o c t | no v 2010
Destination South Africa
S T Y L E | CU L T U RE | C ON SC I E N C E
URBAN LUX MAGAZINE
URBAN LUX MAGAZINE “ URBAN is NOT a definition of race. It’s city dwelling. It’s a lifestyle. It’s STYLE, CULTURE and CONSCIENCE . . . It’s URBAN LUX MAGAZINE “
| CONT E N T S |
| CONTENTS |
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the lux team
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editor’s note contributors
urban lux approved
- listen: WorLD - taste: 10 Degrees South
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STYLE
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CULTURE
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CONSCIENCE
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- alain michel fagnidi
- seven sisters
- diamond empowerment the fashion and furniture creations of fagnidi
focus
- destination south africa
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r e a l r a w a d v ic e
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o n t h e l u x sc e n e
INTERACTIVE twitter.com/UrbanLuxMag facebook.com/pages/URBANLUX/77907199458
(web) UrbanLuxMagazine.com (blog) LiveUrbanLux.com
photo: DAVIDE STENNETT
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on the cover: FAGNIDI Princess Yomo Blouse model: Salam Mourad hair & makeup: Anna Leo Fagnidi styling: FAGNIDI Alain Michel photo: Davide Stennett
ShopHim.com
C M Y K
Seven Sisters in the Kitchen: Twena, Yolanda, Odelia, Vivian, Dawn, June, and Carole.
100 100 50
Preeminent Importer & Distributor of African Wine www.heritagelinkbrands.com
EDITOR’S NOTE FILLED WITH HISTORY, c u l t u r e , s u f f e r i n g a n d t r i u m p h , v i s i t i n g South Africa is much more than a dream vacation. I’ve heard several people describe it as an experience like none other. So, as I prepare for my own journey, I wanted to share with you a little South African flavor that you can find close to home. From the style of FAGNIDI and the culture of Seven Sisters winery to the taste of 10 Degrees South, South Africa is making an impact on our daily lives. Pay close attention as you will see the influences of African style and culture appear in main stream media and on the runway.
| THE LUX TEAM |
| THE LUX TEAM |
LENTHEUS CHANEY - Publisher / Editor URBAN LUX MAGAZINE | LentheusC@UrbanLuxMagazine.com photo: Ish Holmes
CONTRIBUTORS ZACH DAVIS
GRACE LEE Founder of AtlantaGspots.com, Grace has an insatiable appetite and her passion for food has built quite a following in the Atlanta area. She has done several food challenges, beating men almost three times her size. Her love of food is the foundation for her website that serves as a food portal of food reviews & restaurant recommendations.
Zach Davis is a father; husband, life coach, and author, whose passion to inform and help others led him to the pages of ULM to give you real relationship advice. Along with his friend Okeeba Jubalo, they form Z & O Publishing, an urban publishing company.
OKEEBA JUBALO
CARLTON POWELL
A true Renaissance Man & Visionary; Poet,
Visionary, business professional and
Photographer, Fine Artist, Graphic Artist,
freelance writer describes Carlton Powell,
Musician, Song Writer, Entrepreneur &
an entrepreneur, who enjoys exploring
Author. Read his raw wisdom in Sugar &
challenging opportunities. Carlton also
Salt, the ULM relationship column.
serves as an Electrical Commissioning Engineer at DLB Associates, a global engineering consulting firm.
E. MAXINE LEE Oenophile, fashionista, and news junkie
Join “THE LUX LIST”! Text the word LUX to 24587
are a few things to describe E. Maxine Lee. Founder/Editor of In A Fabulous World, a lifestyle manual for young women, embrace and celebrate all things fabulous. Each week, readers obtain a wealth of knowledge in wine, fashion, culture, and much more to grow and develop together as fabulous women.
