SMELL ME

HAWAIIAN RUBY GUAVA BY PACIFICA
i absolutely love this candle. it smells so divine...every time i go to border's book store i have to take a whiff...the scent is so powerful that it makes me believe i'm on a tropical vacation! the candle is handmade from soy (natural & clean). the soy candle ranges in price from $4.95 for a 3 oz candle to $19.95 for 10.5 oz soy candle gift box set. pacifica candles come in a variety of scents & the box it comes in is so cute! not only do they sell the soy candle you can also purchase pillar candles, natural soaps, natural body butters, & perfumes. check out their website to learn more about pacifica products. http://www.pacificacandles.com

SALES REPORT

HERE'S A SAMPLE OF WHAT'S ON SALE THIS WEEKEND...BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE STORES AND THEIR WEBSITES. URBN.COM,SHOPBOP.COM,STEVEMADDEN.COM,NET-A-PORTER.COM,CLUB MONACO,ARMANIEXCHANGE.COM,HAYDEN-HARNETT

sole searching

TOMS shoes are inspired by Argentine workers. They were created to make life more comfortable. While visiting Argentina designer Blake Mycoskie's realized the children's need for shoes. Mycoskie will match every pair purchased with a donated pair to a child in need. The shoes come in about 18 different colors and patterns $38/pair. They are unisex they tend to run small so order a 1/2 size up. Visit his website http://www.tomsshoes.com/ to purchase a pair & to find out more information about this worthy cause.

genetics

are you in the market for a new pair of jeans? well look no further than http://www.nordstrom.com/ they have an excellent selection of denim for everyone. anything you can think of nordstrom has it. all kinds of styles, colors, lengths, & brands for you to select from. if nordstrom is not the store for you check out http://www.shopbop.com/ they now have 7 for all mankind short bootcut jeans (31 inseam) for the ladies with not so long legs...joe's jeans also makes their jeans with a shorter inseam, joes provocateur, they can be found at nordstrom, saks, & neiman marcus. if you have legs for days you have endless options especially since just about every designer makes their jeans with @ least a 32" inseam you will have no difficulty finding the perfect pair. just remember to take your time, try on several pairs to find the best fitting pair & don't purchase a pair based soley on the label/brand! buy jeans that fit well and make you look great. take a look at what i found...

top left,7 for all mankind short bootcut $189 shopbop, joes provocateur $158 nordstrom

bottom left, hudson skinny leg $155 nordstrom, 7 for all mankind ginger wide leg $143 nordstrom

a shade in between

i was reading the july issue of marie claire and i came across a very interesting article, "Black Woman, White Skin", about a young black female who was born with a genetic abnormality called albinism. we really don't hear much about this disease that often...according to marie claire 1 in every 17,000 children is born with albinism. marie claire did an excellent job showcasing the difficulities this young lady faced while growing in jackson, MS...a girl with white skin, blonde hair, & green eyes...with black parents. to learn more about this young girl's disease and her daily struggles pick up the july issue of marie claire while you're out and about this weekend OR visit your local library and read the magazine for free.

birdie butter

have a wonderful weekend

knocking BOOTS?

fall is just around the corner...i can't explain how excited i am about seeing all the new fall merchandise arriving in the stores as i speak. fall 2007 is looking very similar to last season as far as footwear is concerned. the flat boot and booties/ankle boot are making another debut this season. that's great for all of us that made these purchases last season...we can open our closets and dust off our boots and keep our wallets shut...unless you're like me and you just have to have go out and buy the LATEST pair of boots! i found quite a few fabulous pairs of boots...here's a taste of what birdie butter will be wearing this fall...enjoy

top row left to right marc jacobs bow bootie $625(neimans), loeffler randall sylvie boot $625(shopbop), middle row left to right leather cross strap boot $120 (urbn), hunter rain boot $98 (shopbop) bottom row left to right leather foldover $88 (urbn), juicy couture ezra flat boot $450 (shopbop)

birdie butter

CLUTCH THIS

clutch magazine is an amazing online magazine that's geared towards multicultural women. the magazine covers a variety of topics such as beauty fashion life & culture. on a recent venture to the site i discovered an article from the miami herald that talks about the black experience in latin america. very interesting series that everyone should read. you can either go to http://www.clutchmagonline.com and read the featured article, "A Must Read: Black Denial," or you can go to the miami herald website and read the series by clicking on this link:
http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/afrolatin/index.html either route you take it's a series that should be read. clutch magazine should be a definitely be on your favorite's list. sign up for the monthly issue it's free and very informative.

