Happy Birthday Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks & Kerry Washington!

Jackie Robinson

  The First Black Man To Play In Major League Baseball In The USA

Ernie Banks

 The First Black Man To Play Baseball For The Chicago Cubs

Kerry Washington

The First Blacktress To Lead An American Network Drama Series Since 1974

Fashion: Vietnamese New Year Celebrations Look Book

***HAPPY NEW YEAR VIETNAM!!!!***

You can't have a Vietnamese party outfit without colour.

I love this lime green maxi dress from coast (pricey but worth it)

I have paired it with a tailored leather jacket (for those of us who live in cold climates), a sexy pair of orange strap heals and a metallic clutch bag to make the look more edgy.

To complete the look I have added a simple pair or silver, green and orange drop earrings.

Here's where you can find the items from this look;

Earrings By ShikDesigns Via Esty

Dress By Coast

Shoes By Asos

Clutch Bag By River Island via Asos

Shay x

Happy Vietnamese New Year!

Aside from China celebrating a New Year, Vietnam celebrate Tet, as they too welcome 2014 today!

Music: 2013 Album Releases Still In Rotation

Even though it's the last day of the first month in the New Year (for the West!) I still don't think it's too late to share some of my favourite album release's of last year, because as far as I'm concerned quality music has no expiration date!

For anyone who may have missed the début's of these releases, I've bolded my personal favourite tracks and linked to the full playlists on youtube just above each cover...

The last studio album by the ONLY Ivory Queen Of  Soul;

01. Luv Letter

02. Sweet Tooth
03. Rare Breed (Feat. Alia Rose & Ty James)
04. Love Starved
05. Definition Of Down
06. Maria Bonita (For My Mother)
07. Beautiful (For Alia)
08. The Long Play
09. Carte Blanche
10. Give Me Your Love (Feat. Alia Rose)
11. Wild Horses
12. The Perfect Feeling

One of the few *real* sangers (yes sangers) of her generation...I cannot get enough of this girls vocals;

01 Supernatural Love (Feat. Big K.R.I.T.) 

02 Ain’t All Bad 
03 If I Was A Bird

04 Girl Talk (Interlude)
05 Without Me (Feat. Kelly Rowland & Missy Elliott)
06 Side Effects Of You
07 Get It Right  
08 So Much To Prove
09 Change Your Mind 
10 Lighthouse 
11 Lose To Win
12 End Of Me
13 In Deep

14 Haunted (Feat. Tank, King Los, Al Sherrod Lambert & Jamia) 
15 To The Heavens

I could care less that they don't sound exactly the same anymore...the material is legit R&B;

01. Back Again (Interlude)
02. Knock It Off
03. Middle Of The Night
04. My Brother’s Keeper
05. Say Hello To Goodbye
06. Somebody Please
07. What Goes Around
08. Show & Prove
09. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
10. Happily Ever After
11. Lay You Down
12. Now That It’s Over (Interlude)

Her Jazzy nuances are a breath of fresh air amongst the current crop of over-hyped 'singers';

01 Be In Love

02 A Couple of Forevers
03 Let Me Win
04 Rich Hipster (Feat. Wale)
05 Love Won’t Leave Me Out 
06 Interlude (In My Head – Better)
07 Better
08 Snow
09 Visual Love
10 Charades (Feat. 2 Chainz)
11 Interlude (In My Heart – Convo With Boyfriend)
12 You Mean That Much to Me
13 Supa
14 Interlude (In My Bed – Sleeping Alone)
15 Get Through the Night
16 Can the Cool Be Loved? (Feat. Bilal & Dunson)
17 Ten Foot Stilettos
18 Interlude (Perch Yo Girlz – Phone Convo)
19 I’m Still Fly
20 Love In the Afternoon (Feat. Nello Luchi)

Some have only recently been introduced to Tamar...but she's been my fave member of The 'other' Braxtons since the 90's;

01 The One
02 Tip Toe
03 Stay And Fight
04 Love And War
05 All The Way Home
06 One On One Fun
07 She Did That 
08 Hot Sugar
09 Pieces
10 Where It Hurts
11 Prettiest Girl
12 Sound Of Love
13 White Candle
14 Thank You Lord

Ever since I heard her voice on Call The Law with Outkast I was hooked...so glad she's finally winning;

1 Suite IV: Electric Overture

2 Givin Em What They Love (Feat. Prince)
3 Q.U.E.E.N. (Feat. Erykah Badu)
4 Electric Lady (feat. Solange)
5 Good Morning Midnight (Interlude)
6 Primeime (Feat. Miguel)
7 We Were Rock n’ Roll 

