Most people’s response to my trip to Minneapolis was “Why? What’s in Minneapolis?” But there was a glint of hope in the few encouraging words from a fellow travel junkie who said “That should be fun.” Having no idea what to expect from Minneapolis, I set out with an excited curiosity to discover the Twin Cities had to offer.

Where to begin?
Of course I tackled some of the commonly known landmarks like the Mall of America. I’m not even afraid to admit that I was a bit intimidated to tackle the world’s largest mall (known to have more than 400 stores). With many stores that most of recognize, DSW, H & M, Macy’s, Frederick’s of Hollywood and a few I haven’t seen before, like a cute, chic, home decorating boutique Afternoon, the Mall of America is unique in that it houses an aquarium and a full amusement park, which is what took the cake for me.

The Social/Nightlife
Within my short stay I got to see a bit of nightlife in Minneapolis: a fun night at Imperial Room, after which I caught a glimpse of the city life vibe throughout the streets of Downtown Minneapolis. I was even pleasantly surprised to find a full club on a Monday night at Envy. I also heard of a new club New York, who supposedly plays NYC music.

Although happy hour is pretty common, something about Minneapolis’ happy hour was special. The opportunity to indulge in several dishes and drinks for the price of an entrée always makes me happy.  The site with the happy hour info www.thriftyhipster.com/minneapolis/
Which brings me to my next very important point…

The Food (oh, the food)
If I share everything we ate, you might judge me. So I’ll keep it to the memorable/noteworthy experiences:
@ The Loop: Cappuccino Martini- best of both worlds: a drink and a dessert;
Chocolate chippers- fresh baked cookies: crispy on the outside, light and heavenly on the inside and served with ice cream
@ Hell’s Kitchen- Tequila Mockingbird- I think it’s the homemade grenadine that made it special
Fish and chips- local walleye and sweet potato fries; served with jalapeño tartar sauce and chipotle mayo
@ Sebastian Joes- homemade ice cream that comes in numerous amazing flavors including:
REAL Oreo ice cream- not vanilla ice cream with Oreo pieces, ice cream that is full of Oreo flavor in every spoon; mint Milano- with whole pieces of Milano; Pavarotti-banana nutty chocolate chip mix; Raspberry Chocolate Chip; Cinnamon (may be better alone); and Emmaculate Confection

Honorable mention:
@ The Weinery (as seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives)- sausage wrapped in a pancake
@ Red Dragon- Wondrous Punch
@ Good Day Café- spicy ketchup

But it doesn’t end there….(judge if you want) lol
The ultimate food experience happened at the Fair, which also happened to be my first chance to visit the twin city St. Paul. From battered potatoes, foot long hotdogs, tacos, flowered onions, pork chops on a stick and big fat bacon to deep fried candy bars, donuts, funnel cakes, chocolate covered fruits, buckets of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and an endless milk stand, the fair was definitely a foodie’s dream come true.

Even beyond that, it was so beautiful to see what seemed like all of Minneapolis come out to enjoy the festivities. Definitely a family affair: all the ladies sounding like the mom from Bobby’s World, happy babies, and an overall vibe/feeling of happy in the air. Good clean fun, which I think is safe to say is a good representation of what I saw in MN overall. From what I saw the work/life balance is very important. And with such drastic winters looming in the near future, they show a sincere gratitude and appreciation for the summer months: lots of outdoor seating, enough bike riders to compete with car traffic and more lakes than one can imagine to choose from.

While there I learned so much that will stick with me much longer than any geography lesson I got in school. Now that I know what’s in Minneapolis I can tell everyone!

Who knew?
Minneapolis is the home of Target, 3M and General Mills.
The land of 10,000 lakes is where the L.A. Lakers started.

So much thanks to Toni for being such a great host and Tiffany for sharing all the Minne fun facts!

Disclaimer: This trip was during the summer. I’ve heard that winter in Minneapolis is a force to be reckoned with. For you brave souls ready to take on the cold head on, pack those extra layers. You’ve been warned

You can read about all of Miss Journey’s adventures on her blog www.missjourneysblog.blogspot.com

]]> http://sassywomenonline.com/blog/2010/04/02/what-in-the-world-is-in-minneapolis/feed/ 0 http://sassywomenonline.com/blog/2010/02/08/chi-town-blew-me-away/ http://sassywomenonline.com/blog/2010/02/08/chi-town-blew-me-away/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:47:32 +0000 Miss Journey fka Lady D http://sassywomenonline.com/blog/?p=764

Seeing the skyline from the plane, I was immediately excited about my first visit to Chicago. Driving through the city, I could definitely feel the old soul of the city and a sense of its rich history. With names like Oprah, Bernie Mac, R. Kelly and Kanye West associated with Chicago, I was excited to see firsthand what’s so special about Chi Town.

