Girls Got The 'It'

Zoe is moving up in my ranks. This ad for Alexander Wang does such good things for her (and the brand). The imaging is perfect, and she is the right girl for the job. Yes, the Vera Wang shoot was... cute. But this is the realm that she needs to stay in. This helps her piggy back off the great imaging of both of her parents' looks... the edge of her dad and the mystery of her mom. But aside from her parents... this girl can hold her own! I'm ready to see where this takes her next. And I'm ready to hear her... well, speak. Lets see what she has to say. I'm ready for more Zoe!

xo

MosaMuse

Must Buy!

Check out these Linda Farrow x Veronique Branquinho sunglasses! I love these! These look true aviator... as if it took inspiration for the Aviator's headgear and lenses and made an instant killer combo! These are the perfect shade for the Fall/Winter when you don't want any wind or sleet in your eyes. I found these on Highsnobette.

xo

MosaMuse

Sassafras- New Food Tips!

My new 'Sassafras' topic will focus on food...yyumm. I know you all look good, but being healthy is extremely important. I just started my health kick. Yes, as an extremely decorated track star (exaggeration.. well, maybe not) I finally got back into the gym. I run 2 miles a day, focus on my abs (which you can now bounce a penny off of), and try my hardest to develop my leg muscles so I can stop looking like... a toothpick. No need to frown your faces, I started this segment just to give you little tips here and there for how to get started in the kitchen. My new love... smoothies!! I took an interest in raw food but I'm too scared to lose weight. So I just found the best part of a raw food diet and made it all my own. I found a blender for only $8... yes.. super cheap and its cute. I spend about $15 a week on fruit and I make a few smoothies every day to go along with my meals. My favorite combination so far?... Blueberry-Mango. Its to dies for! Take a handful of blueberries, half a mango and a little milk. Blend and ENJOY! Its great for clearing your skin and staying energized throughout the day. You love to look good... lets feel good too!

xo

MosaMuse

NY Mag Makes The Cut

You guys know I'm Black model... Obsessed! I never felt like their were enough to relate. But yes, blah blah blah you've heard my cry (and yea I'm working on doing something about that). But Amy Odell points this out as well in her NYMag blog 'The Cut' after reading Jezebel. Of course the first thing I did when I got the September issue was skim for Sessilee, Chanel, Jourdan and Arlenis, already knowing that I would be disappointed. They did get some play, but as I previously stated- Lara and Kate Moss took the cake (..by far!). Not to worry Black Beauties... I got your back!

xo

MosaMuse

Lego Lipstick

Another find from HighSnobette...These Dee&Ricky Chanel Lego lipsticks are super cute. Just wanted to share these....

xo

MosaMuse

Must Read- Amy Dubois Barnett's 'Get Yours!'

Forgive me ladies for being oh so late on this book. So all of you all know by now that well... I'm kind of intense about my goals. And many of you know I recently hit a rough patch in life with the loss of my Daddy. And to be honest, it has not been a walk in the park! But I knew I had to pick myself up and get going because he was my number one cheerleader when it came to my search for true happiness and success. I've been slacking on my MosaMuse posts (which I vow to never ever do again) and I've been spending the majority of my time falling back in love with fashion, reading books, and showing my friends I appreciate all their love during this time. So I spent a day with my gf and I was digging through her bookshelf to find something that would entertain me. We moved beyond Native Son and Roots (too heavy for me during this time) and landed on this friendly cover. "Get Yours" is the title of the book, written by the accomplished Amy Dubois Barnett. The instant I read the first few pages I knew this was the book for me. The opener discussed how she lost a parent (check), how she was in a search for true happiness (check) and how her goals were like cravings (check!)... I was hooked. She gives accounts of her life and shows you the ways that you can get yours, and also has a few celebs (Kelis included!) chime in. I'm not saying that you have had to lose a parent or be on this search for true happiness and a fulfilling life to enjoy this read. You just have to be a girl who is looking for a little more in life and not interested in settling. That's you, right? On top of it.. it gave me another person who I look up to in the business. Seriously... go check it out. Its light and easy with quizzes (and pictures!) :) Enjoy ladies

xo

MosaMuse

Halle Back in 'Vogue'

