Machel Montano Launches New Line of Rum - 3Zero Platinum Rum

I woke this morning to a post by one of my FB friends. She posted a link from Jeunanne's blog page and I jumped up out of my bed. Jeunanne's blog hosted a video that showcased Machel Montano launching his new line of 3Zero Plantinum Rum ... RUM its ingenious. Its synonymous with Carnival....feters, music, RUM...need I say more?

Everything SLIGHT Pepper is the brain behind the branding, packaging & full works. Taken from their FB page, Everything SLIGHT Pepper is a specialist Caribbean studio focused on distinctive design for creative projects....and creative this is indeed.

See, Machel is not just a soca star from Trinidad... he is 30 year iconic monster of the soca music world, and an incredible business savvy entertainer. Who is he? Why Machel Montano of course. OK! I may have hyped up the intro a bit much, but sorry its how I feel and its well deserved. I have a 30 year vested love for him, and no other can compare.

Each year I am amped to hear what he releases for Trinidad's carnival season, and each year I find myself spinning out of control with hype. Its in my blood, I am Trini by default...I can't help it.

But musically he has taken soca to another level, and I LOVE him for it. He adds to my patriotic pride.

So in a 30 year long run in the soca business, Machel Montano has managed to do some amazing things. He has toured with his band to many countries and garnered an awesome following. He has toured and performed with American Artists, he was nominated along with other Caribbean artists for the 2011 Soul Train Awards (RIP Don Cornelius), and he has taken Madison Square Garden and made it LIVE. There's no stopping him. And clearly not.

Here you have it, a video of the official launch of 3Zero Platinum Rum ...I have my glass chilled and ready for a sip...what you drinkin' for Carnival 2K12????

Congrats Mr. Montano....you continue to make moves. From one Trini to another, I am proud of you!!!

Giveaway #1 - A Life Balanced

http://www.alifebalanced.com

When I look at the logo, instantly I feel calm, serene, and a warm glow. Balance! I feel balanced.

Life can be a collage of situations that drain us. Work, parenting, relationships,bills are just some of the main factors that affect us, and can even take a toll on our health. Just how balanced are we, really?

I'm a single mom. Though I have one son, who is old enough to feed himself, lately, wash his own clothes...I have a very hectic schedule. I work...and work overtime, I go to school fulltime and I have hobbies coming out my ears. And I tend to all of them. On a timely manner? No! But they're things that I juggle and at times it can all take a toll on me. How do I find balance? I sometimes designate one day where I do nothing. Nothing at all. I don't care what has to be done. I call it lazy days. Though I'd like to have them 7 days a week, I have to settle with just one. And on those days I think of nothing. I do nothing...not even cook. I know some of you have little ones who need tending too and lazy days are a myth or a fantasy, but you should invest in one day for yourself. If not a full day, try half a day. Believe me it's necessary, and worth it. I've been consulting with Alana if A Life Balanced for as long as I know. I've managed to change eating habits....I'm slowly getting there. I get my pampering products...which I'm telling you, you'd LOVE, and I'm learning how to put me first in the moat trying moments. Everyday isn't the same and not every week will give you the same outcome. So tell me, what do you do to find balance? A Life Balanced founder Alana V. Hinds is a single mom who shows us how to find balance through holistic approaches. Alana aims to provide you with the knowledge & support you need to achieve your nutrition goals.

Healthy eating isn't where it ends. A Life Balanced also has a line of body products that are made from scratch, the heart, and with the best ingredients. The newest line of body butters, Island Infusion, are inspired by the beauty of the Caribbean Islands.

 

A Life Balanced Bittersweet Premium Cocoa Butter

The Bittersweet Premium Cocoa Butter is made with Raw Black Cocoa Butter. This is when cocoa butter is in its rawest & most natural form. A Life Balanced reminds us that cocoa butter is rich in Vitamin E and anti-oxidants. The Bittersweet Premium Cocoa Butter is easily absorbed into the skin and hair leaving it moisturized, smooth and non- greasy. And this is what some very satisfied customers have to say, "It smells like chocolate cake!" Alana ensures that you can request unscented by adding it in the note section of your order 
.

