Tina Knowles is shaking things up this holiday season by going back to her roots. Tina teamed up with Caché stores to curate a collection of women’s ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. Miss Knowles, who is no stranger to the fashion world –remember House of Dereon?— couldn’t be more excited to share her love for glamour and style with the Caché customer this season.

“As a designer, I believe in the power of fashion. It has the ability to not only change how you look, but also how you feel about yourself. As a Caché customer for over 25 years, I’ve always admired the elegance that is associated with the brand. This holiday season, I have selected some amazing styles and special pieces that offer women a variety of options that evoke confidence, beauty and a sense of glamour for those special moments,” says Tina Knowles.

Tina has come a long way from her days designing for Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child. You won’t see any leather studded jumpsuits or orange fringed two pieces in this grown-up more refined collection. It’s all about embodying class, sophistication and of course what’s on trend. The collection features a broad range of bold options including body conscious sheaths, long black gowns, and luxurious rhinestone accessories. The best part is that a portion of all proceeds will go to Bread of Life, Inc., a Houston based non-profit organization.

Of course Queen Beyoncé couldn’t be more proud. She updated her Facebook page with “My fashion inspiration and mother, designer Miss Tina Knowles, curated a Caché  collection for the holidays! Shop the collection now.”

When Beyonce’s proud, we’re proud. Work it Miss Tina! Check out the full collection on Cache.com.

When faced with questions about rape allegations, comedienne Bill Cosby went radio silent during a recent interview with NPR. The usually jovial Bill was left speechless when NPR host Scott Simon mentioned any word about the not so positive headlines surrounding the The Cosby Show star. Let’s just say things got awkward real fast.

“This question gives me no pleasure, Mr. Cosby, but there have been serious allegations raised about you in recent days,” asked the NPR host. “You’re shaking your head no. I’m in the news business. I have to ask the question. Do you have any response to those charges?”

According to the recorded interview, Cosby continued to shake his head no and remain mute on the subject.

The interview continues, “There are people who love you who might like to hear from you about this. I want to give you the chance.” Again, there was no response from Cosby.

This awkward exchange comes only one day after actress and former model Barbara Bowman wrote an op-ed piece for The Washington Post claiming she had non-consensual sexual encounters with Bill Cosby in the 1980s. Not to mention, Bill’s November 19^th appearance on the “Late Show With David Letterman” has been cancelled. This is not the first time Cosby has withdrawn from an appearance amidst the shocking rape allegations. The first cancellation was announced in late October when he bowed out of the “The Queen Latifah Show”.

Things aren’t looking too good for Bill Cosby right now. In light of the new allegations and the cancelled show appearances, we hope he starts talking real soon.

It’s the end of an era folks. BET’s hit countdown show, 106 & Park is turning off its lights after being on air for a whopping 14 years. It was announced Friday that the show will be reformatted and available as a digital-only series.

Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials said in a recently released statement, “It’ll be very exciting to connect with the millions of people that are already engaged with 106 & Park and other BET digital and social media entities and bring content that will further evolve the 106 & Park brand — and enhance the overall BET Networks brand. As we transition to the digital space, we look to continue 106 & Park’s role as both a leader of and a mirror to youth culture. We’ll have more information to share about how that is to roll out very soon.”

There’s no denying the impact 106 & Park has had on a generation of R&B and Hip-Hop lovers alike. Twenty-somethings and 30-somethings who grew up watching the live, hold no bars television countdown show will mourn the loss of a show that helped spread black music and entertainment worldwide.

Since its inception in 2000 with legendary and some would say irreplaceable hosts AJ and Free to its decline with hosts Shad Moss and Keshia Chante, 106 & Park has brought us unforgettable moments we’ll always remember. From the time Kanye and 50 cent went head to head to sell albums to the day Michelle Obama pulled up to the scene to host, the show will go down in history for bringing black culture into the homes of millions.

