Art Museum: Hip-Hop Art

[~ ♥ ~]

Yummy!!: I L♥VE You Like Cupcakes

If I’m in an indulgent mood there’s nothing that can bring so much pleasure, or equally cause as much anguish, as cupcakes! Visits to the Magnolia Bakery in New York, Sprinkles in Los Angeles, or the Hummingbird in London, or in my case Martha’s Country Bakery in Astoria, New York, are remembered and replayed with an almost orgasmic fervour: all of the flavours, all of the colours, and not to mention the sprinkles! is enough to bring one to the depths of despair!

In fact that is project this weekend, and yours, if you’d like to participate too!

A super delicious cupcake recipe below! Let’s bake!

The Magnolia Bakery’s Vanilla Cupcakes:

Cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract Icing:

Vanilla Buttercream, recipe follows – Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (1/2 cup-12 capacity) muffin tins with cupcake papers. In a small bowl, combine the flours. Set aside.In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not over beat. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended. Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about 3/4 full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.Cool the cupcakes in tins for 15 minutes. Remove from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack before icing.

Vanilla Buttercream:
The vanilla buttercream used at the Magnolia Bakery is technically not a buttercream but actually an old-fashioned confectioners’ sugar and butter frosting. Be sure to beat the icing for the amount of time called for in the recipe to achieve the desired creamy texture. 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
6 to 8 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extractPlace the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. You may not need to add all of the sugar. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. (Use and store the icing at room temperature because icing will set if chilled.) Icing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.Yields: enough for 2 dozen cupcakes or 1 (9-inch) layer cake

Inspiration:
www.magnoliacupcakes.com
www.sprinklescupcakes.com
www.hummingbirdbakery.com
www.marthascountrybakery.com/

Trends R’ Us: Feathered Headbands

Pretty feathers for your hair

Jennifer Behr, inspired by the richness of silks, feathers, stones, pythons and leathers, materials are the starting point for Jennifer Behr. The collection is made by hand in her studio in Brooklyn where she works these materials into delicate headpieces. The leather and python pieces are produced with a network of small workshops in Brooklyn and Manhattan. This results in hair accessories carrying the soul of handwork, while remaining thoroughly modern in appearance.

The collection is a favorite among Hollywood’s A-list, including Natalie Portman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Katy Perry and Heidi Klum. The pieces have graced the pages of many renowned publications such as W, Vogue, Elle, Teen Vogue, and Nylon. The collection has also been worn multiple times by Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester, a.k.a. Blair.

Jennifer Behr hair accessories can be found in over 40 boutiques nationally and internationally, including Bergdorf Goodman, Colette, Browns Focus, Lane Crawford and On Pedder.

Jennifer Behr Wide Feather Headband, $158 at Saks

This adorable feathered headband by Jennifer Behr (whose headbands have adorned Leighton Meester’s head on several episodes of Gossip Girl) retails for $158.

For the Fashionistas on a Budget

Crystal Plumage Hair Clip $24.00 @ Urban Outfitters

Wrapped Satin Rose Headband $4.80 @ Forever21

Jazz Feather Headband $7.80 @ Forever21

Sequin And Feather Headband $12.80 @ Forever21

Satin Rose Headband $4.80 @ Forever21

[UrbanOutfitters.com, Forever21.com, Jennifer Behr]

Trends R’ Us: Crocs? Yes Or No?

Yes Or No?
Your opinion is kindly appreciated.

Smell This: Diddy has a new fragrance!

Sources say, “Diddy Using Obama’s Name To Promote I Am King Cologne”

Sean John has a new fragrance for men ready to hit stores next month called “I Am King”. Although TV & Print ads have already been completed, Diddy has decided to add more to it. Diddy plans to promote the fragrance in a lunch he will hold in Los Angeles and on TV talk shows and link his new fragrance and Obama. Diddy recently told the Wall Street Journal, “When you see Barack Obama, you see a strong, elegant black man and when people see my ad, it’s almost like that’s the trend.”

[~ ♥ ~]

Wire Talk: Kanye West Explains What Happen In London

According to Upscale Swagger, Kanye wrote a blog entry on his site yesterday explaining his frustration with the Paparazzi and he also gives the real reason why he was arrested in London. He really makes some good points and I just hope the Paps can take it easy on him. Check out the full blog entry below.

