Tracy Reese..... Need we say more!

Tracy Reese, one of New York's most influential designers, is beloved for making clothing real women actually wear. So it's no surprise she's just become one of Michelle Obama's go-to brands. Mrs. Obama wears one of Reese's dresses on the cover of People Magazine's latest issue, on newstands Friday. "It's the moment we've been waiting for," the 45-year-old designer told the News. "I'm appreciative because it means I have an opportunity to dress her. It also means means a lot to women across the country that they can also afford something First Lady is wearing."

Michelle chose a pink lace "Kimono" dress from Reese's Spring collection. Reese's designs are known as much for their flirty femininity as for their moderate price points. Her affordable line Plenty features $150 dresses, while her runway looks are not much more expensive. The frock Michelle selected, for People Magazine's shoot at the

White House, retails for a moderate $395 at Reese's 641 Hudson St. store or at Tracyreese.com. Boosting NYC designers has become a priority for the First Lady. And while New Yorkers Jason Wu and Isabel Toledo outfitted the first lady for the Inauguration, (in my opinion) it was just a matter of time before Reese found her way into the White House wardrobe.

"I had the opportunity to meet her at a fundraiser which was the best moment of 2008," says Reese who launched her line 11 years ago. "She gave me a great hug and said, 'I need to be wearing your clothes.' Then she gave me a concerned look like, 'it's not that easy.'" Reese spent weeks working with

Ikram Goldman, Michelle's Chicago-based stylist. "It's a process. She's on the go. Any wardrobe choices have to go through her team." In the end, Michelle selected the pink dress out of 8 to 10 pieces Reese personally customized for the shoot.

Reese thinks her high-profile client made the perfect choice. "Even though she's a strong woman she's also very feminine and the lace brings out this side," says the designer. "I love seeing her in this dress. She has such great arms and I think they're shown off." Fresh off presenting her Fall line at Fashion Week, Reese hopes she'll be dressing Michelle again in the future. "A lot of our signature dresses would really complement her," she says. "There's any number of things I'd love to see her wearing. The idea is to find out what's working best for her and supply more of it." Does that mean Michelle may be taking a front row seat at next season's runway show? "I doubt it," laughs Reese. "The security would be insane."

The First Lady Graces Another Cover

Their father may have run on a platform of change, but for First Daughters Malia and Sasha Obama, the rules are the same in the White House as they were in their home in Chicago, PEOPLE reports in its new cover story, on sale Friday. Start with the girls' chores. They're still making their own beds, cleaning their rooms and clearing their dishes. Even with their grandmother, Marian Robinson, 71, staying in a third-floor guest room to help out, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, must show responsibility.

Their mother, Michelle Obama, has asked the White House staff not to do too much. "People want to make your life easy, and when you have small kids – I've explained this to the staff – they don't need their lives to be easy. They're kids," she says. The girls do have roaming privileges all around the historic mansion and can pop into the Oval Office whenever they want. "I've tried to encourage them to feel like this whole place is their home," Mrs. Obama tells PEOPLE. "We actually had this conversation – just let us know where you're going."

First Lady hosts Black History Month Celebration for kids

Michelle Obama hosted a Black History Month celebration for nearly 200 6th and 7th grade students from D.C. schools in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday (February 18), which also featured a performance by Sweet Honey in the Rock, an award-winning female acappella ensemble. After an introduction by the White House's longest serving employee, Chief Usher Admiral Rochon, Mrs. Obama spoke to the students about how hard work can take you anywhere you'd like, even to the White House like the President. "Like Barack and I, the Admiral didn't rise to his position because of wealth or because he had a lot of material resources," she said.

"See, we were all very much kids like you guys. We just figured out one day that our fate was in our own hands. We made decisions to listen to our parents and to our teachers, and to work very, very hard for everything in life. And then we worked harder any time anybody doubted us."Michelle Obama then asked the students about the famous White House's history, garnering a surprised look when students answered "Yes" to this question:

"So many milestones in black history have touched this very house. Just to name a few, did you know that African-American slaves helped to build this house?"She then began to share several other moments in black history with the students."Did you know that right upstairs in a bedroom called the Lincoln Bedroom, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that marked an important step forward in ending slavery? Did you know that happened right here? "Yes," the young students responded.

