When I sit to put my makeup on, I sometimes try to evoke the look of the beauty icons who inspire me the most. Of late, I’ve found endless inspiration in flapper chic and the biggest stars of that twinkling era. Especially if I’m going out on a romantic dinner date, or a fab night out with my girlfriends – I love decadent, 1920’s-style film noir quality makeup.

Consider the look of forgotten legend Nina Mae McKinney, who was known as the Black Garbo back in the 1930’s. Flawless. Timeless. Click here to read my Black Voices homage to her.

And behold, my forever inspiration, Josephine Baker. Drink in the stunning photo I found on the amazing Flickr site Discover Black Heritage. To me, Josephine is the definition of gorgeous. I wrote about her for Vogue Black this week, and they’ve posted some amazing photos of her to accompany the article. Click here for that.
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And this time I wrote all about body scrubs for gorgeous skin.

I gave a long overdue shout out to one of my besties in the beauty blogosphere, Julia of All About the Pretty. I’ll tell ya, I touched her arm when we were at Fashion Week in September…her skin is like silk and velvet and all things soft and sumptuous because of the body scrub she’s been doing for years now.

Some of the hubbub and criticism of Vogue Italia’s new additions have died down, since Vogue Italia’s editor in chief wrote her rebuttal (in which she quoted ME! In Rachel Zoe’s words, I die!) And also, the announcement that the legendary Bethann Hardison is now the editor-at-large of Vogue Black quieted some naysayers.

Some of the hubbub has died down, but not all. And my attitude towards it can best be described as resigned bemusement.

I realized something recently — almost every website I write for has a variation of the word black in the title. Black Voices, Black Atlas, Afrobella, and now Vogue Black. It’s not that I’m exclusive about what I write about, I’m just passionate about celebrating our unique beauty.

Most of the time, when I read criticism of the sites I write for, it’s from white supremacists who are mad that black people have their own channel on the teevee and are living in the White House and going on fancy vacations and whatnot. To paraphrase. So I was kinda surprised that this time, the shrill voiced outrage was coming from women of color — about the fact that Vogue made a site dedicated to black beauty. I’ve come to the conclusion that I must be clueless.
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I’ve hemmed and hawed about having big news and the best being yet to come…this is one of the things I’ve been talking about.

I’m a contributor to Vogue Italia’s new site, Vogue Black!

*cue fireworks and the chorus of Hate Me Now*

And I’m not the only one! Andrea of Fly is also contributing to Vogue Black, and Gabi of Young, Fat, and Fabulous is contributing to Vogue Curvy, the new destination for full figured fashionistas.

For me this all began last November with an exciting e mail. And I kinda feel like I’ve been holding my breath the whole time. I didn’t tell my friends, or most of my family. And if you know me, you know HOW HARD THAT WAS. OMG.

Now finally, I can exhale and share the happy news.

When I was originally approached, it felt like someone told me I’d won the lottery or something. And today, to see it’s actually come to fruition…it’s amazing and overwhelming.

Vogue Black launched just yesterday and clearly the site’s got some kinks to be worked out. I have nothing to do with the photos or layout chosen for the posts — I’m sharing and creating original content and it’s as much of a surprise to me to see what photos accompany my words, as it may be to anyone else. Author bios haven’t been posted yet. The posts right now are very photo-heavy and content-light (as my friend Claire of the Fashion Bomb correctly pointed out). But it’s up, and I may be biased but I think it’s awesome. And of course, already the blogosphere is full of opinions about it.
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This year has been so rich with blessings already, and every day I have something new to be thankful for.

For example… on Saturday my husband and I strolled on over to the nearest bookstore. He needed to get computer books. And I needed to buy a few of the magazines I’m featured in this month!

That’s right, bellas. I’m in at least three magazines that I know of right now at your local newsstand.

Last December, I was flown out to San Francisco for a top secret photo shoot. Finally, the secret can be revealed! I’m in this month’s Fast Company — in a feature called The World’s Most Innovative Companies 2010. My advertising network, Glam Media is #37 on the list! Click here to read more. I’m on page 91, in a big beautiful photo alongside the bloggers of Hostess With the Mostess, Coquette (and her baby!), Stiletto Jungle, and Kristopher Dukes. The photographer — the amazing Mike McGregor, made the photo shoot so fun and engaging. SO excited about this, and thanks to Glam Media for absolutely everything. I love being part of the Glam fam!

My SECOND bit of big news is a new and exciting direction for me. You can find me on page 103 of this month’s Essence Magazine (the one with the Obamas on the cover). I’m featured in a Creme of Nature ad, along with some truly outstanding bloggers. Renee of CutieBootyCakes, Sunshyne of HairliciousInc.com, Leila of BGLHonline.com, Nadege of relaxedhairhealth.blogspot.com and I each have a photo and a quote about our favorite Creme of Nature hair product — I’m talking about the lemongrass rosemary leave in conditioner I had a giveaway of for my birthday in 2007. And if someone had told me back then — three years from now you’re going to be a product endorser in a magazine ad, I would have laughed out loud and told them to stop trippin’. But now, it’s here, it’s happening, and IT’S ABOUT TIME.
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I can be astoundingly picky when it comes to photographs of myself. I. Love. This. Photo. It was taken by amazing photographer Dan Chen, for an upcoming project that I am SUPER excited about (but can’t share with y’all just yet, but I can’t wait to tell you about!)

BTW, I mentioned this fabulous top when I mentioned my Silhouettes blogger boutique — do you like it? If you do, click here to buy it, and click here to check out my blogger boutique!

Today I am honored and excited to share an interview I did with Renae of In Her Shoes. We touched on everything from the best advice my mother ever gave me, to an average day in my life, to my thoughts on life in Chicago. Click here to read it. And if you’re not savvy to In Her Shoes yet, click here to read this amazing, inspiring blog. And click here to follow Renae on Twitter! She is a GREAT person I am delighted to know.

Thank you SO much for the opportunity, Renae! I hope you like my interview, bellas!

Bellas, I’ve got big news!

I’m thrilled and delighted to announce that fabulous plus size boutique Silhouettes has chosen lil ol’ me to be the second blogger to have a Blogger Boutique on their website! AND they wrote the sweetest post about me. I am tickled to bits.

Click here to visit my blogger boutique!

I included items for every kind of mood.

Hanging out with your boo? This chenille sweater is long, warm, cozy, and cute.

Hosting a dinner party? This beaded tunic is a statement maker that’s still comfortable (and looks GREAT with jeggings).

Going out for a night on the town? This kimono sleeve dress is elegant enough on its own — with bold jewelry and a smokey eye? Sexy sexy sexy!

I hope you like my picks. This is certainly a great start to 2010. Someday I’d love to collaborate with a great plus size retailer to someday design my own line of clothes — I feel like I’m getting closer to my dream!

What do you think? What’s your favorite pick?