I AM Me Digital Magazine NovDec Holiday Edition 2016

INSIDE

NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2016

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Publishers Note Spiritual Space Beauty Bar Event Recap: Pain of a Blaq Woman Poem: Relationship Room Hair Haven Fashion Fitting Room Ask Althema Cooking Class Health Hub Entrepreneur Enclave Just My Two Cents Travel Treasures Thank You FEATURE: Chef Danielle Moore SPOTLIGHT: Glenise Gomez HOLIDAY SPECIAL: HOLIDAY PLANNING THE BESTIES TEAMS HOLIDAY WISH LIST HOLIDAY GUIDE

M asthead Publi sher/M anagi ng Edi tor: Deni se Best Edi tor: Althema Goodson Edi tor: Pauli ne Alleyne Edi tor: Lady B Strak er Feature Wri ter: Aja Stubbs Creati ve Di rectors: D. Best & W. Keeby Soci al M edi a Di rector: Jessi ca Wi lson Contri buti ng Wri ters:

First, I want to wish you and yours a happy and prosperous holiday and New Year!! This year has flown by with great highs and the lowest of the lows but through it all I remain optimistic.

Yvette D Best Ni cole Brown ?Purple Lezzi pop?

Coretta Campbell Dre Cleveland Alloysi us Cox M ae Ealey Alpha Ganteaume Charon Gari ng Gleni se Gomez Ak yi i a Harri son Kevi n Lawrence Feli ci a Lucas Dani elle M oore

Welcome to the second issue of I AM ME digital Magazine. In this issue (the holiday issue) we focus on small businesses and entrepreneurs who products are awesome and would make great gifts this year.

Our feature is our very own Chef Danielle Moore, we get the scoop on her humble beginnings and her hunger for any and everything food related.

We spotlight Glenise Gomez ? Ms. Skin Ethiks who loves what she does and it shows!

For the first time you will be treated to The Besties ? whether it cakes or skincare if I love, it you will know about it.

The team will also share with you their Christmas wish list We are also pleased to add a few new writers to our family as we offer you the same great articles that you loved in the inaugural issue.

Renee Purdi e Ti ffany Shawntay Jamell Smi th

Happy Holidays

DeniseBest

Sk i i Smi th Audrey Washi ngton

Remember:

Ebony Wilcher

I AM Beautiful

Jessi ca Wi lson

I AM Brave

Cover M odel: Chef Dani elle M oore Photographer: Tyquane Kai Bates M ak e-Up Arti sts: Ak yi i a Harri son & Ajhane Holmes

I AM Kind I AM Humble I AM Hopeful

What do you mean, I?m Pregnant?

Have you ever been pregnant and did not know it? It happened to me. I was pregnant for the fourth time and had no clue for many weeks. My body didn't show any signs of pregnancy, as it had with my other children. I remember I had been bicycle riding and had fallen off the bicycle a couple of times, a few weeks before I knew I had a seed growing on the inside of me. I was pleasantly surprised to find out I was going to be a mother again!

Similarly, I had been pregnant with destiny, purpose and vision and didn't even know it. I had ideas and life strategies developing on the inside of me, but I didn't even realize it. I was even pregnant with a book and didn't even recognize it! One of my sisters in Christ, said to me, "You need to write a book and share your life story with others!" and that is exactly what I did! As I began to go forth in the birthing process of the book, I began to discover more about God?s plan for my life.

As a mother, I can certainly identify with the birth process. Just as babies are conceived, the ultimate goal is for them to eventually be born into the world. I remember being pregnant and experiencing the ups and downs of each specific pregnancy. Some days were better than others, and like most mothers, I anxiously anticipated the arrival of each child. I even know what it feels like to find out one day you are pregnant and then within the same week experience bleeding which resulted in a miscarriage. That experience occurred 6 months after our first son was born and certainly was a difficult time in our lives. We were able to successfully conceive our next child approximately 15 months later, followed by our last child, six years later.

I experienced a difficult delivery with my last child in which I had a complication that caused my physician to use forceps. Forceps are a surgical instrument that resembles a pair of tongs.

The tongs were used to help guide the baby out of my birth canal. My labor wasn?t progressing and my baby?s safety depended on an immediate delivery. This was an extremely painful part of the process. I endured this experience and thanks be unto God, my child was born without serious injuries.

Similarly, the birthing of my book was a process of excitement, anxiety, fear and fulfillment. I was excited about what the future could possibly hold, felt anxiety about making sure what I desired was captured in each chapter, had a little fear of the unknown and experienced fulfillment that I finally completed the project. A little discomfort here and there was pushing me towards this finished product.

At one point within the birthing process of the book, I experienced a complication that could have easily turned into a major setback. I spent some time on a particular day sharing with my husband some aspects of the book, more specifically the chapters on marriage. Little did we know, later that day, we would be faced with a demonic attack against the very institution of our marriage. The attack caused tremendous pain at the moment, but I felt God was saying, ?Just keep moving.?

Even the after effects of the words and actions of the attack are still disheartening. I would rehearse in my mind the words that were spoken over me and my marriage in the attack. I had to keep writing beyond my hurts and pain. I forgave the individual because it was necessary for me to move beyond that incident. What the devil meant for evil, God used for my good, and, as a result, the attack was further confirmation of the importance of sharing my story to the world! I celebrate God?s faithfulness unto me as he gave me the grace to complete the assignment.

The past few years of my life, I have experienced some difficult life pains and discomfort in reference to interpersonal relationships. I have lost some inner circle connections and gained some new ones. I had been trying to make sense of the different things that were happening to me. Romans 8:28 states, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose". All the good, bad, ups, downs, success and failures, all of them have pushed me towards my destiny! All the uncomfortable life pains that I have experienced, now make more sense. Sometimes God will cause you to become isolated in order to birth out of you what he placed within you! ?

Felicia Lucas (www.felicialucas.com) is a Minister, Author, Inspirational Speaker, Empowerment Coach and Special Event Planner, who passionately and enthusiastically helps individuals who have lost their life luster become vibrantly new again. From dull and off track, Felicia also empowers individuals to be brilliantly whole by teaching them how to grow spiritually and professionally, enhance their relationships and become wonderfully well from the inside out.

With her Make It Happen: Move to Your Best U message, Felicia knows how to motivate others with transformative tools to unleash their BEST lives so they can be happy, healthy and holistically well. She provides empowerment sessions, personal coaching, and motivational talks that inspire others to become their best self and live brilliantly whole lives.

The holidays are here, so ''Tis the season for holiday dinners, parties and lots of selfies".

Makeup trends seems to go into a cycle of trendy to retired every so often, holiday Makeup however seems to remain the same. Every makeup enthusiast wants to remain classy and timeless during the Holiday season. The time for elegance and simplistic beauty has arrived: Ravishingly Red Lips Red lips are an important staple for the Fall and winter season in general. Yet for the Holidays a red lip seems to be a necessity. Red represents passion, love and energy. This color sends various messages to the brain; one thing is for sure, red makes one STOP! With a bold red lipstick you can be sure to turn heads. Above (from left to right) are Macs most famous reds, MAC?s Red, Russian Red and Ruby Woo. Ruby Woo is the most coveted Red lipstick for darker skin woman on the market, and also my personal favorite. With the entire holiday headache approaching why not treat yourself to a new lipstick, MAC lipsticks usual retail around $17 at MACcosmetics.com Simply Smokey Eye A smokey eye can be a ladies statement piece, but making a bold yet subtle statement can be tricky. The secret to a smokey eye is a nude or simple lip and very little makeup. Like a bold lip, less is more. Paired with a neutral lash, a smokey eye can make a simple look unforgettable without a lot of time being put into it. Visit sites like Cosmopolitan.com or Pinterest.com for Smokey Eye pictorials and tutorials.

Tear Duct Highlighting Placing a sheer eyeshadow in your tear ducts can bring a pop to your makeup look. As seen above in Tammys Pictorial, tear duct makeup can add an extra element of pop. Using one of my personal favorite eyeshadow pallets from Too Faced, Tammy shows you seven easy steps. Whether you stop at step 2 or complete the whole look, this makeup trick will ensure you have brighter eyes and will bring together your Holiday Makeup Look.

1) MAC: http://m.maccosmetics.com/product/13854/310/products/makeup/lips/lipstick/lipstick# /shade/Ruby_Woo 2)Cosmopolitan: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g3016/smoky-eye-how-to/ 3)Pinterest: http://pin.it/KH-O78a 4) Tammys Pictorial: http://pin.it/4XKg6mz 5)Too Faced: h t t ps:/ / w w w.t oof aced.com / p/ eye-sh adow -palet t es/ ch ocolat e-bar -eye-sh adow -collect ion /

Akyiia Harrison Brooklyn Licensed Cosmetologist MUA Hairstylist Blowout Specialist

Seven Ways to Save this Holiday Season Are you a person who waits until the last minute to go shopping for the Holidays? I know exactly how you feel, I use to be one of those people too. I learned a new way on how to save for the Holidays. If you are like me with more than two children, then you know how challenging it can be to save for Holidays. Here a few quick tips to help you maintain your cash flow and not overspend or put yourself in debt this holiday season.

Tip #1 ? Open up a Holiday Savings account right after January 1st, of the next year. Count how many children you have and add $5.00 or more dollars for each child and deduct it from every paycheck period. (ex. $5.00 for Gigi, $5.00 for Cece, etc? ) Tip #2 ? Make sure the Savings account accrues interest. The more you put in it the more the interest grows. Make sure you ask the Bank or Credit Union what are the terms for the Holiday Savings account.

Tip #3 ? If the family or friends give the children money for their birthdays and holidays, then add some of that money to the saving account. When you get your income taxes, add an extra $200 or more dollars to it.

Tip #4 ? Cut back on frivolous spending, buying unnecessary items that you or the family don?t need. (ex. video games every month, magazine subscriptions, cigar & cigarette buying every week, social media app buying, etc? all these things add up.) You will be surprised how much you saved in six months.

Tip #5 ? Eliminate going to the movies and do movie rentals and call it a Family Fun Night.

