THE GOOD LIFE FESTIVAL in St. Maarten!

Don't thank me yet, but I have the perfect cure to your winter blues. As you trudge through dirty snow and muddy puddles to get to your destination, the silver lining is closer than you think. The B-Life is teaming up with The JI Group to bring you the ULTIMATE getaway this Spring. And it's not just for New Yorkers - hard working folks from all across the country are welcome on this one!

The Good Life Festival: April 23 - 28, 2008 in St.Maarten

B-Life Exclusive -The B-Discount!!! (see below)

This is the ULTIMATE vacation for black professionals looking for the perfect getaway. No thinking required because the All Inclusive packages at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino have you covered!

All Inclusive Package Rates (rates do not include airfare):
-Single Occupancy = $1220 or $1100 w/B-Discount
-Double Occupancy = $790 or $675 w/B-Discount
-Triple Occupancy = $725 or $615 w/B-Discount

- All Meals & Drinks

- Good Life Spa, offering a wide range of beauty and body treatments and rejuvenating therapies, including spa packages

- Fitness Center, featuring state-of-the-art cardiovascular workout and weight training equipment

- Casino Royale, the island’s largest casino, featuring a live band, 400 slot machines, numerous table games and a private “high-roller” area (Plus, complimentary $20 Match Play Coupon)

- Maho Plaza is a shopper’s paradise with more than 40 fashionable shops and upscale boutiques, interspersed with a blend of 7 fine international restaurants.

- Q-Club, where you can dance the night away inside the island’s most pulsating, two story discotheque.

- Activities Desk to arrange leisure activities including golf, horseback riding, boating, water-sports and island excursions.

- 2 Freshwater swimming pools complete with sundeck lounge chairs overlooking the ocean. One with a swim up bar and the other more secluded.

- 4 Tennis courts, all-weather

- And so much more!

Activities Package Rates (mandatory):
Premium Package = $290 or $250 w/ B-Discount
Basic Package = $190 or $150 w/B-Discount

- The JI Group Good Life Official Festival Commencement Party at Bliss Outdoor Night

- Club by the beach

- The JI Group Good Life Festival Signature “White, Sandals & Stilettos” Mansion Party

- The Good Life Festival Concert at Carnival Village

- The JI Group Good Life Festival Enrichment Series for Young Professionals

- "Battle of the Sexes" on the Beach Party at Kon Tiki Restaurant French Side of the Island

- Sweet Escape All-Day Getaway to St. Bart's (Premium package only)

The B-Discount is being offered exclusively through The B-Life for a limited time and is subject to change. Reserve your spot today. Contact us here for payment instructions. Email all inquiries directly to The B-Life. If you are interested in booking a "room-only", contact us directly.

The B-Life is the Good Life, so we're sharing the wealth and giving you the hook up. For guaranteed B-Discount rates, reserve your spot by Wednesday Feb. 27th.
Hope to see you in St. Maarten!

B out...THIS WEEKEND!

Happy Presidents Day Weekend!
If you're not traveling over the holiday weekend, head to one (or both) of these events. There's something about partying on a Sunday that brings out the best in everyone!

What: The JI Group presents...Ascension
When: Sunday Feb. 17th 9:00P
Where: Amalia (204 W. 55th St.)
Why: Amalia is sexy & classy and The JI Group is sexy & classy. 2 for 2 - you can't lose!
Click here for more info.

What: threeKINGS present...Presidents Day Weekend Soiree
When: Sunday Feb. 17th - 10:00P
Where: Branch (224 E. 54th St)
Why: I've never had a bad time at Branch, plus, I LOVE the BaRack The Vote tie-in! This should be a fun one.
Click here for more info.

B in Brazil...

