Love her or hate her…..this chick is the most UNSTOPPABLE female out there right now….and she got ‘em rockin pink.

“I feel lazy when I’m not working. I learned all my business sense from my dad. He always believed in me, and I think the last thing he said to me before he passed away was, ‘I know you’re gonna be OK. I’m not worried about you’.” -Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian (October 21, 1980-) is a reality star, entrepreneur, socialite, & boutique.  She was born to the late Robert Kardashian Sr. and Kris Jenner (nee Houghton) and is the middle child (older sister is Kourtney Mary and young siblings include: Khole Alexandra, Robert Jr, and half siblings Kendall & Kylie).  She is of Armenian, Dutch, & Scottish descent.

She was just known as Paris Hilton’s side kick until a very risque’ sex tape ‘leaked’ with then boyfriend Ray J launched her into the entertainment industry.  Since then, she landed her own reality show with her family on E! called “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”, appeared on ‘Dancing with the Stars’, launched a highly successful dvd workout series called “Fit in Your Jeans by Friday” and most recently her own fragrance ‘Kim Kardashian’ that has hints of gardenia, lavendar, and jasmine.  She was the most searched celebrity in 2010 and voted ‘Best Reality TV Pleasure’ by the Fox Reality TV awards.

Between making appearances and keeping busy with her business efforts, she co-owns ‘D-A-S-H’ with her sisters.  There are three locations (Miami, LA, & New York), an upscale boutique that sells the hottest trends and launched her own clothing line with Bebe & QVC.  So far, all ventures have been highly successful.

Kim’s style has tremendously evolved from being overtly sexual to chic and pull together.  With the help of stylist Monica Rose, she traded in Herve Leger with plunging necklines and figure-hugging dresses, to tailored blazers and belts.  Not to mention those staggering (but extra fabulous) stilettos to top of her look.  You always this Kim K. pulled together, with not a hair out of place and face not beat (no pun intended).  She has consistently been on ‘Best Dressed’ lists from people to Us weekly to Life & Style.  Her love for shoes has taken another height: she has launched ‘Shoedazzle‘ which is an affordable shoe line that caters to the stiletto loving fashionista (Ahem, ME!!!).

Whether she’s flaunting her ASSets or dusting the shoulders out of her past, you can’t deny: Keeping up with Kardashian is a piece of work!!!

Here’s Miss K at her finest:

Her bestie (in my head),

Ash

XOXO

It’s a growing trend among African-American women who are saying ‘Adios’ to their black salons and ‘Que Pasa’ to Dominican salons.  Why?  TO achieve a voluminous, full look that SOME black salons can’t achieve.  A LOT of african-american women go (like myself) because their natural hair textures.  Plus, their a technique that is quite popular called ‘The Blowout’.

According to Jennifer Drew, creator of roundbrushhair.com, a Website that tracks and promotes Dominican hair salons nationwide, African-American women make up an estimated 95 percent of the clientele at Dominican hair shops. Dominican salons are known for their signature hair styling that includes roller setting the hair and using a round brush and blow dryer to finish the look. Drew said the technique, along with their fast walk-in service and low prices makes them more appealing to black women. In Detroit, the average cost for basic service is $30, compared to $55 at black salons.  However….

“What’s cheaper is not always better”.  Dominicans have a different texture than ours.  When one gets their hair blown out, the hair gets ripped and severely damaged. Because its a hard brush with bristles and a blow dryer set to the highest setting.

You can compare the rise of Dominican hair salons to Asian nail salons.  Sadly, they (Asian salons) have wiped out the Black American nail techs because of their “affordable prices, quick services, and cheap products.”  Yet, some black hair salons feel that Dominican salons WONT have the same effect.  But black salons be warned: Dominican Salons SHOULD be a wakeup call that black-American salons need because they are losing their grip on the black hair care industry and clients.

In the short time I’ve been going to the Dominican Shop, I’ve been pleasantly pleased and had NO issues.  Also, I opted OUT of the blowout and I’ve chosen just to get the roller set which is less stress and no breakage on my hair.  Not to say that I won’t go back to my beloved salon in Ferndale, but for now Viva la Salon de Dominicana!!!

I’ve been on red lipstick since of age 5….so this is nothing new to me.

