Jay-Z in Dallas: The Carter Takeover is Now Complete

*Sigh* What can I say? I'm with Kid Fury on this one.  The Carters combined for 2013...have snatched my edges completely this year and left me bald.  I mean...first was Beyonce's concert in July and it was EVERYTHING!  It was non-stop dancing and singing for at least a couple of hours.

Then came the shocker on December 13, 2013 when Beyonce secretly dropped her album. It's a moment I will never forget.  I was late to work because I wasn't leaving until I downloaded all 32 items off of her visual album.  My productivity that day...was at an all-time low.  I drove to work in a daze....in shock that Beyonce had released an album and I had no clue.  At this point, I didn't need a Christmas present because Beyonce had just given me the ultimate Christmas gift...her album.

And then...came the Jay-Z concert on December 21, 2013. The last time I saw Jay-Z was when he came with Kanye for the Watch the Throne concert.  I have videos on my iPhone STILL from the concert it was so great. My last phone was at the brink of having zero memory and shutting down....it came between me losing my contacts or losing my Watch the Throne concert videos...and let's just say I deleted contacts.  The concert was just that great.

So what to wear to the newest Jay-Z concert? It was a little cold in Dallas but not cold enough for tights or anything so I opted to go balls to the wall with no tights and peep toe booties.  I think the outfit turned out pretty good.  And knowing that I would be completely turned up at the concert and probably sweating, I opted to layer just in case I needed to shed a layer or two. I think that a faux fur vest goes great over anything (t-shirt, blouse, dress, etc.) so you really can't go wrong.  You should definitely invest in one if you don't have one.

Layered a faux fur vest from Nordstrom Rack over a cowl-necked sweater dress; paired with Marco Santi peep toe boots purchased on sale from Hautelook.com / Clutch by Coach

I went to the concert with my girlfriend Marquea and as always, we screamed all of the lyrics at the top of our lungs and Jay-Z rocked it out.  One of the best concerts of 2013 for me.  He really knows how to get the crowd hype and the energy was just amazing.  If you missed the concert, then I'm sorry...it was crazy good!

You missed the concert?  So sad for you!

Marquea and I

Recap: Janelle Monae Does Dallas, Does It Big and Renews My Faith In Music

It's only once every blue moon that you can truly say that you experienced true artistry at its finest and for me...that was the Janelle Monae "Electric Lady" show that she did on November 9, 2013 at the House of Blues.  I was already pretty pumped up to go...but I was NOT ready for what the Electric Lady herself had in store for us.

First off...her opening act... *no words*.  Roman Gian Arthur...completely tore the roof down and shocked the entire house! He was like Prince, Donnell Jones and all of the great R&B acts all mixed together.  The entire time he was on the stage I think everyone's mouths were on the floor.  Janelle could not have picked a more perfect opening act...and to make it all come together...he was from Denton, Texas...so BOOM! #Texasisthegreatest  As soon as he left the stage, we were all on our Smart phones trying to Google him and download his music, he was just THAT GOOD!

So after Roman Gian Arthur left the stage, it was like being at an old school house party.  The House of Blues started playing everything from Stevie Wonder to Lauryn Hill...*sigh Lauryn Hill*.  It's just one of those names in music you hear and you automatically get mad...just thinking about "what could have been."  Anyways, I digress.

So the electric lady herself takes the stage and she's all in a straight jacket. The whole show was not just a performance but a production with themes and everything. When I say I got my entire life out of this concert, I mean exactly that.  And I know I may come up missing after I type this but....I enjoyed this concert so much more than the Beyonce concert. (Grips pearls...)  I can't believe I just typed that.

So if Janelle has not yet made it to your town...PLEASE catch this show..it's only between $25-$35 AND she comes out into the crowd AND she crowd surfed AND get there super early because they hand out backstage passes to meet Janelle Monae herself to people who are in the front row before the show even begins.  The darn early birds caught the worm...and I wasn't one of them because I was trying to be cute in my heels and didn't want my feet to be hurting by the end of the night so arrived at the venue after the doors opened.  Again...can't change the past...so I digress.

