Archives for March 2013

How to Have a Quiet Moment

March 30, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

When we were little kids, my Mother developed a little practice that she still uses to this day. Whenever she felt the need to have some space (in hindsight, I kinda think she’d do this whenever she just wanted a nap), she would go to her bedroom and close the door. Just before she closed the door, she’d tell us: “Ok; I’m having my quiet moment.”

My two brothers and I knew and understood exactly what “I’m having my quiet moment” meant. Unless the house was burning down or one of us was bleeding, Mother was not to be disturbed. It also meant that we needed to keep our voices down – or better yet, go find a book to read.

March has been a very eventful month – in a good way – so today, I’m having a quiet moment. I’m sitting outside soaking up the sunshine, enjoying the Spring breeze, and relishing the stillness. My mind is clear; my body and spirit are refreshed.

So, you wanna know how to have a Quiet Moment?

Retreat to your “peaceful place.” That place can be your bedroom, front porch, deck – any place where you can enjoy some uninterrupted time.
Take some deep breaths, refocus, and re-center. Shut down any clamorous thoughts, and shut out any “duty oriented” thoughts that try to creep in. The goal is to clear your mind – the same way you would take a broom and sweep away leaves.
If you’re outside, enjoy the elements: The feel of the warm sun against your skin, the delightfulness of the cool air, the sounds of nature. Remember, you’re having a Quiet Moment – so luxuriate and enjoy those things you normally wouldn’t even notice.
If you’re inside, turn off the television or radio. Refuse to allow yourself to be distracted. Get in tune with you, and release everything else.

Today I’m fortunate enough to have the time off and on all day to enjoy some quiet moments, and I’m taking full advantage of them.

On April 1, I’m planning to post a recap of the events that made March such an awesome month. Rosetta Thurman, blog mistress over at Happy Black Woman, inspired me with her advocacy and example of engaging in a reflection of each month of a year. At the end of the year, you’re able to look back and reflect on the entire year

Even though January and February were a bit of a blur, I captured January because I blogged every day. I blogged every week in February (and made sure to keep up with my journal) so I have that month as well. March is going to mark my “official” start of reflecting on my months, so stay tuned for that post on Monday morning.

I believe I’m going to take BlogHer’s April NaBloPoMo challenge for April, which means I’ll be blogging every day (obviously I’m a glutton for punishment).

I’m so excited and grateful for the things happening in my life – I can’t wait to see what April holds!

Join in the Fray: How do you have a Quiet Moment?

Another Way to “Put a Ring On It!”

March 22, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 7 Comments

Regular readers of the blog know how much I LOVE me some jewelry! Just this week I checked out 77diamonds.com and I feel good about introducing them to you. That’s a win-win for a jewelry-aholic like me and should prove win-win for you if you decide to give them a look-see. One of the items I examined and even did some research on was eternity rings. Most married couples consider the engagement ring and wedding band to be the symbols of their marriage, and of the bond between them that hopefully will never end. Even so, the eternity ring is another type of ring that can be just as meaningful and symbolic.

I really like the concept of eternity rings, because they’re usually given on a special occasions like an anniversary or other milestone. (I have a tradition of purchasing a nice piece of jewelry to commemorate every special occasion in my life – but that’s another post)!

A Unique Way to Put a Ring on It

Seems that eternity rings are now gaining popularity with both married couples and brides. Research indicates that the ancient Egyptians created eternity rings and gave them to their betrothed as a representation of the endless love between the giver and the receiver. What’s interesting is the fact that today, thousands of years later, these rings still carry the same meaning – but now they’re being used in engagements and as markers of significant milestones in a couple’s relationship.

Similar to engagement rings, eternity rings are available in a variety of designs, cuts, and stones. Modern eternity ring trends incorporate several small diamonds or gemstones like rubies, sapphires, and emeralds mounted on a metal band. Traditional eternity rings bearing a snake swallowing its tail haven’t gone out of style as modern brides are sporting altered versions of this classic design. Because of their distinction and versatility, eternity rings as engagement rings or wedding bands are becoming just as popular as the common wedding ring set, and diamond eternity rings from 77diamonds.com can be the perfect ring used to propose.

Cast the Bland Wedding Band Aside

If you’re a trendsetter and don’t feel the need to “go traditional,” a unique way to display your marital bond is to select an eternity ring instead of a common, plain wedding band. Turns out that this trend is nothing new – Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis all wore eternity rings. Monroe and Hepburn even went so far as to wear their eternity rings instead of the usual engagement ring!

Contemporary eternity rings come in a few different styles, whether it be a half eternity ring or full eternity ring, claw set or channel set. They don’t have to feature diamonds alone; they can incorporate diamonds and/or gemstones. In addition to different styles and cuts, beautiful eternity rings are currently available in many different metals. They can also be worn as a wedding band with an engagement ring or stacked in a set with other eternity rings.

Stand Out From the Crowd

This ring, Ladies and Gentlemen, is what I’m considering for purchase to commemorate the conferring of my Ph.D.! This style of ring also presents another option for trendsetting couples who want to use the traditional serpent eternity ring style to show off their never-ending love and true devotion to each other.

Traditionally, the classic serpent eternity ring was made of a single snake either wrapped around itself or of the serpent swallowing its tail. In addition, gemstones like rubies and emeralds were embedded in the eyes of the snake. This vintage style has been updated to include an array of stones and diamonds intertwined with multiple snakes. New features, such as the use of white gold and platinum (my choice!) in place of the traditional yellow gold, are also a hit with couples who are into the eternity ring trend.

