in his car..yeah right :/ looking back on it I think he thought we were laughing at him and felt uncomfortable so he left..oh well whatever, the funniest part was that he said i was very beautiful, like black and white :/ ? i kno black and white..maybe he realized american girls arent overeasy unfortunatly due to what ppl see on television I guess we seem that...anyway at least the resturaunt took his meal off the bill but I had to pay for that coke, which I drank the remainder of! so much for being nice!!! oh also i was referring to a bottle of chocolate liquer in that vid! mmm but we didnt get it :( too much chocolate!!

the night that never ended...

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Jesse and I decided to get all "dolled" up and hit the town for dinner..once again but we definately wore pants this time :)not short frocks...we went to the Notre Dame area which is notorious for attracting young college students (didnt see many lol) and offering cheap meals..., you would think that I learned my lesson earlier in the day...I about meeting new friends well, I will start from the beginning

Jess and I were in the park practicing our verbs and stuff from the french book when 2 guys walked by..the came back a few minutes later saying how cool it was that we were practicing french and where were we from..normally I am VERY mean and I dont talk to new people..I either look away or dont answer them but they were young and I do wat to make friends here to find out about cool things to do so we told them we were students yada yada..there were 4 of us speaking english (one of the french dudes only spoke french) we joked and laughed about which language was harder they seemed very cool, so we exchanged numbers so we could meet up in notre dame later...it was all good. until 2 seconds after they left, i recieved a phone call..Im workin with a prepaid phone over here so i dont have minutes to waste!!! I answered to see if maybe he left something..idk but no, he just wanted to say how nice it was to meet us ad how beautiful we were..I figured maybe its the french way ( he seem to be very flattering ad passionate about women..they are also agressive), no, red flag..RED flag, we start walking down the champs elysées when someone taps me on the shoulder..who do you think it is..im like ok. get a grip this is getting wierd...they AGAIN bring up meeting later, we keep walking hangin out and i happen to look at my phone, who do I have 5 missed calls from...yea who else? not COOL! at all..dont stalk me :/ anyways we decided not to persue any friendship in order to keep the peace i think they got the hint although this morning i had 2 missed calls from them..anyway the night pictured was verrrryyyy interesting after the creep encounter Jess and I figured its impossible to make FRIENDS without sending mixed signals GUYS dont get it..so we went out just us and it was all fun untillll......

Ny is 2nd to this..

We tried to eat cheap on the second day, there are tons of Japanese and chinese resturaunts so we tried one..i had spicy shrimp and white rice...pretty good, same as chinese food from home really except for the service... I know some of the pics are sideways! lol some of my friends have even reminded me :) I cant figure out why or how to rotate them so my only suggestion for now is to rotate your dome piece :)

-merci!

after lunch, we walked it off, went down by the "river" and hung out, took pics met a strange artist and made our way to a very dangerous shopping area at which point my camera died..sorry guys :/

EIFFEL tower

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Jesse and I prepared ourselves for an evening out...little did we know that "skin" aint so "in" with the parisians in our area..we thought our little black frocks were appropriate but we were stared at, howled at and even followed that night...aside from that the metro was pretty cool, you have to open the door to the train car yourself, its similar to opening the door at the back oh the bus in nyc except there is a handle, same spring action tho, anyway the train station is very clean, there are vending machines and i didnt see one rat! Passing a news stand I noticed a large ad for OBAMA on the cover of french GQ!!! I can dig that! The french support Obama, I have even watched the news here and even tho I dont know what they are saying, their talkin about him!

