The Week’s HOTNESS Edition: Soul Singer Dwele

If you know me, you know I have a jones for soul music! One of my very favorite soul singers is Dwele. Detroit native Andwele Gardner first gained recognition for singing the hook on Slum Village’s “Tainted” single.  His solo albums include “The Rize”, “Subject”, “Some Kinda…”, and “Wants…World...Women…”.  He was also featured on Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights” single, and more recently on Kanye’s “Power” single. Here are a couple of pictures for your viewing enjoyment:

His “Some Kinda…” album is my personal favorite. I can listen to it from start to finish!  Let’s look at the single “Weekend Love” from that album:

Did you listen to the lyrics? Super sexy right?

Dear future husband: If you want to surprise me at our wedding, please have Dwele sing “Old Lovas” to us! If it is Dwele himself who is to be my future husband (shameless plug), please be prepared to sing this song to me at the wedding, on our honeymoon, at the birth of our first child, and all our anniversaries…

*I would love to sing a duet with him*

Follow Dwele on twitter at @TheRealDwele!

The Code

I guess by now all of us have heard that Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria and her NBA husband Tony Parker are splitting up. The details are unfolding but so far it seems that Tony had been carrying on with his former teammate Brent Barry’s wife, Erin. The two couples are friends and have been known to hang out together. This is totally against “The Code”.

Tony Parker, Eva Longoria, Erin Barry, and Brent Barry

The Code - Thou shall not covet the following (not limited to):

Neighbor’s Wife

Teammate/Colleague/Friend’s Wife

Wife’s Sister/Cousin/Mother/Best Friend

Brother/Cousin’s Wife

The point of “The Code” is that there are certain boundaries and standards that should be adhered to when it comes to love and relationships. Some things you just don't do!

Both couples are in the process of divorce in the midst of the scandal.

WTF: Incarceration, where the famous go to get away.

If you are rich and famous and need to go away to clear your mind, incarceration may be a perfect vacation destination for you. Though I have never been, I am thinking it is something like an exclusive resort the way that celebs flock to it!

Rapper Gucci Mane last made arrangements to go back to incarceration exactly one day after coming off an incarceration getaway.  Rapper T.I. couldn't even complete a full promotional tour before itching to get both he and his wife Tiny a ticket to incarceration. Lil Wayne just got back from an incarceration trip; wonder how soon it will be before he goes back? Singer Lyfe Jennings just went back for his second extended stay. And there's a particular incarceration place in Maricopa County, AZ that DMX likes so much that today he was sent back for his sixth stay! Other rappers like C-Murder like it so much he's never coming home!

What's so great about incarceration as a spot to vacation? Is it that the pressures of freedom become too much for the rich and famous that they go to incarceration for rest and relaxation? Socialites, Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie even vacationed there briefly. Even Martha Stewart has had a suite at incarceration. Lindsay Lohan has been trying her hardest to gain entry into the exclusive incarceration resort for years to no avail. What else does Lindsay have to do to be allowed access to an urban minimum security condominium complex that boosts cement and steel architecture and minimalist decor?

Check out the incarceration vacation photo gallery:

DMX

Lil Wayne

Lindsay Lohan

Martha Stewart

Lyfe Jennings

T.I.

Lil Kim

Yeah. . . looks like an interesting place to visit but I personally can not afford to go on an incarceration getaway. My readers would miss me too much!

What's wrong with signing a pre-nup? I'm going to tell you what's right with it!

Recently, while in a discussion with a couple of financially secure guys the topic of pre-nuptial agreements came up. Being the only female in the mist I was asked would I ever sign a pre-nup. My answer was: Absolutely.

I'm sure that my answer broke all kinds of woman laws, but allow me an opportunity to explain myself.

I think pre-nuptial planning is a good idea just as I do family planning, financial planning, and estate planning. I think people don't fully understand the purpose of a pre-nuptial agreement: It is a contractual document that spells out what will happen in the event that the marriage dissolves.

Ladies the good news is, if the agreement is not to your liking you basically have two options:

• Don't sign it
• Counter offer

You are only as good as what you negotiate. The contract can provide for you generously. If you don't like the terms, then have them revised. The point is lack of an open mind when it comes to pre-nuptial planning has GREED written all over it.

With all that being said, it is truly despicable when the contract is presented days or even minutes before the couple is to walk down the aisle.This document can be for the protection of both parties and should be discussed and agreed upon prior to wedding planning. My advice, don't be greedy and evaluate the situation intelligently!

Spa Getaways Anyone?

Living a fabulous life is hard work! Keeping up with family, a career and social obligations can be very draining. Every now and then this HiYela little lady needs to escape from it all. One of my favorite ways to get away from it all is to go to a resort spa.  For those whose budgets go beyond 'Calgon Take Me Away' bubble baths, spa pampering is an experience that both men and women should treat themselves to.

Here are a few spas worth trying:

InterContininental Montelucia Resort & Spa – Scottsdale, Arizona www.joyaspa.com :

A magical and transformative atmosphere that evokes feelings of mystery, depth, and intrigue, Joya Spa aspires to fulfill your deepest wishes and profoundly and positively enhance your life. A spacious environment reminiscent of Morocco and Andalusia, the inviting lounges, opulent balcony suites, and warm walkways filled with intricate light shadows entice you to visit every corner of Joya Spa. Whether experiencing a meditative moment in the Hammam, lounging on the terrace gazing at the mountain, or inspired by exotic music with a cool drink in hand, you’ll feel on every level … that anything is possible.

The Lodge – Woodloch, PA www.thelodgeatwoodloch.com :

Indulge your senses in a body, mind and spirit spa retreat that awakens and refreshes you. At The Lodge at Woodloch, you will enjoy a personalized spa vacation experience that allows you to relax, renew and rediscover your essential self. Feel your worldly burdens melt away as you refresh and rejuvenate at The Lodge - a spa vacation destination of peace, calm and balance. Relax and unwind as your body, soul and spirit are awakened and transformed. Bring a special companion for customized spa treatments for two - a soothing, healing and romantic experience that promotes synergy and togetherness. The Lodge also offers a variety of spa and golf vacation packages and group retreats to further enhance your journey to relaxation and romance.

Spa Montage at Montage Resort –Laguna Beach, CA www.montagelagunabeach.com :  

The vibrant artists’ colony of Laguna Beach where mountains and sea converge brings all aspects of your life into artful balance. Your personal journey is the masterful canvas that is transformed by our Art of Spa. The ocean plays a key role in achieving personal balance. Breathing deeply of the ocean air and watching the mesmerizing waves relieve stress and can enhance feelings of calm and inner peace. And the ocean’s bounty, including mineral-rich seaweed and salts, infuses our botanical treatment products with elements the body lacks to renew, refresh and boost the body’s immune system.

* All descriptions courtesy of www.spavelous.com *

See more fantastic spa destinations at www.spavelous.com. Can't afford to get away? Check www.spafinder.com for spas in your area.

My High Yella Baby Girl... a poem by my Mother

She’s my baby girl !

After many years she came along

Little did I know at the time

That she’d be so beautiful and so strong

Keep in mind that I am partial

Cause she’s my child, of course

I consider myself a very proud mother

Fore I am her life source

Not only do I love my child

I like her a whole lot too

She has a special way of seeing life

And I respect her point of view

Spiritual beliefs help define her

Her values are easy to see

My adorable baby girl

Is all I hoped she would be

High yella, that she was

With pretty straight brown hair

She had the cutest little dimpled cheeks

And skin that was truly fair

As my little one grew older

It became obvious to me

That she would have a boundless spirit

And a great personality

Education enhanced her intellect

Not to brag about her on that

But she converses most assuredly

With knowledge and with fact

She is also very generous

Extremely giving and kind

She displays a thoughtful and gentle soul

This high yella child of mine

I love her sense of humor

A trait I find very neat

I’m sure, as she travels here and there

She brings joy to those she meets

I admire her fashion sense

It reflects the latest trends

She can tell you all the current styles

For both women and for men

Her socialite side is awesome

She’s a jetsetter thru and thru

She’s aware of all upcoming events

And she knows just who is who

Looking at concluding this poem

There is so much more to say

I’ll end by saying she’s my BFF

My best friend in every way

by HiYelaGurl's Mommy

Basketball Wives cover Hype Hair. Plus a proposal?

So you want to have hair like your favorite Basketball Wives cast member?  Now here is your chance. The ladies of VH1’s Basketball Wives are on the newest cover of Hype Hair magazine. See how they get their tresses camera ready!

The cover also introduces four new cast members: Juli Richmond, Kimberli Russell, Tami Roman, and Ashley Walker. Noticeably absent is Gloria Govan.

In other news, looks like one of the Basketball Wives might be moving over to the spin off Football Wives. Evelyn Lozada has just received a proposal from none other than Chad ‘Ocho Cinco’ Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals and VH1’s “The Perfect Catch” reality show. The ring is reportedly 10 carats of diamond and platinum perfection. The two confess that they met on twitter, however, I distinctly remember the basketball wives going to a Ocho Cinco party on season one of the show. Perhaps it was destiny that brought the together or maybe good PR people. 

Hope it works out. Chad has a history of giving away rings. Remember the ring he gifted to his dance partner Cheryl Burke when he was on Dancing with the Stars?

Evelyn Lozada tweeted a picture the ring:

The new season of Basketball Wives premiers Dec. 12^th! Log into www.jocksandstilettojill.com for weekly recaps on both Basketball Wives and Football Wives!