Weave VS Natural- Which Do You Prefer?

Weave

No Weave

Can you tell the difference between these two pictures? Maybe not if you're a guy, but probably so if you're a living, breathing, woman. That's right, the war of the weaves. 


I took to Facebook and Twitter recently to poll guys on which they prefer- weave or natural? Most guys responded that they prefer natural if possible, but won't argue with a weave wearing woman. I guess to each his own. 


My question is- Is it a deal breaker? I've heard some men bash weave, lacefronts, wigs etc. but then turn around and say how "Bad" Beyonce and Meagan Good are. Hmmm...I guess their hair just grows real fast. 


Please note that "bald head scalywags" are not the only people who wear fake hair. Black, white, red, purple, and women of all races, backgrounds, and hair types wear weave. I have friends with hair down their back that wear wigs, tracks, etc for fun and to switch things up. 


Take myself for example. I have a good amount of natural hair that can take me 3-4 hours to wash, condition, and flat iron. I love my hair and I wear it every chance I get, but can you imagine? Working out, running through the rain, and even dancing can become treacherous endeavors. I'll be unbeweaveable every now and then to keep my sanity.


So what is your take? Are weaves unnatural, unnecessary, and unattractive? Or can they be done with taste and tact? Would you date a woman who wore fake hair or is it a deal breaker? Women how do you feel? 

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my lovely viewers, subscribers, and followers. May God Bless you and yours!

My festive holiday manicure courtesy of OPI :)

How I Get My Natural Hair Super Straight

Prenup or No Prenup?

Hmmm didn't see this one coming huh? That's right Vanessa officially filed for divorced and is taking what is "rightfully hers" after a tumultuous and very publicly scandalous marriage. Not many people can argue with the fact that Nessa put up with more than most. But I guess that $4 million dollar apology ring kept her warm at night. No? Ok.


Twitter, Facebook, and the rest of our internet and scandal driven society are all a buzz about Vanessa's "shocking" decision. Some feel she  waited all too long to act on Kobe's triflin ways. When a woman's fed up....well...you know the rest. But then there are those who focus on Kobe's decision or lack there of to impose a pre-nup. 


At ciaraelaine.com we are always in quest of the bigger picture. So you know I have to ask. What effect does this have on people's opinions of marriage and pre-nups? I personally feel that Vanessa deserves every bit of what she will get. She helped build Kobe's empire and withstood worldwide humiliation. Give her all of it! 


Many people fail to understand just how much athletes' wives do and put up with behind the scenes. Sure its all glitz and glamour in the media's eye, but the wives are the ones who deal with last minute trades, nursing injuries, groupies, and hearing him complain after a loss. Can we give these women an award?


But there are those who also believe to whom much is given, much is required. There is a price to pay for living in the lap of luxury. Gold diggers beware! At the end of the day however, money couldn't mask the pain, hurt, and shame Vanessa dealt with as a result of her husband's cheating ways. Money can't buy you happiness. Cliche, but true!


But lest we forget about poor Kobe. He now has to cough up millions in spousal support. And let's not forget about child support, lawyers fees, and possible loss of endorsement deals. Hmm...maybe you should've kept it in your pants? But I guess we'll cut him some slack for now. He respected Vanessa enough not to force her into a meager pre-nup. 


What's worse is that now Kobe may lose custody of his children and has to see his ex frollicking around with a new boo piece on her arm. And she's laughing all the way to the bank. I guess one of these days men will learn. Or maybe not. 


So what is your take? Did Vanessa "earn" all that divorce money with the foolishness Kobe put her through? Or is he a dummy for not getting a pre-nup? It could go either way, but I hate to see how lightly people take marriage these days. If you're gonna sleep around why get married in the first place? 


And ladies, please don't be fooled into thinking that a man will never cheat because you got a cute face and a slim waist. This is proof that even the most gorgeous of them can fall short. Love hard but be smart. Protect yourself financially and emotionally. Divorce is certainly not a walk in the park. So let's all avoid it the best we can by focusing on using our heads and not our hearts to make life-changing decisions. My heart goes out to Vanessa and her kiddos. Kobe can kick rocks. 