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| LISTEN |
| LISTEN |
URBAN LUX APPROVED WorLD
by: LENTHEUS CHANEY
- Birth Name: Sadiq Onifade - Also known As: WorLD - Origin: Lagos, Nigeria - Genre(s): R&B, Trip Hop, Euro Rock, Alternative, Electronica, Synth-Pop, soul and Classical Music WorLD, an international singer/songwriter currently residing in Atlanta, is creating a buzz in the music industry with his debut single, NONE LIKE YOU. NONE LIKE YOU beckons the European Club vibe of the day and is driven by electric pop beats with a smooth melodic vocal approach. WorLD’s unique sound creates an atmospheric mood for a new age of universally appealing music.
photo:Chad Finley
Blessed to have worked with music heavy weights such as multi-platinum selling producer Fitz Gerald Scott, Anthony Dent and Kenny Smoove, to name a few, WorLD is also currently working on records for various signed artist such as Kelly Rowland, Justin Beiber, Jacob Latimore and Slim of the group 112. As a young man, WorLD always knew that music was in his heart. He credits musical legends such as; Bon Jovi, Seal, ColdPlay, Boyz 2 Men, Akon and many others for inspiring and fueling his love for music. “Making music became my new found love and I’m married to her forever”, says WorLD. NONE LIKE YOU is a testament of love and honor to women. NONE LIKE YOU is set to be released on I-Tunes early October 2010. Listen to the Urban Lux Magazine Exclusive of the debut single at http://liveurbanlux.com/WorLD. worldnonelikeyou.com
photo:Chad Finley
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| TASTE |
| TASTE |
URBAN LUX APPROVED 10 DEGREES SOUTH
by: GRACE LEE
YOU DON’T NEED TO LEAVE Atlanta to get a global experience out of this world. All you have to do is make a reservation at one of the best South African restaurants in the country that’s nestled right on Roswell Rd. From the moment you step into this restaurant, you’ll have sensory overload – from the sounds of boisterous diners laughing, clinking glasses, live music, to the incredibly calming & simple décor that’s beautifully lit by accent lighting, it’s an incredible scene to take in. You can dine in the front room, which is more intimate or go to the back by the bar & patio, where the live music is playing for a more casual affair. Everything on the menu is authentic to the flavors of South Africa and beautifully executed by the chef. From the small plates, I have a hard time choosing from my favorites but everything from the Bobotie Spring Rolls (sweet ground beef curry served with chutney), to the Prawns (marinated in Portuguese peri-peri style), and the Mussels (sautéed in garlic and finished in white wine and cream) are all spectacular! My weakness is the Lollipop lamb chops (two lamb chops served over mashed potatoes). They are so tender and just melt on your tongue. If you want to try something new, I recommend the Sosaties (skewered beef filet marinated and topped with a sweet apricot curry sauce). For a main plate, I recommend the Filet “Au Poivre” – an 8 oz. angus filet mignon char-grilled to your liking, topped with a Madagascan creamy peppercorn sauce served with potatoes and vegetables. The “A Poivre” sauce is very specific to Africa and is hard to duplicate, as this is the only restaurant that can hit the mark. The Ostrich Medallions (best medium rare) and the Chicken Curry are also exceptional. Make sure you save room for dessert, because they have Amarula, a South African creme liqueur made from the exotic Marula fruit, which happens to be one of my favorites! It is a special treat that will really tantalize your taste buds. 10 Degrees South also has arguably the best wine menu I’ve seen in Atlanta. They have such an amazing list of South African wines. If you’ve never tried a Red Zinfandel, I highly recommend the Rombauer. 10 Degrees South 4183 Roswell Rd NE Atlanta, Ga 30342
10degreessouth.com
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| STYLE
| STYLE |
ALAIN MICHEL FAGNIDI
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by: LENTHEUS CHANEY
A NATIVE OF Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Alain Michel Fagnidi, brings to the United States his influence of African style and culture via his passion for furniture, fashion and accessory design. photo: DAVIDE STENNETT
Alain, also known as Allen, is not just a designer and creative director, he also considers himself a Lifestyle Influencer. He strives to create a lifestyle that is rich in beauty, superior quality and luxury with a design style that’s rooted in the dynamics of raw, rustic and earthy native African elements blended flawlessly with the finest materials from all over the world. The outcome is exquisitely designed pieces that defy the norm. Allen started his career as a painter, and says he has always been inspired by the primary human need for shelter and clothing. Self-educated at the beginning of his career, he worked as a renovation consultant and real estate portfolio manager for a Paris-based company. After graduating from the Academy of Technology and Design in Montreal, he went on to launch his own Canadian furniture and interior design company. Frequently traveling to the US for the past few years, Allen officially relocated to Atlanta this June to launch the US branding of FAGNIDI that also offers consulting services directed towards refinement in every aspect of life; your house, your style, your business, your manners, your collectibles. See the design eye and refinement of FAGNIDI on the cover of this month’s issue and the pictorial spread starting page 14. fagnidi.com
