REVIEW: SlideRocket Presentation Software

From Résumés to Business Promotions: Ten Reasons to Get SlideRocket in Your Life!

By Kitty K. Free

I was introduced to SlideRocket by a friend on Facebook, who shared it for its use as a “présumé”, which is a presentation resume. He showed three samples of some awesome présumés. They were Powerpoint presentations, but were created online, through the SlideRocket.com website, and that’s where they are stored. I immediately saw the potential of its use and created my own attention grabbing slide, the same day. I put the slide together in a snap. Using their “build” tool I made words and images leap off the screen. The hardest part was gathering the content I wanted to use, but once I had that figured out, I was a go! I know lots of authors, artists, musicians, and others that are constantly looking for exciting and new promotional tools. This is a great, simple to use, yet sophisticated, tool that will make your story pop!

1. Supremely easy to use. I mastered it after about 15 minutes of playing. The latest version of Powerpoint is pretty easy – this is even easier! Even creating an account is easy. Just enter your email address and a password and you’re in. You don’t have to go check your email to confirm, then click the link to go back to the site.

2. Premade templates, or you can create your own, which is about as simple as using the premade.

3. You can immediately share your presentation with the world, using their “Go Public Link” and “Get Embed Code” options, which you can just copy and paste to Facebook, Twitter, etc.

4. Easy to add social sharing tabs for Facebook, Twitter, and Google.

5. There’s an option to keep presentations private, so that you can share it with specific people only.

6. Cloud style storage so you can access your presentations anywhere. I say cloud-style, because I haven’t seen the word “cloud” used to describe the storage on their site.

7. You can track how many people have viewed your presentation, and from what city, on the site, and have the option to receive an email whenever it’s viewed.

8. Viewers can leave comments, so it’s great for interacting with your audience. There’s also an option to add a survey.

9. You can record you own voice, audio, and add videos to your presentation with ease.

10. It’s FREE! At least SlideRocket Lite is free. It says it’s for non-commercial use, and has pretty much all of the same tools as SlideRocket Pro, which is $24 a month or $240 for a year.

I highly recommend this product for anyone looking for a new and exciting way to show the world who they are. Here’s my SlideRocket, tell me what you think!

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REVIEW: Fabuloso All Purpose Cleaner

The days of the reign of Pine Sol are over. Fabuloso All Purpose Cleaner is fast becoming the cleaning agent of choice for My Savvy Sisters.

The lavender scent leaves the room smelling fresh without adding air fresheners that pollute the environment. Floors are sparkling clean and counter tops never shined brightly.

And if you add a little Fabuloso to a boiling pot of water, it will permeate through your entire household adding the fresh scent to every piece of clothing that you own. Your curtains will never smell better!

You can buy it at Walmart, Dollar General for just $2 for the 32 ounce bottle.

We highly recommend this product.

Approved for My Savvy Sisters!

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REVIEW: Think Like A Man (2012)

I wasn't surprised that Think Like A Man, the new romantic comedy based on Steve Harvey's relationship advice book hit theatres last week and shined like a watch tower at sea. With a cast of actors that were some all time favorites and a few fresh faces, this movie made me walk out smiling, feeling the same way I did the first time I saw The Best Man and Two Can Play That Game. In essence, it was definitely time for another film like this.

Michael Ealy, Gabrielle Union, Taraji Henson, Meagan Good, Jeremy Ferrara, Romany Malco and Kevin Hart lead the cast in stellar performances as a group of lovers and friends whose relationship goals are as different as they come. Harvey's book, Think Like A Man, Act Like A Lady,  is the catalyst for the cast as the women follow Harvey's advice in order to get the results they desire from men, most notably, commitment.

While I am not an advocate of teaching women that they have to WORK to receive the ever elusive wedding ring, I understand that most people think in these terms which is why Harvey's book and this movie were a hit.

With cameos by the delicious Chris Brown and the awesome Wendy Williams, the cast was robust with Black star power that reminded me of a modern day Grease. I actually started singing Summer Nights as two of the characters, recounted their meeting to their friends.

Kevin Hart's signature brand of comedy relayed well into his acting style and many in the theatre felt that he stole the show. I'll admit watching him perform initiated a bit of deja vu as I happened upon one of his other films, 35 and Ticking, a few weeks ago on Netflix. Hart literally plays the exact same character he did in 35 and Ticking; Thankfully he was enjoyable in both.

Although the movie trailors and previews seemed to pit one sex against the other, from my vantage point, the movie depicted the reality of relationships in real life, the women lead and the men follow, all in pursuit of the 'cookie'.

