Beyonce may have more super powers than we thought.

Imagine trying to find pants to fit the world’s longest legs!

Old men have become hot and sexy, according to Kate Winslet.

GM is pimping Barack Obama’s ride.

Tell your guy to hold out on that huge diamond purchase, they will be on sale soon!

Too lazy/exhausted of thinking of your status updates? Use this.

Peru wants to provide the presidential dog. It could be the ugliest dog alive.

Sarah Jessica Parker is the ultimate New Yorker.

Rock these looks for the Fall/Winter 2008.

Wax on, Wax off.

Yes, it may seem frivolous to blow a month’s rent (and then some) on a single item to add to your closet, but trust me, buying a ton of shoddy, albeit adorable, stuff from Forever 21 will hurt your wallet more in the long run.

When it comes to clothing, I like to use the simple formula Cost/ Number of Uses = True Value. Is it a way to justify my splurges? Yes. But it also proves that sometimes a higher price tag means a longer life span, therefore making that splurge totally worth it.

Consider saving up for these items–and trust me, when you walk out of that designer boutique with a sweet purchase you made completely on your own, you will not regret it.

1. A Classic Handbag.

I’ll admit it, I am a complete label whore. And many a designer house capitalize on this weakness by jacking up price tags just so I can have someone else’s name plastered all over my purse. But the intricate design, meticulous attention to detail (much of the time hand-crafted) and use of higher quality materials also contribute to the higher price tag. Splurge on a bag made of a quality material (like soft, buttery leather) as opposed to a generic cloth or plastic. Yes, they’re hot, and some of my favorite purses rhyme with “Trada” and “Moius Luitton”, but those are status bags and are expensive for the sake of being expensive.

A note of caution: if you’re looking for a deal and the price seems too good to be true, it probably is! Check here for specific ways to spot a fake. Premeditating buying a fake? Don’t waste the money. Any decent copies (in addition to being ILLEGAL) will most likely be pretty pricey ($100 and up)– so you’re better off just saving up for the real thing and enjoying your new bag for years to come.

2. A Little Black Dress.

Every woman knows the almighty power of the LBD. It fits you perfectly, can be worn to pretty much any function given the right accessories, and makes you feel classy and sophis the second you put it on. To get this feeling though, you’re gonna have to shell out just a little. I’ve heard testimonials of girls who bought their LBD at JC Penny’s for $35 and couldn’t be happier. But if you spend a little more, you can ensure a higher quality dress, with a better fit. Even if you do snag an inexpensive, perfect dress, take it to the tailor and see just how much better they’ll make it fit with a few (cheap) alterations.

3. Jeans.

I used to be a non believer when it came to expensive jeans. They’re jeans for cryin’ out loud. Why the hell would I pay a small fortune for everyday staples. But then, I walked into a denim boutique and was fitted by a girl who probably had to attend a 4 hour course on how to help people find jeans that look like they were created for their ass. I was hooked. Pricey jeans (and it varies by brand) make my legs feel like I should have been born with them encased in denim. And over the years, these jeans have not stretched, shredded, worn or faded (granted, some of them already came that way). In fact, I’m fairly certain that some of the pairs have become one with my lower half and have molded into the shape of my body. Amazing–and absolutely worth it.

4. A neutral pair of amazing shoes.

You can wear these anywhere, day or night, interview or da club. Make sure they’re a timeless pair (pumps of any variation, simple sandals, or classic flats) to avoid buying anything too flashy or trendy that you won’t be able to wear in the years to come. The best part? The more expensive the shoe, the more comfortable they are.

5. Diamond Studs.

An accessory staple. No matter how small (or large!) they are, they will never go out of style. You can play it safe and go ultra conservative with just the earrings, pair with a simple necklace and minimalist bracelet, or use them to balance your look when you want to try a crazy new trend (you know, like in case those tattoo necklaces ever come back). If your funds just aren’t up to buying legit bling, get yourself a pair of 14 karat gold or nice silver CZ’s. They won’t have the same dazzling effect, but they’ll definitely tide you over until you can afford the real thing.

