BAP Movie: Double Wedding (Full Video)

I'm a big fan of the Mowry sisters. I have been since the days of "Sister Sister". I love their positive energy, charisma and bright personalities. It's also very evident that they love one another and support each other as siblings. They just seem like all-around good people. So while perusing the DVD aisle in Walmart, it was a no-brainer for me to pick up this straight-to-DVD chick flick starring the two of them.

"Double Wedding" is a cute film about love, family and misunderstanding. As always, they were great to watch on screen together. It's especially a joy to see the on-air sibling chemistry they have.

Plot: Tia and Tamera Mowry star as twins Deanna and Danielle Warren, who, even though they may look alike, are anything but identical. When the two sisters plan their grandparents' re-commitment wedding, they start a little sibling rivalry to see who can settle down first and find the perfect boyfriend to bring to the blessed event. Soon enough, they unintentionally begin dating the same man, who believes they are one and the same person. Will true love win in this case of double trouble?

Brown Girl Snaps: Another B-More BAP Blog...

www.browngirlsnaps.tumblr.com

Here you will find a cute little collection of photos near and dear to me. I happen to love photography and have tried my hand at it a time or two.

Enjoy!

You Only Get One

Mothers are awesome. If you are lucky like me, you have a really good one - one that tucked you in real tight as a child, taught you amazing things and maybe (just maybe) got all up in your business ALL the time. My mother happens to be the best. Yes, I stand by the fact that she is THE most 'motherest' mother of them all. I sat with her in church today, arm around her, thinking that I don't know any mother-daughter pair as close as her and I. Over the years, situations and random circumstances have threatened our bond, but we've remained pretty stuck-like-glue all this time. I lost my dad at 17 and she's pretty much been the strong (unwavering) presence in my life all along. I love her. I adore her. I admire her.

So, recently when she was diagnosed with Cancer, I began to feel many things. I firstly went into a slight depression, questioned God's plan and just became downright discontented with this whole 'life' thing. You live, you grow and become wise, birth beautiful children and then suddenly something horrific and terrifying appears. And really, what's more scary than a Cancer diagnosis? Well...I don't know too many things more frightening than that, but I must say, through these last few months, her and I have grown even closer. I've learned a lot about believing and putting my faith into action. I've relied heavily upon the emotional support of my friends and really grasped some spiritual concepts, as it pertains to life and healing.

I've become quite acquainted with the Cancer thing and, all in all, it's not as terrible as it seems. There are many people out there living, surviving and thriving. It really requires a strong sense of hope. We live on that now. It definitely calls for a circle of friends and family that believe in the power of God and his ability to do amazing, awesome things... like transform a body from ill to well.

Most of all, in times like these, you need love. Love is truly the best medicine when life becomes a bit dim, for whatever reason it may. I've been pouring out my love for my mother and have been receiving it back from many of the people around me that care and are concerned for this moment of test in our lives.

I guess I said all of this to say that...you only get one mother. If you have the blessing of having one and she's well, spend as much time as you can with her. If the relationship needs work, do your best to repair it. Give it your best shot! Because really, what's more important than that?

Be blessed people.

Goodnight.

Let The Inspiration Flow!

I'm a romantic. A dreamer. A hopeful. I live on the desire to create, grow and manifest into what God has truly intended for me to be. However, life has a way of crowding out all the good, perfect and beautiful sometimes. It can be a dead-end 9-5, the busyness of every day, or just the torture of having not yet matured from the frustration phase to the fulfillment stage. It can all just be too much.

Lately, I've been motivated to do everything that my little heart has ever set its sights on - finishing that novel, recording that album, painting a canvass, designing jewelry worth showing off/selling and just being a better, more in-tune, spiritual individual in general. However, it's not easy to eliminate the distractions in our lives to be this great being we all desire to be, so I've concocted a personal list that helps me (and hopefully others) the courage and a bit of inspiration to focus on the innate skills and characteristics born within each and everyone of us (to make us more successful):

1. Turn off the TV - Without the glare and constant noise of whatever it is blasting through the screen, one can focus on bigger and better possibilities: finish reading that novel, clean out that closet filled with old poems, write again, live again and just search your soul for what makes you truly happy.

