B Out - TODAY (In NY)!

What: NV After Hours
When: Monday May 19th 6-10PM
Where: Barna - 365 Park Ave. South @ 26th St.
Why: Might as well get the week started right...just bring a jacket!

B quoted!

"Since I left basketball, and my wife, it's been a glorious feast of lovemaking." ~ Rick Fox

"

B Out - this weekend!

Maybe I'm twisted, but this sounds like a fun (and nostalgic) option for this weekend!

What: Keith Sweat
When: Saturday May 17 - 8:00PM
Where: BB King's - 237 W. 42nd St.
Why: I know you remember how good his music feels. Take your lady or your man and ya'll can jam 90's style - the finest style. Beg on Keith Daddy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRITT-BABE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRITTANIE!

You really took the bull by the horns...

The B-Life loves you!

Keep on ridin' B-Fly!

B fair?

Not that I'm a huge Syesha Mercado fan, but come on! They did her waaaay dirty on last night's episode of American Idol. The three remaining contestants were allowed to sing 3 songs: 1) a song choosen by Randy, Paula, or Simon, 2) a song of their choice, and 3) a song choosen by the show's producers.

Let's ignore David Archuleta for once and get down to the nitty gritty. Did anyone else find it strange that the producers thought Syesha Mercado would sound best singing "Hit Me Up" - a song originally sang by Gia Farrell (who?) from the Happy Feet soundtrack? Meanwhile, the producers elected for David Cook to close the show with a Diane Warren instant classic "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing", immortalized by Aerosmith from the film Armegeddon. Did I mention that David was given a 16-piece string orchestra to back him? Something seems a little unbalanced...am I tripping? D.Cook is my fave, but really AI, you don't have to hand it to him. Let him earn it!

Get the Star Look - for Less!

Sample sales are popping up all over NYC. Jessie said it best - "I'm so excited....I'm so excited..." And yes, "I'm so scared" cause these sales can get you into the type of trouble that feels so good! Nonetheless, who doesn't love a deal?!?

Take a look at a few designers gracious enough to attach a beyond-red-tag clearance price to their merchandise, as modeled by your favorite celebs:

Sanaa in Catherine Malandrino

What: Catherine Malandrino
Why: Wholesale and below on blouses, dresses, camis, and more.
When: May 14-16. Wed. & Thurs., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion Gallery, 123 W. 18th St., b/t Sixth & Seventh Aves., 4th flr. (212-388-0339).

LC in Mint by Jodi Arnold

What: Mint Jodi Arnold
Why: Looks from the spring and summer collections are up to 60 percent off.
When: May 12-15. Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 230 W. 39th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., 2nd flr.

Vanessa with a Rebecca Minkoff bag

What: Rebecca Minkoff and Nicholas K
Why: All the trappings of a fine carryall at a fraction of the price. Ditto on superb clothes for guys and gals.
When: May 15-20. Thurs., noon-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Mon. & Tues., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 33 W. 17th St., b/t Fifth & Sixth Aves.

Tyra in Vix Swimwear (b-favorite!)

What: Vix and Lisa Curran Swimwear
Why: Bathing suits for $65-$125, cover-ups for $30-$80, flip-flops for $10-$16.
When: May 13-16. Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: 250 W. 39th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., ste. 510 (212-221-2349). Cash only.

(Thanks to Daily Candy for the info!)

B Aware: Foods To Fear!

Last week my boy sent me this article in Men's Health about the "20 Worst Foods In America" because he knows we're trying to get bikini-ready for the travel season. (Good looking out D!) Obviously, I was compelled to share this one, just in case you missed for for yourself. Check out a few of the items that topped the list:

MEXICAN MESS: CHIPOTLE GRILLED CHICKEN BURRITO (a personal fave)

1,179 calories
7 g fat
125 g carbs
2,656 mg sodium

Try: Burrito bowl w/ shredded lettuce!

NOODLE NIGHTMARE: P.F. CHANG'S PORK LO MEIN

1,820 calories
127 g fat
95 g carbs

Go for the steamed veggies!

SINFUL SMOOTHIE: JAMBA JUICE CHOCOLATE MOO'D POWER SMOOTHIE

900 calories
10 g fat
183 g carbs
(166 g sugar)

Try: all-natural fruit smoothie at the fruit cart - LOVE 'em!

