Taste of The Danforth…but what about fashion??

Taste of the Danforth was a fabulous time with the girls last weekend but when the chill of the night sets in at night, how do you stay warm while enhancing your outfit?

I decided to pull a quick look together with a scarf as opposed to a casual cardigan. Super cute and contrasting against neutrals, my girlfriend’s blue scarf across my shoulders was the perfect choice.

You too can easily throw a scarf over your shoulders for quick warmth or to accessorize your look without blowing your budget. Check out these cute options from American Eagle…all under $20! (available at www.ae.com )

Being Thankful:)

Today I woke up being thankful… The minute I open my eyes, my thankfulness begins. I say Thank you every morning before lifting my head off my pillow.

Saying Thank You and being full of thankfulness and gratitude helps keep the positive thoughts and feelings in. It also lives very little room for  negativity to enter.:) Negativity saps your energy – it drains you, so I encourage you to focus on the things you are thankful for.

We all have lots going on, with work, family, children, dreams, goals etc…so I encourage you to make this your mantra: think thankful thoughts, speak thankful thoughts, be thankful at all times…

Being thankful helps us focus on the good & not the bad.

Being thankful makes it easier for us to smile.

Being thankful helps us realize and reminds us how blessed we are…

Being thankful allows joy to be in and around us..

Have a thankful day!

Danke!

Diversity Business Conference | Toronto 2015 ~ A World of Opportunity!

Key Note Speaker: Ian Troop, CEO of Toronto 2015, PAN/PARAPAN American Games

The world has become a Global marketplace, filled with Diverse opportunities.

We look forward to you and your company participating in this new World of Opportunity by attending the Diversity Business Conference.
…
Register online: www.enablediversity.com/toronto2015

Cost: FREE

Sponsorship Opportunities available! Message me for more information at: karlyn@enablediversity.com

Visit www.enablediversity.com for more information.

Camp Jumoke’s 16th Annual Turtle Walk-A-Thon

BBPA Young Professionals Event

RSVP at this link: http://bbpabusinessplan.eventbrite.com

Sex & The City 2 ~ Getting Carried away

I’m going to the Sex & the City party on May 27th, hosted by Shannae Ingleton of What Women Want.  So ladies have to dress up as their favorite character. To be honest I didn’t follow the series (loved the movie) just wasn’t a die hard fan. So when my girlfriends are talking about this episode or that episode, I’m totally lost! LOL…and yes I still get the appalled – “What do you mean you didn’t follow the series?” look complete with huge eyeballs!!

Anyways – so trying to dress as my fav character is a bit difficult…as I don’t know the ladies intimately, but well enough – I do love all of them!

Carrie – (to be quite honest, every time I see her, I wanna feed her..I just think she’s too skinny)…I digress. I do like her…she seems like the most normal and is very relate able.

So I asked my BFF’s who am I in the sex n city world and this is what one of them said and I quote:

“I can see Carrie, your loyal to friends, very supportive and you brought all the girls together, I met you and then I met everyone else kinda like in the show.
Hellllo, you have a fashion line remember? That’s very fashionista And you’re a writer like Carrie, hence the blog. ”

So it’s quite interesting how your friends perceive you, as I never saw or thought of myself as a Carrie. I’m not fashion obsessed – if it fits, I will wear it. The label doesn’t matter to me – I love shoes but I’m not a shoe-aholic.LOVE ALL of the outfits – well most of the outfits Carrie wears…some I raise my eyebrows at..

So I need Carrie inspired dress ideas…what do you think? Am I a Carrie? (I know I’m a whole lot curvier..:) Also LOVE her voice:) I know it’s weird but I do..Love the dress in the pic below..

WWW ~ Shannae Ingleton presents Sex & the City Movie Party

Sex & The City Movie 2 Party ~ Wine, Dine & Date in a dress~

Grab your BFF’s and come party with other FAB women (like moi)..if you don’t have any, come and make some new ones…Hope to see you there..My BFF’s & I will be there! It’s girl time:)

Purchase your tics here:

http://sjpyyz.eventbrite.com/

Walking Etiquette

We all need to remember that Etiquette is all about respectful and acceptable behavior between individuals. I work at Scotiabank, Scotia Plaza in the heart of the financial district. Some of you may not be aware, but there is an Path(underground) connected to lots of other financial institutions and stores. The underground is usually packed with people..and last week I couldn`t help but note that several individuals are not aware they are not exercising proper etiquette  when walking in a large group.

