My Sister's Inspiring Journey with Crohn's Disease

By: Kimberly Jefferson

10 years ago today on June 14, 2001 my life changed forever.  At 16 years old I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease (an inflammatory disease of the intestines).  My family and I were totally taken off guard, unsure of what this disease entailed and how it would affect my life. Everything was different now. Taking medication 3 times a day, watching what I ate, countless tests, doctors appointments, IV infusions, bloodwork and even explaining things to my friends made me realize my life would never be the same. At times I felt discouraged, helpless, and afraid.  But through all my major milestones: dancing ballet for 15 years, finishing high school, cheerleading in college, joining my sorority: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, graduating from Florida A&M University, and even completing my Masters at the University of Central Florida, I was able to educate myself, change my lifestyle, get advice from doctors and even try new treatments to fit my needs. Because of this I am blessed to say 10 years later I am stronger and healthier thanks to the loving support of my family and friends.  Their loving words of encouragement and prayers have helped me through so many rough times. And to all of you I say THANK YOU!!!

Living with Crohns Disease on a daily basis is not easy and can sometimes be very draining. But knowing I will have this for the rest of my life pushed me to take a stand and do something. So to help I joined the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America to make a difference and join in the fight to find a cure. Every little bit counts. If you would like to get information on Crohns Disease and learn ways you can get involved please go to www.ccfa.org today.  Lets Find A Cure!!!

My Beautiful Sister, Kimberly

Jeanette Jenkins Tips!

Tips 

1. Do 20-60 minutes of Cardiovascular exercises (power walking, jogging, cycling, aerobics class, kickboxing, boxing, swimming, etc.) at least 4-6 times per week. This will help you boost your metabolism and burn calories.
2. Try to do your cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to boost your metabolism.
3. Hydrate with approximately 5 liters of water per day
4. Don't eat carbohydrates (sugar, fruit, juices, cereal, starches) during the first two hours following cardio.
5. Drink at least 1-2 liters of water after cardio
6. Do Muscular Strength/Endurance work (Yoga, sculpting, weight training) at least 2-3 times per week to boost metabolism, sculpt and define muscles.
7. Do Flexibility work (Yoga, pilates, stretching) at least 2 times per week to lengthen and define muscles and increase range of motion in your joints.
8. Eliminate complex carbohydrates (starches, rice, pasta, bread, etc.) from your evening meal.
9. Eat 6-7 small meals per day to increase metabolism
10. Follow the guidelines of a healthy nutrition plan.

Bikini Beach Body!

So I need to continue my workout since I have moved and I came across Chili's workout online. I think that this would be a great workout to try. And let's be honest, her body is sick'ning!

Workout Routine

Monday and Friday:

• Chilli jogs about 45 minutes and runs 12 sets of 60 yard sprints

• She also does 300-500 reps of ab exercises, including 50 crunches, 50 toe touches, and 50 leg raises

Tuesday and Thursday Strenuous leg-and upper body work including:

• Leg extension, four sets of eight reps

• Leg raises, four sets of eight reps

• Lunges- three sets of 10 reps

• Calf raises, four sets of 12 reps

• Push-ups, four sets of 12 reps

• Ten reps of dumbbell triceps extensions, superset with 15 reps

• Biceps curls three sets of 10-15 reps

• A walk through her neighborhood in the evening to relax and stretch all the muscles she’s worked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving Must Haves: Garmin The Great

My new Garmin GPS has been my savior during this process of moving to Miami! The turn-by-turn directions are a necessity in this big city. I think the best component of the Garmin is the "points of interest" tab. The Garmin will find food, gas stations, shops, and anything near the area! I don't know how I would get around without my Garmin GPS. Now, I will admit that I still got lost a few times because the directions sometimes confuse me. But, for the most part I have been able to explore the city with ease. This is definitely a great moving present for anyone relocating!  

A Whirlwind in Miami!!