RIO DE JANEIRO ESSENTIALS

RIO TRAVEL CREW (In part)

THE BEST GUIDE IN RIO: BRUNO

A NATURAL CURIOSITY ABOUT OTHER CULTURES

A couple of weeks ago The B-Life took a short hiatus to go to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The famed city is known for it's beaches, lively culture, and beautiful women. It was the first time for my entire travel crew, and we found all of that to be true. The architecture, city sights, and population of racially-mixed people in Rio are certainly reminiscent of U.S. cities like San Francisco, Miami and New Orleans, so we all immediately felt at home - except for that Portuguese language barrier. Although it was too short, it was definitely a trip of a lifetime. Here's quick snapshot of: the city, Ipanema Beach, Carnival, and the clubs.

RIO DE JANEIRO: The City

IPANEMA BEACH: The Girls and Guys on Ipanema

CARNIVAL: The City Celebrates

THE CLUBS: Circo Voador & BITCH

An amazing adventure! Luckily this is just the beginning of travel season, so more B-Life bound city profiles are coming your way. Stay tuned...

Ps. For those guys who told me it was a "boys-only" trip...WRONG! Sounds like they were up to no good... Ciao!

B a (sweet) valentine...FOR THE FELLAS

(Gents pay attention/Ladies, forward to your boys)

Our favorite "Hallmark holiday" is fast approaching, and I must admit that I totally buy into it! Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse to spoil the one you're with and just make the statement - "hey boo, i'm lucky to have you!"

As much as I appreciate the diamonds, trips, and fancy things in life, V-Day is not about the gift. It's about the thought and making an effort to spend a little well-plotted q.t. with your honey. Try your best to do it on 2/14, because anything after that might be a little anti-climatic. And because I'm a sucker for the romance, I had to share a few mushy, but totally sweet (and inexpensive) suggestions to make your V-Day count! (Thanks to those who inspired this post!)

1. Plan a laundry night...

...and you bring the Tide, Downy, Bounce, and enough quarters for both of you! Pick up a ready made dinner at Whole Foods or Subway, and let the conversation begin. I was told that a "laundry date" is super intimate. Just think, it's one of the most domestic activities that you could do together. But only bring 1 load, so you can have time to "put those clothes away" before the end of the night!

2. Introduce her to your fetish...

...Is your girl always nagging about your overwhelming sneaker collection or she just doesn't get the whole video game this - let her in! Sharing your passions with her is one of the most important things you can do in a relationship. For example, try renting/buying a game that you know she would love (no, not Madden) and then show her the ropes that night. Who knows? You might just have a new gaming partner on your hands!

3. Rent her favorite movie...

...even if it is The Notebook.

4. Buy her groceries...

...including staples like paper towels, salad dressing, and tampons, in addition to all the ingredients to cook her a great meal. The one thing none of us have enough of is time - so check the cabinet the night before to see what your honey is lacking, make a list, then head to the store or FreshDirect to make her grocery dreams come true.

5. Get a dual mani-pedi...

...pick your girl up after work and head to a nearby salon so that both of you leave with pretty toes. It doesn't have to be fancy (or pricey) - just clean. You can bond as you sit side-by-side and relax. Trust me, you'll love it, and you'll leave looking and feeling a little better!

6. Convince your girl to play hookie...

...I promise, we won't tell ;) You and your honey can wake up late, read the paper, grab coffee, and a matinee. Most importantly, you have an entire day to spend connecting when you have nothing else scheduled.

B sweet...
xoxo, Jen, The B-Life

Ps. B-Life Tip: No matter what your girl says PLEASE send her flowers at work. Get on Google, dig in her purse, call her boss, and make sure you find her work address. Even if you have to stop at that bodega and pay a stranger to hand deliver them, just make it happen. If you've been dating for 3 years, just went on your third date, or you want to let a new lady know you're feeling her - this is a critical step. Don't let your love be the only one at work without at least a carnation and have everyone thinking "I thought Judy had a man...". Don't be that guy - pretty please...

B a trailblazer - THIS TUESDAY!

