Indie Trunk Show...

WEAR IT’S AT! THE FALL EDITION is an indie designer trunk show hosted by Tinalee Media & Events, Inc. This exclusive shopping event features our favorite rising-star fashion designers such as unisex label Beeing, uber stylish wovens by Harshita Designs, unique jewelry from Vintage Whimseys and more! While you're there enjoy: complimentary cocktails, great music, and beauty services.

*Must be 21 years or older to enjoy complimentary cocktails. While supplies last.

Featured designers include:
Beeing
Corrente Handbags
Harshita Designs
Myth Boutique
Teya Jewelry
Vuedis
Wye:Wovens

WHEN: Nov. 17 (2-6pm)

WHERE: 500 Fifth Ave., 4th Fl (btwn 35 & 36th St) - NYC

COST: $10 advance / $15 at the door

**Purchase your tickets today!

Click HERE

For more information, contact Tinalee Media & Events at: Contact@tinaleemedia.com or (347) 621-1336

Reebok and Voltron? Who knew?

Well, yes indeed. They have teamed up to bring you the new ish. I remember Voltron. And as I was telling fellow Blogger Khalid, there was a pink member of the Voltron group. I don't remember her name or what exactly she did. I just remember that she was holding it down for the ladies.

Anyway, the point of this entry is to introduce you to Reebok's new Spring line. Wednesday night, some of The Collective crew attended. Most of it was... interesting. They REALLY touched back to the 80's. I mean, they are bringing back the$54.11's hard. I'm talking red with die-cut hearts and satin red and white shoelaces; the Freestyle Tokoyo was black patent leather with the crazy 80's fuschia and metallic blue techno patterns; there was animal print... quite frankly some of it was a hot mess. But they do have a lot in the works. Reebok is partnering with Zune and coming out with a Zune/Reebok package. The Zune will be preloaded with all sorts of cool downloads and what not. As of now, the price will only be $120 for both. When I get more info, I'll let you know. They are also partnering with Kool-Aid and bringing out Kool-Aid inspired clothing. Like, you'll have Mr. Kool-Aid's face plastered on your shirt, sweatshirt and baby-tee. I don't think it was a good look for either the men's or women's collection.

They showed Scarlett Johansson's new collection. She is keeping with the sweatsuit inspired clothing and cutout hearts, but she threw in a few yoga/track inspired pieces as well. I wasn't mad.

As for Voltron, the PR company showed an intro video (only in 1 room so the majority of the folks couldn't see. Hot mess). The self-proclaimed head Voltron Geek was there on hand to answer any of your questions. I kinda liked him. He was sporting his old school Voltron shirt and even able to take it back to the non US released versions of Voltron. Once he went there, he just turned into one of the parents off of Peanuts "waamp-womp-womp-womp". I had no clue what he was talking about. He then began talking about the packaging and how the Voltron shoes come with a fully functional Voltron toy - minus the toxic lead paint. That made me happy. I always like toys.

Below are more pictures. Enjoy!

Voltron Packaging (atop case): Each shoe comes with the Voltron history and a matching toy.

Below: Scarlett Johannson's Line - SJ Orchid Dress. Also comes in Red.

I think it would be cute as you can cinch it in the back creating more of a waistline.

REACTivists

The Jena 6, Megan Williams, Sean Bell: These are all the latest injustices which have enraged the Black American public and provided endless fodder for the network media. The injustices in these cases are all glaring and grave, but is our obsessive rallying around a few key causes each year hampering our ability to create real change in our society?

Each year these injustices come up- in 2006 it was Sean Bell, in 2005 Hurricane Katrina. Invariably those African-American issues which are on the forefront of American consciousness are those that can be packaged up nice and neat. The injustices are so shocking that they can almost be dismissed as the work of extreme racism so as not to implicate the overall American culture and government. But these cases are only the “highlights” in a miles long list of injustices committed against minorities and the poor in America. How many more cases like Sean Bell’s have there been? Where instead of being a devoted fiancé and father, the victim was a street hustler, instead of fifty shots, there was only one-- straight through the heart.

On his blog, Transform America, my friend Chester Asher writes:

“If we always wait for injustice before we act we will forever be limited. For once the injustice subsides the movement is over… Such an approach abdicates our roles as responsible humans… Doomed to serve as a check on the system rather than a creator of it.”

