Learn how to get Poppy chic with some of her cutest looks…

Have you noticed how everyone has cottoned on to her hair do? Its no doubt due to how well Pops works it. love the electric pink lips. Super fierce. Bold colours looks great on dark skin tones, do not try pale and pasty.

Poppy looks tres Janelle Monae with a monochrome androgynous look that screams she power. Leather pants are always such a luxury item, which can sometimes go very, very wrong. Definitely an “approach with caution” piece for us mere mortals.

Even without the renowned ‘poppy braid do’ Poppy still rocks it! She looks subtly sexy in this full sleeve gown. She’s never afraid of a colour, which is so refreshing on the red carpet. All the cool kids are doing it, i.e.: Zoey Deschennal, Jennifer Lawrence and Taylor Swift at this year’s golden globes.

36 Boutiques, South Africa’s go to zone for quick fashion fixes calls Poppy our new IT girl. How can you not agree when she pulls off this Loin Cloth & Ashes creation so eloquently? Throw caution to the wind and mix prints. It’s hot right now and inherent in all South African fashionistas.

Images via Facebook/PoppyNtshongwana

The eighth edition of Africa’s biggest reality series Big 

At this time there is no way to know this but if you meet the entry requirements and enter between now and Valentine’s Day on 14 February 2013, you may well be among the superstars in waiting and may find yourself flirting with fame and fortune!

This year, entry is open to the same 14 countries as the year before with the only exception being Liberia which will be replaced by Ethiopia for this year.

As a result of the change, participating countries this year are: Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Entry is open to persons over the age of 21, who are citizens of one of the participating countries and who either have a valid passport or will be able to obtain one by the end of March. Producers are looking for persons who are fluent in English, entertaining and passionate about the Big Brother experience. Of particular importance to the selection team are the qualities of tolerance, determination and enthusiasm. If you are open-minded, bold and adventurous, that’s even better!

Entry forms are available immediately at www.africamagic.tv/bigbrother so visit the website and complete the online submission form. Printed entry forms will also be available at MultiChoice offices in the participating countries from 1 February 2013.

As with previous editions of Big Brother Africa, the new season will have a twist…and according to M-Net Africa Managing Director Biola Alabi, who has helmed the production for the past four years, the big surprise this year is one that audiences are expected to fall in love with. “As always, we won’t say much about the new season but I can confirm that we’ve added a new element that I think will get the hearts of viewers racing. The fact that the fans truly adore the show is all the motivation we need to keep it fresh and fun!”

Previous editions of Big Brother Africa have boasted huge cash prizes for winners and this year the winner will walk away with USD 300 000.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a Big Brother Housemate? 

ZAlebs correspondent Nadia Neophytou reports back on Obama’s Inauguration which took place in Washington D.C. on the 21st of January 2013…

“We, the people…”

There was a moment in the middle of Barack Obama’s Inaugural speech, after he’d invoked the spirit of Martin Luther King Junior and the founding fathers who came before both of them, when the image on the giant screen in front of me flashed to the sea of people that filled the National Mall in Washington DC. It was a moment that, quite literally, took my breath away, as I realised I was one of those people in that sea.

It’s not that I hadn’t known there were hundreds of thousands of people around me. On the contrary, I’d stood in queues with people, gone through security checks behind them, shared a shivering laugh or two about the dropping temperatures, and taken so many pictures of those wearing scarves and shirts with Obama’s image on them that I was very much aware of the bodies standing around me.

We’d all made our way into the “Gold” section of the ticketed public areas that had been created especially for President Barack Obama’s second Inauguration. Along the way, I’d resisted hawkers trying to sell me Obama flags, Obama buttons, Obama blankets, Obama mugs, and plastic bags with pictures of Obama and the First Lady from the first Inauguration on them. I shuffled past people wearing shirts from 2009, talking about how this year was different from four years ago.

But the image of seeing what all these people together looked like – stretching out from the front of the Capitol Building all the way down to the Washington Monument and possibly beyond – painted the scene in a way I’d not been able to, being in the section I was. The “Gold” area was close enough that I had a clear image of the Capitol Building in front of me, but so far away that I needed to see a giant screen to be able to watch what was actually going on.

