Press Play Style: Solange Mini Video "Locked Up in Closets"

I happened to be browsing Refinery29 the other day and I stumbled onto the mini production of Solange's promo video produced by Absolut Tune & Refinery29. The mini film follows Solange around her super chic neighborhood in Brooklyn, to the tune of single "Locked Up in Closets" from her TRUE EP. Per usual, her outfits give so much life. Here are my favorite scenes, and how to get her look:

1. The Pink Lace Look

Get It Here:

2. The Mixed Prints Look

Get It Here:

3. The Printed Dress

Get It Here:

Check out Solange's video HERE for your own style inspiration

LBS Beauty: 3 Easy DIY Natural Hair Styles

So one of my daily favorites Refinery 29  posted a lovely slideshow featuring 3 super-easy and chic hairstyles for natural hair. Instructed by stylist Alana Williams of the Mirror Salon at Carol's Daughter in Harlem and modeled by natural stunner Natasha Gaspard of Mane Moves TV, there's a style in here for everyone from the easy, breezy classic puff to the vintage-style Victory roll, which gives me Janelle Monae vibes.

The trick to pulling off the three styles is to start with an old yet defined twist-out. It's the perfect foundation.

Aside from your favorite styling products, to achieve hese various looks you'll need sturdy hair pins to hold everything in place.

Check out the full story here at Refinery29

Would you try any of these styles?

Flavor of Friday: Angela Simmons Launch, Jennifer Hudson for QVC, Kohls & Narciso

Lots going in the world of fashion & beauty this week. Check out the scoop from some of my favorite places around the web:

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Natural vs. Fake Hair Debate: Weigh In

Hey guys! I'm ecstatic and bubbling over to announce my latest story. A few months ago, the beauty editor at Refinery29 tapped me to ask 5 of my fab friends about their hair journeys, regimens and how they feel about the natural vs. relaxed, fake vs. real and everything in-between debate. This week, they posted the article and it's been stirring up tons of interesting commentary.

Here's a snippet about the story:

At the root of every bad hair day is a desire to achieve the highest level of hair amazingness possible...and the subsequent failure to meet those expectations. We always want what we can’t have, so we set ourselves up for disappointment when our strands can’t live up to our high hair hopes. We all fall prey to mane envy, and with that comes the desire to enhance — whether it be through straightening, coloring, cutting, or adding extensions.

Photo by Erin Yamagata

There’s been an interesting debate brewing recently over what "natural" hair actually is and whether hair enhancements like wigs, weaves, and extensionsplay a misleading role in how we define beauty these days. Is wearing your hair natural “better” than wearing extensions? What exactly gets everyone so riled up when a woman chooses to wear fake hair?

We found five real, stylish girls who have all dabbled with faux hair to answer those questions and more. Read on for their insightful opinions on this hot-button issue, then weigh in with your own thoughts on the “natural or not” debate.

You can check out the full story over at Refinery29.com

What are your thoughts on this debate? What side are you on and why?

Last Chance! Refinery29's Most Stylish Hood Contest

It's officially the LAST day for the Refinery29 contest I told you guys about two weeks ago! I really need your votes to take home a win. Just click on the picture below, go to the 'Popular Contestants' tab and click the heart in the left hand corner over my picture.

If I win this contest with Refinery 29 and luxury retailer Cole Haan, I'll officially win an editorial on Refinery29.com, a Cole Haan wardrobe and FREE NYC transit access for a YEAR! This would mean so much to me, and would really help me make some improvements to LoveBrownSugar.com if I win. Not having to worry about NYC transit fees would be a life-altering benefit for me this year, and would help me bring you guys more amazing content, giveaways, and posts.

Please Click This Link and Vote For Me! 

Click on the 'Most Popular Contestants' tab. Check the heart in the left hand corner and login with your Facebook account to vote!

Photo by Ugonna Igweatu

Thanks in advance guys!!

Get Like Me: Shawna Strayhorn

Aspiring to break into the fashion industry or simply intrigued by it? Well LoveBrownSugar has something for ya! Our “Get Like Me” series highlights exclusive interviews with industry insiders from celebrity stylists to fashion designers, editors, fashion PR heads & more!

Credit: Amelia Alpaugh, Refinery29

It's not an easy feat being an executive at one of the fastest-growing integrated content hubs on the web. Ever heard of a little site by the name of Refinery29? Yeah, you have. If you're even remotely obsessed with fashion & beauty, you've probably spent a fair share of time perusing the site or scrolling through their amazing street style galleries and fashion/beauty profiles. As the Director of Marketing and Partnerships at Refinery29, today's "Get Like Me" guru Shawna Strayhorn is one of the people responsible for taking the site to the top of the ranks as a digital marketing powerhouse. I've been following Refinery29's growth for a few years now, and it has been nothing short of amazing. LBS sat down with the Harvard grad to get the 411 on what it takes to be a business-minded beauty at Refinery29. Check it out:

Name: Shawna Strayhorn
Location: Harlem, New York
Personal Style in 3 Words: Vintage eye-catching silhouettes
Favorite Designer(s): DANNIJO, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Lanvin
Must-Have Accessory: Lipstick


When did you decide you wanted a career in marketing?
I decided to pursue a digital marketing path in 2008 when, it became evident to me, the fashion industry was revolutionizing how brands interact with customers digitally and how value is created on the retail value-chain. The digital expansion provided a ripe landscape for young talent to join the work force with a competitive advantage in some cases.

