A Diva State of Mind

The Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Benefit Gala aka The Met Gala (or Met Ball) was May 6, 2013 in New York.  The annual event raises money for the Costume Institute and launches the spring exhibit. To date, the event has raised over $100 million. Each year, an exhibit is given a theme. This year’s theme is PUNK: Chaos to Couture.

One of the highlights of the gala is the red carpet. It’s always exciting to see what the attendees are going to wear. This is the one time where the outfit choices can be a little unexpected; after all the gala does support a Costume Institute. While the red carpet choices were fabulous (Amber Heard, Taylor Swift, Jessica Alba and more looked stunning), there were a few people that stood out and embraced the punk theme or really embodied what I expect to see on The Met Gala red carpet.

Here are my favorites!

Anne Hathaway

Who is this woman and what has she done with Anne Hathaway?! Anne turned in her classic look for blonde hair and a vintage Valentino gown from 1992. HOT!!!

Nicole Richie

This is what I’m talking about. The theme is punk so why not go all out!? Nichole Richie arrived at the Met Gala in a white long sleeve Topshop gown and bleached white hair.

Miley Cyrus

Normally I’d hate this look but it works for the theme. Miley Cyrus showed off her punk style in a fishnet dress by Marc Jacobs and spiked blond hair.

 Madonna

On any other red carpet this would not work, but for the Met Gala, this Givenchy Haute Couture outfit is perfect! Should we be surprised that Madonna owned this theme? I mean, it is MADONNA!! All we need to do is take a trip down memory lane and look at some of her looks from the 80s/90s to know that achieving this look was not hard.

 Sarah Jessica Parker

If you’re going to show up at the Met Gala, you might as well show out! Can we talk about the Phillip Treacy Mohawk headpiece?! This masterpiece combined with the Giles Deacon gown and thigh high Christian Louboutin boots is perfect for the Met Gala! SJB will always be Carrie Bradshaw. I’m just sayin…

Rooney Mara

The white laced dress and strong shoulders paired with the dark lip is a great mix of femininity and edginess. Rooney wore a Givenchy gown and served as the co-chair of the event alongside Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci and Anna Wintour.

Minka Kelly

Minka Kelly looked great in Carolina Herrera.  Perez Hilton described this look perfectly; a combination between punk and Greek goddess.

Nina Dobrev

Leather and a corset; two must haves if you want to encompass punk into a look. This Monique Lhuillier look is not over the top edgy, but like Minka and Rooney’s outfit, it’s a nice mix of edginess and softness with the lace. And I love that there are lace pants underneath the skirt. Something very different than what we’re used to seeing on the red carpet. I’d wear this outfit for sure.

Jennifer Lopez

I was going to stop the list at Nina Dobrev but then I went through some pictures of the red carpet again. I don’t know if animal print is punk, but this Michael Kors dress is HOT! J.Lo added her own interpretation of punk with what looks like a Mohawk inspired hair style and smokey eyes.  This woman can wear anything!

What looks did you enjoy from last night’s Met Gala?

Source: PopSugar, Us Magazine and Radar Online

Now this is how you wear a suit!! Denzel Washington’s dapper self covers the October issue of GQ.  In his interview with GQ’s Michael Hainey, Washington discusses starting in the business, his biggest roles and the code he lives by.

I read from the Bible every day, and I read my Daily Word. I read something great yesterday. It said, “Don’t aspire to make a living. Aspire to make a difference.”

Looking good Denzel! To read his full interview with GQ, click HERE.

Photography by Nathaniel Goldberg

YES YES YES to this week’s Rolling Out Magazine cover!! Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker are hot and in love.  I look forward to experiencing a love like this.

Can you describe for us what it was like when you first realized that you loved each other?