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photo: DAVIDE STENNETT
| CULE
| CULTURE |
by: MAXINE LEE
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SEVEN SISTERS “CHARITY STARTS AT HOME” is an adage for the Brutus family and their Seven Sisters Empire. Amongst various e-mails, scheduling conflicts, and time zone confusion, I finally had the privilege to speak with the Founder of one of my favorite wineries, South African Seven Sisters, Vivian Kleynhans. With less than two percent of black vintners in South Africa’s wine industry, yet a great majority black population, the preliminary stages of Seven Sisters is short of a Disney film. It all began in Paternoster, a small fishing community on the western coast of South Africa. After 22 years of labor, their father lost his job at the fish factory. With their home being owned by the factory, the Brutus family was forced to move within a day. Kleynhans highlights this “as a very very sad day for us”, in a doleful tone. As you would imagine, keeping together seven daughters and a younger son was an arduous feat. In the midst of this separation, Kleynhans promised herself to never again be in a position such as this, thus arousing her entrepreneurial spirit in efforts to change the Brutus family’s destiny.
“Every time you drink our wines, you are making a difference . . . “
When presented with the opportunity to enter into the wine industry in 2005, Kleynhans gathered her sisters to invest in the company. Established South African wineries did not welcome Seven Sisters and informed the sisters to “not embarrass them” due to South Africa becoming a revered wine region. Despite resistance, Seven Sisters wines began to penetrate the local markets ascending to international sales. Seven Sisters is sold in 41 of the 50 United States and is imported by African-American owned Heritage Link Brands based in California.
At the end of the interview, I asked Kleynhans if she wanted to express any final words to the readers, she replied, “Every time you drink our wines, you are making a difference in our lives and we’re so grateful.”
Setting yourself apart in the wine industry is significant to success. Seven Sisters has a distinctive branding strategy with each bottle named after a sister that depicts her personality. Along with paying homage to the Brutus girls, Seven Sisters mirrors South African winemaking with grape varietals such as Bukketraube, Pinotage, and Chenin Blanc.
I guess we have changed the Brutus family destiny…one bottle a time.
africanrootswines.com
To accommodate their local and global consumers, Seven Sisters has broken ground to build a winery in the Cape Winelands region, Stellenbosch, anticipated to open late 2011. “The farm” as Kleynhans affectionately calls it, will have a Tasting Room, Restaurant, and Guest House for patrons to learn and enjoy Seven Sisters wines. In addition to the winery opening, Seven Sisters will launch another label under their brother John Brutus. This wine collection will be included in the premium division of the company.
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| CONSCIENCE
| CONSCIENCE |
DIAMOND EMPOWERMENT
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DID YOU KNOW? In South Africa, 500,000 people graduate from high school each year but less than 3% go on to college. AND IF YOU DONATE YOU CAN MAKE THE FOLLOWING HAPPEN: FOUNDED IN 2007, The Diamond Empowerment Fund™ (D.E.F.) is a non-profit international organization with the mission to raise money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource. Established by individuals and businesses in the diamond and jewelry industries and others who are committed to the empowerment of Africa, D.E.F. believes education is one of the most critical elements that powers society and empowers individuals to realize their full human potential. D.E.F. endeavors to partner with African education organizations that have a proven methodology for helping young people achieve success through selfdetermination, focus, and opportunity. D.E.F. envisions a future when poverty in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource is dramatically reduced through successful fund raising initiatives by the diamond jewelry industry to support projects that educate and empower Africans locally. D.E.F. envisions an effort involving the following: - Diamond jewelry industry supporting D.E.F. through the sale of their products with donations to the Fund; - People donating to the Fund and also choosing to purchase diamond jewelry products that support D.E.F’s mission; - African individuals, educational and service organizations, and government entities addressing poverty and education in keeping with D.E.F’s mission.
