The Chocolate Representative

Out and About outside of Philly: Miami, FL

2012-10-12T16:34:00.001-04:00

Stretching my Summer at the Beach

Hiya!
It has been forever since I've posted. September blindly flew by without me. I think I'm in denial of the seasons changing and I swear I tried to prolong those last few days of summer, squeezing the very last bit of patio brunches, tropical drinks, enjoying outdoor fun, and soaking up the sun before we can officially deem it fall here in Philly.
I gotta say, I am kinda $&%* bummed to see summer go so soon. It honestly felt like the shortest summer in history. However, one of my favorite times of the year is here... Fall!

Apple Martini in B'more Airport

So now I'm switching gears in preparation for these shorter days, chillier nights, making soups and stews, wearing jackets, hats, knee boots and of course snuggling up with something warm to drink in the evenings.

Also, I'm contemplating switching up my "do" to get done back into a short style. Yeah, I know, its ass-backwards: long hair in the summer and short in the winter but, hey that's what I like to do :-) But before I get to all that, I'd thought I would share with you my last hoorah of the season....a weekend in Miami just as I wanted to do all summer long but didn't get to do, so better late than never, right?

Small Plane from B'more to MIA

The trip started out rocky. My flight straight to Miami got delayed so I had to take a small plane from Philly to Baltimore and then from Baltimore straight to Miami so I got there a little later than expected. *Sighs* I always count on airlines to pat all of your goodies down, strip you of your clothes, shoes, belongings and dignity, then of course they'll delay and/or cancel your flight and screw you over just to remind you how much they actually care. But there was no need to get bent outta shape over it though. I was headed for sun and fun so I had a drink....or two while waiting.

After safely touching down safely, things smoothed out. The weather was great and I switched gears into party mode immediately. My hotel, the Harrison Hotel in South Beach was literally footsteps away from the beach. It was a tucked away, hidden gem away from the crazy noise, hustle and bustle of the more populated parts of South Beach. It was modern, relaxed, clean, quaint, nicely put together and perfect for me on this mini vacation. If you do decide to stay at the Harrison, make sure to see Valentina. She was an absolute doll!

Lobby

Courtyard

Courtyard Lounge

Bussin a Grub

The Harrison Hotel also was sweet enough to provide me with 2 complimentary glasses of prosecco at this italian restaurant called La Locanda which is basically a quick stroll right around the corner from the hotel. They happen to make pretty good authentic italian pizza. I ordered sweet sausage, basil, mozzarella on mine, couldn't finish it all so I had to take it along with me. La Loconda also had some eye catching, chalk art work on their walls.

Party never ends here

A quiet lunch at La Locanda was just what the doctor ordered to get me back on track from some late (as hell) night of fun at the Clevelander that I had the night before. *I owe a lot of this fun to a new found friend by the name of Kym who knew all the hotspots and really jumpstarted my night in Miami. Thank you luv!* The party never seems to stop there and thats why I ♥ them so! Good music, nice atmosphere, crazy drinks, lots of fun and a sexy crowd...what more can you really ask for....accept for more fun at both Cleavlander locations. I also got to party it up at the Cleavlander at the Marlins Ballpark.

Field

DJ Genius & Khai

Pina Coloda w/ Extra "Luv" in it

DJ Khai spinning on the 1 & 2's

House Sparkling & Passion Fruit Puree

And...... I was stoked to see that even in MIA a piece of Philly comes along with me! Friend and I decided to get some vittles at GiGi's in downtown Miami, which I've never spent anytime in downtown Miami before so this was a bit of a change from South Beach.

I have a love affair for GiGi's in Philly. (I am 100% sure they are not associated with each other in any way) But I have to say the food and atmosphere in GiGi's in Miami was pretty kool too. I enjoyed the seating. It allowed you to watch the cook's every dish, move and preparations. I already knew that I would steal a few recipes for my own demises. Watching them make a variety of dishes made us seriously want to order everything we seen them make.

When visiting GiGi's Miami, you MUST try the brussel sprouts and cauliflower with bacon and soy. It was really, really good and as soon as I got home from the trip I tried my damnedest to make it, in hopes that it would be as good as I remembered it.

GiGi's Cooks

Art Deco Tour Pics. So because my flight was delayed I was unable to execute my original plan of going on the Cocktail Tour around South Beach and takes you to different bars to drink. Christine Michaels which runs Art Deco Tours was kind enough to let me hope aboard the Art Deco Tour that took place the following day. It was most informative, the tour guide was kool and fun and I got to enjoy a libation along the way teehee!

Out and About outside of Philly: Wildwood NJ

2012-08-16T13:49:00.000-04:00

Well, its back to work for me this week. It is sooo damn hard to get back into the swing of things after being care free for one full week of all play no work *sighs*

Chocolates on the Beach

So its natural that I can't help but to reflex back on last week of my day at the shores of Wildwood NJ with a good friend of mine who also needed a day of relaxation so we packed up our beach things and headed to NJ for the day.

Nearby Rides on the Boardwalk

Wildwood is just about 2 hrs outside of Philly and its seems to be a very family oriented beach area. It has lots of fun little things to do like walk the boardwalk to ride the rides, mini golf, go fishing, take a dolphin watching boat ride, rent a wave-runner or go parasailing and there were plenty of places to eat there although it seems some of them were geared towards serving mostly seafood. To me, Wildwood reminded of Myrtle Beach or vice versa. It seems to be a nice place to take a weekend trip if you plan on relaxing and having clean good ole family fun.

The Culprit

I'd like to keep my eye on the prize and head for Miami South Beach for some......well, grown up Miami type of fun hehe, but still, Wildwood partially filled my need to be at a beach for a moment. Sometimes its just nice to escape for a second and lay out in sun and splash in the water a bit outside the city limits. It was a hazy day but it was perfect beach weather for us and we were thanking our lucky stars that it wasn't raining that day. Even though my friend encounter a seagull on a mission to drop some "Good Luck" right on her back and into her hair while we were chillin lol. After laying out into relax mode, people watching and dolphin watching and jumping in and out of the water a few times we finally decided to wrap things up and take things to a local spot called the Boathouse restaurant on Rio Grande.

