NAACP Image Awards Fashion Highlights

The 41st NAACP Image Awards aired last night on Fox. I didn't watch the show, but I saw photos of the red carpet. I must say, everyone looked really chic. Check out photos below....

Product Review: essie My Mink Muffs

It's cold as crap in NC. Glad I have my mink muffs.....

Gotcha! Mink muffs is one of my favorite nail colors by essie. Taupe is a great transition color into spring, and a perfect alternative to black nail polish. To me, extremely dark nails are the equivalent to a smokey eye. As my friend Courtney would say-at this point, they're a classic look. 

Check out celebs rocking taupe nails....

Makeup Mayhem With Courtney Hughes: CLEAN YOUR TOOLS

In the beauty world, if you are still using your hands to apply your make-up, you are basically a "Glamour DON'T." Nowadays, it's all about the brushes. This big brush theory is not just a tactic for cosmetic companies to rob you blind, they actually have good reason. Yes brushes can be pricey, but they are worth it. Mainly because your makeup is going to look more blended and flawless. Also, brush use will keep your hands off of your face, allowing your makeup to stay on better. Not to mention, using a brush to apply liquid or cream foundation will use less of your product and make it last longer. Most importantly, you have to keep your brushes CLEAN! So here is how...

Place your brushes upside down in a cup with some gentle shampoo in the bottom. Add about a half an inch of lukewarm water.

Swirl your brushes around, then one by one wash the brush hair under running water. In swirling motions, keeping your brush upside DOWN, rinse clean under water. Make sure not to get the handle wet, this could cause brush damage. Do not hold brush upright while wet.

Squeeze out excess water, reshape the hair, then lay flat to dry overnight.

Taking care of your brushes will preserve their life and keep them soft for better application. If you are not ready to invest in professional brushes just yet, I have seen some decent ones at Walmart or Walgreens. I don't care where you get them for now, just jump on the brush bandwagon... ASAP. Muah!

Bottle Worth Popping

Piper Heidsieck and Christian Louboutin collaborated late last year on the ultimate box set, Le Rituel by Christian Louboutin. The shoes stiletto has been transformed into a crystal champagne flute, and of course the sole is his signature red. The box set was inspired by a 19th century European tradition where ballerinas poured champagne into their slippers and served it to fans. Yeah, just a pinch of grossness.

If this box set was sold with 2 shoes, I'm sure there would be some chicks trying to wear them...ha ha!

Traveling in Heels

Besides a PP (private plane), stilettos are the sexiest way to travel. But just like PPs, stilettos will cost you. Not only deniro, but pain! My friends and I spend a lot of time complaining about the pain we experience from walking in 4 inch heels. But we have adopted a cult mentality that beauty is sometimes painful, so on we march! For the record, I believe cobblestone streets and concrete sidewalks are part of a conspiracy to punish fashionable women. Perhaps by men.

Enough of me complaining, because I've found the answer, (cue the trumpets) footzyrolls. What are footzyrolls you ask? Flexible ballet flats that are thin enough to rollup to fit into the smallest clutch. They are waterproof and skid proof which makes them perfect for walking on pavement. They are available in black, gold, and silver and retail for $25.

Day of Fun

So I spent Saturday and so far most of today watching 'Sex and the City' episodes. The box set was one of the best gifts I've received. I've compiled a list of my favorite quotes. Enjoy!

Season 1

Carrie: [After Carrie gets off Mr. Big's car] "Wait! Have you ever been in love?"
Mr. Big: "Abso-f**king-lutely." - "Sex and the City"

Carrie: I decided, the only way to break free was to move from one addiction, to an even bigger one.....shoes. - "Valley of the Twenty-Something Guys"

Carrie: "It's like the riddle of the Sphinx. Why are there so many great unmarried women, and no great unmarried men?" -  Sex and the City"

Season 2:

Miranda: "How did it happen that four such smart women have nothing to talk about but boyfriends? It's like seventh grade with bank accounts." - "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"

Season 3:

Miranda [looking at Manhattan]: "Who would've thought an island that tiny would be big enough to hold all our old boyfriends?" -  "Where There's Smoke"

