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Showing posts with label bloggers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bloggers. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Bad-ass Bloggers (BaBs): Meet Te-Erika of My Savvy Sisters

It's been awhile since I've featured someone in my Bad-Ass Bloggers series, and I truly think that this remarkable woman is WELL worth the wait!! As publisher of MySavvySisters, Te-Erika is using her blog to motivate and uplift all who visit the site!


Te-Erika, for those unfamiliar with My Savvy Sisters, what do you want people to understand about the blog?

MySavvySisters.Com provides the resources, information and inspiration women need to survive and thrive in life. We profile the most amazing female entrepreneurs we can find and offer content that helps women understand their inner powers. We post news that is relevant to women and editorials that empower women to take action. We also offer survival give-aways that help women pay their rent, buy groceries, gas and other household items. Our blog is the type of place you visit when you need an attitude adjustment because you are feeling overwhelmed by life.

We also offer services like free mentoring, free emotional crisis counseling and we offer a platform for women to promote their individual causes. MySavvySisters.Com is for every woman who desires to stand up and move forward in life.

Last spring, you voluntarily became homeless and chronicled your experience rebuilding your life in your blog (which was covered extensively by The Huffington Post). What would you say was the most powerful life lesson you learned from your experience?

The most powerful life lesson I learned through The Rebuild Your Life Project was that- nothing is permanent. While we are in the midst of our struggle it may seem like we are stuck but we are not. No ending is permanent, no sad occurrence is permanent, no negative state of mind is permanent, unless you want it to be. My time as a homeless woman ended because I desperately wanted it to and I was willing to do the work necessary to make it happen. That is all it takes for any woman to change her situation, she has to have the desire and she has to make the decision to do it. After she does that, the windows of heaven open up and doors fly open to make room for her desire to come to pass.



I cannot imagine what it was like living on the streets for several months. Was there a moment where you felt tremendously low and found yourself lacking the strength to pull yourself up?

The majority of my time homeless was depressing. I put too much on myself by setting out to organize a job fair for homeless women and raise money for a rental assistance grant, not to mention making creative videos to post on youtube and reporting and researching on survival strategies for the homeless lifestyle- all while I was homeless myself. But I always do that, I can't seem to do anything in a small way, that's just how I am.

I will say that those moments of doubt and insecurity and frustration led me to produce a stunning series of videos posted on my youtube channel that speak to rising above the negative mind state that plagues women. Every time I experienced depression or spoke to someone who was hopeless, I immediately turned my brain on to figure out how to climb out of that horrible mental state and I made a video to teach other women the same thing.

Your experiences being homeless was the launching point for the Rebuild Your Life Project, which is an amazing empowerment outreach established to help women. Can you talk a bit about the project,and what it does?

My experience being homeless allowed me to teach women specific, detailed strategies to overcome an extreme loss. My hope is that by watching my videos, any woman who is settling for a less than lackluster lifestyle will be free to move forward knowing that I have just provided the keys to rise above any loss. By watching me lose and rise again, I hope that women will never fear failure again because they know that no matter what comes after taking a risk for their dream lifestyle they can and will rebuild their lives.

How do you hope the project will grow and help improve the lives of women all over?

The Rebuild Your Life Project is backed by my non profit, My Savvy Sisters, Inc. We strive to become the leading resource for the empowerment of women by offering them the financial assistance they need to transition to their next phase in life through rental assistance grants, emergency relocation assistance grants, scholarships and micro loans for women.

I am also moving forward with a jobs initiative to help Americans by asking big businesses to partner with The Rebuild Your Life Project to offer hiring events across the country to help ease the pressure of unemployment. Denny's Restaurants has already partnered with The Rebuild Your Project by organizing a hiring day where they offered a one day session of open interviews to South Florida residents for 14 corporate owed stores. I hope this catches on and other big businesses decide to show their corporate social responsibility by giving back to the communities that have helped them become successful.

To learn more about The Rebuild Your Life Project visit www.therebuildyourlifeproject.org

To learn how to stand up in the face of ANY situation visit www.mysavvysisters.com

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Miss Moon's Musing About: I've been chosen...


How super excited am I to have been nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award?!?! So much gratitude and appreciation for Sass n Curlz for nominating me!!

Here are the rules:

Nominate 15 fellow bloggers.
Inform the bloggers of their nomination.
Share 7 random things about yourself.
Thank the blogger who nominated you.
Add the Versatile Blog Award picture on your blog post.

