TAX RULES

The Do Not's for Tax Season 2013

 

Fellas- Don't try to get close to your baby mama cause its now tax time. Cuffing season started in November- your late and she knows what you really want. If you been ignoring her calls and not picking up the kids on time don't try and ease your way in now. Sorry homie its not happening.

 

Ladies- No new red bottom if your rent is not paid. Spending a little something on yourself is fine however your bills are still going to be here when that money runs out so be responsible with it. Lets leave the ratchet tendencies to the ignorant, classless and distasteful.

Fellas- Don't think you going to go run out and file your taxes claiming the kids first either. You won't get away with it TRUST. She WILL find out, you WILL have to pay it back and you WILL be stuck!

Ladies- Don't think you going to be fresh from head to toe and your babies still have on last years best. If you have hair done, nails done, everything did ummm SO SHOULD THEY!

DON'T BE TAX RICH. Play your part. You can't live in the PJ's with no job talking about "you balling" and " you fresh to death" in your new $1,000 purse or belt. It's not you, it doesn't fit your lifestyle so have a seat. Bottom line - if you cant afford it any other time of the year you shouldn't have it.

At least have ONE thing to show from it. It doesn't even have to be something physical. But if at the end of the day you can say your bills are paid, the kids are taking care of and/or you have some simple savings that's something. Don't call yourself taking a "much need trip" if you home all day- NEW FLASH: YOUR BUTT IS ALWAYS ON VACATION! But if your a hard working soul who decides to take a well DESERVED vacation that is definitely something to show for it.

 

 



BLACK HISTORY MONTH

James Baldwin

 

                   Born: August 2, 1924                                                   Died: November 30, 1987

James Baldwin was born to mother  Emma Berdis Jones. She divorced his father when he was young and moved to Harlem. There she met her new husband Davis Baldwin, who was a preacher. Though his childhood was hard as Baldwin often cared for his many brothers and sisters and dealt with the abuse of his stepfather he found solace in writing.  He was the literary editor of his high school magazine at the age of fifteen. While working odd jobs,  Baldwin wrote short stories, essays, and book reviews. Some of these works were collected in the volume "Notes
Of a Native Son"  (1955).
 

Becoming a man in the time period was different for Baldwin as he was coming to terms with his homosexuality. In 1948, disillusioned by American prejudice against blacks and homosexuals, Baldwin departed from United States and then moved to Paris, France. This gave him a chance to analyze his sexual preference and to view his work beyond the likes of a African American context.

In 1953, Baldwin wrote his first novel called " Go Tell It On The Mountain" and he would have many more pieces of work after that which would draw in a lot of attention. In 1956 when he wrote his second novel "Giovanni's Room" sparks flew because of the works  explicit homoerotic content. That was just the beginning of the attention as later literary works like "Tell Me How Long The Train's Been Gone" became more bold. He would write work dealing with black and white characters and with heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual characters which was not discussed  back then.

In  1957 while the Civil Rights Act of that year was being debated in Congress, Baldwin came back to the United States. Baldwin wrote about the movement,  adjusting himself with the moral beliefs of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Baldwin later became a spokesman for the Civil Rights Movement by Spring of 1963. TIME magazine put James Baldwin on the cover for its May 17 issue on the turmoil in Birmingham, Alabama,. "There is not another writer," said Time, "who expresses with such poignancy and abrasiveness the dark realities of the racial ferment in North and South. He referred to himself as a "slave rebellion" in a 1979 speech at UC Berkeley. He didn't want to be labeled or viewed as a Civil Rights Activist because if one is a citizen, one should not have to fight for one's civil rights.
He closed his literary career in the 1980's with a  book-length essay called "The Evidence of Things Not Seen" which was an continued meditation inspired by the Atlanta Child Murders of the early 1980s.

James Baldwin died in the early morning on December 1, 1987 from esophageal cancer in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France. He was buried at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, near New York City. In 1987, Kevin Brown, a photo-journalist from Baltimore, founded the National James Baldwin Literary Society. The group organizes free public events celebrating Baldwin's life and legacy. The James Baldwin Scholars program was established in 1992, Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. The JBS Program gives talented African American students from underserved communities an opportunity to develop as well as improve the skills needed for college success through coursework and tutorial support for one transitional year, after which Baldwin scholars may apply for full matriculation to Hampshire or any other four-year college program.

