A PRAYER FOR HIP HOP …

 

SUP Y’ALL,

IT’S ON & POPPIN’. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SOME MORE INFO AND TOUR DATES. IF YOU CAN BE THERE AS HHH ARTISTS PRESENT THE GOSPEL TO THE STREETS.

PURCHASE TICKETS @ WWW.PRAYERFORHIPHOP.COM

DEBORAH

 

 

Do You One Better… Voluminous Trench Coats

 

Okay ya’ll,

It’s been a minute & yes I’ve been slack I admit. Things have been kinda busy but it’s no excuse I admit.

BUT … The good news is I have something new for ya’ll!

It is about time for another addition of do you one better. My favorite? The trench which is mostly a spring/fall item but can be layered with sweaters & tights on some winter days will be showcased this go ’round. For part I we’ll do the volumious aka fab versions. Check back tomorrow for part II the the cream of the “cropped”. Both are sure to keep you stylishy. Ready? Here we go… MORE AFTER THE JUMP

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ZEE (www.thezeesite.com)

 

 So I told y’all for 2007 we were going to be doing some exclusive interviews & ministry posts. Via email on January 12th 2007, I had the honor of interview Bro Zee from www.thezeesite.comand one the newcomers in the forefront of HHH for 2006.

He has some great insight on ministry, the HHH movement, relationships & a life submitted to God. Check it out after the jump…

WHAT’CHA KNOW ABOUT… JAZMINE SULLIVAN

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT PROTOTYPE AFTER THE JUMP…

Alrighty y’all,

Can we say a beast? This one here puts it down! She is a song writer, singer and arranger. Lately she’s gotten some buzz for backround vocals on Free Yourself (Fantasia). She also wrote (and performed) Say I which we know from Christina Millan. And Resentment was originally sang and written by her! Victoria, Posh Spice, Beckham and Beyonce also have a cover version of it.  

I’ve gotta showcase her. She has a raregift (think Clarke Sisters, Kim Burrell, Etta James, Sarah Vaughn) A lot try, but sister here got it! A true soul singer to the heart (and anointed) she has a lot of people to reach ahead of her.

I’ll post a couple of audio-videos from youtube. The first when she 11 years old@ the Apollo! Are you kidding? KeKe you got a run for your money sweetie!

God’s Abundant Grace

Hey Y’all,

I just wanna take this time to shout out my God Jesus Christ. I wanna thank Him for all the grace and mercy He’s shown me, for this blog, my singing and fashion design career. It has been a long time coming and now without even trying, just being, things are coming together. That’s God’s grace.

Even in the midst of, and in spite of, my humanity He still loves me. That’s God’s Grace.

To be alive still, breathing, a stable job, perks and my family is God’s grace.

We all need it. It is what our hearts cry for and my prayer for all of us today is that we heed it and not take advantage of it.

Hebrews 12:1-3

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Blessings and merry Christmas,

Raquiyba

Things that make you go hmmm… Holiday Spending

So, now that the holiday season is almost hear, many people are dancing and leaping into debt. NOT CUTE!!!

I hate to be this candid but I must ask why? Why would we (in the name of G-D, holiday cheer or holiday spirit) wanna go into debt? Why would you wanna be happy for one day, 12 days or 7 only to be crying the next year?

I, for one, just worked very hard to dig myself OUT of debt. Personally, it feels good to have money in the bank “just in case”. Now, this isn’t a plea to get people to believe one thing or another. It isn’t a religious or moral rant about what you should or shouldn’t believe.

 *(Some don’t celebrate ANY holidays. Some celebrate Christmas. Some Hanukkah etc.)*

My point? IF YOU’VE GOTTA SPEND THIS SEASON, BE WISE!!! And remember the season of 70% off starts December 26th. 

Here are some ways to save BIG for the holidays.

HOLIDAY STYLE…LACE

Now is the time of year you can spice up your wardrobe no fuss. Got fur you are dying to wear? Chandelier earrings you wouldn’t normally put on? A low back dress that would be inappropriate for just dinner and a movie? 

Just recently I became a fan of lace and have done some research to see which pieces were good picks for holiday dressing.  Lace is a way to add sophistication and a little sizzle to most any special occation. I’ve viewed a tonof lace clothing and posted my fav of the bunch.

Some key things to remember about dressing in lace. 

• Keep accessories simple.
• Don’t go head to toe lace. (Got one lace piece? It’s enough)
• Know lace doesn’t have to be fussy. (Check out some of the pieces below. Ballet flats, tops and pieces with only lace accents.)
• Lace doesn’t have to be black. 
• Have fun!!! 

You know the drill… We’ll showcase both higher and lower price points.

BROKE DON’T LOOK GOOD ON YOU III

BROKE DON’T LOOK GOOD ON YOU III

There are a lot of fun and easy ways to start building wealth… Or @ least to have enough money for the gas fiasco we are facing. Ha! I opened a high intrest account via ING DIRECT. I love it! My current intrest (yeilded) is 5.00%, it’s secure and easy to use. U can get the money directly deposited from your employer paycheck or a checking account from your bank. This way it is automatic. You get used to not having the money “in hand” and thus create a spending plan without it.

