Solo is so Complex

Beauties, sorry I've been gone so long....I've been experiencing a bit of bloggers' block. Well, ya'll know that I find nothing more inspiring than big hair and effortless style so I was beyond motivated when I came across Solange Knowle's recent spread in Complex magazine. The colors, the styling, the fierce posing and yes, the plump 'fro are everything I needed to get my mojo back. 

punk chaos to couture

Woo hoo, so excited about tonight's Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala. The theme was "Punk Chaos to Couture" and there were some great edgy looks on the red carpet.

Between Rooney's amazing Givenchy gown, Nicole Richie's head to toe (literally) white hot look and Giovanna Battaglia's regal pinned updo, I cannot choose a favorite look. Here are a few of my faves. Oh, and are you loving Anne Hathaway as  a blond? I prefer her as a brunette but the hair really makes her look pop.

I can't believe what I'm about to type, but I love Nicki Minaj's subdued look tonight. SJP's feathered head piece (or was that a bird? ;)) and Chloe Sevigny's turban made for stunning accessories. Oh, and Anja Rubik's red leather look was the hottest look on the carpet, in my humble opinion.

Who doesn't love a good looking pair? Stoudemire and his lady Alexis Welch were incredibly fly - who says a pregnant lady can't rock couture? I love that Victor Cruz's date took a chance with a formal, funky pants look. What do you think? Oh, and is there anything that I can say to add to the perfection that is Joan Smalls? She looks stunning with Tom Ford. Stunning defined.

Who were your faves on the red carpet tonight?

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camille rose naturals

I finally got around to trying a couple of Camille Rose Naturals products and they are as sweet as they sound.

I bought the Almond Jai Twisting Butter first --- oh my gosh, it left my hair so incredibly soft and shiny. The fragrance is Sweet Almond Milk and Honey and the scent is delicious. It does not have an incredible hold so its best if you like bigger, fluffier, free flowing hair --- my favorite. When I used the Twisting Butter for a more defined twist out look, I also used a bit of EcoStyler Gel.

austin, baby!

If you follow me on Instagram then you know that I just spent an amazing week in Austin, Texas….what a chill city. I was there for a wedding and of course set some time aside to explore the food scene: great Mexican food, bbq (I compared Franklin’s to the Salt Lick—a tough task but someone had to do it) and fried chicken were all on the menu while I was there. Oh, and I definitely fell in love with the food truck scene. Have you been? 

testing! testing!

I spend more than a little bit of time in my favorite makeup shops and I’ve seen so many ladies pick up the tester lipstick tube or eye shadow pot and apply it directly to their face. Ewww! I am the opposite of a germphobe (being raised in NYC must’ve strengthened my immune system, right) but I have sensitive skin and no need for a lip infection. Ain't nobody got time for that!

Seriously, though, those testers are filled with germs and bacteria and there’s definitely a way to avoid safely try on the latest makeup colors of the season.

A few simple tricks:

1) Don’t be afraid to ask the salesperson to spray or dip lipstick testers in alcohol and scrape off the top layer of the tube. Even after that’s done, use a disposable applicator to apply the lipstick to your lip.

2) If you’re trying on eye liners or lip liners, sharpen the liner before trying it on to remove the bacteria

Zoe!

Zoe Saldana's fresh face is featured on the May cover of Latina magazine. In addition to the typical chatter about love lives, current projects, yada, yada, yada, she talks a bit about the controversy surrounding her upcoming role as Nina Simone. LINK

On the Nina Simone Controversy: [A]t the end of the day all I’m going to say is that every person that is a part of this project came together for no other reason than the unconditional love for Nina Simone’s music, her persona, her life, what she did, what she left for us, what her music still continues to do not only to women, but to Americans, and African Americans, and also people of color, just everything. 

I'm both a Zoe Saldana and a Nina Simone fan and was quite bothered by this casting. I wouldn't usually care whether a figure was portrayed by someone with the same physical features. In most cases, that would seem petty and irrelevant but Nina's experience, persona and music were very much affected by her kinky hair, deep brown skin color, wide facial features and full figure; characteristics that society did not deem beautiful. To overlook all of the talented actresses that share Nina's features and cast Zoe  seems to show a lack of progress and breadth in Hollywood's definition of beauty today. Personally, I'll be sitting this one out. I do respect Zoe explaining why she was drawn to the role, though, and I hope that she does it justice for the many movie-goers that will see the film. 

Thoughts?

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Yep, It's Spring

It definitely felt like the first days of Spring in NYC this weekend. The sun was shining bright, folks were drinking and dining al fresco, and I even walked into a street fair in the West Village on Saturday.

To celebrate Spring weather, one of the first things that I reached for was a pair of light, printed, ankle pants. Look mom, no tights!