WORK IN PROGRESS!!!!!!!!!!

Copyright © 2025 by Valerie Hughes Smith

Note from the author

Welcome aboard!

books by

VALERIE HUGHES SMITH

♥ FAMILY ♥

♥ LIPSTICK ON MY TEACUP ♥

coming… 2026

Maybe I’ll combine both books! hmmm…

*** EXCERPTS! EXCERPTS! ***

read all about it!

all excerpts are for reading only

FAMILY

ValerieHughesSmith.com

I love my family! We are rich in heart, integrity, and family pride. I only want to share a hint of history just to introduce myself. Both sides of my family come from very prominent families. They knew of each other…

Estelle: my mother and generations of my maternal grandparents were born in Virginia. Donald: my father and generations of my paternal grandparents were born in Maryland. I was born in Washington, D.C.

My maternal grandparents fell in love and one day, they got married! My grandmother was musically gifted in piano, a great tennis player, bridge player, first campus queen of the university she attended… My grandfather was a talented musician; he was also heir to his father’s funeral business… My great-grandfather founded the business during the 1800s; the historic enterprise was one of the oldest and most substantial Black-owned businesses in Virginia; some say the Country…

My paternal grandparents fell in love and one day, they got married! My grandmother was an educator who was known for her many social graces that included providing food for the homeless as well as work… My grandfather was known as a brilliant physician and surgeon. In addition to his medical practice, he taught anatomy at Johns Hopkins. Grandfather also founded his own hospital…

My grandfather and father both served in the military.

EXCERPT

My mother: fabulous dancer and choreographer… Before graduating from college, she studied modern dance and personally trained in New York City with legendary choreographer Martha Graham. Next thing you know, she landed on stage in many performances, including the Broadway play Shuffle Along. Her dear treasured friend, Academy Award winning actress Joanne Woodward, talked about Mom’s extraordinary talent… I enjoyed listening to them talk about the days when they studied the skill of acting together with Sanford Meisner. They talked about Method Acting, the Meisner Technique… Yes, my mother’s talent combined with her vibrant personality, dazzling smile, and beauty inside & out would light up the room! Her beauty even lit up the cover of nationally distributed magazines… At some point, Mommy choreographed her own shows…

♥♥♥

After my father graduated from medical school, he began his internship.

During this time…

Donald & Estelle met each other and fell in love! One day, the happy couple got engaged! Their parents & loved ones were present during their Marriage Ceremony as they enter into Holy Matrimony… Donald & Estelle are husband & wife!

The Newlyweds are so happy! 

Dr. & Mrs. Hughes in the house!

The dazzling couple were the talk of the town!

Over a year later, Donald & Estelle had their first newborn baby girl. Fifteen months later, they had another newborn baby girl, and a romantic dreamer was born, that would be me. A few years later, our parents had another newborn babygirl. Three daughters…

EXCERPT

Sometimes when my sisters and I ran into people, maybe a classmates’ parents, or someone at a mall, they’d say: “Your father is my doctor!” One time a lady said: “Dr. Hughes was my second opinion, he told me that I didn’t need the amputation, he said that would be unnecessary surgery, your daddy saved my leg and today, as you can see, I’m still walking around with both!” Daddy was known as a brilliant physician and diagnostician.

My grandfather and father were both known as:

“A Physician’s Physician.”

Sometimes folks expressed words to this effect: “I saw your parents the other day, and your mother was talking about y’all so much that she seemed to almost run out of breath! She always says: my girls this and my girls that—Estelle just loves her girls, please tell your parents I said hello!” This happened often.

Our parents kept my sisters and me busy with activities. We took piano lessons, we studied martial arts, including Taekwondo, we took swimming lessons, we also attended a summer swim camp where we received our junior lifeguard certificates. My sisters and I took dance classes: ballet, tap, and modern dance. We also learned from our mother! We took drama classes. My oldest sister and I took English riding lessons at an equestrian center. We wore an equestrian helmet, we learned the difference between English and Western saddles, we learned how to saddle a horse, we competed in local horse shows…

