When I first moved to New York, I used to shop every week-end.  Since juggling work and hardly having any “me” time I’ve missed out on some of the cool finds in New York City, so this past week-end I took myself on a lush splurge and embarked on one of the sweetest and sexiest stores I’ve ever seen!

It’s called LUSH and boy is it LUSCIOUS!!! The store is a “scentual” escape and filled with FRESH, Handmade, ORGANIC cosmetics for your body, hair and just…when you want to feel pretty.  Plus, it’s not just for girls…you can also get something for your special guy

I was lurred into the heavenly scented store after passing by and was surprised to find such cool little treats.  One of the sales girls even gave me a hand treatment that made me want to catch a few zzzzz’s!

Have you ever had a hand massage that put you to sleep?  Trust me, this place is a must on the shopping list.  Here’s what I walked out with.

THE BUBBLE BARS:

Sunny Side–you can drop the whole thing in your bath wather or cut it in 4’s!  This will leave your bath water silky and glistening like a golden sunset, while filling your space with the scent of sweet orange and tangerine. $5.95

Flosty Gritter–OK so it doesn’t sound so sexy, but it makes you feel so good!!!  Japanese product developer, Noriko Miura, combined lavender oil and vanilla and a bunch of “frosty glitters” which leave your bath sparkling! $5.65

THE BATH BOMB!

ooooh la la…had to try this the first day.  Drop this in and watch the water sizzle.  I couldn’t resist the tantalizing aroma of this ball made of wild jasmine, larkspur and ylang ylang…AND it makes the water a pretty pink.  Delish! The Butterfly Ball ($5.15)

The Softest Touch

For smooth hands and a treatment that makes you feel like you’re floating.  This is a must…in the following order BUT here’s the trick…you must apply the first three all on top like a sloppy ice cream sundae.

1. Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter (made of mango, avocado and flaxseed oil) this is a bit oily but watch the difference when it’s done.  Can also be used for all dry areas including knees and elbows. $13.25

2. Ocean Salt Scrub–slab on and rub in this Vodka margharita–which I had no idea exfoliates! Now you can experience a cocktail without picking up an advil the next day. $32.95

3. Almond Kisses–tones, moisturizes and brings your baby skin to life. $45.95

Then WASH IT ALL OFF…and for the icing on your brand new hands let the DREAM CREAM ($22.55) take you away.

AHHHHHH…until next time, have a relaxing visit to LUSH on me! www.lush.com

Word on the street is Beyonce and Jay-Z are getting hitched and we had first hand knowledge after our photographer received a call to shoot the wedding.  He went to the site in question and there was a slew of Paparazzi…we’ve all seen it on the blogs and the TV Magazine shows.  Now, I’m not one to get into all the celebrity gossip but this was very interesting to me because people REALLY believe that this is a hoax.  I don’t know;  Do Beyonce and Jay-Z really need the publicity and take center stage to Ashton’s new show POP Fiction?

I mean, why go through the trouble of staging a “fake” wedding when they are the real deal?  I admire them as a couple and let’s face it…all the HONEY ladies know, Jay-Z can’t get another chick in the game to top B.  They are heading in the same direction, have the same ambitions, she is not all in his face, they lead separate lives and if she wanted to…she can ”have another Jay-Z in a minute.”  But what’s he gonna get?

On my trip to ATL, my friends gave me a fabulous dinner and we ate and DISHED on the things ladies talk about, that men wouldn’t think we’d explore.  If you ever take a trip in the ladies room, you know that the convos get pleasantly explicit with lots of laughs.  Yet, somehow it always ends up on men…even when you’ve got one.  Most of my friends are in long term relationships or married…not many are single, but all of us know when a “relationship” is for the long haul or fun trip and so do the guys.  They know who they want to marry and who they can “keep on lay-a-way.”  This brings me to a conversation I had with a wise woman who stated “Women marry men they love and men marry women they can’t live without”  That’s very deep, especially for the women who are holding on waiting for the BIG ONE.  What happens when it doesn’t come? Do you just get up “Dust your shoulders off?” 

And what about the men who are stuck in these relationships because it’s comfortable?  Can you imagine the pressure of having to buy a ring for someone you don’t want to spend the rest of your life with?  I could not imagine being in those shoes…I can not imagine waiting…I could not imagine staging a wedding for kicks.  But I can imagine kicking it with my girls with a nice glass of wine cracking up about how silly all of this is.

Here’s a low down of our fun and fabulous dinner!

Being Mischevious: Me, Nikki (Slick) and Sabrina (Rose)

Imitating Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle on Oprah…you had to be there!  That’s Jackie…the ball of laughs!

Nikki, Sabrina, Shani and Jackie

Me and Shani…the world keeps getting smaller! Shani is also a director, both of our films have been in the same film festivals and because of scheduling conflicts we never met, but I always wanted to see her short Wanna Be…and now I know her!

