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About Jewels by Park Lane

Posted by Ashley Crockett on June 18, 2008 at 6:29am

Hello,My name is Ashley. I am a representative of Jewels by Park Lane an awesome company that has been in business for 52 years. Park lane takes pride in offering the highest quality in fine fashion Jewelry. All jewelry is backed by an unconditional guarantee. Our exclusive designs include casual, timeless classics, must-have designer inspired creations and red-red carpet worthy masterpieces. We have it all and utilizing our “one-of-a- kind buying plan, you can too!Customer order incentivesWhen you order totals: You may purchase:$30.00-$59.00 one (1) item up to your total for $12.00$60.00-$89.00 two (2) items up to your total for $12.00$90.00 and over three (3) items up to your total for $12.00For a limited time the order totals over $ 60.00 qualifies you for an additional item for free!(Free item last till June 25th)We also offer five star hostess plans.Could give you $300-$500 in jewelry rewards by booking either a catalog or home show.(Hostess pays tax on free jewelry and $5.50 shipping fee.Park Lane offers an excellent fundraiser for any organization with a Federal Tax ID number. The fundraisers catalogs consist of items from $10.00-$30.00. 50% OF ALL SALES BENIFIT THE ORGANIZATION! Soccer teams, girl scouts, churches, and other organizations are free to benefit from this fundraiser benefit.If you would like more info on hosting a party, purchasing jewelry ,or holding a fundraiser please contact me at acrockett@student.cscc.edu or 1-614-725-1091.www.jewelsbyparklane.comwww.myspace,com/acjewelsbyparklane

I need your support @ www.smashbox.com

Posted by MeTeVa on June 18, 2008 at 4:57am

Thank you for voting for me; I am currently #6 out of 188; I must remain in the top 10 to be considered for round 2. Thank you for helping me to obtain the spot and now I need your support to maintain the top 10 spot. - you can vote daily until June 21th 12:30am.If you have voted thank you, if you vote again, thank you... if you are to busy, I understand and if you haven't, go vote1.Go to http://www. smashboxonline. com/beautyguru. html?pbb_qsi=2798215&=PP_VoteConfirm_265_PPIMEMAIL2.Under the top navigation, you'll see Entries - click there3.You'll see Me'Shun's cute little picture (attached in case you can't find her)4.VOTE!!! If you can log on to other computers, do it!! We need to get this girl to FASHION WEEK~~~

Summer Skin

Posted by Aliesh D. Pierce on June 18, 2008 at 3:00am

When summer sun comes out, winter cover-ups come off and, weather you’re ready or not, you have to bare it all. Even the most prim and proper person feels the need to strip when it’s hot out.Bringing Sexy BackCold weather and low humidity can slow down cellular turn over, causing dead skin to build up. If left on the surface, these cells just block product absorption and leave newer emerging cells thirsty for hydration. That’s why the first step to developing summer skin is exfoliation. If the skin on your body can take it, a mechanical exfoliant like Sahala’s Spicy Mango Body Polish will do the trick. However, weather you think you’re sensitive or not, you need to be more cautious with the thinner, more delicate skin on the face. Try Babor’s Mild Peeling with rounded peach pits. It’s more gentle than drug store brands. Chemical exfoliants, like enzymes and acids, are proven to be the most effecitve. Most commonly obtained from papaya or pineapple, enzymes free dead skin cells and reduce inflammation without greatly altering the skin’s pH. If you really want to speed up the process, ask your esthetician for a series of head to toe lactic peels. Often derived from sour milk, this alpha hydroxy acid treatment works by dislodging the glue that holds surface cells together, guaranteeing an all-over-glow.Skin that’s been stripped of it’s protective barrier is more vulnerable to UV rays; so don’t over do it. Protect yourself with a sun block containing zinc and titanium dioxide but stay away from chemical sun screens. They can cause skin to have an un-even texture. Lisa Sickler, West Coast Regional Trainer for Babor Cosmetics, suggests giving sun protection a boost.”Vitamin E is a great anti-oxidant and nori algea helps deflect harmful UV rays away from delicate skin”, Lisa says.And yes, this information is for women of every ethnicity. A little bit of melanin may go a long way towards protecting the deeper layers of skin from aging, but UV rays do penetrate the epidermis. This is what causes those dark blemishes that, over time, become “age spots”.*Another great way to shed your winter coat is a complete body wax. Seasoned spa goers start the summer with a full arm / under arm / full leg /bikini / thong and tummy visit. Once the hair is ripped out of the follicle just stay out of the sun for at least 24 hours and your swimsuit ready for 4 to 6 weeks.Get Your Shine OnSo you’ve awakened hibernating skin and you’re ready to glow. If your skin’s not quite yet flawless, Bobbie Brown’s Creamy Concealer Kit can camouflage blemishes and prevent makeup from running.To mimic the sun’s effect, select a few bronzers from Nars The Multiples collection. Blend up the high planes of the cheeks, over the brow bone and down the bridge of the nose to accent your best features.For a touch more color, using a squirrel bristle brush, sweep gold based iridescent shadows with overtones of pink or kahki across the lower lid to make eyes sparkle. Stila and Shu Uemura are makeup artist’s favorites. Using blush in sheer warm pigments, like Nars’ Gina, makes cheeks pop while allowing healthy skin to shine through. Just apply color to the “apple” only. Then choose any Lorac Lip Polish in a selection of shades to keep lips looking kissable.If you’ve been treating your lashes with Jan Marini’s Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner which actually improves hair thickness, the only tool you need is Shu Uemura’s famous eyelash curler to complete your sun kissed summer look.*To combat midday shine, I suggest Shiseido’s Prepare line. These non-powdered wax tissues come in varying degrees of absorbency. (available online)*Covering your body in baby oil may look cute, but it actually blocks vital moisture from penetrating the skin and attracts harmful UV rays.Lean BackThe final step in maintaining summer skin is to take it easy. According to Dr. Raakhi Mohan, who incorporates an Ayurvedic approach to wellness in her practice in Long Beach, CA, “true beauty is a reflection of one’s health and sense of inner balance”. Here are Dr. Mohan’s suggestions to help you de-stress and ensure that your skin looks good all summer long.SUGGESTION BENEFITEat lots of berries and leafy greens These foods are high in anti-oxidants and aid eliminationTake a yoga class Promotes relaxation and benefits every organGo for a walk Increases circulation which oxygenates the cellsDrink plenty of water Hydrates and flushes toxinsBIO:Aliesh D. Pierce is a freelance makeup artist, esthetician and educator committed to “helping women create their own unique definition of beauty”. Her work can be seen at alieshpierce.com.

5 Ways to Fly on the Cheap

Posted by Margaret Salmond on June 17, 2008 at 11:30pm

The deals are still out there, but travel experts say flexibility is key when looking for discount air faresBy Aaron Smith, CNNMoney.com staff writerFly cheap while you still can. The money-losing airline industry is raising fares and adding fees as it struggles with record-high fuel prices.Meanwhile, the weak economy has forced Americans to cut back on costs. Many are opting for "staycations" by choosing not to travel when they have time off.But experts say there are still plenty of travel deals for those who want or need to get somewhere. "Everyone's saying the fares are going up, but there are still many, many, many cheap tickets," says George Hobica, creator of the travel Web site airfarewatchdog.com.We asked Hobica and Candy Harrington, editor of Emerging Horizons, a magazine on accessible travel, for some tips on how to find them. The bottom line: You can get a cheap fare, but you're going to need to be very flexible.1. Fly during the slowest days of the weekTuesday and Wednesday are the slowest flying days of the week for business travel so demand is low, and so are the fares."The Monday and Friday flights are more expensive as many business travelers depart on Monday morning and return Friday afternoon," says Harrington. "The best deals are usually found on mid-week mid-day departures. Just ask yourself what flight would be the most unattractive to a business traveler and pick that one."2. Fly during the slowest time of the yearTravelers who are serious about seeking cheap fares should travel only during the slowest time of year, says Hobica. That rules out holidays, as well as spring, summer and winter.What's left? Fall. Hobica recommends traveling anytime between Labor Day and Thanksgiving for the best deals.3. Fly to popular destinations at unpopular timesIf you must travel during the summer, seek out destinations that are popular during the winter, says Hobica. Northerners should consider summering in Florida to take advantage of discount flights. But if Orlando in August fails to impress, budget-conscious jetsetters might prefer a Colorado ski town in the off-season.Harrington suggests being completely flexible about the destination, based on the fare. "Check out the airline Web sites, and see what destinations they have on sale, then build your vacation around that destination," she says.4. Buy during the cheapest times of the dayAirfares change three times a day as airlines periodically lower prices to fill up flights, and the early bird gets the worm, according to Hobica. "Early morning is the time to buy." he says, recommending that flyers check fares every five hours to try and snag a deal.On the weekend, the best time to check is early Saturday morning and again at 5 p.m., when the industry is most aggressively trying to fill seats, he says.5. Buy a travel package, even if you don't need itTravel sites are brimming with vacation packages offering cut-rate hotel stays and car rentals. But if you're the type to skip over these packages without a glance, then maybe you should give them a closer look, says Hobica.The packages are sometimes cheaper than the airfare alone, he says, especially for last -minute sales, where the airline is just trying to fill seats. "They're super bargains," he says. "Even if you don't need the rental car, you could just not pick it up, because the airfare is so cheap."In the drive to reduce costs, airlines will be bidding bon voyage to many of their discount flights, analysts say. Hobica believes cheap airfares will become increasingly hard to find, so enjoy them while you still can."It's getting worse, as all these airlines are cutting back on all these routes," he says. "The airlines are finally getting price religion."

