VANITY PAGES

Common & The Roots - 4106

2009-10-19T15:41:00.001-04:00

Common & The Roots - 4106, originally uploaded by fave :).

Elizabeth the Band - 13

2009-10-19T14:43:00.001-04:00

Elizabeth the Band - 13, originally uploaded by fave :).

here it is!

Can we talk for a minute?

2008-12-29T20:51:00.002-05:00

Anyone ever notice how the girl in the Tevin Campbell "Can We Talk" video looks more masculine then he does? And I love how he tried to act like he knows how to play football! OH Tevin, you're too cute...

Live. Laugh. Love.

- A. Onesauce

"ARRA"

2008-06-13T21:10:00.005-04:00

Just because this is ridiculous, I'm just gonna keep it real, so excuse me from using horrible grammar, but this is some real nigga shit that just happened.
R. Kelly must be the luckiest black man alive right now. He actually knows how it feels to be in the hot seat and get away with it....on some real OJ and Michael Jackson shit.

We all know it was him, so I will refrain from rehashing the entire sex video debacle he got himself into.

My only question is, if it wasn't R. Kelly (hypothetically speaking), then who the fuck was it? I know for a fact it was him tossin' the one chicks salad like a greedy fat dude at the Sizzler in one of the videos, but really, who was it.....and where is Sparkle?

Maybe this was a myth, but was the supposed victim not Sparkle's relative and the man who resembled R. Kelly in the video was his brother?

I'm a need Oprah, Geraldo, or Tavis to do some real investigations.

I'm not gonna front....I was one of this nigga's who rooted for OJ's ass (well really Johnny Cochran), and I even felt bad for Michael, but R. Kelly was it for me.

I'm done with "ARRA"!

Still bumping those classic remixes though!

Lookin Ass Nigga

2008-05-01T11:29:00.004-04:00

I can't say too much:

but......
Ooompa Looompa Doopity Dooo Lookin Ass N*gga!

Words To Grow On: Clopping Corduroys

2008-04-30T10:33:00.007-04:00

What happened to the raw, keep your clothes on, sensual eruption (in your pants), dirty DRY HUMPING? Do the youth under 16 do that anymore?

I won't get into detail about my past teenage escapades, but I will say, dry humping was not so bad...at least for me it wasn't. I'm sure blue balls weren't that comfortable for my boyfriends, but hey, I didn't have balls and that was their problem.
Young boys have always been manish, no doubt, but it's up to the young girls to stand up and say "hey, that's your problem, I just wanna dry hump".
By the way, as a young girl (under age 14), where is the libido coming from? Are you having sex because it feels good, or are you doing it because of the peer pressure? The 14 year olds on Maury seem to love sex...but my question is how and why?

I told my 14 year old cousin that whether a guy really likes you or not....he's going to want to have sex with you....period. Why be the ItSexGirl at school? It's not cute and you will feel shame and inadequate, because he will try to do it with someone else eventually. So just wait!

Obviously, society has gotten bored, jaded, and uninspired. With BET, VH1, and MTV, there is no reason why we shouldn't have teen pregnancies. So I really just answered my own damn question. The roles have reversed. The parents want to be their kid's best friends and the kids are grown. It sucks and it makes my stomach queasy...so be easy...little sleazies!

Let me smell yo....

2008-04-29T21:14:00.005-04:00

Are women now a days this insecure? We're writing songs about this now? Damn Yvette & Jody!

Cause at the End of the Day

2008-04-17T18:25:00.001-04:00

There are certain phrases that really bother me. I don't get where these explanatory phrases come from or who started it, but hearing the following punch lines makes me want to scream:

1. Cause at the End of the Day....- that's been an all time hood favorite for the past 3 years
2. What had happened was....- Why? Why put the had in it. The had is unncessary. It doesn't drive the point through, it's just an extra word
3. Well, it is what it is....- What? That's stupid and come up with something better to say. That's the worst come back when hearing bad news.
4. Last but not least...- Ladies, lets just stop using this one to drive the point home, because we never really finalize the argument

Ya dig what I'm saying, specialer, it's goin down, worser.....

Corporate America: How I loathe thee, let me count the ways...

2008-04-03T17:16:00.002-04:00

1 hour for lunch is fucked up...

2 new copy machines in the copy room? Whoop-dee-do!

3 people telling me about the wack ass snacks left over from the last meeting...

4 years of college for this?

5 days a week? So I only get two days off??

6 sick days? WTF? So I guess I should pencil in the flu and a sinus infection too right?

7 am I get up in the morning and get dressed...

8 my yogurt parfait and drank my tea...

9 new emails in my inbox, "ugh!"

10 am I think to myself, "is it 5 yet?"

Damn this 9-5 shit! I'm working on a million dollar plan!!!!

live. laugh. love.

Lady A.

Put a Twang of Salt on a Sweet Melon

2008-04-02T12:45:00.007-04:00

I just want to give a shout out to my aunt for putting me on to this clip.

Is it just me, or do black folks have a hard time being really black these days? When I say "really black", I am speaking of our natural non-vulnerable state.
So what society is telling me is that: Barak Obama can't be associated with another "angry black man", the word "nigga" has seen it's death, and eating watermelon and chicken around white folks is all together publicly unacceptable.
What are we afraid of? Our pastors have always talked about racial inequalities, maybe not as strong as Rev. White, but just as poignant. Blacks are usually not vulnerable during family time so eating chicken and watermelon and saying "nigga" and shit doesn't really matter...right?
The contemplation starts when we try to dress our shit up. We know we wanna eat watermelon and chicken....but we eat grapes and turkey breast instead. Why is that? Are we ashamed? or Maybe all the stereotypes have really impacted us.
I know the fried chicken thing can be unhealthy...but it's ok to eat it sometimes. The watermelon thing is really puzzling to me because I never see black folks eat it anymore. I love me some watermelon...so I could care less if I look like little sambo...especially if the watermelon is not too soft but sweet as honey! EEEwwww Weeeee Mane! (I've regressed)
Anyway.....
I remember while at work I ordered from this soul food spot. I had greens and the whole nine....and this pale lady came walking into the lunch area talking about "what's that strong bitter smell?". She knew what I was eating...and I did feel somewhat shamed.
Or...
you know how after any holiday such as, Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving, we love to bring a "plate" to work....Niggas be smellin' up the whole damn office...but the white folks bring Turducken and green bean casserole to work after the holidays and they're not sneakin' around corners trying to eat in peace.
And what the hell is Turducken?
Turducken is Turkey stuffed with duck stuffed with chicken, which is some ghetto shit anyway.

I feel Petey Green on this clip...sometimes you gotta just be you and not worry yourself with what others think. That goes for anyone. Sometimes I think we as blacks feel the pressure to assimilate than just be our natural shit talking, soul food eating, sunflower seed spitting selves...LMAO!
Next time, just put some TWANG on it and call it a day!
Peace and Blessings!
Think Twice Before you Answer!

Hemotions part 2

2008-03-30T23:15:00.000-04:00

yeah, I said HEmotions...

Have you ever heard a guy say out loud that he is a Metrosexual? If so, how did that make you feel especially if you were interested in him? Hmmmm, something to think about right? I mean, I appreciate a guy that takes care of himself with clean finger nails; moisturized hands, feet, knees, and elbows; shaved face; clean hair cut, etc (you get my drift) BUT for a guy to say, "yeah well I'm a metrosexual" slightly irks me...

So if a guy said this to you how would you react to his statement???

Another thing, I know it probably sounds stupid but I don't like when guys spell certain words in particular ways, there's just something "questionable" about it-shall I explain? Ok, so is it just me or does it also bother you when a guy spells the word "nigga" like this: "nucca"?

Now, I know that they are just trying not to use the word nigga and using the spelling as an alternative but I just don't like the way the two c's next to each other look next to the "u" and the "a" and then I don't like the way it's pronounced especially when a guy says it-it just sounds very...questionable. Say "nucca" out loud and see how wack it sounds...

Ok if you don't feel me on that one, what about if a guy spells the word "girl" like this, "gurl" you know like in a text message they say "hey gurl!" That bothers me too

I don't know, I could just be paranoid-but damn when I walk these New York City streets and ride the train all I can see are guys who look straight at first glance but then that slight switch of the hips, or that eye roll, or that slight roll of the neck catches me off guard and then BAM! You realize that dude is gay! To my gay men out there I have nothing against you because you are out and free and just being yourself and I respect that. But to these other "questionable" men...get it together, decide which team you're gonna be on!

Live, laugh, love...Lady A : )

WTF Tidbits: James Lipton

2007-10-23T12:40:00.000-04:00

Before the host of Bravo's popular show "Inside the Actor's Studio", this man was very young and penniless. Ok, that's believable...we all had to struggle to come up, and I applaud him for his success.

But what ya'll don't know is that this man was a real PIMP in France.

Yes...none other than James Lipton, whose popularity grew after Will Ferrell's spoofs of him on SNL, would set up sex shows for clients for one of his lady friends.

"We were earning our living together, this young woman and I; we made a rather good living, I must say." amny.com

Can't hate the player or the game!

This is Freakin' Me Out Man!!!

2007-10-16T16:10:00.001-04:00

Is this a joke or has Jermaine Dupri been a little person his entire career and I never received the memo.
Ciara's crackin' up and I can't tell if she's laughing with him or at him so I'm hoping this is a joke....but I just can't find Jermaine's real legs behind the fake midget legs....but wait, look at his hands. Maybe this is a midget that happens to look identical to Jermaine....Damn this is wild.
Someone please...I Want Answers!! And don't give me the camera angle bull shit!

On a more serious note
R.I.P. to the homie Big Moe...you will be missed

I know this is Vanity Pages and we keep it siddity over here, but I'm a Houston, Texas by way of Mo.City native and when I heard of Big Moe's (real name Kenneth More) passing I was saddened. The SUC (Screwed Up CLick) has had yet another loss. If you are from the south, then you know DJ. Screw, Phat Pat, and Big Hawk...all members of the SUC and all have since passed away. At age 33, Big Moe is the latest casualty of a supposed heart attack. His hits were "Barre Baby", "Purple Stuff", and the Houston classic SUC collabo "June 27". He will be missed!

A Little Taste Of Sex In The City The Movie

2007-10-14T18:48:00.000-04:00

Sex and the City:
The Movie, The Clothes!

For those of you who want Sex and the City: The Movie to be fresh and new, look away (until May 30th, 2008, when the film is released). For those who cannot resist a look at what the fabulous foursome will be wearing around Manhattan. I loved Sex in the City, so when IN STYLE posted the up-coming movie fashions of Sex In The City, I couldn't resist. What do you guys think? (Samantha Looks Fab in the red)

Classic Carrie

Costume designer Patricia Field rises to the challenge of creating unique outfits for the cast. Here she creates one of Carrie's signature high fashion-meets-funky looks with a flouncy floral dress and ostrich feather bag from Salvatore Ferragamo.
(I LOVE THIS LOOK.LOVE!!!)

Kim Cattrall, who stands 5'9" tall, gets an extra lift from liquid silver peep-toe pumps. Never shy in demeanor or dress, Samantha is eye-catching in a taxi cab-yellow jacket.
(She Looks So Great) Love this outfit and shoes

Real Talk

2007-10-12T16:56:00.000-04:00

R. Kelly is wrong for this shit!

Wow, what can I say. So "ARRRA" has really steeped to new low levels(as if he couldn't get any lower). He's looking a little disheveled. Damn! Where are you Dave Chappelle? We need a spoof on this, actually he spoofed his damn self. This makes me kinda' sad. I can so hear Lisa Raye talkin' at the other end. Real Talk!!!

The Excited-O-Meter: The Movie Edition

2007-10-12T14:45:00.000-04:00

I got this idea from Blender magazine.

EXTREME EXCITEMENT
American Gangster
Denzel Washington has yet again aroused the hood by bringing another gangster story back to Hollywood.
I recommend not going to any Magic Johnson Theaters because the lines are going to be crazy long. And you know how we love to talk through movies. Showing: November 12

EXCITED-ISH
30 Days of Night and Why Did I Get Married?

30 Days of Night- All Halloween lovers must be totally psyched (I know that was so 80's of me) about this movie. Being the horror movie lover october baby that I am...I can't help but get anxious about this thriller. I hope it doesn't let me down like 28 Weeks Later. This may be bootleg worthy....I don't know. Showing: 10/19

Why Did I Get Married- Hopefully bringing back the real black love stories and drama that had us feeling good during the Love Jones and The Best Man era. I'm feeling real good about the cast and this movie. I am definitely going to support it by not buying the bootleg.
Showing: Now 10/12

May Suck a Mean One-
Rather watch Martin DVD's all night.

Feel the Noise- The fact that it's produced by J-Lo further lets me know how this will be a waist of anyone's time. If I even hear of any one my friends or associates going to see this movie (which I won't because my people are cool)...our friendship will definitely be in question. Do we really need another HoneyYougotServedSavetheLastDance movie? I'd rather watch the dance scenes from The Last Dragon 50 times before seeing this one. Sorry O fans...this one will be a total dud! Showing: Who Cares?

Supahead on the Jaime Foxx Show

2007-10-09T14:02:00.000-04:00

Ya'll must check out Supahead on the Jaime Foxxhole radioshow.
They are so off the chain!

They even get Tigger on the phone and talk about the gayness that he's supposed to be.

Click the link below

Jaime Foxx The Foxxhole

Gosh...I hope she's ok!!

2007-10-01T12:36:00.000-04:00

I found this on Kanye's Blog
Ya'll know how I love a good fall...ENJOY!!
Introducing: The fall of the Grape Lady

WAKE UP !!!!

2007-09-30T19:55:00.000-04:00

HIV AND AIDS HAS INCREASED TO 30% THIS YEAR ALONE AND GUESS WHAT, THE YEAR IS NOT OVER YET. YOU CAN IGNORE THIS, IT'S YOUR CHOICE OR YOU CAN READ AND PROTECT YOURSELF. PLEASE UNDERSTAND PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO TELL YOU THEY HAVE HIV OR AIDS.

Black Americans and HIV/AIDS

Black Americans have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS
since the epidemic’s beginning, and that disparity has deepened
over time.Blacks account for more HIV and AIDS cases,
people estimated to be living with AIDS, and HIV-related deaths
than any other racial/ethnic group in the U.S.1,4 The epidemic
has also had a disproportionate impact on Black women, youth,
and men who have sex with men, and its impact varies across the
country. Moreover, Blacks with HIV/AIDS may face greater barriers
to accessing care than their white counterparts.Today, there
are approximately 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the
U.S, including more than 500,000 who are Black. Analysis of
national household survey data found that more than 6% of Blacks
in the U.S. were HIV positive, higher than any other group.

WEAR A CONDOM! IF YOU DON'T THINK IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU, WELL THINK AGAIN. THESE NUMBERS ARE TOO HIGH, AND IF YOU ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP OR STARTING A NEW RELATIONSHIP WEAR A CONDOMS. BOTH PARTNERS SHOULD DECIDE TO GET A HIV TEST TOGETHER. IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE TALKING TO YOUR PARTNER ABOUT THIS, ASK YOUR SELF THIS QUESTION WHO DO YOU LOVE? REMEMBER PEOPLE DO LIE AND DON'T FORGET IT.

YEAH, IT'S THAT SERIOUS!!!

Although Black Americans represent only 12% of the U.S.
population, they account for half (50%)of AIDS cases diagnosed in
2007

Ms Ray
PLEASE GET TESTED!!!!!!!

Crack Files: Home Made Videos

2007-09-26T17:27:00.000-04:00

The Punk of the South

I just wanna give a shout out to my best friend, the other Raquel, for emailing me this. As much as I hate to exploit black people on this site, I feel this is necessary. Really it is not black folks that we or I exploit, it's more so Niggas, if you know what I mean, and this is some real nigga-shit.
This brings me back to the days when my friend Raquel and I would make up dances in our living rooms. We've been friends since the second grade....and I am about 26, so that means we were dancing and singing to Salt N' Pepa, The Good Girls (Remember that Mackity Jack), The Boys, B Angie B, ABC, Tevin Campbell, and Tracy Spencer, just to bring some memories back for you old heads, (and yes you are an old head if you know at least three songs from any of these artist). It was cute because these were popular songs that we heard on the radio, and we really thought we were great enough to perform in front of family and friends. We had the outfits, the hair, and everything.....
But now in 2007, the game has changed. Folks got it all twisted and f*cked-to-the-up! Now we have Youtube and all hell has broken loose.
We got little boys performing as Beyonce here (which I thought was hilarious), Crazy white folks who wanna get a deal for a tv show here....No one gives a damn! anymore! Lets just air our dirty laundry....DAMN!
I guess I am adding to the fire by posting this stuff, but if I didn't, it would ad to another boring 5 minutes at work...Am I right?!
But this sh*t takes the cake. Who in the cracked out-wanna be-Cameo-Remy Ma lookin ass told this broke down looking drag queen and his entourage to perform and post it on youtube. I've seen some great Drag shows, but this is a disgrace to all my Drag divas out there

I...I cant say anymore....I recommend not to even watch this all the way through...it's just not right.

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 07

2007-09-22T16:08:00.000-04:00

Love Fall, Don't you. Belts and Large hand bags. Love It!!!
Love Dolce & Gabbana. Love Love

Do You Remember Billy Jo Jive

2007-09-22T15:38:00.000-04:00

When I ask people did they read "Billy Jo Jive the super private eye" as a kid? They would look at me like I'm nuts. But, I've found him!!! I forgot about the cartoons. He was so popular back in my day. As a kid I enjoyed reading Billy Jo Jive books so much, that often I couldn't wait for the nexted caper. After all these years, I've found it and now I know it wasn't a figment of my imagination! I was beginning to wonder.

Do You remember Billy Jo Jive!! ?

Thank you PBS...

