I’M IN NEED OF A … ASOS DOUBLE WRAP AROUND CUFF

I love ASOS as I’m guaranteed to find good bargains and this time I’ve come trumps once again! These stylish cuffs are only a tenner! With a gold finish chain and leather effect and adjustable buckle fastening (for those of us who have fat wrists?!), this is a definite must have for my accessories draw.

BEAUTY BUYS: STELLA BY STELLA MCCARTNEY

If I had to choose my favourite perfume I’d pick Stella by Stella McCartney. The first time I bought it was several years ago during a shopping trip where I was babysitting the American hottie Carmen Electra, which was part of my job whilst working on the PR for her Strip Aerobics DVD’s.

There I was, milling around (obviously window shopping), whilst she was buzzing round the shop like a bee. I strolled into the boudoir looking area where they had all the perfumes randomly placed and I picked up this purple bottle. Once I sprayed a little bit on my wrist I was immediately hooked. The scent is seductive, delicate and confident; it’s just perfect! Can someone tell my boyfriend I’ve run out please? Possible Valentines Day gift perhaps?

THE LAST WORD… JENNIFER HUDSON’S SUPERBOWL PERFORMANCE

Did you see it? If you didn’t you really missed out, as this woman is extremely talented. The performance was effortless. Her voice, faultless, however as I had suspected J Hud’s performance of the US National anthem was a pre record, but that means nada to me and I’m sure many who watched will agree with me. It was still out of this world and due to how fabulous it was her label announced that the recording would go on sale on iTunes on Tuesday, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Hudson-King Foundation which cares for the needs of families who have lost relatives to violent crime.

It was reported the decision for Hudson to lip sync at Sunday’s Super Bowl XLIII was at the request of the pre game show’s producer Rickey Minor. Can’t blame him for this request after what she’s been through, but to be honest it doesn’t even matter – the performance was too spectacular to criticise it in anyway and had she have sung live, it would have been just as brilliant. Click the video below to see.

Truly amazing…

ISSUE 7 WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S FIERCE LIST…

Sorry, a few days late – it’s been a hellish week, I can feel the stress in my neck – time to visit Aveda for a massage me thinks. I actually did have this week’s done in time, but my laptop/internet has been playing silly buggers with me, so just pretend its last Friday for the next 10 or so minutes…

Anyhow, to compensate for my lateness of recent I’m in the process of sorting out some ‘great freeness’ for my dedicated subscribers so watch this space. If you regularly view my blog, why not become a subscriber and have the chance of winning some fab prizes too? Just enter your email address into the subscriber box to the right and ‘wa – la’. Fierce List in your mailbox every week! Plus, this is a time to get your female friends and family members in the know, by subscribing. With Britain’s No 1 Black newspaper going into administration this week, you never know my dreams of online publishing may soon become a reality. On a serious note; the demise of The New Nation and struggles The Voice are having saddens me (even if I’m still filled with anger from when I was horrified to see one of the above publications printing the wrong date (yes, I said the wrong date) on their front page way back when…

Oh and to those who woke up this morning to see inches of snow outside their door step, I’m happy for you too! No work today and probably tomorrow (how residents of Canada will be laughing at us all now!). Maybe you can prop yourself up in bed, playing catch up watching Series 1 of Gossip Girl as this is what one of my close girlfriends is doing as I type!

xxxx

THIS WEEK EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT… KELLY ROWLAND PARTS WAYS WITH MATHEW KNOWLES (B’S DAD!)

Hooray!!! She’s done it! I know you all hear me. Ms Kelly as per the title of her latest album announced in a joint statement with Mathew Knowles this week the two are severing their working relationship. Well it’s about time is all I can say!

