Seal & Heidi's NYC Stroll

Seal and his wife Heidi Klum were seen in New York City as reported by JEZEBEL. Seal has a new oldies tribute album named "Soul" coming out which you can read up on here and here.

(You gotta love those sky-high Christian Louboutin boots!) UPDATE: Apparently Seal dressed up as Barack Obama for Halloween. Did you notice the matching Obama pins they have on? Pink is The New Blog has additional photos of the twosome.

photo: Splash via Jezebel.

Random Thoughts:

Mary J Blige and Coco (Ice-T's wife) are wearing my latest shoe crush - Christian Louboutin Bloody Mary ankle boots.

-sigh!-

I'm seriously loving this new Eric Benet song called "The Hunger." BET J's Soul Sessions has this song in constant rotation much to my own satisfaction! Check it out...

"Hunger" is the second single off Eric's current album, "Love & Life." Loves it!

I spotted this recent photo of D. Woods over at Fresh & Fab. The former Danity Kane singer has on red and black African-inspired leggings from American Apparrel's Afrika collection. Bloggers have since criticized the new American Apparel's collection for its controversial ad campaign.

Grab the high-waisted leggings for $34.95.

What's Halloween without MJ's hit "Thriller"?! Can you believe those jeans Ola Ray has on in the video came back into fashion as the fall trend - cropped jeans??! Style reinvents itself indeed...

photos: WIREIMAGE/BEYONCEWORLD/GOOGLE IMAGES

Anyhow do enjoy the video flashback...

Read up on the Thriller Era over at this fan-site!

Afro/Naija News:

• Africans say 'no deal' to $14 million movie studio. [Yahoo]
  
• MJ says no to Jackson 5/Janet reunion. [Billboard]
  
• Get to know ShoutAfriKa. [MYSPACE]

Seal & Heidi's NYC Stroll

Seal and his wife Heidi Klum were seen in New York City as reported by JEZEBEL. Seal has a new oldies tribute album named "Soul" coming out which you can read up on here and here.

(You gotta love those sky-high Christian Louboutin boots!) UPDATE: Apparently Seal dressed up as Barack Obama for Halloween. Did you notice the matching Obama pins they have on? Pink is The New Blog has additional photos of the twosome.

photo: Splash via Jezebel.

Random Thoughts:

Mary J Blige and Coco (Ice-T's wife) are wearing my latest shoe crush - Christian Louboutin Bloody Mary ankle boots.

-sigh!-

I'm seriously loving this new Eric Benet song called "The Hunger." BET J's Soul Sessions has this song in constant rotation much to my own satisfaction! Check it out...

"Hunger" is the second single off Eric's current album, "Love & Life." Loves it!

I spotted this recent photo of D. Woods over at Fresh & Fab. The former Danity Kane singer has on red and black African-inspired leggings from American Apparrel's Afrika collection. Bloggers have since criticized the new American Apparel's collection for its controversial ad campaign.

Grab the high-waisted leggings for $34.95.

What's Halloween without MJ's hit "Thriller"?! Can you believe those jeans Ola Ray has on in the video came back into fashion as the fall trend - cropped jeans??! Style reinvents itself indeed...

photos: WIREIMAGE/BEYONCEWORLD/GOOGLE IMAGES

Anyhow do enjoy the video flashback...

Read up on the Thriller Era over at this fan-site!

Afro/Naija News:

• Africans say 'no deal' to $14 million movie studio. [Yahoo]
  
• MJ says no to Jackson 5/Janet reunion. [Billboard]
  
• Get to know ShoutAfriKa. [MYSPACE]

Carmen Ejogo at "007" London Premiere + Updates on Akon & Boris

Carmen Ejogo and her husband Jeffrey Wright attended the London premiere of the latest Bond film, "Quantum of Solace" at the Odeon Leiceter Square on Thursday night. Jeffrey also appeared in the 2006 Bond film, "Casino Royale." Check out that Obama pin Jeffrey has on. Celebrity fashion designer Ozwald Boateng was also at the premiere...

"Quantam of Solace" trailer

I'm definitely looking forward to the new Bond film. Do expect to see these two on the red carpet this Fall thanks to Jeffery's role in "Cadillac Records."

photos: AP/GETTY

I just heard Akon's new song with Lil' Wayne and Young Jeezy called "I'm So Paid" on the radio and now there's a video premiere floating on the blogosphere. Akon's upcoming album, "Freedom" will be in stores on December 2nd. Check it out...

