Tuesday, February 24, 2009

This Ought To Be Good....

Saturday, February 28th at 9pm on VH1 be sure to watch Mr. West perform songs from 808's & Heartbreaks. The set was originally shot Friday 13th. I wonder if Mr. Day & Nite himself was there?



by Ciara

Alexander McQueen.....For Target?

Ok, so by now many of us have probably heard about this collection. I've never been one to get amped about the superstore's designer collections. I just can't see myself buying clothes at Target outside of a t-shirt or some socks, but this is pretty serious. McQueen's collection set to debut March 4th looks nothing like something you would find in the same store you can buy milk and diapers. Prices range from $19.99-$129.99. Not bad for some McQueen. Remember, a real doll knows she looks good, whether her dress was $7 or $7000! Below are some of my personal favorites:


by Ciara

Monday, February 23, 2009

Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week 2009

It's the second annual Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week beginning today until Sunday, March 1st. During this week more than 40 restaurants will be offering deals like two dinners for $30 and other nice specials. Restaurants include Hard Rock Cafe, House of Blues and Metropolitan Cafe. Visit this link for a list of participating restaurants.



by Ciara

Madea Goes To Jail Gone Bad, but Perry Breaks the Bank still, So I'm Not Mad!


Now dont get me wrong, I am a huge Madea and Tyler Perry fan. Perry has failed to let me down.....until this past weekend. "Madea Goes To Jail," the movie that every Madea fan has been waiting on, was a Perry movie gone bad, if you ask me.


The Plot: Many good points made and had a topic that is rarely touched upon but the movie ended too quickly and kind of left the audience....hanging. Was it just me, or were we all expecting to see more with the ex fiance, or even with what happened with Candy?


The Acting: With a couple of familiar faces, I thought that the acting would have been a little bit better, especially from little Miss Rudy herself.....and Madea, still her usual funny self, but not as comical as she usually is. Honestly, Madea seemed a little more laid back than what she usually is.....Is Madea and her personality slowly dying away?
Perry has definitely reached a new level of fame and fortune, especially with the new opening of his studio in Atlanta. His last movie, "The Family That Preys" also shows a new side of Perry that may also work for him....So is it time to lay Madea to rest? Who knows, but "Madea Goes to Jail" was a huge disappointment and a Perry movie gone bad, so maybe we just need a break from Madea or maybe Perry is maturing more and more by the movie, so much that he cant keep Madea funny anymore...?!?
Regardless of the matter though, Perry is still breaking major bread and when its all said and done, I cant be mad at him! Keep up the goodwork Tyler Perry
By Monisa




Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man


Cleveland comedian Steve Harvey has reemerged in the spotlight with a new look and a new book. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man is Harvey's New York Times Bestseller, coauthored by Denene Millner (a personal favorite), that will soon have everyone talking. With advice on how women can better understand their men and improve their self esteem this book is like an even more blunt He's Just Not That Into You.
Among other things Harvey breaks down the three things men want from women: support, loyalty and "the cookie" (bka sex). "I don't know nobody that don't like cookies!" Harvey said this morning on The Today Show about why he's referring to the act as a delicious treat. And very importantly, the three ways men show love for women: profess-a man will know in the first six months if he wants to keep you or throw you back in the sea (so no more of this waiting for him for two years nonsense); protect-while being nurturing isn't in a man's nature, he wants to keep you out of harms way; and provide-men want to be able to take care of you in some way or another.
Harvey just may be on to something. After two divorces and raising twin daughters he just might be an expert. He urges women to stop lowering their standards and allowing men to take advantage.
I must say I'm definitely excited about his book, but whenever I read these relationship books (which is almost never) I begin to wonder-are men really these ignorant, insensitive, preying, manipulative monsters we can make them out to be? I most definitely know at least one who is, but the majority of them?! I sure hope not. I just don't see men reading about this stuff like some women do. Anyway, I think we could all use a refresher course on respecting and asserting ourselves now and again, and if not, pick it up for your sister, mother, cousin, etc. Who wouldn't want to read a book about cookies?!
by Ciara

CLEVELANDER OF THE MONTH


Dollhouse is proud to introduce our new monthly posting of the "Clevelander of the Month." We will be showcasing one local trailblazer each month, beginning next month, highlighting their accomplishments and contribution to Cleveland and its surrounding areas. Dollhouse respects those individuals who takes a goal and really builds on it, turning it into an achievement and we would like to show you our love!

