My sis forwarded this video to me and I probably watched it 5 times because its so cool! It never gets old!

Oprah set a flash mob dancing record having over 20,000 participate!! The best part is she didn’t even know they were going to break out in a synchronized dance!

My friend Lonie forwarded me this and suggested that I share it with all of you and I’m so happy she did!

Lonie

-A woman dies from pregnancy and labor every minute—the equivalent of five jumbo jets of women dying every day.

-In places like the Congo, rape is used as a weapon to destroy women’s lives, as victims are often made outcasts by their communities and struggle to survive

-At the peak of the transatlantic slave trade, 80,000 slaves were transported from Africa to the new world. Today, more than 10 times as many women are being forced into brothels or other forms of slavery.

-When just one girl is educated, she shares what she knows with the community. When a community knows better, they do better.You can be the key that unlocks the hidden potential.

-Women around the world don’t need handouts. They need handups. How small loans can help women everywhere stand on their own.

If you go through the site For All Women on oprah.com you will realize how little it takes to change a girls life. You will also realize how lucky we are to have access to things we totally take for granted like Maxi Pads, textbooks and soccer balls.  The reason why I am posting this is because I truly believe that once you see this you can’t pretend you didn’t and hopefully you will realize (like I did) how easy it is to make a difference in someone’s life.

Today I sent a girl to school for an entire year for $49.00.

I think tomorrow I will invest in a woman’s future with a micro-loan from Kiva.org I’ve already been on the site, I’m just deciding which woman I will help.  Stay tuned for my choice!

If you can’t help financially right now, there are many other ways you can help which are as simple as spreading the word.  Add a link on your facebook page or email ‘The Girl Effect‘ video (shown above) to all of your friends.

Spread the word!  Help a girl.

Thanks for the heads up Lonie!

Is this something you would do or do you have another way to help give back?  Let us know with a comment.

xoxo,

coco

To add to Coco’s post on Precious, here are some more pics and even footage of all the movie introductions including words from Oprah!!

ROM Reception:

Mariah Carey plays Mrs. Weiss

Sherri Sheppard plays Cornrows

Gabby Sadibe plays Clareece 'Precious' Jones

Paula Patton (Mrs. Rain) with hubby Robin Thicke

Sherri Sheppard & Mary J Blige

ROY THOMPSON HALL:

Director, Lee Daniels

Here is video of Lee Daniels introducing the cast!!

It was such an honor to be in the presence of so many influential, talented people and we’re happy to have been able to share it with you!

Make sure to go see this movie in theatres, coming soon!

xoxo,

Lowe

I first blogged about the movie Precious in May when I saw the trailer and bawled my eyes out.  It was the only movie I wanted to see in the festival and lucky for me (and Lowe) we were able to see it!  We first went to the reception at The R.O.M. where we got up close (but not very personal) with the cast!  Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Gabby Sidibe were there but we also got the added bonus of seeing Robert Deniro, Robin Thicke, Mary J Blidge and Roger Epert!  We were having so much fun that we forgot that the movie was at Roy Thompson and had to rush down to catch the movie on time! lol

 Before the movie started the Director Lee Daniels introduced the cast, the author-Saphire- who wrote the book that the movie was based on and then movies biggest fans and supporters Oprah and Tyler Perry came out!!!!  The crowd went CRAZY (and so did I kinda.  lol I LOVE Oprah!!!)  

Lee Daniels has directed such amazing films as Monsters Ball and The Woodsman.  Introducing the film was an emotional moment for him as he had to hold back the tears during his speech.  It was amazing to see a dream coming true right in front of our eyes!

Oprah giving a MAJOR co-sign on Precious!

Precious is a devastating account of an overweight and horribly abused teenager from Harlem who has now found herself pregnant with her second child from her father.  The fact that her father rapes her makes her mother extremely jealous which results in more abuse (physical and mental). Precious creates a fictitious dream world where she is a celebrity loved by millions for her beauty and talents and she travels there in her mind to help her cope.  I found many parts very difficult to watch as the abuse is relentless and so horrifying.  Daniels ability to soften the film up with Precious’ magical dream world was genius.

