8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Cousin...lol

The funny thing is the above scenario isn't really that far fetched.

Who's That Lady?

"I have a temper which I attribute to my West Indian heritage and being a Taurus. I'm usually extremely even tempered and don't like conflict, but when I'm pushed really far it comes out. It's rare, but it normally happens when I see someone I know (or even don't know) being bullied. I'm very protective of the people I love and I have a distaste for pompous and rude people."

Name: Vashtie Kola

Age: 28

Hometown: Albany, New York

Occupation: Director, Fashion Designer, Party Promoter

Claim to Fame:

• Directed music videos for artist such as Justin Bieber ("One Love"), Solange (T.O.N.Y.) and Jadakiss ("Letter to B.I.G.").

• Was asked to re-vamp Island Def Jam as Director of Creative Services by L.A. Reid.

• Designer and creator of Violette.

Who's That Lady?

So, several months ago I set out on a journey to Merrillville, Indiana to drop off baby gift for a friend. I had no idea when I got there that I would be interrupting a recording session for a very talented young lady known simply as, Tiara Thomas. It didn't take much urging before she was doing an impromptu performance. I was completely blown away. So, without further delay, it's my pleasure to introduce her to all of you! You might wanna become a fan now before the bandwagon jumpers hop on board.


"I'm a hater of love, and a player because I don't care enough." This is one of my favorite lines (of my own) because I enjoy being free from love. I'm only 20 and love makes things way too complicated. I like being carefree:) Although, I know I'll have to give up that mentality eventually..no time soon though.

Name: Tiara Thomas

Age: 20

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Occupation: Singer/Songwriter/Rapper/Guitarist

Claim to Fame: Currently embarked on the journey...To Be Continued

"A lot of this new music hurts my ears. I see it like this: the music industry doesn't need just another "good singer." WooHoo, you can sing...everyone can sing. The game needs more talented, and creative musicians."



"You can find me on youtube. Just search my name! Or add me on facebook and listen to studio versions of my songs. Follow me on twitter @Akoustic1 and I'll keep everyone updated on events and new posts. Also, I'll have an acoustic session demo available in a week for the low low!"

Death of A Fashion Icon

Last week, the fashion world tragically lost one it's most creative minds. Alexander McQueen died last Thursday February 11th, 2010 at the young age of 40. McQueen's death is still being investigated, but is currently being reported as a possible suicide. His mother also passed away earlier this month. McQueen tweeted about the death, letting on that he was having a difficult time dealing with the loss, but was being consoled by family and friends.

Mcqueen's runway shows were known for dramatic pieces and one-of-a-kind designs, though most may be more familiar with the work he did while designing for Gucci and Givenchy. Whether working on his own lines or designing for other brands, his work was unparelled. To describe him in one word: Genius.

Who's That Lady?

"It's an easy diss when people don't want to like me and want to say that I'm a brat. You have people who only want to be your friend because of that, or you have those who say, 'Oh Zoe thinks she is so cool cause her dad is...'"

Name: Zoe Kravitz

Age: 21

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Occupation: Actress, Singer

Claim to Fame:

• Held her own with roles alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones in No Reservations as well as Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard in The Brave One.

• Star of Jay-Z's "I Know" music video. The third single off his platinum selling American Gangster album.  

• Lead singer of Elevator Fight. 

Pawned

If I could give the Republican Party a bit of advice it'd be to never bring a knife to a gun fight. Check and mate. 

Reflections: A Different World

So, my brother hit me on the text a couple weeks ago and said that reruns of the 80s/90s sitcom "A Different World" would begin coming on TV ONE every night. My reactions? FINALLY!!! Somewhere out there in the land of TV programming loves me! I immediately searched through my TV guide that my cable provider offers and set up a reminder and set my DVR to record the show! A little overboard? If you knew me, you would understand. LOL!

"A Different World" is easily one of my favorite TV sitcoms of all time. The Cosby Show spin-off was the first show of any kind to focus on blacks at an institute of higher education. And as the title so blatantly stated - it was a different world.

The show was revolutionary for its time and even when compared to sitcoms of today, still covers a more wide range of relevant subject matter. Episode topics ranged from domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and hazing among Greek fraternities and sororities on college campuses, to date rape, apartheid, affirmative action and even tackling the HIV epidemic when the topis was still considered taboo. The only thing more intriguing than the episode topics was the list of guest stars and the talented cast that gave life to the amazing characters that called Hillman College Home. The show's guest stars included everyone from Lena Horne, Patti Labelle, and Kris Kross to Billy Dee Williams, Envogue, Tupac and Diane Carroll. The show is credited for starting the careers of stars such as Jada Pinkett Smith, Sinbad, and launching the directorial career of the multi-talented Debbie Allen.

