I'm Feeling Good!

"It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life, for me...and I'm feeling good."--Nina Simone

The late, great, Nina Simone and I have a few things in common. She was from North Carolina, and so am I. She was African American, and so am I. She stood up for social justice and civil rights, and I champion those struggles, too. She had her own style and sense of beauty, and she embraced them...and now, so do I!

It took me 40 plus years to realize that yes, I am beautiful, and I don't apologize for it. It's not a bragadocious statement, it's simply true. Beauty presents itself in many ways. Most people think of beauty in an aesthetic way, which is natural because we are a visual society. But real beauty comes from within, and transends to the physical. Ever wonder why some women who have "average" looks can attract men like bees to honey, or appear in top fashion magazines, or be herolded as the most popular girl at school, or be the life of the party whom everyone wants to know? It's because of their essence. The unique way they carry themselves. The kindness they extend to others. The talent they allow to shine from within. The respect they show and demand in return. And the confidence and comfort they posesses that lies in knowing they are wonderfully made, exactly as they are. This is the beauty that Ms. Simone owned, along with her beguiling looks; rich dark skin, expressive brown eyes, thick, lucious lips, and impeccable style. This is the beauty that I, too, possess (sans the thick, luscious lips...but you get my drift).

Southern women own their style, embrace their beauty, share it with the world, and do it like nobody else!

"It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life, for me...and I'm feeling good."

This song resonates for me, as does the life of Ms. Simone. She was a fierce woman, and she did things her own way. She was a sister on a mission who broke down barriers, stepping right over sterotypes of what beauty, talent, and love was supposed to look like. She ushered in a new day! Her life so inspires me, and as I continue my research to learn more about this interesting woman, I'm discovering many things about myself in the process (more on that later). 

Be fabulous, just the way you are!

Blessings,
Trice

If You're Gonna Do Something, Do It Big!

One thing about a Southern Belle--we take everything we do to a whole new level! If we decide to do something, we do it BIG! Take for instance my post-workout meal this afternoon. Normally after I workout I eat a light meal, usually a salad, and I feel satisfied. But today I was hungry--ribs touching my backbone kind of hungry--and I knew a salad wasn't gonna cut it. So I grilled a thick, juicy burger (charcoal grill, which is the ONLY way to go!). Well, I didn't want that delicious burger to stand by itself, so I cooked up some golden fries to go along with it. When I tell you it was scrumptious...Lord have mercy, it was good!

Moral of the story...If you're going to splurge, go all out. After I grilled my thick, juicy burger a little voice said, "Make a small side salad to go with it, that way you can reduce your caloric intake and not ruin your entire workout." But then a bigger voice said, "Excuse me, but that burger needs fries, and you need to enjoy it!" If I ate burgers and fries every day I would've listened to that little voice, but I don't, so I didn't.

Life is too short to deprive yourself of what you want. Moderation and balance is key to most everything. But it also pays to splurge every now and then. Live big, think big, dream big, and enjoy the beautiful blessing we call life...with a thick juicy burger and fries to wash it down!

                                           Do it big and enjoy!

Delicious. Quick. Easy...who wouldn't want to make this!

If you're like me, your days are filled to the brim, spilling over into late evenings most of the week. Between work, family, and the demands of everyday life, finding time to prepare a meal, or even a tasty snack, can be challenging. It's so easy to just grab something on the go. But oftentimes that can be expensive, not to mention it tempts you to make choices that aren't always healthy.

One thing about Southern women; we know how to make find ways to juggle it all. Here's a quick and easy recipe that's delicious, quick, and inexpensive to make. The recipe for the mixture below is easy, and leftovers can be stored in the frig for a few days.

The dish can be served as a meal or curl up with a good book and enjoy it as a snack!

Be fabulous and enjoy!

Black bean and corn Quesadillas. Yum!!

Ingredients: (I don't measure, so just judge according to your taste)

8 inch flour tortilla (I use whole wheat. The taste is richer than the white)
1 can black beans, drained
1 can corn, drained and rinsed (or small bag of frozen corn)
Salsa (I use half a medium size jar)
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
Generous pinch of brown sugar (I use Sugar in the Raw)
Cheese (I use Kraft shredded Mexican cheese blend)
1 tablespoon butter
Olive oil (enough to lightly coat the pan)

Pour olive oil in skillet and heat. Add onions and saute. Stir in black beans, corn, salsa, and sugar. Cook until thoroughly heated, then remove from pan and put mixture aside. Melt butter in a large skillet (medium heat), then place one tortilla atop melted butter. Sprinkle with cheese. Top black bean mixture evenly on cheese. Place another tortilla on top. Make sure to press the edges down with the spatula you're going to use to turn it. Let tortilla cook for a about two minutes on each side. Cut into rectangles and voila! Yummy!

