5 Questions with Songstress Rajdulari

This Saturday Songstress Rajdulari will be in the studio with Erika and I for our first show of the series, New Year New You.  But before we tell you about this incredible woman get to know her a little better with these 5 Questions....

 

Which Sex In The City Character are you most like?  A mix between Miranda and Samantha. I'm sometimes a workaholic but then can throw caution to the wind and be a little carefree.

 

 

What's in your purse right now?  iPad Mini, Pomegranate Burt's Bees, iPhone, Cranberries for snacking and Kleenex

 

 

What was your favorite candy as a child? SugarDaddy

 

 

Where is your favorite vacation spot?  Punta Cana, Dominican Republic - so far!

 

 

What gives you the most satisfaction?  Finishing an album!  No better feeling in the world. :)

 

 

Listen in 1/5 8AM EST and get the scoop on Rajdulari's JourneytoBetterHealth AND JourneytotheGrammys. 

 

With Style,

 

 

 

 

StyleDIVA

 

 

 

Week in Review

Real Celeb Moment

Everybody is getting engaged!  This one is really no surprise.  Brandy and her a little over two year or so boo Ryan Press have officially confirmed their engagement over the Christmas Holiday.  She has been quoted as saying, "If this isn't the one I'm never going to try this again."  Well we guess Ryan felt the same.  Congrats to the three of them because daughter Sy'Rai is also included in the mix, she'll be a Jr. Bridesmaid no doubt.

Reality TV Moment



This gets the, "This fool right chea" Award of the week!  Rapper (side-eye) Shawty Lo has a one-time one hour reality show scheduled to appear on Oxygen showcasing his not knowing how to wear a condom ways.  Shawty has 10 babies mamas and is expecting another baby soon.  The show that Oxygen should be hanging their head in shame for putting on TV, features the in-depth (no pun) life of how he and his babies mamas co-exist.  Hmmmm guess no one cares how the kids are going to be affected huh?  Our friends over at Black and Married with Kids had a few things to say about it as well and it sparked some great conversation, click here for that post: http://blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2012/12/in-response-to-bmwks-article-on-shawty-lo-and-all-my-babies-mamas/

StyleDIVA Moment

This weeks Curvy Trend of The Week is featuring another look by Chic and Curvy boutique in LA. The multi-colored BodyCon Dress is hip hugging fun and Plus Model Janna is really doing a body good by adding the suede blue platform heels.  The NYE outfit just got easier to find!

Cocktail Erika Moment

A cocktail lovers dream holiday is going to be here real soon!  Why not try something really entertaining this year?  This Diva is taking a tip from Martha and adding a cute Countdown Toast to her NYE soiree.  The great part about this idea is that you can include the kiddies in by putting a non-alcoholic drink in their glass.  Get some cute flute glasses and number them  1 - 10 (self-stick #s of course) representing the last ten seconds of the NYE countdown and have each person "Raise Their Glass" for the number as the ball drops on the screen.  The extra bonus - numbers can easily be removed and the glasses used for other events in the year. 

Life at 40

Our girl Kristyn Burtt is at it again but this time she's talking about life at 40 with Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, stars of the hit movie 'This is 40' which was released last week.  This film is a spin-off sequel to the 2007 film Knocked Up which continues to follow the loves of middle-aged married couple Pete and Debbie as they deal with turning 40, their careers and their children.

Seeing that I am now basking in the glow of being 40 myself, this is one movie that I am looking forward to seeing.

So here's to being 40!

Smooches!

Erika

The 'Guilt Trip'

Our Hollywood BFF Kristyn Burtt and her awesome mom Renee had an opportunity to sit down and chat with the stars of the hit movie the 'Guilt Trip", Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand. Talk about cool. You can check out her interview here and if you haven't already seen the movie, I would strongly suggest that you check it out.

Oh and Kristyn, don't forget I am an excellent side-kick sooooo if you're looking for someone to tag along with you while you do your next interview...give me a buzz!

 

Oh and while you're at it, don't forget to stop by Kristyn's blog Red Carpet Closet for more juicy Hollywood info, interviews and a peek inside the busy life of our friend.

Smooches!

