(Don't) B bougie...

...Or at least that's what my girlfriend told me when I arrived at Green Phoenix Spa.

Here's the story...I decided to try a new spa during Spa Week (which ends on April 22nd, so book your appointments if you haven't already). My usual Enya-playing, Fiji-water with orange-slices serving, white robe and matching slipper spot, Oasis Day Spa, is a constant throughout the year, so I took my girlfriend's suggestion and tried out Green Phoenix for a change of pace. She didn't tell me much, but promised I'd be impressed by their techniques.

When I arrived at the spa, which occupied the 2nd floor of a building with a bodega, key shop, or maybe a sandwhich shop underneath it, I didn't know what I'd gotten my self into. After checking in and waiting for the service, I immediately started texting and and blaming my girl for this misstep. All she said was, "Have you had the service yet?...don't be bougie."

Deciding to let the work speak for itself, I sat back and observed the women, all dressed in matching green scrubs, as they quietly buzzed around the modest setting. After being escorted to my "room" which was a sectioned-off curtain with a bed, reminiscent of a (non-private) hospital room, I just closed my eyes and obediently got on the table. That's when the magic began... The expert hands of the aestitician hit every pressure point, left no region untouched, and pummeled me to the point where it just hurt so good. At that point, I had totally forgotten my foreign surroundings. Although she left for 2 minutes to answer the door in the middle of my service (a bit short-staffed), it gave me a chance to reel from the euphoric state she put me in.

Sometimes the 60-minute massage leaves you wondering why you just paid $95 for something you could have employed your significant other for at no cost. But Green Phoenix gave me the most bang for my buck, and then some. It was a low-frills experience, but more than made up for it with the high-quality of work. It was a classic case of under-promising and over-delivering.

It might not be too late to try out the massage for $50 (otherwise $60) during Spa Week, but don't delay. I've also heard wonderful things about the facial, which is next on my to-do list.

(I've gotta thank my girl Chauncie, at VIBE, for the recommendation. Sorry for doubting you!)

B on The Ave...

The spring '07 edition of The Ave takes an in-depth look at the recent murder of 23-year-old Sean Bell, by undercover officers in Queens, NY. Speaking with Bell's fiancée, as well as the two men who survived a hail of 50 bullets by cops, The Ave weighs in on the issue of police brutality and its effects on the community.

Delving into the world of entertainment, The Ave talks to singer/songwriter Ne-Yo about his rise to fame and ability to craft hits for A-listers. The young star breaks down his creative process, upcoming album, and plan to provide a better way of life a for wayward teens.

Furthering its mission to address critical social topics and pressing issues relevant to the hip-hop community, The Ave also examines the increase in urban hospitals getting shut down; the controversy over the use of the N-word; and lung cancer, the silent killer that claims more than 175,000 lives each year.

Other notable profiles include actor Idris Elba, who discusses his transition from a television star on HBO's The Wire, to being one of Hollywood's new leading men. Similarly, Three 6 Mafia reflects on how their lives have changed since winning an Oscar.

Definitely a well-rounded read, so check out the latest issue of The Ave.

B surprised!

This weekend, Bacardi Limon sponsored a surprise birthday party for Q-Tip in downtown NYC. Q-Tip arrived with bags in tow and had a genuine look of shock. Kudos to the masterminds for pulling it off!

Friends and associates came out for the party, including Translation CEO, Steve Stoute and VIBE Publisher, Len Burnett.

Tour de France champ, Lance Armstrong came thru with his lady "friend", designer, Tory Burch (whose flats we're totally feeling.)

(Photo credits: Johnny Nunez)

Definitely a good night! Other attendees included Ray J, David Arquette (who showed up in a skeleton costume), and Yvonna Kopacz (who plays Halle's mom in the new film Perfect Stranger). My girl Natasha has a few additional pics on YBF.

Happy Birthday Q-Tip!

B remembered...

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Virginia Tech, their student body, and each person touched by the tragic mass killing. For additional insight, click on this link to the New York Times.

NYC premiere - Miracle in Rwanda!

In an effort to always come with fresh and creative outlets for your NYC Knightlife experience, threeKINGS is hosting the NYC premiere and one-time unique showing of "Miracle in Rwanda" on Sat. April 21st. This award winning one-woman play is sure to move and inspire. Later that evening, threeKINGS will also be doing what they do best by hosting their Spring Fever party @ Frank's in the meat Packing District. All play ticket holders will receive complimentary admission to the party. 2 for 1, you can't beat that!
Click here for more info.

