ToP THiS: Tis The Season

December, a month a holiday cheer. No matter who you are, or what holiday you celebrate, we can all relate to the season of giving. Some give out gift in the hopes of getting one in return, while others give out of the kindness of their hearts. In this economy, and in life alone, giving can be costly. Receiving something we've want is nice, but honestly, the gift of spreading love means so much more. Here are some ways in which you can give this holiday season, and leave an imprint on someone's heart rather than your bank account.

Giving Out Gifts and Love at the Same Time
There are more blessings in giving than receiving. When you buy gifts or cards from charity organization, your money goes a long way. Not only do you get someone a gift, but your donation also goes to help someone in need.

Be a Role Model for Kids
It is a great way to educate little ones in understanding the concept of giving and helping others. Many times, children are too wrapped up in the "Xmas" rather than the "CHRISTmas". Be a living example of what the holiday season is all about and you will inspire children to want to be like you.

Where to get Charity Christmas Gifts
There are many charity organizations worldwide selling Christmas gift cards and Christmas presents. Some of them also have gift shops which allows you to spread your love while giving out a gift all year round. Most of them have direct posting service which helps you to direct the gifts directly to your friends or family Try working with a charity organization such as:

UNICEF has a long history in selling Christmas cards and in turn helping children in needs in more than 150 countries around the world. Besides Christmas cards, you can also find a wide assortment of Christmas gift ideas from toys, candle holders, stationeries, jewelry, to fair trade products. Not only in Christmas, you can also purchase these gifts as birthday gifts, corporate gifts or for any other purposes all year round.

You can also purpose 'Inspired Gifts' from UNICEF as Christmas presents. What you do is actually making an amount of donation which goes into a particular solid subject that helps kids, for instance, donating $20 to help providing clean water. UNICEF would send a card to your friend with your personal message along side with the gift detailed. This way you help children in need directly and at the same time allowing your family and friends to experience the pleasure of helping others.

UNICEF greeting cards are available at partner stores like Ikea while all other gifts and cards are available online. Please visit your national UNICEF website for further details.

Nothing to do on Christmas Day? Volunteer!
Head to a soup kitchen this holiday season and put a smile on someone's face. Volunteering is always a good thing, especially when it comes from the heart.

♥ t i f f a n y
Spread Love. Live life. Be Inspired.
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eyeSee Hope for Us

In the wake of World AIDS Month there has been a medical breakthrough in HIV medicine. According to the huffingtonpost.com, doctors believe Timothy Ray-Brown, an HIV positive male known as the "Berlin patient", has been cured of HIV due to a stem cell transplant he received in 2007.

If this is true, genetically engineering stem cells will hopefully be the cure for AIDS. It has also been recently reported that HIV negative persons taking anti-retro virals given to HIV patients can reduce their risk of contracting the virus by 73%.

All of these new found medical developments has given hope to the 33 million people worldwide living with the virus and their loved ones.

Stay True,
Riss
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eyeInspire: Do It Afraid

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10

Fear is an emotion. Although there are times where fear seems so much greater than just a feeling, in all actuality, that's all it is. How many times can you recall when you let fear get the best of you, and prevent you from overcoming a challenge or doing something great in life? Personally, I can think of several occasions where I allowed fear to consume me instead of conquering it. After visiting youth night at Crenshaw Christian Center, I heard something that touched me and it was so simple; "Do it afraid".

I hear many people question the reason behind God placing challenges, roadblocks and struggles in our lives, but He's doing it for a reason! No matter how cliche that may sound, it's true. God doesn't want us to ignore our feelings of fear or doubt, but He wants to bring us through those fearful situations to show us that He was there and never left us. If we have faith and are fully committed to walking with God, then what do we really have to be afraid of? We're not perfect, nor are we machines, so these feelings are the things that make us human. When we are afraid, we can call on God, ask for His help, and continue on in faith knowing that He will bring us through yet another situation.

If you want to challenge yourself in the hopes of increasing your faith in God, go out on a limb and do something you've been afraid to do. Just because you say you'll do it doesn't mean that the fear will disappear, maybe it will, maybe it won't. But for some chance or reason, you still feel fearful, the do it afraid.

Agree? Disagree? COMMENT!
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WoooooRD Up!

impetrate

\ IM-pi-treyt \ , verb;

The definition: To entreat; ask for.

How to use it: With the holiday season right around the corner, I'm sure we're all looking for things to impetrate from our friends, family and significant others.

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eyeWatch: Young Flame's "Intuition"

Denzil "Young Flame" Porter has been hard at work pushing Aids Awareness! His song "Intuition" is geared towards spreading awareness on the issue of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and encourage those out there to get tested and know their status. We commend Young Flame for taking on this great task, as he continues to put his artistry to good use by getting a message out that needs to be heard by the world. As you watch the video and listen to the record, you'll see how the "Mind boggling story of how non-communication and intuition" unfolds. The video was directed by Fionia Amara & Jaison Williams. Take a look at it, share it, and be sure to leave a comment! Happy watching.

