Music Mondays: KING Bey Gets Crazy on "7/11"

In case you missed it, Beyonce' surprised us last Friday with a new music video called "7/11." The video is so H-town and allows you to see how Bey kicks it with her home girls in a massive hotel sleepover. We've all had those moments where we've danced around in our undies or PJ's at home alone (or with friends) and now Beyonce' shows you how it is done with a mean two-step.

Just remember to have plenty of red cups on deck and no liquor touches the floor! Get crazy and have fun!

What do you think of her new music video?

Is Beyonce' the Michael Jackson of Our Time?

Some know her as Queen Bey others might refer to her as KING Bey but majority of the world fondly knows her as B e y o n c e'. It's no secret that she been the "number one diva in the game for a minute" and with her loyal Beyhive behind her, it looks like she is reigning as one of the world's most influential people. According to Forbes.com, Beyonce' IS the number one celebrity of Forbes Celebrity 100 and I must say she has earned the title well. Beyonce' is not only a business woman but she has effectively established herself as a household brand. Some would say she has the Midas touch where anything she touches turns into honey gold!

Her quadruple-threat talents of modeling, acting, dancing and singing have landed her huge endorsements with Pepsi, H&M to her own fragrance and clothing/accessory lines. While it might be unknown to some, Beyonce' also has a heart for giving back especially with a special focus to women and girls. It's evident that nothing was ever given to Queen Bey though! She most certainly had to work tirelessly like everyone else to make her dream come true, experience failures and detours as well even traumatic experiences to get where she is today.  I can go on and on about Beyonce' and her long list of achievements has a mother, wife, sister, daughter, businesswoman and philanthropist but what struck me today was if Beyonce' could be the Michael Jackson of our time?

I sincerely believe starts are born everyday but icons are only given to us in rare bouts. Michael Jackson and Beyonce' may have had different upbringings in how they discovered their gifts but they both knew very early in their lives that they had a bigger purpose to fulfill, not just in music but to the world. Before you all attack me about my comparison, hear me out about how there are similarities in how they have changed the impact of music. Ahhh, the late Michael Jackson! He is and will forever be the KING of Pop, let that be known first. Michael Jackson did change music (all music for that matter) and continues to have a presences in today's music.

The main reason Michael Jackson will forever be an icon/legend to this world is because Michael had a heart for people. He believed his music healed lives and moved mountains that some thought could never be moved. His music gave you hope, fun, love but most of all comfort. I can't forget to mention he was light on his feet and he made the Moonwalk look easy (it's not, unless you are wearing socks on hardwood floor kind of). Outside of music, Michael was a devoted father and he gave back to this world in his time by being a humanitarian. He spoke on world peace and visited nations around the world to help be an ambassador for peace in change in various underdeveloped countries. He simply just loved people! Selling out arenas from every region in the world was the norm for him while fans sang along every song lyric. He too had lucrative endorsement deals, an expansive business portfolio as well as heard several accolades for being one of the world's most influential people. Again, I could go on and on about all of Michael achievements but the very thing that remain the same between Beyonce and Michael is they have changed the world.

Of course the amount of album sales, Billboard mentions, Grammy's etc. aren't always things people remember off hand, people remember how you made them feel! How does Michael Jackson's "Thriller" make you feel when you first hear the beat drop? Or how does Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" make you feel when you hear that first note? See, that's what people remember! Rightfully so, they each have earned their royal ranks in entertainment and they will continue to


Update: Did you all hear that Queen Beyonce' is receiving the honest award honor at this year's VMAs? She receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award! How spot on am I with this post yay me!

Photo Courtesy of Flickr.com/By

Ban Bossy...Will you join the movement?

In honor of Women's Month, I'd like to share new and happening things that pertain to women news. Today, I stumbled upon the #BanBossy campaign that I thought was so great that I had to share in case you all haven't heard about it.

The campaign is being organized by Lean In and Girl Scouts of America which focuses on banishing the negative stigma that is attached to young girls who assert themselves as leaders. According to the Ban Bossy website, "when a little boy assert himself, he is deemed a leader but when a little girl does it, she's deemed bossy." See the negativity? The campaign aims to break this stigma and boost the self-esteem of young girls and women to embrace being a BOSS! The world needs more women leaders because we are still underrepresented in many facets of the world and it begins with our youth!

