R.I.P. Alexander McQueen......

I'm sure you have all heard that British fashion designer Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of Alexander McQueen, was found dead in his home on Thursday. RIP.....

Makeup Mayhem with Courtney Hughes: Celebrity Inspired 5 Minute Face

I can spend an hour making up my face and be perfectly happy, but I realize that most of you 9-5'ers have no time for that. So I am here to offer a few tips on a quick and easy make-up routine in 5 minutes or less.

1. First things first...Immediately after cleansing, MOISTURIZE! Then, apply an all over sheer   POWDER (MAC mineralize skinfinish natural powder is amazing) with a big fluffy brush. 

2. Next, add a little BLUSH or BRONZER to cheekbones or forehead for a nice healthy color. 

3. For your eyes, I recommend an all over base to even out the skin on the eyelid. MAC paint pots are easy to apply and can be worn alone or underneath eyeshadow. This will give your eyes a pop without complication. 

4. Then, apply your favorite MASCARA (ok you are still under 5 minutes unless you are a slow poke). 

5. I am officially obsessed with my eyebrows, so I would strongly recommend using an  EYEBROW PENCIL to fill in sparse or barely there brows. For those of you who are naturally blessed with great brows, you can skip this step.  

6. Finally, condition your lips, then apply your favorite LIPSTICK or LIPGLOSS. MAC's viva glam collection offers great neutral colors that look nice on all skin tones.

At work, I have to wear 13 products (at least) on my face everyday so I don't wanna hear any complaining! This routine is quick and easy, and I promise if you just try to accent each part of the face a little bit, you will look healthy and fresh faced all day. Oh, and don't forget your beauty sleep... Muah!

Courtney

Wellness Wednesday with Lauren: Revisiting Our Resolutions

Does your gym look like this now that it's February? 

My first Beauty Board post was about those pesky New Year's Resolutions we all try to make.  My goal was to simply stick with a wellness plan that makes sense (i.e. pack my lunch, do some physical activity 4 times a week, eat less junk, etc.).  However, it's now February and I'm feeling the pressure to slack off.  It started yesterday when I began chatting with Tiffany about the Total Body Conditioning class that we regularly attend.  We both wanted to bail.  Luckily, we kept each other accountable and instead of going out to eat, we both miraculously showed up to class!  But, what about tomorrow?  The next day? Next week?

I have been struggling to get back into some type of workout routine that keeps me motivated.  The problem is that work is crazy, I want to go home to watch Gossip Girl, or some other event seems to always get in the way.   I even got a personal trainer!  And yet, I still feel under-motivated... so I talked to my trainer about ways to handle my predicament. 

Below are the top 10 ways to stay on track, stay motivated and stick with your workout resolutions:

1.  DVR Gossip GIrl.

2.  Whether you have only 20 minutes to workout or an hour, do something during that time.  Every little bit counts and more importantly, keeps you in the routine of showing up.

3.  Be flexible, if you miss a day here and there don't give up!  Get back on track the next week.

4.  If you miss a day, try to plan a walk on your normal day off from working out or attend a morning group exercise class instead of an evening class.

5.  Plan workouts ahead of time so you go to the gym prepared. 

6.  Set one or two clear goals and ask someone at the gym, a friend or loved one to keep you accountable.  Ask them to remind you of your goal when you start straying. 

7.  Get enough sleep (at least 7 to 8 hours).

8.  Try something new, like Yoga, Pilates or Kickboxing once a month.

9.  Buy new workout clothes - You will be excited to wear them!  Great deals at www.target.com.

10.  Read this blog!

XOXO,

Lauren

Most Wanted

As many of you know, I love me some Tory Burch Reva flats! I recently purchased a black pair-best decision ever! I've now found my second favorite shoe by Tory Burch, the Wrap Up Heel in Lipstick Pink! Perfect for Valentine's day!

I LOVE YOU

There are many ways to show a woman you love her. One way is the Pink Chanel Lambskin Valentine's bag. I'm clearing a spot for it in my closet. A girl can dream.....

With a price tag of $2150, you will need to contact a doctor ASAP for your lover, as his/her bank account will be in the ICU and may need to be resuscitated!

Who Dat?

I like football, but I love fashion. So I'm excited that Kim Kardashian is in Miami rocking hot fashion while supporting her fine boyfriend, Reggie Bush, for Super Bowl XLIV (44 for those of you who didn't learn roman numerals in 5th grade). If you don't know who Kim Kardashian is, as my friend Courtney would say, "you must be living under a fashion rock!"And I don't have time to fill you in.

I always love her look-hair, makeup, & clothes! But there is a DISCLAIMER-I'm not crazy about her shoe line, ShoeDazzle. But we can discuss that later.

Anyway, check out some of the fabulous frocks she's been rocking in MIA.

Family dinner

Perfume launch at Sephora South Beach

Leather and Lace party

Visiting Dash

Arriving in Miami

Black Fashion Facts

In 2004, I received a great book for Christmas from my aunt, Threads of Time, The Fabric of History: Profiles of African American Dressmakers and Designers, 1850 to Present.  Not only is it the longest title for a book (haha), but it's also a great history lesson for true fashionistas! African Americans have been designing clothes long before Tracey Reese & Sean John.

I was shocked and thrilled to learn about the achievements of Ann Cole Lowe (photo above). According to the books author, the social elite in NYC, the Biddles, Vanderbilts, and Rockefellers, all wore her designs. She also designed the most photographed dress of its time, the wedding dress for Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis!

Zelda Wynn was also profiled in the book. She opened one of the first Black-owned stores on Broadway in NYC. Her designs were worn by Dorthy Dandrige, Sarah Vaughan, Marian Anderson, and Ruby Dee. She also designed the first Playboy Bunny outfit.

 

 

Stay tune for more interesting black fashion facts!!!