Men’s Guide to Style Rules (Part IV)
**These rules are based on an article in the September 2011 issue of Men’s Health Magazine
31. No Texas tuxedos: If you choose to pair jeans with a denim shirt, at least make them different hues of denim
32. Don’t saw yourself in half: If you’re pairing light pants and a light shirt, find a light belt
33. If you want to get fit, dress fit: Don’t wear clothes to the gym that make you look and feel lame; a nice, well-fitted shirt shows off your best parts and hides your flaws
34. Naked guys have the right of way: Gym etiquette dictates that if two men pass each other in the locker room, the most naked guy gets the right of way
35. Dark skies? Dark clothes: Dark clothes hide rain drops and splashes better than lighter colors
36. Scarves are meant to be tied: It helps make use of their insulating effect
37. Keep a secret grooming stash: 3 items that will keep you on point any time of day are oil-control wipes, hand lotion, and breath freshener
38. Keep your T-shirt simple: Oftentimes, men look better in simple, form-fitting T-shirts rather than shirts with logos all over them
39. Don’t be a tucker: It’s ok to tuck in your shirt sometimes, but it’s more stylish to wear a shirt that falls loosely at the waist and shows of a bit of belt
40. Tailor your shoulders like a soldier: Wear clothes that square off your shoulders, not round them out
Men’s Guide to Style Rules (Part III)
**These rules are based on an article in the September 2011 issue of Men’s Health Magazine
21. Never match blazers with dress pants: It’s safe to pair a blazer with jeans and khakis, but never dress pants in the same color.
22. An ironed man is a wealthy man: Prosperous men don’t wear wrinkled clothes
23. Dare to be noticed: Wearing an interesting item or accessory can be a conversation starter, as long as you wear it with confidence
24. Dress like you’ve made something of yourself in the world, even if you haven’t: Let your wardrobe evolve with the times and your title
25. What you can’t fix, feature: It will make you feel more self-assured
26. When you find a look, go all in: If you take the look you are going for all the way, it could get you noticed in a good way
27. Match your belt to your belt loops: The size of the belt loops determines the width of the belt you should wear
28. Neither a pepper nor a sailboat be: A pepper wears everything tight so everything is bulging; a sailboat wears everything loose so everything ripples when the wind blows. Avoid both problems by mixing tight and loose
29. Make a mark with your own pen: It makes you look sophisticated, prepared, and it cuts down on the germs you pick up from the pens everyone else passes around
30. Bosses wear white shirts, drones wear blue shirts: If three men walk into a room and one of them is wearing a white shirt, that’s the one people usually assume is the boss
Men’s Guide to Style Rules (Part II)
**These rules are based on an article in the September 2011 issue of Men’s Health Magazine
11. Have a go-to suit: Make sure you are comfortable and know that you can’t go wrong in your best suit and tie
12. Be a road loafer: When on the road for interviews or work, pack some comfortable loafers that you can wear with both a suit and jeans.
13. When in doubt, go pink: It gives a lighter-skinned guy a healthy glow and naturally looks good on tanned and darker skinned guys
14. Ties run button to button: A tie should cover your collar button and most of your top trouser button
15. Dress up to go shopping: What you wear when you shop impacts what you’ll look like after you’ve shopped; you’ll get a better fit if you wear the type of clothes you’ll be wearing under the shirt or jacket you plan to buy
16. Square toed shoes are just that: Unless you’re planning to kick a field goal, shoes with a more rounded tip will last the longest and never go out of style
17. Wear flip-flops only at home: They are ok for the beach, but you can’t be ready to save the day at all times or run to/from an emergency while trying to squeeze your toes together so your shoes don’t fall off
18. Ties are for dressing up: Wearing a tie with an untucked shirt makes you look confused, while wearing a tucked shirt with a slightly loosened tie makes you look unstudied
19. A good suit can be dressed down: The suit’s job is to make you look slimmer, fitter, stronger, and taller. It doesn’t really matter what type of shoes and shirt you have on
20. Don’t lace your wingtips like a tennis shoe: It is more refined to try the straight-bar style of lacing with these type of shoes
Men’s Guide To Style Rules (Part I)
