Monogram my A.S.S.

 I've always loved the idea of having monogrammed things. Shirts, weekly planners, cell phone cases, totes- you name it I've wanted it but due to a snafu concerning my initials I've had to forgo wearing anything monogrammed. You see way back when I was given the name Anetra Shivon Smith. Yes that's right. My initials are A.S.S. In the monogram world your last name or family name is in the center. So either way my initials are A.S.S. Around the age of six my mom asked me if I wanted to change my middle name to Watkins (her maiden name). At six Anetra Shivon Smith sounds WAY COOLER than Anetra Watkins Smith. Looking back I should have thought that through a little more. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love my name and the initials A. and S. but there's no way I'm walking around town with A.S.S. stamped across my chest. At this point in my life I am attached to my middle name so there's no going back but I think this is yet another reason I should get married. I want monogrammed THINGS! Now I know some of you are saying why not just do two letters. Those monograms aren't as cute. That's why. I do have a lot of A things around my room and on my keychain, etc but I want the three letters. Where is my prince charming with a last name that doesn't start with S?!

After much thought I decided to embrace my initials and enter Prep In Your Step's Monogram Necklace Giveaway. I love the look of this Marinette Jewelry necklace and hope I win!!! Check out Prep In Your Step's blog for all things preppy! http://prepinyourstep.blogspot.com

Happy Mother's Day Ma!!!!

Just wanted to tell my mom Happy Mother's Day (for the third time today)! You've been the best mom I could ever ask for. You love unconditionally, listen to my crazy discussions, nurture my dreams, make the best travel buddy and give GREAT handbags among other things. Can't wait to celebrate you with church, presents and dinner.

Love,
Anetra Shivon

Derby Days

Paula Patton

The Kentucky Derby is this weekend and there are several reasons why I love watching. The tradition is one but my main reason is the fashion. As you might have noticed from my Instagram and Facebook pics the women in my family love hats. I have decided that I won't wear a hat until I'm 40 but trust me I'm looking forward to it. Every year I say I'm going to the Kentucky Derby and I never make it. One day this will happen!

Wearing a hat to the Kentucky Derby is believed to bear good luck. The long-established fashion was started by the women, however, over the last few years, many men have taken part in the tradition as well. From the fantastic to the sublime, there are no rules or limits. In the clubhouse and paddock, women of grace and taste sport classy, fashionable styles. In the infield, the headwear has tendancy to take on a flashier tone.

When the Kentucky Derby was first held at the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Ky., 137 years ago, hats were all the rage and regarded as an essential everyday accessory -- for those who could afford them. At special events such as the horse races, women wore fancy and extravagant hats to broadcast their social status and show off their expensive style. Men simply wore top hats.  

Over the years, the Churchill Downs hat tradition has remained for women and continues to be a Kentucky Derby staple. Although women aren't required to wear a hat to the races, most do. One common theme among Kentucky Derby hats is roses, since the race is known as the "run for the roses" because the winning horse receives a blanket made of more than 500 of the blossoms.

Take a look and let me know- What's your favorite look for the Kentucky Derby? 

We're 13!!!!!!!

Happy 13th AKAversary to my line sisters "The Firm". I love y'all!

Notre Dame Signing Day 2012

While I was away from the blog my job assignments got a bit more interesting. On February 1, 2012 I, along with twelve other producers were sent to colleges around the country to produce sixteen hours of National Signing Day coverage for ESPNU. As a college football fan I was elated. I realized I could mark that off my college bucket list. It was a place I'd never been and never had a reason to go.

As a producer most of my work is done before the shoot. I landed in South Bend on Monday to map out my plan for the Wednesday shoots. Tuesday Bob and I met with the SID Brian Harden and Head Coach Brian Kelly. Both men were gracious and gave us important information leading up to signing day. On Wednesday morning the coaches weren't expecting any surprises and had high hopes for their class. My morning began with a 6:00 am crew call to feed shoots of Notre Dame scenics back to ESPNU. Around 7:00am we were allowed access into the war room where Coach Kelly and his assistants were being contacted by players committing to Notre Dame. Then the coverage began. The 16 hour show was accented by live shots at 13 different schools. As the day went on they would come to Bob and I over headset and he would tell them the vibe of the schools and what recruits had committed.