Erika

Curvy Trend of The Week

This weeks Curvy Trend of the week comes from Chic and Curvy in LA.  Model Janna is ready to hit that last minute Holiday gig with the trendy legging in metallic gold and snake skin pattern.  The peek-a-boo shoulder top is the easiest way to say, "I'm here let the party begin!".

Top $26, Leggins $28

Follow model Janna on Facebook at: Janna Plus Model

With Style,




StyleDIVA

Basketball Wives LA Spoof

Well there is another spoof by Kevin Hart's ex-wife (Torrei) that had me cracking up!  I think the first one was funnier but this one has "special guest" appearances that put it over the edge.  Tune in to the BBW LA imposters and get a good chuckle or two.

With Style,




StyleDIVA

schadenfreude refreshes the parts other beers cannot reach

Curly Hair, Don't Care

Curly Hair, Don't Care

I have always been a wash and wear kinda girl but within the past few years my natural curl became more of a wave.  Then that wave became a straight line so I wasn't able to really rock that just out of the shower look.  So I got a suggestion from a girlfriend to "co-wash" and use perm rods to create the curly look I love.

I had no idea what co-wash meant.  Actually when I first saw the word, okay natural girls you are about to laugh, I thought it meant having someone come over and wash your hair and she'll wash yours.  Yeah I know dumb right?  Well I didn't know 'cuse me!  But now that I'm hip to what the real deal of co-washing means I think I'm a little hooked.  So if you are clueless like I was co-washing is just another way of washing your hair without using a conventional shampoo.  You simply just wash with a co-wash formula and let sit for a minute then wash out and you are ready to do your styling!  I chose the co-wash brand pictured below but the beauty supply stores are full of them.  It almost made it hard to choose.  I decided on mine because it had such a wonderful smell.

The styling didn't stop there, remember the natural curl of mine has gone awry.  I used about 25 medium-sized perm rods (with end papers) to set my hair on.  I applied Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls all over my hair before rolling on the rods.  This stuff smells like fabric softner and it lasts for like days...YUMS!  If you like you can let your hair air dry but that is like a looonnngg process with my hair so I decided to get under a hood dryer for about an hour.  YES an hour!  After baking under the dryer I removed my rods....this is important - when you remove the rods take them out like you are spiraling outward.  It really makes a difference trust me.  Then viola I have the curly look I've been desiring for a while now.  Take note, I also found out the curls come out a little less frizzy if you do this process on dry hair but I'm trying to use as less heat on my hair as possible lately.  

Have any other "natural" curl tips for me?  Leave them in the comments section below I'd love to try them.

With Style,

StyleDIVA

Chic & Curvy Weekly Fashion Forecast

Hey there Plus Size Barbies!  You know one of my favorite places to shop in LA is Chic & Curvy so we've decided to bring you something special each week.  That's right, on our blog we will feature a new fashionable style that you can purchase online from the Chic & Curvy website every week.  This weeks feature is edgy and a whole lotta sexy!  Model Janna is working it with those cute heeled Pocahontas booties and metal accessorized denim jacket.  The LBD gives it that extra sexiness, wouldn't you agree?

Model:  Janna Jones
Outfit:  Chic & Curvy
Shoe: ShoeDazzle

With Style,



StyleDIVA

Holiday Shopping and Party Popping

With a few Red Carpet events coming up this month I need to start looking for some kaute Holiday looks. One of my favorite stores in LA is Chic and Curvy. They carry beautiful pieces for evening and casual wear and the best part, the prices are pocket book ready!  One of my outfits of choice is this little red number.   Nothing says Red Carpet like a Hot Pop of RED color! Price $29.00

Makeup: Lyrica Wafer of Makeup By Lyrie, Hair: Nicci at The Beauty Box Hair Salon, Clothing: Chic And Curvy Boutique, Styling: Mia White for Pink Starr, Photographer: SmashPhotoLB.com, Coordinator: Desiree G of Plus Model 411

 

With Style,

StyleDIVA

StyleDIVA #Hotness Holiday Gift

Of course you are looking for THE gift of the season and whatelse is on their Christmas list besides the HOTTEST game of the year? Well you can pass this information around to all the other cool moms and tell them you got this tip from the StyleDIVA.  Take a look at the vid.