Sabrina’s boyfriend is a photographer…peep out his cool work around the place.

Who knew Sabrina can throw down in the kitchen!

A Toast to my girls for getting me through this bitter-sweet time in my life…

So, after dinner Sabrina (Rose) and Nikki (Slick) transform into Super singing Duo Slick & Rose www.myspace.com/slickandrose  Peep the stage show pics below. 

Ladies are pimps too…go on dust your shoulders off! Well, “Go on kick your shoes off!”

Shoulda been there!

Until next time,

Out!

Two days after I posted my last blog I received word that my father died suddenly.  I was in a state of shock, for my father and I were in constant communication and I just told him about a great job opportunity which came my way.  He was so proud!  Later, my aunt and dad’s big sister (Aunt P) called and informed me that I was listed as his beneficiary and that I had to make sure his arrangements were made.  From day one to now, I’ve been working ever since, to assure my father’s legacy lives on for myself and my three beautiful sisters: Kenya, Kanita & Kanae.  My dad’s name was Kenneth, so I guess you know who named me: MOM!

Prior to receiving the call of my father’s passing, I had two meetings.  One, for a feature film I’m getting ready to work on as 2nd Unit Director.  2, for our new managing editor of Creme-Magazine.com.  I was feeling like my life was getting ready to take off.  I was feeling so lifted.  I didn’t get the chance to take off my coat and reflect on my day before that call came.

A few days later, I received another call that my t-shirt line now had a manufacturer in South America…I had to keep going.  Keep pushing.  Couldn’t drop the ball.  I had to JUST DO IT!!!

Have I had time to grieve? Yes, that 2nd day I couldn’t talk.  But I received calls from all my inspirational friends & family who gave me words of wisdom, strength and support.  My mother prayed with me on the phone until I could talk again…until I smiled, and the most amazing thing happened.  I was filled with a strength and serenity that filled me as I walked the path to complete the mission my father wanted.  He left me in charge because he knew I wouldn’t be persuaded, because he knew I’d come in like a lion and lock it down, because he knew I’d have no fear when the vulchers came in to prey…and best of all, he knew I’d do it with grace. Yet, I wasn’t alone, my Aunt P stood by us every step of the way.

A funny thing happens when a person dies.  For me, I began to see who my real friends are, what family is and isn’t and what’s important.  I also found out the true meaning of Deaf, Dumb and Blind and it has nothing to do with being mentally challenged.  It has to do with being spiritually vacant. 

Deaf: The inability to hear God’s little voice

Dumb: So ignorant one can not hear.  The lack of common sense.

Blind: No vision, moving on darkness and fear

I flew to Atlanta, where my father lived for the past 15 plus years, to make sure my two younger sisters were STRAIGHT! They know what that means.  And what a joy it was to see the bright lights in their eyes when GOD began to work his miracles.  We all got the chance to read his guest book, for my father had two standing room only memorials in 2 states, on the same day.  Our hometown in Boston and ATL.  

His guest book was filled with letters, notes and cards about how much of an ANGEL our father was, how he changed so many lives of the people he touched.  We were embraced by strangers giving us hugs and words of wisdom…stories of our father.  We even got to meet his beautiful girlfriend, who’s the most beautiful Indian woman I’ve ever met.  She reminded me of a screenplay I wrote once…

God works in mysterious ways and it was a blessing to see the support that we were receiving.  The love that people had for our father gave me strength to take care of my sisters the way he lived for.  And I did it…they’re good and this is only the beginning!

I lived in Atlanta for 7 years before moving to NYC and a lot has changed in the city, yet one thing remains the same.  MY SOUL SISTERS who threw me a fabulous dinner before I headed back to the big city.  (YOU WILL SEE THE PICS AFTER MY HOMEGIRL NIKKI SLICK SENDS THEM—YES NIKKI, I PUT YOU ON BLAST, BUT I LOVE YA LOL!)

Sabrina & Nikki are my true HOMEGIRLS who know how to support, encourage, lift and give you power in hard times.  I had time to spend with all of my sisters.  My REAL sisters and my SPIRITUAL sisters.  My super women, my inspirations, the reason why I can continue to do what do and why so many other sisters out there can fly.
 
I made a decision early in life that I would surround myself with people who nourish my spirit.  I don’t dwell in the house of negativity. There are no toxic individuals in my TIGHT CIRCLE.  I don’t let them in and neither should anyone else.  I keep it moving.  Always have, always will.  And on this journey, I had to cut a lot of toxic folk out my life and I feel so FREE!!!
 
