Accessories /

Nuno Wearable Art Eco-Products

Nuno is a luxurious brand of wearable art that you can feel good about.

  • Nuno collaborates with up-and-coming artists ensuring each earth-loving piece is one-of-a-kind wearable art.
  • Plastic bottles are washed, shredded, and turned into small pellets. These pellets are then melted and spun into yarn. The yarn is then woven into this fabric with a luxurious feel, Neosilk™.
  • Unlike the silk robes and scarves that are dry clean only, Nuno’s NeoSilk fabric is machine washable and will still stay as soft as silk.
Accessories /

Father’s Day Gift Guide from JCPenney: Menswear, Personal Care, Gadgets, and Cooking

Take a look at the Father’s Day Gift Guide from JCPenney!  Listed below are my favorite picks covering fashion, grooming, tech, and cooking.

The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co. Big and Tall Mens Long Sleeve Plaid Button-Front Shirt, $24.99 MSX By Michael Strahan Mens Short Sleeve Polo Shirt, $17.99; MSX By Michael Strahan Mens Short Sleeve Button-Front Shirt, $19.99; MSX By Michael Strahan Mens Mid Rise Stretch Pull-On Short-Big and Tall, $50; St. John’s Bay Micro Fiber 10″ E-Board Swim Shorts, $19.99; The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co. Board Shorts Big and Tall, $19.99; Samsung Galaxy Active 2 44mm Mens Multi-Function Black Smart Watch, $249.99; Casio Edifice Mens Silver Tone Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch, $144; Xersion® Wrap Sunglasses, $18.99; JF J.Ferrar® Aviator Sunglasses, $17.99

Tzumi ProBuds Sport Series Totally Wireless Earbuds with Portable Charging Case, $59.99; Tzumi SoundMates 5.0 Wireless Stereo Earbuds with Wireless Charging Case, $39.99; Tzumi Bluetooth Speaker Small Dock Series, $14.99; Yale Look Door Viewer – Wi-Fi Door Viewer, Video Doorbell, $179.99; Sharper Image Electronic Tabletop Hockey Game, $24.99; Sharper Image Fly + Drive Drone Car, $49.99

Cooks 4.3 Quart Stainless Steel Air Fryer, $89.99; Cuisinart ® Coffee Center™ 12 Cup Coffeemaker And Single-Serve Brewer, $229; Cooks 12″ x 12″ Non-stick Covered Electric Skillet, $49.99; Philips HD6371/94 Avance Collection Indoor Grill, $339.99; Large Paddle Branded with Measurements Cutting Board, $45; Engravable Stainless Steel Tankard Mug, $29.99

Lifestyle Tips /

Visit Pensacola Launches Experience Pensacola Destination App

Visit Pensacola announced the launch of its Experience Pensacola app. The app is designed to assist both locals and visitors in navigating Escambia County.

“This app makes exploring the destination easier than ever, “Visit Pensacola President Darien Schaefer said. “For our residents, I think they’ll find themselves discovering activities and restaurants they never knew existed and for visitors, they’ll find an easy tool to organize and share their vacation with family and friends.”

With a built-in location finder, app users can find experiences closest to them. Some of the core features include:

  • Travel deals for an affordable vacation (locals can indulge, too!)
  • Local restaurant listings
  • Trails and Interactive Tours
  • Custom itinerary builder
  • Happy Hours
  • Current events
  • Local transportation options
  • Museums and attractions

“One of the features I like most is the interactive trails,” Visit Pensacola Partner Relations Manager Kaya Man said. “When we’re stumped for something free and fun to do, it’s a great resource.”

The Experience Pensacola app is available for download on the Apple Store or on Google Play. To learn more about the Experience Pensacola app, or to download it, visit www.visitpensacola.com/app/.

