LoveBrownSugar

LBS Fashion News: Isabel Marant for H&M Collection

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:28:00 +0000

Breathe, stretch and get prepared for another sold-out designer H&M collection. Designer extraordinaire, Isabel Marant, has partnered with the fab retailer to produce a winter collection for women and men. Yes, men will be included in an H&M special collection for the first time. Yes H&M. Yes.

Marant, who’s been an in-demand clothing savant since ’94, is toting a chic collection that serves her signature Bohemian/gritty/androgynous aesthetic. Are you pumped? I certainly am.

Obsessed fashion fiends have six months to pinch their pennies and prepare for the clothing flood sure to ensue. H&M is being mum on the details. We don’t even have pics, prices or sketches of the digs yet, but if classic Marant shows up – there’s no doubt I’ll be buying.

The Parisian fashion goddess has slayed runways at Paris Fashion Week season after season, premiering collections that are simple enough to wear to the park or a spontaneous date to a bookstore.

Flowing silhouettes and untraditional hems are Marant’s trademarks. Her layering techniques will work in winter. We’re eager to see what Marant produces. She promises to deliver.

“I aim at creating something real – something women want to wear in their everyday lives – with a certain carefree style,” she said. “I think this is very Parisian: You dress up, but don’t pay too much attention to it, and you still look sexy. The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude. Everything can be combined following one’s own instincts, and my take on fashion is all about personality.”

I’m too ready for this collection. It will be released to 250 stores and sold. I’d drive the three hours to the closest H&M for this one, but thankfully it’s being sold online as well. Sign on at 11:59 p.m. November 13 to get the leverage on the Isabel Marant collection. I think it’s going to sell-out quickly.

Check out the vid Marant did for H&M below:

Are you looking forward to Isabel Marant’s H&M collection?

- Evette Dionne

5 Ways To Exude Caribbean Style At Home

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:21:00 +0000

Now that it's officially summer, many of you may be planning chic beachside getaways for the season. I recently took a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico and now that I’m back stateside I’m still yearning for that carefree Caribbean style that always puts me at ease. One thing I noticed about the Caribbean is that aside from being a haven of relaxation, people there really work to live instead of living to work. There’s a clear difference, and I think just taking a few cues from this philosophy can help reduce stress and help you live a happier life. Here are some fun & easy ways to bring carefree Caribbean style home, long after the vacay:

1. Wear your favorite beachside maxi dress on a non-beach day.

Beachwear doesn’t necessarily have to be for beachside occasions. Pairing your favorite maxi dress or printed beach cover-up with the proper undergarments and accessories can give it new life, even when you’re not kicking up sand.

Maxi dresses are my absolute favorite. I dress them up for a night out or pare them down with flats for daytime.

2. Unwind with Malibu Island Spiced cocktails.

Cocktails might be my favorite part about poolside lounging while I’m on vacation. Rum, the quintessential liquor for island gals like myself, is a great base for fun & fruity drinks. Enjoy them out with your friends or in the comfort of your home. I really love the new Malibu Island Spiced rum. It has such a unique flavor infused with coconut, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon. And get this, it’s sweetened with Truvia® so there are only 70 calories per serving. Flavorful and guilt-free? I was sold.

Malibu’s website has a really great list of special cocktails you can mix using Malibu Island Spiced. For my island-themed night at home, I mixed two of their signature cocktails - the Spiced on Ice, the Sparkling Spiced and a variation of the Chaise Lounge using Orange Juice instead of Pineapple. Here’s what I did:

Spiced on Ice is literally just 1 serving of Malibu Island Spiced over ice, garnished with lemon:

Sparkling Spiced (another low-calorie cocktail) is 1 parts Malibu Island Spice and 2 parts sparkling water:

Chaise Lounge is 1 and 1/2 parts Malibu Island Spiced and 3 parts pineapple juice, which I substituted for OJ instead:

3. Try a traditional Caribbean recipe.

One of my favorite west-Indian dishes is jerk chicken. My dad is Jamaican so I grew up eating this at home. Though it’s spicy, it tastes amazing. Depending on what recipe you use, it’s quite easy to make milder versions of this. The key to a great jerked chicken dish is in the marinade. You should let your chicken soak for at least 8 hours before broiling, grilling or baking it.

4. Bump your favorite reggae tracks.

I grew up on Sanchez and Beres Hammond. Something about smooth reggae tunes puts me in another place. This is a surefire way to bring the sun & sand of the Caribbean to your living room. Put on some of your favorite reggae tunes and get into the groove.

5. Paint your nails turquoise.

I think one of the reasons turquoise and other blue-green shades are my favorites to put on my fingers and toes is because they remind me of the ocean! I’m a believer in the power of beauty putting you in a good mood. I could be having the most horrible day but bright colors on my fingers and toes immediately lighten my mood. Try out a new aqua shade and don’t worry - be happy.

How do you exude care-free Caribbean style when you're back stateside?

Sound off below for your chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!

Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments.You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winner will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 6/13/13 – 6/30/13. Visit Malibu Island Spiced Rum on Facebook to get more drink recipes and join the brighter side of spiced rum!
And be sure to visit the Malibu Island Spiced brand page on BlogHer.com to read other bloggers’ posts.

SIP EASY. ENJOY MALIBU RESPONSIBLY.

