Savvy Events:Dangerous Curves Ahead

If you're looking for somewhere to go this weekend then I would like to recommend that you stop by the “Dangerous Curves Ahead” Spring Charity Fashion Show & Women’s Expo.

This Savvy Event was created by Chicago based wardrobe consultant and Savvy Sistah Tamika Maria Martell of A-line Style services. When I asked her recently what inspired her to create this fashion event she said " I wanted to have a "coming out" party to introduce myself and my services to Chicago area women. I also think it is so important to make it an all sizes event to display that beautiful and confident women come in all shapes, sizes, and ethnicity's! Too many fashion events only have the stick thin models and that is just not the majority. I wanted to make my event about real women and the empowerment of us as a whole.
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Tamika has really been working non-stop to get the word out about this event and she was recently featured on the Style Profile segment on NBC channel 5 and Alpha Women’s Blog Talk Radio Show (www.alphawomen.com).

Dangerous Curves Ahead , will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 7pm-10pm at the Zhou B Art Center located at 1029 W. 35th St. Chicago, IL 60609. Individual tickets are $20 in advance and $25.00 at the door.(group rates are available)

Dangerous Curves Ahead attendees will enjoy complimentary food, drinks and beauty services while shopping with over 20 confirmed vendors, listening to the soothing sounds of V103 DJ Sundance, and enjoying the inspiring surroundings & art from the Zhou B Art Center. And the first 500 guest will receive a goody bag valued at over $100.00

When I asked Tamika what her future plans were for this event, she said,
"I have received so much positive feedback from this event and plan to make it an annual event, possibly on a national level as well".

For more information or to purchase tickets: click the link

Savvy Sistahpreneur: Brandy Adamson/ Alive Inc!

Today I had the opportunity to interview the CEO/Editor of Alive Magazine, Brandy Adamson.She is very knowledgeable of the business industry and she has a deep passion to see women of color succeed. After I got off the phone with her I was so inspired, I started thinking of new ways I could challenge myself to accomplish some of my goals while getting the word out about my business.

Brandy Adamson has entrepreneurship in her blood, and growing up she was able to watch her grandparents and parents start their own businesses. When she was younger people asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, but she didn't say a doctor, fireman, or teacher like the other kids, she said, "I want to be the boss".

Her professional career began in the male dominated oil & gas industry over 12 years ago. And after learning how to play the "corporate game", she wanted to find an avenue to connect with other women of color and share some of the valuable tools she learned on her way up the corporate ladder. Alive Incorporated was birthed out of her desire to assist individuals and businesses by offering services in the areas of coaching, administrative services, brand management, business development and consultation.

Almost three years ago she expanded her vision and launched Alive Magazine (www.alivemagonline.com) to serve as a tool to "empower, inspire and connect with women of color from all walks off life. She is now working on bringing her lifestyle magazine,(it started off as a 12 page business magazine) to a newsstand near you as early as 2010.

She left me with many encouraging words to pass on to my readers and I'm sure that you will be able to apply these to your life in some way.

Her view on networking sites: There is power in networking. There are many social networking sites around today like Facebook, LinkedIn, Ning, and MySpace and you really have to determine your purpose for being on these social sites. Some people are just looking for friends, some are looking for business contacts and some are looking for a job. You have to know what your purpose is.

On sharing your dreams with everyone:
Be aware of who you share your dreams with, because everyone is not deserving.

Words of encouragement to other Savvy Sistahs: You have to be patient and use the resources available to you. And more than anything, don't take no for an answer.


Brandy is a great mentor, role model and a Savvy Sistahpreneur!
For more information on Alive Magazine: click the link!



Alive Magazine has recently been nominated by the AAMBC (African Americans on the Move Book Club)for the "Magazine of the Year". The winner will be chosen in June at the AAMBC National Meeting in San Antonio. Brandy is also conducting a workshop titled "Branding Yourself, Promoting Your Works" at the conference.

On the Cover: First Lady Michelle Obama & Mom

First Lady Michelle and her beautiful mother Marian Robinson,will grace the May cover of Essence magazine for the Mother's Day issue.I love seeing these two together, because they remind me alot of my mother. It's good to see a good example of generations coming together and expressing mutual respect and love for one another.


For more information: click the link



Photos:Timothy White/Stockland Martel

Savvy Events: Shaun Robinson "Exactly As I Am"

Shaun Robinson is a TV correspondent for Access Hollywood, journalist and now author. Last night in New York, Eria Reid hosted a release party for Shaun's new book, Exactly As I Am: Celebrated Women Share Candid Advice with Today's Girls on What It Takes to Believe in Yourself. In this book Oprah Winfrey, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Hudson and more share stories about their lives to motivate and encourage the younger generation.I have always been a fan of Shaun's, every time you see her on TV she is always on point with her style and she has a great personality.

Make sure you pick up this book and share it with all the little ladies in your life.

To purchase this book:click the link

Kitchen Chemist: Natural Toothpaste

I am a self proclaimed "kitchen chemist" so I'm always looking for things to make right in the comfort of my home. When I saw this recipe for natural toothpaste I had to try it and pass it on to you ladies. We have so many chemicals in the majority of the products we use daily so I just wanted to see if I could find a natural alternative to toothpaste.

Here's the recipe...

1. Mix three parts baking soda with one part table salt.

2.Add three teaspoons of glycerine to the dry mix.

3. Add in enough water (a few drops) to make a paste.

4. Add a few drops of peppermint oil to improve the taste.

5.Store in a covered container in a warm place and use like you would regular toothpaste.

Now you may not use this mixture as much as you would your regular toothpaste. But now you have a sugar free and non toxic mixture you can make yourself.

originally posted 2/28/09

The Hug Seen Around the World!

Everyone is talking today about Michelle Obama breaking protocol when she put her arm around Queen Elizabeth and I'm amazed at the comments. First of all she is a very intelligent lady and we all know that she has a team of people behind her making sure she knows what to do and when to do it. I understand there are certain rules one must follow when visiting a foreign country, however Queen Elizabeth is not the highest authority in London,the Prime Minister is, nevertheless it is proper protocol to not touch her. But maybe she's ready for a change and warming up to the Obama's. I think this is a positive move on behalf of both of these ladies, and it should not be blown out of proportion. Trust me, if it were a real issue you would have seen police coming from everywhere!

For more information:click the link!

The infamous hug seen around the world!

Jet Set Fashionista: Michelle Obama in London

President Obama and First Lady Michelle arrived in London yesterday for the G-20 Summit (it's a global summit to talk about the world economic crisis). Michelle is such a lady and she truly knows about style. When she boarded Air Force One from Washington DC, she wore a sophisticated black & white coat(Thakoon Panichgul)with pearls, however when she stepped off the jet she had on this cute mustard and black belted ensemble.



Today here she is with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and wife Sarah. She visited a cancer support facility, Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre with the Prime Minister's wife. Doesn't she look classy in this J. Crew outfit!



Our First Lady is truly a Jet Setting Fashionista!


Photos:Reuters/AP

On The Tube Today: Star Jones on Oprah

If you are a fan of Star Jones make sure you watch the Oprah Show Wednesday. This will be her first interview with Oprah and she's going to talk about that infamous surgery that helped her shed a 160 pounds. Honestly, I have to admit I like Star Jones, but I still think that how she funded her wedding was a trip (although she must be a good business women to get someone to pay for everything like she did) and not coming clean with her gastric bypass surgery made her lose alot of credibility. However, when you step back and look at the events that transpired starting from her engagement on to getting fired from the show, she still kept it classy. I wish her the best, and hopefully she will finally be happy with who she is.



Photo & Video:Courtesy of Harpo Studios