Feature Stories
Kandi Burruss on The Nate Show Today
Atlanta Housewife Kandi Burruss will appear on the Nate Berkus Show today, showing viewers how to create a sexy bedroom for Valentine’s Day.
We hear Kandi also reveals her ‘must-haves’ for a sexy bedroom – wonder if those include her Bedroom Kandi sex toy line and a performance by RiDICKulous?
Kandi just won Best Overall Sex Toy Line at the AVN Awards in Las Vegas, so she knows what she’s talking about!
Nate was in Atlanta a few months ago for Oprah’s O You conference. Check out our video interview with him where he gives tips for decorating a Midtown loft, and of of course, our interview with Kandi.
Valentine’s Cocktails from the W Buckhead
The W Atlanta – Buckhead was kind enough to send over not one, but two signature Valentine’s Day cocktails! Try them tonight at the hotel bar, Whiskey Blue (one night only!) or make them yourself using the W Buckhead’s special recipes below…
Candy Heart (left above)
Part 1
In a Shaker Glass add:
- 1 1/2 oz. Godiva Chocolate Liquer or Baileys
- 1 2/2 oz. Creme De Cacao
- 1/2 oz. Vodka
- 1/2 oz/ Half and Half
- Add ice shake well and strain into a martini glass
Part 2:
In a shaker glass add:
- 1 1/2 oz. Strawberry Puree
- 3/4 oz Fresh Sweet n Sour
- 1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
- 2 1/2 oz. Whip Cream
Add ice shake VERY well and slowly strain layer on top of the martini glass filled with chocolate martini drink.
Love Potion #9 (right above)
In a shaker glass add:
- 1 oz. Stoli Vanilla
- 1/2 oz. Watermelon Pucker
- 1 oz. Cranberry Juice
- 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
Add ice shake well and strain into a champagne flute about 3/4 to the top. Top with champagne. Garnish with a strawberry half.
Enjoy!
Meet Paul Wolski’s ‘Alter Egos’ [PHOTOS]
![377890 307713335918287 139711592718463 998082 130721251 n Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]](http://atlantaboy.com/wp-content/uploads/377890_307713335918287_139711592718463_998082_130721251_n.jpg "Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]")
Midtown artist Paul Wolski’s collection of Alter Ego Pop Art is now on display at Chic – Evolution in Art at Phipps Plaza…
The gallery recently held an opening night party to benefit Pancreatic cancer with Atlanta Housewife Cynthia Bailey. She bought several pieces for herself and friends like Kandi Burruss, who also attended and had previously picked out a sculpture for her daughter Riley.
![374809 307687252587562 139711592718463 998062 1147279266 n Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]](http://atlantaboy.com/wp-content/uploads/374809_307687252587562_139711592718463_998062_1147279266_n.jpg "Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]")
Most of the Atlanta Housewives have visited Chic. It was even prominently featured on Sunday night’s episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta along with Wolski’s pieces.
![PROOF AlterEgo MISCHIEF 36x36 Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]](http://atlantaboy.com/wp-content/uploads/PROOF_AlterEgo_MISCHIEF_36x36.jpg "Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]")
Gallery’s owner Ivan Pitoni (who also lives in Midtown), told me he chose to feature Paul Wolski’s work because, “It always leaves behind a smile and instantly makes people interact with each other. Whenever I seek new talent to bring into Chic, it has to be unique and remarkable. Paul’s work transmits freedom with simple interpretations of our own dualities.”
![377440 307710155918605 139711592718463 998078 784011539 n Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]](http://atlantaboy.com/wp-content/uploads/377440_307710155918605_139711592718463_998078_784011539_n.jpg "Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]")
Wolski, who started out as a lead designer and authorized character illustrator at Walt Disney Imagineering, tells me the formula for his art is simple: “Avoid tradition, embrace diversity, relate to the audience, and be the life of the party.”
![PROOF AlterEgo ARRIVAL 30x30 Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]](http://atlantaboy.com/wp-content/uploads/PROOF_AlterEgo_ARRIVAL_30x30.jpg "Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]")
His characters begin as black and white pencil sketches, then later enter the digital world with the help of Mac-based design software. The end result is a colorful illustration somewhere between 2D and 3D, lush and layered yet graphic and minimal.
![AlterEgo LIGHTEN UP Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]](http://atlantaboy.com/wp-content/uploads/AlterEgo_LIGHTEN_UP.jpg "Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]")
I’ve been a fan of Wolski’s work since 2005, when he created the cover character for my book, ATLANTAboy.
![atlantaboy small Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]](http://atlantaboy.com/wp-content/uploads/atlantaboy-small.jpg "Meet Paul Wolskis Alter Egos [PHOTOS]")
Want your own Alter Ego? It’s possible to commission your own – stop by the gallery for a consultation!
- Paul Wolski’s ‘Alter Egos’ runs through the end of December at Chic Evolution in Art.
* Gallery photography by Sacha Griffin, Seeit360.com. Art images by Paul Wolski.
RuPaul Wishes You A Merry Xmas, Baby!
Atlanta’s own RuPaul wanted us to wish you a very merry Christmas, baby!
The new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race drops January 30th on Logo TV.
Here’s a sneak peek…
Kandi Burruss On How to Get Very Rich, Bitch!
“You have to live for the time
you don’t even see coming yet.”
Kandi Burruss is not only a musician and reality star, she’s also a serial entrepreneur.
The single mom and star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta started out in the Atlanta-based group Xscape when she was in high school.
But unlike other young artists who later went broke, Kandi now runs four successful businesses. She’s a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and music producer but also owns a clothing store (TAGS Boutique) in Smyrna, a sex toy line (Bedroom Kandi) and a game app (Kandi Koated Spades).
I recently caught up with Kandi to find out how she became one of the only (actually) very rich Housewives of Atlanta…
“When I was in high school, my mom always told me, ‘Good credit better than money.’ A lot of my friends didn’t learn that lesson. It doesn’t matter if you’re making a lot of money if you don’t have good credit.”
“I have always been a firm believer in living below your means. The first car I eve rhad was a BMW 325i that I bought, but I had been out on tour selling millions of albums before I every bought that car. I was still driving the old car that my momma had given me in high school, even though I had an album and hit songs on the radio. I waited until I had $100,000 in the bank before I went out and bought my little $30,000 car. I didn’t want to go out and buy the biggest Benz just to impress other people.”
You don’t want to put on for other people
so much that you become broke in the process.”
“I didn’t want to go spend spend spend to put on an image for everyone else. I don’t think it’s important for to go, ‘I got millions of dollars. I want everybody to see it by spending way more than I’ve got. If I’ve got a million dollars but I’m two million dollars in debt, I’m still not a millionaire.”
“You have to live for the time you don’t even see coming yet. A lot of people are living for today. Just because you’re making a lot of money today, doesn’t mean you’re gonna be making a lot of money 20 years from now or 10 years from now. Unless you set yourself up in a way to where you will be able to make money off the money that you have.”
LL Cool J once told me, ‘always have
a house and a car that you own.”
“LL Cool J once told me, ‘always have a house and a car that you own.’ So every time you get a check, throw a little money to the principle so you can pay off your house. So that’s what I did, and those were words for me to live buy. Every time I got a check, instead of balling out to impress people, I paid more toward my house. I paid toward things that accumulate in value.”
“Take care of your credit and pay your bills on time. You don’t ever want to be one of those people who is putting on for other people so much, that you go broke in the process.”
Who is your favorite Real Housewife of Atlanta?
Johnny Weir: The Atlanta Interview
“I can’t even count how many
men in heels I’ve seen down here.”
Last night I caught up with Johnny Weir at Grady High School for the CNN Dialogues: LGBT forum.
Weir, who is usually much more flamboyant, chose to wear an all black suit instead of his usual attire.
“I wanted to be very serious and downplayed, because I’m in quite a mixture of people and I’m the weird, crazy one on the end. I wanted to blend in for fashion,” he told me.
“This is my serious look. I’m in a high school, so I can’t come with my feathers and nipple tassels and all that. But I have seen so many men in high heels down here, I can’t even count – especially from The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
It’s funny he said that, because a few minutes into the forum, Purple Door Salon owner and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Dwight Eubanks walked in and sat down right next to me (I’ll post my interview with him soon).
“I’ve been very much attacked for being gay
by the media outlets of the world.”
Weir said he would talk about whatever the group wanted to discuss, because “I’ve been there. I’ve been through it all. I’ve been very much attacked publicly for being gay by the media outlets of the world.”
“If me being here can shed some light on issues that I’ve had and that people around the world have had, then I have to be here to talk about it.”
Weir also told me he loves the southern charm and culture of Atlanta. But that’s not the only reason. Weir recently got engaged to an Atlanta man – Roswell High School and Emory University graduate Victor Voronov.
“I have an appearance in Greenville, South Carolina tomorrow,” Weir said. “Then I’m coming back to Atlanta to meet the in-laws!”
CNN Dialogues Tackles Tough LGBT Issues
CNN has always been at the forefront of conversation, and last night was no exception.
I had the honor of not only attending the network’s latest forum, CNN Dialogues: LGBT, at Grady High School, but also interviewing its panelists – CNN and ESPN contributor LZ Granderson and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir.
(See my previous interview with the forum’s moderator, HLN anchor Jane Velez-Mitchell).
Tough topics included gay marriage, religion, bullying in schools, being out at work, bisexuality, transgender issues and more.
One Atlanta schoolboard member wanted to know how to manage inclusiveness in schools. How do educators actually do this? And what if the student being bullied isn’t out or is too young to know if he or she is gay?
The main topic of the forum was ‘has increased openness led to more acceptance?’ I’ll be posting more from the forum along with my panelist interviews soon.
Audience members included CNN anchor Don Lemmon, Dwight Eubanks from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Outwrite Bookstore owner Philip Rafshoon, Atlanta Pride 2011 Grand Marshall Lynn Barfield, gay sex columnist Michael Alvear and Johnny Weir’s new fiance, Victor Voronov who went to Emory.
What do you think?
Has increase openness in the gay community led to more acceptance, or vice-versa?
Cynthia Bailey: The Atlanta Interview
“This is who I am, take it or leave it.”
Now that Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 4 is in full swing, we thought we’d catch up with model/reality star/entrepreneur Cynthia Bailey…
Along with starring on RHOA, Cynthia’s also busy with other ventures – opening The Bailey Agency School of Fashion, helping with husband Peter Thomas‘ new lounge barONE, and volunteering with various philanthropic causes…
Why did you decide to get married at Fernbank?
Because it felt right. I’m not a traditional person, and I always do my own thing.
I love that I got married
underneath the belly of a dinosaur.”
I love that I got married underneath the belly of a dinosaur. I’m part of a small elite group that can claim that!
How do you like Atlanta compared to New York City?
I love Atlanta, and I love New York. I love the quality of life that I have in Atlanta, and I love the energy of New York City. The two cities are very different – I enjoy the balance of both
After all the drama, are you still glad to be on the show?
I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Real Housewives of Atlanta cast. It is an incredible platform, and has given me a voice. I think my cast mates are smart businesswomen, and we all bring something different to the table.
I don’t play a character on the show,
I play myself – take it or leave it”
I never take any of the negativity on the show personally. I don’t play a character on the show, I play myself.
This is who I am, take it or leave it. It will always be more important to me to be a good person and a good mother over good TV.
I will never fight or scream profanities at my cast mates. It’s not who I am, however warranted. It will never happen.
How did you become such good friends with NeNe?
I meet NeNe before I was cast for the show. We met for drinks, but didn’t really connect. I was a little intimidated by her at first because she was just so ‘real’ and bigger than life.
I kept thinking, ‘I can’t believe
I’m hanging out with NeNe Leakes!’
The whole time I kept thinking, ‘I can’t believe I’m hanging out with NeNe Leakes!’
I had watched ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ a couple of times, and NeNe was the one that stood out to me. We ended up hanging out again and had a blast!
Once I was able to get to know her as a person, and not a reality star, we just bonded.
I love NeNe. She has been a good friend, and has been very helpful as a cast mate. She is supportive, smart, and has given me great advice. I’m very grateful to her.
What can guests expect at barONE?
barONE is a small bar and lounge, with a sexy Miami feel. The menu has a variety of tapas such as jerk chicken salad, shrimp fritters and turkey sliders.
The food is incredible. We’re already famous for our lychee martinis.
Our DJ rocks, and our crowd is mostly 30s and up. It’s already become Atlanta’s new hot spot.
We’re already famous for our lychee martinis.”
Ludacris, Monica, Keri Hilson, Young Joc, Dr. Jay, Jill Scott, Marsha Abrosius, RL, Nelson Ellis and Tami Roman have all come through.
My cast mates NeNe Leakes, Sheree Whitfield and Derek J have also shown us their support. There is no cover at the door.
What are some of the events you’ve held at barONE?
It’s great for birthday parties. We host a lot of those. We had an amazing party after the Soul Train Awards. Our Halloween party was also great.
On Sunday nights, Peter and I
watch the show with our fans.”
On Sunday nights, Peter and I watch the show with our fans. It’s a lot of fun. I’m hosting a cancer benefit for my friend April love there as well.
barONE recently held a Halloween party. What did you dress as?
I dressed as a Geisha. I’m not that into Halloween, so I never really go all out. My daughter doesn’t really eat a lot of candy either, but we always give it out.
I just happened to have a kimono lying around the house, so it worked out. I looked pretty convincing!
What was your proudest accomplishment as a model?
Shooting with Annie Leibovitz for a Vanity Fair shoot for Iman’s beauty book alongside veteran greats such as Beverly Johnson, Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks.
I felt so validated and proud to be among them. I kept pinching myself, because I thought I was dreaming. It’s one of my favorite photos.
Why did you decide to open a modeling agency in Atlanta?
Because this is where I live. Also, I believe there is a need for The Bailey Agency School of Fashion.
There’s a lot of talent in Atlanta, but most are uninformed or misinformed about how to get into the fashion industry.
I would have benefited from a
school like this when I was starting out.”
As a dream builder, it’s important for me to give proper information and guidance to my students. I would have benefited from a school like this when I was first starting out.
Are you going to represent models as their agent, or just teach them how to model?
The Bailey Agency School of Fashion is a school, not a modeling agency. However, in some cases, I will offer model placement with agencies and model management.
This will be based on the students’ potential, dedication, ambition and my discretion. I fully support the agencies that are already here, and look forward to bringing them talent.
How can models apply to your school?
They can go to our Web site, TheBaileyAgencySchoolOfFashion.com and fill out an application. Or they can stop by the school:
The Bailey Agency School of Fashion
924 Garrett Street
Atlanta, GA 30316
404-622-1791
How did you and Peter enjoy doing the AIDS Walk with the LemonAIDS?
Peter and I really enjoyed it. We’re both fairly new to Atlanta, and it was our first time doing the walk. I always did the AIDS Walk in New York.
I’m passionate about lending my support to AIDS, cancer and anti-bullying causes. These are issues that affect my life and the lives of my friends and family.
What can we expect for the rest of the season?
You’ll continue to see Peter and I start our new businesses, barONE and The Bailey Agency School of Fashion.
Even though I am still closest with NeNe, I spend more time with my other cast mates than I did last season. My 12 year old daughter is a singer and actress, so you’ll get to see her career unfold as well.
I want to be an example to others
to be fearless and follow your dreams”
Did you ever think the show would get this big?
Real Housewives of Atlanta is the number one show on Bravo, and is very entertaining. We are household names!
I never thought as a little girl growing up in a small town in Alabama that I would ever reach this kind of success.
I feel very blessed, and want to be an example to others to be fearless and follow your dreams. If I can do it, you can, too!
- To learn more about Cynthia Bailey, visit CynthiaBailey.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter. Follow The Bailey Agency School of Fashion on Facebook and Twitter and barONE on Facebook and Twitter.
Kandi Burruss to Perform with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in ‘Gospel Christmas’
Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter (and ATL Housewives star) Kandi Burruss will appear as the featured performer with the Atlanta Symphony Orchetra’s 16th annual ‘Gospel Christmas’…
The Gospel Christmas Choir was founded in 1995 by Atlanta’s First Lady of Gospel, Rev. Sallie B. Parrish.
For Atlanta-born Burruss, this performance is a personal milestone as a well as a professional one.
I remember the very first Gospel Christmas, which was just a few years after I started performing professionally. And at that time, I could have never imagined that I would be here 16 years later at 35. It is such an honor to be given the opportunity to add my own chapter to the legacy created by Rev. Sallie B. Parrish, who is an Atlanta legend.”
Kandi will perform alongside the ASO and the all-city Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Gospel Choir at 8 p.m. on December 2nd and at 2 p.m. on December 3rd at Atlanta Symphony Hall. The choir will be directed by Jarvis Wilson, while the ASO will be led by guest conductor Chelsea Tipton II.
Adam Glassman, O Magazine’s Creative Director On Holiday Party Style
We caught up with O Magazine Creative Director Adam Glassman at the O You! conference in Atlanta and asked him how to dress appropriately for a holiday party…
What’s the quickest legal route to joy?
Spending time with my family. My nieces and nephew always know how to make me smile!
From O You:
What’s one thing that’s always overrated?
One thing? No way. How about (a) movie premieres, (b) Fashion Week, (c) benefit galas and (d) the Real Housewives franchise? How jaded do I sound? But, really, it’s all work… so the grass is always greener.
What makes you still?
Meditation – I can’t live without it.
What words do you live by?
‘The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.’ – Maya Angelou
What’s the hardest truth to tell?
I am known for saying what your best friends won’t – but sometimes that’s hard for me too.
What makes a person fearless?
Confidence with a healthy dose of ego.
What do you ask yourself most often?
When in communication with others, I often ask mysel, ‘What is my intention while having this conversation?’
When/how did you last surprise yourself?
By losing so much weight when I was just trying to lower my blood pressure by changing what and how I ate.
What do you know for sure?
Everyone should have a tailor on their speed dial, and your tailor should be your best friend.
Adam Glassman has been the creative director of O, The Oprah Magazine since 2000. In this role, he oversees the visuals for O’s fashion, beauty and home editorial pages. Adam also pioneered the idea of using real women in O’s fashion pages, and is involved in all aspects of O’s monthly cover shoots. In April 2007, Adam debuted his own column entitled ‘Adam Says,’ where Adam fields questions from O readers on topics ranging from age-appropriate clothing to how to be comfortable and still look great during a long airplane flight. Prior to joining the O family, Adam was a contributing editor, freelance stylist and art director.
- To learn more about Adam Glassman, visit Oprah.com/OMagazine or follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
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