Vogue Curvy!

Italian Vogue has just relaunched their website with new site sections: Vogue Black, Vogue Talents, and Vogue Curvy. Vogue Curvy features The Curvy Blog, Curvy News, Glam and Curvy, Beauty, and so much more.

I'm really excited to see Italian Vogue dedicate a section of the site for the curvy women...I guess I am having a hard time understanding why we all need our own separate issues of Vogue? I don't want to be overly critical of every little thing...but I'm left to wonder why Curvy Women and Black Women need separate issues of the magazine, why cant everything be incorporated into one magazine??

Am I trippin? I just think its a little odd...nonetheless there are some nice things in the curvy section!

Monica - Everything To Me

Love It!!!!

One Day Only Modeling Intensive!

Lessons from the Fat-o-sphere: Quit Dieting and Declare a Truce with Your Body

So I had to look this book up last night after listening to Nightline and listening to Marianne Kirby, I had to look up some information on her book that she co-authors. I think this may be worth reading to understand where she is coming from.

Book Description

(From www.Amazon.com)

From the leading bloggers in the fat-acceptance movement comes an empowering guide to body image- no matter what the scales say.

When it comes to body image, women can be their own worst enemies, aided and abetted by society and the media. But Harding and Kirby, the leading bloggers in the "fatosphere," the online community of the fat acceptance movement, have written a book to help readers achieve admiration for-or at least a truce with-their bodies. The authors believe in "health at every size"-the idea that weight does not necessarily determine well-being and that exercise and eating healthfully are beneficial, regardless of whether they cause weight loss. They point to errors in the media, misunderstood and ignored research, as well as stories from real women around the world to underscore their message. In the up-front and honest style that has become the trademark of their blogs, they share with readers twenty-seven ways to reframe notions of dieting and weight, including: accepting that diets don't work, practicing intuitive eating, finding body-positive doctors, not judging other women, and finding a hobby that has nothing to do with one's weight.

About the Authors
Kate Harding founded Kate Harding's Shapely Prose (kateharding.net), a blog about body acceptance and the treatment of fat people in the media.

Marianne Kirby's is dedicated to body politics and fat acceptance. She is co-moderator of the Livejournal community Fatshionista, which has more than 2,500 members

Is it okay to be Fat?

Article From NY Daily News

Tuesday's edition of ABC's "Nightline," asks a panel of women, "Is it okay to be fat?"

"This discussion is very much a part of the social zeitgeist right now," Chang told The News Sunday. "We're right smack in the center of a very energetic debate going across very deep fault lines in this country. It cuts across sociology, medicine, public policy and more. We tried to examine both ends of the spectrum."

Shot this month at Cooper Union's Great Hall, the weight debate features Crystal Renn, model and author of "Hungry: A Young Model's Story of Appetite, Ambition, and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves"; Marianne Kirby, author of "Lessons From the Fat-o-Sphere"; MeMe Roth, president of National Action Against Obesity, and Kim Bensen, author of "Finally Thin."

It is the fifth installment of the late-night news program's "Face-Off" series. "Nightline" airs weeknights at 11:35 on ABC.

The fat "Face-Off" comes on the heels of size-4 fashion model Coco Rocha's comment that she was losing work because she was considered too big. That caused an uproar among those who think the industry's standards are outdated and unhealthy.

In addition, director Kevin Smith recently attacked Southwest Airlines for allegedly discriminating against him for being too fat.

It's a relevant topic, to say the least, and also a very personal one.

"Crystal battled years of anorexia; MeMe's parents have succumbed to obesity-related diseases; Marianne yo-yo-dieted for years before joining the fat acceptance movement; Kim attributes her weight loss to basically saving her life," said Chang, who also serves as news anchor on "Good Morning America." "I've even yo-yo dieted! This is a very public conversation that is going on at people's breakfast tables, in policy-setting circles and in magazine editorial offices. It affects everyone."

Chang said the group's "very lively discussion" ranged from eating disorders and social policy to the "fat tax" and discrimination. Each panelist gave a short statement, after which they defended their positions. Afterward, the floor was opened up to audience questions.

