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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Got My Drink N' My Two Step: Golden Daiquiri


Yay! Let’s celebrate the Labor Day Weekend with a great cocktail. Try the Golden Daiquiri, made with brown sugar,it's soo tasty!

6 fresh raspberries
1 packed tablespoon dark brown sugar
Ice cubes
2 ounces golden rum
Juice of 1/2 lime (about 1 tablespoon)

Muddle raspberries with sugar in a rocks glass. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the rum and lime juice, shake until chilled. (In general, the drink is ready by the time the shaker mists up.) Pour drink with some ice over the berries in the glass.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Remembering Aayilah (January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001)




In 2001, R&B singer Aayilah and eight others died in a plane crash shortly after a takeoff from the Bahamas.

Despite her short career, she sold 32 million records worldwide.In addition to her commercial success, her collaborations with Timbaland helped shape the sound of R&B in the latter half of the 1990s.She also modeled for Tommy Hilfiger and starred in two motion pictures before being killed.


Stalk me! I’m on Twitter!




Ok, I admit that I don’t update my AIM away messages and I rarely update my facebook status but I’m jumping on the bandwagon of Twitter (www.twitter.com). It just seems cool and I’m a sucka for the newest “it” anything.


I look at Twitter as a challenge to see how fabulous my daily life musings really are, so go ahead and stalk me: www.twitter.com/flycarla

Fly Song of the Week: "I'm Cool" by Anthony Hamilton featuring David Banner



Hopefully, this tracks means that Anthony Hamilton is back! “I’m Cool” is just what the radio needs, a smooth, soulful R&B track. I could do without David Banner though.

It's playing right now! If you can't hear the track, check the side bar on the right!


Sunday, August 24, 2008

Barack Obama's version of Project Runway




Obama’s campaign has arranged for twenty fashion designers to create clothing and bags to sell on the campaign’s website starting next month.

With a Project Runway feel, Obama’s camp gave designers one week to come up with a sketch for the campaign to approve, and present a sample. With no rules on pricing, designers were allowed to use Barack’s image and his rising-sun logo in their design.

Fab designers Diane Von Furstenberg and Issac Mizrahi designed tote bags, while Derek Lam designed a cotton muslin bag with a carnation print from his spring 2004 collection. My girl, Tracy Reese made a shirt and Charles Nolan made a wrap T-shirt.

There is also speculation that Vera Wang, Russell Simmons, and Beyonce are also designing items for Obama! How fabulous! Voting for change with style!


THE RAP OLYMPIC TEAM!


Wow! This goes hard! No one has swagger like me! Ha Ha! Check this dream team line up, “Swagger Like Us” produced by Kanye West featuring Ye’ himself, Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne and T.I.

Click here to download: "Swagger Like Us"


Politics: Obama selects Joe Biden as VP Nominee

Democratic presidential candidate US Senator Barack Obama and running mate US Senator Joseph Biden attend their first rally together in Springfield, Illinois, August 23, 2008.
(Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images)

Presidential candidate Barack Obama has finally chosen his running mate, Obama has chosen Delaware Sen. Joe Biden. In a text message, sent around 3 am. Saturday announced, “Barack has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be our VP nominee.”

Obama’s official website states: “Joe Biden brings extensive foreign policy experience, an impressive record of collaborating across party lines and a direct approach to getting the job done. We have our team, but we also have our work cut out for us. Barack Obama and Joe Biden are the leaders who will bring the change our country needs. But they can’t do it alone.”

Yes, We can!


Hair Rules: Hair Care and Styling Solutions for a Multi-textural World







As I search for the latest beauty products, I stumbled across Hair Rules! Famed celebrity stylist, Anthony Dickey, author of Hair Rules, just expanded his hair care knowledge from the bookstore to the beauty supple store. The recently released Hair Rules line does wonders for curly, wavy and kinky hair.

