Yellow & Blue In Brooklyn

My other half!

Producer and director in a lovely floor length dress.

Blue. 

Sis and me chatting it up. She's in same shoes in patent burgundy. 

I had been waiting for the right opportunity to wear this amazing dress I found about 8 years ago at a quaint vintage shop in D.C. for all of $10! It's from the 60s and boasts an absolutely perfect silhouette. All lace with a peek a boo red zipper in the back and in new condition. It looks like the owner never wore it. Yes, please!

And so on a perfect night atop the Brooklyn Terrance Lounge, I rocked this dress to celebrate the launch of Chic Rebellion, the all new online network where I'm hosting my own show 'Dine Out'. I teased you with looks from some film days here and here! Remember? Finally, it's out and we're enjoying the response.

The blue suede shoes were a perfect punch against the dress. But the hat with a sparkly detail gave the whole look a touch of ass and evening appropriate. I was comfortable and at the end of the night, that's what mattered!

Check out my 1st episode "Food Trucks in D.C." -- I hope you love it! More to come

Wearing:

Dress: Vintage
Shoes: Enz Angiolini via Nordstrom
Hat: August accessories
Rings: Murano glass from Monaco
Earrings: Vintage 



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Destress & Rejuve with Artistry's 14 Day Intense Treatment

My life as it stands is a constant loco motion. I just jumped off the train from DC to NY to attend some amazing shows during Fashion Week. I'm here all week with  a caveat ... I have to go back to DC tonight all to catch a flight 1st thing in the morning back to NY... yep. A double trip in 2 days. Thank goodness I'm only 3.5 hours away. Oh, and wait, I was here just last week for a day trip to celebrate the launch of Chic Rebellion. I've had about 4 hours of sleep in 36 hours. 

Pretty intense, right?! I love, love, love what I do and nothing makes me happier than traveling, cooking, and covering haute lifestyles around the world. But, it does take a toll on my body and mind. The level of stress is ridiculous. And oh, lucky me, handles it in a less than attractive way. Let's have a moment of confession here! My stress releases itself in my face... fortunately, I don't have wrinkles (thanks to family genes) or major acne problems, but I do break out once a month and it's just not fun. The breakouts are anticipated so I know exactly how to deal with them. The real challenge are the ensuing brown spots. 

I'm a brown girl, but a "high yellow" one as they say in Atlanta! That means any and every little mark (even if you pinch me) marks my face and is visible. My life's mission since HS has been to find that perfect cocktail of skincare products that address the biggest things that affect me. I've had little succes, mostly because I've been lazy, truth be told. 

Times have changed! Intense traveling and little sleep demand a strong skincare regiment that helps keep my skin refreshed, rested and looking young. 

My busy bee lifestyle can easily catch up to me if I'm not careful. 

This is the metaphor of my life: always on it, focused & determined!

I found daily washes the love my skin and vice versa... Neutregena grapefruit wash...Love that stuff. I swear by it. But I realized, a bit late in the game, that SPF's and daily moisturizers are essential in protecting our skin. I've gone through the catalog of options out there, and some work. Some don't. I've recently settled on Artistry's SPF 50 which is silky smooth and perfect for layering before my makeup application. 

My focus now is on restoration while I sleep! Just like my calves need to rest after running all day, my face and pores need to relax and recover from all that guk we apply and expose it to. I have been the worst about washing my face before bed. That's changed. When I became a fan of Artistry's beauty line a few months ago, I got hooked on following their development. From what I've used and seen, their chemistry knows my kind of skin and my needs. Their latest: The 14 Night Restore Program. 

14 days of intense treatment has taken over my efforts this month! In preparation for more Chic Rebellion filming and photo shoots, I was pressed to beautify my skin. According to the band, the 14 blue vials, are "an intensive two-week series that repairs the skin at the cellular level and restores its appearance to a more youthful state. This intensive treatment delivers 7 levels of restoration for 7 skin-correcting benefits, offering comparable benefits to a professional photo-skin rejuvenation."

It's really targeted for the woman that's showing unattractive signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, dullness and drying. I'm not going through any of that so for me the 2 week program is targeting a much needed area of smoothening and firming... The stress factor is no joke...I need my skin to stay calm! :) After just 7 days of slathering my face (each vial actually gives you 2 days worth!) I've seen a more "relaxed" look on areas that are normally hyperactive...  

