INSPIRED . . . INTRIGUED . . .INVESTED

These past two weeks I have been blessed! Invited, accompanied by, and participated in some of the best  women in my network and their female empowerment initiatives. We all (yes all) can become so consumed and absorbed in our careers and daily activities that we don't take notice of great movements and how impactful us women can be. Now this won't be a rant on how great women are and how horrible the today's man is, so if that's what gets you going this isn't the read for you. However, I would like to take a moment and acknowledge the smart, powerful, achieved women that are in my network and their organizations, yes I see you! 

"It Never Entered My Mind" (quick plug of my favorite Miles Davis song) to question how or why people start there initiatives, but what did cross my mind these past few days is why did it take so long to lend a listening ear and be a part of their movement.  There is something to be said for the joy you gain from giving and doing for others. . .and we all know that joy outweighs happiness by far, for your joy cant be stolen like a C-Class, it comes from within. The month of November should have been claimed Womens Month after all I experienced. We kicked off with the first ever televised Black Girls Rock! awards show on B.E.T., which was a great achievement for DJ Beverly Bond, L. Londell McMillan and The NorthStar Group, along with B.E.T. for the highest rated show on B.E.T. The high we all got from that show and its success led me through a few weeks of infectious self pride. I then attended the launch event for (Tashera Simmons), award presentations (B.O.S.S. Network), panel discussions (WEEN Town Hall), and sat on my very first panel (Urban League Hudson County 1st Annual Girls to Women Conference). All initiatives that are selfless and geared towards providing mentors and programs for our young teenagers to set better goals and standards that will further empower them to lead the way for the next generation. And if that isn't satisfying enough, to further build network with like minded individuals who are not only in tune with the same cause and message but are actively taking the needed steps to expand the movement and its impact. Kudos to you all. 

Myself,  Shantelle Guyton (Egami Consulting), Jessica Andrews (Jones Magazine)
at the Black Girls Rock! Awards

Dr. Catrise Austin & I (Urban League Hudson County Girls to Women Conference)

Now that I have touched on the cause, there only leaves room for reACTION. Not only am I inspired and intrigued, it is truly my goal to be invested. I send my sincerest apologies to everyone who reads this, every initiative who I didn't give the time deserved, and all those impacted by these initiatives as I as a human and women have done you an injustice. Even if it were only an hour or two to put towards a movement could have made a difference. Knowing is half the battle (so they say) and that means I have a ways to go. Please stay tuned to future posts/tweets highlighting some of these organizations, their programs, my involvement and most importantly the success and lives that we will touch.  

Panelists for the Urban League Hudson County Girl to Women Conference
Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, Michaela Angela Davis, Dr. Catrise Austin, Melyssa Ford,
Saideh Browne, and Najwa Moses

Bubbly yours,


Dana Storm a/k/a Elmo's World The Remix

Full-Figured & Fierce

Fed up, I opted to speak out on the Marie Claire controversy for JonesMag.com:

After reading Maura Kelly's post on Marie Claire, EIC Tracey Ferguson's post on JonesMag.com and all of your comments, I felt compelled to chime in as a plus size woman and staff member of Jones Magazine. This topic I hold dear to my heart having struggled with health and weight issues for the past twenty years.

Let's start by addressing the opinion that started it all: Maura Kelly's post. In my opinion, her post lacked direction or a strong stance on one focus.  Rather, it started as a look at the new romance comedy "Mike and Molly," then drifted into her conclusion that the lead characters couldn't be healthy and her confession that she feels disturbed watching PDA between an obese couple. In fact, she went so far as to say she feels disgusted watching an obese person walk across the street. Did her post reveal a true health concern or just a general distaste for their appearance?


When I first read her post, my initial reaction was: How dare she? Would this same disgust be expressed to a couple who were unhealthy and emaciated? Would that be an awful idea of entertainment?

Click Here To Read More 

 

Jones In My Bones by Carmen San Diego

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to announce a new addition to Dana's Bubble (socially as well as to danasbubble.blogspot.com). My new dating and traveling guru for your reading pleasure . . . Carmen San Diego. Please welcome her with your eyes and embrace her with your comments below. This will be the first of many experiences shared. 

