Family Over Everything

My favorite time of the year is when the sun is out, the smell of BBQ resonates through the summer air, frozen drinks are the beverage of choice and relatives you haven't seen during the cold-weather months, drop by unannounced looking for some free air conditioning.  We are all guilty of having the family member who may be  way too loud no matter the topic of discussion; or had one to many alcoholic beverages and now he/she just has to share just how much they love you; or the one who enjoys the great times we share but always seems to sleep throughout the  festivities.  Although I am old enough to know all the "family stories" by heart, I am guilty of having my favorite stories retold over and over again.  It's all about nostalgia, being able to relive the memories as if you were there yourself.  It is also about being able to laugh at the children my family members once were.  Sometimes that one crazy relative allows you to have your own story that must be retold - for laughs of course.

Uncle G is loud all of the time. Morning. Noon. Night.   No matter what the circumstance he is always shouting DAMN!!!! 

Let me give you an example.

Its Thanksgiving.  The men are in the living room watching the football games, the women are in the kitchen whipping up an elaborate dinner all except for my mom. Weird.
Out of no where, Uncle G screams DAMN!!!!
No one is alarmed.  The team he was rooting for has seemingly lost the game and Uncle G is just disappointed or mad.  I can't tell.  Two minutes later the children run into the kitchen begging for candy or sweets of some sorts. They are turned away by their mothers because dinner is almost ready and their appetites should not be spoiled or all the work putting together Thanksgiving dinner would be in vain.  

"But NuNu (my mom) is eating candy over in the corner! Why can't we have some too???"


Two seconds later, M&Ms go crashing, scattered like pinata candy.
The children dive to the floor.

"DAMN!!" - There goes Uncle G....  "DAMN Nunu..You're Busted!!"

Now that I think about it, Uncle G encompasses all the characteristics of the crazy yet well-loved family member.  Uncle G is in his 60s yet he doesn't look like a typical 60 year old.  His favorite topic of discussion is always family.  He believes in his heart of hearts that we are each others best friends and protectors - that's the true definition of family.
One hot day we are sitting on the porch listening to Uncle G rant about how we need to do better as a family unit because we no longer take summer vacations together.  The conversation gets heated when my cousin disagrees with him on the basis that not attending costly family trips shouldn't define how much we love each other.   Uncle G gets so heated he screams "DAMN" with so much force his front teeth fall into my lap then on to the floor.   He quickly retrieves them and shoves it right back into his mouth.   We are all shocked. No one knew he sported dentures not to mention the fact that it wasn't securely locked onto his gums.   My great aunt breaks the silence.
DAMN!! G so your not gonna wash that before you put it back in your mouth.
Come on in this house let me clean that for you!!!  

- Good Times

Minx & Mani's: Paperdoll Boutique:

You're never too old to play dress-up



Hey Ladies & some gents, PaperDoll Boutique wants you to tell-a-friend to tell-a-friend to come and enjoy Minx & Mani's TODAY!!!!! 
 You can't beat this price if you wanted to...trust me! 
 Oh, and while your at it check out the dope clothes they have to offer.
This is V*I*P*APPROVED!!!!

Aint that some Bull

Does anyone knees hurt after a night of heavy drinking and dancing??  Ever since 2009 when I ended up in the hospital with 16 stitches on the bottom of my foot from dancing barefoot on tables (channel Coyote Ugly) I get chronic numbness of the toes when I stand in heels for way too long?   Tell tale signs of a great night!!!

My good girl friend / name twin celebrated her 25th birthday this weekend.  Although she was almost 2 hours late for our reservation at Johnny Utah's (named after Keanu Reeves' character in Point Break)some of us got the party started without her; at the bar of course!  If you are unfamiliar with the bar & restaurant Johnny Utah's, it is mainly famous for its mechanical bull perfectly situated in the middle of the venue.  The drinks were just O.K. as were the appetizer wings. 

Will I ever go back??  Maybe. Maybe not.  If I had to give J.U. a V.I.P. rating, it would only receive 3 stars.   I understand restaurants being a stickler for rules. I also understand the sheer obsession of EXCLUSIVITY  but to have a mandatory BOTTLE SERVICE after 9 pm.@ a bar is ridiculous. I would like to know the type of patrons that dare go in their pockets to spend money on bottles at a place like that.  Not to mention, J.U. had three bouncers and a guest list at the door. *confused face*  This place must get really busy despite the fact that it isn't particularly easy to find.

