Braun Winter 2010 With Thiago Santos

Kudos to Braun for this Winter ad!

Classic Style. The Congolese Sape

Sape is French slang for "dressing with class". From Hector Mediavilla: "Congolese sapeurs are not only concerned about elegance, but also with good manners, politeness and morality. Generally, they only dress up on weekends and special occasions. Designer brands of suits and accessories are a big deal to Sapeurs. Complete attire can cost up to 1500 euros, although ironically, many of them don have a job. To get the whole outfit that can get them the sought-after prestige can take several years. Most of them start up with suits borrowed from established sapeurs that initiate them in the secrets of the Sape.The Congolese Sape, except for very rare exceptions, is a man thing, which sometimes is inherited whereas most of the times is acquired by choice."

Click the link to view the gallery:
http://zonezero.com/exposiciones/fotografos/mediavilla/index.html

Nick Knight. A Tribute to Alexander McQueen With Music By Bjork

Intense, haunting and stunning are a few adjectives that come to mind.

Notes. About Life

It's how we LIVE that matters most. Surround yourself with people who love you and let them know you love THEM, don't wait. Create fun / good times whenever you can, they will make great memories. Weed out BS and BS people who don't mean you well. Time on earth is precious, value it. "Tomorrow's life is too late, live today"... - make it count!

Notes. From My Kitchen With Love

After kneading, place dough in buttered bowl.

Cover. Keep in warm spot for 2 hours for dough to rise.

Remove cover.  If things went well - smile!

Roll and form to size.  I use a  floured shot glass so they're tiny.

Voila!

1 1/4 ounce package of dry active yeast
1 cup lukewarm water
1 egg, beaten well until smooth
3/4 cup of sugar
A pinch of salt
1 cup of milk, scalded
1 cup of butter, melted
1 cup melted butter (save for end process)
Flour

Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water. Whisk lightly. Add egg, blend lightly. Add sugar, warm milk, melted butter, a lot of love and blend. Knead in flour until the dough isn't sticky, then place on floured board. Butter large bowl and placed kneaded dough inside. Cover with towel, keep in warm area of kitchen for two hours or one hour if using rapid rise active yeast. When doubled in bulk, smile because it means your dough did indeed rise! Knead lightly on floured board and lightly roll out - do not flatten. Use floured shot glass (for miniatures) or other circle shape cutter. Use melted butter, fold placing on cookie sheet (buttered of course). Let rise until fluffy (approx. another hour). Before baking, lightly brush tops with milk (or half and half - which gives a bit of shine) melted butter and a pinch of sugar - add more love.

Bake in preheated oven at 375, pay attention, keep the love flowing and don't lose track of time while these treats are in the oven. Remove when golden .. enjoy!

Holiday Windows. Marc by Marc Jacobs

Marc by Marc Jacobs. Los Angeles

Notes.

"Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles, and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self confident, and more and more successful." - Mark Victor Hansen

Work It Wednesday.

Giving You Attitude!

Photographer: Mario Sorrenti
Model: Edita Vilkeviciute
Via: VOGUE Nippon, January 2011

Work It Wednesday.

Jody Watley Vintage Ad.

I've always loved a great pair of shades. 

Holiday Windows. DecadesTwo

Art and Fashion.

Vintage Ad. Illustration:  Rene Gruau

Art and Fashion.

Hiroshi Tanabe

Notes. About Life

Tomorrow's life is too late. Live today. -Martial

Classic Silhouettes.

Oscar De La Renta. Pre-Fall 2011

Vintage.

Prada

The circle skirt silhouette from the 50's always works with updated technique no matter the era. If you ever want to rock the look on a budget, shop vintage and dress it up or down.

Music Notes. David Lynch "Good Day Today"

I can't stop playing this.

Notes. Fashion and Style

"Fashions fade, style is eternal." -Yves St. Laurent

Holiday Window Shopping. Monique Lhuillier

Notes.

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." - Coco Chanel

Classic Film Style. Diana Ross Mahagony "Kabuki" Scene

There are so many memorable moments in this movie..what an intro.

Behind The Scenes With Jason Wu. Street Style Inspirations

It's always intriguing to get an insight into the creative process be it in fashion or music. Designer Jason Wu shares his inspirations from early 20th century French street style photographers 'The Seebergers' and Wu's modern vision for working with leather in his Pre-Fall 2011 Collection.

Music Notes. Roy Ayers and Pepe Bradock "I Am Your Mind"

Work It Wednesday.

Music Notes. Rahsaan Patterson "Easier Said Than Done"

"Like a plate of cheese grits flavored soul satisfaction.." (via Twitter). 

