FASHION: FIERCE FIND

SUPER CUTE PYTHON-PRINT LUCIA JACKET BY J.CREW ($168). CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE COLLECTION BY VISITING http://www.jcrew.com.

LIFESTYLE: LET THE DOLLAR CIRCULATE

GREAT ARTICLE FROM USATODAY.COM, "WEAK DOLLAR DRAWS MORE EUROPEAN VISITORS IN 2007." IT SHOWS US AS OUR DOLLAR WEAKENS, THE POUND & EURO STRENGTHENS...GREAT NEWS FOR EUROPEANS NOT SO GREAT FOR AMERICANS! CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ THE ARTICLE: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-02-26-foreign-tourists_N.htm (pic is from usatoday.com) ***my title is influenced by a song entitled, "dollar," by steve spacek...visit his myspace http://www.myspace.com/stevespacek & click on dollar***

FASHION: TRIBAL

UNSURE HOW TO WEAR THIS SEASON'S SAFARI TREND? START SMALL WITH A PAIR OF AFRICAN-INSPIRED PRINTED FLATS BY OLD NAVY($19.50). PAIR THE FLATS WITH JEANS & T-SHIRT TOPPED WITH A CARDIGAN OR WITH A NICE PAIR OF CHINOS OR SLACKS & A BUTTON DOWN SHIRT. THEY WILL MAKE A STATEMENT WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK!

DECOR: CONVERTIBLE

HAVING OVERNIGHT GUESTS ANYTIME SOON, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE ANY WHERE FOR THEM TO REST? WELL, CHECK OUT THIS UNIQUE CONVERTIBLE SOFA FROM URBAN OUTFITTERS $480. THE SOFA HAS MID-CENTURY STYLING, SLEEK MODERN LINES, STURDY STEEL FRAME, WITH PLUSH FOAM PILLOWS, & DURABLE POLY TWEED COVERINGS (available in orange, grey, or sand). THE SOFA CAN EASILY BE CONVERTED INTO A LOUNGER, OR A BED!

FASHION: IN THE TRENCHES

trench coats are everywhere this season, nordstrom, banana republic, jcrew, gap, forever 21, etc.! they are available in a wide spectrum of colors, lengths, & price points! don't empty out your savings to get this trend, & find one that suits your body the best. here are a few i found from nordstrom: top row l-r kenneth cole reaction pleated trench in sandstone $128, burberry london belted trench in military red $695, marc by marc jacobs double breasted yellow patent leather $548. bottom row l-r bright blue burberry london double breasted trench $675, soia & kyo convertible collar trench in white $245, juicy couture black trench $348.

CULTURE: BLACK HISTORY MOMENT

HBCU'S - HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND/OR UNIVERSITIES. THERE ARE ABOUT 100 HBCU'S MORE OR LESS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES & VIRGIN ISLANDS. THIS INCLUDES FOUR & TWO-YEAR PUBLIC & PRIVATE COLLEGES/ UNIVERSITIES. I AM AN ALUMNUS OF VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY! VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY WAS FOUNDED MARCH 6, 1882, & IS THE FIRST FULLY STATE-SUPPORTED FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS. VSU WAS ALSO KNOWN AS: VIRGINIA NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTION IN 1902, LATER CHANGED TO VIRGINIA STATE COLLEGE FOR NEGROES (1923), SHORTENED TO VIRGINIA STATE COLLEGE IN 1946, AND FINALLY BECAME VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY (1979). VSU IS LOCATED ATOP A ROLLING LANDSCAPE OVERLOOKING THE APPOMATTOX RIVER & THE VILLAGE OF ETTRICK, VIRGINIA. LEARN MORE ABOUT MY ALMA MATER BY VISITING: http://www.vsu.edu/ YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT WHAT VSU HAS TO OFFER. GO TROJANS!

OH SOOOOOOOOOO FABULOUS!

THIS IS GOING TO BE MY GO TO SHOE FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2008! IT'S NEUTRAL IN COLOR, THE FABRIC SCREAMS SUMMERTIME & THEY WILL LOOK GREAT WITH JUST ABOUT ANYTHING! THEY LOOK SO SIMILAR TO A PAIR OF TASHKENT BY CHEYENNE J-COLE WEDGES, BUT THEY ARE JEFFREY CAMPBELL ($78) FROM URBAN OUTFITTERS. LEARN MORE ABOUT TASHKENT BY CHEYENNE BY CLICKING ON THE LINK UNDER ONLINE FAVORITES!

