Fly Music: Mario's 'Break Up' featuring Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett

OOO, Mario is coming out swinging! Gucci Mane on the track? Aye! The lead single, ‘Break Up’ is produced by Bangladesh, written by Sean Garrett and Bangladesh. Mario’s And Then There Was Me is due late summer.

Shout out to The Urban Informer a.k.a. Kelson of 92Q Jams for the track! Check out his blog here.

Fly Beauty Find: Soul Day Spa and Salon Voted Best in DC!

I just received an email from Soul Day Spa and Salon (located at 25 Florida Ave, NW) stating that The Washington City Paper named their stylist, Pamela Chatman as “The Best Stylist” in Washington DC. Soul Day Spa and Salon also came in second place for as “The Best Day Spa.”

I used to get my hair done at Soul, by another stylist but I did see Pam’s work first hand and she did a great job on every girl’s hair, I saw coming out of her chair. She is the truth!

Congratulations Pam!

On the other hand, I am actually shocked that Soul Day Spa and Salon came in second place as “The Best Day Spa” in the city. I’ve heard so many mixed reviews about the spa at Soul that it’s shocking that they actually placed. If you haven’t made an appointment for Spa Week, use this opportunity to check out the second best spa in the city.

Fly girls, have you been to Soul Day Spa and Salon? How was your experience?

Fly Events: Asher Roth Listening Party at Commonwealth

Asher Roth’s Alseep in the Bread Aisle hits stores on April 21, 2009, but if you’re on the fence about him, Commonwealth is hosting a listening party tonight to preview the album.

Dope music and free alcohol, sounds like great fun to me!

Be sure to arrive early!

Fly Music: Day 26's 'Get Away Girl'

I think this might be my favorite Day 26 song I’ve heard so far. ‘Get Away Girl’ has a very nice groove, I’m feelin’ it.

Note, the old picture above, Diddy needs to bring back those shirts for Que. What is going on with him? Or are they just making him look like the villain this season?

Fly Music: Ne-Yo's 'To Be Continue'

Does Ne-Yo do mix-tapes? If not, he should, cause I hear new unreleased music from him all the time. ‘To Be Continue’ is pretty sexy. Click to listen:

Fly Fashion: DACCA BOOTS

Green fashions, doesn’t have to look so cheesy. Made by a Chilean industrialdesign student, Camila Labra, these boots are made mostly of recycled plastic bags. Labra, fused together layers of plastic polyethylene bags together to create a thicker and more resistant material to work with. Their interior is covered with quilted piqué cotton fabric to make them more comfortable and prevent overheating. According to the designer, the boots are impermeable, flexible, light and non toxic.

The line of boots is named Dacca (aka Dhaka) after Bangladesh’s capital, one of the most polluted with plastic bags in the world (the bags were banned in the city in 2002).

Made after special orders, the boots are sold for 22,000 Chilean Pesos (45 USD).

http://botasdacca.blogspot.com/

camilalabra@gmail.com

Fly Fashion: Reebok Women’s Top Down

I’m not a sneaker girl but these are fresh. Reebok Women’s Top Down is the sneaker brand’s latest take on the fold-down concept. It’s a versatile shoe that has the ability to roll-down the upper to showcase a colorful pattern.

There is also the classic Reebok logo on the tongue, an old school meets new school concept. They come in three different colors. My favorite is the heather gray fleece version.

Fly Music: Marques Houston’s ‘I Love Her’ featuring Jim Jones

Batman/Roger is back! You can check out his official new single below! It's from his upcoming album, Mr. Houston in stores June 23.

Fly Fashion: Topshop opens first store in the US

Urghh, days like April 2, 2009 make me wish I lived in NYC! One of my favorite websites, Topshop (a British chain of clothing stores that operates in over 100 countries that includes the United Kingdom as well as Ireland) is opening its first flagship store in the states and of course it’s in New York.

Topshop boast very high-end fashion at affordable prices, they take designer-look-a- like pieces and make them cost friendly, which makes me a very happy girl and a huge fan of Topshop.

The new store will mock the London outlet by including a one-stop hair salon, and a one-hour tailoring service. The New York store will be the brand's second largest store after the company's flagship store in London, the store will be roughly 60,000 square feet.

