Tis The Season... For Decorating

Decorating dilemmas can be solved easily by using whatever you have lying around your spot. You can also gather up nature's offers from around your property. Either way you can save money and add a touch of holiday spirit in less than 5 minutes flat. Now since I had no pine cones scattered out front my place, I opted for a trip to the craft store and purchased a bag of cinnamon scented pine cones for $2.50. Can't beat that. I already had some red bows left over from last year and a beautiful silver basket purchased in the summer from Bath and Body works at the Premium Outlets. A few glass vases I use to hold my potpourri and wala my decorations are finit. Oh yeah and my table vase given to me by my auntie...emptied the flowers I keep in there on the everyday and replaced those with decorative Christmas ornaments.

The Cutest Dolls

International Black Doll and Gift Show

When a person thinks of a black doll most folks think of the cabbage patch or black barbie. Exactly my original thoughts before I became less ignorant of the art world years ago. There are artists...fiber artists who create dolls as works of art, actually black dolls. These artists like Daisy Carr, Pamela Ekkens, Carole Brothers, Joyce Stroman, and Barbara McCain are just a few of the many fiber artists/craft doll creators out there. Their work is unmatched and depicts images of realistic individuals you see often. My favorite are Daisy Carr, Joyce Stroman, and Carole Brothers. I love the colors used, and mostly the hairstyles these gorgeous dolls rock. These dolls have such a confident presence about them. Sassy and vibrant, the dolls grabbed my attention enough to encourage me to plan to attend next years New York Black Doll and Art Show and International Black Doll and Gift Show.

Indian Cusine At Home

Okay I am definitely crushing on Indian Cuisine right now. Well its sort of been my favorite for a good minute now but the point is you can create your own tasty Indian meals without getting too complicated, at home. I came across this Indian Meal kit by Gourmantra at a local grocery store over the summer and was a bit skeptical when I opened the box and read the directions before preparation. I admit I thought I would screw things up. I simply followed the directions, well I deviated a little bit by adding my own cooked and seasoned chicken. It was so damn good. It's my favorite and exactly what I go to whenever I have a taste for Indian food. The Giant supermarket chain carries it in their ethnic food aisle. Happy eating!

Chic Pumpkins for Halloween

www.bellemaison23.com/

I for one do not get all willy nilly about Halloween except to celebrate and make a fuss when it comes to holiday projects with the kids (at my childcare gigs) but when I saw these chic, goth fabulous like pumpkins I froze. "Fabulous pumpkin creations", I thought. Anyway I was blog hopping and feasted my eyes onto the beautiful Halloween crafts on Belle Maison where there is a great article on Halloween Chic (innovative ways to decorate for the Halloween holiday). Obsess over the pic and check the article when time permits.

A Creative Birthday...

So my girls (aka BFFs) decide to come up with a creative way to sike me out and cause me to just about poop my pants all at the same time. Good job ladies. It was so much fun and one of the best birthdays I ever received (well my 7th birthday surprise/slumber party my parents organized still tops all) but next to that this one is KING. Please be advised the horse I adopted for the hour of fun was SOMBRERO which = Heart Palpitations to say the least. That damn horse had me in such a frenzy I ordered our guide to get me off at once. This was the funny part to everyone but me (at the time). I was so dramatic and Sombrero was eating it up! Show Off! The horse bucked, galloped, stopped (every other minute), and formed his own trail. He even bit another horse's behind when he was put onto a leash! My kind of stallion! So my girls win creative birthday organizers of the year award for this one. Horse back riding, dinner at Bonefish Grill and great gifts= one happy Diva.

Crazy Yes! Creative...Absolutely!

Folks often ask me how I do it. How the hell am I working 3 jobs, volunteering, and managing school. How is this possible. I get the weird looks and long sighs. People do not focus on the possibilities. A parent at my job #2 asked, but what about days off? "What about them?" I replied. I work a max of 4 hours a day 3 days a week playing with kids. That isn't work to me. I'm getting paid (cash mind you) to have fun! I have a strength that has nothing to do with me alone. My spirituality keeps me balanced. I tried numerous times to balance my life on the solo and failed miserably so I had no choice but to call in for help. The best help around. Funny thing I average the same income I did as an investment rep at a well respected financial company I worked at for around 5 years. Now I can be happy doing what I love and working towards my purpose. That my friends is PRICELESS. I usually have to be at work no earlier than 2:30. That means no early mornings...well only Sundays. I work weekends but have my mornings to myself and can sneak in a matinee at the movies in the middle of the week and shop while everyone else is at work. Sweet. The absolute best, no micro management-no bosses over the shoulder. This ironically leaves lots of time for innovation since I'm rarely stressed out.

