From StyleBlazer

Before The Face season finale aired this week, she was known as  “Sally,” not to give away the big reveal. Well, she’s Sally no more. Gorgeous, outspoken and original, Devyn Abdullah is fashion’s newest face! The Bronx born beauty has landed a contract with Ulta Beauty, after years of hard work and hustle to both support her young daughter and achieve her dreams. Finally, it’s her moment! We met with Devyn and her supermodel coachKarolina Kurkova for a celebratory lunch at the Peninsula Hotel in NYC. She excitedly talked about the next chapter of her life, inspiring young girls, and finally set the record straight about not considering herself a black girl model, but one that every woman can see a bit of themselves in when they look in the mirror.

SB: I know recently you caught a lot of heat when you said you didn’t consider yourself a black model. Do you think that comment was taken out of context and do you want to clear it up?

Devyn: “I’ve been waiting for the moment to address this.  I can understand how someone can take it out of context, and how someone could misinterpret it. I definitely want to apologize because I didn’t want to offend anybody in any type of way.

Check out the rest of her response on StyleBlazer.com.

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?

Source: Blog.VH1

From Hello Beautiful

When the DJ that’s interviewing you calls you a “professional side piece,” it’s obvious that nothing you say will be taken seriously. Maybe that’s what “Love & Hip Hop NYC” cast member, Raqi Thunder thought when she sat down with Hot97 to discuss the latest season of Vh1′s cash cow. Raqi was being reckless with her tongue as she provided the hosts with insider information about Joe Budden’s bedsheets, his drug problem and her being the reason he’s even on the show.

Calling herself the “Hip-hop confidant,” Raqi lets is be known that she knows the ins and outs of the industry and has no problem calling anyone out, including the host, Ebro. Raqi goes on to tease about a rapper who wears a diaper, Joe Budden’s p*nis photos and even calls him her “gay bestie.”

Raqi Thunder: I didn’t get on the show by exposing the quote on quote ‘rappers…’

That you’ve had sex with…

RT: Right. Absolutely not. I kind of keep that in the cup until a major payday…just kidding. That’s not how I got on the show, but ironically, yes, every chick on the show has smashed a homie.

Check out more of her interview, including her confession that Joe Budden is sleeping on Target sheets, on HelloBeautiful.com.

About This Episode

In this episode Beauty maven and founder of Georgia by Jodie Patterson, Jodie Patterson explains her take for the 4 day work week for Moms and how organization is more important than balance.

About Jodie Patterson

Jodie owns and creative directs the beauty company Georgia By Jodie Patterson. She is a hands-on mother of  five and an “award-winning wife”. Jodie has built a brand around the philosophy Beauty Is Simple and she lives true to those words, daily. From entertainment to fashion to beauty, and throughout her career, Jodie is known to bring niche culture to the popular eye. Previously, she worked in the fashion and entertainment industries for ten years. Most notably, Jodie helped launch the acclaimed Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater and developed the internal PR department for the fashion designer Zac Posen as his Director of Public Relations. She’s worked with brands such as Nike, Teen People, Lenny Kravitz, Virgin Records, Lincoln Center and Sean John. Jodie is dedicated to helping women find their own inner and outer beauty.

The name Georgia is near and dear to Jodie’s heart. Jodie named her beauty company after her eldest daughter, Georgia.

About Karyn Parsons

Karyn Parsons is best known as the character “Hilary Banks” on the long-running television show, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Today she is a wife and mother of two. Parsons is also the Founder and President of the Sweet Blackberry foundation after being inspired by the true tale of a determined slave and the remarkable lengths he travelled to find his freedom.  While growing up, Parsons’ mother, a librarian in the Black Resource Center of a library in South Central Los Angeles, would share stories of African-American accomplishment with her daughter.  A mother and activist, Karyn created Sweet Blackberry to use the power of stories to inspire youth. Follow her on Twitter @Karyn_Parsons.