Us girls finally got our act together for part 2 of the night. Well, I was on part 2.. the late birds were just beginning and were in a desperate need to catch up!  Words cannot describe how much fun we all had. Especially when you NEED pictures to relive the priceless moments. It just proves that women can have  drama-free , caddy-less nights... Yesssss they do exist.

To My Late Night Text Receivers - I meant every word!!
To the Birthday GIRLS & guy....  let's do it again NEXT YEAR...

What You Eat Don't Make Me.... Sh*t

I stated in my first post that I am a chronic blogger and while I have resisted the urge for about 18 or so posts....  I now have 2 blog sites. Why do you need another one Voni?   Well, this weekend I had obscene amounts of fun with my girls and upon looking at the pics to reaccount most of the events that went on for the night I noticed that I am getting a little chubby.   NO BUENO....   
With that said, VoniIsntPerfect.tumblr.com is a blog about my eating habits. Hopefully, this will curb my cravings for Old Bay Seasoned French Fries, Double Stuf'd Oreos, Rice, and any other devil related foods.  Unfortunately my first post didn't go so well..   I NEED HELP!
Read | Follow | Comment ---->  What You Eat Don't Make Me... Sh*t

Willow Smith - Whip My Hair

If you haven't heard Willow Smith's new single entitled "Whip My Hair" then you will not relate to this post.  One of the most catchiest songs in a long time, you will most likely hear grown adults humming this adolescent tune.  The minute I listened to this song in its entirety I began to feel a sense of empowerment. Yes I know it's just a song most likely written by a seasoned writer and not Willow herself; however, Willow is who we identify with and you nor I can deny that whomever is behind her is something like a genius.   Let me explain.

I recently travelled to the MD/DC area to celebrate my nieces 13 yr old birthday.  During my stay I quickly realized that she is indeed at a very impressionable point in her life.  Very soon she will be off to high school, where she will have to face boys, the popular girls, puberty and decision-making -if she has not done so already.  If I could describe that particular time in my life I'd say it was overwhelming to say the least.  Something as simple as picking out the perfect outfit for the day may have resulted in a mental breakdown.

How does this relate to Willow's song?  "Whip My Hair" is an anthem for pre-teens and teens growing up in a world where opinions are often given without regard to one's feelings or circumstance.  It is a song that suggests "I can do what I want , where what I like, be who I am, un-apologetically.   Such a powerful message coming from a 9 year old don't you think?  Critics seem to believe that this may be too much weight for a young girl to bear.  I think the opposite.  Who else can they relate to?  Beyonce?  Nicki Minaj ? There is something slightly irritating about young girls reciting lyrics that are age inappropriate.

I spent an entire day in the mall shopping with my niece.  Intrigued by a 13 year olds sense of style I never once tried to influence her clothing choices.  At one point, she picked up a shirt that I particularly didn't care for. She turns to me and says "No one in my school wears anything likes this.... I want it!"
For this I blame Willow Smith.

Voni V*I*P*

White & Black Sexual Negotiations

Read. Laugh. Joke. Pass it On!!! Oh & Click the Link!
V.I.P.  D. R. Bussey is too funny.  
Check out her take on Sexual Negotiations between a White Man & a Black Woman. 
It Just Comedy People!!!!

Nightlife vs Real Life

I must admit I couldn't stand to hear people say " You should have been partying when the Tunnel was poppin' or some other  old  club I was probably too young to get in to.  How the times I have changed. I now find myself saying those same words to the youth.
  "You should have been around for Etoile, or the Supper Club.  They definitely don't have parties like that anymore."

I started going to nightclubs a little earlier than the suggested age of 21.  My greatest nightlife memory is of The World nightclub (now the WWE gift shop, I think).  My best friends and I stood on this long line like fiends to get in the party so we could catch a glimpse of Nelly in his Vokal attire.  At the time, his single was Andale Mami.  How did three under aged girls get in the club you ask?  My two girl friends have always been mistaken for sisters although they look nothing alike to me; however their plan was to use the same I.D. hoping the security wouldn't notice.  Of course he didn't.  Me on the other hand, I slipped in through a back door. I had no choice. Passing around the same I.D. THREE times was a great way to get embarrassed and kicked off the line.  Not to mention I am short and dark-skinned, the total opposite of the person on the card.  Today, that would have NEVER worked!! Security guards are no longer JUST security guards.  They also moonlight as Cops equipped with a handheld device that checks identification cards authenticity.  Nevertheless we were standing on couches in no time.  We finagled our way into V.I.P..... and that began our career.  From sneaking into the hottest venues to promoting these same venues & top artists under the promotional moniker of GLAMsquad.

