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Sunday, April 27, 2008
Boutique Mix Mother's Day Sale
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Star Jones Divorce!!! Another Charade is over
Star Jones has reportedly filed for divorce from husband of three-and-a-half years Al Reynolds.
The filing took place on March 26 in New York Supreme Court in Manhattan. Starlet M. Jones versus Al S. Reynolds was marked as an “Uncontested Matrimonial” case by the court and the records were sealed.
Says Star in a just-released statement: “Several years ago I made an error in judgment by inviting the media into the most intimate area of my life. A month ago I filed for divorce. The dissolution of a marriage is a difficult time in anyone’s life that requires privacy with one’s thoughts. I have committed myself to handling this situation with dignity and grace and look forward to emerging from this period as a stronger and wiser woman.”
Monday, April 21, 2008
5 Signs She Wants to Date You By Alan Goldsher
Excerpted from msn.com. Does she want to date you? By Alan Goldsher
Guys can be kinda dumb.
I’m not talking kinda dumb in a low-IQ kind of way—remember Ken “Mr. Jeopardy” Jennings? Last time we checked, he was a guy—and clearly not unintelligent. But in terms of figuring out how to comprehend a woman’s feelings about us when we’re trying to make the leap from “friends” to “friends who kiss,” forget about it. This is especially true for guys who’ve been burned in the past (and who hasn’t been?) who are wary about rejection. Maybe we’re not totally illiterate, but we often have a difficult time reading signals. So here, a few signs she’s interested—consider them your green light to get closer.
The “let’s laugh” signal
Distinctly not-dumb guy David Wygant, author of Always Talk To Strangers, is an excellent signal-reader. “If she makes you feel like a stand-up comedian, even though you’re not that funny, she wants to take it to the next level,” says Wygant. Similarly, Rosemarie of White Plains, New York, shares, “If I’m interested in a guy, I kind of tease him—I try to get a funny, bantering chat going. It shows that I’m interested in playing a bit of a cat-and-mouse game, you know? I’ll say something like, ‘I think you’re just making that up,’ or ‘Honestly now, has that line worked?’ but I say it with a big smile and eye contact so he knows I’m just joking.”
The tell-tale time sign
If you are friends with a woman and sometimes wonder if there might be more there, take heed of when she wants to hang out with you. If she wants to meet you for a quick workday lunch, chances are she doesn’t fancy you in the way you might hope. But if she asks you to meet her for a drink in the evening or to see a movie with her on a Saturday at 8 p.m., she may be casting you in more of a boyfriend role. Says Shelly of San Diego: “I work with a lot of guys and admit to getting crushes on co-workers from time to time. I’ll chat them up about new movies I want to see, and if one I’m interested in asks me out, I do what I can to make it at night on a weekend. That makes it so easy to grab a drink or food afterward and get to know each other on a more personal level.”
The body language clues
OK, so the odds of a woman reaching out to hold your hand while you’re flirting with her are slim to none. So how does she use her body to show you she’s interested? Jess from New York believes a woman’s gestures will send you the message. “Her body language will give her away—if a woman leans in toward a guy while he’s talking, mimics his body language, and maybe sneaks in a subtle touch here or there, these are pretty good signs that she’s into him. Obviously, he should get her phone number and actually call.”
And how does a guy know if a woman isn’t interested? “If she is looking around the room while he’s talking to her and crossing her arms across her chest,” says Jess, “she’s probably not that interested. Also, if she tells the guy that he would be perfect for her sister or she suddenly brings up the fact that she’s been talking to her ex-boyfriend, there’s probably not a spark there.” The guy should just move on to a woman who is worth his time or possibly take the uninterested woman up on her sister offer.
The look of “I like you”
A guy should also know what kind of eye contact is waving him in. Direct eye contact that lasts more than a couple of seconds is a sign of interest, say the experts. And if a woman looks from your eyes to your mouth, well, things are in very, very good shape. “I don’t know if it’s conscious or not, but when I like a guy, I find my gaze wanders from his eyes to his mouth,” says Moira of St. Louis. “It’s definitely a seduction move; it lets him know that I’m thinking about what it would be like to kiss him.” Gentleman, if you’re getting that signal, this is another time you want to go ahead and get that phone number.
Taking the next step
Once we men realize she “likes us, likes us,” our minds are oftentimes so blown that we have no idea how to proceed. Fortunately, Wygant does: “Once she gives you the hints, you need to close the deal. Ask her to talk to you away from her friends or call her up on the phone and say, ‘You know what? I want to take you out for a nice dinner—just the two of us.’”
What if the object of your affection is a woman you’ve known as a pal for a while? Over dinner, you have the talk, advises Wygant. “You say, ‘I’d really like to become more than friends. I’d like to start dating you. What do you think of that?’ At this point, she’s given you every single sign that this is the conversation she’s been dreaming about, and of course the answer is going to be yes.”
So it all really boils down to a two-pronged plan: Pay attention and take a chance. If you focus your energy on the woman in question rather than on yourself or your surroundings (which is what you should be doing anyway), you’ll pick up more than you ever thought you could have. And if you disregard the very obvious signs — the laughing, the touching, the eye contact — and you don’t go for it, well then, then you are kinda dumb.
Alan Goldsher’s book, Modest Mouse: A Pretty Good Read, is available now. Visit his website.
Guys can be kinda dumb.
I’m not talking kinda dumb in a low-IQ kind of way—remember Ken “Mr. Jeopardy” Jennings? Last time we checked, he was a guy—and clearly not unintelligent. But in terms of figuring out how to comprehend a woman’s feelings about us when we’re trying to make the leap from “friends” to “friends who kiss,” forget about it. This is especially true for guys who’ve been burned in the past (and who hasn’t been?) who are wary about rejection. Maybe we’re not totally illiterate, but we often have a difficult time reading signals. So here, a few signs she’s interested—consider them your green light to get closer.
The “let’s laugh” signal
Distinctly not-dumb guy David Wygant, author of Always Talk To Strangers, is an excellent signal-reader. “If she makes you feel like a stand-up comedian, even though you’re not that funny, she wants to take it to the next level,” says Wygant. Similarly, Rosemarie of White Plains, New York, shares, “If I’m interested in a guy, I kind of tease him—I try to get a funny, bantering chat going. It shows that I’m interested in playing a bit of a cat-and-mouse game, you know? I’ll say something like, ‘I think you’re just making that up,’ or ‘Honestly now, has that line worked?’ but I say it with a big smile and eye contact so he knows I’m just joking.”
