Sunday, December 14, 2014
Saturday, December 06, 2014
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Saturday, November 08, 2014
Saturday, November 01, 2014
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Tuesday, September 02, 2014
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Saturday, August 02, 2014
Friday, June 06, 2014
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
Vintage Black Glamour...Almost Ready!
I got an email today from Nichelle Gainer's team. Her pictorial effort on vintage black glamour is slated for September publication.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Give the Gift of Travel!
By Shakira Hightower
Reposted from travelnoire.com
It’s graduation time!
Before immersing yourself in your new gig or to show your congratulations to graduates for all of their hard work, present yourself or graduates with the gift of travel. The top post-graduation getaways enjoyed by students according to airlines, hotels, and tourism departments are hot spots within the Caribbean.
Jamaica for example, ranks high amongst graduates for its beautifully warm days, fun activity offerings, and generally affordable airfare and accommodations. Days spent poolside catching a vibe or swimming along white sand beaches can be very kind to the wallet. Afterwards, enjoy delicious island fare like conch fritters and rice and peas mounded high on your plate for a mere few dollars or scrumptious yet inexpensive beef patties and fresh mangoes picked yourself from mango trees.
Or if the budget allows, consider gifting yourself or graduates with a European travel ticket. These rank second among graduate favorites.
France specifically remains a top choice among graduates and their parent and mentor gifters. Paris in the springtime is an iconic, traditional location for graduates to tour as the city boasts such must-sees as the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre. Getting lots of culture in while sunbathing in the South of France and touring the legendary Parisian gardens are must-dos that the graduate will appreciate, as well as being able to discuss with co-workers during downtime at the water cooler at the forthcoming, new corporate position.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
Getting in the Festival Spirit
By: Shakira Hightower for Travel Noire
Reposted from http://travelnoire.com/spring-and-summer-festival-fun-in-the-diaspora/
Plenty of warm days are now on the horizon with the arrival of spring and the highly-anticipated coming of summer. Accordingly, festivals abound with celebration themes of sun and soul. Festivals offer lots of fun–and generally for just a few coins–the chance to meet great people with common interests over a few days or an extended stay for good times that last forever. These advantages position the festival as a satisfying staycation or perfect go-to getaway.
Here are some ideas sure to inspire and get you moving on your festival travel itinerary:
The Maralal Camel Derby
Camel jockeys vie for top honors during the Maralal, Kenya camel derby every year. Why not join them? Whether you spectate or participate, you are sure to enjoy this thrilling adventure in the Motherland. This year the festivities take place August 24 through August 26.
The Saint Lucia Jazz Festival
In beautiful St. Lucia, the sweet sounds of jazz serve as the soundtrack to your island getaway when you visit April 30 through May 11. The marquis boasts an all-star line-up including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kem, and Maxwell. This year the festival turns 14. This means continued cultural tourism and civic pride for the island and big fun for you.
National Black Arts Festival
Atlanta opens its doors to its most treasured cultural venues this summer beginning in July for its National Black Arts Festival (NBAF). This festival proudly hosts cultural arts conversations, exhibits, a marketplace and concerts that feature the Diaspora’s most talented artisans.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Sunday, April 06, 2014
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Billy Dee Williams! 77 years of #smooth! He was born William December Williams in Harlem with his twin sister Loretta and graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, the school that would later become known for the film and the television series, “Fame.”
He was on scholarship at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Design when he returned to the acting he dabbled in as a child. He spent a few years doing small roles in theater before getting his first film role in the 1959 film, “The Last Angry Man.” Many of us swoon and think of Mr. Williams’s in “Lady Sings the Blues” and “Mahogany” with Diana Ross of course.
However, the breakthrough role that opened the door for those parts was in the film “Brian’s Song,” as Chicago Bears football player, Gale Sayers. The film was based on Mr. Sayer’s friendship with his teammate, Brian Piccolo, who died of cancer at age 26 in 1970.
Mr. Williams told Roger Ebert in 1975, “Right before “Brian’s Song” there was a period when I was very despondent, broke, depressed, my first marriage was on the rocks. The role of Gale Sayers had been cast with Lou Gossett, and then he hurt himself playing basketball. I was called in to read for the role. I was their last choice, and I knew it. I was very down, and I read the role that way, and the chemistry with Caan was good, so they hired me. That was the turning point. Sometimes I think there are spiritual forces that guide me and protect me, and know where to take me.” Photo: People magazine.
Monday, March 31, 2014
The Art of Tea: Best High Teas Around the World
By: Shakira Hightower
As evidenced by Oprah’s recent collaboration with Starbucks, Westerners have recently sparked a renaissance with the cash crop known as tea, by capitalizing on America’s increased demand for efficiently served elixir varieties. The centuries old practice of partaking of tea has a relaxed feature and importance in social and business meetings, making the art of tea a treasured ritual in countries such as India, China and England.
