National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is a nationwide initiative celebrated on March 10th every year to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls.In observance of this day, The Red Pump Project asked bloggers to participate in the 2nd annual “Rock the Red Pump” campaign: 500 in 50. As a public health professional I proudly support the campaign! I Rock the Red Pump on my blog to represent the strength and courage of women fighting HIV/AIDS or affected by the disease both directly and indirectly.

This year focuses on this statistic:

Every 35 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the United States. More and more women have become infected with HIV since it was first reported in the early 1980s. Today, about 1 in 4 Americans living with HIV are women.

Find a testing site near you

Learn more about the Red Pump Project and the project founder Awesomely Luvvie

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1. Rock the Red Pump!
2. DC PROTEST AGAINST HIV/AIDS
3. WORLD AIDS DAY 2009

Alice in Wonderland premiered over the weekend with record breaking box office numbers of over $40 million! We were finally able to get tickets to see it at Mazza Gallerie since it was sold out for all 3 show times in Chinatown. The theatre was packed with people from all ages. Hands down my favorite line: “Off with their heads! “ (LOL) It was a great 3D movie but definitely no Avatar. If you saw the film you will understand why Nicholas Kirkwood created these Alice in Wonderland shoes with checkered heels, red roses, and tea cups especially for Les Printemps (the largest department store in Paris) They’ll be displayed on their window till March 13th.

These are over the top! I wonder what celeb will be spotted rockin these?!

Nicholas Kirkwood-Alice in Wonderland

His shoe designs are absolutely amazing! Even though I didn’t throw em’ in the bag, I got a chance to witness a “shoegasm” when I saw his creations in person at the boutique inside the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas.

If you haven’t seen Alice in Wonderland check out the trailer

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One of my Twitter friends complained that I don’t feature enough items for men on my blog so I’m going to start posting more things iDig for men. With Spring right around the corner men need to add “Boat Shoes” to their spring essentials list. I know some guys might be opposed to boat shoes by thinking they are for old, rich men, that vacation on yachts but bright, splashy colors bring a new vibe to the traditonal brown boat shoe.

Bally $375

If you want a little color try these by Gucci

Gucci $455

Gucci $455

More affordable option

J Crew $88

Complete the look with a Polo Shirt and shorts

Add Aviators and a bright-faced watch

Armani

Burberry

Dior

Related posts:

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2. Style Spy
3. Countdown to Spring: Top Trends to look for

Gucci-Elle March 2010

Photo credit:
Photographer: Thomas Lagrange
Stylist: Claire Dhelens
Accessories editors: Ellyn Chestnut & Kate Davidson Hudson

The details:

“Helena” high heel open-toe platform boots with cut out detail.

Back zip closure

Leather sole

4.1″ heel with a 1″ platform

Also available in black

www.gucci.com

Price: $1550

Related posts:

1. Dolce Vita: Sweet Gladiators
2. I heart this: Red Gucci Boston Bag
3. His Kick Fix: Gucci Moccasin

The District will become the first city in the United States to distribute female condoms free, part of a project that will make 500,000 of them available in beauty salons, convenience stores and high schools in parts of the city with high HIV rates. The project is funded through a $500,000 grant from the MAC AIDS Fund, a subsidiary of MAC Cosmetics. The distribution could begin within the next three weeks in parts of wards 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7. HIV/AIDS infection is the leading cause of death for black women 25-34 nationwide. A 2008 report showed the District’s HIV/AIDS rate at an alarming 3% (approximately 15,100 adults) which is considered a major epidemic. The project goal is to aggressively to attack the city’s disproportionate rate of HIV infection.

“Anywhere male condoms are available, female condoms will be available,” said Shannon Hader, director of the D.C. HIV/AIDS Administration. “We’re trying to make every effort count to build on what already exists . . . to expand options rather than limit them.”

CVS became the nation’s first pharmacy to sell the female condom. Female condoms will be offered next to male condoms in all of its 56 city stores, not just in target areas. A package of three female condoms sells for $6.50. A three-pack of male condoms sells for $5 to $7.

 [source]

*TotalLifeProsperityBlog does not promote pre-marital sex or risky sexual behavior but for those who choose to have sex we encourage safe sex. Protect yourself!

Related posts:

1. HIV/AIDS Rate in D.C. Hits 3%
2. WORLD AIDS DAY 2009
3. DC PROTEST AGAINST HIV/AIDS

Right before my 25^th birthday I was so confused and frustrated with my life. For some strange reason in my head I believed by the age of “25” I would have arrived! Meaning life at 25 would consist of me having a career, not a job, engaged or married to my ideal man, and living in my dream home. Well the reality was I was living in the Atlanta, had a Master’s degree from Emory University, and no job! On top of that I was dating a few guys in hopes to “get over” my ex knowing deep down inside I still was emotionally attached to him. (the frequent, long late night conversations and random visits didn’t help either). In between the studying and dating I picked up a “habit. ” That “habit” I was trying to kick was ATL nightlife and everything that came with it. I knew I had to change and church was my escape. Church was my safe haven.  Besides close friends, no one knew how depressed I was because I was single, broke, and couldn’t get a job in my field. Several nights I laid in bed staring at my ceiling fan wondering why me? How did I end up like this when supposedly I did everything right…I was young, attractive, educated with NO kids living on my own. What was the problem? For all of my questionings I found strength and encouragement and compiled a list of 25 things learned by 25 on God, Love, Relationships, and Life. That was approximately 2 years ago and I have a new list and a new outlook on life.

