Got To Give It Up

Thank GOD for video cameras. I'm browsing through some old pictures tonight and came across a video of my 80 year-old grandmother dancing at a family function. "Got To Give It Up" by Marvin Gaye was one of my grandmother's favorite jams. How ironic is it that I find a video of her dancing to this song? Warning! My family is quite silly, but we sure know how to have fun. Rest In Peace to my loving grandmother (known to all as "Ma E.") Give It Up!!Enjoy!

Verve Beauty Anniversary Celebration Week

Join Verve' Beauty Spa and Salon for their Anniversary Celebration Week!

July 27th through July 31st

Enjoy refreshments and giveaways the entire week!

For more information check out http://www.vervebeauty.com/

or call 704-332-3717

Criminal Justice Degrees

Looking for a career in Criminal Justice? Check out this website for information on the most common degrees in the Criminal Justice field. You will also find an up to date and complete listing of different states and Universities that offer Criminal Justice related degrees and courses.

http://www.criminaljusticedegree.com/

What Drowning Looks Like-Parents: You Must Read This

I found an interesting article on yahoo.com about a few misconceptions of what "drowning looks like". We usually imagine a drowning victim as one who waves and screams for help in water while gasping for air (at least that's how it is depicted in movies). Unfortunately, I've just learned that a drowning victim does just the opposite. Click the Link for the full story. Parents: you definitely want to check this out.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/drowning-looks-different-than-you-think-2010225/

Life's Simple Treasures

picture from http://www.artbywicks.com

There are so many beautiful, yet simple things in life that we overlook on a daily basis. For example; the sound of crickets singing, the wind blowing, a child's laughter, a beautiful butterfly, a corny joke that makes you laugh until tears form in your eyes, running into a childhood friend at the grocery store, the sound of giggly girls playing patty cake, a song that remains relevant 20 years after it was made (hint: What's going on by Marvin Gaye), uninterrupted sleep, stress free days and nights, back in the day conversations with family and friends, or a soft kiss from a spouse. I could go on and on and on, but my days are so busy and my nights are so short that I forget to notice all the simple things that bring me joy...........until I'm FORCED to sit down and take notice. Note to busy parents: Life goes by so fast. We are busier today than we've ever been. Take a minute to slow down, reflect and enjoy life's simple treasures. It's the most simplest of things that can calm our spirits and renew peace. Enjoy them!

Happy 3rd Anniversary Verve' Beauty Spa and Salon

Hi Fabbies,

In need of relaxation and pampering at a nice, upscale salon and spa? Well you can find that at Verve' Beauty Spa and Salon! Be sure to join them this month as they celebrate their Third Anniversary.

Find out more about their upcoming Anniversary Celebration Week and more by going to http://www.vervebeauty.com/promos.htm

Cute Avon Shoes

So, I'm roaming the July issue of Lucky magazine and came across a familiar looking shoe. I'm thinking to myself "I've seen these shoes somewhere before." So, I look closer at the designer's name written in small print and sure enough.....they're by Avon! How cool is that!!!! Lucky mag is marketing shoes by Avon! Check them out here. Super cute and super cheap for only $30.

Check out my online Avon site for these shoes and other super cheap Avon items. http://www.youravon.com/omarble. Need help finding at item? Leave a comment and I'll gladly respond with a solution!

Cara B Naturally

CARA B Naturally™, a Natural skin and hair care line is created specifically for ethnically diverse babies and children. For more information on this new line, please visit http://www.mycarab.com

Be Sickle Smart!

The Be Sickle Smart Empowerment Tour is coming to a city near you!

Be Sickle Smart is a program that campaigns around the country raising the awareness of Sickle Cell Disease and it effects from iron overload. Dr. Ian Smith (many know him as the Dr. on Celebrity Fit Club) has now joined forces as the Guest Speaker on the Be Sickle Smart Empowerment Tour.

Attendees at the events will:

•Gain insight into how others live with SCD

•Learn about iron overload
•Get a free screening to see if you are at risk of iron overload (this is for people with SSD)
•Be creative and have fun
•Your painting or drawing could win a spot and be featured in the 2011 SCD calendar
•Share your poetry and rhymes about living with SCD
•Participate in an SCD Wii challenge for all age groups
•Take home a free Be Sickle Smart tool kit and meet Dr. Ian Smith

To find out more information about the Be Sickle Smart Empowerment tour and when it may be in or close to your city, text BSS plus your zip code to 74139 or click the link below to be routed to Dr. Ian's 50 million pound challenge website.
http://50millionpoundchallenge.com/the_challenge/be_sickle_smart/empowerment_tour.aspx?site=PU001571&source=01030&irmasrc=EXJWB0222

The tour will be in Raleigh, NC on July 31st and yours truly will be in attendance!

If you know anyone suffering with Sickle Cell Disease or has a child with Sickle Cell Disease, please share this information with them.

My Recent Consignment Store Find!

Not sure if I mentioned this before, but I absolutely lovely dovely LOVE thrift and consignment stores. Gonna open my open one day! Any hoot, just wanted to share pics of my most recent pic-Super Duper cute Gucci Peep Toe Pumps!

I've never been into White Shoes (other than sneakers), but I could not think about leaving these in my newly found favorite consignment shop.