Real life lessons that speak to deciding if what we think we want is actually what we need, were taught with precision by Taraji Henson's character, a beautiful COO who meets an unemployed prep cook played by Michael Ealy. Yet, this promiscuous reviewer could not roll her eyes enough as the 90-Day Rule girl, portrayed by Meagan Good actually got the reaction she wanted from her love interest, played by Romany Malco and all she had to do was withold sex.

Although many self appointed critics around the web berate Harvey for his less than ideal romantic history, his failures have proved his success and he may be right about his central ideas concerning relations with men. All of the women who played the game his way got exactly what they wanted in the end.

If you want a man to commit, make him chase you, demand his best behavior and be willing to leave him if he is not being the best man he can be. In other words, you need to train him. Apparently, they like that.

Will I ever watch it again? Probably not. Was it worth the admission and price of nachos? Oh yes. A delightful hour and a half is promised to you if you take the time to see this film.

My only question is, why the hell is a commitment from a man such a highly regarded prize? They're chasing the 'cookie' while we're still chasing the fantasy.
~Te-Erika

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REVIEW: DisFIGURED (2008)

When Darcy (Staci Lawrence), a recovering anorexic meets Lydia (Deidra Edwards), an obese sales clerk, their lives interwine in a way you could never imagine. Although physically, Lydia is Darcy's worst nightmare, she decides that the two should be friends and they team up to discuss and hold hands as they wade through the impact their body image and eating habits have had on their lives in the movie DisFIGURED.

This is an amazing story of two friends on opposite ends of the same battle with their body image. Lydia wants very badly to be thin and Darcy wants to stop thinking that she's fat. When Lydia asks Darcy to teach her how to be anorexic so that she can lose weight too, the two showcase an indepth look inside the mind of an anorexic that is unexplainable. When Lydia wants to break her new 'diet' we experience with her the battle over the happiness binging on food brings.

I was captivated at every moment and couldn't decide if I wanted Lydia's character to lose weight or to be happy being obese. I wanted Darcy to lighten up and enjoy life without critiquing herself so much. She is amazingly thin, how could she perceive herself as fat? It's a mental struggle that can't be won with words, rewards or lost inches.

This is an amazing movie. The conversations seem so authentic that you held your breath as they had their exchanges. Who would have thought that two extremely different women could be so much alike and face the same type of criticisms from the people who love them. I have a different kind of compassion for women who are battling body image issues. After watching this movie I decided to love my body no matter what. Besides, it's only transportation for the real essence of who I am.

You can buy this movie on Amazon.

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REVIEW: I Hate My Teenage Daughter (Fox)

I Hate My Teenage Daughter is a new Wednesday night comedy series on Fox that stars Jaime Pressley and Katie Finneran as bestfriends who are now single parents of two teenaged daughters who also happen to be bestfriends.

Apparently their daughters are the exact type of popular snobby girls who used to tease them in high school which forces them to be reduced to sniveling doormats everytime their daughters are around.

In one sentence- I hate this stupid show.

Why would any woman who respects herself want to watch two grown ass women be ridiculed by their daughters? How is that comedy?

These two disgustingly haughty little girls have no sense of compassion or anything similar to the warmth that would actually make me want to watch them each week. Their mothers are pathetic, always begging for approval and attention. These women are powerless, horrid examples of womanhood and their daughters should be slapped in the face. I don't care that this show follows XFactor, I will never watch it again. Please die.

If you want to learn how NOT to BE, watch this show.

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REVIEW: The Strange Thing About The Johnsons (2010)

The Strange Thing About The Johnsons is fast becoming the independent cult shocker movie of the year. This film, written and directed by Ari Aster as his American Film Institute Thesis film, has been sizzling through the internet like a Kim Kardashian sex tape.

The film is an odd depiction of incestual sexual abuse with a twist. In this film, the son continually molests his father from his teen years until he reaches adulthood.

How could this happen? Who in the world came up with this scenario? What did the mother do about it?

These are all immediate questions that are answered in this 29 minute short film. In short, this is no ordinary remake of a popular Hollywood theme. This film brings to light an age old problem but frames it in such a way that we all feel the sting as though it is a fresh wound. In the father's face you can feel the pain and the confusion of the sexual abuse victim. In the father's fear you can understand the self loathing and blame for being a part of such an ordeal. The mother's reaction to the situation is a tear jerker.

