It's An Epidemic

Come on now, we have all thought it about at least one person in our lives. Personally, Diddy could not have said or sold it any better. I only wish that I would have made the t-shirts about ten years ago when I really used that word a lot. {got @#$% it} He's currently selling his new media hype on his Sean John website and in his store and the officially trademarked term shirt retails for about $30. The term came from an episode of Making The Band 4 in which Diddy harshly criticizes one of his proteges named Robert. You can view the episode at MTV.com on Overdrive or below:

WTF!?!? Of The Day: Vogue, When Fashion Meets Race Debate

I know all of you fashionista's are clenching tight to your new April issue of Vogue, but there is much a-do about the coveted magazine. Vogue's April issue is the annual "Shape" issue, in which it covers all different body types and how to accentuate what you have. But there are a lot of people who don't feel that having LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen featured on the cover in the manner that they are a good thing. In fact some people even feel that the cover pose {him baring his teeth in a grimace while clinching her waist} is somewhat c'est raciste. Nevermind the fact that James is one of three men {FIRST black male} to ever grace the cover of the magazine in it's 115 year history. Yet, still the infamous cover was discussed on Good Morning America, ABC's morning talk show "The View," AOL's Black Voices blog Casually Obsessed and ESPN.com columnist Jemele Hill has expresses her deepest outrage {pure horsepuckey} about the recent cover of Vogue in her article on the ESPN website.

"Now, maybe the point was to show the contrast between brawn and beauty, masculinity versus femininity, strength versus grace," Hill lamented. "But Vogue's quest to highlight the differences between superstar athletes and supermodels only successfully reinforces the animalistic stereotypes frequently associated with black athletes. A black athlete being reduced to a savage is, sadly, nothing new. But this cover gave you the double-bonus of having LeBron and Gisele strike poses that others in the blogosphere have noted draw a striking resemblance to the racially charged image of King Kong enveloping his very fair-skinned lady love interest."

Annie Leibovitz is no stranger to taking thought evoking, radical pictures. However, I don't feel that to associate King Kong with LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen with Fay Wray was the comparison that she was going for. Everyone should take a moment to take a step back and realize that the cover is meant to celebrate various body types and shapes, not racism at America's core. My prescription: Everyone, {especially those that have taken this negatively} Get a reality check.

Emilio Pucci

Emilio Pucci has created a unique roll-on application Pucci Vivara eau de parfum. Known for his eye-catching collections in patterns of every color (stylishly) imaginable, Emilio Pucci was known in the fashion industry as the "Prince of Prints." Launched in 1966, the original Vivara became an instant sensation. It was inspired by Pucci's Vivara Print, which appeared on clothing and accessories during the height of his career in the 60's. Since then it has been updated with a modern interpretation. In 2007, celebrating the brand's 60th year anniversary, the house of Pucci commemorated the landmark occasion by reviving an old favorite, Vivara. Named after an island near Capri, Vivara is an ode to the Mediterranean, a world that embodies both natural charm and sophisticated glamour. It is interesting to note that it was the streamlined ski suit that made Emilio Pucci famous. This Emilo Pucci fragrance rolls on to your skin to leave a noticeably sweet aroma on your body. It’s the ideal travel fragrance. You shouldn't have to worry about carrying it in your handbag either. The roll-on scent is ideal for those in-between touch ups when you don’t want to infest the air around you with your sweet floral signature scent. The designer tube alone wows with its recognizable Pucci Pattern in gorgeous pastel hues perfect for Spring, 2008. Vivara Eau de Parfum, Body Mousse, and Perfumed Body Cream are available at Nordstrom, Sephora, Saks Fifth Avenue and other fine stores. And if you want to get into the Vivara spirit all the way these Vivara sunglasses are available (in different colors) at Nordstrom.

"It is noble to be good; it is still nobler to teach others to be good-and less trouble."---Mark Twain

Lovin Life, truthis

Cargo Pants

Every year it seems as though a lot of the design houses do their version of the "Cargo Pant" specifically for their spring collections. Since I could use a pair or two this year I decided to see what's out there. Just "Cargo Pants" right? It can't be that many different versions of them?---Can it? Giacomo "Gimmo" Etro's version of the cargo pant (pictured left) is sort of dressed down. It has a black jacket with red trim and a flowered shirt. Am I missing something here? I would have like to seen them paired with the jacket (pictured below) by Etro. Then the flowered top trimmed in black under the jacket. It works for me. I like their choice of sandal too. A note, Etro started his textile house in 1968, producing superb fabrics in intricate prints borrowed from the world's palates. After making a splash with its paisley-printed clothing in the 80's, the company expanded into full-on designer ready-to-wear in the 90's. Etro now covers sectors from home furnishings to fragrance and accessories. Kean Etro handles menswear. His sister, Veronica, designs the women's collection. Their floral prints are beautiful. The "Etro's" did cargo's right, we'll just have to keep an eye on them for future pieces.

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." . . . You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
-Eleanor Roosevelt

Lovin Life, truthis