THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

THE BETSY HOTEL, MIAMI

Yesterday, I blogged about the wonderful time we had at the 16th Annual American Black Film Festival. This year when we attended ABFF we stayed at The Betsy Hotel, a distinguished historic landmark located in the Art Deco district on South Beach's famed Ocean Drive. This boutique hotel is unlike any other in Miami. The staff was stellar and very attentive especially Ed Ponder, the Director of Guest Services. With its panoramic rooftop ocean views to the exquisite decor and manicured poolside oasis to the divine gourmet cuisine at BLT Steak Restaurant, the Betsy Hotel offered our best Miami experience yet.

The Betsy Hotel on Ocean Drive in Miami

Lobby

Lobby Bar

BLT Steak Restaurant

Guest Room

Guest Suite

Guest Suite Bathroom

South Beach

I wouldn't recommend you stay anywhere else...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL...

My husband Todd and I recently returned from one of my favorite vacation destinations - MIAMI. We attended the 16th Annual American Black Film Festival, better known as ABFF, to support our dear friends and the festival founder Jeff Friday and his wife, Nicole.

Founded in 1997, ABFF is dedicated to strengthening the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. The festival originally began as the Acapulco Black Film Festival (for 5 years) and was renamed the American Black Film Festival. The events over the past 10+ years have been held primarily in Miami with a sabbatical in Los Angeles for 2 years.

This vacation is not about rest and relaxation but more like our annual four day party. As I'm typing this, I can hear Will Smith singing in my head, "Welcome to Miami, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah" (thank God you can't hear me sing). I don't remember how many times we've gone to ABFF but each year we see great films by emerging filmmakers, have celebrity sightings and attend fabulous parties as well as take in some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

ABFF Fans attending the Opening Night Film

Festival Opening Night Film: Beasts of the Southern Wild

Will Packer, Rob Hardy, Tim Story and Terrence J during the 'Think Like A Man' Panel Discussion

ABBF Founder Jeff Friday, Will Packer, Malihka Malette, Nicole Friday, Tim Story, Rob Hardy
and Terrence J following the 'Think Like A Man' panel discussion.

Malinda Williams and Vanessa Williams with Robert Townsend

Power Couples: Jeff & Nicole Friday and Mara & Salim Akil

Tracee Ellis Ross, Festival Ambassador during the ABFF Awards Presentation with Nicole and Jeff Friday

ABFF 2012 Award Winners

Festival Closing Night Film: Raising Izzie

New webseries: The Q & A Show starring Quin Walters and Addison Henderson

Looking forward to the 17th...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of ABFF.com, Eurweb.com, ProgressivePulse.com, BlackFilm.com and Zimbio.com.

Monday, July 9, 2012

COLOR OF THE YEAR 2012...

The Pantone Color Institute has declared Tangerine Tango as the Color of 2012. This wonderful reddish-orange hue is just the energy needed for this year's crop of all things 'Bold and Beautiful.' The color is appearing in clothing, footwear, eyewear, jewelry, cosmetics, accessories, home decor and furniture. In honor of this momentous announcement (I just started blogging so its news as far as I'm concerned *smile*), here are some juicy takes on the current color obsession...

Photo courtesy of Fashion Industry Management

Photo courtesy of CactusFlower.com

Now see how several designers have incorporated this year's favorite pop of color into some beautifully designed spaces...

Photo courtesy of ArcadianHome.com

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com

Photo courtesy of Decoist.com

Photo courtesy of DIYChicHome.com

Happy trend spotting...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

SOME PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELLEDECOR.COM, HOUSEBEAUTIFUL.COM, PANTONE COLOR INSTITUTE.

Friday, July 6, 2012

NOT YOUR GRANDMA'S WALLPAPER...

Unique furnishings and accessories aren't the only ways to make a "Bold and Beautiful" statement in your space. Try incorporating drama and color with wallpaper. Today's papers are nothing like your grandmother's birds and flowerpots of yesteryear. Metallics, geometric shapes, graphic designs, even pretty pastel florals make a big impact in a room. If you're nervous, try it on just one wall. Nowadays, some manufacturers make coordinating fabrics as well. There's even self-adhesive, removable wallpaper for apartment dwellers...

Eglantine by Anne French for Thibaut

Ivana by Thibaut

Coco by Thibaut

Orissa by Thibaut

Euphoria by JF Fabrics

Paradiso by JF Fabrics

Etosha by Thibaut

Floral Stripe by York Wallcoverings

Photo courtesy of ThibautDesigns.com

Kitchen Utensils and Ovals by York Wallcoverings

Photo courtesy of TempaperDesigns.com

But don't try to hang it yourself. Its always best to use a professional wallpaper hanger. Trust me, I know from experience.

Happy trend spotting...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JFFABRICS.COM, THIBAUTDESIGNS.COM, YORKWALL.COM.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

GOING DIGITAL: ONLINE MAGAZINES...

I am a MAGAZINE HOARDER! I have stacks, on stacks, on stacks everywhere. The other problem is that I don't always get a chance to read them in a timely manner. Thank goodness there is help - digital magazines. There are a variety of online shelter, fashion and lifestyle mags that help keep me current and can be read while checking emails or doing research. My favs: