It’s almost that time of the year again. Leafs change colors, the hours fall back, and mostly eager students head back to college campuses nationwide. Most students tend to over-pack for school using the usual, “well you never know what will happen” phrase as reason enough to pack everything they own (including that beloved baby blanket) to school. College can be an exciting time in a person’s life, but on a weekly basis things can get repetitive. Here are some examples of occasions that will always occur at some point during a college fashionista’s experience. Thank us later.

Television and movies typically portray college life as all-out crazy parties where sorority sisters hook-up with fraternity brothers waiting for their turn at the keg stand. However, many college students do not participate in these made for television moments because they are too busy studying. Yes, studying. Remember that the point of going to college is to get an education, so some learning is involved. According to the Center for Teaching and Learning, most universities recommend that students spend two hours studying for every one hour of class time. For all you mathletes, this adds up to about 30 hours per week. If you are going to spend 30 hours a week in the library studying, you should dress comfortably. Before you dust off those hideous Ugg boots from 2003 and tuck them into your pajama pants, try this other comfy yet stylish option:

Studying Outfit
- “Purdue Classic Pant” : Victoria’s Secret Pink Collection, $44.50
-“Converse All Star Lo-Grey” : Journeys Shoes, $49.99
-“Scroll Burnout Hoodie in Golden Sun” : Delias, $39.50
-“Junior Mossimo Supply Pocket V-neck tee in True White” : Target, $8.00

So, you’ve studied 30 hours for that 8 a.m. chemistry exam and after getting less than the necessary eight hours of beauty sleep, you wake up at 7:45 a.m/ because your alarm clock didn’t go off. You have 15 minutes to get ready and you don’t know what to wear. Though that outfit you wore to the library is oh so comfy, everyone in your class saw you wear it already. Don’t do that to yourself. Quick! Jump into that shower and then put this outfit on:

Class Outfit
-“Basic Leggings in Charcoal” : Forever21, $4.50
-“Anna Plaid Dress” : Delias, $44.50
-“Audra Flats in Black” : Bakers, $39.99
-“Perlina Zebra Printed Tote with Metallic in Black” : Target, $42.49

Okay, so you’ve finished the test and are left a little light headed and worried that you should’ve kept your initial answer to question three instead of changing it at the last minute. The test is over and there is nothing else you can but go to your dorm room and sleep. You better wake up by 7 p.m. because you have to eat before you go out tonight. It’s Friday night and the feeling’s right. Time to party! Real college fashionistas try to avoid parties that include keg stands. Getting the smell of beer out of a chiffon blouse is no easy task. College fashionistas love to “Just Dance,“ as Lady Gaga would say. Dance the night away in this fashion-forward ensemble:

Party Outfit
-“Brandy Woven Top in Black and Royal Blue” : Forever21, $17.80
-“Knit Motorcycle Jacket in Black” : Charlotte Russe, $24.99
-“Chinese Laundry Bow Cross Body Bag in Black” : Journeys Shoes, $40.00
-“Distress Liquid Matte Leggings in Black” : Forever21, $17.80
-“Chinese Laundry ‘Top’ Boots in Black” : Chinese Laundry, $79.99

It’s Monday evening and you just received a call from Greg, that cute guy you danced with on Friday. Greg just asked you to go on a dinner date with him on Thursday and you excitedly said yes. Now you have second thoughts in your head because you may have seemed too eager. Don’t worry, you weren’t because Greg would’ve called you earlier but he too didn’t want to seem too eager either. College fashionistas shouldn’t play cat-and-mouse games. If they want to go on a date, then they will go on a date. Whether you are looking at a Dollar Menu or a French menu, always dress your best. However, if it is a Dollar Menu then remember that not all first dates lead to second dates. It’s your choice.

Dinner Date Outfit
-“Trapeze Tunic with Sash in Black and Taupe” : Forever21, $29.80
-“Scarf Hobo Bag in Black” : Journeys Shoes, $40.00
-“Tavie Platform Closed Toe Pump in Black” : Bakers, $79.99
-“I ‘Heart’ Ronson Skinny Pant” : JCPenney, $29.99

College life is usually a balance of work and play. In college you a given two options. You either pay now and play later or play now and pay later. In other words, remember that studying is the main priority, so being focused now you’ll be able to cut loose later on in life. Every college student should graduate with completing at least one internship. Internships are great opportunities because they give student real-life experiences that can help them determine if they are really interested in a career in their major. Internships can be either paid or unpaidl some offer class credit as compensation. Whether she is making money or not, every college fashionista knows that she has to dress for success. Though every internship may have its own specific dress code, the outfit below can work for internships in fields such as business and politics:

Office Internship Outfit
-“AB Studio Sheath Dress in Black” : Kohls, $32.99
-“Plaid Trim Cardigan in Black and Orange” : Forever21, $28.00
-“Contrast Colored Skinny Belt in Gold and Black” : Forever21, $6.80
-“Naturalizer Bohemia in Black” : Piperlime, $79.99

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What do Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin have in common?

