MrsGrapevine.com

You’ve heard of blue-eyed soul, now I introduce to you blue-eyed neo-soul. My pick for the week is Remy Shand. What makes him so special is not that he’s white, but the fact that he plays every instrument in this song, and on his album…

[Take A Message by Remy Shand]

My second choice is non other than Erykah Badu, there is no way I can play Neo-soul and not mentioned my fellow Dallas-ite Ms. Badu. This song is my favorite song by Erykah, I hate the video, but I love the words to the songs. This is the song that encourages me and gets me through whenever I’m at a crossroad… Here are some of the lyrics:

Time to save the world; Where in the world is all the time
So many things I still don’t know; So many times I’ve changed my mind
Guess I was born to make mistakes; But I ain’t scared to take the weight
So when I stumble off the path; I know my heart will guide me back

[Didn't Cha Know by Erykah Badu]

-Electronic Village - Chatting Over Cocktails - Ms Grapevine - Quick - Marcus LANGFORD - Cassandra - Danielle -Lisa C -Chocl8t - DP - Kreative Talk -MarvalusOne - Regina - LaShonda -AJ - Sharon - Invisible Woman -Believer 1964 - Dee - SJP - sHaE-sHae - Songs In the Key of Life - Hagar’s Daughter - freshandfab - Thembi - Clnmike - Kim - pjazzypar - Kimberly - Malcolm

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This past week, R&B singer Brandy went on a shopping trip at Intermix in New York City. I couldn’t help but notice that Louis Vuitton leopard monogram tote Brandy had because it’s the very one Solange was seen with outside the MTV Times Square Studios last May.

Great minds think alike, huh? Ironically so, both singers are busy with their music careers. Solange just released her sophomore disc, “Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams” while Brandy filmed her comeback music video in L.A.

Both divas have style as you can tell from their fashion-forward videos. Check out Brandy’s “Sitting Up In My Room” for all those quick costume changes or Solange’s latest “Sandcastle Disco” for something different.

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Angela Simmons and Cassie were caught wearing this Herve Leger bandage mini-skirt in two different colors - grey and black. Despites the color scheme, both went for a similar look…

Cassie’s look will cost you a cool $595 over at INTERMIXONLINE.COM whereas Angela’s skirt runs for $552 over at SHOPATMILK.COM. (You gotta love Cassie’s YSL shoes…)

So are you loving this high-skirt and extra-small top combo look Angela and Cassie has on or not? Love it or leave it?

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When I saw Ciara in this floor-length colorful maxi dress, I immediately thought of the look Cynthia Nixon wore in “Sex & The City: The Movie.” Cynthia has on a T-Bags dress…as does Ciara. Eva Longoria Parker and Halle Berry are also fans of T-Bags.

Apparently the dress is sold-out online but I found 2 some low-cost alternatives.

1. T-Bags green flashback twist dress, $155.20.
2.T-Bags printed maxi dress, $110

For those interested in what Christina Milian wore to the launch party of T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk edition, it’s this French Connection “bex” embellished shift dress! Christian’s look comes in white, black and lime green. (Re: £130.00)

Fashion Tidbits:
1. Janet Jackson launches women’s lingerie line named “Pleasure Principle.” [USA Today]
2. Socalite Genevieve Jones got bitten by the blogging habit. [Style Files]
3. Check out what Cassie wore in her “Official Girl” video treatment. [Off The Rack]
4. Danity Kane parnters up with Dollhouse denim collection. [Denimology]
5. Solange and Trina simply love this Gucci bag. [Urban-Hoopla] xoxo, Chi-Chi!

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I didn’t not recognize her, I kept asking myself is that really Keyshia Cole. I always thought she was a pretty girl, but her beauty certainly shines through with the dark hair, instead red or blond. I bet Jeezy probably having second thoughts, eh! Keyshia Cole is rocking the “Respect My Vote” tee, part of a T.I. initiative to encourage young blacks to vote…

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This is too hard, I have so many, and I think I have played enough El Debarge and Lionel Richie. I think I will just play two of my favorite songs that are by male singers. Marvin Gaye, hands down, is the best male singer ever; that’s not an opinion that is a bonafide fact, and I dare you to challenge it.

