Iconic GIRL To Know: Candace Parker

Candace was selected as the 1st overall pick in 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks on April 9, 2008. She immediately made her mark on the WNBA by recording the best rookie debut in league history (34 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists) in a victory against the defending champion Phoenix Mercury . Candace finished the year leading the WNBA in rebounds and double-doubles and averaged 18.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg while sharing the court with WNBA All-Stars Lisa Leslie and Delisha Milton-Jones.

At the end of the season, Candace earned both the 2008 WNBA Most Valuable Player award and the league’s Rookie of the Year award. Candace is the only player in the history of the WNBA to capture the league’s MVP award as a rookie.

During her rookie season, she also became the second player to dunk in a WNBA game and the first player in league history to dunk in multiple games.

Born on April 19, 1986, Candace is the youngest of Larry and Sara Parker’s three children. Her older brothers are Marcus and Anthony (Anthony currently plays in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers). Candace is married to NBA player and former Duke University All-American, Shelden Williams (who currently plays for the Denver Nuggets). They have one daughter, Lailaa Nicole Williams.

Current Sparks All-Star teammate Tina Thompson and former Lady Vol and current Indiana Fever All-Star Tamika Catchings are players Candace looks up to. She hopes to one day become a television broadcaster/announcer and lists ABC’s Robin Roberts and media mogul Oprah Winfrey as celebrities she admires.

Candace enjoys spending free time with her family and two dogs, cooking, watching football and her favorite TV show “The Game” and competing in just about everything. She also enjoys watching the show Yo Gabba Gabba with her daughter Lailaa.

Candace graduated from Tennessee with a major in Sports Management and a minor in Psychology. She has volunteered her time and support to D.A.R.E, Loaves & Fishes, PETA, the March of Dimes and the Ronald McDonald House.

-via Candace Parker

The Luxury Boutique Hotel 20°Sud Mauritius

The Luxury Hotel 20°Sud is a 28 room and 6 suites boutique hotel in Mauritius. Some of the rooms are less than 10m from the pristine beach.

The rooms are tastefully furnished and equipped with queen-size beds, safe, plasma extra flat screen television (17 channels), multimedia system giving access to more than 160 movies, telephone and free access to WIFI internet ideal for the business traveller.

A minibar and tea- and coffee-making facilities are at your disposal. The “Beachfront” rooms, the “Suites” and the “Austral Suites” are equipped with a Nespresso® machine. Each bathroom is equipped with an old style bath, a separate shower and two wash basins built into a beautiful wooden surround. The suites additionally have either an outdoor hot tub or a small private swimming pool.

-via Adelto

Iconic GIRL To Know: Beckah Shae

Pop artist Beckah Shae is gold. She’s been refined by fire and polished to a sweet, smooth finish. Now, she’s emerging, armed for life’s battles. She’s up for the challenge with her fierce new album, Destiny, a collection of songs born out of a wealth of experience.

The beginning of her journey was marked by hardship and depravity. Her parents divorced when she was young, and her mom went on to remarry several times. Her mother came from a Jewish family; therefore, Shae grew up around her extended family’s Jewish traditions, yet also attended church and Sunday School thanks to her mom’s early conversion to Christianity. She credits her mother as being a key influence in her spiritual development. Although she moved often growing up, Shae stayed mostly on the West Coast or in New Jersey, where her father lived. A self-proclaimed “conformist,” during her unstable teenage years were a barrage of raves, Tijuana and Vegas, fake I.D.s, experimental drugs and eating disorders leading to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. “The enemy had me confused. I was considered the ‘good’ one in the bad environments I found myself in, so I really didn’t realize how lost I was, or who I was,” Shae shares.

In her early 20s and at an all-time low, Shae moved to Las Vegas and joined a cover band, healing from a broken heart after a failed relationship. In the midst of “Sin City,” Shae began to feel emptiness creeping in. Searching for some sense of home, she found a church online and attended a worship service there. This was a turning point.