Right now, that just works for me! It's intense enough not to have to pair with anything else... Easy, breezy! If you're looking at stifling some stress on your face, check it out. Your skin should always glow, girls. It's the first thing anyone sees when meeting you! ;) 

Check out their line of prods! If I've seen results, surely, surely you can too! Their website has all the info you'll need.  Their also on Facebook and Twitter. The 14 day program will be available Oct. 1, 2012, right in time or fall skincare switcharoo's! 

And, if you're lucky charm plays it right, you may stock up with $2,300 worth of goodies Artistry will be giving away Wed. Sept. 12 during a Twitter party I'll be co-hosting, live from Fashion Week! RSVP and join in the convo! *See* you there! 

Won't you follow and share on TWITTER| FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM  | GOOGLE + :) 

* I was not paid for this review, but did receive the treatment in order to test it out. All opinions and experiences are honest and always my own! 

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Days 2, 4 & 5 of .... Filming in D.C. and a Wrap for Now

H Street Location Eating Goooood Sweets!

My lovely Exec Producer and Newtwork Owner

Deliciousness! http://followgram.me/i/214613521511684614_6548269

Take 6, I think, at 11 pm. 2nd location of the night.

Super tired feet and food mess after shooting this segment. http://followgram.me/i/216511423536372206_6548269

With Chef RL Boyd During our Segment.

My bestie and me at last location in DC

The ever so flamboyant staff at my last location in D.C.!

So, finally, the time has come where I can share the hush, hush about the filming I've been doing... oh but wait, I think I want to do that on my food blog this coming Monday. I find the topic of my show to be far more fitting there than here. It's coming, it's coming, I promise and I can't wait! But, I will say that the last few days of filming in D.C. were the most exhausting even though running down my script had become a breeze! We tossed it and left it to my improv skills to chit chat about my featured locations (wink)... and guests. I have a great producer that modifies and adjusts accordingly. She's so fun and just makes it come to life.

It ultimately worked out. However, you know how hindsight is 20/20? I'm looking at these looks and thinking of how lax I was in styling myself. Yes, the makeup was done well, with falsies and everything, hands were mani'd, etc... But the wardrobe. This is where I'm having a hard time reconciling. To my credit, 85% of my wardrobe is in storage in Atlanta and I have (still) very limited clothes with me. I had to work with what I had on me. And, the network stylist is in NY! For some reason, pulling from boutiques became a task I didn't have time to commit to. Not to mention we started filming 4 days after I relocated to D.C. Talk about pressure and no time.

I need an assistant, right?! For every aspect of this process! Because yes, I still have 8 more episodes and 16 locations to film. That gives me the opp to get it together to refine and switch up the look. I need to really showcase me; The shoes, the hats, the jewelry, great hairdo's -- funky, boho, classic, chic, bold, but timeless. More or less like this for more relaxed locations. I can't let the subject or format of my show dictate what I wear, unless of course it were some risqué theme where I'd rock something way left field. Thankfully, that's not the case. Well, my last location might raise some eyebrows! lol. ;) ;)

For now, I'll retreat these looks for simple outings and not cameras that record everything. I can only imagine what the B roll looks like! They work, no doubt, just not in the way I need and want to  portray myself  and my brand! :) And obviously compliment the other hostesses on the exciting new online network! We're all being so chic.

Checkout Flanboyant Eats™on Monday for ALL the sexy details, including launch date, launch party and all shows revealed!

Share your thoughts, fashionistas!

Won't you follow and share on TWITTER| FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM  | GOOGLE + :) 

Makeup prod c/o : L'oreal, Clinique, CoverGirl

PS: I may upload some behind the scenes shots as soon as I can find them! They're hiding.

Wearing:

Top (day4): Missoni for Target top; Vintage KORET skirt, L.A.M.B shoes; C.B. Herrera necklace, 25 year old raffia belt via Kmart; Ralph Lauren sunnies; Mixed bracelets; Sterling silver and gold hook bracelet by Sonya LTD in St. Croix. 

Middle (day 2 & 4): BR skinny jeans; FE21 top; Steve Madden pumps; J.Crew sparkly elastic bracelets, C.B. Herrera braceletes, vintage necklaces, vintage crystal teardrop pendant as seen on SJP in Sex and The City!

Bottom (day 5): Loove this dress by Papaya; C.B. Herrera coral and Swarovski multi-layered necklace; Shoes by Paola Ferreti; Vintage lucite bangles

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Chic Taping: Day 2 & Some Irony, Again?

