Aristolife: W New Orleans

If you are ever in New Orleans, you should visit the W Hotel in New Orleans located on Poydras. The W is a high end chain of hotels located in select cities around the country and world. The rates are ridiculously expensive, but you don't have to stay there to enjoy some of the great restaurants and nightlife offered inside the hotel. As soon as you walk in, it is as if you have stepped out of New Orleans and into Manhattan, NYC.

This the lounge area within the hotel. There is a small bar and computers located in this area where guests and patrons may mix and mingle. This is also where "Whiskey Blue" is located (pictured above). Whiskey Blue is the chain's bar and it features, sofas and other seating areas, a great bar, and live (or DJ) music. On your next trip down to the Big Easy, you should save a night for the grown and sexy. It is a great alternative to Bourbon Street.

Another view of the lounge area in front of the Whiskey Blue within the W New Orleans.

Aristocrat: Sean Combs

Sean John has made a career out of clever branding and marketing. Starting off as a producer for the late rapper Notorious B.I.G., Sean Combs had an eye and ear for recognizing talent and star potential. Even for his own musical career, Combs was credited more with skillful "sampling" than his own inherent rap abilities. Combs was able to successfully take sounds and beats from music's past and package and brand it in such a way that he became a commercial success. Combs continues this trend in music, reality television, and fashion. He is a trendsetter, uber mogul, and he coined the term that defines the "it" factor -- swagger. He is an aristocratic style icon.

Th above are shots taken from the Sean John Fall 2008 Men's collection. Combs launched SeanJ John in 1998 and was the first to broadcast a televised fashion show in the U.S. with his Fall 2001 Men's collection. That line earned him awards and accolades from the fashion community as a legitimate fashion designer. He was able to merge urban wear and hip hop into the mainstream fashion conscience. His Fall 2008 collection featured new lines and shapes, with European inspirations. More refined than his 2001 show, this collection is heavy on the tailoring with shapes fitted more closely to the body. This is a departure from the traditional heavy and baggy looks.

I have to say, I had mixed opinons about this collection. There were some items that I did not like at all. I tried to post the looks I appreciated the most. He did have some suits and sportcoats that were cut high on the hip or cropped at the torso. I wasn't a fan of that so much. However, I can respect the orginality and European inspirations. They definately aren't going to appease everyone's taste, but the showmanship, presentation, and execution was on par with Combs' more seasoned competition.

Actually

It's not that the RNC spent $150,000 to give Palin and family a makeover that is frustrating. If any past photos are an indication, it was money well spent. And one does need to give off a certain powerful image when thrust upon the national scene. What IS frustrating is that Governor Palin and Cindy McCain drop thousands at high-end retailers, while trying to convince people that they are outsiders, average Joe type of people, or populists.

Again, it has been amazing to me that these women can spend this type of money and the McCains can own several homes while trying to argue that Obama's Harvard education makes him an elitist. He was a community organizer, right? Who's more "for the people," than the person who worked with the people. McCain had this edge as a veteran. But again, he chose to go negative. I don't find either candidate particularly elitist, but as always, people from seven glass houses shouldn't throw stones or call other people elitist.

Aristorant: You Must REALLY Want Obama to Lose When...

...you are willing to do this to your face. Ashely Todd, a McCain Campaign volunteer made up a story about being assaulted and battered by a black male Obama supporter. Go figure. The CBS/AP story reads:

(CBS/AP) A John McCain campaign volunteer made up a story of being robbed, pinned to the ground and having the letter "B" scratched on her face in a politically inspired attack, police said Friday. Ashley Todd, 20-year-old college student from College Station, Texas, admitted Friday that the story was false, police said. Maurita Bryant, the assistant chief of the police department's investigations division, said Todd is being charged with making a false police report. Police doubted her story from the start, Bryant said. "She just opened up and said she wanted to tell the truth," Bryant said, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "She was upset with the media for blowing this into a political firestorm." Todd, who is white, initially told police she was attacked by a 6-foot-4 black man Wednesday night.

