You guys know how I love free and I"ll take extra talk time any day. If youre not a AT&T customer pass this along to someone who is.

AT&T customers, snag some extra talk time with a new offer that AT&T is sending out to existing customers (I got a text message from them yesterday for this).

To get your minutes: Text YES to 11113020

You will get a text back if you are eligible that says: “Thank you for responding to our free 1000 bonus Rollover Minute offer.”

This offer is good through Sept. 7th. Check your account online a couple hours later and you should already see the minutes in your account!

Original post available at: http://www.southernsavers.com/2011/08/1000-extra-rollover-minutes-with-att/

Below you find Sam Fines first interview as Creative Makeup Director for Fashion Fair Cosmetics!!

by Alyssa Kolsky Hertzig, Contributing Executive Beauty Editor, August 24, 2011

Photo Courtesy of Sam Fine

When it comes to making women of color look amazing, makeup artist Sam Fine is pretty much king. In addition to glamming up top celebrities like Iman, Jennifer Hudson, Vanessa Williams, and Tyra Banks, he’s also known for his genius tips and tricks (check them out firsthand on his DVD, Fine: The Basics of Beauty). Now, he’s teaming up with Fashion Fair as the makeup brand’s new Creative Makeup Director. We talked with him about his new gig.

For those who aren’t familiar with Fashion Fair, can you tell us a little more about it?

Most women of color are spoken to in the drugstore, but this brand is luxury. Fashion Fair has been around 38 years and it’s a prestige brand that has never really changed its mission—it’s always been there for women of color. It’s a staple for me—my mom used it!—so to team up with them is really like coming home.

Tell us about your collaboration with Fashion Fair.

I’ll be looking at color and shade ranges for the company, and also developing a color-based collection that will come out in the spring. Fashion Fair already has a ton of great core products—I’ll be injecting newness and fashion and more makeup-artist-driven products into the line.

You have so many loyal Twitter followers. What’s the biggest makeup question you get from them?

The questions I constantly get are, ‘What foundation can I buy?’ What concealer can I buy?’ I always tell women to think about it before you go to the store. It’s like grocery shopping—you don’t go grocery shopping hungry. Think about whether you want something long-lasting. Do you want something with more coverage? Less coverage? Thinking about it beforehand helps you make a better choice—and it helps the advisor in the store to guide you.

Many women with dark complexions tell us that they shy away from powder because it can leave a gray cast. Is it ok to skip it?

Powder is to foundation as topcoat is to nail polish. It’s a setting agent. You can build as much coverage as you want, but you have to set it. It might take trial and error, but you can find the right one. The best powders for dark skin are usually in the brands that target women of color. Fashion Fair makes a great loose powder—RuPaul is a fan of it.

Have brands gotten better at all over the years at addressing women of color?

It’s still a struggle. You have brands that have never spoken to this woman. I think some of the brands just don’t know how to have the conversation. Because it’s more than just making darker shades—you have to reach out. Many brands try, but their attempts fall short. They launch the colors, but then get rid of them later because they say they didn’t sell—but really, they didn’t sell because of a lack of outreach. With Fashion Fair, I love that I’ll have the ability to train people behind the counter, as well. We’ll make sure we’re really talking to this customer.

The original article can been seen at: http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2011/08/big-makeup-news-for-women-of-color.html

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110823/NY56024 )

If you don't know who Sam Fine is SHAME ON YOU!! But dont worry, you will and very soon. Sam has been a force in the beauty business for twenty plus years and has worked the magic of DaVinci on the faces of Iman, Naomi Campbell, Oprah Winfrey, Janet Jackson, Vanessa Williams and countless others. Sam's work can been seen most recently on Jennifer Hudson in (some) of her Weight Watchers commercials and on Queen Latifah in (some) of her Covergirl commercials.

I've know who Sam was since I was about 19 and have been a avid fan and flowerer of his work. I am an expert at recognizing his work and will tear through a magazine to get to the back to check the credits to verify my eye for his work. Well this morning my eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw the news that Sam had been appointed to Creative Makeup Director at the legendary Fashion Fair Cosmetics. 

