A Perfect Spring Day in NYC

So you thought you would see perfect little yellow and pink blooms surrounded by lush green leaves and grass, right? Well, wrong! The snowflakes pelted my naked face and the cold breeze felt like the Arctic on the First Day of Spring in NYC. I must confess, however; that I think I might miss the snow covered tree branches and building structures. The snow leaves a pillowy, white surface everywhere and you cannot dispute it’s beauty. I will miss it but I can also live with seeing it only once, well maybe twice, per year.

Lets make a toast to the upcoming warmer temps please. Cheers!

Photos: John Ricard

www.johnricard.com

On Leica Camera

March 21, 2015 1

Snow Day in New York City. #Juno

We were expecting the mother of all blizzards, instead it was just a regular snow day in New York City. I am relieved because I am not prepared nor do I want to be bothered by the catastrophe that Juno, nickname for said blizzard, would have caused. The white powdery stuff is no friend of mine but is a beloved member of Winter for my 10-year-old. She loves laying in it, rolling around in it, making snow angels…you get the picture. I want no parts of it. The sand is more of a great friend of mine.

Our Snow Day Favorites:

The morning started off with a cup of coffee from my new favorite mug. Picked it up on the after Christmas sale from Target.

The digging out of the cars as yet to begin.

The cold weather calls for layers and this sweater from Old Navy is perfect for layering.

...and yes I am wearing kid's snow boots. My daughter outgrew them but they fit me perfectly fine. — …and yes I am wearing kid’s snow boots. My daughter outgrew them but they fit me perfectly fine.

She insisted on tasting the snow but I cautioned her against the yellow kind.

How did you spend your snow day?

IG:

@Oldnavy

@Target

January 27, 2015 0

Loving and Lusting: The Black Ripped Knee Jean

Just when you thought a pair of skinny black jean could get no better, our favorite bloggers and personalities add the edge of ripped knees. Would I wear it to the office? No. However, it is perfect for the night out with a great fun top or blazer. It is also perfect for those casual weekends paired with your favorite comfy tee shirt. Whatever you want to do with it is completely up to you. There are no limits with this fun trend. I suggest copping an inexpensive pair from a brand like Forever 21 or TopShop and rip your own knees. You can get into the more high end brand like Asos or JBrand if you want the knees ripped for you. Whatever you do, enjoy!

The black and camel coat and nude sandals are perfectly paired.

January 22, 2015 0

I Am The American Dream; Thanks to People Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Remember a few years back when Diddy, well maybe it was Puff Daddy back then, rocked that “I Am The American Dream” t-shirt? I remember. It really spoke to me. The message about living the American Dream, in actuality, being the American Dream. I’m an immigrant. I came to this country from Jamaica at the age of 8. I’ve attended elementary, middle, high school and college in America. I am close to my Jamaican roots but like most immigrants I am striving for the American Dream. I identify as an American. This culture (American) is who I am. If you dropped me off in Jamaica right now I would be able to survive but I would have some time getting used to the culture. I’m fast moving, fast talking and suspicious of most people and places; that I will attribute to being raised in New York City. I vote in damn near every election and take my rights seriously. I have admiration and respect for people who fought for my right to be treated like a human being in the country that I call home. We must all pay homage. When we look at men like Diddy who are multi-millionaires (he is only the archetype because there are many Black people who are enjoying wealth and status in America) I can only think of the beauty of the American Dream. We strive for it daily. It stems from the cries of immigrants and the former enslaved. We work for it because we helped build it. I am the american dream…..

January 19, 2015 0

Vivica Fox Collection: Straight Wig With a Bang. Perfect For Protective Styling.

It’s wintertime so that means protective styling time for many of you ladies who want to not put too much stress on our hair. I revel in my curls and wear them out all Summer long but winter is when i run for the wig. Well honestly, it’s too darn hot for a wig in the Summer but you didn’t hear that from me. My new Winter wig is a fabulous, light, natural looking straight bang wig from The Vivica Fox Collection. I am loving the texture of the hair and the low maintenance that this wig employs in my morning routine. It needs no product to have the right amount of shine. My only wish is that this unit had hair combs on the inside to have it fit more securely on the head. It’s sexy yet not overtly lush and fake looking. Kudos to this style and for a little over $100 this little unit pays for itself after about a month of wear.

