From StyleBlazer.com

From StyleBlazer

By now, you’re probably very aware that StyleBlazer is celebrating its 2nd birthday this week! But don’t think we were going to fete your favorite fashion site without inviting all of the editors to the party. The theme is throwback to 2011.

“I was a huge fan of this Chico’s pearl and turquoise super-statement necklace that was given to me as a gift in 2011, and I still cherish this necklace although I haven’t worn it in a while. I absolutely love statement jewelry, which probably explains why.”

Read more and see more favorite pieces at StyleBlazer.com

Stand up comedian turned actor Eddie Murphy has been making us laugh for over 35 years. He has starred in almost 40 movies, including three stand-up comedy specials, and today the New York native celebrates his 52nd year on this earth. In honor of his special day, here are 15 hilarious lines from the funnyman over the years.

WENN

In his debut as the romantic lead in the 1992 hit Boomerang, Murphy played the dashing womanizing Marcus Graham. In one memorable scene, Graham talks to his boys, played by Martin Lawrence and David Alan Grier, about his ultimate turn off: a beautiful woman with messed up feet.

“She was beautiful but her feet were jacked up. I pulled the covers back and it was hammer time I should’ve known something was up I saw the little bumps on the top of her shoes when I met her but I thought maybe it was an old shoe or something but you would never, ever think a woman that fine would have hammer time in her shoes.”

iStockphoto

We all have a special day in common — a birthday! With that in mind, there are many retailers and merchants who would love to celebrate with you and offer special discounts and freebies to add to your celebratory day. Here are a few helpful tips to help you celebrate your birthday in a frugal and fun way.

Sign Up for Emails

Most companies have perks for your big day just for signing up for their emails. Think about all of your favorite spots you like to visit –entertainment, restaurants, clothing stores. Be sure to put in your birth date correctly, and watch the emails come rolling in during the month of. We suggest that you create a separate email account to use while signing up for company emails. This will allow you to keep your “birthday” perks organized and to help avoid a build up of emails in your primary account.

Eat Free All Month Long

Go to your favorite restaurant’s website and enter their loyalty program. And this isn’t just for your favorite burger joint. Add your high-end favorites too! To your surprise, they’ll send you a “BIG” discount or most times a free meal to enjoy the month of your birthday. We love to take advantage of this all month long because, most times, you’re not obligated to redeem your discount just on your birthday. Strategically, we’re saving money around our birthday too!  Can anyone say “Date Nights!”?

Read Your Receipts Carefully

Be sure to read your receipts carefully before you toss them away. Many retailers place discount or coupon codes for your use on your next shopping purchase. We like to be very strategic and use these codes when we need them the most. For example, we would use them towards our birthday outfit or to get a free car wash before our night on the town.

Get Picture Perfect On A Dime

We all love to look our best for our big day. Would you like free beauty products to help with that? One of our favorites is Sephora’s Beauty Insider Progam. Not only do we love to get rewarded for our beauty purchases, but we love their complimentary birthday gifts! They’ll give you some of their hottest sellers for free. Many times this allows us to try a product that we normally wouldn’t purchase. And then, we tend to fall in love with the product…Go figure!

Also, check with your local beauty salons to see if they offer any perks for your birthday. There are some salon studios that offer free facials, hair cuts, and even mini body treatments. Shouldn’t you be pampered?

Join On Behalf Of Your Child

These “birthday goodies” aren’t just for adults, they’re for kids too. Some child-play facilities offer discounts and freebies for your child’s birthday.  Toys R Us has a popular birthday club that gives your child a birthday card and special gift for their big day. Not to mention, special savings for you too How cool is that?!

Do and Don’t Look For Loyalty Programs

This may sound like an oxymoron. But, what were trying to say is that you should always be on the lookout for your favorite places’ loyalty program, even when they’re hiding. In many cases, they aren’t advertised. So be sure to ask someone where to sign-up if need be.

Need a jump start with finding “birthday” discounts and freebies? As our birthday gift to you, check out this post titled “Where Do We Get Birthday Freebies?” with over 80 perks we’ve gathered and listed for your convenience.

Happy Birthday!

Tai and Tarin Perry, the Double Saving Divas,  are financially savvy identical twin sisters, and investment bankers turned money saving experts. You can also connect with them on their Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube Channel.

Join MadameNoire Business and Tai and Tarin for our next Facebook chat this Friday at 3pm. The Double Saving Divas will be online live to answer your questions about saving money, budgeting and finding discounts. 

Facebook

Alicia Keys celebrated her 32nd birthday and love was shown via internet from all of her celebrity friends and admirers, fans and her husband, Swizz Beatz.  Her husband noted that Keys is a woman who often celebrates others but rarely celebrates herself and he was right. She posted on her Facebook that she was so overwhelmed by the birthday love that she wanted to give the fans something: new music. That’s right, Alicia released “Brand New Me (Part 2)” which is pretty much a remix to her current single. As she noted, the song samples Crystal Waters’ “Gypsy Woman” and she pretty much just changed some of the lyrics to fit the message of her single.