You can save over $50.00 or more on one night at the movies, for a $5.00 rental and a box of popcorn for $4.00. You can put over $25.00 in your holiday savings account.

Tip #6 ? Cut down on going out to eat, even a meal at Mickey D?s cost more than $20.00 for a family of four. If you go to all the local chain restaurants like A....Bee?s that cost at least $70.00 or more for a family of four.

Tip #7 ? Final tip, check out your account by July or August of the same year, you should have saved at least $400.00.

By October you should have a little more, then you can start your shopping or do Christmas in July sales. You can also do online shopping because you get better deals and some holiday items go on sale before the holidays. That?s another good way to save on your spending. Ask your children in April or August what they would like for the Holiday, then you can have an idea on what they would like. Repeat the same thing again, now that?s how you save for the Holidays.

Blessings, MAE Ealey Mz Social Butterfly

Mikki Arlene Ealey is a proud mother of four beautiful children. She is a hardworking, dedicated, spiritually inclined woman whose goal is to help heal the world. She has been in the literary field for over 15 years. She is an avid book reader of self-help and leadership books. Her favorite quote is ?Make new friends, but keep the old, because one is silver and the

other is gold.?

Blessings from MAE! Happy New You in 2016!!!

Hey Lovelies!!

Well I don't know about anyone else but this is my favorite time of year; nope not Fall, HOLIDAY SEASON!!! Family and friends gathering, gifts being exchanged...and most importantly THE FOOD!! (I can almost taste my mom's sweet potato pies already!!) But while you are fixing your plates, here are a few holiday super foods to keep in mind that are great for promoting healthy hair!

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1. Dont throw those eggs, eat them!!

Eggs contain the B complex vitamin, vitamin H or biotin. Biotin promotes hair growth and not enough of it can result in hair loss.

2. Orange is the new...Orange!!

Orange-colored fruits and veggies like pumpkin, carrots, and yes, sweet potatoes (Seriously mom, about those pies...) contain beta carotene which aids glands in scalp oil production and protects against dull, dry hair.

3. Be-leaf it or not: Spinach! (Get it, be-LEAF it?? Yeah?? Ok fine) The leafy green spinach provides magnesium, omega-3 acids, calcium and are iron rich which will keep your hair shiny and full of luster. As a bonus, Spinach also contains sebum, which can act as a natural conditioner!

4. Go fish!

Fish such as sardines, mackerel and salmon contain a healthy fat that the body does not naturally produce, omega-3 fatty acids. This promotes the growth of thick hair, full of shine.

These are just a few suggestions but also keep in mind foods such as avocados and almonds that contain biotin as well as others that provide iron, protein, zinc and omega-3 acids all help with hair stimulation for thick, healthy growth.

And now the bad news.

Some foods to stay away from (OK keep to a limit): alcohol, sugars and starchy whites.

These bad guys can make hair become dehydrated causing thinning and breakage.

Try adding some of these to your holiday shopping list this season and as always, take care of those tresses!

Tiffany Shawntay Send any hair questions or topics you'd like to talk about to: TiffanyShawntay@gmail.com "People will stare. Make it worth their while" - Harry Winston Tiffany Shawntay is a 30(ish) Brooklyn born, NYC based Hairstylist and Freelance Writer.

She is currently working on her first blog. You can keep up with her across social media platforms as TiffanyShawntay.

During the production of the Sept/Oct issues things didn't go as planned. Man plans and God?s plan are often not the same. I was mad, frustrated and very annoyed. My business is my baby.

Imagine you leave your child with a friend and you realized they neglected you child all day and only feed and change them minutes before you arrive. Not only are you pissed off but you are also hurt, while dealing with these emotions I read about the R.A.I.N method.

R.A.I.N is a four step process used by Buddhist for using mindfulness in difficult times. I realized that the holiday season while lovely is stressful, using this method can alleviate some tension this season.

R. Recognize what is happening: During times of stress we get anxious and nervous this physical response is triggered by your belief that you are going to fail. My goal was to release the magazine on the 15th and I shared this was many people I feared missing my deadline and disappointing people.

A. Allow life to be just as it is: I realized I had to let it go releasing the magazine late was not the same as not releasing it at all. The condemnation that I feared was all in my head, the only one judging me for missing the deadline was me.

I. Investigate inner experience with kindness: I was my biggest critic and I need to show myself the same kindness that I would extend to a stranger.

N. Non-Identification: This failure to launch didn?t affect who I was, it was a snagged fabric in an otherwise lovely tapestry (me) I was still the same person before this and I will continue to be the same after.

This method is lovely and in theory it does give you peace but to be honest I also needed a good old fashion rant, but that?s just me For more information about R.AI.N please click on these two links: https:// www.tarabrach.com/ articles-interviews/ rain-workingwithdifficulties http:// mrsmindfulness.com/ r-n-four-step-process-using-mindfulness-difficult-times -

The Gift Guide The holidays are approaching fast and it?s time for gift giving. For some buying gifts can be a real stressful task, especially when shopping for a Fashionista. A woman who loves to shop and dress her best can be intimidating to shop for, a woman picky about her style. Not too sure on sizing, fit or styles? Here are 10 things any fashionista will love to receive this holiday.

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Sweaters: Knits are pretty easy to shop for, whether it?s a cashmere or cable knit she will be sure to wrap up in these cozy sweaters this season.

2.

Jackets: The easiest style to shop for would be a trench style jacket. It is an easy fit for any body type and is a wardrobe staple any woman needs.

3.

Wrap dresses: Just like the trench, the wrap dress is another easy fit style, it also adds a bit of sexy and sassy to any wardrobe.

4.

Hat & Scarf sets: These aren?t styles just for grandma to buy, these much needed sets come in so many styles, she?ll be sure to love them.

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Shoes: Now don?t lose me, you kind of need to know her style in order to purchase shoes.

To be safe a Chelsea boot, pump, casual sneaker or cute flat are perfect style for any Diva.

6.

Handbags: A girl can never have too many shoes or handbags, for Fall and Winter think of neutral hues in leather and or suede.

7. Jewelry: No need to spend top dollar on diamonds if they don?t fit your budget, some trendy affordable accessories that are sure to be on her holiday list are: Stackable necklaces, chokers, watches or statement earrings.

8.

Beauty Lovers: For the ?Glam Goddess? who loves everything beauty, any one of your local beauty superstores (i.e Macys, Sephora, MAC, ULTA) will always have an exclusive holiday set everyone is dying to get their hands on.

9.

Fragrances/ Body Care: Seems pretty easy but fragrances can be a bit tricky because scents are NOT the same on all bodies. If you happen to know her favorite scent or any she may like then you?re in luck, if not then maybe a body set of body butter, oil or soap may be a bit safer. 10. And if all else fails gift cards always work! Try getting her one to her favorite store to look like you put a bit of thought into it. Hope this gift guide helps you with shopping for the Fashionista in your life, Happy Shopping!

Jessica Wilson is a 28 year old new blogger. Born and raised in Brooklyn NY she always had an eye for fashion and style even as a young girl. She learned a great deal about fashion from her grandmothers, her paternal grandmother studied fashion at FIT and her maternal grandmother is a self-taught designer. They both could sew and design clothes. So her fascination with fashion became natural. With a background in fashion marketing and a strong passion for fashion and beauty she began giving family and friends fashion tips who then encouraging her to begin blogging to share her fashion inspiration with others. So she created Abitofeverythang.com where she features fashion looks, inspiration, beauty and makeup looks and tips, inspiring stories, history, food and motherhood posts (hence the name Abitofeverythang)

When You Love What You Do, and it Shows!!

Our spotlight for this issue is Ms. Glenise Gomez Glenise can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am so excited about Skin Ethiks. Skincare is my life however I am also a domestic violence advocate, a devoted wife, mom to a teenage girl, sister and friend. I enjoy people and nature and adamant about being punctual. I enjoy reading and being an island girl food is a hobby.

What made you decide to create Skin Ethiks?

Skin Ethiks was created with my sister in mind she was diagnosed with Lupus at a young age and myself with a blood disorder so I commenced researching and formulating a pure line with no toxic elements to degenerate cellular function in individuals with compromised immune systems. That's one of the reasons why Best for NYC recognized and honored us in 2015 for Environmental Safety. Our company uses no harsh chemicals to tarnish the environment, water or wildlife.

Tell us about the mens line BOLD? BOLD: Skin Ethiks was created as a unisex product and was a hit for both men and women however we encountered a few proclivities. Customer feedback quelled that quickly and inspired us to launch BOLD for men. The guys were complaining that the products were effective and beneficial but because of our purple branded packaging they were a bit shy of purchasing "feminine" items. Purple being a color of sophistication and regality did not appease them especially since their female partners used their products and confiscated them. We had to get the men who were Bold enough to come forth with suggestions their own line and so Bold was birthed. ? Robust, strong and rigid with antibacterial/ antiseptic aspects for thicker skin yet so very gentle and pampering. Our Bold pieces are a hot item for women too. I actually prefer the Bold earthiness and musk compared to our regular Skin Ethiks and now my husband scolds me for tampering with his Bold items.

Where do you see Skin Ethiks in Five years?

In 5 years our projections are to implement spa and/or concierge services via a Skin Ethiks storefront. We are also launching our Skin Ethiks catalogue of products shortly and that will assist in the expansion of our current Creative Lab Studio into a greater space for our private label clients. Our dream is to grow and share Skin Ethiks not just with the Caribbean but with all areas of the globe. Workshops and education will also be an integral part of our 5-year goal.

Name five things you would love to receive this holiday season?

1.This holiday season we would love to receive orders in the capacity of depleting our supplies.

So we would like clientele.

2.We would like our clients and followers to donate gifts or funds to have toys and food delivered to those in need.

3.Let's see a new car would be nice lol since you're asking.

4.The opportunity to travel is always great so it's a strong desire.

5. Of course, World Peace! Who doesn't want world peace?? I would love that. It's not just something for ME to receive it's universal.

H omemadeCranberries Sauce 4 Cups of Fresh Cranberries 1Cup of White Sugar 1 Cup of Water In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the water.

Bring to a slight simmer. Stir in the cranberries and cook until the cranberries start to pop (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat and place sauce in a bowl with a lid.

Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools. Let cool and refrigerate until ready to serve

The New Entrepreneur?s Bible for Black Women Starting a business is not a bed of roses for anyone, but Black women have a lot to consider when it comes to starting a business. Here are 5 principles you can rely on when you have decided it is time to start your empire.

Ok, so you?ve decided to start your business.Good for you, girl! First, I?m going to wish you good luck and God?s speed. Then, I?m going to tell you something shocking. You?ve probably figured out by now that starting a business is not always easy, but don?t worry. What I?m going to share with you has helped hundreds of women to take the steps necessary to achieve their dreams. Especially Black women.I don?t know if you know, but there are many studies out there that have shown that Black people, in general, and especially Black women hold on to a lot of unconscious trauma from slavery that has passed on to us generationally. A lot of this unconscious trauma wreaks havoc on our ability to create successful and thriving businesses? .and you?ve likely never even considered this notion. So with that, I am going to share 5 POWER Principles you can use to combat this silent dream killer. Take what I share with you here as your Bible for building a business (and a life) that will serve you and your family for years to come.

Perception is Key As black women, we have endured generations of unhealthy images of ourselves. It started on the plantations as a way to make sure our mothers and our children knew their place, and its effects can be seen in any and every avenue of our existence today. Can you believe that in 2016, a person can almost die on an airplane because people find it far-fetched that a Black woman can be a doctor? Clearly those images of us have not gone away. They permeate our society like the stench of the blood our ancestors gave in this country for all of us to have the right to be doctors, lawyers, astronauts ... and entrepreneurs.

I want you to really think about how all of this negativity has helped to shape who we have believed we are for centuries. Of course there are plenty of us who are strong, and on purpose? and still afraid to start something of our own. Why? I want you to consider that deep down, there is this notion of not being ?good enough? that has haunted so many of us on a subconscious level. Then, I want you to consider that once you can acknowledge that this is the case, you can do something to change that perception ? not necessarily for other people? but for yourself. After all, that is where it starts. With YOU.

So that is the first thing you need to focus on before you start your business. Make sure that you have a healthy perception of who YOU are, and of what you believe is possible. There is an exercise in my book, The Power Players Guide to Playing Powerfully in the Game of Life, that helps you to uncover any of the LIES (Limited Interpretations of Everything) you have been telling yourself about why you aren?t successful in business or otherwise. I highly recommend doing that exercise so that nothing can stop you from creating the empire you envision for yourself.

Open Up to Clear and Active Communication The basic premise of this principle is that what you focus on expands. Simply put, you need to check what say you want vs. who you are being in your life. For example, if you want to bring abundance into your business, you can't focus on lack. You can't say you want a successful six or seven figure business but you operate in life like money is difficult to attain or even hold on to. How you actually "be" in life is a testament to what you really believe about money and abundance, and they must be on one accord for you to be able to manifest your dreams. That's just one example of a very strong belief that so many Black women have adopted over generations because many of us simply haven't come from homes and communities where we've seen a surplus of monetary abundance, and it can easily get ingrained into our psyches as ?truth.? So, your job now is to pay attention to what comes out of your mouth about what you want and match it against how you are being in your life. Do they match? If the answer is no, you need to really start to work on becoming the person you need to be in order to match what you want.

Then you will have a great chance at becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Witness Yourself as a Responsible Person This principle is important because a lot of us have a very bad habit of allowing others to control our lives. Whether it's our jobs, or our kids, or our significant others - everyone else is more important than us. As a result, a lot of us have amazing business ideas that just never make it off of a piece of paper because we have allowed our power to be taken over by the other people in our lives. It's time to take 100% responsibility for what is going to happen next for you. It's time for you to make yourself more important for a change and stop blaming your "other responsibilities" for the reason you haven't really gotten your business off the ground. The moment you don?t allow those things, however important they might be, to keep you in your current position, that will be the moment that you rise.

Energize Your Commitments - Not only is this principle about creating a plan of action, which will definitely lead you on a path to success in your business, it is also (and more importantly) about honoring our word. It's about truly aligning with what it is that you speak into existence.

Basically, when you say something is going to happen, you need to actively create the space to make it happen. Another bad habit that most of us have is saying we are going to do things - like start a business - that we never do. Then, we allow the excuses to flow like water about why we just didn't get done what we said. "WE ALL DO IT"! It's just about being aware of it and adjusting when necessary with the commitment in place to actually make something happen. Once you get in the habit of doing this, the universe - GOD, will naturally conspire with you to make sure what you speak occurs, and you will make it that much more easy to reach your goals with less effort.

Relate to the World with Gratitude Last but certainly not least, this principle is what I like to call the icing on the cake. It is the glue that holds all things together. As Black women, our families have taught us faith. We have seen, first hand that faith the size of a mustard seed can go a looooong way. It starts with belief, but it is solidified by a state of gratitude and thankfulness for what is already before us. Know that all things are possible when you can see the positive, the beauty, the lesson in everything, including life?s challenges. So, as you go on your entrepreneurial journey understand that the road will be long, and sometimes you will feel like giving up, but as long as you walk in a constant state of gratitude and appreciation for the journey, it will all be that much more worth it in the end.

Now with over 10 years in the field of personal and professional development, Dré has brought eye opening and intriguing programs and keynotes to various business and social organizations.

She has also been invited to speak on both national and international stages, sharing the platform with powerhouse speakers like Bill Walsh, Gary Coxe, and Les Brown. Dré has been featured in the documentary, Head Ladies in Charge, and has participated in various radio shows, including The Jeff Foxx Radio Show, and several events including The New York Black Expo and The Sista 2 Sista Youth Summit featured on Essence.com.

Dré Cleveland, Your Personal P.O.W.E.R. Coach, is a prolific speaker, life coach, and the founder of the premiere coaching and empowerment club for conscious entrepreneurs and professionals of color, who are ready to authentically and consciously create massive results in their businesses and their lives now, called The Power Players Club®

I had to remove my previous ?My Two Cents? because of the results of the election. I went to bed on the 8th of November sure that we the people would do the RIGHT thing, much to my horror I woke up to find out that Donald Trump won. The shock that I felt matched my feels after my mother passed and the devastation of 9/11. How could people consciously elect this sexist, misogynist, racist as the leader of the free world? How could we have gone so far that the disrespect not only shown to Mrs. Clinton but also other women was not only allowed but applauded? When did it become acceptable to blame an ethnic group or people of a certain religion for all the problems that America has?

When did it become ok to mock the handicapped?

When did being amoral and a loud mouth become the norm?

Trumps slogan of ?Making America Great Again? baffled me because he never told us which great era we should want to emulate. Was it when we had slavery? When women couldn?t vote?

When gay people had to hid who they are, and who they love? Please do tell me?

To all those people who think Trump is going to bring back factories and jobs to your town/state you are sadly mistaken. At heart Trump is a business man and bring back factories to America wouldn?t make ?good business sense? your jobs will stay in other countries that pay less than a dollar per hour.

To all the white men who voted for Trump because you feel that minorities are reaping the benefits that should by right of birth be yours. You are low on the list of issues that Trump has to deal with, however your food stamps, medical insurance and ?Obama? phones are in danger.

This election was so dirty and hateful we are now an embarrassment you have made us a laughing stock, we no longer have a moral ground to stand on.

Trumps campaign represented the very worst of us and it also highlighted just how divided and prejudice America has become.

I wonder during the next four years if we will be able to heal ourselves or continue down this path?

D eniseB est

Meet the Parents?

How soon is too soon to meet your significant other?s parents and or introduce them to your family? To me its Quality vs Quantity. How do you feel about this person? Now is the time to be honest about your intentions with this person and to see if you want to bring them to your family.

If this person is a fling or just something to have fun with then unless you must have them around your parents and family I would say don?t do it! if you feel like you and that person have a future and will be together then I say go for it! I would try to pick a night where it won?t be that many guests, so that person doesn?t get too overwhelmed with a lot of people and feel out of place and the center of attention in a negative way. Make sure you have been out with this person in several instances and you know how they act in public and under pressure. I would warn them about the personalities so that they are well prepared and aware of all the characters in your family. If your plan is to bring them home for the holidays I would say make to speak to the hostess so they can be prepared for you two.

Bringing someone for the holidays: many like to introduce significant others for the holidays which can be a little weird and awkward depending on the people involved. Be prepared for the embarrassing stories, nick names and just outlandish behavior. One thing for me I would say is watch alcohol intake. Can our significant handle their liquor? Are they a happy drunk, loud drunk, sloppy drunk,etc. also, watch hot button topics and situations. We all know that religion, race, and politics can bring out the Absolute honest opinion and some serious personalities clash.

If you would want a hard-definitive number, I would say three months at least Three months gives you the amount of time to go on quite a few dates, see how this person reacts to change, handle themselves, etc. You get to see if you want to explore things with that persons or not.

Whatever you decide, I say to you good luck and I pray it all goes well!

Remember, You are enough,

Althema Goodson of The Goodson Agency possesses a Master?s Degree in Organizational Leadership, a Bachelor?s Degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing and an Associate?s Degree in Marketing. Her formal education is just as versatile as her resume. Being that that she lives in a fast paced society and city (New York) she balances many hats such as Social Philanthropist, Creative Director, Consultant Extraordinaire, Multi-Passionate, Facilitator, Developer, Radio Host and Co-Host among others. Due to her impressive work, Althema has been honored and applauded by Real Sisters Rising, The Phenomenal Women Group, New Beginning Dignity Services, and Premier Sisters Network. You can find her writings in the Suavv Magazine, X3 Magazine, and other literary locations.

The Benefit of the Benefit Benefit Cosmetics has been around since 1976 and one of their most popular products are their primers. When you?re applying makeup you must start with a good base which is a clean face that?s moisturized and primed. The performance of your foundation rests solely on your primer. A primer gives the product (foundation) something to adhere to.

When I used each of these primers on two separate occasions I will honestly say that I didn?t notice anything different about my overall look. I typically have dry skin but I get oily in my T zone so I use it only in my oily areas. I must say that it is soft and smoothes out the fine lines in my under eye area.