★Career Planning 101★

December Hair Update

What I Eat To Get Camera-Ready

A big part of what I do is recruiting through PR and media relations. From time to time I do public appearances and TV interviews to talk about what I do. Tomorrow morning I will be appearing on a local morning show to do just that. We all know the camera adds 10 unforgiving pounds, so I do everything I can to look slimmer and "camera-ready" so to speak. Here are my tips on what to eat/drink:

                         

Today's lunch/dinner: Asparagus, mushrooms,
fish, and a sweet potato

1. Drink lots of water!

2. Flush with diuretic fruits and veggies like watermelon and asparagus

    3. Minimize carbohydrates and salt because these can make you look puffy

Here is an example of what I eat the day before an appearance or photoshoot. It consists of mostly fish and veggies along with a sweet potato for energy. Of course I will be washing this down with lots of water as well. Wish me luck!:) 

Reorganizing My Closet

Reorganizing My Shoe Shelf

Today I decided to reorganize my closet! I just moved into my new place in June and I'm still putting the finishing touches on it. My closet space is fairly small and I have a good amount of clothes and shoes, so I want to make it as efficient and functional as possible. I already added another row of clothes to one side of my closet for added space. I'm also going to install another shoe shelf on the other side. I'm still not sure exactly how I'm going to organize my bags and purses. Suggestions are welcomed!

                               

                                     My Dream Closet!

How I Maintain My Curly Hair

My Makeup Collection and Storage

My Tips For Surviving Finals

Ahhh. It's that time again. The hell before Christmas heaven. Yes. Finals. Although I'm now a seasoned boring adult and no longer take what I would consider legit finals, I've had my share. Here are my tips for surviving the struggle:

1. All nighters are inevitable. Maintain with caffeine. Am I a doctor (yet)? NO. Is this good health advice? NO. But let's face it; it works. You can sleep when you're dead, or at least on break. 

2. Break it up. Studying for hours on end is never fun. Take a break and watch your favorite TV show, call a friend, or go grab coffee with a cutie. It will re-energize you and keep you focused during designated study times.

3. Keep it honest. Don't cheat. Cheater's never win....or maybe they do sometimes. But I know too many people who have gotten caught. It goes on your academic record permanently and can jack up your chances of getting a decent job after graduation. Put in the work and do the time. You will feel more accomplished anyway.

4. Forget about it. After you take the test, forget it ever existed! What's done is done. You might as well wile out and enjoy break. If you bombed, learn from it and kill next semester. 

Happy Studying! :)

Take a Tour of My Vanity/Makeup Studio

Interracial Dating From a Black Woman's Perspective

According to the US census bureau, the number of interracially married couples has risen from 310,000 in 1970 to 2,340,000 a few years ago. Are you surprised? I'm not. America is becoming more of a melting pot everyday. 

Another more shocking statistic however states that 70% of black women are unmarried in the US. But why? Theorists give us two reasons: 1. 40% of black males are in jail or prison and 2. Black women outnumber black males 2 to 1 on college campuses. Thus the pool of successful black men in America is very scarce. Then take away those not in your age group, don't meet your preferences, and those married to women of other races. Hmmm....sounds like the sistas are #losing in the dating game.

As someone who has dated outside of my race, I can attest to the pros and cons of getting your "swirl" on. The social stigma of interracial dating can be likened to walking outside with no underwear on. When people see mixed race couples they can't help but to stop and stare. I'd be lying to say I haven't done so once or twice in my lifetime.

But the awkwardness exponentiates when you are a black woman dating a white. asian, arab, etc. man. Black men will tell you that you are "too pretty to be with a white guy" or girls of other races will give you the stare of death for taking a dip in their race pool. The constant stares, derogatory remarks, even hateration from family members, peers, and friends is an inevitable price to pay for being a "sellout".

As a black woman, however, dating outside your race has its advantages. In general, people of other cultures are much more accepting than the black culture. Living overseas I saw how  Europeans appreciate different cultures much more than we do and infuse this into their food, beliefs, and social interactions. So why do Americans, especially blacks, have a stick up their butt?

Dating outside my race gives me a chance to bond with someone who can appreciate other cultures and ways of life as I do myself. To the eye I am a typical black woman, but my life experiences have made me into everything but. I need someone by my side who understands, appreciates, and embraces this. And unfortunately, many black men don't.

