Bottle & Bottega: Art Uncorked in the South Loop (@bottlenbottega)

Bottle & Bottega puts a spin on the traditional art studio by hosting BYOB social art parties geared toward nurturing the inner artist in us all. With their latest location having opened last week in the South Loop, some much needed artistic flare has been added to Michigan Ave. Featuring a variety of classes (public as well as private/corporate), anyone looking to get their creative juices flowing and do something different should give Bottle & Bottega a try.

I was looking for something new in my neighborhood and a way to put a spin on date night. I did a little research and learned that Friday's class featured the theme: Couples and BFFs: Face-to-Face portrait painting. Lucas Myers was the featured artist of the night and guided our group as we tried our hand at painting.

It was my first time painting on canvas but it was a blast! We started off with a sketch and then dove in with acrylic paints. A few hours we were able to walk away with personalized artwork and a shared experience.

Our first time painting... 

At first I thought the price was a little steep ($35/person - but this varies depending on the class), but after experiencing the class it was well worth the price. I like that you get to experience something new with friends, it's BYOB, includes the cost of canvas/paint/etc, and at the end of the day you're able to walk away with a new piece of art work for your home! This alone made it well worth the price as I now have 2 new custom pieces on display at my apartment... and they have a fun story to go along with them.

There are many options for how to spend your Friday night, but I'd urge everyone to step outside the box and try something new. The class is the same price as dinner or a movie/drinks, so opt for something different and have some fun.

Overall the class was a nice mix of people and the instruction from Lucas was great. You can go online and view the schedule to pick the class that's right for you.

Who: Bottle & Bottega
What: Art Studio
Where: 1241 S. Michigan Ave.
When: Weekly Classes - check online schedule
Price: Varies (average $35-$45/person)

NARS 'Dragon Girl' Velvet Matte Lip Pencil on Brown Skin (Video Review)

Since discovering this shade through a friend a few months ago, I've worn it religiously and it is my hands down #1 pick for a red lip. It beats out the other 3 red lipsticks I have: MAC's Viva Glam I, Lady Danger, and Ruby Woo. Yes, even Ruby Woo lol. It baffles my mind that every black woman is not wearing this shade religiously! It is the perfect matte, red lip with insane staying power that won't dry your lips or bleed out.

NARS has hit the jackpot with this all-in-one product. It's a liner and a color in one, and super simple to apply. The price is $24 at any Sephora or NARS counter and before you cringe at the price (because I most certainly did at first), please know that this is worth every cent. You know how there are some products you can easily get a dupe for? Well, this isn't one of them. Don't spend $5-$10 on a knockoff because that'll be money wasted. Put that change towards buying this stuff and I promise you will not be disappointed. Not sold yet? Go to any Sephora store and try it on for yourself! See how effortlessly it glides on. Walk around for a bit. Go get something to eat and be blown away that you're not having to reapply. Even after 2 meals when it felt like the product couldn't possibly be on my lips, a quick glance in the mirror confirmed I was still going strong.

Okay, okay.. I'm sounding like some on charge infomercial guy (aka Vince w/ the Slap Chop lol), but seriously... I'm just so excited to find a red lip that works. I go so hard for this... I want to scream from the roof tops that the makeup Gods have answered our prayers! They've delivered the most amazeballs matte red lip ever.

My girlfriend that told me about this shade is white, and even after letting me try the color out I was still a bit on the fence. I went to  YouTube looking for some reviews to see how it looked on brown skin and was shocked to find only 1 or 2 videos. Alas, I knew I had to record a video and share with the world so anyone that too was on the fence could get a 2nd opinion lol.

In the first part of the video I showed what the color looked like after a 12 hour day. No touch-ups. I had eaten breakfast and lunch. Had drinks out of the can and bottle. The wear was amazing. Towards the end of the video I reapply and show you what the color looks like fresh! Enjoy.

** The key to looking great in a red lip is having a great base. Be sure to exfoliate your lips and remove all dead skin so you don't look ratchet. While this product isn't drying, I do try and keep my lips moisturized and exfoliated when I'm not wearing this. So after removing the product at the end of the night, I'll wash my face lip normal and put cocoa butter on my lips. About twice a week I exfoliate with a wash cloth **

Miami Dolphins Erotic Workout (video)

It's still Thick Neck Thursday, so here's a little visual eye candy to get you through the rest of the day! It's work-appropriate porn.

I was watching Hard Knocks: Miami Dolphins last night (when am I not watching that show) and my jaw dropped watching them stretch. I mean, is this type of thing common practice in the weight rooms for NFL players?

Anyone that knows me can probably imagine there's a slight twinkle in my eyes... and my favorite player Jared Odrick has a quick appearance. Throw that head back, Odrick!

Thick Neck Thursday: Bernard Pollard @CrushBoy31

Not just a Thick Neck, Bernard Pollard is a Thick Neck that can twerk! A defensive back for the Baltimore Ravens, Pollard had a breakout scene a few seasons ago on HBO's Hard Knocks: Kansas City Chiefs. Although the 6'1" 225 lbs thick neck no longer plays for the Chiefs, he definitely left a lasting impression when he dropped it low and showed how they get down in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Watching such a big guy pop his ass in the middle of an NFL locker room was surprisingly not as strange as I imagined it would be. Though, I must be honest and say my jaw completely dropped when he broke it down and landed in a split! I mean, he clearly has spent a lot of time in the strip club picking up the latest moves.

What do you think? Does Bernard's twerk session inspire you to throw some 1s at your screen?

Where to Color your Natural Hair in Chicago

It'd been nearly a year since I last got my hair professionally colored, well... roughly 10 months to be exact, but I was itching to get some color again. The only stylist in Chicago that I trust to color my natural hair is Cori @ Justin's Salon Studio. Last Fall Cori took my hair from it's natural brown color to an awesome lighter brown with highlights (see below) and it changed my world. My curls had so much added dimension and truly popped.

 

After almost a year of living my life (i.e. not using a color shampoo/conditioner lol) my hair started looking brassy, so I ended up throwing a level 2 color in it to get it back dark ( my blog avi pic), but the dark hair was starting to bore me and I wanted a change. I was excited to book an appointment with Cori and get some more color in my life. I went in there not sure of what I wanted, but knowing that I needed something to excite me about my curls again. I told Cori that I wanted something to brighten me up, but lower maintenance than what I had previously had. Her suggestion? Heavy highlights sans the overall base color. I was game! Once again she used 2 different Wella colors for highlights, but I did opt for bleach this go-round. So far I'm loving my hair and it was just what the doctor ordered.

New Highlights

I've come to realize that I prefer color in my natural hair. It's a fun way to make my curls pop and a reflection of my bubbly personality. I also had a pow-wow with myself and said that I'm going to take better care of my color this time. I'll be alternating between color conditioner and hydrating conditioner... maybe even pre-pooing from time to time. I want to retain more length and minimize the chops I've been getting... so, reducing the amount of blow drying I'm doing and using a scarf at night. I'm secretly happy that the temps are cooling off in Chicago because that means less shrinkage! Score.


If you're in the Chicago area and looking for a stylist you can trust to color your natural hair, you must see Cori.


Who: Cori @ 773-609-4884
What: Color, Cuts, & anything else for your natural/relaxed hair
Where: Justin's Salon Studio (1919 S. Michigan Ave - South Loop)
Cost: Varies. You can get a free consultation.
Connect: Twitter - @J_SalonStudio

Zigi Soho Leena Booties (via @DSWShoeLovers)

Founds these in DSW and instantly fell in love! Zigi Soho Leena Booties currently $99.95 at DSW.