In case you haven’t been paying attention to the fashion news, The Limited’s plus size fashion line Eloquii, will be no more by the end of summer. Right now, the discounts are ridiculously steep. We’re talking 70% and 80% off the original prices, for those willing to dig through the remnants of dresses, tops and bottoms. I can’t deny it, I shopped it up and got myself some cute summer basics. And I may buy some more before these sales are totally done. Normally, I shop with joyful abandon. This time, I shopped with a tinge of sadness, some regret, and a sprinkling of anger. Another plus size retailer gets it totally wrong, and the consumer is left with a void that seems to never be filled.

It feels like such a never-ending cycle. Plus size retailer opens, and plus size fashion lovers get super excited. Retailer occasionally gets it right, but frequently doesn’t seem to be in tune with what customers are clamoring for. Customers can tell plus size retailer is doing plus size as an afterthought. Retailer changes its mind and turns tail, either selling the clothes online only, not promoting the items in the least, or demonstrating decreasing quality over time. Eventually some of these fashion lines die, and nobody wonders why. The answers are obvious. Rinse and repeat.

I’m so beyond disappointed in the cycle and I’m not alone – Jezebel wrote a stinging rebuke of the exclusion of plus sized fashion recently that said it all. To me, it seems obvious. There’s a customer base that’s looking for specific kinds of products. A customer base that is woefully underserved, and continually written about for being underserved. A customer base that deserves better, and who according to CDC statistics, is basically the average American woman.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what went wrong, regarding The Limited and Eloquii. Allow me to share my opinions on what led to this unfortunate state of affairs. Here are four areas where I think Eloquii could have done better by the brand and their customer.

#1 Price point – Eloquii is what industry insiders will call moderate-point fashion (read Marie Denee’s excellent, informed post on this topic for additional insight). Yet I found myself not drawn to purchase, based on their prices. When I looked at the fabrication and styles, I would tell myself – this is cute, but not at this price. To wit – look at the markdown on this 100% polyester striped tee, now available on Eloquii.com.

This was once $60. This makes me think of the lyrics of Macklemore’s Thrift Shop, re: $50 dollar teeshirts and the like.  If it was a fancy blend, or a more sophisticated or intricately designed item, we can talk. But this is a standard issue, striped tee. 100% poly. For $60? I can’t justify that.

Besides issues like that, Eloquii pretty much always had sales going on. So I found myself sometimes regretting purchases I had made because the next week the item would be marked down significantly and I’d be like damn! Shoulda waited another week! A stable, sensible price point on clothing, with specifically timed sales that customers could look forward to, would have helped.

#2 Style – This is an issue I have not just with Eloquii, but with many moderate-price point or fast fashion retailers working in plus size. Who is the audience you’re designing for? How many dowdy cuts, matronly styles or unflattering prints can you include in a collection before you realize that there’s a reason people aren’t buying as much as you’d like them to? Why not listen to the consumer, work with bloggers to design a capsule collection (I mean, Gabi just showed us ALL how it’s done, right?), or offer a collection of super chic basics in a vast variety of colors? So often American plus sized fast fashion or mid-priced fashion, skews really youthful (as in I love neon, crop tops and wedge sneakers) or REALLY older (as in, I’m looking for a tent-shaped dress to wear to church/a wedding/a funeral). It can be so ridiculously, unnecessarily difficult at times to find what you’re looking for fashion wise, when you’re over a size 16 and you’re looking for quality items at an affordable price, that speaks to a variety of age groups.

#3 Availability- Eloquii was in stores and online, but their in-store experience was teeny tiny to say the least. Their online store had a variety of clothing items that can be hard to find in plus size stores – blazers, belts, and wear-to-work basics. When I did journey out to the retail store here in Chicago, I found the selection didn’t match what I saw online all the time, but it was helpful to touch, feel, and try on the items. Some were cuter in person than online. Others felt like they weren’t worth the price, based on the fabric or style. But I did sincerely appreciate that this was both online and in-store, because you NEED to touch and try on before buying, sometimes. That’s the part of the game that I think Old Navy doesn’t get yet.

#4 The apparent unwillingness of brands to TRY. When I visited London, I was so delighted to stroll down Oxford Street and see the variety of clothing I could buy. Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Primark – all within walking distance of my hotel. I was particularly enthralled with Dorothy Perkins, which includes a range from smaller to plus sizes, without having a separate plus section of clothes tucked away somewhere. Their items range up to a UK size 22 (which seems to be  US 18/20 or 2X). In boutiques in Brighton, I discovered that unique plus size fashion wasn’t that hard to find. The style there is very self expressive and fashion forward – lots of unique prints and ways to pair things. I’m writing a longer blog on UK fashion discoveries, but in the meantime I must ask – why is America so behind in this arena? Why is there this blunt refusal by brands to take the plus size consumer seriously, by so many mainstream fashion brands that could be making money from an overlooked market? There was minimal marketing, and The Limited only gave Eloquii a shot for a year before calling it quits. And now what? Seems like such a wasted, misguided effort.

There were so many ways Eloquii could have been great, but with no advertising, minimal blogger outreach (at least in my personal experience), and the aforementioned missteps, it seemed that the brand was designed to fail. And that’s upsetting. If you’re sensing frustration in this post, it’s because that’s how I feel right now.