27 things learned by 27 on God, Love, Relationships & Life:

1. Thinking “I will enjoy life when…” is a joy stealer. TODAY IS the day of manifestation!
2. You cannot live without a spiritual belief system. A belief system is a formulation of thoughts, ideas, and convictions that are responsible for your behavior, actions, and perceptions about life. People live by what’s truth to them.
3. The earth is my dominion and I am entitled to life more abundantly!
4. I can have the life I want by planting the seeds to produce what I desire. Change happens in the mind. The problem is not the location but the mentality.
5. Perspective is everything. Perspective determines performance. Performance determines results.
6. Every thought that comes to your mind does not originate from you.
7. Don’t make a permanent decision in a temporary situation.
8. Gossip originates from an unfulfilled individual. I cannot afford to be around negative people.
9. Denial is more than a river in Egypt.
10. If you keep doing the right thing for the wrong reasons you will end up quitting.
11. Men calling women sexy is not really a compliment. Try again!
12. In regards to the ex who treated me like crap yet wants to be friends: I don’t really hate you, but I care alot about myself. I forgive but I’ll never forget.
13. There is a difference between companionship and relationship.
14. Compromise prolongs the season of “singleness”.
15. Focus on the critical few…not the insignificant many. Provisional relationships are necessary not optional.
16. Never go to battle where there are no spoils. If you can’t win anything don’t fight. Know when to let it go!
17. Even a fish wouldn’t get caught if he kept his mouth shut.
18. Don’t complain. Don’t be envious. Don’t be irritated. Your health will deteriorate and your skin will look terrible!
19. There is a significance in physical beauty.
20. Swine is disgusting! and as much as I try to deny it I love Chipotle! LOL
21. Don’t stop believing. The longer the manifestation takes means you are one day closer to fruition.
22. There are two answers to every question: Gods and everyone elses’, the caveat is that everyone else is wrong.
23. As a child of God you cannot call him Lord and not obey what he says.
24. God does not interfere with development…he will not take things I have to grow out of.
25. God did not send me to my job for the money.
26. There should be a distinguishable difference between me, a child of God and the unbeliever.
27. TO HIM THAT BELIEVES ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

LIFE GOES BY FAST AND OUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED

Related posts:

1. 25 things learned by 25 on: God, Love, Relationships & Life
2. Get Out of Average
3. Love Lockdown: Marked Reserved!

Nike HyperDunk Kobe Bryant X Aston Martin

For a rumored, flashy price of $700  sneakerheads can have a pair! The luxurious interior made to resemble an authentic Aston Martin features Kobe’s signature on the inside tongue and the Aston Martin logo on the outer tongue. These Dunks are a limited edition with only 500 pairs being released by Nike sometime this spring.

They are available for Pre-Order HERE

The Dunks were first seen in this video from 2008 of Kobe jumping over an Aston Martin!

 

 source

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2. Style Spy
3. His Kick Fix: Cole Hann Air Andes Alpine

On my journey towards TOTAL LIFE PROSPERITY I have made it known that I WILL be on someone’s FAB over 40 list and here’s my inspiration!

3rd Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon

Nia Long

Jada Pinkett-Smith

 Minus the tats Mary still gets the FAB stamp of approval! I LOVE that color!

MJB

 View the full photo gallery  over at Essence.com

Cassie’s not over 40 but she’s definitely fab! and who cares if she’s dating Diddy or not she looks absolutely gorgeous!

Cassie

Cassie

T.G. I. F = THANK GOD I’M FABULOUS!!!!!

Have a FAB FRIDAY!!!!!!

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It shouldn’t take an expert opinion article for me to realize interval training yields better results and proves to be the smarter way to work out. If you’re not familar, intense interval training means working very hard for a few minutes, with rest periods in between sets. According to an article on www.MSNBC.com Jan Helgerud (an exercise expert at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology) states that:  “High-intensity interval training is twice as effective as normal exercise”

Helgerud recommends people try four sessions lasting four minutes each, with three minutes of recovery time in between. I’ve tried 60 second sprints on the treadmill and they work! It takes less time to complete a harder work out. I was out of breath the first few times…and not to be gross but I noticed I sweated waaaay more doing sprints than I would doing 25 minutes on the Elliptical machine. Another expert, Stephen Bailey (from the University of Exeter) said:

 “Even though interval training only takes a few minutes, its effects last for hours.You’ve exercised at such a high intensity that you’re going to create a massive disturbance in your muscles.Which creates a higher metabolism for several hours afterward, which the body will bring down by burning fat and carbohydrates.”

According to the research interval training can double endurance, improve oxygen use and strength by more than 10%, and speed by at least 5%. Read the full article:

Interval Training Can Cut Exercise Hours Sharply

Last but not least, unless you want shatter your body into a million pieces; please warm up before doing these intervals. A typical warm up consists of about 5 minutes of light jogging with a brief increase in speed. I still haven’t worked up to a full high intensity interval training work out session but I’m getting there!

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Matte finishes, moon manicures, metallics, and nudes make up an exciting nail scene for the upcoming Spring season. This week I tried OPI’s Barefoot in Barcelona. It’s slighty darker than your typical nude with hints of pink.  Even though Barefoot in Barcelona is part of the 2009 Fall Coleccion De Espana, this shade fits right in with the spring nude trends.

iDig it

This is what it looks like on me

OPI Barefoot in Barcelona

If you can’t find it in beauty stores or nail salons get it online at Beauty Needs for $6.95

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