FD is Back!

As many of you know, I had to take a break to launch a couple more blogs. That said I will be back on the Fighting Debutante grind this week. Stay tuned!!

How to Pack for a Summer Vacation

Packing for a summer trip can be an daunting process if you aren't careful. With stricter airlines regulations, it's more important than ever to be an efficient packer. Some things are best left at home because unless you want to cough up more money for your excess baggage, less is always more. Unless your travel is taking you somewhere the sun doesn't shine, here's what to bring.

-A light jacket. Great for throwing over your shoulders for a stroll on the beach. It should keep you warm but not insulate you.

-A sundress (or two). Sundresses are great for just throwing on during a vacation. It's a one piece garment that be folded simply and put on in less than 30 seconds.

-A bikini. If you plan at all to get in the water, a cute little bikini should do the trick. If you're self conscious, shoot for the one piece. You can find great bikinis at just about every store in every market. If you're on a budget try Target and Old Navy.

-Sunglasses. For obvious reasons, protect your eyes from the blistering sun while you sip mixed drinks by the shore.

-Flip-flops. I buy flip-flops in a variety of colors simply because they are convenient and easy to wear.

-2 tees. V-neck or crew neck, tee shirts are great for just throwing on. Buy them in bulk at stores like the Gap or The Limited.

-2 tank tops. Thank tops can be worn under a dress, over a swimsuit, or in conjunction with a pair of (see below). They are light and come in a zillion different colors.

-Khaki shorts. These are a must for any vacation. Khaki shorts are great for a stroll through through the city or for a trip to the local bar and grill. Paired with a tee or tank top, they provide effortless chic.

-A pair of jeans. For the trip home just in case the weather isn't so hot when you return. Jeans are the quintessential item that no woman can do without!

-Don't forget your underwear and the 3 ounces bottles of beauty products!

(Photo by Ryan McVay)

A New Beginning: Just a Few Thoughts

Life is so funny. Sometimes when you think something is going the way it should be, something happens to send your plans down another path. Is this a bad thing? Hardly. Sometimes in life we have to have our own personal derailment to get back on the right track. Over the last several months I have experienced some "divine" interventions, a few of them I thought shouldn't have taken place, but clearly now I understand why they happened. Friends as well tell me how they go through things and at that moment they don't understand why "it" happened to them. Clearly God had his plans and his way of telling us what they are is changing things in our day to day lives.

Every day I strive for excellence and encourage others to do the same. I refuse to be around people who have no ambition or have a desire to keep drama going. Those are probably the people who were in the same position they are in now, ten years ago. Some people simply do not want to change for the better or do the right thing. Yet they find the time to sit down and criticize what you are doing because they wish they could be doing it to.

In everything you do, know what you want out of it. Set goals but also take time out to smell the roses. Yes like the old cliche when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Well you know what, I make some damn good lemonade!

Photo (Lemon Splash) courtesy of Getty Images by Chris Stein

How to Save Your Skin From Winter

Winter can be harsh on black skin. If you live in particularly harsh climates, your skin may be more prone to dryness, flaking, and irritation. Most people think they only need to protect their skin in the summer from sun damage, but preventing winter damage is crucial as well.

Face and Lips
Washing your face with a gentle cleanser daily and exfoliating with a scrub at least once a week to remove dead skin cells can keep skin in tip-top shape. Apply a sunscreen with SPF 30 to your face to prevent sun damage. Lips should be kept moist with either a moisturizing lip balm.

Products to try:

* Face: St. Ives Elements Olive Oil Cleanser, Cetaphil Cleanser, St. Ives Apricot Scrub
* Lips: Burts Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate oil

Water & Your Skin
Avoid using hot water during baths and showers. Hot water robs the skin of moisture and causes dryness. Bathing or showering with lukewarm water is less harmful to the skin. Use a gentle liquid cleanser on skin instead of soap. After your bath or shower, apply a lotion or oil(oil absorbs better) to damp skin.

