The Winds of Change are Blowing

So I guess I should be posting about Halloween, or at least something related to fashion...but my heart's just not in it. This moment feels too important. This time is too critical and far-reaching. It's a period of transition. A time that will absolutely shape the rest of our lives. A momentous, historical, almost unbelievable occasion to savor. This one moment will impact the entire WORLD! Can you feel it? It's CHANGE in the air! Breathe it in. Enjoy every moment. Cast your ballot with a knowing smile. BELIEVE like Dorothy in The Wiz.

Now more than ever, YES WE CAN!

Honeysucklechocolatedrippinkissesfulloflove,

Elle, Nastasia and the entire inawordfab fam

Miss Africa USA 2008: The Roll Call and the Crown

Two more days and a new Miss Africa USA 2008-2009 will be crowned at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia. It's been quite a hurdle for the contestants; from thinking about it and getting prepared.

The Finalists: Daniele Ntahonkiriye (Burundi); Daniele Mingana Frankie Fochive (Cameroon); Andrea Mvemba (Democratic Republic of Congo); Aziza Eltieb (Ethiopia); Tanta Badjan (Gambia); Krystle Simpson (Ghana); Binta Binette Diao (Guinea); Victoria Njau (Kenya); Belloh Julius (Liberia); Esosa Edosomwan (Nigeria); Mariamma Brown (Senegal); Philippa Lahai-Swaray (Sierra Leone); Nyasha Zimucha (South Africa); Natalia Zambakari (South Sudan); Imat Akelo-Opio Uganda); Mutinta Suuya (Zambia); Busi Mlambo (Zimbabwe) and Kikelomo Togbe-Olory (Benin).

All candidates are without a doubt fit for the crown.

The show is being sponsored by No Pin Long Distance, Western Union, Estella Couture, African Independent Television, L Shandi Designs and many others.

The winner of the Miss Africa USA 2008 will walk away with a "total package up to $10,000."

Goodluck, y'all!

Go Africa Go!

Pascal Atuma Productions to produce a dramatic street thriller starring award-winning actress Taraji Henson.

Press Release from MINC Media & EMedia Wire

Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) October 29, 2008 -- Award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson is set to star in the upcoming thriller ''No More Bloodshed.'' The independent feature film about a paroled hit man determined to change his life and reclaim the son he's never known will be directed by Emmy winner Michael Ajakwe Jr., and was written by Ajakwe and Pascal Atuma for Pascal Atuma Productions (''My American Nurse'', ''Only in America'', ''Hurricane in the Rose Garden'').

Set in modern-day Los Angeles, the dramatic tale of sin and salvation follows the story of a freed convicted felon who vows never to go back to prison. After spending years behind bars and gaining a new perspective, he swears he's a different man. But in many ways, he hasn't finished doing his time.

Henson, who recently starred in ''Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys'' and alongside Brad Pitt in the upcoming Oscar contender ''The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,'' was recently named by ''Variety'' as one of ''10 Actors to Watch'' in its annual spotlight on emerging new talents. The announcement was made at the 12th Annual Hollywood Film Festival's Hollywood Awards. The award-winning actress will star as the female lead in ''No More Bloodshed,'' playing Beverly -- the ex-girlfriend of the ex-con with whom she shares a son.

Henson will be joined in the gritty street drama by TV and film stars Jason George (''Eli Stone'', ''Barbershop''), Mark Christopher Lawrence (''Chuck'', ''The Pursuit of Happyness''), and Tommy Ford (''Martin'', ''New York Undercover''). Grammy-winning R&B legend Deniece Williams will portray Henson's mother in the film. A search is ongoing for the male lead, with Emmy-winning casting director Robi Reed of Robi Reed & Associates heading up casting. Production on ''No More Bloodshed'' is scheduled to begin in March 2009 in Los Angeles.

Media Contact:
Ngozi Mba
MINC Media for Pascal Atuma Productions
323.544.1450

MK and Ashley's Influence

Mary Kate, Ashley and I go back like Barney and Baby Bop. Right now, my 11 year old sister is obsessed with Full House reruns as well as the millions of "The Adventures of..." books and straight-to-video movies. Take away Mary Kate's eating disorder and Ashley's attraction to much older men, and the Olsens have been quite the influence.