Whew!! These past few days have flown by! All I can say is "LAWD HAMMERCY!!!" First my sorors and friends had a surprise going away party for me! How sweet!! I really have great people in my life that will support me no matter what. On Sunday, I relaxed with the boyfriend for my last day in Tally. On Monday I said my goodbyes (complete with many tears) and made the trip to Miami. How come nobody told me that the trip is that long! I have been to Miami, but every time that I traveled there I always stopped along the way to visit other cities. Making that trip alone was exhausting, but it gave me some time to think about things. I checked into the hotel to find that there were some Memorial Weekend stragglers around. Needless to say, between being excited about my first day and the loud music and talking I did not get a restful night of sleep. I woke up Tuesday morning and it's time for my first day of work! OMG!! I was soo excited! I woke up at 8am even though I did not have to report to work until 11am. I decided on my new Calvin Klein gray dress and black pumps with a cute black blazer. Although the office is pretty beach casual, I still wanted to make an impression. And let's be honest, I am a FAMUan! We are taught to always overdress for business occasions. Suits are a must in FAMU culture. I also wore my lucky pearls! They were a gift from my daddy after I crossed and are my first set of real pearls. I wear them at all interviews and first days. So I was ready to go! I walked into the office and met the office manager. I did the normal first day stuff and met the other girls in the office. Yes, the office is ALL girls! Whew chile! lol! I guess being in a sorority comes in handy in the "all girl" department! I also learned what exactly I would be doing. I have some great projects to complete and the client list at this company is stellar. I am excited to learn a lot and get my feet wet. This summer I will also be receiving my PR certification so I was told about the lecture series for that. I think that will be a good addition to my resume. Certified PR Girl haha! Later we walked to Lincoln Road which is literally a block away and explored all the cute shops, boutiques, and nice restaurants. This is such a nice area! I can't wait to eat brunch and shop there! Oh yeah, and guess who I see while sipping lemonade with the other girls?! Evelyn from Basketball Wives!!! Now from my previous posts (the trailer for the new season), you should know that I love this show! She was fly though and other girls on the street were asking for pictures. Well I didn't want to look too starstruck so I didn't ask for a picture. BUT you do know that I wanted to snap one with her so I could twitpic my first "celebrity" siting! Maybe next time. 
Well it was time for me to meet the lady to see the apartment. #1 She was soooo LATE!! I hate waiting! Call me impatient, but yes I am! #2 the outside of the building was not well kept! (My mom always said that 9 times out of 10 that is an indication of how the inside of an establishment is kept) Well Mommy's wisdom rang true again and I walk into the building and it SMELLS!! Not only did it smell moldy, but the smell of smoke was nauseating! It STANK! Not stink but STANK!! OMG!! She then told me that the elevator works but it is old and is a "hit or miss." Now how is an elevator a hit or miss?! Well we took the stairs up to the apartment and I found the hallways to be even more disgusting. A woman came out of her apartment cursing and smoking a cig! It honestly felt like a project building! The actual apartment was very dirty, the bed or "mattress" was on the floor with no bed rails, and the closet didn't open. The icing on the cake was when I entered the bathroom to find two bugs dead in the toilet!! OMG again! So in my true form and I mustered up as much manners as I possibly could considering the horrible situation, and told her no thank you and walked right out. When I made it to the hallway I took off running out of that nasty building! This is exactly why ads online should not be trusted. I am glad that I did not deposit any money for this horrible place. Now I don't consider myself some high maintenance princess, but I am however particular about where I lay my head. I am a young woman in a new city and I have to be careful about where I live. After that whole debacle, I drove around town trying to spot other places to stay. Finally after an hour of getting nowhere, I broke down and made the call to daddy. (He will always be my Superman). I had to tell him what happened and completely had a freak out complete with tears! So dad had the task of keeping me calm, all while trying to find a hotel for me. After a few tries, he found a nice hotel and booked a few nights to give me time to find a place. The night ended with my parents giving me a pep talk and encouraging me not to give up. The next morning I woke up and opened the blinds and to my surprise the beach was right there! Seeing the beautiful beach reminded me that I am now living in a gorgeous city! WOW! It helped me realize that there is beauty and positivity in all situations. I am blessed and I needed to be reminded of that! I researched other places and found one that was really pretty! I was however skeptical since I had been bamboozled the last time. 
Back at work, the next day was really busy! The company is getting ready for many events for the summer, including Swim Week! I'm excited!! I love fashion and I am excited to help with such major events. There is so much to be done and it is going to be hectic, but I am up for the challenge. The entire day was spent completing so many different tasks. I am glad to be busy instead of bored at work with nothing to do. 

