One might be turned off by the rather childish title, but Jazmine Sullivan’s third release off of her Fearless CD is anything but juvenile.
It is probably one of the best, if not the best written songs I’ve ever heard in my life!!! It’s so painful, yet poignant. It’s everything that I need in a sad love song. Which is probably why I am completely obsessing over this song. I. Love. This. Song!
Here’s a snippet of her lyrics…
I’m not scared of lions and tigers and bears (oh my) But I’m scared of (loving you) I’m not scared to perform at a sold out affair (that’s right) But I’m scared of (loving you) Am I the only one who thinks an impossible task? Why it don’t last? Is that too much to ask? Why do we love love, when love seems to hate us?
I received an e-mail about Alicia Vianga, owner and certified bra fitter of Premier Jour Lingerie Boutique about a month ago, and I decided that she would be the next person that I I’d love to interview.
I had the most fun interviewing Jazmine Sullivan last summer, but that was a looong time ago and I was itching to tackle another interview. I thought I’d start 2009 off with a bang by interviewing someone.
I checked out her lingerie online, and let me tell y’all, they all looked gorgeous.
I armed myself with a battery of questions and braved the snowy Canadian weather and ventured off to her boutique in Little Italy.
I walked in and was greeted by an extremely bubbly sista.I introduced myself and said that I was there to interview Alicia Vianga.I started to walk away when she said, “I’m Alicia!”I was shocked.I had no idea that the boutique owner was a sista!I felt happy, but also ashamed. I was ashamed of myself for assuming that the owner was someone other than a sista.I especially felt horrible because I am a sista too.
Alicia was very cool about it. She took me aside and said that it happens ALL THE TIME!I apologized profusely and was angry at myself over my ignorance.Alicia was so warm and friendly that she put me at ease and my shame quickly dissipated.
Although I was there to interview a certified bra fitter, I really didn’t want to get fitted.Believe it or not, I am a shy girl and I didn’t feel like exposing myself (ahem, my breasts) to a total stranger.But after catching a glimpse of the huge, spacious and glamorous fitting room (equipped with stilettos, an ornate chandelier, and some negligees) I calmed down.
I took off my top and Alicia could already tell that I was wearing the wrong size—the straps were falling off my shoulder, the band size was too big.Basically, the bra was way too big and did nothing for my girls.
She brought over a mountain of bras for me to try on.Damn, they looked good!I had nothing like that at home. They were lacy, intricately designed—they just looked hot!
One by one I tried them on.I couldn’t believe how different I looked. My body and my posture also seemed to change!I honestly felt like walking around with the bra and my jeans—and nothing else!I felt sexy, confident and gorgeous!
After staring at myself in the beautiful bras, I finally tore myself away from the fitting room and met Alicia on the cute lil’ couch in her boutique and started the interview.
What inspired you to open a lingerie boutique?
I was inspired years ago.One day a friend of mine came to my workplace saying, “Alicia, I have to show you this!I have to show you this!”
We went to this fantastic lingerie boutique and I was shocked to see that lingerie came in colours other than black, beige and white. I was awestruck over the beautiful pieces. I wanted to purchase the boutique but decided against that and decided to open my own.
I spent a good 8 years studying and researching. I travelled to Paris… London.
I believe that women need to have fantastic foundation pieces. I, like most women, wore beige, black and white and nothing of quality. I wanted my boutique to be different, and I wanted women to have different bras, and to feel really good when they are wearing it. It was all about quality.
Your pieces are like works of art.How do you choose which pieces you want to sell in your shop?
When I look at the bra or feel the bra, it’s more about something that I would want to wear for myself.I sometimes think about my clients. “She would love this!”It also has to be something that is different.Something that will make a woman feel sexy and beautiful.
I think about the body shape, the colour of the skin, I think about what they are going to wear with it.Like you said, they are works of art.They are pieces that you want to show!
What services are available at Premier Jour?
It’s mainly a personal bra fitting boutique.It’s not a service that you pick up something and walk out. We try to make sure that everything is tried on and make sure it’s the piece that you want.
Everyone who walks out of here is pretty much fitted.
We also do gift wrap, bridal registry, gift suggestions and a girls’ night out.
What’s the girls’ night out?
It’s where you bring a couple of your friends and everyone is fitted.The boutique is closed for a couple of hours and everyone tries on various bras.You see the shy girls become bolder when they are wearing sexy lingerie!
How important is it to get a bra fitting?
It’s essential because every bra is different.Every body type is different.Our bodies change through age, weight gain, weight loss, babies, stress.It is essential to get a bra fitting every 6 months.Your bra doesn’t stay the same.
How long should you keep a bra?
It depends on how many bras you own.I believe that women should have at least 6 bras in their wardrobe. Six good bras!Six will last you about a year.Don’t hang on to them.Send them to bra heaven!They don’t last forever.
Why should a woman buy lingerie for herself?
Why shouldn’t she?
It was such a pleasure meeting Alicia. She’s sooo right about women buying good quality lingerie. The garments that you put on your body are a direct reflection of how you view yourself.So, instead of buying that bra that’s on sale that doesn’t quite fit, buy something of worth. Remember, in life, you should never settle for less!
To view her lingerie ranging in sizes from 28-48 and cups A-H, visit Premier Jour Lingerie at 1288 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario. Also, check out her website at www.pjlingerie.com.
I wanted to write an entry yesterday, but I honestly could not sit still long enough to write it. I was glued to CNN via my computer at work all day long. (BTW, I’m sure I have some angry clients. I so didn’t assist any of them yesterday! My bad!) There was nothing going to stand in my way of seeing the coolest dude EVER, being sworn in.
