Mary J. Blige is a survivor. She's not gon' give up. The still reigning Queen of Hip-Hop Soul is also not gon' cry. She's been through her share of heartache, but the native New Yorker made it clear during her energetic and heartfelt performance earlier this month at Brooklyn's Barclays Center that she's in a good headspace. It appears she's finally found the real love that she's been searching for, and it's self love. It was also abundantly clear that this Brooklyn audience had a love jones for Mary J. The hype crowd was warmed up by a hip-hop banger set by Funkmaster Flex (in feisty Flex fashion he proclaimed that he wasn't getting paid to DJ, but he was there because he loves Mary) and opening acts Queen Naija and Ella Mai (Mai, who was joined onstage briefly by Babyface, was the more engaging and tasteful pick). But once Mary hit the stage, most of what happened beforehand quickly took a backseat. Decked out in a cropped yellow jacke
Summer is winding down, but there's still time to soak up the sun -- while wearing sunscreen, chic shades and a protective hat or sun visor, of course. If you're in New York City, The Pool at The Rockaway Hotel + Spa is a cool place to swim, lounge and discreetly people watch while swaying to beat of ambient music. It's a vibe! Day passes are available for non-hotel guests Monday through Thursday (excluding private events, 10 am -7 pm). Located in the heart of the Rockaway Beach community in Queens, New York, the Rockaway Hotel is just a few short blocks from the sand and surf. Besides the outdoor pool, the newly built 84,000 square foot hotel offers around 60 guest rooms, a restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a large event space. And it's a nice addition to the area. When my husband and I visited the popular pool, we enjoyed yummy sips and bites poolside. Lounging chairs are first come, first serve so the early bird gets the spot of their choice. After chilling at t