There’s a little bit of hip hop in it so we wouldn’t be surprised if Swizz got his hands on the production.

Keys seems to still be working really hard on promoting her album, Girl on Fire. The album only sold 159,000 copies in its first week and to date, it has sold 478,000 copies. Her last album, The Element of Freedom, sold 417,000 copies in its first week so GOF is definitely her lowest performing album to date. However, album sales as a whole are down so in the bigger scheme of things, it makes sense.

Keys performed at the Inaugural Ball last Monday with yet another version of her single “Girl on Fire,” changing it up to “Obama’s on Fire.” Yes, yes she did. She’ll also be performing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl on February 3rd so if nothing else, she is keeping herself out there.

Anyway, here’s “Brand New Me (Part 2). Check it out:

Well…what do you think? Do you like the original or the remix better?

Tumblr

Blue Ivy Carter’s birthday’s came and went last week without so much as a special Tumblr or Instagram post from Mommy Beyonce or Daddy Shawn (aka Jay-Z).

So it is mighty odd that Radar Online is reporting that Beyonce and Jay-Z bought Blue Ivy an $80,000 diamond-encrusted Barbie doll for her 1st birthday. It’s not that Beyonce and Jay-Z can’t afford something like that or that they don’t buy themselves (and their child) expensive things; we just don’t ever hear about it, not even from “sources.”

However, assuming Beyonce and Jay-Z wanted to start Blue’s ultimate Barbie collection, they apparently did so at a very lavish birthday party for the one year old. Sources told Radar Online that the Carters spent $90 on pink and white flowers and $2,000 on a pretty fancy birthday cake.

They also spent about $30,00 on toys and gifts for the party guests. Yes, for the guests.

That brings the total of the Blue Bash, including the gift, to about $207,000. It ain’t trickin’ if you got it, huh? Jay-Z did mention on Oprah’s Master Class that his child would probably be the “worst little spoiled kild ever.” Let’s hope that’s not true – even if she doesn’t ever have to want for a thing.

Whether fact or fiction, we’re sure the Carters made sure B.I.C. had a fun time on her birthday.

Serge’s Instagram

She’s pretty (and seems nice). He is fine on every day ending with “y” (and seems nice).  Keri Hilson and OKC baller Serge Ibaka, we are present for this one!

There have been rumors that Keri has been at a few Oklahoma City Thunder games since the season started and they were apparently spotted leaving a game together headed to dinner. But that’s no big deal because celebrities meet and some just get along more than others, right?  But she also serenaded Serge for his 23rd joint birthday party that he did with Angela Simmons back in September.

Well, last night, Miss Keri Baby celebrated her 30th birthday in Oklahoma City (now, she’s a big city girl so celebrating her birthday in OKC gets a raised eyebrow) with a party hosted by Keri, OKC superstar Kevin Durant and…Serge Ibaka. And yes, those are her edges looking sweat out (probably from partying) and Serge with the hood low while they’re hugged up.

There are random pictures of them in the club last night floating around but this picture just about does it for us. Oh, did you notice the seven year age difference? Keri found herself a nice tenderoni who’s also still learning the English language so I’m sure they’re having a good time…learning languages and being all “grown.”  Just having fun, people!

In the past, Keri has stated that she’d prefer not to date celebrities because she feels like those relationships are easily penetrated. But a little wooing from the right man can change your mind.

Anyway Keri, you go right ahead and enjoy the dirty 30s! You certainly did bring it in right!

Source: greencelebrity.info

From Blackvoices.com

Celebrations will take place across the world tomorrow to mark Nelson Mandela’s 94th birthday.

A Nobel peace laureate, Mandela spent 27 years in prison fighting racist rule. He became South Africa’s first black president in 1994, serving a five-year term.

To commemorate his remarkable life ahead of the big day, we’ve collated 94 images of him throughout the ages, including his prison mug shot, meetings with heads of state, past and present including Muammar Gaddafi, Bill Clinton and Margaret Thatcher.

To see the pics and read the President and First Lady’s special birthday wish for Nelson Mandela, head over to BlackVoices.com.

More on Madame Noire!

• “You Can See How Black People Evolved From Apes” and Other Racially-Charged Comments That Left Me Speechless
• The Business Of Our Periods: Why Are Feminine Products So Darn Expensive?
• Listen Up Fellas! 7 Signs SHE’s Just Not That Into You
• No Way Out? Don’t Blame The Day26 Break Up On Diddy and The “Bad Boy Curse”
• Cute Kid Alert: Diddy’s Girls, Tiny & T.I.’s Kids Celebrate Her B-Day & More
• Single Black Male: Should Women Still Expect Men to Pay for Dates?
• Bet You Didn’t Know: Secrets Behind the Making of “Waiting to Exhale”

Source: rap-up.com

Solange celebrated her 26th birthday this weekend in London with Beyonce, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, MIA…and a drunk heckler.

