 Photo Credit: Chris Bowdrie (STAR45 Media) The Blakk Dahlia’s Weekend at NYFW Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE NYFW. Living in GA I tried to make it up here but since I’m a resident, EVEN BETTER. Using my pull as a media rep for my magazine BRASH! Magazine, I was able to gain access to this season’s hottest shows put on by grand production companies and notable designers. Although I couldn’t make it out to a few shows as planned, I was able to spend the weekend traveling all the way from Canarsie to Manhattan to be in the building for some good fashions! Style Fashion Week, never disappoints as they line up show, after show, after show of great designers topping themselves with new/one-of-a-kind designs. Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, IT DOES! This year, the venue was PACKED with fashion lovers, media, and celebrities. All to see Draya Michelle’s Mint Swimwear line. The show was amazing and worth the wait in the long line getting pushed and dealing with the club-like atmosphere of “oh yes you can come in”, “wait a minute”, “oh no the line for you is over here!” But, hey it happens. But once inside, all of that went away as I stood stage side getting the first peek of the beautiful models sashaying down the runway in sexy, classy, and unique swimwear! Now let’s talk about Saturday. Woke up early to preparing to be in #modelmode to participate in a Love Yourself Campaign Shoot, and then another shoot on the streets of Manhattan, I had to jump into media mode for Stevie Boi’s show.
 This fashion show was very chic and exclusive giving me the reason why NYFW is worth running around New York making it from show to show. From eyeballing legends like Whoopi Goldberg and my fav VH1 stars to witnessing PINK fashions in stylish variations coming down the runway. And these models WERKED IT!         I’m so looking forward to next season of NYFW. It won’t be as cold and I know these designers are getting busy at wowing the crowds in their shows. Now let me get on this networking, so I can get more invites!  HAPPY FASHION!The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.
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 New York winters can be bone chilling. And for this season, or at least to I’ve heard from many residents, this winter season has been the worst in a long time. So what does a southern girl like me do when the need to throw on a good crop top to hang out or go about the day? Layer up. Yes! Crop top season is year round for me as I love the short shirts and different variations of showing off the belly in a cute top.  Luckily for me, not all crop tops are fit for the Spring and Summer. There are cut off sweat shirts, turtle necks, and even those made with thicker material to help keep me warm and allow me to get my crop top fix.  Another way for me to stay warm in a crop is to layer up. Two crop tops in one, like my cut off hoodie. How to layer? Throw on a crop sweater to keep the look going and keep the cold and flu germs from creeping in.  A night out on the town during the winter doesn’t mean you have to stay within the big sweater limits. That’s when I throw on a crop turtle neck number with a heavy coat to keep the cold air from seeping in. Yea there may be a breeze here and there but it’s worth the look…Well, to me it is! Sometimes, I allow my bottoms to make up for the bare skin space that my top doesn’t cover. A nice pair of high waist jeans, leggings, or pants can keep a crop look while blocking the cold. Accomplishing two missions in one! I’m glad that clothing designers understand the importance of my “Crop Top Season”. Creating styles fit for the cold. So never feel as if it’ too cold for a crop. Put it on, layer up, and enjoy the style! Comment Below. What's your fav Spring/Summer piece that you HAVE to wear in the Winter?The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.  Roaming around seeing the beauty in the most simplest objects. Museums and art galleries aren’t the only places where you can get a first-hand look at a masterpiece. Just look around, I mean REALLY LOOK. There are various wanders right in front of you. You have to get out of your mind and focus on what’s around you. The beauty. The abstract work of your perspective creating inspiration. Living within your atmosphere instead of just passing through it.  Notice the serenity it provides, or how it can motivate you to move throughout your day with no worries. When I see these, I have to immediately capture them adding to my “Museums” collections. Instead of seeing emptiness or just something being placed in a random section, I choose to view it as art.  Art is a gift to us by GOD, an individual, and even Mother Nature herself. Appreciate it for what it is and start your own collection. Picture simplicity as a work of art. Even angling your camera showing another how your eye can see things in a different light. Share this “light” with others and encourage them to see beyond a simple placement.
Where do you find your museums? Email them to TheBlakkDahlia@gmail.com for a feature!