Boris Kodjoe and his wife Nicole Ari Parker were seen at the HollyRod event last night in Atlanta. (Thanks Natasha!) The HollyRod Foundation-sponspered event was hosted by actress Holly Robinson Peete in support of the style trends from designer Kevan Hall. The couple took photos with Essence Atkins (remember her from "Smart Guy"?!)

I see him flaunting his wedding ring--aww!
photos: Exclusive Access

Random Thoughts:
My shoe crush goes to these black pointy-toe shoes from Manolo Blahnik as worn by Ashley Olsen and Thandie Newton. Fashion blog/FG2BH friend Favored Fashion Fix is not helping my situation (copyright T.I.) ...lol!

-sigh!-

October just breezed right through, didn't it? What a month it has been!
Do you guys have any Naija/Ghana films that you think I should see? I had my eyes on "A Piece of My Flesh" and "Tomorrow Must Wait."

Afro/Naija News:

• Nadia Burai and long-time boyfriend Michael Essien set to wed in December. [Linda Ikeji]
  
  
• Traditional Nigerian wedding of Seun and Raji. [Gistmaster]
  
  
• Nas explains why Hip-Hop doesn't come to Africa. [Ariztos]
  
  
• Alek Wek and Sade serves up a smile and a wink for "ID" magazne. [In A Word...Fab]

Carmen Ejogo at "007" London Premiere + Updates on Akon & Boris

Carmen Ejogo and her husband Jeffrey Wright attended the London premiere of the latest Bond film, "Quantum of Solace" at the Odeon Leiceter Square on Thursday night. Jeffrey also appeared in the 2006 Bond film, "Casino Royale." Check out that Obama pin Jeffrey has on. Celebrity fashion designer Ozwald Boateng was also at the premiere...

"Quantam of Solace" trailer

I'm definitely looking forward to the new Bond film. Do expect to see these two on the red carpet this Fall thanks to Jeffery's role in "Cadillac Records."

photos: AP/GETTY

I just heard Akon's new song with Lil' Wayne and Young Jeezy called "I'm So Paid" on the radio and now there's a video premiere floating on the blogosphere. Akon's upcoming album, "Freedom" will be in stores on December 2nd. Check it out...

Boris Kodjoe and his wife Nicole Ari Parker were seen at the HollyRod event last night in Atlanta. (Thanks Natasha!) The HollyRod Foundation-sponspered event was hosted by actress Holly Robinson Peete in support of the style trends from designer Kevan Hall. The couple took photos with Essence Atkins (remember her from "Smart Guy"?!)

I see him flaunting his wedding ring--aww!
photos: Exclusive Access

Random Thoughts:
My shoe crush goes to these black pointy-toe shoes from Manolo Blahnik as worn by Ashley Olsen and Thandie Newton. Fashion blog/FG2BH friend Favored Fashion Fix is not helping my situation (copyright T.I.) ...lol!

-sigh!-

October just breezed right through, didn't it? What a month it has been!
Do you guys have any Naija/Ghana films that you think I should see? I had my eyes on "A Piece of My Flesh" and "Tomorrow Must Wait."

Afro/Naija News:

• Nadia Burai and long-time boyfriend Michael Essien set to wed in December. [Linda Ikeji]
  
  
• Traditional Nigerian wedding of Seun and Raji. [Gistmaster]
  
  
• Nas explains why Hip-Hop doesn't come to Africa. [Ariztos]
  
  
• Alek Wek and Sade serves up a smile and a wink for "ID" magazne. [In A Word...Fab]

Got IT Better - Thandie or Emma?

This pink silk ruffle Matthew Williamson dress was worn by Thandie Newton and Emma Rigby recently.

Thandie first wore it first at the "Run Fat Boy Run" Los Angeles premiere with black Christian Louboutin heels.

Emma had on the same dress at the 2008 National Television Awards with black Sergio Rossi slingbacks.

Both ladies completed their look with black heels...and they have the same hairstyle going on. This is a tough one but Thandie wins it for me!

Get the look for less...

1. Diane von Furstenberg silk faile wrap dress, $425.
2. Rebecca Taylor V Neck Ruffle dress, $147.50.
3.Adrianna Papell Ruffle Halter dress, $198.

Vote for the winning look....

Online Surveys & Market Research

Got IT Better - Thandie or Emma?

