First Thoughts: My Prayer for Boston

www.wsj.com

Most have something that they do to relieve stress or overwhelming emotion. Some hit the gym and sweat it out. Some take to canvas and paint it out. Some head to the kitchen and eat it out. Myself, I pick up a pen and grab a piece of paper and write it out. I've been keeping a diary since Elementary school so writing regularly is part of my routine. I communicate best on paper. As I was working yesterday afternoon around 3p, my Twitter feed was visible as usual. I noticed one tweet, then two tweets and then three tweets not too specific but asking questions regarding the Boston Marathon and word regarding explosions. I said out lout, "huh?" Being as though I work from home, I have the luxury of turning on the television which I did immediately. At that point, word was just coming out about what had occurred. NBC did a great job disseminating information and not validating anything that wasn't yet confirmed. The challenge being a viewer is that they could only report on what they were hearing because the full scope of what had occurred had not yet been realized. So the footage being shared be it still shots or video footage was raw, unfiltered and very graphic. They were simply sharing as it was coming in. The shot above was one shot that so captured the emotion. A fallen runner. Police with obvious expressions of terror and taking immediate action. The disarray. And smoke.

As I started to understand the magnitude and what had occurred, the tears started streaming. I mean it was just unimaginable. It felt like it was December all over again. The emotion I felt was comparable to the emotion I felt upon hearing about the New Town, CT shooting. I thought of my kids and just wanted to see them and hug them and tell them I love them. I spoke to a friend yesterday evening as he was leaving work. He is not the social media fiend that I am and he had no clue as to what had happened. I started crying as I was explaining the events to him. He was in total awe. I turned to Twitter for that sense of community and "tweeted" out my emotions. The same emotions being shared amongst alot of followers. And after finally pulling it together and after finally deciding to turn the channel and give myself a break, I saw a tweet regarding one of the victims being 8 years old. I'm a Mommy and my oldest is 8! It struck a chord and the tears started all over. Below, my first thoughts:

Erin A. Martin

15 hours ago near Washington

Man oh man. People spend their lives preparing for this annual event. For some, it's on their bucket list. A must-do. And to go and have something like this occur. And you have so many who travel far and wide and are now just wandering the streets trying to find loved ones or simply find their way. The same as w/ the injured, I can't fathom the impact on the first responders. They will NEVER be the same. This event will never be the same. Boston will never be the same. The say the injuries are comparable to what you see in a war zone. I liken this to how some become about love. They are cynics b/c they've suffered so much heartbreak. You have to give going anywhere a second thought now b/c there is no guaranteed security. People question their safety even when they seemingly shouldn't have to. Why? It's been proven over and over again when tragedies such as this occur. The only one who you can EXPECT protection from (not the police, not the army, not security personnel ...As valiant and as courageous and as diligent and resilient as they are) ...I'm saying the only one you can EXPECT protection is from MY GOD. Cover all of us ...In Jesus name ...#PrayersGoingUp #BostonMarathon

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SHOPPING CONFESSIONS RECAP: WHAT I LEARNED FROM BOBBIE THOMAS

So this week's Bag Ladies Reality Radio was a true tell-all in every sense of the word. Shopping Confessions, Take 1!!! And seeing as how myself and my co-hosts, @BabyShopa and the @StyleNBeautyDoc, couldn't have possibly cleansed ourselves of all confessions in just one hour, there will surely be a take 2. 

But the highlight was welcoming back Fashion Expert, NBC's Today Show Style Editor and now Author, Bobbie Thomas. Not only did we dish about #Shopaholic tendencies and habits but Bobbie also dropped the scoop on her soon to be released book, The Power of Style. This is Bobbie's 3rd visit to Bag Ladies Reality Radio and whenever Bobbie joins us on the show, you totally want to kick back and as Bobbie revealed on the show, slip on your pj's, grab a glass of wine and a cupcake. Bobbie's version of a "girls night out." She had me at hello!!

What I learned from this week's show:
1. Retail therapy does not only exist in my mind. It's real!
2. When shopping, you don't always have to purchase to be satisfied. Go just for the "eye candy." Be inspired, come home and create looks and spare your pocketbook.
3. "When you shop, purchase items that speak to you." Not literally of course because that suggests other issues :-/
4. "Women are expressive and we have a true connection to our belongings (what we buy)."
5. "Life is short, so shop!!"

I can't express how anxious I am to dive into Bobbie's new book. Although set to release April 23rd, it is available now on our site for preorder. Go to www.bagladiesradio.com/listen. 

We even dished about forming a book club so that we may dish even more about all things style and fashion. We will surely keep you posted on the deets. BTW, what shopping confessions might you want to reveal???? Spill it! Catch up on that which you missed this week, OnDemand. Go to www.bagladiesradio.com/listen. 

And for more on shows, showtimes and more, visit www.bagladiesradio.com.

Bag Ladies debates as we laugh our you know what's off and so will you!!!

Bag Ladies are huge fans of Saturday Night Live and for those of you that are, then I'm sure you didn't miss this past Saturday's episode featuring Justin Timberlake (JT). Of course him being part of a show I already love, only increased my enthusiasm. And now folks are talking like he's right up there w/ some of the best hosts now that he has in fact hosted three times. It might be safe to say that folks cared less about the fact that Ciara was the musical guest or at least I sure did in spite of the stellar choreography and the fact that JT joined her onstage. Does it make you wonder at all what type of increase in viewership numbers NBC sees as a result of JT being the host? Unless you reside under a rock, there's no denying his fame and that which he brings. He brings it and there is no hindrance. He is a consummate performer and it just comes across as if he absolutely enjoys every minute of that which he does which makes watching him that much more enjoyable.

The show itself was awesome and w/ the exception of maybe two, JT participated in EVERY skit so dude has alot of stamina. But now, Bag Ladies has launched into a SERIOUS, SERIOUS debate about whether "Mother Lover", the digital short w/ JT and Andy Samberg is better than the previous digital short, "Dick in a Box". And yes, that is indeed the correct title. Mother Lover was a surprise in that it featured Susan Sarandon as Andy Samberg's Mother whom JT was getting it on with and Patricia Clarkson who is JT's Mom whom Andy Samberg gets it on with. To understand is to watch. Mother Lover is all about finding the best gift for Mother's Day and JT and Andy (best friends) decide to give each other's Mother the gift of themselves and become the other's Stepfather. I lmao even as I type this!! But you, our listener must help us to resolve this fierce debate. We've posted both the videos to Mother Lover and Dick in a Box which is about them giving their girl the perfect the Holiday gift, below. Watch and what say you? Let Bag Ladies know.

-- Lady Erin