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JENNIFER'S GEMS
by Jennifer Brown Banks

10 Image Makeovers
That Won't Cost You a Dime!

"Beauty is only skin deep"

We have become a society obsessed with physical beauty and perfection.

Don’t believe me?

Just look at all the “Who’s Who” and Hollywood folks that have found the need to go under the knife: Joan Rivers, Kenny Rogers, Cher, Patti LaBelle, Donda West, to name a few.

The beauty industry, in fact, is a billion dollar industry. 

While aesthetics are important, few realize that other virtues like integrity, intellect, and a kind spirit are equally important!

In her book “Beauty Fades, but Dumb is Forever!”  Judge Judy sagely reminds us that good looks will only get you so far.

With this in mind, here are other image enhancing qualities:

1) INTEGRITY---Forget a man with “deep pockets”. A man who is deeply spiritual, who is a man of his word, and stands by his convictions, is a real turn on for me.  If you want to elevate your image, try integritous behavior.  It will put you a step above the crowd.

2) SENSE OF HUMOR---A good sense of humor, when it’s tasteful, puts others at ease and adds oomph to your image.

3) EMPATHY---Being responsive to the plight and needs of others, and trying to put yourself in someone else’s shoes is an admirable character trait that not enough people possess.

4) INTELLECT---Smart is sexy! Not necessarily the Bill Gates type. Think Colin Powell, Montell Williams, Donald Trump, Jose Sanders.

5) A SMILE---Not only does it require fewer facial muscles, it speaks a universal language.

6) OBERVING THE GOLDEN RULE---It’s a basic behavioral principle that most of us learned as kids, but not enough folks adhere to.  Karma catches up with you when you fail to practice this.

7) RELIABILITY---Your word is your bond, my dad always said.  Keep yours and you’ll keep in the good graces of others.

8) A UNIQUE STYLE---Don’t strive to be one of the crowd.  Create your own sense of fashion and fabulousness!  Erykah Badu is a great example.  So is India Arie.

9) SHOWING GOOD JUDGMENT---It inspires confidence and helps to make the lives of those with whom you interact of greater quality.

10) GOOD TASTE---Not just in apparel, but in actions.  Having a sense of appropriateness in varied social situations. A good example of this would be the new TV show “What would you do?”  It’s a combination of Candid Camera meets Emily post!  It’s funny and enlightening in terms of social behavior.  On a recent episode, it posed the situation of what an individual might do if he/she found their friend’s mate cheating.  It was a real eye-opener!  

AND SPEAKING OF GOOD TASTE…
Here are my favorite things for 2008!

Oprah does it.  So here’s my take.  Though I may not enjoy “celebrity status”, most friends will attest that when I give my stamp of approval on something, you can take it to the bank!

FOODS

APPLE BEE’S -- Strawberry Cheesecake
STOUFFERS -- Macaroni and Cheese
CARMEN’S -- Spinach Pizza
GLORY — Canned Greens and String Beans
WALGREEN’S — Banana Split Ice-cream

HUNKS

Keanu Reeves
Michael Ealy
Malcolm Jamal Warner
Mario
Prince
Denzel washington

                 
FAVORITE WEBSITES

www.craigslist.org
www.forblackweddings.com
www.beingsinglemag.com

BOOKS:

Advance Your Swagger — By Foxworth Bentley
Martha Rules — By Martha Stewart
The Purpose Driven Life — By Rick Warren

FAVORITE MOVIES

Ghost
Love Jones
Serendipity
Single White Female
The Best Man
Friday The 13th
The Bridges of Madison County
Barbershop 1 & 2
Mr. Holland's Opus
Monster's Ball

FAVORITE ARTISTS

India Arie
Jill Scott
Shania Twain
Kenny G
Norah Jones
Michael Bolton

FAVORITE DATE IDEAS:

Karaoke
Anything by a fireplace
Candlelit Dinner
A night out dancing
A romantic movie

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Jennifer's Gems is a weekly column written by award-winning poet and writer, Jennifer Brown Banks. It is published every Wednesday. Click here to read her welcome letter.