Wrapped Up

Hey Bazaar Girls and Boys, It's been a while. I know, shame on us. But, I wanted to share a last minute Christmas wrapping idea.

What: Personal Message Gift Bag

The front: Hey You, Merry Christmas. 

The back: 2010

How: Write a simple message on a paper bag with a black Sharpie marker. To jazz your bag up try using different writing styles.

Merry Christmas

Your Favorite Song is a Lie.

Dear Music Industry,

Most of my favorite songs are repackaged hits from the 60's and 70's. Words cannot express how much my heart breaks when I realize how unoriginal you are. Don't pretend that you're creating "art" when you're just recycling beats and lyrics that belonged to another generation.

XO,
Ericka

Are You An Amber?

A few days ago I made a shopping trip to my local mall. I'm not sure if it's like this for everyone else, but whenever I need to walk out with shopping bags I always leave empty-handed and I didn't want that to happen this trip.

After 30 minutes of picking over the endless racks I found a statement piece! I ran my hands over the sleeves of the dress in approval and thought my mission was complete. Then I realized the dress I had fallen in love with so quickly already had a home in my friend's closet.

Although I tried to ignore it, I didn't like the idea of being a clone. Seeing myself in the mirror with her dress on opened a flood gate of questions. But nothing ceased the desire to head for the cash register until the following scene began to play out in my head:

In the end I couldn't go through with the purchase. I've never been an Amber and I refused to let that trip be a turning point.

 Have you ever been tempted? Or have you ever noticed that your friends new dress looked a lot like the one you had on last week. Sound off in the comments below.

Speak Life Sundays!

Tune!

The Etiquette Post

I was going through my favorite videos on YouTube and I came across a classic scene from the early days of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air". It's dinner time and Will is amusing himself by creatively making a tune with the silverware and china. Although, it was worthy of hitting radio waves the impromptu performance was a bit innappropriate.



With Thanksgiving approaching, we've put together a top five etiquette list of things Will Smith might do at the dinner table but you shouldn't.

Thou Shall Not Bring See Food to the table. You know the joke we all played when we were younger? The one where you ask if anyone wants sea food and then you proceed to show them all of your bits and pieces. Yeah that one. I agree it was hilarious the first time. But, now that we're adults we don't want to see what you're working with. So, once the food goes in chew with your mouth closed.

Thou Shall Not engage in social network sites (Twitter, Facebook), text, or make a call during dinner. So, most of that didn't exist during the 90's. But, we'd be willing to bet that if it did Will would be sending tweets about Uncle Phil eating the entire turkey by himself.

Thou Shall Not stretch across the table. It's better to "pass the peas like you used to do" than to reach over your neighbor.

Thou Shall Not criticize the food. Yes, Mama can make the dressing way better. But, if you don't having anything nice to say... don't say anything at all.

And the most important rule of them all!

Thou Shall Not perform a song at the table without asking for requests first. .... Okay that last one was clearly a joke.

Follow this list and you should be fine!

Speak Life Sundays

We're starting a new segment that will highlight artists with a positive message called "Speak Life Sundays" (insert applause here). First up is the group Level 3:16.

The It-Girl Factor

Urban Dictionary describes the "it-girl" as someone every girl wants to be. She has style, smarts and self confidence. Lately we've noticed a common denominator between the majority of "it-girls".  They're all in love with the art of disc jockeying. 


Like a moth is drawn to a flame these trendsetters are drawn to turn tables. Here are a few of our favorites. 

Beverly Bond the DISC JOCKEY. She is also a model, wife and hero around the world for making "Black Girls Rock". 

Solange Knowles the DISC JOCKEY who also delves into singing, blogging, dancing and motherhood.

Alexa Chung the DISC JOCKEY well known for the show "It's On With Alexa Chung"  having impeccable style, and her famous Madwell collection. 

And of course we couldn't end this post without acknowledging the queen of "it-girls". Meet Ruth Flowers, she's a 70 year old DJ who rocks nightclubs in Paris without skipping a beat. 

BTW IT'S OUR 100TH POST CHEERS TO US :). 

I've Been Minxed

"And you don’t do it for the man, men never notice" - Drake

 I'm not sure what grabs me the most... the way light reflects off of their shiny surface or the fact that they're low maintenance and have a long life expectancy. Either way, Minx nails are great addition to the nail art culture. 

What are they? A solid film with adhesive on the back that's heat activated. Just imagine really shiny stickers. 

How Does it Work? Just like any other visit to the nail salon, you start off with a manicure. After making sure your nails are perfectly shaped the film is applied. There's no top coat or drying time. After the excess film is cut to match your nail shape you're all set to go. The process probably takes 35 minutes or less, which is about the same amount of time I'd wait for a regular manicure.  

