Fashion Highlight: Lisa Curran

Are you tired of squeezing into a 5 year old swimsuit, are you sick of looking like last year's beach fashionista at this years beach, or are you simply trying to bring something new and exciting into your ancient and depressing beach repertoire? Well I have the perfect line of swimwear for you in the form of Lisa Curran! Summer is here and believe me, you definitely want to preserve your beach sexy. So why not choose the perfect swim wear courtesy of Lisa Curran! I urge you to check out Curran's line of fabulous bathing suits and cover-ups. Remember that name, Lisa Curran, because your going to need it this summer, next summer, and every summer after that!

Lisa Curran offers pieces in an array of colors and patterns, and for every body type! Not only does she have Bikini's for the Beachy Keen Fashionista's, but she also has whole pieces for those with a little more bounce to the ounce or those that are scared to show a little skin. No Child left Behind!

If simple elegance is what you crave I urge you to invest in a Lisa Curran swimsuit . If you don't believe me ask the folks over at InStyle Magazine who highlighted the the swimwear in their April 08 issue. Or you can simply purchase one of their lovely pieces. That should make a believer out of you.


Highlights from the collection include:

The Lucite Halter and the Cotton Crochet Tank which are pictured above.

WHERE TO FIND THEM: Barneys, Saks Fifth Avenue, and specialty boutiques

For more information or to get a larger view of the above pieces, visit the website to confirm what I have already shared with you: http://www.lisacurranswim.com/

Top Ten Tuesday

Top 10 Artist I wish would like to see at tonight's BET Awards! Some artist have been missing in action for the longest time. Or maybe I just miss them, but who doesnt love a reunion? Make sure you check back in tomorrow for full coverage of the show.

10. The Boys or ABC- I'm not sure I want this so much as for the music or just to see what they are looking like. Maybe they could come back with a Dial My Heart 2008 or Coolin at the Playground 08'! I just need to know what a 28 year old Red looks like, or even a 30 year old Ro-Ro. I know they have those moves in their repertoire. I just know it.

9. Al B. Sure- With all the musicians in the industry imitating Prince's high pitched falsetto, I am sure we can squeeze in a slot for Al B. Long before Usher found his upper register, and the Dream came on the scene, there was Al B. Sure. Just think about it, wouldn't it be interesting to watch him run into Kim Porter and Diddy on the red carpet. And if they serve him with child support papers, man that would be the best BET show ever.

8. Guy- Teddy, Aaron, and Damion, would kill all of these imitators. I'm just dying to know if Aaron Hall still has those chops. And I need Teddy Riley to remind T-Pain who the real synthesizer star is. Roger Troutman is no longer with us so he can't do it, but Teddy needs to give it to T-Pain. And Damian Hall can show all these unappreciative band mates how to just play their role in the background. This brother never complained about not receiving a lead role. He was content with dancing his a$$ off (in the back of course)and being a member of Guy. True showmanship!

7. Sisco- How dare the American public get upset with him for having a hit. I mean its not his fault the Thong Song took off. I want him back just the way he left, golden tresses and all. Maybe he can do a little spin and flip across the stage. He is more than welcome to invite Dru Hill along if he wants.

6. The Deele- This group brought about one of the hottest producer duo's (LA & Babyface). I just don't think its fair that the other guys didn't get a fair Deele (get it)! Well anywho if we can gather up Babyface, LA, and the rest of the gang this would make for an interesting BET awards. Catch is they must where those Prince and the Revolution outfits they loved so much and the Jheri Curl/Perms, all while singing Shoot Em Up Movies! Oh and don't forget the eyeliner.

5. Dangelo- I never saw this brother falling off. As a matter of fact I am still wondering why he is on this list. I just wonder if he were to be invited to the show, would he still have cornrows. If so I need to update yesterday's list.

4. Tevin Campbell- As a young protegee of Quincy Jones, falling off should not be in your vocabulary. I know his fresh soprano voice has been replaced by a rusty alto, but give the brother a chance. He deserves at least to present an award tonight.

