Fantastic Fans Archives - Page 2 of 27

Travel Adventures In Alaska, Anyone?

August 11, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

It’s Travel Thursday!

We have places to go and people to see.

Let’s have a travel adventure to Alaska, anyone?

Click here to listen to a podcast with Interracial Dating Coach Lorraine Spencer, who at one point in her life packed up and moved – to Alaska!

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

Copyright ©2016 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™ LLC, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photo of John Jontez Montes on a trip to Alaska used with permission.

Zambian Beauty: Our Swirling Single Of The Week!

August 1, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

If we don’t do anything else in The Swirl World, we celebrate Black women and we love diversity.

Our Facebook page and private Facebook group represents the cream of the crop of Black women around the globe.

One such representative is Mubanga Kalimamukwento, our Swirling Single of the Week.

Meet This Zambian Beauty

Mubanga says,

“My name is Mubanga. I’m 28 and I’m a civil litigation lawyer.

I used to be a model (A long long long long time ago). I am now a single mum of two gorgeous boys after being married for 3 years. I am an only child after my baby sister died in 1996.

I love music, especially Zambian Music. I cook and bake a lot. I know a lot of people but I have few friends. I also love to read; I’ll read pretty much anything.

I am told I’m talkative and that I wear my heart on my sleeve (both are probably true, but I’ll try to deny it).

So, e ine (That’s so, that’s me. In Bemba.)”

To connect with Mubanga on Facebook, click here. To learn more about Mubanga’s beautiful Republic of Zambia, click here.

We love to feature singles (and couples!) in our posts. If you’d like to be featured, please email a nice, high-resolution photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com. Selfies are ok – just make sure they’re not blurry.

Copyright ©2016 Michelle Matthews Calloway, The Swirl World™ LLC, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photos used with permission.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and apply to join our private Facebook Group!

To catch the latest installment of “50 Days of Dating” click here. Sign up for email updates to ensure you don’t miss a single episode!

Fireman & Family Man – Our Swirling Single of the Week!

July 25, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Last week we announced we were bringing back our Swirling Single of Week.

We’re proud of the fact that two of our alums met the men of their dreams (one of them was snagged by our own Patrick Browne, a transplant from Ireland).

Whelp, we’re equal opportunity Swirlers here in The Swirl World, and as a result we’ve decided to put a twist on this segment: we are now going to feature men as well.

(They swirl too, you know!)

Fancy A Fireman?

It’s a well-known fact that many women love a man in uniform, and this week’s Swirler has proudly worn not one, but two uniforms.

Meet David Bowling, a member of our private Facebook group and our Swirling Single of the Week!

David says,

“Hello everyone my name is David. I’m 37, 38 in September. I’m a God-fearing single father of three. I have a set of 12-year-old twins and a 4-year-old son. I currently live in Maryland.

I’m a United States Navy veteran and current Lieutenant in the fire department for 12 years.

I’m the oldest of 5 siblings. I lost my father at the age of 5 during a tragic fishing accident. My mother is still alive and groomed me into the man I am today.

I’ve played high school and college basketball. I love football (Baltimore Ravens) Lol!

I enjoy fishing, boating, camping, amusement parks; just about every sport and love to eat. I love to cook and workout.

A Family Man

I’m a family man. I volunteer a lot of my time to nonprofit organizations and believe in giving back, whether it’s the military or homeless shelters.

I’m laid back and loving with a huge heart. I look forward to getting to know everyone.

Again, thank you for accepting me into the family. Swirl on!”

To connect with David on Facebook, click here.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and request to join our private Facebook Group!

To catch the latest installment of “50 Days of Dating” click here. Sign up for email updates to ensure you don’t miss a single episode!

I Took A Sexy Hip Hop Class!

July 20, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

Hip hop class, and a sexy one at that??!!

Um, not me – Tobi-Velicia Johnson!

We often say this, yet it bears repeating: The overarching mission of The Swirl World is to see Black Women living their best life.

To facilitate this, we encourage BW to get out of their comfort zones and try new things.

We’re pleased and happy to report many BW are doing just that. They’re living the life they love and loving the life they live.

One such BW is Tobi-Velicia Johnson, our Single of the Week and a member of our private Facebook group.

In today’s post, Tobi-Velicia shares a recent escapade: taking a MadHaus sexy hip hop class at Flirty Girl.