What to expect at your first visit

Posted by Trish on June 17, 2008 at 11:00pm

What Can I Expect in a First Visit?Most people receive massages in a place that is designated for massage. The environments vary, but the most common is a commercial setting, such as a spa, wellness center, or massage clinic. However, massage is becoming increasing common in other settings such as hospitals and rehabilitation clinics. On site chair massage is also offered in environments such as malls or airports, sporting events, or private parties.This section describes a visit to a massage therapist in a private practice. The experience may be different in other environments.Before the MassageFirst of all, make sure it is a good time for you to have a massage. Reschedule your visit if have a fever, skin irritations (such as poison ivy or sunburn), or if you are trying to stabilize your medication (because massage can affect the dosage needed).In the days before your massage, drink plenty of water.Do not eat just before your massage.Give yourself enough time to arrive on time and relaxed. If you are rushing and arrive stressed, it will take longer to get into a relaxed state.Health HistoryGenerally, first appointments begin with an intake process, starting with a health history. The health history may be mailed out to you so you can complete it beforehand. If not, arrive early for your first visit to fill it out. Generally, a health history will ask about:Medical conditionsAreas of concernYour level of pain or discomfort on good and bad daysWhat helps reduce the pain and what makes it worseContact informationYou will also likely be asked to sign forms that explain your right to privacy such as HIPAA Consent and Disclosure.InterviewThe massage therapist will review your health history and ask questions. Because massage can affect multiple body systems, such as the cardiovascular and nervous systems, be honest with the massage therapist about your health. You should also let the therapist know about any pharmaceutical drugs or botanical medicines you are taking, because massage can enhance or reduce the effect of pharmaceutical drugs, such as blood pressure medication. Knowing your history allows a therapist to determine if there are any reasons you should avoid massage or a particular technique.The massage therapist will ask you questions to better design a session that meets your needs and goals within the time allotted. Let the therapist know what areas of your body you would like worked on, if there are any areas to avoid, and if you have any techniques that you would like to use or avoid. If you are concerned about undressing, discuss it with the therapist, who should be able to offer you some options. Don’t be afraid to discuss any apprehensions or concerns. All information you give is confidential.The therapist will outline what will happen in the session and then leave the room so you can undress to your comfort level.When you are ready, lie down on the massage table and cover yourself with the sheet or other draping on the table. The therapist will knock before re-entering.During the MassageGenerally, you will lie on a massage table, covered by a sheet or large towel. Make sure you are comfortable and let the therapist know if you are not. Tell the therapist if you are cold, want to be covered, don’t want an area of your body touched, don’t like the music, or are experiencing discomfort with the technique or how it is being applied. Remember, you are in charge, and can ask for changes or stop the session at any time.DrapingA professional massage therapist will never expose genitals or breasts, or any other areas you identify. Only the area the therapist is working on will be exposed.MusicThe therapist may play music, but be sure to tell your therapist if you would prefer a different type of music or if you would like quiet. Typically, you can also bring your own music to play during the session.How to get the most from your massageBe as open to the process as you can.Relax and try let your thoughts go. One way to do this is to focus on how the touch or technique feels.Remember to breathe, as this helps you relax. Sometimes people hold their breath when a sensitive area is massaged, but it is best to breathe through it.In the same way, tightening your muscles during the massage is counterproductive. If you can’t seem to relax your muscles, let your massage therapist know. They may need to adjust the massage technique.

MASSAGE AND MIGRAINES

Posted by Trish on June 17, 2008 at 10:57pm

Study on Massage Therapy and MigrainesThursday, Feb 7, 2008Many migraine sufferers seek relief through massage therapy. Massage can bring about a quieting of the central nervous system known as the “relaxation response,” relax tight muscles than can trigger migraine, reduce sensations of pain and stress, and possibly improve sleep. Little research has been done into the effects of massage therapy in people with migraines.The most recent study was published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Forty-four people with a history of migraine headaches kept daily journals of their symptoms for 13 weeks; the randomly chosen massage group received a 45-minute massage every week from week five to week ten, but the control group did not.Compared with the control group, the massage group experienced better sleep quality and fewer migraines both during the massage therapy phase and in the three weeks after therapy ended. They also reported slightly lower levels of stress and greater coping abilities, but this difference was not statistically significant.“This is the first evidence that massage therapy may reduce migraine frequency beyond the end of treatment,” the authors stated in their conclusion, “and research is now needed to further evaluate the durability of these effects.”“The results of this study reflect the experience of many of my clients who report that massage seems to help reduce the frequency of migraines,” said Briane Pinkson, a licensed practical nurse and massage therapist. “Massage also helps them cope when headaches do occur,” she added.