birdie butter

GO LIBERTINE & DEVI KROELL

Patrick Robinson's GO line for Target will be departing soon (july 14th) and the new arrival will be LIBERTINE. Johnson Hartig and Cindy Greene are the designers of Libertine. If you want a sneak pick of the line grab the July issue of Glamour (pg. 62) and Marie Claire (pg.38). The pieces seem to have a nautical type feel to them (stripes...red/blue/white). To find out more about the designers of libertine check out this article I found: http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/designers/bios/libertine/ ! Also while at Target look for a faux python handbag designed by Devi Kroell that only cost $34.99. The designer's original bag that provided inspiration for the Target bag retails for a whopping $2590. This bag is featured in the July issue of Marie Claire (pg.36) For more information on Devi Kroell check out the website http://www.devikroell.com

birdie butter

dress me

dresses are the best...you don't have to worry about whether or not this top matches this bottom throw on a dress and a HOT pair of shoes (heels or flats whatever you prefer) and you're good to go! dresses are everywhere this summer and there are a variety of price ranges and styles for everyone's wallet and body shape/size. here are a few of my favorites. top row left to right forever 21 $24.80, frenchconnection $158, bottom row left to right l.a.m.b $465, ya-ya $407 (prices may vary at different stores it may even be on sale)

A CHANGE GON' COME

I received this email today from someone close to me and I thought it should be shared.

"Didn't know if you all knew about this already, but its worth sharing. NAACP wins on "nigger" in dictionary. A Small Victory...A Giant Step (Thanks NAACP)!! There has been a change in Webster's Dictionary. Kweisi Mfume, President and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) recently gave a speech at Virginia Tech. Everyone was informed that a landmark decision was made last week with the people at Merriam-Webster Dictionary. They have recognized the error of their ways. So, beginning with the next edition, the word nigger will no longer be synonymous with African-Americans. It shall be duly noted that it's a racial slur and not what African-Americans themselves are. Along with this, all racial and religious slurs will finally be indicated for what they really are - cruel and evil slurs too often used to degrade people. Please share this information with others!!This change should serve notice to people, corporations, etc., that when individuals stick together to right a wrong, a change is gonna come. This wasn't just a victory for African-Americans, but for everyone. Now if we can only get some of our young black men/women to stop using it so freely...then we will truly win. Pass it along so we make sure that we all know the deal. The gospel is one gift you can keep and still pass on to others."

I hope this is step in the right direction for black people/african-americans especially our youth.

i'm bringing SAVING back

i know i am guilty of always talking about fashion, shopping, traveling....things that require you to spend money. BUT before i do any of that i pay myself first & pay all of my bills in FULL! everyone should TRY to put away at least 10% of their income...it really should come out automatically so you're not tempted to spend it. if you can't put away 10% put away something like $10 or $20 a week. why not make your money work for you. there are so many high yielding accounts out there right now that you could really be making some money off of your money. here are some examples of high yielding accounts: ING direct orange savings account you can earn 4.5% interest, FDIC insured, no minimums, no fees, easy online transfers, Capital One has a high yield money market account that pays 4.75% interest, no fees, no minimum, free checks & ATM card, easy online transfers & FDIC insured up to $100,000, ETRADE complete savings account is paying 5.05% interest, no minimum, no fees FDIC insured. *NOTE: interest rates may vary day to day* you have to decide what's right for you but there are ways for you to secure your financial future right now. if you are the type that likes to take risks buy some stocks...there are online sites also such as sharebuilders, ameritade, & ameriprise. if you save every time you get paid then you will not feel bad when you decide to buy a pair of the latest jimmy choos or a marc jacobs handbag. take the time and think about your future.

birdie butter

disclaimer
i am in no way affiliated with any of the above mentioned banking/financial institutions. for more information about the high yield accounts mentioned in this blog go to their websites & do some research so you can make an informed decision about what's best for you. everything mentioned in this blog is my opinion.

TOBI

azalea online is launching a new clothing line for men & women called "TOBI" be one of the first to view the line once it's launched...go to http://www.azaleaonline.com and sign up for their newsletter. BONUS when you sign up for the newsletter you get a chance to win a $500 shopping spree!!! they also have other cool lines like grey ant...edun...ksubi...& nudie jeans. be ahead of the crowd!

birdie butter

FALLING in love with FALL

YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE SOME OF FALL'S MOST DESIRED PIECES AND TRENDS IN YOUR CLOSET SO HANG ONTO THEM. FALL IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER EVEN THOUGH IN MOST PLACES IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT BECAUSE IT'S SO @!*^%& HOT! JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT IT WILL NOT BE HOT FOREVER! IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS YOU ARE AHEAD OF THE GAME WHEN IT COMES TO FALL TRENDS 2007:

