Karen Vaughn Welcomes Freddie Jackson

Listen today in the 11am hour for my exclusive interview with Freddie Jackson before his concert with Miki Howard Saturday night at the James L. Knight Center.

Alicia Key's Superwoman Performance @ AMA's

Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, and opera singer Kathleen Battle bring down the house as they wrap up the 2008 American Music Awards.

Karen Vaughn welcomes Sommore

Listen today in the 11am hour. Sommore will be my special guest.

Karen Vaughn welcomes Sister Souljah

Listen today in the 1pm hour to hear my exclusive interview with Sister Souljah about her new best seller, Midnight: A Gangster Love Story.
Saturday I had a chance to attend Sister Souljah's book signing at the African-American Research Library in Fort Lauderdale. Over 200-hundred sisters and brothers came out to support her new novel, Midnight: A Gangster Love Story. We all had a good time vibin' with Sister Souljah. I like to call her the voice of truth.

Five Minute Fix - November 17, 2008

Beyonce talks Etta James

Beyonce brings on the blues as legendary Etta James in the film Cadillac Records in theathers December 5th. Beyonce talks to the LA Times about playing Etta James, her new album and why she wants the role of Wonder Woman. (Read more)

Don Cornelius is Straight Trippin'

The Los Angeles city attorney has charged Don Cornelius, former host of "Soul Train," with spousal battery, assault with a deadly weapon and dissuading a witness from making a police report, all misdemeanors, city attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan said Friday. He was taken to jail last month after police were called to his home following reports of domestic incidents involving his wife. Cornelius was released on $50,000 bail. He could face up to one year in jail on each of the five misdemeanor changes. Dang, was it really worth it Don?

Victoria Secrets strikes a pose on South Beach

Check out the flicks from the Victoria Secrets fashion show this past Friday at the grand-opening of the historical Fontainbleau Hotel. Usher, Mariah Carey, Terrance Howard and Robin Thicke performed. Ladies, watch below and pull out your paper and pen for your holiday Victoria Secrets wish list.

King family looking for Loot$$$

Throughout this historical campaign, President-Elect Barack Obama's vision of Change and Hope was compared to the Dream of Dr. King. Which has lead to a wave of t-shirts, posters, pins and other paraphernalia depicting of the likeness of MLK alongside Obama. Now, the King family is researching its claim on merchandise being spawned of Martin Luther King Jr and President-Elect Barack Obama. Tell us what you think and leave your comments. (read more)

Karen Vaughn welcomes Terrance Howard

Listen today at 11am for my exclusive interview with actor Terrance Howard. Log onto HOT105fm.com to listen live.

Karen's Gift Ideas

Tell me what pre-teen wouldn't love this sweater from The Limited Too. Go with a long sleeve 't' shirt underneath and a pair of jeans and you are in holiday style. Only 36.50. (more)

Me Time Moments

Need a break at work? Take five minutes and think about something that makes you happy and brings you joy. Perhaps it’s looking at the sun kiss the ocean during a sunset, the time you spend with family, memories of riding your bike as a kid, those stole moments relaxing in a bath or shower, or maybe, it’s simply that FREE latte your co-worker gave you last week. Whatever it is…take a moment, tune out everything around you and really focus on what brings happiness to your life. During your thoughts, breathe in and out slowly through your noise, massage your temples and smile. You can do this anytime you need to refresh your mind and soul with positive energy during the workday. Take the joy of your thoughts with you through out your day.

Do you have a Me Time Moment? Share them by leaving a comment.

Karen's Gift Ideas

November is here and it's time to get your holiday shopping list together. let me help you maxiumize your dollars with inexpensive gifts your family and friends will love.


Origins Calming Elements
$29.50 (A value of $32.50)

Relaxes, relieves and puts them at complete ease. I love Origins Lavendar and Vanilla Line. Any Working Diva would love this in their stocking. (more)

Get out of the YES trap

Ladies, this article by Karen Leland is right on point. If you feel overwhelmed...maybe your caught in the YES trap.

You're standing around the water cooler minding your own business when your co-worker from the next cubicle starts pleading with you to organize next month's holiday office party. Your brain does a quick game of connect the dots and realizes that between next weeks sales presentation and your Aunt Joan's visit, the inevitable answer must be no. As you open your mouth to say "I'm sorry I wish I could, but I can't," you do a 180 degree turn around and out spills " I would be happy to." Why is it that such a small two-letter word can be so difficult to say?
The key is to learn to say "yes" to the right things and "no" to the wrong ones. That's easier to do if you understand the following four saying yes traps and their solutions.
Trap #1: Good Candy. Remember when you were a kid and there was always one house on the block that handed out really good Halloween candy? Your plans always included a visit to that address. Even as an adult, no one wants to feel like they are missing out. Say you get invited to the movies, or you are asked to be part of a task team at work. Instead of saying I'm too tired or busy, you say yes for fear that if you decline you might miss an opportunity. Marjorie Brody author of Career Magic: A Women's Guide to Reward and Recognition says, "We are afraid that if we say no, we might miss a chance to be recognized for our talents or seen as someone who is willing to jump in and help out. We don't want to be the only one not going to the party." Smart Solution: When you want to participate but the timing or scope is wrong, you can always offer an option or ask for a rain check. Try saying "I'd love to be asked at another time."
Trap #2: Bad Guy. Saying no is not just a problem of the willy-nilly and weak-kneed. Feeling an internal pressure to say yes has nothing to do with education, success or smarts. The fear is that if you say no, you might be perceived as unfriendly, uncooperative or not a team player. If you say no and someone gets angry, accept it and apologize for their hurt feelings, but not your decision to take care of yourself. Smart Solution: Let the other person know you empathize with their situation or feelings. Try saying, "I know how important this is and I feel bad, but I'm not in a position to say yes."
Trap #3: You Like Me. Wow they want you to be in charge of the team ski trip to Mount Saint Helens. Of course you are flattered, who wouldn't be? Everyone wants to be liked and likes to be wanted. The opportunity to be part of a group is rewarding but even things that are fun can become a burden if you're overextended. Smart Solution: In this 24/7 can-do culture the pressure to say yes to everything can be overwhelming. Create a boundary that lets other people know when you have reached your time, energy and attention limits. Try Saying "I have to many other things on my plate right now."
Trap #4: Got Guilt. Sure your local church or synagogue could really use your help -- and your sister in law definitely needs someone to watch the kids. If you find yourself saying yes because you are worried about hurting someone else's feelings, or think your being selfish by saying no, you're caught in a trap. "For many of us it's a knee jerk reaction to be constantly thinking about the people in our life. When the requests come in we have been trained to say yes." Says Helen Lerner author of Time for Me: A Burst of Energy for Busy Women. Smart Solution: When you are asked to do something you really don't want to do, draw a clear line in the sand. Try saying "I don't want to do that."
Take The 'Yes' Trap Quiz
How often are you caught in the yes trap? You might be surprised. The more of these questions you answer 'true' to, the more you need to recover your ability to just say no and regain the balance in your life. Circle true or false:
1. I often say yes for fear of missing out on something.
True / False
2. I frequently worry that if I say no I might hurt someone's feelings.
True / False
3. I often think if I say no I may be viewed as uncooperative or not a team player.
True / False
4. I frequently feel guilty when I say no, especially if I can see what is needed.
True / False
5. I want people to like me so I often say yes, even when I don't really have the time or energy.
True / False
6. In general it makes me feel uncomfortable to say no.
True / False
***
Karen Leland is author of the recently released book "Time Management In An Instant: 60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day."(source)