VIBE Magazine: The Hard Times Edition

Apparently Vibe magazine is now defunct. Its unfortunate, I remember when the magazine first hit newsstands. It was the first of its kind, started by Quincy Jones and it was a large glossy magazine with the latest on the industry, fashion & hip-hop culture. I couldn't wait to get a new issue...such a shame. The magazine had good circulation but not enough advertisers. The Dream & Christina Milian are said to be covering the last issue-oh boy! (rapradar.com)
For more info click on the link...

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/vibe-magazine-to-close-down-immediately/

Yesterdays News...My Two Cents: BET 2009 Awards

Facebook and Twitter was on fire yesterday with a debate about the BET Awards. Some say it was tomfoolery at its finest, others defended the cable network. The heart of the debate was the tribute to Michael Jackson. As a network geared to Black viewers it was anticipated that a great tribute would be made to MJ as mainstream media has decided to harp on the negativity surrounding the King of Pop. Many are stating that BET failed in its attempt and that for a long time the network, who is owned by media giant Viacom, provides no programming of value except for *ahem* The Frankie and Neffe Show or The Tiny and Toya Show-take your pick. BET was sold to Viacom in 2000 for $3 billion by founder Robert Johnson. As mentioned by Chairman & CEO Debra Lee, the network had about 72 hours since MJ’s death to pull a show together that takes months in advance to plan. First and foremost, it was admirable for the network to even attempt to pay tribute. I think where initially the gesture came from a good place, it proved to be overwhelming and the line up seemed botched. Furthermore, I think the expectation was set too high for BET in general.

As for the entertainment portion…I think Jamie did a great job as Host. Ne-Yo finally let us see that lavish head of his. Beyonce’s performance me no likey and despite what the streets are talking I liked Jay-Z’s performance. Maxwell was refreshing-it’s so great having him back on the scene. The O’Jay’s were great but actually reminded me of Gerald Levert. BBD performed as though they haven’t missed a beat. Aaron Hall of Guy seemed to have lost his great voice. Monica looked fab, sounded great and still got IT. Johnny Gil looked good and still has it (although he looked look a deer in headlights for the 1st half of the performance). Trey Songs & Tyrese…hmmm I’ll just say they were on point and looking good. Tevin Campbell hasn’t aged. He looked like a nervous little boy performing. I missed the last performance by Drake & Weezy which has received much criticism but I’m actually glad I missed that one. What I wish I would’ve missed was Bobby Brown flicking his tongue like that…YUK! And during a Michael Jackson tribute?! The FCC should ban that gesture from ever reaching a television audience again. No bueno.

Michael Jackson Passes Away

Today it was reported that Michael Jackson has passed away. Michael aka as the King of Pop was a great entertainer and will certainly be missed by his fans as well as his biggest criticizers. What I find to be the saddest part of this news is his three young children losing their father.

This week the entertainment industry suffered other great losses such as Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett who passed away just this morning. So sad...

Clutch My Pearls: Hair Weaves For Babies Edition

I mean are we that obsessed with perfection that we need newborns to wear hair weaves?! Apparently this company thinks so. They've created "baby bangs" aka as hair weaves for babies 0-9 months old. The company states it was created to enhance the natural beauty of baby girls who have little or no hair at all. Isn't that what being a baby is about?! A few bold spots here, a little cradle cap there...pageant moms everywhere must be rejoicing. The babies are too cute though. If you must...http://www.babybangshairband.com/

You Dirty Talker!

