Year in Review

Hey Brownstone readers!

2010 has been a great year for the Brownstone team. We'd like to thank everyone who has supported us and helped spread the word about what we are doing. Starting a blog and maintaining it is NOT easy, especially when you have a full-time job! So, we'd also like to thank the countless number of guest bloggers and jr correspondents who have lent their voices to Brownstone over the past year as well. I hope that you've enjoyed our content as much as we have. Here are the top 5 posts of 2010:

Top Blog Posts of 2010

• The In's and Out's of African American Skincare
• Roadmap to Beauty
• Brownstone Women's Spotlight: A Profile of Kristin Jones
• Home, Sweet Dorm Room
• New Year, New Uniform

As we celebrate our successes, it's also important to remember the lessons we've learned along the way too. Creating Brownstone has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding things I've done in my life. I've learned that going after your dreams takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Although, the process has taken longer than I expected, I know that we will eventually achieve our goals. Like my teammate Kyle said in her November post, "Dream but Don't Sleep," if the dream is worth dreaming, it’s not a matter of IF, it’s a matter of WHEN. So in the new year, I want to encourage you to go after your dreams, no matter how big or small they may be. If you want to try out for the dance team at your school, go for it! If you want to finally get an A in chemistry, do it! If you want to get a job this summer, apply! Don't let your fears or haters hold you back! Yes the journey will be hard, but the outcome will be amazing. Here are some words of wisdom that I have learned on my journey:

• Don't be afraid to go it alone....not everybody is going to believe in your vision.
• Be your biggest cheerleader...if you don't believe in yourself who will?
• Be patient...nothing happens over night.
• Anything worth having is worth fighting for...so be prepared to go to bat for your dreams!
• Surround yourself with positive people...who will uplift you and keep it real.
• Persistence is key...when one door closes knock on another, the right door will eventually open.

Let's make 2011 a year of action! Our team is very excited about the new year and we plan to keep working to ensure that Brownstone continues to represent the voices and interests of African American teens. We have new writers joining our team and we'll be introducing some exciting new features. As always, please continue to spread the word about Brownstone to your friends or relatives who are between the ages of 14-18. We wish you the best of luck in 2011! Happy New Year!

-- Tymika Morrison
Brownstone Team

Ujamaa

After weeks and weeks of shopping and getting everything just right for Christmas, I look up and it’s gone already. It’s crazy, inside of 1 day, I said (or text’d), “Merry Christmas!” about 50 times and heard it at least 1,000 times on tv. I guess we say it so much because it will be another 364 days before it’s time to say it again. How many times did you say Merry Christmas? Better yet, how many times did you say Happy Kwanzaa? Do you know anyone who celebrates Kwanzaa?

The cool thing about Kwanzaa is that it was created for our very own community. It is designed to represent African as well as African American culture and the concepts, values and practices that symbolize the beauty and depth of our culture. Kwanzaa was founded on the Kawaida philosophy, a communitarian African philosophy that exchanges the best of African thought and practice with the world. And so for each year, for seven days, from December 26 through January 1, we come together to celebrate principles that emphasize culture, community and family.

Today’s principle is Ujamma, which symbolizes cooperative economics. This principle encourages us all to support our own businesses, stores and shops, and profiting from them together. In honor of Ujamma, here are some fun ways to invest in our community:

Eat breakfast or lunch at the Serving Spoon

Visit the Eso Wan Bookstore

Get your hair done!

Support your church. They’re businesses too!

Download free wallpaper from the Kwanzaa Android App

Ditch that Starbucks frap and find a new favorite drink at A Cultural Affair Coffee Shop

Take a dance class at Lula Washington Dance Theatre

Quench your thirst at Juice-C-Juice on Melrose

Support our newspapers! Our Weekly, The Sentinel, LA Watts Times, etc.

Planning a New Year’s kickback? Get some party favors from Amazing Wrapper

As you can see, there are so many easy ways to support Black owned businesses. So easy, you can use today to jumpstart a whole new way of buying. Just think how much our community would grow if we all made it a point to support black owned businesses. Maybe you’ll want to start a business of your own!

Happy Kwanzaa!

Kyle Holland
-- Brownstone Team

New Year, New Goals

To some people, making New Year’s resolutions is passé. They feel like waiting for the New Year to make a change can be typical or even a form of procrastination. And, to some extent, I can agree with that if people make resolutions that they don’t intend on keeping. But, the start of a new year is like a renewal for some people. In many ways, it’s how some people stop looking back and begin to see hope/optimism in looking ahead.

So, with the New Year being only a few days away, I challenge you not to make New Year’s resolutions, but to make New Year’s Goals. Goals tend to be much clearer, tangible, and focused than making mere resolutions.

For example, someone may make a New Year’s resolution that they want to lose 20 pounds. But it usually stops there.

Goals, however, focus more on the how. If your goal is to lose 20 pounds in 2011, then part of that goal is to plan how you will get there. Will you join a gym? How many pounds do you need to lose each month so that you reach 20 by this time next year?

That makes sense, yes? Yes.

So, take stock of your life right now. Think about 2010. Was it a good year for you? What are some things from 2010 that you want to improve on in 2011? Grades maybe? Fitness? Relationships? What would you like to have accomplished by this time next year? Or in six months? Or even next month?

Once you think about it, write it down. That’s so important. Write out your goal, and then make a plan to see it through. For example, say you want to have money saved up for prom in spring. What do you have to do between now & then to save up that money? How much do you have to put away every week so that you have the amount you need by spring?

A lot can change in one year. A LOT. And it’s up to you to get the ball rolling. Put your vision down on paper, map out ways to make it happen, and then follow through. Remember: “You have the power to create your future.” Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and successful 2011!

