A Salute to Love

So, as an ode to valentines day...I just thought I had to do this...You know, this stuff is just too cute..

Isn't it? Come on now...don't be a sour patch.

But, now, time to get a little serious....

Just remember, with Valentines day coming up, that the celebration of LOVE is something that should be celebrated year round and not just on one day. Get out and celebrate LOVE with friends and family if you can. Valentines Day is not the day to sit around and mope about how you currently may not have a significant other. Love exists in so many different ways. Therefore, be kind and express your Love to the people that help you through thick and thin.

Let a little LOVE in your heart folks

Peace and xoxo,

Lolita

It All Started with this Bright Blue Vest

I cant get enough of this....

Mirror, Mirror? Where art thou?

And my favee....

The "Big City Girl" Look.

I swear, when I see fashion..it just reminds me of my home...The good ole' city...New York.

xoxo,

Lolita

The Worst Rap Battle Ever

huh?

Rachel Lloyd "GEMS"

Who is Rachel Lloyd? This particular outstanding woman is somebody who I have been meaning to talk about. Without a doubt, she deserves to be more than mentioned on my blog. How did I find out about her? Well, one night I was flipping through the channels when I saw a young, fifteen year old girl flash on the screen saying in a very melancholy way "working the streets was something I felt I had to do. I felt there was no way out." My heart immediately went out to that girl, and I was compelled to watch more.....

Rachel Lloyd

Girls Educational Mentoring Services (GEMS) is a program that was founded in 1999 by Rachel Lloyd. Rachel, who was once a teenager that was sexually exploited, recognized the urgent need for educational services that were dedicated to young women at risk of being sexually exploited or who were already being exploited. GEMS has now grown into one of the largest organizations that provides services to commercially sexually exploited and domestically trafficked youth in the United States. GEMS educates and supports young women from the ages of twelve to twenty-one that have been caught in this cruel and vicious phenomena that lurks on the abandoned street corners and places that America turns a blind side to. While watching the documentary, several places were shown where prostitution was abundant. These places were areas that I knew of. Hunts Point (an area in the Bronx), Queens and Brooklyn. I noticed that a lot of the inner city areas seemed to be highly affected by this. But let me make this clear: sexual exploitation and human trafficking happens all throughout the United States and can be closer to your home than you may think...

And to think...here I am singing this song that has been planted into my brain "Its hard out here for a pimp...." and watching movies like Hustle n' Flow that in some ways praises pimps and prostitution, and here you are hit with the harsh reality of it. No Hollywood, no props, no script. This is an actual situation that can be handled and solved if everybody simply can take the initiative to realize that it exists. Girls are to be loved, empowered and cherished...not sold for their bodies.

I encourage everyone to visit the website: http://www.gems-girls.org/ganfs/home.html

Please, Please, Please keep yourself aware of the issues surrounding you, no matter how privileged you are.

xoxo,

Lolita

Today.....

During a disscussion on probability, one of my teachers made two statements (both of which I thought were two very outrageous statements). The first which was "I'm pure African-American" and the second which was "Its ashame, before you know it theres gonna be a whole bunch of mixed babies runnin around at the rate were going."

*cough*

Being a Political Science major and being quite fond of history...there are two important things I have learned. The first of which is that there is NO such thing as any person on this earth being "pure" (since that is what this particular teacher wanted to call it). The second which is that all throughout history, mankind and the governments that we have elected have continuously tried to label and categorize people: "Black", "white", "hispanic", "Native American" and uh oh "Other"...etc. Is it right? Not in the least. For centuries people of all different backgrounds and races have mixed, mingled and produced the beauty of which is the human race. I would love to see a day in which we stop classifying people and can stop checking boxes on our standardized exams that label us as a color.

