Build you personal brand today - its free!

Building a personal brand has never been easier than it is today. Take Mika Stefano who lives off social networking and being fabulous. You too can start to know and be known by the supposed who's who of the entire world. How?

Well for starters, create a blog or start commenting on various blogs, here you can share ideas information and learn from peoples comments and views of the world. Keep your Facebook, Twitter and you name it updates, yes up to date. People love to hear about each others successes and whereabouts! Remember that you are not employed by anyone but yourself. No organisation owns you and your managers will not ever stay for longer than you skills and abilities will. Finally think beyond your reality - people who build big brands are those who want to rise above their current occupations, circumstance and achievements.

Hope this helps, now watch as I build mine!

I'm in Maimi Beach! Dj Fresh

Dj Fresh, the Big Dawg is out in USA invading the New York and Miami space. MarieClairvoyant on www.maireclaire.co.za has all the info you need. Log on as we follow Fresh in and out of the Winter Music Aards and Miami Beach...first class pass, just for you!

A fashionable carnival!

I am landlocked all the way in Johannesburg right now! If I had just one wish... it would be to rock the Cape Town Carnival especially this year. The inauguration of this weekend will be marked by a brand new concept that all fashionistas will love! You guessed it; a fashion show. Brought to you by BP Express and CPT Carnival be sure not to miss this if you are in Cape Town. If you are a designer and would love to feature the contacts are below.

Tickets cost R120 per person. The show will take place at The Lookout, V&A Waterfront (on the roof of Aston Martin) 7.30pm on Thursday, 18 March.

For booking info, call +27 (0)21 405 4473 or email angie@capetowncarnival.com.
For more information, go to www.capetowncarnival.com

My Paris Fashion Week picks

Paris fashion week has come and gone at the beautiful Louvre Museum. My fashion yey is the Louis Vuitton A-line with the stunning yellow bag - look at that bag! My nay certainly has to be the foot long dress from Monsieur Jean Paul Gaultier's Autumn/Winter 2010/2011 collection. It looks a bit like I would trip and fall with every step.

Contesting the origins of the booty hop!

So i had a little mirror moment yesterday and starting performing my cultural "Xhosa" dance called umxentso. While booty hopping my way to the traditional songs in my head, I realised that no man - Beyonce never came up the booty hop. We have been booty hopping our way as amaqhiyazana (Xhosa girl dancers) in all kinds of ceremonies back in the Eastern Cape. The booty hop is derived from the Xhosa traditional dance - thank you for giving it an english title Queen B!

Destiny Fulfilled

Mentors are hard to find; people who you can trust and rely on for showing you the right direction through the crazy industry of business are limited. Desitny magazine offers a dream come true for young people who want to know how to propel in the corporate world. I will be watching my virtual mentor, Khanyi on the 10th of March from 1pm to 2pm on the destiny website. This is too cool!!! http://www.destinyconnect.com/default.aspx

SAMA Nominations

So I was at the stunning SAMA Nominations launch party at club Taboo in the prestigious Santon of Johannesburg. Here are the nominations. SABC 1 will showcase this event live on the 17 April 2010.

TOP 5

Album of the Year

Big Nuz for Undisputed
BLK JKS for the album After Robots
Busi Mhlongo for Amakholwa Believers
Selaelo Selota for Lapeng Laka
Teargas for Dark Or Blue

Duo or Group of the Year

AKING for Against All Odds
Big Nuz for the album Undisputed
Jaziel Brothers for The Journey
Joyous Celebration for Volume 13 Live At The Mosaiek Theatre, Johannesburg
Teargas for Dark Or Blue

Female Artist of the Year

Busi Mhlongo for Amakholwa Believers
Camagwini for Emandulo
Lira for Live In Concert: A Celebration
Louise Carver for The Home Tour – Live
Thandiswa Mazwai for Ibokwe

Male Artist of the Year

Benjamin Dube for 16 June Commemoration Live
Black Coffee for Home Brewed
Chris Chameleon for Kyk Hoe Lyk Ons Nou
Ntando for Inqubela
Selaelo Selota for Lapeng Laka