A Life Balanced Island Infusion Hibiscus Body Butter

The Hibiscus flower is my FAVORITE flower of all time (next to the Cherry Blossom), and I am going to tell you now, that the Island Infusion Hibiscus Body butter has a REMARKABLE scent. Alana explains to us that the Hibiscus Flower of the Caribbean is also known as Sorrel.  Not only can it be used internally, but externally as well. The Island Infusion Hibiscus Body Butter is a perfectly balanced infusion of the hibiscus flowers. It is scented with a light floral scent that reminds you of a warm sunny day in the Caribbean sipping on a tall glass of "Sorrel"...who doesn't want to feel like that every day?

  

Can you smell the Bittersweet Premium Cocoa Butter?  

How about the Island Infusion Hibiscus Body Butter? 

Visit A Life Balanced's shop to see all of the other items that make up the line of body products. I can assure you, from a first hand experience, and seeing her make these wonderful butters, that Alana takes her time with crafting all of her products. This way you have the pleasure of taking your time to pamper your skin.

Here's the giveaway:

Leave a comment on my blog page and tell me how you find balance  in your daily routine, and how you plan to create a more healthy lifestyle. Winner will be selected on Friday February 10th

One selected winner will receive: an 4oz Bittersweet Premium Cocoa Butter with a 2 oz Island Infusion Hibiscus Body Butter

Another selected winner will receive: an 4oz Island Infusion Hibiscus Body Butter with a 2oz Bittersweet Premium Cocoa Butter.

Kodak files for bankruptcy

If you've ever taken a picture in your lifetime, held a camera or bought roles of film and had them developed...telling my age here...you know the name Kodak.

According to USA Today and just about all of the world's business reports, Kodak has filed Chapter 11 ...who's taking a pic of that?

It's sad to hear they have to fold....they're an icon in the photogrophy world, and the inovator of the digital camera....so how could this be?

With Kodak going belly up, who do you think will take the spotlight? Do you think that Kodak can remain on top of their game, even in bankruptcy stages?

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All work and no play can get you fired!!

How absurd is this?  ABC News reported a story of a woman being fired for skipping lunch and denied unemployment benefits.  She took her case to court and won her case.

Good for her!!!

I know quite a few of us are guilty for doing this. We get so bogged down with work that "has to get done", we end up sitting through out lunch hour to do it.  I know I'm VERY guilty of doing that at least 4 times a week. Matter of fact, I did it just yesterday. I can't imagine my boss firing me for doing HIS/HER work during MY lunch hour. I mean, if its a problem of paying me over time, then understand that I need MY time. Anything 'urgent' will have to simmer until I return from Macy's.

Kudo's to her for fighting her battle and winning, what was deemed a lost cause. Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands. Now she can have a peaceful lunch.

How many of you actually sit through your lunch hour doing your boss' work? Do you do it for 'employee of the month' recognition, or do you do it because you're NOT hungry?...come on now tell the truth!!!

Sanaa Lathan...the New face of Pantene

My eye caught an article on  the Huffington Post earlier and just had to share it with you.

According to the article Sanaa Lathan is the new face (or head of hair rather) endorsed to promote Pantene Pro-V's Nature Fusion Collection...

...I don't know about you, but I LOVE me some Pantene. When Pantene introduced their Relaxed and Natural line of hair care products, I just KNEW I was gonna have a head full of long bouncy flowing hair. If I'd stop cutting my hair...I just might.

A bouncy coif or not, Pantene is a staple in my shower...and Sanaa just encouraged me to buy and try the Nature Fusion.

Would you be trying it?

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A Little At a Time

Year of the 35...my first blog post after a long hiatus from blogging tells you where I've been and what I was doing. So it took me a while to get back to this, but I'm back.

I guess I wasn't sure what my purpose of blogging was and seeing the many 'famous' bloggers and their sites run the gamut, I didn't know what I wanted to project.  Since I just simply adore the outlet, I figured it would simply be my own way of growing. I'm no pro, but damn it, I like it.  Someone may read it and feel inspired, in some way.

I started off blogging with "Collections of a See Through Soul"... It was a series of writings that reflected my thoughts as I went through a disturbing heart break. But I evolved from it, and so did my blog.

