VALENTINE'S DAY: Around St. Louis

Valentines Day doesn't have to be about switching gifts. Of course most women get excited around this time because you get flowers, candy, jewelry etc. For me most of that stuff is kind of outdated. I would just as well prefer a nice day just spent with the two of us. Enjoy what St. Louis has to offer with your partner this Valentine's Day

It could start with a simple breakfast in bed. Hopefully everyone can make simple eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast. If not you can easily order takeout from two of St. Louis finest. Which depends on if you want the down home momma's cooking of Goody Goody or the Food Network worthy Kopperman's. It may seem small but I think everyone would appreciate waking up to a hot meal. You could easily make it more intimate by getting back in bed and eating together.


Saturday afternoon will be a perfect time to check out the George Washington Carver exhibit at the Missouri History Museum. The admission is only ten dollars and you and your significant other can spend the afternoon holding hands and taking a walk back in history. If history is not really your thing, you can always go to the St. Louis Art Museum for the African Art Collection.



They say the night time is the right time so why not spend Saturday night with some dancing and drinking at Bar Louie. Located in the Central West End, the bartenders know how to mix a wicked Pomegranate Margarita and the spot is intimate and very cozy. This is a mixed crowd and the DJ plays both sides of music well. We shouldn't have to tell you what to do with the rest of your night.

However, if you are looking for a little bit of spice (do NOT open at work) , you can check things out for yourself.

From the mind of CryssRenee

I have been trying really hard not to weigh in on this whole Chris Brown/Rihanna issue. Let me first start by saying I don't condone domestic violence at all. With that out of the way I just want to touch on a few subjects that are bothering me.

1) The boycott of his music by some radio stations (not any here). Are you kidding me? Seriously Mr./Mrs. radio personality, you play rap music all day long. While some rap is great and just want to feed your mind, the local radio stations here in St. Louis (and I am sure all over) play the demeaning commercialized rap. What is the difference of a man physically hitting a woman and being verbally attacked by a man? It does the same to the self esteem. Tupac, God rest his soul, was convicted of taking a woman's most prized possession and yet people love Pac. The only artist other than Elvis that people don't want to let die. Let's not even get started on all the rappers who have been convicted of selling drugs to their own "people" to fund their rap careers.

2) Did you know that domestic violence can also be against a man? I know you are all thinking like "yeah right, what man is going to let a woman beat on him". Believe me it happens, I went to school with a girl who parents were getting a divorce because of this. She said her mom beat her dad for years, finally he had enough and fought her back. Needless to say he had to go to court and try to defend himself for defending himself.

3) Don't try and make an example out of him because he is Chris Brown and she is Rihanna. I know plenty of women who have been in a situation like this. The police did nothing and neither did the DA. What is so special about this case that it gets the DA so involved that they want a special investigation? I am tired of stars being treated like royalty. This media persecution of Chris is like a slap in the face to all the women who have died because the police or media didn't do anything to protect them. Let's wake the hell up people. I do feel sorry for Rihanna because I am a woman, and on that same token I am pissed because the hypocrisy of our people is ridiculous. Yeah let's ban Chris Brown but we can take our daughters down to the courthouse and stand outside and support R. Kelly.

Taking It Back Thursday

TOYA - "I DO"

I remember when this song was HOT. I really thought St. Louis native Toya would have a lengthy and successful career after this. Not sure what went wrong but she did have a hit in this one for sure. Does anybody know what's going on with her these days?

INSPIRATIONAL SOUL

Theresa Payne. Kenneth DeShields. JR. Melody Graves. These four have some of the most dynamic and inspirational voices I've heard. Together they will be in concert at the Old Rock House, Wednesday at 7:00pm for the Suite Soul Spot Concert Series. Vanita Applebum has beend doing a great job at bringing STL great music and I suggest you all mark your calendars because she brings it every 2nd Wednesday at the Old Rock House (1200 South 7th Street).

Admission is only $10

STL Celebrity Sighting: Nelly and City Spud

While I was at home waiting to see one representative from the Lou show up at the Grammys, Nelly was in the ATL kicking it for the weekend. Seeing as that he wasn't nominated and he currently doesn't have anything on the airwaves. Nelly opted to stay away from the LA festivities. City Spud was also seen in the clubs with Nelly. They really look alike to me.

R.I.P. - Rodney Winfield

As we ask our readers to vote for the STL's best comedian we are saddened to learn that one of the best that ever hit the stage, Rodney Winfield has passed away. Winfield who lived in St. Louis was 76 years old apparently has passed away from complications dealing with his Kidneys. If you were ever lucky enough to see Winfield on stage then you know he didn't hold any punches and always spoke his mind and never held back no matter what stage he was on. I still remember the last time I saw him. Last summer in the Central West End he was wearing his signature sailor hat and looking cool with just enough swagger to make all the young girls turn they head and give him some attention. He stopped at our table exchanged a few words making us all laugh and off he went strolling down Euclid. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.

Where was STL At The Grammys?

This year's Grammy Awards have to go down in history as one of the dullest. With all of the foolishness on the red carpet I found myself wondering where in the heck was the St. Louis artist? I mean seriously can we get a Ching a ling or a Derrty ENT representative. For a minute I really thought that St. Louis would become a force to be reckoned with on the music scene. We really need to do more to get our home based artist out there nationally. Maybe SuiteSTL will have our own grammy awards fake give away ceremony (that's right the awards will be imaginary). Even the red carpet last night was dull. I was getting excited thinking that I would have great pics to choose from for our SuiteSTyLe of the week, after searching and searching I found a few contenders. For now you can enjoy the mayhem that some called fashion.

This is child abuse right? I know performing at the Grammys is a singer's dream. But to do it nine months pregnant and to gyrate and drop it low? Wowwww

I really like MIA but she is making it hard for me to give her a pass. Her due date was last night so maybe she was a little bit delirious when she put this on.

How I heart me some Estelle. Seriously though when I saw her all I could think of was the little martian that use to pop up on the Jetsons. I get that she likes to be different but please not in an out of this world type of way.

I know everybody favorite cousin Fantasia is playing Celie in the Broadway Musical of A Color Purple but she really stepped out last night looking like Shug Avery in that mess of a dress. And I thought she was rocking a pair of granny stockings but after I zoomed in on the pic I see those are just her tattoos.

Chris "Ike Turner" Brown????

We are really trying hard not to believe everything we hear about Chris Brown and him possibly hitting or threatening his longtime (puppy love) girlfriend Rihanna. Well we still don't know all the details but we do know that both Chris Brown and Rihanna missed out on the Grammy's last night. Chris Brown reps aren't saying a thing but Rihanna reps are saying she was in a car accident and has facial bruises. Really? O.K. I'm thinking with all the paparazzi around in L.A. last night somebody would have captured her if she was involved in a car crash...and somebody should have grabbed a shot of her leaping from his limo after he hit her, if that's what really went down. Right now we can't say what happened either way. Regardless if it was Rihanna or not, Chris Brown just lost my respect. Nothing is serious enough for a man to put his hands on a woman.

Do you think C-Brezzy really went Ike on her?

Check In: It's Icee Baby

Today is the 30th b-day of one half of SuiteSTL's ride or die chicks. Ms. Fabulous herself, Icee!! Born and raised right here in the Lou, Icee is a face to watch for in the next year or two. It's not much this mamacita can't do. From styling clothes, doing hair, and now a caterer. If you need help in one of the above Icee is the one to call. Let us all wish her well on her day, she deserves it!!!!!