The Makeup Show recently hit the Windy City, June 9th & 10th, to introduce some of the market’s newest trends and techniques on the market. Held at the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago, the Makeup Show was two days dedicated to artistry, networking, and community.

I had a chance to attend the blogger’s preview Saturday night, which resulted in me receiving a HUGE swag bag full of amazing products. Won’t He do it?!?! Whew! Also, thanks to Swa-Rai’s giveaway, I had access to The Makeup Show on Monday. It was cool to see the new makeup trends, but honestly I’ve developed a huge interest in skincare. I spent some time at Dermalogica testing out their eye serum, and debating if I should purchase some Mink lashes or not. I opted not, with the help of friends encouraging me to save my money (Thanks guys!). However, I did purchase a few goodies (see below) and attended “The Beauty of Social Media” panel discussion featuring Nils Johnson (Beautylish), Luvvie (Awesomely Luvvie), and the lovely Patrice (Afrobella). Enjoy the pictures!

Blogger’s preview, check out the swag bag!!!

“The Beauty of Social Media” panel discussion

Nikki T.

Goodies

-Nikki-

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source: en.wikipedia.org

50 years ago America lost what could have been one of the most impactful Civil Rights leader of our time, had his life not been taken away by the plague of racism that stinged our country. Although Medgar Evers life was cut extremely short, his role as a field secretary for the NAACP continues to be celebrated and honored, 50 years later.

As some of you guys know, I lived in Jackson, Mississippi for an entire year as I interned for the John Perkins Foundation. I used that year as a opportunity to time travel and explore the many historic sites Mississippi has to offer. A lot of time was spent in the Medgar Evers Historic District, but there is a specific moment I’ll never forget.

Reena Denise, the daughter of Medgar Evers and Myrlie Beasly, traveled to her childhood home and place of her father’s death, to lead a discussion among a group of students. One can only imagine how hard it must have been for Reena to stand a few steps away from the permanent blood stained concrete that silently screams as a reminder of the place Medgar took his last breath. Reena said a lot that day, but what stood out the most, is why we should cease from using the N-word.

“Many people say it’s just a word, but we fail to realize people died over that word. They died in order to not be called that and their death was not in vain.”

Reena spoke those words with tears in her eyes and at that very moment, I got it. I went a long time without saying the n-word and felt good about it. I don’t know what happened. I guess I’ve gotten too comfortable, but as of lately I’ve been saying it I truly want to respect those who lost their lives to be treated as human beings, which is why I personally have a problem saying it. I’m back on track with challenging myself to refrain from using that word in my vocabulary. What about you? Do you use the n-word? Why or why not?

In the meantime, check out pictures from Medgar Evers Historic District in Jackson, MS.

The home of Medgar Evers

R.I.P. Medgar Evers

-Nikki-

The post Remembering Medgar Evers 50 years later & how his daughter challenged me not to say the N-word appeared first on Nikki and the City.

Chilling at Lenox Square Mall

What up my people?!? If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you know I spent last weekend in Atlanta. I absolutely love traveling and get super excited about going to the South. Who doesn’t want to soak up a little bit of southern hospitality? I came to Atlanta to co-host “Everyday Beautiful in 8 Simple Steps” with celebrity makeup artist Niehla Ollie. This was also an opportunity to refresh ourselves from the hustle and bustle of living in the city of Chicago, and truly explore Atlanta. Enjoy the pics!

Ever had a sandwich where they use a Krispy Kreme donut for the bun? 

I’m almost ashamed to say this, but I have. Delia’s Chicken Sausage Stand made me backslide ya’ll. I’ve only eaten fish since the beginning of the year, but I HAD to try the Double D Delight Sliders. Consisting of chicken sausage patties, grilled krispy kreme, and cherry cream cheese, I would have never thought to put these things together, but it was pure genius. It was so genius we inquired about the owner (Delia) and actually had a chance to meet her. Miss Delia was super welcoming and even gave us a t-shirt and store bucks to return to Delia’s before leaving Atlanta. I love to see women entrepreneurs doing their thing. If you’re in the ATL area be sure to give Delia’s a try. Tell her Nikki from Chicago sent you

I had a chance to visit The Gathering Oasis for Sunday service. Cornelius Lindsey is the pastor and his wife is Heather Lindsey. I came across Heather’s blog about a year and a half ago, and was really inspired by her story. May God bless their ministry!

Word on the street is The Busy Bee Cafe has thee absolute best soul food in Atlanta. It was my mission to be the judge of that. I should have known when we walked in, that the rumors were indeed true. The Busy Bee Cafe is definitely a ‘hole in the wall’ type of joint, but it was literally packed. I ordered the smothered chicken, (yes, I allowed myself to indulge in more chicken and other meats the rest of the week, don’t kill me lol) with macaroni & cheese, cornbread dressing, greens, and an Uptown lemonade mixed with iced tea. I’m officially a believer. Busy Bee Cafe held it down! Whew!

HBCU’s make me all emotional and what not *Kanye Shrug*

Out of all the times I’ve visited Atlanta, I never had the opportunity to walk on the campuses of Morehouse College and Spelman College. Seriously, why did I get all emotional once we pulled up to Spelman? Although I didn’t attend a HBCU, they hold a special place in my heart.

In my Kendrick Lamar voice “Martin had a dream…”

And of course, every time I’m in Atlanta I absolutely MUST visit The King Center, no exceptions.

That’s all I have for now folks! I always enjoy my time in the ATL and look forward to being there again. Until next time, check out this picture I took on the way back to Chicago. 10,000 feet in the air, yikes!