That's right Just Dance 4 is on sale TODAY through Amazon.com for only $22.99.  I have been bursting at my Red Carpet fashion seams to tell you guys!  All you have to do is click on this link http://clvr.li/SzFT7r and make your lil mini me's wishes come true. 

How many of you are Gaming Moms like me and can't wait for a good dance off with the kids?  Now you might not be able to do the Moves Like Jagger like me (sniggle) but that's the beauty of having this game at your 24/7 non stop disposal.  Put those kids to bed and jam yourself into the night.  With hits like Super Bass you'll be singing and laughing at your desk thinking about all your club moves you are going to bust on the kids when you get home and play.  They'll have no idea how you got so good.  Well unless you have a teen ager like me that secretly tries to text at 1 AM and hears you dropping it like it's HAUTE in the wee hours of the morn!  Oy teens!  But don't sweat it, they might have natural ability but let them know where they got it from Mama!  Apple don't fall far from the tree.  Show these babies who really got back!  I crack myself UP TeeHeeHee.

Alright go click on that link and check off one more WISH from your list!

With Style,



StyleDIVA




                   

Always seeking a Red Carpet LOOK

Always seeking a challenge.....

I awoke to an email from one of Erika and I's (yes I's) favorite SM Team Clever Girl Collective seeking a blogger for a Lane Bryant challenge.  Yeah, you know that was meant to happen at 1 AM!  So what else was this StyleDIVA to do but apply (then hit her knees), start PINning and then creating some inspo on Polyvore.  So let's all hope I get this post because if I don't I'll be on here whinning and pinning until I'm discovered.  In the mean time enjoy my Red Carpet looks. 

Always seeking a Red Carpet LOOK by favorevtmgt featuring a pleated skirt

NBA Christmas Day Big Color Ad

It's NBA Season, it's The Holiday Season and what a better way for the StyleDIVA to get in the mood then with this cute commerical I found on YouTube.  Big Color is starting to catch on with me.  These new Holiday unis sported by DWade, Mello, Superman, Russell Westrbrook and Joe Johnson are super fly (yeah I'm telling my age) and the holiday carol played to their dribbling is just to adorable.  Hope it gets you in the Holiday mood like it did for me.

With Style,



StyleDIVA

Presenting the Panel

This Saturday is the first show of its' kind for us!  We have 3 dynamic female bloggers joining the show for our 1st Mini Blogger Conference.  That's right, if you want to know how to take your blog to the next step tune in 8AM EST on Saturday with your coffee cup, pen and notepad because you won't want to miss the advice from Eva of Eva Said It, Lauren of Spill The Beans and Rajean of Swa-Rai !  These women know how to blog and have no problem sharing their jewels of blogging with the masses.  We thought we'd have a little fun with them and do a famous Cocktails and Conversation 5 Question post but with only 3 ?s.  We didn't want to give it all away just yet.  So sit back and be entertained by our fabulous panelist.

Eva Said it...and she'd damn well say it again, too!

1. What is your favorite piece of jewelry? Why? My fave bauble is a diamond ring, passed on to me by my mother, via her mother before her, and made by my great-grandfather in his jewelry shop in Jamaica back in the late 1800s. Love love love.

2. What is your favorite episode of Sex In The City? Just ONE?! Ugh! Actually, that's not so hard. The very last series episode, where Big flies to Paris to bring Carrie home and says, "It took me a really long time to get here, but I'm here. Carrie, you're the one." ::SWOON!::

3. If you were an action hero what would be your Super Hero name? Word Wielder! I'd cut my foes down with sharp sentences and maim them with metaphors...all while wearing a liquid latex catsuit and some kick-ass stiletto boots! Like, CatWoman meets Scrabble. Or...you know...something cool like that. =)

Lauren Gill, Spill The Beans -  Fully Roasted and Somewhat Spicy!

1.  After _________ (insert number and name of favorite cocktail here) I get pretty _________________.
After 3 Vanilla Spiced Pear cocktails, I get pretty silly and start randomly downloading ringtones and ringback tones to my phone ... and not necessarily ones I like. Or remember.

2.  What is your favorite piece of jewelry? Why? My favorite piece of jewelry is my anniversary band - it has 3 sapphires, which makes me think of my 3 boys and my husband.