Walking etiquette? Yes you read right…The following points should be considered when walking in a heavy traffic area.

• Please do not swing your arms back and forth when walking. Note that you are in a crowd and everyone is trying to get by. Hitting someone in the groin or stomach (ouch)  isn`t cool. Please keep your arms close to your side when walking – no swinging.
• If you would like to catch up with Mary, please stand off to the side and not the middle of the walkway. People are trying to get to work and it`s not polite to stand and stop the flow of traffic.
• Do not stand on both sides of the escalator – note that one side should be for people who would like to ride up and the other is for those who would like to walk. Please stand behind the individual who`s riding and keep the other side free.
• Do not stand at the entrance of the escalator and catch up with Bob. Please stand off to the side, away from the entrance. Mary or John  should not be going around or between you to get to the escalator.
• Please be aware of your bag, when walking. Do hold it in front of you or closely to your side. Do not brush or knock anyone over with your bag.
• Keep your phone in your pocket and watch where you are going. Bumping into people can be a bit annoying esp if it`s because you weren`t paying attention due to the incoming text from Jackie.

Hope you remember those tips! Share with your friends and family and feel free to send me any tips you would like to share as well.

Karlyn

My Therapy

My coping mechanism….

Some of you may know how hectic my schedule is..I do have lots on my plate and sometimes I do think I am a bit crazy. (I heard it`s sane to think that you are a bit crazy)..lol. Anyways MUSIC…yes you know the good stuff from way back when? Takes me to that place where all is OK..that happy place!! Stress has no business being in your life..so do ensure you kick it out! Music helps…and also signing along off key and dancing also helps.lol..(So I`ve heard..lol).

I LOVE music..it`s the ultimate therapy for me and always puts me in a great mood! This being said I love browsing my friend Geena Lee`s blog..she has some great mixes on there..So tonight I am grooving to the Lovezone whilst I sip on some Shiraz…Enjoy! Thanks Geena!
To hear the mix, enter The Lovezone: http://lovezoneradio.blogspot.com/2010/05/episode-25-lets-hear-it-for-boys.html

Have a great week!

PS: Don`t forget your homework – Be Inspired and Celebrate YOU!

Random Thoughts

So…I have some random thoughts I’d like to share with you, which may not belong to any particular subject or topic…just random thoughts..

I’m sure we’ve all heard how Sandra Bullock’s husband cheated on her, along with the Tiger Woods mess etc.

I think that by constantly writing, talking, and showing pictures of Sandra, etc, that the media is kinda glorifying cheating. And who cares about the husband? Stop writing about him! If he’s scum, then why are you writing about scum? or even talking about him?

Do we like seeing others suffering and in pain? Can we allow people to go through their pain without making a circus show out of it? I’m not saying not to write about it, just write once or twice and let it go! Geesh..

I think that these people need to deal with their cheating spouses in private -whether or not they’re a  celebrity .

That’s all for my random thoughts for this evening…Thanks for reading..I feel much better now that I’ve let it out.

Go celebrate your fab self!

Karlyn

My Community Work ~ A rewarding experience!

One of my favorite quotes by Martin Luther King -”A man hasn’t started living until he rises above the narrow confines of his own needs to the needs of the greater community” is my reason for doing what I do. I am living my life by serving others and it is one of the best experiences Ive had!

I am the Chair of the Harry Jerome Awards, the largest award show celebrating excellence in the black community. With over 13 award category, we award individuals who exemplify excellence in various categories: Arts, Media, Entertainment, Leadership, Business, Young entrepreneur, Academics, Athletics, Lifetime Achievement, Trailblazer, President’s Award,  My role is to manage the various pieces of the show – from managing the relationship with the venue, ensuring the call for nominations is sent out, dealing with the food, ensuring that the planning committee is in place and every one is geared to go! Production & Audio is handled by two amazing individuals – Karl Hutchinson and Cleve Sandy. They make this job a whole lot easier!!:) Along with Michelle Ambrose, Flozel Lewis, Kim Nemhard, Nevelette Diveney, Pat Gloudon, and many other amazing individuals help ensure that the attendees have an amazing experience! You guys are really the best!!:) THANK YOU.

One of the most challenging part is finding the right volunteer with the right skill set. All positions on the planning committee including my own is a volunteer position and most importantly these individuals need to be able to work under pressure and changes as they come along.  It requires lots of dedication, passion and energy to not only work on this event, but to also work with various individuals from different backgrounds.  I am lucky to work with these amazing individuals, whose dedication to giving back shows in the level of commitment and quality of the work they provide.