Want More Mommy In Chief? Watch these episodes:

Season 2

• Episode 1: Are You A Good Enough Mother?
• Episode 2: New Motherhood and Balancing A Busy Work Life
• Episode 3: How to Decorate an Eco-Friendly Baby Nursery
• Episode 4: Foodie, Nicole Friday on Kids and Career
• Episode 5: Melissa Beck, From Hollywood to Stay At Home Mom
• Episode 6: Single Mom in The City
• Episode 7: Mommy Mogul and Marketing Wiz Monique Jackson at Home With Her Boys
• Episode 8: Beauty Maven Jodie Patterson Talks Four-Day Work Week for Moms 
• Episode 9: Tonya Lewis Lee on Motherhood and the Importance of Women’s Health

Season 1

• Episode 1: Back 2 School
• Episode 2: Happy Halloween
• Episode 3: Socially Responsible Kids
• Episode 4: Money Talks
• Episode 5: Keeping Families Healthy
• Episode 6: Thanksgiving Madness
• Episode 7: Highlights and Best Moments
• Episode 8: Stylish Moms
• Episode 9: Best Apps for Moms
• Episode 10: Socialite Kids
• Episode 11: Hair Talk with AfroBella
• Episode 12: Happy New Year!

It’s fall! So away with the bright colors and let’s bring out all the clothing with character! That’s right, I’m talking about all things–dresses, jackets and more–that are embellished to the nines. These ladies got beaded and braided up in their ensembles this week, and the results? Well, that’s up to you and your fashion sense. Let’s proceed.

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Diddy’s girl Cas-boogie showed up for Paper Magazine’s 8th Annual Nightlife Awards in NYC wearing this leather mini-dress that definitely turned heads. The leather Balmain shirtdress was embellished with ornate beading and stitching, a high collar. The gold, black and white combination was paired with strappy gold and black heels.  The hair was in a side ponytail that was bumped in the back (and made uber cute with a bang), and she accessorized with gold bangles and a watch. I absolutely love this look! And that includes the makeup and the hair (good to see that half-shaven ish finally being covered up). It’s a laid back type of outfit in the fact that it’s a simple shirtdress, but with the leather and all the ornaments, it works for the event. Steal!

Getty

allmovie.com

Years ago, movies for, by and about black people were coming out at a rapid rate. Some of them we all know and love because they were so amazing. But then there are some movies – both good and bad – that are considered “underground hits,” or cult classics, that many of us eventually saw at home and may (or may not) want to admit you’ve seen! Check it out and feel free to add your own!

Read the rest of this entry »

Dressed to the nines for the New York premiere of The Dark Knight Rises, Zoe Kravitz was looking very dark herself in this alluring black dress. With its sheer panels and ruched material, the dress covered her lady bits and stomach in a peek-a-boo manner, while the bottom of the dress showcased a black skirt that reached over the knee. On her feet were strapped heels with a sheer toe and strap over the foot, and in her hand was a small black leather clutch. This dress brought Kravitz a great opportunity to show off her new haircut (which I don’t think I’m feeling), but the dress itself is a no-no. It could have been a winner, but in certain places, the dress comes off looking cheap. The shoes are fly, the bag is cute, and she’s in great shape, but no thanks. Stop.

Source: nationalreview.com

The government doesn’t sleep, but I’ll settle for them having a stadium full of seats. Mayor Michael Bloomberg can be the first in line. The NYC politician wants to place a ban on sodas larger than 16 ounces.  Apparently, that’s the biggest problem facing New York and not the 8.1% unemployment rate or the rampant homelessness. Bloomberg has decided that this is the cause for him to put his cape on and fly into action.

His intentions are solid. Obesity is a serious epidemic in this country. While it should be addressed, it should not be legislated to these lengths. He is an elected official, not anyone’s parent or nanny. If he really wanted to stick his nose where it didn’t belong, Bloomberg could use some of the millions if not billions at his disposal and pay off my student loans. He’d get my vote on that. Until then, I need him to get himself all the way together. How can you be against soda but support National Donut Day? I’ll wait.

Not only is this proposed law a government overreach dictating what a person can buy with their own money, but it also falls flat when you really think about it. Sure, you can ban the sale of oversized sodas and try and control portions, but I can just as easily buy two small sizes. Or three. Or four. I’ll chug on a bottle of Pepsi and cheer to the friggin’ weekend while protestors side eye me with pickets raised high in the air. In my best Rihanna voice, “No1Currr!”

Diabetes, obesity and other health related dangers that high sugar intake can cause is very real. It shouldn’t be taken lightly. However, Big Brother needs to fall back on trying to limit choices just because they wouldn’t make the same ones. Bloomberg is not going to get a medal or ticker tape parade for attempting to mandate good health practices. He’ll likely have a riot. The government can’t even balance the federal budget and put suffering Americans back to work, yet they want to occupy vending machines and fast food joints? Are cupcakes, pretzels and candy next on the most wanted list?  I’ve got a birth certificate that says I’m old enough to decide for myself what I want to drink and at what size I want to drink it. I’m not the only grown person insulted by the government’s interference as to what I’m supposed to be quenching my thirst with.

