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Carrie Castleman
 
 
 
 

Take Time To Let Kids Help Fix The Situation | January 21, 2009

One thing that is nice about blogging is that it gives us a chance to reflect.  Well today I am reflecting on feeling like a really in-adequate, educational mom.  I have a sneaky suspicion that my daughter’s first grade teacher would love to just slap me up side the head and go “Um HELLO—are you in there Mrs. Castleman?”.

Lindsey is 7 years old and my second daughter.  She is a free spirited kid with little to no desire for school except to socialize and play with the boys (she would actually prefer to be a boy but that is a … Read More »


 

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sarahjaneadams
 
 
 
 

Please Sir… Can I Have Some More? | January 21, 2009

Looks like a Dickensian Christmas is on the cards for winter 2009, according to the assortment of gentlemanly ragamuffins versus orphaned chimney sweeps on display at Burberry Prorsum this week.  With flat caps, fingerless gloves, and lashings of muted tones, it looks as though the answer to the credit crunch is merely to pick a pocket or two, boys… more gruel anyone?

Burberry Porsum, A/W ’09  Images: men.style.com

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POSTED by
 
Terry Carter
 
 
 
 

Live From The Inauguration In Washington DC | January 20, 2009

Electrifying is the feeling in the air today.  We stood under the obelisk at the Washington Monument watching Barack Obama take his oath of office and redefine history.

It was cold.  Really cold.  I had to use foot warmers to protect my toes.

There were millions of people around us and we watched all of the events on a jumbotron.  There was a unity like I have never seen.  As I looked around, I saw many faces, many nationalities.  Most caucasian.  From my vantage there were not many African American faces.  The faces, nor color matter.  They all represented hope and joy … Read More »


 

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Carrie Castleman
 
 
 
 

Let’s Lose The Weight Together Week 3 | January 20, 2009

So is anyone else sick of their “stop voice”?  I heard mine a lot last week as I faced many challenges.  I had 3 nights where I was out with friends and man I had to talk too myself a lot during those times.  My goal was to drink NO alcohol!  Kinda like Lay’s potato chips–Carrie won’t drink just one!  Thankfully I listened which help me go down another 3.4 lbs–wooo hoo!  I did however hear myself telling that voice to shut it a lot, but alas I did listen—darn voice. Decaf coffee and I are best friends now btw.

Now … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

Blog Author Smitten By Shoes | January 20, 2009

Anna Bassham is the creator of Shoe Smitten, writes articles that display the latest fashions, combined with her personal taste.  She informs her readers of the latest news in the shoe fashion industry.  “With no professional experience in fashion, I am learning right along with my readers,” says Anna.

“I just graduated from The University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, so I have a background in writing.  My interest in fashion started a little over a year ago, when I came to the realization that my wardrobe centered around my shoes.  I had always had a passion for … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Beth Anderson
 
 
 
 

Sharing Some Soapy Love | January 20, 2009

As a long time customer of Debbie Chialtas, owner of Soapy Love, I’m always excited to see her latest creations. These darling soaps are the same size as a real popsicle. They have wood sticks, which make very nice handles when you have slippery hands. Soapsicles are as easy to use as a regular bar of soap and fit on most any soap dish.

Debbie is a former apparel industry professional that suddenly discovered soap making when she was pregnant with my her son, who is now 3 1/2 years old.  “I got completely obsessed with it and began selling them … Read More »


 

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Terry Carter
 
 
 
 

An African American Male’s Journey to History | January 20, 2009

I decided a few days ago that I wanted to see the inauguration of Barack Obama.  I booked a flight, left the 85 degree January temperatures of Southern California and arrived in Washington.

I am an African American male.

This inauguration is history that I needed to see.

I hear the statistics that there are more black men in prison than in college.  I hear murder rates. I hear crime stories.  None of those fit my life.  They do not resemble the life of our new President.