To help further the campaign's efforts, they've wrangled in some powerful women who lead the charge in banning the term "bossy." Check out this quick snippet:

For more information about the #BanBossy campaign, click here! Be apart of the change. 

Song I'm Loving: "Drunk in Love" by KING BEYONCE feat. Jay Z!!!

Friday, December 13th 2013 will forever be remembered as BEY DAY! I believe Beyonce is one of the hardest working woman in the world and she has to be one of the most intelligent woman in show biz because she dropped an entire album with NO marketing, NO buzz and NO hints! If I ever had a secret that I wanted to be kept, Beyonce could join my circle any day y'all!

I've listened to majority of her album and I am enjoying her new alter ego "Yonce." It's a different sound for her but I like it. She's pushing the envelope in creativity (as usual) and she is reminding us that she is a true visual artist of audible sound. She's the FIRST to put out a "visual album" that accompanies music videos for every song (I have a feeling that is going to become a new trend in 2014) and she did it effortlessly. One click of a button and her music was EVERYWHERE...just like she planned. It's already getting spins on the radio and her videos have already seeped onto YouTube. It's crazy how fast news travels these days!

What I'm trying to understand is where did she find the time to film all of these videos while on tour as a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, a business woman???? She's a brand and she knows it so everything she touches will turn into honey gold.

 Right now, I can't stop listening to "Drunk in Love" feat. her hubby Jay Z, I have a huge feeling this is going to be hit but then again, has Bey ever put anything out that was short of amazing...nope she hasn't! Enjoy!

Her visual album now available on iTunes! Check it out and let me know what you think!!

How Much Do You All Know About the World?

I came across an interesting article on CNN called, "Challenge Your Own Perceptions: Take the 'Ignorance' Test" and I think you all should try to take this quick quiz. Sadly, I scored a 2/10 (yes, I know I'm horrible!) even though, I do read the news daily (world news included time-to-time), it just goes to show you how "ignorant" we (American's that is!) can all still be when it comes to the rest of the world. Yup, Americans scored low to mediocre on this quick quiz so don't be surprised about your results.

Let me know how you all fared!

Song I've BEEN Loving: "All The Way Home" by Tamar Braxton

Ms. Tamar Braxton has truly out done herself with song! When I first heard her album, "Love & War" I instantly fell in love with "All The Way Home" because it showcases her amazing vocal range. She sannnnnnnggggggg for her everlasting life (this is Tamartian language I'm speaking) on this song and each time I hear it, it's like I'm hearing it for the first time. This year has truly been HERS! Being a new mommy, a talk show host, a reality start and now a GRAMMY nominated artist, she definitely DID THAT! In the words of Tamar herself, "She won!"

I think I’m addicted to traveling

There is something about going to an airport or hopping a train that makes me feel so alive. Even when I’m running on less than five hours of sleep, I still feel invigorated, excited and refreshed during my traveling adventures. Perhaps it’s the journalist in me but I’ve always been fond of story-telling (and no I'm not referring to lying! I don't like liars!). With traveling comes an adventure, interactions and an experience which all weave together a STORY! From the food to the fashion, it's just a grateful experience to soak up!

In my lifetime so far, I’ve been or seen almost half of the US and I've been to four countries! I really want to take my traveling up a few notches because I truly believe some of the most beautiful places to see are outside of your comfort zone. 

What excites me more about traveling is knowing that I have friends and loved ones who too cherish exploration. I may not have been to a lot of places but I am growing a little international souvenir collection from various places such as Morocco, Ghana, China, Mexico, Jamaica, Prague and more! 

Anyone else love traveling as much as I do? 

To feed your travel interest, I recently read a cool piece on CNN about what a 24-hours day is like at the world's busiest airport, Atlanta-Hartsfield Jackson Airport in Atlanta, GA. I use to live in ATL so I know that airport all to well (and the city is my 2nd home!) but I had no idea how much "behind scenes" activity took place during a full day. Enjoy! It left me inspired to think about my next trip!!  