Also disheartening is the very nature of our responses to these causes. While media attention and raising awareness are absolutely essential to achieving justice, our responses seldom seem to make it past raising awareness. We send email forwards, join facebook groups (the groups for Megan Williams and Sean Bell have hundreds of thousands of members), email congress members, put buttons on our blogs. We write on message boards where narrow-minded trolls make conversations quickly turn inflammatory. At the end of the day we have either patted ourselves on the back for “signing up” for the cause or we’ve wasted potential positive energy on energy draining arguments.

How can we harness the power of virtual communication to make REAL, positive change?

How can we shift from always responding to injustice to actually CREATING the change we wish to see in this world?

An Excert from Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes' Letter to a Young Acitivist During Troubled Times

Mis estimados:
Do not lose heart. We were made for these times.
I have heard from so many recently who are deeply and properly bewildered. They are concerned about the state of affairs in our world right now. It is true, one has to have strong cojones and ovarios to withstand much of what passes for "good" in our culture today. Abject disregard of what the soul finds most precious and irreplaceable and the corruption of principled ideals have become, in some large societal arenas, "the new normal," the grotesquerie of the week. It is hard to say which one of the current egregious matters has rocked people's worlds and beliefs more. Ours is a time of almost daily jaw-dropping astonishment and often righteous rage over the latest degradations of what matters most to civilized, visionary people.

...You are right in your assessments. The lustre and hubris some have aspired to while endorsing acts so heinous against children, elders, everyday people, the poor, the unguarded, the helpless, is breathtaking. Yet ... I urge you, ask you, gentle you, to please not spend your spirit dry by bewailing these difficult times. Especially do not lose hope. Most particularly because, the fact is — we were made for these times. Yes. For years, we have been learning, practicing, been in training for and just waiting to meet on this exact plain of engagement. I cannot tell you often enough that we are definitely the leaders we have been waiting for, and that we have been raised since childhood for this time precisely.

Art Fighting Homelessness

Sharing means caring...

EVENT DETAILS:

Re* Generation Gallery 2007 Auction and Benefit

In support of

National Homeless Youth Awareness Month

7, Nov 2007

Bidding begins at 7pm and ends at 10pm

party ends at 11pm

Skylight/275 Hudson St. NYC

(btwn Spring & Canal)

Special DJ performance by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem

Cocktails and Hors d' oeuvres will be served

RSVP to regeneration@brandpimps.com by 10/26/07

100% of the proceeds raised from the auction go to Re*Generation's charitable partners fighting youth homelessness.

Be Seen at the Top!

Techie Joint

Do you read WIRED, http://www.japaninc.net/, or PC World, well then this is for all you techies out there... ENJOY!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tekserve Presents:

Description
The popular MAKE magazine brings the do-it-yourself mindset to all the technology in your life. Filled with all sorts of exciting projects that help readers make the most of their technology at home and away from home, MAKE has become an essential subscription for the digital tinkerer. Bre Pettis, the familiar face behind MAKE Magazine's weekly video podcasts, will be on-hand in Tekserve's main space to demonstrate how to get started building electronic projects, from simply picking up a screwdriver, to easy starter projects, to what not-to-do. This promises to be an exciting event that will leave you with the basics and confidence to take apart your own electronics and finally make that talking robot you've always dreamed about!

Who Should Attend
Those who want to build electronics

Location
TekserveSeminar Room119 West 23rd StreetNew York, NY 10011

Instructor
Bre Pettis
Bre is the guy behind MAKE Magazine's popular weekly video podcasts.

To RSVP, click here.

OH, WAIT, I almost forgot that they're having a Leopard release party on Thursday. Aren't you lucky you tuned in to The Collective? Ha, ha!

Friday October 26 at 6pm: Leopard Release Party at TekserveJoin us at Tekserve on Friday, October 26th from 6pm-10pm as we celebrate the release of "Leopard," the newest and most impressive Mac OS X version yet. Be one of the first to get a copy of Mac OS X Leopard and partake in the fun-filled festivities we have lined up. Here is a taste of what to expect on the 26th at Tekserve:

- Free plush Leopard for all attendees

- Complimentary Tekserve tote bag with all Leopard purchases - limit one per person

- iPod nano raffle every 30 minutes along with other cool stuff

- Costume contest: The best Leopard-themed costume winner gets an iPod touch

- A presentation by Mike Daisey, master storyteller and monologist

- Live Jazz Music & refreshments

- A great time with fellow Mac users

To register for this event, please visit tekserve.com/seminars.

