Busta Rhymes ft Diddy, Ron Browz, Swizz Beatz, Akon, & Lil Wayne - Arab Money (Remix)

My FIRST LADY is swagg-tastic <3

CAPTION THIS!

Thank You, Mr. President

Last night, President Barack Obama addressed congress with a hopeful and powerful speech. He spoke about the credit crisis, corporate American CEOs, the resiliency of the United States and its people, and education. For me, the highlight of the speech was when he referenced a young South Carolinian girl that wrote a letter to congress about her school and her life. She attends a school in horrible conditions but despite this, she told congress, "we want to be doctors, lawyers, and even the president; we're not quitters." I love it! I'm not quitting either!

The Color of Beauty: Is beauty truly color blind?

Does beauty have a color? I ran upon an article several days ago in which the author quoted an individual who stated he “like[s] his women like [he] like[s] [his] cheese…white or yellow.” Although the statement infuriates me immensely, I had to remind myself that the color complex is not a new phenomenon, especially within communities of color—black communities. Issues concerning color consciousness date as far back as slavery. Blacks with darker complexions or persons who demonstrated more African features (for example, full sized lips or kinky hair) were given an increased workload and often received harsher punishment than their fair-skinned slave counterparts. Slaves that were fairer-skinned and displayed more European physical features, a majority of which were conceived by slave masters raping their slaves, were treated much more nicely and given a lighter workload. In addition, these biracial slaves resided in the slave master’s house instead of the backyard shacks that the darker slaves were mandated to live in.

There is a veil of ‘colorism,’ or delineation between different shades of skin, that has plagued the African American community for centuries. ‘Colorism’ has militated itself beyond the confines of slavery and manifested itself within the socio-cultural norms of the present-day American society. Further, ‘Colorism’ has become a hot topic of discussion, especially as we carry on conversations regarding the media and definitions of black beauty. During the ‘80s and ’90s, black entertainers who dominated the industry often had more favorable European features, such as light-skin and curly hair. Entertainers such as Al B. Sure, Heavy D., Sade, Chico El Debarge and other artists who dominated the black entertainment industry during this time period exemplify these European-like traits. The trend continues to be prominent within modern-day black media as images of black beauty tend to reflect fairer skinned individuals, especially among the female population.

Media advertisements which celebrate beauty among communities of color are often overflowing with images depicting fairer-skinned persons. During the early years of Ebony and Jet magazines, advertisements for skin bleaching cream and hair-straightening kits were prominent in number. The magazines’ covers frequently featured very light-skinned women such as Dorothy Dandridge and Lena Horne. The color complex continues to radiate throughout our society, as exemplified by the commercials for beauty products such as L’oreal and Covergirl. Queen Latifah, Beyoncé, and Rihanna are all wonderful representations of black beauty; however, the young, dark-skinned woman, still may ponder in the back of her mind, “What about the black women who look like me?”

It is time to begin incorporating a more diverse collection of beauty.

Echoing the sentiments of the legendary Temptations, it is time for society to realize that the color of “beauty is only skin deep.” It’s 2009 and we are still judging one’s beauty based on the color or shade of his/her skin. Nashira Washington said it best, it’s time for people to “evolve from complexes—as if measuring a person’s worth is based upon [his or] her likeness to a paper bag.” As we continue to move forward it is necessary that we, as a society, evolve the way we think so we can begin resolve some of stereotypical and superficial complexes that continue to carve out the narrow definitions of what it is to be a black beauty.

Michelle Obama may not have been at the Oscars...

BUT WHOA!!!!!!!! She put women half her age to shame last night, at the White House Governor's Dinner. I think she might have even looked better than she did inauguration night, but I understand that inauguration was a hectic day.


Isn't she Lovely?

These ladies shut it down at the Oscars

Our African-American females looked poised, elegant, and just plain gorgeous



Taraji Henson in Roberto Cavalli. Hands down, best dressed! Best hair, best bag, just the best period.



Halle Berry in Marchesa. Perfection! Definitely a close 2nd for best dressed.



Viola Davis in Reem Acra. This color against her skin is gorgeous.



Queen Latifah in George Chakra. She looks great and sounded great during her performance.



Alicia Keys in Armani Prive. The dress is fab, but all that weave is a but much.


Didn't quite make the cut:


Beyonce in Deron. She's beautiful, but this is a disaster, someone should have told her not to wear this hideous print.

Happy Birthday Melissa!

Have a Fabulousity Fun time!

I used to love my Baby Phat!

I was so excited for Baby Phat show! Even regardless of the dilemmna that surrounded the show. Due to the whole recession Kimora wanted to fall back with this show. I think its because she's got a super seed growing inside of her but that's just my opinion.

Kimora's show always closes off Fashion Week with a blinged out bang! This time around she's pregnant, folks are broke, and we just aren't buying as much apparel. Not only did the show run on a Tuesday evening, but it was at Gotham Hall! So not sexy nor fabulous.

The fashions were gawdy, not that fabulous, nor trendy. However I have been a Kimora fan for ages so despite the downfalls I truly enjoyed the glitter, the Cat, and the D-list celebs! i.e Mario, Monica, Teyana Taylor, and Chrisette Michel.

What do you think?