If nothing else arises from this election cycle, at least, America (and the world) has seen the level of ignorance and racism that perpetuates within the country. I don't think it will surmount Obama's probable victory. His making it to this level is indicative of how far we have come. But man, there sure are alot of people holding on to the past, holding on to the hate, and holding to the idea that we should be scared of an African American taking the presidency. Just breathe and let it go.

I wonder if Fox News had anything to do with this? Just kidding, but that network, has been campaigning very hard to stop Barack Obama from being elected. They don't even seem to support McCain so much as they want to defame and disparage Obama.

Aristorant: William Ayers

I was watching O'Reily Factor Friday evening, and there was yet another segment on Ayers. Bill O'Reily continues to assert that Obama should "throw Ayers under the bus." I got curious and decided to research William Ayers just to see what the fuss was all about.

Initially, I just figured that Ayers was some 60's militant/hippy who was raging against the establishment and a government, that in his view, was not living up to their end of the constitutional bargain in fighting a debacle of a war in Vietnam (uh hum, Iraq anyone?). Ayer's brand of radicalism was not original and was one example in hundreds of global occurrences. In the 1960s, countries around the world underwent political transitions. From Brazil to Prague, groups around the world toppled military and political dictatorships. In the U.S., protests and acts of civil disobedience were the result in significant strides in civil rights and women's rights. Ayer's acts of anarchy and violence are not excusable, but in context, Ayer's "terrorist" past is best left in the past and in no way imply that he is on the same level as Al Qaeda. Islamic radicalism today is far more serious.

Now, many say that William Ayers is a domestic terrorist, hence McCain-Palin's assertion that Sen. Obama "palls around with terrorists (although he is just one person no plural)" and that he "launched his political career in the living room of a domestic terrorist. Now, apparently the fact that Ayer's acts with the Weathermen organization were 40 years ago doesn't matter. Ayers is a university professor and author. He went through a trial process but never served time. Some federal misconduct resulted in the dismissal of his charges. So, he went through the system, and by chance, he lived to tell (and write about it) his story as a free man. This brief synopsis would lead some to leave Ayer's story in the past. Yet, some people want to keep hammering on the point that Sen. Obama should not have been associating with such a person. Some even go so far as to place Ayers in the same category as Al Qaeda. I think the comparison is remote.

Ayers is not current terrorist. And he was not a terrorist when he met Obama. Moreover, Obama served on a board with Ayers and others who have ties to both political parties. Governor Sarah Palin's argument that Obama "would view America as so imperfect to pal around with domestic terrorists" is a grave exaggeration. I think that the McCain Campaign has harped on this point to their own detriment. There is too much information out there today for these same tactics to hold water. America views terrorism through the lens of the WTC bombings on 9/11. Next to that tragic morning, Ayer's acts, 40 years ago, do not carry the same weight. Even more so now that he is an old college professor. Lastly, Ayers has gone on to clarify what he meant when he said that he had no regrets and wished they could have done more. To this point, Ayers has said that he meant they could have done more to try to stop the U.S. war in Vietnam.

Mud-slingging is NOT aristocratic.

Jennifer Hudson's Mother and Brother Found Dead!

Academy Award © winning actress and recording artist Jennifer Hudson suffered a horrible loss Friday afternoon as her mother and brother were found shot to death in Chicago. Local authorities believe the shooting to have been the result of domestic dispute. Jennifer Hudson was reported to have been in Tampa, Fl at the time of the shooting and immediately boarded a flight to Chicago once the story broke.

Reportedly, an Amber Alert was issued for a young boy (Hudson's nephew) who was at the scene, presumably during the shooting. Chicago authorities are searching for an SUV that was seen in the area, a 1994 white Suburban, Illinois license plate number X584859.

Jennifer Hudson was busy promoting her self-titled debut album, which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Charts. Prior to the tragic news, she was scheduled to fly overseas for album promotions. Thoughts and prayers go out to Hudson and family.

