More About Our Blog and Writers

OUR BLOG







Read some entertaining articles from some of Flair TV's contributing writers. These talented individuals will bring you articles covering: Entertainment, Technology, Relationships, Travel, Reviews and much more.















OUR WRITERS



Chad Hunter: is a freelance writer and author. He has been a contributor to Demand Sudios, AskMen.com and additional publications.



Yari: is a writer and student journalist using her pen and keyboard for change



Alisa Perocevic: is a broadcast journalism major at Columbia College striving to be an international reporter/broadcaster.


Margaret Lang: is a journalist from the Midwest following her passion of investigative and documentary journalism.

Ursula Fitzpatrick is a creative force of the written word, voiceovers, and theatre managment


































Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Flair was There: Kanye Gives Back to CPS Students

Kanye West returned to his native home, Chicago, and performed at the Historic Chicago Theater for the Kanye West foundation. This foundation was started by West and his mother the late Donda West who was an educator herself.

The mission of West's foundation is to promote education and combat the high dropout rate. More than 2,000 students who improved their grades during the course of the school year were treated to a live free performance from the man himself. A bevy of celebs came out for the cause. It will air on the Fuse cable channel on July 25.

Flair was there on the red carpet!!






















































Red carpet fabu for an even more fabu cause! More pics of the press conference and concert coming soon.

Celebrity Birthday!!

The Toffee Twins will be interviewing this very talented musician at the House of Blues on June 25th. Of course we will update you soon. Chico DeBarge will drop his first album, Addiction, in 6 years on July 14. FlairTV would like to wish him a Happy, Happy Birthday today.



Chico turns 43 today.

The Bronzeville Cultural Festival

The Flair girls caught up with That's So Raven and The Game's Drew Sedora. Drew Sidora is a multi-faceted artist. This singer/actress has been working on her debut album and her single "Slow It Down" is pushing her right into the spotlight.
To read about the festival click here.





















Drew and FlairTV associate producer Ashley.


Check Drew's MySpace page for all the latest updates.

FlairTV Behind the Scenes

FlairTV is embarking on major journey. Big things are happening and it is such a blessing. We will now be bringing you behind the scenes footage of all the fabu events we cover.

Sit back and enjoy the first of many!! NekiaNichelle gets you up close and personal at the Chicago Sky Basketball Battle of the Sexes Tournament. Hey Chundria and Ashley!!

Video: I told you FlairTV was Sexy in the City

So a while ago Chundria and Nekia Nichelle made their way to NYC. I promised some video for you, but was a little behind. Hey, fabu is fabu and Flair is Flair no matter what...ha ha...so check out the Toffee Twins being Sexy in The City.

The girls decided to give you some behind the scenes footage of their last day in NYC. Awe (sad face). They decided to go to Cleopatra's Needle.



The girls were enjoying some live jazz at Cleopatra's needle.



The girls were still at Cleopatra's Needle...so New York is right! Love it.



The Toffee Twins enjoy a cab ride through Central Park. Papi Chulo!!

FlairTV at the Chicago Sky Celebrity BBall game

Swoosh! Nothing but net. FlairTV caught up with the celebs at Chicago Sky Celebrity basketball game. It was the Battle of the Sexes. The ladies of WNBA's Chicago Sky took on a male team from the Entertainment League. It is the Sky's last pre-season.

Check out the vid from the game. I see Brian McKnight, Flex, Bill Bellamy and Stomp the Yards Brian J. White on the floor. Girls got 'em shook!



Taken right from the press release, the Chicago Sky match up the E League roster includes actors and Chicago natives Michael Clark Duncan (The Green Mile) and Larenz Tate (Crash). They will team up with Grammy nominated artists Brian McKnight and Nelly, James Lafferty (One Tree Hill) and 2008 E League MVP Donald Faison (Scrubs). Rounding out the roster are actors Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle), Columbus Short (Cadillac Records), Jay Harrington (Better off Ted) and comedian Bill Bellamy.

Of course the Toffee Twins were all in the mix. Check the celeb roundup!!

FlairTV caught up with R & B singer/songwriter Tank!





















The Chicago Sky are calm, cool and collected. The boys cannot handle it!





















Tank (far left), the E League coach, actor Flex Washington, comedian Bill Bellamy and R & B crooner Brian McKnight are contemplating a strategy. The Sky don't play!





















Chundria is pretty in pink at the game.





















The Flair girls caught up the very funny Bill Bellamy!




















Malcom in the the middle, where he at, in the middle!! Mr. Frankie Muniz stopped to chat with FlairTV.




