They both make amazingly beautiful heels that every woman wants but most cannot afford. Some women can walk on heels as easy as they do sneakers while others wobble, sputter around and sometimes trip.  Last year, New York City was home to a 150-yard dash where 500 hundred women sprinted across Central Park in their stilettos. The winner of the race went home $25,000 and an assumed desire for a good foot rub.

It is common knowledge that wearing heels is great when you want to look leaner or taller, but how much pain are women really sacrificing for beauty?

Heels may be easy enough for some women to wear for a 150-yard dash, but they are truly impractical when climbing multiple flights of stairs or chasing errant children around the house.  According to a study by the American Podiatric Medical Association, 39 percent of women wear high heels every day. Within that group, three out of four of them admit that they have a shoe-related foot problem. Spring 2009 runway shows featured many pairs of painfully high heels, such as this pair of Dior Fertility Goddess Heels:

Recently, when asked about designer towering infernos, Vogue Editor at Large Andre Leon Talley commented, “I, for one, am over the mania for the high, high heel. Too many career women look like a herd of fashion beasts, aping one another in impractical shoes.”

Marilyn Monroe once said, “I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot.” And she was right. According to doctors, women now owe him for their blisters, lower back pain, ankle sprains, corns, Achilles tendonitis, and decreasing bank accounts.

While high heels look sexy and are great for a night on the town or a fancy date, try these other more comfortable options for the summer. Your feet and body will thank you!

                                         
Flats are great for racing to catch buses, and running after errant children. Wear these J. Crew stunners during the day and break out your heels to dance the night (and feeling in your feet) away!

                                     
Wedges offer height, comfort, and arch support. And, who can deny the beauty of the embroidery on this shoe by Tracy Reese for Keds?

                                     
If you insist on wearing a heel, then try one with a platform. This pump from Michael by Michael Kors will offer you the height of a heel but with more comfort. Remember, the only corns you need should be on a plate not your feet.

I remember where I was. I was sitting right here on my laptop, at the kitchen table, on Facebook. The statuses started coming and I yelled over to my mom the news. We quickly turned on the TV and started watching live coverage, which at that point confirmed the notes I’d been seeing all over Facebook and Twitter: Michael Jackson was dead at 50, presumably from the cardiac arrest he’d suffered just earlier that afternoon. I know I’m a little late in my reflection. I apologize. As a music writer, it’s just taken me some time to find the right words to memorialize him on this website. As a music fan, Icried, knowing one part of the foundation of pop R&B had gone on.

Earlier this week, I was chilling with some people at a happy hour event and a guy close to my age told me that he really didn’t feel anything when Michael died. I understood some of where he was coming from. After all, we had only just been conceived and landed on the planet during the Thriller/Bad years. We could have been those kids in the JAM and Black and White videos. Heck, we could have even been the kids he was suspected of abusing. We’ve moved onto NeYo and Chris Brown right? (And the irony that he is right now). He wasn’t the cute kid my parents grooved to or even the not quite so bad looking young adult who let the world know how Bad he was. Sure, I could Remember the Time, but I couldn’t remember the time if you know what I mean.

But that hasn’t stopped me from grapevining to I Want You Back, over and over and over again. I also never knew how good The Love You Save was. I can definitely feel the sentiment on Off the Wall, so many times I want to take off the nine to five myself and get down. I used to stay up all night on Saturday, waiting for the 70’s night DJ to play Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get Enough. And while You Rock My World could have been a better comeback, but still good, Butterflieshelped him go out on top. (And the remix with Eve was dope).

So who’s next. I’ve heard a variety of names floating around, but truthfully, I don’t think there will be another entertainer of that sort. People don’t buy anyone’s albums anymore. All the dancers I see are imitators. Everyone’s too busy either concentrating on making quality music, or they have their name and likeness on so many objects, it’s impossible to remember their music. Not to mention it sucks anyway. I dare you to put your child up on stage and claim that he or she is better than he was in the Jackson 5 days. In the meantime, we will celebrate the legacy and honor the legends that are still within our presence on this earth.

Vera Wang,the well-know fashion designer
will show off her figure skating skills at the
ABC TV program Dancing With The Stars.

After designing costumes for famous figure skaters
Nancy Kerrigan and Kristi Yamaguchi, the almost 60
New York based designer Vera Wang will design
skating costumes for herself for the next season of
Dancing With The Stars.