The difference between each one is that the original is just translucent and if you use a luminous foundation then it will be luminous and matte foundations will stay matte. Now the matte rescue does give a really matte finish in which I would recommend wearing in the summer time.

I personally prefer the original formula better because I prefer a more luminous finish. I would recommend buying the deluxe size or if you can get a sample size to try that would be much better. I have heard mix I personally prefer the original formula better because I prefer a more luminous finish. I would recommend buying the deluxe size or if you can get a sample size to try that would be much better. I have heard mixed reviews of who likes this and who doesn?t so it?s all up to personal preference. the PORE fessional Matte Rescue $28 or deluxe size $10 the PORE fessional (original) $31 or deluxe size $12

Working with products that may not compliment your skin tone When I think about buying a palette I look to see if I can complete an eye look using colors from the palette. I?m looking for a transition shade, brow bone highlight, and a crease color. You would normally always find a great lid color whether it?s a matte shade or a pretty shimmer.

When I think of the shades that I prefer for my transition they are in the orange, burgundy, or maroon family of colors. For a crease color I tend to go darker like a chocolate brown, a deeper plum or even a black for a smoky look. Not many palettes have all of the attributes and I end up only buying the palette due to it just having pretty colors. Let?s face it I?m just like the average girl and I go for the hyped up product or the pretty glitter that catches my eye.

Sometimes people say that certain products do not compliment deeper skin tones. The Carli Bybel palette which was released in June of 2016 and in Ulta stores August 2016. Carli collaborated with BH Cosmetics and created a very versatile palette. The palette consists of 10 eye shadows with a combination of matte and shimmer shades as well as 4 highlighters.

I have heard reviews stating that the palette is not woman of color friendly. My personal opinion is that with good tools you can work with almost any palette. A good eye base such as a good concealer or eye 0primer can change the performance of even the least expensive shadow.

I?ve worn these shadows a few times and when I wore it with just concealer as a base then set with a powder it almost faded away before I even finished getting dressed. I however; on another occasion used the nyx white base then set with a translucent powder and got a much better result. Sometimes also with certain palettes you have to pack on the color to get the best pigmentation.

Now if you are a highlighter girl like me you will love all 4 of these highlighters. Each one of them are so pigmented and compliment deeper skin tones. Sometimes I have a hard time choosing which one to wear and end up wearing all 4 of them.

Is this a palette that you absolutely have to have in your makeup arsenal? No, the eye shadows are very similar to each other and I feel you can create a similar look using another palette simply because of the lack of color payoff. Now I personally just bought the palette just for the highlighters. The highlighters are a definite must have.

Bhcosmetics.com $14.50 27% off Ulta.com $14.50 (currently out of stock)

We all know that with almost 20 years in the game that Anastasia Beverly Hills is the ?Queen of Brows?. She specializes in brow shaping and has since produced an entirely full makeup collection ranging from brow products to glow kits. I recently received Anastasia Beverly Hills clear brow gel in my Sephora play box. Previously I have been using my wet ?n wild clear gel and I was excited to try this since I have one stubborn grey hair in my left brow

I have been wearing this gel on my brows for about a week now and I can say that my brows do stay in place. The gel doesn?t leave my brows dry or flaky. Now as to say that I need this in my everyday routine? I would say no. Because I have just one stubborn brow hair won?t cooperate doesn?t mean I need a high end brow gel; I was fine with the drug store option. Thankfully I get samples that allow me to try things that are out of my comfort zone.

Ulta.com $22 Note: the above review is not endorsed nor do I have any affiliation with any company. The product was purchased using my own personal funds. If you are a company that wants me to do a review or would like to send me products you may email me at purplelezzipop@gmail.com

The Face of Winter How to Protect Your Skin in the Dry, Cold Months Winter can be tough on skin, but there's so much you can do to defend against the assaults of the season. The skin?s primary role -- to protect the body -- ever more important in extreme weather, and in most locations, that means extreme cold outside and dry, over-heated air inside during the winter. Your epidermis must "weather" these drastic fluctuations in temperature, and often the result is chapped, scaly, flaky skin. Facing the Frost The biggest wintertime concern is dehydration. In colder climates, you definitely need to increase the protection quotient. "You must over-treat skin to keep it hydrated," That means a shift from lighter skin care products used during warmer months to winter-weight products, such as thicker, cream-based cleansers and moisturizers. These will provide stronger barriers against the harsh environment of winter months. This is especially important for the face. And if much time is spent outdoors skiing, snowboarding, or walking, for example, your complexion needs heavy-duty protection from brisk wind and winter sun as well. "People often forget about sunscreen in the winter," says Schumann-Ortega. For regular outdoor time -- a few hours a day -- a sunscreen with an SPF of 20 should be sufficient.

Glenise Gomez hails from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. She migrated to the US with hopes to commence a nursing career. She soon discovered that it was difficult to emotionally detach herself from the medical elements and so transferred her zeal to study esthetics. For 13 years she has been titled as a NYS Licensed Esthetician and Laser Technician.Skin Ethiks is her most recent endeavor. It is an all natural skincare line that incorporates Fair Trade supplies from businesses owned by women who strive for empowerment and sustenance, essential oils that are cold compressed in the best graded facilities and love of maintaining a green environment. . www.skinethiks.com

DIABETES The holidays are a challenge for those watching their weight and especially for people with diabetes.

First what is diabetes: a metabolic disease in which the body?s inability to produce any or enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood. When you eat, your body turns food into sugars, or glucose. At that point, your pancreas is supposed to release insulin. Insulin serves as a ?key? to open your cells, to allow the glucose to enter -- and allow you to use the glucose for energy.

But with diabetes, this system does not work. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the most common forms of the disease, but there are also other kinds, such as gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy, as well as other forms. Click on the link below to find out the different types.

Diabetes can strike anyone, from any walk of life. Today, diabetes takes more lives than AIDS and breast cancer combined -- claiming the life of 1 American every 3 minutes. It is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, amputations, heart failure and stroke.

Use the 5 tips below to help manage your diabetes during the holidays: 1. Maintain your normal routine Manage your diabetes as you normally would, there will be a few exceptions but you can prepare for the extra challenges 2. Rest With the shopping and gatherings don?t forget to get enough sleep. Sleep loss can affect your blood sugar. When we are sleep deprived we tend to eat more high fat, high sugar foods.

3. Stay/Get Active Being active can combat for eating more than usually during the season.

4. Don?t deny yourself You can enjoy those holiday treats just in moderation 5. Monitor you intake Alcohol will be flowing but remember it can affect your medication and your blood sugar

The Holidays are a time for friends and family concentrate on having fun and enjoying the people you care about. www.diabetesresearch.org/ what-is-diabetes http:// www.cdc.gov/ features/ diabetesmanagement

A RUBA I must admit I was a little burned out working my regular 9-5 then working on the magazine and my upcoming events (the life of a BOSS) I needed some R & R. It just so happened that my sister was on vacation during her birthday month so we decided to go away and Aruba was the destination of choice.

Aruba is absolutely wonderful!! So peaceful!! I will admit I didn?t do much of anything (as I was scolded by someone) but walk around, visit the marina and taste the local cuisine but now I have a reason to go back and enjoy the island fully.

First Aruba makes everything super easy visit the website: www.aruba.com they list hotels, things to do and what to pack. You can even fill out the immigration form online how cool is that.

We also arrange the airport pickup with De Palm Tours the bus was comfortable and the staff friendly $20.00 each for pickup and drop off I thought it was a great price. We stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino the hotel is breathtaking and the mall is right downstairs but since I?m not a shopper that?s all you will hear about that.

Our room was located on the 3rd floor the room was very clean and the bed was extra comfy we also had a French balcony. The shower was all glass definitely a place for lovers and not the body conscience, however I live for hotel showers and this one is now in my top 5.

Honestly their isn?t much more I can say about the hotel everyone was very friendly and made you feel welcome and it was clean a BIG plus in my book.

It was a sunny and every day the temperature was somewhere in the 80s. While we were there not a mosquito in sight I only saw a fly once J I felt really safe we even slept with the balcony door open. They have guards on every corner but honestly the atmosphere was so laid back I couldn?t imagine any crime happens over there.

Now to the food I made up my mind to only eat authentic Aruban food, I mean you can get steak and other America food over here. I wanted to taste the spices of the island and I was so happy.

Extra perk when coming back you go through immigration over there, so when you land back home you can grab your bags and bounce.

I highly recommend Aruba for a quick RR weekend or a vacation with your partner.

A Chef's Li fe Chef Dani elle M oore Whether it is her Facebook Live videos of her in the kitchen cooking, or just the tantalizing pictures of her delicious goodies that catch your attention, one thing becomes very clear upon meeting Chef Danielle Moore: food is her passion. It?s a passion that came to her from watching her grandmother, Annie Mae Moore, baking in the kitchen. ?When I was a young girl, I got in trouble in school one day. Instead of going home, I went to my grandmother?s house,? said Danielle. ?She instinctively knew something was up. So she put me to work and began to teach me how to bake.?

Danielle founded Annie Mae?s Bakery in memory of her grandmother, who passed away just three days before Danielle?s birthday during Breast Cancer Awareness month. A Veterinary student at the time, Danielle made the decision to quit Veterinary school and focus on keeping her grandmother?s baking legacy alive.

Her desserts have been featured at Full Figured Fashion Week?, and at the ?I Am Empowerment Brunch?. The menu consists of cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies, cheesecakes, cake-in-a-jar, ice cream, gourmet popcorn and toffee. Just to name a few of her dessert offerings.

Business hasn?t always been easy for Chef Moore. Like many entrepreneurs, it can become difficult to be the woman responsible for it all. She admits that in the past, marketing and promotion have been challenging for her. ?I can now use social media and my network to NETWORK. I am much better equipped with some of the tools needed to properly market and promote my business.? She credits her time with the Good Works Institute (formerly the Etsy.org Institute) with helping her create business strategies that work. ?They opened my eyes to better ways to do business. I have learned the importance of doing GOOD, not just better.? ?While most know her for the Annie Mae?s Cheesecakes and Moore side of her business, her catering business has also started to take off. She offers lunch delivery in Brooklyn, NY as ?The Lunch Lady?, cooking out of a commercial kitchen in the borough. Residents of NYC can find her attending various food festivals throughout the City, as well as Sundays in the summer serving fried sweet potato churros and other tasty treats in Spanish Harlem. She even has a line of Afrocentric aprons and head wraps. Her ?Brunch in Brooklyn? series has sold out numerous times from word of mouth alone. In fact, she admits that the majority of her sales come from social media orders and promotion. And while some may argue about what item on her extensive menu is her best dish, Chef Moore doesn?t hesitate to affirm what she feels is her best.

