Flavor of Friday: Books, Biker Jackets & Beauty

Happy Friday y'all! As the month of "Thanks" is officially closing, I must say I'm thankful and proud to be part of a community of bloggers who go beyond the "blogger" title and truly inspire with their power moves. They're multi-talented, entrepreneurial, smart, and beautiful. An amazing representation of what women of color can do and who we can be. So, this "Flavor of Friday" is dedicated to them.

You Go, Girl

HUGE Congratulations to my girl Curly Nikki on the launch of her newest endeavor. Ms. Nikki Walton is now officially an author! Her new book "Better Than Good Hair" is now available for Presale HERE. She's also running an amazing giveaway for those who show their support - a Nook Color each week for 8 weeks and 2 iPad Minis. Find out more deets about that HERE. I put in my entry. (Who doesn't want an iPad Mini in life??). Congrats to Nikki - can't wait to check out her book!

Showing my support for Nikki's new book

She Can Transform Ya

You know those friends you constantly look to for inspiration? Everything they wear just seems to flow so eloquently and they're talented beyond words? Yep, that's my blogger boo Jessie Adore. Get into her. Aside from the fact that we're West Harlem neighbors, Jessie has the flyest style and the most amazing pieces in her closet. But wait...there's more! She actually designs - jewelry and now clothes. The latest of Jessie's creations is this 6-in-1 Transformer Jacket ($385) that is a convertible biker jacket that just...rocks.

There are no words. I'm putting in my pre-order asap. She's making these babies by hand and only in limited quantities so run, don't walk, to her inbox to place your order.

Place your order HERE!

Beauty & Brains

If you're in the NYC area on December 5th, you MUST check out an amazing event being hosted by my girl Renae Bluitt of In Her Shoes Blog called "The Beauties & Brains Behind The Brands". Some of my favorite female entrepreneurs will be in attendance - Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter, Ginger & Liz of the eponymous nail lacquer line, Tia Williams of TheFlyCut, Tricia-Lee of Polish Bar Brooklyn and more. Alot of power in one fab place.

To purchase tickets, click here!

Go Glamazon, Go

Huge kudos to one of my fave bloggers Jessica Andrews of Glamazons Blog. We'll be seeing her pretty face on the blog more often now that she's opening up the site to include more outfit posts. I remember back when LoveBrownSugar first started and I was petrified of posting outfits and beauty tutorials for the world to see, but I really think it has enhanced my site overall despite my anxiety and fear of judgment. So happy to see more of us bloggers with different body types and styles embracing our style and showcasing it for the world to see.

Click over and leave a comment on her "Maxi Skirt in the Winter" look. (Tell her I sent you!)

Shop "LoveBrownSugar" Nail Lacquer

My LoveBrownSugar for LiSi Cosmetics Lacquer is still available on PRESALE guys! I started shipments this week and I'm quickly blowing through inventory (as in, I'll be sold out by next week and awaiting a new shipment!).

Get your BOTTLE HERE before they sell out! I appreciate your support!

I hope you guys had a faboosh November! I know posts on the site have slowed down a tad, but I promise it's for good reason. Next month and the impending year of 2013 are going to be amazing for LBS. Can't wait to show you guys all that's in store. 

In the meantime, what bloggers/blogs are you guys thankful for? Need to add a few more to my reader so put me on in the comments section below... 

Kickin' It: Carols Daughter Launches Chocolat Smoothing Collection

Last night at the GODIVA store in midtown Manhattan, Carol's Daughter hosted a small group of bloggers & editors to celebrate the launch of their new line of products called Chocolat. A Smoothing Collection of products that claim to rebuild hair structure and smooth each hair strand from within, Carol's Daughter founder Lisa Price believes it's one of their most innovative and effective product lines to date. In fact, she even had her bouncy curls straightened for the event!

The genius behind the Chocolat Smoothing Collection is that for those who want to blow-dry or straighten their naturally curly hair (or any hairtype for that matter!), the three-step collection of Smoothing Shampoo, Conditioner & Blow Dry Cream tackles frizzy and unmanageable hair by way of natural ingredients like Keravis; a hyperactive plant protein that helps fill in lifted hair cuticles, and Cacao plant extract, which helps smooth the hair cuticle.

Though I haven't tried the products yet, I'm super excited to give them a whirl.

