Instaweek 11.12.12

In The Morning
Happy Monday! I have to say, Monday mornings are normally quite mundane for me. There's something about Monday morning that conjures up feelings of dread and anxiety. I stumble out of bed, rush out the door (because I'm normally running late), hop on a crowded train to work and count the many ways I'll probably have a horrible week. This Monday is different though. Not that my circumstances have changed. But I woke up this morning feeling overwhelmingly grateful for all the wonderful things I have in life. I'm determined to make this a great week despite undesirable circumstances. The minute you take time to change your perspective and focus on what's great about your life instead of all the things horrible about it, your emotions makes a shift as well. Positivity breeds positivity and the same goes for negativity. So this week, I implore you guys to reset the negative mental tape in your head and focus on seeing the positive in your life situation. It makes a HUGE difference, trust.

New Beauty
Cece's Curls are back y'all! I spent last week experimenting with new hair styles. My 2 Year Natural anniversary is coming up soon and I'm ecstatic. My curls have grown out so much. I'll have some posts up later this week about my hair style experiments. On the hair topic, the wonderful folks at Jane Carter sent me a sample of their Curl Defining Cream. I plan on giving it a try this week. Also, Maybelline has recently released their own version of the nail applique trend (top left)- Maybelline Color Show Fashion Prints Nail Stickers. They sent me samples of two of their styles. Pics of that should be coming soon as well. Can't wait to try them!

Rocked The Vote
Whoop whoop! I'm sure I'm not the only one ecstatic about last week's election results. I'm happy I had the opportunity to fulfill my civic duty and I hope you guys were able to as well. Also, thanks to those of you who entered my Rachel Roy "VOTE" tee contest - the winner has been announced on the page here.

Happy Birthday Ursula Stephens (Slash...I Was 2 Feet From Rihanna Y'all!)
Celebrity hairstylist and Motions Haircare spokesperson Ursula Stephen celebrated her birthday last Thursday evening at Boudoir in downtown NYC. Ursula is most noted as the hairstylist who transforms Rihanna's coif ever so often and drastically puts beauty aficionados in a state of shock & wonder with her red carpet looks. Yep, she's major. I was invited to celebrate her birthday last week along with countless other bloggers, editors and celebs like Taraji P. Henson, Toccara and (gasp!) Rihanna (middle left)! Y'all. She walked in and I nearly fainted. She was about 2 feet from me. And she's absolutely gorgeous in person. I didn't get to "meet" her sadly. She made a beeline for VIP and stayed there. It wasn't like My Chance Encounter With Kanye BUT it was magical nonetheless.

How did you guys spend your week? Talk to me!

Red Carpet Fashion: Black Girls Rock Awards 2012

Tonight BET Networks premiered the annual Black Girls Rock Awards and in true red-carpet fashion, our favorite females showed their support as well as their impeccable sense of style. Black Girls Rock is always one of my absolute favorite award shows, not just for the fashions but because these celebrities are supporting such an amazing cause. Empowerment of young females of color is so incredibly important so I make it a point to watch and support the show every year. Here are a few of my favorite looks from the red carpet:

Roc Nation songstress Bridget Kelly served it up on the carpet in a body-conscious black dress, statement jewels and her signature blunt bangs (done by celebrity hairstylist Keith Campbell)

Black was definitely the theme of the night. Lala Vasquez-Anthony showed up in a body-hugging Balmain black velvet number, a sophisticated updo and classic Louboutin black pumps.

Marsha Ambrosius was glowing in a fitted black blazer and statement belt, luscious curls, and rhinestone hoops.

Janelle Monae (who's a new spokesperson for Covergirl) looked amazing in her signature tuxedo "uniform" with a little diamond embellishment.

Taraji P. Henson broke the mold in a glittering gold DVF number. Super classy and well-fitted. Loved it!

Ciara went with an architectural silhouette and slicked back hair. Not gonna lie, I was a little confused by this look, but I'll let her live.

Meagan Good served a glowing post-wedding glow with tapered layers, a red lip and a full on black ensemble. She rocked a cropped turtleneck top and a flowing maxi skirt.

The hostesses of Black Girls Rock - Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King pose with performer Keyshia Cole on the red carpet.

Per usual, Tracee Ellis Ross served a fierce face and a luscious head of curls. That berry lip is everything! Definitely doing a "Get The Look" for this one soon.

Who doesn't LIVE for Kerry Washington? I am here for her. Love this beauty look. She's giving a sophisticated updo, a red lip and a dainty beaded Marchesa cocktail dress.

For more pictures from the Black Girls Rock red carpet, head on over to LoveBrownSugar on Facebook. There are tons more. Leave comments and let me know your thoughts over there.

Photos by Shade Freeland of ShadedBlaque Photography

Which red carpet look was your fave? Soundoff below!

Celeb-Spotting at the BET Awards Ford Hotspot

So I told you guys all about my red carpet run-ins yesterday, but the real celeb spotting took place at the Ford Hotspot backstage, complete with the 2013 Ford Fusion as a centerpiece. Take a peek at all the amazing people I met and a few I interviewed:

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Cover Girls: Meagan Good For VIBE Vixen

Red is clearly the color of the month. Makes sense, it's the color of love, right? We went from gushing over Beyonce post-preggers in a red Alice By Temperley dress to Meagan Good on the cover of VIBE Vixen. This picture of the new Californication star is amaze. She looks absolutely stunning.

That red dress? Mama is proud!

Speaking of red dresses, I'm super excited to be kicking off my New York Fashion Week schedule with The Heart Truth's Red Dress collection show tonight! The Heart Truth is an organization founded to create awareness for women's heart health, backed by the National Heart Lung and Blood Association. Each February they host a show and have notable celebs walk the runways in designer donated red dresses. 

Last season, Taraji P. Henson walked the show (Read that NYFW post here) and she looked stunning in a Naeem Khan dress. This season I'm looking forward to seeing Chaka Khan and LaLa Vazquez Anthony walk the show among other notable celebs. Make sure you follow me on Twitter @LoveBrownSugar to get the tea on what's happening this fashion week.

Stop right there! Have you voted for me on the Silver Jeans Co Facebook page yet? Click 'Like' on my style post! I'm the chosen representative for the East Coast! And if you comment, you'll be entered to win a free pair of jeans!

Fierce or Foolish: Galas, Darling

This past weekend was chock full of galas and celebrity sightings, a sure sign of the spring season. Here are some notable red carpet flicks from the weekend:

Common Ground Foundation Gala

Keke Palmer

It-girl Keke Palmer was honored this weekend at Common's first annual Common Ground Foundation Gala as a "Woman of Excellence". She graced the red carpet in a silk ruffled mini dress and nude heels.

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!