2007-09-20T19:19:00.000-04:00

I want to thank PBS for giving me an up to date report of what is going on in Jena, LA. I’ve been reading many articles online about this case but it kept telling me things I already knew about it. (Eddie Nicole also did a post on this a while ago click here to get info on it b/c I’m about to talk about this and you should look at the post and video so you can get up to speed on this issue-I’m too mad to play catch up today) I wanted to know what was going on today, who showed up at the protest, what was said, how did the crowd react and how did the town of Jena react to all of the people. Now granted I haven’t been home all day glued to the TV, but I can tell you after being out and about today running errands and getting back home looking for coverage of the Jena six I failed to see anything between the hours of 3pm and 6pm. I did however, see countless reports about OJ Simpson who I could give a flying f*ck about right now. Im tired of hearing about him and I refuse to entertain his situation anymore-I’m mad I even said his name!

Now back to business…

I FINALLY saw a thorough report on PBS with commentary and EVERYTHING. In the PBS report, it was said that the citizens of Jena, LA (mostly white residents) were saying that the case was giving the town a bad name, that they are “a good town with church going people” and they were saying that this has turned into a racial thing and it had been blown out of proportion (run on sentence, I know, bare with me). Ummm, ok? Let’s see, nooses were hung from a tree that the students named the “white tree” (because that’s where the white kids sat during lunch and such) and you don’t consider that “racial”? Puhlease! Ok, fine…while race does play a large factor in the case, we can omit it for a brief moment only because the fact still remains that the two parties involved in the series of events were not punished fairly. It’s been reported that the District Attorney, Reed Waites says that racism wasn’t a factor in the prosecution because there were no LA laws that were in place to give the white boys a greater punishment (the white boys only got suspended from school for what they did)-but there were laws however, to convict Michael bell of attempted murder for taking the gun away from the white boy and then beating him up. I just want to know why the white boy was not charged for attempted murder for pulling out the gun in the first place or at least charged with assault with a deadly weapon? I’m no attorney, nor am I in law school, but I took the damn LSAT-that should give me a lil' credibility, right? lol-so something I’m saying has to make sense! So with attempts to look at this from a non racial standpoint, if it were two personified fruits in this situation (apple and orange) you mean to tell me that apple who took the gun away from orange, who actually pulled it out in the first place, would be charged with attempted murder and orange would only get suspended from school for a couple of days? F*ck that! I’m mad! Man, people in New Orleans and Mississippi are still displaced and homeless from Katrina, the Jena six are being treated unfairly, I can't stand my boss, Nicole Simpson can't rap! Ok, I’m digressing, the point of this post was to discuss the coverage or lack of coverage for the Jena 6 case/protest. I’m done…you get my point! Throws macbook down and leaves the room. End scene.

Despite all of this, I’m still livin’, laughin’, and lovin’ (Mama just didn’t raise no fool) Lady A ☺

*No macbooks were harmed in the typing of this post, the author spent too much of her own money to actually harm her precious Apple…it was only stated for dramatization.

Introducing: Mr. Dontrelle Alowishus Washington (pronounced: WARSH-ing-TON)

2007-09-19T16:52:00.000-04:00

Don't hate on my kitty kat, Dontrelle. He's cute and the new addition to me and Eddie Nicole's home. Now let's get to the business. We purposely named him Mr. Washington because I noticed that my beloved brutha's and sista's (lol) can't ever seem to pronounce words with R's in them right. Maybe its a southern thing but I find it hilarious. Have you noticed that words without R's in them seem to be placed in the word and words with R's in them seem to be omitted? Need an example, here you go:

"Girl, go wash those dishes" becomes, "Girl, go warsh those dishes"

or at church...

"We invite you to worship with us..." becomes, "We invite you to wusshup with us"
better yet, the word "church" becomes, "chuch"

or...

"Let me introduce you to Mr. Washington" becomes, "Let me introduce you to Mr. Warshington"

and last but not least, one of my personal favorites...

"I need to do some research on the computer" becomes, "I need to do some research on the compruter"

What the hell people!!?? So that's why Eddie and I decided to name the kitty Dontrelle Alowishus WARSHington because a person with the name Dontrelle Alowishus would probably pronounce their last name as Warshington!

*One more thing...big shout out to Leon over at listentoleon.net for making my soul sister Eddie Nicole the winner of his photoshop challenge-Eddie's got the graphic design skills to pay tha bills! (corny I know, but whatever!) You gotta check this dude out, he keeps me laughing everyday!

Live. Laugh. Love. Lady A :)

Crack Files: B*tch Pleazzzz-a!

2007-09-17T14:26:00.000-04:00

Although I am not a fan of posting random homemade youtube clips. I thought this was crazy as hell. I haven't posted anything Crass on here in a while. How many times in a day do you say "Bitch Please"? I think I say it at least twice a day to at least two of my girlfriends. Those two words can mean so much in so many different ways, and our new friend below displayed this perfectly. Forget that he looks coked out and crazy, it is the way he says the second and third "Bitch Please", those are my favorites! This definitely will have a place in the Crack Files

Like every gay man, I am sure he has a stable of black and/or spanish girlfriends. He has the attitude with the head and everything. Biitch Pleeeazzz-a!

Hump Day: Stop Humpin' Around Part One

2007-09-12T15:54:00.000-04:00

First, let me start by introducing myself and thanking Vanity Pages for allowing me to add my two cents to the blog! You can call me Dr. Rocky, I’ll be your resource for all things medical. As a newly minted physician, I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t bring some very important issues to the forefront, so here I am!

After recently getting married and moving to Atlanta, GA, (a.k.a. Black Hollywood, a.k.a. modern day Sodom and Gomorrah, a.k.a. 7th level of Hell) I have become increasingly frustrated at the state of medical affairs in our community. During our weekly dish sessions on life, Eddie Nicole and I came to the realization that we are totally uninspired and absolutely must do something about it. On one of my first trips to the ATL, I had a conversation with this guy that really made me both sad and angry at the same time. He told me about a blood drive held at a local nightclub. Apparently, after collecting about 500 blood samples, the staff realized that they would have to trash about half of them because they were positive for HIV. Let me just say that this is purely heresay and I have no way of proving whether or not this is true. But, as if this wasn’t enough, I heard that when Houston (a.k.a. greatest city ever, a.k.a. New Orleans II, a.k.a. Syrup City) held its “Hip Hop for HIV” concert (instead of buying tickets they were free with proof of a recent HIV test), 10,000 test results were positive! WTF Black People? Ok, we need to talk about this….

Stay Tuned for Part Deux Next Week!

Beyoncé American Express Ad

2007-09-11T19:59:00.001-04:00

Beyoncé American Express Ad

What do you guys think?
Sexy I think. Checkout Ms Tina

Awww Sh*t: It's Going Down! Jennifer Hudson stars in "Sex in the City"

2007-09-11T16:43:00.000-04:00

Some major news has hit the media. I am so excited that "Sex in the City" will feature Lil Miss Effie White herself, Jennifer Hudson as Carrie's (SJP) assistant. Her name is Louise (Ooh I hope she's not soulful, the name sounds kind of homely..right!) I can't wait for this movie.
About time they decided to throw one of us in there. Damn! As much as I love me some Sex and this City, I always wondered why the Foursome never had any black girl associates or friends. The black chick, (who happened to be a very attractive cab driver by the way, how many cute black cab drivers do ya'll see in the city), who bought Carrie a hot dog after her book signing was the only black girl with a line a can remember. That shit didn't count to me, but I kept watching until the very end. I longed for Tracy Ellis Ross or Nia Long to have some kind of cameo appearance, but nope. Instead, they gave us fine ass Blair Underwood the role as Robert Leeds, the NBA doctor. Did ya'll catch any discrepancies with this? First of all, it's believable that a black NBA doctor would date a female of the other persuasion. But dating Miranda....I have a problem with that! Miranda is pale, she had that crooked tooth, and she was kind of fleshy and dorky. That relationship was never believable in my opinion. But, I totally love Miranda's character with her cynical attitude. Anyway, I am happy for J. Hud, I was getting kind of worried about her career, since her widely anticipated album got pushed back.

Black 20 yr old woman raped and tortured: Police suspecting it to be a Hate Crime

2007-09-11T16:18:00.000-04:00

I know we post a lot about fashion and style. But I feel it is my duty to post horrific tales of racism from all demographics. It just seems that the media won't keep their ear to the street on what's important for us all to see and hear. America's not right and I hope that people will start to realize this. Thanks to concreteloop for posting this. I hope you all pass this story around.

Once again, I can't believe this. The Jenna 6, now this. Wake up America!

“Every time they stabbed her, they called her ‘nigger,’” her mother said.

But whatever the reason, Carmen Williams wants people to know what happened to her daughter. She agreed to talk to a reporter from her daughter’s room at Charleston Area Medical Center General Hospital.

She said a man and a woman — who Megan Williams thought were her friends — took her to the house of Frankie Lee Brewster in Pecks Mill, Logan County.

Megan Williams was held in the house for about a week, police said.

According to criminal complaints filed against six people in this case, she was beaten, stabbed, choked, sexually assaulted and threatened with death.

The details are even more horrible. According to the complaints, she was forced to eat dog and rat feces and to lick up blood. She was made to lick parts of Brewster’s body, under the threat of death. Her hair was pulled out. She was made to drink from the toilet. She was sexually assaulted while hot water was poured on her body, and while a man held a knife to her.

I don't understand. We gotta get the hell out of these small towns! For more of the story, click on the title of this post above and it will direct you to the full story. I will keep this family in my prayers.

"Yeah they deserve to die, and I Hope They Burn in Hell!"- Sam Jackson in A Time to Kill (that's just how I feel... I'm from Texas, can't help it)

Peace and Blessings,

Eddie Nicole

A Nibbled Pedicure To Eat Away Dead Skin!

2007-09-08T19:48:00.000-04:00

Fish Pedicure!
If unconventional — beauty treatments is your thing, You'll love this pedicure for sure. ( I love)

The small fish swim in a shallow tub of warm water and nibble at dead skin, leaving hands and feet smooth. (fish called garru-rufa.) Imported from Turkey, the fish are used in some Middle Eastern countries as a natural way to treat skin disease and rheumatism.(Good enough for me!!)
If you can remember the episode on Ugly Betty, When Vanessa Williams Character received a fish pedicure. Using unconventional — beauty treatments in her ritual in being Fab!!

Would you try this treatment?

I can't wait to try this!!!
When I do try this, my feet are not
coming up until I see blood.

Ms Ray

Keisha Vs. Mary

2007-09-07T10:52:00.000-04:00

Can Keyshia Cole touch Mary J. Blige? Fans from both camps are comparing the Young Keyshia to Mary in style, swagger, and street cred. I am a huge fan of Ms. Blige. I've been to three of her concerts spanning from the time when she was going through issues with that crack head boyfriend of hers KC of Jodeci to No More Drama...I can say they were all great performances. I like Keyshia Cole, especially that new club banger "Let it Go", but I just can't give her the props just yet. What ya'll think?!!

Tune into Fashion Rocks Tonight!

2007-09-07T10:03:00.000-04:00

If you have nothing else to do this Friday, make sure you tune into Fashion Rocks tonight at 9PM ET/PT on CBS.
Check out performances by Alicia Keys, Usher and Mary J. Blige, and Jennifer Lopez.
Looks like fun!

I am sooo feeling Alicia's classy style now. Remember when she used to show up to award shows looking like she just threw on clothes from off the floor of her dressing room...My reactions of her fashion faux paux's were of visceral anguish, so ya'll can imagine how proud I am of her.

Does that say "King of Style" on LL's muscle shirt? Ya'll know how I feel about muscle shirts. I guess that's from his Tod Smith Collection. There's something that aches my heart when big dudes like LL wear too many accessories. Is that an arm cuff he's wearing? HELL-to-the-NAW!....uhhh he looks like he stepped right off of the streets of Washington Heights, NYC, he has the shiny belt buckle with the chain and everything...damn it Cool James!....Dimelo Papi!

Mary's back rockin' the beret...I'm so happy fall is almost here!

Eye Catching Hot Fall Fashion Tends 2007!!!

2007-09-06T21:02:00.000-04:00

Just giving you the vibe of Fall. Looks to look forward too

Now We Know Why They Broke Up!!!!

2007-09-06T20:36:00.000-04:00

Sean Combs and ex-girlfriend Kim Porter, in happier, blingier times.Photo: Getty Images

Diddy Fathered another Child!!!

Sean "Diddy" Combs did indeed father a baby in Atlanta, and that's why ex-girlfriend Kim Porter finally left him after twelve years of dating. Turns out the other lady was expecting even as Porter was pregnant with Diddy's twin daughters. "He's not ready to get married," she told Essence, complaining that Diddy didn't believe in monogamy.

Sean Combs and ex-girlfriend Kim Porter, in happier, blingier times.Photo: Getty Images

What an Asshole!! The music and fashion mogul was apparently desperate to keep Porter in the dark about the other pregnancy while she herself was pregnant with the couple's twins. Word was he paid the other mother a million dollars in hush money.

Ms Ray.

Kanye West is Really The Louis Vuitton Don

2007-09-04T21:44:00.001-04:00

Kanye West album cover

Takashi Murakami

Murakami Bag

What does Murakami and Kanye West have in common other than helping trend-set Louis Vuitton handbags?

Well, expect colorful packaging and design for Kanye's new album, Graduation, designed by the bag man himself, Takashi Murakami. Kanye left no stone unturned for this highly anticipated album. Takashi's art can sell for as much as $425,000. It pays to have people in high places!

SWAGGERjacked

2007-09-04T17:09:00.000-04:00

1. Shop Intuition $250, 2. Faux Fur trimmed Ivory Cardigan, fabulousfurs.com, 3. Bootie by ninewest.com, 4. Bootie by Christian Louboutin, bergdorfgoodman.com, 5. Paddington bag by Chloe, saks.com, 6. High Waist pants by Chloe

Hey Ladies and Gents,

I hope you all disregard the whole "you can't wear white" thing after Labor day. White will definitely be a regular fixture in the house of trends this fall. You will see white boots, white coats, and handbags for ready-to-wear this season. Since the passing of Labor Day, fashion will kick into full gear starting with fashion week. Although all shows will be dedicated to the spring collections for 2008, be sure to watch out for the latest of the Fall trends from the editors, celebs, and fashionistas on the front row of the shows. Stay tuned to your local style channel to keep up with the latest or just catch Vanity Pages. I will try my damndest to keep you guys on the up and up.
Here is a trend you all should watch "booties". I will post fall trends for men and women this season so keep your eyes open and feel free to let me in on what you guys find out there.

Walk it Out!

2007-09-02T21:18:00.000-04:00

It's been a long time...I shouldn't have left you, without a dope beat to step to...

It's been a while since I've posted something guys. Lady A has not left the building, life is getting in the way of me telling my stories, but I'll be back-I got some good ones for ya! Anyway, On this Labor Day Weekend I wanted to give you a lil' somethin' somethin' to make your Tuesday back at the office not so bad. Check out these ladies dancing Fosse style to the Walk it Out Remix ft. Andre 3000! It's hilarious! Whoever realized that the Walk it Out song went perfectly with this choreography should get an award...Enjoy!!

live. laugh. love. Lady A :)

Hot Bags For The Fall 2007

2007-08-29T19:12:00.000-04:00

So Black Hair is an Issue...Well at least at Glamour Magazine!

2007-08-29T13:49:00.000-04:00

So that's why it's so hard to break into the white world of publishing. Thanks Beauty Editor lady at Glamour, at least I have answers.

I'm not gonna get all teary eyed about this issue. My girls and I already knew the "hush, hush" views towards black girls and their hair styles from the corporate Caucasian sector. It's so lame that this has even come up, but it is reality. For some reason, I truly believed that my natural hair really didn't matter, especially in NYC. I've been going to interviews with top publishing firms feeling real confident about myself and it's sad to actually think that maybe I didn't get the job because some superficial loser overlooked my qualifications for my "political-powertothepeople" hair style. Damn, aint that a bitch!
Let me save up to buy a Chi so I can assimilate to white America! This same issue happened to my mother about 15 years a go. She was a sales exec at Fedex and they told her to take her ethnic braids out after she had already spent nearly $200. My mother was so tight! But what could she do? She had 2 kids to feed. Let me stop before I get upset...lets talk about it!! I expect some good posts about this topic.

The Story- So apparently the Junior Beauty Editor over at Glamour decided to give a group of lawyers including African American women advice on Corporate Fashion etiquette
Here's what the junior editor said to the law firm:

"First slide up: an African American woman sporting an Afro. A real no-no, announced the 'Glamour' editor to the 40 or so lawyers in the room. As for dreadlocks: How truly dreadful! The style maven said it was 'shocking' that some people still think it 'appropriate' to wear those hairstyles at the office. 'No offense,' she sniffed, but those 'political' hairstyles really have to go."

LMAO- she wanted to lose her job. I'm sure all 5 sista's at Conde Nast are calling for her resignation right now!

Faux Paux for Danny

2007-08-28T16:12:00.000-04:00

I was gonna put this in the Debacles sidebar but I feel that D'Angelo should get some extra days of face time before I do another search of fashion faux pauxs. Danny was and still is one of my favorite America's Next Top model winners. I know she's on her paper chase and everything, but what in the Dress Barn Hell is going on in her world. With her new found celebrity and modeling skills, why would Wilhemenia allow her to do this? Yuck and Gross!! Speak up Girl! You got fans and shit!
I know we've been lax on the fashion post, but don't fret my pet, fashion week and the fall season is right around the corner and we will definitely be in attendance or stuntin from the sidelines. Hey! MAKE IT WORK!!

Ohhh the Pageantry!

2007-08-27T18:45:00.000-04:00

This goes out to one of my close friends, Crystle Stewart, for having one of the best thank you speeches for a pageant and also standing strong in faith. I never gave her a deserved Congratulations! So I am going to make it known to all 10 people who read this blog. I also wanted to make fun of Miss Carolina. It's not right, because this was actually I hard question to answer, but she totally flunked this question. Poor Thing! But Crystle makes it look so easy. Love you girl! Mo City in the House! Next Miss USA!

Watch carefully for the "Thank You Jesus"

I totally felt that "Thank You Jesus", because I felt the same way when I...finally....got....a....job...yeah baby!. You know black folks will always thank the MAN!

But over in the Carolina's.....(Listen for the crickets)

And such as, South Africa, and the Asian countries.....such as...sit your ass down! Make sure you watch AC Slater's grin towards the end. He wanted to laugh...I know he did.

Market Value

2007-08-27T10:28:00.000-04:00

Hey guys and gals! I know we have been lax in current post, but life has really kicked it up a notch for all of us and we are all now working on cool new endeavors. As you all know, I was recently a contributing style editor for this new online magazine, well now I've been upgraded to Editor at Large. Things are moving kind of slow at CAUGHT, but I just want to make sure that we are delivering the best work possible...so stay tuned for future issues. I knew I should have kept my big mouth shut with all my cool new ideas! Anyway, God has my steps ordered and I can actually get a feel for where my journey is going. You know how sometimes you want to do something in life so bad, but it just kind of never works out...or you get so close to what you thought was that "dream" position, but it didn't quite work out. And still for whatever reason, you have it in you to keep pushing. I guess you call it FAITH or wishful thinking.
Sometimes you just want something so bad and you want it now, but HE only gives you a taste in doses because you may not be entirely ready to digest the big meal HE has waiting for you. I think of it as a rationing of blessings. I know if I were presented with everything I wanted in life as far as a career and success all laid out on a table right now, I would probably go nuts and exhaust all my fruition from my labors. I might make irresponsible decisions due to my delusions of grandeur and in return not take advantage of the blessings given unto me.
My friend asked me this question...What are you worth? At first I didn't get it...like who really sits and thinks about what they're worth. Can you even ad value to your own self?
She further elaborated...."Remember reading about African slaves being put up for bids during the slave auctions?" This opened up a whole new dialog for me, therefore I want to share this with whoever is reading.
If you were big and strong you were worth this, If you were old and feeble you were worth that... The white folks and even some African "Bendedict Arnolds" thought blacks were worth $200 to over a $1,000 during slavery. If you think about your current salary and who you're working for, that same mentality has not changed.
If you're a black man with an Ivy League degree your worth this....and if you're a black woman with a master's you're worth that...If you didn't go to college your worth this...and so on...

I kind of got off task with this question but it just popped into my head at 10:55 am. What are you worth? Think about all your talents, strengths, and knowledge. If you were doing what you wanted to do as a career, what would you pay yourself, honestly? Are we really using our God given talents to our full capabilities? And if so, are we paying ourselves or Are we settling and just getting paid?

Getting paid and paying yourself are totally different!

Peace and Blessings,

Eddie Nicole

Suck A Mean One Old Man!

2007-08-18T00:15:00.001-04:00

So David Banner basically told a senior citizen to give him fellatio on a nationally syndicated website. Wow...that really says a lot for the hip-hop generation that Banner is such an advocate for. I'm sick of the whole hip-hop tirades..blah, blah, blah. But what's even more shame is that David later responded back after Al's initial response to the d*ck sucking comment, and took a more respectful approach by writing this letter. The letter makes some valid points...but most of the content shows a lack of responsibility from a grown ass 30plus, big college educated dude....What's shame is that the d*ck comment totally cancels out anything profound he has to say. You can't tell someone to suck a mean one and then try to kick knowledge after the fact...Negroe Please!
One line really stuck out to me: "You don’t scold your child in public without fair warning! ", meaning the elders, i.e. Oprah, Russel Simmons, and Rev. Sharpton, should not call out the youth in public without consoling them first...WTF!!
Well I don't know how David grew up, but I wish my mother warned me before she laid down the law..maybe I could have gotten a head start run before I got clowned in a public...I'm just saying!
I just feel that David disrespected himself by demeaning his own people...no matter how hard he disagrees and disapproves of the permed-out-Reverend...you can't tell a Sr. Citizen to go down on you...that's just rude!

With One Catch

2007-08-16T23:07:00.001-04:00

I know this may seem harsh or controversial, but if one day Baby Jesus decides to come to me in my sleep to reveal my future husband with the great physical traits such as: tall, handsome, and talented...but with one catch!.... he would be a homosexual...I would say alright, but one request
"Yes my child" -says Baby Jesus
me- "Can he be a reincarnate of the sexy Danny from "So You Think You Can Dance"?"

No matter how sexy and handsome a guy is....if he has the slightest homosexual tendencies (example: the gay lisp, arched eyebrows, colored contacts, muscle shirts, man capris), all possible attractions have been reduced to shame feelings of even having those ideas in the first place....Unless he is Danny from the show, So You Think You Can Dance. Man, he's as gay-as-today, but he's so beautiful and graceful. I don't expect anyone to totally agree on this subject...I mean he is gay. He has to be gay. He's way to smooth and charismatic in his dance. He's so statuesque and regal...it's not like I get hot when watching him... well I kinda do... but I just think he's a beautiful gay man and if I had to have a gay husband it would be Danny. We could go shopping and dance to Pat Benitar every night. I would ask his advice on what color I should paint my walls, "Eggshell or Cerulean?" and and and...we could watch Steal Magnolias and Beaches.... and recite lines from the movie Color Purple....and maybe go to plays and vacate in Italy....and maybe I could finally see Broke Back Mountain without putting up a fight....and and....

Just check him out ladies, he's so dreamy... in a light skinded waivy hair T3 kinda way.

Here lies the question, my hardworking slackers...have you ever been attracted to a gay guy? If any straight dudes answer this question...regardless of your answer...you might need to rethink some things about your sexual quest in life.

Goodbye My Sweetness!! (Pun Intended)

Congrats to Sabra Johnson, the new winner of So You Think You Can Dance. She won $250,000. She deserved it. She kicked so much ass on this show, and she had only been doing this for 4 years...I almost don't believe it. Just in case ya'll didn't tune in, Check out some of my favorite Sabra moments

Dominic and Sabra Week 4

Neil and Sabra - Paso Doble

Her partner Neil was sick with his as well!

Neil and Sabra Week 8

Foxy Brown charged with assault AGAIN!!!!

2007-08-16T19:20:00.001-04:00

Foxy Brown Thinks She Naomi Campbell Or Something!!

NEW YORK (AP) - Foxy Brown’s temper seems to have got her in trouble again.

The 27-year-old rapper, who is on probation for attacking two manicurists at a nail salon in 2004, has been charged with assault and possession of a weapon - her cellphone - for allegedly hitting a neighbour with her BlackBerry.

Earlier this year, she was threatened with jail in a hair salon incident in Florida. Police said Brown threw hair glue at a beauty shop employee.

The latest arrest could lead to her probation being revoked.

"We have filed a violation of probation with the court," said Jack Ryan, a spokesman for the city department of probation.

Brown was arrested Tuesday for allegedly assaulting Arlene Raymond, 25, who lives near the rapper in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn, on July 30. Police said the two women got into a fight over Brown blasting her car stereo.

Raymond alleged that a few days later, they passed each other on the street and Brown hurled her BlackBerry at her, cutting her lip and knocking a tooth loose.

What's wrong with her!!

Ms Ray

Revolution: What's That

2007-08-14T13:46:00.000-04:00

When hearing about devastating racial injustices, like Hurricane Katrina, and the James Byrd of Jasper, Texas dragging, one would say "I can't believe this shit is really still happening?" We all know racism is still alive and well. Of course throughout the present and future days of our time, there will always be a story of some idiot making racial, sexist, and misogynistic epithets (Don Imus, Isiaha Washington, Mel Gibson, Paris Hilton, Kramer-Michael Richards... ring a bell).
Depending on the severity of the racism and whether the actual accused racist is a celebrity or public figure, the media pics and chooses what is news worthy at times. It has been said prime time media doesn't have access to cover stories in small towns due to the archaic technologies of communication in said small town...that's baloney. If we "bloggers" can find these stories..why can't "they"-the media broadcast these issues on a broad spectrum across the world.
With that said, where do many of the heinous racially charged crimes take place?...Usually in small, po-dump, boondocks type of towns like Jena Louisiana... So one would think the folks at the white house or wherever would try to keep a special probe on these racially flagrant towns.
Hence the reason I'm posting this story. As I sit at my little cluttered desk, munching on Ramen noodles, I can forget about how crazy the world is, especially in our beloved country we call America. Check out this independent news clip about the Jenna 6 in Louisiana, you would be...well surprised.

On another note*
I hear people casually mock the phrase "the revolution will not be televised" or "we need to start a revolution up in here"...Yeah Right! If folks really understood the real meaning of revolution...they for sure wouldn't be casually claiming it. One has to be ready to literally die for the cause in order to start a revolution. I ask this question- is there any cause you would die for? Seriously!

I wouldn't know the first thing about a revolution...that's why I never play around with that word or phrase...because it actually meant something. I guess I'm too comfortable. At least I vote.

"Revolution is based on land, land is the basis of all independence, land
is the basis of freedom justice and equality. The white man knows what a
revolution is. How do you think he will react to you when you learn what a
real revolution is? "- Malcom X

For more info on this story visit colorofchange.org

Click here to sign the petition

I Went to School With This Guy

2007-08-11T11:18:00.001-04:00

You ever went to school with someone who you knew would do something spectacular? Well, you may have seen the guy from your left of Chingy on several billboards and magazine ads, but I went to high school with this cat. I remember when "Steph" was the cute crazy guy in school who could sing, dance, run track, and skip classes like no other. I even remember when he took up stripping as a pass time his senior year (Hardbodies....). He's a definite hustler. Steph's a very interesting character with a great heart. Like myself, he's Houston born and Missouri City raised. His music is quickly gaining attention and the ladies...well just look at him...he's fine as hell. Remember Craig David, his sound reminds me of the Brit singer...Steph's just cuter :)
For a while he hustled as a model, gracing the pages of Vibe magazine to name one, acting as the male lead for videos with the likes of Destiny's Child and Faith Evans and now he's doing it way big as the new artist on the DTP label with Ludacris. His video, "Celebrity Chick", has been featured on 106 and park and MTV.
I can say, I'm very proud of Steph for pushing himself to new heights while facing adversity. I wish him the best of luck. Check out his songs and video on his myspace Steph Jones

Yours Truly,

Eddie Nicole

Is It a Bird? Is It a Plane? No, It's a Baby

2007-08-09T20:36:00.001-04:00

THAT'S RIGHT SOMEONE NAMED THEIR CHILD SUPERMAN!!

WELLINGTON (Aug. 8) - A New Zealand couple is looking to call their newborn son Superman -- but only because their chosen name of 4Real has been rejected by the government registry.
Sheena and Pat Wheaton said that although their son's official name will be Superman, they plan to call him 4Real anyway. "No matter what it's going to stay 4Real. I'm certainly not a quitter," the baby's father said.

What is wrong with these people!!!!
JUST STUPID!
Ms Ray

Making Moves

2007-08-08T14:44:00.000-04:00

I'm kind of sad today. Every time I hear something about Lauryn Hill, it never makes me feel happy...like what her music used to do. What happened? That's the question that has yet to be answered. Remember when she came out with the cool bob and the crazy big ass bow at the BET awards. Everyone just knew the Fugees were gonna infiltrate the game and bring back that creativity to Hip-Hop music that is so missed. We have to start an intervention and save our black soul crooners....This is ridiculous. Apparently, she preformed in Brooklyn (for what reason plagues me...all her performances in the past year have been shitty) and totally fucked over her fans again. She started 2 hours late...and crooned over old and new tunes and totally destroyed what were once masterpieces. I understand she's going through some shit, but Lauryn Hill is/was too important to the art of music to allow herself to fall off like this. She could move crowds. She's ruining her legacy of being one of the greatest...think Jimmy Hendrix, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, The Beatles...I would rather her just stay on sabattical and come back with a bang...But has she ruined that chance?

Yeah that's him, D' Angelo. Again....What the Hell happened to his ass? He was the absolute shit back in the day. His first album will forever be a classic...now he looks like an old bumb. He kinda reminds me of the bumb that threw the damn sand which at me on the train...but whatever....Like I said, I'm really sad and disappointed. I hope he gets his situation together...this look is not sexy at all. Has he ruined his chance to make a come back as well?

What else? Oh yeah...I'm GLAD to announce my new column with CAUGHT MAGAZINE. It's geared to uplift the youth. So I'm uplifting these youngins on how to conduct themselves with class. Style is easy, class takes skill and time. So Congrats to me... I am the style contributor for the Swagger section. My debut has been featured in this month's issue. I will keep you guys posted on my latest entries. Check out my column...damn it!

I wanna first and foremost thank God, my mother, the academy, and last but definitely not least...THE FANS!

Peace and Blessings,

Eddie Nicole

Black College Kids Murdered Execution Style: $50,000 Reward is being offered for info on the killers

2007-08-07T15:54:00.001-04:00

NEWARK, New Jersey In a city where the murder rate has risen 50 percent since 1998, three promising College students were murdered execution style in a playground on Saturday.

Their names: Dashon Harvey, 20, Terrance Aeriel, 18, Iofemi Hightower, 20. There was also a fourth victim who police say survived the gunshot wound to the head. Natasha Aeriel, 19 (Terrance’s older sister) is said to be in fair condition at the hospital.

An apparent robbery attempt by several assailants made the four the latest victims in this city where the murder rate has risen 50 percent since 1998.

Police said three were forced to kneel against a wall and shot at close range; a fourth was wounded.

The killings bring Newark's murder total for the year to 60, and put pressure on Mayor Cory A. Booker, who campaigned last year on a promise of reducing crime.

Mayor Corey Booker

"He doesn't deserve another day, another second, while our children are at stake," Donna Jackson, president of the community-based Take Back Our Streets organization, said Monday at a news conference in front of City Hall.

"Anyone who has children in the city is in panic mode. It takes something like this for people to open up their eyes and understand that not every person killed in Newark is a drug dealer.

At a news conference, Booker said it was a time for unity and "not a time to play politics and divide our city."

Killed were Terrance Aeriel, 18, Iofemi Hightower, 20, and Dashon Harvey, 20. Aeriel's 19-year-old sister, Natasha, was listed in fair condition at Newark's University Hospital after being shot in the head. She was found about 30 feet from her friends, slumped near some bleachers.

Authorities were assembling details of the crime from witnesses including Natasha Aeriel, but had not made any arrests by late Monday night.

We at VP keeps the families of the victims on our prayers!

Peace and Blessings,

Eddie Nicole

USHER & TAMEKA GOT MARRIED

2007-08-06T07:46:00.000-04:00

Well, If Anyone Cares.They Did It.
Despite canceling their nuptials scheduled to occur earlier this week, the on-again, off-again wedding of Usher and his pregnant fiancee was finally on -- and held quietly Friday, sources told Stella's Column late Friday night.

The multiplatinum singer married his longtime girlfriend, Tameka Foster, who is several years older than he, during a private ceremony in his lawyer's office in Atlanta on Friday, sources said.

Among those present was Usher's mother, Jonetta Patton, who, it has been widely reported, staunchly disapproved of the marriage. Foster was reportedly largely responsible for Usher firing his mom as his manager last May.

The pair, who are expecting their first child together this fall, had been scheduled to marry last weekend before Usher publicist Patti Webster announced the wedding was called off.

Ms Ray

Beyonce And American Express

2007-08-05T23:44:00.000-04:00

American Express has announced that Beyonce
will be their next celebrity rep. (She use it enough, that's the truth!!)

The credit card company has reportedly signed the singer/actress to a multi-million dollar ad campaign that will launch in late 2007. (You Go Girl!!!)

Ms Ray

Trust me, She don't leave home with out it!

Luxury Trump Condos Come With A Catch

2007-08-05T23:17:00.000-04:00

Condos With A Catch!!!
You can't live full time at the Trump SOHO Condos

With an outdoor pool on the fifth floor, fine dining at street level and a private library in the lobby, the 42-story Trump SoHo won't only be the tallest building in the neighborhood, it will also be the most luxurious.(Talk about a very Expensive time Share) You can't live there!! After you paid Million of dollars, you can't live there at all!!! Well it must be nice to have that type of money to burn.

Yet no matter how many millions they pay for the 400 condos that will soon be available for purchase, the new owners will not be permitted to hang even a single family photograph on the wall.(Can you believe this, not one photo..not one. What's the point!)

Nor will they be allowed to live in their condos for more than 29 consecutive days or more than 120 days in any year. The rest of the time the condo must be rented out as a hotel room.

"We are required to change the keys when the owner is not there," said Julius Schwarz, executive vice president with Bayrock Group, Donald Trump's partner in the project. "There is an owner's closet in each unit, so you don't have to schlep a suitcase every time you come to town."

Other than this closet, there will be no physical evidence to hotel guests that a private individual owns the condo.

Ms Ray
What a Rip!

What do you think?

True Stories From the VP Drama Queens

2007-08-01T14:33:00.000-04:00

Here are just a few of our favorite and most popular post. We were told by fans who are friends to highlight our crazy stories...so we decided to add a bar on the right side of this page titled "The Classics". Therefore you guys can click on our archived stories without searching through the months.

Enjoy!

Here's one for the road!
The Buhscue Me Story

Aretha:These Roots Goes Onscreen

2007-08-01T09:30:00.000-04:00

Aretha Franklin

In her surprisingly tame new memoir, Aretha Franklin shows the fickle men in her life a bit too much "Respect."

So you'd expect the Queen of Soul's autobiography to dish some serious dirt in a just-us-folks manner. Yet Aretha: From These Roots, written with David Ritz (biographer of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, and B.B. King, among others), seems positively Victorian in its approach, harking back to a day when nice ladies didn't swear or dwell on sex in print.

Throughout the strangely prim book, Franklin glosses over unpleasant events, accentuating the positive to a degree that's almost risible.

