Created by fashion maven Tatiana Smith, Lavish Magazine is the fashion, beauty, and culture portal of the female urban sophisticate.
Lavish Magazine. For Rich Minds.
Another day, another Rihanna post, I know. But I couldn't help feeling a little agitated over the bruhaha surrounding Rihanna's appearance on the Good Morning America show. I have to look at it with a little cynicism considering that she has an album coming out.
I know that that many victims of abuse take months or even years to come out, and that is understandable. Many critics questioned why Rihanna didn't come out immediately and act as a public advocate for domestic violence. I was willing to allow that she, like any other survivor, needed her time to heal, and that her choice to come forward would be her choice alone.
But then the photo promos came. And the new single came, with a timely link to the release of her new video for "Wait Your Turn", which coincided with the the sensational GMA interview with Diane Sawyer. I even watched some of the clips, and I could tell that she was obviously hurt. But I have to question why this moment--the moment when her new album is about to drop--is the moment that she needs to make a statement. Call me a cold-hearted cynic, but using domestic violence as a publicity stunt puts Rihanna in an awkward light. And the industry's need to maintain their bottom line has hit an all-time low.
When a woman reminisces about her first pair of shoes, she usually waxes poetic about her first pair of heels. Yet, there’s something about the memory of your first pair of kicks that sparks up a wave of nostalgia. Whether you broke them for special occasions like the first day or school or wore them out while hanging around the block, they bring that perfect blend of style and swagger that’ll wrap your look up to a tee. So, take a minute today to give props to the first and fabulous pair of sneaks in your life.
Rihanna is a slave for fashion in this barbwire getup
By now, everyone has seen the new Rihanna photo art for her single Russian Roulette and more recently her album Rated R. Many fashion victims will claim that this is simply Rihanna once again showcasing her new, "sexy-edgy" look. Not only am I tired of this look, but it seems that all of Hollyweird is following the same trend, and I'm not excited. In fact, every time I see these new "fashion photos" I become downright depressed.
Rihanna literally looks like hell.
There was a time when the worlds of Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, and Rock & Roll were on vastly different sides of the wall in terms of style. Now the fashion world and the music-movie video have made these genres nearly indistinguishable where R&B chick are going goth, just like the Pop chicks, who slowly follow the Rock &Roll chicks. Everyone wants to be a badass and fans eat it up as a nod to an artist's "evolution".
I'm not buying it.
Heidi Klum showcases her alters in a collection of dark, sexy photos.
There is something truly sad when I look at these photos of dark, stark, black and white photos with robotic themes, heavy eye makeup that reeks of ancient isoteric symbolism, the new-again trend of having alter egos (Jennifer Lopez as Lola? Come on.), everyone imitating a cat, everyone hitting the town with their ass or breasts completely out etcetera, etcetera. Call it coincidence, lack of imagination, or something sinister, but it's all a blur to me. Everywhere I look, everyone is wearing black, purple, red, or silver, over and over again-- so much so, that you would think that everyone had the same stylist. Surely there are other colors in the spectrum!
Meet Lola, Jennifer Lopez's rock-sex kitten alter ego.
Speaking of which... Britney Spears just came out with her new video for her single "3" whose beat is wickedly addicting, yet hypnotic, dark and full of symbolism that's not obvious to the untrained eye.
Will the real Britney Spears, please stand up?
In watching the video, I question the idea behind the huge barcode, not to mention the multiple dancers dancing on the pole--similar to Ciara's Love, Sex & Magic video--just to name a few. Here's Britney's video. Look closely:
What is up with these girls??? In these times when cash is tight, everyone's getting laid off, and people are just trying to live life, we could all use a little sunshine. Can't we just get lifted?
Halloween just aint Halloween without Candy Corn! Seeing those little classic brown, orange, yellow, and white, teepee shaped candies on store shelves, for me, have always been the sign that that the harvest season was well under way. I'm always well stocked with this candy, making a point to set out little leaf shaped and spooky dishes here and there around the house throughout the entire season. Now Philosophy has captured my favorite fall candy in a sugary smelling, high lather shower gel that works as a shampoo and bubble bath too with I Love Candy Corn. ($16). I'm going to love ending my day with this sweet dream.
Ok, so I'm not in Brazil right now. But I did indulge in one hell of a trip there for my birthday two years ago. Ah, the memories. I've been taking my own vacation of sorts, doing other things besides blogging, while still staying in the loop of what the crazies--that would be the celebs-- are doing. It's been fun, it's been quite sad, but overall just a plain relief to read what everyone else is gabbing about. Now fresh off a birthday trip to Miami, I'm ready to get down and dirty again.
Last week, I thought about posting Rihanna's awful photo for her new slave-song "Russian Roulette", but then again, the picture gives enough description. Un-flattering, un-chic, and un-edgy. Above all--sad. So I will move on to another one of my favorite fluffs--Mariah Carey-- out in Rio, Brazil.
Now, if you've ever been to Brazil, you'd know that the pressure to wear tons of clothes is next to nil. Which is why Mrs. Cannon fits so perfectly on the scene in a tight, short snake skin-printed tube dress mini, and netted heels. You can easily find one of these dresses at any back-street boutique without paying the hundreds (or maybe thousands) that Mariah probably paid. And don't be surprised if she comes back with some fresh Rio fashion finds.
