FOUNDER AND EDITOR-N-CHIEF
Tracy R. Butler To understand oneself is to understand ones purpose – mine is to be effective in everything I do! GENERAL Today’s Leading Ladies Magazine is produced and published by SoJourneyful Publishing Company ©Copyright 2011-2013. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. SUBSCRIPTIONS To add an email to our database for quarterly subscriptions, please forward to tllmagazine@aol.com CONTRIBUTIONNS Today’s Leading Ladies Magazine is a quarterly publication. If you are interested in becoming a TLLM contributor or would like to submit a relatable article, you may submit it for possible publication in the following manner. 1.
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Please note: The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this magazine may or may not necessarily reflect those of the editor, but literature published is that of relatable, valuable and edifying content. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT: The author of each article published owns his / her own words and are subject to their own credibility. EDITORIAL CONDITIONS, TERMS AND POLICIES The redistributed or reprinted articles may not be abridged, edited or altered in any way without the express consent of the author, except for grammatical corrections by the editors at Today’s Leading Ladies Magazine. IMAGES Images rendered are from Author sites, digital imageries and media photo editorials. All Rights Reserved. CONTACT INFORMATION P.O. BOX 278483, MIRAMAR, FLORIDA 33027 – ATTN: TRACY R. BUTLER, E&C EMAIL: TLLMAGAZINE@AOL.COM BLOG: TLLMAGAZINE.BLOGSPOT.COM WEB: TLLMAGAZINE.WIX.COM/TLLMAGAZINE FACEBOOK: TODAYS LEADING LADIES MAGAZINE TWITTER: @TLLMAGAZINE
Singing extraordinaire Jennifer Hudson – is one of the most LIFE CHANGING inspirations known to women today.. From her starter days at American Idol to the big screen with Dream Girls and beyond, Jennifer has taken her career, life and vision for her future by storm..
Beneath this warm spirited woman lies a strength, belief and heart like no one has seen.. She endured the lost of family, fell in love, became a mother, tackled her weight and even wrote a book ...
We agree –
SHE GOT THIS!
Mommy Concierge and advisor on all things baby “Pregnant in Heels”, Rosie Pope shares her life in the day as a mommy and business woman catering to the needs of expecting mothers and their bundle of
Joy..
Juniverse, the ever so fashionable sensation that’s hitting the airways with her new show and celebrity clientele “Styled by June” – June Ambrose.. Her approach to the fashion world is not of the usual, but of a little touch of everything... DIFFERENT!
TLL’s Leading Man
Tyler Perry Turning Dreams into Big Screen Magic..
Spandx Queen – Sara Blakely turns flaws into flattery with her multi –million dollar company. What drives her and the critical life lesson she learned early on.
Jaimee Hilfiger
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Outside the infamous Hilfiger name to fame, lies a beautiful, talented and warm spirited young woman with an amazing future ahead. She might be Tommy Hilfiger’s niece, but she’s definitely taking life by the horns and walking in her own shoes.
Mowry Hardrict is “Making Life Happen” all while balancing motherhood, wifey duties and a budding career.. and even wrote a book about it!
Marcia Sherrill Marian Pierre Laura Miranti Daria Artem Ann Morgan James Jasmina Aganovic
6 Women who took an idea and turn it into a million dollar business!
Soooo Inspired.. We’ve followed watched the talented E News Host go from one phase in her life to another. Now Giuliana Rancic is over coming one of the biggest obstacles in her life and embracing a new miracle..
Spring/Summer must haves by
In Every Issue: Good Reads, Letters From My Sister, A Woman’s Health, Mommy Boutique, What I’ve Learned, & MORE!
Hair Milk Curl Perfecting Collection for soft and shiny, easy to manage completely nourished curls. carolsdaughter.com
Solange Knowles – Carols Daughter Hair Care spokes model shares her hair care system. How I care for my locks: “I use shampoo and conditioner – Oil Monoi by Carol’s Daughter, raw Shea Butter everyday and the pure Argan Oil when my hair is really dry. Once a week, I take time to wash them and make a mask. I brush the gently – always starting from the tips. I sit under a dryer to penetrate the mask and once everything is rinsed and clean, I take two small sections and I twist. I repeat the process, strand by strand. Then I take a shower, but don’t wet my hair, but let the steam curl it a little.. Sometimes when I get tired of doing all this, I do braids or extension – to get a break”.
Editor’s Page SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT – If we find Good in someone, maybe that someone will find that good in them selves. Isn’t that what Jesus did.. and died trying to do, yet we take His work, His ministry and message and re-write the pages to please our own self thoughts, impressions and views on people and their lives. Someone asked me why do I allow women in my magazine who are doing great things, but aren’t living up to their potential as a Christian. I said “I wonder if Mary Magdelene would have been mentioned if Jesus saw her as the people and disciples did – or the Harlot woman at the well, in which He showed her true love and freed her from the grips of others and let’s not forget the woman with the issue of blood, one whom they considered dirty and unclean – and with one word from Jesus – walked away a new, defined and whole woman”. I speak to women, empower women, encourage women, inspire women and put them in my magazine because I, like Jesus, want to see them whole and living up to God’s potential.. not mine. I want them to look in the mirror and love who’s looking back and if they aren’t “living up to a Christian standard”.. through this platform, have a desire to change their life so that their impact will be that much greater. I’ve learned to be careful when judging others and placing myself at the front of the line of perfection. I haven’t walked in anyone else’s shoes but my own and have no desire to try. What I know for certain is my life and the mountains I’ve had to climb, the hurt I’ve had to feel, the decisions I’ve made and the hell I’ve had to endure throughout my journey. We all have lessons to learn, choices we wish we hadn’t made and skeletons we aren’t so ready to let out of our closets. Instead of finding the negative.. find some positive and help them build on that until negative exists no more. Look into your own life and remember when you wished someone would see goodness, greatness and worth in you.. someone to say – I don’t know how you got here, and I don’t care, I just want to celebrate that you’re surviving and you’re alive. There is and will always be a thin line between Here, There, and Right Now.. People will always have there views on if the glass is half full or half empty, I believe our job is to see the Beauty within.. no matter what it is or what it looks like.. I don’t think about “WHAT WOULD JESUS DO – I think about what He already did!