Unlike other types of eternity rings, the serpent eternity ring is more often used to celebrate a notable event like a considerable anniversary or the birth of a child. Many spouses, such as actor Ben Affleck, present their significant others with eternity rings after the births of their children. No matter the occasion or magnitude of the event, eternity rings are a timeless expression of endless love and devotion.

*Featured Post*

Join in the Fray: When it comes to rings, are you a traditionalist – or a trendsetter?

Why You Need L.C. Johnson’s Red Lipstick Manifesta in Your Life!

March 15, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

I’m a huge fan of L.C. Coleman Johnson’s Colored Girl Confidential blog and read it regularly.

This week, fresh after marrying the love of her life and getting back into blogging, LC launched a YouTube video entitled The Red Lipstick Manifesta.

When describing the Manifesta, LC says,

“The Red Lipstick Manifesta is a love note to every woman who has ever felt overwhelmed or discouraged or just plain not good enough; a love note to every woman has been told not to speak until she is spoken to… and then is never spoken to; a love note to every woman who, despite all odds, refuses to believe that she is less than or somehow undeserving of love, success, and happiness. It is my gift to myself and to you.”

THIS is why I believe you need The Red Lipstick Manifesta in your life!

LC continues,

“If you believe, like I believe, that women – smart, sassy, determined, ambitious, perfectly imperfect colored women – have the power to change the world, to do work that they love, to dream a bigger dream than the one that has been handed to them,
then The Red Lipstick Manifesta was written and produced with you in mind.

I may have written the manifesta, but it will always be OUR message.”

I LOVE the Manifesta, and I believe you will, too.

Please check out the video, give it a Like, and pass it on!

Join in the Fray: What’s YOUR mantra for life?

Why I’m Rocking My Red Pumps

March 10, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 2 Comments

Today is the official “Rock the Red Pump® Campaign” Day, a day when bloggers around the country wear red pumps and blog about women and HIV/AIDS to raise awareness of this crisis.

Launched by the Office of Women’s Health, NWGHAAD is a nationwide observance that encourages people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls. Today marks the 5^th Annual observance.

We’ve been sporting the “Rock the Red Pump” badge on our blog since late January, and we fully support this effort.

I took a look at the current statistics in my home state of Louisiana, and started with our capital city of Baton Rouge.

I was utterly dismayed to discover these startling facts:

1. Baton Rouge ranks 4th for AIDS case rates among the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S.

2. Baton Rouge Ranks 1st in the state of Louisiana with the Highest Rate of AIDS Cases.

3. Nationally, Louisiana ranks 5th highest in AIDS case rates and 12th in the number of AIDS cases diagnosed.

4. Over 75% of all HIV/AIDS cases in Region Two are African Americans.

5. In Louisiana, 31% of new HIV cases and 31% of new AIDS cases are among women.

6. The number one mode of transmission for females is Heterosexual Activities.

7. HIV continues to disproportionately affect African Americans in Louisiana. In 2007, 72% of newly diagnosed HIV cases and 75% of newly diagnosed AIDS cases were among African Americans.

SOURCE: Baton Rouge Aids Society

Unfortunately, when we view this problem among African Americans from a national perspective, the statistics provided by the Baton Rouge Aids Society get even worse:

African Americans Make Up . . . . .

12% of the U.S. cases of HIV/AIDS

45% of all U.S. AIDS Cases

50% of all U.S. Men Who Have Sex With Men AIDS Cases

56% of all U.S. Female AIDS Cases

58% of all U.S. Pediatric AIDS Cases

Clearly, we have a problem – and it appears to be getting worse.

Get smart. Get tested. Don’t have sex without a condom. Your life may very well depend on it.

Join in the Fray: When was the last time you were tested for HIV/AIDS? If you’re sexually active, do you DARE to engage in sex without demanding that your partner use a condom?

Why Settle for Smoke When You Can Have Fire?

March 8, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 6 Comments

Gynger Fyer, that is!

Gynger Fyer (pronounced Ginger Fire) is an author of Interracial/Multi-cultural romance and erotic fiction. Just like her name, her stores are bold, spicy and fiery!

Fyer is an avid reader and fan of romance and erotic fiction. Writing has always been her passion.

Love, romance, relationships and yes, sex are constant themes in Fyer’s books because she believes in being open to the beauty of what those themes represent. She’s intrigued with the journeys we embark upon as we find and fall in love. Her goal as a writer is to introduce you to characters that are on their journey to find that which is unshakable, infallible, and true.

Well, I’ve read more books than I can count, but I have to say this is a new genre for me. I can’t wait to dive into one of Fyer’s books.

Fyer is also known as “The Romance Arsonist.” When I read one of her books I plan to have a cold drink at hand in case I need to douse the flames!

Gynger Fyer is a romance novelist living in Jacksonville, FL. Check out her author’s website here.

Join in the Fray: Do you read erotic fiction? Have you read any interracial erotic fiction?

How to Have a Quiet Moment

Like this:

Another Way to “Put a Ring On It!”

Like this:

Why You Need L.C. Johnson’s Red Lipstick Manifesta in Your Life!

Like this:

Why I’m Rocking My Red Pumps

Like this:

Why Settle for Smoke When You Can Have Fire?

Like this:

Archives for March 2013

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Are You In?

Thank you!