FASHION: EYE SPY

A NEW COLLECTION OF SUNGLASSES FROM BANANA REPUBLIC. I SAW THEM ONLINE & THEY LOOKED REALLY GOOD, THEY LOOK EVEN BETTER UP CLOSE & PERSONAL! ALL THE SUNGLASSES HAVE 100% UV PROTECTION & RANGE IN PRICE $78 - $118.

FASHION: FAVORITE

HERE'S ANOTHER FAVORITE FROM THE JCREW COLLECTION: ISCHIA DRESS ($335). THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS, "THIS DRESS IS FABULOUS!"

LIFESTYLE: PAYING THE COST

WHEN YOU VISIT YOUR FAVORITE GROCERY STORE BE PREPARED TO SPEND A LITTLE MORE DINERO! FOOD PRICES ARE EXPECTED TO RISE AGAIN, TAKE A LOOK AT THE ARTICLE FROM USATODAY, "EXPECT FOOD PRICES TO KEEP RISING, INDUSTRY SAYS." GREAT INFORMATION CLICK ON THE LINK: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2008-02-21-food-inflation_N.htm (image is from usatoday.com)

FASHION: FAVORITE

HERE'S A SUPER CUTE TUNIC WITH GREAT EMBROIDERY & DETAIL FROM FOREVER 21 ($34.80). GREAT NEUTRAL-COLORED PIECE FOR YOUR SPRING WARDROBE. NEUTRALS ARE GOING TO BE BIG THIS SPRING!

DECOR: SO-FA?

I'M IN LOVE WITH WEST ELM'S ELLIOT SOFA ($999) THE SLEEK MODERN LINES OF THIS SOFA ALONG WITH THE VELVET UPHOLSTERY IS AMAZING. THIS ROOM REPRESENTS TRANQUILITY & PEACEFULNESS TO ME. TAKE A LOOK AT WEST ELM'S SPRING STYLE VIDEO FOR MORE INSPIRATION. CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW: http://cache.vendaria.com/vpop/VpopV6.html?ct=13&ctname=&fw=520&fh=390&logo=8&fv=9&ap=vnd_west_elm_design_with_style&fl=jfmJFfgMMVefdQjUUifVbjiijgcQFefUgjke_other_EN003503900520.swf&purl=MAIN_west_elm_design_with_style&iid=mffIjagMFjVMFdijUVFjFdaeeigVcjjjgagU&bg=FFFFFF&nm=BZOpener&curl=&err=0&title=Vendaria%20Media&tp=

FASHION: TRAIL-BLAZERS

YOU CAN'T GO WRONG BY ADDING ONE OF THESE GAP BLAZERS ($69.50)TO YOUR SPRING WARDROBE. IT'S A GREAT TAILORED PIECE THAT WILL CARRY OVER INTO FALL.

FASHION: CHRIS BENZ FALL 2008

CHRIS BENZ TAKE ON FALL 2008 WAS GREAT, COMPLETELY OPPOSITE OF WHAT OTHER DESIGNERS SHOWCASED. HIS COLLECTION ADDED A MUCH NEEDED POP OF COLOR TO THE RUNWAY! HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE PIECES.

CULTURE: BLACK HISTORY MOMENT

WATCH LACKAWANNA BLUES TOMORROW ON BET AT 8/7c (photo courtesy of hbo) IT'S A GREAT MOVIE! IT SHOWS THE WORKINGS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

here's all the love you need...pick up on of these tee shirts from urban outfitters $24 - $28!

TRAVEL: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

DISCOVER MY FAVORITE PART OF RICHMOND: CARYTOWN! GREAT SPOT FOR ONE OF KIND SHOPPING. THERE ARE SO MANY VINTAGE STORES, RESTAURANTS, BOOK STORES, BOUTIQUES, YOU NAME IT CARYTOWN HAS IT. 2ND PIC TOP ROW IS QUE BELLA A WONDERFUL BOUTIQUE FOR SHOES (CHIE MIHARA, DELMAN) & ACCESSORIES. 1ST PIC MIDDLE ROW IS CLEMENTINE A SUPER CUTE CONSIGNMENT SHOP WHERE YOU CAN FIND ALL SORTS OF NEAT THINGS. 2ND PIC BOTTOM ROW IS NEED SUPPLY CO., BEST DESCRIBED AS AN INDIE URBAN OUTFITTERS, EXCELLENT DENIM SELECTION(ALL THE HOT BRANDS ARE THERE), MENS & WOMENS ATTIRE, SHOES, & ACCESSORIES. TO FIND OUT MORE ON RICHMOND VISIT: http://www.myspace.com/birdiebutter