I then began pursuing my opportunity to publish my poetry...and that I did. And I revealed the "so called writer in me"....I say so called because I am YET to break the barrier I truly want to. But I've been enjoying the journey. I write for Outlish Magazine...a fun, dramatic magazine that showcases the ins and outs of young Trinidadians....if you didn't know, I AM a very proud Trinidad born living in America. The opportunity to write for Outlish has been an outstanding one, and I look forward to a writing for them for a long time to come.

During my hiatus from my blog, I also began writing for eWoman Empowerment Magazine ( online and in print) and their sister site Women of Power BVI  I'm still fresh, but look forward to a long run with them....they're amazing!!!

And aside from those writing stints, I have been working on my 1st novel for the past two years. Yes! Two years. I start and stop, and live and lose track, and doubt and believe...its an ongoing series of distractions.. And here you are... Welcome to MY Writer's Block...

So now that I'm back I aim to finally use this blogging space as a collage of it all... My see through soul, my distractions, my writing journey and to share a little entertainment...interviews, updates, giveaways (when I can)...I'm making it my own.

So to commemorate the rebirth of my blog...there'd be grand give aways coming next week...you're no blogger if you don't do give aways ... So stay tuned for the announcement for my 1st of 5 giveways. I promise it'd be exciting.


Hope you enjoy, and visit often...

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Joyful Noise - To see or not to see!!

To simply state... its A MUST SEE!!!!

Now that I have the silly grin off my face and my tears are dried up, I can concentrate on writing this blog. 

Two days ago I get a DM on Twitter from my tweet pal @socamomDC inviting me to the preview of Joyful Noise, DC which was sponsored by Rolling Out Magazine and American Airlines. I was thrilled. Not only would it give me a chance to meet her for the first time, but to actually get out of my daily routine of work, commute and spending the evening watching reality tv shows that makes me seem like I have turrets syndrome.

Queen Latifah has definitely landed on the tippy top of the hip-hop totem pole. She has outdone herself as the Executive Producer of this Warner Bros. film. I'll admit, I woke up one morning and saw the trailer for it on tv. Said to myself "Nicki Minaj sings one line about Dolly Parton and here she is starring in a movie." Really I did say that. I even rolled over and didn't think twice of the movie. Then I saw it again later that day and paid attention...ahhhh a movie I can take in one Sunday afternoon. But my Sunday came sooner than I thought.

Here I was sitting in a theater room with Brian Dickens (you know him as Fantasia's manager), media personality Jawn Murray, and the event host Gospel recording artist Byron Cage...it was a packed house, with a very polite and orderly group of adults...this was grown folk mingling.

Where do I even begin about this movie??? So much to say. But I'll start by saying that Joyful Noise wasn't stuffed with the typical African American cast that consists of Taraji P. Henson, Morris Chestnut, Gabriel Union...nope, not-a-one. The cast was made up of fresh new faces that complimented each other well. They were fresh faces supported by Queen Latifah, Courtney B. Vance (of The Preachers Wife...yup he's a preacher again), KeKe Palmer (with her Angela Basset stance), and in a refreshing, returning and welcoming role Dolly Parton ( the legendary all American icon that she is).

Joyful Noise is about a small town Georgia church choir that has persistently competed in the Joyful Noise national competition. A competition they could never seem to win because of the choir lead by Kirk Franklin ... definitely a tough act to beat. When the beloved choir director dies, everyone seems to have lost hope that they have a chance to win the competition, unless some changes are made from their boring routine. Vi Rose (Queen Latifah) and G.G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton) can't seem to get their differences settled, bringing a small Christian, yet comical, feud between the two, yet uniting the choir all the way to the finals.

The movie is undeniably hilarious. Its clean plot, comical and inspiring and at times quirky quotes brings us a message of hope, love, joy and the unity of family.

I wouldn't steer you wrong. It's Glee meets Sister Act with a musical soundtrack feel of Dream Girls...one you can listen to just about everyday. Sure the plot is as predictable as can be, but it is totally refreshing from the reality tv shows that bombard us every day.

I say on January 13th, take the family out and enjoy some quality time...

Now if ONLY I can get the image of Lil Kim trying to bust out of Dolly Parton's face, I'll totally ignore the fact that I sat there expecting to see Queen Latifah bust out in her "Set if Off" persona ... I tell you there are some things you just can't let go...