Accessories /

Be Ever Wonderful: Personal Growth and Mindset

Personal growth is the beginning of having an altered mindset.  It’s the ability to say no to unhealthy environments and yes to pure, authentic joy.  Growth appears different for each individual and can’t necessarily be categorized.

I think every woman has that moment when life changes internally.  Personally, this mental elevation started when there was a desire to read a thought-provoking book or recognize the early morning sunset.  For transparency, it would truly surprise most people to know that I’m both fun-loving and very practical.  My husband finds humor in my ability to keep our family moving like a machine.

Growing up my dad would play Earth Wind and Fire, Be Ever Wonderful.  This song resonates because the last lyrics says, “don’t let the world change your mind. don’t let the world change your mind.”  And how often does the world try to change our mind?  We drift away from our natural upbringings to marginalize into an unknown path of adulthood.

A few steps towards achieving personal growth is through goal-setting, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and most importantly knowing yourself.

My personal philosophy is to be the author of your own story and “Be Ever Wonderful” in your own sweet way!

Wrap Blouse:  New York and Company | Pull-on Pants:  New York and Company | Tangerine Heels:  Similar Macy’s

Birmingham /

Spring Break Fun and Excitement at the Birmingham Zoo

Spring Break is the best time to have fun and enjoy exciting places like the Birmingham Zoo! Join us from March 23-31, for the opening of seasonal favorites and special activities. Guest will enjoy the Children’s Zoo Splash Pads, happenings at the Predator Zone, interact with animals in the Contact Yard and do so much more. Starting Saturday, March 23 will be the return of Giraffe Feedings* and Camel Rides*.

Guests are invited to feed the lorikeets in the Schaeffer Eye Center Lorikeet Aviary*, take a ride on the Red Diamond Express Train*, spin on the Protective Life Carousel* and zip down the Full Moon Bar-B-Que Wild Slide*. Enjoy watching a Wildlife Show or meet an Ambassador Animal at the UAB at the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Wildlife Stage. Participate in up-close fun with our sea lions at a Red Diamond Sea Lion Show.

Our All Adventure Wristband* will be available to purchase for access to unlimited rides on the train, carousel, and slide, in addition to one camel ride, one ticket for giraffe feeding and one ticket for lorikeet feeding. Just in time for the warmer weather, guests can soak up the sun while creating lasting memories with a visit to your favorite Zoo!

*All rides and various activities are an additional cost – plus tax and are weather dependent.

SPRING BREAK DAILY ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE: March 23–31

All Adventure Wristbands

Cost: $17 plus tax

Access to unlimited rides on the train, carousel, and slide, in addition to one camel ride, one ticket for giraffe feeding and one ticket for lorikeet feeding.

Camel Rides

Daily

9am – 4:45pm

Cost: $5 plus tax – per rider

Children under the age of 3 MUST be accompanied by an adult and reach over the safety bar.

Weather dependent

Children’s Zoo Splash Pads

Daily

9am – 4:45pm

Weather Dependent

 Full Moon BBQ Wild Slide

Daily

9am – 4:45pm

Cost: $3.50 plus tax

Riders must be 4 years of age and 40 inches tall to ride

Protective Life Carousel Rides

Daily

9am – 4:45pm

Cost: $3.50 plus tax

Children under two, receive a free ride on the carousel with a paid accompanying adult.

Children two and older must have a ride ticket.

 Red Diamond Express Train Ride

Daily

9am – 4:45pm

Cost: $3.50 plus tax

Children’s Zoo Contact Yard

Daily

10am – 12pm

 Goat Walk

Daily

9:30am

Schaeffer Eye Center Lorikeet Aviary

Daily

10am – 4pm

$2 plus tax

Weather dependent

Red Diamond Sea Lion Show

Daily

10am

2pm

Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter

Daily

10am – 3pm

Cost, $3.50 plus tax

Weather dependent

UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Wildlife Show

Daily

11am

Predator Zone Lion Training

Daily

11:30am

3pm

Animal Greetings at the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Wildlife Stage

Daily

2:30pm

LINKS

Admission Tickets

https://tickets.birminghamzoo.com/Sales/Admission/TicketSales.aspx?_ga=2.84040912.817116577.1553013169-277242370.1553013169

 

All Adventure Wristbands *Click March 23 on Ticketing Calendar.

https://tickets.birminghamzoo.com/Sales/Admission/TicketSales.aspx?_ga=2.84040912.817116577.1553013169-277242370.1553013169

Beauty /

Revamp For Spring 2019 : Makeup and Wardrobe Looks

The temperatures are changing so should our look. Check out items from Makeup Geek for budget-friendly high-quality cosmetics (available at Target), Marsté for some size inclusive fashion (size 0-22), and IBKÜL for fun workout gear that is not only cute but will also keep you cool. 
Accessories /

Project Runway All Stars Winning Looks To Be Auctioned On Ebay

Premiere Props announced they will be auctioning off over 300 looks from Project Runway All Stars, including over 150 looks from the current season, “Champions,” on Saturday, April 6 at the Premiere Props headquarters in El Segundo, CA.  This season of All Stars features 14 winning designers from Project Runway, seven from the U.S. and seven from international versions.   Hosted by Alyssa Milano, with judges Georgina Chapman and Isaac Mizrahi and editor-in-chief of Marie Claire, Anne Fulenwider, serving as the designers’ mentor, the current season’s winner will be crowned on the finale on Lifetime on Wednesday, March 27.

Immediately following the finale on Wednesday, March 27, 20 winning looks from the finalists will be available for auction on eBay.  The eBay auction will culminate with the live auction on Saturday, April 6.

Proceeds from both the auction and the eBay sale will go to Magic Bus, an organization that raises funds to move children out of poverty by nurturing them on a journey from childhood to livelihood.  Using mentors and sports-based curriculum to engage children, Magic Bus ensures that children make the right choices from childhood all the way through to better livelihoods as adults.  Magic Bus was one of the show’s partners this season.

“I couldn’t be more thankful to my Project Runway family for allowing me the platform to introduce an incredible charity that I feel passionate about. I am thrilled for the upcoming auction and to be able to give fans across the world the chance to own these amazing one-of-a-kind designs all benefiting a great cause, Magic Bus,” said Georgina Chapman.

“We are excited to partner with Georgina Chapman and the Project Runway team to support Magic Bus,’ said Dan Levin, Executive Vice President of Premiere Props.  “Fashion fans around the world will have the chance to own these incredible winning looks from the series’ greatest designers.

Fans can start bidding now by placing bids online at http://www.icollector.com/, http://www.liveauctioneers.com, and http://www.invaluable.com or by calling to set up phone bidding with a Premiere Props representative. Collectors can place proxy bids until the All Stars Auction goes LIVE at 11 a.m. PT on Saturday, April 6, 2019.

Beauty /

Disney Minnie Mouse and Dose of Colors Launch New Collection

Dose of Colors is thrilled to present a fun, bold and fearless collaboration with a timeless icon, Disney Minnie Mouse. Devised with the brand’s penchant for color, this collection is an all-tonality encompassing celebration perfect for the beauty fanatic looking to amp up their daily makeup routine or for day to night versatility.

The Minnie Mouse Eyeshadow Blush Palette is the leader of the pack with six pigmented neutral to bold shades and one faultless matte blush. In harmony with the hues of the palette are the three new Liquid Matte Lipsticks in long-wearing, Minnie-approved shades. Feeling a little flashy? Try the accompanying Glitter Eyeliners, in three varied colors sure to set off the existing sparkle in your eyes. To complete any look, for the first time in any Dose of Colors collab, the ultimate eye-batting lashes inspired by Minnie herself! These lightweight lashes provide all the length and volume you could want.

Tag @doseofcolors and follow all the fun using #DisneyandDoseofColors

Available today on www.doseofcolors.com.
WHAT: Disney Minnie Mouse and Dose of Colors Collection

LAUNCH DATE: March 18, 2019 on www.doseofcolors.com and Naimie’s Beauty

April 21, 2019 at ULTA online
May 5, 2019 at ULTA in-store

DETAILS: Special Edition SKUs include —

Multi-use palette $39 USD; six neutral to bold eyeshadow shades in matte and shimmer finishes, one matte blush
Minnie Mouse Liquid Matte Lipsticks $18 USD; three high payoff shades
Minnie Mouse Glitter Eyeliners $19; three shimmery ways to make a statement Minnie Mouse Lashes $15 USD; get flare-y with it…and length and volume with these special-to-the-collection lashes.
Accessories /

CELEB SPOTTING: Cara Santana Carrying Ella McHugh Handbag

Actress and entrepreneur, Cara Santana, was spotted this week in New York City carrying the adorable Ella McHugh Monika Quicksilver handbag!

Take a look at the photos below.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 12: Cara Santana is seen wearing Veronica Beard in Chelsea on March 12, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 12: Cara Santana is seen wearing Veronica Beard in Chelsea on March 12, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 12: Cara Santana is seen wearing Veronica Beard in Chelsea on March 12, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
Celebrity /

ESSENCE’s New Digital Cover Featuring Star Trek: Discovery’s Sonequa Martin-Green

“I certainly see more doors opening for Black women and people of color…and of course, I celebrate it. But I also have a healthy yearning for more…”— Sonequa Martin-Green, ESSENCE.com

ESSENCE’s new digital cover features Star Trek: Discovery’s Sonequa Martin-Green who continues her upward trajectory on the iconic sci-fi series in her role as First Officer Michael Burnham. In the piece, Out of This World, she talks about diversity in Hollywood and the impact of her role on the next generation (pun intended.) As one of the few faces of color to have navigated the zombie apocalypse on The Walking Dead, she’s now the first Black woman to be a lead on a Star Trek series in its 53-year history. Here, she talks to ESSENCE about: 

