Too Faced Shadow Insurance

I've never really felt a need for primers because I always felt that my face was a greasy mess and that slathering yet another product on my face would just be a hot mess. But after hearing so much raves over Urban Decay's Primer Potion...I was intrigued.

And after a) having a really sucky day and b) seeing that Too Faced has a primer- I caved. I LOVE Too Faced with a PASSION! I love basically all their product and I was hoping that this wouldn't let me down.

I have this thing about light colored products- I'm afraid of them. I don't want that ashy/pale faced look. I did test out UDPP in Sephora but it did just that...ashy lookin'. Now it definitely could've been me because I really didn't blend it in and I kinda gave up quickly with it. But Too Faced sealed the deal when I tested it out because there was no trace of ash.

Another reason for me being kind of hesitant in buying eye shadow primer is because quite frankly, I don't wear eye makeup like I used to. I normally just line my eyes and put mascara and even that has just turned into mascara only. Maybe it's the combination of heat and laziness but my eyeshadows have been tucked away this past summer. Not to mention I basically have blue/teal/green eyeshadows...only.

But I did find my Victoria's Secret Mosaic Eyeshadow (the Heidi Klum collection---all of those colors are wonderful-gold, brown, pink, and a light tan) and figured why not play with makeup (not to mention I had 12 extra minutes before my bus came). So on went my Shadow Insurance, then my eyeshadow, then I lined my eyes with black liner (Wet n' Wild in Black Black).

Then I forgot about it and went to work.

Midday I looked in the mirror and realized...damn I look like an Egyptian goddess (haha) but in all seriousness, my makeup had not moved an inch. This was shocking because it is summer and it was one of the hottest days of the summer yet my gold eyes shimmered on. I then trekked to the city and went job hunting...on my train ride home I realized that my face must've been a sweaty mess and pulled out my Starbucks napkins(makes a great replacement for blotting paper and doesn't leave any little white lint [is that the word] on your face). But imagine my surprise when I saw my eyes! Not a crease in sight!!

So this is my new baby and I am in desperate need of some new eyeshadows. So this is another Makeup Bag Must Have!!!

Pucker Up: L'Oreal Infallible

Hey beauties! Welcome to another Pucker Up Wednesday!!!!


Today's lip product up for review is L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Gloss (my color is Sangria).
I bought this after receiving one in a gift bag at the Project Runway fashion show. The color was beige-ish but my mother took it after I complained that I didn't like the color on me. So I went back to CVS and bought Sangria because it's a pretty reddish-pink color. And I'm obsessed with pink lippies!

This gloss is PHENOMENAL!!!

It does goes on sticky and you have to wait for it to set. But seriously, this baby lasts! The gloss has a nice rich color and a good texture (it isn't oily, greasy, and the shine isn't something outrageous). But unlike other long lasting product my lips did not feel horribly dry and there wasn't any flaking.

To put this gloss to the test, I wore it for one week straight (a one week commitment to any product that's not skincare, is a rarity). I wore it to work in the morning and to the movies with a friend (we went to see Sex and the City...again). Now I must say, L'Oreal has lived up to their claims. I was skeptical because we all hear the tails these companies weave- "lasts 16 hours!"- really?

But their 6 hour claim is reasonable and right on the money. Ok...mine lasted for about 5 hours but even then their was a hint of color and all I had to do was top some Rosebud Salve over it and it was back on point! The tackiness/stickiness was very much there so I felt no need to reapply the same gloss- all I need was a hint of shine and I'm happy. This gloss certainly did not fail me.

If you're looking for a gloss with staying power, I HIGHLY recommend it! I love this so much, I'm making it my first ever-[drumrolls]- MAKEUP BAG MUST HAVE!!!

(I definitely just thought of that...hehe...)

My rating for L'Oreal Lip Infallible never Fail Gloss: A+++

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952

Chanel Iman for Victoria's Secret PINK

ok so I lied when I said I wouldn't be posting tonight. Granted my fish just died..but it was a goldfish. My friend manage to convince me that they don't live long anyway.