After work I met the lady to see the new apartment. The location is great, not even a mile from the office. And the unit is a beauty! I really love it because it makes me feel like it's my own little beach house. An added bonus is the Publix right across the street! And I LOVE me some Publix lol! Today I moved in and got settled into my new place. I am relieved that everything is coming together. Without the help of my family and boyfriend, I would have had a complete breakdown! This adventure is definitely going to teach me many lessons. The lesson learned in this adventure is that everything will work out, but I must keep trying! Don't give up! I also learned the value of my support system. What would I do without them?! My parents have made so many sacrifices for me and I am eternally grateful.
But i know one thing, never trust a "hit or miss" haha!

Dark Girls: A Documentary

Via Madame Noire (Veronica Wells) 

As much as we love being black, we can’t pretend that we’re a people without flaws. One of the deepest, nastiest burdens we carry is our attitude about skin color. The dismissal or downright distaste for darker skin tones is an attitude that’s been a part of our culture since the days of slavery, if not before. While this belief is certainly not representative of all black people, there are still several women and men with darker skin tones who have felt and experienced pain because of these sentiments.

Actor and director Bill Duke, decided to tackle this issue, as it relates specifically to black women. He interviews several dark skinned women, both in and outside of the African American culture, who describe their painful memories and detail their hurtful experiences. Hopefully his work will provoke discussion, change mindsets and lead toward the healing we so desperately need.

You can watch a clip of the documentary, which will be released during the Fall/Winter of this year.

Big White Room by Jessie J

 I can appreciate a vocalist! I really like Jessie J and her amazing voice! This is a live, acoustic performance of "Big White Room." Listen to the song, and trust me you won't regret it! Get into it!

Southern Tradition: To Ask or Not to Ask.. That is the Question!

Well it seems to be Wedding Wednesday here at Simple Southern Charm! I think that most southern belles love weddings and love! I am the same way! I just love weddings in general, not just dreaming about my own wedding lol. The wedding industry has taken off and there are so many wedding shows about the gowns, the planners, the bridesmaids, and even the bridezillas! And i must admit that I watch them all. I believe that I get this trait from my mother. My mom has done her share of helping her friends and church members plan their special day and she has an eye for special events. Now she is the head of the wedding ministry at our church in Pensacola. And she loves her job! I grew up looking in her wedding books and even her own wedding album. I still hear stories of how my mom was something of a Bridezilla with 12 bridesmaids, 12 groomsman  3 wedding coordinators, flowers flown in from Argentina, a huge reception with 2 open bars, and a custom made gown. Whew!! Yes all of that in 1981! All of my friends know that she is just waiting for one of her daughters to get engaged so she can release the MOMzilla! EEKKK!! lol! Let's just say that it is going to be an adventure to say the least. I know that she is even going to try to help my friends plan their weddings! Lord help them too!

Usually moms are very hands-on with their daughters' weddings and help with planning the special day. But what about the dads? I am a huge daddy's girl and my dad and I are very, very close. There is a southern tradition for the guy to ask the father for permission to marry his daughter. Although times have changed and some couples no longer practice this tradition, I still think that this is very important. I don't necessarily think that the groom is ASKING for permission, but letting the father know that he wishes to marry his daughter and promise the dad that he will take good care of his daughter. From other ladies I have heard that this tradition may be too old fashioned and when you are an older bride it is not needed, since the bride is living on her own. But no matter how old of a bride I am I still feel like my dad should be consulted. I believe that the father will be honored. This will give them a chance to give advice and maybe even help with some part of the proposal. (I know that my daddy has great taste and would know exactly what I would like.)

My dad has already made it clear by saying, "If a man plans on marrying my daughters, he better come tell me something!" I know that's right daddy! I know that there may be different situations. However I still believe that the groom-to-be should consult at least someone that is close to her like a father-figure, brother, grandpa, mother, sister, etc. Even Mama Jones felt slighted when she did not know about Chrissy's planned proposal to Jim Jones!

I may be old fashioned so tell me what you think! To ask or not to ask.. that is the question!

