National Geographic

Beyonce is featured on the July 2011 issue of Essence Magazine featuring her own cover story called "Eat Play Love" about her break from her busy lifestyle to focus on the simple pleasures in life: spending time with her hubby Jay-Z, her family, her nephew, having girls' night out, learning how to cook, and traveling with no agenda. Yes, she wrote the article too, now you can add Beyonce Knowles [the journalist]...




The photo shoot gives a glimpse of Beyonce's southern upbringing in Houston, Texas with a Western style theme. She looks gorgeous as always, but it's crazy how every time I see her in a photo spread or any advertisement, she looks like a white woman! I seriously thought she was a white woman when I saw these pics, her skin is lighter seems like it continues to get lighter and her hair is really blonde!




I've mentioned before her questionable blackface photo spread commemorating Fela Kuti, and I've also mentioned the rumors about her skin whitening, but seeing this spread just makes it seem true. No matter what color Beyonce was, the public loved her for her talent, not skin color. She's a beautiful and it seems confident woman, but why would she possibly go through a procedure like skin whitening? Is it true that the more "white" celebrities look, especially black celebrities, the more popular they will be? I sure hope not, but you can have a look for yourselves.







You Just Do You, Imma Do Me

Camille

BALMAIN is a fashion house created by French designer Pierre Balmain known for sophistication and elegance in 1945. The house at first started off showcasing long bell-shaped skirts with small waists that became popular as Dior's new look. In 1951, he opened branches in the U.S. selling ready to wear clothes. During the 50's he popularized the stole for day and evening wear as well as sheath dresses beneath jackets. Balmain's talent lay in his ability to make grand evening gowns and simple tailored suits using slender and elegant lines.




Passing away in 1982, Balmain's designs, most notably his vintage couture gowns still remain popular amongst the international jet-setters, movie stars, and socially prominent women. After his death, the house was taken over by Erik Mortensen and Oscar de la Renta [1993-2001] who brought classic, luxurious designs. Until 2011, the house was led by Christophe Decarnin who brought a more modern and edgier take. This past April of this year, Olivier Rousteing took over Balmain.




Seeing his designs make an appearance at the MTV Movie Awards this past Sunday made me intrigued to find out who this designer was. Kristen Stewart, Leighton Meester, and Mila Kunis wore his designs that night. What is also popular are the Balmain jackets that are military styled, very Michael Jackson-esque seen on Beyonce and Rihanna. Looking at his beautiful designs that have inspired designers after him, make me one day dream to wear one of the famous designs, I would be completely honored.






You Just Do You, Imma Do Me

Camille

AMERICAN IDOL finished their 10th season finale with a BANG! The last episode was filled with performances galore, that topped any television finale I have seen to this date! Where the budget from, I have no idea but it will be difficult for any show to end a season this strong.



JACOB LUSK, KIRK FRANKLIN, & GLADYS KNIGHT "I SMILE":

SCOTTY MCCREERY & TIM MCGRAW "LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING":






JAMES DURBIN & JUDAS PRIEST "LIVING AFTER MIDNIGHT", "BREAKING THE LAW":






HALEY REINHART & TONY BENNETT "STEPPIN OUT":






CASEY ABRAMS & JACK BLACK "FAT BOTTOM GIRLS":






LAUREN ALAINA & CARRIE UNDERWOOD "BEFORE HE CHEATS":






U2 & THE EDGE "TURN OFF THE DARK":






LADY GAGA "EDGE OF GLORY":






MARC ANTHONY, JENNIFER LOPEZ & SHEILA E "AGUANILE":






TLC & IDOL GIRLS "NO SCRUBS", "WATERFALLS":






BEYONCE "1 + 1":






BEYONCE & IDOL GIRLS SING BEYONCE MEDLEY:






STEVEN TYLER "DREAM ON":





Enjoy all these videos, I loved every minute of the last night's episode especially since I've been watching this entire season since the auditions! It went by so fast and I can't wait for the next season!!! Oh ya, and congrats to Scotty McCreery for winning...