New comer  Gabby Sidibe was so convincing it just made me want to weep for her, hug her and try to make it all better.  Paula Patton was amazing as Precious’ teacher managing to still be stunningly gorgeous with next to no make up and unflattering clothing. Monique was terribly frightening (but excellent) as the mother, and the most quietly amazing performance and transformation was Mariah Carey.  I think this film will be the right formula to finally remove that pesky leftover ‘Glitter’.  Precious is a very important film and an absolute MUST SEE!  But please don’t forget to pack you tissues!!!

Precious gets 4 bows! obvi! lol

If you missed the preview the first time check it out:

Stay tuned for way better pics that Lowe took.  My camera is useless

xoxo,

coco

p.s. Lenny Kravitz is so friggin adorable in it!

After being introduced to Carol’s Daughter through a good friend of mine, I was interested in understanding how a young woman from Brooklyn turned an all-natural beauty line brewed in her kitchen, into a million dollar business! 

Lisa Price, also known as Carol’s Daughter, started developing products by mixing ingredients in her own kitchen and testing them out. This came natural to her as she witness her Nana make some of the best pomade in town and applied her family history along with her passion for cooking to create what is endorsed today by many celebrities as the best skincare line out there!

Lisa had a developed product line, had been mentioned on The Oprah Show and had a solid local clientele but to take her business international, she called on a few of her celebrity clients and offered them an opportunity to diversify their portfolios. Will and Jada Pinket Smith, Jay-Z and Mary J Blige are just a few of the celebrities that were more than happy to back this product and let’s just say they must be thrilled with their investment. With over 100 products and 7 stores across the United States, it’s only a matter of time before Canada is home to Carol’s Daughter! 

Take a look at Lisa Price’s story:

Oh and BTW, they ship to Canada! Check out the website for the entire product line and to order online.

wwwcarolsdaughter.com

xoxo, 

Lowe

One of America’s big name money coaches, Jean Chatzky, has released a new book on financial independence called, The Difference. I haven’t read it yet because as of today at 11am until 10:59am on Saturday, she is offering a free download of her book at Oprah.com! I think this book will have great ideas on how to change from living paycheck to paycheck to living in comfort.

The Difference consists of 8 key elements:

1. Happiness and Optimism

Some people think money buys happiness, but according to Chatzky, being optimistic leads you to success because it enables you to solve problems, create ideas, consider long range consequences and come back and try again if you miss the first time.

2. Resiliance

This refers to the ability to recover and keep it moving; acknowledge your mistakes, let them go and turn your focus to things that you can control. Overcoming obstacles will always be a trait that leads to success.

3. Connectedness

This element deals with social capital; the asset created when relationships between people lead to positive action. Make time for people and put yourself forward as a leader. One connection could change your life!

4. Passion

According to Chatzky, passion is the key element that moves people from a life of financial struggle, to one of financial success. If you feel as though it may not be feasible to do what you love, she wants people to know you can learn to love what you do.

5. Intuition

Over the years of past experiences and patterns, information tells us that if one thing happens, something else is likely to follow and we feel these in our gut! Listen to these hunches and don’t search for them, allow them to come naturally.

6. Habitual Saving

I always used to feel the need to spend every penny I made, but when I put my financial goals down on paper, I found joy in saving. You don’t necessarily have to penny pinch, but finding a balanced way to reach your goals will make you financially stable in no time!

7. Invest

When I read The Difference’s snippet on Investing, it reminded me of last week’s article from Brad Lamb on Investing. If you missed it, CLICK HERE to read. The wealthy understand the need to take risks in the market, in good times and in bad, in order to make their money work as hard as they do.

8. Gratitude

The Karma Kickback. Be thankful for everything you receive as a result of your hard work and in return, give back in the little ways you can. Volunteering can really put things in perspective for you. When you think of your job as a gift, you focus on what life might be if you didn’t have it.

Don’t forget to download your free copy of this book today and remember, finance isn’t the easiest thing to think about but if you face it and set goals, you WILL be much better off in your future! 

PS It’s never too early and it’s NEVER late!!!!

xoxo, 

Lowe

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

Oprah Winfrey