Marlo Monday's: New York… The City of Dreams!

Divas and Divos… What day is it? It’s Marlo Mondays!!! And this Diva is turned up!

 I spent the weekend in New York. A city I’ve grown to love because it’s true, if you have a dream, New York City is the place to pursue it. And it’s like Mr. Sinatra said,” if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.” So New York is now my 2^nd home, but don’t sleep, St. Petersburg, Fla is not too shabby either.  Some of the most successful brothers and sisters in show business call it home. The beautiful Angela Basset is from there... Former Middleweight Champion, Winky Wright is too. My childhood friend, the extremely talented Will Packer, movie producer extraordinaire was born and raised there, and so was Ms. Marlo herself. 

Before I go any further I want to give a huge shout out to Will Packer to congratulate him on the success of his latest movie, Think Like a Man Too. I attended the premier at the American Black Film Festival, (ABFF) this past weekend and I laughed, cried and then laughed til I cried.  It was funny, sweet and just well done so kudos to the entire cast and a big thanks to the founder of the ABFF, Jeff Friday who created this platform to showcase black films and filmmakers.

 On the subject of dreams… Will is an awesome dreamer who wasn’t satisfied with dreaming only – so he went after what he dreamt about and now look at him. He’s one of the reasons that I decided to talk about the power of realizing dreams today. Will, Angela, Winky and countless others have proven that Nothing is Impossible and it doesn’t matter where you came from. If you can dream it, then you can do it. (Yeah R.Kelly! You told us to believe we can fly!) You have to believe in yourself, and to me, that’s what New York City represents. It’s filled with people with big dreams who may have come from small towns like me, but made their way to New York, to make them come true. No one ever imagined a little brown girl like me, from country-bunkin St. Petersburg, Florida with my history and record would end up rubbing elbows with the talented and famous in New York City, while pursuing My dreams. So the message for all my divas and divos is this, NEVER give up on yourself. It doesn’t matter what your situation looks like right now, we were all created to do great things. If you can dream, then know that dreams come to inspire you. I’m living proof that anything is possible so don’t give up because I’m not. #everydayI’mhustling.

 On another note, let me tell you what happened to me on my way to New York… You may want to take a seat for this! 

I was flying Delta, First Class to New York when a rat (or mouse – what difference does it make? It was a nasty little rodent), decided to run across my foot. WTH? I couldn’t believe it… but you know what was worse? The flight attendant tried to convince me that it was more afraid of me than I should have been of him. (Really lady?) And then she had the nerve to ask me did I want something to eat? Seriously? Absolutely not! Didn’t she see that the rat ran towards the galley (aka kitchen area)?  I want nothing to eat or drink on this plane. At that point, all I did want was to get off!

 Then last but not least…

While driving down 34^th Street we were rear ended by a yellow cab! I got a busted lip, had my first encounter with New York’s Finest and hadn’t even been there 24 hours. It was an experience that could only happen in New York City! Now I’m down in sunny South Beach recuperating from my trip. Rest, relaxation, bikinis and cocktails are just what the doctor ordered.  

Be sure to log in next Monday divas and dios, I’ve got some tea to spill. Til then… Smooches!

Marlo

Family… Can’t live with ‘em and you’ll go to jail for killing ‘em

A diva asked me how I feel about family and did I want kids of my own. Well, Marlo loves the kids and if it’s in the cards for me, I hope to have a family of my own. I have lots of nieces and nephews that I’m very close to and LOVE!

And, family is very, very important to me, even though they can get on your nerves. 

My family, both biological and foster, are a hawt mess! There is never a dull day with any of them and honestly, there are days when I’d like to divorce them. (I’m sure they feel the same about me too – we all crazy!) But, I love them for life and thank God for them.

We don’t get to choose who we’re related to and sometimes I think Ashton is going to jump out and yell “you just got punked” after the DNA test says I am indeed kin to some of my relatives, (raised eyebrow and side eye!). But I’m sure there are many people with no family who wish they had my crazies! So, while I don’t always love how we act toward each other, I do always love them. Family is forever!