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$25.00: Provides coverage for One students stationary for 1 semester. $50.00: Provides One student with a meal plan for a month. $75.00: Provides One student with a dorm living health package, 6 weeks of living supplies. $125.00: Provides One student with a housing plan for a 2 months. $200.00: Provides five students with a daily meal for a month. $250.00: Provides coverage for one student’s room and board for two months. $500.00: Provides a daily meal and transportation for a student for a year. $600.00: Buys a laptop for a student, an incredible tool for access and opportunity. $1,000.00: Covers year scholarship, which covers school fees. $5,000.00.00: Covers two years tuition, room, and board for one student. DONATE TODAY! diamondempowerment.org/donate
|THE FASHION AND FURNITURE CREATIONS OF FAGNIDI |
fagnidi.com
REBIRTH OF THE AFRICAN traditional chair model: Olivet Or & Sebastien Tremblay hair & makeup: Nathalie Djibo styling: FAGNIDI Alain Michel photo: Dominique B.
FAGNIDI ROYAL Beach dress model: Anna Leo Fagnidi hair & makeup: Anna Leo Fagnidi styling: FAGNIDI Alain Michel photo: Davide Stennett
CARMEN SHOPPING BAG jewelry: FAGNIDI custom African jewelry model: Troupa hair & makeup: Anna Leo Fagnidi styling: FAGNIDI Alain Michel photo: FAGNIDI Alain Michel
EMPIRE FETICHE TEE model: Andrew Nunez styling: FAGNIDI Alain Michel photo: Davide Stennett
EMPIRE FETICHE HOODIE model: Von Vincent hair & makeup: Billionaire styling: FAGNIDI Alain Michel photo: FAGNIDI Alain Michel
ROYAL YOMO TEE SHIRT model: Von Vincent hair & makeup: Billionaire styling: FAGNIDI Alain Michel photo: FAGNIDI Alain Michel
EMPIRE SHOPPING DRESS model: Odile hair & makeup: Anna Leo Fagnidi styling: FAGNIDI Alain Michel photo: Davide Stennett
THE QUEEN DRESS model: Odile hair & makeup: Anna Leo Fagnidi styling: FAGNIDI Alain Michel photo: FAGNIDI Alain Michel
FAGNIDI CONFIDENCE CHAIR model: Olivet Or & Jonathan hair & makeup: Nathalie Djibo styling: FAGNIDI Alain Michel photo: Dominique B.
FAGNIDI CHAIR (SIDIM Best New Product Award) jewelry: FAGNIDI Mask Rouge Collection model: Olivet Or hair & makeup: Nathalie Djibo styling: FAGNIDI Alain Michel photo: Dominique B.
| FOCUS |
| focus |
destination south africa
by:CARLTON POWELL
IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT, what would be the one most place you would like to visit in the world? When I started writing this article I was reminded of that question once asked of me by one of my professor’s. He asked the class to write a response to the question for discussion. I remember having to think long and hard about it. I, like many of us have several desired travel destinations around the world, but cannot really afford to explore them all; I wondered - what is the one place I would go if money was no object. Would it be Greece, France, or somewhere in South America, my mind wondered. No sparks came out of those options. So, I asked myself what is my most desired travel destination? Oh boy, did sparks fly - Africa! That was my answer. How fitting is it that I would have the opportunity and pleasure to research points and facts about a portion of this land that is not only my desired travel destination, but also deeply admired and widely visited by many tourists today.
In researching this illustrious land, I learned that SOUTH AFRICA is known to have a heritage of pioneering, colonization, wars and building a modern infrastructure.
