Guest Blogger Du Jour: Chi Chi from Urban Hoopla

Hello, In A Word...Fab readers! This is Chi Chi, the blogger behind Urban-Hoopla.com, and I will be your guest fashion blogger today. Thanks to my blogger sister from another mother, Elle, for the invitation!



Recently, Jada Pinkett Smith's love affair with designer footwear has been the talk of the urban blogosphere. Will Smith's better half wore three off-the-charts footgear from Givenchy, Christian Louboutin and Yves Saint Laurent. With each exhibit (A, B, and C) I'll provide a look for less.

Exhibit A: Givenchy lace-up open-toe booties

Location: Game Four of the 2008 NBA Finals

Where to shop: ShopBop.com Sale Price: $317.50

Get the look for less: Nine West "Undertoe" $99

Exhibit B: Christian Louboutin Very Noeud slingbacks

Location: "Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl" World premiere in L.A.

Where to shop: Net-a-porter.com and BergdorfGoodman.com $795

Get the look for less: Mona Heel in Yellow $114

Exhibit C: Yves Saint Laurent Tribute pumps

Location: "Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl" NYC premiere

Where to shop: ysl.com $760

Get the look for less: Steve Madden "Aileenn" $99.95

Congrats to my BBFF, Elle on a successful year of blogging! If you're fan of fashion faceoffs and trends, do pay a visit to my "Fashion Hoopla" and "Look on Lock Edition" blog posts on my site, URBAN-HOOPLA.COM.

-Chi-Chi

Campaign Desk Monday, June 30, 2008

Obama: I will never question others' patriotism

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Monday he will never question others' patriotism during the race and blames his own "carelessness" for some criticism of him so far. MORE>>>

McCain campaign: Clark's comments 'sad'

Clark, a military adviser for Sen. Barack Obama, questioned Sunday whether McCain's military experience qualified him to be commander in chief. MORE>>>

Obama and McCain campaign in states their parties lost in 2004

The likely presidential nominees of the major political parties today went to states their parties lost in 2004, as they worked to reverse those results in this fall's general election. Democrat Barack Obama delivered a speech on patriotism this morning in Independence, Mo., while Republican John McCain campaigned in Pennsylvania. MORE>>>

Lexus presents Alicia Keys at MSG

Life is grand! On Wednesday, June 18th, your girl Elle attended the last stop of the Alicia Keys "As I Am" tour at Madison Square Garden, as the guest of Lexus, the title sponsor. In a word...FABULOUS! Seriously, I don't think I can ever attend another concert unless I have VIP status.

First, we were shuttled up to the Lexus Lounge to nosh on the most delicious buffet and have a few (or more) goblets of gratis Pinot Grigio. We finally made our way to our seats after Jordin Sparks performed, and I could only stop and stare, mouth agape, in amazement! Floor seats, inches away from the stage, Alicia Keys at Madison Square Garden! Are you kidding me?

We danced and laughed through Ne-Yo's set...sometimes I forget how many hits he has! He opened with "Closer" and ended with "Because of You." Fabolous came out to duet with him on "Make Me Better" looking like straight money. The crowd went crazy when the diva Rihanna came out, in a sparkly red dress and looking like Halle Berry in her day (had to be the haircut), to sing "Hate That I Love You." She is a total sex kitten.

After Ne-Yo, we went back to the lounge for more drinks and returned just in time to see a funny pre-show video featuring Cedric The Entertainer as a pastor, introducing the star of the evening, Miss Alicia.


I screamed, I sang, I danced, I was a total crazed fan. She gave an AMAZING performance all around but my favorites were, "How Come You Don't Call Me," "Like You'll Never See Me Again," I Need You," and "Diary." Homegirl worked it! She is absolutely beautiful and her positive spirit was tangible.

I am SO grateful to Lexus for a beautiful, wonderful, fantabulous time. As discussed, my first child shall be named Lexus.

Do check out the newest luxury sedan by Lexus, the IS 350...luxury awaits!

Luxe Links

The Real Housewives of ATL: yay for black cast members! But why is it scheduled to air July 30 ...at midnight? E!