-- Chevonne Collins

Guest Blogger

Showcasing Your Talents

So many young women were blessed with special talents but never showcase them. Are they too shy? Are they too scared? Do we want to be accepted by a certain crowd, so we'd rather bury or hide our talents? I have always been a very modest person about hobbies that I may be good at. Rather it was crocheting hats for my sister and my grandma, singing in a choir, or coming up with and styling outfits for my peers. Instead of showcasing my talents, I would actually hide behind my talents. I am a very outgoing person who would share my other girlfriends talents instead of sharing my own. My own closest friends didn't even know that I was a singer until this year when I started to invite my friends to my church's events. But I had to realize that by not showcasing my talents and actually sharing them I was depriving myself from actually being myself as well as depriving my friends from experiencing my talents and performances with me.

This weekend, I experienced this first hand. I am a dancer. I have been dancing every since I could walk, but have been taking lessons since I was in third grade. This weekend, I had the honor of being an angel in my churches annual Christmas production. I had a solo within the the production and the feedback I received from the little ten minute solo impacted me so much. I felt so proud of myself just for showcasing my talent and passion for dancing with a group of people I have grown up with and known since I was five. The audience gave me so much positive feedback such as how powerful my dancing was and how much the audience was moved as well as felt empowered by my dancing. I don't think I have ever realized my gift of dancing because I have never showcased this talent of mine. I always was just one of the dancers but never was a soloist even though opportunities to do so were given to me. It felt good because most people didn't even know I was a dancer. It made me realized that even though most of the audience didn't even know me but got to know me through my dancing and performance. It just made me want to go out and scream to the world that “Hello World! My name is Jamiah Lashay King. I am a dancer, a singer, a poet, a leader, I am a black woman.” By showcasing my talent I showed more growth than I have ever before. It's good to be modest at times but sometimes you just need to claim that spotlight that you deserve and let your light shine! So realize who you are and the great women we can become by showcasing our talents. I know that everyone out there is really good at something, you just have to realize it.


-- Lashay King
Jr Correspondent

Be a Hostess with the Mostest

The air feels a little crisper, smiles seem a little warmer, and pockets feel a little . . . emptier. It's Christmas time everyone!! My favorite time of year for many reasons, one being that it's an excuse to throw a party! There are so many fun things you can do with a holiday party and the great thing is you can host one without spending a ton.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party:
Whoever came up with this idea was a genius, because the only thing you really need to do to ensure success is make sure everyone participates in the theme. A fun twist to this type of party is to challenge your guests to try to make their outfits cute and stylish despite the fact that they are wearing ugly sweaters. At the ugly Christmas sweater party I'm hosting this year, a prrize will be given to whoever makes their outfit look the best. Stores like Walmart and Kmart sell the sweaters in every style/pattern/color you could possibly desire. To avoid looking frumpy, go for a Kid's Large instead of a Women's/Junior's size.. Or,to be more creative, wear a large sweater, pair it with a belt to accentuate your waist, and make it into a dress. To spice the sweater up even more, choose a trendy piece to wear with the sweater to balance the antiquity of the look. Try something fun like a sequined skirt, pleather leggings or leather knee high boots.


White Elephant Gift Exchange:
Buying presents for every one of your friends can get expensive so a white elephant party is the perfect way to avoid spending an exorbitant amount. As opposed to a traditional Secret Santa gift exchange, The White Elephant spin gives you the option of trading in your default gift for something you'd rather have.. If you really want to make things interesting bring a gag gift. That way you can make sure that someone will want to trade their gift and an element of competition will be added.

Party Dresses:
Because who doesn't love an opportunity to get dressed up? How many times have you seen a gorgeous dress on a mannequin in the store window and wished you had somewhere important to go? Host a Christmas party where everyone invited has to dress up! Serve hors d'oeuvres and drink apple cider out of champagne flutes. Set up your computer to play Pandora's "All I Want for Christmas is You" station and you'll have everything you need. If you don't want to go out and buy a new dress, this is the perfect excuse to wear the Homecoming dress you wore once and never thought you'd touch again!

Baking Party:
Christmas is one of the only times it's socially acceptable to excessively stuff your face so why not take advantage? Invite your close friends over to bake with you. There are so many easy and delicious holiday recipes online. Two of my favorites are caramel pecan cookies and butterscotch gingerbread cookies. When the baking is done you can enjoy the fruits of your labor while snuggling on the couch, drinking hot chocolate, and watching the Santa Clause franchise :)

The electric charge in the air during Christmas could be due to the millions upon millions of lights strung across every house, mall, and plaza in sight, but I'd prefer to think of it as the energy of Christmas cheer. It would be a travesty not to capitalize on such a festive season with a party, and my suggestions will allow you to throw a great one without dipping into your piggy bank. I hope you all have a fabulous holiday and amongst all the Christmas sweaters, gift exchanges, and ginger bread houses don't forget the real reason for the season:)

-- Karissa Allen
Guest Blogger

Brownstone Holiday Gift Guide: Ideas #5 - 7

It's the 3rd week of our Brownstone Holiday Giveaway. We hope you've enjoyed our gift ideas so far. This week, we'll talk about what to get your boyfriend this season. Check out these cool suggestions.

Idea #5: Dog Tags

Russell Simmons, Gucci and many more brands have put dog tag chains back on the fashion map. They're fashionable, cheap, and can be customized and engraved with initials or a cute message for that special someone.

Idea #6: Poppin' Tags

You can never go wrong with clothing! Yeah, it may sound cliche, but if you're on a budget buying clothes might save you a lot time. But don't just get something that YOU want to see him in. Think of him and what he likes.

Idea #7: A Gift from the Heart

What do you get your boyfriend when you don't have money? Your parents won't hand over the cash and you definitely don't have time to pick up a seasonal job. Why not surprise him with a romantic dinner? You can cook his favorite dishes. Even if you can't cook, ask your mom or best friends to help. Then you can write a nice letter about how much he means to you and give it to him at the end of the meal.

Ladies, you don't have to spend mucho dinero to buy a good gift. Get creative! Remember the holidays are about giving from the heart!

