For some April habitually brings in to mind Spring; sunshine, blooming flowers, the green of trees and sliding into flip flops. For me, April is just April because luckily where I live the beauty of ‘Spring’ and getting high on Vitamin D is something I experience every day. This April has been different though; I have had my share of learning, re-evaluation of decisions and consequently a journey of letting go of some things in my life to make room for the new.
We all need to declutter at some point in our lives and not just rummaging through the closets and the rooms to get rid of things which we don’t need but Spring cleaning our lives as well.
This can be a relationship that drains your energy, an activity that you don't enjoy but keep doing, it can even be saying no to spending more than you make. Whatever the 'clutter' in your life may be, Spring cleaning your life is an important ritual for self growth and development. It helps you get rid of things that are no longer working for you, leaving the things that actually have meaning and making space for new things, people and experiences.
That’s why I’m sure you will enjoy our feature article ‘Spring Cleaning Your Life’ by our new writer JoVonna Rodriguez. She shares with us why Spring Cleaning should happen in every aspect of our lives and takes us through the process of deciding what we need to sweep, throw away or keep in our lives; her article is truly inspiring.
There’s so much for in store for you in our April issue; in the Spring of things, I prepared this issue with one thing in mind; rebuilding. This month Rwanda commemorated the 17th anniversary of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide in which over 800,000 people lost their lives. Rwanda has come far in its quest to rebuild its country from the tragedy that happened 17 years ago. As Rwanda Remembers, we remember with them. This month’s featured cause is Only One Basket; a campaign that is helping to rebuild the lives of women survivors of the Rwanda genocide.
In this issue we introduce new features and writers. We have Business Spotlight;a feature dedicated to supporting businesses owned and operated by women. Joining our team of writers is Health and Wellness writer Iman Folayan, beauty writer Adeola Gboyega, Business writer Nonie and author JoVonna Rodriguez. I hope you enjoy the great articles, features and interviews we have compiled on women doing great things in the society.
Encouraging, empowering entertaining and elevating women of African descent is what we purpose to do and it greatly reflects in this issue. We always appreciate your feedback, please feel free to drop us an email and share your thoughts or suggestions for upcoming issues.
Thank you for reading.
IN THIS ISSUE
Cover Model: Andrea Bordeaux
Featured Article: Spring Cleaning Your Life
As the weather gets nicer, the school year comes to an end, and the cookouts begin, it’s that time of year again: SPRING CLEANING! Spring-cleaning is a tradition that allows us to clean our being in the physical sense, in efforts to prepare for what is next. Usually this is the time when we swap our winter coats for our summer garb, sort our belongings, and begin to gather up everything we do not need or use. This time is used to cleanse every inch of your life, to remove clutter from your belongings, organizing your rooms, and sanitize your life.……..READ MORE
Cover Story: Get to Know Andrea Bordeaux
Andrea Bordeaux is gorgeous and brilliant, she is not only an actress but also a model. Born and raised in Texas, Andrea’s mother was enlisted for 6 years and she grew up right outside Ft. Hood. The second youngest of three sisters describes herself as a ‘proud army brat’. Andrea who recently celebrated her 24th birthday moved to New York City after graduating from high school in 2005. She went ahead and studied theatre at Pace University before transferring to the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts..READ MORE
Featured Cause: Only One Basket
Basket weaving has been one of Rwanda's greatest craft, and also a community activity from and hundreds of years ago. On March 11th 2011, Only One Basket Campaign was launched officially launched at the Rwandan High Commission in London UK. The idea behind the Only One Basket Campaign is that you can buy a single item that would help advance trade and better the lives of the producers. The vision is to sell Rwandan artifacts to people in the west with a mission to alleviate poverty amongst Rwandans.……..READ MORE
Basket weaving has been one of Rwanda's greatest craft, and also a community activity from and hundreds of years ago. On March 11th 2011, Only One Basket Campaign was launched officially launched at the Rwandan High Commission in London UK. The idea behind the Only One Basket Campaign is that you can buy a single item that would help advance trade and better the lives of the producers. The vision is to sell Rwandan artifacts to people in the west with a mission to alleviate poverty amongst Rwandans.……..READ MORE
Featured Couple: Sean and Faith
Sean and Faith met in college, they had been introduced to each other by Faith’s best friend who happened to be dating Sean’s friend at the time. Faith admits that it wasn’t love at first sight; her first impression of Sean was that he was a bit obnoxious.