Truvia® and the Truvia® logo are registered trademarks of the Truvia Company LLC.

PER 1.5 FL. OZ. SERVING. AVERAGE ANALYSIS: CALORIES 70; CARBOHYDRATES less than 1 gram; PROTEIN 0 grams; FAT 0 grams.

*when mixed with your favorite zero calorie mixer. Limes and other garnishes may add calories

Style Play Polish: Suit & Tie

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:32:00 +0000

Ladies, there is no need to limit yourselves. We can be just as dapper as the handsome suited gentlemen out there. Once again our favorite childhood boy band beaux never fails to leave an imprint of adolescent memories on our hearts or in this case on our nails.

This week's Style Play Polish was inspired by none other than Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie", but this wouldn't be LBS if we didn't put a little feminine spin on it. Don't panic! The 8 steps to achieving this look are simpler than they look.

What you'll need:

A white or cream polish (Essie's Sand Tropez)
Any metallic polish (preferably blue or green) (Essie's Trophy Wife or Essie's Aruba Blue)
Black polish or Black Nail Art Pen
Dotting tool
Scissors
Tape

Shop The Products:

Step 1: After prepping your nails, polish on 2 coats of your preferred white or cream colored polish.

Step 2: Using small pieces of tape, place them at angles from your cuticles creating an upside down triangle.

Step 3: Apply 2 coats of your metallic color and allow the nail polish to dry.

Step 4: Use your black polish/nail art pen to outline the metallic color on your nails.

Step 5: Create 2 black lines parallel to the metallic outlines forming a smaller triangle. You can leave the design as is, but if you're feeling a bit more on the creative side, continue to steps 6-8.

Step 6: Paint a horizontal X on your nail as a guide for your bow-tie.

Step 7: Use your dotting tool to fill in both sides of the X with your metallic color. Also add 2-3 dots going down your nail vertically.

Step 8: To clean up the design, go over the X once more with the black polish and close off the sides. Create black dots on top of the previous metallic dots for buttons.

Before you know it, you'll be creating nail art like the pros. Stay tuned for next week's Style Play Polish, and don't forget to tag us on Instagram @LoveBrownSugar with your Suit & Tie inspired looks!

- Gracie J

LoveBrownSugar Chic: Wearing White in Wacoal Smooth Complexion

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:50:00 +0000

Style-obsessed fashionistas know that undergarments can really make or break an outfit. I wouldn't be caught dead in a gown at a black tie event or on a red carpet without a good supportive bra and a controlling bottom that sucks in the tummy and smoothes imperfections. They're a must!

So one of my biggest concerns with undergarments, whenever I'm considering wearing an outfit that is either all white or sheer, is finding the proper undergarments that will be seamless and undetectable underneath. Enter Wacoal's Smooth Complexion Collection. Unfortunately for us ladies of color, there often are not many options in the "nude" department at the store that work for our shades. Most nudes are of the lighter variety - this goes for things like shoes & also for lingerie. Thankfully, Wacoal has taken that into consideration when creating their Smooth Complexion collection.

The collection currently comes in 4 different colors - White Swan, Naturally Nude, Praline (and for ladies my complexion or deeper) Coffee Bean!

Wacoal sent me three of the pieces in their Smooth Complexion collection including the Smooth Complexion T-Shirt Bra ($60), Smooth Complexion Long Leg Shaper ($40) and the Smooth Complexion Bikini ($18 or 3/$45). For this outfit sporting my favorite Fashion To Figure white peplum dress, I rocked both the T-Shirt Bra as well as the Long Leg Shaper for a seamless look.

The Smooth Complexion Coffee Bean shade is dark enough to be undetectable underneath my white dress. Not only that, the long leg shaper really got rid of my bumps & lumps, especially in my backside area, and it was actually comfortable believe it or not:

Ladies if you're my complexion or darker, I highly recommend the Coffee Bean shade. The collection itself is really comfortable and lightweight, which I love. It makes me happy knowing that lingerie companies like Wacoal are taking into consideration that they have consumers of all different skin shades and really embracing it.

In celebration, all month long I'll be pinning images to one of my Pinterest boards "My Brown is Beautiful" to celebrate this and other beautiful shades of brown.

Every skin tone is beautiful to me. Comment below and tell me why you love YOUR complexion!

This post is sponsored by Wacoal America. Opinions expressed are my own and not those of the company.

Cover Girls: Alicia Keys for Marie Claire UK

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:02:00 +0000

This July, Alicia Keys sets the cover of Marie Claire UK on fire, right in time for the summer. Shot earlier this year on the island of the Bahamas by photographer Yutsai, the photos are really breathtaking. Alicia is featured in sophisticated, sexy looks from Gucci, Versace, Diane von Furstenberg and Just Cavalli. In the issue, she opens up about her first impressions of her husband, evolving and directing.

On her overall first impression of Swizz Beatz:

Swizz will have the fastest car, the biggest jewelery, the loudest jacket; everything with him is really over the top. I used to see him and think, “He is so annoying.”

On writing “That’s When I Knew” for Swizz Beatz:

That’s when I Knew” is definitely an ode to my husband… Honestly, I didn’t really like him that much. I thought he was too ostentatious.

On what she’s learned from her relationship:

I think we’ve taught each other a lot. He’s taught me to live more fully and I think I’ve taught him to live more deeply.