Be Seen at the Top!

Festive Night w/ Talib Kweli @ The Apollo

WHAT: Belvedere Vodka presents The Apollo Lounge: Join Talib Kweli for an intimate evening of cocktails, hors d' oeuvres, and a lively performance celebrating the indomitable spirit of independent music.

WHERE: The Apollo Theatre (253 West 125th St)

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 6 (7-9pm)

WHY: Shooot, why not? But I suppose this is an Apollo membership driven event. It's worth it, the Apollo needs some funds.

COST: Free - You just have to register for your tickets.

ATTIRE: Festive - So don't come looking a hot mess. I'd say cocktail dresses and suits (at least a blazer)

RSVP: Click on the picture or visit: https://dnbweb1.blackbaud.com/OPXDONATE/AddDonor.asp?cguid=90D53CCA%2D18CD%2D4D89%2D9C08%2DB9515C8DF838&sTarget=https%3A%2F%2Fdnbweb1%2Eblackbaud%2Ecom%2FOPXDONATE%2FEventRegister%2Easp%3Fcguid%3D90D53CCA%252D18CD%252D4D89%252D9C08%252DB9515C8DF838%26eid%3D12682&sid=CA1D66FD%2D0709%2D4580%2D96DE%2DF63C3AB2DBF4

Until next time...

Be Seen at the Top!

What’s Your Guilty Pleasure?

Last nite, I found myself watching the BET Hip-Hop Awards Show. Although I actively boycott the network, I took some time out to see how this second annual debauchery would go down. Luckily, I only caught the closing act, Soulja Boy. During the performance, a pan shot across the audience showed various middle-aged men and women, doing their best impressions of Crank That (Debra Lee had a little bounce in there, too; but I’ll get back to her later). As the credits rolled, I began to wonder what it would look like if Young B and DJ Webstar came out and battle-danced Soulja Boy. I’ve wrestled with that scenerio ever since. In all seriousness, I can’t come to a solution. So, I’ve decided to share it with you in order to get your opinion:

Chicken Noodle Soup or Soulja Boy Crank That?

Let me start off by saying, that there is a long history behind these new crazes. Despite what these lil’ chil’ren may think, black music and dance are intertwined entities. Lindy Hop, The Twist, Moonwalk, Electric Slide, Cha-Cha slide, Hokey Pokey, Tone Wap, Crip Walk, Tootsie Roll, Butterfly, the list goes on. Used to be you could get away with a couple two-steps and an abstract hand movement, but the current Hip-hop dance crazes are quite involved. Now you gotta jump, turn around, touch your toe, dip, and grab a partner, slide, kick a foot up, lean with it and walk with it.

I digress.

Both songs/dances have their pros and cons. Content-wise, I just can’t understand what Crank That is about. With lines like, “Watch me crank that roosavelt. . .and super soak that. . .” or the ever-catchy “superman that. . ” I’m often left standing around confused until the hook comes (for a defnition of the "Superman" you'll have to reach out to your nearest fifteen year-old; I can't put that into print . . .). Chicken Noodle Soup, on the other hand, tells the story of a summer afternoon in Harlem. Dance-wise, Chicken Noodle Soup was cute the first couple times I saw it, but then I realized the blatant coonery that is projected from this dance craze. Another knock against CNS is the degree of easiness. Now I’ve never been much of a dancer. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got rhythm, but I don’t follow directions well. Even after watching the kids at Rucker Park practice their Noodle skills, I still can’t get it right. Crank That, on the other hand, went hi-tech and provided various instructional videos for people like me. After my YouTube tutorial, I feel confident enough get my “crank” on. I have to admit, its fun! And quite the work-out.
With all that being said, I still haven’t come to a conclusion. So drop a line in the comments section on your dance-craze guilty pleasure.

N

NIKEiD.STUDIO Grand Opening Party in NYC

For all you sneaker heads out there.

