A Mommy Minute: The News Is Out!!!!!

By: Jessica Byrd 

Yay!!! The news is out! Moms Club is officially a non-profit organization and our new name is CHICmom. 'CHIC' stands for, Confident, Heroic, Inspiring, Courageous Mom. I am so excited for the direction that CHICmom is going. Our main goal is to equip mothers with the tools and necessities to become better mothers, while encouraging mothers to live their best lives. 

Being a mother takes a sacrifice and more often then not, mothers always put themselves last. I want mothers to know that our title as "mom" doesn't stop us from fulfilling our dreams and life purposes. Too many times we give up on ourselves to be the best mothers we can be to our children. Motherhood is very important but I encourage mothers to be our children's example. Through the CHICmom organization, we will host workshops, play dates, moms nights out, and more. Are you a CHICmom ? Join us! 

This weekend was princess Lailah birthday party!!! My baby is now the big 3! Her party was held at the Hands on Museum in Ann Arbor and afterwards we sang happy birthday, had ice cream, cake and tacos at home! It was so much fun!!!! 

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!! I am looking forward to another year! In January CHICmom will host our vision board party! Details will be coming soon! 

Jessica M. Byrd is the parent of a two and one year old .
She is the founder of CHICMom (formerly Detroit Moms Rock) 
and believes every mother should live a life on purpose!

Think Light, Not Dark: Contouring for Black Women

By Simone Carter — goodgirlgonefab.com

Instagram: @reenablaze

Recently on Twitter, I had a conversation with two of my followers about contouring for darker skin tones. If you’ve been in the beauty loop for the past few years, you’ve probably heard about contouring and the wonderful ways it can add definition and shadows to your face. However, as a black woman adding shadows to my already dark skin is not as easy as it seems on YouTube tutorials.

Sure, contouring for darker skin tones is possible but the trick isn’t adding darker shades— it’s highlighting. Think about it. When you see contouring on fair skin, they add darker shades to define and create precise bone structure. This would have to be the opposite on darker tones. So add lighter shades to create the definition we need. Honestly, I find highlighting so much easier than contouring. I learned this tip from experimenting with my makeup and also working at Sephora. Everyday at the start of shift, we watch videos on beauty trends and tips to help us teach clients in the store. Watching the video by Sephora Pro has made me realize that every face is different so we need to different steps to achieve the beauty look desired.

When you are highlighting, it’ll be easier to add darker shades to contour. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Kit in the color Deep (http://www.anastasiabeverlyhills.com/contour-cream-kit.html). is a great choice after highlighting because the colors are rich and deep. It also comes with different color options for contouring, concealing and most importability highlighting.

Another great option is the Sephora Collection Highlight Lowlight Face Contour Duo Stick. (http://www.sephora.com/highlight-lowlight-face-contour-duo-P394919?skuId=1668706) It is a simple way to highlight and contour in two steps. Its inexpensive and easy for beginners looking to add the definition desired.

So with this quick tip of information, my favorite product that help with highlighting is the LA Girl Pro Concealer. This product is a must have for everyone. It comes in a variety of shades that cab be used for highlighting, color correcting and contouring. I use it mostly for everyday highlighting and it works wonders. Its also inexpensive and can be found in local beauty supply store or online. (http://www.lagirlusa.com/pro-conceal-2243.html)

Just remember, when you are trying this new tip to choose a highlighting shade that is two to three shades lighter than your skin tone. If you have any highlighting tips, tricks or questions, tweet me @_ReenaBlaze using the hashtag #GoodGirlGoneFab!

A Mommy Minute: Fun Family Traditions For the Holidays!!!

I loveeeeee the holidays!!!! I know it's easy to get wrapped up in presents, turkeys, Christmas trees, and Santa Clause, but holidays means traditions!! It's the time of year where you can celebrate with your families, gather around the table, play games, and just have good old-fashioned fun!!! Here are some fun holiday traditions you can set for your family.

1. Holiday Ornaments Last year, one of my coworkers had a holiday party and I thought this was the cutest thing. Her house was decorated with ornaments she had collected as a child. Each year when she was younger she picked one special ornament to hang on the tree and had to tell why that ornament was important to her. So simple! But it gets the children involved and it introduces values at a young age.  
2.  Homemade Holiday Cards I like this, especially for toddlers. Every year, many people spend a lot of money on Christmas pictures, which I am a big fan of, but how cute would it be to send personalized cards to grandma and grandpa made from hand by their grandchildren. It's a wonderful keep sake that can be done yearly.
3. A letter to God.  I know writing letters to Santa is popular but this year I will start a new tradition with my little ones. We will write a letter to God for all we're grateful for. I love this, it teaches our children gratitude. I will also participate and include in my letter things I learned and am grateful for. We will decorate the letter seal it up and secure them in a box. At the end of every year we will revisit our letters. I am looking forward to our letters to God this year!