8 The Chrome Shoppe (Interlude)
9 Dance Apocalyptic
10 Look Into My Eyes
11 Suite V: Electric Overture
12 It’s Code
13 Ghetto Woman
14 Our Favorite Fugitive (Interlude)
15 Victory 
16 Can’t Live Without Your Love
17 Sally Ride
18 Dorothy Dandridge Eyes (Feat. Esperanza Spalding)
19 What An Experience
20 Q.U.E.E.N. (Feat. Erykah Badu) (Wondamix)
21. Electric Lady Feat. Big Boi & CeeLo Green (Dungeon-Wondamix)
22. HYTB
23. I Want You Back

Fashion: Chinese New Year 2014 Celebrations Look Book

Here's a simple, elegant look for your Chinese new year celebrations.

A zip front mid length dress paired with a vintage style horse necklace.

To complete the look, I've added a sexy pair of silver cut out heals, a statement clutch with a chunky metallic bracelet and a sparkly faceted bead bracelet to add a little bit of glam.

Here's where to find the key pieces of this look;

The Red Zip Front Dress

Horse Necklace

Silver & Green Clutch

Have fun and Happy Chinese new year!

SweetOBou 
x

Happy Chinese New Year!

For anyone out there who may have already broken any New Year's Resolutions, you have a chance of starting over today as it is officially the first day of The Chinese New Year. For the superstitious who want any predictions on how the year ahead may turn out, have a look at this feature in the Independent.

Make it a good one!

Accessories: Orange Bangles

I Love...

£9.95 by ZabbaDesigns via Etsy.com

£5.65 from 'Love To Shine'

£7.00 by PeaceandAdoorn via Etsy.com

£14.30 by BANGLEBOO via Etsy.com

Stay Beautiful, Stay Blessed....Shay x

Health & Beauty: Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

I love the smell of Ylang Ylang oil (Pure/Organic is best)

I use it for various things in my health and beauty regimes.

 

£9.00 from Neals Yard (excl delivery charge)

One of my favourite ways to use this oil, is to add a few drops in some organic Castor oil (carrier oil) and use the mixture in my hair to assist with scalp stimulation and hair growth.

I also use Ylang Ylang in my oil burner as a scent for my home.

For more info check out Aromatherapy Guide.com

  

Why not try your favourite essential oils in an oil burner, Amazon have a huge range to choose from.

Ylang-Ylang Precautions: As with any product, it is important to always test a small amount on yourself before regular use to make sure you don’t have any kinds of allergies.

Stay Beautiful, Stay Blessed...Shay x

Fashion: Cobalt Blue Blazer Look

Hey Ladies, my ‘Curvy Companions’ in particular.

Check out the recent bargain finds I decided to play dress up in last night:

The cobalt blue (colbat in my opinion) blazer I’m wearing is currently reduced to £7 in Primark, and here I have teamed it up with this cute jersey peplum dress by New Look, via ASOS Curve; which is now £10.

You could dress the blazer up or down with the addition of funky jewellery or jeans and a simple long line t-shirt/vest. For the dress why not fling off the blazers and the cover ups, and add some statement jewellery and a colour block clutch. Maybe even an African print clutch, like one of the ones in my precious post?

Fabulous daahlings.... :-)

From Micky with love

xXx

News: Football Legend John Barnes Speaks On Racism

Looking at the Voice online, there’s an article about famous footballer John Barnes speaking at a recent visit to Kingston University, UK. John addresses the issue of racism being a sports isolated issue and explained “racism is society’s problem not just sport’s”.

I have to agree with John, if you look around society today, evidence of racism can be found all over; in the media, the workplace, in the street. It’s just not always as blatant and bare faced as it was say 60, even 20 years ago but it is still very much alive h.

What do you think?

Voice Online - John Barnes On Racism

Please feel free to post your opinions below…

From Micky with Love

x

Kids Books: Love Your Afro Babygirl!

 While travelling in London a few weeks ago I overheard a conversation between a mother and daughter about afro hair.

The daughter couldn't have been more than 5years old. 

She was watching another young girl, of Asian decent,  play with her long brown hair and as soon as the other little girl got off the train, the young girl turned to her mother and asked why she had to have a "nasty dry afro :-("

I was horrified and I think the mother was too!!!

