Pennsylvania native Sayda recounts a failed attempt, “It was sent to me as a myspace message, yeah that’s right, myspace. It was by some dude I didn’t even know and it said ‘Girl, Fidel Castro must have really done you wrong to have brought you here to America and into my presence.’ One I am not Cuban and two, that is so wrong.” Too bad for that guy, his message got deleted and he was blocked. Shame.

Then there are the more… simple minded and less inventive one liners (sounds nicer than plain stupid). College cutie Samanthia has heard it all including, “Is your name Campbells? ‘Cuz your mm mm good!!” Ummm, we’ll just say that relationship didn’t go very far. Though he might have been handy for winter colds, oh well.

And what about the men? One brave soul named Wayne fessed up. “If there was anything I could be I would wanna be your tear so I could be born in your eyes, live on your cheek and die on your lips.” Very Romeo and Juliet… too bad they both died in that book. Not wanting to bruise the male ego you could also go with the pretentious, “I just wanted to notify you that I noticed you noticing me, so I’m letting you know I noticed you too.” Thanks Wayne.

Or if you happen to be in Milan, like I was a few months ago, you just might get it straight up. “Excuse me Miss, do you need a husband?” Thankfully “No!” in English is the same in Italian.

We met Marquita doing a recent blog for Cut & Sewn called “A Shopper’s Diary” and fell in love. So we caught up with her to find out a little more, here’s what she had to say.

Crystal: How and when did you first get started in the industry?
Marquita: I got started in the beauty/fashion industry by just loving Fashion. I love making people look pretty. I started doing hair professionally in 2005, makeup in 2007 and making clothes for others this year. Nevertheless, before going to school for it all, I always had the passion for it and the drive to become a fashion mogul.

With so many titles, how do you do it all?
It is not hard at all. I kind of juggle them all around. For one event, a client might need me to make them a dress and do their make up and so on. I think that you have to enjoy doing it all to make it work and I absolutely love to do it all, right down to the little details.

What were some obstacles you faced starting your own company?
One of the major obstacles I am facing even now is that I do not drive. It’s really crazy because most people my age drive everywhere I just chose not to. Other than that, everything else kind of flows together because I don’t need help from a financial provider for my business.

How would you personify a Beauty MarQ client?
A Beauty MarQ client is everyone. If you need my service, I am here to help. All ages.

How do you see your career progressing in the future?
In the future, I see my career expanding. Beauty MarQ is not just a business, it’s my brand. This company is everything that I am plus more. I see my clientele growing all over the world.

And finally in keeping with tradition, if you could write anything on a t-shirt, what would it be?
LOVE LIFE (heart) LIVE FASHION

Marquita doing what she does best.

Products of Beauty MarQ.

This group of Baltimore natives hits the stores at least once or twice a week in search of stand out accessories. They say the item flying off the shelves is sunglasses. I mean, look at theirs, it’s obvious they know where the good ones are.

Harem pant, heels, scarf and fedora equals a red alert on the fashionista radar. This one puts shirts and dresses at the top of her shopping list. Compulsive shoppers know best: ankle boot sandals and harem pants are the latest rage. She might beat you to the store so, order online.

Teach a man how to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime. Teach a lady how to make her own clothes and don’t expect her to shop for more than fabric. She says shiny spandex is in and gladiators are still holding on to a never ending reign, though paying attention to trends isn’t her preferred pastime.

The next time you’re out shopping, pull out your best threads. You never know where the bloggers are lurking. Oh, and try to be nice.

Ashley, mom of Teddy prefers “Poop Happens” a spoof off of a popular adult phrase. Or “I Might Barf” a warning for the rest of the world at her sons’ habit.

If you’re from Sweden and named your son Love, pronounced some cool Swedish way, you could find t-shirts everywhere like this book store browsing mom.

Sonya and her daughter Nora prefer something environmental. After all, what’s cuter than recycling toddlers? Go green!

This soon to be Mommy likes “100% Organic”, letting the world know her baby is the real deal.

See the exclusive interview with Emma Allison and Makenzie Lynd!

See Neil Halstead’s world premier and featured spotlight video!

His brand new book, Year One, is expected to be released in spring of this year.

“None of the pictures from my series, ‘year one,’ are planned or staged—they’re always snapshots—but i try to frame the picture so you don’t know where it’s taken and you don’t get any geographic information; no answers are given.”

Quote borrowed from I heart photography’s interview with the artist.

Hold or Fold?

“Often what separates entrepreneurs who make it from those who don’t is a sense of personal passion and purpose. We tend to see characteristics like drive, tenacity, passion and creativity. They tie together into the ability and willingness to do whatever it takes to make the venture successful.”

Pink Magazine got up close and personal with the Cut Crew and wanted to know, so we told ‘em.

Click here for the full article.

Pink Magazine, Spring 2009 on stands now!

Or click here!

Cut & Sewn: Why did you decide to start a Less Than Jake cover band?
Jason Wall: When I was younger, when it was actually popular in the late 90’s, I was a big fan of ska music. Reel Big Fish, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Goldfinger; I enjoyed it all. At some point, my friend Jon showed me Hello Rockview and changed my whole opinion on playing music. I started watching Less Than Jake videos, reading interviews, basically imitating everything they did in my junior high and high school bands.

One of the biggest things I respect about the band, however, is their live show.

Confetti, dancing, interactions with the crowd, jokes, costumes…every show was different, fun and done to ENTERTAIN. There are too many bands that record a CD, try to just play their songs and try to create a sort of “ambiance” for the crowd. That sucks.
Have you been in any other bands?
Yes, I was in a ska band in the late 90s for a few years, then I joined a rock band called Chicky which has been on and off for almost a decade.  I also was in a punk band called Chilton Hall for a year in college.  In almost every band I’ve been in, Less Than Jake has influenced the band.

Who’s in the band?
We have Hector Rodriguez on trumpet, Gee Lima on drums, me on bass, Tony De Los Angeles on geetar, Zach Brooks on trombone and Dave D’Argenio on sax.

What’s the future of Less Than Drake?
I’m excited to continue the band covering more Less Than Jake songs, primarily Losing Streak and Pezcore songs.   We also are beginning to write some original songs.

Thanks to Jason for all of his help and for Less Than Drake for rocking my brain off.

Last One Out of Liberty City from Gee Lima on Vimeo.

Our West Coast Cut Crew Reps Emma Allison and Makenzie Lynd came all the way from Santa Barbara to donate some sun to the cold coast. Their first adventure in Brooklyn brought them to Williamsburg’s Nita Nita and the exclusive filming of British music maker Neil Halstead’s (of Slowdive and Mojave 3) music video “Elevenses.” A big thanks to Chris Piazza of Jigsaw Soul for hooking it up.

Cut Crew East: How’s New York treating you?

Emma Allison: There’s no beach around and that’s weird. But I love it. I like the city and change of pace. It’s refreshing. – culture shock is refreshing, anything new is refreshing. It’s a bit nipply but I like it here.

CCE: Rub it in. Brooklyn can be a scary place for new comers. How has it been treating you?

Makenzie Lynd: I feel like it’s more like we’re living here than visiting. We are doing every day sort of stuff. We’re living the Brooklyn life.

CCE: How do you feel about tattoos?

EA: I like them. They are hot.

CCE: So how was the video shoot today with Neil Halstead?

ML: Everyone was really welcoming and really nice. They wanted to get to know us.

EA: It was set in a cute garden, pretty windy. I like how it was supposed to be set in the summer and it was freezing out.

CCE: How was the music?

EA: I loved it. I know every word now.

ML: It was my first time hearing it and now I’m sick of it. But the music was relaxing.

CCE: Do you think the setting was a good reflection of what the song was like?

ML: It was supposed to be him sitting there and singing about his feelings. We were supposed to act like we weren’t there. So yeah, it was pretty fitting.

EA: We should have taken a picture with him, I would have liked to have talked to him more.

CCE: Good thing you got the back of his head.

EA: We were sat there so we could get in the shot! The behind the scenes and music video should be out in three weeks on $99 Music Videos. Then on YouTube.

ML: Check out the video and look for us!