Entertainment Wise reports:

While everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves at Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend it seems one reveler was determined to ruin the night for Beyoncé as she was verbally attacked while watching her husband Jay Z take to the stage on Saturday night.

The 30 year-old was there to enjoy the show but soon became alarmed when a drunk yob started to verbally abuse the ‘Love On Top’ star. Beyoncé was watching the gig from a sectioned off area directly in front of the stage and directed her minders to the offensive attack, which left her distraught.

“Whatever was said, it really upset Beyoncé,” the insider revealed. “Jay-Z’s bodyguards weren’t going to have any of it.”

An ugly fight broke out in front of the stage while the bodyguards tried to reach the offender.

“They waded in and there was a massive ruckus,” the source explained. “It got pretty ugly and Beyoncé was whisked away so she wouldn’t get caught in the middle of it.”

After the offenders were removed, Beyoncé got back to enjoying the night and was seen dancing along to her husband’s hits from the crowd.

There is always that one fan who wants to do too much! I’m surprised Jay Z didn’t stop his set, but I guess the show must go on! Fortunately for the birthday girl, the incident didn’t put a damper on her celebration. Reports say that, during his after-party that night, Jay-Z surprised his sister-in-law at midnight with cake and champagne and everyone sang Happy Birthday.

The next day, on Solange’s actual birthday, she posted the pic above on Instagram of her and Beyonce captioned: “We.Are.Family.” Solange also posted a picture of herself on Instagram captioned: “Blue and yellow and birthday love…Thank You!” showing off all of her fashion fabulousness.

Source: Solange Instagram (mydamnstagrams)

No word yet on what Beyonce gifted her little sister for her birthday. Last year she gave Solange 25 pairs of shoes (one for each year! Awww!). Then again, a free plane ticket to London and quality time with the sister at Radio 1′s Hackney Weekend definitely sounds like a great gift in itself.

Happy Birthday Solange!

Alissa Henry is a freelance writer living in Columbus, OH. Follow her on Twitter @AlissaInPink

More on Madame Noire!

• Bet You Didn’t Know: Secrets Behind The Making of School Daze
• They’ve Got a Story To Tell: Celebs Who Went From Top Ramen to Top Dollar
• If I Wanted to Deal With Kids, I’d Have My Own: A Letter to Parents Who Think Everyone Loves Their Kid as Much as They Do
• Let’s Talk, Ladies: Are You Afraid Of The “S” Word?
• My Story: For Colored Girls Who’ve Considered Suicide When the Law Couldn’t Protect Them From Incest
• Evening Eye Candy: NFL Baller Ray Edwards
• HALF ON A BABY: The Top 7 Ways You’ll Know He’s Ready For Kids

Source: individualism.co.uk

No matter what you’re doing today, make sure you take time out to stop and play some Prince. The Purple One, born Prince Rogers Nelson, turns 54 today, and doesn’t look a day over 40! The multi-talented musician has been ahead of his time since the ’70s, when he dropped his debut album, For You, and slowly but surely started to change both the R&B and rock game (don’t forget about funk!). So on this day of celebration, we thought we’d find a way to pick six of our favorite songs by a man with a catalog of jams so extensive and amazing. Feel free to let us know your own favorites in the comment section. And if you’re wondering why I picked six…well, I couldn’t pick JUST five and seven would have been doing the most…I know, it doesn’t make sense.

Enjoy!

*Sidenote: I would have added all the videos, but Prince isn’t a fan of his stuff being accessible via the “Intanetz.” So attached are links to the songs.

I Wanna Be Your Lover

The minute this song drops, who doesn’t stop and start nodding their head really hard? The keyboards, the guitar action, and Prince singing like he got kicked in the gonads–it’s a classic! It’s also one of his biggest R&B hits and a jam that definitely makes you want to head to the dance floor for a bit. And the video, with his hair looking very laid and his clothing at a minimum, is a must-see as well. Good look finding it though, you know he doesn’t mess with YouTube…

When Doves Cry

“How could you just leave me standing…alone in a world so cold?” Many people have tried to cover this track (Hey, Ginuwine), but nobody has done it like this fella. A stellar track from the legendary Purple Rain soundtrack, the nearly six-minute song is guaranteed to make you dance, and possibly shout (especially around the breakdown). And who wasn’t either lusting or laughing at Prince when he was in the bathtub and then crawling butt naked towards the camera? Such an intriguing character he is.