SHEATH DRESSES THE COLOR GRAY IS HOLDING ON STRONG KNITS SLEEVES WITH DETAILS WIDE LEGGED PANTS BLUE (NAVY & COBALT) BLACK 3/4 SLEEVE COATS BOWS IN THE HAIR BELTED WAISTS HIGH WAIST SKIRTS mad about PLAID BOOTIES SHORT PUFF SLEEVES THE COLOR BROWN and SHADES OF BROWN LIKE CAMEL TURTLENECKS UNDER TUNICS OR HOODIES UNDER DRESSES

remember you don't have to buy every single trend that comes out...buy a couple of pieces to update your wardrobe...buy the pieces that can become staples in your wardrobe that way your wardrobe will become more classic than trendy and you will be able to wear your pieces over time! stayed tuned i will have more on fall 2007 essentials!

birdie butter

PLASTIC OR PAPER?

are you in the market for a new handbag...guess what you're in luck. barneys new york has just released some of hottest handbags for the upcoming fall season. if you like brands like givency miu miu derek lam marc jacobs fendi pierre hardy then you will love these handbags. they are definitely statement pieces that can be "carried" into fall. before you make that splurge be sure that you are able to make that investment because these bags come with a hefty price tag. take a look at a couple of my favorites! from top to bottom miu miu $1185, givenchy $1495 http://www.barneys.com

THE POWER OF FOOD

it's summer time...time for vacations...time to pull out the old bathing suit and head to the beach BUT wait are you ready for the world to see what's been hiding under those oversize clothes you've been sporting...WELL if not then make these 12 power foods a part of your daily food intake...when time permits try exercising for at least 30 minutes a day to see better results.*
so here's the list (not in any specific order):

• Beans (black kidney chickpeas)
• Turkey & other lean meats (boneless chicken breasts)
• Olive Oil
• Almonds & other nuts
• Spinach & other green leafy vegetables
• Eggs
• Peanut butter all natural (hopefully there will be no more recalls)
• Whole grain foods
• Instant Oatmeal
• Raspberries & other berries
• Extra protein like whey or soy protein (add it to a smoothie)
• Dairy (low fat)

with this list of 12 power foods you can make endless recipes. one thing that i love making is boneless chicken breast lightly seasoned with salt pepper and garlic seared in olive oil for about 5 minutes on each side on top of a bed of spinach topped with sliced strawberries and almonds. that recipe is great for a light dinner. for lunch you can make a turkey sandwich on whole grain bread with a cup of milk or water and some blueberries. and for the most important meal of the day BREAKFAST have a smoothie...my favorite consists of 1 banana 6 strawberries frozen or fresh 1 cup of ice 1 cup of apple juice and vanilla flavored whey protein...it will get you off to the perfect start...in between meals you can snack on peanut butter and apple slices or nuts and berries.

birdie butter

*IMPORTANT PLEASE READ the information in this blog has not been proven to be effective...it is all based on my opinion. i am NOT a doctor or nutritionist...before starting any diet or workout plan you should consult your doctor first.*

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

IF YOU'RE IN ONE OF THE CITIES LISTED BELOW CHECK OUT SOME THE EVENTS I FOUND THAT ARE TAKING PLACE THIS WEEK AND WEEKEND:

NYC - CHECK OUT A FLICK @ THE ANGELIKA FILM CENTER (18 W HOUSTON ST)...NAMESAKE IS SUPPOSE TO BE A REALLY GOOD ONE (angelikafilmcenter.com for showtimes)! FOR THE SHOPPERS THERE IS A SAMPLE SALE 6/10/07 TASHKENT BY CHEYENNE GRAB A PAIR OF HER INFAMOUS WEDGES FOR ABOUT 1/2 OFF---5 IN 1 LOCATED @ 60 NORTH 6TH ST..WILLIAMSBURG (TAKE L TRAIN TO BEDFORD) 12-8 CASH AND CREDIT CARDS NO AMEX

WASHINGTON D.C. - IN THE MOOD FOR SOME THEATER CHECK OUT THE LaVictoria: PERU'S AFRICAN VOICE JUNE 7- JULY 1 @ THE GALA HISPANIC THEATRE 3303 14TH ST NW...shows run thurs-sat 8pm and sun 4pm matinees...for more info go http://www.culturaltourismdc.com

