Jan 31, 2011

Can you really have it all?

Looking around it seems like if someone has the man, they don't have the career... If they have the career, they don't have the kids... and more than a few have the kids and not the man. As I approach 27, and my official foray into my late 20s, the concept of whether or not we can really "have it all" has been on my mind.

Now that I'm married the idea of having children sooner than later has crept into my mind more than a few times. Yet, I'm still working on my career so I tend to beat the thoughts to the background... constantly convincing myself that I must have A, B and C in place before kids can be part of the equation. I don't know if this is just effective planning on my part or if I'm allowing motherhood, one of the most organic things in the world, be another "task" on my list of life.

In an interview for Marie Claire*, when asked why she encourages women to plan early for a family, MSNBC reporter Mika Brzezinski touched on this subject:

"I don't want to impose rules on people, but you have only a short window, and you're sorely mistaken if you think you can put off having a family. It's very hard to find a good man, and it's never 'a good time' to have a baby if you have a career. Plus, someone who is rabidly ambitious and holds off on family -- it doesn't come off as that smart. You just know that a woman who has her own life and is raising children really has her act together."
I keep telling myself that maybe in 5 years I will be "ready" (on paper) for a child, but then I think about what 5 years really means. I would be almost 32 and forgive me, but the idea of being 32, married for over 6 years and without any kids kind of scares me! My mother was done with kids by 30 so I've been getting a major side eye from her in regards to this entire situation.

Being a control freak and someone obsessed with planning and list-making, my current struggle is keeping in mind that our 20s should be spent laying the ground work to "having it all", leaving our 30s to enjoy the fruits of our labor... yet trying to focus on enjoying where I am currently and creating my sense of "all" for that moment. It's easy to get caught up in what you don't yet have and are still working on and forget all the ways you've currently been blessed. Maybe God gives us each things in our own time that we can handle. This first year of marriage has already taught me that there's nothing better to prepare you for children than taking care of a husband... but that's another post.

How do you handle the delicate balance of career, family and romantic relationships? Does one usually have to suffer? Do you feel like you have it all?

* Interview in February Issue of Marie Claire

Financial Honesty

Tonight's season finale of the Real Housewives of Atlanta showed castmate Cynthia Bailey wedding Peter amidst a serious lack of money and family doubt. I am someone that has previously blogged about my thoughts on weddings and their outrageous costs (here and here) so seeing her struggle to scrape together pennies to put on the wedding of her dreams was hard.

Viewers watched as Cynthia broke down multiple times leading up to her nuptials and proclaimed that they didn't even have the $3k to pay for the beverages, amongst other things. Now her mother came in for the last minute save, but I would love to ask them if it was really worth it? I'm not a party pooper - - If you have the $ to spend by all means spend it! I just don't believe in overextending yourself... not even for a wedding.

Financial honesty is a concept most of us learned when we were young, but recently financial guru Suze Orman has made popular again: "Financial honesty means you don't buy it if you don't have the money for it."

It's tempting to keep up with the Jones', but there's nothing wrong with being honest about your financial situation and knowing when to forgo certain things. A "budget" isn't a bad word and financial honesty won't ruin your day. As Orman always says, we should strive to "live below our means, but within our needs."

When is the last time you analyzed what your needs truly are? Do you know someone that went broke planning a wedding?

Jan 29, 2011

Get it right, Get it tight

Are you ready to get serious about your fitness routine this year but short on time? 1on1 Boxing Fitness is now offering a women's only bootcamp class!

Challenge yourself with this early morning class that combines everything from jumping rope and weights, to punching bags and focused mitts training.

The owner and head trainer, Chris Terry, was my personal trainer before I had to make the move to South Carolina. His gym offers an intimate atmosphere and he really pushes his clients to their limits. Don't let another year pass with the same old gym membership and workout routine. Change things up and give his classes a try.

1on1Boxing Fitness
1815 W. 1st Ave
Suite 116
Mesa, AZ 85202




Jan 28, 2011

Guilty Viewing Pleasure...

We all have our guilty viewing pleasures on TV, but I've found another on YouTube. HIMAY10NENCE is a YouTuber that I secretly love watching, and if you take a look at her videos you'd probably become addicted too.

I think it's a combination of her "tell it like it is" attitude, sense of humor, and overall country persona (though she's from East St. Louis so I don't know if that would make her country or ghetto....) that make her channel so entertaining. I can honestly say that I don't have any friends like this in real life, but it's nice to pretend via YouTube.




