“In life there are choices and consequences…make sure you can handle the choices you make”  ~Mommy

Its funny how I can appreciate the wisdom of my mother now at 27 vs. at 17.  All throughout high school and college she preached choices and consequences…so much that I quickly grew tired of it. I was not trying to hear that mess all the time! While I wasn’t a complete wild child, looking back I could have made better choices for myself. As of lately I’ve been dealing with some self- induced “difficulties” as well as others that are completely out of my control. Since this blog prides itself on promoting wholeness in every area of life, I’ll keep those ”issues” private without complaining, and share an encouraging list I stumbled across: 10 Reasons to Appreciate Difficulties.

Here are my top 3 picks:

1. Difficulties often force us to change in ways that we never would otherwise. When we are put in situations that make us uncomfortable we see the need for a change in our own actions, attitudes and thinking. (If we are looking to grow, otherwise all we see is how other people need to change to make us comfortable!)
2. Each time that you successfully overcome a difficulty you will have more confidence to successfully overcome the next challenge that life throws your way. You will become stronger each time and each event of personal growth through these challenges will build on each other to make you stronger and stronger, more and more confident!
3. You can inspire and encourage others towards personal growth and development! Others can be inspired by you in many ways, whether they are watching you from the sidelines or whether you share with them how you overcame a difficulty when they are going through a similar trial.

This list encouraged me and reminded me of these scriptures:

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud  (Ecclesiastes 7: 8 )

Cast not away your confidence which has a great recompense of reward. For yoy have need of patience that after you have don’t the will of God you might receive the promise.  (Hebrews 10:35-37)

Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of our faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work. that you may be perfect and entire wanting nothing  (James 1:2-4)

Do not get weary in well doing, for in due season will shall reap if we faint not  (Galatians 6:9)

Related posts:

1. 25 things learned by 25 on: God, Love, Relationships & Life
2. Currently Reading (AGAIN): Your Life Follows Your Words
3. From Test to Testimony

People To Follow on Twitter: Bereolaesque

If you haven’t heard of him by now, I invite you to follow Public Speaker, Best Selling Author, Lifestyle Columnist, Style & Etiquette Impresario, and Contemporary Gentleman Enitan Bereola, II. known on Twitter as Bereolaesque.

[BE-RE-O-LA-ESQUE] -adjective

Highly appealing to human senses or mind providing pleasure or delight esp. in appearance or manner; pleasing; charming; alluring; attractive

Clutch Magazine recently complied a list of the Top 10 Men to Follow on Twitter but they left him out. I am a firm believer in giving credit where credit is due, and this man deserves his credit! Some days I want to retweet his entire timeline. They are always on point! and most importantly he is a man of God that shares his wisdom with the world. This author believes that chivalry is NOT dead! In his book,  Bereolaesque: The Contemporary Gentleman & Etiquette Book For The Urban Sophisticate he covers topics ranging from how to properly carry yourself at social engagements, why you shouldn’t flaunt your riches, social etiquette, why you shouldn’t kiss and tell, and, of course relationship advice for men on how to deal with women.

 Here’s what the critics are saying:

“Class is subconscious. Style is inherited. Bespoke is a state of mind. The commonality is that they are all in choice. This book teaches you to be exceptional in every way.”

Aaron Arnold
CEO, Music Is My Business
Former member of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ executive team
“CNN deemed Aaron ‘Diddy 2.0′ because of his style”

Before doing my research on this guy I assumed he had to be unattractive (#dontjudgeme) but then I saw this video on his website and I was pleasantly surprised that he’s easy on the eyes! Check him out!

Check out his lastest article on Soul’cial Independence SoulTrain.com

Follow Him twitter.com/bereolaesque

Related posts:

1. People to Follow on Twitter: Tony Gaskins Jr.
2. When Twitter Goes Wrong!
3. Love Lockdown: How to Date and Stay Saved + GIVEAWAY!

Your Life Follows Your Words by Darlene Bishop

I read this book for the first time during my senior year of undergrad. At the time I had no idea how “off” my life was and it was partially attributed to the negative things I was constantly speaking about myself, my life, and different life circumstances. Based on the foundational principle of speaking a thing and believing that your life will follow the words you speak (good or bad) this book completely changed my perspective on life. [Scripture reference Job 22: 28]

Unlike a traditional self help book, that only focuses on the good, Darlene uncandidly shares how God healed her from breast cancer. Her testimony is amazing! She also shares a powerful acroynm received from God:

“B.E.L.I.E.V.E.” - “Because Emmanuel Lives, I Expect Victory Every time.”