Every month, please stop by and check out our who's who in Cleveland. So who will be our very first "Clevelander of the Month".....Come back in March to check him or her out..........

And remember, Drive, courage and hard work will turn your dream into a reality. "Success is in the palm of EVERYONE's hand, but the question is, will YOU be the one to actually grasp it?"

By Monisa

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"HAPPINESS IS NOT BECAUSE YOU ARE CONTENT WITH WHERE YOU ARE, BUT BECAUSE YOU HAVE LEARNED TO LOOK BEYOND THE IMPERFECTIONS!"
By Monisa

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Have You Ever...


Made the first move?


Gone out to kick it by yourself?


Traveled alone?


Prayed first thing in the morning?


Had a good conversation with a complete stranger?


Sat in total silence with zero distractions and just listened to your thoughts?


Done something that is "so unlike you?"


...No? Try it! You just might learn something new about you:)



by Ciara

Monday, February 16, 2009

QUOTE OF THE DAY:


"THINK WITH YOUR HEAD BUT TAKE ADVICE FROM YOUR HEART!"


By Monisa

Friday, February 13, 2009

Happy Valentine's/Single Awareness Day


Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, or Single Awareness Day as we lonely people like to call it. I wanted to ignore the fact that it's going down altogether, but you can't really escape it. Anyway, I'm not going to give you tips on how to get a Valentine and not be left out in the cold. I clearly don't know, I'm single! What I would like to do is offer suggestions for not ruining someone else's day, and in turn being like me.

Do...
...Get her flowers! I don't care if she told you once that she hates flowers. EVERY girl likes getting flowers! I've been known to say the same thing. They die, they don't smell that good, they need too much care, I could go on. But there is nothing like a young man showing up at your door, roses in hand. And yes, you need to get a dozen!

...Something different. If you both always go to the movies, don't go on Valentine's Day. Switch it up. You can get back to your routine next weekend. Let them know you made a conscious effort to make them happy.

...Use V-day as a day to just live in the "now" and not think too heavily about your relationship and where its going. No arguments, tension or crying this weekend.

Don't...
...Use tomorrow as a platform to say something serious unless you really thought it through. You can make the day special without telling somebody you're in love with them or want to be in a relationship. Unless you know that's what you want just fall back a little and don't get overtaken by all the love in the air. You might regret it by Tuesday!

...Snitch on yourself without even snitching. If you have a date tonight and a date tomorrow with someone else, you need to be prepared. Your date tonight will be thinking, "Why can't I get a date tomorrow night? He/She thinks he/she is slick, but little does he/she know, I have a date tomorrow ,too. And I'm just going for a free meal." Let Friday night's date think you can't possibly be with them on V-day because you have plans-with mom or grandma. Who can get mad at that? Your V-day date won't be worried about it because they get the actual holiday. You just might want to make sure they don't have a date Friday night, too.

...Take your date to the same restaurants you go to for Mother's Day, your cousin's birthday, or graduation. You know what I'm talking about; Red Lobster and the like. It's just not going to cut it tomorrow. Now, this IS coming from a girl whose favorite restaurant is Olive Garden , but understand that your date probably won't be as classy as me, and as secure in her high class to sit and share a bowl of salad and with you.

...Go ALL out. Maybe I'm alone on this, but it's just a little holiday. I wouldn't expect someone to get me anything too costly or crazy (see above). Save the fireworks for July and just focus on being a sweety.

Those of you celebrating V-day enjoy!

