Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Why do I say “Purple Hugs and Kisses”?

                                           

                                                    



People ask me this all the time, and even though I have addressed it a few times, I think it necessary to say it again, so that the understanding is clear, understood and put to rest, once and for all!

Over the years I have made it known that I absolutely love the color purple. It just reflects who I am as a person. Purple is a very soothing, rare occurring color in nature, which results to having sacred meaning. I haven’t met another ME yet, and so I consider myself as being simply one of a kind, precious and rare. Purple is associated with spirituality, a higher-self, passion, fulfillment and royalty. I am extremely spiritual, I have high self-confidence. I value my self-worth, and possess high standards and self-esteem.

I am very passionate about the things I value in my life, and some day my name will be well-known, not by monetary status, but by the positive impact that I contribute to this world. Purple helps align oneself with the whole of the universe. It is feminine, graceful, elegant and associated with wealth. It represents beauty and authority. That’s me all day!!! I may not be rich, but I am wealthy in all the things that I need. The most important being “LOVE”.

I don’t take life too seriously, not enjoying it, but I don’t take it for granted either. I know when to speak and when to listen. I don’t tear people down, I lift them up. I motivate and encourage, instead of putting down on or speaking negativity. What’s the point? Nothing good will come to me if I did that. Contrary to belief, you will reap what you sow, one way or another.

I say “purple hugs and kisses” to spread the love to each and every person willing to accept it. I say “purple hugs and kisses” to show my appreciation, value and acknowledgment to the people who are in my corner. There are too many people against us, so it’s just refreshing to have people you can count on to have your back without question, wanting nothing in return.

Not that I consider myself arrogant or anything of the word, but I am a child of God and my brother is a King, Prince, all-things, so I have to keep my standards high in order to achieve greatness. If I don’t value who I am, no one else will. When I give hugs, they are heartfelt, comforting, and the way I expect someone to hug me back; which reassures people that they are not alone when facing adversity. A hug can change a person in an instance. You just never know what someone was feeling or contemplating before they were placed in your path, and a hug transferred some hope, some love, some positive ray of hopeful energy.

I say “purple hugs and kisses” because hugs are special. Everyone needs a hugs sometimes. A kiss is just an added bonus. Those things being “purple” is just icing on the cake. It warms the spirit and sooths the soul because for me, there is simply nothing better than a hug, especially when it’s “purple”!

Call me weird, crazy, or any other negative word, but it doesn’t matter. It won’t change who I am or what I become in the future, it simply inspires me to push forward to reach my destiny. “Owe no man but to love him”! If we all loved each other instead of tearing each other down, or using each other’s back to climb up the ladder of success, fame or fortune, but used yourselves to help inspire, motivate and encourage one another, then this world would be a better place.  

I challenge you all starting today to do something nice for a different person for the rest of the week without expecting anything in return. This will make a huge impact in your life, as well as the people you do something for. I would love to hear your stories, so come back and post your comments.
Until next time, be inspired, be encouraged and be a better YOU!!!

Purple Hugs and Kisses,
Keke Chanel 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Who are you???

Have you ever looked back over your life thinking just how blessed you are to still be alive and well? I find myself reflecting all the time, especially when I start to feel sorry for myself or get in my "feelings". It doesn't take everyone instantly telling you how much they admire you, appreciate you, or adore you, it simply takes self-gratification. If you cannot see yourself positively, as someone special, relevant, important, the way others see you, what good will it be to hear it? I have never worried about what people had to say or think about me, until becoming a mother. I have always carried myself the way I want to be treated, or the way I want my children to represent themselves. I am happy to say that it is paying off, more than I could have hoped for. Regardless of what you might think, people are always watching. It's up to you at just what they see. If you don't want to be perceived negatively, don't act negatively. Don't take life too seriously that you forget to live!

Laugh, smile, make faces, grin, and be funny. Do things you love and enjoy doing. Don't allow others to dictate your mood. Nothing good will come from that. No one will like you all the time, so like and embrace it. Be who you are, and appreciate that. We live in a cruel world where stereotypes and labeling are becoming the norm. It's sad that the color of your skin, the way you wear your hair, who you love, or the color of your eyes can either make or break your foundation. Don't buy into it! You control your destiny, but only when you know and realize your purpose. The choice is yours, what will you choose!

