~* Amal *~

Dear Femmes & Everyone tuning in,

This is a piece I am dedicating to my little sister, on this day October 24th, 2012... Her birthday. It is my first personal post about something that makes me very vulnerable.

I hope it touches you as she has me...

Happy Birthday Baby Girl... you always have been and always will be so much more <3 <3

Love,

Aliya Valentine

Les Femmes

Amal

It was the last day I saw her, that young girl of 10. She was strong, sweet and the cutest little girl you can imagine. With her big brown eyes, her adorable bratty little smile, and typical little sister ways. It was the last day I would see her…on the other side of my grandma’s bed, no time for one last hug. He was hanging up with his friend, it was now or never. Change of plans, time to go now, not this afternoon, not this evening…NOW. I looked at that face I loved and cherished so much one last time, told her I loved her and to remember what we talked about then bolted out the door with my belongings wrapped in a bed sheet.  I left her with trinkets of mine I knew she yearned for as my baby sis; my cd player and very prized Fairy locket with a picture of mom. “No, I can’t, it’s yours, it’s your favorite thing” she said. “Ok, you know how much I love this locket?” She nods yes, “Then know that I love you so much more. Don’t listen to all the horrible things they’ll tell you about me… I love you” I said.

That was the last day I saw her, my baby sis, my world, August 2006. Today she's a young woman of 17. I missed the best years of being a big sister to this precious little gem of mine. The little girl who refused to fall asleep when my mom sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, because she wanted me, her big sis, to sing her a Blink 182 song.  That little girl isn’t so little anymore. Our sisterhood was the price we paid for me to live in freedom.  Everyday the thought of that little girl whose very name in Arabic translates to Hope, is my constant reminder to keep fighting, keep pushing, keep trying to be an example of standing up for what you believe in, but SHE is my example to never give up…Hope .

"Homage to My Hips" - Lucille Clifton





Homage to My Hips

Lucille Clifton 

These hips are big hips

they need space to

move around in.

They don't fit into little

petty places, these hips

are free hips.

They don't like to be held back.

These hips have never been enslaved.

They go where they want to go.

They do what they want to do.

These hips are mighty hips.

I have known them

to put a spell on a man and

spin him like a top!



Lucille Clifton





I came across this poem while studying for a literature class, and couldn't resist sharing it with all of you!! It is a deceivingly light poem with many layers that add to its power and beauty...just like all of us.

Hope you enjoy it as much I do!

<3,

Aliya Valentine

Les Femmes

EnTranced

“When I decided to journey outside of my usual writing genres, poetry/lyrics, I asked myself, what is it that I could possibly write about? What will be my niche? The answer came loudly…Lesbians and Love. I had no intention of ever being an erotica author, it just kind of happened. I had no idea that I would ever embark on another career almost as sexy as rock~n~roll."
- Shalimar Eaton

Hello fellow Femmes, that's right you guessed it, this post is about a steamy lesbian erotica book written by dear "Gold Star" Femme Shalimar Eaton. In addition to being a musician, Shalimar is a Lesbian Erotica author. Want to keep up with "La Lampara" info & updates on the sequel? You can find it here; http://shalimareaton.weebly.com/la-lampara-411.html
'Entranced' is the first book in the Carnal Lampara series. In this book you get to meet the lesbians of the fictional town La Lampara, right outside of San Diego CA. According to Miss Eaton, this book is "not timid in sexual nature", and focusses on geneder neutral folks, as well as bois/butches, femmes and others.

Curious for a little teaser? Here's a tiny excerpt from chapter 4 of the Carnal Lampara's 'Entranced';

"Madison let go of Carmelita’s belt and playfully pushed her backwards toward the floor. Carmelita had never been as vulnerable in love making as she was with Madison. When they made love they had such intensity that they couldn’t wait to feel the skin of the other pressed into their own.
Madison moved towards Carmelita with a crawl. Carmelita was so confused. She knew she should get up and push Madison away but like she remembered, the intensity was sublime, the arousal too good to let go."

Want to read more and support a strong and daring Femme? Purchase Shalimar Eaton's book for only $10 (super affordable right?) from the following link  https://www.createspace.com/3735385 .

Also, you may enjoy the article Shalimar wrote for Boi Meets Play, "How to Give a Boi a Proper BJ". Very interesting, HOT, and educational article by Miss Eaton, read it here; http://www.boimeetsplay.com/2012/02/how-to-give-boi-proper-bj.html
Hope you enjoy this, and if you do show our fellow Femme some love and support <3

Much love here at Les Femmes- Aliya Valentine

Perfect Brunch & Tea Time Cupcakes

Hello dear Femmes and Happy Friday!!
As the weekend dawns upon us, and brunches are afoot, I thought it a good idea to share a recipe for the perfect tea-time cupcakes!! [or enjoy with champagne and mimosas ; - ) ]

Here is a recipe for Orange Blossom cupcakes topped with Lemon-Rose Water Icing-

Yields 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:

Cupcakes-

1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 cup all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp orange blossom water

Icing-

1 1/2-2 tbsp lemon/lime juice
1 1/4 cups confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar)
Pink food coloring (or color of your choice)

Let the magic begin!!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Beat butter and sugar together in bowl until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time.
Sift in flour and fold in (have mixer off and just make sure flour is covered in batter)
Stir in orange blossom water

Spoon mixture into lined cupcake pan and bake for about 17 mins until inserted pick comes out clean and cupcakes look golden in color.

To make the icing start off with 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice in a bowl. Sift in confectioner's sugar and stir well. Add more lemon juice as is needed to make a smooth icing. For a more pastel color, add a drop or 2 of pink food coloring (the more you add the brighter the color) and mix.