On becoming vocal about her feelings:
You have to speak up. To say, "I don't like that, it's not cool, don't do that to me", but it's not easy, especially with people you love. I think getting older has made me evolve in a lot of ways and made me more relaxed about saying how I feel, no matter what.

On maintaining balance:
I realize you have to have a balance - you can live life and have more experiences as well as working.

On becoming a director:
I fell in love with directing. Because first of all I didn't have to get up early for make-up and, second, I'm a very diplomatic individual.

Check out the behind-the-scenes video here: http://bcove.me/96p2c38e

Thoughts on this cover? Do you love it?

- Makisha Timothy

Style Play Polish: Kenzo-Inspired Nails

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:33:00 +0000

Screw diamonds - fashion is a girl's best friend! Some of us will go without necessities just to look and feel good in the clothes that we buy. Since most of us don't have the funds to get our hands on all our favorite celeb designs, we can definitely improvise and rock the look on our nails by using what we already have lying around the house.

This designer's leopard prints have been spotted (no pun intended) on some of our favorite celebrity crushes, from Solange Knowles to Beyonce to Brandy & Rita Ora:

We're gonna show you how to get the look in 4 easy steps!

What you will need:

Yellow Polish (Zoya's Pippa)
Ginger Colored Polish (Spoiled Designated Driver)
Dark Blue or Dark Violet Colored Polish (Honk if You Love OPI)
Lilac Colored Polish (Sally Hansen's Lacey Lilac)
A pen with a round clicker top
A piece of a make-up sponge

Step 1: After you have applied your base coat, color your nails with 2 coats of yellow polish.

Step 2: Using the ginger colored polish, paint one or two strokes across your nails in which ever direction you choose.

Step 3: Using the clicker part of the pen as a dotting tool, create polka dots on your nails using the lilac colored polish.

Step 4: To create the textured fuzz like spots, use your make-up sponge to create comma shapes around the polka dots. Seal with a top coat and you've got Kenzo!

Expensive taste on a budget? No problem - we got you!

Keep it sassy, classy, and creative. Get a little busy and switch up the colors, tag us on Instagram @LoveBrownSugar with your Kenzo inspired looks.

- Gracie J

Cover Girls: Serena Williams Covers Essence Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:50:00 +0000

On the topic of healthy living (and perfect motivation given our current LBS Beauty Detox), tennis star and sports mogul Serena Williams covers the July issue of Essence Magazine. The July issue is Essence's Body Issue themed around loving your shape and Miss Serena is serving curvy athletic realness!

In the issue, Serena talks with Essence about her fight against a devastating pulmonary embolism over two years ago, and how at 31 she's in the best shape of her life. About her body and age, she says “I feel lighter, I feel healthier, and even though I’m 31—which really isn’t old, but for an athlete, particularly a tennis player, it’s old—I promise you, my body has never felt better. Considering how much I’ve played and how much I’ve done, I feel fine. I’m strong."

I don't know about you, but this cover shot is going right up on my inspiration board. Who's with me?

Healthy Living: The LBS Beauty Detox

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:17:00 +0000

Happy June lovelies! It's a new month and the start of an amazing new season. To kickoff the summer, I'm embarking on my own version of a detox. The word detox normally takes on a really negative connotation. Immediately people think you're drinking veggie juice all day, or lemon water & cayenne pepper. Truthfully, detox really just means the removal of toxic substances from a living organism. Hence, there are many ways you can detox - emotionally, physically and mentally.

Here at LBS, we're all about beauty from the inside out. There's but so much a pretty dress and red lipstick can do for you, if you don't feel good about yourself on the inside. Emotional health is often directly linked to physical health and vice versa.

Photo Credit: Blisstree

So this month, I'm going to be focusing on being the absolute best I can be starting with clean, whole and fresh ingredients both for my diet as well as for my beauty routine. I've done everything from juice cleanses to the Master Cleanse to the Whole 30. The LBS Beauty Detox is really just about clean eating and focusing on fresh, whole ingredients. It's not super restrictive (I hate crazy restrictions, they never work for me) but it will require willpower and dedication. I'm combining some of my favorite cleanses including remnants of The Whole 30/Paleo diet and The Beauty Detox Solution (really great book I read about here)

Garlic-Chili Tilapia and Roasted Asparagus

Here's what I'm consuming over the next 14 days

- Water (alot of it!)

- Fresh (organic) fruits

- Fresh (organic) vegetables

- Lean (organic) protein

Here's what I'm avoiding:

- Alcohol

- Processed sugar

- Grains

Super simple! There's not alot to it. I've done this before for weeks at a time and it instantly makes me feel like a million bucks. When I did The Whole 30 last year, I started to see clearer skin, I dropped inches and I had SO much energy. The only real adjustment in the LBS Beauty Detox is that it is a little less restrictive, still allowing for legumes and dairy. Sound like something you might want to participate in? Feel free tag me @LoveBrownSugar using #LBSBeautyDetox so I can see what cool recipes and meals you're doing as part of the 14 day challenge. Good luck and good health!

Have you ever done a detox? If so, how did it go?

LBS Fashion [London Edition]: The 90's Trend

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:11:00 +0000

Across the pond in London Town, the 90’s have taken over. There’s an endless sea of denim, bomber jackets, crop tops, tie-dye and shirts tied around waists and beanies.

