Baked By Carrie

Have you ever been so proud of someone, that your heart felt like it would burst? Can I tell you about my friend, and make up artist Baked by Carrie? Carrie is one of the sweetest but silliest human beings, I’ve come across in my life! I don’t think I’ve ever had a conversation with her that didn’t have at least ten minutes of straight laughter. I could be going thru, the worst moment, and Carrie will find a way to make a joke out of it. Not only is a she a professional artist, but her talents extend to photography, and a touch of videography. Recently she entered the NYX Face Awards, with her version of an Egyptian goddess, first I was blown away! I got a sneak peak at her projected ‘face’ but that was just a rough draft, so be able to see the full finished project! MY GOD!

Carrie blew it out of the water! From the first frame, it was like pow! I’m a damn Egyptian goddess, not only will you respect me, you will bow down and kiss my damn feet. I watched the video entry, feeling like a proud momma, watching her baby take her first steps. I’ve seen the progress from beginner to where she is now, and I’m blown away. I know for sure she is going to take her artistry as far as she’d like it to go. Unfortunately she did not move on to the next round of the Awards, BUT she killed it!

Be Sure to check her out on Youtube as Baked by Carrie. Trust me, she’s worth the Watch!

Tristan Jonez.

Darius Cooks.

So about two years ago Instagram introduced me to DariusCooks! And I have been addicted to him ever since. If my memory serves me correctly, I saw a photo of a dish he has cook/created and being the food lover I am I could not resist. Weeks later, he posted he would be planning the ultimate dinner party for 20 people. I was so determined to go, that I asked all my friends to assist, in being one of the twenty to get a ticket, unfortunately, none of my friends helped so I wasn’t able to go to the VERY first dinner. Luckily for me, he did ONE more, and guess who got a ticket? ME!! Since that first initial dinner, he has added more cities, with more recipes!

The food was amazingly amazing! I was hooked! Fortunately for me I went a second time, brought along my gay best friend, and my then boyfriend. On this Thursday, May 18th, I will be attending for the third and final time! I will be bringing along my coworker turned friend Tika, so she can experience this ‘family reunion’ style dinner party. To watch this gentleman grow as a brand, has been such a pleasure!

Tristan Jonez

PS, Yes that is certainly me in the photo. I had to unbutton my damn pants and shirt, as I was literally bursting at the seems.

 

 

One Night Only

I’ve finally made my way to Vegas.

For some odd reason, Vegas was not really on my list of places to go! I know Las Vegas is more than just Casinos, Shows and Pool Parties, but now that I’ve tasted the Vegas life, I am more than ready to go back! I know I say this about every single destination but I could see myself living there, Its beautiful! The airport is five minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip, but I will be sure to venture out from the sights and sounds of the main attraction. I’m always interested in what a city has to offer beyond whats presented to me.

So for this overnight trip, I stayed at the Signature at the MGM Grand. Beautiful hotel which overlooks the comings and going of the Airport. Close your eyes, and imagine the view of the runway as it lights up! Whats Vegas if you don’t crash a party or two? It was someone’s company party, and it created a night to remember. Theme was totally 80’s, with Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Sir Elton John making their presence known! Let me not forget about the lighted robots, folks on stilts, and a preying mantis! Whatever Company that was, I would totally work for them, they put out all the stops!

Tristan Jonez.

GullyDaKid

I had a best friend once.

I thought we would be tight forever. Instead of having a maid of honor, he would be my best man. Never a secret, everything was laid on the line, cuz secrets couldn’t exist between my best friend and I. A sense of sereneity, because trusting someone with your whole entire heart is no easy feat but once its done, its the most bliss you can experience.

Then he falls in love, and you don’t.

And because you don’t fall in love, he begins to resent you. Soon enough, its only silence, on both ends. Whoever said love doesnt complicate life, lied. You even make an attempt to reciprocate those feelings, but even more resentment, cuz its not genuine. Eventually, there’s no hello. No more peace, just a girl wishing she had her best friend back.

I’ll always miss you J.

Tristan Jonez.

Mother’s Day, 17.

Today is Mother’s Day.

Since my own mother died, I stopped paying attention to this particular holiday. I think I was salty that everyone else had a mother or a mother figure, and I didn’t. I haven’t celebrated Mother’s Day since my mother was alive. So today I decided I would celebrate the mother’s that I did know, including a lot of first time mothers. (Shout out to Jennifer!)I wanted them to know they were appreciated, especially by me. I know its no small feat to be able to bring life into the world.

As of today, I haven’t had the pleasure of becoming a Mother but I will when the time is right for me. For my friends/Readers, that are awesome mothers or know an amazing mother, I wish all of you the happiest of Day!

Tristan J.

Speculoos, I love you.

Speculoos Cookie Butter is officially my Drug. I am so addicted!

If you’ve never been to Trader Joe’s, I would recommend that you run there fast! It’s a creamy, sometimes crunchy, blend of cinnamon cookie spread that tastes like God himself created it for our enjoyment. I usually enjoy my cookie butter with Granny Smith apples, there are a host of other food/fruits you can spread it on but apples are the best. It creates this super sweet but tart (sour) taste that sets my taste buds on fire.

