Archive | September, 2011

Sistargirl
Posted by

Friday Favorites! The Best of M.I.S.S. Mani Mondays Week 27

We have our roundup of favorites from this week’s #MISSManiMonday, sent to us by our ever-so-loyal followers on twitter and facebook. To partake in these Friday festivities, please send a photo of your nails (past or present) to @missomnimedia on Mondays or simply post it on our Facebook wall. This week, we happen to have a good set of Cali submissions. Here are the favorites:

Fabulous prints on @Fabulex

@Azadikushesh never disappoints

They remind me so much of jordan almonds. Yum! @Ndollaaa

@Soon2coug just stole our hearts with this one. Chanel and lace on nails <3

love this shade of blue & designs on @Whatthefeesh

Posted in beauty & health, CULTURE Comments Off

Dre
Posted by

The Bay to L.A.: Breakfast of Champs

I’m a breakfast person. Well, really, I’m a food person. However, breakfast is not something I do everyday - usually it’s coffee and oatmeal or cereal on the go. So when I have the opportunity to sit down and have a good breakfast I want only the best.

When in the East Bay, Baldie’s in Union City off Decoto road is the place to be. I usually get waffles there but everything looks delish.  Service is warm, but not overbearing. Everyone working there has been there for years, and the owners are always there. This family-run business is a staple in the community.

St. Francis Fountain in S.F. is my choice when I find myself in the City in the mornings. They have something for everyone, from tofu scrambles to sourdough french toast (my pick). Located in the Mission on the corner of 24th & York, it used to be an ice cream parlor where you would go get your soda pop with your sweetheart. Bought by its current owners in 2002, it got spruced up and revamped and has remade itself to its former glory.

L.A. mornings don’t usually hold the soft warmth of being at home, but these next 2 spots make me forget all that mess.

L.A. Cafe is open 24 hours a day, which alone makes them awesome. The fact that their baked goods are ridiculously yummy makes them that much more awesome. Their chocolate muffin with a cup of coffee is my normal poison, but when I want to sit for a while, I will order a fresh orange-carrot juice and an Over the Border breakfast sandwich.

Last, but definitely not least, is my hands-down favorite breakfast place: Heritage Family Pantry in Lakewood/Long Beach is ah-may-zing! They have everything you can dream of… well, that I can dream of. I love their cinnamon swirl french toast - they make their cinnamon rolls there so you can imagine the goodness of it all. They make most of their breads so you are guaranteed fresh, good food. If you go, try the L.A. Marathon (if you dare): two of everything - pancakes, waffles, eggs, sausage, bacon…. Also tell them you want a muffin (chocolate chip is my fave) grilled, they will bring it out with butter and fresh whipped cream. Heaven.

Posted in Cuisine, life Comments Off

Alex Floro
Posted by

Reminisce with M.I.S.S.: Frankie Goes to Hollywood

When M.I.S.S. girls have the sudden urge to just do it, we always stop and remember to… RELAX.  Oh yes, this week we’ll be taking a journey to the city where silver screen dreams are either made or broken with Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

Coming out of the 70s punk scene in Liverpool, the group was formed with Holly Johnson on vocals, Paul Rutherford with the keyboard, Peter Gill on drums, Mark O’Toole hitting the bass and Brian Nash on guitar. On inquiry about the origin of the group’s name, Johnson has said that it came from a Frank Sinatra picture in The New Yorker. It was actually a Guy Peellart pop art poster that was the inspiration for the name.

Touring around Liverpool, the group began to garner a cult following. They even joined up with another group - The Leatherpets. Through their local popularity, FGTH was able to make their own promotional videos and record demos, despite having been turned down by majors like Arista and Phonogram. It was a lucky chance in October of 1982 that the group was able to record a session for the famous BBC Radio 1 with the John Peel Session. This session included FGTH classic Two Tribes, as well as Disneyland, Krisco Kisses, and The World is My Oyster.

The magic that Radio 1 is famous for creating did not spare FGTH. Soon after, the group was asked to record the video for Relax, their most famous single to date. Channel 4 asked the boys to make the video for their show The Tube, and the broadcast led to the previously-recorded session with John Peel to be played on the radio. The growing popularity of the group convinced Grammy Award-winning producer Trevor Horn to sign them to his newly formed ZZT Records.

