Bombshell by Bleu Issue 1

starring

denise vasi

EDITORS

Summer Alexander Editor

Summer Alexander is a trained journalist from Wayne State University in Detroit. The beauty lover and former fashion PR professional prides herself on being a modern workingwoman with a style that’s timeless and she can’t wait to share her bombshell lifestyle with the world. What makes the perfect bombshell? “A woman with inner beauty that is just as gorgeous as her outside glow” says Summer.

Reginald Larkin

Editorial Consultant “I have the best job in the world,” says Cleveland native, Reginald Larkin. Larkin serves as the Editor at large for bombshell. The Morgan State University alum defines bombshell as “a captivating woman whose beauty is only matched by her grace.” In addition to his ombshell duties He serves as the Managing Editor for Bleu Magazine.

Regi Booker

Creative Director Regi Booker is an electric individual from Atlanta that serves as a coordinator at Bleu magazine and the captain of everything cool. He brings his funky, Avant Garde flavor to bombshell making sure she’s fresh and ahead of the fashion pack.

The Art Institute graduate describes bombshell as his creative baby. Why does he love it so much? “It’s my love child with Summer and Reginald” he says.

Larryse Brown Lifestyle Editor

Larryse Brown is a matriculating graduate in the field of Media Studies/ Journalism and English at Columbia University. She has combined her love of fashion and beauty with culture and world issues as a contributing editor for Bleu Magazine. The New York native hopes to help Bombshell become a publication that puts women’s beauty on a pedestal and celebrates the intelligent, driven, Renaissance woman that bombshell represents.

Nia Blackmon Graphic Design

“Dream.Create,” is the motto of Graphic Designer, Nia Blackmon. The Brooklyn Native works with bombshell as a creative conduit for her ideas. Having studied graphic design at Quinnipiac University, Blackmon is trained in the visual arts. A self-proclaimed sneaker addict, Nia is a necessary and valuable member of the bombshell team.

Kim Davis

Social Media Director Kim Davis is a vibrant and ambitious young woman that aspires to be the new face of marketing. With her tendencies to stray away from the current trends and focus on an everlasting style, she’s a perfect addition to the future Bombshell empire! Davis, a City College sophmore, believes that bombshells come in all shapes, colors and sizes. A bombshell is the inner class and elegance within you!

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BOMBSHELL ISSUE 1

by

Welcome to the premiere issue of bombshell

by Bleu Magazine! It is an honor for me to be Editor and I would personally like to thank the staff, team and loyal followers of the magazine for this opportunity. This issue was made for you, our readers. We believe that you deserve the best and because of that, this issue was created with love, dedication and focus on making an amazing product that stayed true to the Bleu Life brand.

As an editor and a bombshell, I am excited to bring new, fresh stories, products and ideas to my Bleu beauties that I hope will have an impact and provide a sense of empowerment.

As we go through this journey together I will be sharing beauty, fashion and lifestyle tips that will cater to making our lives better.

When I was first given this position we thought about who and what is a bombshell?

My answer was simple. The Bleu bombshell is an independent modern woman, with a classic and timeless style. She works hard and transitions beautifully from day to night.

Most importantly, she is beautiful inside and out.

For the bombshell staff it is much more than a magazine, it represents a lifestyle that we live everyday and is a reflection of the male counter, Bleu. She walks beside him and together they create a dynamic duo that is a force to be reckoned with.

As women we all have an inner bombshell. I hope you find this issue uplifting, inspiring, helpful and most of all fabulous! I hope it helps you be bold, be you, be Bleu and be a bombshell!

So as we embark on this journey I would like to say, Cheers to you! Our bombshells, I hope we make you proud.

Love, Summer

CONTENTS

Alexis Bittar

08 14 Isabel Marant

Featuring...

04

Bomb Buys: Organic Products

05

Health: 5 Healthy Eating Tips with Tanyka Renee

06

Fashion: Pier Fab

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Bombshell: Denise Vasi

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Tribute: Here’s to Us

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BOMB BUYS

organic

beauty products

Words: Summer Alexander

Go natural with these sustainable products. Especially made with less chemicals and toxins, your hair, skin and make up will be beautiful all while going green. These products are Bleu approved.

VitaZing SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisterizer Kick the sun to the curb and use this energy boosting moisturizer with SPF to give your skin a radiant glow. $35.00 Origins.com

Organic Wear Jumbo Mascara Don’t fuss with false lashes and sticky glue during the summer heat. Try this 100% natural origin mascara with lash extension fibers giving length volume and curl without the irritation. $9.99 Physiciansformula.com

Burt's Bees Lip Gloss Treat your lips to rich and pearlized shine with this 100% natural gloss. We love to add a pop of color with our favorite shade, Ruby Moon. $9.00 Burtsbees.com

Suraya Brasil Henna Powder Say goodbye to chemicals and hello to henna! We can’t get enough of this 100% natural plant based hair color. Add a summer glow to your mane with the shade golden brown. $6.49 Surayabrasilproducts.com

