Find out more about the crafty stylist:

Hot Mama Daily: How long have you been making the shoulder jewelry?

Seville: I came up with the concept in July 2009 and by October 2009 I designed the full line.

HMD: What’s your inspiration for starting the jewelry line?

Seville: I was working with a pop star, Nelly Furtado, and imagined all of the beautiful things I would love to create if I were her personal stylist. One of the concepts I envisioned was a drapery silhouette for the shoulder that would later become babettte epaulette.

babette epaulette

HMD: Your shoulder jewelry would look hot on Rihanna.

Seville: I have pieces for Rihanna that I am waiting to make for her.

HMD: How long does it take to make each piece?

Seville: All of the pieces are handmade in Astoria, Queens. It takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to create each piece.

HMD: What’s the significance of the name babette epaulette?

Seville: I came across the name babette a few months ago and I loved it. After showing my pieces to a friend, she reminded me that shoulder accents worn in the military are called epaulettes. And I like the way the name came together, babette epaulette.

babette is rock star ready!

HMD: Before you launched your own shoulder jewelry line, you were a stylist.  Besides Nelly Furtado, whom have you worked with?

Seville: I’ve been a wardrobe stylist for 5 years and an assistant art director for 2 years. I’ve worked in wardrobe for several MTV shows including “Brooke Knows Best,” and “Making the Band,” and on the films “Away We Go,” “Soulmen,” and “New in Town.”  As an assistant art director, I’ve worked with “The Real Housewives of New York,” among other [productions].

I can't wait to get my babette epaulette shoulder piece.

HMD: Where are the shoulder pieces available?

Seville: I’m in the process of getting into Patricia Field and building a shop on my site. I’m also in talks with a few of my favorite stores in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. They range from $110-$160.

HMD: Do you have plans to expand into making other types of jewelry?

Seville: My focus right now are the shoulder pieces, but I know this world is magical and I will follow the path that lights up in front of me!

Image credit: www.9ststudio.com

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"Women's Work" Skechers' Shape-Ups

This “Women’s Work” style ($100 at Macy’s; $115 on Skechers.com) in black reminds me of old-school Reebok sneakers and is more ideal for the cold weather than the “Sleek Fit” Mary Jane style I tested over the summer.

Plus, they have slip-resistant soles, which make them suitable for wearing in the rain (just be careful since the kinetic wedge heel takes some getting used to).

I tried them on and they were super comfy. My feet are flat and I need this kind of shock-absorbing support.  And now that I’m used to the way Shape-Ups look (slightly orthopedic), I may just pick up another pair.

(Image credit: Skechers.com)

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Amazing Grace. She wore a black mask when it wasn't Halloween!

I absolutely love Grace Jones.  She is a bold, beautiful avant garde fashion muse and music icon. But I can see how some folks would be more than a little scared of the 60-year-old glamazon.

'Lil Kim, what a Thriller!

Lil’ Kim has taken her tribute to Michael Jackson a little too far.  I can’t decide what’s scarier — her botched plastic surgery, crazy blue contacts, or this horrid, lime green stripper dress.

Is Bai Ling a sexy hobo?

This mix-and-match outfit would be passable if it were Bai Ling’s homeless chic costume for Halloween. Unfortunately, this is how the nutty “actress” (she played a tattoo artist in the worst episode in “Lost” history) always dresses.

Image credit: Bauer-Griffin

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Tinu loves shoes!

I chatted with the stunning Nigeria native via email.

Hot Mama Daily: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Tinu: (Laughs) Mum is the word here! I am so ashamed to say the number out loud for the fear of being called a mini Imelda Marcos. Perhaps I will let the cat out of the bag in my upcoming book. That is one you definitely don’t want to miss. It will be announced on my website when it launches.

Tinu's shoe collection.

HMD: What’s your favorite brand of shoes?

Tinu: I’m not loyal to any brand. I buy based on designs that appeal to me. [For example], I just got my first pair of Jimmy Choos a few months ago despite owning a few hundreds of other designer shoes. I don’t buy based on name or trend. I have to “connect” to the shoes and most importantly wear them.

Tinu's boots are made for cat-walking!

Tinu Naija

HMD: What designers did you model for in Europe?

Tinu: It was fun working with Julien McDonald when he did a special BBC feature in Paris when he was still the designer at Givenchy haute couture.  I also had fun working with Pascal Millet at Carven haute couture. I would call my experience with them beyond just modeling. Now I’m also happy sitting front row watching the shows and collecting some of the best designs in the industry. There is nothing like owning a piece or two of haute couture; it’s no different than owning a Rembrandt.

HMD: When and why did you make the switch from modeling to singing?

Tinu: In high school, I was in the drama club and we would perform cultural dances, school plays, and sing. That’s where music really started for me. I gave it up for modeling and then pursued my education when I returned to the US. It hit me again after 9/11. I realized that life is short. It made me wake up and want to start doing all of those things again. It all came rushing back and I began sketching and writing songs. I got a deal and put out a CD. It was a wakeup to enjoy my life and do what I can do. I thought, I’m privileged to have talent, now what am I going to do with it?

HMD: Who is your biggest inspiration as a singer?

Tinu: Grace Jones! I am a big fan of her work because she has no rules to her own [personal] and singing style.  Her songs make me feel free each time I listen to them. I sometimes feel like running around butt naked in the streets and screaming my lungs out singing to her songs. You can’t define feeling more free spirited than that!

Photos courtesy of  Tinu

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Sweet Hearts Sparkly Body Lotion is paraben-free.

While parabens are considered safe because of their “low toxicity profile,” they can cause skin irritation in people with paraben allergies.  And parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is linked the development of breast tumors and cancers. Yikes!  No wonder the industry is trending towards paraben-free products.

Hands2Go Instant Foaming Hand Sanitizer

Here are a few products I’ve tried and give the Hot Mama Daily stamp of approval:

Noah’s Naturals Grapefruit Shower Gel with Plant Cleansers ($7.99): The creamy, mild shower gel gently cleanses without stripping your skin of moisture. It nourishes with herbal extracts, vitamins, and natural emollients. 

Noah's Natural products are all natural.

Sweet Hearts Sparkly Body Lotion by Sparklehearts Natural Beauty for Girls ($12.49): Sparklehearts was started by best friends Hilary Orr and Darcy McMahon.  Once these industrious ladies found out that 60 percent of everything you apply to your skin is absorbed in your body, they decided to make their own organic products.  The products come in bright, playful colors and are perfect for tweens, teens, and fun gals of all ages.

Hands2Go Instant Foaming Hand Sanitizer ($2.60): This alcohol-free hand sanitizer comes with a handy pump. It’s moisturizing, fragrance-free, and has twice as many applications as alcohol gel.

Image credit: Sparklehearts/Facebook, Amazon.com, Walmart

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Reviva Eye Serum, $17.99 (image from Vitamin Shoppe)

“I’ve been using it for a few years now and it’s honestly the best eye cream I’ve ever tried. This is the only cream I’ve tried that quickly reduces puffiness (like I cried the night before and fell asleep on my face puffiness).

It also works on fine lines and dark circles. It’s by Reviva and contains, DMAE, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C Ester. These are the same ingredients in Dr. Perricone’s eye cream but at a fraction of the cost. Years ago, after reading his book I tried a sample from Sephora and loved it, but couldn’t afford it ($95).

Shortly thereafter I found this Reviva cream at the Vitamin Shoppe ($18). I use it night & day. Over time you really notice a difference!”

Thanks for the tip Ferris!

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Tibi's presentation during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in February 2009.

Visit Rowenta’s website for your chance to win Rowenta’s Exclusive Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sweepstakes.

Here’s what you’ll win:

• Entrance to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York and tickets to select shows in February 2010.
• Roundtrip coach airfare for two (continental U.S. only).
• Airport transfers.
• 3 nights hotel accommodations (double occupancy) in Manhattan and select meals between February 12 and February 19, 2010.
• Shopping spree and makeover package worth $1000.

Don’t delay, enter the sweepstakes today!  It will be exciting if a Hot Mama Daily reader wins!

Image credit: Bauer-Griffin

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Rakia Reynolds, Philly style ambassador.

 
I love Philly and met the bubbly Temple graduate during a recent visit for the city’s first Fashion Week.  This busy hot mama — the 30 year-old is a mother of two girls with one on the way — is also fashion editor for the revamped Vibe magazine. I asked Rakia to share her Top 5 Wardrobe Pieces for the Fall/Winter season.

Rakia loves her snake tights! (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

Leg Wear: I love printed tights. My closet is chock full of tights that run the gamut of colors, prints, textures. Currently, I’m rocking hand dyed tights, snakeskin tights, ones with wings on the sides, and vintage, gold lame tights.

These Rachel Comey wedges are hot!

To and Fro Booties

Footwear: I adore the pony-haired wooden wedges from Rachel Comey’s collection and these funky To-and-Fro booties.

Accessories: I can’t live without my super transitional dress-me-up/dress-me-down drawstring scarves by Philly’s Letau Designs; I wear them with jeans, dresses, tanks, or anything in my closet.

Rakia Reynolds at Philly Fashion Week.

Outerwear: Right now, I am sporting a vintage wool military cape coat and an old school slim fitting leather jacket.

All That Glitters: I can’t live without lamé jackets, dresses, or tops. I am into anything that sparkles. I also adore the vintage, sequins dresses that I pick up at thrift stores in New Jersey and Philly.

Hot Mama Daily readers can also check out “What’s in Your Closet?” with Rakia every Wednesday on the Philly insider website, uwishunu.com.

(Image credit: Rakia Reynolds, Anthropoligie, ShopStyle)

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Image courtesy of Shecky's Girls Night Out.

As an added bonus, if you would like one of Shecky’s Famous Goodie Bags stocked full of beauty freebies, click here and receive $10 off your Goodie Bag ticket ($30 in advance, so you’ll only pay $20 plus tax) by using the code FAB10OFF.  When you get to the checkout page, please choose “Socialista” from the drop down menu where it asks you how you found out about this event and then type in “Hot Mama Daily.”

If you live in the New York tri-state area, don’t miss this chance to sip and with your girls.  Maybe I’ll see you there! And if you don’t live in New York City, visit Shecky’s website to find out when Girls Night Out will be swagging your way.

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Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt (Image courtesy of Walmart)

Apparently, I’m not alone in my affection for this affordable, medicinal bath and beauty product. Hot Mama Daily reader Sandhi Schimmel Gold, writes, “My favorite [bath product] is Kiehl’s Lavendar Soaking salt, but when I’m on a budget, I’ll go for Epsom salts.”

She adds a great tip for cold and flu season: “If I feel like I’m getting sick, I take a hot bath and put as much ginger in [fresh or powdered] as I can stand.  It always wards off the cold!”

According to the Epsom Salt Council, Epsom Salt is a pure mineral compound (magnesium sulfate) in crystal form that gently exfoliates skin and smoothes rough patches.  Its potential benefits include:

• May soften skin and exfoliate
• Ease stress
• Lower blood pressure
• Create a happy, relaxed feeling
• Raise energy levels

Stay tuned for a few Epsom Salt beauty recipes you can use at home.

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