August 28th: 50th Anniversary of MLK March On Washington

I'm sooo glad I was able to be apart of history and be apart of it with my family!  My boo was at work so he missed out but he was definitely there in spirit lol  The festivities were really nice and inspiring despite the little bit of rain we endured throughout the day.  I was so glad I was able to hear the 3 presidents speak as well as Dr King's son and sister.  Everyone was really nice, we even met some new folks from New Jersey and we felt like we had known them for years.  It was just amazing to me how 50 years later Dr King's dream was realized in some aspects especially that a black president was speaking on the milestone anniversary of his Dream speech.  Like many menitoned that day, we clearly have a ways to go but we have seen progress and we just have to stay on top of the younger generation to not digress.  Things are slowloy looking like they are going backwards from the lack of enthusiasm, discipline and drive that some of the youth display, the Trayvon Martin Case definitely showed that we are still fighting for equal rights and they have just gotten a little more savy with the way they discriminate.  But if we band together and show them we are serious we can make progress and realize Dr King's FULL dream!  My father was out there looking SHARP representing for the men in his suit.  I saw a picture on FB where it had Dr King and all the other leaders of his time marching 50 years ago in their suits and the caption was "when they took us seriously" then the picture below was the youth of today with their pants hanging down showing boxers and ass with the caption reading "why they don't take us seriously now"....so my Dad being in his suit was definitely making a statement.  I had a great time and there were all different races, religions, age groups united for the same cause! 

This Year...wheeew!

As I turned 30 this year I can definitely say all my 30 years of lessons, speeches from my parents, situations I've watched on the outside etc. were put to use all throughout this year!  I guess I have been making conscious decisions to do things different regardless if people agree or not and have been actually taking action for a change that I am seeing all these different scenarios arise.  It's definitely scary since I've been one to stick to the norm, the safe and not do or say things for peace sake but in the end I was the one suffering.  So now that I have been looking at conflict as a positive and as a way to move forward I realize not everyone can handle genuine honesty.  I think our culture has changed to just keeping things looking good on the outside no matter how damaged they are on the inside.  I know I had been living like that for a while, nobody wants people to be upset with them or to make people feel uncomfortable but at some point things have to be done or we will be stuck being bitter and complaining to everyone else BUT the person who needs to know.

I also realized a lot of people don't self examine themselves so when things are brought to their attention it's devastating or they feel it's you just because you have been the ONLY one to care enough to mention what you see.  I feel one should be able to express how they feel as long as their motives are good and it is done in a respectful manner.  A lot of people can give criticism but when it's time to take it you see a whole different person come out.  But that is definitely not stopping me.  I found myself becoming a little bitter some years back because I would hold soooooo much in just to be sure I didn't ruffle any feathers but at the end of the day I was being affected then my thoughts because my outward actions. 

This post is really random but let's just try to keep it real with each other...like REALLY real, a lot of people claim they are real until it comes down to being real with themselves. 

EBONY: Trayvon Martin

Be sure to pick up a copy of the new Ebony mag!  There are 4 different covers and they are all realllly nice.  I never posted anything in reference to the verdict for the Trayvon Martin case because I was beyond pissed, disturbed, disappointed and many other emotions.  The blatant racism was just ridiculous and it sent a very powerful message as to what our society is about.  We still have a long way to go and it begins WITH US!  If we don't treat ourselves with respect, what message are we sending to every other race???  But it's all a set up because the laws were never meant to protect us and media is made to give us false images and to those who have no guidance, it's slowly killing our race away.  I just hope this situation doesn't gradually be forgotten about because there are laws that really need to be adjusted and updated!  I just feel so bad for Trayvon's parents and they are being very strong and handling this situation with so much grace and class.  I know they are doing their work behind the scenes to get justice or to be sure this NEVER happens again.  Like Oprah said, this is the modern day Emmitt Teal case.  We need to really wake up and pay attention to what is going on.  Stop focusing on shoes, clothes, swag, poppin bottles and "looking good" because none of that stuff gets us anywhere in the long run.

