the it Girl Rules blog: 2013

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Grand Opening of the Huetiful Chicago Salon

It Girl Fam,

I was recently blessed to attend the grand opening of Huetiful Chicago at 3428 S. King Drive. This salon is special for so many reasons.

First of all, Huetiful’s founder is my dear friend Ken Burkeen. We go back too many years to count. I’m so proud of what he’s accomplished with this international business as well as his two hair salons. (If you live in the Atlanta-area, you should definitely check out the 2nd location).

Secondly, I love Huetiful’s focus on healthy hair for ALL women. Hydration is at the cornerstone of their hair care philosophy and it's made possible by a combination of Huetiful products, specially-trained stylists, and their unique hair steamers.

Last, but not least, it’s not lost on anyone that Ken could have opened his Chicago salon in a number of other locations. However, he chose the historic Bronzeville neighborhood. I applaud his consist and continued support of communities of color locally and worldwide.

If you’re looking for a hair salon in the Chicago area with a keen focus on natural and healthy hair, then look no further!

Below are photos from the event.

Enjoy!

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

With Huetiful's Founder Ken Burkeen

Huetiful Chicago Stylists being divas!

Tasheara, Nina, Shawanna, Daria & Monique

Vloggers Meechy & Vaughn Monroe are the new faces of Huetiful

Congratulations Ladies!

With Ms. Meechy Monroe aka Tameka

She's already pretty cool, but

what makes her even cooler is that we share the same 1st name!

Event curator and new friend, Larvetta Smith of L3 Eventeurs

Inside the beautiful salon space... It's really cute!

The Huetiful-branded water was a nice touch.

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

African Pride's A Mother's Love Event

It Girl Fam,

I recently attended African Pride’s Ultimate Beauty Social held at Art Revolution in Chicago – high ceilings, amazing art work, open loft space, dark wood, floor-to-ceiling windows, and exposed brick. Beautiful! It was a fun, engaging, and intimate gathering of beauty, style, and hair bloggers in the Chicago area. Camila Crews, African Pride’s Content Manager, moderated a discussion with bloggers Vaughn Monroe and Rachel Odem. We laughed, shared our hair challenges and victories, and talked about what’s new with African Pride.

I don’t remember my mother using African Pride on my hair, but I do remember seeing the brand as a child. African Pride seems to be refreshing the brand and the product line with options for both relaxed and naturals. Another major selling point is that each product is priced at $3.99 or less.

Immediately following the social, African Pride kicked off “A Mother’s Love” event – a celebration of mothers and daughters as a nod to Mother’s Day. It was a fully integrated experience for women of all ages and open to the public – including face painting for the little girls, beauty makeovers for the big girls, and product giveaways for everyone. The light bites provided were delicious. And I can’t say enough about the candy station…it was a blast from the past. Who remembers Lemon Heads?

But the real draw of the evening was Mary Mary! Yes yes y’all! Mrs. Tina and Erica Campbell stopped by to bless us with their wisdom and challenges related to business, marriage, family, and motherhood. It was an inspirational session nicely moderated by Sonya Blakey.

Rachel Odem, thank you for the invitation!

Below are pix and a video from the event.

Enjoy!

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

Ultimate Beauty Social Video

Rachel Odem!

Vlogger Vaughn Monroe

Product giveaways from African Pride. Very nice!

The dress made out of Skittles & Skittles wrappers

took the candy station to another level.

A 'Mock' Face beat by Big Girl Cosmetics!

I'm a big kid. I couldn't pass up the face paint. What do you think?

Sista-friend Dr. Renee

Crowd enjoying the atmosphere and anxiously awaiting Mary Mary.

Social media guru Lindsey Adams & natural hair blogger Michelle B.

DJ Protege kept the music hot all night.

He's haute as well...dressed to the 9's. Love his style.

Mary Mary being interviewed by Sonya Blakey.

(Picture will be replaced with a better one. I promise!)

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Giving Back at Mott Hall IV Middle School

It Girl Fam,

You know that I’m from Brooklyn and that I love my community. So I was excited and humbled to be asked to participate in Mott Hall IV Middle School's Career Day this month. The school has supported It Girl Industries from the beginning - purchasing many copies of The It Girl Rules for their students, so I hopped at the opportunity.

I completely enjoyed speaking to the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade students about my professional and entrepreneurial career paths. I also reminded them that they have no limits and can do whatever they set out to do. They were so engaging and asked great questions.

Below are some pix from the Career Day.

Enjoy!

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

Mott Hall IV students

Principal Dr. Thomas McBryde Jr.