-- Brownstone Team

How Confident Are You?

For a 10 year old, Willow Smith sure does have a lot a confidence! Yesterday, jr correspondent Alex Scott wrote about ways to find your inner confidence. Like Alex said, being a teen can be hard especially when you have so many outside factors trying to tell who you should be.

But here we have this little girl with superstar parents who just won't let society put her in any box. From her personal style to her music, Willow promotes "I am who I am and your opinion isn't needed." She's calling the shots and letting everybody know it. Just today I saw a headline that said "Willow Steps Out With New Hairstyle." I immediately clicked on the link to see what crazy new look Willow had now. And to my surprise it was a bowl cut. It made me wonder where does this little girl get all this confidence? At 10, she's more bolder than I am at 26.

Whether you're a fan or not, there's no denying that this little girl is comfortable in her own skin. So let's talk about! Where's your confidence level? Do you worry about what other people think of you? Do you think twice before drastically changing your style? Where does your inner confidence come from? We'd love to get your opinions, so speak on it!

-- Tymika Morrison

Brownstone Team

Self Confidence

Self confidence is something that is hard to have for a young woman now. Whether it is because of the images the media gives us or the harsh comments from our peers, it’s an unfortunately common thing for girls our age to have a low self esteem. Having a healthy self esteem is an important thing to have in school and later in life in our future careers. In school it’s important during test taking, as to not second guess yourself, and when you’re being interviewed by the college of your choice to display your strengths to the interviewer. Later in your career, it’s important that you believe in yourself as a business woman so you’re able to get the next big promotion or raise. Having high self esteem is a difficult thing to achieve and something that I have trouble with everyday. I do, however, have some tips on how to help improve your self confidence.

Create a list. Make a list of everything that you wish was different about yourself on a piece of paper. Now on a second piece of paper write down everything you love about yourself. For example, those awesome brownies you make that your friends beg you for; how well you spike in volleyball; your amazing photography skills. This is your time to brag about yourself! Write down everything you love about yourself, down to the really little things, like how well you can paint your toe nails or how quickly you can read a book. Now take the first list of all the bad things and get rid of it. Tear it up, rip it, burn it, crumple it, just get rid of it! After doing so think back on how it made you feel to see the short list of all the things you wished you could do better and compare that to all the list of all the good things you do. You can do whatever you want with the new list, but I suggest keeping it so you can add more to it later when you think of new things or so you can look back at it whenever you aren’t feeling that great about something.

Make a mantra for yourself. Think of a bunch of words that make you feel really great about yourself. Whether it’s a quote that you memorize and repeat to yourself or it’s just a bunch of words that make you feel great. Think of things that work for you. If you aspire to go into the fashion industry think of things like Vogue or New York City or even just the word “fierce,” things that remind you of your goals and make you feel confident that you’ll get there. If you’re an aspiring author, think of authors that you aspire to be like, think: Alice Walker or William Shakespeare or another author you look up to. Think of something that makes you feel good about you. Don’t pick something that makes you feel good about that thing or something someone says you have to do. Think of anything you want!

Just stare at yourself. I know this sounds kind of weird, but it works. This is kind of like the list thing, but this is more for you visual people out there! Just look at yourself and compliment yourself. Don’t say a single thing that’s negative. Just compliment everything about yourself. If you’re usually really shy when it comes to something about yourself, compliment it even more! I know it sounds weird to talk to yourself, but it helps! If you love every part of yourself, so will everyone else. Every time you pass a mirror, don’t think about things like “I wish I had different hair” or “I hate my skin”, think “Wow, I love my curls/shine today” or “My skin looks really great today.” I’m not saying to become self absorbed and look at yourself in mirrors for hours. I’m just saying to say something nice. Don’t criticize yourself every time you see yourself. Just take some time out of your day and remind yourself of the beautiful young woman you are.

Those are the things I do to give my self esteem a boost. Some you do everyday, some you do sometimes. I hope you use them on your bad days, but feel free to modify them to meet your needs! Do you have any rituals or things you do to help your self esteem? You should tell us! Leave a comment or send in an email.

-- Alex Scott
Jr Correspondent

Teen Profile: In Her Own Words

Name: Savannah Roberson

Nickname: Savy

Age: 16

High School: St. Bonaventure High School (Ventura, CA)

Extracurricular activities: ASB, soccer, dance team

Favorite color: Orange

Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla

Bookworm or social butterfly: Bookworm

Clean freak or pack rat? Clean freak

American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance: SYTYCD

If I could delete one subject from school it would be math because it’s my least favorite subject.

Biggest pet peeve: Feet! I don’t like feet near my face.

Favorite singer: Christette Michelle

Songs that annoy you on the radio: Any song by Rihanna

What makes you unique? I don’t put myself in situations socially where I know that I am going to have to make tough decisions.

What do you want to be when you get older? A dentist

What are your plans after high school? I want to play soccer in college, possibly attend Stanford University.

Favorite place to shop: Wet Seal

Describe your sense of style: Very casual

Something new you would like to learn: I really want to learn how to solve a rubix cube.

If your life had a theme song, what would it be & why? Winner by Jamie Foxx/Justin Timberlake because I don’t quit very easily and I work very hard.

What African American women inspire you? Florence "Flo-Jo" Joyner. Her athletic ability to do things made me want to be like her!

What does being an African American mean to you? Doing whatever it takes to make my ethnicity proud.

What does Brownstone mean to you? Brownstone is a place to go to get advice about school and fitting in socially.

** If you think that you rock or know someone who should be featured in our teen profile please contact us at BrownstoneMag@gmail.com.

Seeking College Interns

We are currently looking for college Spring interns, who have a passion for empowering young girls of color in their community. 2011 is going to be a busy year for us and we're going to need A LOT of help! We are currently seeking individuals to help write content for our blog and help enhance our social media presence.

Writers
We need strong writers who can communicate fresh, innovative stories that are original and easily relatable to our youth audience. Topics range from fashion, beauty, body image, relationships, health, and professional development.