The 90’s marked the era of Girl Power (does a Mel C kick) - the reign of the ladies. Everyone from The Spice Girls, SWV, Salt n Pepa, Mary J Blige, TLC, Brandy, Monica, Aaliyah and more. I’d definitely call the 90’s the good years - carefree fashion and great music. Here in London, we're taking it back to the good ol’ days.

Blogger Tori West does the 90’s proud with a denim jacket, graphic tee, beanie and fun multi-coloured hair.

Brit Blogger Kavita showcases her 90's style with a beanie, crop top and chic rucksack.

NYC-based UK sweetheart Karen Blanchard gives 90's grunge in a floral vintage dress and laceup platform boots.

Fellow Brit Rita Ora puts a little spin on the 90’s grunge look with a pair of heels.

The Queen of the 90’s! Now I know Rihanna isn’t from London but she rocks the 90’s trend the best in her Rihanna for River Island collection pays homage to this with denim, crop tops, shirts tied around the waist, dungarees (overalls) and carefree attitude.

The 90’s trend allows you to combine grunge and sexy, boyfriend jeans with crop tops or if you’re feeling ultra-sexy you can throw on a bralet or an oversized plaid shirt with high waisted denim shorts. There are endless options with the 90’s trend!

Will you be re-living the 90’s this season?

-Kaila Baptiste (London Contributor)

LBS Beauty Review: MegaGrowth Detangling Conditioner + Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Fri, 31 May 2013 18:19:00 +0000

I'm back with another product review guys. This one is courtesy MegaGrowth. They sent me their complete collection of new products including their Pro-Growth Anti-Breakage collection.

There were so many different products in the lineup but since I'm still rocking my extensions and I'm sensitive about product overload, I decided to start small with their Anti-Breakage Detangling Conditioner.

There are so many different uses for a great conditioner so I thought that was a good start. You can use it as part of a pre-poo treatment, after shampoo or just for the purposes of detangling hair. And this collection was created for both relaxed and naturals, so that's a win.

So I started here with super dry and frizzy hair in dire need of detangling. I used the Anti-Breakage Detangling Conditioner as part of my pre-poo regimen. On weeks when I'm not co-washing my curls (both my natural leave-out and my Indique extensions), I start my regimen with a pre-poo. For this, I simply dampen my hair and run conditioner through it and then proceed to detangle my hair while it's damp (instead of soaking wet). I let it sit for 15 minutes, then I wash my hair in sections.

Before I do anything, I separate the hair into 4 even sections. It makes the detangling process so much easier and it assures that I get the product evenly all around the hair. When I have my full head of natural curls exposed, I actually do this in 6-8 sections since my hair is shorter than this.

I started the first section off by simply dampening the hair with lukewarm water.

I then applied the Anti-Breakage Detangling Conditioner, which has a thick creamy consistency (and smells really fruity too). I will say just a little bit of this product goes a LONG way. I didn't really need all of what I put in my hand for this one section so definitely use the product sparingly.

I started off by smoothing it onto my natural curls on top. It actually soaked into the hair really well and didn't leave any white residue.

Next, I proceeded to apply the conditioner to my Indique extensions. It gave the curls a nice shine and made the detangling process relatively easy. I started from the ends and worked my way up to the root. Again, to avoid buildup, I would suggest only using a dime-sized amount for each section.

Here's a closeup of how the hair (my natural curls and the extensions) looked after applying the MegaGrowth Anti-Breakage Detangling Conditioner.

Overall thoughts about the product: a) I love the smell and consistency b) Use sparingly! A little goes a long way c) Works great as a pre-poo treatment or simply as an affordable conditioner just for detangling the hair before or after shampoo.

Interested in trying out? MegaGrowth has agreed to give 5 lucky winners both their Anti-Breakage Detangling Conditioner as well as their Leave-In Strengthener to try out. Just enter your information below to be entered to win a set of products:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends Friday, June 7th at 12AM EST. This review and product giveaway is sponsored by MegaGrowth. All opinions expressed herein are solely my own and not those of the company.

LoveBrownSugar Chic: Westside Safari

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Fri, 31 May 2013 16:09:00 +0000

I took a trip to my local H&M recently and stumbled on this tunic for $4.95. At first I thought it was too good to be true. Nothing worth having is $4.95 anymore. But upon trying it on, I fell in love.

I really love the high-low construction of it, as well as the waist tie. That was thoughtful, considering without the waste tie it can turn into a boxy piece of fabric that won't give me any shape.

The tie helps accentuate my waist, and turns it into a mini-dress as opposed to a simple tunic.

The pattern is really what caught my eye. Once I tried it on, I realized how versatile a piece like this can be. You can take it casual with a pair of flats, or a little dressier with heels.

And for chilly evenings, you can easily slap a sweater or a leather jacket on top.

I paired this look with my red Zara heels (wore them here). They look good with everything, seriously.

My crochet cross-body bag is from H&M as well. It was my go-to when I went to Cali for Coachella.

Tunic: H&M | Jacket: Vintage | Necklace: Forever 21 | Shoes: Zara (similar here) | Bag: H&M (similar here)

Get The Look:

Join Me This Sunday for "Fit For A Queen" in NYC + Ticket Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Thu, 30 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Exciting news! If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram you've probably heard the buzz but I am co-hosting a luxe pampering event called "Fit For A Queen" this Sunday, June 2nd 3pm - 6pm at the Rooftop 760 in NYC. In partnership with One Life 2 Live Entertainment and Obi Nwabuzor, LoveBrownSugar.com will be live and in full effect snapping pics, tweeting, posting to instagram and keeping you in the loop on all the fun activities on site.