FlairTV caught up with actor Michael Clark Duncan.





















Flex Washington stopped by to chat.





















The girls caught up with Ms. Hooper herself Chicago Sky's Candice Dupree





















The Game and Sister,Sister star Tia Mowry with the Toffee Twins



And there you have it hooper fabu!!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Celebrity Birthday's

You know him from pop culture classics as Clueless, Waiting to Exhale, Something New and the wildly popular ABC comedy-drama Scrubs.

FlairTV would like to say Happy Birthday to Donald Faison. The Remember the Tiatans, and Next Day Air star turns 35 today.

FlairTV & My Black is Beautiful

Ok...ok my bad!! I'm a little behind on the blog, but I promise you the next bevy of updates will make make up for the gap. Big things are happening for FlairTV so I am going to catch you up to all of the fabu going down.

Chundria and Nekia Nichelle made their way to Proctor & Gamble My Black Is Beautiful event at the University of Illinois at Chicago Forum on May 30.
The Flair girls interviewed the hottest celebs AND WERE THEY ONLY MEDIA OUTLET TO PARLAY AN INTERVIEW WITH MISS QUEEN LATIFAH. Check the video!!



Check out the pics!!!

Check Chundria at the event looking os so summery. Maxi-fab!!

























Miss Nekia Nichelle doing her thing as well.




















FlairTV caught up with Lalah Hathaway. Her father was a musical genius and definitely passed it on to his daughter. Love her!















Chundria and Nekia Nichelle caught up with Houseparty and Baby Boy star A.J. Johnson. Check the abs! I'm on the floor right now. One and two and...















The very outspoken and funny Sheryl Underwood hung out with Flair.















Proctor & Gamble executive Kisha Mitchell Williams talked to FlairTV about the importance of the My Black Is Beautiful event.




















The Toffee Twins spoke to the incomparable Angela Bassett.















The girls caught up with Tasha Smith. Her hair is lovely!!
















Hollywood royalty, Miss Queen Latifah, spoke to Flair about her recent album and Ice Age 3. I love Ice Age...so cute!


Your patience is much appreciated. Look out for more Flar fab!!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

The Neelys

FlairTV caught up with Food Network stars Patrick and Gina Neely at their booksigning for Down Home With the Neelys at Borders on State street in downtown Chicago.



Patrick and Gina were childhood sweethearts, but parted ways in their latter years. After tearing his ACL playing football, Patrick went to work in his Uncle's restaraunt along with other members of the Neely clan. From there a spark was lit. Patrick and his brothers developed a natural fervor for barbeque and decided to start there own business. Many obstacles and successes later, they opened several more places. Patrick and Gina were kindred souls. Gina divorced and had a child from a previous marriage, but nothing would keep her from Pat. They rekindled and have had a worldwind of achievement, but are still humble enough to remind you of your next door neighbor. They have a second show, Road Tasted with the Neelys, on the Food Network that airs on Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30pm central.





Look out for video coming soon!!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Summer Salads!

Summer is upon us, although you wouldn't be able to tell from this trusted Chicago weather. Anyhoo, everybody wants to make sure their looking nice and right in their summer fits by incorporating excercise and healthy eating into their life style...or at least making attempts to. *cough* me *cough*

I love salads...all kinds, so Flair has decided to compile a little list of tasty and delicious summer salads for you to enjoy.

This first one is courtesy of Giada de Laurentiis, host of Food Network's Everyday Italian.


This one is my favorite and it's really simple.

Ingredients
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup pitted green and black olives, halved
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
3 anchovy fillets, drained and chopped
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
8 fresh basil leaves, shredded
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound vine-ripened tomatoes (about 3 tomatoes)
Directions
Cook the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over low heat until thick, syrupy, and measuring 1/4 cup, about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Combine the olives, parsley, anchovies, capers, garlic, basil, pepper, and olive oil in a small bowl and toss to combine.

To serve, slice the tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place, slightly overlapping, on a serving plate. Spoon the olive and parsley mixture over the tomatoes. Drizzle the reduced balsamic over the salad and serve.

Check more of Gida's summer recipes and other fab dishes here.

Another healthy recipe packed with deliciousness is the goat cheese salad. Goat cheese has a really mild sweet taste. You can add goat cheese to any salad to give it a kick. Here's how I like to eat mine.


Ingredients
1 cup of rasberry balsamic vinegar
Baby greens or arugala
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper
Chopped beets (in the jar or perserved)
1/4 cup of fresh chopped parsley leaves
2 ounces of fresh, crumbled goat cheese

Combine all ingredients on a serving dish or bowl. I like to add candied walnuts to mine. Yum!