If you're in need of a few laughs check out her channel because she's pretty funny, curses a lot and actually speaks a lot of truth.

Do you have any YouTube guilty pleasures?

Jan 27, 2011

Support Live Unchained...

Live Unchained is a collaborative and global arts initiative for women across Africa and the African Diaspora, which includes black women in regions such as the Americas, Caribbean and Europe. We aim to empower them to connect, create and live unchained (as our slogan states). This means, we want to facilitate dialogue amongst women of the diaspora through art. Also, we want black women to create their own authentic stories. Too often, representations of black women in popular culture are stereotypical and do not reflect the diversity of nations we come from, languages we speak and customs and experiences we have.

Many people can identify with how frustrating it is to want to express themselves, but not have the right words; everyday language can be very limiting. Live Unchained utilizes the power of art to free up what common communication cannot. The two main components of Live Unchained are media (online and print) and events (exhibits and artistic showcases). We ask female artists to contribute various arts like photography, graphic design, short stories and songs to our “multi-media anthology,” the final product of which will be a book with cd and dvd inserts. Additionally, we will bring the pieces featured in the anthology and on our website and blog to life with events such as art and music showcases and exhibits.


Live Unchained is in a competition to win seed money to develop their initiative as a non-profit organization. They have already developed a business plan, preliminary board of directors and short and long-term goals. In order to take things to the next level they need our help.

1) Register on the site
2) Click "I Agree" next to their project
3) Leave a comment explaining why you support Live Unchained

It only takes 30 seconds to vote. Let's support a great cause!



Stylish and Versatile Awards

Many thanks to Gorgeous Puddin of Gorgeous Puddin's Ponderings, as she recently gave me a Stylish and Versatile award on her blog.

As an award recipient we are supposed to state 7 random facts about ourselves so here goes:

Random Facts
1) I like the smell of puppy breath
2) I always preheat my oven
3) I saw ghosts as a kid and still feel a little psychic
4) I'd trade all my stilettos for the chance to walk around barefoot on an island for the rest of my life
5) I'm training for my first 5k
6) I went on the Oprah Show twice as a child - - as a REAL guest!!
7) I wrote a column for Sister 2 Sister magazine when I was 10yo



Jan 26, 2011

T-Shirt Time

Last week the Bon Bon Vie tees I ordered finally arrived. Many thanks to Shari (the owner) for reshipping my merchandise after the idiots at the post office lost it. The mail system in South Carolina is a complete clusterfuck... but I digress.

I ordered the "Rep Chi" and "Brown Skin Lady" tees from her line and being a 36DD I thought choosing a Large would be good, but no bueno. My boobs are looking a slight bit smooshed (you know, pancake-ish lol) in the tops so I'm going to have to get my scissors and play around with the neckline a bit. It could be because the shirts don't have a ton of stretch, or that as a busty gal I know better than to rock a crew neck lol... but sizing issues aside, I like the tees and think the quality is good. If you order a size up you'll be a-ok.


New designs were recently debuted on their site so feel free to take a look and order away!

Too old to be bad?

This season of Bad Girl's Club is shaping up to be more of the same... fighting, drinking, and immature antics. However, something is not right. While most of the cast is 21 and clueless, Bolingbrook native Charmaine "Char" Warren is 27, a graduate of Illinois State University and apparently left behind her corporate marketing job to join the season 6 cast in Hollywood.

On Monday night's episode some of the girls had invited guys over and when Char asked their age (21) she responded that they were babies. Ummm... hello! Everyone in that house is a baby. 27 is damn near geriatric by "Bad Girl" standards and I've been trying to wrap my mind around what makes a GROWN woman walk away from a steady job (in a recession) to be a "bad girl" in LA?




It could be that she always wanted to make her way into TV and hosting parties... There's never a shortage of chicks hoping to ride the "Natalie Nunn" train all the way to the bank. To her credit she does have a degree backing her, so if (and when) her 15 mins are over she can hopefully go back to her 9-5 (if someone is hiring)... but 27 doesn't leave too much time to recover from making a fool out of yourself on national TV.

I'm 26 and the majority of my friends are hitting 27 this year, so the idea of ANY of us going on this show at this point in our lives is a joke. I can't even give a hypothetical for how I'd react to news that someone I knew was on this show because the truth is I don't have any friends that would ever go on this show at our age. Actually, I don't even have the types of friends that call themselves "bad bitches" lol...

