Whitney Houston

I'm so glad the home going service for Whitney Houston yesterday truly was just about her. Thank you so much to her mother, Cissy, who still selflessly shared Whitney Houston with the fans. It is good closure for fans like me that were still in a state of shock. When I heard the news that Whitney Houston had passed away on that very Saturday I didn't really believe it. Then I started to see it on trustworthy news websites. Today was her burial. Until this point, I couldn't bring myself to do a post about her on the blog. Quite honestly, this is the first passing of an Icon that feels like losing a family member for me. On quite a few occasions her music has hit home through my rough patches. I'm so glad she is a firm believer in the Lord and that always came across no matter what crazy things people want to be a hypocrite about. My prayers are with her mother and daughter. Bobbi-Kristina is just a year older than my sister (we're seven years apart). Imagine losing your mom at that age.. and to us a superstar, but Whitney Houston was also human. Matthew 24:42

Everyone falls in love sometime

Sometimes it's wrong

And sometimes it's right

For every win

Someone must fail

But there comes a point when

When we exhale (yeah, yeah, say)

[Chorus:]

Shoop, Shoop, Shoop

Shoo Be Doop Shoop Shoop (yeah)

Shoo Be Doop Shoop Shoop

(All you got to say is shoo be doop)

Shoo Be Doop Shoop Shoop

Shoo Be Doop Shoop Shoop (Shoo be doop)

Shoo Be Doop Shoop Shoop

Shoo Be Doop Shoop Shoop

Shoo Be Doo

Sometimes you'll laugh

Sometimes you'll cry

Life never tells us

The when's or why's

When you've got friends to wish you well

You'll find a point when

You will exhale (yeah, yeah, say)

[Chorus]

Hearts are often broken

When there are words unspoken

In your soul there's

Answers to your prayers

If you're searching for

A place you know

A familiar face

Somewhere to go

You should look inside yourself

You're halfway there

[Repeat Verse 2]

[Chorus]

Upgraded: School Lunches

Has anyone else noticed through the year changes made in the kids cafeteria food? The other day my sister said they've stopped having pizza day at school a year ago and now they've stopped serving cheese fries. Even 2% milk will no longer be an option. We can thank First Lady Michelle Obama for making the biggest changes to school food criteria with the USDA in fifteen years! Through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, kids won't have any other choice but to eat healthy. Of course, healthy eating has to take place at home too. Kids can still bring their own unhealthy lunches to school.



Click here to view full menu PDF.



Hair Trend: A Fishtail Braid

Rihanna rocking her red fishtail!

For a fun versatile hairstyle try the fishtail braid! It can transform chic to boho to flirty and whimsical.

Items that will help you achieve the look:

1. Bobby pins.
2. Elastic band.
3. Texturizing styling cream or wax, like a pomade.
4. Clip-in hair pieces or weave, if a thicker fishtail is desired.

It has an intricate look, but it is simple to create!

Here's how-to:

Phase 1: Divide

Gather all of your hair to one side. Rub in some pomade down the length of your hair to give it some grip. Divide the tail into two sections, keeping them seperate while braiding.

Phase 2: Cross

Take a small section from the outside of one half and cross it over the front to the other side, adding it to the other half. The smaller the piece, the more intricate your braid will look. Repeat on the other side with a same size section of hair.

Phase 3: Repeat

Continue down the length of your hair all the way to the ends. Secure it with an elastic; leave some hair out framing the face.

Need the steps repeated, because you're probably like, "huh?", right now?

1. Pull hair back into a tight ponytail.
2. Separate the ponytail into two strands.
3. Once you have separated the pony, start out by holding the two strands in your left hand.
4. Now, take a thin piece from the outside of the right strand and join it with the left strand. 
5. With your left hand take a thin piece from the outside of the left strand and join it with the right strand
6. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you get the desired look. Then finish with an elastic or rubber band.

Angela Simmons fishtail braid
is two-toned with highlights!

Celeb Mommy I Dig Right Now

http://officialkourtneyk.celebuzz.com/

Reasons to love Kourtney Kardashian:

• I love the fact that she is a real mom. On every episode of her television show she's right there with her son Mason. She is obviously very involved in the well-being of her son.
• Whoa! She literally pulled out her own baby during his birth, so bad ass!
• She strives to be healthy with excercise, eating healthy, not smoking, and positive attitude.
• She's into the holistic lifestyle this season on her show, even if at times it's to the extreme. You wouldn't see me getting an olive oil enema! LOL Hey, to each their own, right?
• She is informed about things that not every celeb mom would be aware of, like, she actually prefers that her son toys be made of natural wood instead of potentially toxic plastic.
• She attempted extreme couponing even though she's rich, which was a hoot to watch on the show!
• She doesn't let photographers get out of control around her kid. Hence, every picture I've seen of them together is from afar.
• She doesn't stand for any B.S. If something bothers her, then she's able to say it with class!
• She's a smart business woman.
• She has a fabulous sense of fashion (preppy, boho, glam, chic, and sometimes retro) and doesn't slack off with the fashion of her son Mason either.
• She has fabulous shiny hair.

Make no mistakes though, that I am in any way looking at celebs as role models to emulate for my own household. You should be your child's own role model. It is just refreshing to know that some people out there take their role as a parent seriously.



http://officialkourtneyk.celebuzz.com/



What's Up Zooey Deschanel?

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

I love Zooey Deschanel's fashion sense and she definitely did not disappoint fans with that. I also love her as an singer, but I think she could have sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" alot better. Eventhough, it was still kinda in her same singing style. It was a little too simple and sweet for me. Where's the dash of sparkle? This is the World Series. At least she got the words to the song correct. And what was up with her leaving game 4 so early? Guess she and the whole cast of her new show, "New Girl" had better things to do. Famous St. Louis native, sports announcer Joe Buck, had just got done commending the cast during the game for not leaving like most celebrities. Then after that they left in the 6th inning. Joe Buck jokingly said, "Maybe they're just out getting a snack... all of 'em at once." There's still love for her. Guys drool over her, and I want to be her friend so that I can share her glam squad!

Shark In The Water

Vanessa Brown (born October 24, 1983) is another great artist from the UK!

For some reason when I listen to VV Brown's album, "Travelling Like The Light" it makes me think of people enjoying a nice cold bottle of coke vintage style with singing, dancing, and all smiles! Perhaps, it's because Ms. VV Brown has as much pop and bang as a bottle of shaken soda pop! She even has a song called "Bottles" on the album.  

I've had this debut CD ever since July 2010 so yeah it's been a minute. Hey, now that I have my own blog I can type about anything I want, so I'm finally doing it. The album also has its fair share of slow songs too.

Here's a slow goody:

I L.O.V.E this song along with all the others:

Her first single was "Shark In The Water" and with that forward roll for a bang it sure is reminiscent to a hammerhead shark! Just saying the only person it looks great on is VV Brown and all the vintage women before her that knew what they were doing. She totally had a few people (including me) trying to recreate her hairstyle by putting a roller in the front of their head. LOL

How-to:

I would so raid her closet, she's such a doll! <3

I Absolutely Love This Look

I love when Rihanna diggs into her retroflirt nature.



Red hair, of course! Ray-Bans, mid-drift sweater,
linen shorts, dressed up w/nude stilettos



This look is from a while back (when she was just getting into this style) and I'm still in love with it. The location: Paris, outside of hotel. I just love the well put together but effortlessly chic look that almost everyone can achieve. For the fall season I would pair some thick wool leggings or stockings with a nice design and a nice blazer with this outfit. Top it off with a fedora hat or even one of those straw fedora hats.

Your best bet is to try shop: http://www.asos.com/

And for men try: http://www.bonobos.com/

For hats try: zappos

My Infatuation For...

Ms. Solange Knowles

She is soo talented as I've said before.

Eccletic and eccentric is always a plus for me.

Being beautiful no matter what hairstyle.

  

I've always loved her album Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams. It is a classic for me with that retro soulful sound. Everyone can relate to every song with it's deep thoughtful lyrics. Every lyric to every song sure hits home for me. To pick just one favorite song is impossible!

Solange's video for song T.O.N.Y.

   



I can relate to her having a child while still being young herself.


I even enjoyed seeing her in an episode of my kid favorite show Yo GABBA GABBA!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCiywlKzzSM

Definition of Fun, Fearless, Female



"Bettieoncé"

I loved Beyoncé's look of last year, but hey, who didn't?!


The hair trend for African Americans
is more of blonde bombshell,
 I give her Bettie Page bangs a 10.



I especially love the "Why Don't You Love Me"
video, which was quietly released.

No surprise that this song was written by her sister Solange Knowles. She is very talented and more indie retro. I think I'm even more so a fan of Solange than Beyonce!

Refinery29.com does an AWESOME job of breaking down the looks in the video:

www.refinery29.com/were-inspired-by-beyoncs-new-video

The video:

Queen Of Pinups

Of course, you can't talk about pinups without mentioning the classic "Queen of pinups", Ms. Bettie Mae Page! (April 22, 1923 - December 11, 2008)

Her life is full of change, intrigue, and mystery. Even though I'm not into the S&M side her, there's still no denying her success in pinup beauty. The pattern for most of the ladies on my Iconic Ladies list seems to be pursuing her type of beauty: bangs, black hair, blue eyes, classic red lips, and curves. 

I think it is interesting that she came from humble (and tragic as far as her father goes) beginnings and did risky things in her life and still made her name known. She also converted to being a born-again Christian in 1959, which ultimately was the reason for her ending her career. Just goes to show you can't judge people!

I really wish people were remembered for the good they did or tried to do.

One Of My Lady Icons (Of Modern Time)

Lady Icon : Rose McGowan

I LOVE her! She can go anywhere from girl next door, retro sweet heart, old Hollywood glam, rebel, to full blown vixen. Not mention (yet, I'm mentioning) her numerous hair colors/styles. Of course, like mostly everyone else, I think dark hair on her is her best look.