Fashion Countdown: 83rd Annual Oscar Awards

 You guys have heard it all before, and if you follow me on Twitter you probably already know who my fashion faves were from the Oscars. Just in case you don't, here they are! My top 10 best & worst from the 83rd Annual Academy Awards red carpet...

Top 5 Looks: Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon

Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Tamera Mowry. Photos courtesy UPTOWNMagazine.com

 Yesterday in Tinseltown, Essence Magazine held their annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon. Featuring the top names in film, television & more, the occasion called for fierce ensembles in a ladies-who-lunch kinda way. Check out some of the highlights featuring my top 5 favorite looks of the event...

Flavor of Friday: Bloglovin'

This week's Flavor of Friday is dedicated to a few of my favorite bloggers who are doing big things. Like a good neighbor, LoveBrownSugar is here. Check out what these bloggers are up to, and how you all can show your support...

Happy Birthday to Masque Magazine!

My friends over at Masque Magazine are celebrating their 2nd Blogaversary - yaay! *throws confetti*

Now instead of asking for roses and diamonds and pearls, they're asking for readers and friends alike to support an amazing cause called GirlUp. GirlUp is a campaign under the United Nations that gives American girls a chance to help out all the girls of the world. Find out more about it over at Masque Magazine and show your support.

Fierce or Foolish: Beyonce in L'Officiel Magazine

Beyonce covers L'Officiel Magazine

 So by now I'm sure most of you have seen or at least heard about Beyonce's new photo spread for French fashion magazine L'Officiel Paris in which the pop starlet was commissioned to pay tribute to the late Fela Kuti? In case you haven't heard, it has generated quite the controversy as Beyonce agreed to shoot one of the looks for the magazine's 90th Anniversary issue in blackface! See below for more pics...

The PJ Chronicles: Forever 21 Nail Color

Forever 21 Love & Beauty Nail Color, $2.80 each

Forever 21 is good for alot of things. Fast & affordable fashions, cute shoes (that aren't necessarily comfortable but cute nonetheless) and now...beauty products! I may be the last person on earth to realize that they actually sell beauty items like nail polish but I felt I had to share my experience with you all. For just under $3, they offer bright & vibrant colors that surprisingly have staying power if you employ the right techniques. Here's what I did...

LoveBrownSugar Feature: VOGUE Black

I am completely overwhelmed and overjoyed with this news. I found out over the weekend that yours truly has been featured in VOGUE!

Words can't even express how excited I am to be among the company of style greats like top model Ajak, stylists June Ambrose and Crystal Streets, and bloggers Tamu McPherson of All The Pretty Birds and Karen Blanchard of WhereDidUGetThat to name a few!

Photo courtesy Swagger360 for VOGUE Black.

I have to send a HUGE shoutout and internet hug to my good friend Guerre of Swagger 360 for snapping this amazing photo of me. Although my feet were killing me, he made me look like a glamazon. That's what great photographers do right? I saw Guerre everyday on my way to the tents at NY Fashion Week, snapping away and capturing beauties on the NYC pavement. I'm just glad to call myself one of his featured subjects. Anyway, check out the feature over at VOGUE Black.

Oh yeah, here are my outfit credits. (A few of you asked about my pink floral top from [THIS] post).

Fur coat: Vintage, Top: American Apparel, Pants: H&M, Shoes: Forever21, Fringe Bag: H&M, Ring: Forever21

Soundoff below - tell me what you think!

Kickin' It: Cocktails & Couture Blogger Event

 On the evening of February 12th, I attended an epic event combining some of the best and brightest fashion & beauty bloggers all under one roof! The Cocktails and Couture event hosted by beauty blogger Lianne Farbes of MakeupGirl.net was an amazing time. From the fruity drinks with blogger bffs to the networking and "filled-to-the-brim" goodie bags, I had an absolute ball!

Kickin' It: Black Style Bloggers NYFW Tweet-Up

Jared Michael Lowe, Keenyah Hill of ANTM season 4, Myself. Photo courtesy CentricTV.com

 Hey loves! This past Tuesday night at CV Lounge in downtown NYC, I had an absolute blast at the first-ever Black Style Blogger's New York Fashion Week Tweet-Up planned by yours truly and Jared Michael Lowe of Lowefactor.com. To say I'm proud is an understatement. I'm elated! Being the first event of this magnitude that myself and Lowefactor have hosted, I was so overhwhelmed by all the love and positive feedback about the event. Here's what went down...