HulaGirl owner and me after filming that segment. Aloha! C/O camerawoman.

Waiting for direction.

Tasting cupcakes!

The waiting game is always fun!

So, remember I talked about a new online network launching in just a short bit which I've been lucky enough to a part of by hosting my own food/travel show?!?! If not, check out the teaser post. In mid-June, I had 5 days of intense filming, covering 10 looks. Not too bad in the fashion sense, other than it being 100+ degrees and some icky humidity which had me batty and wanting to dive into the nearest hotel pool! Imagine the makeup touch-ups. No fun at all. By the end of my days, I felt like a 4-layer cake!

My 2nd day was colorful and busy visiting food trucks in D.C. I didn't put too much thought into what I was going to wear. I mostly wanted to be comfortable and cool since I'd be outside all day long. I also knew there'd be a lot of running around, chasing down these social media-driven businesses handing out delicious eats.

You know my intention was to wear heels, no matter the situation! But, I seriously needed some ease in maneuvering around the city! It was a sacrifice, but I ended up with flats. It all worked out. Something ironic I just noticed, which may be of absolute nothingness. But, the shoes I wore happened to be ones I bought in Hawai'i almost two years ago when my brother got married. The lone time I've been and have shopped there. One of 4 pairs of shoes I stuck in my bag during that awesome vacay. And, it just so happens that the one truck I really had a good time filming with is the single Hawaiin food truck in the entire city.

I'm telling you! When the stars align, they just do!

Wearing: 

Mini denim skirt: Old Navy

Sheer top via TJ Maxx

Hat: Streets of Mexico

Shoes: Aldo

Sunnies: Ralph Lauren

White turqouise bibb necklace: C.B. Herrera

Bracelets: leather and resin mix match

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Old D.C., New D.C. & Irony

Intro.

Waiting for resto guests to move out of my frame.

Waiting game.

3rd, 4th or 5th take for location intro. Friendly audience watched for a bit.

Camera girl rocks; Chef and I talk & cook.

Pulling teeth with a shy chef on camera is not easy.

I was raised in D.C.-- well, the super close subs -- 6 miles from downtown. I used to work in corporate America, a typical, but intense 9-7 career, making great money and living a pretty fabulous life.  My world was replete with lawyers, politicians, lobbyists, bankers, Federali, court papers and business suits. Every day for 10 years. Leaving wasn't necessarily my decision but it was one of the biggest blessings in my life. 

6 months later, I made my way to Atlanta in artistic pursuit of my life on stage. It happened. It's happening. I grew a lot, learned a lot but realized I had overstayed my welcome in the South. 

I moved back to D.C. a few weeks ago in pursuit of happiness while on that stage. Shortly after I situated myself in my childhood bedroom, I had a huge project placed on my lap: a TV network project and I jumped on it. So, here I am, on my 1st of 5 days of filming, with a lot of irony in the realm.

My first location was at Ceiba, a restaurant directly across the street from my 2nd to last corporate employer. I used to lunch there quite a bit; in suits. But now, I'm there, dressed in boho chic appeal. The crazy part? How in the world would I end up wearing the very colors of their rebranded logo without even knowing. No,  really? I knew the resto was Latin with a lot of sexy, fusion plates, but to be clad in the same colors to the T, was a bit eery. Even the necklace, designed and made my mom the night before, is turq from Latin America. 

I have to modestly admit that having a standing audience at the 2nd location on the 1st day, was just kinda sweet... 5 takes later, after curbing onlookers, we got that scene right! 

I filmed 4 more days, each being 11 hours long, with various outfit changes each day and cruising the city from location to location. I still have a few more weeks to go and have so much more to share! For now, I'm excited to have my own show on a new, fabulous and uber chic network for women! My gig: hopping around DC, NY and Atlanta, eating my way throughout those cities in my best pumps and all the arm candy I adore! I'll share more updates on Twitter and Facebook with more looks as I move along the process.  I can't wait to tell you everything! There's so much more to it all and this is just the beginning!! I'm kind of cheating by chatting here, but I was itching to say something! 

My move back to D.C. has been alright. Just the kind of welcome back I love! 

Wearing: Paisley palazzo's by OlsenBoye c/o JCPenny; ON tank; Sleveless studded vest via TJ Maxx; Fedora via Target; Wedges from Aldo; Necklace by C.B. Herrera; Assortment of vintage and new jewelry.

* all pics taken on various crew iPhones

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