Miss Sixty: Fashion week part trois

What would get me out of my warm comfortable bachelorette pad on a Sunday evening in Brooklyn? A Miss Sixty fashion show at Bryant Park!
I thought the fashions were cute, young, and hip-my only issue was that there was no color on the runway! and I'm not talking about threads and material honey!

Here are some of my favs-






Looks like skinny jeans are here to stay! the only twist is that there are embroidery on the jeans and silver acid wash is the new color. I can't imagine silver acid wash being flattering on any girl whose over a size 6 but I try my best to make it work!

This dress pairing with liquid leggings is fierce! This model in person is absolutely stunning.





Is that fishnets I see? Looks like its time to bring them back! I remember wearing these in high school.

Tell me what you think-Would you wear any of these designs walking down the street?

Next stop-Baby Phat!

Fashion Week: Fall 2009 BCBG Max Azria

BCBG Max Azria

Its that time again-Fashion Week! Luckily for me, I work the next block over from the tents so I can see and experience the frenzy first hand. I scored a ticket to the BCBG Max Azria show. How excited was I?! I put on my BCBG Black and White trench coat and walked past security as if I owned the place. It was such a frenzy inside! As I make my way to the bar (yes its 2 pm in the afternoon) this man grabs me and asks if he can interview me-I was taken aback at first but then he said its for hot vintage/high end fashion. I felt fab for a mere 2 minutes as he asked me, what inspired my outfit, I told him that I was a recessionista- I mix high end and low end pieces together as I am all for the environment and impacting the economy-he thought that my outfit was amazing. I thought it was ironic I just pulled a few items out the closet but made it work for me! Sorry I didn't get in a pic of my outfit but I had on my BCBG trench coat, skinny jeans, silver satin booties bamboo purse and hoop earrings with a messy natural curly do. Now that I think about it, I was looking hot! It was so inspiring how as I was being interviewed inside the tents people were staring at me as if thinking, "Who is she, is she famous" "oh she's no one but her outfit is hot".

I loved the show, I'm a BCBG fan so Max can never really go toO wrong. His inspiration in my point of view was the powerful woman. The threads were drapey which is the usual, velvet used in meticulous ways, bright and dark fall colors.



Solange was in attendance and I took this picture of her. She's too funny, I zoomed in on her and she says "Oh thats a booger shot!" She looked so cute.

Next stop: Miss Sixty!

It's Miss Keri baby

This song pretty much describes how I feel everytime I go out. Plus, I love dancing to it!

Michelle Obama graces the March cover of Vogue!

Michelle Obama is on the March issue of Vogue; I will be picking up about 5 issues of this! Doesn't see look great? And don't be fooled by mainstream media claiming 10 or more African American women have been on the cover of Vogue, it's a lie. Michelle Obama is the 4th African American woman to grace the cover alone; Halle Berry, Oprah Winfrey, and Jennifer Hudson have previously been Vogue cover models.

Red Hot Valentine's Dresses

Night Out for the “All the Single Ladies”



Arden B, Printed chiffon dress: $78.00
The ruffled front is great for hiding your stomach. The straps are removable, so you can get rid of them and wear this dress on a warm spring day!



Macy’s, Ruffle hem halter dress: $51.75

Make your man want to "Put it on Ya!"


Express, Ruched fitted dress: $29.99 (plus an additional 20% off at checkout!)
If you have big hips and a great booty this dress will definitely accentuate them. If you’re comfortable showing off your curves, then this dress is a must have!



Forever 21, Lace overlay dress: $27.80
This dress may not be red, but it is really sexy. The camel tone underlay will almost makes you look nude (oh my!). The dress speaks for itself, so keep the accessories to a minimum.

Save 20% at H&M

Save 20% on one item at H&M now until Feb. 13th. H%M is good for the recession budget and H&M at 20% is even better. Download the coupon:
http://www.hm.com/filearea/corporate/fileobjects/pdf/en_US/SALEACTIVITY_W7_PDF_1233648859105.pdf

He's Just NOT That into You

Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, and even Sherk all end with happily ever after. From the time we were little girls, it has been ingrained into our minds that Prince Charming will come to our rescue, marry us, and we will live happily ever after.

Last Night, I went to a screening of "He's Just Not That into You" and saw a reflection of myself and several of my girlfriends on screen (I'm a Mary, if you watch the movie, you'll know what I mean). I watched a female character practically hang onto to any man that talked to her (we all have a girlfriend like that). She went through the same routine with every man; go out on a date, make-out with him, go home, and wait for him to call. Now ladies, how many times have you waited for him to call? You know, looking at your phone, making sure it's connected, checking it after you took a shower just in case he called while you were in there. Then, after he doesn't call you start to worry about if something is wrong with you. She also talked about the losers she dated and put up with just because she believed in the "happily ever after." She believed if she waited long enough, those men would change for her, but with the help of a very honest male friend, she finally realized they weren't going to change.

Why do we believe in happily ever after? Is it because we hear the "stories"; the ones about your best friend's cousin's aunt that fell in love at first sight and got married after 2 months. Is the idea of a hopeless romantic promoted in our society? Do we continue to kiss frog after frog, just hoping that one day, we'll find our prince?

I recommend seeing the movie, it’s your typical romantic comedy; but the content will definitely foster a great conversation.