Model Bria Murphy, the gorgeous daughter of comedian Eddie Murphy and vh1’s Nicole Murphy launched the new Dark and Lovely 6 Week Anti-Reversion Cream Serum at the Studio Arte in New York City on Thursday, July 12^th. It was a fabulous event, complete with 3 scenes staged with the models to show how the humidity block technology comes in handy for women of color’s hair, during day-to-day activities.“I love it, it’s completely changed my life, I can go to the gym now and not worry about my hair frizzing up,” said Bria about the serum, at the launch.

The 6 Week Anti-Reversion Cream Serum features exclusive Humidity Block Technology, a nourishing Amino Complex that wraps each strand of hair to seal in straightness and block out moisture. “Its exclusive Humidity Block Technology allows consumers to achieve the same smoothness and shine as if hair was just relaxed,” stated Mezei Jefferson, SoftSheen-Carson Director of Education.

Model’s in each scene had their hair treated with the 6 Week Anti-Reversion Cream Serum, the scenes included;  a party scene with a model grooving on the dance floor; a “caught in the rain” scene featuring a model with an umbrella and rain simulation; and a “in the gym” scene, featuring a model dressed in workout gear on exercise equipment. All common day-to-day activities that present challenges to women trying to maintain the sleekness of their natural hair. 

During the product presentation led by spokesperson Bria Murphy, celebrity hair stylist Keith Campbell and SoftSheen-Carson Director of Education, Mezei Jefferson, guest were allowed to touch each model’s hair to get a feel for the results. I noticed that the part of the hair that had been treated with the 6 Week Anti-Reversion Cream Serum was smoother, sleeker and shiner. “It’s important for me to have a tool that works and it’s important for me to have a product that works, my clients rely on me so therefore I rely on my tools, I love the Anti-Reversion Cream because it does what it says it’s going to do,” said Keith Campbell.

The best part of the product is that it’s easy to use. Simply follow these instructions:

1. Apply a quarter size amount of product to freshly shampooed and conditioned hair
2. Blow dry after product application
3. Flat iron and style as usual

If you want that “just relaxed” look without actually putting a harsh perm or relaxer in your hair, try the new Dark and Lovely 6 Week Anti-Reversion Cream, it will run you about $.8.99 at CVS.

My Name Is Toni Ann Semple and I’m a Singer/Songwriter/Producer/Musician.

Well…Ever Since I was 11, I discovered that I really love music. I would pretend that I was playing the guitar whenever I would hear one on the radio. My Mom discovered what I was doing and purchased my first guitar.  I taught myself how to play that Instrument and then discovered piano, which I also taught myself how to play. I would write and sing everyday, because music to me is like being in a different world. It’s a place where you can escape, and where all things are possible. I love that feeling so much, that I would visit that mystical place everyday.  When I discovered that I liked the horn too, I joined my elementary band and went on to receive a scholarship for trumpet/flugelhorn in high school.  I don’t  play anymore because a musician by the name of The Thelonious Monk Jr. (Drummer), told me he wanted me to stop playing because he didn’t want me to ruin my lips…and then my aunt gave me a native African flute as a gift, and I started playing that and fell in love with that Instrument as well.

Why should people care?

When you can make a difference in other people’s lives with melody & lyric, a song that touches them in a special way, you start to realize that you care that you’re connecting with them… Especially when you look out into the audience and see people closing their eyes and moving to what they’re hearing.  It could be the way you’re performing a song, or perhaps it’s a certain song that they’re familiar with that’s moving them. You then start to realize that they are connecting with you because you found a way to connect with them.

Who are you?

Both: Emily Harrison and Jennie Engelhardt, and we are the creators and designers of Hare + Hart.

Why are you here today?

Jennie: We are doing a presentation of our new spring collection.

What do you do?

Emily: Well we both design together, and I am in charge of production in Argentina where I live.

Jennie: I do more business, marketing and sales in New York and we both co-design and this is our [spring] collection of leather and calf hair, accessories and jackets.

Why do you do it?

Emily:  We do it because it’s really a passion project that we started; we’ve done this as something that we really love and it’s grown from that.

Jennie: Emily lives in Argentina and so it sort of blossomed from there. Argentina has this huge leather industry, and so being able to take advantage of that at its source; where a lot of Argentine leather is usually sent to China or Italy and used there and so we’re able to actually do everything at the source.

Would you consider yourself to be Hip, Modern and/or Motivated?

Emily: We’re definitely motivated.