Another element that added to the authenticity of the show was the detail that went into maintaining the image of each individual character. There was Freddie - the free-spirited, earth-saver, who was most often wearing her hair natural and dressed in full hippie gear. Then there was the always high-maintenance Whitley Gilbert, the daughter of a judge and Neimann Marcus card-holder, most often sporting a fur coat and a travel size Louis Vuitton logo carry on bag before the logo was even recognizable by most modern day fashionistas. And who could forgot those basketball shorts and flip up glasses worn by Dwayne Wayne?

"A Different World" managed to do what few tv shows have the ability to do - it inspired viewers to have an interest in education past high school years. I was so in love with this show that I rarely wanted to admit that Whitley and Dwayne weren't a real couple and part of me still pictures them living together today with their 2.5 kids and a dog. I know, I know. A little delusional, but for young people growing up who may not know anyone who went to college, the show gave them the opportunity to learn more about college through the cast's experiences at Hillman. Okay, I will admit it - when I moved into my college dorm for the first time, I semi expected the cast to be there to welcome me! LOL! Needless to say they weren't there, but the rest of my college experience did not disappoint. But it could have been better if Whitley had let me borrow that Louie bag! ;-)

Who's That Lady?

“There are loads of black models working and the idea that there's only a few of us, or four of us, to let in as top models at any one time is just bullshit.”

Name: Jourdan Dunn

Age: 19

Hometown: London, England

Occupation: Model

Claim to Fame:

• Named "Model of the Year" at the 2008 British Fashion Awards

• Became the first black model to walk for Prada in over 10 years.

• Graced the cover of Italian vogue in an iconic issue devoted entirely to black models.

Dream B.I.G.

"Ultimately a genuine leader is not of consensus but a molder of consensus."
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

If you've never had the pleasure of hearing Dr. King's infamous "I Have A Dream" speech in it's entirety, please do me a favor and slap the HELL out of yourself. If done properly you should lose consciousness. So after you've come to, take a minute to get yourself together. Have a glass of water. Take a walk. Whatever it is you may need to do to get your mind right. Then after you've learned your lesson, scroll down and witness 17 minutes and 29 seconds of life altering greatness. I guarantee you will never be the same again.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

We may have not reached the promised land yet but we've definitely made some tremendous strides...

Style of A King

Do the clothes make the man? The obvious answer to this question is no - of course not! But one's wardrobe choices does, in fact, heavily influence the way we are perceived by others. And when you have a dream as grand as Dr. King's dream, everything matters - even the way you dress. After all, clothing is a representation of who you are as a person.

Long before the March on Washington and his famous "I Have Dream" speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a grass roots civil rights movement, founded in the principles of non-violent resistance. On the surface level, Dr. King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference lead a highly effective effort of civil disobedience - they broke the laws in an orderly and civilized manner, but only for the purpose of bringing attention to the unfairness of the law itself. But underneath, the operation had an even more ingenious plan that may not have been realized by the opposition at the time.

Almost every move Dr. King and other group leaders made was calculated - from using children to stage sit ins at restaurant counters, to the garnering highly publicized media attention to cover the attacks protesters endured during marches, and even, some say, deliberately selecting Rosa Parks, NAACP secretary at the time, to disobey the laws of the bus system, triggering the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Even his fashion sense added to the image of the bible-toting, young Christian minister who practiced turning the other cheek in the face of oppression and hate.

Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, were a sharp couple from the south. Their clothing chooses were often classic and non-threatening, unlike their more radical counterparts -most noteworthy, Malcolm X, The Black Panther Party and Angie Davis. Dr. King was always clean-shaven, wearing a crisp and fitted suit or shirt and tie. Mrs. King often wore lady-like dresses and her hair long and tamed. It's not difficult to see why their following often times included members of mainstream America - King was charming and his appearance was inviting. Many have often compared the likeness of the Kings to that of the First Family.

There was a world of difference between him and the textured fro sported by Brother Malcolm or the berets, leather jackets and rifle-holding Panthers. And King did an excellent job of exploiting his southern charm and Christian values. It was hard for America and the world abroad not to acknowledge the reality of the situation in this country after viewing images of people who were being strategically non- violent toward their aggressors, and yet, still being attacked in the streets. Dr. King brought the reality of life in the south to the living rooms and front pages of newspapers across the country. And even before the days of stylists and image consultants, he managed to use his personal styling choices to help further his cause.

I am forever indebted to ALL of our civil rights and historical leaders for the dedication, sacrifices and struggles they endured yesterday to allow my generation to live in better world today. I would like to end this with my favorite Dr. King quote - I hope it inspires you as much as it has inspired me.

"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well."

Dr. King, today we salute you for your works, your contributions and your vision.