Catrina, may she rest in peace!

Last Saturday October 23, 2010, I attended the SASS UNMASKED High Tea event in observation of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in rememberance of "Catrina."  She was killed by her husband.  Read about Catrina.

 

Catrina, at the age of fifteen excelled at sports, deemed a national scholar, and recognized as Who's Who Among High School students.  After high school, she succesffully matriculated at Fisk University in Nashville, interned for the Nashville States of Attorney, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English.  During her professional career, she excelled as a TV News Producer in Atlanta she was a Vice President of Education for a global corporation and traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean.  At the age of 25, she was very happy when she met her husband, a 23 year decorated soldier.  She married him after only knowing him six weeks citing that he was "a gentlean and a scholar."

Catrina was also a Sergeant in the United States military.  She served honorably and received many awards and soldier of the year accommodations.  She worked in the capacity of Software Engineering Systems Management, and as a Journalist for her brigade's newspaper.  Catrina was awarded the high honor of recommendation by senior officers and accepted into Officer Candidate School (OCS).  she was deemed qualified and accepted in the prestigious Secret Intelligence Unit and Committee for National Security Internship program in Washington D.C.  Catrina earned these enviable accomplishments in the United States military in just three years.  Personally, Catrina was a founding board member of America's Time Out for Youth, Inc.   Foremost; she was a Christian and loved the Lord.  She was a Christian educator and taught Sunday School classes at her place of worship, served as a Pastoral Assistant, mentored youth, and was on the brink of obtainintg her Master's Degree in Spiritual and Clinical Psychology when she met her untimely death, a murder/suicide at the hands of her husband. Two hours before she left this earth, she taught a standing room only bible class to women at her church; as she left fro the day, she told the church's custodian with a bright smile.  I am very happy today - I am going home..."  On the day Catrina's mother and sisters expected to see her bright smile as she departed the plat at the arrival gate, she instead arrived in the cargo section of the plane...she received a letter of gratitude and given an honored soldier's burial. May she rest in peace!

Her mother, Gloria Daniels, is committed to the work of preventing domestic violence and raising the awareness through her organization. Please visit her website at www.dddcgi.com.

DON'T MISS

Masquerade Moment Fashion Launch Affair

Tomorrow - Saturday October 30, 2010

Pro's Sports Grill

18601 S. Cicero, Country Club Hills, IL

$10

Clarissa Renee' and her Tye

LeeCha'risse Designs, Inc.
Daring. Distinct. Divine
Website:  www.leecharissedesigns.com

1-877-595-0004

Thanks for visiting. Talk to you soon.

Are you aware of the Sisters Network for breast cancer survivors, here in Chicago?  Sisters Network Chicago Chapter is a community based organization made up of African American breast cancer survivors.  Founded in January 2000, they saw an urgent need to unite with other survivors, communities and health care professionals in the fight against breast cancer.

Sisters Network, Inc. is committed to increasing local and national attention to the devastating impact that breast cancer has in the African American community.  Visit their website at www.sistersnetworkchicagochapter.org.

Wearing Pink~

Beauty for Ashes

My Bed of Roses

Capture the Joy

 Oh What A Tye!  

DON'T MISS

Masquerade Moment 

Tye Fashions Launch Affair 

Saturday October 30, 2010 5pm-7pm 

For Tickets ($10) contact Clarissa Renee' at 1-877-595-0004

I love it!

Distinct

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for visiting.

Talk to you later!

 

Not Only Rare Talk but Rare Hair!

Yesterday, I went pink! 

I've been inspired by the thousands of women that have courage to LIVE with and SURVIVE breast cancer! The least I can do is to have the courage to wear pink hair!  

 Rare Talk with Jacqueline Launches

it's first

"Action Speaks Louder than Words"

An Outreach Component of Rare Talk with Jacqueline

Saturday November 6, 2010 

we will share our soles (shoes) with CHARM, Inc.

Shoes give away

Clarissa Renee' & Jacqueline

 BELOW

I'm wearing a hand-crafted Tye by Clarissa Renee'

you can see more of her classic styles

Saturday October 30, 2010

Pro's Sports Bar & Grill

18601 S. Cicero, Country Club Hills, IL

5pm-7:30pm

$10.00 Admission

Stay tuned...tomorrow will be our grand finale of pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We will switch to purple in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.


Thanks for visiting Rare Talk with Jacqueline. Talk to you later!

The Pink Tye ~ Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pink Tye by LeeCha'risse Designs, Inc.

Daring. Distinct. Divine.

Blushing for all the right reasons!

A bold fashion statement!

Pink Perfection!

Post a comment in support of survivors and the cure.

 Rare Talk with Jacqueline, supports the cure for Breast Cancer in STYLE!

