Vlog | Shaken not Stirred - A peek inside the lives of the Cocktails and Conversation Divas

We are super excited about a "new" project that we've got shaking in our cocktail shaker!  Starting June 1st and for the entire month, we will give you a little peek insides our lives as we build out radio show/blogging empire. (Move over Oprah, here comes Erika and Robin!).

Here is a little peek as what you can expect over the next month...



Hope you'll join us!

What do you say? | Does race still matter in 2013?

So the other day while surfing the Internet, I came across this cute Cheerios commercial on YouTube that made me smile.  That is until I started reading some of the comments left by other viewers.  Now first I must applaud General Mills the makers of the cereal for creating a commercial that shows an interracial family because we don't see that all too often on TV, in commercial form or otherwise.  But what I don't get is how images of an interracial couple can still cause such a stir in 2013.  Have we as a society not made any strides when it comes to race and race relations?

So take a a look at the commercial for yourself and tell me what if anything did General Mills do wrong by making this commercial?  I think it's cute and I like it but am I in the minority?


 Let's continue this conversation in the comments section below.  Does race still matter in 2013?  What do you think?

Let’s talk

Erika

Hello Gorgeous!

We invite you to join us for the month of June as we sit down and have an in-depth conversation on beauty and what it means to be beautiful today in our "new" series Hello Gorgeous.  Over the next 5 weeks, we will sit down and talk to women at different ages and find out what it means to be "beautiful" today and explore how their definition of beauty has changed over the years.  We'll also take a look at how  society defines beauty on TV and in magazines and discuss whether their imaging are on point or are still miles apart from how "real" women look at and define beauty.

We're having "real" talk about "real" issues that are affecting women today and we hope that you will join us on this important topic.

How do you define beauty?  Has your definition on what it means to be beautiful changed as you've gotten older?  Share with us your thoughts on the subject in the comments section below.

Dirty Martini | Week in Review

Celeb 411
Shouts out to NBA Baller Kevin Durant of the OKC Thunder for donating 1 million dollars, with help from NIKE, to those affected by the horrific tornadoes.  It was also great to hear that the National Basketball Association matched the donation.  Instead of Goin Fishing after their playoff loss this celeb is using his vacation wisely.  #CelebsGiving is always a reason to Raise Your Glass.  Still praying for all affected. 

Photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports

Reality Recap

Photo courtesy of www.YBF.com

The new reality series "Pastors of LA" is linking these two together.  Many will know LisaRaye but may not be as familiar with Bishop Noel Jones (also brother of Grace Jones).  Reports are surfacing that the two are involved and are playing out their relationship on the show.  Jones commented on the show that maybe Ms. LisaRaye wasn't Godly enough for him to which she matched with that maybe he wasn't worldly enough for her.  ZOINKS!  We are sure this is going to be one show we won't want to miss.  Check Oxygen for listings. 

Style Diva Adventures

This week was one of the greatest rappers that ever lived birthday.  Yep Big, Biggie Smalls, NOTORIOUS Big or Big Poppa would have been 41.  I found these videos created by David Catalano of a suburban family living the lyrics of one of Bigs greatest hits The NOTORIOUS B.I.G.  Take a click and let me know if it brings back some memories....

Cocktail Erika’s Cocktail of the Week

Watermelon-Plum Sangria

Ingredients

1/2 seedless baby watermelon

2 red plums--halved, pitted and sliced into wedges

2 golden plums--halves, pitted and sliced into wedges

1 pint blackberries

2 bottles  rose wine, chilled

4 ounces elderflower liqueur, such as St. Germain

Mixing Instructions

Using a melon baller, scoop balls out of the watermelon; place in a 1/2-gal. pitcher with any juices left in the melon. Add the plums and blackberries.  Pour in the wine and liqueur; stir. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours.

Miss the Show?????

On this show we did something something a little different, instead of having another fabulous guest we are switching it up a bit and giving you an inside peek at the women behind Cocktails and Conversation. In this episode we share with you why we do what we do every Saturday morning, what motivates us, and much more.  Think of it like a Diva-fied version of Inside the Actors Studio with James Lipton only it’s Erika  and Robin.

Listen to internet radio with Cocktails n Convo Divas on BlogTalkRadio

And don’t forget…

Follow us at @CocktailsnConvo and our hash-tag #CnCradio on Twitter to get the latest deets on our shows.  You can also keep up with our everyday crazy lives by following us on Instagram at @cocktail_erika and @cncstyledyva. 