Nivea Lip Butter Pamper your lips with a sweet treat that is guaranteed to keep them soft and smooth all summer long. Nivea lip butter in Raspberry Rose Kiss is a bombshell must have. $3.99 Nivea.com

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Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Classic Bar Soaps Keep it light and fresh all summer with these great smelling beauty bars. The combination of organic oils and extracts creates a formula that will leave every bombshell’s skin feeling flawless. $4.49 Drbronners.com

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HEALTH

Healthy Eating Tips with Tanyka Renee

If you were to ask anyone who has lost weight and kept it off, they'd quickly tell you that maintaining a sexy figure takes hard work. Though you trained really hard during the winter months, it can easily be gone in a flash. This is why having a solid plan can be a body-saver. Tanyka Renee, former playboy model and lingerie football league player, who specializes in beauty and fitness shares the five eating habits that helps keep her looking sexy all summer long.

1. EATING OUT?

When I know that I'm going out for dinner, I try and plan a healthy breakfast and lunch so that I can be flexible on what I'm ordering that evening. Sometimes I go online and check out a restaurant's menu ahead of time to see what healthy options they have and plan to order one of those.

2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET TOO HUNGRY.

When I'm starving it's hard for me to have the will power to make good food choices. To prevent myself from eating unhealthy I keep healthy snacks around me. I stash granola bars in my car, cut-up fruits &veggies in clear containers in my fridge and nuts at work. It's also a good idea to have a little snack before going out to a restaurant, so you don't overdo it on the endless piles bread.

sports bra by Dimed Out Divas; jogging pants and shoes by Nike.

3. ENJOY THE PARTIES BUT STAY FOCUSED.

When partying with my girls, I make sure to stay well hydrated and drink plenty of water so I don't confuse thirst for hunger; a common mistake.

When at cookouts I pay attention to plate size and try to use the smallest plates available. I also make sure not to drink my calories and stick with vodka and tonic.

4. PICK AND CHOOSE YOUR INDULGENCES.

If I want to cheat a little for desert, I make sure not to have that scone or donut for breakfast.

Whatever your favorite indulgence is, keep it in mind and schedule it into your day. I believe in moderation. I always keep in mind that I can't afford to indulge in everything, but I can treat myself every now and then, even when I'm trying to lose weight.

5. BALANCE YOUR DAYS, NOT YOUR MEALS. Growing up, I was taught to have a little bit of everything on my plate at each meal - meat, starch and veggie. Now I make sure I get all my vitamins and minerals throughout the day. For example, if I have eggs and toast for breakfast, a salad with chicken for lunch, fruit for a snack, and veggie pizza for dinner, that's pretty balanced and also moderate in calories. If I have eggs and toast with fruit for breakfast, a salad with chicken and bread for lunch, fruit and nuts for a snack, and veggie pizza with salad for dinner - yes I would have more balanced meals, but I'll likely be eating more calories which would prevent weight loss.

Bombshell Happy Hour 1. Sweet and Low Local- (150 or less) 2 oz. Camarena Silver Tequila; ½ of a lemon; Quartered 8 mint leaves; 1 tbsp. sugar-free sweetener; 3 oz. soda water. Garnish: lemon wedge 2. Sea Breeze- If you usually order a vodka-cranberry, try a sea breeze. The 4 oz. of grapefruit juice, 1½ oz. of cranberry juice, and 1 oz. of vodka will set you back about 180 calories.

3. Itsy Bitsy Bikini- (150 or less) 1 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur; 1½ oz. SKYY Infusions Coconut Vodka; 1 oz. diet lemon-lime soda; 3 oz. light cranberry juice. Garnish: shredded coconut. (Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously, strain into a glass filled with ice, and top with shredded coconut.)

4. Mud Slide- This is the kind of sweet drink that sounds like it’ll set you back more calories than a hot-fudge sundae. In reality, it’ll cost you 184 calories (1 ½ oz Bailey’s Irish cream; ½ oz Kahlua coffee liqueur). Maybe the Dude from The Big Lebowski could have whittled his waistline if he’d drunk these instead of white Russians (338 calories). sources: cosmopolitan.com; glamour.com/health-fitness; cocktailhunter.com

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PIER FAB

Photography by: Patrick Neree Styling by: Regi Booker

Shirt: W118 by Walter Baker; Pants & Belt: Banana Republic; Earrings: Bar III; Necklace: Impulse; Shoes: Jessica Simpson

Halter Top & Pants: Demin & Supply; Shoes: Steve Madden; Earrings: M. Haskell; Purse: Banana Republic

Dress & Bangles: Bar III; Earrings: M. Haskell; Shoes: DV8 by Dolce Vita; Handbag: Banana Republic

Dress: Rachel Roy; Earrings: Bar III; Shoes: Nine West Vintage; Belt: Banana Repulbic

Elle McPherson bras; Antonio DaSilva vintage print scarf-skirt.

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denise vasi:

ING MASTE

Words: Reginald Larkin; Photography: Elton Anderson; Styling: Alisha Crutchfield; Make-up: Heith Chanel; Hair: Daven Mayeda

ZuZu Kim dress and genie pants; Elle McPherson bra; Sequin earrings and cuff; Boutique 9 shoes.