Before I get the proverbial pro "black love" blacklash, let me clear something up. I know that I am a black woman and I love myself for it. Both my parents are black and the majority of my family. Additionally, I love me a fine black man. And I will take one any day that treats me with the love and affection I desire. Please stand corrected in noting that my dating preferences are not based on color, rather someone's ability to love and accept me for who I am. More often than not, he has not been black.

Dating is like real estate. What matters is a person's location, location, location. Environmental cues determine who a person becomes, not the color of their skin. So I refuse to negotiate who I am to squeeze myself into the mold of a typical black family. I will love whoever provides me with the qualities and traits I desire without regard to their skin color. And I will teach my children the same.

 Dating outside my race as a black woman is hard, but I reap the benefits when I am connecting and bonding with someone who truly understands and appreciates me for who I am. So don't become an unmarried statistic just because you wanna be down. The world is so much bigger than race and the opportunities that you are only willing to take. 

Groupies, Girlfriends, and Social Networking

  

Many of you may or may not know of the recent scandal involving a certain LSU football player and the backlash that followed his decision to very publicly acknowledge his long time girlfriend. In case you haven't, here is the run-down. Said very well-known football player after a major win took to Twitter to talk about how he couldn't wait to see his girlfriend after the game. Not only did he talk about her, but also mentioned her Twitter name. Various groupies and jump offs, angry at his public display of affection, then took to the internet to- how shall we say it? Put him on blast. Pictures of him and countless other females were then leaked and the rest is history.


In college, I dated a high profile athlete. There were always groupies lurking, but everyone knew that we were an item. It angered alot of females to say the least. I dealt with everything from evil stares to internet bashing. My senior year it took on a whole different level when a certain female tried to set me up and began spreading nasty rumors surrounding the situation. Fortunately, my relationship was rock solid. Although everyone and everything tried to tear us apart, we remained committed to each other. Every vile, nasty, and disheartening rumor was publicly disseminated about us both and it only got worse as his success rose.


The question it brought me to is why do we care? More importantly what does this mean for athletes or anyone dating a "high profile" individual? What are the implications of this incidence as it relates to social networking and relationships? Why is it so hard for successful atheltes (and other successful) men to maintain strong and very public relationships?


This situation is exactly why. I can't speak to the validity of the allegations against this gentleman; but what I do know is that this sends a loud and clear message to the rest of them. Keep your private life private. And for most this means keeping a monogomous relationship on the low.


But what does this mean for the girlfriends, wives, etc. of these athletes? Do they then have to take a quiet backseat to their man's world and give up the public love and affection that a normal relationship should/would have? Or do they face it and deal with the hell that will follow? In many ways its a lose-lose situation, but is it worth it?


My heart goes out to the girl put in this awful situation. But in some respects she was at least use to dealing with scandalous females. It requires someone with extremely tough skin to date a "star" athlete. My hat off to her. At the same time, had he not been galivanting with these foolish females, there would be nothing to expose right? Many of us sat back in wonderment and amazement at the dramatic expose' of Tiger Woods, his scheming ways, and bounty of females. It convinced us that men would become more "discreet" when it came to their side chicks. Steve McNair (RIP) for example, died at the hand of a schizophrenic side chick. When will men learn?


At the end of the day, not all athletes are bad news. There are some very faithful, loyal, and good hearted ones that get grouped in with the rest. But from my experience, I've realized that even the most innocent bystander can be a victim of internet lies. So what does it take to maintain a solid relationship under a public spotlight?

My November Beauty Favorites

Bayou Classic 2011

Free from 106 & Park

Me and Juvenile

In my family, a grand tradition is to attend the annual Bayou Classic. Southern University and Grambling University vie for the title and bragging rights every year. Along with the big game in New Orleans Superdome is the battle of the bands and countless parties. This was the first year I attended since I was 13 and I went all the way in! Check out the pics!

The view from my hotel

Winter Weather Outfit Idea

A Fun and Healthy Alternative to Oatmeal

Brown Rice Breakfast

I love having this for breakfast because it's creamy, sweet, and of course healthy! Here is what you'll need:

1 cup of brown rice

1 cup of water

1/2 cup your choice of milk

tsp. of cinnamon
tsp. vanilla extract

2 tbspn honey

Raisins and Nuts for garnish

Making this dish is extremely simple!

