Old School: Sparkle

Sparkle was a movie released in 1976 that was inspired by the singing group, The Supremes. Sparkle is a period film set in Harlem, New York during the late 1950s and early 1960s which follows the rough lives and careers of singer Sparkle Williams and her family and friends. Most definitely low-budget and reminiscent of the blaxploitation films of the era, Sparkle had one of the best soundtracks of all time (before "soundtracks" for movies were even popular!). The group EnVogue took like three of their best-selling singles from this movie! If you ever come across the movie, it might remind you of Dreamgirls.

Rumors had been circulating that Whitney Houston's BrownHouse Productions had planned a modernized remake of Sparkle and Aaliyah was signed to star as Sparkle, but died in August 2001 before production began. Although the film was put on hold following the singer's death, Ashanti was later attached to star as Sparkle in a remake. In 2003, Warner Bros. announced plans to go forward with the production with Raven-Symoné in the lead. But, with the release of a film version of Dreamgirls in 2006, development on Sparkle was shut down. I absolutely love this movie!

Website Alert: Black Girls Rock!

BLACK GIRLS ROCK! INC. is a 501c3 nonprofit, youth empowerment mentoring organiza- tion establishedas a reaction to the often seen negative images consistently imprinted upon Black women expressly in mass media. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! INC.’s mission is to encour- age positive life-changing activity and critical thinking through the arts for “at risk” teenage women of color to help foster their dreams of a better tomorrow without comprising their integrity and self-worth today. What a great organization!

Black Girls Rock Website

Outfit of the Week: Say Sayonara to Summer!

Summer is almost over...take advantage!

patent monokini, www.wetseal.com;
bracelets, www.funkyaccessories.com
Lancome Juicy Tubes gloss, www.neimanmarcus.com
Patent T-Strap sandals, www.caymanpink.com
Raffia Hat, www.tropicalitems.com
Oliver Goldsmith sunglasses, www.mycatwalk.com.au

Lincoln Heights aims high

Lincoln Heights is the best!!! The third season of the ABC Family Channel's "Lincoln Heights," is one powerful night of TV, but viewers have come to expect that from the series about an African American cop and his family who move back into the old neighborhood and rehabilitate a former crack house.

In the season opener, Eddie and Jenn Sutton (Russell Hornsby and Nikki Micheaux) are getting away from it all at the beach while their kids are staying with friends. But, as Jenn reminds Eddie, when is the last time the kids hung around to do homework on a Sunday morning? Younger daughter Lizzie (Rhyon Brown) is playing basketball, son Tay (Mishon Ratliff) is looking to reformed thug Ruben (Darrin Dewitt Henson) for help with his music, and elder daughter Cassie (Erica Hubbard) and her boyfriend, Charles (Robert Adamson), sneak back into the Sutton house for a little cuddle time.

When a gang breaks into the house, the idyllic Sunday morning is thrown into chaos. Cassie and Charles find their lives in danger as they try to hide from the gang, which is led by a young woman who'd grown up in the house and is hoping to find her grandmother's "legacy," a key to understanding how her life could have gone so wrong. It all leads to an emotional wallop of a conclusion.

Read more here:

The New New: Girls Get the Anime Look with Extra-Wide Contact Lenses

Anyone who's seen Japanese comics, cartoon videos or anime art is instantly struck by the common look of the girls - big eyes that, by making the rest of the face look small, add the cuteness and sex appeal prized by many Japanese men. Since no amount of cosmetic surgery will make actual human eyes larger, some girls are trying another way to up their cute quotient: extra-wide contact lenses!

These are no ordinary contacts - they're not only tinted, but tinted prominently in the extra-wide outer ring. The result is the appearance of a bigger, wider iris.To quote the sales copy, "Wanna get big, watery shiny eyes without any surgery? CRAVE AND ENVY NO MORE!"

The extra-wide contact lenses are made by a variety of companies and cost in the $30-$50 per pair range. It seems they're not just cosmetic - send in your prescription and the lenses will be made to order.

It's not just white girls

Of the 10 million women and 1 million men who do cope with anorexia and bulimia in this country, it is true that the majority of those documented are white. But in some cases, minorities have been excluded from samples because of this assumption—and experts say the "white girl" stereotype discourages men and minorities from coming forward. One study, by Wesleyan psychologist Ruth Striegel-Moore, found that black girls who do suffer from eating disorders are less likely to seek treatment. "I know stories of African-American women who've gone in to see a physician, with all the symptoms of an eating disorder, and the doctor says, 'That's a white girl's disease'," says Cynthia Bulik, an eating-disorder specialist at the University of North Carolina. "That persisting stigma can make people uncomfortable."