For those that watch the Bad Girl's Club, do you think 27 is too old?



Jan 25, 2011

Brush Overload...

Last month I blogged about an insane deal Crown Brush was offering in partnership with Kandee the Makeup Artist. I had a few glitches with the ordering process, but yesterday my brushes finally arrived in one piece!

I opted for Set #620 which included 15 brushes and a case. The set usually sells for $43.99 but with the promotional code I got this for an amazing $29.99 (including taxes and shipping). That's one sweet deal.

I'm in makeup brush heaven right now but slightly overwhelmed. While I love makeup, by no means am I pro so I have no clue how to use all of these brushes.


Brushes Pictured L-R: Chisel Powder, Chisel Blush, Angle Blush, Foundation, Angle Blender, Oval Shadow, Blending Fluff, Flat Liner, Concealer, Lash Fan, Brow/Lash Groomer, Angle Liner, Oval Lip, Mini Smudger, and Round Crease

All of the reviews I've seen on these brushes are pretty good and most people compare them to MAC. Since I will only be using these for fun, I don't have any need to get professional type of mileage out of them. Having a collection like this for under $30 is mind blowing.

I'll be playing around with them asap and doing a little research to learn how to use the ones I'm clueless about (i.e. Lash Fan brush).

What's your makeup brush collection like?


Jan 23, 2011

Vote 4 Me: NaturallyCurly.com Vlogger Search

NaturallyCurly.com is on the hunt for 5 new vloggers to join their team!! The contest is running until Feb. 2nd and judging will consist of how many views our submission video gets as well as how much we can promote our video via sites like YouTube/Facebook/Twitter.

Though I just started adding hair videos to my YouTube page, I've been blogging about my hair since 2009 and would love the opportunity to join the NaturallyCurly team. Everyone doesn't live in a city with access to natural hair products and groups, so sites like NaturallyCurly.com and YouTube are great resources for fellow naturals to find information on what products to try (or pass up), styling options and serve as an outlet to rant/rave about our hair experiences.

Please take a look at my submission video (it's under 2 mins) and feel free to share it with other people you know that are interested in naturally curly hair! You can also subscribe to my channel to see the latest videos I post, or even click the "like" button on my submission video. If you want to go above and beyond you can post this video on your blog or repost this via twitter/facebook... any support is greatly appreciated.

Winners will be selected on Feb. 14th so I hope to be able to call myself one of the newest vloggers at that time.



Jan 22, 2011

MoptopMaven's "Healthy Hair in 2011 Challenge": Update #2

I'm going into my 4th week of Moptop Maven's Healthy Hair in 2011 Challenge. I recorded a video giving an update on my progress thus far.

I've been incorporating deep conditioning treatments and working on tying my hair up every night... pretty basic stuff, but I set my goals realistic for this challenge... my main focus has been developing a basic routine that I can have consistency with.

Is anyone else doing the challenge?



Jan 21, 2011

Southern Social: Opera Noire of New York


With their angelic voices and superb orchestra backing, one listen is all it'll take for the the Opera Noire of New York to hook you. They'll be coming to Columbia on Friday, January 28th for an 8p performance at the Township Auditorium. Tickets are only $15 - - a ridiculously LOW price for such an amazing, talented group of performers.

Supporting a culturally rich event like this is a must! It's an amazing thing to be in the company of such classically trained musicians... African-American musicians at that... and I think it's crucial to support organizations like this.

Now, what do I wear to the Opera? lol...


Jan 20, 2011

N♥il Art: Sally Hansen Nail Effects (update)

Sally Hansen Nail Effects Real Nail Polish Strips
Update - - I should've added a picture of the results for those that didn't want to watch the video. I've had the nails on for 4 days now and I'm pretty pleased with them. It's nail art for $10 which can't be beat. They're supposed to last up to 10 days and can be removed with nail polish remover since the strips are made from real nail polish. I'll let everyone know if they last the entire time, but if you'd like to find out more info feel free to watch my video.





Jan 19, 2011

Game Over....

The Game gained popularity and a huge following due to its success as a sitcom. For those that aren't aware, a sitcom is a situation comedy - - a humorous drama based on situations that might arise in day-to-day life.....  So when they announced a new season I was expecting the show to return to what made it awesome in the first place... its bread and butter... comedy! Instead we were given writing and acting that resembled the road the show was on right before they got canceled and I feel like history is about to repeat itself.

