B out...This Weekend!

Don't be a fool, go see these soul sisters at S.O.B's on Sunday April 1st.

Cost: $26 (adv.)/$28 (at door)

The Nuyorican Poetry Slam on Friday evening brings out the city's most passionate and well-versed spoken artists. Watch as they kill each other with their words. The show starts at 10pm, so don't be late!

Cost: $10

Each Friday and Saturday night, the strike of midnight brings the funniest and rawest African-American (and Latino) comedians to the New York Comedy Club stage. It's an experience low in frills and high in laughter.

Cost: $12 + 2 drink min.

B accessorized...

Everyone knows accessories are the "cherry on top" of any chic outfit, but finding trendy, affordable, pieces can be a challenge. We have the solution...Boutique Finesse is your online source for the latest in stylish accessories that won't hurt your pocket!

You can find Boutique Finesse on the web, and at special events in and around NYC. Boutique Finesse also hits the road so you can host a champagne party in the comfort of your own home. These in-home parties are perfect for birthdays, bridal/baby showers, bachelorette parties, or any excuse for a girls-night-in!

Below you'll find pics from exclusive Boutique Finesse events and examples of their fashionable inventory.

BOUTIQUE FINESSE HOLIDAY EXPO

NECKLACES
"I LOVE YOU" (set) - $25

BOUTIQUE FINESSE HAPPY HOUR

EARRINGS
"WILLOW" (gold tone) - $10

BOUTIQUE FINESSE CHAMPAGNE PARTY

BRACELETS
"HARD CANDY" (blue) - $13

For more information on how to host your own event or to subscribe to the monthly Boutique Finesse Accesory Glam Guide, send an email to info@boutiquefinesse.com. Don't forget to tell them The-B-Life sent you!

The House of Courvoisier Music Tour

The House Of Courvoisier Music Tour made a stop in NYC on Monday. The evening lived up to the hip, laid-back, urban appeal of the brand with Musiq Soulchild headlining the event.

CV specialty cocktails were flowing all night. The next time you're out, ask the bartender to make you a CV Strawberry Lemonade, or a CV Brown Sugar.

A girls' night out on Monday - so NY!

George Crichlow came out too - we love the accessories!

Camille, Dani, Christa and Carla were "passing the Courvoisier".

Renee' Jackson (MTV) & Chandra Cooks (Modern Luxury) came through for the event.

Legendary DJ, Biz Markie and BET's Tigger (a CV Brand Ambassador), got the crowd hype as we awaited Musiq's arrival.

When Musiq finally hit the stage he brought us through a journey of his classic hits and introduced us to songs from his new album (LUVANMUSIQ) that are destined to be future hits. After a 3 year hiatus, Musiq is definitely back!

Check out the next stops on The House of Courvoisier tour:

Washington D.C. - April 2nd

Atlanta - April 5th

Miami - April 11th

Detroit - April 15th

Click here to RSVP, enter your DOB, then follow the links to the event.

B credit-smart...

Whether you're buying a house, applying for a small business loan or simply hoping to get new cell phone service, your credit plays a major role. There are several ways to monitor your credit, but your FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) score is among the most reliable.

FICO scores are used to assess the likelihood a person will honor their debt commitments and determine their overall credit-worthiness. The scores range from 300-850, but the majority of scores fall between 600-800.

How your score is calculated?

* Opening a lot of accounts (3 or more) may lower your score.
*Revolving credit and loans are better. Keep all credit cards below 30% of limit.

What does your credit score affect?
Whether you...
will be approved or declined.
are required to make a big deposit, little deposit, or no deposit.
are required to make a big down payment, little down payment, or no down payment.
are offered a high, moderate, or low interest rate.
can fund a project though this, that, or the other source of funding
are offered a black, platinum, gold, or basic credit card - or a polite (but embarrassing) refusal.

What is considered a "good score"?

720+: Excellent
660+: low-risk borrower
620 - 660: not horrible, but creditors may require more documentation/assets
-620: high-risk borrower

How to use credit?
Worst - perishables: food, gas, etc.
Better - non-perishables (don't appreciate): clothes, electronics, etc.
Best - non-perishables (do appreciate): financing a home, education., etc.


Ways to improve your FICO score?
-Check your credit report and score regularly.
-Carefully review your credit report and correct any errors or incomplete information.
-Make a habit of paying bills and other payments on time.
-Pay down balances of your debt. Keep your debt reasonable. One rule of thumb: for a good credit score, your account balances should be below 75% of your available credit. For example, if you have a $2000 credit limit, you should have a balance of no more than $1500.
-Maintain only a reasonable amount of unused credit. While it's good to have a cushion of credit available, having ready access to thousands of dollars of debt makes you a poorer credit risk. (i.e. having too many unused credit cards could be a problem)
-Avoid opening a lot of new accounts at once.
-Avoid too many inquiries. Inquiries are interpreted as a sign that you have been actively seeking credit, and may be in financial difficulties or in the process of overextending yourself.
*Some of these tips were pulled from www.consumerinfo.com. Check out their site for more suggestions.