I went to law school in Washington DC.  My friends worked at the Supreme Court, have advanced … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

The Red Leather Diary | January 19, 2009

For more than half a century, the red leather diary lay silent, languishing inside a steamer trunk, its worn cover crumbling into little flakes, until it was recovered in 2003 by Lily Koppel, a Styles and City sections writer at the New York Times. Compelled by the hopes and heartaches captured in the pages, Koppel set out to find the diary’s owner. Hear Koppel’s incredible story and get a sneak preview of her theatrical adaptation of the diary and its secrets, as we kickoff the paperback release of The Red Leather Diary, a book that brings to life the … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Martha Collins
 
 
 
 

Positive Changes | January 19, 2009

Every January I resolve to try to live better.  I try to make positive changes in my everyday choices that are healthier.  I try to eat better, exercise more, and make myself healthier.  This year I am trying to achieve this sensibly and not do anything too drastic.  (I did give up caffeine this year, which was pretty drastic!)  My goal this year, though, is to make small changes that are going to stick a little longer than a week. Changes I can live with.

I can change recipes a bit to be healthier so that my family can still enjoy … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Christine Spencer
 
 
 
 

OUR SENSE OF SELF! | January 19, 2009

“What really matters is not what function you fulfill in this world, but whether you identify with your function to such an extent that it takes you over and becomes a role that you play. When you play roles you are unconscious. When you catch yourself playing a role, that recognition creates a space between you and the role”.

“So people who are out of touch with the power within or the place where all power resides, the aliveness itself, consciousness itself, then they feel a sense of lack. Why are they not in touch with it? Because they are not … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

Bella Dawn Offers Personal Fashion Tips | January 19, 2009

Dawn Del Russo always dreamed of opening the perfect boutique girly with a luxe flair. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Management, and after three years of preparation, she opened BellaDawn.com and a local shop, offering personal fashion expertise and a place to put her stylish, foot forward. Since being a featured fashion expert in print such as InStyle, Us Weekly, Life & Style, Real Simple and Elle Girl, as well as televised on Fox 5, she have seen an unbelievable increase in sales and of course exposure. “It is truly a dream come true for me!” says … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

New York Apartments Setting For Series | January 19, 2009

Jennifer Banash writes books for Young Adults.  She started writing poetry when she was a teenager, and turned to fiction during her college years.  In 2006, she published the adult novel HOLLYWOODLAND: AN AMERICAN FAIRY TALE, which told the story of a young girl who moves to Hollywood seeking fame and fortune, only to wind up a porn star. IN 2007, she became a ghostwriter for a bestselling YA series of books, and  consequently got offered her own series in 2008.  The first book, THE ELITE, was published in June 08 by Berkley Jam. The sequel, IN TOO DEEP, … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

French Photography Captures Feelings | January 19, 2009

As Editor-in-Chief of Chic Galleria, I have the pleasure of receiving emails from people all over the world.  I often come across extremely talented people with whom I can’t wait to share with you.  Nicholas Dhondt is one of those people. Nicholas lives in Dunkerque, France.  He worked very hard at translating his emails to me from French into English.  I have enjoyed corresponding with him and hope you all enjoy his photography as much as I do.

Through both formal and informal training, Nicholas has developed his photography skills using a keen eye and his passion for the art.  … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Christine Spencer
 
 
 
 

TAKING ACTION | January 16, 2009

“An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied.” Arnold Glasgow

Life is always changing.

That is one thing we can be sure of.

Decisions about our lives, our family, our work, our spirituality, our relationships and our personal growth have to be made daily.

By procrastinating and putting off these decisions we put of short-term urgencies which ultimately become long term matters of concern and goals become very distant longings. It would serve our interest to take action before we get to that point.

Remember that to achieve goals, as already mentioned it is vital to … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

Event Promotes Drop Off Your Baggage! | January 16, 2009

Kim Lampe is ready to figure out her exit plan from 21 years of Corporate America. Grateful for her experience, but ready to be done with all that “do it for the stockholders”, which means “do it for the money”. Fast forward to December 2008, Kim has a concept, branding strategy and small but loyal list of newsletter subscribers.

Ask her what she sells and she will proudly say, “NOTHING”. She sends out a weekly newsletter, blogs and gives away gifts to her subscribers. Tell her she’s not really running a business and she will strongly disagree. She’s not ashamed to … Read More »