According to E!, Wang is set to compete on the ABC show.

The recognized fashion designer was trained as a professional figure skater while growing up. She has competed as a figure skater 1968 Figure Skating Championship and was featured in the Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowds. And when she failed to enter the U.S Olympics team, she entered the fashion industry.

Wang who is famous for her wedding gown designs and recently her inexpensive Simply Vera clothing collection at Khols, will draw her admirers to the ninth season of the ABC TV show.

ABC announced today that Dancing With The Stars will premiere on September 21.
Wang is probably working on her fitness and costumes already so she can show a sense of style to the show’s fans and impress her devotees.

Not Just Vintage would like to cordially invite you to their summer shopping event. On Thursday, June 11, from 7 to 10 p.m., they will be unveiling their new summer collection, introducing menswear for the first time! Please join them for this exclusive preview of their new merchandise available for purchase. Feel to contact Not Just Vintage if you need any more information.

Not Just Vintage
1260 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11216
(347) 240-5070

We hope to see you there!

Today I read an article in New York magazine about a new craze in the anti-aging phenomena. Women are actually going to spas for a Spermine Facial. This facial consists of rubbing synthesized human sperm on a person’s face and then using an infrared light over it for penetration. This service currently runs for about $250. According to studies there is an antioxidant in human sperm that makes skin softer and more wrinkle-free.

Over the years women have subjected themselves to bizarre and sometimes painful rituals all in the name of beauty. These practices are often done for a myriad of reasons whether self-imposed or imposed by their society’s beauty standards.

Below is a list of some of the most interesting rituals I have found:

1. A common beauty ritual among Japanese Geisha’s is to apply fish and bird droppings to their faces. This is believed to keep the face smooth and clear.
2. The Hari’s Bull Semen Hair Treatment is an intense conditioning treatment that uses organic pedigree Angus bull semen.  The bull semen is used with extracts from Katera, a kind of Iranian plant in order to add shine and strength to the hair. The odorless treatment sells for around 85 pounds in London.
3. Victorian women had their lower ribs removed in order to produce small waists.
4. Ancient Egyptian queens cleaned their teeth with baby urine to keep them bleached white.
5. We can’t leave American’s out of this either: Would you ever inject the single most toxic protein into your face all for beauty? Well that’s what people do when they inject the Botulinum toxin (bo + tox= botox) into their faces in order to prevent frown lines, or armpits to decrease sweating. A new study found that botox may cause brain damage.
6. Snail slime is believed to rid the face of acne, and improve stretch marks.
7. The ancient Greeks mixed crocodile excrement into the baths in order to beautifying their skin.

This list is not meant to judge people who believe in these practices, but instead to expose you to the extreme measures women go through in name of beauty. When she used to relax my hair, my aunt would tell me, “pain is beauty”. But really does it have to be? Take this as a reminder to love yourselves for who you are and not feel pressured to go to the extreme in order to achieve someone else’s perception of beauty.

Sometimes good things come in three’s. In this case it’s Anna Sui, Gossip Girl and Target. That’s right, famed bohemian-chic designer has created a new line for Target. This line, inspired by every fashionistas favorite guilty pleasure, Gossip Girl is set to hit Target stores nationwide in September.

Today I was watching the America’s Next Top Model marathon on Oxygen and repeatedly kept thinking to myself, “doesn’t Allison look exactly like a Blythe doll?” Her eyes are very wide and doe-like which you can either hate or love. I’m interested to see who wins during the season finale this Wednesday.

In most professions females make only 77% of what males make. However, in the fashion industry, female models make much more than their male counterparts. While there are numerous recognized female supermodels there are only about five recognized male supermodel icons. This season’s Make Me a Supermodel has a lot of potential to create some new familiar faces. My money is for Jonathon from England and Sandhurst from Trinidad and Tobago to make it to the final three.

As much as I adore the plaid shirt trend going on, it’s getting too much for me. I once went to a party where I saw four girls where the same red checkered shirt I planned to wear that night. I’ll still wear them because I really like them, but can this trend stop so I won’t look like a clone?

Lil Wayne’s rock album Rebirth has been pushed back again. This is definitely not a good sign of what’s to come. The first track Prom Queen left me with questions at first but now I’m almost getting used to it, although the video is hideously cliché. Now, I just have to decipher what he’s saying.

Justin Timberlake is really making his mark in the fashion world. I would have never guessed he would be chosen as co-chair for recently held Costume Institute Gala in New York. He is a jack of all trades; music, fashion, and acting. His time as host of Saturday Night Live last week was hilarious. Though most of his skits were revamped versions of skits he did on previous shows, they were still funny. Especially his team-up with Adam Samberg for, “Motherlover” which is soon to be a YouTube favorite.

