Alicia Keys: multi-platinum Grammy winner and now jewelry designer. The singer, 29, is going to be unveiling her new jewelry collection for two days at The Barber’s Daughters Jewelry Experience event in New York City on November 23rd and 24th. The pieces feature hand-crafted items with messages of inspiration inscribed on them, and are codesigned by Gisele Theriault. Theriault and Keys plan to launch the full collection in 2010. Key’s next album, The Element of Freedom, will release next month.
They may have hosted the Soul Train Music Awards together, but there is absolutely no romance going on between Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. Both the actor, 40, and actress, 39, are denying rumors that they are dating to Usmagazine. Howard was quoted as saying, “I've known her too long. She knows what I'm thinking!” I guess we will just have to wait and see on this one.
Another lovely couple is being hit with affair rumors. Star magazine first released the story that Chris Martin, member of the band Coldplay and husband of Gwyneth Paltrow, was seen “making out” with 26 year old actress Kate Bosworth. Martin’s rep told Usmagazine that this story is “entirely untrue.” Martin and Paltrow have been married for six years.
Molly Forrester has finally done it. No longer is she just an advice columnist, she has been promoted to a feature writer! Her hard work and nose for investigating has been noticed by her publisher, giving her a well deserved advance on the career ladder. Molly couldn’t be more thrilled, but wishes she had ex-boyfriend, NYPD homicide detective Kyle Edwards to share the joy with. Her first assignment is keeping her more than busy. What seems like a simple article about the death of Russell Elliott, legendary rock producer and manger, turns out to be a much trickier case. The death is blamed on an accidental overdose, and nobody raises any red flags of suspicion, as overdoses are a common occurrence in the rock world. Except for one person- Elliott’s daughter, who has become convinced her father’s death was murder, and solicited Molly to help her find the killer. Molly has found herself stuck. Her job does not want her investigating a homicide; they want a simple, inside look at the life and career of Russell Elliott, not stirring up rumors of murder. But Molly’s sleuthing abilities and evidence of possible suspects makes it hard to resist, putting both her promotion and winning back Kyle at risk. Killer Riff, the fourth book of Sheryl J. Anderson’s Molly Forrester series, delivers a powerful but still glamorous mystery, keeping the stylish and sexy characters alive with humor and wit. Readers will enjoy getting a behind the scene look at the powerful music industry, and the fast paced chick lit novel will keep you hooked until the end.
Some of you may have heard about the ongoing debate to put a tax on the sale of soft drinks. Soda has become an increasingly harmful drink to one’s health, and it seems that many people know that. I have heard people say that they try to limit themselves to the number of sodas they drink a day, not drinking one before bed or early in the morning, and other tips that try to lessen the consumption of our fizzy friends. I am one of those people. I try not to drink a lot of pop; I have even tried to cut the beverage out completely in the past, but yet I will still order one when I am at a restaurant. So what are the effects that this carbonated liquid can have on our body? Yahoo! Health has come out with a great article talking about the dangers that consuming pop can have, that has definitely made me think twice when ordering that Coke. Research has shown that many health problems are related to the consumption of soft drinks, especially those in high volumes. Some health risks include tooth decay, type-2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and nutritional depletion. Soft drinks contain alarmingly high amounts of sugar, often more than the USDA recommends on a daily basis. Excess sugar that is stored in the body converts into fat, which can lead to obesity and heart disease. And don’t think just because you order a diet soft drink that you’re in the clear. Studies have shown that no matter if it is regular of diet, consuming soft drinks lead to a 30% greater chance of weight gain. Diet soda contains artificial sweeteners that can also lead to health problems. In one study, done with rats, saccharin led to bladder cancer. Aspartame, also known as nutrasweet, has been linked to obesity, as it can stimulate the brain and cause more cravings for sweets, which can lead to the over consumption of carbohydrates. Carbonation itself can lead to health problems. This doesn’t just stop with soft drinks, but can also include carbonated water. The bubbles contain phosphoric acid, which deplete the blood calcium levels. Without proper levels of calcium going into the body, bone density can suffer, which can lead to osteoporosis. Then the caffeine that is found in these drinks can be harmful, adding stimulation to the central nervous system, leading to stress and insomnia. This article was great because it explained what exactly soft drinks can do the body, and what the long term effects can be. Like I said before, I tried cutting soda out cold turkey, which led me to have intense migraines and stomach aches. I believe I was suffering from caffeine withdrawals, something that is common for people who consume large amounts of caffeine such as in soda or coffee, then try eliminating those drinks. I ended up drinking the soda again just to get rid of my symptoms. I decided that instead of getting rid of my soda drinking completely, I found ways to cut back. For one, I no longer bought pop for my house. This way, when I was sitting down for a meal, I didn’t have the choice to open a can of caffeine. Instead, I have water, milk, or juice. I have recently found that I really enjoy V-8, a much healthier choice over juices that contain high amounts of sugar. This has significantly cut down on not only my consumption of the sugary drinks, but is also saving me money. And at restaurants, I try to order other drinks such as lemonade or tea to avoid the soda. If you are someone who drinks high amounts of soft drinks, be aware of the harmful effects it can have your body. Be informed so you can make good decisions on what you are consuming, and try to find alternatives so you can lead a healthier lifestyle.
When I got serious about fitness and working out, I bought a handful of Pilate’s videos and designed a gym workout that focused on cardio. It was great- for about a month. The moves that had once made me sweat were no longer having that effect. I could breeze through my routines no problem. I realized that doing the same moves over and over was causing my muscles to become familiar, no longer pushing me to work hard in order to complete my workout. This is a common problem many people run into. You need to constantly be changing your routine in order to be really be challenging yourself and getting into shape. I still have my workout videos that I go to, but I discovered renting videos is a great idea to keep your workout fresh. My local library allows people to rent out DVD’s, including fitness ones, for up to two weeks. I take advantage of this, being able to get videos that focus on Pilates, yoga, even fun routines like hip hop and belly dancing. The best part- it is free! There is no charge for a library card or to rent items. Another place to look would be video stores, where you can also rent fitness DVD’s for a small fee. Renting out DVD’s allows you to get the best workout because your body is being pushed to complete new moves on a regular basis. Another personal favorite of mine is getting workouts from Shape Magazine. Both the magazine and Shape.com offers a variety of new routines each month. Some are to be completed in the gym with weights or a machine, and some can be completed at home with just your body. I love being able to get new workouts when I feel I am no longer being challenged, and Shape always provides clear directions and pictures on how to complete each move. So if you work out, make sure to be switching up your routines when you feel your body getting comfortable. Push yourself to get the best workout. Find ways that work for you, whether it is renting out DVD’s or finding magazines or websites to come up with routines for you. Best of luck!
Read Rihanna’s interview in the December issue of Glamour Magazine! Rihanna was named Glamour’s 2009 Woman of the Year, and gives an honest interview about the attack she suffered from ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, the picture of her badly bruised face leaked on the internet, and how she has been able to bounce back. Her new album, Rated R is due to be released November 23rd, and she will also be honored in a special ceremony at New York’s Carnegie Hall on November 9th by Glamour.
Kathy Griffin will be hosting a brand new dance show. Let’s Dance will premier November 23rd, immediately following the conclusion of Dancing With the Stars. This show will have celebrities performing famous dance routines from music videos, movies, and musicals. Usmagazine reports that the winner of the show will receive $250,000 to go to their favorite charity. The contest will only run for five episodes, and will have single dancers, duos, and groups all competing for scores from judges. Viewers will also have a chance to vote to keep their favorites in the game. The judges and participants are expected to be released in the next couple of weeks.
