Beat Of The Week : Lady Murphy “My Life””

Ya’ll be doing the talking while I do the walking

 

Liberian singer Lady Murphy released her video for her single “My Life” . The message in this song is so powerful. It’s about every person living their own life and making their own decisions. Lady Murphy rocks some edgy as well as classic looks throughout the video. We absolutely love her hair in this video, a sleep pompadour with a ponytail. Take a look at this Liberian artist on the rise doing her thing.

Sonie’s Favorite Products For September

My ultimate favorite goodies for the month of September!!

Since September is my month of birth ,the beginning of Fall and the first installment of my favorite goodies, I thought let’s start with the beginning of beauty, the basics. I have so many favorite beauty and fashion products, but I narrowed them down to the products that take care of the skin and hair which is the foundation of natural beauty. In these upcoming Fall months you have to pamper your skin, after all its going to deal with harsh weather and cold temperatures.Here are my favorite products of the month.

 

1) Cetaphil is a great daily cleanser to be used twice a day. It also doubles as a great make-up remover.

2) Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub is a relaxing and pampering scrub and exfoliant that may be used on any part of your body. I try to exfoliate at least three times a week. Your soft baby skin will be available to touch once finished with this great product.

 

3) Profectiv Mega Growth Daily Anti Breakage Strengthener is like creamy crack for my hair growth. I tried all the juice and berry naturalista products for my 4C hair and nothing seemed to be working. I used this stuff back in 2006 and 2007 and it really made my hair grow. I guess my hair still enjoys whatever they put in this stuff. For strong and healthy hair i would definitely recommend this stuff.

 

4) Chapped lips are so easy to come across in the fall and winter months and can definitely ruin the look of a good lip color so you must avoid them. Carmex is a brilliant way to keep your lips baby soft and ready for any fly lipstick you want to rock for the day. Ive been using this stuff for years and its great!

 

5) Depending on your skin type if you want fresh skin that doesn’t feel super dry after showering defnitely try Dove body wash . Not only does this body wash have you feeling like your in sudsy heaven, but it leaves you smelling great.

 

6) Make up Organizers are absolutely perfect for placing all of your make up supplies and keeping them in plain site so it does not take forever to get ready for the day. I would say i cut about 15 minutes off of my makeup routine by not having to look for specific makeup digging through make up bags. The organzizers make everything easily accessible and can be found at Home Goods or Marshalls.

 

7) Crest Whitestrips will do wonders to your yellowing teeth. It’s a convenient way to get a bright smile in the convenience of your own home and I absolutely love them. Smiles are very important when it comes to beauty and along with brushing and flossing these strips should be  a part of your dental hygiene routine.

 

8) Rosehip seed oil is something you should familiarize yourself with if you are unaware of its amazing benefits. This oil is great for regenerating skin, clearing acne scars, and preventing blemishes. This oil is used as an anti-aging product by many women. My motto is why wait until you have wrinkles to begin fighting them, my grandmother always said “prevention is better than cure”.  I use this oil nightly and sometimes during the day along with an SPF to keep those evil wrinkles away.

 

9) Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit is one of my favorite exfoliants because it cleanses, exfoliates and it smells awesome. I use this just about every other day and I can say it really gives you a good base to put your foundation on. After washing your face your face will feel so smooth and your makeup will look flawless.

 

 

10) Last, but not least MAC’s Cremesheen Glass in Right Image is my favorite lip gloss of all time! *Kanye Voice* This is my go to keep my lip gloss poppin during the day especially if i am rocking a completely natural face. I normally layer the Carmex under it and lay a thin layer on top. You can’t go wrong with any MAC product and this has to be my top fave product for September, I make sure I stock up!

 

Hope this list has been helpful and you enjoying going back to the basics!

 

Your Guide To Getting The Ring!

Don’t Be a Fling Get the Ring!

There are many women who are single or in a “relationship” wondering why they havent been proposed to yet. There are the women who are serial trophies ( women who men only like showing off), doormats (women who continually allow themselves to be abused), and just plain crazy women. Just joking, just joking in the mix of single unmarried women there are regular good girls who just may be doing a few things wrong while on the path to meeting their soul mate. I know there are so  many of us hurting your heads over the question “does he not see ALL this, what do i need to do?”