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C

ome one, come all and see the amazing Denise Vasi as she performs the most death defying juggling feat in known modern world. Vasi is planning a wedding, films the lead in Vh1’s Single Ladies, maintains her beauty and health regime, and keeps her man satisfied. Don’t call her superwoman, for she is Bombshell!

Ball Number 1: In the midst of filming her second season Vasi’s character Raquel Lancaster is experiencing some significant character growth. “She is grown,” Vasi says as her pitch slightly elevates. “This season you will see a lot of sass and showing up to the table as a business woman.” In addition to professional growth, Raquel will focus on her friendship with April Goldberg played by Charity Shea. Upon finding out about her story line with Charity, Denise invited her cast mate out for a weekend in the Hamptons. “Before, we were actresses playing great friends and now we are becoming great friends.” Ask Denise if she and Raquel are alike and she will proudly say, “I think we are equally fabulous. I’m from Brooklyn and have a trucker’s mouth, don’t get me mad, “says Vasi with a chuckle, she continues “Raquel is uptight in some areas.”

Ball Number 2: 17 hours of filming can be taxing. Adding prep for a wedding would fluster most but Vasi is unbothered. “I want to look my best for my wedding,” Proclaims the thespian. Her tone drops a bit and she

Sandro blouse and blazer; D&G pants; Betsey Johnson necklace; vintage Rolex watch; Via Spiga wedge.

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admits, “I’m not a gym lover. I’ve made time with my trainer. We spend the hour training.” Getting the ideal body is no trifle for a bombshell, but how does one maintain their skin under all that make up? Simple Vasi employs a diverse set of tactics to maintain her golden glow. She shares “I’m using this new product Suki, which is all natural ingredients. There is a whole face regimen that is amazing!” I expected Denise to share information regarding another product when she dropped this beauty bomb on me “My fiancé thinks its crazy, I use Ghee.” Ghee is an organic butter used for cooking; Vasi continues “I put that on my hands and feet when I have really dry skin. You wake up silky soft.”

Ball Number 3: “Maintaining our household is our first priority,” says Denise

with resounding conviction. My fiancé is ready to be a dad, but he respects that I want a fair chance at my career.” “It’s not love at first sight, it’s was so much more than that,” says Vasi about meeting her fiancé, director Anthony Mandler. She continues to describe her future plans “I want to live out my dream." When asked if she would consider plastic surgery, Denise quickly retorts with jubilation in her voice “If I have kids and my boobs start to sag, I might need a boob lift why not? If it makes me feel better why say no, now shit after 20 kids.”

Here you have it ladies and gentlemen. The daring, dynamic Denise Vasi can do it all!

She can have the career, the guy, and the lifestyle of her dreams, what is the trick you ask? No trick just balance.

“If I have kids and my boobs start to sag, I might need a boob lift why not? If it makes me feel better why say no..."

Here’s To Us Words: Larryse Brown

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TRIBUTE

W W

ithin the last five years there has been a high dosage of shockingly entertaining yet ill-willed reality shows portraying black women as bickering and conniving, rude and ridiculous, even violent on occasion when ratings need a spike. The representation of the now stereotypical portrayal has been recycled so many times on our TV screens that it’s become an expected ingredient in the creation of African American reality shows. We think it’s about time to take a step back to appreciate a specific show that was not “reality” yet gave us one of the few honest glimpses into the lives of black women and the female experience.

As we tuned in every week to watch the show Girlfriends (created

by Mara Brock Akil in 2000) we weren’t just watching stories.

Season after season we were given a front row seat into the lives of four beautiful women who we watched fall in euphoric love whose hearts were broken seemingly beyond reconcile. We’ve watched them heal and reach success. Moreso, they are passionate to fault, intelligent, hilarious, tragic, and fabulous. Through Akil’s phenomenal concept and the talent of actors that we did not know personally, we were given mirror images into how we laugh, how we cry, how we live, and the makings of who we are.

What Girlfriends served us on a weekly basis was the promotion of love under the theme of sisterhood. The show called for us to appreciate those friends that have your back. You insist they leave you alone, but you will thank them later because they didn’t.

Whether you are the goal-oriented woman that is Joan, the freespirit that is Lynn, the slightly narcissistic Toni, or the no-nonsense Maya, you can always find yourself in one of these women. While the show is no longer on air, the impact of seeing a group of women flawed by their humanity still resonates.

The entertainment industry is taking note with the resurgence of scripted shows featuring women. The rising hit show Single Ladies portrays women as witty, stylish, and vulnerable. These scripted shows are not belligerent or venomous in their verbiage. They do dress to kill and can appreciate the value of a face beat to perfection.

Most importantly, we do, salute a fellow queen when we see one.

This is the value of Girlfriends and television shows that hold the same concept. These are the shows that make us raise a glass to fabulous women and aspire to be one of them. So here’s to us, the girlfriends, mine and yours.