Enjoy!

WHAT: Opening of the NikeiD.Studio at Niketown NY and the unveiling of Nike's customized kicks; see what inspires the designers

WHO: David Wright, Nigel Sylvester, Corbin Bleu, Alana Beard, Cullen Jones, Lil Mama, Taylor Momsen, Penn Badgley, Chris Bryant & The Starting Line.

WHEN: Saturday, Oct 20th

TIME: 12-1pm *Doors open at 10am

WHERE: Niketown NY (6 E. 57th St)

Until next time...

Be Seen at the Top!

Got Change for a Five or a Ten

Whenever my eyes get caught in the proverbial headlights of the show “The Flavor of Love,” I cant help but diagnosing this bacoonary by saying that every 5 years there is a black person that takes us back 10 years. But then I ask myself, how can others take me back? I would like to think that I am moving forward. And in actuality I am, and so are my peers and family. I think that people are creatures of habit and that once you have experienced something foreign, it starts to become more familiar and easier to navigate if you engage in it again. But remember, advancing towards a more functional life entails moving forward as well as moving back. The key towards trudging forward is to experience more things that have a positive impact on your life. Success is really having a choice between options. In jail, they tell you when to piss, eat, line up and sleep. On the other hand, Donald Trump has the option to decide that he’s going to Paris today to sign a deal. How many of us that didn’t or don’t like our job wish that they could leave it and do what they really wanted to do. They don’t create that option so they see themselves as unsuccessful. That’s just in the job context, but “having options” can refer to all aspects of our lives. The secret is that having options really starts by making choices. Are you going to choose paths that take you forward, keep you stagnant or reverse your position? Remember that when you choose options that do take you to a higher echelon, it’s harder to digress. Earlier in my career I used to end every work day with a cold sixer and a bag of chips. Now if I do that everyday, I just won’t feel right. Because I have let other positive experiences into my realm, I might cook a fit meal, read an interesting magazine or book, or converse with positive ambitious people to satisfy my precious time. Now that these options have become habit and ways of life, it just wouldn’t feel right for someone to pull me from what I do positively now. Reach for the moon and if you fall you only fall amongst the stars. Aim for ten steps higher and if you solely reach 5, then you are still ahead of the game. Peace

Get your swagger on

(sorry the top got cut off) After attending the GQ turns 50/Maker’s Mark event last night, I felt The Collective should get their swagger on. While the majority of the men at the event weren’t as dapper as I had hoped, a few made me want to twirl my dress. After my one , yes 1, Maker's Mark Manhattan (Neat I may add) they looked better and I didn't feel so glum. But still, at a GQ event, I for sure thought the menfolk would come suited & booted.

Due to their effortless approach to the GQ classic style, I took it upon myself to pull a few things together. Here’s a little fashion inspiration for all you dapper dudes out there. Timepieces, shirts, how to tie a tie (Hey, some people still don’t know and according to the NYTimes today, ties are in – yeah, I know, right?) shoes, etc. Enjoy!

Thomas Pink - Bulldog cufflinks

Steve Madden - Tirano Black Leather







Kenneth Cole - Second Hand watch

Barney's - Brioni Navy

Paisley Tie

How to tie a tie (click on image):

Motorola - 18K Gold Plated RAZR2 V8 Luxury Edition

~Bettina

Be Seen at the Top!

Who do you think you are?

Now, I am one of those people who hates forwards about the poor little so-and-so who lost this, the religious reference to that, or 'I love my friends' e-blast. However, when a friend sent me this, I thought I would share. See, The Collective is all about REAL PEOPLE. We aren't a status group that responds only to the socially elite. We deal with real people. Yes, it's great that you became the VP of Marketing at blahse-blah company; but you weren't always that, so don't forget. Read on below and enjoy. ~Blee

- - - - - -
There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, "If I could only see the world, I will marry you." One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend. He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by our side during our most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift

Until next time...

Be Seen at the Top! (but don't go stepping on people or forgetting who you are to get there)

Have you Seen Her?

