The one thing that remains true about Musiq Soulchild is that he's forever creative and forward thinking. He's managed to separate himself from the wheat of the Neo-Soul shaft of Maxwell and D'Angelo and hold his own all the while remaining New Soul to the bone. What we love about him most is that he pelts out some of the most beautiful love ballads that will stand the test of time. His style is funky & eclectic but something about him remains reachable and down to earth. Get Togetha imagines his pad style to be reflective of his funky and stylish roots and his ability to take chances with his signature laid back style.

Pad Style is a room reflective of a celebrity's personal style. Based on that -- whether it's modern, ecclectic, funky or classic -- we choose furniture that mirrors that style. This week we focus on the funky yet down to earth persona of Musiq Soulchild. Enjoy!

Shop this Room: Leman Stainless Steel Lounge Chair, Unica Home. Graffiti Pillow, CB2. Don Carney Ink Drawings, Jonathan Adler. Slat Bench in Natural, Overstock. City Slicker Table, CB2. Magno Wooden Radio, A Plus Store. Hang Lamp, Scandinavian Grace. Alex Marhsall Studios Vase, 2 Modern.

Blog post courtesy of Melinda Lewis, Get Togetha Blog: Not Another Shelter Blog

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Warm weather is upon us - and so are invitations to long holiday weekends, barbecues, birthdays and other summer soirees. Lolita, the entertainment expert best known for her fun, hand-painted drinkware, shares some top tips on how to be the best guest.

To see the full collection of Lolita's Love My Candles or of her hand-painted glassware, visit www.designsbylolita.com or www.thelolitastore.com.

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When your mother is Diana Ross style is in the genetic code. Yet there's something about Tracee Ellis Ross that let's us know that she would have her own style regardless of where she came from. Tracee has managed do what many a child of a celebrity stardom have difficulty doing: She's carved out a name out for herself in spite of having an superduper iconic and mega-beloved mom. Her mother was a Supreme for heaven's sake! But it's through the grace and power of her "grown and sexy" that you think of Tracee as Tracee; her alter ego, Joan; her killer figure; her big hair; and her ability to make fashion (high and low) seem so darn effortless. It's like does she get ready in 15 or 20 minutes? It's only after these thoughts that you remember who her momma is -- and that's a good thing.

Pad Style is a room reflective of a celebrity's personal style. Based on that -- whether it's modern, ecclectic, funky or classic -- we choose furniture that mirrors that style. This week we focus on the sleek and chic persona of Tracee Ellis Ross. Enjoy!

Shop this room: Tulip Family, Hive Modern. Lampert Sofa, Jonathan Adler. Glossy Black Lou Lou Chair, Unica Home. Octopus Pillow, Jayson Garden & Home. Bird Vases, Target. Small Accent Table, Crate & Barrel. Gold Sequin Pillow, Jayson H&G.

Blog post courtesy of Melinda Lewis, Get Togetha Blog: Not Another Shelter Blog

For more fabulous home trends, go to gettogethablog.com

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Sharon Nelson has seen her share of doctors.

As a seven-year breast cancer survivor who had a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and a myomectomy, you could say she's familiar with those who don white coats.

So when the 43-year-old Harlem woman went into her gynecologist's office one February morning for what she thought was early menopause, she was in for a big surprise.

"I said go ahead and waste a perfectly good pregnancy test," laughs Nelson. "So [my doctor] does the test, and she comes back and she was so excited. She literally came skipping back in and she said, 'my God, Sharon, you're pregnant! Isn't that wonderful?' She was so excited. I became frozen. I didn't know what to think. I had been cancer free for six years at that point. It was crazy, because I could not fathom it."

This is the same gynecologist Sharon Nelson called when she noticed a pinkish discharge from her right breast and who scheduled her first mammogram, which revealed stage 1 breast cancer. The very same doctor who, several years before, oversaw Nelson's fibroid-removal surgery and who had been treating her for 25 years.

One in 19,000 African American women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Nelson not only beat the disease, but she also beat the odds by becoming pregnant .

And just how does a woman who underwent an intense chemo regimen, and whose "uterus looks like swiss cheese," have a baby while in her forties?

"He said out the blue, 'You know, I think we should get married next year.' So I said, 'that sounds really nice.' That was a January conversation. So February, I realized I hadn't seen my menstrual cycle, and I said here I am going through early menopause. So I made an appointment with my same famous GYN, where we saw an ultrasound with an 8-week-old fetus!"

"I was so happy to find a man that accepts me," Nelson beams. "And I knew that he wanted children, and I was trying to gently bring up this whole adoption idea, very gently of course (laughing), not making it a big deal."

