Meant for Amazing Things...

This morning I got up and browsed my twitter timeline only to see that several of my Philadelphia followers were tweeting RIP Vanessa Banks. I find it that when ever someone passes away and they have a twitter account, I am interested to see what some of their last thoughts were. Ms. Vanessa Banks a mother of three was the victim of a murder/suicide where her boyfriend took her life and then his own. Vanessa Banks last tweet states "I WAS MEANT FOR AMAZING THINGS"... Domestic violence is extremely serious and I want all of my females young and old to open their eyes to this type of violence, look for signs, see signs and run away. There is no need to forgive, no need to turn back, your life is worth so much more. Be Blessed, RIP Vanessa Banks...

L. Janell

It is officially on...

SSSSoooooooooooooooo, Guess who is finally #teamiphone, yes sir ME :) now as soon as I figure out how to use this thing I will bring you all, all types of dope pics and cool aps and omg screen shots. I am overly excited about this transition. That'll be all for today :) 

-L. Janell

REDTAILS!

              Yesterday I went to United Artist Theater to see RED TAILS with my family. Before I give my opinion on the film let me just remind you all that, when going to support a black film (or a director, or production company that you favor) you should always make sure that the ticket you receive says the MOVIE of our choice title on it. I remember going to see a Tyler Perry film a few years back and the  ticket I received read "MALL COP, PAUL BLART"... I was so confused but then I realized that this was a scam to keep opening week numbers down for a Tyler Perry Production. Opening weekend is EVERYTHING for a film. I am actually eager to retrieve to my bedroom to put on New York one to see what "RED TAILS" did in the box office this weekend.
                RED TAILS was a great film, Terrance Howard's performance was exceptional. The story of our  men, Black History The Tuskegee Airman's Story is being told. As I sat in the theater proud to be an African American I was also proud to watch so many young black African American men on screen. Might I add that Tristan Wilds and his young handsome self made the film that more enjoyable. I want to encourage you all to go see this film this WEEK. Help opening week sales grow, take a young man with you so he can learn about HISTORY YES HIS-STORY!

L. Janell

Chapter Read

I am currently caught up in this book titled "A Belle in Brooklyn", by journalist Demetria L. Lucas. I must admit its quite interesting to get the males point of view even if it given to you by a female... See the book is full of experiences that the author has actually been through herself. She hangs out with the fellas and then she dishes on their prospective. In one of chapters of the book men give their take on women who carry condoms in their purse. Most of the men were uncomfortable seeing a female even engaging in sexual activities with a woman who carries protection. From their take I believe these men feel like its the males responsibility to carry the protection, and if a female has a condom on her it is stating that she is promiscuous.Well here's my take "IT ONLY TAKES ONE TIME" to have unprotected sex and to contract a disease or to get pregnant. A smart female not only cares ONE CONDOM but TWO... Now I agree with the book when it states a female doesn't need to carry a full variety of condoms but two condoms in my opinion doesn't say that female is a whore out looking for fun, it says if it goes down tonight I will be protected...  Make sure you pick up a copy of  "A Belle in Brooklyn".

-L. Janell 

I wish you SIGHT so you can SEE for YOURSELF...

I have always proclaimed myself to be a "Dreamer"... I have the word DREAM tatted on my wrist, as a constant reminder for me to DREAM. I collect quotes with the word Dream in it, I love the poem DREAMS by Langston Hughes. But when my 16yr old came home yesterday from an MLK Presentation at her Rights of Passage Program, I asked her what was the presentation was about. Taisha explained that the program was based upon one question "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Had a Dream, but was he a VISIONARY or was he a DREAMER?" She explained that most of the teens in the program came in that morning with the theory that Dr. King was a DREAMER but after the program had ended they were made knowledgeable of the fact that Dr. King not only DREAMED but he saw his Dreams through Dr. King was a Visionary. So I have decided to take my Dreams a step further. By creating a vision board for 2012, my vision board will consist of the things I need to accomplish and the things I want to accomplish. To start my vision board I came up with a list of things that I need to get on top of from gaining guardianship or Taisha to getting a new car. I am challenging myself to have my vision board complete by the end of this week. See the example of a vision board below be inspired to create one for yourself.

-L. Janell

REST IN PEACE MARQUEL

Please take the time out to pray for our youth, today I will sit aside my family and close family friends as we mourn the lost of 23yr old Marquel McDuffie. Marquel lost his life senselessly on Friday night when his intoxicated friend stabbed him... WE HAVE TO DO BETTER...

-L. Janell

Painting The Town BLUE....

40/40 is continuing the baby celebration by adding BLUE front lighting to there midtown location... Interestingly enough I hear that 40/40 is now closed for renovation, soon to reopen its door with a restuarnt included. And our favorite Brooklynite is now the partner and spokesperson of Duracell batteries so there is a lot to celebrate but of course "Baby Blue" is his greatest creation as said in his dedication track which features his little miss Blue Ivy Carter...

Of The Essense...

So one of my female colleagues walks up to me with an Essence magazine in her hand, she hands it off to me and says, I think you should email this guy... Already with the answer no plastered across my face I open the magazine to see exactly what in sam hell she is talking about and there he was right before my eyes "Sweet Mother of Jesus" 30 years old and he knows his way around the kitchen UUUMMMMMM yeah I'm SOLD... I pondered ALL day, as to what I would actually say in my email to the Essence Single Man of the Month LMAO and lets just say I haven't pressed send as of yet. My girls kind of depend on me for things like this I am actually they ONLY single one with no child so finding my soul mate is what they would call IMPERATIVE! Ladies I need some encouragement today is the day I have to send my email so HELP ME... HMMM This is all two funny seems about 2 to 3 months ago I went through this same "He is so handsome and I have got to send him an email situation", that took me all of 6 days to press send. I have to speed it up this time...

-L. Janell

That is all...

BLUE IVY :)

Paying attention to signs...

I read my daily horoscope everyday, I flip to the rare of the newspaper search for Virgo and I read what my day has in store for me. I wont say that I necessarily believe everything my horoscope says because oddly when I flip through a different newspaper whether it be the daily news or the post there is a completely different message. Some people are heavy into astrology they believe in the planets and the stars guiding them through life. I personally have learned to follow a few phrases in life, one being "Believe who people show you they are". Its a known fact that the energy in your life comes from your surroundings, the company you keep. If you keep positive people around you the energy surrounding you will be positive. With that said rid all "confusion" from your life, if you question someones existence or intentions, if you cant figure out their purpose in your life maybe their just taking up space maybe they don't truly serve a purpose. Don't find yourself feeling unappreciated or used "get rid of them". Another phrase I strongly believe in is "God will show you the way" PRAYER WORKS speak to YOUR GOD tell him what you need, tell him what you want, THANK HIM. He will see you through. So if your daily horoscope says "today is going to be a hectic day and there is no way to avoid it". Don't take in that energy turn your day into what you want it to be....

-L. Janell

Toys in BABELAND...

Heeeeelllllllllllooooooooo Brooklyn... Jay-Z was once quoted saying "Brooklyn is one of the most progressive CITIES" not Borough but CITY and I most certainly agree. On a quest to find a fitting gift for one of my girlfriends a rare and odd thought came to mind, "purchase her a vibrator". As a young lady coming up, taking a trip into a sex toy shop was something  I forbid myself to do. But entering BABELAND in Parkslope BROOKLYN was everything but what I expected it to be. Have you ever been to the Village in Manhattan on or around the West 4th area where there is a strip of XXL shops, well that's basically what I thought I would experience when heading to make my purchase. But to my surprise Babeland was a pretty upscale place. Each vibrator had its own name and price tag, neatly placed on a shelf for testing (by hand lol)... The experience all in all was a good one I even got caught up on 3 pieces and couldn't chose which I thought was best. I was able to select one that I hope is fitting for her (PAUSE)... Yet another "COOL FIND" in Brooklyn...

                                                           BABELAND

462 Bergen St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 638-3820

 -L. Janell

Give me flowers when I can smell them...