**These rules are based on an article in the September 2011 issue of Men’s Health Magazine
1. It’s more important to look good every day than to look different every day: This is the genius of being a man.
2. Wear a tie when you’re asking for money
3. The rule of shoes: Black is basic, Basic is boring: If you’re wearing gray, blue, tan, or a variation of those, brown shoes will look more sophisticated than black
4. Thin with Thin, Thick with Thick: Wear a narrow tie if your jacket has a narrow lapel and a thick tie if your jacket has a thick lapel
5. By the time you realize you need a haircut, everyone else has too: The interval for how long you should go between haircuts will shorten as you get older
6. A man wears a watch: Wristwatches became popular because they made it easier to tell time more discreetly between interviews and dates as opposed to pulling out a pocket watch
7. Vertical stripes make you look thinner: The converse is usually true for horizontal stripes
8. Good tailoring is job one: When you wear a tailored suit as opposed to one that is ill-fitting, it makes a difference in the way you perceive yourself and carry yourself
9. Don’t try to dazzle all the time: Stick to the basics for occasions such as interviews and maybe add a spark of color through a tie or pocket square
10. Be ready for anything or anyone: You’re networking even after hours, so always bring your A game
Big Sean – “Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay”
“Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay” is a single from Big Sean’s 2011 release Finally Famous. It features Kanye West and Roscoe Dash.
I have been excited about Big Sean’s album for quite some time now. I knew that once he was endorsed by Kanye West and signed to G.O.O.D. Music, that he would be a success. When he initially signed, I didn’t hear much from him, but I loved the little that I did hear. Now that his album is out, I can’t stop listening to it.
What I like about this song is the overall flow more than anything else. Big Sean has a distinct voice and knows how to play with words really well. His laid back approach to this record is contrasted by Kanye’s “go hard” style of rap. I love these two together on this track. My favorite part of the song, however, is the chorus. Roscoe Dash tends to sing a lot of songs that easily get stuck in my head and this is definitely one of them.
Chorus
Early in the morning / When she’s all alone / I’mma take my time / Do it how we want / Just to set the mood girl I bought some Marvin Gaye and Chardonnay / Just let the song play / The long way / The strong way / It’s our day / It’s our way / This was all inspired by a little Marvin Gaye and Chardonnay
V.I.P. Lines
“Bottom line is, you the finest / Gave you a new name … My B****h – Big Sean
“Errybody ripped the swag off / Fore I ripped the tag off / Why my pants sag off? / cuz I’m rappin my a** off” – Kanye West
“Spend all night just champagne tasting / Ain’t no rest girl let’s just pace it til it’s…” – Big Sean
Music for Thought
Although this song is very playful in nature, it ultimately is about sex. It’s clever and unique in the fact that it’s not a song about sexual prowess as most sex songs are, but it’s more about setting the mood for sex using some old school props. Who would have though Marvin Gaye and Chardonnay would still do the trick after all this time?
So let me hear from you. What puts you in the mood? Some people use music or alcohol to set the mood of romance. Some use food. What about you?
Share your vision and leave a comment. That’s wassup.
Beyonce – “Party”
“Party” is a single from Beyonce’s 2011 Release 4. It features Kanye West and Andre 3000 of the group Outkast.
Beyonce’ knows how to make a hit record. This song has a different vibe from a lot of her previous records. I don’t recall her typically making records about partying and having fun. Most of her songs are about love or pain. I also don’t recall her making too many groove records. She usually either has a very up tempo song, or a really slow song. The few grooves that I’ve known and loved from her usually are CD records and don’t usually go mainstream.
I love this song for both its laid back beat and flow, and for its lyrics. It’s one of those songs that you have to play while you’re getting ready for the club, or on your way to the club, or in the club with a drink in your hand. Andre 3000 flows pretty well with the song in the beginning. He has his moments where he does that tongue twister style of rap, which I don’t particularly care for, but he drops some gems in between that really stand out. I wish Kanye would have actually had a verse. That would have increased the value of the track even more.