This new is extra special to me because as previously stated I have been a long time fan and considered Sam role model/idol and in 2010 I got to meet my idol! Not only did I get to meet my idol but I can now call one of my long time idols a friend; so Im bragging about my FRIEND! I am so happy for Sam and I told him this is just the beginning, BIG things are on the horizon for Sam Fine!  As Sam so wisely (and at a time when I needed to hear it) this is #theyearofthescorpion! Sam and I are both Scorpios, text book Scorpios!

Congrats Sam, you deserve it!

Sam is the author of:  Fine Beauty: Beauty Basics and Beyond for African American Women and has released the DVD Fine: The Basics of Beauty; both of which can be found at Amazon.com

DVD: http://www.amazon.com/Fine-Basics-Beauty-Sam/dp/B002Q73R50/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314120698&sr=8-1

Book: http://www.amazon.com/Fine-Beauty-Sam/dp/157322779X/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Press Release Below: CHICAGO, Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The global prestige cosmetics brand for women of color appoints celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine as its Creative Makeup Director.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fashion-fair-cosmetics-appoints-celebrity-makeup-artist-sam-fine-as-creative-makeup-director-128233188.html

In his new role as Creative Makeup Director, Fine, a 20 year makeup artist veteran, will apply his accumulated artistic acumen and fuse it with Fashion Fair's brand DNA, to advise on the creation of new products, enrich its color palette and make in-store appearances. In 2012, Fashion Fair will unveil Sam Fine for Fashion Fair trend collections, starting spring 2012.

From Chicago, Fine worked for two years as a makeup artist for Naomi Sims Cosmetics in stores before embarking on a successful freelance career. His talent has appeared on the covers and pages of Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, Essence and Marie Claire; he was chosen as the first African-American spokesperson for Revlon and Covergirl Cosmetics; and he earned a devout following from star clientele, including Jennifer Hudson, Vanessa Williams and iconic supermodels Iman, Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks. He authored a best-selling how-to beauty guide, Fine Beauty: Beauty Basics and Beyond for African-American Women, and followed it up with his instructional DVD, Fine: The Basics of Beauty.

"Sam Fine is a true artist who understands women of color and has built an illustrious career unparalleled in the industry," said Clarisa Wilson, President of Fashion Fair. "His experience in the fashion editorial world with global beauty brands and celebrities will translate wonderfully with Fashion Fair, and our consumers will reap its benefits. We're thrilled to have him with us, and you'll be able to track his progress at www.fashionfair.com."

"There's no place I'd rather foster my creative energies," said Fine. "Fashion Fair was a barrier-breaking cosmetic line since its inception 38 years ago and remains a leader in prestige cosmetics for women of color."

About Fashion Fair

Fashion Fair Cosmetics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson Publishing Company LLC, is a global prestige cosmetics brand for women of color. Founded in 1973 in conjunction with the Fashion Fair traveling show, the world's largest touring fashion show which raised over $55 million for scholarships and various charitable causes, Fashion Fair is a trusted and revolutionary brand. Fashion Fair products can be found in 652 prestige stores across the U.S., London, Paris, Canada, the Caribbean and at www.fashionfair.com.

If you know me or follow my blog then you know I am NOT keen on messing up my hair AND like a Gremlin I avoid water (moisture, humidity, mist, steam, etc) at all cost unless I'm bathing of course. As I write this I'm trying to remember the last time I've recreationally gotten wet and honestly I cant recall, but for about 3 1/2 years I've toyed with the idea of going to the beach, even bought a pair of Superman swimming trunks. Well, the trunks have floated around and periodically pop up and remind me that I spent 12.99 (FULL price not on sale, shocking I know) on beach wear thats never been worn. Whenever I see the trunks I say to myself "self you need to go swimming, you need to go to the beach" the thought passes and I go on, but Sunday I turned a corner.

Saturday was a great day for me, I let go and for a change I wasn't in control and it was wonderful. What happened Saturday, I let someone else cook (who wasn't my Father or in the kitchen of a restaurant) and LOVED IT!  For a change I was served and it was nice. Normally I end up in the kitchen and injecting myself into the prep and serving process so to be a true guest is odd for me but it was a good thing. Fast forward to Sunday morning, it was nice outside I was still riding the high of being a guest and it hit me "you should go to be beach today." So I found my trunks was "psyching" myself up to go to the beach (last week talking myself into going to the Zoo was easier) and while conversing with myself I got a phone call. During the course of the conversation I find out my friend was considering a trip to the beach too, WHAT THE HELL!!!???  Well I know when Jesus is moving so I moved my butt down to the beach and had the best time I've had in a long time and yes I GOT MY HAIR WET!!!