To really enjoy your chai or oolong as we approach the Easter tea season–all pageantry components included–visit some of the most beautiful hotels around the globe for authentic tea ceremonies.
The One and Only Resort in South Africa has received great accolades for its tea offering.
Many desserts offered are French-inspired and include chocolate delice and vanilla bean cheesecake. Eclairs and macaroons are available as well. The tea sandwiches and buttermilk scones served with traditional clotted cream and strawberry preserves however, make the tea most similar to the proper English tea tradition.
The Author’s Lounge of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel of Bangkok, Thailand presents an officially traditional English tea. In a royal setting, guests enjoy classic tea menu items as well as special hotel takes on tea favorites.
There are raspberry scones with raspberry preserves and rose petal jam, champagne short bread fingers, ginger and lime sorbet, cakes and the finest teas of the world. There is also a vegetarian tea available featuring vegetable sandwiches to enjoy with your teas and desserts.
Meanwhile Sahn Eddar located in the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai entices with a grand water display, live classical music and a host of champagnes for its high tea. These features combine with pastries inspired from countries around the globe to create a tea that is hailed as among the very best in the world.
As evidenced by Oprah’s recent collaboration with Starbucks, Westerners have recently sparked a renaissance with the cash crop known as tea, by capitalizing on America’s increased demand for efficiently served elixir varieties. The centuries old practice of partaking of tea has a relaxed feature and importance in social and business meetings, making the art of tea a treasured ritual in countries such as India, China and England.
To really enjoy your chai or oolong as we approach the Easter tea season–all pageantry components included–visit some of the most beautiful hotels around the globe for authentic tea ceremonies.
The One and Only Resort in South Africa has received great accolades for its tea offering.
Many desserts offered are French-inspired and include chocolate delice and vanilla bean cheesecake. Eclairs and macaroons are available as well. The tea sandwiches and buttermilk scones served with traditional clotted cream and strawberry preserves however, make the tea most similar to the proper English tea tradition.
The Author’s Lounge of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel of Bangkok, Thailand presents an officially traditional English tea. In a royal setting, guests enjoy classic tea menu items as well as special hotel takes on tea favorites.
There are raspberry scones with raspberry preserves and rose petal jam, champagne short bread fingers, ginger and lime sorbet, cakes and the finest teas of the world. There is also a vegetarian tea available featuring vegetable sandwiches to enjoy with your teas and desserts.
Meanwhile Sahn Eddar located in the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai entices with a grand water display, live classical music and a host of champagnes for its high tea. These features combine with pastries inspired from countries around the globe to create a tea that is hailed as among the very best in the world.
Going Green in Washington, D.C.
By Shakira Hightower
There’s a certain cosmopolitan cool to the American national capital.
It’s soulful–blessed with a built-in breeze factor that comes no doubt from the fact that it was co-designed by an African-American. Master surveyor and scientist Benjamin Banneker was one of the leading minds behind the city’s lay-out some 200 years ago.
Then there’s the vibrancy that comes from the legacy of free Blacks who helped build the spirit of the city. There’s the founding of historically Black university Howard and the landmark civil rights history that was made and continues to be made there. The new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial should top your list of places to visit while in the city, for instance.
If you’ve never been to D.C., make travel to there a priority. If you have been, consider returning soon.
But travel there from a green perspective.
The city has lots to offer in the way of bookstores and cafes in bohemian and arts and culture districts such as Adams Morgan, H and U streets . Many of them are at various stages of online presence-building yet not to be missed. Walking and biking will bring you to the hippest venues, giving direct access to the underground, urban vibe that can add lots of texture to your stay in addition to being a green way to tour.
The public rail system in Washington D.C. is among the best of America. Use it during warm months to get to Georgetown shops or neighboring museums and galleries in Maryland and Virginia to further reduce your carbon footprint while you travel.
After you’ve green-toured the best enclaves of the city, enjoy relaxing in a LEED- certified hotel. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) hotels insure third-party verification of green buildings. So water, energy, and air resources are conserved according to a green code.
When you’ve properly refreshed, hit up Adams Morgan again for your choice of vegetarian fare at one of several Ethiopian restaurants like Meskerem or Keren’s Coffee. You’ll find D.C., when done organically translates into D.C. “done correctly.”
http://travelnoire.com/going-green-in-washington-d-c/
There’s a certain cosmopolitan cool to the American national capital.
It’s soulful–blessed with a built-in breeze factor that comes no doubt from the fact that it was co-designed by an African-American. Master surveyor and scientist Benjamin Banneker was one of the leading minds behind the city’s lay-out some 200 years ago.
Then there’s the vibrancy that comes from the legacy of free Blacks who helped build the spirit of the city. There’s the founding of historically Black university Howard and the landmark civil rights history that was made and continues to be made there. The new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial should top your list of places to visit while in the city, for instance.
If you’ve never been to D.C., make travel to there a priority. If you have been, consider returning soon.
But travel there from a green perspective.
