Archive | August, 2013

Ron Simms Jr.
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M.I.S.S. Techcessories - Canon Powershot G16

powershot g16

For those times when you just want to take a high quality selfie

Canon’s updating their Powershot line of digital cameras, starting with the flagship G model (preferred by gangstas everywhere).  The new Canon Powershot G16 builds upon its predecessor by utilizing some of Canon’s most innovative technologies.  It features a 28-140mm wide-angle lens with an aperture range perfect for shooting in low-light conditions and  it’s equipped with Canon’s HS system, which combines a DIGIC 6 image processor and a 12.1 megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor, allowing for enhanced low-light image quality.  The HS system also means that the G16 can now capture 1080p Full HD video at 60 frames per second.  There are a few new shooting modes, like “Star Nightscape”, “Star Trails”, and “Star Time Lapse Movie” that all allow you to better capture images of the night sky.  And to top it all off, the G16 is the first Powershot in the G-series to come equipped with built in Wi-Fi.  That means you can easily share your photos and videos on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr without having to first download everything to your computer.

The PowerShot G16 is scheduled to drop in October for $549.99.

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Ron Simms Jr.
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Ask MISSter Simms - Will My Condition Scare Him Away?

Ask MISSter Simms

Don’t let your health keep you from finding love

Dear MISSter Simms,

A few years ago I suffered a blood clot in my lung.  It happened because I have multiple genetic blood clotting disorders that require me to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life.  You’re probably wondering what’s so bad about blood thinners.  Let me tell you it makes my life kind of hellish.  I can’t get on birth control because it promotes blood clotting.  I can’t have children because all my disorders combined would make me miscarriage.  On top of all that, I now have a super heavy period that lasts longer than usual.  When I first found out about all of this, it crushed me.  Since then I’ve been learning to live with it.

Clearly this makes having relationships difficult.  A guy I really liked asked me out recently.  He wants a family, like I do.  It’s nice to be out with someone who wants the same things I do.  We’ve been on a few dates, and at some point I know I’m going to have to tell him about my condition.  He hasn’t seen all the pills I take yet, and he hasn’t commented on my medic alert bracelet.  I’ve done my best to keep things quiet.  It’s kind of refreshing to be “normal” and not have to think about things.  But, again, I do have to tell him…because it isn’t fair to keep him in the dark, right? 

I’m not sure how to tell him, though.  Should I give him the story about how it changed my life, or just stick to the facts?  I want him to be aware of what I’ve been through, but I don’t want his sympathy.  I want him to know that I want to have a family, that it won’t happen the way that I want it, and to know what he’s getting into with me.  How do I bring this up?  How do I not scare him?  How do I tell him that I more than likely won’t be able to carry children.  How do I give him an out in case he doesn’t want to be with me?

Blue Genes

Dear BG,

First of all, big ups to you for learning to live with something that would probably break down a lot of other people.  That said, having all these disorders is something that still obviously affects you.  I think, moving forward, the best thing you can do for yourself when it comes to this relationship or anyone you may have in the future is to not think so much about your condition and the effect it has on your ability to bear children as a confession you have to make, but more so as just another thing that makes you you.

Here’s the thing.  You can’t live your life hung up on what may or may not scare people away.  Everyone has something about them that may be a deal breaker to someone.  Some men will definitely be deterred by your condition, but, surprise surprise, some people won’t.  Those are the people that you need to give a chance, because they’ll be committed, supportive, and probably able to cope with adversity, but you can’t determine who those people are unless you come out and tell people what’s going on with your health as matter of fact as possible.

You’ve already been on a few dates with him before, and I’m sure you by now you know each other’s favorite food, colors, movies, and cuddling positions.  The next date you go on I’d point to my bracelet and be like, “You never asked me about this.”  Then you can launch into your story, and how you battled back, and how you still want to have a family some day even though it may not be the way you originally wanted to.  If he really cares about you he’ll admire your inner strength and determination.  If not then hey; you can give him an immediately ending him, slowly fading out of his life, or coming to the mutual agreement that things aren’t going to work out.  It happens!  And you can get back to looking for someone who will accept you for who you are.

Need relationship advice?  Send your questions over to ronsimmsjr at gmail dot com.

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Alexis Dayers
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Don’t Call it a Comeback… 90s Wine Lipstick

Not too long ago I received an email from one of the many online shopping sites I subscribed to and it was fashion story I just could not ignore.

90′s GIRL

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It was a natural transition from the 80′s incarnation in past collections but it seriously made me feel my age when I noticed  a very strong 90′s reference hitting the Fall season very hard, especially with younger fashions.

The collage above describes how I dressed my Sophomore year in high school, 1990.

Well actually I went through different periods through each grade. Freshman was more New Wave/Punk, Sophomore was still a bit New Wave but leaning on a European Sade kind of vibe, Junior year was influenced by my growing interest in Hip Hop and Senior year was a blend of all of the above. It was also helpful that I worked at Contempo Casuals to provide the wardrobe of my ever growing needs.

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A few disclaimers, I did not include any Freshman photos because that 1989 and I wanted to stay true to the 90′s and the middle pic was well after high school but mid-90′s.