Happy holidays everyone! This weekend the Byrd family went to the tree lighting in Downtown Detroit! It was crowded but my children really enjoyed it!!

 

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Jessica M. Byrd is the parent of a two and one year old. 

She is the founder of Detroit Moms Rock and believes 

every mother should live a life on purpose!

Untying The Knot: Hall Passes and Today's Relationship Culture

 By: Ayana Bryant-Weekes

I remember Hall Passes. In middle school, they were written proof that I had permission to get out of class and roam the hallway. Whether I was taking a "bored with class bathroom break", or a "wake me up walk" to my locker, as long as I had a hall pass, I knew I wouldn't be in trouble for being caught in the hallway while class was in session. Now, hall passes have taken on a completely different meaning..

Rick and Fred, two husbands who are having difficulty in their marriages, are given a Hall Pass by their wives: for one week, they can do whatever they want. This is the plot summary of Hall Pass (2011) a romantic comedy that made light of a concept from the 1960's- 80's that introduced a brand new meaning to the elementary term, hall pass.

 Today's relationship culture seems to lean towards the latter as a solution to infidelity in their relationships; you can even find an updated definition of the term on Urban Dictionary that ranges from a theoretical pass or permission slip, granted by one's spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend to go out socially with friends (but did NOT imply any romantic or sexual encounters), to a week off from marriage to do whatever you want without consequences. Maybe it's just me, but this new "hall pass" concept just isn't sitting right with me.

First, Toya Wright appeared on Untying The Knot,  Bravo’s new reality show that attempts to help troubled couples "divorce with dignity", and shared with divorce lawyer Vikki Ziegler that she gave her husband Mickey Wright (AKA Memphitz) a hall pass to cheat.

“She gives me eight days a year to do what I want, no questions asked,” Memphitz said. 

THEN, Mo’Nique tells True Exclusives that the idea of cheating being a deal-breaker in relationships is a Western idea that comes from a culture of ownership and defends the hall pass concept.

“We’ve been taught to have ownership, and that’s the Western way to do it. I’m not sure where you originate from, but I originate from this place called Africa and what I know about African kings—tell me one of them who just had one wife. Do you know any of them? I don’t. That’s where I originate from. So when we came here, we adopted other people’s ways, and that’s called ownership. There was a time when I was owned before. I don’t want to be owned anymore.

I'm not buying it. I understand that the lines of communications between husbands and wives must remain open and honest, and I understand that women are trying to take the allure out of cheating by making it less of a forbidden act, but doesn't allowing your mate a "no questions asked hall pass" to step outside of your union seem to defeat God's purpose of marriage? How can  two become one...[Ephesians 5:31 NIV] if your spouse has the opportunity to include a third party?

Today's relationship culture is genius at coming up with ways to profess commitment without actually committing to anything. "The secret to a long lasting marriage" evolves more and more and as time goes on, makes it seem almost outlandish to abide by any standard of marriage that requires accountability. Instead of coming up with new methods to keep your mate from cheating, why not strengthen the bond you have with your mate through honesty and prayer; praying (as a couple and individually) that God guards your hearts and desires and keeps your  marriage new and vibrant.

I say a special prayer for married couples that their love and desire for each other remain strong. As a single woman, I've become accustomed to the fluidity of my singleness. I can only imagine the prayer, diligence and self sacrifice it takes to commit to another person, especially for a lifetime.The words of Proverbs 5:18-19 stay in my heart for couples struggling to fight their desire to step out of their relationships.

18. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19. A loving doe, a graceful deer-- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. 