On opening day at Topshop, fly ladies can enjoy complientary beauty treatments, sweet treats, a DJ, and you can view the Kate Moss collection first hand.

I am truly considering taking a day trip to NY, to partake in the opening of Topshop.

Fly Beauty Find: 70¢ Makeup

Glamour magazine is celebrating it’s seventieth anniversary, and all 99¢ Wet n Wild products will be 70¢ until April 10, 2009 at Walgreens. I haven’t used Wet N Wild products in a while but I took a look at their selection in Walgreens and they have really cute stuff that could hold you over until you hit up your favorite make-up counter. As a bonus their products are cruelty free.

Try Wet n Wild Mega Eyes Trio in Egyptian Sands and their Megaliner Liquid Liner.

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Speaking of Glamour, I must acknowledge my fellow fly friend, Kari Fulton, who is featured in the April issue of Glamour! Ms. Fulton was honored in part of Earth Day and Glamour's seventieth anniversary, as part of 70 female eco achievers.

In her work as a campus climate challenge lead organizer for the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative, Kari challenges students to get involved. Ms. Fulton is black but thinks green! Check Kari in action by clicking the video below and click here to meet Kari and the other eco heroes.

Fly Video: Keri Hilson's 'Love Knocks You Down' featuring Kanye West and Ne-yo

I must grab Ms. Keri Baby’s album tomorrow. I love this video and the song. I’ve been pumping, ‘Love Knocks You Down’ for a couple of weeks now. Check the vid.





I wish I was in NYC for her midnight release at the Virgin Mega store in Times Square with Ryan Leslie!

Policy: Truth. Love. Liberty.

I was recently invited to the soft opening of Policy this past Thursday and the place was delightful. I described the atmosphere of Policy to my friends, as “Urban Glam.” With its graffiti adorned walls and over-the-top chandeliers in its upstairs lounge, Policy is sure to be a hit on 14th street. I had the opportunity to speak with Richie, one of the investors of Policy who stated that Policy wants to provide good food and great music in an atmosphere that isn’t pretentious. The Policy crowd is slanted to be able to walk in with jeans and a tee shirt and mingle with others in suits and ties, a very mixed crowd.

During the soft opening, the chef sent out selections from their menu, and I will say, that I was impressed. Standouts included curry lamb sliders with mint pesto, chicken croquettes paired with green apple aioli dipping sauce, wild rockfish topped with a sherry-coriander sauce and hen-of the-woods mushrooms. Oh, and if you thought, Marvin’s scallops were delicious; Policy has day boat scallops in a tomato-bacon vinaigrette, that is boss.

Madras Curry Lamb Sliders

Speaking of Marvin, which is right down the street, I asked Richie, if he believed that Policy would give Marvin a run for their money. He believes that there is enough room on 14th street for both restaurants/lounges. “Have a drink a Marvin, come get some light fare at Policy, have another drink at Policy and enjoy the music, and vise versa,” said Richie. Hoping that D.C. locals take pride in the new establishment, Policy is the new kid on the block that is holding its own.


Policy will host its grand opening tonight. Check out the website to make reservations for dinner or stop in and head upstairs.

Policy
904 14th Street NW, Washington

Hours
Brunch
11:00am - 4:00pm SUN

Dinner
5:00pm - 10:30pm TUES - WED

5:00pm - 12:30am THUR - FRI - SAT

5:00pm - 1:30 - 2:30am FRI - SAT (BAR)

Fly Music: Day 26's 'Shawty Wassup' featuring T-Pain

More music from Day 26! Yay! This T-Pain featured track is decent. Can’t wait for their album to drop, so Q can stop his bitchassness on the show. I mean, who told his mother, it was a good idea to quit her job in a recession? She was trippin’!

Have a listen to Day 26’s ‘Shawty Wassup’ featuring T-Pain:

Fly Things: Peep ‘Em

Here is a list of a few of my new favorite things, which I just have to share with my readers. Enjoy!


Generation X

The new hope of Hip-Hop some of calling this collection of young rappers. Drake, Picasso P, Asher Roth, KiD CuDi, and Cory Gunz, are proving that Hip-Hop may not be dead. Generation X is for those who can’t stand Soulja Boy and feel that Jay-Z is getting a little too old for the rap game. If you’re in your young, fly twenties, these are the rapper for you. Google them and get familiar. And no, I’m not jumping on the bandwagon, I was feelin’ Drake since his 2007’s ‘Replacement Girl’ track featuring Trey Songz.