This is the first single from Rahsaan Patterson's highly anticipated new album "Bleuphoria", his 6th.  I don't like when I read things like 'Real music is back' - where did it go? Real music aka quality music or artists never left. Simply put, commercial radio with their shortened corporate playlists and "analysts" control the airwaves and major labels don't put the same marketing dollars behind every artist, especially those with a true vision of their artistry unwillingly to play the industry game or cozy up to the industry gatekeepers; to mention a couple of barriers in getting mainstream exposure. Truly independent artists work within a different realm and it's up to true music appreciators be it soul, electronic, modern funk, alternative or whatever, to seek the music out. Take time to get to know the new music and the artist behind it. Take advantage of personal blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and so on.
In this era fans are conditioned to judge music on sales, rather than quality. This pedantic mentality is rampant on most of the popular entertainment or gossip blogs and publications. Don't be led by what's popular, there's room for that, and I get it, but most importantly be led by what moves you. Be open minded about the music that you don't hear oversaturating airwaves 20 million times a day - and if you like it tell your friends about it, be your own radio station.


"Easier Said Than Done" is available at iTunes and Amazon.com now. "Bleuphoria" is scheduled for release Spring 2011. I'm sure artists like John Legend will be taking copious notes.

Notes.

"Now is now. Then is then. And the future will be what the future will be. So enjoy the moment while you're in it. Now is a great time." - Robert Deniro

Art and Fashion.

Illustration: Kate Mulleavy for Designer Rodarte. "Black Swan"

Work It Wednesday.

Photographer: Solve Sundsbo
Models: Melodie Monrose & Anais Mali
Interview Magazine

Notes.

"There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anais Nin

L'Officiel Paris December 2010. Fashionably Candid.

I really like this type of stylized photography with a candid feel. Reminiscent of vintage photo's of musicians and singer's, you feel as if you're getting a glimpse into a 'moment'. Of course this editorial layout titled "Mayfair Ladies" wasn't spontaneous, but the illusion is there. 
With everything so over the top now, it's almost refreshing to see something pared down yet still fabulous. See the full editorial here:




Model: Flaviana Matata
Photographer: Mari Sari
Styling: Sasha Lilic

Photo's: (via) beautyisdiverse.com

Rachel Roy. Fashion For a Cause

Designer Rachel Roy has a really cool tote currently available, perfect for the bohemian fashionista or charitable minded. The tote was developed to provide disaster relief via UNICEF for the millions of children in Pakistan affected by the floods. The casual bag includes signatures from many of Roy's notable celebrity and designer friends. Learn More and Purchase Here:

Nature's Beauty. Legumes

The winter is a great time to put on a pot of beans for a side dish, main course or prepare as a soup. Legumes or beans are full of natural protein and cholesterol lowering fiber, also typically low in fat. It's another whole food associated in lowering the risk of cancer.  Take your pick and preferably not from a can;  black, white, kidney, lima,  red (I love red beans and rice), garbanzo, navy, pinto, soy, chick and black-eyed peas, lentils and so on.

Notes.

"The chameleon looks in all directions before moving." -Ugandan Proverb

Art and Fashion.

Illustration: Lovisa Burfitt

Illustration: (via) chicagomag.com

Notes.

"Sometimes it is not enough to do our best; we must do what is required." - Sir Winston Churchill

Joan Smalls Becomes New Face of Estee Lauder.

WWD announced today that Joan Smalls, is the newest face of the beauty brand Estee Lauder. The model has had an incredible year; from major fashion editorial's around the world or working the runway, The new campaign will debut in May 2011.  The venerable brand announced signing Constance Jablonski and Liu Wen  earlier this year to broaden the range we generally see in advertising here in America - kudos to all involved for the vision and making it happen.

Joan working it in Tom Ford. Harper's Bazaar UK. Photographer: Terry Richardson

For Prada Fall RTW 2010.

Notes.

"Live in joy, in love - even among those who hate."  Dhammapada

Art and Fashion. Anna Sui

Illustration: Hiroshi Tanabe

Illustration. Michell Kim

Illustration: Masiyaki Ogisu

Illustration: Michael Economy

There's something really cool to me about T-shirts with unique stylized illustrations. Designer Anna Sui has a knack for choosing the right illustrators.

Thierry Mugler's 'Womanity'. Jody Watley

"Womanity" powered by revolutionary designer Thierry Mugler is an international based website which weaves together a mosaic of stories and features from women about women. I was profiled in the UK by Simona Rabinovitch.

Read "Jody Watley's Real Love" Here:

Classic Cool.

 Political Activist, Educator, Author Angela Davis with Nobel and Pulitzer Prize Author, Novelist, Professor Toni Morrison.

There's just something special about black and white candid photography. There's something intriguing about the candid moment, and I really appreciate vintage images as well. I really appreciate the 70's stylistically, musically, socially and so on.