Her mother told her, her hair was her crowning glory and it is beautifully in every way. She explained all races have different characteristics but all were beautiful and as God had planned.

The little girl was not convinced, she turned away from her mother and pouted like a trooper....

It's far to easy for this to happen with our lil mamas & papas, today there are countless mediums pumping countless ideals into these fragile minds.

All that being said, I thought I'd share a few kids books on the topic for your son's, daughters, nieces, nephews etc

They make great presents!

I Love My Hair

Big Hair, Don't Care

I Love My Natural Hair

Lets encourage SELF-LOVE!

Shay x

What's On: Women Like Me Wealth Health & Buisness Expo

Date: Saturday, 1 February 2014

Time: from 12:00 to 17:00

Venue: Rich Visions Towpath House, 11 Dod St
Limehouse Court London, UK

E14 7EQ
 

At the Women Like Me: Health, Wealth and Business expo, we will have some of the greatest exhibitors and speakers to share powerful and practical tools, inspirational stories and winning strategies that will empower you to grow, stay healthy and thrive in your business or professional career.

If you want to live your dream life according to your priorities without letting your schedule control you and to feel successfully healthy and fulfilled no matter how hectic your day may be going, then come along on Saturday 1st February (10am-5pm) at the Rich Visions Office.

Once you put your well-being first, your business will thrive!

  

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY

• Networking with like-minded women from all industry areas

• Variety of exhibitors ranging from health, hair, beauty and finance

• Over 10 inspirational speakers

• Competition and prizes to be won

• And much more!

REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE TICKET....HERE

Diva Visions is an online business and lifestyle site for female business owners, career professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.

Fashion: African Print Skirts Look Book

Who said colour was only for the summer?

I put this look together for a lunch date with my girlfriends.

A lightweight swing top, a simple clutch with a vibrant African print skirt and cute mustard yellow platform court shoes (We love!!!).

A simple combination of comfortable and sexy!

You can find the African print skirt at...Style Icon's Closet

For other skirt options why not try this From Etsy...

Cool Biz Link: Pempamsie.com

Located on Brixton Hill in South West London, Pempamsie is hands down my favorite independent bookstore.

 As well as a vast range of Black History books, Pempamsie also sell a variety of customized African inspired Jewelry, Clothing, Art and Natural Beauty products. Not to mention, the friendly customer service is an added bonus!

I have been a loyal customer for a number of years now and highly recommend for anyone to visit their cosy store at 102 Brixton Hill, London SW2 1AH, or at the very least check out their Official Website.

What's On: The Real Housewives Of Brixton

"Four housewives live in a luxurious apartment above a meat shop in Brixton. Ok they are not housewives - more like housemates but they act like wives all competing to be the most successful, unique and fabulous individuals, that they think they are. 

Jazz is an interior decorator with a floral personality, Barbie is a hairdresser and Ohsoo an event organizer (two sisters who are arch rivals), Claudine is a hygiene technician who is constantly living a lie to keep up with the Jones’. Then there is Jack the caretaker, who is looking to capture one of the wives and spreads the latest gossip like Sky News. 

Don’t miss Lavern Archer’s new energetic play with an eclectic mix of explosive characters which makes for a hilarious comedy cocktail."

Starring Theatre veterans, Lavern Archer, Wayne Rollins, Olive Miller, Charles Tomlin and Lovena Brown, The Real Housewives Of Brixton will only have 4 shows between Broadway Theatre, Hackney Empire and The Forum so make sure you book your tickets early!

Music News: Azealia Banks Wants To Be Dropped By UMusic!

US rapper/singer Azealia Banks has voiced her frustrations with her record label (Universal Music) via Twitter. She is said to have had enough of Universal Music and wishes to be signed to XL records (Sony Music)

According to the Guardian Newspaper, Azealia feels that XL records would be better suited to her as an artists "Universal needs to just hand me over to another label who knows what to do with me ... I'm tired of having to consult a group of old white guys about my black girl craft. They don't even know what they're listening for or to".

This is hardly surprising as there are countless artists under major labels (Universal/Sony/Warner) that do not fit the 'pop/rock' market which the majority of major labels are accustomed to working with.

Rage against the machine is so common in the industry these days....we have to wonder how much longer the machine will survive?

Read more....Here

Homeware: Africandream

Want to bring some of the motherland to your home?

Why not visit Africandream.uk.com.

A great website filled with gorgeous African and ethnic inspired pieces such as Wall Art, Candle Sticks and Sculptures...

Shay

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