The city has lots to offer in the way of bookstores and cafes in bohemian and arts and culture districts such as Adams Morgan, H and U streets . Many of them are at various stages of online presence-building yet not to be missed. Walking and biking will bring you to the hippest venues, giving direct access to the underground, urban vibe that can add lots of texture to your stay in addition to being a green way to tour.
The public rail system in Washington D.C. is among the best of America. Use it during warm months to get to Georgetown shops or neighboring museums and galleries in Maryland and Virginia to further reduce your carbon footprint while you travel.
After you’ve green-toured the best enclaves of the city, enjoy relaxing in a LEED- certified hotel. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) hotels insure third-party verification of green buildings. So water, energy, and air resources are conserved according to a green code.
When you’ve properly refreshed, hit up Adams Morgan again for your choice of vegetarian fare at one of several Ethiopian restaurants like Meskerem or Keren’s Coffee. You’ll find D.C., when done organically translates into D.C. “done correctly.”
http://travelnoire.com/going-green-in-washington-d-c/
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
9 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Next Thrift Shopping Experience
In addition to being a frugal feminista, I am a thriftista. Actually, I was introduced to thrifting on an episode of Ricki Lake back in the day. Some of my favorite finds to date have been my $7 Morgan Oakley bag and my silky, sexy Diane Von Furstenberg summer dress that I snagged for $0.10. Yes, that is not a typo. 10 cents.
Thrifting does not carry the same taboo in our community as it did when I started over fifteen years ago. You don’t have to be somebody’s orphan or be broke to thrift. We are beginning to see the benefits. Thrifting keeps costs low, but also gives you an opportunity to experiment and create. If you are new to thrifting and/or trying to wrap your head around the appeal of “other people’s clothing” but are open-minded about how to maximize a visit, here are nine tips I want to share with you to make the experience worthwhile.
1. Write down what you are looking for. Are you looking for accessories, tops, or bottoms? It is important to have a goal and purpose for your visit. Some thrift stores are humongous and it can get overwhelming if you don’t have a game plan or plan of attack before hitting the racks. In fact, I would say if you could, make sure you are leaving with a completed outfit, whether it be from pieces that you found while shopping or with something that you already have in mind to pair with at home. There is nothing worse than buying an article of clothing and realizing that you have nothing to wear with it.
2. Set a budget. Yes, girl, even in a thrift store. With prices being fractions of department store prices, you DEFINITELY have wiggle room and opportunities to take risks with your purchases. But, you don’t want to get too carried away by the low cost and buy up the whole store.
3. Think of the price of cleaning, alterations, and repairs. Some of the pieces that you encounter may be lovely, but may also need some work. When selecting pieces, consider the costs of replacing buttons, adding zippers, hemming, dry cleaning, and any other “next step” that you would take to make your sartorial vision come true. For example, I bought a Steve Madden jacket for $20 and had to replace the zipper for $10 and $13 to dry clean. Not a big deal when considering the retail cost of the jacket was well over $200, but it is something that many of us overlook when we are geeked about a purchase.
4. Keep your cell phone close to do quick searches on unfamiliar designers. Come across a cute item, but are not sure that its worth the price? Solution: take out your phone and do a quick search on the item. Remember that Morgan Oakley bag that I scored for $7. Before doing an on-spot search to find out that this designer’s bags average upwards of $300 and $400 dollars, I had NO idea who Morgan Oakley was. I just thought it was a cute, red bag. But now I know, it’s a designer, high-end, cute, red, which makes the buy even more worthwhile!
5. Wear tights or leggings to make trying on simple. The return policies are basically non-existent and many do not have fitting rooms. Wearing tights or leggings allows you to slip into bottoms quickly and takes the guess work out of figuring out if you should take it with you.
6. Find out your thrift stores’ discount days. Many thrift stores schedule days where they slash prices on the already discounted items in the store. Plan your visit around those days and save the extra cash for something else!
7. Check out the men’s and boys section. Who says that just because you are a lady, you have to shop in the women’s department? I have found some cute blazers, button-down shirts, and cardigans in these department.
And quiet as kept: some women like to hide their goodies in the men’s and boy’s department, so they can come back for them when they are on discount.
8. Shop for the sole and the other soul. If you love reading and as much as you love shopping, then make sure you check out the book sections of your local thrift store before exiting. From my personal experience, I have been introduced to ideas and authors that I normally would have passed on because of the cover price and I was not familiar with the author. Thanks to my local Salvation Army, I have been able to expand my personal libraries and body of knowledge!
9. Keep it clean.With all the touching of gently-worn, worn, and straight-up unclean clothes, it’s a smart idea to keep a little hand sanitizer in your bag. And let’s also remember to launder our finds before wearing them.
http://blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2014/03/9-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-next-thrift-shopping-experience/
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
We Heart Lupita!
We are not unlike the rest of say, the planet in that we are all about all things Lupita right about now! Congratulations on bringing inspiration to the screen and into our hearts!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Vintage Black Glamour - Pre-Order NOW!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
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