On Sunday, I succumbed completely to reggae fever. My husband and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary at Best of the Best, the biggest dancehall reggae festival in America. And as you can see, I went decked out in Rasta colored resplendence.

I’m rockin’ those Reggaelicious hoop earrings, and some big faux designer sunglasses, because I sweated off all my eyeshadow. Oh, and don’t ask me what that pose is — I’ve got my rum and coke in hand and was having a whole lotta fun, so I have no explanation.

Like my shirt? It’s made by G*ology, a fresh teeshirt line out of England designed by Gabrielle Smith. These are men’s tees, so I modified mine using tips from Generation T: 108 Ways to Modify a T-Shirt, a pretty handy book written by Megan Nicolay. G*ology has other afrobella friendly shirts — do you not love the sassy “My Afro Is Too Big For This Tiara” tee? I do. Go ‘head, Gabi!

If you want a lengthy review of the concert, here’s a brilliant and detailed one by Esther Park. I agree with quite a bit of what she said — and as an oft-conflicted fan of dancehall music, I’d like to say that I was really happy that none of the artists used the stage to incite any messages of violence or hate. I’ve seen it happen at past concerts, and it’s made me actually leave a show before. But this year’s Best of the Best had positive vibes. The atmosphere was truly celebratory and lovely. Several of the artists sang about Barack Obama, and the pride his candidacy makes them feel. One of my new favorite artists, Tarrus Riley, did an improvised song about America having its first black president, and it warmed my heart to see so many island people waving their flags and applauding the prospect.

I will say, I’ve seen several of the performers before, and I’ve seen them put on better shows — Buju in particular left me a little disappointed. But I’m just biased, because I was hoping for a more mellow Til Shiloh type of set, and Buju was in a dancehall frame of mind. He opened with Me and Oonu, so if you’re a fan you know the kind of speed his set started off with. He slowed down eventually and did a range of his classic material — from How The World a Run to Driver A (which I adore). Machel Montano made flags fly, and Sizzla Kolanji did a tremendous set, delivering 15 minutes of pure fire. Yes — 15 minutes was all the time he had, because of time constraints and scheduling issues. As much as I agreed with Esther’s review, to me the absolute highlight of the whole show was Barrington Levy. Longtime readers might remember, I’m a big, big fan. I already knew I was in for an experience, and I got what I came for. He holds the audience in the palm of his hand. His voice rings out strong and true, and he’s all about interactivity. He hardly sang a word of Too Experienced — we all sang lustily, word for word. It was a beautiful, blessed moment, with the sun setting in the background. We loved it.

Barrington delivered a barrage of hits, and he granted my husband’s wish — all he wanted was to hear that skiddly-waddily-iddily-diddily-diddily-whoa-oh-oh live and in person. And he got his wish and then some. I wish there was good live footage from the show, but in lieu of that, there’s this. Live Barrington from the Bongidae festival in 2005. This is Murderer.

I hope Barrington comes back for next year’s show!

All in all, it was a great experience, filled with island pride, good food, gorgeous weather, and wicked live music. If you’re a fan of reggae music, definitely make the trek to Miami next year — this show is worth it.

I met her at the La Guardia airport, a pretty bella with locks and a broad, inviting smile. The seat beside hers was the only empty space in the waiting lounge. She had a rambunctious five-year-old with her, and we exchanged pleasantries as we waited for our flight to start boarding. We chit chatted about life in Miami as she playfully disciplined her kid. “You can take him home with you if you like,” she declared. “I’ll give you his little suitcase and everything.” “Wow, this lady is so friendly!” I thought. I don’t even recall how the conversation steered towards beauty or fragrance or candles… but all of sudden she asked me — “have you ever heard of Partylite?” Why no, I hadn’t. My new friend pulled out a catalog from her purse right then and there and started introducing me to the direct selling candle emporium that she hosts home parties for. She told me how much she loves candles, loves what she does, and how perfect of a fit Partylite was for her. I browsed through the catalog — I am obsessed with reed diffusers nowadays, so we talked about those for a while while she raved over every product in the catalog. All the while, I was smiling on the inside and thinking to myself — I love a side hustler. Also, I just might have to buy me one of those reed diffusers.

