Has anyone else noticed...?

...that Lilo has recently switched from Coca-Cola to Sprite?

A babygirl's best friend

NYC financier Richard Perry has this fabulous Jeff Koons sculpture on the patio of his Sutton Place penthouse (below). Staid neighbors are displeased by the sun's reflection off of it. Jealous!

Follow that Bud Light up with a shot

“As a teachable moment, what this beer fest taught was that if a President’s staff is so incompetent that it fails to prep him for a press conference by obtaining relevant information he can create problems for himself,” said Mary Frances Berry, a former chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Read more.

This weather

Magdalena for Purple.

Champ' in one hand, cig in other

Just catching up with some old friends!

Toren and I allllways find the supes!

the most righteous shit i've heard in awhile

listen. if. i. wanted. to. make. a. statement. i. would. have. twitpic’d. photo shoot. ect. i. was. simply. taking. my. son. to. school. stupid. paps. took. pic. ive. had. my. hair. cut. like. this. for. two. weeks. i. was. NOT. inspired. by anyone. but. my. self. i. have. done. this. twice. in. my. life. i. was 16. i was 18. did. not care about your opinion. then. dont. care. now. dont. need. your. attention. or. your. co-sign. dont. want. a. edge. up. or a perm. because. im not trying. to make this “a style” or a statement. i. just. wanted. to. be. free. from. the. bondage. that. black. women sometimes. put. on. themselves. with. hair. this. phase. of. my. life. i. want to spend . the time. the energy. and the money. on something else. not in the hair salon. im. not. mad. at . all of you. that have made your opinions known. and have sent negative. energy. my way. i expected this of you. you. have. the right to have. an opinion. so. do. i.

-solange on her new buzz

(minus the excessive kanye-esque abuse of periods, of course.)

prioritize, hoes.

say no to this:


hell yes to this:


nothing further.

twitter is affecting my blogging

but these made me happy today:

Less is so much more

Natasha Poly for Jil Sander

Life with Andre - Summer in the City

Benny's Burrito, 113 Greenwich Avenue, NYC
32 oz. margaritas, Friday, 6pm


Employees Only, 510 Hudson Street, NYC
Amelias, Sunday, 1:00am


Yankee Stadium, Suite 6, Bronx, NY
So many kettle chips my mouth hurt, Sunday, 1:00pm

we got one back!

in exciting news for black women across the country: we may be the butt of a totally racist joke, but we got one of our men back from the grasps of a big booty white girl! and another from the grasp of a big booty white man!

Somethin to pop off your week right

So does this mean Jay didn't open Bey's door?

oh Keri...

While she has worked with superstars like Chris Brown and 'big brother' Timbaland, Hilson said she would love to collaborate with Estelle and was happy to work recently with one of her idols, Brian Lesley.

None, however, would have topped Michael Jackson.

"I will always say Michael Jackson and Lauryn Hill. I always said I wanted to write his (Jackson's) comeback song. Since Michael Jackson won't happen, Lauryn Hill then," she said.

Umm Keri, I sincerely hope you don't think you have the skill to write a song for Ms. Hill. You already lost by suggesting she needed a comeback song, she didn't go anywhere. Can you even picture my Lauryn singing 'Knock You Down...' right after 'Damnable Heresies' ...girl stop! You have some catchy tunes but don't push it. Gert don't play bout her Lauryn.

And as for Brian Leslie... I can't.

Boogie, put this in your folder!

Caught out there

FACEBOOK has agreed to let third party advertisers use your posted pictures WITHOUT your permission. Click on SETTINGS up at the top where you see the Log out link. Select Privacy. Then select NEWSFEEDS and WALL. Next select the tab that reads FACEBOOK ADS. There is a drop down box, select NO ONE. Then SAVE your changes.

interludes

well
you sed you was gon' take me to see wu-tang, baby
so i braided my hair
yes you did
you sed you was gon' take me to see wu-tang, baby
so i braided my hair
well
you changed ya mind and sed we wa'nt goin'
but my momma saw ya there

well i be blowin' up yo pager, daddy
but ya never call me back
well
i be puttin' in 911, baby
but ya never call me back, no no
see if you don't know how to use that pager, daddy
i'm gonna take that ho back

yes i will, you know i will.

e.badu. afro. see baduizm.

Oh, thanks...

