SHE'S BACK!!! Watch Mary J. Blige Tonight On HSN!

Hey Glamazons! I know we just gave you the scoop on Carol's Daughter with the Chrisette Michelle interview (isn't she the cutest?!), but I feel that it's my beauty duty to also let you know that Mary J. Blige will be back on HSN tonight. (Get excited!)

In case you've been hiding out on an island somewhere and don't know anything about this, Mary J. Blige collaborated with Carol's Daughter to create her own signature fragrance, My Life. In what some said is a crazy move (because how do you sell something no one can smell?!), she teamed up with the good folks down at HSN to sell My Life on television and the rest is history! Not only did she break records by selling more than 72,000 bottles (that's $3 million in sales!) but she also donated $1 from each sell to the nonprofit organization she shares with Steve Stoute called Foundation For The Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN).

Wowza! Luckily, I had the opportunity to fly down to HSN (it's located in Tampa, FL..that's a pic of Mary and I on-set above) interview and watch the songtress in action on-set. It was quite amazing!

Although I won't be on-set with her this time (insert sad face here) I did have the opportunity to sit and chat with Mary over lunch Tuesday afternoon about her fragrance, life and other fun stuff. She eagerly mentioned that this time around she will be selling My Life gift sets that will consist of the fragrance, body lotion and shower gel. She also plans to have a couple of surprise celeb call-ins (last time Oprah called in and I thought I was going to pass out..literally!)

Mary will kick off selling again today at midnight and continue segments into tomorrow (12/10) during the following times:

-1 a.m.

-12 p.m.

-2 p.m.

-4 p.m.

-9 p.m.

-10 p.m.

With every purchase made, $1 will be donated to FFAWN. Be sure to tune in and support Mary, Glamazons! I can't even begin to tell you what an amazing and inspirational woman she is! For more deets, visit the Carol's Daughter Facebook page.

xo

Ferocia

First Look! Catherine Malandrino X FFAWN X Mary J. Blige Collection (Modeled by the Gorgeous Sessilee Lopez!)

Now that Mary J. Blige's $1,000 Charity Fashion Show has passed, it's time to focus on the fun part: the beautiful, irresistibly chic clothes from the new Catherine Malandrino/FFAWN Resort 2011 collection.

With the exception of a glorious, printed dress bursting with tropical colors, the collection is centered in fashion's perennially chic hue---black. However, it gets its interest and flair from elegant jeweled adornments and fringe details that decorate skirts and tops. Metallic jackets, tie-up sandals and glittering belts imbue this collection with refined charm and brazen edge.

As can be expected from Catherine Malandrino, the silhouettes are tailor-made to accentuate the most beautiful parts of a woman's curves. She expertly uses draping in both dresses and harem pants to emphasize and enhance a gorgeous, feminine shape. The accessories, like a jeweled bracelet and statement necklace, are just as elegant and striking.

Check out the pieces below and let me know which look is your favorite. See more on www.catherinemalandrino.com.
 

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And here are the lovely Mary J. Blige and Catherine Malandrino making a speech about the collection. Cute!

Kisses,

Coutura

Pictures Courtesy of Catherine Malandrino.

Would You Pay $1,000 To See A Fashion Show?

Apparently there are 600 other people that would..and we would too, if we had the money! (Hey, it's for charity.)

We're talking about the FFAWN fashion show happening June 15 at the Museum of Modern Art here in New York. It's the first ever clothing collection from the organization and is designed by Mary J. Blige and Catherine Malandrino. The money raised from ticket sales will be used to cover college tuition for 30 graduates from the Women's Academy of Excellence in the Bronx.

As you know from previous posts, Coutura and I are huge fans of FFAWN and I was more than happy to shell out $39 to purchase Blige and Malandrino's last fashion collabo: this super cute (and comfy!) t-shirt dress they launched in February at Bloomingdale's. (That's me rocking it below after a fun brunch date with Coutura and friends.)

Items in the FFAWN r-t-w collection will include items such as t-shirts ($200) and a studded leather jacket ($3,000). It seems that Malandrino has been doing the design work while Blige has been feeding her friend with inspirational thoughts. (Which we're sure that she has tons of!) No clue as to where items from the clothing line will be sold just yet.

ELLE is the official media sponsor for the event, so be sure to check out highlights from the show in the July 2010 music issue.

xo

Ferocia

Degree & Mary J. Blige Get Down With Nature

As you know, Mary J. Blige gave an awesome FREE concert yesterday in Times Square where she performed songs off of her latest album. Although Coutura and I weren't able to make it (I'm traveling and Coutura had previously scheduled engagements), we just wanted to make sure to let all of you know that you can catch Blige's performance on Degree's Facebook fan page (click here).

