Girl’s Night Out For A Good Cause

By Jasmine Giselle

Grab your BFFs!  It’s time to catch a movie and then go shopping!  What are you gonna see?  The real life The Devil Wears Prada documentary, The September Issue, which opened last week in New York theatres.  Where are you gonna shop?  Everywhere, because on September 10th fashion will have it’s night out!

First the movie!  The September Issue follows the life of Editor in Chief of Vouge Magazine, Anna Wintour, who was depicted in the fictional film The Devil Wear’s Prada as Miranda Priestly.  This film brings the fiction film to life!  It focuses on the making of the September issue of Vouge, hence the name.  The September issue (of the magazine) is one of the most important issues in fashion.  How important you ask?  Let’s just say the September issue is “The January of Fashion,” as stated by Anna herself.  It is an introduction of advertisements and features of fall/winter collections and trends for the year.  Millions of people purchase the issue every year, making it not just a big deal for designers and the magazine, but this year it also has the power to be an important stimulant in our slow economy.

The film is a must see for any woman or man seriously considering being a part of the high fashion or modeling industry.  The movie cuts no slack on how tough and tedious fashion really is.  Directed by the same filmmaker of The War Room, R.J. Cutler, the movie features many industry elites such as Vogue Editor at Large Andre Leon Talley and renowned designers like Vera Wang, Oscar De la Renta, and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Now to the shopping!  There are several fashion campaigns that come along with the release of this movie.  One such campaign is Fashion’s Night Out, which is also sponsored by Vogue Magazine.  With fashion being the second largest industry in New York City alone, Fashion’s Night Out is an attempt to give a little boost to the economy by shopping.  This global event happens not only in NYC, but also in the UK, India, Japan, and Brazil.  For all my New Yorkers out there it’s going down, in all five boroughs, September 10th.

Hundreds of retailers from high-end brands such as Dolce and Gabbana to more recession friendly retailers like H&M, Banana Republic, and JC Penney, will keep their doors open later and will have sales, food and beverages, and celebrity appearances as incentive to shop.  Following the shopping event, Fashion’s Night Out will host a city wide clothing drive for new or gently used items to be donated to the NYC AIDS Fund which will in turn be donated to 24 AIDS related charities throughout all five boroughs.  Select stores will also be accepting items for this event on the 10th.  For donation locations or if you’re interested in volunteering, please visit the Fashion’s Night Out website.

Self-Esteem 101

By Shante Milow

Have you ever tried on a shirt and couldn’t pull it down or could barely button and bought it anyway because it made you look sexy? Have you ever bought a pair of pants or jeans that look painted on and you have to lie on the bed and suck in your stomach to button?  Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt bad about how you look? 

If the answer to any of these questions is yes then you may have a self-esteem issue. And I’m not just talking to plus-sized women.  I have seen average sized women try to squeeze into clothes they can’t fit as well.  SistaGirlz, you cannot boost your self esteem but putting on clothes that display what’s meant to be concealed. Guys will look at you and call you all types of names or will try and kick game only to get you in the bed and once they get the goods, off they go. 

How you dress and present yourself plays a big part in avoiding these types of situations. However, once the above happens and you never see the guy again your self esteem is lowered and you seek other methods to boost your esteem.  Please understand that you don’t need another individual to boost the esteem that’s within you.  I know.  I used to be the female that would put on the tight clothes and show off what’s not meant to be seen.  My self esteem was really low until I met my husband.  He helped me realize that I had to love myself first in order to love someone else. So SistaGirlz, take a step back and really look at yourself.  You’re beautiful and do not need anyone else’s approval to boost your self esteem.

*picture from sheworships.com

Cassie’s Collabo with Dimepiece

 

By Jasmine Giselle

Dimepiece Designs

 

Cassie has unofficially launched her new campaign with Dimepiece Designs in support of her new album “Electro Love” that’s due out this fall. In true Cassie fashion, new pictures from her photo shoot for Dimepiece’s Fall/ Winter 09 collection entitled “Nine Lives” were “Twitpic’ed” by Cassie’s # 1 fan Sean” Diddy” Combs .

 

For those unfamiliar with Dimepiece Designs here’s a brief run through: designed for the ladies, but also sported by men and served with a brash delivery, the international clothing line, can be found in its hometown of Los Angeles, CA all the way to Tokyo, Japan.

 

The brand consists of shirts and tanks with catchy urban phrases and an overall simple, but uniquely creative design that has been rocked on the red carpet by artists such as Estelle, Fergie and Teyana Taylor.

 

Cassie Loves Dimepiece

Electro Love

 

Cassie will not only be the face of Dimepiece’s latest Collection and of course adorn their website; she has also teamed up with Dimepiece designers to launch her very on Cassie x Dimepiece apparel. Both the Fall 09 collection, as well as the Cassie x Dimepiece line are currently available on the Dimepiece Designs website.

Your Wealth is in Your Health

By Leandra Williams

Without much significant mass protest, pharmaceuticals are becoming even more and more mainstream. “Do you blink? Do you breathe? Do you hiccough more than once a year? Then you need our new, exclusive drug that will only cost you a cool third of your bi-weekly paycheck…with insurance.” I’m being facetious, yes, but with reason. New “medicines” are popping up left and right to alleviate symptoms that technically aren’t problems.

I’ll explain.

