Greetings From Cape Town!

Hey, hey, hey!

It has been a minute since my last post (my bad) but I've had a lot going on over the last week. I had to get ready for my (insert drumroll here) vacation to South Africa! That's right, I finally made that voyage I've mentioned many times before on this here blog. In a word, I am PROUD.

I plan to post a full report on this trip when I return to the States next week. It will be complete with pictures, links and maybe even a video - I told y'all I have a new camera so watch out! Because my girl Cocoa brought along her handy laptop, I had a moment before dinner to check my email and decided to update PPT a lil' bit. Despite the weather (it is kinda cold and raining here), I am having a ball. Today I went to Cape Point (where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet), went to a warm penguin beach, read up on Nelson Mandela at a museum and checked out the V&A Waterfront. And there is still so much else to do and see. I am pumped! Later in the week we are checking out Jo'Berg.

Well, I gotta run. It's time for me to get changed for dinner. I know that I'm missing NY Fashion Week but this is SOOOOOO (yes, I needed all six o's) worth it. Besides, I'm getting a good dose of international style right where I am. Don't worry, I'll blog all about it.

Life is good. Rain and all.

What'cha Wearing? Real Style in NYC

I tried to fight it but just couldn't any longer. So, I finally gave in to the urge of taking pics of fly folx on the street and posting them here on PPT. Ya know, finding out who they're wearing, what they do for a living and the like. Time Out New York was the first publication I recall doing this over a decade ago and now it is all over the blogosphere. It's not quite a 9 Questions For... (I will continue with that by the way) but a more organic, hey I just stopped this person on the subway kinda thing. As usual I'm aiming to put my own unique spin on things. The truth is, I am surrounded by way too many stylish people (both known and unknown) to not take a stab at this.

Kicking off What'cha Wearing? Real Style is a woman who understands that fashion isn't to be taken too seriously. Doesn't her blinged out Bugs Bunny tee shirt just make you wanna smile? Find out more about it and the rest of her look below:




Name: Qimmah Saafir

Hometown: Bronx, NY

Currently Resides In: Harlem, NY

Age: 27

Profession: Writer (Check out her dope blog here!)

Spotted: In a Rockefeller Center office building

Tee Shirt: Zara (was purchased about a year ago for fifty bucks or so)

Skinny Pants: H & M (purchased last year)

Shoes: Patent leather Birkenstocks

Gold Satchel: Botkier for Target (was purchased in Atlanta on a recent weekend trip)

Handcuff Necklace: Boutique in Brooklyn (check this site for a similiar style)

What made you put this on today? I wanted to wear a tee shirt that had some character to it and a character on it. (laughs)



Who's style are you feeling right now and why? Lately I'm into the style in the UK. Tee shirts worn under vests with skinny jeans, Converse sneakers and a fedora. [I'm into] comfortable chic.

Why did I wait so long to do this? What'cha Wearing? Real Style is going to be so much fun - HA! Especially since I stepped into 2008 this weekend and purchased a digital camera.

Testing. 1-2-3, Testing. (Make-up that is.)

Last season, my requests for NY Fashion Week tickets paid off two-fold. Not only did I score tix to shows as a blogger, but now publicists occasionally send me stuff for coverage here on People.Places.Things. Now because I work in publishing, I know this game very well but it is new for PPT. Recently, a publicist reached out to me about the make-up line: POP, in particular the Green Eye Cakes line. I decided to test it and post the results here. However unlike the mainstream women’s mags (with a couple of rare exceptions), I wanted to test the line on a woman who actually wears make-up regularly and has dark skin. I get so annoyed when I read a fashion/beauty pub and they feature a story with light, medium and dark skin and the dark skin example is Jennifer Lopez. What the crap is that about?!

Since I know this type of foolishness frustrates you as much as it frustrates me, I asked my girl Tress to test the line. Not only does she actually wear eye make-up pretty reularly (unlike moi), but she without a doubt has some of the prettiest skin…well, ever. No lie, her complexion gets noticed by men, women, people of all races, ages, on other continents even. We’ve been friends since 1990 and I’ve never known her to have a pimple or blemish. And since the folks that rep POP claimed the line was wearable for everybody, I figured I would see exactly who was included in "everybody". Ya dig? Why not give Tress the green eye shadow to test, right? It would have been so lame (read: predictible) to test on someone with light skin and/or eyes. Well, here is what Tress had to say:

Olive Eyes

"I found the shadow easy to use and good to mix and match."
I'm pretty indifferent about this one. But it is good to know that the products are user-friendly.

