Diva on a Dime

With Morgan's semester about to begin, who better to be my newest Diva on a Dime, but a fellow Morganite. Introducing....

Name: Briana bka Brieyonce LOL.

Age: 20
Hometown: Middletown, Delaware

What makes you a Diva on a Dime?: I'm all about style and all about saving. I call it being a Recessionista. I study high fashion magazines and scope out duplicates at bargain stores. I'm not afraid to shop at discount stores. If it's cute, it's cute. No one's looking at my tags.

What's your personal style?: Urban Chic, when the catwalk meets the sidewalk.

Closet Must haves: Cardigans, tanks & tees and classic black pumps.

Favorite spots to shop: Forever21, H&M, Target, Old Navy, Bakers.

Spots to chill: Lounges and bars.

How do you save?: I save buy shopping online and at cheap trendy stores.

bisou bisou
miss.εmmε™

To Be or Not to Be?: Natural Hair Edition

While being green, eco-friendly and all about Mother Earth is becoming more and more widespread, I've decided to apply the concept of naturality to myself in another sense. Going natural is never an easy decision to make, simply because the process itself is a journey. And with my second attempt to embrace the curly goodness that I was born with, I've found inspiration in my family, friends and the good ole internets, lol.

One of my Leading Ladies/N-Sistas from Morgan has recently began documenting her journey and had being doing it with so much personality. Miss Donna Jenay herself [read her blog] has made transitioning about dating your hair. She's all about getting to know her hair, it's likes and dislikes and loving her hair. Girl, yes!

My Mom, sister and Auntie Marie all have locs and I've always appreciated their beautiful hair. My best friend, Diana, has also been transitioning [longer than I have], but is handling it in a different approach. I mostly wear my hair out and she, being the more clever, has found a home in the kinky twist protective style. But we're both learning how to take care of our God-given hair.

Every now and then I'll give an update on the progress of my hair, struggles, products and all that jazz lol. No more creamy crack!!

In spirit of all this hair talk, here's the trailer for Chris Rock's Good Hair. Enjoy!



bisou bisou
miss.εmmε™

Who's Hot

Hey lovelies and gents! Once again the difficult task of selecting this week's hot celebs falls upon little ole me.

Coming across this lady was fairly easy. One of my favorites, Solange appeared at an OP launch event [love the pink lip], being as she's featured in the fashion company's "Summer of Music." She also recently appeared at San Francisco's Pride wearing a metallic, rainbow catsuit, but you gotta love that girl.


If I could, I would make it Common, every week. I can, but I won't do that to you lovelies. Drumroll...... for the gentleman of the moment. The grown man sexy that is Idris Elba [aka DJ Big Dris the Londoner] landed on the cover of the August issue of Essence. The man is just fine and the accent doesn't bother me none, either.

He looks even better in the photos inside, but I digress!!

bisou bisou
miss.εmmε™

MK Links Takes on NYC

MK Links Model Management began as a Dallas based agency headed by my dear friend Mahiri Takai. The company does a lot of HIV/ AIDS awareness events and even has a t-shirt line to help the cause by the name of Tested Negative. Mahiri's fashion based enterprise has grown so much that the company will soon have a commercial base in New York City. I'm insanely excited for my friend and I want you to help him celebrate!!

The MK Links Agency will be having an amazing launch party on Saturday, July 18th at Le Royale at 9pm. The event is hosted by VH1's Glam God winner Indashio and I'm sure you'll be suprised at the guess list. So, make your way there next Saturday, lovelies!

bisou bisou
miss.εmmε™

Baby Talk

Finally!! A couple of rumored celeb pregnancies were confirmed for us in the past week. I'm sure you lovelies had already heard that Jennifer Hudson had a baby shower a while back and was still denying her pregnancy. And you've barely seen her since. She made an appearance at Michael Jackson's memorial service this past Tuesday, looking ready to drop! And she sannnggg that Free Willy song!

Another mommy-to-be that came out from her hiding place was Lauren London. Rumor is she's pregnant with Weezy F's baby and apparently at the same time as on and off girlfriend Nivea. [She messed up when she left The-Dream]. But anywho, she made an appearance at Diddy's fourth of July white party.

Last, but definitely not least Raven Symone and ex Jussie Smollet [Jurnee Smollet's older brother] recently had a baby girl, named Lilianna Pearman in an Atlanta Hospital. I know right, lovelies! Who knew?!? Supposedly, this is the newborn baby girl. [photo removed]

EDIT: It appears that That's So Raven's camp is saying she did not have a baby nor was she ever pregnant. Supposedly, she's a new auntie. Still, who knows?

Well, that's more than enough baby talk for one day. Good luck to these young mothers!

bisou bisou
miss.εmmε™

Diva on a Dime

This is a new feature that I'm bringing to you lovelies. We are most definitely in a recession [RIP Vibe Magazine], so why not share ways you save money while still being a diva!

Name: Diana
Age: 21
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

What makes you a Diva on a Dime?: I'll scour the world for sales and bargains. Signing up for email notifications is my best friend! You'd be amazed how many coupons and free events you'll receive just for signing up for a free newsletter.

What's your personal style?: Urban Prep

Favorite spots to shop: Old Navy, Forever 21, Payless.

Closet Must Haves: Cardigans and flip-flops!

Spots to chill: Clubs and Lounges.

How do you save?: Look through the clearence and sale sections. Also, shopping online. Believe it or not there are a lot of online-exclusives and stores like Old Navy and the Gap combine shipping for a flat rate. I'm signed up at alltheparties.com and they send me invites to different clubs and lounges. By RSVPing I can get into some of New York's hottest spots for free.

bisou bisou
miss.εmmε™

Entertainment Rundown

Just some random Hollywood happenings and of course my input!

♠ I can go on and on about how trash the BET Awards were, but I barely have the energy. But I will say this!

-Jamie, the all purpose host, smh pick a job
-Performances were dry, with the exception of Soulja Boy, the entire Ojay's tribute and performance, Jay, Maxwell & Ne-Yo.
-Who let Ciara sing? She can dance, let her do that.
-I'm still curious as to what Beyonce was going to do prior to MJ's passing. DRY!
-Commericals were wild, everyone has a show. When am I getting mine?
-MJ tributes could've been way better, period!


♠ Next up, the dreaded Drake video. The highly anticipated "Best I Ever Had" video was finally released and I must say it's a love or hate situation. The storyline of the video was clever, but the correlation to the song was barely there. Kanye's cinematography was enjoyable, but there were more than enough breasts in that video. My opinion? Better luck next time, I'm sure I'll "thank him later." Take a look for yourself.

♠ No, I have not seen the Tiny & Toya show. I think I'm subconsciously boycotting that show. I've had more than enough BET intake as it is. It's time to gain my IQ points back.

♠ Usher is questioning the paternity of his younger son, Naviyd. Smh, not suprised.

Well, that's all for now lovelies. Au revoir!

bisou bisou
miss.εmmε™

An Icon Leaves Us

I am close to positive that all of you lovelies were just as shocked as I was when you heard word that the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, passed away. At the age of 50, the mega-star underwent cardic arrest at UCLA Hospital and was pronounced dead yesterday just before 3pm. He had just announced that he would be doing a comback tour entitled, This Is It.

Michael Jackson is the defintion of an icon. One of the only artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, 13 Grammys, 13 #1 singles and cited in the Guinness Book of World Records as the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time," the man just couldn't be touched. Performing and entertaining for nearly four decades, Michael Jackson has influenced the world with his artistry and philanthropy. You can see and hear his influence in artists like Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, The-Dream and Usher, just to name a few.

I was sitting in my living room with my mom when I heard the news and just as I was sitting there in shock, my phone rang. It wasn't my best friend or anyone from college or even a family member, but an old friend from high school. She was a huge MJ fan, just like I was and recalled the conversation we had about 6 years prior about being a part of the generation that would recall the time that Michael Jackson would die. We never thought that the passing day that our generation's Elvis would come so soon. It was surreal.

Michael Jackson was a huge portion of my music intake during my childhood. I remember begging for my mom to put on his records [yes, I said records] back to back and just dancing and singing for my parents. Not to mention the VHS tapes full of his videos and live concerts that I would never get tired of. And I wouldn't dare forget how sensitive he was as the Scarecrow in the Wiz. I could only imagine all the memories that are attached to all of the work he's accomplished in his time.

Though the King of Pop lived most of his life under the scrutiny of the public eye, I hope that he's finally resting up in music heaven with Ray Charles, Aaliyah and other industry greats. Michael Jackson will never be forgotten.

Michael Joseph Jackson
August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009

My all time favorite Michael video, Remember the Time... the FULL version

bisou bisou
miss.εmmε™