NYC and tri-state area ladies & gents, you can head to the FFAQ Eventbrite link to sign up. There will be a Nail Bar with mini manicures, a Hair Bar with product demos and samples, and a beauty bar hosted by The Lip Bar. You don't want to miss out!

Just because I love y'all, I'm hosting a special VIP Ticket giveaway for one winner and a guest to come to the event and receive the VIP treatment (no long lines!)

Sound good? Enter your information below for a chance to be my special guest:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends Friday, May 31st 11:59PM EST. Winner will be contacted on Saturday, June 1st.

Steal Her Chic: Kerry Washington Covers The Hollywood Reporter

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Thu, 30 May 2013 13:46:00 +0000

There is a new queen werkin’ the cover of The Hollywood Reporter—a new primetime queen that is. Kerry Washington, known to us as the scandalous, President Fitz-loving Olivia Pope, graces the new cover of the Hollywood Reporter with other primetime actors as the queen of her coveted time slot. All decked out in this season’s black and white trend, Kerry shows off her lithe frame in a pair of edgy white tapered tuxedo pants and a dangerously sexy crop top.

The look, far away from the structured suits, and pastels of her famous Scandal character, is fresh, clean and accented by a pop of red on her lips. This black and white sport look is perfect for hard working and intense flirting alike. Here's how you can get the look:

Start with the tuxedo striped pants; Macy’s has some fabulous (5) Calvin Klein Straight Leg ones on sale! As for the crop top, though they decided to put Kerry in a lighter material, I thought it would be cooler to have a similar top in faux leather, (1) ASTR had the perfect one. Bring the look from magazine cover to life with a pop of color. Ditch the black pumps for this pair of orange (2) High Heeled Shoes with Ankle Strap from Zara. Why not let (4) L’Oreal’s Color Riche Le Gloss in Peach Fuzz help you match your pout with your pumps? Accent your outfit with a simple gold (3) Idiom bangle from Kate Spade and Ba Da BING: CHIC STOLEN!

What's your favorite look by Kerry Washington? How would you Steal Her Chic?

- Chrislande Dorcilus

Press Play Style: Solange Mini Video "Locked Up in Closets"

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Wed, 29 May 2013 13:38:00 +0000

I happened to be browsing Refinery29 the other day and I stumbled onto the mini production of Solange's promo video produced by Absolut Tune & Refinery29. The mini film follows Solange around her super chic neighborhood in Brooklyn, to the tune of single "Locked Up in Closets" from her TRUE EP. Per usual, her outfits give so much life. Here are my favorite scenes, and how to get her look:

1. The Pink Lace Look

Get It Here:

2. The Mixed Prints Look

Get It Here:

3. The Printed Dress

Get It Here:

Check out Solange's video HERE for your own style inspiration

Style Play Polish: Great Gatsby-Inspired Nails

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Tue, 28 May 2013 17:07:00 +0000

A lady should always treat her nails as she does her hair, never get caught slippin'. We know a thing or two about nail DIYs and looking extravagant without extravagant pockets. Speaking of extravagance, the week's Style Play Polish nail design is inspired by raved-about blockbuster film, "The Great Gatsby." Here are 4 easy steps to achieving the perfect Gatsby inspired nails:

What you will need:

Royal Blue Polish (Sinful Colors' Midnight Blue)
Gold Polish (Butter London's MARBS)
Black Polish (Essie's Licorice)
Silver Polish (Essie's loophole)
Detailing Brush (MASH Nail Art Kit)

Step 1: Paint your nails 2 coats of the royal blue polish to assure a darker opacity. (Remember! Always apply a base coat before applying your base color).

Step 2: Using the black polish, freehand a V-shaped stroke pointed towards the tips of your nails.

Step 3: Using your detailing brush, trace along the line where the black meets the blue polish. Paint 2 other lines parallel to the original lines. Don't worry about the lines overlapping, we will fill that in later.

Step 4: Use the silver polish to create a half moon design near your cuticles, as well as filling in the sides and top of your nails where the black polish is exposed.

Gatsby is known for his expensive taste and bringing his wild imagination to life. If you have a Gatsby nail inspiration you'd like to share with us, tag us on Instagram @LoveBrownSugar.

- Gracie J

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Memorial Day Sales

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Mon, 27 May 2013 15:29:00 +0000

Happy Memorial Day everyone! This weekend is such a special time. It's a time for expressing appreciation for the fallen soldiers that have fought for our beautiful country. And it also marks the official beginning of summer - woot! Whether you're spending it with friends & family, away on vacay or poolside for a BBQ, I hope you all are enjoying yourselves.

Memorial Day weekend also means MAJOR summer sales. So you'll either love me or hate me for this, but here are some Memorial Day sales you just can't pass up:

ASOS (20% OFF)

Click above for ASOS.com

You guys know how obsessed I am with ASOS. They have sales that roll out literally every other week and Memorial Day is no exception. Scoop up an additional 20% off their low prices with code TAKE20 at checkout!

