Cognac & Conversation: We Are Young, Wild and Free

Many believe that millennials are the last generation to embrace some of the societal norms, traditions, standards and values that were once placed on a pedestal. Others however look at millennials as the ones who said “forget the pedestal” and created a new “American Dream” that ultimately promotes the idea of putting one’s own self and one’s own happiness at the forefront of life and living…free, without fear or regrets.

Since I tend to side more with the latter opinion, I decided it was time for us millennials to get together and embrace the notion that we are Young, Wild and Free. And let me just emphasize WILD, because let’s face it…the world is a jungle. In the jungle you either fight or you run, you’re either predator or you’re prey, you either survive or you don’t. 2020 has made it clear to us that survival is the ultimate goal, so in celebration of this we got together to discuss some pretty WILD topics.

We discussed topics such as marrying for love or resources, man-borting, Kevin Samuels and his “average at best” rhetoric, Lori Harvey “living her best life”, sex being a dealbreaker in relationships, situationships, supporting the transgender community and more. Check out the video below!

In discussing all our unique experiences and perspectives in this jungle we call life, we understand that these things have molded us into who we are today. The purpose of these conversations are really to understand and realize that our individual experiences shape our reality and we must learn to extend patience and understanding to those who have had life experiences that have shaped a different perceptive. As I always say, we all want the same things in life…love…happiness…success. But the ultimate goal is to survive! 2020 has taught us its about surviving. We gotta survive the wild!

Cognac & Conversation: Where Did We Go Wrong REVIEW

So where did we go wrong? We didn’t… we chose RIGHT!

I was the girl that swore up and down that if only I lived in a different generation I would be married by now. I would be someone’s housewife, someone’s mother, and someone’s “damn she lucky”. But the universe clearly had different plans. The universe said “No, you’re a millennial…good luck” Lol. And guess what, I’m not the only one.

In fact, I did an article a while back titled “Drake Said We’re “Doing It” Wrong”, where I vented about the decline of marriages in our generation compared to our parents and grandparents generation, and what I believed were the contributing factors. This article was solely based on my opinions at the time which were based off my experiences, BUT…I wanted a different perspective. I wanted to know how other people in my generation felt, on this topic and other topics I blog about. And so “Cognac & Conversation” was birthed.

Cognac & Conversation, a round table where millennial’s gather, discuss and debate on various topics, oh and sip on Brandee cognac of course!  I decided to title the first “Where Did We Go Wrong”, based on the blog post mentioned. I got together a group of men and women, and after about an hour and a half of debate (and cognac attack), things were reallyyyyy … Well read it for yourself! Here are a few questions I wanted to highlight!


 

What is the overarching reason as to why we aren’t getting married like previous generations?

Top answer: Social Media

Majority believed that social media plays a huge role in why we aren’t marriage. How? Well think about it, if you only had a choice of chocolate or vanilla ice cream then it’s simple, you’ll choose one or the other. But what if you had unlimited options, like BaskinRobbins on steroids?! Exactly, the internet gives you access to the entire world and can make you feel that there are plenty of fish in the sea or that the grass is greener on the other side. So that, along with trust issues and insecurities presented with social media, I guess we can “blame it on the gram”.

Are traditional gender roles important?

Top answer: No

Tradition has been thrown out the window and so has the idea that the man should be the sole provider while the woman takes care of the house duties. It’s 2018 people, and to be honest I think I’m dealing with a man that can cook better than me. Lol. So bye-bye gender labels. Lol. But let me be clear, I do believe as a woman you should take care of the house and as a man you should provide, however, this is not set at default. As life changes so will responsibilities, sometimes roles with have to reverse, sometimes there will need to be a schedule, but for the most part “Teamwork makes the dream work”. Find out what works for you and yours, and if that includes going half on the mortgage, don’t let someone tell you that you’re less of a man or woman.

“Women want to grow with a man, men want to finish growing before they settle down with a woman. That’s the disconnect” Is this true, and why?