WHO’S WINNING, ME OR THE MEDIA?
REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH LIGHT I PUT OUT, THERE ARE PEOPLE WORKING JUST AS HARD TO ONLY DELIVER DARKNESS. IF YOU LISTEN TO MY MUSIC, HOW COULD I DELIVER SO MANY POSITIVE UPLIFTING MESSAGES AND BE THE MONSTER THAT THE MEDIA PAINTS. PAPARAZZI GIVE REAL PHOTOGRAPHERS A BAD NAME. A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS, THEIRS ARE WORTH A THOUSAND DOLLARS…
LET US NOT FORGET THE PAPS KILLED PRINCESS DIANA. WHEN WILL THERE BE A LAW PASSED THAT SIMPLY ENFORCES THAT SOMEONE HAS TO ASK TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOU. THAT WOULD SEEM LIKE COMMON COURTESY. RIGHT NOW THE PAPS ARE ABOVE THE LAW AND THE PEOPLE THEY SHOOT ARE BELOW IT. WHAT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL IS PICTURES TAKEN WITH THE INTENT TO SELL….LIKE DRUGS WITH THE INTENT TO SELL… OR CROSSING CUSTOMS WITH ENOUGH MERCHANDISE TO HAVE THE INTENT TO SELL. THE EXPLOITATION OF MY IMAGE IS THE PROBLEM. IT PRODUCES A “BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY” BEHAVIOR THAT CAUSE THE PAPS TO DRIVE RECKLESSLY ON FREEWAYS, JUMP OVER FENCES AND INVADE PRIVACY ALL IN AN EFFORT TO GET THAT “MONEY SHOT.” YOU SHOULDN’T BE ABLE TO SELL A PICTURE OF ME WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. AFTER THIS LAW IS PASSED, WHEN YOU ENTER A PUBLIC PLACE LIKE A BASKETBALL ARENA ETC., THERE WILL BE A SIGN THAT READS…”ALL PHOTOS TAKEN HERE ARE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND CAN BE USED AT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS DISCRETION.” OBVIOUSLY RED CARPET EVENTS WHERE PEOPLE SHOW UP TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED WILL ALSO APPLY. THE PERSONAL PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THE PAPS IS WHEN THEY TRY TO CATCH YOU BEING A REGULAR PERSON. I AM NOT A CELEBRITY. I’M A NORMAL PERSON THAT’S JUST FAMOUS. I REFUSE TO SNEAK IN AND OUT OF BACK DOORS AND KITCHENS OF HOTELS ETC….

I AM PROTECTING MY PERSONAL SPACE SINCE THERE ARE NO LAWS TO PROTECT THAT FOR ME.

I PUT MY HAND UP TO THE CAMERA IN SELF DEFENSE!

HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED…WHEN I LEFT THE CLUB, I WAS ENCOUNTERED BY A THIRSTY PAPARAZZI AS USUAL. HE FELT HE HAD MORE RIGHTS TO MY SPACE THAN ME, SO I PUT MY HAND UP TO PREVENT HIM FROM TAKING MY IMAGE. I DIDN’T ASSAULT HIM BUT MERELY PUTTING MY HAND UP TO COVER HIS LENS. MY SECURITY YELLED, “GET THE CAMERA OFF HIM.” I GUESS IN ALL THE COMMOTION THE CAMERA SCRAPED HIS NOSE.

THREE HOURS LATER I GET A KNOCK AT MY HOTEL DOOR. THERE WERE FIVE POLICE OFFICERS IN FRONT OF MY ROOM AND I HAD NO IDEA WHY. I HAD MY SECURITY GO SPEAK WITH THEM. THE COPS WERE VERY CORDIAL BUT TOLD ME THEY HAD TO ARREST ME BECAUSE A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THAT WAS THE BOGUS PART. THEY PLACED ME IN HANDCUFFS AND DROVE ME TO THE STATION. THEY SPOKE ABOUT HOW THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A PUBLICITY STUNT BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER BUT THEY STILL HAD TO GO THOUGH THE MOTIONS. WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE HOTEL THERE WERE PAPARAZZI HANGING OVER THE BRIDGE ABOVE THE HOTEL TRYING TO GET A SHOT OF ME GETTING OUT THE POLICE VAN. EVEN THOUGH I WASN’T CHARGED, THE DAMAGE WAS DONE. SURE ENOUGH THE NEXT MORNING, PLASTERED ACROSS EVERY MEDIA OUTLET… KANYE GETS ARRESTED. IT DIDN’T MATTER THAT I WASN’T CHARGED OR THE FACT THAT I HADN’T ASSAULTED ANYONE. ALL THAT MATTERED WAS THAT I WAS ARRESTED.

SIDEBAR, THEY QUOTED ME AS SAYING…”GET THE CAMERA OFF HIM!” LIKE I WAS TALKING IN THIRD PERSON. HE TRIED TO MAKE ME SOUND LIKE A CRAZY PERSON AND PEOPLE BELIEVED HIM. WHAT MERIT DOES THIS GUY HAVE THAT HE CAN SAY SOMETHING ABOUT ME AND PEOPLE TAKE IT AS LAW? THE FACT THAT HE COULD GET ME ARRESTED OFF A MERE COMPLAINT BUT I CAN’T ASK HIM TO STOP TAKING PICTURES OF ME IS VERY LOPSIDED.

WHO’S WINNING, ME OR THE MEDIA?

[~ ♥ ~]

All On The Cover: Keyshia Cole Covers Billboard Magazine

As she prepares a biopic and the third season of her TV show, the diva showcases ‘A Different Me’.

