Woman Crush Wednesday IV

Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes

May 27, 1971 – April 25, 2002

Lisa Nicole Lopes (May 27, 1971 – April 25, 2002), better known by her stage name Left Eye, was an American hip hop singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer. Lopes was best known as one-third of the R&B girl group TLC, alongside Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas. Besides rapping and singing background vocals on TLC recordings, Lopes was one of the creative forces behind the group. She received more co-writing credits than the other members. She also designed the outfits and staging for the group and contributed to the group's image, album titles, artworks, and music videos.

Through her work with TLC, Lopes won four Grammy Awards.

During her short solo career, Lopes scored two US top-ten singles with "Not Tonight" and "U Know What's Up", as well as one UK number-one single with "Never Be the Same Again". She also produced the girl group Blaque, who scored a platinum album and two US top-ten hits. Lopes remains the only member of TLC to have released a solo album.
On April 25, 2002, Lopes was killed in a car accident while on a trip with her sister and others. She swerved off the road to avoid hitting another vehicle, was thrown from her car, and died instantly. She was working on a documentary at the time of her death, which was released as The Last Days of Left Eye and aired on VH1 in May 2007.


On April 25, 2002, in La Ceiba, Honduras, while driving a rented Mitsubishi Montero SUV, Lopes swerved slightly to avoid a truck (it is not clear if the truck was slow moving or stationary) then immediately to the right as she tried to avoid an oncoming car. The vehicle rolled several times after hitting two trees, throwing Lopes and three others out of the windows, and finally coming to rest in a ditch at the side of the road. Lopes died instantly of neck injuries and severe head trauma, and was the only person fatally injured in the accident. She was 30 years old. A cameraman in the front passenger seat was videotaping at the time, so the last seconds leading up to the swerve that resulted in the fatal accident were recorded on video. Her sister Reigndrop Lopes was in the vehicle and survived the collision.

Lopes' funeral was held at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, on May 2, 2002. Thousands of people attended.Engraved upon her casket were the lyrics to her portion of "Waterfalls", stating "Dreams are hopeless aspirations, in hopes of coming true, believe in yourself, the rest is up to me and you."Gospel Duo Mary Mary sang their song "Shackles (Praise You)" at the funeral. Lopes was buried at Hillandale Memorial Gardens in Lithonia.
In a statement to MTV, producer Jermaine Dupri remembered Lopes: "She was determined to be something in life. She was a true rock star. She didn't care about no press. She was the rock star out of the group. She was the one that would curse on TV. She had the tattoos. You could expect the unexpected. When you see Lisa, you could expect something from her. That's the gift she carried."

A documentary showing the final 27 days of Lopes' life, titled The Last Days of Left Eye, premiered at the Atlanta Film Festival in April 2007, for an audience that included many of Lopes' contemporaries, including Monica, Ronnie DeVoe, 112, Big Boi, India.Arie, and CeeLo Green. VH1 and VH1 Soul broadcast the documentary on May 19, 2007. Much of the footage was shot with a hand-held camera, often in the form of diary entries filmed by Lopes while on a 30-day spiritual retreat in Honduras with sister Reigndrop, brother Ronald and members of the R&B group Egypt. In these entries, she reflected on her personal life and career. A calmer side of her personality was on display, showing interests in numerology and yoga. She was in the process of setting up an educational center for Honduran children on 80 acres (32 ha) of land she owned called CAMP YAC, as well as another center called CREATIVE CASTLE.

In 2003, shortly after Lopes' death, her family started the Lisa Lopes Foundation, a charitable group dedicated to providing neglected and abandoned youth with the resources necessary to increase their quality of life. Her spiritual motto was the one used for her foundation: "Energy never dies... it just transforms." Her foundation went into various underdeveloped villages and gave away brand new clothes to needy children and their families. In August 2007, the foundation hosted a charity auction, selling items donated by celebrities. It raised approximately $5,000 for the Hogar de Amor ("Home of Love"), an orphanage in Honduras. In 2012, the foundation began hosting an annual music festival, known as "Left Eye Music Fest", in Decatur, Georgia.

Friday's Fashion Alert IV

Miracle-Josette presents the Rainbow designer items.....

This week “Friday’s Fashion Alert”

As seen in the photo above & below:

You tell me a woman that don’t love Chanel and I will tell you the Devil is a lie. Ever since I was a little girl I would watched my mother get dress to attend our family clubs. Yes plural in meaning more than one.

Let’s just say I never been a newcomer to handling Chanel items and once I became old enough to afford to purchased my own…..well I did.