3. Patra- You know the music industry has the shadiest relationship with reggae artist. One year we are loving reggae the next we are tired of them. It ain't right. The Queen of the pack introduced us to such wonderful dances as the butterfly and the pepperseed. And had me doing said dances for the better part of 2 years. I usually retire a dance after 6 months to a year. If she shows up tonight I might rekindle my dance relationship with the butterfly.

2. Jodeci- These brothers showed up one year and I ha vent seen them since. I was hoping they could return in a singing capacity. I know that K-Ci and JoJo have a little bit of voice left to pull this off. I'm certain of it and they have so much showmanship. Maybe they could bring that big body guard and let K-Ci piggy back ride around the arena. They invented the ad lib, and didn't get credit! I mean where do you think Ooh Yeah, came from! K-Ci damnit. Dalvin and DeVante could just stand around like they did before. I don't know that they would provide much of the beauty aspect as they did in the past. The last time I saw them they had on platform tennis shoes and Merlot colored leather outfits, Devante had jheri perm. However, a professional stylist could restore them to what they once were.

1. Bobby Brown- Either as a fill in with new edition or as a solo artist, Bobby has to come back. I miss he and Whitney on the red carpet. They were like the Cephas and Reesie of any award show. He has child support to fulfil and he can only do this if he is working. This brother is the real life Eddie Kane, Jr. without the stellar voice, but none the less a similar story. He has one hell of a karate kick move that he can still execute on the stage, and it shouldn't go unnoticed.

Grow Up

There comes a point when its time to let go of cornrows. It is my personal opinion that no man should have them anymore. Just imagine my disgust every time I revert back to that R. Kelly video when you could see his cornrows with nappy a$$ baby hair surrounding it. When you go to court and the artist has to draw you with cornrows, its not a good look. Not only is this laughable piece of art shown on every news station across the nation. It makes it real hard for the jury to find you not guilty (unless you are R. Kelly, but that's another can of worms for another day). In about two more years the same will apply to locks (because the integrity has been taken from this style).

How do you know when its time to give them up?

When you enter the work force its time to let it go. There is nothing worse than a brother sporting Thug business casual. This look has never been in style. As a matter of fact this look never made it to the red carpet, well I take that back, but still wrong none the less. It makes you look like you work for Cutco Industries, selling knives door to door.

If you never get any hang time, let it go. You were not among the follicular blessed. If your stylist Ja-Rule's you then its time to let her go. Now think about the statement I just made. There are key words to let you know its time for a change. Stylist- No man should be going to a stylist. Real men go to Barbers and if its your barber that is braiding your hair.......Say no more. That's a conversation for a whole different day and time, Sweetness. On to the next keyword Ja-Rule you! I know you are saying what does it mean to be Ja-Ruled. Its when your cornrows are so short they stop just above your neck line, think back to Ja-Rule at the height of his career. No one wants to be Ja-Ruled. Its so embarrassing. And believe me some people will never make it beyond that point. I vote that you just run and turn on the first pair of clippers you can find and mow it down.

You are over 25, let it go. I am sure your love life is not going right and its because of those damned braids that you insist on holding on to. Your to old to have a security blanket, cut that mess off. Not that those who are 24 and under don't have to get rid of this look, but at 25 you should know better.

The color gray and cornrows never looked good together. And believe me this applies for men and women. I have seen plenty of grandmothers with silver rows and a Kente Cloth outfit. Its a travesty. But on a grown man its even worse. When you have gray hair, you have entered into your golden years. It should be a celebratory time. But who can celebrate when you are damned near about to blind everybody with those Brillo pad cornrows.

Picture it: You walk up on a brother from behind with a head full of braids. He turns around and you cant see where the braids begin. Its definitely time to let it go. There is nothing attractive about receding cornrows. You can't be Chris Weber and Allen Iverson at the same time. Pick one, and believe me if your receding, the Chris Weber look wins hands down.

People who have to be cited (hope your not on it).
R. Kelly- He should have dropped these the moment he was accused of pissing on people. The look didnt do anything for his court sexy.