B inspired...

"Life is short, and it's up to you to make it sweet."
~ Sarah Louise "Sadie" Delany (Co-author of Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years)

B out...This Weekend! (NYC)

We know ya'll remember Shang from Comic View and those infamous comedy tours that hit the AUC. Check him out at Stand Up NY this Saturday.

If you prefer the comedic stylings of In Living Color's David Alan Grier, he's performing at Caroline's through April 15th.

Even after Waist Deep, we know some of the ladies are still willing to support Tyrese. You can get your swoon-on at the Paradise Theater where he and Trey Songz are bringing their A-game for the Alter Ego Tour.

In the mood for a glamorous crowd where looking good and knowing it is the name of the game? The JI Group has your ticket. Always a good crowd, but don't expect to be doing the A-Town stomp.

What's a weekend without a little shopping? For an intimate sample sale experience with brands like Diane Von Furstenberg, Tory Burch and Theory, check out ValStyle's Shop+Mingle Vol. II. You have to rsvp at shopandmingle@gmail.com with your preferred time and location for more info. The Fashion Bomb is in on it too, so you know it will be fly. Don't forget to tell them you heard about it on The-B-Life!

Have a great weekend!

The-B-Life Spotlight...Tia Williams!

It's only fitting that we chose Tia Williams for our first B-Life Spotlight Q&A! She has lived the fab-life as a magazine editor and is the epitome of NYC-chic. Just when we thought Tia was living the "good life", it turned great. She's currently living out her childhood dreams as a highly-celebrated author. We're trying to be like you Tia, so talk to us...

Q: The-B-Life loves everything you’re doing and have done from the high-profile magazine jobs, to writing books, and serving as a TV correspondent, etc. etc.! Have you had that OMG moment when you realized you'd finally “made it”?
A: My OMG moment would have to be about a month after my Olay commercial went national. People started recognizing me wherever I went, and actually making the connection between me as a beauty expert and as an author!

Actually, just the other day I had an OMG moment...I was shopping at H&M, and a teenage girl recognized me from my beauty blog, "Shake Your Beauty." We chatted about microdermabrasion kits for twenty minutes.

Q: What have been your biggest personal and professional accomplishments up to this point?
A: There have been a few! My biggest personal accomplishment has been my marriage...ladies, it's NOT easy! But if you treat your relationship with care and dedication, marriage can be a fabulous thing. My biggest personal accomplishments are my books...I've always wanted to be a successful author, and now I can finally say that I am.

Q: How has being a woman of color affected your career?
A: In my eight-year career as a beauty editor at magazines like Elle, Lucky, Glamour and Teen People, I was usually the only black beauty editor at a mainstream magazine (ie, at events, the only other brown editors were from Essence or, for a time, Honey). It was definitely challenging, because clearly the standard of beauty in America is still a white woman, so I came
up against a lot of walls trying to expand that notion. But the industry is changing so much...and now, it's practically the norm to discuss different skin tones and hair types in beauty articles. When I started back in 1998, that wasn't the case.

Q: We know you love “Sex in the City” (which we hear has been green lit for the big screen), so do you agree with Samantha…”Can you really have it all?” If so, what is your recipe for success? If not, which areas of your life could use a little more attention?
A: I think you can have it all...but the truth is, something always suffers a bit. I think we put unfair pressure on ourselves to juggle, juggle, juggle and be super-everything, which sets us up for failure and untold stress! I think it's all about prioritizing...sometimes family is more important. Sometimes work needs the most attention. The answer to having it all is knowing that you're not a superwoman...and not being afraid to ask for help.

That said, I don't have kids. Ask me this question in two years.

Q: If you were developing an autobiographical movie based on your life, which actress would you cast in the lead role, and why?
A: Kerry Washington! I think she's just impossibly glamorous.

Q: This is fun…put together the cast for the other key people in your life (your hubby, BFF, etc.).
A: Hmmm...my husband is delicious Dominican hunk, so maybe Benjamin Bratt?