Okay, let me just tell you, lessons or not, when I rode my horse Buddy Boy up on our farm, which by the way had over a hundred acres, I had high hopes that my wild horse would not run off and throw me somewhere. Since I am the most girly-girl out of my sisters, I wanted to prove to my father, who was always instilling strength, that I am strong, determined, and tenacious. No way was I going to show apprehension about riding my unpredictable and beautiful horse, a Palomino that stands 17 hands. Let me also tell you this—I know how to ride a horse, especially my own horse. I took hold of the reins while admiring my pretty pink nail polish, and then I looked straight ahead and firmly said to my beautiful horse: “Giddy-up, Buddy Boy.” Wow! Buddy Boy was in a steady canter as we raced away from a pesky bug! I didn’t know what kind of bug it was, but it sure was bugging us. Oh how I wished it was a butterfly, but it wasn’t! I said: “Let’s go, Buddy Boy!” Oh! Weeeeeeee! Whoaaa! Hahaha! Daddy absolutely loved it! “Look at Valerie ride her horse!” He spoke loud enough for me to hear his approval; I felt so happy and accomplished. What a ride! We did it, Buddy Boy!

Yes, I am happy to report that on this day, Buddy Boy and I successfully raced away from a pesky bug! Now, we’re just enjoying the weather… lol.

My family and I always drove to our farm; Mom found it for us. There were two houses just miles apart. Daddy had one of the houses built. The farm had over a hundred acres, and the terrain was just beautiful, with a mix of rolling lush land and deep woods. The countryside air was as fresh and crisp as the stream that we’d drink from with Daddy just to quench our thirst.  There was a large barn, some say stable, with stalls for our horses, including Daddy’s many thoroughbreds. My father was a thoroughbred horse breeder and trainer; he had raced horses for over thirty years…

Well, needless to say, my sisters and I grew up with so many horses! We also grew up with birds, cute little turtles, one sister had a rabbit, we had cats, we had many dogs, including German Shepherds; Daddy gave me a German Shepherd. I named my first kitten Happy because she purred all the time; I named one kitty-cat Blizzard: here, kitty, kitty! I love all of my pets! I love my furry friends, they’re our family! They are all so beautiful! By the way, I’m an animal whisperer, yes I am! (more in my books)…

Patriotism

At an early age, I would join my classmates and teachers at the start of the school day with right hand over heart as we recite the Pledge of Allegiance: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Back in the day, some folks who met me for the first time asked:

Where are you from?

Me: D.C.

Nowadays, some might add:

What I mean is, where were you born?

Me: DC—Washington, D.C.

I was born in Washington, District of Columbia, the United States Capital.

EXCERPT

My maternal side and paternal side both have roots that run deep in America. Both sides have a multiracial heritage. I grew up listening to my grandparents & parents talk about our ancestors, including those with American Indian/Native American ancestry: the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas, and those with African ancestry, European ancestry… My mother put it this way: “We are Black, Welsh, Irish, English, American Indian: Cherokee Indian, Mohawk Indian…” She also talked about a relative being an Indian Chief. Family talked about the Colonial Era. Family talked about Quaker ancestry. Family learned that we have ancestors from six continents! Listed in order from the largest in land area to the smallest: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, and Australia. hello, Antarctica!

I am an American. I am an American woman with deep roots in the United States of America. My roots extend back centuries before the founding of the Country. Yes, and I am proud to embrace the beauty of having ancestors from all around the world!

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Thomas Jefferson

My parents always talked about our family history; we still do. My mother told me: “Thomas Jefferson is a close relative.” She said: “Baby, we’re direct descendants of Thomas Jefferson…

Yes, we are. Thomas Jefferson is my fifth great-grandfather.

Chattel Slavery: Historically, some of my ancestors were referred to as American Indian, Mulatto, Octoroon, Colored, Person of Color, Negro, Free Negro, Black, Free Black, Caucasian, White, Pass for White… Both sides of my family have a distinct lineage in this Country. I am an American who is a direct descendant of African ancestors who on both sides of my family were forcibly taken to the shores of America and enslaved in America starting from the 17th century. Yes, I am also a direct descendant of ancestors who were enslavers. Knowing that my family had endured heartache and pain due to slavery is personal, very personal, it touches me to the core—it hurts. Slavery… the worst. Slavery should have never happened. It should have been eliminated before it was ever created. It’s the 21st Century now and still, the history of slavery and all of its appalling cruelties has not been properly addressed. Now of course this history can never be rewritten or erased or ignored. This history is part of America’s history.

Oh, Freedom: Lady Liberty Enlightening the World! The Statue of Liberty also known as Lady Liberty was inspired in 1865 after the Civil War to celebrate Freed Slaves. Edouard de Laboulaye and other French abolitionists wanted to commemorate the abolition of slavery in America. The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor and unveiled in 1886. Its location is now known as Liberty Island in New York Harbor.

The Statue of Liberty is a precious gift solely created to celebrate the End of Slavery.