The confident singer and songwriter has already experienced immense success in her short career. She’s appeared on Jonny Lang’s Turn Around (A&M), TobyMac’s Tonight (ForeFront) and, most recently, on the title track of Montell Jordan’s new album, Shake Heaven (Victory World Music). In 2010, she garnered two consecutive Top 10 hits at CHR radio (“Here In This Moment” and “Life”) and was featured as iTunes’ “Discovery Download” of the week. Shae received her first Dove Award nomination in 2011 in the category of Urban Recorded Song of the Year for “Life.” Her discography already includes four independent projects: Butterfly (2006), Joy (2008), Emmanuel (2010) and Life (2010).

Today, Beckah Shae is a woman living out her artistic calling through her fifth album, Destiny, an explosion of club beats and bold color. Her music is flavored by Top 40 influences à la Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Lady Gaga and Rihanna. However, her lyrics and lifestyle couldn’t be more different from these platinum-selling pop culture icons riding the tumultuous waves of superstardom. “I’ve spent time researching the artists and lyrics to the songs topping the charts, because I’m interested in what is being released and received by this generation; and I found myself feeling physically sick afterward,” reveals Shae. “What one generation tolerates, the next embraces, and I will not be held accountable for being silent about the things that I know are offensive and harmful not only to God but also to my children.”

-via Beckah Shae

4 Unmistakable New Year Resolutions You Should Avoid



5…4…3…2…1…Happy New Year! Yup, it’s that time of year when we’re full of desires, excitement and ready to take on the world.  And what’s the one thing that we all do?  We sit and compile a laundry list of resolutions for the New Year knowing damn well that most of them will be broken before January 31st.  Have you ever noticed how crowded the gym and Whole Foods markets are during the first few weeks of the year the army of people start to thin out? 

Creating unrealistic expectations of yourself is not the way to start the New Year.  To keep clear of  disappointments at the end of 2012, here’s of the top 4 resolutions you should avoid making.

1. I will lose ten pounds

A more sensible resolution is to commit to eating healthier and becoming more physical active.  Regular exercise will help you achieve and maintain weight loss, lower blood pressure, boost your mood and keep you in those skinny jeans all year long.

2. I will quit my job

Hey we’re in a tough economy and it’s hard to find great jobs nowadays. Instead of just quiting, take steps to building your career by taking evening classes at your local community college or take advantage of some online courses. It’s never too late for a career change but if you absolutely have to quit your current 9 to 5, please make sure to have another job in place.

3. I will find a boyfriend/husband

This is not entirely in your control.  Instead of make a promise to find a mate, just put yourself in places that allow you the opportunity to meet new people.  Try a sporting event, volunteer work or going to a friend’s party.  You should also try to reassess what your looking for in a boyfriend/husband. This should help you recognize your prince charming when he comes around.

4. I will have a baby

Putting this type of pressure on yourself is not healthy for you or your relationship.  Instead, take steps to help increase your family like reading up on family planning books, saving money, etc.

What other New Year’s resolutions will you avoid making?

Iconic GIRL To Know:Brandy Gomez-Duplessis

There is a hidden gem located in New York & New Orleans, Celebrity Makeup Artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis. Brandy, a native New Yorker, has always loved makeup. She flirted with makeup, hair, and fashion as a young girl and this was something that kept her occupied being an only child. Because her parents are from Honduras, she felt that they didn’t understand her hunger for beauty and fashion. She watched old classic Hollywood movies and read fashion magazines (with Vogue being her favorite) and what she loved was seeing women looking glamxurious: polished, perfectly combed hair, bold lashes, red lipstick, and lots of gorgeous gaudy jewelry. Many days Brandy would go to the thrift stores, then walk to Mood Designer Fabric, go home, lock herself in her room and redesign the items she purchased. She would take all of her ideas and sketch figures and faces. Her favorite looks made it to her walls. Her walls were covered in collages of drawings, tear sheets, and articles not knowing that she was creating a personal look book.

