Music: Missy Elliott: The Back Story

Missy Elliott's presence in music has really been missed. No artist can match the creativity and out of the box style that Missy puts down on record. She's released hit after hit and has penned chart toppings singles for some of the biggest artists ever. But she's been off the radar as of lately.

It was only revealed recently that she has been struggling with Graves disease.

“There have been some inaccuracies reported in regards to my diagnosis with Grave’s Disease, so I wanted to clear things up. I was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease about three years ago but it really hasn’t slowed me down at all. I rocked my performance on VH1 Hip Hop Honors’ tribute to Timbaland last year. I’ve written and produced a bunch of Grammy-nominated, #1 hits for artists like Keyshia Cole, Monica and Jasmine Sullivan. I toured the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. And on top of all that, I’m working on my new album. I feel great. Under my doctor’s supervision, I’ve been off medication for about a year and I’m completely managing the condition through diet and exercise.”

Missy has continued to tour despite her personal struggles. Elliott will tell her story in her own words for the world to hear on VH1’s “Behind the Music”, premiering this Wednesday, June 29 at 10 p.m.

Beauty: L'Oreal Paris New Face

Recently L'Oreal Paris has announced that Liya Kebede will be representing their beauty empire. L'Oreal Paris has been an excellent example that no matter the race of their spokeswomen, they believe their product will sell.The Ethiopian beauty is joining L'Oreal's star studded roster, which contains, Jennifer Lopez, Freida Pinto, and Beyonce. For more information on Liya's campaign visit http://www.lorealparis.com/

Credit:Jones Magazine

Film: Jerry's Way

Jerry was a kid from the Bronx. He grew up, got married and one day he woke up and told his wife he was going to take Elvis Presley on tour. "How are you gonna do that?" He didn't know exactly, but he called Elvis' manager everyday for a year... A year later he was on tour with Elvis and became a multi-millionaire.

What will you decide to do when you wake up tomorrow? If you're looking for inspiration, here it is: HIS WAY.

Music: Marsha Ambrosious

Marsha Ambrosious recently released the new video for her single and title track of her album, "Late Nights / Early Mornings". Marsha has become known for not only creating beautiful music but also for her thought provoking and socially conscious music videos.

Take a look and tell me what you think...

Beauty: Me Face... Give Me Glow

Juice Beauty Exfoliating Cleanser:This soap-free formula gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin. The blend of certified organic, antioxidant-rich white grape and pineapple juices with soothing aloe vera, nutrient-rich grapeseed oil and dissolving jojoba beads gives your skin a brighter, more refined complexion. $22, JuiceBeauty.com

Ren Micro Polish Cleanser: A two-in-one foaming mousse that cleanses and exfoliates, leaving skin looking purified, renewed, and radiance. $30, Renskincare.com

Burt’s Bees Radiance Daily Cleanser: This light lotion cleanser removes dirt, oil and make-up, revealing a smooth and radiant complexion. A gentle plant-based cleansing complex plus jojoba beads and a fruit acid complex help encourage normal skin cell turnover. While royal jelly, one of nature’s most nutritious substances, helps enhance skin’s natural radiance. Your skin appears brighter and younger-looking, naturally.$10, BurtsBees.com

Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleansing Pads: These dual-textured cleansing pads, moistened with foaming skin-conditioning cleansers and natural Soy, help even out skin tone and texture for brighter, naturally radiant skin. The pad is smooth on one side to lift away dirt, oil and makeup and textured on the other side to gently exfoliate and smooth away dry patches. Oil-free, soap-free, noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic, these pads are gentle enough for everyday use, even on sensitive skin. $7.99, Wallgreens.com

Olay Illuminating Cleanser: Gently eliminates micro-residue for more luminous skin. Illuminating formula with glucosamine, beads and hydrators.$11.99, Olay.com

Red Wine and Lemon Juice: Mix a teaspoon of Red Wine and squeeze a half of lemon together and apply it to a clean face. Let it sit for a minutes then rinse off. Benefits:Red Wine contains a massive amount of antioxidants that are beneficial fighting free radicals, increases elasticity, firms and brightens the skin leaving you with a natural glow.