My Fried Chicken,? she says proudly. ?I put my foot in it. I have been frying chicken for over 30 years and I can say I have mastered the art of frying chicken. I have been named ?The Queen of Chicken?.?

But while she is the self-proclaimed Queen of Chicken can make a mean yard bird, it is creatures of the sea that delights her fancy. ?I love seafood. Shrimp, Lobster, Crab, Mussels, Clams, Oysters. I love the taste and the many ways it can be combined with so many other ingredients to create incredible dishes.? Indeed, one of Chef Moore?s most popular dishes at her Brunch in Brooklyn is her seafood mac and cheese. She frequently features that, along with her fried fish, as part of her weekend dinner sales.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the menu at the Moore household will be as extensive as that spread featured in the viral Shirley Caesar video making its rounds on the internet. But that is to be expected when you come from a family of cooks. ?My sister is a professional chef in Connecticut.

My brother is a professional chef in North Carolina so we always have a cook off. We each cook our best dish, put our foot in it, and the winner gets bragging rights,? she says. And while all three siblings are competitive, at the end of the day it?s all love. ?We praise one another and encourage one another to BRING IT for the next gathering.?

Chef Moore is currently raising money via Kickstarter to secure a stationary space in the Moore Street Market in Brooklyn. The space will allow her to provide food and desserts to her current clients, followers and potential new customers. She envisions being able to have a place within the community where she can give back by hiring youth from the community as employees. Funds raised will be used for equipment, installation, marketing and membership fees to the Moore Street Market.

She admits that what she does is a labor of love, and frequently tells those who ask her about getting started in the culinary field that they need to be sure it?s for them. ?Only pursue this field if you imagine yourself eating, sleeping, and breathing this every day.?

The two questions she gets all the time: Do you ever get tired of your own food? Is there something that you make all the time that you don?t have taste for anymore? ?Hush your mouth!? Danielle says with a laugh. ?I still eat everything I make. I make kale and collard greens at least twice a week, and I still eat them. I?ve had a few people ask me if I tired of my own food and I always answer with a resounding NO.?

Aja B. Stubbs is the former Publisher and Editor-In-Chief of Belle-Noir Magazine. She is currently an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, plus size healthy lifestyle blogger, and freelance writer. Follow her at @MsAjaB on social media or www.MsAjaB.com.

The Southern Gentleman?s Take On? ..Courting It?s a pleasure to bring the southern gentleman perspective to I Am Me Magazine. Now, just a disclaimer: just like no one woman can speak for an entire gender, I am only here to give my perspective as a man who likes to consider himself mature. Believe it or not, men do talk about chivalry. After reading the Ask Althema column in the September/ October issue, and discussing the topic with my lady, I decided to ask my boys their thoughts. I sat down with the homies as we usually do every Saturday afternoon in the park after work. It?s a place to unwind, slam a few beers and discuss life and the affairs of today. ?So what y?all think?? I asked them as we sat down after work like we usually do. ?Are men and women truly facing an epidemic in fidelity? Has chivalry died as a result?? ?Yeah, women catch hell these days [trying to find a man] but how many good dudes catch hell too?? one of my boy?s said. ?Just like there are plenty of trifling dudes, there's just as many trifling females to spur them on.?

Although some may see my boy's point as just another hurt guy in his feelings, we should ask ourselves, is his point valid? There seems to be a cadre of men who feel they are not willing to invest their time, attention, love, and money in a woman, only to be burned and made a public spectacle of. Even in today?s music, we hear songs in the key of disloyalty and infidelity, making these things seem like the norm. The suitor with the most money usually is the victor, while the good guy looks like a loser. Now of course that?s entertainment but the message is clear: There's not much loyalty left in the world and love, or the idea of it, can be sold. As the guys and I continued our discussion, the question that came back over and over was this: are there any gentlemen who want to give a woman a real and honorable courtship? The short answer is yes, but there are certainly reasons why men have stopped. There are various reasons and the factors vary from person to person but most will agree men have backed away from chivalry along with courtship because:

1)Women have made it too easy NOT to court.

Simply put, not all women require a man to be chivalrous. There are guys shopping for convenience, so to speak, because they realize some women make it too easy.

Honestly, there are some women out here who are just as thirsty as guys are. They don't mind casual sex and shy away from guys who want commitment. There are also some guys who now refuse to court women because of bad experiences in relationships. Some men also find it challenging to court because some women have the ?I don?t need a man to care of me? attitude.

Ladies, let a man do something nice for you without criticism or complaining. I once met a woman who didn?t want me to open doors for her. It was weird for me because she always had to have the lead. I felt stifled. The good guys want to feel respected, not controlled. We love and desire an independent woman, but only where we are allowed to be ourselves.

2) They don?t know how to court.

Whether it?s because they have not been taught how to treat a lady, or they are just unsure of how to approach a woman properly, a lot of men just don?t know what a woman is expecting when it comes to courting in 2016 and beyond. Some men have become disillusioned by the problems they've experienced in the past in trying to date someone, and just don't have the patience to wait and see what will happen.

Take, for example, my homie Mark, 38, who openly states that when he first met his wife, he was not the man he is today. He still partied a little, and did his own thing on the weekends.

When he realized she was a religious person, he panicked. He thought she wouldn't accept him and ended up backing away from a courtship. But fortunately 6 months later a chance encounter brought them back together. He said, ?I had to take a chance and tell her what I was feeling and as a result she opened up her feelings towards me.?

The two have been married 10 years now.

My advice, for both ladies and gentlemen: Value yourself first and take your time when looking for a mate. Don't be pushy, but yes state your intentions. Most guys will put in the effort to win your heart if you give it time. The point is to have a lasting union. If you want your union to last you can bargain but never settle. Put in the time and wait. You'll always get results.

Jamell Smith is a proud father of four, Savannah native, and die-hard Atlanta Falcons fan. His current relationship status? "Taken!"

My name is Kevin Lawrence also known as Kev or DJ Kev DaGawd. I am a Filmmaker, director, producer, writer, blogger and a LGBTQ advocate. I am so honored to write my FIRST article in this Amazing Magazine.

As a LGBTQ Advocate for Music, I advocate for my brothers and sisters that are Artist like myself. I started producing TV Shows and DJing to help promote and brand my fellow artist. I am trying to bridge the "GAP" between Mainstream Artist and Indie Artist. The "Homophobia" line is played out. These straight or ?wanna be straight?Hip Hop artist don?t want to do music with a Hip Hop Artist that classify themselves as Gay. They feel that Gay is a disease that they can catch. Yet, they can accept a Lesbian woman more than a Gay man? The Out Artist is as Dope as any other artist. I am doing a documentary called "Out In Hip Hop", where I speak to a few artist to get some understanding why they feel the way that they do.

I am also a music Blogger. Here is a little more about one of my new Artist DK Got Aura.

He is a Crown Heights, Brooklyn base Hip Hop artist. He chose 'DK Got Aura because he had a vibe that people are attracted to. He was inspired by Lil' Wayne to become an artist for many reasons. 'Wayne is his middle name and also his father's name. His mother has the same birthday as Lil' Wayne and I always respected the passion and drive he has for his craft. His Top 5 artists of all time are Lil Wayne, Notorious B.I.G., Andre 3000, Nas, and Aaliyah.

Besides music, he is a college student at Medgar Evers College; studying Business Administration. He is also the C.E.O and founder of his own small business entitled "Paid In Yen Clothing". It is an asian-inspired line of assorted garments with logos placed symbolize passion, hard work, etc. He is currently working on his EP entitled "RespectDon?t Come from Currency", it's about 8 tracks and each songs a have special meanings. Dk Got Aura can be found on all social media @DKGotAura.

You can find me Kevin Kev Lawrence (Facebook) Ig and Twitter DJ KEV DAGAWD

#MAKEURDASHCOUNT In a fast paced ever changing world, where hashtags come a dime a dozen and go viral faster than a Kim K. story, there are campaigns that grab the reigns and sit in the trenches waiting for the perfect time to emerge. The only thing is? ? There is no perfect time! On May 16, 2011, I learned one of the harshest lessons life could give me, that in the blink of an eye everything can change. Your world can be turned upside down never to return to the same ever again, only to have you longing and searching for a new norm. Then one day it dawns on you, your new norm is all you seem to know.

Walking through the cemetery and trying to gather myself to lay my favorite aunt to rest, I walked through and examined the tomb stones of those gone on before. As I read them and my mind swayed back and forth down memory lane something hit me like a ton of bricks, each and every headstone had something in common, actually the exact same thing.

The date between your Sunrise and your Sunset is represented by a simple dash-----. A simple dash was about to represent my dear Aunts 75 years of life. In that dash the next person to walk through the cemetery will read her name and see a dash for 75 years. What they wouldn?t see is the laughter, the tears, the births, the joy, the dancing, the marriage, the nurturing, the Caribbean mountains, the hills, the valleys, the triumphs, the original ginger tea that was supposed to be sold in super markets, the list can go on and on. A random non-descript person will only see a name and a dash!

It dawned on me and stuck with me, we only get one shot at this enormous responsibility called life and through it all you have to #makeurdashcount. Through the valleys, the hills, the laughter and the tears the journey is meant to be lived because at the end you will only have a dash to represent you---? This is how the #makeurdashcount campaign was brought to life. It doesn?t matter what has happened in life thus far, it doesn?t matter what your trials and tribulations have been, it doesn?t matter what your haters have said but what does matter is that you continue to pray. Believe in all your heart that God will see you through and you push like nothing before and #makeurdashcount. Every morning when you open your eyes is another day to #makeurdashcount, to make an impact on the world in your own way. It doesn?t matter what anyone has or will say as long as Jesus sees it fit to wake you up then your dash still needs to count!