Knowles as we all know is Beyoncé's father and manages her, in addition to her sister Solange, and Destiny's Child. Now I understand Mr Knowles wants the best for his children, starting with the eldest but please, for the past how many years, he’s just been quite simply, taking the piss with Kelly and Michelle. They have always been put at the back whilst Beyonce received all the leads in the songs, videos, and the ‘fiercest’ outfits. Who remembers the ‘Lose my Breathe’ video? Beyonce’s Evisu jeans outfit against Kelly’s ‘Rosie from the Rugrats’ look (she had pigtails in her hair for Pete’s sake) and Michelle look like a female pimp in that white suit combo with matching hat. There were several outfit changes in this video and Beyonce’s outfits and hair were on point, whilst the other two look like extras for the video. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not dissing Beyonce as I’m one of her biggest fans, simply for her talent and for being the D.I.V.A she is. Diva in the good sense of the word by the way, plus it’s not her fault she is so damn hot. However, I believe Kelly could be just as hot as she has the looks and can damn well sing too. Her debut album ‘Simply Deep’ sold by the bucket loads and I believe she can be just as successful as Beyonce if given the opportunity to. I mean, how come Beyonce got to release ‘Crazy in Love’? This tune was a great single, with all the killer trumpet hook pounding out, whilst wearing the sexy pink/purple dress and the most ‘sick’ (meaning wicked), panties and fur combo I’ve ever seen, whilst shimmering her ‘baby oiled’ greased body on Jay Z (the hottest rapper in the game). Then there’s Kelly, who gets the club banger ‘Dilemma’ with Nelly (the rapper who did the duet with country and western star Tim McGraw who wears a plaster on his face). As if that wasn’t enough, she’s wearing some ‘off-key’ clothes throughout the video with the GHETTO-EST shoes I’ve ever seen in my life and let’s not talk about the red hair. Why? See below if you chose to permanently erase this look from your memory those few years ago… just plain OUT OF ORDER if you ask me.

I’ve been lucky enough to have been present on a photo shoot for Ms Rowland sometime last year and when I say this woman oozes sex appeal, I ain’t lying. It’s so natural to her without being contrived its unreal; I’ve not seen anything like it before. When I first arrived on set, she had no make up on and she looked a million dollars. When the shoot started she started posing for the camera and it was like ‘ca bam!’ She was on fire. I was in awe, not because she’s famous, but because of how she was working it so effortlessly. So ladies, when I say without a shadow of a doubt that Kelly Rowland CAN produce a video looking as hot as Beyonce did in “Singles Ladies” with the success to match, you best believe.

FASHION NEWS: FEBRUARY = FASHION WEEK…

For readers who love fashion you will probably know the details of when fashion week is on, which city is first and so on. For those who don’t have a clue, but would like to – here is a quick low down…

The schedule begins with New York Fashion week (13th – 20 February), followed by London Fashion week (20th – 25th). The penultimate fashion week is Milan Fashion week and the schedule ends with Paris Fashion week. These four cities are the traditional "big four" fashion weeks that are followed by new emerging fashion weeks globally. The Menswear shows occur in between autumn (fall)/winter and spring/summer in Milan.

If you don’t work for a fashion designer, a fashion pr agency or as a buyer, then it’s unlikely you’ll attend Fashion Week. Fashion is one of my loves, but I wasn’t in awe after I attend my first catwalk show at London Fashion week. What I did enjoy more was picking up ‘must have’ pieces from the official London Fashion Week venue during Fashion Weekend which will run from the 4th to the 8th March 2009.

London Fashion Weekend is the ultimate fashion event taking place on the lawns of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington.

Reinvent your look for less by picking up the season's statement purchases at a fraction of their retail price. A mixture of accessories, jewellery and ready to wear from up and coming British designers as well as the classic labels, all in one incredible location. A stunning Catwalk Show, the free Fashion Clinic, makeovers, manicures, hair styling, brow shaping and Stylist Sessions, champagne, beautiful food and one off pieces at one off prices - it is what shopping is all about.
The most expensive ticket is the GOLD ticket for £32.50 (including booking fee) which gets you entry to the event, entrance to one catwalk show and a show Bag. The cheapest ticket is £16.95 which is entrance only. For more information and to book tickets, visit the London Fashion Weekend website on Londonfashionweekend.co.uk

I’VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU… LAUREN LONDON

I’ve been meaning to write about Ms London for a while now, but just didn’t get round to include her in previous weeks. Some of you may know or recognise her already. London, is an American actress; model and occasional music video extra and I don’t mean the latter as a diss.

Born in Los Angeles, California to a Caucasian father and an African American mother, she contributed vocals on music producer Pharrell's album, In My Mind and has appeared in numerous of his music videos, such as "That Girl", "Drop It Like It's Hot" and "Frontin'." She’s recently starred in singer Ne-Yo's current video to the song Miss Independent with Keri Hilson and Gabrielle Union, and in rapper T.I.'s music video "What You Know,".


To say looks gets you everywhere is an understatement. Since being featured in the above videos London has been tipped as a ‘personality to watch’ for 09’ for what it seems for no other reason other than being beautiful. Ok, ok, she’s starred in a few films including ‘ATL and This Christmas’ (yeah, I’ve never heard of them too), but hey, she’s pretty and that’s all what Hollywood care about right? (Man, I’ve just re read the above and I sound real bitter, but I promise you I’m not, although if I was it would be understandable!)

