A Diva State of Mind

Pursuit DC is hosting it’s second annual 3 on 3 basketball tournament to benefit Capital Partners for Education (CPE).  All proceeds from the tournament will be used to support CPE’s efforts to help motivated, low-income high school students reach their dreams of attending and completing college.

 When: Sunday, March 31, 2012

Time: 9:00am to 1:30pm  

Where: KIPP DC: College Prep (2600 Douglas PL., S.E. Washington D.C. 20020)

Age: 18+ 

Fee - $35 per person team of 3 players; $140 3-4 players per team.  Click HERE for all information related to the tournament and to register!

There is a 16 team limit and spots fill up quickly! Make sure you and your teammates register for the event ASAP! For any questions regarding registration please contact Romone Penny, Pursuit Founder and CEO at [email protected].

It’s been awhile since we featured a male “Looks We Love” so when I came across these photos of Trey Songz, I knew I had to post them!!!

Songz recently teamed up with GQ Magazine for a sports jacket photo shoot; GQ highlights some of the best men’s sports jackets and why every man should own one.  Trey Songz also gives a little insight into what we can expect to hear from him in the future in terms of new music.

Check out the pics below; ladies, you’re welcome!

Not sure why he’s holding his crotch in the last picture *shrug*  Click HERE  for more information on each look.  Lookin’ good Trey!!

Source: GQ Magazine

My friend Lisa had her eye on EXPRESS’ blue Columnist Pants for months!! She finally purchased them last week but wanted to know what she should wear them with besides a white blouse. This blue pants are a great alternative to wearing color jeans.  Here are a few suggestions on how Lisa can wear her new fabulous pants with something other than white:

Have Fun With Color

It’s no secret, color blocking is a major trend.  Have some fun and pair your blue pants with a solid tangerine or yellow top for the color blocking effect. Top off the look with neutral accessories; too many colors at once and you’ll look like a rainbow!   To wear this look to work, look for short sleeve, 3/4 length and long sleeve blouses or pair with a neutral cardigan (i.e. tan or ivory).

Solid and Stripes

Another option is to pair the blue Columnist Pants with a striped blazer like the one below.  Stripes or a pattern are a great contrast to the blue pants. Stripes add visual interest if you don’t want to wear a bold color but still want to experiment with a piece other than a solid neutral.  With a striped blazer or patterned top matched with bright blue pants, you can keep the accessories simple for a classic look.  

Pair With Knit Sweaters

Given the type of shirt used to pair with the pants, the first look screams Spring/Summer while the second is one that is a great option for Spring during cool but comfortable temperatures. However, Lisa purchased the blue pants now and shouldn’t have to wait until Spring to wear them! She can wear the blue Columnist Pants with a knit sweater and booties.  Sweaters in brown (or tan), grey, ivory, orange and red (if you really want to make a statement) will look great with the pants.

 

 

Lisa, I hope this looks give you some inspiration on what to wear with your new pants!!

Have style questions? Submit them to [email protected]

*Don’t forget, for product information, click on the photo.

I’ve come across a few women who love to look made up.  They have on THICK makeup, long weave and form fitting attire.  One day I ran into a woman who usually fits that description when seen out in the city.  This time however, because we were at a local restaurant, she didn’t have her weave in, bare face and very casual outfit.  She looked so pretty!! The guys I was with even complimented her and told her how much better she looked without all the hair and makeup.  She of course thought that she looked bad and I tried to reassure her that men like less when it comes to makeup and all the extras.  All the guys shook their heads in agreement.

Fast forward to earlier this week when I was reading ESSENCE. I came across an article titled “He’s Naturally Attracted To You” written by Sha Stimu.  Stimu discusses how he dated a woman who wouldn’t let him see her without her weave in and when she did finally take it out for 2 weeks, she didn’t believe she was pretty, no matter how often he complimented her:

I want a woman to be able to look in the mirror and be comfortable with who she is.  A woman who couldn’t love herself as nature made her was not someone I could be with for the long haul….it’s really upsetting to me that so many women try to look like a video model or celebrity in their daily lives.

A lot of women would be surprised to hear such a thing.  The behavior of men often contradicts this idea of less is more. But I’ve heard men talk about it before; they don’t really like all the extras when looking for a serious relationships:

Men are visual creatures. But the women men like to check out are different from the ones we commit to. - Stimu

When it comes to makeup, I’m a true believer that makeup should ENHANCE your natural beauty.  It should add a little something extra. I love makeup just like the next woman but it shouldn’t be used to create a new face.  Similar to shopping, when applying makeup, play with your best features.  Great cheek bones? Have fun with blush.  Your makeup should not be so thick that it looks like a completely different face and could melt if you were to stand outside in the sun (I’ve seen that too)!