Mango Daiquiri

I kinda enjoyed the vibe of the Boathouse restaurant. I recently saw that it has received a few sketchy reviews online but really I couldn't find anything majorly wrong with the place. The food was good, the staff was friendly and the atmosphere was relaxing. The restaurant's location sits right next to the docked boats. Our hostess sat us at a scenic spot on the deck where we could watch the boats. We opted to have an early dinner of crab cake, veggies and broiled stuffed flounder and of course we had to get a mango daiquiri to end our day on a sweet note before hitting the road and returning back to Philly.

View From Our Table

Docked Boats

Beautiful Sunset on Our Way Home

Fade to Black and Going Green

2012-08-01T15:21:00.002-04:00

Fade to Black while Going Green by chocolaterepresentative featuring a fedora hat

Out and About Around Philly: Hibachi Grill and Sushi Buffet

2012-07-26T14:14:00.001-04:00

Sushi Buffet

Okay, so I know this is about to sound very obese of me and call it what you will, but I think I've fallen in love with a new place which happens to be a new buffet. One day while hanging out at home an oddly placed commercial came on in between one of my reality shows for an opening of a new restaurant in the Delco area called Hibachi Grill and Sushi Buffet. Seeing this sparked my

Water Fall & Fish Pond

interest. I was Skeptical at first about going and the food looking absolutely nothing like it was pictured on the commercial. I decided to give this place a try anyway. I first went during the early part of the day on July 4th.
I usually dont' like taking people to new places without me first going and checking it out but I decided to round up my grandma and auntie so that we could explore this new place together. Whats the worst that could happen? Well, with my GPS acting like it had gone completely crazy coupled, my aunt's growing temper that comes out to play when she's hungry and lost and then top it all off with my terrible sense of directions... I'd pretty much say thats the worst that could happen. However, after about 45 minutes of driving around Delco (which should have only taken us 15 minutes tops to get there), we finally found the place and surprisingly it was well worth the trip.

The singing "Treat"

Sushi Station

From the outside it looks like your regular, everyday buffet but Hibachi Grill & Sushi Buffet's interior is nicely decorated with updated wood finish, a water fountain and fish pond. The food is very affordable and there are lots of options to chose from like salmon, chicken, pizza, fried rice, roast pork, spinach all types of salads, fruits and freshly made sushi. There is also a chocolate fountain that sits near skewered fruit, so if you're feeling like indulging in a little gluttony, its there to assure you that it can be done in style. Also, if thats not enough to tickle your fancy there is also a grill and chef in the back of the restaurant that will grill up just about any thing that you'd like him to. Upon our most recent visit for a friend of the family's birthday, one of our party goers decided to test the waters and throw a few things at the chef to have grilled which included steak, onions, white rice and a few extra tasty treats. She seemed fairly pleased with the outcome, so maybe next time I'll give it a try
The restaurant was also nice enough to send over a little treat to the birthday lady of our day. It really made her smile and it got a good laugh out of all of us when the treat kept on playing the happy birthday song because we were told there was technically no way to stop it lol. For what its worth, I think this place is pretty nice, especially considering that its a buffet. Most places just usher you in, throw some slop into a trough, I mean a steam tray and expect you just to dig in. This place actually seems to put forth a great deal of effort to make their food look and taste presentable as well as the atmosphere, so I think its pretty safe to say that they've gained a returning customer here :-)

Representin' For the Chocolate Sistas: Shari

2012-07-13T13:08:00.002-04:00

Me and Cuz

So, I was just as I was about to catch up on the latest episode of one of my guiltiest of pleasures, Love & Hip Hop Atlanta (hangs head in shame). Recently, I've become an avid watcher of this show and had been reading the buzz on it via twitter, fb and online so I was pretty surprised when I came across this article that one of my most favorite cousin and most talented freelance writers I know had written for Madamenoire.com with her thoughts about the show.
Usually, I tense up at the mention of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta in particular. The reason being is because many of times it tends gives off a negative connotation of (mostly) women and men of color because
the situations they times deal with are viewed at as taboo and because right now we have some shows that have started popping up that also don't show minorities in such a great light (ie: Basketball Wives, Real Housewives of Atlanta, Love & Hip Hop). They deal with things such as broken families, unstable finances, cheating, fighting, abortions, and the list goes on. To sum it all up, Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, like most of these shows are usually is described as a hot mess, "ratched" or some coonery. However, be that as it may, I tend to watch it if I'm home. I am really unsure of how I got sucked into it but, hey what can I say, you can't seem to get away from reality TV these days. Sometimes its good and sometimes it isn't.
When it comes to discussing how people feel about this show I enjoy playing devil's advocate and hearing what others think and feel about it from a two, or three sided perspective because everyone's thoughts and opinions on it varies, it gives you much to think about and brings a little something new to the table. With that being said my cousin Shari Wright's is representing for the Chocolate Sista's with her most recent article:

THROUGH ALL THE NONSENSICAL DRAMA, IS THERE A PURPOSE TO LOVE & HIP HOP ATLANTA?

July 12th, 2012 - By admin

by Shari Wright

This is what everyone has been waiting for. And by everyone, I am only speaking about the critics that have denounced the show since the first 10 minutes of episode one of Love and Hip Hop ATL(LHHATL). Monday night we finally saw the “OMG look at how they are shaming our community” worthy footage. Because before this, the show seemed actually light to me. Yes, the triangles and personalities involved in LHHATL are wild and boisterous and sometimes perplexing and unbelievable, but as for specific embarrassing actions, the most we got was a sprinkle of an apple martini thrown on the back of the dusty jacket Stevie J was wearing. No bottles flying overheads, no slaps or punches, no weaves snatched (at least not literally), in fact there was barely anyone raising their voices. Of course, after Monday’s episode, all that is clearly out of the 15th floor window. So protesters, your proclamations of shame and distress that were announced weeks ago may now have credence. Or not…

First of all, I’m not making any excuses. The show might possibly be the most unhinged reality show starring black women, but I can’t forget the image of beautiful, vibrant women battling for the “love” of Flava Flav…so there’s that. I’ll say it’s a close second. Even with the jaw-dropping storylines and the scenes that induce heavy pauses and double blinking, I believe there’s a stint of purpose in the show.