I’ve learned a great deal over the last month and the best part of all is, I know my father is proud of what I accomplished.  For anyone out there who may have experienced anything like this.  KNOW that YOU CAN DO IT.  And if there are negative forces in your way…PUSH THROUGH because they are blocks to make you stumble.  Stand your ground and DO NOT BE MOVED!

Step on that path like NIKE and JUST DO IT…because like the NIKE logo, I came in and out ATL like a breeze…SWOOSH! 

Here are some pics of me and my sisters.  There’s no doubt that we are cut from the same cloth!!!
 

It started here…

Dad and Mom (with me in belly).  They are sooooo cute!!!!

And then I came…

Nana, Dad, Mom & Me

Then I started a trend…

 Yeah, this is me…

 But this isn’t!  This is my baby sister Kanae

There she goes again

And this is Kanita, rockin’ her big sister’s t-shirt line: www.tamboi.com

And this is Kenya!

Now, it’s time to throw those DEUCES!!!

 Here’s the baby!

 There’s Kanita!

 There’s Kenya!

And big sis!

My little HONEY’S

This one is blurry ’cause we’re so HOT!

Daddy and his 4 Little Girls

And on that note…PEACE OUT!!!

Hello, my name is Dominga Martin and I’m a work-a-holic! OK, not as much as last year…maybe more this year LOL!  Anyhoo, now that I’ve admitted that to myself I decided that I will start to indulge my life once a week.  Which means, I’m taking a break for me as a REWARD, because so many of us work so hard, especially women AND ESPECIALLY if you’re married, in a long-term relationship, have children, juggle school and work, cooking, whatever…sisters, we need a break!

And let me be the first to tell you all the hot spots to have fun and breathe easy!!!  On a daily, I juggle 3 businesses: An on-line magazine, a film company and a t-shirt line AND  I just learned how to DELEGATE LOL!!! Which means, I just hired an assistant (after 2 years)…Come on, ladies in charge KNOW, when it comes to delegation, it’s not always easy to find someone who LOVES your life’s work as much as we do…so, on that note…I found a little breathing room and a chica with 8 arms like me!!!

I also decided that I can no longer split myself in 1/2 and manage an on-line publication as well as my PASSION, which is film.  So, this year, Creme Magazine gets a managing editor and a team of writers to carry the torch and ME? I will continue to be like the parent who has sent a child off to school.  It was a hard decision to make, but working in the movies is a HUGE task and needed all of my attention…and once I made that decision, I was presented with a wonderful opportunity…(tell you all about it later)…so, now, I work full time in film and my t-shirt line is my “side business” LOL!

Now, after taking most of January off to catch my breath, I found a YOGA class and OHMMMMMMMMMMMMM…it was quite a relaxing treat.

LUCKY LOTUS YOGA is a hop skip and a jump from my door.  On Saturdays, beginners get a free 1 1/2 hour lesson.  I was up for it and I’m glad I went.  After a minute of figuring out how to do a Warrior stance, downward facing dog and breathing in sync with some advanced YOGI-ists (is this right?)  I don’t know! But, I must say, it was lots of fun and I felt like I was walking on air when I was done!

If you’ve never tried Yoga before, the class is easy to follow and all equipment (mats, blocks, blankets) are there for your comfort!

For more info, check out: www.luckylotusyoga.com and tell me if you’ve had an enlightening experience!

I’m a member of a film critics circle for women and recently, one member of the group wrote a review for a HUGELY popular movie site that sent the group in an empowering frenzy! She started off the review with the following quote:

“Noble, brilliant suit-wearing Negros fight for equality in racist Texas circa 1935.  All the white people are toothless, evil pig farmers.  Denzel insults his white audience with caricatures.” 

She then went on to say “I wasn’t going to review “The Great Debaters” knowing full well the ugly emails I would get if I don’t like a movie made by or about black people, I’m a racist…(blah, blah, blah)…here’s her DISCLAIMER, which follwed the foot in her mouth:

“I leave for my 7th trip to Africa next week. And, just so you know, I don’t do Africa behind a big white air-conditioned bus.  I camp out with the people.  I know more about African culture from first-hand, feet on the ground experience then all of my black neighbors and friends put together.”  She went on to say: 

“If you forgotten the cruel fight for equality, director and star Denzel Washington wants to shove it right back in your face.  Denzel’s huge fan base might have either not known or forgotten America’s ugly past, so here it is.  There is even a lynching.”

She summed this up by saying Denzel needs therapy! 

WHEW! And that’s just the beginning. 

Those who know me well, know that I don’t bite my tongue, having been fired once for telling a boss that ‘talking to you is like banging on a door and getting no sound.’ She let me go later that day…LOL!

So, on that note, I had to respond to this “blatant bash” disguised as a movie review.  Here’s what I said:

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion.  I’d just like to say as a grand-daughter of an African American Legacy, it is not so far fetched that this film is true to character.