The campaign of #makeurdashcount is forged through by Skii Smith and her very edgy and innovative approach using her modern progressive education tactics. This journey has taken form through Skii realizing her heavy passion for helping females and young adults. She always looks to uplift, renew, impact, and empower those who lack support, through education and motivational speaking. Make your dash count also known as #makeurdashcount is Skii's signature motivational quote everyone should live by and she explains exactly why during her speeches, teaching clients that any and everything is possible through a change and rebuilding of mind. "A Successful woman is one who can lay down a foundation with the bricks life has thrown at her".

Skii curates an experience for individuals that keep them growing, building and emerging through the trials and tribulations of life. Becoming the success story that you want to read about is always the end goal. She pledges progressive talks, strategies and techniques, provides cutting edge information, and support tools that's required to change the mind and get people on the right track to make humanities dash count.

Skii Smith is the founder of Skii Smith University, a learning and empowerment hub for young female professionals. She is a talent scout and co-founder of Brunch N Learn. Ms. Smith has a passion for helping other females and young adults, she looks to uplift, renew, and empower those who lack support, through education and motivational speaking.

Tax time is all about refunds for many people, and everyone wants to maximize their tax refund.

After all, it is your money, and you should be able to get it all back. Best Services Unlimited LLC can help you maximize your tax refund by taking advantage of all of your applicable credits and deductions. Everyone?s financial situation (and tax situation) is unique, so what makes a big refund for one person may not work out for the next. There are a few things that you can do to try to get a bigger refund? use what works for you!

1. Consider Your Filing Status Options For some taxpayers, filing status cannot move much. For married couples, however, they may have a little wiggle room. For many couples, filing married will usually get them the biggest refund. But, that may not always be the case. You should calculate your refund using both options to see which one gives your family the largest refund. For some couples, having the lower adjusted gross income for each member of the couple could lower your total taxes.

For single individuals that have dependents, they may be able to file as head of household instead of single. This status provides a higher standard deduction, which can substantially increase the total amount of your refund. Talk to your tax professional to determine which filing status will work best for you and your unique financial situation.

2. Consider Timing for Your Deductions If you want to maximize your deductions, you want to be sure you squeeze in all of your potential deductions before Dec. 31st. This can include a variety of deductions, including:

Medical Expenses If you are holding off on getting treatments or exams, you may want to go ahead and get those things taken care of before the end of the tax year. You can deduct medical expenses, but they must take up a 10% percentage of your total gross income, 7.5% if 65 or older. If you are close to the percentage needed, you may want to go ahead and get your medical needs taken care of to make those expenses deductible.

Mortgage Payments If you own your own home, your mortgage interest is likely deductible. If you are paying bi-weekly, making sure that you make your December payment is paid before the end of the tax year can help you take full advantage of the deduction for those interest payments.

Paying Taxes You can also take a deduction for paying your taxes. Consider paying your taxes ahead of time if you have that opportunity so that you can benefit from the tax deductions available for the tax payments you would have made anyway.

Maximize Your IRA Contributions If you contribute to a qualifying IRA, you can take a deduction for that as well. You can even contribute to the IRA until April 15 after the current tax year. You can also file early and use your refund money to open up an IRA account. You can contribute the maximum amount to take advantage of the deduction fully? and this allows you to save for retirement as well!

3. Take Advantage of the Earned Income Credit if You Qualify Some Americans do not even consider the Earned Income Credit, but you may want to if your income is low enough. The credit is especially helpful if you have children, but even those who have lower income and do not have children may qualify for the Earned Income Credit.

4. Consider Changing Your W-4 With Your Employer When you start a new job, you have to fill out a W-4 form. This form lets your company know how much they should withhold when they issue your paycheck. If you want to get a bigger refund, you may want to have them take out more from each paycheck to ensure you get money back at the beginning of the new tax year. You turn down the allowances to increase the amount that they take out, making a bigger refund? you turn up the allowances on your W-4 to increase the amount of your take-home pay, but that may also decrease your refund.

5. Credits are More Advantageous as Compared to Deductions This is because they are dollar for dollar, instead of a portion of the income. Other credits that you may want to consider include: American Opportunity Tax Credit for higher education expenses or Lifetime Learning Credit for higher education expenses, which is a little more flexible than the American Opportunity Tax Credit.

Child and Dependent Care Credit for paying for child care or for caring for other dependents, including parents or other family members Savers Tax Credit for contributing to special types of retirement savings plans.

Everyone?s taxes are slightly different, and what you can take advantage of to increase your refund will vary compared to other people. Best Services Unlimited LLC can help you get your maximum tax refund legally available to you. The areas in this article are further discussed in the tax book "Maximizing Tax Your Refund." Please download our free year-end newsletter to help further help you lower your taxes at http://www.bit.ly/2016TaxTip. Yvette D. Best, MBA has over 20 years of experience in taxation, is listed on the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials, and the author of Maximizing Your Tax Refund. Her firm Best Services Unlimited LLC is the only income tax preparation company in Fayetteville, Georgia accredited and A+ rated by BBB of Metro Atlanta. She is quoted in several leading financial websites and is a Huffington Post Contributor. In addition to specializing in corporate and personal income tax return preparation, her company provides business formation and consulting services. ?Death and taxes in life are certain, but knowing how to pay only your fair share is third.? - Yvette D. Best

On Saturday September 24th 2016 the NuAngel Network Starr hosted the 4th Annual The Pain of a BlaQue Woman? Still I Stand Recognition Conference at The National Black Theatre in Harlem. The Mission and Purpose of ?The Pain of a BlaQue Woman? Still I Stand' Conference, is to strengthen our community, families & womanhood by revealing the pain of our individuality yet the thread in our similarities.

This conference isn't just about the pain of a BlaQue Woman, it's too about her progress.

Participants left the conference having the idea (planted for some and watered for others) in their minds that no feat is impossible to conquer, change is inevitable and most importantly WHO creates that change.

Congratulation to the beautiful queens who were recognized and to LyToya and Sheneese.

Starr for a Empowering Event!!

Francesca Morton Candi Lee Tamika Quinn ShaChena Gibbs

Getting started with Social Media First of all, WHY should you wade into the social media seas? The short answer is, chances are, it?s where your target market is. Also, people are GRAVITATING TOWARDS social media because it?s, well, social and most people are sociable creatures. Apart from the grace of God, being social is how we survived from caveman days until now. Yep, instead of sitting around a roaring fire with bits of meat on a stick, we?re now tweeting ? and poking each other (on Facebook)! Some things never change ?

If you need any more convincing, read these two statistics: 66% of online adults in the U.S. use social media more than 9 million small businesses are using Facebook Frequently Asked Question #1: How do I get started with social media?

1. Create your profiles.

2. Think about your target market and start creating and/or sharing information THEY want to know about.

3. Follow and engage with people.

4. Repeat step 2.

Frequently Asked Question #2: There are so many social media platforms so which ones should I start with?

I recommend that you start with: -

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter

Pinterest is also great for people with products or highly visual services and blogging is something I recommend for pretty much all business owners so you can start sharing your own content and driving traffic to your website.

At the end of the day, the best way to start is to ? START ? so get in there and start tweeting, posting, poking, joining groups and basically ENGAGING. Connect with me on: www.facebook.com/ msrisingstar?ref=hl www.twitter.com/ reneepurdie.com www.linkedin.com/ in/ reneepurdie

RenĂŠe Purdie is a writer, editor, designer and strategic marketing advisor with over 20 years of professional experience on two continents (the U.S. and Australia). She?s been on the internet since about 1987 with semi-frequent breaks to take naps, travel, eat and go to church. Contact her today to have her help you BUILD your business. Find out more about RenĂŠe on her website: http://www.msrisingstar.com.

Holiday Sect ion

The Reason for the Season To many people in the world, the reason for the season means many things; such as: Giving of gifts, decorations of lights to our homes, new clothes, new furniture?s, special types of music and visiting friends and families who may be far away.

To some other types of people it is a very special time. We recalled in the bible, John 3:16 states; ?God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten Son, (Jesus) that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.? The first giver was God who gave us the first gift his son. Jesus came to bring peace, love and joy to the world if you accept Him. The season is celebrated in different ways among various religions. We must respect each other?s belief and religion. However, I have accepted the greatest gift that was given, JESUS. Through this gift I have learn to Love and Respect my fellow man. I spread Joy where ever I go because of the LOVE of JESUS. If you are hurt, broken and feel lost or alienated please get to know this man (Jesus) and experience the LOVE and JOY of the season.

Alloysius Cox is a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother and most of all a child of God.

As the holidays approach think of the people that you will be giving gifts to and spending the holidays with. Who are they? What do they like? What matters to them? Pay your loved ones attention.

Take it all into consideration and shop for them according to what you think best represents them and would make their heart smile. The holidays are about love and togetherness. The hottest items and most expensive gifts may make them smile but it could never touch their hearts like something with a personal touch gifted with thought and care.

The holidays should be about family friends and love, not the hustle bustle and stress. Put your thought into the gifts that you give, not all of your money.

A few gifting tips: Cases of wine, which are 12 bottles, can cost under $100 so each bottle will cost you less that $10 a pop! Add a lil personal flair (i.e. Personalized wine labels reading something like, "Seasons greeting from "insert name", wine charms, festive bows, wrapping, etc.) to the packaging so that it doesn't look too shabby, run of the mill, or impersonal.

If shopping for your girlfriends there are plenty of makeup gift sets that cosmetic brand sell during the holiday. Buy one or two moderately priced sets and use each item as an individual gift. Depending on the items you may want to toss in some a few other inexpensive "whatnots" and fix it up nicely in a cute gift bag or box.

The Christmas Tree Shop, TJ Maxx/Marshalls, and craft stores like Michaels are great places to go for the creative wrapping and packaging to make your gifts POP! Word of advice: If and when you plan to go to these places, plan to go early so you can get the best picks and avoid the invasion of your personal space.