While you can still get your dose of the live countdown show online, we can’t imagine it’ll be the same. The last episode of 106 & Park will air live on December 19, 2014. Until then, we’ll be watching.

Another day, another sex tape—or at least it’s starting to feel that way. Deep sigh. The next celebrity in the hot seat is none other than “Basketball Wives LA” star, Draya Michele. Surprised?

The risqué reality starlet known for her skimpy outfits and countless celebrity hook-ups may be in the middle of a sextape scandal. On Friday, pictures of what looked to be Draya Michele leaked on the net. The photos feature a woman in very compromising positions if you know what I mean. While there has been no official confirmation on whether or not the woman in the photos is in fact Ms. Draya, twitter is all abuzz over the leaked images.

The possibility of a Draya Michele sextape leaking has been speculated about for years now. Back in 2011, Draya took to twitter to ask fans to pray for her because there was the possibility that her sextape with her ex-boyfriend David Miranda would leak. According to TMZ, David Miranda recently filed a lawsuit against the basketball “wife” claiming Draya is the only reason any sextape would leak. He’s suing her in small claims for loss of “private documents”. Hmmm, did she leak the tape herself?!

Draya isn’t the first celeb in recent days to have her explicit business put on blast. Raptress Iggy Azalea still fears the leak of her sextape and Usher Raymond is currently fighting to shut down the sale of his tape with ex-wife Tameka Foster.

Despite all the chatter, Draya seems to be unbothered by the photos tweeting, “I’ve come way too far in life to let anyONE or anyTHING determine my destiny.” Ok Draya, if you say so.

Lifetime’s Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B movie has come and gone and people have had a whole lot to say about the controversial biopic. Online reactions ranged from excitement to indifference for the flick to downright outrage. Let’s face it, core Aaliyah fans were just not feeling it.

As you recall, drama has been surrounding the production of the movie from start. No one in Aaliyah’s camp or family wanted the movie to be made, especially not by Lifetime. Remember when Zendaya Coleman backed out of the film as reception for the biopic hit an all time low? Enough said.

In case you missed all the wonderful shade and hilarious memes the interwebs birthed during the movie’s premiere, we’ve got you covered! Even Timbaland put his two cents in.

A photo posted by Timbo the King (@timbaland) on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:02pm PST

Lol I’m going to sleep now! #aaliyahmovie #nochillatall A photo posted by A. Miller (@myarmm259) on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:47pm PST

Wendy tried it..smh #aaliyahmovie

A photo posted by Romeo (@romeo_lebeaux) on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:46pm PST

A photo posted by Timbo the King (@timbaland) on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:36pm PST

No this ones the best yet STOP im dying #lifetimemovienetwork #gotjokes #aaliyahmovie #justforlaughs #jerseyshore #boysllmen #actors #tv #movie #badcasting

A photo posted by MISS LYDIA (@misslydiaca) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:36pm PST

#lifetime #aaliyah #aaliyahmovie #fixitjesus #nochill

A photo posted by N F (@imacancer69) on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:57pm PST

#aaliyahmovie #aaliyah #ginuwine #fail #lifetime

A photo posted by Jeweled By Jazz Accessories (@jeweledbyjazzjewelry) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:36pm PST

#Aaliyahmovie yall got no chill tonight lmao

A photo posted by @marcus_d_animal on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:36pm PST

LOLOLOL!! #aaliyahmovie #epicfail

A photo posted by Miss Fox (@miss_foxxx) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:35pm PST

By Satchel B. Jester

With a moniker like “Mr. Classic,” you’d better have some serious receipts to back it up. In the case of industrial engineer turned music entrepreneur and political fundraiser Mike Muse, the title is accurate but not self-given. It was actually bestowed upon him by one of the nation’s oldest premier Civil Rights organizations: the New York Urban League.

This past September, the NYUL hosted its 42nd annual Urban League Football Classic at the New Jersey Met Life Stadium to raise funds for its Whitney M. Young, Jr. college scholarship program. Muse, a popular national guest lecturer (TEDx, Wharton School of Business), was chosen to help market and promote the game to young professionals and to bring back some excitement to the HBCU showdown— hence the title “Mr. Classic.”