I decided to re-visit the book on my way back from Atlanta last weekend. My faith has been re-energized! Sometimes you have to encourage yourself and this book has been very encouraging for me. I highly recommend it!

You can purchase the book Your Life Follows Your Words on her website for $15

Related posts:

1. Words of Wisdom
2. 25 things learned by 25 on: God, Love, Relationships & Life
3. Must Read: The Divine DNA

Prosperous Links part II

It is my goal that every reader of Total Life Prosperity Blog experience wholeness in every area of life so here are some links worth visiting.

God/Faith/Inspiration

In April I started following a blog by a a diva living with AIDS www.RaeLewisThornton.com. Even living with AIDS, she is indeed a fashion diva that keeps it 100% real, raw, and honest about her life with AIDS. Every time I read her blog posts I am in deep thought about my life, the choices I made/make, and how much grace that God has placed over my life. If you ever need a “pick-me” up I encourage you to read some of her writings, if not all of them. They are truly inspiring. I highly recommend: Ms. Chanel Part I; I guarntee if you read part I you will read part II, The Hardest Part About AIDS Part II, Yes I Have a Healthy Vagina! Part II Sex & HIV

How To Use Your Prostitute (Yes you have one regardless of your sex) Don’t judge an article by its title…It’s not what you think it is. The article is a personal reflection of the author’s life. She explains how odd it is that most of us spend much of our youth trying to fit “in”  instead of distinguishing ourselves by following our dreams, sharing our thoughts, and discovering our passions. In short she makes you think… Do you have a life you haven’t lived? The article reminds me of this quote:

“It’s not that life is so short, it’s that we wait so long to begin living.” Joel Olsteen

Weekly Meditation The Holy Spirit is Your Power Connector

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8)

Does your cell phone get more use than your Bible?

Powerful Sermons by Isaac Pitre

Beauty

Would you get your hair, nails, lashes, and tattoo done outside, at a downtown Jamaican Street Side Salon? Check out the scenes from the buzzing documentary and make sure to read Afrobella’s full interview with the filmaker Anna Alissa Hitzemann.

Beauty Giveaway Alert!!!!! 

This summer is all about vibrant colors! Mood Polish has you your nails covered with fun, playful mood changing colors!!!  These whimsical nail polishes change hues based on your body temperature, your mood, even the heat of your chai latte or coolness of an iced coffee. One of my favorite beauty bloggers, is giving 6 lucky readers a chance to win these polishes! Winners must be subscribed to Blended Beaute or be a follower on Twitter.

Hurry and enter the giveaway at Blended Beaute! 

Fashion & Style

Fashion Discussion: Knock off shoes- Giuseppe Zannoti open toe ankle boots

Knock Offs: Upgrade or Downgrades?  A Fashion blogger tells her experience of purchasing a fake Burberry Scarf and weighs the pro’s and con’s of buying counterfit items

Real Style Inspiration from Fashion Bloggers

Bleed For Fashion

Major Must Haves

Strawberry Stiletto

Where Did You Get That

and lastly, my randomness: iPhone vs. HTC EVO

I don’t participate in the daily #teamiPhone vs. #teamblackberry beef on Twitter but I did tweet this update  yesterday when news came out about iPhone4 

 Apparently my followers that are #teamblackberry feel the same way because 4 people RT’d that status. Sprint is my service provider and has been for some time now and I don’t plan on changing simply because everybody I know has Sprint and my mom still pays my bill with her company discount. There may be an alternative for those of us who don’t dig AT&T service. According to the article Good Job with iPhone4 but Sprint HTC Evo is staying, the EVO 4G has everything the iPhone 4 has and more. Learn more about the HTC Evo here

 If you have any other links, resources, blogs that might be of interest please leave it in the comments section below. Thanks!

ENJOY!

Related posts:

1. Prosperous Links
2. TotalLifeProsperityBlog.com is Blogs Her Color featured Daily Color of Choice!
3. Love Lockdown: How to Date and Stay Saved + GIVEAWAY!

Happy Friday Total Life Prosperity Family!

I came across some interesting pictures from a fashion blog.  Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

iDig these!

Have a good weekend

Related posts:

1. Faith Friday: the 13th edition
2. Words of Wisdom
3. Faith Friday: Got Faith?

Motivational Speaker: Tony Gaskins Jr.