Photo Courtesy of Flickr.com/ By Cuba Gallery

Maintaining the Perfect Pout

As we enter the fall and winter seasons, we sometimes forget to prep and protect our lips from this harsh weather. In general, lip care should be a daily regiment; however, I've noticed that's not always the case with some people. You've seen it...crusty dry lips, cracked lips, peeling lips etc.  and it's not a good look on men or women. So with that being said, I thought I would share with you all some tips to maintain luscious lips: 

• Moisturizing! Invest in a good lip balm, butter or chapstick. Ladies, some of us only use lip glosses as a form of moisturizing; however, they don't always provide enough protection. Glosses are great to had shine to your perfect pout but definitely use a great lip balm or lip butter as your base. Read the labels too! Great lip balms or lip butters have a wealth of vitamins (i.e. Vitamin E), oils (i.e. shea butter/jojoba) that will help hydrate your lips. If you are out in the sun a lot, it's definitely worth purchasing a product that has UV protection in it! 
• Drinks lots of Water! Make sure you are getting an adequate amount of water in your daily diet. Sometimes cracked lips can mean that you aren't getting enough water (better known as dehydration) and you need water to function in life. 
• Maintain a Nighttime Routine! Believe it or not, ensuring that your lips are moisturized before bed can make a world of difference in your lip care routine. Your lips are exposed to the sun and air particles all day, so they need to be revived with some tender, love and care. A great lip moisturizer at night is some good ole Vaseline or raw Shea butter.
• Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate! Yes, lips need to be exfoliated too! Lips are skin and like skin, it sheds but we can accelerate this process by gently exfoliating our lips regularly. To gently exfoliate your lips, use a clean washcloth (only for your face), apply a little bit of your favorite facial scrub or a gentle facial wash in your washcloth. Then, close your lips together (please do NOT consume products) and in gentle circular motion rub the washcloth on your lips. Wipe lips clean and apply lip balm/butter right away.   

Photo Courtesy of Flickr.com/By Myrmidon Formicida

What would you do if you weren't afraid?

 If I wasn't afraid I would:

• Move to ______ now! 
• Travel around the world on my own (something like an Eat.Pray.Love. voyage)
• Work for myself...eventually (not sure what I would specialize in yet!)
• Color & cut my hair (the setback-  bad hair experiences with "professional" stylist) 

Photo Courtesy of Flickr.com/By TMarie

No Shave November is Around the Corner

No Shave November is an annual tradition where guys and some girls participate in not shaving their beards and/or legs (or both!) in the month of November. Some call it silly, while others call it a liberating experience to not have to worry about shaving for a whole month. With winter around the corner, some think it's a perfect time to grow out their hair so it will keep them warm during the winter. No Shave November has also become widely popular among different causes/charitable organizations so growing out your 'stache for a good cause makes it all the more enjoyable. 

If you just search for "No Shave November" you'll find a few websites in place that are already gearing up for a month long of hairy folks. 

If you are participating in No Shave November, may the no shaving force be with you!!! LOL

Photo Courtesy of Flickr.com/By Aqua Libra

Song I'm Loving: "Hot Sugar" by Tamar Braxton

Tamar Braxton has out done herself with this video. This video was release just last week and has over a million views which is an amazing accomplishment. The song is catchy and definitely is a club-banger  whoo hoo--it's my jam! While she is the youngest in the Braxton clan, her effervescent personality and power-packed vocals certainly makes her shine. Annnnddd for having a baby only a few months ago, this proud new mommy is beat, snatched and fabulous! Werk girl! If you have not heard her new album, "Love & War" then in the words of Tamar, "you betta get your life" because this album is hot! I absolutely love her song "All the Way Home" and I hope she releases a video for it.  

TLC’s Biopic was “Meant to Be”

I was so excited when I first learned that TLC was working on a bio-pic called, “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” to tell THEIR story on how they became a multi-platinum selling, record breaking girl group in music. They are LEGENDS! They pushed boundaries and defied the odds of making it in the industry and today, still manages to have a phenomenal fan following that some artists will never experience in their entire career (shade but no shade, it’s true y’all).  Everything about this production, from the extraordinary cast to stellar writers to great wardrobe to recreation of locations etc. was simply amazing!