The twins have made the smooth transition from mini-moguls to big time fashion execs. With their two successful clothing lines, Elizabeth and James and The Row, they are suddenly in the company of big names like Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano, and Diane von Furstenberg.

These are just some of the big names featured in their new coffee table book, Influence. The book highlights men and women in the art and fashion communities that the girls have been influenced by. There are tons of photos of the twins and their subjects, in addition to personal interviews with Mary Kate & Ashley on the other side of the journalist pad.

On Monday night, they launched the book at Barney's, and two of the people deemed influential in the billionaire's lives, the Proenza Schouler boys, were in attendance. Also there to lend support was Derek Blasberg, a style.com contributor who wrote the foreward for the book, and handed out helpful interviewing tips for the girls to follow.

Needless to say, I will be adding, Influence, to my Olsen twin collection! Click here for your own!

-Nastasia

Source & Source

Enter Guinea's Binta Binette Diao

As Brittany Lyons of Jamaica clinched a spot to represent Jamaica in Miss World Pageant to be held on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a completion of a photo shoot at the Jamaican Pergasus Hotel in Jamaica last night, so too, is little known Binta Binette Diao from Guinea who might be popping in to the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia, on Saturday, November 1, 2008, with a whole lot of surprises.

I've said it over and over again; it's anybody's night when all the fanfare and catwalks begins to showcase the most beautiful and glamorous African ladies in Diaspora. The after party is what I'm looking forward to, and for sure, it's going to be one of those nights.

For 21-year-old Binta who stands at five-feet eight inches and weighing 145 Ibs kind of would take the panel of judges to Tobacco Road where fierce competitions are made on a turf not fabricated but real. Everybody is a winner as long as you keep your head up to focus on what's out there for you. I will be wrapping up this series on the call sheet tomorrow before I take off, and I hope Saturday night in Jonesboro will be a night to remember.

Goodluck and keep the faith!

Go Africa Go!

CARTOON: Magomago & Wuruwuru Country

SOURCE: DAILY SUN

News Desk (Early Edition) Thursday, October 30, 2008

Ambassadorial nominee fails test on capital of Jigawa State

THE Senate yesterday commenced the screening of ambassadorial nominees with one of the eleven nominees failing to name the capital of Jigawa State just as the Senate disclosed its abandonment of its "bow and go" policy in its consideration READ MORE>>>

MOSOP tells Useni to apologise to Ogoni people over Saro wiwa

THE Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has told former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Lt-General Jeremiah Useni to apologise to the Ogoni for saying the late Ken Sarowiwa deserved to be hanged READ MORE>>>

Finance officer Peter Voser takes command at Royal Dutch Shell

Royal Dutch Shell, the world's second-largest oil company, named Peter Voser, its chief financial officer, as its new chief executive yesterday. Swiss-born Mr Voser, 50, will replace Jeroen van der Veer on July 1 next year. READ MORE>>>

Policemen defy IG, still mount checkpoints on Lagos roads

Policemen in Lagos still mount checkpoints on the highways in the metropolis in defiance of last week’s directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, that such acts should stop. READ MORE>>>

Yar’Adua drops 20 ministers

The much-awaited cabinet reshuffle by President Umaru Yar’Adua took place on Wednesday with the removal of eight full ministers and 12 ministers of state. READ MORE>>>

Happy Hour @ Lola's

I have not written about eating out in a while now, and as of last night, I had a good one with a friend. We had talked about where to hang out and eat some good food from one of Hollywood's restaurants and bars. My friend had asked me what was my favorite restaurants which is really the question being asked every now and then for those that frequent the pubs. To be precise, I have no particular or favorite restaurant. It all depends on my mood and where I'm hanging out at a particular time of the day or night.

But in this case, I landed at Lola's located at 945 North Fairfax Avenue in West Hollywood. While driving on Fairfax and heading along the Wilshire Corridor on Miracle Mile, the atmosphere changed and the smell of Hollywood began to surface along Fairfax stretching to the home of the unholy and all that Hollywood is known for -- I mean, the night life, the stars and the wannabes -- you know what I'm talking about.