AristoLife: My Nutrition Guides

A lot of people always ask me about my diet and the foods that I eat. I have done plenty of diets and what always tell people is nothing will work that you cannot keep up for your lifetime. Fitness is a lifestyle change that calls for improving the quality of your physical, mental, and spiritual health. What I have done is taken the information that's out there (what we are all told from young age about the food pyramid) and adapted to my life. Not everyone likes spinach, for example, but you can find an alternative that is delicious to you. Anyway, Men's Health's "Abs Diet" is the template I have used for a while now. The magazine always has a recipe each month made from several of the foods recommended in the Abs Diet. The letters that make up A-B-S D-I-E-T P-O-W-E-R represent a particular food group that plays a vital role in promoting good health and fitness (link to the site is http://www.absdiet.com/uof/absdiet/power12.html):

Almonds and other Nuts
(Eat them with their nutrient-rich skins intact.)
Superpowers :: Building muscle, fighting food cravings
Secret weapons :: Protein, monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, folate (in peanuts), fiber, magnesium, phosphorus
Fight against :: Obesity, heart disease, muscle loss, wrinkles, cancer, high blood pressure
Sidekicks :: Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, avocados
Impostors :: Salted or smoked nuts. High sodium spikes blood pressure.

Beans and other Legumes
(including soybeans, chickpeas, pinto beans, navy beans, kidney beans, lima beans)
Superpowers :: Building muscle, helping burn fat, regulating digestion
Secret weapons :: Fiber, protein, iron, folateFight against :: Obesity, colon cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure
Sidekicks :: Lentils, peas, bean dips, hummus, edamame
Impostors :: Refried beans, which are high in saturated fats; baked beans, which are high in sugar

Spinach and other Green Vegetables
Superpowers :: Neutralizing free radicals (molecules that accelerate the aging process)
Secret weapons :: Vitamins including A, C, and K; folate; beta-carotene; minerals including calcium and magnesium; fiber
Fight against :: Cancer, heart disease, stroke, obesity, osteoporosis
Sidekicks :: Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and brussels sprouts; green, yellow, red, and orange vegetables such as asparagus, peppers, and yellow beans
Impostors :: None, as long as you don't fry them or smother them in fatty cheese sauces

Dairy Products
(fat-free or low-lat milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese)
Superpowers :: Building strong bones, firing up weight loss
Secret weapons :: Calcium, vitamins A and B12, riboflavin, phosphorus, potassium
Fight against :: Osteoporosis, obesity, high blood pressure, cancer
Sidekicks :: None
Impostors :: Whole milk, frozen yogurt

Instant Oatmeal
(unsweetened, unflavored)
Superpowers :: Boosting energy and sex drive, reducing cholesterol, maintaining blood-sugar levels
Secret weapons :: Complex carbohydrates and fiber
Fights against :: Heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, obesity
Sidekicks :: High-fiber cereals like All-Bran and Fiber One
Impostors :: Cereals with added sugar and high-fructose corn syrup

Eggs
Superpowers :: Building muscle, burning fat
Secret weapons :: Protein, vitamins A and B12
Fight against :: Obesity
Sidekicks :: Egg Beaters
Impostors :: None

Turkey and Other Lean Meats
(lean steak, chicken, fish)
Superpowers :: Building muscle, improving the immune system
Secret weapons :: Protein, iron, zinc, creatine (beef), omega-3 fatty acids (fish), vitamins B6 (chicken and fish) and B12, phosphorus, potassium
Fight against :: Obesity, mood disorders, memory loss, heart disease
Sidekicks :: Shellfish, Canadian bacon, omega-3-rich flaxseed
Impostors :: Sausage, bacon, cured meats, ham, fatty cuts of steak (T-bone & rib eye)

Peanut Butter
(all-natural, sugar-free)
Superpowers :: Boosting testosterone, building muscle, burning fat
Secret weapons :: Protein, monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, niacin, magnesium
Fights against :: Obesity, muscle loss, wrinkles, cardiovascular disease
Sidekicks :: Cashew and almond butters
Impostors :: Mass-produced sugary and trans fatty peanut butters