Nicole: Boris might have a different version, but from my side there was immediate chemistry, and that’s not necessarily sexual. It was just immediate understanding, flow of conversation, intellect, and an instant trust….The great thing is that we really were friends first.  When you’re shooting 14 hours a day on a set, you see a lot.  He saw me when my eyebrows weren’t tweezed and when my gray hair came in, and when I was in my pajamas at five in the morning going into the dressing room. So we had no choice but to be really real from the very beginning.

Your thoughts Boris?

Boris:  What she said was so true and poetic. We had instant chemistry, and right away there was an attraction, but it was more on a spiritual level.  I knew right away that she was going to be in my life forever.  I didn’t know in what capacity, but I just felt that.  That just happens when you meet a person that is on the same wavelength.  We saw eye-to-eye on so many things.  She was open minded, well traveled, and had a great sense of humor — which are all very important to me.  The fact that she became my wife was definitely a bonus.  It worked because we were friends and liked each other as people first, which is very important in a relationship.  You can fall in and out of love, but if you like each other as people, then I think that’s a great foundation to grow a relationship, and we had that, so I’m very lucky. 

Here’s the last question for each of you to answer:  “I’m a better person today than I was before marriage because…”

Boris: I’m a better person today than I was before marriage because my wife makes me a better man.

Nicole: I’m a better person today than I was before marriage because I get to care about one of the greatest human beings on the planet.

Click here to see more pictures and read the full interview. Kodjoe and Parker discuss married life and parenting while juggling successful acting careers.

Words and Images: by DeWayne Rogers Hair: Derek J Makeup: Dionne Wynn Wardrobe:  Leah Taylor and Renee Brown

Source: Rolling Out Magazine

Rihanna is featured in the most recent issue of Harper’s Bazaar and rocking the sleekest designer looks.  What I love about the feature is that she stepped away from the rockstar looks (although I do love them) to show off her softer side.

Calvin Klein Collection dress and Neil Lane jewelry

Ralph Lauren Collection dress

Tom Ford dress and boots

Alexander Wang top

Paco Rabanne dress. Manolo Blahnik sandals

Balmain dress and belt. Monolo Blahnik pumps

Emporio Armani top, Donna Karan New York skirt, Cartier cuff

The Harper’s Bazaar August 2012 issue hits newsstands July 17th.

Source: The YBF

Muhammad Ali and his grandson Curtis Muhammad are featured in a new Louis Vuitton ad that is scheduled to hit magazines this month.  Ali and his grandson join others celebrities who have worked with Louis Vuitton including Angelina Jolie, soccer player Pelé and musician Keith Richards.

According to the The Wall Street Journal:

The ad, which will run in magazines and newspapers in 60 countries, seems to capture Mr. Ali in private reverie. Photographed last month by Annie Leibovitz in his Phoenix backyard, Mr. Ali watches with pleasure as a young boy stands with fists gloved, feet splayed, chest puffed. Though not identified in the ad, the child is his grandson, Curtis Muhammad Conway Jr. A $1,525 Louis Vuitton “Keepall 50″ bag lies by Mr. Ali’s left foot….

This ad is too cute for words! Love it!

Photo Source

Is Brian McKnight having a mid-life crisis? I’m serious?! That has to be the only explanation for why he is singing about showing women their how p*ssy works and Anal for YouPorn.com.

The Brian McKnight I know is one who had ladies swooning after him over songs like “Back at One” and “Anytime.”  He wrote beautiful ballads that you imaged singing to your significant other. His music was classic 90s R&B.

But today, I don’t recognize this Brian McKnight.  Does he really expect us to take him seriously with these songs? Now I know the current state of R&B is really pop music and artist like Chris Brown talking about seeing a woman strip; or Trey Songz singing about neighbors knowing his name. While “R&B” songs today lack romance and imagination, Brian McKnight’s two song that have been spreading across the internet are straight ratchet!

I wonder if McKnight is releasing these types of songs for attention. Actually I take that back, I know he is. Creating songs that are so far left from what people expect is a great way to draw attention and become relevant for 15 minutes.  But why do it? Does he miss the spotlight? Does he not know what to do with himself now that he’s older and his songs no longer play on the airways?