This past week, I headed out to Chicago’s busy downtown shopping area to get a red dress for an event next week. I went to all my usual favorite stores, only to discover that there were literally NONE to be found. Not a single red dress. Not even a cute red top you’d want to rock to such an occasion. I went to four different places before finding a suitable option at Ashley Stewart. I know for variety in plus sized shopping, online is where you need to go. But what about when you need to buy something in store, or in a hurry? That’s when you find that the item you’re dreaming about that should be easy to find, just straight up doesn’t exist for plus sized women, or if it does exist in store, it’s dowdy or matronly. Or online only.

Plus sized women are the ultimate fashionistas because we often have to make it work. But it can be extremely frustrating getting to that point. There are some moderately priced fashion brands that are getting it right – Modcloth is working hard to give trendy, chic plus size shoppers what we’re looking for, and that’s very encouraging. But what about items for the women who aren’t looking for adorable dresses or skirts in cute prints? What about women who are seeking chic work wear, or on-trend pieces for an over-30 year old’s summer wardrobe? Shopping in store still feels like you’re looking for a needle in a haystack. I look forward to the days when that frustration fades into just a memory.

Additional posts on this topic that I loved:

– This Anecdote Completely Sums Up How Much Designers Hate Plus Size, via Business Insider

– An Open Letter To the Limited Brands and Eloquii, by The Curvy Fashionista

– Retailers Can’t Ignore 100 Million Plus Sized Women Forever, via Business Insider.

Whew. Now I can get off my soapbox and ask my fellow plus sized bellas – how do you feel about the state of affairs in plus size fashion? Do you feel like we’re taking two steps forward, or two steps back? What do you think led to the untimely demise of Eloquii? Do you see signs of hope that I’m missing?

PS: Click here to shop Eloquii’s remains while you still can!

The post An Elegy For Eloquii – The Frustrating State Of Plus Size Fashion appeared first on Afrobella.

Recently I was reading a list of the world’s best airports (yes, that’s what I do in my spare time), and I noticed that no US airport was anywhere near the top 10. In fact, the top US airport according to the definitive list of the World’s Top 100 Airports is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Intl Airport at #30.

I have visited pretty much every major city in this country at this point (or so it seems – Thursday’s child has far to go), and I can say from experience that there are some great airports in America. But reading this list made me realize that there was much more to be expected from the airport, and even the airports that I enjoy like Chicago’s O’Hare or  the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport can’t compare to the offerings around the world. My international travel has just begun (yes I’m speaking that into existence). London’s Heathrow is my first experience with a member of the top 10 in the list of world’s best airports. And bellas, I have seen the light!

Photo credit: cycreation / Shutterstock.com

Let me tell you five things I fell in love with at London’s Heathrow Airport, the kind of things that I hope US airports take into consideration when doing some very necessary overhauls (I’m looking at you LaGuardia. You’re the worst).

#1 – friendly, relaxed customer service.

So many people warned us about England when we were on our way for this trip, everyone said that they would be pickpockets everywhere and super rude British people waiting to cut curious American tourists down with their wit and posh accents. This was not our experience. At ALL. We met so many friendly, helpful, professional people all over London – from cab drivers to waitresses to store clerks, everywhere we went we encountered wonderfully helpful folks. In the airport I was truly taken by how approachable and easy going the TSA and security staff was. Instead of being stern and mean as they can be in the US, in London’s Heathrow the officials we encountered were super cool. I was told that I could keep my shoes on while going through security — these were heavy duty Diesel boots by the way! “No worries – unless your shoes trigger our security system, you have nothing to worry about,” said the officer. Doesn’t that sound like common sense?? I was delighted. Even when my additional phone charger triggered the x-ray for one of our bags, we were not made to feel scared or like something was wrong, it was more like “hang on, let’s check this out and make sure everything is okay.” A relaxed attitude and friendly customer service at this level makes flying so much less stressful.

#2 – high end duty free shopping.

In some US airports you will be hard-pressed to find something to do once you’ve gone past security. There might be a smattering of bookstores or souvenir shops, maybe a few chain stores you are familiar with. When we got past security into London’s Heathrow at the American airlines terminal, I felt like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music. The hills are alive with places to spend money! When you depart the security terminal you enter a duty-free area that is next level. Top shelf liquors at lofty price points.

High-end cosmetics and perfume, fashion from some of the world’s most renowned labels. Chanel, Prada, Tom Ford, Clarins…It’s just like a mini mall!

It’s all better for you to browse and buy as you spend time waiting to find out where your gate will be. Oh yeah that’s another thing, they don’t tell you immediately what gate you’ll be at…just right when it is time for you to head over to it it appears on one of the many information boards in the lobby. There is also an estimated time for you to get to your gate, so if it takes you 20 minutes, you’ll know when you should head over.

#3 – really, really good food options.

I thought MIA had great food options. I thought Minneapolis-St Paul had great food options. I thought O’Hare had great food options. And then Heathrow blew it all out of the water. This is an airport with a glamorous oyster bar. There’s sushi on conveyor belts.