Beauty /

Father’s Day: Gift Dad the Cure to His Quarantine-Beard Woes

Whether his facial hair is familiar or newly sprouted, chances are Dad’s whiskers are looking worse for wear. Thankfully, just in time for Father’s Day, men’s grooming leader Wahl has the cure for quarantine-beard woes:
You can’t ‘mess up’ by gifting the Wahl Lithium Ion Vacuum Trimmer. It wrangles wayward whiskers from coating the sink or covering the counter. It crushes the competition with the highest air velocity in the industry, capturing virtually all hair trimmings. Clean up is also a breeze with a hair canister that can either be removed and emptied, or popped open and dumped. MSRP $79.99 (available on Amazon)
With a little help from Wahl’s Beard Care Bundle, Dad’s whiskers can become worship-worthy. It includes a Beard Wash, which unlike regular shampoos, won’t strip away the moisture needed for healthy whiskers and skin. Next up, the Beard Softener takes mere seconds to deep condition coarse whiskers from within. And Beard Oil is the finishing touch for a shiny and polished looking beard. Bundle MSRP $39.99 (available on Amazon)
Accessories /

10 Important Life Lessons Learned from COVID-19 #WIW or #OOTD A-line Midi Dress

There’s a lot of life lessons to be learned from COVID-19.  This was an unexpected lifestyle change and we had to adjust immediately!

My thought pattern always goes back to, “What did I learn from every situation?”  It’s critical to always do self-evaluation and allow the opportunity for personal growth.

Throughout it all, I have tried to be thankful for the small blessings and keep a positive mindset.

10 Important Life Lessons Learned from COVID-19:

  1. Manage your time wisely and create system blocks.
  2. Meal planning is critical towards your budget and home organization.
  3. Cleanliness can be as easy as washing your hands, mopping your floors, and wiping down the countertops.
  4. Mom Tip-kids require (balanced) structure daily.  Allow them to have free space but yet implement structure/disciplined activities.
  5. First, shop your wardrobe and then seek outside pieces.  Do not overspend during this time.
  6. Your home is your haven.  Make it a place of peace and joy!  That might include gardening or rearranging decor.
  7. We can manage our own hair and nails.  At least until it is safe to venture outside of our comfort zones.
  8. Take care of yourself:  get exercise, take a multi-vitamin, and pick-up a new hobby.
  9. Journaling can create a still voice for relaxation and provide mental clarity.
  10. Avoid clutter at all costs.  Get rid of unnecessary items!

What I Wore or Outfit of The Day-

A-line Mid Dress & Clear Slip-On Heel:  Amazon
Accessories /

Style and Beauty Expert Brittney Levine Breaking Down The Best Swimwear

Style + Life + Fashion had the opportunity to interview Style expert Brittney Levine. You may know her as a regular contributor on QVC, the Today Show, Wendy Williams, E! News, EXTRA & Inside Edition.

Ok, summer isn’t going to go as planned as nearly half of Americans have canceled their summer vacations or tweaked their plans. But you can still make the most of the warm weather months, even if you can’t hit the beach! Celebrating the season on a budget is still possible and versatility is key.

Whether you’re soaking up some sun around a backyard pool, gardening, or strolling around the neighborhood, this season’s swimwear and cover-ups are not only stylish, but doing double duty to keep you comfortable.

In honor of Lands’ End International Swimsuit Day (May 19th,) style and beauty expert, Brittney Levine will prove not all swimwear is created equal and breaking down the best swimwear for all your summer activities.

Entertainment /

ESSENCE ANNOUNCES THE ESSENCE ESSENTIAL HEROES AWARDS HONORING ESSENTIAL WORKERS ON THE FRONTLINE OF COVID-19 #myessentialheroes

WHAT:                        As the fight against COVID-19 rages on, government and public health officials work to provide recommendations for reopening America. However, there is a heated debate as to whether these guidelines can do more harm than good—especially for the many essential workers who continue to be on the frontlines helping to ensure the nation’s health, safety, and essential needs are met. Whether working in the nation’s hospitals, grocery stores, restaurants, delivery, and transportation services more, these are the brave women and men risking their lives to ensure that others can stay home safely.

ESSENCE is committed to honoring these workers with its first-ever ESSENCE Essential Heroes Awards program. This three-part, the year-long franchise will highlight those in our community who, despite systematic disparities, have risen to become Essential Heroes during this pandemic. ESSENCE will invite its audience to submit and vote on the essential heroes in their lives and communities for a chance to be featured.

