Aisle Dash by AOL

Catching up on the Emmy’s Red Carpet Looks today (shame on me for forgetting it was on), I ran across Amber Riley’s look. Which bears a striking semblance to a dress I was considering for my wedding (don’t judge me, I’ve picked it out!). This led me to wedding trolling via the interwebs (okay, seriously, what girl doesn’t do this?). Which led me to this.

Once again, AOL doesn’t disappoint. Who knew they had a wedding website?! A range of advice, from gown guidance to calligraphers, AisleDash is all fun. It’s good nature and real-talk vibe is sure to take away the stress of wedding planning (I’m witnessing planning- in-action. It’s utter madness).

Not to mention there’s celeb wedding gossip in the mix, which many of the wedding websites and blogs don’t do. The exclusion may be to a fault – I kind of enjoyed looking at the many celeb matrimonials from this summer.

Aisle Dash is definitely on the bookmarked list, if the bells ever decide to come a-ringing for me!

How to Love Being Single

I got this interesting video in my inbox. It was called “How to Love Being Single.” I had to laugh because a lot of us women are the saltiest chicks on the face of the planet when we don’t have a significant other. We don’t “love” being single and we often tell our friends that have a partner that they are “lucky”.

The video below says a person should do the following to “Love” being Single:

• Self Sufficiency
• Gratitude
• Hobbies and Interests
• Courage
• Strong Social Network

[howcast url=’http://www.howcast.com/videos/356298-How-To-Love-Being-Single’ height=’240′ width=’360′]

I think the list is missing a few things. Watch the video below then comment with things you would add to the list above!

Joshua Bennett: “Ten Things I Want to Say to a Black Woman”

Joyous weekends to you all!

Ran across a video from a young man named Joshua Bennett. A recent graduate from UPenn (he accomplishments are astounding! Check out his graduation speech here).

Now I will speak to you, my audience, as a Black woman in her 20’s in 2010. More often that not, we get so caught up in our studies, blogging and beauty and forget what has shaped who we are. The words of those before Us educated the world about Our struggles (and in the midst of this Antoine Dodson foolywang, this is SO refreshing it’s not even funny).

Joshua Bennett manages to find the most pristine words to describe our encounters. From men on the street to music videos, this poem encapsulates how men used to feel about their women. Does this still hold true today?

Thank you, Josh, for this spoken word piece. We appreciate it.

You can find Josh on Twitter and Youtube. Check him out, he’s ridiculously good at what he does.

(Note: Though Joshua has dedicated his poem to Black Women, this is really applicable for ANY woman. We all go through similar things!)

Levi’s “Wear What Fits” at Bryant Park + Campaign

Levi’s is on an intense PR spree, and we are loving it!

This Friday, August 27th, Levi’s will be hosting a “Wear What Fits” Event at Bryant Park. Starting at 10 AM, if you bring something that doesn’t fit (it will be donated to GoodWill), you will be fitted and given a free pair of Levi’s® Curve ID jeans. Sweet deal right? Do some good and get some great jeans. Oh, and by the way, there will be a performance from JANELLE MONAE! AH!

While we’re speaking about it, the Levi’s® Curve ID campaign has been spreading like wildfire throughout NYC the past week. Their new ad (from Weber Shandwick I believe?), speaks to women of all shapes and sizes. The Levi’s design team realized that all asses are not created equal, and has created a custom fit for every body.

Slight Curve – designed to celebrate straight figures. Slight Curve is designed to define a woman’s waist, while accentuating her curves. If jeans usually fit in the hips and thighs but are too tight in the waist, a woman should try the Slight Curve.

Demi Curve – designed to fit even proportions. Demi Curve is designed to flatter a woman’s waist, while smoothing her shape. If jeans usually fit in the waist, but don’t flatter the figure, a woman should try the Demi Curve.

Bold Curve– designed to honor genuine curves. Bold Curve is designed to hug the waist, without gapping or pulling. If jeans usually fit in the hips and thighs, but gap in the back, a woman should try the Bold Curve.

With all that information and you’re still not sure, you can go to the Levi’s site and take the Curve ID Quiz . Don’t want to take the quiz? There’s step by step instructions on how to measure yourself at home. Want to get out of the house? You can visit any Levi’s store and have someone fit you. Phew! All these options and so little time to shop!

You Nguyen, SVP of Women’s Merchandising & Design, even sits on YouTube with you and explains the work behind the Curve ID concept. I’m excited and can’t wait to get into a pair of these for the fall!

Kimora Lee won’t be at Fashion Week

I will not b there. And corporate has decided not 2 do one!—>RT@starchild36: @OfficialKimora Can I come to the Baby Phat show for fashion week?

Adieu to the Phat Sphinx!