This outfit is completed with a FashionNova “Keep it Casual Mini Dress” and a FashionNova "Krissy Oversized Denim Jacket", Blue Valentino Studded Shoes, Chanel Rainbow Boy bag & several Chanel Brooches.

Who said you can only rock one Chanel Brooch?

Visit D2Q Store for some items found in “Friday’s Fashion Alert” available in Miracle-Josette’s Closet.

For more details please send click the contact tab.

Woman Crush Wednesday III

Selena Quintanilla-Perez

Selena Quintanilla-Perez born in Lake Jackson, Texas on April 16, 1971. She was the youngest child of Marcella Ofelia Quintanilla who had Cherokee ancestry and Abraham Quintanilla, Jr. a Mexican American former musician. Selena was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness.

The youngest child of the Quintanila family, she debuted on the music scene in 1980 as a member of the band Selena y Los Dinos, which also included her elder siblings A. B. Quintanilla and Suzette Quintanilla. Selena was an American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, model, actress, and fashion designer.

The Quintanilla family appointed Yolanda Saldívar as manager of Selena's boutiques in early 1994. Eight months later, Selena signed Saldívar as her registered agent in San Antonio, Texas. After the agreement, Saldívar moved from San Antonio to Corpus Christi to be closer to Selena. In December 1994, the boutiques began to suffer after the number of staff for both stores had decreased. According to staff members, Saldívar often dismissed employees she personally disliked. Employees at the stores regularly complained about Saldívar's behavior to Selena, who dismissed the claims, believing Saldívar would not negatively impose erratic decisions on Selena's fashion venture.

At the hotel, Selena demanded the financial papers. At 11:48 a.m. (CST), Saldívar got a gun from her purse and pointed it at Selena. As Selena attempted to flee, Saldívar shot her once on the right lower shoulder, severing an artery and causing a severe loss of blood. Critically wounded, Selena ran towards the lobby, leaving a 392-foot (119 m)-long trail of blood. She collapsed on the floor as the clerk called the emergency services, with Saldívar still chasing after her and calling her a "bitch".

Before collapsing, Selena named Saldívar as her assailant and gave the number of the room where she had been shot. Meanwhile, Saldívar attempted to leave in her pickup truck. She was, however, spotted by a responding police cruiser. She surrendered after a nearly nine-and-a-half-hour standoff with police and the FBI. By that time, hundreds of fans had gathered at the scene; many wept as police took Saldívar away.

Selena was dead on arrival at the Corpus Christi hospital. The attending emergency room physician made the decision to attempt to revive her. Cardiologist Louis Elkins continued the treatment and performed surgery based on the emergency room physician's decision. Doctors were able to establish an "erratic heartbeat" long enough to transfer her to the trauma room. After 50 minutes of surgery, she was pronounced dead from blood loss and cardiac arrest at 1:05 p.m. (CST).

An autopsy was performed on the same day due to overwhelming media interest. It revealed that the bullet had entered Selena's upper right back, near her shoulder blade, passed through her chest cavity, severed the right subclavian artery, and exited her right upper chest. Doctors said that if the bullet had been only one millimeter higher or lower, the wound would have been less severe.

On April 1, Bayfront Plaza in Corpus Christi held a vigil which drew 3,000 fans. During the event, it was announced that a public viewing of the casket would be held at the Bayfront Auditorium the following day. Fans lined up for almost a mile (1500 m). An hour before the doors opened, rumors that the casket was empty began circulating, which prompted the Quintanilla family to have an open-casket viewing. About 30,000 to 40,000 fans passed by Selena's casket. More than 78,000 signed a book of condolence. Flowers for the casket viewing were imported from The Netherlands. At the request of Selena's family, video and flash photography was banned.

On April 3, 1995, six hundred guests—mostly family members—attended Selena's burial at Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi, Texas, which was broadcast live by a Corpus Christi and San Antonio radio station without the consent of her family. A Jehovah's Witness minister from Lake Jackson preached in English, quoting Paul the Apostle's words in 1 Corinthians 15. Hundreds of people began circling the area in their vehicles. Among the celebrities who attended Selena's funeral were Roberto Pulido, Bobby Pulido, David Lee Garza, Navaira, Laura Canales, Elsa Garcia, La Mafia, Ram Herrera, Imagen Latina, and Pete Astudillo. A special mass held the same day at Los Angeles Sports Arena drew a crowd of 4,000.

Frida's Fashion Alert III

Miracle-Josette presents Black on Black with Silver lining designer brands...….

