Sesame Street: “I Love My Hair”

We’re so happy that Sesame Street created this video to help young girls feel good about their hair.

Update Your Work Wardrobe!

The weather is changing and there is no better time to update your closet with workwear pieces appropriate for the cooler weather. As you start your shopping, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Gray is a popular color this season, but no need to keep it dull and drab. Kick it up a notch with a pop of color in your blouse or accessories.
• Look for items that are a fresh take on classic pieces.
• Layering is your friend. Even though it’s cold outside, it may be warm in your office, so sweaters, cardigans, blazers and ponchos are great pieces to always keep on hand.

Here are some of our picks for refreshing your work wardrobe:

1. Rachel Roy Signature Tropical Wool Mixed Media Dress
2. Terrace House Jacket
3. Tahari by Arthur S. Levine Belted Ponte Knit SheathDress
4. T Tahari Jacket, Lizette Velvet Blazer
5. MICHAEL Michael Kors Printed Belted Dress
6. Kenna-T Blazer
7. Aqua Cashmere Button-Back Cocoon Cardigan
8. Splendid Vintage Sherpa Fleece Open Cardigan
9. Pippa “City Lights” Cowl Dress

Vyne Reader Spotlight: Tina-Gaye “Bernie” Bernard

Name: Tina-Gaye “Bernie” Bernard

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida via Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies

Roles you play in life: Cosmetic Executive, Avid Community Contributor, Public Speaker, Mentor, Mentee, Big Sister, Daughter, Girlfriend, Soror, Ethnic Beauty Expert, Aspiring Author, Socialista, ‘Cocoa Chic’, Epicurean, Brooklynite

Hobbies: Community Service, Public Speaking, Writing, Foodie, Traveling, Retail Therapy, Entertaining

Education: Master of Professional Studies in Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management, Fashion Institute of Technology (New York, NY), Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)

What is the last movie you saw?: Sex And The City 2

What is your favorite TV show?: Currently – Bravo Real Housewives (all series), Bravo Top Chef, HBO Entourage, HBO Big Love. Classic – A Different World, The Cosby Show, Girlfriends, Sex And The City.

Shuffle your iPod – what’s the first song that comes up?: Someone To Love Me For Me by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam feat Full Force

What is your favorite travel destination?: ‘J’adore Paris’ and absolutely ‘amore’ all of and everything ‘per l’Italia’ – culture, architecture, fashion, furniture, leather goods, cuisine, language, breathtaking cities – Roma, Firenze, Pisa, Venezia, Milano. However, my island roots compel me to favor Caribbean destinations most; I treasure the tranquility and openness of the ocean, sun exposure, and ease of living.

What beauty product can’t you live without?: Professionally, I work in the beauty industry and personally, I am a cosmetics enthusiast.  My access and desire makes my list quite exhaustive, but this (supposed) short list is only the start and forms the core of my arsenal.

FACE

Black Opal Flawless Perfecting Concealer (Beautiful Bronze), Black Opal True Color Crème Stick (Carob), Black Opal Deluxe Finishing Powder (Deep), Jay Manuel Manual Override Prepare Silicone Primer

HAIR

Moroccan Oil Intensive Hydrating Hair Mask, Elasta QP Hair Glaze, Hamadi Beauty organic hair care, Pantene Relaxed & Natural hair care

BODY

Jo Malone Amber Lavender Body Crème, Ambi Soft & Even Creamy Oil Lotion, Aveeno Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion, Michael Kors Barefoot Beauty Crème, Qiora Slow Down Massage

Finish this sentence, “To feel more centered I…”: Workout or Walk, Attend Episcopal or Catholic mass church service, Sunbathe near body of water, Respite at my mother’s home

Who is your celebrity fashion inspiration?:

• Eva Marcille Pigford is tastefully provocative, wears modern pieces with a twist that standout without overkill, accompanied by fierce, fresh natural or gently processed short hairstyles.
• “Mahogany” film character Tracy Chambers played by Diana Ross wore unapologetically unique, bold, cross-culturally influenced designs.
• Sarah Jessica Parker is able to interchange vintage and contemporary styles and always look undeniably fabulous as well as statement-making, without coming across as contrived style.
• Nia Long channels ‘effortless chic’, worldly yet down to earth; her beautiful face and signature neutral makeup look of subtle glamour, fashion a perennial statement.