Q: Give us your top 3 indulgences and top 3 bad habits (they can overlap).
A: My top 3 indulgences/bad habits are:
* Ice cream...I have a scoop a day.
* MTV reality shows...my DVR is littered with episodes of The Hills, Laguna
Beach, My Super Sweet 16 and DanceLife.
* Biting my nails.

Q: If you had to give one last beauty recommendation to the world, what would it be and why?
A: Buy SHU UEMURA's EYELASH CURLER: Every celeb makeup artist uses this curler, and for good reason—it makes your lashes pop like you wouldn’t believe. Layer on a coat of volumizing black mascara like Maybelline Great Lash, and you'll look like Diana Ross circa Mahogany...which is a very good thing.

Q: What is your personal definition of success?
A: I think success is all about personal fulfillment...no matter what you do in life, if it makes you feel excited to wake up each morning, then you're doing something right!

Q: We know you’re a busy gal, so what’s next?
A: I'm so excited about my juicy new teen series, IT CHICKS (Hyperion/Disney, April 07) about a group of New York City performing arts school kids. It's the first of it's kind...there's never been a sort of upscale, chick-lit "lite" teen series for multi-cultural girls. And the story is positively addictive...it's actually a guilty pleasure for adults, too! The first book in the series just hit bookstores in April, and I'm hard at work on the second one. Look out for it in 2008!

Q: Almost done…The-B-Life is a new concept for most. When you heard it for the first time, what did it mean to you? If you had to “B” (adjective) anything, what would you be and why?
A: It's corny, but I'd have to pick: B happy!

Click here to check out Tia's latest book!

Ps. For the month of April, my book club is reading Tia's first novel, The Accidental Diva (thanks Morgan). It's sinfully entertaining, and makes me wish for a few extra stops on my subway ride! Check it out.

B spotted!

Honey Magazine online has chosen The-B-Life as one of the Honey Hot 5 Blog Spots! Thanks for being a part of it. Check out the other honorees: AllHipHop, Media Take Out, BrandHabit, and YBF!

B fired...?

The-B-Life would be totally remiss if we didn't mention the Don Imus controversy. We're still trying to figure out when it became ok to call a group of black collegiate women "nappy-headed hos"? Have the "free speech" tenants of Michael Richards and Paris Hilton made this type of demonstration acceptable? (Our mouths are still agape.) Although Imus' obviously ignorant comments were made last week, it's always interesting to find out where the public falls on the issue.

Yesterday, Al Sharpton interviewed Imus very candidly on his radio program Keeping it Real. CBS has placed him on a 2 week suspension from his radio show, Imus in the Morning, but is that enough? Surprisingly some public figures who have spoken out are split in unexpected ways. For example, well-known liberal and The View co-host Rosie O'Donnell maintains "free speech" as his defense and claims that Imus shouldn't be fired for his words. Rosie even hinted that blacks like Stevie Wonder, who use the word "nappy" and have decided to "take back" the term, are to blame for Imus' willy-nilly misstep. While Rosie's more conservative and usually annoying co-host, Elisabeth Hasslebeck, has declared that 2 weeks isn't enough and suggest that Imus should be suspended until Black History Month 2008!

It's no shock that Sharpton and Reverend Jesse Jackson are calling for him to be fired, but the normally neutral Al Roker has spoken out against Imus as well. "It is time for him to go," adding that "what he said was vile and disgusting. It denigrated an entire team and by extension, a community."

The-B-Life is interested in finding out what the Rutgers Womens' Basketball team has to say. Take a look at the clip of Imus' now-infamous slurs below.

B a webmaster...

You no longer have to carry around that 5 lb yellow book or scour the sale racks for your favorite designers. Today we're giving you the ESSENTIAL websites that you should be logging onto if you haven't discovered them already. These sites will help you work smarter and faster.

TRAVEL: As a b-lifer, seeing the world is a priority. If you need to plan a visit to the fam or you just scored last minute tickets to see Oprah, we've got the BEST resources for your airborne objectives. Register for weekly round-ups of last-minute weekend travel from your city, at Smarter Travel. To plan a trip in advance, Side Step will "think" for about 45 seconds and provide you with the best deal out there.

FOOD: Whether you're looking to make s'mores or gumbo, All Recipes and FoodTV are here to serve up the "how-to"on any dish. Being modern doesn't mean we can't learn our way around the kitchen.