Symptoms are not problems in and of themselves; they are messengers of problems. Eliminating the symptom does not eliminate the problem. Since the age of three, I’ve had migraines. Doctors took CT scans and gave me pills. All of it was reactionary, preventing nothing. During my freshman year of college, I had a headache last over a week. My doctor prescribed me two medications: one to take daily to decrease the intensity and frequency of the headaches, another to get rid of the headaches when I had them. The one I took every day gave me headaches and the one I took to get rid of the headaches didn’t work.

I was at the drawing board, grossly disappointed and frustrated. It wasn’t until I hit that point with both of those emotions that I realized I didn’t want to stop the pain; I didn’t want it to start. After looking into alternative methods, I came across macrobiotics, a Japanese philosophy of eating moderately yin and yang foods. Making the adjustment to a new diet was difficult at first, but the benefit–no headaches–outweighed the costs–no processed foods. In a matter of weeks, the headaches that popped up every one or two days disappeared. It was a new way of living for me.

Western medicine embraces an approach that’s all about treating the symptom–via a method that actually creates more problems, called side effects. This is not intended to indict anyone specifically, but the system as a whole. There is no real benefit to helping people restore and maintain health, as it completely goes against the business model. From this perspective, it’s easy to understand why universal health care isn’t the answer if the trend is to pathologicize and clinicize everything from giving birth, ADD/ADHD, to restless leg syndrome. New conditions are being clinicized and then promoted to make people think they have a problem. In the case of ADD/ADHD and restless leg syndrome, they are apparently real conditions, but the majority of people being treated for it don’t need medication.

Prevention is key. Obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are plaguing this country, but it isn’t until most are overweight that they begin to exercise; make it a daily practice. Judging from the availability of restaurants offering truly healthy meals and the sheer ignorance of what constitutes as healthy food (no, iceberg lettuce is not), one could deduce that most people don’t switch to a healthy diet until declining health requires the shift; start now.

SistaGirlz, you have one body. Take care of it. We’re certain to fuel our luxury vehicles with premium fuel because that’s what they require to run optimally. Your body, too, is a luxury vehicle that requires premium fuel. If you gave it what it needed, you’d be surprised by how much it falters with “regular” petro. We tend to not appreciate what we’ve got until it’s gone. Recognize the value of your health and enjoy it now.  Don’t wait until it’s gone.

- A. J. Reb Materi

Adrienne Graham: Empowering Women for Success!

By Miss Rikki

Born in Bronx, New York to an African American dad and a Latina mom, a veteran in the recruiting game, a networking expert, author, blogtalk radio host and founder and CEO of Empower Me! Corporation – Adrienne Graham says she’s just getting started!   Can you believe this SistaGirl!

A little over seventeen years ago when she started in recruiting she had no idea she would be where she is today.  After working for a firm for a while, she decided to branch out on her own.  At first she was met with resistance from other women in the same field, but with perseverance, a little help, and the internet she started her own recruiting firm and began the building of her empire. 

In 1998 she added to that empire with Empower Me! Corporation.  Born out of her frustration at the lack of women of color serving on boards of organizations, Empower Me! is a media, publishing, and professional networking company for women.  It includes several networks: Empowered Career Woman, Empowered Black Women’s Network, Empower Me Latina’s Network, and Fearless Networking for Women.   Currently she has a radio show called “Views from the Top” on blogtalkradio, which is a forum for women to discuss the ups and downs of working and being successful in corporate America.  Ms. Graham also wrote and self-published Go Ahead, Talk To Strangers: The Modern Girl’s Guide to Fearless Networking.  FYI, I purchased and read the book and I absolutely loved it!  I am the type to keep to myself and my circle of friends, but after reading the book I realized I was doing myself a disservice.  In order to reach the kind of success I want I needed to get out in the world and not only find people that could help me, but also offer my knowledge and expertise to others.  Doing this has already helped me to meet so many valuable new people and learn more about the people who were already around me.  I highly recommend it! 

Now back to Ms. Graham… 

In the future she is looking to expanding her brand.  In January 2010 she is starting “Fearless Woman Magazine.“  She says there is not much out there in the way of professional magazines for women of color, and when there is it doesn’t last very long.  She wants to show the world that there are more successful women of color powerbrokers out there besides Oprah and Tyra Banks.

And SistaGirlz, I did manage to get some advice for you- free of charge- from this knowledgeable lady.  First, Ms. Graham says to remember that not everyone is meant to have the same career forever.  Be open to change and if you decide you want to do something else take action.  Also, boost your skills and continue your education.  Take the time to figure out what skills you have and which of those skills you can use anywhere.  In her opinion, they are all transferrable.  And if you are lacking in a certain skill set, seek out ways you can gain those skills.  As well, you should find a mentor in your chosen career field and don’t be afraid to ask them for advice.  That’s what they’re there for.  As far as networking, don’t rely solely on social networking sites.  Get out there and meet people.  Let them get to know you and see what you can do.  Lastly, ignore the economic down turn.  Continue to strive for success regardless of what the economy is doing.   

I cannot possibly fully explain all the wonderful things this SistaGirl is doing.  So, if you dare to try to keep up with Adrienne Graham, you can check her out at the Empower Me! website, and also take a listen at her blogtalkradio show “Views from the Top” Monday and Friday 9am EST.