An In the Streets Chick: Post-it Party

 

 

I had a blast learning what Post-it has coming down the piple line last night. From new colors and prints to chic dispensers and journals, they’ve got some exciting products on the horizon. Yes, I’m a bit of a paper nerd. I get giddy over notebooks and such, so I’m not blowing blogger smoke when I gush about the event. As I entered the space I was greeted by an “Electric Glow” cocktail and a Post-it art installation.

 

 

 

 

 

Then I took a cute color quiz to see which color collection fits my personality… I had a feeling it would be one of the bright ones (actually I HOPED), and, well… color me happy!

 

My cohort and I found it funny that they invited attendees to write their ideas for new products on Post-its and then stick them onto the wall (get us drunk and have us share our ideas. Then use the ones you like without having to pay the people who conceived them. I see you Post-it lol). Here are my ideas… if you see either of these in the stores, you know who thought of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, for my favorite products… (fashion inspired Post-it dispensers, paisley prints and a tape dispenser that looks like a sandal)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, I really liked that there was a community oriented element. We were all asked to provide an inspirational message on a Post-it. The entire collection will be shipped to students in Kentucky whose school was destroyed by one of the recent tornadoes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PS- They gave us a pretty awesome goody bag!!!

The Oooh Weee: Duepunti Rubber Diamond Rings

 

 

Rubber Lovin’

 

I owe myself a few gifts, and I think at least one of them will be a Duepunti ring. It’s the most unpretentious piece of diamond jewelry I’ve ever seen. Almost like a piece of prissy hipster bling, if you will, and though it comes in a rainbow of colors, we all know I’m going with fuchsia. It’s only $98, so maybe I’ll eventually get a couple more colors and stack them. We’ll see. For now, though, this ring has me feenin’. Technorati Tags: Duepunti,Rubber ring,Diamond,Rings,gifts,jewelry
Blogger Labels: Duepunti,Rubber ring,Diamond,Rings,gifts,jewelry

Beautiful! I Just Want You to Know: I’m loving LAMIK

 

Putting the U in Beauty…

I recently visited New York’s Crowne Plaza with a few other bloggers for an intimate introduction to LAMIK Beauty and its founder, Kim Roxie. As I sat and listened to Kim speak about what’s in a lot of the products in my makeup bag- especially my lip gloss (but not in LAMIK), I got tempted to overhaul most of my collection (until reality set in and I remembered a new makeup wardrobe isn’t in the budget). As a licensed aesthetician, she’s made it a point to learn about the ingredient lists for the products she’s used- and applied that knowledge to excluding harmful chemicals and comedogenic additives (parabens, talc, etc.) from LAMIK.

What interested me most about the presentation, though, was her explanation of the LAMIK way. Rule #1: Beauty is revealed, not applied. Alluding to the natural beauty we each possess, the belief system behind the brand indicates that you should work to accentuate the natural features rather than simply applying a bunch of product. Rule #2: No rubbing- always blot or pat. Whether you’re applying foundation, eye shadow or lipstick, do not rub the product in… simply blot or pat it on so that you can have full control of the amount you’re putting on. She put her words into action, and “revealed” my inner sex pot with an “Ostrich Green” smoky eye. (She even brought my non-existent brows to life using the LAMIK Celebrity Brow Kit.)

 

Oh… here’s another cool tidbit about LAMIK- If happen to drop and break an eye shadow, you no longer have to throw it away or put it into a mini plastic bag (to keep it from getting on EVERYTHING). Now, you can simply bring it into a store, and they’ll turn it into a loose powder shadow for you (and put it into their patented no-break packaging). Plus, if you have a lipstick or gloss shade that’s being discontinued… or simply want the color without the crummy ingredients, bring or ship it to them, and they’ll re-create it for you (and it’ll only cost you $21).

Technorati Tags: Beauty Products,LAMIK,makeup tips

Between the Sheets: Jones Magazine’s “Your Best Summer” Issue

 

Er’body Jones! *Capo voice*

Jones Magazine’s recently released summer issue celebrates the hot (haute) season in living color (not just neon nails & bright clothes, but also multicultural models and designers). In addition to making a call for more diversity in the fashion industry, the mag’s editors also scoured various beauty counters to find the best products and consulted with Net-A-Porter’s fashion director, Holli Rogers to find this season’s style requirements. My favorite part, though, is Marquita Harris’ ode to icons of color (was a bit surprised to see Lisa Bonet amongst the ranks of Grace Jones, Diana Ross and Dorothy Dandridge, but…). I never believe any magazine can tell me how to have my “best summer” (or any season). However, I will say that I had a fun few minutes reading it and lusting over the shoes, etc. Now I’m all haute & bothered. Excuse me while I go check my fresh.

Technorati Tags: Jones Magazine,summer fashion,magazines

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might: Luis Morais Small Locket Om Necklace

 

On My Om…

I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately. I’m a freelancer/ self employed individual, and business has been a little slow. As any creative will tell you, such lulls can lead to all types of sour moods. That’s why it’s imperative to have a few guardian angels in your corner who will wrestle you out of your slump. My most recent relief came in the form of a treat to a week of Bikram Yoga. Last night was my first session; an hour and a half of smelly, strenuous, splendid self exploration. I survived! (Apparently, I did pretty darn good for a newbie, too.) Now that I’m feeling all triumphant, and centered, I think I need a memento to help me find my chi should it wander back into the abyss of financial/ social woes. This Luis Morais Small Locket Om Necklace makes the perfect such trinket, no? Open what looks like a simple little gold box on a chain to reveal an “Om” symbol (that calming, meditative sound that assists many in finding inner peace and harmony). You can even put a tiny picture in there of something else calming… like… shoes. The reason I don’t already have it: the $1,470 price tag. For many, that’s not much. For me, though, well just refer to the beginning of this post. However, I do have a birthday quickly approaching, and I’d be incredibly happy if some benevolent soul saw fit to hit Aloha Rag make this mine.

Technorati Tags: jewelry,yoga,aloha rag,Luis Marais

The Oooh Weee: This Draped Across Dress from Nasty Gal has Me Feenin’

 

Draped up & Hipped Out…

When you “got an a$$ that can swallow a g-string, and up top, uhn, two bee stings,” it can be a bit tough to find dresses that complement both the undergarment grubber AND the barely there boobies. I’m kinda sorta part of that club, and let me tell you how hard it is to find dresses that are a happy medium between hoochie and humdrum. The fashion gods seem to have heard my laments, so they sent Saint NASTY GAL to the rescue, armed with the Draped Across dress. Though the top is actually more voluminous than the bottom, it hangs in such a way that makes my lack of cleavage chic. The bottom portion is semi fitted, so I’d suggest going a size up to make sure it caresses your lady lumps instead of squeezing them. Oh… and who doesn’t love a dress with pockets??? It’s available in all types of punchy colors, but I’m sure I’ve mentioned numerous times that fuchsia is my favorite. (My birthday is in less than a month… HINT! I’ll take a medium. It’s only $58 dollars… Thanks!)

Technorati Tags: style,dresses,dresses for pear shapes,women's fashion,Nasty Gal,shopping,affordable fashion

Beautiful! I Just Want You to Know: Jane Carter Solution Review

 

Hair’s the Deal…

I’ve been having hair woes since November (when a large load of family stress plopped itself onto my back). Somewhere around that time, a sizeable amount of my already-shine resistant, un-relaxed (but color treated) hair decided we needed to part ways. Very quickly I went from a nice sized wild fro to something way too tame for my liking. PLUS it still didn’t wanna shine. (The one in the red chair was taken in June, the other was taken less than a month ago. See the difference in the size of my fro? I’m about to cry looking at the comparison.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently, I lamented the loss of my beloved locks and the lackluster attitude of what remained to a friend and fellow diva. Poof! A box of complimentary samples arrived on my doorstep from Jane Carter Solution.

The package included Moisture Nourishing Shampoo, Hydrating Invigorating Shampoo, Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner, Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner, Wrap & Roll setting lotion, Condition & Sculpt liquid gel, Curl Defining Cream, Nourish and Shine hair butter, Hair Nourishing Cream, Scalp Nourishing Serum and Hair Nourishing Serum.

I liked the results of the Hydrating Invigorating Shampoo, Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner and Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner. After washing, my hair didn’t feel stripped and dry the way it has with some other shampoos. Plus it’s sulphate free, and I love the tingly feeling from the peppermint in it. Conditioning left my hair soft, and I didn’t notice much breakage in my comb (always a good sign, right?).

Then I applied the Curl Defining Cream (because if I don’t use something my hair will look like some kind of shapeless cotton ball). Unfortunately, this product may work TOO well, my coils became a little too tight for my liking (but my hair is ‘funny acting’, so I may have to give it another try).

So far, the Hair Nourishing Serum and Hair Nourishing Cream are keeping my hair moisturized but not greasy (YES, I need BOTH, and the serum smells pretty fresh), and I like the Scalp Nourishing Serum, too (ylang ylang and cedar, anyone?). However, the STAR of this product show is the Nourish and Shine. It’s not sticky or greasy, but it leaves a nice luster.

All in all, I’m pleased with the kit. I’m not sure that I’ll convert totally to the brand but a few of the products will surely be added to my regimen (I think you know which ones). I’m hoping now my hair will be happy enough with me to grow back. I really don’t wanna go back to tracks on tracks on tracks *Roscoe Dash voice*.

Technorati Tags: Product Review,Natural Hair,Jane Carter Solution,Hair Care,Beauty Products,African American Hair