B a bachelorette!

Dana: The Blushing Bride

July 4th is made for Essence Fest, The Hamptons, Martha's Vineyard, backyard BBQ's and bachelorette parties on South Beach. Yep, we partied it up this weekend with 25 women at our favorite MIA hot spots. We started at Philippe for tasty fare at the recently opened Gansevoort Hotel, A Fish Called Avalon, and a partied at Opium Garden. The pre-wedding getaway was the perfect recipe for relaxation, bonding with girlfriends, and a golden tan to make the entire bridal party glow on the big day.

Philippe

The Beach

A Fish Called Avalon

Ocean Dr.

Opium Garden/Prive'

B spotted...

Wesley Snipes was spotted pushing fellow actor Daryl "Chill" Mitchell down the the strip on South Beach. Humanitarian or hunting for a photo op? Hmmm...

B quoted...

"I'm just riding this train as long as I can. As long as I'm having fun, I'll do it. When it stops being fun, I'll try something else. Maybe I'll open up a chain of Popeye's Chicken." ~ Gabrielle Union

Win a free pair of Christian Louboutin Stilettos!

UsWeekly coined the term "Recessionista" for the fabulous ones who have an eye for the most desirable must-have items, despite the misfortune of living fashionably in the current economic climate. Too funny, but quite appropriate!

As a result, I had to share an unconventional way to win a pair of the coveted red-bottom Christian Louboutin stilettos. As 3rd Lane/Jive Records introduces the world to Lee Carr, all you have to do is...well, why don't you find out for yourself. Click here to find out how to enter for a chance to win a pair of the hottest stilettos on the market.

Watch Lee Carr's personal invitation below:


The B-Life may air my our favorite entry, so shoot me an email at theblife@gmail.com and send a link to your video! Go 'head - rock 'em. Loubou's don't fall out of the sky every day. Good luck!

BET AWARDS 2008 - Red Carpet Fashion

I hope ya'll got a chance to check out the red carpet action at the BET AWARDS the other night!

My favorite:

Unfortunately not loving...

What did you think? Let me know. And for more coverage - check out Jezebel.com.

B EXPOSED: Sex & the City - LIES & TRUTHS

If you ask a 20-something young woman why she moved to New York City, it's likely that her answers may have something to do with a little series called "Sex & the City." (The fashion, the friendships, the fun - oh my!) But as a new audience experiences the fab four through the movie release, it's only right time expose some of the lies & truths about the lifestyles lead by Carrie & the gang.

LIES

4 women can really walk down a Manhattan sidewalk shoulder-to-shoulder and side-by-side without getting whacked or cursed out by on-comers.

Your driver is always on time, and parked right in front of your building.

It's possible to never wear flats and relentlessly pound the pavement in 4.5 inch stilettos - and in the meatpacking district, no less.

You can rent a spacious 1 bedroom apartment on the UES for less than $1000 a month.

A publicist, an author, a corporate lawyer, and an art gallery director/housewife can sync their schedules to have a drink a least once a week.

Neighbors in your building are ever this sexy (and available)!


TRUTHS

You will eat LOTS of brunch.

Fashion will inspire you - daily. (For better or worse.)

You just might get a dream offer to work for Vogue.

You will make friends for life.

You can fall in love.

B a jetsetter!

Travel season is upon us, so why not jet in-style? A few essentials will keep you fabulously functional while flying high!

WRAP

This Banana Republic Long-Sleeve Wrap Cardigan is key to staying warm and chic on your flight. Layering pieces are easy to grab on your way out the door will help you to keep your outfit simple. All you need are comfortable jeans and a tank!

SUNGLASSES (AVIATORS)

You don't have to be the pilot to rock these stunners. Ray-Ban Original Aviator Sunglasses are classics that can cover a few bags if you had a late-night out before boarding the plane.

PASSPORT CASEYou can't go too far without your passport, but you can take you can instantly upgrade your look with a chic Abas Wave Passport Case. Love this one!

COLORFUL CARRY-ON

Laptop, magazines, wallet - check! Fit it all into a fun, colorful bag like this J.Crew Lugano Leather Valise. It would be hard to leave this standout piece behind.