The other day my guy asked me "what was my biggest fear" and I began to explain to him my fear of being alone... Not alone as in a 50 year old woman who has yet to find love and who has no children nope not that kind of "alone".  About one week ago a story broke of a women losing her parents and her 3 daughters in a fire... That's the kind of alone I fear the lost of all of your loved ones in a split second, their all here today and gone tomorrow. That alone when there is no one around to live for, there is no one that I love to comfort me. But yesterday I was approached by an associate of mine who is living her own nightmare and I realize that what she is experiencing day to day is actually a fear of mine. A fear of the man you love simply coming home. The fear of not doing something the way he wants it... The fear of your two small sons repeating the cycle. Yes DOMESTIC ABUSE! As I listened to this young woman speak I became more and more enraged knowing that had I been in her shoes I would have my father beat the living sh!t out of him. I would pack up and I would leave, I would take him for full custody and child support and make it so that his life was a living hell. But she seemingly doesn't have the same options that I have or maybe she is just ignoring the many signs of escape as she keeps returning to this man... I pray that her wake up call doesn't come when she can NOT wake up.

He gave me flowers

I got flowers today. It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.
We had our first argument last night and he said a lot of cruel things
that really hurt me. I know that he is sorry and didn't mean to say the
things he said - because he sent me flowers today.
I got flowers today. It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day.
Last night he threw me into a wall and then started to choke me.
It seemed like a nightmare but you wake up from nightmares to find
that they aren't real. I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.
I know he must be sorry - because he sent me flowers today.
I got flowers today. And it wasn't Valentines Day or any other special
day. Last night he beat me and threatened to kill me.
Makeup and long sleeves didn't hide the cuts and bruises this time.
I couldn't go to work because I didn't want anyone to know
But I know he is sorry - because he sent me flowers today.
I got flowers today and it wasn't Mother's Day or any other special day.
Last night he beat me again and it was much worse than all the other
times. If I leave him what will I do? How will I take care of the kids?
What about money? I'm afraid of him and too scared to leave him!
But he must be sorry - because he sent me flowers today.
I got flowers today. Today was a very special day.
It was the day of my funeral.
Last night he finally killed me. I was beaten to death.
If only I would have gathered enough courage and strength to leave him.
So I got flowers today - for the very last time.

~Author Unknow

-L. Janell 

We Need A Resolution...

For the 2012 year I have decieded not to make a New Years Resolution. I think its pretty depressing when your intentions are high and you say "THIS YEAR I AM GOING TO WORK OUT 4 TIMES A WEEK, LOSE 10LBS AND FIND THE LOVE OF MY LIFE" and then December rolls around and none of that has happened. So this year as I sat in Church waiting for the hour to near Midnight I looked around and saw locals from the neighborhood, my family and a few friends and I said to myself "there is no place I'd rather be" than in the house of the Lord worshipping the one who brought my through. See the party with the loud music is always fun, but when your my age (HA) the music is just too damn loud. Then your in a room where 80% of the people are strangers and then at the stroke of midnight you lean over and kiss that guy or girl that just might not be around in a few months. (I'LL PASS) As I thought about 2011 the accomplishments, the mistakes, the many tough decisions, the friends that I've made, the ones that I cut off, and the frogs that I've kissed (and lets not forget the one I'm hoping is my Prince)... My only thought was that 2011 has been good to me but 2012 will be greater so for 2012 if I were to set a resolution it would be "TO DO BETTER" and that I will...

-L. Janell

Oh You FANCY HUH?!?!?!?!?!?!

On Sunday my friend Kenya and I headed over to one of our fav BK locations Paper Doll Boutique & Beauty Bar for a Brazilian Wax. I was eager to experience this new wax that Kenya had told me about the "HARD WAX", to my surprise the wax was ALOT less painfully than my normal strip wax. The esthetician LIZ was pretty darn amazing herself. Her interesting stories make you feel extremely comfortable and at ease which made the process seem as if I was only on the table for no more than five minutes... Paper Doll is currently running a special HARD BRAZILIAN WAX for only 19.99 for the remainder of the month. Get in there and get yours FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

921 Fulton Street Brooklyn N.Y.

L. Janell

SICKER DEN YA AVERAGE...

