Vivid Review: For Colored Girls

Today I went to see the highly anticipated screen adaptation of "For Colored Girls" directed by Tyler Perry. I was skeptical because I have been deceived more than once by the emotionally charged trailers of Perry's films only to be disappointed in the end. Thankfully "Colored Girls" was excellent. The film not only brought the original choreopeom to the big screen, but pulled you into the characters lives and made you feel like they could be your cousin, aunt, neighbor or friend.

Divine

Rashad

Goldberg

Above are my favorite characters. The all-star cast including Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Janet Jackson, Anika Noni Rose, Thandie Newton, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Divine and Tessa Thompson did a great job of demonstrating the seriousness of the issues each of their characters were dealing with. I liked that Tyler kept most of the soliloquies, but if you hadn't read or seen the original you may not have understood it. The movie was full of raw emotion--evoking feelings of passion, disbelief and disappointment, but never despair. Though the movie didn't end on a high note, I really enjoyed it and wouldn't mind seeing it again.

To both Tyler Perry and the cast, job well done!

Kim Kardashian at Basketball Game: High Fashion or Hot Mess?

Reality TV starlet  turned pop singer Kim Kardashian sat court-side at the Miami Heat vs. New Jersey Nets game wearing this exotic fur sleeve enhanced with feathers at the shoulder. I think this look would have suited her just fine if it were a jacket, but a sleeve? I wonder if her left arm was jealous. *snickers* Kim usually gets it right, but is this high fashion or a hot mess?

Is Kim Kardashian's fur sleeve high fashion or a hot mess?
	High Fashion
	Hot Mess
pollcode.com free polls

Vivid News Flash: Rihanna Launches New Fragrance

Pop star Rihanna is the latest in the long list of celebrities to launch a new fragrance. Reb’l Fleur by Rihanna premiered in Cannes last week at the TFWA World Exhibition. The perfume is a fruity floral scent that combines tuberose, violet, hibiscus, and a splash of coconut water and comes in a stiletto heel shaped bottle  with a gold ring at the top. I always thought a clothing line would be her first business venture outside of music, but fragrances are probably easier to sell in this economy. Reb'l Fleur is set to hit U.S. stores in 2011.

The "Rude Boy" singer also has a tattoo of the same name on her neck that reads 'rebelle fleur.' Earlier this year, she was the butt of jokes because it was rumored that the tattoo was grammatically incorrect, but Rihanna later confirmed it wasn't.

Will you be purchasing Rebl Fleur?
	Yes, I can't wait!
	No. Who wants to smell like Rihanna?
	Maybe.
pollcode.com free polls

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Style File: LaLa Vasquez

I've been an admirer LaLa's blossoming style for a while now. After the season finale of "LaLa's Full Court Wedding" I found it only fitting to chronicle the Latina TV personality's style after seeing several items I wanted to take from her closet on the show. Though I wasn't impressed with her recent attempt at modeling, I love the way she pairs a simple blazer and denim look with sky high pumps and over-sized bags-- and the girls' freak 'em dress game is on lock. Though her style has been credited to hanging with good friend Kim Kardashian, I think she finds a way to make the look her own. She's a master at looking feminine and flirty without being over-sexed. Take a look:

Cute, right?

Chanel Iman Does Italian Vanity Fair

Supermodel Chanel Iman has a fashion spread in Italian Vanity Fair, much to her surprise. "This feature started of as an interview and a couple [of] pictures!!" she posted on her blog. "We all had so much fun in the studio we couldn’t stop shooting and [it] turn[ed] out to be a complete story!!!" The impromptu spread looks great, check it:

What do you think? See the entire spread here.

Vivid Discussion: How Grown is "Too Grown?"

Rising star, Willow Smith has been catching headlines for her side-shaven hair cut and creative fashion choices since she unveiled the look in December of last year. The "Whip My Hair" singer is talented without a doubt, but she or rather her parents-- superstars Will and Jada Smith have been criticized for allowing their nine-year-old daughter to dress the way she does. Some argue that her threads and haircut are wacky, while others say they are simply "too grown." Jada has said that she wants to give her daughter room to be creative and express herself, but is self-expression worth all of the negative attention? Little Willow went from this:

 

 

 

To this- in a matter of months.