2. Facebook Diet - We all need it, but no one wants to do it. It's kind of like exercise. Spending less time on social media sites definitely allows us all the time to focus on more important things - like what to do with the rest of our lives.

3. Silence - Even a radio can get in the way of truly fleshing out some amazing ideas. Silence allows your mind an opportunity to let it's own ideas rush in, as opposed to the stream of music, talk shows and commercials. A clear mind is the perfect place to start!

4. Naysayers - Sometimes taking a break from certain people in our lives can be necessary. It's OK that your spouse or sister don't agree with you spending 50% of your time working on a book, but who are they to judge? It's your life. Live it now!

5. Vacay - You need a change of scenery and everybody knows it but you. If you're beginning to feel that life is just BLAH, maybe it's time to see and experience something new. Travel somewhere you've never been and if you can't afford to, just find a lake or pond in your area that you've never seen and go there with pen and paper in hand. Write out your thoughts and listen to the ducks quack. The inspiration will come!

6. Faith - Believe in yourself. Believe in God's ability to make you great and simply walk in the highest potential that was destined for you.

You only get one life. Live it well!

Pure & Unadulterated Cool: Ms. Alex, BAP Reader of the Week # 1

I recently had the great pleasure of chatting with one of my fave BAP readers, Ms. Alex. This (Morgan State Alum) BAP is gorgeous & fab inside and out. That is reflected in our brief interview below. Check it out!!

1. How long have you been a reader of B-More BAP Life? How did you become a reader?

I have been a reader of B-More BAP Life for about two years (since the fall of 2008) when I met [B-More BAP]. But I was actually a long time fan of the B-More Bap MySpace page back in the day!

2. What is your definition of a BAP?

To me, a BAP; a Black American Princess is a young woman on her journey to becoming a queen. She’s fierce, confident, head-strong, intelligent, original, and nurturing. She embraces her true-self.

3. What BAPS do you look up to & why?

I look up to a lot of queens, but a BAP I have a great respect for would be Solange Knowles, for her talent and individuality. She’s one of my style icons. I admire Tia and Tamera Mowry as well. They are such classy, family oriented women despite the demands of the industry they work in. I’m also inspired by the BAPs in my life.

4. What is your life's philosophy or motto?

My life's motto evolves based on stages in my life. Right now, I’m focusing on the quote “Never stop pushing. This world needs you now more than ever." It was a line in the poem “Ten Things I Want to Say to a Black Woman” by Joshua Bennett. When I heard the line, the words spoke to me so clearly. I am at a point in my life where fulfilling God’s plan has come with some obstacles. I use this quote to stay focused on the task at hand.

5. What are your interests and favorite things to do?

My interests start with learning. I love to learn. I love to read. I love the arts; performance and visual. Outward expression is powerful and intriguing. I love playing outside. I’m a kick-ball champion :-) & I love good conversation.


6. What are you goals/goal for 2010/2011?

My goal for 2010/2011 is to prepare myself financially, mentally and spiritually to become independent from my parents. I am indeed still a princess in that aspect. :-)

7. Favorite Books?

I’ve recently become addicted to memoirs. Two I really enjoyed were “I’m Down” by Mishna Wolf and “A Piece of Cake” by Cupcake Brown.

8. Favorite Music Artists?

Too many to name! But currently on heavy rotation: Bilal, Kanye West, Passion Pitt, Outkast, and John Mayer,

9. Hidden Talents?

Not that I have discovered. All of my talents are pretty much on display.

10. What message would you like to leave with your fellow BAPS?

Don’t be afraid to let your light shine! Be beautifully you :-)

Today's Inspiration

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love & be loved in return"

Ebony Steps It Up for Fall 2010

It's only been a month or two since we (devoted readers) welcomed Amy Dubois Barnett as new Editor-In-Chief of Ebony Magazine and the difference is already apparent. The new look is bold, the content is brave and diverse and of course, the overall feel of the magazine has taken off into a new, more modern direction.

When was the last time you purchased an issue of Ebony? I would highly recommend it this season. Personally, I'm looking forward to Johnson Publishing, with Dubois and Desiree Rogers at the helm, soaring to heights we haven't witnessed in a long time.

I'm anxious to see what's next, how about you?