A side hustle is whatever job you do in addition to your 9 to 5 gig, to help you make ends meet, stack your paper, or just find a lucrative release from the drudgery of your day-to-day biz. Some ladies are creative enough to make products at home, and they can sell their items online (or through Etsy or Ebay). If you aren’t a crafty-enough chick to produce sell-able products, maybe you’re considering the vast world of direct sales. You know, the bellas who come to your house and throw product parties?

According to the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance, more than 73% of direct sellers world-wide are women. And the options for direct sales have moved far beyond Tupperware and Amway. Even the old stand-bys have reinvented their images — Avon now has surprising celebrity endorsers, like Jennifer Hudson, Salma Hayek, and Reese Witherspoon.

Mary Kay apparently has been a celebrity hit backstage at the Emmys, and has gotten into the mineral trend in a big way. Both product lines are continually coming out with new items to keep their brand fresh and relevant. I’ve never personally sold products from either Avon or Mary Kay, but I have known many women who do, and it seems that it can be a lucrative business if you’ve got real sales ability. I’ve even reviewed products by two newer beauty direct sales companies — Urban Botanic (click here for my review), and Warm Spirit (click here for that one).

The thing about the traditional direct home sales companies is, you’re typically expected to recruit your friends into the biz. For bellas who are looking for a different approach to direct sales, there’s a new beauty biz on the block — L’Bel Paris. I originally discovered them when I wrote about them, for my Miami New Times beauty blog, Pretty in the City.

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“When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I say is ‘Thank you for waking me up this morning.’ Then I look in the mirror and say, ‘You are beautiful!’ The third thing I say is, ‘I am going to have a fantastic day!’”

This is why I love Andre J, better known to Crunk & Disorderly readers as Gaymonn. I absolutely admire his unflappable joie de vivre. And I love the photos on NY Photo Forum.

Beauty blog superstar Tia Williams recently released her latest book, Sixteen Candles! Tia is truly an inspiration to me (and so many other beauty bloggers out there) — not only is she blazing trails with fun, clever young adult literature, but she co-wrote one of my bona fide go-to beauty bibles, Iman’s The Beauty of Color. If you’ve got a young adult in your life, click here to pick up some summer reading material for them.

And speaking of fabulous beauty bloggers… congratulations to the wonderful All About The Pretty, for winning Total Beauty’s Best Beauty Reporting Award! I love her blog.

Racialicious is one of my favorite blogs out there, and they’ve been doing amazing stuff of late. Now they’ve been collaborating with one of my favorite fashion blogs, Make Fetch Happen. Both blogs are really excellently written, thoughtful, and smart. I learn so much from Latoya, Carmen, and Brigitte.

Click here to read their take on Liya Kebede’s latest “exotic” Vogue fashion shoot, and click here to see a complete slide show of images.

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I spotted this photo over at Necole Bitchie, and I gotta thank her for introducing me to the work of Atlanta-based photographer Derek Blanks. His photos are really edgy and interesting, and I was absolutely captivated by this photo of former Afrobella of the Week Chrisette Michele, meeting herself as celebrity and admirer. I love the hot, chic short hair trend, it’s infinitely preferable to the ten-pound-weave so many celebs were rocking. And her makeup… oh, her makeup. Chrisette looks absolutely flawless, IMO.

On the glamorous celebrity Chrisette, the eye shadow looks kind of like MAC’s Sketch shadow, which is described as an “intense burgundy-plum flecked with red shimmer.” I say this because MAC makeup artist Victor C. once did a mall makeover on me and used that shade to a very similar effect, and I’ve been mildly obsessed with it ever since. Seeing that gorgeous smokey burgundy/brown/purple eye on Chrisette makes me wanna go buy it. And if you’re seeking a MAC alternative, b.l.a.c minerals’ patience eyeshadow is a perfect alternative. Deep burgundy purple with a subtle sparkle. Magical.