Kickin' It: IFB Conference Fall 2011

 Hey folks! Phew, what a whirlwind week and it's not even over yet! While I'm running around like a madwoman for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I've had absolutely no time to fill you guys in on my whereabouts but I promise the neglect will soon cease! By Thursday, things will have slowed down and I'll be posting away about all my expeditions this season. In the meantime, here's a brief recap of my FAB time at the IFB Conference:

 This was my third season attending the Independent Fashion Blogger's conference and I had a blast. It's such a great time to meet people in the blogosphere that you communicate with regularly online but never get to see face to face! 

Karen of WhereDidUGetThat & I

I had the opportunity of bumping into Karen of WhereDidUGetThat while at the conference. She's such a sweetheart, and I absolutely adore her street style! Check out her blog, it does NOT disappoint.

I also had the chance to catch up with the lovely Gabi Gregg of Young, Fat & Fabulous. We had a ball at the conference. Gabi is also MTV's first-ever Twitter Jockey and she tweets for them over at @MTVTJ so make sure to keep up with her celebrity sightings and pop culture gab on Twitter. I also have the pleasure of FINALLY meeting Vahni of Grit & Glamour. Love her posts but we'd never met! And I also bumped into my namesake Christina, of Profreshstyle. As soon as I find a pic of her outfit, I will post. She looked amazing.

Pic snapped for Shopbop's Best Dressed Blogger contest.

 This year's conference, held at Milk Studios NY was extremely informative for new, and even established bloggers who wanted to learn and get feedback about how to make their blogs better. Sponsors included Shopbop, who hosted a really cool "Best Dressed Blogger" contest at their booth. TheFind, who provided the amazing goodie bags, and so many more! Special thanks to Jennine of The Coveted and Jess of Bits of Banter over at IFB for allowing me the opportunity to work behind the scenes during the conference. I got a chance to take video interviews of amazing bloggers for a video recap that the folks at IFB are working on. Can't wait to see what it looks like!

If you're a fashion blogger and you haven't signed up yet, head over to the IFB Website and register to join the community. It has helped me IMMENSELY not just with information, but also with networking opportunities. Anyone looking to grow their blog and make it better should be part of the community.

Catch up with you guys later! Follow LoveBrownSugar on Twitter for hour-by-hour updates of my fashion week experience.

 

LBS Runway Report: Vivienne Tam

 This season was my first attending a preview of Vivienne Tam's collection. I was more than overjoyed to receive an invite considering I've always loved her line. So it was no surprise that her Fall 2011 collection was one of my favorites of the season. She took it back to her roots and incorporated a balance of ancient and modern Chinese inspirations. Her pieces were detailed and artful but still very wearable.

June Ambrose, Deborah Cox at Vivienne Tam Fall 2011

After the show, I bumped into Deborah Cox and June Ambrose. I happened to land a seat right behind the two of them during the show. Lovely ladies they are. June had her mini-me aka her daughter in tow. How adorable is she!

Cynthia Bailey, model & reality star Real Housewives of Atlanta

I also caught a glimpse of Cynthia Bailey of Real Housewives of Atlanta. In true ATL fashion, she was sporting a colorful dress and wide-brimmed hat. Gotta love those housewives!

Me & Angela Simmons

Backstage I caught up with my girl Angela Simmons, who expressed that she absolutely loved Vivienne Tam's collection. She also mentioned that she was headed to Las Vegas for the MAGIC trade shows to help promote the Pastry Collection. She's someone I truly admire for putting in work. When you have a dream, no matter how famous/rich you are, you still have to work to keep it alive. Check out Angela's Fashion Week Diaries feature with LoveBrownSugar last season. It's one of my faves!

Here she is being interviewed by my girl Elaine Welteroth of Ebony Magazine. Elaine is so gorge, don't you love her frames? I snapped pics of her for LoveBrownSugar's Street Style last season.

Shoutout to my girls Kanayo Ebi and Tamar Bazin who I bumped into backstage as well. They're part of Angela's fab team - love those ladies!

LBS Runway Report: Rebecca Taylor Fall 2011

The Rebecca Taylor Fall 2011 collection was another one of my season favorites. I love how Rebecca's lines, no matter the season, are always feminine, fun and flirty. There are always appropriate pops of color and the beaded embellishments, long maxi silhouettes and tailored pieces in the Fall 2011 collection were enough to keep my attention going. 

 This beaded fuschia pieces was one of my favorites of the Fall 2011 collection. Fun & girly but still chic. Who says Fall has to be all about muted neutrals and long pants?

At the Rebecca Taylor show I ran into the fierce and fabulous June Ambrose once again, rocking another one of her iconic head accessories. June loves a good fur.

I also bumped into Garcelle Beauvais! Remember her? Fancy on The Jamie Foxx Show? I was surprised to see her but she looked amazing. Clad in Rebecca Taylor as well.