A star cast Jennifer Hudson will be playing Aretha Franklin in the movie and Billy Dee Williams will be playing Her father, C.L. Franklin

Givenchy Fall 2007 Ready-to-Wear

2007-07-31T22:43:00.000-04:00

Givenchy Fall 2007

Fall Peek By Givenchy
Here are my Favorites!!!!

DON IMUS IS BACK!!!

2007-07-31T19:10:00.000-04:00

Don Imus Is Coming Back

Radio talker Don Imus, exiled from the airwaves in April after making remarks many saw as racist, will return to the microphone as early as September, industry analysts and observers tell NewsMax � but not all agree that the return will be triumphal.

The industry has been rife with rumors since Imus sidekick Bo Dietl's announcement on an Albany radio show, and picked up by the New York Post, that an Imus comeback was in the works for this September.

But experts explain to NewsMax that events are moving so quickly that the "I-Man" will be back in his broadcast chair by late summer or early fall. ( NOW HE NEED TO WATCH WHAT HE SAY THIS TIME!!!!)

Eddie Murphy & Tracey Edmonds Are Engaged

2007-07-31T18:58:00.000-04:00

Eddie Murphy serious about marrying Tracey Edmonds

Now the pair have unveiled the ring and they are officially engaged."Tracey and Eddie are both very much in love and are excited about spending the rest of their lives together," confirmed Tracey's personal assistant.( Whatever!!) But she is gorgeous. Check out the ring (Cartier 8k diamond ring) Bling Bling Bling!!!!

Barak Obama Covers Vibe

2007-07-30T17:01:00.000-04:00

As the summer ends, the 2007 presidential debates and press releases will increasingly take over media outlets. In case you are unaware. Barak Obama has a good shot at being the first Black president in the history of the U.S. If that's not enough reason to get out and vote, make sure to check out this issue if you want to get enlightened on his views on how he will change America.
The Special Juice Issue hits the stands August 14.

Usher Calls Off Wedding

2007-07-30T08:56:00.001-04:00

Usher wedding called off

NEW YORK -- The wedding between Usher and his pregnant fiancee has been canceled, his publicist said Saturday.

The wedding between the multiplatinum singer and his longtime girlfriend, Tameka Foster, had been scheduled for Saturday.

The pair are expecting their first child together this fall.

Publicist Patti Webster would not comment on whether the two were still engaged or even a couple.( I wonder what happen!) Well sources are saying

The reason he called off the ceremony is that he couldn't go through with it without Jonetta," one insider reportedly told NY Daily News. "He had an eleventh-hour epiphany."

Jonnetta Patton, was less than keen on the match and was not invited. There were reports that Usher's godfather, actor Ben Vereen, was also taken off the guest list because of his protestation to the marriage.

"Usher woke up on Saturday and said he couldn't go through with it," the source stated. "Apparently, he also couldn't bring himself to call all the people who were invited. He had the wedding planner call everyone in the wedding party."

Foster was furious: "She was marching around, cursing," added the source."

Reported that Tameka Foster was an ex-con (Spent close to a year in jail for welfare fraud) whose drug-dealing ex-lover had been gunned down. Foster's half-sister, Valencia Foster added to the fuel saying, "Poor Usher has no idea who he's marrying."

Valencia Foster also stated that Tameka had threatened to ban her mother from the wedding ceremony all because she had lost her false teeth.

Ms Ray

What do you think!

It's Just Tap Water

2007-07-30T08:34:00.000-04:00

Aquafina Labels: It's Tap Water
By VINNEE TONG 07.27.07, 11:37 AM ET

NEW YORK -

The label on Aquafina water bottles will soon be changed to spell out that the drink comes from the same source as tap water, the brand's owner said Friday.

A group called Corporate Accountability International has been pressuring bottled water sellers to curb what it calls misleading marketing practices.

Aquafina is the single biggest bottled water brand, and its bottles are now labeled "P.W.S." The new labels will spell out "public water source."

( That's right people, we have been bamboozled. I knew with all these bottle waters one will be just tap)

AAAGGGHHHH!!!!

2007-07-30T00:50:00.000-04:00

Again, I will say Seek Help to all the men, creeps and non-creeps alike. Today at work I was taking my daily two hour break and a man politely asked if he could have a seat, of course I said yes (IDIOT). He starts his inevitable conversation with the usual "Your very beautiful", I say thank you and continue to stare off into the distance. The rest went a little something like this:
Creep: "I'm an honest person and I want to be honest with you. I just got of Jail. I was incarcerated for 35 years...".
Me: That's when I cut my eye over to him like, what can bust this person in the head with?
Creep: "... I did a favor for a friend that was being abused. Have you ever meditated?".
Me: Sure
Creep: I'm a very mentally disciplined person. I want you to know that I'm having an experience with you right now but, it's mental. Have you had any experiences of the third kind.
Me: I know this fool is not about say he's an alien or some shit "No. What do you mean?"
Creep: Right now the energy is very high between us and I'm having the full experience of you in my mind. Can I touch your hand?
Me: No.
Creep: I understand.
Me: I'm not having the same experience that your having right now. I'm also not planning on having an experience here or with you at all.
Creep: Next time you should accept things for what they are.
Me: Why did he go there? "What haven't I accepted? Your the one assuming I don't understand what's going on."
Creep: Blah, Blah, Blah.
At this point I stopped listening because I couldn't believe my eyes. Creep had on a basketball uniform type outfit that was quite thin and every time he spoke he would move his PENIS up and down. I know that men can do this and It's never involuntary so I'm like, this MuthaF@#ka. I'm stuck at this point because, I don't want to react to quickly, remember, he just got out of jail. He may have some post traumatic, don't startle me type shit going on. I wasn't trying to set him off while we're in this upper middle class area anyhow. His first spastic move we would've been scrappin'. Not to mention, I'm on an unauthorized two hour break.
Me: I'm going to head back to work, you take care.
Creep: I've already manifested in my mind seeing you again. We'll meet again and your experience will be unimaginable.
I could have died, laughed , screamed and vomited all at once. Can you believe this bastard?
He was actually pulsating his PENIS. I didn't want him to see me peep it cause he might have thought I was interested in having an experience. What was even funnier is the PENIS was so small. That made the situation a little less offensive and actually comical. MUTHALUVIN' BASTARD.

What was he thinking?
If anyone has had a creepy experience let us know about it. This applies to the fellas as well.

Valentine

Pre Fall Chic Peek!

2007-07-27T00:50:00.000-04:00

Pre Fall Chic Preview.

Valentino collection

Turtleneck Dress
Midnight blue
Sleeveless; cut-in shoulders.
High waist.
Pleated skirt.
Tiered ruffle hem.
70% wool, 20% silk, 10% cashmere.
Dry clean only.
Made in Italy.

$2950.00

So Sexy!!
It was hard to pick from Valentino's collection, but I did my best.
Check out the shoes for the Pre Fall Collection by Valentino!!
Love It!!!

Valentino collection
Shoes and Handbag

Love the Peekaboo Toe!!

DOLCE & GABBANA
Champagne.
Gold-tone napa leather trim.
Studded V neckline; shoulder straps.
Corset-seamed front and back (see below).
Straight skirt.
Exposed back zip (see below).
90% silk, 6% lambskin, 4% spandex.
Made in Italy.
$3,250.00

It's To Die For!!!!
Yumm!!

Ms Ray

VIBE AXES VIXEN

2007-07-26T15:51:00.001-04:00

This doesn't make me happy....another girly mag falls by the waste side

CEO of Vibe Media Group, Steve Aaron, recently announced that Vibe Vixen, the female counterpart to urban music & lifestyle magazine, Vibe, will cease publication as of next month.

The announcement, which comes just two weeks after Aaron took office, repositions Vibe Vixen for only special issues. The new format will focus on specific urban culture themes slated to begin in the fourth quarter, and while the frequency of the special issues has yet to be determined, it has been confirmed that Vixen will still maintain its website.

Vibe Vixen was originally launched in February 2005 coming out twice a year. The frequency was upped to six times annually earlier this year.

Rihanna is the cover model for the final issue following in the footsteps of previous cover models Keyshia Cole, Ciara, Kelly Rowland and Janet Jackson.

Real Talk

2007-07-26T14:12:00.000-04:00

Enough with the embarrassment we call Brittney, Lindsay, and Micheal Vick.

Lets bring to light the issues going on with human rights in the 21 century. I am so happy to report to my readers that there was a tribunal which took place last week against the US. Government on their involvement with the torture and lack of humanity for the Hurricane Katrina victims. Of course, this information can not be found on any major news site, not even CNN. World leaders have joined forces to set a case against George W. Bush and his croonies for the inhumane atrocities his regime commited on that terrifying day. Thank God we actually do have leaders. Let's stop worrying about the bull$hit the media continues to feed the public and start doing research on issues that matter.
Surprisingly, I found this on Vibe.com

Here is a portion of the article

It's been two years since Hurricane Katrina and Rita ripped through the belly of the South, and survivors, along with various scholars and activists, are seeking to hold the US government responsible in a tribunal court hearing scheduled for this August.

On Tuesday (July 17), New York City Councilman Charles Barron and former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney met at Manhattan's Center for Constitutional Rights for a press conference to discuss the upcoming trial. The tribunal will target President Bush, the US government, State of Louisiana, State of Mississippi, and various other agencies who were involved in the Katrina and Rita relief efforts.

The Tribunal will include a team of human and civil rights prosecutors, including Joan Gibbs from the Center of Law & Social Justice and Kali Akuno, from the Peoples Hurricane Relief Fund.

Overall, the Tribunal's main goal is holding the US government accountable for their reaction to the 2005 storms.

I will try my damndest to keep up with the status of this monolithic event because apparently the news has forgotten or just doesn't care.

Peace and Blessings,

Eddie Nicole

Oops She Did It Again People!!!!

2007-07-25T20:19:00.000-04:00

Oops She did it again!!!
She has Really Lost Her Mind.

Ah, pop stars. They fall so fast.
The future is looking pretty darn bleak for
Britney Spears after reports surfaced online
yesterday that the singer had a potentially career-
ending photo shoot with OK! magazine.

The mag is planning to go public with details
of the shoot in which Spears
allegedly behaved erratically.Multiple sources told TMZ.com that Spears’
behavior was “nothing less than a meltdown”
and that the photos from the shoot are so damaging
that they could “kill her career.

*Apparently, Britney took frequent trips to the bathroom and had a different
mood swing each time she returned.

*She was allegedly paranoid during
the interview, convinced that the ceiling was about to cave in on her.

*According to reports, the mother of two also ordered fried chicken on set
and wiped her dirty hands on a pricey Gucci dress, staining it with grease.
And that’s not all

*Her dog had an, err, accident on the floor and Spears used
a Chanel dress to clean up the mess. But that’s normal, right?

“OK! magazine spent a heartbreaking day with Britney Spears and witnessed
firsthand an emotional cry for help that will leave you shocked and
sad,” the publication’s editor in chief, Sarah Ivens, said. We’re guessing
Brit won’t be doing more OK! interviews anytime soon.

She even walked out on the shoot wearing a $7,000 dress on and destroyed that dress. The magazine lost close to $20,000 of borrowed merchandise, because of her behavior. They were Pisted!!..

So don't forget to get the next issue of "OK Magazine next month" "I can't wait!!!"

Ms Ray

Seek help

2007-07-24T01:16:00.000-04:00

Everyday as women we're faced with many challenges. The main one being men. We want to know what the hell they are thinking sometimes. I feel we have all the right in the world to say, yes, I'm too good for you. Of course, I think I'm all that and no I don't want a new f@#kin' friend. It's beat into our heads all the time that we should have confidence and better self esteem but, when we voice our opinions of our own we're, all of a sudden, conceited and full of our selves. And rightfully so. If we wait on another MFer to be full of us we'll die compliment-less, self pitying, bitter old women (who hate men). No one wants to be that lady.
I'm saying all this because the men at my new job are all greasy, no game having, perverts young and old. I've heard it all from dirty jokes to "You know you shouldn't wear your hair like that, it turns me on." As I heave a little and tell him "oh excuse me, I just threw up in my mouth." He laughs and continues to hit on me. WHAAAAT THE!!!
Any way a wonderful comedian I had the pleasure of watching summed up to degree the issues men have when it comes to approaching women. I guess I can cut them a little slack.

With all that being said and our new understanding for you retards. We ALL still feel like this:

Valentine
SOOOO not a male basher.

Angry Black Women's Society Townhall Meeting:

2007-07-19T15:24:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder. The ABWS townhall meeting has been canceled due to the strikes at hair salons across the country. Stay tuned for the rescheduled date!

Since I got that out the way,

What the hell is this negroe talking about?
I found this on a fellow blogger's site Beauty in Baltimore

Dear Mr. Negroe,

What's the problem? Are you joking? Because if this is a joke, you had me rollin like a motherfker. First of all my brotha, we gotta work on your camera game, cause if you're for real, then we need an ounce of professionalism. I apologize to you for all the black girls that teased you all throughout your adolescents. That's just our way of giving back to all the years that we were called nappy headed, flat chested, chicken headed, black as night, and every rude term of endearment by you guys. We knew it was just jokes, so we didn't sweat it. I'm sure you were called African booty scratcher and pink lips so you should understand. So now you're like 35 and living in what looks to be the country by the way your hair is glossing, and you still have your heart on your sleeve. That's kinda lame if you ask me. Hopefully you do have a career. I would hate to find out that you have more of these "Yessa Mam" tapes in your archives, cause' if so, I will personally send you a job application with an extra stamp. The real truth is that black women love anyone who genuinely loves them... Plain and simple. It's not fair to say that all black women have nothing to do with black men, it's just for some reason your cornyness will not allow us to look in your direction. Actually while I'm writing this, I can only listen and not look at your video...real talk.
And I really don't think wonderbread cares whether or not we are taking their men. They're wasting their own time with you. Actually it's never been a matter of us taking we've always been wanted...two words- Strom Thurmond
Take note:
We are way too busy and too fly to put up with the shear lack of swagger coming from your corner. So I hope this was a joke and you were just in need of some black womanly love. And guess what? For the first time in all your life you got the attention from one of the flyest black girls around and hopefully all of the lovely people who will respond to this post. So feel blessed. By the way, if you happen to read this, there is job opening at my firm. Maybe a sister can give you a hand, since we're non threatening and all.

Peace and Blessings to the guy sweating like a slave!

Ms Ray's Latest News: Gotta Love Spike, Isaiah Makes a Comeback, Fake Degrees

2007-07-17T23:42:00.000-04:00

USA TODAY-Spike Lee announced plans Tuesday to make a movie about the struggle against Nazi occupiers in Italy during World War II that he hopes will highlight the contribution of black American soldiers who fought and died to liberate Europe.

The film will spotlight the courage of black soldiers who, despite suffering discrimination back home, offered a contribution that has so far gone largely unnoticed in other Hollywood movies, Lee said.

"We have black people who are fighting for democracy who at the same time are classified as second-class citizens," the 50-year-old filmmaker said. "That is why I'd like to do a film to show how these brave black men, despite all the hardship they were going through, still pushed that aside and fought for the greater good."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Isaiah Is Bionic

By Steve Gorman

Reuters
Tuesday, July 17, 2007; 12:01 AM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Isaiah Washington, fired last month from the ABC hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" after reportedly making an anti-gay slur, has landed a new role, and a development deal, with rival network NBC.

Washington will guest star in five episodes of NBC's upcoming sci-fi action drama "Bionic Woman," a 21st-century remake of the 1970s series that starred Lindsay Wagner and was itself a spinoff of "The Six Million Dollar Man."( What's that old saying? Oh yeah, I remember, " When one door close another will open". how true it is.) I wish him well in his new role and good luck.

Washington will play a mysterious figure who is brought into the enigmatic scientific organization behind the "bionics" that transform Jamie, and whose own agenda is unclear as he instructs her on how to handle her new abilities.

"He's a wonderful actor and a great performer, and he became available," said NBC's new chief programmer, Ben Silverman, who was installed as the network's co-chairman of entertainment in late May with Marc Graboff.

Washington, who co-starred as a surgeon, Dr. Preston Burke, on "Grey's Anatomy," was dismissed from the show in June by the producers at ABC Television Studios.

Last year, Washington sparked controversy after a heated argument on the "Grey's" set in which he reportedly referred to co-star T.R. Knight as a "faggot."

Washington denied the report. But Knight, who later came out as gay, said Washington had used the slur.

Despite his public denials, Washington, 43, later met with gay and lesbian groups in Los Angeles, entered counseling and filmed a public service announcement denouncing hurtful speech.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Touro officials accused in degree scam

NEW YORK, July 17 (UPI) -- New York prosecutors accuse two Touro College administrators of accepting bribes to change grades and award phony diplomas.

Accused mastermind Andrique Baron, who formerly served as head of admissions for the college, and Michael Cherner, the former head of the computer department, were charged along with a "bag man," and four alleged purchasers of altered grades and fake degrees have been indicted. For at least four years, a pair of greedy college administrators pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from former students who wanted to change F's into A's on their Touro transcripts, prosecutors charge.

But the accusations get even worse. The two administrators are also charged with awarding fictitious degrees to "graduates" who had never once stepped foot in any of the New York-based international college's 29 locations.

Investigators said that for prices ranging from $3,000 to $25,000, students could purchase doctored transcripts and non-students could buy degrees up to a master's.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said three New York special education teachers accused of paying $3,000 for graduate degrees will be reassigned to non-teaching positions in the fall until the investigation is resolved.

Baron's lawyer, Ronald Aiello, claimed his client is innocent of the charges.

Ms Ray
See You can get anything here in the NYC!!!

Hump Day: It Was More Like Bamboozled

2007-07-17T16:55:00.000-04:00

Cleo-Lesbian character played by Queen Latifah

What do you call when you get hit on constantly by androgynous lesbians? I feel there are many unsung straight girls out there who have yet to tell the story of Triumph after getting hit on by the Cleo's of the world. I have balls and no shame people, so ya'll know I got a story.