Mommy Boutique Rosie Pope’s days are filled with being a mom, wife, designer, educator, TV personality and all-around guide to women during their pregnancies and beyond. Rosie’s goal is to bring together high-quality products and expert services to make each woman’s experience of pregnancy and motherhood the best it can be. Born and raised in London, Rosie joined the London Contemporary School of Dance to study ballet at a very early age. This passion led her to New York City at age 18 to pursue a career in dance and modeling. She then turned her sights to academics and enrolled in Columbia University on a Presidential Scholarship to study neuroscience. In 2008, Rosie became pregnant and gave birth to her first son. The excitement of motherhood was wonderful and left Rosie keen to expand her family. The difficult and challenging journey that ensued left Rosie even more driven to share her story and help other women. This is the path that brought Rosie Pope to where she is today – the creative force behind Rosie Pope Maternity, her expansive maternity clothing and accessories line, and MomPrep, her prenatal, postpartum and fitness studios. The success of these ventures made her Bravo’s muse for Pregnant in Heels, a show where she directs and counsels upper-class mommies-to-be through their pregnancies — a hilarious and often tearful journey.
A Woman’s Health What you eat affects your risk for having heart disease and poor blood circulation, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease is the #1 killer and stroke is the #3 killer of American women and men. To help you prevent heart disease and stroke, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has developed three heart healthy eating plans: Heart Healthy Diet is for people who do not have heart disease and want to keep their blood cholesterol levels at healthy levels. Unhealthy cholesterol levels can, in time, lead to heart disease. Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet is for people with unhealthy blood cholesterol levels. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan is for people with high blood pressure, or hypertension. Hypertension can raise your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Rosie not only has a successful maternity clothing line of her own, but has also recently teamed up with Pea in the Pod to debut her designer maternity capsule collection. This new line, which officially launched this year, effortlessly blends city chic with timeless classics. Moms-to-be will be able to find their maternity must-haves, modern flairs, the cutest ruffled tops and flirty frocks. Pope’s goal behind her latest endeavor was simple: helping an expectant mama look (and feel) her best. I am not sure how many of you know this but I got my start in the world of maternity working as a sales associate on the floor of the 57th street and Madison Avenue A Pea in the Pod. It was an experience I will never forget. Now to be in the position to design the Rosie Pope for A Pea in the Pod Collection is really a major milestone for me.
You should eat: Fruits and vegetables - Grains (at least half of your grains should be whole grains, such as whole wheat, whole oats, oatmeal, whole-grain corn, brown rice, wild rice, whole rye, whole-grain barley, buckwheat, bulgur, millet, quinoa, and sorghum) Fat-free or low-fat versions of milk, cheese, yogurt, and other milk products – Fish, skinless poultry, lean meats, dry beans, eggs, and nuts Polyunsaturated (pol-ee-uhn-SACH-uh-ray-tid) and monounsaturated (mon-oh-uhnSACH-uh-ray-tid) fats (found in fish, nuts, and vegetable oils) Also, you should limit the amount of foods you eat that contain: Saturated fat (found in foods such as fatty cuts of meat, whole milk, cheese made from whole milk, ice cream, sherbet, frozen yogurt, butter, lard, cakes, cookies, doughnuts, sausage, regular mayonnaise, coconut, palm oil) Trans fat (found mainly in processed foods such as cakes, cookies, crackers, pies, stick or hard margarine, potato chips, corn chips) Cholesterol (koh-LESS-tur-ol) (found in foods such as liver, chicken and turkey giblets, pork, sausage, whole milk, cheese made from whole milk, ice cream, sherbet, frozen yogurt) - Sodium (found in salt and baking soda) Added sugars (such as corn syrup, corn sweetener, fructose, glucose, sucrose, dextrose, lactose, maltose, honey, molasses, raw sugar, invert sugar, malt syrup, syrup, caramel, and fruit juice concentrates) Eating lots of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol may cause plaque buildup in your arteries. Eating lots of sodium may cause you to develop high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Eating lots of added sugars may cause you to develop type 2 diabetes. Both hypertension and diabetes increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Opulent. Decadent. Distinguished. These are just a few of the attributes that Author and Celebrity Stylist extraordinaire June Ambrose, embodies. In a world where image is everything, few stylists have the power of June Ambrose, whose agency the Mode Squad, Inc. is responsible for the stylistic evolution of some of today’s most influential entertainers and recording artists. June’s influence spans globally. Her moniker is widely recognized from the street corners of New York’s Lower East Side to the catwalks of Milan, and her fingerprint can be found in look books and on tear sheets across the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Whether designing custom metallic leather pants for Sean “Diddy” Combs and Busta Rhymes, One of a kind pieces for Jay Z & Will Smith or Styling & crafting couture outfits for divas such as Zoe Saldana, Missy Elliott, Kelly Ripa, Kim Cattrall, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Estelle, Garcelle Beauvais and Ciara, June has left an indelible mark on today’s youth, inspiring countless trends and major fashion statements found in popular culture. She’s been recognized continually for her unparalleled ability to create original looks; deemed a visionary by Vibe and dubbed by New York Magazine as a modern-day hip-hop Holly Golightly, she has forecasted style trends for MTV, as well as hosted fashion segments for VH1, MTV, Regis & Kelly, The View, The Today Show and has been a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show. A highly revered creative force to be reckoned with, June is a veritable one-woman fashion movement whose philosophy is quite simple: “Fashion is about self-expression and a statement about our times,” she says “and it’s my job to market my clients in a way that will reverberate with fans.” June’s memorable, innovative looks have resonated globally with the public more than any other music stylist around. It’s obvious the 38 year old wardrobe stylist and costume designer was born with style savoir-faire, but she is also a seasoned veteran of the business, having worked in the music industry, fashion business, and even finance. “My first job was at an Investment Banking Firm,” says June, a petite woman always dressed in sleek, chic designer wear with a few funky accessories thrown in for good measure. “The money was good, but I was miserable.” Fascinated by her milieu, June made it a priority to create and foster relationships with everyone from photographers and showrooms to stores and fashion editors, cultivating invaluable connections and generating exponential exposure for her evolving brand. In no time at all, she was styling photo shoots for publications such as Rolling Stone!, Vibe Magazine and British publications such as The Face and Arena. June even landed a marketing gig with Cross Colors, which was launched in 1989 by Carl Jones as one of the first brands that targeted African-American youth in urban areas. In the years that followed, in a revolutionary, pivotal point in her already flourishing career, June eventually built a strong working relationship and partnership with renowned video director Hype Williams which came to be one of June’s defining moments. “Hype opened up opportunities for me to be creative and alter the image of Hip Hop in a way that was fun and colorful,” says June. The two teamed up for Missy Elliot’s now infamous debut video, “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)”, casting her as a futuristic black superhero with a Japanese anime twist. It was a look even the most oversaturated MTV fans had never seen before, and it radicalized the way female Hip Hop artists were portrayed in videos. “Women have struggled endlessly with their image and sexuality in Hip Hop,” says June. “They’re often made to feel like they have to show skin to make an impression, but I wanted to show someone who was full figured yet powerful in another way, so I envisioned colors, cartoons and sexy movies.” June pushes the envelope and throws in the unexpected, forcing us all to stand up and take notice. Despite her many accomplishments, June Ambrose continues to work tirelessly – expanding her fashion empire and disseminating her knowledge of style across various sectors. With an impressive repertoire and coveted clientele, June is eager to expand her brand and continue to flex her creative muscle in the corporate realm – taking her already highly established brand to even greater heights. June has proved that there are no limits to the many opportunities and challenging ventures she has yet to pursue, as her amazing journey has only just begun
2012 Summer Styles on the cutting edge of turning heads hair by Angelo Villilo
hair by Jaime Stevens
With all the hairstyles out there from short – to – straight – to all natural, the 2012 short and sassy look has been on the rise more than ever. Huge celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, Pink and Katie Holmes has rocked these styles and put them on the map of pure fashion ambiance and vogue luxe. From top knots, to colored hair, pixie cuts, and slick backs, short hairstyles has definitely become the new sexy and salons are jumping on board this fast forward train.. go everywhere!
