Drink of the Week: Week 2

The Drink of the Week is:
Henny on the Rocks

Not much needs to be said to explain this one.
Throw a few ice cubes in your glass, pour out some henny and sip on.
It always gets you were you need to be.

Guns and Rated "R" Movies, but No Explicit Rap Music

I was randomly thinking the other day about how can Wal-mart sell guns and ammunition and Movies that are Rated "R", but they do not sell music with explicit lyrics. And everyone knows the majority of music with explicit lyrics are rap albums. Why? This entire thought is mind boggling to me. I wouldn't call it racist, but I will say that there is a prejudice with the reason why they don't sell rap albums with explicit lyrics. They can easily be accused for being bias towards the hip-hop industry but I will give Wal-mart the benefit of doubt. But they are taking away the artistic value of the rap albums--matter of fact disrespecting the artist value of rap music. They aren't selling edited versions of movies with less violence and profane language so why rap albums. Yes, it is cool to carry both edited and explicit versions, yes children are heavily influence by the media--so have the edited versions for them, but don't just have the edited versions for all of the customers. There isn't one Wal-mart executive can give me a valid reason why they don't sell these rap albums. Especially not when you sell guns in the same stores--unless they think the youth will buy that rap album in their store then go buy a gun in the same store and wreck havoc on their communities. No that is not possible because the youth cannot even purchase guns. So what is the problem?

At the register when you are buying a rated "R" DVD, it signals the register to check the ID of the customer to see if they are over the age of 18, so why can't they do the same thing with rap albums. They even check for an ID when you are buying Tylenol, Advil and other medicines. An employee told me "If it can be broken down, snorted or smoked we must check an ID." That is amazing. If they are willing to take the necessary precaution to stop drug use and possible lawsuits for using Tylenol, they should do the same for explicit rap albums. All they have to do is check the ID of the customer and if they are of age or with a parent they should be able to purchase the CD and get the entire artistic value of these rap albums. They shouldn't deny customers access to these CDs if they have the necessary actions to prevent from selling to minors, which is their "main concern" right? Or maybe not, or they are truly bias of the hip-hop industry--where the majority of the artist of African American. This little inconvenience to someone is rooted with racial connotation.

What can the public do to get Wal-mart to sell explicit rap CDs? Probably nothing, I honestly don't care I will just go to Best Buy, FYE or download songs from Itunes if I want to hear my rap music. However, I would love to hear a valid justification why they don't sell explicit rap CDs so that I can laugh. Because I feel there wouldn't be anything they can say to justify their statement. They can't be doing it for the kids safety. Safety from a rap album? Are the metaphors and limericks of rap songs that visual to force a young child to cause mass hysteria on the world around them. Or are the movies' visuals more or just as powerful than these lyrics. I am not sitting here saying that rap lyrics can't be influencing and very visual, but movies are the exact same thing if not worst. I believe a picture of someone killing a person will do a lot more damage to a child's psyche than some talking about killing someone.

If Wal-mart decides to sell rap albums with explicit lyrics or not--it will not change my life in any way, but it will ease my mind knowing that there is one less bias against hip-hop(black people)that is slowly but surely dwindling.

Drink of the Week: Week 1

Drink of the week is a new feature here at ClassMagOnline.
We know how life revolves around a good drink.
So every week we will be telling you what you should be sipping on for the next week.

The Drink of the Week is:
Belvedere and Snapple Mango Madness

Drink the Mango Madness down to the top of the wrapping.
Pour 2 shots ( or more) into the mango madness.
Mix well and enjoy!!!!

Fashion in a Recession

There’s been a lot of back and forth these past few months over whether or not we’re actually in a recession. Although everyone already knew, our gracious government has finally jumped on bored. For those of us however that not only pledge allegiance to the good ol’ U.S. of A, but to fashion too, we’ve been put in a bit of a predicament.

With all the layoffs, freezes on promotions and raises, our paychecks are slim, and our “little bit on the side” for our favorite dudes Prada, Gucci, Louis is practically non-existent. For the “talented tenth” of us fashionistas and fashionados, this is due cause for a new way of thinking, one that allows our creative juices to flow. For all others, here are a few tidbits that can help you save while still being on the cutting edge of fashion:

· Staples, not trends- Take a sec for a brief mental inventory of your closet. 35 percent of your clothes probably still have tags on them, another 40 percent was probably only worn once, and the other 25 percent….well that’s what you actually wear. The reason you wear these is because they are timeless, fit well, the right color, and can be worn many different ways. This should always be your focus when shopping. These reasons, added with the fact that they’re just your favorite clothes, equal an equation for focused shopping. Looking for such pieces will create staples in your wardrobe rather that having it filled to the brim with trendy clothes that won’t make it to the end of the month. It is also critical that you choose clothing stores that are known for their quality…so Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters maybe out of range. You may find that these pieces are a little costly on the front end. Even if these pieces take a couple pennies from your Starbucks fund, it will be well worth it.

o Suggested Places to Shop: The Gap, Express, The Limited

o Suggested items to buy when you get there: classic pair of jeans, little black dress, white collared shirt, pencil skirt

· Thrifty can be nifty- In the past few years, vintage has been in. because of it, many of the newer styles in your fav department stores have taken to this trend, but the price tags don’t match those from the decade the style first appeared. An easy and cost effective alternative is the thrift store. These stores (which can be good or bad dependent on your locale) have a wealth of fashion for a fraction of the price. Just be sure you have ample free time to sift through the good, bad, and the ugly….and make sure to wash thoroughly for wearing!

o Suggested Places: The Salvation Army Thrift Stores, or any local store in your area

o Suggested items to look for (that will be in abundance): clutch bags, corduroy pants, dresses, business suits and blazers

Hopefully these tidbits can help you survive the economic crisis, while also staying fashionable!

Remember, open your eyes and let the creative juices flow=)

Karen Michele

In a Perfect World

Graduating from college is a milestone in anybody's life. It is the culmination of at least 16 years of class, homework, and testing. It shows the world that you have the focus and dedication to work your way through any problem. In a perfect world you walk across the stage one week and start your dream job the next.

But if you have graduated in the year 2008 you have realized that this world is far from perfect. We have graduated into the worst economic times since the great depression in the 30’s. At a time when job openings where suppose to be plentiful thanks to the retirement of hundred of thousands of baby boomers, finding a good job is harder than figuring out what really happened to make CB duff out Princess RiRi. Its like the truth (jobs) is out there somewhere, its just going to take a while before enough truth comes out to figure out what went down

(cycle through all the jobs you don’t want to find something worthwhile).

For all of us out there who are just finishing school and trying to figure out what’s next here is what we at C.L.A.S.S suggest:

The Safe Way

Personally the only reason I believe that you should go back to school after finishing undergrad is if you want to become a lawyer, doctor, or your undergrad degree was in complete nonsense. But the truth is going back and getting another degree is actually a smart move. It makes sense for two key reasons.

• Companies have always loved the idea of their potential job candidates having advance degrees. A master’s degree can almost guarantee you a much better salary to start out with than just a plain bachelor’s degree. For some reason they believe that in that extra year or two or three you actually spent those your time in the library with your head in books instead of playing a few more hundred games of beer pong.

• Hopefully after you have ruined your liquor some more (which we fully support!!!) and by the time you have crossed that stage for the second time this recession will be over or slow downed enough to the point that companies are once again hiring. This will make it a lot easier for you to get that dream job you have always wanted.

The I Need Cash Way

If you have nothing for going back to school and just want to deposit paychecks into your account, taking whatever you can get is the right move for you. I don’t mean you have to settle for working the cashier at the supermarket or flipping burgers. With your degree and a little bit of background work experience finding a so-so job should not be that difficult. You are not going to make the paper that you should be making but you will be able to take care of all your bills and still enjoy a decent social life.

The C.L.A.S.S. Way

Become your own boss and start you own business. There will probably not be a better time to try your hand and do what you want. If you have a passion for doing something make it happen. With some hard work, dedication, and a prayer you don’t know what can happen. There is not a company in the world that did not start out as an idea in somebody’s head. It does not matter what you just thought of it was an idea before it became reality. It doesn’t matter if it was Bill Gates, Queen Oprah, or the Donald they all put their dreams and destiny in their own hands and made a way. If they could take their pennies and turn them into BILLIONS, why cant you?