Linear Eyes

"I really like this one. I used a very thin brush, applied a bit of water and lined my eyes."
This one is my favorite too! The blue/green tint on the eyes is such a pleasant surprise, especially on a dark brown woman. I would love to see this paired with an all white look.

Naked Green Eyes

"The color comes off waaay too gold and unattractive."
Tress liked this one the least and I have to agree with her. The pigment is too strong for her complexion and forces the product to appear caked (excuse the bad pun) up on her eyelids - not cute. It could perhaps still work if blended with a darker shade to balance out the metallic brightness.

POP Green Eyes, $19, sephora.com or ulta.com. Or, for even more POP Eye Cake goodies, visit their official website here.

Word on Seventh Avenue is...

I was so excited to see that Constance White made #7 on Fashion's 50 Most Powerful List in yesterday's New York Daily News. She so deserves it. White is presently the style director at eBay but has also completed stints at The New York Times, Elle and WWD. She is also the author of Style Noir. In addition, she provides her expertise to a gazillion of television shows and other media outlets on the whos and whats of fashion. And personally, I know that she truly cares about those on the come-up. In writing this post, I pulled out my copy of Style Noir and saw that she autographed it during a book signing at F.I.T. while I was a student there. Since then, I have come to know her as a mentor and even a colleague. Kinda crazy, right?

Number one on the list was Vogue's Anna Wintour. Like it or not, I think they were correct about that pick. Um, let's just say people take Anna's calls. Others I was excited to see make the cut include creative director of The Gap, Patrick Robinson (I interviewed him for the day job and he's a seriously talented designer), uber SATC stylist and boutique owner Patricia Field, what ya know about a wrap dress Diane von Furstenberg and Brandusa Niro, editor in chief of Daily Candy (Although they clog my in-box with emails, I so adore the witty and informative writing of this site). And the wildcard (but not really) on the list was billionaire mayor Michael Bloomberg. Surprised? The fashion biz is the second highest ranking industry (profit-wise) in NYC and basically, 'ole Mike runs this town.

(Have a look at the entire list here.)

Ev, a PPT reader, wanted to know who designed Michelle Obama's brooch that I mentioned in my last post. Well Ev, I did find out that the dress was by Michelle's trusted Maria Pinto (she turns to her designs quite often) but the brooch was apparently straight from her jewelry box. Yet another reason to love Michelle's style.

Michelle Obama's Style Definitely Goes Way Beyond Clothes...

Last night I was an emotional wreck. First, I was pressed to watch The Black List on HBO since a few of my colleagues had gone to screenings and couldn't stop raving about the doc. I enjoyed the diversity of the profiles -- from Al Sharpton and Chris Rock to Thelma Golden and Zane. Good, good stuff. I did miss the end of Bill T. Jones because as much as I was enjoying the program, I couldn't miss a second of Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention. (I guess TiVo would solve that little problem, huh?)



I began watching just in time, as her brother Craig was introducing her. That alone got me teary-eyed because I am very close to my older brother as well. Without exageration, I cried no less than three times while watching Michelle's speech. And then cried again when Malia and Sasha came out to join their mom on stage. Folks, THAT was history. And I'm so grateful that I had an opportunity to experience it in my lifetime. I know there will be a plethora political analysis disecting her speech today in all the major (and not-so major) media outlets. How she is (or isn't) an asset to her husband's campaign, how she did (or didn't) resolve any issues of her being elite or unpatriotic. I can't do that though.

I also can't bear to write about Michelle's flawless shiny hair last night during her speech. Or speculate on how fast the aqua-green, v-neck dress she wore will sell out. Or even how she accessorized the look with a brooch that could have easily went into the matronly zone yet she still managed to look very modern and fresh. Nope, I can't do that today. For one, I've written about her style, at length, here on PPT before. But moreover, the grace, confidence and all-around swagger that Michelle exuded last night had NOTHING to do with what she was wearing. Please understand this. What she displayed has to come from a place within. As much as I love fashion and I recognize how important outward appearance can be, I am much more concerned these days with quality education for children of working class people (and no I don't have kids of my own), affordable housing (Yes, I do own a home) and health insurance for the working poor (Even though I have excellent benefits). Michelle genuinely seems concerned with these things as well and I think her life's work thus far indicate such. Her values on family, work ethic and womanhood are what made me cry last night, I couldn't care any less who designed her dress to be honest.