You Just Do You, Imma Do Me

So Cannes is now over, and here are the Billboard Music Awards. Sad to say but the red carpet, I mean the "white carpet" was a bit of a let down in Sin City of all places!!! The color of the night was black, womp womp...where is the color when it's practically summer time!!!



BEYONCE: the "Artist of the Millenium" opted for a long sleeve Lanvin cocktail dress. Good thing she showed off the goods in her performance outfit, but Beyonce needed to shine more for her big day.

SELENA GOMEZ: this sexy songstress being amongst the youngest of the musicians, looked the most daring in this Dolce & Gabbana haltered black dress with high slit and cut out sides.


FERGIE: inspired by the S&M look, she strutted the white carpet in a Herve Leger by Max Azria Atlier dress. I wasn't feeling the leather detailing in the hip area, it was a bit too much and would've looked better if it was a tighter fit in that area.


KE$HA: now you'd think she would bring out the daring in Sin City, but Ke$ha toned it down from her usual "style" in a metallic sequined tulle and chiffon cut-out Jad Ghanour dress.


NICKI MINAJ: she literally sparkled in this light blue Mark Fast jumpsuit and bubblegum pink hair. Oohhh Nicki, she never seems to disappoint on any carpet, she brings it every time!!!


TAYLOR SWIFT: this angel definitely sparkled in Vegas with her Elie Saab gown that draped nicely on her tall figure, making her look very glamourous.


RIHANNA: kept it simple with an all white sleek Max Azria suit which stood out amongst her fire engine red hair. Anyone notice the low slit on her shirt though? Super low key.


KERI HILSON: looked like a dose of sunshine in this bright yellow Rachel Roy dress paired with a turquoise belt. Definitely feeling the bright color combo!


KELLY ROWLAND: she takes the prize on best dressed of the night with this hot pink Herve Leger dress. She totally embodies the womanly sexiness of Vegas, and she looks amazing without it being overdone.



You Just Do You, Imma Do Me

Camille

Beyonce was awarded the Artist of the Millenium last night at the Billboard Music Awards and she definitely deserved. Though I haven't been so pro-Beyonce as of late, she definitely shut me up with her performance yesterday.





The whole tribute to Beyonce started with her family and musicians saying nice things about her and talking about her great success at the young age of 29! Then she performed her latest hit Run the World [Girls] which was so creative and out-of-the-box that it's already considered one of the Top 10 Billboard Music Awards to this date! I've never seen a performance like this, and I seriously can't stop watching it. Beyonce combines innovation with her sexiness and immense talent she's ultimately known for, but she definitely raised the bar on this one.








What made this part of the show special was the award being presented by her mother Tina Knowles and nephew. During her acceptance speech, she thanked her family, all current and former members of Destiny's Child, even her husband Jay-Z there at the event, whom she described as her "best friend".

Nothing else to say but...BEYONCE RUNS THE WORLD!!!






You Just Do You, Imma Do Me

Camille

Ellen von Unwerth is a photographer and director who specializes in erotic femininity, but she first started her career as a fashion model for a decade. Her style is mainly the sexual and playful version of fashion and beauty photography.







Bringing her experience and creativity as a fashion model, she found fame photographing Claudia Schiffer for Guess? Jeans, launching her commercial career and leading to many of her works being published in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Interview, The Face, Arena, Twill, L'Uomo Vogue and I-D.







Publishing several photography books, you can see her work as the covers of different musicians including Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope [1997], Britney Spears' Blackout [2007], Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics [2006] and Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits [2008] and Rihanna's Rated R [2009].






Her resume includes directing short films for fashion designers and music videos for pop artists. Ellen von Unwerth has also directed commercials and web films for Revlon, Clinique, and Equinox amongst others that feature celebrities.









You Just Do You, Imma Do Me

Camille