Life is too short to always play it safe. In times like these when a great job is hard to find, I see no reason not to say "F’IT" and make your own perfect world and follow those dreams...

It’s the American Way!!!

Too much technology not enough power. As I sit in the Charlotte airport I look around and everyone is connected to some form of technology. Some more than others, some of the older crowd have a good old book or newspaper, when the majority of the people from my generation are texting (as my mom would say who you gotta talk to this early in the morning?) or on their laptops (hmm I wonder if they are blogging as well). Nonetheless, we are all slaves to that drug called technology.

How do you feel when your battery on your cell is about to die? Do you feel the walls closing in, shortage of breath, can you see the light? I mean really the thought of you without your phone is not one that most of the world likes to deal with. It connects us to work, friends, family, our accounts I mean the list is endless.
Now I ask you to take a walk with me; take away your computer, your cell and your ipod tell me what you day is like. Start at the am and take me to the pm what will you do? Do you know how to do basic math anymore? Prove it what is 4+23 x 10 / 3. Do yourself a favor and do not cheat really work it out on paper. How would you stay in touch with your best buds if you couldn’t text? Do you know how to check the spelling of a word without T9 or ABC√? Do not get me wrong I am a techno freak too, but we have to hold on to our basic skills because the day will come when your faithful and true piece of technology will fail you and you will be left high and dry waiting on geek squad or waiting on your battery to be shipped to you from the corporate headquarters.
Now back to the reason I began this blog. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH power outlets in this darn airport. I walked up and down the area of 4 gates and saw one outlet, so that day that I spoke about just came crashing down on me. I sit here trying to rush my thoughts before my laptop starts to beep. My message to all public facilities is this: As we techno American freaks work on our addiction to technology you work on your power outlets to help up get things done. Yes we need to keep my basic skills together but when work needs to be it needs to be done and the worst feeling ever is your phone about to die.
NOTE: Circuit City’s (A sign on the times, LORD help us out of this recession) are closing nationwide so stop by and get you some more technology for the low low! Next time you have a free minute write (using paper and a pen) your buddy a letter and drop it in the mail, it will be a friendly surprise.

This is How You Do IT

Fashion is a major part of our life here at CLASS. We believe in getting fly and dressing your best at all times. As young adults there are certain things that you must have in your closet. We understand that everybody has their own style and all, but there are certainly do’s and don’ts when it comes to getting fly. Just because what you have on is wild and crazy does mot make you a trendsetter. I’m sorry; everybody can not be Kanye and Pharell.

DONT’S

First we are going to tell you what you do not want to be caught in when you are out and about. If you are reading this I’m going to believe that you have the basic understanding of how to dress. You should already know that Southpole and anything similar have not been acceptable for years (If they ever were???).

1. The OD Leather Jacket.

It is completely over for dudes walking around in leather with wild designs all over them. If your leather is not butter soft or a bomber please leave it in the back of your closet and do not bring it out for anything other than shoveling out snow (or donate it to a coats for kids, here at CLASS we care about our community). And please keep the colors basic. Do not buy the lime green leather before the standard black or brown one.

2. “Swamps” and Multi color Timberlands

These look terrible. They single handily bought down Timberland’s popularity in my eyes. Well I can’t give them all that credit. The 35 different colors Timbs started coming in didn’t help them either. Now, the only Timbs that can be bought are the standard Wheat Timbs, The all Black Timbs and maybe the beef and broccolis depending on your outfit (but I doubt it).

3. Fake Designer Gear

I know how we all loving being exclusive in the freshest gear but the knock off Louie is neither fresh nor exclusive. First off it is always easy to tell to what is fake and what is not. And secondly you’re taking away from people who actually do have the real thing. Remember there is no need to fake it until you make it, just look good in something else.