Wedding Wednesdays: Niecy Nash's Wedding Bash

I am a hopeless romantic and I LOVE love! And I couldn't just post an engagement without supporting black love. One celebrity that I overlove is Niecy Nash. She is one of those ladies that is one of my "aunties" (well in my head, along with Whitney & Mariah lol). I have loved her since her days on Clean House and Reno 9-1-1! She is getting married this Memorial Day weekend. And TLC has been filming her process of wedding planning for a special to air on Saturday June 4th at 9pm. Niecy Nash's Wedding Bash is a two hour special that features her funny mom and her celebrity filled bridal party. Some of her bridesmaids are Wendy Raquel Robinson, Sherri Shepherd, and Sheryl Lee Ralph as matron of honor. So we can expect that this special is going to be filled with laughter & fun! I hope that her star-studded bridal shower will also be shown in the special too. The video above is her appearance on Lopez Tonight and she discusses how they met, her engagement, and her new-found matchmaking. I'm happy for her upcoming nuptials to Jay Tucker. 

Here is how she explained her engagement:  
My guy is amazing! Not a perfect man, but definitely perfect for me! We went to dinner on Saturday night- one year exactly from the day we met. The waitress, Ashley brought us a dessert with a candle in it. She said it was for us to make a wish…. Jay asked me what my wish was. I said “Honestly? My wish is for forever”. He then said, “Do you know what I wish”? I wish you would be my wife. Say yes”! Babyyyyy!!!!  I started crying and time stood still!!!! When I came back to myself I had the ring on! I needed him to tell me what happened??? It was such a special night:
The next day we had a BBQ and surprised our guests my telling them what happened and letting them know it was really our engagement party! It was sooooo much fun! Falling in love was easy- planning a wedding? That’s the hard part! I have no idea where to begin???? I got married the first time 20 years ago and my ex-husband planned everything because I had never been to a wedding!!! I know. Crazy. Right?!

So please support black love and tune in on June 4th at 9pm to TLC for Niecy Nash's Wedding Bash Special! 

Kim Kardashian Engaged?!

Via People Magazine

It was a dream come true for Kim Kardashian when she walked into her Beverly Hills home May 18. Her boyfriend of six months, New Jersey Nets forward Kris Humphries, was waiting in her bedroom on bended knee with four words written in red rose petals: "WILL YOU MARRY ME?"

"I didn't expect this at all," Kardashian, 30, tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview (out Friday) of the romantic, surprise proposal. "I was in such shock. I never thought it would happen at home, and I never thought now."

Humphries popped the question with a custom-designed, 20.5-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond sparkler. "I just knew I wanted it to be big," says Humphries, 26, who, with the help of Kardashian's mom Kris Jenner, planned an intimate family celebration later that evening.

"Kris really didn't want a big celebration, but he had jokingly told my mom he'd be fine if there were mini-horses there," says Kardashian with a laugh. "Later that night at the party, my mom brought out two mini-horses, covered in glitter, for us! It was hysterical!" 

 Well we all know that this engagement will probably make the new season of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and there will be some sort of special like Khloe and Lamar's wedding. I just hope there isn't a spin-off like Khloe & Lamar's show. In my opinion Kim is kind of boring (take a look at a K&K Take New York).  Well congrats to Kim Kardashian. I wonder who will be the bridesmaids.. Her sisters and LaLa maybe?! And I wonder what Reggie Bush is thinking.. hehe!

So what do you all think about this engagement?

Late Night Cravings: Low Mein

UGH!! This late night craving is kicking in and tonight's craving = low mein. There is something about Chinese food that I can't get enough of. I haven't been to a good Chinese food buffet in awhile :-( I have definitely been neglecting some of my favorite foods! Why at 1am would my body start craving this food, I have NO CLUE!! So tomorrow I will have to make a stop for some low mein or at least an egg roll! YUM!

My New Inspirational Song: "I Smile" By Kirk Franklin

When I was feeling down one day, this song came on the radio. It really spoke to my spirit and encouraged me that no matter what I may go through, it will all work out for the better. God is in control of my destiny and he will never put more on me than I can bear. This is going to be my inspirational song for this new time in my life. I know that through trials and tribulations, God is always with me. I will never give up and neither should you! Sometimes you have to just smile through your pain. 

"I almost gave up but a power that I can't explain fell from heaven like a shower now... I smile even though I hurt see I smile. I know God is working so I smile."

Going Ga Ga for Lady Gaga!!!

Born This Way Album cover

So I am crazy for Lady Gaga and I am something like a "little monster" (what she calls her fans). Her third album is out today and I'm so excited! I love her overall message of being true to who you are and she really represents the kind of people that others think are "different." Her album is already #1 on Itunes! She was recently named in the Forbes Celebrity 100 list as the #1 Most Powerful Person (she ousted Oprah).  On the View she says "to be yourself, be who you are and be proud because you were born this way." This is truly a powerful message that every person can relate to. So go buy her album! And she also has a beautiful voice! LOVE LOVE LOVE HER!