MATER MEA: Celebrates Motherhood

Just wanted to share one of my newest favorite sites Mater Mea !!!  I first saw this site on twitter through a RT and since then I have been in love!  I look forward to the bi weekly posts they put up and when I forward the links to my friends I start out with "NEW MOM ALERT" lol  Oh wait....what is Mater Mea about??  Sorry lol  This site highlights awesome moms, normally in the NY area who are being amazing moms who have had or are having great careers and overcoming many obstacles along the way.  Some of the moms may have been a career woman than chose to be stay at home moms after their children came along.  The moms, the kids, the wording, the photography just everything is great!  Since I'm a fairly new mom (my baby is 18 months TODAY, check out Cayden's Corner on my blog) #shamelessplug back to the topic, I love anything dealing with being a better mom, inspiration from other moms, children, creativity for children and allowing them to be themselves.  I feel in order for that to happen they have to SEE you at your very best and see you work hard.  We can tell them what to do until we are blue in the face but if we don't take action where they can emulate it, the message does not resonate the same.  No mom is perfect and we all have our bad days but that is also apart of the lessons we can teach them.  We will never get everything right but as long as we pick up and keep moving forward things will work out.

There are so many inspiring stories from young moms to middle aged moms so there is something for everyone!  I'm always tweeting them especially on Mondays lol!  When I initially found the site I read through all the posts that I had missed in one day.  Be sure to check out this great site!  Hopefully one day I can write for them or even be featured because I am surely one heck of a mom and I am in a transitional phase in my personal life so who knows where I'm on my way to.

Thanks again Mater Mea for changing the game up with POSITIVE MEDIA!!

Kelly Cutrone...love her!

Found this old interview of Kelly Cutrone talking about her book "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside" and she makes some really good points!  I first saw her on The Hills and she was no nonsense and very cut throat!  But like she says in her interview you have to be stern, strong and not a cry baby when you are trying to be successful.

I loved her description of how Disney kind of molds the mindset of girls to become a princess, marry and have babies.  And that once you do that sometimes you still aren't happy and have no clue who you are.  Grant it, this process works for a lot of people and others obtain it and think they will see fireworks and live happily ever after but they really look up like "what's next"....Her point about not having to do things in order can still have benefits is so true!  We should teach our young girls how to be strong and live for YOURSELF, not for your parents, not strictly for the money but do what you actually LIKE to do.  You will never have an 100% approval rating so why even try to get that because no one knows YOU better than who else...YOU!



She can be kind of cut throat but I agree with some of her points and like what she is trying to do as far as talking to young girls and bring awareness to various causes all over the country.  I purchased her book "Normal Gets you Nowhere" a couple weeks ago and I'm sure I will enjoy.  I have to finish my current read "And the Mountains Echoed", which is great, then I can listen to Kelly curse me out and tell me how much of a whimp I am lol

Melody Ehsani & Reebok

I soooo love these shoes and I just copped my pair!!  Melody is a jewelry designer who is teaming up with Reebok for a second time releasing the "M.E. Betwixt Mid" sneaker.  These shoes are limited editions and I missed the last pair that came out and they were fiyaahh too!  I looove me a nice sneaker that can be worn forever and with almost anything lol  The shoes are available for presale on her website and will be available in selected stores on August 2nd.

I am always in support of a good cause and something with meaning behind it, I know they still are making money but you get my drift lol, the LOVE on the toe of the sneaker came from one of Melody's favorite quotes by Julie Walker "Love is the only nutrient in the world that can be expressed"....this is so true.  Love can heal and change many situations.  Melody and Reebok also teamed up to donate her entire personal design fee to a school for girls that helps fund their development and education.  There is also a quote in Melody's handwriting inside of the shoes that says :


"Competition is a myth, ain't nobody else like M.E.! Love is the only nutrient in the world that can be expressed.  If I wake up to who I am, I will accomplish miracles, because I choose to arise and be M.E.  Then will I shut off this voice that makes me think I am not....By the grace of God 'I will see myself' "

I soooo love this quote!!  Being as thought I'm in a stage where I'm really growing and working extremely hard to keep focused, this said everything I needed to hear.  Not saying this quote is the reason I bought the shoe, the shoe is just fxckn dope but the message is on point as well!!