As an African-American, I’ve been a fan of a fan of rock –particularly punk- for a very long time. Despite that, I’ve never really gone to a concert or seen anyone live. Mostly because my favorite artists were those whose seats were sold out by the first day, making it evident that unless I got lucky on a K-Rock contest (which is impossible now that it’s cloned KTU), I was not meant to see a concert.  Eventually, through a friend I discovered afro-punk, a culture where good rock isn’t in scarcity and I could meet people like me who just loved some good music and didn’t judge you for it. It is unbelievable how many people will call you “White girl” or an “oreo” just because you listen to a certain type of music. Like what you listen to and how you dress or speak counteracts millennia of African ancestry!
After searching for a few weeks on the next upcoming concert in the area, I heard about EPIC/ SMASH, a double feature show held in Webster Hall’s basement every last Tuesday of the month. I was excited about going but I didn’t know what to expect. I was accustomed to listening to music on my radio from the comfort of my own home. Questions flooded my head. Could I dance? Would I stick out like a sore thumb? Would there be guitar pieces and microphones flying through the air as a crazy drunken, drugged up, mosh pit and riot ensued?
Surprisingly, the crowd was pretty mature. The first show, “Epic” was put together by Bronx Underground for all ages; while the second show, “Smash” -put together by Afro-Punk- was for the 19 and up crowd. For me, Epic not only had awesome music but the mosh pit proved to be a wonderful display of flexibility and grace as each mosher spun and twirled next to each other. As I watched each body swing and pulsate to the flow of the drowning music I often felt my feet want to move and dance along with them. Of course me being the shy one, I just watched in awe as they jerked to every sound the bands produced.
Smash tended to have lighter punk with the occasional cross-genre progressive group for example, The Smyrk was an interesting might-as-well-be-famous group. When they stepped on stage, my eyes were greeted by a handsome man in a button down, a tie and jeans. I couldn’t really wrap my head around why all the women were screaming before he even opened his mouth. By the end the set I found myself not only taken aback by the lead singer Doron Flake’s John Legendish voice alongside the instrumentals but the fact that his shirt was completely off exposing a body that would explain why all the women were crazy. There were so many more awesome underground groups that words could not explain but it’s pretty safe to say that my radio is officially in the garbage.

As I was doing my daily browsing of the Washington Post, I happened on the story of Clifton Williams, a 17-year-old classical piano prodigy from Southeast DC. It would be extraordinary enough if the kid had been playing piano since he was knee high to a chicken as we say down South. He has been, but that’s beside the point. Although he’s been taking lessons in jazz, gospel and blues piano for 10 years, he’s only been playing classical for three years and he doesn’t even own his own piano.

I stop here to talk about myself. I used to mess around with the keys myself, occasionally writing a song or two, yet I wrote myself off a long time ago. Why you ask? I always felt that me and my horribly monotone Casio keyboard playing self had no chance against even the worst of my church piano players. They could play off the radio by ear. Some even could read music. What could I do, I didn’t have a real piano and I certainly couldn’t play whole songs by ear. OK, I lie, I think I did a killer by ear rendition of “God Bless America” once, but that never made it outside of my bedroom.

Yet, seeing this kid and so many of my artist friends overcome major obstacles, makes me re-think my logic of my musical training and even my musical leanings. Williams didn’t let not having a piano stop him, thanks to his church, he can practice anytime he wants. He’s not bothered by the fact that it’s out of tune, he brings his soul to the ivories and that soul makes up the difference. The work has paid off, he will appear on “For the Top,“ a showcase of young classical musicians which airs on NPR, this Sunday evening. He also earned a $10,000 scholarship from the Jack Kent Cook Foundation, some of which he used to purchase his own piano.

Meanwhile, I’m going to go grab my songbook and reach back to the two semesters of piano I did have. After all, like Williams, I may not have had the best instruments or even the top teachers, but that can’t stop me from playing music. Watch him talk about his gift and play Prokofiev’s “Suggestion Diabolique” below.

Whether it was Giselle and Kate for Versace or Claudia Schiffer for Ferragamo, this year many brands stuck with campaign models who can guarantee a sell. However, some fresh faces have been able to make their mark this season.
Recently, Style.com revealed a list of their top ten favorite new faces. Among the models on the list was Japanese born Tao Okamoto.