Ta-ta Divas and Divos… Til next week, smooches!

Marlo

Reveal, refresh and renew!

Reveal, refresh and renew the power within – then do it for others…

 Divas and Divos, you know what day it is, but I’m not spilling tea. Dropping jewels, (of wisdom) is more like it.

 Yesterday, I hosted an event that is very close to my heart. It was Glam It Up time for about 20 girls under the care of Georgia’s Department of Youth and Family Services. In other words, these beautiful future divas are currently in foster care – (now you see my connection) and this day of glam was just for them. I know firsthand how low your spirit and self-esteem can be while your life and family are in flux. So I created Glam It Up to give girls something to remind them that they’re beautiful and valued no matter what life was throwing at them.

 Joining me in this effort was Yuvondrea Tremble, Stacie Conliffe and the awesome team who worked with them from the National Youth Advocate Program in Augusta, GA. They did their thing and produced a top notch event to give the ladies a day they will never forget. Kudos to each and every one of you who helped us make this day “do what it do” to bring smiles to our ladies of honor.

 Our theme was Refresh, Reveal and Renew You. It was held at the Columbia County Exhibition Center and co-hosted by a long list of vendors and professionals who generously donated their time and services to help make the event a huge success. Everyone from the hair stylists, make-up artists, DJ and photographer to the caterers, servers, speakers and volunteers gave their all, expecting nothing in return. But if they feel like me, I’m sure they got far more than they gave. I also can’t forget to mention my girl Kia Burgess, who lent a hand and her heart to the cause and helps me whenever I need her.

 I created Glam It Up in 2011 to help young girls build their self-esteem and teach them the fundamentals of life that go overlooked when you are growing up amidst such turmoil. Glam It Up is a resource where the ladies can ask questions, be inspired, learn, dream, and realize that no matter where they are today, there is bright tomorrow. An amazing life awaits them if they believe and discover that their best resource lies within.

 So we made every moment count yesterday! Between manis and pedis , hair and make-up, we turned up! Danced the Nae-Nae, heard inspiring words, laughed, hugged, made new friends and life long memories.  We left each other feeling renewed, refreshed and better than we came.

 I’m going to end with a quote from the beautiful angel, Ms. Maya Angelou… "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." I can only hope I lived up to her words yesterday by making the ladies feel as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside.

 Spread love Divas and Divos, it’s the greatest gift you can give.

 Marlo

Marlo Monday's: Fitness, Mind, Body & Spirit

Marlo Mondays in effect Divas & Divos! Let’s have a little fun with the question this week okay???

A diva asked, “How I stay in shape?” Well, fitness is not just about the body. I’m a southern girl and we are thick! Where I’m from, you need a little junk in your trunk if you want to keep your boo! Lol… But I have a little advice for ya’ll, if you want to live a long, full and active life. We gotta watch what we say, make sure you don’t forget to give thanks when we pray and remember you are what you eat!

Yes, this girl loves some cornbread, mac & cheese and fried, (insert some food that had parents! Lol) but I learned that everything in moderation is best. The same holds true for your mind. If your mind has no peace, neither does anything else in your life. So, we have to filter the stress – keep it in moderation. Life is going to happen to all of us, and some days will be harder than others, but if we keep the faith and live each day filled with gratitude, no matter how bad your situation looks, (and ya’ll know this girl had many days of bad situations) we will be physically and mentally fit.

I learned a long time ago, divas and divos that my body is a temple, if I take care of it, it will take care of me. I eat better than I used to, I juice a lot and I am a beast in the gym, on the treadmill, doing resistance training, on the elliptical machine, taking classes. I fully utilize my gym membership and when I’m feeling lazy, I get some help in the form of a trainer. However, the most important workout in my life is the effort it takes to put God first. I don’t have a miracle tip or new fad to share with you. A great body takes work, commitment, patience and faith. That’s how I do it, and I promise you – you can too!

Be confident.

Marlo