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Celebs party it up at the 10th Annual White Tie and Tiara Ball benefiting the Elton John Aids Foundation - LoveBScott

Nicole Scherzingleberries in peekaboo lace with possible new boo Lewis Hamilton - Urban Hoopla

Vivienne Westwood brands the Sex in the City fashion "quite dull"...how dare she - China Daily

Miu Miu Resort 2009 is a purple haze - Fashionologie

Jordin Sparks on the cover of JET - Bossip

Project Runway is back! Season 5 airs July 16th! - Bravo

Are you curbing what you normally spend on beauty supplies? - WWD

Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs have a Gay Pride faceoff - Towleroad

Anne Hathaway talks fashion and fame - CNN

Red Carpet Roundup: 2008 BET Awards

In keeping with my usual afterwork activities, I left work Tuesday night and decided to parlay around the city, browsing Bloomie's and taking in the sights at Central Park with a friend only to realize I had to run home to catch the biggest night of the year in black entertainment: the BET Awards '08!

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I couldn't help but look forward to it: from Chris Brown's excellent dancing to Usher's post daddy-dom performance (that was exactly the same as his previous post daddy-dom performances) to Rihanna's boring song that made me wish she would go back to her "Pon Di Replay" days just to get a little excitement (at least sing "Umbrella" or something). And how much did you love the shots of Chris Brown throughout her spot...singing EVERY word!

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But of course, my main purpose in watching was to look at the fashion! I had strict instructions from Elle to provide a full report, and not wanting to reenact any scenes from The Devil Wears Prada, I parked myself in front of the television to take in the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Worst Dressed Male was without a doubt T-PAIN! Sometimes I wonder if there's a toxic mixture in these pimp cups they carry around.

I thought JD was dressed WAY too casually for an awards show. I see teenage boys on the street everyday dressed better than this! And I don't know where Janet was but I'm wondering if she approved of this ensemble.

Pretty Ricky must have thought they were going to the Oscars... or that they were Oscars... a HOT MESS! No other comments!

Soulja Boy: there's just way too much going on here in this outfit! The scarf gotta go and the yin yang iron-on patch gotta go and the pants he purchased from The Children's Place that he's trying to pull off as shorts...those have to go too!

Worst Dressed Female of the night goes to the lovely Ms. Peppermint Patty, ahem, I mean Strawberry Shortcake, I mean, Lil Mama! I appreciate her courageous style but this is straight up comical. I'm trying to imagine her looking at this dress and going...THIS IS IT! I truly don't see it.

Keri Hilson took a cue from Pretty Ricky as she seemed to be interested in dressing like the MTV Man On the Moon award! The black jacket doesn't help... it just makes her look like a fan of Michael Jackson right about the time his skin began to brighten! And I'm def not feeling the Wade in Water, Madame CJ Walker hairstyle she's rockin either.

Solange has not been doing too well these days. First, the silver eyebrow mishap, then the rough looking pics from her birthday celebration and now this! First off, I know she knows better than to wear that roadkill on top of her head! No words on the dress but on the upside, with a different hairstyle, outfit and shoe, that clutch MIGHT be cute!

And lastly, though TLC has been out of the loop for a while, bell bottoms were out about a decade before they even FORMED this group! And to tie it all together, T-Boz decided she was going to bring the 70's completely back with a checkered print! Why? And she's been wearing that hairstyle for so long that it has gone out of style and come back.

Now for the good news. Best Dressed Female was in my opinion Rihanna! It was a beautiful dress, totally appropriate for the season, girly enough for an evening event and edgy enough for her revamped image.

I also loved Alicia Keys...

Jordin Sparks...

Jennifer Hudson...

and Gabrielle Union!

Best Dressed Male goes to Ne-Yo! I'm feeling his "Year of the Gentleman" vibe and the spiffy look totally suits him.

The top guys include Chris Brown (though I can't say I'm totally feeling the blond mohawk)...

Jimmy Jean-Louis...

and John Legend!

The trends I'm totally following are the mini dresses like the ones worn by Lauren London, Alicia Keys and Jordin Sparks.

As well as the vibrant yellows spotted on Trina, Lauren London, Natalie Cole, Rihanna and Keyshia Cole!

I also think the leather jacket look that Chris Brown, Usher and Lil Wayne were wearing is one trend that is timeless...I'm glad they continue to rock it!
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Those are only a FEW of my opinions! Tell me yours at inawordintern@gmail.com and you may see it in a follow up post featuring the readers!
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TaTa for now!