Brian (from Day 26)- If you are going to be in a fake new edition at least look the part. I'm guessing his character is the Ricky Bell of the group. You don't see Ricky Bell walking around with cornrows (well you don't even see him walking around doing anything, but once again another topic for a different day).

Omarion- Okay O! Enough is enough. We let you slide by for years with those baby hair tresses. You short and gaining weight. No one likes to see a short chunky guy with braids. Just doesn't look right. Kinda like Kelly Rowland as a solo artist. Not a good idea.

Swing Low Sweet Chariot!

I know that it’s Tuesday and I didn’t post anything yesterday, but it was too hot outside to think! So today is Top 10 Tuesday and the list will reflect on why its time for summer to be over.


10. Fall, Winter, and Spring - Any season is better than summer. You see more smiles during these seasons. I think summer is when people are diagnosed as depressed, bi-polar, and crazy! So if your honeydip is admitted to the local insane asylum, don't worry they will be out as soon as Fall comes. They didn't know how to control their temper in the summer sun. Its too hot to be nice.

9. Schools out- I cant stand when kids get out of school. They are loud, in the way, and not in summer camp where they need to be. No their parents let them run wild, and annoy the rest of the world.

8. Gas- Its ridiculous when you cant afford to drive your car out of your driveway to visit your neighbor across the street. All road trips are out for the summer. I hope I have 3 months of leave at work because I cant afford to go there either.

7. Shrimp and Biscuits- Time and time again, summer after summer, I have had to watch women of all persuasions serve up a platter of shrimp and biscuits. And no I am not talking about a meal from Popeye’s. I am talking about the women who have toes hanging over the front of their sandals (shrimp) and the back of their heel hanging over the back of the sandal (biscuits). Your toes really should not be massaging the sidewalk.

6. Kells- If we can get past the summer, the whole R. Kelly shenanigans will be over. I can’t take this circus another minute. It has taken 8 whole years for the R. Kelly trial to come into place. Why are we even having a trial now? The girl is an adult, she liked it, and I can’t wait for Trapped in the Closet parts 77-99 to come out. So let’s leave Kells alone. Let him move to Dubai with Michael Jackson and everything will be alright.

5.TV- This is the time of year when all shows are on repeat or their are new shows that just make you want to give up your wonderful life and join the army. If you need an example, between MTV and VH1 there will definitely be a Top Model marathon. Then to make a mockery they have the nerve to show the other Top Model shows from around the world. I don't think anyone is interested in Myanmar's Next Top Model. BET will do its usual and make up a show with absolutely no stars and a $10 budget (i.e. the boot). Where do they get these fledgling actors?

4. Summertime- I don't know why radio DJ's think they are getting you hyped by playing Will Smith's Summertime. I haven't liked this song since the year after its release. Please stop! Quite frankly I don't want to hear anything by Will Smith.

3. Humidity- Humidity is the biggest enemy of the black woman. When the lord was dishing out textures of hair, why didn’t he make ours humidity resistant? I am tired of going on vacation in the summer, only to have my digital photos comeback displaying an image of me with poodle hair. Just think about the selfishness from on high! European women don’t have this problem, Asian women don’t have this problem, South American Women don’t have this problem, and Native American women don’t have this problem. Jesus take the wheel! Maybe next lifetime I could be from Bucharest or something.

2. Sunburn- This is worse than too much bronzer. Against your will your face is burned beyond recognition. People may not tell you, but they are definitely laughing on the inside. Some of you mistake this as a sun tan. No, no, no! If you go to the beach looking like El Debarge and you come back looking like T-Pain, you have sunburn.

1. The Beach- There are so many crimes at the beach, where do I begin? The white guy with the sunblock on his nose. I never understood this because why cant you find a transparent sunblock, and why is it only on your nose. You look like a clown surfer dude! Speedo's should not be worn by any man on any continent. I don't care that you are from Brazil, you speak fluent Portuguese, and sip on Caipirinha's. No one wants to see your funky junk stuffed into a pouch of spandex. Just buy a pair of trunks and let your pork sword relax! There's also that sister at the beach who has no business in a bikini. Its bad enough she shouldn't be seen in a whole piece bathing suit, but no she has to skip the middle man and go straight for the kill. The cellulite, the carpet coming out of the side of the bikini, and the fatback (literally a fat back). Ugh! The sports fanatics who decide its a good idea to play volleyball where you are relaxing and taking in the sun. If you can get past the fact that you will be hit by the volleyball at least twice then you will be fine.