About Hare + Hart: All Hare+Hart products are made in Argentina by Argentine craftsmen using Argentine leather. Learn more at www.hareandhart.com.

We recently had the opportunity to speak with Joanne Tombrakos, writer, coach and speaker about her transition from corporate America after over 25 years of work in the media industry.

Joanne grew up in Queens, New York and later moved to Philadelphia. She received her Masters degree from Temple University, and became an English teacher in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. After seven years she grew restless and took a leap and major career change by moving into the corporate work force.

Joanne started out selling advertising space at country music radio station WXTU.  She worked for CBS Radio in Philadelphia and Washington, DC and Time Warner Cable in New York. In 2008 Joanne was handed a pink slip, just as her interest and passion for the media industry was dying.

Taking from her childhood passion of reading and writing Joanne took the transition in stride and launched OneWomansEye, a blog centered on leaving behind the corporate world. Now through her blog and coaching Joanne focuses on helping others awaken their inner passion. Read below as we discuss the corporate world, success and transitioning.

HMM: How did growing up in New York prepare you for working professionally?
JT: Growing up in New York you learn street smarts. Something you can’t put a price tag on. This city forces you to learn to be adaptable, no matter your circumstances. That is helpful wherever you go.

HMM: Growing up what did you want to be?
JT: In my heart and soul I always wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t think I was good enough. And nobody ever really asked me what I wanted to do. The assumption at that time was I would get married and have kids and a career would be secondary. So when faced with the question of declaring a major and answering that  “Oh my God I’m going to have to do something for the rest of my life”  question I chose education.  I do love and believe in public education, and I did teach for a while, but most of my professional career was not in education, it was in business.

HMM: You worked in corporate America for a very long time. Did you enjoy it?
JT: When I first started I thought that I had just died and gone to heaven! I couldn’t believe they were paying me to do this job that I liked so much and that was such fun. I loved being in radio and I enjoyed my transition into television too.

HMM: When the economy took a turn and it was time to leave corporate America did you take it in stride?
JT: I definitely took it in stride. When it happened I was working at Time Warner. I knew I did not want to do what I was doing anymore. Going to another company would have been the same situation with different faces. I had already written a novel and my goal was to get it published. Beyond that I was unclear on my specific direction.  All I was certain of at that time was that I wanted to like my work again, to get back the kind of passion that I felt when I first started in advertising sales.  And I wanted to make money.

HMM: I think that it’s good that you said that you wanted to make money; so many people leave that out of their story. 
JT: Absolutely. Money is important.  It’s how we pay our rent and buy shoes, and all those things we need to live. But it can’t be just about the money. You have to like what you do or your life gets flat. If you are lucky and have real passion for your work the money will show up.  Steve Jobs talks about how he never did what he did for the money, but the money winded up coming because he had extraordinary passion for his work.

HMM: In your bio, there is a line about your third act. Tell me a little about that?
JT: Today so many people talk about the second act.  But for me this is really my third act. My first act was teaching school. My second was in the corporate world for 25 years, which was a big chunk of my life, so for me this is now my third act.  Coaching, writing and speaking.

HMM: You have an extreme passion for writing?
JT: I love writing, especially fiction. Writing for me is like breathing so whatever I do has to have some form of writing in it.

HMM: Tell me about being a coach?
JT: I call myself a business coach because people like labels and that one is easy to understand, but I really like to think of myself as a “personal agent of change.” As a coach, I help people who want to create change in their life, whether it is starting or growing a business, writing a book or looking for their next gig.  That’s the business side. But you can’t manifest real change without the personal stuff coming up.  I’m a good resource; I’m really good at keeping people organized and on task. I’m pragmatic but I’m also highly intuitive. And I like to have fun; everyone has this idea that you have to be so serious all the time; fun helps everyone to do a better job.

I got into coaching because I like to help people. Essentially that’s what I’ve been doing all along as a teacher and as a sales director. I was leading people to what they needed to learn and do.

HMM: Is networking important?
JT: I think networking is critical. I’m a big believer in social media. Online networking is really important but at the end of the day people want to be with people. It’s so important to put yourself out there physically, not just virtually. There are so many women, especially in New York City, doing so many fantastic things, and not just behind a computer. Networking helps you generate ideas. The way of the world is changing so much now. People are looking to connect and willing to connect you with other people. Social networking is a first step, but always find ways to get in front of humans.