When I think about relationships, the conundrum lies in the fact that the older you get, the more refined your search and courting requisites seem to be. Now I could never put-on the chickens that I would sometimes entertain in my early 20’s. It’s a gift and a curse, being that I am in my early 30’s and as I stare at my more current dates across the Cheesecake Factory’s booth, I wonder whether I could potentially marry the woman I am having my first date with. Crazy but that’s just how I think now. Maybe my perspective is too critical and I should just dig into my salmon and see what jumps off later but truthfully, I’m not embarrassed to think like a man now. I always say that God, on his most simple level, gives man something to think about. And now I am not afraid to think of the repercussions or potential outcomes of dating and relationships. I do know what I don’t want out of a relationship though. And that is a woman that throws all, I mean 100% of her interest and worth into me without regard to herself. Everyone has heard the “I can’t love someone who doesn’t love themselves” quote. And there is true merit to that statement. As a woman, you cannot revolve your whole life around a man. You have to deposit some of your precious sustenance back into yourself. Think of the word attractiveness. In order to be attractive (regardless of looks) one must be magnetic or have a magnetic personality. That means that you draw things, opportunities and especially people to you. But in order to retain what you have attracted, you must be a whole person yourself in order to keep a whole person. That is scoring the “total package”. Symbolically, when you get married, you exchange, rings which represents the giving and receiving of your mate’s entirety. When you bond or join these rings, or 360 degrees of yourself, then you are able to build and add more than what you could as individuals and bring a third party into the situation in the form of offspring. I know that the more I better myself and eat right, exercise, work hard, and always learn, I will grow my self esteem and self image. When I grow my self image, I can see myself doing even greater things and place myself in better surroundings around other upwardly mobile and interesting people. And I do believe that it is then that I will see her. Peace

Jamba Juice hookup

Use this coupon for your Jamba Juice cravings. The image should get larger once you click on it. Then print it out and enjoy your juice. Sorry for those who don't have one in their area.

If clicking on the image doesn't work, then click here: http://www.jambafunctionals.com/bogo/coupon.aspx?errorcode=4&errorcontrol=Email%20Address

The Collective Spotlights...

Sultry, sensual and soulful are just a few words that describe the voice of Amos Winbush. Amos is a naturally gifted vocalist and songwriter.
Born in 1983 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Amos is a singer/songwriter that brings together southern hospitality and musical innovation. Humble in his demeanor, while possessing a robust vocal ability, he has garnered the attention of music industry rainmakers.

Amos is the latest edition in a musical dynasty. His career has been greatly influenced by, his cousin, multi-platinum producer/singer/songwriter Angela’ Winbush. His father is also an accomplished musician whose performance roster includes legendary groups such as The Drifters and Blues superstar Vicky Baker. Many other musical mentors have provided the inspiration for his career, as an artist whose style infuses elements from a variety of cultures.

He has performed as the opening solo act on various tours with several popular recording artists, including Erykah Badu, Joe and Carl Thomas. His performances have demonstrated his vocal prowess; an ability that consistently captivates his audiences. Combined with his charisma and charm, Amos has established himself amongst a musical dynasty of celebrated individuals with raw talent.

Amos has recently collaborated with several multi-platinum producers and songwriters that includes Chris Rojas (whose production credits include multi- platinum recording artist Jessica Simpson, The Backstreet Boys, Ricky Martin, Pink and more), Chuckey Charles (Usher, Kindred Family), DMoet (Nas, Foxy Brown) and multi-platinum songwriter/producer Curtis Richardson (Rihanna, JLo, LL Cool J, Joss Stone, and more). Other well-known producers/songwriters actively endorse Amos’ career.

With the release of his First EP “Babylon of the Orient” and His much anticipated follow up remix “Babylon of the Occident” featured singles on mega producer David Liang album “The Shanghai Restoration Project” Amos has watched both singles debut in the top three in Canada, the Uk and number 13 in the US on itunes. Recently Babylon of the Orient was chosen to be on SanDisk Sansa E-250 Mp3 player sold at Best Buy and Circuit City across the us. Today the mp3 player has sold over 250,000 copies. Soon you will be able to check out Babylon of the Orient on a national pro snowboard tour and its soundtrack coming out in the very near future. Amos music can be heard on Itunes, Msn.com, Amazon.com and rhapsody.com .

You can visit him online at www.myspace.com/amoswinbush

Until next time...

Be Seen at the Top!