DIME IS MOVING ON UP! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR THE SUPPORT!

Due to some exciting changes, I will be leaving the Blogger platform.  I have transferred to another platform and will be publishing it on Monday,  May 16, 2011.  You will still be able to view my blog at the same address http://www.dimeonadime.com, but the look will just be very different.

I hope to see you all there!!!  Again, I thank you so much for all of your support!!!  Love you guys!!

Motivate Yourself: Have You Seen The New Jill Scott

Jill Scott is one of my favorites!  She had a rough year last year with a break up and problems  with the music industry and like every strong woman out there, she pulled herself together, remade herself, and came back even stronger!!!  She lost about 60lbs and she looks effin' awesome!!!  Look at her!  I will be on the hunt for this exact outfit from tip to top, including the big hair!  Watch me!!!  Good for you Jill!!!

"the best revenge is success for yourself"

Happy Mother's Day: Inexpensive Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Ahhh Mother's Day....a day for honoring a mother, or being honored as mother.  I can be sentimental at times and Mother's Day is one of those days where I prefer to give and receive something from the heart.  Store bought gifts are nice, but in my opinion, gifts can be bought year round, and so I tend to lean toward the type of gifts that just can't be bought. Now if you want to send me to Jamaica the day after Mother's Day, I'm all for it! lol!  Here are a few Mother's Day gestures that just might make the mother in your life smile :)

     10 THINGS FOR MOM

1. Handmade card with a collage of childhood photos incorporated into the design.
2. Relive mom from her daily chores.  No cooking or cleaning.
3. Run a bubble bath, set up the TV in the bathroom so mom can watch her favorite movie while bathing.  If  the movie thing doesn't work, music and candles are nice.
4. Offer periodic massages throughout the day.  Foot and back rubs are always welcomed.
5. Wash her car, including the inside
6. Perform mom's chores for her.  Organize her jewelry, purses or shoes.
7. Be mom's errand runner for the day.  Help her check off things on her "to do" list.
8. If she's a working mom, bring her lunch to work or surprise her at work and take her to lunch.
9. If she's a social mom, plan a brunch for her and her friends.
10. Last but not least, give mom plenty of hugs, kisses and "I love you's".

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!

So Random: What Is Your Life's Theme Music?

Ice Queen
"I've given until I break"

This is so random, but I'm gunna share it anyways.  Do you ever wish that regular instances in your life had theme music?  I know, I know!  Crazy right?  Well, yesterday when I was taking a walk, this is the theme music that I wanted to playing...

Life & Music: Ryan Leslie- Addiction

"I'm addicted to you, you're my addiction"
I dedicate this song to all of my favorite Thrift and Goodwill stores.

Life & Music: Floetry's "Feelings"

"We have to die a little bit yuh know?"
I love this song and I'm feeling this line a lot more these days.  I think we all go through a series of spiritual rebirths.  At least I do anyways.  You come to this realization that you've been living for others a lot more than for yourself.  Lately I've been questioning a lot of my who, whats and why's...and I'm learning a lot about the person that I am, the person I want to be and the person I refuse to be.  I am enjoying the journey thus far.  I've had to give up some things and even some people.  It hurt a little, but I know that it was essential for my spiritual growth.  I don't have it all figured out yet, but I'm determined to get as close as possible.


Not looking back!
"I'm not afraid of the pain"

Random Thoughts: So What, I Got A Tattoo!

taken while still at the tattoo shop...several more sessions to go!

I've been wanting a very specific tattoo for 2 years now and I finally started getting pieces of it done. It is a cherry blossom tree which symbolizes strength, extreme beauty and quick death.  The tree extends to my lower back along with lots of tree roots which also represent strength.  Around my waist are a string of flowers that have fallen from the tree, because cherry blossom trees bloom for a very short period of time. The tattoo has significance to me and reminds me that life is indeed beautiful but that we are here for a short period of time.