Halle Berry is the first Black women to get the cover of the coveted September Issue since 1989. And I must say.... she looks amazing! Just so you all know, I will be rocking this cut (with a little different back) so get ready. The issue is great, and has a really amazing article about Pakistani women and their fashion revolution (must read!). Kate Moss and Laura Stone led the count in campaign features; department stores and Banana Republic opted to use women of color; and Fashions Night Out got tons of play and cut new accessories. For what I've been reading, a lot of the people in the industry have been raising funds for Obama and I think its amazing that during this time in our society, Vogue Opted for a Black woman to front its most high regarded issue. But most importantly: enjoy this Cleopatra-cut Halle has... I'm Lovin' it!

xo

MosaMuse

In Case You Care

Here is Beyonce's new Dereon Ad. Yea I already know, you aren't a fan of the 'fashion line'. But maybe you love the temporary tattoo on her leg? I can admit, its pretty hot. This is a completely different look from the original Dereon marketing and yea, I don't know what to make of it. But really, who cares? I like Beyonce, dislike Dereon, and I know I'm not the only one with those sentiments. But there is still an interest in everything she does. More importantly, will Dereon have a maternity line soon inspired by little Jayonce?

xo

MosaMuse

Hidden- Shamayim Photographer

Shamayim is a fashion photographer who I predict will soon have a well-known place in the industry. He has a true passion for his work stating, "I like to dig deep within the story of the subject and to shoot chapters out of the novel of my dreams". To me, that sounds like a person with great vision. But aside from just having passion, Shamayim is a diligent student of his craft. He admires the work of Miesel and Mario Testino, and spends hours studying their lighting. And as any model knows... lighting is EVERYTHING when choosing the right photographer. He is currently working with models to expand their portfolios and he even works with unsigned talents stating that it is a pure pleasure for him to work with new talents, bringing out their true beauty and unique features, and eventually getting them to to a point where they can be signed. I personally love how he balances different textures in his art. He can take something extremely edgy and give it such a softness and visa versa, allowing his pictures to seem so multidimensional. You can check him out at www.shamayim.net to book a shoot.

xo

MosaMuse

Reason to Love Dior

This is why I love fashion. Instead of the standard blue wood scaffolding, Dior chose something more fashionable. The Dior store on 57th street has a huge purse to hide the store as it undergoes construction. Two Thumbs up, and yes I will buy the bag just to walk in front of the store to match!

Museum Crawl- The Met

Check out the work of Philip Guston at The Met this weekend. Philip Guston had a troubled childhood and at the age of 10 he found his father's body hanging in a shed after a suicide. Guston was deeply effected by the KKK, and his Jewish-Ukrainian parents escaped persecution by moving to LA. Guston is painter and print maker known as an abstract expressionist. Take a trip to check it out.

Naomi Still Wears The Crown

No one can come close to Naomi! She is just great. Here she is at 40 years old modeling for the Brazilian line Morena Rosa. People always have something to say about her, but I can sum it up in one word: GREAT.

The Loss of Its Essence

Essence was cool when my mom read it when I was a little girl. I used to flip through the pages looking at every single girl with awe and adoration. But as I got older, I felt like the publication was geared to 40 year old women who were living in their own false sense of sophistication. But still, I kept in touch with publication. As I interned at Michael Kors, I was so excited each time I sent out an outfit to Essence (like 'yeah, finally!'), considering they refused to send any clothing to 'Trace" magazine saying that they had to properly target their audience. Ugh, the complete disgust I have felt towards this industry. And the way people can really come out of their mouths and be OK with their statements.

I've been selling clothes in boutiques since I was old enough to work. Typically I was the only black girl selling to primarily Jewish women, and I must note that I have always been a top seller. Why? Because Black women just have an unparalleled style. But as you move up in ranks you see less and less brown faces and you have to take a second to pause. Black women have always articulated style and beauty but take a trip to NY and tour publications and fashion houses and you will be in complete shock.

Coming up in this industry I had such an urge to develop my own publication because this industry has failed the beauty and talents of women of color (black and otherwise). And as I held onto Essence as a backbone of black lifestyle and fashion publications, my idea of a successful black fashion magazine was paralyzed with it's decision to hire a white woman as its Fashion Director. Hello Essence, you are the only place that would actually hire us to work! (Did you not realize?) It is not about whether or not the woman was qualified to handle the position, I am very sure that she is. But, I am also sure that there were many Black women who were just as qualified. Its such a shame that we always feel that we have to sell out in order to move forward and keep a business thriving. And this is not an attack against the woman who is hired, this is just a statement of shock and an illustration of this industry. It's...well... disgusting and most importantly... it has become sooo boring!!

.... Time for a change and the change is in the works!