In addition, the 50 ESSENCE Essential Heroes selected will be honored during the virtual ESSENCE Festival of Culture on July 4th, which will be streamed live via ESSENCE Studios.

Share your story and nominate an essential working using the hashtag #myessentialheroes.

WHEN:                                      Submission deadline extended to Tuesday, May 19th via #myessentialheroes

 

Accessories /

Saks Fifth Avenue Reopens Birmingham

On Tuesday, May 12, Saks Fifth Avenue will continue its phased approach to reopening stores with its location in Birmingham. The store will reopen with enhanced health and safety protocols and modified services to ensure the safest and most comfortable shopping experience for our customers.

“The health and well-being of our associates and customers remain our top priority and the driving force behind our strategy for reopening. Saks has the opportunity to set the standard for offering a safe, easy and personalized shopping experience once stores reopen,” said Marc Metrick, President, Saks Fifth Avenue. “We will continue to evaluate store openings based on our own analyses, which take into account the expertise of local government and health officials, economics, and community sentiment. We truly look forward to welcoming customers back to Saks Fifth Avenue.”

To ensure a safe and comfortable in-store shopping experience, Saks has implemented a number of measures upon reopening, including adding enhanced cleaning protocols, regularly sanitizing high-touch areas, such as fitting rooms and point-of-sale areas, and implementing social distancing measures. Associates will also be required to wear face coverings and undergo health screenings. Stores will continue to serve our customers digitally with virtual shopping appointments available to book through saks.com.

Stores will operate with reduced hours Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m and Sunday, from noon to 6 p.m. Moreover, Saks Fifth Avenue is offering curbside pickup and returns at most locations for those who prefer a contactless shopping experience, and an adjusted return policy whereby any purchase made after February 15, 2020, can be returned to Saks Fifth Avenue stores within 30 days of reopening.

Details about specific store reopenings and adjusted hours can be found through the store locator on saks.com. 

ABOUT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE (@saks) As a leading shopping destination for the all-channel luxury experience, Saks Fifth Avenue is renowned for its coveted edit of American and international designer collections as well as its storied history of creating breakthrough, experiential environments. Its exemplary client service has made Saks a global authority in the category, a focus since the brand’s inception in 1924. As part of the HBC brand portfolio, Saks operates in 43 cities across the globe, its online experience―saks.com, and its mobile experience―Saks App.

For more information, kindly visit saks.com, Instagram.com/saks, Facebook.com/saks, Snapchat.com/saks_official, and Twitter.com/saks.

 

Entertainment /

ESSENCE Studios Stream National HBCU Commencement Celebration Live

Like most academic institutions around the country, Historically Black Colleges and Universities have been forced to cancel or postpone graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To celebrate the achievements of more than 27,000 students, Black leaders and 78 schools are joining forces virtually during the “Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition” commencement event presented by Chase on May 16 at 2:00 pm ET.

President Barack Obama will share a special message during the event. Hosted by Kevin Hart, guest appearances for the 2-hour event will include Steve Harvey, Chase Consumer Banking CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett, Ariel Investments Co-CEO and President Mellody Hobson, National Urban League president, Marc Morial, and academic leaders from participating HBCUs. Other participants include 10-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul, 8-time NBA All-Star Vince Carter, Debbie Allen, and Vivica Fox.

The virtual commencement will also include performances by Anthony Hamilton, Wyclef Jean, Omari Hardwick, and other musical guests—as well as a drumline mash-up featuring Doug E. Fresh.

The 2-hour event will be live-streamed on Chase’s YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn channels, as well as HBCU Connect’s Facebook page and Essence Studios. More information is available on chase.com/hbcustudent, including a list of participating schools.

During the event, HBCUs will showcase and highlight past and current graduates, including Class of 2020 students from Howard University, Delaware State, Paul Quinn College, Florida Memorial College, and Texas Southern Law Center.

“Every student graduating in the Class of 2020 deserves to celebrate this moment—they earned it, even more so during a challenging year for our country and the world. We are showing up for them because we recognize they are our now and our future, and the way forward is full of opportunity,” said Duckett.

The idea for hosting a virtual commencement ceremony for HBCU students was conceived by Dr. Michael Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn College (PQC), and member of the ABP Advisory Council. Additional organizers for the event include Howard University, The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the National Basketball Association (NBA.) Essence is supporting the event as a live streaming partner.

