Shot@Life Event at the GA Aquarium! I am grateful.

Me and baby girl fish watching!

Today I was able to spend all day with my daughter. We laughed, played, ate good and just enjoyed each other. My daughter is only 4 but for some women, their children will never see that age - and today we supported those women. Mocha Moms, Inc. (which I happen to be a member of) has partnered with the UN Foundation and their new campaign, "Shot@Life" to provide much needed vaccines to children in underdeveloped countries! They hosted an event at the Georgia Aquarium where we were able to have a great breakfast, write to our state representative, donate to the cause, and more. Our children were able to enjoy themselves with plenty of activities as well as the opportunity to see all the fishes! The highlight of the Aquarium tour was the Dolphin Show! As my daughter sat in my lap, I actually turned into the big kid. I was oooohing and ahhhhing! I just truly enjoyed the show. It was 30 minutes of pure entertainment and my daughter was able to follow along with the story line of the show. She told everyone she saw that, "We saw the Dolphins today! It was Me and Mommy day!" That made my heart melt.

This post is more about understanding that you shouldn't take anything for granted and actually be grateful for what you have. In America, so many things come easy or easier than most, that we just expect this/that to happen. However, in many other countries, it is the complete opposite. Clean water, food, shelter, clothes and even vaccines are just somethings we may take for granted here in the USA. When I see videos, hear stories or meet someone from another country that has actually lived through some of these tragedies - it puts things into perspective. Be grateful. Life is not all about labels, shoes, and shows! For some, life is actually about just being able to just live!

Please research Shot@life and if this is a cause that tugs at your heart strings, donate.






Did Yall Know that:
Millions of children are disabled or killed every decade by preventable diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, measles and polio. Pneumonia and diarrhea are the two biggest killers of children under five, and account for more than one-third of childhood deaths worldwide.
Well here's what we do know, germs don't need a passport. With so many children around the world unvaccinated, outbreaks of diseases such as measles can occur. Expanding access to vaccines strengthens our ability to fight disease globally and keep our families healthy here at home.
It's simple; vaccines save lives. Millions of children could be spared from measles, pneumonia, diarrhea, polio and other preventable diseases if we could simply get them the vaccines they need.

The good news is access to vaccines has grown significantly in the last decade. Currently, vaccines are able to save the lives of 2.5 million children from preventable diseases every year. With your help, we can reach even more. With your support, global vaccination programs can save the life of a child every 20 seconds, and stop the nearly 2 million unnecessary deaths that happen every year.
How fortunate are we mommies to live in a country where, during our pregnancies, we're not worried or concerned about how long will my child survive after birth.  And even in instances when these women do have access to vaccines, their next concern is "how" do I get to it!  Many of these mothers have to "walk", and with child in tow, @ least 14 miles to even get the vaccination and at which sometimes they get there to then find out that the vaccines are not available or they ran out. 

 

Mimi (LipGloss and Binky Blog) & Myself

I was also able to run into a fellow mommy blogger!

Ms. Mimi!! Check her out!



Think Like A Man was FUUUNNY!! (My experience at the movies!)

Funny! Funny! Funny! I really wanted to go see this movie for FREE (LOL!!) and was able to get passes from GOFOBO.com but didn't RSVP in time and lost my opportunity....Well thank God for Facebook and Twitter because I put a blast out asking anyone for tickets and Whalaaa, Baby Shopaholic came through. She gave me her passes because she could not attend.

The event was sponsored by Rolling Out Magazine &  #1 radio station here in Atlanta, V103, (hosted by the new 10a-2p VJ Egypt.) She was a blast to be around and lit up the room. Before the movie started, she picked 8 guys and 8 women out of crowd to play a game - you know I was chosen right!! So I went down to the front of the theatre and was asked a question about the Human Highlight! Who is that? Well, I learned very quickly from the yelling crowd that Dominique Wilkins is still the man here in Atlanta! Well I am a Chi-towns Finest, so ask me something about #23! I won a T-shirt and a Kevin Hart talking key chain.

Now for the movie.....Honestly, I didn't want to go see this movie. When I watched the trailer months ago, I was like errrrummm I'll pass. I didn't read the book either. As the opening date became closer, so did my interest in the movie. I wanted to see what the hype was all about so my husband and I made it a date night. From beginning to end, we laughed, laughed and laughed. The movie was not only funny buy very interesting. Of course Steve Harvey made appearances throughout the movie, but the story lines that revolved around the book were well written. When the movie first starts, you see so many cast members that you wonder how is everyone going to get their story out fully - but it works. You get so involved in every character. I found myself routing for the women, while my husband told me later that the movie exposed all (not all but many) of men's secrets & insecurities. He said it seems the movie was made for women, and I reminded him that the BOOK was written for women!

There are so many other actors and artist in the movie that do little pop-ups it will make your head spin. You are always saying... What, there is Kelly Rolland! Wait! Is that Lala Anthony! Hold up, is that Nephew Tommy (Steve Harvey Morning show) and so many more.

I would like to say that Terrance J really surprised me in a good way. Terrance J is a VJ on BET's 106 & Park and this is his first starring role. A friend of mine really didn't think he needed to be in the movie because it might have been a challenge since he hasn't did anything to this magnitude before. I will say, he did a great job. His delivery, his facial expressions and emotional cues were all on. Whether he used an acting coach or has just been working on his craft - he did a good job.

I am not going to do an entire cast review but if you are a Kevin Hart fan, he does not disappoint at all. He actually carries the movie. It's like when you see him in a scene, you know you are going to laugh! It was good to look over and see my husband cracking up. Kevin plays a man going through a divorce and you will never believe who he is married too!

One last thing, Michael Ealy! OMG! #enoughsaid
The chemistry between him and Taraji P. Henson is OMG! It's a point in the movie that you just want to smack her though!!

Final thought - I loved it. I would see it again. I would recommended it. It was a funny movie and even though it's a primarily African American cast it is not an African American movie. The points brought out in the movie make you think about how you are dating and maybe even re-evaluate how you approach it. I was telling my husband, that after seeing this it made me appreciate already being married. Dating is a game on both parts whether you want to admit it or not and this movie just give tips on how women can do it effectively. What it boils down to is STANDARDS! Women need to have more standards and understand they have the power but they give it up (the power) so easily and lower the standard (or show none) altogether!

Come back and share your thoughts when you see it! We'll chit chat!!

BernettaStyle
Living Smart, Simple & Stylish

Ultimate Blog Party 2012 - Living Smart, Simple & Stylish

Hello everyone and welcome to BernettaStyle! I wanted to create a space where I could just put all the information that I get and share it. Whenever I get information that I believe will help anyone, I want to tell it. I like making peoples lives easier mainly because I am always trying to make my own easier.

The Blog (website) is going to cover many different topics but it will mainly be broken down into three categories: Living Smart, Simple & Stylish.Living Smart. To me this means, basically making good choices. In order to make good choices you need the right information at the right time. We (my hubby and I) teach our children the consequences of making good/bad choices and the results. Many of us are living with results of choices we made years ago. And what you do today actually shapes your tomorrow. So, as I write this blog - when I find news worthy information about any and everything I will post it for your enjoyment, pleasure, growth, knowledge or whatever reason you might need it. Living Smart just makes life easier. If you think back, how would your life have turned out if you just would have made one different decision? I know I have a few regrets, but I can't go back. I can only go forward knowing every decision yields a result.

Living Simple. I thought about this as I was packing to move. I was thinking, "I do not need ALL this stuff and I am not taking it with me!" I have lived in my house for 8 years and I saw papers, clothes, and just STUFF that I hadn't touched in maybe 5+ years! I threw it all away. I said, "I am going into my new house with less and only want I need. And if I bring what I want, I am surely going to use it!" I told my husband that if I hadn't wore something in over 2 years, I probably wasn't ever going to wear it. Living simple doesn't mean you can't have nice things, but it does make you ask the question, "Do you need all this stuff!?" Do you have things just to say you have things? Clear out the clutter! Don't be a hoarder! Do you have to collect everything? I think it's really cool when what you need is what you want!

Living Stylish. Now if you really knew me (and maybe you will if you start following my blog! smile!) you would know that I enjoy looking cute and different! Who doesn't right? But my true friends know that I do not LIKE to spend alot of money on clothes, nor do I? It really has become a game with my friends. I show up and the first thing they say is, "Ok, what did you pay this time, $5?!" I love it! I love finding a deal. I am the clearance rack queen. I even go to thrift stores too! Style is everywhere! In my opinion it's not how much you spend on anything, its your TASTE! Period. You could spend $100 on a shirt and it still could be ugly! It's all about taste. I am not a label whore. I just love to look nice no matter who made it. I am not telling you to shop where I shop (that's on you love!). I am telling you to shop how I shop, which means "Find the best deal!" I am not the richest chick (YET! #thinkingpositive), but even when God does bless me with an abundance of cash flow - I will not be buying $5000 bags, $10,000 shoes! I can help a child go to college or pay someones rent for a year with that excess. I will still be in Target, okaaay!! I will just not have to go to the clearance rack all the time! haaaaaaaaaa!!

Thanks for reading my post and I welcome you to join this page and share with your friends! I will cover a range of topics and just write about Life day-to-day as I live Smart, Simple & Stylish!

XOXO
BernettaStyle

For more info on the Blog Party, click the link below
http://www.5minutesformom.com/51797/ultimate-blog-party-2012/

Courageous is a must see "FAMILY MOVIE"

I have only heard good things about this movie and wanted to see what this was all about. So, last night my husband and I rented this movie, Courageous. And it did not disappoint. My husband knows that if I watch any movie after 9pm, I am going to fall asleep. We started watching this movie around 11pm and we were both glued to the t.v. We even had a great conversation about this movie afterward. I told him that I think this would be so beneficial for the men at our church (shoot, any church, any man, any parent) to see this. And today he actually had a meeting with the men at our church and they have scheduled a date of April 29th after church to watch this movie!

This movie makes you want to be a better parent and teaches you how easily you can take something for granted. Whether it's life, relationships, friends or even your job ... be grateful for it all. This movie has a Christian overtone and there are alot of references about God, prayer, etc. But I knew that before I watched so I wasn't bothered by it because I am a Jesus girl, it was perfectly fine with me. It even encouraged me throughout the movie. I really didn't know what to expect before I watched and didn't know anything about this movie. After the movie, I just wanted everyone to see it - especially men. Children need a father and this shows how important not having one is. I don't want to tell the story, so I will just say rent it. Below is a description of the movie and the trailer.



What is Courageous?
Honor Begins at Home
Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.
While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.
When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?
Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Viewers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.
Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous.

Have you seen this movie? Heard anything about it? Did you like it?

How to get your Hubby/BF to be romantic without telling him what to do.

Dear Ladies,

This is a re-post from my other blog (Why Isn't Forever Easy - WIFE). I was revisiting some other post and thought wow! These women were very supportive and we had some great discussions and just thought I'd share a few of the great post and responses! (Click on the link above to see the responses!)

At a Wedding 2009 (throwback pic, lo1!)

Here's a question I would like to ask, "How can you get your husband to be romantic without telling him what to do?"

I think that is a good question to ask. I invite all the WIFES/Girlfriends that read this blog to chime in. I think that in the beginning, there needs to be a sit down talk about the things you like, desire or things that just turn you on. And give him and opportunity to do those things. I think that you should also ask him and listen to him about the things he would like more of and do those things too. You have to give to get in most situations, so if you are giving him the things that he likes but was not always expecting ~ it might make him think twice and want to return the favor! One thing about women, we have a tendency to want the world from the men in our lives BUT never tell them! So we are sitting there with our arms crossed, lips poked out and he is sitting there wondering what is wrong with us! We have to tell them first and give them a chance and time to respond.
In my household, my husband is actually the romantic one and he is the one that has expressed to me he wants me to be more romantic! Go figure. He plans our vacations, he's the one that is researching the cities we visit for activities to make sure we have a good time. He is thinking about who will watch the kids so we can have alone time. I was very romantic in our dating years so I know I have it in me BUT.... I guess now I have kids, bills, businesses, and shoot LIFE! The last thing I am thinking about most nights are lighting candles, playing R&B oldies, and walking in the room all slow and sexy LOL. BUT he told me that's what he wants, so one in a blue moon he comes home to a surprise! It's puts a big smile on his face.

So I say talk to him and tell him what you like and give him a chance to respond.
Chime in Ladies!

Easter Weekend Outfit (Living Simple)

Easter was a great day. Great weather, great friends and great food. We didn't do anything special or out of the ordinary. We went to church, out to eat and home. I just want to share my fashion find. I got this cute little Bumble Bee number at Ross for $14.99! Love it! My kids were however dressed by their grandmother (Target)!


In my mom's yard,

The back

Black and White



My babies!

At church



Ms. B

UPDATE (with pictures) FREE Entry to Imagine It! Children’s Museum (April 10th)

I have been wanting to take my children to The Children's Museum of Atlanta for a while, but if you know me > I want a deal! So someone sent me email about getting in FREE! Yep, that is always the best price. What's even better is that it's sponsored by one of my favorite stores, Target! (Also regular price tickets are normally $12.95)

It's called Target Free Second Tuesday! It's a wonderful opportunity for families with children to visit Imagine it (The Children's Museum of Atlanta) for free every 2nd Tuesday! The Museum is mainly designed for children 8 and younger, which works perfectly for me!

What I have also found out is that Target does this nationwide at Children's Museums, you just have to research your city/state and see if it's offered there. Click HERE to see if they are doing something special in your area!

I know you are thinking, my children are in school on this Tuesday, April 10th - Spring Break is over! Well, luckily for me (a mother with school aged children) the event is from 1pm-7pm! It's actually a great time frame, mainly because the stay-at-home moms can bring their children early and the parents with school age children can allow their children to go to school and bring them in the late afternoon. That is actually what we (hubby & I) plan on doing. My son gets out of school at 2:20, and after we pick him up > downtown we go!

Parking? Well there are several parking lots around the Museum. The Georgia Aquarium & The World of Coke have parking available ($10 per car). Unfortunately there is NO FREE parking downtown Atlanta. I will take a few pictures on post them on our Facebook page tomorrow! www.Facebook.com/BernettaStyle

Source & FAQ

Update:
We went to Target Tuesday on yesterday and the kids really enjoyed themselves. We didn't have to wait in any lines and were able to walk right in. We got there around 4:45pm and stayed for about an hour. There were alot of children there! ALOT! But my children were able to play with everything they wanted to without waiting so that was a big plus. We made it through the entire Museum in about 1 hour. Next time I will spend more time in certain areas talking about the lessons!! This time, it was just too many kids to stand still! Will we go back, probably no time soon.


Kids painting

Entry Tickets



Waiting to paint

Playing in the Sand



On the John Deere

Hubby and kids going inside

Living Smart: Is this the MIRACLE to BELLY FAT LOSS? Dr. Oz thinks so!

I went to lunch with a friend a couple of weeks ago and she pulled out this article on the product, SafSlim. She told me that she saw this on Dr. Oz, then went to her own doctor and they gave her two thumbs up to try it. Now a few weeks later, she has lost 6lbs (overall) and 5 inches (of her midsection). Don't get me wrong, she started back working out (she always eats right, so that is not an issue). But still!! 6lbs and 5 inches over the course of 2-3 weeks are amazing!

What is this product? It's SafSlim and the video below is Montel Williams who uses this product and talks about what it actually does and how it works for him. Of course we can listen to celebrities all day, but when I hear a personal testimony from a friend who never tries anything new (product wise), my ears perked up and I looked more into this product.

The product is primarily for STUBBORN BELLY FAT! It is selling like hotcakes because people are seeing results. What is the main ingredient in this product? Safflower oil! Safflower oil raises levels of a little known fat fighting hormone called Adiponectin. Abdominal fat cells actually secrete hormones that keep making our bellies fatter. Adiponectin may well be the antidote to this problem. "Safflower seems to activate the hormone," says Rob Maru, a scientist who recently developed a safflower supplement. As the result, you get these benefits:

1) It revs metabolism your middle!
Adiponectin is in fat cells all over the body, but may be more important in the abdominal region. Higher levels of adiponectin seem to trigger fat metabolism and increase fat burning in the abdominal region.

2) It blasts that number one belly fattener! Many experts, including Dr. Oz, believe the sugary American diet is a main cause of our fat belly epidemic. Turns out, too much sugar triggers an excess of the hormone insulin, which aggressively stores sugar as belly fat. Belury says adipoenctin can reduce production of insulin whether you cut sweet stuff from your meals or not. Lower levels of insulin will then block accumulation of new fat and also signal the body to utilize stored fat for energy leading to increased belly fat loss.

3) It cuts craving for empty calories!
Try taking Safflower Oil and you may begin wanting less sugary stuff.

Dr. Ox is trying it!
Dr. Oz's final take on safflower, after getting opinions from a number of other doctors: "I think folks ought to try it for three months. I'm going to personally try it." While America's favorite doc doesn't think safflower is a substitute for healthy eating and exercise, he does think it could be an easy and amazing way to boost your efforts. "If there is a way to trick our fat cells to give up that fat, to spew it out, especially in our belly area, I want to know about that and I want to share it with you!"

Whew! That was a lot to type! Now I will say I went out and bought just plain Safflower Oil that same day. I paid about $4 at Kroger (organic section). I started taking a tsp. before lunch and 1 before dinner, the same requirements if you took SafSlim. I only did it for a week, so I don't know if it's working or not. I slowed down eating meat (1 to 2 times a week now) so my stomach is already much flatter from that. But honestly, I still think I am just going to chunk it up and try SafSlim. I just want to get it for cheaper than $29!!! $29 is the cost of the 2 week supply! I am going to find me a 40% off coupon and then buy it. I will surely update you on my stomach area! What do you think?
I will say, definitely do your own research and let me know if you try it!
Source

Living Simple: Frank Ski's Restaurant is .... what you make of it!

I finally dined at Frank Ski's restaurant last night. My husband and I did a weekend get-a-way and stayed downtown Atlanta for the weekend. (We took the kids to Tennessee for the weekend). We wanted to try out the restaurant and I am glad we did. What's funny is the waitress said that it seems like Sunday's are "The New Day!". Meaning, it seems like people pick Sunday to try Frank Ski's out for the first time!

When I first walked in I noticed the feel, laid back. The decor was very modern but also relaxing. Around the sides of the wall were the low club seats with low tables. In the middle were regular tables with small red candles lit. The restaurant had a few different sections that you would really only see if you were given a tour or had a small party in those areas. The restaurant gave me a New York Brownstone feel. I love the dark hard wood ceilings and the red lighting bouncing off the wall. It was romantic without trying to be. Frank Ski's even has a dress code! Honestly his restaurant reminded of what Justin's (P.Diddy's Atlanta's restaurant) used to be, and that is The Hot Spot. I was telling my husband that Frank Ski is a major figure here in Atlanta and since we hear him everyday, he does alot in the community, & even hands on at his restaurant - I think his restaurant will be a hot spot for years to come!

Now, lets get to the food. Most restaurants bring you bread while you wait, well not Frank Ski's! They bring you freshly fried white & sweet potato chips! And I really like them, especially the sweet potatoes. We ordered Calamari as an appetizer, it was the perfect serving and fried to perfection. I would definitely order that again. I had the Seafood Pot Pie. I did like it. It was filled with Lobster, Shrimp & Crab meat and I must say it was a generous portion of all three meats. The sauce was creamy & Cajun and the potpie breading was just right for me. I just wish I had vegetables. Usually a potpie has veggies, and mine was just full of meat. It did have small white potatoes, but I really didn't like those. Other than than, I enjoyed my meal. When I come back, I will try something else though. My husband story is a little different. He order the famous SNAPPER. I say famous, because this is supposedly a big seller there. Well, my husband is from Florida and grew up eating all kinds of fish - so he (thinks) knows a good fish! LOL!! Well, he says his fish was fried to long. I tasted it and I must admit, it was very chewy! Usually fish melts in your mouth. I had to chew it for a little bit too long. The waitress immediately cooked him another fish. Earl said this was a better fish, but it was still cooked a little too long. They cut the fish to make it cook quicker but what it also does (per Earl) is let the grease seep in. And honestly, I tasted grease on the second fish, but Earl said it was better....so there ya go. He said he would come back as well and agreed he would try something else. I hear the fish Taco's are great. It's funny because the lady next to us ordered the SNAPPER at the recommendation of our server, also after seeing Earl's plate. I asked her how she liked and she said the same thing - it was fried maybe 3-5 minutes too long :( but she still like it and that's all that matters!

Seafood Potpie

The First Fish

The second Fish

Now Frank Ski was there but I didn't say anything to him. He actually came and spoke to the table next to us and even took pictures. My husband told me to say something, but I was nervous! Now someone came to check on us after my husbands fish was cooked and told us we would get a tour after we eat, but after we paid we waited about 15 minutes - the lady never came back. So we left.

All in all, we enjoyed the restaurant! Our server was just superb. I don't remember her name, but she was a joy! The restaurant itself was nice and the food was good. I look forward to going back with my friends on a girls night out when Frank Ski DJ's! You heard me right, I was told, he DJ's on Saturday night and they turn the restaurant floor into a dance floor!! You know we have to get our Wobble Wobble on!

Click here to visit Frank Ski's!