SPOTLIGHT: Bailey's Cream With Spirit Commercial

Every once in  while there comes along  a commercial that does more than entice us with a product, rather it makes an artistic statement that remains with us long after the spot has aired. The J'adore Dior commercial starring Charlize Theron was a classic, and the Bailey's Cream With Spirit commercial is a classic in the making. Meant to be a celebration of modern womanhood, it features beautiful woman dancing in billowing beige gowns to the fabulous music of Blondie's Rapture. Take a look. Enjoy!

A Woman'$ Worth: Worth Your Gander

Good morning Divas,

Mom has been telling me it's not how much you make it's how much you save since I was a toddler. And now that I'm a grown woman with grown woman bills and grown woman shopping habits-- her advice is more relevant than ever!!!

A Woman'$ Worth is an amazing blog!! I just stumbled upon it yesterday. It's written by a woman of color but really, I think any young and fabulous diva, regardless of whether she's still walking the halls of academia, taking care of a family, or climbing the corporate ladder, could benefit from it. Arlice Nichole gives financial information,book recommendations, savvy money saving tips, and advice on how we can all reach our personal BESTS. This blog is really a TREASURE. Visit. Bookmark. Love. Love. Love.

A Woman'@ Worth

Coins and Checks,
Ike

Fab Affordable Products: Relaxing Bubble Baths

Hey divas,

My form of meditation is the night time bath. Sometimes it's rough on my edges but at least four nights a week I like to light a candle, play some nice music, and fill my tub up with steamy bubbles. Not only does it help me relax and thus sleep better, but its great for reflection and-- my pores! Steam is the answer to great skin.

Nevertheless, I wanted to share with you some great and affordable bath elixirs that really set the mood.



Johnson and Johnson's "Melt Away Stress" Body Wash- This product contains J&J's exclusive aromasoothe fragrance with hints of chamomile and lavender, a winning combo in aromatherapy for relaxation. It is marketed as a body wash that you can use in the shower, but it makes an incredible rich and moisturizing bubble bath. It sells for a little over 6 bucks, depending on where you get it, and will last even a bath crazy person like myself a good three weeks. I always have a great sleep after bathing in this stuff.

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Luxury Bath in "Black Currant Vanilla" makes me feel like the sexiest woman alive-- even if it's just me in the house! It is a fantastic sensual fragrance grounded in notes of black currant and vanilla with an almost hypnotic combination of pumpkin, rosemary, and patchouli. I'm telling you, this is one masterpiece of a scent (totally needs to be an eau de parfum) and it relaxes me and just goes to my head! It's also fabulously moisturizing. Get a bottle for 16.50 and your local BBW and it will last between 5 to 7 uses. (Wonderful if you want to get in the mood before you and your sweety have a date night- or just bathe with him)




And this one doesn't have any bubbles, but "Stress and Tension" Liquids Mineral Bath by Village Naturals (the Village Company) is still fabulous. When you really have had a rough day and you need to just clear your mind and ease your muscles this will do the trick. It is a combination of relaxing menthol, and essences of juniper to releave stress and orange to rejuvenate. It is also mostly composed of naturally derived products, so no crazy chemicals in this bottle. Actually I bathed in it last night to relax and afterwards my body just felt so good and tingly. That menthol increases blood circulation. I fell right asleep afterwards and when I woke up I was amazed at how soft my skin was. Maybe it was the castor oil and aloe vera combo. Nevertheless, you won't regret soaking in this, especially if you're an hard working diva. It will set you back about 5 bucks as well.

WITH FLYNESS AND FOAM,
IKE

60 Love Songs to Set the Romantic Valentines Day Mood (Slow Jamz)

As we know, music is the soundtrack of life. So regardless if you and your Valentine will spend the night chatting over a glass of champagne or connecting on a deeper level, you'll want these cuts on the playlist to set the sultry, sexy, romantic mood. All of these are tried and true classics.

To break the ice...

1. Baby Come to me, Regina Belle

2. Cater To You, Destiny's Child

3. My, My, My, Johnny Gill

4. Tell me What You Want me To Do, Tevin Campbell

5. I Want You, Janet Jackson

6. Can We Talk, Tevin Campbell

7. Blowin' My Mind, Solo

8. By Your Side, Sade

9. Sweet Love, Anita Baker

10. Come and Talk To Me, Jodeci

11. Perfect Angel, Minnie Ripperton

12. Lovin' You, Toni Tony Tone

13. In the Mood, The Whispers

14. Sumthin' Sumthin', Maxwell

15. Can I Take You Out, Luther Vandross

For innocent romance...

1. I Only You Knew, Patti Labelle

2. My Funny Valentine, Chaka Khan

3. If I Had My Way, Chrisette Michelle

4. There You Go, Johnny Gill

5. Heaven, Solo

6. Tonight, Kem

7. If I Ever all in Love, Shai

8. Sweet Thing, Chaka Khan and Rufus

9. More than a Woman, Calvin Richardson (Deliver us From Eva Soundtrack)

10. Star For Life, Mary J. Blidge

11. Feel the Fire, Teddy Pendergrass and Stephanie Mills

12. Stay, The Temptations

13. Betcha By Golly Wow, Phyllis Hyman

14. I've Got Love on My Mind, Natalie Cole

15. Love Won't Let Me Wait, Luther Vandross

For lovers only....

