Top Five's

Money and jobs are hard to come by nowadays. Times are rough. So why not entertain yourself and escape the gruesome reality with great reads???? While reading a book you can use your imagination to transform into a new person, and visit places and experience things that you can't afford right now.

Check out some hot Summer reads that I have been passing around in my inner circle:


*Funny and true love story that many women can relate to



*A personal account of life in Sudan



*This is the first book I fell in love with in High School. I loved it then and I love it now.



*If you are into sisterhood and unity, this is it!



*Self Explanatory

Do you have any must haves or old archive books?

If so, list them below because I'm always looking for something other than t.v. to pass the time!

Top Five's

Full coverage lip gloss for dry, flaky lips: $2


African Shea Butter for cracked heels and ashy elbows: $6.50


24 hour softening, moisturizing and refreshing body wash: $5


Salon quality nail polish for a do at home mani/pedi: $2



Knowing that you can pamper yourself with great, affordable products: PRICELESS!

And that's not even the best part about it. With one click of a button, while sitting on the couch watching your favorite TV show, all of these products can be yours. Just visit AVON.com to order these products. You can order through Tai Sweat (my sister) @ AVON.COM (youravon.com/tsweat)

Tidbit: I use every product above. That Brown Sugar Lip Gloss makes my full lips pop even more. I hear that the African Shea Butter Scrub works wonders for dry, cracked heels. But I wouldn't know because I don't have that problem ;o)

Weekend in Review

There were a few barbeque's, some fireworks, and lots sun, but this weekend I also made some room for Kumo Sushi. Kumo is a sushi restaurant located on 72nd street between Amsterdam and Columbus avenue. From the outside you would think that it is just another "hole in the wall." But let me tell you this is not just another shabby eatery. In this case, looks are definitely deceiving. The inside of the restaurant is very ornate. the atmosphere is serene and warm. To me, this reasonable priced sushi spot is so divine. For those of you who are on a budget this is the place to be. They have a lunch special that runs from 11-4:30 p.m. You can choose 2 rolls for $7.00 dollars or 3 for $10 dollars. You have over twenty choices to choose from. And for those of you who can't make the lunch special don't fret, you can still have dinner for two for under $30 dollars. The sushi is so delicious, and very filling. They even have fried ice cream (aka Ice Cream Tempura). This is the kind of dessert that makes your toes curl. But you'll never know until you try. Be sure to take me along...







Kumo


Some decor



decor


Salad


Soy Sauce


Shrimp and Asparagus Roll, Chicken Tempura Roll


Shrimp and Asparagus Roll, Chicken Tempura Roll


Fried Ice Cream

Essence Fashionista's

New York is known to have the most fashionable diva's. Real women have style, pizazz, and can stop traffic just like many of the celebrities. It doesn't take a big bank account, or a stylist to make you stand out from the millions of people in New York. All you have to do is have a few essential pieces in your wardrobe.

Here's a list of my top five for Summer 2009:
1. White Button Down Shirt

2. Timeless Black Dress

3. Wedge Sandals

4. Aviator Shades

5. Colorful Headbands


You can also, go over to ESSENCE STREET STYLE (click here) to check out how I get down when I'm heading to the office.

He Can't Love Me, Like I love Me

Why is it that a man's way of showing affection is different from a woman's? Typically, women display and proudly confess their love for their man through actions and words. Women tend to love a man until she has no more breath. We will tolerate the lies, scandals, and cheating. We will even wash the clothes, cook, clean, and look fly all while doing it. In return, women do not receive the same kind of "love" that we dish out. Steve Harvey feels like a woman should look for the three P's to know if her man loves her the same way.

Profession:

If your man gives you a title when you are around his friends, family, coworkers, He is into you. He would address you as "His woman/lady, Baby Mama, or Wife." To Steve, he wouldn't just address you as your name. But come on is this really true?! I know several guys who say that a girl is his woman, but that doesn't always means that he is true to her. And anyway, what's in a title? You can have a title and still be mistreated. I think that this is a case by case situation. Yes, having a title gives a woman reassurance, however it does not guarantee that she is the only woman in his life. I know a man who have several girlfriends and he addresses each one of them as a girlfriend. Isn't that worse then just being addressed as your name? At least, you know where you stand and you are not being betrayed and lied to.

Provide:

Steve thinks that a man will give you his last dollar if you are his woman. He would not be stingy or hesitate to provide for you. I know that you ladies are rolling your eyes because we live in a Mrs. Independent kind of world. Ummmmmm...We're also in a recession too, but no further comment.

Protect:

Steve thinks that a male will protect you in physical ways as well as mental ways. He will stand up for you when someone harms you, or when you are in a situation that he thinks is best that he handles. Personally, I am a strong woman and I like to fend for myself. However, it feels good to know that someone has your back from time to time.

Side note: It was brought to my attention through a source that Mr. Steve Harvey did indeed Cheat on his EX-Wife. Very Interesting...Now he's trying to break it down about brothers. Seriously?! What do you think? Is this his way of trying to handle his own scandal or redeem himself?!

Anywho, I will continue to read the book and you should too.

He was also on Good Morning America today. Check it out.

Steve on GMA

To Date or Not to Date

Why do people date? Personally, I have never been one to date just to date. I’m not desperate to have some Dark Chocolate arm candy. Nor do I feel the need to have someone just because all of my friends are settling down and having families. I date with the hopes of finding a man that I connect with (and maybe God willing he will also have the potential of possibly being my boyfriend/husband one day). As I young lady who is really into keeping a positive image, I tend to date males who have solid goals and are doing well for themselves. I have had a couple of failed relationships. At first, I thought that something must be wrong with me. But to me, everything happens for a reason. I know that someday, I will find a male that is suitable to me and my standards. But first, I need to understand how men operate. No matter how much I talk to my male friends, my male cousins, and the psychiatrist, I just don’t understand men. I cannot grasp the things that they do.

Lately, I have been hearing a lot of talk about Act Like A Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey. I decided to check it out. So for the next few days I will abstract some of the tips from the book to discuss. Steve discusses what drives men. From early on men are taught that they are defined by Who he is, What he does, and How much he makes. These three things are important for a man and make him feel solid. According to Steve, they are important because knowing those three things makes a man feel stable. When a man knows these three things, he can be a better man to his woman. But should a man wait until he has ALL three in order to get a special lady? If so, how does he know that his woman is down for him or just down for his status and money?

A lot of my male friends feel like they could never be with a woman who makes more money than them. I asked why and they all say because the man is number one, and he makes the rules. They also feel like it would compromise their ego. They think the woman will try to set all of the rules. But is it only the woman that they are concerned about or do they think that their boys will clown them?

Ladies, how do you feel about dating a man who may not know exactly Who he is, What he wants to do, or Make a decent salary? Do you work with him to help him grow so that the two of you can progress together? Is fair to yourself to accept a man who doesn’t have all three things in order?

Please pick up the book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey so we can read it together. (If you cannot get a copy, please email me and I will help you out)

Thanks Everyone

I would like to Thank all of you who supported me and voted for me @ http://www.gotcast.Clarkie. The process is moving along further, and I will know the status of everything soon. The voting process is closed. I will be judged on my video and other factors by MTV staff. I will keep you posted.