Well we’ve got some help from John T. Malloy with his book “Why men marry some women and not others”.

This book is based on over 3,000 interviews conducted by Molloy and his researchers. They interviewed couples coming out of marriage license bureaus, and then a control group. The results reflect the statistical tendencies of marriage. Many of the lessons are common sense, but what sets this book apart is its specificity and the statistical backup for its assertions.

Editor’s note: One interesting fact is that this book got positive but mixed reviews on Amazon. It seems that the statistical truths that women who are A) over 35, and B) overweight are much less likely to marry were not well-received by those women who fell into those categories.

The Six Basic Guidelines For Women To Get Married

1. Insist on it.
2. If you find yourself in a dead-end relationship, move on.
3. Love yourself first.
4. Commit yourself to the idea of getting married
5. Keep in shape, watch your weight, and take care of your appearance
6. Time is running out—use time wisely in your search for the marrying man

To maximize your chances of marrying, only date the marrying kind:

• Most men will not consider marriage before they reach the age of commitment
  • For 80% of high school graduates, 23
  • For 80% of college graduates, 26
  • For college men, the high-commitment period is 28-33
  • For men who go to graduate school, 30-36
  • After the age of 37-38, the chances that he’ll commit drops dramatically. After 43, it drops even more
  • A 40+ man who has been married before is more likely to remarry than an equivalent bachelor is to marry
• Most men will not contemplate marriage until they have been working and living as independent adults for several years (hence the high-commitment periods)
• Men become likely to marry after they become uncomfortable with the singles scene
  • E.g. They realize that they’ve become the sleazy old guys who hang out at the bars and hit on younger girls
• Men do have a biological clock, based on their desire to be an active father (especially to their sons)
• Misc. negative traits and warning signs
  • Men who see marriage as a financial arrangement in which women have the most to gain
  • Men whose parents divorced when they were young
  • Men who live with their parents
•  Other key facts
  • Men often marry women whose religion, politics, values, and socioeconomic status match theirs
  • Men whose friends and siblings are married are more likely to marry
    • 60% of the newly married men reported that they had a friend who had married within the last year.
    • Those men who didn’t have any married male friends were 2-3 times as likely to say that they weren’t ready to marry.
    • The majority of men who had seen their friends get married said that if they met the right woman, they’d think seriously about getting married.
• Avoid stringers, men who string along women but never commit. To filter them out, insist that he commit after six months. Then stick to it, no matter what excuses he gives.
• Consider unpolished jewels, men who are just as nice, intelligent, hard-working, and successful, but lack looks, height, or social skills.

a. 88% of men over 50 who were marrying for the first time were marrying divorced women. The women told the researchers that they had already tried the tall, suave, type, and he didn’t make a very good husband.

First impressions are important

• 1. Men are attracted by the physical, but marry character
  • a. Newly engaged men said that what attracted them to their fiancées was how classy, positive, energetic, enthusiastic, and upbeat their future wives were.
    • i. While 68% gave a physical description of their fiancée, only 20% said that what attracted them was how gorgeous and sexy their fiancée was. Over 60% described their personalities, even if the women in question were very beautiful.
  • b. Therefore, be positive!
• 2. All wives are trophy wives—men marry women whom they admire and like to show off (but not for their physical appearance)
• 3. Dressing appropriately sends the message, “I am wife material.” Men marry women they perceive as “situational virgins” who move easily in their world.
  • a. Editor’s note: In other words, don’t dress like a ho. Men see a sexy outfit as an invitation to have sex.
  • b. Most men decide within 10 minutes of meeting a woman if she’s appropriate for marriage, or just for a casual affair.
  • c. Over 80% of men said or bragged that their fiancée was the kind of woman they were proud to introduce to friends and family
  • d. Over 70% of men said that they knew that their future bride was a “nice girl” the minute they met
  • e. Only 7 out of 2,000 men interviewed said that their fiancée was dressed in a very sexy outfit when they met.
• 4. If you want to marry a man who is more attractive than you, go for a very good-looking man because he will actually place less emphasis on looks. Women see their own looks as a gift of nature equal to or superior to brains and talent. In contrast, 67% of very good-looking men think of their looks as a minor asset, and say they would rather be smart, rich, or talented. Do the following:
  • a. Approach him. Very attractive men don’t make passes at women because they don’t have to.
  • b. Let him put you on a pedestal. Don’t treat him any differently than you would another man, just because he’s good-looking.
  • c. Let him see your talents and accomplishments. Very good-looking men often marry women who have qualities they lack—education, professional accomplishment, social standing, and ambition.
  • d. Make demands on him. Advise him to go back to school or get a better job.
• 5. Making a good impression on his family is almost as important as making a good impression on him.
  • a. 5% said that it was their family that had convinced them that the woman was something special