Buying for Breast Cancer

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, we here at The Vyne are all about continuing to fight the good fight so that one day a cure can be found for this devastating disease. We trolled the web and found some great items that you can purchase to support the cause:

1. Bobbi Brown Pink Shimmer Brick – We’re loving Bobbi Brown cosmetics right now and this pink shimmer brick is a great add to any make-up collection. $38, Department stores; a $35,000 donation goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

2. White + Warren Cashmere Gloves – How can you not adore these fun, flouncy gloves? They’ll add a pop of color to that black or navy pea coat this winter. $75; WhiteandWarren.com. Fifty percent of proceeds goes to Women at Risk Breast Cancer Program at New York–Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center

3. Microsoft four-button Mouse – Point and click in style with this pearly sheen and textured grip mouse from Microsoft. $40, Microsoft.com/hardware; 10 percent of proceeds goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure

4. Sonia Kashuk’s Make-up Clutch & Tools – This fabulously stylish clutch holds all the tools you need for a polished look. $22, Target stores nationwide; 15 percent of sales goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

5. Riedel Stemless Wineglasses – Wow your guests at your next dinner party with fun stemless wineglasses —each tinted with a different shade of pink. $70 for four; RiedelWebStore.com. Fifteen percent of sales goes to Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

6. Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil – Jo Malone fragrances are unbelievably intoxicating so we’re sure this subtle scent of roses, violet leaves, and lemon is no exception. $60, Department stores; a $20,000 donation goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

 

Real Talk From Real Men

 

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

 

It only took a smoky, dimly lit lounge and a few glasses of adult beverages after work for a group of otherwise professionally conservative corporate folks to drop their inhibitions and launch into the mother of all discussions. A discussion about the age old question that seems to always come up when men and women are hanging out together, “what do men really want from women?”

It seems no matter how many times this question gets asked and answered in magazine after magazine, including this month’s Essence, it continues to be one that never fails to strike up a spirited conversation. This time was no different. In true blogger fashion I took the opportunity to jot down a few responses from this diverse group of men. Just to be clear, the men ranged in age from early 30’s to mid 40’s, majority African American with one Caucasian American, and all had different marital statuses including married with children, divorced with children and single without children.

So when asked the question, “what do men really want from women?” here’s what these real men had to say:

• It’s All in the Details – Men like a woman who cares enough to pay attention to the details when it comes to her appearance. Do the best with what you have to work with. Translation…heels, toes and nails done ladies. They went on and on about the appeal of a woman with a mean shoe game and were ready to stage a collective beat down on whoever it was that invented the ballet flat. (Side note: All the women in the group were wearing heels but had a pair of ballet flats in our bags!)
• Break from the Group – Apparently (in my sarcastic voice) a group of more than three of us is intimidating for men to approach. So they suggested we should break from the group during the night to give a guy a fighting chance to get to know us away from our girls.
• Carry-on Sized Baggage – No man wants to pay the price for your past hurts. So ladies, do the work to unpack that baggage and get it down to carry-on size.
• Let Us Know We Matter – A man wants to feel like they matter, like you’re happy to be with “them” in particular. Little gestures like a hand on the knee, rubbing their head, or laughing at their jokes are how we can demonstrate that they matter to us.
• Professional but Keep it Real – This group of men took a page out of rapper Ludacris’s book. They say every man wants a “lady in the street but a …” you finish the rest. They also want a woman they can basically take anywhere, whether its out with friends or to a business function.
• Don’t Try to Fix Us – How many times have we heard this one? Stop trying to “fix” a man. No more projects ladies. They are who they are and while maturity and experiences may prove to change them over time, we should put a period to trying to actively be the catalyst for that change.
• Profess, Protect, Provide – They all unanimously agreed with Steve Harvey’s statement from his “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” best selling book. The statement being that if a man really loves and cares about you, he will profess it outwardly and unabashedly when asked about you, he will do all he can to protect you (including things like taking care of your car, etc.) and he will want and try to provide for you.

As I was writing this article, I had an “a-ha” moment. My “a-ha” moment was this, while all of these answers came from men, the reality is they could have very well come from women too. I don’t know any woman who doesn’t want these same things. A man who cares about the details of his appearance, who is confident enough to break from his gaggle of guys, whose baggage doesn’t crowd his relationship with us, who let’s us know we matter, who can rock a Brooks Brothers suit or a pair of Timberlands, who will let us be who we are without trying to fix us and who will show his love by professing, protecting and providing for us.

So the question becomes, if we all want basically the same thing, why is it so difficult for us to give it to one another? Vyne readers, let us know what you think!

