LBS in LA (Part 2): Prepping for Essence Black Women in Music

4:30PM It's 2.5 hours before I have to be downstairs in the lobby of the Sofitel in Beverly Hills, ready to be escorted to the Essence Black Women in Music event, sponsored by Lincoln. At this point, I still haven't chosen a dress but I've at least dwindled it down to these two Tadashi Shoji options, based on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram feedback from you guys...

5:00PM I try both dresses on again and I think I've made a decision, but I still need more time to mull it over. In the mean time, I have SO much to do! I forgot my spanx at home! My nails aren't done! My hair isn't set! It's crunch time.

5:15PM First order of business - figure out what other accessories I need. So far, I'm squared away on shoes and handbag. I'm going with my birthday heels - these Steve Madden studded stilettos that I absolutely adore, and my favorite vintage leather clutch.

5:30PM Head to the Beverly Center across the street from the Sofitel to grab some undergarments from Macy's. No red carpet look is complete without a good pair of spanx! And I just happened to leave mine at home so I have to go grab a pair before getting dressed.

5:45PM After leaving Macy's I head over to Sephora for a set of nail appliques. With only 1.5 hours left before I need to bounce, I have no time for a full manicure. My best bet is to grab up some sparkly appliques and get to work.

6:00PM I'm back at the Sofitel and our Lincoln will be here in just an hour! It's time to make some decisions. After mulling over my decision for 15 more minutes, I finally decide...

...to go with the lace peplum dress in cream! Though I absolutely love the color of the blue dress, the cream one just compliments my figure so well I can't pass it up!

  It will also be easy for me to go bold with makeup and pair with my neutral accessories.

 This dress puts a smile on my face, so I know it's a winner.

Since it's a high-cut neckline, I went with a delicate gold necklace with diamonds and gold. Get this: I got it at H&M!

6:30PM I throw on my python print nail appliques from Sephora and a statement ring that was given to me as a Christmas gift last year. All gold everything. (woo!)

6:45PM Time for makeup! For my beauty look, I kept my textured waves & curls the way they are and just gave them an extra boost of texture and shine with Nexxus Mousse Plus Volumizing Foam Styler. On the face, I used Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation ($42.00) to give my skin a smooth finish. For my lips, I went with my favorite oxblood color - Makeup Forever Aqua Rouge in Deep Raspberry (blogged about it in My Top 3 Winter Lip Shades post). For the eyes, I used the new Sam Fine for Fashion Fair Supreme Eyeshadow Quad in Amalfi Coast ($38.00) to give me a subtle smokey effect.

7:00PM The Lincoln is here to pick us up! I head down to the lobby and hop in, both anxious and excited about the night ahead. I'm so happy about my dress choice, and when I look good I feel good. Excited to cover the red carpet and meet some celebrities, courtesy Lincoln and Essence. 

Stay tuned for my final post with a recap of the red carpet, my celeb run-ins, and more!

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)

LBS in Los Angeles: Night 1

As promised, here's a recap of my look and the festivities on my first night in LA. Yesterday, I posted all about my daytime look which I wanted to be comfy and chic. For the evening, I decided to switch it up... [CONTINUE]

LBS in Los Angeles: Day 1

So amidst all the 2012 BET Awards craziness and red carpet coverage, I did have a few restful moments to play dress up, enjoy my hotel and peruse the big city of Los Angeles. Despite it being the capital of the entertainment industry, I've always wanted to experience the glitz and glamour of this city. Here's a recap of my first day:

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