Second Time Around “The New Bargain Store”

During the past few years, times have been hard because of the overwhelming factor of the recession across the world. With the closing of a lot of independent business owners, chain companies like H and M, Zara, Rainbow, and Express are beginning to be the only option out there in Boston. The closing of the popular discount store A.J. Wright in urban communities, T.J. Max and Marshalls modern prices can sometimes be too similar to the department stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale's, and Lord and Taylor's. Where do you go? The store “Second Time Around” is a company that takes second hand fashions and new high fashion brands to sell to customers. I was shock to find designer clothing brand new off the rack for nearly 75% less than the original price. The store is vintage bargain shopper meets quality bargains. The store if you live in Boston is located all over Newbury Street and Harvard Square, in Cambridge, MA. Second hand stores aren’t for everyone but you never know what you may find. Holla!

Is Versace working with H and M?

The new word on the street is that Versace is the next designer house to break ground for H and M. As some of you know H and M, is a affordable trendy high fashion store that tends to be the only go to store if you are a Bostonian. A few probably for this not happen is the well respected name of Donatella Versace. The high fashion empire was built on her brother’s eye for detail and interesting cuts for womenswear. The question a lot of people have is “will the merge help Versace o destroy their name. For instance, this issue arose with the Lanvin collection that came out last year. In my opinion what previous designers done for H and M has been a blessing. Being able to own a piece of high fashion without breaking the bank or buying a fake is good for the economy. Versace said if they do make the merge, the price point maybe a bit higher with the same great quality people come to expect with the fashion house. This should be something worth to see.

The “New” Kelly Rowland

The BET Awards 2011 was off the hook this year. One of the performances that stood out the most was Kelly Rowland. Besides being one of the original members of Destiny Child, she also found a way to stand out on her own (it been this way for awhile). Her new album “Motivation” is off the charts in the United States and United Kingdom (U.K. is also the same place she met her man). Kelly Rowland expresses a lot of energy while dancing and well improve vocals. Her body alone was in “Sexy Form” and I am glad to see the girl who once told me to “pay my bills” is now coming into her own, and standing on her own two feet. I suspect more to come from Kelly Rowland and her new start power.

Singer Marsha “Songstress” Ambiosius

During my second year of college, I started to get into soul R and B. This type of music was poetry turned into a smooth sound. Listening to Soul R and B captures a mood inside the body like your favorite dish hitting the spot like no other. I remember the first time I heard the group Floetry, it was a wakeup call inside my soul. Singer Marsha “Songstress” Ambiosius metaphor speaking brought me to my knees. Her powerful vocals make you want to listen to her message without questioning the content. Marsha Ambiosius was born August 8, 1977 in Liverpool, England. She started at the Brit School for Performing Art, Media, and Art. After a few albums with her former Floetry partner Natlie Stewart, she did a 360 and came out with her first solo album self title through Dr. Dre “After Math” label. Furthermore, at the BET Awards 2011, she rocks the house with her dedication performance for Pattie Labelle lifetime achievement award. Give Marsha a listen because her voice will inspired a moment through your ears and down the soul. Far away! 

Shoulder Looking Fancy!

Are you familiar with the saying hard times call for desperate measures. Lately there has been a new movement going on in Boston that just does not add up. I’ve been spotting women, teenagers, and men with Louis Vutton and Gucci Signature Handbags. Before I get started, if you are one of these people who have went to the store and pay for the bag straight up, this topic does not concern you. As for the others, come on, why are we still doing this. I never pay much mind to who had real or fake but for the most part, I came up with reasons for why a fake can be a fake:

1.Shopping at secondary or discount stores for merchandise of all type

2.     2.Placing your bag on the ground when the bag supposedly is pricy

3.Commuting on Public Service when for the most part one bag is the same cost of a car

4.Being too young of age when people are sure your parents would have invested that money toward something else, like say themselves!

These reason may could be seen as stereotyping but with the way society take judgment on people base on their nationality, skin color, social status, or way of being; you be the judge. In conclusion be smart and support the designer market, because the only way the economy will improve is by putting money back into the right hands. Word Up!  

Plastic Snap Hats on the Rise

I remember when I was real young, and my uncle came upon this west side gangster rap group called N.W.A. This group feature Ice Cube, MC Ren, Easy E, Yella, and Dre. This was the hottest sound on the block, on the radio, and the east coast. The thing that stuck out about them was their black baggy clothing and “Plastic Snap Caps” of American sports team caps. Even though the hottest group to come out of the west coast broke up, their hats decided to make a comeback this year. Plastic Snaps are everywhere these days when I am on the move. Most of the teeny boppers don’t have a favorite team; they usually buy the cap because of the color. With the victory of the Boston Bruins hockey team this year, I decided it was my time to get one as well. For references to this new look, check out “Look at me Now” video by Chris Brown, N.W.A., and Bet 106 and Park. Snap up!

Bangs on the Mind.....

Hair is something women take serious whether it is real, synthetic, extensions, wig or lace wig. Even though the spring and summer is all about cutting that long look and begging with a new bang as of this year one have to stay. I am truly not sure who was the first woman this year to rock bangs’, but I felt it started with Lady Gaga with the blond bang cut. Than the Notorious Nikki Minaj with blonde and other colors of the rainbow to get it moving among the main stream teeny boppers world. As of last month, Little Mama, American Best Dance Crew host, and Jessica Alba have become the next followers of the need to cut the front and let the rest hang. The weather forecast for hair has shown an increasing amount of women doing two tones hair colors and the all shave around with hair on the top. Get on it!