Update to The Bourbon Pecan Pie Cupcakes...and Tyra

Today we will begin making 250 cupcakes for Tyra's Essence party...the cupcakes were a success, everyone at Essence loved them! We will keep you posted on the feedback and what comes from this.

*going to make the cupcakes*

J

Operation Healthy Body

Day 2 of Strickly Cardio...

Since day 1 was such a breeze I assumed day 2 was going to be a walk in the park…wrong!! We had a guest instructor (Mater Ty) hmmm…I don’t know who thought this was a good idea. He worked us and worked us, nonstop without any mercy! Shakara was “sick” this morning so she stayed in the car while Jeniece and I worked muscles that we didn’t know existed! Keisher participated 100% with all the exercises and seeing her workout inspired me to keep going! Thank God for Aleve! Overall, this is a great fitness program and I'm so glad we joined!!

PS - To make matters worst we have to make 250 cupcakes today (this too was Shakara's idea), I personally think she suddenly became "sick" so she doesn't have to make any cupcakes.

JD

They try to put me in a box..it's impossible...

"They try to put me in a box..it's impossible" Ryan Leslie, Diamond Girl

The Get 'Em Girls are really feeling this new R&B Singer/Producer, Ryan Leslie. Jeniece has been talking about his youtube page for a while. However, it wasn't until I saw him perform two weeks ago that I realized I was in the presence of a star. His new single "Diamond Girl" is climbing the billboard charts, however he has already secured a place in my iPod. At the tender age of 19, Leslie graduated from Harvard University with a degree in government, and concentrations in macro-economics and political science. However, his passion for production and singing has caused him to follow his music aspirations. Lesile has written and produced songs for Beyonce, New Edition, JoJo, Britney Spears and a host of others. He also heads his own global marketing and media company, NextSelection Lifestyle Group which was instrumental in the career of his mentee, R & B singer Cassie. I have spoken with Jeniece and Joan about him performing at our first Get 'Em Girl's Bite Out on March 13th, but at the speed his career his going in two months he will probably be a household name. Ryan Leslie you are officially on the Get 'Em Girl radar...we are coming for you! To learn more about Ryan Leslie, check him out at http://www.ns4life.com/.

Shakara

PEACE

Music is the medicine of the mind, and peace is the medicine of the soul; with both, life is a beautiful thing. In an industry where musicianship is often compromised for the latest gimmick, some may wonder if there is still room for a true artist to rejuvenate and heal the state of music. Peace is the answer!

Born Angela Hunter, Peace, not only exudes the definition of her name, but also professes the same on the microphone. Influenced by legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, Lauryn Hill, The Roots, and a host of others, Peace writes 100% of her lyrics. She is a guitarist, arranger, composer, lyricist, and vocalist.

The 2006 graduate of the University of South Carolina is not only a talented musician, but also a well accomplished athlete. The four-year varsity basketball scholarship recipient received her bachelor’s degree in Sport and Entertainment Management, and is now pursuing her passion of music. With an eclectic blend of Hip-Hop, Soul, and rhyming, Peace has a style that is versatile, unique, and filled with substance. Peace’s presence lights up any stage. Switching from spoken rhyme to melodic rhythms on her guitar, Peace captivates every audience by letting her inner light glow with every word she articulates. After hearing her voice, one will surely feel Peace through her music!

To learn more about Peace check her out at
http://www.peacemusiconline.com/
www.myspace.com/peacemusiconline
peace@peacemusiconline.com

OPERATION HEALTHYBODY

So bootcamp was postponed for two weeks so one of our instructors, Keisher, requested that we do Strictly Cardio classes until bootcamp began. Class started at 5:30 am, however the Get 'Em Girls strolled in at 5:40am (thanks to Joan). Class was great and I was surprised at how in shape I was and my ability to keep up with the class. Jeniece and Joan did a great job too. Operation Healthy Body...the saga continues...

The Get 'Em Girls Did Verizon

The ladies of Verizon (downtown Manhattan) welcomed us with open arms...and we had a great time! Thank you to Ronda, Get 'Em Girl of the Week for Delicious Life Weekly #18, for hooking us up with a wonderful space and table setting!

TRUE CONTROL FITNESS: OPERATION HEALTHY BODY!

