Confessions of a Shopaholic: Westfield's Garden State Plaza Mall

The weekend after Thanksgiving, I had the opportunity to take a mini shopping trip not too far from home at Westfield’s Garden State Plaza Mall. Instead of jumping head first into Black Friday madness, I waited a day and decided to brave the bricks & mortar jungle on Saturday.

The lovely folks at Westfield offered me the opportunity to venture out to Garden State Plaza and give their shopping shuttle a try. For those of you who live in the NYC area (or are planning to visit sometime before Christmas), Westfield is offering a FREE shuttle bus every Monday - Saturday until December 24th to the Garden State Plaza mall, only 20 minutes from Manhattan. That’s right, they will take you there and bring you back for FREE.99 up until Christmas Eve.

I picked up my free shuttle ticket at the CitySights NY Visitor Center inside the Madame Toussuad's Museum, and I boarded the bus on their 11:00AM shuttle right across the street.  I was at the mall in less than 30 minutes (it’s a super short trip)! This is a great alternative for those of us city folk who want the traditional “mall” shopping experience but don’t want to venture into the depths of the suburbs to get it.

The shuttle ride is really quick and the Garden State Plaza mall has everything from your traditional H&Ms and Bath & Body Works’ to mass department stores like Neiman Marcus and even super luxe designer boutiques like Michael Kors.

I stopped into quite a few places including their H&M (snagged some great winter sweaters), Nine West (scored an amazing pair of fur wedge booties for only $70!), Madewell (super cute Keds x Madewell sneakers) and MAC Cosmetics (to restock on my Ruby Woo before the holiday season).

All in all, the shopping trip was beyond enjoyable. I was there early enough to avoide the crazy crowds and super long lines AND I traveled for FREE. Win-win. 

For more information on the shuttle bus schedule to Garden State Plaza, click HERE. 

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Disclaimer: I was gifted a $200 gift card for taking my shopping trip, but was not obligated to post about my experience. All opinions expressed above are my own and do not reflect those of the company.

Cover Girls: Jennifer Hudson for Lucky Magazine

The lovely and talented actress/songstress Jennifer Hudson covers Lucky Magazine's January 2013 issue. I'm beyond excited to see a woman of color gracing their cover to start off the 2013 year. I think Jennifer looks amazing in her 7 For All Mankind denim jacket, DKNY top, and H&M skirt. See below for a few quick snippets from her cover story with Lucky Magazine:

On her personal style: "My style has always been … odd," she says. “I call it being free, expressing myself. You know, creative people? We like to express ourselves. When I was a little girl, I liked to cut up my clothes—we called it Jenniferizing. Or a J. Original! Just because it came that way doesn’t mean you have to wear it that way.” Hudson designed her own prom dress, her own Easter dress, dress after dress. “I would sketch it, and my mom and I would pick out the fabric and we’d have it made! I love to sketch! Everybody else was about the name brands—I’d go to Payless and get something nobody else had!”

On her biggest fashion inspiration, her grandfather: “The most stylish person in my family was definitely him—he’d take you into his closet and be like, ‘Hey! You need to wear this, Jenny!’ ” She laughs at the memory. “He was dressed down, honey, his closet, his clothes, they were sharp. He would pick things out of his for me to wear, and they were always perfect. That’s why I love menswear.”

On how her friends in Chicago think of her style: “I am the strangest thing—my style is utterly weird to them. They’ll be like, ‘Is that a witch hat, why are you wearing that witch hat? What is that hat? I mean, leather shorts? With boots? In the winter??’ They do not understand.”

On her favorite shopping destinations: “I leave the red-carpet stuff to the stylists,” she says. “For everyday, my two favorites are Urban Outfitters and Forever 21. And Nasty Gal! I love that place! Every time I go there, I want everything new that they have. All Saints, too, I love. Then there’s Michael Kors, Givenchy, Rick Owens—I like things that are dramatic in a subtle way. “When Jennifer has free time, I am shopping! I go through every rack because I might’ve missed a piece! Where I live I can walk right out onto Michigan Avenue and shop—walk, not drive—I’ve got to walk! Plus, you forget about eating when you’re shopping.”

The January issue of Lucky magazine is on nationwide newsstands December 11th.

Thoughts on this cover?

Photo Credit: Ruven Afanador for Lucky Magazine

LoveBrownSugar Chic: Mixed Media

So I'm officially obsessed with this leather dress from H&M (few seasons old). I wore it in an outfit post during NYFW and again earlier this season and I found yet another way to rock it with this outfit. Honestly, it's one of my favorite seasonal pieces because there are so many different ways to work it. This lovers+friends ($166.00) version is very similar. And if you're more of a skirt person, this Urban Outfitters ($99.00) version might strike your fancy.

I had been searching far & wide for a really awesome denim shirt. I found this one at American Apparel ($64.00) back in September and it's been holding me down. ASOS ($43.10) has a super cute version with a studded collar.

It's stretchy so I can wear it long or tie it at the waist and wear it cropped. Goes really well with leggings (my lazy day uniform) and pretty much anything else. It's also great for making dressy outfits a bit more casual.

So remember I told you about my backpack obsession this season? It's still going strong... 

I found this leopard & leather number at Urban Outfitters ($79.00) and we've been inseparable ever since.

