Archives for May 2013

30 May 2013

Memories Don’t Live Like People Do…My Summer in St. Thomas

Today it is 90 degrees in New York City and it this weather has me reminiscing about my past vacations with my friends. I have been traveling with my friends from college, pH as we have affectionately named ourselves, since my senior year of college. We try to take at least one trip per year together.

Summer in St. Thomas

One of my favorite trips was when we went to St. Thomas. I love that island so much. I mean it was so beautiful that I got caught up taking pictures and lost my camera *insert sad face* Well thank God for Facebook because I still have the memories of the trip that we took about four years ago.

Our first night on the island

This was the first year that we started our tradition of wearing all white to dinner on the last night of our stay. When we went to Puerto Rico a few years ago everyone kept asking why 6 beautifully bronzed black women were dressed in all white. We told them that we were all engaged to be married and this was our last “hoorah” as bachelorettes. They believed us lol.

The beginning of the all white tradition

In St. Thomas we had our own personal chauffeur named Boaz. Well he wasn’t really our personal chauffeur but my best friend worked out some kind of deal with him and he drove us all over the island for a flat rate. What’s funny is that a year later while on a cruise, we stopped in St. Thomas, and who do we see…Boaz! He actually remembered us a year later and drove us around the island again.

pH under the Flamboyant Tree (Keyona, Me, Shara, Jill, Kathleen, Erica,

One of the most breathtaking views on the island was the flamboyant tree. The vibrant color just made us all stop and stare. The poet laureate of the group, Kathleen, even wrote a poem about it and our experience during that vacation.

Flamboyant by Kathleen Readous

SUN DANCING ON THE WATER, COLORS OF PINK,

SILVER AND GOLD REFLECTED IN OUR EYES.

FACES KISSED BY GOD AND BODIES COLORED EBONY.

HIS CREATIONS ARE LIMITLESS, BREATHTAKING,ENDLESS.

OUR HEARTS ARE FULL, BEAUTY UNIMAGINABLE, UNDISTURBED AND UNTOUCHED.

WE CLOSE OUR EYES AND HOLD A PIECE OF PEACE IN OUR ARMS.

HOLD IT TIGHT AND REMEMBER THE FLAMBOYANT FLOWERS.

After dinner and karaoke, our last night on the island

This was definitely one trip that I will never forget. Up next for us is Vegas! That will be an exciting experience.

What are some of your memories from the summer?

Brand Statement: The deliciously light taste of sorbet now comes in a bottle. Introducing Smirnoff Sorbet Light. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. Made With Smirnoff Vodka Infused With Natural Flavors. 30% Alc/Vol. Per 1.5oz serving: Calories 78, Carbohydrates 1.3g, Fat 0g, Protein 0g. * 25% FEWER CALORIES THAN THE LEADING DESSERT-INSPIRED VODKA. ©2013 The Smirnoff” Co., Norwalk, CT.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Smirnoff via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Smirnoff.

Categories: HGB Go Getter, The GOOD Life Tags: flamboyant tree, Friends, glam network, Life, smirnoff sorbet, sponsored posts

27 May 2013

The Results are in! Nivea’s #DareToBare Firming Hydration Challenge

By Jai 1 Comment

Hey dolls! Exactly two weeks ago, I embarked on Nivea’s #DareToBare Firming Hydration Challenge. For two weeks, I only used the Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion with Q10 that was provided to me through Nivea.

NIVEA Skin Firming Body Lotion, formulated with Co-Enzyme Q10 Complex and Hydra-IQ, is proven to provide firmer more toned skin within two weeks.

firmer, more toned skin

more resilient skin

softer, smoother skin texture

24 hour moisturization

Twelfth Night by Cynthia Vincent courtesy of ShopBob

Dress: Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent courtesy of ShopBob

My Thoughts

I absolutely adore this lotion. It came right in time for the summer. The weather has been a little whacky, but shorts and mini skirt season is definitely on its way. The harsh winter took a toll on my skin. I would use other Nivea products that I loved throughout the winter, but this lotion is perfect for the spring and summer because it is light weight. Now I won’t say stop going to the gym or doing your lunges and other leg exercises, but I will say my thighs and butt look and feel more firm, skin wise, not muscle wise. My is a lot smoother especially the normal dry areas like your knees, heels of your feet, and elbows. I applied the lotion in the morning and in the evening and my skin retained the moisture throughout the day.

Smooth legs 🙂 and Aldo Shoes

Would I recommend this product?