Keyshia has two consecutive platinum albums, eight top 10 singles on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart (including three No. 1s) and a top-rated reality show on BET.

On Dec. 16 Imani/Geffen/Interscope will release her third album, “A Different Me,” which will drop in the wake of the 360 deal Cole signed with Interscope that includes a movie based on her life.

“I haven’t reached my goal yet,” says Cole, who says that down the road she wants to live in a log cabin and own horses, operate a veterinary hospital and pet store—“I’m a dog person,” she adds—plus a coffee shop on the side. “I want that real bad. I can just see the couches and the fireplace going. “But to get there,” she continues, “I have to first accomplish my musical goals. To quote Tupac, got my money right, I got my mind right, and now I want war.’

Crushing Over: Keyshia Cole

Hugely successful Grammy nominated R&B singer and songwriter KEYSHIA COLE is set to close out 2008 with a bang. Three (3) songs from her second album reached number one (#1) status — “Let It Go” (w/Missy Elliott and Lil Kim), “I Remember” and “Heaven Sent.” Her reality show “The Way It Is” became the most-watched program in BET’s history, and with season three having started yesterday, November 11th, Keyshia Cole is sure to make history again. Keyshia’s third album, A Different Me – Executive Produced by Keyshia, Manager Manny Halley and Geffen Records Chairman Ron Fair is set for release on Tuesday, December 16, 2008.

Here’s a first look at the album cover for Keyshia’s upcoming LP “A Different Me,” courtesy of Rap-Up.com.

KEYSHIA COLE is the definitive soul singer to emerge in this decade, and she is in good company. Over the past seven decades, precious few R & B females have touched the hearts of America. From Billie Holiday to Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston, and Mary J. Blige – Keyshia possesses the same innate quality of telling the truth through song like her predecessors. Her pain becomes your pain, her joy, your joy.
Her first single, “Playa Cardz Right” featuring Tupac (an early mentor of Cole’s) has already garnered a top 15 chart position in its first three weeks. This single follows a host of seven (7) number one (#1) records that include “I Should Have Cheated;” “Love,” “Let it Go,” “I Remember,” “Heaven Sent,” “Last Night” (w/P. Diddy) and “Give it Up to Me” (w/Sean Paul.)

All of the songs for A Different Me were written or co-written by Keyshia with production from award-winning producers such as Ron Fair, Polow Da Don, the Trackmasters, The Runners, Kwame and Neffu. Guest appearances include Kanye West, Nas, a duet with Monica, and a posthumous appearance from Tupac.
Keyshia was nominated for two Grammy awards in 2007 for “Best Contemporary R&B Album” for “Just Like You” and “Best Rap-Sung Collaboration” for “Let it Go” (w/Missy Elliott and Lil’ Kim). She has also received awards and or nominations from the American Music Awards, Music Choice Awards, NAACP Awards, BET Awards, Vibe Awards, and ASCAP Awards.
Born in 1981 in Oakland, California, Keyshia didn’t have it easy. The Cole’s adopted her after her mother Frankie, an addict at the time, could no longer take care of her. Twenty plus years later, she is still trying to put all of the pieces of the puzzle we call life together – discovering long lost siblings, mending the relationship with her mother who was recently released from jail and supporting her sister, Neffe, and her four children.
The road to riches wasn’t easy for Keyshia and still isn’t. Besides the release of a new album, new season of her BET reality show, touring and personal appearances, Keyshia is gearing up for the production of a movie based on her life. Be sure to catch her 3rd Season of Hit Reality Show ‘The Way It Is’ on BET at 10PM every Tuesday night.

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment!

[Album Cover: ~ ♥ ~]

All On The Cover: Tyra Banks Covers Ebony Magazine

Media Princess Tyra Banks Swears She’s Just An Ordinary Lady

Supermodel, businesswoman, talk show host, producer…there isn’t much that Tyra Banks can’t do. She recently sat down with EBONY magazine and dished on why she’s just an ordinary lady who’s all about value and appreciates a good sale! In fact, she even offers readers six ways to save money and time.

Although Banks boasts some frugal ways, word has it that she is a huge tipper and takes great care of her employees. “I gotta take care of my people,” she says. Tyra also discusses why she has yet to place her name or face on a product and gives the latest scoop on her love life. “One thing I can say is I try not to date people who are famous because one celebrity equals five…I get set up by friends,” says Banks. (p. 76)

For more , pick up December’s issue of Ebony.

More scans below.

[Picture from: ~ ♥ ~]

All On The Cover: Kanye West Covers Fader Magazine

Depending on where you are, The FADER’s 10th Anniversary Issue will hit newsstands and iTunes sometime in the next week or so. Since they already did a big retrospective thing in their 50th issue, they decided to just go out and get some guys from around the way for this one: KANYE WEST and NO AGE. Both covers are exclusives, so make sure to snatch this up whenever you see it, and check back Tuesday, November 25th, when they will put the whole thing up for download and begin a series of online extras only available on TheFADER.com (and probably Kanye’s blog).