What’s cooler than cuddling up with a good book, a blanket and some cocoa this holiday season? How about a designer Lolita clutch by Olympia Le-Tan?
Actress Natalie Portman sported hardbacked Lolita at the premiere of her new acclaimed movie Lolita and Clemence Poesy clutched her copy of at The Harry Potter Premiere.
Want one? Clutch your pearls. These faux books are luxe ($1200+) So you could save up, ask Santa or get it here. http://www.olympialetan.com
Just saw a DIY video tutorial . Thinking of making a few A Good Excuse to Be Bad ones for Miranda Parker fans. Wachoothink?
We are pleased to announce that this Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 9pm EST Substitute Me author, Lori L. Tharps will be our guest for #blacklitchat Tweet Chat on Twitter!!!!!!!!!!
So grab your book, grab your PJs, grab your galpals and lets have an online book chat with her. Also if you have questions about natural hair care, have them ready so she can answer.
Umm…who is Lori. L. Tharps?
Lori L. Tharps is an assistant professor of journalism at Temple University, an author, freelance journalist and mom. She was a staff reporter at Vibe magazine and then a correspondent for Entertainment Weekly. She has written for Ms., Savoy, Suede, Bitch, Odyssey Couleur and Essence magazines. She’s the author of two non-fiction books: Hair Story coauthored with Ayana Byrd, Kinky Gizpacho and her debut novel Substitute Me. I’ve heard about Substitute Me, but don’t know what it’s about?
Substitute Me reads like ” a modern-day horror story… that will haunt you for days.” Essence Magazine, August 2010
Where is the source of our identities? Our upbringing, occupation, partners? Kate, a driven public-relations exec and mom coming off maternity leave, tells Zora, while interviewing her for a nanny post, that she wants to hire a “substitute me.” Zora, an upper-middle-class African American, wants the job but worries about betraying the dreams of the women who came before her by becoming a domestic. She then finds her passion in cooking, and practices to become a personal chef by feeding the family as part of her duties. Brad, Kate’s egalitarian banker husband, feels uncomfortable making so much money in the pre-meltdown days. Kate misses her son but throws herself wholeheartedly into her work, putting in exceptionally long days. Brad accepts all these household changes, and finds himself spending more time with Zora than Kate. Friends, lovers, co-workers, and family—all armed with opinions and attitudes—play key roles in Tharps’ lively modern domestic drama about why we are who we are. . --Danise Hoover, BookList
"Lori Tharps's warm and engaging novel about the struggles of juggling marriage, motherhood and a meaningful career focuses on a story we're each living, but also exposes the secrets we won't tell. An enjoyable read."
-- Heidi Durrow, author of The Girl Who Fell from the Sky
Book clubs: Substitute Me will give you so much to talk, laugh and argue about, you might want to schedule two meetings to discuss it. Days after finishing it, I'm still debating who the villain is. Lori Tharps has written a timely, engaging page-turner that every working mom in America should read!"
-- Carleen Brice, author of Children of the Waters
A fresh, fun, view of "the help" from a writer to watch.
-- Benilde Little, author of Good Hair
After you’re read the book, I’ll add your praise here. (wink, nod)
What is BlackLit Chat?
It's a stream of tweets about books by Black[including Pan-African, African-American, Brit, Caribbean, Canadian Black, etc.] authors in real time during a specified time. Our time for this chat is Sunday, November 21, 2010 from 9 PM EST.
More about #BlackLitChat is here at my co-host Bernadette Davis’ Black Books Blog.
How does it Work? 3 Easy Steps
1. Get a Twitter account, or login, or remember your Twitter Password.
Soul Train Awards week in Atlanta kicked off right last night at Shanti Das and Marlon Nichols' ATL LIVE ON THE PARK showcase hosted by Kenny Burns. Surprise performances, sexy ambiance and a room of the music industry's who's who made the evening one of the best shows ever!
Dallas Austin, Kenard Gibbs, Mayor Kasim Reed, Kenny Burns, Frank Ski, Shanti Das & Ron Devoe
Attendees included Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Soul Train Holdings CEO Kenard Gibbs, Doug E. Fresh, Frank Ski, Rodney Jerkins, Dallas Austin, Sister 2 Sister publisher Jamie Foster Brown, New Edition's Ron Devoe, Chaka Zulu, Catherine Brewton, Kawan Prather and many more!
The show's featured acts were R&B vet Donell Jones, newcomer from SoulTrain.com Rhonda Nicoleand Universal Motown/Darkchild Records girl group Purple Reign. However, guests were treated to impromptu performances by Brownstone's Nicci Gilbert and Ron Devoe (who took everyone back to "Poison"). But the highlight of the night was Doug E. Fresh, who did his own fly version of Cali Swagg District's "Teach Me How to Dougie" and sent the crowd into a frenzy. Classic!