Chorus
So in love / I’ll give it all away / Just don’t tell nobody tomorrow / Cause tonight’s the night uh uh uh ooh / That I give you everything / Music knockin’ til the morning light / [Cause we like to party (Hey x 5) x3]
V.I.P. Lines
“I told my girls you can get it / Don’t slow it down, just let it go” – Beyonce’
“Top down with the radio on and the night belongs to us / Just hold me close, don’t let me go” – Beyonce’
“Spit this s**t fo’ real o, brain brillo / Kiddo say he looks up to me, this just makes me feel old / Never thought that we could become someone else’s hero / Man, we were just in the food court, eating our gyro” – Andre 3000
Music for Thought
Sometimes you just need to let loose and have a good time. That’s what this song is all about. The lyrics are very clever in that she could be talking about a dude, a rhythm, a feeling, anything. All Bey wants is to dance all night and give “you” everything she’s got. I love it.
Tell me about a time when you just let everything go and had a great night out on the town. Where did you go? Where do you like to party?
Share your vision and leave a comment. That’s wassup.
Burlington-Camden (NJ) Alumni Chapter Picnic 2011
The Burlington-Camden (NJ) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., held it’s now annual chapter picnic on Saturday, July 23, 2011 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Timber Creek Park in Blackwood, New Jersey. The picnic was a time for Brothers and Kappa League members to socialize with each other, family, and friends. Brothers in attendance were: Mark Lewis, Benjamin Jackson, Richard King, Lloyd Freeman, Shannon Gary, Donte’ Coleman, Kevin Johnson, Anthony Briddell, Will Maddox, Terron Simons, Naran Butler-Houck, Anthony Youngblood, Deron Satterfield, Dewayne Bluford, Lorenzo McFadden, and Matthew Garrett.
Brothers enjoyed a day of fellowship, food, and fun. Polemarch Lloyd Freeman cooked on the grill and Brothers provided the side dishes and other picnic items. The music was great and the weather was perfect for the occasion (maybe a little too hot though). The highlight of the event was “The Wobble”, which got some brothers out of their seats and on the dance floor. Overall it was a great time with the chapter and I look forward to an even better turnout next year.
Share your vision and let me know what you thought of the event.
Rocko – “Goin Steady”
I don’t know what it is about Rocko, but I was on his first CD really tough. I used to blast “Dis Morning” every morning on the way to work and it was my wake up song, lol. Anyway, although his flow and southern ATL drawl appeals to me, he has never really been a mainstream type of rapper. He’s done very well for himself on the ATL airwaves, but other than that, you don’t really hear his music a lot of places.
This song has the laid back flow that you all may know by now that I love. Lyrically, Rocko does a pretty great job. I’m sure there are some people who can’t make out a lot of the words he’s saying, but I understood every bit. It’s too bad that this is probably another one of those songs that will get swept under the rug. Not really a club banger because it’s too much groove in it, but definitely a CD worthy track.
Chorus
We just be coolin’ it, we ain’t goin steady / Just hit my phone when you wanna play, girl you know I’m ready / We just be f***in round, girl you know better / You ain’t my main squeeze, it ain’t like we go together / You just my lil buddy, we ain’t goin steady / Girl we just be f***in, we ain’t goin steady / You just my fun girl, and me and you know better / We just be kickin it, it ain’t like we go together
V.I.P. Lines
“You’ve been misinformed, sorry if you read me wrong / Told you what you wanted to hear, sorry if I lead you on”
“Do a lil screwin or you could do a lil chewin / We can make a movie, then I’mma keep it movin”
“She textin me like crazy, sendin me them smiley faces / I’m yo Boyfriend #2, just here to Pleasure you”
Music for Thought
Now ya’ll know what I’m gonna say right. This must be Rocko in his real life. I truly believe this is a reason why he and Monica broke up after being together for so long. You always kind of wonder why the R&B chick and the Rapper can’t make a relationship work…welp…this explains it all. Rocko is fully admitting here that a man is going to do what he wants to do, regardless of who you are. At least he’s being upfront here.
So how do we feel about this? We live in a world of promiscuity these days, and there are a lot of folks that want to be in relationships, while there are a lot of folks who don’t. Have you ever been in a situation where someone was this honest with you and flat out told you from the beginning that you were just a jump off? Would you rather that person lead you on and break it off? How do you feel about being the jump off?
Let me know your thoughts. Leave a comment and share your vision.
Kappa Konklave 2011: 100 Years of Achievement
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. celebrated 100 years of achievement from Tuesday, July 5, 2011 to Sunday, July 10, 2011 at its Centennial Konklave. The 80th Grand Chapter meeting took place in Indianapolis, Indiana near the birthplace of the fraternity, Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. The event was a historical celebration of the past 100 years of the fraternity, a heart-felt reunion for fraternity members from all over the country, and an exciting glimpse into the future of the fraternity.
Numerous events took place throughout the course of the week, a mix of both business and pleasure. The purpose of the Grand Chapter meetings is to conduct the business of the fraternity at the national level. This took place in the form of public meetings, business sessions, and various province caucuses. There were events and exhibits to celebrate the achievements of brothers and to highlight the historical accomplishments of the fraternity’s past, present, and future. These included the Closed Banquet, Undergraduate Luncheon, Achievement Academy Luncheon, Kappa Historical Museum, and the trip to Bloomington, Indiana. Finally, the week was full of social activities to foster fellowship among the fraternity’s members. Some of the highlighted social events were the Comedy Show, Step Show, White Linen Party, Gospel Extravaganza, Bow Ties and Pumps Party, All Blakk Party, and the Evening with Toni Braxton and En Vogue.
Registered brothers received a gift bag filled with fraternity souvenirs. Undergraduate brothers received a book bag with the 80th Grand Chapter meeting logo, while all other registered brothers received a hand bag, resembling a grocery bag. Inside the gift bag was a commemorative plate engraved with the 10 founders of the fraternity, a historical reference book, a large blanket with the 80th Grand Chapter meeting logo, and a Corsican pocket watch.
I enjoyed myself at the Kappa 100 Konklave. The best part was reuniting with friends / brothers from across the country and meeting new people throughout the week. I do not, however, think that the folks that planned the event were prepared for the number of people that were in the city of Indianapolis for the event. The registration lines and event lines were out of control. No event started on time. There was a lack of information provided by those working the information booths and those running the events. Finally, there was just a general lack of organization throughout the week. Overall, I had a great time at the event because of the bond I have with my brothers, but I do not feel it was worth the money to register. There was an obvious mismatch between the hefty price tag of attending Konklave and the lack of quality of the event.
Please feel free to share your vision and let me know what you thought of the event.
Kappa Beautillion Reunion Picnic
Lloyd Freeman, Chairman of the Burlington-Camden (NJ) Alumni Chapter Scholarship Foundation’s Beautillion, hosted a reunion picnic on Saturday, May 26, 2011 at Walworth Park in Camden, New Jersey. The picnic was an opportunity to reunite past beaux and belles from each of the three Beautillion classes, to allow all of the past beaux and belles to meet participants from other Beautillion classes, and to reunite the past beaux and belles with their mentors.
The attendees enjoyed a day in the park, playing card games, listening to music, and engaging in lively conversation with one another and their families. The Scholarship Foundation provided the food for the event. Each beau and belle in attendance participated in video taped interviews in which they shared their experiences in the Beautillion program and provided updates on where they are in their academic careers and personal lives. Some of the videos will be featured on the Beautillion website, http://www.kappabeautillion.com. Kappa Mentors in attendance were: Lloyd Freeman, Donte’ Coleman, and Melvin Little. Beautillion supporters in attendance were: Ebony Freeman, Belle Coordinator, and Erika McDaniel, Financial Workshop Facilitator. Beaux in attendance were: Robert Ransom (Mr. Beautillion 2009), Tyree Watkins (2009), Marcus Tutt (Mr. Beautillion 2010), Samuel Douglas (2010), Corey Drummond (2010), Dominique Ransom (Mr. Beautillion 2011), Patrick Boyd (2011), Kerwyn Ross (2011), Daniel Brown (2011), Donte’ Dickerson (2011), Rashon Bennett (2011),
and Kayode Gloster (2011). Belles in attendance were: Neena Robertson, Ashley Stewart, Rachel Bourne, Briana Harison, and Quanaisa Whitehead.
It was a great turnout for the event and all of the attendees seemed to enjoy themselves. Mr. Freeman did a great job on the grill and the food was delicious. Some of the beaux have already inquired about future gatherings. Overall, it was a great way to catch up with past beaux already in college, fellowship with beaux entering college, and encourage beaux entering their senior year of high school. For photos, updates, and information about our Beautillion program, please be sure to visit the website http://www.kappabeautillion.com, follow us on Twitter @beautillion, and “like” our Facebook page at Burlington-Camden Kappa Beautillion.