But while doing my usual Google/blog/website browse I came across this news: our homie Chanel Iman is the new face of Victoria's Secret PINK. Now Chanel zhas stated before that she would like to do Victoria's Secret so this is a good way for her to eventually move up the ladder.

This paired with my chronic addiction to Victoria's Secret (especially the PINK line...) has definitely got me swooning!








Who knows maybe she might be the new face of future VS Very Sexy perfumes.

=(

Dearly beloved. We gather here today to say our goodbyes...my poor old fish Electro has passed.

=(

poor thing only lasted a week (actually 10 days) and he croaked! I came home today after trying to find a replacement for the old Sidekick (which by the way is a gonner as well) and I just saw poor old Electro just lying there. He wasn't swimming around his "aquarium"- my makeshift aquarium...we ain't got money like that to be buying expensive aquariums on this side of NYC.

What made it worse was that my brother was home and didn't realize that my little baby wasn't spunky...no eyeing the side of the bowl, no swimming around in circles (do fish get dizzy??)-NOTHING! My bro tried to console me saying that goldfish don't live long anyways but...10 days!??!?

Now I have to sit here and wallow in my own self pity. What kinda momma am I??

No post tonight...I'm in mourning

Na-Na's got a man...

So we all know of y undying love for Naomi Campbell...or you should know it. But imagine my surprise when I found these little pics on Google of my fave gal. Someones got a man!!

She may be known for her temper and anger problems but she was nothing but tender while on a romantic cruise with billionaire Russian Vladislav Doronin.

This "working model" (did we hear about how she hates the word Supermodel because it has ben overused and she feels that models must EARN that title...SPEAK GIRL!) was dressed in a black string bikini (that I must add doesn't look like it fits right...total boobie exposure). She showered her honey bunny with kisses and hugs while on HIS luxury yacht, Lady In Blue.

This relationship has gotten quite serious after Naomi introduced good ol' Vladislav to 12 of her most trusted friends at a dinner party in the South of France (ohhh snaps he met the friends...)

I hope this is a love that lasts...jus 'cuz I love her so (lol)

ANTM...good for something...

Over the years, or seasons, I must say I've been losing my love for America's Next Top Model. I mean where was this "Top Model". I don't see them in any of the fashion shows-and I pretty much LIVE on style.com and the blogosphere. It's as if after the finale airs-POOF! There goes the "models". And I've been royally jealous of Romany of The 16 Diaries because the winners/contestants of Australia's Next Top Model have actually gone into the industry and can be seen in pages of magazines.

But lo and behold...America's next Top Model IS good for something. Granted these girls aren't the next Naomi or Gisele but they ARE out there. So here is a bit of an update as to where our girls are now:


Katarzyna Dolinska (the one who got kicked off for being "boring") was snapped up by Elite "the minute she was kicked off"..that's a good sign!


Anya (my fave of the season and second runner up) was signed with Elite as well. She dyed her hair back to brunette I could imagine how hard that platinum blonde was to maintain. At the moment, it's rumored that she has booked some editorials and is currently going to go sees for Fashion Week (I hope I see her!!)


Eva Pigford (now Marcelle) has been quite successful. She has appeared on the cover of Brides Noir, Women's Health and Fitness, and King magazine among others. She is now on the soap The Young and the Restless as a mom called Tyra (ironic no?). I've actually seen this (I've been closing the store at work so I have ample daytime and no night life) she's ok as an actress...


Now I loved this girl to death! YaYa the one with the natural hair and the attitude to match! She has been verrryyy successful. Besides being the face of Oil Of Olay’s Pore Refining cleanser, "Shanghai Hotel” with Hill Harper, “Take The Lead” with Antonio Banderas and the Lifetime drama “Racing For Time”. Now she might not be modeling but she's out there. She is currently playing Cassandra on the soap opera "All My Children" though rumor has it that she's been written out and will be gone in the next few weeks.