Some people think that my tattoo is ridiculous or believe that it will look disgusting when I get older.  Something I've learned as I've gotten older is that you have to do things for yourself that please you. Everyone will have an opinion on everything that you do in life, however, that opinion should never stop you from doing what it is that you want to do.  As long as your actions don't hurt or harm yourself or another person, go for it!   I say, get that haircut, that piercing, color your hair, take that trip, climb a mountain, change careers, go to school!!!  Do whatever your little heart desires, because life is too short to do anything other than that!  :)

Live, love, laugh and smile often :-)

Full Figured Models Are Changing The Pace Of The Modeling Industry

I had the pleasure of interviewing the up and coming model, Kristy Brown.  Kristy is representing the full-figured ladies with both style and grace.  I saw some of Kristy's modeling photos on Facebook and I instantly admired the way her photos captured her beauty and spirit.  With her busy schedule, she found time to interview with me.  As you can see from this interview, Kristy is not only a beauty on the outside but even more beautiful on the inside. Read what she has to say about the full-figured modeling industry.

DOAD: When and why did you start modeling? 


Kristy: I started modeling this past April when I wanted to start a portfolio to kick off my birthday. I was always into modeling and fashion so I just decided that I would just go for it and make it happen. Sometimes your worst enemy can be your own fears.

DOAD: What was your favorite photo shoot experience?  


Kristy:  This past Sunday I did a shoot with Patrick Covington of Patrickcphotography.com in which I had a chance to work with a group of other models and I had a blast! The vibe was great,everyone was positive and supportive.

DOAD: What is your favorite type of modeling? Print? Runway? Couture?


Kristy:  My favorite type of modeling would have to be...Hmmmmm Print! But that's not final, I love it all!

DOAD: As a full figured model do you feel it is more difficult to break into the industry?


Kristy:  If so, Why, If not, Why? Well, right now I see the market shifting a little and full-figure, plus size models are booking more jobs and are more visible.  You have to want it, be willing to WORK and never accept failure. In order to achieve anything in life one has to to be willing to fall,dust themselves off and get back up again.

DOAD: Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you were being patronized by other models, photograpers, agencies? If so, what happened?


Kristy: I must say I have not......I'm not saying it has never happened but only that it never registered with me. I'm all about being of light..which means being a positive, spiritual being of growth. Anything opposite of that is curled up in the furtherest corner of my universe. I am the sun and my light touches everything!

DOAD: I rarely see plus size models on the runway or in print even though the average women is a size 14. Why do you think this is? 


Kristy: Mainly they are just doing what has worked in the past and has proven to sell.......For them to have continuous success, they will have get with the times and learn to market toward the changing demographic. Some think a size 2 is the only acceptable beauty...Well that is about to change.

DOAD: In the next 10 years, where do you see your modeling career and the plus size modeling industry on a whole?


Kristy: My career will transition to more of the creative side of things. I will not only create opportunity for myself but for the plus model market. Which in turn will affect the modeling industry as a whole.

DOAD: Where can we see some of your work? 


Kristy: Modelmayhem and Facebook. I currently have a commercial in rotation on comcast cable on the following networks: MTV,Vh1,Style network,Oxygen, and E! And spokesmodel for www.curvydivastore.com which is a partner with www.nikkitfashions.com  You can also see my video's on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/bkristy25

DOAD: Do you have anything in the works that we can look forward to? 


Kristy: I am the New Creative Director for Diva By Design Online magazine and will be kicking off the new year with hot editorial segments In the January 2011 Issue.   www.divabydesignonline.com

DOAD: With your experiences, what advice would you give a young lady that is trying to break into the plus size modeling business? 


Kristy: Stay focused and hold tight to your faith....What's for you is for you but don't sit around and wait for it to happen. God has given you everything that you need in order to be successful in this life. So get out there and make it happen.

DOAD: Lastly, You are extremely confident and gorgeous on the inside and outside. Unfortunately, our society has made this difficult
to do as a woman and even more difficult as a plus size woman. What message would you give to the plus size girls that 
may need a bit of a confidence boost?  


Kristy: Believe in yourself enough and know what you want and nothing nor no one will be able to hold you back.