(I'm holding my Mott Hall IV mug)

My new friend Briana of Ear Candy by Bree, fellow presenter, and 8th grade student.

Only 13 and doing it big!

More wonderful Mott Hall IV students...

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Restaurant Review: Little Goat

It Girl Fam,

I recently found myself in the West Loop of Chicago around 10pm on a school night STARVED and wasn’t sure where to go. I stopped by a popular sports bar on Randolph, but my heart sank when I was told that the kitchen was closed. The bartender was nice enough to recommend Little Goat, which was just a few blocks away. I had not heard of it, but my friend did. Apparently, it's Stephanie Izard's latest venture. She is Executive Chef of the well-known Girl and The Goat restaurant.

There’s nothing little about this place. The diner-style restaurant sits on the corner of Randolph and Green and seems to take over most of the block. Then there’s this enormous spinning neon goat sign at the very top of the restaurant. You literally couldn't miss Little Goat if you tried.

Thankfully, we arrived after the dinner rush and got seated at a cozy booth right away. The layout reminded me of the diners that I frequented when I lived in the northeast, but was way more pristine and sophisticated. The prices are super-reasonable also. The BBQ Pork Sammich (sandwich) was calling me y’all, so I ordered it and completely enjoyed it. My friend ordered a Korean inspired dish called Kimchee & Bacon & Eggs & Pancakes Asian Style Breakfast Tasty Thing. It was a mouthful literally and figuratively. There were only crumbs left on my friend’s plate, so I have to assume it was great also.

We had a very pleasant experience at Little Goat. I will absolutely be back. The food and service were outstanding, but I would be remiss if I didn't shout out the soundscaping. No, there wasn't a deejay but the background music took our experience to the next level. The playlist included hits from Ginuwine, Dre & Snoop, Joe, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Busta Rhymes, Montell Jordan, and A Tribe Called Quest, just to name a few.

If you’re looking for a late-night bite or an upscale diner experience, then definitely check out Little Goat.

Below are a few photos.

Enjoy!

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

My BBQ Pork Sammich was crazy.

View of main dining area

Dining counter with a view directly into the kitchen

Julie, the coolest waitress ever

Full bar in the back

A full bakery was back there too.

They supply treats for both Little Goat and Girl and The Goat.

Rubs and spices for sale - across from the bar

Looking forward to coming back for breakfast!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Fashion Line Review: VIPE Women's Fitness Apparel

Happy 2013, It Girl Fam!

Many of us have fitness on our list of New Year’s resolutions, so I wanted to share with you a relatively new line in women’s fitness apparel called VIPE (aka VIP Exercise). I recently had the opportunity to meet the CEO and designer of VIPE, Marlies Korijn, and view her Spring 2013 line. She’s super-cool and has an impressive background. Not only is Marlies a former field hockey star and an exercise scientist, but she’s also from the Netherlands.

Designed for women by a woman, the line is stylish, sophisticated, and very functional. VIPE’s high-quality wicking fabric is proprietary and contains no polyester, which means no piling! I like that. Marlies takes every opportunity to accentuate our beautiful curves while minimizing the trouble areas that most women are self-conscious about. Her loose-fitting tanks conceal any challenges you may have around your midsection. Seam placement throughout the line has a slimming effect and the rise in the back of the pants, capri tights, and shorts are higher. Who doesn’t like a little extra coverage back there? Two thumbs up on the high-rise!

There are other practical features worth highlighting. The jacket zippers can lock in place and you’ll find reflectors strategically designed on each garment. Her line also accommodates any MP3 player with hidden pockets some of the tanks and bottoms and a hidden hole in the jackets comfortably conceal the wires of your ear plugs. I should add that the line offers lots of layering and mix-n-match options. The primary colors in the line are white, black, pink, and green.

The Spring 2013 line hits select boutiques this February. Click here for a full listing of boutiques. You can learn more about VIPE at thevipe.com

Thank you Taylor and CRC the invitation.

Below are some VIPE pix.

Enjoy.

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

Marlies Korijn, CEO of VIPE

Accelerate Cover Up on Marlies & I'm wearing the Cardiac Woven Packaway Jacket.

This model is wearing my favorite pieces of the entire line -
the White Vigour Terry Jacket & Pant.

I probably would wear this white jumpsuit everywhere but the gym. It's too cute.

The Accelerate Cover Up Jacket.

There's a ton of detail which the camera doesn't capture like the headphone hole underneath the collar and the thumbhole in the cuffs. (Marlies is also wearing this jacket above.)