Photos: James Pray for Supreme Team Photography
Doug E. Fresh and Shanti Das
Mayor Kasim Reed, Jamie Foster Brown & Kenard Gibbs
Rodney Jerkins & Marlon Nichols
Yelawolf & Dallas Austin
Kawan Prather and Catherine Brewton
Ron Devoe, Kameelah Williams (702), Chaka Zulu
Donell Jones does his classic "You Know What's Up"
Doug E. Fresh teaches ATL LIVE how to really Dougie Brownstone's Nicci Gilbert does a rendition of "If You Love Me"
The crowd goes wild for all the surprise performances.
Founder, CEO and Executive Producer of BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Beverly Bondstated, “This historic partnership with BET marks the beginning of an empowerment movement for women of color across the globe because Black Girls Rock all over the world.” Bond continued, “Our girls are not being told how amazing they really are or how amazing they really can be. It is time that we start telling them. It is time that we start shouting out to the entire world that ‘We’ Black Girls Rock!”
Introduced by the beautiful Malinda Williams, the first award of the night was presented to the precocious Raven-Symoné, now the brains behind her own empire. When accepting her Young, Black & Gifted Award, Symone said, “It’s up to us as females to open doors for other females like the other legends sitting here tonight.”
Following that award, singer and songwriter Shontelle performed her touching ballad, “Impossible,”
- more -
reminding the audience of the outstanding achievements of each of the celebrants. Symone later introduced the Who Got Next Award to the inspirational ingénue, Keke Palmer.
The multifaceted entertainer and producer Missy Elliot was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented by one of her best friends and fellow R&B powerhouse, Ciara. Later, Monica graced the stage with her soulful hit, “Still Standing.” UK artist VV Brown performed her fantastical chart-topper, “Shark in the Water,” and held it down in a lineup that featured additional performances heavyweights like Keyshia Cole and Keri Hilson.
Honoring some of the most extraordinary black women and girls around the country from entertainers to influencers, the show’s inspiring celebrants truly embodied the spirit of their category. Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, recipient of the Motivator Award, said “Black girls rock, because we have no other choice. We have a responsibility torock the world, rock the community and rock the planet so our grandmothers will know that they did not die in vain.” Vanzant got a standing ovation for her powerful acceptance speech.
Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius, Jill Scott and Ledisi performed a flawless rendition of Nina Simone’s “4 Women” that brought down the house as part of a tribute to the accomplishments and contributions of notable African American women.
Teresa Clarke, founder of Africa.com, received the Shot Caller Award for her effortsto change the way the world views Africa and Major General Marcelite J. Harris, who was the the highest ranking woman officer in the Air Force and the Nation’s highest ranking African American woman in the Department of Defense, was the recipient of the Trailblazer Award.
The iconic Ruby Dee was the recipient of the Living Legend Award and was introduced by the exquisite Lynn Whitfield. “Ruby Dee represents everythingBLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ stands for,” Whitfield added.
Dee, in her moving acceptance speech, said “It’s times like these that I come to understand and appreciate profoundly the empowerment and promise, the responsibility in being deemed a legend.” Following her touching tribute, Fantasia, Kelly Price, Ledisi and Marsha Ambrosius rocked the stage in the finale medley of “A Brand New Day,” “I Am Woman,” and “I’m Every Woman.”
The star studded affair also included memorable performances and tributes as well as entertaining and inspiring video messages from other black women that rockincluding actresses Anika Noni Rose and Tracee Ellis Ross; BET Networks CEO and Chairman Debra Lee; host and entertainer Sherri Shepherd; Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP; and Black Girls Rock! Inc. Foundation founder Beverly Bond.
In addition to the outstanding performances, the below women were honored atBLACK GIRLS ROCK!™
o Young, Gifted & Black – Raven-Symoné
o Visionary – Missy Elliott
o Who Got Next? – Keke Palmer
o Shot Caller – Teresa Clarke
o Living Legend – Ruby Dee
o Trailblazer – Major General Marcelite J. Harris
o Motivator – Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant
- more -
The following individuals were recognized as Black Girls Making a Difference:
o Amiya Alexander
o Hydeia Broadbent
o Kari Fulton
o Adele Taylor
The televised special, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ is a BET Networks and B.G.R. Enterprises Inc. production. BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Inc. Founder, Beverly Bond executive produced the telecast along with Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks; Connie Orlando, Eugene Caldwell, Salli Frattini, BET Networks; and L. Londell McMillan, President of The Northstar Group.
LitGlam is dedicated to sharing haute luxe entertainment news with you. From celebrity news to book reviews to cocktail cupcakes fit for a pretty drinks party you will enjoy this blog.
You can submit news, queries, advertising opps relevant to this mag to vidae at writing dot com. We are also seeking contributing writers for: fashion, make-up, love, health and tech trends. Send your writing vitae also to vidae at writing dot com.