HMM: What steps would you give someone looking to make a career transition?
JT:

• Ask yourself, what if money was not an issue, what would you pursue as your work?
• Hire a Coach: Coaches help direct you. Sometimes you need to be in front of someone who doesn’t know you to say out loud what it is that you want to do. You need someone other than family and friends to bounce ideas off of. Friends and family try to protect and often will not encourage you to take risk.
• Get Direction: Research what it is you want to do to and learn more about it. Find out what others in that field are already doing.
• Make it a Priority: Find time in each day to dedicate to your newfound passion.
• Join a networking group: Find a new group that expands beyond your current industry. Broaden your scope and see what other people are doing.

Joanne Tombrakos is a writer, business coach and speaker, residing in New York City. She blogs on living and working after corporate America at http://onewomanseye.blogspot.com.  The Secrets They Kept is her first novel. For more information on how Joanne can be your personal agent of change or to speak to your group please visit www.joannetombrakos.com. Joanne is currently working on her next book about time management.
Twitter: @joannetombrakos 

We recently caught up with Jamillah Lamb, producer and author to find out more about what she does and how she’s making an impact in New York City.

What do you do?
I am an author of “Perfect Combination: Seven Key Ingredients to Happily Living & Loving Together” (with my husband David Lamb) a theater producer, including producing the long running off-Broadway play Platanos Y Collard Greens, and a mom of a 4 year old amazing daughter. I am a woman of many, many hats, handling many details big and small.

Why do you do it?
I do it because I love doing what I can to impact people’s lives, whether it is through the theater experience or in sharing my relationship experience. I love the challenge of putting on a show that people will love. Also I love being in business with and partners with my best friend, my husband, David. There is a thrill in seeing an audience’s reaction, I got goose bumps of excitement the first night of the show and I still get them. And as an author I wanted to share my experience of being in a happy and loving relationship with my husband.

Why should people care?
Because my work makes people laugh and leaves them feeling inspired, all while blending, politics, history and romance. And also my story of how I became a producer shows that if you have a dream you can pursue it. We started our company, I was a Vice-President at Citibank, with no theater background, with the plan of performing for one weekend and now here we are nine years later still going.  And from my experience working 24/7 with my husband I learned a lot about how to have a healthy and happy relationship, which is something I think that everyone strives for and in book “Perfect Combination” I share my story of emotional baggage that I had to overcome, things that I still struggle with and what I have done to make sure that my relationship continues to grow.

Cameras flash in every corner of the room and the sound of reporters overwhelm every ear. I muddled through the crowds of amazon-esque models with extensions to the middle of their backs as some of the most fabulous people NYC has to offer crowded the Hair and makeup stations backstage at the Bibhu Mohapatra show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion week. Entering the organized chaos of makeup and hair extensions, nothing can compare to the intense excitement backstage during fashion week. We caught up with L’Oreal  Hair Stylist Amit Abraham to get the inside scoop on Fall/Winter 2012 hairstyles as well as a few Spring/Summer trends we can implement in the warm months ahead!

Before we got into the styling tips we talked with Amit about the overall direction of the Mohapatra show. Abraham explained that the show was inspired by early 20^th century Chinese Opera.  Asian inspiration was clearly reflected in the styling of each models flawless coif. Using L’Oreal Professionals products including L’Oreal Mythic Oil, Infinium 4 Hair Spray and an amazing flat iron, Abraham created a smooth and sophisticated look. All models wore their hairpin straight with low ponytails, knotted at the base.  Using extensions ranging 18-22 inches in length provided dramatic statement. Abraham stressed the importance of the look not being too “greasy or sleek” but rather more like “natural, beautiful hair. Amit spent on average 35-40 min on each model, with 18 models total in the show! We asked Abraham what to expect in spring for hair. He explained that “workable and wearable” right out of bed hair is the thing to do now but things are changing for the fall “and it’s [bleep] great!” More “sexy and polished” strands are popping up on runways from Mohapatra to Phillip Lim and Rachel Roy. So break out your flat irons and get prepared to be sleek and fabulous next Fall/Winter 2012.

After we wrapped up with hair we headed over to the makeup team to see how to work face in Fall 2012. Maybelline make-up artist, Gato, worked feverishly to create a flawless face to compliment the elegance of the pieces in the Mohapatra collection. Each model displayed a dramatic and theatrical elegance. Using white eye shadow as a base with no mascara, Gato created a captivating look accented by a sophisticated plum lip with lots of gloss. Gato explained that for Fall/Winter 2012 we can expect to see lots of metallic’s and bold, rich color. But for the warm months of Spring/Summer 2012 that are now approaching, Gato advises blue and green for the eyes and fun, playful lips.

