Going Global: Matt Pokora

Let's cross the Atlantic for a little bit with this post. Back in '05 I met and fell in love with a French cutie named Matt. Now in '08, I am ashamed to say that although he and I have grown apart these past few years, something about him still makes me tingly. I will now introduce you to my crush, Matt Pokora, he now goes by M Pokora for legal reasons but he will always be Matt to me.

Some call him the French Justin Timberlake but I think he's cuter than JT (only because JT has gotten less masculine, and more non showered looking lately). Anyways, Matt put out his first almost all English album, MP3, on March 24th. That image above is the album cover. Hopefully it does as well as his previous two works. Note to Matt and his peoples: you can have Timberland and whoever else American producers work with Matt in Europe but can't do a cross Atlantic promotional tour? That's bs.

This is Matt's newest single She's Dangerous off MP3:



My first introduction to Matt in '05 with Elle Me Controle:



Don't judge. We all have our guilty pleasures.

OMG: Condi on Race

Sorry for lack of posts. Sometimes life gives you 15 balls to juggle with no extra hands (no gutter talk intended).

This morning, during my routine check of several sites that deal with current events, I happened on something that almost made me spill my coffee. I never thought I would see the day that Condi Rice actually discussed race and it's place in American politics. Secretary Rice had this to say about Barack's historical speech on race:


[T]here is a paradox for this country and a contradiction of this country and we still haven't resolved it. But what I would like understood as a black American is that black Americans loved and had faith in this country even when this country didn't love and have faith in them, and that's our legacy.

My grandmother and my great-grandmother, and my father, who endured terrible humiliations growing up -- and my father in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and my mother's family in Birmingham, Alabama-- still loved this country. And I've often spoken of the Civil Rights Movement as the second founding of America, because finally we started to overcome this birth defect. But if anybody believes that black Americans love this country any less than white Americans do, they ought to go and talk to people who live under very tough circumstances, sometimes doing menial labor and doing tough jobs, and really all they want is the American dream. All they're focused on is is their kid going to be well educated enough to go to college and have a better life than they had. And one of the things that attracted me to George W. Bush, one of the primary things, it was not actually foreign policy, it was No Child Left Behind. Because when he talked about the soft bigotry of low expectations, I know what that feels like.

And so to my mind, where our understanding of and conversation of race has got to go. And I mean now, race. Black Americans aren't immigrants. We may call ourselves African Americans, but we're not immigrants. We don't mimic the immigrant story. Where this conversation has got to go is that black Americans and white Americans founded this country together and I think we've always wanted the same thing. And it's been now a very hard and long struggle to begin to get to the place that we can all pursue the same thing.

Say what you want about Secretary Rice but this for sure: she became who she is by not letting the "black struggle" be an excuse. She was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth but worked hard, probably harder than most to even be noticed, and is now a world leader. Many people throw insults at her calling her traitor for "not remembering where she comes from", but place yourself in her shoes and what would you do? Would you decline the position and with it the ability to help others in a way no one else can or work with someone who maybe has different views from you but do work that will help others for generations to come?

Don't get it wrong I don't know her so I can only hypothesize on her reasoning but I hesitate to judge only because I think her actions come from a good place. Maybe she needs some decision-making help but all in all, she's doing her best. Hopefully our next Secretary of State will still have a good heart but will have better aides to help implement his or her plans (and a better stylist! You are the face of American international relations for goodness sake!!).

Prescriptives F&F

I got this scoop from the fabulous ladies at the Purse Blog's forum: use code FFSP8 to get 25% off Prescriptives online. There's also free shipping on orders over $50. Here's what I'm getting:


I currently use the virtual matte liquid foundation for those days when simple concealer and powder won't do. It is the BEST omg your skin is so nice what did you do it but it doesn't look like you're wearing anything foundation ever. Of course this works better for those with oily skin like moi:

Damaged

Danity Kane just released the video for the first single, Damaged, off their sophmore album, Welcome to the Dollhouse. I loved the song from the first listen a couple months ago but I have to admit the video will have to grow on me. It's very pink and cutesy in a futuristic barbie way. Maybe it's my aversion to so much pink that's causing the hesitation. Anyway, here's the vid:




Isn't it nice how they finally let Sharon sing on a single? I've always liked her :)

Christian Won Project Runway!!

Yea!! Ferosha Coutura won!!! My picks never even make it to the final 3 never mind win. Pardon the French, but Christian is a fierce bitch. The dress above is my fav look from his collection.

Just because it bothers me, I hate that Jillian was out before Rami. Rami is all drapery. Jillian had great structure, classy designs, and beautiful tailoring, never mind the detailing. You can see the creativity in Jillian's work. You can find a Rami dress in every Macy's on each coast. Boo. But yea, Christian won!! Now I can go to sleep.

Shopbop Sale!!!

Shopbop is offering one of it's too few discount codes. Use code Plus20 at checkout for an extra 20% off all contemporary sale items from now until March 6th.

I'm feeling these J Brand high waisted trouser jeans for $122.10 (after discount):

The perfect white pants by Theory for $131.60:

I kind of like this weird dress too. Don't ask my why. It's $67.64:

Happy Shopping!

The Wire Series Finale???

Ok, I've been uninspired the past couple weeks. Nothing caught my eye that I wanted to write about so I didn't :-)

Anyhoo, I just realized The Wire is having it's series finale on March 9th. How did this happen? Does HBO not realize how friggin good this show is? They keep bullshit shows but they don't offer The Wire cast and crews bucket loads of money and incentives to continue producing ridiculous episodes? My feelings are hurt.

Ok, I said all that but I haven't watched a single episode of this season. Comcast is freaking expensive. Damn bastards. I already know so far this season my absolute favorite character, Omar, the gay thug who will outsmart you then kick your ass, got got by a little kid. Damn. Just damn. Anyway, I plan on paying up and watching every episode before the finale. I've been scouring online to try to find out the ending but came up with nada. I can't stand not knowing!!! If anyone is interested in changing my lack of knowledge, holla!

Here's a little preview of the finale