After discussing Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders, Mrs. Obama then asked whether they knew who lived in the White House today and why is making history."He is the first African American president of the United States," a girl from the audience answered.The First Lady encouraged the students to visit the White House often, because she said it should be a place of "learning and for sharing new and different ideas, sharing new forms of art and culture, and history and different perspectives."

First Lady Graces the Cover of Vogue

Mrs. Obama is pictured in a stunning magenta silk dress by Jason Wu, the designer who created her white inaugural ballgown. The style bible bills her as "The First Lady The World's Been Waiting For." For the inside pages, Mrs. Obama chose outfits by Narciso Rodriguez and High Street label J Crew. All are from her own wardrobe. "We thought the First Lady should wear what she felt was appropriate, and we couldn't be happier with her choices," said Vogue spokesman Patrick O'Connell. With the exception of Bess Truman, every First Lady since Lou Hoover has been photographed for the fashion magazine. However, Mrs. Obama is only the second to make the cover, after Hillary Clinton in 1998.

The pictures were shot by Annie Leibovitz at the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington DC, where President Barack Obama and his family stayed before the inauguration. Reflecting on the enormous media interest in her fashion choices, Mrs. Obama, 45, said: "I'm not going to pretend that I don't care about it. But I also have to be very practical. In the end, someone will always not like what you wear - people just have different tastes." She also discussed her role as "mom in chief" to (the "wee" michelles) Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7. "I'm going to try to take them to school every morning, as much as I can. But there's also a measure of independence. And obviously there will be times I won't be able to drop them off at all. I like to be a presence in my kids' school. I want to know the teachers, I want to know the other parents."

Vogue's editor at large, Andre Leon Talley, interviewed Mrs. Obama for the eight-page feature and called it "one of the best experiences of my life". He said: "She's so accessible, natural and normal. There's nothing affected about her." While most cover models have their clothes chosen for them, Talley said of the First Lady: "She doesn't need any help. She loves fashion and knows what works for her. She's never had a conversation with me about, 'What do you think?' or 'How did this look?' And I'm glad for that." Explaining why Mrs. Obama had been selected for the cover, Vogue editor Anna Wintour said: "Change was the clarion call of Barack Obama's election campaign, though I don't think any of us at Vogue initially realised that would include the difference that was going to be made by First Lady Michelle Obama's wardrobe. It's inspiring to see our First Lady so serene and secure in her personal style."

(source Telegraph.co.uk)

What is it about this Love?

What is it about this Love Story? What is it about this affection? What is it about this Man.....this Woman? Why do we find ourselves smiling like we won something we when see the way this man looks at this woman, and the way she looks at her man? When he touches her hand, hugs her or whispers in her ear, it makes our hearts smile. Could it be that we African American women have not seen this type of sincere affection toward a woman of color in a very long time. This kind of affection makes you want to truly be in love with someone and have him love you the way this man loves this woman. Its beautiful, its warm, its REAL. Its honestly what we never thought we always wanted and never knew we could have in a lot of cases. I'm truly hoping African American men will take notice of the way this man loves this women and truly understand that we are worthy of this kind of love and better yet that they themselves are worthy of being loved right back with "this love"....I might be an optimist but I'm thinking that this is the beginning of something very beautiful.......

Michelle Obama visits, praises Interior employees

First lady Michelle Obama was honored by Native American groups Monday at the Interior Department and, in turn, she praised the agency's employees. A department worker and member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribe, Nedra Darling, presented Mrs. Obama with a handmade shawl that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said honored a woman of high achievement. The Black Bear Singers, a drum group, performed a traditional song in her honor.

This was the first lady's third stop on a listening tour through the federal bureaucracy to thank employees for their work. "It's been such a great way for me to get to know our new community and to meet you, our new co-workers and our new neighbors," Mrs. Obama said of her visits. She praised Interior Department employees, saying they would be critical to the new administration's energy policies, such as using natural resources responsibly and fighting climate change.

