The All Star Cast Of "The Secret Life Of Bees"

Much has been said and reviewed about this all star cast "Bees" based on Sue Monk Kidd's novel (I did not read the novel)in a story that is centered on Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) who had been troubled and not getting along with her father played by Paul Bettany. Lily Owens runs away with her caregiver and only friend Rasaleen Daise (Jennifer Hudson) to a South Carolina town that has the secret of her mother's past.

The film is set in 1964 South Carolina and Owen curious about her mother's mystery while in the company of her nanny Daise, the duo ended up in a little town on a move to discover the mystery which never occured, rather they found a giant pink house, a honey company and three sisters. The three sisters were May Boatwright (Sophie Okonedo), June Boatwright (Alicia Keys) and August Boatwright (Queen Latifah).

The movie opens tomorrow at all theaters and was produced byLauren Shuler Doner, James Lassiter, Joe Pichirallo and Will Smith. A Fox Seachlight release and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.

"Spotlight" on J. Hud

Am I the only one who doesn't understand all the chat-bout surrounding the cover of Jennifer Hudson's highly anticipated debut album? Yes, they may have photoshopped a few inches from her waist, arms...and entire body for good measure. And yes, she's rocking a simple (read: cheap) dress from American Apparel. But homegirl looks fab! And she knows how to dress high and low, accessorizing the $36 cotton dress with with a $475 LAI Vamp belt. This look is SO right up my alley.

Cotton Spandex Sleeveless Nightlife Dress $36

And it shall be mine! Click click to get your own!

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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

Fashion Recap: 2008 MTV Movie Awards

The MTV Movie Awards popped off last night at Universal Studios in La La Land, and the celebs were out to sashay the gold carpet in style. Let the judgment commence! First, I thought Paris looked quite fetch. The hair, the makeup and the dress are old school glam but at the same time, just bubblegum enough to be quintessential Paris.

Perfection! Love the turtleneck mini with daring white ankle boots. Puh-leeze tell me that you all went to see SATC this weekend! In a word...amaaazing. I laughed, I cried, I drooled over all the delicious fashion...definitely a must see.

Our favorite fug kept it simple in an LBD. A little sun wouldn't hurt but she's looking good with the longer hair!

Ew. I'm just not into LL. There's just something so...vulgar about her. Sorry boo.

Megan Fox's gorgeousness was almost enough to distract me from the fact that her dress, clutch and shoes are all working against each other. What's up with that?

I think LC's dress is my favorite. It hugs her curves and shows just enough skin.

Looks like Audrina "Dead Eyes" Patridge is trying out bangs. Good for her.

Heidi is perfecting her porn star look in a Herve Leger bandage dress.

This dress is not the most flattering on Whitney, from this angle she looks majorly boxy.

Anne Hathaway chose a super sophisticated one-shouldered dress that is oh so diva-esque.

Love her! Charlize is working the corset, pencil leg pants and gladiator heels like an Amazonian goddess.

I understand she's not a girly girl, but Ellen Page should take some style notes from Charlize re: wearing pants to an event.

I really like this look on Jennifer Hudson...very cute. And yes, that's her bra.

Liv Tyler is pretty in pink in a ruched dress with black pumps.

Who's your fave?

? 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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Do tights = pants?

The divalicious JHud was spotted at LAX on Monday looking comfy and ready to take flight in her travel wear, and she reminded me of a question Nylon Magazine posed in it's Young Hollywood Issue (May 2008). Are leggings to be worn in lieu of pants? Are tights alright as more than an undergarment?


Tyra clearly thinks so. Oh and Mary Kate, Ashley and Lindsay have pretty much decided to wear leggings in lieu of pants from now until henceforth. As much as I am a fan of tights and leggings under long tops or short skirts, the whole phenomenon of wearing them as pants makes me uneasy. IMO, it's just too much information.
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What do you think? Are leggings as pants totally bohemian chic? Or should these women be fined for the crime of cameltoe?
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P.S. There's a whole website dedicated to stopping the movement of tights as pants, check it out here...

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The Oscars Very Red Carpet

Katherine Heigl was stunning in scarlet Escada

Style-wise, the story of Oscar night was definitely the color red. No less than six attendees stood out in various shades of rouge to match the carpet.

I loved the drama of Heidi Klum's red dress by John Galliano. You can even enter to win it here. Interestingly, she paired her dress with pink accessories.

Anne Hathaway was draped in deep red Marchesa with rosettes...gorgeous.

Miley Cyrus chose a red Valentino gown that fit her beautifully.

Dame Helen Mirren dazzled in a merlot-colored Georges Chakra gown. I could have done without the Swarovski crystal sleeves, but they are a unique and age-appropriate touch.

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The fabulous Ruby Dee also wore a red gown in a classic silouhette: belted with a matching jacket.

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Strapless gowns in richly-colored hues were also very popular last night...

Amy Adams kept it simple and elegant in forest green Proenza Schouler.

Jessica Alba glowed in a plum-colored feathery Marchesa confection.

Jennifer Garner gets high marks for her black strapless Oscar de la Renta gown with a dramatic fishtail. Great hair.

Penelope Cruz wore a navy blue organza dress by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Haute Couture that was embroidered with feathers...pure glamour.



I'm a big fan of Kristen Chenoweth's sheer strapless Armani Prive gown with rivers of ruching.



Hilary Swank wore a black one-shouldered Versace dress. Just okay for me.

There were some light-colored gowns that graced the carpet as well...

Jennifer Hudson looked lovely in white with diamond details...and even had her back out! Brave girl.



Best Actress winner Marian Cotillard looked amazingly zexy in a white mermaid-esque Jean Paul Gaultier gown with fishscale details.

Cameron Diaz origami inspired Dior gown was a knock out but that light pink color screams 2005. She also looked a tad disheveled on the red carpet (her hair and her dress could both use an iron) but she pulled it together for the telecast.

Keri Russell's Nina Ricci dress bored me to tears. But I did like her necklace.

It seems everyone is finally over all the sequin, glitz and glitter that has abounded since last year. Only Renee Zellweger showed up a super sparkly number that now looks kind of outdated.

And finally...

Cate Blanchett chose a Dries van Notes halter gown in royal purple. Love the color but I'm not fond of the embellishments at the neck and hem.

A bare-faced Tilda Swinton won the award for Best Supporting Actress but lost a sleeve somewhere along the way.

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Who was your fave?

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