Anyway, my first pick of the day is by Alexander O’Neal, he is best known for his duets with singer Cherelle. The song I chose, If You Were Here Tonight, just has the perfect tempo. You can drink a glass of wine and think about your love one. Now the video is cheesy, but worth a looky…

My last choice is by the great, great, great Luther Vandross. Some may argue that he is better than Marvin Gaye, but you can’t prove it. Anyway, this song is just one of the most beautiful songs written; it also features the late Gregory Hines. If you haven’t experienced this type of love, then you have never been in love…So Ladies and Gentlemen, I present…There’s Nothing Better Than Love…

-Electronic Village - Chatting Over Cocktails - Ms Grapevine - Quick - Marcus LANGFORD - Cassandra - Danielle -Lisa C -Chocl8t - DP - Kreative Talk -MarvalusOne - Regina - LaShonda -AJ - Sharon - Invisible Woman -Believer 1964 - Dee - SJP - sHaE-sHae - Songs In the Key of Life - Hagar’s Daughter - freshandfab - Thembi - Clnmike - Kim - pjazzypar - Kimberly - Malcolm

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This is just a sad moment for black leaders, LeRoi Moore of Dave Matthews passed relating to an ATV accident, Bernie Mac, Issac Hayes, and now Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Most of us remember her for her undying support of Hillary Clinton during the primaries, but she was in fact the first black woman to represent Ohio in the congress. Jones was first elected to the position in 1998.

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There have been rumors that Lisa Bonet is pregnant again. Well I think from the “outie” and baby bulge that those rumors are confirmed. Anyway here are candids of Lisa with her daughter Zoe Kravitz, and youngest daughter by Jason Momoa, Lola Lolani…

UPDATE: Apparently, this is Lisa’s second child, and the rumors that she had a son named Desikachar Kest with yoga instructor Bryan Kest are apparently false or unverifiable. I do not know where the name Desikachar Kest came from and why the rumors are so prevalent, but thanks to Angry Delores for the tip. This is supposedly Bryan Kest’s real wife and son…

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If you haven’t checked out Black Celebrity Kids before, please do so, it’s an incredible blog with family pictures of all your favorite stars. This week Black Celebrity Kids posted scans of the new Essence featuring the Obama family. What a beautiful family, I think I’ve seen them in a picture frame once…

[Barack, Sasha, Michelle, Malia]

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Check out Mrs. Mary doing her thing in St. Tropez with hubby, Kendu Isaacs. While on vacation Mary J Blige decided to show them young girls that 37 is the new 27 and they better watch out…

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I know someone will pick my favorites like Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, or maybe someone will go outside of the box and pick a song like Imagine or Yesterday by John Lennon or the Beatles. So I will do something that was relevant to me back when I was young. So, here is Tevin Campbell’s Tomorrow produced by Quincy Jones.

This second song is by The Winans, and I can’t stress to you, how much I love this song. There are a lot of people that blame organize religion for the fate of the world, especially those that believe in Socialism or Marxism. However, I believe if people really held the true principles of faith in their heart, and lead by love, then we can get see some peace on the planet. So I chose, Tomorrow, by The Winans…With so much trouble and hopelessness going on in the world, sometimes faith may be all you have left…

-Electronic Village - Chatting Over Cocktails - Ms Grapevine - Quick - Marcus LANGFORD - Cassandra - Danielle -Lisa C -Chocl8t - DP - Kreative Talk -MarvalusOne - Regina - LaShonda -AJ - Sharon - Invisible Woman -Believer 1964 - Dee - SJP - sHaE-sHae - Songs In the Key of Life - Hagar’s Daughter - freshandfab - Thembi - Clnmike - Kim - pjazzypar - Kimberly - Malcolm

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Thanks to my girl, Ms. T for hooking me up with these pictures. One of our readers attended the Newport Jazz Festival, which included greats like Aretha Franklin and Herbie Hancock; For those of you who enjoy real music. Anyway according to Ms. T, Anthony Hamilton and his wife showed out:

He did an incredible job and had the crowd going crazy over him. Also he introduced his wife as his “rib, my backbone”. They kissed on stage and then she started singing. She has an incredibly strong voice. Everyone who met him said that he is super nice and he spoke to everyone. Also, he let his good friend take the mic as well and sing..so he’s definitely not egotistical.

[Picture Source: Jacqueline]

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Saturday Morning, Actor/Comedian Bernie Mac dies of complications due to pneumonia. He was hospitalized for lung infections due to complications from sarcoidosis, a rare disease that often affects the lung tissues.

