the it Girl Rules blog: it girl rules

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Monday, August 6, 2012

Chicago Natural Beauty Hair Event...A Celebration and An Education

It Girl Fam,

On August 14th, I will be celebrating 6 years of chemical-free hair. Wow! Where did the time go?

I cut ALL my hair off after 2 years of serious consideration & introspection, so there was no transition for me. My reasons were simple - economics and time. I spent hours in the salon every 2 weeks, I wasn't working out because I didn't want to mess up my hair and I dropped off a duffle bag at every appointment. I just had enough. I took the leap and haven't looked back.

When I started my natural hair journey, there wasn't a nationwide movement or support system like there is today. Many African-American women sincerely want to be free of the creamy crack (aka relaxers), but don't know where to start and have fear about the transition process. Thank God for Rachel Odem as well as the national network of natural hair stylistas that are leading the movement and helping to educate woman on what to do and how to do it. Rachel founded the Chicago Natural Beauty Meetup, which hosts natural hair and beauty events throughout the year.

I absolutely loved the event on July 29th. There is something about being in a room of approximately 100 natural women with no airs and no pretense - just warmth, sharing, and sisterhood. We all embraced and celebrated our natural hair. It was great.

Below are some pix from the event.

Enjoy!

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

Ken Burkeen, founder of Huetiful (creator of Huetiful Hair Steamers)

& Rachel O, beauty expert & founder of Chicago Naturals

Sponsors included

Carol's Daughter, Curls Unleashed, & Koils by Nature

Meechy and Vaughn Monroe were the featured panelists.

They are a dynamic duo that blog and vlog about their natural hair

experiences, products, etc. and are national speakers in the space.

They were super sweet and gave us valuable info!

Ms. Vaughn is on my right & Meechy is on my left.

Aren't they beautiful?

Octavia Hooks is a subject matter expert and salon owner.

Octavia educated us on natural hair products, hair textures, and styles.

Her models are sisters.

It was a cool way to demonstrate how the same exact style

can look different depending on your hair texture.

Sista TV was the event's MC. Love Love Love your energy!

She made the program come to life.

In between education sessions & live demonstrations,

participants could network, chill out, or check out the vendors.

Some of the vendors... It was a bit quiet,

because I shot this while a session was in progress.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Skyy Vodka Event featuring Artist Hebru Brantley

It Girl Fam,

I am not only a lover of fashion, but I also love contemporary art - especially pieces with powerful urban themes. A few weeks ago, Skyy Vodka sponsored an amazing music and art event featuring the extremely talented (and extremely handsome) Hebru Brantley. Not only were many of his works on exhibition, but he also blessed the crowd by creating an original piece while participants sipped, danced, and enjoyed the evening. It was really cool!

After the Skyy Vodka event, Hebru won the Red Bull Curates competition along with a handful of other artists. He receives a trip to Miami during Art Basel this December and will participate in the Red Bull Curates group by exhibiting his collection there. Congratulations Hebru!!

Thought I would share some of the event pix with you.

Enjoy!

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

Hebru creating a masterpiece

Yup, this is Hebru and I. I told you he was handsome.

He's also extremely tall. My guess is 7 feet...give or take.

I'm not mad at his height! :-)

A few of Hebru's exhibition pieces - made exclusively for Skyy Vodka.

DJ was spinning!

Live music was on deck also. This trumpet player did his thing.

Skyy Vodka left no stone unturned.

With the beautiful Maya-Camille Broussard,

curator of Three Peas Art Lounge

With close friends,

Joy Bivins, curator of the Chicago History Museum & Sat.

With friend and artist, Roosevelt Pittman & his wife Stephanie.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Grand opening event of the City Target in Chicago

It Girl Fam,

Last night, I attended the grand opening of the nation's first City Target store in downtown Chicago. The other two City Target stores are located in Los Angeles and Seattle. And more will be opening within the next 2 years.

True to it's name, City Target, it definitely has a neighborhood feel. Unlike the regular Target or Super-Target concepts, it's more of a place where you can shop, sip, eat, and crack open your laptop if necessary because they have wifi. There's a Pret A Manger Cafe at City Target and yes, they also have a liquor license.

I was so caught up in the evening festivities that I almost overlooked the cool merchandise. I especially liked the Chicago-neighborhood branded swag. I'm sure tourists and natives alike would buy them. I, personally, had an eye on one of the baby tees. :-)

Below are some pictures of the different engagement activities during the event. Enjoy!

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

Met Bullseye, Target's mascot

(I'm not an employee, but I tried to represent in my red & white)

With fashion/lifestyle bloggers, The Sassy Peach and Afrobella

and my friend, Ariyana Monique from Target's corporate headquarters

She cycled during the entire event to display

the rotating City Target sign on the right of the unicycle.

It was pretty cool.

Local bucket drummers getting it in!

Local artist, Rahmaan Statik Barnes, painting a City Target mural

Another view of his mural

The lovely Laverne Knighton, from Target's community relations

Loved DJ Megan Taylor! She did her thing. :-)

Note the City Target artwork in front of the DJ booth

Even the napkins were branded. :-)

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Fundraiser led by Fashion Industry's Elite

It Girl Fam,

I recently had an opportunity to attend a fundraiser at Harpo Studios in Chicago hosted by the fashion industry's elite. From Anna Wintour to Chanel Iman to Rachel Roy, there was no shortage of tastemakers represented.

Below are some pix from the event. Enjoy!

I know that this post is weeks overdue. I promise to do better in the future. :-)

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

THE Anna Wintour

Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Magazine

She's dope! That's all I have to say!

Model Chanel Iman is gorgeous and graceful.

She was a joy to meet.

Designer Rachel Roy!! OMG!!

A fellow yardy. (West Indians, stand up!)

LOVE LOVE LOVE

She's such a sweetheart!

Sanaa Lathan is beautiful in person.

I think I've watched almost all of her movies.

Team Johnson Publishing was in the building.

Linda Johnson Rice (Chairman)
& Desiree Rogers (CEO) were amazing.
Let's take a moment of silence for Desiree's ensemble. My picture does no justice.

Her makeup was flawless also.

Mellody Hobson

President of Ariel Investments

This sister is fierce on so many levels! I admire her greatly.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Fashion Fair's Truly Treasured Beauty Tour with Sam Fine

It Girl Fam, I have to be honest with you. Fashion Fair Cosmetics is a brand that I had associated with my mother's generation. However, I heard about the tour and decided to check it out. I'm so glad I did, because Sam Fine and the Fashion Fair Pro Team has gotten me straight. The brand is modern and the make up is amazing. If you want to add some glam to your make up game, I suggest that you give it a try.

I didn't want to scare you with my 'before' look, but my 'after' pix are below. :-) Tell me what you think about my make over.

Enjoy!

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

THE Sam Fine

Sam Fine and Joseph Hampton, Fashion Fair's Creative Director.

Joseph taught Sam & he also did my make up at the event.

Rachel Odem, the beauty expert and blogger.

#TeamNaturalHair

Event Poster

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference 2012 - WOW!

As a fairly new entrepreneur, I decided to check out the BE conference from May 23rd to 25th and I was blown away. From social media to intellectual property to power networking, no stone was unturned across the 3 days of workshops. I also met some amazing folks in the beauty and style industry...in addition to several other industries. You may recognize some of them. :-)

Enjoy the pix!

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

THE 1st Black Supermodel, Ms. Beverly Johnson

(It's a camera phone...so it's the best we could do.)