On August 18, 2008, Sharon Nelson delivered a healthy baby boy, Nelson Anthony Beauzile, after what she calls a "great pregnancy" (though it was high-risk.) While at home on maternity leave, she was surfing the Web one day and saw a contest flashing on the screen for a Ty Pennington custom nursery sponsored by Abbott Nutrition's Similac brand.

The tagline was "tell us why you deserve to have the nursery of your dreams". Nelson submitted her beautiful story, and six months later, was notified that she was a finalist and then a winner. Adorable Nelson Beauzile (named after Admiral Nelson of the British Royal Fleet) got his nursery designed in a nautical theme as a nod to his namesake.

Mom baby, and proud papa, Anthony, are all thriving!

"I want people to know that breast cancer is not a death sentence," she says. "So you do not give up, you do not the pity-party thing, it's not constructive. But you do need to learn how to take the best care of yourself which means getting opinions, writing questions, making sure you're prepared for the interviews that you have for the doctors and always remember you're in control. Nobody can tell you what's best for you and your lifestyle."

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Since my diagnosis, a few friends, some extended family members, and random acquaintances have said some downright peculiar things to me. They range from the bizarrely sympathetic: "I couldn't bring myself to call you, but I cried like a baby when I found out you were sick," a family friend told me. I actually felt bad for upsetting her. To the straight-up indifferent: "We're all going to die," wrote one guy in response to my first post. Uh, thanks, I guess.

Although slightly inelegant, shall we say, such comments are really just people's way of showing they care. And while I appreciate the effort, it's clear that it's time for a cancer etiquette intervention.

Consider this list of dos and don'ts as a crash course to navigating your next cancer survivor encounter. Only the basics are covered here. Of course, there are some gray areas (is it okay to be mean to a crabby cancer patient?), mitigating circumstances (should you tell a friend that her drawn-on eyebrows aren't in the right shade or shape?), and times when you just have to make fun of people, cancer or not. In those cases, my advice is do what you have to do. This is simply a primer, a blueprint to ensure that you stay within the bounds of appropriateness. It's not hard. When in doubt, remember flattery is always your ace.

1. DON'T say I'm sorry. We know you mean well, but opt for something a bit more uplifting such as, "Let me buy you a drink for your bravery on the battlefield."

2. DON'T send sappy or generic get-well cards. Is there anything more depressing than the Hallmark sympathy section? Ugh. A good sense of humor is crucial to conquering the cancer beast. Send messages filled with sarcasm and humor worthy of our valor.

3. DON'T say it's only hair. We know it will grow back, but being bald with no eyebrows makes even the prettiest woman look like a Cabbage Patch Preemie. Refer to rule number 6 for more guidance here.

4. DON'T talk to us about survival rates. If I had a cash payout every time someone told me they had a friend whose outlook wasn't so bright but went on to live for many years, I could cover my hospital bills. People battling cancer want to focus on living, period.

5. DON'T spout trite expressions like, "God won't give you anything you can't handle." Trust me, that's one we've figured out already. When overcome with the urge to utter said cliche, refer to rule number 10.

6. DO tell us how our real our wig looks. Good ones aren't cheap. We'll play along. If the cancer patient in your life prefers a bald head, tell her how nicely shaped it is.

7. DO invite us on a trip and foot the bill. It's been a rough journey; sympathy vacations are always welcome.

8. DO expect us to play the "cancer card." It's the only good thing to come out of all this. We reserve the right to use it whenever it gives us an advantage with a cop, a bill collector...you get the idea.

9. DO throw parties in our honor. For mine, please extend an invitation to my gay boyfriend, my Hollywood crush, a certain phenomenal band that I liked way before everyone else, and my soon-to-be BFF. And somebody bring some Pabst Blue Ribbon.

10. DO tell us how fabulous we are. Going from sickly to simply fabulous is a lot of work. Feel free to compliment us regularly.

Now that you know the basics, charge forth with confidence. Tell a friend, tell a friend of a friend, and let's put those awkward civilian-survivor moments behind us forever.

Originally published at Black Gyrl Cancer Slayer.

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Maybe I'm confused, but I thought this is precisely the situation we find ourselves in now, hence the need for an alternative.

More than 44 million Americans are uninsured and another 38 million of us are underinsured. Those of us who fall into these categories often forgo medical appointments, preventive care, screenings, and follow-up visits, which result in more late-stage diagnoses and worsening medical conditions. In turn, this places a significant financial burden on the system.

When uninsured Americans get sick, for example, they head straight to the emergency room. According to the National Coalition on Health Care, the uninsured are 30 to 50 times more likely to be hospitalized for unavoidable conditions. And about 20 percent of uninsured Americans rely on emergency rooms as their primary source of care.

