A Beautiful Brooklyn Afternoon with Bilal

Today the neo-soul gods were smiling. Bilal Oliver baptized a bohemian standing-room crowd in a downtown Brooklyn park with his anointed, soul-stirring musings.  It was a scene straight out of a Howard University Homecoming gathering on the Yard.  Natural hairstyles bobbed to the gospel-delic soul, blues and jazz that came shrieking from Bilal's diminutive frame. Tyra tells top models to model from head-to-toe. Bilal sings from head-to -toe.

I've been a fan of the Philly kid since his cult classic debut, 1st Born Second, dropped in 2001.  Since then he's been a fixture on stage and in the studio with Common and Erykah Badu.  Bilal has the silver-tongued swagger of a revival tent preacher, the quirky cool of Miles, and the falsetto-blessed sex appeal of Prince. He slowly wooed the predominantly brown and beautiful female audience with new and old material.

The afternoon hit a crescendo during his live rendition of the self-deprecating and self-affirming testament "Sometimes." By the time he and his confident band grooved their way into "Soul Sista," Bilal's soul-stirring spell had been cast.  It's a wonder no one threw their panties on stage.  He was called back for an encore and still left us wanting more.

Bilal's highly-anticipated new album, Airtight's Revenge, will drop on September 14. The release will be celebrated that same date with a performance at B.B. King's in Times Square.

A Weekend Getaway at Long Beach's Allegria Hotel

A Weekend Getaway at Long Beach's Allegria Hotel

Image courtesy of Allegria Hotel.

Check out the article I wrote on the luxe Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, L.I.

Brooklyn Events for July 4th Weekend

Tip Sheet: Jun. 30-Jul. 6

Ben-Amun One Week Online Jewelry Sale!

Printable Coupons....: Red Mango Printable Coupon

Printable Coupons....: Red Mango Printable Coupon

Mo'Nique Wins Based on Performance, Not Grooming

Mo'Nique didn't hold her tongue when she won her much-deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of an abusive mother in "Precious." After causing quite a stir during the pre-Oscar "Push" for "Precious" by allegedly demanding more money and refusing to attend key film festivals to promote the film, Mo"Nique defiantly stated in her acceptance speech she was happy Hollywood honored her performance, and overlooked the politics.

If anyone else saw the comedian's interview on Barbara Walter's final Academy Award special, however, you know she also defiantly refuses to shave her legs. The Baltimore native explained to a visibly repulsed Babs that shaving is painful and that the one time she used a razor, her hair grew back thicker. Actually, I thought that was a myth and I have a nifty Gillette Venus razor she can borrow. But hey, whatever you say Mo'Nique. I'm just glad she wore that tasteful, gam-covering blue gown on Oscar night.

Looking For Splendicity and Hot Mama Daily?

As a friend once said to me, "it was fun while it lasted." On Friday, March 5th I received the unexpected news that Hot Mama Daily and the entire Splendicity beauty and style channel would no longer be published....um, effective immediately. Lovely. Like it couldn't wait until after I added my two cents about tonight's Oscar fashion?

Since I wasn't given the opportunity to say goodbye on Hot Mama Daily, I'm hoping that a Google search will help some of my faithful readers find me here on my personal blog, Tracy's Pop & Shop. I had a blast writing and editing the blog for a year and a half, and I'm grateful for the experience. I'll miss all of your comments, contest entries, and constructive criticism.

But this isn't actually goodbye; it's simply see ya later. Stay tuned for the launch of my very own beauty/style/pop culture blog later this month. In the meantime, I will rant here on Tracy's Pop and Shop whenever I get the urge to dish on what's hot in bargain shopping and pop culture.

Interview with Sheree Whitfield from the Real Housewives of Atlanta

Go to Hot Mama Daily to read my exclusive interview with Sheree from the Real Housewives of Atlanta. She talks about her blow-up with the party planner, her divorce, her She by Sheree fashion line and more!

Get Totally Fit with Mel B!

Spring is coming and I need to get my rear in gear. So I plan to try Mel B's "Totally Fit" workout DVD this week. That is if I can keep up with the Brit dynamo also known as Scary Spice.

Read my interview with the former Spice Girl on Hot Mama Daily.

I'm So Ready for "The Hills!"

The Hills - MTV Shows

Pretty in Pink: Adorable Betsey Johnson Dresses for V-Day

Here are my V-Day picks 4, 5, and 6. Adorable pink dresses from mop-top designer Betsey Johnson. Get free shipping on all orders over $200!

More Valentine's Day Gift Ideas 1, 2 & 3

Valentine's Day is next Saturday, but there's still time to pick up a few last minute items to make your heart holiday even sweeter.

Here are a few sweet and sexy items I found on Bebe.com that will surely spice up your love-in weekend:

Today is National Wear Red Day for Women's Heart Disease Awareness

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of women over age 25, and African-American women are more prone to stroke and heart disease than other women.

So show your support today by wearing red. Also, wear red today and save 20 percent off all purchases at Macy's or buy a Red Dress Pin for $2 at Macy's and get the same savings until Sunday, Feb. 8!
To inspire you, here are a couple cute red items I found at Dollhouse.com.

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

With Valentine's Day and Fashion Week (more on that soon) approaching, February is going to be a rockin' month. Next week, I will post my Gift Picks for Valentine's Day and post an even more comprehensive V-Day Gift Guide over at Hot Mama Daily. To tide you over until then, here's a sneak peak at romantic gift ideas at Barnes & Noble.com.



I love these candles. Who knew B&N.com sold such cute home and gift wares?

Will the Real New York City Please Stand Up?