Products to Try:

* Skin Cleansers: Dr. Bronner's Liquid Soap Lavender, Citrus, or Peppermint scent, Caress Tahitian Renewal Body Wash, or Dove Body Wash After
* Bath/Shower Oil: Trader Joe's Lavender Oil, Neutrogena Body Oil, Nivea Original Moisture Lotion

Hands and Feet
Hands and feet are often the driest area on the human body. Be sure to protect your hands with gloves if you live in an extremely cold climate. When you're washing dishes, use plastic gloves and apply a hand moisturizer if your hands are exposed to water more frequently. For your feet, consider soaking them once a week in a peppermint bath to relieve stress and irritation. For extremely dry feet, use a pumice every other day to remove dead skincells. Apply a moisturizing cream or oil to feet and cover with cotton socks.

Products to Try:

* Hand Creams: Carol's Daughter Lemon and Rose Hand Cream, Neutrogena Hand Cream
* Foot Treatments: Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme, The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion

Keeping your skin protected in winter is simple. Remember moisture is the key, and protecting your skin consists of more than just warm clothes. Drink plenty of water, and sleep with a humidifier in your room if necessary. For severe skin problems, avoid a self-diagnosis and see a dermatologist.

(photo by

President Obama

With all the excitement over the last few days, I hadn't a chance to sit down and write. First let me say how elated I am that President Obama's inaugural ceremony went off without a hitch.

Just by staring out into the sea of people, I could feel Obama's positive energy being reflected. He is a genuine person, a good husband and father. If he approaches the presidency with the same valor he uses as a family man, he will do a hell of a job. Not only is he eloquent and intelligent, he knows how to hand a suit too. The Prez as we like to say around the way, has swagger. When he walks into a room, he owns it. He commands attention and when he has it, he doesn't let the people down.

With so many issues to deal with, mainly our economy and the war in Afghanistan, President Obama has his work cut out for him. I am confident though, not only will he make get the job done, he will look good doing it. He has a team of exceptional leaders by his side and as long as he stays true to himself, the people, and this country, he cannot fail.

Obama's Inauguration Events

SATURDAY, JAN. 17

_ President-elect Barack Obama and his family ride the train from Philadelphia to Washington, stopping in Wilmington, Del., for Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family. Train will stop in Baltimore for speech before heading south.

_ BET Honors, an awards ceremony, at the Warner Theater.

_ People's Inaugural Gala Celebration at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

_ Will.i.am "Yes We Did" concert.

_ Concert with Mary J. Blige, Common and Nelly at nightclub Ibiza.

SUNDAY, JAN. 18

_ Obama will kick off inaugural activities with a welcome event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday afternoon. The event begins at 2:30 p.m. Beyonce, U2, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor are among the musicians scheduled to perform.

_ Presidential Inaugural Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Ritz-Carlton.

_ EMILY's List Inaugural Luncheon with scheduled guests including Cabinet appointees Hillary Rodham Clinton and Janet Napolitano, Sens. Kay Hagan and Jeanne Shaheen, and North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue.

_ African-American Church Inaugural Ball at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

_ 2009 Latino Inaugural Gala with Marc Anthony at Union Station.

_ Aloha Inaugural Ball, organized by former Obama campaign workers, held at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel at 7:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JAN. 19

_ National Day of Community Service event: To honor Dr. King's legacy, Obama, Biden and their families, joined by Americans across the country, will participate in activities dedicated to serving others in communities across the Washington, D.C. area.

_ Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball, sponsored by the Texas State Society, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

_ Green Inaugural Ball at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. Ball hosted by former Vice President Al Gore.

_ Huffington Post preinaugural ball at the Newseum.

_ Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts. Hosted by the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, among others.

_ A children's evening concert at the Verizon Center honoring military families. Event hosted by Michelle Obama, who will attend. Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers are among the entertainers.

_ Obama to attend three private dinners to honor former secretary of State Colin Powell, Biden and Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, for their public service. Dinners at the Hilton Washington, National Building Museum and Union Station.

TUESDAY, JAN. 20 (INAUGURATION DAY)

Gates to the Inaugural Ceremony open at 8 a.m. The inaugural festivities are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. They will include:

_ Musical selections of The United States Marine Band, followed by the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.

_ Sen. Dianne Feinstein provides call to order and welcoming remarks.

