HAUTE FRIDAY: Thanksgiving Bliss!

13th Annual Trot for Hunger Thanksgiving 5K

This thanksgiving was truly memorable, I had the opportunity and great pleasure to start my holiday off running a 5K in support of S.O.M.E.'s Trot for hunger with my family and friends. I was so happy that my nephews got the chance to experience this very special moment and run their first 5K with me. My team raised over $600 in less than a month and I couldn't be more thankful for people's donations, kind words of encouragement and just being selfless. 

L to R: Brittany with Brewster in hand lol, Lance. John, Erinn Ebony, Joe-Joe, Justin, Melissa, Derrick and I better known as the SCHMONEY TEAM!

I'm really proud of the SCHMONEY team, we did it (freezing COLD and all)! I can't wait to do this again next year, it truly puts you in the best mood ever! Post 5K I headed over to my sisters house to assist with prepping for dinner with the family. Since I'm trying to perfect my wifey skills (lol), I was in the kitchen whipping up my signature Mac n cheese (which turned out better than I expected....I tried a new recipe) and made candied yams for the first time! I also dabbled in other signature dishes for thanksgiving like turkey basing, prepping the greens, and making sure the appetizers were ready when my family arrived. With lots of laboring in the kitchen the food turned out AMAZING!  

I'm getting hungry all over again looking at food pics lol! I devoured 1 1/2 plates and sipped on some tequila cocktails made by my little sister. With so much going on these days I can honestly say I'm thankful for my backbone of a family, incredible friends, selfless love shown to me daily and health and strength. I become speechless when people ask me what I'm thankful for because I have so much that it's hard to just pick one thing. Now that is truly a blessing to have so much to be thankful for! 

My super fabulous sister, Simmone. She was the best hostess ever!

After lots of eating, laughing, impromptu dance party and sipping cocktails with the family I can honestly say I'm thankful for everything happening in my life right now, the good and the bad because it has taught me so much about myself. I seem to experience so much in such a quick time that sometimes I have to sit back and truly reflect on my life because that is the only way I know in order to grow. Learning is key and I can say that I'm thankful for all the special people in my life, you've molded me into the woman I aspire to be and for that I couldn't thank you enough.

Chef Swangin' on the low! #IWearWhiteWhenImCookin

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and that your weekend is equally as great. I have a bit of running around to do this weekend among celebrating my friend's birthday so it will be a busy one for me. Can you guys believe it's almost December? Where does the time go! Anyway, Happy Friday! 

*bows out gracefully*

DC Gems: Skin Beauty Lounge

My week began at the beautiful and super intimate Skin Beauty bar located in Eastern Market. This was my second time visiting the Skin Beauty Bar but my first time at the new location. The Skin Beauty bar is known for impeccable service, eyelash extensions, brow tinting among a host of other services. I was able to get a appointment on my off day for a soothing facial (which I desperately needed). The facial was AMAZING and it had my skin glowing all day. If your looking for a DC gem, be sure to check out the Skin Beauty Bar on 8th & Pennsylvania Ave Southwest...tell them I sent you! 

Thanks again to the staff at Skin Beauty Bar for everything, especially my facial! I came away with helpful beauty tips for dealing with my dark circles/bags under my eyes and skin care regimens needed for sensitive skin. Book your appointment today: www.skinbeautybardc.com

HAUTE FRIDAY: Happy Birthday Mom!

To the most selfless, beautiful woman I know…today is the day I’ve prayed for, the day you’ve prayed for---another fabulous year in the books! You were and still are my 1^stbest friend, 1^st supporter and 1^st role model that has made me see the world so differently. Every day and especially today I thank God for your incredible heart and your presence in my life! You’ve taught me how to be graceful and more importantly how to be a woman, all that I am and aspire to be is because of you. I just hope one day to be the magnificent wife, “go above and beyond” mom and super woman that you are. Your strength amazes me, your positive energy is riveting, and your by far my biggest inspiration to date. I’m forever grateful for your unconditional love. May today and all of your days be as special as you are to me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! 

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend! Peace x Love! 

*bows out gracefully*

Wedding Bliss: Solange & Alan Tie The Knot NOLA Style

You guessed it....you was right! Solange and her fiancé Alan Ferguson tied the knot Sunday in New Orleans with close family and friends. As soon as pictures started infiltrating my timeline from the rehearsal dinner Saturday night, I made sure to stay glued to Instagram for the pics. Check out the all white wedding below featuring Beyonce, Jay, Blue, Mama Tina & more ( I'm swooning x100 on all of Solo's beautiful looks).