It has arrived...............

Posted by blittles on June 17, 2008 at 10:12pm

Karma KidzBath & Body Line !!

I'm a Bath and Beauty Product Junkie!

Posted by candacem907-Ms.MilanMinerals on June 17, 2008 at 7:49pm

Well it's not as if I didn't ALREADY know it but I'm realizing yet again that I'm a B&B Junkie! I love all kinds of beauty products! Yea I know it's a problem and I really should try to use up some of what I have but ummm........why? Now I've actually sat and rationalized and JUSTIFIED my habit.I figure out of all the bad habits and vices I could have and all I want to do is smell good and be soft? What the hell!

Lynch The B Word!

Posted by KAMAL IMANI*The Soul Griot! on June 17, 2008 at 5:11pm

Kamal Imani © 2008BitchB-ItchBlacks itchFrom the serpents poisonous gripDamn near 6Thousand years of PolytricksOver 4Hundred years of yourGrandmother, Your Mother, Auntie, Sister and daughters being raped and slaughtered.And you being castratedWhite Jesus imagery causing you to be self hatedYour manhood degeneratedAlmost exterminatedBut the toubob slavemaster made sure you matedAnd even on the plantation admit it the sex with her was good.You had to share her with massa but she understoodThat you’d rather try to play the game and weep, then kill that racist rapist beast in his sleepEven back then, you ain’t have shhh, but to you that black berry beautiful African sister was sweet.You used to build pyramidsBut now your pants sag as your infatuated with your draws and showing your buttAnd in our sister soldiers that had your back,All you wanna do is bust a nutThen leave the seedYour idea of reparations is either playing the game in the corporationOr being locked down in private stock held camps of concentrationYou have an understandable frustrationThis sometimes subtle oppression can make a brother stressed and mad sickBut you need a scapegoat fam?Why you gotta call the mother of civilization a bitch?Be a man with yours, she’s your sister soldier in these wars, build and expand with yours!And keep your hands to your self before we get the fam and roll on your ass with EJ, Pluck, FuQuan, Fat Rob, Pookey, Skeeter and them!Cause we too can pistol whip and hitAnd then we’ll see whose the real bitch…bitch!Sidenote:_____________________________________________________________________And sisters, I understand, that Uncle Sam’s genocidal plan has left you without a manSo sometimes you, he or she resorts to tricks. But don’t take your eyes off of the unseen hand that’s killing our fam, when you too, decide to call your sister a bitch!Kamal Imani AKA Kamal Supremehttp://www.myspace.com/kamalsupremehttp://www.soulgriots.com

Marketing Your Business using Press Releases

Posted by Christine on June 17, 2008 at 2:41pm

As small business owners on a budget, we are always trying to find free and/or low cost ways to market our businesses. Although we know that it takes money to make money, the Internet does offer numerous opportunities to market yourself and your business that are free. One way of doing this is to use Press Releases. To clarify, a press release is a short report on a news worthy event having to do with yourbusiness. It could be a launch of a new line of products or one new product, new fragrances, a change of venue if you're a bricks and mortar business or a new service that you are going to offer.Whatever the event, take advantage of the change to issue a press release.

A press release has a strict format - any deviance from this format may cause seasoned press release readers to overlook your press release because it is too wordy or cluttered. The format of a press release is as follows:

When and Where: Most press releases begin with a line that names the date and the location of the news that is takingplace.

Headline: the headline of the press release is one line that will be the hook for your press release. Try to write atitle that is attention grabbing so that the reader is pulled into reading theentire press release. If you want your press release to be picked up bynewspapers or other websites, your title has to stand out.

Summary: The summary of a press release is a short synopsis of what the rest of the press release is all about. Itshould summarize the content of the press release in one sentence.

Body of the Press Release: This is where the "meat" of your story lies. Keep your sentences short and to the point.It is also helpful to use quotations from people involved in the news story.These quotations tend to personalize the news and get people interested.

Boiler Plate/Contact Information: In this area of the press release, include your contact information and an "aboutcompany" profile. This is called a boiler plate because you can cut andpaste it for every press release you write.

Free places to submit your press releases:

http://www.pr9.net
http://www.prlog.org
http://www.prweb.com
http://www.pr.com/promote-your-business
http://www.express-press-release.com
http://www.theopenpress.com

More information on Press Releases:

http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Press-Release
http://www.prweb.com/pressreleasetips.php
http://www.ereleases.com/howtowrite.htm

A Warm Spirit Has Come This Way!