But, the mission of Muse, a Links National Trends and Service Award winner, goes well beyond the fun and hype of a sporting event.

“It’s 2014 and civil rights doesn’t have to remain within the confines of protesting and marching. It’s about hashtags, tweeting and Instagram,” says the University of Michigan graduate (and 2013 UM commencement speaker) who curated a series of events with young execs in various fields leading up to the Classic. He moderated conversations around practical ways to use their influence to move the needle for causes that are important to them.

Muse, 34, became the youngest recipient of the 100 Black Men of America Achievement Award at 32, is the youngest individual to raise $1 million for a president in a year (Obama’s reelection) and is a seasoned vet in the realm of influence.

“I am a pioneer of the intersection of politics and pop culture by hosting a radio show (“Political News With Mike Muse”on Sway in the Morning ) and owning a music label (Muse Recordings). “My goal is to influence change. Changing the life of one person can change the neighborhood, city, state, nation and ultimately our world.”

Though he’s worked on charitable initiatives for marquee names like New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and current Mayor Bill de Blasio, his newest initiative, “Civil Rights 2.0,” involves everyday people and the pop culture staples in their lives.

“Fashion, art, entertainment, music and sports are all equal pillars for change,” Muse offers. “It’s about finding your own way and promoting a message within that particular realm. It’s having fun with a purpose.” “I’m reshaping the mindset of activism,” he says.

“My race is a marathon. Knowing the finish line will come gets me up in the morning and comforts me at night.”

It’s official.  Solange Knowles is now a Mrs., having married boyfriend Alan Ferguson yesterday afternoon at Marigny Opera House in New Orleans.  Solange’s wedding was a beautiful all-white affair, captured by photographer Rog Walker.

Ferguson, 51, and Solange, 28, arrived at the venue riding vintage white bicycles, the latter pedaling in a white hot pantsuit by Stephane Rolland.

For the ceremony, Solange wore a simple white gown by Humberto Leon for Kenzo and gold cuffs. The singer and video director were married in front of between 50 and 200 friends and family according to reports.

Celebrity attendees included Beyonce, Jay Z, Blue Ivy, Tina Knowles and rumored fiance Richard Lawson, and Janelle Monae.

The wedding was without incident, although at the wedding dinner, Solange reportedly broke out in hives from an allergic reaction to a seafood dish.  Still there were plenty of stunning photos of the happy bride, her new husband and cute as a button Blue Ivy – who wore her hair in a cute ‘fro to match her Auntie’s. Check out photos (and a video) from Solange’s wedding day on the next page.

Solange Knowles in a cream pantsuit and cape by Stephane Rolland.

Beyonce, Blue Ivy and Jay Z en route to the chapel.

Bridal party photo including Janelle Monae, Beyonce, and Tina Knowles.

The photogenic, happy  newlyweds Solange Knowles and Alan Ferguson pose atop a romantic balcony.

Solange and son Juelz in a mom and son wedding dance – #NoFlexZone

The silver lining is that the allergic reaction happened at the end of the evening rather instead of earlier!

By Colby Carrington | Photo credits: Rog Walker, Vogue Magazine, INF, TMZ

The Ku Klux Klan learned an important lesson this past weekend: When hacker-activist group Anonymous makes a threat, it’s best to take heed. The KKK drew the wrath of Anonymous when a chapter of its racist terrorist organization, based 75 miles south of Ferguson, Missouri, threatened to use “lethal force” against Ferguson protesters in the wake of the grand jury handing down an indictment against police officer Darren Wilson.

The Missouri KKK group, Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, distributed flyers that read: “Attention: To the terrorists masquerading as ‘peaceful protesters’! We will use lethal force as provided under Missouri law to defend ourselves.”

On Friday, Anonymous began outing KKK members by publicly releasing their identities and personal information. Then, the hacker group released a video waging cyberwar against the KKK, using the hashtags #OpKKK and #HoodsOff. However, the KKK didn’t take their threats seriously, tweeting from @KuKluxKlanUSA that they found Anonymous’ threats amusing:

We are continuing to read Anonymous threats with much amusement. Still no action taken. #Cowards #HoodsON

— Ku Klux Klan (@KuKluxKlanUSA) November 16, 2014

That tweet went out around 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16. By 9 p.m. Anonymous revealed that it had hacked the account, and could confirm that the account had been managed by a Ku Klux Klan member based on direct messages sent to and received from the account.

16 NOV 2014 09:11:47 You should’ve expected us. #OpKKK continues to be a success. Freedom will prevail. pic.twitter.com/FUrNzBpVOa — Ku Klux Klan (@KuKluxKlanUSA) November 16, 2014

[Image: Shutterstock]

Anonymous has also reportedly hacked @YourKKKCentral’s Twitter account. The hacker-activists have also knocked the website belonging to Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan offline. And according to an unconfirmed ZDNet source, Anonymous has compromised the email accounts of Klan members and is conducting a harassment campaign via phone against Klan members.

So why is Anonymous so intent on harassing the Ku Klux Klan? Simply put, Anonymous doesn’t tolerate racism.

#OPKKK: “You do not tolerate blacks? We do not tolerate racism.” All servers that host websites related to KKK is under attack. #Anonymous

— Anonymous (@AnonymousGlobo) November 16, 2014

Tweeting from @KuKluxKlanUSA, Anonymous announced that it will release a statement regarding the hacking from that account tomorrow.

The grand jury’s decision whether to indict Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown is expected in the next few days.

Source

Police found the bodies of Miss Honduras winner Maria Alvarado and her 23-year-old sister Sofia Trinidad.  Trinidad’s boyfriend confessed to the murders and is now in custody.

On Nov. 13, Alvarado, 19, attended a birthday party for Trinidad’s boyfriend, Plutarco Ruiz, at a spa in Honduras.  That was the last time the sisters were seen alive.  The girls’ mother, Teresa Muñoz, said she tried calling her daughters’ cell phones, but to no avail.  She said she suspected something was wrong when Ruiz appeared to be nervous the next day.

Ruiz later admitted to shooting and killing both the beauty queen and her sister. One of the three accomplices told Honduras law enforcement that Ruiz shot Trinidad after an argument about her dancing with another man.  He then shot Alvarado in the back when she tried to escape.

The boyfriend led police to a bank near the spa where the birthday party was held, and the sisters’ bodies were buried there.

“She was a girl of good principles who fell into a trap, a game with guns, and ended up a victim of a violent system,” said former presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla.

Alvarado won the Miss Honduras crown in April.  She was scheduled to leave for London on Sunday in preparation for the Miss World Pageant.

“I’m completely destroyed,” said Miss Honduras World organizer Eduardo Zablah during a TV interview.  “She was like a daughter to me.”

There will be no contestant to represent Honduras in the Miss World Pageant this year.

With approximately 100 killings to 100,000 people, Honduras has the world’s highest murder rate.  Gang violence and abuse against women and girls have caused many children of the region to seek entry into US territory.

Teens from Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia walked out of class on Monday to protest a school official’s tweet that referred to young black men as a “nightmare” for white fathers. The assistant principal, Amy Strickland, is a former teacher of the year.

The tweet included an image of seven teen couples wearing prom attire.  All of the young men were black, all of the young women were white.  The image, which Strickland retweeted from the @OrNahhTweets account, was labeled “every white girl’s father’s worst nightmare or not.”

The post originated in June but was just noticed by students, who last week brought it to the attention of school officials. Strickland has not apologized or been disciplined, nor has the school board responded to the high schoolers’ complaints.  In protest, a dozen offended black teenagers walked out of class Monday.

