BET's Let's Stay Together Love Tour Hits Dallas: Massages, Men and More

The BET Let's Stay Together Love Tour hit Dallas at the West End Event Center on March 31st and was hosted by celebrity matchmaker Paul Brunson.  My expectations were exceedingly low for this event as I expressed in my earlier blog post, just because I've been here and dating on the Dallas scene for awhile and the type of man that I'm looking for is definitely slim pickings. However, I tried to stay open-minded and decided that hey, I have nothing to lose!

I did like any other female would do in this situation.  I put on my flirtiest dress, my sexiest pair of heels and attempted to put on the most amazingly "beat" make-up face that I could do--all the while listening to Klymaxx's "The Men All Pause" while I was getting ready...because evidently that's what I wanted to happen once I walked into the room, right?  Well that's not exactly what happened...the mend didn't pause...in fact, they kept on talking.

Icebreaker cards with questions to ask participants placed at each table

 So I arrive at the venue to be seated in VIP. (Thanks Hamilton!) I had my own bottles of Ciroc, my own waitress and my own little table tucked away to the side. While it was great...because I always love special treatment...I think it made the men intimidated because not one guy came and talked to me and the other women who were seated in VIP.  To make matters worse, the organizers didn't account for the VIP women, so we weren't able to get matched up...we couldn't participate in the speed or excuse me "flow" dating experience. But that was okay by me...I was determined to have a good time no matter what.

The VIP Set-Up

The event kicked off and it was a little alarming.  The first hour was solely a "cocktail and conversations" environment but the men were in groups among themselves and not really interacting with the ladies.  We were all looking good, so I'm not sure what the problem was. Of course, we could have just as easily talked to them but therein lies the problem.  I'm a woman.  I want to be pursued and I want a man to have the guts to come up to me.  As usual...I digress. *sigh*

So before the event kicked off, Paul was such a gentleman.  He came over to the VIP's and introduced himself, assuring us that we would nonetheless be entertained even though we were sans a match to participate....kinda crazy because that was the whole reason we were there. But from witnessing participants giving each other a massage to a couples dance-off, I was really entertained..and a tad jealous. Candid questions were asked like "After how many dates would you expect to have sex?", "Is Kanye West crazy or a genius (genius of course)", etc. etc.

Sorry for the blurry pic ya'll.  The lighting was bad.  Here are two participants giving each other a massage during the "flow" dating experience. I could've used a massage....I'm just sayin'. LOL But within the picture lies my point...why is the guy looking off waaaayyyy at the other end of the bar and not paying attention to the woman he is massaging?  C'mon Dallas fellas!!!!

During the event, Paul's friend and co-host (who shall remain nameless) talked to me for a bit and said that he would be over to chat with me after he got done making announcements...and I'll admit I was a little excited.  He was REALLY handsome, very well-spoken and my type.  But wouldn't you know it...due to the fact that the male to female ratio was off for the event, my bubble was burst because "cutie" had to go participate in speed dating to even out the number of men.  Yay for him, but bummer for me.  Another one bites the dust.

All in all, I was really impressed by the organization of the event and the twist on speed dating. It actually seemed like a lot of fun and I'm kinda bummed I didn't get to participate. All in all, I grew to have much respect for Paul Brunson because he was super friendly, stayed afterwards to take pictures with everyone and was just extremely down to earth. 

Celebrity matchmaker Paul Brunson and me

While I don't have any juicy stories to tell, I'm sure my dating dilemmas in Dallas will continue for all of you guys' entertainment. And as for "cutie", he disappeared after the event like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight---completely ghost...nowhere to be found. Sheesh.

Oh well, until the next date....

BET's Let's Stay Together Love Tour to Come to Dallas

So...my luck with dating has been sub par at best.  At this point, what's left for me in the dating pool has been comical.  From being approached by the over-sexed atheist ("clearly he doesn't read my blog") to dating the hot model with B.O.--I've had my fair share of CRAZY experiences here in Dallas.  One thing I have always wanted to do but have NEVER done is something similar to speed dating.

