MILEY CYRUS' INDELIBLE STYLE - ALL TWERKING ASIDE

All twerking and "what's causing Miley's fatique" rumors aside, the woman has definitely come into her own with a style that deserves recognition. With subtle undertones of the Tokyo harajuki girl, Miley has stepped out with a physical flair that is undeniably original. I've posted a few recent photographs pulled from her Instagram. I am proud of her for being fearless in her self expression and continuing on despite some negative nods. I'm sure someone will soon capitalize on her niche look and create a Miley doll that captures this time period. Rock on.

PHARRELL WILLIAMS - Come Get It Bae

Pharrell Williams has been on fire with 2014 hits. We all fell in love with the infectious "Happy" from the Despicable Me 2 soundrack followed by his single "Brand New" featuring Justin Timberlake and now this smash with Miley Cyrus. I had to post the video because it's a feel good song with feel good visuals. I'm going to have a separate post about Miley. Say what you want about her twerking, the woman has definitely adopted her own style.

"DJANGO UNCHAINED" - The Movie, The Dolls, The Controversy

SPOILER ALERT - I TOTALLY GIVE AWAY THE STORY IN THE BELOW BLOG

THE FILM - There has been so much controversy over the Quentin Tarantino film, "Django Unchained!" Surprisingly, majority, if not all, of the ever increasing stir-up is coming from the black community. "Django Unchained" is a Western style flick portraying a newly freed slave Django (Jamie Foxx) who becomes a bounty hunter and basically goes on a legal killing spree of white criminals while searching for his wife who was recently sold to an unknown plantation. I am a huge Quentin Tarantino fan but I did not know Django Unchained was his work. I begrudgingly went to see the film with a group of friends but I entered the theater with the same misconceptions many other blacks have which is: this is a movie about slavery and I have no interest in watching some film person's interpretation of it. I had no idea what I was in for. My liking for the movie was immediate and intense. I soon recognized the classic Tarantino style of the film and after confirming with my friend that he wrote/directed it I knew the man was a genius with balls as big as Texas. Not only does the movie contain all the violent, over the top, pulpy gore that we expect from Tarantino but he offers the black community some retribution for the oppression our ancestors endured by offering this great piece of cinematic art where revenge and vindication are had.

THE CONTROVERSY - I just don't understand it. Spike Lee is adamantly opposed to this "slave" movie, however, he refuses to watch it. What bugs me is that Spike he has a legion of followers who are standing behind his ignorant viewpoint knowing his opinion is not based on any facts but simply whatever his imagination is conjuring up. Spike is known for creating controversy where none exists but at least watch the film first. As much as blacks preach about hating ignorance this pretty much takes the cake for me because his voice is loud and inappropriate. Who I do applaud is Louis Farrakhan for having the decency to watch "Django Unchained" before offering his assessment which was quite fair and accurate. Needless to say, he enjoyed the film. It's one thing for the black community to protest obvious discrimination, hatred, belittlement, etc. but to protest a film with a black protagonist/hero who can ride up to plantations, behave like an asshole then shoot every white person in the place isn't exactly a slight against our ancestors' experience. As a matter of fact, it's not our experience at all! What's more is that many blacks are forgetting that this is a fictional film directed by a man who has a library of similar work (let us not forget Inglourious Basterds). Many are dissecting this film as if it's supposed to be some kind of accurate historical depiction of slavery. Wrong! What's worse is that those doing the over-analyzation haven't watched the film! They simply heard the word "slavery" and "nigger" and went on a ballistic tyrade. Was the word "nigger" used alot? Yes, but you tell me what you think slaves were referred to? Mr. and Ms.? They were property. And to be honest Quentin's overkill and satire made the film extremely funny. And please, don't research mandingo fighting. Quentin read about it in a book and liked it so he incorporated it into his movie.