How Long Do They Last? Manicure's are supposed to last a week, while pedicures should last up to five weeks. I was advised to firmly press the edges of my nails whenever I got a chance and to stay away from greasy substances in order to keep them looking fresh.  I only noticed a little bit of wear on the edge of my nails after the fifth day. 

Are They Worth it? Of course! My nails have never received so many compliments. Minx are literally conversation starters!

Beauty Vitamins

Bobbi Brown's Makeup Manual has a section in her book that provides readers with great tips on living a healthy lifestyle. She states how this healthy lifestyle directly impacts how you look and feel. There are certain nutrients that are important for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails. These nutritents include vitamin A, B, C, D, E and healthy Fats. If you're like me and is not a fan of taking vitamins in the pill form, you can get your vitamins in the foods that you eat.

Down below are the different vitamins and a few examples of foods for each:


Vitamin A
- raw carrots
- sweet potatoes
- cantaloupe, apricots, and mangoes

Vitamin B
- whole grain cereal
- berries
- green leafy vegetables
- eggs
- soy beans

Vitamin C
- oranges, grapefruits
- spinach, broccoli, tomatoes

Vitamin D
- fish oils (salmon)
- milk
- mushrooms
- yogurt

Vitamin E
- nuts (almonds)
- avocado
- berries

Fat
- avocado
- fatty fish
- coconut

- BY CANDACE REELS

Product of the Week

NARS blush in Orgasm

It's a pink peachy color with golden undertones. So not only is it a blush, it can also be used as a bronzer.

It's a soft, sheer powder blush that doesn't feel heavy on your skin. It's perfect for the day and night. I'm pretty much in love with this blush and haven't felt this way about a cosmetic product in a while. With a name like Orgasm, how could this blush not be magical.

-BY CANDACE REELS

A TRIP TO THE MUSEUM... on your laptop.

A few nights ago I couldn't sleep because I kept sifting through all of these photos. I hope you enjoy them just as much as I did. 

Team Beasle!

A lot of buzz has been swarming around a new songstress who goes by the name Beasle (no last name necessary). I've read great things about her on Twitter, Facebook and have even heard rave reviews from my own home. So, when a video of one her recent performances popped up on Facebook I had to see what all of the hype was about. Needless to say I was impressed, specifically with her rendition of "I'm Going Down". I'm going to go out on a limb and say her version is up there with Rose Royce, Mary J Blidge, and Tamera Mowry. Yes, it was that good! Check her out below:

Willow Smith Whips Her Hair

Happy Birthday Dee & Ricky

Photo Credit: Dee & Ricky

October 15th marks the day the famous twins were born. People have been BUZZaring about Dee & Ricky for quite some time. I became familiar with the pair when their famous Lego accessories hit the runway for Marc Jacobs and were found in the pages of Teen Vogue. I love that they're creative, but I enjoy their personalities more. They have an "I don't care what you think, I'm cool" attitude and it suits them well.  So, Happy Birthday to Dee & Ricky! I doubt they'll see this. But who knows maybe a few more people will know of their existence :D.

What A Girl Wants

1. Cremestickliner in Velvetella by MAC ($14.50)

2. Ella Moss "Kennedy" Faux Fur Vest ($258)

3. Chocolate Flap Bag by Deadly Ponies ($489)

4. One of a Kind Pyrite Cuff by Melissa Joy Manning ($438)

5. Lace Paneled Sun Dress Black by Shakuhachi

How to: Be Beautiful

Working in retail is very interesting. Before I applied for the job of sales associate I didn't know it really meant "personal cheerleader".

I spend a lot of time in the fitting room. I grab different sizes, fold clothes and organize "go backs". But, I spend even more time giving thumbs up, smiling, and throwing out reassuring compliments. Boy is it exhausting!

Too many women are not happy with their bodies and it's evident when they enter the fitting room. Those mirrors can either be therapeutic or invoke disastrous words. It's either "That doesn't look good on big girls like me, maybe on you". "My boobs are too big". or "See I need a but like yours". Yes, these are actual quotes that I've heard over a five month span. I find it unsettling, because these ladies are gorgeous. But, they don't appreciate how they were made.

Attention, beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, complexions, and ages. I'm sure it's normal to go through that "I'm not cute stage" because I've gone through it. But, snap out of it and turn that feature that everyone teased you about into your uniqueness. Because, after all we're not all meant to look alike.

If you're still feeling uncomfortable in your skin follow these steps. I'm no expert, but I believe they're real confidence boosters.