Always do a little research on Google for coupons, sales, and free shipping for stores of interest. Follow a few popular bargain shoppers and couponers on social media for sale and savings tipoff.

Ebon y is a lover of f ash ion , af f or dable st yle, an d a daily dose of celeb n ew s! She is aspiring to be a successful lifestyle blogger that hopes to inspire and encourage. In a world that needs peace Ebon y w ill m ak e h er place k n ow n t h r ou gh spir it u alit y, love, an d lau gh t er . Sh e h as m ade a pr om ise t o h er self t o alw ays u se h er pow er s f or t h e gr eat er good.

The holidays are approaching Great times spent with family and friends. Enjoying the changing of the seasons. We are invited to numerous holiday parties. Are you ready?

Women always have "I have nothing to wear syndrome". The Little Black Dress trend is here to stay. You don't have to spend an enormous amount of money for your holiday outfit. You can work what is in your wardrobe and accentuate it with statement jewelry.

Traci Lynn Jewelry can be the missing piece to your fashion puzzle. The jewelry is breathtaking and affordable. The jewelry goes from casual to contemporary for all your needs.

Schedule your free 30 minute style consultation to get you ready for the Holidays.

Featured Jewelry Classical Adjustable Chocker Necklace, Earrings and Stretch Bracelet Visit: www.tracilynnjewelry.net/ 3421

Coretta Campbell is an businesswoman who appreciates life and all the blessings it has to offer. Her motto is no limit take the lid off and soar to your best ability. In her spare time she enjoys fashion and styling women with Traci Lynn Jewelry.

Website www.tracilynnjewelry.net/3421 Facebook w w w.f acebook .com / Blin gin t h eCit y

So it's the Holiday season let's talk about my Top 10 favorite Holiday songs of All times.

Let's go to church for a moment #10. Kirk Franklin and the family with . "Jesus Is the Reason for the Season".

Had to give it to the Legendary Queen of R&B #9 Mary J. Blige Winter Wonderland.

I Had to rep my home town New York City with the Pioneers of Hip Hop #8. Run D.M.C. "Christmas in Hollis".

Let's go to a brother and sister duo #7. with Bebe & CeCe Winans with "The First Noel".

The late Great, the King Pop, The Icon 6. Michael Jackson and Jackson 5 Santa Claus Is Comin?to Town.

So we are at the half way mark of my list of the Top Songs of the Holiday. Let's go back to Hip Hop for a moment the next song 5. Chris Brown called This Christmas.

So Let's go Phenomenal Singer and Song Writer with the #4. Kenneth " Babyface" Edmonds" Christmas.

Let's go to the Baddest Boy Group of the 90's #3. Boys II Men Let it Snow.

Another Icon the King of R&B Soul the late Great #2. Luther Vandross "Every Year, Every Christmas".

My #1 song of all time when it comes to the Holiday season I give to my favorite female R&B singer of All time to the Late Great The Icon #1. Whitney "Nippy" Houston song called "Joy To The World".

This Mixtape drops on Christmas Dec 25, 2016. Check my website rebelintellectmedia.com You can find me Kevin Kev Lawrence (Facebook) Ig and Twitter DJ KEV DAGAWD

Here we go again!!!

It?s that time of year where it starts getting dark earlier, when it starts getting colder, we start thinking about the holidays as well as start receiving invitations to different parties. It is also the time we start cooking comfort foods. With the holidays just right around the corner, we are always looking for easy amazing dishes to bring to the different parties we get invited to. Let?s face it, we usually bring the same items to the parties? we go out and buy the same cookies, fake it by putting them on a new platter and pretend that we made them. We go pick up a few cans of green beans and condensed mushroom soup and some already fried onions to make that casserole everyone loves to hate or we pick up one of those already made cakes from our favorite supermarket with that frosting that is way to sweet. Wouldn?t it be nice to bring over something that is a bit more elegant, delicious and easy to make well? I have got you covered?

First things first, cooking from scratch isn?t as hard as folks make it seem. It?s actually easy and cost effective and you get to control the salt and sugar intake you and your family receives. I came to this conclusion after making countless dishes using the same items I described and more. I wore out the San Francisco treat, I used the helper until it couldn?t help any longer and I used various cans and jars until I got canned out. I knew there was a better way. When I started making helper dishes from scratch my husband was sooo happy! He shared with me that my leftovers were the best and he started dedicating a day for leftovers. I knew I hit the jackpot when he declared and deemed a day leftovers night. Before I started cooking this way, my husband didn?t like any leftovers at all. He was adamant on throwing them out, until I started making fresh vegetables and foods that he ate all the time from boxes jars and cans were beautifully translated into something healthier and palatable.

Before cooking this way I was always getting migraines, you know the type you needed to take medication at the on set, close the blinds, turn out the lights and hide underneath your blankets type of headache. Well after making my foods from scratch and eliminating cans, jars and boxes from our foods I have not had a headache like that in many years. My husband had high blood pressure and after changing our way of eating, no more high blood pressure!

You?re probably asking, ?Well how do I start?. My answer to you is to start small. Start with your favorite foods, start this season, start now! Pull out those recipes from your grandmother and put them to use. Ask questions! Join a dinner club (shameless plug) and watch your favorite chef/ cook on TV and or social media outlets (another shameless plug).

You can begin by taking a day and prepping (not that type of prep) your vegetables and recipes.

Next, you can make a list of items for the grocery store that you will need to achieve this. Use the extra money to bless someone extra this holiday season.

Here is a recipe that will wow the guests and it will be the talk of the party.

New and Improved Holiday Beans 2 lbs. green beans 3 mushrooms sliced 4 strips of bacon (cut in lardons- small strips) 4 garlic cloves minced 1 Tb. Grape seed oil or canola Salt and pepper to taste In a large pan on medium low heat begin to crisp the bacon, once crisped set aside Then add the mushrooms (do not add salt) brown them then set aside Add the oil and turn up the heat to medium high heat then add the green beans cook for 2 minutes then add the garlic once fragrant add in the bacon and the mushrooms; toss together finally season with salt and pepper to taste serve on a platter.

Quick dessert fried apple pies 4 apples diced

1 Tb. Cornstarch

½ cup sugar

2 Tb. Butter

3 tsp. ground cinnamon

Egg roll wrappers

½ tsp. allspice

3Tbs. oil

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Egg wash

Pinch of salt

2 -3 tsp. water

In a large pan heated to medium high heat add all the ingredients together Once together and apples are tender crisp not mushy? turn off the heat let cool Take one wrapper and about 1 Tbs. of apple filling and roll using the egg wash to seal. Once all the filling is used and wrapped begin to fry the rolls for a few minutes on each side takes about 5 minutes for each roll. Fry in batches of 3-4. Once finished you can dip them in caramel or dust them with powdered sugar or serve with ice cream.

Charon Garing I am a wife, a mother. I have also been cooking and baking for 20 years. I cook live on periscope @charonnichole on twitter I am @charonnichole. On IG on Facebook I am also The Anointed Baker 24/7. And you can check out Charon?s Dinner Club on Facebook at bit.ly/mydinnerclub.

Lastly, I am the author of Your Baking is Whack you and purchase your copy bi.ly/whackbaking.

HIRING THE RIGHT DJ FOR THE HOILDAYS Excuse me, can you recommend a good DJ? This is one of the most common ways that entertainment is hired, but it is far from the best way! My name is Alpha ?Dj Socratez? Ganteaume of King Kaos Entertainment. The problem with this common question and answer way of hiring your entertainment is that there is not enough information. During this time many people have events and parties planed for the holidays. There are many DJs but not every DJ is best suited for every event. The person you asked that question ?can you recommend a good DJ?? can only answer based on the event or party they were at. So you see, a great DJ at your block party might not be so great at your cooperate Christmas function.

So, how do you hire the right entertainment for your event or party? Well there are a couple of things you can do to get the right entertainment. 1. First and foremost try to figure out the type of DJ you want. Every DJ has his or her own personality. Ex: Are they talkative or maybe they are overly bubbly.

2. Have an established budget for your entertainment. If a DJs service is less than $100 hourly, ask why. In this industry you usually get what you pay for.

3. Book a DJ with a business or from an agency. This gives you piece of mind that the DJ will be there and if any insurance is need for your venue you are covered.

4. Ask for history. What kind of Events, Parties, weddings, etc have they played and how many years have they been in the business. Five years or better shows good experience playing professionally.

5. Book your event with King Kaos Entertainment. This is probably the single most important rule! Shameless self-promotion, but I like to think I am as versatile as they come in this business.

During the holiday seasons this guide may be the difference between disaster and pure perfection.

Happy Holidays!

The Perfect Holiday Party Planning the perfect holiday party can be a bit overwhelming. Everyone has their own opinion about what makes a good party. However, you are in charge of the holiday party this year, now is your chance to spice up and change all the things you complained about in years past. Now you realize this is a huge task but, before you pull out all your hair check out these great party ideas below:

DĂŠcor: Family Dollar, Deals, ANY 99 cent store, DEALS, or Oriental Trading is your friend for decorations and easy pease tableware. If you want to make your Holiday party stand out step away from the traditional silver, red, white and green decorations.

For the past two years we have seen Christmas decorations in teal, purple and pink, make your house festive but also show your personality. Don?t stick with the same ole same ole make your party one for the history books, stay away from just the tradition holiday party fare incorporate different cultures into your party.

Holiday Drinks: Forget the eggnog, serve coquito!

Add a splash of white rum (adult beverage) to Sorrel Spiced spiked Hot Apple Cider Cranberry Margarita?s Apple Martini?s

Holiday Bites: Jerk Turkey kabobs served with mild jerk sauce Curry chicken salad served on endive leaves Sushi Rolls Hummus Popcorn with truffle oil and grates parmesan cheese Vegetable kabobs: red onion, yellow peppers, tomatoes served with Italian dressing Olives and Cheese platter

Desserts: Cakes, pies, cookies, tarts whatever your heart desires, but turn them into bite size treats Serve Tiramisu in shot glasses topped with whipped cream

Entertainment: Replace the ugly holiday sweater challenge with a Dapper Don and Sophisticated Siren contest, I mean how many opportunities do you get to shake a tail feather while looking fabulous in front of your co-workers?!

