Div'Icon (Diva Icon) Of the Month

BETTIE PAIGE

AMERICA'S FAVORITE PIN-UP GIRL

I have never been the girl next door-Bettie Page.

Pin-ups have always played an important role in keeping American troops motivated and reminding them that these beautiful women was one of the reasons they fought to protect their county. Although Bettie Paige did not come on the scene until after WWII was over, she none the less today is the representative image of the "Pin-up" as we know it. 

Born in Nashville, TN  despite a tumultuous childhood, Bettie had always possessed an interest in beauty; she and her sister imitated their favorite movie stars by experimenting with different hairstyles and  make-up. A good student, she was voted "Most Likely to Succeed". After divorcing her husband, she moved to New York City, where she hoped to find work as an actress. In the meantime, she supported herself by working as a secretary. In 1950, while walking along the Coney Island shore, she met Jerry Tibbs, an African American police officer with an interest in photography. She was a willing model, and Tibbs took pictures of her and put together her first pinup portfolio. To hide her high forehead, it was Tibbs that suggested she wear bangs, which became her signature look and the style she would wear for the rest of her life.

Bettie became a popular pin-up and fetish model in the 1950's in serious demand, but after converting to Christianity, she retired from modeling and with the exception of reports about her dealing with mental illness and being arrested, she was forgotten and  became a recluse. Her image became very popular again in the 1980's. With this revival of her popularity, opportunities for interviews followed; but she declined the attention because  she wanted people to remember her they way she was. When she did give an interview it was off camera. With this resurgence of Bettie's popularity from posters to tattoos, it seemed that everyone was cashing in on Bettie's image, that is except Bettie. With the help of Hugh Hefner, owner of Playboy Magazine and another dear friend, they helped her with the legal challenges over the use of her image so that she could  benefit from her image financially making the last years of her life comfortable. Bettie seems to have never lost her ability to connect with every generation since she became a popular model. Most recently Beyonce channeled her "inner Betty" for her video "Why don't you love me?"

On a personal note, what I admired most about Bettie is that  she had an edge to her. She was not sugary sweet  but had just enough tart and sass to separate her from the cookie cutter collective. She could go from virgin to vixen with just one pose which shows her versatility.Sadly we lost Bettie less than 2 weeks before Christmas in 2008, of all the models past and present, she remains my favorite Pin-up and my Div'Icon of the month!

MR. HUBBA HUBBA(S) OF THE MONTH

World War II, was a time where the Unites States of America needed the best of the best in the sea, on land and in the air to fight their enmies abroad; and among those that rose to the challenge was a group of soliders called the Tuskege Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen is the most recognized name of a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II. Formally, they were the 332nd Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States armed forces. During World War II, African Americans in many U.S. states still were subject to Jim Crow laws. The American military was racially segregated, as was much of the federal government. The Tuskegee Airmen were subject to racial discrimination, both within and outside the army. Despite these adversities, they flew with distinction. They were particularly successful in their missions as bomber escorts in Europe, in over 200 of their many missions, THEY RARLEY LOST A PILOT THEY ESCORTED INTO BATTLE.

In 1949, the 332nd entered the annual All Air Force Gunnery Meet in Las Vegas, Nevada, and won. After segregation in the military was ended in 1948 by President Harry S. Truman with Executive Order 9981, the veteran Tuskegee Airmen now found themselves in high demand throughout the newly formed United States Air Force. Some taught in civilian flight schools, such as the black-owned Columbia Air Center in Maryland

Many of the surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen participate annually in the Tuskegee Airmen Convention, which is hosted by Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

Approximately 119 pilots and 211 ground personnel still are alive from the original crew member number of 994 pilots and about 15,000 ground personnel.

(Info taken from Wikepedia)

Brave warriors are to me some of the sexiest men alive and that is why these men of valor are my Hubba Hubbas of the month in which this country also celebrates their independence.

A Word To My Sponsors

Next Month  I will be competing in the Miss Plus America Pageant representing the plus size bombshells of California (Woo Hoo) and I want to thank my sponsors without with and the abaundant grace of God this would not be possible.

Affluence PR

Beauty Come Forth Magazine

BlackGirl Travel

Hard Candy Cosmetics

Lash Royalty

New Wine Dance Academy

Tony Wilson-Pre-Paid Legal

Thank you all for your generosity!

For info regarding the pageant, go to:

http://www.missplusamerica.com/

Giggle Water Recipe

Gin and Sin

• 
  
  6 Ice Cubes
• 
  
  2 Teaspons of Fresh Lemon Juice
• 
  
  2 Teaspoon Of Frsh Orange Juice 
• 
  
  2 to 4 Dashes Grenadine

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and the remaining ingredients. Stir gently with a longs handled bar spoon (about 20 times). Strain the mixture, and divide between two short old fashioned glasses.

Div'Icon (Diva Icon) Of the Moment

Diahann Carroll

This lady was and is the epitome of class and style. She was the first african american woman to have her own t.v. show "Julia" and one of her first roles was opposite of Dorothy Dandridge in "Carmen Jones" she has also perfromed on Broadway and is a recording artist.

Simply Beautiful Beauty Treatment #6

Peachy-Keen Facial

This is as simple as you can get for a beauty treatment, the astringent sag busting action of the peach juice will freshen and firm your skin.

Take one ripe peach, cut into slices. Take one slice and rub all over your face and let the juice sit on your face for 20 minutes then rise with warm water and pat dry. With the rest of the peach slices sit back and enjoy a healthy snack!

......Peachy, peachy, turtle dove
Teach me, teach me how to love
Tell me that you're glad you found me
Oh, my loveable boy
Meet me, greet me with a kiss
Sweety, treat me to some bliss
Throw your great big arms around me
Till I holler for joy..

From the song "Cuddle Up" by Irving Berlin

NURSE IN FAMOUS PHOTO PASSES AWAY

Edith Shain, the woman who has claimed to be the nurse being kissed in the famous photo shot in Times Square after the end of WWII passed away today in Los Angeles. Ediths identity of the phototgraph first published in LIFE magazine was not known until the 1970's when Edith contacted the photographer, Alfred Eisenstaedt to inform him that she was the nurse  in the world famous photo taken August 14, 1945.

(Carl Muscarello and Edith Shain stand next to the statue of the photo of them that made history)

From that point on, Shain's life was forever changed as the fame she garnered led to invites to war related events such a wreath layings, parades and other memorial events. To this day, the photo is recognized as a symbol of celebration  that has been used in art, movies and even re-enacted by vintage enthusiasts  in various ways including wedding invitations.

Little did Edith know when she walked out on to that New York street that hot August day that she would be imortalized in history forever; one kiss, one photo, one amazing moment in in history!