After the YouTube video below spread across the interest like wild fire, Brian McKnight claimed it was all a joke. He even created a video on the parody site Funny or Die.  But I don’t believe him, I think he was very serious making these songs.

Whatever the case may be, he needs to remind himself that anything he does now will have a direct impact on his legacy.  Instead of people remembering him as a great R&B artist of the 90s, they’ll remember him as the 43 year old guy trying to school ladies on how their cookie works.  I appreciate his attempt to try and school us, but I really don’t think anyone wants take advice from him; that’s kinda awkward.

Maybe the next song we hear from McKnight will actually be a sweet romantic ballad.  But since the reaction has been mixed, maybe he’ll move forward with creating a full adult mixtape.  Either way, the damage is already done.  If he ever decides to create real R&B music again, his attempt will be forever tainted with this YouTube video:

I can’t…

Calling all expecting moms! This event is for you!

Baby Bash and Bling Expo & Show is an interactive lifestyle expo celebrating expecting moms! Discover new and interesting parenting tools, health and safety products, fashion trends, nutrition tips, and baby furnishings while viewing the “Bump the Runway”™ maternity fashion show. Enjoy an afternoon of signature Pregginista Punch™, swag bags, hors d’ oeuvres, and an opportunity to visit the candy and cupcakes corner to satisfy your bump cravings.

Actress and celebrity mommy Tia Mowry will be doing a special book signing in conjunction with the launch of her first book OH, BABY!: Pregnancy Tales and Advice from One Hot Mama to the Next. Oh, Baby! is a pregnancy guide where Tia leaves no topic off limits while helping expectant moms stay empowered, pampered, and laughing out loud.

Who: Baby Bumps, Fabulous Expectant Moms, Fashionistas, and Pregginistas

When: Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 12p.m. to 4p.m.

Where: Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, 2800 South Potomac Avenue, Arlington, VA 22202

To purchase tickets online visit http://dcticketsbabybashandbling.eventbrite.com.

This is one event you don’t want to miss.   Make sure you check out Season 2 of  ”Tia & Tamara” on the Style Network June 11 at 8pm. It’s a great positive reality show. Love it!

Alicia Keys recently teamed up with Vibe Magazine for the April/May 2012 2nd Annual Global Issue.  She looks amazing! My favorite is the yellow blazer paired with the printed top; gorgeous!

WERK! Am I the only one ready for Ms. Keys to make some new music??

S/O to my friend Jovonne. She is a HUGE Alicia Keys fan!  I hope you enjoyed today’s post

Source: Global Grind

Tyler Perry is using his upcoming movie to give back!

Tyler Perry’s GOOD DEEDS movie opens in theaters everywhere on February 24, 2012 and I can’t wait. This movie looks like it’s going to be good.  In honor of the movie, Tyler Perry is launching Good Deeds: Great Needs. This initiative will support Covenant House, a non-profit organization that provides for homeless youth. Through GiftCardGiver.com, Good Deeds: Good Needs will be collecting unused gift cards and donating all collected cards to Covenant House.

Tyler Perry is a long-time supporter of Covenant House. His contribution to the organization includes renovating the covenant house Georgia crisis center. He also purchased a new outreach van for street outreach efforts.

In addition to giftcards, Lionsgate, the entertainment studio distributing the film, will be making a financial donation to Covenant House for every share of the GOOD DEEDS trailer!! All you have to do is watch the short one minute trailer and share the video with friends via various social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

To learn more about donating gift cards and to share Good Deeds:Great Needs, visit www.gooddeedsgreatneeds.com

The film stars Tyler Perry, Thandie Newton, Brian White,Rebecca Romijn, Jamie Kennedy, Eddie Cibrian, Jordenn Thompson, and Beverly Johnson with Phylicia Rashad and Gabrielle Union.

Sometimes one good deed can change your life forever.