Their debut single, Relax, did not have a massive entry onto the charts. Released in 1983, it steadily rose on the UK Top 40. It was a feature on the BBC’s Top of the Pops in the beginning of 1984 which rocketed it from number 35 to number 1 for six weeks straight.

It was a cold January day that began a controversy that has followed the group for their entire career. Radio 1 DJ Mike Read noticed the cover design of the single and became furious at what he said was obscene sexual content. He note  the Yvonne Gilbert-designed cover, as well as the lyrics. Live on air, he took the single off the air. This was just the tip of the iceberg.

BBC decided to ban the single from all broadcasts, radio and television included. The only show it was allowed to remain on was its Top 40 show.  Speculation on the reason for the ban was the sexual matter and the uncomfortable feeling execs felt for the band’s gay message.

Even the original video had to be redone. In the first version, a gay S&M den was the setting and leather-clad gentlemen and women were featured. The second video was directed by Brian de Palma to partner with the release of the Body Double film.

Finally, after almost a year of being banned, Relax was allowed to be performed in the Christmas special of Top of the Pops.

The groups next two singles, The Power of Love and Two Tribes, were both number ones in the UK, gaining the group the honor of being the only other group in UK history to have their first 3 singles be reach #1.

Then and Now

The group went through the typical rise to fame and eventual breakup, but what we wanted to focus on was the social impact they have left both on the music world, and more specifically, the gay community. Which each of their albums and tracks, they made a conscious effort to address an issue they felt important. In the Two Tribes, the images featured in the video are a mash up of famous clips of political figures around the world. Flip through any 80s nostalgia show or go to an 80s themed party and there is sure to be someone rocking a “Frankie Says…” shirt. The cultural impact the group has left has engrained them into pop history, probably as long as it will take to get Relax out of your head.

Check out more videos from the group:

Two Tribes

Escape From Pleasuredome

The Power of Love

Image Layout: Phaymiss

Posted in CULTURE, music Comments Off

Ron Simms Jr.
Posted by

Ask MISSter Simms: Asking Out A Shy Guy

shy people

Sometimes you have to take the lead to get what you want

Dear MISSter Simms,

At the last dance of the school year last year my long time crush asked me to dance with him.  It was super sweet.  He was shy, but he held my hand and we got really close.  Afterwards I didn’t really see him until the new school year started a couple of weeks ago.  Now I constantly find him staring at me (not in a creepy way) and I see him a lot more because we do a lot of the same activities.  It seems like he’s into me but he’s just too shy to tell me.  How do I tell him that I like him too?  Or should I just wait for him to make the first move one day?

Role Reversal

Dear RR,

When dealing with a shy guy you’ve got to switch the roles a bit and be the one to make the first move.  Clearly he is into you.  You say he stares at you in a non-creepy way, and I’m guessing you’re not walking the school halls in a clown suit.  Inside he’s burning with desire….but can’t really express it.  So what you need to do is get yourself alone with him doing some activity where you can get around to letting him know that you like him too.  Maybe you could ask him to study something with you.  That’s a classic move right there.  Maybe you guys could go get something to eat.  Maybe you could ask him to hang out and help you do some shopping or something.  Whatever it is, just make sure you’re not surrounded by friends and you two will finally be able to get your feelings out in the open.  Good luck!

Need relationship advice?  Send your questions to ronsimmsjr at gmail dot com and you might be featured on the next installment of Ask MISSter Simms.

Posted in life Comments Off

Marla
Posted by

M.I.S.S. NYFW: Custo Barcelona S/S 2012

Custo Barcelona, known for trademark prints and colors, delivered an exciting runway show at NYFW. The new Spring-Summer 2012 collection called “Tripolar” was divided into three different themes, each creating a great show. The first group, “Dual,” had unisex looks such as blazers that a man or woman could wear, and had an array of graphics with embellishments made of metal and mirrors to create extra bling on the clothing. The second group, called “Kaleidoscopio,” pretty much speaks for itself with geometric looks inspired by the kaleidoscope. The last group, “Mirame,” featured evening wear, inspired by femininity with innovative pieces created with 3-D techniques. Word is you’ll get 3-D glasses with your purchase once the line hits the shelves!

Posted in FASHION Comments Off

Facebook Twitter Flickr Flickr