I know so many Blogs that deserve this title, it was hard for me to narrow it down to 15!!! Here are my picks (in no particular order):

http://backtocurly.com/

http://www.kiffecoco.com/

http://www.beautyfash.com/

http://afroartnerd.blogspot.com/

http://www.commecoco.com/

http://michellesphotos.wordpress.com/

http://belladuafe.blog.com/

http://creativeurbanista.wordpress.com/

http://thebohemiandiva.wordpress.com/

http://www.weeshasworld.com/

http://chocolateorchid.blogspot.com/

http://makeupandbeautyjunkie.wordpress.com/

http://naturallyahsiek.blogspot.com/

http://www.natreview.com/

http://talecia-godclothesandfood.blogspot.com/

7 random things about me:

1) I sing all the time! I get songs stuck in my head and sing absentmindedly.

2) I cannot go to bed unless I figure out what I'm wearing to work the next day.

3) I'm really enjoying being single again!!!

4) I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up. Well, I have an idea, but I don't know how to do it yet.

5) I'm blessed to have some kick ass friends in my life.

6) I dream of visiting Eleuthera (in the Bahamas) by the time I'm 40.

7) I'm obsessed with the movie Megamind.. it's so funny!!!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Miss Moon's Musing About: I've been chosen...


Thanks to the Lovely Stiletto Minded, I've been chosen by her to receive the Kreativ Blogger Award. I love these awards, because it always gives you the opportunity to learn about blogs you might not have known about, so thanks for adding me to your list of kick ass blogs, Stiletto! Now it's my turn!! :)

RULES
Link back to the person who passed you the award
Complete the form below
Award 10 Blogs and drop them a line about it
Share 7 random things about yourself

Name your favorite song:
I have yet to settle on a single song, but I love "Oh Girl" by the Chi-Lites, and "Revelation Sunshine" by Cree Summer a lot.

Name your favorite dessert:
Tiramisu or Green Tea Ice Cream

What pisses you off:
Rudeness by people old enough to know better. I think too many New Yorkers live up to that rude stereotype with too much relish.

When you're upset, you:
Shut down. I need to process my feelings sometimes, so I retreat in my head. When I've sorted everything out, then I talk about it.

Your favorite pet:
My beautiful black cat, Kema. I still miss him. Rest in Peace.

Black or white:
Black.... I'm too clumsy to wear white. LOL

Your biggest fear:
Being abandoned by those I love.

Best feature:
I like my eyes and my smile.

Everyday attitude:
Do the right thing and try to smile as much as possible.

What is perfection:
I think everything and everyone is imperfect in some way. Perfection is an illusion.

Guilty pleasure:
Weekend long "Girlfriends" marathons.... I have the whole series on DVD.

7 Random Facts About Myself

1. I'd love to open a Natural Hair Boutique (like Urbanbella) here in Brooklyn one day.
2. I haven't picked up my guitar in months.
3. I have a strange fascination with Sissy Nobby videos... I can't explain it! LOL
4. I can't stand people who talk loudly on the bus. I prefer a peaceful commute!
5. I want to start featuring more OOTD posts, but I frankly dress like bleh for work! LOL
6. My Mother cracks me up, especially how much I am like her.
7. I like my buck teeth and have never wanted braces.

And MY picks for Kreativ Blogger Award are:

Bella Duafe Blog
Everything Under the Moon
Sass n' Curlz
The Curve and the Line
Beauty Fash
Comme Coco
Creative Urbanista
Jay the Bohemian Diva
NaturallyAhsiek
Coily Mystic

Friday, June 17, 2011

Bad-ass Bloggers (BaBs): Meet the Pookalitas of Pooka Pure & Simple


One of the goodies in my Chic and Kinky Naturals Night Out gift bag was a sample of Pooka Pure & Simple's Shea n Olive Hair Butter, which my I have worn OUT since receiving it (The smell is intoxicating and my hair loved this stuff!!!).

I saw this as synchronicity at its finest because I have recently had the opportunity to learn more about the brand, and the wonderful women behind its jars (affectionately known as the Pookalitas) from Dawn Fitch, founder and creator of Pooka Pure & Simple.