The tell-tale time sign
If you are friends with a woman and sometimes wonder if there might be more there, take heed of when she wants to hang out with you. If she wants to meet you for a quick workday lunch, chances are she doesn’t fancy you in the way you might hope. But if she asks you to meet her for a drink in the evening or to see a movie with her on a Saturday at 8 p.m., she may be casting you in more of a boyfriend role. Says Shelly of San Diego: “I work with a lot of guys and admit to getting crushes on co-workers from time to time. I’ll chat them up about new movies I want to see, and if one I’m interested in asks me out, I do what I can to make it at night on a weekend. That makes it so easy to grab a drink or food afterward and get to know each other on a more personal level.”
The body language clues
OK, so the odds of a woman reaching out to hold your hand while you’re flirting with her are slim to none. So how does she use her body to show you she’s interested? Jess from New York believes a woman’s gestures will send you the message. “Her body language will give her away—if a woman leans in toward a guy while he’s talking, mimics his body language, and maybe sneaks in a subtle touch here or there, these are pretty good signs that she’s into him. Obviously, he should get her phone number and actually call.”
And how does a guy know if a woman isn’t interested? “If she is looking around the room while he’s talking to her and crossing her arms across her chest,” says Jess, “she’s probably not that interested. Also, if she tells the guy that he would be perfect for her sister or she suddenly brings up the fact that she’s been talking to her ex-boyfriend, there’s probably not a spark there.” The guy should just move on to a woman who is worth his time or possibly take the uninterested woman up on her sister offer.
The look of “I like you”
A guy should also know what kind of eye contact is waving him in. Direct eye contact that lasts more than a couple of seconds is a sign of interest, say the experts. And if a woman looks from your eyes to your mouth, well, things are in very, very good shape. “I don’t know if it’s conscious or not, but when I like a guy, I find my gaze wanders from his eyes to his mouth,” says Moira of St. Louis. “It’s definitely a seduction move; it lets him know that I’m thinking about what it would be like to kiss him.” Gentleman, if you’re getting that signal, this is another time you want to go ahead and get that phone number.
Taking the next step
Once we men realize she “likes us, likes us,” our minds are oftentimes so blown that we have no idea how to proceed. Fortunately, Wygant does: “Once she gives you the hints, you need to close the deal. Ask her to talk to you away from her friends or call her up on the phone and say, ‘You know what? I want to take you out for a nice dinner—just the two of us.’”
What if the object of your affection is a woman you’ve known as a pal for a while? Over dinner, you have the talk, advises Wygant. “You say, ‘I’d really like to become more than friends. I’d like to start dating you. What do you think of that?’ At this point, she’s given you every single sign that this is the conversation she’s been dreaming about, and of course the answer is going to be yes.”
So it all really boils down to a two-pronged plan: Pay attention and take a chance. If you focus your energy on the woman in question rather than on yourself or your surroundings (which is what you should be doing anyway), you’ll pick up more than you ever thought you could have. And if you disregard the very obvious signs — the laughing, the touching, the eye contact — and you don’t go for it, well then, then you are kinda dumb.
Alan Goldsher’s book, Modest Mouse: A Pretty Good Read, is available now. Visit his website.
Rumor Has it.........Kanye West and His Fiance (Alexis Phifer) Call it Quits
Kanye and his fiance have allegedly called off their charade, ahem, i mean, engagement.
Courtsey of BET---"Reports are circulating that Kanye West and his fiance, Alexis Phifer, have called off their engagement. Reps for Kanye have not yet confirmed the breakup, but sources say that it was Kanye who decided that things weren’t working out. Kanye and Alexis were engaged back in August of 2006, not long after the rapper’s much publicized break-up with an MTV employee, Brooke Crittendon. Maybe Kanye’s looking for the celebrity chick…"
Courtsey of BET---"Reports are circulating that Kanye West and his fiance, Alexis Phifer, have called off their engagement. Reps for Kanye have not yet confirmed the breakup, but sources say that it was Kanye who decided that things weren’t working out. Kanye and Alexis were engaged back in August of 2006, not long after the rapper’s much publicized break-up with an MTV employee, Brooke Crittendon. Maybe Kanye’s looking for the celebrity chick…"
photo source
picture source
picture source
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Love and the Career-Driven Woman
Tangi Miller stars in and produces the movie ---- Love and othe Four Letter Words, which, "explores successful women and their challenges in finding love."
Excerpted from Charreah Jackson's interview with Tangi Miller in Essence Magazine.
Who needs a groom when you’ve got a wedding planner? There are some women who live for the day they’ll jump the broom and put more stock in the ceremony than a suitable lifetime beau. When Tangi Miller heard the story of a successful acquaintance who planned an elaborate wedding with friends and family but had no future hubby, she was inspired to produce and star in the romantic dramedy, Love and Other Four Letter Words. Essence.com caught up with the veteran actress to discuss the film and what single successful woman can do to find and maintain love.
Essence.com: Congrats on this new film, Tangi! Your character Stormy LaRue lies about her getting married to her grandmother on her death bed. But when grandma lives Stormy fakes an engagement with a hired stripper. What inspired this tall-tale?
Tangi Miller: My friend went to a wedding of a woman I knew in passing. The lady told her family and friends that she was about to get married. People bought wedding dresses, family came to town, she had bridesmaids and there was no groom. She was so together and you never would have thought things would turn out like that. It turned into a comedy in my head from that serious situation.
Essence.com: Wow that is a crazy story! She was there in her dress and everything?
T.M.: Yes girl, there in her dress and delusional with no husband. That story stayed with me and I thought, What would ever make me lie and say I was getting married? And then I thought of my grandmother whose whole thing is seeing me married before she dies.
Essence.com: This film addresses the strong independent woman who looks up to see she has the career and no personal life. What should women take from this?
T.M.: I want to begin a conversation about relationships and love. The grandmother says in the movie, At the end of your days you’re not going to wish you worked extra hours at work. If love is something you want, you definitely need to make it a priority in your life early enough so it doesn’t feel desperate or you are worried about your eggs drying up (laughs)!