I can say that I am an official MUFF MAGNET. That's what I'm calling it for this post. I swear, I don't know what it is, but I've got hit on one too many times by women. It would actually be resourceful if I WAS A LESBIAN.
I wonder what is it about myself that attracts them. Is it the hair, my charming smile, my sexy boyish looks. Hell...I thought I was a girly girl. But maybe that's it. I'm cool like a dude but I'm......never mind, it's useless to try to figure out.
I constantly here these "I wish a motherfker would" comments from my straight guy friends who continuously get hit on by homosexuals, including my boyfriend. Granted my guy is cute and slim with a decent build, so it's totally understandable why he constantly gets dude stalked from time to time, but how does it really feel as a straight man to get hit on by our gay brothers?
Are they really that offended? or Do they feel slightly flattered that a gay guy would even take interest. At this day in age, for a gay man to seek interest in another, one must have a gym membership, a sick wardrobe, and a good job. So in my opinion, straight guys who get hit on by gays should not feel that offended.
I can honestly say that my man handles the occasional "looks" pretty well. Half of the time he doesn't even realize the overt sexual passes until I tell him...and even then he's in denial. I love it because it's pure comedy for me. I can say that I'm fortunate to be with someone who respects the importance of my gay guy friends. Although I have to give him a quick pep talk from time to time before an occasional outing, he knows I have a football team of homosexual friends and they aint' going nowhere. I have no time for his trivial banter every time we go to brunch or an outing with one of my "fairies"... as he likes to call them...cause' he's scared they're gonna try and flirt with him. I would always mock him and blow off his complaints until....I started to reminisce! Did I forget about how I felt when I first got hit on..........?
I have a slew of stories on my run-ins with the Cleo's of the world. It's odd that I have more than enough stories than I would like to admit, but it's real.
Come role with me as I sift through my mental Rolodex. This Story is a Classic.

I Can't Even Say I Got Hit On, it was More Like Bamboozled- by Eddie Nicole

It was the year 2002. I was a Sophomore in college in the greater Austin area. It was one of my first experiences on the notorious 6th street in Austin, Texas. Picture Bourbon street with less jazz, a sprinkle of New York's lower east side, along with drunk Texas college students and BAMN! There's 6th street...nothin' like it. I was amazed because I felt so free at that time in my 21 year old life. I was finally out of my comfort zone. Immersed with the opportunities to consume large amounts of alcohol, meet great people, all while acquiring a great edumacation. I was in it to win it. It was the ultimate college experience!
After hours of studying and cramming, my girls and I bar hopped and clowned on 6th street of Austin. We ate greasy pizza, and flirted with football players. Unfortunately, that's just what college girls do in Texas. As an attractive, naive, young female...flirting with the athletes had great benefits.... hopefully you could get into all the parties free and if you really know what you're doing maybe become a future NFL wife (Go Rocky!) or a notorious groupie...just gotta play your cards right..lol
As we flirted and introduced ourselves to the brawny ball players, they invited us to a party at this hot spot at the time called the Colorado Room. We were so hype because #1 We were getting in for free and #2 The most important at the time...Free Drinks. There was no sweat off the Ball player's backs because Austin and the entire state of Texas immortalizes football players. Needless to say, they didn't have to pay for shit. So we got the for real hook-up on drinks and the VIP section.
Everybody from UT's campus was there, including Black Greeks, male and female ball players, boppers, male groupies...it was crazy.
So we're in the party stuntin'... Lookin at females like...yeah we here..let's get the party started! We were total snobs.
We're on the dance floor getting down. We're tipsy...Well at least I was...and there were potential husbands all over the place.
*****Here's where the story takes a drastic turn*****

I made sure to not totally ruin my reputation because I planned on pledging the next year and of course the sorority I wanted to pledge had members scattered around the party everywhere. I really had to watch who I flirted and danced with that night.

So after I danced with a couple of guys....MY SONG STARTED PLAYING. It was R. Kelly's summer classic,"Fiesta" featuring Jay-Z. So I'm dancing with this dude...and we are grinding. I'm backing it up with my signature "pick it up an drop it move". Me and this "mystery man" danced for about halfway through the song until I felt something odd....Are these MAN BOOBS on my back?! I'm like, "This dude seems pretty slim, Where are the man boobs coming from?" So as I drunkenly turn around, the mystery man raps his arms around my waste... and as I'm checking "him" out "he's" laughing way too hard. So my crunkness totally began to wain, because that's when it hit me. He has one of those rare deformities...over produced mammary glands. So I'm still awkwardly dancing. I can't be rude just because the man has boobs. As I'm dancing, my best friend NeNe pulls me to the side and goes..."Girl you know you dancing with a chic". At that exact moment My heart literally dropped and splattered on the dance floor. I felt lonely and cold. Not only was the entire female basketball team eyeing me and getting a hardy laugh but some of the football players were in on it as well. It felt like Sissy Spacek in "Carrie". I was heated! All I could say was DAAAMMMN!

All I needed was for Jack Nicholson's ass to finish the night off with a classic line "Have you ever danced with the Devil in the pale moonlight?" ...."The Jokes on you...
Bitch!"

I looked at my girls and they already knew it was time to get the hell out. As we casually, but shamefully exited the club, I saw a group of sorority girls snickering. I wasn't sure if it was about me, but I felt like the whole party was laughing at my expense. Thank God those girls weren't in the sorority I was interested in, cause that would have been the end of my pledging dreams.
Wrong!.... All I can say was about a year later.... Hell Night for me was a total bitch!!...
nough' said!

I say all of that to say this.

Did I Triumph? I think so. I didn't react the way most would expect. Although to this day I feel that incident was in violation of a person's right to choose what sex they want to grind with on the dance floor, I feel just in my actions. I calmly smiled and played that shit off real smooth... I walked away. Hell what was I gonna do? fight the entire basketball team...not the way my girls were looking behind me...and I mean they were waaay behind. They were scared shitless. They figured something would pop off and we were gonna have to fight the entire girl's basketball team...that would have been a sad sight I must admit. I'm way to smooth to fight husky girls with cankles that I know I can't defeat. See, when one faces adversity and senses a larger loss than one has already gained, you can not react in an ignorant manner... That would result in my situation being "gayer" and even more awkward than it originally was. Just accept the lesson, take the losses and move on.
So with this story, I say to my friends....Just Be Cool! Karma's A Bitch.
It's not copacetic to snob at parties, I learned my lesson!

Wherever that deformed man is...I hope you may one day read this classic piece of journalism. I was Unmoved by you're fraudulent actions, and I still stand to say that......I hope you're boobs grow into huge melons so even a sports bra can't hide it. That should cease any confusion to any unsuspecting young women who crosses you're path.

Now, I ask my friends in the blogger world, what would you have done in that situation.

Signing Off,

Eddie Nicole "I Shall Not Be Moved"

...to love, cherish, and kill the roaches!

2007-07-11T17:34:00.000-04:00

In celebration of the many weddings that took place on 07/07/07 I am honoring wedding vows. And, I took it upon myself to add one more important duty that should be included in wedding vows (with an emphasis on the mans part). Here's why:

I was at my friends apartment the other day and we were looking at TV. Her boyfriend came over because he had the Martin Season 2 DVD and we all wanted to watch it. So we're looking at TV laughing our asses off and he notices something that we don't. He keeps a close eye on this "thing" and gets kind of still. We notice that he isn't laughing as much any more and my friend says, "babe, what's wrong?" and he says, "Uh, I don't know if I want to tell you..." "What do you mean?" she says, "tell me, what is it? is it a bug?" "Well, uh, nah baby...ok...I told you that y'all wouldn't want to know...but I'll tell you...there's a mouse in the house." Now, being the girlie chicks we are, we scream at the top of our lungs! "AGGGGHHHHHH!!! OH SHIT!! OH MY GOD A MOUSE!!!" and we bolt out the door. Now, I grew up running track from the age of 5 all the way through my sophomore year in college and I don't think that I have ever ran that fast before!! My girl never did any sports and she was right there with me...when I tell you we got outside in a matter of 3 seconds, I'm not playin' with you! So we are freaking out outside and we get ourselves amped up to come back in and make sure boyfriend was okay. Well, we get in and boyfriend looks like he just had an all out war with Mickey Mouse. Boxes were moved out the way, the sofa was on the other side of the room. We asked him frantically, "Where is it?! Where is the mouse?!" and he said calmly, "I killed it baby." My girl asked, "well, how did u kill it, where is it?" He said calmly, "I stomped it." "You what?!" I asked, "You stomped it?...Like, with your foot?!" He again, said calmly, "yeah." My girl and I immediately laughed so hard in amazement because he had on some Adidas flip flop type shoes. At that moment, we realized just how gangsta this dude was! He killed this mouse damn near with his bare foot so that we wouldn't be scared. And, the coolest part about it all was that he never looked afraid. He tackled that task like a man! How dope is that? It sucks that there was a mouse in the apartment altogether, but living in NYC, having Mickey come to visit is not uncommon. And just so you know, the Orkin man has since come to pay a visit to her place and I'm pretty sure none of Mickeys patnas will be coming over.

I told this story to say this...Being a man must really be annoying at times because you guys have to kill all the bugs, rodents, and other vermin that come around. Do guys ever get tired of taking on that responsibility? Or do you guys take on the task like a champion, like "boyfriend" did? My poor dad being the only man of the house full of women was on bug duty ALL the time. That occasional roach that invaded our space was most definitely going to be finished by "the punisher" aka "Daddy". I'm sure it's the same for some of ya'll and maybe "the punisher" in your family was your big/younger brother or even your gangsta ass Mama! (I know some females aren't as scared of bugs as I am..so I gotta give ya'll credit!)

So I have come to the conclusion that if a dude does not kill a bug or whatever creature it is in the vicinity, that he is now officially a straight up PUNK! Putting it outside is not enough, finish that mutherf***er! And, I have made an amendment to the wedding vows too...ladies, those of you getting married this year should consider this if your man has ever left you in the room with a bug or whatever: when it's the man's turn to say "...to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death..." he should say instead,"...to love and to cherish, kill the roaches, mice, and other vermin that may make their way into the house unexpectedly and then call the Orkin man, until we are parted by death." That's not asking for too much is it? I didn't think so!

live. laugh. love. Lady A :)

$500 18k gold sneakers

2007-07-11T09:04:00.000-04:00

“UPPER ECHELON SHOE”
These are the $500 shoes Diddy wore to the B.E.T awards . ( It's been over a week after the B. E. T awards and people are still talking about these sneakers. How do you feel about these new sneakers, so is it worth it?) What's you opinion? They look like some regular ole bo bo’s to me…. but they're the “in sneakers” among celbs right now. I guess its the 18 karat gold laces , that look like a little cuban link . It 's just a gold chain used as shoelaces in sneakers. (Do you have an old chain around the house and a pair of sneakers? Just a thought.)

Expect to see the $500 sneakers showing up on some other showy feet — Grandmaster Flash and Mariah Carey, who purchased a pair for LA Reid’s son Aaron as a present, are also said to be fans of the brand. Nicholas McDonnough, manager of the East Hampton store Blue & Cream, where Mariah ordered the $500 shoes, tells PEOPLE, “If you’re into sneakers you want something really different and new — and nobody’s seen everything like that before. [People are] pretty impressed when they see it.” Want a pair for yourself? Click here to find a retailer nearest.

Ms Ray

Sunday morning

2007-07-08T22:10:00.000-04:00

Since I was a child Sunday mornings have been somewhat ritualistic. Getting up early in the morning to wait for the newspaper guy to come to each floor yelling "Newwws Papeeerr!!". The newspaper guy just so happened to be world famous D.J. Ron G. (LMAO), which made the experience that much funnier now that I think about it. I would then run to the door and give him my dollar or whatever it cost at that time. Since I was always the first one with the paper, I got to take my time and tear it apart like I always did. The news was the first to go. The only parts worth keeping were the comics and the coupons. Which leads me to the reason I'm rambling on in the first place.
Cutting coupons has been a hobby of mine since my youth. I do this for absolutely no reason at all. I never use them but, I continue to cut. Honestly, I don't get it. Why would I use a coupon for one dollar off of two items that damn near cost four dollars each? Where's the savings?
This Sunday when I began to look through the coupon section (for no reason) I came upon an advertisement for SPAM. We all know and love it. As much shit as people talk about SPAM and all it's salty mysterious goodness, You would think they've never had it and wouldn't touch the stuff with a ten foot pole. However, I'm taking a stand for SPAM in honor of thier 70th anniversary. I've been a vegetarian for the past ten years and I'm not gonna front, I use to bust some SPAM down. Sliced thin, fried, on toast, with a little mustard, WHAAAT!!! That was the shit. As I took my stroll down memory lane I decided to visit the SPAM website. This has to be one of the most entertaining food product sites I've ever been to, I think it's the only food product site I've ever been to. SPAM has created a site that is not only visually appealing, they're making fun of themselves. They also have all sorts of SPAM memorabilia and get this they even have a SPAM museum. I know what you all must be thinking, "This girl has way too much time on her hands" and your right. For all those who are like me, at home or at work with too much time on thier hands visit your long time favorite luncheon meat at www.spam.com.
Hey! Check out the can dedicated to the Monty Python play "SPAMALOT"

Peace oooouuutt!

-Valentine

Kim Finally Walked Out On Diddy?

2007-07-05T22:29:00.000-04:00

DIDDY BABY MAMA MOVES OUT

Did Kim really leave P Diddy?, Did she really get sick in tired of being sick and tired. Well if you haven't heard, Kim left Sean Combs. (Again!!) See ladies, if he don't marry you in two years dump him, and please don't have a baby without the ring. That's just my opinion. She just look stupid now and used up, like a bed warmer. But, we all knew it was for show. ( His confession of his love in Essence and blah, blah, blah.)
Sources inside Combs' camp told Page Six that Porter moved out of his apartment here and she isn't going back.( This is so embarrassing for Kim. She really looks like a fool!) He dumped her twice for a women with a career.

"Kim is in Louisiana filming a movie right now, and when it's done she's moving to L.A.," the insider said.

Porter has already bought a posh pad in Beverly Hills for her and her four children - three of whom, Christian, 10, and twins D'Lila and Jessie, 7 months, are Diddy's. ( She got enough child support money)

"She is focusing on her career as a model and actress and raising her children," our source said. "They are the best of friends, but they just can't be together right now."

This doesn't mean Combs and Porter won't ever be together again. They split for several years when he was dating Jennifer Lopez, but as soon as he and J.Lo broke up, Combs went right back to Porter.

Rumors of a rift between the two started circulating earlier this year when, right after the December birth of the twins, Combs stayed out almost every night till the wee hours of the morning partying with Sienna Miller. The two once stayed out so late partying at her hotel room that they even caught breakfast together in the morning.

The friendship between Combs and Miller was rekindled last weekend when he went to London to perform in the Princess Diana Memorial Concert at Wembley Arena.

According to Britain's Daily Mirror, Combs went to the concert after-party at a club called Paper, but "didn't look too happy to be there . . . until [Miller] arrived . . . For seemingly the first time all night, he started to enjoy himself . . . he ordered six burly bouncers to form a ring around the couple. And one unlucky reveler who accidentally strayed too close to the pair at Paper . . . was manhandled out of the way by their heavies."

Combs and Miller were so engrossed in each other, they "failed to notice staff accidentally smash several champagne flutes at the table," the London paper said.

Ms Ray

Fashion:They're Leopard and They're Comfortable

2007-06-26T16:56:00.000-04:00

I would say have a happy holiday, but ya'll know "we" just have a couple of "days off". These made up Caucasian bread holidays really don't make a difference to us...just gives us a reason to have the neighborhoods and blocks smelling like B-B-Q for the next two weeks, while everyone else is going kayaking and deep sea diving in Lake Pontchartrain somewhere. So have a great few days off!

(Above) Illustration by Eddie Nicole
Item of the week-cartier bracelet and hammer pants

Cheers to us when we get old!
Remember looking through old 60 and 70's photos of your parents and family members in amazement. Just the glimpse of your parents in their 20's enjoying life for that moment made you wish you were born at least twenty years earlier. People were so fly black then. Excluding celebrities and the wannabees, like nowadays. It seemed as if folks back in tha day stepped out on a regular and dressed fresh just in case something were to pop off. Like we say at VP. "If you stay ready...You aint gotta get ready!" That's some real shit and it was the way of life.
I was checking out some old photos of my mother when she was in her prime from college onto newlywed status, and she was such a sex pot. She wore the skimpy bathing suits and the tight ass jeans with fitted jersey tops. I can say that at the age of 26, my mother was flyer than me, and that being said without a wince of apprehension.

