Tipster Thursday: Get Esperanza Spalding's look

Fashiona noticed that she was getting a lot of  searches for  Esperanza Spalding and her necklace.  Esperanza's necklace is a  Native American dream catcher.

The history of dream catchers  can be traced to the Native American Ojibway Chippewa tribe. The Ojibways would tie  sinew string around a frame of bent wood that was in a small round or tear drop shape. The patterns of the dream catcher was very  similar to  their snowshoe webbing.

Originally, dream catchers were made to protect sleeping children from nightmares.  Legend maintains that the dream catcher will catch one's dreams during the night. Bad dreams will get caught in the dream catcher's webbing and disappear with the morning sun.  However, good dreams will find their way to the center of the dream catcher and float down the feather. Fashiona has had one over her bed for 10 years.


Navajo artist Lorenzo Aviso creates some beautiful handmade Dream Catchers and sells them at Tribal Impressions in Texas and on-line. and  These two are pieces are made from sterling silver and turquoise.

 

Fashiona on the 2010 BET Awards

If you follow Fashiona on Twitter (and you should) then you know that she was much more pleased with  the BET awards this year than in 2009...BET really stepped up their game. There were a few glitches like an over zealous smoke machine and  wayyyyyy too long performances by El Debarge but on the flip side the Michael Jackson and the Prince tributes were incredible...

Queen Latifah looked fabulous all night even in her spoofs of herself but Fashiona liked her first dress of the night the best.

Alicia Keys...Fashiona is happy for you and your preggers glowing state but she also thinks it is time to put up the teeny dresses for now.  Now the long white dress was MUCH more appropriate...

Photo Credit: Reuters

Speaking of appropriate...Mrs. Jada Pinkett Smith...umm Fashiona and the rest of the world want to know where the rest of your shorts are...you are a Mommy...a very cute and in shape one but still...

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Nicki Minaj wins the Lady Gaga meets Pebbles meets Barbie award....

Jazz musician Esperanza Spalding is Fashiona's latest bohemian chick icon...rocking a lovely Afro and a Native American dream catcher necklace.

Photo Credit: AP

Chris Brown's ouststanding tribute to MJ was on the best of the night should have ended the night...

For more on the 2010 BET awards see Alicia's Examiner.com column.

Social Sunday: Teddy Pendergrass, a champion of romance

Teddy Pendergrass, born Theodore, known for his velvety smooth voice died  due to complications of colon cancer and lingering injuries due to his car accident in the 1980's Wednesday January 13.  He  was a permanent fixture on the charts as a part of Melvin and the Blue Notes.  He left the group and embarked on an amazing solo career.

His career was soaring when he was in a terrible accident in 1982, his brakes failed on his Rolls Royce and he was left paralyzed from the waist down.  His voice was left untouched.   After two years of therapy Teddy returned to his studio to record again.


Before the accident,  women flocked to his Ladies only concerts. His songs were sexy and explicit but never vulgar.  Fashiona's two favorites are "Turn of the Lights" and "Close the Door"; they include step by step instructions for men unversed in the dying art of romance.  


After the accident, people still supported Teddy because he simply kept going through the hard times. He kept churning out love ballads and was instrumental in launching the career of Whitney Houston. His foundation the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, help raise awareness of spinal cord injuries.

He is survived by his wife and his children and his legendary music.

Fashiona meets R&B Singer Monica: Still Standing

Fashiona had a good weekend.  Her best friend Topaz sent her a Halloween care package since it will be her first Halloween outside of New York...her costume  choice will be revealed on Halloween or the day after:)

So last night in her first outing since her breakup...Fashiona went out  (in full regalia...black dress, false lashes and fish nets)  to R and B Singer Monica's Upscale Cover party and launch for her upcoming BET show Still Standing.

Monica looked absolutely gorgeous.  Apparently she is loving life... and it shows, she positively glows.  Her hair was on point, skin flawless  and she dressed in Gryphon with  some smoking over the knee Chloe boots.