You've probably done all of your spring cleaning and are ready for the summer. But did you remember to give your cell phone a good wipe down? Remember those reports that surfaced a couple of years ago stating that the average cell phone is dirtier than the bottom of a shoe or worse yet, a toilet?! Yuk! You can wipe off you phone with a little good ole fashioned alcohol although there are disinfectant cell phone wipes and cleansers in the marketplace. Need proof? Hit it...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lmwbBzClAc

Perception Deception: Graduation

Over the weekend I shopped for some yummy cake & ice cream and noticed that many were doing the same as they were celebrating graduation. Retailers are equipped to cash in during this time of year loading their shelves with grad themes and a full array of products. This is an exciting time for family and friends as youngsters embark on a new journey in academia. For me the thought was bittersweet as I think of the high percentage of graduates who really aren't equipped to move on because they received a subpar education. In business, when a product or service is inefficient, it will suffer terrible losses and eventually may have to close its doors. Unfortunately, in public education there is no exit strategy-sometimes it's just a continuation of perpetual incompetence. We MUST do better. Shout out to all the grads!

LaLa's Barbiesque Range Rover For Sale

LaLa Vasquez custom 2006 Range Rover is on sale on Ebay. It's current bid is $45,100.00. The listing describes the Range as receiving 1st & 2nd place awards at car shows around the country. Mattel was even planning to make a Hot Wheels car modeled exactly after this one-I guess they changed their minds. I mean would you buy this? Sherwin Williams has named the color "LaLa Pink" me no likey...

LaLa is a former VJ for MTV. She is the long time fiance of Denver Nuggets player Carmelo Anthony, they have a son together.

Max Factor Has Maxed Out its Time With US

Max Factor Cosmetics, whose parent company is Proctor & Gamble, will be phased out by 2010 in the US market. They will continue to carry their brand abroad where there is more demand for their cosmetics line. Carmen Electra is a gorgeous being but I honestly don't think she catapulted the brand to what executives may have initially anticipated. I mean did you run to buy this product as soon as she became spokesperson?! Nah, didn't think so...

A Jimmy Choo & H&M Collaboration

Jimmy Choo has teamed up with Swedish based retailer H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) and will debut a cheap and chic shoe and handbag line on November 14, 2009 at 200 H&M stores worldwide--enter this in your smartphone pronto. I just would love to see the quality of the line. Let's keep our fingers crossed! Shoes will retail for approximately $59.99-$279.00.

No Weekend Plans Yet? Check Out Some BBQ & Culture:

The Seventh Annual Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party returns to Madison Square Park June 13-14, 2009, from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Major sponsors are Snapple and Everyday w/ Rachel Ray. For more info visit http://bigapplebbq.org/

On Sunday June 14th, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade will strut their stuff via 5th Avenue starting on 44th Street and ending on 86th Street. The parade starts @ 11 am but get their early for a great view! Two million people are expected to attend...For more info visit: http://www.nationalpuertoricandayparade.org/schedule.html

The W Hotel & Acura Promo

This came in my mailbox and I thought of all my foxie moxie's that may be hitting the road this summer and might find this useful...Enjoy!

All current Acura owners can receive 50% off each second night stay at any W Hotel in the U.S. or Canada, plus a complimentary upgrade, if available.

As a guest at the W, you may enjoy the complimentary "Acura Experience" driving service and arrive at your destination in a seven-passenger Acura MDX simply by making a reservation with the concierge.

BOOK ONLINE OR CALL 1.877.822.0000 AND MENTION PROMO CODE MDX

For more info http://www.welcometowhotels.com/acuraadvance/

Imposed Minimum Purchase Practice w/ Plastic...

Ugh there is nothing more annoying than these signs you see up at some small establishments. I was at a deli, my lunch came up to $7 and some change and they refused to swipe my card because it didn't meet their minimum purchase for using a credit/debit card. I went and purchased another item but I was livid. It's price gouging. When I complained, they could care less and I vowed never to patronize them again. This is against the policy of Visa & MasterCard. American Express seems to have more of a liberal view. Before I started calling to report this, I wondered why so many merchants are allowed to do this. Visa clearly states the below on their website:

Can merchants set a minimum purchase or charge a fee for using my Visa card? Visa has certain regulations that all merchants that accept Visa cards must follow. One of those rules is that Visa merchants are not permitted to establish minimum transaction amounts, even on sale items.
If you run into a problem like this with a merchant, please notify your Visa card-issuing bank. Visa member banks have access to the appropriate Visa rules and regulations as well as to the Notification of Customer Complaint forms which should be used by the bank to document and file merchant complaints.

