A Diva State of Mind

WE tv is bringing a new reality show to the network title “Pregnant & Dating.” According to the network:

Traditionally, love is followed by marriage  and then along comes motherhood, but in this fresh new original series, viewers join these fearless five as they experience the modern day dating game with a baby on board. The spotlight will be on all the drama, conflict and inherent comedy that ensues when these very spirited and single moms-to-be embark on their quest to find Mr. Right, or at least Mr. Right Now. Refusing to accept stereotypes, these women thoughtfully manage a combination of active hormones, overbearing families, inattentive fathers-to-be and a slew of dates both rocky and redeeming, as they put together their most modern of families.

Twitter was crazy this morning after a local radio personality asked the question “would you date a woman that was pregnant?” There was definitely a variety of comments on this topic!!  Women shared that they were approached by men when pregnant. Some have friends who are now married to the guy that approached them while they were pregnant. Men talked about how pregnant box is supposed to be amazing (really??). Other guys thought any man who approaches a pregnant woman to date or have sex with her is desperate and/or a creeper!  It was a lot going on before 8:30am on a Friday!

After seeing all the comments I finally checked out the trailer. Let me say this: there’s nothing wrong with a single woman looking for love or sex (for those that aren’t looking for a serious relationship). But is looking for love while you prepare to bring a baby into the world the right time? I couldn’t imagine putting my energy into dating while also preparing for motherhood; that preparation would be my first priority. Can’t dating wait until after the baby is born? It’s already hard enough getting adjusted to a newborn, but you want to get adjusted to having a baby AND a new relationship at the same time?! And men, is having sex with a pregnant woman really a fantasy for some of y’all???

After all of the buzz this morning surrounding the show, I’ll be tuning in tonight (May 31st) at 10pm to check it out. While I don’t understand, I’m interested to see why these women chose to find Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now during their pregnancy and the interesting experiences that come out of dating while pregnant.

What are your thoughts on dating while pregnant? Men - Would you date a woman that was pregnant?  Are you tuning in?

“I never thought I would date outside of my race,” Eve admits. “I never thought it would seriously be something that I considered because of where we come from. Interracial dating is still not as prevalent in our community. But when I met him, it was something that was so familiar. We recognize each other in a deeper way. If somebody is treating me the way I’m supposed to be treated, who cares what race he happens to be? It took a while for us to get comfortable, but when things got serious, we went for it. When we first started having pictures taken of us, I got so many negative tweets. It shocked me. I wondered where all of that hatred was coming from. It annoys me because America is a great country. But there are a lot of hypocrites. Would you rather me date someone, like my ex [Stevie J], just because he’s black? Or would you rather me be happy?”

It’s 2013, so crossing racial lines for love shouldn’t be a problem, but for some people it is.  As Eve pointed out, she received a lot of negative feedback when people found out her boyfriend was white. It is because she’s black? Is is because she’s a rapper so she’s expected to date black men?? If she’s happy, why does it matter if her boyfriend is white?

SavvyFitMoms Run Club was created to bring moms together to workout and encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle not only for themselves but their family.

Last year, after having her son, my client Celia struggled to find the time and resources to workout. To get rid of the baby weight, she started walking everyday during her lunch break at work. Since then she’s been an advocate for moms all over the DMV. Her transformation is what motivated her to start SavvyFitMoms Run Club. She wants moms to know that you don’t have to spend a lot of money in order to get back in shape. You just need the desire to want to be healthy and the commitment to make it happen.

On June 6, 2013, SavvyFitMoms Run Club will meet at Lake Artemesia in Berwyn Heights, MD at 7pm for the first run/walk. There is no membership fee required to join the club for the run but RSVP is required. RSVP HERE.

SavvyFitMoms Run Club will run/walk once a week, every week, at the same time and location. Please follow on twitter @SavvyFitMoms to stay up-to-date on all things related to the club.

If you know moms that would be interested, please share this event with them!

While going through Google Reader on Friday, I came across an article on Clutch Magazine about good ol Mississippi.

From Clutch Magazine:

Nina Buckhalter was 31 weeks pregnant when she delivered her stillborn daughter, Hayley Jade, on March 14, 2009. Less than two months later, Buckhalter, 29, was indicted for manslaughter in Lamar County, Miss. claiming she “willfully, unlawfully, feloniously, kill Hayley Jade Buckhalter, a human being, by culpable negligence.”

The state’s Supreme Court will be ruling soon on whether this indictment is constitutional and if the case can proceed. If the judges agree with the district attorney, pregnant women who suffer miscarriages or deliver stillborn babies may face time in prison.

Mother Jones reports:

If prosecutors prevail in this case, the state would be setting a “dangerous precedent” that “unintentional pregnancy loss can be treated as a form of homicide,” says Farah Diaz-Tello, a staff attorney with National Advocates for Pregnant Women, a nonprofit legal organization that has joined with Robert McDuff, a Mississippi civil rights lawyer, to defend Buckhalter.