P.S. I almost forgot. V-day is NOT just a day for the ladies. That means we should be putting in work, too. Don't forget that!
by Ciara

Cleveland Black History - The First Black Settler


Have you ever wondered who was the first black man to settle in the city of Cleveland? Me neither, but it's very interesting nonetheless. The first black settler to Cleveland is known as George A. Peake. He was a native of Maryland who came here with his wife and two sons in 1809. Now make no mistake in assuming these were poor blacks in search of three acres and a mule. The Peakes were pretty well off. In fact, Mr. Peake bought 103 acres in Rockport, MD. And Mrs. Peake? She had her own, too. She had half a bushel of silver dollars, a large sum at the time.
Not only is Mr. Peake credited with settling in Cleveland, he was also an inventor. Mr. Peake invented a hand mill, which made him a favorite neighbor to many. Mr. Peake passed away in 1827. It is unknown where his burial place is.

Info obtained from the CWRU Encyclopedia of Cleveland History website.


by Ciara

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

WHERE THE COOLEST KIDS IN THE CITY PARTY!




Now we all know that its hard to find a GOOD spot to really KICK it at over the weekend....You know, where the crowd isnt immature, you can see the flyest fits and the dudes and chicks, for the most part, are about their business.....You arent being overcharged to get in, the lines aren't mad long and by the time you leave, in your mind, you have just officially KICKED IT! But lets not forget about how these parties JUMP so hard, that you HAVE to talk about it in your FACEBOOK status, before the event and even after.....Talk about a JUMPOFF!

Well Dollhouse would like to give a round of applause to THE VARSITY SQUAD and their POTLUCK @ THE B SIDE....These parties definitely take you back, waaaaay back into the days of high top fades, stone washed jeans, R Kelley when he was bald and FILAS!

Dollhouse loves the Potluck parties and so we HAD to give the VARSITY SQUAD a shout out....Good Job Fellas, Keep Em Coming.....

Next Stop, the "I LOVE HIP HOP" Party @ The House of Blues, Valentines Day!

IF YOU WERE A COOL KID, YOU WOULD GO SHOW LOVE TO THE VARSITY SQUAD @ VARSITYSQUAD.BLOGSPOT.COM




BY MONISA

Don't Blame It On The Alcohol...

We've all done it. We probably did it last weekend. Hell, we'll probably do it again this weekend. The beautiful people have it done to them all the time.

What am I talking about, you may ask? Let me paint this picture: You're out at a bar/lounge/club/party whatever, and the night is winding down. Three hours earlier you said to yourself, "Self, I am only going to have two drinks tonight." Four drinks later you climb into the car with your friends (as a passenger, of course) and break out the cellphone. A missed call here, a random text there. No one you want to talk to. "Ya'll wanna go to I-Hop?" your friend says. You think to yourself, "Hmmm I wouldn't mind a Rootie Tootie Fresh & Fruity" But that's not what you really want right now.
So while sitting in the car, staring at your phone you begin to wonder who else is up. Somehow in your tipsy little mind you reason that if you're feeling so energized and euphoric everyone else must be too. Oh, but who to call? That guy you know is no good for you and you cussed out last week in a text? That girl you went out with a few times but suddenly stopped calling because she talks waaaaay too much?
Well, all those things don't matter now because you have two hands and a cell phone and you want to do some damage...

You text: U stil yp?
They text: Yea why?
(Oh wow! What now? What did I want?)
You text: U wanba se u?!
(It wouldn't be accurate without the spelling errors)
They text (after what feels like an eternity, but was actually 2 mins): Uh I have to wake up early for church.
You text: F&@"';*?#)*'":(*-+@!?!

Wow. You know what you just did? You just drunk texted. And yes you look like an idiot. What a vicious cycle. It happens. But what now?