Macy's (Storewide SALE plus 15% OFF)

Click for Macys.com

If all else fails, we all know Macy's will be having a sale, no matter what holiday it is. For Memorial Day, they've slashed prices storewide and are giving an additional 15% OFF all merchandise using promo code SAVE at checkout.

Old Navy (Summer Sale + 15% OFF Everything)

Click above for OldNavy.com

I'm a huge fan of Old Navy for their staples. I head there for plain tees and jeans I know will fit (love their Diva cut jeans, they fit me like a glove!) For the holiday, they're giving 15% OFF everything with code ONSUMMER

Nine West (Buy One Get One 50% OFF)

Click above for NineWest.com

Who doesn't want two pairs of shoes for the price of one and a half?

Nine West is hosting their annual BOGO sale - perfect time to stock up on comfortable summer sandals at affordable prices!

Topshop (20% OFF Select Merchandise)

Click above for Topshop.com

Topshop brings London chic, stateside with cute and trendy items like denim jumpers and killer heels.

They're giving 20% OFF for the holiday - head there now and stock up!

Forever 21 (FREE Shipping)

Click above for Forever21.com

Forever21 is doing FREE shipping for the holiday! Not only can you stock up on cheap summer essentials, but you don't have to pay a dime to have them dropped off on your doorstep.

J.Crew (30% OFF Sale Items)

Click above for JCrew.com

I'm obsessed with J.Crew baubles. They have the best staple work-to-play pieces and amazing statement jewelry. Save an extra 30% off their sale items this weekend.

Happy Shopping!

LBS Beauty: 3 Easy DIY Natural Hair Styles

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:14:00 +0000

So one of my daily favorites Refinery 29 posted a lovely slideshow featuring 3 super-easy and chic hairstyles for natural hair. Instructed by stylist Alana Williams of the Mirror Salon at Carol's Daughter in Harlem and modeled by natural stunner Natasha Gaspard of Mane Moves TV, there's a style in here for everyone from the easy, breezy classic puff to the vintage-style Victory roll, which gives me Janelle Monae vibes.

The trick to pulling off the three styles is to start with an old yet defined twist-out. It's the perfect foundation.

Aside from your favorite styling products, to achieve hese various looks you'll need sturdy hair pins to hold everything in place.

Check out the full story here at Refinery29

Would you try any of these styles?

LoveBrownSugar Chic: Parking Lot Pocahontas

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:27:00 +0000

The weather's been unbelievably beautiful in NYC this week. So I decided to celebrate with a mini dress and fun accessories.

Most people think graffiti is dirty, but I actually think it gives the city character. Graffiti-covered walls are my favorite backdrop for shoots.

I paired this LOFT Tiered Lace Dress ($98) with my favorite bright-colored accessories for a fun spring/summer look.

This Bongo Neon pink crossbody bag I scored at the Kmart Fashion Remix Challenge. I paired the outfit with my new turquoise Minnetonka flats (similar here).

I'm obsessed with super long finger rings. I scored the one above at H&M for only $9.95.

My nails are Color Club in "Tweet Me" ($8.00).

This statement necklace is from H&M as well. RiRi Woo is on the lips!

Get The Look

Steal Her Chic: Solange in White Jumpsuit at Cannes Film Festival

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:33:00 +0000

Solange did it again, y’all. She has single handedly shut Cannes fashion down in a Stephane Rolland Fall 2013 White Ruffled Jumpsuit. The chanteuse/actor/fashion goddess donned a fresh, milky white jumpsuit to her performance at the Vanity Fair party at Tetu Restaurant in Cannes. She served it up, and they ate it.

Photo Credit: Spread Pictures

Looking like a tall glass of milk, our favorite, fashionable Knowles went for a simple and classic beauty look by pairing a bold red lip with a fresh face. The suit was accented with a simple clutch and demure nude sandals. The fact that the intricate details of the jumpsuit didn't overshadow her shape or her skin’s radiance proves just how fierce Solange is. Is there anything she doesn't look good in?

Want to get the look? Here is how: Buy yourself a wide legged white jumpsuit like the (1) Reiss Francesca Wide Legged Jumpsuit, pair with one of LBS’s favorite (5) red lipsticks; Ruby Woo or Riri Woo, and this nice pair of nude (3) Zara Leather Sandals to show off and elongate those legs. Accessorize with this (4) Nine West Le Club Metallic Clutch, and prep the 'fro with (2) Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothie and VOILA! You’re white hot heat; ready for a summer of dates and festivals.

What do you think of Solange’s look? Stealin’ it?

Get The Look:

- Chrislande Dorcilus

Kickin' It: Kmart Fashion Remix Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:54:00 +0000

A few weeks back, the lovely folks at Kmart invited me to their Tribeca studio to take part in the Kmart Fashion #MoneyCantBuyStyle Remix Challenge. Hosted by fashion expert and Fashion Police co-host George Kotsiopoulos, each blogger invited was asked to create a head-to-toe look using the Jaclyn Smith utility shirt and either pieces from the Kmart wardrobe or pieces of your own.

We were allowed to pick from any of the colors above. Given my obsession with turquoise, I opted for the solid one!

There were alot of really fun options to choose from. Everything from patterned pants to bright-colored skinny jeans. To truly display my personal style, I decided to stick with the leather mini-dress I wore to the event and layer that with the Jaclyn Smith utility shirt and a fun neon pink Bongo crossbody bag.