It wasn't until after the day was winding down and I was driving home did I realize if I hadn't been open to getting my hair wet I'd have sat around the house all day watching tv, on Facebook, surfing the web, blah blah blah. But because I was open to something that I've been closed off to for over 10 years I had a great experience that is still paying off.

This year I didn't make a New Years Resolution, I decided to turn the corner and "Say Yes To More & No To Less" and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.  I know what I'm about to say is going to sound very Oprahish (DAMMIT after 25 years of soaking in the Oprah Winfrey Show and everything Oprah what do you expect) but when you change how you think and allow God, The Universe, Higher Power or whatever you want to call it to move through and guide you it's like breathing fresh air after being in a room full of smokers. Speaking of Oprah the next thing on my list, CAMPING!!!  

If you've been "avoiding the water" I have a suggestion for you, Garnier Leave In Conditioner is a wonderful thing!  I'm going to be getting my hair wet A LOT more often

Five years ago a writer on the cusp of literary royalty received a public flogging from the Queen of daytime television, better known as Oprah versus James Frey.

The short story is James Freys book, A Million Little Pieces caught the attention of the unofficial ruler of the universe Oprah. Oprah liked the book, called him asked him to be on the show, he obliged, lied, Oprah called him back and James was fried!

Either you didn't care or you didn't watch television because Oprah and James caught hell when the truth came out that James made up (or lied) about a good deal of the book. Oprah was accused either being too hard on him or pushing her agenda on the public and James was accused of well, being a liar. Now I love me some Oprah Winfrey but I remember thinking "if she was talking to me the way she is talking to him I'd let her ass have it".  I also remember thinking "James is handling this very well." Yes he was shaken and you could tell he was to say the least uncomfortable but bigger men or women would have crumbled getting slaughtered verbally buy the Queen of talk.

Fast forward to 2011 and for her final season the Queen has invited the subject of her most controversial show back. Now lets be clear this is about ratings and promotion, James has a new book and the Queen is signing off to go do her OWN thing and for those reasons I was slightly skeptical about how this would play out but my skepticism was changed to respect and delight by the end of part 1 of the interview.

So far James has not lashed out at Oprah, confronted her about her treatment of him, blamed anyone he's done the opposite he owned HIS portion of the situation and I respect that. I respect that because he said he asked him something while he was in the fire "how did I end up here" and thats what I've asked myself when I've found myself in the fire. Unless someone attacks you (physically or verbally) unproved or some other extreme situation BLAME IS USELESS AND A WASTE OF TIME!  Blame keeps you in denial, angry and most importantly stuck!  The only way you can pick up the pieces of any broken situation is own your part to yourself and EVERYONE else then move on, it's the only reason I'm not a broken man and have been able to rebound from situations that nearly broke me.

I find it ironic that James Freys most popular and polarizing work was titled "A Million Little Pieces" because it took him being broken into "a million little pieces" to realize he never wanted to put himself in that situation again. My favorite part of the interview with Oprah (from 5/16/2011) was when he told Oprah that after the flight and on the ride home from her tongue lashing that after he noticed the sun setting he was able to break into laugh; not a snicker but an all out loud belly laugh, one that he was sure made the cab driver think he was nuts since he was alone in the cab.  James gets it, the perfection is in the imperfection, learning from and admitting our mistakes.  I have a new found respect for James Frey.

This past week I was bombarded with the task of creating an Action Plan, by the end of the week all I wanted to do was get as far away from the task masters as possible. Once I was back home, laundry done and in my comfortable clothes I began to go over the activities of the past week in my head. While I was happy to see people I hadn't seen in months, enjoyed going to my first professional Baseball game and going to a state I'd yet visit I couldn't get past being annoyed with being told over and over and over to "create an Action Plan." So, as with anything that annoys or is a source of stress to me I told myself "let it go" but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't let the annoyance go.  I decided since I couldn't let it go to ask God "what was I supposed to get from the experience" THEN let it go.  A couple of hours later while catching up on my DVR I had my Oprah "Aha" moment and it hit me like a ton of bricks "you were there because you need to create a action plan for yourself and your life."

