Okay, I was having a hard time getting to sleep the other night because I was thinking about summer vacation. School will be out soon! Some of you all may be out already and others within the next few weeks.

There are some lyrics to a song I hum sometimes, “Summertime and the living is easy…” (Summer time by Sam Cooke). I am humming this song as my mother hands me a list, a long long, list of chores I have to do while on summer vacation. I thought that vacation meant spending time at leisure… I don’t think chores are leisure…

So what I plan on doing is signing up for a bunch of camps. Let’s see there is volleyball, softball, soccer, basketball, pottery, sewing — whew I am tried just thinking about it. If I sign up for all these camps have to be up and out by 8am every morning and that may get me out of doing all those chores!

On the other hand maybe I should stay up late watching reruns of “Dance Moms,” sleep late, do my chores by lunchtime and than just head over to the pool for “easy living in the summertime”(don’t tell my mom she is on to something )… #katieblogs

Follow on Twitter @katiebelleakin

www.katiebelleakinmusic.com

By Jasmin Christian/ TGSM Writer

Photo credit: JT Pro Imaging

If it’s a cheetah or animal print or bright, than it’s Miss Lela Brown! From VH1, Nikon, and Paris Hilton, Brown has made quite an impression in the music and fashion industry. She is an up and coming artist and model. She enjoys rapping about her everyday life experiences. “I am able to express how I feel through music, dancing and modeling,” Brown tells. “My favorite part of performing on stage is connecting with people.”

“Everybody is beautiful in the world and pretty inside and out. You have to go for what you want.” Read the rest of this entry »

By Moreena Hashim / TGSM Writer

Photos courtesy of Natalie Worku
Kamerin (right) backstage with Alicia Keys before the Black Girls Rock performance.

From watching all of the Step Up Movies in her DC home, to a feature on the “Scream” Tour with Diggy Simmons, and now dancing back up for Alicia Keys – Kamerin Harris, a 6th grade tween, is living her dreams.

Kamerin has been dancing since the age of four and has grown to have a strong passion for it. Her love of dancing brought many opportunities with celebrities, including the Scream Tour with Diggy Simmons and OMG Girlz and a music video with Willow Smith.

However, her most recent opportunity to dance with Alicia Keys in her “Black Girls Rock” BET performance back in November in New York, is by far the biggest. Taking some time out of her busy schedule, I got a chance to chat with Kamerin about performing with Alicia Keys. Read the rest of this entry »

By Rachel Pyfrom / TGSM Writer

Photos by Genna Sandler Photography

Layla Crawford is a rising star. This working tween actress is a fan of Disney especially the show Jessie and can be seen jamming to rock and pop music by the likes of Kelly Clarkston and Beyoncès.

In between projects, Crawford chatted with Tween Girl Style Magazine about being a part of the first family, working with friends, and her camera like brain. With a growing career at a young age, she is supported and grounded by her team. “You get to work with great people everyday and you’re surrounded by people who love you. So, it’s fun.”

Crawford currently plays Olivia, the youngest daughter of the first family, on the TV series “First Family.”

Read the rest of this entry »

TGSM caught up with Lenay Dunn, host of MTV’s hit show “10 on Top.” Lenay shared her top 10 Must Haves this summer.

TGSM: Describe your style?
Lenay: My style is Girly Rock Festival Chic. I like dresses or skirts with an edge — muted colors or leather accents — and I love festival-inspired details like adding lots of bracelets and headbands.

TGSM: 
When you were a tween, what was your favorite thing to wear and place to shop?
Lenay: I loved Abercrombie, Wet Seal, Charlotte Russe, DEB, Claire’s, and Limited Too. I had planned my “Getting My Braces Taken Off” outfit for like a month!

TGSM: Can you share 10 must-haves for the summer, “10 on Top”-style?

Lenay’s Top Ten for the summer is…

1. Hair braids (I just taught myself how to Fishtail braid!)
2. Lots of bracelets
3. Cowgirl boots
4. Flower headbands
5. A cute iPhone case (mine has a cat on it!)
6. Tie-Dyed shorts
7. A cute beach bag
8. Nail art or light blue nail polish
9. Ponytails
10. Colorful flip-flops/ fun sandals

LINKS:
www.youtube.com/Lenayiskindofcool
http://lenay.tv
twitter.com/LenayDunn

By Carletta S. Hurt, Ed.S./www.intheloopprogram.com
Trust Me! That’s what every tween/teen wants from their parents – to be trusted! Well, how does it happen? Is it automatic? Once you get it, can you lose it? How do you know that you’ve earned it?
It starts with a strong relationship with your parent(s). This foundation has to be in place so that you can begin to EARN (Yes, you’ve got to earn it!) their trust. Read the rest of this entry »