With NY Fashion Week nearing, it is sad to read (even on Twitter) that one of the most colorful and exciting fashion shows will not take place this year. The fashion world will soon send their heart filled (or overjoyed) good-bye to Kimora Lee Simmons as she continues on in her career and leaves Phat Fashions on September 1st. The mogul is still 110% dedicated and committed to her other projects, which include her reality show and three fashion lines: KLS, Kouture by Kimora, and Fabulosity, her JCPenney juniors’ line.

Fans on Twitter showed their support and love to the fashionista:

Lol! Ur fab!—>RT@itsJazzyFBaby: @OfficialKimora U know Baby Phat will be like nothing without you right?! They might as well just STOP!

We here at Masque also wish KLS the best! 🙂

6 Ways to Spice up your Long Term Relationship

I’m at that stage in my relationship where it’s not new, but we’re not married – or even close to it. We’re just…existing. With this existence comes bickering that combat sweet-nothings. We need a change.

I want to be honest with you, ladies.

I am in love with this man. He is my pulse and my air. Without him I don’t know what I would do. I know he is the man that I will marry and grow old with…yet sometimes I can’t stand him.

I know someone out there is feeling what I’m going through. So here are some suggestions to spice up your long-term relationship:

1. Be “perfect strangers”: Plans to meet up for dinner? Pretend to be meeting for the first time. Ladies, this is where your “Sasha Fierce” can come in to play! Tempt him and seduce him like you never have. Who knows, it could end up in a bathroom rendezvous (we won’t tell!).

2. Live outside the box. No longer for thinkers, outside the box is where you should jump every now and then. Do an activity you guys have NEVER done but have ALWAYS wanted to do. Bungee jump? Kayak? You can comfort one another if things get a little crazy.

3. Take a week off. Now before I get my head chewed off and handed to me, let me preface by saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder. I personally believe a week off can do more good than harm (backwards, I know!). Take the time to go do something for yourself that you could never do as a couple. No matter what, you should never lose sight of who you are as a person. You can never fully love someone else until you love yourself wholly!

4. Grow something together. Whether it be a simple houseplant or taking turns feeding a goldfish, growing something reassures you that together you two can conquer the world.

5. Kick it old school. Nothing is greater than watching your guy run in circles while flying a kite. How about wiffle ball or cats cradle? Playing games you played as a child, together, is a guaranteed activity that will end in giggles and smooches in the grass.

6. (Trench) + (Heels) – Clothes. Just show up, he’ll take care of the rest. Trust me.

Okay, so admittedly half of these are not so spicy but they DO work. Do you ladies have any other suggestions for spicing things up?? Let us know!

Cee-lo Green’s “F*ck You”…

…is the breakup song of the century.

Never mind the explicit – it’s not used in a crass manner. It’s really just speaking to how we all feel sometimes. I know you’ve all been in that breakup where you’re just hurt and confused and just want to scream “F**K YOU!!!”.

This song is it.

Not to mention it has a catchy melody and will be the end of the summer earworm – straight until Labor Day, I bet.

Grab some ice cream and some napkins, boys and girls. This one’s a goodie.

Surprise! A Tiny Victorian Cottage in the Catskills

There is an old saying that tells you never to judge a book by its cover. Many of life’s treasures can be found in the smallest places, and a woman named Sandra Foster is alive to attest.

This is her home, and you will not believe what is behind those doors.

Win an All-Access Trip to NYC for Fashion Week from StyleList!

StyleList is at it again (remember them from AOL Blogger’s Night Out?), and this time it’s for New York’s beloved Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. The winner and a lucky friend will be transported to Manhattan, put up in a fabulous hotel, and handed tickets to fashion shows!  Of course, AOL wants you looking and feeling your best, so they’re throwing in a $500 spa certificate and a $500 shopping spree!

To enter, visit StyleList and leave a comment describing your PERFECT outfit to wear for a fashion show. More details are there as well. Good luck!

Your Shorts are too DAMN short

No. I’m not jealous. I’m not envious of their bodies. I’m not hating on them. This is simply a matter of hygiene.

Photo Credit: Tawny Rockerazzi

Ladies, if you commute via the MTA train system in NYC, PLEASE DON’T WEAR DAISY DUKES! Its disgusting. Especially if you are sitting while riding (no pun intended).
Here is how you know if your shorts are too damn short to ride the train:

• If I have to shield my eyes because I can see the crease between the back of your upper thigh and rear end – Your shorts are too damn short.

• If your butt cheek and the train seat make contact – Your shorts are too damn short.

• If you need to slide over so that someone can sit beside you, but you can’t because the friction between the skin on your backside and the seat is too great – Your shorts are too damn short.

• If the inside cloth of your back pockets hang lower than the jean fabric of your shorts – Your shorts are too damn short.

I understand we all have a right to look cute. The issue is, you don’t know who or what has been on that train seat. Sitting on the train with daisy dukes leaves you vulnerable to any little germs that can crawl up in your [helloooo]! Also, I don’t know where you’ve been and I don’t want to know where you’re going. I don’t want you to leave a trail on the train seat so I can find you! Feel me?

Ugh.