OCTAVIA SPENCER COVERS ELLE MAGAZINE

We haven't seen a lot of Octavia Spencer since she snagged the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress this year. However, "The Help" star is back on the scene in a big way -- namely the cover of ELLE's 19th annual "Women In Hollywood" issue. Octavia graces the November 2012 glossy in a perfectly styled bouffant 'do and wearing her favorite go-to designer, Tadashi Shoji. The black, curve-hugging frock with peek-a-boo detailing is a seriously sassy choice for the 40-year-old and Spanx fanatic. The closeup shot, showing very little of the star's body, is typical of the fashion magazine covers we've seen in the past of curvy stars (see: Adele and Jennifer Hudson on Vogue). However, that didn't seem to mess with Octavia's wow factor, the "Smashed" actress looks picture perfect. On the flip side, Octavia opens up about a not-so-perfect situation where she had to defend herself against a well-known producer that was bullying her. “Early on I had to stand up to a producer – I won’t say who, but he is famous, famous. He dressed me down in a crowded office. I told him right there in front of a hundred people, ‘You don’t know me well enough to use that tone’…And then I ran to the bathroom and cried like a baby. But he never addressed me that way again. And he is known as a yeller.” Since the issue is dedicated to the hottest Hollywood starlets, Octavia also shares the cover girl title with Sarah Jessica Parker, Emma Watson and Dakota Fanning--all of which are featured on separate covers. Check out Octavia's stunning cover below and make sure to pickup the issue when it hits newsstands on October 16.

NEW YORK CITY

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GOING TO NEW YORK CITY THIS WEEKEND CAN'T WAIT. THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS ARE ALWAYS INSPIRING.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS PREMIERES SUNDAY OCTOBER 7TH ON LIFETIME CHANNEL AT 9:00 PM

About Steel Magnolias In an updated contemporary version of the beloved stage play and 1989 film, "Steel Magnolias" chronicles the lives and friendship of six women in Louisiana. Supporting each other through their triumphs and tragedies, they congregate at Truvy’s beauty shop to ponder the mysteries of life and death, husbands and children - and hair and nails - all the important topics that truly unite and celebrate women. Golden Globe® and Grammy® Award winner and Academy Award® nominee Queen Latifah stars in and executive produces the film, reuniting her with producing duo Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, from the Oscar and Golden Globe winning "Chicago" and "Hairspray." Directed by Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun), the film features Queen Latifah as ‘M’Lynn’, Tony® Award winner Phylicia Rashad as ‘Clairee,’ Independent Spirit Award nominee Adepero Oduye as ‘Annelle,’ Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad as ‘Shelby,’ Grammy winner Jill Scott as ‘Truvy’ and Golden Globe and multiple Emmy®- winner Alfre Woodard as ‘Ouiser.’ Produced by Sony Pictures Television, "Steel Magnolias" is executive produced by Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere ("Single Ladies") and Shelby Stone. Leon directs from a script that has been adapted for television by Sally Robinson ("Iron Jawed Angels") and is based on the play and screenplay by Robert Harling ("The First Wives Club"). "Steel Magnolias" is also a reunion for Zadan, Meron, Rashad and Leon, who last worked together on the critically acclaimed Emmy and Golden Globe nominated Sony TV movie "A Raisin in the Sun", which won numerous NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding TV Movie, Miniseries, or Dramatic Special and Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Dramatic Special for Phylicia Rashad.

HAPPY CUPCAKE DAY

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Also with Cupcakes becoming so popular these days. I just spotted an adorable cupcake kit on joyous where you can make great cupcakes at home.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA SPEAKS AT CBCF PHOENIX AWARDS

First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 42nd Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner. September 22, 2012 I HAD THE HONOR ATTENDING THE 42ND ANNUAL PHOENIX AWARDS DINNER AND HEARD FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA SPEAK. SHE CAPTURED THE HEARTS OF THE AUDIENCE AS SHE SPOKE OF HER HUSBAND PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND THE CONGRESS PEOPLE WHO HAVE MAD A DIFFERENCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY. SHE SET THE TONE TO HONOR THOSE WHO PERSERVER AND ENCOURAGED US TO CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARD OUR GOALS NO MATTER HOW HARD THINGS APPEAR.

CBC WEEK CHANGEMAKERS RECEPTION HONORS BUSINESS LEADERS

AMBER SANDERS OF 100 URBAN ENTREPRENEURS INTORDUCING CHANGEMAKERS HONOREES

JAMIE FOSTER BROWN OF SISTER 2 SISTER MAGAZINE ACCEPTING HER CHANGEMAKERS AWARD.

CHANGEMAKERS JOSHUA HUMBERT, NATASHA EUBANKS, MAMELLE MCMORRIS, REV LENNOX YEARWOOD.

I AM LOVING MY MISS JESSIES HAIR CARE PRODUCTS THEY WERE AVAILABLE TO GUESTS AND BLACK ENTERPRISE MAGAZINE. 100 Urban Entrepreneurs and KNPR + Marketing, LLC in partnership with Black Enterprise and The Fab Empire recognized visionary business leaders at the “Changemakers” awards ceremony/reception. Taking place during the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference at Recess Lounge in the White House corridor of Washington D.C., the event was attended by executive business leaders, politicos and tastemakers alike. Guests enjoyed complimentary Remy Martin and Coors Light specialty cocktails, while listening to the sounds of WGPC’s DJ Heat. The event honored the following dynamic entrepreneurs and executives: Natasha Eubanks (Founder, TheYBF.com), Lamell McMorris (Founder and CEO, Perennial Strategy Group), Rev. Lennox Yearwood (Founder, The Hip Hop Caucus), Jamie Foster Brown (Founder and Publisher, Sister 2 Sister Magazine) and Joshua Humbert (The EnVest Foundation).