By Katrice

Baker's Natalie

Céline Solo Smooth Lambskin Fluo Pouch

Dorothy Perkins Coral V Back Dress

By Katrice


When you see espadrille flats, you instantly feel summery. I have one very cute coral pair with an open toe and rose from Target. I can't wait to wear them. Do you love 'em?

3.1 Phillip Lim Espie Espadrille Slip-On, $275

Missoni Espadrilles Zig Zag Red, $390

Castaner Ula Canvas Espadrille, $152

Marc Jacobs Satin Ballerina Espadrille Flats, $445

Mia Rosette Espradilles, $49

Tory Burch Navy Print Espadrilles, $115

Ras Women's Ballet Flat, $109

Lacoste Marthe Espadrilles, $84

By Katrice 

Stella McCartney Nude Eyelet Cotton Shorts, MontaigneMarket.com, $940

With fashion, you can fall in love every single day. I know because I do. Yesterday, my love was a pair of white eyelet print shorts. Ahhh. So cute and fun for a summer lunch date. Now, I want eyelet print everything. But, I'll let the shorts be enough. 

Giambattista Valli Eyelet Dress, Barneys New York, $2965

Eyelet Skirt, Dynamite.ca, $35

Eyelet Lace Jersey Dress, TheOutnet.com, $53

Women's Plus Eyelet A-Line Skirt, Old Navy, $33

Eyelet Babydoll Dress, H&M

Marc by Marc Jacobs Eyelet Dress, Barneys New York, $328

Givenchy Eyelet Babydoll Tank, Barneys New York, $1,740

By Katrice


Thanks to Modly Chic, this is the official one-year anniversary of FBFF! And in celebration, she has given us the great opportunity to say thank you to the people around us and in our audience who have helped us to get to this place. "It’s time to shine the spotlight on them and give credit where credit is due." 

1. Personally, I owe a lot of who I am to: 
My mom, of course, because she not only instilled the fundamentals of who I am and cultivated every nuance of my drive by encouraging me to be spiritual, focused, ambitious, consistent, inquisitive, loving, concerned ... 

The pastor and first lady of my home church bred in me a complete love for knowledge, respect for education and commitment to community building.

My grandfather -- for my work ethic.

Not too long ago, friend Fajr Muhammad {of StylishThought.com} did a post called "Council of She" in which she discussed the four women who in her words: "have inspired me and shaped me to be who I am and guide me to who I aspire to be." I was so inspired by that post. And it led me to identify my own Council: my mom, Audrey Lorde, Oprah Winfrey, Jo-Ann Lipford Sanders, Celie/Shug/Sophia {as one profoundly resilient inertia of black womanhood in "The Color Purple"}.

2. Professionally, I owe a lot of who I am to: Everyone who has ever given me an opportunity to prove myself more than capable -- from the manager at the YMCA in Sandusky, Ohio, who hired me as a part-time desk clerk right after I received my Master's degree {right place/right time} to publisher Pat Lottier who launched me into my dream of being an editor. 

3. When it comes to the art of blogging, I’m grateful to these people for helping me through some rough spots: My good friends Kamille, Cyndi and Katrice H. for encouraging me to just plain be ME {and reassuring me that that alone would be enough}. Blogger Fajr for being a sensational inspiration with sound research, creativity, integrity and consistency. And Aunt Phyllis, Toni, Uncle Ernest, Shaneika, Paulina and Tawanna for being amazing MVL ambassadors.

4. One blogging challenge I’m grateful happened because it made me stronger was … 
One time, I did an interview for an MVL Exclusive and was recording it. When the interview ended, I went to review the tape and realized that I had connected the recorder to phone incorrectly. I was devastated -- believing that the opportunity was a wash -- and almost walked away because I was afraid to go back to the subject and explain what happened. My thought: MVL is a fledgling blog and that it would be a bother. But, my friend Myleik encouraged me to send a note explaining what happened. I did that and the individual was more than accommodating. Not only did she agree to re-answer my questions, she sent her responses via video message. The lesson for me was that my blog is of value to someone other than me, and that if I don't believe in my "product" no one else will. 

