SistaGirlz and Sunscreen

By Miss Rikki

I know, I know.  You’re like SistaGirl I don’t need to wear sunscreen.  My skin doesn’t burn; I have that natural protection…  Well, my SistaGirlz of color this is partially true, but there are some key points you want to keep in mind because there are a lot of myths out there about brown skin folks and the sun’s rays. 

While you may not burn the sun’s rays do have an effect on your skin.  You can tell because if you spend any significant amount of time in the sun you get darker.  What does this mean?  It means that skin cancer is a risk for all people no matter what their complexion.  In fact, while fairer-skinned people are 10 times more likely to develop melanoma (the most lethal type of skin cancer), darker –skinned people are more likely to die from it.  According to the Centers for Disease Control Blacks are 3 times more likely to die from skin conditions than Caucasians.

SistaGirlz, skin protection from the sun’s harmful rays is important.  So head out to the store and pick up some sunscreen.  It comes in a lotion or a spray depending on what you prefer and there are kinds for sensitive skin, those who are active outdoors, and even some that’s waterproof for those days spent at the pool.  It doesn’t really matter what kind of sunscreen you get as long as it has at least a SPF of 15.  Of course, the fairer your skin the more SPF you want.  I also recommend one that protects you from both UVA and UVB rays as well. 

Make sunscreen a part of your daily beauty routine this summer and your skin will be sure to thank you in the long run!

*Sidenote: Apparently some sunscreens can ruin your manicure or acrylic nails, so you may want to test some out at the store before you buy it.  If you keep manicured hands you may want to consider sprays instead of lotions.

Do You!

By Miss Rikki

How many times have you gotten into a relationship and been superwoman for your mate?  You do everything he wants to do.  Go everywhere he wants to go.  And everytime he asks you what you want to do you say, “I don’t know baby. What do you want to do?”  Then we wonder why that relationship didn’t work out.  We wonder why it got stale and he suddenly became uninterested.

It’s because you forgot to DO YOU.  There had to be a reason he was interested in you in the first place and it wasn’t because he wanted an exact replica of himself.  Whatever you did before you met him, continue to do while your with him.  If you and your girls have a standing lunch date on Saturdays, then keep that.  If you went dancing or bowling or to the movies with friends or whatever, continue to do it after you become involved in a relationship.  It keeps you interesting.  You have something to talk about and you continue to bring something to the table.

Katie Washington: First African-American Valedictorian

By Miss Rikki

I know I’m a little late, but in my opinion this still needed to be shared.  So, the biggest, loudest, most enthusiatic ”You Go Girl” goes out to Katie Washington!  She is the first African-American Valedictorian at Notre Dame University in it’s rich 168 year history.  Here’s the press release:

Katie Washington, a biological sciences major from Gary, Ind., has been named valedictorian of the 2010 University of Notre Dame graduating class and will present the valedictory address during Commencement exercises May 16 (Sunday) in Notre Dame stadium.

Washington, who earned a 4.0 grade point average, has a minor in Catholic Social Teaching. She has conducted research on lung cancer at the Cold Spring Harbor labs and performed genetic studies in the University’s Eck Institute for Global Health on the mosquito that carries dengue and yellow fever. She is the co-author of a research paper with David Severson, professor of biological sciences.

Washington directs the Voices of Faith Gospel Choir at Notre Dame, is a mentor/tutor for the Sister-to-Sister program at South Bend’s Washington High School and serves as the student coordinator of the Center for Social Concerns’ “Lives in the Balance: Youth Violence and Society Seminar.”

Upon graduation, Washington plans to pursue a joint M.D./Ph.D program at Johns Hopkins University.

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!  And we at Sistagirlz.com wish you well in all your future endeavors…

A Piece of Reality I Can Live Without

By Miss Rikki

I am completely and utterly sick and tired of “Reality” television.  It’s show after show of what is allegedly someone’s real life, but actually it’s not.  It’s whatever the producers want you to think is their real life.  The worst are the dating shows.  I will admit I was addicted to “Flavor of Love,” but that’s where it ended.  Ok that’s a lie.  I watched a few of the last episodes of each season of “I Love New York.”  But for real SistaGirlz, that was it.  I was done.  It got to be too much.  “Real Chance at Love,” then that Tela Tequila mess.  It was like the shows got worse and worse.   

So whose trying to find love on t.v. next?  None other than Omarosa.  Yes SistaGirlz, she and The Trump have teamed up to create a dating show for her called “The Ultimate Merger,” which will premiere on the TV One channel June 17 at 9pm EST.  There are twelve guys, none of which even look like someone she would remotely be interested in, vying for her love and affection.  Don’t get me wrong there are some cuties on the show, but none of them seem to be…how should I say…on her level.  And get this one of these eligible bachelors is…….Al B Sure!!!!  In the words of my loveable mentor and friend – “What in the LL Cool J!”  I mean really.  Is he that pressed to get back in the spotlight?  Clearly, he could have met Omarosa without being on the show.  P Diddy could have set up a meeting or something!  LOL!  This is another one I will definately NOT watch.  Everyone knows that television love doesn’t last.  Furthermore, never will I invite a man to leave his job and live in a plush pad that I got for him to see if he’s “The One.”  No no no brotha I need to see you in your element.  See how you move when you’re in your neck of the woods.  Ah, but I digress…back to the madness. 

Check out the trailer and let me know if you’ll tune in.

Girl, Get Your Credit Straight by Glinda Bridgforth

By Miss Rikki

“Did you know…that the price you pay for car insurance can be based (partially) on your credit score?  Or that paying off large balances in full every month with low credit limits can work against your credit score?…I’m going to share with you the information that savvy financial advisors know, including what the banks, financial institutions, creditors, and credit card-companies don’t want you to know.”

In Girl, Get Your Credit Straight: A Sister’s Guide to Ditching Your Debt, author Glinda Bridgforth gives us SistaGirlz the information we need to get our credit house in order.  She discusses the emotional and cultural factors linked to debt and credit, provides excersises to assess where we are and how we’ve grown, explains how to read and interpret your credit score and report, and so much more.

SistaGirlz, this is a definite must read for any of us who are not living in our ideal financial situation – that pretty much covers us all right!    I read and own her first book in the Girl series called Girl, Get Your Money Straight and loved it.  The second book Girl, Make Your Money Grow is another good one to read as well.  In all of her books, Bridgforth does a great job of giving sisterly advice in a language that is easy to understand.  So SistaGirlz, head out to your local library or bookstore and pick up all three, read them from cover to cover, and let me know how your outlook on finances has changed for the better!

The Power to Prosper by Michelle Singletary

By Miss Rikki

In The Power to Prosper: 21 Days to Financial Freedom, Michelle Singletary, a nationally syndicated columnist for the Washington Post, proposes that you go on a 21 day financial fast.  During this fast you can only use cash - no credit cards – and you can only buy things necessary to survive.  WOW! 

With Michelle’s guidance during this three-week financial fast, you’ll discover how to: * Break your spending habit * Handle money with your significant other or your spouse * Break your bondage to debt with the Debt Dash Plan * Make smart investments * Be prepared for any contingency with a Life Happens Fund * Stop worrying about money and find the priceless power of financial peace. – From the back cover

And SistaGirlz, she does all this from a Christian point of view.  While what she proposes is a hard pill to swallow, it’s probably a much needed dose of some good sense.  Heck, I can’t even keep actual cash on my person because I spend it mindlessly.  If you’re anything like me you will be making plans to get this book home and start on your personal journey to financial freedom!