This pink silk ruffle Matthew Williamson dress was worn by Thandie Newton and Emma Rigby recently.

Thandie first wore it first at the "Run Fat Boy Run" Los Angeles premiere with black Christian Louboutin heels.

Emma had on the same dress at the 2008 National Television Awards with black Sergio Rossi slingbacks.

Both ladies completed their look with black heels...and they have the same hairstyle going on. This is a tough one but Thandie wins it for me!

Get the look for less...

1. Diane von Furstenberg silk faile wrap dress, $425.
2. Rebecca Taylor V Neck Ruffle dress, $147.50.
3.Adrianna Papell Ruffle Halter dress, $198.

Vote for the winning look....

Online Surveys & Market Research

UK incoming passenger lists go online

This week a new set of records went online containing details of more than 18 million immigrants, business travellers, tourists and returning emigrants and their descendants who arrived in the UK by boat in the period 1878 to 1960.

The records are from the National Archives and made available on-line by the Ancestry web site. It is free to search - but there is a charge for viewing the full entry and downloading images of the passenger lists. TV presenter and family history enthusiast Tony Robinson was on hand for the launch.

The passenger lists are for people arriving in the United Kingdom from ports outside of Europe and the Mediterranean and may include: name of passenger, their birth date or age, port of departure, port of arrival, date of arrival and vessel name.

The press coverage of the lauch concentrated on some of the well-known names that are included in the lists - but the collection also includes many Daglish entries. These mostly refer to those travelling abroad for work or pleasure and returning home, although some refer to families which have moved permanently overseas and are returning for family reasons.

This is an interesting new resource for family historians.

National Archives news release

The Independent article

The Herald article

Daily Mail article

UK incoming passenger lists go online

This week a new set of records went online containing details of more than 18 million immigrants, business travellers, tourists and returning emigrants and their descendants who arrived in the UK by boat in the period 1878 to 1960.

The records are from the National Archives and made available on-line by the Ancestry web site. It is free to search - but there is a charge for viewing the full entry and downloading images of the passenger lists. TV presenter and family history enthusiast Tony Robinson was on hand for the launch.

The passenger lists are for people arriving in the United Kingdom from ports outside of Europe and the Mediterranean and may include: name of passenger, their birth date or age, port of departure, port of arrival, date of arrival and vessel name.

The press coverage of the lauch concentrated on some of the well-known names that are included in the lists - but the collection also includes many Daglish entries. These mostly refer to those travelling abroad for work or pleasure and returning home, although some refer to families which have moved permanently overseas and are returning for family reasons.

This is an interesting new resource for family historians.

National Archives news release

The Independent article

The Herald article

Daily Mail article

WWT Nikon Photography Competition 2008

Anthony Daglish from Wallsend has won a top prize in the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) Nikon Photography Competition 2008.

His image of Washington’s record-breaking avocets fought off competition from WWT’s eight other UK wetland centres to be named number one in its category by the judges.

In July 2006 a pair of avocets – which traditionally nest in southern England – hatched two chicks at WWT Washington Wetland Centre, the most northerly ever recorded in the UK. They have since bred and successfully reared young in both 2007 and 2008.

Anthony, 34, only took up photography two years ago, after seeing fellow wildlife enthusiasts with cameras in tow.

He said: “I first got into photography after watching other people doing it. It sparked my curiosity and I thought, ‘I wouldn’t mind a shot at that’.

“I’ve always loved birds and have been a keen birdwatcher for years, so it was the next step to start taking pictures of them.”

Details from the Joural Live - full story here.

WWT Nikon Photography Competition 2008

Anthony Daglish from Wallsend has won a top prize in the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) Nikon Photography Competition 2008.

His image of Washington’s record-breaking avocets fought off competition from WWT’s eight other UK wetland centres to be named number one in its category by the judges.

In July 2006 a pair of avocets – which traditionally nest in southern England – hatched two chicks at WWT Washington Wetland Centre, the most northerly ever recorded in the UK. They have since bred and successfully reared young in both 2007 and 2008.

Anthony, 34, only took up photography two years ago, after seeing fellow wildlife enthusiasts with cameras in tow.

He said: “I first got into photography after watching other people doing it. It sparked my curiosity and I thought, ‘I wouldn’t mind a shot at that’.

“I’ve always loved birds and have been a keen birdwatcher for years, so it was the next step to start taking pictures of them.”

Details from the Joural Live - full story here.