 The Notre Dame Fighting Irish fared well in the process, grabbing 16 commitments from some top talent around the nation. Despite missing out on wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Deontay Greenberry, the Irish still managed to rake in the top 25 class in the nation. The biggest surprise of the day was Greenberry who chose Houston on Wednesday morning. Notre Dame's 17-man class seemed all but set entering the day, but Greenberry changed that with the last-minute decision. Having his cousin, Tee Shepard, already enrolled at Notre Dame certainly made that more surprising. Greenberry was the state of California's best wide receiver and somebody the Irish were counting on to play early and often with the departure of Michael Floyd. All was not lost as Notre Dame managed to pull in the number two overall player and Columbus (Ind.) quarterback Gunner Kiel and Greenberry's cousin, cornerback Tee Shepard. While disappionted with Greenberry's decicion Kelly remained upbeat and dedicated to the players he did sign. "It is hard for me to feel disappointed about something I have never had, or someone I have never coached," Kelly said. "I'm more excited about the 16 who did sign."

This 16 includes the aforementioned Five-star quarterback Gunner Kiel and top 100 cornerback Tee Shepard, as well as receivers Chris Brown and Justin Ferguson, along with the five defensive backs added at a need position.

Overall my experience at Notre Dame was awesome. The live shots went well, the weather was great for February in Indiana, and the Irish were wonderful hosts. Hopefully I can return for an actual football game.

***In March it was announced that Tee Shepard was no longer enrolled at Notre Dame and had returned to Fresno, CA.***

Notice Served!!!

From the Born Again Church Facebook Page:  "What do you do when the choice between your dreams and your family is a life or death decision? Mark is a talented musician who left his family several years ago to pursue a career.  He is home to visit ONLY for his mother’s funeral…in which he missed because he was too late…and his career is not going as he expected…and his children have no one to raise them.  Their mother left years before Mark.  But one thing is keeping Mark home…that one thing can build his career OR build his family.  He can have that one thing…based on ONE condition from his mother."

On Friday night I went to see my Aunt Wanda perform in her church production of Grave Notice. Grave Notice is the tale of Mark who has been away from his family for the past few years pursuing his music career. He left behind his parents, children, and Aunt. While he was away his father passed and his children experienced hardship due to abandonment, anger, promiscuity, and violence. He returns to his family home hours after his mother has been buried. While Mark is planning his future with his mother's estate Satan and his demons begin plotting for the family's soul. Satan plans to use the Greed Demon to attack Mark, the Whoredom Demon to attack Mark's 17 year old son Marcus, and the Despair Demon to attack Mark's 15 year old daughter Tracy. My Aunt played Mother Lester, a church member and friend of Mark's aunt who comes to the house to pray the demons out. 

Written by Born Again's Bishop Horace Hockett the played reminded me of one of my favorite books The ScrewTape Letters by CS Lewis. I enjoyed the play and was pleasantly surprised that although it had a serious message there were comedic moments through out. Y'all know I like to laugh. I had many favorite moments in the play but I must say the demons, portrayed by Ira Watterson, Roger Trent, and Debbie Powell, played their parts perfectly. Another favorite was the scene where Auntie calls on her prayer warriors (including my aunt) and they sing a rousing rendition of "Satan We're Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down". Overall the acting was superb, the set was awesome, and the music was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Titans 2012 VIP NFL Draft Party

Last night Ma and I risked our fresh hairdo's in this intense Tennessee humidity and headed to LP Field. In appreciation of their Club Members, the Tennessee Titans host a special NFL Draft Party at the stadium every year. The party featured complimentary food from Logan’s Roadhouse, giveaways, locker room tours, on-field games and activities, appearances by T-Rac and the Titans Cheerleaders, and autograph stations with Titans players! Since I lived in Illinois my uncle and cousins have gone the past few years but this year it was my turn!

After wading through the sea of people we got our food and settled into the Club Level lounge to watch the action. I definitely liked watching the draft with hundreds of Titans fans. Everyone was decked out in their Tennessee best. 

With the 20th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans selected Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright. I was expecting defense but as you know the Titans front office NEVER LISTENS TO ME!!!!! I wanted CB Dre Kirkpatrick but he was scooped up by the Bengals three picks before we even had a chance. Wright was a go-to target for Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III at Baylor in 2011, recording gaudy stats (108 receptions, 1,663 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns and nine 100-yard games). Wright was the team leader in receptions for four consecutive years, setting almost every team record in the process. His 4,004 career receiving yards beat every other Bear in history by well over 1,000 yards.

Good luck Mr. Wright and welcome to Nashville!!!!