Top answer: Yes

All the men agreed, they want to be financially stable and ready to support a family before committing to a woman. I pointed out that this is what I believed was the overarching reason for the decline in marriage. Men are not stable therefore are not ready for marriage. Black men specifically. Graduating college at 21 with student loans over their head. Then finding a job that barely supports them, taking into account the cost of living, it’s a process. That’s not even the half, what about the men who are fathers and have to take care of their children as well. And yet we clown them if they live at home with their momma. It’s a constant grind and many would rather have it all together before settling down. But then you have those that don’t mind grinding together. One panelist said building together is possible.

Could you stay in a relationship if the sex isn’t up to your standards?

Top answer: No

Welp, not too much to say about this one. Everyone agreed that sex is important in a relationship and that you normally find out early on in the relationship whether this would be a problem. I don’t agree, I think at a certain point in life, especially for women, other pro’s could outweigh that con. Butttttt no one agreed so we will leave it at that. Lol


 

So where did we go wrong? We didn’t… we chose RIGHT! We are not our parents and grandparents. We live in a totally different society. Yes we may deal with some of the same issues, but on another level. After this round table discussion with my peers, I’ve concluded that we chose right because we chose ourselves. We are living our best lives the way we know how in our present time. We are choosing to be the best WE can be and make the best of OUR lives, and you can’t go wrong with choosing yourself RIGHT?!

Stay tuned in for more clips and highlights!

Just want to give a special shoutout to my panel!

@missprettytania
@meeeemeeeee13
@crimconbleu
@brynieg
@kingq_

@kingwallace11
@king_rell_
@majerkeyz
#NOIGWILL lol

Thanks so much for your participation!!

 

125 Breakup Songs To Help You Cry…Heal…and Move On Already!

You cry…you heal…and you move on! You fall…you get up…and you start over! This has been instilled in us since we were children and the same applies decades later! I’m a music lover so of course music has been part of my most happiest moments in life, as well as my low moments in life. I love hearing music with lyrics that speak to whatever I’m going through, so when I create my playlists, they usually consist of songs that apply to that phase of my life!

Wanted to share one of my playlists that I’ll never delete off my phone (because I’m sure I’ll need it sooner or later) lol! I call it “Heartbreak Hotel” ! Not too many oldies, I have a separate playlist for that, but most millennials can relate to this one. If you are on Spotify you can search this playlist using my name (brandeenicholette) and enjoy! I know I missed PLENTY of good songs but this list could go on forever and ever. What songs are on your breakup playlist?

