LBS in LA (Part 2): Essence Black Women in Music Red Carpet

7:30PM We arrive on the purple carpet at the Essence Black Women in Music event sponsored by Lincoln. Like I mentioned in my Prepping post, I went with the Tadashi Shoji lace peplum dress in Sand. I'm really happy with my choice, I feel comfortable and confident.

I'm wearing gold-studded stilettos from Steve Madden.

8:00PM The celebrities start to arrive. First beauty I spot on the red carpet is Sharon Leal who looks amazing with her short cropped cut and flowing cream gown.

I loved her eye makeup!

Goapele was there, looking stunning in a bright red lip and side-swept bangs.

Jennifer Williams of Basketball Wives was in attendance. She gave me the scoop on her outfit, and it was mostly Zara! Gotta love celebs who shop at the same stores we do.

Estelle looked beautiful with her cascading curls, deep berry lip and bold lashes. She wore a suit by Eugene Lim suit.

Denise Vasi of VH1's Single Ladies was in attendance. She's so gorgeous! Her red pout and green jewels were the perfect compliment to her Peter Hidalgo outfit.

My twin Jill Scott was there! She's so beautiful, even more so in person.

Jurnee Smollet rocking a Trina Turk dress, with her date. Can't wait for the newest Tyler Perry film featuring her and Kim Kardashian. Should be quite interesting!

Lisa Rae, also of VH1's Single Ladies, was in attendance. She was a joy to talk to. She rocked a white Tadashi Shoji dress, and we gushed over wearing the same designer to the event. She has good taste! 

Keke Palmer was there sporting new, luxurious locks. Love her curls! She was "big hair don't care" like me that night. I just had a styling session with her hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez recently. She does a fab job.

Yes y'all, I ran into the one and only Nene Leakes of Real Housewives of Atlanta fame! I told her she's my favorite. She chatted me up about some of her favorite designers, who include Christian Louboutin and Dolce & Gabbana.

Naturi Naughton posing in front of the 2013 Lincoln MKX. She wore a blue lace dress from an independent designer called Mignon.

I met new R&B artist Sevyn Streeter. I LOVE her single "I Like It" so I couldn't wait to chat with her. She's penned songs for top songstresses like Alicia Keys, Brandy, Fantasia, Kelly Rowland, Mary J. Blige and more. She's so pretty! And her outfit was on point.

9:30PM Right before I head in for the event, I spy Ford Motors' Shawn Lollie, honoree of the evening Solange, and President of Essence Communications, Michelle Eubanks.

Once inside, it's time to enjoy the performances. First up is the lovely Lianne La Havas who woos the crowd with songs off of her album "Is Your Love Big Enough".

I spied Lianne chatting it up with Jill Scott after her performance. Two of my favorites!

Next up was Solange! She sung my favorite "Losing You" and I went wild. Love that song!

Jill and Solange posing for the cameras right after her performance. I felt so blessed to be in presence of women like them. Real musicians.

11:00PM The event is nearly over but I CAN'T leave before grabbing a picture with my favorite Amber Riley! One of my style stars, she always looks flawless. Loving her new short hair.

And that's the perfect end to my evening with the stars courtesy Lincoln Motors. I had a fantastic time out in LA for the Essence Black Women in Music event! Special thanks to Lincoln for sending me, to Essence for having me, and to Tadashi Shoji for helping me look my best! 

LBS in LA (Part 2): Lunch With Lianne La Havas

1:30PM I'm finally ready to hit the road! They picked myself and the other journalists up in a glossy red 2013 Lincoln MKX. I'm loving the newest Lincoln models.

They're really redefining what the Lincoln brand is all about, and it shows. Classy, sophisticated and stylish.

1:45PM We're off to lunch at fine Italian restaurant Ago. I love italian food, so I'm beside myself. Like I mentioned in my last post, I went with a casual yet tailored look for lunch with the Lincoln team.