Also, just in case you were wondering what in the heck Blige was doing the free concert for, it's because Degree has launched a new line of products for women called Degree Natureffects.

The line includes anti-perspirants/deodorants and matching body sprays (see below for deets on the new products). The company will be sponsoring Blige's organization FFAWN.

As part of the collabo, Degree held the event "Dare to Join Forces with Nature" and invited Blige to perform.

So, be sure to get your pits in order, Glamazons! Warmer weather is finally upon us and being musty is just not cute.

Degree Women Natureffects Products

-Degree's top odor and wetness protection formula with fragrances inspired by natural ingredients are available in Honeysuckle & Tea Tree Oil; Olive Leaf & Pink Pepper; and Orange Flower & Cranberry

-Prices: $3.99 (for 2.6 oz anti-perspirant/deodorant)

$3.99 (for 2.2 oz anti-perspirant/deodorant)

$3.99 (3 fl oz body mist)

xo

Ferocia

Mary J. Blige Hooks Up With Degree and Gives Free Concert

This just in: Mary J. Blige will be giving a FREE concert (performing songs from her new album!) today at 11 a.m. in Times Square at Broadway between 42nd & 43rd.

The songtress has hooked up with Degree Women (who is an official sponsor of her organization FFAWN). Here's what she had to say about the new collabo:

"Degree salutes women who dare to feel more alive, and who are inspiring and confident, which is quite an empowering message. That's why Degree Women Natureeffects is helping to support my organization FFAWN, which is dedicated to helping women gain the confidence and skills to reach their full potential."

Check out the Degree Women Facebook page for more deets!

xo

Ferocia

Compassion in Fashion: Gucci & FFAWN party with Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys and Lebron James!

Mary J. Blige became famous singing about sorrow. Now, she's using her painful experiences to spread joy to millions. Enter FFAWN, the Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now, which she founded with marketing pioneer, Steve Stoute. The organization seeks to inspire women to overcome difficulties and achieve success through scholarships, grants and programs. The cause is one close to the singer's heart, as she has spoke candidly over the years of her resilient, unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. I commend her for using the pain of her past to encourage and inspire women to reach their own unique potential.

Just in time for Fashion Week, Mary J. Blige collaborated with Gucci Creative Director, Frida Giannini, to celebrate Gucci for FFAWN day on September 16th, where the 5th Avenue flagship store donated 10% of its day sales to Blige's charity. To commemorate the special day, Blige hosted a ceremony at the Empire State Building, lighting the landmark in FFAWN's colors, purple, yellow and white, and threw a private cocktail party that evening at the flagship store.

I had the good fortune of attending the latter. Guests, including Lebron James, Serena Williams, Alicia Keys, Estelle, Russell Simmons, Ryan Leslie, Vanessa Simmons, Dwight Eubanks and Estelle,came out in dazzling cocktail dresses and sharp suits to show their support.

Powerhouses, Estelle, Mary J. Blige and Russell Simmons take a moment to chat on the red carpet.

Lebron James and Savannah Brinson make a handsome couple at the event. Love the houndstooth jacket, Savannah! [Sidenote: Go Cavs!]

Mary J. Blige, Serena Williams and Alicia Keys looked stunning.

Serena Williams poses with blogger and make-up artist, Beautylicious, inside the store.

Dwight Eubanks and I give good face at the event. Love him!

Vanessa Simmons and I take a picture after the event.

The oldest Simmons daughter chatted with The Glamazons about how she plans to design a clothing line for Pastry, her popular sneaker brand. She even modeled one of her designs, a black skirt with sparkly line details, for us at the event. We're all about sparkle at the Glamazons (check out my leather and stone vintage necklace)! Vanessa, you better work! Can't wait to shop the collection =)


Speaking of shopping, the Gucci flagship store was an ideal venue to host the event as since 1921, Gucci's clothing, shoes, jewelry and watches have made women feel luxurious and beautiful. Creative Director, Frida Gianninni, continues that tradition with a limited edition black PVD twirl watch she designed specifically to commemorate the collaboration with FFAWN. Check out the watch below, which is available in Gucci stores and on gucci.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to FFAWN.

Stunning.

With all the focus on shopping and party-hopping, it was great to see celebrities and designers put their energy toward a significant, worthy cause. It actually inspired me to clean out my closet, which is currently overflowing with never-worn dresses and jeans, and donate to the clothing drive at my grandmother's church. Glamazons: how are you using your love of Fashion to give back to those less fortunate? Whether it's the purchase of a Gucci for FFAWN watch or a clothing donation, every little bit helps.


Kisses,


Coutura


Photos: Getty Images.