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-Nastasia

JT for Givenchy

Justin Timberlake is the new face for Givenchy’s latest men’s fragrance. What do we think of his ads?


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"If I could turn back tiooome...."

This week, the girl everyone loves to hate, Heidi Montag, debuted her new song, "Fashion." No one cares but the good news is we now have photographic evidence as to what Heidi will look like in 20 (scratch that) 10 years...

Okay, make it 5.

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Syesha Sizzles

I'm quite sure that you've all damn near forgotten about Syesha Mercado, who made it all the way to third place on this year's American Idol before getting the boot. But Ms. Mercado is back and she's in a bikini! Way to stay relevant! Not much else to say but she looks hot and is definitely talented...

[crickets]

...enjoy!





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Campaign Desk Tuesday, June 24,2008

McCain gambling on offshore drilling

For decades it has been a bipartisan political staple -- the jaunt to the beaches of Santa Barbara to profess opposition to oil drilling at the spot where a massive 1969 spill despoiled sea life and ocean waters, launching the modern environmental movement. MORE>>>

Gov. Schwarzenegger joins John McCain at campaign stop

With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in attendance, Sen. John McCain stressed environment and energy issues today, his second day of presidential campaigning in California. MORE>>>

Obama's virtues aside, it's politics as usual

Barack Obama's first television spot of the general election campaign is so faithful to the comfy cliches of political bio ads that its appearance seems to be a statement in itself: The candidate who won the Democratic presidential nomination by emphasizing his difference from politics as usual is now calling attention to his sameness. MORE>>>

News Desk Tuesday, June 24,2008

Yar'Adua dumps Obasanjo's due process

Finance Minister, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, yesterday dismissed the due process of the last administration and called it a contraption just as a Senate investigation committee discovered a N300 billion gap in the funds released to the Federal Ministry of Works between 1999 and 2008. MORE>>>

Why attack on Bonga field was easy, by oil firms' chiefs

FOR all who have wondered at the easy with which the militants hit Nigeria's prized Bonga Oil Field target last week, major oil frms helsman have a clue: Lack of modern security facilities. MORE>>>

Emergency in the power sector

THE Federal Government's decision to declare the much-touted emergency in the power sector from next month does little to assuage the yearnings of Nigerians for improved electricity supply. MORE>>>

Rough

Solange celebrates her 22nd B-Day in LA

Daddy Knowles, get People on the horn immeeejetly! This should not be the first picture to greet visitors of People.com! First of all, this photographer should be shot. Both Solange and Miss B are gorgeous girls, yet here are looking so intensely harsh in the face. Was this the very last picture of the night? Cuz a little sweat can apparently hurt somebody. Just wow. If I hadn't seen the long shot of Solange on Concrete Loop, this would have been a total TTM alert. You know, tragic tranny mess. All that was needed was about 5 good feet, and look at the difference...

See, now she looks like a 22 year old. I feel better.

P.S. I hate rosettes. They give me a bad one. I think this ruined them for me, forever. That and Angela from Project Runway Season 3. Just no.

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Now Wear This! Ethnic Handbags

Bakers Gene Handbag $45.95

Bright and bold ethnic prints are so on trend, but are admittedly a little hard to pull off. Good thing you don't have to commit to an entire African-inspired outfit to take part in the boho-chicness. By adding ikat, geometric, embroidered, beaded, wooden, raffia or woven-effect accessories to your look, you can create just the textural contrast that signals the tribal trend. Take a gander at some handbags, like the one above, that are perfect for Summer 2008. After all, it's a jungle out there.

Ikat Print Clutch $38

Who knew tribal could be oh so feminine?

Etro Embroidered bag £875

This is like the luxurious version of a bag you could pick up at a South American market.

Fendi Tribal Spy Bag $2,190.00

The ubiquitous Spy Bag gets the tribal treatment.

Baker's Jamie Bag $39.95

A beautifully woven bag that could pass for bamboo.

Tribal Clutch Purse $22.80

Make a statement with a bold and beautiful ikat print.

Ivory Coast Printed Oversized Bag £20.00

Not your average canvas bag, this geometric shopper will make waves.

Melie Bianco Bohemian Hobo $49.99

As seen on Nicole Ritchie, this eye-popping hobo comes in an amazing number of colors.