Oprah & Gayle Are Bringing Their 40+ Year Friendship To A New Series 'The OG Chronicles'
Our favorite moguls, aunties in our heads, and BFFs just teamed up for a short segment offering their personal experience and advice in the new web series The OG Chronicles. I admit I wasn't readyyyyy to hear my aunties talk about how they get down, but the result was more refreshing and hilarious than I could have ever imagined.
Each month, the dynamic duo will respond to questions from readers of Oprah Magazine and this month their topic of choice was dating. The two acknowledge the challenges that many of us face in the complicated game of dating, offering wisdom that comes with getting better with time.
However, many women who find themselves in long-term relationships quarrel with the idea of needing to 'spice things up' in the bedroom, and Oprah and Gayle are no different. When asked by a reader how she recommends turning her man out, Oprah shares her blooper with her longtime partner:
"This was so many years ago, I got the whole negligee thing and I'm standing at the stairs when [Stedman] comes in and he literally comes in and walks right past me and says, 'What are you doing?'"
Gail chimed in, recalling her failed attempts at sending out sexy smoke signals:
"I wrapped myself up with saran wrap when I was married, put on a trench coat and when he came out I said 'Ta-da!', and he said, 'What is that?'"
Oprah eventually offered her opinion that it would be best to sit down and have a conversation with your man about what he thinks would be spicy to spare yourself the dramatics and embarrassment. A simple question of "What really turns you on?" could lead to an explosive and adventurous session for you and your partner, as well as serve as an opportunity to have a deeper understanding of one another's desires. Oprah shared:
"For me, I've gotta say making cornbread kind of serves the purpose. I made some cornbread yesterday and you would have thought I stripped myself butt naked! A little cornbread and black-eyed peas go a long way in my house."
When the topic of sharing your personal passcode with your partner, the duo had opposing views. While Oprah believes that it is best to have your own privacy, Gayle says that sharing with your significant other is no big deal. Oprah admitted though, that if Stedman asked for her passcode, she would have no problem with providing it.
When it comes to women in relationships where the alter seems to be the last thing on her partner's mind, Oprah thinks that the best course of action would be to move on to a man who is ready for that level of commitment and to harvest your eggs.
"If I was a 34-year-old woman, who was out here in the world where it is hard out here for a pimp, I would be harvesting my eggs."
Though, we now know that the secret of finding a man who is marriage material is doing your homework before getting involved, it seems as though the two agree that spending your time in situations that do not serve you, is truly a waste of opportunity when you are given a chance to look back.
When it comes to more difficult questions that come about while dating, Oprah and Gayle agree that if you are searching for resolve outside of yourself, it's because you often already know the answer to your questions. #OprahTaughtMe that sometimes you just have to tell that brotha, "Boy Bye!"
All in all, I am both excited and curious to hear Oprah and Gayle weigh in on topics that are relevant to our lives, given the amount of experience the two have while living their best ones. Oprah made sure to highlight that she is not a licensed professional, but given the hundreds of people she has gotten to interview during her lifetime, I am sure she has plenty of gems to drop. Gayle attests to Oprah's wisdom, sharing that through all the therapists she visited during her marriage, Oprah's advice was the most helpful.
Make sure to tune in to next month's episode to get your entire life while our favorite ladies let it all hang out!
Featured images by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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If you’re like many other people who are prioritizing wellness these days, then attending a wellness retreat might be something to consider. Wellness retreats are a cool way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. I descended upon my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat, a couple of weeks ago at the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Zoëtry Agua is part of the Inclusive Collection for the World of Hyatt. It is nestled on a secluded part of Uvero Alto beach, which has crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with its thatched roofs and lazy rivers that make you feel like you’re in a cute little village.
Mindy, Body, + Sol Retreat was hosted by Koya Webb, holistic health and wellness coach and yoga instructor, and it also featured other wellness practitioners who combined provided the ultimate gift of relaxation and getting back to oneself.
The first night was a Welcome Dinner that featured a five-course meal and an opportunity to meet our companions for the next three days. The food was impeccable and the only downside was that I wasn’t able to finish it all. The next day, however, was the official start of the classes, and I was ready to dive in.
Aura and Chakra Reading
Aura and chakra reading
Photo courtesy
My first class was an aura and chakra reading led by Laura McCann and James Levinson, an Asheville, NC couple. I’ve had chakra readings before, but never like this. There was a computer, a camera, and a scanner, which I placed my hand on for the reading. After two minutes, I received a 15-page report explaining my aura and chakra reading.
It breaks down what the colors of your aura are and what your chakras say. My main colors were green and yellow, which were defined by a variety of things. The top of my aura was green, meaning I have a social mental state and I’m a natural healer. My aura on my left side was yellow meaning my energy flowing is optimistic and light and so on.
After James discussed the findings with me, I then met with Laura, who gave me aromatherapy oils from their ADORAtherapy line that represented each chakra. She further explained the results of my chakra reading and shared how each oil can assist. Chakras are the energy centers in our body, and there is a total of seven: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. All of my chakras were high except for my heart chakra, which I have since been working on. I may follow up about that in another article.
Sound Bath
Sound bath class
Photo courtesy
Next was the sound bath class. It was located in the spa, which was indoor/ outdoor and the perfect setting for this kind of experience. Andrew Francis and Carrie Bailey of Zenden Meditation were the co-pilots in transporting attendees into a place of tranquility. I laid down, closed my eyes, and allowed the sounds around me to bring me into a relaxing state. From the singing bowls to the wind chimes, I was in heaven. I even fell asleep and got some of the best rest I’ve had in a while. It was a beautiful experience. However, remember when I noted it was an indoor/ outdoor venue? I forgot to put on bug spray and woke up pretty itchy. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the moment.
Tea Party
Art of Tea Ritual Tea Party
Photo courtesy
The last event of the day was the Art of Tea Ritual located in the resort’s tea garden. It was everything you could want in a tea party. Delectable treats such as cookies, cakes, and white chocolate-covered strawberries, which are my fave. And, of course, tea. While I got to sip tea, I also got to make my own tea blend. There were many different teas to choose from, like hibiscus to your regular black tea. I decided to mix rose and mint and I called it RoseMint. I didn’t get to try my tea blend until I got home, and I’ll be honest, it’s probably the best tea I ever had. The tea herbs taste so fresh, and I love how fragrant it smells.
Breathwork
Breathwork Class
Photo Courtesy
The next morning was all about breathwork. If you exercise regularly, then you probably know the importance of breathing. But there’s more to it besides remembering to breathe during your workout. Margaret Townsend is a breathwork facilitator who helps people achieve wellness by consciously changing their breathing patterns. In her class, I learned to change my breathing pattern for energy as well as for relaxation. While I know that breathing is a relaxation tool, I was blown away to learn that it can also energize you. Because it was a different breathing pattern, I was also able to stay present and keep a steady pace.
Yoga
Koya Webb's yoga class
Photo courtesy
The final class of the retreat was evening yoga with Koya Webb, who, as I mentioned earlier, was the host. Her class was held beside the beautiful Uvero Alto beach, which made for a stunning backdrop and the perfect way to end the retreat. It was important for me to get back into my body after not doing yoga for a few weeks, so I was really focused on nailing the moves. However, Koya kept the energy light and fun, evening cracking a few jokes throughout, which made it easy for me to relax and enjoy the moment. She ended the class with a dance break and hugs from our classmates.
The Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat reminded me how important it is to take time to love on myself. Each class was an opportunity to be present and get reacquainted with oneself in the most loving way. Being surrounded by individuals who encouraged my journey was what I needed, and I am so honored to have had this experience.
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