1. Love Ballad, Ltd.

2. Always, Stevie Wonder

3. You, Jesse Powell

4. Living for the Love of You, Isley Brothers

5. Fire and Desire, Teena Marie and Rick James

6. Spend My Life with You, Eric Benet and Tamia

7. Everything I do, Brian McKnight

8. Every Time I Close My Eyes, Babyface

9. No One, Alicia Keys

10. Love, Keshia Cole

11. Love, Need and Want You, Patti Labelle

12. This Very Moment, K-Ci and Jojo

13. Welcome into my World, Whispers

14. Your Love is King, Sade

15. Moody's Mood for Love, Take6 Brian McKnight & Rachelle Ferrel

For the ultimate seduction...

1. Crown Royal, Jill Scott

2. Red Light Special, TLC

3. I'll Make Love To You, Boyz II Men

4. The Panties, Mos Def

5. You're Making Me High, Toni Braxton

6. So Anxious, Ginuwine

7. And I Gave My Love to You, Sonja Marie

8. Bump and Grind

9. Beauty in the Dark, Isley Brothers featuring Mos Def

10. Would You Mind, Janet Jackson

11. Silk, Lose Control

12. Wildest Dreams, Tina Turner and Barry White

13. The Suite Theme, Maxwell

14. Kissing You, Keith Washington

15. Inside My Love, Trina Broussard

-flyness, funk... and juicy valentines love,

Ike

Jewelry-Inspired Home Decor

Hi Divas,


What a better way to add a touch of luxury to your place than with the dazzling finish of jewelry inspired home decor. Look for decorative accents with rhinestone embellishments, crystal accents, and hardware finishes and use with moderation. Here are a few classy choices.

1. Metallic Chargers, set of 4, $100, www.neimanmarcus.com
2. Asher cut Diamond white organza pillow, 49.95, www.pillowdecor.com
3. Scented candle, $7.95, www.easterninspirations.com
4. Waterford Crystal Lustre Bedside Lamp, $785, www.neimanmarcus.com
5. Bling pillow, 24.95, www.pillowdecor.com
6. Vintage gold platted perfume bottle, $85, www.passionforperfume.com
7. Orrefor’s “bracelet” low bowl, $95, www.Nordstrom.com

-flyness and funk

Ike

Back to Barbie

Good afternoon divas!

My life is currently a fiercetrocity. It's reading week at Yale, the week before finals, and I have three papers to write. Are they written? Hell no. This morning for breakfast I had two left over chicken wings from Dominoes and a can of red bull. Wait.... I'm suprised I'm not sick. Yet.

Anyways, as we are thirteen days away from Christmas I wanted to tell you about a few gifts I discovered for the little diva's in your life. I grew up in a house where only Black dolls were allowed. I didn't understand it fully then, but young girls and tweens are still forming their self-image and they use the dolls that they play with to help them understand the concept of "pretty". Therefore it is really imperative that they play with something they can relate to.

First, please don't buy them BRATZ. Yes, it is the "it" toy of the moment, and the little diva might be asking for it, but let's not be mistaken. BRATZ is really not a good symbol of "beauty" fo young girls. Why? Would you want your child to grow up believing that to be "pretty" is to be "sexy" with a face full of make up, a short skirt, and her tummy showing (by age 10). BRATZ is trash... not class.

Consider revisiting an old classic: Barbie. Barbie is still iconographic for beauty, style, and sophistication. Yes, it's debatable whether or not we want our children to play with this modelesque doll. Are we promoting the wrong standards beauty? But I have to say despite the changing trends in girls toys, Mattel really has never lossed it's class. I'm sure we're only a few years away from seeing a Carmen Electra stripper doll (poll not included), but I really don't believe that Mattell will ever stoop to that level. It has maintained the sophistication that prevailed in the era that barbie started, the fifties.

Today Black Barbies are no longer the brown version of the white prototype. There are special collection's devoted to African-American figures with beautifully crafted faces and spectacular wardrobes.

Consider getting a younger girl something they can play with, especially a doll with multiple ensembles. Shown below are , the Top Model Barbie Nicki, the 2007 Holiday Barbieand the Milan Barbie.

For older girls and even some women, consider purchasing a collectible. Even I still collect barbies and the dolls by artists such as Byron Lars and Bob Mackie are truly works of art. Pictured below is the Jazz Diva (the next to be added to my collection), Byron Lars' fly-on-top-of-fly Sugar Barbie, and Bob Mackie's special edition African Goddess. These dolls are more expensive and will cost between $200 and $500.

For more Black Barbies visit Angelic Dreamz.

-with flyness and funk,

IKE

mate, lox and eucalyptus in the morning

Good morning my loves! Woke up late after having a night mare. Life's a haute mess. Going to K2 for my Yerba Mate (I'm gonna call this Cup of Jamal for now on) and bagel with smoked salmon. Also spritzing some of this pick me up on my face: Restorative Facial Mist with invigorating Eucalyptus and calming lavender essential oils. Available for $19 at Garden Botanika.