During the summer Bestie Sam & I vowed that when the Black cements Jordans were released we would purchase them. This is actually a pivotal moment in our lives LMAO because neither of us have EVER owned a pair of J's... Growing up girls would have their Jordans and JanSport book bags with 100 strings hanging from them and all of their friends "tag names" written in marker all over their book bags. But not us in 8th grade we were shoe girls, air max at the most if we wore sneakers, we wore fake leather arm bags and if we did have a Jansport oh that bad boy was clean. At any rate that time has finally come, we eagerly anticipated each day till Black Friday as if it were Christmas... Hands down these are the best Jordans ever made... And apparently we aren't the only ones who think so, check out the pics below...

Leah Janell

NEVER FORGET 9/11

September 11th will forever be a memorable day in history and not just because its my birthday. This past Sunday our reservation date final came it was time for my family and I to experience the 9/11 Memorial site. I think that all NewYorkers should get this experience, the site is stunning and so peaceful it seems as if all the city traffic is silenced no honking horns, no loud music, no screeching tires... Reserve a date for your family to visit the site here http://www.911memorial.org/... Check out the pics from our visit below.

L. Janell

Meet The Thomas's

I am going to be totally honest when I received an invitation to my girlfriend Letesha & her husband Perrens Pre Thanksgiving Dinner I was overly excited. This has been the first invitation that I have received to their annual Pre Thanksgiving Dinner so to be invited warmed my heart. Arriving slightly after the hour I ordered a bottle of wine to have delivered rushed to the secret location :) and dashed in. Only to find that dinner had not been served, all of the guest were conversing and enjoying the live band. As I scanned the room it felt good to be amongst young & established African Americans, the ladies looked lovely and the fellas were dressed the part as well. Kudos to Letesha for serving up an amazing meal, everyone ate great, drank and even had room for dessert. Check out the pics below of the Pre Thanksgiving Dinner with The Thomas's.

 The Host

L. Janell

When The Girls Come Out To Play...

We play HARD!!! This past Sunday my girlfriend Angela celebrated her bday at the 200 Bar & Lounge on 5th Ave in the Parkslope section of Brooklyn... In an effort to do one of the things she loves to do as well as bring her friends and family together, Angela invited all to come out to watch the Jets game with her. In theme all friends were asked to wear gear to support the team... Check out our cool looks and guess what THE JETS WON!!!

L. Janell

You Are Now Watching The Throne

My sister Shyah and I attended the Watch The Throne Concert at New Jerseys Izod Center and the show was every bit of what we expected. As a true Brooklynite and  fan of Jay-Zs since it was ok to have life size posters cover your bedroom walk like wall paper, I expected nothing less from HOV... As for Kanye I was always admired him but never looked deep into him as an artist or a person if I may. After the concert I felt a special connection with Kanye West, so much that the following day I prayed for him in church. I feel like Kanye's dreams are finally a reality and now with the loss of his mother he looks around realizing he doesn't have anyone meaningful to share this moment with and the thought of anyone feeling alone breaks my heart... KANYE I AM NOW A FAN!!! I tried to get some pics for you all but sadly I am still team blackberry, boy do I need that upgrade.

L. Janell

#26 SMOKE A CIGAR

In celebration of Kenya's 27th Birthday the gang headed to The Cigar Inn located on 2nd Ave in the 50s. As myself, Queeda and Rhonette arrived at The Cigar Inn where Kenya and the rest of our team were already popping bottles, the party was well into effect. We poured a drink and entered the cigar room to view the wide selection of cigars. None of us had ever smoked a cigar before so we took a recommendation as to what would be best for us to get. We purchased our cigars, lit them up and from that point on we were on one... We sipped wine laughed, danced and puffed away. I owe my sister Shyah a special thanks for thinking that this would be a great location to celebrate Kenya's birthday and furthermore for pushing me to get one of my 30 before 30s complete. It was an amazing experience, the owners of the location have opened their arms to us so with that said we will be back SOONER THAN THEY MAY THINK...

L. Janell