After the more than three hour memorial, I can attest that at least for today Michael Jackson will be remembered as the King of Pop and not for his past trials and negative publicity. It’s sad to think that Jackson perhaps died on a sour note with a tarnished reputation after a series of child molestation charges. As “Tito” Jackson stated in Jackson’s memorial book, “I watched the light in Michael’s eyes fade as he faced trials and tribulations for being misunderstood.”

Beth Ditto is now everywhere for her exuberant looks, her powerful interpretations and for being all over from LA to Paris, performing for Fendi at Fashion Week, or just appearing at galas to promote both her music and her outrageous image, that goes from long colorful McQueen dresses to rock and roll diva leather jackets. She is more famous for her looks and quotes (she loves stating that she will kiss this or that girl) than for her glorious music. Topshop, that has successfully triumphed all over Britain and now is loved in the USA, with trendy styles that are actually affordable, presented Ditto with the opportunity to perform at their London stage, which she declined, for being too oversized to ever fit one of their twinkly little mini dresses. In her opinion, it was stupid for her to put her face in an event honoring something that was not accessible to her at all. And she was right for doing so…

For many, Michael Jackson represented the pinnacle of pop music. The numbers speak for themselves. 13 Grammy awards, 13 number one singles, 2 coveted inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “Thriller” remains the best selling album of all time. Simply put, he is a legend, and an icon who other musicians aspire to emulate. However, although those numbers are significant in their own right, what speaks more to me was his ability to influence pop culture and infiltrate people’s normal lives (whether you liked him, or not). The number of memories I have involving one of his songs have overwhelmed me over the past few days. Everything from playing dress up to “The Way You Make Me Feel” with my cousin, to streching to “Butterflies” in dance class, to rocking out to “Beat It” at lame high school parties, to lip synching a hyper-emotional version of “Will You Be There” with my sorority sisters. After running this mental montage in my mind, I realized that Michael Jackson has been a part of some of my favorite moments. And although he left this world too soon, I have no doubt that I (and many others) will continue to make new memories to his songs which will live on for generations to come. Although he may be gone, Michael Jackson’s legacy, music and influence on popular culture will not be soon forgotten.

Weight, fashion and pop all go hand in hand. Every pop princess wants to be skinny (or goes nuts like Britney or Lindsay Lohan). Every supermodel starves to death (allegedly). And every girl and boy wants to be an idol. Idols are either full of muscles or skinny like hell. So how do you cope with pop culture driving you crazy? Endlessly to the gym? Well, apparently you just have to stop the masterminds behind the fashion cult lead by editors like Vogue’s Anna Wintour.

This morning went by as usual. I got out of the gym and straight into my vintage Burberry yellow-brown-and-white checked shirt. I put on these comfortable gap pants and Kenneth Cole belt, and left ready to take over the world, driving like a maniac and drinking Diet Coke. I went on singing “Poker Face” until I finally parked and proceeded to go to my little laptop, on this brownish desk I hate so much. But I wasn’t feeling like working, so I started reading the New York Times and bumped into a blog that left me aghast…

It’s time to put your musky, spicy and oriental fragrances in the back of your fragrance collection. If you like to switch up your scents according to the season, keep in mind that Summer is the time to use perfumes that are refreshing, clean, floral and fruity. Here are some of the best scents to use this summer, all available at Sephora.com.

“Everybody’s got some kind of ice cream in the freezer,” says Ina Garten as she explains how to make gourmet sundaes, complete with triple raspberry sauce which she describes as very “easy” to prepare. This matronly Food Network host would probably be shocked if she took a look around my kitchen. A refrigerator with a bag of dry lettuce, cupboards stocked with canned tuna and a box of stale Wheat Thins, drawers stocked with Crystal Light, Oh, and (here comes the shocker) no ice cream. Sorry to prove your theory wrong, Ina.

Looking for some new music to rotate into your iPod playlists, but lack the funds to download freely? Not to worry, in my opinion, oldies are always goodies. Here are some CDs you can borrow from your roommate or pick up at your local used music store. Who knows, these dated gems might even be in your current music collection…and you simply forgot you had them.