While he might have good intentions, don’t fool yourselves into thinking that these good measures won’t pave the way for more laws for the “common good.” Some women choose to put that creamy crack into their hair every 4 to 6 weeks. I do. I’m too lazy to find another way to get my hair layed quick, so does that mean folks might decide that the chemicals in perms might mess me up and will determine how I use one? Uncle Sam might even decide next to ban tampons because it might lead to toxic shock syndrome. Think all that sounds ridiculous? So is putting the blame on soda for obesity and trying to place a Band-Aid on an issue that will not solve the problem.

I love my neighbors and I want what’s best for them. I want every person to be healthy, but it just can’t be done by force. It needs to be of a person’s free will to lead a healthy lifestyle. So until then, please pass the Pepsi.

You won’t be able to get a super-sized soda but you can buy Newports by the carton?! Where they do that at? Oh, that’s right. They want to start in New York.

Follow Stephanie Guerilus @qsteph

More on Madame Noire!

• What’s Black Enough For You?
• Grieving Over a Girlfriend: 7 Ways to Move on After a Break-up…Between Friends
• Bet You Didn’t Know: Secrets Behind the Making of “Poetic Justice”
• Am I The Problem? Finding Accountability Within
• Don’t Look Back: Are You Spending Too Much Time Obsessing Over Your Past?
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• What About Ciara? Knicks Star Amar’e Stoudemire Proposes To Mother of His Children

If blue wasn’t already your favorite color, these celebrities rocking the bright yet subdued shade might help you change your mind on that shade of pink you were thinking about. Let’s take a look at three of our favorite celebrities wearing some blueberry, sky and baby blue joints all over the country this week to determine who should feel good and who really should feel blue about their style choices.

Oh, Jessica White. She’s such a pretty woman, but I don’t know what it is about her fashion choices that just always throws me off. The spokesmodel wore this extravagant blue gown to the Dream Big! The Jacob’s Cure gala in NYC on Wednesday. While the leggy model is rocking the gown well, we’re not sure we like the gown at all. The strapless dress was doing an ombre design all over with beading covering it. And if that wasn’t interesting enough, she had a split that literally came up to her ladybits. The nude peep toe pumps, some studded earrings and a few rings were her only accessories, and she did a bright red lip and pulled back hair to tie everything together. I don’t know what it is, but this dress just comes off sort of cheap looking to me (why a black zipper when nothing else is black on the dress?). And maybe it’s even the weird tiered sash at her waist. Body wise, she looks great, but I can’t do this look. Sorry, girl. Stop.

Oh, the hilarity of it all. Yeezy has officially been made into a Stepford husband Kardashian. During the opening of Scott Disick’s (Kourtney’s man) new Japanese-themed restaurant, RYU, in NYC, the gang was there flashing their brightened smiles and smirks and holding on to their arm candy (Note: that is Kim’s friend Jonathan Cheban next to Kris, not Bruce…). And while they are all relishing in the flashing lights and filming one of their many reality shows at the same time, check out Yeezy in the middle looking really lost. Or less than enthused might be a better way to look at it. He could be thinking, “What the hell did I get myself into?” He could also be thinking, “Must look hard in the midst of all these happy mutha*****s!”  Or, he also could be thinking, “Yes, this is cray indeed.” You’re right imaginary Kanye thought, it is cray. No matter what he’s thinking, who really thought they’d see the day where the Louis Vuitton Don would be keeping up with the Kardashians?

It’s only the beginning of their “relationship,” but if Yeezy plans on being Kim’s arm candy, he better be ready to have the cameras in his face like never, ever before. And granted, he’s probably used to the flash bulbs following, as they did with his previous girlfriends, but when you have a boo that survives off of running fake errands to run into the paps, things are bound to get more intense. But hey, this is what he gets for messing with the media’s biggest attention hound. Love and like what you want, but this union still just has a funny smell to it. As they raise their glasses in the photo, here’s to hoping it’s a huge publicity stunt. Otherwise…*Kanye shrug*

Photo courtesy of theybf.com.

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