Sean and Faith met in college, they had been introduced to each other by Faith’s best friend who happened to be dating Sean’s friend at the time. Faith admits that it wasn’t love at first sight; her first impression of Sean was that he was a bit obnoxious.
“I had seen him around campus and he definitely was not my type. He tried to talk with me because he liked me but I did not give him the time of day. I would see him around campus after our initial meeting but I always pretended I didn't see him.”.……..READ MORE
Q and A With Phenomenal Woman Alison Ryce
Meet Alison Ryce; Author, skin care consultant and Coach Alison Ryce was born in the Caribbean Island of Trinidad but grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and has been living in Atlanta, GA with her family for a few years now. Alison who has owned her own Mary Kay business for over 8 years and counting, received her Associates Degree in Business Management while living in Brooklyn and in June she will be graduating with a Bachelor’s in Health Care Administration.……..READ MORE
Meet Alison Ryce; Author, skin care consultant and Coach Alison Ryce was born in the Caribbean Island of Trinidad but grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and has been living in Atlanta, GA with her family for a few years now. Alison who has owned her own Mary Kay business for over 8 years and counting, received her Associates Degree in Business Management while living in Brooklyn and in June she will be graduating with a Bachelor’s in Health Care Administration.……..READ MORE
One on One with Photographer Fify Loewen
A great part of what made me want to find out more about 24 year old photographer Kefilwe Loewen from Gaborone, Botswana was the detail and emotion in her photography. One look at her amazing photos and you can tell that Kefiwe commonly known as Fify, captures the spirit, love and emotions in every shot she takes. I recently got in touch with Fify and she answered a few questions about her photography……..READ MORE
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Fashion Inspiration: Tysha James
Meet fashion inspiration Tysha from Toronto, Canada. She is a wife, a mother of two and a hair stylist! Her fun consists of everything, “I love hanging out with the family, besties and my sisters! I'm always up for having a good time, and even better if it includes anything fashion!” she says.……..READ MORE
Meet fashion inspiration Tysha from Toronto, Canada. She is a wife, a mother of two and a hair stylist! Her fun consists of everything, “I love hanging out with the family, besties and my sisters! I'm always up for having a good time, and even better if it includes anything fashion!” she says.……..READ MORE
Business Spotlight: Shimmer and Bliss
Shimmer and Bliss is a line of colorful, unique and eco-chic scarves for women and men established in 2008 by My-Cherie Haley an artist who combines a love for fashion with creative talent. Shimmer & Bliss offers versatile handcrafted silk scarves in a vivid color palette, designed and created in Austin, Texas.Adding a modern spin to this classic accessory, these special scarves come in two sizes and can be transformed into sarongs, tops, skirts, ties, belts and head wraps. ……..READ MORE
Tips to Making Your Relationship Last by Renee Flagler
The key to a long lasting relationship is surviving the rough spots. We all know that trust, honesty, loyalty and communication are survival to the success of any relationship. However, it’s when trust is broken, honesty has been compromised, loyalty seems to sway or communication gets foggy that couples must begin to have problems. These and many other stumbling blocks can be the can bring even the strongest relationship to an end.……..READ MORE
Health: Let's Move! by Iman Folayan
In September of 2010, Michelle Obama addressed the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and presented an obesity campaign "Let's Move!" "Let's Move" which seeks to combat obesity by restoring family and community values. “Childhood obesity is a result of the health care system, economic and education opportunity, and the grocery stores and restaurants,” says Ms. Obama. But combating childhood obesity begins with a simple decision, “decisions about how much time they spend with TV and video games, as opposed to running around outside; decisions about what they eat, how much of it, and how often”.……..READ MORE
Beauty: A Match Made In Heaven by Adeola Gboyega
Finding the right foundation is like finding the perfect partner. You search long and hard, go on countless dates in the hope of finding the right one, but sometimes the search can leave you feeling disheartened and disappointed. Fear not ladies, all is not lost! There are some really good brands out there for women of colour. So follow these simple steps and I assure you, that you and your foundation will live happily……..READ MORE
Business: The Journey Towards A Dream by Nonie Maingi
Starting and running your own business is easy yet not. It’s a paradox, on some days you could not be happier and on others you wish the earth could swallow just for a few moments of mental peace.
But don’t let anybody fool you, it’s the best thing that you could do if you are well prepared. Now when most people think about being well prepared they automatically look at it from a financial or business strategic aspect. Well yes, these count, however, what I have learnt so far is that the ability to be flexible, patient, resilient, persistent and humble is even better than what you put down in your biz plan and/or financial projections.……..READ MORE
Enjoy!
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