Summer 2014 Books | Praise 100.9 & 92.7

 I'm soooo excited to have two of my novels, LOOKIN FOR TROUBLE, and BREAKING ALL MY RULES, listed on the Summer 2014 Book Pic list!!



Summer 2014 Books | Praise 100.9 & 92.7

The Life of an Author: 4 Questions with Blog-in-the-round

FOUR QUESTIONS AND PASS IT ON: I love this idea of the blog-in-the-round. The lovely and talented, Trisha R. Thomas, author of the wildly popular, Nappily series, picked me and passed the literary baton my way. Thanks a million, Trisha! I’m honored to participate and share my experiences. Happy Reading!

What am I working on/writing?
It’s a great thing when a writer can say they’re working on something…anything…because this is a tough industry. I feel very blessed to be working on several projects this summer. My sixth novel, Troublemaker, will be released July 29, and I’m currently working on the promotional campaign to launch the book. I’m also on a tight writing deadline to complete my seventh novel (which will be released next year) by the end of the summer. In addition to my book work, I recently launched a new blog (which you’re reading now!) called Fabulous Southern Belle. FSB is a culture and lifestyle destination that pays homage to my Southern roots while providing nuggets of helpful information that make life fabulous!

How does my writing/work differ from others in its genre?

Like every author, I like to believe I have a distinctive voice with the stories I write. I work hard to make my characters relatable, authentic, and believable. My storylines always contain colorful secondary characters who warrant a book of their own. I’ve recently begun to set my stories in small, sleepy southern towns, as opposed to the big cities and foreign countries that is often the setting of many women’s contemporary fiction books currently on the market.

Why do I write what I do?

This is a very good question! I write because I love the adventure of creating worlds out of whole cloth, filled with interestingly complex characters who face challenges and dilemmas.  I think most people believe that writers write about themselves or people they know, and many do, but I’ve yet to be that specific in my work. However, I do impart pieces of myself into the characters I create and I definitely draw upon what I observe in everyday life. I also write what I like to read about, which is—love, family, intrigue, romance—and those elements help me create compelling stories that people can relate to.

How does my writing process work?

My writing process is pretty simple, in that I can write anywhere as long as I have uninterrupted time. I can write in my home, at the library, on a train, in the airport, etc., just as long as I have a long stretch of uninterrupted time that will allow me to get into the minds of my characters. I’ve also started outlining my chapters, which helps me write more efficiently.


I ONCE AGAIN WANT TO THANK MY FRIEND, Trisha R. Thomas, for inviting me to join this wonderful effort which supports, encourages, and highlights authors and the work we do. I’m passing the torch to two very talented writers; Karla Brady and Lutishia Lovely, who will be posting their Q&A in the next two weeks.

Karla Brady is one of the sharpest, wittiest authors I know, and her skill draws you into the wonderful characters and plots she creates. Lutishia Lovely is a powerhouse in the literary industry, whose pure talent and amazing work ethic have made her a national bestseller book after book after book. I can’t wait to read what these ladies have to say!

As always, enjoy life and be fabulous!!

Make Everything Special!

One of the best qualities of a Southern Belle is that we know how to make every occasion special. It's like second nature for us to make a way out of no way, and in many respects, that's not just the Belle in us, that's the South in general. But a Belle knows how to do it with grace, style, and impeccable flare!

The beauty of a Southern Belle is that we understand how to improvise. We don't simply survive, we thrive, and we take everything a "step up." Give a Southern Belle some lemons and she'll not only turn the sour fruit into a sweet refreshing drink, she'll toss in a delicious meringue pie to enjoy along with it. If she's had a long frustrating day, she won't mope or pout about it, she'll examine what went wrong and why, and then she'll get busy making the next day a winner! If she's on a tight budget and can't afford a trip to the spa, she'll create her own relaxing oasis right in the comfort of her own home. We also recognize the importance of celebrating and pampering ourselves.

One of my favorite hotels is the Ritz Carlton, and my absolute favorite service they offer is their bath butler service (the downtown Atlanta, GA, property has the best one I've tried in the country). They draw a bath that's pretty close to what I imagine heaven might feel like. In addition to specially prepared water that makes your skin feel like silk, the experience includes scented candles, fragrant rose petals, amazing gourmet chocolates, and a silver tray filled with bath products to take home. Honey, that's livin'!!

