FASHION FRIDAYS

                    "one should either be a work of art
                                                 or
                                  wear a work of art"

                                                         -Oscar Wilde

                                                             

This seasons trend of "Urban Jungle" definitely shows work of art!!  The trend Urban Jungle represents a variety of exotic prints mixed with sometimes even matched with a variety of earth tones such as browns, creams, golds, etc.  This look can be achieved with a printed maxi dress, or even as pictured above, seperates like a tank and short with the right accessories!! 

To make this look possible you must not forget to acessorize with just the right pieces.  You can turn a basic ensemble into Urban Jungle by adding the perfect bronze necklace and a pair of buckle wedges.  To help you out we are here to give our Top Picks!!

EXPRESS MAXI DRESS 108-

LONG DRAPED DRESS BY ZARA 50-

WEDGE W/ JUTE ANKLE STRAP 90-

MICHAEL KORS WATCH 195-

BEBE SOFT CARGO TIE SHORTS 89-

LOW NECK ROMPER BY BEBE 98-

JOAN & DAVID WEDGE 220-

JEWELERY BY RACHEL ROY

                                                                                      VIEW HERE

~fashion lights report~

(this week brought to you courtesy of ELLE)

KENZO X VANS FOR MEN

ACCORDING TO ELLE MAGAZINE KENZO HAS TEAMED UP WITH VANS TO CREATE A CLASSIC HIT!!! WITH SNEAKERS BEING IN THIS SEASON WHAT GUY WOULDNT WANT TO OWN A PAIR FROM THE THREE COLLECTIONS COVERED IN KENZO'S SPRING PRINTS!!  EACH PAIR WILL COST $125 AND WILL HIT STORES NEXT MONTH!!

Thoughts For Thursday

Be Safe. Be Smart. Know Real Knowledge- J. Davis 1CLASSLADIES

AIDS. Such a strong word that stands alone yet affects so many people today in our society. No, this word has no favorites and take all genders, races, as well as ages as its victim. Once it's attach to you there is no "unfollowing" it- your stuck for life. Something so serious has been around since the 80's continuing to grow and still so many choose not to play it safe and smart. Choosing not to inform yourself on such a deadly disease is not only stupid on ones part but also hurts the loved ones around them. 1stClassLadies are strong believers when it comes to educating our supporters on knowing the facts, risks and damages to anything that can harm them. So this Thoughts For Thursday is not only a reminder to those that already know but a wake up call to those who don't.


The Definition. AIDS (which stand for Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is defined as a disease of the human immune system in which a persons immune has become to weak to fight off infections.
The Cause. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus also known as HIV. HIV is a virus that gradually attacks immune system cells. As HIV progressively damages these cells, the body becomes less and less able to fight back. It is not until late in the stages of HIV that one is pronounced to have AIDS.


The Ways Of Contracted HIV:

• Sexual intercourse which includes oral and anal sex
• Contaminated blood transfusions and hypodermic needles
• Exchange between mother and her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding
•  by any contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with a bodily fluid that has the virus in it, such as the blood, semen, vaginal fluid, preseminal fluid, or breast milk from an infected person.

Treatment. There is no cure for AIDS but it is not a death sentence either. There is things that can be done to prolong the lives of those living with the disease. By taking care of ones self by doing any and everything your physician tells you to as well as taking medication given to you properly will help.

Lets Try to Prevent HIV/AIDS:
 

Don't have unprotected sex. If you want to be 100% sure that you will not get AIDS or any other sexually-transmitted infection (STI), be abstinent (decide to abstain from all sex). If you cannot abstain, always use a condom unless you are in a long-term, committed relationship and your partner has been tested. Don't have sex with people who have multiple partners.

If you engage in intravenous drug use, NEVER SHARE SYRINGES. There are many ways to get your hands on inexpensive or free syringes and needles. Dirty needles do more damage to your skin and veins, and HIV, hepatitis and many other diseases can be transmitted when two or more people share the same needle.

Try to know where organs come from. If you ever need a transplant, whether it be organs or other body parts, like cells, it would be safer to know where they come from. If you're having a kidney transplant, try to get one from a family member. Since the human body has two kidneys, and you only need one to live, kidney transplants can be taken from living people who you know. Other transplants, such as cell transplants, can also be taken from willing family and friends.

Although this is a rare way of contracting HIV, avoid coming into contact with other people's blood. If you are a health care worker or other individual who is regularly exposed to blood, do not rush about and be stringent about taking all necessary precautions. Your health comes first.