Think about why we fall for LHHATL and subsequently all other reality shows. For one, it’s entertainment. For another, we can relate. We sometimes see ourselves, friends, or maybe work acquaintances reflected in these situations, and we are happy when we don’t see ourselves in this light; we get invested in characters that have a glimmer of the traits we admire. Sometimes it’s the loud mouth in the bunch, unafraid to stand up for herself regardless of the situation or person she’s facing, or sometimes it’s the quiet, loyal friend with the open heart that is simply longing for their love to be reciprocated properly. It could be reflections of self or associates… either way these people that are followed by cameras are not anomalies.

Take Emily from the original Love and Hip Hop, who was faced with the “I’m dating a rapper and I have his childbut he won’t claim me publicly” life. I read several tweets and posts of girls saying they knew what she went through. They related and they identified with her pain. They needed to see her take that momentary step where she finally put her emotional care in front of her emotional longing and walked away. The cameras followed this woman and caught her not screaming or throwing her ex’s clothes out on a sidewalk, but caught her instead throwing herself into a place where her sanctity mattered most.

Stop for a moment and ask, who on LHHATL was truly being “ratchet”…Momma Dee, but she isn’t ratchet as she is loud and unfiltered(also often filmed sans medication), but her personality appears to come from her struggles as a single mom looking to raise and protect her kids on her own. K Michelle could have been ratchet and started blasting her abuser’s name, but she used class and told her story without identities. I wish I could start a quick count of the many useful dialogues that crossed the social media forums dissecting the Mimi’s of the world and the women who can’t seem to let go of their turbulent relationships no matter how many times the man is caught disrespecting their existence. These women are present in this world. Why can’t we make room for their tales of woe?

Yes it’s a mess. Yes, there’s so much to shake your head about. However, it is entertainment. Every show does not have to offer deeper meanings. Not every medium will be available to fight for the/a cause. And that’s ok.

No one gets on Jack Black or Adam Sandler for making white people look like simple pot heads or ignorant, irresponsible drunks. What about the Housewives of Orange County, or New York, or New Jersey…Beverly Hills? Are there white women cringing and posting after every episode of their silliness and superficial flaunts? I dare not touch Mob Wives. Their commercials should be Rated R. But I digress. Those questions remain rhetorical. Those aren’t the only portrayals of white people. They have little to fret about.

This is why I think the critics have steered off course. LHHATL isn’t the main issue; limited portrayals are the problem. Our energies should be turned to getting more varied perspectives of who we are. We should then turn our remaining attention to actually supporting and viewing this array of depictions we desire. Better yet, why don’t we look into some indie black films/filmmakers/writers and support them? Find the students that participate in ‘Lens on Talent’ and other small film festivals and contests to give them financial backing. Maybe we should cease the protest against the obvious one-sided, too absurd to be commonplace occurrences entertainment that takes place in reality shows and demand for increased options. Or better, create the platforms for those options. But again, I digress

Yay! My Summer Vox Box is Here!

2012-07-09T10:56:00.000-04:00

Grandma, Auntie & Me

Oh dear Lord... its been hot as all hell here up and down the east coast! But its been all good just the same. The 4th of July feels like it just came and went with the quickness, but I am happy to say I got to spend time with my two special ladies during the early part of July 4th by going out to lunch with my aunt and grandma. It was a really nice time for just us gals to talk, enjoy a good meal and have a few laughs at a place that could potentially be one of our new favorite restaurants in Delco.

Me & my cousins

In the latter part of the day I was able to beat the heat and to get into some fun by starting in center city for some drinks a bite to eat and making my way into yonder for a little 4th of July excitement with old and new friends along the way to the boardwalk. Hope everyone had safe and fun holiday and kept cool in this massive heat wave. And speaking of heat waves, we lived to speak another day after our 2nd annual family BBQ that took place over the weekend. Supposedly this was reported as the hottest day on record this year. Maybe it was just the heat talking but it didn't feel like 100 degrees out there, however we were able to gather without incident. An occasional stroll over to the pool area for a walk through the sprinklers, a refreshing water ice and a sit under the tent was needed but nontheless we had a good time, good food and we were actually able to enjoy a slight breeze in the park too that day.

Summer Vox Box

Additionally, I was very pleased to see that my Summer Vox Box from Influenster had arrived! (Claps hands and jumps up and down) I was selected once again to participate in reviewing summer products that they've bundled together ever so nicely into my box. I've already began to try a few of the items and I can say for sure I am loving them and will definitely be reviewing them all.
Once again, if you are interested in becoming a product tester for Influenster, you may do so by visiting www.Influenster.com and creating a free account.

Meeting In The Park ..... With Summer Colors

2012-06-29T15:38:00.000-04:00

TGIF! The weekend is finally here! And I couldn't be happier. That also means 1 day closer to celebrating the 4th of July. Here in Philly they always have a bunch of local events going on in light of the holiday for Welcome America in Philly. Welcome America happens each year here providing residence and visitors a variety of fun events and free entertainment to take part in for the celebration of the 4th such as the Taste of Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, Philly @ the Movies, the Independence Day Parade and of course fireworks. So there is definitely plenty to do and if you are into getting away for the day then there is always some action going on at the board walks of Atlantic City. The task is usually getting through the crazy traffic in order to get there! My best solution is if you are driving, try to get a early start on the road, or if you don't care for the long, anguish filled stop and go drive, then you can always opt for a ride on the Greyhound bus to AC. Sure, its not the most glamorous way to travel but, you can avoid the headache of driving, paying high tolls, burning up your precious gas money and worrying about pit stops at various rest stations. Instead, you can just sit back, relax, grab a good book, your Ipod, or pop in your favorite movie if you have a portable DVD player. Me personally, its up in the air on what may take place on July 4th but whatever it is, I'm sure it will be a great time.

Speaking of great times, an upcoming outdoor family gathering in the park is in motion. I've been asked if I'd like to do a little decorating. I've never done an outdoor gathering before but I happily obliged. But I later realized that I wasn't sure in which direction I wanted to go with the colors or theme. For me, a party isn't a party until you've established a color, theme or an idea that you can run with through out the event. While drawing a complete blank I went to the only place I knew would have great inspiration: the web.
I came across so many great ideas that it was hard to narrow it down to one choice so I sampled a few ideas from each favorite. Also, I learned that combining aesthetics with the rules of outdoor entertaining can be a challenge, but no challenge is too great that it can't be done, right? Most of the challenges were how to keep the food fresh and keep the bugs away while still maintaining a great looking set up. Here are a few handy tips that I found while online:

Citronella candle pots or torches are beautiful and practical. They help keep the insects away and look great. Because of their distinct smell, keep them away from food.