Essence.com: (Laughs) Now, are you speaking from experience?
T.M.: Love is one of those things that needs to be on the priority list if you want it to manifest. In my life it wasn’t on my list. It was, ‘I want to go to this country’, ‘I want to do this’ but love was nowhere to be found. And of course, if you don’t put it out there it’s certainly not going to happen. I’ve had actresses say to me, ‘I just thought it would happen, and it never happened, and I’m 50 and I don’t want it to happen to you.’ It’s a real thing. It’s wonderful to grow with somebody and find a life partner, so there is a reason to stay.
Essence: And the life partner for Stormy turns out to be her childhood friend Reverend Arnold “Peanut” Peterson [played by Flex Alexander] from back home.
T.M.: There’s a Peanut in my life now and had I been open to the situation, prepared and appreciative of that, I would be married now. I think we run for our careers. That’s not a bad thing, but we need to be aware and say to our daughters, what there is to expect at the end of the day because you might want to walk with a Peanut. My sister married her high school sweetheart and they have three children together and grew together. It’s beautiful and rare. It’s definitely not for everyone but should be on the mind, on the radar with your dreams. I believe there is a way to have it all. You just have to plan it right.
Essence: How was it working with Flex?
T.M.: Oh my gosh, you just want to marry him for real. He is the bomb and so wonderful. He is that guy. Shanice is so lucky. We did the movie with a low budget and he never complained. He’s a beautiful spirit and a great leading man.
Essence: In the film you also include some meddlesome cousins who stir up trouble and would love to bring Stormy down a notch. How do you manage those people in your life?
T.M.: Those haters that love you but you don’t really know where to put them? (laughs) You keep them close enough not to kill you but close enough so you know what they are up to. Sometimes they happen to be family so they aren’t going anywhere anyway. The bottom line is people love you, admire you, and envy you all at the same time. It’s a very human thing to be jealous. You just pray on it and pray for that person and wish blessings on their lives.
Essence: You were in wedding dresses twice in this movie. How was that?
T.M.: I felt like I needed to get married to be quite honest. So I was going through a lot but it did make me romanticize about the day that I would do that. I hope and pray we can shine a little more value on relationships with this story. It’s obviously not easy because people aren’t staying together. As a community, we should respect when people try and make that work. Otherwise, in 50 years, what kind of families are we going to have? It’s a serious issue not just for Black people but America. We need to work on relationships.
Essence.com: Now you starred as the lead character and served as the film’s producer . How was it were multiple hats?
T.M.: I was going from ‘So what are we having for lunch?’ to trying to stay in character. Playing Stormy, who was a producer like me, I was going crazy trying to keep up with everything. But it was bananas. As we work on my next film, My Girlfriend’s Back, I am setting it up so I don’t have so many responsibilities when we shoot. People really identify with this story, a woman who is a workaholic and has to re-evaluate her love life and I love that.
Essence.com: So what else do you and Stormy have in common?
T.M.: Ironically about a year or two after beginning the story, my grandmother was on her deathbed, and I said to myself, I wonder if I told her I’m getting married if she would live. This whole story was haunting me. My grandmother passed and I felt compelled to tell this story as a tribute to her and all the old-school mothers who push us in that direction of settling down. If love is something you want make it a priority in your life.
Excerpted from Charreah Jackson's interview with Tangi Miller in Essence Magazine.
Who needs a groom when you’ve got a wedding planner? There are some women who live for the day they’ll jump the broom and put more stock in the ceremony than a suitable lifetime beau. When Tangi Miller heard the story of a successful acquaintance who planned an elaborate wedding with friends and family but had no future hubby, she was inspired to produce and star in the romantic dramedy, Love and Other Four Letter Words. Essence.com caught up with the veteran actress to discuss the film and what single successful woman can do to find and maintain love.Essence.com: Congrats on this new film, Tangi! Your character Stormy LaRue lies about her getting married to her grandmother on her death bed. But when grandma lives Stormy fakes an engagement with a hired stripper. What inspired this tall-tale?
Tangi Miller: My friend went to a wedding of a woman I knew in passing. The lady told her family and friends that she was about to get married. People bought wedding dresses, family came to town, she had bridesmaids and there was no groom. She was so together and you never would have thought things would turn out like that. It turned into a comedy in my head from that serious situation.
Essence.com: Wow that is a crazy story! She was there in her dress and everything?
T.M.: Yes girl, there in her dress and delusional with no husband. That story stayed with me and I thought, What would ever make me lie and say I was getting married? And then I thought of my grandmother whose whole thing is seeing me married before she dies.
Essence.com: This film addresses the strong independent woman who looks up to see she has the career and no personal life. What should women take from this?
T.M.: I want to begin a conversation about relationships and love. The grandmother says in the movie, At the end of your days you’re not going to wish you worked extra hours at work. If love is something you want, you definitely need to make it a priority in your life early enough so it doesn’t feel desperate or you are worried about your eggs drying up (laughs)!
Essence.com: (Laughs) Now, are you speaking from experience?
T.M.: Love is one of those things that needs to be on the priority list if you want it to manifest. In my life it wasn’t on my list. It was, ‘I want to go to this country’, ‘I want to do this’ but love was nowhere to be found. And of course, if you don’t put it out there it’s certainly not going to happen. I’ve had actresses say to me, ‘I just thought it would happen, and it never happened, and I’m 50 and I don’t want it to happen to you.’ It’s a real thing. It’s wonderful to grow with somebody and find a life partner, so there is a reason to stay.
Essence: And the life partner for Stormy turns out to be her childhood friend Reverend Arnold “Peanut” Peterson [played by Flex Alexander] from back home.
T.M.: There’s a Peanut in my life now and had I been open to the situation, prepared and appreciative of that, I would be married now. I think we run for our careers. That’s not a bad thing, but we need to be aware and say to our daughters, what there is to expect at the end of the day because you might want to walk with a Peanut. My sister married her high school sweetheart and they have three children together and grew together. It’s beautiful and rare. It’s definitely not for everyone but should be on the mind, on the radar with your dreams. I believe there is a way to have it all. You just have to plan it right.
Essence: How was it working with Flex?
T.M.: Oh my gosh, you just want to marry him for real. He is the bomb and so wonderful. He is that guy. Shanice is so lucky. We did the movie with a low budget and he never complained. He’s a beautiful spirit and a great leading man.