One day...one day, maybe there will be a box that all of us can check that will be simply marked:

BROTHER or SISTER

And perhaps this was just one of those random rants that go through my mind daily.

xoxo,

Lolita

"Onto the Next One" Jay-Z Video

So Jay-Z brings to us one of his newest pieces of visual art from his latest album The Blueprint 3. After watching this video...I was just left blank. In fact, perhaps I was also a bit creeped out but oddly enough I LOVE it. Or maybe I shouldn't love it because I really cant understand what this man is trying to portray. I feel like Hov was trying to show a whole bunch of symbols. I have no clue. You see for yourself.

xoxo,

Lolita

U know that feeling?

when your heart is kind of fluttering? and for that moment in time....everything seems to be right in the world...and you just want to smile?

xoxo,

Lolita

"Shy Ronnie...Speak Up"

Because sometimes, you need a little laughter.

Rihanna had made her debut on SNL this past weekend, and heres the skit. Pretty funny.

Smiles,

Lolita

"I like a long hair, thick, redbone"

Readers, fellow bloggers, boys, girls, ladies and gentlemen....there was an issue that has been brought to my attention. To be quite frank, I have never felt this certain topic was still a serious issue in this day and age until I went to an HBC (Historical Black Community College). Apparently, this issue still plagues many black minds, an issue that I would like to call "slave mentality". This issue I am referring to is the idea of beauty within the black race. Repeatedly, I have heard, and read on sites like twitter ignorance such as "light skin is the best", "dark butts", "darkies", "whats better? light skin or dark skin?". Further more, you have hip-hop lyrics that promote an idea of beauty among black females that requires "light skin and long hair." WTF?!?! This video I encourage you readers to watch, although it is quite comical brings to your attention the issue that happened with hip hop artist Yung Berg in which he said "I dont like dark butts" and even developed a test for females. Although this event that happened with this artist may be old and outdated, the overall topic still lingers. So here I bring to you, the lovely B. Scott....

Beauty knows no color pigmentation. Im in love with brown skin, chocolate brown, honey brown, caramel brown...anything sweet! Because without a doubt black skin is sweet and beautiful. I believe that it is about time (nope , way past that time) that we have a major wake-up call when it comes to our perception of beauty. In this world and in this time, no longer can the black community still be haunted by the codes that slavery had implanted in our ancestors. This is the time to come together and embrace every color out there.

In black history during the time of segregation, do any of you recall a certain experiement that was done in which the NAACP requested a social psychologist by the name of Kenneth Clark to travel to Clarendon County in South Carolina and perform something called the "doll experiment"? This certain experiment was evaluating the psychological effects of segregation that young black children were being forced to face. Mr. Clark provided two dolls to each black student in the class. One was white and the other was black. What Mr. Clark discovered is that the students considered the white doll prettier and smarter than the black doll, indicating the feeling of racial inferiority. When Mr. Clark asked them to pick the doll most like themselves, "Many of the children became emotionally upset when they had to identify the doll they had rejected." Mr. Clark concluded that "segregation caused black children to reject themselves and their color and accept whites as desirable."

Now you guys tell me, is there any difference from then and now?

xoxo,

Lolita

"Show me ya teeth."

True. So very true. This past weekend, I came to a sad realization. It was one of those epihany's that occurs when you are in deep thought contemplating the many different aspects of your life. Specifically, the one about love. I suddenly realized, that maybe I have been making one of those mistakes that many of us do quite frequently, and that being confusing lust with love.

Sincerely,

Lolita

Belonging...

"I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else."-Marilyn Monroe

Confused Conformists....

You turn on your television. There sits a person who supposedly carries much "clout" and words of "wisdom" which they believe are of importance to each and every single one of our lives. They speak of their ideas on marriage, sex, love, life...and every spectrum of the human life. Sometimes (rarely) you have some people that are actually influential, and other times (most of the time) you have these anal conformists that make you wonder: How the hell do they survive in such a progressive world that we live in today? Others just make you wonder: why do some people actually open their mouths in important discussions? Now...lets take a look at these two specific people that have particularly irked me...