What do you guys think? I think they're adorable. :0) Don't hate on consignment shops!

I'm An Avon Representative

As a child, I clearly remember seeing Avon books lying around my grandmother's house. She ordered Avon products religiously. Skin So Soft was always a staple in our family, as well as the creamy perfumes that came in that small round jar. My perception of Avon has always been that it was for "older ladies". That was until one of my close friends recently re-introduced me to recent Avon books. Avon has definitely stepped up their game. Looking through the books, I've found a really sexy one shoulder dress that I plan to wear on my cruise to the Bahamas this September. Check it out!!

I've also found another convertible dress that can be worn in 7 different styles!! (see them blelow.

There are also some really cute accessories that I have my eye on. Okay Avon, we see you!!With that said, I've decided to take a stab at working as a representative for Avon. Door to Door marketing has never been my thing, so I have to be creative in how I get my name out. Definitely won't see me knocking on doors though. We will see how this goes!

Any hoot, I highly recommend you to check out the new products Avon has to offer from the new Skin So Soft products, accessories, and dresses to the lovely cosmetics products. You will be surprised at the great finds. You can access my online store where you can make easy purchases and have your items mailed directly to you. http://www.youravon.com/omarble.  Be sure to share with your friends. You can also purchase MARK products at this site!

What I LOVE Being A Black Woman

When asked what I love about being a black woman, I graciously replied by saying:

I represent the most beautiful species on the face of the earth. Being part of a group that represents strength, courage, power and beauty makes me proud. I know that no matter what challenges come my way, I know that I can overcome them because I am a black woman and we are resilient against all things. I love the different shades of black women. I love our curves. I love the textures of our hair. We are the most desired women in the world. People pay to make their lips look like ours. They pay for tans to mirror our skin tones. They love the fullness of our hips. We are beautiful inside and out. THIS is why I love being a black woman!

Never Give Up On A Dream!

If you have a vision or a goal, do not get discouraged if you can't see HOW things will pan themselves out. Take small actions that move you closer to achiving that goal. Be proud of those small accomplishments and remember that they will lead to a greater accomplishment. We all know that Rome wasn't conquered in a day. Many people allow their visions to die because they can not envision HOW they will make those impossible things possible. Take this advice:as long as you have the vision and the passion, don't give up!! Keep pushing towards that goal. If you don't have the resources or the capacity to make things possible, do some research on how you can obtain the resources. Seek assistance from others, network and build meaniful partnerships that will help you. Don't give up!!!

I had a great extended weekend spent with family. Saturday, my sister and I went yard saling and stopped by a few consignment shops. You guys know I love consignment shops and yard sales! I relaxed most of the day on Sunday and spent the evening eating dinner with my dad and his wife. Sunday night, my sister and I took the kids to see the fireworks. Actually, my sister and I went to see the fireworks (the kids didn't seem to pay them any attention.) Although the fireworks can use a boost (they seem to be the same ones every year), I was quite relaxed while watching them. Something about that experience reminded me of my childhood and how we could sit on the picnic table in my grandmother's backyard and enjoy the entire show. Watermelon, kids running all over the place and old school music! Yeah, the memories were more exciting than the actual fireworks! Back to my weekend. Yesterday, I met with a good friend to discuss plans on a project that we're working on. The meeting was super productive. We've got a lot of great plans in store. I can't wait to share more information about it. Stay tuned is all I can say! Oh well, there went my weekend. It was great. Now, back to work.


Hope you all enjoyed your weekend! What did you do?

Mid-Year Resolutions

So today marks the second half of the year. Only 6 more months before this year is over. Wow, time has surely flown. By this time of the year, most of our yearly goals are in place and close to completion.......except if you're me!! At the end of last year, I identified (notice I didn't say "I set") goals that I wanted to achieve this year. Have I achieved them so far? No!!! Have I even initiated these goals? Not quite. I realize that in order to be successful, I need to start setting goals and working on them consistently. I've been too comfortable and wasting time. Below is a list of five goals that I want to accomplish before the end of the year. Writing goals down and making them visible increases our chances of actually working on them. So, once I post these, I'm going to print them and place them on my VISION BOARD!

1. Network, Network, Network- As suggested by http://www.thecubiclechikc.com/  , networking is vital to building a successful blog and brand. So my plan is to step out of my comfort zone and get to networking.
2. Attend at least 3 blogging events-If not in person, then perhaps on blog radio.
3. Planning and research for my business- I am currently in the research and planning stage of my business (more to share on that later.) By the end of the year, I hope to be closer to having a name for the business, knowing my target audience and an idea of a location.
4. Organize-One of my biggest challenges is organization. From paying bills to returning phone calls to scheduling and keeping appointments, I am the worst when it comes to organization. I have to get better at this. I honestly believe that once I am more organized, I will be able to spend more time on the blog and make some major improvements of it.
5. Live a fuller life-This goes without speaking. In the past few years, I have lived my life in fear. Fear of being rejected. Fear of being hurt and fear of failure. I have made a committment to make the most of my life; becoming spirtually in tuned, trying new experiences, traveling more and stepping outside of the box.

These are just a few of the goals that I would like to achieve. There's only five, but they are definitely attainable and something that I feel I can/should achieve before the end of the year. How have you done with your goals this year? Have you met your goals and how did you stay on track?