2009 Black Weblog Awards

This is the first time HBS has been nominated for, well, anything. Please show your support and put in your vote honeys! Thanks big time :-)



Nominated for the following categories:
-Best style/fashion blog
-Best writing in a blog
-Blog to watch

Friday's Dessert 7/10

I apologize if I may have inundated you with my Michael Jackson posts but you guys have NO idea how much this man meant to me and my childhood. Any-who, I've always loved this song from MJ (Will You Be There), and the words spoken at the end really touched me during J-Hud's performance at Tuesday's Memorial...

In our darkest hour In my deepest despair
Will you still care?
Will you still be there?
In my trials Any my tribulations
Through our doubts
And frustrations
In my violence
In my turbulence
Through my fear
And my confessions
In my anguish and my pain
Through my joy and my sorrow
In the promise of another tomorrow
I'll never let you part
For you're always in my heart
-From "Will You Be There", (Free Willy Soundtrack)

RIP Mike

Have a joyous weekend!

Want to Be a Pantene Model?

You guys know I've been a huge fan of Pantene's Relaxed & Natural conditioner for some time now. However, if you use Pantene and have a beautiful head of hair you could possibly be the next shining star for Pantene Relaxed & Natural.

For more information and to join the next casting call, go to www.relaxedandnatural.com

Good luck!

The 5 Minute Bun

It's the fourth day of your wash & go, what do you do?
A. Wash & go again
B. Ponytail it
C. Bun it

Based on how I feel that day, either one of those options will be explored. Since I like wearing my hair down, I'm more than likely to just wash it again. However, when I'm pinched for time, I opt for my quick, 5 minute bun.

*The following was done on a four day old knot-out

Step 1: Gather hair in a high ponytail

Step 2: Using a large hair donut, pull the hair through

Step 3: Spread hair evenly around and over the donut
Step 4: Use an ouchless ponytail holder...

Step 5: Secure hair over and around the hair donut (using the ponytail holder), allow the ends to curl out, creating a "messy" look
The finished result

Goodbye, Mike...

If there was one thing I had to do today it was to view MJ's Memorial Service (and DVR'd it too)- I sat down front of my TV at exactly 1pm. I've never, ever wept over any celebrity figure's death, but to me, Mike wasn't just any ol' celebrity. As soon as J-Hud began singing, the floodgates opened wide. Usher also had me bawling like a baby, then with the closing of little Paris on the mic, I was just overwhelmed with emotion. I even had a headache!

It all just made me realize how through his music, Michael touched us all. His music has been the soundtrack of my life and so many others. I can literally chronicle my life thus far based on his music alone. The passing of MJ has brought the world together, even if only for a moment.

My dear Mike will truly be missed.

Tuesday's Trouble: Scaredy Cat

The last two TT posts have been about relationships... Today's post is about that awkward period right before a possible relationship blooms, see below:

Dear HBS,

I've had my eye on this guy that works in the same office building I work in for about 6 months now. He's tall, dark and extremely handsome, dresses like he just stepped out of GQ (think Lamman Rucker). We've been on the elevator together a few times, I didn't see a wedding band so I'm assuming he may be available. My problem is that I don't know how to approach him! I feel so intimidated by his good looks. Don't get me wrong though, I'm a cute girl I just feel like he might be out of my league if that makes sense (I'm 23, a recent college grad and I'm pretty sure he's well into his 30's). I've never been intimidated by a man before, so this is a weird feeling (never even thought it was possible).

My question is, how can I approach him without seeming desperate, over-anxious and/or immature?
I never imagined a man could have me doubting my own level of confidence!

Sincerely,
Scaredy Cat

PS- Here's a pic of Lamman (in case you don't know!)...

Love it or Leave it: Amber Rose

I don't know about you guys but I LOVE bright colors and just about anything different from the norm. Life is all about being YOU, and Amber does that well.

*Photo courtesy of Necolebitchie.com

But I want to know what you think: Are you feeling the turq hair or not?

Virtual Vacay?

*Above pics taken in Cancun last summer... Ohhh what I wouldn't give to be back there!

I apologize for not posting yesterday but I couldn't think of anything to write about! As of lately, the only thing thats been on my mind is SUN and SAND! I am in desperate need of a serious vacation... Under normal circumstances I would've certainly been planning a trip by now but since I'm not working, a trip at this time would pretty much be considered a luxury.
However, with everything thats unfolded in the past week, I'm sure we could all appreciate and luxuriate on the sand by the shore with a pina colada.