Essence: In the film you also include some meddlesome cousins who stir up trouble and would love to bring Stormy down a notch. How do you manage those people in your life?
T.M.: Those haters that love you but you don’t really know where to put them? (laughs) You keep them close enough not to kill you but close enough so you know what they are up to. Sometimes they happen to be family so they aren’t going anywhere anyway. The bottom line is people love you, admire you, and envy you all at the same time. It’s a very human thing to be jealous. You just pray on it and pray for that person and wish blessings on their lives.
Essence: You were in wedding dresses twice in this movie. How was that?
T.M.: I felt like I needed to get married to be quite honest. So I was going through a lot but it did make me romanticize about the day that I would do that. I hope and pray we can shine a little more value on relationships with this story. It’s obviously not easy because people aren’t staying together. As a community, we should respect when people try and make that work. Otherwise, in 50 years, what kind of families are we going to have? It’s a serious issue not just for Black people but America. We need to work on relationships.
Essence.com: Now you starred as the lead character and served as the film’s producer . How was it were multiple hats?
T.M.: I was going from ‘So what are we having for lunch?’ to trying to stay in character. Playing Stormy, who was a producer like me, I was going crazy trying to keep up with everything. But it was bananas. As we work on my next film, My Girlfriend’s Back, I am setting it up so I don’t have so many responsibilities when we shoot. People really identify with this story, a woman who is a workaholic and has to re-evaluate her love life and I love that.
Essence.com: So what else do you and Stormy have in common?
T.M.: Ironically about a year or two after beginning the story, my grandmother was on her deathbed, and I said to myself, I wonder if I told her I’m getting married if she would live. This whole story was haunting me. My grandmother passed and I felt compelled to tell this story as a tribute to her and all the old-school mothers who push us in that direction of settling down. If love is something you want make it a priority in your life.
Happy Earth Day!!! Washington DC Events
April 22 may be Earth Day around the World, but in Washington DC, festivities kick off tommorrow, April 20th. U.S. events, produced by Green Apple Festival, will include A-list musicians and actors, environmental and community leaders, and dozens of exhibits on April 20, right before Earth Day.
2008 Earth Day Network/Green Apple Festival Free Line-up -WASHINGTON DC "Earth Day 2008 on the National Mall"
Rock out with Jordin Sparks, O.A.R., The Roots & Friends, Will I Am, Gov’t Mule, Toots and the Maytals, Thievery Corporation, DJ Cerphe from 94.7 The Globe, Warren Haynes, Umphreys McGee, DC Boys Choir, CityDance Ensemble, Urban Impact - A Joy of Motion Hip Hop Youth Company, Douge E. Fresh, Talib Kweli, Ne-Yo, Chrisette Michele, Edward Norton and more.... On April 20th, walk, bike, row or take public transportation to the National Mall in Washington, DC for a day-long event for the entire family.
MiMi and Boutique Mix's Earth Day Commitment
This year, I'm doing my best to make a committed effort to doing less damage to the environment. I am ashamed to say that prior to the last two years I recycled only sporadically, didn't turn lights off and used water and other natural resources very ineffciently. I am committed to doing much better. I am also elated to say that I used a compost toilet for the first time last month while attending the Vermont Law School Environmental Solutions Conference. I was asked to speak on "The Role of the International Lawyer on the Global Environment." It was an exciting event and I have been invited back to speak at a Genocide Conference, also hosted by the Vermont Law School in October of this year.
Here's a brief summary of the Enviromental Law Conference event, exerpted from the Law School Website.
SOUTH ROYALTON, VT – More than 250 law students from 28 law schools turned out for the National Association of Environmental Law Societies’ 2008 conference, “Picking up the Pieces: Reclaiming Global Environmental Leadership,” proudly hosted this year by Vermont Law School. Highlights of the conference, which ran from March 20-22, included a keynote address delivered by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and a reunion dinner featuring Richard Ayres and John Adams, two of the founders of the Natural Resources Defense Council who humorously recalled their experiences launching the NRDC in the early 1970s.
The three-day conference included two dozen panels and workshops that examined today’s environmental challenges and strategies for the future. Speaking on topics such as climate change, water scarcity, habitat destruction and China’s environmental degradation, more than 60 presenters took part in the conference, which was held at the campuses of the University of Vermont and Vermont Law School.
Back to the compost toilet. That was definitely an experience. For those of you who've never heard of a compost toilet, here's a brief description - Compost toilets are toilets which use little or no water and treat toilet wastes on-site for reuse as valuable compost. They work by providing a enclosed environment for the natural process of aerobic decomposition. The same type of environment on forest floors which decomposes wildlife droppings and converts them into valuable nutrients for the vegetation to use. Advantages - They reduce water storage or supply costs, possibility of a rebate for community sewage charges, production of compost, in many systems the ability to compost vegetable peelings and garden trimmings with toilet wastes.
A correctly installed and operating composting toilet will not smell at all because there is a positive suction of air through the toilet at all times. In fact, there should be less smell than a conventional toilet. hey will only “clog up” if the systems are overloaded. In most cases, they will easily tolerate the shock loadings of larger gatherings than normal. They will compost anything organic.
As I said - very very interesting, indeed. I don't see myself getting one of these, but I will use use them in lieu of conventional toilets when I visit Vermont Law School.
Shop Boutique Mix for Eco-Friendly Style!!
Gypsy 05 Organic Maxi Long Dress - Nothing makes you feel more like a goddess than an eco-friendly, sexy, jersey organic maxi dress. This stunner passes both the casual and elegant evening look Feel like a star in this jersey organic maxi dress. This floor-length, unlined dress features a deep V-shaped neckline with twisted straps Made from organic fabrics, natural dyes, and produced in a solar-powered factory. Elastic band around the bustline of the dress. Also available in White. Click here to buy your eco-friendly maxi dress!!
Join Hayden and Kristin in saving the enviroment. This fabulous Gypsy 05 French Rose Organic Hoodie (Red) is made from bamboo-derived fabric, low impact dyes and a 90% organic printing process. Great addition to any eco-chic wardrobe. Click here to buy your hoodie!!
Going Green has never looked so fab!! Rock this “Good planets are hard to find” t-shirt with your favorite jeans or slacks. This tee is made using organic fabrics, natural dyes, and a 90% organic printing process. Look good while saving the environment!!! Also available in Dust. Click here to buy this tee for your guy!!