"These aren't only vital for the survival of our planet," she said. "But also incredibly important to strengthen our economy and the well-being of our families." Mrs. Obama also hailed the employee's work as stewards of the nation's land, saying that opportunities to experience nature through hiking and camping were key to family life. She told those working with Native Americans at the department's Bureau of Indian Affairs that her husband, President Barack Obama, will appoint a senior policy adviser in the White House to work with them on issues including health care and education. "Understand that you have a wonderful partner in the White House right now," she said to enthusiastic applause.

Without addressing specifics, Mrs. Obama acknowledged the scandals that have plagued the Interior Department in the recent years, including the conviction of a former deputy secretary for obstructing justice regarding his association with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The office that oversees oil and gas leasing was also rocked by a scandal last year involving sex, drugs and inappropriate gifts from oil companies. "I know that this is an important time of reform and renewal here in this department," the first lady said. "And as you begin the work, the hard work of taking this department into a new era of excellence, I wanted to come by again to simply say thank you."Mrs. Obama visited the departments of Education, and Housing and Urban Development last week.

(source Associated Press)

Tasha Smith on her Passion For Faith Based Books

We first got a glimpse of her talent as the scene-stealing crackhead in the HBO miniseries 'The Corner.' But Tasha Smith really carved out her space in the world of film, appearing in numerous Tyler Perry movies, including the smash hit 'Why Did I Get Married?' in which her sassy, over-the-top character again lit up the screen. Smith is set to appear in an upcoming Vince Vaughn movie, 'Couples Retreat,' which will also be the directorial debut of Peter Billingsly (Ralphie from 'A Christmas Story').
In addition to acting and appearing in films, Smith is also committed to giving back. She holds acting workshops and teaches acting to budding stars. But it is her commitment to her spirituality, she says, that is responsible for much of her success. The kinds of books she reads enhances and reinforces her values; in fact in a recent interview Smith revealed "A lot of the books that I have been reading have been spiritually based. I like Kenneth Hagin's 'Mountain Moving Faith' and Creflo Dollar's '8 Steps to Create the Life You Want.' These are two books that I continue to go back to. And, of course, I read my bible, because I need to stay grounded in the word. That's my foundation.

"John C. Maxwell's books on leadership. My favorite is 'Becoming a Person of Influence.' I love John C. Maxwell; he's always blending great leadership skills with biblical principles without preaching to you. He's not giving you so much scripture so that you get lost. Kenneth Hagin is another inspirational author. His teaching is so easy and powerful. He delivers his message so that everyone can understand it. "A lot of people got caught up in 'The Secret,' but I prefer to go back to the basics, the true foundation of faith. You can have all of those laws, but I prefer the universal law: 'Whatsoever a man soweth, he shall reap.'"

Jill Scott Expecting First Child

Having given up all hope that she’d ever be a mother, songstress Jill Scott is savoring every moment of her first pregnancy. The 36-year-old actress and songstress — who expects a son April 25th, despite being told by doctors it was impossible for her to conceive a baby – feels that miracles do indeed happen. “It’s so hard to believe, it’s hard to have faith, especially when things aren’t working out,” she admits. “It’s difficult and a challenge when you continuously ask for what you want and need in your life or at least what you think you want and need in your life, but that’s when you have to believe and have faith the most.” She adds,“We didn’t plan for this, but God obviously had other plans.”

Cravings aren’t an issue for Jill, who instead suffers from an aversion to food in general! ”I don’t want anything,” she explains. “I’m having a hard time building an appetite…I have to force myself to eat.” Ever cognizant of the life growing inside her, Jill says that taking care of herself has taken on new-found importance. “For so long I’ve been able to be carefree — frolicking in my life. I didn’t have to be responsible for anyone else but myself, my mother and my grandmother,” she says. “I’ve been free to do what I want, when I want.” “Now I have to watch what I eat, how I eat, make sure I get enough rest. Before I was just running and now, I’m so much more responsible and thoughtful and that’s a good thing.”