 

3 Things I learned from Moms and Finance Workshop

3 key things I learned from the Moms and Finance workshop that's relates to everyday life

1. Discipline- At the workshop we talked about the importance of setting a budget and recording our actual expenses on a monthly basis with a year-to date summary to analyze your financial expenses. For many, creating the budget was the easy step; the hard part was having enough discipline to stick to their budget. As I reflected on this in my own personal life, I thought,  "There goes that "D" word again!" Discipline is not only something you need in finances but quite frankly, something you need in life period! Discipline helps you reach goals and achieve them! Discipline is a very good characteristic trait everyone should have! 
2. Goals- In another part of the workshop, attendees were asked to write down their short term and long term financial goals and steps to achieve their personal financial goals. Again, another essential point in life! We all must have goals! Otherwise, what are we living for? God didn't want us to just take up space and live day to day. What are your goals? I always start with personal goals because I am a strong believer in working on yourself first. Next what are your family goals? What are your career goals? It is very important to have goals and values and stick to them. Track your progress and keep pushing! 
3. Last but surely not least! Knowledge and information! The sole purpose of some mothers for attending the workshop was to get knowledge and information to become more financially savvy. This is so important! Learning doesn't stop when you graduate from college. Learning is a life journey. You should always be seeking knowledge and information for anything that you're not aware of. Knowledge is the one simple thing that will set people apart from succeeding or failing! Make the best of our new savvy technology world! Don't just use it for social media, seek knowledge and like-minded organizations and groups. Never stop learning!
 


The workshop was amazing!!!!! I am so thankful for everyone that attended and I'm looking forward to many many more!

I also took my son to soccer this week and boy was it a workout but he had tons of fun! There are soccer classes at Total Soccer for ages starting as young as 18-24 months! So much fun and really engages the children!

Breakfast With Toddlers: A Mommy Minute

In honor of all the mothers out there, especially working mothers that are on a strict schedule in the morning. This post is for you!!!!! I wake up at 6:17am every morning, after hitting the snooze button five times, to get my work day started and today just happened to be one of those frustrating mornings!! You know, the morning that both of your deanding toddlers decide to have a crying match and all you want them to do is get dressed for school. Thank God I have a good morning routine that allows an extra fifteen minutes every day for times like these. But more importantly, I'm happy that breakfast is usually always quick, simple and easy! Here are five of my mornings go-to's for my toddlers that make my mornings just that much easier!


1. Yogurt and English Muffin with jelly. My children loves this combination and it's so easy and takes hardly any time. If I have extra time in the morning I will make turkey sausages with this as well! 

2. Quakers oatmeal with brown sugar! My children 
love oatmeal. Usually I serve this with grapes and Orange Juice and they"re good to go!


3. Grilled cheese with fruit, usually strawberries! Another home run for my children and quick and simple! 


4. Eggs, toast, and a banana. This is as close as I get to a full breakfast on weekdays. Sometimes I will cook a link turkey sausage depending on if I have the extra 7 minutes to spare.

5. Peanut butter and jelly and fruit cup. What kid doesn't love peanut butter and jelly? And the fruit cups are like magic to my children.

I hope this helped! Mornings can be hectic and you never know what moods you'll be dealing with, with your toddlers so being prepared with a quick and easy breakfast always helps! In addition, I start my mornings with devotionals that really ease my mind. Sometimes I don't have time to sit and eat with my children so I keep a pack of oatmeal at work, where I can enjoy my breakfast at peace!

This weekend is the moms and finance workshop and I'm so excited!!!!! We have four spots left for anyone interested? Email me at mrsjessicamarieb@gmail.com

           Jessica M. Byrd
 is the parent of a two and one year old. 

She is the founder of Detroit Moms Rock and believes 

every mother should live a life on purpose

LYP Fitness x The A Team Talk Show: The Body Goals Workout

For me, 2016 will be the year of 25th birthday trips to Cancun, Jamaica, Barbados, and anywhere else with warm, exotic scenery that warrants a banging body and when I picture myself on all these cool 25-year-old vacations, I can't help but think about the work I'll need to put in to reach my Body Goal. They say summer bodies are made in the winter, so, I have 2-3 months left to reach my 2016 Body Goals.

At one point in time, I was able to run 2 miles a day on a hilly New Jersey street, now, I'm lucky if I can lightly jog a mile on a treadmill without collapsing. Since I'm pretty much back at square one now, I had to make sure my body goal wasn't too intimidating, over ambitious, or unrealistic. Today, a lot of people's "body goals" mimick the hour glass, "what waist", vixen-esque body type that dominates pop culture, which is cool for women who inherently have that shape but every woman is different. Slim waists and big butts aren't in my genes (no pun intended) so I'd literally be killing myself trying to mold my body into a shape that I don't have. Part of determining my body goal was understanding my own body and in searching for a comfortable end result,  I've come to know myself as a top-heavy woman (duh) with a killer set of legs.

