The Happenings of JosBrand

Journalist by trade, storyteller by nature; I want to be one of life’s greatest communicators. Reality TV junkie, food and fitness lover; I love to dance when no one’s watching but if they are I still won’t run for cover. I enjoy turning the page of good a book, and I love to sing along to some of my favorite hooks. Born in Indianapolis, but was bred for the Chi; just sharing my life and thoughts one post at a time. Views are my own.

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An Illinois Lottery Christmas

An Illinois Lottery Christmas. #instantgifts

Family members and I decided that this year we wouldn’t spend a lot of money on each other for Christmas. This just so happened to work out really well for me, because I didn’t have a lot of money to spend anyways. But I knew I wanted to get them something they would like, and that they would use in their daily lives.

When I was presented with the opportunity to incorporate Illinois Lottery…

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Sip & Scratch: A White Elephant Gift

Sip & Scratch: A White Elephant Gift #instantgifts

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is getting together with good friends, having a jolly time while engaging in libations. Ugly Sweater holiday parties have become the latest fad over the past several years, so what better way to enjoy the festivities but to add a white elephant gift exchange.

And that’s just what my friends and I did.

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How Summer Is Like a Roller Coaster Ride

How Summer Can Be Like a Roller Coaster Ride

Summer, is like a roller coaster.

You wait anxiously and impatiently for a long and unnecessary length of time for it come.

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I thought I was going to die. After a 2.5 mile run we did the stairs (125) 4 times...that's a 1,000 total! Ran up them twice and even did squat jumps. @r0ckthemike you want some of this?! Lol #tryingtokeepmysummerbodyduringthefall #bodyparties #augustfitnesschallenge #31daysofhealth #mylegswillhatemetomorrow #swallowcliff @lassiter_ (at Swallow Cliff Forest Preserves)

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The Taste of Chicago gets Electrified

The Taste of Chicago gets Electrified-Janelle Monae #apmusicseries

The Petrillo Music Shell in Chicago’s Grant Park was transformed into a psychedelic black and white “wondaland” on Thursday as Janelle Monae dazzled the crowd with two hours of non-stop charisma.

Being rolled out on stage on a dolly while wearing a straight jacket, the CoverGirl started her set with “Given ‘Em What They Love”.  Most of the songs she performed were from her 2013 studio album “The…

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Employees who work in office buildings along the Chicago River had their lunch breaks interrupted on Thursday, July 10, by the sounds of a party sailing pass on the Illinois Shoreline Sighting ship, Star of Chicago.

It wasn’t your typical party, with a DJ spinning on his turntables, but one that featured cover band, 28 Days, playing all of your favorite hits. From The Jackson 5 and Pharrell, to Cheap Trick and Bon Jovi, 28 Days had guests dancing on their feet, and onlookers singing along.

The Illinois Lottery Anything’s Possible Music Series’ Floating Concert didn’t just provide guests with great music, but The Illinois Lottery also presented their new Anything’s Possible Music Series Card.  Proceeds from the specially designed card will go towards various charities. This Floating Concert was just one of over 30 that The Illinois Lottery is providing for an amazing summer soundtrack. Check out the full concert lineup here.

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#gallery-0-4-slideshow .slideshow-slide img { max-height: 410px; /* Emulate max-height in IE 6 */ _height: expression(this.scrollHeight >= 410 ? '410px' : 'auto'); } Boats and Bands: Illinois Lottery Parties on the Chicago River #apmusicseries Employees who work in office buildings along the Chicago River had their lunch breaks interrupted on Thursday, July 10, by the sounds of a party sailing pass on the Illinois Shoreline Sighting ship, Star of Chicago.

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John Legend's New Video Does What All Others Have Been Missing

  It was not too long ago, that I was telling someone how much I miss music videos telling a story or creating some kind of human emotion. It seems as though solo performance shots of the artist or half naked, booty shaking girls has become the music video norm.

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Between goals and achievement, are discipline and consistency.

Denzel Washington 

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Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.

Maya Angelou

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Getting more excited for this concert by the day!

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Whiskey Ad – The Reader

Cheers to That: A Drink to Generational Progress

I love watching the commercials, or any video for that matter, that makes one go…awwww. This one was recently shared with me, so I thought I would share it with you all.

Great, huh?!

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#CBNCHAT: Beauty at its Best

Today I participated in the Chicago Blogger Network’s weekly #CBNCHAT. Today’s discussion was on everything beauty; from what are your favorite DIY products to which salon gives the best blowouts in Chicago?

This was my first time participating in a Twitter chat, and if it weren’t for Tweetchat.com, I probably wouldn’t have been able to keep up.

Here are some of my favorite tweets from today’s…

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What Happen to Wedding Day Traditions?

What Happen to Wedding Day Traditions?

Call me a little old fashion, but I want the first time my husband sees me in a wedding gown to be when I walk down the aisle.

It doesn’t matter if it’s my first or third marriage, or if my second wedding was televised for millions to see; I want him to exhale at the look of how gorgeous I am in that white gown moments before we share our first kiss as husband and wife.

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One of Oprah’s Favorite Things, Becomes Her New Thing

One of Oprah’s Favorite Things, Becomes Her New Thing

A hit TV show for 25 plus years, a magazine, her own cable network and a school. What more could a girl ask for? Well, tea, and I don’t mean gossip.

Oprah announced today the collaboration with Starbucks and Teavanato create her own chai tea blend. Winfrey says she is a lover of spicy tea flavors, which is evident in the new blend. Its flavor embodies cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves,…

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I was at work when I came across this video, and it gave me life. I love a man that loves Bey, and kills it. It gets even amazing around 5 minutes.