hair by KAM
hair by Carl Keeley
hair by Martin Crean
hair by MacStyle
hair by Schwarzkopf
hair by Mela Stylez
Sara Blakely was 29 when she invested her entire life savings, $5,000, trying to come up with something flattering to wear under her white slacks. Six months later, the one-time Disney World ride greeter and door-todoor fax machine salesperson found her new line of shaping underwear, Spanx, named one of Oprah Winfrey's Favorite Things. Since then, Blakely has taken Spanx from a one-product wonder sold out of her Atlanta apartment to a billion-dollar powerhouse with just under $250 million in annual revenues and net profit margins estimated at 20%. She owns 100% of the private company, has never advertised and never taken outside investment. Blakely turned 41 in February, making her the youngest female self-made billionaire in the world. 5) Hire people you like and trust (even if they don’t know a great deal about what you need them to do). Sara hired a head of Product Development and a PR director who had been friends and supporters from the beginning. Neither knew anything about the functional areas they were hired to oversee, but Sara trusted they’d be fabulous at their new roles, and they were. 6) You don’t have to go in order. Sara’s passionate commitment to her new Spanx product was so fierce, she just tackled each task in the development and marketing journey as they came up, not necessarily in the best order for a smooth launch. She landed a Neiman Marcus deal involving placement of the product in seven stores, before figuring out how to mass produce “crotches” for the product. The Oprah show called to do a feature on her in a staff meeting in her “offices” before she had an office or a staff. She winged it, and it all went well.
Secrets to her Success Forbes.com
1) Fail Big – Sara’s beloved father followed Wayne Dyer’s guidance in teaching his children the power of failing big. Each day, her father would ask – “So, what did you fail at today.” And if there were no failures, Dad would be disappointed. Focusing on failing big allowed Sara to understand that failure is not an outcome, but involves a lack of trying — not stretching yourself far enough out of your comfort zone and attempting to be more than you were the day before. Failing big was a good thing. 2) Visualize it – Sara is a big fan of “visualizing” your big goal, in specific, concrete ways. She saw herself clearly on the Oprah TV show 15 years before it happened. She simply knew it would happen. She’d see in her mind’s eye sitting on the couch with Oprah having an exciting conversation, and wondered, “What are we talking about?” The rest was just “filling in the blanks” to get there. 3) Don’t share your fragile idea with the world too soon. Sara kept her idea of making a fabulous new undergarment for women under wraps for an entire year while working on developing the prototype. Only after she was 100% committed to it and ready to launch, did she sit her friends down and explain her new direction. Sara explains that ideas are vulnerable, fragile things. Wait until you’re completely read to move forward before you share it with people. Meaning well, they’ll shoot it down, offering all the reasons why it won’t work. But when they do, you’ll be ready to deal with it. 4) Don’t take no for an answer. Sara reached out to slews of manufacturers and lawyers to help her patent her idea and create a successful prototype. In every conversation she had with potential manufacturers, she was asked three questions: 1) Who are you? 2) Who are you with? 3) and Who is backing you? When the answers to these three questions remained, “Sara Blakely,” no one wanted to take a chance on her, until one manufacturer called her back and said “OK.” Why? Because he had gone home and told his daughters about the idea, and they said, “It’s brilliant!”
7) You CAN figure it out – you have the ability. Sara knew absolutely nothing about women’s undergarments, patenting a new product, manufacturing, marketing, product development, website development, online commerce, and more. But that didn’t stop her. She researched what she needed to, hired out what she couldn’t do, and marched forward with undying commitment and energy. Don’t stop yourself from pursuing an idea because you don’t think you have what it takes. 8) You can build a billion dollar business starting with $5,000. Sara had only $5,000 in savings on that fateful day when she cut the feet off of her stockings in order to wear them under her white pants for a more flattering look (and thus, realized the world needed a new undergarment product that would be comfortable yet flattering to the female form). From that $5,000 she embarked on designing a prototype, securing a manufacturer, naming the product, legally protecting her product, and getting the word out to potential buyers. You don’t have to be rich to move forward with your fabulous new idea. 9) Don’t worry about the outer “stuff” until the time is right. Sara worked tirelessly from her apartment creating her product, avoiding investing in outside office space or other marketing and business tools until the product had taken off. She didn’t have a formal website until she made it on the Oprah show and needed one. Anything that wasn’t essential to building the product and getting the name out there simply wasn’t a priority. 10) Breaking the mold is a good thing. When Sara began to research undergarments for women and how they’d been made for the last 50 years, she was astonished. From the absurd sizing protocols (only one average waist measure was used on all the products, regardless of the size of the garment), to how products were tested (on manikins not real people), Sara saw that the undergarment industry needed a female perspective – insights from a real woman wearing these items to shape the product development direction so the products were useful, effective, and as comfortable as possible. She broke the mold, and developed a completely new approach to developing women’s undergarments.
Pamay Bassey is Today’s Leading Ladies Magazine’s “LIVE YOUR BEAUTY” Campaign entry WINNER for the quarter. We thank you for not only sharing with the magazine on “how you Live Your Beauty”, but allowing that beauty to be shared with our readers. In May, we reached out to our social media viewers, readers and friends, asking them to submit their Beauty entry and within days a few emails trickled in.. but one stood out from the bunch and made us think a littler harder about how we see beauty within ourselves and others.. Here’s what she had to say.. “I live my beauty by celebrating the divine in everyone that I meet. During a year travelling on a global, spiritual, interfaith journey called My 52 Weeks of Worship, I was invited into 61 churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, and sacred spaces. I was able to experience how people of all religious and ethnic backgrounds gathered to worship, and was reminded that God is among us, no matter where we are or who we are. As the female child of Nigerian immigrants, I have spent a lifetime thinking about identity, culture, community, and self-definition. Because of My 52 Weeks of Worship, I have become even more committed to facilitating dialogue about community, connection, and faith. I live my beauty by remembering the kindness of strangers, and offering help to others whenever I am able. My beauty comes to life when I share my storybecause I believe that by sharing our stories, we grow, and we help others to grow”.
