Don't these people know we're in a recession?

I like to think I'm a pretty optimistic gal. When times get tough I try to remind myself that things could be worse and for the most part it works. But it's getting real hard to remain in denial about this nasty little economic recession we're experiencing. Like many of you I'm really starting to feel the pinch in my pocketbook. This is especially hard for a lady like me who looooooves to shop. I have a thing for handbags, shoes and pretty summer dresses but with times as they are it's becoming more difficult to afford beautiful clothes. Especially when gas is a trillion dollars a gallon and I'm paying more for a dozen eggs than I would for a chicken. This is why I don't understand the fashion editors who continue to feature outrageously priced items in their magazines - as if. Are you going to spend $500.00 for a pair of flip flops? Don't these people know we're in a recession? The unemployment rate is the highest it's been in years and you're recommending I spend $125.00 for a 1oz jar of wrinkle cream? C'mon now!

Luckily all is not lost, some designers actually understand and are making products available for those of us who are a little more "economically challenged". Like my girl Kimora Lee Simmons, the queen of all things fabulous, who makes no apologies for her grand lifestyle but understands we're all not there - yet. Her new line Fabulocity will be available at JC Penny this July. The line includes cute little sportswear options for young women (or young at heart women). Speaking of JC Penny don't forget about Nicole Miller's line of cute dresses and blouses. For the young men in your life, Sears will be teaming up with Todd Smith (AKA L.L. Cool J) to create an affordable line of casual wear under the L.L. Cool J label.

Then of course there's my favorite store, Target, who's been on the cutting edge of the mass market designer trend for years. Their latest offering is the GO International line by Rogan Gregory. Of course there's also Simply Vera (Wang) at Khols.

Ladies, let's not let these crazy economic times prevent us from looking and feeling our best. Worst come to worst I'll pull out my sewing machine and we can do an old fashioned sewing circle...Cocoa Style. Don't think I won't. Anyhoo, if you're looking for more tips on looking fabulous for less, please visit the ladies over at The Budget Fashonista. Gotta love it!

Tomorrow: Cocoa Says...

And the sky turned green..

Green skies, horizontal rains, vicious winds, broken trees and blackouts. This pretty much describes the last 3 days in DC/MD/VA. The power is back on but I'm still doing damage control so I'll leave you with an interesting little story on native tribes in Brazil. Fascinating.

Check back next week for another edition of Cocoa Says, interviews with Diane Da Costa & Julissa Bermudez and a special announcement about Cocoa Mode radio.

P.S. Congratulations Dad!

Have an awesome weekend!!!!!

OBAMA!!!!!!!

After 15 months we can finally say, what I've been saying all along Barak Obama is the Democratic Nominee for President of the United States of America. With the exception of our last show back in December and this post, I've been pretty quiet about my support of Obama. My decision to stay out of the political blogger game was two part - One, all I can really offer is my opinion and I believe when it comes to politics, voters should rely on facts not opinions when deciding who to support. Two, the primary season was way too long and to be honest, it was beginning to bore me. I mean really, the attacks on Obama were far reaching and quite frankly, tired. But now that he's won round one I'm here to show my support for the man who may come to define our generation and has made it possible to dream that my Kenyan-American son could very well become President of The USA and really believe it. Beyond that I am also looking forward to hearing Obama detail his plans for health care, foreign policy and the economy. Ladies, it's rough out here and like many of you I'm feeling the pinch in the worse way. So I say bring it on Obama, let's fight the good fight and run these crazy bald heads outta town! I've already signed up to help, have you?

Cocoa's Summer Soundtrack..Pt 1.5

Much love to my girl Afrobella for posting this awesome video. You can surf over to her site to hear more international musical tributes to Obama.

Watch out for the Big Gurlz..Pt. 2

In response to my sister.....

I'm ready to put my 2cents in. You always hear that the big girl has Diabetes, high blood pressure and whatever. But there are smaller women who has the same things. No one never mentions that. No...they always mention about the big girl. There are plenty of big girls who are healthy too. They work-out and I don't mean at the dinner tables for all the narrow-minded people out there. They work out at the gym. And have healthy reports from their doctors too. So what you say about that? What do you say is the reason why the smaller women get the same illness as the big girl?Big girls are just as beautiful as the small girls...if not more. The big girls attitudes are a lot better then a lot of smaller girls too. A lot of the smaller women have attitudes that make them think they are the sh*t. Then if that's the case, why are there so many men..and yes I mean our black men, into the big girls? And I know for a fact that a lot of these men have it going on in business, health and looks. These men work out at the gym just about every day. And still LOVE THEIR BIG GIRLS!And no I'm not getting off the subject. Whats fair IS fair. Just don't point fingers at the big girls because of their sizes. Look at ALL women when it comes to health...or anything else. I'm beginning to see why the actress Monique said..."SKINNY GIRLS ARE EVIL..."


Cocoa Says....
Before I begin, let me make it clear that I am by no means a "skinny girl", at least not by conventional standards. I'm a solid size 10 and many people are shocked when I tell them how much I weigh. (muscle weighs more than fat - at least that's what I tell myself!) In some circles, I am considered the "Big Girl". Having said that I think that it is important to make clear that when I mention "Big Girl", I'm not talking about the average size 12 - 14 woman. I'm talking about obese women. And while it is true there are women with a BMI over 30 working out everyday, many more are not. Obesity is not something that "just happens", it is a direct result of too much food and not enough exercise! Flat out. True, there are "skinny women" who eat like pigs and never seem to gain weight, blame it on (or celebrate) genetics, but honestly, those women are few and far between. Also true, skinny women suffer from diabetes, but according to this article, 80% of people who suffer from Type 2 diabetes are obese or overweight and since 51% of African American women over 20 are obese, it stands to reason that those of us who care about the well being of Black women will point this out. I don't mean to sound unsympathetic or self righteous, but really, those statistics are unacceptable. We can do better. We must do better. For the women who consider themselves "Big Girls" and are hitting the gym regularly, I celebrate you and encourage you to stick with it - I'm right there with you. But if you're not, now is the time to start. In fact, in the coming weeks I plan to include tips and tricks for getting and staying in shape on Cocoa's Corner. So stick around, I've got plans for us, by the end of the summer we're going to feel, look and be (even more) FABULOUS

My sister, Sensual2u, I agree with you, big girls are beautiful and I know plenty of men who know it too, but while I'm knee deep in statics I though you might want to check this out. It seems that while over half of African American women are obese, less than a quarter of African American men suffer the same fate. Hmmm...I'm just sayin'...