The photos for the event were taken by famed photographer Chris Heads. He's awesome, I felt like a superstar!

Me being silly! He told me to show off my cool henna forearm tattoo. So much fun!

I had a blast at Kmart's Remix Challenge. Considering I've never been a fan of Kmart's style selections, I have to say that going to the Remix Challenge really opened up my eyes to all the cool pieces they have to offer these days. Everything from staples like oxfords and denim skinnies, to patterned tops and stylish mini-dresses. Kudos to them for upping the style factor and keeping it affordable for budget fashionistas nationwide.

To take the #MoneyCantBuyStyle challenge yourself (and for the chance to win a $500 shopping spree or Grand Prize trip to NYC) enter HERE at Kmart's Facebook Page.

Shop Kmart Fashion | Follow Kmart updates

Have you shopped at Kmart lately? What was your experience?

LoveBrownSugar Chic: One Dress From Work to Play

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:18:00 +0000

For the fashionista who lives a professional lifestyle from 9-5, and an active social life after hours, finding the perfect piece to make the transition from work to happy hour seamless is no easy feat. If this sounds like you, a tailored dress in a a great color and a figure-flattering shape will do the trick. Check out how I take this Casey Peplum Dress ($178.00) from Ivy & Blu Maggy Boutique, from work to play:

The Work Look

Depending on how corporate your office is, a simple well-tailored peplum dress is a great option for girls with curves. What's great about a dress like this is its versatility. You can wear it under a suit jacket or just by itself. The ruffle detailing on the front makes it unique and the v-shaped neckline is flattering without being too revealing for the office.

Pair the look with simple, yet functional accessories like black pumps (Steve Madden, similar here for only $42) and a leather carryall (Zara, similar here). Makeup is minimal with a lined eye and a neutral lip!

The Play Look

To spice things up for nighttime, pack a change of shoes and your favorite statement clutch.

Adding in a bright-colored clutch and printed peep-toe heels takes the look from corporate to cocktail.

As for makeup, I added a matching pink lip - MAC's Girl About Town ($15), to complete the look.

How do YOU take your work look from day to night? Leave a style tip in the comments section.

Get The Look:

Steal Her Chic: Model Nazanin Mandi at Billboard Music Awards

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:37:00 +0000

The first step to overcoming an addiction is admitting to having a problem, and Nazanin Mandi stylishly contributing to our leather obsession is SO not helping. Spotted at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas with her long time love & musical sensation Miguel Jontel Pimentel (we just had to put his full government in there, has a ring to it) she was rocking a simple leather tube top and Saint Laurent chain-trimmed leather mini skirt complimenting her shape and personal edgy style.

Showing so much skin has never looked so minimal and tasteful. She topped her look off with silver ankle strapped heels. We loved this look because it was edgy, yet appropriate. Not to mention her flawless natural make-up. 2 snaps and a twirl! The skirt alone was over $2,000, but you all know how we do it here, ballin' on a fab LBS budget. Steal her chic? Why not if you can get it for less and still feel good about your pockets. Hover over the links below to shop the look:

Would you wear this look for a night out?

- Gracie J

Instaweek 5.21.13

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:57:00 +0000

Back In Action

I'm back guys! After spending the good part of last week in San Juan, I was pleasantly surprised to return to beautiful sunny weather here in NYC. I had such a great time relaxing (and working!) beachside. San Juan is a beautiful city. This week, look out for a full review of places to eat, sleep & play in San Juan.

All About Hair

First off, can we talk about how Solange SLAYED her Complex Magazine shoot. That girl looks flawless!

Speaking of hair, I'm still going strong with my Indique Mix & Match curly look! I posted a video back when I was prepping for LBS at Coachella, and these curls seem to get better with every wash. I'm currently planning my summer look. Contemplating box braids once again. We'll see!

New Products I Love

I was invited to Brush Salon in NYC last week for a launch event featuring John Frieda Styling Tools by Conair. When it comes to styling your hair, the tools can really make or break your look. John Frieda by Conair has a new line of styling tools including a flat-iron, a hairdryer and a hot air brush that use advance ionic technology to prevent frizzies, especially good for curly-haired gals like myself. I used the blowdryer to on my curls with the diffuser attachement and it revealed the beautiful head of hair you see above. I'm sold!

Ann Taylor LOFT invited me to their Summer Fridays launch party last week and revealed the newest pieces from their summer collection - amazing stuff! I scored the lace minidress above, and I'm also obsessed with a tribal print jumpsuit that isn't coming out until July. I don't normally shop at LOFT but their new collection definitely gives me a reason to make a faithful return.

Like I promised in last week's Instaweek, I finally did a review of MAC RiRi Woo and compared it side by side with my fave Ruby Woo. Check out the results here.

I hope you lovelies have a wonderful week! Any plans for Memorial Day weekend?

LBS Beauty Review: MAC RiRi Woo vs. Ruby Woo

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

You guys remember how hyped I was for the release of bad gyal Rihanna's very first lipstick collaboration with MAC Cosmetics, right? I practically had my shopping cart ready to go 24 hours before the grand premiere. I was one of the lucky hopefuls who scored a stick of Rihanna's MAC RiRi Woo greatness before it sold out online only hours before going on sale.

