Monsoon ring

Monsoon ring (see more stack rings jewelry)

Take Me Shopping: 1

A shopaholic working in the mall is synonymous to releasing a tiger in a butchers shop. Graphic, I know. Slightly scary? Maybe! Either way I love it.

Today, at work I signed up for a workshop. At said workshop I spilled juice on my shirt. Although it was a little stain and no one seemed to notice I was haunted by it for almost 5 minutes before I knew I had to take a break and buy a new shirt. On my 20 minute break I decided to grab a lunch menu at Nordstrom's Bistro. Of course I would stumble upon a necklace that perfectly matched the skirt I was wearing. Yes, I know I was searching for a replacement top in a time crunch, but stopping to buy a necklace couldn't hurt. Super excited about the new necklace I rushed over to H&M hoping they would have a similar style top. Over-sized button-up shirts are in for the Fall after all. Eagle eyeing through the store I picked up two shirts. There I was about to buy just a regular ole shirt when the heavens opened. Hanging in the middle of the store were 3 royal blue blazers. Yes, the perfect color to match my skirt. It hadn't even crossed my mind that I would ever find that today. Could out of those three, there actually be... my size? Yes, Yes of course!! I threw the jacket on, jumped on the checkout line, let the cashier scan the tag while I was wearing it, paid, and it was a wrap! Before I even left the store compliments were pouring in.

Oh, and did I get back to work in time? All I'm saying is the heavens must have opened up!

There's a picture of me in what I wore to work. The set next to it is a possible outfit idea for happy hour with the girlfriends. Pair the blazer and necklace with black jeggings, a lace tee, and royal blue heels. Throw on a lace bra under the lace tee and you'll be totally fab!

Summer Ethics: Swimsuit Edition

Summer will officially be here in 3 days. Magazines are brimming with helpful information on proper sunscreen usage and getting your body bikini-ready for the summer. Stores have displays full of swimsuits, fedoras, and cover-ups. We're all ready to spend some money on the perfect new beach outfit, the cutest beach towel, the strongest frozen Margarita... so how about we spend that money ethically and STILL manage to look cute?

Bantu is a line of beach and resort wear that is produced 100% in Africa to empower the African women and families that produce it. The wax-cloth prints, labor, and materials are all sourced in Africa. Bantu which means "gateway" in Senegal was named so to serve two purposes. The first is to be a gateway to supporting the African economy. We are all too familiar with the starvation, famine, HIV/AIDS epidemic, and wars in Africa. Instead of just watching and feeling sad, Bantu gives consumers the opportunity to do something! The second is to be a gateway into the more beautiful, brighter side of Africa. Hence, the exuberantly colorful prints and ads that are all shot on breathtaking beaches in Zanzibar and Dakar.

The Spring/Summer collection can be found at Barney's New York and online at Revolve Clothing. Below are a few swimwear looks that I love! Bantu gives you the opportunity to stand-out from the crowd with unique prints and styles. The tribal feel of the prints fit in perfectly with trends from Summer 2011 runways. Dive into summer ethically this year!

Mon Jasmin Noir

While catching up on two of the latest Vogue magazines I found "Mon Jasmin Noir"; the new perfume from the Italian jewelry house Bvlgari. Translated from French it means "my black Jasmin". As my namesake, it only seemed fitting that I dedicate a blog to it.

The perfume blends notes of lily of the valley, Sambac jasmine, musky nougatine and vibrant woods to create a luminous and seductive fragrance. It is actually a modern version of Jasmin Noir that was released in 2008. The fragrance is more lively and bright, appealing to modern luxury and a younger yet sophisticated consumer. The elegant pearl-white bottle, classic gold cap, and sheer black ribbon exudes luxury that is synonymous with Bvlagri. The ad campaign features Kirsten Dunst wearing Bvlagri masterpieces in the uber-lush Boboli Gardens, Italy. Her sophistication and beauty countered by a majestic and very real lion. The over-sized bottle and the King of the Jungle lend to the theme of luxury and grandeur.