Here’s are some visual references that I looked to often during my high school years:

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But what really had me feelin’ the 90′s? Lipstick. It’s nothing new - it shouldn’t be a real surprise but what is a surprise to me is that I haven’t been craving my usual (safe) pink nude shades. If you noticed in my collage of old photos, you’ll notice that I was wearing only red or a wine. Honestly, I didn’t wear start wearing nude pink lipstick or gloss till well into my twenties. Like Gwen Stefani, I didn’t leave the house without a deep colored lip and now, it feels foreign to me.

I did dip my toe in the deep end again recently, I started buying lots of red and even bright pinks. I am now obsessed with collecting wine/berry shades. Dark lips also allow for less eye makeup. I didn’t get into detailed, contoured, 4 blended shadow looks till my late 20′s if not early 30′s. I can get away with a nude shade, a slash of black liner on my top lash line and a few coats of black mascara and let me lips take the spotlight.

I also get an extra five minutes of sleep in the morning - WIN!

Here are a few of my current favorites:

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The first two are by MAC. All out Gorgeous is a warm deep red and Lush Life is cool tone plum. These two are part of the Mineralize collection, which is my favorite - nice, moisturizing and great pigment payoff. The last two are by NARS and on the matte side - 413 Bleeker (deep brown wine) and Amsterdam (deep maroon red). This shade evokes memories when I would try to create the perfect maroon red by blending Prescriptives lip pencil in Fudge with MAC’s Russian Red in 1993 - it’s also a very Truth or Dare Madonna shade. Matte lipsticks were also my finish of choice in high school probably because the lipstick never moved off my lips and teachers frown upon pulling out your compact to see if your lipstick is bleeding or feathering every 10 minutes.

This is probably why I stopped wearing bright and deep shades - the upkeep. I’m so lazy that I avoid sandwiches and burritos the days I’m not wearing nude lip glosses. Sorry but smeared red lips after demolishing a BLT or a burger - not sexy. So lucky for me I found matte and long wearing shades that last on my lips for more than three hours.

The shade I’ve been wearing the most is NARS 413 Bleeker:

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It’s the latest shade that’s exclusive to the NARS boutiques and online. It’s a semi-matte formula that’s actually comfortable on the lips and stain the lips with lots of color.

It makes me happy and feel youthful if you can believe. The annoyed look on the right also hasn’t changed over the years - just ask my little sister and my husband.

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I’m really glad I discovered my love for deep lip shades again. I’m just mad at myself that it took a 90′s inspired fashion story to rediscover the awesome power of a sultry wine stained pout.

Looking back at my young self, I know a simple thing like lipstick stirred controversy in my family and probably among my teachers. These dark colors are very edgy, if not mature and what the hell is it doing on a fifteen year old? Is she about to do a tap dance recital? But like a lot of teenage girls, I wanted to be 18 or 21 right at that moment. The closest thing I could do to speed up that process is to wear a racy lipstick shade. And now I’m doing everything it takes to slow down the aging process - lip balm, sunscreen and anti-aging serums are my new best friends!

Ugh, I’m constantly praying the my daughter will outgrow her girly Princess phase and will turn into one of those girls that just can’t be bothered with cosmetics. Yeah, I know…karma is a bitch!

The next thing I want from my 90′s past - great black motorcycle or cowboy boots. Or even oxblood Dr. Marten boots - I think I can pull that off. Okay now I’m jumping way ahead myself. And, I promise I won’t bust out any floral baby doll dresses. God, I loved me a baby doll dress. Help me if I ever run into a clearance rack of them.

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Ron Simms Jr.
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M.I.S.S. Techcessories - The Samsung Hennessy

samsung hennessy

Flip phones are back

Flip phone; or smartphone?  Why choose when you can have the best of both worlds with the Samsung Hennessy.

The Hennessy marries the “retro” (can four to five years ago be retro?) looks of a flip phone with the modern technology of a current smart phone.  It boasts not one but two 3.3-inch 320×480 touch screens, with the outer screen bordered by the same three capacitive buttons found on many of Samsung’s other phones.  The rear of the phone has a 5 megapixel camera.  Inside there’s a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU powering Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) along with the standard assortment of things you’ve come to expect in a smartphone these days: a micro SD slot, GPS, WiFI, Bluetooth, a 1,500 mAh battery, and support for either CDMA or GSM SIM cards.

The Samsung Hennessy will be available in a chocolatey brown color this fall.

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LiaDelFresco
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She’s Got Sole: Chanel Quilted Mid-top Sneaker

Chanel Quilted Sneaker

Sophistication meets street with the release of  this simple (yet amazingly dope) Chanel quilted sneaker. Although the French fashion house is know for its high fashion garments and top of the line handbags, it does the lady sneaker lovers proper with this release. The sneaker’s mid-top upper resembles the coveted quilted double-C shoulder bags and sports a monochromatic color way. If you’re not sold because of the designer or look of the shoe, the details are sure to have you dipping into your “for emergencies only” account. The shoe’s tongue has a stitched Chanel logo while the silver eyelets are engraved with the brands name. On the inside of she shoe is a wool blend grey/black chevron print sure to be on trend for winter.

Got the currency for these kicks? Lucky you.

Image Layout: C_Rocka

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