Dawn, the story about how Pooka Pure & Simple came to creation is a fascinating one, truly the makings of a movie: After becoming ill and receiving no sound diagnosis from doctors, you began to explore holistic therapies, including aromatherapy and discovered a love of their healing properties. Many people fail to consider alternative therapies when they’re ill… what inspired you to consider outside avenues?

Well getting no sound diagnosis from the Drs. I really had no direction to go in. Since I couldn’t pinpoint the exact problem, it was hard to look for a diagnosis, so I figured I’d make an overall life change. Changing my nutrition and living a more holistic lifestyle I knew would benefit me no matter what the problem was.

I am a sucker for sisterhood, and I love the fact that Pooka Pure & Simple is a collaborative effort between you and three of your closest and dearest friends, aka “The Pookalitas”, and with them you manage every aspect of Pooka from sales, to marketing and to finance. Would you say you were blessed to be surrounded by such talented women, or has the creation of the company been a catalyst for them to realize they had these talents?

Oh definitely BLESSED, LOL! The funny thing is when we started the business we each had the exact talents that we needed. Tricia had a degree in finance, Donna in communcations. April in communications/marketing and mine was in Graphic Design. When GOD works it out, HE works it out perfectly!

People can learn more about you and the Pookalitas by visiting your blog, aptly named, The Pookalitas at http://pookalitas.blogspot.com/ . I’ll tell you, The Braxtons have NOTHING on your soul sister circle (Can we get them a reality show, please??!?)!! Can you tell us a little bit about each of the Pookalitas and your favorite quality they possess?

First off, GREAT QUESTIONS, LOL!! You’re good at what you do! Well we’re each in different phases of life, so most women can connect with at least one of us.

I’m single and searchin, LOL!! All of the other 3 pookalitas got married 5 years ago within in 2 months of each other!! Donna is still married and loving it, deciding on how and if she will extend her family, Tricia is the mom to a 2 year old and dealing with all that comes with that, Aprils husband unfortunately passed away only 6 months after they were married from a heart attack and she is now raising 2 boys.

My sisters are amazing women and a favorite quality would be Donna Dependable, she always there for you, Tricia Tenacious, shes loyal and never gives up and April Awe Inspiring, after all she’s been through, shes a great mom and friend to all!

Dawn, as a Pookalita you are not exempt from this question. What is a favorite quality you possess?

hmmmm........I have a good sense of humor and I love to laugh and make other people laugh!

Let’s get to the nitty gritty and the topic I am sure many of my readers will want to know about: Pooka Pure & Simple’s Products. As someone who is definitely in love with scents I’m curious about the story behind each collection and their signature scents. What type of person do you envision liking each collection?

Caliente Man: Well we say this one is for the Hot Fellas, but the ladies who love musk also love this one too!!
Citrus Basil: Clean and Fresh! This one we call the anti-fruity! It’s soapy clean.
Coconut Crunch: This one is for the island lovers, a very soft coconut breeze!
Foot Fetish: This one should be mandatory for all, LOL! For the ladies and the gents, everything you need for smooth, fresh smellin’ toes!
Guava: This is one of our tops scents! Very fruity, we have to remind people not to drink it!
Honey Almond: A fan favorite! A smooth almond scent, the honey just adds a light, sweet note to this blend.
Papaya: Soft and sultry...Although this is Papaya it has a hint of gardenia in it, not too sweet.
Pomegranate: We never thought anything could give Guava a run for its money but this scent does. A delicious, sweet, pomegranate!
Vanilla Sand: We call this one Vanilla on the Beach! Not the ordinary vanilla this one has a spicy kick to it! This is for our earthy, zen folks.



Dawn, you had me at Vanilla Sand... that scents sounds like it's right up my alley! You can expect an order from me soon (My hair really wants some more that that Shea n Olive Hair Butter).



Did any of those scents call out to you? Be sure to visit Pooka Pure & Simple online at http://www.pookapureandsimple.com. You can also expect an official review from me in the upcoming weeks, in the meantime, check out Chai from BacktoCurly.com's experiences using Shea n Olive Hair Butter.

Be sure to visit The Pookalitas at:

If you'd like to featured in a future BaBs posting, or want to suggest a BaB for me to profile, please click here to contact Miss Moon's Musings.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Bad-ass Bloggers (BaBs): Meet Michelle of Photography by Michelle Etwaroo

Michelle and I are former schoolmates from good ole P.S. 135 in Brooklyn who have reconnected through the medium that is FaceBook. It's been a blast catching up on her life through her amazing blog, Photography by Michelle Etwaroo.  Imagine my joy to discover that she is a Bad-ass Blogger on top of everything! I just knew that I had to feature her as the first BaBs for 2011!!



Michelle, you've had your amazing photography blog for about two years now. I've noticed that many photographers use a blog to showcase their art to a broader community. Was this the motivation for this blog?

Totally! I respect many of my peers and today's industry leaders. What do they all have in common? A blog(site). Most blog platforms are free and allow photographers, designers, etc. to display work, make announcements to subscribers, and communicate with clients. And let's not forget about Facebook! I have my blog feed into my Facebook notes, which is another way to stay connected to people. When I go on a group shoot I can tag my partners, clients/subjects, venues/fan pages; Subsequently, they can share it on their walls...it's just a wonderful thing to have a blog these days. It's like free advertisement [considering you are updating it regularly].

I love so many of your photographs for different reasons: a couple silhouetted by a tropical sunset, a community rally, and a sultry, seductive photo for a very special (and lucky!) man. You capture all of these very different images with the same passion and focus. What most often goes on in your mind when taking these pictures?

Really, every time i go out, I am trying to outdo my last photo shoot, I am my own worst critic. I also try to capture and focus on elements of the frame most would overlook, i.e.: the lashes on a little girl or the hands of an elated grandmother while she stuffs a pinata at her grandson's 1st birthday. I consider myself a "detail" photographer. Anyone can take a front and center frame of someone. I try to up the ante by giving the client another dimension.




While in the moment, do you see the mechanics of how to orchestrate the picture ("Move your head to the left.." etc.), do you see THE (with a capital T*H*E) photo in the moment and say "Yes!" or it sometimes a combination of both?

I feel like I have always had an eye for photography. And then I took up theory and photojournalism ... over 13 years ago during the film era. Literally, I took classes in a darkroom while in college. As i'm sure you can imagine, there was no room for error with film and obviously there was no "review" feature. If you screwed up a shoot, you found out as you developed your film and prints. Versus digital, if you overexpose your subject or the composition is not the best, you can see and remedy that right away. So as corny as it may sound, I feel that everyday has the potential to be an album and everyday i have my camera, something will take place where I "see" a photo about to happen. On the flip, If I am working a shoot, I try not to "pose" my subjects, that's not my type of photography. If needed, however, I'll give them a role to play and some direction to capture them effectively. Most people have never modeled so they don't know their angles or where the mark is. So I guess speak for most photogs and would have to say, BOTH!




One of your most recent blog posts highlights a massive, gorgeous vision board you created for 2011. Can you discuss your motivation for creating this vision board?

My motivation for creating the board was just a want for change, and making a conscience decision to take matters into my own hands. If you read the blog post, you'll see a number of reasons why I had to step up and re-claim my life. This past December, I shared a revelation with a friend of mine, "I am not living my own life. This person you see before you...I don't know who she is". The more I thought about it, i began to remember the last time I felt truly happy and sadly that was over 10 years ago. The irony is that in 2000, unknowingly, I made my first vision board...at the time I didn't know what a vision board was. It was just a collage I put together in an art class in college. On it I had diamonds, an SUV, a puppy, an image symbolizing travel, etc. Everything I put together came true within a year, minus the puppy, instead I got a kitten :)
A few years back, a group of women shared the vision board theory with me and I felt compelled to share it with all of you.




What's up next for the blog? What new projects will you be sharing with us in the near future?

Well, for starters i'd like to facilitate giveaways (prints mainly). I'd also like to feature more bikes and the motorcycle sub-culture (I'm a rider!) There was a huge response to the shots from the NYC Motorcycle Show at The Javits Center. A niche I hope to feature more would be, Boudoir Photography. A woman's body is a work of art and I love empowering women with photos representing their confidence and sensuality.




Be sure to visit Michelle at:

If you'd like to featured in a future BaBs posting, or want to suggest a BaB for me to profile, please click here to contact Miss Moon's Musings.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Miss Moon's Musing About: Ta-Ta to 2010! (A Top 5 List...)

This year has gone by so swiftly, I found it difficult to reflect on the past twelve months.... It was actually a very daunting task! This has been such an amazing year for Miss Moon's Musings, I wanted to share some of the highlights for me (In no particular order):



The new face of Miss Moon's Musings

I knew that I wanted to change the overall look of my online home, but I never ever could've fathomed how much I would love the wonderful work that Ladybird Blog Designs did!