My First Style Icon: Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis

For traditional African American Southern families like mine, the Kennedys are our version of the royal family. If there is any special on the Kennedys on television, we will watch it together and older generations discuss growing up during the Kennedy era. Regardless of political beliefs or perceptions, the world became enamored with all things Kennedy during the 1960s. But for the ladies, it was all about Jackie Kennedy! Jacqueline Kennedy served as the First Lady to John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States. Jacqueline Kennedy became the youngest First Lady of the US, at age 31. Jackie Kennedy is also lovingly known as Jackie O after her second marriage after the death of JFK.

If there were Southern Belle bylaws, there would be a rule that says that Jackie Kennedy is THE style icon for all southern belles and to say differently is blasphemy!  Jackie O was my mother's first style icon and became my first style icon as well. Ever since we were little, my mom taught my sister and I all about the style and fashion of Jackie Kennedy. You would think that Jackie was her personal friend lol! She showed us pictures and made us watch specials about the Kennedys. To this day I can still hear my mom say, "Jackie loved her pillbox hats." Jacqueline's favorite designers included Chanel suits, dresses by Valentino and Givenchy, and ensembles by Dior. Her signature A-line dresses, over-the-elbow gloves, and pearls became known as the "Jackie look." She also adored jewelry by Van Cleef and Arpels. Her signature dark sunglasses and Hermes scarves were a staple in her extensive wardrobe. I believe that Jackie O's look is luxurious, classic and everlasting. I hope some day I can teach my own daughter about the style of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Thanks mom for introducing me to my first style icon, America's sweetheart!

  Stunning as a bride at her wedding to JFK. The gown was designed 
by Anne Lowe, a black designer!

Jackie Kennedy's signature A-line dresses, white gloves, & pearls!    Triple stranded Kenneth Jay Lane pearl necklace made famous during her time at the White House

Jackie Kennedy's signature A-line dresses, white gloves, & pearls!

  







Triple stranded Kenneth Jay Lane pearl necklace made famous during her time at the White House

  

The infamous Pink Chanel suit that she wore the day her husband 
was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. 

The October 2009 issue of Vanity Fair. Jackie Kennedy is an eternal style icon! Many designers have created collections inspired by Jackie Kennedy Onassis, especially her signature sunglasses that she is most known for. Here is the Nina Ricci "Jackie O" sunglasses collection                                                                                Class & grace, but definitely style!

"Sex is a bad thing because it rumples the clothes." Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

The October 2009 issue of Vanity Fair. Jackie Kennedy is an eternal style icon!

Many designers have created collections inspired by Jackie Kennedy Onassis, especially her signature sunglasses that she is most known for. Here is the Nina Ricci "Jackie O" sunglasses collection

 

Class & grace, but definitely style!

                                                        

                    Class & grace, but definitely style!

Career Day: Following My Dreams!!

“Find out what you love to do, and you will never work another day in your life.”

Well it's one week and counting until my move to Miami and I am beyond excited and nervous! Setting out on my own is something new in my life. For me living in Tallahassee was safe. My mom and dad are from Tally and I've spent many holidays and summers here. My parents also went to FAMU so I've been coming to FAMU homecomings, home games, and other activities since I can remember. After 6 years of living in Tally, it is time to move on and discover life on my own. Before the decision to move to Miami and work at my dream company, my life was filled with safe decisions. I chose my major in undergrad because it was "safe" and an involved a secure industry, health care. I chose to get my MBA because it would make me more diverse and because of my sparked interest of business and marketing from a past internship. Last summer I went on another internship at a large corporation, and that was another "safe" decision. Needless to say I was miserable and knew that  corporate life was just not for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not downing others' corporate careers. My dad has a very successful career in the corporate world and he loves it! But I realize that it is not for me. The internship helped me see that this career path was not where I would want to be in 5 to 10 years. It also gave me the time to research a career that I would actually love.

