Black Girls Travel Therapy

Six years ago, my family and I suffered a tremendous loss. My niece was tragically taken away from us. Her death has left a void in our lives. As with me, I know how difficult celebrating the holidays can be when you are mourning the loss of your loved one. I want to share a few ways that you can ease some of your sorrow, and enjoy your holiday season. Do you get down around the holidays? Well, don't. It's time to reinvent your experience, switch it up a bit, and turn that frown into a great big smile. Do something fun. 1.  Take a vacation. Escape the norm. Go grasp some sun and remove yourself from that depressing environment. 2.  Make the holidays about your loved one. Dedicate the day to them, implement a program, fill the day with memories of your loved one. Make their favorite foods. Incorporate their favorite sayings, create a mini memorial, but a happy one. 3.  Acknowledge how you feel and try extra hard to be happy. Decorate the house with brightness and

  When a woman turns 40 she's entering the no judgment, no bullshit zone. She doesn't care what anyone thinks about her, but her. She's fierce, free, fabulous, and focused. The things she put up with in the past she no longer entertains. Her goals have meaning and she's on a mission to make things happen. The 40 year old woman is reclaiming her youth and bringing a certain spice back to life. She's major competition to women half her age. What they do, she can do better. Her aroma is confidence. She exhibits self esteem that can't be bought. She stands in her true authentic self and states what she needs, wants, and desires. The 40 year old woman is a mystery. She's very unpredictable, yet adventurous. When you're with her you'll discover her wild side; an unaltered, fun, invigorating woman who experiences happiness to the fullest. Many wonder how she juggles her career, family, and dreams. They don't understand this is the way she's

Have you looked at the trees lately? I walk daily, but I never paid attention to the trees until I started my journey on gratitude. Appreciation for nature and the things around you are crucial in finding true happiness. When you truly love yourself you are grateful for you and everything in your circle; nature appears brand new. The simple things in life like singing birds, green grass, and trees catch your eye. I watched the wind blow through the branches on a unique tree with few leaves and I thought to myself, "how beautiful." Then I noticed the tree planted next to the first one I observed. It was the same tree but it was shorter. The next tree was taller and the leaves were fuller. We are like trees. All of us are the same beautiful specie, but different. Love yourself and respect the unique qualities you possess. Appreciate nature. Appreciate life. Appreciate the uniqueness that you bring. Love yourself. ~Karlyn LeBlanc www.LoveLeMenu.com

Is true love a fairy tale? Do I have to fake the funk the rest of my life? Am I with the right one? Is he/she my soul mate? These are the questions that many people ask themselves who have been in long-term relationships or marriages. I don't like him/her anymore, is a common response. I want to feel passionate about my mate. I want to feel warm and tingly when he/she comes around. And, I just don't feel that way anymore is another familiar statement. Everyone wants to feel loved and an enormous amount of attention is needed in intimate relationships. Don't you want to feel special? Ego's want and need to be stroked with kind, delicate, caressing words; phrases that build your lover up. Worldly stresses are inevitable at times, but your partner is supposed to be a safe haven, the person you run to for comfort. So show your loved one you care: spend time with them, be compassionate, tune into their feelings, go back to the way things were in the beginning. Remembe

Another part of gratitude is giving. When you can give without expecting anything in return you are truly displaying gratitude. When you give it comes back to you, your blessings triple. Try doing some of these simple acts of kindness: 1)Pay for someones meal at McDonald's. 2)Leave a huge tip after dinner. 3)Hold the door open for a stranger. 4)Give compliments. 5)Smile and offer comforting words. 6)Pay the toll for a stranger behind you in line. 7)Pay for someones groceries. 8)Buy lunch for a friend or stranger. 9)Send someone a drink. 10)Buy a friend their favorite candy bar or chips. 11)Tell everyone you appreciate them and incorporate thanking individuals in advance. Implement gratitude in your life and watch success implant itself on you. Happy Thanksgiving! ~Karlyn LeBlanc

Why do I allow my negative emotions to get the best of me? Sometimes its best to just chill (sit back, relax, and process my thoughts). When a person rattles your spirit they win. Getting angry, lashing out, arguing, and stewing in misery does nothing for you. However, it gives the other person an inflated ego. They instantly know where your thoughts, obsessions, desires, and loyalty lay. You're basically allowing them to puppeteer you and steal your joy. One may also see being emotional as a sign of weakness. And if its displayed at the wrong time it very well may be. Do card dealers allow you to see their cards? No, it's a mystery. And you must remain that way too. Never show your cards. Keep your emotions in your pocket and release them in private. Learn to control what comes out of your mouth. Put on your poker face. Smile, play it cool, and choose to be happy.     Karlyn LeBlanc 