COME BACK, COME BACK… WALK INTO THE LIGHT CAROL ANN…

Seriously not to bore you. Financial planning can be fun. No one can dictate to you how much to save, how often or for what. It is entirely up to you but if you don’t want to join the ranks of the increasing young, fab and broke than man up. Do something for you. A couple of great reads are THE YOUNG FABULOUS AND BROKE by Suzie Orman, THE AUTOMATIC MILLIONARE by David Bach, RICH DAD POOR DAD by Robert Kiyosaki and A GIRL AND HER MONEY by Sharon Durling. No I haven’t read all of them (I have read a couple on that list) but I know from friends, some family and other money makers that they all hold valuable advice in their own perspectives. YOU CAN AFFORD TO SAVE For Some strange reason people (especially young people) are tricked into believing they can’t afford to save. Truth is you can’t afford not too. With the trend of higher intrest rates (on everything from credit cards to cars), souring gas prices, medical expenses and lay offs saving should be becoming a priority for most. However with the influence of pop culture, the green-eyed monster and the gottahaveitnow syndrome people are duped into living it up and living pay check to paycheck. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE shopping, eating out, going to theathe and the nines but within reason. See you put that stuff within your spending plan. You treat saving like a paycheck to yourself and with intrest! Your money builds over time but with it being out of sight/mind the time creeps up on you and you’ll be moving toward thousandare statis in no time. Gotta love it. I will be blogging about various financial challenges, posting good financial links and advice and in the near future doing interviews with some financial experts. Check out the Don’t Say Budget and Don’t Break The Bank segments to find practical advice on budgeting, saving and styling on any income.

WHAT’CHA KNOW ABOUT… MONIF C? PLUS SIZE DESIGNER

www.monifc.com

So I must showcase this fabulous woman who is also (like Elena Miro) doing something for the plus-sized market in the fashion industry.  I have been following her line since it’s Debut in Fall 2005. I especially loved the Brown Sugar collection. In an industry where (again) big is NOT viewed as beautiful, it is good to see a woman who not only flaunts it but helps other women flaunt it too.

I respect her both as a designer and fellow black woman of power! I’m sure she had to overcome many obstacles and challenges to get where she is. Yet she’s doing it! Getting recognition from the likes of What Not To Wear, Essence, MiMi, Glamour, Latina, Jolie and WWD, she is well on her way to becoming a household name. 

She and other women in the industry like Tyra Banks, Emme and companies like Lane Byrant and Dove are bringing it and I’m glad to see it! They are paving the way for a niche within the fashion industry that will help those of us who are next keep up the heat! If Beyonce can model a line based on her body type why can’t we? Hmmmm… MY FAVORITE PIECES AFTER THE JUMP

WHAT’CHA KNOW ABOUT… Rachel Roy

www.rachelroy.com

The wife of music Mogul Damon Dash. Mother. Fashion designer. Did I say fashion designer? I love Rachel’s line. It’s sophisticated, clean and retro. It has sex appeal without being revealing or trashy.  It’s a nice mix of bohemian glam meets ’60’s care free. Her clothes are fuss free, easy to match and can add some serious style to what you already have in your closet. Her Fall/Holiday 2006 collection is very romantic. Gotta love it.

Take a look! You can also find her clothing @ www.shopbop.com . bE oN tHE lOOKOUT fOR mORE rACHEL rOY iN fASHION rEWIEWS aND dO yOU oNE bETTER… A FEW OF RACHEL’S PIECES AFTER THE JUMP…

UPDATE… DEREON HOODIE (FROM IRREPLACIBLE)

NEW UPDATE (DEC. 8TH 2006)

So, this is my final update about the hoodie. Bee-yonka ain’t paying me no royalties to keep up with this info… Status? SOLD OUT!!! Sorry ladies!!! The good news? You can now purchase these on Ebay for the overprice of $355 (more than TWICE the original $79 price.) Don’t worry, don’t worry… I’m sure that mama Knowles is scrambling to produce more, OR gonna hail this as a “Dereon Exclusive”.

BROKE DON’T LOOK GOOD ON YOU II

BROKE DON’T LOOK GOOD ON YOU II 

So how many of us twentysomething’s are saving or investing? How about the thirtysomethings? Fourtysomethings? The good news is that the earlier you start the better. Also good news it is never too late to start. Before this  year (2006) my financial profile was a little shabby. What I earn is comprable to others in my field, however, I was not very wise with what I was bringing home. In November last year I opened a 401(k) account. I started out by saving 7%. In Febuary I increased the amount to the max (for my company) of 15%. It feels great. I am in my twenties and I now know that I am preparing for my future.

I didn’t actually start saving on my own until March this year. I goofed up a couple times.  I’ll be honest enough to say that I saved money but there was money I spent that could have been put away. :-(  In all there has been about $1600 wasted this year. Perhaps more. But you know what? By the end of this year I will have more than that in savings.

We need to wise up people. NEVER and I repeat NEVER think that just because you are “young” you don’t need to worry about your money. I will reinerate, the sooner the better!