Be True To History…

Years later, in 1883, Emma Lazarus wrote the poem titled: “The New Colossus” to raise money for Lady Liberty’s pedestal, which was placed on the statue in 1903.

The poem is now viewed as a warm welcoming to immigrants who have migrated to the United States. It reads in part: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…”

The Statue of Liberty is a Beacon of Hope…

Ultimately, we are all God’s children.

All of God’s children should be treated with respect, dignity, equality…

WAIT! WAIT! WAIT!

more family information…

Parents: My parents were happily married for years! One day, they got a divorce; they always remained treasured friends. My mother did not want to date anyone, that is… until she met a wonderful gentleman named Elzie, who many years prior to them meeting had served in the military. One day, they got married. My father met a wonderful lady, and one day, they got married. Now, I have three sisters!

Daddy’s four daughters!

I love my family!

well, it’s showtime, folks!

In addition to my mother and stepfather’s businesses, they were also music impresarios. My stepfather, who knew the business like the back of his hand, taught my mother all about this side of the business, and together, they had numerous shows with an impressive lineup… They produced & promoted some of the most legendary music festivals, concerts, and shows of all-time, presenting world-class artists, including dear family friends. oh, the fun! There were so many fabulous shows, so much talent… Just to mention some of the artists: James Brown performed, and Miles Davies, Sarah Vaughan, Thelonious Monk, Tony Bennett, Damita Jo, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Roy Ayers, Grover Washington Jr., Roberta Flack, Peabo Bryson, Sammy Davis Jr, Wes Montgomery, Cannonball Adderly, Lola Falana, Tammy Wynette, B.J. Thomas, Glen Campbell, Nancy Wilson, Sheila E, Chaka Khan, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie with his entire orchestra, Charlie Byrd, Maynard Ferguson, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Mel Tormé, and more!

By the way, my stepfather was the brainchild of the legendary “LAUREL POP FESTIVAL.” Led Zeppelin performed, Sly & The Family Stone performed, and more!

More shows are mentioned in my books…

♥ FAMILY ♥

♥ LIPSTICK ON MY TEACUP ♥

coming… 2026

combine both books? hmmm… still haven’t decided, lol.

♥ ♥ ♥

oh, hello again, wonderful readers! keep reading, there’s more…

*** EXCERPTS! EXCERPTS!***

read all about it!

Perhaps right now, you are wondering:

Why in the world can’t I just meet—the one?

If so, you may want to read:

LIPSTICK ON MY TEACUP

a few famous men & one true love

it’s a memoir!

♥ ♥ ♥

* MARIO VAN PEEBLES *

* LIONEL RICHIE *

* STEVIE WONDER *

* RAY PARKER JR. *

were all wonderful!

BUT…

***** DARLING, I’VE GOT SOME NEWS! *****

They were NOT my Prince Charming!

By the way, I have never been a two-timer; I am loyal-by-nature. So of course my relationships were during different times… just want to make that clear, lol.

LIPSTICK ON MY TEACUP is an engaging, upcoming book about romantic love, or lack thereof, and relationships. The memoir has laugh-out-loud moments combined with Valerie’s love-lessons on: how to embrace loves disenchantment like a natural optimist who happens to be a romantic dreamer… LIPSTICK ON MY TEACUP is an informative, entertaining, and fun read. Valerie writes conversationally, as if you’re having a cup of tea together while delighting in the juicy secrets of a romantic dreamer. This story has never been told!

That is—until now...

Although each one of these four men: Mario, Lionel, Stevie, and Ray, expressed these three words to me, as I expressed to them: “I love you!” still, I wondered:

Oh my! Why in the world are we smooching?

You are not my Prince Charming!

You see, as a little girl, Cinderella, my favorite fairy tale, was on television in my house, too. Some people meet their true love at first sight and they live happily ever after. How beautiful! How sublime. And then there are those like me; we navigate through our romantic journey, all along, dreaming of the one real love, you know, like what Cinderella got! We meet people who perhaps could be the one, only to realize at some point, that clearly, they are not. So, what do romantic dreamers do? We keep dreaming… We might even kiss another frog.

Coming from a prominent family history and background didn’t prevent me from making the same old love blunders that have been made for centuries—way before me. After all, love doesn’t care about who you are, where you’re from, what you have, or when you’ve arrived… Life is filled with lessons, especially lessons of love. As I share my romantic journey, my hope is that perhaps someone can learn from my reflective view of a few love blunders.

Many of us have lessons of love to learn; I just learned mine, from them.