 Photo Credits: George Butler Photography

Do check out her article in November's Upscale and of course her show "Still Standing" on BET  starting on Tuesday October 27 @ at 10 pm Eastern.

BET Hip Hop Awards Preview Style Suite

Last week as Fashiona was recovering from the flu, hip hop A-listers descended upon Hotlanta for the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards.   

The  exclusive special style suite to celebrate and pamper the  2009 BET Hip Hop Awards nominees, performers and presenters and  conveniently located less than a block away from the Atlanta Civic Center.  Celebrities included the newest "it"couple Eve Pigford and Lance Gross, crooner Raheem Devaughn and model Toccara.  

All  Photo Credit: George Butler Photography & CNDELOPHOTOGRAPHY

Eva Pigford and Lance Gross

 

 

 

Raheem Devaughn                                                                         Toccara

They and many more were seen enjoying a very carefully  selective range of high- end luxury goods and services collectively called "The Experience":

•    DJ Trauma Fashionable Loud Lounge - DJ Trauma incorporated a mix of music by this year's award nominees, never before heard mixes, and gifted some of the most sought after mix tapes available today.
•   Interscope/ Geffen Interscope Records- Beats By Dre Listening Stations
•  Adidas "My Adidas Campaign" Custom Footwear
•  The Glambar / Minx Nails - beauty pop up shop (featuring IIWII Fresh, MAC makeup)
•  Master Barber grooming 
  
•   Boost Mobile "Where You At" - onsite interactive
•    Custom ID.com
•  Godeva Loungewear
•  BET.com Media Drop Spot - guests had the opportunity to appear on BET.com's Award Show Section
•   GREATER THAN AIDS - (www.GreaterThan.org) - influences and high profile attendees recorded PSA's for this national campaign.
•   Hennessey Black/ Belvedere IX custom cocktail bars, Rhythm Liqueur,Tyku Sake,  & Nuvo
•    NBA 2k10 Gaming Lounge
•  MAC/Andi Y
•      Cami Cake - specialty dessert bars
•    Live U Stream feed provided by DimeWars.com

 

**Courtesy of the Garner Circle PR**

Fashiona on the 2009 BET Awards dedicated to Michael Jackson

The BET awards...it was on Sunday night and in BET fashion the show will repeat... tomorrow July 2 if you missed it. The award show was the first after the death of King of Pop Michael Jackson.

MTV and CNN were there and ALL spotlights were on BET. Did they stand up to the pressure?...in Fashiona's opinion...kinda sorta.

Red Carpet Favorites:

Amber Rose looked stunning as always. Kanye... has thankfully given up that afro-mohawk.

Photo Credit: PictureGroup/BET.com

Alicia Keys looked absolutely gorgeous in jeweled mini-dress by Jenny Packham. Hair...beautiful.


Photo Credit: PictureGroup/BET.com



Beyoncé rocked the 80's look to the hilt. Fashiona loved the Studio 54ish heels.

Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Image/MTV.com




Shaun Robinson...work it girl!!

Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images/MTV




Atlanta's own Keri Hilson is making her mark in a big way...watch out Rihanna!!

Photo Credit: PictureGroup/BET.com


The Award Show itself:

Highlights:

• Jamie Fox's overall energy and his moonwalking across stage
• Ne-Yo's selfless performance of "Lady in my Life". Notice his signature black hat on the floor.
• Keri Hilson's performance wearing Michael-esqe fashion.
• Jamie Fox and Ne-Yo's duet of "I'll be there".

LowLights:

• Jamie Fox overplugging his tour...twice is enough.
• Anything that comes out of Joe Jackson's mouth.
• T-pain wearing that ghetto chain...BET you were so wrong for letting him on the stage with that nonsense.
• Beyoncé ...singing Ava Maria while half naked and then wearing a white veil...please sit down somewhere. Fashiona is not even remotely Catholic but wants to go to confession for even watching that mockery... she only posted the picture under duress.

Parting Words:

A lovely and resilient Janet Jackson gave a brief and moving tribute to her brother and the world's pop legend.