After many discussions about this movie I believe that the director has left his audience yearning for more. The acting, the cinematography, the editing, the storyline- all superbly crafted. You will end the movie immersed in emotional conflict and most likely head over to the movie's facebook page to vent and read the reactions of others.

This is not an easy film to watch and it is definitely NSFW. Watch the full length movie, The Strange Thing About The Johnsons Here.

The Strange Thing About the Johnsons - don't ask, just watch! from Michael Roy on Vimeo.

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REVIEW: Chef Roble & Co. (Bravo)

Bravo premiered Chef Roble & Co., last night. When I first saw the promo for it I thought to myself, - Oh Lord, another cooking show, how original.

But I wanted to give this show a chance because, sometimes good things happen in life. As soon as Chef Roble stepped onto the screen I realized that this indeed- was a good thing.

So, maybe the fact that Roble is totally my type had something to do with the fact that I wanted to see him on screen. He's handsome in a 'he might be on the down low' type of way. He has to be gay because only gay dudes are that hot.

The New York based caterer and his friends and family round out this unusual catering drama about serving up the ultimate dining experience for New York's elite. Sounds a bit boring, eh? The show was anything but.

"I was about to change the channel until his sister was introduced," one of my Google Plus friends wrote after I posted that I thought the show would be pretty good.

Indeed. Chef Robles big sister, who he battles for dominance balances out his dominant personality. She's knowledgable, pretty and funny. "Who has booked all the monkeys?" she asked. I laughed so hard when she said that.

I enjoyed meeting his crew. I enjoyed watching them sweat over the details and weird demands of their A- List clients. I crossed my fingers for them hoping things would work out. Yes, I was emotional over the show, rooting for them to win. I only wished I had more time to smile at the television screen because I had to leave to go to work.

For this NON TV Watcher to enjoy a show, it means it has that special spark. The drama, the off the wall cuisine requests, the last minute preparations all play second fiddle to Chef Roble's amazing personality.

He has the kind of energy and personality that leaps out of the screen, offers you a cupcake and a kiss on the cheek before hopping back on the screen again to entertain you for another half hour.

I look forward to seeing this show again. Chef Roble is on my hot list.

~Te-Erika

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REVIEW: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Author: Rebecca Skloot

Reviewed by L. Cherelle


The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a riveting story about an African American woman’s unsung contribution to medicine. While undergoing treatment for cervical cancer in 1951, two tissue samples were removed from Henrietta’s cervix and sent to a cell culture lab for examination without her knowledge. One of the samples led to a massive discovery—the first immortal human cells—which assisted in the cure and treatment of many illnesses. For years, Henrietta was only known in the medical and scientific communities as the infamous HeLa—an acronym for her immortal cells. Her family, however, remained in the dark about the ever-growing cells and the multimillion-dollar industry that was birth as a result of them.

This nonfiction work delves into a pivotal scientific breakthrough and the lives of Henrietta’s descendants. It provides an extensive account about Henrietta’s life and cancer, the medical professionals she encountered, her invaluable cells and their implications in science. Page after page, you develop an unrelenting need to find out what happens to the family; why they where oblivious to Henrietta’s cells; what, if any, restitution is made to the family; and if there are any ramifications for those who researched and sold HeLa.

To counter the extensive fact based reporting, Skloot weaves legal, medical, scientific, familial and cultural journeys into a narrative that accelerates the pace of the hefty book and keeps each chapter interesting. And Skloot does so mostly through the words and experiences of Deborah, Henrietta’s second daughter. I wish that a greater portion of the book were devoted to Henrietta’s importance in science. There was a point in which I learned too much about Deborah, her siblings and their children. Sadly, Deborah (and the family in general) became a spectacle and her plight began to overshadow her mother’s significance during the reading.

I found myself laughing out loud at Deborah, rather than siding with her emotional, uphill battle to find peace in her mother’s death and immortality. In addition, Skloot uses examples such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study to trace related cultural and medical instances in American history that brought forth forums on ethics, rights, consent, and race-based medicine. Given that Henrietta was a Black woman who suffered and died from cervical cancer, I wonder why Skloot never mentioned Black women’s role in the development of gynecology. In doing so, she could have made a profound connection between the use of women’s bodies as research subjects in medical advancements pre and post chattel slavery.

Despite those weaknesses of the book, you can’t finish “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” without feeling some ounce of gratefulness for Henrietta, sympathy for her family, or questioning your stance about donorship and consent, ownership and compensation, or exploitation and bioethics. It leads you to question your physical and societal worth.