I'm flattered, if entirely uninterested.

never had we imagined, living without your smile

Since God often sends us inspirations by means of His angels, we should frequently return our aspirations to him by means of the same messengers.
- Francis De Sales

wishing you a very special happy 21st birthday babygirl...

Introducing the first black Miss England

20-year-old Rachel Christie was crowned Miss Engalnd during the annual pageant at London's Metropole Hilton Hotel. She will now compete for the Miss World crown in Johannesburg in December.

She specialises in the heptathlon and the 400 meters and is hoping to join the ranks of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Her uncle is British Olympic gold metalist Linford Christie, who stands as the most decorated British athlete and second fastest European in history.

The picture doesn't do her justice.

so Bryan ... Interested?

this week, in Zamunda:

• One of the most Righteous has caught The Swine
• The rest have joined Twitter (fuck twitter)
• I'm moving Monday ... without a forwarding address
• Did we mention Skip Gates was arrested breaking into his own house?
• Boogie was robbed at Iceberg ... for her 30 day Metro and $10 dollars

update us on your shambles. we love to hear from you.

i'd like to be involved ...

Comin in for the kill ...

This time maybe I'll be bulletproof.

Florence and the Machine smash Lovebox

fiona apple with a big voice and big drums. lots of drums.

get 'er done, babygirls

seriously tho. do you know your status?

STOP THE PRESSES!

This just in: "Racial tensions didn't end with '08 election," reports yesterday's metroNY headline.


In other news, Skip Gates was arrested trying to enter his own Cambridge home last Thursday.

Guess the white woman!

Lil' Kim and Cyndi Lauper performed "Time After Time" at the Mandela Day concert in NYC this past weekend. Fabulous!

bag lady, you gon' hurt yo back

every other day at 12:30 pm sharp, i make my way to prince and mercer. there waits for me one of two black benches perched outside of the mercer kitchen/hotel. i enjoy this space because it's more comfy than the adjacent prada stairs, there's shade involved, and also because i'm privy to a small dose of entertainment every once in awhile.

today i lucked out when this series of items slowly made their way to the sidewalk:

and it don't stop...

the overseer emerges...

and graces us with a few words...

somewhere between, "soo...you don't own luggage?" and "where the fuck are you actually going with all this shit?" i just gave up.

ain't nothin like an old lady from new york. i aspire.

All the women who independent

THROW YA HANDS UP AT MEEEE!

[bg in india]

Life with Andre - Nights in the Nasty

I spent this past weekend in my hometown of Cincinnati to see my sister-from-another-mother wed her handsome husband. The night before the wedding, I dined al fresco with family at contemporary Mexican eatery nada, right across from Zaha Hadid's masterpiece, the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art.

Come visit the Nasty 'Nati sometime, babygirls - you can share Jack's lounge chair!

Kanye has no idea

Meet my brother Jack - He knows the good life.

see no evil

these bitches i swear.

And it don't stop

Cop it (free) HERE!  #6, babygirls!!!  DIE.

Vacay Politics

In 1912, a former slave named Charles Shearer opened the first summer inn in Oak Bluffs that catered specifically to black patrons. Only a few dozen blacks visited the island at the time, but over the years Oak Bluffs has become the summer meeting place for scores of what could be called the Only Ones—black professional and social elites who travel in worlds where they’re often the only black person in the room. The Only Ones typically break into fields or companies that admit few blacks, move into neighborhoods where few blacks live, and send their kids to mostly white schools. They are not running from their own—they’re chasing after the best they can get. They aren’t assimilationist; they’re ascensionist.

The Babygirls have been having a compelling reply-all back-and-forth regarding Touré's recent NYMag article about Oak Bluffs, the mostly-black "enclave" on Martha's Vineyard (where one of the RBGs just might "summer"...). The Obama family will be visiting this summer, and have done so in the past (Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett has a home on the island). I thought I'd let the rest of y'all weigh in!

now why you wanna go an' do that, love, huh?

astrid. givenchy. boogie's funeral.
jak and jil.

a different view

Gorgeous glimpses of Tanzania and Ethiopia from Ramell Ross's Sub-Saharan Menagerie

EFFORTLESS!

Maria Cornejo at Monday's Proenza Schouler party.

...and it's always cool when you can say, "...wearing her own designs."