In celebration of our winner, Pamay will receive products from our “LIVE YOUR BEAUTY” sponsors – MALLY COSMETICS. Mally has the ability to create a diverse range of looks from natural and elegant, to colorful and ultra-glamorous. Her beauty philosophy emphasizes healthy, breathable skin that looks flawless and dewy. According to Mally, “Makeup is simply the accessory that allows someone’s true nature and beauty to outwardly manifest itself.”
10
things a woman should never leave home without!
(1)
Confidence
without it you wont accomplish anything..
(2)
Correct Wardrobe impressions are lasting..
(3)
Business Cards
be prepared for anything - everything..
(4)
Glam Case daily refreshing is soooo lady like..
(5)
A Pair of Flats painful feet are the worst..
(6)
Mobile Device in case of emergencies..
Tyler Perry’s inspirational journey from the hard streets of New Orleans to the heights of Hollywood’s A-list is the stuff of American legend. Born into poverty and raised in a household scarred by abuse, he fought from a young age to find the strength, faith and perseverance that would later form the foundations of his much-acclaimed plays, films, books and shows. It was a simple piece of advice from Oprah Winfrey that set his career in motion. Encouraged to keep a diary of his daily thoughts and experiences, he began writing a series of soul-searching letters to himself. The letters, full of pain and in time, forgiveness, became a healing catharsis. His writing inspired a musical, I Know I’ve Been Changed, and in 1992 Tyler gathered his life’s savings and set off for Atlanta in hopes of staging it for sold out crowds. He spent all the money but the people never came, and once again came face-to-face with the poverty that had plagued his youth. He spent months sleeping in seedy motels and his car but his faith – in God and, in turn, himself – only got stronger. He forged a powerful relationship with the church, and kept writing. In 1998 his perseverance paid off and a promoter booked I Know I’ve Been Changed for a limited run at a local church-turned-theatre. This time, the community came out in droves, and soon the musical moved to Atlanta’s prestigious Fox Theatre. Tyler never looked back. And so began an incredible run of thirteen plays in as many years, including Woman Thou Art Loosed!, a celebrated collaboration with the prominent Dallas pastor T.D. Jakes. In the year 2000, I Can Do Bad All By Myself marked the first appearance of the now-legendary Madea. The God-fearing, gun-toting, pot-smoking, loud-mouthed grandmother, Madea, was played by Perry himself. Madea was such a resounding success, she soon spawned a series of plays –Madea’s Family Reunion (2002), Madea’s Class Reunion (2003), Madea Goes To Jail(2005) – and set the stage for Tyler’s jump to the big screen.
THE MAN THE MOVIE MAKER THE MOGUL
In the fall of 2008, Tyler opened his 200,000 square foot studio in Atlanta, situated on the former Delta Airlines training facility campus of more than 30 acres. The studio consist of 5 sound stages, a post production facility, a pond, a back lot, a 400-seat theater, a private screening room and designated areas for entertaining and hosting events. But listen to him and you’ll hear a man who hasn’t forgotten about the people that have helped him reach the top of a mountain he could once only dream of climbing. He has been intimately involved in civil rights cases, including the trail of the Jena 6 in his home state Louisiana. He has donated generously to charities that focus on helping the homeless, such as Feeding America, Covenant House, Hosea Feed the Hungry, Project Adventure and Perry Place – a 20 home community the Tyler built for survivors of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. In July 2009, Tyler sponsored a trip to Walt Disney World for 65 children after learning that a suburban swim club had turned them away because of the color of their skin. He has also built 2 churches and has donated generously to the NAACP.
In January 2010, Tyler pledged $1,000,000 via The Tyler Perry Foundation to help rebuild the lives of those affected by the earth quakes in Haiti. Tyler practices what he preaches and what he preaches has endeared him to millions of fans drawn by that unique blend of spiritual hope and down home humor that continues to shape his inspiring life story and extraordinary body of work.
FOR THAT I AM WONDERFULLY MADE by: Ornitha Danielle Looking at this image in the mirror the reflection I see is me, wondering what could be changed to make things be as I see Noticing the inner beauty and poise that over takes the essence of what can be. The warmth of the sunshine that rest upon my face, seeing the path where tears once had left a trace, A smile beneath all the hurt, trials and heartache has made who I am while running this race.. For that I AM WONDERFULLY MADE The deep scars of the past has shown me that trouble don't always last, when my back is up against the wall I realize that when I kneel to pray that all my giants must fall. Walking through the doors that have been opened up for me to go through I know that its you, thanking God because of the words that HE has spoken to me and assuring me that I am free For that I AM WONDERFULLY MADE The moon and the sun share the sky along with stars, no matter how far or low there is time when we'll reap what we sow. Learning to live to live again and the truth in love will find you in the end, here are my hands to fight for I am stronger with the power of God on the inside. I truly love with all my heart, not even thinking about my raging adversaries and their fiery darts For that I AM WONDERFULLY MADE As position myself to have to a talk with God, I sit still and listen as He speaks to my Heart. No questions are asked about the instructions that were given, I know that I have been commissioned and I am on a mission For that I AM WONDERFULLY MADE I have an assignment that I must complete, reaching for the scroll I know that I must write the vision and make it plain. I am an inspired scribe a vessel preordained to do a great work and it will not be in vain, what I write comes from a place of contentment not a place of despair For that I AM WONDERFULLY MADE I am always praying and not preying, I am diligent seeking and not slacking. I am trusting and mediating on THE WORD OF GOD, I am listening to the voice of the Lord, I am obeying what HE has spoken For that I AM WONDERFULLY MADE I am from a royal priesthood, I am awaiting my kingdom reward, I am victorious, I am standing on the promises and fainting not. For that I AM WONDERFULLY MADE I am willing to go where He sends me, I am a child of God, I am a faithful servant. I am what God said I am AND For that I AM WONDERFULLY MADE
