Why it’s crucial NOT 2 Sleep in your 20’s!

Hey yall!

I want to give you all a few words of wisdom and give you 10 reasons why it is crucial NOT to sleep during your 20's...

If you have any Goals, Plans or Hopes sleeping won't get you there!

Is this blog meant to entertain? Maybe but the key points I am sure you will get by the end of the post.

Do you remember the night before the first day of school? I surely do! I could not sleep not one minute... Why? Because I was eager to meet my new teacher, show off my new L.A Gears and start a new point in my life.. I look at my life the same was now that I am an adult.. When I put a plan into action EVERY night is like the night before the first day of school! I lay in bed and reflect on what I want... what I expect to happen at the end of year... who have I touched... who's life did I improve or better yet how much did I improve over the past year or whatever timeframe I gave myself. More often than not I complete all my goals and own my accomplishments but I see that many of my peers are not doing the same.

I am quickly starting to Design Women... How you ask? By telling them what they already know... By giving them a chance to appreciate themselves without negative people around to doubt them...

Many of the women I deal with are 20 y/o + and they are having these restful night sleeps and I wonder how the heck they have time for that?

So follow my steps and live a restless, wealthy life!

1) How will you ever turn you DREAMS into real and visable GOALS if you are all wrapped up in your blanket?

2) When will you have time to network, if you are in bed by 9 p.m.?

3) When do you possibly update all your social networking sites if you are sleep by 11 p.m. and manage a 9 to 5 job?

4) There are way too many books at Barnes & Nobles for you to read instead of sleeping! TRUE STORY

5) You can not formulate a business plan if you are in bed BRIGHT AND EARLY! Venture Caps don't give a crap if you are tired!

6) Can you really watch Oprah at 4 p.m. and think that she got a good night sleep in the height of her career? You didn't think that she worked only 3 hour days... DID YOU?

7) You can't relay on Social Security ... so when are you going to become your own boss? And if you say soon ... remember that doesn't include a good night sleep! Trust Me!

8) Because if you had all these random thoughts throughout the day ...when will you get time to blog about them if your sleep? Can't do it at your job can you?

9) During the election with President Elect Barack Obama... do you remember the numerous volunteers... who had no sleep ...fighting for change ... to put that man in office ??? DO YOU THINK THEY GOT SLEEP?

10) And finally ...In your legacy... What story will you tell???

Zanade :-)

Would you pay on the first date?

So me an my friend let's call her Hyper, Hyper has been going on numerous dates and practically emptying her pockets week after week taking these loser dudes on dates! I call them loser dudes because if you let a woman pay for dinner on the first date you are a loser in my eyes!

For me the rule is 1st date you pay and then we will move on from there but there is no way ...let me repeat NO WAY I am paying on the first date...

Ok, I must admit that I am a bit traditional when it come to this notion and a firm believer that notions are generally wrong but this one I can't cross out! I come from a family a rather small family where my grandfather treated my grandmother as a QUEEN. I have never seen my grandmother come out of pocket, he brought the groceries, paid the bills and much much more. When it was time to go school clothes shopping my grandmother gave the money HE HAD GIVEN TO HER TO PAY FOR THE A&S bill! I looked at that as love ... because he wanted to take care what was his! True story... and since then I had followed that same upbringing ... I am a power woman but I still would like to have the man I am with or dating treat me as a QUEEN in that respect.

Now that being said Hyper is going on dates spending money because she felt uncomfortable waiting for HIM TO PULL OUT HIS CC! Is she serious? Me? I would sit there with the glass of wine in my hand like I never saw the check hit the table LOL!

So I have been coaching her on how to cordially bypass the first date bill...

1) When the Waiter comes over he/she will almost instantly place the bill next to the man ... so let him/her do that ...smile at your date and go straight back to your lunch/dinner/latte!

2) He starts to fumble around like the $ just jumped out of his pocket ... get up and go to the bathroom! Enough said.