Olive Oil
Superpowers :: Lowering cholesterol, boosting the immune system
Secret weapons :: Monounsaturated fat, vitamin E
Fights against :: Obesity, cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure
Sidekicks :: Canola oil, peanut oil, sesame oil
Impostors :: Other vegetable and hydrogenated vegetable oils, trans fatty acids, margarine

Whole Grain Breads and Cereals
Superpower :: Preventing your body from storing fat
Secret weapons :: Fiber, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, vitamin E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc
Fight against :: Obesity, cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease
Sidekicks :: Brown rice, whole-wheat pretzels, whole-wheat pastas
Impostors :: Processed bakery products like white bread, bagels, and doughnuts; breads labeled wheat instead of whole wheat

Extra Protein Whey Powder
Superpowers :: Building muscle, burning fat
Secret weapons :: Protein, cysteine, glutathione
Fights against :: Obesity
Sidekick :: Ricotta cheese
Impostor :: Soy protein

Rasberries and other Berries
Superpowers :: Protecting your heart; enhancing eyesight; improving memory; preventing cravings
Secret weapons :: Antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, tannins (cranberries)
Fight against :: Heart disease, cancer, obesity
Sidekicks :: Most other fruits, especially apples and grapefruit
Impostors :: Sugary jellies

The above is a great template and guide for helping you decide which foods to purchase from the grocery store. The Best Life Diet (no direct affiliation with the Abs Diet) was written by Bob Greene. Bob Greene is Oprah Winfrey's trainer, and he has written a book that helps you actually shop for food. Once you know the "power foods" it is hard to glean through the grocery store and pick the right things. Bob Greene's "Best Life" label is on the foods he has approved to be within the constraints of the diet. He also discusses some of the chemical preservatives to avoid like high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, flours, an abundance of sugar and so on. More info can be found at www.thebestlife.com.

I have used both The Abs Diet and The Best Life books as guides. They are not diets and I don't read the books anymore as I have incorporated healthy foods into my daily eating habits. It is about finding something that suits your lifestyle and that you will be able to maintain for the duration of your lifetime.

Aristocratic Living: The Best Bedroom

It is due in large part to the home I grew up in that I love earth tones. Natural colors and different shades of brown make me think of my childhood and really give me a feeling that I am "at home." The above modern designs both use earth tones very effectively to create a simple design scheme. Platform beds are a modern alternative to the more traditional beds. They come in all sorts of designs and price ranges, and they are actually pretty comfortable if you don't ming being a little closer to the floor. The above designs have tiled floors, so they have used rugs to create breaks in the monochromatic scheme of the floor. With this type of tiling, textured rugs go great to create a little visual interests to a somewhat minimalist design. And for practical purposes of providing warmth so you don't have to walk on a cold floor in the morning. This is definately aristocratic living.

Now, there are little things that we all can do to make our own temporary living seem more like home. As college students (be it undergrad or grad) we tend to rent alot, and thus do not put time into our living space because it is all temporary and it doesn't matter. That may be true for a while, but with the increase intensity of studies, I have found it essential to have a calming place to return to. When I had a lot of roomates, I really didn't care as long as things were just clean. Now that I live alone, I like to come home to something that feels a bit more "like home." One summer, when I was bored, I took some blank canvases (purchased from Wal-Mart), painted them different colors, and positioned them on my wall in the above pattern. I used natural colors, as that reflects my upbringing and placed them in the pattern that looked the best. In my room, I just use the above to cover up the bear walls (which would otherwise make me think of a hospital), but you can also do similar things to create a headboard for your bed too. Your current place may be temporary, but that doesn't mean you can't make it a temporary sanctuary suited to your own personal taste.

Words of Wisdom: Donna Brazile

CNN political contributor and Obama supporter Donna Brazile invokes the wisdom and power of the great civil rights heroes of the past. In just four minutes, she is able to stir emotions, inspire, and deliver a message of hope. There is really nothing I can say to properly preface the clip above, so just watch and enjoy. Thanks to the CPA Doc!

