What's In It For Me?

As the weeks go by, more and more issues arise in the fashion industry. There was much a do about the recent issue of Italian Vogue dedicating one whole issue to Black beauty, a lot of people said that it emphasized racism even more by putting out the special issue. And as of late, considering that majority of the runways are seeming more whitewashed than blended quite a few people of color are beginning to take notice. It was also an issue that Diddy mentioned in his documentary If I Were King and some might even wonder, What's in it for me?

Well for those that ask that question, Colures Magazine is based in London and they happen to focus on the best trends and styles showcased for people with an ethnic background. What makes this magazine stand out from the rest is that they don't just focus on the "black issues" or the "white issues" but more as a whole they focus on the issues that effect our society as a whole.

From The Home Front: Revive Boutique

The mid-west has always been highly understated in my book. And considering I'm from Michigan, I think that we produce some of the best talent. We had the Motown Sound from Detroit, Gillian Anderson and Tim Allen, President Gerald Ford... Ohh and before she moved to the UK we gave birth to Madonna and her 4 minutes. And while Detroit Fashion Week doesn't have Zac Posen or Diane von Furstenberg we do have some of the best street and urban style around. If you're into the club scene here you will instantly know that a night out on the town in the D is most definitely a fashion show. You either do it B.I.G. or you go home.

And all of this is why I want to bring Revive to your attention. It's a nice little boutique nestled in Birmingham. They specialize in some of the best funky fresh kicks and street wear around. This store is strictly for the innovators. The store was originally founded in 2006 by business partners Aaron Cohen and Darvon Mcghee. Cohen who did a stint at FIT had once envisioned the store being an upper class boutique selling Hermes and Gucci, but later turned the store around and went in a different direction by showcasing some of his own sneakers and from there, the dream was born. Presently the shop is booming with business from youngsters in the area and people as far as Tokyo calling in orders for some of the rarest shoes and street wear around. Revive has taken the game to the next level and introduced the world how fly the midwest and Detroit can still be. With them carrying brands such as Claw Money, Premium Label, The Hundreds Married To The Mob, etc. I see Cohen setting trends for a long time to come.

**You can stay updated with whats due to come in the shop by calling or dripping by their blog.

**Photos from Revive Blog

Gossip Girl: Women On The Verge

**Image courtesy of CW Television

As we rejoin the Upper East Side we catch Dan still desperately seeking Serena and Rufus preparing for a performance at the Rolling Stones "Top Ten Forgotten Bands of the 90's" concert. We catch Georgina, or Sarah, continuously calling Serena back to back but to our surprise, our favorite blond is no where to be found. Serena isn't answering Dan's calls or anyone else's. Then we see Nate at Vanessa's job as she prepares to go help out Rufus, Dan's father, for his performance, when she blatantly ask Nate when he will ask her out on a date. Just as Nate gets ready to pop the question, he's interrupted with a phone call. Then we catch Dan outside of the Plaza hotel debating on what he should do about Serena when Georgina walks up. Shocked to see her there, Georgina quickly tells him that she has an old friend that's staying there. And in the middle of their conversation, Dan gets a phone call from Serena's phone, however, it's not here. Its the bartender calling saying that she left her phone there last night before she left with three guys and that his number was the first one on speed dial. Then a few moments later we catch Dan inside talking to Chuck asking about her where abouts because she didn't come home last night when Chuck gets a phone call from a mysterious caller. {If you keeping count, this is two mysterious calls now}.

When we catch up with everyone again, we see Nate and Chuck in what seems to be an uncomfortable elevator ride up to Blair's apartment in which her maid tells them to wait right there for Blair and that she is on her way. When Blair arrives, she tells the boys that she is going to need their help and we pan over to the elevator to see a drunken Serena on the floor of the elevator looking dazed and near death. Nate and Chuck help Blair get her out of the elevator and upstairs to get Serena cleaned up. Then we catch up with Dan who arrives at Lily's door step trying to figure out what the big secret is and where is Serena when Lily tells him that Chuck just left to go pick her up from Blair's. Then we head back over to Blair's when Dan arrives and is looking for Serena while everyone is madly trying to keep him away from her, as to protect the both of them. When Serena hears the commotion she comes down the stairs and talks to Dan, she tells him that she went out last night and had slept with someone else. Then Dan, looking devastated says that he is done and leaves. After he leaves, Blair, Chuck and Nate ask Serena did she actually cheat on him and she confesses that she didn't but she'd rather lie to him that tell him the truth. The three beg Serena to tell them what is going on.