WORK: Need a job or want to explore which opportunities are available inside and outside of your industry? Indeed compiles the latest job postings from almost every online job site. Let it work for you!

SHOP: Sale shopping has never been easier! Shopittome allows you to pick your favorite designers, size, style of clothing, etc, and they will send you weekly alerts of these hard to find bargains. Amazon has also just launched a new site, Endless.com, which allows you to search through thousands of handbags and shoes, Amazon-style.

INFO: Last, but not least, information is priceless, knowledge is power, yada, yada, yada...So don't sleep on Black Refer, which is the source to find all things urban on the web. Also, when you need to track down the address of an old friend to send a holiday card or plug-in info for mapquest, ZabaSearch has you covered. Finally, when in doubt, Ask.com and Jeeves will guide you through any query and direct you to a site with an answer. Here's a tip, don't accept the first answer that pops up - check a few sites and cross-reference the results before you move forward.

B plugged into...the PJ Morton Band!

The soulful, funky, sound of The PJ Morton band will make you a fan from the first few bars. The self-proclaimed "fly nerd", got his music start in New Orleans in his father's church. When he moved to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College, he was able to hone his craft by immersing himself in all things music. Now, PJ is grooving with his namesake band, writing songs we can all feel, and delivering personal performances every time. The latest album, The Perfect Song, drops on April 10th. Don't miss this one!

Upcoming tour dates
4.06.2007 Santa Monica, CA Temple Bar
4.12.2007 Birmingham, AL The Workplay Theater
4.13.2007 Charlotte, NC Tempo
4.14.2007 Atlanta, GA Centerstage (LIVE RECORDING)
4.15.2007 Nashville, TN The Bar Cafe
4.17.2007 Richmond, VA Paradise Lounge
4.18.2007 Norfolk, VA Fuzzy Wednesdays @ Granby Theater
4.19.2007 Baltimore, MD Eden's Lounge
4.20.2007 Washington D.C. The Black Cat
4.21.2007 Detroit, MI The Buzz Bar
4.22.2007 Chicago, IL Club 151
4.27.2007 New York, NY Joe's Pub
5.01.2007 Macon, GA Georgia Music Hall of Fame presents Live at Five

Get to know the PJ Morton Band a little better...

Happy Birthday Renee' Jackson!

This weekend, Renee' Jackson was living The-B-Life as she celebrated the 3rd installment of her birthday celebration. Part 1 - drinks with co-workers at an undisclosed location to ring in the big day and a recent promotion. Part 2 - a pomegranate-infused birthday feast with 10 of her closest friends at Dos Caminos. Part 3- a fashionably late party at the chic UWS restaurant/lounge, Loft NYC. The beautiful people were out, and the music was right. No pretense, just a great Saturday night. Take a look...

B fab Renee'... Happy 25th!

B a media maven...

Want the 411 on how to break into the media industry, expand your existing network, or learn about a new aspect of the wonderful world of media? The Center for Communication in NYC has several AMAZING programs designed to give you all the media/entertainment insight you could ever want. Here is a sampling of FREE seminars taking place in NYC...

Marketing in the Digital Age
Thursday, April 5
6:30 to 8:00 pm

The Cyberspace revolution is changing mass marketing at an astonishing rate as the Web becomes the best route to reaching any given target group. If you're in the marketing field, or plan to enter, it's vital to understand the concepts on which Web-based marketing is built. Our experts demystify vernacular and explain what you need to get up to speed.

Anthony Schneider, CEO, Peersuasion
Anton Konikoff, CEO, Acronym Media
Bill Dyszel, New Media/Tech Consultant; author, Microsoft Outlook for Dummies,
Liz Lynch, Executive Director, Center for Networking Excellence
Paul Borgese, Manager of Emerging Markets, Associated Press Digital (moderator)

New York University
Kimmel Center
Silver Board Room, #914
60 Washington Square South

Co-produced with the NYU Steinhardt Department of Culture and Communication

Branded Entertainment
Wednesday, April 11
6:30 to 8:30 pm

No longer settling for the 30-second spot, brands strive to be more visible and more subtle at the same time, as the endangered spot gives way to reality show and video game tie-ins, and brand-generated content appears everywhere from YouTube and Xbox to airplanes and movie theaters. Those in the avant garde of the branding revolution report on what's working, what isn't, and where the trend is headed. Presented by the Center for Communication.