“This was the only actual way we could get someone’s attention, was to walk outside. It shouldn’t have come to this, but [the administrator has] avoided all meetings and public speakings and emails, just avoided them all,” said student Michael Lemelle.

“Me being a young African-American, I don’t think of myself as anyone’s worst nightmare,” he explained.

Norfolk Branch NAACP President Joe Dillard released a statement condemning Strickland’s tweet and demanding accountability.  “We will not tolerate racism in this city and definitely not in the education system,” he wrote.

 –By Colby Carrington

Nothing recharges you quite like a getaway, especially a getaway with your girls! My girlfriends and I met in Washington, DC to embark on a weekend travel adventure. We all yearned for the chance to relax trading deadlines (and dishes!) for a trip of sophistication and fun. We knew the perfect place to head to was the heart of the gracious south, Savannah! And we knew that the perfect way to get there was in the comfort and convenience of an Amtrak train.

Traveling by train gave us exactly what we were looking for; a leisure adventure! We had a moving slumber party as we departed from Union Station and boarded Amtrak’s Silver Service for a smooth overnight ride to The Hostess City. We caught up on all things work and family and we also managed to catch some shuteye courtesy of the sleeping cars!

Savannah has emerged as one of the top 10 girl trip destination towns as rated by the USA Today, Travel + Leisure and more. I could immediately see why when we arrived in the historic town it felt like a step away for our harried lives and a step back into time with the pristinely preserved city draped in moss, magnolias and antebellum mansions.

We’d had the chance to unwind as we traveled and for our first stop we knew that shopping was in order and that we would probably wind up dropping a mint. Mint julep that is! Did you know that Savannah is one of the cities where you can sip and see? Yes, you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail while you walk down the tree lined streets shopping or simply taking in the sights.

We headed to Broughton Street one of the Savannah’s most popular shopping destinations (cocktails in hand and pinkies up). First up was Paris Market and Brocante which marries extravagant treasures from around the world to hip finds in the “Brocante” which means flea market where salvaged and new trinkets await. It’s a good thing that Amtrak allows you to bring on two free bags because we certainly picked up more than a few items from the stores on Broughton including at Zia’s Boutique which has jewelry from around the world, designer bags and more.

Even when you’re with your girlfriends it’s hard to not think about the kids. You know the first thing they are doing to say anyway when you come back home is “what did you bring me back?” With that in mind we took a trip to the first National Historic Landmark in Savannah, the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. There we scored some unique souvenirs for our little girls at home.

I love the movie Forrest Gump, so I had to make my way to Chippewa Square which is known for the famous park bench scenes from the critically acclaimed film. The bench that Tom Hanks who portrayed Forrest in the movie actually sat on has been placed in the Savannah History Museum. But, the location of the bench is still there and now more of a great tourist stop than the bus stop that it is supposed to be.

On our next day we enjoyed a visit to the Jepson Center for the Arts a massive modern art museum which features art collections and traveling exhibitions from around the world. We followed that with a trip to River Street, Factors Walk, Bay Street and Hutchinson Island which comprise the Savannah Riverfront, one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations. On my next trip to Savannah I do look forward to visiting Palmetto Bluff which is only 20 minutes from River Street. There I’ve been told they have a wonderful Dolphin Tour, guided kayak tours, paddleboarding, charter fishing and more.

The girls and I definitely wanted to end our trip in relation mode so we planned our last day for frolicking on the sandy beaches of Tybee Island where we also enjoyed some great food and visited the Tybee Marine Science Center and the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum.

When we settled comfortably back into our moving slumber party on Amtrak we chatted happily about our travel escape and of course we were using the free Wi-Fi on the train to plan our next one!

You can book your next trip on Amtrak here.

About Angela Burgin Logan
Angela Burgin Logan is a “Mompert” who is the founder of parent focused go-to destinations including Live and Learn.com and co-founder of Notorious POP.com. She is the President of Marketing and Media Company Nia Enterprises/Live and Learn Media. Angela is an Author and Executive Producer of the ABFF Film “Breathe”. Follow Angela on Twitter@AngelaBLogan.