1. Smile.  I'm not sure what it is about a smile that does the trick. But I've never met a smiling person that was not pretty. They just seem friendly and likeable. And when you smile you become memorable and get a lot of attention. It's true. There was an experiment conducted by students. The more they smiled the more the teacher looked their way and favored them. Besides, who wants to be around someone who's constantly frowning. 

2. Be Healthy.  Exercise and drink as much water as you can. Tyra, yes we're on a first name basis, taught me to how to get the proper water intake. "Divide your weight (in pounds) by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you need each day". Were you aware that humans are made up of 75% of water?


3. Take Care of Yourself.  Although I'm sure a small percent of the world like Aishwarya Rai can roll out of bed and turn heads in a positive way. Most of us cannot, let's just be real. And there's nothing wrong with that. Just take time to comb your hair, wash your face, stand up straight, even wear a little makeup. My personal favorite is wearing something nice. A great outfit just does something special. Just think, why is fashion so important? It makes one feel and look beautiful.

4. Don't be Conceited! Attitude is everything. If you know you're beautiful then you'll walk and speak like you are and everyone will notice. But, don't become overwhelming. No one is better than the next, and screaming your beautiful while putting others down is just annoying. And frankly, ugly :D.


5. Get Comfortable in Front of the Mirror and Believe in Your Beauty. Kurt Vonnegut said, "We are what we pretend to be, so be careful what you pretend to be". In other words you can be whatever you want. In this case it's beautiful. Say it out loud and actually believe it. And yes, the "American Standard of Beauty" does exist. But, if you're not celebrated here, your look is definitely coveted somewhere in the world and it's warming to know that.


Keri Hilson inspired this post. She's bold and unapologetically announces her beauty. Every girl needs to listen to this song and make it their anthem.

Keri Hilson, "Pretty Girls Rock" by billboard

Songs About A Girl Vol. 1

New music is pure bliss. I'm currently listening to Songs About A Girl Vol. 1 by Paris. It's a mix of R&B, Pop, and Hip Hop.  So far my favorite song is "Beatin' Like A Drum". This mixtape has a lot of songs worthy of being left on repeat!

Naturally Happy

Photo Credit: IMDB for Nana Hill

Photo Credit: Michaela angel Davis

Today is "Happy Black Girl Day", the internet holiday started by Sister Tojldah. I love the concept of "Happy Black Girl Day" and I also love that a lot of its supporters on Twitter have amazing natural healthy manes.

The time, money and thousands of different hairstyles we create for ourselves confirms that hair is a big part of our lifestyles as Black women. When it comes to Black hair we're almost like Zebras. We're all the same. But we all have different hair textures which results in different styles. The style I see the least and seems to get a bad rap is natural hair.

Although I personally love it, I will admit that I frequently dabble in the use of a hot comb, weave, and in my younger days braids.

 I recently went natural and even though  it was only for a few hours I loved every second of it. I felt free when my hair was in its natural state and missed my curls after they were straightened.

There's controversy surrounding natural hair. But it is beautiful. Since "Happy Black Girl Day" is here there's no turning back. This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate Black hair by shining light on those who wear it well. If you have any questions or the slightest bit of interest in natural hair KimmayTube should serve as a great catalyst.

Cupcakin' Part Deux

Just finished making my "Lemon Drop Mini Cupcakes"(pictured above).  They make me want to sing "Yummy Yummy Yummy" by Julie London :).

Ataui Deng Strikes Again

It's obvious Ataui Deng is striking. So much so that I blogged about her a few months ago. Little did I know the pictures posted at TBC would serve as inspiration for an amazing piece of work by Leigh Viner. She has an etsy shop, so feel free to visit!

Grade A Swag

Being a writer/reporter is big fun. One, you get published. Two, you get to meet interesting celebs and three you get great swag.

The most useful item I've received was from PETA's 30th Anniversary.  Out of all the things that were packed in the gift bag "Yes to Carrots: C Through the Night Moisturizing Cream" ranked the highest.

Once it's applied, the paraben free cream makes my dry skin feel like silk. It has a thick non greasy texture which allows me to use it during the day and night. And I can't get enough of the floral scent which reminds me of fresh Jasmine's.

If you're looking for a new night cream for a reasonable price ($14.00) try "Yes to Carrots".

The Social Network

I love Facebook. When a user isn't allowing their own privacy to be invaded it can really be useful. The Social Network is where I discover new music, funny videos, world news and pretty much all things relevant to my generation. Today I stumbled across a status from one of my artsy friends. It was centered around her new found love for Camila do Rosario. One response went something like this "just fell [in love]? sheesh catch up".