The booties! Y'all know I love a good bootie for the fall/winter season. I snatched these up at Bare Feet Shoes, but they're available at a few different retailers. Find a few different colors at Zoo Shoo ($38.90) - super affordable and cute.

For the face, I've been really enjoying my new foundation & powder combo from Cover FX. They were nice enough to gift me a set of products at their last press event and I've been loving them ever since. I use their Total Cover Cream Foundation ($42) and Matte Setting Powder ($32) to get complete coverage that's light and natural-looking. I layered my LiSi Cosmetics Flushed Pressed Powder Blush ($7.90) on the cheeks for a hint of color, and topped it off with my MAC Ruby Woo ($15).

As for the curls, I achieved this look with a braid-out. As promised, later this week I'll be posting about my updated hair regimen including how I achieve this look and the products I used so stay tuned.

Photo Credit: Sandrine Charles (photosbysands)

Get The Look Here:

Cover Girls: Alicia Keys for Essence January

Alicia Keys is getting her WHOLE life on the cover of ESSENCE Magazine's January 2013 issue. She's serving a red strapless peplum moment and I'm living.

Related: Alicia Keys Cuts Her Hair

With her fifth studio album officially on the market and a worldwide tour on the horizon, the 14-time Grammy Award-winning artist, AIDS activist, wife and mom talks to ESSENCE about spiritual makeovers—and how she learned to say no in order to create a more balanced approach to her world.

Thoughts on her cover look?

The January issue of ESSENCE hits stands on December 7th. For more on this issue, visit ESSENCE.com.

Cover Girls: Kerry Washington for UPTOWN

3 snaps in a Z-formation for my girl Kerry Washington. I love this woman! Aside from my absolute obsession with "Scandal" (I start going through withdrawal on Thursday morning before new episodes premiere!), Kerry has been tearing it up on both the small and big screen. This month she covers my alma mater - UPTOWN Magazine - flaunting sultry and sass for days. 

2012 has definitely been Kerry's year. She's scored a leading role on an ABC series and this month she stars in Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" with Jamie Foxx. 

She also happens to be one of my favorite red-carpet stunners. She never misses a beat with her fashion choices.

 Read the full story over at UPTOWN Magazine.

Thoughts on her cover look?

My Instaweek: 12.3.12

Happy Monday yall! It's officially December and I'm excited because A) 2013 is approaching (and I'm SUPER hyped for the new year) and B) it's time for fun Holiday Gift Guides & giveaways. Whoop whoop! (*does virtual tootsie roll*) So first let me tell you about my exciting past few weeks and then I'll get into the good stuff you guys can look forward to on the site this month...

My Hair Is Laid
Guess what? It's been officially 2 YEARS since my big chop! I'm so excited, guys. I've had tremendous growth since I decided to debut Cece's Curls back in November 2010.

Thanksgiving 2010

Now it's 2 years later and my hair is the longest it has ever been.  

I have an appreciation for the kinks as well as my straight strands. Thanks to YouTube gurus, natural hair blogs, and constant experimentation, I feel like I finally know how to handle my curls all on my own.

December 2012

I'm doing un-assisted top knots and everything yall. So happy! Going natural was one of the best beauty decisions I've ever made. This week I'll be doing a post on my updated hair regimen (similar to this one I did in May), my favorite products and my go-to hairstyles. Stay tuned!

LoveBrownSugar Nail Lacquer Presale Blowout

So as you guys already know, my LoveBrownSugar nail lacquer for LiSi Cosmetics (Available HERE) officially went on presale last week! I'm beyond ecstatic - there are a few pictures above in the Instagram collage from my launch event. So far, you guys have been snatching them up! This week I'll have a few nail tutorial posts up documenting different ways you can style the "LoveBrownSugar" color for your holiday fetes. In the mean time, order your bottle at SHOP LoveBrownSugar - it's only $4.90!

Inspiration Is Everywhere

Over the past few weeks, I've been really trying to hone in on what my successes and failures were in 2012 so that I can start planning for 2013. You guys know I'm a huge fan of the Vision Board as a source of inspiration. Last year I did an entire 3-Part series on creating one and I plan on doing a follow-up to that again this year.

What I'm starting to realize though, is that inspiration can come from so many different and unexpected sources. From a beautiful bouquet of roses to a childhood picture. I'm OBSESSED with the new social trend of "Throwback Thursdays" so anytime I go home, I comb through piles of old photos. I stumbled upon the one above. Me at 4 years old giving the sassiest side eye of life. According to my friends, I still give people this exact look. Anyway, I once heard that if you're trying to figure out what your true passion is, you should look to your past. Look to those days of your innocence as a child with no inhibitions. Even back in the day I was expressing myself in fashion (check my jean jumper and shoelace bow!) and throwing subtle shade.

So ladies & gents, if you're confused or anxious about where you're going in life, get inspired by where you've been, and where you will eventually be...

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... 

LoveBrownSugar Feature: Glamour.com

Guys! One more bucket list item checked off my list! Yesterday, I was featured on GLAMOUR Magazine's website. Beyond elated that the editors at Glamour saw it fit to include me in their roundup of "Cold Weather Outfit Ideas You'll Want To Steal" from their favorite bloggers.

They featured my LoveBrownSugar Chic: Sneak Peek outfit - my fave H&M leather dress and a vintage red blazer. 

Check me out in Slot # 4 HERE. Whoop whoop! *tootsie rolls*