Mary J. Blige has some strict rules in her marriage to Kendu Issaacs. The couple are not allowed to have friends of the opposite sex.

“All females for me, all guys for him,” the 43-year-old revealed. “There’s none of that, ‘Oh, that’s my female friend. Oh, that’s my guy friend.’ No. Not in a marriage, I’ve never seen that work.”

The couple will celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary in December. Blige admits that she was skeptical. “It definitely feels like an achievement. I never thought I’d last this long in a marriage,” she said.

Although the measure may seem extreme to some, perhaps this was a precaution made after Isaacs’ rumored infidelities. Blige did not specify whether or not this rule has been in place for their entire marriage.

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul also spoke about the pros and cons of having her husband also serve as her manager, saying, “He always has my back – he’s going to fight to the death for Mary J. Blige. The downside is that there’s no separation – it’s on all the time. When you don’t feel like answering to your manager, he’s still your husband,” she says, laughing.

Blige’s 13th studio album, London Sessions, is dropping on Dec. 2.

[Source: The Telegraph]

The Lammily doll, also referred to as the “normal Barbie,” is available for purchase, just in time for the holiday season.

Lammily has moveable elbows, hands, knees, and feet. And for an additional $5.99, you can have the sticker extension pack called Lammily marks. It comes with 38 reusable stickers that include tattoos, glasses, cellulite, scars, dirt stains, stretch marks, and acne. However, that bonus is not available until January 18.

The Lammily doll was created by Nikolay Lamm. The project started when Lamm created an image of what Barbie would look like if she had the proportions of an average 19-year-old woman. He used measurements from the CDC to create the model and posted the image side-by-side with Barbie’s. He got such an enormous response from people who wanted an actual doll that he created a crowd-funding campaign to produce the dolls.

[Images: Lammily.com]

Lamm wanted to show people that “average is beautiful.”

World Against Toys Causing Harm, or WATCH, has been compiling lists of the worst toys on the market for over four decades, and they recently unveiled this year’s list.

Some of the toys that made the list this year include a pencil that doubles as a slingshot, a light up bow that shoots arrows up to 145 feet, and a wagon.

Organizers said the toys they selected this year are representative of the issues they typically see in toys they deem unfit. However, they warn that it is not an exhaustive list and there are other potentially dangerous toys on the market.

“It’s not so much about the specific toys. It’s about the hazards,” said James Swartz, the director of WATCH, at a news conference at the Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston. He explained that many toys still have hazardous designs such as small parts that infants can choke on, strings that can strangulate, projectiles, and misleading or confusing directions.

“There’s no reason, after all these years, we should have toys like this,” Swartz said as the group displayed each of the 10 toys. “We shouldn’t be finding these things for manufacturers. They should be designing them appropriately in the first place.”

[Image: Shutterstock]

The companies who found themselves on the list, of course, disagree with the decision.

Dr. Penny Norman, who developed Science Wiz’s bottle rocket kit back in 2005 was surprised to be found on the list. “It’s a time-honored event for children,” Norman said of launching the water or baking soda-and-vinegar-powered rockets. “But it isn’t about children being set loose to play with them on their own. It’s absolutely about adults running a bottle rocket party event safely.”

Robert Pasin, the “Chief Wagon Officer” of Radio Flyer insisted that his company’s four-wheeled “Ziggle” cycle is safe. “For more than 97 years Radio Flyer has been producing high-quality products for children. We test and research all of our products,” he said. WATCH included his product on the list because they claimed it was too low to the ground.

The Toy Industry Association of America said American toy safety standards “remain the most protective in the world.” In addition, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the federal agency that regulates toys, “consistently” ranks toys among the safest of 15 consumer product categories in the home.

“As an industry that creates magical products for children, we hold ourselves to the highest possible standard of care,” the association said in a statement. “Like WATCH, members of the toy industry are intent on assuring that the toys consumers bring into their homes are safe for their families. Unlike WATCH, we maintain our priority focus on toy safety every day of the year.”