BUDGETING FOR THE HOLIDAYS ?Tis the Season? .The Holiday Season is fast approaching. Well, if we go by the store displays the Holiday Season is already here! The Holidays are a great time to spend time with family and friends, enjoy good food, music and conversation. For many people, the Holiday Season means gift giving and shopping. Unfortunately, many people overspend during the holidays and take the rest of the New Year to catch up only to start the process all over again the next Holiday Season.

So here are some easy Tips to help you keep your Holiday Season happy and joyful!

Create a budget. Determine how much you have to spend for your holiday gifts and stick to it.

Make a List. Make your holiday list of the friends and family you want to purchase gifts for, what you want to purchase and the amount you will spend for each.

Savings Plan. Develop a savings plan for your holiday gifts that is in addition to the money you need for your regular monthly expenses.

Trim Your List. Does everyone need a gift that costs money? Consider purchasing gifts just for the kids on your list. You can give the adults a nice card that tells them one thing that you are grateful for by having them in your life.

Research. Research store ads and go online to find the best deals. Often stores will honor sales from other stores.

Cash not Credit. Use cash not credit unless you know that you can pay the bill in full when it comes or at least within 2 months. If you know you will only be able to make the minimum payment on the credit card, don?t charge gifts.

Say ?No? to Instant Credit. Beware of offers to save 15% on a one-time purchase by opening a store credit card. If you don?t pay off the bill in full, you?ll still have to pay interest.

Also, having multiple inquiries on your credit report during a short period of time will lower your credit score.

Make it Personal not Expensive. Why not consider making gifts for the adults on your list? One holiday my sister and her husband gave the adults an apron with their sons?hand prints. My nephews are adults now but I still have my apron and I love it! You can also give the gift of service. You can make coupons to do something for others during the holidays like babysitting for parents so they can have a night out or doing errands for an elderly family member. Gifts from the heart are even more appreciated. Be creative!

Holiday Club. Starting in January 2017, go old school and open up a Holiday Savings Account to get a head start on your budget for next year.

When you open your Holiday Savings account DO NOT link it to your debit card as well you can also open the account at a bank that is further away from you and that doesn?t have many branch locations. When you don?t have easy access to the account, you won?t be tempted to withdraw money.

Remember the real reason for the season is not about buying gifts but sharing with those you love and giving to those in need.

Happy Holidays!

Audrey Washington, Financial Coach Founder/CEO of Fiercely Financial Coaching Author of ?Transform Your Money Mindset ?

Simple Steps for Financial Fitness? https:// www.createspace.com/ 6324562 www.fiercelyfinancial.com

Pauline Pauline's wish is plain and simple a little relaxation for her and items or cash to help others!!

1. A nice lunch and a spa day.

2 People can make donations to Sterling Sanctuary which is my home that for the past 12 years has been housing young teenage mothers and their children to which I assist in getting back into school / work and housing. My home is a safe haven where by young people can do homework,be tutored, mentored relax ,get counseling ,vent and just chill. A place they can feel comfortable. Donations of paint a computer or laptop new futon and a television.. and everybody that knows me know that I've been doing my mission without any help from the government for all these years.

3 I would love to meet Steve Harvey

Holiday Breakup.. what should I do?

Althema, me and my boyfriend recently broke up and now here come the holidays what should I do to get over him and keep myself busy.

Well first things first. Is this a breakup to makeup? Or is this relationship over? If its something simple and you plan to get back together. I say hurry quick and ensure your gift will be there under the tree LOL. All jokes aside, single isn?t a death sentence and as the good book says. This too shall pass.

If you are not used to being single it maybe weird at first but I think that you will just be fine sooner than later. I would suggest catching up on things that you have been putting off for a while. Relationships take time and attention and sometimes we put things to the side to make necessary time for relationships.

Me personally, during the holidays leading up to the New Year I like to purge, and get organized! Out with the old and in with new to make room for better things. I clean closets, finish books, donate food, clothes, and more. This in its self takes a up a lot of time and energy and can help you get your mind off your recently ended relationship.

Date yourself, sometime while in a relationship we get so used to being part of a unit that we lose a little bit of ourselves. I would suggest going to the all the restaurants and hot spots you were thinking of going to, if you don?t have one in mind check out Yelp and Pulds for some great places and discounts (we love to save a coin) Visit with family and friends whom you haven?t seen in a while. Yes they will probably make mention to that.

Enjoy and appreciate the alone time. I know that being newly single maybe scary but sometimes we grow apart and things are for the best.

I was told the best way to get over an old man is to get under a new one? I would suggest stepping out for an evening or two.

Take this time as a single woman to reflect and get yourself in order. I was suggest to take a very strict and analytical self-reflection. Be clear about what went wrong, what went right, what you did, he, did and what you will and will not tolerate for the next relationship.

Whatever you do, just don?t give up hope. Happy Holidays Just remember you are Enough? .

I am very proud t o share t he BESTIES w it h you. This year w e are really encouraging you t o support small businesses and ent repreneurs t his holiday season. Please not e t hese are product s and places t hat I have visit ed personally, our t ast e might vary but I assure you I?m not st eering you w rong!

Cat erer Wit h t he holiday season upon us do you really want t o be in t he kit chen cooking or enjoying your f riends and f amily?

1. Dining with Grace 2. Anne Mae?s Cheesecake & Moore 3. Pink Diva Catering

Dessert s 1.Anne Mae?s Cheesecake Red Velvet Cake is so decadent however her Pineapple pound cake t ast e like manna f rom Heaven 2.Dyva D'Lights Banana Cake Moist & Yummy 3.MissGotdemcakes Her Banana cupcakes just melt ed in my mout h I had t hem at an event a f ew years back and people st ill ask me about t hem 4. Ava?s Lif eline All natural and All Good!!

Misc: Home Accent s:

Scent of Grace Independent Gold Canyon Fragrance Consultant : more t han just candles Get t ing Healt hy: It Works Distributor af t er t he holidays f est ivit ies

Skin Care Recent ly my wat er has because ?hard? and it dries out my skin t erribly, so I?m looking f or a soap/ body wash t hat will not only clean but moist urize wit hout an oily f eel somet hing t hat I can?t get f rom most commercial soaps.

Soaps: Kissed by the Sun t heir charcoal soap is amazing it lat hered well and lef t my skin summer ready Komari Bath & Body her scent combinat ions are crazy but t hat cof f ee soap is as addict ive as a cup of St arbucks Cou pon Code: SOFTSKIN16

Body Wash: Xanthines Caf ĂŠ All Natural Products Bat h Honey & Cit rus Body was you can smell t he almond oil in t his wash and t he honey just slides down your skin Skin Ethiks Cit rus Squeeze love t he smell of oranges in t he morning

Body Scrub: Skin Ethiks love t he lavender it is so relaxing on a Sunday Xanthines Caf ĂŠ All Natural Products Face & Body Scrub love t he honey in t his was my f ace f elt so sof t Scrubzbody OMG her scent s are delish especially t he Ginger and my f avorit e Cherry

Body Lot ion: Skin Ethiks it so t hick and just melt s right int o your body Butta Body Whipped t he coconut scent is everyt hing and since it s whipped it is pillow sof t Promo Code IAMMEMAG f or 15% unt il 12/ 15 Bare Body Collection I love product s t hat make my skin silky sof t

Hair Care: Xanthines Caf ĂŠ All Natural Products Moist urizing Hair Pomade made my hair sof t and I swear my edges are making a comeback Hair Seasoning Herbal Products Hair But t er made my hair was so manageable and smoot h

Clot hes: BGU Concepts - Unit ing Women Wit h Curves I have always been a f an love t heir clot hes always hip and f ashion f orward JIBRI - I f eel in love wit h t his designer about 5 years ago and we are st ill going st rong Monif C: - Her cut s and colors are just wow Yamon Wear - Uique hat s f or all seasons

Books: Diar y of a Miseducat ed Baby Mama Tamykah Anthony-Marston loved t his book and Tamykah t ells her t rut h in a relat able honest way t hat will resonat e wit h ot her Baby Mamas Fight Dirt y, Live Clean:A Diva's Cancer Sur vival Journey Sharon Mayers t his t hree t ime cancer survivor shares her f ight t o live and beat t he odds so inspiring!!

PERCEPTIONS The ot her Women in My Bed...A st or y in mot ion Sheneese Starr Somet imes t he hardest t hing t o do is deal wit h our realit y vs. our percept ion I am a st rong advocat e for Domest ic Violence aw areness and t hese t w o books show you how our t w o heroines w ent from vict im t o vict ors Love Shouldn't Hurt : Put t ing an End t o Domest ic Violence Melissa Holmes My Lif e, My Soul - Sur viving, Healing and Thriving Af t er An Abusive Rel at ionship - Part 1: Sur viving Ivette Attaud These next t wo books are f or t he budding ent repreneur I Built It But They Ain't Coming.: The Market ing Mogul's Manual on How t o Pursue, Dat e, and Engage Your Cust omer. Derrick M. Guest How t o use social media and digit al media t o t urn lookers int o cust omers Net work t o Increase Your Net Wort h Toni Coleman-Brown Net work is a so import ant f or a ent repreneur having a great product isn't enough you need t o engage t he right people and t his book t ells you how!

Rest aurant s Dat e night during t he holidays is rough but if you want t o sneak away f or a f ew quiet moment s I recommend Suede Great drinks good f ood at af f ordable prices Vivid Caribbean American Bistro please t ry t he Veget able Fried Rice Brooklyn Blends (don?t let t he name f ool you) great healt h drinks, salads and sandwiches Da Islands: Tradit ional Caribbean f ood f or a great Net f lix and chill night

Jewelr y Kangas Closet is a one stop shop for all your handmade African jewelry and accessories one of a kind unique pieces Tracy Lynne jewelr y the pieces you wear when you are dressing to impress

Men Anointed Royalty Beard Co the scents of the oil are subtle and begs for you to get closer for a wiff Skin Ethiks Bold give him that smooth skin that you want to get next to all year long

That ?s it for me t his year ,I gave you small businesses and ent repreneurs let 's support t hese guys t his year !!

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