Beauty
Vogue Editors Share Their Favorite Hometown Stores to Shop for the Holidays
Vogue editors share their favorite hometown brick-and-mortar small businesses to support online this holiday….
Daunt Books is a truly magical shop on the equally charming Marylebone High Street in my hometown of London. Thankfully their website is easy to traverse and gives wonderful recommendations, like Brandon Taylor’s debut novel that is shortlisted for The Booker Prize.
Mai Morsch, Associate Market Editor
Little Barn Apothecary, Chicago, IL
Everytime I travel back home to Chicago, I inevitably end up at Little Barn Apothecary. Founded by Joshua Morgan and Brad Scoggins, everything in the shop is not only luxurious, but also ethically made and totally natural. I always leave their charming store with the Honeysuckle and Grapefruit Body Oil, which I go through embarrassingly quickly, and the Coffee and Mint Exfoliating Scrub—the scent is addicting, especially for a caffeine fiend like myself!
Emily Farra, Senior Fashion News Writer
James Dant, Indianapolis, Indiana
I’m obsessed with James Dant, a menswear store a friend introduced me to in downtown Indianapolis. It has a bit of a rugged, mountain-y vibe, with great flannels, selvedge denim, and leather jackets, plus excellent vintage finds and lots of brands I’ve never heard of. I’ll probably find a few gifts for my boyfriend there, but may have to do a little shopping for myself, too…
Tonne Goodman, Sustainability Editor
C.O. Bigelow, New York, NY
I live in the village and have appreciated C.O. Bigelows as my pharmacy for many years. It’s a village institution and the oldest apothecary in the nation, originating in 1838. I remember when it still had a lunch counter, way back, when I was in grade school.
They have a wonderful line of their own products and my gift of choice this season is their delicious Lemon Bath & Body Care set. A true treat!
Mijenta, Jalisco, Mexico
There is also an amazing Tequila called Mijenta that I’ve discovered. It is incredibly delicious and has a lovely story behind it. It’s a small-batch, artisanal, and sustainable tequila company from Jalisco that gives back to the community and protects the land through its harvesting and distilling process. And a woman is behind it, Ana Maria Romero!
Kathleen Thomas, Fashion Market Assistant
The Blue House, Bethesda, MD
This cute little store in my hometown of Bethesda has always, quite literally, been a bright spot in the neighborhood. It’s been around since I was born and has maintained its footing in an ever-changing area. It’s across the street from another staple for my family, the Tastee Diner, so popping into The Blue House on a weekend while waiting for our table was pretty expected. From cute throw blankets and pillows to every holiday need possible, they have you covered. And to help you out during these uncertain times, they even offer Facetime shopping to make sure you secure that perfect gift!
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Carmen Bryan’s Cryptic Post Stirs the Pot in Jay-Z Controversy
The hip-hop industry currently faces substantial controversy as Jay-Z finds himself in the eye of a storm. Allegations of sexual assault stemming from a 2000 afterparty involving the illustrious rap mogul and disgraced music executive Diddy have ignited fierce public debate. While Jay-Z categorically denies the accusations and expresses his intent to contest the lawsuit, the court of public sentiment appears to have already rendered its verdict. Further complicating this turmoil is the involvement of Carmen Bryan, a name from Jay’s contentious history, which has added a chilling layer to the evolving situation.
Carmen Bryan, recognized for her decade-long affair with the Brooklyn rapper, recently took to Instagram with a cryptic yet pointed post. Although she refrained from naming anyone directly, Bryan suggested that loyalty often supersedes ethical morality in cases involving influential individuals. “These days, people don’t defend what is right; they defend who they like,” she wrote. Her parting shot, “And that’s why we call you a groupie,” felt like a verbal mic drop, leaving little doubt about who her words targeted.
The intrigue didn’t stop there. Bryan shared a snapshot of Jay-Z’s lyrics from his 2010 track “Monster,” honing in on a particularly unsettling line: “Kill a block, I murder the avenues, I rape and pillage your village, women and children.” Though these lyrics were part of a more extensive metaphorical verse showcasing a “monster” persona, their resurfacing in this context feels calculated and ominous.
Bryan is no stranger to controversy, having previously aired her grievances toward Jay-Z. In her 2006 memoir, It’s No Secret: From Nas to Jay-Z, Seduction to Scandal, she detailed their affair and its tumultuous fallout. Additionally, she revealed in a 2017 interview that she had been pregnant with Jay-Z’s child, only to suffer a miscarriage. The relationship, fraught with personal and public conflict, remains a blemish on Jay-Z’s meticulously crafted, otherwise carefully curated narrative. Carmen Bryan’s multifaceted approach raises pertinent questions: Is she simply sharing her perspective on morality in the industry, or does she possess additional undisclosed knowledge?
While the allegations against Jay-Z are still under legal evaluation, Bryan’s Instagram post has reignited another dimension to the complex and polarizing discussions about power dynamics, accountability, and the ethical responsibilities of those influential individuals in the spotlight. Her courageous decision to use Jay-Z’s lyrics against him paints a stark picture that forces fans and critics alike to reckon with the blurred lines between art and reality.
As the legal proceedings involving Jay-Z progress, the public remains split amid this developing saga. While Jay-Z’s peers have predominantly expressed skepticism toward the allegations, the enduring legacy of this iconic figure hangs in precarious balance, with shadows from the past casting long and potentially damning silhouettes.
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Jay-Z Engrossed in Fresh Allegations as Tony Buzbee Claims More Victims
In a stunning twist to an already high-stakes legal dispute unfolding with the intensity of a Hollywood thriller, Jay-Z, one of music’s most preeminent figures, finds himself at the center of an explosive allegation involving minors. This drama stems from accusations brought forth by attorney Tony Buzbee and has escalated a conflict that began with a lawsuit over alleged extortion. Buzbee, who represents a woman accusing the music mogul of sexually assaulting her at the 2000 MTV VMAs afterparty, claims there are additional alleged victims, involving both male and female minors.
Jay-Z and his attorney, Alex Spiro, aren’t backing down. They have initiated a countersuit against Buzbee, vehemently denying the allegations and characterizing them as “entirely fabricated and malicious.” Spiro’s filing asserts that Buzbee’s accusations are part of a calculated scheme to tarnish the rapper’s reputation and coerce a settlement. “These baseless accusations are nothing more than a weapon in a calculated plot,” Spiro stated, doubling down on their stance that the allegations are devoid of any factual basis.
The case took another dramatic turn when the woman Buzbee represents amended her lawsuit against Diddy to include Jay-Z. The timing of the amendment and the salacious nature of the claims have fueled a media frenzy, leaving the hip-hop icon fighting a battle both in the courtroom and in the court of public opinion.
Late Sunday, Jay-Z fired back with a defiant statement on X (formerly Twitter). “What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle,” he wrote. “No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!”
This case is now racing against the clock, with Jay-Z’s legal representatives seeking an emergency hearing to address the allegations. Their urgency stems from the relentless media coverage, which poses a substantial risk to the Roc Nation founder’s reputation. This matter extends beyond a mere legal confrontation; it encompasses significant implications beyond the courtroom, a fight for his legacy.
The stakes are exceptionally high. Legal counsel Buzbee hints at the potential existence of additional alleged victims, thereby intensifying the spotlight scrutiny placed on both parties involved. With careers, reputations, and justice on the line, this legal showdown is poised to become a critical juncture within the music and entertainment industry. For fans and observers alike, the unfolding circumstances prompt inquiries regarding the veracity of the claims and the tactical weaponization of reputation in the court of public discourse.