Dickey states, "Typically, products geared to the kinkiest of textured hair have been relegated to their own special section in the drugstore aisle and can be boiled down to two types: those that chemically alter the hair and those that try to tame it with greasy or waxy ingredients. And the products marketed to non-kinky curly hair don't fare much better; many of them cause extreme dehydration, these products reflect a one-dimensional approach to kinky, curly and wavy hair, and none of them address the multiple textures of an ethnically diverse world."

Hair Rules is dedicated to helping fly girls get the best out of their curls and kinks without mega breakage. (The line can also be used on relaxed or straight hair). Try the Aloe Grapefruit Clarifying shampoo, which gently removes product buildup and environmental residue from scalp and hair and restores movement and shine. This formula combines soothing aloe with clarifying grapefruit and mild cleansers to clarify and decongest hair, without stripping the scalp of natural oils.

The product, Curly Whip contains a protein-enriched formula that tames frizz and protects curls from humidity, keeping them soft, supple and shiny. It controls and defines wiry curls without crunch, infusing them with essential moisture. Recommended for: coarse, wiry, thick, ropy curls and spirals and its great for twists, locks, braids, coiling, texturizers (and silkeners).




The Kinky Curling Cream, is an amazing, ultra-moisturizing curling cream that transforms spongy 'fro and kinks into bouncy, luscious spirals, simply and effortlessly. It stretches and defines tightly wound tresses without chemical or thermal manipulation and eliminates shrinkage and banishes frizz in a single step for wash-and-go results.

Though I have relaxed hair, I still found a new hair care line in Hair Rules. I love the Daily Cleaning Cream moisture-rich no-suds shampoo. It really provided an entirely new cleaning experience; this no-suds creamy shampoo was extremely hydrating and left my hair so soft. It’s especially formulated for dry, coarse, over-processed and heat-styled hair, which is just what I was looking for a shampoo, since I have short hair; I’m constantly applying heat to my hair.


I also tired the Quench Deep Conditioner, which is a daily, ultra-rich conditioning and softening treatment that promotes suppleness, manageability and shine in parched, spongy, frizzy and lackluster hair. It smells so good because it’s formulated with honey, super-conditioning shea butter, coconut and olive oils, with extracts of avocado and jojoba to keep kinky, curly and wavy hair healthy and lustrous.






Fly Girls, if you’re looking for a new hair care line that actually understands your texture, try Hair Rules. Find Hair Rules here: Hair Rules


Saturday, August 23, 2008

New Video: John Legend featuring Andre 3000-"Greenlight"

I made a post about this hot joint earlier in the summer. The video makes me love the song even more and I heart Andre 3000, he seems like he can charm the pants off of any girl! LOL!

John’s 3rd album Evolver is due in stores on October 28.


“I heard you when you told your girl, ooo he can get it, admit it!”



Lupe Fiasco performing at club Love

Lupe Fiasco was in D.C. at club Love on Thursday with new R&B sensation Karina for “The Coca-Cola Refresh Your Flow Tour.” The six-city tour is only slanted for young teens from the ages of 13-17 and is also an invite only event.

“It’s basically Coca Cola reaching out to the younger demographic and giving them a nice experience, musically. I think they did that with the Essence Music Festival, but never really had anything particularly for kids” Lupe told BET.Com. He added “Normally, at my shows, teenagers can’t come out because they’re for 18 and over, so these are dope all ages’ venues where the young boys can come out and listen to some good music.”

Lupe’s last stop is August 29- New York, NY @ The Filmore at Irvington Plaza


Thanks to
ErnEdits
for the Lupe performance video!



Friday, August 22, 2008

New Video: Ne-Yo - "Miss Independent"

I can’t wait for Ne-Yo’s album to drop, I’m loving every single he puts out. “Miss Independent” should be every fly girl’s theme song. Not only does Ne-Yo have Keri Hilson, Lauren London and Gabrielle Union starring in the video, but sexy Trey Songz makes an apperance as well. He looks so yummy with the hair cut.

Dudes- take note, to truly get your grown man on, lose the braids.


Ne-Yo’s Year of the Gentleman hits stores, September 16.