So these girls might not be Top Models but they're working...I guess

My Jewelry Box

If you were to take a look at my jewelry box...you'd be pretty disappointed. Let's see...there are two Juicy Couture bracelets, a bunch of bangles that I buy on the streets of New York, one out of a pair of earrings that I've managed to lose over the years, and a broken cross pendant necklace given to me by my mother as a HS graduation gift. The necklace and the occasional earring are the only "real" jewelry I have-real as in real gold. Everything else is costume jewelry-though I like to think of my Juicy bracelets as real ha ha...


My mother's the jewelry lover-I just lose them. There are times though-well since I've been getting older-that I wish I had more and I could put them in some kinda chest and just stare at them (odd, I know). I want to have tons of rubies, sapphires, and diamonds when I'm an old lady. Stylish, elegant, and chock full of jewels (think Elizabeth Taylor). And it's times like these when I browse sites such as My Jewelry Box where they have tons of-you guessed it- JEWELRY.

And not just any type of jewelry...engagement rings (I have mine picked out already...I just need Mr. Right, sapphire jewelry, and my favorite stone of all: Amethyst.

I just love amethyst because it's purple and purple is my favorite color- ever! so much so that my bridesmaids dresses are going to be purple...no and's, if's, or but's- you don't like then you could walk it out!

I love this site because they have prices for all sorts of budgets (I found a really cute amethyst ring for $69!!! Now if only I had $69...). Easy to navigate, and plenty of jewelry to choose from I HIGHLY recommend this site for anyone whose shopping for some new jewelry-not to mention there's FREE gift packaging, free shipping for items over $99, and 30 Day returns (I ALWAYS check for return policies...).

And if you're jewelry illiterate like me (I just go to what's purple, shiny, and pretty) they have a nice little section called "Educate" where they basically explain things to you like how to care for your jewelry, what to look for in diamonds (the 4 C's....I knew those ha ha), and also talks about gemstones, gold and silver.

One thing I learned about my birthstone (Topaz): "The topaz makes an appropriate gift for anyone suffering from insomnia or asthma. It also makes a good gift for anyone studying or beginning a new career because it is believed to increase wisdom, wealth, and creativity. Aside from physical disorders, the topaz is said to increase wisdom, intelligence and creativity."

I could use a topaz gem right now then...classes start in 3 weeks!!!

My $69 Cocktail Ring

This Blue Topaz & Peridot Gemstone Butterfly pendant is just too cute and it's my birthstone ($75!!!)

Tell me these aren't cute and I'll call you a liar. Oh wallet, why have you forsaken me and left me alone in this cruel but cute world!!!

I'd like to thank the Academy...

Sugar Honey Iced Tea ya'll...I've been given a Brilliante Blogger Award by the lovely Jaimie from Just Kiss 'N Makeup.

Thank you dearest! She called me classy!! I love that! I remember at a job interview last year the interviewer asked me "Are you sure you're only 19? You're so eloquent" and not too long ago my supervisor described me as elegant...so top that off with classy I'm following in the footsteps of my idol- Audrey Hepburn! A black Audrey Hepburn...can you imagine???

ok maybe not so much...hehe

but I'd like to thank Jaimie again, it means a lot (and I now know I'm not talking to myself out there...someone's reading hehe). But now the real task begins...I must give this out to 7 other wonderful people. This is mucho tough since I'm addicted to a gazillion blogs out there and picking 7 is like telling Carrie Bradshaw she must only commit to seven pairs of shoes for the rest of her life!! (so dramatic, non?) HA!

So here I go...

Popularly Unpopular: my online friend, Knikki. One of the first bloggers I wish I met/knew in person. Seriously down to earth and her blog isn't merely fashion-it's life in general which I like. There are funny posts, rants, and things to make you think. Not to mention I'm jealous that she has a man hahahaa...