You show me a woman that don't like Chanel and I will say the devil is a liar. This Friday's Fashion Alert comes with a hefty price tag I should say. The pieces I'm wearing to create this fly and chill ensemble were purchased from different time periods in my life, therefore some items may be available for sale or discontinued.






As presented in the photo's above and below you will find a lovely pair of Chanel logo diamond earrings. These lovely earrings were gifted to me by a great friend and today's telecommunication inventor. I'm unsure the actual price for this pair but your more than welcome to click (Click) here for similar styles available for sale. My necklace is a bold look for identifying a Chanel Collector. This necklace

is simple gorgeous and make head turn for sure. You can't help but noticed how glisten the diamonds shines and of course it represents classic and sophisticated all in one necklace. I found a similar necklace and a lot cheaper in compared to my necklace price click (Click) here.

Now let's move to the beautiful CC logo bangle bracelet. Some of you may have seen this bracelet styled on multiple celebrities wrist to complete their fashionable fit. This bracelet is a Chanel clear 2017 pearl CC logo bangle cuff, which is an extreme rare bracelet. This bracelet have a hinged push clasp for closure with black, white and silver pearl accents. It fits a wrist size of approximately 6.50" or smaller with silver metal type which is a rare and hard to find bracelet. I was fortunate to purchase this bracelet when it first hit the fashionable scene at a whopping $1500.00. Yes I know, what was I thinking but I was thinking what an investment to have plus a lovely addition to my Chanel Collection. You may find this similar bracelet on Tradesy website, which is a cool site for authentic designer brand items at an affordable price.

Now what's an outfit decked with Chanel accessories but without the Chanel bag?

As you see in photo is my classic flap boy quilted with CC plexi clasp patent leather bag. The size of the bag is 5.9"L x 9.8"W x 3.5"H which is enough room for my wallet, cellphone, lipstick and keys. I love this bag shine appearance with the silver chain defiantly coordinates well with my look.

Don't you think?

You may find this bag too on Tradesy website labeled Chanel Shoulder Bags 

My one piece is from no other than Fashion Nova. And lastly are my very fashionable boots by Chanel. These boots are great for the winter snow season, especially since they are designed for that purpose and that's to subdue the snow. I love these boots in particular for their match to my classic quilted bag. The boots are quilted exterior to match the look perfectly and they are so warm inside fit to keep a Queen fashionable while warm. I found a similar patent leather Chanel boot style click (Click) here.

A very simple attire which is comfortable and designer's brand fashion.

Visit D2Q Store for some items found in “Friday’s Fashion Alert” available in Miracle-Josette’s Closet for sale.

For more details please send message via click the contact tab.

Woman Crush Wednesday II

Aaliyah Dana Haughton

Her birthday is tomorrow on Thursday January 16, 2020

Aaliyah Dana Haughton born in Brooklyn, New York on January 16, 1978 and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Her name has been described as a female version of the Arabic “Ali”. However, the original Arabic and Jewish name “Aliya” derived from the Hebrew word “Aliyah” and meant “highest, most exalted one, the best”.

At a young age, Aaliyah was enrolled in voice lessons by her mother. She started performing at weddings, church choir and charity events. When she was 5 years old, her family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she was raised along with her older brother, Rashad. She attended a Catholic school, Gesu Elementary, where in the first grade, she received a part in a stage play Annie. From then on, she was determined to become an entertainer. Aaliyah first gained recognition at the age of 10, when she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight.

At age 12, Aaliyah signed with Jive Records and her uncle Barry Hankerson’s Blackground Records. Hankerson introduced her to R. Kelly who became her mentor, as well as lead songwriter and producer of her debut album, Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number. The album sold three million copies in the United State and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
After facing allegations of an illegal marriage with Kelly, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed with Atlantic Records.

Throughout Aaliyah career she was able to produced hit music and star in multiple films. Aaliyah appeared in her first film, Romeo Must Die. She contributed to the film’s soundtrack, which spawned her single “Try Again”. After completing Romeo Must Die, Aaliyah filmed her role in Queen of the Damned, and released her third and final studio album, Aaliyah, in 2001.

Airplane after crashed that killed Aaliyah and others

On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah and eight others were killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas after filming the music video for the single “Rock the Boat”. The pilot, Luis Morales III, was unlicensed at the time of the accident and toxicology tests revealed that he had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system. Aaliyah’s family later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Blackhawk International Airways, which was settled out of court. Aaliyah’s music has continued to achieve commercial success with several posthumous releases, and has sold an estimated 24 to 32 million alums worldwide.