View the full list below:

• “Air Storm Firetek Bow” by Zing
• “Ziggle” four-wheeled cycle by Radio Flyer
• “Catapencil” by Toysmith
• “Alphabet Zoo Rock & Stack Pull Toy” by Skip Hop
• “SWAT Electric Machine Gun” by Junxing Toys Industrial Co.
• “Wooden Instruments” sold at Wal-Mart
• “Bottle Rocket Party” by Norman & Globus (ScienceWiz)
• “Lil’ Cutesies-Best Friends” doll by JC Toys Group
• “True Legends Orcs Battle Hammer” sold at Toys R Us
• “Colored Hedgehog” plush toy sold at Toys R Us

Source

Booking a flight with free checked bags may soon be a distant memory as Jetblue one of the last airlines holding out on charging baggage fees has conceded.

The company announced a plan to cutback on leg room and charge baggage fees. Originally Jetblue allowed one free checked bag. A move that should generate an extra $400 million a year in revenue once the plans are enacted.

Jetblue caved in to demands from shareholders looking for additional ways to boost the bottom line. The change in space between seats will allow an additional 15 seats on board. For those missing the increased space, those seats will still be available for an extra fee.

The company also announced they are shaking up their pricing structure. Fliers will be able to choose from three tiers. The first tier will not allow checked bags, the second will allow one and the third will be for additional checked bags.

Leg room cuts, baggage fees and extra fees for amenities such as food and beverages have become the industry norm. Southwest Airlines remains the sole airline to allow checked bags for free and no change fees.

[Source]

A 13-year-old orphan turned down Kim Kardashian‘s adoption offer after orphanage directors showed the kids photos of the reality TV star’s family.

Kardashian fell in love with an orphan named Pink when she and her family visited an orphanage in Thailand’s Phang Nga province, a region where more than 4,000 people perished in the 2004 tsunami. The two bonded during Kim’s brief visit, which was taped for reality show “Keeping up with the Kardashians.” During the show Kim revealed her desire to make the teenager’s life better, even calling then-fiancé Kanye West to share her excitement. Little did Pink know the invitation would come after the cameras stopped rolling.

Pink, an educated scholar whose mother sent her to the children’s home when she could no longer care for her, turned down the reality star’s offer after considering the possibility of her future. Pink admitted she “shook with excitement” when she heard the news, but felt her impoverished homeland of Thailand was a better fit. Pink, whose given name is Laddawan Tong-Keaw, plans on continuing her studies to find ways to help the country still broken from the tsunami a decade ago. She plans on being a tour guide to show people everything the country has to offer.

The teenager said, “Everyone wants to have a different or a better life, I suppose. But when I thought about it I realized it wouldn’t be good for me, because I would have to leave so much behind. I wasn’t ready for that.”

Orphanage directors told Daily Mail that since the adoption offer Kardashian hasn’t contacted the orphanage. The family also hadn’t made good on a donation of a pool to the facility. When Kim’s spokesperson Ina Treciokas was asked to comment she replied, “[Kim] is working and unavailable.”

Source

Ford unveiled the 2016 Ford Explorer with a new engine, new model and a makeover to that old Ford logo.

Ford rolled out the stops for the Ford Platinum Edition Explorer this week ahead of its sale next summer. The new SUV is for “box-checkers” who want all the options to set them apart from everyday drivers. The Platinum SUV comes with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 (similar to the 2015 Mustang), 20-inch-diameter wheels, satin chrome detailing, unique grille and LED headlights, dual power moonroof and the satin-finish Ford oval logo.

For music lovers, the 500-watt Sony audio system will bring the boom while the ‘Nirvana’ leather seats will keep riders relaxed. closer to their rollout. Other highlights include a smart charging system for USB electronics, a front facing camera that gives drivers the ability to see in front and behind, plus built in washers for those cameras.