It seems that marriage (according to statistics, which as we all know, are infallible) has become a white institution. Black people just aren’t doing it anymore.

Some of you may be familiar with the special CNN aired, “Black in America” in which they spoke on many of the issues that black America is having not only with marriage, but with other aspects of day to day life: employment, education, etc., all of which impact the black community.

Dionne Hill, the producer of the segment has a special rumination on black people and marriage. It’s not a new statistic, but the fact still remains: black people simply are not getting married in the numbers that we once used to. Certainly no longer comparable in numbers to the ethnic majority of Caucasian people marrying. In the article, which can be found in it’s entirety here, she talks about her own experience with the illusive unicorn that is marriage and her own vision of the perfect life, which is, of course: marriage, career, and children.

Like many black women she has one of the three – career – and hopes that the other two will fall in line on their own.

So why isn’t she, or the other black women she speaks about, getting married? What’s wrong here? Some people say it’s a cycle that we’re just repeating. Our parents weren’t married, therefore, we aren’t getting married either. Or maybe it’s TV and media – black pop culture has this single black super woman thing going on that discourages the idea of marriage. You know, the successful black woman: constantly dating but never finding the one that meets her standards.

And that’s probably the root of the problem right there.

In previous generations its been the idea that a man brings something more to the table. A job, stability, ability to make babies who won’t be shunned because they were had out of wedlock, etc… Nowadays, these values aren’t as important in a potential mate because, let’s face it, we can get all of these things on our own. No longer do we have to be like Beyonce and Upgrade a man; we can be picky and wait for the supped up version to enter our lives.

Despite this growing trend, Hill still has hope, but her silver lining has its rain cloud:

“My outlook: optimistic. My honest fear: It may never happen,”

And this is perhaps the most touching and honest thing in the entire article. It was more than just reporting facts, recalling memories and ideas she was holding onto. It was brutal and honest and every black woman’s fear (not to mention a fear rampant among women of all colors and backgrounds). Because despite understanding the problem, despite accepting it, it’s still there. The numbers are still there and numbers do not lie.

But there is hope.

There are men out there who bring what every woman is looking for; it just takes time to find them. I don’t think that black people are getting married less, I just think that they’re finally not settling for less. Little things that we may have overlooked before – emotionally stunted, bad teeth, criminal record, etc. – no longer get a pass for the sake of just being married.

[Photo courtesy of wikimedia.org]

I don’t own a card store. I’ve never dated anyone who’d be pulling diamonds out of his pocket, and it’s always been strange to me that we need certain days to prove we love one another.

Sorry about being a screwup for 364 days, honey. Here’s some chocolates and a bear. Let’s make up.

ANYway, all annoyance aside, I’m aware that there are other opinions about February 14th. Some people love this day. Seriously. Can’t get enough. And other people…?

Well, they use it as an excuse to lie on their bed, stare at the ceiling, eat a box of chocolates all themselves, and go all melancholy about why they have no one.

If you’re one of these, have I got the mix for you.

Below is a list of songs guaranteed to help those tears, and dear god whys?!, flow.

Compromise (be a poet about it) – Edie Carey

Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely – Backstreet Boys

To The Bone – Deb Talan

Bruised – Ben Folds

I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt

I Don’t Blame You – Cat Power

Never is A Promise – Fiona Apple

Mad World – Gary Jules

The Heart of the Matter – India Arie (cover)

Nicest Thing – Kate Nash

Irvine – Kelly Clarkson

Walk By – Meiko

You Just Forgot – Mindy Smith

I Wish I Was the Moon – Neko Case

Someone Else’s Tomorrow – Patty Griffin

Empty – Ray LaMontagne

Going to a Town – Rufus Wainwright

Didn’t We Almost Have it All – Whitney Houston

Forever Blue – Chris Isaak

That’s all I dare put down for now. Don’t want to mess your shit up too badly.

Got any suggestions for this Valentine’s-Day-is-Hell mix? Let us know!

“I hate these commercials!”

Throwing a pillow at the TV, my roommate pressed her fingers into her eyes and squeezed her eyes shut, doing everything she could to totally block out the tinkling piano and embracing couple on the screen. Another diamond commercial, another reason to feel lonely during the holidays.

