One of my favorite writers, Aliya S. King, celebrated her book release yesterday evening at Bo Concept. Guests like Mashonda (the ex-wife of rapper Swizz Beats), Tashera Simmons (DMX's wife) and Bevy Smith enjoyed Hennessy Black cocktails, Get Em Girls platinum cupcakes and Sexy Treats chocolate-covered strawberries (yum!).
While DJ Sewlyn Hinds spun tunes in the background, the room full of young tastemakers and celebs toasted what promises to be one of the best books of the year.
Aliya S. King's first novel, Platinum (Touchstone Hard Cover; Simon & Schuster) offers a juicy, provocative behind-the-scenes look into the world of rap stars' wives and girlfriends. Haven't read it yet, but will be sure to give you a review when I do!
From what my girls Bevy Smith and Belle of A Belle in Brooklyn say, it's one of those rare books that make you want to scream, cry and throw it across the room. The one thing you won't be able to do, however, is put it down.
And can I just say I love that Mashonda was there with her new boo, Michael Honablue, an Emmy-nominated TV producer? Now, I don't take sides (...or atleast I'm trying not to) but her interview just released on Vibe.com today brought me to tears. Here's to moving up and moving on, Mashonda! And that white dress is gorg (no better revenge than looking fabulous).
Here's what Mashonda and Tashera had to say about the novel:
After introducing Aliya, Mashonda told the crowd: “If you ever want to see what our lives are like, you need to read this book.”
Tashera Simmons, wife of DMX, who is profiled in Platinum recalled how meeting Aliya changed her for the better: “I met Aliya when she was writing an article for Vibe Magazine about the secret lives of Hip Hop Wives. I met her when I was feeling trapped and Aliya helped me to open up and be honest about my life.”
I can't wait to get my hands on this book! In the meantime, tell me what you think of the looks from last night's event. Are you excited for the debut of Platinum? And what are your thoughts on Mashonda's Vibe.com interview?
If you read this blog, you know Ferocia and I are fitness buffs. So we were understandably apprehensive when we received an invitation to the McDonald's Taste of Summer event.
Our McDonald's runs are relegated to french-fry binges when we've had a bad day or want to "cheat" on our diets (looking fit and fab in a bikini is not easy, ladies and gentlemen). But never have we regularly indulged in any food item on the McDonald's menu...until now.
Just in time for summer bikini bod diets, McDonald's is offering healthy, guilt-free options on their menu. I kid you not.
There's the Angus Snack Wrap (for the meat eaters) that contains an Angus third-pound patty made of 100 percent Angus beef wrapped in a soft flour tortilla.
It comes in three options: Deluxe (contains tomato, lettuce, red onions, pickles, American cheese, creamy mayo and yellow mustard); Bacon & Cheese (contains red onions, pickles, a strip of bacon, American cheese, ketchup and yellow mustard); and Mushroom Swiss (contains sauteed mushrooms, Swiss cheese and creamy mayo).
And when it's time to wash it down, do yourself a favor and try one of their delicious smoothies which come in two flavors, Wild Berry and Strawberry Banana. The smoothies are light (each contains real fruit, fruit juice and low-fat yogurt) refreshing and sweet...and best of all I can enjoy them without suffering 30 more minutes on the treadmill to make up for it.
Ferocia and I literally had three cups of Strawberry Banana throughout the Taste of Summer event...and could go easily go for another one right now lol. Also, for those coffee lovers (ahem, Ferocia and I) they've also added created the McCafe Frappe. This is the first blended ice beverage to hit the McDonald's menu!
The Frappes are available in small, medium and large sizes and come in three flavors: Mocha (features a rich, dark chocolate flavor with a hint of coffee and topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizle); and Caramel (features a creamy, caramel flavor with a hint of coffee and topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle). Ferocia was especially partial to the Caramel Frappe, while I was all about the Mocha!
Speaking of the McD's summer soiree, it was hosted by friend of the Glamazons, Bevy Smith. The hostess-with-the-mostess showed up in a Tory Burch wrap dress (the silhouette is a summer staple!) and a pretty shade of purple eyeshadow on her lids (MAC eyeshadow in Nocturnelle).
