LoveBrownSugar Chic: Long Walk

I've always been leggy. In elementary school, I was always the last person in line when we arranged ourselves in size order. I was always the girl assigned to shut off the lights when the class left the room and it was very rare that someone else trailed behind me. So growing up, I've always had a love/hate relationship with my legs.

Considering I spent my childhood summers scraping my knees on NYC concrete, and fending off uncontrollable mosquito bites in the bushes of my backyard - it's safe to say you won't catch me in one of those Nair commercials any time soon. But with age comes maturity, and I've learned to accept them - flaws and all.

I'm ok with my cellulite, my stretch marks, my dimples & scars...

"Scar tissue is stronger than regular tissue. Realize the strength, move on." - Henry Rollings

Vest - Urban Outfitters, Shorts - H&M, Belt, Bag, Earrings - Vintage, Shoes - Steve Madden, Silver Ring/Cuff - Street Vendors.

Is there anything about your body you've struggled with? Leave a comment. Your story could inspire someone else...

Photography by Erfu Wang

Cover Girls: La La for VIBE Vixen Digital Edition

MTV VJ, reality star, and basketball wife (the real kind) Lala Vazquez Anthony graces the digital cover of VIBE Vixen! As some of you know, I'm a contributor to VIBE's sister site Vixen so I'm super proud and excited to see La La, an industry gal I consider to be a positive and drama-free figure - being featured. Check out snippets of her interview with Vixen HERE.

What do you think of La La's return to NYC? Soundoff below!

LoveBrownSugar Feature: Essence Top 40 Fashion Blogs

I'm beyond excited and overjoyed to be featured in ESSENCE Top 40 Fashion Blogs! I woke up this morning to find tweets and Facebook mentions about the feature and I nearly died! Shoutout to Jared of Lowefactor.com for being the first to let me know I was included.

Again, I give all props and e-hugs to you guys for making this blog what it is. If it wasn't for you all reading my rants & raves, day after day, LoveBrownSugar wouldn't be what it is. Love you and thanks!

Please take a sec to check out the complete list HERE. Some of my absolute favorite blogs are featured!

Fierce: Beyonce In Lanvin (and Preggers!)

So...words can't even express my excitement over Beyonce being preggers! I found out last night on Twitter right after she made the announcement during the VMA pre-show. I feel like she's family and I've been dying to see something pop out of that womb since her and Jay-Z got together back in 2003! 

The crazy thing is, when I went to see her in concert two weeks ago, I didn't notice a thing! She was gliding across the stage in her stilettos like there wasn't anything growing inside of her. Anyway, I'm overly joyed for her and Jay-Z. Everything seems like perfect timing - new album, new baby, new life. Anyway, I thought she looked absolutely stunning in an orange Lanvin gown on the red carpet at the VMAs last night. How fab? 

What do you think of celebratory Lanvin gown - fierce or foolish? I vote fierce, clearly.

Get Like Me: Blake Scotland

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!

From Eve's character "Shelly" on Eve to Stacey Dash's protagonist "Val" on Single Ladies, the life of a boutique owner has often been glamorized as one chock full of super chic clothing, celebrity clientele, and being the head chick in charge. But contrary to popular belief, a lot of blood, sweat and tears go into making a boutique successful - especially in the Big Apple. This week's "Get Like Me" feature is young entrepreneur and boutique owner Blake Scotland. Cited as one of Hello Beautiful's 30 under 30, Blake opened her lower east Side storefront in the worst of economic times but found a way to make it work and thrive. Check out what she had to say:

Remembering Aaliyah: 4 Style Lessons She Taught Me

 As many of you may know, today is the 10 year anniversary since R&B superstar (and one of my favorite childhood artists) Aaliyah was tragically taken from this earth. As websites and magazines and celebrity friends pay tribute to the R&B legend, I've decided to share with you all my personal tribute. For as much as she's given the music industry in terms of being one of the greatest artists of her time, she's also taught us alot about personal style and effortless chic. Here are four style lessons straight from the late, great Aaliyah:

Kickin It: Tangled Tales at Hair Rules Salon NYC

“We have to do the work so that our daughters don't have to have this conversation...” 

- Michaela Angela Davis

Last night marked the first of many conversations to come, hosted by the Hair Rules Salon in Upper West Side NYC, about Tangled Tales - a community conversation about hurt, hair and heeling. LBS contributor Desiree was on the scene to capture pics and report on the eye-opening event!

 

LoveBrownSugar Feature: Olive Paperie

A lovely lady by the name of Dana, the owner and founder of Olive Paperie, was nice enough to email me a few weeks ago requesting to make stationary based on my blog. Can I say how dope and talented she is?? Dana is an incredible stationary designer who has drawn inspiration from some of my favorite blogs as well.

Check out this stationary she designed of fashion blogger Delmy of Fashion Bananas:

Love her work? Check out more of her fashion blogger features HERE. Would you purchase stationary like this?