Check out this new video, from Asher Roth, ‘Lark In My Go-Kart.’

Dr.’s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish

Do you know how many harmful ingredients are in your nail polish? Your favorite nail polish is filled with formaldehyde, toluene and DBP, they are not only proven to be dangerous, but also potentially damaging to the nail as well. Dr.'s Remedy’s nail polish is free from the aforementioned chemicals, but also uniquely enriched with ingredients, such as tea tree oil and garlic bulb extract, which are naturally occurring anti-fungal, antibacterial, and healthier for the nail. Not only is Dr.'s Remedy better for you, it comes in a rainbow of today's most fashionable colors.


Policy DC

This new restaurant is sexy! Located just around the corner from the historic U Street Corridor. Policy is taking center stage in Duke Ellington's old neighborhood and emerging as one of the most highly anticipated restaurants to hit D.C's hottest and most vibrant neighborhood. I just got invited to their soft opening tonight and I’m too excited. It officially opens on Saturday and it is shaping up to give other U Street restaurants a run for their money. Click here to learn more and make a reservation for their opening weekend.

Twitter

I was hip to Twitter since last August and now that all my friends and celebrities have joined the new social network its hella fun. Everyone always ask me, “What’s the big deal about Twitter?” It’s hard to explain, but I think it’s like Facebook without all the extra applications and changes. It also makes you appreciate the small things in life, it kinda makes you stop and smell the roses of your life and fill your friends in on what your doing for the day. Plus, I get to learn more about my favorite celebs.

For example, Solange is a riot on Twitter. She puts everything out there and I’m learning more about the Knowles clan.

Diddy, is hilarious. He has over 200,000 followers, which is breaking records on Twitter. He even started his own network called, P-Twitty TV on youtube.com, he is a fool, and you have to watch him work in the studio into the wee hours of the morning.

June Ambrose, my favorite fashion guru, gives out style tips without having to pay for them. I love reading her updates on what styles are hot for the spring.

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/flycarla

Bliss For Less! Spa Week is coming!

My favorite time of the year, Spa Week! Reducing stress is a necessity in this tough economy, luckily, during Spa Week, April 13-19; you don’t have to justify spending hundreds of dollars on massages and scrubs. For one week, selected services are being offered for an affordable $ 50. If you are longing for a deep body massage, a facial, a body scrub with deep-sea salt, and lavender oil on a heated bed, or a hand paraffin treatment, then make an appointment during Spa Week.

Check out Spaweek.org for a list of participating spas in the DMV area and make sure to book an appointment soon, they go so fast!

I just made an appointment at Elizabeth Aden’s Red Door Spa for their 50 Min Stress Melter Ritual. I can’t wait!

Fly Music: Fab's 'Throw It In The Bag' featuring The-Dream

I’ve been waiting for this song, since Fab has been gassing this song in every recent interview and in his Twitter updates. ‘Throw It In The Bag’ is produced by Tricky Stewart and is off of Fabolous’ new album, Loso’s Way.

Just launched: Kiehl's Amino Acid Conditioner

I often blog about Kiehl’s and their products and its because their products are bossy! They use all natural ingredients that work wonders for your skin and hair.

Kiehl’s just launched a Conditioning Companion to the Best-Selling Amino Acid Shampoo. In 2002, Kiehl’s introduced their Amino Acid Shampoo, a unique combination of pure coconut oil, wheat proteins and amino acids, for their normal-to-dry hair care needs, making the gentle, yet highly effective cleansing formula, the number one selling shampoo at Kiehl’s.

In response to overwhelming customer demand, Kiehl’s introduces their Amino Acid Conditioner - an ideal, conditioning companion to Amino Acid Shampoo - for all hair types and just as effective on color and chemically treated hair as it is on normal or sensitive scalp types.