Thankfully, Apartheid, a failed policy of separation of white and black that was internationally condemned and finally abandoned in the 1990s. In further research of this gold and diamond incrusted land, I also learned that over three centuries ago, the land became home to There are numerous visions of what SOUTH AFRICA has been and Bushmen and Hottentos, Bantu-speaking black tribes. should be. Some view the nation-state as a land of promise – the most In the mid-seventeenth century, the European advanced economy on the continent; a country with enormous natural whites arrived; first were said the Dutch, who built a trading settlement at the Cape of Good Hope. beauty and resources. The southern tip of the African continent encompasses 11 nations. On the west coast facing the Atlantic Ocean are Angola, Namibia, and SOUTH AFRICA with SOUTH AFRICA being the most modern nation-state bordering on the Indian Ocean.
SOUTH AFRICAN society is in the midst of a transformation that could lead to prosperity, if both the white citizen minority who had been in control and the oppressed black majority now ruling, truly shared their nations sociopolitical institutions and power. By their practice of cultural synergy, both may create a multicultural society of equal opportunity. One small indicator of progress in South Africa is the visibility of upwardly mobile, black professionals. In this multiracial democracy, they can be found at gatherings of “high society,” such as the J&B Met Horse Race, an annual sports and fashion extravaganza held in one of South Africa’s most populous cities, Cape Town.
River Jetez, photo courtesy Golden Circle
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Together these colonists would become known as Boers (farmers). TheBritishlaterinvadedandcapturedtheCapein1806,gainingformal possession of the colony in 1814 as the result of the Napoleonic wars. To avoid English rule, the Boers migrated to the undeveloped interior of the country from 1835 to 1848, defeating the indigenous Zulu and other black tribes in the process. With the discovery of gold and diamonds in that territory, Great Britain annexed parts of that area, which led to the Boer War. The Boers won that war in 1902. TheBritishthencombinedtheircoloniesofCapeandNatalwiththeBoer Republics of Orange Free State and Transvaal, creating in 1910 the Union of SOUTH AFRICA, today called the Republic of South Africa. Today there is an estimated 47 million South Africans living in South Africa, divided equally between males and females who have a life expectancyofonly48years. Thepopulationisrelativelyyoungwith70% or more under the age of 50 years of age and 26% under the age of 10. In the warm glow of a healthy and growing economy, and with a bit of government assistance, a black middle class has steadily emerged from the shadows of a murky past. Research output shows us that the middle class is growing, as more and more South Africans escape the poverty trap. It has been estimated that the middle class as a whole increased considerably in size from 8.8% of the population (approximately 3.5 million) in 1994 to 11.9% (5.3 million) in 2000. In 1994, 29% of the middle class were black. In 2000, the proportion had swelled to 50%. The South African Advertising Research Foundation (SAARF) has identified three waves of black economic empowerment. The first was the black elite, the politically well-connected individuals and dynamic entrepreneurs who took full advantage of the economic opportunities presented post-1994. The second was the emergence of the black professional. The third wave is far the largest. These are the previously poor, who are taking advantage of the booming economy and moving on up. SAARF estimates that two million working class South Africans have escaped poverty since 1998 and joined the middle class, albeit at the bottom end. As South Africa continues to grow and make an unprecedented mark towards its future, there are several organizations and charities dedicated to the help further the success and opportunities not only in South Africa, but African nations as well.
