Celebrate Moms Everyday!

Ahhh yes! Mothers! They are our Providers, Nurturers, Caregivers, Friends, Disciplinarians, and so much more! We all LOVE our Moms. Many around the world celebrate Mother's Day yearly. They honor their mothers by giving them breakfast in bed, flowers, jewelry, cards, chocolate, and more!


I was provided this fab bracelet by Everywhere to share with my network to spread the word about Maiden Nation in conjunction with Mother's Day.  Maiden Nation features hundreds of creative women throughout the world that are working together to create ethically fashionable pieces that help to fund women's entrepreneural projects.  Please check out the other Maiden Nation designers http://www.maidennation.com/pages/designers

Bracelet by Rachel Roy

I gladly accepted the task. I began to think about how I was going to prepare this post as well as the origin of Mother's Day itself. I headed on over to Google.com to see if I could get to the bottom of this Holiday that people around the world celebrate yearly. I found this on Wikipedia.com, "The celebration of Mother's Day began in the United States in the early 20th century; it is not related to the many celebrations of mothers and motherhood that have occurred throughout the world over thousands of years, such as the Greek cult to Cybele, the Roman festival of Hilaria, or the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration. Despite this, in some countries Mother's Day has become synonymous with these older traditions." With his in mind, I reflected on how I am more of a person that likes to Celebrate year round! I don't allow the commercialism and the influences of holidays to influence when I am to LOVE and give love to others. I am a big proponent of honoring and celebrating my Mom all year long! I know that my mom loves flowers, so I take time out of the year to order and send my mom flowers JUST BECAUSE! I have a few 'adopted' grandmothers here in the Atlanta area, and I often visit, call, and buy them flowers JUST BECAUSE!

When we reflect on the words of the Ancient Books of The Bible, we see that mothers (women) were honored and treated with high esteem! Children are admonished to "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise--" (Ephesians 6:2). I truly take that to heart!

My command to you is to HONOR your MOTHER all YEAR LONG! Go ahead and buy her flowers JUST BECAUSE you LOVE HER! Take her out to dinner, call her, visit her, take her on a trip, make her breakfast, buy her a gift, etc. Make sure that while you have the blessing of having your mother, you honor her. Even if your mother is no longer here, make sure that you honor the MOTHER figure in your life!

Oh yeah, and make sure to visit www.maidennation.com to support other women around the world that are creatives, providers, and best of all MOTHERS!

Now with that said, let this song groove and inspire you!

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I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere provided me with the bracelet for this post.  All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Chocolate Chat Atlanta: You to Youtube April 20, 2013

Join us for a Chocolate Chat Meet-up as we look at ways to help improve your business through video! We will discuss and share ways to increase earning potential using devices from Smart Phones to Computers! Make sure to bring your Smart Phones, Tablets, Laptops, Digital Cameras, and/or Video Cameras. We will look into the inner workings of video editing software and apps as well as online editors to help you to get a great finished video product that your followers will enjoy! Be ready to participate in our fun ice breaker activity, listen to great video creation tips by Film Producer/Partner of Tyler New Media LLC's Lamar Tyler (http://www.lamartyler.com), and create your own video project on the spot! You don't want to miss all of this great fun and education, and oh yes, Chocolate! Register here: http://chocolatechatyou2youtube.eventbrite.com/ --- Make sure to follow us on Twitter @ChocolateChat and visit our Facebook page for event updates! https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateChatAtlanta

Takeaway! Where Social Media Meets Business

Check out the Takeaway, where Social Media meets business! http://Bit.ly/15k0Mrr Here are the three reasons why I am attending The Takeaway. 1. I am so ready to attend a Social Media event that will feed my business and not leave me starving and wondering how to do stuff. 2. I am a hands-on learner. I am ready to have someone help me to put things in action while I have their attention. 3. I am ready to rebrand and monetize. I have been involved in Social Media "officially" since 2009. I am ready to find and use ways to build revenue all while doing things that I love! I have already purchased my ticket for The Takeaway! Make sure to get yours too! I am more than sure you will not be disappointed! Here are some info on the event: Hosted by two of the blogosphere’s most savvy and influential community leaders, The Takeaway: No Fluff is Tyler New Media’s and Justice Fergie Lifestyle Media’s answer to the myriad social media conferences that offer more ‘talking’ than ‘doing.’ This 1-day, hyper-focused workshop will feature 5 successful industry leaders to facilitate hands-on sessions in areas of most importance to social media-savvy business owners. Goals of the Conference The goal of The Takeaway is to empower bloggers and small business owners with the digital tools to build a brand, increase customers, and generate revenue. Who Should Come Bloggers looking to go beyond ads and sponsored posts to generate consistent revenue. Small businesses owners ready to stand out from the competition with creative and effective marketing strategies. Marketing professionals who want the inside knowledge to create multi-dimensional social media campaigns. What You’ll Learn Which social media platforms are most effective for particular campaigns. Specifics on how to package yourself and your business as a compelling brand. Strategies for expanding your customer base and generating more revenue.