b. 30% said that their family’s positive opinion had influenced them

What kind of women get married?

• 1. Women with a large number of female friends are more likely to marry than women with a large number of male friends
  • a. Men don’t go out of their way to introduce their female friends to other men
• 2. If you reach 30 and want to get married, you have to make finding a husband a primary goal. Once your friends start getting married, they are less likely to have an active social life with you. Don’t be the last one off the bus!
• 3. Women who get married, even those with high-powered careers, make getting married a priority that they work at.
• 4. The larger the number of single men and women you work with, the better your chances of marrying
• a. If you work in an industry with few eligible men (e.g. the fashion industry, where most male colleagues are gay), or have other disadvantages, you’ll have to work harder outside of work to overcome them. It’s unfair, but suck it up.
• 5. Women with unrealistic expectations often remain single
  • a. Much of the time, these expectations are imposed by others, who think that the men she brings home aren’t “good enough for her.”
  • b. Give men a second chance—20% of brides to be said that they didn’t like their husband when they first met him.
• 6. Self-confident men are attracted to accomplished, self-assured, and talented women
• 7. Women who waste their time with stringers or men who don’t care for them hurt their chances of marrying
  • a. Women who marry refer to the men who broke up with them as losers. Women who don’t marry often make men who don’t reciprocate their feelings the center of their universe and still speak well of them.
• b. Don’t date married or gay men.
• 8. Women who live with their parents are less likely to marry
• 9. Being slender attracts more men, therefore increasing your chances to marry
• 10. Women who put effort into looking their best are more likely to marry than those who don’t
• 11. However, men find women who are active and don’t spend all of their time primping more attractive
• 12. Women who make an effort to seek out the company of single men are more likely to marry
  • a. Women who marry date more frequently than those who don’t, even it’s Mr. Wrong.
  • b. Women who marry are three times as likely to participate in masculine activities in which they had no real interest.
  • c. Women who marry are twice as likely to have made lifestyle sacrifices (changing jobs or moving) to meet eligible men.
• 13. Women who have active social lives are more likely to marry
• a. Go out on Friday and Saturday, when other single people go out