Let Us Walk. Join 1stClassLadies on May 20th, 2012 as we do the AIDS walk!! This event will bring together 45,000 people from the tri-state area who care deeply about fighting HIV/AIDS in our community. Together we will raise urgently needed funds for GMHC and 43 other AIDS service organizations.Can't walk? It's ok! Help us reach our goal by sponsoring us online, or by sending a check with my name in the memo line to AIDS Walk New York, Old Chelsea Station, P.O. Box 10, New York, NY 10113.  

Any amount makes a big difference to the benefiting organizations and the people who rely on GMHC’s life-saving services.

With sincere thanks,

1stClassLadies

WANTED WEDNESDAYS

        "its like they say everything
          that glitters isnt always GOLD"
                                                   -Trina 1stclassladies

                                                                      

Upon doing some research I discovered that what others might think of what society projects as "dream" jobs might not be dreams after all.  We all know growing up there was that one or multiple role model career that you dreamed of persuing.  

Lets face it.....ever played the game MASH where the end result of the game is finding out what your life will be like in all aspects.  Of course you choose the good looking women/men to be your spouse.   Of course you kept your fingers crossed when getting down to the wire with where you would live...(MASH> Mansion, Appt, Shack, House, LOL).....praying for anything but the letter S!!!  Most importantly you made sure to pick the careers like doctor, lawyer, model, actress...I dont think anyone ever picked something such as a Sanitation worker or Taxi Driver!!  As research shows via @blackenterprise that what we consider to be the "must have, most fun, sexy, dream job" actually doesnt pay as much as we think!!! 

                       SEXY NOT SO REWARDING JOBS

The Journalist

You see them on tv and read their material in magazines and newspapers.  Their even potrayed in films by famous actors such as Michelle Pfeiffer in "Up Close & Personal" and Sanaa Lathan in "Brown Sugar".  Both roles looked like GLAM jobs to me.  Sanaa was a journalist for a famous magazine company, invited to celeb filled venues, and slept in a brownstone home in the wonderful Clinton Hills area!!  Well in reality it is reported that a journalists introduction pay can be as low as 19k a year.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2010 there were 58,500 journalist with a 8% decrease expected to happen over the next 10 years!

Median Salary

$33,840

The Flight Attendant

Black Enterprise states the fascination of flying was between the years of 1930-1960 where they actually had a specific criteria for woman to be flight attendants.  The said criteria was to preferably be a registered nurse, a weight between 105-135, a height of 5'0-5'4, pretty, and single.  Back then it was the job to have as women craved the life of a jetsetter and living expenses called for less.  Nowadays 90,500 flight attendants are required to deal with more hours, lower pay, rude customers, and post 9/11 security measures.  It is estimated that the average starting salary is at $16k.

Median Salary

$37,740

The Actor

Lights, Camera, Action!!!!!  Who doesnt want to be the next Denzel Washington or Halle Berry???  Winning Oscars and Million Dollar salaries what is there not to love.  Well we guess you can say the coming ups of becoming an actor which includes the extreme competiveness, the your in one day out the next industry, crazy hours and not to mention according the Screen Actors Guild there are over 65,000 "actors" in America and we say slim chances that you'll even make it big.

Median Salary

$17.44 /hr 

 

The Comedian

Steve Harvey, Cedric The Entertainer, Jim Carey, Vince Vaughn, Tina Fey, Monique, Wanda Sykes....all share one thing in common...Laughter.  There job are to make people laugh and though it looks great on stage, on television, and the big screens it takes alot and has taken alot to get them to their current statuses.  You have to spend ample time to perfect your craft always coming up with fresh comedy skits to keep your audience entertained.  You also spend a lot of time on tour traveling to get exposure to one day become a Martin Lawrence or Eddie Murphy!!!

Estimated Salary

$0-$30k

The Photographer

With so much happening in the entertaiment world as far as music, film, and fashion go you would think the people who capture these moments in history (as there considered) would be compensated very well.  As it turns out most photographers arent, unless your Anne Geddes or Derek Blanks.

Median Salary

$29,130

                                                                                                                     

                                                         Direct Supp Asst Trainee

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Park Worker (Parks & Recreation)

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Entry Level Maintenance

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Mail Message Services Worker (Hunter College)

apply here:look for the above job title

Laborer A (Medgar Evers College)

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PayRoll Specialist-JetBlue (Forest Hills, NY)

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Center Customer Service Rep FEDEX

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City Park Worker (Parks & Recreation Dept)

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PlayGround Associate (Parks & Recreation Dept)

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Computer Aide (NYC Taxi & Limousine)

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West 39th St Manhattan
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Harlem
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West 49th St Manhattan
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MUSIC MONDAY

Bitches aint shit and they aint sayin nothin.