The stories were real and if you didn’t know a thing about them (which I find hard to believe) then you definitely walked away KNOWING who these ladies were in the end. Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas have certainly out done themselves. The late, Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes would be so proud!

The detail and the time it took to put this together really showed in the end and I hope they know that we appreciate them for sharing their story with us. I loved how they seamlessly incorporated archived footage of their performances and interviews to further support their story.  What I also enjoyed was the journey! T-Boz and Chilli didn’t really hold back in telling you the stories of their struggles and their success.  

The music itself just brings me back to “feel good” times back in the day! I couldn’t help but start reminiscing events and singing along when songs came on.

  

This trio new early on in their careers that this was “Meant to Be” and for that, I salute you ladies! Job well done!

Encore replays of “CrazySexyCool” will be aired on VH1. Check your local listings to watch support!

Song I'm Loving: Sevyn Streeter "It Won't Stop ft. Chris Brown"

This girl woman has stolen my attention! Sevyn Streeter may be new to some of you but she is not new to the music scene. In fact, she's been utilizing the "power of her pen" to write for some music heavyweights such as Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys, Brandy and more. I was blown away when I learned that she was the writer behind one of my favorite songs by Tamar Braxton right now, "All the Way Home" and Ariana Grande's debut hit "The Way."  She has now successfully infiltrated the radio airwaves with her second hit single (seen above). I love this song and her voice is just magical! This video literally dropped a week ago and it has over a MILLION views. Go girl! Keep shining your light and keep putting out hot music! Xo 

Video fun fact: Chris Brown directed this video! 

Why I Love MTV's Hit TV Series, "Catfish" + My Take Aways

 I believe when the hosts of MTV's hit series, "'Catfish," Nev & Max decided to embark on this journey to document real stories of how real people are searching for love on online dating and/or social network sites, it was genius! What's even more fascinating is that complete strangers from all over the nation are completely OK with going on national TV as we all (the viewers) hold our breath through every detail of this adventure---will they find true love? or will they end up being "catfish'd"? Say what you want but Nev and Max have hit a gold mine in creating this series and I believe we can all learn a lot from these episodes.

As an avid viewer of this amazing show, here are some lesson-learned that I've taken away:

1. Common sense isn't common
2. Being "catfish'd" doesn't make you a victim, it makes you smarter
3. NEVER trust anyone or for that matter, don't even trust what they say if they aren't willing to video chat with you at least once.
4. If they live less than an hour away and STILL aren't willing to meet up, they probably aren't REAL.
5. Women lie, men lie and so do photos! 
6. Giving money and/or gifts to someone you have never met before is just absurd and more than likely, you know you could use that money for more important things like YOUR BILLS. 
7. "Love is a battlefield." Pat Benatar knew something when she sang this song. 
8. If you are talking/dating/or in a relationship with someone for years and never met them, it's disrespectful to you, your time and your emotions. Yeah it's just inconsiderate and selfish. 
9. HOW CAN YOU BE ENGAGED TO SOMEONE YOU NEVER MET???? I'm still trying to understand this...help! *spins around in chair*
10. Accountability goes both ways...
11. Don't ignore the red flags but DO listen to your intuition/gut feeling...it's probably right about something "fishy" going on
12. There is always other fish in the sea...

If you never watched "Catfish", you MUST! It's a great show and pretty entertaining too. "Catfish" airs on MTV but check your local listings for time information.

Song I'm Loving: "Royals" by Lorde

I absolutely love this song and her voice! My teenage niece put me on to this song when I was out in LA recently and it has since migrated over to the DC area. The song is catchy, fun, and just great to vibe too because it's different! This 16 year old sensational, New-Zealand beauty has a bright future ahead of her and I can't wait to hear more of her music!

What's your "Why" in life?

A friend of mine shared this motivational speaker clip by Eric Thomas via YouTube that asked the question "What's your 'why' in life?" When I first heard the question, it sparked something inside of me. My wheels in my head started turning and I started asking that question to myself over and over again. Then it hit me...I wasn't really sure what my "why" was but I knew if I kept listening that it would guide to answer. 