SCENTED HAND CREAMAsh-checks are necessary before and after you get on the plane. A clean, but fragrant lotion like L'Occitane Lavender Hand Cream will keep you moisturized and a little dab here and there will freshen your senses before you land.


HIGH-FIBER SNACK

Food is hard to come by on most commercial flights, so pack a box of Triscuits on your way out. Hi-altitudes can leave you backed-up (it's true), so hi-fiber snacks will keep everything moving while satisfying your hunger.

B quoted...

“I was just a typical South Side little black girl... Not a whole lot of money. Going to the circus once a year was a big deal....I enjoyed it there [Princeton]. I liked the safety and quiet. It helped having an older brother who was a basketball star...Of course, it was different, being black, but I found a black support base for myself. It was also different not being filthy rich...At the end of the year, these limos would come to get kids, and me and my brother would be carrying our cardboard boxes down to the train station. But it helped my confidence, being able to succeed there. I actually knew lots of kids in high school who could have competed there, academically. You just had to get in. So much of getting ahead in this world is access, networking.” ~Michelle Obama

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this woman. Get it Michelle!

B out...TONIGHT!

B thrifty...

Living the B-Life doesn't exclude doing it big on a budget. Whether you're saving for a trip to South Africa or trying to stash cash to get a Miu Miu bag this Fall - these tips will definitely help you out!

HOLD THAT PURCHASE! Before you make your next online purchase, head to Retail Me Not for discount codes to countless online retailers! I recently got a 20% discount and free shipping on a 1200-thread count duvet set.

CALLING ALL CURL-GIRLS: Sign-up for your free hair cut at the Ouidad Salon today. Ouidad specializes in curly hair, and they dole out experts cuts during training sessions with their special "carve & slice" method.

SHIP THIS - Did you know that Greyhound can ship clothing/furniture/packages cross-country for hundreds less than the usual shipping methods? Just call/go to their website to learn more about the "Cargo" program. My girl's mom recently found an antique chair in LA, and now it lives in her Harlem digs for a mere $30....

CUSTOM DRAPES for all! Apparently custom drapes aren't just for those with pricey interior designers. Visit a fabric store, pick a material/pattern you love, and bring it to your local dry cleaners. A good dry cleaner can place all the necessary hems/pleats to create the perfect panels for your pad.

DRIVE EASY! Getting a new ride is easier (and cheaper) than you think. Sites like Swap A Lease allow you to take over a pre-existing car lease at an extremely reasonable rate. The down payments have already been made, so all you have to do is pitch in monthly. My boy got a 3-series BMW ("B My Wifey"/"Black Man's Wish" - I didn't make those up!) for less than 3 Ben's a month. Not a bad deal.

B: "Black In America"

This July, CNN unveils the stories of one of the most culturally influential, yet misunderstood groups in the country - BLACK PEOPLE. All of our journeys may vary, but our shared legacy is the same. Take a sneak peak at this provocative and telling special about a group struggling to keep it together at a time when we have everything, but risk losing even more all at the same time.

B quoted...

"But out of limitations comes creativity." ~ Debbie Allen

B out - THIS WEEKEND...(NYC)

What: Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
When: Friday June 13th - 12:30PM
Where: Blue Note Jazz Club
Why: Every time I catch these guys on the street I'm mesmerized by their music. Really - if you can stay up, don't miss this one.

What: Dangerous Girl
When: Saturday June 14
Where: Kion Lounge - 509 E. 6th St. (btw Ave. A & B)
Why: Time for a night out...

B out - TONIGHT!

And so it begins...Lots of options for the summer. This one at Level V will definitely be a good look. Enjoy!

B out(doors) for lunch...

I think I may have found the perfect work-week lunch spot - MARIA PIA, located on 319 W. 51st St. (btw. 8th $ 9th Ave.)!

If you're a sucker for eating outdoors (like me), you can dine Euro cafe-style in the front, or in the back on the patio.

But if you prefer to stay cool at all times, the inside is equally adorable.

There's also an AMAZING prix fixe lunch special. For $12.95 you get antipasti, secondi, and dolci! You can't beat that with a stick!

(The outdoor patio)

Sure, we may have gotten back to the office about about 15 minutes late, but it was worth it!

Head to www.mariapianyc.com for more info.