Posted by candacem907-Ms.MilanMinerals on June 17, 2008 at 3:30am

Today I received my order of Warm Spirit products from our very own Alison Warfield! Both of the Body Gloss products I choose smell wonderful! I ordered Mango and Citrus Spice. Both will be great to use right out of the shower to moisturize and scent.Now I don't know ALL the details, but it's my understanding that the company Warm Spirit was started by a Woman of Color, so when purchasing from our own Alsion you're not only supporting one but TWO sisters in business!I'm very pleased with my new products and I'm sure you will be too.Please visit warmspirit.org/awarfield

Cathy Hughes Advice to Black Women in Business

Posted by Christine on June 17, 2008 at 2:57am

This is a reprint of an EZine article. I thought it might inspire you a bit today!

Cathy Hughes' Advice to Black Women in Business
By Bedford E.

Meet one of the greatest entrepreneurs of all time!

Cathy Hughes is the founder and chairperson of Radio One, Inc., the largest African American owned and operated broadcast-company in the nation. Radio One is the first African American company in radio history to dominate several major markets simultaneously and possesses the first woman-owned radio station to rank #1 in any major market.

Cathy Hughes knows what it takes to overcome major hurdles in the male dominated arena of business and entrepreneurship.

I recently interviewed Ms. Hughes for her perspective on black entrepreneurship and specifically asked her to give her advice to black women considering business.

Bro. Bedford: What advice would you give Black Women about going into business?

Cathy Hughes: The most important aspect of a woman going into business I think is really identifying and forming a support group. So often people who love us feel a need to protect us and they sometimes over protect us and make us squeamish and afraid to be adventurous.

You have to be BOLD and ADVENTUROUS if you are a woman going into business. Even though more and more women are going into business, it is still a male dominated game.

In my case it was my mother, I can’t tell you…my mother would cry, she would beg me, “Please get a government job, you’re in Washington D.C. You’re smart and people like you, Give Up! You’re sleeping on a floor in a sleeping bag. Cathy, people think you’ve lost your mind; they think you’ve had a nervous breakdown, what’s wrong with you. Go get a good Government job and stop trying…”

My mother was not trying to stop me from being a successful Entrepreneur, she was worried about me, and she was scared for me. I had lost everything to try to hold on to this business and she was ready for me to throw in the towel out of love and protection. But guess what? It was also so discouraging.

So I started lying to my mother. When she would call and ask have you turned it around? I would say, “Oh yeah momma things are just great!”

Guess what? In lying to my mother about my business turning around and doing great, I started to believe it myself. And once I started to believe it myself, guess what? It started to happen! (Laugh)

I tell women so often, your husbands, your brothers, your sisters, your mothers, your fathers, your neighbors, sometimes even your financial advisors and your lawyers are the first to want to protect you.

There is still this thing…its so interesting because Black Women don’t get a lot of help, but we get a lot of protection “allegedly”. A lot of advice on what we should be doing, which discourages us, because Black women are full of PASSION and EMOTION. So if someone tells us we’re making a mistake most of us, unless we’re just knuckleheads, we stop and analyze it.

Am I really acting crazy…I am sleeping in a sleeping bag and cooking on a hot plate like my momma said. Maybe I am not really realizing…

So you have to put on blinders you have to be myopic, you have to keep your eye on the prize you cannot sometimes share with people; you’ve got to lie.

When people say how’s it going? They may be getting ready to foreclose on your underwear, but you’ve got to say, “I can’t tell you, today was just Fabulous!” (Laugh)

Bro. Bedford: Best day I’ve had

Cathy Hughes: Best day I’ve had since I’ve been in business (Both Laugh)

You say it enough the first person that you’re going to convince is yourself, because who is hearing it more than anybody else, YOU!

Your attitude really does determine your altitude.

With women we normally can’t get a lot of financial or other help. Sometimes you don’t need the finance you just need someone to give you a helping hand. But Lord have mercy do people give us advise under the guise of I’m just trying to protect you; I’m just trying to look out for you.

Well if you’re trying to look out for me loan me that $10,000 I need to make payroll. (Laugh) I don’t need you discouraging me.

It’s funny because people want to be politically correct, they don’t say to you point blank you shouldn’t be doing this. They’ll say, “Do you think it’s really worth it? Do you think that maybe you’re sacrificing too much? What about you? What about your personal life?” I’m trying to build a business right now. My business is my personal life.

So I tell women don’t get discouraged and try to find somebody in a comparable situation if not maybe the same situation, but a comparable situation.

People are amazed, Entrepreneurs call me frequently and they’re like, “you took my call”. Yeah, because I can’t tell you how lonely it was for me when no one would take my call. It may have taken me a few weeks and sometimes if I get backlogged maybe a couple of months.

I’ve called people back and they’re like, “I forgot I called you Ms. Hughes”, I will return your call you’ve just got to be patient because sometimes its just a word of encouragement that we need to get over the hump.

(Note: the website merely is a sales page for his book.)

For the full interview with Cathy Hughes and other Black Millionaire Entrepreneurs Log onto http://www.conversationswithblackmillionaires.com

Bro. Bedford is founder of http://www.howtobeablackentrepreneur.com a FREE e-zine dedicated to Black Entrepreneurship. He is also the author of My Conversations with Black Millionaire Entrepreneurs http://www.conversationswithblackmillionaires.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bedford_E.
http://EzineArticles.com/?Cathy-Hughes-Advice-to-Black-Women-in-Business&id=629961

More information on Cathy Hughes:FindArticles - CATHY HUGHES: Ms. RadioEbony, May, 2000, by Lynn Norment

BLACK INNKEEPERS BY STATE - DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL

Posted by Teresa on June 16, 2008 at 7:34pm

BLACK INNKEEPERSUNITED STATESARIZONADunn’s Way Bed & Breakfast, TucsonGlendale Gaslight Inn, GlendaleLuna Vista Bed & Breakfast, near SedonaCALIFORNIABates House, OaklandLouSan Bed & Breakfast, Castro ValleyVilla De Valor, JulianGEORGIAAbbett Inn, AtlantaFoley Inn, SavannahMitchell-Young-Anderson House, ThomasvilleILLINOISBronzeville’s 1st Bed & Breakfast, ChicagoLOUISIANAHubbard Mansion, New OrleansAkwaaba Bed & Breakfast, New OrleansBonne Chance Bed & Breakfast, New OrleansLa Chateau de ClaudineMARYLANDPhoenix Risin’, BaltimoreMASSACHUSETTSHigh Haven House, Martha's VineyardMicha's Pond Summer Rentals, Cape CodOak Bluffs Inn, Martha’s VineyardShearer Cottage, Oak BluffsMISSOURICentral West End B&B, St. LouisNEW JERSEYAkwaaba By The Sea, Cape MayNEW YORK102 Brownstone Boutique Hotel, HarlemAkwaaba Mansion, BrooklynArbor View House B&B, Long IslandEfuru Guest House, BrooklynHarlem Landmark Guest House, HarlemQuintessentials B&B and Spa, East MarionSugar Hill Harlem Inn, HarlemNORTH CAROLINAKing's Inn, GreensboroMiss Elsie’s Caribbean Bed & Breakfast, CharlotteMorehead Manor Bed & Breakfast, DurhamOHIOParker's Guesthouse, ClevelandHenderson House, ColumbusWright House Bed & Breakfast, SpringboroOREGONRiverview Guest Houst Bed & Breakfast, PortlandPENNSYLVANIANew Hillside Inn, Pocono MountainsRHODE ISLANDBrown By The Bay, NewportSOUTH CAROLINANoah’s Light Bed & Breakfast, Patriot’s PointThe Cottage, CharlestonVIRGINIALady Neptune Bed & Breakfast, HamptonRockland Farm Retreat, BumpassRiver Place-at-Deltaville B&B, BumpassRagland Mansion Bed and Breakfast, PeterburgThe Meeting Place, WintergreenWASHINGTONBlue Rose Bed & Breakfast, Fidalgo IslandWASHINGTON, DCAkwaaba InnWISCONSINAstor House Bed & Breakfast, Green BayINTERNATIONALAFRICAAmanzimtoti's, South AfricaMont Fleur, South AfricaSankofa Beach House, GhanaSumatra Lodge, GhanaZanzibarSOUTH AMERICABrazilCANADAAshleigh Heritage Home, TorontoBonnevue Manor, TorontoCARIBBEANBarbadosBermudaJamaicaSt. CroixSt. ThomasSt. LuciaFor more inns, visitAfrican American Association of Innkeepers International

We're all a little Irish, aren't we?

Posted by Momma Cheryl on June 16, 2008 at 6:52pm

I am still at the Art Museum and I had a pleasant suprise. Friday evening is meet, greet and be entertained and I was by the music of Scythian and a glass of chardonnay! Scythian is described as a "unique hodgepodge of Irish, Celtic, klezmer, and gypsy influences". And since I am from Nashville, I could hear the bluegrass influences. Believe me, the Art Museum was not a stuffy quiet place, because people were clapping, stamping and dancing, children were off their ADHD meds and the flow of alchohol made you think that you were in a pub, instead of place of high culture.The day was one of emotional highs and lows. I loved the granduer and architecture of the buildings along the Parkway, but was brought back to reality when I saw a homeless camp on the back side of the Youth Study Center. I had to reflect about homelessness because this building is scheduled to be torn down and in its place will go the Barnes Museum. The homeless will have to find another place to go. Some of the rooms in the Art Museum caused me to be reflective and pray, because they were so peaceful. One such room was The Indian Temple.So, in all, I had a great day, but, my ankles were so swollen from all of the walking. My sister laughed when I had to bounce down the steps on my bottom!