My pleasure has always been for years to check out what other people wear. From the horrendous to the exceptional, to just right out...oooh my God I hate her, I'm stealing that entire outfit. I've always been fascinated with the way people carry themselves...the walk, the talk, the gestures. It's the whole swagger thing, that Puffy so eloquently added to the urban lexicon, that I embrace. Just call me the observer of the cloth. I looked up to people like my mother and what she represented as a woman. Effortlessly well dressed, head up high, and oozing with sex appeal was the lady I proudly call my mother. I don't even think she realized it. So let's fast forward to 2007.... Unfortunately, I've been saddened....She refuses to get rid of her Circa 1992 leopard hammer pants that she loves to wear to the grocery store and I don't know why. She has the nerve to get pissed when she runs into somebody she knows in the grocery store while wearing the pants. When I chastise her about it, her reply is always: "They're leopard and they're comfortable, that counts for something."
Nooo it counts for nothingness!!! Cut those damn pants and make furniture polishin' rags out of em.....PLEEAAAZZE!
What happened to the sexiness that was our beloved parents? Is the reasoning behind this lackluster display of personal presentation that they work so hard and really have no time or the energy to want to look sexy? I guess the way Bush has royally fucked the economy...the baby boomers can't even retire, let alone try to dress fly. They're still trying to support our broke asses while we try to figure shit out, find jobs, and graduate from school while simultaneously saving for their own retirement...it's sad, but it's the truth. My mother has always had great style in my eyes (minus the hammer pants) and that's an extra reason why I love her... regardless of the raggedy robe that she has to hold together cause' the zipper's broken...I will always remember her at her pinnacle of high fashion. And I appreciate the swagger that rubbed off onto myself...I'm so blessed!
But my father is another story. To this day, my dad swears he's the flighest nigga' around. He would still wear butterfly collar shirts if he could find them. He still embarrasses the hell out of my brother and I on special occasions (when he's invited) with those open silk shirts of his. He purposely keeps the top two buttons unclosed to bear his old grey haired taco meat of a chest ..... Why? I know why, cause he still thinks he's SEXY...motherfukr for what!
It's hilarious talkin about it, but not so funny when this negroe comes walkin down the aisle at your high school graduation wearing a white Tony Montana suit, with the open chess silk shirt, with brown sandals looking for a seat....WTF!!... and then when you go to PROGRAD or the after-graduation lock-in at your school and the one dude that always clowns starts asking random people, "Who's daddy was that in the white Tony Montana suit?" knowing it was my dad.
"Nigga that's my daddy! You saw us taking pictures! Where's your bucktooth father! Didn't see him around, at least mine showed up..."*That's exactly what I said too. I still remember that. I deserved to get cracked on, cause I would have been shit talkin for days if one of my friend's fathers showed up looking like Leon Phelps.

Obviously he has issues, hence the reason my parents have been divorced for over 17 years.

So how will our generation represent. What will Beyonce, Rhianna and Ashanti look like when they're 40 plus? Black folks are getting plastic surgery like crazy, so who knows? Probably a dash of their parents, a scoop of Latoya Jackson, with the elasticity of Star Jones. It really comes down to us regular cool folks to continue the "Black Don't Crack Phenomena". What I have learned from my experience with stylish elders is to stay CLASSIC...and the sexy will come. Not saying that you can't effortlessly be sexy after 50. It's when you TRY to be sexy after 50 is the problem. That kind of sexy never comes across well. Some of my guy friends still ask me "How's your sexy ass momma?"...and that never bothered me, because they know she doesn't TRY to be sexy....it's all about the imagination! But if you have guy friends coming over just to see how low she can go on a random day, that's just ghetto inappropriate foolishness.
The truth is that a plus 50 can't be sexy with sweaty saggin tits while wearing a tube-top. Nor can a plus 50 ever be sexy while wearing tight nut hugger jogging tights knowing that when he sits on the toilet his nuts will more than likely splash in the water...a literal fucking tea bag! *You'll get it later :) If you got all that going on, that means you're too old to be wearing certain shit! Therefore I feel there should be a 75% class with a 25% sexy dress code for the plus 40's of the world.

OUT OF RESPECT FOR MY ELDERS, I USE THE WORD CLASSIC. WHEN US YOUNGINS' OF THE 80's GET OLD, I FEEL WE SHOULD STAY CLASSIC! FOR CLASSIC IS ALWAYS SEXY. HERE ARE SOME GREAT EXAMPLES OF PLUS 50's
Carolina Herrera: I swear this lady looks better and better every year. She is the most stylish lady around. She's the poster woman for white collar shirts, it's her signature piece, she wears them with everything. Ladies, after a certain age a classic white collar shirt and great slacks can take you a long way!

Cool old guy with a the red vest. It's all about the hint of color! Kind of Sexy!

photo credit:thesartorialist

Silky, Silky Soul Singer Frankie Beverly. He's so cool! What he wears at his concerts is what he wears at home. Reminds you of the cool uncle you always wanted!- So Cool, He's Sexy

Lauren Hutton has aged very well and just as classic as ever! Sexyiness

photo credit:thesartorialist

My friends and I always say, "I'm a stay fly forever". I really can't see myself falling off....walking around with open toe sandals with white socks, wearing family reunion t-shirts in public... Naah I dont see it! But you never know! I heard that after a certain age some women don't wear blue jeans. Now that's some grown shit. I couldn't imagine not ever wearing jeans...hell that's apart of my daily wardrobe, but it may be a good idea. Now that I think about it, my mother doesn't wear jeans!
Anyway, here's to the old folks who gracefully keep it sexy in their own geriatric way...lol

He looks like that could hold a great and wise conversation. Wise=Sexy

photo credit:thesartorialist

Can't forget Lady DiYeah that's Tina at the ripe age of freakin' 58. The epitomy of "black don't crack"!

So with that said. To my black people, the earth is falling apart and by the time we hit our 50's we may not age at the full potential of our ancestors. We have to keep the "Black Don't Crack" phenomena going. Let's Continue to Keep these other folks guessing!
Here are some tips:
1. Use sunscreen, and always apply moisturizer wiping from the face to the scalp
2. CoCo butter does work. I've been using it on my ass since high school and I have no stretch marks...well maybe a few, but not at all noticable
3. Drink water and exercise
4. Brush your teeth with a little peroxide, it keeps the grill white...especially if you smoke and/or drink coffee and tea
5. Smile sometimes. Black folks walk around mad as hell. It doesn't hurt to smile and be nice to a person, even if they had you kickin' lions at work.
Be sure to pass this post on to your friends at work....we gotta look out for each other for the sake of our reputation. For when our kids tell the world about what we once were, we wanna leave a great legacy. Keep up the sexy!

Peace and Blessings,

Eddie Nicole

By the way, If you ever wanna get a cool expensive gift for someone, word on the street is that the Cartier Love Bracelet is the hot new charity gift. The proceeds go to...I'm sure another "Save the Africans Charity". So spend some money on a great cause...if you got it like that! Or just spend it on me!

Peace and Blessings,

Eddie Nicole

The Crack Files: Subs, Trains, and Automobiles?

2007-06-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

I think that in some sort of crazy way I am fascinated by the crack heads of this nation, especially the one's in New York City. It's probably because in NYC, poverty is right smack in your face and the majority of native New Yorkers are jaded by the thousands of crack heads and their shenanigans, that they just ignore it...oh not me! I love witnessing, sharing, and hearing other people's stories about their encounters with the wacko's of the world. So I give you today my fabulous Vanity Pages readers (all 10 of you, I mean 12-I noticed we have some new readers...glad to have you, by the way) 3 short stories, that take place on the train, in the subway station, and in an automobile...

CASE 1: Early morning on the train

So, I had to be at work very early on a Saturday morning for an event and I was incredibly tired. I went out that night, had only 2 hours of sleep, not to mention I was still tipsy. I get on the train and I decide to close my eyes until my stop just to get a few extra minutes of rest. I feel something on my foot. And, I'm thinking to myself, "I know this isn't a grown person stepping on my foot? It has to be a little kid, but it's too damn early..." I open my eyes and BAM! There he is! A crackhead looking at me dead in the eye with a "Bitch move your feet out the way" type of look. Naturally, I rolled my eyes at him like he was crazy...well he actually was, so I just left it at an eye roll because there's no telling what these crack heads will do. And, I am one of 3 people (including the crackhead) in this particular subway car. So I commenced to closing my eyes again after he walked away as if he was going to walk through to the next subway car-I thought I was in the clear. Next, I heard slurping from an aluminum can...and then the crumbling of that same can, at that moment I think to myself, "I know this nigga ain't about to throw this can at me?!" The next thing I know, I open my eyes and this ass hole throws the sprite can at ME!!! WHAT??!! Then he takes his cracky ass to the next car! WTF??

CASE 2: The Subway Sandwich

My dear friend Eddie Nicole was with her boyfriend in the subway station and they see a typical homeless/crackhead on the platform with his bags looking hungry and tired-he was asleep (or at least he looked like he was). She had a sandwich from subway and didn't want the rest. Mr. HomelessCrackhead guy looked like he could use a bite, so Eddie, being the generous person she is thought she would be a good Samaritan and give him the rest of her Sub. She laid it next to him and walked off feeling like she did her good deed for the day. Little did she know, Mr. HomelessCrackhead guy wasn't feeling her sandwich. As a matter of fact, he felt like she should know it, so a couple of seconds after Eddie walked off feeling good about herself, she felt a massive thump to the back of her head!!! The bastard threw the damn sub at her!! LMAO! I guess his message was, keep your sandwich Bitch, give me the money!!!

CASE 3: The Automobile
Another one of my dear friends in Houston shared an unfortunate story with me the other day. Her car was broken into. I was sad to hear about it because in these particular situations, one typically gets their fancy shmancy radio/cd/ipod player stolen or something else of value. On the contrary, her story was worst than that. She walks to her car during her lunch break and the window is broken. Immediately she thinks, "Oh no! I left my radio face on, and my Nike bag is in there with my work out clothes! Oh shit, I just bought some new shoes , they are in the bag too!" And, she continues to think of the valuables she left in her car all at this moment. She opens the door, and sees that all of the items in the gym bag are removed from the bag. Sprawled around the back seat of the car. "But, wait! Everything is still in here, this is crazy," she thought. Well guess what folks? All that was missing was her cigarette lighter and the gym bag! What kind of shit is that?! Now, I'm glad that all of her belongings were there, but this theft is screaming crackhead! All he took was a bag and a lighter!

Until next time...

Lady A

Tea Cups and Dog Fashion

2007-06-24T20:37:00.000-04:00

We have friends, who have friends with Tea Cups Pets. I decided to post some cute posting about doggie fashion and some of the crazy styles that are out for pet lovers with tea cups and other size dogs. and hotos of other tea cups bread. I want a tea Cup!!

The Garden Party Dress
Limited Edition by Susan Lanci for Swarovski
Strictly for truly pampered puppies only! With a price tag of $3,000 this gorgeous dog dress and nothing less than breath-taking with its elegant design and extreme attention to detail! Designed by Susan Lanci for Swarovski, this exclusive piece is a limited edition
This little Outfit will cost you.

Shoes for your dog. If you haven't seen any dog
wearing them. Please come to New York. It's funny and cute. Now this is crazy. But it's fashion

I could go on and on with this, I have to stop.
Ms Ray

New york Designer Malia Mills Bikinis

2007-06-24T19:53:00.000-04:00

Malia Mills Bikinis
You don't have to be a size 2 to wear her pieces. Rated #1

It may be just tw0 minuscule pieces of Lycra but, fashion-wise, nothing causes quite as much pleasure and pain as a buying a bikini. And while color, print, and shape are all important, the key thing to get right is fit. (right Ladies)That's where New York designer Malia mills comes in- her bikini tops work just like a bra, each one featuring contouring seams for shape and a perfect fit; three set of hook fastening at the back and three different size straps ranging from thin for small to thicker ones on D-cups pluses. So don't worry she has something for all sizes.(really!!!) Stylish top that cover the tummy and a few one-piece suits can also. The bottoms also come in a range of shapes, fits, and styles, so you can ensure you find the perfect pair to suit your shape.

Mills and her staff take each individual as she comes, and her expert teams use their trained eye to size you up. You will love it.

Where to find Mills
1031 lexington Ave
New York, NewYork
or call for more location
212 874-7200

Ms Ray
Muha!!!http://www.maliamills.com/Pages/index2.html
Thank me later..

Ice Cream Any One, Gelato is the Best!

2007-06-24T19:22:00.000-04:00

Yolato has developed over 100 different flavors of gelato to introduce to customers. From traditional flavors such as Chocolate and Vanilla to more unique flavors such as Pumpkin Pie and Tiramisu. Gelato Artisans are constantly striving to provide new taste sensations. Must try!! yum.

This Ice Cream is so Yummmy, you must try Gelato. Anyone with a sweet tooth should get the next flight to Sicily-an island where they even eat ice cream for breakfast, usually in the form of a hollowed-out brioche filled with gelato. Ice Cream may have been invented here some time around the 8th century, when Arabs inhabiting the island first thought to scoop the ice from the slopes of Mount Etna, and combine it with sugar, milk, and flavoring from local products, such as oranges, almonds, and roses. The ideal way, they figured, to stave off the fierce summer heat. You must try this Ice cream it's soooo good. you may not have to fly to Italy but if you do try it. But check in your areas near your home or come to New York.
I Love the chocolate.

Ms Ray

Another Movie to Support: Talk To Me

2007-06-22T11:51:00.000-04:00

I love me some Don Cheadle! He is one of the most talented actors in Hollywood. Great to see him consistently working. I love him in all of the Ocean's 11 movies. The British accent is what gets me when he plays the ballistics expert. Check out Ocean's 13 if you haven't, way better than 12.
Check out the new trailer for his movie, Talk To Me. Looks entertaining.

Related Post: American Gangster Trailer

Hump Day

2007-06-20T11:28:00.000-04:00

OOOH where do I start? I'm just gonna wing it until I can figure how I want to really tell this story. Let's start with a warm up shall we!

Random Shit:

I have you ever felt too shame to eat your lunch at work with your co-workers cause you were to broke to bring or buy a real meal...eatin' your little PBJ sandwich at your desk all quiet.

Don't have the nerve to eat the instant lunch Ramen noodles, people be at work lookin' at you all crazy...like what's that old noodle smell. Bitch, let's take a collection plate around here since you so worried.

Who feels that Rhianna totally swagger jacked FeFe Dobson? I watched her new video for "Shut Up and Drive"....not feelin it. It would really be interesting to see FeFe Dobson really try to make a big comeback to give Rhi Rhi a little lyrical competition. You can tell Rhianna has the corporate money engine behind her, that's another reason she looks so hot. I never cared for Rhianna's musical talent so I can't say I miss her "island sound", but that sound was really her, I guess. But the white folks are gonna invest so much in Rhi-Rhi that I guess the music itself really doesn't matter.

Aaaw Fe Fe, I hope there is still room for the real black rocker chicks

So Coral is a Lesbian. The MTV Reality addict is now exploring her new sexuality. She said she has always had it in her, she was just never ready to come out. BOOOO! I don't believe it. I feel another fake publicity stunt to get some flashlight shine, cause that's all she's gonna get!

Wow, white folks have started their own currency in the US. This has been around for a while and I had no idea. In a town in western Massachusetts, there is a new currency called BerkShares where Norman Rockwell is the face. They call it local money. BerkShares are accepted in about 280 cafes, coffee shops, grocery stores and other businesses in Great Barrington and neighboring towns, including Stockbridge, the town where Rockwell lived for a quarter century. Do black people live in towns? Ya'll let me know, so we can get our Frederick Douglas on. You know when they do it, we right behind them...unfortunately!

Lt. Mauser, Tackelberry, Sergeant Proctor

I miss Police Academy. It would be awesome if they came up with a new cast.
Who would ya'll cast? I'm thinking Vince Vaughn (Mahoney), Brotha Man from the 5th flo (Hightower), Will Ferrel (Tackelberry), Mos Def or Dave Chappelle (Sgt. Jones), Neecy Nash (Lavern Hooks), the agent from Entourage (Maussar)....that would be the shit

Meet the FLOMasters. You ever wonder how black folks come up with these dances. They don't just pop out of nowhere. Well, here are the guys who came up with most of the ATL "lean wit it rock wit" dances. It's kind a cute how they're so serious and all in sync.

Ok. That's a good warm up.

So have you ever had the worst sex in your life? Don't worry it happens to the best of us!... and if it hasn't happened to you yet, then guess what? You're a lucky bastard! I thought the worst sex of my life was when I thought I lost my virginity. But jabbing doesn't count in my opinion, so that uneventful hump day was just a waste of time and feelings of awkwardness....side note: he thought he was really doing something and had the nerve to tell everybody at school, and I had the nerve to think we really "did it".
But that was ions a go.
On the real, I would never wish a horrible sexual experience on anyone. The worst hump day of your life will always be a memory. It's so shame for you because you had to experience it and for the partner because he/she had to give it. I can say, since I had my horrible sexual experience, I finally understand the pressure men have had for years. For some reason I had the misconception that at the ripe age of 25, every man would have been on top of his shit. I thought the penis power that men posses at the mid 20's would have been at the pinnacle of full potential. I guess you can say there is always a rotten apple in the bunch. It was so bad...I'm waisting time writing this shit let me get to it...lol.
So it was my first year in NYC. Arriving from Houston, Texas, I was so excited. I was on top of my game, working as a personal shopper's assistant at Bergdorf Goodman, I really thought I was the shit. Nothing could ruin my New York Experience.
I was open to meet new people, not to mention the fact that I hadn't "done it" in like a year. New York is a funny place, cause' you never know who you'll meet. Everyone is from everywhere. Would I meet my "BIG" or "Aiden"? Could I inevitably get my "Sex and the City" on?The possibilities were endless. So a lesbian friend that I worked with hooked me up with this guy from LA, we'll call him Flaccid Fill. By the way, it's hard for me to have lesbian friends...I will save that story for next week....Anyway, we met at some spot and I thought he was kinda cute. Not really my type, but I felt like if I continued on this path of rejecting guys, I would never meet anyone that could possibly be the best penis ever. So after weeks of going out, he invited me to his apt.

.... NOW HERE ARE SURE FIRE SIGNS OF DISASTER....
TAKE NOTE AND LEARN

The Apt- In New York, looks are deceiving. Most apt buildings look like shit! You might be looking at some of the most expensive property and it looks like a nigga could easily be dead somewhere on the fourth floor. So, yeah, his apt building looked like crack, but I still had hope because we weren't in his apt. At least it had an elevator.....
The apartment was ok. It was not that clean...not my standards...but I'm coming in with an open mind...It's New York. So we eat some take out, watch a movie, crack a few jokes...you know shootin' the shit. It's late, I'm not getting on the train...and he wanted me to stay.