There were sit down restaurants that offered your choice of Italian, French or traditional pub fare. We spent so much time gawking, we didn’t grab a bite until we had to head to our gate. And even then, I was SO impressed. Pret a Manger is everything in London. And the grab and go food options are so much more sophisticated and intriguing than the USA’s. I went in expecting the typical turkey chili and prosciutto sandwiches I’d find at my nearest Pret on State Street, and instead I found falafel, duck salad, sushi, a variety of wraps and salads in daring and delicious combinations. Well played, Pret. You made our flight home so much more gourmet than it would’ve been.

#4 – Drugstores and bookstores and boutique shopping, oh my!

There have been SO many occasions where I’ve been at an airport and thought to myself – boy, I wish there was a drugstore in here so I could buy some **insert health and wellness or beauty-related essential here**” So many times when I found myself discouraged by the selection of same glossy covered paperbacks. Heathrow has resolved all of that. There’s a Boots drugstore in Heathrow. I was a tad disappointed in their selection of British cosmetics and in their selection of makeup for women of color, but still – full drugstore with plenty to purchase. And the bookstores weren’t these tiny closets of glossy covered best selling action thrillers – there was substantive literary material and e readers for sale. And I LOVE UK magazines, all packaged with cosmetics items for trying! Now THAT is how you lure readers back to print, US magazine editors.

In addition to the drugstore and bookstores, I was surprised to find myself wandering past clothing stores ranging from Zara to Miu Miu. So if you forget an outfit or an accessory, or you just want to treat yourself, Heathrow is there for you.

#5 – Harrods at Heathrow.

Oh, did you forget to buy souvenirs before headed to the airport? No worries if you’re at Heathrow. You won’t be stuck with silly trinkets that don’t suit the people you plan to gift them to – there’s a HARRODS in there. I was so beyond delighted, since during my trip I was so rushed that I didn’t get to experience the glory of actual Harrods in London. At the airport before departure, I got everything I wanted to commemorate the trip – gorgeous kitchen accessories, delicious British jams and jellies, chocolates and cookies, tea cups and coffee mugs are all there, at a variety of prices (even a few you can afford).

So clearly it’s been a week and I’m still enthralled with Heathrow. But in every experience there are also areas of improvement. What could be improved at this bustling London airport? Three things come immediately to mind.

1 – trams to airport gates. Our gate was as far away as could be – a 20 minute walk, the information board said. I was able to make it fine but I thought of Atlanta’s airport and their efficient, sensible tram system. I saw several older passengers struggling to make it to their gates, and whilst there are trolleys that can drive truly elderly, incapacitated people to their destination, it seemed a quick two or three stop tram on the exterior of the airport could help many more get there even faster.

2- more on the go options en route to the gates. SO glad I asked the cashier at Harrods about food en route to the gates – once you leave the lush lobby area with all the restaurants and stores, there is but one additional café near the gates (as far as I saw). I think a few on-the-go booths would be helpful and would reduce queues as I noticed elsewhere.

3 – this may sound silly but we had an incredibly hard time finding a garbage can near our gate. This might have a security purpose behind it but these were subtle, small and hard to find without asking.

As you can tell I had to think hard to come up with those.

My Heathrow experience made me want to fly into and out of more of the world’s top airports. Here’s hoping more international travel is in my immediate future!

Have you flown out of Heathrow, bellas? What did you love the most? What’s your favorite airport?

The post Five Things to Love About London’s Heathrow Airport appeared first on Afrobella.

My husband has learned over the many years of our marriage – I’m not one for generic jewelry. I’m not one who wants him to go to Jared and I don’t believe every kiss begins with Kay. I don’t generally go gaga for the pieces you see on display at the department stores. What I love, is handcrafted, unique, statement jewelry. I love inspired earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces where you can tell that the craftsperson behind it has a distinct vision and voice. I love pieces that inspire conversation and spark the question, “Where did you get THAT?”

The jewelry curated in this collection is by a range of designers of various ages, genders and ethnicities. Some create jewelry that’s bold and tribal. Some create jewelry that’s elegant and classy. Others create pieces that are fun and trendy. These are pieces that I’ve been rocking with pride lately, sent my way by a variety of creators. Allow me to share some of my favorite new jewelry for you to get into!

The designer – Mishakaudi Jewelry – www.mishakaudi.com

The aesthetic – Mishakaudi pieces are so perfect for summer concert festival season! They’re bold and bright, so you can either make their necklaces and earrings your main outfit statement or use them as a complimentary accent. Think of bright beads of turquoise, triangular motifs, and the kind of jewelry Pocahontas might want to wear if she was a modern girl headed to Bonnaroo.  Layer them on for a distinctive, trendy look, or go for one big piece (like the Cumbra Necklace, which I LOVE and get compliments on whenever I wear it). Designer Marissa Lewis is proudly vegan and so Mishakaudi jewelry is completely cruelty free – no leather, no feathers. Just gorgeous geometry meant to accentuate your look.

For more visit the website www.mishakaudi.com and check out their Facebook and Twitter.

The designer – Rocks Paper Metal – www.rockspapermetal.com

The aesthetic – youthful, vibrant, and NEON are the watchwords for Rocks Paper Metal. Their earrings are like little bites of sour gummy candy made in colors designed to make any outfit POP. Their pieces are fun, affordable, and increasingly popular – just recently I was thumbing through Fitness (verify) magazine and saw cover girl Kelly Osbourne rocking these Sorbet Zig Zag Drape Earrings. They make the kind of jewelry that you can instantly recognize and appreciate, and I love that. And their price points are amazing – these Neon Yellow with Turquoise Pave Crystal Teardrop Earrings are just $20! Love. I want them in every color combination!

Their website is www.rockspapermetal.com and you can check out RPM on Facebook and Twitter.

The designer – tweak boutique – www.tweakboutique.com

The aesthetic – unique, classic, just a little funky and meant to compliment. Ontario based designer Caroline Bruce creates pieces that fit effortlessly into your collection – pretty accents to add style to your ensemble. I love her Hooked Charm Earrings, they appeal to the Pisces in me! I love Caroline’s personal style (and hair), and I find myself wearing her pieces with everything from my favorite chambray shirt to my elegant dresses for evening events. So versatile!

Check out tweak’s website: www.tweakboutique.com and they’re on Facebook and Twitter.

The designer – Lexi Jewelry

The aesthetic – it’s all about making a subdued yet elegant statement. Miami based designer Lexi Segre uses gorgeous stones and pure metals to create jewelry that is feminine and tasteful but still unique and cool. I was immediately drawn to her 14KT gold filled aquamarine dangly earrings – aquamarine is my birthstone and I haven’t seen it done justice by many in jewelry design along the way. I’m a big lover of raw stones and their innate power, and her Amethyst Stalagmite Long Necklace is the perfect showstopper to add an individual touch to your ensemble.

The website is www.lexijewelery.com, and this is the official Facebook page.

The designer – Theorem.

The aesthetic – Theorem designs “party jewelry for high fashion ladies” and if you’re making waves on the social scene then you’ll love their pieces! Edgy, bold and trendy – and affordable. Their Gunmetal Waterfall Earrings are favorites of mine, I’m a fool for chain earrings with a difference!

Check out their website: www.theorem-jewelry.com, and on Theorem is on Facebook and Twitter.

I’ve been proudly rocking pieces that I was sent by these up and coming designers, and the responses I’ve been getting are phenomenal.

And there you have it, five brand new jewelers you may not have heard of before. See anything you like?

The post Gorgeous New Jewelry For You To Get Into appeared first on Afrobella.

I’ll admit it, I had a pre-existing prejudice against Las Vegas. It was cemented by the reputation the city had built for itself, branding itself as a perpetual bachelor party that catered to those interested in gambling and indulging in extreme, excessive inebriation. A place for people with something to escape and something to hide. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. All of the negative cliches that go with that cast an impression in my mind. Even after numerous visits (my sister in law lives out there), I still was unable to shake the mental image of Vegas = The Hangover. And yes, if you’re into The Hangover type hijinks, you can find all that and more in Las Vegas. But if you’re a woman who’s more into glitz, glamour, good food and pampering than shots, shenanigans and stacking up the chips in a smoky casino, then you might need to reconsider Las Vegas. There’s so much more you can experience!

Last month I got to experience a whole different side of Vegas during a one of a kind blogger trip, and my eyes were opened to this other Vegas experience. The people at MGM Resorts put together an amazing trip for a group of carefully selected influencers to “Live The MLife.” As I Instagrammed every amazing activity, people kept asking me, “WHAT is the MLife?” Finally I’m here to elaborate.

Vegas is all about access – access to the best seats in the more renowned restaurants, access behind the velvet ropes at the hottest nightclubs, access to the most luxurious and futuristic amenities you won’t experience anywhere else. The MLife is a stratified card system that allows visitors to MGM Resorts properties and partners, to experience that. If you’ve got an MLife card, you’ve got access to insider offers at some of the best resorts in Las Vegas, including the Bellagio^®, Aria^™, Vdara^™, MGM Grand^®, Mandalay Bay^®, THEhotel^®, The Mirage^® …and the list goes on. Look – check out the list of opportunities the card allows.

For this trip we were given Sapphire cards, but we got to live life like the more prestigious cardholders do, and it was EVERYTHING. Seriously, it was so hard to come back from this trip. It was like seeing some kind of promised land where the other half lives, where you experience the best of everything. We ate at the best restaurants and got VIP access to the coolest clubs. We went to the Michael Jordan Celebrity Golf Invitational. We met cast members of Cirque. We lived LARGE for like 3 days. Coming down off that cloud is hard!

Now that I’ve seen the glories of Vegas baller life, I can share some of the most magnificent, worth it, must-try experiences in Sin City. Let me get into my Vegas recommendations and favorite experiences, hopefully this will help you plan your next trip!

The Stay

I stayed at the Aria Resort and Casino and it was an absolutely gorgeous, luxurious experience. You notice the difference as soon as you enter the lobby – a heavenly fragrance of vanilla and sandalwood surrounds you as you approach the check-in desk. Everything is serene, elegant, and beautiful. And then you get up to your room and WOW. Check out the room!