One lesson Michelle did remind us all of during her speech was:

You wear the clothes, don't let the clothes wear you.

And she didn't even charge us.

Get a more in-depth look at Michelle's style recipe here in a piece I worked on, Commander in Sheath, for the 10am-6pm. (Click on the main pic to view the photo gallery.)

It's The Principle of Pleasure: Janet "Ms. Jackson If You're Nasty" Does Lingerie

Just when I thought that I was done with celeb "designed" clothing lines, I go and read this in yesterday's WWD:

"I hate when you've had on a bra all day long and you just can't wait to take it off - every woman has experienced that."

Ain't that the truth?! This is what Janet Jackson had to say about her new lingerie line which is set to debut late this year or in early 2009. (I predict it will be in stores in time for holiday or Valentine's day.) The line, named after her hit 1986 single, Pleasure Principle, is crafted primarily with lace and satin and will launch with 18 pieces. Honestly, I am very impressed with the range of bra sizes offered: 32A to 44G. It is slated to be affordable as well, price points are all reported to be under 40 bucks. But since this was reported in WWD, those might be wholesale prices - still not bad considering.

The Principle of It All: Two spicy pieces from Janet Jackson's affordable new lingerie line

There doesn't seem to be an official website for the line yet but look for her sexy little numbers in major department stores. Of course Janet is being a good little celebrity (Mama is trying to sell albums afer all...) and telling everyone how she really had a strong hand in the creative process and is very pasionate about the collection, yada ya. We've heard that before. I'm actually curious to see the line since I adore lingerie and am just thankful she spared us a cheesy denim or tee shirt venture.

SIDEBAR: Pleasure Principle is one of my all-time favorite videos. Like, ever. Janet was killing 'em in her tight grey Guess jeans, jet black wrap (so what if it was a weave, it was fierce) and sick dance moves. C'mon, the routine towards the end when she jumps off the chair is c-r-a-z-y. What else can you really ask for? And to top it off, the lyrics of the song are timeless.

P.S. - Notice I didn't include any bad jokes about wardrobe malfunctions in this post. You can thank me later.

Take Me With You: Girlfriend Getaways to London, Paris and More!

I'm beyond swamped and quite perplexed about it being August 20th. I mean, seriously, I feel like summer just started. My nieces start school next week - GEEZ!

Did you get to take that fabulous vacay this summer? If you didn't, fret not. Andrea Adams, one half of the dynamic duo, Travelista, is offering a cool package abroad for the fall, but also has trips lined up well into 2009 so you have time to save up. Now we know the dollar ain't worth ish right now (thank you Mr. President) but Andrea is a seasoned vet when it comes to international travel so she can help any tourist get the most bang for her (or his) buck. I've posted some of the deets below. For more info, visit her site here.

From the Co-Creator of Travelista TV:

The Velvet Tour - October 23-31, 2008

The Girlfriend's Getaway to London & Paris

Priced from $2,900 from JFK, ATL, DC, LAX

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Double occupancy accommodations (single occupancy additional)

• 2 nights boutique hotel accommodations in London

• 5 nights boutique hotel accommodations in Paris

• Eurostar train from London to Paris, First Class

• Daily breakfast

• Panoramic tours of both cities

• Shopping Tour in Paris at world-famous Antique and Flea-Markets, and French boutiques along St. Germain des Pres

• Shopping Tour in London to Portobello Market and London boutiques for the latest in fashion

• Art Gallery Tour in Paris and London

• FIAC Art Expo in Paris

• Airport and train transfers by private shuttle

• All hotel service charges and taxes, and airport taxes

• Additional tours available at an additional fee

More Trips to Come....

December 2008 - ARGENTINA for NEW YEAR'S EVE

February 2009 - BRAZIL

April 2009 - NEW YORK, USA

June 2009 - FRANCE

July 2009 - SPAIN

September 2009 - ITALY & GREECE

November 2009 - SOUTH AFRICA


On a totally different note, how proud are we of Keeth Smart for helping the U.S. score a silver medal in fencing last week at the Olympics? AMAZING (that word so overused but is fitting for him) story. Yay for the underdog. Although being a young Black man from Brooklyn making history in fencing while mourning the lost of both your parents AND battling your own health issues plus finding time to attend B-school at Columbia just might make you anything but an underdog...
CONGRATS KEETH!