Together with the people around me, I listened to Beyonce belt out a glorious version of the Star-Spangled Banner, shuffled closer to see what Michelle and the Obama girls were wearing, and watched as Obama raised his hand in Oath. And then I watched as people listened to Obama’s speech, nodding and uh-huh’ing, agreeing and cheering….All moments that made me feel quite lucky to have witnessed this historic occasion. Although I’m not American, it is an event in time that has resonance across the world – America’s first black president, taking office for the second time. And hundreds of thousands of people were there to witness it happen.

It was an image Obama himself stopped to see again, just as he was walking off the Capitol Building stage. As he made his way out, he turned around and could be heard saying: “I want to look one more time. I’m not going to see this again.” His eyes gazing over that vast sea of people. It must have taken his breathe away too…

Beyonce feels sexier since having a baby.

The ‘Diva’ singer – who gave birth to her baby daughter Blue Ivy Carter with her rapper husband of four years Jay-Z in January 2012 – has revealed that becoming a mother has improved her sex life.

The 31-year-old singer told the February issue of GQ magazine: ”Giving birth made me realise the power of being a woman. I have so much more substance in my life. And expressing that excitement and that sensuality and the connection I have with my husband – I’m a lot more comfortable with that now. I actually feel like my child introduced me to myself.”

The singer admitted she was angry when people thought she faked her pregnancy, saying: ”It’s not personal to me, and it comes along with the job, but the lack of respect – people will just go too far sometimes.”

The ‘Crazy In Love’ hitmaker also opened up about her chemistry with Jay-Z and said it helps that they are both very independent.

She said: ”I was independent before I met my husband, and we have such a natural chemistry and a genuine relationship, and it’s based on the things that relationships are supposed to be based on. I’ve seen, growing up, when a woman or a man in a relationship — it doesn’t matter which one — doesn’t feel confident, they feel a bit trapped. Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.”

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Nicole Scherzinger wants to reunite with the Pussycat Dolls.

‘The X Factor’ judge – who previously claimed she sang 95% of the girl group’s songs alone – claims the idea of getting back together with her old bandmates ”sounds really cool” and she would be open to it in the future.

The 34-year-old ‘Don’t Hold Your Breath’ singer told Kiss FM in a new interview due to air on Thursday (24.01.13): ”I love the girls, I miss them, I wish them the best. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be possible sometime in the future.

”But right now I’m really excited for all the hard work I put into my music to get that out.”

Nicole was previously accused by her former bandmate Kaya Jones of refusing to share the spotlight with the rest of the Pussycat Dolls.

Kaya did not deny Nicole’s claims that they didn’t perform any of the vocals but insisted the other members of the band were heavily involved.

She said: ”There was a lot more going on behind the scenes. Nicole was always someone who wanted to be in the spotlight and would do pretty much anything to get it.

”To call the other girls in the Pussycat Dolls ‘window dressings’ is a bit far-fetched … every girl in the group was talented.”

Kaya’s response came just days Nicole said that her fellow ”Dolls” Melody Thornton, 28, Ashley Roberts, 31, Kimberly Wyatt, 30, Jessica Sutta, 30, and Carmit Bachar, 38, were given undue credit.

Nicole said: ”I hope I don’t get in trouble for the stuff that I say but I’ll never forget I finished the album, ‘PCD’, and [executive producer] Ron [Fair] and I brought the girls into the studio and we played it for them. It was the first time they’d ever heard the music.

”Do you understand what I’m saying? We played the album for the Pussycat Dolls. It was the first time they’d ever heard the songs.”

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Kim Kardashian is ”desperate” to stay in shape during her pregnancy.

The reality TV star – who is famed for her curvy figure – is currently expecting her first child with rapper Kanye West but is refusing to give up her strict diet and exercise regime with personal trainer Tracy Anderson.

A source said: ”Tracy has Kim doing 20 minutes of cardio, followed by toning, then another 15 minutes of cardio and 20 minutes of dancing. Kim’s also cut gluten and sugar from her diet.”

Another friend added to Closer magazine: ”She jokes her sex life is cardio enough some days.”

Meanwhile, Kanye is said to be concerned over Kim’s plans for their offspring to appear on her family’s reality TV show, ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashains’ as he wants to keep their baby as private as possible.

A source added: ”He’s asked her to call meetings with E! TV over the baby being on the show. She’s asked him to compromise, but he doesn’t seem to be backing down.”

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Katie Holmes is improving her complexion with snail slime.

