I have decided to take a stand against Joseph Kony and join the Invisible Children movement! Last night 4/6/2012 millions became aware of Kony a war criminal via twitter and immediately after watching the 30 minute documentary I decided to sign the pledge:

JOSEPH KONY IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S WORST WAR CRIMINALS AND I SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO ARREST HIM, DISARM THE LRA AND BRING THE CHILD SOLDIERS HOME.



 Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/invisiblechildren
Follow them on twitter-http://www.twitter.com/invisible
Sign the pledge- http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.causes.com%2Fcauses%2F227-invisible-children&h=UAQEBc_lv
Website- http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.invisiblechildren.com%2F&h=yAQEUGf67


-Billie McQueen

Octavia Spencer in a beautiful white Tadashi Shoji gown at the 2012 Oscars

The movie was based on a novel by Kathryn Stockett. It takes place in Mississippi during the 1960s. A young college girl comes home and decides she wants to become a writer. She changes the lives  of her family and her town by interviewing the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prestigious white southern families . Aibileen, Skeeter's best friend's housekeeper, is the first to tell her story despite fear and reluctant attitudes. She and Aibileen continue their partnership and soon more women, including Minny, Aibileen’s good friend,come together to tell their stories.

Minny Jackson: The "sassy" maid

Nami Kam: If you know me, you know I love a lady in RED. My favorite was MICHELLE WILLIAMS!! I absolutely loved her dress..I want it! :)

-Billie McQueen

Billie McQueen: Touchy question....Honestly it depends on what day of the week you ask me! Like I would have to consider his spiritual growth, maturity, and mental stability. Like is he ready to be in a relationship? Is he really ready to be committed? But then again he is my ex for a reason and I would prefer not to relive the past! Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

Nami Kam: Won't say I haven't gone back to an ex in my life time but its 2012...I'm trying to look forward... leaving the past in the past. I have no interest in dating any repeats. I want someone fresh and new...I keep them as friends..nothing more...nothing less.



Bkee: I have dated very few men seriously, I have yet to have a boyfriend, for real in my 24 years of living. Not even in high school, but I wouldn't bother dating my ex again its always the same result. I do like maintaining friendships or some type of mutual understanding with my ex's. But as far as making it work, its too much work. It's a reason that the person is your ex to begin with, why waste time trying to go back to past love or something like love..cause I dont love these men out here who could care less about me. I like them, might have love for him, but never in love with him. Dating an ex is a waste of time and energy, why go backwards when someone better is out there waiting for us to cross paths. There are plenty of fish in the sea, move on the past is completely irrelevant. I mean...unless he was the bomb when you dated and you parted on unusual terms. maybe then I'd consider it. But what do I know, I , I barely date and commitment is not in my future anytime soon

Kristen Nichole: I'm the ultimate fall back to the ex girl. I give chance after chance after chance after chance. I've dated few people because of that. I'm always trying to pull something else out of them and see something different. I date men who know all the right words to say, do everything right to get you, but then usually do everything to embarrass me, or make me cry, say or do things out of spite later on in the relationship. Jealousy, cheating, overprotective... Only for them to come back and try to apologize, say they've changed later and do it all over again. I believe in the heart of people & really believe some people can change, but it takes years of growth and maturity. And not just 1 or 2 but maybe 5. I don't even believe a man is really ready to commit until the age of 30 at this point. In some circumstances it can work, if you're not already over them by that point. And even then sometimes they're still not ready. Some people just don't deserve your forgiveness & don't deserve you. No thanks...


So what do you think Mahogany readers? Would you date your ex again? Tell us why or why not below!

We lost one of the greatest singers of all time at the age of 48. No matter what she will always be remembered for her beautiful voice and amazing talent. There will never be another Whitney Houston.  We will miss you Whitney, may you rest in peace.

In the journey of becoming a woman after gods own heart, I have noticed that a huge part of happiness as a woman is to simply be happy. We make our own lives so complicated, relying on men to create this fantasy fairy tale for us that 95 percent of the time we will never receive. It may seem like a hard concept to let go, to move forward, but it can be done. Our expectations are so high which is not a bad thing, but with great expectations brings even greater disappointment. I don’t expect anything of anyone. I don’t expect you to respect me, I don’t expect you to be loyal, I don’t expect you to be faithful, but I KNOW that I want to surround myself with individuals who have these qualities. I KNOW that if I get anything less than what I desire, I’m gone without a second thought. Not to be conceded or overly confident in myself, but it took me 24 years to become who I’ve become so far, I refuse to let anyone suck the progress out of me due to their selfishness and lack of concern for others. You’ll find out real quick in life that people could care less about you until something ruins their day. You could be the greatest person in the world but be treated like the scum of the earth because no one cares and some people rather see you fail versus see you succeed. I am not saying that the world is one huge ball of hell and every person in it is the devil’s advocate, but I am saying we are in a time where it’s cool to be promiscuous, it’s cool to be a liar, it’s cool to ruin the relationships of others, it’s cool to ruin someone’s existence, etc. These are the people you rely on daily to make you happy, to bring joy to your life and for what?


I have great family, crazy great friends, and although they all are a part of who I am and they do bring greatness to my life, it’s my faith and the love that I have for myself that makes me happy. The relationship that I have with him and the respect I have for me is what makes me smile every day. Not a man, not a bunch of fake disgusting people who will get exactly what they deserve, me and the man upstairs. Not all people believe in God, not all people believe in religion, but you can always believe in yourself and know that you are great and you never have to settle for anything due to the fear of being alone. Live for you, love yourself, and grow. I guarantee once you are confident in every aspect of you, everything you desire will come to light. Life’s way too short to rely on others to make this roller coaster ride worthwhile.

I just know when somethings wrong, like apart of you has latched on to me

Check out a quick Valentines Day guide for SINGLE people below starring Billie McQueen and Quentin (Q-bunny)!!! Enjoy!

Make sure you all give Mahogany member B KEE. (@bmodelesque) a birthday shout out on twitter and watch her below on set at one of her many photo shoots! 

I will NEVER forget how we met...it's actually a really good dramatic story! After MSU's America's Next Top Model (original cast lol) me you and Nami went out for dinner and welp that was the beginning of our beautiful friendship! *not disclosing details lol*  I never realized how alike we were until I lived with you for like what 2 months?  We finish each other's sentences, we're both loud as hell, we LOVE fashion, we're poetic, we stay in trouble, we're creative, we LOVE to have a good time and most importantly you're always supporting your sisters, faps, and friends! The bond we've developed will only get stronger. Distance can't even tear us apart! I swear we were blood sisters in another life lol!

 Today is your day, well actually this is your week-end to celebrate life and praise God for all he has blessed you with and I am elated to be sharing these moments with you! I love my Big B more than words could ever explain and I am wishing Brittney B Kee a very HAPPY & BLESSED Birthday!!!

Love Always,
lil B (Billie McQueen)

I will always and forever be in love with flowers and fashion. The combination of the two is not only refreshing, but innovative, fun and GREEN! Today I want to take Flowers and Fashion one step further and not only talk about Tulips and Pansies 2011 but the Fleurotica Fashion Show of 2011. Hopefully one day I will have the opportunity to show my talents in one of these amazing shows.
As you may know tulips and pansies is a fusion of fashion and flowers to benefit people living with HIV/AIDS. It consists of a runway show, a competition, and a silent auction. 2011's theme was A Headdress Affair, which is very fitting due to the elaborate headpieces that were created to fit both the florists and the fashion designers vision. Designers such as Betsey Johnson & DKNY attended the event collaborating with Dailey Blossoms and Bloom New York. My favorite Duos hands down were Chris March &Tantawan Bloom and B. Michael &The New York School of Floral Design. In fact Tulips and Pansies was featured in the show "Mad Fashion", where we got the inside look on the creative process of Chris March and Tantawan Bloom’s headdress.

B. Michael &The New York School of Floral Design



Chris March &Tantawan Bloom

 The Fleurotica Fashion Show of 2011 is a show that takes place in my hometown Chicago, IL. The 3rd annual event took place at the Garfield Park Conservatory in the West Loop. All designs were made entirely out of foliage and flowers. The winners of the show were the women of August Bloom. This trio created a design that was not only ingenious but well crafted and complex. Malaika Martin, Querida Quinn and Ruckiya Ross of August Bloom were voted Best Florist in Chicago for 2011 by Uptown Magazine. They provide a high quality floral and event styling tailored to their clients’ needs. I've had the pleasure of working with them this summer. Not only are they professional, but they are extremely talented . Visit their sites and follow them on twitter, you won’t regret it.

August Bloom's Winning Asian Inspired Piece

The Women of August Bloom

http://augustbloomflorals.com/index2.php#/home/ 

http://www.facebook.com/augustbloomflorals 

Follow them on twitter @augustbloom 

Sources: http://www.villagecare.org/Event_Information/tulips/invite/,pinterest.com, bravotv.com, tomandlorenzo.com, alexandrastylist.com, timeoutchicago.com, fleurotica.org, hauteliving.com, pul.setimeoutchicago.comfleurotica.org

"Green is the new black.” Being a Horticulture Major, an active environmentalist, and fashion enthusiast, I had to talk about the designers that have taken the initiative to use eco-friendly fabrics for their designs. So many different industries are going green, cars are electric and there are green roofs placed on top of major city buildings; fashion couldn’t be too far behind this popular eco-friendly trend. Below is a list of the top 10 designers that have taken eco friendly fashion to the next level. Feels great to know that people can not only look phenomenal, they can be taking care of mother earth itself. Take a look at the list, view the images; going green has never looked this good.

BASSIKE

SAMANTHA PLEET

JAI ACTIVE WEAR

H FREDRIKSSON

NAU

STUDY NY

DES ARTISTES

ME BARBARA BRIGNONE

SHIRLEY EPHRAIM

REMADE USA

 





 

Dear Oprah,

2012 is a new year, and how I see it, if  you can start fresh even with so many previous years of success, take such a huge risk starting your own television network, ending a daytime talk show that has been pulling in HUGE successful numbers for years, then I better watch & listen up. Everything you touch seems to turn to gold. Every person involved with you gets catapulted to success. When I was younger I always said I'd get my big break on the Oprah show like Alicia Keys did, and if I didn't live the life of entertainment I've always envisioned, I wanted to work for you. So I worked hard, I got my degree, I got an internship at Disney, I even applied for a job at your studio! No one called me back though, what's up with that? But then you told me on my television that you were leaving. You had greater things to accomplish, & if anyone out there felt they weren't living their life to the fullest, doing what REALLY makes them happy, then they should stop right now & take steps toward doing that thing that gives you life.... So, I did. I QUIT..................my job that is.

I told my parents I wanted to pursue music. I already did what they'd wanted. I got my degree, and now I want to take some time off and figure out how I can put my all into what makes me happy. I'm actually pretty good have you heard me? Well anyway, at that point Oprah, after months and months of lowkey struggling; My parents divorced, relationship fell apart, I was moving to a completely different place I didn't expect, had a few let downs in my efforts, I had NO IDEA what I was going to do! You gave me something. It was your life class. Anytime I can catch it even if it's an old episode I will watch it over and over. I was so inspired. Every person you spoke to just had a feeling in their heart. They didn't know where it came from or why they felt it was right but they followed that little voice. I've been following that voice inside, and really listening. God, my conscience, my angels, whatever you want to call it, as soon as I started listening, things began to fall into place immediately. I linked up with someone I hadn't spoken to in years within a week of moving & it all went from there triple speed.

Everything isn't perfect, but I can say I am so much better than I was last year. I'm singing and dancing, recording, and spending time doing what I love for a living, or at least hope will make a living. Better yet, I laugh more than I cry. I'm going to get the opportunity to travel the world and tour with another artist. And if you taught me anything it was to remain humble. I can't help but look beyond my current position now. Before I would wallow in my situation. Why am I not where I want to be? Why am I not the star right now? I would have NEVER taken the opportunity to sing backup for another artist, but you helped me to see beyond that. Beyond the opportunities that it could bring, the people I could meet, the connections I could make, the places I could see, and where it could lead me. How overall I would develop into a smarter, better, all around performer. I just have to thank you. No I'm not exactly where I want to be yet, but is the journey ever over? Nothing brings me more joy than singing every day. So thank you, for the courage, the advice, and the example. I wouldn't be surprised if you were telling my story on OWN one day very soon. Or Mahogany's story. Even if you never get to see this letter. Just putting it out into the world. :)

Much Love & Blessings,

Kristen Nichole