Charlotte: "I've been dating since I was fifteen! I'm exhausted! Where is he?" - "Where There's Smoke"

Miranda: "Maybe it's time that I stop being so angry."
Carrie: "Yeah, but what would you do with all your free time?" -  "Sex and Another City"

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2008/05/13/2008-05-13_most_memorable_quotes_from_sex_and_the_c.html#ixzz0gBuXqK1C

Miranda: "Maybe it's time that I stop being so angry."
Carrie: "Yeah, but what would you do with all your free time?" -  "Sex and Another City"

Miranda: "Maybe it's time that I stop being so angry."
Carrie: "Yeah, but what would you do with all your free time?" -  "Sex and Another City"

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2008/05/13/2008-05-13_most_memorable_quotes_from_sex_and_the_c.html#ixzz0gBuXqK1C

Miranda: "Maybe it's time that I stop being so angry."
Carrie: "Yeah, but what would you do with all your free time?" -  "Sex and Another City"

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2008/05/13/2008-05-13_most_memorable_quotes_from_sex_and_the_c.html#ixzz0gBuXqK1C

Blood Done Sign My Name

Q: What will I be doing this weekend?
A: While I would like the answer to be resting poolside at the The Setai, unfortunately the only water I'll see this weekend will be in a bathtub! Which is fine (me trying to convince myself that 30 degree weather is more enjoyable than 80 degree, sunny, beach weather). But it actually is fine because this Friday is the nationwide premier of Blood Done Sign My Name!

According to Apple, yes, Apple, not the NYT or Washington Post:
"Jeb Stuart’s BLOOD DONE SIGN MY NAME is an epic story of empowerment and the struggle for social justice based on the acclaimed book of the same name by prize-winning author and scholar Timothy Tyson. Part family drama and part history of the civil rights movement in America’s south, the film is set in Oxford, North Carolina in 1970 and recreates the circumstances surrounding the small-town murder of Henry “Dickie” Marrow, a 23 years-old black Vietnam veteran who was shot and beaten to death by one of Oxford’s prominent white businessmen and his two grown sons. In response to the crime, and the sham trail that followed, many young African American men took to the streets, engaging in riots and vandalism. However, schoolteacher and burgeoning activist Ben Chavis (who was also Marrow’s cousin), decided that the best way to protest the injustice was to organize a peaceful march on the state capitol. What began as a small group of outraged friends and relatives grew to a crowd of thousands over the three day, fifty-mile trek to Raleigh. Ten years old at the time, Tim Tyson watched as his father, pastor of the town’s all-white Methodist church, tried to get his congregation to accept the inevitability of integration."

I was raised in Oxford, and my Uncle Eddie is a character in the movie, so it's must see TV  (movie). The book was great and I'm looking forward to watching the movie. Check out the trailer below....

Thursday Food for Thought

 

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.  

~Judy Garland

FabulousFood4Tiff: Recipe Collection Update

 If you're looking to make a healthy meal at home, impress your friends or start off on the right foot with your in-laws - this recipe is it!  I made this last night and thought it met the standards for my FabulousFood4Tiff recipe book/food service.  It was easy to make, and tasted amazing! 

Lemon Salmon (total time: 20 minutes, 4 servings):

Ingredients:
-  4 small salmon fillets
-  1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
-  1/2 teaspoon salt (more or less for your taste)
-  1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (more or less for your taste)
-  1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
-  3 lemons total
    -  8 lemon slices (about 2 lemons)
    -  1/4 cup lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
-  1/2 cup white wine (I used Chardonnay)
-  4 teaspoons capers
-  4 pieces of aluminum foil

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together the extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and minced fresh rosemary.  Brush/coat each salmon fillet (front and back) with this mixture.  Place each piece of seasoned salmon on a piece of foil large enough to fold over and seal, on a baking sheet.  Top each piece of salmon with 2 lemon slices, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of wine, and 1 teaspoon of capers.  Wrap foil tightly around salmon to create packets.

Bake salmon in your oven for 10 - 15 minutes, depending on how large your fillets are.


