Review: Whish Soda Fountain Body Butters

Whish is known for its awesome bath products. Their new collection, the Whish Soda Fountain Collection, is no different. It is a line of sweet-scented bath gels and body butters that come in four scents: Ginger Mellon, Key Lime, Orange Cream, and Black Cherry. 

The collection's body butters are smooth and delicious smelling and leave the skin fragrant and hydrating after shower time. The butters also include organic Shea and raspberry butter as well as organic aloe which moisturize the skin and organic seaweed extract to firm it. The samples sizes of the butters stay in my purse, and I have found that they are great for softening rough skin such has hands and elbows. You can now purchase these and other Whish products at Nordstrom.com .

Snapped: Kim Kardashian West for Hype Energy Drinks

Photo credit: John Jansheski

The I Do Music 5K Run/Walk Benefits MusiCares

This Saturday, Patchwerk Studios will be putting on its first ever 5K run/walk to benefit MusiCares. It starts and begins at Patchwerk Studios, 1094 Hemphill Avenue in Midtown, and is $30 per person to participate. The event starts at 8am, and afterwards, participants are invited to the Patchwerk Studios Open House where they can tour the studio and enjoy healthy lite bites. Studio merchandise will be awarded to the Overall Male and Female winners.

To register for the race and to learn more about MusiCares and its work in the community, click here.

Review: HAIRiette by Tanya Wright Kokum Butter and Marula Oil

Somewhere somehow in the Black hair community, using hair oils became unfashionable. I am not sure of the reasoning behind this, but I have been more than excited about its return as the natural hair community continues to flourish. I was brought up on hair oils and find myself reaching for them over the endless array of hair butters, waxes, and creams that I have collected over the years. One of my new favorite oils is the HAIRiette Kokum Butter and Marula Oil.

First and foremost, it smell amazing, and as I rubbed it on my hands to apply to my freshly untwisted fro, I wondered if it could be used as a body oil. It includes Kokum Oil, which is new for me. It comes from an Indian fruit. And it also includes Marula Oil.
I really enjoyed using the oil on my hair. It breathed life into my dry hair after it had been twisted for a week, and it gave my hair a natural shine. It also did not leave my hair feeling oily and greasy, which is a plus!
What to get a bottle? Click here to purchase.

Introducing Christian Benner

Designer Christian Benner is known for his custom leather jackets. Celebs such as Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga have been seen in his original pieces that pair fashion with artistic expression. Below are a few of my favorite pieces from his edgy collection.

Learn more about Christian Benner here.

DIY Try: Hair Spritzer

Kattia Solano, owner of Butterfly Studio Salon has the perfect DIY solution for deep cleansing your hair called the "Hair Spritzer" which includes:
1/2 cup of sparkling water
1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon)
Directions:

Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle and apply to dry hair from roots to ends until fully saturated. Lightly massage you’re for a couple of minutes, allowing the spritzer to absorb. Rinse thoroughly. Follow with a wash using a cleansing shampoo - something with an oil base like Shu Uemeura's Cleansing Oil or Peppermint based like Malin + Goetz shampoo are my favorites. To finish, take your favorite hair mask and mix in a natural fruit, nut, or vegetable oil for an extra boost of moisture.

Snapped: Molly Sims at the NEW Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Amethyst Launch in NYC

Soledad O'Brien hosted “New Orleans to New York City Gala”

Soledad O’Brien and Brad Raymond

Soledad O’Brien and Bevy Smith

Ubah Hassan

Soledad O’Brien and Mindy Grossman

 

Award-winning Journalist Soledad O’Brien along with her husband Brad Raymond hosted the annual fundraising event, “New Orleans to New York City Gala,” with guests Bevy Smith, Ubah Hassan, Geoffrey Fletcher and more. The celebration was the biggest night of the year for the Starfish Foundation, created to provide promising young women a bridge between obstacles and opportunities. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception followed by the evening’s festivities which included a special music performance by members of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.

The Starfish Foundation Industry Roundtable Powered by Build N Blaze gave Starfish scholars a behind the scenes look inside running the Home Shopping Network (HSN). HSN CEO Mindy Grossman was on site for a Q&A with Soledad O’Brien and to take the young women scholars through a day in the life at the network.

 

 

Goorin Bros. Opens Their Second GA Store

Hats are one of my favorite accessories. Admittedly, I am not the best at pairing a hat with an ensemble. But I still love the class of them, the old school feel of them. Thus, I am super excited about Goorin Bros. coming to Atlanta's Ponce City Market on Friday, July 24! Below are a few of my favorite Goorin Bros. hats.