Excerpt from Chicago Tribune:

Comedian and Chicago native Bernie Mac died early Saturday morning from complications due to pneumonia, his publicist confirmed.

Mac, 50, had been hospitalized for about a week at Northwestern Hospital, according to his spokeswoman. A few years ago, Mac disclosed that he suffered from sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in tissue, most often in the lungs.

Mac got his respect and he gained national attention after his set on HBO’s popular late-night series Def Comedy Jam in 1992. Decked out in a pair of jeans with his face illustrated, graffiti-style, on the right pants leg, Mac expounded on one taboo subject after another, from the benefits of snitching to his prowess in the bedroom.

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We have to do this theme again, because their are too many choices. I was going to play November Rain by Guns N Roses, but it’s 10 minutes long, and I know half of you don’t watch the video anyway, So I decided to pick something a little bit shorter. Both these groups are still together, and are the Kings of Rock. The first song is Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi, who is an amazing husband, father, and actor. The second song is Janie’s Got A Gun by Aerosmith. Areosmith have so many hits, I had trouble just picking one song from them alone.

[Wanted Dead or Alive (This song goes hard)]

[Janie's Got A Gun - Areosmith]

-Electronic Village - Chatting Over Cocktails - Ms Grapevine - Quick - Marcus LANGFORD - Cassandra - Danielle -Lisa C -Chocl8t - DP - Kreative Talk -MarvalusOne - Regina - LaShonda -AJ - Sharon - Invisible Woman -Believer 1964 - Dee - SJP - sHaE-sHae - Songs In the Key of Life - Hagar’s Daughter - freshandfab - Thembi

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This is certainly one magazine issue I will buy, and you make sure you go out an buy it, too. Michelle Obama is on the cover of Ebony, and it will feature an interview with her mom, Marian Robinson.

Going beyond the surface view of poise, elegance, style and the utmost class, Ebony magazine unveils the real Michelle Obama: mother, wife, potential first lady and style icon. Take a rare look behind-the-scenes of Michelle’s life on the road to the White House and how she finds the necessary balance between managing the household with Sen. Barack Obama and joining her husband in pursuit of the most ambitious American dream.

PLUS, in an EXCLUSIVE interview, Michelle’s mother, Marian Robinson, reflects on her daughter’s childhood and transition to being one step away from changing her address from Chicago to Washington, D.C.

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Actor Morgan Freeman, one of my favorites, was airlifted to a Mississippi hospital after a one-car accident last night. His condition has not been updated, but it was reported that Freeman was extracted from the car by, “Jaws of Life.” Morgan Freeman was traveling with an unidentified woman who was also taken to the hospital. According to police at the scene, Freeman was responsive and conscious…I hope everything works out, I love me so Morgan Freeman…

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Solange Knowles - the new Armani Jeans ambassador - was seen outside London night spot, Dolce in a familar look. The younger Knowles singer worn a strapless French Connection “Wizard” dress just like the gray dress Lauren London wore to the 2008 BET Awards. Solange completed her look with a Fendi gold logo cuff and a Fendi “To You” maxi/radica bag. (Bag, Borrow or Steal, anyone???)

Photo credits: ABACA, WIREIMAGE, SPLASH NEWS ONLINE

When it comes down to Solange’s style trends, she clearly has a slight obsession with Fendi handbags and cuffs. Solange also has a love affair with yellow as this promotional photo suggested.

Trends are always fun to watch. So here are a few that I noticed lately. Are these trends a do or a don’t?Trend #1 - Animal prints

Holly Robinson Peete, Ashantiand Kelly Rowland dressed up or not this style trend.

Trend #2 - The maxi dressTaraji P. Henson, Essence Atkins, and Angela Simmons all did this style justice by keeping their accessories to a mininum.

Trend #3- the yellow heelYellow seems to be the ideal color to wear on the feet…just ask Vanessa Simmons, Ashanti, and Solange. And yes Vanessa has on Beyonce’s MIlly look!

Trend #4 - The Wedge Heel

Wedge (re: Giuseppe Zanotti) gives an extra sass to the looks worn by Jordin Sparks, Jaslene, and Keyshia Cole.