Inspired by Indian traditions and his mother, designer Bibhu Mohapatra enlisted the help of Zoya Nail Polish and Treatments to create bright and original nail colors to enhance the Asian themed collection. A bright red, Rekah, was used on the left hand and a nude color, Parveen, on the right to represent a tradition of his mother based of the Indian custom to eat with the right hand. Adding a sparkling topcoat for shine and shimmer on the runway highlighted the nude color.

Overall the show was streamline, polished and flawless. Mohapatra created looks that sophisticated fashionistas would die for. Bold greens and read accented by beautiful prints and enough glitter and sequins to shine bright in the dreary winter months.

Article Written By: Tomarra Buckner
Photo Credit: Paul Nathan

What do you do?

I make women’s clothing.

Why do you do it?

I want to help in the progression of women and their status.  I see it [fashion] as a progressive social tool.

Why should people care? 

It affects them [the buyer], it’s not just about me.  Everything begins with awareness, if you can start with that awareness and take it from there.  I have a point of view that is important for today. The consciousness with which we design here is important for the future.

Learn more about Suzanne Rae: www.suzannerae.com

We recently caught up with  Photo-Anthro-Journalist, Regine Romain, from the Fellowship Gallery at the A.I.R. Gallery in Dumbo, Brooklyn, New York for opening night of her exhibit Portraits for Self Determining Haiti.  We extremely admired her creative her portraits, which were taken exactly three weeks after the devastating earthquake in Haiti.  We’ve created a video from our chat with Regine for our Who To Watch series which asks three questions: Who are you? What do you do? Why should people care? Watch below for her response.

GREEN EGGS AND HAM
By: Chef J. Jackson

I am always inspired by the holidays.  Spending time with family and friends and most importantly EATING.  For me, it is one holiday party after another full of bite size goodness. Here is a “holiday inspired” twist on one of my favorite small foods year round, deviled eggs. I call it Green Eggs and Ham.

I would eat them on a bus.  I would eat them on a train.  I would eat them in the rain. What?  Deviled Eggs!  I know you typically only see them in the summer, but here is a play on the incredible edible egg that you are sure to love during the holidays.

GREEN EGGS AND HAM

6 hard boiled eggs, peeled
3 oz. of green dye
2 cup of water
1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon honey mustard
1 tablespoon paprika
1/4 finely chopped roasted red pepper
3 pieces of thick cut bacon
2 tablespoons of packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons of cumin
2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes
1 piece of parchment paper

Pre-heat oven to 350.  Lay parchment paper on baking sheet.  Arrange bacon on parchment paper.  Combine brown sugar, cumin and red pepper flakes in small bowl and blend together with your fingers.  Rub brown sugar mixture on bacon and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked.  Set aside to cool.

Use a disposable bowl or dark colored bowl and place 2 cups of water in it.  Add the green dye.  Place the hard boiled eggs inside and set aside for 30 minutes.

Remove eggs from dyed water and pat dry.  Cut the eggs in half and scoop out the yolk into small bowl.  Add mayonnaise, honey mustard, paprika and roasted red pepper to the bowl with the yolks.  Mix with a fork or blend with hand held mixture for a smooth texture.

Place cut egg whites onto your platter.  Either spoon or use a piping bag to put your yolk mixture on top of egg whites.  Break a piece of your bacon off and place on top.  You can sprinkle chopped green onions on top for garnish.

Bon Apetite!

Chef J. Jackson (aka Mr. Foodtastic)
www.foodiesandfatties.com
www.entreemetropolitan.com
Twitter: @foodiesnfatties

Editors Note: This post comes from our “Get Published Friday” series. To learn how you can get published, contact us at info@hipmodernmotivated.com.

Broadway Nails recently announced USA X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger as the celebrity brand ambassador for imPRESS Manicure, a new innovative salon-perfect manicure that’s completely DIY (do-it-yourself). imPRESS Press-On Manicure is perfect for the holiday season as there is no dry time, just peel, press and go. This is perfect for the NYC woman always on the go; Imagine doing your nails for that special holiday party while you riding in a cab or on the train to your destination.

Taking on the somewhat expensive gel manicure look, which requires a trip to the salon, imPRESS offers a faster and cost efficient option. imPRESS has 24 nail covers in 12 different sizes. With 18 colors at $5.99 each and 18 patterns at $7.99 each. Try going for a ‘glam rock’ style like brand ambassador Nicole did last Wednesday when she performed her new single “Pretty” on the X Factor.

How are you going to rock your imPRESS nails?  
Leave a comment and let us know.