  • ON BEING A ROLE MODEL TO YOUNG GIRLS: “It’s kind of surreal…Parents tell me their girls are interested in math, science, and technology after watching the show. That’s incredible. It makes me want to work harder. It makes me more grateful.”
  • ON LOVING HER “STAR TREK” ROLE: “I saw this vision to humanize Star Trek in a way we hadn’t seen before. That’s the kind of stuff I love. That’s so challenging and fulfilling as an actor…Here we have this Black woman who is completely burst open. You’re seeing the inner workings of this Black woman being a human being. We need to see Black people and other people of color and women be human and be broken and be vulnerable. I think that’s a big part of how we move forward.”
  • ON THE NEED FOR MORE DIVERSITY IN HOLLYWOOD: “I certainly see more doors opening for Black women and people of color…And of course, I celebrate it. But I also have a healthy yearning for more. The way to continue opening these doors is by continuing to do what we’re doing: telling these varied, interesting, compelling, ugly, beautiful, human stories. We need for people who look like us to tell them because otherwise, we[’ll] continue to see ourselves through other people who are different from us. So I appreciate our writers and producers for standing by this vision to have a Black woman at the helm. I’m so very humbled by it and innovated by it. I just hope that this keeps spreading. I think it will…”

In the piece, written by Candice Frederick, Martin-Green is stunning in looks and accessories by Kimora Lee Simmons, Zadig & Voltaire, Maki Oh, Kenneth Jay Lane and more. Photos are by Derek Reed and styling by Mecca James Williams.

For more on this and more stories, visit ESSENCE.com.

Accessories /

NY&C Closet Online Clothing Rental Subscription Service

Years ago, only a few selected retailers offered shoppers the opportunity to rent clothing pieces.  Now, this digital option of building a wardrobe has become popular amongst other companies.

New York & Company offers NY&C Closet which is their online clothing rental service.  To get started, you can sign-up for the program and receive approval via email.

From there you build an online closet, have items are delivered to your front door, ship pieces back, and repeat the same process.

 

The really amazing aspect of their online rental service is that items can be purchased for a discount.  It doesn’t get any better than that!

Additional tips for using the NY&C Closet clothing rental service is to add several items to the digital closet, pinpoint and select your favorite items, and be sure to let the company know when pieces are returned.  It’s just that easy to look fabulous every day!

I will be trying the service and sharing my online shopping experiences with everyone here!

 

Beauty /

Women are Buying This Beauty Tool to Get Meghan Markle’s Jawline

One of the most distinctive features of Meghan Markle’s face is her strong jawline. While the princess and royal mom-to-be defies age with her tight, bright skin and chiseled facial features, there have been numerous stories reporting on exactly HOW she keeps her face so sculpted. Her secret? Facial massages.

 

I wanted to introduce you to a beauty tool paving the way in facial massage technique that can help you sculpt a chiseled jawline matching that of Meghan Markle’s.

In-come the FaceBlaster by renowned fascia guru, Ashley Black. Key highlights about the FaceBlaster include:

  • Handheld tool with 3 tiny, dainty claws to massage problem areas on the face
  • The perfect shape that fits perfectly along your jawline, to help you sculpt a defined profile
  • Better than Botox? This new beauty tool can help increase circulation and work to eliminate wrinkles, inflammation, and other skin impurities
  • All natural, feel-good way to help eliminate sagging skin, jowls, and more

The FaceBlaster™ is a unique design, and Ashley Black’s smallest Blaster tool, with 3 tiny, dainty claws that employ the same benefits of the FasciaBlaster® for smaller, delicate areas. It was specifically designed for the face and temporarily increases local blood circulation to the face, which is amazing for our skin. This tool was so popular that Ashley Black had 100,000 users on the waitlist for this product when it launched. This is a must-have.

Beauty /

Yara Shahidi: Brand Ambassador For Bobby Brown Cosmetics

Yara Shahidi is one major breakout star!  Her character on the television show Blackish is witty and fresh.  In her personal life, she’s known for being proactive and representing a voice for her generation.

All of those qualities alone would make her the perfect brand ambassador for Bobby Brown Cosmetics.  The cosmetics line is expanding its foundation shade range.  Yara stated in Allure magazine, “I’m excited about being in partnership with Bobbi Brown. I have used Bobbi Brown for photo shoots [and] on set, so it’s been a lovely pairing indeed.”

Yara seeks to educate the beauty industry on the topic of representation and broaden everyone’s view of beauty.  According to Bobby Brown Cosmetics, “The brand has added 12 new options to both ranges, bringing the final count for both foundations from 30 shades to 42.”

To make this collaboration even more fantastic, the brand recruited several girls from across the globe to test and try the new foundation shades.

To read more about Yara Shahidi and Bobby Brown Cosmetics, click here:  Bobbi Brown Is Extending Its Foundation Shade Range by Filling the Gaps Between Colors