Think Pink....

Facts you need to know about breast cancer:

The breast cancer mortality rate for African American women is 36% higher than white women
* Among women under age 40, African Americans have a higher incidence of breast cancer than white women. (American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2009-
*Research shows that aggressive tumor characteristics are common in African American women than white women
*An estimated 6,040 black women’s lives are expected to be lost to breast Cancer in 2011 and a total of 26,840 new cases of the disease will be seen among us by the end of the year
* Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of death among African American women. (American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures for African Americans 2011-2012
* The five-year survival rate for African American women diagnosed with breast cancer is 79 percent. (American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2010)
* The incidence of a second breast cancer in an opposite breast is higher among black women. (Fourth American Association for Cancer Research Conference, The Science of Cancer Health Disparities, Sept. 18-21, 2011)
* The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in black women is up to six times higher than that of white women. (Era of Hope Breast Cancer Conference, Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, Aug.2-5, 2011)
* Women who don’t breast feed have a 50 percent higher chance of developing certain types of breast cancer. (Black Women’s Health Study, Cancer Epidemiology, Bio-markers & Prevention, 2011)
* African American women who use oral contraceptives have a greater likelihood of developing breast cancer. (Black Women’s Health Study, Cancer Epidemiology, Bio-markers & Prevention, 2011
* Social support from family and friends is important during diagnosis and survival stages. (Cancer Nursing, Nov/Dec 2008)

You do the math... and make sure you and a loved one go and have mammogram done, and in between those always do self checks!!!

HOW TO DO A BREAST SELF-EXAM

In the Shower
Fingers flat, move gently over every part of each breast. Use your right hand to examine the left breast, left hand for the right breast. Check for any lump, hard knot, or thickening. Carefully observe any changes in your breasts.

Before a Mirror
Inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.
Look for any changes in the contour of each breast, a swelling, a dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Then rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women's breasts do.

Lying Down
Place a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head. With the fingers of your left hand flat, press your right breast gently in small circular motions, moving vertically or in a circular pattern covering the entire breast. -->
Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

Who are you Nailing.....

Nail polish has never really been my thing.... until recently thanks to one of my best buds(tonette). For some odd reason I thought I was too dark for alot of the colors I liked. Boy was I wrong because some colors look better on darker skin tones. When she graduated as a gift I brought her a boxed filled with nail polish and boy did she love it... soon after I found myself in her box often. I love nail polish because it is such a great accessory, and also I can change it based on how I am feeling that day which is cool!! After reading a few articles I came up with the top four nail polish trends of fall 2011:

1. neutrals colors: (here are some of my favs) Samoan sand, at first sight, san tan- tonio

2. Metallics:(some of my favs) rally pretty pink, peridot, graphite

3.Glitter: (some of my favs) teenage dream, servin up sparkle, rainbow connection

4.Nail appliques: (brands) Sally Hansen, INCOCO

Next time you are in a store pick up a color that you would never get and ROCK IT!!!

Sideliner or Prime Timer?

Does second place get a prize? After countless conversations about cheating and being the other the woman I think it time to discuss this. Which side of the fence you reside on? I must admit I have had the pleasure of being on both sides. Is this something I pride myself in NO, but it is part of my story and I could never act as if it did not happen. We are all human and make mistakes so please don’t judge me. Here is where I stand…. When I was just starting college I indeed dated a guy who had a girlfriend(s) for me it was never about her or me it started out as something to do. I mean he really wanted me and seemed nice so I was like “what the hell” and took him up on his offer of dinner and a movie. The best thing is I now can look back on that situation and truly thank god... That I am healthy and came out with a sound mind and no children. He was a great teacher… and I was his best student, Young pretty and unaware of my worth!! It was all fun and games in the early stages and as time went on, this relationship started wanting more of me, I wanted to build a life around this lie many sleepless nights, many broken promises. I mean one day cloud nine the next day… I hated him; it was the roller coaster emotions that sometimes kept me I knew he would always make it up to me and that I loved!!! One day while sitting with a friend, she asked me what was his girlfriend name was… and when I had to think and name a few names, I knew that this was a mess that I had myself in. But being with him was my drug … to this day he still gives me chills… I mean I could write a book about us and you really would not believe it. But I also knew that I could not continue seeing him after so many of my family members warned me, he is too old for you, too much experience for you. I never seen any valid reasons for them to all dislike our relationship like that, I was blind and could not see past his amazing personality. Don’t get me wrong he is not the devil; he is actually a great guy, just not for me during that time. One day I woke up and wanted more….. I did the math and no matter how I tried to add it we could have never made it. So I walked away, I walked away so upset with myself at how I acted. But I also knew I could never be the other women. I never understood why some women go after men with a wife or girlfriend why would you set yourself up for the part- time happiness and never ending pain and embarrassment? When I was dating that guy I never set out to take him from her, nor did I try… it was simply something to do I never really knew who is girlfriend was because he had a few (simple I know) and when the time came around that I wanted him to be my man, I knew I had made one of the biggest mistakes in my life. So why would you want to sneak around with someone, be that get-a-way girl, why would you want to spend countless nights alone knowing the one you want is in the arms of someone else , why would you not want to be this trophy, just the box he hides underneath his bed. People say as a woman you should never do that to other women, and that’s true but your main concern should be why you would do that to yourself. This is a time when you need to be selfish and think of only you!!!! Life had taught me a lot of things and something’s you have to go threw to understand, I totally understand the thrill in being with someone you are not suppose to be with and I also understand the pain that its cause on the people involved and that’s a risk I don’t ever want to take again. When I found myself in that situation again where I was perceived as being the other women I removed myself, the fact of that matter was he was dating and lying to both of us… and that’s just something I don’t want to deal with as well, I don’t want to compete with anyone, I don’t want to walk in a room and know that people are gossiping about the fact that he is not claiming me, or not claiming her or even worse he is not claiming either one of us, and we are both looking stupid. I take things for what they are…. if you have been with a man that has cheated on you numerous times and you have run off all the “hoes” he has been with… they should thank you!!! And you should look in the mirror and get ready to run the next wave of “hoes” off. Everyone deals with cheating in relationships but when it becomes a normal occurrence you may need to go back to the drawing board. There you have it....

