Press Play: Janet Jackson The Pleasure Principle
2.09.2011
Black History Feature: Essence Magazine
2.07.2011
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| May 1970, the first issue of Essence magazine. Barbara Cheeseborough was the cover model. |
Essence magazine has maintained a mission to celebrate, empower, and inspire the black woman for 40 years. Let's hope they get back on track very soon...
Black History Feature: Beverly Johnson
2.06.2011
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| August 1974 Vogue magazine, Beverly Johnson makes history as the first black woman to grace iconic magazine cover. |
Black History Feature: Academy Award Winners
2.05.2011
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| 2009 - Mo'Nique, Best Actress in a Supporting Role |
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| 2006 - Jennifer Hudson. Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Dreamgirls. |
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| 2004 - Jamie Foxx. Best Actor. Ray. |
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| 2002 - Halle Berry. Best Actress. Monster's Ball |
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| 2002 - Denzel Washington. Best Actor. Training Day. |
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| 1996 - Cuba Gooding Jr. Best Actor in a Supportinf Role. Jerry McGuire. |
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| 1989 - Denzel Washington. Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Glory. |
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| 1990 - Whoopi Goldberg. Best Supporting Actress. Ghost. |
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| 1963 - Sidney Poitier. Best Actor. Lilies of the Field. |
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| 1939 - Hattie McDaniels. Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Gone with the Wind |
That's all folks!
Black History Feature: Madam C.J. Walker
2.04.2011
Thank you Madame C.J. Walker for your contribution to African American hair care and your remarkable business savvy. Here are a few facts about the first black female millionaire:
Madam CJ Walker
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| Sarah Breedlove better known as Madam CJ Walker |
Thank you Madame C.J. Walker for your contribution to African American hair care and your remarkable business savvy. Here are a few facts about the first black female millionaire:
- Tired of losing her hair, Madam C.J. Walker created her own hair care products, Wonderful Hair Grower and Vegetable Shampoo.
- Launched her business selling door to door.
- Conducted product demonstrations in churches.
- Opened Laila College, a beauty school to train Walker Hair Culturists.
- Purchased her very own factory where her products were made. Opened a second beauty school.
- She was a philanthropist and a tireless activist.
- Developed the Madam C.J. Walker Hair Culturists Union of America, which was a group sales agents who sold hair products just like the Avon, Mary Kay, and Tupperware sales reps of today.
- Conducted the first national sales meeting for her sales agents.
Madam CJ Walker
Gwen Stefani for L'Oréal
2.03.2011
How did I miss the news that No Doubt frontwoman Gwen Stefani is now a L'Oréal gal? I just saw her commerical on TV and it is fabulous. I love how Gwen Stefani has stayed true to her personal style despite an ever changing music industry and here today gone tomorrow trends.
Gwen is one of the few who gets the platinum blonde hair and bold red lip right. Christina Aguilera {Reigning Queen of Platinum Gone Wrong} needs to have her people call Gwen's people so she can get a much needed makeover. I digress.
What do you guys think of her commercial?
Gwen is one of the few who gets the platinum blonde hair and bold red lip right. Christina Aguilera {Reigning Queen of Platinum Gone Wrong} needs to have her people call Gwen's people so she can get a much needed makeover. I digress.
What do you guys think of her commercial?
Yedi Inside Out Hearts Cup & Saucer Set
Heart shaped tea cups and saucers?! How cute!! I saw this set in the February issue of O magazine and instantly fell in love! They are glazed porcelain cups and saucers trimmed in gold plating in a variety of gorgeous colors!
I think I just may have to add this sweet little set to my collection. After I get them, I'll have an old fashioned tea party, only this time I'll have real people at the table, not dolls and teddy bears. I hosted my last tea party a few years ago. I was seven. *smile*
You can purchase the Yedi set online at Nordstom.com
I think I just may have to add this sweet little set to my collection. After I get them, I'll have an old fashioned tea party, only this time I'll have real people at the table, not dolls and teddy bears. I hosted my last tea party a few years ago. I was seven. *smile*
You can purchase the Yedi set online at Nordstom.com
Black History Feature: Diana Ross & Sammy Davis Jr.
2.02.2011
I love this picture of entertainment icons, Diana Ross and Rat Pack member, Sammy Davis Jr. This picture was taken in 1968 on the set of The Hollywood Palace, a variety televison show that ran from 1964 to 1970. Sammy Davis Jr. hosted the episode where Diana Ross and The Supremes were the musical guests.
It appears the picture may have been taken during a commercial break. Sammy in his custom made tuxedo looks like he was getting into his zone. I like the expression on Diana Ross' face because you can't tell what she was thinking. Was there tension between her and the other Supremes? Was Sammy being a diva? LOL! Oh to have been a fly buzzing around that set.