Until be next, be inspired, be encouraged and be YOU!

Purple Hugs and Kisses,
Keke Chanel

Friday, January 18, 2013


Author to check out!!! Brandon Collier


http://www.amazon.com/Brandon-Collier/e/B00670M0UA
http://www.amazon.com/A-Panther-in-Paradise-ebook/dp/B008IJ4DGC/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_i


My rating: http://www.goodreads.com/review 5 of 5 stars
A panther in paradise is a great book about love, betrayal, corruption, loyalty and overcoming obstacles. When a brother's undying love for his sister is tested when she goes missing, he does everything in his power to find her. He goes miles away from home to the Bahamas where she is captured, hiring a private detective to help him locate her. During this task, things go bad, lines are crossed and family secrets unfold. The story quickly becomes a game of cat and mouse drawing you in deeper by the minute. You root for this brother and sister, as well as the P.I. who is struggling to regain control of his own life while battling a losing fight with his love for alcohol more than he values his own life. Brandon's descriptive nature and great creation of action, kept me interested and thoroughly entertained. A panther in paradise is the perfect story of redemption, second chances. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good chase, fast paced, drama filled book! You won't be disappointed.  I look forward to reading more books by this awesome author. Job well done!

Purple Hugs and Kisses,
Keke Chanel

New Book!!!


My second book will be available soon!!! Yay!!! Once it goes live, I will let you know all the information. I love this book. It has been a long time coming and I am truly excited. I need your help in making it a great success. Thanks in advance. Purple Hugs and Kisses!!!



Sugah and Spice is a book about love, loyalty, hatred, revenge and hidden identity. Sugah Payne is searching for financial freedom when she becomes intertwined with a mysterious organization of successful young people and falls head over heels in love with the group’s leader. No one in the business is allowed to use his or her birth name, so a new identity is formed. As secrets are discovered, a world of deception unfolds. Sugah’s life is opened to a past she knew nothing about, thanks to her mother and father. No one can be trusted and Sugah finds herself in comprising positions, which leads to sex, deception and murder. As other members of the organization keep the skeletons in their closets hidden, more lives are put in jeopardy.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Life's Soundtrack...


What’s Your Soundtrack???

I hadn’t thought about this until seeing another member of a group I’m in on Facebook post it, and thought this would be something great to write about for my blog. What is the soundtrack to your life? Thanks Cerece Rennie Murphy!!

I thought long and hard about what my soundtrack would consist of. Here goes!

“I know what Love is all about” By: Anthony Hamilton signifies my life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p21QwMqsFCE  
My husband and children teaches me about this perfect love he sings about each day, and I find myself in awe at times. There is nothing better than love and the unconditional love of family, being in love with them, just makes my heart smile. It’s like falling in love every day!

“Happy Feelings” By: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOo8AAELgZQ
The name says it all. It’s just one of those songs you hear and immediately feel happy. “Happy feelings in the air, touching people everywhere” classic lyrics!

I since I am a huge Sade fan, I couldn’t forget about this song. “Love is Stronger than Pride” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAjtlI6YjOw
It just gives life a great perspective, especially when I get into my “feelings”. Pride can cause lots of misunderstanding, miscommunication and mischief in any area of life, so don’t give it the satisfaction. But I won’t pretend that I don’t get upset, angry or discouraged at times. I won’t pretend that I am invincible when it comes to being passionate about something!

And I don’t know why, but this song makes me wanna dance “Hello, Good Morning” Diddy Dirty Money! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEAPSsZIKPI
What can I say! It was my alarm song once upon a time…lol to me it’s just a feel good song, that makes me wanna dance.

Slick Rick and Doug E Fresh “The Show” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDkqz5C62SM
I love old-school hip-hop and this has to be my all-time favorite song. I used to know all the lyrics, but with age, certain things go away! Lol

These songs have great meaning in my life…what songs have affected or still affect yours? I would love to know!

Until next time, be inspired, be encouraged and be you!

Purple hugs and kisses,
Keke Chanel

Monday, January 7, 2013

Another Year Older...

I know this post is late, but I just wanted to share my day with you guys!!! 

