Saturday, August 30, 2008

Outfit of the Week: What to wear to a White Party!


So, it's Labor Day and I guess everyone wants to wear their white before it's just considered tacky (they say wearing white after Labor Day is a big no-no!) so everyone has decided to throw White Parties this weekend. I'm not that into wearing white so I decided to post the Outfit of the Week for everyone who is in the same boat!

Friday, August 29, 2008

Do school uniforms make better students?


School uniforms continue to strut their way down the hallways of America's public schools.

Nearly 14 percent of public schools required uniforms in 2005–06, according to the latest figures from the National Center for Education Statistics. That's up from about 12 percent in 1999–2000 and a paltry 3 percent in 1996–97, when President Clinton championed uniforms as a way to keep schools orderly and disciplined.

The Midwest system has seen positive results in just one year, school leaders say.

Expulsion rates have gone down, though that could be due to a number of factors, not just uniforms, says Mary Louise Bewley, community relations director. Mostly, the changes have been in perception.

"There's almost less fear of our children, because they don't look like hoods," Bewley says. Leaders in Georgia's Clayton County -- another area where about three-quarters of kids are from economically disadvantaged homes -- are going for a similar makeover. This fall for the first time, students in kindergarten to sixth grade districtwide will be required to wear uniforms. Within four years, every student will be in uniform, Assistant Superintendent Cethus Jackson says.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Obama offers campaign gear from top fashion designers



Forget buttons and bumper stickers.

Barack Obama's team is taking campaign merchandising to a whole new level - with the help of a few handpicked supporters from the New York fashion world. Some of the country's biggest style stars, including Isaac Mizrahi, Derek Lam, Tracy Reese, Diane von Furstenberg and Russell Simmons, clamored to create signature items. From T-shirts to tote bags, the items will be available on the campaign's Web site next month. Simmons, who will appear at the Democratic convention in Denver on Monday, crafted a tee that says, "America deserves better."

"The shirt that I designed was just simple," he says. "It's very clear - the meaning is obvious. Sen. Obama, in my opinion, represents better." The collaboration is an unprecedented political show of support from New York's high-profile fashion industry. Designers were given permission to use Obama's image and logo - and volunteered for the project.

New Movie: The Secret Lives of Bees



Check out this new movie starring Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Outfit of the Week: Back to School Swag...


Sweater, www.lillypulitzer.com
green flats, www.couture.zappos.com
denim skirt, www.abercrombie.com
Juicy Couture Charm Bracelet, www.bagborroworsteal.com
Louis Vuitton Montsouris MM Bag, www.bagborroworsteal.com
Juicy Couture "Back to School" Journal, www.show.nordstrom.com
Aviator sunglasses, www.gogglesandglasses.com

Monday, August 11, 2008

Altanta radio host Rashan Ali starts nonprofit for girls in sports


Hot 107.9 morning host Rashan Ali got a full scholarship at Florida A&M in swimming, a fairly uncommon sport for African American women. So she has created a nonprofit called Sporty Girls where she nurtures minority girls in sports such as soccer, tennis, golf and her sport swimming. On Saturday, she held a charity swim meet to raise funds for her group.

“I really want to encourage girls to try sports they may not think could help them later,” Ali said after the meet, which was held at the natatorium at Washington Park not far from Morehouse College. Still dripping from water, she had just finished winning her own 50-yard freestyle.

She just held a camp for 18 girls, ages 9 to 14. She’d love to raise enough cash one day to build her own sports academy instead of renting or borrowing space. “I like to think big,” she said.

Click here for story.

New Study: African-American Girls Who Use Marijuana Engage In Riskier Sex, Have Higher STD Rate


African-American girls who use marijuana are more likely to engage in risky sexual acts and contract a sexually transmitted disease, a new study finds. The study, by Emory University public health researchers, is being presented at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. It analyzed the marijuana use and self-reported sexual behavior of 439 sexually active black females between the ages of 15 and 21.

Researchers found that black girls who used marijuana had significantly higher rates of incident STDs than non-marijuana users (32 percent compared to 23 percent). Marijuana users also had more sex partners, riskier sex partners, including a partner just released from jail, and more recent episodes of engaging in vaginal sex while their partner was under the influence.
Click here for story.

Friday, August 8, 2008

It's 08.08.08! That means the Beijing Olympics begin today!


Check out the slide shows from the opening ceremony here. I think that is the most exciting part for me. I also like the Track and Field and Gymnastics competitions...

Top Model gets ready for Cycle 11!


Has it been that many? Get ready for more cat fights and diva behavior!

New Trailer: The Longshots

The Longshots follows the true story of Jasmine Plummer (Keke Palmer) who, at the age of eleven, became the first female to play in Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-year history.

The movie is due for release July 25th and also stars Jill Marie Jones, Tasha Smith, and David Banner.

NYC Adds Double Dutch Rope Jumping as School Sport


The popular urban street pastime called double dutch, in which competitors jump between two ropes twirled eggbeater-style, is getting more recognition, becoming an officially sanctioned sport in New York City high schools. School officials say adding double dutch to the calendar should get hundreds of students participating in an enjoyable aerobic activity.

"We're always thinking, what do we need to do to get more kids playing?" said Eric Goldstein, chief executive of the Public School Athletic League.

Double dutch will be a spring sport this coming school year after basketball season is over and there is space in the gyms. According to the National Double Dutch League, Dutch settlers brought the game to New York in colonial times - hence the name.

I think double dutch is a lost art. I think little girls everywhere need to get out their jump ropes and get to it!