FASHION FRIDAYS RECAP

          SUMMER
                      FASHIONS
                                       2012
                                             RECAP.......



                                             ARM CANDY



www.RichGirlz.bigcartel.com

Making its way onto everyones arm this summer are these highly accesoried bracelets made in all colors, textures, jewels, and stones.  As featured above is the Pop Pink bracelet, a piece from the stylish jewelry collection of ItsRichGirlz!!



                                          HEAD WEAR

This summer brought back headbands and hair jewlery 

for the ladies.  Not the fabric wrapped around a plastic band like back in the days but a new twist on a classic!  This look can be achieved by rocking a printed fabric, solid colored fabric, leather look fabric, or any fabric tied in a bow at the front of the mane or even alittle to the side.

These head bands featured above (sans the head jewlery and Rihanna picture) are the "Leone Leather HeadBand" made by LaToiaMichelle. http://latoiamichelle.com/

WEAR IT ON YOUR CHEST

@GiftedApparel

They always say "Dont try to fit in when your made to stand out"!  This summer was all about wearing that tee that represented you and or what your about.  From countless name brands, both for men and women, it wasnt very difficult to find that perfect tee or tank!! 

@HeartClothing

@GiftedApparel

MAXI

When you think of summer and hot temperatures you imagine shorts, tanks, sandals, capris, etc! This summer women were adding a great twist to their skirt and dress wear with the maxi dress and maxi skirt!

ON THE FEET

No its not the latest Jordans or Nike Foams however its what goes on before the sneaker......tube socks!!  This summer, fashion for men was rocking the throwback from the 1960's look with the solid colored or multi print tube socks up to the knee! 

For the ladies as Pusha T would say "So I sponsor Isabel Marants" Enough said, this summer even into the fall shoe for the ladies are these babies featured below!!

Have a great weekend to our readers!!!

Thoughts For Thursday

 We challenge the culture of violence when we ourselves act in the certainty that violence is no longer acceptable, that it's tired and outdated no matter how many cling to it in the stubborn belief that it still works and that it's still valid. ~Gerard Vanderhaar

  1stClassLadies wouldn't be us if we didn't also update you on this summer's more serious issues all of the television. No doubt about it one of the biggest problems at hand is the high level of gun violencethat we have seen this summer. What makes this situation more traumatic is alot of this victims that lost their lives or were injured due to gun violence were not older then the age of twenty one. What a tragedy it is to know that we can't take our kids to the park in broad daylight without fearing there is a chance they won't be home for dinner that night. To know that we could send our kid to the store for milk and there is a chance he or she won't make it home to drink it. What has the world come to??? Not to mention that alot of the time the person behind the trigger is still a baby themselves. Out there in a world were it's every man for themself and if some one does "have their back" its definetly the wrong people guiding them. Leading them down a path that will only place them in jail or grant them the very same fate in which there "enemy" has met.

Gun violence is not just happening in small neighborhoods either. Just as recent as last week a disgruntle former employee arrived at his former job and opened fired in front of the empire state building killing his former employer. Cops arrived on the scene striking and killing the man however nine people were caught in the cross fire. Though none of them lost their life, it is still all the same to much gun violence. What would take this man to the breaking point were he felt he had no other way out but killing his former employer and taking on officers he knew he couldn't out beat? It's not just the victims we cry for. Sometimes we have to cry for the person behind the weapon. We have to question what would take them there? Why would they feel this is the only way? Who was looking out for them and taught them this is how problems are handled? When you have the wrong person teaching the innocent who do you blame?

Now the question is what are WE as the people doing to make sure this doesn't continue? What responsibilities are we taking on to decrease gun violence and increase positive outlooks on life for our youth? 1stClassLadies can NOT say it enough- WE HAVE TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE!! If not for yourself do it for the next generation. We want our kids to have a fighting chance not take a chance fighting for their lives. We  can only imagine the sorrow some of these parents had to face this summer. NO PARENT SHOULD EVER HAVE TO BURY THEIR CHILD!!

WANTED WEDNESDAYS

 

"good things come to those who work"

 

 

NYC Summer Youth Soars

 

 

As the rate of employment is slowly on its way back, to more stable conditions, New York city is setting a great example for its youth.  For many years New York city has established its Summer Youth program that gives many of our youth employment throughout the summer.  This program has advanced in so many ways throughout the years and throughout societies changes. 

 

 

The Summer Youth Employment Program also known as SYEP provides employment for persons of ages between 14-24.  There are currently over 100 actual job sites that participate in this program to employ persons and are as follows; Summer Camps throughout the city, AT&T, NYS DMV, New York Presbyterian Hospital, JPMorgan Chase, Jamba Juice, etc. Besides the exciting sights for the city's youth to experience, there is also a great pay!!  Currently employees are paid the minimum wage of $7.25/hr, which isnt given on paper anymore instead on a debit card, working 25 hours a week.