I love sharing uplifting material and I hope this video snippet helps you determine your why in life. Enjoy!   

Feeling my best in the WEST

Hey guys! For the past few days, I've been enjoying my time in sunny California whoo hooo. It has been almost four years since I touched the other side of the world but it feels sooo good...almost too good...mmmhhhmmm.

This trip was long overdue and much needed to relax and reflect on making some serious decisions about my life. Sometimes it takes removing yourself from your "comfort zone" to get some clarity and believe me, it has helped me tons. The weather has been absolutely perfect and seeing palm trees everyday makes me feel so happy. Ahhhhh....time for me to get back to my vacay before you know it I'll be back to grind....le sigh.

Why I will miss "The Real"

I absolutely loved the day-time talk show "The Real" on FOX and I'm sad to see it go! If you didn't know, the show consisted of five celebrity women: the sultry R&B songtress, Tamar Braxton; the talented actress, Tamera Mowry-Housley; the beautiful comedienne Loni Love; the fashion expert, Jeannie Mai and the sensational actress and singer-songwriter, Adrienne Bailon!

"The Real" brought this amazing powerhouse of women together to share their perspectives on life as they know it. From love/relationships to hot trends to even a fun segment I loved "Twitter Dares," the show brought out the best in each of these women and while they are celebrities, they know how to just keep it "real" on life topics.

As a young 20-something, it's nice to see women come together from all walks life and just have that girl time to chit-chat about life. This show captured me because I could for once actually relate to a day-time talk show that spoke to me and my interests/thoughts. As women, we don't have enough positive representation on TV and it's awesome to see women empower one another and not be catty. The producers of this show certainly got the personality formula correct when they brought these women together and you can see that a real sisterhood quickly formed in the process.

I believe this show was only running in a pilot season but I truly hope they return to our airwaves soon. I salute you women and thanks for keeping it real! Xo

Is Too Much Education Hurting Your Career?

Night's like this where I should be roaming the streets as a 20-something, I'm in my bed and in my thoughts about education and careers. First, let me make it clear that I do believe in education affordable education for anyone who wishes to learn more about a subject for personal and/or professional reasons. Two, I believe that society has a screwed up outlook of the education system which directly impacts our economy and ultimately impacts jobs/careers.

As a kid, most of us were trained in the womb that getting an education was no doubt the way to go! Our main job in life was to go to school to better ourselves, right? So some of us did go (or tried it and left) and some of us are still continuing our education or thinking about going back for more but in this catastrophic economy the need for education has been coming up short. It's sad to see more and more educated professionals getting laid off or having a hard time in finding a solid job (because they are over qualified) and yet, we made the investment in money, time and work in what we believed would guarantee us a stable life....not so much! 

It's sad that I even know people with at least three degrees or at least one  and still can't find employment! What is happening to our world? I still believe in the need for education but gone are the days that it should be revered as the gate-keeper to a good-paying job, let alone a stable career. I certainly hope things change because we are living in a time of so much uncertainty...smh

Photo Courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art

Rumor or Reality: Pole Dancing Could Become an Olympic Sport

This may sound bizarre to most but would you believe that pole dancing MIGHT become an official Olympic sport in the near future? Before your mind seeps to the gutter, here me out first. According to MSNBC News, it is still in the rumor phases but there is an actual organization called the International Pole Sports Federation that is trying to make this rumor a reality. Apparently a hearing is coming up in September to determine if pole dancing will get the "yay" or "nay."

Unfortunately, it sounds like wrestling and baseball are both on the chopping block of getting removed from the Olympics (yikes!).  And in case you are wondering men and women both compete in the World Pole Sports Championships (see clip above). It's more about acrobatic ability, strength, flexibility and artistry. There is nothing sexual about it (sorry twerkers!). 

Honestly, I do not have any negative feelings about pole dancing in general (let's get that straight). Whether you do it for pleasure, play, fitness, or income that's your business and I'm not one to judge. I actually think it would be pretty fascinating to watch people perform for a gold medal. What do you think?