Trust me, you NEED this in your Life.

T. Jonez

Confessions.

I confess …

I’ve never actually seen Waiting to Exhale. (Covers Face)

I know I know that is something that I should have seen way before turning 30! Maybe some of the lessons, lives, situations in the movie, could’ve prepared me for my own life lessons. Who knows? Tonight I was online, and I was able to watch a snippet, and yes! It was a nice little snippet. I am making it my business, to carve out some time, drink a glass or two of wine and watch the movie.

All I really know of the movie, is there are four black friends. When I think back to my own childhood, I grew up with three other female best friends. Surprisingly we all are cordial, and still keep in touch. They all live in Baltimore, so sometimes it makes difficult for me to stay in the loop, but maybe I can plan a girls night in, with Waiting to Exhale being our featured film.

Tracy, Chant, and Ash, I’ll work on that!

Tristan Jonez.

Sweeeeeep

Remember Supermarket Sweep?

I remembering watching the show, telling myself when I grew up I was going to be a contestant on Supermarket Sweep. The thought of running through the aisle looking for the cash prize at the end, always made my day. In my mind, if I could just get on the show, all my dreams would come true. Well when I think, that was my only dream! Unfortunately Supermarket Sweep went off the air before I had to the chance to grow up, and be a featured guest.

I would say that I would start a petition for the show to be revamped since they seem to put ANYTHING on television, now a days. But I learned my lesson when I went so hard for the television show, The Game to come back on. When the show returned it was a horrible mess on BET! So I am just going to continue to play Supermarket Sweep when I am at my local grocery store, at least this way, I am always the winner!

Are there any games shows you wish you could be a contestant?

Tristan Jonez

Endings

“I hope you find that fairytale you’re looking for”

If I was looking for a fairytale, I know you wouldn’t be my Prince Charming. Men have a way of projecting their insecurities on the women they claim they would like to date. I want a man to find me, let me be what he is seeking, and push himself to level up to whatever ‘level’ he believes me to be. If being with me, doesn’t make you want to be a better man then I don’t want you. I wanted a completed man but I still want you to be opened to education, and growth. If you believe you are done with all of that, then Im surely not the woman for you.

A man can not tell me he hopes I find what I am looking for when he doesn’t actually know what that is. All he honestly knows, is he isn’t the man that I’m looking for even know I haven’t figured it out yet. Im not looking for perfect, I am only looking for what is genuine. Everything else we can figure out together, if you are coachable. If I can’t tell you how I want to be treated, all the little things, then whats the point? Attraction isn’t enough, cuz once those looks fade, Im sure you’ll appreciate me taking an interest in more than just your face, and body.

And for the man who penned that ridiculous statement, What I seek will make itself available to me ONCE I rid myself of all the current clowns.

Tristan Jonez

What We Eating… Series?

Although I’ve been doing this for a while now, I think I’m going to make it a bit official. So I’m still working out the details in my own head as to what I  would like it to be, for now, its “What we Eating.” By no means is that proper English, but I’m here to make words as fun as they can possibly be. So for the past few weeks, I take myself out on a date, sometimes I have friends who join me but for the most part It’s a solo date.

I have been staying in Manhattan for the past two weeks but I think It’s time I stop playing it so safe. So Today, I am heading to Queens! Can you guess what we’ll be eating? Hint Hint: This Culture takes pride in its food options, and they aren’t scared to experiment!

Tristan Jonez.

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, TristanJonez, keep up with all my shenanigans.

Goals

So for this month, I told myself I would be doing something different with my writing, instead of only writing when something happens, I promised myself I would write every single day for this month. I’ve been told that it takes 21 days to create or break a habit, so consider this my experiment. I wanted to keep it light, so I didn’t place any specifics on what I could write about, the only requirement; I have to write, and publish whatever I wrote.

Seems simple enough as a challenge, right? Well let the writing begin.

Jonez

FYI I am a tad bit late in writing this as work spilled over, I arrived home at 2:32am, and began writing this as soon as my laptop was ready.

Dude Stop. 

I want to believe I am honest in what I write, especially when it comes to information about myself. Plus folks are going to judge, so I’d rather folks judge me based on my actual truth. Since I turned 31, I’ve felt as if I have to get married, I have to have children,  sooner than later, so I was making decision based of that fact. WRONG MOVE!

Recently I realized Im out here looking nuts. I’m allowing shit from men that I wouldn’t even date otherwise, dealing with BS just cuz I panicked that I would be alone. I was like well Jonez, having someone who is half decent is better than not having anyone at all. See, I was straight tripping! I had to really be honest with myself about my actions, I had to make the choice, to make myself happy long term. I left two relationships in my life because of the long term. I wasn’t wit being disrespected at 25, so I had to chat with myself cuz allowing disrespect now, wasn’t the move.

Plus Im not alone, I have you guys. Loves You.

Tristan Jonez