So, lets pretend...

- You're headed to the airport, it's a lovely day and you've got on your cute travel outfit.
- Your flight is smooth and arrives on time! Exiting the airport you step into balmy 90 degree weather. The palm trees are waving, welcoming you to the island. You've located your ride.
- You check in to your all inclusive resort and receive a glass of champagne as you and your luggage are escorted to your temporary home.
- After changing from your travel gear into your beachwear, you rush onto the hot powdery sand to finally be at peace...
- Everything in the world finally feels right...

Voila: You're in Aruba!



...You've just experienced a virtual vacation!

Now let's get back to real life :-/

Is it raining where you are?

Say It Ain't So... Vibe Magazine Closes Down

*Photo courtesy of Concreteloop.com

First, my dear Michael and now this... Seems like everything from my adolescent years are slowly fading away. I know the times change but man, this SUCKS. Vibe magazine officially closed it doors today, June 30, 2009 (click here to read a letter from CEO Steve Aaron).

Back down memory lane (again!): I remember I used to buy EVERY copy of Vibe back in my high school days. When Bad Boy and Death Row had covers... I had the copy of Biggie and Faith in the car, the one with Tupac and the other Death Row rappers, amongst many others. To be completely honest, Vibe is the ONLY magazine I still read TODAY. I generally browse blogs now to quench my entertainment thirst.

RIP Vibe... You will truly be missed.

Tuesday's Trouble: Ex Games

Today's trouble seems to be a little tricky, take a peep....

Dear HBS,

I'm 24 years old and I was in a relationship with a guy in 2007. We broke up because I did something stupid (I didn't cheat); we were going to get married and have kids- the whole nine. After we broke up, I tried my hardest to get him back for 2 years. Since that time, we've talked over Facebook, going on 3 years now. Sometimes he's so nice to me and says I'm beautiful- then the next time he'll say something very cruel. All the while I'm begging and pleading for him to be cool with me, I know I'm boosting his ego and kinda putting myself down.

So, a while ago I told him I'm going to stop speaking to him altogether because I was getting sick of it and then I got a message saying all these nice things and then I fall back right into his trap... Now, not too long ago he thought it would be funny to say on his Facebook that he's getting married. I sent a message congratulating him and his fiance, and he decides to speak his mind and tell me what he really thinks of me (at this point I got real DC on him!). Three days later I found out it was just a joke, he just wanted to see what I would do. We now live in the same area (which I just found out through one of my friends), which he doesn't know yet.

I don't even know if he likes me or what I should do... Can someone please give me some advice?

*Update:
-I deleted him and some how he found me on Twitter and asked if I was mad at him or something ...and the engagement was a "joke" so he says
-And DC means Washington DC
-I happen to see him walking home and he drove over the curb just to say hi so I threw him the peace sign and walked away. He followed me for 3 blocks to talk to me...

Sincerely,

One More Chance?

BET & that Award show...

If you're a Twittizen, then you know Twitter was overflowing with an influx of BET Awards tweets ALL weekend. I even had to sign off after awhile because I was BET Awards'd out! The show hadn't even aired yet and I was being inundated with useless information. Twitter can sometimes be great but at other times it can be a tad bit overbearing.
Anywho, did you watch the awards? If so, I want to know what you think. I chose several scenes I thought were rathering interesting, to say the least. Check it out...

Exhibit A:
I thought the Jody & Yvette bit was cute but when Ving Rhames came on the scene I thought it was a bit much and really unnecessary. His role in Baby Boy wasn't even like that if I'm not mistaken. Not sure what they were trying to prove with this one.... Any thoughts?

Exhibit B:
All I have to say is that I'm sooooo glad Ne-yo came to help them out!! Whew!
Exhibit C:
I really love the "Every Girl" beat, but the song is extremely crass. I don't know if this was really appropriate for the awards (and aren't the girls underage?)

Exhibit D:
Jamie! He did a great job at hosting- he kept the audience laughing and I think that the Sheneneh and Wanda movie REALLY needs to hit the theaters soon. For real.

Please feel free to share any other outstanding moments- whether you loved it or hated it!

