IT GIRLS: Ebony chose Alicia Keys to be one of four cover models for the magazine's summer "It Factor" issue. Guess who the other three are? [Make Fetch Happen]SAVVY SPENDING: Can you tell which black booties are inexpensive and which ones will break the bank? Test your deal radar. [Mane & Chic]
KANYE W & LOUIS V: Louis Vuitton retailers worldwide are already taking reservations for their soon-to-be-released Kanye West sneakers. [Sneaker Obsession]
CLAIR AFFAIR: Was there anyone more glamorous than Phylicia Rashad during her Clair Huxtable days? [I Like Her Style!]
SAFARI CHIC: The CFDA has teamed up with Gap for a moderate-to-low-priced designer khaki collection. [Budget Fashionista]
The College Survival Guide
A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.
Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.
Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.
Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.
MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.
Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age
Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.
Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.
Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.
Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!
BITTERSWEET: Celebrity's businesses are no more recession proof than anyone else's. Jennifer Lopez recently decided to halt production on her Sweetface clothing line. [Style Guru]
WATCH THIS: Who says watches have to tell time? Designer Denise Julia Reytan is hoping her Timepeace bracelets will catch on with people who don't want to be a slave to the clock. [Style Hive]
ROSE SHMOSE: Amber Rose continues to do her best to stretch out her 15 minutes. Do you think her modeling career will take off? [Black Style Central]
GOLD STANDARD: As if iPhones aren't pricey enough, now you can get yours gold plated. [Fashion Week Daily]



Comments: (12)
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By: Urbanprincess on 6/28/2009 4:30PM
Alicia needs to chill with her trashy looking dresses. I have no respect for her now being that she had an affair with Swiz Beats/Music producer. I couldn't believe the dress she wore at one of President Obama's events at the White House not long ago? It was short and her breast was all out! I noticed a change in her attitude and clothing and don't ever want to listen to her music again.
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By: Callie on 6/30/2009 7:26AM
Then, don't!
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By: Talulazoeapple on 7/03/2009 12:31AM
It's called minding your own business. She is an artist. She gives her talent to the world not her personal business.
Get over yourself. I'll just buy two CD's to make up for your boycott. So there, you can calm down!
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By: ROCKINBBW on 6/30/2009 7:41AM
I respect Alicia Keys because. she isn't just for SELF. She's actually doing something to help others in need. Whatever is going on in her personal life is her business (in response to the 1st comment posted).
Keys has done so much and is truly an icon for our generation. what she said on this years BET Music Awards should be a wake-up call for all the other young entertainers / actors.
Rappers / singers (you know who you are), clean up your acts and stop degrading our culture and women.
WAKE UP AFRICANS AMERICANS....THIS IS OUR TIME TO PROVE TO GOD THAT WE CAN MAKE A HUGE POSITIVE IMPACT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME, AND REMEMBER, OUR ELDERS ARE WATCHING. LETS MAKE THEM PROUD!!!!!!!!!
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By: Urbanprincess on 6/30/2009 12:13PM
I'M NOT, going to listen to her music again Callie. ROCKINBBW, yeah Alicia has done for people in Africa with HIV/AIDS and received a Humanitarian Award for that, and done much more and that's wonderful in all but, what both of you fail to realize is she is supposed to be a POSITIVE ROLE MODEL for the young generation. Alicia's business is private but it was made PUBLIC. So, people have every right to feel what they feel including me! That has a lot to do with what kind of person she is. So, I can care less how many hits, Grammy's this woman has of now because she LIED to everyone about her relationship and should have told the damn truth! That's why I don't have any respect for her! She used to dress appropriately and I had a lot of respect for her. Now, she has to fit in with Hollywood just to be accepted? I say, be yourself and have respect for yourself and others! That's how I feel and that's my opinion! Just like Alicia's one song "Karma", well Karma's a B'Yach!
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By: ROCKINBBW on 7/02/2009 1:00AM
UrbanPrincess,
I always tune into BET and the Entertainment channel, etc, and am always reading news about the celebs. If you don't mind my asking, How did you find out that Keys was having an affair? Send the link. That seems to really be your focus. Its really none or anyones business. Hence: Heresay.
If she lied, and/or disrespected herself as a person. Then that, my friend, is between her and God.
Yes, if it is true, people may talk about it, But why? You say that you no longer listen to her music. Okay........... Word of advice for ya hun, I don't think she would be worried (wink).
IF these alligations are indeed true. So be it. Get over it, and move on
I Believe that it is you who has failed, simply Because you're bringing your negative energy to the wrong place.
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By: Urbanprincess on 6/30/2009 6:53PM
My dear ROCKINBBW
Sweetheart, I always have POSITIVE ENERGY wether I am online or offline and not afraid to say how I feel about anything. How you do? It seems to me, you are the one living under a rock and don't know what's going on? BV had it all over the blogs the other week? You couldn't miss it or ignore reading about it? DUH? It is true because they got caught and it was all over the media. Well if it's between her and God, I pray that she repents all her sins and asks God to forgive her then?
Her private life became PUBLIC and everybody has a right to their own opinion wether it was wrong or right on here! Oh, and one thing Ms. ting, ting, this is ENTERTAINMENT and it seems that you my dear failed as an INDIVIDUAL worrying so much about my comment and need to focus more on the BLOG? Stop making it personal. You would be a better person if you just do that. I will continue to make comment on here as long as I please and not you are anybody will stop me from making any comments on here.
Just because you don't agree with me, doesn't make you right? So I suggest to you, move on and make a change for the better. It's not that hard?
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By: Baby on 6/30/2009 10:06PM
I do not see how her personal relationship has anything to do with her achievements. I enjoy her music and what she stands for concerning social issues. Everything is not BLACK & WHITE. So if her relationship is Grey but working for her...more power to ALICIA. I think we should be careful not pass personal judgement. And as a person who works in the Fashion/Media/Entertainment field...I must say sex appeal is apart of the GAME. If a female celebrity possesses that "sex appeal", i don't understand why she is trashy. Alicia is NO Jackie-O or Lady GAGA...lol. So don't clutch your pearls so harshly. And hell, even if she was...so what? One person's set or morals is not the other's. P.S. No woman can break up a Home that is HAPPY. Yes SWISS BEATS and MASHONDA are legally married (as far as documentation) but WE (the outsiders) don't know anything about what opened the window of opportunity for ALICIA to slip on in. They could have even been seperated for all we know or NOT...i'm simply saying who the heck knows. (Let me conclude by saying that sista with the locs may not be as conscience as u think and the sista with the Indian REMY weave may not be as superficial as u think...THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM)
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By: nathalie on 7/01/2009 3:53AM
He who is without sin cast the first stone. Alicia is no different than any other mortal here on this earth. We all have sinned and fallen short of GOD's glory. Including you miss UP, and the reason no one knows about your short comings is because obviously no one cared to notice or even make mention about it. Alicia Keys attracts attention without even trying to which is why people will always probe into her private life. Sometimes unfortunate occurrences happens in our lives but we must learn from them and move on with a better and deeper understanding of how it has negatively affected our life and clean ourselves up and strive to rebuild our lives on a foundation of loyalty to ourself first. I have observed Alicia to be a very humble person one whose heart is filled with compassion for people in need, i admire her committment to the cause. I say to Alicia, don't let anyone hinder your mission, for greater is your reward at the final judgment.
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By: Kay on 7/01/2009 11:02AM
Damn Urban, you act like you was dealin with Swizz..You hatin like that?! Wowww..
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