Drastic eh? The new look may be the Smith's effort to make Willow more edgy and 'on trend' for her budding music career, but the majority doesn't seem to be buying it.  Though her current look (the first picture) is not as extreme as the others, the look below provides a happy medium between young rock star and growing adolescent. Do you think Willow's look is too grown? Sound off in the poll on the upper right!

Christian Siriano for Payless

Our favorite Project Runway alum is at it again. Christian Siriano debuted his spring 2011 line for Payless during New York Fashion Week. (I bought a pair last year that I have yet to wear because they are uncomfortable.) The shoes are  more wearable this time, but still a far cry from what you normally find at the affordable shoe chain. I'm especially loving the patent strappy sandals and the geometric heels this time around.

Will you be lining up for a pair?

Style File: June Ambrose

 Celebrity stylist and self-proclaimed "rock mom," June Ambrose has been a fashion icon for years. She's responsible for the signature looks of Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and Diddy, but June's style is not to be looked over. She's not afraid to push boundaries and knows what works for her body. Her knack for perfect tailoring and mixing high and low end are what set her apart. You gotta love a stylist who shops at Target.

She takes us on her daily journey via Twitter (@JuneAmbrose) as she stomps through the streets of New York and keeps us laughing the whole time. What's not to love?

What do you think of June's style?

Vivid Discussion: Black Girls and Butt Inhancements?

Big butts have become widely accepted in the mainstream media in recent years, so  it is no surprise that having bigger assets is popular. Stars like Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian have been praised for their curves and items like the booty pop have been making millions on the market. Big butts have always been popular in my neighborhood, but the girls that didn't have them weren't devastated by the absence of a big booty. Lately it seems black women are dissing what their mama's gave them and seeking ways to enlarge their derierre. Most recently the rapper we love to hate, Nicki Minaj has been accused of having butt injections and the "Bootylicious" singer herself, Beyonce has been accused of wearing butt pads.

 To me, Nicki's butt looks faker than a three dollar bill. Everything about her shape screams unnatural. On the other hand, Beyonce has always had a nice size backside and curves to boot. It wasn't until this picture emerged a few weeks ago that my eyebrow raised:

Bey, what's up with that unsightly bulge in your shorts? Are black women going the extra mile to put a lil' junk in their trunks? Would you rock a butt pad or get injections? Sound off in the poll on the upper right.

Get the Look: Kim Kardashian's Lace-up Leggings

Reality TV starlet, Kim Kardashian was spotted wearing these fabulous Style Stalker "snakebite" leggings while shopping. The eye-catchers retail for $189 and are currently on back order. She paired them with a blazer and a simple tee. Platform pumps finish the look.

Pre-order them here.

LaLa Vasquez Does YRB

Our favorite basketball wife is the face of YRB's fall fashion spread. The bustling business woman wears many hats-mom, producer, and now reality TV star with her new VH1 show "LaLa's Full Court Wedding," but I'm not sure if model is a title she can add to the list. While I love LaLa in her everyday attire, these photos are giving me Modeling 101. Her hair and make up are flawless and the clothes are cute, but I'm not convinced. Check it:

 

Your thoughts?

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Vivid Trend: Aren't Acrylic Nails Over?

So, I was surfing the net, going through my daily blog roll call when I stumbled upon a picture of tennis superstar Serena Williams sitting front row at the Micheal Kors fashion show with editor-in-chief of Vogue, the Anna Wintour. I was thinking Serena looked hot, head to toe until I spied acrylic nails with (gasp!) designs on them!

I had to ask myself, is she really wearing acrylic nails? I thought they went out with crystal tattoos. I quickly realized the nails may have been left-over from her catwalk down LaQuan Smith's Spring/Summer 2011 runway, but thought it would still be fun to do a post. Personally, I haven't worn acrylic since my sophomore year of college and then tried a gel overlay a couple of years ago only to be reminded of why I stopped getting them in the first place. With so many non-damaging options, why put so much stress on your natural nails with all the filing buffing and drilling? May I recommend these looks instead?

                                                               Minx Nails

 

 

Matte Finish

 

                                                             Metallic Flakes

And if you must do an overlay, keep them short and neat. Don't be afraid to try a trend like the ombre effect.

Do you rock acrylic nails? Sound off in poll on the upper right.
Pictures found here.