AWFUL APPETIZER: CHILI'S AWESOME BLOSSOM

2,710 calories
203 g fat 194 g carbs
6,360 mg sodium

Cocktail shrimp (or anything grilled usually helps - starters can be dangerous!)

CLEAR CULPRIT: OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE AUSSIE CHEESE FRIES
W/ RANCH DRESSING

2,900 calories
182 g fat
240 g carbs

This one is fairly obvious! Happy eating - go for flavor, not fat!
xo, Jen

B quoted...

"You have to be vigorous. That's the only way you are going to get it because everybody has dreams and everybody has goals, but the only people who achieve them are the ones that go after it and don't take no for an answer."
~ Nick Cannon

(Note: 2005 - It obviously pays to go big or go home Nick!)

B out - this weekend!

What: Emancipation 2.0 - The Graduation Of All Graduation Parties!
When: Saturday May 10th - 10P
Where: 215 W 28th Street, b/w 7th & 8th Avenue
Why: "It's that time of year again... Please join us as we celebrate the success of the newest graduates of some of the top schools from across the country. Among them will be grads from NYU, Columbia University, Dartmouth, Harvard, U-Penn, Kellogg, etc. A portion of proceeds will go to a several nonprofits focused on education."
Plus, music by: M a r y M a c

TREND ALERT: B braided!

No, they're not Brandy's braid (circa Thea), Dawn's french braids from The Babysitters Club, or even Beyonce's braid from the "Bugaboo" era. But it might be time to invite your girlfriends over for a sleepover to play in each other's hair, and score the hottest summer hair trend! Yes, BRAIDS I must admit, I'm totally loving this one. Quick, pretty, and bohemian. Plus, sometimes the messier the better! You can't lose.

BRAID TREND:

Milkmaid

BRAID TREND:

Side Frenchie

BRAID TREND:
1/2 Frenchie

BRAID TREND:

Side Dookie

(I know ya'll thought this was crazy... but on second look, it's kinda cute! Modifications required.)

BRAID TREND:

Woven Basket Up-do

BRAID TREND:
Combination

B @ Jazz Fest - part II

As promised...a few more pictures. I meant it last week. Jazz Fest is just might be the perfect time to visit New Orleans. Plenty food, music, and good times to be had!
On Friday we rocked in the rain with Stevie Wonder (truly - check the clip) & Sunday we sang along to ALL of Maze's hit songs like true "Southern Girls".

Congo Square Stage @ N.O. Jazz Fest 2008

FRIDAY

Nailah dancing with strangers - we're all fam at Jazz Fest!

The Jeffersons - trying to stay dry.

Jarret didn't care - he got it guerrilla-style in the rain.

..and so did we!

SUNDAY

Frankie Beverly

Sunshine all day - couldn't have asked for more!

Kels & Kels - rockin' on the sideline

(Yes, they let it all hang out at Jazz Fest...)

Akilah & Nekia - all smiles!

Maze feat. Frankie Beverly

B @ N.O. Jazz Fest - just a taste!

The recent trip to New Orleans was perfect in more ways than one. But watching Frankie Beverly & Maze at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was certainly a highlight! More great pics from Jazz Fest to come, but I had to share a live performance of your favorite club outro!



Ps. You know that's a fine old man...aged like a fine wine! Love it! And yes, I shout ya'll out in the video :)

B engaged!

A HUGE congrats goes out to Vertis & Adriane (HU grads) on their recent engagement. My boy did it right! He kept her guessing, swept her to NY, and had her friends do an ambush surprise attack to help them celebrate!

B forgiven...

Sorry for being so remiss on posting...between travels, the flu/allergies, home renovations, and work - it's been hectic. Rest assured, I'm back with you! xo, Jen

B out :)

What: Making Books Sing Event
When: Thursday May 1st
Where: Kenneth Cole - 57th st. & Lexington Ave.
Why: It's for the kids!

What: Shopping Event Benefiting Brotherhood/Sistersol
When: Saturday May 3rd
Where: N Boutique - 114 W. 116th st.
Why: This for is for the kids too. Def. support if you're in the neighborhood...or not!