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!

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!

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.

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…

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.

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.

Heaven Right Here by Lutishia Lovely

By Miss Rikki

 

When Stacy Gray meets friends for lunch, the last thing she expects to be served is legal paper suing her for custody of her son, Darius Jr.  As far as Stacy’s concerned, Darius Sr. has lost his chance at fatherhood.  But when an unexpected crisis stricks, and an obsessed fan threatens more than Darius’s music career, the battling parents may have to grow up.

Cy and Hope Taylor are struggling to concieve, so when Hope sees her former nemesis, Millicent, talking on television about life as a wife and new mother, jealousy rears its ugly head.  Them Cy rekindles his friendship with Millicent and needless to say, Hope is definitely more peeved than pleased.  As baby mama drama shakes up the saints, everyone better pray for mercy.

SistaGirlz, this book was definitely entertaining.  Much of the book, as you can tell from the title, is centered around the Christian faith, but not in a way that someone outside the faith would find obnoxious and overbearing.  Though there were some very predictable moments in the story line, it did a good job of telling the various stories surrounding each of the major and minor characters.  Its 337 pages are light and easy reading and like I said it is thoroughly entertaining.  So, if you want to delve into someone else’s mess for a while, I suggest you pick up this book.

Hater Alert! Hater Alert!

By Miss Rikki

I was over a friends house for a happy occasion and it almost turned sour. I walked in with my work clothes on and spoke to her father, who upon seeing me made a remark about my clothing in reference to where I work. It wasn’t anything negative, but I just kind of brushed it off because my current job in retail has nothing to do with my future career as a teacher. Noticing my casual attitude about my current job he says, “Well, make all the money you can while your there.” So I say, “No, I’m good where I’m at. I’m in grad school and I graduate next spring. I’ll be a teacher, so I’m just trying to hold on to that.” Sidenote: With more money comes more responsibility, which is not what I want where I am. Then he says, “Well you know teaching doesn’t hold the same prestige as it used to.” I didn’t say anything. I promptly turned my attention to the birthday boy and dismissed any notions of continuing any type of conversation with him at all.

Why wouldn’t you encourage someone who has figured out their purpose? Why wouldn’t you support someone following their dreams, goals, and aspirations?  Furthermore, he didn’t even bother to figure out what my plan was before he tried to shoot it down.  He has no idea that I plan to start a non-profit in the St. Louis area to provide ACT and SAT preparation assistance to African-American students.  He has no idea of the potential I have to change people’s lives.

SistaGirlz, I tell you this story to say this…HATERS come in all shapes and sizes. They are here, there, and everywhere. And most recently I learned they are where you least expect them.  Had I been a lesser woman I may have let this deter me from what I know to be a part of the reason I was put here on this earth.  Alas, I am not.  I am far to strong, determined, and focused to let those who have allowed life to pass them by pass judgment on where my life is headed…And SistaGirlz I hope you are too!

LaShanda Henry: At Work At Home

By Miss Rikki

Entrepreneur, web business and marketing expert, web coach, social networking expert, and THE stay at home mom: LaShanda Henry is living her dream.  10 years ago the New York native decided to turn her talent for creating websites into a profitable business and she hasn’t looked back.  Currently she maintains several websites and networks, writes e-books and blogs.  Her goal is to show other women that they can be successful web entrepreneurs as well as providing a place where women entrepreneurs can connect with and support one another. 

Most recently she teamed up with multi-million dollar Mompreneur Richelle Shaw and cofounded the Women of Color Coaching Program.  Together they have developed the Small Business to Smart Business Training Program for Women Entrepreneurs of Color. 

We spoke with Mrs. Henry to give you a taste of who she is and what she’s about.  Check it out!

SG: Give me a rundown of the products and services you offer for helping women entrepreneurs online.

LH:  Basically, there are e-books, the websites, e-courses, the Black Business Women Online Network (BBWO), which is a network to connect women entrepreneurs and give them a space to motivate each other.

*Her other networks include the Black Girl Click Ad Network, Black Moms Club, Black Writers Connect, Multiple Shades of You Online,  What Black Women Think, plus her blog and Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, and YouTube accounts.

SG: What’s the best thing about what you do?

LH: Working from home…And seeing how much the women online enjoy it.

SG:  And the most difficult thing?

LH:  Getting people aware of what’s out there and trying to teach them at the same time.  I’ve been able to find a balance though.

SG: How important is networking today?

LH: If you want to grow [your business] you have to connect with other people.

SG: What is the most common question you get asked?

LH: How do I get started.  People always want to know where to begin.

SG:  So, what’s the answer to that?

LH: Know what you want to sell.  Know what you want your business to be.  Be sure there is a demand for what you want to sell.  And be comfortable with the audience you want to sell the product to.

SG: What’s the most important piece of advice you can give SistaGirlz trying to follow in your footsteps and be a successful entrepreneur?

LH: You must have some “keep it steady money.”  Starting a business is not easy and it’s not going to happen overnight. 

For more of LaShanda Henry or if your thinking of getting into the online business arena visit her website.  There are several good products available as well as some good sound free advice.  Good luck!

Color Your Spring and Summer

By Miss Rikki

SistaGirlz, it’s getting warm out there.  The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and fashion of course is taking notice.  If your toes are still wiggling and squiggling in those closed toe shoes, get down to the nail shop and get those feet some love; then slide your smooth heels and freshly polished toes into one of these colorful numbers!

1. Milisent in Light Pink by Aldo $155  2. Rosenberger Gladiator Sandal in Light Blue by Aldo $55   3. Nazirra in Blue Multi by Guess $89   4.  Avo in Off White by Vince Camuto $120  5. Escape in Blue by Fergie $109   6. Prestige in Pink by Carlos by Carlos Santana $79   7. Vida in Teal by Jessica Simpson $39.99   8. Inked in Yellow by Not Rated $60   9. Rhea in Purple by Gianni Bini $89.99   10. Xcite in Rose Gold Metallic by Enzo Angiolini $89   11. Juniper in Multi by Report $230   12. Many Moons in Bright Fabric by Luichiny $89.95   13. Zigi Soho Dance Heel in Royal by Shi by Journeys $49.99   14. Fountain in Lilac by Steve Madden $79   15. Lenor in KeyLime/Black by Kensie Girl $48.95

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