Credit: Michelle Peralta, Refinery29

As an Ivy League grad, did you always have aspirations of working in the digital marketing industry?
Like many of my peers, I debated several career paths. Out of college, I chose management consulting as a way to expand my business acumen and pivot into both a creative and strategic role. I was laser-focused on marrying my quantitative ability with a passion. And, for me, that is retail.

Walk us through a day in the life of someone who helps keep the wheels turning at Refinery29.
My work day begins at 10 AM. I begin my day by reading industry staples Women's Wear Daily and The Business of Fashion. I check-in on Refinery29's daily site traffic and audience acquisition programs. From there, my days are filled with reacting to emails, providing strategic feedback to Refinery29's commerce and editorial teams, and cutting and slicing data in order to create insights for the business. I work in Excel -- plenty -- modeling and finding ways to support Refinery29's market growth.

Name one thing you get to do every day in your current position that you absolutely love.
I have the pleasure of gazing upon stunning, beautifully composed images daily. I derive such pleasure from being able to refine and focus my taste overtime and to appreciate and prop up things that are beautiful and special to me.

As a chic curvy girl, what are some of your fashion must-haves?
This season, my fashion must-haves include mint Sally Hansen nail polish, Dries Van Noten sunnies, sturdy loafers, and (always) an ageless vintage blazer.

Credit: Amelia Alpaugh, Refinery29

Most rewarding experience of your career thus far?
My most rewarding career experience is leading Refinery29's growth efforts. Through aggressive acquisition efforts, I lead Refinery29's audience development growing the email database by 200% in one year.

3 Pieces of advice for those aspiring to work in fashion marketing?
My advice for those looking to get into fashion marketing is to have an editor's eye for impeccable style and value, to sharpen your business acumen and intelligence, and to be results driven.

What's in your purse?
My purse has several bottles of nail polish, lipstick, a debit card and loose change -- in summary, it needs some order.

Photos courtesy Refinery29.com

Kickin' It: ASH Flagship Opening With Solange + Refinery29

 Last night I was invited to the flagship opening of ASH footwear boutique in Soho. A luxury shoe brand originally launched in Europe, ASH opened it's very first store on US soil in downtown NYC last night. The event was hosted by two of my faves: Refinery29 & Solange Knowles.

LoveBrownSugar's Favorite Holiday Gift Guides

It's officially the holiday season! You know what that means? Time to shop! While I'd love to say I'm an expert on what to buy your favorite peeps this year, I won't lie. I need a little help deciding myself! This year, before you spend long tireless hours at the mall scouting the best digs for your loved ones, check out a few of LoveBrownSugar's Favorite Holiday Gift Guides around the web. There's a little something for everyone....

1. Our lovely friends over at LoweFactor have compiled a Women's Holiday Gift Guide for the uber chic lady on your list. With yellow suede pumps and YSL's Rouge Pur Couture making the cut, what more does a really lady need? Love it!

LoveBrownSugar's Fave Item: The Burberry Military Gloves. Buttery leather and on trend? Say no more.

Updates: Solange for Refinery 29

As a follow up to the Sneak Peek I issued the other day, Solange's shoot with Refinery 29 has finally been released. And the pics are gorgeous. Refinery29 spoke to Solo about her sense of style. Here's what she had to say:

Refinery 29: You've got such unique style, would you ever consider being involved in the family fashion business, House of Deréon?
Solange: "Why thank you very much! It's funny you ask because I initially was involved as the spokesperson, but the clothes just didn't reflect my personal style and I decided to hand that over. That's the great thing about my family. We work together so closely that if something's not working out, we can be honest about it and there won't be any grudges or issues. I wrote a couple of songs on my sister's last album and if there's a line she doesn't like, she changes it and we keep on moving. I will say though, they did just do a bedding line that I am extremely in love with and I was like, 'Can I model that... in my house?'"

Your nails are always a statement. Can you tell us about the wildest nail art you've tried?
"I went through a phase about two years ago where I had an extreme nail art addiction. I had British flag nails, ice cream cones, gold spikes...the whole nine yards. I still rock my nail art but with a little bit more simplicity now."

Do you have anything in your closet that you could never bear to throw away?
"Oh yes! A few things, but one in particular sticks out: A BCBG short, ruffled, floral, baby doll dress I've had since I was 16. I wore it at my wedding reception when I was 17. The waistline comes up to the middle of my boobs now, but I just can't let go of it. It's so perfect."

What's your best cheap score of late?
"A cream leather belt with a gold buckle I found at a vintage store in Santa Barbara for ten bucks. I wear it with everything now."

Read the full interview and view more pics over at Refinery29

Sneak Peek: Solange for Refinery 29

One of my absolute favorite street chic and local-based blogs Refinery 29, just tweeted a cutesy pic of Solange. Apparently they're shooting her for an upcoming story and they released the sneak peek above. She's rocking one of her faves Boxing Kitten, similar to the piece we spotted her in at Tao last week. I'm in love with this bra top - it's gorge. And her fro of course is fierce. Love it. 

What do you guys think? Fierce or Foolish?