XLIII

OMG, OMG, OMG, It feels so good to be from PITTSBURGH, I mean I'm from Brooklyn but I know anyone who lives, grew up or was born in Pittsburgh is still rejoicing over last nights victory. Now me personally the Super Bowl was just another lesson for me, see I have spent 2008 learning all about the game of football. So thats why I chose to watch the big game all by myself. I needed to keep my eyes and ears glued to the screen to make sure I understood exactly what was going on. So lets start with the chill's we received from just seeing Jennifer Hudson finally back on the scene. Though we all know Jennifer was Lip sang, she did an amazing job at it. Then I fixed a plate of baked macaroni, collard greens and bbq spare ribs and I kicked my feet up on the living room table as I watched the game. I was amazed at how the game started, but what might amaze you is how I selected the team I was rooting for, with a black president why not have a black coach take home the victory. I shouted at the television as I watched a young man with the last name Harrison make amazing plays. But it was Santonio Holmes who amazed me most with his final touch down. Overall I can say that the game was amazing and I am so educated on the sport that I am ready to begin the 09 season now...

Leah Janell

Highly Anticipated...

I must admit that I am totally psyched to see the new film based on NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER, He's just not that into You. The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys by author Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo. He's just not that into You has been named a women's daily wake-up call. Well this "Tell it like it is" Book is slated to release a star studded film on Feb. 6Th, 2009. The Film features heavy hitters like Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connolly, Bradely Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johnasson and Justin Long.

Not to mention that one of my great friends and fellow thespians SABRINA REVELLE who was born and raised in Philadelphia but currently resides in Los Angeles is also featured in the film.

Most of you may recognize Sabrina from BET's Hit Show Hell Date (which I myself did a small stint on) shameless plug lol...

I hope you all go out and support the film...

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

Not the answer...

This story has hit home for many people today, for those of you who are unaware here is the story. Ervin Antonio Lupoe who had been recently let go from a Kaiser Permanente hospital in West Los Angeles, killed his wife, Ana, their five children: 8-year-old Brittney, 5-year-old twin girls Jaszmin and Jassely and 2-year-old twin boys Benjamin and Christian. He then took his own life after faxing a letter to KABC Channel 7 and calling the LAPD saying, “I just returned home, and my whole family has been shot.”
A suicide note found at the scene “indicated a business dispute” between Lupoe and Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. In the faxed note to KABC, Lupoe said he was despondent over an employment situation. Both he and his wife were former employees of the medical center. According to reports, there were grounds for termination that did not come as a result of layoffs. Lupoe and his wife then made a suicide pact:

This is one of the saddest stories that I have ever come across, just to know that these parents thought that suicidal-murder was the best way to resolve their fears of not being able to care for their children is scary. Today when our economy is facing its toughest times, when people are being let go from their jobs daily this is an example of the level people are willing stoop to. I truly believe that this incident, (though it was not a lay off caused to the suffrage of the economy) should set off a light bulb. The government needs to set up means of survival for people effected by the recession. I know a man that is 61 years old who was let go from his job of 30 years in the early part of 2008. This individual who had once brought home 75 to 90 thousand dollars a year, who owns 3 homes, only made 26,000 this year. We as a people have not been prepared for a turn like this and we need HELP. There is no way any tax paying citizen should feel like they have nowhere to turn. What do you think the government could do to assist problems of this nature?

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

She's just like me...

Jamie Foxx has released his latest LP intuition, and it is HOT his first single off of the album featured T.I. and is tilted Just Like Me... Like most R&B music today Jamie leaves us with alot to ponder about on this track. I mean can "MEN REALLY HANDLE A WOMAN WHO DOES ALL THAT HE DOES AND MORE"...Now lets be real "JUST LIKE ME" Isn't saying
she's always at work
Bringing home the bread
putting the kids to bed
shes just like me...
LOL no way, this young lady is just like the average dude, shes in the club popping her own bottles, she knows every male in the room... Somewhere in the song Jamie states "AND I CANT BE MAD". Well I guess he cant be since he's out doing the same thing. But my question to you all is, CAN MEN HANDLE IT? and Furthermore Just because he's doing it does it make it right that we do the same. Ladies lets remember we are always the one who gets the bad name...

Just a few Lyrics...
You, been seeing him, and I know
And I was with her, and you knew about it
But I was too bli-I-ind to see it baby
And you was out here doing
The same thing as me
I wanna ask, has he been by the crib?
Has he been in our, car?
And did you let him, drive?
Cause she's been by the house
She's been in the car
I've even let her push the
Porsche around a couple times
Ohh, we were so the same
I don't know why I can't see it baby
And it ain't a point to feeling blue
You're just like me and I'm just like you

[Chorus: Jamie Foxx]
You're just like me
Shorty all up in the club
Popping bottles of that Bud
Giving all them dudes hugs
And you just like me
She don't know how to act
On the floor back in the back
Man I can't be mad dapslyrics
She just like me-e-ee-e-e
She just like me-e-ee-e-e
She just like me-e-ee-e-e
She just like me...

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

The Family that Preys

This past Saturday my parents and I sat down to watch a Block Buster film, TYLER PERRY'S The Family that Preys. I have this connection with Tyler Perry when it comes to his work. Tyler reminds me of myself he is a man after his own heart. Its like whatever he touches turns to gold. The family that Preys has an all star cast and each actor brings something amazing to the screen. I was more than happy not to find Madea in this film, I'm going to be completely honest here that's where Mr. Perry Loses me, I mean come on I am sick and tired of him cooning around shucking and jiving in this wig and dress. Madea is funny, I will give him that but shes easy to grow tired of. On another note I was so impressed with Sanaa Lathans performance Sanaa has introduced us to her alter ego "The B!tch" and I loved it. She was able to match Robin Givens sassy persona. The Family that Preys is a must see film, if you haven't seen it already rent it at your local block buster.