Changing My Life One Day at A Time....

So it's Day 8 of me getting on the treadmill in the mornings before work!!  I think this is honestly the longest stretch of me sticking to exercising besides when I was younger and was in sporting activities.  I am so proud of myself and I actually look forward to getting on the treadmill each day.  I was going to try to do every other day but knowing me that one day off would throw me all the way off and have me making excuses.  So I just started off with an attainable goal which is do at least 10 minutes a day and do arm workouts twice a week in the evenings.  Starting with 10 minutes, now I have worked myself up to 16 minutes and yes I run the entire time on an incline!!  Now that I have gotten to 16 minutes, 10 minutes is a breeze for me.  I have a purpose for doing this which is why I have stuck with it.  My purpose is definitely not to lose weight lol but to get my metabolism going, get my brain moving and my private time to meditate and talk to God.  When I say I can see a drastic improvement in my productivity at work and even in the evenings when I get home I'm not ready to pass out as soon as I walk in the door.  I just feel better overall and I start my day off on a good note and that is usually how the day ends up.

I definitely have to talk to myself during those last few minutes on the treadmill because the back of my thighs get to burning lol  And I just tell myself, "you are jogging to your new life" "jogging to accomplish new goals" "jogging to those doors that God is waiting to open" "jogging to show God you are disciplined and ready for his blessing" and those statements help me push through.  I also keep the time covered up and occasionally I peek at it but I focus more on my thoughts than the actual act of exercising itself.  I have been involved in a lot more projects and been given more opportunities at work and I enjoy coming in.  I mentioned before that I had been looking for new jobs for foreverrrrr and nothing has came about and now our company seems to be reorganizing and I'm really liking what they are doing!  I know I don't want to work a 9-5 for the rest of my life but for now clearly this is where God wants me and I am going to take advantage of all opportunities and do my best and with a good attitude and we'll see where things go....

I'm really excited and I am going to continue what I'm doing, I've eliminated a lot of unnecessary situations out of my life and I feel so free!  Everything is a learning experience and I've definitely learned a lot of lessons so now it's time to take action and DO ME!

The Little Things...

I love this pic!  It's actually a screen shot of a video of my guys racing each other...already! lol  It's the little things that kids remember and that create an everlasting bond between them and their parents.  Of course, they like the "things" we buy but really can you remember EVERY thing your parent bought you??  There are those couple items that we just had to have and probably remember but what we remember the most from our childhood are the memories made together.  Los and I always are creating memories together and with our guy and he is theeee best father hands down!!  No, I don't post pics of him all over my social media sites every time we do something together or every time he does something nice.  Everything is not for everybody and some people really don't care they just want to have something to talk about, I also feel certain parts of our lives should remain intimate and I am a very private person when it comes to my family.  Like Fab said "Ya'll could say whatever, just don't bring the family up"....
Some need to validate themselves and get comments from people everyday but when it's real and you are secure you don't need anyone's approval but each others.  I am really grateful to have these two awesome guys in my life...Boogy too lol and I wouldn't trade them in for anything even though they work my nerves from time to time but we all need some excitement here and there! :-)  Spend time with your kids because time waits for no one and you definitely don't want to look up and your kids are 16 and you are wondering why the relationship is non existent...relationships don't just "happen" when they are teens those relationships are building through their childhood and children may forget the things you buy but they will never forget the way you made/make them feel....

Great Interview!!

With Jay Z of course!!  I left his name out of my post title for those who are tired of my Jay Z obsession lol  But really....this is a great interview!!  Elliott Wilson is a great interviewer!!  They talk about almost everything instead of the basic questions that most people ask.  You can tell he has studied Jay and knows a lot about different topics to keep the convo going.  They touch on Obama, Trayvon Martin in which Jay called Zimmerman a "fxckn mall cop" LOL his anxieties about being a Dad, RocNation Sports etc.  They say study the greats and Jay Z is definitely one of the greats all around.  I admire is business mind so much!

I hope you enjoy!!  #FACTSONLY