As for the lips, our Beauty Guru, Ferocia, hooked Bevy up with a newly opened lip gloss (NARS' Angelika from the Limited Edition Lip Gloss collection) right out of her purse (isn't she a sweetheart!?). Since it looked so great on Bevy, Ferocia gave it to her as a parting gift. Sharing is caring (especially when it comes to beauty products..which Ferocia always has an abundance of.) Check out the pic of us below:
We also ran into the fabulous Kitty Bradshaw who recognized us from our radio show on Miss Cocoa Luv.
Fonsworth Bentley made an appearance before his performance at the ADColor Awards Kick-Off party. He looked super suave in khaki pants, a crisp blazer and a striped shirt.
And the gorgeous Alesha Renee chatted with us for a few about the upcoming BET Awards (she'll be interviewing celebs on the red carpet so be sure to check her out!) and her love for all things Texan (both her and Ferocia are Texan gals.) Check our picture with the lovely Alesha above.
In addition to mingling and chatting with some of our favorite bloggers/media mavens, we were treated to massages and manicures.I opted for a berry shade, while Ferocia chose nude nails.
We even got a chance to interview Chef Daniel Coudreat, who is the Director of Culinary Innovation for McDonald's. We asked him the question every fashion and beauty-crazed girl wants to know: what McDonald's snack can I eat without looking like a beached whale in a bikini when vacation time comes? Watch the video for his honest (and hilarious) answer.
What do you think of McDonald's new healthy menu add-ons?
Ferocia and I are definitely fans! Since I am constantly on the go, I live for fast food---just not the accompanying calories. McDonald's new healthy items are a busy fashion girl's dream: quick, tasty and low on calories.
Give the McCafe Real Fruit Smoothies, McCafe Frappes and Angus Wraps a try and tell me what you think. Trust me, you'll thank us later. Here's to a healthy (and delicious) summer!
My interview with Bevy Smithover Belvedere Pink Grapefruit cocktails was only the beginning. To celebrate the launch of Belvedere Pink Grapefruit, Bevy hosted a themed dinner followed by a glamorous party called "In the Pink."
Held on Friday night, "In the Pink" brought out the top names in Entertainment, Media and Fashion, including Keri Hilson, Sessilee Lopez, Alek Wek and Rosie Perezto name a few. A Dinner with Bevy creation, the party and dinner celebrated bold, vibrant women in media, like Ms. Bevy herself.
We were happy to be invited to the soirée because Bevy knows how to throw a party! She was a kind and gracious host (she gave me a great big hug when I saw her) and looked glorious in a pink, belted v-neck dress, to match Belvedere Pink Grapefruit of course! The decor was also rooted in pink as a nod to the beautiful kaftan Matthew Williamson designed for the launch.
While toasting Belvedere's new sultry, summer flavor, guests danced all night to tunes spun by the one-and-only Questlove. When he played songs like "Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing" by Stevie Wonder, he got the crowd of actors, media personalities and makeup artists to work it out on the dance floor.
And who was in the crowd, you ask? Well, in the VIP section alone, I spotted Angela Yee, Necole Bitchie, Tristan Wilds, Fonsworth Bentley, Michaela Angela Davis, AJ Calloway,Mimi Valdes (and her gorg haircut), Sister Toldja of The Beautiful Struggler and Belle of A Belle in Brooklyn, in addition to the celebs I named above.
Ferocia and I even chatted it up with Keri Hilson (she's so sweet!), superstar publicist B.J. Coleman and celebrity makeup artist, A.J. Crimson, who said he's proud of our blog (this clearly made our night! he's totally OUR inspiration).
In the midst of all the dancing, catching up, chatting and mingling, Ferocia got a few minutes to speak with the beautiful Sessilee Lopez in VIP.
Here's a pic of Sessilee with Friend of The Glamazons, A.J. Crimson.
Read below to see what Sessilee had to say about her summer vacation plans (Russia and Jamaica!), Christian Siriano and why she's Team Naomi Campbell.
Ferocia:Tell us what you’re wearing!
Sessilee: Well, I’m in head to toe in one of the most amazing designers. His name is, I don’t know if you know him, Christian Siriano.
Ferocia: Uh, yeah! You walked in his show. Duh.
Sessilee: (laughing) Yeah. He hooked me up today.
Ferocia: Looks hot! So what are the big trends you’re looking forward to this summer?