Clumps of Mascara: Now I know you got a TON of these but that just goes to show how wonderful of a blog you have there. Not a day goes by where I don't go on ya site to see what mascara you're recommending, seeing what product is great for women of color, and what eyeshadow ya rockin'! Reading Clumps Of Mascara isn't like reading a blog where the blogger is writing off of a press release. It's like talking to one of your friends and when those videos come around I'm TUNED IN!!! Down to earth, friendly, great recommendations..I could go on forever! Simply put...I'm addicted to this site.

Entregáo a la Salsa: I'm not only addicted to fashion and beauty but to learning about other cultures as well. So whenever I need a break from all the eyeshadow and the stacked heels, I go on over to my friend's blog and read about the life of a salsa dancer. It's cool seeing how passionate someone can be about something. Makes me wanna dance (although my salsa isn't really salsa...I just sway y hips and act like I know what I'm doing...FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT DARLINGS!)

Beauty Blogging Junkie: simply amazing. It took me a while to try to decipher some of her posts as she shortens words (delish= delicious, phenom= phenomenal, totes= totally) but reading her blog is like talking to a girlfriend (just like Clumps). I really have to tune in everyday or my day isn't complete...

Spoiled Pretty: ahh Daneen (I say her nme like I know her personally...HA!) but I am in lurvvv with this blog and am sooooo happy I found it! funny, chill, reasonable...not to mention I won a Victoria's Secret PINK hoodie from one of her contest and can't wait till I get it 'cuz if you've been reading this blog long enough you'll know of my chronic obsession with VS. If this blog were to sudden;y disappear of the face of this earth, I'd probably cry...pathetic, I know

I Am Fashion so I was heavily addicted to this blog wayy before I started my own fashion blog. I actually agree with some of the posts...and they live overseas..I'm a sucker for Europeans.


The 16 Diaries: have you ever met someone younger than you yet they speak so eloquently and their posts are intellectually stimulating and they kinda make you feel crappy about your posts. This is that person. Why am I giving her award, then? Because her posts are so intellectually stimulating and the pictures are stunning! Another one of my early blog friends, I'm a tad bit obsessed with The 16 Diaries...

So there you have it...now here are the rules

The rules for receiving this award are:


1) Put the logo on your blog.


2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.


3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.


4) Add links to those blogs on yours.


5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.



Be sure to check these chicas out!

Keira Knightley for US Vogue September Issue

The ever pouty Keira Knightley is going to be on the cover of US Vogue's September Fall Issue. This is the issue I look forward too all year simply because it's FAT and filled with goodies. Clothes galore!!! Marc, Alber, Vera, YSL-the looks! the accessories! I think I hyper ventilate every September when these issues come out! This is when the powers that be (Anna Wintour) basically dictates to those less fortunate of what's in and what's out. Believe it or not, there are people who base their fall wardrobe on what's on these pages (**cough** I wouldn't know anyone like that **cough**) But I look forward to ALL September issues because, well, it's good to see from different viewpoints of what I, -er, I mean, we, should consider wearing for Fall.

=)

But...

but...

Knightley??

Really?? Again...

the last time she appeared on the cover, it didn't sell (that was the June 2007 cover which only sold 405,000 copies. That was the second-lowest seller of that half of the year (hell, that's still better than Gwyneth's May cover...that sucker only sold 310,000 copies...which is odd 'cuz I like Paltrow's style)
(the failed Vogue June 2007)

I don't have a problem with Knightley. I think she's stunning. But the girl only has one look. That damn pout!! If I see another pout I think I'm gonna go CA-RAY-ZEE!!


I mean seriously, these pictures are going to look the same. She better just have a to page spread.

Other September covers:
Penélope Cruz for Glamour (have we seen her W cover...GORGEOUS!!)
Blake Lively for Cosmopolitan
Vanessa Hudgens for Teen Vogue.
Jessica Simpson for Elle (I think I barfed a bit just now...I'm SICK of Jessica..really I am. I just find her annoying. She's coming out with a country album. 'cuz her pop albums are getting kinda sucky...that was mean lol)
Supermodels for Vanity Fair

well we'll see what the sales are like this year (still no black models on the covers...I thought we were making changes...)

