California Dreamin': Honey On The Rooftop

 Lo and I with Monica Payne - We loved her hair!

No attitudes. No doormen. No cover. My L.A natives are probably thinking this is too good to be true, considering L.A is known for their cocktail-sipping, snooty party scene, coupled with the hit or miss velvet rope games. However Monica Payne, Shelly Otto, DJ Rashida & DJ Eque, also known as The Honey Collective; definitely got it right with this one. Their rooftop soiree's presents a marriage of well dressed party goers, hipsters, good vibes, and sweeping views of the Downtown L.A skyline which perfectly frames the ultimate summer gathering. - For the past three years, these four beautiful ladies who came together as a collective, have been curating events that range from album/magazine release parties, movie premiere parties, to award after-parties, and of course their summer sexy soiree's.

Patrons are free to lounge around on comfy couches whilst sipping on drinks [reasonably priced may I add], as the cozy atmosphere is conducive to mingling, grooving, or 'working the room'. The Celebrity Selectress' better known as DJ Eque, has an impressive resume that spans from Diddy, to Virgin Records, GQ Magazine, and Mariah Carey respectively; so this honey definitely knows how to keep the party going.

 DJ Eque on the 1's & 2's

With the opening of L.A live, new lofts sprouting up on almost every corner, some of the best bars in town, and my new favorite haunt, Honey On The Rooftop; Downtown is once again the place to be in Los Angeles!

 Shout outs to these beautiful ladies that recognized me from the site! 

Lots of beautiful + positive ladies in the house! 

Where To Find The Honey's

Facebook

Myspace
Twitter

Be Notified of Future Honey Events! HONEYONTHEROOFTOP@YAHOO.COM
 
JW MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Rooftop Pool Bar
900 West Olympic Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90015 USA

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Fashion Quick Tip: Go Nautical!!

I picked up this little number because it encompasses two of my favorite looks this summer; rompers & items with a nautical flair! I scored this on sale ($29.99 in store - $39.99 online) from Urban Outfitters, and it is probably one of my favorite purchases of the summer. To up the ante a little bit, I followed my own advice [given here], and decided to go with an accent color in lieu of navy blue or white shoes. I chose yellow as my accent color to make the outfit pop a little more. To add more cohesion, I chose a yellow polish, coupled with a yellow clutch.

Other Accent Colors To Try:

Red
Gold
Brown

Where Can You Find Nautical Pieces?

Zara
H&M
Forever 21
Urban Outfitters
Anthropologie

1. Across The Bow Jacket - $68.00 Anthropologie
2. Nearly Nautical Bikini Top - $39.95 Anthropologie
3. Hello Sunday Blazer - $98.00 Anthropologie
4. Spectator Sport Wedges - $49.95 Anthropologie

Romper: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell
Clutch: Vintage
Watch: Michael Kors
Earrings: DIY

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Silkstone Close-Up

Slikstone

Blow Outs | Curly Fro's & Twist Outs!

 [source]

Yesterday I posted a list of my staple products, so today I wanted to give you a little curlspiration to start your weekend off right! Here's my take on each of these looks:

Blow Out: 

Use an Ionic blow dryer: I recommend all curly girls invest in a ionic blow dryer! Ionic dryers produce negative ions, resulting in cuticles that remain flat. Flat cuticles equals more moisture retention, sheen, and body.
Denman Brush: I love this tool for sleek for blow outs, I actually prefer this for blowing out hair versus using it as a detangling brush. It provides great "grip" ensuring a nice smooth, sleek finish.

Full Curly Fro/Twist Out:

If your hair is anything like mine, well then it takes major prodding for it to get somewhat of a decent curl. For more of a fuller look, make smaller twists and allow to dry 75%. Then unravel twists, and diffuse the roots of your hair using the medium heat setting until your hair is the desired fullness. [as you diffuse, it should get big]
Komaza Coconut Curl Pudding & Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding are two of my favorite products to use for a look like this. I find that these products work best for me when I want to achieve bigger, more free flowing hair, as opposed to butter-based products which tend to weigh my hair down a bit.