Signature voice is what I think of when I hear the sound coming from this dynamite woman. You’re strapped in your seat and before you know it – it’s lift off - you’re either frozen in time until the last note or you’re grabbing your hair brush and pretending to lay it down and only Jennifer Hudson can. Jennifer Hudson came to prominence in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of American Idol. She came in seventh place. Although her voice was big, the rumors of Jennifer’s weight were even bigger and was even suggested that she lost because of it. Regardless of her days on the stage of American Idol, her time off would be the most rewarding. Jennifer’s strong will and determination to have her voice heard tipped the top of the iceberg when she auditioned for the coveted role of Effie Melody White, the cast-off member of a popular 60s Supremes-like girl group in the long-awaited film version of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Among Jennifer's competition was Fantasia Barrino, the American Idol Winner. This time Jennifer rose to the occasion and won the role of a lifetime. Hudson no longer had to play second fiddle to anyone. Her role in Dreamgirls was one of the most triumphant musical film debuts since Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl. She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, an NAACP Image Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Yet in the mist of her success – tragedy struck the core of her family. In late 2008, Jennifer’s mother, brother and nephew were killed – devastated she stepped out of the limelight. Jennifer resumed her public appearances in 2009, and has since performed at the Super Bowl XLIII, the Grammy Awards, American Idol, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Today Jennifer’s new record, I REMEMBER ME, is a remarkable step forward for one of the biggest and most talked about stars to emerge in recent years. It’s the follow up to 2008’s Grammy winning – gold certified JENNIFER HUDSON! “The first album was all about finding out who I am, for me and for the listeners”, she says. “This time I’ve been able to be far more involved. We brought it up a notch and approached the album with a definite direction. I’m really proud that I could not be more content with it, or feel more present in it. The album producers are the legendary Clive Dave and Larry Jackson. This album really captures Jennifer’s amazing signature sound and doing material that’s totally worthy of her. Intense and intimate, joyous and danceable, I REMEMBER ME demonstrates the range and growth of Jennifer s an artist. It’s a testament to music’s power to heal and to the continuing maturity of a singer who is practically a household name, but still in the early stages of her career “I woke up on morning and I just started writing” she says. “I feel like in 29 years I’ve led four different lives and the me today verses the me from ten years ago, I cant even recognize that person. The only way to identify myself if from my hands, my familiar face – sometimes that the only reminder I have of my own identify and who I use to be. So I took this paragraph I wrote and thought the only person who could help me finish this song was Ryan Tedder” “This diary entry was about Jennifer looking in a mirror and seeing her reflection” says Tedder, the producer of smash hits by artists like Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson and Leona Lewis. “The inspirational twist was that despite the tragedies, she still remembered who she was and the one thing no one can ever take from her – was a lifetime of memories and the love she holds for her family. And although part of her family is gone, she continues to build her life through her fiancé David Otunga and the birth of her son David Daniel Otunga Jr. In 2010 Hudson became the spokesperson for Weight Watchers and in February 2011, she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and revealed she has now lost a total of 80 pounds sparking her amazing 2012 autobiography, I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down.
You Go Girl!
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Giuliana Rancic is one of America most amazing women and at TLL Magazine, we salute her for the incredible mountains she has climbed and the painful rivers she has crossed. Giuliana is the ever so informative celebrity news personality and anchor woman on E! News, the E! In addition to anchoring news from all over the world, Giuliana often steps into other arena and co-hosts red carpet events such as; the Golden Globes, Academy Awards, the Fashion Police, the Miss USA 2011 Beauty Pageant on NBC. She is also the co-founder of FabFitFun, a woman's health, beauty, and fashion site.
A terrific, delightful and dishy novel about the all-time unique and most impossible boss in the history of impossible bosses..
A must see movie..
Lauren Weisberger
But besides her amazing jobs, in October 2011, in an interview with The Today’s Show, Giuliana broke some heart felt news of her own. She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer..
Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step into the past, present and future and change us forever..
Kathryn Stockett
Truly Eye-Opening..
"Through my attempt to get pregnant through IVF, we sadly found out that I have early stages of breast cancer," she said. "It's been a shock." The news came about just days before she and husband Bill Rancic headed to a Colorado fertility center. Just prior to beginning their third round of treatments, the doctor she was working with told her she needed to get a mammogram to ensure there was no possibility of cancer before attempting to get pregnant, as the hormones would accelerate any cancerous cells present in her body. After resisting, Giuliana agreed to get one. "I wasn't prepared to get a mammogram until I was 40 years old, like I'd been told. I never in my wildest dreams expected anything to be wrong." The next day, she received a call back informing her that she needed to return to the hospital, as doctors had found "something." "It was just a kick in the stomach," she said. As she was just a few days away from her trip, doctors gave her permission to go to Colorado and do the retrieval, but not to attempt to get pregnant until the results were back in. As for when she was informed of her diagnosis, she said, "That was definitely the hardest day." "I went into the hospital in L.A., when they came in to tell me, they said it pretty quickly, they just said, 'I'm sorry, you have breast cancer.' It's what you expect, but so much more, it was like, incredible instant sobbing and the world just crashed down around me. I couldn't believe it – 36 years old, no family history? I just couldn't believe it." The amazing support she says she received from her husband Bill during that time was everything to her – in addition to her faith in one day having the baby she’s always wanted. After months of treatment, Giuliana underwent a Lumpectomy and has fully recovered and although she wasn’t able to get pregnant throughout her time of healing and recovery, her and Bill are expecting a beautiful baby boy via a gestational surrogate.
Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life.
Amazing!
Today Giuliana is using her battle with Breast Cancer to empower and inspire other women in getting the required check ups as well as sharing her personal emotions and experience through the recovery… Elizabeth Gilbert
We Celebrate You!
Not Your Ordinary Women! You'd think that after the roller coaster relationship ride been on this decade, she'd be one bitter 'Bama belle.