The tower was gorgeous, I had no idea it would be so great and its way bigger than I expected, you can go on one of three levels and eat i believe (we didnt go up) and the lighting varies it went from an utraviolet blue to a shimmering disco show! After we saw the tower we made our way to grab some food when we were followed by soldiers with huge guns! they insisted on taking pics with us! they didnt speak much english but managed to say we were beautiful and ask for our numbers :/ flattering but...anyway i'll have to blog about my experience with french guys in a WHOLE seperate post! I finished off the night with a glass of vino (nasty btw and overrated) and french onion soup, with a nougat drenched in rasberry sauce! "mad" good!!!! OH PS. I HATE HEARING MYSELF ON VIDEO! I KNOW I WAS IN AWE BUT I SOUND like an idiot! (nobody agree..or else! lol)I only posted it cus it got good footage of the towers light show :)

...continued

you just saw..me and Jesse eating lunch, the very heavy room key, us walking in an alley annd stuff I shot from the cab, promise my blog posts will get more focused after this, im just so overwhelmed and trying my best to get stuff out in some kind of order!

from landing to the door...

when we were landing I had an opportunity to see the country side...beautiful!!!! I would love to go back at some point...when i got to the city area I saw lots of cool stuff avan passed an ikea!!!! gotta have ikea!!! so I felt like a real tourist..as I mentioned in the last post I had a really cool cab driver/personal tour guide and everything was oooh's and aaaahsss's from the back seat...I caught my first glimpse of the eiffel tower and I really felt like I was in Paris!! It seems a little like NYC sometimes but the old country beauty that shines through is much cooler than anything that I have seen in NY...I mean I love NY but the statue of liberty is CORNY compared so the Champs-Élysées!!!! where I am staying is kind of like soho...very trendy lots of cafe's heck even a starbucks! one thing I noticed right away is that there are bikes everywhere!!!!!!!!!!! and wierd tiny cars anyway keep reading more pics in 5 4 3 2.......

the flight...

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I got to newark airport at around 8:50 (thanks rae) but the flight left at 9:50 and ran like stacy dash in that kanye video to check my bags...I was so nervous but I made it to gate C71 right in time for boarding..I got the window seat 9f, that was pretty cool until this snuggle couple came and sat next to me anyway I had a pretty good dinner on the plane and since I ate vegitarian I was served first!! oh a bit of advice NEVER wear eye liner on an overnight flight, you WILL wake up with rocks in your eyes :/ anyway we flew like 3987 miles or something and when we were so high up that I couldnt even see the city lights, I noticed the wierdest thing, orange lightening in the pitch black sky, it was beautiful, but scary!!! I trie to fall asleep but couldnt, because for some reason I always think of not wanting to wake up dead, which is a major oxymoron but im just not comfortable sleeping miles and miles up in the sky, the coolest part was flying from night to day which i missed cuz I went against my sleeping rule and nodded off :( I saw a little of it tho...also I thought it was cool that I looked over and noticed that I was aboard a Rolls Royce plane :) of COURSE! oh one embarassing part of the flight experience aside form my brother telling some girl at the airport to move it..literally because she was in the background of my picture was boarding the plane..firstI thought they were giving out free snacks and I went to grab a bag only to realize that it was not for me...then i boarded the plane greeted by a french speaking flight attendant: bienvenu : i said it back, which is stupid, because that means welcome...I was so hungry by the time breakfast ( lonely croussaint andnasty fruit) came out that i took my retainer out (yes I wear a retainer) and dropped it on the floor...i spent so much time shoveling through my crap trying to find it...that I almost missed the view landing...i got off the plane, refusing to speak because i suddenly forgot how to say everything i learned in french...and went on the hunt for my bags..i admit I am an overpacker so they were very heavy and a nice guy helped me with them but of course could not speak english so I couldnt even thank him really...i wheeled my crap put to the curb and met a line waiting for cabs..luckily i got in a cab with an english speaking driver and he was very nice..I only knew that I was supposed to go to odeon hotel..he said which one? I said the one, lol needless to say when we got to odeon street there were MANY hotel odeons!!!! anyways I arrived and asked for my roomate..they gave me a huge room key and I made my way up to the empty room, she was out and they let me up anyway even though I could be an axe murdered..when she came upstairs we went out to lunch...I had salmon..dumped fries that did NOT come with the meal onto my plate but I love fries..couldnt resist...annnddddddddd keep reading :)

IM HERE!