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destination south africa
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| focus |
South Africa Travel Tips and Recommended Attractions JOHANNESBURG - Apartheied Museum Tour | http://apartheidmuseum.org - Mandela’s Home | http://mandelahouse.com - Sun City Tour & Safari in Pilanesburg Game ReservE http://pilanesberggamereserve.com/home/index.php DURBAN - Zululand Tour http://sa-venues.com/attractionskzn/kzn_zululand CAPE TOWN - Greenmarket Square http://sa-venues.com/attractionswc/greenmarket-square.htm - Table Mountain | http://tablemountain.net - Robben Island | http://robben-island.org.za PASSPORT - You must have at least 2 blank consecutive visa pages left in your passport SHOTS - Malaria Pill (optional – not required) http://cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/drugs.html - Tetanus Shot (optional – not required) http://cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/tetanus/default.htm INSURANCE - Travel Guard - http://travelguard.com - Have a medical insurance that covers you abroad. Consider a medical evacuation policy. OTHER NOTABLES - Currency - Rand. $1.00 = R7.25 approx. http://oanda.com/currency/travel-exchange-rates - Tipping • Baggage Handlers R5 per item. • Taxis 10% • Waiters/Waitresses 10-15% - Time Zone (EST) + 7 hours BEFORE YOU GO Visit https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs to register your trip. Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, while in a country, you are subject to its laws. Leave a copy of your passport data page with family or friends in case of an emergency. Keep a photocopy on you and one in your luggage. southafrica.info oct|nov 2010
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| FOCUS | donniewellz.com
sugar and salt RAW,REAL, RELATIONSHIP ADVICE FROM ZACH & OKEEBA
ZACH: You need to tell him, if he is any kind of man he will understand that you got laid off. Now you have to deal with a lie as well if he ever finds out. A lack of trust may be a bigger issue than your lack of work. OKEEBA: Your approach all depends on “why” you got laid off. Was it the economy or your performance? Whatever the reason, it still boils down to you having to tell him. If you lie about one thing then you’ll lie about a million things. Stop being a punk ass and WOMAN-UP. You aren’t the only person out here without a job… make the adjustments and roll on. Look at another way to make money besides stripping or hooking, do you have any talents? Speak to your husband and keep it 100…ain’t nothing as bad as an untruthful bit%h. I’m a single African American woman who is considering dating outside of my race for the first time. I live in Atlanta where there is a huge ratio of women to men and there just aren’t enough good men to go around. When I see Black men date outside their race, it bothers me a little. What do you think I should do? Be alone forever? - Soror The Explorer Atlanta, GA. ZACH: I say do you young lady. I live in Atlanta and see the ratio you’re talking about and can understand that a woman could easily get frustrated. You should never live your life for what other people think of you, there is somebody for everybody and that somebody may come by way of someone of a different race. I do ask you too really define to yourself a “good man”, some superficial qualities that some women look for don’t always define how good a man is.
What’s up guys? I’m in a relationship with a woman who won’t “do for me as I do for her” sexually. She wants to go to the next level, marriage, but I know I don’t want to commit when I’m already not being “pleased”. She is a good woman, but I know me and know if she won’t do it now, she isn’t later. What should I do? - Sir Headless
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I was recently laid off of work and I don’t know how to tell my husband. For the last week or so I have been getting dressed and pretending as if I am going to work. I don’t know what to do... - Mrs. Guilty ATL
| RAW REAL ADVICE
| RAW REAL ADVICE |
ZACH: It can go one of two ways if you stay, she may feel the need to “please” once you get married, or she could stay the same. The only way to be sure is to let her know, she may assume that it is not that big of a deal to you, and before you commit to anyone the two of you should be able to talk about your sex life. Remember as they say a closed mouth doesn’t get fed, so open yours or hers will stay closed. OKEEBA: Look, stop screwing her now. If she isn’t doing it for you then move on. She wants to take it to the next level because you keep pounding her. Keep your sausage in your pants and tell her bye. This is easy to solve… fool. Stop playing games with her. The next level will only bring you down another level because you aren’t really into her like that.
Please submit your RAW REAL questions to ZandO@urbanluxmagazine.com
OKEEBA: This is a funny subject…Black Women that believe that the grass is greener on the other side. Truth is…there are “GOOD” men out here. There so many women that talk this noise without really looking at themselves and this society for what it is. You just might be a pain in the ass for any man to deal with, regardless of his color, or you could be a good woman that really wants to build with a brother…maybe. There are “GOOD” men out here, they might not be living in the home or driving the car that you want…”GOOD” men are out here. Look at yourself and be honest, are you really a “GOOD” catch?
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| ON THE LUX SCENE
| URBAN LUX MAGAZINES’S FASHIONABLE INTERIORS ISSUE RELEASE - AUGUST 13, 2010 |
ON THE LUX SCENE
| URBAN LUX MAGAZINE releases to the public the FASHIONABLE INTERIORS issue and unveiled the winning cover. Proceeds benefited OPEN HAND.
Get on “THE LUX SCENE”! Text the word LUX to 24587
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photography by: KAT GODUCO