Here’s her report:

That’s What Friends Are For

Tobi-Velicia & LaTonya

“Ballet is my dance style of choice, but as promised, I went to the MadHaus class with a friend who braved her fears recently to take a ballet class with me. She had never taken a ballet class before, so the least I could do was attend a hip hop class with her.

Looking The Part

In preparation for the class, I decided that I needed to “look the part.” I couldn’t very well wear just a leotard and tights to a sexy hip hop class, could I? — or at least, not pink tights.

I selected a cute black leo with a pink bodice, some fabulous sheer patterned black tights, cropped black hoodie, short leg warmers, and hi-top Converse gym shoes. Hey, I may have been setting myself up to feel ridiculous attempting hip hop moves, but I was going to look fabulous while doing so! 🙂

Flirty Girl On Point

I arrived early at Flirty Girl. The decor was pink, black, and white. So far, so good–my favorite colors. I told the nice girl at the front desk that I would be a guest of a member, and she set me up with an account. While I waited, I surveyed the lobby. I glanced to my right and immediately noticed that there was a fully-stocked Flirty Girl WINE BAR!!! Very elegant, cool, and girly.

I turned left and saw that there was a Flirty Girl nail and hair spa. Another amazing concept for a girl’s gym. Once my account was set up, I proceeded to go to the dressing room.

The workout rooms, including the pole-dancing room, were spacious and gorgeous–everything in pink, black, and white. The locker room and bath facilities were beautiful and there were pretty pink towels available to use while working out.

Let’s Get This Hip Hop Started

My friend LaTonya arrived and we walked into the class together. She introduced me to the MadHaus instructor, Monique, who was friendly, welcoming, and fit. Monique explained basics of the class and told everyone to have fun.

The class started promptly at 9 am. Dance moves were slow at first and then the pace picked up. I was able to do most of the dance moves but I have to admit, I had a hard time doing simple jumping jacks during the warm-up. My body wanted to do sautés à la seconde with port de bras. The instructor told me to just “do what you feel.”

Hmm, Not Bad!

I worked up a good sweat during the cool and sexy dance combinations…and then glanced at the clock. OMG it was only 9:12 am!!! More than 45 minutes to go!

At 9:35 am, we had a break. My friend LaTonya did a “FB direct” video which I video-bombed by dancing in the background. I knew that anyone viewing the video would only see my face and not the booty-shaking I was doing.

Break was over and we continued the combination, a bit faster and a few more moves added. Toward the end of class, we did nice, slow stretches.

Even though MadHaus is not my style of dance, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I may even go back and try other classes.

Back That Thang Up!

When I arrived home from class, I was proud and content that I had tried something new. Smiling to myself, I logged onto FB to view LaTonya’s FB direct video.

OMG!!! I didn’t know that she didn’t immediately start back with the rest of the class after the break–she RECORDED some of it! There I was, in view of the whole entire world, “backing it up” for the camera!

All’s Well That Ends Well

All in all, I had a good time at Flirty Girl and I plan to go back sometime. :-)”

To connect with Tobi-Velecia on Facebook, click here.

Join in the Fray: What will you do this week to get out of your comfort zone?

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and request to join our private Facebook Group!

Single of the Week Is Back!

July 18, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Single and Swirling?

You’re in the right place!

You asked for it, so we’re bringing this feature back.

We’ve previously featured Fantastic Fans and Swirling Single of the Week (and at least two of the ladies we featured have since gotten married – check them out here and here, and here and here).

(Yes – we have “receipts!”)

We’re doing this because our ladies are so fabulous. We want to continue to let the world to know #BlackGirlsRock. We want people to continue to feast on the #BlackGirlMagic exhibited by Black women everywhere.

For those reasons (and many more) this feature is back.

Our Swirling Single of the Week

This week we are featuring Tobi-Velicia Johnson.

Tobi-Velicia says,

“I’m 50 years old with a 27-year-old who is (finally!) a college student.

I completed my undergrad and master’s education as an adult and I have worked in the challenging field of public health for 17 years.

I take ballet classes for fun and exercise. In my spare time I enjoy going to museums, ballet performances, and Shakespeare plays.

I also maintain my French-speaking skills and try to travel to Paris as often as I can.”

Stay Tuned For More

Ballet is Tobi-Velecia’s dance of choice – stay tuned for an upcoming story on her foray into “sexy hip hop!”

To connect with Tobi-Velecia on Facebook, click here.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and request to join our private Facebook Group!

He Says, She Says: Attraction

July 15, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Attraction.

Either you feel it for someone, or you don’t.

