What up doe!

Happy March! I’m counting down the days ’til Spring and when I can start wearing my cute shoes again. Ha!

The other day I was in Downtown Detroit for a press conference and I wore my big ol’ snow boots with my dress pants. It was way too cold to wear my cute heels. So, yeah… I’m ready for Spring! 🙂

Here are a few highlights from the week for today’s #FridayVibes:

  • Admiring The Lip Bar’s Black History Month Tribute
  • Solange Revives BlackPlanet AND Drops a New Album
  • Suave Just Announced Their New Natural Hair Collection
  • The Iconic Face Chain Hannah Beachler Wore at the Oscars

1. ADMIRING THE LIP BAR’S BLACK HISTORY MONTH TRIBUTE

The Lip Bar honored global icons Harriet Tubman, Angela Davis, and Rosa Parks for Black History Month. (Photo credit: The Lip Bar)

Black History Month ended yesterday, but for me celebrating my culture and heritage is EVERY DAY! It seems only fitting to share The Lip Bar’s tribute to global icons Harriet Tubman, Angela Davis, and Rosa Parks.

The beautiful tribute was called HERstory. Founder Melissa Butler says she believes it’s important to always celebrate Black women and not just celebrate the culture for Black History Month.

“I think it’s super important to highlight Black women at all times. Not just Black History Month,” Butler said in a video on The Lip Bar’s website. “But this is one of those instances where it’s like what better time to look at all the heroines that came before us and really just like be grateful for the path that they led out for us.”

You can check out the article and beautiful photos from The Lip Bar HERE.

Photo credit: Solange’s Instagram

2. SOLANGE REVIVES BLACKPLANET AND DROPS A NEW ALBUM

Another one of my highlights of the week was when singer Solange Knowles revived BlackPlanet AND dropped her new album! I remember BlackPlanet from my college days.

I had friends who used the site and I know it hasn’t been an active site in a minute. So when I heard about Solange’s latest creative project, I had to check it out for myself!

In an Instagram post, Solange announced she was “taking ovaa www.blackplanet.com/solange/” and it was the “new world wide web”.

Then at midnight today, the singer dropped her new album “When I Get Home”. I was ready for it and tuned in at 12:30 A.M. to listen to the album. Simply put: I like it!

MY FAVORITE TRACKS ARE:

  • “Stay Flo”
  • “Way to the Show”
  • “Almeda”
  • “Down with the Clique”
  • “Time (is)”

The album has a very futuristic vibe to it but still fits in the Neo-Soul genre that I love. What are your thoughts?

Okay, but wait… there’s more! A few hours after the new album dropped, Solange made another announcement on her Instagram. There is a film of “When I Get Home” and you can watch it on Apple Music. The singer wrote, “I couldn’t be more proud!”

Suave’s new Natural Hair collection. (Photo credit: Suave)

3. SUAVE JUST ANNOUNCED THEIR NEW NATURAL HAIR COLLECTION

I feel like Suave is a little “tardy to the party” on this one. The Natural Hair Movement started how many years ago and they’re just now launching a natural hair collection for women of color?

Well, either way, I’m happy to see this new collection because I do use Suave products from time to time. It’s a big money saver for my big family budget so I plan on checking out Suave’s new Natural Hair products.

Suave sought help from 5,000 women with diverse natural hair types, styles, and lifestyles to help them understand the hair care needs of women with natural hair.

The women were co-creators and influencers and they helped develop and test the hair products in real-life conditions. They will continue to work with Suave to ensure the brand is meeting the needs of the natural hair community.

“Many Black women, particularly those with type 4 curl types, don’t see themselves in media or advertisements. It’s always an empowering feeling to see women with your hair and texture that look like you in campaigns, and it’s even better that brands like Suave are creating products made for our hair texture specifically,” said Enocha Tellus, Suave Natural Hair Trust..

You can purchase Suave Professionals for Natural Hair at Dollar General, Family Dollar, and online at Target.com and Walmart.com.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock (10117222ae) Hannah Beachler 91st Annual Academy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA – 24 Feb 2019

4. THE ICONIC FACE CHAIN HANNAH BEACHLER WORE AT THE OSCARS

Production Designer Hannah Beachler made history when she became the first African American woman to win an Academy Award for in the production design category. Beachler’s award was for her work on the Marvel Black Panther film.

And who could forget the gorgeous gown and iconic face chain?

Speciality jeweler Douriean Fletcher was commissioned to create the face chain Beachler wore. Fletcher and Beachler maintained their connection after working together on the historic film.

Douriean Fletcher

Fletcher is a Los Angeles-based metalsmith specializing in wearable fine art in lustrous gold tones. She is no stranger to award season requests. Fletcher’s work has also been seen on Oscar award winner Ruth Carter, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, and many others.

According to Fletcher, her “…immediate and primary passion as it relates to wearable art is her commitment in supporting women in revealing their true beauty by telling their stories through her work.”  The story of film aesthetics has a new chapter and Douriean Fletcher’s masterpiece punctuated the moment.

To check out more of Douriean Fletcher’s work and browse her collections, you can visit her website by clicking HERE.

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].