Try to spray the area for insects several hours before your guests arrive so the smell of insecticide doesn't linger in the air. If mosquitoes are in the air, have a can of mosquito repellant nearby.

Serve grilled foods immediately. Place cooked foods on clean plates that were not used to transport raw meat or seafood. Perishable foods should be eaten within two hours, or one hour, if the air temperature is over 90 degrees F.

Bottles of water (non-carbonated) serve double duty. When frozen, they keep the cooler cold and when thawed, are great to drink. Before freezing, pour out a small amount of water to allow for expansion.

Discard leftovers that have been sitting out for more than an hour or two. If the ice has melted in the cooler, discard perishables.

Make sure there is ample seating and shade for ill or elderly guests, or those with sun-sensitive skin.

Use colorful, disposable plates, cups and cutlery to save on clean-up time and for safety. A beach pail makes a great utensil holder at the end of a buffet.

Always locate food stations, guest seating and reception lines in the shade, under a tent or canopy if necessary.

Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. You've heard it a hundred times, yet we cannot stress enough the importance of safe food handling. Cold foods need to be stored at 40 degrees F or below - even in the cooler - and hot foods need to be kept above 140 degrees F.

Caution female guests not to wear spike heels to an outdoor event. The heels may sink into the grass or cause wearers to trip.

Top view all tips visit: http://www.partyamerica.com/category/party+planning+tips/outdoor+party.do

Here are some great inspirational party pics I found while online. I decided on bright summer colors like pink, orange, yellow and white as my party colors after some careful thought. I also wanted to incorporate a few Moroccan elements into the mix as well

Moroccan Lantern, Candles and a Beautiful Floral Arrangement

Pink and Orange are Bold, Bright Summer Colors

Beverage Table with a Variety of Lemonade and Iced Tea

Moroccan Style Table

An Inflatable Buffet is a Great Way to Keep your Food Cold

Beverages Everyone can Enjoy

Colorful Decor Pieces for Entertaining

West Elm Plates Adds the Perfect Pop of Color

Outdoor Picnic Tent

Delicious Adult Drinks

Useful Way to Decorate with Streamers

A Few Outdoor Necessities to Keep the Bugs at Bay

Moroccan Twist to an Outdoor Party

Paper Lanterns Illuminate any Outdoor Gathering

Beauty Lovers Review the Spring VoxBox! (Sally Hansen-Salon Effects, SoyJoy, Aveeno, Dr. Scholl's for Her & Chapstick-Lip Shield 365)

2012-06-21T14:45:00.001-04:00

So, things are beginning to really heat up here in Philly. I'm thinking we will reach at least 100 degrees today! I'm hoping that we all are armed with extra deodorant, powder, sun screen and water or whatever keeps you dry, hydrated or protected from the sun during your time outdoors.

Speaking of products that help you get through your time outdoors, I've finally finished up with my Spring VoxBox review of all of the products that were sent to me. A good many of them are great for outdoors as well as everyday uses. I have to say I pretty much loved them all. I'd like to thank Influenster for sending me these items to test out. Below are all the products that were sent to me. Also, my lastest reviews of the Aveeno Body Wash, SoyJoy, Sally Hansen Salon Effects and Chapstick Lip Shield 365. For those who are interested in participating in the Influenster product testing join the crew at www.Influenster.com!

SALLY HANSEN - SALON EFFECTS

A CUTE, COOL, NEAT WAY TO DO NAILS

Quick Take:

Not the easiest to apply at first but very cute!

Usage Tips:

Seems easier to cut the "excess part" of the polish strips with a pair of scissors rather than filing it off as the instructions say to do. Put a top clear coat of polish over it to make it last longer.

The Verdict:

I would definitely buy this item

I had been wanting to try this product out but could never find it in my local stores. When I finally got it, I thought it was such a cute, cool, inexpensive way to do your nails. It isn't exactly the easiest to put on at first but with a little tinkering you'll eventually get the hang of it.

The designs are very nice also. (I got Animal Instinct)

SOYJOY - BAR

NICE SNACK

Quick Take:
It was just "alright" to me. Texture threw me off a little bit.

Usage Tips:
Seems good for a snack if you are hungry.

The Verdict:
I don't think I would purchase this.

This was my first time trying SoyJoy. I had the strawberry bar. It was just "alright". The texture wasn't exactly what I thought it would be like. And there was a little bit of an after taste. The bar was also very small in size.

AVEENO - DAILY MOISTURIZING BODY WASH

GREAT!

Quick Take:

I loved it!

Usage Tips:

Used in shower on loofa or sponge

The Verdict:

Will be buying more of this.

It smelled great and it was really gentle on my skin.

DR. SCHOLL’S FOR HER  - BALL OF FOOT PADS


Very Comfy!
   Quick Take:
Usage Tips:
Apply to heels where the ball of your foot is.
The Verdict:
I liked these little pads. They are good for when you are wearing high heel shoes. I wore them with my fave pair of shoes. L.A.M.B Hunter Booties.

CHAPSTICK - LIP SHIELD 365

Quality Product

Quick Take:

What can I say, Chapstick always delivers what it promises.

Usage Tips:

I used this before putting on my lipstick. It

helps it stay on longer throughout the day.

The Verdict: Good product!

Beauty Lovers Review the Spring VoxBox!

Check out the products members will be testing:

SHEER COVER - DUO CONCEALER

Ideal for hiding blemishes, age spots, redness, scars and other imperfections without heavy, cakey coverage. Duo shades can be blended to perfectly match any skin tone.

SALLY HANSEN - SALON EFFECTS

Real Nail Polish Strips! This product wears like nail polish because it IS nail polish (with no drying time). Apply and you’re ready to go.

DR. SCHOLL’S FOR HER - BALL OF FOOT PADS

Whether you have on-going foot discomfort, or just a soft spot for the most stylish shoes in the store, you’re going to love the Dr. Scholl’s® For Her line. Take a few steps towards happier feet today!

AVEENO - DAILY MOISTURIZING BODY WASH

This body wash cleanses & moisturizes for visibly healthier skin every time you shower. It’s lightly fragranced, soap free, dye-free & hypoallergenic so it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin.