1. Bring water to a boil

2. Add rice, lower heat, and simmer until fluffy

3. Put rice in a skillet on medium heat

4. Add milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and honey

5. Cook until desired consistency

6. Garnish with raisins and nuts

7. Eat!:)

It's important to use brown rice for this recipe because the whole grains will keep you full and help you lose weight. Bon Apetito!

Individual Eyelash Extentions: Are They Worth the Hype??

Apathetic or Ambitious?

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it"

This is the my "bio" description on Twitter and an inspirational quote I took from one of the accounts I follow. But it really set in the other day what exactly it means to me. This entire quote is the reason why some people make it in life while others just make excuses. I've had an ongoing debate with myself and others about those who come from downtrodden upbringings and have less opportunities than the more "fortunate". Are these people justified to be on welfare, uneducated, and without ambition? Is their flawed upbringing to blame? Or is it simply their lack of motivation? How is it that a poor black boy like Ben Carson or poor black girl like Oprah Winfrey can grow up to become something great, yet people use every excuse in the book to become drop outs, teenage mothers, drug addicts/dealers, etc.? Are these people using their environment to throw in the towel? Just food for thought. 

In contrast the things I did and didn't have growing up are what gave me the motivation to become who I am today and the drive to become who I want to be. I realize that there are unyielding circumstances in people's lives, but do they warrant giving up on life? Someone made the argument to me that children who grow up in the hood and see drug dealers all their life know nothing else and simply become a product of their environment. Their parents, peers, and siblings do not teach them otherwise and they are never exposed to more upstanding ways of life.

In the same breath you could argue however that there is no way for someone to go unexposed to the high road. Do they not see teachers at their schools or doctors and lawyers on their TV's? Do they not see the violence, crime, and murder that goes along with "slinging" drugs? I'm not passing judgement on anyone, but I just can't see how street life seems morally advantageous to anyone in their right mind. Then again I have not lived the street life and cannot fully understand.

What are your thoughts? I would love to hear the other side. I love a good debate!:)

My Hair Journey

*NEW* Revlon Lip Butter Review

Basketball & House "Wives": A 1st Hand Perspective

It seems now that my TV guide is flooded with every kind of sport and industry's "wives" as a show. Many of them I watch and get entertainment out of, but I have to wonder what it does to the reputations of mothers, wives, and girlfriends of successful men. In a positive aspect I think it glamorizes the role of homemaker. What went from a role not very much respected in today's society is now an envied position in the world of women. Everyone wants to be a "wife" now. Is this a bad thing? Maybe not. Women are changing the way we see our roles in the home. No longer is the typical wife barefoot and pregnant solely devoted to cooking and cleaning, but also now a mother, wife, businesswoman, entrepeneur, matriarch, role model, etc. I can't help but be proud of how far we've come as women and aimed to break through the "glass ceiling" so to speak.


Conversely, women's depictions as football, basketball, and everything in between wives has shed such a negative light on these types of women. They look as if all they do is party, fight, and spend money. Many seem classless, unintelligent, uneducated, and after money and fame. How do we separate the good from the bad? Some of these shows can be very staged or scripted, and those that aren't are edited sheerly for entertainment. Being a support system to a professional athlete is more than botox parties and shopping. It requires a woman who is confident in herself, supports her man, but can stand on her own two feet. It seems that the women who actually embody this role don't get enough credit from these shows. And who can blame them? It wouldn't make money anyway.


At the end of the day I do not to take any of these shows too seriously. I get a laugh out of it and keep it moving. Although many of these women make themselves look likes fools with all the constant fighting and drama, they do so laughing all the way to the bank. I can't support the examples many of them set, but they do provide entertainment while simultaneously capitalizing off their images. I believe that every woman whether tied to an athlete, rapper, investment banker, or McDonald's worker should have goals for themselves and direct their efforts towards reaching these goals in addition to being the best mother, "wife", or girlfiend they can be. When it's all said and done money, fame, and careers can fade away,especially those of someone else. What will you be left with?

Outfit of The Day

Looking Forward To the Holidays

I am so freakin ready for the Holidays. This will be my first year celebrating here in the states in a long time and it makes me extremely happy to be around family and friends. Last year I spent Thanksgiving and Christmas in Belgium, the year before that Turkey, and the year before that Italy. Although I love traveling and experiencing how other cultures celebrate, it will be magical for me this year to experience actual...yes I said actual Turkey lol I can't wait for Black Friday shopping with my mom and my family's grand tradition of "Bayou Classic". If you don't know what it is read up on it;) My grandmother also makes some AMAZING Gumbo that will make you want to slap her. Not to mention cold cuddle weather, hot chocolate, peppermint tea, and candy canes. And if it's cold enough this winter here, I may even get to light my fireplace.