Marcia Sherrill has
The Birmingham native started a luxury handbag company in 1984 with her college sweetheart, married him in 1995 and got divorced in 2006. Sherrill's ex-husband got the multimillion-dollar-designer-handbag company, Kleinberg Sherrill, in the divorce. Her settlement was only $27,000. With no health insurance, little money and only 18 months of alimony, she and her daughter had to move in with friends to make ends meet while living in New York. "We went from living the life to barely living," she said. "One week, we lived on $38.71 in Manhattan." Sherrill didn't wallow in her situation nor did she grow bitter. She returned to one of her first loves, interior decorating, and picked up jobs decorating friends' homes. Eventually, a Birmingham friend took an interest in Sherrill's true passion -handbag design -- and decided to make an investment. After several years of research, prayers and design, Sherrill is finally on the comeback trail. In September, she officially launched Anabelle by Marcia Sherrill, a company named in honor of her 15-year-old daughter. So far, the line has caught the attention of everyone from national fashion magazines to Hollywood. Just last week, one of her bags was carried by the Anne Archibald character on the CW's "Gossip Girl." Sherrill, a graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School and Vanderbilt University, still has family in Birmingham and splits her time between here and New York. With the way things are going for her now, she doesn't have time to hold on to the past. She's too busy planning for the future. "Life really does begin at 50. That's when you find your joy," said Sherrill, who had already written two books, appeared on network television programs as an expert decorator and created a divorce website that helps women deal with divorce at www.victoryoverdivorce.com/Home.aspx, before she even started her new line. She started working on her line when the economy started to tank. But, that didn't deter her. She said she stayed focused, and her Anabelle collection took two years to build. "You always have to remember this: Plan your work, work your plan," she said. "You play big, sharklike ... Keep swimming and the minute you hit a roadblock, turn the other direction. "You will find a way." When she was co-owner of Kleinberg Sherrill, she competed against Prada, Chanel and Gucci, charging thousands of dollars for luxury bags she made from alligator and other high-end materials. This time, her prices are very different. The prices for Anabelle by Marcia Sherrill range from $15 for a cosmetic bag to $110 for a large travel tote. They have patent- leather handles, come in nylon, waxed canvas and cotton fabrics, have brass feet and are available in at least 80 designs. As far as the design concept, think Vera Bradley meets Tory Burch. "It's got the wash ability and functionality of a Vera Bradley. But it's a little bit more fashion-forward the way Tory is," she said. The bags are available in different prints and colors. The pineapple, a symbol of Southern hospitality, is the company logo. They are sold online at www.anabellebymarciasherrill.com, in tennis clubs and in stores; including Homewood's a.k.a. Girl Stuff. Sherrill was recently at a.k.a. Girl Stuff for a trunk show, where consumers snapped up her bags. "I like the simplicity of it. I like the size of it," Jo Echols of Homewood said as she bought a bag for her 30-year-old daughter. "And I like how you can put it over your shoulder." Said Rebecca Rast of Altadena of her new black tote: "Really, when I open it up, it just makes me happy. It's gorgeous." Also at the trunk show were Sherrill's two investors, Patricia and Hall Thompson Jr. of Greystone. The Thompsons were Sherrill's first decorating clients after her divorce. . Sherrill's daughter sits on the company's teen board, which gives feedback on designs. Sherrill's brother, Billy Sherrill of Birmingham, is co-owner. "I'm kind of the detail, paperwork and business side, while she's the creative side," said Billy. So what's next for Marcia Sherrill? Plenty - She expanded her bag distribution, waiting to hear from Lifetime after shooting a pilot and would like to write a book about her divorce. The title is, "Invisible Wounds: Diary of a Not So Fashionable Divorce." "It gets really down and really dirty," she said. "But, don't worry. A lawyer has looked over it." For Sherrill, that roller coaster ride she took so many years ago is a now a memory. She's now ready for the next big adventure. "If I had a perfume named after me, it would be 'Relentless' because I don't stop," she said. "If you throw me out the front door, I'm coming in through the window with a smile on my face."
Daria Artem has an unwavering drive to succeed, Lady Fortunes, Inc., was destined to become the nation’s premier cookie company, and it has. Since its founding, Daria has expanded into a multi-million dollar business that offers an impressive variety of sweets and baked goods using wholesome ingredients. Perfected by trained confectionary artisans, the delightful, made-to-order treats boast decadent flavors including caramel toffee chocolate, dark and milk chocolate, coconut, and peanut butter drizzle. Her crispy rice bars, sugar cookies, fudgy brownies, marshmallows and pretzels are decorated with hand-crafted edible royal icing that can be customized with photos or logos. Lady Fortunes’ outstanding one-on-one ordering system makes each customer’s experience pleasant and memorable. Unique and versatile for any occasion, gifts arrive beautifully packaged and are guaranteed to be delivered fresh. With a client list that includes Eva Longoria, Oprah Winfrey and John Travolta, Lady Fortunes keeps delighted customers coming back for more. Lady Fortunes’ desserts have been enjoyed in the White House, at events at the Library of Congress, at the Emmy Awards®, during Oscar® after-parties, on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Today Show, and have been featured in magazines from InStyle to Better Homes and Gardens. Lady Fortunes’ products are available online and through upscale retailers including Dylan’s Candy Bar, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Henri Bendel.
Marian Pierre is CEO and founder of CGI Protects. During her 17 years as CEO of CGI Protects, Ms. Pierre has helped transform the company from a local guard services company to a security technology and services company. She has expanded her clientele expertise to the government, public, critical infrastructure, and commercial sector. Through her guidance, CGI Protects has rebounded after Hurricane Katrina to employ more than 150 employees. Prior to establishing CGI Protects, Ms. Pierre had a long career in New Orleans City government, quickly mastering the ability to lead by learning and developing strategies and policies that encouraged entrepreneurialism and efficient operations to achieve key goals. Prior to establishing CGI, Ms. Pierre had a long career in New Orleans City government. Throughout her professional career, Ms. Pierre has been devoted empowering women through politics, education, social involvement, and economics through an organization she founded, Women Organized Mobilized for Empowerment Now (W.O.M.E.N.) Inc.
Jasmina Aganovic is the founder and consultant of Stages of Beauty, an all-natural, anti-aging skincare brand that is the first to be divided up into products for women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s+. The brand launched last year, is sold online only and within 6 months had 160,000 online orders and now, is experiencing multi-million is sales. Jasmina had the idea for the line after experiencing a reaction to using harsh retinol products on her face when she was in her early twenties, saw a need for a skincare line that was specifically developed for women at various age decades. Upon graduating from MIT as a Chemical & Biological Engineer, Jasmina worked at Fresh and Living Proof, before starting her own skincare company that organizes/formulates its products by age, so a woman is able to give her skin exactly what it needs, in terms of ingredients and treatments, as we get older. All products incorporate the breakthrough ingredient, monk's pepper berry (an antioxidant ingredient that monks actually used to steep and drink as tea), to make skin glow. Products range from $19 (toner) to $75 (treatment cream). Jasmina is involved in every aspect of the brand including the formulations of the products, packaging, marketing, customer service, consulting and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to ingredients and the best care stages for the skin.
