VMAs in case you missed it: What the hell is White Squad?

While watching the VMAs, I saw an odd commercial. I couldn't tell if it was a commercial or an odd VMA skit, trying to be funny.

The ad was for a "company" called White Squad, that, according to the add, is made up of white people who help people of color with racial inequality. The add offers to help people of color hail a cab, get a better apartment, and appear in court on your behalf.

The ad features a phone number, and a  working web address. But the company is not real.

Turns out the faux ad is part of MTVs Look Different Campaign, to address and eliminate bias based on race, gender and sexual orientation. It actually dropped in July.

But judging from Twitter, not everyone had seen it yet.

In an article from July, MTV explained:

Even though White Squad doesn’t exist IRL, there are plenty more legitimate ways we can try to actually fix systemic racial inequality: Like educating ourselves and our loved ones about the different ways inequality manifests itself, thinking critically about how our own hidden biases might play a role, or listening to the stories of those affected by racism — and we’ve got plenty of ways for you to do that.

If you haven't seen the clip, check it out here:

In case you missed it: Nicki Minaj squashes beef with Taylor Swift; but #Shotsfired at host Miley Cyrus #VMAs

While Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift may have squashed their beef during their red-dress clad duet, there's still "bad blood" between Minaj and host Miley Cyrus.

Nicki took the stage to accept an award for Anaconda. Shortly after giving her acceptance speech, and thanking her pastor, she promptly took shots at host Miley Cyrus.

Miley has been making headlines for comments she made about Nicki Minaj regarding her "Twitter Beef" (more like misunderstanding) with Taylor Swift.

From ET.com:

"What I read sounded very Nicki Minaj, which, if you know Nicki Minaj is not too kind. It’s not very polite. I think there’s a way you speak to people with openness and love," Cyrus told The Times. "You don’t have to start this pop star against pop star war. It became Nicki Minaj and Taylor in a fight, so now the story isn’t even on what you wanted it to be about."

Nikki took the time on the stage to call out "That b*tch over there."

Miley tried to play the event off by saying "You know how interviews get distorted." However, Nicki could be seen mouthing "bitch" and looking angry.

This feud is FAR from over.

Miley should be worried. Anyone remember "Roman's Revenge"?

On the flip side, maybe we'll get a Miley + Nicki performance next year. We can hope.

The Full House Rap song you never knew you needed

Have you ever found yourself thinking "Golly, I wish there was a rap song all about the sitcom Full House!"

Well, you got it, Dude. Here is the odd but still entertaining Full House Rap you never knew you needed!

Shop for a Cause!

Who doesn't love to shop? 

Macy's is giving you more to love. When you buy this special $5 Shop for a cause voucher, you'll receive huge discounts at Macy's. Proceeds go to benefit Color of Teal's teal care program.

Color of Teal is an organization that raises money and awareness for women with gynological cancers (vulva, ovarian, cervical, HPV and more). The Teal Care program helps people with cancer make their Co-pay payments.

To buy your voucher, click Here.

To find out more about Color of Teal or make a donation, head to: http://www.colorofteal.org/.

Remembering Aaliyah

 Today marks 14 years since Aaliyah passed away. Death is always sad, but Aaliyah's really upset me.

Not only was she so young when she passed, but she still had so much more to do. At the time of her passing she was getting ready to drop her self-titled album (which was amazing, by the way), and she was filming the matrix sequels.

While her album was still released, she didn't finish filming her films, Her part in The Matrix movies was given to Jada Pinkett Smith.

Years later, while working at NYC tourists favorite Serendipity 3,(a restaurant and shop) I had the opportunity to meet her mother.  I hadn't known she was Aaliyah's mother when she first walked in the store.

She had come in looking for a picture frame. She had seen some in our display window in the past. She told me she was looking for something dignified to use for a photo of her deceased father, who has been in the military.

While we were looking, she started speaking to the host at the podium. It came up, that like many restaurant employees, he was an aspiring actor.

"Oh, my daughter used to act. She was in Romeo Must Die," I heard the woman tell him.

At this point, I looked at her. "Wait, you're Aaliyah's mom?"

She looked surprised, happy, and sad, all at the same as she said "You know Aaliyah?"

The questioned floored me for a second. It seemed impossible NOT to know Aaliyah. Although, the host actually hadn't heard of her.

"Of course! I loved Aaliyah!" I said. "Her last album was amazing! And everyone loved "Are you that Somebody."

Just as the conversation started getting good, my boss made me stop talking to her. I am still annoyed as we were NOT even busy.

I also loved this one:

 What was your favorite Aaliyah track?

Will Will Smith's new show be today's Fresh Prince?

Could Fresh Prince of Bel-Air be getting a modern twist?

NBC

TV Line reports that Will Smith is in very early development of a news TV show with a similar theme and feel to Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

The site says the show in development deals with the same "fish out of water" theme as Fresh Prince.

Unlike Fresh Prince, Will Smith would only be the producer.

If the show turns out to be a Fresh Prince reboot, it will be joining a long list of reboots including : 90210, Melrose Place, Girl Meets World, and he upcoming Fuller House.

Would you want to see a modern take on Fresh Prince?

NEW MUSIC: Melanie Fiona - Bite The Bullet

Who says R&B is dead?



Canadian soul singer Melanie Fiona is back with her latest track "Bite the Bullet."



I'm really loving this track! It doesn't sound like a lot of the music out right now. It has a slight island sound. It has a similar sound as her first album.



Fiona's next album will be entitled Awake.







N

New iPhone App Simplifies Shopping!

Screenshot of my search for red plaid mini skirts on Donde

Donde, a new shopping app for iPhone, is about to make shopping a whole lot easier!

I just downloaded the app myself, and I can already tell, it's a keeper! The app makes it easy to search for the exact piece of clothing you're looking for.

The home screen sorts the clothing by article: T-Shirt, sweater, jacket, skirt, dresses, shoes and handbags. Once you select, you can narrow your search down even further.

Screenshot of the home page

Once you select the article you're looking for, you can narrow your search by length, waist type, pattern, color, and other traits.

When you find a piece you like, you have the option to send a photo of the piece to a friend for advice or buy the piece directly.

The app features clothing from 6,000 brands ranging from:Banana Republic, Forever 21, H&M,   Zara, Gucci, Kate Spade and others.

The app was founded by Lian Zakay. In an interview with CNN MONEY, Zakay explained the purpose of the app:

"Traditional search engines are great when you're trying to find articles or documents, but when you're trying to find visual objects like in fashion, it's not intuitive enough," said Zakay.

Zakay told CNN  that she hopes to expand the app to include men's wear and possibly home goods as well.

Is this an app that you would use?