Fragrance Series: White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor

Wow I feel like I haven't done one of these in a while! But coming up next on Fragrance Friday Series is White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor.


I first remembered White Diamonds from all of the old school commercials. You know the ones I'm talking about- the one where the guys are gambling or something and out pops Elizabeth Taylor looking glamorous as ever-

"Not so fast von Ryan"
[Taylor walks ever so seductively]
"These have always brought me luck"
[takes off diamond earrings and puts on a table...fight ensues]

There's something about that commercial and what you may have either heard or know about Taylor herself (obsessed with diamonds, those eyes, her marriages) that kind of makes me think of that perfume as elegant. I mean back in the day, Taylor was one hot chick. Always looked glamorous and chic and elegant. So maybe that's what I associate with her perfume.

But anywhoo- this perfume is one of my mother's faves and on a recent trip to Macy's she ended up buying me one (I think she just couldn't say no to the salesperson and ended up buying two and telling me one was for me...)

I was happy to have my own 'cuz I've been stealing spritzes of hers when she wasn't looking

White Diamond is a very classy floral fragrance. It doesn't hit your nose and gives it that tingly itchy feeling where you're afraid you might sneeze at any moment.

Top notes of White diamond are neroli, tuberose (my fave) and lily. Middle notes are made up of orris, rose, narcissus, jasmine, and amber. Base notes are made up of sandalwood, oakmoss and patchouli.

For a floral it is very warm to me. When it settles and dries down it's not one of those spunky in your face (or nose) type of fragrances. Instead its very subtle and when I'm wearing it I sometime forget until I inhale and there it is. I love it because when I hug people (I'm a hugger when I want to be) its only then people (read: guys I'm trying to flirt with) smell it and say I smell good (my top 5 best compliments ever..."You smell good"...I don't know why but I love hearing that).

Though it's classy and elegant, I feel it's best as a daytime fragrance. I don't see it lasting through a night and quite frankly there are better evening fragrances out there.

Just for kicks here's the commercial [NOTE: press pause on the music player on the left of this site]:


Rating: A

Available at perfume.com and other retailers.

Fashion Rocks 2008

So the lineup has been announced for this years Fashion Rocks event with proceeds benefiting Stand Up To Cancer.




Musical performances include the Black Eyed Peas, Chris Brown, Duffy, Fergie (!), Justin Timberlake, Lil Wayne (!), Mariah Carey, and Rihanna. There are many many more but you didn't think they'd give them all away did you??

Held at Radio City Music Hall this year (again), Fashion Rocks celebrates the uber important and powerful relationship between fashion and music. Because think about it, he music at a fashion show kind of sets the theme and adds to the overall feeling of the show (you can't have rocker chic clothes with country music bumpin' in the background...it just doesn't flow).
"In just five years, Fashion Rocks has become one of the most exciting multi-media events of the year," said Richard Beckman, president of Conde Nast Media Group. "Whether on stage at the live event, during the show's broadcast or in the pages of the magazine, Fashion Rocks uniquely celebrates the intersection of two of the most sexy cultural paradigms; fashion and music. This year, we have a spectacular line-up of talent and performances that will take the show to a whole new level." [source]

Be on the lookout for the Fashion Rocks magazine out with several Conde Nast titles in the September issues.

The Two-Hour Special to Air September 9, 2008 on CBS

Rihanna...my new fave girl

InStyle Magazine: August 2008

August seems to be a great month for magazine covers for me. I haven't been disappointed at one cover so far. The one (ok one of two) mags that I've been reading everyday this week was InStyle. Simply because they fed my Rihanna fix







fave quote::

But you weren't always a fashion maven? Growing up in Barbados, you were a tomboy.

