B-LOVED: Frosted Moon

BK's finest does not begin and end with Lil' Kim and Coney Island hot dogs. We recently discovered FROSTED MOON, and fell in love! This smart boutique carries the perfect gift for a housewarming, birthday, or bachelorette party! It's the perfect one-stop shop for gifting, or buying yourself something that will make you and others smile. They specialize in the everyday luxuries that you might not need, but won't want to live without!

FROSTED MOON
88 S Portland Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 858-3161

Ada - The Owner

Frosted Moon sells original gifts for any occasion like this kitschy pottery set.

If you're scent-obsessed like me, the Voluspa Collection will be your new best friend. Even the box is gorgeous.

Frosted Moon hasn't forgotten about the fellas. A good flask will last for years!

The space is not huge, but the selections are tastefully edited.

Late for a kiddie-party? Frosted Moon will help you keep the tykes happy.

Need a card? Come with a sense of humor. These are cute and perfect.

I already told ya'll about these Abas Clutch Wallets - LOVE!

And if you're looking for a way to switch it up, Ada's got that too...


The next time you're in BK - make a stop at FROSTED MOON! Tell the owner you saw her on The B-Life! This is definitely a b-loved spot worth visiting.

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!

B at Jazz Fest!!!

Looking for a last minute getaway this weekend? If so, head to 'Nawlins (my fave city - tied with NYC, of course)! This is the final weekend to get in on the action at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Jazz Fest is arguably, the best event to go down in the bayou - even above Mardi Gras and Essence Festival. If N.O. Jazz Fest is new to you, let me sum it up: Food, Music, Sun. It's a pretty simple concept, but ooooweee, if you've never had crawfish bread in one hand, and a daiquiri in the other while laying on a blanket listening to Stevie Wonder, you haven't fully lived!

Check out a few of the acts hitting the stage this weekend!

Friday May 3rd

STEVIE WONDER

Saturday May 3rd

THE ROOTS

DIANA KRALL

Sunday May 4th

SANTANA

MAZE FEAT. FRANKIE BEVERLY

REBIRTH BRASS BAND

B in the Spotlight...Alesha Renee'

B in the Spotlight w/ BET's...
ALESHA RENEE'

1. What are your stats ?
I'm from Lake Charles, Louisiana raised in Houston, TX. military brat! Attended Univ. of Houston pre-law. I currently reside in NY.

2. How did you get into the world of entertainment?
I was discovered by BET at 22, making me the youngest person on the network! I had to interview, do cold reads and cold interviews and a week later out of 20,000 people, I'm here!

3. Did you always plan to be in limelight?
Yes! In one way or the other I started off wanting to do music... then went to entertainment law then ended up in broadcasting.

4. What was your first big break?
I think I'm actually still waiting on it… lol. I have a great start to my career and while I'm learning and growing I'm still not in the place where I'm a household name, and that’s the goal… so that’s the big break I'm waiting on :-)

5. Was there someone that you met along the way that totally shaped your career path?
Um...pre-television days it was Mr. Malinsky, my high school broadcast journalism teacher. He ALWAYS knew I would be in entertainment. He said “pickles ALWAYS remain you and the world will love you like we all do.”

6. What projects are you currently working on?
I'm currently developing my non-profit organization called Mae Bells Angels, as well as serving as a spokesperson for NCADV - the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the BET Rap It Up Tour, the Pantene “Total You” tour as well, as some acting

7. Have you met any celebs that you absolutely love/or that you could have done without?
lol - I won't throw any one under the bus...but, I LOVED QUEEN Latifah! She was FABULOUS!!

8. What was it like when you first started getting recognized on the street?
Crazy, because it took a minute for it to kick-in that people were just recognizing me and for the longest I was always wondering why in the heck were people staring at me...lol.

9. Where would you like to see yourself in the next 5 years?
Happy, successful and growing in my craft.

10. If you weren't a media figure/actress, what else would you be doing?
I'd probably be a psychologist, dealing with all my friends issues since they think I have all the answers - lol.

11. When you're not working, how do you spend your downtime..if you have any?
I take bubble baths, cook, write, read, spend time with family, and watch church online.

12. Any advice for someone trying to pursue similar path?
Yes, be you and just have fun! Take it one day at a time, tomorrow will work itself out.

13. If you had to give yourself one "B" what would it be?
BLESSED and BOUNDLESS!!!!!!!!

Photo credits: Nigel D. for The Avenue Report Magazine

Thanks Alesha - keep doing your thing!
xo, Jen, The B-Life

B quoted...

"There is a light at the end of the tunnel... hopefully its not a freight train!" ~ Mariah Carey

B out - THIS WEEKEND!

Some great options for this weekend...

What: George Lois: The Esquire Covers
When: April 25th, 2008 - March 31st, 2009
Where: MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) 11 E. 53rd st. (near 5th Ave.)
Why: This collection is just as artistically relevant as it historically telling.

What: Samba Soul
When: Saturday April 26th (8:30p, 10:30p, 12:30a)
Where: SOB's 204 Varick St. (@ W. Houston)
Why: The music of Brazil...I'm so there!

What: threeKINGS presents....Spring Fever
When: Saturday April 26th
Where: France Origine - 71 Spring st. (btw. Lafayette & Crosby)
Why: It's time for a good one.