Simply put,  I have become a serial dater. Not one who dates randomly just for free meals, however, one who has openly accepted  the fact that I want love and am willing to put myself out there in order to find it. As someone who recently opened herself back up to the idea of love,  I now completely believe that it really is simple, no formula's - no tricks. Just be open, oh and don't forget to make direct eye contact and smile. It's that simple. It won't solve all your men problems but,  it will at the very  least get you a date. You can thank me later for saving you from reading another Steve Harvey-esque book on how to get a man. Same goes for all the specials that basically say if you're black and a woman it's a wrap for you. Don't buy into the hype, don't focus on the statistics. There are tons of beautiful, educated, successful men in New York (yes you read that correctly). I can guarantee you won't find them if you keep going to dinner and drinks with 18 of your closest friends and all you talk about is how men "ain't ish". As I step down from my soapbox I will share this, adopting this new approach has afforded the opportunity to meet some great men like Mr. Adorable, Mr. Established, and Mr. Dimples .


I actually met Mr. Adorable while out on a date with Mr. Never Been on a Plane, let's call him Mr. Loser for short. I met up with Mr. Loser at my local hang out, appropriately called "The Spot". After repeated stupid questions like "Do you take a plane to get to Detroit?" I realized that this date was going nowhere, so I pretended to be tired and ready to go. As soon as Mr. Loser hit the door I turned around and made a beeline back to the bar where my girl and her two friends from college were sitting, one of which was Mr. Adorable. (Side note: it's called GAME ladies, get some; if the dating gods give you lemons, add some vodka and make a cocktails outta that ish). Mr. Adorable was charming, articulate and a consummate gentleman. He noticed Mr. Loser asked for separate checks so he offered to pay me back for my meal and paid for the rest of my drinks and waited up for me to text him that I made it home safely. This was a Friday evening; by Saturday afternoon Mr. Adorable called and invited me our for what he called a "real date" on Sunday.


Sunday arrived and Mr. Adorable refused to have us meet somewhere so he picked me up in a car service in front of my building; so very "Carrie and Mr. Big go to Brooklyn". We went bowling, which is something I had not done since I was 7. At 28 I found it way more entertaining as there is nothing like having a handsome man to help you correct your form. After bowling we went to the movies. Everywhere we walked he insisted on walking on the outside, that's good upbringing folks. A true gentleman never lets the lady walk closest to the streets. We then headed to dinner and drinks where we literally shut the place down. We talked about everything from politics, religion, and past relationships. Mr. Adorable is obsessed with his iPhone in the same unhealthy way that I cling to my beloved blackberry so he thought it would be a great idea to play one of the games on his phone. We settled on truth or dare, which I must say is probably thee best first date ice breaker game, ever. . . in fact I think they should market the game that way. We had so much fun that time escaped us and before we knew it, it was 2:00 a.m. (he picked me up at 6:00 p.m.). We hopped into a cab and headed back to the borough. On the ride back, the sky opened up and it began to pour. Perfect setting for what will forever be the perfect kiss in my book. He caressed my cheek, pulled me close and gave me the most soft, sexy kiss I've had in a long time.  I didn't come up for air until the cab pulled up in front of my building. When we arrived at my place he got out to open my door. As I made my way to the door, he pulled me closed and kissed me again . . . in the pouring rain, with no umbrella and I didn't care. . . .somebody cue Love Jones. Mr. Adorable was definitely trying to be "the blues in my left thigh and the funk in my right".

Is he the man of my dream? Maybe, but probably not. The reality is it doesn't matter. What does matter is that I made myself available, cut the games we sometimes play (if you play hard to get you will be exactly that. . . and some of the best ones will move on to the next), and remembered what dating used to be before I moved into the 25 and up box . . . fun. He made me feel like a teenager again (with better hair and far better shoes). Date #3 is this weekend, who knows? He may even get to third base :-) 

Someones love somewhere,


Carmen San Diego

A Real(istic) Plan B? (The Back-Up Plan)

This past weekend a few girlfriends and I headed to the theatre to support my fave celebrity Ms. J Lo in "The Back-Up Plan". Regardless of any reviews I was going to see it; and after enjoying it I thought why not give it a review myself. 

From the moment the credits finish rolling you jump right into Zoe's (played by J Lo) shoes: mid 30's pretty woman who is single, self sufficient, and conscious of her biological clock. Within the first 5 minutes, she is artificially inseminated and ready to tackle being a single mom. It was a cute story line, more importantly a REAL one -- the issue women face at that age when they are either single and or not a mom but yet wish to be.

You have a established city girl who meets a gorgeous newly maturing hot guy. She finds out she is pregnant with twins, and he sticks by her side. Just like that. . .after a walk in the park and comedic exchange with Anthony Anderson on a Central Park bench, he commits.  While this movie was good and very funny, and of course had not only a happy ending, but an "additional" twist. . . it was a bit fairytale like.