Sarah Palin on the Oprah show

Without a doubt, not many people were head-over-heels for Mrs.Palin and McCain's crew during the 2008 campaign. But if you didn't like Palin during the 2008 campaign, her message for Oprah's audience and the millions of viewers sitting behind television screens were: "It was really the McCain campaign PR staff that you didn't like. The real Sarah, you would like just fine!" During this Oprah show, she spent most of her time blaming her campaign staffers who she says "cosseted her, handled her, and micromanaged her and her family as to what to say, who to talk to , what to wear and even what to eat." Lady puuuuhleeeezzz. Have you no backbone? Based on these statements she has made, I am so very pleased to know that the worst mistake ever in history to be committed was not done, and that is the electing of McCain into office with Palin as vice president. TO ALL THE FEMINISTS OUT THERE...would you be okay with having a vice president that would adhere to whatever an administration was telling her to do? A woman that would let her family be controlled and handled? A woman that would act as a puppet? A woman, yet again with no backbone?

Onto annoyance #2....

Carrie Prejean

This new young, blonde conformist which is now known as the "golden girl" of conservatism, rose into christian stardom after she denounced gay marriage due to her religious upbringing during the Miss USA contest in April. After not winning and receiving her tiara, she claimed it was because of her religious values and ideas on gay marriage. In september when speaking at the Value Voters Summit, she told a conservative audience that she was "chosen by God to oppose gay marriage." She then said "Im so proud of the answer I gave. God chose me for that moment." This young lady then took up a lawsuit against the pageant for under the belief that she did not win because of her beliefs. Prejean then drops her lawsuit after nude sex tapes and pornographic pictures were found of her.

Excuse me? Did little Miss conservative make a boo boo?

First and foremost, I would like to say that anybody who believes that another person's rights should be taken away from them because of sexual preference, religious beliefs...etc is downright outrageous and despicable. Secondly, if you want to stand strong to a certain belief (no matter how bogus it may be as in Prejean's belief) then do not be a hypocrite. If you believe in what Ms. Prejean stands for, then you should not be parading around with nude sex tapes either. Ms. Prejean recently made an even bigger fool of herself on Larry King Live when she refused to answer the question of a gay supporter of the USA pageants. Check out the clip:

Now what do you think?

And thats all folks,

xoxo,

Lolita

Smile

Because it makes no sense not to.......

(by the way, I will be updating soon. maybe even tonight. I have alot on my mind)

Peace and xoxo,

Lolita

Lady Gaga Presents The Fame: Monster

I personally am excited to see some new stuff from this crazy, absurd, creative and talented lady. Lady Gaga will release The Fame Monster in the United States on November 23rd. There will be eight fresh new tracks from producers such as Rodney Jerkins and RedOne who produced the lead single "Bad Romance." So why call it Monster? While in an interview with MTV, Lady GaGa explains":

"While traveling the world for two years, I've encountered several monsters, each represented by a different song on the new record: my 'Fear of Sex Monster', my 'Fear of Alcohol Monster', my 'Fear of Love Monster', my 'Fear of Death Monster', my 'Fear of Loneliness Monster'...etc.."

hmmmmmm....interesting. I guess you can say we have all had those fears at some point.

Touche Gaga...

xoxo,

Lolita

Have you ever....

Ever wondered what it would be like if the enslavement of Africans had never happened? Would the world, just based off of human nature still be the same? Would Africa be more united? Ever wondered why insecurities exist? Ever wondered why, when you look in some people's eyes, you see nothingness? Have you ever wondered what life would be like if we all never died? Do you really want to live forever? Ever wondered why people are so afraid of death? Ever wondered if society just created and emphasized on religion for fear of death (or the unknown)? Ever wondered if love was something fictitious? Have you ever prayed for someone other than yourself so strong, that you cried? Have you ever wondered why we have emotions? Ever payed attention to the birds in the sky? Or the trees when the wind was blowing? Ever wondered what the world would be like if the sun was always shining? Ever wondered what it would be like if there was always darkness? Ever wondered what life would be like if gravity didn't exist? Ever wondered why when you were in "love" it felt like gravity didn't exist? Have you ever felt so high on life? Ever felt like there was a deeper meaning to this thing called "life"? Ever felt like society constantly lied to you in every way and form?