As They all sit in Blair's living room, Serena begins to tell the story and Lily begins to feverishly look for what Serena is hiding in her bedroom. Serena begins to tell them about what she's been hiding. It all goes back to the night of a friends wedding. Serena retells the story line as it intertwines with the night that Serena and Nate slept together. Serena says, "She felt so guilty about sleeping with Nate that she immediately left and since she had to made plans to meet with Georgina, that she hurried to get there." Serena also tells that she didn't know that Georgina was videotaping her in the form of a sex tape. When Serena arrived at the hotel room, She crawled into bed and sat upset about what she had did with Nate while Georgina tried to convince her to make a move on the guy in the room. Serena just wasn't up for the task so she told the guy to do some lines of coke so that maybe she could loosen up and in the process of him doing the line, he suffered from an overdose. Serena wanted to call the police and an ambulance but Georgina told her not to. So the both of them grabbed their things and got out of the hotel. Serena said she watch from across the street to make sure everything was ok, when she saw them bring out a body bag from the hotel. And that Georgina had the whole thing on tape and this is what she has been blackmailing her with. Serena also told the bunch that this is why Georgina came back, but at first she said that she wanted to be friends and now she has befriended Vanessa and Dan and that she calls herself Sarah when she is with them.

Meanwhile, Lily had only gotten halfway through the tape before she turned it off. But we rejoin Lily at her dinner rehearsal when she informs Serena that she thought that she had changed but she would be sending her away to boarding school again. Blair shortly interjects afterward and tells Lily that Serena is in a lot of pain and harboring a big secret. Lily decides to cut out of her dinner early to help Serena. We then see Nate, Blair and Chuck still at the rehearsal dinner when Nate gets a call from Vanessa saying that she, Dan and Sarah are at the concert waiting on him. Then Nate makes the connection and fills Vanessa in as much as he can about Sarah/ Georgina's true identity. After Nate hangs up from Vanessa, he goes to tell Blair and Chuck and they all decide that they will go to the concert to confront her. Meanwhile, Vanessa has already decided confront Georgina about her lies and realizing that she was somewhat busted, she rushed off to think of another lie.

Later we rejoin Lily taking Serena to the Upper West Side to see where the boy that died grew up. Lily told her to go inside and talk to them. Serena of course, seemed undoubtedly squeamish, but Lily told her that she would be there every step of the way. Then we rejoin Blair, Nate and Chuck arriving at the concert to meet Vanessa. Blair and Chuck are wondering where Georgina and Dan are. We then see Georgina crying right outside of the auditorium where Dan finds her and he talks to her about whats going on. Georgina tells him that Sarah is a name she made up because she was dodging her psycho ex boyfriend {yea, right}. Dan sympathizes with her and she tells him that she has liked him since the day she met him and then Dan offers up an opportunity for them to leave the concert and talk more privately.

Then we rejoin Serena and her mother outside of the brownstone where Serena went to tell the boys parents about the incident. Then Serena asked her mother if it were possible if she could drop her off at the concert. When they get there she immediately goes to look for Dan so she can tell him everything. Meanwhile, Lily walks out to see if she can see Rufus performing. Later as Serena and Blair look for Dan, she gets a call from Dan's phone but its Georgina. She tells Serena that now she plans to make a move on Dan and leave the call connected so Serena can hear everything she says to him. Finally we end things with Rufus running off stage after his performance to try and catch Lily. Once catching up to her, Rufus kisses Lily and we somehow know that this is going to make next weeks season finale a must see.

Eco Friendly Nails

The use of toxic chemicals in nail products has long been the standard in the USA. Many beauty companies have built successful businesses on this unmonitored practice. The cost of using Formaldehyde, Toluene, and DBP is cheap. The cost to your health might not be. The three chemicals Fomaldehyde, Toluene and DBP can cause cancer, birth defects, respiratory problems, neurological damage, the list goes on. Now what?
butter LONDON 100% free of the chemicals listed above. Their nails product line is constantly expanding and has great colors too! When you get a chance, check them out. We think you'll like them!

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."---Ralph Waldo Emerson
Lovin Life, Truth Is

Bag Shoppin'

Here's some hot bags that are available at Browns. Not just a bag, not the Bag, but ones I definitely don't want to let get away. Who knew? Bags just come to me in my sleep, it just isn't right! Showing them to you in any other size would've been considered a felony so here they are
in a size you can appreciate.

Balenciaga
Bag with stingray clasp

Chloe
Large Maya bag

Balenciaga
Two tone bag with frame

Fendi
‘Bag de jour’ with perforated finish

There were so many others that I wanted to show you. Just go on over to Brown's and you can get an eyeful now.