Anorexia was formalized as a diagnosis in the late 19th century, though it didn't become a household word until the 1970s, when feminists protested the rise of Twiggy as the body ideal. Media attention peaked in the '90s, with Naomi Wolf's "The Beauty Myth," but has waned in recent years, perhaps overshadowed by obesity. But the number diagnosed continues to increase. In a 2003 review of the literature, researchers found that since 1930, the rate of anorexic women ages 15 to 19 has gone up incrementally each decade. And between 1988 and 1993, bulimia in 10- to 39-year-olds tripled. Some blame skinny models and magazines that tout an often unattainable esthetic. But for the majority of sufferers, the problem has historically been far more complicated, regardless of anorexia's popularity as a political cause.

Ode to Fashion: Fresh Prince Wifey

"Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air (Theme Song)"

Now, this is a story all about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down
And I liked to take a minute
Just sit right there
I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel Air

In west Philadelphia born and raised
On the playground was where I spent most of my days
Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool
And all shootin some b-ball outside of the school
When a couple of guys
Who were up to no good
Startin making trouble in my neighborhood
I got in one little fight and my mom got scared
She said 'You're movin' with your auntie and uncle in Bel Air'

I whistled for a cab and when it came near
The license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror
If anything I can say this cab is rare
But I thought 'Now forget it' - 'Yo homes to Bel Air'

I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8
And I yelled to the cabbie 'Yo homes smell ya later'
I looked at my kingdom
I was finally there
To sit on my throne as the Prince of Bel Air!

Serena wins 3rd US Title Open!

Serena Williams is pictured with her trophy after winning her finals match to Jelena Jankovic of Serbia at the US Open tennis tournament on Sunday in New York City. This is Serena’s 3rd US Open Title and ninth Grand Slam title. She's unstoppable!

Back to school blues? Make this year great!

Time Management Tips For High School Students

It's 10 P.M.—Do You Know Where Your Homework Is?

Does it seem like there's never enough time in the day to get everything done? Feel like you're always running late? Here are some tips for taking control of your time and organizing your life.

1. Make a "To Do" List Every Day.
Put things that are most important at the top and do them first. If it's easier, use a planner to track all of your tasks. And don't forget to reward yourself for your accomplishments.

2. Use Spare Minutes Wisely.
Get some reading done on the bus ride home from school, for example, and you'll kill two birds with one stone.

3. It's Okay to Say "No."
If your boss asks you to work on a Thursday night and you have a final exam the next morning, realize that it's okay to say no. Keep your short- and long-term priorities in mind.

4. Find the Right Time.
You'll work more efficiently if you figure out when you do your best work. For example, if your brain handles math better in the afternoon, don't wait to do it until late at night.

5. Review Your Notes Every Day.
You'll reinforce what you've learned, so you need less time to study. You'll also be ready if your teacher calls on you or gives a pop quiz.

6. Get a Good Night's Sleep.
Running on empty makes the day seem longer and your tasks seem more difficult.

7. Communicate Your Schedule to Others.
If phone calls are proving to be a distraction, tell your friends that you take social calls from 7-8 p.m. It may sound silly, but it helps.

8. Become a Taskmaster.
Figure out how much free time you have each week. Give yourself a time budget and plan your activities accordingly.

9. Don't Waste Time Agonizing.
Have you ever wasted an entire evening by worrying about something that you're supposed to be doing? Was it worth it? Instead of agonizing and procrastinating, just do it.

10. Keep Things in Perspective.
Setting goals that are unrealistic sets you up for failure. While it's good to set high goals for yourself, be sure not to overdo it. Set goals that are difficult yet reachable.

Consider these tips, but personalize your habits so that they suit you. If you set priorities that fit your lifestyle, you'll have a better chance of achieving your goals.


from www.collegeboard.com

Sanaa Lathan and Nia Long lend voices to new animated series!

The Cleveland Show is the working title of an upcoming American animated series, a spin-off of the hit show Family Guy. It will be an animated series focusing on the character of Cleveland Brown and his family as Cleveland moves from Rhode Island to Virginia. His newly introduced family includes his new wife, Donna (to be voiced by Sanaa Lathan, her 16-year-old daughter, Roberta (to be voiced by Nia Long and her 5-year-old son, Rilo. Cleveland Jr. also is in the family, but is much fatter and older than his appearances on Family Guy Cleveland's neighbors also include a family of talking anthropomorphic bears, a redneck couple (with the husband Lester to be voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson and an English family, with the husband to be voiced by Seth MacFarlane, the show's creator. I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes!

Photo courtesy of www.cocoalounge.com

New Movie: The Secret Lives of Bees Trailer

Check out the new movie featuring Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson.

Set in South Carolina in 1964, the film is the moving tale of Lily Owens a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother’s past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters, Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping and more. It is based on the bestselling novel by Sue Monk Kidd. It will hit theaters on October 17th.

Random: Gorgeous dress alert!!!!

I know this is so random but this is the most gorgeous dress I've ever seen!!!

Old School: Moesha

"Mo to the...E to the..."
I know everybody remembers the theme some from this show. I think Moesha was a great show that focused on the life of an upper middle class, African-American family through the eyes of a typical girl. The show dealt with "real teen social issues", such as teen pregnancy, drug use, race relations, premarital sex, the death of a parent, and day-to-day issues faced by teenagers at home and in school.