She got her start by working at Estee Lauder in New York. In 1997 in her second home New Orleans, she was on the team of the first M.A.C. counter in New Orleans and this is where this fashion forward maven who loves makeup made her mark. Brandy began to hone her craft as a freelance makeup artist her first big break was being chosen to be the personal makeup artist for News Anchor Michelle Miller, with The Early Show on CBS News. Brandy opened her first makeup studio called BGD Beauty Bar in 1998 and within one year she was forced to open a larger location. A 2200 sq.ft. storefront in the Garden District of Uptown New Orleans, because her clients craved more of her incredible talent, her famous LA style makeup parties (Makeup & Martinis) and her over the top infectious personality that is all glam all the time. After Hurricane Katrina, August 2005, Brandy worked at Jose’ Eber’s salon in Houston’s Post Oak area for a short time before reviving her freelance calling. Brandy went right back to work, traveling with L’OREAL cosmetics, shopping her book in Los Angeles and taking assignments in different cities.

In 2008, after tireless efforts, assignment after assignment and great work, her name began trending in the industry. Brandy’s book soon read: Golden Globe & Oscar winner Melissa Leo, Kerry Washington, Kim Kardashian, Malin Ackerman, Angela Bassett, Khloe Kardashian, Brad Pitt, Kris Jenner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Jordin Sparks, Reggie Bush, Chris Paul, Usher, just to name a few. Brandy also worked many top assignments such as: The Golden Globes, The Super Bowl, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, Sundance Film Festival, and the OPRAH O!You Tour. Brandy is the NBA All Star Weekend Key Makeup Artist (since 2006) and Official Makeup Artist for EssenceMagazine.com at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans (her fifth year). Brandy is a L’OREAL Cosmetics Pro Makeup Artist and is also a contributing writer for “Anti-Bride” & “Destination I Do” bridal magazines, Caribbean Posh magazine, as well as her own makeup and fashion blogs “Inside The Life of a Makeup Artist” and “Black Tie Stiletto“.

Are You An Iconic GIRL????

Yes..You ARE an Iconic Girl! We believe that every woman is unique, beautiful and inspiring in her own special way! Would you like to be spotlighted on “The Iconic GIRL”? Just email your name, location, three clear photos and why your an Iconic GIRL to iconicgirlblog@gmail.com.

-via BGD Makeup Artistry

Get Glowing Skin With These Top 5 Beauty Recipes Using Coffee

A sip of coffee will not only make your day but also your evenings by adding beauty and glow to your face. The fragrant fried coffee beans are powdered and filtered with hot milk and sugar, will not only linger in your mouth but if used on skin and hair have its own natural effect. Take a look at the beauty recipes using coffee that will help you get the most aspired look in a jiff.

The beauty secrets using coffee indeed prove that they are best recipes for a better body care. Follow these instructions and have a wonderful day spa at home.

-via Living Oneindia

5. Coffee Manicure And Pedicure: The aromatic coffee powder is excellent in cleaning the cracked heels and black elbows. Rubbing the paste and massaging for a couple minutes will remove all the dirt in the area and make the skin smooth.

4. Coffee For Body Massage: Coffee when mixed with cocoa butter or normal butter will be an ideal massaging mixture. The beauty recipe blends well on skin and smoothens skin. Nourishes skin,moisturises and prevents wrinkles.

3. Coffee For Scalp: Coffee has many scalp benefits and is also good for hair. Its anti-oxidant properties prevents hair fall. Espresso coffee acts like a natural hair conditioner and makes hair soft and silky. Coffee decoction when mixed with henna gives a wonderful colour to hair. The paste is applied on hair and left to dry for nearly 2 hours. The natural colour causes no damage to the hair but adds shine, is long standing coat and quite effective.