Will the Real Democrat Please Stand Up

The race for the Senate is on as both Senators Musgrove and Wicker have launched full on attack ads against the other. However, it seems as though the campaigns are turning on who is the most risky choice for MS. Both are running ads telling us how conservative they are, predicated upon making the other seem more liberal (in spending) or my like President Bush (in incompetence). But even as their pictures above suggest, what really is the difference between the two? Ronnie and Roger both have grey hair, they both wear glasses, they both went to Ole Miss. Apparently these two mirror one another so much, they have to tell out right lies about one another to try to convince Mississippians who is the most...well, conservative. Both claim to be pro-gun, pro-life, anti-gay, pro-education, pro-regulated government spending, and anti-Bush. Frankly, I don't know how much either represents where the country in general is headed as a nation. One thing is for certain, you know you are in a RED state when even the Democrats run as Republicans.

Aristocratic Style: Fall Look for the Weekend Getaway

The above is a great weekend look for the cool weekends. It also works well for traveling. Some older people still like to dress up for flights, but all the restrictions and security checks have led many people to opt for comfort rather than a suit. The thick cable knit cardigan is a great item, very comfortable, and you can wear it for falls and winters to come. I think it works well for a weekend trip paired with denim jeans and a graphic tee. I think a graphic tee works best when you can find one that reflects your personality without having to be a printed slogan. The above tee reflects green issues and recycling, for example. If you like a certain artist or band, you can find tees that reflect that. Canvas sneakers are comfortable shoes to pair with this look, but for cooler days, maybe you can switch them out for boots. Lastly, a great weekend bag and aviator shades are classic staple items you can pass down to your children and grandchildren.

W: Opening this Weekend

Oliver Stone directed this film based on President Bush's life leading up to decision to invade Iraq. Stone's films have not done so well in recent years, but so far, this film has an 86% fresh rating on Rottentomatoes. It has gotten mostly positive reviews. "W" hits theaters tomorrow.

Aristocratic Style: Fall Look for Work

The above is a great look for the office. A grey suit with subtle pinstripes can be worn year round and makes for a great investment. This three-piece version allows for versatility. You can wear it as shown above to work, and you can go without the vest, switch out the tie for a silk solid and you can wear it to one of the hundred southern weddings you will attend this year. You don't have to wear black shoes with a brown suit either. Grey is a neutral color that looks great with brown shoes, or cognac colored wing tip lace-up oxfords like the ones pictured above. You can pair these with bold patterned socks, too. Finally, every professional needs a good briefcase. I tend to like shades of brown and tan, as I wear alot of neutral colors. If you wear dark colors alot (charcoals and black), you may want one in black.

As for the toys, I think Toshiba Satellites are great laptops. They are very reliable and versatile laptops that function for office and in home purposes. However, some people like Macs, but those computers may lack some of the practical functionality that may be more appropriate for your type of work. As for phones, the razor is a great phone for those who just want a phone that can do some cool things (picture and video) without bordering on being a second hand-held computer. I-phones are cool, and seem to be at the cutting edge in their functionality, but they are not everyone's favorite phones. Again, it is all about what works for you. Lastly, the Blackberry is very useful if you work a job that involves receiving tons of email correspondence throughout the day.

This is Palin's America

“I’m afraid if he wins, the blacks will take over. He’s not a Christian! This is a Christian nation! What is our country gonna end up like?”

“When you got a Nigger running for president, you need a first stringer. He’s definitely a second stringer.”

“He seems like a sheep - or a wolf in sheep’s clothing to be honest with you. And I believe Palin - she’s filled with the Holy Spirit, and I believe she’s gonna bring honesty and integrity to the White House.”

“He’s related to a known terrorist, for one.”

“He is friends with a terrorist of this country!”

“He must support terrorists! You know, uh, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck. And that to me is Obama.”

