Celebrity

Alicia Keys Hops on the Celebrity #NoMakeUp Train; Looks Stunning Doing It

Posted on June 3, 2016

This week, Alicia Keys launched a mini self-empowerment movement to go makeup free. She wrote an essay on Lenny Letter sharing her journey.

“Women are brainwashed into feeling like we have to be skinny, or sexy, or desirable, or perfect,” she wrote. “One of the many things I was tired of was the constant judgment of women. The constant stereotyping through every medium that makes us feel like being a normal size is not normal, and heaven forbid if you’re plus-size. Or the constant message that being sexy means being naked.”

“Every time I left the house, I would be worried if I didn’t put on makeup: What if someone wanted a picture?? What if they POSTED it??? These were the insecure, superficial, but honest thoughts I was thinking. And all of it, one way or another, was based too much on what other people thought of me.”

Her husband Swizz Beatz joined in the effort and Instagrammed a now widely circulated photo of his wife who looks absolutely stunning without makeup.

She isn’t the first celebrity to embrace #Nomakeup and shared a selfie on social media to expose their true and real selves sans make up. Cameron Diaz did recently while promoting her new book. Lady Gaga, Gigi Hadid and Cindy Crawford have braved the makeupless route. And as in the photo collage above, Kim Kardashian, Gwynth Paltrow, Tyra Banks and Jennifer Lopez too have gone makeup free in social media.

Michelle Klug curated a few more:

photos: Lenny Letter/Instagram

0 comments

Tips

National Donut Day: DIY Recipe & Where to Get A Free Donut Today

Posted on June 3, 2016

I cannot believe we’re back at National Donut Day again! It feels like we were just celebrating it moments ago! I picked up a couple of donuts for my eldest kid home from school after graduating from Middle School this week. There are lots of donut shops giving away free donuts today.

USA Today has a list. Or…if you are adventurous and want to do it yourself, you can follow this recipe from MyHomeMadeHeaven.com.

Dough

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 Tbsp sugar
3 Tbsp butter, softened
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk or kefir
1 egg
2 tsp Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup tangzhong (see just below-don’t worry, it’s super easy)
Oil for frying

Tangzhong (also see picture above)

1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup water

Glaze

3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup water or milk (I like to use water) (You can use less water if you want the glaze thicker- maybe start with 1/3 cup instead)
4 tsp vanilla

Get the rest of the Instructions Here!

0 comments

Inside Nicky Hilton’s Baby Shower, the New York City edition

Posted on June 3, 2016

I’m not saying I’m a Hilton or nuthin’ but I too had a two baby showers in separate cities for my first pregnancy too just like Nicky Hilton yesterday, Wednesday, May 31.

This time, her sister Paris Hilton hosted the posh event at swanky The Towers at the top of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City. Nicky previously celebrated the impending arrival of her first child with husband wealthy businessman, James Rothschild in Bel Air, California mid- May.

The guest of honor wore a little white dress with lace adornment for this shower as well.

Along with her family, Real House of New York cast member and Skinny Girl founder Bethenny Frankel and actress/singer Bisou Phillips attended.

A bi-coastal shower is a great way to give family and friends living in different parts of the country a time to also celebrate the mom to be.

“Hosted a beautiful baby shower for my sister @NickyHilton today at the #WaldorfTowers,” Paris captioned a photo of the event. “Love her #Porthault cake & seeing all our New York friends together to celebrate the new baby.”

Guests dined on “mini sandwiches and mini desserts,” a source told US Weekly.

And now the Instagram stalker pics: (smile)

Hosted a beautiful baby shower for my sister @NickyHilton today at the #WaldorfTowers. Love her #Porthault cake & seeing all our New York friends together to celebrate the new baby. ??????
A photo posted by Paris Hilton (@parishilton) on Jun 1, 2016 at 5:47pm PDT

Beautiful day with my mom & sis. ???????? Love my family so much! ? #NickysBabyShower
A photo posted by Paris Hilton (@parishilton) on Jun 1, 2016 at 6:01pm PDT

#nickysbabyshower ???? @nickyhilton
A photo posted by J•L•H (@jloganhorne) on Jun 1, 2016 at 2:36pm PDT

Can’t wait to meet this little girl! ??? #AuntParis ☺️

A photo posted by Paris Hilton (@parishilton) on Jun 1, 2016 at 6:28pm PDT

Doing something girly @nickyhilton
A photo posted by Bethenny Frankel (@bethennyfrankel) on Jun 1, 2016 at 2:29pm PDT

0 comments

News

Report: US Teen Pregnancy Rate Falls to a Historic low

Posted on June 2, 2016

Pregnancy rates continue to drop throughout the U.S., and have reached a new historic low, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There were 24.2 live births per 1,000 teens between the ages of 15 to 19 in 2014, according to the report in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. This represents a 61 percent decrease from 1991.