I was, and still am so immensely happy and proud to see Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. I still have goose bumps. I never thought that in my lifetime that we would see a black president. How beautiful is this?
I feel so fortunate to have witnessed this historic event. I wasn’t in Washington D.C. (pssst….I was this close to going. My friend KJ left me message about going with him and some friends, but I returned the call too late and he asked someone else. DAMN!!!), but I could feel the intensity and happiness that showered over the day.
This is something that I can tell my future kids, nieces and nephews.
I love that Barack is for peace and for change. But I really love and appreciate that he is able to speak to everyone, not just black Americans, but all people. He truly is the everyman.
Yes, I’m sooo crushing on Barack right now.
p.s. my fave Obama moment: Watching him get his dance on at the millions of Inaugural Balls. He’s sooo the man!
The new Biggie Smalls movie Notorious opens tomorrow and I am beyond excited.
I wasn’t the biggest Biggie fan (perhaps my brother and my friend CBW were), but I am a sucker for a good biopic.
I read Faith Evans’ autobiography, Keep the Faith a while back, which spoke about her chaotic life with Biggie Smalls, and it made me want to see this film even more.
Watching the movie is also like a stroll down memory lane for me. I miss the old hip hop and r& b from the mid to late 90s, so watching this movie gives me a chance to relive my youth!Okay not so much, but I’m glad that I have a chance to hear some classic old skool tracks! Remember Hypnotize, One More Chance, Big Poppa?I can’t wait!
I can’t believe that 2008 is a distant memory now. It was a year filled with its share of up highs and lows. But thankfully for me, there were more shining moments than low points.
Here’s a few of my favourite things of 2008.
My European Vacay!
Damn, I seriously felt like I was dreaming when I was waiting for my plane to take off and venture to that magical place. France had been calling me ever since I was a geeky teenager. It’s the place that I believed would be my new home (pssst…I still feel that way).
You couldn’t wipe away the smile I had on my face when I landed on French soil. I had no idea where to go, but I was happy. After I picked up my luggage, I made my way to my Tour guide, Simeon. I noticed him right away, as he had the tour logo on his clipboard. BTW, the man was too damn sexy for words. (Yes, I crushed on my tour director!). I loved the way he said my name—helloooo Meeechelle! His sexy accent had me swooning.
My tour of northern France took me to Paris, Honfleur, Deauville, Mont St. Michel, Normandy—every place just a beautiful. What I truly treasured about my trip was that it was my first solo trip—Read: I was away from family. No, I don’t hate my family, but sometimes it’s good to escape them for a while and really get to know yourself. I’ve always travelled with family and stayed with family, but this time I was able to meet new people and do my own thing.
I was a little afraid before I went away. I wasn’t sure if my trip would meet my expectations. I loved it sooo much and put it on a pedestal, could it possibly live up to my very high expectations? Well, it did!
The lifestyle, the language, the people, the culture and beauty of the country was breath taking. I soaked it all in. France changed me, or maybe it just made me happy.
The Caribbean Cruise Yes, I went on 2, count ‘em 2 trips in 2008! If you only know how much I had to save to do that! It was all worth it in the end. This trip was only a few months ago but it was one of my fave trips to date. It was relaxing and fun and changed my mind about cruises. Cruises weren’t really my thang (the thought of being trapped on a boat for 7 days is a little scary, no?), but my mom wanted to go on a cruise to celebrate her b-day and her retirement, so I agreed to go with her and my sister. (yes, I did a family trip this year!)
I liked visiting all the islands (Labadee, Haiti, Ochio Rios, Jamaica, Grand Cayman), but going to Cancun was definitely the most fun. It had the most beautiful beaches and the hotels were GORGEOUS! I enjoyed the hospitality of the guys working in the restaurant (shout out to Alberto!) and the food was de-li-cious! I proudly cleaned my plate!
Since this trip, I have recommended cruises to anyone who would listen.
OBAMA I really don’t even need to say anything other than, Yes We Can!
It is sooo exciting to know that the first African- American President will be sworn in in a matter of weeks. Al though I am a Canadian, I might have to take the day off to celebrate!
*Thanks for checking out my highlights for 2008. Feel free to let me know what yours were!
I wasn’t particularly looking forward to Christmas this year.I’m not really into the holiday season anymore (I am fully aware of scrooge-ish that sounds, but hey..), but my mood was exceptionally crappy this year.I was worrying about the recession, worrying about my job; basically I really wasn’t in the mood to be joyous.I even let my friends and family know that we should forgo giving gifts this year and just celebrate the holidays in a low-key kinda way.
Without getting caught up in selecting the “perfect” gift for everyone, I was able to really enjoy Christmas. Instead of exchanging gifts with my friends, I met up with one of my best friends and I had an amazing night. We indulged in a little girl talk, and indulged in a lot of wine. I completely enjoyed every minute of it.
One of the reasons I’m not a big fan of the holidays is that most of my family lives away (Trinidad, California, Georgia) and it’s usually very quiet in our home.It’s just me, my mom, my sister and brother. So it’s not too different from any other day.However, this year I was able to see family that I haven’t seen in years. I saw my aunts, uncles and cousins that I rarely get to see. It was sooo nice to have the house filled with my family. As the sound of laughter rocked our house, I was slowly but surely getting into the Christmas spirit.
Having the opportunity to see family may not sound like a big deal for some. But it’s not everyday that I get to see them, so spending the few hours with them made me happy.Honestly, I rather spend quality time with loved ones instead of spending hours and hours unwrapping a mountain of gifts.
