test post

this is a test

link

NYC CASTING THIS WEEKEND for ESSENCE & ELITE

Do you have what it takes to be the ESSENCE "IT" GIRL?

In an effort to address the lack of diversity on the runways, ESSENCE and Elite will conduct a nationwide search for the new African-American “It” model. The winner --to be announced in May --will be featured in the September 2010 Fall Fashion issue of ESSENCE magazine and receive a one-year contract with Elite Model Management.

Live castings will be conducted on:

Atlanta, March 21

Los Angeles, March 27

New York City, April 10

Be sure to stay tuned for exact location.

*Dates are subject to change.

Photos are accepted online at www.essence.com/itgirl. ENTER NOW!!!!

Erykah Badu in concert at Hudson Hotel's Good Units space March 27, 2010

Erykah Badu packed the Hudson Hotel's new basement music venue Good Units with her "secret" show last night in support of her upcoming album the New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the ANKH. The line up was odd and if it hadn't been for the New Amerykah poster at the coatcheck, I would have thought I was in the wrong place to see this major performer. The first act MNDR, guessing its short for Amanda, came out of nowhere and gave us some really good new music. She held her own on the stage. Next, came a young alt rock band who at points sounded a bit like Rush, they seemed so out of place. Spank Rock also preformed looking dapper in a slim black suit and hair slicked back. He tried to get people dancing but you know how New York is. And his raunchy borderline misogynistic lyrics got boos in a house packed for Lady Badu.

After painful, painful wait (show started at 9am, Badu didn't come on until close to 2am), Badu finally graced the stage. She came out singing 20 feet tall. She did about 10 songs ending with the new track Window Seat. None of the show-womanship of her bigger shows but she sang her hits but with live beats and lots of vocal variations. Her talent is such that you can't be mad for the exhausting wait or a show without all the theatrics. Catch a clip below.

Giant Step is giving away tickets to concert in Miami on April 8th, enter here.

I LOVE FRENCH DRUG STORES

Paris is a great place to visit anytime of year and fashion week is exciting enough but I get especially delighted when March comes and shows begin because it means I can hit up the drugstores in Paris. I don't know why but the products in France always appear more effective. Maybe its the packaging which looks clinical yet feminine. Maybe it is the way the pharmacies stock their shelves by brand so everything is organized and easy on the eye. Maybe its because anytime I have ever been sick in Paris I have gone to the pharmicist, described my ailment and been given a very reasonably priced product that cleared up my illness in record time without making me comatose.

Be it from the Pharmacy, Parapharmacy or Monoprix, here are some of the things I stock up on when in Paris.

Vitamin C tabs and other fizzy vitamens - For ultimate energy during the shows, I plop a Vitamin C tab in a bottle of water on the go.

Amilab Lip Balm - I had never used a lip balm to finish until I tried Amilab. They were impulse buys that I would use until I lost them or was on to the next. This however, I have carried with me daily since I bought it in October. I am now gouging out the last remaining balm form the tube with a finger. It is not to greasy or too waxy. The orange blossom fragrance is not too strong or cloying.

Rose and Jasmine soaps - Everyone knows French soaps are the best, these scents make me feel like a lady. I like the brand they sell in the Bon Marche food shop.

Cold Medicine - There are some great cold products you can buy in Europe but not in the US. Why? Not sure, maybe its a protective measure because our youth attempts to get a buzz off the stuff.

FYI....

If you are ever in Paris and in need of a doctor call SOS Medicines +33 0147077777. A doctor will be sent to your hotel room in approximately 2 hours. The charge is around 100 Euros and prescriptions in France are a tenth of the cost in the US. The doctors are very good I have used them on more than one occasion. SOS also has a dental office +33 0143375100 if you have serious tooth trouble.

And the Pharmacie Anglaise at 62 Avenue Champs Elysees is open 24/7.

BACKSTAGE VERSACE

1 model, 5 makeup and hair artists

COLLIE BUDDZ IN NYC TONIGHT

*********************
Link to Facebook invite page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=296930720635&ref=ts

Link to FREE TICKET contest giveaways on Largeup.com: http://largeup.okayplayer.com/2010/02/17/collie-buddz-live-free-tickets/

JOANN BERMAN FALL 2010