RICHMOND VA - FRIDAY CHEERS (free) JUNE 8TH 6-930 PM BROWNS ISLAND KELLER WILLIAMS FEATURING WMDS WILL BE PERFORMING & ON SAT HEAD OVER TO THE RIVER CITY BEER AND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL ON BROWNS ISLAND 1-9PM JUNE 9TH FREE ADMISSIONS (donations accepted)

ATLANTA GA - MODA PRESENTS "THE DESIGN PRESCRIPTION..HOW THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AFFECTS OUR HEALTH" TONIGHT 6/6/07 6-9 PM ALSO ON SAT 6/8/07 MODA IS HAVING A LAUNCH PARTY FOR THEIR NEW WEBSITE AT NOIR 7-11 PM http://www.museumofdesign.org (FOR MORE INFORMATION)

MIAMI FL - CHECK OUT THE BRAZILIAN FILM FESTIVAL ON MIAMI BEACH THROUGH JUNE 9TH more information go to brazilianfilmfestival.com or call 1.877.273.4563. NOT INTO FILMS THEN HEAD OVER TO BAHIA CHILL FRIDAYS @ THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ON JUNE 8TH STARTING AT 7PM AND ENJOY PEAR PASHION MARTINI'S $10 ALL NIGHT LONG...for more info go to http://www.sixdegreesmag.com

CHICAGO IL - JILL SCOTT PERFORMING JUNE 7TH 8PM @ THE AUDITORIUM THEATHER 50 E. CONGRESS PKWY...more info go to centerstage chicago.com

NASHVILLE TN - CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL...IF YOU LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC THEN YOU WILL HAVE A BLAST or YOU CAN VISIT THE "I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU: RAY CHARLES AND COUNTRY MUSIC" EXHIBIT @ THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME

HONOLULU HI - CHINATOWN BOARDROOM PRESENTS A "ROCKABILLY SURF PARTY" BENEFIT FOR THE SURFRIDER FOUNDATION FRI JUNE 8TH 9PM-2AM @ thirtyninehotel, 39 N HOTEL STREET ...$7 21 & OLDER

if you know of any other events taking place near you let me know so i can post the information.

birdie butter

RETAIL SALES

here's a taste of what sales are going on in the retail world:=)

TASHKENT SAMPLE SALE THIS SUNDAY 6/10/07 12-8 .. 5 IN 1 LOCATED @ 60 NORTH 6TH STREET WILLIAMSBURG (nyc) L TRAIN TO BEDFORD

SCOOPNYC 30-60% OFF STARTED 6/5/07 VISIT THE WEBSITE scoopnyc.com

NORDSTROM'S HALF YEARLY SALE FOR WOMEN AND KIDS INSTORE AND ONLINE (TWINKLE BY WENLAN, CITIZENS OF HUMANITY, JOES JEANS, AND MUCH MORE)

BARNEYS NEW YORK JUST ADDED MORE ITEMS TO THEIR SALE

GAP JUST HAD NEW MARKDOWNS

SHOPBOP AND ACTIVENDEAVORS.COM HAVE ONGOING SALES

NEIMAN MARCUS AND SAKS 5TH AVENUE ARE BOTH HAVING DESIGNER SALES INSTORE AND ONLINE

birdie butter

DESIGNS BY WHO?

I LOVE FINDING NEW DESIGNERS THAT ARE NOT SO MAINSTREAM...BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEIR CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES ARE SO FABULOUS YOU KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO EXPLODE ON THE FASHION SCENE...HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITES THAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT...CHECK THEM OUT

HAYDEN-HARNETT by TONI AND BEN...brooklyn based handbag line...their handbags, accessories and apparel are made from the best leather and fabric. they have a store in brooklyn ny...211 franklin street...you can also find their products @ anthropologie, nordstrom, amazon.com, barneys coop...go to their website to find out more information...haydenharnett.com

SUNNER by SUSAN DENNER LEE & SIMON LEE...they design the cutest tunics, dresses, and tops you will find...look for their stuff @ shopbop.com, activeendeavors.com, & pinkmascara.com

TASHKENT by CHEYENNE...cheyenne morris is the brilliant designer behind this fierce shoe line that debuted winter 2006...check out her site taskentnyc.com to see the latest collections...to purchase a pair go to shopbop or aerluxe.com, shopbird.com or anthropologie

HARKAM by DARENA YEE...this designer makes very feminine, floaty pieces...nice blouses and dresses...you can find harkam @ azaleaonline.com, adasa.com or pinkmascara

NIEVES LAVI by SAM NIEVES VALEZ & SHARON LAVI...beautiful dresses with unique design patterns unlike anything i've seen before...check out their fall 2007 collection at nieveslavi.com...
purchase the one of a kind dresses from neiman marcus, saks 5th avenue, or a store near you (click on store locator from the main website)

birdie butter

WILL YOU BE THE TARGET?