Miss Ross looked amazing. The tousled hair, white gown, chandelier earrings. Black Hollywood Glamour!!!!
Press Play: Janet Jackson Dream Street
As everyone knows by now I am seeing my idol, the fabulous Janet Jackson in 34 days. My excitement level is ridiculous so imagine what I will be like on March 8th?
Wednesday posts are Press Play so from now until the concert, I'll be featuring various Janet videos.
Dream Street was Janet's very FIRST music video from the album of the same name. The year was 1984, fashion can best be described as a nightmare, and I was a music obsessed little girl. I sang Dream Street so much, I'm pretty sure my parents wanted to drive me there and leave me on the curb, lol!
Enjoy!!!
Black History Feature: Ann Lowe
2.01.2011
In honor of February being Black History Month, I will post some Black History features this month.
Ann Lowe, born in 1898 in Clayton, Alabama. She designed the infamous wedding dress worn by Jacqueline Bouvier when she married John F. Kennedy.
Ms. Lowe was ahead of her time and because she was black, she was not embraced by the fashion world for some time. She was a perfectionist who cared about her craft more than monetary gain.
She designed and sewed for several salons and boutiques. Her name was NOT permitted to be sewn on the labels of any of her creations. Despite designing Jacqueline Bouvier's wedding dress, Ms. Lowe's name was not mentioned in the press. In addition to designing for the future first lady, Ms. Lowe designed for the toast of New York society. Do the names Biddles, Auchinclosses, DuPont, and Rockefeller ring any bells? Old. Money. Her designs were in very high demand but no one knew who she really was. During those times no one would admit to wearing clothes designed by a black woman!
You can learn more about Ann Lowe in The Threads of Time. Many people have never even heard of her which I think is wrong for so many reasons. Her legacy needs to be kept alive!
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| Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress, an Ann Lowe original |
She designed and sewed for several salons and boutiques. Her name was NOT permitted to be sewn on the labels of any of her creations. Despite designing Jacqueline Bouvier's wedding dress, Ms. Lowe's name was not mentioned in the press. In addition to designing for the future first lady, Ms. Lowe designed for the toast of New York society. Do the names Biddles, Auchinclosses, DuPont, and Rockefeller ring any bells? Old. Money. Her designs were in very high demand but no one knew who she really was. During those times no one would admit to wearing clothes designed by a black woman!
You can learn more about Ann Lowe in The Threads of Time. Many people have never even heard of her which I think is wrong for so many reasons. Her legacy needs to be kept alive!
The Stylish Life's Night Out: Funk It Up About Nothin' {Word}
Last Saturday, I joined a couple of fabulous bloggers at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier. Danyelle from The Cubicle Chick and Miss J from Curvatude were my culture mates for the night. We saw Funk It Up About Nothin', A "Hip-Hopation" of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. My word, is that a mouthful or what???
Well I must say Thank You again to Miss J for suggesting the play for an outing and picking up the tickets. I live in Chicago and had no clue there was a Shakespeare theater (or any theater at all) at Navy Pier. Now let's get to the play. This is definitely not the Shakespeare we studied in school. Most of the dialogue was in the form of rap accompanied by a deejay spinning lots of hip-hop beats, and there was plenty of head bobbing in the audience by those familiar with the genre.
The Q Brothers (pictured above), GQ and JQ are the Creators and Directors of the play. They both play several roles as well. Postell Pringle had dual roles as Don Pedro, lead MC of the rap crew, and flamboyant cop Verges *sings* Diiiiiingle-ber-ay!!!!! You had to be there! MC Lady B aka Beatrice served up much attitude. She was in full on B-Girl mode. Although her costume screamed Yo-Yo circa 1991. Not. Good. They should hire me to restyle her look...
If you're in Chicago, treat yourself to a night out and see Funk It Up About Nothin'. The play runs until February 13, 2011. If you have children, you may want to leave them with a sitter. There was coarse language and more than a few sexual references.
When I got home, the nerd that I am read the entire playbill. I love learning facts about the actors. The Q Brothers are members of the Merz Apothecary dynasty. JQ along with his older brother TQ have a video blog about natural products (link below). How do you go from luxury apothecary to making hip hop versions of Shakespeare plays? I don't know but I like their moxie and can't wait to see their next play.
For more information:
MC Shakes
The Cubicle Chick
Curvatude
Smallflower TV
Well I must say Thank You again to Miss J for suggesting the play for an outing and picking up the tickets. I live in Chicago and had no clue there was a Shakespeare theater (or any theater at all) at Navy Pier. Now let's get to the play. This is definitely not the Shakespeare we studied in school. Most of the dialogue was in the form of rap accompanied by a deejay spinning lots of hip-hop beats, and there was plenty of head bobbing in the audience by those familiar with the genre.