Locks of Love for Ethnic Textured Hair?

Curly Nikki and I received the same email not too long ago regarding Locks of Love and donating hair:

Hi Nikki and Wes,

Hope you're doing well! I have a question that I was hoping you could post to the CN and HBS community. The more exposure, the better as I don't know if many kinky-curlies have done this. I have been wanting to donate my hair to Locs of Love or some similar organization for a while now, and I finally think that I have enough length to be able to do it. So I wanted to know,

(1) Have any other afro-textured kinky-curlies out there done this before? If so, what organization did you go through?

(2) Do you know for sure that your hair was utilized? I ask this because I don't want to cut my hair for no good reason, and when I see the type of hair that is being donated on the websites, it is usually straight or more loosely curly/wavy. I have a nice tight curl pattern (lots of 4a and some 3c).

(3) For those who have done it, please offer any advice you may have.

Guess that was more than one question... =0)

Thanks a bunch ladies!

C

Remember the time... Michael Jackson

The sudden news of Michael Jackson's passing broke my heart. For as long as I can remember I knew and loved MJ. I can remember my mother getting me ready for pre-school in the morning and playing "Beat It" for me to dance around to. I had two MJ dolls to accompany my Barbies. I remember the mouse he loved in the movie about his life. I remember the world premiere of "Remember the Time" on Fox 5. And I remember talking about it in my sixth grade math class the next day, all the girls thought he was a cutie pie. I remember my sister and I comically emulating the "Rock with You" choreography. In high school, we both practiced dropping on our knees as him and Janet did in the "Scream" video.... Good times indeed.

I can remember nothing but good ol' times attached to those MJ songs... Even in college, in my very first car- a 2 door Chevy Cavalier, I was bumping "You Rock My World"...

But I won't be sad, I will be celebrating a life WELL lived instead.

Which songs trigger "good time" memories for you? I wanna know!

Critique'D: Q-Tip Vanity Packs

What do you do with yours? Q-tips are a necessity in my bathroom- I use them to clean my ears, remove eyeliner, remove nail polish slip ups when I've done a manicure, and a host of other things I can't think of at the moment. Q-tips are just handy to have around. 

But aren't you tired of the boring blue box? I've seen this blue box since I was a child! These super cute little vanity packs (which hold 285 Q-tips) will sit nicely in your bathroom or on the dresser in your bedroom.

No more boring blue!

Kissable Couture Giveaway!

As a token of our appreciation, Kissable Couture and HBS have teamed up to bring YOU (my marvelous readers) the ultimate giveaway, see details below!



Entry Details:

• When submitting, be sure to put "Honey Brown Sugar" in the subject box!
• Winner will be announced JULY 15 randomly from the entries received at kissablecouture.com.
  
• Those who make purchases using the HONEY promo code at checkout will automatically be entered. This is for US and Canada only. Not valid with any other promotion, and only online.

Curly Nikki & Her Drugstore favs

As promised each month, Nikki and I have switched spots: Below she indulges HBS readers with her absolute favorite drugstore brands! Check me out on her site to see my list once you've got your goodies here ;-)

If I Could Only Shop at the Drugstore, my arsenal would include:

1. Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo- I shampoo once or twice a month, and this poo, cut with water, gets the job done for only 2 dollars!

2. Herbal Essences Totally Twisted- This conditioner detangles like nobody's business. It smells great and packs a moisture punch. I can use it as a rinse-out or a leave-in. Hello Hydration works just the same.

3. Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Conditioner- My new fav leave-in. Great definition, shine, moisture, and lots and lots of clumpage!

4. Pantene Relaxed and Natural Mask- Great deep treatment for under 6 dollars. It also doubles as a detangler!

What are some of your favorite drugstore brands?

Critique'D: Chapstick True Shimmer

If you're like me, then I'm sure you've got some kind of lip balm (aside from lip gloss) in just about every bag you own. It's a MUST for me to have my lips moisturized at ALL hours- I can't stand dry/tight lips!

I used to wear the Chapstick brand a lot back in the day, however lately I've noticed that it dries my lips out. With that said, I've tried this new "True Shimmer" line and I realized that it didn't dry my lips out, at all. However, the downside is that it doesn't last too long. It tastes good though.

The shimmer? It's very subtle. So subtle that a man could almost wear it.