So Slick and Moist

I have to say I don't think I know anyone who loves an S-Curl more than Diddy. Today I will take a look at his long history with S-Curls. Every man who walks through the door of bad boy has been blessed with an S-Curl courtesy of Diddy, unless they are follicular challenged. Now before we get into Diddy, lets examine the S-Curl and what its all about.

Definition:

S-Curl- 1. a signature trademark style for Luster Products, which designed to slightly straighten the natural hair texture of a man of African descent, so that natural wave and curl patterns are looser and more prominent. 2. Too relieve ones head of naps! 3. A form of revolutionary task in which you take a stand against the light skinned brothers.

OK I know what you are thinking, "What is the difference between this and a Jheri Curl!" Well that's just it, there isn't a difference, but don't tell Diddy I said it. I mean the hair is neatly cropped into a cut, but its still a curl. I mean just think if his current artist knew that they were walking around with new day Jheri Curls, they would break their contracts with the quickness. Wouldn't you!

History:

Diddy has a long history with the S-Curls. It goes all the way back to his non-graduating days at Howard University (HU). When he made the change from Rags to Riches he brought the S-Curl with him. Changing the heads of black male artist in the industry. Diddy even has his sons Justin and Christian running round dripping wet with curl juice at the beach. What's good enough for Mr. Combs head is definitely good enough for the fam. Below I have created a list of artist who Diddy blessed with an S-Curl.

The Artist:

Jodeci- Well not the entire band (just K-Ci, Dalvin and DeVante). Jo Jo never quite had success in the hair department.

B5- I know what you are thinking, these little guys already were born with built in S-Curls. However Puff has managed to create and S-Curlesque look with Hair Gel.

Carl Thomas- He thought he was fooling us by not putting in as much activator as the others. "Nah N*gga, you ain't slick!" I recognize a natural when I see it, and you my dear man, are an impostor.

Usher- Although not signed to Bad Boy he was definitely groomed by Diddy. Also I know you don't think that kinky fade, grew into an extra straight, but wavy Caesar!

Loon- He had such a dry career, and ashy Malik Yoba-esque lips, so he needed a little moisture in his life. Hence, Puff introduced him to the S-Curl. Much to his credit though he kept it extra low to maintain his hoodness!

Mase- Just because you keep it cut extra close doesn't mean it don't exist. Thought you had us fooled didn't you Minister Mase. The lord hath blessed you too with a curl! Not even a doo-rag can accomplish the waves that were flowing across that big submarine head of his.

Day 26- My favorite S-Curl victims are Robert and Big Mike (who also has a stellar pair of Hazel Contacts, but that's a subject for a different day). Robert, Robert, Robert! That apple shaped hair cut that they gave him, wasn't enough to bring this brother down. No they had to throw salt on the wounds and give him an S-Curl. Every time I saw him I broke out into a thunderous roar of laughter. Actually the first time they showed his new bad boy look, I laughed harder than ever. I am still trying to chase that high.

I am now of the firm belief that Sean Combs invented not just the remix, but the Jheri Curl, S-Curl, Leisure Curl, and Wave Nuveau. He is indeed a man of many talents.

Top Diez Martes

Well sorry for the hiatus, but I am indeed back! And what do you know my return falls on a top 10 Tuesday. So last week I went to my cousin's graduation and thought that I would come up with a top 10 list of reasons why Graduations are fun. I know you are sitting around with that look of confusion saying huh! Believe I once hated graduations too, that is until they started taking place at entertainment arena's and serving food and beverage. So here is my list.