I was so impressed by the amenities, the service, the remote control that allowed me to open my curtains, turn on the TV and the lights from my bed…all of the things!

The rooms at Aria are just decadent and fabulous. These are the regular hotel rooms – we got a sneak peek at what’s called a Sky Suite and that’s just blow your mind fancy. What I loved about Aria was the ambiance of luxury. Yes, the downstairs area is a giant casino but its not overpoweringly loud and smoky as other casinos are. The access to the pool, spa area, shows and even the clubs , is away from the casino floor. So you don’t have to be That Person in a bathrobe and a bikini who’s walking through the casino (unless for some reason, you want to be).

I’ve stayed in quite a few hotels, but the experience at Aria blew me away – top quality service and beautiful surroundings. I completely cosign JohnnyJet’s post, in case you need additional reasons to stay at Aria.

Amazing Vegas Experiences

Vegas has something to offer to suit just about anyone’s interest.More and more it isn’t about just gambling (although, when in Rome). Your Vegas experience can be whatever you want it to be. It can be highbrow and artistic, or base and debauched. Or both! For the highbrow and artistic experience, I can’t recommend Cirque du Soleil enough. Many of Vegas’ top hotels boast of a Cirque show in-house. There’s O at the Bellagio, Love at The Mirage, Ka at the MGM Grand, Zarkana at the Aria, and at the end of this month (May 2013), Michael Jackson One will open at the Mandalay Bay. I’ve been lucky enough to see many Cirque shows, but during this MLife blogger trip we got to go backstage and briefly meet the cast of Ka, and then members of the Zarkana cast came to meet us and that was so random, unexpected and amazing! Zarkana is an incredible show and I’d actually go see it again the next time I’m in town. Definitely a recommended experience.

If you’re into art, you will just love the Bellagio in general – the place is dripping in artistic inspiration, from the incredible Chihuly installation to the photography of Jeff Mitchum, on display in his own gallery. We were so lucky to meet Jeff Mitchum himself and hear about his inspiration, his methods, and the behind-the-scenes stories on the photos he’s proudest of – such an inspiring experience. I was truly honored and moved by some of his stories. If you’re in the Bellagio, definitely stop by and check out his work.

Eat Here

During this trip, the MLife bloggers were treated to multiple feasts. Decadent, fabulous, ridiculous feasts. I’ve eaten well in Vegas before but this was next level. These three restaurants were OUTSTANDING in terms of quality, presentation and ambiance.

Sensi – get the butter chicken, and the sorbet for dessert from Chef Royden Ellamar’s restaurant. The intent here is to serve a variety of international cuisines at a high quality level. I’m a big Indian food lover and a sushi obsessive, so I adored the Sensi rolls and the samosas and the butter chicken the most. Everything we tried was absolutely delicious, however.

Aureole – this restaurant is all about the ambiance. Charlie Palmer’s Vegas branch of Aureole was inspired by a key scene from Mission: Impossible, where Tom Cruise rappels down a glass building. They’ve created a wine tower – 14 feet, 4 storys worth of wine. “Wine fairies” fetch your bottles, strapping them safely into high tech fanny pack belts. All that and the cuisine is delicious. The photo you see above is  Executive Chef Vincent Pouessel preparing their signature French onion soup. TO DIE FOR.

American Fish – gorgeous décor and incredible, fresh, sustainably served fish procured from American waters. If you’re a seafood lover this is a Vegas must. Absolutely loved this dining experience.

Treat Yoself

In Vegas, I got to see what the life of a baller was like, and it is everything you might have imagined. One of the most unforgettable experiences took place at Hyde, a swanky cocktail lounge/nightclub that’s located right behind the Bellagio fountain. If you go, I’d recommend you go early and try to get a spot where you can appreciate the majesty of their fountains . As an MLife card holder, one of the special insider offers includes choosing a song from the choreographed fountain list. Aly chose Viva Las Vegas. JD of EarthXplorer chose Luck Be a Lady. I chose Billie Jean. Such an unforgettable night! If you go to Hyde, I recommend you get that back seat so you can enjoy the fountain and order their killer cocktails.

There’s shopping in Vegas – which is already ridiculous – and then there’s The Shops at Crystals, which is shopping on steroids. In this high end shopping center, I saw stores I didn’t know existed as physical stores. Gucci, Fendi, Tom Ford, Balenciaga, Kiki de Montparnasse, Hermes, Lanvin, Prada, Cavalli, Cartier…the list goes on. Just for gawking’s sake, you should check it out.

Everything’s bigger, better and more over the top fab in Vegas and that includes the spas.

I was able to indulge in treatments at the Spa at the Bellagio and I was lucky enough to experience the private spa suites at Aria. I will elaborate on the amazingness in a future post but I just need to say this – YOU SHOULD GO. It’s an incredible space, and you will get the pampering you deserve. Get yourself a massage at Aria. You won’t regret your decision.

All that AND I got to kick it by the pool and soak up the sun for an hour or so. It was FABULOUS.

It was hard leaving the MLife behind for the R Life (R being regular). I had a blast in Vegas and this last trip inspired me to go back. It showed me possibilities I didn’t know were there. The next time I’m planning a bachelorette weekend or girls getaway, I know exactly what to recommend.