2. Coffee Face Pack: Powdered coffee is combined with cocoa powder, milk and molasses. This pack help in elevating the saggy skin and tightening. Cleanses face and is no less an anti microbial cream.

1. Coffee For Face (scrub): Those with dry skin will get the maximum benefits as the coffee scrub exfoliates and revitalizes skin without making it further dry. Dryness leads to quick aging but coffee has anti aging properties that prevents these skin problems. 3 teaspoons of finely ground coffee is mixed with a teaspoon of milk and made into paste. The scrub is massaged all over the face in circular motion and left to dry, then washed with cold water. Pat the face dry and apply a moisturizer so that it locks all the moisture in skin.

Top 5 Beauty Recipes Using Coffee

Iconic GIRL To Know: Ashley Turner

Elevating personal growth as a lifestyle, Ashley Turner brings a fresh approach to yoga as a modern day psychotherapist with a soulful bent on celebrating the body’s wisdom and inner spirit.

Deep, witty, and laser focused, she draws on the source texts of yoga while incorporating the best of Neurobiology, Jungian Psychology, Ayurveda, Tantra, Shamanism and Priestess work – vigorously challenging students from the inside out. She is known for her ability to translate complex themes into practical, real-life tools accessible to all.

Her first book, Aroma Yoga®: A Guide to Using Essential Oils in Your Practice and Your Life, co-written with Tracy Griffiths, was published in October 2011.

Also, a frequent body-mind contributor to top tier media publications including Self, Shape, Women’s Health, Yoga Journal and Natural Health, Ashley is the creator of best-selling Element Beginner Yoga DVD’s Yoga for Weightloss, Yoga for Stress Relief + Flexibility and Power Yoga. Her latest DVD Yoga Bootcamp was released by ExerciseTV in October 2011.

Named by Yoga Journal as Who’s Who in Power Yoga, she focuses on a dynamic vinyasa style of yoga sprinkled with nuggets of wisdom from the roots of Yoga Psychology, deep self-inquiry, devotion and humor.

Ashley consults Hollywood creatives, leading companies, distinguished business leaders, couples, adolescents and individuals. With a diverse palate and ability to speak directly to her audience, Ashley has toured with rock stars teaching yoga, lectures in academic settings and leads transformational events worldwide.

Are You An Iconic GIRL????

Yes..You ARE an Iconic Girl! We believe that every woman is unique, beautiful and inspiring in her own special way! Would you like to be spotlighted on “The Iconic GIRL”? Just email your name, location, three clear photos and why your an Iconic GIRL to iconicgirlblog@gmail.com.

-via Ashley Turner

Iconic GIRL To Know: Sue Tsai

Sue Tsai is a 24 year old designer born and raised in New York with a life long dedication to art and fashion. Her company started in 2007, Sue Tsai Designs has sold over 100,000 of her signature band bracelets and can be seen on many young celebrities today. 

Tsai has combined her love for fashion and a handful of tremendous talent to create an exceedingly fabulous one of a kind line. This high end exclusive collection features pieces in a wide selection of intricate 18k gold, sterling silver and mixed metal cuffs, oversized rings, elaborate earrings and her signature “Knotted Bracelets” all exuding vintage “glam-rock” elegance. Sue works with many of today’s top stylists and designs custom jewelry. Her creative talents and on-going entrepreneurial ventures have brought her to the next level in the fashion industry.

In November 2011 two exceedingly fabulous custom jewelry companies collaborated to showcase their elegant, fresh new line; LUX: The Fine Diamond Collection. With over five years of experience with custom jewelry, Sue Tsai and Julian Casimir & Co. provide their customers with an encounter filled with trust, elegance, luxury, quality designs, and attention to detail. Aside from the collection, LUX offers a variety of custom fine jewelry options from one of a kind engagement rings, bracelets, rings and necklaces. You can create the custom piece to of your dreams with the standards of 5th avenue quality at an attractive price. For inquiries on custom designs that you do not see available online, you can email Custom@the-lux-collection.com.