My experience is a rewarding one -  I develop my leadership skills, enhance existing skills and develop new ones which may not be possible on my regular day job. This year the keynote speaker was the Right Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada. Here are a few pics..Enjoy and hope your volunteering experience is as rewarding as mine:) If not change it! Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Until next time, Be Inspired and Celebrate YOU.

Karlyn

My Workout Routine

Hello…sa ka fete?

So I’ve been going to the gym at least 3 times a weeks now..started last year fall..I’ve also fallen off a few weeks but I’ve made a conscious effort to ensure that I make it a part of my schedule and not the other way around:)  I found it really hard to stick to it before, until I saw the unwelcome dimples on my thighs along with a muffin top which actually went away in the past when I sucked it in. Now no amount of sucking in hides it..:( YIKES! Now before you guys go off and yell that I don’t have any, go look at some of these celebrity pics with those skinny girls with cellulite (such a bad word) I prefer dimples or cottage cheese. It’s real!

I believe it was Ciara who said that half of the work happens outside the gym, it’s what you eat, how you eat etc. So true! Everything in moderation will ensure that you maintain and keep your figure slim. I try to take the stairs at every opportunity, when I go grocery shopping, I walk home with the heavy bags, and most importantly drink lots of water!!

I’m no expert but will share interesting tidbits and facts with you as I go along. My personal trainer has changed my diet – no more Special K. This has been replaced with Oats (like the really natural one) not the one with maple brown sugar or vanilla almond & honey – these contain way too much sugar!!! The  areas I would like to tone are: stomach, legs and yes a firm butt.  The exercise in the video below tone your legs and  stomach. You can also do this at home if you have a stool/low chair:) Remember to drink lots of water!!

See video here 10817324

Remember to be inspired and celebrate you:) You’re worth it!

Karlyn

Movie Review ~ The Bounty Hunter

The Bounty Hunter by Topaz McKenzie

Jennifer Jennifer Jennifer

I’ve been a big fan of Jennifer Aniston since the illustrious days of the  Rachel and before she fell in love with Ross. I love Jennifer Aniston known as a fashionista, yoga enthusiast and the rejected one of hunky Brad Pitt. Alas, the buck stops here. I cannot sit through another Jennifer Aniston, woe is me, frozen face with perpetually stringy hair movie. I am done; I said nothing when she bored me to tears with her forced acting in “The Break Up”, I uttered not one complaint over “Derailed” aka Snoozefest 2005 and don’t even get me started on “Marley & Me” .  I believe in Jennifer I really do and I know she has it in her to be an Academy Award winner if she would stop acting in ill-suited roles.

Her turn as Nicole Hurly is so cringe inducing I have no idea where to begin. If it’s not the age inappropriate wardrobe, it’s the non-existent chemistry between her and Gerard Butler (who the word on the street is she’s dating) This movie had too many plots which included shady racketeers, informants and unrequited love. Many of the jokes fell flat and I found myself wishing that movie would focus on something and end the eternal merry-go-round of characters and unnecessary scenes. The true stand out of the movie was Jennifer’s mother Kitty brilliantly played by Christine Baranski. She played the aging diva role to the “T” and provided much needy comedy as the lusty chain-smoking nymphomaniac. Yes, I did chuckle a few times but I was shocked that in today’s economy a studio would throw finances behind a must see for SUNDAY NIGHT movie.

In my opinion her best work is character work, she never quite gets the middle-aged mother or high –powered associate but she catapults off the screen in her quirkier roles, hapless wife and broke college friend. Take it from me honey, if you’re searching for longevity, accolades and to annoy Angelina take the complicated roles. Take the part of the girl with the great personality who can’t land the boyfriend or the politicians wife turned drug dealer. Whatever you do, reach deeper than surface and allow yourself to be complicated..your audience will thank you for it.

Still in theatre in Toronto…go check it out and let us know what you think…

BBPA presents Distinguished Men of Honour

Recognition ceremony for the BBPA Distinguished Men of Honour. A celebration of Canadian Black men who are trailblazers in a variety of fields and continue to work at bettering the lives of others.

The 28th Annual BBPA Harry Jerome Awards

Contact: bbpa@bellnet.ca

Dining with Confidence

Enhance your dining skills today! Contact me to save your spot today! Limited seating available!

Trailer

Carol Allen – Part Two

Carrol Allen – Part One

Caribbean Week

Akim Larcher Interview

Brandon Hay Interview

Intro