If you seek an educational nonfiction read rooted in hard-hitting fact and monumental legacy, you will find the “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” an appreciated literary adventure.

L. Cherelle is the author of “Accept the Unexpected’ and manager of Resolute Publishing—a publishing collective for women. She is a graduate of The University of Tennessee with bachelor and master degrees in Fine Arts/Graphic Design and Business Administration, respectively. To view her books, magazine, and projects, visit www.ResPublishing.com.

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REVIEW: Mooz-Lum (2010)

When writer-director Qasim Basir penned Mooz-Lum, he had a particular message in mind. His attempt to capture the various facets of the inner workings of a Muslim family trying to live and grow in this Christian society is fascinating and will bring tears to your eyes.

As we follow the story of Tariq (Evan Ross), Safiyah (Nia Long), Hassan (Roger Smith) and his young, impressionable little sister Taqua (Kimberley Drummond) we are introduced to a family trying to hold on to their religious roots in a society that views them as outcasts. We cringe for young Tariq, who's brilliant inner light is dimmed by an abusive teacher causing him to deny the religion that his father so adamantly forces upon him.

What struck me during this movie, was the depiction of what I like to call, "moments of truth." There were several during this movie where I personally felt that my worldview, my perception of the world, had changed.

The first happened when Tariq's mother, Safiyah told her husband she wanted a divorce due to his rigid views on life and lifestyle. From my own stereotypical beliefs, I had always thought that being a Muslim woman meant obeying her husband but this Muslim wife would rather face the world as a single parent than watch her husband's militant views of the world be pushed upon her children.

The second "moment of truth" happened when Tariq is in college and enticed by his peers to drink alcohol and be a part of the crowd. His disdain for the abuse he suffered at the hands of his religious teacher pushes him to succumb to the peer pressure.

Another moment of truth happened after the recreation of the chaos surrounding the September 11th Attacks. What we see in this movie, after getting to know these Muslim characters and their inner struggles brings tears to our eyes as they are targeted with violence and blamed for the attacks.

While I will not give away the entire plot, this movie is a must-see for anyone who has any preconceptions about what it is like to be Muslim in America. It's not what you think. It's more than what you know.

For anyone struggling to define themselves in a world that does not look like them or think like them, this movie may ease some of the pain of isolation. I highly recommend this film as a catalyst for compassion for those who are seen as outcasts.

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REVIEW: The Civilization Of Maxwell Bright (2005)

The Civilization of Maxwell Bright, a 2005 romance film starring Patrick Warburton and Marie Matiko is a brilliant film that celebrates the woman who is complete within herself.

Patrick Wilburn stars as Maxwell Bright who on the surface seems to be a male chauvinist. He has had no luck in the romantic department so he decides to look overseas to find a mail order bride. Marie Matinko portrays the lovely Mai Linn who is sent to wed Maxwell.

The untrained eye might find this film offensive due to its opening scenes with glaring full frontal nudity and coarse language but the most insightful audience members will catch a glimpse of a rare life transformation as Mai Linn dutifully cares for a man who is hurting so much that he can only lash out in anger, yet has a gentle side that allows us to see him as he truly is, vulnerable, caring and in search of peace.

We can all learn from Mai Linn- the dutiful wife because she personifies poise as she stands beside Maxwell during the most troubling time in his life, guiding him toward inner peace through her interactions with him instead of harsh words.

There were several scenes in the movie where Maxwell's actions would bring any woman to tears yet Mai Linn was never shaken by any of Maxwell's antics, instead centering herself on her duty as a wife and healer. She could have taken his harsh jokes offensively but I could tell that she sees no enemies in life so she was able to laugh at and become a partner in his crude humor. She could have been deeply offended by his lack of respect for her spiritual beliefs but instead she knew that she owned her own beliefs and did not demand that he respect them at all. His pejorative language was simply shielding his own pain and lack of faith in love and she saw through that, never nagging him and insisting that he change, but simply seeking to understand him and offer her own positive energy to their marital exchange. Her energy overpowered his in the end and led to his blissful reunion with himself.

We can learn a lot from watching this movie as Maxwell undergoes his spiritual and physical transformation, the most important being that our duty as a wife is to partner with our husband in a dual quest for enlightenment - complete peace with 'what is'.

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Movie Review: Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008)

Vicky Christina Barcelona weaves a tale of transformation of two best friend's lives. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Christina (Scarlett Johannson) visit Barcelona for the summer unaware that the trip will challenge their current beliefs systems.

