Daddy’s Little Girl

June 15, 2012

There’s no denying that dads don’t get as much attention as us moms when it comes to their special day – Father’s Day. Hallmark commercials aren’t exactly flooding the airwaves with sentimental ads nor is there nonstop chatter about the best brunch spots to take dad for his reserved “holiday.” Honestly, I never thought much of the day either until my husband became a father.

The moment I gave birth to our daughter, Ava, I’ve watched him blossom into the absolute best father that any child could ever have. His attentiveness, love, and care for her is simply beautiful to witness. Despite me doing most of the spoiling, Ava is still a true blue daddy’s girl. From play-dates in the park to watching basketball, their bond is special and strong.

Hats off to well-deserving dads like him who exemplify what it truly means to be a father. As my gift this Sunday, I just might let him watch the Miami vs. Oklahoma City game completely uninterrupted. Maybe.

My two favorite people: my hubby and Ava G.! 

Were you a daddy’s girl? What’s the best advice your father has ever given you?

Category: Gumbo Mix | 7 Comments

5 Surprising Facts About Miss Jessie’s

June 14, 2012

I had the awesome pleasure of attending AMBERmag.com’s Survival Secrets of Game Changers event on Tuesday featuring textured hair product trailblazers: Miko and Titi Branch of Miss Jessie’s.

Moderated by Tia Williams of ShakeYourBeauty.com and co-owner of The Fly Cut, the masterminds behind Miss Jessie’s shared very candid and incredibly personal accounts of how they reached mass-produced success.

Being an aspiring entrepreneur, it was refreshing and enlightening to hear first-hand how these BG game changers paved the way for countless other curly hair care product lines.

Titi and Miko Branch of Miss Jessie’s

Here are a few facts that I learned about the curly ‘do dynamos:

  • The sisters lived together in the brownstone that housed their first salon in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. 
  • They didn’t take out any loans to finance their hair care product line. Instead, they used their salon to finance the launch of their products. 
  • From 2006-2008, the sisters were in a bitter dispute that resulted in litigation. In fact, Miko was legally restricted from working within 200 miles of New York.
  • They fought against being placed in the the “ethnic” beauty section of Target, which negatively affected their sales.  After a lot of convincing, the products were ultimately placed in their desired professional styling section of the store.
  • The sisters are currently shopping a book that will give their fans and aspiring entrepreneurs an in-depth look into what it took to create their curly hair care empire.  
Have you ever used Miss Jessie’s products? Which entrepreneur do you admire most?
Category: Hair | Leave a Comment

GIVEAWAY: Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Ultra Shea

June 13, 2012

Since I’ve suffered from a super dry, flaky scalp for as long as I can remember, I’m always on the hunt for a solution to my problem. Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy’s Ultra Shea Nourishing Scalp & Hair Oil has been my most recent answer.

I’ve tried countless products and even prescriptions to provide moisture that my scalp and strands so desperately needed, but none of them have worked as well as this oil. It soaks in quickly without leaving behind a greasy build-up akin to the majority of the other scalp nourishments I’ve tried.

Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Ultra Shea available at drugstores nationwide starting at $4.99

Ideal for hot oil treatments, it soothes and locks in moisture leaving strands and scalp fully hydrated. Formulated with natural goodies such as shea butter, coconut, almond, sunflower, argon, soybean, and palm oils, this product is perfect for naturalistas and relaxed BGs.

While I know that water intake is the most effective and sensible solution to combating dry scalp, sometimes you just need a little instant help to mask unsightly dry patches. Used in conjunction with the shampoo and conditioner, it’s the perfect antidote for those who seeking healthy, hydrated hair and scalp.

What products do you use to quench your dry scalp and hair? Would you like to try this entire line (shampoo, conditioner, oil, and balm)? If so, simply leave a comment and a winner will be randomly selected and announced next Wednesday, June 20th. 


**The winner of the AVEENO prize pack is Nylse! Congrats and please send me your mailing address.

Category: Beauty | 10 Comments

Angela Simmons to Launch Hair Extension Line

June 11, 2012

Angela Simmons may be the offspring of hip-hop royalty, but she’s a fashion and beauty trendsetter in her own right. The business-savvy entrepreneur is set to launch a hair extension line in collaboration with leading human hair extension brand Indiqué later this month called Angela Simmons by Indiqué Hair.

In celebration of summer, the line is releasing its debut offering – BIKINI, a wavy, tousled texture ideal for beach jaunts and strolls on the shore.