10. The Choir- Who needs Kirk Franklin and his family when you got the high school mass choir. The lead singer is always the big girl who can blow, and just so happens to be a graduate. So she stands out amongst the choir robes in a Graduation costume. Big Shaquan is singing her heart out when you feel a little mist on your face, then full out white water rapids. These tears are because you ain't been to chuchhhhhh in about 5 years and haven't had an emotional moment in so long. So after you finish feeling like an idiot for approximately one minute the song is about to close.

9. The Cook out- After every great graduation there is a meal to follow. Its a guarantee! You can consider this your first hot dog of the summer. And everybody likes the first hot dog of the summer even if they don't eat them the rest of the year. This is also the time when Aunt Sweet Pea breaks out her world class potato salad. Everyone loves it because its YELLOW and not WHITE like the grocery store (or like white people's potato salad). Uncle Lester has concocted his special blend of ice tea, that has an array of flavors (tea, citrus, vodka, rum, cognac) combined all in one jug. Uncle Les is a miracle worker. Big Mama is on the side complaining about how she is tired of cooking, although she hasn't cooked a damn thing since Man Man's graduation from job corp in 95'.

8. The Natty Dreads- As of 1997 all public schools mandated a charter that states: At least 45% of each graduating class will consist of a distinguished group of kids with locks. I just get a thrill out of putting a star next to the names in the graduation program of each child with a head full of locks. Just making sure the school has fulfilled their quota.

7. The Cool Kids vs. the Nerds- I love when the most popular kid in the school crosses the stage with the sound effects of thunderous applause, screaming groupies, and pride. However it never fails that he will be followed by that unknown soldier. Said soldier walks across the stage and there is complete and utter silence, because no one in the class knows him/her, and their family acts like they don't know them either. This proves my theory that No child left behind doesn't work.

6. The Valedictorian- I love this because graduation is the time when you realize the Valedictorian is not as smart as they seem. Or at least this is the case at public schools. You sit there and you wonder why the Salutatorian wasn't the Valedictorian and vice versa. You listen and you begin to think what was the criteria for this great honor.

5. Class Clown- What I love about the class clown is that he has been cutting up for four years, has committed himself to bringing laughter and sunshine to the lives of the student body, and usually cant stand the principal. Being that he can't stand the principal you know he is going to find a way to embarrass her when he gets his moment to shine on the stage. So Class Clown emerges onto the stage, Principal Johnson hands him his Diploma, shakes his hand, turns around to pose for the camera when........Silly Sam has hauled off and pushed her off the stage. Her faux doctorate style robe is up above her head and Sam has a solo picture with his thumbs up.

4. Guest Speaker- The guest speakers have become Stand up comics over night. They have some of the best jokes not yet seen on Comic View. Who knew you could mix Comedy and Education? Well maybe the class clown might have known, but we sure have come a long way from hearing "Walk the Walk", "Hold your head high", and "Choose your friends wisely". Now the Guest Speaker always insist on using the current slang of the day in an attempt to prove that his down and definitely bout it, bout it!

3. Grandma- It never fails someones granny who has the worst case of Arthritis is always in attendance. Holding up the flow of graduation traffic by walking with her one good foot, she takes her time stepping down each step (with the precision of a 6 month old taking its first step). Get it girl. And I dare you try to walk around her while she is toting her hand made cane. Go ahead I dare ya.

2. The Fans- Tay Tay N' Dem! That group of embarrassing cousins, aunts, and underage parents are always destined to show up and act like Macaque's freed from the National Zoo. It never fails. They are just screaming through the whole program. In the beginning you look at them with disgust because you can't hear the salutatorian rambling on about nothing familiar to the audience. However it becomes comical when you realize that they don't know any better because they have never been out of their neighborhood. So this graduation is really like getting a free ticket to a Janet Jackson Concert.

1. The Names- This is when you see how creative, innovative Black folks really are. They take names and make a creation that is just a symphony of syllables. A couple of my favorites this year were: Jas'Maine, Quallicia, Shaniqua ( I didn't know people were still using this one, I thought it faded out with the 80's crack game), Taezhon, and Charlester ( I know seems too good to be true, but its real).