 

 

 

(from left to right)

1. Dean The Butcher, $125

2. Ella Monroe, $140

3. April Rose, $55

4. Estelle Jones, $65

5. Flamingo Dancer, $50

Summer Sips: Slushi with Viva Diva Wines

Ingredients:1 bottle Viva Diva Peach Moscato
2 cups frozen peaches (unsweetened)
½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions:Add frozen peaches, sugar and a few splashes of Viva Diva Moscato to food processor or blender.
Blend until completely smooth.
Pour in the rest of the Viva Diva Moscato and blend until incorporated.
Quickly pour mixture into ice cube trays. 
Freeze.
Place frozen cubes in a blender. 
Add a splash of wine to make blending easier.
Blend until slush consistency, adding a splash of wine to thin it out if needed.
Pour into wine glasses, add a straw (if desired) and serve immediately.
Garnish with fresh fruit like strawberries and peach slices

Eva Mendes for New Dimension Skincare | Estée Lauder

Eva Mendes is the face of Estee Lauder's New Dimension Skincare. As usual, she looks amazing!

For more info on the New Dimension Skincare, visit esteelauder.com .

DIY Try: Raw Honey Hair Mask

Dry Scalp is a huge, annoying issue. And thanks to Youbeauty expert Julie Ricevuto, you can handle it without spending tons of money on salon visits and hair products. Actually, all you need is a little honey.
Raw Honey Hair Mask
Why It Works: Raw honey is naturally moisturizing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory, and conducive to healing. This mask is super hydrating, so it’s a great option in the summer when the source of your dandruff is an overly dry, irritated scalp.
How To Use It: Mix two tablespoons coconut or olive oil with 1 tablespoon honey and heat in the microwave for a few seconds until warm enough to spread easily. Massage the mixture onto your scalp, then cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes to an hour. Rinse well, and enjoy not just a soothed, flake-free scalp, but gorgeously soft, shiny hair as a result.

What is your #UltimateVegasOutfit?

When you plan a trip to one of the many Las Vegas Hotels , you also have to plan your #UltimateVegasOutfit so that you can show off your style on the Strip. Vegas is known for its beautiful water displays and huge pool areas but honestly, when I think of Vegas, I think of its sexy nightlife- the bars, clubs, shows, etc. So below is the ideal look I put together for a night out in Vegas, including this HOT little black number from Modcloth's plus size collection. What would be your #UltimateVegasOutfit?

Vegas is everyone's favorite summer getaway, and I was shocked to visit Vegas.com and see the amazing deals that they have on hotels and travel. I just assumed that a luxury trip to Vegas would break the bank, but I saw hotel rates as low as $61 a night, so I guess you know what I will be doing next summer;) Let me know if you make travel plans, and I look forward to seeing your ideal Vegas travel looks at #UltimateVegasOutfit.

Review: Lava Love Vegan Volcano Soap Made with Volcanic Ash

Everyone is talking about detoxing though what you put in your body, but no one is really addressing the toxins that we expose to our bodies through what we put on it. Many of the body products that we are using on our exterior can be just as harmful as the things we are eating.

That is why I was excited when I received this Lava Love Vegan Volcano Soap Made with Volcanic Ash.

The soap is made in Oregon from Shea Butter soap and the lava of volcanos that are native to the area. The lava contains bentonite, zeolite and pumice, which draws toxins from the skin and exfoliates it. The soap's ingredients also help to tone the skin, so, between you and me, I have make sure to lather a little extra on my arms:)

On first use, the soap seems muddy, but it suds amazingly and the tiny pumice beads inside of it feel great on the skin and leave it feeling smooth. It has an earthy scent, and after using it for two weeks, I have noticed that my skin feels significantly softer.

Not sure that you why to shower with volcanic ash? I would definitely suggest you at least try it to cleanse your skin and as a healthy alternative to the soap that you currently use.

To learn more about Lave Love, visit LavaLoveBend.com.

Snapped: 50 Cent Celebrates his Birthday at DRAI'S BEACHCLUB • NIGHTCLUB

Last night, rapper/actor 50 Cent celebrated his birthday at Drai’s Beachclub • Nightclub atop The Cromwell. He shared the stage with R&B megastar Trey Songz. The two performed to a packed house, andafterwards, partied for the rest of the evening, which was sponsored by 50's Vodka brand Effen Vodka.

Photo Credit: Patrick Gray / Kabik Photo Group

Event Recap: Black Men Dossier

 Black Men’s Dossier premiered season 2 of their flagship documentary series Uncover the Journey at the lavish OFS Brands Showroom. This event showcased Black Men’s Dossier series that granted access to an inside look of an inspiring journey of black male entrepreneurs and business professionals as they put all their chips on the table, and watch their dreams come to fruition. The Uncover the Journey cast for 2015 includes: DeMarco Morgan 11 Alive News Anchor, M. Cole Jones Co-Founder of Covello, Richard Dunn Founder, The Muddy Water Group Director of Strategic Alliances, The Atlanta Voice, Karl Carter CEO, GTM/Snake Nation, Curtis Daniel Owner, Patchwerk Studios, Keinon Johnson National Director of Urban Promotions, Interscope Records Creative Director, The Maven Brand. This event was hosted by Producer Daniel Dickey from The Resource Guild, an award-winning brand management & strategy consulting agency with the panel discussion moderated by  Lamar Tyler of BlackAndMarriedWithKids.com, which was named 2010’s Must Read Blogs by Parenting Magazine. The panel discussion engaged these distinguished gentlemen in a dialogue regarding fatherhood, entrepreneurship, legacy and the posterity of our next generation. The atmosphere for this interactive networking experience was set with smooth tunes from DJ Tay, while guest enjoyed complimentary hors d'oeuvres courtesy of The Cuisson Company and Tom, Dick, and Hank's, delicious cupcakes courtesy of Cakes By Tatyana, and complimentary signature cocktails courtesy of Hendricks Gin.