"I wore my brother's clothes, dresses with sneakers, or no shoes at all. I would always get into trouble with my mom. She would say things to scare me like, 'You're going to get cut!' But I couldn’t help it. I would climb trees, steal mangoes, catch birds—silly things that were fun to us at the time. My cousin and I were the only girls in the group. We would have to stand up for ourselves because the guys didn't want us around."

Steal mangoes..hehe

Courtesy: InStyle Magazine: August 2008

So when Robyn Rihanna Fenty came on the scene...I really disliked her. To me she was just another teen pop chic and really I wasn't havin' that. But her songs was too catchy to avoid (not to mention everywhere you went "Pon de Replay" was being blasted). For me she was too much like the other pop girls- the only thing I was happy about was the fact that she was a West Indian woman doin' big things...West Indian loud and proud.

To me she had no look...no edge...not really memorable as a person. Yes she's pretty and I envied that light brown hair (I've been wanting to color my hair but am too punk) but at the end of the day she was just "whats-her-name"


But then she came out of nowhere with that bob and the jet black hair...needless to say I was caught off guard. And the music had changed too..it was less little girl and more badass (I'm convinced I'm a tough badass chick inside). Now I find myself watching (and envying her style).

She now sports my fave look EVER- the smokey eye.


Her clothes- FIERCE! Her legs- FLAWLESS! Her voice- much better than before =)





"I'll never have my hair long and light brown again," the trendsetting star has said of this look. "It was too generic."
THANK YOU!!!!

So good job Rihanna, had you stayed on your squeaky-clean-good-girl-I'm-just-another-pop- star status..I would've never downloaded (and bought) your songs off of iTunes. Thank you for bringing the ever evolving and badass yet beautiful/fashionable side of you to us mere civilians.

Oh New York...

My friend always says why pay to see a show on Broadway when you could just get on a NYC train. This is oh so true. You are always entertained...drama, suspense, comedy, catfights- all can be viewed for a mere $2 fare.

But lately my bus ride home has been more than entertaining. First, there was my little tiff with the man. And today there was a very interesting convo-on-the-verge-of-argument going on between an older lady and a young girl. Apparently the girl's bag was poking the older lady in the side and the lady (politely) asked her to move it aside. The young girl gave the illest attitude and must have said something slick 'cuz the older lady was about to tear her a new you-know-what. Instead the older woman (Southern- you could hear it in her accent) told the girl to watch her tongue since "you're talking to an adult"

Young girl: "I am an adult...I'm gonna be 18, so..."

Older lady: "Oh really" LAUGHS

...silence...

YG: "You have a nice day, Miss" [exits through back door]

OL: "God bless you dear"

What followed was laughter upon laughter by the women sitting in the back. [mockingly] "I AM AN ADULT!" [more laughter] "I'm 18!!"

By this point a West Indian woman (Trinidadian- you could here it in her accent) starts breaking down and telling the Older Lady that she woulda cursed out that LITTLE girl in a minute.

West Indian Lady: "Are you paying bill?" "Are you paying rent?" "Oooohh I woulda told she to watch who she talking to...meh nah care how old she is. You a little girl...18 not sh**...pleeeeeaase man"

I just sat there laughing at the "adult" but only because I remembered thinking the same thing when I was 18. I'm not much older than her but I am old enough to realize that at 18, you think you own the world and can't nobody hold you down. Instead I got myself in more trouble than good and am paying for it (literally) to this day.

It's just really funny to actually hear someone say that at 18, they are grown but really at 18 you (well most people) don't know jack. High school was the highlight of your life and you haven't lived long enough to really know what an adult is. Hell, have you lived at all?

at least in my opinion.

But who knows know as the youth are growing faster than ever and getting ruder by the minute

Rick Springfield...

OK so I'm a bit young for "Jessie's Girl" but that doesn't stop me from blasting it on my iPod- that along with my other gazilion 80s songs. But after watching late night reruns of Oprah, I was shocked to see that the mega hottie from back in the day is still a mega hottie.

(back in the day)

I mean is that creepy to say but he just looks absolutely gorge for an older guy....