 

Congrats to Solo!!! Did y'all see Mama Tina slaying it? She looks sooo good! I'm so obsessed with this wedding especially the "ride the bike" down the street idea and group pic. Check out the super cute Mommy & Son dance below!

WHAT I WORE: Dinner Wangin'

Over the weekend I got together with my bestfriend for a cute night out (we needed to have a major catch up session). I've been so obsessed with black lately especially my hair, (there's something about black that is so classic). I promise to give you guys more color soon lol! Anyway, it's a little burr in DC so I decided to finally wear my Scuba sweatshirt from the Alexander Wang x H&M collection and I paired it with my leather sweatpants from Sorrella Boutque. I wanted to be comfortable for dinner and of course I had to jazz it up with my So Kate pumps. I found my scuba top to be very insulated and fit like a corset around the waist (Hello, my waist was on FLEEK lol). I really appreciated the quality of the Alexander Wang x H&M collection, I'll be wearing this again for sure! After a delicious Hibachi dinner we headed to our favorite hookah lounge to keep the night going, needless to say we had a good time. Aren't nights with your Bestfriend the best times?? I hope everyone had a great weekend! 

RECAP: Knock Out Abuse Gala 2014

Hello people! My social calendar got super busy last week but the highlight was attending the 21st Annual Knock Out Abuse Gala at the Ritz Carlton hotel with a few of my friends. The Knock Out Abuse Gala raises money to combat domestic violence, this year they raised $600,000+ in donations and through a live auction. With champagne flowing, DJ DNice spinning (Omg he was amazing!) and great company I had the time of my life. Check out a few pics below ☺️ 

It was truly a beautiful event for a great cause! We literally danced the night awayyyyy...kudos to the Knock Out Abuse Board for an incredible event! 

RECAP: The Cinderella Foundation presents 2014 Fashion With A Purpose

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of sitting front row at the Fashion With A Purpose fashion show benefitting the Cinderella Foundation. I was invited by my dear friend from high school and I pleasantly surprised at the beautiful venue and event in itself. 

         L to R: Me, Ashleigh & Kamari 

The event was hosted by Jennifer Donelan of ABC7 and Jazz musician, Marcus Johnson complete with tasty hor d'oeuvres and wine thorough out the night. The event included music, a live auction, two fashion showcases and major networking courtesy of the fabulous Diane Stevens of Cole Stevens hair salon. Diane is phenomenal and is not only the owner of the very successful Cole Stevens hair salon but she is the founder of the Cinderella Foundation. 

The Cinderella Foundation was designed to mentor young girls by giving them the opportunity to maximize their strengths, foster their dreams and make them see their God given potential. Diane has also travelled to Nigeria to donate her time by teaching and doing the hair of many aspiring stylists, etc. Her humanitarian efforts had me swooning before the show even started. If you know anything about me it's that I'm a giver, so to hear all that she's done for the community pulled at my heart strings. Check out pictures of the Fashion With A Purpose event below: 

 

  Beautiful tunes by the talented Tulani! 

Fashion Designer, Deidre Jefferies collection was amazing! I was obsessed with the vinyl pants and the intricate attention to detail. Next up was the talented hair stylist, Josh Wagner who was able cut a bob in 5 minutes....omg it was so incredible I wish I had video! What a moment! 

 

Then there was Diane & her fabulous team at Cole Stevens that took the runway by storm in bold hair cuts and styles! Now I want a bob #fixitdiane

Finally, it was the last showcase  presented by Project Runway contestant Korto Momolu. I have to admit I was geeked to see what Korto had been up to, she was one of my favorites from the show and of course she didn't disappoint. Check out my favorites below: 

  

                  Werrrrrk Koto! 

What an incredible night full of talent giving back to a wonderful organization! Front row guests walked away with amazing gift bag (If I do say so myself ☺️). 

Pretty nice gift bag, right?! As for what I decided to wear...I decided to keep it simple and chic by wearing all black and wearing my favorite lipstick by MAC. Fall is in full effect so I'm embracing the darker lip these days, you guys like? 

WHAT I WORE: Gold studded earrings/ Black crop top by Zara/ Tuxedo pants by Victoria's Secret/ 'So Kate' by Christian Louboutin heels/ 

Be sure to check out the www.colestevenssalon.com and www.cinderellafoundation.org for more events, hair needs and to donate to a worthy cause! Thank you again to the Cole Steven's Salon for allowing me to cover such an amazing event! It was an honor to sit front row to such greatness happening in DMV area.