 

As a whole this program has provided a lot of the youth for their up coming school semester and careers in the future.  This program helps to provide a great pay to help kids with school clothing and supplies and in the long run it helps to teach responsibility and great work ethics for a better future.

FOR MORE INFO ON NYC SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

Tasteful Tuesday

If your on a rooftop your definitely riding high! J.Davis

2012 High Life



Another 2012 trend setter you ask?? 1stClassLadies says while standing up high- IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ROOFTOP BABY!!! If you wanted to party without being squeezed in a room full of sweaty people, then you needed to be at a rooftop event. It is something about rooftop parties that made people feel like like they were living the high life- LITERALLY. Great music, good company, excellent drinks, amazing weather and an unbelievable view- what could be better then that? Don't worry we'll wait........ 

AM view while enjoying brunch at Rooftop 808

Night life wasn't the only fun the rooftop was good for. Brunch was also a top choice when it came to rooftop usage. Gathered around a few of  friends to enjoy a mid morning/afternoon meal will filling in the details of the prior night for one another through the scope of each others dark shades. The fellas utilize the rooftop brunch as an early drink spot with the boys which beats shopping with the Mrs. any day.

One final yet big use of the rooftop- Ceremonial events! Weddings, elegant birthday parties, baby showers, engagement dinners- all life changing events all shared on top of the world. Theses were probably the most profitable occasions for rooftop vender's as well as the most memorable  for those dishes out the dollars.

Tasteful Tuesday wouldn't be complete without a good recipe. Since this is the summer 2012 edition 1stClassLadies will give you their favorite summer cool down recipes!

Jen's Pick- Pumped up Chocolate Milkshake

Ingredients:

- 2 cups (4 large scoops) Chocolate light ice cream

- 2/3 cup ( 5 Fluid-ounce can) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Fat Free Milk

- 1/2 Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin

How We make it:

- PLACE ice cream, evaporated milk and pumpkin in blender; cover. Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Pour into glasses.

Trina's Pick- Lemonade Slushie



INGREDIENTS

• Lemonade Cubes:
• 8 cups cold water
• 1 cup SPLENDA^® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
• 1 (0.13 ounce) package *KOOL-AID^® Lemonade Flavor Unsweetened Soft Drink Mix
• Super Cool Summer Slushie:
• 1½ cups cold water
• ½ cup SPLENDA^® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
• 1 (0.13 ounce) package KOOL-AID^® your favorite flavor Unsweetened Soft Drink Mix
• 1½ cups prepared Lemonade Cubes

DIRECTIONS

1. Make Lemonade Cubes: combine water, SPLENDA^® Granulated Sweetener dissolves. Pour mixture into ice trays; freeze until solid, 4 hours or overnight. Store cubes in a zip-top plastic bag in the freezer. Use leftover cubes in ice tea, lemonade, or fruit juice.
2. Make Super Cool Summer Slushie: process water, SPLENDA^® Granulated Sweetener, KOOL-AID^® Soft Drink Mix, and Lemonade Cubes in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Serve immediately.

Angie's Pick-Patriotic layered drink recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 (2-liter) diet Sprite or diet 7UP
• 1 bottle cranberry juice (not diet)
• 1 (32-ounce) bottle berry blue or any blue-colored Gatorade
• 6 tall glasses
• Ice cubes

Directions:

1. Fill the glasses with ice cubes.
2. Pour the cranberry juice into a glass, filling it just less than halfway full. Repeat with remaining five glasses.
3. Very slowly pour the blue Gatorade over the ice cubes so that it layers onto the cranberry juice.
4. Once all glasses are filled with the cranberry juice and Gatorade, top each glass off with diet 7UP or diet Sprite. Best if served immediately.

 



Make Up/ Music Mondays

You either own a pink lip or..... well your just style- less! - J. Davis

PINK POWER!!



This 2012 if it was one thing that you seen trending on just about every girl it was definitely PINK LIPS! On hot days it was all about getting in touch with your inner "Nicki" and making everyday a pink Friday. we're talking about pink glosses, lipsticks and tinted moisturizers. Whether it was shiny or matte, bright pink or dark, Mac, NYX or Nars- if you were a girl of high taste- you owned a pink lip. the best part about the pink lip?? ANY and EVERY girl can pull it off it was just about getting the right shade for your skin tone. Making the pink lip fit you and not you making yourself fit the pink lip.

Here are some of 1stClassLadies fav pink lip looks for women of different shades . Hope they help and you enjoy!!

  

Music always sets the scene..

 And some of summers hottest artist have made a mark. With hits banging from club speakers to block parties and backyard barbeque's. From beach outings with the crew.. to road trips, we know these artist have

 made your summer a little brighter. 