The 34-year-old actress – who split from husband Tom Cruise last July – was reportedly recommended to use creams containing mucin, snail extract which is found in some South American and South Korean products, and is already impressed by the results.

A source said: ”Last year was hard for Katie. She knows she’s got a lot of catching up to do in terms of her career and is trying anything she can to stay looking her best.

”A friend recommended she used snail gel and she’s really happy with how smooth her skin looks.”

Katie – whose Broadway play ‘Dead Accounts’ was axed seven weeks early due to poor ticket sales – is making an effort to look her best in a bid to boost both her career and personal life.

The source added to LOOK magazine: ”Katie’s going all out to look amazing for auditions to land a dream film role.

”She knows it’s time to relaunch herself completely.”

Since splitting from Tom, Katie has relocated to New York City, where she lives with the couple’s six-year-old daughter, Suri.

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Shakira is in ”excellent health” following the birth of her son.

The 35-year-old ‘Loca’ singer – who welcomed her first child Milan Pique Mebarak into the world in Barcelona on Tuesday night (22.01.13) – confirmed she and her FC Barcelona star boyfriend Gerard Pique, 25, are ”happy” following their baby boy’s arrival and also explained the meaning behind his name.

A message on her official website said: ”We are happy to announce the birth of Milan Pique Mebarak, son of Shakira Mebarak and Gerard Pique, born January 22nd at 9:36pm, in Barcelona, Spain.

”The name Milan (pronounced MEE-lahn), means dear, loving and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification.

”Just like his father, baby Milan became a member of FC Barcelona at birth.

”The hospital confirmed that the couple’s first child weighed approximately 6lbs. 6 ounces, and that both mother and child are in excellent health.”

Shortly before giving birth Shakira asked her fans to pray for her after she was admitted into the Teknon clinic, where she was scheduled to be induced.

The ‘She Wolf’ singer appealed to her fans via Twitter, writing: ”I’d like to ask you all to accompany me in your prayers on this very important day of my life. Shak”

She also posted the same content in Spanish and was immediately inundated with messages of support from her fans across the world, wishing her good luck.

A source previously told Spanish newspaper La Razon that the couple scheduled the birth so that FC Barcelona footballer Gerard could be present for their baby’s arrival.

The blonde beauty was said to be feeling ”increasing discomfort” ahead of the arrival of her son and was complaining of ”abdominal pressure.”

Shakira has been dating soccer player Gerard for around two years and previously said he is the ”best thing” to ever happen to her, until she got pregnant.

She said: ”This man is the best thing that could have happened in my life. And now the baby!”

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“I believe love to be a word which is used to group together an array of human experiences such as infatuation, chemical attraction, emotional connection, lust, companionship etc. Love is dynamic and will always change its form in a relationship. Sometimes we are naive and believe that we’ll always feel about someone, the way we did when we first met them. Also it’s important to realise that love cannot live, breathe and grow in a negative environment. I’ve learnt that. Love can die if not treated correctly”, said Jolene.

“Valentine’s day is possibly my least favourite day of the year. I enjoy anything authentic and I feel that some people feel under pressure to parade their ‘love’ for their partners on this particular day and that flies in the face of authenticity. I would value a cup of tea after a long day at work much more than a two carat ring and a bouquet of flowers. Everyday should be filled with random manifestations of I love you”, said Jolene.

“Going back into dating since my divorce it’s been impossible to be honest. It will take a lot of time to regain my confidence in my judgement. I allowed myself to get into a situation where my joy and self-esteem were badly affected but I made that choice. I’m still re-building me and I won’t even consider getting involved until that re-construction is complete.

“Right now I’m dating me. I buy myself my favourite flowers and perfume. I take myself out to a movie. I go on long drives and travel to places which intrigue me. Doing things alone is teaching me to love myself again and maybe I’ll celebrate Valentine’s Day this year as a milestone in learning to love me”, said Jolene

If I could give love advice to 21 year old Jolene, knowing what I know now I’d say ‘Listen to me very clearly you stubborn little girl, take your time! Don’t get married before 35, even though your grandmothers will say stuff like ‘it’s getting late in the day’. Realise that you are dating men post feminism and this will make them act out of character compared to men like your dad”, said Jolene.

By Nomvula Ngema

Just a scary prank to get your day started.  Please don’t try this at home folks…Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMWq1KtIz9g