"This is an example of where 'Nightline' excels," said Chang. "To allow for such breadth - it's not often you get 30 minutes of vigorous debate in a public forum, shown on television. It's just an area where 'Nightline' is able to showcase itself in a commendable way."

Though Chang said she doesn't think "one debate is going to end the debate" over weight, she does hope there comes a point when people can all make healthy choices and "not beat ourselves up" all the time.

"I always make self-deprecating fat jokes about myself, and ['GMA' co-anchor] Robin Roberts always elbows me and says, 'You shouldn't kid about yourself like that, because you're healthy and strong and you shouldn't feel like you need to be a size zero all time,'" said Chang. "She's helped me correct my mind-set about that."

There are no plans at this time to do another "Face-Off" on weight, but Chang would love to delve deeper into one aspect of the topic for another news special.

"I wouldn't mind going deep on the question of insurance," Chang said. "Whether or not something like the 'fat tax' works. I could see narrowing the focus and doing a lot more."

Check Out the Full Debate:
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/FaceOff/weight-debate-fat/story?id=9911743

My Opinion

I watched this segment on Nightline last night right before I went to bed, I was so worked up I couldn't fall asleep right away. I was talking to Darrick on the phone and I was going off about how Meme Roth is an idiot! Yes, I said it...SHE'S AN IDIOT! I agree with Crystal Renn that she is "fat phobic," I get that she (Meme Roth) is trying to change the cycle of her family with not becoming obese. What I don't agree with is that she believes that everyone will fit into the standard goal weight. I am 5'4"/5'5" my goal weight is 111-146 lbs. Now I do believe that 146 is attainable at my height I don't believe being anywhere close to 111 lbs would healthy, and I don't believe that I would be able to carry my body frame if I weighed any less than 150! I didn't agree with Meme Roth in saying that genetics have nothing to do with the makeup of our bodies, I think that's absurd...so how is it that some people are petite and some have larger frames, the makeup of our bodies had to come from somewhere???

HONESTLY, believe that everyone isn't meant to be thin…but that doesn’t necessarily mean because you aren’t thin that you are unhealthy. Just like some of the plus models that give their statistics-they work out daily, and maintain healthy diets but they aren’t in their weight category, they are still healthy. The misconception that just because you are skinny it automatically makes you healthy needs to STOP! It’s so untrue, I can probably name about 5 people I know that are thin and have health issues! Now, I’m not condoning you being obese, but what I am saying is that EVERYONE isn’t necessarily going to fit into those guidelines from the health chart!

I would love to hear others opinions on this topic!!!

Lara Stone Is Lucky Designers Don’t Want Her So Thin

Article From: NY Mag (The Cut)

The fashion industry continues to make an example of model Lara Stone as the big thin girl. At 26 years old and with a body more closely resembling a normal human being's than most models these days, she is a freak of her industry to be sure, but a universally beloved one. From

Interview:
Adds Lagerfeld: "She made shape trendy and invented a kind of new girly femininity."

Not to discredit Lara, who is a great model, but did she invent a "new girly femininity"? If we're not mistaken, girls with breasts and flesh on their hips have been around for quite some time. It's only recently that fashion decided Lara's figure was in vogue. Her big break came in 2006 when Riccardo Tisci decided he simply had to have her for his Givenchy couture show. Other admirers followed, including Carine Roitfeld and Karl Lagerfeld. But even they have hardly displayed a penchant for other more normal-looking figures. So it's no wonder Lara still feels self-conscious on swimsuit shoots.

Well, I'm a bit better now, but I was pretty self-conscious about it a few months ago because everybody kept going on like, "Oh, she's so curvy!" and "She's a plus-size model!" and this and that. It's all people would talk about-how I'm not very skinny. For a while, it made me pretty upset and I got a bit obsessive about it. I did a bunch of dieting and exercising and everything. I was losing weight, but I was still much bigger than everybody else. I didn't really see the point of making myself crazy anymore, so I kind of toned it down a little bit.

We wonder if that has anything to do with this statement:

I think about quitting all the time. I'll take such a little thing and be like, "I quit! I've had enough of you people!" And then ... I don't know, it gets better.

