Tyra Will Outsmile Your Ass

As any faithful ANTM watcher knows, Tyra is good for demonstrating the art of "smiling with your eyes." Little did we know that Ty Ty actually has 275 smiles in her repertoire that she can demonstrate on command. I sense Botox in her immediate future.

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Via NY Times Mag:

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Tyra Banks has 275 smiles. Like a star athlete who has perfected a jump shot or a curveball, Banks has studied, honed and mastered the smile. In her arsenal are the “surprise smile,” the “angry but still smiling” smile, the “flirting with boyfriend” smile and the “commercial” smile, which, like the rest of Tyra’s smiles, was designed and perfected when Banks, who is now 34, began modeling at 15. From the start of her career, when she was virtually plucked from an all-girl Catholic high school in Los Angeles and whisked off to Paris, to her days as a mass-market first-name-only supermodel strutting the catwalk in her underwear for Victoria’s Secret, Banks always treated modeling as a kind of beautiful science. Then, and now, the smiles were her secret weapons: they could compel, manipulate, seduce. Banks did not become a model to be a muse to designers or because she loved fashion. Modeling — and smiling — was a skill that could, if engineered and managed carefully, change the course of your life.

“Smiles come naturally to me, but I started thinking of them as an art form at my command,” Banks told me. “I studied all the time. I looked at magazines, I’d practice in front of the mirror and I’d ask photographers about the best angles. I can now pull out a smile at will.” Banks, who was wearing wide-leg jeans and a belted khaki trench coat that accentuated her height and her curves, demonstrated her most famous smile, the “smile with eyes.” Her catlike green eyes narrowed and began to sparkle and her lips slowly parted to reveal a row of perfect teeth. The smile was a little masklike and yet accessible. “Do you see?” she said, while still smiling. “You can try it, too.”

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This sounds like pure entertainment. I wish I could keep her as my pet. I'd love her and dress her up and brush her hair, and just when she was drifting off to sleep, I'd yell "CRAZY CLOWN SMILE!" and she'd jump up and smile her crazy clown smile and we'd laugh and then I'd give her a treat.

P.S. Would you look at Ms. Jay? Him and his shenanigans are the only thing that keeps me watching cycle after endless cycle of ANTM.

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You can read the rest of the article, here.

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Get Me Bodied

Essence (lehhgendary darling) wants to know what you love about your body. An upcoming story will celebrate body-liciousness, ample curves, strong arms, etc. and they want to hear from real women of all ages and sizes about what makes their bodies so beautiful.

If you love the curve of your back, the strength in your legs, or the pooch in your belly, email fitandfab@essence.com, and give them all the deets on your favorite part.

Be sure to include your NAME, AGE, CITY & DRESS SIZE, as incomplete submissions will not be considered. Send your reply no later than JUNE 5 and make me proud ladies!

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Thanks Dit Dit!

Out About Town: Henny, Tillman's (did I mention Henny?)

Hola peoples! It's that time again for another party picture post! Cue the techno music and grab a glowstick! I'm still averaging about a week between attending a function and then actually posting the pictures, but you know...life/work/fun gets in the way. So last Wednesday, we hit up the Hennessey "Art of Mixing" event at Boucarou. Didn't love the venue but the cocktails were free. Drunk times.

Cutie on the ones and twos.

Tall and chocolate with a great smile.

The Henny girls were pretty much off the chain from jump.

They totally forced me into this.

We had a heart to heart.

Just dayum. I fell in lust at first sight with this man! Upon closer inspection, he also smelled amazing (he was wearing Creed).

Once we were sufficiently Hennied up, it was off to Tillman's for the Biggie Birthday Tribute. This is where is gets a lil foggy...

I loved the outfit and she worked the pose (told ya it was getting foggy!)

Okay, now I'm focused.

You really can't go wrong with grey and black.

The guys from Hot Waxx were in the building.

This guy was rockin the stupid fresh chain...so very LL of him.

...you know I had to try it on!

I love.

Homegirl was working it!

A.J. and friends had a table across the way. A.J. is a pretty man. Seriously. I could spend a few hours on his chin dimple alone.

The next night we hit up Plumm for (fellow Gemini) Vaughn Anthony's birthday party hosted by his big brother, John Legend. Unfortch, I learned that by the time we got there, John and nem had already came and went. Bummer. I guess arriving fashionably late has its drawbacks. But the people didn't disappoint!

These ladies were all about cute cropped jackets and vests.

I looove this pic! The color, the energy, these three just pop!

Patron, please.

It was Fleet Week...too bad these two were fug. Appreciate ya'll tho!

Okay he was working the long jacket, vest and scarf combo. Nice.

Isn't he adorable? He's a commercial actor. I originally asked for a pic of him and his hot friend, but the friend politely declined. "Oh snap," I thought, "That's Dr. Ian!" But no, the friend was actually Dr. Ian's twin, Dana. Well, if Dana's any indication, Dr. Ian can get wiped down.

Liked his vibe.

I thought he had the best smile. Denzel-esque. The irridescent shirt, however, is very wrong. Still luh u boo!

This chick was just plain hot.

Great high-waisted skirt and skinny belt.

Love the military-inspired jacket and product placement (he's holding up the inawordfab card).

Star Trak artist and fab chick Teyana Taylor with her gaggle of gays. So cute.

Hey Tish!

It's all about you, boo.

There was a serious photo shoot going on in this corner,

He was well put together.

Hey man...what's good?

She is too cute.

Once I shot these two ladies on the way out, I knew my work was done.

Thanks to all who are pictured! E me if you have a link!