Overall, a great show. I enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing what she has in store for next spring, come September.

LBS Runway Report: BCBGMAXAZRIA Fall 2011

 Yesterday was my first official day of runway shows under the tents at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. What a whirlwind day! My first stop was the BCBGMAZXAZRIA show. 

 Trends I spotted at this show were color-blocking, maxi dresses and belts belts belts!

Garcelle Beauvais, Ashanti

Front row at BCBG were celebs like Taraji P. Henson, Garcelle Beauvais, Ashanti and Kelly Rowland.Taraji is an absolute doll! I stopped her backstage and she gladly took this pic with me. 

Taraji & Me

 Kelly Rowland, a BCBG front-row mainstay looked gorgeous as well. I'm glad she's back to the short cut sans the blond streaks.

To access all the BCBGMAXAZRIA runway photos, 'Like' LoveBrownSugar on Facebook and check the Runway Album HERE.

NYFW Kickoff: Heart Truth's Red Dress + Bar III Launch Party

 On the official kickoff night to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week I had a ball attending my first show of the season, The Heart Truth’s Red Dress collection, and kicking it in the Flatiron district for the pop-up store launch of Bar III!

LBS Runway Report: Christian Siriano

 As you can see, this season I've decided to do something a little bit different. In the past, I've been the type to write runway reviews for every runway show I attend. The good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between. This season, I'm taking a different approach and I'm only reviewing the collections that I myself enjoyed the most, and those I think you'll enjoy too. Feel free to check out all my runway reviews over at UPTOWN Magazine. But here on LoveBrownSugar, you'll only find the ones I completely DIED for. Christian Siriano was one of them. 

Aside from the lust-worthy platform stilettos his models stomped the runways in, Christian Siriano's collection was full of innovative design, opulent fabrics and red-carpet worthy gowns. I absolutely loved it. It's obvious he goes great lengths to work intricate detailing into his pieces, because it shows. And the shoes! My goodness, let's just say next season's Christian Siriano for Payless digs are going to be major.

While there, I bumped into a few notables. One being gossip/entertainment blogger Necole Bitchie. Don't you love her hair? She's fab.

Also bumped into the lovely Crystal Streets who I first met at the Ginger & Liz event last September. She's a celebrity stylist, reality star (House of Glam) and now added to the roster of titles - jewelry designer! Crystal has a new line of jewelry called LyraLoveStar which she debuted under the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week tents at Lincoln Center. Be sure to check out her collection, it's amazing.

LoveBrownSugar's New York Fashion Week Begins!

It's that time of the year again! You know, the time of the year when runway reviews overtake the site, celebrity sightings and subsequent Twitpics abound and street style photos are a daily occurrence? Cue the Andy Williams soundtrack "It's-the-most-wonderful-time-of the year!" It's New York Fashion Week ladies and gents!

Kelly Roland & Ashlee Simpson, BCBG SP'11 Runway Show

Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week doesn't officially kick off until tomorrow February 10th, but believe it or not I'll be covering my first few shows between this afternoon and this evening. At 2pm today, I'll be attending the Jsong Way show and this evening at 7PM will officially begin my coverage under the tents with the Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection. Each day I'll be giving you guys a taste of NYFW as I see it, from celebrity interviews to runway pics and fun videos so stay tuned and check back daily.

As part of my New York Fashion Week coverage, I'm proud to announce that LoveBrownSugar will be welcoming a new contributor to the site! Thus far, you guys have heard mainly from myself with the occasional cameo from my bff Jasmine touting her beauty regimen and recommended products.Well now I'm welcoming a new fashionista to the family. Her name is Sisi and she's the fab blogger behind MyModestMouth. With my crazy hectic NYFW schedule, I knew I couldn't take on this season's shows without a little help and fortunately this lovely diva came to the rescue...

Sisi, Blogger, MyModestMouth.com

 Be sure to check out her blog AND vote for her! She is one of the Top 3 contestants on Refinery29's Style Blogger competition. All you have to do is head over to the contest page HERE and vote! Contest closes this weekend so head over there now and show her some LBS love!

Me, Angela Simmons, Kanayo Ebi 

Before I head off to the craziness that is Fashion Week, here are 3 things you should do to keep up with the madness on LoveBrownSugar (and make me feel like this all worth while):

1) Follow me on Twitter! I'm a maniac on that thing, but I promise if you follow, you'll enjoy the ride. I'll be taking twitpics of the collections as I see them, as well as the celebs I see front row.

2) 'Like" LoveBrownSugar on Facebook! All the runway photos I take that don't end up on LoveBrownSugar.com, end up in the Facebook Photo Albums. So if you'd like to see the collection photos right on your mini feed, just head over and click 'Like'. I mean, I like you all! Hopefully you like me too :)

3) Subscribe to LoveBrownSugarTV on Youtube! All my celebrity front-row interviews will be available here, as well as the final walkthroughs for each of the shows. Don't miss a beat!

Wish me luck and be sure to check back daily for updates. Also, comment below and tell me - which shows are you most looking forward to and why? I wanna know your favorite designers. Soundoff below!

Cover Girls: Halle Berry for Ebony Magazine

So remember the other week when I attended the Ebony Mag + Macy's For The Love of Color event? Well I had a little chit-chat with the Editor-in-Chief of Ebony Magazine and she mentioned that March's issue was going to be amazing. Well, she wasn't lying. Peep who's on their cover...

Hot! Will this woman ever look bad? What do you think about the cover? Soundoff below!

Flavor of Friday: Fashion Week Prep Secrets

Harper's Bazaar posted this really cute feature on popular fashion bloggers and what their Fashion Week prep secrets are. Well as I'm gearing up for next week's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week craziness as well, I figured I would give a hand at the Q&A. I may not have been featured, but I still have my secrets to share! Here they are...

H&M Spring Releases + Nitrolicious Video

Raise your hand if you're ready for Spring! So the Groundhog didn't see his shadow this year. I'm excited, not just because of our furry friend's early Spring prediction, but because the sooner Spring comes, the sooner I get to don some of these amazing H&M Spring Collection 2011 pieces!

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Ferality Boutique Sample Sale

Just in time for V-day gifting, one of my favorite hotspots Ferality Show Boutique in NYC is having a major sample sale. Check out the deets below!

From February 3rd - February 6th, Ferality Boutique will be having its annual sample sale. Pieces include some of last season's finest from Mara Hoffman, Camilla and Marc and Nanushka as well as We Are Owls cashmere scarves all 50% off. Line knitwear's cashmere sweaters, Left On Houston knits and Siwy jeans in all denim washes are also all 50% off. Come by Ferality, 62 Clinton Street (btwn Rivington and Stanton) 12 - 7 pm to pick up some of the best deals of the season!

NYC divas, if you make it out to the sale tell them LoveBrownSugar sent you!

Kickin' It: TV One Press Luncheon w/ Tatyana Ali + Toccara

Tatyana Ali, Me

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a press luncheon for TV One’s new lineup of original programming. At the luncheon I bumped into lovely ladies I admire like Tatyana Ali and Toccara! Take a peek…

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Banana Republic Spring 2011

 

Take a look at Banana Republic’s Spring 2011 campaign, dubbedb "Journey in Style". The folks over at BR sent me these images and this preview of their fashion trailer, inspired by the brand’s heritage of discovery...

Drawing on the themes of exploration, travel, and the classic American road trip, Banana Republic has released a beautiful film trailer– a first for the brand – starring models Angela Lindvall and Jamie Dornan. Take a peek - makes me wanna go on vacay/go shopping...

What do you think? Will you be shopping Banana Republic's spring collection?

Fierce or Foolish: Meagan Good

Actress Meagan Good was spotted out partying in ATL wearing the following outfit...

I don't know about you all but this gets a "Foolish" from me. This gray top looks like one that should be saved for lounging around the house when no one is looking. Slapping a fancy belt on it doesn't change the fact that it's an oversized gray tank. I like her makeup though. 

What's the verdict? Fierce or Foolish? Soundoff below!

Image Source

Ebony Mag + Macy's For The Love of Color Event

Last Thursday night, I had the pleasure of attending a collaborative event hosted by Ebony Magazine & Macy's called For The Love of Color. A commemorative fashion exhibit in honor of the late Eunice Johnson, the event was chock full of color & style. I had the pleasure of running into celebrity stylist June Ambrose again. I hadn't seen her since last September's Fashion's Night Out so of course I was enthralled.

June Ambrose in Lanvin x H&M

 Ms. Ambrose is the queen of the fierce turban, so when she complimented mine I almost fainted - what an honor. Here she is with my girl Claire of TheFashionBomb.

I also ran into my fave beauty guru Sam Fine. I was so proud to be wearing my Iman Cosmetics bronzer that he specifically recommended I try during his last blogger event. (Check out Sam Fine's Top 10 Beauty Lessons for more on that.) He says I'm too light-handed, "More is more honey!" Next time I'll go a little more intense.

I also ran into Desiree Rogers, former White House Social Secretary and now CEO of Johnson Publishing. She looked absolutely amazing in Louis Vuitton. 

 Isn't she fab? Can't wait to see how they revamp Ebony Mag. Stay tuned!