I knew that I enjoyed marketing and began to research agencies. I then saw that marketing agencies are most times paired with public relations and that they can specialize in many different industries like food, sports, hospitality, etc. Of course the ones that interested me specialized in the fashion and entertainment industries. It brought me back to the days of the Hills when Lauren Conrad and Whitney worked at Peoples Revolution, a fashion PR company. I found many different agencies that were superior, but one particular agency really attracted me. H&S (I won't use their entire name) is a marketing/pr agency that specializes in luxury brands in fashion, lifestyle, travel, hospitality, special events, and of course entertainment. Some of the clients include Sony Ericsson, Grey Goose, Crumbs Bake Shop, Marriott hotels, and Jimmy Choo. The company also is considered a "corptique." This is a boutique-style agency that has more hands-on responsibilities with clients and corporate backing to ensure job security and benefits. This is just what I need! 

I literally stalked H&S lol. No but I really did! I found email addresses for employees, made contacts from LinkedIn, and kept track of all events and new clients of the company. From last September I was determined to land a position with H&S. After many persistent emails and even phone calls, I finally landed my first interview in February. The interview process included two interviews, a writing sample, and a presentation and took about 2 months to complete. WOW! A few days before my birthday I received the good news that I was selected for an internship at H&S. From my research, I have learned that marketing/pr agencies usually only hire from within. When involving the entertainment & fashion industry, I will have to work my way up the company ladder. And I am definitely down for the challenge. This is my dream career and I was taught that the only way to success is through hard work and motivation. Even Oprah had to start somewhere! I know that working at H&S will be exciting, fun, but most of all rigorous. Don't worry, I will share all of the crazy stories with you guys! I don't regret passing up corporate job offers to follow my dreams. Corporate life will serve as my "fallback" if things do not work out. However, I am determined to become full time and continue my career in marketing and public relations. My ultimate goal is to have my own marketing/pr agency in the future. I long for the Samantha Jones career! So stay tuned, I intend to make my dreams a reality! 

(Below are articles from a site that helped me jump start my career. It is important to stay current on the career area and industry that you wish to work in. I cannot stress enough how research is vital to the success in any career! I hope that my post helps others and that this inspires someone to chase their dreams too!) 

PR Homework

Via: nycprgirls 

Congratulations, you have decided to pursue a career in Public Relations. Whether you just graduated high school or recently landed a stellar internship, take a moment to pat yourself on the back because PR is not for the faint of heart. Now, it’s time to do your homework…

Analyze Magazines-  Some of you may have had a subscription to Cosmopolitan or Vogue since before Bieber was born. However, have you really analyzed these magazines? Sure, you flip through the articles and admire the stunning fashion and luxurious beauty items, but are you noticing the trends? Following specific editors or reoccurring articles? Know those publications like the back of your hand. Then when it comes time for you to pitch that Beauty or Food Editor you will not only know her style, but how to naturally fit your client within her stories. Just decided to get into Food PR and your Mom doesn’t have any old issues of Food Network Magazine? No problemo. Visit your local library (they often keep old issues on file) and familiarize yourself with past issues.

Get off Facebook -  I’m glued to the computer all day just as much as the next person. However, you can use the internet to enhance your PR productivity ( like with reading this blog!). Spend your time online familiarizing yourself with the online outlets, much like you are doing in analyzing magazines. Along with being fluent in the languages of AOL, Yahoo, About.com and iVillage, you should also set up Google Alerts (life saver) to bring trends and product news to your attention in an instant. Dream of landing an internship with Coca Cola? Set up Google Alerts for industry trends and most importantly, leading brand competitors (Pepsi).

Get Organized – Many of those in the PR industry are your typical Type A personalities with organizational skills that could rival Danny Tanner. This will be your saving grace in the PR field, especially at entry-level. You will be responsible for invoices, giveaways and mailers on top of your day- to-day pitching. When working in an agency setting, you will have to juggle all these tasks at the same time on numerous accounts and clients. If I could bequeath one simple organizational tip, it would be to take advantage of those handy email folders pronto. I got in the habit of organizing my personal email into several categorized folders in college, and when I came into the work force I automatically fell into this tidy habit. Separating your email folders per account, product pitch and/or giveaway makes referencing the hundreds of daily emails you receive easy breezy.

What are some of the ways you are currently preparing for a career in PR?

Top Five Wardrobe Essentials for PR Girls

Since I will be relocating to start my career in the pr/marketing industry, I saw this article that will be helpful. The tips can also be useful for other careers and industry, or if you just want to be fly! Enjoy!

via: nycprgirls

You landed your dream job in your dream city, but what are you to wear? If you are entering the work force for the first time, you may be planning a shopping spree to upgrade your wardrobe. Here are the five essentials every PR girl should have in her closet:

A Well-Tailored Blazer –  If you don’t already have a blazer hanging in your closet, please go buy one immediately !  A well fitted blazer can pull together any look – dress up the causal appearance of  jeans, or add to a dress or skirt for that event or client dinner.  The blazer is a key component to any PR girl’s wardrobe.  If you must have only one, go for black at first and work in navy and grey hues. Once you feel comfortable don’t be afraid to be daring with blush, camel, white or bold color blazers for spring.

The Little Black Dress – In the PR field, even just starting out, a little black dress is your best friend. We all have that “go to” dress specifically worn on event or media days. This dress should be something comfortable (you could be stuck in it for hours upon end), yet versatile enough to hit the bar for drinks after a long day and not appear too stuffy.  Don’t be afraid to add some of your personality to the look with an funky necklace, earrings, or a fun pop of color with a skinny belt around the waist.

City Flats – The biggest adjustment for me in moving to the city wasn’t getting acclimated to the weather as much as it was changing heel wearing habits. I was always a heels girl, but running around the city can be disastrous on your shoes and your feet. These City Flats easily roll up to stash in your purse or bag – a god-send since you never know when you’ll have to dart around the city for last-minute requests on any given PR day.

Cross Body Purse – Not every purse I own is cross body, just the ones I actually carry out of my apartment are.  I warn you, once you go cross body you never go back (cross my heart).  Work, play, day or night, cross body purses are essential for city living.

Work-Appropriate Jeans – I love the look of a distressed denim just as much as the next girl,  but there is a time and place for everything.  Stick with a darker denim in a flattering style for casual days at the office.  Many PR firms have a pretty relaxed dress code, but that isn’t an excuse to slack in your style. Keep in mind you should always dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

What are some of your PR wardrobe essentials?

True Love: The Longest Married Couple In the World

Via: wordpress.com

Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher have an extraordinary story to tell.  They’ve been married for 86 years. Together, they endured the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam, they have seen the impact of the Civil Rights Movement,watched man land on the moon, the dropping of the atomic bomb, lived through the terms of 15 presidents and still live to tell about it.  But there are many centenarians for whom the same holds true so what makes Herbert and Zelmyra so extraordinary?  Throughout everything, they have remained married.

Married on May 13, 1924, 105-year old Herbert, and 103-year-old Zelmyra do not pretend to know any secrets to a lasting marriage.  They have been married longer than any known living couple, had five children and have watched countless grandchildren and great-grandchildren come into the world.  They are a sweet, aging pair that will tell you truthfully that they were married because Zelmyra “did not give [Herbert] any trouble” and Herbert “was not much to look at… [but] he was quiet and kind.”  After 86 years, they remain in the home where they raised their five children, sleep in different bedrooms and love each other all the same.  They hold the world record for length of marriage for two living persons.  Is your union built to last the test of time?

Marriage Advice:

Question: You got married very young – how did u both manage to grow as individuals yet not grow apart as a couple?

Answer: Everyone who plants a seed & harvests the crop celebrates together. We are individuals, but accomplish more together.

Question: At the end of bad relationship day, what is the most important thing to remind yourselves?

Answer: Remember marriage is not a contest – never keep a score. God has put the two of you together on the same team to win.

Basketball Wives 3 Supertrailer

OMG! So I must admit that I love "my shows" and most of them are reality tv! Don't judge me lol! I love a good train wreck or two. One of my shows that I love to watch is Basketball Wives! DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA!! Peep this Season 3 trailer! Lawd hammercy! It premieres Monday May 30th 8/7c on VH1!

Beyonce's New Video: This is for the Stans!

WOW!! Beyonce always blows me away! But I cannot quite express exactly how I feel about this video without quoting my fellow tranny (I'll explain this endearing term later), my sister Kim! And I quote: "Lawd!!! I just saw Beyonce's new video!!!! Omg I just got my life!!! I had no idea she was coming for these girls like that! #snatchinwigs" lol  What else needs to be said! View at your own risk! :-) 

A Beautiful Proposal!!