As the movie goes on, in my opinion this real issue wasn't handled or pictured too realistically. Perhaps I was looking for more from this film, as I approach my mid 30's and my inner circle does represent Zoe. But this was just a movie, and not a social thesis. Perhaps the larger issue of middle aged women should be addressed in another post :-)

In all, her supporting actors were believable, comedic, and didn't cloud Ms. J Lo's shine. I think those that would turn their nose at this flick, should think again. If nothing else it was funny and a feel good girlfriend moment. Please feel free to share your thoughts if you too have seen the movie, and if not, what are you waiting for?

Bubbly Yours,

Dana Storm a/k/a Elmo'sWorld The Remix

Spa of the Sea

I may have mentioned in the past that although I love to travel, one thing I have never explored is a cruise. I'm a more experience places by way of land kinda girl. Until now! I was perusing my twitter timeline and came across this great find on ABC NEWS "The Norwegian Epic Will Be Home to the Largest Cruise Spa and Fitness Facility". Naturally I was intrigued as I love spa treatments. Perhaps this is the reason to give in and try a cruise. I read on and oh what treats I did find. The Norwegian Epic plans to debut the following:

*the largest spa and fitness facility at sea, measuring more than 31,000 square feet

*ice cream-themed manis and pedis for kids
*customizable salt scrubs and massages

*39 spa-dedicated staterooms - offering free access to the ship's Hydrotherapy Courtyard and Thermal Suite. There will be eight spa suites with in-room whirlpools.

*feature 24 treatments rooms as well as two "couple's villas" and two "solo villas" for massages (each has a private, outdoor whirlpool), plus two exotic Rasul steam rooms where guests have access to organic muds, exfoliants and oils for rinsing off under the warm, rainforest-style shower. Guests can also create their own DIY sugar or salt scrub. Six treatment rooms feature balconies with chaise lounges.
*a full-service salon and barber shop.
*ME! Bath Ice Cream Social, an opportunity for a group of kids to get together and test out the products.
* mother-daughter and father-son massage options for family bonding.
*the Thai Herbal Poultice Massage, heated herbal poultices (soft, moist, clay-like spreads) are placed on pressure points to augment Eastern and Western massage techniques.

*Bamboo Massage therapists use bamboo shoots soaked in essential oils to work muscles.

* Bliss triple oxygen combines a fruit acid wash, oxygen wrap, oxygen and milk mask, and more to revive spagoers' complexions while Bliss fatgirlslim is a detoxifying, body-toning treatment that involves dry brushing followed by firming grapefruit essential oils, a seaweed mask and heated wrap. 
*a 24-Karat Gold Facial, which we've seen onboard Celebrity's Solstice-class ships. Here, it is a blend of pure gold leaf, rose quartz and medicinal plants.

 For Fitness expect TRX and kettlebell training; group cycling, on Activo spinning bikes; a Gravity reformer, a Pilates training system; and body sculpting boot camp classes. That's in in addition to the more traditional yoga and Pilates offerings. Facility will have 37 treadmills, 18 cross trainers, weights, and special areas for stretching and aerobics. Up on the pool deck, you'll also find the cruise industry's first-ever rappelling wall.
Breathtaking to say the least. . . I can only imagine what the costs will be for this luxury. As soon as I know I will be sure to update you on this great find.

Bubbly Yours,

Dana Storm a/k/a Elmo's World The Remix

Flashing Lights

Say it isn't so. To add to the Spring must haves we now have safety Jimmy Choos! The Zap, has a neon heel to guide your steps as you walk in dark nightclubs and other dark spaces. The shoe goes for a whopping $2,495, and the actual light bulb last for 100 hours, leaves me to ask how many steps actually is that???  Please note once the bulb goes it is not replaceable. And yes, you can imagine this shoe is already sold out :-) Read more at NY Post  on the highly coveted shoe. Shout out to Aimstar for the great find. 
Bubbly yours,
Dana Storm a/k/a Elmos World The Remix

Spring (Fashion) Forward

As the cold leaves us in NYC, and the sunny days shine through we are compelled to change up our style. After skimming the latest fashion mags, websites, and everyday New Yorkers (NY-ers can get away with anything), I have chosen a few inspiring pieces for Spring. Seeing the above ad this past Winter, I loved the look and copped my bright yellow strapless dress - now all I need are the shoes :-).   Below are a few more of my faves I wanted to share with you all. . . .let me know your thoughts!

I am a sucker for strapless :-)

Single Printed Jersey

$295

Oscar De La Renta Bib Necklace

            $740

Alexander Wang Twill Trench Dress

                    $595     

Roberto Cavalli Swarovski Frog Ring 

                             $455

Bubbly Yours,

Dana Storm a/k/a Elmo's World The Remix