I love the cast but let's be honest, none of them are known for their dramatic acting. These are comedic actors and their talents are being wasted with this new "dramedy" format. On top of that, the show needs to either skip the laugh track altogether or find someone that understands how to cue it up correctly. It seems like it's either non existent or super delayed... and seeing as how this is a dramedy now, how many dramatic shows do you know that use a laugh track? Or even a studio audience?

They're trying to shoot this thing like a Gossip Girl or Entourage type of show, but it's not working. This show is a comedy. A real comedy with a live studio audience and jokes that we laugh at. Watching these actors (and folks like Terrence J that should really stick to hosting) strain their dramatic acting chops is a major fail. With each passing episode I feel like they're damaging their legacy.

I read an update on twitter comparing this season to Sex and the City 2. Of course the hard core fans will still show support, but it's just not the same. The actors and writers created magic for nearly 3 seasons... I don't understand what the hell is going on with them now. Is this what parents feel like watching kids waste their potential? lol... I hope the show gets back to what they did best.



** Sidebar - How unnecessary was it for the ladies to take off their tops while talking @ Med School's house? Every episode has had a major fail. First Tasha Mack and the black and mild... then the gratuitous boob shots... though we didn't see anything at all... just bad writing.

Jan 17, 2011

Celebrating 1 year of Marital Bliss...

Today my husband and I are celebrating 1 year of marital bliss! I am honored to be his wife and feel blessed every day to wake up in the arms of my best friend.


Jan 16, 2011

N♥tural Hair: Flexirod Set on Dry Natural Hair

I decided to revisit a style that I rocked a lot while I was transitioning (here and here). I completely forgot how much I loathed sleeping in flexirods, but the finished product was a cute, super curly look. I've been trying to experiment with my hair a bit more and revisit styles I used to wear. I haven't tried this look on wet hair so that may be next on the agenda.





Jan 14, 2011

Southern Social: World Beer Fest 2011

Beer lovers rejoice! All About Beer magazine is rolling into town Saturday, January 22nd for their annual 2011 World Beer Fest. Attendees will be treated to beer samplings from over 100 breweries, industry expert led educational seminars, and cuisine from local restaurants as well as musical entertainment.


Ladies - - Most men are beer lovers so this could be a great idea for a date night!!


Place: Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Date: Saturday, January 22nd, 2011
Time: 2 sessions to choose from: Noon - 4pm OR 6p - 10p
Cost: $40 in advance ($50 at the door, $85 VIP - online only) Click here to purchase tickets.

Jan 13, 2011

Fashion Fix: Cocktail Rings

Imagine my surprise when I saw Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Kyle rocking my favorite cocktail ring from Forever21.




I bought this ring sometime last year in coral and turquoise so they don't have it anymore... but Forever21 always has a nice selection.

The new episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs tonight and it's sure to be a big one. Camille finds out that Kelsey wants a divorce so we'll basically be watching her world crumble. This should be interesting....

The Game Trivia: Answers

I must admit that I forgot to post the answers yesterday due to my extreme let down of The Game season premiere lol... I've recovered so the answers are below. How'd you do?

The Game Trivia Answers:

1. Who cheated in the relationship between Melanie and Derwin?
• Derwin

2. Who did he/she cheat with?
• Derwin with Drew Sidora

3. Malik has a thing for what?
• Big girls

4. Jason gets nervous when hosting the ESPN show?
• True

5. In season two Jason starts using?
• Steroids

6. Melanie is responsible for _____ when living with Tasha and Malik?
• Cleaning out Malik’s dog’s cages

7. Tasha is known for her…?
• Attitude

8. What frenemy offers Melanie a place to live while she and Derwin were broken up?
• Dionne

 9. What was Tasha’ nickname for Melanie?
• Med School

10. What two of the shows stars are one half of two different twin sets?
• Brittany Daniel and Tia Mowry (Kelly and Melanie)

11. What is Melanie’s last name on the show?
• Barnett

12. What is the name of Derwin’s baby’s mama?
• Janay

13. What was the name of the organization of the football players girlfriends and wives, and in Tasha’s case, mothers?
• The Sunbeams

