We can't change the world, unless we change ourselves...

I had pleasure of seeing NOTORIOUS last night and I would first and foremost like to say I LOVED IT... As you all know I love to watch films for more than just seeing a new project but as an actress I get a chance to view other thespians and actually learn some of their techniques. So here's my take on what each actor brought to the screen...


Jamal "Gravy" Woolard who plays Christopher "Biggie" Wallace did an amazing job this rapper turned actor, has truly proven himself ready for the big screen. He allowed us to once again open our hearts, eyes and ears to the Notorious BIG. I think I have a thing for BIG BOYS now : )...

"Derek Luke" who plays Sean Puffy Combs made me eat my words, when I first found out that he was casted for the role I just knew that he wouldn't be able to play Puff. But Derek look mastered this role he is an incredible actor and I respect his work 110% in this project.

Angela Bassett who play Ms. Voletta Wallace continues on her path to success she is phenomenal and what she does and that did not start or end with this project. After seeing the film it makes you realize that there is no pain like a mothers pain.

Anthony Mackie who plays TuPac Shakur Anthony has proven himself to be a great actor but I must admit he has fallen short of what I wanted to see. I wasn't impressed with his performance at all...



As we all know Lil Kim was not an active part of this production and she is also not pleased with the way she was portrayed in this film, for starters I feel Naturi Naughton formerly of 3LW did the best she could do with the role. I do feel where Kim is coming from a true bond between her and BIG was not displayed it was purely sexual. Though I feel this project is about BIG, I understand Kim's position each and everyone who BIG ever loved was an active part of this production. From his son to his mother, from faith to Puff, from Cease to D-Roc why not Just include her.

Overall the project was a success I hope we continue to support it especially within these last few days of its opening week, lets try to put BIG where he belongs in that number 1 spot...

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

Reach for the Stars...

When my BESTIE Jas (The Teacher) called and asked me to come speak to the girls in her mentoring program I thought "of course", I will bring nail polish and make up and make this a total girls pow wow. I asked Jasmine to send me a briefing of the program and the girls in it. She stated the girls all come from rough neighborhoods like we grew up in. They are within the ages of 12 to 14 and for anyone who knows a young lady in that age bracket you know she has just entered the "I KNOW IT ALL, AND YOU CANT TELL ME NOTHING" phase of her life. Still I figure this would be a breeze, I wanted to approach the girls from another angle, my goal was to motivate them, inspire them and most of all encourage them. I wanted them to see that this Project Princess aspired to be all she can be and their story book ending could be nothing short of a fairy tale... As I drove through Elizabeth New Jersey, it took me back to 2005 when Jasmine first moved into her classroom. I remember us getting lost trying to find the school for the very first time. We feared if we turned the wrong corner, the next time you heard about us it would be in the papers. Each corner reminded me of what Brooklyn use to be or of what Brownsville is today. I made it safely to the school and I was highly anticipating meeting THE GIRLS, but first I had to meet Ms. Lee's first grade class. I got so many compliments from "Ms. Lee she looks beautiful" to "Ummm Lady I like your shiny sweater" lol... As the clock struck 3:30 I was called to the stage. I entered the room and there was a female police officer addressing the girls and even though she was talking all eyes seemed to be on me. Nervous I adjusted my posture, fixed my dress, and raised one eye brow to make sure that my face read "this is not a game". The one thing I was not going to tolerate from this group of girls was disrespect, I came with a Mission and I saw fit to conquer it. As I watched one particular girl gain snickers from her peers, from a joke that was geared towards me I thought "she will be my challenge"... The officer took her last Question and then Ms. Lee introduced me. I started off by telling the girls about "THE FIRST IMPRESSION" and how if it wasn't brought forth right it could certainly be the last impression. I told the girls about how their demeanor showed their level of confidence. I did a quick exercise asking everyone to take a look around the room at there peers, then I asked the girls to sit up straight and cross their legs and then I said now take a look around the room and tell me what you see... Next the girls wanted to know about me I told them about my acting career and about what it was like living in California. In closing I presented the girls with letters from some of the most influential ladies in my life "My Friends" I told the girls that these young ladies would now be their big sisters and that they could contact them for encouragement at any time. Lastly I gave out the gifts Shyah Dickerson P.R. at Phat Fashions (My sister) sent bottle's of Kimora Lee Simmons latest Fragrance for the girls, Taylor Cook of Lafayette 148 (Head Designer of L. Janell The line) provided Note Pads for the girls, Brandi Womack of Score Educational Services (Creator of I'm keeping up) provided glow in the dark balls, rubber pencils and balloons for the girls. Over all the afternoon with the girls was a major success I allowed them inspire me needless to say the girls will be seeing me more often.

Thanks to Ms. Lee and School #1 for the opportunity

Thanks for Shyah Dickerson, Taylor Cook and Brandi Womack for all the gifts

Thanks to all of the Big Sisters
Kenya Agunloye
Ena Brown
Shyah Dickerson
Jennifer Holmes
Shantina Mapp
Samantha Miller
Atalie Short
Brandi Womack
Nakisha Williams

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

Eggshell Robin

This weeks color of the week EGGSHELL ROBIN by: Dashing Diva Brings about a fuss...

                                                  

This weeks nail color exclusive is more than just about a raving new color, its about an overall experience. Most women get serviced at Dashing Diva because they love the thought of being pampered while drinking Cosmos's with the girls, makes you feel like Carrie Bradshaw on any given day. But on this particular Thursday things were quite different. After being greeted at the door I was told to select a polish color. As I browsed hundreds of colors made by the Dashing Diva herself, I found one color that screamed at me, it was Eggshell Robin. I figured every female in the salon had to be getting this color because the Diva had nothing else to offer. After my treatment was done I pulled out my Dashing Diva Gift Card, shortly after I was approached by the manager who informed me that my $52.00 manicure and pedicure could not be covered with the gift card. Their policy stands that you have to use the gift card at the same salon it was purchased from. WHAT!!! That's like Starbucks in Brooklyn telling me they can not accept the gift card that my aunt in L.A. sent me for Christmas, so now your telling me I have to fly to L.A. just to get a Mocha Frappuccino... UNBELIEVABLE!!!

The Positives about Dashing Diva

The Cosmo

Eggshell Robin

The Beyonce concert playing on the flat screen

The negatives about Dashing Diva

The Gift Card Policy

The selection of nail polish 

Cosmo's are only served on a limited basis

Eggshell Robin can be found on the DASHING DIVA website www.dashingdiva.com on sale right now for $6.00

Leah Janell: In My Shoe's...