Stone's lucky she doesn't have to worry as much about her weight as other girls. But it's also too soon to say whether she's "made shape trendy." We just saw dozens of shows in New York in which model after model looked, well, sick.


Read more: Lara Stone Is Lucky Designers Don’t Want Her So Thin -- The Cut http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/02/lara_stone_interview.html#ixzz0gNMHuWeH

The Plus Academy

The Plus Academy is New York City's leading model training and development program, exclusively for plus size women. Since 1999, they have provided unsurpassed training and guidance, helping to launch the careers of several plus models, many of whom have appeared in print ads, runway showcases, television programs, online magazines, designer showcases, pageants and more! We also offer a variety of personal development and lifestyle workshops for plus size women and pre-teenagers. Classes are taught by a team of professionals who are experienced in the plus size market and in conducting workshops associated with issues affecting plus size women.

Currently, there are multiple locations opening up in 2010...Virginia, Chicago, and Detroit!!!

Watch for more cities in your area!

View Pictures from The Plus Academy-Virginia below!

Director (Virginia Division): Bella Styles-(http://twitter.com/plusacademy_VA)

Gwen Devoe (Founder)

info@dseventsinc.com

To Check Out More on The Plus Academy:
http://www.dseventsinc.com/home.html

Plus Size Models Hit The Runway In London!!

Crystal Renn

The fashion industry has always gotten slack for endorsing and using models that are sickly skinny. Females tend to have a reputation of being weight conscious, so it doesn't help self-esteem issues when a thicker female does not see their body type on the runway or in high fashion clothes. It is estimated that most American women are between sixes 5 and 10, but if you look on the fashion runways all the models are a size 0! It is not the models fault for being so skinny, as it is the designers fault for making clothes in sample sizes. For those of you who do not know, a sample size is a base size that all clothes are made for the runway. Now, when Dove launched their new beauty campaign that featured thicker females that weren't photo shopped in underwear and older ladies with wrinkles, the campaign received both positive but mostly negative comments. Fortunately, it seems as though the true meaning of beauty is starting to catch on and make its way back onto the runways!

Designer Mark Fast is contributing to the change as much as he could. By going against the rules of fashion, he had his pieces modeled by females that were sizes 10,12,14 and 16. Although he did cast models that were size zeros, he wanted to prove his very important point: chic clothes are chic clothes- no matter what your size. To help prove this point model Crystal Renn, who is a size 16, wore two looks in his show. Isn't that great? Finally, the fashion world is starting to take notice of its flaws.

Check Out More of this Article at http://globalgrind.com/channel/fashion/content/1406074/Plus-Size-Models-Hit-The-Runway-In-London-PHOTOS/

A Year in Review...

So, I saw this questionnaire posted on Skinny Emmie and I wanted to answer them!!! I know its late to be doing my year in review but how could you pass up a good questionnaire...

1. Was 2009 good for you? Yes, I had a GREAT year! I found a new job, got my credit together (yes, this curvy fashionista was headed down a road of disaster), fell in love with my Boo (Hey Darrick), and made some new friends. All my family and friends made it to see another year...so really that's the most important thing!!!

2. What was your favorite moment of the year? My favorite part of the year was my Uncle Harolds birthday. He came to Cleveland to spend his 60th birthday, and my cousins Dawn and Khadija came to surprise him and it turned into a mini-family reunion!!!

3. What was your worst moment of the year? Nothing really comes to mind...but I will come back and answer if I think of something!

4.Where were you when 2009 began? At church

5. Who were you with? My immediate family

6. Where were you when 2009 ended? My sister Carlyce had a New Years Party...I was over her house

7. Did you keep your new years resolution of 2009? Well I didn't really make a resolution but each year I tell my mom that I am getting married and having a baby all in the same year...neither happened but I did find the man of my dreams:)

8. Do you have a new years resolution for 2010? To lose weight...I know this is everyone's resolution but I really need to do this to get healthy!!!