  1. Wish I Didn’t Miss You – Angie Stone
  2. IfULeave – Musiq Soulchild
  3. Ex-Factor – Lauryn Hill
  4. Her Heart – Anthony Hamilton
  5. Charlene – Anthony Hamilton
  6. Emotional – Carl Thomas
  7. Let It Burn – Jazmine Sullivan
  8. Forever Don’t Last Always – Jazmine Sullivan
  9. Karma – Tay Walker
  10. Waste Of Time – Tay Walker
  11. Too Bad For You – Miesa
  12. Used To Love You – Yuna
  13. Broken Record – Tamar Braxton
  14. Circles- Tamar Braxton
  15. I’m Not The OnlyOne – Sam Smith
  16. Hate That I Love You – Rihanna/Neyo
  17. Rehab – Rihanna
  18. Now I Know – Rihanna
  19. Me, Myself and I – Beyonce
  20. Resentment – Beyonce
  21. I Miss You -Beyonce
  22. I Care – Beyonce
  23. Energy – Keri Hilson
  24. Down On Love – Kelly Rowland
  25. Officially Missing You – Tamia
  26. Almost – Tamia
  27. Fine Time – SWV
  28. Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here – Deborah Cox
  29. In Love With Another Man – Jazmyne Sullivan
  30. Emotional Rollercoaster – Vivian Green
  31. Lose To Win – Fantasia
  32. Bitter Sweet – Fantasia
  33. Fallin Out – Keyshia Cole
  34. Pieces – Tamar Braxton
  35. Angel In Disguise – Brandy
  36. Amnesia – Cherish
  37. Circles – Mariah Carey
  38. Better In Time – Leona Lewis
  39. Get It Together – 702
  40. Seven Days – Mary J. Blidge
  41. I’m Going Down – Mary J. Blidge
  42. Un-Break My Heart – Toni Braxton
  43. Breathe Again – Toni Braxton
  44. Heartbreak Hotel – Whitney Houston/ Faith Evans/Kelly Price
  45. Remember – Jhene Aiko
  46. Lyin King – Jhene Aiko
  47. He Can’t Love You- Jagged Edge
  48. Can You Help Me – Jagged Edge
  49. Throwback – Usher
  50. Make It Work – Neyo
  51. Part Of The List – Neyo
  52. Halfcrazy – Musiq Soulchild
  53. Separated – Avant
  54. Where I Wanna Be – Donnell Jones
  55. I’ll Forgive You – Bobby Valentino
  56. Stay – Pretty Ricky
  57. Sometimes I Cry – Eric Benet
  58. The Love We Had – Dru Hill
  59. 6, 8, 12 – Brian McKnight
  60. I Can’t Sleep Baby – R. Kelly
  61. I’ll Never Leave – R. Kelly
  62. Shattered – Sevyn
  63. Lost&Found – Lianne Haves
  64. Gone – Lianne Haves
  65. Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
  66. My Torture – Esthero
  67. Fallin – SiR
  68. Where Did We Go Wrong? – Toni Braxton/Babyface
  69. Fall For Your Type – Jamie Foxx
  70. Thinking Bout You – Frank Ocean
  71. Doing It Wrong – Drake
  72. The Way Love Goes – Brian McKnight
  73. Voyage To Atlantis – Isley Brothers
  74. I’d Rather Go Blind – Etta James
  75. Cry Together – The O’Jays
  76. Anytime – Brian McKnight
  77. One Last Cry – Brian McKnight
  78. End Of The Road – Boyz II Men
  79. What Kind Of Man Would I Be – Mint Condition
  80. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart – Al Green
  81. We Loved It – John Legend
  82. It’s Over Now – 112
  83. Tyrone – Erykah Badu
  84. I Can’t Make You Love Me – Tank
  85. In My Mind – Heather Headly
  86. Again – Janet Jackson
  87. Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart – Alicia Keys
  88. Someone Like You – Adele
  89. Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey
  90. On Bended Knee – Boyz II Men
  91. Missing You – Case
  92. Gone- Nsync
  93. Fumble – Trey Songz
  94. Don’t Take Your Love Away – Avant
  95. Everybody Knows- John Legend
  96. Breakeven – The Script
  97. Why Does It Hurt So Bad – Whitney Houston
  98. Goodbye – Jagged Edge
  99. All Alone – Dru Hill
  100. Seven Whole Days – Toni Braxton
  101. Grenade – Bruno Mars
  102. Fool 4 You – Ceelo/Melanie Fiona
  103. Cry Me A River – Justin Timberlake
  104. Thank You – Dido
  105. Go On Girl – Neyo
  106. Fuck It – Eamon
  107. Fuck You – Ceelo
  108. We’re Not Making Love No More – Dru Hill
  109. We Can’t Be Friends – Deborah Cox/RL
  110. Blame It On Me – Chrisette Michelle
  111. Epiphany – Chrisette Michelle
  112. Fuck It All – Elle Varner
  113. December – Olivia
  114. Walk Away – Olivia
  115. How Do I Live – Leann Rhymes
  116. Love Don’t Live Here Anymore -Rose Royce
  117. B.A.N.S – Sevyn
  118. SayGoodbye – Chris Brown
  119. Yo Side Of The Bed – Trey Songz
  120. Love Lost – Trey Songz
  121. Breakdown – Mariah Carey
  122. Fool Of Me – Meshell Ndegeocello
  123. I Wish – Carl Thomas
  124. When It Hurts So Bad -Lauryn Hill
  125. Let It Burn – Usher