I LOVE nice things and I'm constantly looking for ways to create wonderful experiences that I can enjoy. But let me tell you, nice things don't have to break down your wallet (the Ritz can set you back!). I can't afford to Ritz it up every month, but honey, I'm a Belle, and I know how to do the doggone thing on my own! I can relish in splendor for the cost of an entree at my local restaurant. I found the products below at Walmart, Stein Mart, and Walgreens, and trust me, they work!

Village Naturals Sleep Therapy Foaming Mineral Oil and Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt Soaking Solution can be purchased at Walmart. Ellen Tracy White Amber Bath Salt can be found at Stein Mart, and the Calming Lavender Vanilla Candle is in stock at Walgreens (Note: Yankee Candle's Lavender and Lavender Vanilla scents are divine!).

Take a soak, relax with a nice glass of wine, and make everything in your life special!

Enjoy your Fabulous Life!
XOXO
Trice

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This is how a Southern Belle creates her own opportunities! Unexpected Interruptions by Trice Hickman Author Interview

Design of a Southern Belle

Today is the first day of spring, and what better way to usher in this bright new season than with a new post about being a Southern Belle! After all, this is when flowers bloom, and there's no flower more delicate, strong, complex, unique or beautiful than that of a Southern Belle!

 

I love being a Southern Belle, and a fabulous one at that! Over the years, the meaning and very essence of a Southern Belle has evolved in many ways.

Old School Southern Belle: According to Wikipedia—“The image of the Southern belle was developed in the South during the Antebellum Period. It was based on the young, unmarried woman in the plantation-owning upper class of Southern society. A Southern belle of that era was keenly aware of the popular fashion of that time, and the modern archetypal (archetype) image still includes antebellum fashion. A Southern belle typically wore a hoop skirt, a corset, pantalettes, a wide-brimmed straw hat, and gloves. They also frequently carried parasol umbrellas and hand fans. As was fashion at the time, these young women shielded themselves carefully from the sun, as a sign of tanning was considered working-class and unfashionable. Southern belles were expected to marry respectable young men, and become ladies of society dedicated to the family and community.”...

When you read the origin of a Southern Belle, one can only say, “Baby, we’ve come a long way!” My, my, how things have changed. 

Modern Day Southern Belle: According to Wikipedia— “In a modern context, the term is used to describe graceful Southern-born females from any ethnic background. The term may also be used for a debutante from the southern United States. There is no single formula for what constitutes a Southern belle today, but they are certainly not all old money and triple-legacy sorority girls.”…

Okay, now this is more like it. This is my world! I’m a proud, fabulous Southern Belle and I absolutely LOVE everything it embodies. What does being a Southern Belle embody, you might ask? Let me break it down for you, the way I see it. 

• ·         A Southern Belle is first and foremost, a lady. Every grown female is a woman, but not every woman is a lady (more about that in another post!).
• ·         A Southern Belle is respectful of herself and others, and she values family and friendship with a sense of honor and tradition.
• ·         A Southern Belle is strong enough to be bold, yet soft enough to be gentle, and she knows exactly when to use each strength to her advantage.
• ·         A Southern Belle is always courteous but is never a pushover.
• ·         A Southern Belle is confident and self-reliant in both her professional and personal dealings.
• ·         A Southern Belle is well rounded and can engage in a conversation about politics as adeptly as she can about sports, literature, or the latest fashions.
• ·         A Southern Belle smiles with her eyes and not her teeth because she is sincere in all that she does.
• ·         A Southern Belle will always have a strand of pearls in her jewelry box (that’s a fact!).
• ·         A Southern Belle’s kitchen is stocked with stemware, flatware, and cookware (no matter if she uses it or not), and she’ll be prepared to entertain a party at the drop of a dime, whether she’s the hostess or a guest.
• ·         A Southern Belle lights up a room when she enters it because her genuine presence and poise command attention

What you’ve just read is only a smidgeon of the traits of a Southern Belle. Trust me, I’ve got tons more, and I’ll be sharing them with you in future posts! This blog will be a destination spot full of fun, informative, sexy, and always topical posts that include: style reports, delicious and easy recipes, tips for entertaining, how to create fabulous DIY projects, and the latest in art, culture, politics, fashion, beauty, sports, and all things Southern! Until then, enjoy the promise of sunshine, blue skies, and warmer temperatures that this spring season is sure to bring!

Until next time, stay sweet and fabulous!

Many Blessings,

Trice Hickman

 

 

Black Pearls Blog Tours: Sneak Peek: Looking for Trouble by Trice Hickman

Black Pearls Blog Tours: Sneak Peek: Looking for Trouble by Trice Hickman: Looking for Trouble by Trice Hickman Some dreams will test your head and your heart... John Small may be a successful Wall Street banke...