TheRockettes

When was the last time you went to Radio City Music Hall to see The Christmas Spectacular? I want to believe my parents took me at some point in my life but I honestly can’t remember seeing it from my memory bank. Well this evening I went to The Christmas Spectacular and I had an amazing blast. There was a storyline, I thought I would just see The Rockettes dancing for two hours, but nope! I was so pleasantly surprised to see, the show which combined Santa Claus, Nutcracker and an excerpt of the birth of Christ. I do believe it should be seen from multiple angles in the theatre, If I do so happen to make it back to see the show again, I would like to be on the third mezzanine so you would have a wide-angle of the stage. Unless the price was soooooo amazing that I just couldn’t pass up, then and only then would I purchase an orchestra seat.

Because I went to this evening show, I received a Santa Hat! I can’t tell you how excited I was to put that on my head, when santa asked the audience to, it was the beginning of the santa dance number. I felt like a little kid again, dancing and clapping my seat. I didn’t care too much about who saw.

Happy Holidays Folks

Jonez.

Caretaker.

I don’t take care of myself as much as I need to or as much as I should. Because I’m there for others, I don’t have or make the time for myself. As a result, I’m miserable. I keep myself occupied with work so I’m too tired to evaluate my needs, too tired to care. Obviously this is a severely destructive path, and if I don’t start to take care of myself, I’ll be lying in a ditch somewhere. I think I was expecting someone to come along and save me from myself but this isn’t a fairy tale and no one will rescue me. I gotta save my damn self!

This week, I’m on vacation from work so I couldn’t hide from myself. My body was seriously malfunctioning, places were aching, my mind couldn’t settle itself and my body was desperately alerting me that it was about to crash. Although I definitely have responsibilities this week, I canceled everything to focus on me. To really put me first, to indulge in me, to allow my body the space to rest, to stretch and to do anything else she wanted to. I always feel like I deserve more than what I’m receiving in my dating life, but if I’m not treating my OWN self like I deserve more, why would anyone else?

Tristan Jonez.

Showtime Apollo!

Recently I had the pleasure of attending a show at the Worlds’s Famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem! Can I first, just tell you guys how it felt to be in a place where so many great and talented artist have gotten their start? Like I was in awe of where I was, but the moment was not lost on me. I was fully in that moment, as I could have been. I can’t tell you how many times, I was up late night trying to watch amateur night, awaiting the acts that move on to the next round. OMG! I was at the Apollo Theatre! Although I have no bucket list, If I did, I just crossed one more thing off. Again, I have to thank my coworker turned friend, Chinoah, for the opportunity to see a global monument! (It is to me)

Secondly, Can I tell you how bad I felt to boo someone? It was horrid, cuz we are all so conditioned to believe everyone deserves an E for effort, but that is definitely not the Apollo Way! If you are not popping off, by those first few chords, then your ass is going to get boo’d. I want to believe that everyone knows this is a possibility, even if YOU believe you are the best singer that has ever lived. However sitting in the front row, the ones who were boo’d, I don’t think they even thought of that happening. I’ll admit, I got into the spirit of the Apollo, and I boo’d someone, Hell I even stood up and boo’d them! I know this type of behavior isn’t accepted anywhere, but at the Apollo its your duty to do what you have to… and I HAD to!

Of Course I forget to ask when the episode would air because I was just so caught up in making sure I was present in that moment. What I do know, It will be airing on primetime on FOX. So look out for me, I’ll be coming to your television screen very soon.

Tristan Jonez.

Music Hall Radio City

So I had the pleasure of seeing Miss Solange perform in person at Radio City Music Hall here in NYC and she was as marvelous as you would picture her to be. I do have to admit, she came on towards the latter part of the evening, I was getting worried that she would only be on for thirty minutes, but she was on stage for about an hour. Dancing, Singing, and Taking command of my emotions! As you would expect she performed songs from her current album, Seat at the Table, but she threw in T.O.N.Y, which I sung and felt every word, she added two songs from True. I’ve been rocking with Solange for a long time, so although I loved her slowed down version of T.O.N.Y, I would’ve loved to hear more songs from her album Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams. OMG! So many classic bangers!
Solange definitely seems like someone I would be friends with. A No hold bars chick who speaks exactly what she’s thinking. How can you not appreciate that?!

Tristan Jonez.

SideNote: Not that race is a factor but it is, however, there was more white folks than blk people at her show. And maybe they like her music as much as I do, but I kinda would’ve like to see more brown folks who KNEW her music as intimately as I do.

Drinks Galore.

I can always count on Cafeteria Restaurant to not only provide an amazing (finger licking good) meal, but to create an atmosphere that promotes positivity and community. It also doesn’t hurt that their drinks are always so good and buzz worthy. Since I was in the Union Square area recently, starving, and I knew it was the perfect place to stop for a bite. I’ve been frequenting Cafeteria, what seems like forever. At one point, that was my date night hangout, I would bring all my dates there. What can I say, its a good date night spot.

Do you have a go-to restaurant? Let me know, I’m always looking for somewhere new!

Jonezy

Lets Eat.

Do you have a certain meal, or food, you ALWAYS order when you go out?