Social Media Intern
We are also looking for an intern who has experience managing/growing Twitter and Facebook accounts for a business (not just for personal use).

Qualifications/Requirements: Must have good grammar/writing skills, experience or interest in blogging/social media. Looking for responsible individuals who can handle hard deadlines and work independently. Experience with digital media is a plus!

This is a non-paid internship. If you are interested please contact Tymika at BrownstoneMag@gmail.com. Writers please send your resume and writing samples. For those interested in the social media position, please send a cover letter and your resume. Deadline: December 22, 2010.

-- Brownstone Team

Baby It’s Cold Outside!

The weather is changing and it’s time to pull out the sweaters, boots & coats that were carefully tucked away last winter. When I started to pull out my winter apparel, I discovered I was in need of a new coat. There are some great trends, colors and prices out there if you are in the market for a new coat. These are great items to put on your Holiday wish list. You know how much parents and grandparents love to give clothes, so why not nudge them in the right direction?

Women's Wool-Blend Bomber Jacket
Old Navy -- $59.99

This is so cute! All the latest trends are bundled into one warm coat from Old Navy. Plaid, a hoodie and a fit that sits right at the hip, I don’t think you can go wrong with this one.


Women's Ruffle-Collar Wool-Blend Jacket
Old Navy -- $59.50 (Jacket comes in more vibrant colors)

Old Navy is getting a shout out twice with this coat. It has a non traditional collar, but still maintains a cute feminine touch. This vibrant color works on almost any skin tone and is much more fun than a boring black coat. Get a color that represents you because everything does NOT always have to match.


AE Puffer Coat
American Eagle Outfitters -- $89.95

A coat doesn’t always have to be wool. This is a great, more casual option that is perfect to wear with jeans.

Sean John Coat, Long Sleeve Tie Trench
Macys* -- $99 (Now on SALE for $44.99 online)

Ok yes, this is a little expensive, but remember a coat is an investment. It will last for many seasons, so it’s ok to spend a little more. The belt that cinches the waist gives this coat a nice touch (and did you check out her gloves – HOT!)

Geometric Peacoat
Sears -- $39.99

The military look is in, and this coat gives it an edgy twist. From the collar to the buttons, this coat will give you a sleek and sophisticated look without breaking the bank.



-- Martine Rouzan
Brownstone Team

When I was 17...

There's no doubt that being a teenager can be hard at times. It's a crucial time of growth. Your body is changing and so are your interests. In the famous words of Britney Spears, you're not a girl but not a woman yet. And sometimes you may feel alone or like no one understands you. It is our hope that Brownstone will be a resource to help you along your journey into womanhood. But more importantly that you'll share your own stories to empower other girls your age. For those reasons, we decided to share with you some of our experiences of being a teenager. For most of our team, high school was almost a decade ago, but I think that you'll find that not all that much as changed. We all had different backgrounds, dreams, insecurities, regrets that I think that you'll be able to identify with. If we survived, then you can too! Check out "When I was 17..."

Tymika Morrison (TM)

Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Long Beach CA

Kyle Holland (KH)

Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES), Los Angeles CA

Karissa Allen (KA)

San Gorgonio High School, San Bernardino CA

Chevonne Collins (CC)
Oak Park & River Forest High School, just outside Chicago IL

What 3 words would you use to describe yourself as a teenager.

TM: Cool, Focused, Soft spoken

KH: This question reminds me when people used to call me a “ghetto nerd.” I think what they meant was that I was into school but still a cool person. But in my own words I would say: studious, social and loyal

KA: Driven, eager, positive

CC: Athletic, Funny, Introverted

What clubs/extracurricular activities were you involved in?

TM: I was in Young Black Scholars (YBS), wrote for my high school newspaper (The Highlife), danced for 2 years, and was a Polyette (drill team). Oh and my friends and I would go to our class senate meetings, but weren't really involved...lol.

KH: I was involved in Leadership, Class Council, Performance Choir, Play Production and Cheerleading.

KA: Marching/Concert Band, Peer Leadership, Key Club, Odyssey of the Mind, Destination Imagination, Ballet, Jazz Dance, Volunteer at the local hospital

CC: Cheerleading, Basketball, & Softball

Were you a follower or leader?

TM: I hate the word follower because it tends to have a negative connotation but I wouldn't call myself a leader in high school. I was just there. And by that I mean that I was a member of several organizations on campus and had my core group of friends. I only had one leadership position (managing editor of the school newspaper) and I wasn't the leader of my group. Although I wasn't a leader in the typical sense, I was still very active but I wouldn't consider myself a follower because I've always made my own decisions.

KH: Leader for sure

KA: At times a little of both

CC: A little bit of both. I was a leader by being a thinker - having my own opinions on things & voicing them when necessary. Also, I led by not succumbing to peer-pressure & doing things I wasn’t necessarily comfortable with (usually… I did give in to peer pressure a couple times I’m sure; we all do… but most of the time, I didn’t). I was a follower because there were team captains, group leaders, & and others in leadership positions who I had to answer to.

Would you describe yourself as book smart or a party animal?

TM: Definitely book smart. I've always been a "nerd." I rarely went to parties in high school unless it was somebody's birthday.

KH: I was definitely a little bit of both. I was a book worm in disguise. Earning good grades and getting into a great college was very important to me, but I also made it a point to have lots and lots of fun…sometimes too much fun.

KA: Definitely book smart. My friends and I would go to the movies and go shopping but we rarely went to parties.

CC: I was book smart, but still knew how to have a good time. :)

What was your biggest insecurity? How did you overcome it?