Red Bamboo Stunner. This large elegant “eye-catcher” is hand made from eco-friendly bamboo, jute and seagrass. It has an inside drawstring closure, cell phone pocket and an additional zippered pocket. Comes with a dust cover. Click here to buy yours!!
Sweet Mama Africa. Throw out that plastic bag and pick up one of these Africa design woven cloth bags. Dimensions: 15" X 15". Click here to buy yours!!
African Safari. Large Safari Jute Bag & Large Africa-Map Jute Bag. Fabulous large and sturdy bags hand-made and woven from jute cloth, with wood handles. Choose one or both of these fun and fashionable bags. Dimensions: 19" X 18". Safari/Map photos appear on both sides. Click here to buy your African Safari!!
Click here to learn more about Earth Day - Washington DC Events.
2008 Earth Day Network/Green Apple Festival Free Line-up -WASHINGTON DC "Earth Day 2008 on the National Mall"
Rock out with Jordin Sparks, O.A.R., The Roots & Friends, Will I Am, Gov’t Mule, Toots and the Maytals, Thievery Corporation, DJ Cerphe from 94.7 The Globe, Warren Haynes, Umphreys McGee, DC Boys Choir, CityDance Ensemble, Urban Impact - A Joy of Motion Hip Hop Youth Company, Douge E. Fresh, Talib Kweli, Ne-Yo, Chrisette Michele, Edward Norton and more.... On April 20th, walk, bike, row or take public transportation to the National Mall in Washington, DC for a day-long event for the entire family.
MiMi and Boutique Mix's Earth Day Commitment
This year, I'm doing my best to make a committed effort to doing less damage to the environment. I am ashamed to say that prior to the last two years I recycled only sporadically, didn't turn lights off and used water and other natural resources very ineffciently. I am committed to doing much better. I am also elated to say that I used a compost toilet for the first time last month while attending the Vermont Law School Environmental Solutions Conference. I was asked to speak on "The Role of the International Lawyer on the Global Environment." It was an exciting event and I have been invited back to speak at a Genocide Conference, also hosted by the Vermont Law School in October of this year.
Here's a brief summary of the Enviromental Law Conference event, exerpted from the Law School Website.
SOUTH ROYALTON, VT – More than 250 law students from 28 law schools turned out for the National Association of Environmental Law Societies’ 2008 conference, “Picking up the Pieces: Reclaiming Global Environmental Leadership,” proudly hosted this year by Vermont Law School. Highlights of the conference, which ran from March 20-22, included a keynote address delivered by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and a reunion dinner featuring Richard Ayres and John Adams, two of the founders of the Natural Resources Defense Council who humorously recalled their experiences launching the NRDC in the early 1970s.
The three-day conference included two dozen panels and workshops that examined today’s environmental challenges and strategies for the future. Speaking on topics such as climate change, water scarcity, habitat destruction and China’s environmental degradation, more than 60 presenters took part in the conference, which was held at the campuses of the University of Vermont and Vermont Law School.
Back to the compost toilet. That was definitely an experience. For those of you who've never heard of a compost toilet, here's a brief description - Compost toilets are toilets which use little or no water and treat toilet wastes on-site for reuse as valuable compost. They work by providing a enclosed environment for the natural process of aerobic decomposition. The same type of environment on forest floors which decomposes wildlife droppings and converts them into valuable nutrients for the vegetation to use. Advantages - They reduce water storage or supply costs, possibility of a rebate for community sewage charges, production of compost, in many systems the ability to compost vegetable peelings and garden trimmings with toilet wastes.
A correctly installed and operating composting toilet will not smell at all because there is a positive suction of air through the toilet at all times. In fact, there should be less smell than a conventional toilet. hey will only “clog up” if the systems are overloaded. In most cases, they will easily tolerate the shock loadings of larger gatherings than normal. They will compost anything organic.
As I said - very very interesting, indeed. I don't see myself getting one of these, but I will use use them in lieu of conventional toilets when I visit Vermont Law School.
Shop Boutique Mix for Eco-Friendly Style!!
Gypsy 05 Organic Maxi Long Dress - Nothing makes you feel more like a goddess than an eco-friendly, sexy, jersey organic maxi dress. This stunner passes both the casual and elegant evening look Feel like a star in this jersey organic maxi dress. This floor-length, unlined dress features a deep V-shaped neckline with twisted straps Made from organic fabrics, natural dyes, and produced in a solar-powered factory. Elastic band around the bustline of the dress. Also available in White. Click here to buy your eco-friendly maxi dress!!
Join Hayden and Kristin in saving the enviroment. This fabulous Gypsy 05 French Rose Organic Hoodie (Red) is made from bamboo-derived fabric, low impact dyes and a 90% organic printing process. Great addition to any eco-chic wardrobe. Click here to buy your hoodie!!
Going Green has never looked so fab!! Rock this “Good planets are hard to find” t-shirt with your favorite jeans or slacks. This tee is made using organic fabrics, natural dyes, and a 90% organic printing process. Look good while saving the environment!!! Also available in Dust. Click here to buy this tee for your guy!!
Red Bamboo Stunner. This large elegant “eye-catcher” is hand made from eco-friendly bamboo, jute and seagrass. It has an inside drawstring closure, cell phone pocket and an additional zippered pocket. Comes with a dust cover. Click here to buy yours!!
Sweet Mama Africa. Throw out that plastic bag and pick up one of these Africa design woven cloth bags. Dimensions: 15" X 15". Click here to buy yours!!
African Safari. Large Safari Jute Bag & Large Africa-Map Jute Bag. Fabulous large and sturdy bags hand-made and woven from jute cloth, with wood handles. Choose one or both of these fun and fashionable bags. Dimensions: 19" X 18". Safari/Map photos appear on both sides. Click here to buy your African Safari!!
Click here to learn more about Earth Day - Washington DC Events.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Which Sex and the City Vixen are You? I"m Samantha!!! Woohoo!! Mercy Me!! Take the Test!!!