GLAMsquad.  A group of women in 2004 who decided we were going to make money from something we loved to do - partying & meeting artists/celebs.  Half of the all girl crew was living in Brooklyn while the other half (myself included) attended school in Long Island.   Could you imagine travelling from Long Island to the city, spending all night & morning in the club - to travel back to Long Island just to make it in time for 9 a.m class and do it all over again the next night?   That was the life!! A good party then consisted of dancing all night long non-stop, sweat out perms / outfits, no fights and leaving the club when the lights came on... maybe.  

This regimen continued long after we'd graduated college. It was an addiction.  One particular night in Brooklyn we made about 12k without any celebrity appearances or radio-related DJs. *along with other female promoters*  It seemed as if the possibilities were endless.

Now if you were to ask me the last time I've stepped foot in a nightclub I would have to remember a close friend who may have celebrated their birthday recently. I no longer promote or frequent nightclubs for recreational purposes.  So much has changed.  It could be that I have matured.  The same things that excited me then no longer gets the same reaction now. Naturally people's preferences change and they move on to bigger and better endeavors.   That should be the meaning of life right?

Honestly, I can't get jiggy with the idea that Diddy can pen a rhyme that goes " ..all I drink is my sh*t, Ciroc by the case load" and now you have people struggling to look cool for 2 hours or until the Ciroc is gone.  Not knowing that the manager or the owner of the club has ordered the bar maids to sabotage your $200 Ciroc with house liquor. The idea is to get you to buy more liquor at this ridiculous price, meanwhile you have no idea you are drinking Ciroc flavored water. 

Photos of the night used to consist of DJs doing tricks on the 1s & 2s; of you and your girls dressed appropriately for the night; you and your boys arm and arm minus the unnecessary "no homo" caption underneath the frames.   Gradually it progressed to unwarranted hate messages in the comment section directed at the persons in the pictures to seeing the same "hood celeb" in all the clubs every night. What about the things aforementioned would entice anyone to hit the nightlife scene?

Behind the scenes is just as ugly. I've witnessed other promoters making deals with club owners to make sure no other upcoming promoters could ever book a club without first going through them. Female promoters are treated unequally and often times struggle to make as much money as their male counter-parts. *but isn't that in almost any industry*  

 As for the partygoer, there is no real fun to be had in a setting that suggests you stand around in your high end fashion attire hoping no one spills champagne on you should a fight break out.  Too many people have lost their lives in nightlife over who has more bottles on their table or street beef that spilled over in to the club scene. Nightlife in my opinion is a dog eat dog world and I am not in the least bit interested in the fight for scraps.  Voni V*I*P

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Today marks the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Prospect Park.  I have been personally affected by this disease for many years, and I am blessed to say my mom, aunt, neighbor & "my Mona" are all SURVIVORS.  Thank you to all who has walked & donated in support of loved ones, friends, & family.  

Never Leave Home Without It

In my spare time I do read other blogs, and one thing I've noticed is that I love to know whats in other peoples purses/pockets.   Call me nosey blaaaaaaaaahhh!! You want to know too!!!

I can NOT leave home without the Following... 

Have you ever left home without your phone?? Has to be the loniest feeling in the world!!!!  I will admit I just might be late for just about ANYTHING just to go back and get it.

I love the smell of this lotion. This is perfect for me during the cold weather months because my skin tends to peel. So Annoying..!

Definitely need a good book for the arduous rides on the train.   Although the NYC train systems is the perfect place to get material for V.I.P. sometimes I just want to escape the madness.  Besides this particular book is therapy!!

You just never know when you will be in need of that good ole polish change. I never use the nail polish from the salons. They fill them up with nail polish remover so your manicure ends up being dull and never lasts!! 

One of the best gifts I've ever gotten.  I renamed this my SPY CAM.. Don't get CAUGHT!!!

Why does the bottom of my bag look like the end of the rainbow???..   I think I can spare some change for every panhandler in NYC.  

Always have lip gloss in my bag.. This is another item I would die without. Get Rich Quick by Mac.  I also have a DUANE READE brand just in case of emergency...

There has been an on-going debate on whether us ladies should wear these DAILY???  What are your thoughts??? 

There you have it NOSEY!!! Whats in your purse/pockets???

Voni V.I.P.