TM: My biggest insecurity was my weight. In high school, I was considered "thick" before Beyonce made it cool. All my friends were skinny, so I was considered the biggest (in my eyes) in the bunch. I would always compare myself to them...wishing that I was smaller. My senior year I was determined to lose weight. I did a bunch of diets, including the Hollywood 48 hour diet where you eat NOTHING and only drink the solution. (Ladies don't try it!) I ended up losing a lot of the weight before my freshmen year of college, but gained it back with my freshmen 15...lol! Surprisingly, all my friends in college were "thick" though and I didn't really care anymore. I wasn't the odd one out anymore.

KH: My biggest insecurity was my standardized test scores. I always kept them a secret from everyone, including my best friends because my scores were never as good as I knew they should have been, especially since I was a straight A student. I took countless SAT, SAT ll and ACT test prep courses, from Princeton Review to Test Masters. My scores improved a lot, but it was always an area that I had to justify in college applications etc.

KA: This is not so much of an insecurity, but I was shy and afraid of public speaking. I overcame it by joining Odyssey of the Mind/Destination Imagination which required me to put on performances at assemblies in front of the entire school. I realized that I liked performing and that being in front of people wasn’t so scary after all.

CC: I didn’t know it then, but looking back now, it was probably my body. I had always been really skinny but in high school, puberty set in & I developed really quickly & wasn’t used to getting so much attention from boys. I wore a lot of big shirts, jeans, & sneakers as a way to cover up. I typically shopped in the men’s section for clothes unless it was something for church or a special occasion. Big clothes were in style at the time anyway (think TLC or Aaliyah), so I got away with it. I think I just overcame this insecurity with time. I started college at 17 and got more comfortable in girls clothing & wore sandals for the first time in God-knows how long. Gradually during my college years, I shed my tomboy image & became a girl. Lol!

Who was your celebrity crush?

TM: Ray J (pre Ray J of Love days of course)

KH: I didn’t really have crushes on celebrities…I really liked Usher though.

KA: Justin Timberlake

CC: Grant Hill & LL Cool J

Describe your first date.

TM: My first date was with a guy who lived an hour away from where I lived. I met him at my grandparent's church. After a year of cat and mouse we finally went on a date. I drove to him(Bad move ladies! He should come to you!) My grandmother drove us to the movies and we saw the movie Shrek. I remember being really nervous throughout the whole movie because I knew at some point he would try to kiss me. After the movie while we were waiting for my grandma to pick us up, he leaned in and gave me a kiss.

KH: When I was in the 8th grade, my dad (of all people) dropped my boyfriend and I off at the Century City mall to go to the movies. I had on a long sleeve, red and black, Guess t-shirt and some black jeans. I thought I was SO cute! We watched the movie, holding hands of course, and I just remember having a good time. I was crazy in love with this guy…who happens to be my current boyfriend now too! Funny how life comes full circle.

KA: I can’t remember my very first date, but typically my boyfriend and I would just go to the movies on a Friday night and eat Chipotle afterwards.

CC: I wish I could remember enough about it to describe! I think it was the homecoming dance my junior year in high school. I do remember my “boyfriend” at the time didn’t have a driver’s license, so he picked me up in this old 1978 limo. It was definitely a clunker & my friends had jokes about it all night. I was so embarrassed, but aside from that, we had a fun time.

What did you want to be?

TM: I think I wanted to go into marketing.

KH: I wanted to be a “businesswoman,” as if that were a job title or something. What the heck is a “businesswoman?” I think what I was trying to say back then was that I wanted to be the one who called the shots, a leader.

KA: I wasn’t entirely sure but I was interested in Journalism.

CC: An architect or a graphic designer.

Favorite hangout spot:

TM: This hamburger stand called Tommy's was the hangout spot. They had the best seasoned fries.

KH: My friend Lisa’s house. She lived right across the street from the school so that’s where we would go before and after school…and many times during school. Oh yea, I was a ditcher. I don’t recommend it though.

KA: Chipotle

CC: My best friend’s house.

Favorite memory:

TM: One memory that stands out is when my drill team advisor took our team to Las Vegas for our end of the year banquet. Being 16 in Las Vegas you couldn't tell us that we weren't grown. We had so much fun! We took a really nice charter bus up there and stopped at the outlets in Barstow on the way. In Vegas, we walked the strip and hung out at GameWorks. We had our banquet at New York, New York, which was really fun. That was my first little taste of freedom and I enjoyed every bit of it!

KH: KKK: Kyle, Kamille and Kimberly. The three of us rolled tough. We ate a lot, laughed a lot and made the best out of high school.

KA: My friends and I dressing up like burritos on Halloween by wrapping ourselves in aluminum foil and then going to Chipotle to get a free burrito.

CC: I have a lot from that year: My senior class brunch, my senior class trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, my high school graduation, and starting college. I did all of this when I was 17.

One thing you know now that you wish you knew then.

TM: I wish I would have cherished my teenage years a little bit more. I had it soooo good! I really didn't have a want for anything. Things are different now that I am an adult. I have bills (rent, student loans) and a full-time job. I miss not having any real responsibility and having the ability to have my mom take care of things for me. Many times I hear teens say, "I can't wait until I'm 18 or 21." Believe me you can! They say time is of the essence and my advice is to live in the present and make the most of your teen years!

KH: I wish I would have known that at the end of the day, it’s not so much about your grades, or awards…it’s about building relationships, doing what you love doing and giving back to your community in some way. Had I really known this back then, I wouldn’t have gotten so caught up on trying to look good on paper.

KA: I can’t say there’s really anything I wish I would’ve known then. But if I could talk to 17 year old Karissa, I would tell her that even though the breakup with her boyfriend feels like the end of her world, life will go on and it will all be for the better. I would tell her to take a little more time to have fun and enjoy being a teen, because in a few years life will all be about responsibility! And I would tell her to always remember the values her parents instilled in her and not to change herself or what she believes for anyone.

CC: If I met my 17-year-old self today, I would say: “Keep being “the nice one,” but don’t be so nice that you become naive. Trust your gut & if your instincts tell you that something doesn’t seem quite right, it probably isn’t.”

Hope you enjoyed that little flashback!