Inexpensive But Rich

Finding deals gets me all gushy inside and I just loves a challenge when it comes to shopping for clothing, accessories, and jewelry. Well I had a little soiree to attend last weekend and I also had other financial obligations. Why always around the same time. But hey, who doesn't? I had some Nine West booties I got last year for like $17 bucks (oh yeah they were like $60 something dollars on amazon) see here ...and a top I just grabbed from WalMart $9, a cardigan $16 and leggings $10, a snakeskin clutch (took the gold chain off) I got this on consignment many moons ago (I'm sure it was under $5). The colors are rich which equals Fall trends 2010. This was the final result of my innovations. Being creative with the funds and the fashions is a must. Besides everyone is doing it.

Unexpected Fabulosity

When picking up a book I grabbed from discount store Ollie's for like $3 bucks, I figured the new read was going to be a possible drag. OMG was I terribly wrong! The author none other than Bernice McFadden author of the beautiful novel 'Sugar' put her foot and leg into this fresh tale on the raw experience of love between a black woman and man who has past experiences that would make the average person shiver at the thought of loving another. The novel provided an unexpected surge of revelation at the end and was a major page turner. Her writing is graceful and doesn't throw in a fairy tale, unrealistic happy go lucky wrap up at the end. It gives you the real and concludes with the reader having a sense of positivity on the trials and tribulations which love often takes you. It was Brilliant!

Velma Newsome Creator of Tatianna's room

 www.tatiannasroom.org

 Don't you just love when people see something broken, or not 100% what it could be, take the problem, work to resolve it or improve the situation and in turn make someone smile one good deed at a time? I love it and this is why I had to write up a post on Miss Velma Newsome the creator of Tatianna's room. Her creation is not only fresh, creative, and fun but also loving for those children who benefit from the program. Here's the 411. She redecorates the rooms of children living in group homes or foster care. Miss Newsome worked in group homes for years and recognized that the rooms the children lived in were pretty much plain jane. She started Tatianna's room in 2008. Check out her site for more information and the scoop on donating.

 www.tatiannasroom.org
http://www.mindtv.org/cgi-bin/display_asset.fcg?member_id=2133;ordinal=1;file=vodind.ttml;style=mind

Masterchef's Tracy Nailor

Fox

Okay I'm not a reality TV junkie, well maybe a little but only for those shows that force people to perform at their best and expose the fiercest, most creative people at their best all the while under Chef Ramsey's foot and grueling screams of displeasure. Plus I love cooking (hey I get it honestly my Dad always showed me something new in the kitchen). Anyway my favorite on my new addiction Masterchef's Tracy Nailor. The MD whose real passion is cooking up the beloved recipes her mother taught her and raised her up on. This sista cooks with a true passion with her mother's memory at the core of her focus. All the reason for me to tune in week after week to route for her and hope she'll make it at least to the final four.

Hells Kitchen Autumn Lewis

 My all time favorite tube must see is Hells Kitchen with the famous screamer Chef Ramsey. I don't watch it though to hear him call folks donkeys and yell at them to piss off. I simply adore watching how individuals respond under his rage aka extreme pressure. My favorite was ousted just recently. Autumn Lewis 29 from Chi-town was a force to reckon with even though her team mates thought otherwise. Her creations on the show were appealing to the eye and her ability to remain poised while coping with an eardrum irritating Ramsey was enough to garner awards in my opinion. Her constant 'up for elimination' trials week after week often showed her team mates need to rid of her because of her endurance. Sure she made mistakes but who didn't on the show. Currently a personal chef in North Hollywood California, I'm sure she's on her way to even larger paths as a result of her success on the show.