What captivated me most was the musical energy. Maybe I was on a high from Jade’s performance, but it is undeniable that music runs through the veins of Chi town. I got a chance to see just how serious stepping is when we caught a steppers party letting out_with couples dressed to the nines, fully decked out in furs and hats. After catching a quick glimpse during one of our nights out, I’m slightly obsessed with footworking. Going along with specific footworking songs or house remixes of popular songs, the dancers move so fast it looks like they’re in fast forward. It looks unreal. Even thought I won’t be attempting that anytime soon, I did pick up a little two step.

Like the Waffle House in Atlanta or a diner in New York, Taco Burrito King served as the perfect after party meal. One chicken and one steak (the better of the two) taco was all it took to fill me before collapsing into bed and convert me into TBK fan. Next was FlatTop, my first build-your-own-stir-fry experience. After conquering an overwhelming selection of sauces and veggies to add, I was more than happy with my creation: brown and white rice, noodles, bean sprouts, one edamame (out of curiosity), red and green peppers, chopped jalapenos, soy sauce, chili sauce, Asian BBQ sauce, FlatTop sauce and chicken, all topped with the most delicious pita bread. And I can’t forget my yummy Lava Colada. Of course no visit to Chicago is complete with trying the deep dish pizza, and I think we had one of the best. Our experience at Giordano’s was unforgettable. Our waiter Leo was great, the pizza was delicious, and I fell in love with my drink, The Chocolate Runway. I also finished my trip with a chicken salad sandwich from Potbelly’s, which was like all the toasted goodness of Quizno’s mixed with the personalized deli touch of peppers and seasonings added to my liking.

As a wide-eyed tourist, I got to see the Sears Tower (which is now the Willis Tower), The Bean at Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue. Because of the fog that covered the top of the tower, we weren’t able to go up to the Sky Deck…next time! I also saw Navy Pier from a distance, got a recommendation for Garrett popcorn and heard good things about Flirty Girls. Of course the Oprah Store is a must see; all things on the to-do list for my next visit because this was definitely not my last.

To see all of my pics from Chicago, visit Miss Journey’s blog.

The increase in travel fees, limited vacation time, and more conservative budgets can sometimes get in the way of a much desired vacation. However, oftentimes a simple change in scenery can provide the temporary escape that you may need.

Infected by the travel bug, I seize any and every opportunity for a new adventure. In this time when we have to be more creative with our time and finances, the “staycation” has quickly become popular. I’d like to share how you can give yourself the joy of a vacay within the boundaries of your hometown (and your budget).

Those of us in New York are fortunate enough to have an endless plethora of things to explore. However, in NY it is also easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the daily commute and the stress of the workday, not to mention overwhelmed by the daily demands of your personal life. With that hectic lifestyle one seldom takes advantage of the opportunity to admire the intricacy of the city that so many others come to witness.

I encourage you, for one whole day, to take a spectator’s perspective on a City Sights NY tour* **. For less than what you would spend on a roundtrip flight, you can view NYC from air (in a helicopter), water (on a Circle Line boat), and land (on a double-decker bus), granting you three unique views. Although you may already be familiar with the city, these tours open your eyes to things you may have never seen before, share information you may have never known, or simply just allow you a whole new perspective and appreciation for where you are.

This would be great for a family outing, a girls’ day out, when hosting out-of-towners, or as a solo adventure. This is also highly recommended for anyone visiting the Big Apple. It is nearly impossible to see NY in a short visit, but these tours do a great job of giving you a broad idea of what this city has to offer.

*City Sights NY offers a variety of tours, any of which are sure to be a great experience.

**If you are only interested in the helicopter tours, go directly to Liberty Tours to save $15.

While at the GW Monthly Networking Event, I was once again reminded of the value of networking. While it is honestly not my favorite thing to do, I have certainly learned to appreciate the value of forming relationships that can undoubtedly help you progress further than if trying to do it alone.