[For Toren]

Babygirl don't play!

We will remain clear-eyed about our purpose. Not everybody in the world wishes us well or shares our values and interests. Some will seek to undermine our efforts. In those cases, our partnerships will help constrain or deter their actions.

And to these foes and would-be foes, let me say: You should know that our focus on diplomacy and development is not an alternative to our national security arsenal. You should never see America’s willingness to talk as a sign of weakness to be exploited. We will not hesitate to defend our friends and ourselves vigorously when necessary with the world’s strongest military. This is not an option we seek. Nor is it a threat; it is a promise to the American people.

We have the right strategy, the right priorities, the right policies. We have the right president. And we have the American people, diverse, committed, involved and open to the future.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
15 July 2009
Council on Foreign Relations

Read more.

is this the end??

The fire alarm went off three times. I did not leave the building because I was watching an interracial threesome. I am ok with this.

on this studio apartment and this sangria and this ipod and this street noise coming from these open windows.

I believe in the in-between moments now. I look forward to certain sorts of loneliness … I play catch with myself late at night when everyone else is asleep, throwing pop-ups into the darkness, not knowing whether they’ll land in my glove or on my head. I dance with myself before and after every shower. Slowly, I am overcoming all my embarrassments.

william van wert.
5oh7.

i don't really care for cuddling unless my breasts are being held.

my bookshelf's broken. my stove is greasy. my nail polish is chipping. my hair is cut way too short. my feet are dirty. sink's full of dishes. bazaar frame broken. pieces of glass scattered on the floor waiting to pierce my soles.

but i am cared for. i am consoled. i am put in check. i am fucked. i am made love to. i am kissed. i am introduced to the family. i am laughing gotdamnit i'm giggling like a child. therefore,

i am ready to go to work in the morning.

My babysitter was almost this fly

Auntie Bey and G-ma Tina took Solange's son Julez out for a playdate in La La land yesterday.
Too cute!

ready to change the world?

it should be no surprise to anyone that the grunt work laid down by poor, dark people who have been worked to death in some cases, is directly correlated to the relative comfort we live in under 'the system.' and while it's our collective responsibility to humanity to expose truths about oppression and exploitation -- all fed by this system, i think it is equally important for us to challenge ourselves to make the world a better place to live in -- for everyone

for a fresh look at the leadership we have and the continued need for liberation for ALL join me, and hundreds of others tonight at 7pm (see details below)



* tickets are sold out at venue box office but call (212)691-3345 to reserve a ticket through Revolution Books, the event sponsor

"This is NOT the best of all possible worlds…and we do NOT have to live this way"

mission accomplished

amber rose was signed by FORD models yesterday.
babygirl do look fly. congrats, or whatever.

photo via CoaCD

scene in London

the chrome benz spotted last week by none other than pharrell, who seems to have taken up summer residence.

nothing like the green shoots of economic recovery...

in the end

youre still the one pool

where i'd happily drown.

new york, youre perfect

dont please dont change a thing.

- lcd soundsystem, via monica

remembering.

i had a fucking fabulous time last night, dinner and drinks on a couch with Jordyne, just remembering.

Remembering the time ... DJ lied after saying B would marry a white woman and i almost killed him in the cafeteria.

Or not remembering ...

"What the fuck was his name again? The manager?"

"Which one?"

"Shit! What was his name?!!"

"Sir?"

"No, not Sir."

"Justin Zormello?"

"No, less than Justin."

(Incredulous) "Less than Justin?!!?!?!?!?"

"hahahahahaahahahaha ... You know ... with the bubble head? He left, like after sophomore year ..."

"?"

"The Revolution!! He started like the first Facebook group called The Revolution!!"

"Waaait! Now I know who you mean! I remember! What was his name?"

"Five black people at Georgetown and we can't remember shit! Maybe it was Mike? I think it was Mike!"

"That does sound familiar".

(ten minutes later, take turns going downstairs to the bathroom.)

"CHOPS!!!!! We can't remember his last name because he didn't have one!!! His name was CHOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

(now in hysterics).

"it's funny how after the fact, everything is funny. everything is funny."

Sussed.

Hunnie makes pregnancy look so good, I'm thinking I might like to get involved ......

SIKE!!!!!

Yeah. Right.

I'll just go hard at the summer barbeques and buy me some flowy dresses. Sorted.

Quick quest'

Who the HELL is that lucky babygirl escorting Malia around Rome in sweatpants - and why the HELL isn't it me?

Oil Money

photos via Purple Diary

Tuesday's Christian Dior Haute Couture collection makes me think of big-haired oil heiresses from Dallas and Houston hosting hospital fundraisers at their extravagant mega mansions. And I'm lovin' it!

WHO'S FAB?

Dunk, Toya, Rebbie

Per personal request from Janet to Donatella, the entire Jackson family donned custom Versace yesterday. Doin' the King proud.

Don't you dare apologize to me, Miss Mariah

"Trying to sing today was basically impossible for me. I could barely keep myself from crying. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to pull it together and really do it right, but I was literally choked up when I saw him there in front of me. One thing I know is, we will never really have to say goodbye to MJ. His legacy lives on through his music and the millions of people he inspired with his timeless music. He will be forever in our hearts."
- via Twitter

I thought you were just beautiful, babygirl!

A little redemption

"I want his three children to know: Wasn't nothin' strange about your daddy, it was strange what your daddy had to deal with, but he dealt with it."
- Rev. Al Sharpton

even the sun moves on

it got to a point where i'd listen to "green eyes" on purpose, because i just wanted to cry. the nights when i was numb and unfeeling were the worst. i'd put the song on so i could feel something. in those moments, i was erykah.

i'm insecure
but i can't help it

my mind says move on
my heart
left behind

but i don't love you anymore
i'm so insecure
never knew that love
did
this.

now when i listen, the pain is foreign. absent, empty.

but i can still hear her sometimes. not in this new voice, but how she sounded back then.

never knew that love
did
this.

reminding me that that pain is lingering just beyond the horizon, never too far. and that no matter how happy i am right now, how strong the love is, how secure i feel, how much of a man you are, or how much of my future is you, i better never ever stop praying.

on gaining perspective

l: running an errand. i gotta drop something off at vogue.
d: what's vogue?

you are all i ever needed.

and what beauty

paris, je t'aime

*LOVEBOX*

no ... i am not talking about the precious nether-regions of the female anatomy.

i am talking about what UK summers are most famous and most fabulous for. Festivals.

Lovebox. July 16 - 19th, Victoria Park, Hackney. N*E*R*D, Duran Duran, Ladyhawke, and a host of other artists and DJs. pack your sunblock ...... and your umbrella.

watch this space.

How are we feeling about this? Because I have an inkling that it's only a matter of time before we hear the innermost feelings of one Mr. Kanye West.

He sure expressed a few feelings Sunday night at the Wireless Festival. About the 12th song in, wondering if it would ever end, the beat for Gold Digger comes blaring from the stage.

Only seconds before he screams into the mic:

"THE STORY OF MY LIIIIIIFE !!!!"

Couldn't look at J and burst into laughter fast enough. Only too appropriate, then, and ironic, to hear about this.

But she look good tho young guhly guuuuuhhlll ...

this is ma b's favorite song

i am my mother's daughter.

at what point, latoya?!

can you? bc i can't.

Live or Bust.

via twitter.com/theneweleven

Feelin like Mike at his badddest...

Boy, why ya so obsessed with me?

honestly, taraji--i just live for you

happy 4th, babygirls!

The Babygirls wish you a most RIGHTEOUS 4th of July weekend - because any country that allows us to be THIS ridiculous is worth celebrating!

patriotic

Truer words...

"I mean, we're like turning 24, it's like the last year of legitimate life."
-overheard at the Jane Hotel last night

Accessories of power

Sling: Corflex. Watch: Chanel.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU, REVEREND

I'm so pleased that Michael's tragic death has been a media moment for Mr. Sharpton, seen on stage at the Apollo last night.

Swagger like us

No one on the corner, &c.

homeward bound.

it's been two years.
so much fun. so many lessons learned. so many laughs. so many amazing people that i have met.
it's not the end of a chapter or an era. i will always be this person, carry all of this with me.
i'm starting to resent the compartmentalising of everything. just let it flow.
gave the job notice, broke my lease. so now it's real i guess.
but does that make it real?
or the tears of the new friends i leave behind ...

happy, excited, at what is coming. watch this space.

I've got a confession to make ......

'Juan Carlos is now following you on Twitter!'