In 2005 the USPS created a first-class postage stamp dedicated to him which featured him on the front, and on the back of the peeling paper had a short biography. In 2009 Will Hubbard and Alex Carnevel listed Baldwin at number 67 on their 100 Greatest Writers of All Time list.

 



 

VALENTINE'S DAY TUNES...

              
      "If music be the food of love, Play On"
                                          -William Shakespeare

Nothing says Happy Valentines Day than the sound of a smooth tune to accunate the mood of the holiday!  Mostly played are r&b ballads with soft vocals that set the tone just right.  Here are our picks of Valentine's Day tunes.  Enjoy!!

 

 

 

LLOYD "VALENTINE"

 

 

BEYONCE "DANCE FOR YOU"

 

 

FAITH EVANS "I LOVE YOU"

 

 

JOHNNY GILL "LETS GET THE MOOD RIGHT"

 

 

TLC "RED LIGHT SPECIAL"

 

 

XSCAPE "SOFTEST PLACE ON EARTH"

 

 

112 "CUPID"

 

 

TYRESE "LATELY"

 

 

JODECI "FREAKING YOU"

 

 

D'ANGELO "UNTITLED"

 

 

MAXWELL "FORTUNATE"

 

 

ISLEY BROTHERS "BETWEEN THE SHEETS"

 

 

MICHAEL JACKSON " LADY IN MY LIFE"

 

 

AVANT " DONT SAY NO, JUST SAY YES"

 

 

RKELLY "THE GREATEST SEX"

 

 

RKELLY "JUST LIKE THAT"

 

 

MIGUEL "ADORN"

 

 

TONY TONI TONE "PILLOW"

 

 

JANET JACKSON "ANYTIME ANY PLACE"

 

 

FLOETRY "SAY YES"

 

 

JUSTIN & BEYONCE "TILL THE END OF TIME"

 

 

DREAM "FALSETTO"

 

 

KENNY G & TONI BRAXTON "THAT SOMEBODY WAS YOU"

 

 

KEITH SWEAT "NOBODY"

 

 

ROBIN THICKE "SEX THERAPY"

 

 

MONICA "MY EVERYTHING"

 

 

SADE "KISS OF LIFE"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



V-DAY RECIEPES

Valentines day is made to spread the love.... and treats- JenLo 1CL

 

Valentines Day Recipes!

Valentines day is not just for romance with a partner. They kiddies need love too!! Here are some fun as well as tasty treats to make with the little loves in your life this heartfelt holiday!! Enjoy them and make sure to send 1stClassLadies some!!

 

Strawberry Cake Batter Rice Krispie Bars

 

 

 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 (10 oz.) bag of large or mini marshmallows
• 1/2 cup strawberry cake mix
• 6 cups rice krispies cereal

Instructions

1. Spray a 13 x 9-inch pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. In microwave-safe bowl heat the butter and marshmallows on high for 2 minutes. Stir. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir until smooth.
3. Stir in the cake batter mix until smooth.
4. Stir in the rice krispies cereal until evenly coated.
5. Press into the prepared pan and allow to cool. Cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter or into 2-inch squares.
6. Store tightly covered.
7. Note: Spray a spatula/spoon with nonstick spray to help reduce the sticky marshmallows mess.

Notes

Use your favorite cake mix flavor, it doesn't have to be strawberry.

*Courtesy of alli-n-son.com*

Valentine Brownie Pops

 

 

Ingredients:

9x13 pan of brownies, cooled

1/2 cup frosting, if necessary

heart shaped cookie cutter

chocolate bark or candy melts

decorative sprinkles

craft or popsicle sticks

styrofoam blocks

Directions:

1. Once prepared pan of brownies has cooled, crumble into a large bowl using hands. If using cake-like brownies, add the frosting of your choice. If using fudgy brownies no frosting is necessary. Shape crumbled brownies into the heart shaped cookie cutter and place on a parchment lined baking sheet, set aside.

2. Melt a small amount of chocolate bark or candy melts according to package directions.

 

3. Dip the tips of the craft sticks into the melted chocolate, then gently insert one stick into each heart shaped brownie.

 

4. Place the baking sheet with the brownies and sticks into the freezer for a few minutes to harden.

 

5. Meanwhile prepare a large amount of chocolate bark or candy melts in a narrow bowl or cup (I used my glass measuring cup).