4. End of Era

The following labels are no longer fly and haven’t been fly for a while: Coogi, LRG, Black Label, Ecko, Enyce, Miskeen, or any rappers clothing line. The year is 2009 and all of these labels are stuck in 2003. We are all maturing and getting older and it is time for us to start dressing like that. Which leads me to #5…

5. Even after stating #4…it is time to throw away your clothes from Express. Express has not been fly for at least 2 years which is more than enough time to rotate some new items into the wardrobe. Notice I did use the word rotate, give those to your cousins who are just entering high school. They would love an Express shirt and a pair of jeans a little smaller than their baggies. We are in a recession and it is all about helping the next man.

Also on the dress up point let’s get away from the sweater with the zipper at the top over the dress shirt as well as the, I’m fresh in my cheap argyle sweater look. If you’re going to do this you would look much better in a cardigan over a dress shirt. It’s a simpler outfit and trust me, it looks 100 times better. Side note guys, the girls love a dude in a cardigan you have the sharp young sexy man look and she can throw on her cardigan dress for a night out on the town (this is what my sister told me anyway).

DO’S

The fit of your clothes is super important for guys now a day. Big baggy clothing is completely outdated and makes you look like you are stuck in yester years and clothes that are to tight pretty much have you looking like the opposite sex. Finding that perfect fit for your clothes is a difficult thing, but is a must. Don’t complain just make it happen!!!

These 5 categories are the basics you need when it comes to putting together your closet.

1. Casual Shirts

There are two different styles of shirt that are important to for every guy to have in his closet. You must have a nice collection of casual T shirts and casual button up shirts that allow you to be comfortable in any environment. You need the type of T shirts that you can wear to class in the day and on a date at night with a blazer or cardigan over top. A casual white dress shirt is a must have in any closet (please make sure it is freshly pressed, bleached and crisp collar). You can wear these any place at any time and look perfectly fine. They also give you a more mature sophisticated look than a polo styled shirt or any other type of collared shirt would.

2. Go Premium

The difference between premium jeans and regular jeans is amazing. Between the cut, the wash, and the quality of the actual denim you can tell major differences in what you are wearing. If you don’t have any already, I can understand not wanting to go out and pay $250 for a pair of jeans. Luckily we are all in luck. High end retailers are having sales so crazy that they are pretty much giving these jeans away for nothing and discounted stores are always important to visit TJ Maxx, Ross etc. As stated in “Watch it before you BUY it”, you can visit an item for a few weeks and wait for that price drop, it is worth it when you leave the mall with 3 pairs of jeans for $250 instead of a $1000. Just do a little research and you can find quality premium jeans at a store near you for a very good price.

3. Kicks

Good clean pair of solid black or white kicks brings an outfit together with such ease. While Air Force Ones, Chuck Taylor’s, and Shell Toes get all the hype, I would much prefer to have my feet in a pair of Stan Smiths. The classic Adidas sneaker plain almost bare look is casual enough to be worn as your kicking around with your boys and elegant enough to be worn with a suit if you are trying to be hip. This is the chance for you to bring your fresh style into the outfit using color and pop. SB’s, PF Flyers and some Creative Recreations can add unexpected appeal to a chill outfit.

4. Dress Wear

There is no excuse for any man over the age of 21 not to own at least two suits. You need a more formal dark color suit as well as a lighter color for the hot months and casual events. Purchasing a thousand dollar suit is not needed the first time around. You can purchase a suit from a variety of different stores off the rack and have it look just as well. The main thing about getting a suit to look good on you is the fit of the suit not the designer. Getting your suit tailored to fit your body is extremely important. A good tailor will take you from looking like a square off the street to the man of the hour. A few nice dress shirts, a quality pair of shoes, a solid belt or two, and a few pair of dress socks are all needed to pull this look together.

5. Accessorize

I know when most guys’ think of accessories they think about females, but adding minor accessories to an outfit works just as well for guys. Now please do not do too much, just add a few minor things that will take your outfit over the top. A few nice scarves, hats, and different watches is all you need to make your closet complete.

Kobe or Lebron?