I found this article to be quite interesting & I thought I should share it with you...enjoy the read!

http://www.reuters.com
GAP TO TARGET LATE-20-SOMETHINGS by Nichola Groom
Interim CEO Robert Fisher said Gap's flagship chain would begin targeting late-20s shoppers to distinguish itself from teen-oriented retailers Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and American Eagle Outfitters Inc. "The focus on the late 20s customer is going to allow us much more focused product assortment, much stronger marketing messages," Fisher said, adding that it would sharpen its focus by cutting the number of fall products it sells by 30 percent.
Retail analyst Jennifer Black of Jennifer Black & Associates said that move should help Gap "stand for something, versus just being a sea of mediocrity." Gap, based in San Francisco, has been looking for a new CEO since January. "This type of search can take time and it remains a top priority for the board," Fisher said. Meanwhile, the company has made a slew of management changes, most recently the appointment of Patrick Robinson on Wednesday as design chief for Gap Adult and gapbody. Robinson had been artistic director of Paco Rabanne since 2005 and previously worked for Perry Ellis and Anne Klein. Gap has said uninspiring fashions are behind its reporting of flat or falling same-store sales in every month but three since June 2004. Same-store sales, which track sales at stores open at least a year, fell 4 percent in the first quarter compared to a 9 percent decline a year earlier. Chief Financial Officer Byron Pollitt said the company's Gap stores increased markdowns during the quarter to cut excess inventories. That drove gross margins, a measure of profitability, down 2.1 points from the previous year. "We expect Gap brand inventories to be back in line by fall," Pollitt said. Fisher has called 2007 a transition year and has promised no quick fixes for turning around the company.

let's see if Patrick Robinson can put GAP back on the right path....if you want to see some of his designs right now check out the GO International line for Target.

FASHION BUZZ

9 SUMMER MUST HAVES according to SHOPBOP.COM

• SWIMWEAR
• ANIMAL PRINTS
• MINIDRESS
• SHORTS
• SANDALS
• SUNGLASSES
• SEQUINS & METALLICS
• COLORED DENIM
• WEEKENDER BAG TO PUT THE OTHER 8 ESSENTIALS IN FOR A WEEKEND GETAWAY

not to take anything away from shopbop.com because i love with their website...you can find these items at other stores for a little bit less...you can grab a nice swimsuit from old navy for about $25 and you can mix-n-match the pieces. sunglasses you can grab 2 pairs for about $10 from forever 21 & you will not feel bad if you accidentally sit on them. colored denim is everywhere price points vary and with something being so trendy (to me) i wouldn't pay top dollar for a pair...if you are rolling in the dough you can get a nice pair of skinny colored denim from 7 for all mankind or if you're into the wide leg trend try a new brand called dittos (neiman marcus)....shop around for these 9 summer must haves at various places before you make that splurge!!!

birdie butter

birdie butter's FAVORITE BOOKS

Gotham Diaries by Tonya Lewis Lee (spike lee's wife) & Crystal McCrary Anthony
Cosmopolitian Girls by Charlotte Burley & Lyah Beth LeFlore
Last Night a DJ Saved My Life by Lyah Beth LeFlore
Nervous by Zane
divas, inc. by Donna Hill
Addicted by Zane
A Love Noire by Erica Turnipseed
Bling by Erica Kennedy
Shift by Charisse Jones & Kumea Shorter-Gooden, Ph.D.

FURNITURE TRENDS 2007

Do you like watching HGTV as much as i do?...well iF YOU do you're in luck i was able to catch the international furniture show 2007 that took place in high point NC..HERE'S what i took from the show:

• 40s hollywood glamour...curves...deeper chairs...tufting...placing a daybed/chaise lounge in the living room or bedroom....faux fur...stringray...WHAT IS IT velvet...crystal (urban outfitters or anthropologie)
• black & white
• eco-friendly furniture made of cork...teak...and bamboo GO GREEN
• ethnic fabrics...distressed woods (pier1 or world marke)
• capiz...it's everywhere...you can find it at westelm...pier1...even target
• BLUE IS BACK every hue from light to navy

there are several stores you can find these furniture trends right now....like zgallerie-pottery barn-sohaliving-baik designs-cb2-pier 1-crate & barrel-urbn-anthropologie...and target. Have fun decorating and if you need more design inspiration check out domino magazine, instyle home, dwell, blueprint...or go to one of the above mentioned stores and pick up the latest catalog.

WORD OF THE DAY

FERAL - WILD, SAVAGE