The Amino Acid Conditioner is a silicone-free, gentle, daily conditioner that maintains the same key ingredients as the popular shampoo - wheat proteins and amino acids for a light, creamy texture that imparts a healthy-looking shine to hair without weighing it down and pure coconut oil for its conditioning and fragrant properties. With the addition of moisturizing jojoba oil, extracted from the bean-like seeds of the desert shrub simondsia chinensis, Kiehl’s preparation helps maintain hair’s natural moisture balance to further strengthen hair and improve manageability.




Key Ingredients:
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an off-white, semi-solid, highly saturated fat expressed from the kernels of the coconut. It is stable when exposed to air. It lathers readily and softens skin and hair.

Jojoba Oils
Jojoba Oil is extracted from the beanlike seeds of the desert shrub Simondsia Chinensis and has been traditionally used by both Mexicans and Native Americans for skin care purpose. It is nurturing for the skin and moisturizing for the hair.

Amino Acid
Amino Acids are fundamental to the human body and construct proteins. When chemically united with fatty alcohol or fatty acid, they have cleansing properties and maintain their mild amphoteric character. Amino Acids are known to moisturize by enhancing the hair’s water retention.

Retail Price: 8.4 fl oz. - 250 ml / $19.00

Patricia Field Salutes Sprouse

I recently wrote about the fabulousness of the Stephen Sprouse and Louis Vuitton Line and my girl, Patricia Field has made an exclusive line that salutes Sprouse.

Her pieces are funky and affordable; so if you can’t splurge on the LV bag, cop a piece by Pat Field. I love the skirt with the low pockets, its high waisted, tight and sexy. A must have in my closet!

Fly Music: Day 26's 'Dizzy'

I loved Day 26’s first album, it was surprisingly good, read my review here. With their new music leaking on the net, the second album is shaping up to be just as good.

Click below to listen to “Dizzy.” Big Mike gets it in!

Lancôme is Pink Irreverence

I was walking thru Macy’s on a mission to buy some new eye shadow from the MAC counter but as I past the Lancôme counter, something caught my eye. Lancôme has a new collection, that is, dare I say- edgy. I’ve never seen edgy from Lancôme, as avid fan of Juicy Tube, Lancôme was always the go to counter for classic, golden-rose stamped iconic products.

So when I saw black nail polish with sliver sparkers, I was shocked. Low and behold, Lancôme has a new artistic director, Aaron De May, who is pushing the envelope with his designs. His first collection entitled, Pink Irreverence is filled with girlie punkish products, such as the Irreverent Madame Pink Palette, which creates a pink smoky eye, and color fever lip plumper in Rose Punk.

This is the new Lancôme woman who all about being irreverent, free-spirited, audacious and spontaneous. The Pink Irreverence collection takes the most feminine color statement twisted with punkish freedom. The makeup look is edgy, wearable colors that you can layer to play up the drama or bring down to an everyday look.

De May thoughts on his new collection? “It’s not about me telling women what to put on their face or when,” he says. “It’s about setting them free to play.”

Artist Spotlight: Yahzarah and Phonte of Little Brother Interview Part 1

Click the video to watch as I catch up with Yahzarah before her performance with The Foreign Exchange, as well as a quick chat with Phonte...part 1 of 2.

Attention: Sophie Hulme

This 24-year-old British designer takes Military garb and makes it glamorous. She describes her collection as military surplus with a luxury feel. Inspired by airplanes and robots, Sophie Hulme has upped the anty by including jewelry in her spring line. Braided military style, each piece are modeled after tools used to push gunpowder into guns.

Add these to the collectible charms that come with every Hulme garment this season, such as a parachuting soldier. Fly girls, Sophie Hulme, will have you standing at attention.

New music: The-Dream's 'Love vs Money' in stores today!

The- Dream is having a hell of a run, even with leaks on the net, his album, Love vs. Money is still one of the most anticipated album of the New Year.

LowKey of Youheardthatnew.com and Bet.com’s Sound Off, ran into the The-Dream yesterday while he was tapping 106 & Park and had the opportunity to speak to The-Dream about my favorite cut from The-Dream's album, “Fancy."

Hear what The-Dream has to say about, “Fancy” and learn who is directing the video.

Gosh, I effing love that song but how old is The-Dream? Because he stays talking about a girl who is 23 in all his songs and Nivea and Christina Millan are not 23! LOL!

The-Dream also just released his remix video for, "Rockin' That Thang" featuring Fabolous, Juelz, Officer Ricky and Luda.

