“Maybe it’s much too early in the game…but I thought I’d ask you just the same…what are you doing New Year’s, New Year’s Eve?”

I hope you’re getting glammed up for a fabulous soiree, or getting settled for a cozy night at home with your nearest and dearest. (I chose the latter!) Whatever the weather, I hope you’re celebrating in a way that truly brings you joy and bodes only positive vibrations for this bright new decade we’re about to enter.

Either way, you should probably expect a smooch or two at the stroke of midnight. And in the event that happens, you want to be ready. Few things are more unfortunate than a truly beautiful woman who’s dressed to the nines, but has awful smelling breath. I’ve tried out quite a few breath fresheners — allow me to share my tried and tested favorites!
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Aww, memories. This photo was taken in May, just before we moved to Chicago. I blogged about that trip here. I’m standing in my friend Forrest’s backyard in North Carolina. And I’m holding Coquito, the Norwegian Forest Cat they adopted. Coquito was SO cute, so fluffy. Utterly adorable. Unafraid of people, even strangers — on the night we slept over, Coquito got into bed with me and wrapped his long, fluffy tail around my husband’s head! Coquito was an awesome kitty.

Today I found out that my dear friends Forrest and Lydia have lost Coquito to coyotes. I am so, so sad about it. RIP, Coquito. I hope there is a kitty heaven, and I hope you are in it. And I hope eventually my dear friends take another shelter cat into their home, because they are great pet owners, and any pet would be lucky to share a home with them. (Love you guys!)

I am sure my friends are currently wondering what they could have done to prevent this — and sadly the answer is, nothing. Forrest lives on an awesome acreage, and it would have been cruel to deprive Coquito of the natural setting he so obviously loved. This was a cat that was all about climbing trees and bounding through the wildflowers with that long, bushy tail bouncing behind him. And if he was anything like my Max, if he was confined to just be an indoor cat and there was all that beautiful green space just waiting outside, he’d have found a way to get out anyhow.

I know lots of people who don’t like cats, or cite reasons for not wanting to own a cat. And one of those reasons is, cats are own-way pets who want to go and come as they please and show affection at their whim. That’s indisputable. Cats do as they please. Max is my furry BFF, but just minutes ago he decided it’d be fun to claw the bejesus out of my hand. They have minds of their own. That’s the downside of owning a cat — if you want a well behaved pet you can control, you may not want a cat. But there are so many other ways in which cats rule. And it’s worth noting, even when Max is at his feistiest, I love him and I’d highly advocate cat ownership to anyone considering getting a pet. Here’s why.
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Few musicians have touched my life the way Buju Banton has. And even fewer musicians have appalled me, the way Buju Banton has. Growing up in the Caribbean in the Nineties, there was no artist that compared to Buju. I own almost all of his albums and can chart the course of my formative years through them. Mr. Mention, Voice of Jamaica, Til Shiloh, Inna Heights… our musical love affair was passionate and I loved most everything he did — with one glaring, cursed, awful exception. Boom Bye Bye.

There have been songs by Sizzla, Bounty Killa, Shabba, Elephant Man and Capleton that would curl any gay activist’s toes. But Buju Banton, Gargamel, with his larger than life personality, became the official poster boy for homophobia and the most protested artist in Jamaican music. For some misguided reason, Buju Banton has allowed a song he recorded when he was fifteen years old, to ruin the rest of his otherwise uplifting career.

It is more than a shame.

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Tackling the cold weather in Chicago has been an education unto itself. I’ve had to learn to look beyond “ooh that’s super cute” when looking for coats and sweaters. Now I gotta think about practicality. That leopard trench coat may be fly, but will it keep me warm? How often will I wear it? If it’s rainy or sleety out, will I be restricted in what I wear? This is even more challenging when you’re curvy and fabulous. Finding an attractive yet functional raincoat, leggings that actually keep your legs warm, or a sweater that’s both chic and warm can be a mission, but it doesn’t have to be an oxymoron. Here are my picks for brands that are doing plus size right, and helping me withstand the varied weather conditions I’ve been exposing myself to!

Numero Uno — Dickies.
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OMG it’s Christmas Eve! It just snuck up on me out of nowhere. I still have presents to pick up, stockings to stuff, and a list of items that were supposed to be on my holiday gift guide (but I ran out of time to write it!).

Before we all take a break for the big day, I want to wish everyone around the world Happy Holidays, regardless of what you celebrate. If you’re celebrating Christmas tomorrow like I am, a merry, merry Christmas to you! Here are five holiday songs that capture the spirit of the season, and five wishes from me to you!

Harry Belafonte’s Mary Boy Child — in the hopes that you celebrate the reason for the season, and this holiday is about more than just gifts.
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I must say, 2009 has been a banner year for your girl Afrobella in myriad ways. The giveaway department is no exception. I was honored and thrilled to host some truly incredible giveaways this year, and the Rachel Roy giveaway was one of my high points. It was everything I strive to do here. Unique, special, just for you, and charitable all at the same time. AND so inspiring — because you all had to submit a photo to be eligible, I got SO much fashion inspiration from all of you!

Thanks SO much to Rachel Roy for the opportunity!

Without further ado — the winner of the Rachel Roy giveaway is: Otissa Marble.

Congratulations, Otissa! I’m gonna e mail you right now!

And for those of you who didn’t win this time around, awesome giveaways are around the corner in a bright and prosperous new year. Hang in there with me. Thanks so much for entering and helping to raise funds for such an awesome charity!