3) If you notice that after 10 minutes he has yet to pick up the bill ...play the same game until he does... HE SHOULD ALREADY KNOW THE RULES if not then send him MY WAY :-)

So she is ready for her next date ... I told her bring enough for cabfare Just In Case he bugs out LOL and when the check comes pick from the choices above!

Much Love,

A single for a reason gal!

Zanade :-)

Why do I do this to myself???

I don't like to shop with friends believe it or not ...

( SIDE NOTE..I do however like gifts and individual splurges so don't get it twisted boys!!!)

And here is why! I have a friend let's call her Drama, Drama likes to take this long boring trips to these warehouse looking spots such as Woodbury Commons on Black Friday or Macy's after Christmas and this time Drama picked a GREAT place to torture me.. She takes me to a Sean John Warehouse sale at Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City.. and from the looks of the merchandise it looked QUITE BOGUS TO ME!

I am not sure if Drama knew that the clothes were fake but she was excited and I didn't want to burst her bubble ... Sad but true ..because that would have been a 2 hour argument about how I yes I THE DIVA doesn't know the difference between real SEAN JOHN and Fake Sean John.. so I let it be... I posted some pics so you decide!

1) They were only selling men's clothing... no kids no baby stuff just BIG MENS STUFF

2) The packaging looked cheap

3) Drama wanted me to help her pick out stuff for her man and sons

4) I was mad that this dude was trying to holla at me when he was holding a XXXL shirt and while I coldly stared at his stomach ...I had no choice but to just throw on my Armani sunglasses and WALK AWAY!

Some items were really nice but I was not feeling it because she only came out with 3 items (not her fault but still)

Please help me research this! Were average people really capitalizing off of fake Sean John in one of the nicest hotels in Midtown or am I bugging and can't decipher what is real or not????

Sincerely,

A very exhausted DIVA!

You may come in! The 2008* Pink Polka Dot Gala

Ok, I can explain this picture!

I was looking absolutely fabulous and feeling great until ten hours later when my feet started to KILL me lol

However without any complaining I cordially invite you to the Blog of The Pink Polka Dot 2008 Gala!

What an exciting day for me and my staff, we worked so hard for the past 6 months to create a production that would amaze even the most AMAZING people around! We had some wonderful lined up and a sparkling fashion show that was sure to tease the eyes...

This beautiful event was located at The Penthouse Suites in NYC and hosted by PMP Studios Inc. My generous board member John Stavros would provide all the delicious food and we were ready to roll! So I was the head lady in charge and it felt great to work with so many people, from the volunteers to the fabulous speakers. I showed up at the penthouse at about 10 a.m. YES bright and Early ... A DIVA can be late for most events BUT NOT FOR HER OWN! (Lesson Learned, take notes girls!) I did not have on the fabulous dress you see all over the web, but Baby Phat Jeans and a Classic Blank fitted shirt with my gym sneakers.. I had to prepare to run around and give orders.. I must give props to my assistant Kalimah who so graciously brought me a Venti ... Not Grande Latte but the biggest one Starbucks had because I was about to drop.. I didn't mention that the night b4 I had channeled my inner hairstylist and sewed in a head full of extensions for my little sister, and that ended about 3 a.m.

Latte well deserved!

Florence my registration hostess showed up and assisted me and might I say she looked fabulous before and after the event! She had to remind me twice to get dressed because my guests were starting to show up... So I ran into the men's bathroom no less to change into my outfit... Hey I didn't want another little divas seeing me get dressed! LOL

When I walked out I felt amazing ... not because of the outfit or the adoring eyes watching me walk across the penthouse but amazed because I HAD SET A GOAL AND ON THAT VERY DAY ACCOMPLISHED IT!That moves mountains when you can see all your hard work ...work for you!