Side Note: Keep in mind: back in the 1980s, only some people had those bulky car phones. Now, many people around the world have cellphones, computers, social media accounts… My point: Today, there are many ways we can stay connected with family, friends, and loved ones. There are many ways we can stay informed about what’s going on all around the world…

Lipstick On My Teacup

So beautiful people, let me tell you…

Mario Van Peebles had a fun sense of humor; he could even laugh at himself. We always had a wonderful time! We met each other’s parents, and yes, we still have a beautiful friendship…

no-holds-barred… Lionel Richie first met me in New York City through Wilbert Terrell (Wilbur). Wilbur was good friends with Herbie, who was like an uncle to my sisters and me. Herbie and my father knew each other from medical school, so their friendship went way back. Anyway, I hadn’t spoken to Wilbur in months, and it was a pleasant surprise when he called. I had just left NYC and was back home, getting ready to move back to Los Angeles… “Hi, Wilbur!” I said. “Hey, Valerie! How’s the family?” he asked. “Everyone is great!” I replied. “When are you leaving for LA?” he asked, and I told him. Before we hung up, he said: “Richie really enjoyed meeting you, he wants your phone number…” I didn’t know who he was talking about. I said: “Who?” Wilbur said: “Lionel, Lionel Richie…” I said: “Oh, he has a great sense of humor.” Then Wilbur told me: “That’s what he said about you, he wants to know how to reach you, can I give him your telephone number?” He was Wilburs good friend, so I didn’t think anything of it, I just said: “sure.” Well, Lionel got my telephone number and moments later, he called… We had an upbeat conversation. “Nice talking with you, too!” I was surprised when he called again, I mean just a few days later. After an upbeat convo, I said: “Have a great day, too!” I thought he was a very nice person, that’s it. Once I moved to Los Angeles, Wilbur called and said: “Is it okay to give Lionel your LA number?” I said: “Oh, sure.” Now, Lionel Richie always, always called me, and If he couldn’t reach me, he just left a message. Lionel would say something like: hello Valerie… or Hey Val Hughes, this is me calling you… or Hello Valerie! this is the kid calling you, well, I’ll just keep calling until I get you, over and out. I thought the way he said over and out was cute and charming, lol. Well, guess what else? I still have my answering machine. Sentimental me. Maybe Lionel would agree to let y’all hear a few of them-there messages. You never know! I mean why not? Some of his messages were so warmhearted. Anyway, Lionel always drove his Mercedes-Benz; I knew he loved that car, I wouldn’t be surprised if he still has it; it’s a classic. Anyway, when Lionel called, he’d say: “hey kid, I’m right outside!” and I’d cheerfully say: “Okay! I’ll be right out!” I’d happily dash out my apartment in Westwood and hop in his car… “hiya Lionel!” and there we go… riding all around Los Angeles. We had a lot of fun riding around town. There were many times when we’d drive along the ocean; I love the ocean… Well, Lionel would just talk… Oh, sure, I enjoyed listening to whatever he was talking about, which was a good thing, because let me tell you, Lionel Richie seemed to have the need to talk! I mean he would just talk, talk, talk, talk, talk… lol. Yes, and as a friend, I would listen…

Stevie Wonder was so lovable, he is a beautiful person! I met Stevland when I first visited Los Angeles. He came over to visit Herbie; they were also good friends. It seemed everyone knew Herbie! Well, Stevie is just wonderful and so warmhearted; let me tell you, and he has a fun sense of humor! I mean he can be hilarious, like… omg! AHAHAAA! “Oh, Stevland, that is just so funny!!!” and we’d just laugh! LoL! Yes, he can be very playful, just like me! We even talked about being soulmates… Now let me tell you, he made me feel like I could be in… paradise?

Well… if you’ve got the love blues, and they’re haunting you—who’s a girl gonna call? Why of course, my dear ol’ friend: Ray Parker Jr.

Ghostbusters!

Ray is such a warmhearted and genuine person. He is so humble and incredible talented. Oh, and he loves his music loud, y’all… “Ray! it’s so loud! oh my goodness, my ears!” Sometimes, when I was at his studio, I’d just wear earplugs or use a little cotton and that worked for me. hahaha! When we rode around in his car, I had them handy, hehe! Hi, Ray!

Oh sure, throughout my memoir, there are moments that I’ve written with a playful, lighthearted & flowery flair. Other moments—well…

I must also tell you this, like the title of Stevie Wonder’s love song: “You’ve Got It Bad Girl”… well, I thought I had it bad for Stevie.

that is—until…

I met the love of my life, my true love, soulmate, best friend… my prince charming!

who is Valerie’s prince charming?!