Fro-Licious Fro's:

This isn't about curl definition, or perfection. This is an unapologetic in-your-face fro. Start off on freshly towel dried hair, and make about 4 sections. Detangle each section, and use a good creamy leave-in conditioner, followed by your favorite heavy moisturizer.
Qhemet Amla & Olive Heavy Creme & Oyin's Whipped Pudding are two of my favorite products I deem extremely moisturizing. Some good leave-ins are Paul Mitchell, The Conditioner & Karen's Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia [formally known as hair milk] <-Love using this as a leave-in

Wash N Go's:

There are many methods to achieving a fabulous wash n go; so I will focus more on my favorite tools.
Microfiber Towel [or you can try the budget fashionista method of using an old t-shirt] - I recommend every gal own a microfiber towel. I use this to gently wring out my hair before applying my hair gel. - Using a regular towel causes frizzy hair, but it can also cause split ends as well. You want to take care not to disrupt your curl pattern as you towel dry, which is why a microfiber towel/t-shirt will be your best friend!
Denman Brush: I tried raking product through my hair with a Denman brush [after my hair has been thoroughly detangled], and was pleasantly surprised by the results. Instant popping of the curls ladies and gents!
Eco Styler Gel w/Olive Oil: Pretty much the only thing that has consistently given me a decent wash n go! Check out my mini review/pics here: To check out my wash and go method, watch this video!

I think I am going to break out the diffuser and do a massive curly-fro this weekend!  What are you doing to your hair this weekend?

 All pics courtesy of KurlyKinkyKeekeers

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"Someone told me there's a girl out there with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair..."

(weheartit, visualize.us, flickr.com, silvermoonlady.tumblr.com, cosmic-dust.tumblr.com, owlsnest.tumblr.com)

My Long List of Staple Hair Products!!

With all of the product raves, reviews, and recommendations out there, it can be hard for a newbie to secure a roster of staple hair products. When I first started my hair journey, I bought every product mentioned on almost every hair board, and most of them went straight to the trash. It took a while for me to get a steady rotation of tried-and true products, so hopefully this list helps some of you out!

The products with the asterisks are my favorite, and also receive high marks across most hair boards/review forums. If you are a newbie, or simply rebuilding your hair regimen; do yourself a favor and keep it simple, pick one product from each section [with the exception of the recommended tools section], and build your regimen from there.

Recommended Tools:

Soft Bonnet Hair Dryer - For Deep Conditioning
Blow Dryer w/Diffuser Attachment - For Blowing Out Your Hair
Jilbere Shower Comb - For Detangling
Silk Bonnet - For Preserving Your Hair-Styles
Steamer [I just did a review on the Huetiful Steamer, check it out] - For Hydrating Thirsty Hair
Denman Brush - For "Smoothing" Out Sections of Hair Prior to Styling [detangle the hair with a detangling comb first]

Shampoo's:

Online: 

In-Store: 

Keracare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo **
Goldwell Kerasilk Ultra Rich Care

Conditioner's:

Online:
Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment **

In-Store: 

Herbal Essence Hello Hydration **
VO5 Strawberries & Creme  **
Dudley's Hair Mask
Pantene Relaxed & Natural Breakage Defense Mask
Deva Curl One C
Kearacare Humecto **

Leave-In Conditioner's

Online:
In Store:
Giovanni Direct **

Sebastian Potion #9 

Moisturizer's:

Online:
Qhemet Amla Olive & Heavy Cream **
Qhemet Burdock Root
Oyin Whipped Pudding
Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Milk **
Oyin's Juices & Berrie's **

In-Store:

Deva Curl Set it Free
Jane Carter Nourish & Shine **

Protein Treatments

Online:
In Store:
Dudley's Hair Rebuilder
Sebastian 2+1

Product's to help twist/braid:

Online:
Komaza Care Coconut Curl Pudding **
Donna Marie Lock & Twist Gel 
In Store:
Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding
Miss Jessie's Curly Buttercreme

Oils:

Online:
In Store: 
Coconut Oil ** - Most Grocery Stores
Vatika Oil ** - Indian Grocery Stores
Monoi De Tahiti Oil ** - Trader Joe's
Brahmi Oil - Indian Grocery Stores

Extras:

Apple Cider Vinegar - For Closing Cuticles/Correcting PH Balance

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