This year is coming to an end but let’s forget about the past and focus on the future.

2010 is the year of Y.O.U

In 2009 (or even prior years) we have allowed a lot of things to hinder us from our purpose. Even if we felt we accomplished some things this year, we could have gone much further if it wasn’t for someone or something that WE allowed to hold us back.

You have to be about Y.O.U in 2010. Now you may be asking what does Y.O.U stand for?

Y.earning with O.rder will make you U.nstoppable.

YEARNING means desire, hunger, thirst. We all have a yearning and craving for things that we want in life. It starts with the dream, a dream to become something or to do better. Regardless of how silly you think it may be, if you want to be a singer, belly dancer, or you simply want to be a better role model, hold on to that dream.

Once you have the dream it’s time to have……

ORDER, order is the plan, organization, the guidance. It’s when you start to turn your dream into reality which is the most difficult task. It becomes difficult because we fear failure, success or people demanding so much from us. Therefore WE allow things to get in the way and make excuses. Well 2010 is the year of no excuses. If you can’t make it happen in 2010 you can’t blame anybody but YOU. Not the economy, your man, woman, kids, parents, genetics etc. Seek guidance daily, plan and organize your goals.

Once you plan & organize you will begin to execute and after you execute you will become……

UNSTOPPABLE! You can’t stop a man/woman with a dream who creates a plan and executes. When you past the Y and O, U will not be able to look back. At the end of the day it’s up to YOU to get there.

Make it about Y.O.U for 2010!

Please be safe out there and I will see you next year!

They say fashion is a reflection of individual expression and style. If so, then Karlicia Lewis proves to be a great emblem of style and class, bringing affordable luxury and sophistication in the form of her new clothing, accessories, and footwear store, Couture Reign.

Couture Reign’s vision is to be a leader of fashion, bringing luxury, sophistication, and style to our customers at the most affordable prices. With sizes ranging from juniors up to 6X, we constantly update our collection to appeal to the highest customer taste. We seek to create a very visual-stimulating, upscale shopping atmosphere. We make our best efforts to bring you the latest apparel designs with the strongest retail appeal.

Couture Reign believes that good is unacceptable when GREAT is available, and new, stylish items are added DAILY to ensure that they remain a top choice. Their philosophy is to provide excellent customer services, as well as excellent shopping choices, to maintain a global base of satisfied customers.

Karlicia created Couture Reign with the idea in mind that everyone can be stylish, no matter what their income is, and that everyone can feel like a trendsetter, from the high end customers to the bargain shoppers. “I want Couture Reign to be a one-stop shop for women, and eventually men. Why do you have to run all over town for great style for different occasions?“

Check it out thickettes!

www.couturereign.com

I am taking a break. Merry Christmas and have a safe holiday! I am thankful for all of you who read thicksational.com I will see you on Monday!

Many of you have sent emails and twitter messages about deadbeat dads. Well instead of writing a message to them I decided to give you a positive post on how having a great father can make a big difference in your life.

Stephanie Penn-Danforth, editor of Daily Venus Diva Magazine shares her memories of her father.

My Personal Blueprint…..My Dad

Growing up in a two parent home, I consider myself blessed. In one corner I had my mother who was easy to get along with but had a slight attitude. To my friends she seemed like the cool mom but to me and my brothers she was something fierce. Then you had my father, who I often referred to as a gentle giant. He yelled and spanked us when we got out of line but even when I disappointed him, I was “Daddy’s Little Girl”. I was his only daughter and he made sure he told me everyday how important I was to him and how much he loved me. He even went as far as requiring that I kissed him on his forehead every night before going to sleep. My dad was ¾ bald so his hair took up the sides and back of his head leaving the top of his head and forehead to feel the breeze. Initially my brothers and I would kiss his forehead but as his hairline went further back so did our kisses and before we knew it we were kissing him in the middle of his head every night.

For every good memory I had with my dad, there was an awkward memory also. I remember getting asked everyday, “What did you learn in school today?” When I told him “nothing” he knew I was lying and went through my notebooks as well as required my brothers and I to give presentations about current news events to the entire family. Another awkward moment was when he asked me who was courting me. I had never heard that word before but I knew he was asking if a boy was trying to pursue me.

I could go on forever of the memories I shared with my dad because there are so many to choose from. My father was there for my brothers and I. He wasn’t just there physically but he was there emotionally as well. He set examples for all of us. I looked to him for qualities to seek in a man and my brothers looked to him to determine what type of men they should become.

Although he was not perfect, the fact that he was in our lives and made an impact is the most important gift he gave us. Having a strong male presence in our lives was important to our development. We knew if we got out of line we would be in trouble so we didn’t dare do things he wouldn’t approve of. In fact, not wanting to let my father down motivated me to be the best kid possible. Not wanting to let him down eventually turned into not wanting to let myself down but it all started with my dad.