9. Did you fall in love in 2009? Yes

10. Did you make any new friends in 2009? I made new professional and personal friends

11. What was your favorite month of 2009? April

12. Why this month? Things really started changing in my life during this month

13. Did you travel outside of the US in 2009? Nope.

14. How many different places did you travel to in 2009? Detroit, Pennsylvania, Alabama

15. Did you miss anybody in the past year? No I have come to realize the people that are meant to be there are there and the ones that have gone their separate ways...it was for a reason!

16. What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2009? The Hangover and I Can Do Bad All By Myself

17. What was your favorite song from 2009? "Here I Stand" Usher

18. How many concerts or plays did you see in 2009? A few gospel concerts at church...does that count?

19. Did you have a favorite concert in 2009? No

20. What was your favorite book in 2009? Didn't have time to read many books...started a couple but didn't finish any

21. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year? No

22. What was the biggest lie you told in 2009? Probably, that everything is okay...when I probably wanted to get a few things off my chest.

23. Did you treat somebody badly in 2009? I don’t think so, but if I have I would like to apologize!

24. Did somebody treat you badly in 2009? Not necessarily “badly” but there are a few things that hurt my feelings...

25. What was your proudest moment of 2009? Working on the issue of doing what I want

26. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2009? My most embarrassing moment was maybe saying something stupid or tripping or something...I'm always doing something crazy!

27. Where did you work in 2009? 2 colleges...one a career school, and the other university

28. Favorite TV shows(s) of 2009? The Game

29. Favorite Band(s) of 2009? Don't have one...

30. Favorite Food in 2009? I would have to say...hamburgers...Darrick and I hit a few homemade Burger Spots (They were GREAT)

31. Favorite Drink in 2009? Water, or Lemonade...I like to try different Martini's when I go out

32. Favorite Place in 2009? At Home

33. Favorite person(s) to be with in 2009? Darrick...it was always an adventure with us

34. Favorite person(s) to talk to in 2009? My mom

35. Favorite trip in 2009? Probably the trip to Pennsylvania with Darrick...we went for one of his friends funeral's but overall I think the trip brought us a lot closer

36. Favorite stores in 2009? Torrid

37. Hardest thing you had to go through in 2009? Getting my credit together took a lot out of me and probably had to be one of the biggest "Adult Moves" Ive made in my life

38. Most exciting moment(s) in 2009? Dating Darrick, and becoming more of my "OWN" person

39. Funniest moment(s) in 2009? Probably when Darrick wanted to know if dogs understood what humans say to them. I probably would offend some people if I put wrote what he said...LOL!

40. If you could go back to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be? I wouldn't change anything...everything happens for a reason!

Spring 2010-Torrid Fashion Preview

Celebs Lighten Up With Pale Pink Lips

Pink lips are so major right now that, the look is a super-pale, pastel hue. It's no wonder the shade is so popular: it looks downright flawless on brown skin, and it's always fun to rock a springy color in the dead of winter! From '60s-inspired mod shades to flirty, sheer rosy hues, here's our gallery of some of Hollywood's prettiest pink lips.

Monif C's New Swimsuit Line 2010

Swimsuit season is fast approaching, and I'm am planning a trip to Florida! So I guess that means I need to start shopping for a couple of swimsuits!

Above are pictures from Monif C's 2010 line of swimsuits. Usually, when I look at swimsuits I am discouraged because I know I wont look like the model wearing the suit. However, with this line I thought to myself "Ohhh I want all of them!" I really like the Fringe Swimsuit, I love it in pink and black...I think the fringe will hide some of those curves that you may feel a little self conscious about but also accent the curves that you want to show!

The one shoulder ruffle swimsuit is HOT AND SEXY...I love it! Its a basic swim suit with the one shoulder accent and ruffles...comes in black and red! I may have to check into these for my trip!!!!

To see more from Monif C's 2010 Swimsuit Line

www.monifc.com

Fire Red Fashions Set the Runway Ablaze at the Red Dress Collection 2010

Ladies in red ruled the runway at the Eighth Annual Red Dress Collection held in the main tent of Bryant Park. The Red Dress is the symbol of the the Heart Truth, a national awareness campaign sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute that warns women about heart disease. The goal of the campaign is to increase awareness among women that heart disease is our no.1 killer. This festive runway show celebrated the designers and celebrities who help bring the Red Dress to life. Twenty-seven of Hollywood's hautest stars including Estelle, Kimora Lee and Regina King set the runway ablaze decked out in everything from Oscar de la Renta to Tracy Reese.