In 2006 Okamoto signed with Elite and since then has been making a big splash in the fashion industry.
She was first seen on the runways of Cynthia Steffe and Marc by Marc Jacobs during the Fall 2007 New York Fashion Week. Last season she walked over 45 shows and became the first Asian model to walk for Miu Miu in the last two years. Her editorial and print work includes stints at Italian Glamour, and the Moschino fall advertising campaign. 

The essence of her beauty truly comes from her simplistic features.  Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, she is also a trendsetter.  Her fresh and bold bowl cut inspired wigs at 3.1 Philip Lim. Okamoto is currently signed with Supreme Model Management.

Sen. Royce West (D-Texas) has proposed a new bill that will change the name of the portion of Interstate 20 that traverses Southern Dallas County to Barack Obama Freeway.  Currently, state legislature limits the bestowal of this honor to deceased individuals and former presidents only.  West’s proposal, bill SB 1510 will alter the stipulations to include current presidents.  He believes the renaming process would be an expression of gratitude for the overwhelming support Pres. Obama received from the district that encompasses this particular stretch of roadway.

Opponents of the bill believe Sen. West may be acting in haste.  After all, they say, Pres. Obama hasn’t even been in office long enough to prove his worthiness.  His final reputation has not been decided yet, and in the end, it may not even warrant this honor.  Naming the highway after him is completely presumptious and may be a much-regretted decision.  Some of the strongest dissent has come from the Young Conservatives of Texas, who provided several reasons why this idea shouldn’t be considered.  However, they were nice enough to agree to a compromise by offering several creative stipulations to accompany the name change, such as prohibiting SUVs and trucks from the road and implementing a toll that is set to correspond with an individual’s salary increases.

Supporters agree to the change—just not in Dallas.  They cite the fact that he didn’t even win Texas in the presidential election.  Besides, should all other areas that overwhelmingly supported Pres. Obama change their highways to reflect it?  The fact that former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry has a portion of highway dedicated to him has been argued as a point supporting the act. Drivers commuting along Landry’s honorable portion of Interstate 30 can see his signature fedora engraved along the overpasses.  They ask, will a football coach’s contributions ever outweigh those of a president? Other supporters say that Pres. Obama has already proven himself by winning office, and the name change is completely appropriate.

If approved, Pres. Obama’s namesake would join former Presidents George W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson who have a tollway and freeway named in their honors, respectively.  Renaming the highway so soon kind of feels like receiving the diploma before completing the coursework.  I have faith that Pres. Obama will receive far higher honors than having a freeway in an individual city bearing his name.
As a resident of Dallas, it is a wonderful city, but it has its share of problems that deserve immediate attention.  The constant upheaval among school board members affecting the student’s quality of education can’t wait.  The county jail failing its inspection for the seventh consecutive time can’t wait.  Perhaps, the name change can.

In response to the bad economy, if the money, cash (HOs) flow is slow right now, here are some great snacks on the cheap.  My “Five Under Five Faves”:

1. PB&J with BC
This is your classic peanut butter sammy but with a twist; banana chips! “Yum residence, can I help you?“  It’s been my lunch for the past two days!

2. Jamaican Patties
Now Jamaican me hungry! These patties never get old for me. My personal preferred vendor is Golden Krust.  The Jerk chicken patty really hits the spot, plus it’s like two bucks.  FYI, I was disappointed to find out that the Golden Krust locations at 23rd St. and 8th Ave. have closed.  Poo stix!

3. Pizza
The good ol’ standby, hot or cold. I’ve been looking for the best spot around and someone recently suggested John’s of Bleecker Street. Has anyone been? Let me know if you have a recommendation!

4. Empanadas
Who can resist anything fried; especially when stuffed with cheese?  These bad boys are sold on pretty much every corner in my neighborhood of Inwood.  They’re about $1.25 and are always fresh and crispy.

5.  Falafel
Falafel stands are not just for the drunken pit stops at 3 am, though that is a great time to start!  I like the falafel/baba ganoush combo sammy.  These are somewhere between $3 - $4.  My hot spot: Rainbow Falafel, Union Square.

$@bs

More by this author at:  http://thesabs.com

One would think that on an island so insanely packed with everything else, tasty frozen yogurt would be easy to come by, yet recent developments have caused concerns about accessing quality fro-yo; at least for me. I’m a longstanding fan of the treat since the TCBY and Everything Yogurt days, good brands both. I haven’t seen a TCBY in years for the exception of rest stops. Everything Yogurt actually became Bananas and I’ve never seen one of those.

Instead, I have seen a few new frozen yogurt establishments pop up whose products I’ve sampled and been disheartened.  A place near where I used to work sold Yolato.  I swear I am not lying when I say it tasted exactly like Lemon Pledge.  Not that I eat Lemon Pledge… but when I used to, it could have passed for the product Yolato claims is frozen yogurt.  I was disappointed to say the least.

