Visiting Louisiana: The 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans

Hi Butterflies! Guess what I did this past weekend? So...I finally gave in to my curiosity and went to #EssenceFest. The ESSENCE Music Festival is held annually every July 4th weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana hosted by Essence Magazine and to sum it up...I'm having mixed feelings about my experience and not sure if my first trip will be my last. Let me start by saying, I'm a planner by nature and most of the time I freak if things aren't planned out properly, organized right, or done a certain way (it's my OCD... I can't help it lol). I knew in advance my partner's family had already made plans to attend and I was invited but my decision to go was last minute so I didn't have much time to plan my agenda for the trip which is my fault and part of the reason I didn't get the "ESSENCE FESTIVAL" experience I was expecting.

We rented a van and drove to New Orleans from Houston which took about 6 hours. Hotels near the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, which is where the festival is usually held fill up fast and are extremely expensive, especially at the last minute so if you think you might want to attend next year's festival book your room months in advance. We stayed in a Courtyard Marriott north of New Orleans, over the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. I didn't get any pictures but I had a complaint-free stay.

Music: Recent Hit Albums $1.99 Each on Amazon (TODAY ONLY 7/3/12)

Bonjour! I received this deal via email today and if you know me you know I am an always and forever lover of music it's actually more like therapy for me (next to shopping) and I know some of you might feel the same way so I had to share; it's in my nature (I'm a Cancer). Anyway, it's for today only and includes recent hit MP3 albums from Katy Perry, fun., Drake, Gotye, B.o.B, Ellie Goulding, and many others so go download some of your favorites now before the day ends!

Amazon Gold Box Deal of the Day: Recent Hit Albums $1.99 Each (TODAY ONLY 7-3-12)

Katy Perry - Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection Katy Perry | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Some Nights Fun. | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Making Mirrors Gotye | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Love Is A Four Letter Word Jason Mraz | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 What We Saw From The Cheap Seats Regina Spektor | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Tuskegee Lionel Richie | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 El Camino The Black Keys | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Strange Clouds [Explicit] B.o.B | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 The Lumineers The Lumineers | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 My Head Is An Animal Of Monsters And Men | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Bloom Beach House | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 That's Why God Made the Radio The Beach Boys | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Take Care (Deluxe Edition) [Explicit] Drake | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Ceremonials Florence + The Machine | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Vows Kimbra | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 The Wanted (Special Edition) The Wanted | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Slipstream Bonnie Raitt | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Born To Die Lana Del Rey | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Live From The Underground [Explicit] Big K.R.I.T. | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99 Lights (Amazon MP3 Exclusive Version) Ellie Goulding | Format: MP3 Download Price: $1.99

Event Trends: 2012 Wedding Trends

As with most things, wedding trends change from year to year and it’s almost impossible to keep track of “what’s in” in the wedding industry. It can be a bit overwhelming at times but as long as you have some idea of what you like or would want at your celebration, you’ll be just fine. However, if you’re looking for a little help with inspiration for your upcoming wedding, here are some of the top wedding trends of 2012...

Beauty Trends: My 2yr Natural Hair Anniversary + The Pros & Cons of Natural Hair

Hey Butterflies! I can't believe it's my two year Hairversary already, it has defiantly been an interesting journey. I know each individuals hair texture is unique and varies from family member to family member but, genetics plays a huge part in our physical make-up and that includes our hair. My great-grandmother (maternal) was Native-American (Blackfoot...I think), most of my mom's family were/are Louisiana Native American and or Creole and my dad's side is originally from Texas. 

Anyway, I said all that to say, like most of my family members I have naturally reddish-brown and very soft textured hair that's also very curly. Going natural made it easier for me to finally try Bantu Knots (photo above) and it inspired me to go red again (photo bottom right), I haven't been red since high school! 

Fashion Trends: Lavender's Jungle

Click here to watch video from the show!

Lavender Jungle, based out of Atlanta, was founded by La Krisha S. Joseph-Baker earlier this year and already will be a featured designer at Gwen Devoe's Full Figured Fashion Week.  This line caters to women sizes 16-22.  Originally from Wichita, Kansas, she was trained by her great grandmother, who was a Master Seamstress. Lavenders Jungle tweeted me their video from a recent fashion show and asked me what I thought about it.  I loved it!  That last dress is a showstopper for sure!

What do you think?

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