Adult Milkshake and Heart of Haiti

Celebrate Black Love!

Celebrate Black love this weekend! Click here---->bit.ly/Wffl03

Pardon My Dust

Okay so I figured it was time for a Rebrand and Redesign.  I am slowly changing and rearranging.  Please bear with me! :-)

Gordon Parks Reflections: Eriq La Salle at Macy's

Today I attended an "In Conversation" at Macy's Lenox Mall 

with actor/director Eriq La Salle.  He participated in a 

discussion on Gordon Park's influence on film and the future of African American cinema.  

The session was moderated by Tracye Hutchins from Better Mornings Atlanta.  He was also 

accompanied on stage by a local museum owner that is currently carrying a host of 

exhibits, including the life of Gordon Parks.  

Golden Nuggets from Eriq:  

1.  Eriq referenced his experience while traveling in Atlanta and stated his views on Eric Roberson who is an extremely talented and admired performer who creative people  

 should emulate when it pertains to independent publishing and marketing of  

 businesses and professions.

2.  There is a very important accountability that Social Media influencers have including the 

 ability to utilize that influence to promote others.  

3.  Gordon Parks used his photography to reflect the Voice of the People.  We too can use  

our Social Media platforms to "Speak" progressively through our Photography, Video, and 

 Posts.   

4. "We need more mavericks.  We need more people to take a seed of inspiration and turn it 

into an amazing legacy" just as Gordon Parks did when he bought 

his first camera and 

 began to document life as he saw it, around the world.  

5.  Being an author is an important step in your creative journey.  Books can become movies!  

 Set your mind to it!

Here are some images and video clips from today's event!

Gordon Parks Display

Great Turnout!

Eriq La Salle

Gordon Parks

Making Memories:  Historical Photos

Gordon Park's Photo Work

Gordon Parks Photo Work

Singer Chip Days

My Historical Photo With Mr. Ali!

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I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere provided me with compensation for this post about Gordon Parks and Eriq La Salle. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Macy's Features Chef Marcus Samuelsson

Chef Marcus Samuelsson

I had the awesome privilege of seeing the ever so talented Chef Marcus Samuelsson at Macy's this past weekend.  You may know Chef Samuelsson from his role as a judge on the Food Network shows "Chopped" as well as "Iron Chef".  I watch and love both shows.   Chef was brought in as a part of the Macy's Culinary Council.  This Council features the nations leading culinary masters.  The MCC's team of distinguished chefs were organized to inspire Macy's customers and guide them on how to shop, cook, and eat at home.

Chef Samuelsson displayed a few of his must have Super bowl party favorites including Dirty Rice, Crab Cakes, and Southern Fried Chicken. As a part of his discourse (and his nod to Black History Month), Chef gave the crowd a brief history of some of the foods that he made.  For example, rice itself is a staple of African culture that was brought here by the Enslaved Africans.  Today rice has been adopted by American's of all backgrounds and has become a prominent fixture in the American diet.  As African people became settled here in the US, their traditions were spread across America.  The exact history of traditional dirty rice is unknown, but it is noted that the contents of the recipe possibly contain a combination of remnants that the slaves were given from their slave owners as rations.  As a result of the African experience in America, a cultural array of dishes were created that we consume today.  Chef Samuelsson owns a Soul Food restaurant in Harlem that bases it's menu off of the Soul Food of African American culture.  I can't wait to visit The Red Rooster when I visit Harlem!

Chef Hard at Work

The Audience Sampled Some of Chef's Food

Chef Addressing the Crowd as he Cooked

Chef Getting Busy in the Kitchen!  

Chef Samuelsson's New Book: Yes Chef

I received a copy of Chef's fabulous memoir.  I can't wait to finish reading it.  Here is a little blurb about the book.

