Friday, March 21, 2008

GGT'S EMPOWERMENT CELEBRATION!


Ladies,

You are invited to attend the

Second Annual
Girlfriends Get-Together
Empowerment Celebration

Guest Speaker: Sil Lai Abrams
Author of NO MORE DRAMA: Nine Simple Steps to Transforming a Breakdown into a Breakthrough

Saturday, March 29
1-3pm

Napoleon
1847 Columbia Rd. -- Adams Morgan
Washington, D.C.

Attire: Chic

Tickets: $30
*Giftbag worth over $45!



About the speaker:
Sil Lai was born to a nineteen year-old Chinese women and a black military serviceman, setting the stage for an onslaught of stigmas and stereotypes. Although she quickly became a beautiful and successful model, her battles with addiction, domestic violence, and depression began to weigh her down. Sil Lai's book is a step-by-step way for readers to confront their pasts, assess their current situation, and move on to a successful future. Her process, coined as SEPIA ("Self Empowerment Principles in Action"), relies on transforming the "drama" from one's past into something tangible and useful.

I hope you are able to attend this uplifting and inspiring event!

Your girlfriend,
Bettina L. Lee

Until next time...

Be seen at the top!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

NOT FAR OFF IN A DISTANT LAND...

Safe Horizon's 10 Signs that you may be experiencing relationship abuse. With a little ad-lib from Bettina.

Does your boy/girlfriend...

  1. Act jealous or possessive, like tell you who to hang out with or what to wear?

  2. Make threats to hurt you or someone you care about?

  3. Threaten to hurt him/herself if you want to end the relationship?

  4. Pressure you sexually, such as touch you or force you to have sex against your will? (Yes, you CAN be raped even if you are in a relationship with that person)

  5. Act physically aggressive towards you or not respect your personal space, like hold, pinch, grab, kick, shove you, or give you 'light' punches?

  6. Spread rumors about you, insult you in front of friends or do anything else that is meant to make you feel bad about yourself?

  7. Steal money from you, or intentionaly break something valuable of yours, like an iPod or jewelry?

  8. Follow you around, give you unwanted gifts, leave you threatening messages on your cell or email -- all of which are forms of stalking.

  9. Isolate you from people that you may usually count on for support, like friends or family?

  10. Say things like, "I only do it because I love you..." "If only you would do what I tell you..." or "You asked for it..." and other things that are blaming and manipulative? (Another key phrase is if they tell you "No one will love you the way I do..." or "I'm the only person for you...")

If this is happening, girl, you have options! Think about what you want from a relationship.

What you SHOULD DO

Ask yourself: “What do I want to get out of dating?” No one ever thinks “I want to be disrespected and hurt.” Try this instead, “In a relationship, I want trust, respect, honesty and affection.”

Trust your instincts: If something feels wrong in a relationship, it probably is. And if ti keeps feeling wrong, remember that it’s okay to break up with your partner at any time. There are plenty of other fish in the sea, and perhaps it’s just not your time. Everyone needs a little ‘me’ time every once in a while.

Talk to a trusted girlfriend. If something about your relationship make you feel angry, scared or confused, find a non-objective girlfriend to talk to who can help you sort things out. You don’t want someone who will encourage you to stay with your partner because of their status, money, material items OR someone who will just agree with everything you say, but not offer a solution. You need sound advice and a good strong ear.

Get help. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. Keep a log at work of everything that goes on in your home. Call safety hotlines such at 1-800-621-HOPE.

What you better NOT DO

Blame yourself. The only person to blame for abuse is the one who is choosing to be abusive.

Fight fire with fire. Self-defense means protecting yourself in order to escape a dangerous situation – it’s not about trying to get revenge. Wanting to fight back is understandable if someone is hurting you, but this may only escalate the situation and do more harm that good.

Settle for someone that is violent or abusive. Television, movies and even friends and family say say that a relationship makes you ‘complete’. This ain’t so!! An abusive relationship can leave you completely scared, isolated, hurt, Eff up your children, or even worse, you could be dead! Choose being single and safe over an unhealthy relationship. And don’t stay for the sake of the children. That will not help to create a strong family nucleus in their eyes.


The bottom line is that we ALL deserve to be in loving, respectful and health relationship! No if’s, ands, or butts!! For more information and for other helpful tips, visit Safe Horizon online at www.safehorizon.org


Until next time… be safe and

Be Seen at the Top!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

An inside look at the beauty industry...

This month's New York City event is hosted by Marcia Cole, Founder & Editorial Director of AmberMag.com -- the urban beauty source. Ms. Cole is the head girlfriend in charge of this WONDERFUL on-line publication. And Chile, let me tell you, this site is hot!

As always with our GGT events, we will have a candid conversation with Marcia; hear her highs/lows, learn how she is striving to be seen at the top; and be inspired to live out our dreams. OH, and she is bringing Amber giftbags!

If you attended last month, then you know that this event is surely NOT one to miss!


Monday, March 17
6:30pm Doors open
6:45pm Speaking engagement begins

Lola (in SoHo)
15 Watts St
New York, NY 10013

Cross Street: Between Thompson & W. Broadway

Directions: 1; A, C, E at Canal St

Cost: $15
**Includes food and beverage.

RSVP: RSVP@tinaleemedia.com

About Marcia Cole
Marcia A. Cole is a 19-year magazine veteran with four years of interactive experience. She has held numerous top-level editorial management positions at several publishing houses, including Fairchild, Vanguarde Media, and Essence, where she launched or relaunched titles targeting the urban market. She was the founding deputy editor of Suede and the former executive editor of Heart & Soul and Girl magazines. Her articles about beauty, entertainment, decor and travel have appeared in Elle, Essence, Day Spa, InStyle Weddings, Savoy, The New York Times, and Vibe. She sits on the board of directors of New York Women in Communications, Inc. as its vice president of career development, and is a member of ASME and CEW. She is the founder of AMBERmag.com.


About Ambermag.com
AMBERmag.com is the ultimate online destination for multicultural women who are seeking specific cosmetics, hair, and skincare truths for them. AMBERmag.com uncovers their cultural beauty regimens traced from Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean and marries them with modern looks found in music videos, from around the block, and on the catwalk to deliver up-to-the-minute reports about new makeup looks and hairstyle trends. Whether we are investigating innovative products and skincare treatments or inspiring readers to "dare to go there" with their personal style, AMBERmag.com delivers what's next, what's amazing, and what works best for an urban woman's sense of beauty and style.


Until next time...

Be Seen at the Top!