“The United States has made remarkable progress in reducing both teen pregnancy and racial and ethnic differences, but the reality is, too many American teens are still having babies,” CDC Director Tom Frieden said in a statement today. “By better understanding the many factors that contribute to teen pregnancy we can better design, implement, evaluate, and improve prevention interventions and further reduce disparities.”

From 2006 to 2014, the teen birth rate declined 41 percent overall. The decrease was the largest among Hispanics, with a 51 percent drop (38 live births per 1,000 teens in 2014), followed by a 44 percent drop among African Americans (34.9 live births per 1,000 teens in 2014), and a 35 percent drop among whites (17.3 live births per 1,000 teens in 2014.)

Continue reading

0 comments

Victoria Beckham Wins the Contest of Celeb Who Wears Her Own Line Most/Best

Posted on June 2, 2016

If there was an award for the celebrity designer who does the best job at wearing and promoting her own line it would go to Victoria Beckham. There isn’t a black and/or white combo the former Spice Girl doesn’t like and whenever she’s spotted out and about, whether by the paparazzi, on a red carpet or doing a press appearance, she is wearing clothing from her high end label.

There is a reason she was named one (and the first) of Bellyitch’s Fashion Mom Icon.

Mrs. David Beckham‘s stuff is classic, chic and basic. They have clean lines and because there is so much black, the clothing can complement well with other pieces and flatter women of different shapes and sizes.

The price points, though steep for most people’s common budgets, still vary. For example, one can nab this cotton blend jumpsuit from her line which is down and half off from $1,600 to $650. It has a slim but boxy fit and could be rocked with patent pumps or sandals.

On the other end of the spectrum is this $3,995 strapless Corset flare wool dress which comes with a diamond broach. It looks fabulous and the A-line is wonderful for accenting a nice neckline while de-emphasizing the hips.

In the middle of that price range is this $1,500 striped knitted top from Beckham. Cute but wow! I think right now, is second with her new line named after her grandparents,

0 comments

Here are 10+ Great Ideas for Creating a Fantastical Playroom for Your Child

Posted on June 2, 2016

It’s every kid’s dream to have a fantastical playroom of their own. It can be wonderful space to explore, play and run wild is perfect for building up confidence and nurturing creativity. And let’s not forget the extra value: it can help keep the rest of your house clear of toys, clutter and mess.

If you have space in your home, why not build a playroom for your little one or brood? Explore this great infographic that the folks at The Rugseller made to get you started.

From storage with a twist to imaginative décor to inspire your kids’ creativity and furniture with room for all the toys, this infographic will give you some pointers as to how you can design your own playroom:

Creating a Cool Kids Playroom Infographic by The Rug Seller by The Rug Seller

0 comments

Celebrity

Veteran TV Journalist Lisa Ling joins the Pregnant over 40 club

Posted on June 2, 2016

Veteran journalist Lisa Ling is making her first appearance on the celebrity “over 40 and pregnant club“.

The 42-year old host of the hit CNN show This is Life with Lisa Ling and her husband, Dr. Paul Song, 50, will be welcoming their second child this summer.

The View alum revealed the news to US Weekly last December.

They’ve been married since 2007 and suffered through a miscarriage two years before welcoming their first child, daughter Jett Ling Song, three years ago.

The former host of Our America with Lisa Ling on OWN TV has been an advocate for miscarriage and pregnancy loss support and launched a website to raise awareness.

0 comments

News

NJ Mom Delivered 1st US Baby with Zika Symptoms

Posted on June 2, 2016

A baby girl delivered Tuesday in New Jersey is the first in the continental U.S. to be born with microcephaly, the Zika-linked brain condition. The 31-year-old mother apparently contracted the virus while in Honduras.

The following visualizations to show reported cases of the Zika virus in the U.S. and around the world.

0 comments

Fashion

Style Spotlight: Party Clothes for The Curvy Girl

Posted on June 1, 2016

Bellyitch Rewind

Dude!

So I was shopping in my local mall with my mother-in-law this week and we popped into this hip and trendy clothing store that caters to sizes 12 to 26 only. I was blown away at all the vibrant colors, chic and sexy pieces and accessories in there. My mom-in-law felt it was too young for her, of course, but I could barely get away without snapping a pic of this curvaceous mannequin in a really cute club dress.

I had never seen clothes for curvy and buxom women so youthful before.

I went home and did my research and learned the store Fashion to Figure was founded by two New York city brothers, Michael and Nick Kaplan, who had the fortune of having for a grand mom plus size fashion pioneer Lena Bryant. Yes! That Lena who founded Lane Bryant (Fun Fact: the store is called Lane because she mispelled her name on a bank slip and kept it)

Well it all makes sense now! They have fashion (and money) in their gene pool and I’m so happy the brothers saw the wide open market for H&M and Forever 21 type of clothing for larger sized women and capitalized upon it! They opened their first store in 2004, then several others throughout New York city and currently boast 26 stores, per ABC TV’s Nightline recent plus-size fashion segment that included a snippet of the two.

From the colorful and trendy website, here are my fave tops, dresses, accessories and outfits I saw on the store’s website:

Plus Size Aurora Abstract Peplum Top Fashion To Figure

I love this Aurora Abstract Peplum Top because of its assymetric front and pattern. It sells for $28.90

Plus Size Jade Scuba Peplum Top Fashion To Figure

I love a Peplum and this Jade Scuba Peplum top in black is versatile and can be dressed up with black pants of a pencil skirt or dressed down over a pair of jeans.

It costs $32.90

Plus Size Ayumi Leopard Duster Fashion To Figure

Long dusters are in style this fall and you can’t go wrong with one in an animal print which has been trending for several seasons now. This Ayumi Leopard Duster sells for $32.90.

Plus Size Adelaide Stripe Top Jumpsuit Fashion To Figure

I love a romper and a Jumpsuit because I find them quite sexaaay and great for date night, cocktail hour or an art gallery opening even. Fashion to Figure’s Adelaide Stripe Top Jumpsuit is so cute and goes for just $33.99! Amazing!

Plus Size Edie Color Block Dress Fashion To Figure

Color Block is ideal for playing with lines and the eye and in this eye-catching turquoise, black and white, this Edie Color Block Dress works and at top of the line price of $42.90 is still quite the steal.

Plus Size Calie Halter Dress Fashion To Figure

Still hawt! The Calie Halter Dress is everything. It sells for $39.90.

Plus Size Alaina Knotted Dress Fashion To Figure

I also dig the Alaina Knotted Dress because it can be work at the office or on a first date. love it! And it retails for just $36.50!

Plus Size Serpentine Embossed Clutch Fashion To Figure

This Serpentine Embossed Clutch caught my eye instantly upon walking into the store. Certainly it could also be a conversation piece as it looks like snakeskin but isn’t. What an optical illusion. You can nab it for $36.90.

Plus Size Iris Beaded Body Chain Fashion To Figure

Get me body with this Iris Beaded Body Chain which is sultry and just $22.90.

And for weekends being out and about, heading to the grocer’s or just chilling with your boo, this Get Up Tank is also refreshing and is just $22.90.

Plus Size Break The Rules Tee Fashion To Figure2

Break The Rules Tee indeed with this funky graphic tee that got its own come-hither action in the back! It will set ya back $26.90.

Plus Size Break The Rules Tee Fashion To Figure

Plus Size Juliette Asymmetric Wrap Dress Fashion To Figure

Finally, this Juliette Asymmetric Wrap Dress is a nice work wrap dress that can go from 9-to-5 to happy hour and runs under $40!

0 comments

Celebrity

RHOA’s Kenya Moore is Anxious to Join the Bumpwatch, Fuels Speculation

Posted on June 1, 2016

Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member Kenya Moore has talked about having a baby for several seasons on her hit BravoTV reality TV show and even went as far as froze some of her eggs and secured sperm from a bank. Now that she is seriously dating fitness trainer Matt Jordan, she’s amped up speculation that she actually is preggers.

Some gossip blogs have pointed out that she looks as if she has gained some weight and is not wearing figure hugging clothing as before. Last February, her co-star Phaedra Parks told a news outlet that she had heard rumors that Moore was indeed with child.

The former Miss America even talked about the IVF process to the media.

“It gets a little complicated, but when a woman ovulates, a certain day you have to come in to get tested to show how many follicles that you are making that ends up being eggs, the eggs that you have to retrieve and grow,” she told OK! magazine. “So it pretty much coincides with your cycle.”

Then, during a recent appearance on the late night show Watch What Happens Live, she teased to host Andy Cohen that she couldn’t confirm if she was pregnant, telling him he would have to wait like anyone else. She also made it a point to let a call-in inquirer know she was drinking water during the show which often features guests drinking alcoholic beverages while appearing on it.

It appears as she is eating up all the “bump watch” and is also egging it on. She recently posted a photo of herself in social media pushing a babuy stroller and captioned the photo“Practicing with #KingAndTwirl with the baby stroller.”

And recently she told BravoTV online:

If I were pregnant it would be a high risk pregnancy due to my age [She is 45 years old]. I feel more comfortable if and when my doctors feel I am in a safe stage to confirm a pregnancy. I appreciate all the amazing fans who are wishing me well. It feels good to know everyone is rooting for me and my happiness.

Good luck and God speed to her!

0 comments

Jeneba Jalloh Ghatt