Sessilee: Woo! Effortless fashion, not having to try and just knowing you’re looking good. Relaxing. I’m not really looking at trends to see what other people are doing. I’m doing my own thing. I’m a model. I’m a trendsetter. People are watching me.
Ferocia: Yeah! Where are you vacationing this summer?
Sessilee: Well, I’m about to go to Jamaica. I’m going to Russia this summer with Naomi. She’s going to show me around.
Ferocia: Are you and Naomi like best friends?
Sessilee: I wouldn’t say like BFF, but she’s definitely someone that I aspire to be.
Ferocia: Is she like your mentor?
Sessilee: Definitely. She’s a beautiful person. The stories that you hear, I mean, all the times that I’ve met with her she’s been nothing but sweet as pie. I don’t really listen to what people say about others. I make my own decisions about them, ya know?
Ferocia: Definitely! I agree.
Scroll down for pics of a Christian Siriano-clad Sessilee, Keri Hilson, A.J. Crimson and more!
Sessilee Lopez in Christian Siriano
Keri Hilson's gorgeous jumpsuit
Alek Wek
Rosie Perez
Lovely Ladies!
Keri Hilson and Tristan Wilds
Michaela Angela Davis
B.J. Coleman
Love this pic of D.J. Kiss getting love from her fiancee D.J. M.O.S. and A.J. Crimson! So cute
The Glamazons with Elaine of Ebony Magazine, Makeup Artist, Melissa and Stylist, Memsor Kamarake
Me in my Jimmy Choo for H&M shoes (and socks!) + a glass of Belvedere Pink Grapefruit
My idea of a fabulous afternoon? Belvedere Pink Grapefruit cocktails, designer summer dresses and great conversation with the glamazing Bevy Smith.
In the midst of prepping for her upcoming Belvedere Pink Grapefruit launch dinner, Bevy Smith took a moment to give yours truly advice on how to be the perfect hostess.
Watch the videos below to hear Bevy's priceless tips for entertaining on a budget and hilarious stories about her famous celebrity dinners. It's a two-part interview; check the first part for dinner party tips and the second part for Bevy's favorite celeb dinner memories.
Part I
Part II
And look out for Belvedere Pink Grapefruit, which launched May 13th! I've tasted the new vodka and it is Glamazon-approved. It's perfect for those chic, glamorous, Sex and the City-esque specialty cocktails.
Oh and in case you were wondering what to wear while drinking your Belvedere Grapefruit cocktail, Matthew Williamson was tapped to design a silk kaftan for the launch---and it is absolutely beautiful. See the kaftan below modeled by DJ Leigh Lezark of the Misshapes. The kaftan's playful prints and exuberant color are the perfect compliment to Belvedere's new flavored vodka.
Here's what Williamson had to say about the kaftan:
"My design for the Belvedere Pink Grapefruit collaboration was inspired by the vitality of sultry high summer evenings," said Williamson. "Incorporating a vibrant sun-drenched palette, the print is evocative of exotic destinations ventured by the modern-day, global traveler."
How fabulous! The limited edition silk kaftan is available NOW at Matthew Williamson boutiques.
For more info on Belvedere Pink Grapefruit, visit www.belvederevodka.com.
Part of being a dynamic Glamazon is knowing how to socialize with style. And one of the most fabulous ways to entertain friends is to throw a chic, classy dinner party. For advice on doing just that, look no further than Bevy Smith's guide to hosting for AOL Black Voices.
The creator of "Dinner with Bevy" a unique party-planning and hosting service, Ms. Bevy has hosted intimate affairs for the most recognizable names in entertainment from Idris Elba to Sanaa Lathan. Bevy is lauded for giving luminaries the platform to make priceless connections in an intimate setting---while rocking out to Ashanti and Michael Jackson in the background! Now, the self-proclaimed gal about town is sharing her expert hosting tips with the rest of us.
In her article for AOL, Bevy gives useful and hilarious advice on everything from the guest list ("Only invite people you really like...Intimate settings with "frenemies" and liquor are a recipe for a reality show audition tape.") to the host's outfit ("As the host, you should look like you're attending a dinner party, not like you're working it...put on an outfit that says "I'm ready to have a good time.").
Her advice is just perfect! I'm planning a dinner party for my birthday (coming up in May!) and plan to make use of every tip.
Click here to read the piece and if you're throwing a party, happy planning!
