As you guys know, I'm all about "Barack-ing the Vote," on November 4th. With that said, I pretty much love watching or reading anything pertaining to my favorite presidential candidate and our potential First Lady. Within the last week, I've come across two books that are worth checking out - The American Journey of Barack Obama by LIFE editors and Michelle, by Liza Mundy. I'm an avid reader of biographies/autobiographies and love to collect coffee table books so these new titles were right up my alley!
The American Journey of Barack Obama is a beautiful hard-cover book filled with wonderful essays by notable LIFE magazine editors accompanied by rich, vibrant photographs of the presidential candidate. Retails, $24.99
I haven't read the Michelle Obama biography yet, but I certainly plan to start this weekend. Retails, $25.00
Since many of us BGs love the Obamas, I thought that I'd let you guys know about these books if you didn't know already.
Both books go on sale this month!
As the election date gets closer, do you have Obama fever too? What did you think about the debate last night?
You may not know her name yet, but that will soon change. Suai (pronounced "sway") is a hot new Universal/Motown artist who is sure to set the airwaves on fire with her unique sound. Having already made an appearance on BET's hit show, Baldwin Hills, as well as being one of the esteemed artists featured on the "Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement" CD for Barack Obama, this Detroit native is ready to take the music world by storm.
Check out my Q&A with this talented new singer:
BGG: Is Suai your birth name? If so, what does it mean? Suai: My parents didnt know this when they named me, but later found out that it means beautiful in Thai. When I was a little girl, my mother and I came up with an acronym for it, Smart, Unique, Assertive, Individual. So yes, thats my real name.
BGG: Who are some of the artists youve opened for so far? Suai: Last summer I opened for T-Pain and it was a lot of fun. I had a band, a dancer and my background dancers. A lot of my friends were in the front row so it felt like all of these people were there to see me! (laughing) Brian McKnight was my first professional opening back in 2004. Ive been signed for 3 years to Universal.
BGG: A lot of people think that many artists success comes overnight, but thats not the case. Suai: No, its a process. Some people get in there and have an album out quicker than 3 years, but for us we wanted to take our time and do it right, as opposed to just putting out anything.
BGG: Hailing from the Motor City, who is your favorite old-school Motown artist? Suai: I love the Temptations. They were just so fly to me! Im a female so youd probably think that it would be somebody like Diana Ross, but the Temptations I feel like everyone patterns themselves after them. You know the matching suits and their moves were so smooth.
BGG: Tell me how you got signed to Universal/Motown? Suai: I actually got signed in 2005, but I first came here (New York) in 2004. I auditioned with several different labels, but I got a lot of nos at first. That gave me a thick skin. It was so hard to hear no so many times. I was out here to audition for another label and we ran into this guy who knew Sylvia Rhone (the President of Universal/Motown). He called her and she told him to come on up. I was toting my heavy guitar all around New York I think I was 18 or 19 at the time. I played two songs on my guitar and then we found a piano on another floor and I played two songs on there. She was like, I love it, I get it, lets do it!
BGG: So Sylvia Rhone was the one who signed you? Suai: Yes, its crazy and everybody knows it! Its pressure, but I try not to think about it and just bring it. Im known as Sylvia Rhones artist so they know that shes put out greatness so they expect me to be great, fly and sell millions. Its pressure but Im just trying to do me.
BGG: So whats the music landscape like in Detroit? Suai: Its live...meaning instrumentation. There are a lot of independent artists trying to stake their claim in the city. I like the fact that there are so many types of music for everybody. We have a bit of a rock & roll history too. So theres a little bit of everything. Somewhere I fit in there! Theres a nice little neo-soul movement going on there too now.
BGG: What can listeners expect to hear from your debut release? Suai: Yay! Thats my favorite question! (laughing) Its my favorite question because I am very proud of the fact its not one genre. Its at least 4 of 5 that I can hear; someone else might hear something else! Ive got hip-hop soul, R&B, pop, alternativetheres something for everybody. Even if it wasnt me, its an album that Id always play. Im so excited!
BGG: What producers have you worked with? Suai: Sylvia Rhone, Bryan-Michael Cox, Polow the Don, Carvin & Ivan, Linda Perry, Nephew, etc. Having being signed for 3 years you can imagine that Ive worked with a lot of producers some of the biggest and the best, as well as some new up-and-coming ones too.