Robin Roberts

Regina King

Kimora

Jordin Sparks

Raven-Symone

Kim Kardashian

A selection the dresses seen on the runway at the Red Dress Collection 2010 are available for public bidding now until March 5 at http://www.clothesoffourback.org/. Auction proceeds will benefit the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health on behalf of The Heart Truth in support of women's heart awareness and research.

For More of This Article:

http://www.bvonstyle.com/

Boutique Larrieux seeks plus-size beauty queen

Article From: On Milwaukee

Milwaukee Street is the new home of Boutique Larrieux, an upscale retailer offering an extensive selection of contemporary designer apparel and accessories for women ranging from sizes 12-24.

Owner Lydia Hamilton, Milwaukee area native and a plus-size woman herself, is seeking to increase the local selection in what she considers an underserved market, she says. Her new shop at 717 N. Milwaukee Ave., is Milwaukee's exclusive plus-size retailer for American designer Kenley Collins, finalist on Project Runway Season 5, and the store will also feature choice selections by Lundström, David Meister, Not Your Daughter's Jeans and Monif C.

It's slated to open to the public on March 16, but before she officially opens, she needs a face to represent the store's presence in the city.

So, she's hosting a beauty contest. Boutique Larrieux's Next Beauty Contest is searching for Milwaukee's own plus-size beauty to establish a new platform for the full figured fashionista, says Hamilton. The winner will serve as an ambassador for curvy women who possess keen style sensibility and an appreciation for all things fashionable.

The grand prize includes image consultancy, complete with a makeover and a new wardrobe valued at $500, and beauty advising from a M.A.C Cosmetics makeup artist. The contest winner will also serve as a Boutique Larrieux fit model and will be featured in an upcoming Boutique Larrieux photo shoot. The contest culminates with various public appearances including VIP access to the March boutique launch celebration and an appearance on TMJ-4's "The Morning Blend."

The contest required each applicant to submit a photo, but that doesn't mean Larrieux is limiting beauty to the outside only.

"The Boutique Larrieux woman is inspirational; she encourages other women to search for the best within," says Hamilton. "Always authentic, she does not seek to conform to the direction of the masses or adhere to what outside sources dictate plus fashion to be. She views apparel as an extension of her own personal style, yet still recognizes that she has more to offer than just her outward appearance."

Hamilton wants her woman to push the envelope and take changes with her style by exploring new trends.

The boutique is accepting submissions through Tuesday, Feb. 23.

• All applicants must be plus-size women ranging from size 12-24
• All applicants must be residents of the greater Milwaukee area or able to travel to Milwaukee
• All applicants must be 18 years or older
• All applicants must be available for appointments on all of the following dates: March 5-7, March 9 and March 13

Click here to enter.

www.onmilwaukee.com

Fashion Week's Latest Trend? Plus-Size Models

Article From National Public Radio 02/15/2010

The semiannual New York Fashion Week now under way gives us a glimpse of what will be stylish during the next season.

And along with the event comes the en vogue discussion of the models' sizes.

Women who are a size zero — and double zero — are still a common sight on the runway. But some fashion spreads of late have prominently featured plus-size models.

"One of the things that's happened is that as the general population has gotten bigger and bigger, the models were getting smaller and smaller and smaller," Robin Givhan, fashion editor for The Washington Post, tells NPR's Renee Montagne.

Re-Evaluating

So, Givhan said, the fashion industry itself started looking into the issue. At a recent Council of Fashion Designers of America meeting, panelists discussed the sample size — the size that designers create for a runway show.

The sample size is so tiny that only extraordinarily thin women can fit in it. And when magazines have to photograph those clothes four or five months before they hit stores, the only way to photograph them is to use the samples. As a result, the models have to be thin enough to fit.

"Editors constantly say, 'Oh yeah, I would definitely use a larger model, except they don't fit the clothes that we're shooting,' " Givhan said

Is It Really 'Plus Size'?