“As a result of COVID-19, our students have been robbed of a moment that they and their families have earned,” Sorrell said. “I am so grateful that this coalition of partners stepped up to answer the call of the HBCU community and stand in the gap for our students and their families.”

JPMorgan Chase is supporting “Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition” through its Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) initiative, created to help black communities close historical achievement gaps in three key areas: wealth creation, educational outcomes, and career success. Support for HBCUs is a core focus for JPMorgan Chase because of the vital role they continue to play in helping African Americans forge pathways to long-term success. The first HBCUs were founded before the Civil War, and these institutions educated generations of African Americans during a period when other colleges and universities would not.

Today, HBCUs produce 70% of African American doctors and dentists1, 50% of black lawyers and 80% of black judges.2 HBCU graduates can also expect work-life earnings of $130 billion—an additional $927,000 per graduate, 56 percent more than they could expect to earn without their HBCU degrees or certificates, according to UNCF.

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities remain a critical resource in educating our young people and putting them on a path to lasting and rewarding careers,” said Sekou Kaalund, the Head of ABP. “Here at JPMorgan Chase, we are firmly committed to supporting HBCUs and helping them continue a tradition of excellence that has helped generations of black people achieve academic and professional success.”

Accessories /

BADGLEY MISCHKA UNVEILS COLLECTION OF ORIGINAL SKETCHES TO SUPPORT FEEDING AMERICA AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Badgley Mischka, the iconic American design house that exemplifies timeless glamour, is pleased to announce the brand’s latest initiative. In response to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic and the uncertain, challenging times we are living in, Badgley Mischka is turning to the creativity and artistic talent of its founders and head designers, Mark Badgley and James Mischka to send messages of love, support, and solidarity through art.

Mark Badgley has created 35 one-of-a-kind sketches, conceived of and created while he and James Mischka are isolating at home in Palm Beach, Florida. Each sketch represents an emotion, mood, thought, or feeling brought on by the worldwide health crisis and each is individually titled to reflect its unique concept.

As part of the sketch initiative, Badgley Mischka is pleased to be partnering with Feeding America in an effort to give back to those that are doing so much to help people in need. All 35 of Mark’s sketches will be available on www.badgleymischka.com as part of an online auction through Ebay for Charity. Beginning today (Monday, May 11), bidding will be open for one week and 100% of the purchase price of each sketch will go directly to Feeding America. The funds raised will help Feeding America provide support to their network of food banks across the country to provide food assistance to everyone facing hunger. In addition, every sketch sold will be personalized for each winner and will be framed and shipped at no cost.

“We have been isolating in Palm Beach, Florida for eight weeks now,” said Mark Badgley.  “We decided to use this time creatively by working through some of our feelings with art,” he continued.

“After posting some of Mark’s sketches on Instagram, we had an overwhelming response and requests to purchase them,” James Mischka explained.  “We wanted to use that opportunity to benefit people in need.”

“In the face of enormous challenges, Feeding America food banks are responding with extraordinary efforts to make sure no one goes hungry during the pandemic,” said Mark. “We were supporters of Feeding America before the pandemic, and their mission is even more critical now,” added James. “Badgley Mischka is honored to be assisting in their efforts through the artistry of fashion design.”

All 35 original sketches can be seen HERE.

About Badgley Mischka

Over the past thirty years, Badgley Mischka has flourished into a true lifestyle brand recognizable worldwide. To date, the Badgley Mischka brand includes multiple product categories such as Eveningwear, Day Dresses, Sportswear, Outerwear, Bridal, Swimwear, Footwear, Handbags, Eyewear, Timepieces, and Jewelry. Mark Badgley and James Mischka’ s timeless designs appeal to a wide range of fashionable women including Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, Taylor Swift, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Carrie Underwood. Badgley Mischka is sold in the most prestigious stores in the world including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Harrods and Harvey Nichols in addition to the Badgley Mischka flagship boutique in Los Angeles. For additional information, please visit www.badgleymischka.com.

 

About Feeding America

 

Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, the organization provides meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people they serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org.