Okay so you have noticed that there have been no more blogs about Operation Sexy Body. Well the Get 'Em Girl's have signed up for Boot Camp! Starting next Monday for 18 weeks (two 9 week sessions) we will be in Boot Camp with True Control Fitness. Our boot camp instructors, Keisha and Lisa had instructed us to lay off of the no carbs diet, because the workout they had planned for us would be sufficient. I will be honest...I am scared. We will have to get up at 5am, four days a week. There goes my nightlife and my hair. If you are in the New York area join us. We need all the help we can get. Also, there are other times available for boot camp besides 5am. For more information on Boot Camp and other classes at True Control Fitness, please call Keisha or Lisa at 212-234-3357.

...and stay tuned for Operation Healthy Body coming to a blog near you!

Shakara

250 Tyra's!

We were recently presented with the opportunity to be a part of the Tyra Banks Essence Party gift bag, and our advisors suggested baking a cookie, packaged very nicely, that reflected Tyra. So we said, why not bake cookies that spelled her name out. Ahhh, needless to say that was so not the best idea. When I tell you that was a lot of work...it's an understatement. We decided on a fusion of one of Tyra's favorite desserts (pecan pie) and added our Get 'Em Girl twist and made it a cupcake. We packaged it in a cute little box, with a lavender bow and presented it to Essence yesterday...so we will keep you posted on how that goes

Check out the cookies...and the end result, the cupcakes

Brown Sugar "Tyra" Cookies with Lavender Royal Icing

Bourbon Pecan Pie Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Glaze

The Collective presents... Small Business Camp!

My NYC Get 'Em Girls..check this event out!

Bettina's personal philosophy for this year is Getting Straight in '08. The Collective invites you to do the same! Come speak one-on-one with entrepreneurial guru Andrew Morrison, founder of Small Business Camp.
Morrison has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, Crain's, Black Enterprise, The Wall Street Journal, appeared on Oprah and CNBC. Past speaking engagements include the Global Entertainment Media Summit, the National Black MBA Conference and Essence Magazine's Women Shaping the World Leadership Conference.
EVENT DETAILS:Thursday, January 246-9pm Ginger Restaurant 1400 Fifth Ave @ 116thCost: FREE *Raffles for Small Business Camp 90-Day Marketing CDsDirections: 2/3 to 116th. Walk one block east.
RSVP to: mailto:rsvp@tinaleemedia.com?subject=Small
By attending this event you will learn how to ....

• turn your passion into a profitable business
• make money online
• build a team
• attract investors
• and much more!

Multi-talented poet, journalist, on-air personality, scholar, singer is this year’s quintessential artist

The steady disappearance of female emcees in hip-hop has rendered singer/songwriter/emcee Amanda Diva restless. “When the Grammys removed the Female Rap category, I knew something had to be done,” says the 26-year old Grenadian American. “Whatever I do, I’m gonna bring it back.” That’s just one of her goals for 2008. The other is to remind the world exactly what a dope female emcee is. And she won’t be riding any man’s coattails to do it. She doesn’t have to. An accomplished poet, journalist, radio & television personality, scholar (she has a Master’s degree in African-American Studies), singer, and rapper, Amanda Diva is definitely the best kept secret in female emcees. Her numerous gifts and abilities are what make her the quintessential artist.

Just look at her achievements: she hit the scene as a spoken word poet on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam in 2002 and 2005 and went on to host the Sirius Satellite Radio show “Breakfast at Diva’s” on HipHopNation/40 from 2003-2008. Around the same time, she became the “face of hip-hop” as host of MTV2’s “Sucker Free” programming from 2004-2005 and has interviewed the likes of Jay-Z, Nas, Outkast, 50 Cent, T.I., The Roots, Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, and more.

Channeling her magnetic media personality and sage lyricism into one vessel, Amanda released the poetry mixtape It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop, The Mixtape: Vol. 1 in 2004. Two years later she followed up with the critically acclaimed Still Sucka Free Vol.1, of which Scratch magazine wrote: “Amanda is a fresh breeze…Not only is her pen as sharp as OJ’s knife, but her storytelling game is up there with the best of them.” (Feb ’07)
Now, after a brief stint replacing “Rhymstress” Natalie Stewart of the Grammy-nominated R&B duo Floetry (Amanda toured on the 21-city Floetry Remix last year), Miss Diva has released the seminal EP Life Experience, the first installment in her “Experience Trilogy” series. Issued by her own DivaWorks Inc. imprint, the “Experience Trilogy” is a set of EPs each with their own themes of “Life,” “Love,” and “Live!”
With production spanning from legends like Clark Kent to newcomers like Don Cannon of the Aphilliates, Life Experience is full of soulful tracks with production reminiscent of golden-era Hip-Hop. Amanda fearlessly paints pictures of the experiences that have shaped her and allows listeners to see both sides of her artistry -- the emcee and the songstress (yes, she sings!). She flaunts those emcee skills in the Caribbean-spiced song “SupaWoman:” Indeed, Amanda Diva has something to say. And she’s saying it for women, for hip-hop, and for the world. Now just let any man try and stop her…

For more on Amanda check out:
Myspace.com/AmandaDiva
DivaSpeakTV.blogspot.com
http://www.blogger.com/

Or you can check her out this Friday, Jan. 25th in Atlanta, GA opening up for Lupe Fiasco at the Roxy (3110 Roswell Rd.)

For media inquiries or press opportunities, contact Shante Bacon at http://www.blogger.com/, (917) 553-0005 or Saptosa Foster at http://www.blogger.com/, (404) 909-6493.

R & B LIVE- NE-YO

Last night I attended Spotlight Live to see Ne-Yo showcase his Compound Entertainment artist. Overall it was a great night. It was packed to capacity so I just watched the show from my table. Thanks to Digiwaxx Media for always holding me down. Kasey "The Great", Alice in Wonderland, Autumn Marie, Will, Kirk, and Jessie K.; it is always a pleasure. CL and Neil...we missed you (and the open bar tab you usually provide)! I borrowed some pictures from Alice in Wonderland and Whatspoppin.net. Enjoy!

"IT'S NOT NATURAL"

We are on a health kick! Jeniece suggested that we shouldn't eat ANY carbs and sugar for two weeks (including some vegetables and all fruits). This sounded like a great idea - a quick and easy way to loose weight and drop a few inches before we started True Control Fitness's Boot Camp.
Day 1: We were very busy with our photo shoot and didn't have time to even think about food - so for the most part it went smoothly.
Day 2: Jeniece and Shakara appeared not to be hungry or even phased about not having any carbs and sugar in the body. I on the other hand was going through withdrawal and on the verge of a breakdown. Needless to say I broke down last night. I realized that the whole no carb diet isn't for everyone; I personally think that "IT'S NOT NATURAL". So instead of doing absolutely no carbs I have made a few modifications, all the fruits and vegetables I want and low carbs! :)

Joan

Get 'Em Girl of the Week

Reaching the Industry One Image at a Time

Since the invention of the camera, entertainment and visual imagery have been co-dependent on each other. Creative visuals and packaging have become more important than ever in any marketing effort. Next time you’re browsing the internet, visiting your local record store, news stand or bookstore or enjoying a meal at your favorite eatery take some time to take in the design surrounding you. Compare the album covers of Dead Prez, Memphis Bleek, Jay-Z, Big Pun, M.O.P., Beres Hammond, Lil Flip, M-1, Wu Tang Clan, Killer Mike, Bone Crusher, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, Raekwon, Three Six Mafia, Capleton, Tanya Stephens, I Wayne, and Junior Kelly. Check out the book designs of some best selling authors and study the magazine layouts and advertisements in The Source, Vibe Vixen, Don Diva, and Ozone Magazines. While they may not have anything in common, if you read the credits closely, one thing becomes evident, they’re all designed by Kerry DeBruce of KLAD Creative. You’ll also notice that while each design or packaging comes from the same artistic mind, the product has its own distinct design.Based in New York City, KLAD Creative, an industry secret for over 8 years has grown into a full-service design studio. Kerry was at the top of her game when she decided to give up her corporate job to start her own business. She launched KLAD Creative, a full-service design firm in New York eight years ago with her first clients: Sony Records, VP Records, Cicatelli Associates Inc., and Planned Parenthood of Nassau County.Armed with a Bachelors of Art in Design from the esteemed Cooper Union For The Advancement of Science & Art, Kerry has received awards from both the Art Director’s Club and AIGA. With over ten years of experience as a graphic designer and art director, her professional background includes two design positions at two major advertising agencies and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, but much of Kerry’s work in the entertainment industry spiraled from her experience working at Loud Records / Sony Music. Kerry DeBruce was one of the first to bring “bling” to album covers with the historic last album cover for Big Pun, making that aesthetic the formula for many albums created especially in the south. Aside from KLAD Creative, Kerry is also a fine artist, interior designer, event planner, and craft specialist.In the last eight years, KLAD Creative's attention to detail and unique ability to capture the essence of their clients’ one pixel at a time has landed them contracts with major entertainment industry companies including Sony Music, Atlantic Records, and VP Records to name a few and on the speed dial of every in-house art director, and urban savvy marketing company.“As a full service design studio, our goal is to bring to life your vision using a combination of art and graphics to communicate your message. With a little guidance from you, we can create a masterpiece,” explains Kerry DeBruce, KLAD Creative’s Founder and Creative Director. “We’re known for our album packaging, but we don’t just create album covers. We are one-stop shop for everything you need artistically, from corporate branding, album packaging, graphic design, advertising campaigns, branding, logos, posters, marketing materials, website design and more.” “Our goal with a project is to capture the essence of your company and bring it to life.” With Kerry DeBruce at the helm, KLAD Creative is a one-stop creative shop.

****Get 'Em Girl Alert- Miss Kerry is also responsible for the beautiful layout of the Get 'Em Girl's Guide to Unlocking the Power of Cuisine****

OPERATION SEXY BODY: DAY 2

Shakara- Today was a tough day. Joan was a little attitudinal (yeah I know that is not a word) she claims her attitude had nothing to do with food however I don't believe her. Jeniece was in good spirits. We had a meeting yesterday evening with Keisha and Lisa; the owners of True Control Fitness. They will be training us in a boot camp. We will begin on Jan 28th and go until June 6th with a one week break. The boot camp starts at 5am in the morning (there goes my hairdo's not to mention my nightlife). Keisha and Lisa also told us that cutting our carbs was not necessary. They briefly went over food combining which is eating a meat with vegetables or eating your carbs with vegetables. However, you should never eat your carbs with your meet. Yeah I know it is a lot..lol. Also, Jeniece and Joan have decided they don't like the name Operation Sexy Body, so stay tuned for a possible name change. I guess I should mention on day 2 I broke my no carbs. I hade a slice of pizza and a cranberry/pineapple drink at the Ne-Yo event....the saga continues

Oh It's The Lights!

Here are some "behind the scenes" photos from our shoot with VH1's Piper Carter. Despite having not an ounce of sugar all day, we made it through...God is good!

Stay tuned...

OPERATION SEXY BODY: DAY 1

The Get 'Em Girl's as a group decided we wanted to loose weight. We are calling this decision OPERATION SEXY BODY. From today until the re-release of the Get 'Em Girls' Guide to Unlocking the Power of Cuisine we are loosing weight. Starting January 28th we will begin Boot Camp with True Control Fitness. Keisha and Lisa are going to whip us in shape and we look forward to the challenge. In order to prepare for Boot Camp and develop some discipline, we decided to give up carbs for two weeks and start working out. So stay tuned daily to check out our confessionals.

DAY 1
Shakara- Today was okay. We did a photoshoot with Piper, therefore I was so busy getting ready I really didn't getting a chance to eat until 2pm. Jeniece and Joan made a salad with chicken and chick peas...sounds yummy. Jeniece and Joan's attitudes were pretty ok for the first day. I am going to have to keep an eye on Joan...she's a feisty one. I didn't get a chance to work out today, however I will tomorrow.

Simon & Schuster

We have been slipping on our bloggin duties... however
Happy belated New Year! Did you miss us (smile)? Well we're back and we have exciting news. As you all know we self published, The Get 'Em Girl's Guide to Unlocking the Power of Cuisine, in April of 2007. Due to our hard work, your support and a couple of answered prayers; we have signed a two book deal with Simon and Schuster! 2008 will be an exciting year for the Get 'Em Girl's, please stay tuned for updates on the launch of our new website and our signature lifestyle event "The Get 'Em Girl's Bite Out."