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Lupita Nyong’o Graces Glamour Magazine

November 3, 2014

Lupita Nyong’o, one of our favorite BGs, is covering the December issue of Glamour magazine.

The actress and Lanôme beauty ambassador, 31, is not only the magazine’s cover girl, but is also named as the Woman of the Year by the popular glossy. The annual Women of the Year issue honors women who have made significant contributions to society throughout the year. In celebration of the issue, the magazine will host its 24th annual Women of the Year awards ceremony in New York City November on 10th.

Lupita talks to the Condé Nast title about her meteoric rise in Hollywood and how she uses her platform to help redefine success and beauty standards.

Photo by: Tom Munro Be sure to check out more pics here!

Here are a few quotes from the interview with the Oscar winner:

Nyong’o on winning an Academy Award earlier this year…
“I don’t think I will ever be able to really articulate how bizarre it was to hear my name at the Academy Awards. I’d watched in my pajamas the year before! I felt numb—dazed and confused. I remember feeling light—weightless. More like limbo than cloud nine.”

Nyong’o on how her life has changed after winning an Academy Award…
“This is actually a conversation I look forward to having in 10 years, when all of this is behind me and I have some real perspective on what happened—because right now I’m still adjusting. I guess I feel catapulted into a different place; I have a little whiplash…. I did have a dream to be an actress, but I didn’t think about being famous. And I haven’t yet figured out how to be a celebrity; that’s something I’m learning, and I wish there were a course on how to handle it. I have to be aware that my kinesphere may be larger than I want it to be.”

Nyong’o on the standards of beauty that she grew up with…
“European standards of beauty are something that plague the entire world—the idea that darker skin is not beautiful, that light skin is the key to success and love. Africa is no exception. When I was in the second grade, one of my teachers said, ‘Where are you going to find a husband? How are you going to find someone darker than you?’ I was mortified. I remember seeing a commercial where a woman goes for an interview and doesn’t get the job. Then she puts a cream on her face to lighten her skin, and she gets the job! This is the message: that dark skin is unacceptable. I definitely wasn’t hearing this from my immediate family—my mother never said anything to that effect—but the voices from the television are usually much louder than the voices of your parents.”

Nyong’o on her role models growing up…
“Oprah played a big role in my understanding of what it meant to be female and to really step into your own power. I wouldn’t even call her a role model; she was literally a reference point. You have the dictionary, you have the Bible, you have Oprah.”

Nyong’o on her mother’s influence…
“I come from a loving, supportive family, and my mother taught me that there are more valuable ways to achieve beauty than just through your external features. She was focused on compassion and respect, and those are the things that ended up translating to me as beauty. Beautiful people have many advantages, but so do friendly people.… I think beauty is an expression of love.”

Nyong’o on “The Lupita Effect”…
“I’ve heard people talk about images in popular culture changing, and that makes me feel great, because it means that the little girl I was, once upon a time, has an image to instill in her that she is beautiful, that she is worthy—that she can… Until I saw people who looked like me, doing the things I wanted to, I wasn’t so sure it was a possibility. Seeing Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah in The Color Purple, it dawned on me: ‘Oh—I could be an actress!’ We plant the seed of possibility.”

For the full interview visit Glamour.com or be sure to pick up the December issue which hits newsstands November 11th.

Want to see more Lupita? Check out this behind-the-scenes footage from her cover shoot.What are your thoughts on the cover?

Category: Beauty, Fashion, Featured, Features | 3 Comments

Palmer’s Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 28, 2014

Although October is almost over, I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This disease has devastated my family, which is why I feel compelled to raise as much awareness about it as possible. Despite losing several aunts to the disease, I know that it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Thanks to early detection, my sister is living proof that you can be a survivor!

That’s why I wholeheartedly appreciate and support companies and brands who donate portions of their proceeds (from certain products) during this month to help raise funds towards finding a cure.

Instead of only giving back during the month of October, Palmer’s, the popular cocoa butter line will donate 15% of the sales prices (with a minimum of $100,000) from specially-marked bottles of its core Cocoa Butter Formula products to Susan G. Komen from now until June 2015!

I’ve been a huge fan of Palmer’s for years, but the fact that they’re going pink and donating funds well beyond October makes the brand even more appealing.