Now that I'm getting older, I realize just how important family is, and I can't wait to celebrate another year of an amazing life with mine. I'm so thankful for everything and everyone God has blessed me with. What better way to show him thanks by a ton of celebration and shopping:)

Check Out My Haircut Results

Sneak Peak of My Home Office/Makeup Room

Happy Halloween!

Although I'm not a big proponent of Halloween (blame my upbringing) I decided to dress up this year as a CSI woman. I went to a costume party and had the time of my life. I guess today is officially Halloween so I need to catch up on my candy eating. What were you for Halloween?

Boot Season Is Here:)

Yes! It's now that time of year. Time to dust off those boots girls:) I don't know about other parts of the world, but it's getting chilly where I live. I have been anxiously awaiting the weather to get cold enough so I can strut around in some booties, knee-length, rider, and UGG boots. My favorite pair thus far are my leopard print booties. What are yours?

Trying To Stay Sane!

Have you ever been so busy that you want to pull your hair out? I think I have those moments WaY too often. Between work, school, clubs, meetings, and still trying to have a social life, it can get pretty hectic. I have found however that making lists and staying organized can reduce a great deal of stress and save alot of time. What do you do to stay organized?

October Hair Update

Hair Vitamin and Hair Growth Update!

Last month I told you guys that I was going to start taking a new hair vitamin and that I would give an update after about a month (See previous posts). Before I give you the update I must first admit that I haven't taken these vitamins faithfully every day. HOWEVER these vitamins are AMAZING!!! Even with my inconsistency in taking these I have noticed wonderful results. My hair grew like milkweed and I even noticed my eyelashes grew longer. Now that I have seen these results I have vowed to be more consistent with these vitamins in order to see maximum results. If you have any questions or comments regarding these vitamins please check out my original post and leave comments below.

This is my current length after taking these vitamins for only a month. I noticed a good inch and half of growth in just one month!

Yummy Berries

Today as a snack, I noshed on some berries. Not only are they fruity and yummy,but they are good for you. They contain what are called phytonutrients. Many of these phytonutrients (such as anthocyanins, quercetin, and ellagic acid) have an antioxidant effect: They counter the natural oxidation in the body that contributes to aging of the tissues and many degenerative illnesses such as cancer, dementia, and damage to the arteries. So eating berries is a win win!

Essie "Cute As a Button"

I got this color on my nails and toes last night. It actually looks more pink in the bottle than it does on my nails. But I absolutely love Essie nail polishes. They are my new obsession!

Coffee Du Jour

Are you a coffee drinker? I certainly am. I like to have a cup or two every morning while I do my makeup and get ready for work. I also like to sip a cup of Joe while going through my emails. It energizes me and boosts my metabolism. Recent studies even show that coffee drinkers are less likely to have type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and dementia and have fewer cases of certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes. I'll drink to that!

My Personal Weight Loss Update With a Few Goodies I Picked Up

Vitamins For Hair Growth and Much More!

My mom and I were in Sephora the other day when we noticed a lady with beautiful long thick and healthy hair. She started talking to my mom about what she does to grow her hair and told her about Biotin 5000. She said she started taking it and her hair grew like crazy. So I went to the GNC website to check out reviews and indeed people were raving about it! I decided to order a bottle and took my first dose today. I will be sure to do an update a month or so from now to let you know whether it worked or not.

So then I got to thinking that I wanted to incorporate some other vitamins into my daily regimen. I've started taking Fish oil as a source of Omega 3. Fish oil is good for so many reasons. It's a beauty supplement as well as a mood booster. I also started taking Vitamin D for it's mood boosting properties.  Last but not least I'm incorporating an apple cider vinegar vitamin which aids in boosting metabolism and breaking down fat. I'm hoping to pair these vitamins with a new exercise and diet plan in hopes of getting healthier and stronger in the months to come. I'll let you know how it all pans out!

Weight Loss Update

Here's an update on my Mini weight loss series from YouTube:

Healthy Breakfast On The Go!