;-*

XOXO

Ash

XOXO

Ash

Throughout the movie Jamie, Greer and Mars reflect on the time they spent with Nola, and all their sexual encounters. At the end of the movie Nola admitted that she saw all three men as one, each man offering something that she needed. Jamie had stability, Greer had confidence and money and Mars simply made her laugh. Sounds like all the main qualities most women look for in a man. Who could blame her?

As I sat and watched this unique film, I thought about how accurate this depiction was back then and still is today. How many women do this today?  I could tell when Jamie’s character was first introduced in the movie that he was the most complete person for Nola, but as usual people can’t always see what’s good for them. He respected her, didn’t talk down to her, and was responsible, unlike Mars and Greer. But Nola pushed Jamie away with her constant pursuit of the other two men. He began to see another woman, and told Nola to choose or one day she was going to look around and he would be gone. It wasn’t only Jamie who demanded her to make her mind up. Greer and Mars asked Nola to make a decision also. Nola dropped Greer and Mars and realized that Jamie really did love her and she really loved him. He gave her a second chance but still ended up alone in the end. In the last scene of the movie Nola asked herself, who can love me better than me?

 The film is pure art – shot in black & white with only one scene in color (Nola’s Birthday). It was thoughtful in approach and will always be timeless and classic, visually and in content, the dancers at Nola’s Birthday were FABULOUS!! What a perfect birthday gift (for a hopeless romantic like moi), & the film score is ah-mazing. 

The film, however is kinda reflective about my life NOW (I’m in my mid-twenties) – It boiled down to Nola’s unreadiness to commit. Its wasn’t really about having multiple guys to fulfill multiple needs. It was more-so about figuring out what she really wanted and what will ultimately make her happy, something that I FINALLY coming to grips with.   As Nola discovered, you can’t be right for anyone else until you are whole and secure in yourself – that’s when the relationship best suited for you quickly rises above the pack, and is easily identifiable. Example: I juggled men (like my Nola) & there was one guy that I encountered that I could NOW see myself with.  Could a relationship have happened THEN? I can’t say confidently it would’ve worked because I was STILL in my party girl days.  NOW I am comfortable in my own skin to able to enter a relationship.   It takes two whole people to enter, and sustain a quality relationship. It also takes realness, honesty and willingness to develop and truly assess what works and doesn’t work in your life to pinpoint what is needed to live the life you’ve envisioned. Self-discovery is cleansing to mind, body and soul.

The movie is about growth and self knowledge, something that we as young african-american women are striving to achieve.  Check it out.

XOXO,

Ash

How Black Elegance & Bourgeois is done….executed PUUUURFECTLY by the always sharp Diahann Carroll.

XOXO,

Ash

 I do agree that women can stand to be more submissive to their mate and allow him to take the lead in the relationship. However, here is where I have a problem with this theory. Not every man is worth submission. Not every man deserves a woman that is undoubtedly loyal to only him. Unfortunately many women chose the wrong men to submit to and this ruins the idea of love and trust within a relationship for them for life.

With that being said, if MEN were more honest, loyal, and took the role as being a leader and provider more seriously in a relationship/family then perhaps more women would be willing to trust a man’s leadership and submit. It is hard to submit to anyone and follow their lead if you think that they could lead you down a path of sadness, heartbreak, and suffering. In other words, it is easier for a woman to submit if she trusts the man’s, judgment, and  intentions towards her and knows that they are good.

My advice to women is yes submission can be a wonderful thing in a relationship. But when you are with the wrong man, or you continuously choose the wrong men to submit to, then it taints the idea of relinquishing control. Be selective in who you decide to submit to. Be selective in the type of man who you allow to take a leadership role in the relationship. Get to know him, his heart and his spirit. Know yourself. What you want and do not want….AKA  DON’T SUMBIT TO TYRONE!

XOXO

Ash

Why We Love Her Style:  Anna Wintour said it best: “Washington is intimidated by a high-profile good-looking and stylish woman who is not afraid to dress for center stage”.  Rogers’ style is similar to the FABULOUS Michelle O, but she ups the ante with jewel tones, a sharp & sleek hair cut, killer heels.  Ms. Rogers…your style will surely be missed on Washington.