Anyhow, let’s see what she has to offer for 09’ and maybe next time I’m writing about her, I’ll have something substantial to say which we can credit her for, rather than just talking about how bloody beautiful she is.

TREND WATCH: HEADSCARVES AND SCARVES

From silk bandanas to huge cotton squares this trend once again graces the shelves for SS09, having made an initial comeback last year. There are loads to choose from too… if you are still buying Marks and Spencer sandwiches and salads for lunch during these ‘CC’ times then you’ll be able to afford the likes of Alexandra McQueen’s skull scarf which retails at £135 from the Matches website or Yves Saint Laurent’s leopard print scarf at £325. (Now I enjoy shopping and don’t mind spending on expensive items, but please, please tell me why a scarf is this expensive?).

Anyhow, in no way am I saying spend the above amounts on a piece of fabric which is probably under 50cm both ways (!). I’m merely informing you on the hot styles out there – the rest is up to you.

I’M IN NEED OF A … SIZE 10 WAIST!

Sorry, no fashion tit bits this week… I want to have a moan. Yes, I said it. I’m asking for a ‘size 10 waist’ please… ok maybe not size 10, but a little smaller than what I am now, which is just over a size 12, but I swear I look bigger.

I recently went through some old pictures of me, way back when I was in uni with the rest of my girls. Pictures of us at the annual Ak Fest celebrations in Birmingham and we all look so slim (and young!). After reminiscing our ‘fine days’ I then looked on some pictures of a recent night out where on the night I felt ‘hot’ but on a second look think I now look fat!

Maybe I’m just going through the phase every woman tends to go through, where you hate every single piece of clothing in your wardrobe… who knows. What I do know is last year October I was saying I was on the journey of getting ‘hot for 09’ and it’s now the 2nd February and I still feel exactly the same as I did then! Also, doesn’t help that I bought a leopard print jumpsuit (yes I said leopard print – don’t judge to you see it!), but I know it will look more fabulous if 0 tyres were around my waist… the 3 I’m carrying at present affects the overall look and not in a good way.

Coupled with the above, I’m not motivated to go gym three times a week; swimming twice a week plus 100 sit ups each day (my boyfriend thinks this should be 200. What a joker!).
Cha…

Ok, I’ve just re read this post and the paragraph above re the work out regime I ‘should’ be doing has just kind of given me a kick up my ‘fat ass’ so I think I’m about ready to go to the gym, however I’ll start tomorrow as the snow is just too much for me to handle right now. :)

BEAUTY BUYS: YVES SAINT LAURENT PERFECT TOUCH

Remember the other week I told you I was going on a ‘make up’ shopping spree? Well, I did just that and decided to change from the usual Mac Studio Fix NW45 and buy Yves Saint Laurent’s Perfect Touch foundation and I’m very happy about my decision.

Yves Saint Laurent’s Perfect Touch pioneers make up revolution being the first ever brush foundation. The complexion appears perfectly even, smooth and naturally radiant from morning till night. Not only is the finish flawless, but it also provides you with a simple and unique way to help you achieve a professional makeup artist finish at home, and is also ideal for touch ups throughout the day. Available in a complete range of shades, I really like it in comparison to my trusted Studio Fix. I bought mine from Debenhams for £30, but it should be available at most department stores as well as Boots, however I’m not happy with Boots as I was lead to believe they didn’t stock the shades for darker skin, not even one or two for the sisters who might opt to buy it from there rather than Selfridges and Co.

THE LAST WORD… MADONNA STRIKES A POSE FOR LOUIS VUITTON

One of my younger cousins thinks Madonna is the devil, however I’ve got to say, say what you want about the Queen of Pop, if I was this flexible at 50, I’d be chilling saying ‘Yeah I’m the devil and what? Bet you can’t stretch like me though looking this hot?’ The image above in which Madonna defies all assumptions about age, whilst demonstrating the benefits of yoga and all the other daily work outs she has continued to do since I first watched her videography ‘In Bed with Madonna’, is from the Louis Vuitton Spring 09 ad campaign.

The campaign which features Madonna posing provocatively in fishnet tights was designed to resemble that of a smoky Parisian café. Keep an eye out for the campaign which should be out from February. Fierce, Fierce, Fierce is all I can say.