CHAPSTICK - LIP SHIELD 365

This new product offers all season protection & moisturization for year-round exposure to the sun, wind & cold. With SPF 50+, it helps to protect from the sun’s damaging UVA/UVB rays.

BATH & BODY WORKS - FINE FRAGRANCE MIST

Discover a better, more delicate fragrance experience with the NEW Fragrance Mist Collection. With over 20 Signature fragrances to choose from, it’s love at first mist!

SOYJOY - BAR

Enjoy SOYJOY with all-natural real ingredients like real fruit and whole soy! Simply baked in their Southern California bakery into SOYJOY bars for REAL energy-sustaining deliciousness.

Simply and Deliciously Fashionable

2012-06-17T01:23:00.002-04:00

daily fashion by emese222 featuring zara shoes

Out and About in Philly

2012-06-16T16:20:00.000-04:00

Few snap shots that I took while out and about in Philly.

Life

2012-06-06T11:11:00.000-04:00

Photography By Khai

Out and About: The Official 2012 Capa "Its Going Down... Again" Spring Soiree Mixer

2012-06-01T12:58:00.002-04:00

Big Shirley Cocktail

Lovely past Memorial Day weekend. Hope everyone enjoyed their extended weekend. I kicked mine off at (deep breath)....The Official 2012 Capa "Its Going Down... Again" Spring Soiree Mixer which was at the AxD Art Gallery 265 S. 10th St. It was hosted by a mutual friend, "Jared my luv." My hat goes off to you Jared for throwing such a great event!
Although I am not an official Capa Alumni I still was able to have a really nice time and appreciate the upscale details that were so methodically placed around the Art Gallery. It was a wonderful balance of swank and swag. Also, they kept the drinks flowing, the food was delicious and music by DJ Charlie Chan was doin it. Folks turned up the temperature with their spring sexy wear and the atmosphere was as grown and sexy as it can get.

Enjoying a Chocolate Martini

And see, here's the thing... I really don't enjoy using the term "Grown and Sexy" because in Philly (and I'm sure other places too) it tends to get misused and overused...often...very often. They'll have you thinking that your going to a wine and cheese party but the reality of it is you are going to a crowded, sweatbox, can of beer and bag of chips (if you're lucky) type of party instead.

Birthday Lady

However, I really must say that this venue was the definition of "Grown and Sexy." The vibe was real chill and I was on shoe watch and on jewelry patrol. There were a lot of sexy heels being strutted in and Lord knows how I loves me a sexy pair of heels and there were all kinds of unique earrings and necklaces in the building too.

There was even a signature drink of the evening called the "Big Shirley" which involved Grey Goose, Cherry Noir, Sprite and a splash of Grenadine. It was a grown ass spin on theShirley Temple.
We were also inclined to celebrate my good friend, Colie's birthday at the stroke of midnight (or a little thereafter) with a toast amongst our table of friends. Happy Belated Birthday to you Colie!! :-)
Well, for now I'm going to fall back and let the pictures do the talking.....

*All photos shown below are credit to

Anwar Amin- A Squared Productions

The man of the evening that made it all happen Jared "My Luv"

Crossing Over to Vodka

2012-05-31T12:49:00.001-04:00

Now, normally I would would rant and rave all day about wine because yes, that's my new "it thang" these days but anyone who knows me, knows that if I see something that I like and may want to try or just flat out want, I will gladly cross over and try it. Which is why I must share about this vodka called Double Cross. Back in my college days I used to be a fan of different vodkas (Lord only knows why) But at that time me and my college buddies only had a few nickels to rub together to get our drinks so the vodka was kinda low budget, okay I'll admit it, on a bad day it would be bottom shelf vodka. They got the job done, but would leave you with a cheap, terrible tasting drink, a pretty bad hangover and probably some regret somewhere in the mix. However, Double Cross vodka ain't your typical college vodka.
It retails here in PA for about $35.00 a bottle which is pretty typical for a good vodka and it seems to only come in one size which is the larger bottle. The aesthetics alone enticed me to pick this bottle up and I had only seen it online before while sleuthing around online but in person it really is a kool site to see.
It is covered in white, cursive writing which I have yet to read or decipher, but I'm sure under the "inspiration" of a cocktail or two with this vodka, I'll find out what it says. I may be reaching a bit but, I would honestly have to say that this vodka could very well be up there with Belvedere, Grey Goose or Pravda vodka (Or surpass them). It has one of the smoothest tastes that I have tasted yet and it seems to mix well with other drinks too. I think I'll have to test drive Double Cross a little more to see what interesting concoctions I can come up with. So far Double Cross definitely has my vote and apparently on the website there are quite a few drink recipes that would tickle just about anyones fancy. Here is one of the many cocktail recipes listed on the Double Cross Vodka website shown below. Enjoy!

Double Dare

1/2 slice jalapeño
2 lime wedges
1 oz blood orange juice
1/2 oz agave nectar
1/2 oz orange juice
3 oz Double Cross™

Muddle jalapeño and lime wedges with blood orange juice in a mixing glass. Add the rest of the ingredients and ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with orange

Bath & Body Works Paris Amour

2012-05-30T15:34:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I must say I was really excited to try this item that came in my Influenster Box. I received Bath & Body Works Paris Amour. It came in a really pretty bottle and was packaged so very nicely. I could't wait to use it so I tried some on the day after receiving my box and got many compliments from strangers while out and about. So that was reassuring. I've been slowly building my fragrance collection so this was the perfect edition. The scent gentle and wasn't overwhelming which is one thing I can't stand about a perfume or body spray so that was definitely a plus. It seemed to last all day long which I liked also. Its a pain to have to re-up on your body spray or perfume every hour or so. So this Bath & Body Works fragrance definitely won lots of kool points with me.
Heres my review shown below for Bath & Body Works Paris Amour:

Don't forget to check out their Semi-Annual sale!

Bath and Body Works Fragrance Mist

NEW Fine Fragrance Mist Collection!

Fine fragrance in a mist as light as air. Discover a better, more delicate fragrance experience in over 20 Signature fragrances. It’s love at first mist! Exclusively at Bath & Body Works.