On personal note: In her spare time, she was mostly a home person, which dated back to her younger years, but on occasion went out and played laser tag. She reasoned this was due to her liking "the simple things in life”. Despite having a prosperous career that allowed her to purchase the vehicle she wanted, Aaliyah revealed during her final interview on August 21, 2001 on 106 & Park that she had never owned a car due to living in New York City and hiring a car or driver on a regular basis

Friday's Fashion Alert II

Miracle-Josette presents Black & Yellow with a pop of Gold designer items

This week “Friday’s Fashion Alert”

As seen in the photos above & below:

On this day, I was shopping for some new fashionable items to share on Friday's Fashion Alert and decided to snap a photo of my attire for that day. Well this particular day was a rainy day needless to say I will still be fly.

This outfit is very simple and chill presenting multiple designers. The coat is a belted hooded rain coat by Karl Lagerfeld with matching Karl Lagerfeld Rainboots that I purchased this past spring season from Saks 5th Ave. for $129. Now, they are currently on sale at Saks 5th for $79.99, known as "Lou Rain Boots". Next is my Moschino black and gold belt worn waist level. You may find this belt priced at $325, although I purchased mines slightly cheaper from Saks 5th Ave.  year's ago (just keep a look out for the discounts). My jeans are Escada Sports, and these jeans are so comfy Queen's and King's. You may find them at Saks 5th, called "Toni Crop Skinny Jeans".  Now, I cannot forget to mentioned my bag for this day, I mean a Queen cannot go shopping without her coins..... so this gorgeous Louis Vuitton bag "Vernis Alma BB" displayed the black and gold finishing's to accent my look for this day. Lastly, the yellow shirt and black wrap was purchased from Target' finest, LOL.

A very simple attire which is comfortable and designer's brand fashion.

Visit D2Q Store for some items found in “Friday’s Fashion Alert” available in Miracle-Josette’s Closet for sale.

For more details please send message via click the contact tab.

Woman Crush Wednesday I

For my inaugural WCW I will be honoring the remarkable Harriet Ross Tubman.
Harriet Tubman born named as Araminta Ross bless this world with her presence as rumored in the year of 1913 during the month of March. Born into slavery in Dorchester County Maryland’s Eastern Shore county, Tubman was beaten and whipped by her various masters as a child. Early in life, she suffered a traumatic head wound when she helped a slave run away. The slave was in the very same store as Tubman and the owner was trying to catch the slave and hurt him. So the owner threw a metal weight intending to hit the slave but Tubman moved in front of the slave to take the hit.

Since Tubman head injury she began to have visions and vivid dreams which she described as premonitions from God. This was just the beginning of a young woman’s mission from God.

In 1849, Tubman escaped to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then immediately returned to Maryland to rescue her family. Tubman took her time making several missions to help guide slaves to freedom. Tubman used the night darkness for extreme secrecy, and note she never lost a passenger during her missions using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.

Harriet Tubman, widely known and well-respected while she was alive. She became an American icon in the years after she died. Tubman inspired generations of black American struggling for equality a civil rights; she was praised by leaders across the political spectrum. When Tubman died, she was buried with semi-military honors at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn.

1920 Harriet Tubman home was abandoned after later renovated by the AME Zion Church. Today, it welcomes visitors as a museum and education center.

1937 The gravestone for Harriet Tubman Davis was erected by the Empire State Federation of Women’s Clubs; it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

1944 The United States Maritime Commission launched the SS Harriet Tubman, its first Liberty ship ever named for a black woman.

1978 The United States Postal Service issued a stamp in honor of Tubman which made her the first black American woman to be honored on a US Postage stamp.

1985 Tubman was posthumously inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame.

1999 The Canadian government designated the Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Catherine’s a National Historic Site because of its association with Tubman.

2002 Scholar Molefi Kete Asante included Harriet Tubman on his list of the 100 Greatest African Americans.

2008 Towson University a PWI named a residence hall after Tubman. A statue of Tubman unveiled in Manhattan.

2009 Salisbury University unveiled a statue of Tubman.

2013 President Barack Obama signed a proclamation creating Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

2016 then U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced plans to add Tubman to the front of the twenty-dollar bill, moving President Andrew Jackson to the rear of the bill.