The stages in a relationship

• 1: Living up to expectations
  • Men believe that they can size up a woman in 5 minutes. They’re usually wrong. If a man doesn’t call, it’s because he realizes that he made a mistake.
• 2: Getting to know you. The following types of women are more like to get asked out on additional dates
  • a. Women who date more extensively
  • b. Women who have male friends or brothers (and thus have a better understanding of men)
  • c. Women who worry less about impressing their dates and more about having fun
  • d. Women who don’t have sex on the first date
  • e. Women who object when they don’t approve of the man’s plans
  • f. Women who are friendly and positive
  • g. Women who are a good audience and show interest and/or a concern for his welfare
  • Sidebar: Why men don’t call
    • As men see it, they don’t need a reason not to call. They do need a reason to call.
    • The woman gets too serious too soon
    • The woman is not as positive as they had thought.
      • 90% of men find catty remarks a turnoff
• 3: Needs and lifestyles
  • This stage is about separating attraction from compatibility.
  • If your lifestyles aren’t compatible, end the relationship as quickly and painlessly as possible
• 4: Steady dating (range: 3 weeks to 3 months)
  • Men don’t typically think of themselves as dating until after 4-6 dates
  • Women typically think of themselves as dating after 2-3 dates, hence the problem
  • The primary reason men drop women during the first month or two is that the women come on too strong, too soon.
    • 50% of men have broken up with a woman because she got serious prematurely
    • Never speak of marriage, children, or your future together for the first 6 dates.
• 5: Romancing the woman
  • Men are always trying to please the women they like. Just relax and enjoy your stay on the pedestal (because it’s likely to be brief).
• 6: Getting comfortable (3 months+). This is the stage where the couple stop feeling they have to be on their best behavior and start being themselves.
  • The fact that your man doesn’t bring you roses, but instead plops on your couch to watch TV and takes you for granted is actually a natural stage and the hallmark of almost all serious relationships—not a deal-killer.
  • But, don’t be a doormat. If you don’t complain, or, even worse, try to do everything for him, it will make him think you are just there for his convenience.
    • Women who withhold doing household chores usually get more respect from men
    • The women who insist on being treated well are 2x as likely to end up marrying their man. No one marries a servant.
  • Insist on being monogamous
• 7: Committed couplehood (range: 6 months to 1 year; 73% said that within 9 months, their partner had become the center of their lives).
  • Successful couples:
    • Are monogamous
    • Put their partners interests above their friends and family
      • If his family member makes a negative comment about you, he should defend you. 79% of marrying men said that they came to their financees’ defense.
    • Hang out together without any particular plans. When just being together, you are a successful couple.
• 8: Premarital couplehood.
  • Committed couples are:
    • Openly affectionate, and make sacrifices for each other
    • Become confidants. More than 90% of couples who get married are.
  • But remember that men are sensitive to criticisms of their family, and men don’t share their feelings easily
• 9: The proposal stage
  • Most men propose after going out with a woman for 18 months.
  • If at the end of 22 months, a man has not proposed, the chances that he will start to diminish.
  • For 3.5 years, the chances diminish gradually. After that, it plunges. After 7 years, your chances are virtually zero.
• 

Speaking of Marriage

• 1. Men who discuss marriage are more likely to propose
• 2. If you want to discuss marriage, you’re going to have to bring the subject up, because many men never will
• 3. 73% of marrying women said that they put pressure on their man to propose
• 4. If a woman is convinced that marriage is essential to her happiness, she is more likely to marry.
  • a. If a man is convinced that being married is essential to a woman’s happiness, he is more likely to propose
• 5. When a man who has been dating a woman for months says he hasn’t thought of marriage, he’s probably just being honest. Men don’t think about these things.
  • a. 1/3 of husbands who had said no at first had forgotten that they did so
  • b. 2/3 remembered, but most thought it wasn’t a big deal.
  • c. When told that saying this upset their wives, the men generally responded, “What did she want me to do, lie to her?”
  • d. More than 90% of men who said they weren’t ready didn’t think the answer was a rejection, just a fact.
  • e. The best response is, “Maybe it’s time for you to think about it.”
  • f. Statistically, this is actually one of the most encouraging answers a woman can receive; many of these men proposed within 4 months.
• 6. Men don’t get subtle hints—a woman has to discuss marriage directly and, to make sure he gets the point, ask follow-up questions.
• 7. When a man says he isn’t ready, it usually doesn’t mean he will never marry.
  • Often, it’s because they don’t have enough money.
• 8. Men rarely respond positively when challenged.
  • a. Over 50% of men say that when presented with a choice, “Marry me or get lost,” they chose to get lost.
  • b. Over 50% of men say that when a woman walks out, they let her go.
  • c. Instead, come back to the subject later. Send the message, “I love you, but I need marriage.” Don’t let them off the hook.
    • i. “How could you do this to me? You hurt me.”
    • ii. “The reason I’m so hurt is that I love you.”