The Kiss- It's all my fault because I could have stopped it at that...but I was thirsty so I kept it going. We kissed and he seemed unsure of himself with that. He was kissing all fast but soft...it was weird. I'm a fan of a great kiss, a firm, not too wet, a little tongue action, sucking of the lips kind of kiss, not too fast, but not boring slow....that kiss was just awkward. I'm already like uggghh! But we kept it going.

The Foreplay- So when he finally caught on to the way I kissed, I'm thinking ok, maybe this wont be so bad... We were doing the "I wanna "do it" but don't wanna seem thirsty so I'm gonna take it easy kind of foreplay" which can be cool. I don't like jumping into things too fast, at least when I'm sober. Shit, this nigga acted like he was going down and then paused and said "I don't Go Down"...so I said..."I didn't ask you to"... I was tight because he even said that..."Didn't nobody push your head past my belly button, now you scared","Get off me!..." He rolled over looking all rejected. I just wanted to escape and go home, but it was like 2am....

This is so hard to write ya'll....lol

The "Did It" Part- I'm using the term "Did It" cause it was that junior-high school. So it's late and I'm thinking, is this the story of my life. I haven't "did it" in a whole year, and this is how I end my drought...tisk tisk...oh well...I knew he still wanted to "do it" cause he kept rubbing on my ass while I was sleep. So I "scooted" over. You know how we do. And from then on it was just a series of the whackest events that could have ever happened to a woman in life. First off I hate when guys have a soft ass, it's gross..."You don't work out"! Then he had the nerve to have all these stretch marks, and on top of that he was a slim guy... I'm saying to myself "E, save some of the integrity you have left and just run out right now....do it, do it before it's too late, do it now, before you give a pity fuck...aww bitch your gonna give him a pity fuck....what's wrong with YOU!" All I can say is I didn't give him the satisfaction of switching positions...lol. I just closed my eyes. I felt like Ceely..."He just get own top a' me...and do his business".
Flaccid Fill was not even doing his business.
That's what sucked. At least Mister gave it to her. Shit, I would have switched him out for Mister at that point. After that night, I felt violated... I felt violated because I gave him the time of day, I let him take a part of me that I knew I shouldn't have, and then didn't even make him feel like shit about it afterwards. He didn't deserve my scrutiny...let some other bitch act like she cares enough to even tell him how bad he was, Noooo my brotha.... not on my watch. Needless to say, I never called him again...SHAME! I guess that's why I'm telling the world. I know!...I've shamed you all....no,I have. I hope the men are reading....I pray they read this. I'm trying to stop horrible dick for everyone. Ladies spread the word! JUST SAY NO TO HORRIBLE DICK!

I Love you all!

Eddie Nicole

Maybe I Will Buy an Album This Year

2007-06-18T13:24:00.000-04:00

Kevin Michael- From Philly

Rembrandt- The Warriors

I just got word from myself, that ya' girl might finally legally buy a whole album. Ya'll know there is no music worth buying these days other than old school throwbacks, and I still pirate those...that's neither here nor there
Meet Kevin Michael out of Philly. He's the latest R&B/Soul crooner from Atlantic Records. His album will be dropping in August. This song featuring Lupe Fiasco is on my new theshit list. I actually feel like I may buy an album this year, who knows. The sound is something we've been missing in black music since the whole male Neo Soul movement came and went (Bilal, D'Angelo, Ralpheal Saadiq). His sound and style is very hip and fresh. I know he looks like Rembrandt from The Warriors- that actually makes him even cooler in my opinion, but listen to his music and what he has to say. And Lupe just makes the song even more real, with his sexy skateboard kick pushin', bifocals wearin' ass!

Yummy, Yummy, Gumdrops!

We all want the same thing!

powered by ODEO

All them mocha lattes, you gotta do Pilates + The Rev

2007-06-15T10:13:00.000-04:00

Good morning, good afternoon, or good day depending on the time you're reading this. I have an announcement to make:
I feel it's time for us to step up our work-out plan. Honestly, I have been surprised to see more women of color in the gym working out more than ever before. Due to health reasons and stress, it's a definite priority. We're representing in the gym, so I give us mad Kudos for that.
Although working out for health reasons is great, aint' nothin like exercising and seeing the results. It feels so great when you try on a pair of your old favorite jeans and none of the annoying bulge hangs out. Better yet, when you try on anything fitted and you can see toned skin as opposed to the inevitable cellulite. To all my ladies who have picked up a few pounds and you need a push to get back in the gym, Here's inspiration:

I know it's Beyonce and everyone talks about how great she looks. It's not about her, it's about us. I remember when B was thick and a hamburger away....I know we can do it. Hit the gym ladies. Yeah, she has a trainer and eats meals that a pigeon probably wouldn't eat, but this is just inspiration. Beyonce did not always have this body. If you want to look fly and healthy, fine and sexy, it takes hard work. You have to work out at least 3 times a week, at least. And everyday do sit-ups and crunches, it really works. If you're gonna eat at fast food restaurants, eat the salad on the menu, I promise you will feel better about yourself when you see your friends eating those disgusting "mystery meat" hamburgers.
I've been working out for about a month 1/2 straight, and I'm seeing results. I would throw up a photo of how great I look, but I wouldn't wanna hurt ya'll like that...lol. Get off the couch and give your man something sexy to look at. And if you don't have a man, hitting the gym might increase your game.
I know it may seem shallow to put "B" up here, like she has the most bangin' body. But she kinda does. There's all kind of body types that are sexy, and you may not fit her category. But for myself, she is my inspiration.

That's right put in work
Move your ass, go bezerk
Eat your salad, no dessert
Get that man you deserve

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Rev
a.k.a Creflo Jr.

Did you all here about Mase with the transvestites? Supposedly he got into a fender bender with someone while trying to pick up male prostitutes on the popular gay "ho-stroll" on Spring Street, in Atlanta. I'm sure you can find this rumor on concreteloop. What the hell is going on? I thought he was a man of the cloth.
Anyway, I always wondered about Mase's preaching skills. So I did a google search and I found a few clips on youtube.
I don't like to pass judgment on anyone who's "trying" to do the right thing, but as you watch this listen carefully. Where in the hell did he get the southern accent? I know he went to school in Atlanta, but I thought he was from or at least lived in Harlem, NYC for a number of years. Am I wrong? We all know that anyone can jokingly imitate a New Yorker, but a true native of New York can never fake a southern accent, it's scientifically proven. The twang and the drawl is something they can't grasp. Maybe he's not a native. But, what's up with the preacher's tone? He reminds me of a Creflo Dollar...but not as original, if that makes any sense. It's one thing to be a servant of God and minister to people, but it's a problem when a preacher's sermon is constantly about how to be successful and up one's income...and then to throw in a faux stereotypical preacher's voice. It's was too much for me. But that's for another day....Don't really wanna get into religion. One more thing, do you believe Mase? As a Christian, I don't feel that I could take him seriously, but his congregation is so huge, I felt like I had to at least listen. Have any of you been to his church or know of anyone who's listened to him speak? What are your thoughts?

A Text Message is what it is...A MESSAGE!

2007-06-13T19:12:00.000-04:00

I know I'm not the only person who feels this way, because my girls and I have had this conversation over and over again-and we all agree. Look fellas! It's okay to text and say "hey just thinking about you" or "I'll be there at 7" or "are you gonna be there tonight" but when you send a text and want to continue a long ass conversation, then that's where I draw the line! After about 4-6 texts in a time period of 10 minutes, it's time to get a real phone conversation started. I guess what I'm saying is that text messaging is making people lazy and it's showing that people are either socially awkward or its making it easy for people to not develop conversation skills. What the hell is this? Do people not want to get to know each other any more? All I'm saying is that having a whole conversation through a text message is a lousy and lazy way to keep in contact with someone.

I know some of you fancy shmancy guys have your blackberry's and your side kicks and what not. But, some of us have little flip phones and there is only room for 160 characters per message (including spaces)-my thumb is going to get arthritis! And, I'm running out of ways to abbreviate words. After a while texting gets to be so damn impersonal, hell, how do I know your not sending a mass text to all the chicks in your phone talkin' 'bout "whats up?" To me its no different from the millions of texts I get on the holidays saying "Merry Christmas" & "Happy New Year!" Oh! and just because you text me today does not mean that we talked, texting does NOT count. Texting is simply a way of just saying "hi" or touching base, it is NOT and I repeat, NOT a real conversation. Texting has no tone of voice. It's hard to tell if the person is saying something in a mean way, or a funny way, or if they are yelling (b/c some people text in all caps ALL the time) It's just hard to read into sometimes, ya know?

Like I said, it's ok to text to get quick information, to say "hello", or any type of short MESSAGE (hence the name "text message") Its also ok to do while bored in class or bored in a meeting. It just becomes a problem when it turns into a long ass conversation and you're sitting on the damn sofa, ugh!

This is Lady A signing off! Until next time...

Judge orders man in Ga. sex case freed

2007-06-12T21:02:00.000-04:00

Wilson, 21, is a former homecoming king and athlete with a 3.2 grade point average at Douglas County High School in Douglasville, Ga.

His conviction stemmed from a New Year's Eve party in a motel room in 2003. Wilson and other male partygoers were videotaped having intercourse with a 17-year-old girl and receiving oral sex from a 15-year-old girl. He was acquitted of raping the older girl and found guilty of aggravated child molestation of the younger girl, which at that time was how state law categorized oral sex when the male was 17 and the female was younger than 16. At those ages, intercourse would have been a misdemeanor.

Wilson's felony conviction came with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and the requirement to register as a sex offender. That registration would restrict where he could live and work.

Bernstein argued in court last week that Wilson's punishment was excessive and violated the U.S. Constitution's ban on "cruel and unusual" punishment.

In his ruling Monday, Monroe County Judge Thomas Wilson, no relation to Genarlow Wilson, called his sentence "a grave miscarriage of justice."

The judge threw out Wilson's sentence, amended his conviction to a misdemeanor and sentenced him to 12 months, with credit for time served. Under the ruling, Wilson would not be required to register as a sex offender. This story broke my heart, because it was completely unfair . I'm so glad they finally resolved the matter, but I don't feel he deserve even a misdemeanor conviction. This whole ordeal changed this young man course of life. He was headed to college with scouts and scholarships waiting for him after graduation.. Over a lie an excessive law. He just had a blow job with a peer at a party, and for this he was sentence to 10 years. Thank god, he freed and I hope he's able to get his life back on track and put this whole thing behind him.

God bless him
Ms Ray

The Brotha Man Has the Plan....Understand!

2007-06-12T15:29:00.000-04:00

How many of my 10 viewers (6 are friends) are into Poetry Slams? And if so, have you ever left feeling inspired and/or entertained? Other than watching random episodes of Def Poetry Jam when it was hosted by Mos Def and stepping out to an occasional poetry slam back in my undergrad, It has never impressed me...I guess I'm too cynical and sarcastic. But ya'll gotta feel me. Everyone's nodding heads and snapping...shouting to the poet "tell em girl!"... damn... Are we in church? I feel lame, like I'm being forced to participate. I like poetry and I can appreciate it in a card or in a book, but the live spoken word performances does nothing for me. I know... I can here you guys now, "Wow she's so insensitive". It's just, I have heard a lot of corny motherf#$%ers get on stage and try to get all sentimental and serious. Trying to make a local celebrity out of themselves by spittin' linguistic isms (lol...don't know what that means...just sounds right for this post)
There's the guy who can't really find a girl, so he gets on stage with his overly practiced performance of his ode' to sex and love. "My black beauty queen, this and that. The taste of your chocolate dripping into my mouth....." blah, blah, blah....like I said, cool on paper, but corny in person.
What about the my brotha's keeper poet? The one who gets on stage and gets mad at the crowd. He starts pointing in the crowd talking about how institutionalized the black nation is, defining the word "nigga"...got all the black folk who use the "n" word frequently (like myself) all uneasy ...making white folks feel all uncomfortable....that shit is comedy.
You got the black female poet with the all naturale' look...I call them "twig and berries", you know the ones who light incense and candles on stage, smelling like frankincense and myrrh, imagine Erykah Badu as a poet, naw she would kill it, but ya'll get the picture. I love my sistas and there powerful speeches of oppression and rising out of this chauvenistic society, but damn! Take it easy sweetheart! Some people just need to get laid...real good.
Can't forget our fellow brothers and sisters from another mother. The white folks are the worst. Most poetry slams garner large urban audiences, so they feel like this is there time to let us know that they understand the urban plight in America. Right!

I'm not trying to shit or hate on anyone's passion, but these are just my thoughts, and I know I'm not the only one. My friend brought this to my attention a long time a go, and I was always afraid to tell people how much a hated spoken word poetry in fear that I would be looked upon as an unintelligent derelict to black society. Thanks Aja, you gave me confidence to speak out.

Yesss...I feel so free...like the bird that flys high in the sky...overlooking the nation as we consistently prioritize our lives on jaded ideas and misconceptions about the next man, not realizing that the brotha man has the plan...cause it's all in HIS hands...HIS meaning the man upstairs...UNDERSTAND!!!

Didn't think so!

If you wanna check out sexy poetry that's not corny, go to my buddies site eclectik-relaxation
I can admit, I have enjoyed some poetry jam moments... here are a few poetry clips that I really enjoyed from Def Poetry Slam... I mean Jam (when Mos was hosting)

The Cool

The Inspirational

The Funny

Trailer for "American Gangster"

2007-06-08T13:06:00.000-04:00

This movie is going to be the movie of the year. Oscar nods are already buzzing!! Shout out to my girl Michelle. She's casted in this movie as one of Denzel's girls. She will be one of the, how shall I say this.... courtesans in the movie.

Take a Stand!

2007-06-07T12:41:00.000-04:00

Why has the game all of a sudden changed? Meaning, the inevitable chase. You know the dog vs. cat chase. Is it because I am teetering on the line of mid to late twenties, therefore, I am realizing that men have some of the worst game? or at least the brothers that I have ran across. I seriously feel that across the board, not matter what region, the majority (not all) of men age 26 and up, feel that they are so spectacular that whatever comes out of their mouth will please the panties off of unsuspecting women. Just today while coming back from a beautiful lunch in Bryant Park, a 38+ man drops his call from the pay phone to run me down to ask for my number. Now why-eboni-why would I give him my number if he's using a pay phone? Why? What made him think that he would have a chance. And I started to ponder and reminisce......

I remember back in the day when a brother would come up to you hollering some dumb shit like, "scuse me miss! let me holla at you" or from across the room try to point the finger and motion you over. He would get dismissed with a quickness. I used to roll with my older cousins and watch the shear delight of them dissing these poor guys back and forth with no avail. Now my cousins were bad, meaning fly and cute as hell, so yeah I can say they were conceded, but these guys deserved the shit they had coming to them.
Now it's like all is fair game. Dudes are out here bad, saying whatever the fuck they wanna say. As long as they got a decent physique, a nice job, and maybe a car, these niggas feel like they running the world. Hell Naw, not even a decent physique, just at least a fresh hair cut and they feel like they can catch any female.
I saw this dude on the train last week after coming back from Las Vegas, (yes I had to catch the damn train cuz I was that broke) and he had the nerve to try to holla at this chic with her older brother standing right next to her. He even told her not to let family get in the way of her missing an opportunity on a "nigga like me". I guess because her brother wasn't having it, the dude felt offended. He explained how he was a good dude, how he was going back to "school", and how he was mixed with Chinese and everything... *Just cause your eyes slanted don't make you an eighth Chinese boo-boo!.... He even goes on to say how he can protect her from the dangerous streets of Bed-Stuy.....talkin bout' "I know how to get down, I take Karate and I can bust a glock if I have to"... Bruce Leroy must have been on something. I was laughing to myself because I wanted to hear how she was gonna let him down. Was she gonna stick it to him in the ass or just pat him on the balls...the anticipation was killing me!

I was totally stunned. The chic gave him her number. Yeah she had Boogerwolf tendencies, but still. This fool even had the nerve to call her right there in front of her, just in case the number was wrong. His plan was foiled because this idiot failed to realize that cell phones get no reception on the trains. Even if she was scared and gave him a fake number, she should have never given him the satisfaction.
Fuck that! I would have shut his ass down...Hell no I'm not giving you my number "Freaky Jason"!...

So to the ladies...I know how it feels to be in a drought! Don't give up hope and settle for foolishness and bad grammatical jargon from these losers. Don't let them feel they have succeeded in there quest for vagina when there game is whack. We wonder why we are so dismayed all the time? We consciously look over and dismiss this foolish behavior.

Lets Take A Stand, I SAY No to Foolishness unless you look like this
*****************************************

MMMmm.....Anthony Mackie's Fine ass can say whatever comes to mind. He aint even got a make a lick of sense, and I'd be right there listening and eating that shit up! He's gorgeous in every way. Remember him in She Hate Me. Where was I when Spike Lee was casting for all the Lesbians?

Can't forget Romany Malco! My favorite character on the HBO show, Weeds. He plays Conrad, the cute weed dealer. Daaaamn! I would smoke however many blunts with this dude, as long as it goes down afterwards. He wouldn't even have to call me after that!

Yeah the body is right too!

And last but not least, the sexiness that is Micheal Ealy.
His voice alone is enough for me. He could come out with a cd of just him having a sexy conversation and I would buy that shit twice, just in case I lost one. I guess Halle Berry couldn't handle it. She's whack! Just him whispering in my ear would send me in a Rage. I'd go crazy like those rage people on 28 days later!............That is All!

Video of the Week: For My Girl Rakel (Congratulations!)

2007-06-05T13:16:00.000-04:00

This video just warms my heart. I already love the song. Texas and Atlanta collabs are always great. Long Live UGK Baby!! I'm happy Andre 3000 Allowishus Jenkins is back.

What exactly is Grimace? Really?