14. What is the name of the football team the show is based around?
• The San Diego Sabers

15. What athlete was Malik set up with who Tasha tried to sign as a client?
• Serena Williams

16. What was the name of Melanie’s boyfriend, which was her most serious relationship after Derwin?
• Jerome

17. What was Kelly’s profession when she met Jason?
• Cheerleader

18. Who did Malik marry as a publicity stunt, but actually wanted to make a relationship of it?
• Robin Givens

19. What popular athlete did Tasha date who she initially tried to hide because they worked together?
• Rick Fox
20. What is Jason’s nickname for his daughter?
• Brit Brat

21. What was Drew Sidora’s occupation on the show and in real life?
• Singer

22. Derwin had a fling with a model and she attempted to do take advantage of him? How did she try to accomplish this?
• Using a turkey baister

23. What show is The Game a spinoff of?
• Girlfriends

24. Who is the creator of The Game?
• Mara Brock Akil

25. What is Malik’s last name on the show?
• Wright

26. What are the real names of the 6 main characters on the show
• Tia Mowry
• Pooch Hall
• Brittany Daniel
• Coby Bell
• Wendy Raquel Robinson
• Hosea Chanchez

27. What station was The Game on before BET picked it up?
• The CW

28. During Janay’s first trimester, why did Derwin have a difficult time getting an erection when having sex with Melanie?
• He didn’t want “project twins”

29. During Melanie and Derwin’s wedding, who or what interrupted the ceremony?
• The birth of Janay and Derwin’s baby

30. What item of Melanie’s did Janay find while living with Derwin that she asked Derwin to get rid of?
• Her bear with doctor clothes on

31. What job does Kelly take to attempt at having her own identity?
• Tasha’ assistant

32. In season 1 Malik is crushed to learn which ex girlfriend is getting married?
• Eva Marcille

33. At a Sunbeams meeting, what was Kelly’s drink of choice?
• Wine

34. In the last episode, what took place in the hospital besides the birth of Derwin’s baby?
• Derwin and Melanie married in the chapel

35. Before The Game, what show and character was Wendy Racquel Robinson most popular for?
• Piggy or Regina on The Steve Harvey Show

36. What did Kelly admit to Jason in therapy that threw a wrench in their relationship?
• She married him for his money in the beginning

37. Who plays Jason’s most recent girlfriend, Camille, on the show?
• Stacey Dash

38. What is Malik’s nickname for Melanie?
• Girl Melanie

39. How are Melanie and Joan Clayton from Girlfriends related?
• Cousins

40. How are Malik and T-T related?
• They are not related but childhood friends

41. What was Dionne’s occupation on the show?
• Derwin’s publicist

42. Who produces the show and what sitcom or sitcoms is he/she famous for?
• Kelsey Grammer in Cheers and Frasier

43. What school did Melanie give up to move to California with Derwin?
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

44. A character appeared as Tony the Cable Guy in an episode and Melanie was caught making out with him, who is he to her in real life?
• Her real life husband, Cory Hardict


Jan 12, 2011

N♥tural Hair Update: Blowout Using a Round Brush

Before my stylist, the amazing Kim Allison @ Apricot Lounge Salon used a round brush on my hair, I was positive my hair would get caught in it. With a little education she laid those fears to rest and I now ONLY blow dry my hair using a round brush. Since my hair has grown out I had to upgrade the size of the brush I use to dry, but you can find a great brush at Sally's. I made a video for my YouTube channel showing how I dry my hair using this method. I want to also add that this is great for those that don't want to flat iron and like a big, curly look!




The Game Ain't the Same....

The season premiere of The Game came and went last night, and I was left feeling like the magic may be officially gone. It was almost like going on a date with an ex, hoping that there would be a spark again... but slowly remembering why you parted ways in the first place. I'm a fan of the show but the writing and acting was giving me flashbacks to the turn (for the worse) the show took at the end of their 3rd season.

I feel like the show was putting out... hard! Like a desperate chick trying to show you all her tricks so you'd hang on for another episode. The fans are the ones that brought this show back so of course the viewership would be there to support things... the writers/cast should have focused on creating the magic we once loved so much. The comedy with slight dramatic flair. This show is now an over the top mixture of drama, comedy (barely) and soap opera!! And for the love of God, who was in charge of casting? Erica Gluck was the original Brittany Pitts (Brit Brat) and only 10yo in real life when the show was canceled. How she was replaced by Katlynn Smith... someone that looks like she should be in college is beyond me! How did they age that child that much? 2 years pass and she looks like she's ready to go clubbing.