Until then…

Smooches!

Curvy Trend of The Week - The Fatkini

It's the Fatkini heard round the world and this curvy girl is loving it!  Truth be told I've always worn a bikini, plus size or not.  I just love the way they look on my curves and so you can image the happiness when I saw the HUGE Yahoo! blog from Gabi Fresh Gregg on her new swimsuit line for Swimsuits For All. 

Gabi is showing us that size 2 is just not for bikini's anymore or is that bikini's aren't just for size 2 any more.  Hmmm....  The Galaxy bikini (that's sold out mind you) is one hot number, just take a peek below.  Priced at $68 (YES) this suit just flew off the shelves as soon as Gabi posed for this photo op leaving many disappointed.  I wish I knew one of the lucky girls that got one.  Gregg said, "There's definitely a momentum building for body acceptance and lots of online support for women of all body types these days."  Her plan is to inspire women to take the plunge into the world of the "fatkini". 

Shouts out to this plus size blogger for flashing her curves in fashion's hottest new trend.  I'm Raising My Glass to You!

Picture courtesy of Yahoo.com

Be sure to check back Monday for Make Mine A Double Monday for our latest installment of swimsuit suggestions.

Diva out,

Tequila Talk Tuesday

Now if you've listened to the show before, chances are you've heard Robin and I talk about how we're on a quest to bring 'sexy back".  That's right, we're trying to cut the crap out of our diets (say goodbye to carbs and sugar) and include more fruits and vegetables (helloooooooo broccoli) in a effort to live a more healthy and active lifestyle.  But what we have found is that no matter how hard we try, we still find that the needle on the scale is moving ever so slowly to the left.  Which has us thinking could it be our metabolism that's getting in the way of our progress???

We all know what as we age (we're not 18 anymore you know) our good old friend metabolism starts to slow down to almost a crawl and well that's not a good thing.  If you are in the same boat as Robin and I, all is not lost.  There are some simple things that we can all start doing today to rev up our dear friend metabolism so we can finally shed those unwanted pounds and get back to our former sexy self.

Here is what we found...

Drink Green Tea 
Try to stay away from sodas, alcohol and calorie packed beverages.  Not only will they leave you feeling bloated and tired, they are a major saboteur when it comes to losing weight.  Drinking brewed green tea is an effective way to speed up metabolism thanks to one of it's ingredients EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate).  EGCG is an ingredient known to speed up metabolism and by drinking just 3 cups of green tea a day can increase a person's metabolism by up to 10 percent.

Can I interest you in some green tea???

Power Up with Protein (peanut butter anyone?)
Protein has a high thermic effect which means that your will burn more calories t digest it.  Can we all scream...SCORE?!?!?!?  So grab a spoonful of your favorite brand (Jiffy anyone) and enjoy!






Listen to Your Mother and Don't Skip Breakfast!
You're mom was right when she told you that breakfast was the most important meal of the day.  Did you

know that breakfast is good for your health?  Not only is it a nice way to start the day, research suggests it's actually good for your brain and bodily health.  A 2003 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that people who skipped breakfast was 4 1/2 times more likely to be obese than those who make time for a morning meal.  So start your day off right with a good breakfast and get that metabolism started for the day!  Pass me the Raisin Bran please!


Watch Out for Dehydration - it kills the metabolic rate

Just remember these words..."water does the body good!"  Oh and let's not forget the other healthy drinks that are available to keep you hydrated.  A dehydrated body will slow its metabolism and increase hunger and sluggishness.  So the next time you're feeling a little thirsty, grab that Big Gulp and fill it with a little H2o!







Now we all know Rome wasn't built in a day and the same is true when trying to rev up your metabolism.  Try making small simple changes say just doing on thing a week and see if you notice a change in how your feel.  We are going to take our own advice and give them a try to.  So be sure to check back and see how we're doing.

Good luck!

Make Mine A Double Monday

This installment of our swimsuit ready MMADM is for BUSTY ladies.  If you have a little more on the top than the bottom try a suit with a flippy skirt, it helps balance the fuller chest.  To avoid side boob (as I call it) look for suits with high straps and a halter neckline, like the ones featured below.

Items 1, 3 and 4 can be purchased at swinsale.com and item 2 from venusswim.com

It's also National SwimSuit Confidence Week so get out there and strut your stuff!