"Bday Night with my Hubby"

So I'm a New Year's baby! My mom told me that when she went into labor with me, that my Grandmother and Father dropped her off at the hospital, making sure she was okay first, and then left her there to go cook. Yeah, I know right! Sounds very inconsiderate, but it was a holiday and my family loves to eat, as well as cook. My Mom is a great cook, just like her mother. I wasn't born until after three in the evening, so it didn't matter much because they didn't miss my arrival. Needless to say, my daddy was there in time, and my mom got to get her strength back with some good home cooking instead of the bland hospital stuff they call food. I, made my passage to the world, brightening the lives of my parents and older sister. Without me, they would have been lost! (just kidding...not really)

"It wasn't a good bonfire, but it got the job done"

I had a wonderful day. Beginning in church, then a bonfire with food, family, friends and fireworks, I was overjoyed. Turning 35 is a milestone to me because I feel like my life is just taking off. I know most of you will say, "wow, that's late", but since I recently published my debut novel and ready to release my second book, I have finally found my niche. My purpose has been discovered and I am ecstatic about what my future holds. Writing has always been a passion of mine, but now that I know without any doubt that I was born to be a writer, life seems, I don't know, brighter to me.

"fireworks"


My hubby, as well as my cousin and his girlfriend, took me out to dinner and then we went to see "Django Unchained". Just having the people I love around me was the best gift I could receive. It's the simple things in life that matter most to me. I don't need to make a big spectacle made, with lavish gifts and people praising me. There's no need for that, but most people feel the need to be validated or praised. God didn't create me that way and I am truly grateful! Each day is like a birthday because we are blessed to live.

"Me and My Bae"

"chilling with friends"

"Me and my cuz Amber"
"Me and my cuz Troy"
"My Brother and BFF"




This year, I will set realistic goals to achieve and if by chance one or two don't happen, I won't give up or get discouraged. I will simply "keep pressing forward"! The only thing that keeps you from reaching your goals is to stop working to achieve them. Being optimistic is essential in getting the job done. Start today by making this year, your best year ever! Until next time, be inspired, be encouraged and be YOU!!!

Purple Hugs and Kisses,
Keke Chanel


Don't forget to check out my new website: www.thekekechanel.com
Follow me on Twitter: @keke_chanel        
Get to know ME on Instagram: kekejo33

(just a few pictures for your viewing pleasure! too many to post)

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

It's A New Year...Make it a New You!!!


Happy 2013


I cannot believe we are already in day 2 of a new year. Wow, the statement remains true “time sure passes fast when you having fun” because yesterday I celebrated being blessed to see another year, as well as another birthday. Yesterday Keke Chanel turned 35 years old young and it was truly one of the best birthdays to date. It started in church and ended lying next to my amazing husband. What more could I ask for? One that I will remember forever…

You know we often look at birthdays as a sign of getting old, losing ourselves, falling into a wave of depression, especially during the holiday season, but I look at it totally different. Instead of being sad, seeing the negative, I always look at the positive, in every area of life. Someone wasn’t blessed to see yesterday, even see 35 years of life, so why should I not treasure each moment? It’s sad that more people are turning smiles upside down on life, rather than shining bright like a diamond or star. Which shines brightest? The diamond or the star, in the end it truly doesn’t matter as long as you shine.

I want to challenge each of you this year. Well, it’s really not a challenge, yet a decision you either want to do or not. Starting today and feel free to reflect on yesterday if you like, to write down at least one thing that happened that brought you “joy” each day of this year. And then, if we are blessed to see another year, we can all share some of those things with each other. I already have about a hundred and this is only the second day of the year. I am in a “happy place”. Yes, life is good! But God is greater! Don’t take the small things for granted either, those could possibly be the best things in life.

So, make this year, 2013, the start of the rest of the best days of your life! Don’t dwell on the past, it’s over! Live in the present, for it is truly a gift. And focus on the future as it happens. Now I’m not saying don’t set realistic goals, because we all need to strive toward something. I am merely saying, “Treasure your being, your existence, the people around you, instead of paying attention to the negative aspects because life is too short for that.”

Until next time, be inspired, be encouraged and be a Better YOU!!!

Purple Hugs and Kisses,
Keke Chanel