Palmer’s is available at most drugstores nationwide

**For more information on breast cancer, please click here.

Have you purchased “pink” products this month? Have you been personally affected by breast cancer?

Category: Beauty | 1 Comment

7 Stylish Tights to Keep Legs Cozy & Comfy for Fall

October 21, 2014

It’s that time of year again—tights and leggings season!

As soon as fall arrives, one of the first things I do to update my wardrobe is buy new hosiery. Whether ribbed, patterned, denim or classic opaque, eye-catching tights and leggings can instantly add warmth and style to ensembles. For those super cold days, I double-up on black tights to keep my gams covered, as well as provide a less sheer, more saturated look.

Tights and leggings are such a fun and cost-effective way to relish in fall fashion without breaking the bank. Plus, they’re incredibly comfy!

Back in the summer, I got a sneak peek of No nonsense’s fabulous autumn offerings. They have a great selection of colors and styles to suit your taste.

Check them out below:

No nonsense Corduroy Leggings available here, $18

No nonsense Bold Diamond Tights are available here, $7

No nonsense Opaque Tights available here, $6.59

No nonsense Textured Basketweave Openwork Tights available here, $7

No nonsense Animal Print Tights available here, $14

No nonsense Super Opaque Control Top Tights available here, $6.59

Have you stocked up on tights this season?

Category: Fashion | Leave a Comment

Get Rid of Grays with Black Opal’s Retouch Root Concealer Spray

October 16, 2014

There might be a gray hair movement taking place amongst celebrities, bloggers and fashionistas alike, but that’s one trend I won’t be partaking in.

I’ve been plagued with premature graying in one spot since I was 5 and have never liked my silver streaks. So, as soon as I was old enough to dye them, I did just that. However, since giving birth last year, I’ve steered clear of dyeing my hair to give it time to replenish and get back to normal.

In the meantime, I’ve been using Black Opal’s Gray Root Retouch Concealer Spray. I didn’t know they offered products beyond their lovely cosmetic line, but was pleasantly surprised. I simply spray it 2-3 inches from the pesky patch and it instantly covers my unruly grays! Plus, it dries almost instantly (give or take a minute or two).

Black Opal Gray Retouch Root Concealer Spray available here, $9. It comes in two shades: Medium Light Brown and Black/Dark Brown

Thanks to the illusion of thicker hair that the darkening formula creates, the spray also helps conceal the post-partum hair loss I’ve been experiencing around my edges (where my problem gray area happens to be).

Before (left) and After (right) – Black Opal Retouch Root Concealer Spray helps hide my grays, as well as camouflage my post-partum hair loss.

An added bonus is it doesn’t come off until you wash it out; no worrying about it smearing or smudging onto pillowcases, scarves or satin bonnets! It’s been my go-to for months and I will continue using it in between my dye touch-ups once I go back to permanently coloring my hair and when my post-partum hair loss ceases.

If you’re looking to cover up unwanted grays, this spray is a great buy!

Do you dye your hair to hide grays or do you embrace your pigment-free strands? Did you suffer from post-partum hair loss?

Category: Hair | 1 Comment

Book Buy: ‘Vintage Black Glamour’ Showcases Stunning Rarely Seen Photographs of African-American Female Entertainers, Poets, Actors and More!

October 13, 2014

If there’s one quirky thing about me that most people don’t know, it’s that I LOVE looking at old photos. I can get lost for hours poring over vintage photos from my family and friends or even historical shots of my beloved hometown Chicago. Heck, I was even a photo editor for a national magazine once upon a time!

That’s why I’m so excited that the highly anticipated book (of the same name) as the popular blog, “Vintage Black Glamour,” by Nichelle Gainer is finally available for purchase. The sleek, hard-cover book features dozens of fabulous rarely accessed photos from some of our most acclaimed female African-American socialites, actors, writers, dancers and entertainers who worked during the 20th century.

VINTAGE BLACK GLAMOUR will be published on October 14, 2014 and is available from Rocket 88 Books, only at vintageblackglamourbook.com, $70

Greats such such as Eartha Kitt (who’s the book’s cover girl), Dorothy Dandridge, Diana Ross and a host of others grace the pages. While some of the women featured are nothing short of iconic, the book also boasts a bevy of lesser-known beauties as well.

