Monday, December 9, 2013

NO, IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FOR YOU TO GET YOUR FLU VACCINE!!



Well, it's that time of year which means not only giving gifts and eating good but also tis' the season for cold and flu. I had the pleasure of dishing with Dr. Yabo both a Mom and Pediatrician regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC's), efforts to raise awareness about the importance of you, yes you (me too), getting your flu vaccine. The effort is an annual one for the CDC however this year they are lending increased awareness during National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). Additionally, the CDC is embracing social media and partnering with Bloggers to get the word out. I was all aboard when invited to participate. Oh, and did you know the risk of getting the flu is that much higher for pregnant women and children under 5?

I was particularly touched by Dr. Yabo's efforts to lend a voice as I am a Mommy myself of 7 year old twins and a 9 year old. To put it simply, I don't play with the flu. I literally just reminded my children's Father a couple of weeks ago regarding the fact that they needed to get their flu shots. He promptly scheduled an appointment and they were in and out having been administered a standard dose of the vaccine in the form of a nasal spray which per the CDC is approved for healthy, non-pregnant people ages 2-49. And for all you Mommy's, the nasal spray is ideal because it's quick and it's painless so no crying or runny noses. It's so customary now; my kids actually look forward to it. Dr. Yabo sees first-hand the consequences of not getting vaccinated. A big misconception is that it's too late to get the flu vaccine. Unbeknownst to me, flu season does not typically peak until January or later and lasts up until May. The vaccine takes about two weeks to get into your system which means getting vaccinated now will still afford you protection. Other common misconceptions can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm.
  • The flu vaccine does not give you the flu. The vaccine is actually meant to trick your body into thinking it has the flu thus providing full protection. Side effects such as a fever or sore arm are common. Your Physician should instruct you as to what to look for. You can find more here.
  • It is absolutely necessary to get vaccinated every year. The flu virus changes from year to year and the vaccine matches the virus thus providing the best protection.
  • Even if you've already had a bout of the flu this season, you can still benefit from getting vaccinated. If you've had it once, you surely don't want to risk getting it again and potentially spreading to other members of your family.
  • You have many more options as far as where you can get the vaccine which includes not just your Physician's office but Health Departments, local clinics, retail stores and pharmacies. And most don't even require an appointment. No wait time. You can get in and get out.
Now is as good a time as any. As we all gather together with family for the Holidays and travel to and fro, you nor I want to miss out on the festivities surely nor put ourselves at risk for either getting sick or getting someone else sick by spreading the flu virus. Your best defense, get vaccinated now.

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) runs from December 8-14, 2013. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw. And you can follow on twitter @CDCFlu

Have you and/or your children been vaccinated? If not and if I may, what are you waiting for?


Happy Holidays!!
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New season lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram 




Sunday, December 8, 2013

(I'M ON) STYLEBLAZER.COM AND (IN) WE MAGAZINE ...TWO FEATURES IN ONE WEEK!

I'll take that! I would be remiss if I didn't claim to be not just totally thrilled but completely humbled at having scored two features this week. The first of which is the Entrepreneur Spotlight in the December issue of the ever empowering, ever elevating, ever inspiring WE Magazine during which I dish here on how I came up with the concept that is BagLadiesRadio.com and how I maintain authenticity. Additionally, an exclusive Curl Talk feature published here to the #1 Fashion Obsession, StyleBlazer.com. Yes, I as are alot of fashion junkies, totally obsessed with StyleBlazer.com. I dished with Adrienne Gadling of IAmSadiddy.com fame about being natural and the misconceptions that come with, second go around having locs and my product faves.

Thanks much to WE Magazine E-I-C, DeLisha Sylvester and Adrienne Gadling for just making me love her that much more. Oh, and she authored a great piece too (smirk). It's definitely nice to be acknowledged and validated by my peers. Just makes me grind that much harder. And s/o to Tiffany Josephs, one of the best Photogs I know. Remember my behind-the-scenes post here from our shoot? Without her accompanying image, these two features wouldn't be half as fab.

Subscribe to WE Magazine and StyleBlazer.com and please be sure to share your comments on what you thought of each feature. I'd love to see your feedback! Thanks as always for the support!

Happy Holidays!!


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New season lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram @bagladies.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

#TBT: HOLIDAY EDITION #KMARTTHENNOW

Today kicks off what will be an on-going #TBT series. I and Kmart are taking you on a stroll down memory lane. Wanna go?? I and some Blogger buds are pulling out the old albums, treasure chests and memory boxes and digging for old Holiday pictures. You know the ones in which you and me too were sporting trends (sometimes against our will; Mommy made me), that were not only hot then but also now. You know that every style/trend comes full circle ...

I hit my Mommy up during Thanksgiving and not only was I totally oohing and aahing over never before seen pics of her, my Dad and my Stepdad but also adorable pictures of my Brothers and I. For this edition of #TBT: #KmartThenNow, I chose to show myself in my first ever Holiday pic at barely 3 months old. And get this, the pic per my Mom was actually taken at Kmart back in the day. Upon hitting Kmart.com, I found a similar fit (what is that velvet?!), in a matching color scheme that would be adorable on either of my girls ages 7 and 9. I haven't yet decided which one of them will score.
Left: Me all decked out in Holiday wear. Note the red velvet bottoms / Right: Girl's Velvet Holiday Dress
Can you tell which pic is from then and which is current? I jest. Now the challenge! I and Kmart want you to share your then and now pics too. Find an old Holiday pic of yourself and either post a side by side look of your little one wearing a similar look (most applicable to Mommies) or find a similar look either in store at Kmart or on Kmart.com and share, share, share! Until I say stop! For a chance to win a Kmart gift card just in time for the Holidays. Who couldn't use a few extra dollars this season? So get to digging up those old flicks and get to sharing across all platforms. You can tag me on Twitter and Instagram @bagladies. But whatever you do and to score that giftcard, be sure to attach the hashtag #KmartThenNow.


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New season lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram @bagladies.

Monday, December 2, 2013

I'M FEATURED IN THE DECEMBER '13 ISSUE OF WE MAGAZINE

Thank you to CEO & Founder DeLisha Sylvester and the rest of the Women's Elevation (WE) magazine team for featuring me in the December 2013 issue. 

WE magazine focuses on promotion, inspiration and elevation of women who have started their own business or brand and the challenges that they face. 

Chatting with DeLisha was not only a privilege but an awesome opportunity to reflect on how far I've come since having launched BagLadiesRadio.com and furthermore, where I ultimately want to go from here. 

Hopefully my sharing my story testimony inspires someone else to just ...Do it! See below the full article:
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New season lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram @bagladies.