2014 BET Awards Red Carpet

Funny man Chris Rock hosted the BET Awards live from Los Angeles last night. It was an evening full of great music and of course fashion. Here are some of my favorite looks. Claudia Jordan was a breath of fresh air. I loved everything from the high bun and the chunky jewelry to the bright summertime yellow.

One of the first dresses that I fell in love with was worn by Adrienne Bailon. Her long white gown shimmered as she interviewed all of the other celebrities on the red carpet.

Another white dress that caught my eye was worn by singer Ashanti. I loved the lace sleeves and the opening at the bust line.

I was ready to say that the white dresses owned the night. That is until I saw the ladies in blue. Actress Naturi Naughton looked gorgeous in her plunging V-neck dress.

But my very favorite gown of the evening was worn by Tai Beauchamp. I absolutely loved the beading around the neck and waist.

Which gowns did you like?

Claudia Jordan
Adrienne Bailon
Ashanti
Naturi Naughton
Tai Beauchamp

Sizzle Summer Drinks

I love summertime parties. If you are planning a party this summer, here are a few fruity signature drinks that would be great in this warm weather. 

Let me introduce you to the Kiwi Sapphire.
Ingredients:
1.25 oz Bombay Sapphire Gin
1.25 oz Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps
Splash of Sprite
1 kiwi
Ice

Peel and slice kiwi, then muddle with ice. Add gin and schnapps. Shake and pour into a glass. Then add a splash of Sprite. Garnish with a kiwi slice. 

Do you like lemons? Then why not add a little kick to your celebration by having Lemon Drop as your signature drink?
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce Triple Sec
1 teaspoon of superfine sugar
3/4 ounce lemon juice

Mix vodka, Triple Sec, and lemon juice in a shaker filled with ice and shake until cold. Pour into a martini glass rimmed with the superfine sugar. Makes 1 drink. 

How about a classic? No one can resist a Pina Colada, especially if it's in a coconut shell.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces of light rum
3 ounces pineapple juice
3 ounces coconut cream
crushed ice
fresh fruit to garnish

Pour all ingredients in a blender, pour into a coconut, and garnish with fruit.

If you have ever had a Mojito, you probably loved it. Summer is a great time to try new things. So I have a fantastic drink for you. Try a Mango Mojito. If you love tropical fruit like mangoes, you will love this drink.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Mango Rum

3 oz club soda

1 lime wedge

4 mint leaves

ice

Muddle the mint leaves and lime wedge together. Then add Cruzan Mango Rum and club soda. Add ice and serve. Enjoy!

Kiwi Saphire
Lemon Drop
Pina Colada
Mango Mojito

2014 Tony Awards

Last night, host Hugh Jackman hopped through the audience, backstage, and out to the stage to open up the 68th annual Tony Awards from Radio City Music Hall. The show started out with a bang with a performance by Fantasia Barrinao, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, Dule Hill and the rest of the cast of After Midnight. We also got to enjoy snippets of Les Miserable, Aladdin, If/Then, Rocky, Cabaret, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Violet, The Last Ship, Wicked, Beautiful, Bullets Over Broadway, and Finding Neverland.
I also enjoyed watching the actors hit the red carpet on cbs.com before the show. Here are my favorite looks of the night.

One of the first gown that I fell in love with was Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical winner Jessica Mueller. The sheer nude fabric really caught my eye.

I was overjoyed when Atlanta's own founder of True Colors Theater Kenny Leon won awards for Best Direction and Best Revival of a Play for A Raisin in the Sun. Anika Noni Rose is a member of the award winning cast. She looked beautiful in her leopard print one shoulder gown.

Idina Menzel belted out a great song from the play If/Then. Before that, she walked the red carpet in burgundy Zac Posen gown.

I haven't seen Judith Light in awhile. She looked great in her black lace dress by Randi Rahm Atelier.

Audra McDonald set a record by winning her sixth Tony award. She simply glowed in her red and white Escada floral gown holding her award.

Another one of my favorites was Maggie Gyllenhaal's white feather gown.

Jennifer Hudson closed out the show with her preview performance for Finding Neverland. I loved her silver sequined Kaufman Franco gown.

It was a great night of TV.

Jessie

Anika

Judith

Audra

Maggie

Jennifer

CFDA Fashion Awards

Last night, the Council of Fashion Designers of America had their annual fashion award show at Alice Tully Hall in New York. The show includes categories to honor womenswear, menswear, and accessory designers. Of course when it comes to award shows, I love the red carpet. So here are a few of my favorites dresses.

Victoria Secrets model Alessandra Ambrosio looks gorgeous in her red strapless full length gown with her hair in an updo.

Chanel Iman wore a stunning black long sleeve  sequin Monique Lhuillier gown.

Solange rocked a shiny Calvin Klein Collection sheath that looked beautiful with her natural hair.

Two Broke Girls actress Beth Behrs wore my favorite gown of the evening. She looked anything but broke in this two piece emerald green dress and black heels.

The show stopper of the award show was Rihanna. She wore a head-turning sheer original Adam Selman gown with a matching scarf and fur. With daring fashion choices like this, it's no wonder CFDA gave her the fashion icon award.

Alessandra Ambrosio
Chanel Iman
Solange
Beth Behrs
Rihanna