Where would I be without Twitter! I have found tons of resources, blogs, and websites to follow via Twitter and the latest I want to share with my readers is a successful Author, Life/Relationship Coach, Motivational Speaker, Mind Coach to several athletes, Screenwriter, Film Producer, and Consultant Tony A. Gaskins Jr. I may be late to discover him (apparently he has been on Oprah and Tyra) but I’m glad I did!

This might seem stalkerish but I had to share the Tweets that made me Follow Him

Favorite Quotes from Tony

“I woke up this morning only to realize that God was working on my behalf even while I was asleep”

“The good thing about feeding our mind is that we can eat food for thought all day and never gain weight”

“We don’t live a yesterday or a tomorrow because only what we do TODAY counts”

“A person only hates you because they hate themselves. Knowing that, love them anyway”

“In the midst of evil choose to do good, in the midst of hate, choose to love. Your life is your choice”

“In order to get it all, we must be willing to GIVE it all”

“Knowledge only becomes POWERFUL when applied”

“If you can’t run the race, then walk it just as long as you finish it”

“You’re only as strong as your weakest thought”

“Your life is a movie script, any scenes that don’t move the story forward cut them out”

“Make sure those in your circle do push-ups, not pull-ups”

“Even when life deals you a weak hand you should never show it”

About Tony

Gaskins focuses on enlightening and inspiring every person he meets, that is his ultimate goal. While most want fame and fortune, the only thing Gaskins wants is a voice. A voice to speak up for the voiceless and to speak into the lives of others. To help propel the voice Gaskins founded a Non-Profit Organization entitled “The Future Speaks, Inc” where he will help the youth identify their purpose and set goals at an early age in order to avoid the many pitfalls that he couldn’t. His goal is to lead Millions to a more fulfilling place in their life and to leave a legacy behind him.

Follow Him on Twitter www.Twitter.com/TonyGaskins

Related posts:

1. People to Follow on Twitter: Bereolaesque
2. When Twitter Goes Wrong!
3. Transparency

Fakes Are Never In Fashion: Louboutin Edition 

This boot leg game has gotten out of control!  The first time I blogged about it was with Fakes are Never in Fashion post that raised awareness about the impact knock off hand bags and counterfit goods had on the economy. The MSN writer gave some alarming statistics. If you didn’t catch the full article, read Fake goods: Low prices, big problems.

REAL vs. FAKE Louis Vuitton

The second time I blogged about it, I painfully introduced my readers to Red bottom wannabe’s also known as Apple Bottom Footwear. Nelly’s brand stole the signature red bottom and completely copied the style of Christian Louboutin shoes. (Not cool in my book, Nelly get yo people)

Apple Bottom Jocelyn Platform Heels (NOT CLs)

Apple Bottom Liliana Jones Booties (NOT CLs)

Christian Louboutin has tackled “boot leggers” in a balls out way and I don’t blame the luxury shoe maker one bit! His new campagin Stop Fake Louboutin is a “zero tolerance” policy and comprehensive program to eliminate sites, sources, and distributions systems that offer fake Christian Louboutin products. As of now they have removed thousands of auctions of fake items and have closed web hosts/sites the sell fake products. 

Keep in mind when something seems too good to be true, it probably is. You cannot, I repeat CANNOT get Christian Louboutins for $100! Its just not possible! Please just stop the “Fake it til you make it” game…We don’t believe you, you need more people! Think you got suckered into a “deal” ?  Verify if your Louby’s are real by checking this comprehensive List of websites selling fake Louboutin’s. I really hope this doesn’t encourage more “faking it til you make it”.

Glad I can say my red bottoms are REAL! (Thanks babe)

Check out these reputable luxury retailers for authentic Christian Louboutin shoes

Official Christian Louboutin website

Neiman Marcus

Saks Fifth Avenue

Bergdorf Goodman

Check out this clip of thousands of fake Christian Louboutins’ being demolished!

 As an added bonus, rapper Gorilla Zoe even expressed his disgust for fake goods in his song “So Sick”.  That’s where my friends and I got the term “Soft Tacos”

FAKES ARE NEVER IN FASHION!

Related posts:

1. Fakes are never in Fashion
2. Christian Louboutin Sneakers + red bottom wannabe’s
3. His Kick Fix: Men’s Louboutin Studs!

Bad Shoes and The Women Who Love Them

a book women that examines why women wear painful shoes they know damage their feet.