Vivica wearing the style in blonde.

www.vivicafoxhair.com

Twitter:

@Vivica_Fox_Hair

December 17, 2014 0

Bridget Kelly Makes Pretty Look Sexy For Hype Hair.

Singer and songwriter, Bridget Kelly brought some seriously sexy yet pretty looks to the pages of Hype Hair Magazine. This video takes us behind the scenes at John Ricard’s studio where we see the styling team create a sexy red pout, soft/sexy shoulder length tress and some hot Spring outfits. I love the African print short shorts parked with the white tank. We are seeing these prints more and more on the runway from designers like Agnes B. and Burberry Prosum. I remember seeing the fitted shorts for the first time on Draya Michele and fell in love instantly.

Let’s visit Bridget on set:

http://youtu.be/UxuKLvEcSiM

@HypeHair

@Johnricardnyc

Instagram:

@IamBridgetKelly

December 12, 2014 0

BET’s Host Keisha Chante’s Hair and Beauty Looks for Hype Hair.

As BET’s 106 and Park comes to a close, Hype Hair Magazine brings us closer to it’s hosts hair and beauty routines with this behind the scenes look. Keisha was captured on a shoot at John Ricard’s studio where she was shot for a beauty spread. The hair and beauty team captured a soft, beautiful look that includes pink palates on the face and bouncy curls to highlight lush tresses. The looks are perfect for all seasons and can be replicated if you follow the expertise listed in the video below.

Go behind the scenes with John Ricard and Hype Hair:

Twitter:

@Johnricardnyc

@HypeHair

@106andpark

December 12, 2014 0

Porridge and Bammy: Breakfast of Champions

When you think of porridge you may think of Goldie Locks and The Three Bears. You know the little girl who broke into the bear’s home and tasted their porridge. Well, when I think of porridge I am instantly transported to Jamaica where weekday breakfast may consist of cornmeal porridge and a slice of hard dough bread, don’t forget the butter. This is the sweetest taste imaginable. A great warm base of a food,laced with the sweetness of brown sugar or condensed milk. Just sweet goodness.

Now the barmy is a whole other level of greatness. It isn’t sweet, it is the perfect fried, soft yet crispy cassava root starch. The barmy is a great base for a savory dish like the ackee and saltfish. The perfect little fried triangles are one of my favorite things that I don’t get to eat as often as I would like. I had the please of having both at Brooklyn’s own Jamaican eatery, Footprints Cafe. Well now they have an eatery in Georgia as well so the South is also getting a taste of JA.

Creamy Porridge and Perfectly Crisp, Fried Bammy.

This was after I threw the IG filter on it. Lol

She had the Rasta Pasta. The Footprints famous dish.

November 23, 2014 0

The weekends are made for catching up with the things that did not get done during the week. You know, duties like the laundry, changing the lightbulb that has been out all week, cleaning the grimy floors or tackling the tub. Well, thats my weekend. You may very well be way more glamorous than me. When I venture out for outdoor chores or just to hang, I keep it super casual. No make-up and no fancy.

My Weekend Favorites:

I am currently living for this grey coat that I bought for a great deal on an online store www.jollychic.com. It feels like I’m wearing my bathrobe. Super comfy feel. Also along for the ride are my black staples: Cynthia Rowley bag and black Gap turtleneck sweater. www.gap.com www.cynthiarowley.com

November 23, 2014 0

When Only a Leather Jacket and sunglasses Will Do. #Forever21 #FosterGrantSunglasses

I’m a fan of all things black. My wardrobe staples all come in the color black. My favorite jacket, dress, pants and sunglasses are all black. I fit perfectly into the milieu of New York City. When I find myself enjoying the sun in Miami Beach, I am that solo New York Chick rocking all black. May I add that this does not bother me…Lol. Lets take a look at some of my closet favorites.

My Closet Favorites: Thigh High Black Boots, Black Sunglasses (Foster Grant), and Black Pleather Jacket (Forever 21)