_ Invocation by the Rev. Rick Warren.

_ Musical selection of Aretha Franklin.

_ Biden will be sworn into office by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.

_ Musical selection of John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet).

_ Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln's Inaugural Bible, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. Scheduled around noon.

_ Obama gives the inaugural address.

_ Poem by Elizabeth Alexander.

_ Benediction by Rev. Joseph E. Lowery.

_ The National Anthem by The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters."

After Obama gives inaugural address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.

The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.

Later that day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host 10 official inaugural balls:

_ Neighborhood Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Obama Home States (Illinois and Hawaii) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Biden Home States (Pennsylvania and Delaware) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Midwest Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Western Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Commander in Chief's Ball at the National Building Museum.

_ Southern Inaugural Ball at the National Guard Armory.

_ Eastern Inaugural Ball at Union Station.

_ Youth Inaugural Ball at the Washington Hilton.

Unofficial balls include:

_ Congressional Black Caucus Inaugural Ball at the Capitol Hilton.

_ Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts.

_ Recording Industry Association of America's ball for Feeding America.

_ BET's Inaugural Ball at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

_ Africa on the Potomac inaugural celebration at Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.

_ American Music Inaugural Ball at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

_ Inaugural Purple Ball at the Fairmont Hotel.

_ Human Rights Campaign's Equality Ball at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel.

_ Inaugural Peace Ball at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

_ Impact Film Fund ball.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21

_ The president, vice president and their families will participate in a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.

10 Reasons Why You're Single (Or Unattached)

1. Your attitude. Your attitude determines your altitude and if you keep saying you're going to be single forever, you will be.

2. Your standards are too high. You want the perfect man/woman, yet you are far from perfect yourself. If you did find Mr./Ms. Perfect, why would they want you?

3. You're holding onto past hurts. So you broke up with your college sweetheart five years ago and they got married six months later. Get over it. It wasn't meant to be. For whatever reason God placed that person in your life to show you a thing or two and now it's time to move on.

4. Bad Karma. You messed with other women/men's boyfriends/girlfriends/wives/husbands and it's coming back to bit you in the a$$. Leave people who are in a relationship alone. Most men do not leave their wives and some husbands are deranged enough to want to kill you. Stick to single folks.

5. Your parents marriage failed or your parents never married. People often fear a real commitment because they paternal figures relationship's failed. It is not your fault, so why are you letting it stop you from getting into a relationship.

6. You Wanna Ride the Freak Train one more time. Some people honestly feel they are missing out on something if they get into a relationship. Enjoying yourself is fine, but who wants to be the old man at the club or the old h** at the bar?

7. You're selfish. You're to shallow and insecure to care about anyone let alone let them into your life.

8. You use your career or education as a disqualifying factor when choosing a mate/date. You think because you're making tons of money and are able to do whatever you want that you don't need nobody. Well your paycheck is not going to keep you warm, nurse you when you are sick, or listen to your bulls*** at the end of a bad day. So you have 3 master's degrees, good for you. Don't throw your education in someone's face, especially when they are trying to get to know you. While real men/women won't be intimidated, your constant rants about him not being educated will keep you in the single market. Encourage your partner to get a degree if that is what they want to do. And sistahs don't sleep on the blue collar bruthas!!

9. You listen to your family and friends too much or have them in your business. Taking bad advice, especially from someone who is not in a healthy relationship is a bad idea. Men, keep your mama/sister/auntie out of your kitchen. If you have a woman, it her duty to feed you, not your mama's. And men, please remember to do man things. No, we do not want to take out the damn trash! It's cold outside and somebody might grab me, plus our heels will get dirty! Women, you can be daddy's little girl without running to him for everything. Men want to be needed. If you need an oil change, ask your man. He will be more than happy to do it. And for goodness sake, LEARN HOW TO COOK and CLEAN! It ain't that hard to do.

10. You're unattractive. Not in the literal sense, but your energy is off and you don't exude the excitement of positivity a relationship requires. You have to use what you've got to get what you want, but this goes beyond a big booty or bank account. People of no substance will never be happy in a relationship. You have to have something to offer.