The holidays are now officially over!! I know most of us are still paying those lovely bills from our Holiday gift giving extravaganza. Not to worry. As we move into a new month let's regain our financial composure and start saving again with a little help from The Frugalista and her "No-Buy-Month" Challenge. Are you up for it?????
The plan is simple. All you have to do is cut out any unnecessary expenses for an entire month and what better month than February, the shortest month of the year. Now DIVAs I know for some of you shop-a-holics this could be compared to torture, however we can do it.
I plan to cut eating out (Yes “The Boo” will be paying for V-day dinner), Sally’s or any other product junkie fixes, and any other non bill or necessities. What are you going to cut out? For more information about the Challenge and Madame Frugalista herself, Ms. Natalie P. McNeal, click on the below link.
Hope this finds everyone in great spirits!!! A big shout out to Kevin Clay and the rest of the fun crew who attended his birthday celebration!!!! Enjoy!!!
Be the change you want to see.Such a simple saying, yet probably the most difficult to do.
For 24 years of my life, I lived for many people.I did what was expected possibly to satisfy those that I love or in order to play it safe.Well in my 25th year, I decided it was my turn.I decided to kick fear and comfort to the curb and dive head first into the deepest end.I can honestly say today I feel better than I have in years because I am living for me.In this month alone I have accomplished more (physically, emotionally, mentally) than I did all of last year.It is the greatest feeling to have a sense of self.And while my journey is still beginning, as from what I’m told it truly never ends, I feel complete.
This clicked for me at 25.For some, it clicks at 18 or 21 and other s at 50 or 80.Whatever your time, do not let age be a hindrance.There is no expiration date on change and transformation.There may be more at stake as you get older in the form of family or professional responsibilities, but don’t let it stop you.You owe it to yourself to be the best you.You were put on this earth for a reason, to shine your light that you were blessed with.It’s up to you to turn on the switch.Marianne Williamson said it best in her book entitled, A Return to Love.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually who are we not to be? You are the child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Change is never easy and often times it is plain old uncomfortable for yourself and for those around you.Some will embrace your transformation and others won’t.Some will support you and others will try to deter you.Stay steadfast in your journey.It is then that you will be able to fully appreciate and embrace all of the ‘fabulousness’ that is you.Today is your day.Light the world up DIVAs!!!!
Yesterday I was sent an article in the latest installment of Rutgers FOCUS and was excited to learn about Alrick Brown, a Rutgers Alum clearly on the rise to fame.(I must admit, the fact that he is Jamaican added additional excitement, shout out to all of my yardies).
Alrick Brown, screen writer, director, and part-time lecture, will have the honor of showcasing his latest film, "Kinyarwanda", at the Sundance Film Festival.This film, based on true accounts, depicts the lives of several Rwandans as they cross cultural and religious barriers to protect and save the lives of others during the 1994 genocides.When asked in the FOCUS to describe the film, Brown explained,
“It’s a story not many people know about,” Brown said in a telephone interview shortly before leaving for the Utah-based festival. “While many films have shown the politics and death during the genocide, Kinyarwanda is a movie about life, faith, forgiveness, and reconciliation.” Kudos to you Mr. Alrick Brown!!!! We wish you nothing but success SIR.
Keeping with our health theme for the day. I'm sure like me, many of you have set a goal to get healthy once and for all this year. This is a hard journey as is, so it helps to have some assistance. Join me on livestrong.com. I just reactivated my account. It allows you to track your meals (with caloric inputs), set weight and fitness goals, as well as receive many tips and advice. They also have a really cool blog in which members answer questions about food, nutrition, and even things like hair and skin. Join and friend me!!! My username is JadeDE. See you there!!!!
January is National Blood Donor Month.You may ask “What does this have to do with me?”Well, 70% of African Americans are blood types O and B respectively, however these are also the ones in highest demand.Therefore if these types are not replenished, there may not be any blood for you or a relative when one day they need a blood transfusion or bone marrow. Today, 1 in 396 African American newborns are born with Sickle Cell Anemia.By donating blood just once, you have the opportunity not only to save 3 of their lives.
What can you do to help?
·Donate blood
·Organize a blood drive
·Volunteer
·Donate
Where can you go to get started?
Head over to redcrossblood.org and make your first appointment or get more information!
Being that it's a New Year, We like to start over & do so by making a resolutions for the remainder of the year.
While having a FUN & MEMORABLE NewYears' evening with "old" friends, everyone started to shout out resolutions they had prepared for the 2011 year. Before it got to me, I thought about how I really haven't took the time to prep myself-(like I usually do)-before the previous year whines down with a resolution list.
Don't get me wrong-I LOVE a New Year, Fresh start, with ENDLESS possibilities, but this year I have decided not to make any resolutions, I know it sounds "weird" (many have expressed that to me, lol) but I wanted to take another approach to the beginning of the new decade of our millennium. A main reason in why I chose not is I don't remember the resolutions I set for myself in the previous year- so I don't want to get caught up in what I did not resolute and what I did...
So You Think, No resolutions? Nothing to work out/on ? No goals?
NOOO..I'm not saying that, I am continuing to set the same ideals, goals and standards I had already envisioned for myself to strive for in 2010 into 2011 and will just continue to LIVE this Wonderful & BLESSED life of mine; but I'm not making it appoint to make any resolutions for the year. For some it may be different, For me it feels kind of liberating not have a resolution list. I want to live, love, laugh (TRULY) like I wanted in 2010 and for the rest of my daysss...
So To Resolute or Not to Resolute?? What do you think??
Expressing ourselves is one of our BEST abilities as human beings!! For this installment of "TRUE" EXPRESSION what better way to be expressive than by showcasing accessories from a company who also believes in displaying and accentuating INNER DIVA!
DIVA CHIC Jewelry offers very trendy and affordable jewelry for ALL! The owners are a fabulous daughter-mother duo who are very professional and accommodating!
I have been wanting to feature this line of jewelry since I met with the owners and purchased some FIERCE jewelry at a Vendor Fair in the Northern LIberties section of Philadelphia in August 2010!
Below are just some of the items on their Online store:
To view MORE STYLES, ACCESSORIES go to:DivaChicJewelry.com To contact please use: DIVACHICJEWELRY@AOL.COM267-265-8708 3500 WOODHAVEN RD 1ST FL PHILA, PA 19154
Go On Spoil yourself for a change! You ONLY live once! **Luv That** Enjoy today...
Happy New Year 2011!!!
With the New Year already here, people like to take this time to start fresh with resolutions and implement changes in their lives. What better way to start doing so then with our finances!!
This is a great time to start looking more in depth on what we have been putting our hard earned cash towards and how to change or continue to do so. Especially with income tax season around the corner. DIVA Rules FAM it's a NEW YEAR & NEW START to getting back on our feet or trying to maintain.
The following websites were mention in previous blog entries, but I want to give them again-they're really great for keeping your finances in order and will allow you to track where you money is going and NOT going to-:
www.ingdirect.com (setup your acct., establish a savings, watch as you start to SAVE, and more)
www.mint.com (setup your acct. info and it sends auto updates on fees charges, etc.)
www.fidelity.com (get help in setting up your acct. to track retirement and other IRA acct info)
MOST IMPORTANTLY these sites are FREE & it eliminates writing things down on paper, so it's eco-friendly (*you can probably check with your cell phone provider for downloading these as apps-so you have it "on the go")*
All for now & again
Happy New Year! Enjoy your Monday!!