Angela Simmons by Indiqué Hair: Bikini will retail for $210-$325 per 4oz tube starting June 21st

“To me, hair is a statement and an extension of your wardrobe and I’ve always been drawn to fashion and being able to change up my look,” Simmons said in a release.

Known for her philanthropic efforts, Simmons will donate a portion of the proceeds from BIKINI to CancerCare, a national organization whose mission is to provide free professional help to people will all types of cancers through counseling, education, information and referral, and direct financial assistance.

Whether she’s dodging paparazzi or fending off rumors of a romance with Lil Romeo, Simmons is a BG who keeps us watching.

What’s your go-to hairstyle for the summer? Would you ever purchase extensions from this line? 

Category: Beauty | 2 Comments

Event Alert: AmberMag’s Survival Secrets of Game Changers with Miss Jessie’s & Tia Williams

June 8, 2012

For all of my fellow bourgeoning beauty bosses (I co-founded a beauty brand back in the day), AMBERmag.com is hosting an event that you absolutely can’t miss!

On Tuesday, June 12th beauty mavens Titi & Miko Branch, the sister duo behind Miss Jessie’s will be on hand to share tips/insight on how they built their curly hair care empire while one of my absolute favorite editors, Tia Williams, of the brown beauty blog authority –  ShakeYour Beauty, will serve as moderator.

If you’ve ever dreamed of selling that irresistible lip scrub concocted in your kitchen or envisioned your homemade hair products on store shelves, this is the perfect event for you!

I’ve attended two of these Survival Secrets of Game Changers’ events and trust me, this will be $20 well spent.

Click here to register. 
PRICE: $20 
DATE: TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2012 
TIME: 6:30 P.M. to 9 P.M. 
LOCATION: National Comedy Theatre 347 West 36th Street, Between 8th and 9th Avenues New York, NY
 *Wine, light fare and gift bag with samples from Miss Jessie’s. Must Pre-Register. No payment at the door.

Do you use Miss Jessie’s products?
Category: Beauty, events | 1 Comment

Tune In: Centric’s Hip-Hop Takeover Weekend

June 8, 2012

We’re over a week into June, which means Black Music Month is in full swing. To celebrate the historical music month, Centric TV is airing “takeovers” featuring specials each weekend throughout June. Last week they kicked things off by highlighting the career of the legendary group Earth, Wind & Fire.

Starting tomorrow (10PM EST), hip-hop fans will be in for a weekend of high notes. Viewers will get an inside look into the history of hip-hop with various programming including: Being Mary J. Blige, Hip-Hop Odyssey: Know Your History, Heavy D: Be Inpsired, and Public Enemy: Welcome to the Terrordome.

In between those specials, the network will air old school videos from some of the hip-hop greats and trailblazers.

The next couple of weekends will feature specials celebrating Don Cornelius, Teena Marie, R. Kelly, Gladys Knight, and more.

If you could choose, who would you like to see have a music “takeover” on Centric?

**The winners of the L’Oreal Paris True Match makeup are: Zee, Bailey, and Steel Heels! Congrats. Please email me your mailing addresses. 

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 2 Comments

Giveway: Aveeno Sun-Protection Prize Pack

June 5, 2012

Sitting poolside soaking up the sun getting a pedicure is definitely on my summer agenda. Before I plan my fun days in the sun, I’ll need to fill my tote with a few sun-protecting essentials: sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun-shielding hat.

Thanks to Aveeno, I want to make sure that you’re covered for summer too. I’m giving away one prize pack to a lucky reader filled with the following: Wide-Brimmed Hat, AVEENO Hydrosport Sunscreen SPF30, AVEENO Smart Essentials Daily Nourishing Mositurizer SPF 30, a pair of 100% UV-Protecting Shades, and One Month of ACUVUE OASYS Brand Contacts.

If you’re wondering how contact lenses fit into this summer bundle, well that’s because most contacts don’t offer any UV protection. These offer the highest level of UV blocking available in the marketplace.

For more information on how the sun affects vision, be sure to take a listen to HealthVision with Dr. Val’s podcast here.

While those warm sun rays feel good beaming down on our bodies, we need to take the proper precautions to prevent skin cancer.  Sometimes we BGs forget that like our fair-skinned counterparts, we’re also susceptible to the disease.

Simply leave a comment sharing your summer vacation plans for a chance to win the prize pack. **Exam and fitting fees not included. Winner must present current, valid prescription for ACUVUE Brand Contact Lenses. Please note that this giveaway is only open to U.S residents. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Monday, June 11th. 

Category: Giveaways, Travel & Lifestyle | 9 Comments