West Coast Winter....





Foil Bird Top ($34 at bandlu.com)













Teal 'Royal Palace' Large Tote by Baby Phat ($92.95 at zappos.com)

Style Stealer: All Hail The Queen...

BREAKING NEWS:

CNN reports that former Lane Bryant Model and Reality TV star Anna Nicole Smith has passed away after collapsing at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL this afternoon.

My heart goes out to her family...

Please visit cnn.com for the full report and updates.

LARGE and Totally Devoid of Class ....

Wow, Hollywood, bang up job disgracing the plus size community so far....

Never have I ever seen a more gross representation of a woman of size depicted on screen to date.

This character meets ALL the stereotypes that have ever existed about fat black women. How lovely.

Obviously this is one MOVIE I won't be seeing this year. Give me a break Eddie.



Is this what a future Oscar winner looks like?
Some fear 'Norbit' could hurt Murphy's Academy Award chances.

By Greg Braxton and Robert W. Welkos, Times Staff Writers

EDDIE Murphy's on the verge of an awards season trifecta — his charismatic portrayal of a tragic R&B singer in "Dreamgirls" has already nabbed him a Screen Actors Guild award and a Golden Globe, and he's considered a front-runner for a best supporting Oscar.

But the most high-profile image of Murphy these days — while Oscar ballots are still out — is on billboards and in movie trailers wearing a fat suit, garish eye shadow and little else.

The tagline for his new comedy, "Norbit," poses the question: "Have you ever made a really big mistake?"

Some Oscar observers are questioning the timing of the movie's Friday arrival, and whether it may unintentionally put off potential academy voters, while some black activists are taking Murphy to task for engaging in what they say are demeaning racial stereotypes.

"Every time I pass that billboard, it makes me sick," said one veteran Oscar consultant, who declined to be identified and is not involved in a rival campaign. "I think his performance in 'Dreamgirls' is so fabulous" and deserves to win the Academy Award. But, he added, Murphy's latest comedy offering "doesn't help."
Award season aside, Murphy and "Norbit" are under fire from some black activists who say the film is just the latest to build a movie around a black man dressing up as an unsophisticated, overweight black woman. Adding fuel to their anger is the movie's release during Black History Month....

Read more of this Los Angeles Times article at Latimes.com

3 Quick Auto Repair Tips
by James C

Maintaining your car is a very important job. A well maintained car will last longer, perform better and get better gas mileage. Learn some quick tips to help you easily maintain your car.

1. Change the oil every 3000 miles or 3 months. This is the most important thing you can do to protect your car. If you cannot change it that often have your mechanic change your oil with synthetic oil. It lasts much longer and will allow you to go longer between oil changes.

2. Have your brakes checked as soon as they begin to squeal. If you replace them as soon as they become worn you will save your vehicle any further damage. If brake pads wear down too much they can damage your rotors or drums.

3. When your radiator reservoir becomes low add premixed antifreeze. You can now buy antifreeze premixed to the correct 50/50 ratio. It might seem like you are wasting money by paying for water but it will save you time and ensure that your vehicle receives the correct ratio of antifreeze to water. The right balance is important to protect your engine and provide proper cooling.

That's it for now. Remember a well maintained car will save you money in countless ways so take the time to take care of your car.

About the Author:

Gig: Calling all Songbirds...

Essence Magazine And Berklee College Of Music Announce Their Second National Hip-Hop Songwriting Contest. Essence's Take Back the Music campaign, along with Boston's Berklee College of Music, are once again looking for the next generation of hip-hop stars. ESSENCE's Take Back the Music Campaign, an in-depth examination of the ways in which Black women are depicted in popular music and videos, was first announced in January 2005, and continues its effort to promote balance in mainstream hip-hop's messages as the two groups announce their second hip-hop songwriting contest. The contest deadline is March 9 and three winners will attend a high school music program at Berklee this summer, while runners up get a free course at Berkleemusic.com. Complete details are posted at www.ESSENCE.com and www.Berklee.edu.

"ESSENCE is pleased to partner with the Berklee College of Music once again to expose new voices in hip-hop that otherwise might not be heard, and give new talent the opportunity to develop through music education," said Angela Burt-Murray, Essence editor-in-chief.

The 10 finalist songs from last year's contest were posted on both www.ESSENCE.com and www.Berklee.edu, and were heard by more than a quarter of a million listeners. Two of last year's winners have also applied to the college for full-time study.