Are You An Iconic GIRL????

Yes..You ARE an Iconic Girl!  We believe that every woman is unique, beautiful and inspiring in her own special way!  Would you like to be spotlighted on “The Iconic GIRL”?  Just email your name, location, three clear photos and why your an Iconic GIRL to iconicgirlblog@gmail.com.

-via Sue Tsai

Iconic GIRL To Know: Carolina Bermudez

A lot of New York City women can talk for four straight hours a day. The truth is, not many people listen – unless you’re Carolina Bermudez. As New York’s number-one female radio personality for nationally syndicated “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show”, she’s the City’s on-air babygirl, a pop-smart icon for a town built around culture. Now, with regular national TV spots as a pop culture expert, she is sitting pretty at the top of the entertainment world. Manhattan may move quickly, but Carolina moves faster – taking the spotlight with her as she goes.

After graduating from Arizona State University, Carolina traveled to Miami for a freelance PR job at the 2003 Latin Billboard Music Awards. At the awards, she secured a huge opportunity for a recent graduate with little experience- a radio internship with “The Baka Boyz,” on Miami’s 103.5 The Beat. Shortly after, she was offered a position on Y100, Miami’s top station, doing entertainment reports and club broadcasts. It was there that Carolina found her “media girl” style, covering fashion and gossip on celebs and sports stars. The station’s ratings reached a peak after she joined the team, with wide audience approval. The station’s program director caught on and made the decision to move her to the morning show, “Kenny & Footy in the Morning,” where she officially came into her own.

Carolina’s signature sexiness and her expert news and advice made her a radio celebrity in Miami and brought her lots of attention. With only a year’s experience, Carolina was offered a job working alongside Elvis Duran on the Z100 morning show, New York’s number one radio show for many years standing. It didn’t take her long to accept. In 2005, she signed her first contract with the station and entered into the country’s largest radio market.

The big move wasn’t without challenges. To accommodate the empty position at Z100, execs slotted Carolina on the news and traffic portion of the morning show – a big change from her in-the-know, media girl persona. But her smart, sassy, and driving attitude wasn’t going to let her idle. Eager to reclaim her natural character, Carolina pitched her own fashion-forward, pop-culture segment called “The Rage Page.” The name spoke for itself – since her pitch, the segment has been one of the hottest radio benchmarks and a staple on the show. That idea also led the NYC television channel, My9, offering Carolina a six-month, on-air segment called “My Hot Picks,” which ran Monday-Friday throughout 2005 and began her jump into television.

In addition to waking up each morning at 4 AM for the morning show, Carolina held a position as a Senior Editor and on-air television correspondent for InTouch Weekly, appearing on channels like CNN, E!, VH1, MTV, and MSNBC to discuss breaking celebrity gossip and entertainment news. She covers everything from Lindsay’s latest mishap to Brangelina’s newest adoption, offering her take on the Hollywood scene. Aside from her professional career, Carolina is an active member for various charities, including Bridges to Community which raises funds for families in need in her parent’s native country, Nicaragua. She also raises money for the Humane Society, breast cancer awareness, multiple sclerosis, autism and works closely as a host with organizations like the David Wright Foundation and the Eric Trump Foundation. You may also hear her guest announcing in Spanish for the NY Mets on their “Fiesta Latina” and “Merengue Nights”. Carolina one day hopes to have her own morning or late night talk show, to bring the same energetic, informed celebrity and fashion news to a national audience.

Are You An Iconic GIRL????
Yes..You ARE an Iconic Girl!  We believe that every woman is unique, beautiful and inspiring in her own special way!  Would you like to be spotlighted on “The Iconic GIRL”?  Just email your name, location, three clear photos and why your an Iconic GIRL to iconicgirlblog@gmail.com.

– via Carolina Bermudez

photo credit: Getty Images

Marihenny Rivera Gets Retro For The Winter Edition Of Lurve Magazine

via Fashion Gone Rouge