Have you ever?

XOXO,

Lolita

What has happened to this generation?

Classes have been in session for awhile now at Hampton U. However, the vibe of my classes felt a bit different. A tad bit off. I found myself growing increasingly more annoyed with alot of the students in my classes. Specifically two of my classes. Let me just get on with this story....

I'm sitting in Humanities and the teacher announces that we are to pick our own groups for presenting chapters in the class. Immediately, two young men sitting next to me (for all purposes, lets name them "Boy A" and "Boy B" shall we?) began to complain making comments such as:

Boy A: "I cant work with you man! If I work with you we will fail. I'm not that smart man."
Boy B: "Man, I cant work with you either! I'm trying to pass! Nigga u dumb."
Boy A: "You dumb too!"
Suddenly, Boy A turns to me and says "AYE...u smart?"...

(Now, by this point I was thoroughly annoyed with the conversation these boys were having. Not only were they calling eachother stupid but they were calling themselves stupid! Like....what!?!?)

Me: "Are you serious with that question? As if I'm going to answer no. Too late, I have a partner already."
Boy A: "oooooh."

Now why is any of this significant? I pose this simple question: What ever happened to the determination and willpower that our forefathers once had?
Here were these two young, African American men that were not only complaining about the classwork, but also belittling themselves. It is almost as if todays generation has forgotten the extreme measures that were taken to even make it possible for them to recieve an education. Where is the drive? Where is the motivation? The willpower? Has today's generation lost it all?

xoxo,

Lolita

The Blueprint 3

I may also be late on this post, it may be well overdue...but being an advid listener of HOV, let me just say that I am proud of his latest album The Blueprint 3. YESSS! He has put New York back on the map. He has brought that New York vibe back that I love sooo much in this album. "Empire State of Mind", "So Ambitious" reminded me of the New York that I love and was born and raised in.
Fortunately, I'm not the only one loving it. The Blueprint 3 (HOV's 11th album) made #1 album on the The Billboard 200 which succeeded him past Elvis Presley as the solo act with the most #1 albums in the charts history.

xoxo,

Lolita

"Tell from my attitude that I'm most definitely from New York."

"These streets will make your feel brand new. The lights will inspire you."

I Love Weirdness

I hear so many negative responses on Lady Gaga's outfits: "What is that girl wearing?" "Is she high?!?!" "Lady Gaga is sooo weird." Even, artist Katy Perry via twitter commented saying "Lady Gaga must get her outfits from out of space." Quite frankly, I love her outfits. They may not be something I would wear in public, but its bold, different, and just plain weird. Better yet, WHO SAID that you had to dress this way, or dress that way in order to be accepted. Basically people, I dont believe Lady GaGa is dressing FOR YOUR APPROVAL. Furthermore, let us not forget Lady Gaga's outstanding performance at the VMA's, that I believe was a form of art. I love an artist that can give a performance leaving you questioning, weirded out or even telling a story. Yeah you can sing and dance, but what are you trying to convey in your performance? Anywho, Lady GaGa reveiled another outfit at fashion week that surprised people yet again....
Hmm...Im thinking she was trying to go for maybe a..."bloody mary, holy virgin" kind of look??? I dont know. But you go head GaGa with your weird self! In this picture, shes sporting a red laced cat suit with a matching choker and a red thong to match. Anyway, during her appearance at Fashion week, GaGa announced a joint US tour with Kany West. This tour is called the "Fame Kills" tour and it kicks off November 10 in Phoenix and goes on to canadian venues continuing onto January of next year. Kanye told the Rolling Stone magazine of their awesome pairing: "She's talented and so incredible, that shes not even an opening act. Were doing it together, with no opening act."
Lets give it up for the uniqueness that is Lady GaGa shall we?