THE DOLLS - OMG. Wendy Williams talked about them with disgust on her show. Reverend Al Sharpton is boycotting their sale. Friends have facebooked about how indecent it is. So, let's clear the air. Quentin Tarantino makes COLLECTIBLE dolls of characters from ALL his films. The "Django Unchained" dolls are not some novel idea that was birthed with this particular film. They are also not slave dolls. Django was a freeman turned bounty hunter. His wife became free in the movie. By the end of the film both Django and his freed wife ride off in the night amidst a backdrop of a burning plantation then the credits roll. Aside from the Uncle Tom house nigger played by Samuel L. Jackson, there are no slave dolls. And Samuel was excellent in his role, btw. Wendy and others have compared the atrocity of the dolls to Schindler's List dolls had they existed. Please people, get the sand out your panties and walk straight. There is no comparison. If you'd simply shut up and watch the film you'd know that. If you'd simply research Tarantino and his marketing strategies for all his films you'd know that. I was an acquaintance for several years of Leapold Pfefferburg (may he rest in peace) who was a Jewish holocaust survivor and narrated the story of Schindler to the author of the book. Schindler's List was his true life story. I am offended that ANY black person would compare a fictional work of pulp art to his story. I am a 33 year old black woman and am proud of my heritage but the fact that my community can take something like "Django Unchained" and reject it only reinforces why we as a people can never thrive or get ahead.

Facebook Finds - I Love This Swimsuit

Nevermind that the model is not in hair and make-up. The one-piece swimsuit is great! The designer is Los Angeles based Maia Gysens.

ARGO The Movie is GREAT. Go See It!

I'm always eager to watch a movie based on a true story or history of events. Argo did not disappoint me in depicting a great piece of recent American history that I had very little knowledge of. I was born in 1979 so I was not really familiar with the Iran hostage situation aside from the little bit about it in passing. I thought the topic was very relatable and appropriate considering the current events in the world today. Ben Affleck did a remarkable job playing a CIA agent and also deserves kudos for directing this Oscar worthy piece of work. He really paid attention to detail in this film from the style in which the movie was shot to the set and costume design. This is the type of movie I can see high school history teachers playing to their students. I hope this movie gets an Oscar nomination. See movie synopsis below:




Based on real events, the dramatic thriller “Argo” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis, focusing on the little-known role that the CIA and Hollywood played—information that was not declassified until many years after the event.

On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, the Canadian and American governments ask the CIA to intervene. The CIA turns to their top “exfiltration” specialist, Tony Mendez, to come up with a plan to get the six Americans safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

Celebrity Halloween Costumes

Do you know who you want to be for Halloween? Below are some ideas based on this year's most talked about celebrities, reality stars and public figures.

KIM KARDASHIAN AND KANYE WEST -

Just when we think Kim and Kanye are being low key about their relationship Kanye does something brilliant like gets into fights with paparazzi in Miami and breaks cameras. Way to protect your woman against questions about her ex Reggie. No lie, every gal wants a man who will get violent over her. It might have been a bit excessive but the estrogen running through me loves it!

BARACK OBAMA AND MITT ROMNEY -

I think the same friends who dressed up as Tiger Woods and caddie Steve Williams would enjoy being President Barack Obama and candidate Mitt Romney.

PREGNANT SNOOKI -

Snooki has been one of the more popular Halloween costumes for the past few years and why should it end. Now that she's pregnant it's a great way to modify and update the costume.

THE AMISH -

The Amish are so popular right now. There have been a couple of reality shows focused on this group of people and whether or not the shows are "staged" they are interesting and add some originality to reality tv.

COURTNEY STODDEN AND DOUG HUTCHISON - 

Yeeaahhhhh.......this couple. They got some attention when they first got married for Courtney being underage and Doug being like 50 then it sort of quieted down despite Courtney's outrageous, sexually charged outfits and photos that demand attention. This should be fun.