Notes. Actions Speak Louder Than Words

I always come back to this principle "Actions speak louder than words". 
Put your words into action today. In relationships, ask for what you want - but notice what you get!

Notes. Spirit and Grace: Elizabeth Edwards

I'm sorry to learn of the passing of Elizabeth Edwards. She was a woman of inner strength and dignity; both qualities I admire tremendously.  A mother, fighting hard in the midst of family tragedy, health and marital struggles, tabloid headlines and public scrutiny captured the hearts of millions of women who in my view were pulling for her to prevail.

This article from NPR say's it best:
http://www.npr.org/2010/12/07/131862855/elizabeth-edwards-succumbs-to-cancer

New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/08/us/08edwards.html?_r=1&src=twt&twt=nytimes

Elizabeth Edward's very poignant message posted just the day before her passing on her Facebook page, which beautifully puts life in perspective and her showed her incredible spirit:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20024768-503544.html

May she rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to her children, family and friends who truly knew and supported her with love.





** I have to add..
I wonder how former Senator John Edwards and that woman who seemed to take so much smug glee at helping push their marriage into a ditch feels.... it's beside the point, but it crossed my mind.

Notes: On Life. Creativity. Art.

"I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then." -Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

For The Shoe Lover In You. Christian Louboutin Spring 2011

Simply divine.



Photo: (via) www.twitter.com/sashacharnin
US Magazine

Spring Forward. H&M Lookbook 2011

Taking a diversion from holiday and winter style, courtesy of Barracuda Films is a first look at what's going to be in-store at H&M for Spring/Summer. I'm digging the vibrant colors (this from an absolute black-a-holic) and the maxi dresses from the women's wear collections.

Holiday Shopping. Macy's "Heart of Haiti" Collection

Handcrafted votive  holder made from recycled metal.

Ceremonial Bowls. $10.00 Each.

Give a gift that gives back from Macy's, with unique handcrafted items reflecting the culture, history and drive of the Haitian people to rebuild their lives.


Click the link to learn more:

http://www.macys.com/campaign/social?campaign_id=134&channel_id=1&bundle_entryPath=/haiti_landing



Photo: (via) macys.com

Notes.

“I am miracle ingredient Z-247. I’m immense. I’m a real, slam-bang, honest-to-goodness, three-fisted humdinger. I’m a bona fide supraman.” - Catch-22, Joseph Heller

Yves St. Laurent. L'Amour Fou

Individual Style. Rachel Stewart Jewelry

Fallen Angel Earrings $35.00.

Masai Beaded Bangles - $10.00 each

Cuffs are a great way to add flair to any outfit. I love these!

I recently discovered this wonderful jewelry and accessories line by Rachel Stewart. If you're looking for tasteful pieces with a bit of cultural flair, add her boutique to your list. I've posted a few of my favorite pieces.




Photo's: (via) rachelstewart.bigcartel.com

Music Notes. Seu Jorge "The Model (Part 2): Oshun and The Dream"

This video is intoxicating to watch and listen to whether you're familiar with the effortless cool and distinctive sounds of Seu Jorge or not.

Notes. World Aids Day

"To forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time." -Night, Elie Wiesel 

I miss so many friends who remained silent rather than ask or seek help and died from AIDS. Suffering in silence must end. Knowing your status or that of your partner is crucial for women, men, teens and older adults - all races but especially for black women and teens where the numbers are new cases are increasing.  Perhaps with greater knowledge, care and education available today, things would have been different for them but whatever the case - I remember them and miss them all at once; today and everyday. 

Work It Wednesday. Seen In Los Angeles

I stepped up to the ATM and saw this cutie waiting for it's owner, she had a bit of attitude as well! I couldn't resist taking the photo.

Work It Wednesday. H&M Holiday Ad Campaign

Sisters. Kesewa and Adoa

Friends. Fei Fei Sun and Du Juan

Brothers. Louis and Claude Simonon

Friends. Waris Dirie and Liya Kebede

I adore this diverse holiday campaign from H&M which includes family members and friends. There's something really refreshing to see the natural in this campaign worn by one of the sisters. The men's tuxedo jacket is a mere $29.99 and the black and gold brocade strapless dress worn by Liya is $19.95.


Photos: (via) H&M

The Art of Window Styling. Bergdorf Goodman NYC Holiday

Nature's Beauty. Pomegranate

Pomegranates are in your local produce section or farmer's market in abundance this time of year and in the juice section year round. It's another whole food or fruit full of natural anti-oxidants and full Vitamin C and B6. In addition, you can add pomegranates to the list of fruits that can be preventative against breast, prostate and lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and helpful in raising the good cholesterol.