Born Araminta Ross
c. 1822[1]
Dorchester County, Maryland, U.S.
Died March 10, 1913      (aged 90–91)
Auburn, New York, U.S.
Resting place
Fort Hill Cemetery
Auburn, New York, U.S.
Residence
Auburn, New York, U.S.
Other names
Minty, Moses
Occupation
Civil War Nurse, Suffragist, Civil Rights activist
Spouse(s)
John Tubman
(m. 1844; div. 1851)
Nelson Davis
(m. 1869; d. 1888)
Children
Gertie (adopted)
Parent(s)
Harriet Greene Ross
Ben Ross
Relatives
Modesty (grandmother)
Linah (sister)
Mariah Ritty (sister)
Soph (sister)
Robert (brother)
Ben (brother)
Rachel (sister)
Henry (brother)
Moses (brother)

Currently, there is a movie titled: Harriet released on November 1, 2019....please do not take this movie as the correct and factual story of Harriet Ross Tubman. I had the chance to view this movie and I was by far disappointed with so many false stories presented in the movie.

For starters, the movie was produced by people in Canada and not once did anyone part of this movie visited the actual location and area Harriet was born. For example, if they had visited they would of known the part in the movie where Harriet jumps off the bridge and washed up on shore is by far INCORRECT!!!

But unless you are familiar with her legacy and lived where she is from then you wouldn't have a clue that the movie did not tell the truth.

Also the movie failed to show how Harriet Tubman stole her family members right off of the auctioning stage located in Cambridge Maryland. Instead, the movie showcase her family and parents leaving in wagons, in which was not completely true.

HBCU vs. PWI

Alrighty now, I'm going to take a stab at the on-going Historically Black College/University (HBCU) versus Predominantly White Institution (PWI) debate.

I’m going to go ahead and break down the terms because I feel that every race needs to be enlightened on this topic and that the topic needs to be more than just an argument between black people at HBCUs and black people at PWIs. Believe it or not, there are still a good number of people that don’t even know what an HBCU is or they think that these “black schools” are a form of racism, which is not the case.

A PWI refers to predominantly white institutions, basically any institution of higher learning that wasn’t labeled an HBCU prior to 1964. These institutions usually have student bodies made up mostly of whites, with sprinkles of different races such as black Americans, Hispanic, Asian, and so on. An HBCU is a historically black college or university, and these usually have student bodies made up mostly of blacks, with the occasional sprinkle of Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic, and other races. Up until 1963, which is when Clemson University in South Carolina was finally integrated, black students weren’t allowed to attend PWIs – hence the creation of HBCUs in the 1800s. HBCUs were created as a way for the black community to have chance at a higher education, and that’s what they have successfully done and continue to do. There are now over 100 thriving HBCUs in the United States, producing some of the most qualified professionals in all fields and of all races. Believe it or not, there are white people at HBCUs who are proud and thriving.

Usually, the debate goes a little something like this: First, an HBCU student calls a black PWI student a sell-out or anti-black, and then the PWI student responds with remarks such as “I wanted more diversity” or “I can get a better job graduating from a PWI.” Other times a black PWI student will start up the conversation with a statement like “A 4.0 GPA from a PWI is completely different from a 4.0 at an HBCU” or “I would’ve never fit in at a black school.”

The fact of the matter is, you all need to close your mouths and open your minds. HBCU students, it is not your job or place to shame every black person that didn’t choose to attend an HBCU, because we all have different reasons for the choices we make and there is still a lot of good that a black person can do at a PWI.

Yes, the HBCU experience is incomparable and one of the most enlightening opportunities you’ll ever get to experience as a person of color (or anyone, for that matter): it’s a cultural experience, and it’s everything that they don’t portray about black people in the media, but that’s another story for another time. HBCU students are just so proud that we want everyone else to see how life-changing and great attending an HBCU can be.

PWI students, you don’t get to belittle or undermine our HBCU experience socially or academically. You are not above us because you chose to attend a PWI and at one point in history, you weren’t even able to call that PWI accepting of black students. If you are a person of color at a PWI, it is great to see you all taking advantage of something that our people worked so hard to receive, and that is equal opportunity. So instead of trying to act superior to black students at an HBCU, you should team up with them to find ways to represent you culture at your PWI.

Regardless of any animosity or misconceptions about either type of school, we are all students with a common goal and we all face the same college struggles exams, professors, balancing school and the turn up, and just generally trying to figure life out. We’re all in this together and no matter when you go to school, nobody knows what life after college holds. No one has the right to judge someone else’s journey to success and prosperity. At the end of the day, it’s not about where you get your degree it’s about what you do it with it and how hard you’re willing to work to make your dreams a reality.