I don't like being the last person to hear about exciting news; so I had to figure out who this girl was and quick. Turns out she's a fashion student and a very innovative artist who is based out of Florianopolis, Brazil. If you're like us and our late friend from Facebook we've got a lot of catching up to do. Without further ado meet Camila do Rosario:

Find more of her work by clicking the link here.

People are BUZZaring about:

The Buzz around the viral neck of the woods is about Vashtie Kola and her Air Jordans. I love it, because I love Vashtie. The first time I saw her, online of course, was on the arm of my teenage crush Pharrell Williams. I don't know about Pharrell, but I remember she was wearing an electric teal dress embellished with fringe tassels. My first thought wasn't "Who is this girl with my boyfriend-in-my-head?". Because one that would be psycho and two for a few seconds Pharrell was irrelevant. I simply thought "Who is this girl?". Shortly after, my Vashtie fascination began. She's cool for so many reasons, but here's a few if you're totally unfamiliar with her.

She's a tomboy. It's very hard to pull off the dressing down thing. And Vashite does it like no other. If you Google her, more than a few images will come up where she's wearing a basic hoodie, t-shirt, and jeans combination. 

"She got her own". Video director and owner of the clothing line Violette. Vashtie is what most would call an independent woman. I find this admirable. Before she and Pharrell were an item, she was in the process of making a name for herself. See her work for Justin Bieber here.

 The girl has great taste in movies. Before I knew who the ladies of Grey Gardens were she declared their documentary as one of her favorites when she used it as an ad for her clothing line. 

 She throws wildly popular parties in NYC. Both Open which she throws with Q-Tip and "1992" which is thrown with her best friend bring out the greats like Maxwell, Kid Cudi, Mick Jagger, Patrick Ewing and more. Isn't name dropping great :)!

 She's the first woman to design a pair of Air Jordans. On Dr.Jays.com Vashtie mentions "Growing up in the hood. Nikes were king, but Jordans were a whole other level. They were so expensive and their price made them out of reach as a poor kid. As soon as I got old enough to afford them, I went in!". I think pining for a specific item, buying it, and then later creating your own defines success. 

If you think I left out any reasons that validate the Downtown Sweetheart's coolness feel free to add on. 

Trying Out for the Part of Susie Homemaker

Lately, I've been perplexed with the question "What should I do with myself?". I've just finished an amazing yet rigorous five month internship at Vogue and my undergraduate career is complete. Other college graduates have shared stories of their summer boredom with me, but I just blew them off.  I live for sleep-in-days, so I honestly thought anyone who takes having nothing to do for granted is insane.  I quickly found out that watching re-runs of "The Bad Girls Club" gets really old. I was craving a task to get my mind off the fact that if I don't find a stable job soon I'll be the female version of Tyrese's infamous character Jody.

So, I took it upon myself to try to get in touch with my roots.  Specifically my homemaker roots. Before someone had the genius idea of wanting to work and fight in the military, us girls had to learn important life skills such as cooking, cleaning, sewing, being creatively submissive etc. I  decided I wanted to incorporate a few of those gems, sans being creatively submissive, in my life.

Here's my progress over a two day span:

My sister's friend just had a birthday. Without her permission I decided to wrap the gift. Yes I  even sewed the button on top. I have a lot of time on my hands people! 

I call these little mini bad girls "Strasberry Cream Cheese Cupcakes".  Not only are they adorable they taste good too. And yes, I made these while wearing heels and a cute little apron. I just felt like it was appropriate. 

So to my college graduates, what have you been doing to kill the boredom?  While YouTube videos are mildly amusing, they don't count :). 

Pretty and Polished is Making a Comeback

While the grunge look is taking a back seat, Pretty and Polished is getting behind the wheel. Feminine dresses have always had favor with some of our favorite style mavens like Margherita Missoni , Keke Palmer, Zoe Saldana, Liya Kebede and Dakota Fanning. So we loved it when Vogue intern Julia wore this adorable dress. From her wavy hair to her matching red nails she fit all the requirements for the Pretty and Polished look.

Leonardo DiCaprio Covers Rolling Stone

Leonardo DiCaprio, who happens to be the star in this little movie called INCEPTION graces the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Leo spoke to the magazine about what life was like for him growing up in Hollywood, dating, and how he managed to stay out of trouble despite his loud mouth. The magazine is out on stands now and we will definitely be picking us up a copy right away, because Leonardo DiCaprio is one sexy man.

- BY CANDACE REELS

There's Nothing Like Soul Train in the 70's

Soul Train in the 70's is something that can never be repeated. There's originality in the fashion, dances, and music. With the fact that it can't be done again is what makes it so awesome.