VEGAN – 242Blqrze

Hello Beautiful,

L’Oreal Paris is relaunching their Hair, Makeup & Skincare products in the Bahamas and had a launch event on Friday, July 14th to celebrate.

Fortunately for me, I found myself on the invitation list, and had an amazing time at the event! I learned so much about L’Oreal and its diverse subsidiary brands, one being Maybelline, a favorite of mine.

Do ya’ll remember when I met the Maybelline trend squad last year September? Click here to see the video from our day away workshop in Eleuthera, Bahamas.

Now… back to the L’Oreal Awakening event! It was nothing short of GLAMOUROUS!

After taking a few pics on the step and repeat, I walked into the Melia Ballroom to purple floor lights, high cocktail tables and a big screen that said “L’Oreal” above the stage. I knew I was in the right place!

To my right was a beautiful sweet treats buffet filled with cotton candy, macaroons, bubble gum, cookies and cupcakes! Yum, yum, yum! To my left was the bar serving soft drinks, and wine! Oh… and natural fruit popsicles!

I found myself a vacant table and chair at the centre of the room, with a great view of the screen and stage.

The host, Bahamian singer Bodine welcomed the crowd and introduced the first speaker. Through out the night international reps for L’Oreal, Maybelline and Garnier spoke about the brands, their affiliation with one another and their target markets.

During the presentation breaks, I visited the different brand booths around the room. The first booth I stopped to was the Garnier Hair Care booth. There I met Bre & Tanisha, two of the Garnier’s representatives. These ladies were so friendly and knowledgeable. They told me all about the Garnier’s shampoo and conditioner sets such as Whole Blends and Green Tea, their formulas, and which ones were best for certain hair types. I also learned that Garnier’s products are paraben and silicone free, and that they carry a vegan shampoo and conditioner, which tells me Garnier is a very health conscious brand.

Throughout the night, Bodine, the host asked trivia questions based on the presentation. I didn’t win any of the trivia prizes, but I already felt like a winner just being in the room.

Curiosity wouldn’t let me keep still. The next booth I visited was the Maybelline booth.

Being a big fan of Maybelline’s lipstick, I was like a kid in a candy store when the rep showed me all these cool colors for fall and most importantly for my chocolate complexion. There was a lot of “Oooo’s” and “Ahh’s” from my side of the table. I had the rep write down the name and numbers of the lippies and I will be visiting one of Nassau’s several Lowe’s Pharmacy’s to purchase them.

In real cocktail style there were hor’dorves waiters floating the room, making sure every one had their small bites of deliciousness. I ate a little salmon on a toasted bread, some cheese with grapes and quiche. Oh! And let’s not forget my white wine with the popsicle in it! That was a surprising twist on my favorite cocktail.

Apart from the awesome candy buffet, delicious hor’dorves, and amazing decor, the DJ was playing the latest “party girl” hits and there was even an instant photo booth with props.

Of course there was no way I could leave the event without visiting the L’Oreal station. I honestly saved the best for last! L’Oreal has always been an affordable makeup brand that was raved about, and I’m so happy they’re introducing more darker shades for the coloured woman.

The L’Oreal representative tested the Infallible Matte Finish foundation in the color 112 on me, and I instantly fell in love!

Apart from foundations, the L’Oreal rep introduced me to L’Oreal Infallible Paints lipglosses, and liquid liners that I didn’t even know existed. I may have to cheat on Maybelline with a few of these L’Oreal Infallible products (covers face). Their colors are amazing for summer, especially the electric blue eyeliner!

I can go on, and on about my experience at the L’Oreal Awakening Relaunch event! It was truly enlightening, fun and glamorous. I was already a fan of Maybelline and L’Oreal but now I’m a bigger fan of these brands and a new fan of Garnier.

I made a list of products I’m going to purchase from each brand, but the L’Oreal Infallible line has truly made an impression on me. Thank you Lowe’s Pharmacy (Nassau, Bahamas) and L’Oreal Paris Hair & Makeup!

See more pics from the L’Oreal Awakening Relaunch Event:

Hello Beautiful!

If You’re reading this, it means I made it back home safely from my trip to Nashville, Tennessee, USA and I have lots to tell you!

So let’s get started…

I visited Nashville, Tennessee for the first time last month for 4 days and 3 nights. The primary reason for my trip was to attend one of my friends’ and high school classmate’s wedding.

My excitement mostly came from me knowing I was going to visit a new state for the first time. I love first times!

Once I got to Nashville I quickly found out one of the reasons they called it music city. There was a gentleman in the airport Lobby, singing and playing guitar. I knew right then Nashville had character and I loved it!

Shortly after, I hopped into my airport shuttle and headed to my home, away from home for the next 4 days. I stayed at the Embassy Suites Nashville Airport – affordable, lots of perks, and good reviews!

There are a few hotels close by the airport in Nashville. If you’re thinking of visiting Nashville, I suggest you stay in one, as most offer free transportation to and from the airport and daily complimentary breakfast. That was two of the main reasons why I stayed at the Embassy Suites.

One thing I’ll say about staying in the Embassy Suites Nashville Airport hotel, the higher up the room, the better the view but the lower the floor, the better the wi-fi.

After I got all checked in and dropped off my luggage it was time to LYFT to the Mall. Comment below if you use LYFT in the USA. I want to hear about your experiences with the service.

It was another first for me using LYFT and I liked it a lot.

Nashville has a mall called Opry Mills, similar to the Sawgrass Mills in Broward and Franklin Mills in Philadelphia. I didn’t spend much time in the mall as this wasn’t a shopping trip but I would love to go back when I return again.

Later that night my friend and I went to UP, Rooftop Lounge. It’s a chic little spot that offers a nighttime view of Downtown Nashville, and an angle of the Nashville skyline which is so beautiful in the night.

I ordered a fruity Sangria with red wine, and some Nashville Hot Chicken tacos with ranch dressing. The waiter raved that their tacos were rated #3 in the city of Nashville, and I quickly tasted why! They were very spicy, filling and delicious.

The next day was my friend’s wedding, and even though it rained hard in Nashville that day, it was a beautiful ceremony and reception! It was held at this cabin style auditorium that was different from anything I’ve ever seen in the islands. As if the actual auditorium wasn’t handsome enough and the location in the woods such a beauty, you should’ve seen the bride and groom and their bridal party! So beautiful, so stylish!

The night ended with a peach spritzer, lots of dancing and a dead cellphone. Hence why, I don’t have a lot of pictures of the fun.

Now, we’re on the third day! Day 3 was the adventure day and I was ready! But this day turned out to be more of an adventure than I expected.

In preparation for Nashville, I googled “things to do in Nashville” and Instagram searched “Nashville Attractions”. So when I got to Nashville, I already had 3 things I wanted to see and do in mind!

BlqRze’s Nashville Must See List:

Kelsey Montague Wings
Statue of the Greek Goddess Athena & the Parthenon Replica
The Nashville Zoo

The only thing I didn’t accomplish on this list was visiting the Zoo. But that’s okay because it was replaced with quality time with old and new friends, and I did something I always wanted to do but never thought I would… RIDE A MECHANICAL BULL!

My travel buddy and I got a LYFT to the Nashville Gulch area. Our driver dropped us off opposite a lifestyle merchandise store called “Two Old Hippies”. Don’t you like the sound of that? Nashville has a hippie vibe to it. Very free-spirited.

Two Old Hippies is on the corner of 12th and Pine in the Nashville Gulch Area, and its made of red clay brick, as is a lot of buildings in Nashville. The brick wall made for an awesome back drop and right there I had a photo shoot (lol).

Not far from there was the Kelsey Montague Wings #WhatLiftsYou Wall Mural, and I was in all my glory! However, we weren’t the only ones there to get lifted. There was a line to take pictures in front of the wings, and we humbly waited our turn.

This day was a beautiful day in Nashville! The sun actually shined that day and the weather was pretty consistent.

One thing about Nashville, the weather is bi-polar. Its hot, then cold, then rainy, then cloudy. One of our LYFT drivers said. “There’s a saying in Nashville. “If you don’t like the weather here right now, just wait 30 minutes.”” Oh, how true that saying really is!

After we left the Wings, we headed to the Parthenon on a $2.00 bus ride through Downtown, Nashville.

The Parthenon is a full-scale replica of the original in Athens, Greece. It sits as the centrepiece in Nashville’s Centennial Park . Inside is the real treat though!

On the second floor of the museum is a 42-foot statue of the Greek Goddess Athena. She was a sight to see! The gold, the details, the artistry of her was something I will never forget.

Later, we caught up with our newly married friends for food. One of our friends is strictly Vegan, and took us to a really popular vegan spot in Nashville called The Wild Cow. Here’s where the real adventure came in.

I’m a picky eater and the complete opposite of vegan, but I opted to try it for my friend. Remember, I like first times… and this would be my first time eating Vegan. Let’s just say, it wasn’t my “taste” but the vegan wine was divine. I liked it!

By this time, everyone was tired but not too tired to experience some real honky-tonk underground bars, and in my case mechanical bull riding and karaoke.

Although I can’t remember the exact names of the bars we visited, I do believe we were in the Lower Broadway area in Down Town Nashville. I enjoyed the live Country Rock music, and as shy as I am, I got up on staged with my new friend and sang Patti Labelle’s Lady Marmalade karaoke style! Another first!

Lastly, I mounted the Mechanical Bull. It was bigger than I expected and a little uncomfortable at first. But once I got on good, it was time to ride! First time baby and I actually stayed on longer that I thought I would!

To see a short clip of me singing karaoke and riding the bull, head over to my Instagram page here, @242blqrze. Be sure to follow for more pictures and videos of my travels, and comment below to ask me any questions you may have about my experiences.

The next day it was time to go back home and I was sad to leave Nashville.

Honestly, I didn’t have Nashville on My Places to Go list, but I’m happy my friend gave me a good reason to visit and experience it.

I didn’t get to eat the famous Nashville Hot Chicken, nor visit the Zoo! So I will be back there soon. Maybe the next time I go, I’ll see you there!

See more pictures from My Nashville trip below: