LBD101- To Get IT or Not

After having some insightful (yet funny) conversations with a few friends and family, I have come to understand that not everyone is meant to be Stylish, Trendy or Fashionable. For me, I developed a style that I creatively made work for me ever since I began clubbing in NYC some years ago--way before many of my friends. If you ask anyone who knows me, my “getting dressed up” attire consists of four key items:

o LBD (Little Black Dress)

o Killer HIGH Heels

o Statement Jewelry (Usually Pearls)

o Clutch

Sounds simple right? Wrong! No matter where I travel or what type of club I visit there is always one or two women who just totally get the LBD look wrong. Seriously ladies? Here’s a few tips I’ve picked up over the years that helped me below!

Common misconceptions of wearing the LBD:

• Black makes you look skinny-- NO it's just a bad myth; truth is we're not all Sessilee Lopez' so my quick fix tip is SPANX

• Every LBD is the same-- NO All dresses are made differently and not meant for every body shape

• Black on Black always looks GREAT-- NO sometimes there are different shades of black and in pictures or to a keen fashion eye it looks off. If all Black is a must keep it loose and if possible try breaking it up with jewelry (silver, gold, wood or pearls).

Fashion is about experimentation and research. See what's in style this season, try new things, try old things; mix high end and inexpensive... Most importantly be comfortable in what you’re wearing! A great outfit can make even the worst day a little bit better!

Check out a few of my favorite LBD ensembles!

Happy Dressings,

x0Xo Brooklyn Girl

Ice Cream Man

Growing up everyone loves the Ice Cream Man. The first sound of that classic jingle sparks off the thought of summer days and the greatest fun of the year. A feeling that seems to never fade as one grows older even if masked deep inside. No matter what you do that catchy jingle and the thought of the greatest childhood feeling—sitting on the curb or stoop accompanied by your best friends and the greatest ice cream cone extra sprinkles with no care in the world.

Funny to compare the two but the same is true for that one individual as you get older, that no matter how long they’ve been gone out of your life or how much you try to push the mere memory of them away they always seem to enable a warm sensitive feeling within that only they can erupt. Our own personal Ice Cream Man (Woman) to be quiet frank. A love that has passed and piece of you that will always remain with another-- every person has this whether it be a teacher or childhood crush to ones first love or first sexual partner or relationship with great memories; there’s an Ice Cream Man that just reminds you of sweet days past.

Everyone’s Ice Cream experience was different and the results of the relationship are just as much of a mystery for each of us. Who knows if we’ll ever grow out of this fascination becoming lactose intolerant or being able to continue to enjoy the sweet treats forever?

So Ice Cream Men… Good or Bad? You make the choice but be appreciative of them no matter what because at one point it was the sweetest moment even if just for a split second.

xoxo Brooklyn Girl

Finding my Inner HAPPY

Over these past few years I have began to come into myslf and find who I truely am. Along the way I have realized some thing worked and others don't-- how personal growth can effect all aspects of life including career and love. With the growth of my inner sexy I have become more confident and more sure of the person I want to become...

Here are a few tips that I found worked on my personal journey:
Faith- Finding belief in a higher being whether it be GOD, ALLAH, YAHWEH, JAH, BUDDAH or any other entity commonly or uncommonly found to give spiritual guidance.
Family- Family is not always defined by bloodline but that of the relationship between you and individuals. The development of love, trust and happiness.
Friends- Having amazing people in your corner to help you through difficulty, tell you when your wrong, hold you when you cry and laugh when you fall while helping you up.

I truly encourage everyone to find your inner HAPPY! It's an amazing feeling to be genuinely happy! Don't forget I'm not an expert just someone on this amazing journey of life finding out how great life can be!

xoxo Brooklyn Girl

New Years 2011 DMV Style

This was the first time I had ever spent a holiday away from my tight knit family but I can't say that I may be the last! Everyone says that their friends are amazing and they wouldn't have it any other wayl so I guess I'll stick to that saying and let it ride. Over this past few years I have lost friends gained friends and re-evaluated freindships from the ground up. I was always told that some of your greatest friends come from your college years and I am now a believer.

Ringing in the year 2011 with two of my amazing best friends Caramel, VanillaBean and Menzana along with Brother-from-another BEAR & his teammates from the Washington Redskins and crew was one of the best experiences of my life! Check out some of the pics from the weekend.

Brooklyn Girl 2011

Happy NEW YEAR!!!! Today I decided to take charge once again on this journey we call life. Not in the sense that I had ever lost myself but in the sense that I am going to do things my way to make sure I am the happiest me I could ever be! I've allowed many outside influences and people in who have not been for the better but it's time to purge of them and move forward. It's great to have great friends, amazing family and faith in the Lord nothing in this world is impossible! Take Charge and LIVE LARGE!

Changes

It's been about a year and a half since I walked across the stage at West Virginia University's Cultural Arts Centers and received my college diploma as the only African American student of the class and since then so many things have changed. I was never one for cliche's especially one's that pertained to friends, being that I had so many ups and downs with friends since I was young enough to know what a real friend was. Looking back on my life's turning point and the point where I began to fully understand who I am as a person I become more appreciative of the old antage "You meet your true friends in college"; yet again not taking anything away from the few friends that I have from elementary and high school whom I am still close with.
Thinking back, I left my mountaineer home with what seemed to be the best group of friends a college experience could have pumped out; three amazing best friends all of different upbringing, races and roles in my life... teammates who seem to this day to still be my everyday sisters, confidons and rocks and girls and guys who are more like sissie's and bro's. One year where are we all? All out living life doing our thing some moved on to be professionals, athletes, parents or continued studies. One thing I realized today was that no matter what, we all hone an experience that no matter the changes or directions our lives take can not be distorted.
I am forever thankful for the late night food runs to Sheetz, Working Womens Wednesday, 2am Food Fights that turn into winter spring cleaning and cop visits, snow fights and mattress rolls down the hills, random road trips, drunken stuppers or even 6am wieght lifting.

I can't wait to look back in 10 years and laugh at how amazing life has been to me! And even more appreciative of the people that I meet in that small West Virginia town who helped me grow into the person I am today and have a genuine acceptance of me for me....


Inspired by Tiffany Evans- Changes