The Fine Fragrance Mist Collection:
-          Be Enchanted™
-          White Citrus
-          Cherry Blossom
-          Coconut Lime Breeze
-          Into The Wild™
-          Dark Kiss™
-          Black Amethyst™
-          Sensual Amber™
-          Midnight Pomegranate®
-          Carried Away™
-          Forever Sunshine™
-          Secret Wonderland™
-          Black Raspberry Vanilla
-          Pink Chiffon
-          Paris Amour
-          Twilight Woods™
-          Sweet Pea®
-          Moonlight Path®
-          Japanese Cherry Blossom
-          Country Chic™
-          Warm Vanilla Sugar®
-          Sea Island Cotton®

Where to Buy:

You can find Bath and Body Works products at a registered retail store near you!

Suggest retail price of the Fine Fragrance Mists: $14.00

FELL IN LOVE WITH PARIS AMOUR

Quick Take:
Great scent by Bath & Body Works

Usage Tips:
A little goes a long way

The Verdict:
Loved it. Will try other scents by Bath & Body Works too

Very sweet, fruity, refreshing scent. It seem to have lasted all day long with just a few dabs on my wrist and neck. Got a lot of compliments from.

Sheer Cover Duo Concealer

2012-05-22T13:41:00.004-04:00

Here is my first review for one of the products from the Influenster Vox Box that I received in the mail last week.
I absolutely loved this concealer. Not only did i try it on myself but I also applied some on my grandma (we had a girlie day doing make up at her place hehe)
She loved it also because it was lightweight and it also matched her skin tone very well. We used a fluffy blending brush to work the concealer in and then lightly dusted a mineral finishing powder over it which gave it a healthy glow.
Sheer Cover Duo Concealer

Sheer Cover® Concealer is perfect for all skin types and tones. Our concealer is a customer favorite offering a custom blend for the various shades on your face and covers up imperfections. It not only covers up the look of dark circles, blemishes, redness and age spots, it also moisturizes with Jojoba and Allantoin.

It instantly conceals blemishes, dark spots, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone – we’ve got life’s little imperfections covered!

KEY BENEFITS:
Instantly covers skin imperfections for a flawless, natural look
Variable coverage – sheer and creamy perfect for under eye circles or more opaque for blemishes, dark spots and hyperpigmentation
Easy application – glides on, won’t pull or tug at fragile skin
Enriched with natural, moisturizing Jojoba to help nourish and restore the skins’ natural moisture balance
Allantoin helps calm and soothe sensitive, irritated skin
Provides antioxidant protection from free-radical scavengers
Dermatologist-tested

HOW TO USE:
Using fingertips, concealer brush or a cosmetic sponge dab a small amount of concealer on area to be covered. Blend well. Start sheer, adding layers to increase coverage. Wear alone, under or over makeup. Let dry before applying makeup.

Where to Buy:

Customers can visit www.SheerCover.com or call 1-877-489-2035 to purchase Sheer Cover.
$29.95 for the concealer (non-member price) and $29.95 for the introductory system, which also includes the Duo Concealer.

EXCELLENT COVERAGE!

Quick Take:
I like it. Its light weight with great coverage. It's a great summer makeup choice.

Usage Tips:
Blend this concealer well with very soft brush or by hand.

The Verdict:
Would by this product.

I used Deep Dark and this was great for under eye circles, small blemishes and also the lighter shade was used to highlight.

Life

2012-05-22T11:36:00.000-04:00

Photography by Khai

"Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience" ~ Victoria Holt

My Influenser Box has Arrived!

2012-05-17T10:34:00.000-04:00

Tired as ever but happy to receive my Vox Box!

Coming home on this Tuesday I was so tired, hungry and just ready to unwind but I was happy to see that my Vox Box from Influenster.com had arrived! When I came home from a long day at work it was sitting there waiting ever so patiently for me.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Influenster, it is a completely free website that selects people who have joined their site to test out, review and give feedback on products. The reviews are mostly posted by Youtubers, Bloggers, or by going onto Influenster's website.
*Here is a previous post that I've done explaining a little about Influenster:
http://thechocolaterepresentative.blogspot.com/2012/03/im-lovin-it-this-friday-try.html
I signed up for Influenster in about mid March and found out in mid April that I had been selected to test their "2012 Spring Beauty Vox Box", which contains beauty items to be reviewed. The Spring Beauty Vox Box is said to be valued at over $60.00 worth of products.
The "Vox Boxes" are all themed. Because it is now spring they've sent items that you would find useful for this season.
I have seen that past reviewers have received a Mother's day box for Mother's day, a Valentines day box around the month of February or a Holiday box full of goodies around the Christmas holiday.
In the next few days I'll test out each item and give a thorough review on each product and will keep you posted!
In the photos below is everything that was included in my Vox Box.

The Vox Box Spring Card (Front)

The Vox Box Spring Card (Back)

The open box (Packaged)

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Polis Strips

Sally Hansen Card

SoyJoy Bar

Dr Scholl's Ball of Foot Pads

Aveeno Body Wash

ChapStick Lip Shield 365

Wrapped Bath & Body Works Paris Fragrence Mist

Unwrapped Bath & Body Works Paris Fragrence Mist

Sheer Cover Concealer in Deep Dark

Mother's Day Luau

2012-05-15T22:33:00.002-04:00

This has been a busy, busy, busy past few weeks for me! But finally, the moment of relaxation has come, whew! I had been running here and there in order to get all preparations final for my get together on Sunday for Mother's Day.

This year in the spirit of hosting, I decided to have something at my place for the women in my family . A "Luau" theme came to mind a few months back and I thought that would be the perfect way to celebrate and to take advantage of some of this warm weather that we've been having. I always enjoy seeing everyone having fun and I love having them over to eat, laugh, talk and to just spend time with each other. So I was really happy when everyone agreed to come over. I was extremely happy that all of the planning paid off. Going to places such as Party City, Michaels, Dollar Tree and various stores in Center City really helped me keep this event affordable which is why I always stress to grab deals by the horn when you see them! You may not see them again at that price ever again when you need them!

In addition to planning Mother's day. I also got to experience feeding the homeless on Saturday with my friend, her sister and mother. I had been wanting to do this for a very long while and I finally got to. I would like to be able to do this much more often and encourage others to also. For some reason or another, our Mayor in Philly is trying stop organizations from feeding the homeless which I think is an absolute mistake. If he only knew how appreciative they were, he would think differently. It really made me sad to see what other's are going through. It also made me thankful for the little things in life.

My mom far left, Me, My Grandmom, Great Grandmom & Grandad

I really hope everyone enjoyed Mother's day and that you made your mom, grandmom, aunt or that special woman in your life feel appreciated and pampered or that someone did something beautiful and loving for you!
I spoke with a few people who had a variety of ways to make their mom feel like a queen on Mother's Day. They did things like make breakfast for their mom, sent them to their favorite concert, made them a beautiful dinner or simply did things like clean the house so she would have a full day to kick back, relax without having to lift a finger.
Okay so I know we are 2 days in from Sunday already but to my grandmom I say happy Mother's day once again. I love you so much more than you would ever know. To my mom I say Happy Mother's day as well (Sorry about calling you so early in the morning on Sunday lol). To my Aunt I say Happy Mother's day to one of the smartest, nobel woman I've ever known and finally to my sister I say Happy Mother's day to a modern day superwoman of a mother!
Well, without further adue, I present to you: Mother's Day Luau :-)

Tiki Drink Station

Fruit Tray

Fruit and Drink Table

Party Supplies

Forks, Knives & Spoons for All

Flower and Floating Candle

Table Before the Food

Table After the Food

Baked Curry and Baked Lemon Basil Salmon

Peach Shrimp Skewers

2 of my Fave Party Goers

Meeting In My Bedroom ..... With Spring Colors

2012-05-04T11:30:00.001-04:00

Spring is definitely in the air here in PA .... of course despite the weird weather which seems like it can go from being a lovely day in the upper 70's to a rainy day but still humid day in the 50's in the blink of an eye. With all this Spring energy bouncing about I am eventually looking to spruce up my bedroom scene. Spring is usually associated with beautiful vibrant, playful colors like oranges, green, yellows, various shades of aqua, pastels and pinks and a great way to incorporate these colors is to transfer them to your room.
Me, I 'm still sorting out which room colors I love the most. Playing around with different textures, swatches, layers and color combinations has been so much fun. In my younger days I shied away from color for fear of my wardrobe or room looking clownish but now I see that you can put colors together so tastefully so I now invite and embrace color with open arms!

Adding color to one's room can also be a mood booster. It is said that the colors that you most gravitate to say a lot about you and your personality. I tend to lean towards greens, oranges and black which is odd because the explanation of what it says about my personality is somewhat conflicting but... I guess that sounds a little like me lol Here is the article that I found regarding colors http://www.care2.com/greenliving/favorite-color-personality.html

Orange: This color of luxury and pleasure appeals to the flamboyant and fun-loving person who likes a lively social round. Orange people may be inclined to dramatize a bit, and people notice them, but they are generally good-natured and popular. They can be a little fickle and vacillating, but on the whole they try hard to be agreeable. Orange is the color of youth, strength, fearlessness, curiosity and restlessness.

Green: The color of harmony and balance, Green symbolizes hope, renewal and peace, and is usually liked by the gentle and sincere. Greens are generally frank, community-minded people, fairly sociable but preferring peace at any price. Green people can be too self-effacing, modest and patient, so they may get exploited by others. They are usually refined, civilized and reputable.

Black: Dignified and impressive without being showy, Black people want to give the appearance of mystery, but their preference may also indicate a suppression of desires and worldly aims, suggesting hidden depths and inner longings.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/favorite-color-personality.html#ixzz1tupoOSTv

Bedroom Mood Board

Right now my bedroom is colorless and boring with a white platform bed frame, white dresser and side table and a white lamp. I have't taken the time to focus on it. But it will be receiving my full attention from now until the time I finish sprucing it up.
I love the thought of orange perhaps paired with another color (perhaps a darker or another lighter color) combined in with a few modern decorations. Heres a few ideas, inspirations and examples I've stumbled upon while online:

Lemon, Turquoise and Gray. These are demure but flirty fun colors together

Orange and Gray

Has a calming Pottery Barn feel to it. I like it

Pink, Green, White and Black Moroccan Colors pulled together beautifully

Ikea Orange Bedroom give a more serious look to color
with Black/White Pillows

Looks like a screen shot from the Sims but nonetheless it blends
orange, red and pink together nicely

Fun, bright and modern

I love this! This definitely says "Spring"

You dont always have to jump head first into color.
Here is a white Bedroom with a few pops of Aqua.

Very modern take on color with a hint of green to
uplift the room's mood

Representin' For the Chocolate Sistas: Tina

2012-05-02T09:38:00.003-04:00

Chocolate Representatives (Tina is Photo'ed 3rd from the left)

*Unenthusiastic* It is another lovely hump day in Philly. However the weather here can't seem to make its mind up! Yesterday had a nice warm up 70 degree swing to it. Today its blustery, dreary day. I was all prepared to get summered up today. But to no avail, had to settle for pulling out my umbrella instead of my sandals. Anywho, I have something... rather someone very special to share today. She brings sunshine to my rainiest and cloudiest of days. She is a good friend of mine and fellow Chocolate Representative that I love dearly like she's family. She never ceases to amaze me with her raw talent, undeniable swag, and her refreshing personality.... I couldn't be talking about anyone else but my good friend Tina, which I loving refer to as "Teeny"

Tina!

Tina recently blessed me with her Youtube video of her rendition of All at Once by Whitney Houston so I will bless you all with her video as well. So what I will do now is turn the floor over to my girl Tina. I luv ya Teen Teen!
She is most definitely representin for the Chocolate Sistas as well as the talented sistas too.
* Tina will also be featuring in a singing on May 10th at 8:30 pm at Maggie's Waterfront Cafe which is located at 9242 North Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19114. Please come out and show your love and your support!

Stripes and Brights

2012-05-01T11:28:00.002-04:00

Stripes and Brights by chocolaterepresentative featuring clover jewelry

Shochu

2012-04-25T16:54:00.001-04:00

I was feeling adventurous one day on my way to find something new to try out. I found this interesting looking bottle that stood out to me amongst the rest, its Yokaichi Mugi Shochu. It is a type of Japanese barley spirit and the use of Shochu is very similar to how we use Vodka in our mixed drinks.