My very good supporter Laura Allen was there t kick-off the conference and she wowed the crowd, a few of the girls stood up to present their custom made 15 second pitch that was taught to them by Laura. www.15secondpitch.com (shameless plug!)

Briian Dargon the most fabulous man I know did a great presentation although he was extremely nervous! I told you Briian you were a STAR! www.bsixtee6.com (yet another shameless plug!)

Nahal Zamani was so playful with the guests and they loved her! (Google her now!)

David Vernon gave it to our guests by providing the three keys to success! email me for all three! zanademann@hotmail.com

Kristina Leonardi gave her advice on how to follow your passions! www.thewomensmosaic.org (another!)

We even had a networking luncheon just to give every1 a chance to find out who ...who is! We played some of the hottest songs out there and made it more of party event then a dry conference where people want to walk out! LOL

Stephen Knight provided a unique fashion show for our guests and a VERY ENTERTAINING RENDITION OF BEYONCE'S Single Ladies!!!! www.youtube.com/1pinkz

Delilah Williams provided the lovely pics that are circulating the net! http://www.myspace.com/pinkpolkadot_org YES CHECK THEM OUT AND MAKE PLENTY OF COMMENTS! support Pink Polka Dot www.pinkpolkadot.org


Above all the main purpose of the event was to inspire young women ages 5 - 21 and we hit our mark!

To Infinity and Beyond!!!!

Misc Blogging

I have so much to talk about...

let's do some random blog-ness shall we?

I have a girly crush on Trey Songz! Yes it is true he is too sexy and that voice is to die for... ok truth is he reminds me of a hottie I dated in Junior H.S heyyyyy

So the DIVA is going to look fabulous this Saturday at her non profit organizations annual career conference and I am even considering false eyelashes!!! Yes be surprised this DIVA does not wear make-up or fake stuff unless you count a Tiffany necklace I brought from Chinatown a LONG time ago FAKE :-)

My org's career conference is quickly approaching and it will be amazing... Did I mention the shoes I brought... no? wait for pics to come :-)

Met a guy... I think there is something wrong with him though... He thinks what I do is great! Most men think I totally overwork myself and have no time for them... this is true but it is what it is!

I love my board of directors they treat me so well! Whatever vison I have they follow and support which is needed in this self-loathing world.

I re-brought my fav perfume by J. Lo LIVE

ok.. talk soon I gotta go and do my 9-5 work :-(

Love ya!

What Exactly is PMS-ing?

Given our biological nature we have monthly mood swings that your lover or friend calls PMS-ing, but what exactly does that mean? Today the DIVA will explain what it is and give you scenarios that just may indicate YOU are PMS-ing!

Premenstrual Syndrome!!! (Halloween theme song plays in the background)
This syndrome plagues women worldwide no matter what their background or economic status are they all get a little bitchy before THAT time of the month. Is it perfectly normal? Yes! Do some women go overboard with symptoms? Yes!

For those not familar with the symptoms of PMS here is a short list that is not limited to the things you may see yourself or someone you know go through.

1) Mood swings
2) Tender breasts
3) Fatigue
4) Irratibility
5) Depression

The funniest thing I encountered with my dear friend PMS is how I respond to people during that special time. Sometimes I find myself being very snappy and aggressive (see post You Had The Audacity to Speak to Me?)I will admit sometimes I take it to the extreme and I am sure you can agree that some women do as well. Let's look at some instances where a woman has gone to the EXTREME!

Scenario 1 Irratibility

You are sitting at the kitchen table and your husband/boyfriend/lover walks into the kitchen and makes himself a cup of coffee. The entire time you are staring at him coldly. He turns to say good morning and you notice he spilled a bit of java on your newly cleaned countertop. You look at him in disbelief and with the voice of the Devil say "How DARE you spill that on the counter? I stayed up ALL not cleaning!!! You don't care do you? Because I am a woman? You just GET UP, GET DRESSED and JUMP into your clean car, right? I can't take this ANYMORE John!" then slowly lower your head and start crying...