Video Link

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eyeLike My Trench Studded

The basic trench coat comes in many variations. It is often duplicated and replicated by many designers, and sold by some of the most affordable stores such as Target, Marshalls and TJ Maxx.

There doesn't seem like much you can do to a khaki trench coat, especially if you're Burberry and have many forms of the classic silhouette. But they've done it again, only this time with STUDS!

The Burberry Studded Garbadine Trench Coat is hot! It's a statement jacket that probably won't keep you as warm as it should be, but at least you'll be cute wearing it! This coat will put a $2700 dent in your wallet. Do you think it's worth it? Let us know what you think!

Buy this coat now
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Gifted Bloggers: TLB

Blogging: A universal form of writing where people share their thoughts, opinions, photos, videos, etc. for the world to see. Some blog about music, relationships, and food, while others may choose to use their blog as a form of an open diary. Whatever your cup of tea is when it comes to blogging, you stumble upon your favorite blogs once you enter into the blogosphere. One blogger that I find to be gifted in what she does is The Lady Blogga.

The Lady Blogga is currently gearing up to release of her book, “The Little Things We Learn In Life” ; which is a 3 book series that focuses on three important aspects of life…“the Heart”, “the Grind”, “the Fam”. Book 1, “the Heart” is due out next month. ”the Heart” takes the reader on a myriad of journeys through various relationships. Relationships that are affected by some of the same things that are dealt with in real life. Mistresses, occupations, Social Networking… But it also gives the other side. Love, Happiness, Togetherness. The objective behind the book is to help the reader see beyond their own situation (thaladyblogga.com).

Other than preparing herself for becoming a published writer with a book on the shelves of your favorite bookstores (and hopefully, the New York Times Best-Sellers list), she's not afraid to speak her mind! Don't believe me?

Check out the blog for yourself and read "What She Said"
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eyesInDaSpot: Midnight Madness, RECAP!

We kicked off the first weekend of December by hosting Midnight Madness: Eric Sosa & the Oxymorrons Live ft. Ayindé. The event took place on the campus of SUNY College at Oneonta at the Hunt Union Waterfront Café. We hosted the performances, and they were great; the best I've ever seen these guys perform before! The ladies and gents loved them, the energy was there and on a 10. Once we finished with the performance portion, DJ Omar & DJ S.Whit transitioned the rest of the night into party mode, and we're sure you can use your imaginations with that one. Overall the event was a success! Take a look at some photos from the event below...

[DANiE & ♥ t i f f a n y, Ayindé, Eric Sosa, Oxymorrons]

Click here for more photos from Midnight Madness by HorQet

Special thank yous go out to: Sosa Management Corp., Oxymorrons, Imperial Marketing Group, the Multicultural Student Council at SUCO, Vandell Photography, HorQet Photography, WONY 90.9FM, DJ Ten, DJ S.Whit, DJ Omar, Ryan Faussette, Nastasia Thompson, Steve Jenkins, Ayindé, Eric Sosa, and the Oxymorrons.

♥ team elleELLEeye
Spread Love. Live life. Be Inspired.

eyeInspire: Use Your Gifts

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us…” - Romans 12:6, NIV

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and as some respectively put it, it's the season of giving. You don't have to wait for December to get a gift, God has given each of us gifts. He’s also given us the grace, the supernatural power to operate in those gifts. In other words, if God has called you to do something, He has equipped you by His grace.

Scripture says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). That means when we are doing what we are called to do, when we are operating in our gift, there will be an “easiness” about it. That doesn’t mean there won’t be any opposition. It doesn’t mean there won’t be obstacles or that it won’t take effort on your part. But what it does mean is that we will have a supernatural empowerment to do it. It will just come naturally and flow out of you.

If you are doing something that always seems hard, always seems heavy and drains the energy out of you, you might want to spend some time in prayer before God and see if that’s really what He has for you. Just because it’s a “good” thing doesn’t mean it’s a “God” thing. But when it is God, you’ll know it. Sometimes we may wonder how we're supposed to know, how will we know it's coming from God? Remember, everything that comes from God is good and perfect. You’ll feel His supernatural grace empowering you and refreshing you every step of the way.

When you pray today, ask God to empower you to live by His grace. Ask Him to help you to discern what He has for you, and to let go of anything that isn’t His best for my life. God wants nothing but the best for us, so make sure you believe that and He will continue to bless you and enrich your gifts.

Agree? Disagree? COMMENT!
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Inspired by: Inspirational Vitamin

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