This is why I love Lupe Fiasco's music. It has a message that actually makes you think.
Lupe Fiasco - Bitch Bad from Gil Green on Vimeo.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Design House: Marimekko
All because of Google, I delightfully discovered Marimekko today. Apparently, the design house had SJP donning its bright and vivacious wares on Sex and the City. As I perused through the clothes and interior design, some of the products looked familiar to me. And by doing a bit more research I found that not only do they sell their products in multiple brick and mortar clothing stores, but one of these stores includes Anthropologie. It's one of my favorite shops and also a previous place of employment. Not only was Anthro a blissful memory of working days and a blissful past time, Anthro is also a place of artful expression and unique finds, such as Marimekko!
From the Marimekko Converse Collection
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| Pic Credit: http://us.marimekko.com/ |
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| Pic Credit: http://usstore.marimekko.com/apparel/women.asp |
Monday, October 3, 2011
New Songs
Red Cafe & Ryan Leslie feat. Rick Ross "Fly Together"
Here's the instrumental, which is quite good.
Other New Songs:
Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris "We Found Love"
Drake "Headlines"
This isn't new, but it's too good to not be included.
Sade "By Your Side" Remix by Cottonbelly
www.redhot.org
Here's the instrumental, which is quite good.
Other New Songs:
Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris "We Found Love"
Drake "Headlines"
This isn't new, but it's too good to not be included.
Sade "By Your Side" Remix by Cottonbelly
www.redhot.org
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Hunt for EVCO {pron. ee-vee-cee-oh}
My hunt for Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (or for what I've suitably dubbed- EVCO) began shortly after watching a you tube video. Just yesterday, I found myself you tubing videos on healthy hair when I stumbled upon some advice to use coconut oil for healthier hair.
Because I like to have good reason for all I endeavor, I did my research. It turns out that coconut oil- virgin and certifiably organic, unrefined, unbleached etc. etc.- has incredible health benefits due to its lauric acid and other properties.
As a reminder for those of you who may not be current on nutrition facts, lauric acid is found in a mother's breast milk. It contains many of the nutrients that help newborns fight disease and boost their development. For adults the product should be outstanding used topically for skin and hair, as well as for easing infections and chronic illnesses when eaten raw or used in cooking certain foods.
It only took 3 hours for me to find it. First stop- Wal-Mart. After perusing through the pharmacy aisles, I asked a salesperson who barely spoke English and apparently thought I meant cocoa butter. Then, I asked the lady at the pharmacy counter if they had it. She mumbled something about having big bottles but now only having little bottles. I scanned the rows she had pointed to row-by-row. Nothing.
Next stop was Trader Joe's. I walked down every aisle, and still nothing. The third place I tried was a Caribbean/African foods store. At least it offered three types of coconut water and four brands of coconut milk. And when I had to GPS a GNC, I came across a Whole Foods. And there it was! In fact there were two different brands to choose from. It was a lovely moment. Lesson: If all else fails for extra virgin anything, check Whole Foods.
Since I have been using the product, for three hours to be exact, it has made my skin smooth and shiny. Plus, my hair is no longer dry and it is full of life! Good job EVCO! Good job!
Because I like to have good reason for all I endeavor, I did my research. It turns out that coconut oil- virgin and certifiably organic, unrefined, unbleached etc. etc.- has incredible health benefits due to its lauric acid and other properties.
As a reminder for those of you who may not be current on nutrition facts, lauric acid is found in a mother's breast milk. It contains many of the nutrients that help newborns fight disease and boost their development. For adults the product should be outstanding used topically for skin and hair, as well as for easing infections and chronic illnesses when eaten raw or used in cooking certain foods.
It only took 3 hours for me to find it. First stop- Wal-Mart. After perusing through the pharmacy aisles, I asked a salesperson who barely spoke English and apparently thought I meant cocoa butter. Then, I asked the lady at the pharmacy counter if they had it. She mumbled something about having big bottles but now only having little bottles. I scanned the rows she had pointed to row-by-row. Nothing.
Next stop was Trader Joe's. I walked down every aisle, and still nothing. The third place I tried was a Caribbean/African foods store. At least it offered three types of coconut water and four brands of coconut milk. And when I had to GPS a GNC, I came across a Whole Foods. And there it was! In fact there were two different brands to choose from. It was a lovely moment. Lesson: If all else fails for extra virgin anything, check Whole Foods.
Since I have been using the product, for three hours to be exact, it has made my skin smooth and shiny. Plus, my hair is no longer dry and it is full of life! Good job EVCO! Good job!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Publicity Stunt, Anyone?
Let's be real: Kanye West's outburst was a four-tiered publicity stunt. Taylor Swift increased her fan base because now everyone feels badly for her. Kanye West increased his publicity because now everyone is checking his website for an apology. Beyonce increased her publicity because now everyone is you tubing her "Single Ladies" video to see what exactly Kanye was talking about. And lastly, MTV has also increased its usual VMA buzz because not only was there the MJ Tribute, but the even more talked about Kanye West outburst happened as well. As always, Mr. West's usual verbal diarrhea during live events has taken control over the mainstream and tugged at the average entertainment consumer's heart strings. (And, yes, it has misguided fans' attention away from Janet's prowess of performance.) The celebrities seem up in arms about Kanyeezy's upstage, but I'm sure in a month they'll be back in his producer-rapper true talent grille. They know he sells records. Fans, too, know we love his tracks. Kanye has conviction and gumption; he exhibits - at times inappropriately- what many people don't have the heart to. So, snaps to Kanye for not disappointing us on that end. Three cheers to the accomplished Taylor Swift for being able to muster through that small trauma. A sardonic clap to Beyonce for covering up her pure glee at Kanye's vote by letting Taylor share her diatribic spotlight. And thanks to MTV for always delivering on publicity stunts for writers and critics and celebs and fans to mull over. Publicity stunt or the usual celeb vying for a spotlight? Either way, mission accomplished by all.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Album Review- New AmErykah Part One
New AmErykah Part One (4th World War)
Erykah Badu
Released February 26, 2008 Motown/Universal
Funky. Sexy. Spiritual. What word best describes New AmErykah? Maybe enlightened as ever, Erykah Badu dropped her 5th album since 2003’s Worldwide Underground. New AmErykah has eleven tracks but Badu manages to make it seem like twice that, due to the content. The very first song, “Amerykahn Promise”, sets the tone for the entire album. It subtly reaches for non-materialism while abruptly expressing how crude achieving The Dream can be. In songs that follow, Badu makes no apologies for speaking her mind or for being herself. Best attributable: many of the tracks have the hardest beats with the most thought-provoking lyrics. They diverge from the popular bass beat with shallow lyrics to her usual deep lyrics over a somber eight. The album’s producers, like Madlib and Shafiq Husayn, do justice to Badu’s soul hip-hop genre with songs like “The Healer” and “That Hump”. Adding to the album’s character, some tracks have 70s and 80s inspired instrumentals like “Master Teacher “ (written in part by Curtis Mayfield) as well as the “;heart;” Bonus Tracks. Socially, historically, and politically steeped, this album smoothly jars listeners awake if they are asleep. Part Two of New AmErykah promises to be just as eye-opening and randomly enjoyable as Erykah Badu.
Go to www.erykahbadu.com to listen to the album.
Erykah Badu
Released February 26, 2008 Motown/Universal
Funky. Sexy. Spiritual. What word best describes New AmErykah? Maybe enlightened as ever, Erykah Badu dropped her 5th album since 2003’s Worldwide Underground. New AmErykah has eleven tracks but Badu manages to make it seem like twice that, due to the content. The very first song, “Amerykahn Promise”, sets the tone for the entire album. It subtly reaches for non-materialism while abruptly expressing how crude achieving The Dream can be. In songs that follow, Badu makes no apologies for speaking her mind or for being herself. Best attributable: many of the tracks have the hardest beats with the most thought-provoking lyrics. They diverge from the popular bass beat with shallow lyrics to her usual deep lyrics over a somber eight. The album’s producers, like Madlib and Shafiq Husayn, do justice to Badu’s soul hip-hop genre with songs like “The Healer” and “That Hump”. Adding to the album’s character, some tracks have 70s and 80s inspired instrumentals like “Master Teacher “ (written in part by Curtis Mayfield) as well as the “;heart;” Bonus Tracks. Socially, historically, and politically steeped, this album smoothly jars listeners awake if they are asleep. Part Two of New AmErykah promises to be just as eye-opening and randomly enjoyable as Erykah Badu.
Go to www.erykahbadu.com to listen to the album.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Fashion Philanthropy
One of my favorite philanthropic efforts has been in fashion. From the rubber sports bands to tee-shirts by major designers like Ralph Lauren. A few years ago I bought a tee that simply states "Africa Works". It was sold by United Colors of Benetton to raise money for an entrepreneurial Africa. United Colors of Benetton sells vibrant clothing for the average career woman (and man too) who enjoys travel and has an open mind which makes me love the clothes. But its campaigns and programs for multicultural, international knowledge makes me love the brand.
I first discovered its multicultural anthem in 2005 while interning for an editorial. Not only does the clothing company design outstanding garb, but it also designs a quarterly magazine, COLORS, edited by Tibor Kalman. The magazine mainly reaches youth around the world made possible through it being printed in 4 different languages and distributed to 40 countries.
The other reason why I love the brand derives from the ad campaign it did in 2008 called Africa Works. The campaign included events, press ads, outdoor ads, and media development with Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour. Multi-tiered advertising for philanthropy has risen to a whole new level.
It was an innovative idea of promoting micro-credit: a mini loan given to entrepreneurs in Senegal.
The campaign promoted Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour's micro-credit program Birima. The proceeds from the campaign by United Colors of Benetton went to support Birima. Little-known yet incredibly ambitious, the Africa Works project may have paved the way for future retail campaigns that reach a multinational destination of giving. If you are interested in micro-finance and helping poor countries develop businesses for more promising futures, visit www.birima.org or www.kiva.org.
I first discovered its multicultural anthem in 2005 while interning for an editorial. Not only does the clothing company design outstanding garb, but it also designs a quarterly magazine, COLORS, edited by Tibor Kalman. The magazine mainly reaches youth around the world made possible through it being printed in 4 different languages and distributed to 40 countries.
The other reason why I love the brand derives from the ad campaign it did in 2008 called Africa Works. The campaign included events, press ads, outdoor ads, and media development with Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour. Multi-tiered advertising for philanthropy has risen to a whole new level.
It was an innovative idea of promoting micro-credit: a mini loan given to entrepreneurs in Senegal.
The campaign promoted Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour's micro-credit program Birima. The proceeds from the campaign by United Colors of Benetton went to support Birima. Little-known yet incredibly ambitious, the Africa Works project may have paved the way for future retail campaigns that reach a multinational destination of giving. If you are interested in micro-finance and helping poor countries develop businesses for more promising futures, visit www.birima.org or www.kiva.org.
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