It wasn't the action plan that annoyed me, it was being bombarded with the silent message that action plans are the path to nirvana. I later realized that almost every major event that I've initiated in my life were the by products of Action Plans; any job, weight loss or big goal were seen to fruition because I created a plan.

I wont go into some elongated motivational rant about how to create an action plan because I like things as simple as possible but I will offer a few basic tips:

1. Start from the end, see the task completed
2. Ask yourself whats the simplest way from beginning to end
3. REMOVE EVERY OBSTACLE IN YOUR MIND
4. Write, not type, your goal out in long hand, every detail

Those steps aren't carved in stone but they've always worked for me, specifically starting at the end and writing the plan out in long hand.  Theres something about writing, not typing, that's more revealing. Lastly dont focus on what you DONT want; dont talk, text, Facebook, Twitter, email about what you dont want or dont like about your current situation. When you're focused on what you DONT want you cant put energy into what you want. Use your resources, let people know what you want and I dont mean beg or annoy anyone who'll listen but carefully pick and choose who you share your goals with because not everyone will be supportive, pick your support group carefully.

Action Plans work, whether it's losing weight, getting a new job or starting a new life it all starts with a plan, start yours because I've started mine!  Act II is going to kick ass!!

I haven't blogged in a while because, well I've had nothing to say that I've felt like was worth reading. I am all for entertainment, healthy debates, weighing in on hot topics and even a little fluff but I've become very conscious of what I'm putting out. It's been a daily exercise in not putting out what I dont want back, so it's been best to say nothing.  I've been tested recently and have resisted the urge to "fire back" when I've been "fired upon" (not to mention making sure friends and love ones dont fire on my behalf).  There was one situation recently where I had to apologize to someone after later realizing that my well intentioned involvement ended up hurting someone, the lesson; sometimes information can hurt, but otherwise my conscious, daily effort has been going well.

I emphasized conscious for a reason, because unconsciously I've had influence on people I dont know.

If you didn't know I like to walk and last year I began walking like crazy because I found myself 217 pounds, feeling like, for lack of a better word, shit (emotionally and physically). I started walking in the morning, then the evening then in the morning AND the evening sometimes 7 days a week. I ran briefly, very briefly but unless I'm being chased I'll stick to walking.  On my route I'd see "the regulars" walking, we'd smile we'd speak in those brief seconds you have when speed walking and keep it moving.  In the fall of 2010 and I found myself down to a low of 189. I wont focus on the weight but I'm always get asked what I did and it's simple, I walked and walked and walked some more. I walked in the heat, I walked till my hair looked like shit (and if you know me you know I was serious if I let my hair go). I also changed my eating habits (here's part of the eating habit change:
http://coleyco.net/2010/05/02/the-smoothie-that-turned-it-around.aspx).

Fast forward to Spring of 2011, the suns back out and so am I in full force in the flyest exercise gear and wearing my "exercise cologne" (AXE). This year some things have changed, my schedule isn't what it was last year so I've found myself out on many occasions before 9AM sometimes just at or right after 8AM. I never stopped walking but the weather during the winter months does is hit or miss for powerwalking, but back to 2011.  Since I've been back at it and hitting it hard I've been stopped 3 times. Two have been compliments "looking good" and "alright now, keep up the good work."  Both were strangers who pointed out they have noticed me over the past year.  The second person said she needed to start walking with me and I told her when she's ready I'll still be walking.  But the third encounter was the one that stopped me in my tracks. On my route there is a lady who has a Yorkie, hers is 1/2 the size of mine and he's adorable.  On multiple occasions the dog has run up to me and of course I'd stop pet him and the lady and I would talk for a few minutes then I'd go on my way. Well a couple of weeks ago about a 1/2 a mile away I see this familiar Yorkie charging up to me and I look up and I see the lady. The lady is in a very cute form fitting powder blue jogging suit, hair braided up and she was walking her ass off! After we exchange greetings she tells me "I wish I had your commitment" I ask her why and she says "you never stopped, you kept walking even when it was cold, I saw you walking when you didn't see me." I told her "I dont always feel like doing it but it beats the alternative and I LIKE walking". In that moment it hit me "people are watching me." That encounter reminded me of two situations; one was a lady I walked with one night in 2010 who joined me walking after telling me she started walking because she noticed I walked almost every night. We only walked that one time but in 2011 I've seen her and one of her friends walking 3 to 4 times a week. The second was someone I was talking to in a store who bought something on my recommendation who told me they'd noticed me two weeks earlier and (I'm paraphrasing) was impressed by my presence.  And as I sit here writing this I'm reminded of the compliment I received yesterday by someone who I thought paid no attention to me. 

