“My legs are phenomenal. They are long and shapely, underneath the suppleness, lies muscle, conditioned from years of being an athlete in my earlier years. They exhibit strength and grace while chasing down a bus, doing lunges or wrapping them around a deserving lover.” – Nicole Blake, Nicole is the New Black

“My cleavage is generous and inviting, almost mesmerizing–to myself included. But that´s just one part of a lovely, complicated whole that I adore dearly.” – Tasha Fierce, Sex and The Fat Girl

“My favorite part of my body is my booty. I like the contour, and the shape, and the way it wiggles when I walk. My booty turns me on!” – Jayne Dirt, JayneDirt.com

“I really love my small, agile body that can easily maneuver in the smallest places and fit the smallest of sizes. I still sometimes forget that my height is not the norm, because most of my best girlfriends happen to be just as small. Petite ladies rock!” – Patrice Peck, Xhibit P

“One of my favorite parts of myself is my hair. It’s soft, kinky, and playful, just like me; and I can’t help but let out a sigh of gratifying relief when it gets pulled and tugged during intimate moments. My hair carries my scent. It’s a defining feature of who I am. It’s my crown.” – Taja Lindley, Colored Girls Hustle

“After making a truce with my thighs, I can passionately say I love EVERYTHING about my body. From my curves, to the fullness of my breasts, to the way my back arches and how my butt tends to sag. It took me a long time to get here so I make no apologies.” – Khaleeqa Rouse, Paparoxi

“My body is my barometer for my health. If I am stressed, not eating right, not exercising enough, my alarm system activates. I appreciate that.” – Evita Robinson, Nomad•ness TV

What do you love about your body? Spill!

There’s an unhealthy obsession that the public has with celebrity child support cases. A judge rules that Nas has to pay $5,000 per month in child support (and $20,000 in spousal support). The crowd cheers. 50 Cent’s baby mama gets a reduction in child support to $6,700 per month. The crowd boos. Diddy’s child support payments are concealed, but word on the street is that Misa, one of his children’s mothers, can pay him what he pays her for their son. The crowd scratches their heads in disbelief.

While it’s extremely important that fathers share financial responsibility in providing for their children, there’s more to fatherhood than a monthly money transfer, even if you’re a celebrity. Fatherhood requires participation in childrearing, spending quality time with your children, and supporting each child in their interests. The core of being a good father lies in these responsibilities, not simply making monthly payments.

It may not be as salacious, but it’s interesting that the public shows a lack of concern for the non-financial matters of celebrity fatherhood. If 50 Cent, Diddy, or Nas aren’t in court battling out finances with their children’s mothers, we rarely hear about their roles as fathers and how else they’re contributing to their children’s lives. While we don’t know the details of each parent-child relationship or if there is anything positive for the press to cover, in general, we could use more testimonies of good fathers in pop culture.

Imagine the impact of more stories featuring great celebrity dads spending time with their children. Imagine the inspiration that these stories would provide ordinary dads trying to figure out their roles as fathers. Fatherhood isn’t always innate, and some men need more motivation than others. Role modeling is powerful, and giving men famous references for how to show their children love and affection would do kids more good.

Think Bill Cosby, and how he reaffirmed black fatherhood in pop culture spaces. Think Will Smith and how he’s publicly spoken about the importance of fatherhood and his role in his children’s lives. Think Barack Obama, and how he’s even written a book dedicated to his daughters, while showing them so much love and affection as he simultaneously performs his duty as President of the United States.

Do all of these men financially provide for their children? Absolutely. And while they’re all married, Will Smith also has another child apart from his wife, for whom he also shows public affection and takes joy in his role as a father. Do we hear about his child support payments? Hardly. Simply put, that’s not why he’s a great father. These men are amazing dads because they’re active participants in their children’s lives. That should be the conversation and story that we align with celebrity fatherhood.

Has our obsession with celebrity child support cases gone too far? How do you measure good fatherhood? Is it by monthly payments? Or quality time? Weigh in.

Need a quickie during your morning shower? Ready to de-stress after a hard day at work? Been away from your lover for too long? Grab your purse or unlock that private drawer, it’s time to get one of those toys.

As you probably know, not every orgasm requires another human; women have owned sex toys for decades. Call it masturbation or “self-love,” it’s essential that you explore your body and learn to pleasure yourself. Get yours without him or her!

Below is a list of the most popular sex toys for your viewing pleasure:

The Rabbit
If you’re a Sex and The City junkie, you’ve already heard about the wonders of the Rabbit. In its most simplistic form, the bunny ears vibrate on your clit as the dildo piece rotates to hit your g-spot. It’s like an orgasm magnet! Sometimes, the Rabbit comes with rotating beads sealed in the center that will work the opening of your vagina. Or if you’re into anal play, you can order one with an anal extension. Whatever your desire, the Rabbit is a perfect device for intense orgasmic bliss.

The Dildo
Vibrators aside, there are simpler measures for getting a self-induced orgasm. Your standard dildo should hit your g-spot and inspire an orgasm without vibration. Made to look and function like a penis, you simply glide it in and out your vagina until you reach a climax. If you need a little extra motivation, try using your other hand to massage your clit. While the standard dildo is nothing fancy, a little hand power gets the job done.

The Lipstick Vibrator
There are sex toys for everyone, in every setting. The Lipstick Vibrator is for the discreet lady who might want to steal an orgasm in a public. Disguised as a fake tube of lipstick, the Lipstick Vibrator is made to massage your clit and give you a quick quiver. Whether using it under your desk or leaving it visible in your purse, no one will know what you’re up to (unless they’re getting theirs too!).

Wand Massager
Like the camouflage option? The Wand Massager looks like a back massager with a long handle and standard round tip. It vibrates, soothing your pelvic muscles and vaginal walls. However, there are Wand Massagers that take it to the next level with clitoral extensions and ridges on the tip. Consider the easiest way that your body reaches an orgasm and choose the Wand Massager that’s best for you!

Couples Vibrator
While self-pleasure is fun, sex toys don’t have to be an individual sport. Your partner can use all of the above toys on you (or you on them). But even better, there are couples sex toys that are made for you and your honey. While there are strap-on and double-sided dildos (some with vibration capabilities, some not), the We Vibe has become a vibrating bestseller for heterosexual couples. Shaped like a small horseshoe, one side rests on the clit while the other slides into the vagina, leaving plenty of room for penetration. As your man slides in and out, he’ll feel the vibrations, doubling the pleasure for him and you!

While it may be intimidating to walk into an adult store, there are plenty of websites that sell the above sex toys, providing informational guides, non-pornographic video examples, and detailed diagrams. Check out Babeland.com or Edenfantasys.com for more examples. Don’t be afraid to explore!

What’s your favorite sex toy? Or if you’re a toy virgin, which sounds most appealing? Sound off, Vixens!

The most successful celebrities embody perfection and fantasy as if it’s a tangible reality. Between expensive wardrobes and daily appearances, popular celebrities advertise flawlessness as accessible for the hardworking average human. How many celebrity fashion spreads hang on the walls of young girls and women across the world? Undeniably, we try to “dress for less” or apply the same beauty techniques, mimicking our favorite celebrity style icons. But there’s one thing that the mainstream fails to acknowledge when promoting the beauty of popular female celebrities. The majority had “work done” and plastic surgery remains a well promoted industry standard.

There’s nothing wrong with plastic surgery or trading “god-given” for “man-made.” As high-priced weaves, relaxers, and make-up reign supreme, it’s no surprise that those, who can afford it, would have their bodies shaped and sculpted. It’s questionable if a black female artist could even reach mainstream success without the above beauty sacrifices. Broad noses, Afros, less than perky breasts, A-cups, and non-figure 8 stomachs are not welcome in this industry. The Lauryn Hills, Erykah Badus, and India Aries are only one in a few.

Looking at the most popular black female celebrities, just about all have gotten “work done.” Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, and Kelly Rowland placed their natural beauty on the sacrificial altar long ago. While some have gotten nose jobs and breast lifts, others have gotten breast and butt implants. But apart from Kelly Rowland, the others rarely will admit to “polishing” their image under the knife.

Perhaps, it’s none of our business. Considering that each of these artists depend on their physical appearances to sell records and brands, admitting to such a drastic physical alteration might be the equivalent to career suicide. Undeniably, these women are gorgeous, both prior and after surgery. But it does feel like this unspoken secret allows brands and celebrities to hoodwink the majority of young girls and women into believing they can look like THAT.

Unless you have similar wealth, your weave will never look as natural, your perm won’t last as long, your make-up won’t look photo-shopped, your breasts won’t naturally sit up, your nose won’t slim, and your stomach won’t flatten (without countless hours and a professional trainer at the gym). But maybe celebrities assist us in recognizing our natural beauty. After all, it’s a far greater accomplishment to look naturally stunning than “unnaturally made.”

Do you buy into celebrity beauty and body images? Are you aware of the industry’s plastic surgery standard? Tell the truth, Vixens!