MARIAH CAREY AND NICKI MINAJ -

Nicki Minaj is always a fun custome on her own but it's doubly fun now that there's controvery between she and Mariah Carey. Although Mariah's dress is less outrageous than the harajuku style of Nicki, her diva personality will give you much character to work with.

KIRSTIE ALLEY WITH OR WITHOUT DANCE PARTNER -

For DWTS fans, Kirstie Alley is definitely a favorite star contestant. This costume allows you to get dolled up and I'm sure men at whatever Halloween party you attend will want to spin you around all night and practice their awkward salsa moves. Fun times :-)

ADELE -

This phenomenal British singer has been on fire for awhile now and she's got great style. Getting prim and glammed up with a slight 60's flair wouldn't be a bad costume choice.



Jessica Simpson Baby Photo - So What Maxwell's In A Bikini!!!

Okay, I am soooooo late to this story but I was actually online looking up baby bikinis (I'm an expectant mother of a little girl) and I ran across this article http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/13/jessica-simpson-baby-picture-bikini-photo-katie-couric_n_1880611.html?show_comment_id=196161788#comment_196161788 which really disturbed me.

Last month, Jessica Simpson appeared on Katie Couric's talkshow "Katie" and while discussing motherhood the show posted a photo of Jessica's 4 month old daughter Maxwell wearing an adorable mustard yellow crocheted bikini.

Apparently there are critics out there (primarily in Britain) who find a cute, chubby baby in a bikini inappropriate and thinks it sends the wrong message e.g .message being sexualization of a baby. Okay. Seriously????? Give me a break. IT'S A BABY!!!!

Below are excerps from the original Huffington Post article. I attached a link to the full story in my opening sentence:

"It is very disturbing to see a young baby presented to the world wearing a bikini," Claude Knights, director of the child welfare charity Kidscape, told the Daily Mail, according to Us Weekly. "Celebrity choices carry great influence, as can be seen by the manner in which their accessories and manners are copied widely."
Knights added, "It is hoped that parents will understand that 'baby bikinis' are totally inappropriate and that they contribute to the sexualization and commercialization of childhood. We should not be compromising the sanctity of our children's early years."

Daily Mail writer Tanith Carey wrote a full article criticizing Simpson's decision to show the photo her baby in a bikini. "Sharing pictures of your baby in a bikini with three million TV viewers, as Jessica did when she appeared on an American chat show? That is nothing short of inexcusable," Carey writes.
Continuing, "A cute-faced baby in a halterneck bikini, her nappy encased in the tiny knickers, leans back in what can only be described as a disturbingly adult pose, her chubby hand placed on her creased little baby thighs. Even more creepily, there’s an adult male hand coming in from out of the shot, posing the helpless tot in the style of a centrefold model."

Tanith Carey mentions in the above highlighted area that the baby is posed and it's creepy that a male hand is posing the baby. I'm sorry but the only thing creepy is you Tanith Carey and Claude Knights. I can understand not wanting to put a 7+ year old girl in a bikini because that is when sexualization starts but give me a break with the baby criticism. The above photo is completely innocent and nothing sexual is derived from it. It's unfortunate that there are people out there who look to stir controversy when there simply is none. When I visited Greece every little girl under the age of 4 was running around the beaches wearing nothing but bottoms. I thought this was a European thing so it's interesting that Brits are condemning this the fact that Jessica's daughter actually has on a top to go with the bottoms.

I'm not saying that there aren't pedophiles out there and our little girls shouldn't be protected, but babies typically aren't targets. Very, very, very few people would look at a baby and say "sexy." Was this whole article a ploy to get attention off their own Dutchess Kate and her choice to not wear a bikini? Were you on the front lines fighting against Bratz dolls and thongs for little girls? Do you fight the sale of kiddie make-up and plastic high heels? Lay off Jessica and Maxwell. IT'S CUTE!!!!

I think I'm going to start a baby bikini line out of spite for those out there who over-conceptualize sexualization. There needs to be some balance. Jeez Louise.