Old Fashion Milk: Milk contains lactic acid acting as a gentle exfoliater, removing dead outer skin cells and helping reveal new soft ones. Benefits:Will improve skin complexion giving you clear and smooth skin

Coconuts: Washing your face with coconut water will keep it blemish free. Benefits:Hydrates skin and treats acne

Vanilla Chai Tea from Bottlehouse Farms is a smooth blend of soy protein, brewed green tea, and chai spices all naturally sweetened with a subtle hint of vanilla. In addition to energizing the body with a heart-healthy supply of protein, this delicious drink is brimming with nutrients like: 150%Vitamin C, 140% B6 and 140% B12, 25% iron,30% zinc, 30% magnesium

Film: Fantastik

I just moved and I had to wait a few days for the cable guy to show up, so I busted out some of my old DVDs. I noticed that a couple of them were skipping scenes and/or freezing on a particular frame. A while ago I asked a kid at Blockbuster what he was cleaning their DVDs with and he flashed me a bottle of Windex. I was out of Windex, but I had some Fantastik and it worked just as well. No more skips or freezes.

TIP: Spray a little on a clean paper towel, clean in circles around the disc and dry (fully) with (dry) paper towel.

Fashion: clean up your act!

Peace pulsers!! Its your favorite sneaker head bringing you what's hot for the summer! Brand Jordan is trying to help you look real clean for the summer with sneakers like v.2 grown and sky high tops both coming in a mid and low top version. The v.2 grown low in canvas are a great compliment to some nice linen or cargo style shorts with a clean v neck tshirt. The high top sky high has an old school feel that would look great with some tapered jeans and a Polo! Maybe even a snap back new era to finish that mid eighties look! In stores now retail at $90 for the sky high high top (that's not a typo) and $75 for the low top sky high and v.2 grown! They come in a wide variety of colors and materials. So I'm sure you'll be able to find something to suit your style! Can be found in fly sneaker shops like City Footwear. With tow locations 1 civic center plaza poughkeepsie NY(845)473-3804 and 34 east main street Middletown NY (845)343-3430.

Fashion: King NYC

Want to stay fresh for the summer Go and Cop a KingNYC T-shirt by King Nis, I Have a couple pieces and custom special pieces of this Dope Brand made by my homie Nis!

KingNYC is about Freedom, Creativity, Empowerment, Self Expression, Independence and Change. New York City has the ability to manifest dreams, ideas are known to come alive in the city that never sleeps..

Fashion: Jewelry by Shannon Saint Clair

Shannon Saint Clair has designed jewelry for numerous pro basketball & football players, recording artists, actors, tv hosts, beauty pageant winners & socialites including, Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, Lisa and Donald J Pliner, Chris Brown, Russell Simmons, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss Miami, Miss Carnival Miami, Adrianna de Moura of the Real Miami Housewives, Evelyn Lozada of Basketball Wives, Kelly Rowland, Televangelist Paula White, Mya, Beyonce's mom Tina Knowles, Josh Cribbs, Jason Taylor's Wife Katina, Vernon & LaTavia Carey, Tracy Mourning, Gabrielle Union, Juwan Howard, Udonis Haslem, and Miss Earth Florida, to name a few.

All Shannon Saint Clair Jewelry is handcrafted using sterling silver, gold, and genuine semi precious gemstones such as Onyx, Hematite, Agate, Jasper, Jade, Coral, and Opal from her studio in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Her jewelry was recently showcased during Miami Beach Fashion Week. Shannon Saint Clair won the NFL Alumni Association’s 2011 Player Networking Event Award for achieving a successful business co-owned with her husband John St.Clair (who is a 12 year NFL veteran). Shannon ranked #3 in SOFI Magazine’s The Arts Issue as one of the "33 Emerging Creative Minds You Need to Know for 2011." Shannon Saint Clair Jewelry was recently featured in the 12th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration’s Official Backstage Talent Gifting Lounge presented by Maui Jim Sunglasses, and in the NFL PLAYERS XLV Luxury Lifestyle Lounge presented by Reebok & Maui Jim Sunglasses.