(on Oprah)


Now ya'll know of my old guy crush ;-) I love the 80s

photo courtesy of Google.

Vanity Fair to feature Supermodels...on the cover!

...cue theme from Star Wars...

Once upon a time, in a land far far away there was a time period where great beings ruled the world. With bodies to envy and legs for days, these beings were known as Supermodels. These beings, great in stature, captivated the world with their radiant beauty and dazzling personalities. Seeing them walk was like seeing angels descend upon the earth if only for a minute. They inspired little girls everywhere and had everyone practice "the smile" in front of their bathroom mirrors. Their names- irreplaceable: Linda, Naomi, Cindy, Stephanie, Christy, Claudia--the list goes on and on.


Then...they vanished. Missing from most fashion mag covers, they have been replaced by movie star and talentless twits. They're all but gone from top ad campaigns having been beaten out by anonymous, awkward-looking teenagers. Gone is her presence on the worlds runway shows for her fame costs more than designers want to dish out. The glitz, the glam, the wonder- gone. So the world mourns, its makeup runny from tears. Some have moved on, others still work though their magnificence overshadowed by heiress' and celebrities with clothing lines.

That is until one day, the brilliant minds over a glossy mag-Vanity Fair- decides to reincarnate these beings and propel them into the limelight they once owned. And so, the world must wait when they launch their September issue featuring SIX (!) supermodels on its glossy fold-out cover. Could this be the reunion of a lifetime--Stephanie Seymor, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington & Cindy Crawford

or is their a new breed (my picks: Chanel Iman, Alek, Jourdan, Arlenis, Jessica Stam & Raquel Z--but let's be serious 4 out of 6 black models on the cover of a US mag...I wish)? Who could this new breed be?? Chanel Iman? Sasha? Jessica? Raquel? The world will have to wait...till September

Stay tuned...

Jennifer Hudson....

So when I saw Jennifer Hudson's cover for her new album, I thought damn she beautiful. I must admit I was kind of anti her new bob but only because everyone had the bob and I just didn't want to see her fall into the "follower" category. But she sold me at the MTV movie awards and later at the Sex and the City premiere (not to mention her video for "Spotlight").

But when you look harder (well not really because it's so blatantly obvious) you see that her body is significantly smaller on the cover of the album than in any other picture I've seen of her thus far. Now it's quite possible that she lost a ton of weight (I hear she's been dieting and it shows in some pics) but I mean...damn...



This is the J-Hud that I know.


When you look at it though, it is possible (there I go again with my theories) that it's the way the photo is cropped. Since it is beneath the belted waist (which does make you look smaller)it is possible that the way the pic is cropped is altering her look. But whatever...I don't know

What do you think? Has Jen been Photoshopped?

Leave Me Alone...

No seriously, leave me alone.

Now I'm not trying to push my readers away (all two of you hehe) but I'm talking to those who feel the need to make remarks about my hair.

Let me start from the beginning.

Today my friends J, S, and I went to a concert held in Central Park (we went to see Santogold). Now despite the extreme heat (sunburn to the third degree) it was cool. But the people at the concert decided to spray water on the crowd and the only reason I gave in was because I was hot as hell so for the few hours that I was there, I said screw my hair.

On the bus ride home, I was on the phone with another friend gushing about how much I just loved my friend S natural hair (so thick and curly and just plain beautiful) and I was complaining about how sweaty and poufy my relaxed hair had gotten. The guy behind me must've been listening to my convo because the minute I said "later" to my friend, he taps me and says

"Now you learned your lesson. I don't see why you young black women feel the need to look like the rest of them and have straight hair"

Excuse you? Who are you to talk to me like that?

He then went on a tirade about how black women shouldn't perm their hair blah blah blah. Needless to say there was quite a debate on the B17 bus today.

I've tried to go natural but I never really gave it a shot because my hair was breaking and quite frankly I missed my relaxed hair. This doesn't mean I'm trying to be "white" nor am I "neglecting" my roots. This just means that I prefer my hair straighter.