Mississippi’s manslaughter laws were not intended to apply in cases of stillbirths and miscarriages. Four times between 1998 through 2002, Mississippi lawmakers rejected proposals that would have set specific penalties for damaging a fetus by using illegal drugs during pregnancy. But Mississippi prosecutors say that two other state laws allow them to charge Buckhalter. One defines of manslaughter as the “killing of a human being, by the act, procurement, or culpable negligence of another”; another includes “an unborn child at every stage of gestation from conception until live birth” in the state’s definition of human beings.

If a woman can legally terminate an unwanted pregnancy, how can she be jailed for unintentionally ending a wanted one?

Read full excerpt here.

I posted this article on Facebook and the first reaction I received was “is this a joke?” Unfortunately it’s not. The war on women is very real. Mississippi like many other states are seeking another way to regulate a woman’s body. Are we living in 2013 or 1613???  It is ridiculous that a woman could possibly go to jail because she had a miscarriage or delivered a stillborn baby. Unless the woman was on drugs during her entire pregnancy, miscarriages and stillborn babies are out of her control. An unborn fetus should not have more rights than an adult woman.

I often wonder, do these politicians not realize that they were birthed from a woman. How the hell would they feel if their wife, mother, sister, daughter or niece lived in a state that tried to have so much control over their uterus??

I encourage everyone, both men and women, to pay attention to what the lawmakers in your state are doing. They were voted by you so they should be working on your behalf. If they aren’t, we need to speak up and speak out when things are not right.

As my line sister said, “This is why people should just not live in Mississippi! They are always on the wrong side of history.”

*Note to self. Don’t move to the south*

Memorial Day Weekend is unofficially the beginning of summer which means it is time for swimwear! If you haven’t gone shopping for swimsuits yet, I hope this post will serve as a guide on your quest to find the perfect one for the season!

Let’s dive in shall we?!

Bigger on Top (Larger bust than hips)

Support and coverage is key! If you’re going to wear a two piece, look for swimsuit tops that fit like a bra.  Tops that have a thicker band on the side of the swimsuit top will aid in supporting your girls! If you prefer a one-piece, look for swimsuits that have structure in the bust; a soft foam cup or shelf bra. While you can wear thinner straps, thicker straps may be more comfortable depending on bust size.  You can balance out your top half by wearing a roll down bikini bottom in a bright color or print.  This will create flattering volume in your lower half and help create the ideal hourglass shape.

 

*Suggested Retailers: Bare Necessities (up to a K cup), Victoria’s Secret (Up to DD cup), Panache (D-K cup), Freya (C-JJ cup) and Athleta.

Bigger on Bottom (larger hips than bust)

The bigger on bottom body type gets tricky. In general, you’ll want to select swimsuits that are cut higher in the leg (both bikini’s and one-piece). This will make your thighs look leaner. Many believe boy shorts work because they cover the derrière, however, boy shorts cut at the widest part of your thigh. That’s why they are great for women who don’t have curves. Bikini’s with side ties and banded bottoms work well too. For the desired hourglass shape, pair your bikini bottom with tops that have patterns, texture (i.e. ruffles and fringe) and prints to bring the attention up (this applies to women who overall have a small chest too).  You can also wear one piece swimsuits or tankinis that have color and eye-catching detail on the top like this one. A halter top will give the illusion of wider shoulders and a longer torso, therefore balancing out your bottom half.

Retro style swimsuits are also another option. They returned to the fashion scene a few years ago and are here to stay. High waisted bikinis work for women who are curvy. They create the illusion of a longer leg AND they hide the belly (if that’s a problem area).

*Suggested Retailers: H&M, Target, Old Navy, Zappos, Macy’s, Kohl’s and Monif C.

Straight (Boxy, No Curves)

A woman who fits this description would be or very close to a 1:1:1 chest, waist, hips ratio. You can add volume to your chest and hips by wearing prints, patterns and texture, like ruffles, fringe and embellishments.  Boy shorts are great because they give the illusion of having hips. Bandeau and halter tops are great for a narrow frame.

*Suggested Retailers: Nordstrom, Old Navy, Target, Everything But Water, Figleaves

Extra In The Middle

A one-piece swimsuit with ruching, cut outs, control panels and color blocking will help hide the tummy.  Not only will these details hide the tummy, but they will also help define your waist. If you want to wear a two piece, a tankini is a great alternative to a one-piece or a high waisted bikini.

*Suggested Retailers: Dillards, Macy’s (they have Tummy Control Swimsuits), Kohl’s , Spanx and ModCloth

Hourglass

Your shape is considered ideal. Lucky you! You can pretty much wear anything but halter or triangle bikini tops and triangle bikini bottoms will look great on you. This type of bikini cut really shows off your assets (without being raunchy of course). Show off your torso by opting for low-rise bikini bottoms. Monokini’s are also a great option; the style of the swimsuit highlights your curves and emphasizes a small waist.

*Suggested Retailers: All stores listed in the post

Plus Size

If you’re plus size, you want to look for swimsuits that define a waist. The Miraclesuit below is perfect because it drapes diagonally across the midsection, creating a waistline. Swimsuits with ruching and color blocking are great at hiding the tummy while defining a waist. The retro a-line skirt style swimsuits like the one below from ModCloth are great for slimming out your thighs. It hits shorter than boy shorts, so it doesn’t cut at the widest part of your thighs. Many people will recommend wearing darker colors, but if you want to wear a bold color or print go for it. Check out Gabifresh in a black/white stripped bikini here!

*Suggested Retailers: ModCloth, Evans, Forever 21, Swimsuits For All, Panache, Miraclesuit, ASOS

I hope this helps you on your swimsuit shopping journey!! Please share with anyone you think could benefit from this post!

If you have any style questions or are interested in higher a personal stylist, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or 301-836-1451.

Sunday evening I attended ALDO’s “Lights, Camera, Fashion” event hosted by DC style blogger Ashley Gaga.  Guest were treated to cocktails and treats while previewing the new ALDO spring collection. Ashley showcased her favorite picks from the collection and models walked the store showing off cute spring looks featuring some of ALDO’s hottest shoes.  It was great to check out the collection and catch up with some people I hadn’t seen in a long time.

 

Guests also received 15% off their entire purchase so I of course couldn’t leave empty handed I walked away with a clutch and two pair of earrings. FYI, ALDO is a great retailers for accessories (handbags & jewelry). A lot of malls have both an ALDO store and a separate ALDO accessories store.

Here’s a video from Surpass Visuals highlighting the event:

 

Check out Ashley’s blog at www.ashleygaga.com. Visit www.aldoshoes.com to view the new spring collection.

Photos: DMC Phography & my phone

Gather your girlfriends and join The Womanly Curve for a fit and sassy spin on “Girls Night Out.” There will be three fitness classes, healthy eating demos, skin care and hair care demonstrations, health screenings and more!  You’ll also get to enjoy Ciroc and learn tips on how to create lower calorie drinks.  We all know ladies love a good cocktail!

Date: Thursday, May 23, 2013

Time: 6-10pm

Location: LOVE (1350 Okie Street NE Washington, DC)

Tickets: $25 http://fitnightoutdc-may2013.splashthat.com/

Two weeks ago, The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City hosted Mom’s Nite Out, a national program organized to celebrate motherhood.  The event included a makeover contest, a live Caribbean band, special discounts in stores, massages and two fashion shows!

Myself, Melissa Sabatine and Nichole Williamson were the stylist for the fashion shows. We literally spent the day of the show running around the mall for model fittings, picking up apparel from various stores and getting the model’s make-up and hair done. Was it exhausting? Yes, but I loved every minute of it!!

During each fashion show, we showcased outfits that mom’s could wear for various occasions but were also on trend.  We used clothes from Macy’s, The Limited, Caché, Banana Republic and Juicy Couture. Here are some looks from the show:

Thank you District Fete for allowing me to style the Mom’s Nite Out fashion show! I had a great time and look forward to more styling opportunities :)

Dwyane Wade made headlines this week when he was spotted wearing a Gucci double breasted polka dot suit jacket with ankle baring pants. This is a prime example of “when men wearing rolled up pants goes wrong.”

Guys, let this be a quick tutorial on how you can successfully wear rolled up pants during the spring/summer season. Your pants should not be tight like skinny jeans! There is debate over how high they should be rolled. You can check out an article on the art of rolling pants HERE which outlines how many inches pants should be rolled depending on style (jeans vs. khakis, etc).

Personally, I don’t think they should go higher than your ankle. Anything higher than that and you run the risk of looking like your clothes are too small or you’re wearing high waters (although some people want to achieve that look). Kevin Hart joked that D. Wade stole his suit and in this picture it looks like it! D. Wade’s thighs look like they are screaming for circulation and they just look too short!

If you’ve ever considered rolling up your jeans or khakis, check out the photos below for inspiration.

You can also check out Trey Songz’s photo spread in GQ Magazine for inspiration!

Here’s what the guys on Inside the NBA had to say about D. Wade’s satorial choice. Hilarious!

Photos: Fashion Bomb Daily, Be Stylish!.org, Coco & Creme

Solange Knowles looks HOT in the latest issue of Complex Magazine. She she shows off her fabulous body in bodysuits, crop tops and hot pants.

In her interview with Complex, Solange discusses her music, being a mom and more. Check out the full interview here.

Her remix to “Looks Good With Trouble” featuring Kendrick Lamar:

Fun Fact: Solange penned two hits for her sister Beyoncé, “Upgrade U” and “Get Me Bodied.”

Source: Complex Magazine