Don't miss Love Le Menu "I love me" retreat in Annapolis, Maryland on April 10th-12th. Meet Angela Young one of our featured speakers: Angela D. Young has been a poet since she was fifteen years old. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, in a supportive family with whom she is still close, Young went on to graduate from Clark Atlanta University with a bachelor’s degree in mass media arts, concentrated in TV, radio, and film. She was immediately offered a job working as a manager at a renowned studio.   The passion that drives Young is her desire to work with and empower young women, and over the years she has performed at various conferences, pageants, and talent shows in order to do so. Now she offers Pieces of Me, a book of inspirational poetry. Included in the collection is her poem “What Went Wrong,” which won the prestigious Editor’s Choice Award from Poetry.com. Reading poetry opens us up in a unique way. A poem on grief may remind us of our own sorrows; a po

It appears younger women are loving on men 40 and older. Let's find out why... 1.  An older man believes in Wining and Dining his mate: He takes her to fine restaurants with great ambience and exotic foods. He exposes her to new and exciting things and places. 2.  He's such a Gentleman : He compliments her. Pulls out her chair. Opens the car door. Says please and thank you. 3.  The Money . He spoils her with gifts. Pays the bills. Puts money in her pocket. 4.  Stability: He owns property. Has money in the bank. He's grounded. Great credit. Knows what he wants and stands firm. He's established. Has a foundation. 5.   The Father Figure: Role model. Gives direction. Wisdom. Nurturing. Provides Structure. Protects. Smart. 6.   The Passion: He kisses. Whispers sweet nothings. Drives her crazy with foreplay. Thrills her. Displays sincerity. Tunes into her likes and desires. 7.  Mature: Knowledgeable. Wise. Very secure. Confident. Speaks well. Respects her. Sea

I woke up this morning, thank you Lord. Gratitude is flowing through my head. I appreciate life and I'm thankful for the people and things in my circle. Life is amazing now. I realize that gratitude is the key to happiness, love, success, and prosperity. When you can totally be appreciative for what you have, including the small simple things that you usually take for granted, your life will flourish and you will be blessed with more. Begin each day with gratitude. Wake up and start thanking God for all the things you are grateful for. Make an ABUNDANCE list. Write down 20 things you are thankful for. For example, I am grateful, for the sun shining on my arms, my daughter's smiling face, hot water, a home with air condition, a healthy body, ect... Being thankful for where you are in your life will bring a smile to your face. It will change your thinking too. Focusing on all the blessings in your life leaves no room for negativity. Remember you can't be grateful and unhapp

Francheska Felder is the proud mother of three, founder of F. Felder Enterprises, LLC (a public relations and media business), and editor-in-chief of SwagHer Magazine. She is a native of Mississippi and a graduate of Southwest Community College with an associates in science in marketing-management. Felder is currently pursuing a bachelors degree at Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Francheska was inspired by Karlyn LeBlanc to pursue her true passion. ... Instead of traveling the road of instability and uncertainty she decided to take the path to greatness. In five years, Felder transformed herself into a powerful role model, mentor, and business woman. She has become an established writer, a publicist, an advocate for women, an empowerment speaker, and a organizer of the "I'm a Diva" award show. Find out what it takes to start your own business, market it, and brand yourself. Come have an intimate consultation with one of the best.

Well, I'm sick of the two minute love making. Since he's turned 40 we have 30 minutes of oral sex and 2 minutes of penetration, if that. I mean how much licking and sucking can a person take? Our love life is so routine. The same thing over and over again. He had me thinking I was doing something wrong. "Baby, don't move so much." "It's not wet enough." "Let me lick it a little more." I didn't realize it, but he was doing anything and everything to prolong penetration. "It's been a few days that's why I was so quick." Excuses. Excuses. I was being manipulated. LeBlanc Replies:  Yes, at 40, a woman's sex drive speeds way over the speed limit. She wants it and she wants it bad. Her body is lubricated and she's ready to perform all night. The 40 year old grown woman has reached her peak and she speeds right pass her 40 year old lover. Unfortunately, studies show some men start to lose their sex drive and f

Ursula Grigsby is the loving mother of one beautiful daughter. A woman of vision and purpose. A true “go-getter," Ursula has achieved remarkable success as an educator, consultant, mentor, and sales trainer. Attending Southern University and A&M College, Ursula received both her Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master of Education Degree. She continues to work effortlessly in the field of education and women’s empowerment. Attend one of our Love Le Menu venues and learn to love yourself. Embrace your inner you. Heal from the inside-out with the guidance and counsel from our top educator who has been where you are now.

Are you tired? Bored? Depressed? Confused? Going through a divorce or bad break up? Mid-life crisis? Feel like you’re losing yourself? Well, it’s time to embark upon a voyage that serves to pamper, expose, ignite, and nourish your soul. Enjoy the euphoria of likeminded women, while gathering together to inspire and uplift one another. Ladies, come take a delightful journey with the Love Le Menu team at our “I love me” retreat on April 1-3, 2016 in Annapolis, Maryland. Enjoy a time of relaxation, sight-seeing, shopping, cruise on the Chesapeake Bay, and fine dining. This is the perfect time to treat yourself to a fun filled getaway and receive the benefits of sisterhood. Our staff consists of licensed therapists, motivational speakers, certified teachers, authors, poets, and fashion consultants. The goals are to relieve nervous tension that daily life places on our shoulders, provide a sabbatical, refresh, and create a new you. If you have ever attended any of our venues, then y