Years ago, I asked my mom if she thought things would’ve been different without my dad and since she’s always honest with me she said yes. It’s not that my mom could not do it alone if she had to but she and my dad realized that we had a better chance of making it with both of them in our lives.

I understand that everyone’s parents may not be married like my mom and dad but if you are a man who has a child, the greatest gift you can give your child is to be present in their lives. Visiting them once a year or even once a month does not cut it. They need you more than you realize and whether their mothers admit, women need you to be there for your child as well.

As I approach the New Year, I also approach the 13 year mark since my father passed in 1997. He died during my younger brothers senior year in high school and my 1st year of college. I think it’s ironic that he left us after my older brother and I had finished high school with just a few more months left for my little brother to finish. He had been sick for a while and it’s as if he stayed with us long enough to finish the job that was set before him……raise his kids.

You are put on earth for a reason. Your children are put here for a reason. Your connection with your children should come naturally and nothing should get in the way of that.

Stephanie Penn-Danforth

Actress Brittany Murphy died yesterday at the age of 32. There are rumors spreading that Murphy was on prescribed drugs and was also struggling with an eating disorder. Of course no one has confirmed this but looking at the above picture when Brittany first burst on the scene in her movie “Clueless” compared to a more recent photo of her (below), she definitely lost a lot of weight.

With that being said after all of the celebrities we’ve lost within the past two years to things that could have been avoided (Michael Jackson, DJ Am, Heath Ledger, Brittany Murphy (possibly)), I can’t help but wonder…… is Hollywood the silent killer?

We have all heard stories about the stress and pressure that being in the entertainment business can bring, but at what point does society/media realize that these “celebrities” are still human beings?

These celebs are criticized about their physical looks and weight on a daily basis. While most will say that is apart of the business and you have to be prepared for it. I will say that some people in this business do NOT come into this industry with the only intentions to be famous. There are still people out there who have God given talent and were able to break into the business but that doesn’t mean they were prepared for the backlash. When they are not prepared for it I truly think that this is the end result, talented people gone too soon.

If Brittany’s autopsy comes back with drugs or malnutrition this will be another tear in my heart. We have to do better and stop putting so much pressure on people who eat, sleep, smile and hurt just like us.

What do you think thickettes and thick men? Do you feel there is too much pressure? What can we do to change it?

I was starting to think Solange is the only Knowles woman who has some sense but FINALLY according to TMZ, thickette Tina Knowles has filed for divorce. Funny how this happens when all the Matthew “baby mama drama” finally hit the media. Either way I am glad she is filing. Rumor has it Matthew has been creepin for a while but this was the first time the media put him on blast. So Matthew you are the weakest link! Goodbye!

Yes I know I am in a music mood today Check out this new song “Gonna Make It” from Mary J Feat Jazmine Sullivan.

What do you think? Turn it up or Turn it off?

It’s rare to find emcee’s who can go past the culturally defined role of a mic checker. UrzTruly4phor, song writer, mc and artist developer is that rare breed. Raised in the Bronx, better known as the Boogie Down, Phor has always been surrounded by a strong musical presence. With rhyming as a hobby since elementary, it soon became a passion during his high school years when other inspiring emcees caught his ear. At 17yrs old, Phor created a production company which soon advanced to the record label, Gutta Mouth Recordz. While establishing himself as an artist, Phor took the time to start up his artist development company, Top Knoch Music. As a result of all his efforts and hard work, he has managed to establish relationships in the industry as well as put forth a respectable reputation for his Artist and Repertoire skills. No longer behind the scenes, Phor has spectators on the edge of their seats anticipating the release of his debut album. In addition to the album Phor has several more upcoming projects he expects to start releasing beginning at the end 2009 into 2010. Kicking it off will be his audio biography, Music&Me followed by the second installation, Do Da Rite Thing: A 4Phor Joint. Capping it off will be his undeniable album, Phor What Its Worth. So all of you “Radio Heads” and “Music Phenoms”, 4Phor is that quiet storm everyone should be watching. Don’t sleep on this kid.

Check out two of his tracks. Please leave your thoughts and if you are interested in downloading the mixtape (yes it is FREE) click here.

If you missed Jennifer’s Christmas special. Check it out…….

Congrats to our thickettes Mo’Nique and Gabby for receiving Golden Globe nominations!

Gabby received a nod for best actress in a drama, while Mo received best supporting actress in a drama!

I am so happy for them! They better win dammit! This also means they should have a better chance in getting Oscar nods as well. 2010 is the year of Thickettes! I promise you!