Leah Janell: In My Shoes

The Do's and Don'ts...

To the proposal...

DO propose in a romantic location, take a trip somewhere that your lady has never been, allow it to be a whole new experience for her.

DO use props when proposing, buy your lady a puppy and attach the box to his collar. Every time she looks at her puppy it will remind her of that big day.

DON'T propose on a holiday, NOT Valentines Day, NOR Christmas, not her birthday either, the day you propose should be about you and your lady. Selecting a date is important and that day should ONLY be known as your anniversary. There shouldn't be any other festivities to celebrate on that day.

DON'T mention what you spent on the ring, or how many carats it is. SAVE THAT FOR THE PRIVACY OF YOUR HOME, its classless for everyone in the room to know.

DO ask your ladies father for her hand in marriage.

DO consult her mother, sister OR best friend before purchasing the ring, one of these ladies will know what your lady is looking for in a ring.

DON'T rush your proposal, make sure the time is right, make sure you have saved enough money. No one wants a proposal on a budget.

DO add the element of surprise tell your lady to dress up and meet you at a new restaurant, have her immediate family & friends meet you there as well as. Order for her so upon her arrival you can pop the question, following that dinner can be served and the rest of the night is for laughing, eating and drinking...

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

She said yes...

Check out the rings these celebs received, WOW some girls have all the Luck...

Many people were surprised at how similar Selita and Mariahs engagement rings from Nick Cannon were... Both rings are extremely beautiful... Mariahs ring sits at 10K...


Check out Ashlee Simpson 5-carat diamond ring...


My personal favorite Vanessa Bryants break up to make ring SUPER SEXY...


Fact: Jayz had an imitation of Beyonces ring created, Beyonce doesn't wear her actual ring on stage or out in the public on a regular basis...


Leah Janell: In My Shoes

The Four C's

When one of my readers told me he needed help finding the perfect engagement ring for his lady, I was more than glad to add my two cents : )

The one thing I have learned about females is that when it comes to rings all they are concerned with is CARAT. Now we smart girls know that there is so much more to a diamond than carat. So fellas when searching for a ring you must remember The Four C's Clarity, Cut, Carat, and Color...

Clarity- While most people are concerned with Carat, Clarity is surprisingly most important. Clarity describes the presence or absence of inclusions (scratches/blemishes) within the diamond. Inclusions interfere with the light that passes through the diamond(like Jay said NO CLOUDS IN MY STONES) The fewer inclusions a diamond has the more rare and valuable it is.

Here's a breakdown of the Clarity Rating Scale

He Loves Me: FL Flawless (shows no inclusions)
Forever & ever: IF Internally Flawless (no inclusions/insignificant surface)
Ring the Alarm: VVS1 Very Very Slightly Included (minor inclusions difficult to see)
This may work: VVS2 Very Slightly Included(minor inclusions slightly see for the trained eye to see)
He Loves Me Not: SI1-SI2 Slightly Included Imperfect (noticeable Inclusions very easy to see)
I Don't: I1, I2, I3, Obvious inclusions by eye/threaten durability

So I bet you thought CUT was the shape "LIKE I SWEAR I WANT THIS PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND RING" LOL SO SILLY...
The CUT determines the brilliance of the diamond, the width and the depth effects how light travels through the diamond...

Carat what size is best
When selecting a carat weight consider your ladies style, the size of her finger, the size of the setting, YOUR BUDGET an most importantly the carat size of her previously engaged girlfriends ring... WHAT, Y'ALL KNOW YOU HATE HAVING THE SMALLER RING :)

CARAT TIP
THE SMALLER THE FINGER THE LARGER THE DIAMOND WILL APPEAR...

COLOR
POSITIVE Diamonds graded J or better are colorless or near-colorless
NEGATIVE The color in diamonds graded K-Z detracts from the beauty of a diamond.

Please visit bluenile.com for more information on making a diamond purchase...

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

Love and Marriage

Love and Marriage
Love and Marriage
Go together like a Horse and Carriage
This I tell you Brother
You cant have one without the other...
Love and Marriage
That was the theme song to one of the funniest sitcoms in the 90s but now its 2009 and boy how have times changed, women are no longer bare foot and pregnant and men aren't the only ones bringing home the bacon.... But my question is NOW THAT TIMES HAVE CHANGED DO PEOPLE STILL LOVE JUST FOR LOVE
In a recent conversation with a girlfriend of mine she stated that "All Men Cheat", and she would rather have a wealthy husband who cheated as opposed to a broke man who cheated. The scariest part of that conversation for me was that I agreed with her. Its weird because I wonder "WHEN DO WOMEN STOP SETTLING" or is that just apart of the deal. What is even more scary is the women who don't settle are often the ones that get labeled. In an recent episode of Real Housewives of Orange County Vicki and tried to convince Gretchen that she should talk to her sickly fiance about what would be left to her in his will. Now I was totally appalled by the fact that these women thought it was even remotely right to ask a man on his death bed about money. But lets look at the flip side, she's living in his house, not working because she is caring for him and God Forbid he passes and leaves everything to his children whom of which she is not the mother of she is left with nothing. So should she settle or boss up and tell homie "LOOK I KNOW YOUR DYING AND ALL BUT PLEASE LEAVE MOST OF YOUR ASSETS TO ME.

So Does Love and Marriage still go hand and hand or is Marriage more of a business arrangement these days...

Leah Janell: In My Shoes