Don't forget to try the roasted pepper and tomato salad. Oh my gosh! It will melt in your mouth.


Ingredients:

1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds red or red and yellow peppers, roasted
1 tablespoon slivered fresh basil
1 pound fresh ripe tomatoes, cut in wedges
1 head of leaf lettuce or romaine
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (optional)

1. To make the dressing, mix together the sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste.

2. Cut the roasted peppers into 1/2-inch wide strips. Toss with two tablespoons of the dressing. Add half the basil, and toss again.

How to Prepare:

3. Remove and discard the tough outer leaves from the lettuce. Wash and dry the tender leaves and tear into bite-size pieces. Toss with the tomatoes and remaining dressing and basil. Line a platter or a wide bowl with the lettuce and tomatoes. Top with the peppers. Sprinkle on the goat cheese, if using. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Yield: Serves four

Advance preparation: The roasted peppers will keep for about five days in the refrigerator, and for a week if you toss them with the dressing.

Preparation is courtesy of Divine Recipe. Make sure you check out more of their summer salad recipes. They have lots!!

There you have it. Nutritious and Delicious!! Enjoy :o)

Jay Z's Death of Autotune (D.O.A)

I would definitely say hip hop needs a bit of a rescue...ok, ok...total cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Who better to do that than the lyrical king himself Mr. Sean Carter, Hove, JHovah, Jay Z.


Jay Z is releasing the much anticipated Blueprint 3 on September 11. The first single is "Off That" featuring Drake, but Jigga has released the Kanye and No I.D. produced track, D.O.A (Death of Autotune), for the streets. Loves it!! Check it out!



Did you really listen?!? He said, "You rappers singing too much/ Get back to rap, you T-Pain-ing too much/ I’m a multi-millionaire/ So how am I the hardest n—a here?". Wow!!

I've been waiting for autotune to die for awhile now. Thanks jigga!!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Solange Knowles Covers ColdPlay

For the Yahoo Music: Pepsi Smash Exclusive, Solange covered rockband Coldplay's, Viva la Vida. She put her on twist on it. Check it out!



You can also watch it on Yahoo music as well as watch more Solange vids and see photos. Check the archives for more of your music faves.

For all you Coldplay fans here's the original.

Ciara's Giant Spread

Singer/dancer Ciara recently did a photoshoot for Giant magazine. These pics are vintage and fab. Love it!







Halle Berry and Jamie Foxx hotness!

As the very beautiful Halle Berry made her way to the stage to accept a 'Decade of Hotness' award from Jamie Fox at the Spike TV awards show at Sony Studios on May 30, Halle proved to still be the hottest chick in the game literally by showing Jamie Foxx a WHOLE lot of love. I know every man in American is bowing to Jamie right about now. Fun times!!

N.E.R.D at Depaul U.

So I told you guys a week or so ago that N.E.R.D would be performing at DePaul University. At about 8:45pm on May 29, N.E.R.D made their way to the stage at FEST Reverie 09. Although Mr. Pharrell Williams hurt himself, as he showed his bandages on stage, he still rocked it. The show was high energy, the crowd was super hype and fun times were had by all. Check N.E.R.D's blog here for pics of the performance.

Check the vid of them rocking the DePaul University student body. I'm out their somewhere. Enjoy!



Inside source tells me Pharrell had to make his way to Northwestern hospital the next day because of his injury. He said during the concert that he fell on a fence.
Skateboarding I bet. Hope all is well with Skateboard P!! N.E.R.D also performed at Northwestern University on June 1.

Birthday Spotlight

FlairTV would like to pay homage to Josephine Baker and Curtis Mayfield on their birthday's today; two African American pionners in entertainment.



Best known for his contributions to the R&B trio, The Impressions, and his soundtrack for the the famed Super Fly film, Curtis Mayfield created music for the soul. The Chicago native was regarded as a funk singer, songwriter and record producer. He was politically conscious and a true master of his craft. Mayfield would have been 67 today!!



Josephine Baker was an incomparable entertainer. She is most noted as a singer, but in her early career was a celebrated dancer. Known as the "Black Pearl", Baker became a French citizen in 1937. Two years before her death she recieved a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall. Baker was the first African American female to star in a major motion picture, to integrate an American concert hall, and to become a world-famous entertainer.

Both Baker and Mayfield made great contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. They used their talent to get messages of equality to the masses. Their legacy lives on!

New Flair Intro!!

Hey hey, it's been a few days, but big things have happened for FlairTV. Check out the new Flair Intro.



More Flair goodies coming soon!