Night Owl Night Out Business Networking Event

If you're a night owl in business, I'm sure you need a night out!  Rare Talk with Jacqueline presents it's first night out for future and current business owners.  The lack of marketing and advertising is one of the reasons why 80% of US businesses fail. Rare Talk with Jacqueline will facilitate the discussion of improving networks and different marketing strategies. During the event, we will learn from sample business plans.  

What could your business do with $70 billion?  Violence sure has its hand out! It cost US businesses $70 billion annually. I'm certain, your business could use some of the $70 billion and media attention. Violence gets news coverage everyday throughout the day. Yet the 600,000 new businesses, that contribute to improving the quality of life through it's product and services, are rarely able to afford marketing and advertisements.

Don't miss Night Owl Night Out on Friday November 6th @ 7pm. Cost is $10.00 food and materials will be provided.



Thanks for your support,
Jacqueline

"There Are No Bastards Here" by Terra Cooks

Also known as Poetry N Motion

From her Poetic Boundaries/“I Have No Boundaries” poetry collection

Featured on Rare Talk With Jacqueline October 19, 2010

Let me explain a few things,

and I know it’s way past time

But, I want you to know how I feel

and see things in my mind

See, I wasn’t ready when you came along,

but I thought it best to do it on my own

They say you’re a bastard,

a child without a father,

a mother all alone

I say there are no bastards here

not this child

not in my home

It was hard making it day to day

especially when those close to you had only harsh things to say

With no will to live,

I nearly gave up my life

Trying to hold on,

almost lost the battle not once, but twice

Not knowing my own strength,

I found a way to get us through

Knowing it’s not your fault,

but, my responsibility to love and take care of you

Tired, angry, constantly frustrated,

physically drained and mentally constipated

But seeing how you’ve grown, I just don’t see what they see

My child as a bastard?

No!

Never!

Not to me!

Crying at night or sometimes during the day

Wondering, asking what did I do to deserve such pain

‘Til I realized you brought back the joy

and helped me live life again

At times you talk too much

and sometimes question my authority

And maybe I thought about giving you up

or leaving you in that hospital nursery

But I know I did good

when you said “Happy Father’s Day” to me

So there are no bastards here

from what I can see

Just a mother and her children

living as a family  

                                           Written by Terra Cooks

REFLECTIONS

Rare Talk with Jacqueline Photo Gallery

Meet Clarissa Renee' at her 

Masquerade Moment

Tye Fashions Launch Affair

October 30, 2010

Pro's Sports Bar & Grill

18601 S. Cicero, Country Club Hills, IL  60478

5pm-7:30pm

$10 Admission - Dressy Casual Attire

www.leecharissedesigns.com

Call 1-877-595-0004

The much anticipated Rare Talk with Jacqueline

will air LIVE on the internet from Ustream.tv @7pm Central Time. 

NO cable needed!  

YOU WILL HEAR:

"There Are No Bastards Here" by Terra Cooks

Clarissa Renee' what happened at 14?

Trivia Question:  Who is often the first coach in a NFL Rookie's life? Clarissa will answer.
 

How can you Tye up the fashion world?

A show for the entire family! 

Don't be late. 

Show ends at 7:30pm.

Ustream.tv and go to

Rare Talk with Jacqueline

Is that Clarissa Renee' Tying up the Fashion World?

Clarissa Renee', Fashion Designer

LeeCha'risse Designs, Inc.

Daring. Distinct. Divine.

Website: www.leecharissedesigns.com

As Clarissa Renee' tyes up the fashion world, I'm honored to have her as my special guest on Rare Talk with Jacqueline, Tuesday October 19, 2010 @7pm Central Time. Everyone will take something from the interview with such a woman of great integrity, class and style.

 

Approximately 41% of teenage pregnant girls complete their high school education.  Clarissa Renee' beat the odds! She will take us on her journey of becoming a mother at the age of 14 as well as what's happening now!

What are people saying about the Tyes?

"Wow!  They are very unique.  How much are they?"

"How can I purchase one?""Are they in stores yet?"

"Do you custom design?

Oh What A Tye!

Rare Talk with Jacqueline: Pink ~ A Natural Knockout

Rare Talk with Jacqueline: Pink ~ A Natural Knockout: "One of the most exciting things about productions and stage plays are costumes! It's like playing dress up. Fancy clothes, stylish jewelry..."

Pink ~ A Natural Knockout

One of the most exciting things about productions and stage plays are costumes!  It's like playing dress up.  Fancy clothes, stylish jewelry, smoking stilettos, and my gosh elaborate hair!  I hadn't given much thought what I would wear to work and rehearsal that day.  It was Monday and besides that a holiday.  I decided that I would dress comfortably. I rarely wear pink and don't have much of it in my closet. That's the color I would wear today.  Being in the spotlight for this stage play that I'm in, I along with the assistant director thought black would be the color for me to wear.  Instead, at the end of rehearsal, the director said that he wanted me in what I had on. The pink!  The pink? My daughter had just told me that I look like Ms. Piggy. What a laugh mainly because, I agreed with her.  Now that's confidence and self-esteem. I didn't spend time talking to the director about "why" that wouldn't work and if we could please, please choose something else.  I gracefully complied.   

  

NO WIG?

I had invested time into choosing a wig to wear.  To my surprised he said, "no".  No wig. I want you natural.  I guess my natural beauty really is a knockout! Here's the way my hair looked that day.

I guess you say, "that's pretty, your hair is gorgeous."  Maybe so, but it's not DRAMATIC!

Go on your way and about your day with CONFIDENCE! It's a natural knockout!

The Red Door

I was brought to the red door, and became more nervous. I was nervous because this was my first experience of having a photo shoot.  It was strange that the photographer would choose my black t-shirt, smoked denim jeans over my after-five outfits for the photo shoot. Had I known this, I could have left the overstuffed, 5 lb garment bag at home.  I had several pairs of earrings with me to change with the outfits. The photographer dug down into my storage box and pulled out the red balled earrings to put with the black t-shirt and denim jeans.  Oh, and how could I forget to mention the much worn red flats that she thought would be great to shoot as well. That particular I learned something different.  About me. I was expecting the make-up artist to pack it on.  I looked in the mirror and had wondered what did she do all that time of putting the brush in my face.  I learned the photo shoot was all about showing who you are and your own natural beauty. Soon after that, she took me to the back of the building and the next place my feet were standing was on the roof of the building. I thought what could we possibly shoot out here.  I was instructed to stand and sit in front of the red door. The red door taught me to appreciate my own natural beauty.  It was in front of the red door that the owner and several other photographers came to watch the shoot and asked me "why wasn't I doing commercials already."  I shrugged my shoulders. The truth is, "I didn't think I was beautiful enough." I can't wait to share with you on the show how the color red has raised my self-esteem even the more!  Tune in next Tuesday on UStreamtv @7pm Central Time.

Oh What a Tye!

The new fashions of unique, handmade, affordable tyes from the Pints & Pleats collection, for both men and women, will only tap the surface of what is yet to come. They come in a variety of colors and are flat, pleated, wrinkled, and layered with versatility to front (to shorten or add length) and adjustable neck strap.  The tyes carry the company's name embroidered on the neck strap as well as the company's logo on the back side bottom which also makes them unique  Additionally, I wanted to give consumers, especially women, more variety, creativity, and style to an accessory that is more commonly worn by men.  They can be worn dressy or casual with fun, flirty, and sexy flair. Life was breathed into the name of my fashions via the two individuals who inspired me - my son and daughter.  I combined their middle names into one to create LeeCha'risse.  The rest is history! 

 

Go to Ustream.tv & search for Rare Talk with Jacqueline

Tuesday October 19th @ 7pm!

Songa Baker Beat the Odds!

At the age of 16 and a junior in high school, I became pregnant with my son. I was always looking for love. I was pregnant by a 21 year old man.  I had love and attention from my grandparents but was missing it from my parents.  This left me longing for more. My mother's pregnancy of me was unwanted.  She had conceived me by rape. The relationship with my son's father ended before he was born. It was a long hard road being a teenage parent and trying to finish high school. I cried many nights, wishing I could change it although I truly loved my son.  At 16, I lost a piece of myself. I did not know who I was or the things I desired in life because I had to take care of a child. I wish I had the guidance and nurturing to prevent this from happening but I didn't. So, I tried to make the best of it. Today, I am still asking God to help me push past the pain from it all. I am taking it day by day. I expect to be totally healed. I would like to reach out to teenagers and let them know that nobody is worth you losing a part of yourself!

At a young age, I married a man who I knew was not whom the Lord had for me. He was a functioning alcoholic. He was verbally, mentally and physically abusive. After having my fourth child, I decided I was going to plan my getaway from him and stick to the plan. I applied and was admitted to Chicago State University. I didn't have a car and couldn't drive. I was on the bus and took one child to daycare and the other came to school with me. At the end of my classes, I picked up the children, cooked meals, helped with homework and then tried to study for my own classes but often fell asleep with my head in the books. Eventually, the baby was able to attend the day care at Chicago State and that made things a little easier. As time went on, I learned how to drive and got a car.  I finished my Bachelors Degree in 2002 with a 3.9 GPA. I got away from that husband and divorced during the time I was gaining my Bachelors. After a few years, the Lord laid it on my heart to go get my Masters Degree. I completed that in 2007. I am currently working on my doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Management and will be complete really soon. To God be the Glory!

By Songa Baker

A fashion moment with Tichina...

Journey of Fashion Designer, Clarissa

Rare Talk digs deep with Clarissa. 

How did you spend your freshman year in high school?  And how did you spend your sweet 16?