You Are Most Like Samantha! |
 For you, dating is the ultimate sport You're into guys with power, looks, or a lot of money. You rather have a great two weeks than a great forever. But even you fall victim to love from time to time. :-) Romantic prediction: You'll find love in the next few months... But you'll be the last one to realize it. |
Which Sex and the City Vixen are You? I"m Samantha!!! Woohoo!! Mercy Me!! Take the Test!!!
You Are Most Like Samantha! |
For you, dating is the ultimate sport You're into guys with power, looks, or a lot of money. You rather have a great two weeks than a great forever. But even you fall victim to love from time to time. :-) Romantic prediction: You'll find love in the next few months... But you'll be the last one to realize it. |
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Inside Your Guy's Head
Anka Radakovich takes you inside the mind of men........ Find answers to all those nagging questions you've had, but were afraid to ask!!! Aptly titled Men May Be Dogs but We Love Them Anyway, you can thank Anka later.
Men can't resist the tease.
There's no sexier surprise for your guy than when you dance seductively, slowly undress or wear lacy underwear — anything that stimulates him visually. This sexual tension drives him wild, because his mind races, imagining what's coming next. Feel shy dancing around in your bra? You should know that men don't notice your so-called flaws when you're turning them on. In this situation, your guy has a one-track mind, and it stays focused on how hot you are. So the next time you undress, take it slow. Toss your clothes at him as you go. That's all it takes to drive him nuts — in a good way.
Men can't help but stare at other women.
It's true: They just can't control themselves. We're the same way when we walk by a window filled with gorgeous shoes — we have to look. It's anthropological; if you look at the mating habits of gorillas, even if they're "pair bonded" (anthropology-speak for gorilla marriage), most males cruise the females and stare when a cute gorilla girl walks by. Your guy's not insensitive, he's just been momentarily possessed by his inner ape.
Men are big kids (and proud of it).
Deep down, all men are big ol' boys. (This explains why so many grown men wear baseball caps.) Their interests are boylike, too. Take his obsession with sports. Most men love anything that involves kicking something, throwing things, or punching other men. Sound like 10-year-olds on the playground to you? Does to me. When you put three or more men together, they bond by yelling at the TV and being idiots to each other. Regressing into childlike behavior isn't just a means of amusing themselves — it's their way of escaping real-life pressures and feeling accepted as they are. There's no point in denying guys time to release their juvenile side. Just be glad they're doing it during boys' night out and not in front of your girlfriends or family!
Men are perverts.
There's no getting around it: Guys are pervs. They think about sex 24/7. And sometimes they daydream about — and look at pictures of — gross stuff or weird moves, moves that they'd never try in a million years. Fact is, men have a higher tolerance for body fluids and outrageous sex acts than we do (it's something about that 10-year-old boy inside each of them — see above). And it's a fact that men's sexual fantasies contain more people than ours do. For the guy who has everything, I always give the gift of porn. It's the one present men never complain about (or return). But if you can't stand the thought of these films, then don't go there. Nothing is less sexy to a man than a woman who's uncomfortable. Guys may be turned on by the visuals in porn, but trust me, they'd rather have the real, in-the-flesh deal anytime.
Personally, I am pro-porn: Watching together can add zing to a long-term relationship. But the problem with most porn is that it's still mostly geared toward male fantasies. So look for titles by female directors, like Candida Royalle, who create videos with hot guys and plotlines that reflect women's fantasies. Don't worry if your man will like them, too: If they show skin, he will.
Men would love to cheat.
That doesn't mean they will, though. Luckily, they're either too guilty, too shy or too scared. Hey, it's biology: They see, they want, they fantasize. Men are not by nature monogamous animals, and they often have to fight their sexual urges, which many do very successfully. If a guy could live his perfect fantasy life, he would have a wife and a new fling whenever he felt like it. (While women look for that one "special" guy, men look for those five "special" girls.) Fifty percent of men say that if there were zero percent chance you'd find out, they'd cheat. But that also means 50 percent wouldn't — even if there were no danger of getting caught. Many men say that when they've had the idea, they nix it because they wouldn't want to mess up the good thing they've got at home. Smart guys.
Men want us to worship them.
Every man has a bit of Donald Trump in him. They want us to think they're strong, successful, and sexy. Most men would never admit this, but they'd like to think they're slightly smarter than the woman they're with. Yet they have no problem with the woman being 10 times better-looking than they are (that strokes his ego even more). Ultimately, they'd settle for just being able to do one thing better than us. I think it's because, privately, they know we're the superior sex.
Men love oral sex.
What do men want more of in bed? When I conducted a survey asking 100 men that question, 80 percent of them said, "More oral sex." Specifically, they wanted to be on the receiving end. Why do they love it so much? They don't have to worry about technique, and we do all the work (they're kinda lazy). Guys say the best treat a woman can give them is oral sex in the morning. Forget scones — this is his idea of breakfast in bed.
Men don't take hints.
When men are with other men, they don't tiptoe around each other and drop subtle suggestions. That's because hints don't register with guys. We women pride ourselves on being able to know intuitively what our friends, husbands, and kids are thinking, but men have no interest in reading minds. That's why one thing I've learned from men is, "If you don't ask, you don't get." In relationships, I don't expect a guy to know exactly what I want — and whenever I do, I'm disappointed. If, for example, you want him to take you out for your birthday, you're wasting your time dropping hints like "Guess what day Friday is? It's someone's birthday!" If you do that, you'll be 80 before he takes you out. And while you're at it, don't hint about wanting a gift that's shiny and lasts forever: To him, you've just described a set of Emeril pots and pans.
Men love their penises.
Man's best friend is actually his penis. And he assumes it's our best friend, too. After all, like a dog, it's always happy to see us, enjoys being petted, and often rubs itself against our legs. And have you noticed that guys are so intimate with their members that they often create pet names for them, including Mr. Friendly, Bob's Big Boy, and the ever-so-subtle Thruster?
While women have internal, squishy accommodations, men are equipped with external, throbbing reminders of the biological imperative to "spread the seed." Every time they look down at their tools standing at attention, they remember that their penises are there for a reason — to conquer the planet. That's why they've built so many monuments in the penis's likeness. The phallus is represented by erected symbols of power worldwide, from the Eiffel Tower to the Empire State Building.