The Platinum edition will be the first in its class to carry a price tag upwards of $50,000. Other models’ base prices will be revealed closer to rollout.

The Ford Explorer has been instrumental to bringing Ford Motor Co. back from the brink of bankruptcy.  Almost 1 in 4 Ford models driven off the lot worldwide was an SUV. By 2020, Ford expects SUVs will account for 29 percent of sales.

At the age of 29, with successful years pending of a NFL career, Jason Brown has forfeited his football dreams to pursue farming. After the St. Louis Rams cut the football star, who was the highest paid center ever with a $37.5 million, five year contract, Brown refused offers from other teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, to help feed the hungry.

Louisburg, North Carolina houses Brown’s 1,000 acre farm, where he donates the first fruits of every harvest to food pantries. This year, it was 46,000 pounds of sweet potatoes and 100,000 pounds of cucumbers. In an interview with CBS, Brown described farming as a way of serving God.

“My agent, he told me, ‘You’re making the biggest mistake of your life,'” Brown told CBS. “And I looked right back at him and I said, ‘No I am not.'”

Brown played for the Baltimore Ravens and St. Louis Rams from 2005-2011. He attended the University of North Carolina. He had no idea how to farm back in 2012, but learned from YouTube.

Proving he has game on the gridiron and off, Michael Strahan has become the MVP of television. Whether talking football on FOX’s “NFL Sunday” or co-hosting “Live! with Kelly and Michael” with Kelly Ripa every morning, Strahan’s able to engage any audience no matter the topic. And he knows how to capture the attention of the ladies. The pro football hall of fame stud, has recently been listed as one of People‘s sexiest men alive. And we can’t deny that his handsome looks, sexy gap teeth, personality, and simple sense of style create a perfect package. After all, there’s nothing women love seeing more than a well-dressed man.

This week’s Star Style icon, Michael Strahan’s inspirational outfits are ideal for any man looking to add a subtle hint of dapperness to his wardrobe.

If you have one traditional tux, why not induldge in one on the edgy side? Even if attending black tie affairs isn’t the norm for your lifestyle, a burgundy suit would add versatility to your wardrobe.

A light colored tie or shirt combination with your suit frames your face and makes you glow handsomely.

A light chambray shirt and dark-rinse denim is a modern, All-American weekend outfit any man can pull off.

Are you the traditional type who likes to add a modern twist to whatever you wear? For black tie events, going for a tux with a jacket that has a slim lapel is ideal.

Blue is the new black that looks great when worn monochromatic or with other complementing hues.

Wearing a suit jacket with jeans means you have to pay attention to specific details. A tailored suit jacket works best with a sleek pair of dark-rinse jeans. Overall, men opt to wear their suit jackets with jeans if they want a look that appears casual, yet sophisticated and ready to handle business.

A high-quality velvet blazer is your ticket to getting noticed when out on the town.

Wearing a suit sans tie will up your style game a few notches.

Like Strahan, prove you have layer game by coordinating your plaid prints, textures, and knits.

Why just throw on anything when heading out the door? Put forth effort, even in a jacket, T-shirt, and jeans.

For men who aren’t into sweatsuits, but still want a laid-back look apart from jeans, an outfit similar to the one spotted on Michael is ideal. A loose fit pair of pants and a zip front knit is  more sophisticated and versatile than a sweatsuit.

Even on a casual day, Strahan keeps his look clean, with a sleek rugby and tailored pair of pants.

Oh what a difference a laugh track makes.  And cheesy intro music.  To prove the point, Fake Out TV reimagined Twitter’s favorite Thursday night diversion, Scandal, as a sitcom.  If you can believe it, they give the pearl-clutching “Like Father, Like Daughter” episode (the First Daughter’s ‘Eiffel Tower’ debacle) a comedic twist.

The opening credits made me laugh the hardest, but watch the whole 3 minute Scandal parody and let us know what you think.

And if you were wondering, that intro song used to be the theme for The Greatest American Hero.

-By Colby Carrington