2:00PM We're seated and drinks are served. The bartender whips me up a delicious concoction of lemonade and muddled strawberries. Like heaven in a glass.

The first course is a traditional italian specialty (and my guilty pleasure) - pizza! We had two selections, the traditional cheese pizza and arugula-topped.

2:30PM Just as we're digging into the first course, our surprise guest of honor shows up - Lianne La Havas! I had no idea we were going to have lunch with her. Such a pleasant surprise. I'm immediately enchanted by her cute British accent and her infectious smile.

Not only is Lianne absolutely stunning in person, but she's one of the sweetest and most humble artists I've ever met. She also has impeccable style. What a cute crop top! And I love her side-swept hairdo. Get this: I mouth to her from across the table "I like your top!" and she mouthes back to me "I like yours!" Instant besties.

I really loved her entire getup. The side-swept hair was edgy but tres chic and she was rocking a fierce cat-eye that I proceeded to go home and attempt on my own.

Head to toe stunner! She paired her geo-print crop top with satin high-waisted pants and black suede peeptoe heels for a trendy, hipster-meets-sophisticate look. At lunch, Lianne greeted us all and answered a few of our pressing questions. She expressed how humbled she was to be honored at the Essence Black Women in Music event sponsored by Lincoln. About her musical inspirations, she said "I'm inspired by so many people. Everyone from artists like Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott, to legends like Prince, to up & comers like my label mates Little Dragon." She's even opened for artists like Prince and Alicia Keys.

3:00PM We're on course two. A trio of Ago's finest pasta dishes. Yum.

Clockwise from left: Linguini Mare (Seafood linguine), Paccheri Al Ragu D’Agnello (Large tube pasta with a lamb ragu), Risotto alla Pescatora (Seafood risotto in a light tomato sauce).

 Clockwise from left: Agnello di Latte al Forno (Baby rack of lamb), Spinach, Rosemary potatoes, Pesce Bianco (Whitefish sautéed with spinach and artichokes), Pollo alla Toscana (Chicken roasted in herbs).

4:00PM By dessert time, I'm completely stuffed and officially in love with Lianne La Havas. She's such a gem and I can't wait to hear her perform tonight...

 Dessert Plate - Cheesecake, pies and tarts galore

...that's if I can fit into my dress for tonight. About that - it's almost time to PICK A DRESS! Stay tuned for my recap of the big night - my Essence Black Women in Music prep and the red carpet!

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LBS in LA: Essence Black Women in Music Event

 "I'm going going back back to Cali Cali...."

Yes yes y'all. Biggie-style, I'm headed back to LA! As you're reading this, I'm probably boarding the plane with a turban on and my overnight bag in tow. I had to get this announcement out before daybreak though - I couldn't hold back my excitement!

The Essence Black Women in Music event, taking place tonight, Wednesday February 6th will honor new musicians and style stars Solange Knowles and Lianne La Havas. Hosted by Grammy winner Kelly Rowland and Essence Editor-at-Large Emil Wilbekin, the two honorees will perform live sets for the occasion.

I'm beyond excited to attend as a special guest of Lincoln, who is the presenting sponsor of the event. Lincoln's all-new luxury midsize sedan, the 2013 MKZ, and the luxury full-size sedan, the 2013 MKS, are the official vehicles for Black Women in Music and will chauffer both songstresses to the red carpet. This is the fourth consecutive year that Lincoln and ESSENCE have collaborated for this chic invitation-only affair. I can't BELIEVE I'm getting the opportunity to attend!

Follow me at @LoveBrownSugar on Twitter and Instagram for up-to-the minute updates about the event. I'll be live-tweeting my entire trip including snaps of the red carpet, interviews, celebrity run-ins and last minute fashion & beauty choices before the big night. As of now, I'm still undecided on a dress! Got my shoes though, whoop whoop!

Join me on my second adventure to LA! I'll be tweeting live updates with hashtag #LincolnRedCarpet - wish me luck! (praying I don't hyperventilate when I run into my girl Solange)