Asked whether she thinks she’ll be a good mom, Jill replies “I hope so…it might sound odd but I’m parenting now even though my son hasn’t arrived yet.” Staying aware of her “energy” and her “attitude” are key, she says. “I don’t want to be the funky, pregnant lady just because I can. I really have to make an effort to be conscious of everything about me because it’s no longer about me, but my child. I don’t feel like talking or anything now. I just want to be silent and experience all of this.”

As Jill and her fiancé Lil Jon Roberts adjust to the notion of impending parenthood, they’re looking forward to “starting a family” — though marriage is not necessarily part of the equation. Noting that “there’s just so much happening,” Jill says that things are good as-is. “It’s funny because I remember one day I was feeling a little down and I said to my girlfriend, ‘I guess I’ve missed my opportunity to be a mom,’ and she responded, ‘No, you just haven’t met the right man yet,’” she recalls. “I’ve always believed that everything on this earth has a rightful key that fits and he was mine.”

Fans of Jill’s Grammy Award-winning music will be pleased to learn that pregnancy has provided a creative spark. ”I’ve been writing,” she shares. “A lot of things are on my mind…As a woman, I hear better, I smell better, my taste buds are different and I feel so much more like a sexual being than I ever have.” She adds, “I’ve learned a lot about men and mothers. I’ve never appreciated mothers this much, or even my mother, until now as I sit in a room with my grandmother, my mother and now my son. It’s truly amazing what’s happened to me and there’s a lot to say and I can’t wait to say it.” Jill can next be seen in HBO’s No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, airing in March. Showers of Blessings Jill, we wish you much happiness!
Source: Essence.com

Oprah' Gift

Oprah Winfrey has donated more than $1.5 million to improve the education system in the most populated city in New Jersey. Winfrey's donation will be used to fund scholarships and programmes benefiting students in Newark, New Jersey, with $500,000 in grants going to at least three local education and community groups. In a statement released by Newark Mayor Cory Booker, he says, "Oprah Winfrey is a powerful agent of change in our nation and she is a phenomenal friend to Newark. Her gifts will directly empower hundreds and hundreds of Newark families and help source our city's success. We rejoice in Oprah's generosity and celebrate her life commitment to serving others." St. Benedict's Preparatory School, the North Ward Center and the Integrity House were among several grant recipients. The donation comes nearly two years after Winfrey donated $40 million to build an elite girls school in South Africa.

Dedicated to all my "Chocolate Pearls"

In the life of an Black Woman Black History is every However we are given us a mere month to showcase all of our greatness -- Impossible! Yet we somehow find a way to put it all together and give it all we have to show the world just how far we have come by faith and everything else it takes to go through the kinds of things we had to endure and still come out as world class cultured rare"Chocolate Pearls". This poem is a dedication to all the pearls who paved a way for us today.

Phenomenal Woman
by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies.

I say, It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That's me.

I walk into a room Just as cool as you please,

And to a man, The fellows stand or fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees.

I say, It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,That's me.

Men themselves have wondered what they see in me.

They try so much but they can't touch my inner mystery.

When I try to show them, They say they still can't see.

I say, It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,That's me.

Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing It ought to make you proud.

I say, It's in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

The palm of my hand,

The need for my care,'

Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That's me.

A Certain Kind of "Pearl" Lady

First Lady Michelle Obama's predecessors have carved out enough different roles as first lady that she is now free to fashion the job in a way that suits her. The first lady will take her time defining her new role, but already she's dropping clues. Sit in on Cabinet meetings like Rosalynn Carter? No thanks. Mrs. Obama says she doesn't like "the process stuff." Has she Picked a pet issue yet? She's identified a few favorites, including supporting military families; although her priority always will be "mom-in-chief" first. Based on what Mrs. Obama has said, her role is unlikely to evolve fully until she's assured that her 10- and 7-year-old daughters are comfortably settled in at the White House after moving from Chicago, the only other place the girls have ever called home. The thing we know for sure that the first lady will be continuing to do (and we love her for this) is be one of President Barack Obama's closest advisers. After all, their relationship began that way some 20 years ago when she was a corporate lawyer in Chicago and was assigned to be his mentor after the firm hired him as a summer intern. Ahhhh do we ever get tired of their story....... nope -- this "Pearl" will be one of our cherished role models for years to come.