Trufflebeads- handmade beaded jewelry





Trufflebeads “Out of Africa” And “Into your jewelry box”

Trufflebeads, a new collection of unique jewelry, which exudes color and creativity for the woman who has a pallet for spectacular taste. Handmade by the Zula women in South Africa using the traditional craft of breadwork, this collection of contemporary jewelry offers mouthwatering colors of beautifully beaded truffle balls using thousands of tiny glass beads.

Each piece of jewelry is individually made by the African women to help support their lives and their families. Trufflebeads’ mission is to bring this unique jewelry from the village of Africa to the fashion-minded women of America.

The unique Trufflebeads jewelry collection is composed of various styles of necklaces, bracelets and earrings. With ten individual styles, in a wide assortment of color combinations, Trufflebeads will match any outfit.


You can be fly, unique and support a great cause all through jewelry.


Learn more about Trufflebeads by clicking here!






Wednesday, August 20, 2008

FROLIC Headwear!


Fall headfirst into FROLIC- Whimsical Headwear. Caroline Weaver, 17-year-old creator and imaginer of FROLIC is just a small town girl with big dreams. After searching for original and fabulous hair accessories in Minetta, Ohio, Weaver took matters into her own hands by literally creating headbands with vintage fabrics, silks and wools. Made to be worn by confident fashionistas, FROLIC breaths life into the average headband.

The craftsmanship of such a simple accessory is impressive. One can definitely tell that these one of a kind headbands are made with love and care. Though they are not made for the timid; it’s kinda of hard to pull off a bright colored band with a Minnie Mouse bow attached but when worn with poise and a coordinated outfit, the effect looks effortless chic.




Support Weaver’s mission to bring whimsy back to fashion! Click here to shop: FROLIC.


I can’t wait for Fall to showoff my FROLIC headbands, how cool is an accesory that inspires adventure, optimism and confidence?

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

New Video: Estelle- "Pretty Please"

Estelle just released her 4th single from her hot album, Shine, entitled, “Pretty Please.” The video features cameos from Jackie Long, Taraji P. Henson, Danger Mouse and others. Featured Cee-Lo is not in the video.




Fly Song of the Week: "Can't Find the Words" by Karina


Karina is a fly girl. Signed to Def Jam at 16, she is already being compared to Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and Aaliyah. With more musical moxy than most sixteen- year -olds, Karina Pasian has constructed one of the finest debut discs in years. Not to mention she worked with awesome producers such as The Dream and Tricky Stewart.

Her first single, “16 @ War” was an honest statement about the disrespect young urban girls face from their male counterparts and the lack of self love. Produced and written by Carlos McKinney, the sing-songy "Can't Find the Words" embraces elements of jazz and pop while simultaneously creating a whimsical track that sounds like nothing else of the radio. Additionally, Karina's favorite song "Winner," which highlights her elegant piano (her light touch on the keyboard reminds one of Erroll Garner) playing, is laidback and uplifting.

Her album, First Love drops today, let’s hope Def Jam gives this fresh talent the props she deserves.


“Can’t Find the Words” is playing right now.

Peep her myspace: www.myspace.com/karinapasian



Sunday, August 17, 2008

New Video: Solange-"Sandcastle Disco"

Solange is doing the damn thing. Her sound and style is fresh. I'm excited to hear her album, SoL-Angel and The Hadley St. Dreams. The video is cute with lots of special effects and fly fashions made by Mama Knowles. Check out her Myspace, its filled with other cuts from, SoL-Angel and The Hadley St. Dreams. www.myspace.com/solange



Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Kiehl’s Since 1851- Summer Hair Event

This summer, Kiehl’s Since 1851, introduced new hair care products that will help fly girls find their perfect recipe for stylish hair. Kiehl’s starts a campaign tomorrow called, “Natural Recipes for Healthy Hair,” an event where every Thursday, from August 14 through September 25, customers can make appointments to work one-on-one with Kiehl’s experts. The experts will consult with the fly girl to determine exactly which type of shampoo, conditioner or treatment is best suited to her hair needs.