Known as “The Southern Swirlers,” Millennials Angelique “Angel” Long and Jonathan Gamel are back with another installment of our new series, He Says, She Says.

For each installment, we’re posing the same question to Angel and Jon.

Our purpose is to glean some insight not only into the male and female perspective on the same question but more important, from the perspective of a Black woman and a White man involved in an interracial relationship.

A Question Of Attraction

Today, Angel and Jon respond to the question:

What attracts you at first glance?

He Says: Jonathan

At first glance, a woman’s body language is what attracts or deters me. She has to carry herself like a “Lady.” Not so much prim and proper, because I am in no way a model for manners.

I believe at first glance, based solely on body language, most people can form a fairly accurate opinion of a person’s character. It may sound crazy, but I believe “Body Language” can transcend just physical interaction.

Most of the time we meet people for the first time these days over social media. So, your “Body Language” on social media is in what you post, what you share, and how you interact with your “Friends.”

Other factors that can increase (or decrease) attraction? Things like the way she speaks to waiters and waitresses; how she handles a small mishap at the cash register; if she holds the door for someone behind her.

Does she post pictures with her family or friends in the club? The “Body Language” will tell it all!

She Says: Angel

What attracts me to a man at first glance are his eyes. I truly do believe that the eyes are a “window to the soul.” If you have a warm soul, most likely it will be evident through your eyes. Of course, that is only based on my personal experiences and opinion.

The next thing would be his smile. For some reason, I have an obsession with a gorgeous smile. However, just because a man has a nice smile and loving eyes, it doesn’t make him a candidate for dating me. He has to possess so much more: good character, respect, manners, ambition, intelligence, and confidence.

Never date someone SOLELY based on their physical appearance because good looks can change, but a good man will always be a good man.

Join in the Fray: What features/factors attract you at first glance?

Got a question for Angel and Jonathan? Send it c/o ASwirlGirl@TheSwirlWorl.com.

To connect with Jonathan and Angel, “Like” their Facebook page by clicking here.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and request to join our private Facebook Group!

Love & Swirling, Long Distance Style

July 13, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 2 Comments

Long distance relationships.

Many of us groan at the thought of dating someone who lives in another city, much less another state.

Some people refuse to date long distance – they give an emphatic “No!” and two thumbs down to the notion of even engaging with someone who lives more than a certain number of miles away.

(Nixing LDR’s is also the reason why some people won’t attempt online dating – but that’s a post for another day).

Long Distance Relationships – A Yay Or A Nay?

What about dating someone who lives in another country??

Well, Shelly Palmer and Carl King are the poster kids for how to master love and swirling, long distance style.

We’ve featured them on the blog in this post and today, we’re happy to share their story.

Enjoy!

Shelly And Carl’s Story

“My name is Shelly Palmer and I live in Jamaica. My better half, Carl King lives in the Baltimore, MD area.

We met in September of 2012 on the dating site Ok Cupid. I initiated the conversation because when I read his profile I thought he had a great sense of humor.

To my surprise he responded and we started dropping each other messages every day. I actually never expected the kind of attention he started giving because his profile stated he was not interested in a long distance relationship.

One message became numerous messages per day, until we moved over to Skyping every day. Finally, we met in December of the same year when he came to visit me in Jamaica.

From then on we have been inseparable.

Having a long distance relationship is extremely difficult. It takes a lot of time, patience, a lot of communication and most importantly, trust.

We have however, managed to combine our differences, such as culture and personality into something extremely beautiful.

Carl proposed to me in March of this year. We will be married in November of this year with both of our families and friends in Jamaica in attendance.”

Congrats to Carl and Shelly. Come November, we’ll have exclusive wedding photos!

Join in the Fray: Long Distance Relationships: A Yay or a Nay?

Today’s featured couple is Carl King and his fiancé Shelly Palmer.

We love to feature couples (and singles!) in our posts. If you’d like to be featured, please email a nice, high-resolution photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com. Selfies are ok – just make sure they’re not blurry!

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook!

How I Became A Jet Beauty Of The Week

July 2, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

You ever look in Jet magazine at the gorgeous women named the “Beauty of the Week?”

Women who look like this?

More important, have you ever wondered how they got there?

I know I certainly have.

Meet This Jet Beauty of the Week!

In this podcast episode, our girl Adrienne London Leach and guest Co-Host Dawn Sanchez chat it up with Keena Simmons.

Keena established the goal of becoming an Ebony/Jet Beauty of the Week – and she accomplished it!