Hairstylist Bibby Garcia

Their spokeslady, Latina Magazine-ranked #1 hairstylist Bibby Garcia (pictured above), was on hand to show the transformation of her hair. She went from a huge curly head of hair to sleek, smooth strands with only a blow-dryer, no flat iron, using the Chocolat Smoothing collection.

Eileen of MissWhoeverYouAre, Angel of Concrete Loop & Makeup Artist Tara Lauren

While there I ran into quite a few of my blogger buddies. Eileen of MissWhoeverYouAre (far left) actually used the Chocolat products to get her silky straight hair, and she only had to blow-dry, no flat iron!

Also ran into the lovely Angel of Concrete Loop! Any aspiring bloggers that haven't checked out her book Angel's Laws of Blogging, you absolutely should. It's a must-read.

Julee Wilson, Style & Beauty Editor, HuffPost BlackVoices & Me

I also ran into Julee Wilson of Huffpost BlackVoices. You guys remember her from her Get Like Me feature a few months ago? Yeah she's awesome. And we always show up to events wearing similar outfits! 

I also spotted these natural beauties Cassadie of Natural Selection and Imani of upcoming blog Tribe Called Curl.

Overall I had a blast at the event. Carol's Daughter Chocolat Smoothing Collection is on sale now and I'll be giving them a try very shortly and posting about them. It's coming up on my one year natural hair anniversary, and I'll be straightening my strands in celebration so look out for a post on that soon!

For more information on Carol's Daughter products visit their Website | Facebook | Twitter

Will you be giving the Chocolat Smoothing Collection a try?

Carol's Daughter Premieres Monoi Collection

Last night at the Carol's Daughter flagship store in Harlem, I had the opportunity to join Lisa Price and a small group of editors and bloggers to celebrate the upcoming release of their Monoi Collection.

The Monoi Collection is a Tahitian-inspired line of hair products that will premiere nationally on May 1st. Made from floral-infused virgin coconut oil, the products have been clinically proven to reduce hair breakage by 92%. Isn't that crazy? Of course upon hearing this, I knew I had to get my hands on it.

Monif C. Celebrates 5 Years of Style, Curves & Sex Appeal

Last night at Bo Concept in midtown NYC, Monif C Plus Sizes celebrated the 5 year anniversary of their premium plus size fashion label .Premiering her holiday line, Monif C filled the windows of the chic upscale furniture store with curvy models adorning her latest designs. Aside from the notable VIPs, delectable hors d'oeuvres (yes curvy girls like to eat), fruity cocktails and amazing event sponsors like Carol's Daughter, the overall energy at the event was unmatched. It was truly a celebration of plus size proportions, in more ways than one. Here's what I got into...

Pictured with founder, Monif C.

The party was on once founder Monif C. arrived on the scene. She had enough energy and spunk to fill up the entire room. What a pleasure it was to finally meet the diva behind the designs! By the way, my floral F21 pumps were a big hit last night! People literally chased me down to compliment me!

(Outfit Above) Leather jacket - Vintage, Top - H&M, Boyfriend Jeans - Vintage, Pumps - Forever 21, Jesus Piece - Forever 21, Ring - Street vendor HERE 

Models wearing the "Marilyn" convertible dress

The models at the Monif C 5 Year anniversary were as much entertainment as they were mannequins. These ladies had so much energy and were delightful to snap photos of. I can't tell you how hilarious it was watching men blush as they passed by the seductive models posing in the window. Models pictured above are sporting Monif C's renowned "Marilyn" convertible dress. The ways you can tie this dress are really infinite. Love it!

Pictured with Lisa Price, Founder, Carol's Daughter

I was so absolutely honored to finally meet Lisa Price, the entrepreneur behind Carol's Daughter, face to face. This woman is absolutely one of my inspirations. She was my first ever celebrity interviewee. I did a phone interview with her during my sophomore year in college for a small independent magazine on campus I ended up being co-editor for; Little Black Book. Wow, never thought I'd see the day...

Pictured with Gabi Gregg, Young, Fat & Fabulous

I also bumped into the lovely and always-fab Gabi Gregg of YoungFatandFabulous.com; also the newly crowned MTV Twitter Jockey. Had a great time chatting with her about life in Harlem (she just moved up here) and her new experience as MTV's TJ. Make sure you guys keep up with her on Twitter.

Overall, great time at the Monif C. 5 Year Anniversary. I wish her many more!

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