6. Dip brownie pops into melted chocolate and gently tap on the side to remove excess chocolate.

7. Place pops standing upright onto styrofoam blocks and let dry completely. If using sprinkles, decorate while chocolate is still wet. If you want to write on the pops pour melted chocolate into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip (Wilton #2). 

 

*Courtesy of Squirrelbakes.com*

Heart Shape Chocolate Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches

 

 

 

Ingredients:

 

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon milk
2 to 2 1/2 pints strawberry ice cream, softened

 

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, and set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter, vanilla, and sugar. Add eggs and milk, and mix until combined.
3. Add reserved flour mixture, and mix on low speed until incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl at least once.
4. Divide the dough in half, and shape each half into a flat disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°.
6. Roll dough out on a floured surface, sliding an offset spatula under the dough to release it every few turns of the rolling pin. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut dough using a variety of heart-shape cookie cutters 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter, making sure each cookie has a match to make a sandwich.
7. Place hearts on a parchment-lined baking sheet; chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
8. Remove from refrigerator; use a fork to prick the cookies all over with holes.
9. Bake until just firm, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet; transfer to a wire rack.
10. With the underside of half the cookies face up, spoon softened strawberry ice cream about 1/2 inch thick to cover one side. Place matching cookie on top of ice cream, top side facing out.
11. Transfer immediately to freezer to harden; repeat with remaining cookies and ice cream.
12. Serve directly from the freezer. Sandwiches can be kept stored in an airtight container in the freezer for 3 to 4 days.

Makes 24 sandwiches
 

*Courtesy of yumsugar.com*

 

Miniature whole wheat pizza hearts

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS:
• Frozen whole-wheat pizza dough, thawed, (available at specialty stores like G.B. Russo International Grocery), 2 cans refrigerated commercial pizza dough or refrigerated biscuits tube
• Tomato sauce
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Sliced black olives for eyes
• Rosemary sprigs for eyelashes
• Sliced red bell pepper for mouth
PREPARATION: Preheat oven to temperature called for on the package of frozen pizza dough, refrigerated commercial pizza dough or package of refrigerator biscuits.
Separate the pizza dough into six parts and roll into circles. With a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out a heart shape, if possible. Or open the refrigerator biscuits and separate. Taking one biscuit at a time, flatten them as much as possible, and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
With the rolled-out dough, take a heart-shaped cookie cutter and cut out a heart shape.
Spread tomato sauce onto the dough, sprinkle generously with mozzarella cheese. Construct the face with olive slices for eyes, position rosemary spikes as eyelashes and curve the red pepper into a happy smile.
Once your pizzas are built, put them in the oven and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly

*Courtesy of halfhourmeals.com*

INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO BOOST YOUR HOMES VALUE

 
     "A Good home must be Made not Bought"

-Joyce Maynard

 

 

 

 

 

According to Black Enterprise;  

In today’s shaky housing market, homeowners are becoming more circumspect, weighing the pros and cons of how the renovations they make will affect the bottom line, specifically if they’re trying to sell. This especially holds true with falling home prices. The average price of an existing home dropped about 13% between 2008 and 2010 to $172,900, NAR reports. The top-selling areas of a home are usually the kitchen and bathroom, which can be costly to upgrade. The national average cost of a minor kitchen remodel is $21,695, adding $15,790 to the value of a home at sale, while a bathroom remodel is $16,634, adding $10,668 to the value of a home, according to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report 2010-11.

 

So basically it isnt as easy as get a loan, buy a home, and just live!!  Homeowners have to continusely make adjustments in the home, for one, to keep their homes up to date but secondly to keep its value up for when time to sell.  Here is our top 5 ways to help boost the value!!!

 

 

 

GENERAL REPAIRS 

 

First and foremost you want to stop putting off and start repairing any and everything that needs repair!  That toilet thats just been getting by flushing on its own! 

 

 

 

LANDSCAPING

For all homeowners with landscaping surronding the home, we advise that you keep up the greenery. You can do this one of two ways. You could hire a professional landscaper to keep it up for you or you could learn to do it yourself. Check with HOMEDEPOT for their monthly Do-It-Yourself workshops!! You can learn all there is to gardening here!!