Marrying after 40

• 1. The best places to meet eligible men are clubs and groups based on common interests. Join organization that have single men as members.
  • a. 21% of engaged women over 40 said that they had met their fiancée at an athletic club
  • b. Sports clubs that focus on activities that attract singles (trips, bicycling) are best
  • c. Next best are tennis, and golf.
  • d. Third come professional or social organizations that are overwhelmingly male, like engineering associations or collectors of sports memorabilia.
  • e. Fourth come organizations that have a singles scene, or sponsor events that give singles a chance to socialize with other club members.
  • f. Dances, picnics, and charity golf or tennis tournaments are also a good place to meet men.
• 2. Have an active social life
  • a. Women who go out twice a week, even just to dine with other women or do volunteer work, are 3x as likely to marry than those who don’t go out.
  • b. Going out three times a week boosts your chances even further.
  • c. However, going out more than 5 nights a week decreases your chances.
• 3. Though men often date women who are much younger, they usually marry someone close to their own age.
• 4. The most common reason men over 40 were attracted to their fiancées was that they took good care of themselves. So stay in shape!
• 5. When asked what attracted them to their fiancées, younger men cite virtue, talent, or accomplishments. 62% of men over forty cited “niceness” (congeniality, agreeableness, a relaxed, low-maintenance attitude, and acts of kindness).
• 6. Older men may be in a hurry to get married; delay them, don’t dump them, if you aren’t ready yet.
• 7. Men who attend religious services are more likely to marry.

Divorced men, widowers, and single fathers

• 1. Young widowers without children are the most marriageable men on earth
• 2. Single fathers with young children have little or no energy for a social life
• 3. Most widowers are not ready for a relationship until 2 years after their wife passed away
• 4. Men whose wives died of lingering or painful illnesses are less likely to remarry.
• 5. The more amicable a man’s divorce, the more likely he is to remarry
• 6. The younger a man is, the more likely he is to remarry

Now turn that frown upside down

Go put this guide to use and meet your soulmate!

Tiara Thomas Releases New Song “One Night”

This girl has got it!

Many of us first heard of Tiara Thomas after hearing her vocals on Wale’s smash hit “Bad”. After hearing her sultry voice paired with acoustics we became instant fans.Her single “Tell Me Something” really grabbed our attention and had us wanting more. Tiara, who is signed to Rico Love’s Division 1 record label just released her single from her upcoming album “One Night”.This fashionista is someone to watch as her songwriting is something to contend with in this generation of meaningless songs. She mixes her singing with some raw rapping that creates instant magic.

The song is so catchy (thanks to Rico’s amazing producing)  and definitely spills the truth when it comes to females and that special one.Take a listen to Tiara telling it like it is.

#LessClassicallyBeautiful

The NY Times is on a roll…and NOT in a good way

Last night Shonda Rhime’s newest show “How To Get Away With Murder” premiered on ABC with a whopping 14 million viewers. Those 14 million viewers made #HTGAWM the highest rated show of the Thursday lineup, surpassing “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy. The star of the show is SAG award winner and Oscar nominee Viola Davis. Mrs. Davis did an excellent job playing Annalise Keating (the sassy and sexy attorney/college professor). Her performance was critiqued by a New York Times writer and in this piece Viola was described as “less classically beautiful than [Kerry] Washington”. This is the same paper that has been under fire after one of their writer’s referred to the show’s  producer, Shonda Rhimes as an “angry black woman”. Viola Davis addressed this writer’s comment on the daytime show “The View”  calling it an attempt to “erase” a person. If Viola’s performance continues to be as great as it was last night (which we are sure it will be) then The NY Times is going to have to come a lot harder than that if they want to make her invisible. Listen to Viola give a brilliant response to the paper by clicking the picture below.

“Being a dark-skinned Black woman, you heard it from the womb,” said Davis. “And ‘classically not beautiful’ is a fancy term for saying ugly. And denouncing you. And erasing you”, a powerful statement from Mrs. Davis who brings the issue of the absence of dark girls in the media to light. Maybe if dark women were included in the videos, tv shows and magazines a new form of “classic beauty” would manifest. Then there goes the magic question “What/who determines beauty?”.  Women from all around the world had a lot to say about this topic and expressed themselves with the #LessClassicallyBeautiful.

#LessClassicallyBeautiful

#LessClassicallyBeautiful

#LessClassicallyBeautiful

#LessClassicallyBeautiful

Love yourself ladies! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Omari Hardwick Defends His Woman!

That’s right Omari! Two handclaps for you!