  "Yes, Chef chronicles Marcus Samuelsson’s remarkable journey from Helga’s humble kitchen to some of the most demanding and cutthroat restaurants in Switzerland and France, from his grueling stints on cruise ships to his arrival in New York City, where his outsize talent and ambition finally come together at Aquavit, earning him a coveted New York Times three-star rating at the age of twenty-four. But Samuelsson’s career of  “chasing flavors,” as he calls it, had only just begun—in the intervening years, there have been White House state dinners, career crises, reality show triumphs and, most important, the opening of the beloved Red Rooster in Harlem. At Red Rooster, Samuelsson has fulfilled his dream of creating a truly diverse, multiracial dining room—a place where presidents and prime ministers rub elbows with jazz musicians, aspiring artists, bus drivers, and nurses. It is a place where an orphan from Ethiopia, raised in Sweden, living in America, can feel at home." (Via Amazon.com)

Book Signing with Chef

The Atlanta Bloggers Via Everywhere 

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I am looking forward to trying Chef Marcus Samuelsson's Crab Cake Recipe (Via Macy's Culinary Council):  

Serves 12 Cakes

Ingredients 3: Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered (about 1 pound) 2: garlic cloves, peeled  1 pound: jumbo lump crab meat, picked over for shells and cartilage 1 teaspoon: mild chili powder 2 teaspoons: Dijon mustard  2 tablespoons: mayonnaise  2 teaspoons: chopped cilantro 2 teaspoons: chopped mint  To Taste: salt To Taste: freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons: cornstarch  4 tablespoons: panko breadcrumbs  6 tablespoons: olive oil Corn (see recipe below) Pistachio Aioli (see recipe below) 3 limes, cut into quarters Corn: 1 tablespoon: olive oil 1 cup: corn kernels, preferably freshly cut from the cob (about 2 cobs) 2: garlic cloves, chopped 2: tomatoes, chopped Juice of 2 limes  2 tablespoons: soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon: chili powder To Taste: salt To Taste: freshly ground pepper 2: scallions, chopped 1 tablespoon: chopped cilantro Pistachio Aioli: 3: small Yukon gold potatoes 1/4 cup: red wine vinegar Juice of 1 lemon 2: garlic cloves, chopped 2 tablespoons: pistachios 2: egg yolks 1/2 cup: olive oil 1 teaspoon: pistachio oil 1 teaspoon: yellow mustard 1 tablespoon: heavy cream 1 teaspoon: chopped tarragon To Taste: salt To Taste: freshly ground pepper Preheat the oven to 400°F. To make the crab cakes: place the potatoes in a medium pot just covered with salted water and bring to a boil. Add the garlic, then reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Strain the liquid and mash the potatoes and garlic with a fork. Set aside to cool. Mix in the crab meat, chili powder, mustard, mayonnaise, cilantro and mint, breaking up any large clumps with your hands. Season with salt and pepper. Form into 12 crab cakes, each about 2 inches round and 1/2-inch thick.  In a shallow bowl combine the cornstarch and bread crumbs. Dredge each crab cake in the bread crumbs, pressing to make sure the crumbs stick and coat the crab cakes. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium to high heat. Working in 2 batches to prevent overcrowding in the pan, add the crab cakes and sauté until the crust is crisp and golden, about 3 minutes on each side. Heat another 3 tablespoons and continue with the second batch. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Serve with Corn (see below), Pistachio Aioli (see below) and lime wedges. Corn: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the corn and garlic and sauté until the garlic is golden, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, lime juice, soy sauce and chili powder and season with salt and pepper. Cook until heated through. Remove from heat and fold in the scallions and cilantro. Set aside to cool. Pistachio Aioli: In a small saucepan cover potatoes with salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Let cool and peel. In a separate pot, add red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and garlic and simmer until 2 tablespoons of liquid remains. In a small sauté pan, toast the pistachios for 1 1/2 minutes over medium heat.  In a blender, combine the pistachios with the potatoes. Add in the egg yolks, vinegar mixture, oils, mustard and 2 tablespoons water. Puree until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in the heavy cream and tarragon, and season with salt and pepper. ---- I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere provided me with compensation for this post about Macy's Culinary Council. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

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Chocolate Chat Atlanta: Technology for Business

We had a great time at Chocolate Chat, learning about the latest and greatest in technology for business.  For pictures and video of what we did, see our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChocolateChatAtlanta as well as our twitter feed at www.twitter.com/ChoclateChat (#ChocChatATL) for more information!

My Visit to Samplista's!

I attended a Natural Hair Meetup here ---> http://www.facebook.com/SamplistasBeautyBoutique

My Design Essentials Haul ---> DE Haul On Social Cam

See more videos on my Youtube Chanel!  http://www.youtube.com/user/swarthy03