This media trip was totally enhanced by the fact that some of my favorite fellow bloggers came too, and I made some great new friends! Special shout out to Aly Walansky, Nadine Jolie, Amber Katz, and my new friends Zippy Sandler, JD, Johnny Jet, Shannon and Nancy. You’re awesome!

Thanks to the MLife team for such an unforgettable press experience.

Trip was sponsored by MLife and MGM Resorts but these opinions are all mine.

The post Experiencing A Different Side of Vegas. Inside The MLife Experience appeared first on Afrobella.

FINALLY. Finally it seems like the heavy grey veil has been lifted off Chicago. The trees are green again. Flowers are blooming. Every neighborhood café is bustling. This is the time of year that reminds me of why we moved here. Spring has sprung and you can already feel summer coming up around the corner. This is my favorite time of year. It’s a time of anticipation and celebration and FUN. There are so so many things I’m looking forward to over the next few months. Here are five reasons I’ve been looking forward to summer 2013!

Blue skies and sunshine.

I totally took these things for granted, but I grew up in the Caribbean! Can you blame me? When I migrated, I lived in Miami where the weather is either hot, insanely hot, stupid humid, or thunderstorms. I didn’t really appreciate what four seasons meant until I moved. Now that I live in Chicago – which is gray, gloomy and miserable for like 6 months of the year – it seems like the first glimmers of blue skies, sunshine and heat makes the whole city smile. The weather this past weekend made me absolutely want to skip down State Street, and if I did, I don’t think anyone would have thought I was that crazy.

Alfresco dining, rooftop bars, summer nights!

Without giving away too many details about exactly where I live, I’ll say this — I am a city girl who lives within walking distance to a variety of fun restaurants and bars. When the weather is right, you can feel it in the air. Downtown Chicago comes alive with customers and couples and people with strollers, just going out to get a quick bite and a drink, buy groceries to go home and grill, or to just be outside enjoy the weather while it lasts. Around the lake, everyone is happy to just walk along the waterfront and soak up the sun. In neighborhoods like Wrigleyville, the beer gardens are open and everyone’s out enjoying the sunshine and a cold drink. There’s something really cool about alfresco dining on a perfect summer night. I absolutely love it! Especially in climates where it doesn’t get too humid and there aren’t too many bugs (like Chicago).

Bathing suits.

Yes! Really! This season there’s actually bathing suits that I look forward to wearing for what feels like the very first time. Monif C has an absolutely fabulous collection this season – I’m in love with her Sao Paulo high waisted bikini! And now my amazing friend Gabi Gregg a.k.a. Gabifresh has come out with her very first capsule collection of plus size bathing suits a.k.a. fatkinis. I need that purple galaxy bikini in my life, my body is ready! Gabi’s collection goes on sale tomorrow – May 15 – at SwimsuitsForAll.com.

Concerts.

Chicago is such an awesome city for concerts in the summertime, and this year my husband and I have plan to go to quite a few! Right here in Chicago there’s Pitchfork and there’s Lollapalooza. Every year we attend Lollapalooza and I’m totally looking forward to this year – the lineup looks more diverse than in recent years and there are some acts I’m dying to see! I was so excited when I heard Pearl Jam was coming to Wrigley Field…however their attempt at circumnavigating the traditional ticket issues and scalpers turned out to be a huge FAIL. Now tickets are nearly impossible to get, and astronomically expensive to get to because of scalpers. I also really wanted to see D’Angelo at the House of Blues this August, but floor seats are pricey. I’m putting it out the universe in the hopes that some tickets land in my hot little hands. Or that someone I know has a ticket oak.

Besides the aforementioned, there are some epic musical events on my radar – I’m not a house music lover but the annual Chosen Few picnic is super popular here and always attracts a crowd. And in New Orleans there’s the Essence Music Festival, which has a ridiculously sick lineup this year! I hope that I can make it. Time will tell!

Festivals and Farmers Markets and FUN

During the summer, each neighborhood in Chicago comes alive with festivals on the weekend. I always enjoy the neighborhood festivals, and then there are some truly unique Chicago experiences I look forward to every year. The Randolph Street Market is an outdoor celebration of antiques, gourmet food, live music, and vintage shopping – when it’s summer and a light breeze is blowing, there’s nowhere more fun to shop and wander around. I LOVE going. The Chicago Gourmet Food Festival is decadent, fabulous, over the top indulgence and it’s in the middle of Millennium Park, which makes for such a beautiful skyline backdrop. Can’t wait to go back this year! And the eagerly anticipated Taste of Chicago has stepped up the game all the way this year – there are food trucks and MAJOR concerts every night, including fun, Estelle, Robin Thicke, Maxi Priest and JILL SCOTT! I am SO THERE.

There are so many more reasons I’m looking forward to this summer, but these are just a few that I’m ready for RIGHT NOW! What are you looking forward to the most?

The post 5 Reasons To Look Forward To Summer appeared first on Afrobella.

I see a lot of bloggers doing a “My Week in Instagram” kind of post and I love the concept. Sometimes life moves too quickly to share what I’m doing in writing, which is why I LOVE Instagram, I can share snapshots of life and get instant feedback. And now once a week I’m going to bring it all over here, just in case you’re not already following me on Instagram! Here are some of my latest adventures and new products I’m trying out!