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I have so soooo much back tracking to do for you guys..I have been here in Paris for like 4 days now...its hard to tell because its all been a blur..I flew out on Monday night at 9:50 and got to Paris on Tuesday morning at 11:45 am so my tuesday felt like a continuation of my Monday or something..anyway I havent been blogging because of a flaky internet connection at the hotel where I am staying and I cant lie..I've been out having FUN!!!!! Im actually sitting at a little cafe right now having breakfast...and really good coffee... so..here we go!

IM a rappers wife...

quickey random fact.... its wierd to see someone..with no relation to you..with "your face"...I always wondered what I look like to other people...not in pics but from the "outside" which is wierd cuz i hate seeing myself on video but..anyway i'll get to the story, people have made a connection between myself and Mashonda (WIFE of SWIZZ BEATS) for some time now, it kind of faded away and came back in spurts the "oh raeana the girl who looks like Mashonda comments"

I was always caught off guard with it..she is cute (of courseif she looks like meeee) and had a catchy song but I didn't really know who she was..anyway it came up today AGAIN that I look like her... so I decided to GOOGLE her...and just get it overwith..I mean I had to see..do we really look anything alike? verrryy creepy I have a pretty distinctive look and I have never seen anyone who looks like me but, she has the same facial structure and..unless you look too hard we do favor each other,if she is ever sick, and cant make it to an event I THINK with the right weave..I could fill in...from the right angle..haha tell me what you guys think..ps. IF you have never seen me...in person...orrr without the "SWOOP" you cant make an accurate evaluation..but for those of you who have seen me...OMG right!

also wierd...I dated a guy once upon a time who kiiinnndaa looks like Swizz Beats..im thinking next BET awards...we make our move!! haha!!!

SO-LO....

oookay PEOPLE so... my mom broke her foot : ( looks like im flying out to paris solo...which wouldnt bug me other than the fact that im a little anxious about the whole obtaining an apartment thing, oh and of course getting to a foreign country where i dont speak the language and trying to find my roomate who will be waiting at (unsaid) hostel or hotel...meanwhile i will have no way of calling her...pish tosh man im still going to remain optimistic but the universe is realllly trying me this summer!!!!! thing is im auctioning off one ticket to a kind soul (with strong arms : ) who would like to come along..carry bags, keep me company, let me drool on their shoulder on the plane annnnd run errands with me : ) lol joking but kind of really serious here : / mommy dearest is a little worried that the "baby" is goin all the way overseas and she cant see where im going to be living...she actually cried and i feel really bad...I tried to make her feel better and I said:

"mom I live in NY, I take the train at 1 am in heels, which handicaps running capabilities... and if I can make it HERE I can make it ANYWHERE!"

me....a RESPONSIBLE almoost 20 yr old but um...soooo shes not buyin it...and is really considering buying a ticket for someone to accompany me...blah blah it kinda sucks : ( buttttt could be a cool getaway for the person with the winning ticket!!!!!

please post resume, picture and criminal record below ASAP : ) haha

au revoir!
signed,
frustrated american

RIGHT AS RAIN...

the track i posted is LIVE and it sounds so crisp and beautiful...ADELE is talented and easily a repeat offender on my i pod!!!! she has a very soulful voice...my new Amy Winehouse (I still love u tho Amy) so check her out readers...ps. i post a lot about what music im "diggin" because music is so tied into everything I do, especially when im working but even walking down the street..I think everyone needs a diva moment...and a soundtrack to go with it, I mean if your going to peer out of a window and be all dramatic with running mascara on a rainy day.. or run for the train in heels why not pretend your in a movie while a track plays in the background!!!! (2much?) lol well anyway right now..im loading up my IPOD with new music specifically for Paris...I feel like I need a soundtrack for the moments I am going to experience..it will make for better memories...im a sucker for NOSTALGIA anyways : )

amazing...

what pics u can find when you google Raeana...the one above is from my friend assatas blog assatasays.com check it out lol i mean everything from my b day last yr to um random pics playin around....seeee why i am so selective you guys when you post pics of me on myspace (ashley) is there any way u can get those down lol?? if anyone knows let me know cuz there are some that id rather not see..anyway i think its kinda cool to find yourself on google! all you have to do is have a myspace page and your on the world wide web!!!!!!! cool. guess i have to get my GOOGLE game up....the more notable things that pop up the better!!!

