One of the best things about writing Hot Mama Daily is all of the cool fashionistas and designers I have a chance to meet, like Seville Michelle Anastos. The New Yorker recently launched her own shoulder jewelry called babette epaulette.
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 …read more

Sheree Whitfield is one of the sexy, sassy “Real Housewives of Atlanta.”  I’m not ashamed to admit the Bravo show is must see TV in my Brooklyn abode.  So I was thrilled to interview the mother of three prior to the two-part second season reunion special, which she calls “a shocker.” 
 
 
This season, Sheree’s near fisticuffs with a hot-tempered party planner spawned the catch phrase “Who’s Gonna Check Me Boo?” and she debuted her She by Sheree clothing line.  The designer sites Dolce & Gabbana as her style icons, admits she’s not “bald-headed” but likes to rock  clip-in hair pieces, and …read more

How many Hot Mamas out there love shoes? Me too.  Well, meet fellow shoeholic (and Grace Jones fan) Tinu Naija.  The New York City model and singer’s latest music video, “Shoeholic,” from her sophomore album Addicted, is an ode to her enviable collection of  boots, pumps, sandals, platforms and everything in between. You can even enter to win a shoe bag designed by Tinu.
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 …read more

I wrestle with this question.  African-American and Latina women tend to have a healthier body image than women of other races.  Although I don’t believe you have to be stick thin or weight obsessed to be beautiful, I do believe in being healthy.  Your body mass index (BMI) can help determine your healthy weight range based on your height. But even without a scale, we know when we’re in shape and when we’re not.
 
 
Several stars of the Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry-produced “Precious” are zaftig. The movie hits theaters November 6th, and is based on the brilliantly brazen novel “Push” …read more

I’m waiting for the magical product that will permanently moisturize and de-tangle my natural locks.  Fortunately to assist me in my quest for the perfect product, I have an opportunity to sample (yes, I’m talking freebies) lots of beauty and hair care products. Here are three products I recently discovered:
Yes to Carrots Hair and Scalp Mud Mask:  It takes me hours to comb through and re-twist my hair when I take it out. This super moisturizing hair and scalp mask contains carrot seed oil, carrot juice, pumpkin, sweet potato, and dead sea mud.  The product made it much easier to …read more

I’m an opinionated gal and once in a while I need to vent about things in the world of fashion, beauty, and pop culture that I’ve read about or witnessed.  Here are two recent stories that made this Hot Mama heated.

Controversy  was sparked — and rightfully so — over French Vogue’s 14-page photo spread featuring supermodel Lara Stone in blackface.  I don’t know where to begin. For starters, blackface is completely offensive to black people and there’s nothing cheeky or fabulous about it.  Secondly, black models don’t get nearly enough opportunities, so why would the magazine decide on using a …read more

Wouldn’t you love to be perpetually in a good mood?  I sure would, especially during these uncertain times when it’s so easy to habitually be in a bad mood. 
In fact, I want to be in a good mood so badly that I’d love to become a “Good Mood Blogger” for Nature Made vitamins.  
So I need every Hot Mama Daily reader to vote so that I can become a top 20 finalist; please click this link and vote for me (voting ends October 30)!
 
To help me get in a good mood, I like to take warm, detoxifying baths with bath salts …read more

Yesterday, I announced Hot Mama Daily’s Triple Split Eye Shadow giveaway courtesy of THEVI Cosmetics.  Today, the woman behind the brand, Thevaki Thambirajah, has provided fall 2009 makeup tips that will spice up any Hot Mama’s autumn look.
“The best fall 2009 makeup looks are those that are a bit dramatic and draw attention to your eyes,” Thevaki says.  “Make a statement this fall by embracing any of [these] makeup looks.”
Sheer Foundation
Fall is all about letting your natural skin shine through with shimmery sheer color of light-weight sheer foundations. To achieve this look, try Thevi Liquid Mineral Foundation or Pressed Mineral Powder for a …read more

I’m particularly fond of reality TV shows that focus on models and fashion. During Cycle 13 of “America’s Next Top Model,” a benevolent Tyra is giving short girls (contestants are 5′7 and under) a chance to shine on the catwalk. And the “Project Runway” spinoff, “Models of the Runway,”  shows what happens after the aspiring models leave the runway.
After watching both shows this week, however, I noticed a common thread. Beyond the obvious fact they’re both about models, each reality show has a strong-willed black female “character” who has been pegged as the the witch of the model house.
On “Top …read more

The This Day/Arise Promise of Africa Collective Spring/Summer 2010 show and I got off to a rocky start. A sea of  fashionable but testy ladies and gents crowded the tents at Bryant Park — many with red and white invitations in hand. I was invited to the show, but never received a formal paper invitation. Praying I had an actual seat assignment, I approached a publicist with a clip board. She found my name.  Alas, I was in standing room (again).

It had been a long, rainy day.  I’d already stood for the Twinkle by Wenlan show (a fresh, feminine collection …read more