-- Brownstone Team

Brownstone Holiday Gift Guide: Ideas #2-4

It's that time of the week again! In case you missed it, every Friday leading up to Christmas, Brownstone will reveal a gift idea (or more) from our Holiday Gift Guide. Today, we're focusing on gifts for your parents. Shopping for your parents can be very hard. What do you get the two people who have sacrificed so much for you? Well don't worry Brownstone is here to help and hopefully alleviate some of that stress. Check out this options:

Idea #2: Michael Jackson: The Experience (Wii)

Dance, sing and enjoy the holidays with the Michael Jackson: The Experience Wii game. Depending on where you purchase, the game runs between $35-$50. This is a great gift for parents because its the perfect way to bring the generation gap closer. I'm sure your parents grew up with Michael Jackson and now you can enjoy a fun family game night with the addition of this game to your collection.

-- Recommended by team member Martine Rouzan

Idea #3: Customize Your Gift

Get creative this holiday season and make your parents a gift. However, this particular idea is for dads. A online company called Zazzle will allow you to personally design a tie. You can put your picture on it or create your own design. This is really a cute idea that your dad will really appreciate the thought behind. Not feelin' the tie idea? You can also personalize other gifts on the site as well. Check out Zazzle.com for more information!

-- Recommended by team member Kyle Holland

Idea #4: Spa Basket

Your mom works hard all year long, why not pamper her before the new year begins? I know it can be hard to treat your mom to a spa trip at 16, but that doesn't mean that you can't recreate the spa experience for her. Try putting together your own spa basket, with products that you know will help her relax. For example:

• Scented candles (find her favorite scent)


• Sugar body scrub


• lofa scrub


• Aromatherapy products


• Bubble bath


• lotion
  

You can easily find these products at Target or Bath and Body Works for a reasonable price.

-- Recommended by team member Tymika Morrison

-- Brownstone Team

Favorite Holiday Dishes

The best part of the holiday season is the food! Turkey, ham, greens, sweet potatoes, need I go on? Each family has their own special traditions. This year, the Brownstone editors are sharing our favorite holiday dishes. You might even see something that you'd like to try with your family. Feel free to share with us your favorite dishes as well! Happy Holidays!

Tymika Morrison - Mac and Cheese

My favorite holiday dish is HOMEMADE mac and cheese (none of that Kraft box stuff). There's just something about cheese that I can't deny. My aunt normally makes the dish for our family dinners, but this year I'm excited about making the mac and cheese for Christmas. I'm trying to put my own spin on the recipe. My aunt normally uses cream of mushroom in her recipe, while I plan to use half and half. Plus, I'm going to use at least four different types of cheeses. I hope to start a new tradition with my family....mmm I can't wait to taste it! (Recipe below is from Patti Labelle) Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil


• 1 pound elbow macaroni


• 1/2 cup butter


• 1/2 cup shredded Muenster cheese


• 1/2 cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese


• 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese


• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese


• 2 cups half & half


• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten


• 1/4 teaspoon salt


• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly butter a deep 2 1/2 quart casserole. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat, add the oil then the elbow macaroni and cook until macaroni is just tender (about 7 minutes). Do not overcook. Drain well and return to the pot. In a small saucepan, melt the first measure of butter. Stir into the macaroni. In a large bowl, mix the Muenster, mild and sharp Cheddar cheese and the Monterey Jack cheese. To the macaroni, add the half & half, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheeses, and the eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the buttered casserole. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and dot with the remaining butter. Bake until it is bubbling around the edges, about 35 minutes.

Kyle Holland - Chocolate Chip Cookies

My mom is a great baker. When my sister and I walk in the house and see a pan of brownies or a chocolate cake, we just look at each other and say, “Belinda’s Bakes.” That’s what we call my mom’s imaginary bake shop that we tell her to open every time we take a chocolaty bite. Of all the sweet treats my mom is famous for, I’m looking forward to her chocolate chip cookies the most this holiday season. Here’s the thing…I hate nuts! But everyone in the house loves them. You would think she’d make a special batch without nuts just for me. HA, yea right! Instead, she waits until I take a bite and yell, “MOMMY! You said you weren’t gonna put in any nuts!” My whole family gets a kick out of it, and I just get over it. Why? Because I am thankful she made them in the first place! Enjoy! Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups flour
  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda


• 1 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 cup butter
  
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  
• 3/4 cup brown sugar


• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


• 2 eggs


• 2 cups chocolate chips


• 1 cup chopped nuts


• 1/2 coconut (here’s the not so secret ingredient)
  

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Then, mix butter, all sugar and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. Gradually add eggs and flour mix. Stir in chocolate, nuts and coconut and bake for 25 min.

Martine Rouzan - Spinach Artichoke Dip

I love the Thanksgiving because it’s the official kick off to the holiday season. Good food, family & friends… what more could a girl ask for? My absolute favorite thing to eat during the holidays is my grandmother’s cornbread dressing or my mom’s red velvet cake. Unfortunately, I can’t share those recipes… or I would have to kill you right after :) Whenever I hear about favorite holiday foods I always hear the same things – foods from the main course. But what about the food you munch on while you’re waiting on dinner to finish cooking? One of my holiday favorites, and a favorite among my friends & family, is my spinach artichoke dip. I think appetizers are just as important as the main course on this day of feasting and celebration. I actually stole this recipe from a former co-worker and tweaked it a little bit and if you like cheese you will find it truly amazing. My dad always requires his own stash and my cousin even gets mad if I don’t make it! For this recipe you will need:

• 3 cloves of garlic (or more if you like)


• 1 stick of butter


• 8 ounces of cream cheese


• 16 ounces of sour cream
  
• 16 ounces of marinated artichoke hearts (sometimes I can only find 6 ounce jars, 2 of these should do the job)