Once you have let cupcakes cool for 10-15 mins, spread icing over cupcakes.
Just an FYI- the icing will run, so only put a bit,k smooth a tad and watch it expand over your cupcakes!!

For those of you who want to go all out and add a bit of a challenge-

Candied Rose Petals-

Use freshly washed Rose petals (in this case 12 as there are 12 cupcakes)
1 egg white beaten
1 tbsp super fine sugar (sometimes i'll use granulated sugar if i'm out... it's heavier but works ok in a pinch)

Brush each petal with egg white, then sprinkle with superfine sugar.
let dry for about 1 hour.

*You may also drizzle some melted chocolate over the petals. I used raspberry filled and orange filled. It tasted Divine!! Just have fun with it and make it yours!!


Happy Baking!!

<3,
Aliya Valentine xox

DIY Carpet Powder

For those of you who have pets (Fur Babies), Kids...etc be sure to check out this homemade carpet powder that I stumbled upon on Pintrest (Link Below)!! It's effective cost and performance wise. I love that you can customize the scent, and if you look at the comments it has suggestions for additives that help kill fleas and bugs. I personally am excited about the freshening up effect, the rest is a plus. Be sure to stay tuned for my next post with a recipe for Orange Blossom Cupcakes with Lime Rose Water Icing  topped with Candied Rose Petals (optional).
Till then, Peace, Love & Femme Realness <3

-Aliya Valentine

http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2011/07/homemade-carpet-powder.html

Bridal Lingerie- An Evolution

In spirits of attending my very 1st Bridal Expo today, which happens to be in LA (200 vendors, wow) I thought it would be cute to share the Evolution of Bridal Lingerie. My Fiance and Boi Meets Play creator, Shae Archer shared this with me. I adored it, and was sure my fellow Femmes would too. I <3 Lingerie!! (so do the bois ;) ). Enjoy!!
 Peace, Love and Femme Realness xox
- Aliya Valentine

*Notes:

The link to the blog where this pic was found is http://blog.sexylingerieshop.com/2012/05/09/infographic-the-evolution-of-bridal-lingerie/.

Also, for you bois, or for anyone curious, be sure to check out www.boimeetsplay.com
for different tips on dating, fashion, exercise...etc

A special thank you to my baby, for always thinking of me, and sharing random little things she knows I'll love <3 <3

*Facebook Treasures*

Found this on facebook and just had to share. Happy Friday dear Femmes, allies and supporters. In other words, HAPPY FRIDAY WORLD!!!! <3
I'm also very excited that Ms. Natasha Del Sol will be coming back from her cruise with her partner today. Here's wishing them a safe return <3

"...then SHE said..."

Femmes, we're almost all guilty of this-

"Your mum's sister's cousin's father's daughter's adopted son's father's ex-wife told me you got married to Eve."   - Pappa Razi on Gossip

That's right, you guessed it, GOSSIP. The sinful yet at times delightful pastime. It is very common in social gatherings to have a bit of gossiping going on (that includes you masculine-of-center folk too!!). Working in a place of 100+ women, Natasha and I both find ourselves encountering it often, and are even guilty of it at times. However I quite often tend to hear people say "I'm not gossiping, i'm venting". So what's the difference? When does Venting become Gossiping? and when does gossiping go from harmless to harmful?

Definitions (based on dictionary.com):

Gossiping:
Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature
Trivial, chatty talk, or writing
A person who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or facts

Venting:
To express (one's thoughts or feelings, for example), especially forcefully
A means of escape or release from confinement; an outlet: to give vent to one's anger

What's the difference?

* If you are talking about things that don't directly affect you (like someone else's affair)... That is Gossiping

* If you are discussing things with others about a person/group that has not been confirmed as fact or that is private... That is Gossiping

* If you talk to anyone who will listen to your problem with said person/group... That is Gossiping

* If you confide your woes to a given person regarding another person/group in hopes of reaching a SOLUTION... That is Venting

*??* It is debateable that it is considered Gossiping if you confide in someone who knows the person/group you are talking about , even if your intent is to find a solution. Whereas if you do so with a third party, someone unbiased, then it is Venting. I'm torn on this one...what do YOU think??

Basically, gossiping is more about self satisfaction, whereas venting is more about finiding a solution therefore extending beyond the self.

When does Gossip go from harmless to harmful?

This is subjective really, as what one person may consider harmless another may consider harmful.
Many of us are guilty of gossiping to loved ones about people we run into, coworkers, friends, lovers...etc GENERALLY without malicious intent in our hearts. Some of us enjoy some celebrity gossip here and there, I confess if it has to do with Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie I will read it!! and now Katie Holmes/Crazy Tom split. What it comes down to is, we are all adults capable of making our own judgement calls. For the time being I have taken it upon myself to drop my occasional gossiping about people I know... Now hand me that People's Magazine!!!!

-Written by: Aliya Valentine

Mission Statement

     

Natasha Del Sol

Aliya Valentine

At *Les Femmes* we seek to create a safe place for all those Femme identified .Though mainly targeting the LGBTQ community, we want to include ALL allies, & for any Bois tuning in , here is a peek into the Femme psyche..respect & make good use of it!! Our goal is to provide a way of networking to build an empowering , supportive & non judgemental community .We want to create that fun enticing yet relaxed feel that one gets from gathering to catch up with the girls .It is an open floor & no topic goes untouched!! Be it fashion , sex , recipes , dating/relationships , DIY tips , the arts , literature , drinks , food , sports for our sport loving femmes , advice... anything & everything , share share share!! Intolerance will NOT be tolerated , take what works for you & leave what doesn't . This is OUR haven , OUR space!! Femmes , on behalf of Natasha Del Sol & Myself (Aliya Valentine) Welcome!! We look forward to learning from & growing with you!! Much love & respect to all <3 Merci xox