She shares her path to becoming one of the women who grace this iconic feature of the magazine.

Keena says, “One of my greatest achievements was producing a 2015 Calendar titled “Fit and Fabulous at Forty” inspiring women and men to be fit at any age. I did a small segment on Dr. Oz and was featured in Bermuda’s most read newspaper for my achievements.”

Keena loves to take risks, and her mantra is, “GO FOR IT!”

Very fitting, wouldn’t you say?

Enjoy the conversation!

If you cannot see the podcast player, click here or here.

If you cannot see the Sound Cloud player, click here. You can also listen to the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, Spreaker or PlayerFM.

Shout Out To The Sistah Speak Podcast!

Our shout out for this episode goes to Sistah J and Sistah K of the Sistah Speak Podcast Network.

Sistah Speak includes a series of podcasts where the Sistahs discuss both reality and dramatic television shows.

The Sistahs created their podcasts to meet the need for a Black woman’s perception and honest analysis about certain shows and movies.

Follow them on Twitter @LiteraryMarie, @Aksids, @_SistahK and @SistahSpeakCast!

Want to be a guest on The Swirl World Podcast, or know someone who should?

Send an email to Podcast@TheSwirlWorld.com.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio. You can also hear us on PlayerFM!

He Says, She Says: Boundaries

June 24, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

Millennials Angelique Evette Long and Jonathan Gamel are back with another installment of and our new series, He Says, She Says.

Each week, we’re posing the same question to Angel and Jon.

Today’s Question: Let’s Talk Boundaries

This week, Angel and Jonathan respond to the question:

Give a general explanation of boundaries. How do you define boundaries? Why do Black women specifically, and women in general, need them?

He Says: Jonathan

If you are intending to date as a means of finding a partner, you must have boundaries. If you do not know exactly what you are willing to accept then how will you ever find someone who is compatible for the long-term?

I believe women in general are almost forced to set strict, more defined boundaries than men. If allowed, men will push the limits that a woman has set, and might not necessarily be comfortable with. She has to be confident enough within herself to uphold the boundaries that she has previously set, and be willing to move on if the man doesn’t want to comply.

She Says: Angel

Establishing boundaries is very important when it comes to dating. When you set boundaries it means that you have a strong sense of self and stand firmly on your beliefs and standards. In doing so, you will not tolerate anyone who cannot respect any boundary you set.

You feel comfortable telling a man “no” when he attempts to cross that line, without you feeling unsure or guilty. Remember, no matter how good a man may seem to you, if he is having trouble respecting your boundaries, then he is not the man for you.

Establishing healthy boundaries for your life in general is a good thing. It keeps you from over-working, over-giving, and over-doing yourself.

Join In The Fray: Got a question for Angel and Jonathan? Send it c/o ASwirlGirl@TheSwirlWorl.com.

To connect with Jonathan and Angel, “Like” their Facebook page by clicking here.

See you next time!

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and request to join our private Facebook Group!

We’ve Got The Red Hot Love!

June 23, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Red Hot Love – we’ve got it!

Ginger love, that is.

(You know, red heads.)

If you’re a fan in our thriving Facebook community of over 33K Swirlers hailing from literally all over the world, then you already know what I’m talking about.

You see, we’ve been enjoying some red hot ginger love over there, with beautiful couples like our featured couple, Levi and Corea Gottschall, and Breeana and Cody Howard:

See what I mean??

So, you wanna share some red hot ginger love (and any other kind)?

Send a photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

In the meantime, we’ll keep scrolling down our Facebook page and enjoying the red hot love . . .

Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful. ~Tich Nhat Hanh

Click To Tweet

Today’s featured couple is Levi and Corea Gottschall.

We love to feature couples in our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please email a nice, high-resolution photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com. Selfies are ok – just make sure they’re not blurry!

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook!

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Meet This Zambian Beauty

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Fancy A Fireman?

A Family Man

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That’s What Friends Are For

Looking The Part

Flirty Girl On Point

Let’s Get This Hip Hop Started

Hmm, Not Bad!

Back That Thang Up!

All’s Well That Ends Well

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Our Swirling Single of the Week

Stay Tuned For More

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A Question Of Attraction

He Says: Jonathan

She Says: Angel

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Long Distance Relationships – A Yay Or A Nay?

Shelly And Carl’s Story

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Meet This Jet Beauty of the Week!

Shout Out To The Sistah Speak Podcast!

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Today’s Question: Let’s Talk Boundaries

He Says: Jonathan

She Says: Angel

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