Newcomer of the Year

Culoe de Song for A Giant Leap
Kyle Shepherd for Fine ART
Solly Mahlangu for the album Obrigado
The South African Youth Choir for the album Birth of the Sun
Tshepo Mngoma for People And Places

MTN Record of the Year

Change the World – Master Jam (w/ RJ Benjamin)
Consider Me – Prime Circle
Fairytale - Liquideep
Fort Knox - Goldfish
Free - Thembi Seete
Good Music - DJ Cleo
Heartbreak Street – Jesse Clegg
I Believe – Oskido
Ingoma - Thandiswa featuring Hugh Masekela
Juju – Black Coffee featuring Zakes Bantwini
Lesson Number 1 – Rhythmic Elements
Live my Life – Winnie Khumalo
Maybe - Loyiso
Mmatswale- Malaika
Mpitse - HHP
Nka Mo Dira – Nutty Nys (w/ Abe Molamu)
Nomalanga Mntakwethu – Zuluboy
Push me to the Floor - The Parlotones
Umlilo - Big Nuz featuring Tira
We Baba - Culoe De Song featuring Busi Mhlongo

AFRIKAANS

Best Afrikaans Traditional Music Album

Die Teelepeltjies - Boeremusiek Op Sy Warmste
Hennie De Bruyn & Die Kitaarkerels - Vurige Snare
Klipwerf Orkes - Hantam Carnival
Mooiplaas Boere-Orkes - Traditionele Boeremusiek
Zak Van Niekerk, Hennie De Bruyn & Die Kitaarkerels - Rig Jou Hande Na Bo

Best Adult Contemporary Album: Afrikaans

Bok Van Blerk - Afrikanerhart
Chris Chameleon - Kyk Hoe Lyk Ons Nou
Die Radio Kalahari Orkes - Heuningland
Romanz - Bly Getrou
Theuns Jordaan - Kouevuur

Best Afrikaans Gospel Album

Jan Hoogendyk - Ontskemer
Louis Brittz, Wanda Bam & Leza Liversage - Ons Draai Terug!
Retief Burger - Luidkeels Oorgegee
Rouchelle Liedemann - Nuwe Begin
Wanda Bam - Beloofde Land

Best Kiddies Album: Afrikaans

Carike Keuzenkamp - Carike En Ghoempie Kuier Saam Met Ghoeghoe In Kinderland 6
Nedine Blom - Supercool Vir Jesus
Ronell Erasmus - Kareltjie Kameelperd
Vaaljappie - Kanedoebadoe



Best Country Music Album

Billy Forrest & Bobby Angel - The Hits Of Foster & Allen
Cheree - In My Drome
Die Campbells - Keep It Country
Dozi - Voel So Reg
Ray Dylan - Goeie Ou Country

Best Rock Album: Afrikaans

Andries Botha - Welkom In Die Wêreld
Jan Blohm - 7 Jaar
Teerpad - Kry Rigting
Zinkplaat - Mooi Besoedeling

Best Alternative Music Album: Afrikaans

Die Heuwels Fantasties - Die Heuwels Fantasties
Gizelle - Begin
Sonsteek - Ons Ideale
Straatligkinders - Sweef Soos N Vuishou
Willim Welsyn - Maanplaas

Best Pop Album: Afrikaans

Bobby Van Jaarsveld - Net Vir Jou
Dewald Louw - Ek En Jy
Lianie May - Boeremeisie
Nicholis Louw - Energie
Snotkop - Francois Henning Was Hier

Best Sokkie Dans Album

Die Campbells - Mamma Maria
Kurt Darren - Die Beste Medisyne
Ruan De Waal – ‘N Bietjie Nader
Willem Botha - Se My Nou
Zak Van Niekerk - Fototjie

Best Afrikaans DVD

Juanita Du Plessis - 10 Jaar Platinum Treffers Live
Louis Brittz & Jean Marais - Daniel 09
Nicholis Louw – Intiem Met Nicholis Louw
Retief Burger - Luidkeels Oorgegee
Thys Die Bosveldklong - Kom Lag ‘N Slag
GLOBAL CHARTS

Best Adult Contemporary Album: English

Blk Sonshine - Good Life
Dear Reader - Replace Why With Funny
Farryl Purkiss - Fruitbats & Crows
Laurie Levine - Living Room
Louise Carver - The Home Tour: Live

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

Kevin Knott - Worthy
Proxy - The Call
Rivers Live - Love Never Fails
Scintillate - Sleeper
The Plain Truth - Only One God

Best Kiddies Album: English

Gcina Mhlophe - Songs And Stories Of Africa
Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom - Goggatjie Childrens Songs CD
Relebogile Mabotja & Erika Strydom - Stories From The Alphabet Tree Volume 1

Best Rock Album: English

aKING - Against All Odds
Cassette - Who Do You Trust
New Holland - Exploded Views
The Parlotones - Stardust Galaxies
Voodoo Child - Attack. Don’t Panic

Best Alternative Music Album: English

BLK JKS - After Robots
Hog Hoggidy Hog - Method To The Madness
Martin Rocka And The Sickshop - Its A Filthy Song But Someones Got To Sing It
Mix N Blend - Look Mom No Hands
The Black Hotels - Films For The Next Century

Best Pop Album: English

Axene – 16
Jerusha – Jerushalem
La Vuvuzela – In Stereo
NKD – NKD
Sasha-Lee – Sasha-Lee


Best Global Chart DVD

Dozi & Nianell - It Takes Two - Live At The Silverstar Casino
Lira - Live In Concert: A Celebration
Prime Circle - All Or Nothing Live
The Plain Truth - Only One God

JAZZ AND CLASSICAL

Best Popular Classical Album

Daniel Rowland And Stellenbosch University Camerata - Vivaldi / Piazzolla Seasons
James Grace - Sevilla Music Of Spain II
Sterling Electric Quartet - Nova
The South African Youth Choir – Birth Of The Sun
TwoPianists - Brahms, Lutoslawski, Arensky & Copland

Best Instrumental Album

Carol Thorns - Fireflies In The Rain
CH2 - Orange Guitar
Guy Buttery - Fox Hill Lane
Kidofdoom - My Faith In War
Steve Newman – Flavour

Best Traditional Jazz Album

Anna Davel - Linger Longer
Brian Thusi - Nomakunjalo
Kyle Shepherd - FineART
Tutu Puoane - Quiet Now
Jazzing & Jiving – The Cape Town Sessions

Best Contemporary Jazz Album

Adam Glasser - Free At First
Fundile Mdingi - Borrowed Gift
Ivan Mazuze - Maganda
Tammy - Just Jazz
Tshepo Mngoma - People And Places





Best Jazz/Instrumental/Popular Classical DVD

Kristel Birkholtz - The Sea In Spring
Ses Snare - Ses Snare Live @ The Performer Theatre
Wouter Kellerman - Colour Live In Concert

TECHNICAL & VIDEO

Best Music Video of the Year

Nicky Campos for Juju by Black Coffee Ft Zakes Bantwini
Morgan Dingle for Who Do You Trust by Cassette
Nick Roux for Gotta Keep It Going by Jozi
Brandon Oelofse for Double Cross by Psyfo
Francis Gavin & Jolyon Ellis for Push Me To The Floor by The Parlotones

Best Producer

Theo Crous for Kyk Hoe Lyk Ons Nou by Chris Chameleon
Brian O’Shea for Fruitbats & Crows by Farryl Purkiss
HHP & Steve Raphadu for Dumela by HHP
Mix n Blend for Look Mom No Hands by Mix N Blend
James Bassingthwaighte & Jaydine Baron for Love That Music by Timothy Moloi

Best Engineer

Johan van Schalkwyk & Crighton Goodwill for Stripped Down Soul’d Out by Garth Taylor
Ishmael Morabe & DJ Swami for On The Edge by Ishmael
Marius Brouwer for On The Run by Jason Hartman
Howard Butcher for Flavour by Steve Newman
Robin Walsh for Love That Music by Timothy Moloi

Remix Of The Year

DJ Nutty Nys for K’zogo K’zogozogo (Summer Anthem) – Nutty Nys Remix by Deep Level
Protoculture for Cruising Through - Protoculture Mix by Goldfish
Black Coffee for This Is How It Goes - Black Coffee Remix by Goldfish
Bongani Fassie Partytime by Jozi
DJ Hypnosis for 2 By 2 by Rhythmic Elements