 With being in this cold azz city, I’ve discovered a new love for coffee shops. They’re all nice and dainty with a small cup of espresso (all this time I thought it was “expresso”, smh), coffee, or tea for nothing less than $3.something. Aside from the cost and the quantities, I’ve come to see why these types of places helps to birth creative ideas and projects. There’s something about a soothing hot beverage that ignites the spirit of the city within me. My desire to try these shops came from my obsession with the series Frasier. Watching Frasier and his brother Niles give comedic and dramatic exchanges over cups of coffee in their regular spot drew me to this place. Also, coffee shop visits helps me to break free from the bar scene as I love it but it can’t be the only great venues to explore in the “Big Apple”.  First up, there’s Starbucks. Now me and Starbucks have a love/hate relationship. Mostly because they just can’t get my name right! Upon placing my order, I always give them my government name (Elana). Reason being, I thought it would be much easier to decipher than “Alexcina”. Despite the name flubs, this is my fav place to come wind down and regroup from dealing with the cold NYC streets, delayed trains, and meetings that produced at least one nerve wrecking issue. People come in, mind their business, and at some locations, there are cozy seats, convenient outlets for the mobile devices, and a nice ambiance to get the creative vibes flowing. (My Fav location so far: 771 Broadway, New York, NY 10003).
 I always order a caramel macchiato…Talk about staying within the comfort zone. When I’m feeling like something cool, I’ll get an iced green tea which is very good and refreshing. But I’m ready to expand my horizons and I’m open to more suggestions, so I’ll need your help. In the comment section below, drop me a line and tell me what you think I should try!  Chocolate Shop: Chocolat Michel Cluizel. This place isn’t necessarily a “coffee shop” but you can definitely pop in for a cup along with some great assortments of chocolate treats. Stumbling into this place, I ordered a cute cup of earl gray tea. For $4.00 a cup I was treated to good service with a nice quaint atmosphere. AND a special chocolate treat with my tea. This place is definitely on my list to return as there is more than just tea and a free piece of chocolate to indulge in.  With the chic décor, I’d say Chocolat Michel Cluizel would serve as a good first date spot OR a short business meeting. My reason, to chill and sip tea solo dolo (meaning by myself), was just enough to get me inside to see the sweet treats this place has to offer.  Espresso Bar Crawl: The place visited, Zibetto Espresso Bar. Great location for offices nearby who need a morning start or a midday pick up. And even with their menu guide, I was still confused. (Not their fault tho, I just need an Espresso 101 lesson lol)
Never knew the deal with espresso. Thought it was just another regular cup of “joe”. Little did I know, this tiny cup was packed with high amounts of caffeine and although I wondered where was the rest of the beverage. I read up on what I was actually drinking to understand how to order. So here’s the deal: I found this awesome blog (TheSpruce.com) that broke it down for me. According to Lindsey Goodwin's blog, Deciphering the Coffeehouse Menu's Espresso Drinks: Espresso (ess-PRESS-oh) is a full-flavored, concentrated form of coffee that is served in "shots." Espresso is made by forcing pressurized, hot water through very finely ground coffee beans. This process is called "pulling a shot." Regardless of the size, espressos are usually poured into a demitasse (a small, 2- to 4-ounce cup). The blog also breaks down how to order as well as info on Café Latte’s, Cappacinos, and more! Read full blog here! So now I feel equipped to walk back into Zibetto and confidently order! Wish me luck!  Photo Credit: Joe Toggy My New Obsession Just in Time for the Cold Weather! First and foremost, I’ll never turn my back on my crop tops because they are my first love! However, being a “New” New Yorker, I must pick up more stylish favs to stay warm and function in this upcoming cold season. Along with getting my faux furs on deck, my legs needed a lil extra attention as well. I was gifted these leg warmers the year before last for Christmas, and being that I was still in GA, they had a permanent place in my sock drawer. With the dropping temperatures above the Mason-Dixon Line, I needed to make sure the calves would have a more coverage with my leggings.  Taking a stroll through Central Park with everything covered, I was able to enjoy a beautiful fall day; breathing in the crisp air. No complaining or leaving early due to being too cold. I love these leg warmers. I know they aren’t too popular as they were in the 80s but I’m going to need stores to get on these because I need an assortment of styles, patterns, and colors to wear for this NYC weather! If you see a cute pair, let me know! Drop the location in the comments!!!  |
"I just like to write and create stuff. These are the diaries of how I'm living in NYC with sprinkles of life lessons I've learned along the way!"
- The Blakk Dahlia Latest book from the Heartbreak Diaries Book Series
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