Here are a few tips that I’ve learned so far:

-Be prepared- You definitely want to have an abundant supply of business cards, flyers, brochures and whatever else can not only vividly represent you and/or your business but also leave a lasting impression on your new contacts. It is always better to have more than to run out prematurely. (VistaPrint offer great deals on business cards and other promotional items.)
*Attention job seekers: Giving someone your resume may not be appropriate in all situations, but having personal business cards with your contact information (and even a brief objective) is a GREAT investment.

-Be passionate- Passion is contagious, and it will boost your confidence. Even if they don’t remember all of the details you share, they will certainly remember your energy and the feeling you left them with.

-Smile- Some networking situations can be aggressive and somewhat intimidating. However, simply smiling will invite others to approach you. It will also contribute to your confidence in approaching others as well. Plus, it will leave a good impression

-Always seize the opportunity- any and every situation can be seen as a networking opportunity. There is always an opportunity to meet a new person, who could potentially hold something of value to you. Be willing to strike up conversation and find common ground in nontraditional settings (i.e. the airport, elevator, nail salon, etc.).

-Follow up!- it may be hard to remember every single person you meet. Following up with new contacts within 24 hours of meeting them is a great way to make sure they remember YOU and to take that connection a step further.

NetParty, The Phenomenal Women Group and Girlfriends Get-Together are known for hosting great networking events.

The first step is to go out there and sell yourself!

Domestic abuse is an issue that gets sympathy but remains insignificant until it affects you personally. However, as distant as it may seem, it is important to protect yourself and those around you from it before it has the opportunity to get too close for comfort.

The Spring 2009 issue of Her Journey touched on the issue of domestic violence with the help and wisdom of Sil Lai Abrams, a survivor of domestic violence turned women’s empowerment coach. Recent events in the media have shown us that domestic violence is certainly an issue that hits closer to home. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Her Journey has accepted it as part of our responsibility to support this movement.

First, knowing exactly how to define domestic abuse can diminish common misconceptions and better prepare you to identify it before falling victim to it.

According to helpguide.org domestic abuse “occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person [sometimes using] fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and gain complete power over you.”

Misconceptions:

1. It’s not domestic abuse if he doesn’t hit you.

Abuse comes in many forms, including verbal (name calling), emotional and sexual, all warning signs of what could eventually become physical.

1. It is only domestic abuse if you are married.

Abusive behavior in any intimate relationship, boyfriend/girlfriend, same-sex, etc., is domestic abuse and should not be tolerated. Domestic abuse can even occur after a relationship has ended.

1. Only women can be victims of domestic abuse.

Although it is more common and severe for female victims, men, too, can be victims of domestic abuse.

Okay, now we know exactly what it is, but how serious is it?

The National Domestic Violence Hotline website shares several startling statistics:

• According to CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey 2005, 1 in 4 women in the U.S. are victims of domestic abuse at some point in their lives
• 1 out of 3 women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.[1]

What struck an even deeper nerve was finding out that:

• Liz Claiborne Inc. Teen Relationship Abuse Survey 2006 reported that 14% of teens said they would do almost anything to keep a boyfriend or girlfriend.
• 20% of those who have been in a serious relationship have been hit, slapped, or pushed by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
• 1 in 5 female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. Abused girls are significantly more likely to get involved in other risky behaviors. They are 4 to 6 times more likely to get pregnant and 8 to 9 times more likely to have tried to commit suicide.[2]

These statistics could make your heart stop:

• According to the CDC Adverse Health Conditions and Health Risk Behaviors Associated with Intimate Partner Violence – United States 2005, each year, IPV results in an estimated 1,200 deaths and 2 million injuries among women and nearly 600,000 injuries among men.

An abusive relationship can be a very difficult situation to escape, which is why it is terribly important to prevent it from onset.

• The simplest rule: if you are unhappy in a relationship, it is not for you. (I’m not implying that all unhappy situations will result in domestic abuse, but if you are unhappy, you need to reevaluate the relationship.
• Be aware of the warning signs:
  • What kind of relationship did he witness? Many abusers witnessed domestic abuse among their own parents.
  • How does he handle anger? Men are naturally more aggressive than women, but it is important that he know how to handle that anger properly.
  • Persistence and disregard for what you say may seem like insignificant details in the beginning but are signs of someone who will do what they have to to get what they want.

