Essence Magazine Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon

On Wednesday, February 22, 2012- Essence Magazine held its 5th annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon! Something that's not spoken of too often, but has a BEYOND great purpose!  

"This annual event celebrates the brightest stars who, through their work, have helped illuminate positive images of Black women worldwide."

-Essence

This years honorees were actress Kerry Washington, Paula Patton, Oscar winner, Octavia Spencer, the MAJOR iconic actress, Pam Grier, and "Grey's Anatomy" executive producer, Shonda Rhimes.



Some pics of the 'black carpet':



Kerry Washington




Paula Patton



Kelly Rowland

Jordin Sparks

Nicole Ari Parker

 Read more: http://www.essence.com/2012/02/23/essence-black-women-in-hollywood-2012-luncheon/#ixzz1nhTFdbMZ

Good Deeds

Tyler Perry has done it again! Not only released another film, but dominating the box office during opening weekend! Earning a whooping $16,000,000 [16 million]! Bringing him in second place for the weekend! Despite all the hate mail, etc he received for his casting selections for another film, he still came out on top!

Needless to say, this man is doing his thing and deserves every bit of what he's getting!!

Check out the trailer and don't forget to check out the movie too!!!!

And the OSCAR Goes too ...

Major CONGRATS to ALL of the recipients of this years Academy Awards, popularly known as 'The Oscars' that premiered this past Sunday, February 26th!!!!

Particularly proud of  music mogul turned business mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs! How MAJOR is this?! "Undefeated" a football documentary won the Oscar for the "Best Documentary" category! While I can't neglect giving credit to the official director, who is the FIRST BLACK DIRECTOR to win an Oscar award- T.J. Miller [standing to the right of him in the picture!] ... Diddy was the Executive Producer of this film!

For my list of fave red carpet looks, click the "Fashionista Guide" tab!!

ALSO! For the list of all Academy Award recipients, check out http://oscar.go.com/

Fashion Trend: Color Block

After last year, there is a clear consensus on the color blocking fad and why it had such an impact on fashion at that time! Pretty much because its AWESOME! It presents a sense of individuality without going too, TOO overboard [for some!]!

Now designers are taking a more realistic, everyday approach, so that the every day person can wear this trend, and still maintain a sense of simplicity! Dare I say- I LOVE IT!




Maxi dress by Milly

 



Nanette Lepore 'Career Dress'

 

Tory Burch Tunic [HOT!!]




BCBG ... BEYONDDD!!

Check out the "Fashionista Guide" for more trends, pics, and faves! 



Grammy's 2012

I only saw a portion of the Grammy Awards 2012! I did hear that my girl Adele racked up!! Search my past posts for my info on her! I LOVE HER!

Click HERE for a complete list of nominees and recipients of this years awards!!!

Also, check the "Fashionista Guide" tab for my favorites/ best dressed!!

Once More RIP QUEEN Whitney Houston

... I just can't say it enough! We ALL are affected by this. Men and women alike and abroad. Whitney Houston will never, EVER be forgotten. RIP MS. HOUSTON.

Whitney Facts

1. In 2009, Guinness named her as the most- awarded female act of ALL TIME!
2. Awards:
    - 6 Grammy's
    - 30 Billboard Music Awards
    - 2 Emmy's [MAJOR!!]
    - 22 AMA's
3. Aretha Franklin is her Godmother! MAJOR!!
4. ONLY artist to have 7 number one consecutive hits!
5. Behind ONLY Elton John, as the only female artist EVER to have 2 number one Billboard- 200 awards.
6. First acting role was "The Bodyguard," in which the soundtrack won the 1994 Grammy of The Year.
7. The lead single from The BodyGuard, "I Will Always Love You" became the best selling single by a female artist! ... Did you know that this was a Dolly Parton remake from 1974?!
    - This SINGLE [not album, but single (this is beyond major)!!!!] was certified 4x platinum!
8. That album makes her the only female act in the top 10 list of best selling albums of all time! 
9. After singing the Nation Anthem at Superbowl XXV, her version was released as a commercial single due to the high demand! [How MAJOR is this?!] ... It's also ranked number 1 on the 25 most memorable moments in NFL history!
10. The Waiting to Exhale Soundtrack, which Babyface originally wanted Whitney to record the entire album on her own, but Whitney declined, wanting to share with other African American females who were talented, spawned her next chart topping single from a soundtrack! " Exhale (Shoop, Shoop)"

The Superbowl Performance of Whitney singing the National Anthem:

RIP QUEEN Whitney Elizabeth Houston

While this still hasn't set in with me, I know it's ONLY right to pay HOMAGE to the true QUEEN, Whitney Houston. Where does one begin to explain the LOVE and ADMIRATION they have for such a vocal LEGEND! I think across the world, the majority of us feel like Whitney was a member of our family. And that's how you know when they've done their job as an artist. When you feel a connection farther than their music, to the point where you feel connected to them personally.

When I found out Ms. Houston passed, I thought it was a rumor. The confirmation was when all the radio stations started playing her songs, back to back. Me and one of my best friends held hands and sung together. This moment will forever be remembered, as well as her legacy. This will live on without me even saying.

Before these artists of today, Whitney HAILED as the sole Queen of her era. The 1980's music industry belonged to her. And why wouldn't it? Her talent is so indescribably remarkable. I mean TALENT. Her records have NOTHING on her live! Which is crazy because for most artists these days, its just the opposite. We all have our favorite Whitney songs, my top three are [1.] The Greatest Love Of All [2.] How Will I Know [3.] Run To You

[1.] My takeaway from The Greatest Love Of All has been something that I have truly learned and valued forever. I loved this quote so much, that I actually wanted this as a tattoo! "Learning to love yourself, is the greatest love of all!" This is soooooo true. When you truly love yourself, accept yourself for all your victories and flaws, it is the BEST self gratification ever!
[2.] This was my anthem when I first started falling for my boyfriend and was scared! You know as us girls, or any of us for that matter! We want to know that the person we're falling for, is falling for us before we fall!
[3.] There is no deep meaning behind this song- she just KILLS vocally!!!!!!

Check out some of my other favorites:

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

I Have Nothing

I Will Always Love You



... More Madonna!

Okay! I was on Madonna SO hard after that performance that I really researched her like it was for a school report!


Check out my fun fact sheet!


1. Dropped out of college and came to NYC with only $35.00 in her pocket!
2. Her very FIRST single, "Everybody" became a dance sensation!!
3. Her second studio album became her first number one album on the Billboard 200! The title track, "Like A Virgin" topped the charts at number one for six consecutive weeks [despite organizations and groups fighting against it!]!!!

4. Third album "True Blue" produced three number one singles on Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in OVER 28 countries!!!! MAJORRRR!!

5. In 2010, named of the the "25 Most Powerful Women of the Past Century" ONLY two singers included! Her and Aretha Franklin!!
6. She was inducted on her first year of eligibility to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008!

7. Has an animal named after her! How major is that?! There was a new species water bear discovered in 2006, which was named  "Echiniscus madonnae" ... Is this sick or what?!

8. She is the WORLD'S top-selling female recording artist AND most successful recording artists of all time! Selling more than 300 million copies worldwide!! WHEWWWW!! GO MADONNA!

9. Her Sticky & Sweet Tour REMAINS the highest grossing tour of ALL TIME by a solo artist!
10. Lastly! In 2007, Madonna signed a deal with Live Nation worth 120 million dollars!!!! That is BEYOND!!!!

MADONNA!!!!

I have been in Madonna OVERLOAD since her Superbowl halftime performance! This performance was INSANE!!! LOVED IT!

If you missed it- where were you?! When I first found out Madonna would be performing, I thought "why??" but now I see! Her voice is AMAZEEEEE!!! So soft, yet powerful! Definitely angelic is the best word to describe it!

Growing up, I knew Madonna for being a sex kitten and for singing "Material Girl" ... I had NO clue of her success of her other songs until I got older, but still I had no extreme interest (like that of Bey!) of her music! All that has changed for me!

All morning I have been looking at her YouTube vid's! Literally going crazy! Where have I been!? I feel like I have been missing out!

Check it out!

Here is my next favorite song for right now! "Like A Prayer" ... and peep Leon!