Autumn's quote on being dismissed from the show says all. "I'm happy to have made it this far.  I was able to overcome obstacles I didn't know I had the strength in me to do".

Check out more scoop on homegirl Autumn here 
(Fox News pic)

A Beautiful Scupltor and Printmaker

 Born in 1915 in the nation's capital, Elizabeth Catlett was an astounding sculptor, and print maker. She studied design and printmaking at Howard University and changed to study sculpting when there was no sculpture division at Howard. She pushed boundaries becoming the first African American to get her Master of Fine Arts in sculpture at the University of Iowa. She mostly created pieces that depicted what she saw, images of her people, specifically black women . Her piece, Mother and Child, sculpted in limestone won first prize at the American Negro Exposition in 1940. She is the mother of America's Next Top Model Cycle 4 winner Naima. She studied wood carving in Mexico and used her art along with other artists to promote social change there. She received numerous awards and many of the outdoor sculptures she created are are displayed in Mexico; in Jackson, Mississippi; New Orleans, LA; and, Washington, D.C.

My Monday Perspective

When I hear my favorite song "Unthinkable" by my girl Alicia Keys I always think of my relationship with God and my readiness to accept his infinite love wholeheartedly. I'm ready to remain completely vulnerable to him.

 The words easily apply whenever I hear these specific part of the lyrics. "You give me a feeling that I never felt before And I deserve it, I know I deserve it "

Anyway just my take on the song.



Unthinkable lyrics

A Damn Good Father

As Fathers Day comes around again for another year I reflect on the true meaning behind the fundamentals of a man strong enough to be called a father. The birthdays, holidays, screw ups, life changing events, hobbies, failures, accomplishments, and a million other events too many to list here are at the heart of what makes a great father. Either he is or he isn’t. I know there are many sistas out there who long the relationship of a father and daughter. This gives me a sense of appreciation and gratefulness to a higher place for the blessings of having my father in my life. This man has not only ‘been there’ but has been an active participant in my growth as a child to a young lady into a woman.

They say it’s the little things that matter most in your life. I predict that is true. My most fondest birthday was last year when my father handed me a stack of books and sent me on my way after a perfect cup of his morning coffee with amaretto or hazelnut cream and a forehead kiss. Those weren’t any ordinary books. These books were full of culture, life lessons, and would give me a further sense of self. There was even a book included to teach me how to buy a car. (Ironically I would greatly need this book soon enough little did I realize)This all was of course after another one of his famous lectures about life, people, culture, and plain old common sense. These lectures are the best around and no professor could touch my father.

One of the many things my father has always instilled in me was to enjoy whatever it was I chose to do in my life and to be the best at it. He also stressed the importance of one’s knowledge of their culture. In times of adversity I recall past experiences and testimonies from my ancestors and other great minority leaders whose experienced suffering, opposition, and even death at the hands of working to better peoples lives. He has given me one of the greatest possessions I own, my creativity. My father, very artistic with a keen eye for design, art, and photography himself has helped shape the very things that are at the core of my life’s purpose.

For all the Fathers in the world who encourage their daughters to be at their best and utilize their talents for the success of others, may they be appreciated and glorified for the selfless  work they continue to do within us as growing women.

Original article 

Hearted Sex In The City but missing Sistas In The City...

Ok the chick flick Sex In The City was phenomenal. The onset of the film with "Empire State Of Mind" -Jay Z and Alicia Keys blaring through the speakers in the intro was genius and gave you a 'it's on can't wait to see this' sort of feeling right from the get go. But as the movie ended two hours later I couldn't help thinking, dang, why can't we have a Sista movie grace the screen. I mean Living Single and Girlfriends meets the ladies from Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married. I know Terry McMillan has the sequel to Waiting to Exhale coming in the Fall, but what about a sexy, savvy, summer flick starring four black women doing their thang! I mean the sitcoms are cool but I want to see more of us on the big screen together. Could get a kick out of seeing my favorites Angela Bassett (she could play the cougar type), Jada Pinkett Smith (the cultured, no nonsense having sista), Jennifer Hudson (the love struck sweetheart), and Taraji P. Henson (the single mom, finshing school, goal oriented sista). Just a random thought.

images from http://www.celebritywonder.com/

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.