(drumroll please)

George!!!

a.k.a prince charming

♥George & Valerie♥

♥we have true love!♥

♥we’re soulmates!♥

♥I love you with all of my heart!♥

July 27, 2002

OUR FAIRY TALE WEDDING!

Our parents, family & loved ones were all present to witness our Marriage Ceremony

as we enter into Holy Matrimony

George & Valerie are married

husband & wife: I love you with all of my heart!

Mr. & Mrs. Smith in the house!

♥ ♥ ♥

I must tell you, my husband’s parents inspiring love story is beautiful! By the way, George’s father is a Tuskegee Airman; he is truly an amazing person!

We love our parents! We love our father-in-law & mother-in-law dearly!

We love our family!!!

Wonderful readers: when you read the secrets of a romantic dreamer, as only told in LIPSTICK ON MY TEACUP, you too, may come to realize exactly where True Love is…

♥ ♥ ♥

We all have a story; this one is mine.
This ain’t no third party, baby!
It’s no fairytale either…

It is my pleasure to invite you to turn the pages of my highly anticipated memoir:

LIPSTICK ON MY TEACUP
a few famous men & one true love

A Classic Love Story
well, kind of…

it’s a memoir!

the secrets of a romantic dreamer

Vsecrets

♥

FAMILY book

ValerieHughesSmith.com

oh, the fun!

about the author

Valerie Hughes Smith is the wife of George H. Smith, Esquire. She playfully refers to her husband as Prince Charming, Esq. The happily married couple are both Washington, D.C. natives.

“Guess what else? We were born in the exact same hospital!!!”

My husband is good-looking, brilliant, stylish… and he has a fun sense of humor! omg! He can be hilarious, no joke, LOL! He is wonderful and so warmhearted; now let me tell you, my husband has a fun sense of humor! I mean he can be hilarious, like… omg! AHAHAAA! “Oh, Georgi, that is just so funny!!!” and we just laugh and laugh! LoL! We are so playful together!!! George is warmhearted, lovable, amazing thoughtful, so giving… I mean he is always, always, surprising me with gifts and wonderful places for us to enjoy… when all I want is to be with him! Yes, and his clients speak so highly of him. One of his office managers was about to resign after many years of working with attorneys, and she told me that George was her favorite person to work with! I mean people always compliment George, they always compliment his style. Oh, people say: “y’all are always together…” and “I love your outfits…” “you two always look coordinated…” We say: “Thank you!” See, let me just tell y’all, there are times when I have no idea where we’re going because it’s a ♥“Gsurprise!”♥ lol, and it’s always somewhere entertaining, fun, cultural, interesting… and many times, husband already has our tickets for the festivities. So… there are times when George picks out my outfit(s) for the day, and sometimes he coordinates my outfits with his. Let me also tell you this, my husband always looks like he just walked out of a magazine! Oh, sometimes family and friends call George just to ask: “What festivities are happening today, bro…” or they simply ask: “what’s a good spot to go to,” and my husband always knows! Yup, he knows a lot of spots, even new ones!

Sometimes my husband asks me: what would you like to do today, and I reply: “All I want to do is be with you, Georgi!” and there we go… oh, the fun!

George & Valerie in the house!

Valerie Hughes Smith worked in production on the acclaimed films: New Jack City, directed by Mario Van Peebles, Jungle Fever and Malcolm X, both directed by Spike Lee. She also worked in production on the music videos: “I’ll Give All My Love To You” by Keith Sweat, “Let’s Chill” by Guy, “Hey Mr. D.J.” by Zhané, and a few others… She worked at Billboard Magazine and Amusement Business (A Billboard Publication). Valerie also worked at Black Entertainment Television (BET) in D.C. as a freelance Associate Producer, Eddie Murphy Productions, Inc. as an Executive Assistant, and she worked in Corporate America. Valerie is an author, publisher, and businesswoman who enjoys working on artsy & creative projects. FAMILY book, coming...

Perhaps right now, you know someone who is  wondering:

Why in the world can’t I just meet—the one?

If so, they may want to read:

LIPSTICK ON MY TEACUP
a few famous men & one true love

Thank you so much for visiting!

♥ ♥ ♥

FAMILY

LIPSTICK ON MY TEACUP

2026

more to come...

ValerieHughesSmith.com

follow me on X ValerieHSmith

♥ ♥ ♥