To piggyback off of my last post, I thought I would share a quick and healthy breakfast snack that's easy to pack up and take with you on-the-go. People always make the excuse that they don't have time to eat healthy or work out. I've found that if you stay creative and disciplined you can be healthy no matter what.

My 7 Keys To Weight Loss

I thought I would share my thoughts on a topic I get asked about alot and something that many women struggle with on a daily basis. How can I lose weight and keep it off? I'm not a nutritionist or trainer, but I have successfully lost and kept off 40 lbs in the past seven years. I hope this is helpful !

Keys To Losing and Keeping Off the Weight:

1. Know the importance of your diet

I am a firm believe that the foundation of any weight loss plan is your diet. You can exercise for days and days, but if you are not putting the right amount of the right things into your body, it is all for nothing. Keep close track of your calories and aim to stay in a certain range each day.

2. Keep it healthy and whole

It's repetitive of any healthy eating plan you've heard of but whole grains, lean protein, fruits, and veggies need to be the basis of your diet. Not only are these whole foods great for weight loss, but good for the health of your entire body.

3. Weights are your friend

It is such a myth that if you lift heavy weights that you will bulk up and look manly. I've tried losing weight countless times. But it wasn't until I started weight training that I saw significant results.

4. Give yourself a break

If you are following an intense diet and exercise regimen, it is absolutely necessary to give yourself at least 1 day a week to rest your body. Not only will this give your body a chance to heal and replenish, but will give your mind a chance to relax as well. Also allow yourself a piece of pizza or a glass of wine- something that you love to eat, but don't get to do so on your diet. It will keep you sane! It also allows your body to crave healthy food again. It's not realistic to cut out junk food from your life entirely. That's the quickest way to fall off the bandwagon!

5. Add variety to your routine

I am a creature of habit. So this was probably one of the hardest things for me to realize. It is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to change up your diet and exercise ever so often. This is most important because it keeps your body from the dreaded plateau and keeps you from getting bored.

6. Get inspired

Find something that will motivate you to stick it out. The road to weight loss is treacherous and bumpy. You will crave junk, you won't want to work out, and you'll be sore somedays. You will go through highs and lows and you may even want to give up at some point. That's just the reality of it. Lord knows I've contemplated throwing in the towel more than a few times. What sets apart those who are successful those who aren't is simply endurance. Figure out what exactly it is that will motivate you and keep you going. Are you trying to get in shape for spring break, an audition, or a big event? Focus on how you will feel once you've reached your goal. Find someone whose body inspires you, buy that too small outfit, post pictures on your refrigerator, start a blog or write in a journal, ask a friend to do it with you....do wHaTeVeR it is that will motivate you. This will make all the difference.

7. Last but certainly not least- BE PATIENT

The absolute hardest part of my weight loss journey has been this. I would work out ten times a day for a month straight if it meant I would get to my goal quicker. But that is not only unrealistic but unhealthy. If you're losing more than 2lbs per week then you are going to have an awful time trying to keep that weight off. If you're losing less than 2lbs a week don't get frustrated. Healthy and successful weight loss TAKES TIME. In the end shortcuts won't get you anywhere. Allow yourself time to lose the weight and change your overall lifestyle.

My Favorite Beauty Products For The Month of July

Check out my beauty faves for July!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

So I'm doing my very first giveaway on YouTube and I'm ecstatic to give back to the people that have subscribed and supported me from day one. Watch the video to find out how to win!:)

Updates On My Life And a Small Beauty Haul

Hey guys! I haven't posted on the Tube in a while and just wanted to let you guys know why. Also wanted to share a few beauty items that I picked up recently. Enjoy!

My Birthday Trip To NYCizzle

My birthday was a little while ago, but I wanted to blog about my amazing trip to New York. I spent 3 nights and 4 days there and had a bLaSt!

Our hotel was smack dab in the middle of Time Square

We ate at Counter as soon as we got there. It's a snazzy spin on a burger joint. You can customize your burger any way you want it! For my bday dinner we ate at Lavo which is an upscale Italian restaurant. My fave!

 This last picture is of me at Havana. It's a nice little cuban spot in time square where we got the hook up with drinks every night. They also had food and dancing. Possibly my favorite place in New York. Shout out to Jose, the best bartender under the sun!