As a certified handbag junkie, I’m happy to announce that Yana Handbags has just launched their new site! Created by fly female entrepreneur, Ayana (Yana) Evans, YANA Handbags “embodies closely interwoven elements framed by feminine constructs.” The beautifully redesigned site is packed with quite a few pieces that are perfect for the woman who wants to carry life’s essentials (iPhone, debit card, lipstick, biz cards, etc.), NOT everything and the kitchen sink

Like most of the world, it took me a while to wrap my head around Whitney Houston’s death. I’m still in a bit of denial, but as thoughts of her premature passing flood my head, I force myself to stop and think about the highlights of her short time here with us. Say what you will about Whitney Elizabeth Houston, but this woman worked hard, loved hard, and lived hard! What’s not to admire about her fearlessness? There are so many lessons to be learned from Whitney including the importance of having a mentor (Clive Davis was truly her champion), the beauty of mother/daughter relationships, and the power in nurturing our gifts.

Speaking of which, Whitney’s gifts blessed her with countless accolades so instead of focusing on her untimely death, let’s shine light on her stellar accomplishments. As you can imagine, she had plenty to be proud of

Good things come to those who ask!

Asking for what you need is probably the most underutilized tool for people. And yet, amazing requests have been granted to people simply because they’ve asked for it! Whether it’s money, information, support, assistance, or time, most people are afraid to ask for what they need in order to make their dreams come true.

They might be afraid of looking needy, ignorant, helpless, or even greedy. More than likely, though, it is the fear of rejection that is holding them back. Even though they are afraid to hear the word no, they’re already saying it to themselves by not asking!

Singer/songwriter and actress KeiShera James gives In Her Shoes the inside scoop on her new place of residence, Berlin. Born in Jamaica, KeiShera lived in New York City most of her life and in 2011 decided she was ready for a drastic change. Learn all about Berlin’s hot spots for shopping, dining, and networking, and why KeiShera thinks her new city is the place to be for fly female entrepreneurs!

The fashion world has always been heavily involved in philanthropic efforts throughout the years. When a horrendous hurricane hit Haiti, the fashion world stood at the forefront leading the charge to repair the battered nation. Fashion, much like music, is a universal form of expression and can be a catalyst to eradicating some of the world’s most devastating human rights issues. One of the designers giving back to others in need is Rachel Roy. Many in the entertainment industry may know her as the former wife of once hip hop mogul Damon Dash and the woman who turned the Roc-A-Wear label into an urban success, but today, in the fashion world she’s simply Rachel Roy.

If I asked you to try out a neon orange lipstick or lip gloss would you go for it or give me the side eye? I can see the side eyes and hear the she crazy grunts now. However, if makeup maven Bobbi Brown showed you how to infuse color into your everyday make up regimen I bet you would. This season Bobbi Brown Cosmetics introduces the Neons and Nudes Collection. The lip glosses and lipsticks are in dope bright hues of orange, pink and purple and will have tossing those light pinks and reds out the window

Meet Corvida Raven, the 24-year-old creator of SheGeeks.net and all around social media, gadgets and mobile tech genius. While many of us shy away from the world of technology, Corvida lives and breathes it. The Blockbuster employee-turned-tech savvy entrepreneur has been recognized as an Essence Magazine “Power Player” and is successfully turning her passion into profits. Today on In Her Shoes we’ll find out how Ms. Raven did it, where she’s going with it, and why the sky is not her limit!

The fashion mavens over at Brooklyn Bleu are at it again. This Thursday, join Brooklyn’s best kept secret for a special evening of cocktails, conversation, and of course, shopping! As a true vintage aficionado and owner of Brooklyn Bleu, Tenisha Light-Caba travels across the country to find head turning pieces for her style-savvy online and in-store clients. Enjoy 30% off Tenisha’s hand-picked collection this Thursday during Brooklyn Bleu’s private winter sale

As the quintessential fly female entrepreneur, Kimora Lee Simmons rocks many hats with the three M’s: mom, model, and mogul at the top of her list. The 6 foot beauty burst onto the fashion scene in the early 90′s as a fresh-faced teen model but unlike many of her peers, has kept her career alive long after her catwalk days by building a beauty and fashion empire. As the face and creative force behind brands like Baby Phat, KLS Cosmetics, numerous perfumes and now Shinto Clinical, Kimora makes “Life in the Fab Lane” appear effortless.

I live to see the folks we feature on In Her Shoes shining in their respective careers. Today, our very first “In His Shoes” subject, Paul Carrick Brunson (better known as the Modern Day Matchmaker) announced that he’s joining forces with the queen of media, Oprah Winfrey to create the world’s largest TV dating challenge!

For Loza Maléombho, an emerging designer from the West African region, the fashion is in the fabric. Born in Brazil and raised in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Loza Maléombho came to the U.S. in 2000 with fashion dreams. Determined to leave her mark as a fashion industry maven and philanthropist, Loza uses her label to fuel the West African economy and to improve the health and education of those in that region. Get to know this designer with purpose and heart today on In Her Shoes

Any web series that can hold my attention deserves to be applauded. As a woman who probably averages a whopping hour of television per month, I was pleasantly surprised when my sister introduced me to “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.” Issa Rae and her brilliant team of diverse talent serve up the perfect dose of humor, wit, sarcasm, and the ability to laugh at life’s most painful moments. As the show’s tagline reads “We’re all awkward in our own way; it’s natural.” Unlike the typical reality TV story lines, there’s no cat fighting, name calling, or gaining popularity from your “celebrity” boyfriend here. Just raw humor and LOL’s to brighten up even the most stressful day. Cozy up to your computer and get to know Issa Rae and Tracy Oliver, the creative visionaries behind “Awkward Black Girl,” one of the web’s most buzzed about series

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.

So, have you been paying attention to what’s been going on over at EBONY? This historic publication which holds a dear place in our hearts has undergone a total overhaul. New talent, a new look, new content, and as of this week, a brand new and totally fly Tumblr

Creativity + entrepreneurship = EVERYTHING! Whether you’re working on a new business pitch, developing your brand’s Spring ’12 collection, or simply trying to stay ahead of industry trends, creativity is a MUST. But what happens when your creative juices just aren’t flowing? Better yet, what happens when you think your well of creativity has totally run dry? You get up, get out, and DO something, that’s what!