Opera singer Margaret Tyne, who performed with Duke Ellington in the 1950s. Photo Courtesy: Vintage Black Glamour

In fact, the author, whom I’ve chatted with throughout the years was inspired to create the blog-turned-book by her great aunt and opera singer, Margaret Tyne, who performed with the legendary Duke Ellington during the 1950s. Gainer curated the book (and blog) by visiting libraries and combing through countless archives and photographs of glamourous black women.

Dancer Adelaide Hall. Photo Courtesy: Vintage Black Glamour

Actress and singer Lena Horne. Photo Courtesy: Vintage Black Glamour

Jazz singer, songwriter Nina Simone. Photo Courtesy: Vintage Black Glamour

The stunning photographs are each accompanied with enlightening profiles providing readers a glimpse into the lives of these talented women.

If you admire old school style and sophistication that only we BGs can bring, then this coffee table book is a must-have! It will make the perfect gift for the upcoming holiday season for all the BGs on your list.

Who’s your favorite “vintage black glamour” star or is she someone in your very own family?

Category: Arts and Entertainment | Leave a Comment

Event Recap: Dark & Lovely and Everyday People Brunch

October 7, 2014

A couple of weeks ago I was invited by Dark & Lovely to attend the Everyday People brunch here in New York City.

If you’re unfamiliar with the popular brunch series, it’s held monthly at trendy The DL on the lower east side and hosted by stylish girl-about-town, Saada Ahmed and Bravo TV’s Chef Roblé.

Prior to brunch, we bloggers/editors were seated in a comfy “style suite” area of the restaurant where we learned about the haircare brand’s Au Naturale Anti-Breakagé and Au Naturalé Anti-Shrinkage lines (I love the Anti-Breakage line, but still haven’t tried the latter) from Soft-Sheen Carson’s Artistic Director Mezel Jefferson.

Me taking a selfie at the Everyday People brunch held in conjunction with Dark & Lovely at The DL in New York City on Sunday, September 21, 2014.

After we received the rundown on the various products, we were encouraged to move into the main room for a lovely brunch buffet of eggs, french toast, fried chicken, biscuits, potatoes, bacon and other yummy offerings.

Soft-Sheen Carson’s Artistic Director Mezel Jefferson, guest, Saada Ahmed and Chef Roble. Photo By: Pete Monsanto of Fly Life Images/Dark and Lovely

Photo By: Pete Monsanto of Fly Life Images/Dark and Lovely

It was a fun afternoon of mingling with fellow bloggers, editors and trendsetters (aka “the cool kids”) with awesome hair and eye-catching fashions. The food, networking and people watching was good, but the music made the event! I’m a true ’80’s baby, so listening to the hits of the 90s was a treat. Hearing old school Usher and Mase songs made me feel nostalgic and provided such a cool vibe. There was also a performance by R&B duo and neo-soul pioneers, Les Nubians, but I left (mommy duties called) before their set started.

Les Nubians performing at the Dark & Lovely and Everyday People Brunch at DL in New York City on Saturday, September 21, 2014.

If you’re ever able to attend (not sure if it’s ticketed or invite-only since I was invited by Dark & Lovely), I highly recommend it because the mix of food, people and music makes for an unforgettable brunch!

Have you ever attended an Everyday People brunch? If not, do you get together for monthly brunch dates with your friends?

Category: Featured, Features, Gumbo Mix, Hair | Leave a Comment

GIVEAWAY: Take the Dove Body Wash #OneShowerChallenge

September 30, 2014

When I think of quality body washes for sensitive skin, Dove is the first to come to mind.

Its signature, creamy formula is now improved to provide an even more luxurious shower experience. The new body washes are infused with a milder cleanser (Glycinate) coupled with super moisturizing components making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin like me.

NEW Dove Body Washes are available at food, drug, mass, value, club and online retailers, $6.99.

Also, unlike most shower cleansers that boast a gentler formula, the lather I’ve come to love is pretty non-existent. Luckily, that’s not the case with these washes. I can suds up and still leave the shower feeling clean and moisturized all without compromising my easily irritated skin. Oh and did I mention, I felt an immediate difference after ONE shower! Usually, results aren’t noticed until after a few uses, but my skin was smoother and softer following my first use.