There’s nothing wrong with adding beauty products to enhance our looks. Many of us get our nails filled every two weeks, while others rock a weave every few weeks.  But all of that should look natural.  Don’t let makeup, weave and other fake assets define you!  I would hope when you look at your natural self in the mirror, you truly love the skin you’re in!

Sweatpants, hair tied, chilling with no makeup on. That’s when you’re the prettiest I hope that you don’t take it wrong. - Drake

CIAA weekend is right around the corner which means a lot of people are beginning to think about their outfit options.  Last month, Kandra inquired on what to wear with her sequin shorts. This week, Tiffany emailed me in need of outfit suggestions around two pair of heels she plans on wearing during CIAA weekend:

I am going to CIAA weekend and needing some ideas on what I can wear with these shoes to both a day and evening party. I have heard that most women wear jeans or leggings to the day parties and then for the evening parties are a little more dressy.

Bakers Jess Peep Toe Pumps

Day Outfit
 

I’m not sure how dressed up people get for CIAA day parties, but you can play on the current trend of color jeans and wear the leopard print heels with coral jeans and a lightweight sweater since you’ll be in North Carolina where the weather is a little warmer (wearing a lightweight sweater means you can leave your jacket at home).  Another option is to wear the heels with skinny jeans, a graphic tank and a blazer.

Evening Outfit

 

Pair the leopard print shoes with a bodycon dress. Of course you could always wear them with a black dress, but color is more fun!!  Other great colors to wear with these shoes include red, blue and orange.

Baker’s Judy Sandals

Day
 

Evening

For evening, pair the red sandals with a black and white printed dress. A patterned dress like this one is a little edgy and creates a great contrast to the shoes. The wrap style of this dress will with the stripped pattern will help in creating an hourglass shape. To add some boldness to  the outfit, add a colorful clutch. Like red, yellow is a great color to combine with black and white.

Tiffany, I hope these ideas help you create the perfect outfits for CIAA weekend!!

If you have style questions, please submit them to [email protected]

For more information on where to purchase each item featured above, click on the picture.

Life coach and dynamic speaker Kiki Ramsey, has declared 2012 as the year of courage for women across the country and she is inviting individuals to join her at the kickoff event for the Get Courageous Movement!

The Get Courageous Kickoff will feature expert panelists in the areas of relationships, career, finances, emotional well-being, spiritual growth and health. Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit vendor booths and network with other audacious women. The Get Courageous Kickoff is for anyone that is prepared to take their life to new heights and challenge anything that stands in the way.

In addition, all attendees are encouraged to donate gently used suits and accessories that will benefit Dress For Success, Washington DC Affiliate. This is a non-profit organization that provides professional attire, mentoring programs and career assistance to women who are making the transition from welfare to work. I am a Dress for Success volunteer and can’t stress enough how beneficial this organization is for women who are working hard to re-enter the job market and retain their jobs once they are employed.

Date: Saturday, February 25, 2012

Time: 1p.m. to 4p.m.

Location: Cross Creek Golf Club in Beltsville, MD

Tickets can be purchased online at http://getcourageouskickoff.eventbrite.com

Kiki Ramsey is a life coach, licensed social worker and dynamic speaker. For over 10 years, Kiki has been a catalyst for helping women overcome challenges and transform their lives. Her own unique life experiences have laid the foundation she now uses to help women challenge themselves and begin living the lives they want.

For more information visit http://www.kikiramsey.com.

Last month I introduced you to The Trunk Series. This month the series is back with another great event, this time focusing on beauty and wellness.  #SelfLove will highlight desired spa services that are practiced professionally and conveniently by peers in our Nation’s Capitol.

Featuring services & participants include:

• Polish change and exfoliation treatment by Sassy Nail Salon & Spa
• Haircut and shape up by N’ Style Hair Grooming & Barber
• Lash and brow services by Nicole Alexis
• Chair massages by Lomi Lo,
• Tax consult with Johnson Financial Services
• Nutritional consult with Dffrnt Wrld Deli
• Clothing by Mila & Fire Vintage
• Self portrait photo booth by International AWoL.

 

Click HERE for the price of some of the services listed above.

Date: Sunday, February 18, 2012

Time: 3pm to 8pm

Location: Studio 52 Artist Loft (#204) 52 O St NW, WDC (between First St & North Capitol/ right before NY Ave and behind Dunbar HS)

The event is free to attend, however The Trunk Series is seeking a minimum donation of $5 to support So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E), the DC charity that has served the homeless for over 40 years. To learn more about S.O.M.E please click HERE.

To learn more about the The Trunk Series and to stay up to date on all of their events, follow on twitter @TheTrunkSeries

Hope to see you Sunday!

Tyler Perry is using his upcoming movie to give back!