5. To my readers, I’d like to say …
You have literally catapulted me into my destiny. It sounds cliché, I know. But, it is so so true. I become more of myself with each and every post, and you being here makes it even more affirming and rewarding an experience. 

by Katrice 


I got up this morning at 5 a.m. and did something I've never imagined myself doing: I was dressed and at the Apple Store by 6:07 a.m. standing in line. I was there, of course, for the iPad 2. Hours later, I'm a hilarious combination of fatigued and excited. This. Thing. Is. Awesome! 


Because I picked it up on my way to work, I've only been able to piddle with it for a few brief moments. But, what I've experienced so far is beyond my expectation. Before my iPad, the only Apple devices I've owned are an iPod nano and iPod touch. I love them. But, not enough to venture into the Apple store and hang out like it appears people are when I walk by. Well ... At this point, you just may see me in the glass-enclosed store some time when you walk by. LOL! {I'll likely be in there for a bit of insight on taking a more crisp photo than you see above. Please, forgive the graininess.} Friend Kam said I'm officially an "Applelite."

By Katrice 

I came home from Jamaica determined to master a recipe for Bammy that tastes as good as what I had there. Bammy is a traditional Jamaican cassava flatbread descended from the simple flatbread. The texture reminds me a little of hot water cornbread, but the flavor is much lighter with a tinge of sweetness. It's delicious. 

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

 1 pound of sweet cassava
 A pinch of salt
 1 tin of coconut milk

Preparation

Peel the cassava
Grate it
Place the grated cassava in a clean tea towel and wring out as much of the juice as you can
Add salt
Divide the mixture up in to one-cup sized portions.
Flatten each portion out in to a thick disc shape

Cooking

Add to a greased frying pan
Fry each side of the bammies over a medium heat for 9 minutes on each side.
Take out of the frying pan and soak in coconut milk for 5 minutes.

Place the bammies back in the pan and fry until they are a light brown color.

By Katrice

Minnetonka Women Kilty Suede Moccasins

By Katrice 

By Katrice 

By Katrice


One of the best things about being inquisitive is that you are always coming to new realizations externally as well as internally. You're always learning and there is always space for newness. I feel like my trip to Jamaica was all about new realities. 

There is nothing like life to put life back into perspective. 

1. I must have a boat.

2. You can hold stress in your fingers. {I discovered this during a reflexology treatment.}

3. Waking up without an alarm really is bliss.

4. This will be a summer of sensational sun dresses for me. 

5. Ocean waves release endorphins.

6. I love Bammy. 

7. We underestimate the benefits of proactive wellness. {Nutrition, exercise, pampering, relaxation.}

8. Even in a tropical climate, I prefer a fan and the fresh air to air conditioning. 

9. I spend way too much time on my computer. {My first-day search for a stronger WI-FI signal made that evident.} 

10. I can be completely made up with just moisturizer, concealer, lip gloss and mascara. Who knew!?

11. Once we've visited a place, even if we love it very much, we should continue on to another destination for our next excursion. The world is too vast to limit our travels to a particular locale. 

12. The safes in hotel rooms are there for a very good reason. 

13. Fresh fruits and vegetables have a taste that is unmistakable. I need more of both in my life every single day.  

14. I can bounce back quickly. 

15. The moisture in island air is better than any moisturizer I have used on my natural hair. 

16. Down time is so very necessary.

17. Checking luggage is passé. It's a lovely option, but clearly the baggage handlers could not care less about us or our bags. {Have made note to self.}

18. I could make it without constant cell phone access. I did in Jamaica.

19. We should be drinking half our body weight in ounces of water each day.

20. Things can make you happy for a moment. Experiences can fulfill you for a lifetime.

I've moved beyond my initial "I'm never leaving" reaction to Jamaica. I mean, I still never want to leave but at least I am no longer completely transfixed on every spectacular view of the ocean and can actually tear myself away to respond when I'm spoken to. But, if you've been here ... I know you understand. It's just everything. The weather, the mountains ... the water.

As I left Round Hill in Montego Bay yesterday afternoon for the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, I realized that the parting view is even more spectacular than the first glimpse.