Oh, and Terrence J??? Really? I wasn't buying ANYTHING that his character was selling. Meagan Good was, well... she seems to stick to the same type of roles. I could do without her. Malik is going through some type of crisis and I don't like the interaction between him and TT now. I used to like their playfulness... but now Malik is acting like an ass and TT is kinda being weird - - like the weird, quiet kid that just wigs out one day... and his curly haired "girlfriend" getting it in with Malik? Didn't buy that either. Melanie is still being herself. I wish Janay would go away... I was really hoping that baby wasn't his lol. Kelly's personality is all kinds of wrong this season. I don't like her at all and I wish I did. She's super bitter and has nothing redeeming about her. Jason Pitts is still himself and I like that... Derwin hasn't changed much either. I feel like I'm rambling

Did anyone else feel any kind of way about this show?



*I did give "Let's Stay Together" a try and actually liked it better than "The Game" premiere. Can't say I'm a fan of either right now, but let's see how things shape up. I can't believe my TV was on BET for almost an hour!!! I had to hurry up and turn to Tosh.O and cleanse myself.



Life Lessons from Sex and the City 4:4

"Stop trying to make it something else and appreciate it for what it is...." - Ray (Jazz Guy)

When Carrie dates ADD Jazz Guy Ray, she finds herself struggling with the fact that he may just be good sex, not relationship material. In the world of dating everyone isn't marriage material, but isn't it possible to enjoy Mr. Right Now while you're on the hunt for Mr. Right?

This is something I feel men do much better than women... dating someone they like that works for where they are in their life at the time. Women tend to want everyone to be marriage material, but it's possible to miss out on some of life's amazing moments when you cut out a potentially fun, intriguing, good person just because "I Do" isn't in your future. Now, I'm not encouraging anyone to lower their standards, but it is possible to have a successful dating relationship without it leading to marriage.

Have you had a good relationship that didn't lead to "I Do"?

* For the record I casually dated 1 guy that didn't lead to a super serious relationship but was extremely healthy, fun and what I needed at the time. I didn't worry about working towards any relationship goal (aka "title") or where we would be in a year... it's was just refreshing and fun.

Jan 11, 2011

Spotlight: Epiphany Events

One of my best friends was featured on The UPload Show discussing her business, Epiphany Events. The economy is still suffering but as she stated in the interview, people are still going out to party and spend money! If you've ever thought about getting your foot into the event planning business take a look at this interview.



Trivia: The Game is Back!!!


I'm thrilled that the new season of The Game premieres tonight @ 10/9c.  I'm proud of everyone for rallying together to get this show back in production... and moreso for BET stepping it up and adding some quality programming to their channel. I mean, these are the same folks that used to show Uncut! lol...

In honor of tonight's premiere my amazing friend Kacey put together this quiz! If you're hosting a viewing party this could be a fun thing to incorporate. I'll be posting the answers tomorrow, along with my wrap-up on episode 1.

Questions


1.    Who cheated in the relationship between Melanie and Derwin?


2.   Who did he/she cheat with?


3.   Malik has a thing for what?


4.  Jason gets nervous when hosting the ESPN show?
  True
  False

5.  In season two Jason starts using ______ ?

6.  Melanie is responsible for _____ when living with Tasha and Malik?

7.  Tasha is known for her…?              
                 
8.  What frenemy offered Melanie a place to live while she and Derwin were broken up?

9.  What was Tasha’ nickname for Melanie?

10.  What two of the shows stars are one half of two different twin sets?

11.  What is Melanie’s last name on the show?

12.  What is the name of Derwin’s baby’s mama?

13.  What was the name of the organization of the football players girlfriends and wives, and in Tasha’s case, mothers?

14.  What is the name of the football team the show is based around?

15.  What athlete was Malik set up with who Tasha tried to sign as a client?

16.  What was the name of Melanie’s boyfriend, which was her most serious relationship after Derwin?

17.  What was Kelly’s profession when she met Jason?

18.  Who did Malik marry as a publicity stunt, but actually wanted to make a relationship of it?

19.  What popular athlete did Tasha date who she initially tried to hide because they worked together?


20.  What is Jason’s nickname for his daughter?

21.  What was Drew Sidora’s occupation on the show and in real life?

22.  Derwin had a fling with a model and she attempted to do take advantage of him? How did she try to accomplish this?

23.  What show is The Game a spinoff of?

24.  Who is the creator of The Game?

25.  What is Malik’s last name on the show?

26.  What are the real names of the 6 main characters on the show

27.  What station was The Game on before BET picked it up?

28.  During Janay’s first trimester, why did Derwin have a difficult time getting an erection when having sex with Melanie?