"What this power is I cannot say; all I know is that it exists and it becomes available only when a man is in that state of mind in which he knows exactly what he wants and is fully determined not to quit until he finds it."---Alexander Graham Bell

Lovin Life, Truth Is

BlackBerry Bold

Yet another new BlackBerry has hit the market, this time called the BlackBerry Bold. Blackberry says they’re targeting the “business” demographic. Uhh, isn’t that who they’ve always marketed to?
The higher-end BlackBerry Bold will be “the first BlackBerry to support high-speed HSDPA cellular networks and comes with integrated GPS, Wi-Fi and a host of multimedia features,” Reuters says.
The new BlackBerry bold has integrated 2-megapixel camera, video recording, media player for music and video, BlackBerry maps, a beautiful display and overall functions much faster than old models and is aesthetically the most pleasing.
“The BlackBerry® Bold™ smartphone embodies elegant design – without sacrificing the features or functionality you expect from a premium smartphone,” BlackBerry says.
The new BlackBerry Bold will be available as of this summer for between $300-$400.
Previously, before its release, it was referred to as the RIM BlackBerry 9000.

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay awhile, make footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same."---Anonymous

Lovin Life, Truth Is

DIY Status Bags - Printable Hermes Kelly

Stop fantasizing about owning the much-worshiped Hermes Kelly bag and get one of your own! This is even better than buying it from the boutique because you actually get to customize it by choosing the pattern.
While it’s probably not exactly what you had in mind when dreaming of the status bag, this DIY tote is still officially branded by Hermes!
The print-out bags can be cut out and designed to match any outfit you have… although I don’t suggest putting anything heavier than a cheque inside. I’d also avoid any time of adverse weather, that includes mild winds and any type of rain… or humidity for that matter.
Very cool that they’re embracing the DIY movement, but I’m actually surprised they aren’t offering a contest in conjunction. That would be a really great way to engage with the brand! If Hermes offered me the chance to win a Kelly or have my design go into production, you bet I’d be busy designing for Hermes all weekend!

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."---Anonymous

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Musically Obsessed: The Ting Tings

I have a confession... I am a musichead. In fact majority of my friends have disowned me on numerous occasions due to my sporadic choices in music. But thats ok, I still love them anyway. My latest guilty pleasure starts with the latest Apple commercial featuring a woman singing over an electric funk beat. I've been known to bounce around and scream like a two year old whenever that commercial comes on. The tune is extremely catchy and by the time you walk away from the TV you'll be singing the song for the rest of the day. Plus, you get the cool after affect of quoting it to break up with someone {well if you listen to the lyrics}.

Well that wonderful commercial is featuring The Ting Tings and their hit song "Shut Up and Let Me Go." Shut up and let me go/ this hurts I tell you so/ for the last time you will kiss my lips/ now shut up and let me go/ your jeans were once so clean/ I bet you changed your wardrobe since we've met/ Now oh so easily you're over me/ gone is love/ its you that ought to be holding me/ im not containable/ this turns up/ its not sustainable I have to admit, if you happen to break up with anyone, listen to this song afterwards, its the most fun you'll have. And another fun time you will have is at one of their live concerts. Go check out the Ting Tings on myspace and listen to other songs that have been released.



**Image courtesy of myspace.com

Jeanna Bush's Complex Simplicity

As the world has seen by now, President Bush's twin daughter Jenna Bush tied the knot this weekend with Henry Hager in a highly private affair at their Cranford, Texas estate. And while the whole town is a buzz about the whole event, not really realizing they were essentially snubbed {due to the lack of any facility in the town being involved in the preparations- talk about your economic stimulus} everyone is drooling over the few pictures leaked to the media finally.

Jenna had stated that she would have a "simple and elegant... yet very structured" Oscar de la Renta gown created for the occasion, however, we know de la Renta is necessarily know for his simplicity. Everyone got their first glimpses at the decadent dress last night through Getty and Wire Images. While I love the intricate detail and beading on the organza gown, I still felt there was something missing. But considering that she would have to wear it majority of the day in the hot Texas afternoon and evening heat it works. It the perfect dress for an outdoor wedding. We wish her and Henry the best of luck.

Seen @

Plastic Surgery by Lucy and Bart {Is it just me or does this kind of look like Whitney Port, minus the face distrotion}

Super cool site where human faces morph... When you first reach the site you are greeted by a face looking back at you but as you move your cursor around, you notice the face morph from male to female or vice versa. Those two faces you see happen to be that of Lucy McRae and Bart Hess. The two artist have collaborated to create what they call "instinctual stalking of fashion, architecture, performance and the body."

"They both share a fascination with genetic manipulation and expressions of beauty. But, although their work touches upon these themes of mutation and manipulation, they insist it is not their intention to communicate this." -As quoted from ayMan

When glancing at their blog {which is where you can view the series}, you notice that in order to create their work, the team uses simple everyday items that you can find, like in Evolution, they uses uniquely sewn panty hose combined with clear balloons of different sizes to illustrate the point. Their focus creates futuristic human shapes, using low–tech prosthetic ways for human enhancement.

Grow On You 2

Exploded View

Exploded View 2

Evolution

**You can see the entire series at Lucy and Bart's Blog