For more Information log on to WWW.SHANNONSAINTCLAIR.COM

Music: Songs in A Minor - 10 Years Later

On June 28th, Alicia Key's will release a Deluxe Edition of her debut album, Songs in A Minor, in celebration of the classic album's 10 Year Anniversary.

Originally released in June 2001, songs in A minor sold more than 11 million albums worldwide and earned Keys with her first five, of 14 total, Grammy® Awards including Best New Artist, Best Song of the Year for "Fallin," and Best R&B Album.

Keys will commemorate the 10th Anniversary of her debut by performing an intimate concert for her fans at New York City's historic Beacon Theatre on June 30. The show, titled "Piano & I: A One Night Only Event With Alicia Keys," will feature Keys accompanied only by her piano.

For more information, details and updates, visit www.aliciakeys.com.

Beauty: The Reverse Effect ….

One of the best things you can do in your daily skin care routine is to wash your face each night before you go to bed. This allows your pores to breathe and repair itself while you sleep.Sleeping in your make-up ages you by 17days, YIKES!

Olay Regenerist Eye Derma-Pod Anti Aging Triple Response System : benefits of three anti aging eye treatments for radiant, younger-looking eyes in just 8 weeks.

• Hydrates and resurfaces to help regenerate surface skin

•Instantly reduces the look of puffiness and circles with its massaging application

• Fills lines and creases for smoother, younger appearance

$22.99, www.Olay.com

Burt’s Bees Evening Primrose Overnight Creme: Evening primrose oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids that naturally promote healthy skin from the outside in. This night cream also enlists the strength of sweet almond, sesame, vitamin E and avocado oils to provide overnight moisturization to tired skin. Plus, it offers the rejuvenating properties of rosehip seed oil, an excellent source of vitamin A. $16.99, Available at Select Stores

Juice Beauty Green Apple Facial Peel : organic fruit acid complex with raw cane sugar exfoliates to reduce breakouts, discolorations and fine lines. Heals while hydrating with rejuvenating algae, vitamins and antioxidants for a smooth, glowing complexion. $39.99, www.juicebeauty.com

Nivea My Silhouette Redefining Gel-Cream : with Natural Bio Slim Complex redefines the appearance of your body contours with white tea. $12.97, walmart.com

by:Nicholas Perricone MD, FACN, CNS, is a board certified dermatologist, award-winning scientistby:Nicholas Perricone MD, FACN, CNS, is a board certified dermatologist, award-winning scientist, inventor and the author of multiple #1 New York Times bestselling books

1.Wild Alaskan Salmon and other cold water fish (salmon, sardines, herring, trout, etc.) are great sources of protein which is necessary to maintain and repair the body-including the skin on a cellular level. Protein cannot be stored in our bodies. For optimum health and cellular repair we need to have a good source of quality protein at each meal.

2. Green Foods. Green foods, help detoxify the body to keep skin clear and radiant.

3. Beans and lentils. Beans and lentils are a superfood for a number of reasons in addition to their high fiber content. When it comes to maintaining beautiful skin and keeping unwanted pounds at bay, beans and lentils are a body’s best friend.

4. Olives and extra virgin olive oil. We need a source of good fats in our diet, fats that will help us absorb nutrients from our vegetables and fruits, keep our cells supple, our skin glowing and wrinkle-free, our brains sharp and our mood upbeat.

5. Green Tea. Green tea contains compounds known as polyphenols which help to eliminate inflammation-producing free radicals. Recently, researchers have found that these polyphenols protect healthy cells from cancer causing DNA damage, while ushering cancer cells to their death.

6. Blueberries. Blueberries have some amazing qualities including the fact that are one of the greatest sources of antioxidants. They also have great anti-inflammatory properties-remember inflammation is not just linked to disease-it is a major cause of wrinkling and sagging in the skin. Blueberries also increase brain power, restore balance and improve memory.

7. Sour Citrus Fruits. This includes citrus like lemons, limes, and grapefruit. All are rich in antioxidants.

Credit:WebMD

Fashion: Air Jordan "Cardinal" 7's

Peace Purse Snatchers! Its your favorite sneaker head bringing you another installment of your weekly kick fix! An original color way dubbed the "Cardinals" because of the red! What seems to be an exact copy of the 1992 original pair and haven't been seen since the spring of 2006. Consisting of a simple white upper, perforated throughout the tumbled leather, that acts like a ventilation system for the foot. The black midsole includes white and "cardinal" red accents. Gold accents can be seen on the shoe as well, mainly the jumpman logo, heel tab and heel. With a retail price of 150$ and a release date of June 18th it's not too late to go make a pig of yourself! You can pick a pair up in hot retail sneaker stores like City Footwear with two locations 1 civic center plaza Poughkeepsie NY (845)473-3804 and 34 east main St Middletown NY (845)343-3430 tell them Purse & Pulse sent you and get a free T-shirt.

Music: RL The Return of The Voice

RL, one third of the hit making R&B group Next, has returned with a brand new mix tape titled Return Of The Voice. Hands down, one of the most talented singer and songwriters in the business, RL has kept busy writing for other artists and touring since we last heard a Next record or even an RL solo song. What better time than now, when music in many peoples opinion has become pretty stagnated. RL reminds listeners what made him a top selling artist and songwriter in the first place.

Check out RL's video for "Gangster of Love".



Also make sure you log on and download RL's mix tape The Return of The Voice on datpiff.com.

Beauty: Acne Prone

Acne is a disorder that affects people of all ages and races. Once thought to be the result of poor diet and bad hygiene, it is now known that the causes of acne are far more complex. Hormonal changes, heredity, stress and pollutants are some of the possible causes for acne.

Juice Beauty Organic Clear Skin : This 30 day supply is the perfect organic solution to clear, healthy skin with four simple steps. Kit includes a clarifying cleansing gel, exfoliating green apple peel, replenishing blemish clearing serum and lightweight oil-free moisturizer. Also includes a bonus eco-bamboo headband. Perfect for oily and blemish prone skin.

KIT INCLUDES:
4 oz. Cleansing Gel
.25 oz. Green Apple Peel, Sensitive
1 oz. Blemish Clearing Serum
1 oz. Oil Free Moisturizer.

$39.00, www.JuiceBeuaty.com

Burts Bees Blemish Stick : This blemish stick contains 10 effective natural herbal ingredients including willow-bark, nature’s version of salicylic acid, which clarifies and gently exfoliates skin to clear pores and help prevent breakouts. Combined with tea tree and juniper oils, known for their antiseptic and astringent qualities, and calendula to reduce inflammation and redness, this concentrated formula keeps your skin clear, naturally. $8, www.burtsbees.com

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay: deep cleanses skin pores, removing dirt and impurities, lifting out poisons and toxins stored in the epidermis; pimples and blackheads are absorbed into the clay bed, resulting in accelerated healing and nourishment of the skin. $7.16, www.vitaminshoppe.om

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Shower Gel : The Shower Gel Lemon tea tree and Community Trade tea tree oil from Kenya contain properties that help fight blemishes and prevent new ones from forming. $13, thebodyshop.com