Visiting Persepolis, the ancient source of Iran's power

Posted by Debrah on June 16, 2008 at 4:01pm

By Rick StevesTribune Media ServicesThe ancient Persian capital of Persepolis, in a vast and arid plain 40 miles from Shiraz in southern Iran, is the greatest ancient site between the Holy Land and India. This is a rare place that actually exceeded my high expectations. My main regret in traveling through Iran on my first visit (back in 1978) was not trekking south to Persepolis. Now, visiting with my public television film crew 30 years later, I've finally experienced it.We arrived after a long day of driving — just in time for that "magic hour" before the sun sets. The light was glorious, the stones glowed rosy, and all the visitors seemed to be enjoying a special "sightseeing high." Iranians were savoring this reminder that their nation was a huge and mighty empire 2,500 years ago.Iranians visit this grand ceremonial headquarters of the Persian Empire with a great sense of pride. For an American, it would be like having Monticello, Cape Canaveral, and Mount Rushmore all rolled into one magnificent sight. The soul of Iran is Persia, which predates the introduction of Islam here by a thousand years.Persepolis was the capital of the Persian Empire back when it reached from Greece to India. For nearly 200 years, from 518 B.C. to 333 B.C., this was the dazzling home of the "King of Kings."Built by Darius and his son Xerxes the Great around 500 B.C., it's a complex of palaces of the greatest kings of the day. They were so strong no fortifications were needed. Still, 10,000 guards were permanently posted here. Walking through the mighty "Nations' Gate," you can imagine dignitaries from the 28 nations subjugated by Persia also entering — "we're not worthy"-style — to pay their taxes and humble respect to the emperor.Like the message future superpowers would sell their subjects, ancient cuneiform inscriptions above the gate say the same thing in three languages. Roughly: The king is empowered by God. Submit totally to him for the good of Persia. All nations can live in peace if you are compliant.Grand royal tombs, the scale of Egyptian pharaohs or Mount Rushmore, are cut into the adjacent mountainside. The awe-inspiring tombs of Darius and Xerxes come with huge carved reliefs featuring ferocious lions: Even in death, they're reminding us of their great power.But no empire lasts forever. In 333 B.C. Persepolis was sacked and burned by Alexander the Great, the Macedonian Greek who turned the tide against Persia. Ending Persian dominance, he spread his Greek culture all the way to India. Persepolis has been in ruins ever since.Western touristsThe temperature dropped dramatically (as it does in the desert when the sun goes down). I pressed my body against the massive stone walls to feel the warmth stored in the stones. (The next morning, under a blistering sun, I hugged the same wall to catch the cool of the night that it still possessed.)The approach to this awe-inspiring site was marred by a vast and ugly tarmac with 1970s-era light poles. This is left from a party the Shah threw celebrating the 2,500th-year anniversary of the Persian Empire and designed to remind the world that he ruled Persia as a modern-day Xerxes or Darius. The Shah flew in dignitaries from all over the world, along with dinner from the finest restaurants in Europe. Iranian historians consider this arrogant display of imperial wealth and Western decadence the beginning of the end for the Shah. Within a year, he was gone and Khomeini was in. I think the ugly parking lot and light poles are left here so visiting locals can remember whom their revolution overthrew.I saw more Western tourists visiting Persepolis than any other single sight in Iran. (In comparison to the elegant way Iranian women wear their required scarves, the female tourists looked gawky in scarves, though none looked as silly as me, wearing my script as a sun hat.) The Western tourists were from all over Europe and Australia — all with local guides, most with the Lonely Planet guidebook to Iran, and everyone marveling at how Iran has great tourism potential.Persepolis has the majesty of Giza or Luxor in Egypt. And I was most struck not by the international tourists, but by the local people who travel here to connect with their Persian heritage. Wandering the sight, you feel the omnipotence of the Persian Empire and get a strong appreciation for the enduring strength of this culture and its people.Edmonds-based Rick Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. His column runs weekly online at seattletimes.com. For more on his Iran travel blog, see www.ricksteves.com/blogCopyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

VOTE FOR UR FAVORITE MAJESTIQUE SPA SCENT & RECEIVE A FREE GIFT!

Posted by Charna on June 16, 2008 at 11:42am

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MAJESTIQUE SPA SCENT!!!

CAST YOUR VOTE NOW.... AND HAVE YOUR FAVORITE MAJESTIQUE SPA SCENT FEATURED FOR THE MONTH! FEATURED VOTER WILL RECEIVE THEIR MONTH'S SCENT AS A FREE GIFT!!!*Please note only one scent will be featured per month. Your selection may be featured the month of your birthday! If more than one person votes for one birthday month, the names will go into a drawing and a winner will be chosen. The runner ups will receive honorable mentions and a gift coupon for future purchases.

Quick Request!

