My amazing friend Ebere will be participating in the 2012 Ride To Conquer Cancer. We lose too many people each year to cancer, with many still struggling to with the aftermath. Ebere is taking on this challenge to support a dear friend of hers who is a cancer survivor (Chinyere Eni).

I want to support both these women by drawing attention to the Ride and hopefully raise funds their pledge. Please follow the link and let’s all work together together to get rid of cancer. Visit 2012 Ride to Conquer Cancer.

As an East African, the word ‘famine’ holds a different type of pain for me. The Horn of Africa has been a victim to droughts and famines for too long. With the absence of peace and stability in that region for centuries, the lack of rain is just another blow to the innocent lives who seem to never catch a break.

When I was approached by the group, Concerned Youth Bringing Hope to Somalia, to help with their fundraiser I didn’t even think twice about it. Especially during the holy month of Ramadan, it feels even that much more relevant for me to do something. In this day and age, how are famines still occuring? Children dying of malnourishment while we have so much access here in North America hurts my heart. If you can, please check out the event (flyer above) or donate at Canada Helps .  100% of the donation goes to the famine victims.

This article had me chuckling because I know I’ve had a few clients come back to me after reading a press release I’ve just written and they’ve asked me to add a few ‘flashy’ words. Some of those so-called ‘flashy’ words are on this list, “10 words often misused in a press release“. To write an awesome press release, you’ve got to see it through the reporter’s eyes. And all they want is the meat and potatoes — imagine they are saying ‘so what?’ as they read your release. To avoid having eyes rolling as a reporter reads your release or having the main content lost to any reader, keep these ’10 often misused words’ top off mind.

This woman’s words take my breath away. I found out about her when her poem “For Women Who Are Difficult To Love” got acclaim and a few blogs started posting it. Her poetry is raw as women’s emotions – pure, diabolical, warm and calming all at once. I never tire from reading her latest posts and following her on Twitter. To my sisters out there, check out her poetry and see how much we all relate regardless of nationality or background. I know she’s performed in Ottawa and I hope to catch her in Toronto soon.

Warsan versus melancholy - Tumblr

A tres cool friend of mine (Shae) put me onto this cool line a while back, Ashen Drift. She’s always a vessel of cool ideas and funky items check out. I especially adore their jewellery and accessories which are made from repurposed jersey material. Their t-shirts are eye-catching and they are not shy with colour. They make custom shirts as well – good thought if you have a special occasion or event. Check out their etsy store and happy ordering.

Remember that Bobby Brown song, ‘Getaway’? Sometimes I feel like I need to getaway. We all have that feeling where we just want to get on a plane and go somewhere warm and tranquil. I had a brief daydream today about beaches and cold drinks. Here’s to vacations, sunscreen and memories.

My friend Mina saw this movie and has told me that its definitely worth seeing, and I trust her recommendations. There were a lot of conspiracy theories around the Saddam Hussein reign, one being that he and his son had body doubles to always keep their alleged assassinators. This movie is described as “a chilling vision of the House of Saddam Hussein comes to life through the eyes of the man who was forced to become the double of Hussein’s sadistic son.” Looking forward to checking out. If you have, let me know what you think.

I love summer but seeing fall clothing has me excited. The layers, warm materials and scarves. Jean Paul Gaultier’s line hits all those points and with the models rocking beehives, harking to the recently deceased Amy Winehouse, was a pleasure to see. Although some of the pieces take from the vintage look of the 1960s, Jean Paul puts a modern twist on it.

http://exquisiteblackbook.blogspot.com/2011/07/jean-paul-gaultier-fallwinter-2011-12_26.html