“Just the whole, Muslim thing, and everything, and everybody’s still kinda - a lot of people have forgotten about 9/11, but… I dunno, it’s just kinda… a little unnerving.”

“Obama and his wife, I’m concerned that they could be anti-white. That he might hide that.”

“I don’t like the fact that he thinks us white people are trash… because we’re not!”

These quotes were taken from the video above. Al-JAzeera went to a Palin rally in Ohio and the above comments were uttered by some truly colorful characters. I won't give any further opinions, I will just let the video and the words speak for themselves

10/18/09 Update

And check out the video below of Sarah Palin being "blessed" over. I wonder how people would react if this was Obama.

They Saved the BEST for Last

This debate has been, by far, the most interesting. Notwithstanding the VP debate, that was clearly a circus, this final presidential debate was substantive and addressed the issues that were important to the American people. They discussed economic issues and policy, education, foreign policy, Supreme Court appointments, and general reform. Sen. McCain brought his A Game, and I thought this was his best debate performance of the three. He was confident, assertive, and he managed to put Obama on the defense. I am not sure who "won" the debate. I don't know if that is an adequate measure. But, McCain was impressive in his complete 360. He wasn't like grandpa up there, he was nearly imposing. It goes to prove the point I made in an earlier post: you can effectively battle it out without sinking to the level of dirty politics that has outlined McCain's campaign. I think had he shown this side prior to tonight, he probably could have picked up more support.

Aristorants: Why Play Dirty, Wicker?

Look, I graduated from the Croft Institute at Ole Miss with Senator Wicker's daughter, and I know his son who currently attends the university. I usually don't care about MS politics. I feel like MS is, was, and will be...constantly last to catch on with common sense and evolving standards of decency. That's not to say I don't like my home state. I was born and raised in this state, but man, we have our issues. We have come so far, but we still have much work to do. So, I really was just never moved to get involved with MS politics. However, the latest campaign ad is quite over-the-top.

In the ad, the Wicker Campaign implies Ronnie Musgrove just pours money and support into the coffers of every left wing group on the planet. He has a person giving a briefcase full of money to the Musgrove campaign implying that Musgrove is "pro abortion" (instead of pro choice). He also has two individuals dressed like characters from the 1970s group The Village People who are supposed to represent a human rights group that advocates on behalf of gay and lesbian issues.

The clip is quite cheap and in poor taste. It's not like Musgrove is super popular (I don't think), and I am sure there are plenty of effective ways to attack him rather than stooping to level of dirty politics currently on display in the presidential election. Is there no honor left anywhere? It seems like there is less an emphasis on dignity as there is on sensationalism and outrageous advertising. But of course, maybe I live in la la land and these politicians are just pandering to the abundance of stupidity and ignorance that thrives within this union of states.

These Two Will Own the Fall

Beyonce: I wrote a prediction for her album based on initial impressions from her lead singles. I was not overwhelmed, but her latest videos for the singles really sell the music. Like a Boy is a great soft balad reminiscent of Irreplaceable. It is a solid song and it will probably be a smash hit as her fans will eat it up. But my video of choice is for the Single Ladies single. Again, the song was a bit lukewarm. The video is pure heat. Beyonce can dance, and she executes these HBCU drill team moves like the best of them. She looks sexy, and the simple concept of the video seems to intentional to showcase the high octane dancing these girls are doing. Beyonce gives it 100% everytime, and though not always original, she manages to always execute things a step up from the old artists she "samples" from. Beyonce will have a career as long as she wants it.

Kanye West: "Love Lockdown" is a great song and the video is equally as provactive and thought provoking. I don't have a complete grasp of the concept of the video, and the fact that I have to think about what the video means speaks to the effort and work that went into its production. I think Kanye West is an incredible artist. He is such a throwback to original hip hop. His music, I think, is cutting edge, innovatice, and always remarkably well thought out. Kanye West, and Beyonce, are two artist that will be discussed for years to come. We will be dancing to their music when we are 45 years old trying to re-live our youth at family reunions!