Based on that information, I've adopted Claire Sulmers, Editor In Cheif of Fashion Bomb Daily as my official Body goals. Her legs are EVERYTHING and she carries being top-heavy very well. I think with some motivation and hard work, I can definitely achieve my body goals.

 

 

Speaking of hard work and motivation, I've decided that one of the ways to help me stick to achieving my body goals, is to get other people in on it! I've already made a standing Saturday workout appointment with my friend Jessica, and now I've convinced our host Ambrea to workout with me on Sunday evenings. Now, i'm all about being in shape and getting fit but I am by no means a fitness expert. That's why we've enlisted the personal training/ fitness motivational Serves of LuLu + You Fitness!  As a Certified Fitness Trainer, Lulu healed her mind, body, and spirit through changing her diet, detoxing and cleansing, and prayer.

This past Sunday was The A Team Talk Show's first session with LuLu. After we sent her our weight goals, target areas etc. she designed this Body Goal workout for us:

20 Plate Swings

 30 second jump ropes

 10 floor chest presses

10 chest to ground push-ups

 30 second battle ropes

25 ball toss with squats

 20 jump floor taps

 and 20 downward dogs

Each exercise was done 2 times.

 

To go along with our Body Goals workout, we also received the  Lulu + You Fitness 7 day Jumpstart and meal diary with detox meal instructions, and the LPY (at home) Burn workout. 

Tune in to Move It Monday on the The A Team Talk Show every Monday to keep up with our fitness progress.

A Mommy Minute with Jessica Byrd: Birthday Parties..Don't Be Like Me!

By: Jessica Byrd

In honor of my daughter’s birthday this month, I decided to talk about celebrating our little ones birthday! Yes, I am one of those moms who goes above and beyond for my children’s birthday, however this year, I’ve decided to take another approach. One significant goal for me as approaching 30 next year is to become financial stable. So that means no more $300 parties for my little ones every year, maybe milestones but not every year! And yes, I have spent $300 on my children’s parties at the mere age of one and two years old. I love celebrations and I just can’t let a birthday go by without celebrating but this year we’re inviting close family and friends to a special outing then singing happy birthday at our home! I want to share with you a couple mistakes I’ve made through  this whole birthday planning extravaganza.

1. 1st birthday parties should be at home!!! So many people told me this, but I wanted to do it my way. I must admit my son’s first birthday party at My Little Gym was awesome, but we celebrated my daughter's birthday at Chuck E Cheese, and in my opinion, it’s no place for a one year old!! If I could do it all over, I would save booking a place for at least the second birthday, and celebrate their first birthday at home with family and close friends. Let’s be honest, our children won’t remember at this age, and this birthday party is really more about you than anyone else. If you don’t want to do it at home, try a small outing, but please don’t make the mistake I did spending almost $300 for two hours, and your child remembered nothing or better yet couldn’t even participate in the activities. Instead start your child’s college savings account and ask family members to contribute. Save opening the gifts and fancy locations for an age that your child really can remember and better yet enjoy!!

2. Cakes!!! I love fancy cakes, but again, if you can save a buck or two, I’m all for it!

With that being said, I think the easiest and most efficient treat for children’s parties are

cupcakes and bakeries are becoming really creative with cute ways to decorate cupcakes.

Last year, I even purchased cupcakes from Sam’s Club for my son’s party and everyone

raved about  how good they were.

3.      Choose a venue that suits your child not it’s attendees. This suggestion may sound a

         little selfish, but if your child is turning 3, laser tag might not be a good choice. For me,

         birthdays are all about the birthday boy or girl, if we become too consumed with pleasing

         our guest and trying to chose venues based on the people attending, then whose birthday

         is it? I would chose a place that fits the birthday boy/girl and let the parent decide if they

         want to bring their child. Now of course this is based around the majority of your

         acquaintances because you don’t want an empty party either.

** In other news, I had a great time celebrating Halloween with my children. We did Trunk or Treat at my church, and then I had a crafts and arts Halloween party at my house. The children decorated their own pumpkin, it was a lot fun!!!

The Moms and Finance workshop is approaching and we only have 5 slots left. If interested in attending please send me an email at mrsjessicamarieb@gmail.com. It will be held on November 14th from 2-4pm.

Jessica M. Byrd is the parent of a two and one year old. 

She is the founder of Detroit Moms Rock and believes 

every mother should live a life on purpose!