Last month, I wrote on a small blog post about Bernice and MLK III suing their baby brother Dexter because they wanted the books of The Estate of Martin Luthur King opened. There was talk of financial misappropriation. Now, their little brother strikes back and has countersued his siblings. Read the full story

There has been so much advanced disapproval of Robert Downey Jr.’s turn as (see if you can follow me) a white actor who is playing a black soldier in the campfest movie-within-a-movie, Tropic Thunder, that I thought I should see it. And I kept waiting to be insulted. But I actually thought  the movie was actually hilarious. Read the full story

When LisaRaye McCoy became the first Lady of Turks & Caicos it sounded like a beautiful thing. But since she was working in Hollywood and her husband, Michael Missick, was fulfilling his political duties as Premier of the idyllic island it wasn’t going to be easy. Turns out it was an impossible situation. And distance seemed to be the least of their problems. The Premier has been under a cloud of sexual impropriety from the start. And for a time, the actress supported her man like Hillary stood by Bill.   Read the full story

One of the most common questions I receive from men and women who’ve been in a relationship for a while and are considering marriage is: Should we live together before we get married?

The idea of living together before getting married seems to be growing more and more in popularity. Proponents of the idea list the numerous benefits to cohabitating – most of the time revolving around the theory that by living together before you get married, you get the opportunity to get a 360 degree view of your mate, thereby giving you the means to make an accurate assessment of whether or not this is someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. Read the full story

We all know that obesity in our community is an ever-increasing epidemic. Well the Los Angeles City Council decided to take drastic action and have banned the opening of any fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles for the next year. This comes after governments have given sodas the heave-ho in the schools as well as the whole trans fat thing. Anyway, its almost like they’re trying to force the people in the ‘hoods to eat better. Read the full story

I just read today that Gloria Gaynor is going into the studio the re-record “I Will Survive” to correspond with the 30th anniversary of her hit. That song along with “I’m Every Women,” by both Chaka Kahn and Whitney Houston are the unofficial anthems for black women. (Although I will survive seems to resonate across the Rainbow Coalition.) Can you believe Chaka’s hit is 30 years old too? Hearing this made me wonder where the new themes are now. Read the full story

Nothing says feminine more than ruffles. It’s an accent that is truly a girlie girl’s dream, which is probably why I love it so much. Maybe I’m going a bit overboard right now but I feel like you can’t have too many ruffles in your wardrobe. Blouses and dresses are instantly dazzled up when a little frill is added on and jeans and shorts don’t look casual when you pair them with a ruffled top. Even though it’s everywhere right now, I don’t really see ruffles going away for a while. Here’s my proof… 

About two years ago I bought a white button down blouse that had ruffles down the front. Okay so it is a little Prince in Purple Rain but I loved it then and two years later, even with ruffle overload, I love it even more. It’s a trend that has brought back a lady like quality to clothes and that will never grow old.     

Have you given in to the ruffle mania trend?

Total inappropriateness, whether spoken or done, makes me want to crawl under a table. I just don’t handle train-wrecks very well. Unfortunately too many people do. The shocking truth is that as time passes the idea of basic etiquette floats farther and farther out the window–this goes for everything from table manners to addressing elders respectfully. Sadly, too many of us either don’t get it or never learned it.
So here’s lesson number one, fashion etiquette. I’m not talking about the right outfit for the right setting, that’s a whole other beast that I’ll address another time. I’m talking about way too common questions that should never be uttered to a fashionista:

Where did you get that? Okay so I admit, this is a tough one. The odds of these words spilling off your tongue are high, it’s almost like a natural reflex–but use all restraint necessary and don’t ask. Most of the time people will volunteer the info without you having to, if they don’t, then they probably don’t want to share. First off, if you love it just looking at it, imagine how much that person loved it when they first saw it and decided to buy it. Give them the satisfaction of having it to enjoy for themselves, no one wants to see a copycat with the same pair of shoes. Secondly, are you really going to go out and buy the exact item that you saw on someone else? Probably not, so just pay the compliment and keep it moving.

How much was it? Ladies seriously, this is like asking a woman her age. Plain and simple it’s rude and it’s her business.

Is that real? Oh gosh, I cringe just thinking about it. Unless she’s your “sista from another motha” and ya’ll just have an understanding about these types of questions, never ever ask. Plus, chances are if you have to ask, it probably is.

Can I try it on? There is just an awkwardness about watching someone else slide their foot into your shoe or slide on your favorite ring. Admiration from a distance is the safest bet for all parties involved.

What are your fashion etiquette do’s and don’t?

Most of us have never heard of Josephine Jones. But this Atlanta Journal Constituition story about this proud black woman who marked living on this earth a full 100 years got my attention. Mama Jones, as she is affectionately known is the oldest living graduate of Spelman and has lived her entire life as a strong, independent woman. Although a brief stay in a nursing home almost crushed her spirit, she recaptured her vibrance when a good friend noticed this shift petitioned the court of her behalf for release. Now Mama Jones has got her groove back. Good for her. Read the full story

It’s official, Kwame Kilpatrick is a fool with a big ego. We’ve known it all along but a judge let him know that his antics, you know not obeying the rules and things like that, are worthy of jail time. It’s only one day. But somehow we know that this brother will continue to take down everyone who surrounds him. Read the full story