I hate to admit it, but I actually like "The Hills." So I was looking forward to Whitney Port's spinoff "The City," especially since I'm a New Yorker. So I watched the premiere episode this week on MTV. Ummm...and I didn't recognize New York City at all. Sure, the landmarks and hipster spots were there. But from watching "The City," you would think perhaps the most racially diverse city in the world had no people of color living in it. And the forced divide between "downtown hipsters" and "Uptown socialites" feels like a contrived story line cribbed from the pages of S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders." You know, re-imagined as the Upper East Side Socs and the Lower East Side Greasers, without the grit and despair and all with interest earning savings accounts. Or perhaps it's just a lame Gen Y version of "Sex and the City," without the sex and the real city.

So, dear Whit, I cannot bear to watch "The City," because it reduces New York -- one of the realest, most multi-faceted cities in the world-- to a superficial playground for bratty trust fund babies and vapid fashionistas. I'd rather watch Lauren pout her way through expectedly fake L.A. on "The Hills." But maybe Cali folks feel the same way about that show.

Awwwww...This Kitten Loves Broccoli!

I want this broccoli lovin' kitten for Christmas. So cute.

My Guilty Pleasure: MTV's The Hills

Ok, I'm late to party but I'm officially a fan of The Hills. I know, I shouldn't pay these privileged brats any attention. But the vapid cast is somehow so hard to resist.

Love Audrina's raven locks and dazed moments of silence. Can't stand that witchy Lo (if this weren't a PG-13 blog I'd really let her have it). I think Spidey deserve each other. Horsey Heidi isn't all bad (she's just a dim wit who wears way too much makeup), but that Spencer is pure evil. How could she marry a man who disrespects her mother every chance he gets? As you can see, I'm way too involved. And I really like that Whitney. She's probably the classiest member of the cast and I'm looking forward to watching her NYC spinoff The City. I really gotta get a life.

But now the real reason for this post. Again, I'm late to comment on this. But what's up with Lauren Conrad's 'stache? I'm sure she bleaches, but it's not working. Lauren's "character" is the best friend to all and done-wrong by many good girl, but I'm not buying it. I'll be watching you Conrad. And if you shed any more crocodile tears I'll...still be watching.

Hot Mama Daily

Hello everyone....well, I hope there's someone out there reading this blog.

I wanted to give you an update on the new blog I'm writing for b5media. It's called Hot Mama Daily and it's a beauty and style blog for women of color. The logo was just redesigned to be more reflective of the content and I'm really proud to lend my editorial two cents to it.

So please subscribe to Hot Mama and tell a friend about it; even if you're not a woman of color there will be plenty of celebrity style commentary, beauty and fashion tips, and budget shopping alerts.

And the more folks who visit the blog, the more this Hot Mama gets paid.

Thanks,


Tracy

'Tis the Season for Swag

I've been to several beauty events recently and scored goodie bags filled to the brim with beauty products. One event was to celebrate Spa Week and another was a launch party for Pier 1's beauty product line. Two other swag-full events were Shecky's Beauty Night Out and Shecky's Girls Night Out. Look out for Shecky's Holiday Night Out party in NYC (Dec. 18-20)

The events gave me great holiday gift ideas. Here's a list of my favorite products:

1) Boots High Shine lip gloss ($6.99, target.com)










2) Crabtree & Evelyn aromatherapy body wash ($25, Crabtree-evelyn.com)

















3) Boots Mediterranean Olive Sage Almond Wonderbalm ($7.99, target.com)










4) Prann hand and body lotion ($2.25 - $9, Pier 1.com)
















5) Lush Fair Trade foot lotion ($19.50, lush.com)

Clothing Swap Profile on WCBS: Check Me Out on the News!

Click Here: I'm interviewed in a clothing swap profile on WCBS. Check me out!


I consider myself a clothing swap queen and budget shopping expert. Besides the recent interview on WCBS, I've written about clothing swaps for the New York Daily News and have been interviewed by New York Magazine , and by a Columbia U student for an article on the Really Really Free Market at St. Mark's Church.

Speaking of swaps, here's what's coming up:

Friday, Nov 14 starting at 6:30

The Greenpoint Church of the Messiah

129 Russell Street between Nassau and Driggs

5 bucks admission donated to the church

Take the G to Nassau and walk 7 blocks to Nassau and turn
right, the church is located in the middle of the block across the street from
McGorlick Park.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle at the Flatbush FreeMeet!
sponsored by Sustainable Flatbush and Freecycle™ New York City

Saturday, November 22, 2008, 12pm - 3pm
P.S. 217 Playground
(1100 Newkirk Avenue at Coney Island Avenue)
Flatbush, Brooklyn
Rain or Shine

Directions: Q train to Newkirk Ave or F to 18th Ave. By bus, take the
B68 to Coney Island Avenue and Newkirk. You will find the
FreeMeet underneath the scaffolding next to the playground.

WHY: New Yorkers discard some 12,000 tons of waste each day
that is exported to landfills and incinerators in other states!
Here's your chance to help NYC reduce waste and keep our environment
clean by finding new homes for your old stuff, and getting some
things you can use in the process. Leftovers will be donated or
recycled to every extent possible.

WHAT TO BRING: Bring unwanted clothing, housewares and
other reusable items to share* or simply bring a tote bag to fill.
Bring friends and family too!

MORE INFO: www.RecycleThisNYC.org/freemeet
(excuse our technical difficulties--the date and location on the
website will be fixed today)

*please bring portable items only and log on to
www.Freecycle.org to give away furniture and other heavy
stuff.