Well I do, and its always seafood, specifically salmon. I want to believe I am adventurous when it comes to meals and what I am willing to try. However I can admit, Salmon is just that ‘thing’ my eye always look for when out. One of my favorite restaurants in New York is Clyde Frazier’s Wine & Dine. Not only is it a semi upscale sport bar, but there is a half basketball court, where you can perfect your jump shot. The food is absolutely divine! My go to meal is the blackened Scottish salmon with bourbon butter spinach and garlic mashed potatoes, with a glass of white wine. The salmon is so delish, that it melts in your mouth! I usually can’t squeeze in dessert but when YOU go please make room for the ricotta donuts!

For me, this is the perfect date night spot, whether its a first date or you’re a couple that’s looking to try a new place. If you are single, fret not for the bar area, is incredible! AND Clyde Frazier’s has a nice line up for happy hour. Hopefully I will catch you there one of these days, don’t ever be too shy to say hey!

Tristan Jonez.

SideNote: I’m horrible at taking photos at restaurants, so use your imagination! I promise I’ll do better.

Beauty Related.

I’m always down for ANY shade of purple. It’s Matte? Even better! I had fun with NYX Ruthless, it goes on smoothly but beware if you have a heavy hand, as with a few swipes you’ll put too much in your lips. It’s very creamy, and surprisingly light, extremely pigmented as NYX Cosmetics products usually are.

This possibly can be used as a transition color from late summer into fall. But if you’re anything like me, it’ll be a colour you’ll wear all year round.

Jonez

Beauty Related.

Any Shade of purple is my go to. No, All shades of purple are my go to. There’s just something about purple that makes it a color that stands out on brown skin. Marvelous! I’m wearing NYX in Strawberry Parfait and Berry strudel, surprisingly they are both *Only* lip glosses! With NYX you can be assured that your lip colour will always be pigmented.

Less is always more with NYX Cosmetics.

Tristan J

Reward Reward

With so few that truly defines what it means to be a friend, should we reward those who get it right? Now hear me out, I don’t think I should “pay” you to be my friend but if I’m out and about is it acceptable to purchase something for my friend? Personally my friendship in return is the reward for you completing your duties as “friend”. While I think gifts should be reserved for birthdays and holidays, you should always show your appreciation for a good friend. But don’t be confused with good friend behavior. ITS NOT THE SAME!

Anyone can be a good friend, once. It’s the consistency that creates a balanced friendship. I shouldn’t wonder if your going to be there when it’s needed. Loyalty shouldn’t be questioned. And if I find myself questioning your loyalty then what use are you as a friend?

Tristan J.

Beauty Related.

I’ve searched high and low for a nude that would compliment my chocolate brown skin, and after plenty of trials and errors I’ve finally found it! NYX’s brand is one of my absolute favorites currently. I’ve always appreciated the lip glosses because it gives me not only a dose of Shine, it’s so very pigmented. I’ve blended Praline and Beyond Basic, which is their new slip tease full color lip oil. Because I am a chocolate cutie, I find that I don’t need much Beyond Basic. I first use Praline as a base coat of sorts, then I dab about three dots on my bottom lip and I blend my lips together then Voila! Magic is created! Also in this look I use my NYX’s bright idea illuminating stick in Sun Kissed Crush on my Cupid’s bow.

Tell me what to think? Simple but Chic!

#TheMeadowsNYC

So I went to my first Music and Arts Festival, and I loved every minute!!

SideNote: I wonder how they decide who’ll perform, the order and the length of their set. It was a good flow to the schedule.

At first my only reason for attending was to sample and eat as much food as I could get my hands on. Of the three day festival, I could only get Saturday off from work, but getting to see Tory Lanez in person was the icing. So much energy! I’ll forever respect him. LL Cool J has had hits that I definitely rock with but not enough for me to see him in person, well he brought out Q-Tip, and I nearly lost my mind!! I opted not to see Future, and saw Big Gigantic. Didn’t know them before but I throughly enjoyed their set. They did a EDM collab with Biggie Smalls, so how could I not love them?

However I’m highly upset I missed Big Boi’s set. I had a killer migraine that morning, and just couldn’t get it to settle down quickly enough. I experienced Erykah Badu, but felt she was too regal to record. The food and drink option was plentiful, and I left feeling full and fulfilled.

This was the second year of The Meadows and I will surely be attending next year, all three days! Have you guys ever been?

Tristan J

San Gennaro Feast 17.

I know I’m late.

I had the immense pleasure of experiencing The San Gennaro Festival this year again in little Italy, Nyc. It’s a festival that spans over 11 days and celebrates Italians coming to New York from Italy. It’s a festival filled with food, culture and more food. Think all the italian sausage, Cannoli and zeppoles you can get your hands on! Unfortunately and fortunately it was drizzling when Michael (Coworker) and I got there but it helped to semi thin the crowd out.

First we started at the beginning of the fest which is Prince st down to (I think) Canal street, just so we could see what was being offered. Once we got to the end, we was going to walk back up but there was a mini parade in which the priest were blessing all of the shops. Our first stop was for my Italian sausage with onions, and it didn’t disappoint! Second stop, Mexican Roasted corn, however I got butter & ‘spices’ and Lord! My mouth was on Fire! But I ate every kernel. Lastly, Gelato! Since I recently had the freshest (a word?) gelato from Spain I wasn’t impressed AT ALL!

The festival is still going on until Sunday September 24th, Make sure you partake!

Tristan Jonez