LoveBrownSugar Feature: Coco + Creme

If you guys haven't already bookmarked Coco + Creme website, hop to it! Love their site, and they keep me up to date on fashion & beauty trends. I'm honored and humbled to have been featured by them today in their Real Life Muse column. Check out a snippet of my Q&A with the editors:

C+C: You inspire a lot of people with your blog but who are your inspirations? Who do you look to as a style icon?

Christina: I have so many! Tracee Ellis Ross is my biggest one. Diana Ross too; I love that old school glam. I’m an old school head; I love the older black stars. I love a Bille Holiday flower behind the ear. I really like the fashion of the ’30s and ’40s too. Currently, I love the Olsen twins and their hobo chic look as well as June Ambrose and of course, Sarah Jessica Parker!

C+C: How would you describe your personal style in 5 words?

Christina: Ugh! This is so hard, but I would say: vintage, bohemian, romantic and downtown chic.

C+C: It’s interesting that you chose those words, how does your personal style reflect your personality?

Christina: I’m really creative and my style reflects that. But I also have a strong business background. I’m very calculating and strategic so that’s a part of my style too. I like to mix business with pleasure. It’s all about balance.

Check out the full article at Coco + Creme! Thanks for your support!

LoveBrownSugar Chic: One Scarf - Two Ways

Hey loves! I'm on vacation in Florida this week, just an FYI if the posts slow down or if i don't answer your lovely emails right away. Thought I'd share about my newfound love - this patterned scarf I found for $12.95 at H&M. Chic, cheap & versatile. Here's how I wear mine, two ways:

Look 1: Wrap Top

For the first look, I folded the scarf into a rectangle, wrapped the ends around and tied it in a knot. fairly simple way to to wear an oversized scarf with a funky pattern.

I paired my new top with a black maxi skirt and gladiator flats.

Skirt: Vintage, Sandals: H&M (S/S 2010), Chain: Vintage, Watch: Michael Kors, Shades: Vintage (Buffalo Exchange)

Photography by Brandon Haynes

Look 2: Turban

 If you'd rather put the emphasis on on your face, try wrapping a printed scarf into a turban. I did mine June Ambrose style, by bringing the fabric to the front of my head and wrapping it in a knot.

I used MUD (Makeup Designory) eyeshadow in Moss, IMAN Cosmetics blush and Carol's Daughter Candy Paint lipgloss in Natural Sexy Shine.

And there it is! Tell me what you think!

Flavor of Friday: Curly Girls Collective Event

 Hey loves! If you're in the NYC area this weekend, you should definitely head out to the Curly Girl Collective event this Sunday, May 22nd. A few of my good friends are part of the collective and they have some amazing things in store for the event. Curlies and non-curlies alike are welcome, so email RSVP@curlygirlcollective.com, grab your girlfriends and head over to the Brian Farrell's Art Studio at Chelsea Modern for cocktails, manicures, giveaways, hair talk & more.

Sadly, I'll be out of town but I'm sure this event will be one for the books. Anyone plan on attending? If so, tell them LoveBrownSugar sent you!

You can follow Curly Girl Collective on Twitter & Facebook for updates!

LoveBrownSugar Chic: Backyardigan

There's something about a floral romper that makes me giddy. You may have seen me sporting one here and in one of my very first street style posts ever - here.

I'm Nominated! Black Weblog Awards 2011

As you can see from the picture above, I'm ecstatic guys! Super HUGE thanks to all of you lovely folks who follow me on Twitter and Facebook and NOMINATED me for Best Plus Sized Fashion Blog on the Black Weblog Awards!

I'm truly honored and humbled by all your efforts. Now that I've been nominated, I need you lovely folks and LBS readers to go VOTE for LoveBrownSugar! I've been trying, for a few years now, to get myself nominated for a Black Weblog Award and now I'm overwhelmed by the reality that I might actually come close to WINNING! So I definitely need your help now more than ever.

 The process is pretty straightforward, you just head to the voting page (HERE), type in your email address and submit your vote for LoveBrownSugar.com on the 5th page of the ballot. (Note: There are some pretty awesome bloggers nominated in other categories so feel free to scroll through for new blogs to check out). You'll find LoveBrownSugar under the Best Plus Sized Fashion Blog category.

Pic from "Black Butterfly" post

 Although I don't consider myself strictly a "plus-sized" fashion blogger, I absolutely love celebrating the curves I've been blessed with, and I hope you do too. Thanks in advance and I love you all for your support!

VOTE FOR ME HERE 

(Page 5 of the Ballot!)

Kickin' It: Layla Joy Press Luncheon

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a press luncheon for new shoe line Layla Joy. A line of shoes focused on providing style mixed with timeless appeal and affordability, I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity to check it out. Chic + Affordable = My Life Philosophy so I was in there like swimwear.

Cover Girls: Jill Scott for Ebony Magazine

 I'm on the cover of Ebony Magazine! Hah, not really. My twin, the lovely R&B songstress everyone conveniently mistakes me for is though. Doesn't Jill Scott look gorgeous? Ever since I saw her perform hits LIVE from her new album a few weeks ago, I've been anxiously awaiting her new album slated to release in June.

Ebony Magazine's June Music Issue takes a look at some of the hottest artists in 2011 and also includes a full photoshoot with the lovely Jill Scott. When I ran into Amy DuBois Barnett at the Ebony "For The Love of Color" event, she mentioned Ebony's revamp. I think they're doing a great job. Can't wait to unwrap the new issue.

Will you be picking up a copy?

Kickin' It: Rising Affluent Conference

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 1st Annual Rising Affluent conference in NYC. If you follow me on Twitter or if you saw my Confessions of a Shopaholic: Business-Savvy Chic post, you know I've been raving about attending the conference for a while now. What an amazing time! I was so inspired by the entrepreneurs and successful folks who came out to give their gems of advice. I was overwhelmed by the amazing group of peers that came out to learn and grow. And of course I snapped street style pics! Below find some of my favorite quotes, and some of my fave looks.