Why?

Because I'm lazy. There I said it. It's so much easier (in my opinion) to unwrap your hair in the morning and let it fall. During my failed attempt at au naturel my hair was breaking and shedding and I had no idea why. So I went to what I knew. Good old FABU-LAXER (the one with the black and purple box..hehe). Natural hair takes time and patience- two things I'm not good with- kinda.

I'm not knockin' women with natural hair. As a matter of fact, I'm quite jealous. I stared at my friend's hair today and gushed about it to J on the train ride home (her response as to why my hair never looked like that: "YOU NEVER GAVE YOUR HAIR A CHANCE!!!! YOU ALWAYS PERMING IT!!"...count on her to yell at me and keep it real). There were (and still are) plenty of times when I would [miserably] attempt to curl my hair and try to make it look somewhat natural (straw set anyone?) all just to give my hair a shot.

Now leave me alone. I'm not fake. I'm not trying to be Barbie. I have not been brainwashed by mainstream media. But natural hair just might not be for me at the moment. Let ME figure that out when I'm ready.

Jeez.

So this may be a rant and some of you might find it foolish but I'm sick and tired of the backlash and the negativity towards black women with relaxed hair. I love curly hair but I'm no less of a black woman just 'cuz I've put chemicals in it. What, next you're gonna tell me I can't color it? Is that bad too?

What ever happened to "I am not my hair"?

And to the guy on the bus...mind your beeswax!! (how's that for mean...ha!)

Italian Vogue July 2008

IT'S HERE!!! IT'S REALLY HERE!!!!

So for the past two weeks (ok like month) I've been on the hunt for the Italian Vogue Issue. For those who don't know (have you been under a rock) this issue is named the All Black Issue, as for the editorials ALL black models were used.

YAYYYYYYYYYY

I first posted about it here the details were a bit sketchy then but I kept on searching for it. You can track my frustration here and here.

It's been rough, I've been to every (or just about) magazine shop/ bookstore between SoHo to 86th Street. Only to be told "Sold Out"

..and they say black models don't sell magazines...

Well it took my new bff, Hajeed (spelling??) from the Internet Cafe on 14th Street (between 5th and 6th-if you're in NYC and are looking for this issue GO THERE!!! Though you'd better get there quick!). Hajeed told me of when they were getting their shipment (last night) and when it would be out (this morning) and when I got there today at 1pm..there they were...Visions of Beauty

I had originally only wanted to get one copy. So I purchased Naomi's cover without hesitation simply because I love Naomi Campbell. She is like my icon. No matter what anyone says, she is my #1 favorite person (than Victoria Beckham, than Gabrielle Union, then Kelly Rowland...just so you know hehe)


But after seeing Jourdan's cover, I felt that I had to have that one too. So I dipped into my new phone fund (the Sidekick is done...gone) I purchased Jourdan's cover...



They are soooooo beautiful. And when You open up the mag...TA-DA!!

All four cover looks (and yes my Naomi is still in her plastic)!!!! The editorials are simply beautiful and just debunks ANY rumors that black models don't look good or whatever other sorry excuse editors are using to not use black models. There are tons of beautiful models fetured in this issue: Arlenis, Chanel Iman (surprised she didn't get a cover), Karen Alexander, Gail O'Neil, Noemie, Sessilee Lopez, Tyra, Liya, Iman- SO MANY MODELS THAT YOU DON'T SEE ON THE COVER (or at least in an editorial) IN US VOGUE OR ANY OTHER MAJOR FASHION MAG!!!!!!

Hell even Toccara (yes as in plus sized Toccara from America's Next Top Model) has a spread in it...









But it is a bit too KING for my taste...but go ahead girl at least someone from ANTM landed in some kind of Vogue.

Here's hoping that Anna Wintour will hear my cries and follow Italy! Like I've said before, I hope this ain't a passing fad.

photo credits: my camera and www.brownsista.com