You just BUGGED OUT!

Scenario 2 Depression

You decide to dye your hair for the new Fall season. After its styled you proclaim to your sylist that you love it and you are glad you made the decision to dye your hair. You walk out looking fierce, until you see your co-worker/girlfriend who thinks the new style and color does not suit you. She says it's for a younger looking woman. After you acknowledge her you start walking down the block and someone else tells you they liked your hair much better the other way. You run home and start to analyze what your friends had said to you, you began to feel like an old woman. How were you ever going to compete with the Rhianna's of the world? You storm into the bathroom and begin to mess up your new hairdo by pouring water all over it then you put a shower cap over it sit on the coach and stare up at the ceiling...

You may have BUGGED OUT!

Scenario 3 Fatigue

(Think Deuce Bigalow)

You are out with a few friends and you are pms-ing. You decide it would be really cool to play charades (your childhood favorite game!) and you deside to go up first. You begin to act out a Beyonce scene from Crazy in Love video, you are twisting and turning and then you suddendly PASS OUT! They jump in shock to go see how you are doing but notice that you are sleeping like a baby on the floor! They chack you calender and realize it's PMS time of the month and realize you were just a bit tired. They wrap you in a blanket and go home.

You may have been a litte tired but you just BUGGED OUT!

Now the scenarios are overexaggerated but you get the point, sometimes we can take it too far!

Now that we had a little fun I want to stress of how important it is to keep your cool during these times. 3 out of 4 women experience PMS and many of them let PMS control their lives. That is not a joke. I myself have ruined some relationships because I let the BITCH in me get out of control. But I have learned to calm myslef during those times. I take walks and sorta tune out people for that moment. Hey it works for me! Also make sure you are taking vitamins and getting plenty of rest, because that helps.

Later

Z.

Let's Talk About _____ BABY!

Hey yall!

OK... Don't let the title fool you, but don't you just love that Salt & Pepa song? They were the BOMB in their day right? Anyhow...

I wanna talk about Expensive Taxi rides through New York City! That is the topic of the day. Saturday proved to be one of my challenges as I hoped to attend five events wearing a WHITE pencil skirt SUCCESSFULLY! My day started at 5 a.m and planned to end around 11 p.m so I had to prepare myself with some Pilate's. Let's not stay too long on the first two events and fast forward to the third. It was in the City and it was a GALA so I had to be on point because those women are FIERCE. My WHITE skirt already had a pen mark on it from my prior meeting so I was sorta off point but I was still on point if you know what I mean! LOL

Let's get to the Ring of FIRE! (Finding Nemo lol) I do not like to spend money on taxi's period. Well I do in my hometown of Staten Island but no way do I like to pay for taxi's in the City because they initially charge you $2.50 when you open the door! But as always an unreliable source told me to take the WRONG train and I ended up on the wrong side of town! Now only having 15 minutes left to be at my destination I seductively flagged down a taxi. Ok... After fooling myself thinking that if I waved my hand like a DRAG Queen I would get a taxi ...I just decided to wait until one pulled up. "Hi taxi man can you take me to 21 WEST 111th Street Alain Looke School?" he reluctantly said "No" but I jumped in anyway! I AM AN AGGRESSIVE DIVA :-)

He took me either way!

SO he turns and turns past Central Park in the opposite direction that I assume I needed to go, but magically he ended up at the school in no time. Unfortunately the meter read $11! I was tight $11 bucks? For a few blocks of turns that eventually got me nauseous. I asked him to explain this to me and he had the AUDACITY to say "IF I didn't pay it he would keep the meter running!" HUH "Is that right?" I said and I threw the $20 I had been holding onto on his lap.

Let's get together and call 311!

Let's start the National Coalition Against New York City Taxi Drivers!

NCANYCTD!!!!! Sounds very long and complicated but YOU GET THE POINT!

Later

Z.