Go Janet! Chop It Off and Start Fresh.

Check out the new fierceness from Ms. Jackson. This pic was dropped on worldbuzznow.com and I am absolutely loving the new look. It's not just the look but also what cutting off all your hair represents. It represents a new beginning. I for one have did what us natural sistas call the 'BC' last night before heading off to work, and I must say I am loving it 100 per. Now I didn't go as short since my kinky roots were already a few inches out anyway but if I would have this would've been the #1 pick.

Bet you didn't know this...

A lot of folks don’t know that the very dress Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy (then Jacqueline Bouvier) wore on her wedding day when she wed John F. Kennedy was a dress designed by African American designer Ann Cole Lowe (Anne Lowe). This wedding gown was the most publicized dress in American history. Anne was born in Clayton Alabama and was a great granddaughter of a plantation owner and slave. She was a young 14 years of age when she married and attended fashion design school in New York in the early 1900s. She was a businesswoman owning a beauty salon in Tampa, Florida and her fashion boutique Ann Lowe Originals on Madison Avenue in New York City. She designed for several elite New Yorkers in the 1950s and worked at Saks Fifth avenue where she was featured in one of their advertisements. Another highlight of her career was when she designed a gown actress Olivia de Havilland wore to the Academy Awards. Ironically the name on the inside tag of the dress was Sonia Rosenberg. Towards the end of her career she suffered from glaucoma but continued to design for Madeline Couture.

Check out the book “Threads of time: the Fabric of History" by Rosemary E.  which gives profiles of African American Designers from 1850 to 1950.

Check out this article for more scoop on Anne Lowe.

Was I really surprised?

Last week I experienced for the first time a child admitting to me that she was uncomfortable spending time with me because of my skin color. Her exact words were, "I don't want to play with you and be your friend because you have brown skin, I don't like brown skin, I'm scared of brown skin". It cut me but not because of her words, mostly because I felt sorry for her as a young child not having an opportunity to embrace different cultures and learning hate at such an early age. What a sad world she must live in I thought. I could never take on an opportunity where I would feel like I am forcing a child to like me and get to know me. I love children and always want them to be comfortable with me. As I reflect on the experience I draw on my spirituality to pray for that family instead of develop anger, since anger never solves problems anyway. I couldn't help but think, was I surprised that this occurred? Not really.

Also this week check out Anderson Cooper's program on on a study given about black and white children and their biases toward lighter skin color.

CNN

Being Curvy Ain't Easy...

Everytime I attempt to turn shopaholic it's a full day of adversity for me. I think to myself, okay this doesn't have to be a BIG deal. But it almost always is. It's no secret finding trendy, chic fashion pieces on the Bargain Jane method ain't so simple. So I've managed to come up with a fail proof way to attack my clothing shopping adventures with ease. First of all have a strategy. I check my favorite blogs to grab a few tips and see what's the buzz for the season. Next is setting up my budget. Knowing exactly the max I want to spend is key and prevents the guilty I went overboard feeling later. Third, grab my 'what I need' list and give it a once over before leaving for the shopping trip. This will ensure I buy items I need first and spend the remaining loot on the wants. Oh yeah some of my favorite fashion blogs...you can see more on my blog roll at www.charicesgiftblog.blogspot.com
Also check these out
http://www.fabfindsunder50.com/
 http://www.fashionunder100.net/

Holly Robinson-Peete Rocks On Celebrity Apprentice

My favorite mom Holly Robinson Peete kicks booty on Celebrity Apprentice. She is feirce, intelligent, strong willed, and delegates to perfection when it comes to leadership. But because of these things mixed in with a little attitude and irritation towards creative wild child Cyndi Lauper, she is referred to as a bitch. It was even mentioned on the show about the ladies on team Tenacity having a sort of 'bitchiness' by the new team player Curtis Stone. This had me thinking, hmmm does being a fierce, takes no BS  leader equal bitch in the boardroom? When a man does it do we view the same results? Anyway I also in my head praised Holly for being tough as nails and focused on her bottom line, the moolah for her charity, The HollyRod foundation,
focusing on helping families who have children with Autism. She is certainly handling her business on the show and I am rooting for her all the way.