Some friends recommended other places I should try, namely Pinkberry and Red Mango.  There happens to be one of each adjacent to each other on 14th St. and 6th Ave., so one day I decided to check them both out.  First I stopped at Red Mango; a friend had recently raved about the place. I never purchase without sampling and though it was definitely better than the Lemon Pledge, I didn’t like it enough to buy any.  I moved on.

I had heard and read a lot about Pinkberry, and as I approached the counter I felt pretty confident I was going to leave with some frozen yogurt and ordered a sample of regular, which I took to be vanilla; but I just didn’t like it. One particular brand that I do like that no one else seems to is Smoochies. I also really like Tasty Delite and there are plenty of these around when needed. Then too, sometimes you can still find the ol’ Columbo standby at a deli or salad bar. Needless to say, the quest goes on – to be continued…

$@bs

More by this author at: http://thesabs.com

As an outsider looking in, Twitter — the latest fad in networking Web sites — as I knew it was all about posting mundane updates as to what you’re doing on a moment-by-moment basis that really no one cares about. But upon exploring the site further, I stumbled upon someone who is putting Twitter to good use as an avenue for creative expression. Ben Okri, a renowned Nigerian poet and novelist, began posting a new line of his poem every day on the micro-blogging site to promote his latest book, “Tales of Freedom.”

Read the culmination of his artistic endeavor below:

I sing a new freedom

I sing a new freedom
Freedom with discipline.
We need freedom to rise higher.
Be true to yourself
In the follies of our times.
Become what you are
In this era of economic crimes.
Only the free in spirit
Will find their way out of this maze.
We are children of the stars.
We ought to amaze.

I predict that a new trend is afoot, and Okri’s composition is just the beginning of what’s to come. Interestingly enough, it’s been reported that Somalia-born rapper K’naan will use the comments made by his “followers” (Twitter speak for fans or friends) on the site to compose a song to the instrumental version of his song, titled “People Like Me.”

(Photo courtesy of http://www.zam-magazine.nl.)

The Salutation, a Dallas band with a mission of spreading peace and inspiration, has an all-encompassing sound sure to appease the most diverse of listeners.  Their musical style provides the edge and passionate gestures of the rock genre crossbred with the lyrical delivery of hip-hop. Their platform of "peace, hope and endurance," strives to encourage a new school of thought: complete self-affirmation.

This uplifting message has already been embraced by many, as listeners who indulged in their current release, When Different Becomes Dangerous, have eagerly attested to their hardcore support of the band with an overwhelming request for new music.  True to form, the band hasn’t hesitated to deliver with the release of two new tracks.  Pulse Fiction features energetic doses of guitar and drums that will remain pulsating through your veins long after the first listen.  Crimson Signature is a much more mellow listen that is nevertheless, full of intensity marked by a couple whose love for one another transcends unimaginable boundaries.

Even though they’ve already made appearances with +44 and Paul Wall, including a performance with The All-American Rejects, they are constantly adding to their repertoire by contributing to a set of motor cross DVDs, independent films and iTwinkle.tv webisodes. SXSW Music Festival was a huge success for them, as they garnered attention and most certainly expanded their fanbase. In addition, they recently shot a video with Rene and Ayo from Clear Channel radio station, The Edge on QTV.  Watch the interview here.

Look for them to make an appearance at BloodaPalooza, a tattoo, music and art festival that graces Dallas with its electric presence beginning April 10 through April 12.

To keep track of The Salutation and their steadily expanding movement, check out www.myspace.com/thesalutation.

Picture it: A Saturday night in New York City and the town is calling your name. To prepare, you head to the gym for a hot and sweaty workout then come home to start the “transformation” process: plucking, blending, and waxing — and that’s just the men! Once you’re RED CARPET ready, you give yourself one last glance in the mirror, grab your Blackberry and head out to meet your friends — in order to paint the town red. That’s the illusion New Yorkers give to everyone around the world, but what happens when the myth is just that ... a myth?

I was recently invited to a Web site launch party at one of New York’s trendiest clubs located in the Meat Packing District. Usually, I don’t find myself at such places since I’m a low-key guy who’d rather spend his time at home watching re-runs of the Golden Girls — but I digress. I had a personal invite as I write food reviews for this online publication and my presence was “mandatory”. But since I was going to be given the “royal-diva-treatment” while there, I thought, “Why should Lindsey Lohan have all the fun, I’ll go!”