2007-06-04T13:15:00.000-04:00

My girls and I just returned from a fabulous weekend in Las Vegas (Thanks Rocky!!!) And, while rolling around in our limo inebriated, we had a very deep and profound discussion on the McDonalds characters. So we discussed each character-let's list them off, shall we? Okay here we go: We've got Ronald McDonald, (that's easy, you know what he is, he's just a clown); The Hamburglar (he loves hamburgers so much he just has to steal them); Birdie the Early Bird (she loves to get up early in the morning for breakfast), The Fry Kids (the damn fries were so good they just had to have their own mascot), there's also the Mc Nugget Buddies and Mayor McCheese (my personal favorite), and now we have Grimace-what the hell was Grimace? Was he just a purple glob that loved McDonald's milkshakes? He was such a big dummy. He just ran around with his hands out following people saying "duh" all the time. So it came down to these two options: Grimace was either just a big purple glob thing or he was a ghost. But, we were still stumped though because all the rest of the characters had something to do with one of the food items on the menu. And, him being a blob doesn't look to appetizing soooooo me being the braniac that I am, I decided that he could only be one thing and one thing only, Grimace has got to be the Secret Sauce!!!! Hell, McDonald's is the one fast food restaurant where you can eat their food and about 30 minutes after devouring the fries and mystery meat you have to go to the bathroom. Grimace is a big blob thing and he's purple, that damn secret sauce was different colors sometimes, he HAS to be the secret sauce!

*The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author only, they do not directly represent the views of all of the contributors of vanity pages. This topic is open for discussion. I would like to know what you think...in the meantime, keep livin', laughin', and lovin'!

Yours truly,

Lady A (he's gotta be the secret sauce)

Art: Stina Persson

2007-05-31T10:55:00.000-04:00

Illustrations that Inspire

I was introduced to this artist in a magazine. Can't remember if it was Nylon or Domino, but my girl on Flygirls reminded me. One thing about me, I love water colors. It's so easy to make something so beautiful. It's great on canvas and it's a cool way to decorate an apt. Try making a head board for your bed or a nice piece in your restroom or hallway to spice up your apt.

If you are in New York, check out Stina Persson's exhibit called Immacolata and her Friends. This will for sure inspire the artist in you to get going and get creative. The exhibit runs until July 6th, so you still have time. For more info on the exhibit click here. For more on Stina click here.

Peace and All Blessings!

Eddie Nicole

Patrick Robinson Directs the Gap

2007-05-29T16:18:00.000-04:00

First Perry Ellis, Paco Rabbane, Armani, and Target....Now the Gap. Can Patrick Robinson single handedly save fashion for the laymen?

Patrick Robinson is the new Lead Designer for the GAP.
It's so overdue for this company. Now they can give J. Crew, Zara, and H&M some real competition! I told you guys to keep your eyes on him, he's secretly stepping up and leading top retailers into the future of high fashion. Check out my last post

photo credit- thesartorialist.blogspot.com

Saks department gets own ZIP code: 10022-SHOE

2007-05-26T17:02:00.000-04:00

NEW YORK (AP) — Saks Fifth Avenue says its new shoe department is so big and fancy it's getting its own ZIP code. That's right Saks own Shoe store, YIPPY!!!

The quintessential Manhattan store is revamping its shoe department, and when it moves from the fourth floor to the eighth floor in August customers will be able to send mail to 10022-SHOE.

"We believe it's such a big move for us it deserves its own ZIP code," Saks spokeswoman Lesley Langsam Kennedy said Thursday. "We wanted to make it a destination."

The retailer worked with the U.S. Postal Service on the new ZIP code — but only the last four characters, which are not necessary when you're mailing something, are specialized. The rest of the midtown neighborhood, which includes St. Patrick's Cathedral, shares 10022.

The new 8,500-square-foot (790 square meters) Saks showroom at the flagship Fifth Avenue store will have more shoes, more service and more stock room capability, Langsam Kennedy said. It also will feature a VIP room for private shopping, spacious seating, refreshments and shoe repair on hand, she said.

This is a dream come true!!

Ms Ray

Crusaders for Fashion: Congolese Lust for Labels

2007-05-25T10:49:00.001-04:00

"willingly spend as much on a jacket as they would on a house in Kinshasa"

Was there ever a time when you had a spectacular event or party to attend and you had nothing to wear? Of course! But was there a specific look you were trying to capture? I'm talking about on some, yes -I- am-here-and-let-the-party-begin type of look.
At the last and desperate moment, you decide to splurge on a designer outfit that you know you can't afford, like shopping at Saks on a forever 21 budget. I know you guys feel me because I have been guilty of this countless times.
Well, our fashion friends over on the Motherland, the Congo to be exact, are doing it way big, splurging like you would never believe. Could you imagine living off of $100 dollars a YEAR. HEll to the Naw! So how did the men of the Congo find the way to dress in the European's finest ever day of their lives.

The socialites of a 24 year old movement called SAPE- La Societé des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (aka Kitendi, the religion of the cloth) sport some of the finest labels in the world such as, Cavali, Gucci, Armani, Yamamoto, and Versace just to name a few. These men of the Congo wear high fashion and couture for sport. It's like Kanye vs. Pharrell, who can rock the best of the best at all cost?...but with a more desperate approach. There is somewhat of a psyche behind this practice to acquiring rich European garments. Somewhat ritualistic.
These guys don't get wardrobes shipped to them for free or just write it off on a business expense. This an every day way of life, and they will kill, rob, and sale themselves for the mighty cloth.
I can barely find a decent outfit to wear to work let alone sport full frontal fashion everyday of the week, so just imagine how serious and dangerous this could be.

Colors Magazine-

These are sapeurs, acolytes of a 25-year-old movement called la SAPE—La Societé des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (aka Kitendi, the religion of the cloth)

— that revolves around the possession of the most expensive, most luxurious, most extravagant fashion in the world. Followers of SAPE wear $10,000 jackets and $500 shoes, but these mostly young Congolese men otherwise barely eke out a living in the rubble of Kinshasa and Brazzaville or the ghettos of Paris and Brussels, washing dishes or washing bodies, and sometimes selling their own.

The Brazzaville faithful keep to a strict three-color rule—including accessories—for any outfit, in Kinshasa and among the immigrants in Europe, the look is more hip-hop, and features a blinding array of patterns and hues. But in both groups, designer names are at such a premium that rival sapeurs will do battle with each other, flashing label after label, trying to best their opponent, stripping down, if necessary, to their underwear. “It's combat,” says Héctor Mediavilla Sabaté, a photographer who's been studying the sapeurs since 2003, “and the clothes are the weapons.”

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the average annual income is about US$100, among the lowest in the world, according to the World Bank. And Congolese immigrants in Europe are among the poorest, but many willingly spend as much on a jacket as they would on a house in Kinshasa

Peace and Blessings,
Eddie Nicole

Summer Fashion: Patrick Robinson for Target

2007-05-24T15:24:00.000-04:00

Yeah know I haven't done any fashion posts in a while. But to be honest, the fashion for the spring and summer can be so predictable and routine. It's all about trends, light fabrics, cute sandals and flats, hot shades and swim wear...... and on and on. It doesn't take a fashion vixen to figure out the must haves for the spring and summer. If you're 23+ like myself, the trick is to stay away from high school trends, even college fashion trends at that matter. Keep it simple, sexy, and cool. Buy great accessories like bangles, necklaces, whatever floats your boat.

Must haves for the summer? I can say for the most part- a light tan trench coat, a great pair of fresh jeans, and tons of clean white fitted jersey knit t-shirts, and flirty sundresses, will take you far for casual wear. Not that it really matters, but guys love girls in tight jersey shirts, especially if you have a nice set of "D"'s.

For club wear (sexy night)- it's all about showing off your assets. If you have great legs, show em' off with a short printed dress and high heels or "Amerie-it" with short shorts. If you have a great ass, wear a short fitted dress, just enough to leave a lil somethin' for the imagination. A great black dress always does the trick. These two dresses are great, one for the day and night. They both work well with all sizes.

Meet Patrick Robinson

I am excited for Patrick Robinson. Anytime a young black man can break into the high fashion couture world, have is own line featured at the likes of Bergdorf and Saks, and feature his own line nationally through Target, must have the fashion Gods on his side.
He's not the head of designs for Rocawear or Babyphat. He probably has never seen a House of Dereon piece, and if he did he would probably grimace at the quality. You won't find him showing off his designs on Bet's Rip the Runway. You may not even hear fashion divas like Beyonce or Eve mentioning his designs. He doesn't need or want all of the extras because he is just what he is, polished and an adept designer.
I had the pleasure of meeting him in person back in my days as an assistant personal shopper at Bergdorf Goodman.....oh the days...... At the time, he was the Artistic Director for Paco Rabanne. His vision was so concise and fresh. There were no gimmicks or crazy colors with his collection. None of the extreme statements for the love of fashion like a Marc Jacobs or Zac Posen.
All of his pieces were timeless and classic. From the nude simple colors, to the flattering cuts.
I remember him saying, never worry about size, if it looks good, wear it.....no that was the french guy Rolan Mouret, anyway he said something similar to that.

Patrick is the latest for the new hip Target Collections. Designers like Proenza Schouler, Isaac Mizrahi, and Luela Bartley are a few of the designers that have graced the stores of Target. I love this idea. Now divas on a budget can look fly as well....shoot...lets make the world a better place by allowing people with a lower budget to express themselves in a aesthetically pleasing way through fashion..hells yeah!
*disclaimer
I would have never advised my viewers to buy a single piece of clothing from Target, other than necessities. But I will definitely advise you guys to support this man and at least check it out. I will have to make some serious decisions on some of his pieces before I leave to Las Vegas...I'm on a for-serious budget. Can't complain about the price. For more info on this designer, visit the Target website and check out the new line.

Peace and Blessings,

Eddie Nicole

Prevage!

2007-05-22T18:39:00.001-04:00

Proof...not promises.™

From Elizabeth Arden and Allergan®, the maker of some of the world’s leading dermatological products, PREVAGE® contains Idebenone (hydroxydecy ubiquinone), currently the most powerful antioxidant* for addressing the visible signs of aging including fine lines, wrinkles, roughness and discoloration. PREVAGE® anti-aging treatments promote a smoother, firmer, less lined appearance. *When compared to alpha lipoic acid, kinetin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q10. Ok, this sound like a bunch of yeah, yeah, yeah, I heard it all before. But, I have tried this Prevage
IT'S THE BEST!!!!! It really revitalized my skin, removing blemishes, your skin lighten right away. You don't realize how much the sun damage your skin until you try this Prevage and right away leaving my skin with a beautiful glow.
It's worth $150 dollars Check it out, please !!

Ms Ray

I LOVE IT!!!

Bored at Work Part Uno

2007-05-14T11:21:00.000-04:00

People and things that scare me:

1. People who have visible missing teeth. That's a crackish trait. This photo does not at all surprise me about Amy Whinehouse

2. Dakota Fanning. I think she's a ghost

3. Out of all of these celebs, Lionel Richie scares the hell out of me the most. No child should have witnessed the creepy video of that blind chic with the jheri curl, sculpting that huge ass clay head of Lionel's... that's was so unnecessary. He also reminds me of a Lion. So his name, the song "Hello", and the head sculpture, keeps me shook. I'm telling you, to this day, I can't listen to "Hello"....lol

4. Eddie George is another one. He looks weird. Maybe because he has no eyebrows and kind of resembles a black ninja turtle. Vince...aaah boring, he cheated on his girl, what's new, not scary but scandaloussss........But if I see Micheal Strahan, I'm running. He has that big goofy face with the unattractive gap. He has the gap with the meat hanging in between. Could you imagine this dude running after you... Scary!

5. Chilli's baby hair. I know the baby hair itself is not a celeb, but it should definitley be on the D-list for "Dont do this shit!" We all know that she has "Indian" in her family. Why does she have to drag it in the mud with the baby hair? Baby hair creeps me out. It reminds me of when my Big Momma used to do my hair and slap all that nasty brown jail in it and then have the nerve to make paisley's on the side of my face with the "baby hair".......lol

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Just Random Stuff

What's up with Rick Ross? He's always been portly, but damn! He needs to lay off the chicken and beer for a while. Sit on the sidelines!

"You always get the good ones..."
Why in coming to America, did they have to dis the dark sister to Hakeem's girl? Why was she the one who never had a man? She was actually prettier to me than the lighter sister. That's just my opinion.
Eric LaSalle was a trip in that movie(didn't know what else to say)..........That is all.

It's All An Act?

2007-05-13T21:35:00.000-04:00

I did a post below this one about pausing in mid sentence. I was delighted to use T.I.'s performance as an example, but unfortunately this fool has used this incident as a stage act. Here is a video of him at Cornell University, clowning and doing the same bogus non-sense he was doing at the previous school. What a coincidence that another person threw another water bottle at him just for fun. He also put another $50,000 bounty on the person's head. Instead of having a serious stage presents with some creativity, he decides to false start drama.
SAD!!

**Sidenote**
As I was watching the playoffs, I came to an observation!
Is it just me or does Baron Davis look like Teddy-P? I don't care what anybody says, these two look alike.

That is all.

Gangsta Sh*t: Pausing............ in Mid Sentence

2007-05-10T16:24:00.000-04:00

Now before you view this in its entirety, check out the corny punk movements T.I. is doing while he performs. I like some of T.I.'s songs, but that concert looked lame as hell. He reminds me of a southern 9th grader circa 1993.
Word to T.I.: make your momma or T-lady proud and pull them britches up. I didn't know grown ass men with kids and three baby momma's still "sagged" that hard. Well..... he does have like 4 kids and I'm sure they bad as hell, so the reasoning behind not wearing a belt is understandable...lol

Oh yeah, it's not about what he looks like it's about how he gets real "Gangsta" on the crowd. He even mentions how he's not in school and how he's a grown ass man. I guess people in college can't be grown. Anyway, my favorite part is when he paused and looked at the bottle for like 4 seconds. We as black people know exactly what he was thinking right at that time. I actually felt him at that moment.

It brings me back to the time when I went to this event at a park in Harlem to see my friend model at this fashion show. You know how we do! We always gotta make some Fashion Fair type of designs and make a huge show out of it, "like somebody gone buy it", but my girl rocked it, I won't call her out this time.
But back to the story.... So my friend (Lady A) and I were standing and enjoying the blackness and culture of Harlem. It felt good to be around "us" and great food. As we stood and watched the show, behind us were some pissed and hot "grown folks" sitting in lawn chairs. Grown like "Uncle June and Aint May" type of grown. Actually like a hundred of them. We only paused to stand and watch for like a minute. To our dismay, we felt a hard sprinkle of water against our faces and back.....accompanied with a loud "oooooooOOHH" from the crowd. I guess we were in the way of their view of this bull shit fashion show. I will never forget this because my friend and I looked at eachother like "what is we gone do?" We are not fighters, we are so much lovers. But the 3rd ward (ghetto in Houston) kicked in real quick. We did the T.I. pause and checked our wet clothes. "I'm thinking, whoever this greasy tacky biaatch is, didn't just try to embarrass me in front of the hundreds of black folk out here in this hot ass sun" My mind begins to wonder... think quick....should I just get real niggerdly and shout ghetto girl obscenities to the crowd...on some "who the fuck did it? type-a-shit" or just be cool. Well you know what happened. Me and Lady A commenced to trash talkin', damn near started a fight...lol....nothing happened though.
It's all about steppin' up. People do lame shitty antics like this because they are jealous haters. Cause' after we went 3rd ward on they asses, no one stepped up to claim who done it. Thank God, because I wasn't trying to piss off nobody....you feel me...you know everyone knows everybody in the hood. I'm not trying to get jumped by Quan and nem.

The moral of the story is this, when you see a black person pause in mid sentence or rap, somethin aint right!

Thoughts: The Fight, Black Celebs Show Up and Out

2007-05-08T12:38:00.000-04:00

So I'm sure damn near every Black, White, and Spanish sports fan was glued to the tv. for the fight, or whoever decided to order it. I watched it at one of my girlfriend's. It was weird because my friend and her man, who at the last minute decided to throw the party, invited all females and like 1 dude. If you could have seen the amount of beautiful women that was in attendance, any man would have given a left nut to just be in our presence. It was almost like a ladies night of boxing, except for the fact that I invited my male Dominican entourage. My boyfriend, his brother, and cousin were the few signs of testosterone that was in the house. Throughout the whole fight, all you could hear were all the girls complaining about how horrible Daddy Mayweather looked. Man did that nigga come out lookin' like a mix between the Crypt Keeper and the Predator. If you mix the two, that's an ugly ass mothafu*ker. Floyd knew he was wrong for wearing that damn sombrero. I was like De la Hoya is gonna stick it to his ass for that insult.
My boyfriend pumped me up to be on Oscar de la Hoya's team, talkin shit (Dominican new york accent) "Mommy, De la Hoya is a classic boxa', he fought many a great fighta's, how the fu*k you gonna tell me that Mayweatha is gonna win.....Conyo!!" So me being the clueless boxing fan that I am, I'm like ok. baby, I'm a go for De la Hoya...... so you will calm the fuck down!

So to Max, thanks for the advice. I should have stuck with my people. I know I'm a sell out. I have to stick with the negroe's motto: When in doubt, go for the black man.
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So black folks was representin' like we always do. Remember the Oscars, it was all about the Black Hollywood.
I love when we show up to places like the Kentucky Derby, The Oscars, Ivy League colleges, Tennis matches, Golf matches, Debutante Balls, Wall Street- everything that seems to be deemed fit and proper in the high class "white society".
You know when we go to places where we weren't accepted in the past, we have to show up and show out. I can say this, it aint nothin' like classy black folks, we can out-dress anyone. We look so good when it's time for a major event.
Here are some pics of class:

Big Gay Al with Star Jones at Kentucky Derby

Gabriell Union and Shaun Robinson. Rockin' Those Big hats!-Kentucky Derby

So young Jeezy didn't get the memo! It's suit night nigga!

Rhi-Rhi is killing everybody on the fashion circuit. This is a pic of her at the Annual Costume Institute Gala at the Met Museum. She has access to any and every designer. I respect that!