Women don't make a big deal about what we have going on downstairs because we're too busy worrying about the size and shape of our other body parts. But men are obsessed with size. I live near a cactus store, and every time I walk by with a guy, he points to the biggest cactus in the window and says, "There's my size!" Do I believe them? No, because when men pull out the ruler — and they do — they almost always round up. If you ask a dozen men what the average length of an erect penis is, they'll say eight inches. But if you ask a dozen women, they'll say it's four inches. Bottom line: No matter how small it is, tell him it's huge. If it's too big, tell him just that. Trust me — he'll take it as a compliment.
Men don't get Valentine's Day.
Most guys consider February 14 a "chick holiday." And it stresses them out: They don't know what's expected, what they should buy, and how much (or how little) they should express their feelings. They're not incapable of romance, they just hate being romantic on cue. Just tell him, "V-Day is Friday. Let's go out for dinner." If you remind him when it is and let him off the hook for some of the standard requirements, he's more likely to deliver some creative romance of his own.
Men can't resist the tease.
There's no sexier surprise for your guy than when you dance seductively, slowly undress or wear lacy underwear — anything that stimulates him visually. This sexual tension drives him wild, because his mind races, imagining what's coming next. Feel shy dancing around in your bra? You should know that men don't notice your so-called flaws when you're turning them on. In this situation, your guy has a one-track mind, and it stays focused on how hot you are. So the next time you undress, take it slow. Toss your clothes at him as you go. That's all it takes to drive him nuts — in a good way.
Men can't help but stare at other women.
It's true: They just can't control themselves. We're the same way when we walk by a window filled with gorgeous shoes — we have to look. It's anthropological; if you look at the mating habits of gorillas, even if they're "pair bonded" (anthropology-speak for gorilla marriage), most males cruise the females and stare when a cute gorilla girl walks by. Your guy's not insensitive, he's just been momentarily possessed by his inner ape.
Men are big kids (and proud of it).
Deep down, all men are big ol' boys. (This explains why so many grown men wear baseball caps.) Their interests are boylike, too. Take his obsession with sports. Most men love anything that involves kicking something, throwing things, or punching other men. Sound like 10-year-olds on the playground to you? Does to me. When you put three or more men together, they bond by yelling at the TV and being idiots to each other. Regressing into childlike behavior isn't just a means of amusing themselves — it's their way of escaping real-life pressures and feeling accepted as they are. There's no point in denying guys time to release their juvenile side. Just be glad they're doing it during boys' night out and not in front of your girlfriends or family!
Men are perverts.
There's no getting around it: Guys are pervs. They think about sex 24/7. And sometimes they daydream about — and look at pictures of — gross stuff or weird moves, moves that they'd never try in a million years. Fact is, men have a higher tolerance for body fluids and outrageous sex acts than we do (it's something about that 10-year-old boy inside each of them — see above). And it's a fact that men's sexual fantasies contain more people than ours do. For the guy who has everything, I always give the gift of porn. It's the one present men never complain about (or return). But if you can't stand the thought of these films, then don't go there. Nothing is less sexy to a man than a woman who's uncomfortable. Guys may be turned on by the visuals in porn, but trust me, they'd rather have the real, in-the-flesh deal anytime.
Personally, I am pro-porn: Watching together can add zing to a long-term relationship. But the problem with most porn is that it's still mostly geared toward male fantasies. So look for titles by female directors, like Candida Royalle, who create videos with hot guys and plotlines that reflect women's fantasies. Don't worry if your man will like them, too: If they show skin, he will.
Men would love to cheat.
That doesn't mean they will, though. Luckily, they're either too guilty, too shy or too scared. Hey, it's biology: They see, they want, they fantasize. Men are not by nature monogamous animals, and they often have to fight their sexual urges, which many do very successfully. If a guy could live his perfect fantasy life, he would have a wife and a new fling whenever he felt like it. (While women look for that one "special" guy, men look for those five "special" girls.) Fifty percent of men say that if there were zero percent chance you'd find out, they'd cheat. But that also means 50 percent wouldn't — even if there were no danger of getting caught. Many men say that when they've had the idea, they nix it because they wouldn't want to mess up the good thing they've got at home. Smart guys.
Men want us to worship them.
Every man has a bit of Donald Trump in him. They want us to think they're strong, successful, and sexy. Most men would never admit this, but they'd like to think they're slightly smarter than the woman they're with. Yet they have no problem with the woman being 10 times better-looking than they are (that strokes his ego even more). Ultimately, they'd settle for just being able to do one thing better than us. I think it's because, privately, they know we're the superior sex.
Men love oral sex.
What do men want more of in bed? When I conducted a survey asking 100 men that question, 80 percent of them said, "More oral sex." Specifically, they wanted to be on the receiving end. Why do they love it so much? They don't have to worry about technique, and we do all the work (they're kinda lazy). Guys say the best treat a woman can give them is oral sex in the morning. Forget scones — this is his idea of breakfast in bed.
Men don't take hints.
When men are with other men, they don't tiptoe around each other and drop subtle suggestions. That's because hints don't register with guys. We women pride ourselves on being able to know intuitively what our friends, husbands, and kids are thinking, but men have no interest in reading minds. That's why one thing I've learned from men is, "If you don't ask, you don't get." In relationships, I don't expect a guy to know exactly what I want — and whenever I do, I'm disappointed. If, for example, you want him to take you out for your birthday, you're wasting your time dropping hints like "Guess what day Friday is? It's someone's birthday!" If you do that, you'll be 80 before he takes you out. And while you're at it, don't hint about wanting a gift that's shiny and lasts forever: To him, you've just described a set of Emeril pots and pans.
Men love their penises.
Man's best friend is actually his penis. And he assumes it's our best friend, too. After all, like a dog, it's always happy to see us, enjoys being petted, and often rubs itself against our legs. And have you noticed that guys are so intimate with their members that they often create pet names for them, including Mr. Friendly, Bob's Big Boy, and the ever-so-subtle Thruster?
While women have internal, squishy accommodations, men are equipped with external, throbbing reminders of the biological imperative to "spread the seed." Every time they look down at their tools standing at attention, they remember that their penises are there for a reason — to conquer the planet. That's why they've built so many monuments in the penis's likeness. The phallus is represented by erected symbols of power worldwide, from the Eiffel Tower to the Empire State Building.