1. Organic Green Tea – This is rich in an anti-inflammatory chemical called catechins, which helps to combat free radicals and prevent fine lines.
2. Olive oil – good monounsaturated fats like olive or sesame oil contain essential fatty acids that are needed for good health. Fats are an integral part of cell membranes and will help to nourish the skin and give it an inner glow.
3. Walnuts – They are rich in omega-3 oils, another powerful antioxidant that helps to keep the skin plump and flexible. Omega-3 oils are also found in oily fish such as salmon, or in flaxseed oil.
4. Berries – Blueberries, raspberries, cranberries are all rich in phytochemicals that are protective of skin cells. You can’t get the same results though, from frozen or preserved fruit.
5. Lemon Juice – It’s a natural bleach and can be used to fade sunspots and freckles. Put a slice of lemon over the spot and leave it for 10 minutes everyday for a week, or exfoliate by rubbing a cut lemon and half a teaspoon of granulated sugar over the skin for a few minutes. Be careful not to get any lemon in your eyes and stop immediately if you get a bad reaction as some people have extremely sensitive skin.
6. Watermelon – Some people believe that rubbing their faces with the rind of a watermelon will give them beautiful skin.There is plenty of truth to this, as the pulp of the fruit is a good exfoliant and watermelon is rich in vitamins A, B and C. The fruit contains a lot of water which serves to hydrate the skin and the gentle massaging action will stimulate lymphatic drainage.
7. Low-Fat Dairy Products – One the most important components of skin health is vitamin A. One of the best places to get it is low-fat dairy products. In fact, experts say that the health of our skin cells is dependent on dietary vitamin A.
8. Whole-Wheat Bread, Cereals and Brazil nuts – Dietary selenium comes from nuts, cereals, meat, fish, and eggs. Brazil nuts are the richest ordinary dietary source. The mineral selenium connects all these foods for healthy skin. Experts say selenium plays a key role in the health of skin cells. Some studies show that even skin damaged by the sun may suffer fewer consequences if selenium levels are high.
9. Yogurt – Yogurt is a very important natural beauty aid. Apply yogurt on the face every morning. Wash it off after a few minutes with cold water. This will keep the complexion smooth, healthy and fresh. A mixture of yogurt and lemon juice is ideal for softening hands.
10. Water – While the exact amount you should drink each day varies, no one disputes the role good hydration plays in keeping skin looking healthy and even young. When that hydration comes from pure, clean water – not liquids such as soda or even soup – experts say skin cells rejoice.

Film: Alien Invasion Overload

It could just be me, but I think during the last two decades there have been more alien invasion movies and TV shows released than plot lines available. Invariably, they come from another planet and try to trick and/or kill us in one way or another. The only difference might be title, character and/or locale. Over and over this story is being delivered to us.

When I think of other images through the years that have been delivered to us in abundance, over and over, they usually relate to war or war film propaganda. Historically, these images were used to inspire patriotism, influence politics and/or promote a sense of nationalism. Are these images just popular entertainment or something else?

Fashion: True Blue 3's

LOYAL AND UNWAVERING IN ONES OPION OF SUPPORT FOR A CAUSE! (Like all of us here at Purse & Pulse) Peace to my fellow Pig Pockets. It's your favorite sneaker head! Jordan saw fit to once again grace us with what most sneaker pimps would consider their favorite sneaker in its most popular color way "true blue" 3's!!! (True Blue Air Jordan 3 Retro) And if that wasn't enough after your piggys get hot from showing off your new Jordan's, you can make a real pig of yourself and pick up the "true blue" slides. Either getting the paper from the bushes cause the paper boy hates you (cause your a terrible tipper) or going to the corner store for a gallon of milk, you'll look just as good as you did with your sneakers on. Fully decorated in cement grey and an air bubble in what seems to be the exact same sole! With a retail price of $150 on the kicks and $65 on the slides. So break open the piggy bank and cop asap!! Release date is June 4th but the slides are already in stores. Go pick those up so you can make the people sick on line waiting for your 3's! Reserve a pair at City Footwear today! (845) 343-3430 Don't forget the password!