Textual Healing?

Text messaging has irrevocably damaged the genuine conversation. Text talk sometimes leaves me thinking "well you could have just called me." Text messaging is the only way I know to stretch out 5 minutes of conversation into a hour long ordeal where one feels as though you have so much to talk about even though that may not be the case. Text messaging allows you to get a message, perfectly craft your super cool not trying to hard response, wait for the other person to have the same think time and continue with a completely contrived and disingenuous conversation where you can create a personality that may or may not be your own. Moreover, it encourages lying. Just think, how may fake lol's have you sent? Sometimes it's just a waste of time, if I get a "yup" an "okay" or even the dreaded "Kk" text, you have successfully wasted 5 seconds of my life. Congrats. Don't get me wrong I think texting has its place: if you're bored in class, if your running late, etc. but if you're free to talk and I'm free to talk...and we're texting, that's wack. Remember how nice it was to have to think on your feet? or just to match a voice to a statement?

Remember the wise words of Jason Weaver and text only when necessary.

You got plaid-Male Edition

As a man if you can manage to wear plaid without looking like you should be in the passenger seat of a golf cart then I'm already impressed. Some of you are coming at this plaid thing the wrong way. Even though it's cool to wear plaid that's no excuse to look like old school Andre 3000's stand in. Moreover, most of you own the SAME pair of plaid shorts, awkwardddddd.

The Bottom
Plaid Bottoms are tricky, tricky, tricky. 1. Anything plaid longer mid to lower knee looks costume-y (I know that's not a word but you get me) 2. Anything plaid shorter that mid knee looks too short. (You see the limited options here?) 3. It has to fit but it can't fit: no one needs to see your chimmy changas but no one needs to see half you boxers either. When choosing the size think that it should be something you want to belt but don't need to belt. 4. With a plaid bottom a solid top is a must. I'm talking crisp white polo, solid black button up, or very rarely a colored solid polo.There's a little leeway if you're playing with different textures, but proceed with caution.

Up top
I'm loving the plaid/flannel button up, I think it looks crisp, polished and versatile. 1. When it comes to color think conservative. Red, yellow, green and orange AND purple, really? 2. The fit: This is not one of those 3XL type of shirts. Think about it, you're already wearing a fabric that moonlights as a tablecloth, if it doesn't fit you correctly there's really no way to look good in it.

When it comes to plaid, I say do it, but do it right.

The Right Way (Jay-Z and David Beckham play with texture, Wayne keeps it casual)












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The right short/The played short/Short shorts











Flashback: Fall '08 (yes!) Nike Air Max Tartan/Plain









Not Quite (over-sized/bubble vest, chain, afghan, and plaid button up...no Sir)

Saturday Night Live

Has anyone noticed that any episode involving Justin Timberlake is exponentially better than anything SNL has done in the last 10 years. Maybe it's because Justin is more believable as the Color me Bad frontman than the culturally confused Timbaland apprentice we see everyday but I digress watch Motherlover.

Remember that Mother loving was only the second best idea they ever had...best idea ever.

The Curse of the Mini Dress-How short is too short?

The Mini Dress has become a new way of self expressing. Bright colored micro minis can make you look chic, current and classy if outfitted correctly. Done wrong you could end up looking like that girl. That girl who thinks wearing a short dress gives her permission to have little peek-a-boo incidents, and that girl who walks around the club shoeless and sweated out. You, my friend, do NOT want to be her. Woman’s intuition is a powerful thing and if you’re at home wondering if your dress is too short to move, sit or breathe heavily my guess is that it is, even if hater friend #1 told you that you look cute. Remember the wise words of Dave Chappelle and don't be caught out in a hoe’s uniform…ever. Keep it classy ladies.

Getting the Look

Stockings: Wearing a mini-dress does not mean you have to have maximum exposure. You can lengthen the look and dress it up by pairing it with the right stocking. If you have a plain sleek number and want to edge it out try a colored stocking. If you want to keep it simple try a muted stocking with a sleek detail. WARNING: Colored Stockings with heavy detailing can look clowny and is a definite tell that you maybe trying too hard. When it comes to fashion you can get a lot further by making it look easy.

Bare Essentials: If you decide to go bare remember that you have to up the ante from a shoe and accessory perspective. Whether you’re wear flats or pumps think texture and color. If your dress is simple enough that you have room to play around with the look go suede on the shoes. With accessories this season people seem to think that more is less and it's never too much, never too much, that is NOT the case for this look, choose your accessories careful. WARNING: Where the mini-dress tends to lengthen your body, flats tend to shrink it. Worn together you are not giving yourself the opportunity to shine. Going the extra mile in this look pays off every time.

Formalizing the look: It wasn’t until I was looking for a dress for Alpha Cabaret that I came to the startling realization that stores have all but stopped manufacturing dresses at mid-length. If you are going to a formal wearing a mini-dress is a risk that you might not want to take. A dress shorter than mid-thigh CANNOT be formal, save it for the after party and keep looking. Note: Pumps and a bad clutch are a must for a nighttime mini look.

The Inspiration (Runway/Relaxed/Night)

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The Starlets

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Figure 1- Uber chic Cassie in this sleek look
Figure 2- I'm feeling Angela in the puffed up number Figure 3-Check out Vanessa's transitional look, Note: Angela's High-waisted mini skirt is another way to keep it short and chic

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Flashback:Gabrielle Union in '08 and Nia Long at the 2008 BET Awards

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Not Quite(Too much fabric/Too little Fabric)