Students 15 to 18 who are unsigned songwriters and/or producers have until March 9, 2007, to submit their original songs. Five winners will be selected by a panel of hip-hop celebrity judges and Berklee music scholars: Chuck D (legendary rapper, co-founder of Public Enemy), Spinderella (former Salt-N-Pepa DJ, co-host of the syndicated classic hip-hop radio show The Backspin), Jean Grae (rapper, songwriter, producer), Berklee professors Susan Kean Cattaneo (songwriting), Prince Charles Alexander (music production and engineering), Danielle Scott (ensemble), and student Ryan Williamson (contemporary writing and production major, founder of Rykeyz Productions).

Judging will be based on clever, innovative lyrics, as well as melody and composition of songs. Three winners will be admitted into the 2007 Berklee Five-Week Summer Performance Program that immerses students in all aspects of performance, music theory, and the latest innovations in music technology, while electives focus on songwriting, music synthesis, and the music business. For complete contest rules and an entry form, visit essence.com/takebackthemusic or berklee.edu.

The contest includes: Grand Prize: Two winners will be admitted into the 2007 Berklee Five-Week Summer Performance Program and receive a full scholarship, including tuition and room and board (each valued at $6,480); Second Place: One winner will receive a tuition-only scholarship (valued at $3,895); Runners-Up: Two runners-up will each receive one online music course at BerkleeMusic.com (valued between $595 and $1,250)

--information as reported at gigslist.org.

Who Loves Ya Baby?: 6 Cheap and Simple Buys to Keep You Feeling Sexy On Valentine's Day If You're Single ( or Not-So Single) ...


Apricot Brandy Dress ($44 at alight.com)

















Pink Flock Heart Mesh Lace Trim Cheeky Short ($10 at torrid.com)








Petal Tops Heart Shaped Breast Covers ($6.95 at torrid.com)

Best Motorcycle For A Woman

By Mike O'Gorman

The best motorcycle for a woman is dependent on your body and skill level. Women are as varied in terms of experience and stature as men.

What should you look for in a bike? Size and stature are one of the first things to consider. You want to be comfortable straddling and controlling your bike.

The weight and seat height of your bike are the two most important things to consider. It is not enjoyable or confidence inspiring to be riding a bike that is bigger and heavier than you are comfortable with.

Elena and I recently took a motorcycle safety foundation (MSF) basic rider course to see if we could further our riding level. The bikes used in the course were 250cc street cruisers. The Honda Rebel and Suzuki GZ250 were the bikes of choice. (The Rebel is also a 250cc bike.)

These bikes would provide a nice platform for your first bike. The benefits of these bikes include light weight, low seat height, and easy maneuverability. Elena felt very comfortable on the Suzuki. We even practiced picking the bike up off the ground, and she did it with ease (there is a trick to lifting a bike easily).

The thing that Elena really liked about these bikes is that they have the classic cruiser look (chrome and metal), yet they are light and easy to use for a beginner biker.

Additionally, these bikes are nearly bulletproof. The "mules" that we used in class were dropped and abused regularly. But they were surprisingly resilient.

The Honda and Suzuki bikes are also known for their reliability and low cost of ownership--real plusses if you don't want the hassle or cost of repairs.

The first bike that you buy is going to be a learning tool that will go through some ups and downs, so don't buy that super-special bike of your dreams for your first bike. Instead, buy one that will allow you to build confidence and improve your riding ability. The Honda Rebel and Suzuki GZ250 will provide the best balance of looks, reliability, and ease of use.

About the Author:

Chandra Wilson Scores BIG at Screen Actors Guild Awards

The rubenesque actress, looking every bit the "golden globe" in a sexy floor -skimming number, took home two SAG awards last week for Best Actress in A Drama Series and Best Ensemble in A TV Drama









And I Am Telling You -- SHE's not Going Nowhere! Especially when She's looking like THAT...

It's the year of the breast and Hollywood's newest It-Girl, Jennifer Hudson, is leading the pack.
The young actress/singer was the epitome of old Hollywood glam and sex appeal when she hypnotized the SAG crowd with a rhinestone encrusted gown that hugged her plentiful curves like melted chocolate.
The award winning Actress later took home a SAG statuette for her work in Dreamgirls to seal the deal.

I'm so glad that Jennifer's new fitness regimen enhanced her attributes rather than scaled her down over all. She's looking phenomenal!



The VERY Busy Schedule of a Plus Size It- Girl:



In stunning black velvet and satin at the Dreamgirls U.K. Premiere...













Looking ship-shape in a white sailor-like minidress at the AFI Awards.





Looking like a goddess in black knee-skimming satin at the National Board of Review Awards Gala...







In a hot pair of pirate booties signing autographs and getting ready to visit Dave Letterman at a taping of The Late Show...