Women don't make a big deal about what we have going on downstairs because we're too busy worrying about the size and shape of our other body parts. But men are obsessed with size. I live near a cactus store, and every time I walk by with a guy, he points to the biggest cactus in the window and says, "There's my size!" Do I believe them? No, because when men pull out the ruler — and they do — they almost always round up. If you ask a dozen men what the average length of an erect penis is, they'll say eight inches. But if you ask a dozen women, they'll say it's four inches. Bottom line: No matter how small it is, tell him it's huge. If it's too big, tell him just that. Trust me — he'll take it as a compliment.
Men don't get Valentine's Day.
Most guys consider February 14 a "chick holiday." And it stresses them out: They don't know what's expected, what they should buy, and how much (or how little) they should express their feelings. They're not incapable of romance, they just hate being romantic on cue. Just tell him, "V-Day is Friday. Let's go out for dinner." If you remind him when it is and let him off the hook for some of the standard requirements, he's more likely to deliver some creative romance of his own.
Single Girl Tips from Cosmo Magazine
Cosmopolitan Magazine wants us single chicas to live it up before that big rock hits the fingers!!! Thankfully, I've pretty much done 90% of everything on this list............ now what? Well, here goes -----
Single-Girl Things to Do Before You Marry
It doesn't matter if you're planning to tie the knot with your man in the next couple of years or if that trip down the aisle isn't even on your horizon. There are some things that you better indulge in now, because once you're hitched? Forget about it.
Date a guy who's totally wrong for you just because he has amazing abs. So what if he's five years younger and your polar opposite? The joy of running your hands across his six-pack is a perfectly legitimate reason to go out with him.
Collect at least six country stamps on your passport, including one from a place that until recently you didn't even know existed. Yes, it's fun to travel with your man, but you also have to have some solo adventures under your belt before you start sharing your life with him 100 percent.
Embrace feminine decor. Don't go so far as to paint the walls pink — that'll freak out any guy who sets foot in your place — but stock up on stuff that appeals to your girlie side. When you're building a nest with him, you'll have to compromise on furniture and accessories, so pile on cute throw pillows while the decorating is all up to you (because here's a tip: Guys hate the things).
Wear a hip, fabulous ring on your left hand. Once you have an engagement band, you won't want anything detracting attention from the ring.
Take advantage of the whole bed. You have the rest of your life to stick to "your" side when you sleep next to your man. Right now, place your pillow smack-dab in the center and make like a starfish.
Spend an embarrassing amount of money on a designer bag you love or heels that make you feel incredibly sexy. Chances are, when you have a joint account with your hubby, he's not going to get why a purse might be worth the GDP of a small country.
Learn how to change a tire and work a drill. It's easy to relegate all those "guy" tasks to your man (and you totally should enlist his help), but there's a sense of power that comes with being able to fix something yourself.
Slip one of those furry covers on the toilet. Once it's there, he'll have to accept it (and psst, they make it impossible for men to leave the seat up).Throw blowout bashes. Sure, it's nice to have a mellow get-together with your girlfriends, but that shouldn't be the extent of your social life. Before settling down, let your wild side reign.
Get a grip on your dough. Sign up for a retirement plan and invest extra income in stocks or CD accounts. Take charge of your own cash flow before merging moola with your guy.
Have your dad take you out to dinner as often as possible. The reasons: It's great bonding time, and his open-wallet generosity will dry up once you're hitched. Face it: Your reception is the last meal that'll be his treat.
Hone a signature lingerie style. Figure out what cuts and colors are hottest on you, and develop a look that's all your own. That way, your one-day groom will follow your lead ... and not buy the polyester, so-small-you-could-floss- your-teeth-with-it teddy.
Want a cat? Heed this advice: Buy it now. Call it Snowflake. Let it sleep next to you in bed. If you wait to get a pet with your betrothed, it will end up being a big, slobbering Lab called Bif.
If all you feel like eating for dinner is ice cream and diet soda, buy a cone and pop a Coke. When you and The Mister mangia together all the time, you'll be less likely to indulge those bizarre — but oh-so-satisfying — cravings.
Use tons of hot water in the a.m.
Take your celeb crush to the max. Plaster a poster of Ryan Gosling in your hallway, and set your computer wallpaper to a topless shot of him.
Plan your fantasy wedding. Now's the time to let your imagination roam — rip pictures of dresses from magazines, size up ceremony venues, and try on some rocks at the jewelry store. This stuff wigs guys out if they witness it, so get it out of your system now.
Start a pleasure ritual that a change in your relationship status can't disturb. Regularly treat yourself to something you love, whether it's a manicure, yoga classes at the fanciest studio in town, or a superrelaxing massage.
Set up your home in a way that fits your needs. Maybe keeping the coffee machine in the bathroom so you can get your caffeine boost while you put on makeup in the morning works for you. Until you have to deal with someone else weighing in on your unusual arrangement, customize.
Ashley Simpson and Pete Wentz are Engaged
Um, who didn't see this one coming??? It appears Ashley Simpson has decided to stop giving the milk for free..................... countdown to wedding begins ................ At least we can say that these two seem like they actually like each other.......... Congratulations to the Happy Couple!!! And I assume the stork watch/pregnancy rumors/jessica is so jealous/they're breaking up rumors can officially begin......... Let's see how long it takes In Touch/Us Weekly/Star/Life and Style to have them pregnant and divorced before the wedding...... LOLHere's the latest from People Magazine ----
Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz are getting married, they announced Wednesday.
"We know there has been a lot of speculation recently about Pete and I, and we wanted our fans to be the first to know, because you guys are the best," Simpson said in a statement. "Yes, we are thrilled to share that we are happily engaged. Thank you for all of your support and well wishes – it means the world to us. We consider this to be a very private matter, and we wanted to be the first to tell you and to hear it straight from us."
Simpson, 23, and Wentz, 28, a guitarist for the Fall Out Boys, have been a linked since the fall of 2006, when they were spotted kissing at a New York nightclub
A year later, they were still going strong. "We're past the honeymoon period," Wentz told PEOPLE. "The truth is, it's crazy to be able to kiss your best friend. It's just a really awesome thing."
Also, Simpson's father, Joe, gave Wentz the thumbs up. "He's a good kid," said Joe.
Speculation that they were engaged began last February when Simpson, the little sister of Jessica Simpson, was seen wearing a diamond ring on her engagement finger. At the time, she said it was a promise ring and that, "It just means that he hasn't asked my dad yet."
picture source
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