Upon my purchase I couldn't wait to get home and check out some kool recipes on how this can be used. So while searching I took a very small shot of it just to test the waters (I don't do so well drinking shots) but it was surprisingly smooth, it was quite strong but it was actually smooth to the taste and I found out that it also mixes well with other drinks too. One recipe that I was dying to try using this Shochu was the Strawberry Shochu. It entailed a variation of fresh strawberries or strawberry liqueur and Shochu. Some of the fancier recipes included things like Sprite, Cointreau, and even yogurt or some other mixture that would sweeten the drinks taste. I opted for the Shochu Strawberry Margarita to try out and it worked perfectly. This drink is of course nicely priced for those who just want to experiment with something different to tickle their palettes. When I found this Shochu it was roughly about $13.99 if I am not mistaken. There was not too much of a need to go all out to buy a new drink that I would potentially not enjoy so I opted for this and have not really been disappointed in my choice. I've posted a view Shochu recipes below (courtesy of slashood.com) to give a jump start on how to work with this drink. I was also told that this beverage can be consumed warm so feel free to experiment with it any way that suits you! Oh and also check out

this site as well. Its drinks are for "Haamonii Shochu" but I am certain that the recipes will do well with any brand of Shochu. http://blog.haamoniismooth.com/the-ultimate-list-of-shochu-and-soju-recipies/

Shochu Margarita
2 ounces Shochu
1/2 ounce Cointreau
1 1/2 ounces fresh lime juice
*Mix and pour into a salt-rimmed margarita glass. Garnish with lime wedge.

Shochu Strawberry Margarita
1 1/2 ounces Shochu
1/2 ounce strawberry liqueur
1 1/2 teaspoons Cointreau
1 1/2 ounces fresh lime juice

*Mix all in blender with ice. Pour into a salt-rimmed margarita glass and garnish with a fresh strawberry.

Shochu Gimlet
2 ounces Shochu
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

*Mix together and garnish with a lime wedge.

Shhhh.. I just had a Shoegasim

2012-04-19T16:35:00.002-04:00

Shhhh.. I just had a Shoegasim by mochabrownsugar featuring Dsquared shoes

Out and About in Philly: To-Kai Sushi & Hibachi Steak House

2012-04-18T14:19:00.000-04:00

Attention! Attention! Attention! Sushi lovers, foodies, and lovers of great restaurant atmospheres!

Napkin at To-Kai (Pretty cute, huh?)

I must fill you in a very quaint and tranquil restaurant located in the North East section of Philly on Grant Avenue. Its called To-Kai. (They do not have an official web site but you may click here to view their menu page) About 2 or 3 Saturdays ago a friend and I journeyed to this hidden little gem. I remember a while back she had been telling me about a highly suggested sushi restaurant that she previously had gone to for a date and that the food was excellent. So she contacted me and we hit the road and decided to go stuff ourselves on a mid afternoon for our sushi fix. I wanted to try everything... but I controlled myself and settled for one of the popular signature appetizers: the Avocado Blossom which was made from a half of an avocado shell: containing baked avocado, crab meat, surf clam and masago sauce. It was delish and I might have to try this recipe at home one day. We then ordered the Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice. This dish came in a half of a pineapple and contained fried rice with shrimp. And of course we could leave it at just that. We also ordered sushi rolls such like Shrimp Tempura, Salmon roll, California roll, Spicy Tuna Roll and the Crunch Roll which contained shrimp tempura, cucumber, massago, tempura flakes & avocado At To-Kai, presentation is definitely key. I see that I'll be coming back to this place for my future sushi fixes. The menu prices were very reasonable and you'll get a lot of food for your dollar so I can almost promise that you will not regret trying out this new little spot. Oh, and the cherry on top is: its also a BYOB place. So grab your wine bag and your finest saki (Okay, it doesn't have to be your finest saki but remember to bring something!) And if you happen to forget your wine, saki, or bottled adult beverage, then they have a pretty lengthy cocktail list to choose from.

Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice

Salmon Roll and Crunchy Roll

This may not be the most flattering pic but it was delish!

Getting Chocolate Skin Summer Ready!

2012-04-14T21:32:00.002-04:00

Small Tub of Shea Butter

Okay, so the weather is officially warming up here in Philly and I am excited! Warm weather to me means trips to the sandy shores of Altantic City, ice cold drinks on a roof top lounge with friends, sun dresses in bold bright colors and getting your face sun worthy and ready for summer fun. I get excited just thinking about it!
When getting your face summer ready you should have a regimen in mind that works for you. In almost all cases (no matter what your skin tone is) it is suggested that you incorporate SPF into your regimen. Sun protection factor (SPF) protects your skin from the sun's harmful UVB's. If you are on the beach, taking an extended walk or doing any outdoors activities, try to find products that contains SPFs in it. Nowadays products like concealers, primers and lotions contain SPFs so you don't have to just settle for one method of staying protected from the sun!

Coconut Papaya Soap

Another key to having a "warm weather face" is keeping it hydrated and smooth. Using natural products like Shea Butter is great. It comes in a tub thats a variety of sizes. The cost of Shea Butter can range from $5.00 for its smallest container to $20.00 for its largest container. It can also be unscented or scented with items such as lilac, lemongrass or ginger. Shea Butter can also come in two colors: white or yellow. There is no real difference in its effectiveness when choosing a color, but I prefer to use the white Shea Butter because of its smoother texture. It goes good on your skin when getting out of a warm shower or hot bath and it hydrates
your skin right on contact.

The mentioning of showers and baths brings me to another recommended product that is a great edition to any bathing regimen: Coconut and Papaya soap by Nubian Heritage. This soap smells so very good! I know some products "advertise" that the scent will have you smelling like "this or that" but this soap actually holds true to its name. It actually does smell like coconuts and papayas. Its so refreshing and its scent lasts very long. The Coconut and Papaya soap is gentle. I have eczema (which is dry skin) and it does not irritate me at all. This soap contains small flecks of the coconut in it and small flects of papaya which helps exfoliate any dead or flakey skin. The cost per bar ranges anywere from 2 bucks and some change to 5 dollars, and it is well worth it. Nubian Heritage also makes soaps that comes in other varies like Black soap, Olive and Green Tea, Goat's Milk and Chi and many more.

Fruits and Veggies

Last but not least a great way to beautify your skin is through eating fruits and veggies. I got this 7 dollar haul from the Market Reading Terminal in Center City Philly. By eating right and drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, you will be doing your face and body a great service. Try it for at least one week and I will bet that you will see a change!