Click below:

How yummy are Juelz and Fabolous looking in the vid? Both draped in the Stephen Sprouse, Louis Vuittion line looking fly.


Check out his other video, "My Love" featuring Mariah Carey:

Fly Candids: J*Davey, Yahzarah and The Foreign Exchange Concert at The Black Cat

If you know none of the artists mentioned above, then I suggest you step your music game up. Learn about J* Davey here, Yahzarah here and The Foreign Exchange here. Get familiar!

Interviews coming soon!

Jack and Brooke of J*Davey chilling before hitting the stage!

Jack of J*Davey going in!

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Yahzarah a.k.a. Miss Purple St. James, Phonte (1/2 of The Foreign Exchange) and Darien Brockington

The Foreign Exchange Collective including Muhsinah

New Music: The-Dream's 'Mr. Yeah'

Damn, The-Dream really is, 'Mr. Yeah' cause he has ex-wifey, Nivea going nutty. See here.

This song rocks though, I will take a trip to Tarj and pick up his album, Love vs. Money, next Tuesday.

Click to enjoy:

** What Up Nile? http://www.youheardthatnew.com/ **

New Music: Mario's 'Weather Girl'

Dear Mario,

If I would have known you would grow up and get all grown and sexy, then I wouldn’t have played you when you tired to holla at me, while we both attended Milford Mill Academy. I could have been your weather girl since high school.

I hope it’s not too late.

Love,
Carla

Check out his new single, ‘Weather Girl’ here:

Keri Hilson’s ‘Knock You Down’ featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo

I heart Keri Hilson! She’s fly, writes her own music and she takes shots at Beyonce! ‘Knock You Down’ is my new favorite ish. Doesn’t love knock all of us down at one point?!

Her debut album, In a Prefect World, hits stores on March, 24th and it is about effing time!

Click to enjoy:

Dig 'N' Swap- Swap Clothes Online

Do you have clothes in your closet that you don’t wear? Like that old shirt, or that dress that you bypass to get to the dress that you're wearing for a night out? If you' re tired of those clothes that you just don’t know what to do with, then take a look at dignswap.com.

Through the site, you’ll be able to upload pictures of the clothing you don’t use anymore and browse the site to what others have to offer. If you're feeling something someone has uploaded, and the other person agrees, you can make a trade for it.

Sounds a lil’ weird right? But the concept is pretty fly, it’s like having a thrift store right on your laptop or trading clothes with one of your BFFs.

Gather your old clothes and upload them to the site, and maybe you’ll find someone willing to trade you something for it. This could turn the Internet into a great way to find the clothes; you’ve always wanted to have, without actually having to pay for it.

Check out Dig 'N' Swap and start digging now!

Lettie Gooch Boutique has moved and reopened!

Lettie Gooch, has closed its 9th and T Street location and relocated to the new, spacious spot on 1517 U St, NW. Still filled with fabulous threads, Lettie Gooch is holding a review of the new space and the new spring arrivals, tomorrow, March 5th.

Be sure to stop by and get fly!

Click here for more info.

Fly Vid: Lil' Wayne's 'Prom Queen'

Lil’ Wayne just released his video for ‘Prom Queen’ off of his rock album, The Rebirth. Me likely.

Dining Out For Life! Thursday, March 5th

I love eating out (pause) and if I dine at my favorite restaurant knowing that the portions of my bill go towards a great cause, I’m definitely all for it.

This Thursday, March 5, 150 restaurants in the Washington metropolitan area will join together to support men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses by contributing a percentage of their sales to Food & Friends.

Food & Friends is the only nonprofit organization in the Washington area providing daily, home-delivered, specialized meals, groceries and nutrition counseling to individuals in the community who are facing some of life's most difficult challenges. The funds raised through Dining Out for Life allows Food & Friends to continue to provide these critical services at NO COST to the clients.


Click here to review a list of all the restaurants participating in Dining Out for Life, where 25-100% of your bill will be donated to Food & Friends.

50 Cent 'Do What It Do' featuring R. Kelly

‘Do What It Do’ is off of 50 Cent’s Before I Self Destruct album. This track is aright, sounds like Snoop’s 'Sensual Seduction' to me, but I’m sure it will be a hit regardless.