CALL AN INSPECTOR

Since you'll one day put your home up for sale, Forbes says why not hire an inspector.  This way you can be ahead of the game in knowing what need to be tuned, fixed, and or changed in your home.



FINAL TOUCHES


To add the final touches of a home's value Forbes recommends upgrades, as in all around the house.  Upgrade your light fixtures, your kitchen counter tops and even the cabinets if outdates.  Even the bathroom shower tiles if needing a change.  Little things like this will help in making the room itself look well polished!!

 





VALENTINES DAY GIFT IDEAS

 

 

"Money cant buy you love, but it improves your bargaining position"

-Christopher Marlowe

 

 

 

 

As the day quickly approaches a million ideas ponder in your mind "What do I get him/her???  No matter what type of relationship status your in, if you have a Valentine this year you should be getting ready!!!  Here are our top picks of what men and women would like to receive this year for the day crowned for Love!

 

 

FOR HER.....

 

 

 

DIAMONDS/ JEWELS

 

You know what they say Diamonds are a girls best friend!!  Whoever said that deserves a great round of applause for they have NEVER LIED!!!!!  Any woman would love to receive a long narrow box that holds a gorgeous necklace, maybe perhaps a small box that holds some diamonds studs, or just maybe A DIAMOND RING!!!!

 

 

 

MEAN SHOE GAME

 

 

"All Saints for my angel", "Shes sexy in her all black Guiseppe heels", "Her feet are killing her, I call it shoeaccide".  The list goes on and on and on.  What male doesn't want to see his lady in a NICE pair of shoes??!!  This Valentine's day surprise her with a box wrapped in pretty silk ribbon and I place all bets she'll be strutting your way ALL NIGHT!!!

 

 

FOR HIM.....

 

 

This one is pretty much a NO BRAINER....the only thing you can give HIM on this day is..

THE FINER THANGS

 

If there is a number one thing you can buy for your man on Valentine's Day, its a nice lingerie piece!!!!!  Anything from a two piece, body suit, garters, thongs, teddy's, gstrings, stockings, even couples games, all will sure turn up the festivities!  Try some of these choices.....

 

 

 

 

 

All things shown can be found at these listed sites:

 

BEDROOM KANDI

 

BABELAND

 

VICTORIA'S SECRET

 

FREDERICK'S OF HOLLYWOOD

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO SPICE UP YOUR VALENTINES DAY!

 

"I'D RATHER HAVE ROSES ON THE TABLE THAN DIAMONDS ON MY NECK"

-Emma Goldman

 

 

 

 

We know Roses are red and Violets are Blue but can we be a tad bit different this year!  Every Valentines Day it's the same flowers sent to the work place, same old choclate, cards, dinner, and at the end of the night maybe even the same old tired bedroom work!  This year could be different if you just put some thought and creativity into the possibilties you can give to your Valentine!!

 

 

 

THE DINNER

 

Instead of the boring dinner reservation at his/her favorite restaraunt, set the mood at home making your dining area into a romantic candle lit dinner.  Music playing, dim lighting, quiet and serene.  Blind folding them so they have no idea where their being taken too.  This gives the person an anticipation of whats to come.  This will excite the person so much more than going out.  They'll appreciate the time and effort!!!

THE SCAVENGER HUNT

This will take a great imagination, some unique hints, and finishes with a romantic BANG!  The scavenger hunt is to have your Valentine find his/her way to a secret destination through numerous clues.  For instance for the ladies, start with a clue to her favorite nail spa or body spa to have a moment of pampering, all for you to pamper her more later.  For the gentlemen drop hints in the most unexpected places they'd think of for whats to come that night.  This idea is sure to give you the Valentine's Day you'll never forget! 









THE ENCORE

By the end of the night you want things to be just right so we suggest for both parties to step it up a knotch!  Try some bedroom toys, massages, edible goodies and more.  Forget the usual bedroom and explore a little more.  Try the balcony of a city lite hotel, or your dark but candle lit kitchen counter, your rose pedal filled tub with plenty of suds, or in front of your well lit fire place!!!  Ladies put on your best lingerie piece, some sexy heels, let your hair flow, beat that face, and go to work on your Beyonce "Dance for you" mode!!  Gentlemen have your A game ready to match your Valentine!!