Checking out one of my favorite blogs this morning, BagSnob, I saw that one of the ladies highlighted a fashion debate that’s been going on for the last few years. Does Louis Vuitton suck because of their recent collabos with Marc Jacobs, which are wild to say the least? To be honest, we’ve discussed my bag taste before (upper east side old lady…) but we’ve also discussed my undying love for Marc Jacobs (stan! stan! stan!), so obviously I’m torn. Fortunately, BagSnob had breakfast with Louis Vuitton’s CEO of North America, Daniel Lalonde and Senior Vice President of Marketing Heather Vandenbergh and talked with them about it. Read it all here.

Thoughts, ladies?

-Steely D

Bunches of folks came out to watch the New Kids on the Block reunion performance. [BBC]

New York City TV news anchor Sue Simmons was caught on tape cursing someone out…I love it. [Bossip]

And while Sue’s cursing, the Bay’s storied black news anchor Dennis Richmond is retiring after 40 years. No on could rock a ’stache like you D. [SFGate]

Oil’s officially $127 per barrel. SMH…translation? If you have a car, you are screwed. [BBC]

It’s Friday ya’ll and I’m tired. As for Word on the Street, we heard Usher’s Here I Stand and all I can say is Ursh is giving Luther Vandross (RIP) a run for his wedding song money. Can someone tell Tameka to write a book on how to turn a man out so you get an entire album dedicated to you? The whole LP just made me want to marry someone. ha! And that’s serious. ‘Til next time…

I’m Steely D and I hope you like our little site. We do it for ya’ll. Hit me at dsteel@parlourmagazine.com if you wanna tell me a secret, share a fashion fetish or want to beat up Southern Gentleman for mistreating that girl in today’s blog. LOL!

Relationships at times can be some of the most ironic, unfair, and unforgiving situations. When you’re ready to get it in, she’s not. But when she gets into you, she’s ready to sit her ass down. And then there are the times when you have a person on your team that has everything you’re looking for (well almost) in a companion. That’s when you find yourself pushing them away for no good reason. At this point in my life, I’m very particular about who I’d consider for relationship. But the funny part is, on any given day, an average chick can spark my interest with the smallest thing.

Most times when I go out, it’s to handle business but every once in a while I’m honestly just on the prowl looking to meet someone. On this particular night I was just enjoying the scenery at a local strip club when three ladies in corner caught my eye. The threesome was having a few drinks, and pretty much just acting silly without really paying attention to anyone else. At first glance I peeped one that was my type, but upon my second glance I noticed that all three wore wedding bands. Great. “We got the first wives club taking up space having themselves a night out,” I thought to myself. After giving the group the once over, I finished my drink and almost headed out of the door. (more…)

Yay! Now EVERYONE can get divorced! {NYT}

In South Africa, immigrants are targeted victims of violence, didn’t we just get “over” apartheid? {BBC}

Today. Right now. Play hooky from work–go in the sun and get your Vitamin D! {LATimes}

Bin Laden….he’s back! And targeting Israel nonetheless. {Telegraph}

OH…and in other hard hitting news…its Friday!!!!

Weekend Love
- JBaker

Lonnie Rashid Lynn aka Common aka every woman’s crush. Why oh why, did God make men this beautiful? It’s really unfair. Fortunately for us, he’s not evil, jobless or stupid. Blessings can fall from the sky. However, Common has outgrown sensitive rap (say goodbye to “The Light” ladies, it ain’t on this record) and donned his party rap hat. Invincible Summer sounds like a collection of songs made by Gnarls Barkley but accidentally recorded by Common. Either way, PARLOUR sat down with the emcee to discuss his new album and why he doesn’t care if we like it.

PARLOUR: What’s the thought process behind this album?

Common: Ain’t much explaining for this album really. I just created this record for the summer time. It’s about feeling good, that’s what I felt was missing from my body of work. This is just some fun shit. (more…)

Former NY Gov. Spitzer’s female escort, Ashley Dupre, hit the streets yesterday…all I ask is WHY OH WHY is her shirt SHEER? smh…aren’t we supposed to put our best foot forward and try to distract folks from who we really are (a call girl) when we’re in hot water? Even cup-holding, syrup-sipping Lil’ Wayne hit the court room in a suit for his drug charges, even R. Kelly! [NYPost]

Obama’s taking Pres Bush to the mat, saying the lame duck Pres likened him to Nazi sympathizers. [BBC]

Zimbabwe is extending their run-off election, it’s now slated for July 31. Do you believe them? [Guardian]

Chris Rock’s metaphor on why Hillary Clinton should quit (while she’s ahead?)…hilarious [MissInfo]

Looks like your weed man won’t have his new supply for a sec…Vietnam police just finished their largest cannibus raid ever. [BBC]

What does your tattoo say about you? [Gawker]

Steely D here, hit me at dsteel@parlourmagazine.com. Please let Usher’s album be good when we hear it this week…

Long long ago, in a suburb far far away, when I was teen and Smashing Pumpkins‘ lead singer Billy Corgan wasn’t a poet/douche (ha!), a song came out with a drum pattern so hypnotizing, I instantly fell in love with it. And then I liked “Ava Adore” too. 1996 wasn’t a bad year. Ladies, (& Lanzkie) I give you my Smashing Pumpkins Throwback, “1979.”

-Steely D aka THE ECLECTOR (get it? from eclectic? nevermind…)

ps. RIP “alternative” music…kinda like “neo-soul” right? Barring Musiq, of course…how is he the only artist that made it out of the 90s? Wild.

(more…)

Saunas are good for the skin – they detox, they stimulate circulation, they soothe muscles, they tighten pores. I get it. But at Spa Castle, a five-story/ 60,000 square foot super spa in Queens, N.Y., one sauna just isn’t enough. (more…)

Don’t believe in global warming? Tell that to the polar bears. {Reuters}

First, she’s gay. Then, she’s an alien or something. Now, she’s broke. Anne Heche, go to therapy. On the upside, being “broke” for anyone in Hollywood is pretty ok for the rest of us. {People}

New York: SoHo, Statue of Liberty…and great place to commit suicide? {NYMag}

Oh, and in case you are under a rock somewhere, former presidential candidate, Sen. John Edwards formally endorsed Barack Obama yesterday. {CNN}

Can you believe it? The child pornography case of R.Kelly has actually begun! Apparently, Robert hasn’t stopped making movies. {Tribune}

-JBakerocky.

Nooooo, stuffed animal backpacks, along with beepers, should NEVER make a comeback. [Fashionista]

If you’re in India, go home. No, really, the government is instituting a curfew after a bomber killed 63 people and wounded 200 others. [BBC]

Justine Henin, a Belgian tennis player who’s won seven Grand Slam singles titles, quit the sport while ranked No. 1. Retirement at 25? I’ll take it. [ChiTrib]

Suicide bombers are coming in the form of young girls in Iraq. [Guardian]

NEWSFLASH: North Korea admits “nuclear details.” Oh yeah, and the sky is blue, water is wet and summer in London lasts for one day exactly. [BBC]

RIP = MASS APPEAL MAGAZINE [Gawker]

-Steely D