3.  What is your favorite episode of Sex In The City?  My favorite episode of Sex and the City is the one with Funky Spunk. Nuff said.

Rajean Stroud, Swa-Rai - Living a fabulous life in Chicago but always in New York!

1.  Ever been stuck in a compromising position?  Haha! I've been stuck more times then I care to tell.

2.  What is your favorite piece of jewelry?  My favorite piece of jewelry are earrings, because they can be big and bold or small and dainty depending on your mood.

3.  After ____________ (insert number and name of favorite cocktail here) I get pretty __________.
After 2 cosmos or amaretto sours, I get pretty funny! The comedian comes out!

We told you there were FABULOUS.  Be sure to visit their blogs and get your questions ready for the Ultimate in Mini-Blogger Conferences right here on your favorite Blog Talk Radio show, Cocktails and Conversation.

The Divas

 

 

 

We couldn't be happier for Najaam Lee

All of you long time followers of the show should remember Erika and I going through a transformation last year with Vedic Image Groups' Najaam Lee. She helped us grow from the inside out and was a huge catalyst in Erika and I venturing outside of ourselves to be ADVENTEROUS this year. Well we are proud to share that Naajam has added an Ebook to her already growing collection of HITS! Released on 11/19 she has delivered a winning guide to helping one discover their body type. Discovering your FIT is the ULTIMATE E-Guide to specialized style techniques with Vedic Principles. According to Najaam, "Discovering your body type is the first step to a powerful image and healthy physique." Take it from the StyleDIVA her imagery and discovery process really made me look differently at the shining star inside and has helped me kick down doors within me to explore Living My Life Outloud or as Erika would say....Coloring outside the lines!

Get your copy today of Discovering your FIT for $19.95 and prepare for a 2013 that will rock your world. Books are being sold on Amazon.com and can be purchased by clicking on this link:


Discovering your FIT by Najaam Lee

Congratulations Najaam!





With Style,



StyleDIVA

My Playlist | Adorn by Miguel

Right now I am absolutely in LOVE with this song!  Adorn by Miguel reminds me of days past when there was actually artist that could sing making songs that everyone loved.  This song is the perfect blend of modern R&B mixed with that quite storm, love making music reminiscent of the late great Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing".  This is definitely one song that I have on heavy rotation on my iPod.  If you haven't heard his song yet, you MUST check it out.

 

Passing on a good thing!

 

 

 

Erika

 

Time to Make some Lemonade

I was recently connected with a powerful woman, Janet D. Thomas!  No she's not a weight lifter but she does help lift weight off of you.  She is the author of the book Lemons, Lemonade and Life.  How many of you have had a few lemons cross your path?  Well get ready to learn how you can squeeze those babies and make them into something sweet and refreshing.  I sat down with Janet and talked about her book, how it's helped me in my life and some of the key things people can do to make lemons work for them.  So get your Lemon Drop Martini and click on the YouTube link below and get some motivation to turn lemons into lemonade for an even SWEETER life.

Thanks so much for watching.  Be sure to visit Janet's website at www.JanetDThomas.com for more information on her movement! 

With Style,




StyleDiva

The Dirty Martini - Political Dish

CONGRATULATIONS once again to the 1st Family.  President Obama, Shelly O and the girls arrived back in DC ready to tackle his second term.  Admist all of the horrible remarks he has received since winning the election the Divas are giving him Two Thumbs Up for taking the job on AGAIN!

 Obama supporter Beyonce was all the rage on InstaGram this week when she tweeted pics of herself in her Texans for OBAMA shirt on election day.  Here's the thing...she started her account on Tuesday and by midnight that evening had 157K followers.  Zoinks Erika and I need to get us some Obama shirts!  LOL  BTW, Love that Top Knot Bey.

AND in regular folk news.....

According to the Huffington Post, mother of new born twins names them after The President and Mitt Romney.  Yep one twin brother is named Barack Obama and the other after the Republican candidate.  Millicent Owuor of Kenya gave birth near the city of the Presidents father.  Good luck Millicent, I'm sure you'll have an interesting story to tell the boys about how you came up with their names. 