I would definitely recommend this product if you want a great light weight lotion that leaves your skin feeling soft, silky, and smooth. It is relatively inexpensive and that’s always a great thing.

You have a chance to win this product by tweeting or instagramming a photo of what you would rock with smoother, firmer skin using the hashtag #DareToBare. This is the last week to enter so hurry!

Categories: Beauty Bubble, Fashion, Skin Care, What I Wore Tags: dare to bare challenge, nivea usa, skin care, sponsored post, summer 2013

23 May 2013

Event Recap: Stir Up Your Summer with Smirnoff Sorbet!

By Jai 2 Comments

This past Tuesday I had the opportunity to attend the Smirnoff Sorbet Stir Up Your Summer Girl’s Night Out event held at the Ten Over Ten Salon given by the Glam Network. I could not have asked for a better event to end my night. First, the weather in NYC was simply amazing. The sun was shining bright and the temps were warm and with weather like that who wouldn’t want to have a pampering session with their girls?

When I arrived to the event with my friend Kim of Makeup by Kim Porter we were greeted with some refreshing drinks. Now when it is hot a nice cool cocktail is all you need to get the party started. So we had the options of the Smirnoff Sorbet Light Pomegranate Punch, the Smirnoff Sorbet Light Mango Passion Fizz, or the Smirnoff Sorbet Light Lemon Mojito. Since I love mango I went with the Mango Passion Fizz to start.

At the event we were offered the following services: manicures, pedicures, makeup application, massage, and a tarot card reading. Can you guess which services I made use of? If you said all with the exception of the card reading you are correct.

My nail tech for my pedi was Amy. She has been a nail tech for the last 8 years. The pedi was simply delightful. What I loved about Ten Over Ten was the cleanliness in addition to the excellent service. Amy paid close attention to each of my little piggies and even offered some advice for my itsy bitsy toenails to grow (It’s a struggle lol). During my pedicure Melissa from O So Chic and her friend Maxine joined us and it was just awesome girl talk as we were pampered by the nail techs.

Danielle from the Style and Beauty Doctor

After my pedi and second drink, Pomegranate Punch, I headed over to the sushi station and had just about every sushi and sashimi roll the reps from Haru had to offer. After I had a little snack and my third drink, Lemon Mojito, I had my makeup touched up. I know you are probably thinking you had three drinks, but the Smirnoff Sorbet Light is exactly that light.

Camera Ready!

After my makeup application and more sushi it was time for my mani. Yoon was so nice and she has been a nail tech for 20 years, but you would never know that by looking at her. For my nails I went with Essie Bachelorette Bash and headed over to the mani cam.

I usually don’t stay out too late on a work night but this event was well worth it. At the end of the night we were sent home with these amazing gift bags filled with summer essentials. The ombre denim bag was from Target and the goodies inside consisted of Urban Decay Moon Dust, Lorac TANtalizer Body Bronzing Spray, Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray (beach waves anyone?), Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen, Schick Quattro for Women Trim Style, h2o sea salt skin smoother, Olay Total Effects Moisturizer + Serum Duo, St. Ives Revitalizng Pear & Soy Body Wash, Matrix Exquisite Oil, and an awesome Red Velvet Cake Pop from Sugarella Sweets & Treats that is not pictured because, well I ate it lol.

Olay Face Moisturizers · H20 Plus Bath & Body · Neutrogena Sun Care

As you can see I had a great time at this event. So check out the Smirnoff Sorbet drinks to Stir Up Your Summer.

Brand Statement

The deliciously light taste of sorbet now comes in a bottle. Introducing Smirnoff Sorbet Light. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. Made With Smirnoff Vodka Infused With Natural Flavors. 30% Alc/Vol. Per 1.5oz serving: Calories 78, Carbohydrates 1.3g, Fat 0g, Protein 0g. 25% FEWER CALORIES THAN THE LEADING DESSERT-INSPIRED VODKA
©2013 The Smirnoff” Co., Norwalk, CT.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Smirnoff via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Smirnoff.”

Categories: The GOOD Life, The Munchies Tags: event recap, smirnoff sorbet, sponsored posts, summer essentials, the glam network

23 May 2013

Nail Candy: Essie 2013 Naughty Nautical Summer Collection

By Jai Leave a Comment

With Summer right around the corner we must make sure that our manis and pedis are on point! So check out Essie’s Summer 2013 Collection Naughty Nautical!