Besides my need to purchase everything with my name on it, spelled correctly I might add (no 'e' on the end), I am very impressed by this launch. The scent, the bottle, and the ad campaign come together as a beautifully created gem in the overly-celebrity-populated-fragrance industry. The frangrance can be found in stores such as Sephora, Nordstrom's, and Ulta at $105 for 2.5 oz. The price is a bit intimidating but, hey folks, it is by Bvlgari.

Orange you glad it's Spring?

March 20th was the first day of Spring and also the day I fell in love with the color orange. I'm talking Florida's fresh squeezed orange juice orange. Sun sinking into the horizon orange. Bert's nose from Sesame Street orange. The Blogger logo orange. Yes, I happen to fall in love with it every where. It all began with just a fleeting attraction towards the Prada sunglasses ad featuring Lindsay Wixson.

Honestly, why wouldn't I want lips that resemble a melting orange creamsicle on a hot day? For months I was tormented by this ad; wanting to give in to my feelings but not knowing if the world was ready for such a union. It was still Winter then; the time of warm cozy colors or icy cold hues. I vowed to wait for Spring to confess my love and when March 20th came I did. I went in search for my perfect orange match. I found it in Sephora one fateful afternoon in April. The weather was a blend of sunshine and sweet breeze as I tried on the first orange lipstick that caught my eye. From the first brush of color onto my lips it was love at first sight.

Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Intense #40. Top it off with a clear or orange gloss to get that juicy fruit look.

Fighting the war against bad hair days...

We've all been there. We've all had those days of full out war with our hair. No matter what we threw at it - hair spray bombs, hair gel grenades, tanks of de-frizzer - Nothing seemed to work! Now imagine having one of those days when you're actually deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan without any access to trusted hair care products. As a daughter of the motherland this sounds like a nightmare. Kinky hair, curly hair, nappy hair - whatever you want to call it - needs specialized products to be tamed. Without access to these products it's just a matter of weeks before a comb won't be able to pull through. So what can we do to help these ladies?

Well, the Sister Soldier Project was created specifically to address this need. It's a website that connects companies, groups, or individuals with a sister soldier in the field. Packages filled with beauty and hair products specifically designed for women of color are sent based on your budget. Whether you know the contact information of a soldier or would just like to help, the Sister Soldier Project will ensure that bad hair days on the field do not occur. It is a great way to support our troops.

I'm sure we would love to believe that female soldiers are not that concerned with their beauty regimen while fighting wars in other countries. However, a woman is still a woman whether she is sitting at a desk or protecting the battlefield. In either position she still wants to feel beautiful. The point is, these women are fighting for the great ole U.S of A that we love. Shouldn't we show them our appreciation? And, what better way than by helping them to feel beautiful? Let's get involved!

Reb'l Fleur

Today, Rihanna hit Macy's stores nationwide with the release of her perfume Reb'l Fleur. Some may remember the controversy Rihanna recieved after inking her grammatically incorrect 14th tattoo "rebelle fleur". However, in true rebellious Rihanna fashion she has turned that controversy into a sure money maker! The tattoo as well as the name of the perfume translates into rebel flower; a nickname that her grandmother called her.

In the press release for the perfume Rihanna states: "I believe a woman should dare to be different — willing to live her life for herself and not for other people. This fragrance is about my passion for individuality — being expressive and empowering, yes, but also emotional and intriguing." To express her individuality she has taken inspiration from her Bajan roots as well as her high profile NY-LA lifestyle. The fragrance is a combination of tropical hibiscus, plump berries, and ripe peaches, a splash of coconut water, and a base of warm vanilla.

The bottle for the fragrance is reminiscent of a stiletto heel wrapped in gold and black ribbon. It has a gaudy vintage feel. Personally, I am not a fan. From a marketing standpoint the appeal of a perfume bottle is usually tres importante but, hey it is Rihanna! It will sell for that fact alone.

You can purchase the fragrance at Macy's department stores or online, with prices ranging from $49 (1.7 oz. bottle) to $59 (3.4 oz. bottle).

Embrace your inner rebellious flower? Maybe...