Vicky is a play by the rules type of woman. She is engaged to a man who adores her and is stable, handsome and successful. Christina is a free spirit who believes life should be full of adventure and admits that she doesn't know what she wants romantically, but she does know what she doesn't want.

When the pair arrive in Barcelona they meet a strikingly handsome painter, Antonio (Javier Bardem) and he offers them a weekend of passion in a city called Oviedo. Although Vicky resists at first, she decides to join Christina who takes Antonio up on the offer and the three of them venture off to explore the nearby city.

Vicky Christina Barcelona is a movie that explores the inner workings of two very different types of women. While Vicky's structured life view is challenged when she meets Antonio and falls for him despite the fact that he begins to date Christina. Christina's go with the flow attitude is challenged when Antonio's ex wife Maria (Penelope Cruz) re enters the scenario and moves in with Antonio following a suicide attempt.

The question that lingered in my mind throughout the movie was about the concept of satisfaction in a relationship. Vicky's life had all the makings of a safe trip toward senior adulthood, yet she was dissatisfied. Christina's life was full of exploration and fun yet she was consistently dissatisfied.

Are we as women doomed to always wonder what is beyond the horizon, never truly appreciating what is outside our front door? What will it take for us to become content with what we have? Do we even want to be content?

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Movie Review: Limitless (2011)

Limitless is an American techno-thriller film directed by Neil Burger and starring Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, and Robert De Niro. It is based on the 2001 novel The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn with the screenplay by Leslie Dixon.

While the premise of the movie is based on a myth that we only use 20% of our brain power, Limitless incites a philosophical question that urges the viewer to think smarter.

The lead character is a man who is at the end of his wits, literally. He is failing in his career and his love life and can’t seem to start his book after receiving a hefty contract. When he happens upon his ex brother-in-law his life shifts permanently. His brother introduces him to a drug called NZT-48.

The effects of NZT-48 cause Cooper’s character to utilize 100% of his brain which enables him to retain and recall key information at a moment’s notice which allows him to think his way out of precarious situations and become an overnight success in the stock market. Not only is this pill the gateway to his success, it places him in immediate danger as he is the only person left with any known supply and other key figures in finance have been found to have used this drug too.

There is a little bit of a love story due to the fact that the lead character's girlfriend keeps popping in and out of his life but it's not really worth mentioning, so I won't.

Gangsters and blood baths, corruption and white collar villains abound in this light-hearted thriller. Guys will love the fight scenes but they aren't intense enough to be a turn off for women. Although Limitless was just as gory as other drug related movies, for some reason I wasn’t sucked into the mayhem and negativity. I didn't emotionally connect with the lead character's frustration at all. Instead I focused intently on the choices Cooper’s character made with his newfound intellectual capacity.

If you could learn anything and use your knowledge to have an extreme advantage over others, what would you seek to learn first?

The real question is one that we used to ask as children: If you had one wish, what would it be?

The SMART answer is: I’d wish for more wishes. The lead character does just that, making all the right moves in the knick of time to position himself to live out the life of his dreams.

Watch this movie. It has a surprise ending that will make you smile and shake your head.

Rating: 3 Stars

Fun To Watch

For My Savvy Sisters: If you had the capability to far exceed your own intellectual limitations, what would you want to learn first?

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Movie Review: The Timer (2009)

What if a scientist invented a gadget that could count down the years, days and hours until you met your soulmate? Would you buy one? Would you trust its prediction?

The 2009 movie TIMER tests this premise. Emma Caufield stars as Oona in this engaging film that blurs the line between scientific evidence and fate. The TIMER is a device that when purchased, is installed on your wrist. It has a screen that shows a countdown to the day you will meet your ONE. Caufield brilliantly portrays the internal conflict that arises as she and her half-sister (Michelle Borth) wrestle with the idea that the TIMER may or may not be accurate. Her sister's TIMER predicts that she won't meet her ONE until she is 43 years old. Caufield's character's TIMER is blank which means that her ONE hasn't gotten his TIMER installed yet.

Will he ever have it installed? What does she do in the meantime? Does she accept love from anyone other than the person predicted to be her ONE, if the prediction ever happens? How would you interact with friends and suitors if you knew that the relationship would not last?

This film raises so many questions about love, consumerism and faith. How could one device alter the lives of those who use it and those who choose not to?

This movie had me holding my breath and gripping my pillow as I watched it. You will love it too!

Rating: 4 Stars
Highly Recommended



For My Savvy Sisters: Have you seen this movie yet? If you had the chance to know beforehand exactly when you would meet your ONE, would you want to know?

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