I arrived at the club just as the owner of the online publication drove up and I was immediately ushered in with his entourage. I felt special. I felt adored. I also felt a bit out of place since I was the only gay male in his group and my trendy blazer and jeans ensemble made the gay-factor distinction. I followed the group to their V.I.P. seating space which was flowing with vodka bottles ice buckets and champagne galore; I then noticed a strange phenomenon — the club was struck with the Blackberry plague.

Everyone in attendance was on their Blackberry, ignoring the person next to them obsessively checking their phones. Girls on the dance floor would “do a little dance” then stop to txt then dance again. The guys would walk over to a girl, strike up a conversation, txt (while ignoring the girl), and then continue with their “come-on” lines. As I stood there engulfed in a curious wave of confusion I wondered, “Has human interaction been eased out by texting?”

In a time when we have the technology and the advances to connect with anyone in the world, have we been afflicted by the Blackberry Plague causing us to loose sight of what…or in this case, “who’s” in front of us? I thought the entire point of going out was to enjoy the night and celebrating good times—I guess in the end it’s all about texting the night away.

I was walking down the street when a little ninja girl on a T-shirt winked at me. So, I bought her. Her stylized, bold features caught my eye as I was sifting through an artist’s garage sale in San Francisco. A more badass character than any Powerpuff girl I’ve seen. A token to female empowerment.

Her creator and illustrator, Ben Collison, a local San Francisco Bay Area artist, is the founder of No Guns Productions. He’s been on his imaginative grind for the last six years — from sketching, stenciling, and indulging with silkscreen and acrylics to digital imagery.

“I think art got into me not me getting into it. It’s the only thing I give a damn about,” Collison says.

Name it: Clothes. Art. Skateboards. Figurines. Ninjas. Savage females donning Samurai swords. Old Samurais — the symbol of his inspiration. His designs materialize in various forms.

Collison grew up into ninjas and Bruce Lee. Then discovered I.F.C. Samurai Saturdays. He’s been published in a couple of books and magazines around the world. Billboards featuring his work held space in both San Francisco and Brooklyn. 

If you’re lucky, you could pull a drive-by and maybe catch him selling his swag right outside his front door. Just remember no guns.

“There is so much bullshit out there that a little positively could go a long way. Besides anyone can kill with a gun. It takes a badass mofo’ to kill with a sword,” says Collison.

To check out more of his work, hit up:

bencollison.com
noguns.livejournal.com
myspace.com/gundame

(Photo credits:graphicshunt.com & specials.msn.com)

In the new tradition of the new Strawberry Shortcake Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer may be getting a makeover as early as next fall.  According to Nickjr.co.uk the show was “designed to engage pre-schoolers in a play along adventure.“  It seems that not only is Dora getting a makeover some of her new adventures will include getting new clothes, jewelry and accessories.  This makeover is prompted by Nickelodeon/Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) making the decision to make Dora “grow up”.  The new Dora will be a “tween” which is defined as preadolescence or in more common terms “too old for toys, but too young for boys”.  This is new terminology for an age bracket identified by marketers as a group that can be heavily marketed to.  People are calling her “Dora the Exploiter” now.

“‘Dora the Explorer has been one of the most successful properties for nearly a decade, with an average of 21.1 million viewers, including 6 million preschoolers, tuning into the television show each month,‘ explained Leigh Anne Brodsky, president, NVCP.“  Dora’s growth spurt is part of a NVCP/ Mattel brand expansion that includes an online interactive Dora Links fashion doll whose customizable appearance can be changed at a whim.  As girls play online they can continue the Dora makeover by changing her hair length, jewelry and eye color on screen. 

Parents are outraged because Dora is Latina and a bilingual role model to many little girls.  Those against Dora’s new look protest “What happened? FIRST it was Dora’s Magic Talking Kitchen, THEN Dora Princess, THEN Dora Babysitter in her cousin’s show, NOW DORA TWEEN.“  There is a petition circulating for people to sign to express their disapproval to Mattel and Nickelodeon.  “The petition is supported by the work of Hardy Girls Healthy Women (HGHW). Hardy Girls is a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and well being of girls and women.“  ~ipetitions.com

In all fairness the younger Dora and her products will still be available.  A case can also be made for having a favorite children’s show character grow with the children who are her fans.  And what will become Diego her cousin?  My personal concern is that little girls may learn that growing up and becoming a woman involves mini dresses, that looking like a woman of color can be easily, readily and preferably changed and that femininity is all that you can buy and put on. 