One criticism of plus-size models: They're about a size 12. While that isn't tiny, it's smaller than the average American size, which is a size 14.

"There is a real disconnect between what the fashion industry considers to be a plus-size model and what the average person considers to be plus size," Givhan said, adding that a woman going into a department store won't be sized out of the most fashionable clothes until she reaches size 16.

Body Image

But in a recent column, Givhan wondered when we would "know what an acceptable-size model is supposed to look like ... when does plus size, in a profoundly overweight population, become just as distressingly unhealthy an image as emaciation?"

On one end, the fashion industry is showing us these very thin 14- and 15-year-old girls and portraying them as women, Givhan said. On the other hand, there's the unhealthy nature of obesity and the politically correct aspect of saying, "You should be happy with who you are," she said.

"What we have to figure out is: How do we celebrate good health without stigmatizing people who are on either end of the spectrum and are still trying to work their way towards middle ground, which is good health?" Givhan said.

We Are the World 25 For Haiti Video

Fat and Fabulous

Plus-size retail queen Deb Malkin insists that fashion isn’t only for the skinny...

“Being fat is a key part of my identity,” says Deb Malkin, the owner of Re/Dress NYC, a vintage and resale boutique in Brooklyn for women size 12 and up. “It’s taken me years to be comfortable with my body and live fearlessly in it.” As the catwalks in Bryant Park and around the city fill with stick-thin models for Fall Fashion Week, which begins Thursday, Deb talked to Tablet Magazine about her alternative vision of fashion and style.

“Plus-size women are the fastest-growing segment of the fashion market,” Malkin points out. “But Fashion Week has basically nothing to do with us.” That’s part of why she started her store, selling items ranging from $5 tank tops to $400 evening gowns from the 1940s.

Since it opened last year, Re/Dress NYC has become a community hub. It hosts parties, self-esteem and wellness workshops, readings from fat-positive books, indie-designer trunk shows, yoga classes for plus-size women who aren’t comfortable in traditional classes, and a size-18-and-up model search.

In the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam, Malkin, who also founded the Fat Girl Flea Market, an annual event that has raised more than $30,000 for the fat-bias-fighting non-profit NOLOSE, donates regularly to Coalition for the Homeless and the NYC Clothing Bank. She’s hired quirky salesfolk with backgrounds in activism, performance art, and writing: Burlesque artist Bevin, for example, looks like a super-curvy, super-femme ‘40s pinup girl, while Glenn, winner of the Mr. Coney Island 2009 contest, has a style The New York Times described as “drag-hippie-trucker-on-the-road-to-Burning-Man.”

The daughter of a super-skinny Long Island fashionista, Malkin has embraced a different path. “I love my amazing, fierce, fat community,” she says. “They’re not to be ignored.”

http://www.tabletmag.com/life-and-religion/25261/fat-and-fabulous/

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!!!!!

Weight Loss...

So, I am finally doing it...losing weight! As of 02.08.10 I have lost a total of 17.1 lbs!!!! Wahoooo...I'm EXTREMELY happy!!!! Weight Watchers has been great for me, eating in moderation instead of depriving yourself is the best method for losing weight! I didn't realize that researching food could be so much fun! I guess people are right when they say its a lifestyle change. When Darrick and I first started talking about losing weight, I became discourage because I just knew he would lose all the weight because he doesn't have the issues of water weight. However, although its been challenging for the both of us (especially on weekends) we have been motivating each other to do the right thing. We share tips with each other, talk each other out of making the wrong decisions, and we even discuss when we become discourage! So I guess what I have learned is having partners helps out a lot!!!

I have also been attending Cardio Kickboxing Class, with an occasional Zumba Class! The classes are held at a local studio (Studio One), and Zumba Classes are held in the same location! These classes have been great...we are exercising non-stop for 45 minutes to an hour! I'm not going to lie...they killed me in the beginning but they have been great in helping the weight come off!

Send me some of your weight loss tips and tricks...I like to have a mixture of things do try!!!