                                                                      A hundred muhfuckas cant tell me nothin. 

   I beez in the trap, bee beez in the trap...

                                                                                  - Nicki Minaj

                                                        
                                         Roman Reloaded Unleashed

The 1stClassLadies would like to send a much deserved Congratulations to Nicki Minaj, managing to reach #1 on the Billboard 200 with her Sophomore release " Pink Friday (Roman Reloaded)". Selling 253,000 copies and we're sure many more to fly off the shelves. Not giving her fans some; but all of her. Nicki has done it again, with her manic spastic style.

                                                           

 Bringing the one and only Roman Zolansky ( her homo sexual twin brother) from Poland to the forefront. Going from triumphant tracks like "Champion" with hip hop legend Nas, to singing ballads " Right By My Side" with the ever so swoon worth Chris Brown.  The electro- rap boast session between her and 2 Chainz " Beez In The Trap" is already blasting in sound systems. Don't even get us started on the video. She has conquered versatility; conjuring a sophomore may lay of treats for her Barbs and Kens alike. Yet to make a successful album like "Roman Reloaded" you have to have the proper concocted beats. Teaming up with the likes of young comers HitBoy and Keno, she has found a upbeat energetic sound to match her zany image. We have deemed her the female Willy Wonka for her genius, why?? you may ask.. although it should be obvious we'll explain. Nicki Minaj, has managed to cruise in her own lane and rapidly speed in the lanes of her peers. From Gaga to Jay; there is nothing she hasn't or won't try to dominate. And so far from her continuous rise she has no losses.. and no draws!! 

                                      "Champion" By Nicki Minaj ft. Nas, Drake & Jeezy

 

"Right By My Side" By Nicki Minaj ft.Chris Brown

                                                      And Now.. a Lil Dessert

                                                      

                                                           "Sideline Story" By. J.Cole

                                                   
                                           
                                                     "It's Whatever" By. Karina Pasian

                                               
                                                         "Faded To Long" By. Meek Mill

                                          
                                                     " Dear Hip Hop" By. Brianna Perry

                                                              " Burning Up" By. Neyo

                                          
                                          

SOULFUL SUNDAYS

                     "out with the old

                                          in with the new"
                                                                   Trina

                                            
                                                      

Spring is officially starting to show its face with oh so warm weather!!! The benefits include perfect conditions for after work hanging out, weekend trips with the loved ones or friends, and perfect outtings with your children.  We like to think you can start some of that fun with our picks to kick off this week!!!!


                         SPRINGS MUST VISIT SPOTS


DEKALB MARKET

138 Willoughby Street

Brooklyn NY

Dekalb Market is a new community destination in Downtown Brooklyn. Dekalb Market, is housed in a collection of salvaged shipping containers, that bring together Brooklyn’s creative entrepreneurs in a community setting that include an incubator farm, events and performance venue, and a collection of eateries and work-sell spaces.

SPA WEEK (APR 16-22)

Say goodbye to the winter doldrums and indulge yourself to a treatment or two during Spa Week: Spring 2012, during which hundreds of spas, salons and fitness centers around the city offer signature treatments or class packages for just $50 a pop. Among this edition's deals are facial peels with cell-stimulating botanicals and five-packs of core fusion classes at four of Exhale's Manhattan locations, as well as appointments with participants such as Fresh and Lia Schorr Day Spa.

LOCATIONS

ROLLERSKATE

Skate Circle at MidPark

West 72nd St

New York, NY

In the heart of the park under a grove of blossoming cherry trees, you'll find the Central Park Dance Skater Association's skate circle. Bring your own quads and bust a move with people of all ages to disco classics, contemporary hits and throwback R&B, house and dance music spun by a rotating roster of local DJs. If you're not a skater, there's space to dance without colliding with those on wheels or just watch the old hands do their thing.

DETAILS

RED HOOK EATS

Red Hook Recreational Area

Clinton St at Bay St

Bypass Ikea's meatballs and head for the locally renowned Latin-food vendors that set up shop on the Red Hook ball fields from mid-April through the fall. Among the South American delicacies on offer are Salvadoran pupusas from Solber Pupusas, winners of the 2011 Vendy Cup.