The Q Brothers (pictured above), GQ and JQ are the Creators and Directors of the play. They both play several roles as well. Postell Pringle had dual roles as Don Pedro, lead MC of the rap crew, and flamboyant cop Verges *sings* Diiiiiingle-ber-ay!!!!! You had to be there! MC Lady B aka Beatrice served up much attitude. She was in full on B-Girl mode. Although her costume screamed Yo-Yo circa 1991. Not. Good. They should hire me to restyle her look...
If you're in Chicago, treat yourself to a night out and see Funk It Up About Nothin'. The play runs until February 13, 2011. If you have children, you may want to leave them with a sitter. There was coarse language and more than a few sexual references.
When I got home, the nerd that I am read the entire playbill. I love learning facts about the actors. The Q Brothers are members of the Merz Apothecary dynasty. JQ along with his older brother TQ have a video blog about natural products (link below). How do you go from luxury apothecary to making hip hop versions of Shakespeare plays? I don't know but I like their moxie and can't wait to see their next play.
For more information:
MC Shakes
The Cubicle Chick
Curvatude
Smallflower TV
The Stylish Life: Haute Bag Lady Bag of The Week
This week's Haute Bag Lady pick are these absolutely adorable grosgrain boxy bags by ASOS. These bags make me want to channel Audrey Hepburn. Can't you just see rocking a cute black sheath, large sunglasses, a hot pair of pumps and carrying this little bag? The pink one is on sale for $41.38 and the black one is $51.72. A real steal for either one and a great alternative to a clutch for a night out. Quite vintage-esque, wouldn't you agree?
What do my fashionistas think of this week's pick?
What do my fashionistas think of this week's pick?
Been Gone So Long...
Hello Cuties & Hotties!
I'm back! I had a little setback last week which made me sit down for a few days. Let me tell you how much can change within a few hours. Last Tuesday I was at work, doing my usual duties, watching the clock, lamenting how badly I wanted the day to end, etc.. I'm eating an apple and then the room appeared to go by 90mph, it felt like the walls were closing in on me, I got extremely nauseous, and had shortness of breath. Another Vertigo attack. I was diagnosed last May with Vertigo and since then I have had two attacks.
My coworkers panicked and someone called 911 which I did not want them to do. As quickly as an attack comes on, it typically ends within a few minutes or hours. There was no convincing them not to call and before I knew it I was being placed on a stretcher and lifted into the back of an ambulance. Great. Here's where it gets fun kids, I spent SEVEN HOURS at the hospital being poked, questioned, and had every doctor putting their finger in my face telling me to follow with just my eyes. I was tired, dizzy, starving, and pretty annoyed. There is not much that can be done for Vertigo. I was given some medicine and held against my will for another few hours. I wanted to go home. The after effects of Vertgo can be debilitating. The days following an attack can leave you with a severe headache and extreme exhaustion. When I got home, I thought I was feeling better, so I decided to do a couple loads of laundry and clean up. Bad. Decision. I know when I've been beat so I went to bed. Of course, I woke up with a massive headache and just getting up to make breakfast was too much work. Here I am a week later feeling much better. Did you miss me? Just smile and say yes, lol! Thanks. I missed you all too. Now back to the business of style...
I'm back! I had a little setback last week which made me sit down for a few days. Let me tell you how much can change within a few hours. Last Tuesday I was at work, doing my usual duties, watching the clock, lamenting how badly I wanted the day to end, etc.. I'm eating an apple and then the room appeared to go by 90mph, it felt like the walls were closing in on me, I got extremely nauseous, and had shortness of breath. Another Vertigo attack. I was diagnosed last May with Vertigo and since then I have had two attacks.
My coworkers panicked and someone called 911 which I did not want them to do. As quickly as an attack comes on, it typically ends within a few minutes or hours. There was no convincing them not to call and before I knew it I was being placed on a stretcher and lifted into the back of an ambulance. Great. Here's where it gets fun kids, I spent SEVEN HOURS at the hospital being poked, questioned, and had every doctor putting their finger in my face telling me to follow with just my eyes. I was tired, dizzy, starving, and pretty annoyed. There is not much that can be done for Vertigo. I was given some medicine and held against my will for another few hours. I wanted to go home. The after effects of Vertgo can be debilitating. The days following an attack can leave you with a severe headache and extreme exhaustion. When I got home, I thought I was feeling better, so I decided to do a couple loads of laundry and clean up. Bad. Decision. I know when I've been beat so I went to bed. Of course, I woke up with a massive headache and just getting up to make breakfast was too much work. Here I am a week later feeling much better. Did you miss me? Just smile and say yes, lol! Thanks. I missed you all too. Now back to the business of style...
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