• 1 small package of frozen spinach


• 2 cups of parmesan cheese


• Splash of Worchestire sauce
  

Melt butter in a pan and add the garlic until tender. Thaw the spinach and drain any excess water. Chop artichokes into small pieces. Add the sour cream, cream cheese, artichokes and spinach into the pan with the butter. Stir and allow the mixture to cook until completely warmed through (it will begin to bubble). Add the splash of Worchestire & 1 cup of the parmesan. Stir mixture until parmesan is melted. Pour the dip into a serving dish and sprinkle the rest of the parmesan cheese on top. You can even get creative with it by adding lump crab meat or shrimp. Serve it any way you like… in a bread bowl, with crackers, tortilla chips or veggies. It’s definitely not low fat so don’t eat too much! The best thing about it is you can remix the leftovers in so many ways. Make a turkey, spinach & artichoke Panini by spreading some of the dip on bread. Add some of your leftover turkey from Christmas dinner and grill for a warm, afternoon treat. Or you can make an omlette with the dip as the filling. However, on the day after Christmas, I like to enjoy it just simply as a dip with crackers as I kick my feet up. Happy Holidays Brownstone family!!

-- Brownstone Team

Brownstone Women's Spotlight: A Profile of G.S. Wolff

G.S. Wolff is the author of a refreshing new novel, The Girlz of Galstanberry. Wolff got her inspiration to write by listening to the girls of her mentorship program and focusing on their unheard voices. They were tired of reading books that just did not relate to them. In addition to writing, Wolff holds a bachelors degree in Neuroscience and a Master of Science. She is a Mathematics professor and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Martine Rouzan (MR): Can you tell our readers about your book, The Girlz of Galstanberry, and what inspired you to write it?

G.S. Wolff (GW): I have a mentoring program for girls and the girls I work with expressed that current books did not accurately reflect them. Books like Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars, only focus on one type of girl from one geographic area of the United States. I was inspired by the unique voices of girls and the differences among girls that were not being addressed. Expressing different cultural & socio-economic backgrounds was important to me.

MR: I noticed while reading excerpts from the book that all the girls are from difference cities across the U.S. and they all wear different shoes to reflect their various personalities. How did you decide on the different cities and traits for each character?

GW: If you take a look, the book it has a horizontal cover. You have to turn the cover to look at each girl. An example of the cover is on the website. The poses, facial expressions, shoes and skin color among each girl are all different. They all wear the same uniform which enforces that they follow the same rules and traditions but never lose sight of their individuality and unique personalities. For example, the fan favorite, Brandi is wearing ballerina slippers to spotlight her interest.

For the cities, I wanted each part of the US to be represented in some capacity. I have characters from the South, Southwest, Midwest, East Coast and West Coast. I love Atlanta because it has one of the largest populations of Black professionals. The Midwest was important to me because I am from the Midwest and I wanted the auto industry to be represented. As for the East Coast, in books we usually see wealthy, Caucasian girls representing this area, however the East Coast is very diverse and deserved to be represented in a different way. My East Coast character is Puerto Rican and from the Bronx. The West Coast character is funky and free-spirited, so San Francisco was the perfect choice for her. This is opposite of the “typical” way Asian girls are represented. Readers usually never see a red head girl represented in books, most likely you will see a blonde or a brunette. The red head character is from Texas which has their own culture and own accent that has been incorporated into the book.

MR: What were you like as a teenager? Are any of these characters modeled after you and your experiences growing up?

All my readers tell me I look like Brandy. I don’t necessarily agree, but the one thing we do share is our hair. I have really big hair and I wanted Brandy to also have big hair. Each girl is an aspect of my personality. Some reflect friends and some are even named after girls I know. Lillian is spunky and Fei is very independent which are both reflective of my personality. I was bullied growing up and it was important to me to incorporate that into the book as well. People often stand by, watch and don’t do anything while others are being bullied. I wanted to address this issue because it was something that was so close to home for me.

MR: I love the Galstanberry Motto: "May all Galstanberry Girls pursue their dreams, stand their ground, persevere though obstacles, and live without regret." How do you incorporate this motto into your life?

GW: The motto comes from 1926 chapter. It is a reflection of my own life. I really want girls to persevere through their obstacles and approach life with a zest. Don’t let anything stop you because you are scared. It may be pretty heavy from a middle school girl to think about but it’s important to know this early so you live life to the fullest. The stand your ground comes from bullying which reflect my own experiences growing up. I wanted something deeper for middle school girls to ponder so they wouldn’t only consumed by gossip and materialism.

MR: What obstacles did you overcome in publishing your book?

GW: I started writing in May 2010 and it just poured out of me. Writing a book for girls was natural because I have a program for middle school girl. Everything I do I think of them in the background. I didn’t know of literary agents, which are like sports agents for authors. I submitted about 20 query letters about my book and received rejections from all of them. This was really disappointing because this is a book about real girls rather than sci-fi vampires or really rich Caucasian girls from the East Coast. There is no ethnic diversity in the books currently available for my market. All the books in Borders are the same. The rejection was difficult, but I realized f I really wanted this to happen, I had to do it myself. I’ve had my mentoring program for 10 years and I knew how to register a name and the other paperwork involved in starting up a company. I took the money I made from my fellowship, hired a team to draw the girls, found an editor and someone to manufacture the book.

I then pitched the the book to Detroit Public Library, who pre- ordered 100 copies due by October 13th. That along with two scheduled book signings meant I had to work on a fast timeline. I now have my own publishing house and my book is the only one. I sacrificed my summer for my book; I would work in the lab from 9-5, come home and write all night. I wrote everyday at every moment where I had free time and it was well worth the pressure.

MR: Can we expect more books from you soon?

GW: Yes!!! Definitely the series will continue. I want to hear what girls want. I will probably start writing the next one soon to come out next year.

MR: Thank you for your time, I look forward to checking out your book and I hope our readers do to!