Blog Lovin'

This year, I have been blessed to receive some tremendous feedback from my peers online. It's been such an amazing experience to have been listed as one of the Top 25 Natural Hair Bloggers on Networked Blogs, Received an Honorable Mention in an article about Natural Hair Bloggers in Brooklyn, received so much love in the awesome blogs, Bohemian Soul, Everything She Wants and was Mane Chic on Indulge In You.



The "DOPE" Entry that Never Was...

Like many of you, I fell promptly in love with the adorable little black muppet girl singing about her hair. I won't front: the song is my ringtone, and I have the tee shirt design as my wall paper!! LOL I never had the opportunity to blog about it, but had I succeeded in writing the post (I can't remember if me getting sick in October was the culprit or was there something else...)



YOU!!!!!

My very short list of people who dig my rantings, ramblings and revelations increased dramatically in 2010. I may not mention it often in my blog, but believe me I have been aware and in awe of every single one of you who clicked "Follow" here or on Networked Blogs & clicked "Like" on the Miss Moon's Musings FaceBook page. Your feedback and comments have brought me so much joy and I am continuously filled with gratitude for everyone who is diggin' what I am doing here.

In fact my recent Be Blessed post on Gratitude was inspired by the words I am writing here and now. I knew that I wanted to do a wrap up of 2010 and that I wanted to end it by sharing a very special gift from me to you. My initial plan was to do another Giveaway, featuring a huge prize, but I decided against it. When I decided how I wanted to conclude the last blog postings of 2010, I immediately enlisted the help of the wonderful DJ Green Arrow, who helped coax out my inner DJ and walked me step-by-step into creating the...



Music Therapy with Miss Moon: Best of 2010 Mix

Yes, yes y'all... I took some music featured this year in a Music Therapy with Miss Moon or for a Saturday Night post. Check out the songs:

1. Natalie Cole - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
2. Jill Scott - Love Rain
3. Neneh Cherry & Gang Starr - Sassy
4. Cody Chesnutt - Come back like Spring
5. Arthur Lee & Love - Always See Your Face
6. Corrine Bailey Rae - Closer
7. Esthero - Black Mermaid
8. Joy Jones - Beautiful
9. Olivier Daysoul & Victor Hugo - In the Now
10. Janelle Monae - Sir Greendown
11. Betty Davis - If I'm in Luck I Might Get Picked Up
12. Aloe Blacc - Need a Dollar
13. Cree Summer - Miss Moon

To download this playlist for absolutely free (my gift to you!) click here.

Happy Happy New Years from Miss Moon's Musings!!!!!!!!

I've love to hear some ideas as to where I should take this baby for 2011!!! Be sure to leave a comment about that!!!

In the meantime, I will once again send hope 2011 will be a wonderful year for all of us and say for the final time this year....

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Bad-ass Bloggers (BaBs): Meet Simone of In This Moment Blog

Simone is one of my Pirate Sistren, so I am a bit biased about how bad-ass she actually is (And I will add it to the record today that when it comes to my Pirate Sistahs being bad-ass... I am an authority!). She is also an amazing human being, one who's wisdom I have benefited from for many years. When she began In This Moment Blog I was so happy to be able to share her vision and her thoughts and I couldn't think of a better fit for this month's BaBs: Bad-ass Bloggers.



What is the significance of the title of your blog In This Moment Blog?

As long as we experience having a body, there is the opportunity for deeper, greater, expanded insight. Even if it is the SAME insight over and over again, it is always fresh, because the truth of who we are is eternally fresh and present, in this moment! That is why I named my blog and my coaching, In This Moment, because that is where insight
lives.

What can visitors not familiar with your blog expect when they visit?

Insight - I have a passion for insight! I love busting the lies that we believe about ourselves in the form of judgments, limitations, self-hatred, as well as, self-aggrandizement. Seeing through the veil of those lies is INSIGHT into the truth of who we really are. When we see who we are, or more of who we are, we are blessed, healed and grateful. These are all ingredients of happiness.



In addition to blogging with conscious, you also are an exceptional singer/songwriter and Spiritual Life Coach Extraordinaire. Is there anything new you'd love to share on either fronts?