Now that you’ve seen the trends I spotted, check out the look for less…1. Tiered maxi dress, $26.99. 2. Maxi halter dress, $27.50. 3. Alice + Olivia double strap maxi dress, $276.50. 4. Figure 8 sandal, $28.00. 5. Patent croc waist belt, $9.80. 6. Dress flat with ribbon, $59.00. 7. Silk safari-print patio dress, $175.00. 8. Tiger print sheer ruffle top with camisole, $79.90. 9. Deep v-neck lace animal print top $8.99. 10. Belted zebra halter dress, $27.99. 11. Roberto Cavalli zebra messenger bag, $1,813.

1-2. Blumarine wrap dress, nordstrom.com 3.Black & white silk charmeuse dress, $300.00. 4. Giuseppte Zanotti, $299.97. 5. Disney Couture bambi bracelet, $24.00. 6. 4 1/2″heel platform sandal $59.95. 7.Patent headband with bow, $4.80. 8. Fendi leather banana flats, $227.80. 9. Headphones and Record earrings, $17.99. 10. Open toe slingback, $39.99. 11. Retro sunglasses, $145.00. 12. Rafe New York gold snakeskin long frame clutch, $237.00. 13. Flat faux python sandal, $89.95. 14. Wide cuff $5.99. 15. Delia’s strech belt, $12.50.

André Leon Talley, Vogue editor-at-large, will not style Vanity Fair magazine’s best-dressed pick Michelle Obama according to The Cut.

“[L]et me go on record saying that I have never, ever given her any advice on what to wear. To put the record straight, I think that Michelle Obama does not need advice.”

Photo credits: Getty Images/AP Photo

This tidbit is great considering that Mr. Talley’s responsible for Jennifer Hudson’s Oscar fashion miss. Don’t you like Michelle’s style without Mr. Talley’s touch??

Ashanti and Cassie can be seen on a newsstand by you. Both covers obviously appeal to different demographics…

Photo credits: Page Six/Complex

Fashion Tidbits:

Michelle Obama and Kanye West landed the coveted International Best-Dressed list.[Vanity Fair]
Nelly’s new Sean John Underwear leaves little to the imagination. [The Cut]
Christina Aguilera celebrates Macy’s 150th birthday celebration in style. [Off The Rack]
Erykah Badu channels her inner Diana Ross in this new Tom Ford AD campaign. [In A Word...Fab!]
Ciara has a new modeling gig with Victoria’s Secret?? [Fashionista 101]
Upgrade/Downgrade: Dawn of Danity Kane’s new look. [Black Style Central]
Go rent/see “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” to celebrate its 50th anniversary. [On The Runway]
Check out Rihanna’s latest style trend. [Sxy Fashion Queen]

Get in contact with me via my fashion blog posts over at URBAN-HOOPLA.COM.

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I wonder did they really have the money donated. It’s one thing to donate $4 Million for a photo when you’re rich, but $15 Million. That money can go into a trust for the babies when they’re 21, after all they’re the ones making the money…Meet Knox Leon and Vivenne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt.

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Today’s sermon at church was about wisdom, but what stood out to me most was Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” This of course reminded me of my favorite Cosby Show. I love all the episodes when Phylicia Rashad sings because her voice is so technically accurate. It just seems so pure… I believe I have played this song before, but I will use any excuse to play it again. In my life we have found it to be true, if you seek God first, amazingly you will have above and beyond what you thought you had…Just Try It, Give Him Your First & Not Your Last…

Afroamericawriter - Bria - Georgia’s Angels - Hagar’s Daughter - Marvalus - msladydeborah - Villager - Mrs Grapevine - Talulazoeapple - The78MsJ

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I just got in and I check my twitter homepage and noticed that SoulBounce made a reference to El DeBarge. There are two groups from the 80’s that I love, the first is Lionel Richie and the Commodores, and the second is DeBarge. To make a long story shorter, I realize DeBarge was a Motown group, and so here we are…

-Electronic Village - Chatting Over Cocktails - Ms Grapevine - Quick - Marcus LANGFORD - Cassandra - Danielle -Lisa C -Chocl8t - DP - Kreative Talk -MarvalusOne - Regina - LaShonda -AJ - Sharon - Invisible Woman -Believer 1964 - Dee - SJP - sHaE-sHae - Songs In the Key of Life - Hagar’s Daughter - freshandfab - Thembi

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