Chrisette’s blush has the same gorgeous shimmer that NARS orgasm does, so I’m guessing it’s NARS. And speaking of NARS orgasm — bellas, I must say there really is something magical about gold-flecked orange blush on brown skin. Apparently the brighter the better — beauty blogger GG points out that crayon orange looks gorgeous on brown skin, and NYX cream blush in Orange is a nearly identical match to NARS Exhibit A for a fraction of the price. In case you were wondering, “Is that NARS orgasm blush worth it?” It’s $25 a pop, but I’d say yes — a little goes a long way, and this color didn’t fade from my face as soon as other blushes have. Also, I was shocked that Orgasm complimented my skin as much as it did, even though I’d read so many reviews that suggested that it is the universally perfect blush. (hat tip to BellaSugar for the Revlon blush-alike).

In this photo, Chrisette’s blush is more of a rose-bronze-berry — I’d guess it’s Sin– berry with gold shimmer. Too much Sin can look muddy, so go light with the application. For a brighter cheek, Valana Minerals’ cheeky plumeria blush is close enough — sheer pink with silvery brown highlights, and very pretty on brown skin.

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I gotta tell y’all, the Erykah Badu concert experience was truly, truly remarkable. I’d planned to do a whole giant review, but I think Rich from Four Four, and the amigo Jonathan Cunningham both reviewed it so eloquently, I didn’t think I could add much more. They captured every nuance.

I’ll say this — I echo Jonathan’s sentiment completely — I wish The Roots played longer. We arrived during Proceed, and more than half of the amphitheater was still empty.

They did a sick medley of covers, ranging from Kool and the Gang’s Jungle Boogie to Mims’ This is Why I’m Hot. I have some video, and I’ll try to upload it (if it’s good enough). It was over too soon. And also I gotta add, Black Thought is a surprisingly good singer! He busted out some Teddy Pendergrass stylee, I was feeling it. LOL. Also, I love the theatrics of the phenomenally talented Captain Kirk Douglas, but I know I wasn’t the only one who wished Erykah had joined them on “You Got Me.” Just because. I mean, c’mon. She’s right there backstage!

Erykah opened so strong — strutting and voguing on a mirrored stage, she and her backup singers really put on a compelling, stunning show. Of her newest material, The Healer was a highlight, and Soldier is my new favorite song. She held the audience in the palm of her hand for that one. It’s set to be her next single, and it’s already a bona fide classic. Here’s the VH1 Soul performance, if you haven’t yet got a copy of New Amerykah Vol. 1.

Yes, siree.

Her overall performance was dynamic, striking, moody, complex, and yes — interpretive. She’s an inspiration, a creative dervish, a true icon. There was a definite lag in crowd energy during some of her slower songs — I was shocked at how many people left well before the encore. But she did play a two-hour set, and it was a school night. If you’re an Erykah fan who’s on the fence and wondering if you should shell out the bucks to see this show, I’d say go for it. Erykah’s Vortex is an experience worth having, and you get your money’s worth. You’ll leave feeling rebooted, refreshed, and restarted.

Click here for a slideshow of photos by Logan Fazio.

Bellas and fellas, I need a little break. I have been working on one of those long posts for y’all (Side Hustlin’, coming soon), but it feels like my life’s moving faster than my fingers can. As I said yesterday, my parents are in town for the month, my work deadlines don’t move for anybody, and besides all of that I’m trying to fit in as much Afrobella time as possible. But tonight, I’m throwing it all to the wind and letting my hair down. I’m abandoning all responsibility and going to see this fierce bella right here!

I. Cannot. Wait. I’ve only seen Erykah once — 1999 at the Bob Marley Festival here in Miami. To prove how absolutely long ago that was, Lauryn Hill was the headliner and she brought out her little baby Zion to serenade him with “a new song off her latest album.”. My, what a difference a decade has made.

Erykah’s touring with The Roots, and I love, love, love The Roots so much. They put it down so hard, and the band is just tight. I’m ready for a sick performance by two of my favorite artists. I’ll be back with a fresh post tomorrow to tell you all about it!

Here I come!

My homie Jonathan Cunningham interviewed Questlove, and wrote an interesting article leading up to tonight’s performance. Click here to read it!