Kirk Iwanowski, EVP, Marketing, Branded Entertainment & Sponsorship, Sundance Channel
Patti Kim, Vice President, William Morris Agency
Chet Fenster, Managing Partner, Director of Content Creation, MEC Entertainment
Bill Hilary, President, Magna Global Entertainment
Stuart Elliot, Advertising Columnist, New York Times (moderator)

HBO
1100 Avenue of the Americas (at 42nd Street)
15th Floor Theater

The Importance of Being Funny
Tuesday, April 17
6:30 to 8:00 pm

When Bill Clinton was desperate to divert an unfriendly Washington Press Corps, humor was a tactic and speechwriter/humorist Mark Katz was his secret weapon. Katz, founder of The Sound Bite Institute (a "one-man comedy think tank"), has helped hundreds of politicians and corporate types sound like comedy pros. Katz offers pointers to aspiring writers, publicists, performers, public speakers and anyone else who wants to charm an audience, beguile their friends and just get everybody to lighten up already.

Mark Katz, humor writer; author, Clinton & Me: A Real Life Political Comedy

Hunter College
Hunter North Building, 4th Floor
Lang Recital Hall (enter on 69th Street between Park & Lexington Aves.)

An Evening with Lifetime's Betty Cohen
Wednesday, April 18
6:30 to 8:00 pm

A wonderful opportunity to hear from Betty Cohen, President and CEO of Lifetime Entertainment Services (owned by The Hearst Corporation and the Walt Disney Company), where she oversees Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Online as well as a broad range of brand extensions including Lifetime Radio for Women®, Lifetime Home Entertainment and Lifetime Press. Ms. Cohen, who created and launched the Cartoon Network during her 14-year stint at Turner, will discuss new approaches to successful brand building in the digital age. Join us to learn what's next at one of the biggest and most popular cable nets.

Janet Stilson, Author, Reporter, Screenwriter and Editor

Hunter College
Hunter North Building
Lang Recital Hall, 4th Floor (enter on 69th St. between Park and Lexington)

Presented with New York Women in Film & Television
Please Call NYWIFT to register at (212)679-0870 ext.3 or www.nywift.org to register.

The Gersh Talent Agency
Friday, May 4
11:00 am

Do you have what it takes to be a talent agent? If you're fast on your feet, know the entertainment business and have a flair for negotiation. Learn first- hand from the pros at The Gersh Agency what it takes to succeed.

Jennifer Konawal, Literary/Talent agent
Kyetay Buckner, Talent Agent
Sara Self, Literary Agent
Chris Highland, Talent Agent
Jason Gutman, Talent Agent

STUDENT ON-LOCATION

Please note: Must be a student, please email info@cencom.orgto register. Please provide your name and school.

Click here for the complete schedule.

B recognized...

Stoli Vodka threw a party at Home nightclub in NYC to recognize the talent of celebrity photographer, Johnny Nunez. Johnny travels the world taking pictures of everyone from Diddy to Naomi Campbell. After 10 years in the game, Johnny is just getting started with a soon-to-be released book, a line of hip-hop greeting cards, and more.

Johnny got his start at a time when mainstream media wasn't looking to capture images of black celebrities. Back then, Jay-Z could roll-out with Foxy Brown without flashing bulbs. Pioneers like Johnny, made black celebs more accessible by capturing them on film, turning them from household names into real people.

With a little determination, hustle and strong faith, this void created the perfect opportunity for Johnny to take over. Much of his early work involved snapping pics for VIBE's "In the Mix" section. He was surprised the first time the magazine's accounting department asked him "where they should send the invoice?". Soon after, he realized that he could not only get paid, but actually turn an impassioned hobby into a business.

Take a look at some pics from the event. (These photos were NOT taken by Johnny...finally, a day off!)

Man of the hour - Johnny Nunez.

Pre-party press interview

Johnny & his fiance

Johnny Nunez, Melyssa Ford, Zion, and Swizz Beats

Stoli cocktails were flowing (of course)!

Melyssa Ford

Victor, Perren & Mike brought Wall Street to the Meat-Packing district.

Ms. Rodwell and friend came through.

La Kalle, DJ Precise & DJ Cuba

Brandi & Shavonne looked lovely while chillin' by the bar.

Miss Saigon & friends

Johnny's Hall of Fame Wall