What: The JI Group Presents: A Conversation with Carla Harris (Managing Director, Global Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley)
Theme: Beyond the Glass Ceiling: How to Trail Blaze Your Path to Success in Corporate America
When: Tuesday Feb. 12th, 6:00PM
Where: LQ (511 Lexington Ave. (btw. 48th & 49th Sts.)
Why: The JI Group puts on this FREE black history month program to keep the focus on social and economic progress. Don't forget to wear professional attire and bring along your business card. It's a great networking event!

Check out pics from last year's event here.

B inspired...

"I didn't have anybody, really, no foundation in life, so I had to make my own way. Always, from the start. I had to go out in the world and become strong, to discover my mission in life." ~ Tina Turner

B out...THIS WEEKEND!

What: CENTRAL PARK WINTER JAM 2008
When: Saturday Feb. 9th, 2008 12-4PM
Where: Central Park-Naumberg Bandshell (enter on 72nd Street - East or West)
Why: Come support the NYC Parks & Recreation Dept. while enjoying an afternoon of FREE performances from stars like Kat DeLuna and The White Tie Affair. Check out the snow flume and live snowboarding exhibitions and tricks. Pure fun!

B at Carnival...

It's Carnival weekend in some of the hottest cities around the world. Please b patient because The B-Life is taking a vacation to see what all the hype is about.

xo, Jen

B tubed...

B on facebook...

Last week, a The B-Life reader sent around this facetious take on facebook, or in this case "pensionbook". While social networking sites like MySpace and facebook definitely have their benefits, one has to ask when it's gotten a little out of control. Advanced technology allows us to create and foster several relationships simultaneously at a much faster pace due to ease of communication and access to everyone at any point in time. Just think - you can send a text message in 7 seconds flat when it used to take 5 days to send a similar message via the US Postal Service back in '95. But while relationships can happen in a New York minute, are they as deep? I mean, just because facebook says you have 535 friends...do you really have 535 friends? Forget baseball, let's address the "pluses" and"minuses" of one of America's new favorite pastimes.

facebook Pros:
-Reconnecting with old friends
-Avoiding the mass email with a "note"
- Sharing photos without creating annoying logins
-Getting a mini-background check on your date
-The wall (now you don't have to memorize a million email addresses!)

facebook Cons:
-You can't do ANYTHING on the slick...(that feed is no joke!)
-Tagged photos - It's too easy to get caught out there looking crazy.
-All those applications - Seriously, what is a funwall/trendsetter/poke? I'm confused!
-"Stalking" is a little too easy
-You can't repeat an outfit - those pics will get you every time.
-Relationship status....it causes drama, plain and simple. Just leave it off - trust me!
-The random "friend" - (who are these people???)

Iffy facebook behavior...
-Shared FB pages - Just because you have a boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancee', or cat doesn't mean you need a dual facebook page.
-Posting photos of your newborn(s) - I mean, it's kinda cute, but shouldn't you be too busy to be on facebook?
-Exchanging more than 4 wall posts - I love the wall, but after a certain point, it's time to pick up the phone or send an email.

B at The Den...

The Den has been a Harlem mainstay since 2004, and it's still one of the best places to kick back for brunch, a meal, or one of their deliciously decadent drinks.

-Chicken & Waffles-

Krewe of "New York-ianans"

This weekend, a group of Louisiana-bred/New York-based friends got together at The Den for brunch. $21 includes one entree, a fruit & salad bar, buffet, and endless mimosas. (Plus, our fabulous host shipped in a King Cake!)

Love the Saints Jersey!

Jude, Davell, Rashib (Our gracious host)

Meanwhile, and equally good time was had the other weekend when an impromptu birthday celebration had it's culmination at The Den.

-Foxy Brown-

Basically, if you bring good people crowd, you're guaranteed to have a good time. The Den is an intimate, yet cool setting, with good eats, even better drinks and just enough tables to seat your nearest and dearest.