Each consultation will also include a recipe for the perfect hairstyle, featuring the styling aids in Kiehl’s Stylist Series, as well as the opportunity to experience the Stylist Series formulas in store. Participants will also be introduced to Kiehl’s newest products, Ultimate Thickening Shampoo and Strong-Hold Styling Gel, with the ultimate goal to find the perfect formulas and products that will nourish each customer’s own hair type and style, and address any of their personal hair care issues.

Kiehl’s stylists will “diagnose” each customer’s hair needs, and describe and demonstrate the perfect styling recipe, whether they’re looking for a “Silky-Smooth and Straight,” style, or “Healthy, Natural Curls,” or “Versatile Sculpting.” At the end of the consultation, each participant will walk away with a recipe card with a description of their look, as well as product samples to test, and to help recreate the look at home.


“Natural Recipes For Healthy Hair” takes place every Thursday from Aug. 14 through Sept. 25 during store hours at Kiehl’s Since 1851, 3110 M Street NW, Washington, DC.

Please call 202-333-5101 to make an appointment. Tell them Fly Girl sent you!








Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Full version of "Jockin' Jay-z"

After being teased with just a snippet of Jay-Z’s new single, “Jockin’ Jay-Z” off of his The Blueprint III album, the full song has finally arrived. With instant Internet buzz, the Kanye West produced track had Jay fans scrambling for the full song. Kanye produces the majority of The Blueprint III.



Peep Jay’s myspace page: www.myspace.come/jay-z


Monday, August 11, 2008

Miss Bruno New York



If you’re already a fan of missbruno’s handmade scarves, then check out their new clothing collection. I am definitely a fan of these beautiful, hand made, limited collection of dresses, rompers, and yes-even bloomers.







New music from Tweet


A new song has leaked from this Southern songbird, “Hey Baby” has a nice slow groove, sounds like classic Tweet. She was supposed to drop a CD this summer but who knows when her project will come out. I like this joint though.

Tweet Hey Baby.mp3 - Tweet



Got My Drink N' My Two Step: Chinese 88

In honor of the Summer Games in Beijing, try the new spin on the classic French 75 drink, the Chinese 88.

1 ounces gin
1/4 ounce lemon juice
1/8 ounce simple syrup
5 ounces chilled champagne

Shake gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne.


Artist Spotlight: Boy Genius, Ryan Leslie



Ryan Leslie has a lot of names, “Harvard’s Hip-Hop Hustler,” “Hip-Hop’s new star maker,” “Business Man,” call Mr. Leslie any of the aforementioned names, because he embodies all the titles. He’s Harvard’s Hip-Hop Hustler because at the age of 15 he started his Ivy League career with a perfect SAT score and a love for Hip-Hop music. He’s Hip-Hop’s new star maker because he’s a sought after producer (he’s produced for Diddy, New Edition, Britney Spears) and he created as he called a “musical vessel” with R&B star, Cassie (“Working with Cassie was a perfect marriage, the best way to get my music out and heard," he says). Leslie is a businessman because he is ready to take over the music industry not only by switching his title from producer to artist but by also starting his own multi- media company, Next Selection Lifestyle Group. After speaking with Mr. Leslie it is clear of who has now and next.

During the interview, Leslie always refers back to his videos on Ryan Leslie TV found on YouTube, it’s a collection of clips that showcase his process of making music. Watching Leslie scrambled around his Harlem apartment from keyboard, to microphone, to boards, to computer is infectious. Take his clip of making, “I Get Money” he first orders a miniature trumpet to be hand delivered to his apartment and then he starts with chords, followed by the trumpet and then he finally lays down the verses. In the making of “Gibberish” you see Leslie running around the studio from instrument to instrument, forget about Swizz, maybe Leslie is truly the one man band. Just the melody of “Gibberish” and his voice running through a strict pitch correction processor a la’ T-Pain will have you salivating for the full song. YouTubers are leaving comments pronouncing their love for the song where Leslie literally speaks gibberish, he says unintelligible syllables to lay down a guide melody during the creative process and even though its not the full song, you get the sense that Leslie has produced his own hit.