Tyler Perry’s GOOD DEEDS movie opens in theaters everywhere on February 24, 2012 and I can’t wait. This movie looks like it’s going to be good.  In honor of the movie, Tyler Perry is launching Good Deeds: Great Needs. This initiative will support Covenant House, a non-profit organization that provides for homeless youth. Through GiftCardGiver.com, Good Deeds: Good Needs will be collecting unused gift cards and donating all collected cards to Covenant House.

Tyler Perry is a long-time supporter of Covenant House. His contribution to the organization includes renovating the covenant house Georgia crisis center. He also purchased a new outreach van for street outreach efforts.

In addition to giftcards, Lionsgate, the entertainment studio distributing the film, will be making a financial donation to Covenant House for every share of the GOOD DEEDS trailer!! All you have to do is watch the short one minute trailer and share the video with friends via various social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

To learn more about donating gift cards and to share Good Deeds:Great Needs, visit www.gooddeedsgreatneeds.com

The film stars Tyler Perry, Thandie Newton, Brian White,Rebecca Romijn, Jamie Kennedy, Eddie Cibrian, Jordenn Thompson, and Beverly Johnson with Phylicia Rashad and Gabrielle Union.

Sometimes one good deed can change your life forever.

2012 is the year of Adele! The songstress won 6 Grammy Awards on Sunday and is now the newest beauty to cover Vogue Magazine. She looks GORGEOUS; her makeup is flawless and the styling is perfect!!

Check out Vogue.com exclusive outtakes and excerpts from her interview:

“I definitely think that less is more. I don’t think I could pull it off, doing an elaborate show.  There are a couple of songs that are worth of a few explosions and dancing teams and stuff like that.  But I would feel really uncomfortable displaying my music like that. I just want to sing it. I don’t want to perform with my body.”

“Even though my emotions aren’t with my ex at all anymore, it’s still like stepping back into that really painful time [when I sing my heart-break songs]. So every show is pretty emotional. It takes a toll. You know, he was amazing. He was great. But it was never going to work. And for ages I was like, ‘As if he deserves any fucking kudos for inspiring my record.’ But now, after some time, it only seems right that the person who, so far, has had the biggest impact on me — has now changed my life for fucking ever with this album — deserves a little credit. I can do things that I never dreamed I’d be able to do. If I hadn’t met him, I think I’d still be that little girl I was when I was eighteen. And the best thing is, I now know what I want for myself and from someone else. I didn’t know what I wanted before.”

I’m glad to see a women with REAL curves in this March issue!

Hair: Luigi Murenu for John Frieda; Makeup: Lucia Pieroni for Clé de Peau Beauté; Photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

Vogue & The Jasmine Brand

Last night was the biggest night in the music industry! I’m not sure why, but it felt like a lot of people were missing on the red carpet this year. I’ll admit I thought overall the red carpet was underwhelming, but there were a few ladies that stood out.  Below is a list of those I thought shut the red carpet down!

Rihanna

A lot of people loved her look, but there were some who weren’t a fan. Personally, I think she killed it! Yes, the dress shows a lot of skin, but it’s Rihanna. What did you expect.  She co-designed the Armani dress and with her body, she definitely pulled this off. Let’s remember, this is the Grammys. The dress should make a statement.  Don’t act like you don’t remember Jennifer Lopez and that barely there green Versace dress in 2000.

Kelly Rowland

After seeing Ms. Rowland on Access Hollywood last week talk about Grammy options, I had guessed that she was going to wear a bright color.  However, she looked gorgeous in this Alberta Ferretti blush gown with silver embroidery. She paired the look with Lorraine Schwartz earrings.  As always, her makeup was flawless.

Carrie Underwood

I don’t think we’ve every seen Carrie Underwood have a bad red carpet moment. She is a beautiful woman and always looks great! For the Grammy Awards, she wore a stunning white sequin-and-tulle gown by Gomez Gracia.  The dress covered in the front and adds drama with a cut out back.

Corinne Bailey Rae 

This dress is a statement and requires minimum to no jewelry.  With this dress, I’d probably wear at minimum a ring, but Corinne is able to pull off this look with no jewelry fabulously.  The dress is by one of my favorite designers, Christian Siriano. Can he ever do wrong?!? And check out her shoes!!

Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne looked great at the Grammys last night.  She wore a sparkling silver one-shoulder gown by Tony Ward couture.  Although the dress closely matched her hair, the look worked!! Not everyone could pull that off and she did effortlessly.

Jesse J.

This is what I expect to see at the Grammys. Sparkle!!! Jesse J. rocked a mirrored gown by Julien MacDonald and looked beautiful.

Adele

Adele channeled old Hollywood glam with the all black sequin gown by Giorgio Armani and flawless makeup.  She always looks great; I’m hoping this year we can see her in some color!!!

Who do you think was the best dressed at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards?

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