Now that the Super Bowl is over and before everyone start focusing on the upcoming MLB season we must talk about the NBA. This is an incredible season for both teams and individuals. And speaking of individuals, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James have single handedly put in there bid for being the top two players in the league. It is very arguable who is one and who is two, but everyone can come to an consensus and say that they are one and two respectively. Dewayne Wade is a definite number three but he is no longer in the argument for one and two. Sorry DWade, but it is between Kobe and Lebron. Who would you take?

They are almost splitting images of each other--well not physically but career wise. They're teams have the exact same record at 39-9, played on the same 2008 Olympic Gold Medal team, both were high school phenoms who bypassed college to have a shot at the NBA and they are constantly and will always be compare to Michael Jordan. It seem like it is only right for them to be in a battle for being the best player in the league.

This past Monday Kobe Bryant scored the most points in Madison Square Garden history. He scored 61 points and put on a performance of a lifetime. He looked very "Jordanesq" with the right leg in the air after a fade away jump shot. He was unstoppable that is the only word that can describe his performance on Monday. That performance claimed his spot as the best player in the NBA hands down.

Two nights later the King came into town. He turned the Garden into a star studded event. Of course season ticket holder and biggest Knick fan ever Spike Lee was in the crowd and Lebron's "Big Homie" Jay-Z and Diddy, R&B singer Ciara, and Whoopi Goldberg was there just to name a few. Do you think he would try out do Kobe's performance from the two nights before? Yes, Lebron not only scored 52 points, but he also had 11 assist and 10 rebounds. The highest amount of points with a triple double since the merger in 1976.

The performances of Kobe and Lebron this week were just mind blowing. Even though they have been performing like this this all year long. It just was something special about their performances this week. The stars were perfectly aligned--well not in the Knicks eyes but in the fans of the NBA. What a perfect set up, two of the best players in the game in the most historic arena in the league in back to back games. It sounds like fiction. If ticket sales are down these two super heroes are here to save the day.

So this debate will last until the end of the season. It will stress the AP, coaches or whomever else may vote for league MVP. So who is it? Kobe? Lebron? I don't know, only time will tell. One thing I do know I am proud to be a fan of the NBA.

WATCH it before you BUY it!!!!

WATCH it before you BUY it

From one implusive shopper to another, we must calm down during these finically trying times. Now don’t get me wrong if you see a must have that is dirt cheap (according to your budget) by all means snag it immediately before the other shopoholic eyeing the item comes to grab it.

I am referring to calming down on the regular priced items, for example the new designer sandals that they are stocking the shelves with right now. In most states the temperature is still too cold to even say the word sandal let alone purchase a pair. With that said this is the perfect chance to “Watch before you buy”. Give the store a few weeks or even a month those same shoes will be at least 30 perfect off. If you are really brave wait a month and a half and get 50% off, however you do risk the chance of your size being gone.

Learn the store policy some places you can return an item with the receipt and repurchase for the new sale price. If this is the case go ahead and buy the shoes and return them when they go on sale, BUT MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE RECEIPT. Now I do not suggest this to someone who has no self control. I would hate for a big event to pop up and you grab those shoes from your closet the day after you bought them, because that would defeat the entire plan. I also would not suggest this as a regular activity at the same store, it will just become tacky and they may change the policy based on your behavior which would ruin it for all shopoholics.

Wear your un-purchased sandals with different outfits to see if they are even worth the money. How can you wear them and you haven’t bought them, easy. Week one stop by the store after work and try the shoes on with your favorite work outfit, does the shoe fit in with your work style? Next week stop by on Saturday with your regular mall gear on, do these shoes look good with your casual attire? Now stop by with one of your sexy after 6 dresses and give the shoes a last look over, are they really as cute as you thought? Last but not least take a picture with your camera phone and send to your best friend and ask them their opinion. When all these task are complete you should be ready to buy.

Now be prepared because as long as this month has seemed when you return to this store in a month and a half or two months the shoes are going to be even cheaper so do not get mad at the store or yourself you had to have them . Now wear them with pride and start this cycle over with the new heels in the front on display. Yes they are fly but they are $250 so wait a few weeks. Remember WATCH before you BUY and Happy Shopping!


Note: This process can be used on clothes, people, shoes etc J!!

Tiffany R. Balmer
SHOPoholic #1