It seems that with everything Leslie does, its planned and meticulous, from his producing to this interview. Leslie speaks slowly as if he wants to say just the right thing to describe his music and style. Obviously excited about his album, Leslie explains that it’s a compilation of hard work; a reflection of self, maturity and it shows exactly who he is right now. Leslie states that he has always been an artist before being a producer, “ I was always the artist, I started as an artist. I did the research and realized that I couldn’t afford producers, so I started to produce for myself.”


He describes his style as classic music that should inspire with stories of love. His video for his first single, “Diamond Girl” shows the direction of Ryan Leslie, he reenacts James Brown’s 1966 Ed Sullivan Show performance and after his “Diamond Girl” leaves him, Leslie sings, “Irnia” the girl who helps him get his swag back. Though he still shows signs of a love lost thus the album continues to boasts of love songs. “Addiction” is mid-tempo Cassie featured song where Leslie and Cassie just can’t get enough of each other. Leslie showcases his falsetto on “Valentine” where he finally accepts that his ex has moved on but he realizes that he still loves her.

Leslie is a busy man, while interviewing him, he asks me to hold on as his thumbs through his blackberry to find out what time his next meeting starts and the schedule for the rest of his day. Not wanting to keep R. Les for too long, he leaves me with these lasting words, “I want my album to speak for itself, it’s very easy to be a salesman but my records speak for themselves. Visit my myspace, my youtube channel and I hope you find my music inspirational and I hope it will evoke emotions.”

Ryan Leslie drops September 16, 2008.

Check how he makes a song up on the spot for his mother on Mother’s Day:





Sunday, August 10, 2008

R.I.P. Isaac Hayes




Damn, this has been a heartbreaking weekend for the Black community.

Isaac Hayes, the pioneering singer, songwriter and musician whose relentless "Theme From Shaft" won Academy and Grammy awards, died today, Sunday, August 10, 2008, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office said. He was 65.

A family member found Hayes unresponsive near a treadmill and he was pronounced dead about an hour later at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, according to the sheriff's office. The cause of death was not immediately known.

In the early 1970s, Hayes laid the groundwork for disco, for what became known as urban-contemporary music and for romantic crooners like Barry White. And he was rapping before there was rap.

Wow, first we lose a king of comedy and now a music icon has left us. Rest in peace, Mr. Isaac Hayes and Mr. Bernard Jeffrey McCullough.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

R.I.P. Bernie Mac


The original king of comedy has passed this morning, Saturday, August 09, 2008. Comedian and actor Bernie Mac, who starred in one of U.S. TV's few black sitcoms and appeared in the "Ocean's 11" movies, died in Chicago on Saturday after a bout with pneumonia. He was 50.

Publicist Danica Smith confirmed the death in a statement but gave no further details. "We ask that his family's privacy continues to be respected," she said.His hospitalization was announced on August 1. At the time, his publicist said his illness was unrelated to a chronic tissue inflammation called sarcoidosis, which had been in remission since 2005.

The Chicago-born comedian, whose real name was Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, starred in "The Bernie Mac Show," which ran for five seasons until 2006 and lives on in syndication.


Thursday, August 7, 2008

Confirmed: The Blueprint III


Can Jay-Z do any wrong?

Shawn Carter graces the 15th Vibe Anniversary Juice Issue, where he speaks on his marriage to Beyonce, his departure from Def Jam and his newest album, The Blueprint III.

Kanye West and Jay-Z hit the stage together last night at the Glow in the Dark tour at Madison Square Garden. In a surprise performance, Kanye showcases the new untitled track he produced for his big brother that will be on The Blueprint III.



Hot Shit!



Fly Song of the Week: "Curtain Call" by Nina Sky featuring Rick Ross


I like Nina Sky, every time they drop a single on a mixtape or on their forever pushed back second album, The Musical, I always love it. They come off as down-to-earth, around the way girls, which is comforting in industry filled with pre-packaged sugar cookie artists who only pretend to be good girls gone bad.