-N-

The post My ATL Trip appeared first on Nikki and the City.

source: blogher.com

The leader of the free world is the child of one black parent and one white parent. The number of Americans who identify as “mixed race” is on the rise. And this year marks the 46th anniversary of the Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court decision, which made interracial marriage legal in the United States.

So why is a Cheerios ad featuring a multiracial family causing a stir?

To read entire article visit CNN by clicking here.

The post Why is ad featuring multiracial family causing stir? appeared first on Nikki and the City.

Summertime and the living is easy. Nights become longer, people are happier, and music gets louder… especially at the ESSENCE Festival. Held every year in the sultry city of New Orleans, the ESSENCE Festival is a celebration of music and culture. This year’s festivities are July 4-7, 2013 and the generous people of State Farm wants to send you and one guest to the festival. Get excited people!

Contest Rules:

Instagram: Upload a photo capturing “your personal style” to your Instagram account and include the required hashtag, #StateofStyle, in the photo caption. Limit: One (1) Entry per person per day. Entries must be received between 12:00:01 AM ET on Saturday, May 18, 2013 and 11:59:59 PM ET on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 during the Sweepstakes Promotion Period.

Visit www.ESSENCE.com/StateofStyle, connect with Instagram, select one (1) Photo from your Instagram account, complete the online entry form in its entirety, and submit (the “Entry”).

Grand prize includes:

• Round trip coach airfare for winner and one (1) guest to New Orleans, LA from major airport nearest the winner’s home in the Continental US. Trip must be taken from July 4, 2013 to July 8, 2013.
• Round trip airport transfers in New Orleans, LA.
• Four (4) nights, Five (5) day hotel accommodations in New Orleans, LA (based on double occupancy). Winner and guest to arrive Thursday, July 4 and depart Monday, July 8, 2013.
• Two (2) tickets per night to the ESSENCE Festival concerts in New Orleans, LA. Tickets are valid for concerts playing July 5 through July 7, 2013.
• Two (2) VIP Experience tickets (tickets to various VIP events at the ESSENCE Festival)

Time is of the essence, enter now!

The post ESSENCE State of Style: Win a trip to the ESSENCE music festival! appeared first on Nikki and the City.

Poet and Minister Preston Perry of Spoken Life Project recently released a new poem entitled “Chicago’s Hope”. As a native of the Windy City, Perry has been mentally affected by the violence that plagues Chicago:

“As some of you may know, I’m from Chicago. A beautiful city with a lot great people. But in these last past four years my city has been effected by violence that’s unheard of. Last year alone we had over five hundred and sixty murders in Chicago. That was more than Afghanistan and Iraq combined. Every time I turn on the news they’re talking about the problem but no one seems to know the solution. We thought President Barack Obama will bring us hope but nope! He’s only a man.”

Perry’s poem “Chicago’s Hope” addresses the problems and gives a simple solution:

Is this the hope Chicago needs? Thoughts?

-N-

The post Chicago’s Hope : Is this the answer for Chicago’s violence? appeared first on Nikki and the City.

source: riduspic.blogspot.com

Actress Zoe Saldana has been inserting the proverbial foot in her mouth in recent weeks. The “Colombiana” starlet has been media blitzing for the upcoming “Star Trek Into Darkness” film and leaving a trail of disrespect in her wake. A fellow Clutcheditor, Yesha Callahan, thinks Saldana needs a dictionary and a clue. I concur and also think she needs to enroll in an Introduction to Critical Race Theory course ASAP.

During an interview with BET, Saldana candidly discussed how she views race, alleging “there’s no such as people of color.”

When asked how she racially-identifies, Saldana responded:

Click here to read entire article.

The post Zoe Saldana claims “People of Color” don’t exist appeared first on Nikki and the City.

source: bet.com

President Barack Obama visited Morehouse College on a rainy Sunday afternoon to give a refrain on the responsibility of Morehouse Men and black America to find dignity and progress in self-reliance, a refrain that has simultaneously proven exciting and excruciating for African Americans over the last four years.

His commencement speech was highly-anticipated as an opportunity to reconnect the Obama Administration with black legislators and thought leaders who have sharply criticized his approach to executive diversity, and policy directives aimed squarely and publicly at addressing social and financial disparities overwhelmingly affecting African-Americans. So anticipated was the president’s visit, Morehouse leadership became mired in controversy for the botched handling of an alumnus baccalaureate speaker who criticized the president in an editorial in early April.

President Obama touched on race, opportunity, tradition and commitment, carefully couched within familiar anecdotes and colloquialisms designed to give signs and signals to black America that he is still our guy.

 Click here to read entire article. 

The post Isn’t this amazing? President Obama’s Morehouse moment appeared first on Nikki and the City.

source: usatoday.com

On 3 September 2005 – less than a week after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast – I began to understand that America cared little about what was happening in New Orleans.

I was an undergraduate at Davidson College in North Carolina at the time, worried out of my mind because my family in Mississippi was still without electricity and friends and family in New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast were still missing. The images of families stranded on rooftops were trickling in via news outlets, but it was obvious that the response from the government would be slow.

 To read entire article click here. 

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“I swore I’d never fall again, but this don’t even feel like falling. Gravity can’t forget to pull me back to the ground again.”

Read between the lines.

Headed to Trader Joe’s to pick up healthy snacks for the week. Glowing

City walking… Amazing things happen when you look up…

Yours Truly at the Mary Mary event… for more pics click here.

Crunchy crab… my soul is happy indeed…

Living in Hyde Park is thee best… I’m so grateful…

Pre-photoshoot shenanigans… Stay tuned for pics…

Looking forward to a great week!

Love Always,

Nikki

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