When I asked Kristy to tell me something about herself that most people wouldn't know, her response was, "I was really shy growing up and had a hard time talking to people. Now you can't shut me up."  I can hardly believe this young lady was ever shy.  I'm glad that she broke out of her shell and is now showing the world what she's made of!  Check her out at Model Mayhem, Facebook or one of her various business endeavors.  I wish you the best Kristy!

Music Muse: Marving Gaye - Just To Keep You Satisfied

Music is such a big part of my life.  I'm a singer and songwriter.  I also sing with my band (when I can find the time!)  I love to share songs that move me in one way or another.  This is none other than the late great Marvin Gaye.  As sweet as this song is, it's so hard to believe that it's a break up song.  The performance here is so real and the lyrics so painstakingly sung.  So beautiful...I love this song to pieces!

Happy Thanksgiving; What are you thankful for?

Thanksgiving is a day that we set aside to show our gratitude for things that we are thankful for.  We meet up with family and friends and we share big meals and lots of laughs.  I enjoy this time of year and wish that we could have days like this more often.  We don't have to wait for Thanksgiving to express our gratitude for all of the things that we are thankful for and we should try to gather our family and friends as often as we can, because none of us is promised tomorrow.

With that being said, have you ever had the worse day ever and couldn't find a way out of your funk?  When I get this way I create what I call a "thankful chain".  A thankful chain is simply naming one thing that you are thankful for and linking it to other things that you are thankful for. Before you know it, your bad day turns into a better day.  For instance: I'm thankful that I opened my eyes this morning, that I have vision to do so, that I am in my right mind to appreciate this, that I can get up, with use of my legs, to make breakfast, I have food to do so, to hug my kids, whom are healthy, I'm going to work, because I have a job...I mean you can go on forever and ever and you still wouldn't run out of things to be thankful for.  We have to un-learn taking things for granted and understand just how delicate life is and appreciate all of the small things in life that are what make life worth it!

So, this Thanksgiving day, instead of only thinking of the things that we are immediately thankful for, lets think of how we can continue to have this feeling of gratitude throughout the year!  Happy Thanksgiving and love and blessings to all!

With Love, 

Vee

Random: When Is The Last Time You Treated Yourself?

Music and Coffee

Do you take time out for you?  Most of us have work, school, family, friends, and a whole slew of responsibilities that leave us with little or no time at all for ourselves.  I decided that I wasn't going to wait for a New Year's resolution, or any other "perfect" day to begin taking time out for myself.  It's important to divert from your daily routine of living in this high tech, fast-paced, instant gratitude expectant society that we live in, in order to remain in touch with yourself.  I feel as though we kind of lose ourselves in the insane hustle and bustle of our daily lives and we don't get enough of the the simplistic things that put a smile on our face, or give us that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

This picture represents 2 of the things that give me my warm fuzzies.  Those 2 things would be writing lyrics, singing, and/or listening to music and hanging out at various coffee shops.  Although I prefer quirky coffee shops with a little more character, Starbucks does the trick.  I made a promise to myself to make sure that I do something at least once a week that brings a smile to my face, no matter what my daily responsibilities and chores demand of me.  I challenge you to do the same thing because you deserve it!  

How will you treat yourself?

Song Of The Day: Siempre Me Quedara by Bebe

Siempre Me Quedara by Bebe

I'm a big music lover with a very eclectic taste in music.  Music is a part of my daily life.  I think I was born singing instead of crying.  If I'm not listening to music, then I'm writing or performing it with my band, or even just humming a tune in my head.  I'm inspired by all types of music and in any type of language.  I feel as though music is universal and you need not understand the language in order to gather the mood that the artist is conveying.

This song is  titled "Siempre Me Quedara" by Bebe.  This is a very sad song of a love lost.  I love that her voice sounds as if this is a personal experience.  Very intimate.  I first heard her voice at a little Spanish coffee shop in the Bay Area.  I couldn't help but ask the barista who the lovely voice belonged to.  I'm glad I did!  I checked out a few more of her tracks and as I suspected, I loved them!

I will continue to share some of my music picks and hopefully I'll introduce to some new tunes you can really appreciate or I'll find an old favorite you already know.