This was my makeup for the Red Pump Project’s Rock The Red fashion show last weekend, which was a great success! Always so proud of those girls – working hard and doing great work in raising awareness of HIV and AIDS. Click here to check out all of the fun via the Red Pump Project Facebook page. Such a great show!

Recently I got to have a lovely breakfast with a behind the scenes makeup icon – this is Fatima Thomas, senior artist with MAC Cosmetics. She’s amazing, and you might remember her from this post I wrote on being a fashion week veteran. We had a great chat about the industry, makeup, MAC, being a woman of color making a difference in beauty in her own way – she’s amazing. Look out for more of her on the blog! OH and I’m wearing my favorite new coat – the Ultimate Coat by Joe Brown for Simply Be. And my boots are from Bakers.

And for now check out this video she did for MAC and let her put you up on makeup game.

OK not to toot my own horn but I’ve been cooking some great dinners lately! Recently I’ve been obsessed with the Paleo diet and I’ve been reading websites and looking for recipes. So these are some of the items I’ve made that went over WELL.

That’s baked salmon done with garlic and herbs, roasted peppers and tomatoes and carrots, and sauteed southern greens from Trader Joe’s. All AMAZING. I can’t cook fish on the stovetop to save my life but I sure can bake it!

I love a good white chicken chili, and this came out SO BOMB. I like to slice a little avocado on my chili, it’s so melty and good! This was made with chicken thighs and I used a can of Bush’s new Cocina Latina Pintos a la Diabla. The sauce is muy delicioso.

I don’t think tacos are Paleo friendly because of the corn…but I had to do it! These are turkey tacos, served with homemade guacamole (YUM) and a little Brooklyn Salsa Company goodness on top. Nom nom nom.

I’m reviewing and LOVING these bath and bodycare product from St. Croix. Check out Itiba Beauty. I love this trend of beauty products coming from the islands, using island ingredients! Itiba sent me their Papaya gift set, including body scrub, lotion, and more. The scent is fruity and sweet and my skin loves the lotion so far!

Oh yeah, Max likes the scent too!

I’m working on a blog post about hot jewelers, and had to give y’all a spoiler alert.

HOW cute are these fish earrings by Tweak Boutique? I love them. Been rocking these all week!

I literally screamed when this came in the mail! I am in LOVE with this leopard backpack by Galian Rodem. Cannot wait for festival season to rock it!

At present I subscribe to four magazines – Rolling Stone (not pictured), Clean Eating,  Marie Claire, and O Magazine. I dream of someday writing for Marie Claire and O Magazine, and I have been learning great recipes and food prep tips from Clean Eating. What magazines do you subscribe to?

That was my week in Instagram and those were some of the incredible items I’ve been sent for review, items I’ve cooked and things I’ve done! And for even more of the latest products I’m reviewing and experiences I’m sharing, follow me on Instagram!

What’s your Instagram name?

Happy Easter, bellas!!

The post My Week In Instagram. New Products, New Adventures, Stories to Tell appeared first on Afrobella.

One of my earliest hair-related memories was watching Diana Ross’s concert in Central Park, 1983. Of course I wasn’t actually there – the concert was televised, and I remember watching it with my parents in Trinidad. I was so little and I remember watching this goddess of a woman with this resplendent mane of kinky, curly, long hair utterly transfix what seemed like an ocean of people. I even wrote about that memory in my first ever blog post, back in 2006. When I found myself sitting to essentially create this blog, that memory of Diana Ross, singing in the rain, came back to inspire me.

After seeing Diana Ross’ concert, I would take a towel or teeshirt, put it on my head and sashay down the stairs singing “I want muscle!” not even realizing that song was way too grown for me. Back in 1983, Diana Ross directly shaped my ideas about natural hair being beautiful, regal, desirable. For that and for so many things, I thank her.

Today Diana Ross turns 69. I wish her a happy birthday and thank her from the bottom of my heart for the inspiration she gave to me and so many others through all these years – in her music, in her style, in her innate, eternal beauty.

The post Happy Birthday, Diana Ross! Thank You For Everything appeared first on Afrobella.

If you’ve noticed me posting a bit more slowly over here, it’s because I’m learning to adjust my schedule! As the latest contributing editor for Glam.com, I’m writing weekly posts on beauty, fashion, hair, and more! Click to check out some of my latest posts over at Glam.com.

Naughty or Nice? MAC and Urban Decay Make You Decide

Urban Decay’s Oz the Great and Powerful collection and MAC’s Archie’s Girls collection presents cosmetics fans with the age old question. Do you choose good or bad? Naughty or nice? Betty or Veronica?

Obsessed With Nail Art? Try Ciate!

This London based brand takes nail art to a whole new level – their polish kits come with beads for “caviar nails,” sequins, or foil for the new Colorfoil manicures. OBSESSED!

International Beauty – Amarte Skin Care, from Korea With Love

In which I reveal one of my favorite recent facewash discoveries – Amarte Exfolipowder!