Posted by candacem907-Ms.MilanMinerals on June 16, 2008 at 3:30am

Hi ladies! I have a quick request, if you need Myspace adds could you try to make sure your company name is in your nic so that I can make sure you stay on top? If not please send me a note to let me know it's you so I can move you up! Thanks a lot.Also I noticed everyone always wants to be added to Myspace.....yea,yea I know everyone is on Myspace but let's not forget the oldies but goodies ok?Blackplanet AND Migente.com

Happy Graduation Day...A Tribute To Future Movers and Shakers

Posted by Victoria Wells on June 16, 2008 at 1:20am

On April 17, 2008 I had the pleasure of participating in the Young Women’s Conference Day at Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical High School. I along with other professional women was asked to volunteer a few hours of our morning to speak on the topic: Education…Fuel For Life.The class I was assigned to was a small group of 12th graders. To break the ice I had each young lady tell me something about themselves and what their plans were for the future. As I listened to each of them share their plans for the future my heart burst with pride. Here was a group of beautiful, young, African American girls living and going to school in the inner city that society had written off. Statistics dictates that these young ladies most likely would have the propensity to be high school dropouts, single mothers, drug addicts or on welfare.Well, I’m over thrilled to let you all know these young ladies weren’t having it! Each one of them had a road map for their lives that included college in the Fall. One young woman’s aspiration is to be a chef. Wouldn’t it be something if one day she aspired to a Master Chef! Fewer than one hundred chefs in this country hold this special certification. Another has plans on majoring in Business and becoming an entrepreneur. Just imagine ten to fifteen years from now she may be the owner of a Fortune 500 company!The purpose of my being there was to encourage and inspire these young women by telling them of my journey of becoming a nurse practitioner and an author. I must say that being in their presence renewed my spirit. They encouraged my heart that our youth do have hopes and dreams. And they are willing to strive towards making them come true, ensuring a brighter future for us all.On graduation day as these beautiful, young Black Queens walk into their destinies I wish them all the success and happiness they deserve. I may never see any of them again; however, I’m expecting wonderful things out of life for each and every one of them.Peace and Blessings,Victoria Wells

A Personal Shopper for Your EveryDay Fashion Frustrations!

Posted by Elana Pruitt on June 15, 2008 at 11:57pm

(A what-do-I-wear moment 2 years ago. Yup, I get everyday frustrations as well!)One of the biggest compliments that I continue to get from my clients is that I'm patient. That they are so happy they found someone who genuinely cares about their feelings, staying within their budget, and puts their needs first above all else. I typically reply with "That's why I'm the 'Good Girl Gone Shopping'." Really though, it's the least I can do when a shopper puts their trust in me. It's all about what THEY want.One of the convenient services I offer are...READ MORE!Cheers,Elana

Doing the Rocky!

Posted by Momma Cheryl on June 15, 2008 at 10:52pm

The most memorable scene in Rocky 3 is when Rocky Balboa runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and raises his hands in victory to the backdrop of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. I did the Rocky thing, well, sorta! I walked up all of those steps and for the first time, I did not just stand on those stairs, I went inside of the building. A statue of Rocky Balboa remains at the bottom of the stairs and he looks the worst for wear! There has been some controversy as to whether he should stand in front of such a beautiful building.The Museum is the backdrop for many citywide functions and special events. I have seen musical groups such as Manhattan Transfer and Boys II Men on or near those stairs. In addition, a little known fact about the Greek inspired building is that Julian Abele was the chief designer of the building. Abele was the first African-American graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's architecture school.There were so many rooms with famous paintings such as Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” and Degas’s ballet dancers. I sat with a painting entitled “The Moorish Chief” by Viennese painter, Eduard Charlemont. A print hangs in my home and the strength of this prince. Not only is the painting much larger than my print, the colors are richer. I also have a copy of Benjamin Tanner’s “Banjo Lesson” and wanted to see if an original of this painting hangs in the museum. This was not at the museum, but other of Tanner’s work was.There was a live cinema exhibit of the works of Carlos Amorales. Now, I like to look at art and decide for myself what it evokes, so I don’t usually read the guide to tell me what the artist is trying to portray. I was open minded, as I viewed Amorales’s work art and I have come to the conclusion, that I did not understand it. It is done primarily in black and white and is described as fantasy worlds, which depicts the coexistence of humans and animals in an ambiguous but invariably hostile surrounding. One animation is called "Faces". I saw an eye every now and then but never saw a face. The animation that I spent the most time trying to understand was “Rorschach Test Animation. This work is supposed to bring into focus the artist’s interest in abstraction and its potential for free association. Well, either everything looked like a cross section of a brain or a clown face created on the toy with the magnetic shavings. I wonder what that says about me? I’ll continue telling you about this adventure later and please remember to submit your comments. I can assist you in your dream vacation plans.

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