Love Bomb - N.E.R.D

Late night runs, Capps Hot Fries, Black & Milds, Arizona Half & Half, pillow fights

A little routine we have I see

...don't make it a habit, I'll start to expect it.

..and like it.

Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2009

Nice scenery

Samo Shit

Jean Michel Basquait (1960 - 1988) is a famous American artist of the 80's who helped contribute to the Neo-Expressionism era. Neo-Expressionism is type of art created in a much more raw and emotional manner than most common forms of art work. It is very abstract and exaggerated, normally having bright colors and images of human figures. Neo-Expressionism art has also been known as punk art and bad paintining, due to its underground appeal and its dislike by many critics.

Basquait first became known for his graffiti in the streets of Manhattan, New York. He later became known most famously for his drawings and paintings of urban black culture, his Haitan and Puerto Rican heritage, and his unorthodox perspective of society.

I really enjoy watching interviews from legardary artist and celebrities from the past, especially those who answer the questions with a honest attempt to really explain the purpose of their art and the madness in their minds. I wish I could go in my time machine back to the 80's and have a long discussion over coffee with this guy. He seems very opinionated and complex.

Basquait was a long time friend of and collaborator with the great Andy Warhol and had a relationship with early pre-stardom Madonna.

There's a movie about his life called Basquiat released in '96 that I have to see!

"I don't think about art when I'm working. I try to think about life." ~Jean Michel Basquait

Bum bum be-dum bum bum be-dum bum

Video: Disturbia by Rihanna. Courtesy of Youtube

I'm definately in love with Rihanna from her image (she's beautiful and her style is impeccable) to her music. The re-release of Good Girl Gone Bad has confirmed her status as an artist to be taken seriously. Take A Bow was a #1 single and I won't be surprised if Distrubia does the same thing. 

I am really diggin' this dark edgy Rihanna. Did you see her with the blonde short wig and white contacts, and the scene with the spiders? Whoa, scary! I love it

Thanks Brandon for the scope.

Big Photos...very a-musing

A quote I live by

Agnes Deyn

As Bold As Love

Baduizm

Dsquared

I wish they all could be California girls...

Oh, I float.

Summer Reading: Go Tell It On The Mountain, James Baldwin

The Genius Truman Capote

Andre Benjamin

Kanye and Marc Jacobs

Yves Saint Laurent Spring Collection 2009

Everything in this collection is flawless, especially the accessories like the shoes and the belts.

R.I.P. YSL 1939 - 2008...even in death his legacy continues.

Unconquered

Invictus

OUT of the night that covers me,  
  Black as the Pit from pole to pole,  
I thank whatever gods may be  
  For my unconquerable soul.  
  
In the fell clutch of circumstance
  I have not winced nor cried aloud.  
Under the bludgeonings of chance  
  My head is bloody, but unbowed.  
  
Beyond this place of wrath and tears  
  Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years  
  Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.  
  
It matters not how strait the gate,  
  How charged with punishments the scroll,  
I am the master of my fate:
  I am the captain of my soul.  

~William Ernest Henley

I ran across this poem recently and the second I finished it it held so much truth and perspective to me. The history behind this poem is that it was memorized by almost every Allied soldier during World Word I as a source of motivation and perseverance. This summer, not to mention this entire year, has been such a world wind for me and continues to be one from finances, to family, to school, to personal issues. Life is full of obstacles, or humps as Ms. Badu would say, but I refuse to me dissuaded and I refuse to give up even if the world is against me. This is just a detour, but I'll be at my destination sure enough.

Currently listening to: That Hump -Erykah Badu, New Amerykah

 

"Modified Classic"

A couple of creative ways to wear the tie from new designer François Hadaya's collection.

You will definately see me rocking my ties like this for now on.

Pictures courtesy of Morphosis blog

Let Me Upgrade You...introduce ya to some new things

Jay-Z on the cover of July/August 2000 Italian Vogue

Very impressive...get it B!

Zero Brazilians + One Girl = Brazilian Girls

Brazilian Girls @ 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW Washington, Dc

Sat. July 12th 11pm $25

A nice date...if I say so myself

Not to be vulgar but my favorite song would be called "Pussy," go figure. (hehe)

Their third album "New York City" is due to be release August 5, 2008

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent” -Victor Hugo

No Black and White, Just Grey Playlist:

Playground Lover- Air, Virgin Suicides Soundtrack

No One Will- Cody ChestnuTT,  The Headphone Masterpiece

Homecoming- Kanye West feat. Chris Martin, Graduation

The Little Things- Colbie Caillat, Coco

Love Bomb- N.E.R.D., Seeing Sounds

Shot Me Down- Lil' Wayne feat. D. Smith, Tha Carter III

Better In Time- Leona Lewis, Spirit

Hey Joe- Jimi Hendrix, The Hendrix Experience

I Will Possess Your Heart- Death Cab For Cutie, Narrow Stairs

Allure- Jay-Z feat. Pharrel Williams, The Black Album

On My Own Time (Write On!)- Gym Class Heroes, As Cruel as School Childen

Violet Hill- Coldplay, Viva La Vida

Chasing Pavements- Adele, 19

Ouroboros

I don't know what it smells like, but I really really like the ads. The tattoos are a good look.

Juicy Couture's new men's fragrance Dirty English.

Model: Jonathan Kroppmann

I'm ready for my next one.

Be sure to check out the new Juicy Couture store in Georgetown, DC...its really nice, with alot of great men's stuff. Juicy designers Gela Nash-Taylo and Pamela Skaist-Levy have been uping the ante with men's wear lately. Me likey..

Business Attire Pet Peeve

I know hip-hop culture made this look cool once upon a time, but some things should never sag.

One thing I can not stand to see are baggy dress clothes. Call me old fashion but dress shirts and pants should be fitted and neat.

Click picture to enlarge

Collars should fit closely around the neck, almost choking, the sleeves should lay to the wrists without too much buckling, and the sides and back of the shirt should lay neatly and completely tucked in the pant without bubbling. Slacks should fit around the waist properly and shouldn't be baggy at the bottom. When you sit down we are supposed to see your socks, believe it or not. My old JROTC instructor once told me that there shouldn't be more than one dent in the crease at the bottom of the pant near the shoe.

Click picture to enlarge

To wear business attire clothing without looking sloppy, the fit is key. Get your measurements and don't be afraid of the tailor! When buying shirts and slacks ask the sales clerk to measure you, including collar and arms for the shirt and waist and inseam from the pant. When getting pants hemmed, remember to bring a pair of dress shoes. And to avoid the excess fabric on the sides and back, look for slim fitted shirts.

Trust me...these tips make a world of a difference.

Photos courtesy of GQ magazine