Thank you! People have responded really positively to my song, 'Recovery'. I'm working to shoot a video for it. So stay tuned for that! Regarding spiritual life coaching, I work with spiritual people who are looking to discover what their next steps in life are. It's a joy to connect with people in that way!

The tagline for your site is "Discover Peace & Love Within". Can you share with us any tips on how to be open to such discoveries?


Yes. Peace and Love is who we are in every moment. Be willing to find out how you have convinced yourself that you are other than, or separate from Peace and Love in any way. Be honest with yourself. Then, once you discover this false identity, be willing to let it go. Letting go can be quite a challenge. So the key is your willingness!

What has given you immense joy lately?

Wow - immense joy! I listened to the song, 'Optimistic' by Sounds of Blackness of full blast over and over last night. It made me SO happy!! Brilliant song.



Be sure to check out Simone at:

If you'd like to featured in a future BaBs posting, or want to suggest a BaB for me to profile, please click here to contact Miss Moon's Musings.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Bad-ass Bloggers (BaBs): Meet Jamillah of Jay the Bohemian Diva

I've known Jamillah for many, many years, and have been extraordinarily proud to be a follower of her blog, Jay the Bohemian Diva. I knew immediately that my next BaBs would HAVE to be her, and I am tickled pink that she consented!!



The tag-line for your blog, Jay The Bohemian Diva is "Love, Life & Girly Girl Things", can you give me an example of the type of posts one would find in your blog?

Well what you will not find is celebrity gossip blog...there is enough of that...and I am not about that. My blog is a progressing blog that does not have a central focus like a fashion blog or a movie blog. On my blog you will find a variety of things pertaining to my life as I rediscover my passions and challenging myself to step out of the box. You will find some of my poems, my musical tastes, an update on my health, opinions on certain subjects as well as my reviews on wigs, cosmetics and some fashion.

You've been writing your blog for almost a year now. What is the most surprising aspect of blogging for you? What do you find the most challenging?

The most for me is that people are actually reading it LOL. Seriously, every time I read back on my blogs I am surprised by the progress I am making as a person. It is very therapeutic...getting to know me again and introducing parts of myself to the outside world...it feels pretty nice, especially when people respond positively and constructively. The most challenging is being consistent. I try to post as much as I can without driving myself crazy...I just have to remember that I do not have a deadline so I pace myself...

You are a "Wiggy" and I've really enjoyed reading your posts and absorbing your enthusiasm via your "Wig-tastic" blogs. A lot of folks still have negative attitudes about wigs, unfortunately. What advice would you have for someone who is interested in incorporating wigs into their look?

I am actually a "Part Time Wiggy"...I love my short natural hair and rock it often. I would recommend Youtube...I say that because that is where I learned to be confident in wigs. There are alot of tutorials and reviews on wigs that will make a "wig-ginner" feel comfortable. When you have the self confidence with your wig you can pull it off. I was very surprised (delightfully) with the positive responses I received when i wore my wigs to work, especially when people did not recognized me at first. The art of wearing wigs is about trial and error. some you get and some you don't. Just have fun with it...wigs are fun!!!



In addition to sharing your Wig-tastic journey with you, I've also loved indulging in your "Girly Girl Time" posts. Are there any recent hauls we can look forward to you posting about?

For now there will be more "Wish List" posts when it comes to future potential hauls. The "Girly Girl Time" posts will feature the makeup I already have and asking your opinion on how it looks on me. I have a new post called "Face Off" where I will talk about my search for the perfect facial routine.

What's in store for readers of Jay the Bohemian Diva? What can we look forward to in the upcoming months?

In the upcoming months there will be more wigs, more makeup, and more event features. I will also have a cooking segment where I post recipes I have tried and succeeded in cooking. New posts will include a "Shout Out" segment where I give props to people places and things..."The 6 week project" segment will be my reviews on certain things I will try for 6 weeks (stepping outside the box). Look out for my personal style, my health update, pictures and much more...

Be sure to visit Jay at:

If you'd like to featured in a future BaBs posting, or want to suggest a BaB for me to profile, please click here to contact Miss Moon's Musings.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Bad-ass Bloggers (BaBs): Meet Tracy of Everything She Wants

I love reading blogs... this is one of the main inspirations for me starting Miss Moon's Musings. I decided that I would share a few dope blogs and introduce to the people behind them... I call them BaBs: Bad-ass Bloggers*.