-- Martine Rouzan
Brownstone Team

Brownstone Holiday Gift Guide: Idea #1

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with your family and friends! Today is the craziest shopping day of the year: Black Friday! How many of you were dragged out of bed by your mom to stand in a store line at 3 AM? Well if you did brave the long lines this morning, then I'd have to say that you're one of the dedicated ones. Me?...not so much. I've never been one to wake up early unless I have to do something really important like catch a flight. My new philosophy is, "If they don't have it when I get there, then it wasn't meant for me to have!"

But now that the holiday season is in full motion, it means that you will eventually have to hit the malls to get those perfect holiday gifts. No worries! Brownstone is here to help you along the way with our Holiday Gift Guide. Every Friday leading up to Christmas, we will offer a gift option or two to assist you with your shopping. Hey, you might even find something you like to put on your own Christmas list!

Idea #1: The Kodak Pulse Digital Picture Frame

The Kodak Pulse is a very cool gift for a friend (or yourself...lol). Everyone loves taking cute pixs of your friends doing crazy things or family members at special events. With the Kodak Pulse, you can easily receive pictures from others right onto your digital frame, as well as upload pictures to Facebook. Here's more information:

Cool Ways to Upload Pixs

• Create your own e-mail address for the frame to easily receive new pictures
  Send pictures from a computer


• E-mail pictures from mobile phones as soon as they’re taken—perfect for sharing on-the-go


• Adding your own pictures to the frame from your computer is incredibly simple
  The PULSE automatically links to friends and photo albums on FACEBOOK and KODAK Gallery sites, so you can see new pictures on your frame when they’re posted
  

Easy to Use

• Hassle-free pictures—there’s no software to install, making setup easier than ever


• The PULSE automatically alerts you as soon as you get new pictures from friends and family


• Wirelessly add or replace pictures with built-in Wi-Fi


• You can also insert a memory card or USB drive to start viewing your pictures right away
  

Displays pictures beautifully

• Pictures look amazing on the 7 in. high-quality digital photo display (800 × 600 pixels)


• featuring KODAK Color Science and LED backlighting.

Visit experience.kodakpulse.com to see it in action.

The Kodak Pulse is the gift that keeps on giving. Who doesn't like looking at pixs of their friends and themselves over and over again? The Kodak Pulse is an awesome reminder of all the good times shared in life. Your friend will love you for this thoughtful gift! I know I would ;)

-- Tymika Morrison
Brownstone Team

Baby Got Back

Well everyone knows this song by Sir Mixalot. It’s a classic and as soon as the words “Oh..my..God Becky” come on everyone is sure to know the words that come next. Even though this song is catchy and gets your attention, it’s very derogatory and makes you wonder about your expectations as a young black woman in the black community. I struggled this month to figure out what to write about and just thought to ask my female peers about what they think their role is supposed to be as young black women, as well as what have they been judged on. One of my best friends came up with the idea of the black body image in black society. Her exact words were, “I feel stereotyped the most physically as a black woman. I feel like I have to conform into the views of black women or else I’ll be an outcast within my own race. (i.e.: big butt, hour glass frame).” Her words really spoke to me and made me realize that even though I may not be paying attention to how others view me, I am always being judge by my own community. Pop culture and songs like this make our community believe that Black women as a whole all have a role in our society to be “thick.” The lyrics to this song “I like big butts and I cannot lie. You other brothers can't deny. That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist and a round thing in your face. You get sprung, want to pull up tough. Cause you notice that butt was stuffed,” seem to encourage the idea of being thick and having a coke bottle shape. I feel so uncomfortable within my own body sometimes, because I am not “thick” and don’t have the “coke bottle shape” that our society seems to pressure our women into being like.

I talked to more young women and they all agreed that as black women, we have to look a certain way to please both our black women and our black community. It’s seen as shameful now when a black girl doesn’t have any curves and no butt. So many teenage girls feel less black or less of a woman without having curves. Black guys don’t make it any better by preferring girls with curves over those who aren’t as curvaceous as others. It seems to me that black girls in our communities don’t make it any easier in accepting our bodies. So many of my peers at school talk down to black thinner girls and it seems that within our black community if you are thin than you are looked down upon and are seen as less of being black just because you aren’t curvy. I’ve been called skinny and my friends make me feel as if my body is not normal and I feel like I need to gain wait and put on a few more pounds. I get so consumed in my looks sometimes because I try to fit into this “black barbie doll” type of body image. I am here to say that ladies we are just as beautiful with our without our natural curves. We should just accept our bodies for what they already naturally are like. You don’t need “back” to be beautiful.



-- Jamiah LaShay (Berkeley High School, Age 16)
Jr Correspondent

Dream...But Don't Sleep

Langston Hughes asked it best:

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--
And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

--Dreams Deferred by Langston Hughes

What do you think happens when your dreams are put on hold? It happens to all of us. Whether it is for school, a job, or even family, we all sacrifice our dreams in some way just to make it through the daily grind. But given that life sometimes forces us to put our dreams aside, does this mean we should let them die?

I must admit, it’s hard to stay passionate about something that’s always pushed onto the back burner. For me, I struggle with becoming an entrepreneur. Should I resign from my day job and put 100% of my time into running my own business? Or should I get my head out of the clouds and continue on the road I’ve started? I fight with these questions all the time.

For anyone, I think that if the dream is worth dreaming, it’s not a matter of IF, it’s a matter of WHEN. This goes for myself too. Who cares if I have to wait a few years to actively pursue my dream? If I'm really on fire about it, I won’t let it rot or sag. It will eventually explode into greatness and success. And just think, if you're not passionate enough about your dreams to the point that they"ll explode if ever placed on hold, how could we expect people to believe in us?

This is why I really like the quote, “dream but don’t sleep.” For me it means, if your dreams have been deferred, keep dreaming. Work towards them little by little until reality allows them to manifest, or like Langston Hughes writes, explode. Don’t simply have a dream and sleep on it because by the time you wake up life will have passed us all by.

What do you think happens to a dream deferred?

--Kyle Holland
Brownstone Team