DETAILS

                                            CONCERTS

When: Thurs Apr 19th 8:00 p.m.
What: LUDACRIS
Where: 720 Northern Boulevard
             Greenvale, NY

When: Fri Apr 20th 10:00 p.m.
What: FERGIE
Where: New York, NY
DETAILS

When: Sat Apr 21st 8:00 p.m.
What: KEITH SWEAT
Where: BB King Blues Club & Grill

                                              SHOPPING

When: Tues Apr 17th - Sat Apr 21st
What: Elie Tahari SALE
Where: TBA
DETAILS

Scandalous Saturday

"People Can Be Cruel.. And They Will Be! People Can Hurt You.. Break Your Heart..And They Will!! But Only You Can Let Them Keep Hurting You"

                                                                                                    - Unknown

                                         

You've had a "Love Jones" for his/her body & skin tone from the day your eyes met. It may have been a ongoing off again on again love roller coaster; leaving you looking like a love sick puppy with out a place to call home. Or even a close friendship that you thought could blossom into so much more. All and all it may be time to hang those dreams up. My hopeless romantics out there; sometimes matters of the heart aren't as complex as we ourselves make them! Although truth can hurt deep; you know we say this out of pure reflection of heartbreaks and lessons learned. It's never fair to be strung along, with high hopes and greater expectations. However the truth is men and women alike are guilty of such matters of the heart. So we've decided to address that awkward topic of " He/She... Is Just Not That Into You"!!

                                                                              

                                                                                                                 

 One thing we've personally learned is to look at things for what they are, and not what we want it to be. So turn off that damn Elliot Yamin song (Wait For You), Stop Watching "The Notebook", and accept it!!

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS:

- You have been together for a couple of mths and he/she has no title for you!!

- He/ She makes constant references to their EX

- He/ She comes around when it's convenient for them

- He/ She does not call or txt

-You don't have a draw; or if you do it contains one item to sleep in and nothing more!!

- You are picked up in the wee hours of the night and return home before sunrise

- You've never had a proper date ( NO MOVIES.. NO DINNER.. NOT EVEN A STROLL IN 

THE PARK)

- He/She FB or other social network status is Single or It's Complicated

- He/She has never given a token of affection ( Card, Jewelry, Money)

                                                              

6 STEPS TO REGAINING YOUR PRIDE: 

1. Stop being so available... Sometimes out of love, we make ourselves too available to the person we admire. This can lead to the person feeling they always will have you there, a clear indication that they do not value your time!
2. Stop being his/ her doormat... There is no reason you should be cooking, picking up dry cleaning,  paying for car repairs ; or restocking their refrigerator. You are not in a relationship. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be used; however from where we stand it's done out of love. Yet you need to recognize the difference between the two, so your not taken advantage of.
3.  Give credit where credit is due!! DO NOT.. DO NOT MAKE EXCUSES FOR HE/SHE's SHORT COMINGS (i.e They didn't show to a important event like your birthday party)
4. Change your number and delete them from your contacts! Yes, sometimes it takes a step so drastic to push that person out of your life and out of your mind. But it will put you in a better place emotionally.
5. Purge of anything that leads to a memory.. Anything you thought that was sincere may have actually been ; but you can never be too sure when looking through lovestruck eyes. No need to sleep in his T-shirt Ladies,  throw it out!! Guys her toothbrush or draw can be cleaned out. 
6. Remain UN-frazzled if you do bump heads!! Keep your confidence and poise, as the saying goes " Never let em' see ya sweat"... Yes, you love or loved them but, they failed to see that. You've always been a treasure and they treated you like trash. So don't buckle at the sight of them giving into past/ remaining emotions.

FASHION FRIDAYS

"its a like

              it or not thing

                                they like how the

                                                        watch BLING"
                                                                       -Fabolous

One thing sure to adorn everyone this Spring/Summer is a NICE.....watch!!!  Where to begin is always the question when picking the right brand, style, size, etc.  We like to think we can help by giving our Top Picks!

MICHAEL KORS

                                                        TWO TONE WATCH 250-

                                 MICHAEL KORS
                                    OVERSIZED HORN WATCH
                                                         250-

CHOCOLATE BY DKNY

                                                                        215-

MARC JACOB "MARCI" 175-

                                                                   MARC JACOB "NEW BLADE" 200-

KATE SPADE NY METRO STRAP BRACELET WATCH 175-

GUCCI 650-

                                                         *GUCCI 195-GREAT BUY

~fashion lights report~

yesterday h&m revealed their new red carpet collection!  this exclusive glamour collection features pieces that look like they would be worn on the red carpet however still using sustainable materials.  view the collection below....

                                                               WE APPROVE!