Since starting my journey towards TOTAL LIFE PROSPERITY  I have become more aware about everything I do in life…what I eat, drink, speak, places I attend, and especially how I present myself and what I wear. Anyone that knows me knows I absolutely LOVE shoes! I wear heels practically everyday. As much as I love high heels I have to admit they can take a toll on your feet. I won’t be getting rid of any of my heels anytime soon but I’ve promised myself, this summer there will be no more walking around DC in heels just to be cute.  In her latest book Bad Shoes and The Women Who Love Them, Lenora Tanenbaum examines our footwear fetish and why we love shopping for shoes so much. It’s a bold irony that smart, self-aware women wear painful shoes they know damage their feet all in the name of fashion! I agree there’s no price to be fly but I can’t be fly with ugly feet.

Check out excerpts from the author’s interview with LemonDrop.com

Why did you, a third-wave feminist author, choose to take on shoes?
There is a famous book called “Fat Is a Feminist Issue.” Well, I think feet are a feminist issue. I find it frightening and troubling that so many women wear bad shoes in the name of fashion. Not many women realize that if they wear shoes that deviate from the shape of their feet, they are going to end up with foot deformities.

So which shoes are “bad shoes,” and what should women do with the ones in their wardrobe?
Anything with a pointy toe is actually really bad. You’re cramping your toes in a space that’s too small for them. Ballet flats are very, very cute, and I understand why one might intuitively assume that flats are better than heels, but you do need a little bit of a lift or a contouring; there is nothing in ballet flats that will stop your foot from rolling. Either limit the amount that you wear them or look for a pair with a little bit of arch support. You want a little bit of padding. There are a lot of companies that make well-made ballet flats.

If you want to wear these shoes for a few hours, once or a twice a week, that’s fine, you just can’t wear them every day. You are going to cause problems for your toes, like bunions, corns, and hammertoes — and you may change the shape of your feet. A lot of women are lulled into complacency, because the deformity doesn’t happen so quickly.

So what surprised you the most as you were writing and researching this book in particular?

I wear high heels myself. I look great in them. But I limit how I wear them and where I wear them. I don’t do serious walking in them. I’ll change into my heels. I would never tell anyone to throw away all your heels. I just try to be careful with them. I also have my walking shoes.As I was speaking with women for my research, I would educate them and say, ‘Guess, what? If you wear a high-heeled shoe on a regular basis, over and over and over again, you’re going to change the shape of your feet and be likely to have serious foot pain later. ‘

And occasionally women would say, ‘Oh, I don’t care, it’s worth it. When it happens, I’ll just have the surgery.

 Read the full interview with the author

Her book is available on Amazon.com Order yours HERE

Related posts:

1. High Heels but at what cost?
2. Blog Love: Bitchie Life.com + Dulce Shoes giveaway!
3. Fancy Feet: my picks for the hautest bridal heels

Blog Love: DiddyBlog dot com

Blog readers get ready to add another blog to your blog roll!  Diddy announced his new blog this morning via Twitter

Check out the trailer for DiddyBlog.com

Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/iamdiddy

Related posts:

1. Blog Love: *NEW FashionizeHaus.com + $50 launch giveaway!
2. BLOG UPDATES!
3. My Randomness: Blog Jackin’

Check out some travel essentials for your upcoming vacations!

Pocket Translator

Nyrius LT12 12 Language Global Digital Talking Translator Foreign Pocket-Sized Electronic Speaking Dictionary can cross translate 12 international languages and each language stores 700 commonly used travelling topic sentences. Select the language, topic of conversation, and sentence you would like to speak and the translator will display the sentence in the original language  and speak the sentence in the desired foreign language. Price: $49.99

Travel Iron

Steam Bug Travel Steam Iron

Steam Bug is the world’s smallest steam iron that heats up in just 15 seconds to set creases and remove wrinkles fast. These compact steam irons from Brookstone also feature a dual-voltage design, so you don’t have to worry about power adapters when you travel overseas. Price: $35.00

Mini Flat Iron

CHI Mini Ceramic 1¼” Hair Styling Travel Iron

Travel light without sacrificing the benefits of Chi Ceramic flat irons

Price: $38.00

Can’t forget a fly Passport Cover

 Try Personalized Leather Passport Ticket Holder by Brookstone Price: $55.95

All items available online at Amazon.com If you haven’t made your Spring or Summer travel plans here are the top places to travel.

Warm Destinations to Visit in 2010

Belize

Dominican Republic

Los Cabos, Mexico

Miami

Maui

Mayan Riveria/Playa del Carmen, Mexico

What are your travel plans for Spring and Summer 2010?

Related posts:

1. Trend Watch: SPRING 09'
2. Summer MUST haves
3. Countdown to Spring: Top Trends to look for