What a Scarf

It's that time of the year where we are breaking out the fancy samancy scarves and working them like we are walking a Paris runway.  I don't know about you but I love a scarf to set off an outfit, makes me feel all HOLLYWOOD.  As luck would have it I found a great YouTube video with over 20 different ways to rock your scarf.  This women is amazing with it!  The even cooler part -- you can click on the pictures in her video and a tutorial will pop up to give you the instructions on your favorite look.  Go ahead DIVAS break out your scarf and work some of these styles to fall/winter fashion!

With Style,



StyleDIVA

She Rises...Queenie Chats with The Divas

It was a great show this weekend with Queenie, CEO of She Rises a movement dedicated to helping women Grind, Grow and Glow.  How fantastic is that???  Yes we had a great interview but thought we'd share some inside information with you just to be able to learn more about this POWERHOUSE that is Queenie Johnson.
 
1.  At Thanksgiving are you a Cooker or a Looker?  Looker, but I dabble in the cooking.  (My kinda girl...StyleDIVA)
 
2.  What is your best time saving tip for Holiday shopping?  Shop online.  It will save you time, money and it's less stressful.
 
3.  Do you have a favorite comfort food?  Chocolate always does the trick.
 
4.  Who would you stand in line to see in concert?  Usher - once you go to one of his concerts you're hooked.
 
5.  Favorite quote or scripture?  With God nothing is impossible Luke 1:37
 
6.  What do you do in your "downtime"?  Take a bubble batch and read a good book
 
We also spotted her in the audience of Black Girls Rock last night.  She truly fit right in the mix. 
 
Hope you caught the LIVE interview but in case you didn't just check out the show below and take a listen.  You are going to be so glad you did. Get your undoubtable shine on and follow Queenie on Twitter at @SheRises, Facebook: She Rises and at her website She Rises. 

 

Listen to internet radio with Cocktails n Convo Divas on Blog Talk Radio

Cheers,

 

Robin & Erika



 

 

They're back...

After a few months off and some casting changes, the ladies of the Real Housewives of Atlanta are back for another great season.  Now, I'm still trying to figure out why no one from Bravo called to see if I was interested in being on the show (ummm hello, I AM a real housewife, you know...) but that is a topic for another post.

We see that Season 5 brings with it two new cast members Porsha Stewart and Kenya Moore.  Kenya Moore is also a fellow Detroiter (like me and Robin) and she also attended the same high school (Cass Technical High School) that Robin and I attended. (Hey, her CT you look so good to me!)  I am excited about the new cast members and can't wait to see how they will interact with the other ladies.  Let's see if they can all play nice.

So go out and purchase your favorite bottle of wine or make your favorite cocktail (you can try this one here) and tune into BRAVO on Sunday, November 4th at 9 pm EST for the season premiere of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Then on Monday be sure to check back here for my recap and colorful commentary on what happened.

So are you ready for some southern style girl bonding????  I know I am.

Oh and in the meantime to get you extra excited, check out the sneak peek at what Bravo has in store for us this season...

Oh and Andy, if the new girls don't work out, keep in mind that I am still available!

Your Real Atlanta Housewife

Cocktail Of The Week | Vanilla Spiced Pear

This is the perfect cocktail for you to enjoy alone or with a friend or two on a crisp fall day or night.  To make this drink you will need:

Source: What The Flicka

• 6 oz. pear nectar
• 2 shots of vanilla vodka
• Ground cinnamon
• Cinnamon stick for garnish

Directions:

Combine the pear nectar, vanilla vodka and a generous pinch of cinnamon in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake for about 10-15 seconds until mixed well and then pour into a chilled tumbler and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Enjoy!

We like you and you like us so....

2012 has been an AMAZING year for us at Cocktails and Conversation and we want to end this year with a bang.  Right now we are just 339 "likes" shy of reaching 1,000 on our Facebook Page Cocktails and Conversations.  So we are asking you...our friends...to help us spread the word so we can get to 1,000 likes.  Now I'm sure you're asking yourself, "what can I do?" and we'll tell ya.

Here are just a few ways you can help us reach our goal:

1. If you haven't already "liked" our Facebook page, take a trip to our Facebook Page - Cocktails and Conversations and click on the "like" button.
2. After you've liked our page, ask all your friends to do the same and while you're at it, ask your friends to tell there friends and so on and so on.

It's really that simple.

So what are you waiting for????  Go out and "like" us today!