“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
-Booker T. Washington
#POTD| How Is Success Measured?
#BHM #BlackHistoryMonth Female Icon: Aaliyah
With a mere twenty two years given in a successfully inspiring life, Aaliyah Dana Haughton, made an astronomically everlasting impact to pop culture – and entertainment fans imaginations – by virtue of prodigious God-given talent, innovative musical and visual artistry, overwhelming success and global influence, popularity and admiration in a male-dominated entertainment industry, which saw Aaliyah star in high-profile Hollywood blockbusters “Romeo Must Die” co-starring Jet Li and starring in the gothic and dark “Queen Of The Damned”. However, Aaliyah’s life was abruptly abbreviated after tragically dying aged 22 in a horrific plane accident on August 25, 2001 in The Bahamas; Aaliyah’s seven year career (Aaliyah debuted in 1994) was vividly underscored with numerous industry accolades until passing away. Unmistakably, Aaliyah was the embodiment of black excellence in pop culture and despite being taken away too soon, her imprint on a black culture and mainstream pop culture remains perfectly intact. In addition, Aaliyah’s essense and spirit remains alive today, whereas her legacy and art will become further adored in future decades and generations. Aaliyah was a bona fide perfectionist and never released cookie-cutter, anticlimatic or filler material to present to her loyal fans worldwide who spent their hard earned money supporting her career year after year. Aaliyah was a true professional and was devoid of controversy notwithstanding the anulled R. Kelly marriage, whilst never utilizing vulgar, sensually seductive imagery to sell records to lecherous males. There was a fine line between cutting edge and class, and Aaliyah finely captured that imagination to perfection.
Aaliyah magically oozed divine elegance, accompanied with a coolness factor and uber-sexy classiness with an enigmatic and subtly mysterious aura, which essentially complimented the idiosyncrancies of her classic signature R&B/Hip-hop-infused anthems “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number”, “If Your Girl Only Knew”, “One In A Million”, “Rock The Boat”, “Back In One Piece”, “Try Again”, “Back And Forth”, “We Need A Resolution” and “More Than A Woman”. Aaliyah’s musical legacy will eternally be synonymous with Timbaland and Missy Elliott, whom the New York-born, Detroit-raised singer-songwriter trailblazed an indellible force with in the entertainment industry. Single-handedly, the legendary trio of Aaliyah, Missy Elliott and Timbaland ultimately redefined R&B music during the genre’s proclaimed golden era, whilst writing the R&B soundtrack of a generation.
Aaliyah’s sweetly-toned voice and modest girl-next-door humilty was angelically heaven-sent from God, with each musical note precisely sung to superbly express directly from her beautiful inner soul, rather than to pretentiously impress.
Collaborating with musical partners – and friends – Missy Elliott and Timbaland at the very mountain top of their creative zenith formed a cohesive team that warmed heart strings for females – and males – who vicariously resonated with Aaliyah’s soothingly soulful, street-smart vibe throughout the decade of the 90s, and subsequently the early millennium. Blending hip-hop and R&B to precision was human nature for Aaliyah, although not a one-trick-pony artistically by any stretch of the imagination. “The One I Gave My Heart To” displays Aaliyah’s excellent vocal technique, immense timing and glowing warmth when delivering a Diane Warren-penned ballad; Warren’s ballad’s are traditionally geared to be oversung, over-the-top and indeed overproduced irrespective of the results on Billboard.
Despite fifteen years since Aaliyah’s untimely demise, the “We Need A Resolution” icon would have been thirty seven years of age if alive today; a prime age in life where even several current musicians of her generation have taken steps in truly indentifying their own niche in recent years in becoming stars in the ever-changing music universe.
Moreover, Aaliyah had unlimited, untapped potential – and standout talent – to one day become an Academy Award-winning or Golden Globe Award-winning actress, as her ever-rising profile in Hollywood during the twilight of her short life indicated a sponge-like student of the game adeptness in aiming to become greater when reaching for her larger-than-life destiny. Aaliyah Dana Haughton’s musical legacy and memory continues to live on fifteen years after unceremoniously passing.
W| By Dean Perretta
#POTD| How Can Your Day Be Wasted?
“The Most Wasted Of All Days Is One Without Laughter.”
-Nicolas Chamfort
| Estée Lauder launches Pure Color Envy Sculpting Gloss and Lacquer
Estée Lauder has announced the launch of its Pure Color Envy Sculpting Gloss and Lacquer collection. This new range is designed to provide comfort, lasting moisture, and multidimensional lip glazing shine for a look of magnified volume. Featuring a range of 20 shades in a shimmer or crème finish the Pure Color Envy Sculpting Gloss (£20) works with the lips natural silhouette to optically sculpt and magnify their shape and curve for smooth, multidimensional colour and enviable shine.
#BeInspired| Moving On
Forgetting things of the past and starting afresh can be one of the most painful and excruciating things to do. For such a long time we have been taught that we mustn’t forget what happened and to remember them always, but surely there comes a time where we have to just turn around and move on, move forward with life.
Keeping things stored away or in memory can create hate and bitterness, it can also create unhappiness. Many things will take place within our lives and it will be a mix of good and bad. However, what we must strive to do is to take as much as we can from the situations and use them to shape our future; learn from them, extract the positives and throw away the negative. Keeping things locked up can cause us to put up a wall where we begin to have trust issues with everyone around us. It can also cause us pain in the short term and in the long term it can have a long lasting damage on what happens next.
#InspireLSCareers| What Not To Do When Completing An Application Form
Working within the employment sector has equipped me with the necessary skills in knowing just what employers look for when they read an applicants submitted form.
Many people believe that they know how to complete one to a competent level. However, with the employment market becoming more accessed than ever before; competition is rife and it is important that you understand just what you need to do to ensure you are head and shoulders above the competition.
#InspireLSTravel| Anse Chastanet, St Lucia, Welcomes Guests to Celebrate Anniversary Milestones with New Active Adventure Anniversary Programme
One Night Free plus Complimentary Volcano Tours, Scuba Diving, Jungle Biking and more for Long-Lasting-Lovebirds
After 25 years of marriage, a meal out or trip to the theatre no longer counts as a sufficient way to celebrate; something far more exciting is needed to match this phenomenal achievement. For the ultimate celebration Anse Chastanet Resort, St Lucia, has created the Active Adventure Anniversary programme which includes complimentary scuba diving, cycling through the jungle, a volcano tour, a complimentary night and $250 resort credit.
#FashionInspired| Mothercare Collaborates With Julien Macdonald
Global parenting retailer Mothercare, in association with Select Licensing has announced an exclusive design collaboration with British fashion designer, Julien Macdonald OBE. Smile by Julien Macdonald, is a new born clothing collection aimed at babies and very young children age 0 – 2 years, launching in 70 stores in the UK as well as Mothercare’s Middle Eastern stores.