SO im watchin PROJECT RUNWAY and then...

we love you Tim...enough said

HOLLA!!!!!! lol

BLACK GIRL pain...

well...I have relaxed hair and I have been feeling a little anxiety when it comes to KEEPING UP APPEARANCES!!!! I refuse to be in one of the most beautiful cities in the world..and my hair is just not on point... I have considered going natural a number of times...im curious about "the look" but lets face it...now is JUST not the right time for me to experiment...soooo in an attempt to keep my signature straight jet black swooped care free hair style (pictured above) the mission was ON! I have been "stalking" women of african descent in Paris via facebook and myspace since I found out that I would be going to school there..mainly to ask them WHERE ARE THE GOOD HAIR SALONS! finally I stumbled upon this amazing website PrissyMag.com that has everything from local news to dating tips and profiles in Paris, fashion news and of course BLACK HAIR SALONS! I am delighted : ) well..I have my eye on the Salon Mark Clément..and we will see how things are looking mid september : ) hopefully this post can help the next cycle of black girls from feelin too much "black girl pain" overseas...

Salon Mark Clément
Locale: 58 rue Volta, 3rd arrondissement
Metro: Temple or Arts et Metiers
Tel: (33).1.40.27.03.27

in serious DENIAL..

about fall? well I am...I cant believe its cooling off and the beach days are soon to be over, there are a few things from your summer wardrobe/accessory bin that must be carried over to fall and one of them is yellow nail polish...Ladies.if you were not up on it all summer it is not too late! jump on the banwagon and "get you some" I love it! My fav is by ESSIE and its called SHORTY PANTS...think about it, how retro would it be to mix this with warm tones of brown and orange for fall, mix it up a little and do something other than black when you are trying to be different! go BRIGHT FOR FALL! I know I am!

ID LIKE TO THANK THE ITALIANS....

for good shoes..good underwear models....and GROM!

I stumbled upon this cute place in the village the other night and I indulged in the Tirimasu ice cream well gelato actually...without a care in the world about calories! Anyway if you are ever in the area they have the "sexiest" ice cream cones I have ever seen...so slender... they have one in paris....already looked it up so I WILL be visiting...but of course : )

GROM
233, Bleecker and Carmine
Manhattan
New York City
Tel. (+1) 212 206 1738

feelin poetic QUOTABLE....

Sometimes you have to "be" what your public see's, in order to keep things together when you want to fall apart...
-me

to everyone, ESPECIALLY women with enough "poise" to DEAL, and still be fab and make it to the office..or even the classroom on time, bussiness as usual

You don't have to be what people think you are be yourself..but as for me, I am a "character" in my own life.. I just act like the person I want to be, so that eventually one day, I can become her....

yea yea...one of those inspirational posts I suppose, consider my blog an open invitation to my mind...

-

On tour with CHANEL....

MOBILE ART....the exhibition focused around the signature quilted bag...the tour started in Hong Kong followed by Tokyo, where it just wrapped..the next stop is New York then off to Moscow and the final show will be... where else...Paris..In July of 2010. I am hoping to see the show when it comes to New York at the risk of sounding blunt..i want to see what the fuss is about! After all my FAV architect Zaha Hadid designed the futuristic white dome that the show is housed in...I dont quite see the resemblance but the dome itself is supposed to be modeled after an early Chanel bag....Highlights from the show are featured above including the big Chanel purse...and an instillation display by artists Loris Cecchini and Michael Lin...one of the most interesting insitillations is "at the bottom" by Tabaimo of Japan. Visitors go up steps to look down a "well" where walls are covered with mysterious, seemingly floating objects, representing the dreams of Chanel customers...and of course with art..there is great contreversy with the piece that includes tattooed stuffed pigs and matching purses by Wim Delvoye of Belgium. The display is called "Jesus, Love & CHANEL bags." I DON'T get it but in the name of Art, shock value, name dropping (big name architect involved) and marketing they pretty much have it all down pact where drawing a crowd is concerned...after all it is CHANEL so there is natural buzz...