Leona Lewis don't look too camera shy. Especially after being a stalking victim. Ah, the price of fame. This striped and cropped sweater is a smart take on the 80's version that so many stars seem to be failing at. This look is a hit or miss. It's all in the styling.
Is Alicia Keys posing for a magazine cover, or shielding herself from the winds at LAX airport. Either way, she is doing the leather jacket justice. Which reminds me-I need to pick up an updated version before I get caught off guard with a shot of cold weather. I already had to whip out a few mini jackets on unexpectedly chilly days.
This is the best picture yet. Nicole Richie went out to pick pumpkins at Mr. Bones Pumpkin patch in West Hollywood with her own little pumpkin, Harlow. While Nicole keeps it Boho in an ethnic printed shawl, ripped jeans, and Uggs, Harlow is just pure childhood sweetness in her little crop top. ♥
It never fails. Every year as the weather changes from warm to cool, my hands become severely dry, wind burned and discolored. I've never found a moistuizer that could completely eleviate my cracked and hardened skin, but my hands always returned to normal after a couple of weeks. However, this year it's my lips! This was a new one on me. First, I noticed dark spots, then the chaffing and dryness began, followed was redness and a hint of a burning sensation and numbness. Covering it with lip gloss was not going to make it go away, and I had to act fast because this is my face we're talking here. It's the first thing people see! So, I turned to a friend and trusted source when it comes to beauty, Editor at Hype Hair magazine and She-blogs.com, Allyson Leak. I've picked-up some pretty good info and tips for maintaining my natural beauty with items already sitting in my kitchen cabinet. No need to spend any money.
Here's what she said to do for my current condition:
"Exfoliate very gently with a little raw sugar every two days using warm water and a toothbrush, but be very gentle. Then, before you go to sleep dab olive oil (if your not allergic) on your lips and put a little vaseline on top to coat it. Try this for two weeks to try and get your lips back to normal. After two weeks if the problem has subsided then still do the vaseline/olive oil once a week during the winter months."
When I first heard of Erica Kennedy’s latest novel, Feminista, from
The Black Snob, late last month, my heart skipped a beat at the sight of the title.After all, I’ve wondered for a while if society would ever quit pigeonholing a feminist with a hankering for all things fashion like me into a boring square peg.Add an unapologetically confident successful heroine of what Publisher’s Weekly lovingly referred to as ‘bitch lit’ named Sydney Zamora and I was game.
Yet, a funny thing happened while reading this book.The so-called bravado that it promised to provide was as paper-thin as the Sydney’s self-possession.For while I truly expected Feminista to be that chick lit game-changer, it predictably fell back on familiar stereotypes and ultimately reduced this ‘strong bitch’ to a whiny one.Thus, while I’m intrigued by the idea of chick lit’s ornery stepsister, Feminista proves that it has a long way to go before it truly comes into fruition.
Over the past few weeks, the topic of Black hair has been inescapable. From the feverish debates over the sincerity of Chris Rock's Good Hair to the detangling of Zahara Jolie-Pitt's 'uncombed' hair, it seems that Black hair is having the Best Month Ever. Which, I suppose, should be seen as some type of breakthrough. After all, we as Black women have had the whole Good and Bad Hair Shuffle play out in real life more times than we care to count. So, it was only natural that there'd be anticipation towards how 'our' issues would be confronted on a national stage.
Except that, interestingly enough, amidst the documentaries, bloggings, and message board musings, there was a lack of honesty on about the image of Black Hair. Sure, the same arguments between 'Weave-O-Holics' and 'Natural Nazis' were aired out, but the lack of examination on how Black Hair has remained an indelible part of our psyche for over 400 years struck a chord within me. Would we be able to truthfully discuss the joy and pain that Black Hair represents as a part of Western culture? Or will we spend the rest of time finger-pointing and not actually offering solutions on how to change the perception of beauty?
I'd like to think that the former will be possible - an attitude that I will carry with me when I finally plunk down my $12.50 to check out Good Hair.
Saturday mornings just aren't what they used to be. No longer are the best cartoons reserved for that one day of the week during that one block of time-all morning! You might have a cold bowl of cereal, wrap yourself in a blanket and plop down in front of the TV for the first cartoon to kick off the day. Smurfette Mood Swing by Too Faced Cosmetics takes me back to that time. Smurfette was one chic I used to want to be, because not only did her shoes rock, she was such a friggin lady, and could get down with Gargamel any day! With Smurfette Mood Swing, I'll get a bit closer to filling that childhood fantasy.
According to your mood, your gloss may turn a smurfy blue like Smurfette herself, or quite a few shades of juicy pink reminiscent of those smurf berries you were always dieing to try. It all depends on how you feel. There's also a hint of shimmer to add to the fun. Right now Smurfette Mood Swing is 50% at just $9.25 at Too Faced.com. That's fun too! Arlice Nichole
As you've noticed, I've been out for more than a full week. Just not feeling up to it. And it feels like an eternity since I've written. My how time flies! I'll do my best to get back up, hopefully sometime today. Until then, cheers!
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