Need more information?
The FACT Act (Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act) entitles U.S. residents to one free copy of his/her credit report from each credit reporting agency each year. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1.877.322.8228. Your report will not include your credit score, but it will be available for purchase.

If you need more advice about your credit score call FICO at 1.800.319.4433 or visit www.myfico.com.

B spa-bound...

Spa Week is back, April 16th - 22nd! It's time to revitalize, renew, and rejuvenate as you move into Spring. While most aestheticians recommend getting 1 facial once a month, time and financial constraints make that somewhat unattainable. For those of us bound by reality, Spa Week is the perfect opportunity to treat our bodies to the loving that it deserves.

Here's how it works, for $50 (a discounted price) you can visit one of NYC's top spas to receive treatments including: massage, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, and body wraps, just to name a few.

New to Spa Week? Keep these tips in mind:
1. Book your appointments NOW - some spas only offer a limited amount of appointments, and evening time slots go the fastest.

2. Make sure to specifically request the "Spa Week" service and verify the cost when you book your appointment. This way you'll avoid the possibility of being charged the full price the day of your visit.

3. Ask about the cancellation policy, as many spas will charge you the full price if you don't give them enough notice.

4. Drink plenty of water before and after your appointment (and conversely, don't consume and excessive amount of alcohol) because the toxins will rise to the surface as your body circulation is stimulated from your service.

Spa Week has amazing deals, but we're highlighting the following to start you off:

50 Min Elizabeth Arden Classic Facial

Red Door Spa - Fifth Avenue
691 Fifth Avenue At 54th Street
New York, NY 10022
212.546.0200
http://www.reddoorspas.com

45 Min Brown Sugar Scrub

Oasis Day Spa
One Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212.254.7722
http://www.oasisdayspanyc.com

Fiji Water Pedicure

Gansevoort Spa & Lounge
18 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10014
212.660.6733
http://www.gansevoortspaandlounge.com

60 Min Age-Defy Or For Men Face Treatment (for the fellas!)

FRESH Espace
1367 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10021
212.585.3400
http://www.fresh.com

Not in NYC? Spa Week takes place in several cities including: D.C., L.A., San Francisco, ATL, and more. Go to www.spaweek.org to find out if your town is participating.

B a winner...

And the winner is...Rachel Smith! This weekend, the lovely and deserving Rachel Smith took the title of Miss USA 2007. Rachel was a standout from the start, standing tall at 5'11" with a $1MM smile and down-to-earth personality. No doubt, her pageant legacy helped her beat out the other 49 contestants who vied for the crown. Rachel was Miss Tennessee Teen 2002, and placed in the top 10 in the Miss Teen USA competition where she was selected as Miss Photogenic.

Although Rachel is a resident of Clarksville, TN, she was born in Panama before her military parents were relocated to Fort Campbell. Here, she's pictured with fellow TN-title-holder of color, Macy Erwin, Miss Tennessee Teen 2007.

Even in a crowd, Rachel radiates. She's used to being in good company, as a former Harpo Productions intern who also spent time volunteering at The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa.

Swimsuit competition

Evening wear

Rachel gets crowned by the outgoing, uber-controversial Miss USA 2006, Tara Conner.

An unforgettable moment.

Rachel, and her Boss, Donald Trump, co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization.

After being crowned, Rachel declared she was going to spend her one-year reign in the following manner: "I'm going to be honest and open."
Many speculators believe Rachel is the first Miss USA in years who has a legitimate shot at winning the Miss Universe pageant. We'll certainly be rooting for her!

Congrats to Rachel Smith, our new Miss USA!

B inspired...

"The ultimate goal of being successful is the luxury of giving yourself the time to do what you want to do."
~ Leontyne Price

B underground...

This Sunday, check out The Village Underground as an alternative to watching a re-run of Desperate Housewives. Expect an evening of great music by both hungry and established artists who've dropped in the take on the open mic.

Co-hosts, Cheryl Pepsi-Riley, Ron Grant, and Melonie Daniels, are the MC's who bless the audience with their vocal stylings between acts.

Ron Grant

Melonie Daniels

Admission is $15, but drinks are reasonable, starting around $7.

It's a popular show, so make sure to get there early because seating is limited.
The show starts at 9:30am, but your best bet is to make a reservation in advance.

Last weekend, Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, who stars as Shug in The Color Purple, stopped by and let us know what separates her from the amateurs.

Chaz Lamar Shepherd, who plays Harpo in The Color Purple, also stopped by and surprised the audience with his skills on the ivory keys.

Every Sunday at The Village Underground promises a new and unique show. If you're looking for a laid back evening of entertainment with good people, its well worth a trip to the village.