Hello 28.....

Come party and slumber As I say " Hello 28" was the fun filled theme for my girl Ashely Birthday party this year. And boy did we party old school style. I was super excited because I happen to LOVE Hello Kitty. Food, Games, and Drinks, And girl talk!!! What a great combination... She even had a pole instructor come teach us some bedroom moves.... and that was a site to see... I mean she was good... but the girls all had their own moves to show!!!! The decor was very colorful and done beautifully.... The night was filled with games and great prizes... and even a dance off.... Whatever any of the girls had going on went out the window...we had a blast!!! Ashley is truly one of a kind and so are her parties!!! Best wishes to her during her 28 year of life... What a great way to say Hello 28!!

28 Never looked so good.....

Bey and the Bump.....

I Guess Bey wanted to shut the rumour mill down, today while out and about. What I don't understand is.... why would she have a reason to lie about having a baby? according to websites and on some talk shows people are adamant that she is not Pregnant. I think this was a response to the haters in her own way, she does not have to call the talk shows, tweet a response to the haters, or email the blog sites.... Every since word broke loose about Bey and her baby bump she has worn loose fitting clothes, so today she made sure to wear a firm fighting dress.... Look folks there are bigger issues out here than to be worried about if she is with child or not!! But from the looks she is GLOWING!!

* These Pics where taken from The YBF website* make sure to check them out as well

Stork Nest..... Baby Kariss

Sending a congratulations to Felicia and Ced on their new baby girl, Kariss Ervin born on 9-28-2011, may God continue to bless this union and family, As three become four.....I am so ready to dress her up!!

Just a thought!!

My blog is not centered around entertainment, but sometimes I do write about hot topics, I have been following up on a few entertainment stories that I find interesting and those I am supper excited about. There has been a rumor for some time that there will be a sequel to a few good movies and remake of one, and boy I am ready to see them, but also a little scared at the same time. Some movies should just be left as is. Steel magnolias is one of my all time favorite moves, man I cry every time I see that movie it just does something to me, well lifetime has a remake in the making, with an all black cast, I love supporting my black divas, but can they and will they live up to the high standards of that movie? And who will they get to play the role of Shelby, Ouiser (weezer), and truvy, baby Jackson? And they better have that armadillo cake, the funeral scene better make me cry and laugh…. The list goes on!!! As if that’s not enough to think about they want to do squeals to The Best Man & Waiting to exhale… there are a few questions that we all want answered… but will we want to know the answers? I mean these two movies make up the very fine fiber of movies in the black community…. Could we pull it off? Remaking or making squeals on any movie is such a hard task. Because people base their opinion on the original piece, and it’s been 20, 12, and 16 years after these movies has been made. As far as Waiting To Exhale and The Best Man I want the original cast, I will not accept nothing less!!! Lol….. So who would you put in the steel magnolias remake? Please share your thoughts and ideas!!

What Not To Wear..... When Going To Church

Now before I start my post I just want to say this… what I am about to say is more of an opinion than me passing judgment!! (Yall know I am about to do the fool). There are clearly some do’s and don’ts when it comes to church attire. I think people are getting downright disrespectful when it comes to dressing for church. The lord say come as you are, but folks he was talking about our sins!! Have you ever sat in church and said is that a club outfit or is his pants too low? Okay if you are a street walker I understand, that’s all you may have. But if you have six inch heels and a Kelly Bundy dress on, I am most sure you at least have a pair of jeans and t-shirt in your closet. You have to carry yourself a little better when entering the house of the lord; it makes people question your intensions I mean who really can focus when your back is out in church, the top of your dress is see through, all you can see is your g-string and rolls, I mean really? The funny is, last Sunday as I was in church waiting for it to start, I watched people as they came in and was puzzled by some of the clothing choices that a few people had made, call it what you want it’s my opinion. And could you believe my pastor even touched up on that very same subject that I was perplexed over earlier that day, by saying “that’s all he or she may have to wear” I totally agree with pastor but when I Think about some of the men and women I have seen committing these fashion crimes, I think otherwise. Sometimes for women putting on a blazer, cardigan, flats, or a pair of opaque tights will save your outfit. And for men pulling up your pants, wearing a dress shirt, or even wearing a solid color polo or simple striped polo( does not have to be name brand but “polo” style shirt) can make a total difference. Since many people sit in church and other places and wonder “what the hell” I will come to the rescue!! Let’s get one thing clear… I am by no means the “fashion police” just trying to put some of you on game!! So I need all my readers to send in pictures of what you believe is “church appropriate and what’s not appropriate” and ways to fix some of these fashion crimes!! I look forward to all of your pictures!!! Please see pictures to lee.chiquita@ymail.com Make it fun grab your girls and show us your ideas and thoughts!!