My family has a 120-yr old collection debuting at the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum in DC in 2009.  Amongst the collection are the letters of my cousin who was training to be a Tuskegee Airman in 1943, before that, in the early 1900’s my grand uncle was the founder of Boston’s first Victorian Orchestra, we had an aunt who was a song and dance actress in Russia during the 20’s.  Although there were lynchings and racism (especially in Tuskegee) it did not stop the progress of education, not in my family or in other prominent blacks at the time.

I’m happy to say that I watched Nightline with Oprah and Denzel, which the only surviving Debater spoke…racism did exist BUT they did not walk around wearing “pity or a slave mentality” on their shoulder.  And white people during that time were as they were depicted in that film, even worst, some weren’t…

It is time that America face the truth that all black ppl during that time of racist/opression (which still exists today) were not uneducated “Negroes.”

The Great Debaters is a wonderful film which brings to light the “Willie Lynch Theory” which is still used today.  I think as a member of this group it is important to have this kind of open dialogue so that we can break the myth of what America’s past has lied about and to embrace the truths that make us uncomfortable.

As a journalist and filmmaker, it’s time that we see black people as we really were and not how America wants us to be seen…

Having to “DEBATE” The GREAT DEBATERS is a start of great therapy for us all…”

The next email we received was her RESIGNATION and the group continued to “check” her on her ignorance with a happy farewell and good riddance. 

OUR DISCLAIMER: We are the most diverse group in the nation and so this was NOT an excerpt of Diary of a Mad Black Woman…these are all hues of black, white, latino and beautiful women young and mature.

I SALUTE Denzel Washington, Oprah and the BIG WIG Weinsteins for showing a film that depicts our culture in a light we’ve always known and have been proud of as African Americans in this country.  A film starring newcomer, Denzel Whitaker (who’s not Forest Whitaker’s son); Jurnee Smollett (most known for her role in Eve’s Bayou as the young spitfire) and Oscar winner Forest Whitaker.

I encourage everyone to see this movie for entertainment and educational purposes; then I’d like to know your thoughts.  I believe this is the best film Denzel has ever made.  The directorial vision is magnificent and the moment Denzel steps on screen, you know that walk which he’s made his signature, that bounce of determination.  Yet, there’s something different about his swagger this time: It’s the walk of a director/actor who knows he’s got this film in the bag.

Denzel’s portrayal of (Professor Tolson) believed every word he delivered in this film–and every actor beside him had to step up in each scene, bringing their performances to a heightened level of sophistication and a tear jerking experience.

One of the moments which sticks out to me is the preparation for the debating team, a chant which they recited to build their confidence during a time when the world was against them.  Feel free to hang it where you can see it.

Professor Tolson: Who’s the Judge?

Debating Team: God!

Professor Tolson: Why?

Debating Team: Because he decides who wins or who loses, not your opponent.

Professor Tolson: Who’s your opponent?

Debating Team: He doesn’t exist.

Professor Tolson: Why?

Debating Team: Because he’s a mere dissenting voice to the truth that I speak.

I may not have gotten this word for word, but I want to end with this:  There is always opposition in life and this film critic, in my opinion is a “mere dissenting voice to the truth this movie evokes.”  A film inspired by a beautiful article published in American Legacy Magazine.  A publication which celebrates the life and times of the African Diaspora.

The Great Debaters is a film inspired by a true story.  About a team of Wiley College students who were coached by a professor who is considered a “rebel” who went against the grain of Jim Crown south and challenged intellectuals, share croppers and a team of students to debate when their voices were silenced.  The debating team went on to debate the power team at Harvard University…and won.

This is a remarkable film about the courage and ability to stand against the odds.  This is a film to let all the critics know that we have always risen, even in 1935 when the Jim Crow era was a man made contingency to keep us on our knees.

Denzel is an amazing director and extraordinary actor–this time, I’d like to see him win an Oscar for playing a man that will make all of us proud, rather than a crooked cop, which some of us would much rather see in American cinema…just ask the critic.

The Great Debaters opens Christmas Day…gift yourself!

Denzel as Professor Tolson (Photo by David Lee)

Denzel with Jurnee Smollett (Samantha), Nate Parker (Henry Lowe) and Denzel Whitaker (James Farmer, Jr.): Photo by David Lee

From Left to Right: Denzel Whitaker (James Farmer, Jr.), Jermaine W. Willias (Burgess), unknown extras as Wiley College students, Nate Parker (Henry Lowe), Jurnee Smollett (Samantha), unknown extras as Wiley College students.

Wiley College beats Paul Quinn–their first victory as a debate team. 

Photo by David Lee.

If you’d like to see the full critic review, click here:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/click/author-3571/reviews.php?rid=1696557&cats=1&switches=rotten&sortby=add_date&page=