BGG: Do you know whats going to be your first single? Suai: Were still deciding, but I know Id like for Come Out, Come Out to be the first single. Its a song that I wrote at home by myself and I co-produced it too; so its special to me because its showcasing me as a writer, producer and musician because Im playing keys on it too. I would love to have that as a first single to let people know that Im not just a voice and a fly outfit! (laughing)
Check out a snippet of her performing here:
BGG: I hear you mention a lot of instruments, how many do you play? Suai: I play piano, guitar, Ive studied cello and flute. But I perform on piano mostly and every now and then I pick up the guitar. Im going to buy a cello one day!! (laughing)
BGG: Who are some of your music role models? Suai: Growing up I was listening to Brandy! I met her and I did the whole fan thing. I went up to her and said, Can I have a hug? (laughing) Im an 80s/90s baby so people like Jodeci, Guy, K-Ci & JoJo, Next, Blackstreetyou know all of those. From ages 15-17 I was a self-professed jazz head so I was listening to Ella (Fitzgerald) and Billie (Holiday) who are two of my favorite artists. My mom wanted me to be exposed to a lot of different kinds of music.
BGG: How is your music and overall style different from other young R&B female artists? Suai: I think whats going to separate me from the pack is that Im a stage rat. I love to be on stage. Ive expressed to my label that I want to be on the road 9 to 10 months out of the year. I want to work this album! I dont care if theyre small club dates or opening for somebody at a stadium, I just want to be out there. I just love to be on the road! Being on stage is it for me. I believe that my passion for the stage is definitely going to help separate me from other artists.
BGG: Years from now, down the road. What would you like people to know Suai for? Suai: I would want people to know that I was great. I'd love to have the opportunity to open a performing arts boarding school in Detroit. I just feel like performing arts is a universal language. It was given to me and I really appreciate it.
Be on the lookout for her debut CD in the coming months. For more information, check out her website, www.suaionline.com.
For those of you who are in the NYC area, she will be performing tonight at Tillman's at 11pm.
With the economy in a slump, heading to the spa for a facial is more of a luxury than ever. Lucky for us penny-pinchers, you can do most facial treatments at home. Masks are an easy and cost-effective way to pamper yourself in the comfort of your own bathroom! There are a myriad of masks on the market ranging from deep cleansing to pore refining. Some peel off and some wash away with water. No matter what kind of mask your skin calls for, in the end they all leave our faces feeling fresh and clean!
Do you use at-home masks? Have you ever made a homemade mask?
Check out some of these:
DermaDoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Intensive Skin-Correcting Sulfur Mask with Phytosphingosine available at www.sephora.com for $45 *This one is my favorite because you can use it as a spot treatment for pimples too!
Say Yes to Carrots Exfoliating & Soothing Mask available at www.drugstore.com for $11.24
Dollface Bees Kiss Soft & Bright Mask available at www.folica.com for $45
Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask available at www.blissworld.com for $52
Alba Hawaiian Facial Mask Papaya Enzyme available at www.drugstore.com for $9.59
Burt's Bees Pore-Refining Mask available at www.drugstore.com for $8.19
Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask available at www.sephora.com for $85
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masque available at www.sephora.com for $45
Sephora Face Peel-Off Purifying Mask available at www.sephora.com for $12
Biore Self-Heating Mask available at www.drugstore.com for $7.49
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. That frightening statistic shows that breast cancer has affected most of us. I have lost two aunts to it and hope that they find a cure to eradicate this devastating disease.
To help fight against breast cancer, you can pamper yourself with these pretty in pink products. A portion of the proceeds from these items will go to breast cancer research.
Do you typically buy similar products during Breast Cancer Awareness month (October) to help fund research for the disease? If not, would you?
Clarisonic Brush in Pnk available at www.sephora.com for $195
Estee Lauder Elizabeth Hurley Lip Trio available at www.nordstrom.com for $16
Smashbox Pink Power Eye & Lip Kit available at www.ulta.com for $46
Breast Cancer Awareness Pocket Brush Set available at www.sephora.com for $15
Ojon Revitalizing Mist for Breast Cancer Awareness available at www.sephora.com for $26
Pink Ribbon Terry Cloth Robe available at www.target.com for $49.99
Tweezerman Petite Tweezer Case available at www.drugstore.com for $25
We BGs love make-up, which means that we probably own a ton of it that needs to be tossed! I know that I have plenty of bin-worthy beauty products that are no longer good, but still taking up space in my makeup drawer.
In most cases, the expired cosmetics have been barely used or we simply dont realize that our makeup must-haves are in need of a replacement. Wearing old products can wreak havoc on our skin and cause nasty bacterial infections that are not pretty!
BGG has gathered the facts to let you know the lifespan of the most common cosmetics.
According to various studies:
Mascara Needs to be discarded 3 months after use Lipstick Toss after 2 years Eyeliner Pencils Replace within 3 to 6 months Foundation Find a new one between 6 months to a year after use Blush, Eye-shadow, Face Powders Get rid of after 3 years
Also, if any of your products have an odor or have changed colors, those are obvious signs that it's time to throw them away!
Do you pay attention to the shelf-life of your beauty products?
