Cheerleading Junior Year

I never had issues with my teeth growing up. They were always straight. I had a pretty pair of choppers if I do say so myself.  Now my brother on the other hand had the worst teeth. (I would show you pictures but he would disown me.) His awful teeth were a result of sucking his thumb as a child and his teeth just grew in every wich way but right. So my parents knew that they only had to worry about shelling out money for my brother’s orthodontic care. Wrong!!

Imagine my parents surprise when they found out that I needed braces too! Ay ya ya. Although my teeth were fine and didn’t appear to need braces, my orthodontist Dr. Winshall  said that I had a really small jaw and my teeth were too big. Therefore, by the time I got older, my teeth would shift and become crooked. Yikes! So my parents decided to put braces on my teeth as well. And because I had big ol’ teeth that would eventually crowd my mouth, I had to have 4 teeth pulled to make room. I also had to have oral surgery because my X-Rays showed a permanent tooth stuck in my nasal cavity which had formed a cyst because my baby tooth never fell out. So basically my mouth looked fine on the outside but had whole lot of problems on the inside.

Rocking my braces during spirit day.

I got my braces on the 2nd semester of my freshman year in high school. I was determined to get them off before my senior pictures. So that meant abiding by my orthodontist’s orders. I brushed after every meal (which I would have done anyway because food in your braces is really gross), wore my rubberbands and head gear at night.  I wanted my braces off so bad that I wore my head gear when I was chilling around the house.

Cheerleading Sr. Year and my braces are off!!

It was work but I got my braces off in less than 2 years. But boy do I wish Invisalign was available back then. Sure, I could have gotten clear braces but they just made your teeth look yellow and personally I thought the metal looked much better. Invisalign is the clear alternative to metal braces that uses a series of virtually invisible and removable aligners that gradually move teeth over time. The benefits include no food restrictions, ability to easily maintain healthy dental brushing habits (no food stuck in your braces!), minimal interference with sports or other activities, and teeth get straightened without most people knowing you are in treatment. That is a win win!

Interested? Visit the Invisalign website for more information about the clear alternative to braces.  Take the Invisalign Smile Assessment to find out if Invisalign is right for you or your child. Or find an Invisalign doctor in your area.

One of my senior year pictures. I had several.

I successfully got my braces off before my senior pictures in high school but of course I wasn’t diligent when it came to wearing my retainer. So now my teeth have shifted and I have small gaps where my pulled teeth used to be.  I have seriously been thinking of getting adult braces. I think Invisalign is the perfect option. I even had a consultation with my dentist about them. Have you or someone you’ve known used Invisalign? And if so, what was their experience?

Check them out on social media too:

• Invisalign Website
• Invisalign on Twitter
• Invisalign on Facebook

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Only in NYC can you go to a party during your lunch break with Questlove DJ’ing. I love this city! Now back to work.

Right after my ski trip to Snowmass, CO in March I went to SXSW with the homie Genese of I Don’t Do Clubs. For those of you that don’t know, SXSW is an annual music, film, and interactive conference and festival held in Austin every year.  I went to the interactive part and specifically the Blacks in Tech portion.  I have been to Texas before but it was my first time in Austin. I really liked Austin. It was a cool laid back town. A lot of Mexican influence. Especially with the food. Below are some of the pictures from the couple of days I was there.

Hanging out with my partner in crime Genese.

Ran into fellow Detroiter Christen of Dorks and Divas.

I had to introduce myself to Andrea of Fly Girl Blog. She was one of the 1st blogs I started reading. She is a gifted visual artist and her blog is very artistically inspiring.

The Blacks in Tech panels were great. The were very informative and I learned a lot. This is a cool shot I took o of the panelist at the natural hair panel I sat in on.

Another shot of Genese and I.

Here is one last pic of me posing! I had a great time at SXSW and it’s definitely on my “to do” list next year. Next time I would like to go to the music portion in addition to the interactive. And Blacks in Tech is a must do as well. Have you ever been to SXSW?

I haven’t done a freebie in a long time. Which ironically is the sole reason I started this blog. But you can sign up for a free U by Kotex sample pack.

Remember when I told you I stayed out really late on a school night? Well I was in good company. I first met up with my friend Anuja who is a travel writer and blogs at Temples and Tea. We started with drinks at Red Rooster in Harlem and then we moseyed across the street to The Corner Social. I really enjoy the food at The Corner Social. They have a really nice menu.

I also met up with my friend Monique (pictured to my right) who was in town from Los Angeles. If you haven’t checked out her blog, you must!! Her blog, Confessions of a Serial Dater LA, is an outlook on her dating life in Los Angeles. Monique is an amazing writer and trust me when I say you will love her blog. Report back here and let me know what you think of my friends and their amazing blogs!

Before I go, can we discuss my ensemble. So I have been on a quest to lose weight and this is the 1st time I have been able to wear a shirt and tuck it in. I usually where blousy shirts to cover up my tummy. But 10lbs down and I was feeling myself a little. *giggles*

I have had a busy week. I swear I have been out every night. Last night I had the nerve to stay out until midnight…on a school night!

Last Tuesday I went to the SKYY Infusions Moscato Grape launch in NYC at Goldbar. I have been going to many liquor launches recently which is really funny because I don’t drink alcohol. My reasons not to drink isn’t moral, it’s just because I do not like the way alcohol tastes. But I do try and taste all of the signature drinks at these events.

The event was hosted by the SKYY Infusions Trend Council which included DGi Management owner Damon DeGraff, Grammy award winning producer Syience, designer Angela Simmons, DJ Ms. Nix, Mixologist Otis Florence, nightlife curator Legendary Damon and celebrity photographer Johnny Nunez.

The room was set up like a speed dating date event. Yes, I have been to several. The host committee sat at designated stations and we got to sit with them and talk about how today’s Hip Hop has influenced various facets of night life culture like the “Moscato Movement”. Gone are the days of Cristel in Hip Hop.

I went to the event with my friend Genese of I Don’t Do Clubs. We got to sip on specialty SKYY Infusions Moscato Grape cocktails. We also were able to chat it up with Angela Simmons. I asked her about her vegetarian lifestyle and workout regime. She was very personable and gave me some tidbits.

I also got to meet super producer Syience. I had never heard of him before that night but his name is behind several hot joints that we have all listened to and enjoyed. But the good part about it was that he was from Michigan. We bonded over that fact. We Michiganders are loyal and show love to each other wherever we go.

I really enjoyed the concept of the event and the intimate set up. I’m not a drinker so I can’t speak on the drink but Genese seemed to like it.

As a parting gift, we went home with customized graffiti speakers. How awesome?! Just what I needed.

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing an exclusive advance screening of The Great Gatsby hosted by Necole Bitchie.

I remember reading the book in middle school but for the life of me I couldn’t remember the plot. All I knew is that I don’t remember liking the book. Well the movie was great. A true love story. The love that Gatsby had for Daisy is one that I desire. I mean, my man knew he wasn’t good enough for her but made sure he got his stuff together and came correct. Now that’s a real man for you.

Do you plan on seeing The Great Gatsby?