 The semi-conscious lyrics of Queensbridge's own Nas have never left us disappointed. So when he released his tenth album "Life Is Good" we expected greatness. There's no hiding the lack luster perception African American men; have been handed on the subject of fatherhood. Yet Nas has made a few step up to the plate with "Daughters". Reminisced as well as found closure after a tumultuous divorce from ex-wife Kelis "Bye Baby". All the while reminding many why he is Illmatic with "The Don"

  So our very own @SheS0Fly's cousin ( in her head ) 2 Chainz, has made numero uno on the billboard 200 charts for the second week. His debut solo album " Based on a T.R.U story" released August 14,2012 has sold 47,000 copies to date. Featuring some of the most influential in hip hop (  Chris Brown, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Dream, Mike Posner, etc.)  Giving the world a taste of some good ole' Georgia music. From"No Lie" to " Birthday Song", "Money Machine", and my favorite "Countdown" you are bound to get caught in his southern twang and doe boy bars.

There's no way we could talk about southern gentlemen with out bringing up Virgina's playboy himself. That's right ladies and gents Trey Songz, has done it again with his latest singles "Heart Attack", "Hail Mary" ft Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy & " 2 Reasons" featuring T.I. Making girls stand on couches all across the states. Trey's album Chapter V, released August 6,2012  is a eclectic play on emotions. Staying true to his signature style and showing growth within his artistry. Owning up to being a heart breaker and also being heart broken. From admittance of many flaws to, relishing in the realization of a womans role to a man. Dudes can relate to "Bad Decisions" while the ladies are swooned by "Simply Amazin".

"The Boss" of The Untouchable Maybach Empire, has made it quite clear with the release of his anticipated sixth album "GOD FORGIVES, I DON'T" Released July 24,2012. Has ranked  number 3 on the Billboard 200. Collaborating with greats like Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, on "3 Kings"  and Andre 3000 "Sixteen" just to name a few. Giving a cinema like depiction of the struggles of wining. And bringing swooners like NeYo "Maybach Music IV"; along with MMG's newest addition Omarion "Ice Cold" in to soften the hard tales of street love. Not to mention "Diced Pinapples" ft Wale,& Drake

Soulful Sunday

It’s only when you grow up and step back from him―or leave him for your own home―it’s only then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it-Margaret Truman

From Us To You Guys!!

1stClassLadies would like to wish all the great fathers out there a wonderful fathers day! For all your hard work, dedication and love we salute you. We know that no one is perfect and you will continue to make mistakes in this parenting job as mothers do but as long as you learn from them, get up and try again you can only get better! Continue to be the great men your son will grow to admire as well as be like and your daughter would want to her husband to be as. You are their first example of what a "good man" is- make it count!!!!

SATURDAY

"It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father."

-Pope John XXIII

If this quote ain't the truth, I dont know what is truth.  These fathers we salute are just a few we grew up watching setting great examples of what a father truly is!

When it comes to TV Dads the first to probably come to mind has to be Mr Clifton Huxtable from the Cosby's.  He was the all around dad who provided for the family, gave advice but also disciplined when the time was necessary!  

This family wasnt your average being that the two parents in the household werent an item of any sense.  Just the two seperate adopted parents of twins who were seperated at birth.  However Ray did an excellent job at being a father for the two. 

Many might not remember these two but if your an 80's baby you should!  The Goof Troop movie was all about Goofy proving to his adolescent, going through those stages of my dad isnt cool enough, son Max that he too is a cool dad.  By the end of the movie he had proven just that!!! 

80's babies cant deny watching these crawlers on Nickolodeen and even further going to see all their movies.  All Tommy, Phil & Lil, Angelica, and Suzie had their loving fathers around every step of the way.  The one who stood out most was Chucky's dad Chaz who was a widowed father, however showcased a great example of the first single dad on a children's cartoon and how it is no different in parenting and love.

If you were an ER fan you'd remember the character doctor Peter Benson who was a surgent with a very demanding schedule.  On the show he had a son who from birth had a hearing deficicancy.  Throughtout the series the viewers saw the struggle he faced once his sons mom passed.  One thing no one can deny is the love he had for his son and never putting anything before it!

Talk about a BIG family.  Who could forget the show 7 Heaven which was about a preacher and the good and bad times with his family.  He faced many triumphs raising three daughters and four sons but he always handled the situation with love and care!

No father in the world has more child support to dish out than this man right below, Mr Papa Smurf.  Though all smurfs have a name that best describes who they are like the seven dwarfs, no one could do the job better than him!

The home of Mary Kate & Ashley growing up as little ones was a house full of fathers and father figures on Full House!  Not only did the girls have their dad once their mom passed, they also had two great uncles who did a fantastic job giving these girls a great upbringing.

Who can forget when Ricky sang at his club "Rock A Bye Baby" as a request from an audience member not knowing till the end he was actually singing it for himself because Lucy was syblimanially telling him that their expecting their first baby!

Julius, the father from Every Body Hates Chris has to go down in history for the most money saving father in Tv history yet we salute him for setting an example in this day and age of a african american family with the father married to the mom raising a family!!

Bernie Mac must be saluted for setting an example on his hit show "The Bernie Mac" show that though a child might not be yours, you can still make a big difference.  He did just that raising his sisters three children and doing a great job!!



HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!