I called them @ 1-800-VISA-911 and they transferred me to my bank to file a complaint. I was transferred around about 3 different times and no one knew how to handle my complaint. Any consumer calling would be discouraged and may not move forward with their complaint. Is this the ultimate goal?! Visa, like the others make billions of dollars on transaction fees and percentages based on all sales that are swiped with cards that carry their logo. As the world quickly moves from a cash/check to debit/credit, these issues should be taken seriously. If Visa really wants to enforce this policy they need to accept complaints directly and carry out fines to merchants who don't comply. But I guess that would be too simple.

The "sharecab" Indecent Proposal

I hopped in a yellow cab this morning and it reminded me of an article that I read in the New York Times earlier this week. The Taxi & Limosine Commission announced plans to allow passengers to share yellow taxi's *blank stare*. Now this is normal practice in the suburbs but for some reason it makes me uneasy even if only during rush hour.

Check it, my hair is flowing, my lipgloss is poppin and my pumps are giving me just that oomph that my petite frame so often desires. I flag a cab while elbowing the lady trying to steal my cab and off I go. Then enters the monstrosity: the cab slows down and imagine the dude in the picture getting in next to me lol.

While I'm sure the details will be ironed out, I'm just not comfortable with this proposal-at all. The dynamics of the city aren't that simple and safety precautions were not mentioned.

I do however, think that taxi sharing hubs near major transportation hubs like Metro North, Penn Station and airport destinations do make sense. Of course, they are touting the benefits; cheaper for the passengers, more money to be made for the drivers and the other popular benefit which is fewer emissions. You have to love that one since everybody and their momma is on the save the environment bandwagon.

A Moxie Deal:

Bank of America is offering free admission to select museums nationwide on the first weekend of every month to Bank of America ATM, check & credit card holders. For New Yorkers your gateway to art & culture (and animals) is at:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Bronx Zoo

New York Aquarium

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Whitney Museum of American Art

Upcoming dates are June 6 & 7, July 4 & 5 & August 1st & 2nd. Photo ID & BOA Card will need to be presented. For more info http://museums.bankofamerica.com/

The Moxiest News of the Day:

Xerox has announced that its current President Ursula Burns will succeed current CEO Anne Mulcahy. It's a historic milestone, one female CEO appointing another. Another riveting fact is that Ursula Burns is the first African American woman to lead a major Fortune 500 Corporation.

Mrs. Burns, described as a math whiz, grew up in a single parent home in the Lower East Side projects in Manhattan. She graduated from Polytechnic Institute and Columbia University and began her career at Xerox as an engineering intern.

In 2008, she ranked number 10 (behind Oprah @ No. 8) on Fortune's 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. Two snaps, a twist and a kiss :-)

And Because I Love, Love, Love SF Bow Shoes...

Especially when they're on sale...The Ferragamo sale starts on June 4th at all of their boutiques.

Lithium Sprinkled Ice Cream, please...

A recent article in Fortune magazine listed a few lessons that this economic crisis has taught us that we'll eventually forget. Kinda funny, kinda sad but def true:

• Economics is a bunch of bushwa. "Now we know it. When things improve, though, we can expect them to be operating pretty much as usual. It's a living. And where would business schools be without them?"


• Wherever there's money around, there will be crooks. "Many of these crooks are well dressed. Often they are at the top of they're at the top of whatever game they are running."


• The rich are not like other people, i.e., you. "Sometimes everybody forgets that the game is designed to keep the powerful in power and the rich in their McMansions, and We the People are sold the idea that everybody can have his baby Benz. For a while everybody gets high on the idea that capitalism is a populist enterprise. It's not."


• Nothing lasts forever. "Nobody knows when the train we're on will arrive at the next station. Anybody who tells you they do is smoking something."

Basically, we know nothing and of the nothing we know nothing of-it will not last forever although sometimes it feels like it will...And I'm NOT going to be rich?! SMH