Laura Miranti is the proud mother of four great kids Slone, Marren, Lucia and Lorén - and a new baby girl due in September 2012. Laura spends her days juggling kids’ activities, work responsibilities, household duties, and daily workouts. After the birth of daughter Lucia, Laura decided to stay home and spend the much needed quality time her family deserved and needed. As a CPA, Laura has always worked for large accounting firms, but always wanted to own her own business – she desperately wanted a better work/life balance. “When our daughter, Lucia, was only a year old, we realized that she was somewhat behind her peers in meeting certain developmental milestones. We started regular sessions with a speech therapist who recommended that I make Lucia a photo album to put photos of her family, toys, and other familiar objects in her world. Lucia quickly tore up the album that I made for her. When I was unable to find a kid-friendly photo album, I came up with the idea to create a board book photo album. This album has been a wonderful learning tool for Lucia. She loves to turn the pages and look at photos of her family, toys, and other familiar objects in her world. Studies have shown that young children only have object recognition with photos. This means that before the age of two, they can not relate a drawing of an object with the actual object, but they can relate a photo of the object with the actual object. My hope is that many children will enjoy our board book style photo album. Kids with autism, speech delay, or other special needs may find it particularly beneficial as a learning tool, or just something fun to create with their own favorite photos. Kids love photo albums. Now parents can give their kids their very own albums, without worrying about the photos being damaged. The new Take Your Pix® board book photo albums (patent pending) are unlike any photo album that you’ve seen before! They’re are not only ideal for babies and kids of all ages, but moms love them for scrapbooking, keeping track of babies first year, for craft activities with the kids, and to give as personalized gifts for any occasion.
Ann Morgan James and her son, Jack are a mother and son team on a mission. They want to fill the world with kid entrepreneurs. They want to empower kids to dream big and go after those dreams. In the third grade, my son Jack was dealt a devastating blow. He was bullied in school to the point of physical violence. His self-esteem was virtually non-existent. I knew I had to do something to help him. I turned my talents for selling other people's product and decided to help him start a business and through those efforts I rebuilt his confidence and self-worth. After my amazing experience with Jack I decided to share my millionaire skills with other parents in my book, How to Raise a Millionaire; Six millionaire skills parent can teach their kids so they can imagine and live the life of their dreams. I quickly realized I could tell half the story and Jack needed to also write a book. Jack's book “How To Let Your Parents Raise a Millionaire”, a Kid-to-Kid view of how to make money, make a difference and have fun doing both is the story of how Jack overcame being bullied and his learning disability. He explores how he started his own business and encourages other kids to do the same. He is a published author at the age of 12, speaking to adults and children alike while spreading his story of courage and perseverance. My no-nonsense approach will give teachers and parents innovative ideas and approaching to teaching that will help them increase confidence and grow bully-proof self esteem in any kid. I'll give your audience usable and real life everyday tips to help them teach any kid with a millionaire mind. Jack talks to kids and parents alike. He talks candidly about what it is like to be bullied and helps parents understand what they need to do to support their kid so they don't be come victimized twice! I offer parents insights into how to give kids the tools and encouragements they need to build a future they can bank on....no matter that the economy throws their way. You can hear us weekly on our radio show, How to Raise a Millionaire Radio, where Jack and I co-host an hour talk show dedicated to helping kids and parents build a relationship that thrives!
If you’re a working mom then you all too well the difficulties that come with balancing life as a whole – and this hold true for working women all over the world – no matter who you are. We at TLL Magazine was delighted when we watched Tia Mowry Hardict’s life unfold when she delivery baby Cree via the “Style Network”. The actress/author speaks openly about the joys of being a mother, the challenge of working with a new baby and advice she’s able to give from her own experience. "I don't mind sharing with the world the most amazing gift that God has ever given to me," she said, according to People. "I think it’s good to basically share with my fans what it's like to be a mom, the joys and the challenges." "There are a lot of things going on in your mind as a new mom," she says. "When you go to work, you're spending time and hours away from your child, and I would find myself crying and feeling guilty that I wasn’t there. I had to change my perspective on the whole thing and say, 'I am doing this for my son. I am working to give him a better life, to provide him and my family with the best.'"
Balancing Motherhood! The NEW TIA – Tia is stunningly beautiful as she graces the cover of Vibe Vixen’s June/July 2012 issue. The new mom looks confident and assured of who she has become as a evolving woman. She talks about reality TV, criticisms about The Game and how her style has changed since having her son, Cree. “My whole thing with being a mom is that you don’t want to lose your identity; you don’t want to lose who you were before,” she explains. “You can still be that hot, sexy mom. If anything, I like to think I’m wearing heels even more. I didn’t wear them that much until the end of the pregnancy, so I’m now all about wearing heels. I’m a mom now, but when I go out, I don’t forget who I was before.” The NEW BOOK – Tia noted that her new book “Oh Baby” fills a gap that no bookstore currently offers for upcoming mom-to-be readers.
Courtesy of Tia Mowry Hardict - FB
"I think with a lot of pregnancy books, it all came from a medical standpoint, and you were missing the fun, kind of girlfriend approach," she explained. "You don’t want to be constantly reminded of all the bad things that can possibly go on through your pregnancy. You want to feel empowered."
Stila Cosmetics was founded in 1994 by celebrity makeup artist Jeanine Lobell. The name Stila was derived from the Italian word "stilare," which can mean "to pen". Stila's official website is quoted as saying that they chose that name because they believe every woman’s makeup should be as individual as her own signature. Estée Lauder Companies bought Stila in 1999 and sold it to Sun Capital Partners, Inc in the spring of 2006. As a result of the new ownership, the brand had become a standard at Sephora and Instead of models or celebrities, the trademark "Stila Girl" illustrations are used as the company's "face". Yet the quality and unique formula still hold true to its prestigious brand. Modern, sophisticated, and fashionable, the Stila line has already built a stylishly individual legacy. Innovative formulas, sleek packaging, and fashion-forward colors make a Stila statement at Fashion Week, in glossy magazines, and on the street. With a fabulous array of cult-favorite lip glazes, cheek stains, eyeshadow palettes, and more, Stila's goal is to help every woman celebrate her own unique beauty—to look and feel like the best version of herself, and to have fun doing it. www.sephora.com
There are only a few times in life when you stumble upon the unique opportunity to speak with someone who lives their life in the lime light. You often wonder “are they nice people, intelligent, approachable or even warm”. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jaimie Hilfiger – and she was everything I mentioned and more. Jaimie is every bit the Smart, Strong, Successful young woman I though she would be. I never allow public opinions dictate my views on people and Jaimie didn’t allow any to filter through. She spoke with grace, answered in confidence and touched me with her open heartedness.. Here’s the scope our conversation. TLL:
What inspired you to model.
Jaimie: At a young age of 8, I started modeling. I modeled for a few big department stores and print ads and I loved it - but after a few years and with the direction of my mom, we decided to stop and focus more on school, friends and activities that surrounded that. But in the back of my mind I knew I would revisit that one day. After high school I pursued a career in TV broadcasting at the University of Central Florida, but knew a 9-5 job wasn’t my interest – I’m more of a free spirit and wanted to own the rights to my own life – and made my move to Hollywood.. and I love it. TLL:
Being a Hilfiger, have you found it hard to become your own woman and not just the family name.