Best Album Packaging

Merwe Marchand le Roux for Against All Odds by aKING
Craig Wells for Who Do You Trust by Cassette
Heath Dyer for Live In Concert: A Celebration CD by Lira
Caroline Hillary for Ibokwe by Thandiswa Mazwai
Matt Edwards for Whole Worlds by Tumi

TRADITIONAL

Best South Sotho Music (SeSotho) Album

Koete - Tharisa Ea Matsoapo No.4
Letsoalo - Letabohile Letsoalo
Masweti - Masweti No.2 Re Kopa Khotso
Motsotuoa Mosenene - Lipabala Tsa Quthing No.4
Tau Ea Matsekha - Matsekha Grooves

Best Tsonga Music (XiTsonga) Album

Connie Chauke - Magevenga
George Maluleke - Siku Ramakumu
Hammy Chauke – Niwisisi
Mapfohlosela - Mr Hummer
Thomas Chauke - Shimatsatsa No 29

Best Venda Music (TshiVenda) Album

Ntshengedzeni Maligana – Mathada Vol. 2
Tshigomboza - Toduluso
Zozo & Sangere Superbeat - Mukovhe

Best Mbhaqanga Album

Abafana BakaMolo - Intombi Yegenge
Impumelelo - Isikweletu
Mthoko - Thambo Lami Leqolo
Oflende - Pajero
Umashwabana - Ithemba Lami

Best Maskandi Album

Izingane Zoma – Obama
Phuzekhemisi - Izindaba Zakho
Shabalala Rhythm - Isikweletu
Thokozani Langa - Inganekwane
Umgqumeni – I SMS
Best Traditional A Capella Album

African Cream Freedom Choir - Freedom Songs
King Star Brothers - Abanini Bemizi
Ladysmith Abafana Bezamanani - Ngane Yami
Thulani Shabalala Izimpande - Unity Is The Power
Usuthu - Halala 2010

Best Adult Contemporary Album: African

Bhudaza - Likhomo
Busi Mhlongo - Amakholwa Believers
Camagwini - Emandulo
Selaelo Selota - Lapeng Laka
Thandiswa Mazwai - Ibokwe

Best African Contemporary Gospel Album

Benjamin Dube - 16 June Commemoration Live
Jay - Worship Unlimited Vol. 1
Joyous Celebration - Vol. 13 Live At The Mosaiek Theatre, JHB
Solly Mahlangu - Obrigado
Spirit of Praise - Spirit Of Praise Vol 2

Best African Traditional Gospel Album

Hlengiwe Mhlaba - Hlala Kuye
Sechaba - Mangihamba Nawe
Sipho Makhabane - Ebenezer
Winnie Mashaba - Joang Kapa Joang
Worship House - Ikhaya Lami

Best Traditional African A Capella Gospel Album

Abalindi - Nguwe Nguwe
Amadodana Ase Postile - Ngihole Jehovah
Amadodana Ase Wesile - Jesu Wena Ungu Mhlobo
In Zion Of Julesburg Apostolic Faith Assembly In Zion - Se Ndzi Dyohile (Forgive Us Lord)
Thina Zion 1 - Phuthumani

Best Alternative Music Album: African

Candy - Siki (Five Cents)
Joe Nina - Unchained
KB - Ke Mosadi
Oliver Mtukudzi - Dairai
Best Traditional/African Adult Contemporary African DVD

Benjamin Dube - 16 June Commemoration Live
Joyous Celebration - Vol. 13 : Live At The Mosaiek Theatre, JHB
Solly Mahlangu - Obrigado
Spirit Of Praise – Spirit of Praise Vol 2
Worship House - Ikhaya Lami

URBAN

Best Urban Gospel Album

Bongi & Collin - Makadunyiswe
Charisma - My Journey
Keke - In The Holy Of Holies
Kgotso - In The Beginning
Neville D - Songs Of Deliverance

Best Pop Album: African

Deborah - Uthando
Jaziel Brothers - The Journey
Maduvha - Africa
Malaika - Mmatswale
Ntando - Inqubela

Best Urban Pop Album

DJ Sox - House Party
Jozi - Wild Life
Kwela Tebza - Made In South Africa
Mxo - Sounds In Motion
Urban Reign - When It Rains It Pours

Best Urban Dance Album

Black Coffee - Home Brewed
Culoe De Song - A Giant Leap
DJ Cleo – Es’khaleni 6
Liquideep - Oscillation
Oskido – Oskido’s Church Grooves 8 & 9th Commandment






Best R&B/Neo-Soul Album

Brian Temba - Something Better
Byron Clarke - Self Inflicted
Ishmael - On The Edge
Mario Ogle – Can’t Stop Loving You
Nash Reed - Mercurial

Best Rap Album

HHP - Dumela
JR - Colourfull
Khuli Chana - The MotswakOriginator
Teargas - Dark Or Blue
Tumi - Whole Worlds

Best Kwaito Album

Big Nuz - Undisputed
Mzambiya - Still I Rise
Spikiri - Taking A Walk On The Wild Side
TKZee - Coming Home
Zola - Impepho

Ladderd stocking - a fashion trend?

My head mistress in high school would certainly not find this latest fashion trend amusing. They call her the neo-grunge chic and she ladders her stockings and tights to create an out of this world look!

It is easy enough to ladder stockings without trying so this look will not be hard to achieve. You need to pull it off immaculately (as ironic as it sounds). Now please do not try wear your formal pencil skirt with two or three ladders - it just look like you have had an unfortunate day. Rather rock it up with a mini and some leather. This way you can be sure to look unconventional and as they say neo-grunge! I will try this at home!

SA Fashion Week has seen the light!

Three days,eleven shows, 33 designers and extra ordinary fashion! This is what you can expect at the SA Fashion Week next month and so much more. From the 25 - 27 March you can expect to have a two hour session with your local designers and retailers. Here you can scrutinise the garments and possibly strike bargains - who knows?

The schedule for the intimate sessions with the designers are as follows
Thursday 25 March 2010
16h00: Graffiti Installation by Mark Erasmus @ Clive Rundle
Shop 12, The Firs, Rosebank
The Forum Turbine Hall
19h00: Amanda Laird Cherry
20h00: Superella, Guillotine

Friday 26 March 2010
The Forum Turbine Hall
09h30 – 10h30: Non European, Bianca Warren, Dillon & Jada, Nabeela,Sober
10h30 – 13h00: Buyers & Media Networking Session
13h00 – 14h00: Lunch
14h00 – 15h00: Rubicon, Sies! Isabelle, Mantsho, Funeka By Tasleem Bulbilia
15h00 – 17h00: Buyers & Media Networking Session
19h00: Two, Chimera
20h00: Rjkay Creations, Gugulam
21h00: Loxion Kulca By Olé Ledimo

Saturday 27 March 2010
The Forum Turbine Hall
14h00 – 15h00: Terrence Bray, Tiaan Nagel, Colleen Eitzen, Soda
15h00 - 17h00: Buyers & Media Networking Session
19h00: Thunderstorm, DFC By Uyanda Mbuli, DMClassics,
20h00: Darkie
21h00: Sylvester Falata, Ephymol

Tuesday 2 March marks one hundred days to the Fifa 2010 World Cup hosted in our rainbow nation. As the host country South Africa automatically qualifies to compete amongst 31 other countries.

So the first match is between SA and Mexico. I will certainly watch this one from a fan park. To be on the safe side – I will wear my SA supporter’s shirt, which is costly by the way. I will dress this up with my Superga Flag Shoes, for that Italian vintage panache.

These colourful sneakers will blow you away, sneaker fan or not! The Jonas brothers have admitted to having a closet full of these, understandably so! The People’s Shoe of Italy has a legendary eighty years of great footwear. The new range of rubber soled Superga shoes is available online, it costs less than your pay check and you can pick a country of your choice! www.superga.co.za

Support your favourite country from head to toe in only 100 days from tomorrow. Remember to dress in anything yellow or green to be part of the patriotism. Ke nako!