I often find the best thing to do after a drunken text/voicemail tirade is to pretend it never happened. If you see the victim around afterward simply be cool and nonchalant. If they ask you about the 11 texts and 6 voicemails you left them last weekend look at them like they're crazy, put your thinking face on, then say "Oh! Yea I was pretty drunk!" Fake a laugh, then immediately do one of two things: yell out that whatever song the dj is playing is your song and dance away into the crowd (even if it is Lollipop, no one else is hype AND you're a dude), or quickly look around, spot someone you know and act so happy to see them that you must go talk to them instead. Do not under any circumstance run off to the bathroom, though, because then you seem flustered and crazy. You do, afterall, have an image to uphold!
Now that whole routine won't work week after week so next time take a breather, really think about sending that text if you can, and then...don't send it!


by Ciara

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Quote of the Day

You are better today than you were yesterday and will be even greater tomorrow!

The Perfect Ten


Remember the movie Brown Sugar? Of course you do it's a classic! One of my personal favorites. I just loved the hip hop/love story metaphor throughout the film. Anyway, upon watching the movie again for the umpteenth time something other than Boris Kodjoe stood out to me. Sydney, Sanaa Lathan's character, has this favorite drink that keeps being brought up. It's called the Perfect Ten and here is the recipe. So while you're sitting on the couch this V-day weekend (alone or with someone else) mix two of these up and pop in the dvd. Enjoy:

The Perfect Ten Recipe
Ingredients
4 oz Bacardi Limon Rum
2 oz Pisang Ambon
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Sprite

Directions
First add the alcohol, then the rest is 50/50 of the lemon juice and the sprite. Don't put any ice in it!!!

Taken from drinkswap.com


by Ciara

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Out of Date Ideas?

Fellas, the next time you ask your doll out for a date don't resort back to the dinner and a movie routine. Get creative! Here in Cleveland there are a ton of fun, low-cost options that could be the difference between landing you in the dollhouse...or the doghouse!

Where: University Circle Ice Rink
When: now through Feb. 16th
Why: This is the first time Wade Oval has become available for outdoor ice skating. Who cares if you can't skate! It'll be that much more fun trying to hold each other up. Visit www.universitycircle.org for more info.

Where: Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Rainforest
When: anytime
Why: Seriously, when is the last time you went to the museum? Have fun while learning something new. Go to www.cmnh.org, www.clemetzoo.com, or www.clemusart.com for details.

Where: Karamu Theater
When: now through Feb. 16th
Why: Playwright Thomas Gibbons and director Terrance Spivey team up to deliver "A House With No Walls," third in a trilogy of plays. Take in a little drama and encourage discourse over a racially driven play set in Philadelphia. Sure, it's no Cleveland, but Peter Lawson Jones does make a cameo. Call 216-795-7070 or visit karamu.com for details.

Where: The Corner Alley
When: Anytime you like after 11:30am Mon-Fri, and 4pm on Sun (but if your doll is more babydoll than barbie doll she can't get in after 9pm!)
Why: An "upscale" bowling experience, get competitive and have a drink or two. After all that education and art (see above) you'll want to dumb it down and simply let loose. If all that bowling makes you hungry don't forget the accompanying 4th Street Bar & Grill that offers American cuisine. Head to www.thecorneralley.com for more.

by Ciara

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Black History Month


Happy Black History Month!! Do people say that? Who cares, I'm saying it! Back to black, though. Cleveland is a city rich in cultural history, and the remnants of such are still quite evident today. So many extraordinary people have come out of the city and excelled in many areas. Each week we'll bring you one of those people to encourage and inspire you to be extraordinary, too.


Today, Dollhouse will take a look at literary great, Langston Hughes. Everyone knows who he is and why he's great. But did you know Hughes spent a part of his childhood in the city? Before ruling the renaissance in Harlem Hughes ran Cleveland! Born in 1902, Hughes later graduated from Central High School. The Karamu House also credits the playwright with being very instrumental in its beginnings. In fact, "Black Nativity," a Hughes play,is performed every single year.


Take time out this week to explore some of Hughes' work.


I, Too, Sing America
by Langston Hughes

I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.


by Ciara

Monday, February 2, 2009

Quote of the Day


"A risk is not taking a risk at all!"



by Monisa