Black Men’s Dossier Website Founder and The Uncover the Journey Cast/Panel (L to R) DeMarco Morgan (11 Alive News Anchor),  Karl Carter (CEO GTM/Snake Nation), M. Cole Jones (Co- Founder of Covello), Adam Higgins (Founder of A.D. Higgins Media/Black Men’s Dossier), Keinon Johnson (National Director of Urban Promotions, Interscope Records Creative Director, The Maven Brand), Richard Dunn (Founder, The Muddy Water Group

Director of Strategic Alliances, The Atlanta Voice), Curtis Daniel

(Owner, Patchwerk Studios) at Black Men’s Dossier Uncover The Journey Event.

Panel Moderator Lamar Tyler, BlackMarriedWithKids.com, Adam Higgins , Founder of Black Men's Dossier and Host Daniel Dickey, The Resource Guild at the Black Men’s Dossier Uncover The Journey Premiere Event

Uncover The Journey Cast Member and Panelist DeMarco Morgan (11 Alive New Anchor) at the Black Men’s Dossier Uncover The Journey Premiere Event

Comedian Rodney Perry host of Bounce TV's "Off the Chain" attends the Black Men’s Dossier Uncover The Journey Premiere Event
Photo credit: Drea Nicole Photography

 

Introducing Le Dessein!

Using fashion to support a cause is not new. However, making those you are helping the face of your fashions is. Le Dessein is using 25% of the revenue from all pieces sold to help empower young girls through education. The cool part about their clothing: the young girls that the brand supports draw portraits which are then embroidered onto the fashions! See my favorite pieces from the collection below:

Nior, $173

 Deux Tons, $78

Le Petit, $81

Learn more about Le Dessein here.

Summer Reading List 2

Delta Jewels: In Search of my Grandmother's Wisdom is an awesome book by Alysia Burton Steele. It is full of photos of adorable elderly women, accompanied by their stories. I love this book because all of these women have such rich stories to take life lessons away from. It really made me miss having older women in my life, and caused me to reflect on the childhood days that I spent at my grandma's retirement home, listening to her talk to her friends about times past. This is a quick, heart-warming summer read and could serve as a great coffee table book.

Juicing and cleanses have become really trendy, but Shauna R. Martin lives by them for another reason. They helped her to beat breast cancer, and her business, Daily Greens, is a cold-pressed juice company thriving in Austin, Texas. Daily Greens 4-Day Cleanse not only discusses the benefits of juicing, but it also outlines recipes for juices, wraps, and salads. Even if you are not excited about the idea of a 4-Day Cleanse, the book is a great buy for easy, healthy food to-dos.

The Essential Guide to Women's Herbal Medicine by Dr. Cyndi Gilbert is a great book to have on hand. It outlines many common ailments, from herpes to hemorrhoids, and advises on natural remedies to take care of them. For example, did you know that dandelion root and leaf are good for addressing PMS? This book is loaded with natural gems like this that are great alternatives to medication.

Woman spend boatloads of money yearly on beauty products. This probably would not be the case if they knew that many of the products could be made with things in their kitchen cabinets. Homemade Bath Bombs, Salts & Scrubs: 300 Natural Recipes for Luxurious Soaks is a collection of recipes for bath products. These homemade products can assist with meditation and easing body pain. I am using the book to make handmade products for friends for Christmas. 

Happy Belated Birthday His Holiness

 

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama turned 80 yesterday! On the 4th of July at Rancho Los Lomas in Irvine, California, the Peak Mind Foundation hosted the His Holiness Dalai Lama For His Birthday Event. Entertainer Aloe Blacc performed a tribute, and celebs such as Forest Whitaker showed up to pay homage to the icon.

Photo Credit: Kristin Burns

Summer Must-Have: Cabana Anna Swimwear

We are at the height of summer, but if you still have not found the perfect swimsuit to hit the beach, never fear, for Cabana Anna is here!

This collection of swimwear beautifully pairs the girl next door look with that of the All-American beach bunny. Traditional red, white, and blue stripes mesh well with the rest of the line's bold colors and abstract patterns. These bikinis are definitely for the girls that want to command attention and make more than a splash when they hit the waves.

Make your purchase today at caswim.com