Zucchini Salad (total time: 5 minutes, 4 servings):
This may sound weird, but trust me it's fresh and different!

Ingredients:
-  2 zucchinis (store in refrigerator)
-  Zest from 2 lemons in the salmon recipe above (may need another lemon for juice if none is left over)
-  10 - 20 teaspoons ricotta cheese (your choice to use low fat, part skim or whole milk)
-  Fresh parmesan cheese
-  Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
While salmon is baking...

Cut the zucchinis into thin slices.  Spread out on the plate so that they are barely overlapping.  Squeeze lemon juice from 1 or 2 lemons over top.  Add 5 or so teaspoons of ricotta cheese to each plate.  Zest 1 or 2 lemons and sprinkle zest over each plate.  Add salt and pepper.  Top with a light sprinkle of parmesan cheese (parmesan missing from my photos - you can leave out if necessary).  Let sit until you add salmon to the plate.

Enjoy!
Lauren

Bonjour Jean Paul Gaultier

As much as I love Target and their designer collabos, I didn't purchased anything from the last two -Anna Sui's Gossip Girl inspired collection or Alexander McQueen. Partly because my local store had slim pickings, and I didn't love anything I saw.

I was thrilled to learn legendary fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier will be featuring a collection scheduled to hit stores on March 7. That was until I saw the collection; it's just OK. I like the tattoo leggings and the trench. Perhaps I'll be more inspired after seeing the entire collection in person. The pieces will range in price from $17.99 -$199.99. Check out photos below....

P.S. Zac Posen designed a Go International collection for Target scheduled to hit stores in April. Super excited and I have my fingers cross that it's good!

Steal Her Style: Jada Crawley

I spy hot heels at the Micheal Jordon 23 Dinner hosted by Jordan Brand during NBA All-Star Weekend in Dallas, Texas.

Chris Paul's girlfriend Jada Crawley wore Christian Louboutin Ulona Platform Sandals to the dinner.  I think she looks really nice, but I'm not sure that I love the Ulona's with her dress. Her dress is really elegant and classy, but the shoes are more trendy/edgy. Think I would have liked the shoes with a LBD, but you're reading words from a women who would wear these shoes with her bathrobe, workout clothes, and probably a swimsuit to the pool at the YMCA. 

La La Vasquez and her fiance Carmello Anthony also attended the Jordan Brand dinner. La La wore a sexy LBD dress and paired it with the Sergio Rossi heels I wrote about earlier this year. No comment on the hair.  As much as I love the heels, the show stopper is her huge 9 carat engagement ring!

I wanted to ID the shoes Taraji P. Henson wore, but her huge suede Dr. bag/carry-on luggage doesn't allow a clear view. I'm leaving Auntie Viv alone but she looks good though. She's a cougar and I can't really afford a bite at this point in my life. Turning 30 this year and need to have all my limbs.

Happy Valentine's Day

These candy hearts should be sold in stores...HA HA

We Are The World 25 for Haiti

The video for "We Are The World 25" aired last night during the Opening Cermony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. You can watch it below.

I loved the original song from the 80's and really like the updated version! Over 80 artist participated including Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Barbara Streisand, Lil' Wayne, and Mary J. Blige. Oh, and T-pain with the auto-tune. Maybe that's why Jay-Z didn't participate. Anyway, the part with Janet Jackson singing with Micheal Jackson is so sweet (tear shed)....You can buy the song on iTunes and purchase a t-shirt by visiting wearetheworldfoundation.org.

Olivia Palermo's Street Style

One of my favorite reality shows is The City on MTV. I mainly tune in for Whitney's Ports faux socialite friend, Olivia Palermo. I love her style, attitude, the way she refuses to actually do work at ELLE Magazine, and the chic, yet mean stares she gives to Erin! Hilarious!

Word in the blogosphere: Blair Wardorf's character from Gossip Girl is based on real life Olivia Palermo. If you are a Gossip Girl & The City fan, check out the comparison! 

Here are a few of my favorite Olivia style moments, and checkout this clip from FashionAir featuring Olivia's fave NYC spots.