Peace & Weirdness,

Lolita

Leighton Meester!

I love this girl! From CW's hit show Gossip Girls to Cobra Starship's latest song "Good Girls Go Bad", little miss Blaire Waldorf (Leighton) has been dipping her toes into a little bit of everything. Who knew she could sing? By the way, Cobra Starship's latest album "Hot Mess" was pretty cool. If you havent checked it out yet, please do so. Anywho, Ms. Meester did some photos for the fasion mag, Bazaar......

Go Leighton! Style in the last pic was fierce!

xoxo, Lolita

When You make a Mistake and youre a Celebrity...(specifically a black celeb)

Now lets get this clear. What I am about to say are not some words from an infatuated fan, groupie or anything of the sort. Simply put...give it up already. The reports and all the other crap thats been all over the news about Chris Brown and Rihanna. Honestly, how many people still feel that this is a juicy topic? Its entirely old news now. Dont get me wrong, what Chris Brown did was wrong. WRONG. But then again, everybody makes mistakes and horrible actions. Everybody has at one time in their life made an action that was wrong. That is precisely what makes us human. The media has run on and on with this.

Now onto what led me to blog this....

It has been reported on TMZ, Media Takeout, Access Hollywood and CNN that Chris Brown had said "he doesnt remember assaulting Rihanna". Heres what Chris had said in response to all of the drama:

"There have been reports on the Internet that I didn't remember what happened that night with Rihanna. I want to try and set things straight.That 30 seconds of the interview they used of me was taken from a one hour interview during which that same question was asked something like 4 or 5 times -- and when you look at the entire interview you will see it is not representative of what I said. The first four times – or how ever many times it was - I gave the same answer -- which was that I didn't think it was appropriate for me to talk about what happened that night. I said it was not right for me and it really wasn't fair to Rihanna. The fifth time – or whatever it was – I just misspoke. I was asked, "Do you remember doing it?" and I said, "No."Of course I remember what happened. Several times during the interview, my mother said that I came to her right afterwards and told her everything. But it was and still is a blur. And yes, I still can't believe it happened because it is not me or who I am or is what happened like anything I have ever done before. As I have said several times previously, I am ashamed of and sorry for what happened that night and I wish I could relive that moment and change things, but I can't. I take full responsibility for my actions. What I have to do now is to prove to the world that this was an isolated incident and that is not who I am and I intend to do so by my behavior now and in the future."-Chris Brown

ok....blah,blah, blah this crap is boring now. We are living in such a judgemental society. Point blank, and basically what has been happening since february with this case is that Chris Brown has been turned into a "poster child" for Domestic Violence. Quite frankly, domestic violence has been going on for awhile now. The "wake-up" call should of happened awhile ago people.

ok this was annoying and the last blog that I will ever post about the "Chris and Rihanna fiasco"

Peace and Love<3

Lolita

The House of Jazmin and a Rediscovered Dream

Im a lover of people who go after a goal or a dream, no matter how small or immense it may be. This new show on MTV called House of Jazmin features some new talent to the fashion world. I love it. Which brings me to mention how I have a little something I have had in mind for awhile now. For much time I have contemplated it. I have always thought (unfortunately) that anything creative I wanted to do in life that wouldnt be a guaranteed job I would have to quit. This led me to give up ballet, playing the clarinet and drawing. So I ditched the creative arts, locked it inside of a box, shoved it underneath my bed and focused on law. Most obvious field to head towards right? I could not have been more wrong. If you have a passion for something you should never let it go. Well, I found that box again and unlocked it. I have a couple of new plans and goals now and it will include fashion. I know doors don't open easily sometimes, but if it is something I'm passionate about, I'm sticking to it.

Dont get me wrong...I'm not completely ditching my dreams in law and politics, but I have a little plan of adding a little of the creative arts in my future as well. To the fashion world: Make some room for Lolita Royale.

Sincerely, The girl who dared to DREAM again,

xoxo, Lolita