If you like milder body washes and looking for a new one, definitely give Dove a go! Plus, who doesn’t love how the brand uplifts and encourages women to just be our naturally beautiful selves?

Check out their latest video, “Legacy,” that speaks to how we mothers pass our beauty ideals and insecurities on to our daughters:

**GIVEAWAY: Simply tell me how you inspire the little girls or young women in your lives to embrace their natural beauty for your chance to win a Dove Body Wash along with a necklace. One lucky reader will be randomly selected and announced (and contacted) next week, Tuesday, Oct. 7th.

Category: Beauty, Featured, Features | 13 Comments

A ‘Beautiful’ City Night Out with Jane Iredale

September 24, 2014

Recently I was invited to a lovely evening with Jane Iredale, the founder of jane iredale—The Skincare Makeup to celebrate the launch of her latest collection for fall, City Nights.

Held at New York City hotspot, Butter, editors and bloggers mingled and ate delicious food while receiving a sneak peek of the stunning collection.

Unexpected forest green and deep purple shades replaced ordinary black eyeliners for an updated autumn look. These gel liners (Jelly Jars) are great for days when you want to have a little fun with color without verging too far from basic black. Plus, the chemical-free natural formula won’t irritate eyes.

jane iredale-The Skincare Makeup ‘City Nights’ collection available here, starting at $28 (all items are sold separately).

The collection also includes a trio eye shadow palette of dreamy earthy hues to provide the perfect smokey eye. To top off the “city nights” look, there ‘s a sophisticated mahogany matte lip color (“Katerina”) and a shimmery red plum gloss (“Kir Royale”) for a bold, statement lip.

As if the evening couldn’t be anymore delightful, Jane personally thanked us for our support and treated us to the Broadway musical, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” as a token of her appreciation.

It was certainly a beautiful city night that I won’t soon forget!

How will you change up your makeup look for fall? What Broadway shows have you seen recently or looking forward to seeing?

Category: Beauty | 2 Comments

6 Chic Capes to Rock this Fall

September 16, 2014

From fresh beginnings to fab new fashions, fall is by far my favorite season. It’s a time to recharge and adjust wardrobes to accommodate chilly temps without compromising style.

So, what better way to usher in the brisk season than with a cool cape? Yes, this sleek outerwear option has been a staple in fashionistas’ closets for a while, but admittedly—I’m late to the cape party.

This chic alternative to traditional coats and jackets will turn heads while keeping you warm. Plus, there’s just something sophisticated and undeniably ladylike about its free-flowing shape.

Check out these eye-catching buys:

DKNY Pure Wool Knit Cape available here, $235

Michael Kors Pea Coat Cape available here, $295

Cavalleria Toscana Cape available here, $170

DKNY “Blythe” Hooded Wool Blend Cape available here, $158

Yoox Back Cape available here, $95

Nordstrom Leather Trim Colorblock Cape available here, $148

Will you be rocking a cape this fall?

Category: Fashion, Featured, Features | Leave a Comment

Family Fun at Brooklyn Bridge Park with Amex EveryDay Card

September 11, 2014

Last weekend, my family and I were invited by American Express EveryDay Card to enjoy an afternoon viewing party of the 2014 US Open (via jumbo screen) at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Upon our arrival, we were given super cute picnic blankets and baskets filled with a delicious lunch specially curated from renowned chef Thomas Keller provided by Bouchon Bakery. After eating and lounging on the lawn, we took my daughter to the complimentary tennis lessons for kids. She seemed to have a blast, but it’s safe to say that she will probably not be the next Serena Williams!

After the mini tennis lesson, my hubby and I resumed our relaxing afternoon noshing on grapes, viewing the US Open, and watching the kids play nearby in the grass.

Despite living in NYC for a little over 11 years, I had never made my way down to Brooklyn Bridge Park prior to last week. I’m not sure if it’s always been so nice, but if you haven’t been there lately you should definitely plan a trip before summer’s officially a distant memory. The breathtaking view alone is reason enough to go.

We had a fantastic, fun-filled family day that we’ll cherish forever.

Check out some of my pics below:

Have you ever visited Brooklyn Bridge Park? If you’re in the NYC area, there will be a Kite Festival held at the park from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, Sept. 13. Click here for more information.

Category: Gumbo Mix, Health, Travel & Lifestyle | Leave a Comment