The very first BaB to be featured is actually someone I've written about before. When I discovered her blog, I knew I had to reach out to her and I am so grateful that she accepted my offer for an interview! Thank you so much, Tracy! And I hope you all will enjoy getting to know her!


I love the title of your blog, Tracy, “Everything She Wants”. What’s the inspiration behind the name?

For a year and a half I wrote a daily beauty and style blog called Hot Mama Daily for b5media. When that blog folded, I decided to start my own beauty and style blog. Over a weekend I brainstormed names with my husband and came up with Everything She Wants, which is the title of my favorite Wham! song. For those too young to remember Wham, it was an '80s pop duo that included George Michael. The name also signifies what the blog's content includes -- everything she wants in beauty, style, fitness, fashion, etc. What makes my blog different, however, is that I make an effort to spotlight products, designers, and trends that have a self-esteem or charitable benefit.

In addition to your blog, you’ve written for Essence, Upscale, The NY Daily News, and AM New York on fashion, travel, health and a myriad of other subjects. Is there one subject in particular that you are really passionate about?

I'm passionate about all those subjects. I love to shop. I love to travel. And I'm conscious about my health. The thread is all of my work is providing serviceable information to the reader and capturing a story whether I'm interviewing a fashion designer, health expert, or recording artist.

You are amazingly knowledgeable about fashion, and your blog definitely reflects this. What recent trends are you most excited about?

I'm excited about the African/ethnic/tribal trend that was hot this spring and is carrying over to the summer. I recently did a post on three African-and-African-inspired lines that have a charitable benefit.

My readers were first introduced to you when I posted the story of your 2008 wedding. Are many people astonished (as I admittedly was) that you managed to pull off such a beautiful wedding in N.Y.C for under $5000? Why do you think that there aren’t more budget brides out there?

I think most women have literally bought into the wedding industry hoopla about how much you have to spend on your dress and your wedding. I'm a budget shopper by nature, so that's how I approached my wedding. I know you don't have to spend a lot to look like you did. I went to several bridal events and the energy was so frenzied and geared towards selling brides an expensive and generic experience. I wanted an intimate, eclectic wedding that reflected my taste, and a sterile catering hall and a $2500 dress is not my style. I don't mean to knock other women if that's the experience they want. But once I decided that wasn't the type of wedding I wanted, I was able to create the wedding I did want.

We picked the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Japanese Pond because of the sheer natural beauty, the minimal donation, and it's tucked away and private. Luckily we had a clear, sunny morning for the ceremony.

After going to the Running of the Brides sale at Filene's and a few other bridal boutiques, I didn't find a dress that I loved and wasn't willing to pay $250 or more for what I'd tried on. So with only two months left before the wedding, I decided to do a Google search for what I wanted. I'm on the computer all day but I'd forgotten how useful the internet can be in terms of shopping. From my search I found my dress on Ebay. I was the only bidder and I got it for $27. The seller had planned to wear the dress, which she bought at Saks Off the Rack, but couldn't fit it. So I got the dress brand new. Luckily it fit perfectly and I only had to make one slight alteration.

For the reception, I'd visited several catering halls and other outdoor venues where the catering cost would be separate. I wasn't sold on any of the food I'd tasted and the bill for catering alone would have been more than $5k. So after I talked to a co-worker who had her wedding reception at a restaurant, my wheels started turning. We picked Madiba, a South African restaurant in Fort Greene because of the open, light-filled space and the cultural atmosphere. The owner is also very personable and accommodating. I think it was the first wedding reception he'd hosted at the restaurant and he and his staff exceeded our expectations. By having the reception during brunch time, we saved money and Madiba was able to open for their regular dinner service.

What advice would you give to brides-to-be who want to plan a wedding without selling breaking the bank?

Do your wedding your way. Don't give into pressure from the wedding industry or even family and friends. You know best what you want. Be creative and find a way to execute the wedding you want without going into debt. It takes a little more thought, but you'll be happier with the outcome.

What’s next for you? Any scoop on what you are working on now?

I'm working on boosting readership for Everything She Wants and working on freelance articles for Juicy Magazine (a new beauty and hair magazine), amNewYork, and SheKnows.com. I'm also drafting a book proposal for a budget bride book. Other than that, I'm always in the market for lifestyle, fashion, and entertainment writing assignments and blogging opportunities. So if there are any editors out there reading this, I'd love to hear from you.



Be sure to visit Tracy at http://www.everythingshewants.net


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