Adore

There are few slow love songs out there that touch me to the point that I feel the need to play it nonstop, but “Adore” gets that reaction from moi. With deep lyrics and messages like, “If God one day struck me blind, your beauty I’d still see…” and the way the song gradually grows through the beautiful crescendo makes it one of those jams that inadvertently takes you to church with each listen. It’s so moving, that while performing the song during a tribute to Prince at the BET Awards, a very pregnant Alicia Keys felt so inclined to climb on top of her piano and jam. Can you blame her though?

Kiss

A song from the highly underrated Parade album (which was the soundtrack for his panned film, Under the Cherry Moon), “Kiss” is a showcase of the power of some sick acoustics. The track is very minimalist when you compare it to other Prince songs, but maybe it’s his attempts to sing falsetto and the smart, snarky lyrics (“Act your age mama, not your shoe size…”) that make it a must-listen. Plus, the minute it plays at a party, or even on the radio, folks lose their ever-loving mind. What do I think when I hear the song? As Prince would say during the bridge, “I think I wanna dance!”

If I Was Your Girlfriend

What you know about this one? Definitely an alluring and seductive track, “If I Was Your Girlfriend” is supposed to be a song about the tight bond and relationship between a woman and her best friend, and a man’s quest to be that oh-so-close to his lady. The “lady” singing the track is of course Prince with his vocals altered to sound like his female alter ego, Camille, and the track as a whole appeared on the critically-acclaimed album, Sign ‘o’ The Times. This is one of those dance-around-in-your-lingerie jams, or better yet, sit-on-your-couch-and-eat-Cheetos bangers too...

Purple Rain

But of course. When Prince did this track during the Super Bowl halftime show a few years back, I was pretty sure I was going to cry, but instead, I just threw my cell phone light up in the air in my room and reveled in the awesome-ness of it all (Until the Chicago Bears lost the game, then I was sad.). Some of Prince’s biggest and best hits were with the Revolution, and this one for the movie of the same name is as big as it gets. I mean, the guitar solo, the strings, the lyrics–it’s just all too epic. But then again, so is Prince.

Which jams would you add to the list?

More on Madame Noire!

• Ask a Very Smart Brotha Live: Dealing With His Crazy Baby Mother & Can You Get Over Wack Sex?
• The Thrill is Gone: 7 TV Shows That Need To Call It Quits…Like Yesterday
• Giving You The Best That I Got: 7 Signs You Might Be Giving Too Much In Your Relationship
• Where You Been Cherie Johnson?
• Grieving Over a Girlfriend: 7 Ways to Move on After a Break-up…Between Friends
• Why I Think Natural Hair is Indeed a Political Statement
• Well, Hiya To You! Shouting Out Some Of Our Favorite Black Imports From Britain

#DemBabies are only one-year-old cuties and already they’ve seen more fabulous countries than most adults (#PassportPimpin’). I mean Roc was just in Morocco with Mariah (the place he was named after of course), and the twins celebrated their birthdays in Paris. Too bad they might not remember all of these awesome travels when they get older. But anywho, while Nick and Mariah took their bundles of joy to Italy, they took a few photos of their little ones enjoying the glamorous life. In the first pic, the twins are rolling around in a wagon. Nick’s caption was, “Ridin around and they gettin it!” In the second one, Roc is all bundled up in a bathrobe, and Nick’s hilarious caption for that one was, “Roc big pimpin in Italy!” Check out the cute-sy images below from the proud papa’s Twitter:

Source: Twitter

Source: Twitter

In Memorial Day weekend fabness, celebs were all out and about with their kids. Solange and her son, Daniel, were seen wearing fashionable flotation devices before taking a dip, Dwyane Wade, his sons Zion and Zaire and his nephew got all cheesy (for the camera of course), and Swizz Beatz spent some quality time with his kids (minus baby Egypt). Check out all the cutie goodness below:

Source: Twitter

Source: Twitter

Check out the Isabel Marant sneaker/wedge heels on his daughter, Nicole. I love it! Fashionable kids indeed…

Source: Twitter

Oh yeah, Wade recently posted this picture below of his son Zion, shouting out little man on his birthday: “Happy 5th birthday to my mini me. Zion the Lion King.” Mini me is right…

Source: Twitter

Big laughs at his face being on the cake as grown up Simba. Too cute! Happy belated birthday!

More on Madame Noire!

• Uh, Somebody Lied to You: 8 Misconceptions About Single Black Women
• Ask a Very Smart Brotha: Dating the Ex’s Friend & Waiting for His Libido
• Bet You Didn’t Know: The Secrets Behind The Making of Love Jones
• Should Meagan Good Stay Off The Pole?
• The Frazzled Day When My New Man Almost Met My Ex Man
• Loving All of Yourselves: Embracing Who You Were Then & Who You Are Now
• Saving the Straightened Strands: 6 Tips for Taking Care of Relaxed Hair