Welp, BET is bringing their Let's Stay Together Love Tour to Dallas with celebrity matchmaker Paul Brunson...and yours truly *drumroll please*...has signed up to attend. Now, my socialite Dallas buddy, Hamilton Sneed of HAS Events wanted me to help promote the event saying they needed more men...which already sounds like a recipe for disaster.  The women to men ratio is already off.  But hopefully the good, non cray-cray, employed, automobile driving men of Dallas will show up for this "flow" dating experience.

Here's to hoping and um....I'll definitely be writing a blog post about it afterwards. Here's the info for those wanting to attend and make sure you put "HAS" in the field, when they ask you how you've heard about the event.

*UPDATE* - This event is at capacity for women. Men are invited to register!!!!

Single Ladies Inspiration - Waiting for Greatness

I'm actually super excited to write this blog post...migraine and all.  Right now I'm propped up on my couch, with Hollywood Exes playing in the background on my TV with a fresh mug of my favorite Starbucks Tazo chai tea. All in all, I really felt like this was so important to write because so many women settle for the wrong man...thinking that God has forgotten about them, or maybe that it's "taking too long" for them to get settled down as they look around and see their friends getting hitched and starting a family one by one.

Anyways, I was recently given the assignment for a website that I write for, Believe.com, to write a review on the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. They only gave me 5 days to read the book and to write the review!  I was completely freaked out and pissed...because for one, I have a full-time job and two, I just don't have the time to read as much as I used to...for a 5 day turn around!  So, I picked the book up from Barnes and Nobles only to discover that the book was approximately 450+ pages long! *GROAN!*

Low and behold....I was blessed BEYOND MEASURE by reading this book and finished it in 2 days. I literally could not put the book down.

As a 30 year old Christian single woman, it can be easy sometimes to fall victim to society's pressures of "You're supposed to be married and have children by this age...." and yada yada yada.  I've been single for 2 years now and I'm like every other single woman out there that wants to love and be loved.  BUT...in my quest for a God-fearing Christian man, I'm not settling and definitely not desperate. I sometimes wonder "Is there really someone out there for me?  Is there really a guy out there with the same values as me? Does a man who loves God with all of his heart really exist? When will God deliver me my husband?"

Well after reading this book, I am so encouraged that just as God pursues us, so will my husband-to-be.  This book re-tells the bible story of Gomer and Hosea.  In the book, Gomer is likened to Angel, a prostitute who has been through many challenges in life and who feels unworthy of any man's love. She's only used to men wanting her for that one thing and is hardened to men because of that.  Hosea is Michael Hosea in the book...a man who looked at Angel walking in the street one time, and knew that she was his wife. He was a Christian man; well known and respected in the community but risked it all...to pursue a prostitute who God put on his heart as his wife.

After catching just a glimpse of Angel, Michael pursued and pursued Angel...knowing that this is the woman that God wanted him to marry.  Many times Angel strayed away but he loved her nonetheless, praying to God that she will seek after Him.  Angel wasn't perfect...she was known in town as the best prostitute on the block...but Michael loved her through all of her imperfections and led her spiritually to God.

~He who finds a wife, finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22~

There are many lessons in this book--self-forgiveness, redemption, God's pursuit after us, restoration.  But the theme of what it truly means as a woman to have a man of God love us with all of his heart--to cherish us and pursue us, to pray with us...to be there for us when we are weak and to lift us up spiritually was very comforting.

Could it be that I'm a hopeless romantic just entangled in a well-written love story?  Nah!  When it comes to relationships, I just always leave the outcome up to God...but reading this book at the most inopportune time and as my first assignment for Believe.com was not a coincidence.  God was speaking to me and reassuring me that he's got this one in the bag.

One of my senior leaders at church told me: "Hey Leah, just as you are preparing yourself for your husband...just know that somewhere...your husband is doing the same for you."

So if you're single...or maybe not single, just in a tough area in your current relationship...you're just wondering whether there really is a man out there for you.  One who's on fire for God, who goes to church and worships God for real and not for show...one who will look at you like the queen that you are...then definitely read this book.  It will have you encouraged and comforted in knowing that your patience in waiting is not in vain--it's all a part of God's plan.

Pic taken in Lihu'e, Kauai, Hawaii...I was really just overtaken by how beautiful everything was and how fortunate I was to be there

~Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31: 30~

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