Jaimie: I’ve found it a little hard at times and it does prevent in some ways in certain arenas, but not as my own woman. One thing I’ve always desired was my own independence and I’ve worked hard at achieving that for myself. I’m a creative person and have been raised by an incredibly strong woman and with that strength have I discovered myself and ability to rise above the preconceived notions of who people think I am. I will always be a Hilfiger, but will always own my womanhood as well TLL:
What woman has been the greatest influence in your life.
Jaimie: Without question my mother.. She has always been the most compassionate, caring and nurturing woman in my life. She’s a hospice nurse and through her work has become a phenomenal woman in my eyes. Coming from a large family, sometimes those qualities can get lost, but not my mom, she continues to dig inside and pull out the best. To me she’s the best mom and nurse in the world. TLL:
People are calling you the next Kim Kardashian. How do you feel about this comparison and is that the road you want to take.
Jaimie: No.. I live to be my own person and Kim is her own person. I believe if you take out the bad things and really look at her career – she has come full circle at such a young age. I feel the comparison is a nice gesture, but the only life I want is my own. If I could walk away with anything from what the media is suggesting that would be successful in the most positive way. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to accomplish great things and that’s where I am right now. I’m coming out with a lounge wear line soon (I just love comfortable things) and hope it will be just as successful as any other person who is trying to build a brand and name for themselves.. TLL:
Have you ever met Kim Kardashian
Jaimie: No, but would love to. I think she’s a really great person.
TLL:
What are some of your favorite trends.
Jaimie: I love head-to-toe prints right now. Roberto Cavalli inspired designs are really in and the people who are able to pull them off. Green is my favorite color, so the pastel colors designers are playing with on shoes and handbags are really kool. TLL:
After modeling.. What’s next for Jaimie.
Jaimie:
I really want to dive into my own brand and do what I love.. I’m a girly girl so I will put more focus into my lounge wear line and other things like fragrances and handbags. I want my next level to be and feel more personal and putting my style out there would be great.
TLL:
What do you like to do for down time.
Jaimie: I know this sounds crazy, but I like going to the mall and scoping out the latest trends. I find that the retail stores understand what people want and are looking for in their everyday wear. It keeps me in the know of things and adds a great influence on which direction I want to go with my own line and brand. I also love the beach – whenever I’m not working long hours, I love taking in the sunshine and the sound of the waves.. its relaxing. And lastly – I love spending time with my family and the people I love. It’s nothing like surrounding yourself with those who equally love you back and support you. TLL:
What advice would you give a young woman wanting to become a model.
Jaimie: Wow.. Modeling can be a tricky business and should be something you really have a passion for. Besides the glitz, glamour, parties and clothes, it’s a lot of hard work, long hours and up at the crack of dawn – definitely not your average 9 – 5 job. But more than that I would say “Be Smart”, don’t get involved with negative people that drive you away from pursuing your dreams, keep your eyes open and watch out for scams. Link up with professional, proactive people that add value to your life. I’m very lucky to not have gone the wrong way once I came to Hollywood and I can accredit that to my family. Know what you want and be persistent. TLL:
What legacy would you like to leave with the world.
Jaimie: I want people to know the real me and not judge me by my work. That I’m a sweet person, compassionate to others and caring. That I work hard and strive to be the best I can be. That I value my relationships. That I’m not just a famous name because of my uncle, but I lived as my own woman. TLL:
What is your favorite charity.
Jaimie:
Has to be the Ronald McDonald House… Our family is big on giving back and charity so when I had the opportunity to get involved with RMH through my sorority, I jumped at it. It’s a home away from home for ill children and their families. Our sorority had so much fun cooking and preparing a great day for everyone. RMH really grounds you, count your blessings and want to do more. It pulls on your heartstrings and not complain so much about the small things in life.. It’s amazing!
And so this concluded our interview and I was blown away. This 24 year old, 5”4 woman packed a lot of punch. We chatted some more before we said our goodbyes and got back to the business of our day. Jaimie – You are truly a fantastic young woman with a bright future and I celebrate that. You are one of the warmest people I know and I hope that never change.
The sky is the limit as long as you keep reaching for it..
Editor-N-Chief
If you haven’t heard by now, we’re here to spread the good news that the South’s favorite girl, Paula Deen is cookin! Not in the kitchen, but after taking control of her type 2 Diabetes and losing 30lbs – mama looks amazing. Paula and her sons, Jaime and Bobbie are on the same healthy mission of taking great dishes and making them lighter – cutting out the fat & calories without cutting out the flavor. So we chose three refreshing summer recipes from the Deen’s kitchen and shared them with you.
Good Eatings!
CHICKEN ON THE GRILL Servings: 4-6 servings Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 20 min Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients: 1 chicken cut in half salt and pepper grilling sauce
Directions: Season cut up chicken with salt and pepper. When coals are white, spread them out for even heat distribution. Place chicken pieces on the grill with larger, fattier pieces (such as the thigh) near the center and smaller pieces to the outside. Brush grilling sauce on chicken through the cooking process and turn chicken as needed. Move chicken toward the outside as the leaner pieces (such as the breast) get done. Brush with grilling sauce just prior to removing from grill. Serve warm.
DOUBLE-CHOCOLATE MOCHA FRAPPE Servings: 4 Prep Time: 10 min Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients: ½ cup boiling water 1 (.55-ounce) packet fat-free hot cocoa mix (Swiss Miss FatFree Sensible Sweets)
4 teaspoons instant coffee ¼ cup fat-free chocolate syrup 3 tbs of fat-free half &half 2 cups ice cubes
Directions: Whisk together the water, cocoa mix, and coffee in a small bowl until the cocoa and coffee are completely dissolved. Whisk in the chocolate syrup and half-andhalf. Let the mocha mixture cool 5 minutes. Place the ice cubes in a blender. Add the mocha mixture and blend until the mixture is smooth and the ice is finely crushed. Serve immediately.
LIGHTER CRAB CAKES Servings: 4 servings Prep: 20 min / Cook: 6 min Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients: 1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat, 3 tablespoons diced pimientos, 3 scallions, finely chopped, ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons Italian-style whole-wheat bread crumbs ¼ cup light mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 egg white, ½ tsp Paula Deen’s House Seasoning ¼ teaspoon hot sauce 2 teaspoons canola oil.
Directions: Combine crabmeat, egg white, pimientos, scallions, ¼ cup bread crumbs, mayo, mustard, lemon juice, seasoning, and hot sauce in bowl until blended. Form 8 patties. Dredge the patties in the crumbs. Oil pan and cook 2 to 3 minutes each side.
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