29.  During Melanie and Derwin’s wedding, who or what interrupted the ceremony?

30.  What item of Melanie’s did Janay find while living with Derwin that she asked Derwin to get rid of?

31.  What job does Kelly take to attempt at having her own identity?

32.  In season 1 Malik is crushed to learn which ex girlfriend is getting married?

33.  At a Sunbeams meeting, what was Kelly’s drink of choice?

34.  In the last episode, what took place in the hospital besides the birth of Derwin’s baby?

35.  Before The Game, what show and character was Wendy Racquel Robinson most popular for?

36.  What did Kelly admit to Jason in therapy that threw a wrench in their relationship?

37.  Who plays Jason’s most recent girlfriend, Camille, on the show?

38.  What is Malik’s nickname for Melanie?

39.  How are Melanie and Joan Clayton from Girlfriends related?

40.  How are Malik and T-T related?

41.  What was Dionne’s occupation on the show?

42.  Who produces the show and what sitcom or sitcoms is he/she famous for?

43.  What school did Melanie give up to move to California with Derwin?

44.  A character appeared as Tony the Cable Guy in an episode and Melanie was caught making out with him, who is he to her in real life?


Jan 10, 2011

Reality Check: The Bad Girls are Back

I'm reluctant to admit that I've seen every season of Oxygen's Bad Girl's Club, but it ranks high on my list of guilty pleasures. Unlike shows like Basketball Wives, these chicks are under the age of 25 so it's not as hard to watch their outlandish personalities and attitudes. Every season I tell myself I'm not going to watch it again... then the next season starts and I'm glued to my DVR lol.

The 6th season premieres tonight @ 9/8c on Oxygen. If you want a sneak peek check out a few of the clips below.





Tacarra Sutton - Chicago's Nail Art Queen

Chrisette Michelle, MTV TJ Gabi Gregg, and International Star Raghav are just a few of the men and women flocking to have their nails blessed by her work. Armed with her technical background and knack for innovative design, Tacarra Sutton is quickly becoming Chicago's go-to pro for nail art. I was excited when she agreed to take a few moments out of her busy schedule to answer some questions for Six Twenty Seven readers. Nail lovers rejoice. Chicagoans get excited. Your nail art prayers have been answered!



Q. How did you get your start?
A. In graphic design actually. When I graduated HS I finally decided to be a girl and start painting my nails ;) Over time, I started observing the cliche designs I'd see all the girls around me getting on their nails. Seeing how I had been doing graphics since I was 14, I knew there was way more to nail art than those squiggles and dots. I wanted to bring REAL art to nail beds. Soon after experimentation, people started to take notice, my love grew for it, and BAM, here we are. About a year later I decided to go to nail school to make it official.


Q. What are the biggest challenges you've had to overcome as a professional nail artist?
A. Getting people to realize that nail design is art too and not just some small side job. Nails are BIG to me. It still took until this year for my parents to realize it was way bigger in my eyes.

Q. What is the biggest source of inspiration for your designs? 
A. ANYTHING! I find inspiration all around me. The sound of these keys clicking is giving me inspiration. lol


Q. For those wanting to create nail art looks at home, what are the essential tools/brands you recommend?
A. The only design tools I use are Kiss brand design paint brushes. The brushes that come with the polishes are amazing to me.

Q. What are your professional tips for making nail art last?
A. Great base coat + great top coat = lasting manicure. I use OPI's base coat & Seche Vite for a top coat. But of course, the longest lasting design would come from the girl wearing false nails. Acrylic/gel nails extend a design basically until the nail falls off.


Q. What nail art trends do you see for 2011? 
A. Bold tribal patterns! Also lace nails.



Q. Any advice for those looking to start a career in nail art and design? 
A. Don't let anything discourage or hold your process back! Only YOU can stop YOU. This is what keeps me going. Once folks see you're serious, they will follow suit.



Tacarra is an extremely talented artist and with her designs ranging in price from $5 to $60 everyone can afford her. I'm seriously wishing I was in Chicago right now... my nails need her in their life asap!!

For more information and to book an appointment:
email: spifstersutton@gmail.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/spifster
tumblr: http://spifster.tumblr.com/
twitter: http://twitter.com/spifster


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