If we weren’t already in love with this man, we definitely have a great reason to begin falling hard. The Power star took to his twitter yesterday to put all the negative people in his mentions in their place. Some days ago Omari was pictured taking his wife and child out to brunch. The picture received mix reviews from the “Being Maru Jane” stars fans as they attacked his wife and mother of his child in his twitter mentions. A lot of his followers were saying he could do better and were comparing his wife to a man.

Well Mr. Omari Hardwick did not take lightly to people calling the love of his life names. He was very intelligent when addressing the negativity via his twitter page. He revealed how insensitive people can be and how hard it is having to deal with this as a celebrity.

The fact that he stood up for his woman is very commendable as there are many famous men in the spotlight who aren’t even claiming their significant others.  They are a beautiful couple and Omari’s actions show they are very strong.

All ladies need a man like this!

OOTD Scandal Style Inspiration

It’s handled!

As we all know the hit show Scandal is returning for its 4th season on ABC at 9 pm EST. The star of the show Ms. Olivia Pope has to be the most stylish woman on the show. All her looks are professional , but chic. The look above was definitely inspired by our favorite #Gladiator. We could see Olivia stomping down the halls of the West Wing in these duds. The outfit features a blue Cynthia Rowley jacket, white Chloe pants,mustard yellow  Paolo Iantorno shoes and a grey Celine bag. We decided to go with simple but fun accessories to accentuate the floral peplum top. This outfit is definitely something a power woman like Olivia Pope would strut in.

Outfit Of The Day: Menswear

Don’t worry fellas we haven’t forgotten about you

We definitely have to show the men some styling love and couldnt resist putting this fun preppy look together. This outfit features PACSUN trousers, a rustic collared shirt by Carhatt Herman, a fun and colorful bow tie from Brooks Brothers and blue suede shoes from Schoshoes. This is an awesome city look and can be worn during the day or at night. Top this look off with a luxury or luxury looking watch and a triby hat. This simple but clean look is wonderful for any body type and will definitely have the man wearing this feeling like the “man of the hour”.

Beauty Spotlight: Bluffa Jo Cosmetics

Great make-up and skin care products

Bluffa Jo is a cosmetic line founded by celebrity nail and beauty professional, Maisie Dunbar. The Liberian native has many celebrity clients such as Sharon Osbourne, Tyson Beckford, Star Jones Reynolds, Mary Mary, Chaka Khan and more. The cosmetic line prides itself on mineral pigments which is a natural alternative to chemical make up, and does not contain any dyes, oils, talc, alcohol or fragrance.

Bluffa Jo Cosmetics has been featured in Harpers Bazarr, Vogue, and Essence Magazines as well as New York Fashion Week.Skin care products, Lip gloss, foundations, face pigments and more can be purchased at http://www.bluffajo.com or at Ms. Dunbar’s salon in Silver Spring, MD.

Ms. Dunbar is also a business consultant and mentor to young professionals trying to break through in the beauty industry. She has seen much success in the industry and her knowledge is immense on what it takes to be great at your craft. Here are  few videos of the savvy business owner and beauty extraordinaire giving some great tips and advice.

Outfit of the Day Featuring Balmain Embellished Leopard-Print Calf Hair and Leather Mini Skirt

Olivier Rousteing is a fashion genius!

The above look is fun  and flirty with a cool balance. The balmain leopard print calf hair mini skirt is the focal point of this outfit, but paired with a bold orange top makes this ensemble and awesome one. I picked olive green as a contrast to bring the bright orange and leopard print into harmony. Marc Jacobs sunglasses top the look off along with the Burberry purse and JustFab.com heels.

Balmain’s Pre-Fall 2014 collection features an embellished leopard print calf hair leather mini skirt that i fell in love with a while ago. The skirt retails for a whopping $10,800. Nicki Minaj can be seen rocking this beautiful piece in her sexy video for her hit single “Anaconda”. Mel B and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley can be seen rocking this vogue skirt below.

 

Balmain Paris has been causing quite a stir in the fashion industry with the strong support of many celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Naomi Campbell and Nicki Minaj. Balmain’s young creative director, Olivier Rousteing might have a lot to do with Balmain’s growing popularity.