Out&About: Summer 2011

My summer 2011 was amazing!!! The girls and I made the most of it by hanging out in some of the best restaurants, lounges and of course the comfort of our own homes. I'm going to miss getting fresh fruit from the street vendors and sipping wine in my backyard but fall is approaching and I'm so ready for layering fab garbs.

Here are a few memories....

Goodbye summer and hello fall!!!

xoxo Madame Q

Picture It and It's Yours!!

Sooooo I'm walking and talking on my phone in Columbus Circle, like always I'm chatting it up and looking out for any statement pieces that catches my eye. Funny, you'd think I'll be looking out for street lights! Anyways, I spot this fabulous individual wearing a fierce black fedora, I immediately want to find out where she got it from. I decide to ask the lady about her look, I open my mouth and nothing comes out. I freeze and so does everything around me except for OH MY GOODNESS, right before my eyes, one of the most fashionable on this planet, Rachel Zoe with her baby boy and nanny.

Now I've seen and been around plenty of celebrities, well mostly designers and stylist and I only ask them the questions I need for my articles. I don't go crazy and make them super uncomfortable because I know they want to be treated as normal as possible. However I have a top 20 list that I must meet before I leave this earth and she makes #4, rightfully place after Oprah, Michelle and Barack Obama.

Continuing On....

I tell my friend Tiffany, who I've been on the phone with during the whole fiasco. She's super excited and tells me to go and talk to her because Tiff knows just how inspiring Rachel has been for me. You'd think it's natural for me to approach her but when I really admire someone it's quite the opposite. I got over my shyness and there I am face to face talking with the women who has inspired me in major ways.

The night before meeting Rachel....

Tuesday night I rushed home to watch the Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo. I learn so much from watching her show, she's fabulous yes but more importantly she's building an empire and it all started from her just doing what she loves. Her passion is driving her in the right places and at the right time. If you're a person who is pushing to get what you want out of life, Rachel's testimony is validation that if you believe in yourself and work hard, you'll get what you want. Of course there will be road blocks but finding solutions to get through them is what makes you stronger and unstoppable. That night I asked myself, "If I was ever to meet Rachel Zoe, what will I ask her?". The higher power must of heard my cry because the next day he gave me my chance. We gave each other compliments, I love her hat and she loves my shades. "Your super chic, I'm just saying.... and those Prada shades are to die for", says Rachel. The moment with Rachel was my validation to continue doing what I love best and working towards the big picture.

If there's something you want, go after it. Remember, if you can see it... You can achieve it!





xoxo Madame Q

Come Sip N Chat!!

sip n chat by madameq on Polyvore.com

No matter where the ladies and I are we love to sip, eat and most of all chat about anything that comes to mind. Literally gagging over issues: from shoes to boobs and out of all topics there is always one or two that gets everyone heated. Although we may laugh at, cry with, love or hate each other in these moments, we learn a lot from the conversations. Our bond becomes greater and it warms our hearts to know that we don't stand alone in the things we face. You wouldn't be surprise that I'm going to launch the Sip n Chat series this fall. I'm super excited and looking forward to your feedback on the stories and hope it will inspire you all.

xoxo Madame Q

Breaking Away...

Loving the water front scene...

My fab cousin Bri

Saidah Baba Talibah

Were loving carnival

Before things get too crazy for me in every direction, I chose to take a trip to Toronto to visit Brisette (Bri), one of my favorite cousins. Yes just like best friends, there is also a such thing called best cousins. Well at least in my world there is! The great thing about Bri, she is successful in most parts of her life and I learn a lot from her. With so much on my plate and hardly any real time for myself, I felt another melt down happening and trust me I have too much to loose so that's not an option. I knew my cousin would be the best person to consult with.

In Toronto I was planning on doing little exploring as possible. It's not my first time going and I was just in the mood to lounge in Bri's new condo, lay by the pool side, have some wine coolers, and dish out my concerns to see her outlook on things. Well I should have known better, Bri had other plans to get me back on track. There is no way I was going to be a bump on a log during Caribana, one of the most popular cultural events in Toronto. How could I say no, to caribbean food and soca music? It's in my blood, once the tunes come on my hips start moving on their own.

Carnival is the air...

People from all over the world came to celebrate the culture of the West Indies. Beautiful men and women in fabulous costumes, music blasting throughout the parkway, people dancing and singing everywhere and on anyone. It seems that day everyone forgot about their worries, they focused on celebrating life. I know I did and with the blessing of my cousin pulling me through streets to follow the bands, I realized how small my problems were. If you ever been to carnival in any caribbean island or in cities like Toronto, New York and Miami, than you know following a band through the parkway is pure MADNESS. With so many people packing the streets dancing and following the bands, I thought for sure Bri and I were going to get trampled over but every time we would hear one of our favorite songs we would run back in the street to do it all over again.

There's the beauty in my visit, caribana gave me the healing I needed. I would never forget when I looked over at my cousin who hand is in mine, in the air, waving to the beat, dancing with much spirit and her face is full of joy. I knew in that moment Bri let go the worries of her own and I'm thankful we released them together.

Luv you Bri.

xoxo Madame Q

My Fabulous 27

There are plenty of reasons why I feel blessed and fabulous at 27, being alive is the obvious but the ride to this peak time of my life is what thrills me most. Sometimes we focus too much on the destination and not the journey and although both are important, how we get to these places is what makes our testimonies special. I've encountered quite a few road blocks through my passage but with motivation and the support of people, I've managed to pull through. Thank Goodness for those who have helped me along away. I can truly say they are apart of who I've become so far.

You'd think I was a billionaire the way I praise my life but I'm just thankful for everything. I pray I continue to have the blessings of good health, great family and friends. After all, material things come and go but a great support system is hard to fine. I hear lots of stories of people turning their backs on loved ones who are suffering and well that's just sad. What kind of friend leaves others to fall flat on their face? I found out through experiences, the beauty of relationships is because of its ups and downs.  I don't need people to be around only when it's time to sip champaign. I also don't expect people to do things for me just because I do certain things for them. All I need is understanding and a shoulder to lean on when shit hits the fan. I'm a piece of work and far from perfect but I'm protective and supportive to the people I love. Although they piss me off from time to time, it doesn't stop me from being there for them.

Kelly Cutrone talks about "The No Matter What Club", in her book "Normal Gets You Nowhere, which you must go and buy after reading this post. Cutrone talks about being picky about the people we call our friends. She said, "Most of us are too quick to call people our friends, too quick to say I love you and to quick to write people off forever." She explains how the people we love may one day let us down or hurt us, but that doesn't mean we cut them off. Instead we need to reach out and be that life jacket when the one we love is drowning in the deep end.

Look at what happen to the talented Amy Winehouse, at age 27 she was found dead in her apartment from a drug overdose. My friend spilled the news as we were on our way to dinner to celebrate my 27th birthday. Now I know Amy chose to do drugs but I can't help to wonder how many people gave up on her. It saddens me to see her life end so short. So many people spoke about her addiction instead of talking about how we can prevent people from ending their lives so soon. There are so many ways we can be supportive without tolerating someone's bad choices. It starts with a simple phone call or text message ( the new way of communication) just to show that you care.

To My "No Matter What Club".
Thanks for being there for me no matter what! You all know I'm crazy but sweet and I mean well.

Rest In Peace Amy Winehouse

pic of Winehouse from google images

xoxo Madame Q

Out&About

Hanging out with friends is always a thrill.... we have a blast just being ourselves. No drinks necessary but a glass of wine or martini is always a pleasure right along with some good grub. Check out the side bar Fab Places to Dine and Lime to visit some of the best spots in NYC.

xoxo Madame Q