All of those situations have reminded me that my unconscious actions are effecting people.  It's also reminded me of something Joyce Meyer has said for your years, (paraphrasing again) "you can help or hurt people with your actions and never know it because people are watching you." I know people look at what I wear, my hair etc, basicly the superficial but it never occurred to me that I was being "watched" but I'm glad I am now aware. I've never made it a secret that I want to do great/big things and I'm going to go out on a limb for the first time in my life and say I know I am, I've always known, the details are still a mystery.

As I head out to get my walk on for May 6th, 2011 I'll close by asking who are you effecting; who's watching you?

Live Live Live! More people love you than you know! Shake it up! Go OUTSIDE your comfort zone! Never know what you don't LOVE yet!! Yes to MORE, No to LESS!

Have a Fabulous Memorial Day Weekend!
ColeyCole

It's been a while since I've blogged, I've had a more than my fair share to deal with lately and blogging has been the least of my priorities.  Well last week I decided to start blogging again I just wasn't sure about what, so I prayed and yesterday I go the answer and it came in the form of a Smoothie.

Back in Jan I got my mind set on getting some of the holiday weight off and eating better and I did. In Feb I the Food Network aired a special edition of Good Eats where the shows host Alton Brown shared tips about his dramatic weight loss. One of the things he did was create a Smoothie.  I loved the smoothie, so I made some modifications and it's been an essential part of 10lbs to date I've lost.  I talked about the smoothie on Facebook and I several people asked me for the recipe and I happily sent it out.  Before sending it the last time I realized I needed to make corrections and in that moment I also realized I had my latest entry.

Ok back story of the smoothie, done, now the recipe.

Ingredients
Bag of Mixed Berries (Blueberries, Raspberries & Marionberries Sams or Costco)
Soy or Almond Milk
1 Banana
Dark Fruit Juice (Blend of Pomegranate, Acai, Grape etc. Made with SUGAR no Equal, Splenda, etc) 

In your blender add:
1 cup of mixed berries 
A 1/2 of a cup to a cup of soy or almond milk and a 1/2 a cup to a cup of fruit juice (the liquids can vary in amounts depending on how thick or thin you want the drink in any combo as long as they equal 2 cups. I prefer more Almond Milk to Fruit Juice)
Add the banana
You can add more berries or bananas to taste or if you want something heartier.
Drink for breakfast or dinner, I prefer dinner.

Now some realism. In addition to the smoothie I cut out practically ALL processed carbs and foods.  After watching Live and Let Diet I incorporated some of Alton Browns tips into what I know works for me: no fast food (at least for now, later in moderation), no canned soup (DAMMIT), no processed carbs, minimal salt, very few frozen dinners (even the DIET & healthy ones are insanely high in sodium), no soda, except when I go the movies (gotta have my Cherry Coke & popcorn) and when I want something "bad" I have to make it.  My freeze is always stocked with bags of frozen vegetables, frozen chicken breast and bags of frozen shrimp. Heres a tip of my own, when you're starving but don't want to go for the wrong thing go for Steamed Shrimp, Steamed Broccoli and a little Cocktail Sauce, I eat as much as I want, when I want!

In addition to the food changes I make sure I walk at least an hour a day 5 to 6 days a week. The walking has a great side effect, I sleep better.

Ok enough for now, more to come! Comments and questions welcomed and wanted!

If you or someone you know suffers from depression, help is available.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

http://twitter.com/hollyrpeete/status/9760047602


Sent from my iPod