I feel kinda like...

this is a cool song sounds a little like gym class heroes..so here ya go... maybe, just maybe...in a few more years I can be some lucky guys famous girl ; )

QUOTABLE.....

of the day is....

"NO ONE EVER SLOWS HER AGENDA"

-Rhonesha Byng

I live by it...if you do too and you want a tee shirt to support the launch of the site www.heragenda.com

EMAIL..... INFO@HERAGENDA.COM or NESHA@NOONEEVERSLOWSHERAGENDA.COM
hope you enjoy the song BROOKLYN GIRLS one of my favs by Charles Hamilton...Im definately going to be pumpin this one hard while in Paris...especially if I get a little home sick...Nesha gets a "shout out" in the song..and so does her motto...

QUOTABLES...

I often come up with random "quotes"..and I will say them to myself over and over...you ever wonder how and why famous quotes get to be famous? well

1)word of mouth
2) word of mouth and then you die and its suddenly the it thing to say
3) you are Oprah :)

anyway...brainstorming with Rhonesha..who some of you may know here on Blogger for her well known societyandstyle.blogspot.com (check it out)about an upcoming "project" which I will later post about...I came up with something

"you can never think what you are doing is enough, because if you think what you are doing is enough then you have reason to stop, and stopping is never an option"

also a friend of mine (cough cough NICK) said something modeled after the whole "pretty is as pretty does" thing.. in defense...I simply said

"pretty is not as pretty does, pretty can only do if pretty is"

it speaks for itself...all this to say..ITS QUOTABLES the new feature of my blog..quotes by me..and ocassionally friends of mine..and maybe i'll throw in a few famous ones or two :)

THE BANNER IS...

finally up and running...i created it myself in illustrator...some of my friends know I have been buggin around with it for the longest trying to figure out why it would not post..well thanks FIREFOX :)

what do you think?

BEAUTY in the name of....

(information and photo both taken from nitrolicious..im just passing amazingness along)

NITROLICIOUS SAYS:

"Louis Vuitton will be opening a new flagship store in Tokyo, Japan by 2010. The 10 story flagship store was designed by UNStudio, these images show a proposed take on the store. UNStudio takes a new environmentally friendly approach to the design and construction of the store. Inside the Louis Vuitton mongram leaf shaped building you will be able to find a few amnetities such as a cafe, spa, bookstore, exhibition gallery, and last but not least retail space. Stay tuned for more news as the location and construction time is being kept a secret. via Freshness (Thanks X!) / Dezeen

Wow!" check out www.nitrolicious.com (one of my fav blogs)

I wouldnt mind living on the top floor and having all of the floors underneath act as closet space :) LOUIS ITEMS INCLUDED another Kanye moment....sigh

HAVE mercy...

PROMISE I wont post anymore shoes... :( ok im lying but these are too awesome...I have to show them off...Im just doin a Kanye right now...Close my eyes and imagine...so for all you chicks with trust funds out there...you got it!

OH my ZAHA!

HADID has done it from the Guggenheim to Soho boutiques...she has her own shoe collection! I SWEAR on those Louboutins that I was JUST discussing with my concepts professor from last semster how Zaha Hadid should do this. I designed an evening collection Inspired by her architecture and included shoes and acccessories...my only fret...why didn't she ask me to come on board! (just joking) well...Hadid opted for a more...."casual" approach than I would have expected the shoes are made of plastic!!!! (so Mary Quant 1960's retro) and this particular style has striking similarities to "The ideal house" that she designed....yea that red thing with all the cut outs pictured above...A HOUSE! well nonetheless... she is my ALL time favorite architect...she and Frank Gehry but I respect that a minority WOMAN of middle eastern (Iraqi) descent came and took over the "game" with innovative possibilities. Not only is she an architect but also a painter...it is my dream to have her design my home one day..and heck if I cant swing that at LEAST the furniture in it! The shoes will be retailing for $350 and you can check for them at Opening Ceremony, 35 Howard street... and other boutiques this September :)