Fashiona

Fashiona remembers Michael Jackson

Who over 30 doesn't have a Michael Jackson memory? Fashiona has quite a few. She was in second or third grade when Thriller was released and his record setting, Grammy winning album was the very first record she bought with her own money. It is still at her parents house till this day; Mom is sending it to her shortly.

Photo Credit: Epic Records


Although Fashiona never ever got a Jheri Curl or donned the red jacket or a rhinestone glove, but she remembers seeing those jackets in pint sized versions everywhere...even in Europe where her family moved shortly after Thriller was released.

Photo Credit: Reuters

Michael Jackson’s signature style still influences performers today. His sequined white glove and fedora hat are just two of the many accessories that made him a fashion icon for the ages.

And yes the Prince vs. Michael battles of the 1980's. Fashiona grew up loving Michael and then Prince and then both. She was in high school when Remember the Time was released. Fashiona and her sis came in her parents' room to watch the world premiere of the video...still one of the best videos of ALL time. Fashiona's fascination with all things Egypt tripled at that very moment.

Smooth Criminal is Fashiona's very close second favorite MJ video but her absolute favorite fashion wise...and seriously who could forget that famous lean!!

Photo Credit: Epic Records

Fashiona wants to know what your favorite Michael memory is?

Rest in peace Michael.

Fashiona

Fashiona on Celebrity Make-Up Artist Toni Acey's Purple Carpet Affair

Miss Fashiona has been in ATL for about 3 weeks, and last night was her first official night out on the town. Mr. Baller, the good sport that he is is, drove downtown and let Fashiona leave her car in Buckhead(the high rent district). So Fashiona and Mr. Baller went to the Street Lounge for celebrity make-up artist Toni Acey's Purple Carpet Affair book launch Makeup FAQ and her jewelry line Purple Flower Jewels.

Here is the umm purple carpet at the entrance.

Mr. Baller, who cleaned up nice, was rewarded for his presence with two lovely ladies wearing makeup, bodypaint and not much else.


Fashiona personally prefers bangles and stones in her jewelry but marveled at the handpainted leather earrings and cuffs.

Obviously besides make-up, purple is Toni Acey's passion....
Check out more of Toni on My Black is Beautiful on BET.



Fashiona

Harlem Heights: Fashiona's Final Review

Fashiona has been a busy girl with her big move and winding up major projects...but before she left wanted to give the season finale of Harlem Heights her undivided attention.

Over the last few episodes:

Brooke and Christian fell into each other mouths and that forced Ashlie and Brooke to finally hash it out. Brooke and Christian, the bonefide playette and player of the cast, are attempting a relationship of sorts. Ashlie is getting serious about her acting game. Jason is finally launching his non-profit. Landon is running for office. Pierre and Bridget are dancing around their feelings. Bridget is doing it all and well. By show's end....Briana has launched her handbag line in a big way.

Fashiona concedes that Briana was a bit fierce with her reaction to the Ashlie/Christan/Brooke drama but she agrees...dating is murky and full of twists and turns. She likes Pierre and Bridget together providing that Pierre can ever get over his old girl. Christian and Brooke are perfect for each other. Fashiona gives Briana mad props for getting her line of the ground...despite all the obstacles and fears she had.


What Fashiona really likes about Pierre is his commitment to principles. He and Christian were able to squash their beef about Brooke but not before he let Christian know where he was coming from in terms of principles. Fashiona spoke to a panel to of high school students recently and amoung the many things she told them was "There is a price to intergrity". Pierre is really to trying to stay true to himself and still help his family.

Fashiona gets that Brooke comes across as a harda** sometimes but underneath it all she is soft and pink like the rest of us with Cinderella dreams. Fashiona is proud of Brooke for letting her guard down and taking a chance with Christian.

Finally to Miss Briana...as a fashionista herself...Fashiona is so HAPPY that Briana made her handbag line happen: www.bmariestyle.com (just launched yesterday). Briana's handmade custom handbags range from $350-$2,000.

So from a soon to be former Brooklynite to the cast of Harlem Heights and her friend Randolph...




Job well done and looking forward to season 2?

Fashiona