Hopefully, “Curtain Call” brings the singing sisters back in the spotlight, the song is real chill and the Boss Rick Ross brings the street cred to single.

It’s playing right now! Check out Nina Sky’s myspace here: www.myspace.com/ninasky

Kissable Couture worth the price tag?



Forest Whitaker’s beautiful ex-model wife, Keisha Nash-Whitaker has decided that she doesn’t have enough money being married to an Academy Award winner, so she has created a lip-gloss line that sells for $22 bucks a pop. Is Kissable Couture worth making the richer rich?

With cutesy packaging, this lip-gloss line is couture for your lips. After trying the pale pink, “Dreams”, the sparkly mauve, “Bliss” and the Hollywood glam red, “Fantasies”, I must say I was impressed. And I was skeptical at first; whom does Mrs. Whitaker think she is making such a pricey lip-gloss? Sure, when it comes to looking good, I spare no expense but normally the price comes with some incentive say, proceeds go to a great cause or the beauty find helps in my efforts to go green, yet Kissable Couture does neither.

But what it does is provide your lips with fun awesome colors, long-lasting coverage and memories of your first kiss. “Dreams” is a subtle color that shows just a hint of pink on your pout. If you love old Hollywood glam, “Fantasies” is a gloss that is thick like a lipstick but provides moisture and it’s a red that can work well with any complexion. “Bliss” is by far my favorite, it is a tube of sparkling, whimsical, mauve goodness. This mauve shades works well for day or night.

Kissable Couture proves that it is worth the price tag and is truly Oscar worthy. Try the summer line, Bare Your Soul: The Nudes Collection. http://www.kissablecouture.com/

My new favorite thing! Kiehl’s Crème de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish

We’re in the dog days of summer and with the sunray’s beating down on you, it’s important to take care of your skin. One my favorite brands Kiehl’s has welcomed their newest addition to the Crème de Corps family-Crème de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish (www.kiehls.com $27.50).

Crème de Corps has been a cult favorite at Kiehl’s for over 20 years and their Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish has the same healthy ingredients and luxurious benefits as the original Crème de Corps formals.


The Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish works wonders. It not only smells delicious but it hydrates and moisturizes while protecting the skins barrier. And while other body scrubs fall off before you can even scrub, the creamy Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish has awesome staying power. Combine Sweet Almond Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil with ground Luffa Fruit to gently exfoliate and this scrub will leave your skin silky soft with a healthy, beautiful sheen.



Spinlash Mascara



For the gadget fly girl, try Spinlash Mascara ($14.99 www.spinlash.com). Do you have trouble trying to get your lashes to look long and defined? Spinlash Mascara states that instead of applying mascara to messy, naturally disorganized lashes, for the first time, you can simultaneously separate organize, shape, coat, lengthen and volumize your eyelashes.

Spinlash looks like a bulky mascara tube but it works wonders. The wand is motorized with a synthetic brush that rotates in two directions and with a stabilizing trunk you control the brush movement to revolve on a consistent axis. If your afraid of something motorized being too close to your eyes, there is a hidden clutch that responds to pressure.

The mascara is hypoallergenic, suitable for contact wears, removes easily with soap and water and is not tested on animals. Spinlash is a new alternative to traditional mascara; it quickly changes the length, shape and volume of your lashes with just a push of a button.

Check out Spinlash in action:

Is it worth the price tag of $ 14.99? Yes! It cuts down on your primping time, you will be amazed how you don't really need more than one coat of mascara when your lashes are totally separated.

Guess who's Back?!


To all my readers, my deepest apology for my absence, I was going through life changes, which prevented me from updating The Fly Girl Guide. But, no need to fear, Fly Girl is here! I have tons of great stories and articles to share with all my fellow fly girls.


Thanks for your continued support! Feel free to drop me a line, suggest story ideas, fashion or beauty advice, advertising opportunities, or general feedback at theflygirlguide@gmail.com.

Enjoy!