Latifah Rocks The Superbowl In Cover Girl

If you caught Latifah's stirring performance of "America the Beautiful" kicking off the Super Bowl, then you know that the Queen's eyes looked prettier than ever. "She was wearing a black and gold jacket with a black tank and dark-wash jeans, so I wanted to compliment that look," says celebrity makeup artist Monifa Mortis, who created Queen Latifah's big game face. "Plus, I wanted to make sure that her eyes had smoky definition so all the fans could see her!"

Here, a step-by-step breakdown of how Mortis created the superstar's sexy eye look. After rimming the eye with a simple black eyeliner, Mortis applied a black eyeshadow to the outer corner and crease of the lids. For a pop of color, she blended a shimmery cranberry shadow in the center and inner corner of Latifah's lid. Try CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast in Purple Plume. To finish her look, Mortis applied a double coat of CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara to her lashes.

Check More of this Article at www.essence.com

Valentine's Day...

So I wonder is this too much of a chick flick for Darrick...I really want to see this!

It comes out TODAY!!!

Black History Moment...

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
-Martin Luther King Jr.

5 Things We Wish Those Candy Hearts Said by Cosmopolitan

LOL! These are hilarious! I would probably laugh out loud literally if these were given to me!

Rihanna in her Own Words!

The Thread, Rihanna Unedited @ Yahoo! Video

Get This Look-Rihanna's Ice Queen Gleam

On eyes, try Too Faced Eyeshadow Duo in Bon Bon ($17), a glowy shadow combo containing a golden pink and champagne hue. Illuminate your cheeks with a sparkle-spiked blush like Nars Blush in Super Orgasm ($25). And on lips, go for a sheer, pearly nude like Revlon Colorstay Mineral Lipglaze in Forever Fig ($6.99).

www.essence.com

Black History Moment...

"We declare our right on this earth...to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary."
-Malcolm X

Are You Ready for Some Football????? SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!!!

Yes, its not secret I am a fashionista that LOVES football!!! I even talk smack with the guys about the game! I am so excited for the game and for the Super Bowl party at my parents house!!!

Guess What???

Queen Latifah is set to sing “America the Beautiful” and Carrie Underwood will be singing the National Anthem as part of Super Bowl XLIV pregame festivities at Sun Life Stadium in South Florida on Sunday, Feb. 7. in South Florida on Sunday, Feb. 7, the NFL and CBS announced today. The performance will be televised live on CBS Sports prior to kickoff. (Source: Ok Magazine)

40 Reasons Why Black Women are Beautiful

In celebration of Essence Magazine's 40th anniversary, we present 40 reasons why Black women are beautiful.

1.We are loving and compassionate.
2.We are the matriarchs of our community.
3.We are harmonious with the world.
4.We are powerful beyond measure.
5.Our voices are melodic, soulful and strong.
6.We age like no other.
7.We are dedicated to living a blessed life.
8.We are resilient.
9.We can make something out of nothing, with ease.
10.We have a sense of style and confidence that's all our own.
11.We stay fly, whether we're rocking an afro, a bob, braids, a press n' curl or a even a close crop.
12.We have strong muscle structure.
13.We have kissable lips.
14.From our cheek and collar bones to the shape of our calves--our contours are distinctive and remarkable.
15.We are fearless leaders, strong enough to hold the world on our shoulders.
16.When things are wrong, we do everything in our power to make them right.
17.We are brilliant and articulate.
18.We are strong yet feminine.
19.We play the game to win.
20.We love hard!
21.We're tough, loyal caretakers...naturally maternal.
22.Our skin looks exquisite in vivid colors.
23.We're the fiercest runway walkers.
24.We are creative.
25.We are always hopeful.
26.We're mentors, ready to guide a young person.
27.We are driven.
28.We are creative beyond measure.
29.We are originators of style and class.
30.We are down-to-earth.
31.We are dependable as the sun.
32.We have the gift of understanding.
33.We have endurance under pressure.
34.We are straight-up.
35.We break barriers every day.
36.The old saying is true...good black don't crack!
37.From Lil Kim to Oprah, we come in a zillion different flavors--and they're all gorgeous.
38.We don't leave the house with crazy hair.
39.We've always rejected "grunge chic" trends going for the fabulous and the glamour.
40.Our smiles light up the world.

Happy Anniversary Essence Magazine!!!