Oh last word of advice...if you don't have a boo, find one for the show...because once she performs "Primetime", it puts you in the mood to slow dance...and you don't wanna be like me, wrapping your arms around yourself singing all the words to the song.  NOT HOT!

Janelle Monae arriving on stage in a straight jacket

The Electric Lady Tour - Janelle Monae / House of Blues Dallas 11.9.2013

B.F.F. - Beyonce, Friends and Fellowship

The Queen Bey landed in Dallas yesterday and it feels like a year that my girlfriends and I have been waiting for the biggest concert to hit Dallas for 2013.  Me and my big sis, Marquea, have been anxiously waiting to enter the "bey-hive" and in preparation...it was an all-day affair.  

Beyonce Backdrop before Beyonce hit the stage. Photo Credit: Leah Frazier  Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas

From a pre-Beyonce brunch, to outfit planning to an all-week Beyonce jamfest...we were anxious for "Bey"-day to come.  True Beyonce fans to the fullest!

Old West Cafe Pre-Beyonce Brunch.  Banana Nut Pancake with Peanut Butter Maple Syrup...THE BEST PANCAKE EVER!

The Beyonce Crew outside of Old West Cafe (From left to right: Marquea, Kaeli and me)  My outfit details: sheer hi-lo blouse by Lush available at Nordstrom Rack, mustard jeggings from Express, Gold-Plated bow flats by Vince Camuto

As I look back on the pictures from our Beyonce Experience...I can do nothing but smile.  I shiver at the thought that people miss out on the simple things in life and what can truly bring happiness.  Don't get me wrong...Marquea and I LOVE to be fashionably dressed and freak out if we can't find the perfect handbag, but at the end of the day...cherishing a day with girlfriends, engaging in fellowship and bonding is one of the many blessings of life.  Developing and maintaining the relationships you have with family and friends is one of the purest ways to bring happiness into your life and is essentially at the root of how God has called us to love.

Waiting for the show to start.  Marquea, Dominique and me!  Outfit details: hi-lo sheer blouse by Lush available at Nordstrom Rack, Mona Leah couture pants available at Nordstrom Rack

Horrible Pic, but Mrs. Carter in the flesh singing Irreplaceable

Testosterone Overload: Maroon 5, Adam Levine and "that guy" Tyler from Neon Trees

Dallas welcomed Owl City, Neon Trees and Maroon 5 to the American Airlines Center on March 21, 2013.  I'll be honest, when the announcement came out for this concert, I wasn't too thrilled about the line-up leading up to Maroon 5.  I only knew about that annoying "Fireflies" song by Owl City and the few songs of Neon Trees that I had heard on the radio.  I just knew for a fact that I was going to die of boredom waiting on Maroon 5 to take the stage.

(Photo Credit: Leah Frazier)

I was beyond impressed by Owl City and after a couple of Texas brand jumbo beers (Ziegenbock to be exact), I was completely obsessed with Neon Trees and the lead singer Tyler.  Being an 80's baby myself, I was taken over by Tyler's glittery jacket and pants and his attempt to perfect his awkward Michael Jackson-esque dance moves.  But you know what?  I totally dug it.  It fit his personality and his fan base.  I can't say that I will go so far as buy the CD, but they are definitely a must-see for a live performance.  Throw in a cover of Human League's "Don't You Want Me"....and I'm all in, dancing and waving my arms like a maniac!

(Photo Credit: Leah Frazier / Any reproduction or use of this photo must be obtained by authorization of the photographer.)

And then my boo, Adam Levine, and the rest of Maroon 5 took the stage and did their standard mix of songs from previous albums.  No disrespect to my boo or his band, but I think that all of Dallas was happy that they kept performances from the new album, "OverExposed", to a minimum.  This album was definitely not one of the better Maroon 5 albums and I'm sure they recognized it...so thank you for mixing in the few radio hits from "OverExposed" with previous chart-topping hits for another unforgettable Maroon 5 concert experience.  Overall, Maroon 5 rocked the house, introduced a new artist (can't remember her name) and featured one bad (bad in a good way) guitarist.  Maroon 5.....Dallas loves you!

And then....no Maroon 5 wrap-up would be complete without a drool-fest over Adam Levine.  I think Sweet Brown (above) said it perfectly.  "Every one has time for that!"