If you think you’re the only single girl this holiday season, think again. All across the world, women are pressing the mute button on commercials where a happy wife is drowning in diamonds, staring at the big empty space occupying December 31st on their calendars with dread, and wondering if it’s possible to actually meet someone cute at an office Christmas party.

Living the single life can be difficult at times, but the holiday season tends to highlight those difficulties with an extra harshness.

Illustrating the single-girl-itus many of us feel during this time is a letter written to author and Gawker advice columnist Tionna T Smalls.

“I have a problem,” writes the advice seeker. “I’m 25, and all my girlfriends have boyfriends. Of course I want my friends to be happy, and I’m glad for them, blah blah blah, but I’m also effing LONELY. Honestly, it just really pisses me off that when they were single we hung out all the time, and now I’m lucky if I get a phone call once a week…Oh, and to make matters worse, I just found out (from MYSPACE) that they are all going on a “couples only” trip for New Years that I, of course, am not invited to because I don’t have a boyfriend and therefore am defective in some way.”

Never one to mince words, Tionna isn’t afraid to provide a tiny piece of advice about most girls that I have always secretly suspected. “I don’t know what it is about women,” Tionna writes, “but when they get a man, they get stupid and forget everything around them.”

Going on to tell her advice seeker that the holidays are only so long and will be over soon, Tionna doesn’t hesitate to say feeling lonely and isolated during the holidays is completely normal. “You are not being selfish by saying that you wish your friends will hang out and answer your phone calls more; you are being real.”

While hurling sharp objects at lovey-dovey couples on TV or yelling at your partnered friends for leaving you out of their holiday plans may not be the best way to demonstrate your feelings, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with admitting to the very human emotions of holiday loneliness and dejection. Do your best to enjoy the season, but if you’re really feeling low, don’t be afraid to tell people.

Chances are high you’re not the only one.

It is a treat fit for a queen.

The perfect indulgence for anyone with the XX chromosome combo. And even with a $25,000 price tag, this sweet treat is worth every last penny.This indulgent treat is what happens when chocolate meets gold and then pairs up with diamonds. And unlike the stuff that only looks like chocolate, this is 100% edible. As if there could be anything better for a woman (except, maybe, the same combination in a fat free version).

The genius behind the Frrrrozen Hot Chocolate at the famed New York eatery, Serendipity III, has joined forces with a luxury jeweler to create this couture dessert. And what exactly makes up a $25,000 dessert?

“The dessert…is infused with 5 grams (0.2 ounces) of edible 23-karat gold and served in a goblet lined with edible gold. At the base of the goblet is an 18-karat gold bracelet with 1 carat of white diamonds.

The sundae is topped with whipped cream covered with more gold and a side of La Madeline au Truffle from Knipschildt Chocolatier, which sells for $2,600 a pound.

It is eaten with a gold spoon decorated with white and chocolate-colored diamonds, which can also be taken home.”

This gives new meaning to the clean plate club. When I was young the only thing I ever got for cleaning my plate was permission to leave the table! But a diamond bracelet? Pass that sundae over here. And its not like finishing this sundae would be hard, anyway; the ingredients are some of the best in the world. The tennis bracelet at the bottom is simply an amazing bonus. Sorta like a happy meal for the rich and female.

People have always said I was born with a golden spoon in my mouth. Perhaps now is the time to upgrade to the diamond version. If only I could find someone to indulge me.

Oh, technology! You know us ladies so well! We love hearts! We love diamonds! (…and horseshoes and blue moons!). And we’re totes obsessed with putting sparkly crap in our ears. But now, we can have ear jewelry without any of that bothersome puncturing!

No, seriously, it’s amazing that it took them so long to come up with these new AudioCube headphones – the earbuds we already use, now fanced up for us lay-dies! It’s like killing two birds with one rhinestone. Sure, they keep noise out and keep music in, but they also splay outward-facing Swarovski-crystal hearts for when your boyfriend is gazing lovingly into your aural canals.

Thank god for versatility. I will now patiently await diamond-embedded contacts.