Olay Brings Skincare Systems to the Drugstore

In case you thought sonic skincare systems were only for high end department stores, check out Olay’s offerings (at a more reasonable price point).

Statement Sweatshirts

Totally OBSESSED with Quelly Rue.

And more!

Bangs are BACK (Because the FLOTUS Says So)

For my ladies with straight hair who love Michelle Obama’s bangs – if you don’t want to cut your hair, you can clip some on! There are all kinds of clip on bangs out there to get the look without the risk.

Moisturizing Jeans Are Now a Thing. Would You Rock These Wranglers?

Jeans with lotion? I don’t know, y’all…

Finally! Fashion Fair Releases the Sam Fine Supreme Color Collection

J’adore Mr. Sam Fine and I’ll be reviewing more of his collection here soon!

New Makeup Essential – The Neutral Kit

A neutral eyeshadow kit can take you from day to night with beauteous ease, and it’s a travel essential for me! Check out my faves.

5 Packing Tips from a Frequent Flyer

Speaking of travel…I’m on a trip right now! Here are some of my best tips!

The post Beauty, Fashion and Hair! Read My Latest Posts at Glam.com appeared first on Afrobella.

The need for more diversity in fashion is so frequently glaring and so very frequently written about. Sometimes it seems like things are deliberately destined to never change. And every now and then there’s a shining breakthrough, that you hope heralds a new day in fashion and beauty and fills your heart with optimism for the industry.

Photo via MiuMiu.com

The Door, by Ava DuVernay, the fifth Miu Miu Women’s Tale, is such a breakthrough and made me feel all of those feelings.

Ava DuVernay is the first African-American woman to win the Best Director Prize at Sundance Film Festival, and here she’s created a fashion film unlike anything I’ve seen before. The Miu Miu approach with the Women’s Tale series has been entirely refreshing, and The Door is the most groundbreaking in my opinion.

The short film stars Gabrielle Union, Alfre Woodard, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Adepero Oduye and singer-songwriter Goapele. It features music by independent artists Emanative, Dezaray Dawn, P. Furey and Goapele. The Miu Miu Spring 2013 collection is shown off by this who’s who of Black Hollywood, and the storyline they wordlessly emote is one that every woman can identify with.

We’ve all been on the dark side of the door. And we all have yearned to walk through to the other side. Miu Miu describes this on their site as “a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change.” And Ava DuVernay elaborates: “Eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. The door in the film represents a pathway to who we are.”

Photo via MiuMiu.com

Thank you Miu Miu and thank you Ava DuVernay for making such a beautiful film.

And keep in mind, this is the 5th such Miu Miu video. Click here to watch:

#1 – The Powder Room by Zoe Cassavetes

#2 – Muta by Lucrecia Martel

#3 – The Woman’ Dress by Giada Colagrande and

#4 – It’s Getting Late by Massy Tadjedin.

All photos and video via MiuMiu.com. Click here to subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Check out this amazing behind the scenes video where the actresses discuss what The Door is all about.

Read more via about The Door on Jet, Huffington Post, and ChiTown Fashionista.

The post Thank You, Miu Miu and Ava DuVernay appeared first on Afrobella.

The woman is in her 60’s and still nobody does it better. The one and only Grace Jones has aged like only the most high quality wine. Today, let’s look back to one of the images that made her an icon. The album cover for Island Life.

Grace is GORGEOUS. Sinewy. Sleek. Her skin is enviably smooth and stunningly beautiful. This shot is all about her beautiful ebony skin, taut muscle, and artistic sensuality.

This is one of the most emulated images of Grace Jones, one of the most iconic. But how did she do it?

It turns out…she didn’t. This was a clever bit of pre-Photoshop trickery.

Via My Blog Can Beat Up Your Blog:

“The picture was taken by a photographer named Jean Paul Goude who saw an intriguing subject in the model/ actress/ singer. He notes about that picture that “…unless you are extraordinarily supple, you cannot do this arabesque. The main point is that Grace couldn’t do it, and that’s the basis of my entire work: creating a credible illusion.”

Goude photographed Jones in a variety of positions using boxes to hold up parts of her body and then combined the images in a montage that eventually became the amazing image that you see above.”

Here’s the step by step mock up on how this photographic magic came to be.

Amazing, right?

Jean Paul Goude is no mere photographer, he is a French graphic designer and photographer who worked closely with Grace, loved Grace, and fathered a child with her as well – their son Paulo Goude is a musician in his own right.

Grace Jones is a beauty icon for many reasons – she is one of my major beauty influences, in fact. And this iconic image cements exactly why. She’s always been a genius collaborator, an innovator, a woman unafraid to share her body, her soul, her beauty, her talent and her unique, quirky personality with the world.

Viva Grace, and thank you Jean Paul Goude for this genius moment of black beauty history.

For more, read:

Grace Jones, the Definition of Fierce.

Grace Jones, Still the Baddest

10 Things You Never Knew About Grace Jones

My Blog Can Beat Up Your Blog, the original post on the topic

Grace Jones album cover was a pre-photoshop fake.

And there you have it!

What’s your favorite Grace Jones black beauty moment in history?

The post 28 Moments of Black Beauty History–Grace Jones Island Life Photo appeared first on Afrobella.