? Look of the Day

Jennifer Hudson (and her boobs) at the NY SATC premiere

So what do we think about J. Hud's premiere look? I'm torn. On the one hand, I kinda love it. She looks great with the short bob and natural makeup. I also really like the dominatrix diva dress (fabulously constructed). I'm just not sure if I like it on her. We've seen the futuristic Judy Jetson thing from her before and I'm still mad at André to this day. Perhaps the horrible, horrible vision of that short and shiny Oscar night bolero (sooo wrong for a large-chested woman) which is forever burned into my mind is keeping me from giving this look four fabulous stars.




Either that or she's just not working it like she should. Do tell, what do you think?

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Beauty Buzz: Eyelash Extensions

Love long luscious lashes? Thought so! The newest bestest way to highlight those pretty brown eyes is with eyelash extensions. I must admit I have become slightly obsessed with them. My best work friend got them recently in preparation for a trip to Vegas (along with the necessary blond highlights, acrylics and spray tan) and they are absolutely stunning! Even though hers are super long, dark and curled, they still look so much more natural than falsies. Plus, they make mascara and lash curlers completely unnecessary. Anything that saves me a step in the morning gets an A+ in my style book.

So how does it work? At your appointment, a lash pro glues individual lashes made of a silk-and-synthetic blend to the top lash line using tweezers. Because they are glued and customized to your own natural lashes, applications take between 1 1/2 to 2 hours and will grow out in four to six weeks. A somewhat costly commitment, I've seen them priced from $100 all the way to $350 for full extensions (with touch ups ranging from $50 to $100).

What can I say, dolls, it's the price of beauty. Try them out for a special occasion, or just because you can. After all, every day is another opportunity to shine. A quick Google search should turn up a lash pro in your area. Go on now, don't be afraid to lash out!


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Photo by Alban Christ

Life

I have not thought of me being busy until a whole lot of stuff popped up almost two months ago which did drive me to take some time off and lay back to figure everything that should play out, as it has been.

It had begun with my daughter's preparation for college and all the runs that comes along with it. I thought it was that simple, but hey, nobody knows it all, which is why we learn each day that we live. Quite overwhelming, I must be blunt.

Then came the death of my older brother who passed on April 11, 2008. I thank all that paid tribute. May his soul rest in peace.

My digging continues and life goes on. Stay tuned!

Dressing for Sex and the City

Friday is the big premiere of the SATC movie (yay!) and if you're as excited as I am, you may want to take the opportunity to go all out and dress like your favorite character. Playing dress up is such fun. The folks over at Sex and the City Movie Blog have put together some SATC inspired looks to get you thinking about channeling your inner-Charlotte.

Via SATC Movie Blog:

Carrie: Anything goes for this fashion icon. I heard she has a more “mature” look in the movie but the yellow bustier dress could have been worn by Carrie in the early days. I guess we’ll be able to judge for ourselves after seeing her 81 wardrobe changes in the movie (left to right: sister eek dress by Giles, edith bustier dress by Luella, and little joe tunic by Gail Elliott).

Charlotte: Sweet Charlotte suits a-line skirts, particularly in pastels, or any outfit inspired by Audrey Hepburn (left to right: sleveless wrap dress by Neiman Marcus, diamond print dress by Milly, basketweave dress by Tibi).

Miranda: It’s all about the fabrics for Miranda. Silky patterns and belted high waisted dresses look fantastic on her. Try the Vanessa Bruno deep purple dress with a gold belt (left to right: jet printed dress by Antik Batik, dance silk jersey dress by Single, and jersey mini by Vanesa Bruno).

Samantha: Often form fitting dresses in solid bands of saturated color — usually in pinks, oranges and blues. Kim Cattrall wore the Nicole Miller dress above on an interview with Oprah and would have been perfect for the movie if it were in turquoise blue. Remember to wear your collar up if you have a similar outfit to the DKNY dress (left to right: color block stretch twill dress by Nicole Miller, leaf print dress by DKNY, and color block bandage dress by Hervé Léger).

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Introducing the Inaword Intern and model Arlenis Pena

I am so pleased to (very informally) introduce the inawordfab family to Miss Nastasia, who has bravely signed on to be my Inaword Intern this summer. Poor poor dear, she knows not what she does. Nastasia will be helping out in all areas (approximately 4 billion) so you will definitely be hearing more, and there will of course be a grander introduction once she actually starts in June. But Elle is cracking the whip already! And seriously, when I can text her at 2 am coming from da club and she has an answer in my inbox by 4 am, you know the girl is grindin!

Anyhoo, I asked her to give me some quick deets on up and coming model, Arlenis Pena, who she tells me is featured in the upcoming all-black Italian Vogue. Thing is, Ms. Pena hails from the Dominican Republic, which Miss N finds really interesting. It begs the question: what is the definition of a "black" model? And are brown-skinned Latinas included? My feeling is that there are black people in every part of the world, the African diaspora just happened to drop them off at another stop, honey. My guess is that the models featured will be of varied cultures and backgrounds, making for some really rad pics. I'm excited.

Nastasia on Arlenis: Arlenis Pena is a newcomer to the modeling scene. She is 18 years old and from the Dominican Republic. In March of 2008, she walked into Marilyn Agency and they signed her on the spot, and within months she booked editorial work for Vogue and Italian Vogue, debuted on the runway for the Banana Republic holiday show in New York and modeled for the Christian Dior Resort show.

This chick is serious. 2 months of modeling and she's in Vogue? Fierceness.

So feel free to share your thoughts on Ms. Pena and the all-black issue and if you have a story, question, or just want to show love, feel free to contact Miss Nastasia at inawordintern@gmail.com.

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Okay guys, I'm off to DC for the holiday weekend...it's my Big Sex and the City Birthday Extrrrravaganza and it will be reckless! Can't wait to see all my DC Pride love muffins! So look out for my weekend rundown late next week, plus party pics from this past week...plus more!!! We'll tawk Tuesday...kisses to all!

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xo, Elle