-Madam Toussaint

nickjr.co.uk

businesswire.com

urbandictionary.com definition of tween

“Houston! We are on the rocket ship and heading for the stars!” –Grace Makutsi

Last night was the series premiere of HBO’s The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. The show is based on a series of ten novels by British author Alexander McCall Smith and stars Jill Scott as Precious Ramotswe, the first female private investigator in Botswana. Scott’s performance as Precious was wonderful because of the sincerity and intelligence she brought to the role. Anika Noni Rose, most known for her role as Lorell Robinson in Dreamgirls co-starred as Grace Makutsi, assistant to Ramotswe and the agency’s secretary. The character of Makutsi provides many humorous moments due to her quick wit and independent nature.  The portrayal of Botswana, its people, and its landscape was beautifully captured by director, Anthony Minghella, who sadly passed after completing the series. If the first episode is any indication of what’s to come then expect well written dialogue, many humorous moments, and interesting characters. While the pilot which aired yesterday was 105 minutes, only six, 60 minute episodes of the series have been filmed thus far.

This show is truly a must watch, so tune in to HBO, Sundays by 8pm to watch The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

Today I was listening to Pandora and I realized how much of the R&B music I listen to is from across the pond. For those of you not familiar with how Pandora works, the site is set up to allow for people to pick a particular song, artist or genre and the website will use distinctive parts of the songs to choose other songs that you can’t help but like and not skip over. I created an Estelle station a few months ago and daily I get treated to not only tracks off her both of her albums, but jewels from Amy Winehouse, Adele and Corrine Bailey Rae. Long before these other artists came on the scene, I remember jamming to the first Joss Stone record and swooning over Craig David.

The one major thing that keeps me coming back to listen to these bands is their authenticity. They seem to dig deep and say things that I haven’t heard out of many American artists lately, especially the females. They respect and honor the sounds of old, and do a great job of fusing the new. They also respect different styles of voices and body types. They’ve also put American artists on notice. Not only are American R&B and hip-hop artists taking notice, they are signing them to labels, putting them on hooks and joining the hooks themselves.

However, I know many think bands and artists from Britain are really just imitating the sound America and especially Motown, created for R&B. Those charges have been levied for years, starting with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and others. However, I believe wholeheartedly in the cliché that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and they can continue to flatter me. Tell me, what do you think of this latest British invasion on hip-hop, R&B and soul.

(Photo credits:Google Images)

Not to diminish her status as the mother of all humanity, but Eve hasn’t been the only woman to make significant historical contributions in her lifetime. Women have and continue to make momentous impacts on life as we know it. So take some time out to recognize the designation of March as Women’s History Month, a month that commemorates all feats female.

It’s hard to imagine what life would be like had Eve not accepted that fate-altering fruit. After all, what would PMS stand for? Would the excruciating pangs of labor be reduced to the sharp sting of an ant bite? Pondering these questions can truly allow the impact of women’s actions to be placed into proper perspective. The same questions can be asked of women like Zora Neale Hurston. Would female writers such as myself be allowed entry into the literary world had she not authored her groundbreaking novels? And surely we can all appreciate the woman behind Liquid Paper, Bette Nesmith Graham. My culinary skills still leave much to be desired, but I’m positive Fannie Farmer‘s creation of the first standardized cooking measurements has prevented many cooking disasters. Without Debi Thomas‘s Olympic gold medal in ice-skating, many women might not bother to even lace up their skates. Geraldyn Cobb was the first woman to meet the criteria for astronaut training, thereby opening the door for the 60-plus female space explorers who,in her wake,have journeyed beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Susan B. Anthony let all women know that we have a right to rights.

These major contributions are noted on both national and international platforms, but let us not forget the seemingly small milestones reached by women we encounter in our daily lives. I think about the women in my family and how their previous efforts have affected my life.  For example, my grandmother taught my mother the importance of fostering a caring, supportive relationship with her children, which has greatly impacted our family structure to this day. I am confident that my grandmother’s legacy will survive the passage of time, and that her words will continue to ring in the ears of our future generations.  With that said, I salute all women, past, present and future, for without us, where would we be?  How have women’s historical acts impacted your life?  If you are a woman, what legacy do you hope to leave in this world?

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained."

—Marie Curie
Physicist and Chemist

Welcome to the brand new inCOLOR. We’re here in full effect. It’s been a long road to this moment but I am glad we made it! This is definitely just the beginning. The mission of inCOLOR is and will always be to bring you the newest and brightest from the world of art, design, music, fashion well in color. What does it mean to be in color? It goes beyond being black, latino or asian, but rather it is a movement. Our world isn’t so black and white anymore, inCOLOR is an avenue that allows color to shine everyday in every way. I am grateful for our network of contributors all over the U.S. feeding the site with the amazing content to the site. And we want to form a network with you. Look out for our community section coming soon that will allow you to interact and be a part of the site. inCOLOR is more than just another online publication but rather a collaboration, creating connections and making the world a little bit more colorful. Get inCOLOR!