“these bums will buy you cliche` flowers and candy and consider it as an investment with a sexual return.”

I know the ladies are ready to light me up with comments and emails, but bear with me. You are so deprived of romance and consideration for most of the year, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for romance by obligation. Valentine’s Day is a romantic paradox. The soul of romance lives in spontinaety, and by declaring a day for lovers to be romantic, spontaneity looses its edge. A champion lover is frequently thoughtful throughout the year. That is why I am declaring a new holiday: The Champion Lover (CL) holiday. Think of it like sick time at work. You can take it as you need it (nh). Everyone has 12 Champion Lover holidays per year. You can take one every month or you can spend like two weeks this summer cupcaking with your boy/girlfriend, wifey/hubby, life partner, f%#ck buddy, or what ever you kids call it these days. Every holiday has to have traditions or customs… We will keep it simple. There is only one rule. Be selfless. When a Champion Lover does things for someone he/she cares for, it is done for no other purpose than to make that person feel special. On Valentine’s Day, most of these bums will buy you cliche` flowers and candy and consider it as an investment with a sexual return. Lame! It has to be done just because you love to do it. Do it for the look on her face.
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The 2008 Presidential Election has been one of the most historic and interesting campaigns I have seen or read about. With new social networks and media outlets, we have seen the new age campaigning develop right before our eyes.

Over at the Elevated Group we have been working on our Paint the White House Black project, and in the spirit of newspaper, magazine, celebrity and political endorsements I felt it necessary to go on record and officially endorse BARACK OBAMA for the next President of the United States. Being that our project revolves around the Limited Edition T-Shirt and Blog, I wanted to give my rating on the Top 10 Obama T-shirts, from both major and boutique brands. Check out the list below and let me know what you think.

10. Ballin wit Barack ‘08 by Akomplice
Fresh and creative…showing the athletic side of the future president.

9. Air Obama
Taking example from one of the most recognized brands in the world.

8. Obama Knows by Under Crown
Do you remember all the Bo Knows commercials?

7. Must Do It by Everyday Ppl
Simple but fresh…Look like Nike runs the world.

6. Barack the Vote
Rock the Vote enhanced for the proper choice.

5. Progress by Obey
Everyone has seen this print in one way or another.

4. O-Face by Under Crown
Showing the correlation of Obama’s athleticism and McCain’s lack.

3. Why I Vote by Ragamuffin
Powerful piece..I will remember when i head to the polls next week. Check out their other Obama Tees as well.

2. Obama Bumaye by Mighty Healthy
Personal favorite, really looks like he is saying “The election is mine!”

1. Paint The White House Black by Propaganda Champ
You should have known. Elevated Group & Propaganda Champ. Check the Black House Blog for full info.

If you aren’t aware Downtown Los Angeles is getting an Extreme “Central Business District” Makeover. Think: The Edison, The Standard Downtown, Versus. Those however do not hold a flame to L.A. Live, the expansive Sports and Entertainment District off the 110 Harbor Freeway, the wick being the 54-story hybrid JW Marriot, Ritz-Carlton and The Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. Live.

Recognizing the technological and internet driven times we live in, The Ritz recently hosted a live Bloggers only preview of the residences and of course your boy Blog-E (E-Nuff.Info coming soon, pause) held it down for the Elevated Crew with G. Vitte. With a full model home that will make Tony Stark hate, premium open bar and a 5-course buffet dinner catered by a man who shall remain nameless, there was no room for me to complain.

Despite the fact that the housing market has sent the global economy to hell, somebody has already bought more than a QUARTER BILLION worth of the 224 residences. This was the only number mentioned – I suppose individual home prices are on a “Need to Know” basis.

My guess however, is not cheap with its top-of-the-line high-end features and appointments plus the buildings amenities such as the private heated rooftop pool, state-of-the-art spa and fitness center, 24-hour concierge, valet parking and how could one forget – views of the mountains, the ocean, and the city! Not to mention the fact that residents also get advanced and VIP access to L.A. Live events and venues and that you would be living 27+ stories atop a 4 and 5 star hotel and small city.

So in the spirit of promoting the Elevated mantra of “Hustle Hard. Eat Well. Live Elevated,” be sure to send an invite to your house warming. Move-in is slated to begin around January 2010.

While the site is elevatedla.com most events we share are based in Hollywood and surrounding areas, but I finally have the opportunity to share something that is going down this Friday in Downtown LA. While we see the construction and hear about a new Downtown movement, I can finally saw I have seen it for my self. Last week at a live-blogging event at the Ritz Residences and this week at Versus Night Club for a walk thru for Friday’s event. I must say that I am impressed and look forward to some alternative avenues for entertainment once Downtown is complete.

Versus Nigh Club, is located inside the old Los Angeles Stock Exchange Building and is very fresh. A unique venue, different and much larger than the Hollywood standard, but my observations where with the lights on, and in most situations things look better with the lights are off, so when the doors open Friday night, I look forward to the experience.

A double event, beginning at 9pm, LRG will show off its fall threads along with a few other brands, with music by DJ Irie and hosted by Travis Mccoy from Gym Class Heroes. If you are familiar with the Afro Pick above then you know what the second part of the night will be. ?uestlove of the Roots will deejay and host a voter registration party, preparing California for it’s registration deadline October 20th. Look out for Paint The White House Black during the event, I hear there might be a few surprises throughout the night. Hit up Kenya at kchaney@rkentertainmentgroup.com for the guest list, and holler if you see me at Versus.

 CLUB TATOU 333 S. BOYLSTON ST LOS ANGELES CA 90017

Versus Night Club
618 Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014

No this is not about the presidential race, but about a few other people that need your vote, coincidentally all at the same time. Read the step by step guide on how to help.

A few weeks ago we posted on Fonzworth Bentley’s video for his new single Everbody featuring Kanye & Andre 3000, with the MTV Video Music Awards around the corner, the call has been set forth to nominate this classic for Video of the Year. Click here and scroll down Fonzworth and provide your vote.

Everybody - Mr. Bentley w/ Kanye & Andre 3000

Also on the MTV VMA Ballot is Los Angeles’s own U-N-I, whose song Supreme has been on our music player for sometime now, has been nominated as one of LA’s Best Break Out Artist. The winner will be revealed at the awards and we want to make sure they take the title. Check out the song & Click here to vote, and represent for U-N-I.

U-N-I - Supreme

Last but certainly not least, we [elevatedla.com] need your help.The 2008 Black Web Black Awards nomination process has begun and we need nominations & votes in the categories: Best Blog Design, Best Food Blog, Best Group Blog, Best Photo Blog, & Blog to Watch. Nominate for one category or ALL.

It will only take a few minutes for this and this can serve as some early practice for the big vote in November, but more on that later!

Simply…
happy birthday to ME!
congrats to the Elevated Crew…5 Years..Hustle Hard, Eat Well, Live Elevated!
and lots of pics of lots of people from lots of parties in the gallery…

Just got the email from my man Dave, saying that the “Video is Up over on Kanye’s Blog!” And I must say that the video is very fresh. The song has been floating around the net for some while now, and the video has finally dropped. The video is for the song Everybody, by Mr. Bentley featuring Kanye, Andre 3000 and produced by Sa-Ra, the video showcases classics performances by each of the, and is directed by Dion Watkins. Shout out to the whole crew for a great song and video to compliment it. Make sure to check out Bentley tonight in the premier of G’s to Gents on MTV. Video and message from Bentley below.

Bentley X elevatedla.com

If you couldn’t answer the question faster than you read it, your timepiece may be suspect. Last night, the JL boys produced the NOOKA X DDCLAB event in Hollywood at the DDCLAB Los Angeles store. With ever-flowing drinks and rare grooves by Gomez Warren IV, the collaborative event gave invited guests a glimpse of the two brands.

NOOKA, a design company, shared their line of watches that fit as a normal watch with abstract digital displays that make them beyond typical. Having seen a couple of these watches up close, some practice is needed before wearing — as you don’t want to stumble through a response to my initial question. With many styles and colors to choose from, they have pieces for any outfit or occasion. The summer uniform of tees, sneakers and jeans have a new buddy to set a scene off right.

DDCLAB is a product of Roberto Crivello and Savania Davies-Keiller’s design studio DDC USA. This duo is committed to enhancing fashion through emerging technology but never “reinventing the wheel.” So, “The look is the same. It is simple. It is classic. But is now improved. It is fashion technology.” Although my sneakers may be fly, they can’t make me fly — but if it ever happens I know where it will happen first.

Check out the photos LAZO shot at the event and catch your own peek of NOOKA X DCCLAB.

The Mantra, the motto, the slogan, the theme…whichever way you choose to view “Hustle Hard, Eat Well, Live Elevated,” it is our offering not only to our readers, but to everybody we encounter. You may have seen it pop up in a few of the post, but now I think it’s time that is we provide a detailed explanation. Besides sounding really cool, we put some deep thought into these few words:

Hustle Hard means to do just that: work hard in all that you do, and success will always be a by-product of your hustle. Some may feel the word “Hustle” is played or worn out, but there is no better word to describe pure hard work. Now matter how many rap songs use the word, it will still hold the same weight. Hustle is a state of mind. As much as it is about working hard, it is about working smart. Each opportunity that is put in front of you is a gift. Your thanks for that gift is hustle.

Eat Well (pause), does not just mean to eat 5 fruits and veggies a day, or to hit up the place on Beverly Blvd with the good pancakes. Of course we encourage you to literally eat well, or we wouldn’t suggest so many spots with good eats, but in our mantra “eat well” is a reference to money. If you’re “eatin” that means you’re getting money. And as true wealth is our goal, you know it is achieved when you can have the best food on your table and the best people around it.

Live Elevated. How does one do that? Living up to your potential is living elevated. Strive to be, have, see, and experience the best there is in this world and the next. For the those who are temporarily “elevated”–or impaired–don’t even worry about it. Just stick to the script and follow along with us. We will map it out for you. Living elevated is something that is a constant struggle. You must constantly expect the best for yourself, as well as your surroundings and activities. Life is too short to be complacent and accept sub-par quality in any aspect of life. We strive to assist you in this way of life by provided you with elevated experiences and destinations.

Now that we are clear, there is 75% of the year left for you to “Hustle Hard, Eat Well, Live Elevated” in ‘08.

While I don’t really participate in New Year’s Resolutions–because I strive to constantly pursue self-betterment–I am aware that many choose to add things like working out and being more healthy to their list of new year’s tasks. For some, this is a number-one priority and is accompanied by diets, gym memberships and new home workout equipment. Often, simply getting started is the hardest part; as we get older our responsibilities increase, free time lessens and–as a result–we get stuck with a little extra weight.

Runyon Canyon is a good place to go to add a fun experience to an otherwise mundane exercise regimen. It can help to provide you peace of mind and add some enjoyment to your workout. In no way is running the Canyon an easy activity, but as you make your way up the trails you are presented with views that will allow you to visually inhale the beauty that is Los Angeles.

Nestled in the Hollywood Hills is the 25 years old, 130 acre park with multiple trails for walking, jogging or running. One of the trendiest workout spots, you will often see people walking dogs, practicing yoga or snapping photos of the scenery. There are two entrances: one at the bottom of the hill of Vista and Fuller Ave, and the other at the top entrance off Mulholland Dr. You can exercise for as little or as long as you want. So grab your iPod, a friend and a bottle of water, and tackle your resolutions with the natural beauty of Runyon Canyon.

Runyon Canyon
2000 North Fuller
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323.666.5046

Well he’s done it again; G. met with the penguin himself, Fonzworth Bentley, and cooked up something fresh for new year’s eve. Tastefully Tacky, an elevated event with a playful dress code. Have you ever looked at 3000 and thought to yourself, “his outfit is kinda fresh but I could never get away with that…?” Tastefully Tacky NYE is your chance to go completely off and wear that fit that you wouldn’t normally wear for fear of certain fashion faux pa. From what I understand there is a bit of a science to pulling it off though. You don’t want to show up looking like you rented your fit from a costume shop. Be fly but be careful. Be daring but be careful. This will certainly be a night to remember.

New Years Eve | Buy Tickets Online |

Element
1642 N. Las Palmas
Hollywood, CA, 90028