Anyways, at Lola, as we landed and as usual, we were offered a table with the gesture of the waitress telling us 'the table is yours for the evening,' making us feel indulged. That was a good gesture, isn't it?

My friend had requested a glass of French Martini, a signal Lola's was the original home of French and apple martinis. Now I know why there are too many martini freaks in Hollywood. I ordered some appetizers to make my body and soul one. I had a bowl of sauteed calamari with beans, corn and asparagus in a shell to start the evening of pub-crawling around town. While sipping that strong martini, my friend ordered cornmeal crusted fry oyster with lemon aioli and steamed rice on the side. I ordered my regular drink -- two shots of cognac.

The evening had just begun.

As we sat joyously eating and drinking, we talked about a whole lot of stuff. We mentioned the Jam in Atlanta on Saturday, November 1st, which will make Mt Zion Parkway look like the carnivals on Hollywood Boulevard. We talked about how death had taken away some of our finest musicians and songwriters -- Isaac Hayes, Levi Stubbs and Norman Whitfield.

In fact, we mentioned the days of Motown and how Berry Gordy Jr. built that great empire that produced The Jacksons, Temptations, Undisputed Truth, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Smokey Robinson and many others.

At Lola's, it was not a night of trick or treat. It was a night of hanging out and the earlier you go the better chances you would have to grab one of the Leopard print couches on the front.

I loved it and it was just fun!

i-D Magazine: serving up a wink and a smile

Lara Stone, November 2008

Since 1980, i-D Magazine has reported live from London on all the happenings in fashion news and culture. And for just as long, it has featured a model/celeb on the cover surreptitiously winking at the camera...a cover quirk that has become the publication's trademark. They say the wink is a graphic representation of the magazine’s logo, and personalities from Tom Ford to Lil Kim have offered up their version of the flirtly one-eyed glance. Let's take a look at some of the most noteworthy covers, from today to back in the day.

Jourdan Dunn, September 2008


Mariah Carey, June 2008


Agyness Deyn, May 2008


Cate Blanchett, December 2007


Gemma Ward, September 2007


Bjork, June 2007


Cat Power, May 2007


Cassie and Diddy, December 2006


Lindsay Lohan, September 2006


Beyonce, August 2006


Gisele Bundchen, March 2006


Carolyn Murphy, Daria, Liya Kebede and Kate Moss, September 2005


Teairra Mari and Jay-Z, August 2005


M.I.A., June 2005


Gwen Stefani, December/January 2004


Sienna Miller, November 2004


Jessica Stam, September 2004


Linda Evangelista, March 2004


Victoria Beckham, January 2004


Liya Kebede, September 2003


Tilda Swinton, June 2003


Kate Moss, April 2003


Christina Ricci, December 2002


Liv Tyler, December/January 2002


Aaliyah, September 2001


Tom Ford, July 2001


Lil Kim, April 2000


Chloe Sevigny, January/February 2000


Milla Jovovich, December 1999


Naomi Campbell, November 1999


Heidi Klum, May 1999


Amber Valetta, March 1999


Gisele Bundchen, December 1998


Devon Aoki, September 1998


Alek Wek, April 1998


Mel B, November 1997


Drew Barrymore, March 1995


Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, August 1994


Courtney Love, April 1994


Veronica Webb, January 1994


Monie Love, February 1993


Helena Christenson, May 1992


Sandra Bernhard, November 1991


Sister Souljah, May 1991


Kylie Minogue, March 1991


Sophie Okonedo, January 1991


Christy Turlington, August 1990


Liza Minnelli, October 1989


Lisa Stansfield, January/February 1989


Rachel Weisz, September 1987


Grace Jones, April 1987


Isabella Rossellini, March 1987


Madonna, May 1984


Sade, April 1983

It's really hard to choose but I would have to say Jourdan Dunn, Christy Turlington, Chloe Sevigny, Devon Aoki and Kate Moss in the cat suit are my faves. Which are yours?

Source