 

Being the hopeless romantic that I am, tears began to fall when i watched this beautiful marriage proposal. The fact that so much thought was put into this proposal is the icing on the cake.  How sweet and thoughtful! One day I hope to have such a great proposal story to tell. And the fact that it was a cute little southern couple made it too adorable! Who doesn't like a good country accent?! lol Watch and enjoy, but have those tissues ready!

Let Me Cater To You.. Or At Least Fix Your Plate?

So I took my boyfriend with me to the family gathering in honor of my paternal grandparents. My grandparents were married for 69 years before they passed away only two weeks apart. This is indeed the kind of love that every girl dreams about so I thought that it would be fitting to bring along my boyfriend. Now I know that my family is very traditional, but I received a true southern belle lesson when it came time to grub. Like any other Southern family gathering there was plenty of food to go around. Chicken, fried fish, potato salad, mac’ n cheese, cakes, pies, and any other entrée that you could think of was on the menu for the family gathering. The older family members announced that the food was ready, and my boyfriend and I got in line to pile up our plates. My older aunt spotted the both of us in line and told me, “Aren’t you going to fix your man a plate?!” Wow! I laughed it off… until I realized that she was serious. EEK! I quickly made his plate while he sat smirking at me. And in my true fashion, I couldn’t resist giving him a little nasty look back. This sparked a dinner conversation among the ladies of the family. The older generations are used to fixing their significant others’ plates and the younger generations believe that the man can do it himself. Well I guess that I’m a mix of old fashioned and new school. Most times when I cook, I prefer to fix my boyfriend’s plate. Yet, I still think that he is more than able to do it himself if I’m not cooking or there are leftovers. Even though the older ladies in my family may be viewed as extreme by younger generations, there is still a lesson that young gals can use. Making a plate for your  husband, boyfriend, or even your “boo thang” is a metaphor that describes catering to your man.

I think that every woman in a relationship or dating should do nice things for their significant other. The saying goes “what you won’t do, another woman will.” However, I feel that a girl should only cater to her man within her comfort level. I don’t believe that a woman should run around like Kelly on The Game, circa Season 1 or 2. I think that it should be based on how a woman feels. If you think that you are doing too much, then you probably are. Only do what you feel comfortable doing, but make sure that you are doing enough! Another lesson that I learned is that every relationship is not the same. I mean, if your friend feels ok with tucking her boo in at night then whatever floats her boat! Lol It’s what works for each relationship. There are so many ways to cater to a man. If he likes pizza & wings when he watches the playoff games then it doesn’t hurt to make sure he has his favorite foods. Now if he wants foot massages after a sweaty game of basketball then umm.. maybe buy him a small foot spa. It all boils down to this: catering to your man doesn’t have to be extravagant at all times, but make sure to at least make that effort.

Southern belle lesson learned: Fix that plate!

Ready, Set, Write!

“Carpe diem” My decision to create a blog was fueled by my recent graduation and my entrance into the real world! I was prompted to create this blog from a trending topic on twitter that I started in celebration of my parent’s wedding anniversary. From the responses that I received, I realized that their wisdom is something that I should share more often. My family is a very traditional Southern family. Some may even call us “country!” But no matter what my family is structured on great family values and most of all, love. When you think of a traditional Southern family you think of all day church on Sundays, sweet tea & lemonade, Juneteenth celebrations, summers in the country, big family gatherings & holidays, and tons of traditions. Well that describes my family. I am proud to be raised on collard greens and cornbread and participating in holiday family raffles. Yes! A family raffle, complete with prizes and all!  I embrace my southern roots and being called a southern belle is a term of endearment for me. There is so much wisdom that I wish to share from my hilarious family, so this blog will be my outlet. I hope that I don’t disappoint.

I finally feel like I have evolved from the naïve freshman living in Cropper Hall to the refined young woman working on South Beach. My college career was filled with fun, laughs, tears, heartbreak, falling in love, partying, and so many memories. Now that that chapter of my life is closed, it’s time to get more involved in my passions. So I decided to start with writing! The new chapter of my life can now be described as “my grown & sexy lifestyle.” Soon I will be moving to Miami to start my career working for a public relations and marketing agency in entertainment, fashion, special events, and luxury brands. I am risking it all to chase my dream and what better way to chronicle this time in my life but blog about it?

I am excited for what is in store for my life! Enjoying my life is a must. I will give readers a peak into my crazy world: the start of my career, my southern charm, and teachings from my crazy family. Be prepared because you are in store for quite an adventure of: the country girl meets the city!