Twitter Rants & Raves

I've been gone for a minute now I'm back on the jumpoff"- Lil Kim

There has been a lot going on in my life for the past few weeks. October aka Libra Love season is one of my busiest months next to Christmas!   I don't have many close friends but its seems as though the ones that I do have are ALL born in October.  *please, I say this with the utmost Libra Love* 

Now for the MEAT of this post entitled: Twitter Rants & Raves...

The other day I tweeted "Calling your live-in girlfriend your SITUATION is disrespectful."  PERIOD.  I struggle to understand why Men who are in "committed" relationships venture out to engage other women.  Some of these women are unsuspecting while others knowingly creep with involved men. <----but that is another issue to be discussed later.  What is the point?  Shouldn't you just stay single. Being single means you can play the field honestly without intentionally breaking someones heart in the future.  Makes sense to me. Just like no sin is more wrong than the other, disrespect is just disrespect all the way around.  But to be categorized as "MY SITUATION" its just annoying to me. (thank you Jersey Shore for giving birth to that phrase!)  Don't ride the lines.  You either have a girlfriend or you don't.  

A good male friend of mine suggested I read The Conversation by Hill Harper.  I haven't even gotten to the middle of the book and I am so enlightened!

Women as a species are very intuitive. In relationships, I believe we can basically tell when things aren't going as we've planned.  I will go even further and say that we even know in our hearts when the relationship has gone south.  We are creatures of habits; therefore if in the beginning of the relationship he comes home at 6:00pm every day and you notice that has changed without an honest excuse, you already know what it is.   If your birthday comes along and he doesn't give you so much as a card.....

The same goes for men. They too know when the relationship is over. Most of the time both parties are holding on to something that is no longer there- for convenience.   In the end, this is hurtful to everyone.   A lot of Hill's findings about the difference between men and women I notice are extremely truthful.   I especially can attest to the fact that men do not break up with their women.   Instead they tend to sabotage the relationship to the point she no longer wants to stay.  Cheating, lying..deception.  MAN UP!!! 
I know now is not the time to quote Fantasia but it fits. "If you don't want me... then don't talk to me... Free Yourself."



*Voni V.I.P*

V.I.P. Real Life * True Stories * and that other stuff

It's 2:30 a.m. and my BB (short for Blackberry for you other phone users) is vibrating off the hook.

Voni, why are you still up?

I respond, "Hustlers, never sleep"
Hustlin, Hustlin' .. Roc-a-fella... one umbrella... gyeahh!!


Honestly, I lot of my close friends have been asking why haven't I been blogging recently.  When I think about it, I can come up with a handful of excuses why I've been so lazy.  Here's a prime example summed up in one short phrase. PURE LAZINESS... So in efforts to have something written before  the day is done.

10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT VONI (in no particular order)


1. I cannot stand the smell of Peanuts and do not understand for the life of me how anyone can eat it without gagging involuntarily.


2. When I was 11 years old  I went to the Dominican Republic and fell in love with the Spanish culture. By the time I returned home no one was allowed to speak to me in English (even though it is my first language) or call me by my god-given name. I was Christina.

3. I love sour cream, hot sauce, & double stuffed oreos.... seperately of course

4. I am terrified of Centipedes... 

5. The Color Purple & Baby Boy are my all-time favorite movies.  Never watch either of these movies with me unless you are prepared to see me transform into Celie, Nettie or Mister in TCP or passionately morph into Jody in Baby Boy. YOU ARE WARNED!!!

6. I have a not so hidden talent. I can sing but only in the aisles of the grocery store or in a restaurant most likely belting out my favorite Deborah Cox ballad.  Otherwise if you ASK me to sing for you  I probably won't... I just cant...I'm too shy.  

7.  I have a confession. A secret I have been keeping for 6 years.  Maybe more than that.   My college roommate, my bestie, thinks that I took her pillow in haste when we were moving out of the dorm rooms.  Truth is... I stole it...  It was the softest pillow I'd ever accidently fell asleep upon and I couldn't bare to part with it..  PHEW!!! Glad I got that off my chest .. On to #8



8. I absolutely hate feet and dont understand the concept of PRETTY FEET.. feet is feet... and I don't want them anywhere near me...

9.  I am a handy-girl.  I keep this somewhat underwraps b/c technically fixing things is "the mans job". Well until the man has no idea what he is doing and I end up hooking my TV up or putting pantry shelves in my closet myself... Cats out the bag...lol

10. I havent eaten Pork or Beef in almost 8yrs.  I broke the streak the other day and I almost died.. Never AGAIN!!!