As a red lipstick fanatic, I'm obsessed with finding new ones to try and obsess over. And now that I have RiRi Woo in my beauty arsenal, here's a snapshot of the main differences I see between RiRi Woo and my absolute fave MAC Ruby Woo. Check out the review below:

So upon first glance, RiRi Woo looks VERY similar to MAC's classic Ruby Woo. It's a matte, highly pigmented red that works for a myriad of skin complexions. That's what drew me to the color originally - so many recommendations from women of different shades.

Looking at them side by side from afar they look basically identical. On the left is MAC RiRi Woo and on the right is my highly-used (I literally wear it almost daily) Ruby Woo stick.

Upon closer inspection though, you'll notice that RiRi Woo has a deeper tint with more bluish undertones. This works perfect for skin shades that are deeper because the color really comes through with a bold finish. Here's a swatch of the two on my skin:

Top: RiRi Woo, Bottom: Ruby Woo

Here you can see against my skin that RiRi Woo (top) is a little deeper with a bluish base. It has more of a sultry night-time feel to it.

Next up, I took pictures in both colors. Here's how they look on (don't mind me coloring outside the lines lol):

Very subtle difference between the two that's barely noticeable but there's a difference for sure. So for those of you wondering which one works best for you (or whether to splurge on RiRi Woo once it comes back out later this summer), here's a snapshot of what they look like.

Wearing MAC Ruby Woo

I'm still obsessed with my Ruby Woo. I don't think anything can separate me from my first love.

Wearing MAC RiRi Woo

But I'll be rocking out with Rihanna's namesake this summer as well. I'll probably alternate between the two. For you lovelies of different skin complexions, here are links to some of my favorite fellow bloggers doing reviews of Ruby Woo vs. RiRi Woo debate:

For deeper-skinned beauties, check out Danielle of Style & Beauty Doctor

The Glamazons also have a review featuring Glamazons Jessica and Margo

Caramel-skinned beauties, check out Melanie of OSoChic's review

Olive-skinned ladies, check out Marisa of You Had Me at Makeup

Would you purchase RiRi Woo? What are your red lip faves? Soundoff below!

LBS Salon Review: Mirror Salon at Carol's Daughter in Harlem

noreply@blogger.com (CeCe) — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:17:00 +0000

I first stepped into the Mirror Salon at the Carol's Daughter flagship in Harlem, NY with the expectation that it would be wildly similar to many other hair salons I'd been to. You know how it is - salon chairs, hooded dryers and stylists. Very simple. Upon walking into the Mirror Salon however, you quickly come to realize there's way more to this salon than meets the eye.

From the attentive salon hostess to the stylists that not only make it a point to know your hair goals and challenges but actually educate you on the condition of your hair and the steps necessary to get it at its best. Oh, and don't forget about the enchanting mirrors above and below that reassure you that stylists are focusing on your hair's health and doing it in a transparent way.

Check out my experience at the Mirror Salon:

Walking into the Carol's Daughter flagship in Harlem has always been an enchanting experience for me. What makes it even more beautiful now is the hair oasis that is waiting for you towards the back of the location, now equipped with hair stylists who specialize in curls and kinks.

Your treatment at the Mirror Salon starts off with a thorough consultation. Before they even touch your hair, they make it their mission to find out as much about your hair as possible. They have you fill out a questionnaire about your hair challenges, your hair goals and your hair type. They focus on finding out your hair's porosity as well as texture before recommending a hair treatment and regimen for you. I found out I have high porosity curls with a cotton texture.

My wonderful stylist Tlisha did a thorough evaluation of my scalp and hair and then told me what she planned to do for my hair including a cleansing, deep conditioning treatment and a twist set using Carol's Daughter products.

I love that they have mirrors in the ceiling right above the wash/treatment chairs so you can see everything your stylist is doing, from the products they use to the techniques they implement.

After my shampoo, Tlisha had me sit under the steamer for a deep moisturizing treatment. She explained the benefits of steam treatments to me in locking in essential moisturizing properties for the hair.

After my steam treatment, Tlisha went to work detangling my hair from root to tip in sections.

Next up, she twisted my hair (both my natural curls and my Indique extensions) using the Macadamia Heat Setting Foam ($18.00). She sat me under the hooded dryer for about 30 minutes but since I had to skip out to run some errands, I just allowed the rest of the hair to air dry out and about. See my results below:

Here are my two-strand twists before unraveling!

They are flat twists at the crown and then two-strand twisted at the ends. This really helped with curl definition!

Love how defined the curls came out!

Overall I'm thoroughly pleased with my Mirror Salon experience. It was by far one of the best salon experiences I've ever had. From the warm atmosphere, to the seasoned stylists and the personalized service, I would recommend this for anyone who wants a really educating and luxurious hair pampering session.

Here's a snapshot of the services offered & prices:

If you're in the NYC area, head on over to the Mirror Salon and tell 'em LoveBrownSugar sent you! Also, for those of you in other major cities in the US, stay tuned for announcements as Carol's Daughter has plans to open up a few more locations nationwide before the end of the year!

Mirror Salon at Carol's Daughter

24 West 125th St (between 5th & Lenox Ave)

New York, NY 10027

212-828-6757

Disclosure: The Mirror Salon provided me with a complimentary hair service for this review. As always, all opinions expressed herein are mine and not reflective of the company.

For those of you curious about Mirror Salons's straightening services, check out Ijeoma of Klassy Kinks who received a Ceramic Fusion treatment there. See below: