30 years and over 300 shades ago, Essie Weingarten set out to create nail polish shades that expressed a woman’s individuality. She felt that nail salons didn’t provide choices that allowed women to be different or reflect their true selves, so she worked diligently to fill that void. Today the Essie Cosmetics brand is an industry leader. The former buyer for Henri Bendel, who’s driven by “being the woman other women trust by providing a quality product” has redefined the way we look at nail colors forever.

Just in time for the post-holiday workout craze, VIBE Vixen asked several of their favorite beauty mavens, including yours truly, to share a few tips on how to maintain natural hair while working out. Thanks to Ms. Franny over at VIBE Vixen for thinking of me for this piece. Check out the entire story by

Join The Jetsetters this Saturday night at FREE CANDY for the “Holiday Fiesta” soiree. Hosted by Evita Robinson of Nomad*ness TV and Tracey Coleman of Brooklyn Travel Addict, the event will promote awareness of the Passport Party Project and raise money for programs that provide passports to young people of color

Designed by Anitra Michelle a graduate of FIT, the Plutocracy collections offer you NYC chic with African accents. What else would you expect from a woman who has worked with fashion power players such as Karl Lagerfeld, Vera Wang and Lanvin? Launched in 2009, Plutocracy has developed quite the cult following. To find a cute sheath or separates that you can take from day to night log on to www.beplutocracy.com and explore. Don’t step, strut outside the box and OWN your style!

Congrats are in order! One of our beloved designer friends is getting some much deserved shine this week so in true In Her Shoes fashion, you know we had to share. The talented Rochester, New York native, FIT graduate, and all around phenomenal woman, Miss Ashaka Givens is featured in JET Magazine’s latest “Designer’s Spotlight”. Kudos and much love to you, Ashaka!

So it’s the day after Thanksgiving and many of you are either recovering from a turkey-induced coma or out taking advantage of the Black Friday sales. Definitely not knocking the mass retailer’s hustle, but while you’re helping the large corporations get larger, don’t forget about the smaller businesses in your area. Local brands need love too…and lots of it! For many smaller stores, it’s do or die time so let’s do our part to support the hearts of our communities. Here are a few small businesses I think you should check out tomorrow for Small Business Saturday. Oh, and they just so happen to be owned by Fly Female Entrepreneurs. Does it get any better than this? I think not. Ready, set, shop!

So, did everyone enjoy Sunday’s Black Girls Rock! premiere as much as I did? I laughed, cried, and loved every inspiring second of it. In fact, I’m still on a high! On the heels of this beautiful moment, Michaela angela Davis is giving us yet another reason to proclaim “black girls rock!” from the mountaintops. Project FREE THE GIRLS is a multi-platform, multi-generational critical community conversation with revolutionary women whose work and lives serve to liberate the image of women. Join Michaela angela Davis and Beverly Bond tomorrow night at the Brooklyn Museum for an empowering discussion you won’t soon forget!

While many of us use Facebook as a place to connect with family, childhood friends, new flames, and everyone in between, the business opportunities on the social media site are plentiful. With over 800 million active users, Facebook is the digital world’s hottest personal, product and corporate branding hub. What I love about it most is that every brand that exists on Facebook, be it ginormous or tiny, has the same core features and benefits, such as the ability to create a page, share resources, add multimedia and much more

So as you know, last week’s Fly Female Entrepreneur was the uber-talented Chef Danielle Saunders. In our conversation I shared the fact that after a long day of work (and play), I rarely have the energy to go home and prepare a home cooked meal. Who has the time? According to Chef Danielle, WE do! As promised, Danielle was gracious enough to share the recipe for her delectable Risotto Jambalaya. I encourage you to try this and if you do, let us know how it turns out!

What do you have planned for Sunday afternoon? Oh, you don’t have any plans yet? Now you do! Join me and a room full of dynamic women from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. at 320 Studios for the second installation of Latisha Daring’s “Ladies Who Lunch” series. This weekend’s event, appropriately titled “High Heels and High Tea” is a must-attend affair for women who are ambitious, focused, and passionate about their dreams. Join 100 of New York City’s flyest movers and shakers in an intimate afternoon of style, inspiration, and empowerment as we explore the world of entrepreneurship and what it takes to thrive as women in business.

Wise folks say that in life, it’s not about who you know, but who knows YOU, right? Well today, consider yourself as connected as they come and totally in the know. Brooklyn Bleu, one of the borough’s most exclusive and ahhh-mazing vintage shops knows you as an In Her Shoes reader and has a special offer with your name written all over it. RSVP and attend Brooklyn Bleu’s invite-only “Fall into Fashion” event this Thursday evening and receive a free gift just for being an In Her Shoes reader!

I just love it when a Fly Female Entrepreneur we’ve featured on In Her Shoes soars and shines! One of my favorite jewelry designers, Miss Shayla Cox, is truly making strides in the fashion world and I couldn’t be happier for her. She’s currently competing in BET’s Lens on Talent competition. Check her out, press “like,” and cast your vote. Get it, Shana!

Tune in tomorrow (Friday, September 23rd) at 3 p.m. EST as Paul makes his small screen debut on Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers. He’ll be co-hosting the ENTIRE show so if you can’t tune in, by all means please set your DVRs tonight! After you check him out, swing by the show’s Facebook page to let Dr. Drew know how much you enjoyed Paul on the show. Let’s join forces to make Paul a Lifechangers regular. It’s time for our fly fella entrepreneur to SHINE!

Today, yours truly is featured on Alicia Marie Rivers’ “fabulush” blog, Pretty Hot Chick. With a tag line that reads “unapologetically sexy. unapologetically glam. unapologetically simple,” Pretty Hot Chick invites us to revel in our femininity, celebrate our beauty, enjoy our allure, and nurture our inner spirit. As a guest blogger, I was asked to provide three tips I think every fly female entrepreneur must follow

Ladies & gents, In Her Shoes will be taking a short pause for the cause this week, returning back to our regularly scheduled programming on Tuesday, September 6th. I’ve packed my bags and escaped New York City with two of my favorite people to visit Italy, Greece and Turkey. My sole responsibility over the next few days is to relax, relate, release, and celebrate my birthday!