Desiree Rogers and Buddy Linda Johnson Rice in NYT

Bosom buds Desiree Rogers and Linda Johnson Rice pose together recently for a spread in the New York Times. In the NYTimes.com article entitled “Desiree Rogers, Post Crash,” Desiree talks about the famous “party crashers” incident and some of the soul searching she has done since leaving her White House Social Secretary post. The article also provides some insight into the significance of her new position as CEO of Johnson Publishing, and how she is charged with (virtually) single-handedly changing the culture and saving a publication that is in rapid decline (circulation is down over 6 million over the past 10 years for Ebony and Jet combined, revenues for Johnson Publishing is only 40% of what it was five years ago). Linda Johnson Rice mentioned how she plans to direct Ms. Rogers, “I will let Desirée be Desirée, and all that goes with that.”

If nothing else, Desiree has elevated the relevance and perception of the magazine at least a bit. The article even mentions Anna Wintour calling Desirée “a rock star” and Robin Givhan mentioning on Twitter, “when was the last time Ebony had a front row seat at NY fash week? When did hell last freeze over? Oh I exaggerate!” If anyone can turn this magazine around, it would be Desiree Rogers and we can’t wait to watch every step of the way.

Check out the NYTimes.com article on Desiree Rogers here.

Desirée Rogers, Post Crash

Winterize Your Skin Care Regimen

Okay so technically it’s not winter yet, but just because your skin will be all covered up in this season’s luxurious draping sweaters doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep up your skin care regimen. We’ve compiled a few “must do” tips to ensure your skin stays supple and glowing for the season:

1. Use Oil Based facial moisturizer – Cold weather dries the skin so replenish the moisture with an oil based facial moisturizer. The oil creates a protective layer on the skin to retain moisture. Generally the products labeled as “night creams” are usually oil based (Web MD).
2. Get a Portable Humidifier – The dry heat blasting through the heater in your home or at work can do a number on your skin. Combat the effects by using a portable humidifier in your home. I have mine in my bedroom so that my skin doesn’t dry out over night. You can get a quality yet inexpensive humidifier at Target.
3. Spend a Moment on the Lips – To prevent wintery chapped lips, use a little lip balm under your lipstick or lip gloss for extra protection. I like Blistex Lip Medex  (a little goes a long way with this product).
4. Drink Eight Glasses of Water Each Day – This can’t be said enough, staying hydrated does wonders for the skin and your energy level.
5. Use a Gentle Cleanser Every Night – Try washing your face with a gentle cleanser at night and instead of washing it again in the morning, simply splash a good amount of warm water on your face. Experts say that’s plenty to wake up the skin and remove any impurities, dust, etc. Pat your face dry, apply your moisturizer and make-up for the day and you’re good to go. Need a good cleaner? If so, we like Evie Evan’s Panthenol Cleanser.
6. Exfoliate Once a Week – Since exfoliating can dry the skin experts say its best to reduce the frequency in the colder months, so once a week is sufficient. There are plenty of quality exfoliants in your local drug store but if you prefer a natural option, Dr. Susan Taylor recommends this home exfoliant recipe: organic fine grain or coarse sugar (depending on your preference), honey and warm water.
7. Banish the Bacne – If you’ve had to contend with the dreaded bacne all summer, the colder months are a good time to get it under control in preparation for the next bathing suit season. A couple products to consider are Cetaphil Antibacterial Gentle Cleansing Bar or Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash.
8. Shorten and Cool Down Your Showers – Experts are saying that during the cooler months, as much as a hot shower can be soothing, it actually causes your skin to dry out quicker. So the recommendation is to take shorter, warm showers (5-10mins) instead of long hot ones then apply your moisturizer within three minutes of getting out of the shower to seal in the moisture.
9. Repair the Sun Damage – Using a product like Pro X by Olay can help repair and reverse skin damage due to sun, wind and pollution. The secret ingredients are the peptides, which boost surface-cell turnover to reveal younger, healthier looking skin.
10. To Tone or Not to Tone – In a segment on NBC 10 Show with Lori Wilson, Dr. Suzanne Taylor said we should all tone. Her home recipe for a toner is to combine witch hazel with tea tree oil. A good toner helps to refresh and hydrate the skin while removing any residual debris.

Vyne Reader Spotlight: Keesha Kai Hampton

Name: Keesha Kai Hampton

Hometown: Chicago (South Side baby!)

Current City (if different): Atlanta

Roles you play in life: Daughter of Eric and Deborah, Sister of Khari, Doctor of Optometry and Independent Practice Owner, Soror to the Phenomenal Women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Hobbies: I LOVE movies, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends

Education: Doctorate of Optometry, New England College of Optometry (Boston, MA), B.A. in Chemistry from Emory University (Atlanta, GA)

What is the last movie you saw?: Wall Street

What is your favorite TV show?: I’m a reality TV junkie! (Guilty pleasure for sure)

Shuffle your iPod – what’s the first song that comes up?: Probably something by Jay-Z or MJB (I own every song they have)

What is your favorite travel destination?: Anywhere warm and with a beach!

What beauty product can’t you live without?: I never really wore much makeup in the past, but ever since I’ve gone natural I’ve dabbled more into make-up. My favs are Clinique High Impact Mascara and NARS lip-gloss in Sandpiper. They compliment my afro puff beautifully!

Finish this sentence, “To feel more centered I…”: sit in my “quiet place” and meditate on how truly blessed I am.

Who is your celebrity fashion inspiration?:  There really isn’t one celebrity or person I’m inspired by. If it looks good, I like it!

What is your favorite restaurant?: Way too many to name!

What words do you live by?: There are no mistakes in life, just lessons and blessings

How To Live, Look and Eat Like You’re Loaded (Even When You’re Not)

Contrary to what the media is saying, many of us feel like we’re still in the middle of a recession. Luckily there are many ways to do the things you love to do without spending a lot to do them. So here are some tips for you to live, look, and eat like you’re loaded, even if you’re not.

Live Like You’re Loaded
It seems like deals sites are popping up all over the place. Sites like Groupon, LivingSocial, HalfOffDepot and Zozi have daily or weekly local deals whereby if there are enough people interested in a deal, it will “unlock” the deal for all to take advantage of. We’ve seen (and purchased) deals for gym memberships, restaurants, clothing stores and even spas.
The Good: Amazing deals on places you may have wanted to try but haven’t. We’ve seen 50% off high-end gyms or yoga studios, major discounts on restaurants, and amazing deals on spa services.
The Flip Side: Check out the fine print. Sometimes you have only a certain period of time to use the deals or have a minimum required purchase. Also, with services or offers requiring an appointment, make sure to reserve your spot quickly. People have complained that they’ve had to wait months to use deals they’ve bought on these sites.

Look Like You’re Loaded
We’ve told you this before, but just in case you’re still sleeping on these deals, these are MUST dos:
Use Rent the Runway or Avelle (formerly Bag, Borrow or Steal) if you want to rent fab designer items (dresses and jewelry with RTR, bags, jewelry, sunglasses and watches with Avelle) for just a fraction of the price. Check out Gilt Groupe, HauteLook, RueLaLa and BBOSPrivateSale for daily deals on designer fashions, shoes, home goods and even travel. We have found some amazing deals on these sites!
The Good: Fab clothes, shoes, etc for a fraction of the price.
The Flip Side: With Rent the Runway and Avelle, you’re paying for the wear, so you can’t wear the items again unless you pay for them. For the other sites mentioned, check out the return policy. It’s hard to purchase things online when you don’t know the fit, so make sure that if it doesn’t work for you, you can send it back (and know the penalties for doing so).

Eat Like You’re Loaded
Once you check out these sites, you’ll never want to pay full price for restaurants again. There are many sites that have deals for restaurants in many cities including ones we already mentioned like Groupon, HalfOffDepot and LivingSocial. But there are also sites that cater only to restaurants like DiningPerks, Restaurant.com and BlackBoardEats. Something else to check out is Restaurant Week. Most cities have a week (o,r in many cases, extended up to a month) where many restaurants will offer prix fixe lunches and dinners for a set fee (Usually around $25-$35).
The Good: You can check out restaurants that you may have saved for a special occasion or thought were out of your price range for a fraction of the price. At the very least, you can save some money on a good meal.
The Flip Side: Check out the fine print. Some of the deals have restrictions, so make sure you look at all of the details before making a purchase. Also, in the case of Restaurant Week, there are usually only certain menu items included. Make sure you know that there is something on the special menu you’ll like before going or else you may be stuck with something you don’t want or paying full price for a decent meal.

What to Wear to a Fall Wedding

We’ve all been there – we have numerous dresses that we could pull out of our closet for a warm summer wedding and then we have a friend who decides to get married in the middle of fall. Not to worry, there are many options to keep your style quotient high without looking too bundled up.

1. Draped One-Shoulder Dress

2. Vestiges Dress

3. Shoshanna One-Shoulder Beaded Dress

4. Patra Beaded Crinkled Satin Dress

5. MARC BY MARC JACOBS “Rope Stripe” Jacquard Strapless Dress

6. Halston Heritage

7. Purple Elie Tahari “Pamela” Belted Ruffle Dress

8. BCBGMAXAZRIA Dress, One Shoulder

9. BCBGMAXAZRIA Dress, One Shoulder Printed