This increasing dependence on emergency-room medicine, coupled with the poor management, administrative costs, and inefficiencies of our current health care system, is costing everyone. Those without insurance end up paying more upfront, if they can pay at all, while folks with coverage are watching their premiums rise (between 5 and 10 percent in 2009, experts estimate). What's even more disturbing is that the United States spends more on health care than most industrialized nations, yet we have one of the highest numbers of uninsured residents. Clearly, what we got ain't working.

The president unveiled his plans for health care reform while on the campaign trail, and his critics wasted no time tearing it apart. They referred to his government-sponsored option as "big brother-esque," yet offered little in the way of alternatives. What do these folks propose that we do about the tens of millions of Americans without health insurance? Or the rising costs for people with coverage? Instead, those opposed to the idea of universal care, such as the AMA, throw around terms like "socialized medicine" in a poorly veiled attempt to incite fear in Americans who support free-market capitalism. It's as if the Obama critics want us to believe that the communist fairy is just waiting in the lurks to turn our nation into a government-run camp.

As far as the AMA is concerned, that seems to have been its M.O. from way back. Since the '60s, the group has been vocal about its opposition to government-involved health care regulation. According to a story published last week, in 1961, the group attempted to block Medicare, calling it a varying form of totalitarianism. Word? Medicare? That program that provides health coverage for the elderly and the disabled? Wow.

More recently, during the Clinton administration, the AMA allegedly spent $3 million to defeat Hillary Clinton's universal health care proposal, opting instead to support Republican-backed policies that called for cuts in Medicare spending. And these are doctors we're talking about here.

But today is a different and far more difficult time for our nation. Our economy is in bad shape, and a high unemployment rate means that people are rapidly losing their company-sponsored insurance. In 2007 and 2008, for instance, one in three Americans went without coverage at some point, a startling statistic that proves our all-or-nothing health care system is zero-sum game. It requires all of us to fend for ourselves amid exorbitant costs and red tape, while big companies and big organizations try to convince us that nothing good will come from a government alternative. Other nonsupporters say universal coverage will result in patients waiting for months to see a physician and that the quality of care would be subpar.

How come our only option is to keep what we have or embrace a socialist regime? This is America we're talking about here. I'm certain that we can do better than that. What about a cross between an individual and government-sponsored policy? Something that might resemble a public-private partnership, a plan that allows those with insurance to keep what they have but gives those who can't afford individual care some sort of coverage. Oh, wait, that's what Obama is proposing, and his plan may be the most viable for millions of Americans.

The president is planning to address the AMA today, and I'm eager to hear what its members have to say. So far, they haven't said much.

Originally published at Black Gyrl Cancer Slayer.

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Diamonds conjure up money and pearls say sophistication. But now you can be even more specific in what your jewelry says.

Thanks to Elisa Ilana's awareness line of earrings, bracelets, necklaces and anklets, you can support the health causes closest to your heart and look fly doing it. From ovarian and colorectal cancer to AIDS and diabetes, Ilana's Awareness Jewelry is more than a fashion statement.

Inspired by Velda Stokke, an employee who was diagnosed with breast cancer, the company launched its line in 2007. A percentage of the sales is donated to Liz's Legacy, a fund to advance cancer research.

"The purpose of the Elisa Ilana Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet is to raise funds for cancer research and awareness," says a company spokesperson. "It is our hope that we will be able to help make a difference in the race to find a cure."

So whether you want to remember your mother who is a breast cancer survivor or support your brother who is battling colorectal cancer, you can keep your loved ones close to your heart - and look fly doing it!

For more information on Awareness Jewelry, go to http://www.elisailana.com/

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The head writer for the MTV Movie Awards has settled the debate: The stunt involving Sacha Baron Cohen and Eminem at the MTV Movie Awards was completely planned. Comedy writing veteran Scott Aukerman wrote in a posting on his blog that the incident was staged and rehearsed in advance. [snip] Aukerman's posting has since been removed. His manager didn't immediately return a call Tuesday. Source: Eminem/Bruno: Yes it was staged, Huffington Post

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Do you know the details of the new credit card legislation signed by President Barack Obama? Well, now you will have all the facts. Dr. Boyce Watkins, a Finance Professor at Syracuse University, breaks down the credit card legislation in this video. Americans are experiencing massive amounts of default in the current financial crisis, and African Americans are the greatest victims of the economic downturn. Black unemployment has reached 15%, which is nearly double the rate of unemployment for white americans. This massive black unemployment has impacted African American family finances nation-wide.

Click the video to watch!

To get Dr. Boyce commentary delivered directly to your email, click here.

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