Gimme That Glimmer

Hair isn't meant to be boring. It's too pretty and fabulous to blend in with the background. Really great hair can define you. Short and funky or long and luxurious. Let your hair make a statement. I appreciate hair in different textures and lengths and colors. It's so much fun to play with. So why not get creative with some of the products you use. Your usual styling creams and hairsprays can be such a snore. You need some excitement. Well I found something that can add dimension and shine to your already cute cut. Free Your Mane's conditioning Glimmer Pomade. Boom!

If you're already familiar with FYM's normal Conditioning Pomade, then you know it packs some punch. It's not sticky or greasy. You can use on long or short hair and works great on any texture. I'll often use it whether I'm rocking a curly or straight look. Let's say I need my curls to really pop. The pomade will make sure they spring into action and it fights frizz. Or I've blown out my hair and I need those untamable edges to act right. Conditioning Pomade to the rescue. The glittery stuff works just the same if not better. It won't dry your hair out because it's made with Baobab Oil that holds in your hair's moisture. Don't forget it also contains Argan oil and antioxidant kicking sweet almond oil and pomegranate oil. Those sparkles you see come from golden mica. Isn't that cool! The glitter adds extra shine and works well with any hair color. I gotta tell you... I'm hooked on the Glimmer Pomade! Just call me Goldilocks without the extensions.

Get it!

The Gold Standard

It's Christmas morning. Your family is all gathered around the tree to open presents. You hand your sister a perfectly wrapped box. She rips the wrapping paper off and opens the lid. All you see is her eyes lighting up and the reflection of gold on her face. No matter what it is, she's excited. That's the reaction when you give the gift of gold. For some reason, that shiny color makes people think you spent some dough on their gift even if you really didn't. Ssh. They don't need to know all that. Anyway, I gathered some of my gold faves just to give you a few gift ideas. I know the clock is running out on holiday shopping, but you can definitely grab some of these last minute...

Go for gifts that your cat or dog will approve of. Ha! Obviously, kitty loves this gold monogram mug from Anthropologie. It's limited edition and is selling out quickly online. Don't fret, you can still find this along with the black momogrammed at your local Anthro store. This AK-LA shirt is an oldie-gut-goodie. The gold ones are a little hard to come by, but Drones Clothing is still making the shirts in classic black and white. The gold glitter pomade from my friends at Free Your Mane is great for the chick who likes to get funky with her hairstyles. You see that tiny gold tube? That's Benefit's Sun Beam highlighter. That's the sample size, but it comes bigger than that too. It will give anyone's face a gorgeous golden glow. Obviously, the Tatty Devine Pegasus necklace is a killer gift. I wear mine all the time and get tons of compliments on it.

Check out some more items that made my gold list. I know that there are only a few shopping days left, but you can always find similar goodies in stores near you. There's something for everybody. The beauty conscious diva, the shabby chic momma, the no-no-notorius thug, the penny-pinching friend who somehow always has nice things. The list goes on. All of these presents are Model Liberation approved.

If you're still freaking out over holiday shopping, stop the insanity right now! Last minute gold gifts are actually easy to come by. I snatched this cute kitty zip-pouch as I was checking out at Urban Outfitters. I'm sure one of my loved ones will like this. If not, I have no problem keeping it for myself. Oops, did I say that? Just remember that when it comes to gift giving it's the thought that matters. All that glitters may not be gold, but it will sure look good wrapped inside a box.

XOXO

NYFW Day 5/6

Lunch break with Blake Scott, Taye Hansberry, Ash Tianah, Jae Joseph and Jovan Ali

It's been a couple of weeks since I said farewell to the Big Apple, but the memories are still alive in my heart. The energy of that city is so intoxicating and you're hooked on it everytime you're there. My last days at Fashion Week were the icing on the cake. Alice & Olivia, Maki Oh, and a party for Marcelo Burlon at Opening Ceremony. Oh my! Let's relive all that deliciousness together.

Good morning, Monday! Taye and I had no time to spare as we woke up a bit late. Typical. After days of wearing heels and dressing to the nines, we decided to have an off-day and be a bit relaxed. So shorts and an Eric Clapton T for me as we headed to Lincoln Center for the Mathieu Mirano presentation. He'd designed costumes for Lady Gaga, so his collection wouldn't disappoint. A simple color palette of white, red, and gold with a hint of black in sophisticated shapes and fabrics. For some reason I was expecting latex and plastic, but it was great. After that we needed a pick me up, so we stopped by the HSN Lounge at the Empire Hotel. The new darlings of fall for HSN were on display including OH by Joy Gryson, Iris Apfel accessories, and the new shoe line by June Ambrose. Taye and I also got our makeup touched up with Trish McEvoy cosmetics.

After a bite to eat and a quick change, we headed to one of my favorite events of Fashion Week, the Alice & Olivia presentation. The clothes were fantastic and the little accents were just perfect. I was drooling over this jeweled clutch and the sparkly evening shoes while I sipped cocktails and chit-chatted with fashionie folks. But time was not on my side and I had to rush out to the Maki Oh presentation down the street. The event sponsored by Free Your Mane was simple yet beautiful. Designer Amaka Osakwe kept true to her Nigerian roots with fabrics and patterns reflective of Lagos flavor. Loved it! Ok, now for the really good stuff. My friend Steph and I hightailed it over to the County of Milan x Opening Ceremony party. If you don't already know, I'm absolutely crazy about designer Marcelo Burlon and everything he creates. His new collection is so freaking awesome... of course. Obviously the party was off the hook. My Instagram video will prove that for you.

The next day would be my last in New York. In true Mercedes Benz fashion, we unsuccessfully attempted to make it in to the Carolina Herrerra show. But we got the best seats anyway, and watched from the comforts of the Samsung Lounge as we sipped on lattes. My trip wasn't complete until I ran into Andrew Bevan, Teen Vogue's style features director. I kept seeing him dashing off to shows and sitting front row when I couldn't get in. Sigh. Andrew and the whole team at Teen Vogue looked so fresh the entire week as they hopped around from event to event. And New York was just their first stop for the Spring/Summer 2014 season. Oh the life of a jet-setting fashion insider must be gorgeously exhausting, and I envy it.

New York, once again you captured my heart on this trip. Your grace, your grit, your style. There are no other cities quite like you. Thanks for another wonderful Fashion Week... until next time.

xoxo