Don’t making excuses for him:

• “He loves me. He just has a bad temper.” “It’s not his fault. His dad was abusive.” “He needs me. He’s hurting.” His pain is not your problem to mend, especially if he’s hurting you/not at the cost of your own well-being.
• “He’ll hurt me if I try to leave” But he’ll hurt you if you stay, repeatedly. It may be difficult and intimidating to leave but you can find support that is greater than him.
• “He promised it won’t happen again.” I would only advise considering giving him a second (and only a second, not third) chance after professional help.
• According to Allstate Foundation National Poll on Domestic Violence 2004, 3 out of 4 (74%) respondents personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.
• 1 in 3 teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, slapped, choked or physically hurt by his/her partner.[3]

If your friend is in an unhealthy situation, you need to snap her out of her blissful fantasy and encourage her to find her own strength to leave.

The relief of leaving the situation will be a victorious feeling like no other, but I do advise seeking professional assistance to help you to love yourself, your friends, loved ones and another again. Now I’m not telling you to write the next Diary of a Mad Black Woman or reenact Jennifer Lopez’s character in Enough, but I strongly encourage self-defense to keep yourself protected.

Read other stories of victory: Juanita Bynum, Robin Givens

There are ample resources for information and support:

helpguide.org; endabuse.org; National Domestic Violence Hotline (800.799.7233)

For the entire month of October, Jewish Women International blog will be sharing stories of those who have survived and overcome domestic abuse.

Okay, maybe titling this post “Funemployment” would have been taking it too far. Having survived a year of unemployment, I have learned that once you have surmounted the depression that La Donna discussed, it is possible to maintain a social life as well. Being unemployed does not simply mean surviving, you are allowed to LIVE. Here are a few tips I’ve gathered from living the unemployed life:

Stretching those dollars:

• Saving aggressively is a good habit to start even if you are employed. It will certainly help you prepare just in case… (I won’t even say the words.)
• Temporary income, i.e. unemployment, gigs, selling things, tax returns are funds that can help tie you over and extend your unemployed survival. Note: I’m not too good for contests and prizes.
• Recession special- Businesses are feeling the pain too. Many are offering ridiculous sales to simply keep the business alive. Make a vow to not pay full price for anything, as was suggested in a previous post.

Support system:

• Pride aside-As La Donna mentioned, friends and family love and want to support you. If they offer help, accept it. If you don’t want to feel indebted, you can repay them when you get back on your feet. It would be worse if you needed help and had no one to help you.
• Unemployeds unite!-Talk to other people in the same situation. Knowing you’re not alone helps, and you all can swap tips of what’s keeping you through the trying time.
• Networking- Surround yourself with people who are in industries you would like to be in. They can offer valuable information and may be helpful from the inside. (I recently realized that all of my previous jobs except one came through referrals from employees of the company.)

Now can I say FUNemployment?

• FREE fun- With Barnes and Noble, Borders and amazon.com practically synonymous with “books,” so many of us have forgotten about the trusty old library that was our good friend back in elementary school. Our long lost friend is still there with a plethora of books AND movies.
• TheUnemployedTourist.com is an odd but interesting site that highlights free activities around NYC.
• Pursue your passions- You new found free time grants you the opportunity to take up that hobby that you’ve been putting off. Nothing is more fulfilling that doing what you love, and it could lead to a lucrative career.

Lady D

While I was completing my college applications, my mother, being the overachiever that she is, added a mandatory reading assignment to my course load. That was when I was introduced to Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. Disgruntled, of course, I read the book because disobedience was not even an option.. (Skimming wasn’t an option either because my supermom usually required reports on these extra assignments.) I was immediately intrigued by Dr. Ben Carson’s story started with a mother very similar to my own. By the end of the book, I was so genuinely inspired that it became the topic and motivation for a number of my college application essays.

Although it has been a while since I’ve read the book, I vividly remember the inspiration I felt and highly recommend it. Though I think the book would be a rich and rewarding experience, thanks to the magic of cinematography, The Ben Carson Story has been made into a movie that will air on TNT on Saturday, February 7, 2009 and 8:00 PM EST. With a cast including Oscar-winning Cuba Gooding Jr. and Kimberly Elise, this reenactment of this powerful story has certainly piqued my interest and think you will enjoy it as well.

Here are a few brief synopses to fill you in on the story:

Carson’s mother was the center of his early life. Through her strength, determination, and intelligence, and despite little education and a struggle with mental illness, she was able to instill a strong work ethic within her son and taught him to set high expectations for himself. At each level of his academic career, Carson started as an average or below-average performer. But after much hard work, he always eventually moved up through the ranks to emerge at the top.

Read more of the BrainConnection.com Review

Carson’s autobiography is the inspiring story of an inner-city kid with poor grades and little motivation, who, at age thirty-three became director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. Dr. Carson serves as a role model for young people in need of encouragement to attempt the seemingly impossible and succeed.

(Read more of review from the Prince George’s Community College)

I would love to hear what you all think if you get a chance to catch the movie.

Greetings SASSY Women,

I apologize for lack of involvement over a course of several months. I was trying to balance my life after several catastrophes.  Finally, I have regained some stability, and am making an uphill climb in combating depression in my life as well in the lives of others.  I am sharing this information with you because this article will describe what I have suffered from for the past six months. Unemployment depression if not detected and combated immediately can drain and destroy one’s livelihood and will to live.  I hope the description of this information along with my personal testimonial will help inform you in helping yourself and others around you especially during this time of economic recession.

Recent studies indicate that a person will become depressed in about one to six months of unemployment.  This is not surprising because one’s profession plays an intricate part of defining one’s self esteem, worth, and life purpose.  The absence of compensated contribution to society places strain on how one views themselves and others. Relationships become strained, especially if the person that recently lost their job is the breadwinner of the family.

Long term unemployment erodes the self confidence and increases self blame. It forces one to focus on their own faults and insecurities and capitalizes on them.   This heightened scrutiny transfers to how one views others, and relationships are strained.  The person is always irritated and lashes out at others who try to help.  Worry increases, and one becomes lackluster and uninterested in things that they used to enjoy, often times they keep to themselves and remain indoors.  Other symptoms include physical ailments, such as headaches, insomnia, gastrointestinal distress, and sexual dysfunction.

The most fatal result of untreated unemployment depression is suicide.  Experts say that unemployment triples suicide risk.  According to an article written by the BBC says that being isolated, not being part of a work community at all can increase feelings of vulnerability and worthlessness. If this feeling of worthlessness is not dealt with immediately, one can and will try to take their own life.

Although I never desired to take my own life, during this time of unemployment I suffered from all of the mental and some of the physical symptoms.  Luckily, I had people in my life that believed in me despite the circumstances.  My boyfriend and other loved ones noticed the drastic change in my behavior and started to make sure that I came out of my defeatist mentality.  Over a period of time, I was able to get out of the lowered mental state I was in, and change my attitude. Although I am not employed full time, I am excited and hopeful and I believe in myself again. Yay.

What You Can Do

If you or someone you love has developed symptoms of unemployment depression here are some ways to combat it:

1. Talk about how you feel. Find a way to express how you feel. If it’s to your significant other, to your loved ones, to your pastor, to your dog, through prayer or meditation or even through a blog or a journal. Get your feelings out. You will feel better.  If you are comfortable with sharing your feelings with a stranger and have the means to foot the bill, consider finding a counselor or therapist to discuss your problems with.
2. Stay active. Get involved in some community efforts, or if you joined a sorority or used to be active in a church group, become active again to rekindle pride and self worth. Staying productive will fight off the depression that comes with feeling like you’ve got nothing to get out of bed for.
3. Spend a lot of time with friends and family, people that love you. These people will serve as your cheerleaders and encouragers when you are down.  It’s normal to want to push people away when you’re experiencing unemployment depression, but the people who love you the most will be the people who can cheer you up.  And now that you’re not working, you can’t use being busy as an excuse.
4. Clean your house/apartment/room. Being unemployed is bad enough.  Being unemployed and sitting around a messy house all day is worse.  You’d be surprised at how having a clean house can lift your spirits.  Reorganize your closets, sweep behind kitchen appliances, donate unwanted things to Salvation Army, and really give your home a deep cleaning you can be proud of.  You’ll be glad you spent the time now when you start working again and don’t have the time anymore.
5. Go grocery shopping. It seems counterintuitive to spend a ton of money when you’ve just lost your job, but stocking up on groceries now will save you money in the long run. You’re going to have to eat, and you’re going to have to economize, so save money by making all your meals at home. Going grocery shopping has the added bonus of being comforting. You can buy all your favorite foods and take pleasure and pride in the meals you prepare.
6. Run all those errands you’ve been putting off. A great way to achieve a sense of accomplishment is to finish something you’ve been putting off for awhile.  Have you been meaning to mail Grandma’s birthday present, get Fluffy a new collar, or return those overdue library books? There’s no time like the present!

In conclusion, I hope unemployment depression is not something that is affecting you personally. If it is, I feel your pain, but there is a way out.  I hope this information helps you or a love one that you know that may be affected.

source

God bless,
-LD <3

As this year comes to a close, we thought it necessary to highlight some of the big moments that 2008 brought:

1. Of course this post wouldn’t even be possible without the launch of SASSY. It is such a great idea and has definitely satisfied a need for us twenty-somethings. The Quarter Life Crisis, SASSY 101, Stop Stressing, Spice it Up, What Am I Going to do With My Life, Motivate Me, The SASSY Lady and Poverty Blog Action Day Post, and SASSY Self Care are among my favorite posts. Domestic Violence & Tyler Perry and CNN’s Black in America have certainly gotten the conversation started.

2. Sex and the City, The Dark Knight and Iron Man made a big splash in the box office.

3. Michael Phelps made a big splash and Usain Bolt left his footprint at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

4. A hstory making election that drew record breaking numbers of voters…And of course the victory of President-Elect Barack that ignited a flame of hope around the world!

5. Kanye…enough said.

6. The loss of some greats: Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes and Eartha Kitt

7. Can we say RECESSION?

What were you favorite posts (from any blog), movies, events, personal moments? Let’s celebrate 2008 by remembering the great things that happened this year. Let’s get excited about 2009. The possibilities are endless!

]]> http://sassywomenonline.com/blog/2008/12/30/2008-in-a-nutshell/feed/ 1 http://sassywomenonline.com/blog/2008/12/15/12-books-of-a-sassy-christmas/ http://sassywomenonline.com/blog/2008/12/15/12-books-of-a-sassy-christmas/#comments Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:17:22 +0000 Lady D http://www.sassywomenonline.com/blog/?p=144

In search of a book for our next book club reading, I couldn’t resist the urge to do the obvious: search “SASSY.” Much to my surprise, there were just too many appealing titles to choose from: books about everything from food to friendship and all that is sassy. I’ve composed a list to satisfy many of your sassy needs, my gift to you. Some may even make good Christmas gifts for your fellow twenty-somethings.

Advice

1.          Speaking Our Minds, Sage Advice From Sassy Women (Little Books (Andrews & McMeel) (Hardcover) by Andrews McMeel Publishing

2.           

Get On with It!: How to Be Sassy, Successful and Single by Sue Ostler

3.           

Sassy, Single,&Satisfied – Secrets to Loving the Life You’re Living by Michelle McKinney Hammond; (also by Hammond:The Sassy Girl’s Checklist for Living, Loving, and Overcoming, A Sassy Girl’s Guide to Loving God: Discovering the Ultimate Relationship)

4.            Sexy, Sassy, Singularly Happy : the savvy girl’s guide to enjoying the single life by Marivi Soliven Blanco

5.           

A Sassy Little Guide to Getting Over Him by Sandra Ann Miller and Michiko Stehrenberger

6.            30 Days to Finding and Keeping Sassy Sidekicks and BFFs: A Friendship Field Guide by Clea Hantman

Fiction

7.           

Sassy Sistahood Series: Made of Honor by Marilynn Griffith; If The Shoe Fits and Happily Even After

8.            Wild and Sassy by Cia Leah

According to the Amazon.com Product Description:

U.S. Marshall Clint Brandon vows to avenge the murder of his friend, Chuck McKenna.  What he doesn-t count on is falling in love with Chuck-s daughter, Sassy, at first glance.  Together, they stand side by side, fighting a ruthless man hell bent on taking Sassy and her ranch.

9.            SASSY by Valerie A. Howard

According to the Amazon.com Product Description:

Cecilia Richards is single, saved and sassy as her nickname implies. She is also an unapologetic know-it-all. Sassy has no problem pointing out the imperfections in others’ lives, including her best friend, Amber, who is involved in an illicit relationship with a married man, and her neighbor, Jayna, who has a deep, dark secret from her past. Sassy’s pristine world begins to crumble when her man, Darnell, finds fame and fortune more alluring, she falls out with both of her girlfriends, and her career as a top marketing executive is compromised. Can “Miss Perfect” get it together before she loses it all?

Cooking

10.        Sassy Sips & Nibbles by Emma Roberts

11.        

The Sassy Spoon: Fun With Food by Jennifer Colla

12.        

Going Wild in the Kitchen: The Fresh & Sassy Tastes of Vegetarian Cooking by Leslie Cerier

Has anyone read any of these books? If so, do tell.