TUNEAGE: J*DAVEY + 88 KEYS

I've kind of paid 88 Keys as another differenter, but the production on this song has me eating my words. You already know how much I love Miss Jack Davey! This song shows what Miss Davey does best, blur the lines between coy sensuality and overt trashy sexiness.

For a bonus, check out another gem from his album The Death of Adam.

CITY BOPPIN: VIVA LA FEMME

My boy RIP has done it again...

The Writer's Block crew has been rocking Moomia Lounge since the summer, but tomorrow night is all about the laaadiiieeesss! My fave lady DJs DJ Bonnie Danger and Jasmine Solano will be teaming up once again, so you KNOW I'll be in the building! Hookah on deck. Yedig?

CURLY GIRL DIARIES- 0025

I'm pretty sure everyone is over seeing my hair every CG post sooo...... ---> insert Brittany.

Quite possibly one of the sweetest people I know, Brit showed up to the Black Book event looking so purrty!

She came over the house for a simple twist out. We were hair twins for a couple days with the Cherokee two-strand twists, but hers came out WAY better than mine. Feast your eyes on this four day old awesomry!

BRAIN FOOD: THE BLACK BOOK [RECAP]

I had an awesome awesome time at The Black Book event! Below is a quick bio on the panelists. Check back for some key points and video of the Q&A session, featuring someone you might know.

Dr. Roscoe Brown

An original member of the Tuskegee Airmen, Dr. Brown currently serves as Director of the Center of Urban Education Policy and University professor at City University of New York. He provided first hand insight to some of the articles within The Black Book. He was witty and charged the audience to correct fallacies by repeating the truth. Click here for a full bio.

Illyasah Shabazz

My favorite daughter of the prolific Malcolm X has committed her life to upholding the legacy set forth by her parents. Her book, Growing Up X, let readers into her upbringing and defining herself outside of her lineage. She credits her father with giving ownership of our heritage back to the Black community. Check out her website to keep posted on all that she is doing.

Toure

Author, journalist, cultural critic, television host, and all around cool dude was the comic relief of the panel. I can go on and on about Toure, (including the deets her gave Fe and I on his interview with Rihanna)but just scurry to his site or follow him on Twitter and you will find it impossible NOT to love him. I'm still trying to piece together his brief dissertation on Post-Blackness.

Rebecca Saudo

Daughter of Ernest Smith, the editor of the original Black Book also served as a panelist.She told a very interesting story about a neighbor she had that was a bigot, but interestingly enough had a Black foster child. Things that make you go hmmm...

CITY BOPPIN: BOUNDLESS NYC

CONFESSION: I'm not a big holiday person.

My life is so festive, I dont need designated days to eat/get wasted/spend time with loved ones. Do that on a daily basis...

So, I will doing this for Thanksgiving Eve!

Guess Brandon was right about me being trashy. Nothing says TGiving like hipsters + PBR!

TUNEAGE: FORVER (TRAVIS BARKER RMX)

This is quite possibly my top hip-hop song of 2009. I was FLOORED when I first heard it. FLOORED! It made me hungry for what's next in this little thing we call rap. Then I hear Travis Barker hopped on it...DEAD

CURLY GIRL DIARIES- 0024

I was putting too much heat on my hair thanks to weather, so I decided to twist ms. girl up. But somehow this:

turned into this:

No ma'am Tina Knowles. Flash back to this summer's weave drama!

I did not wet my hair the first go round as much as I should have and those ends needed to be bantu-twisted.

After quick douse and twist job, I had a beautiful fro. I turned it into this the following day:

CURLY GIRL DIARIES- 0023

I promise my hair is red. Can you tell in these pics??

TUNEAGE: MOS DEF + GEORGIA ANN MULDROW

Mos Def is prob my top five of MCs. I love him in every role he takes on. He is a true artist in every sense of the word. And boy does he love this beautiful borough of BROOOOKLYYYYYN!!!!

Get into this gem from his most recent album The Estatic, featuring the fantabulous G.A.M.!

When I'm down/ I just draw some roses/ on a pretty piece of paper/ halfway thru/ I feel so much better/I imagine happiness/and it runs right to me

And because this is MY blog and I can do what I want. Listen to one of my fave Mos Def songs. Its from the classic (in my opinion) The New Danger. I swear this album really got me through college.

BRAIN FOOD: PRECIOUS

I'm still not ready to talk about it, but my advice to you is to run to any theater with available tickets.

All this blah blah about race and the complexions of the characters is so silly. The fact that we pass by a PRECIOUS everyday should be our focus. I am currently searching for a non-profit to link up with to be the change I want to see in my hood! YeDig?

CITY BOPPIN: 40 OZ BOUNCE

I love a good party and a cold 40!

Ugh...that was probably the trashiest thing I've said in at least 2 days. Ah well....

I never made the events over the summer, but I CANNOT miss this one! If you know whats good for you, I will see you there. I will be the chick double fisting the 40s and wu-tanging simultaneously.

I-DIGS: RATED R

HAPPY RIHANNA DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love her..Love her...

I'm obsessed with her album shots.

If you don't have Rated R yet...ummm...kill yourself? ::kanye shrug::

CURLY GIRL DIARIES- 0022

I need a Chi Flat Iron ASAP!

My hair is BEYOND sensitive to humidity and wet weather. The only thing that can tame her is a Chi Iron. I doubt I will press my hair until I get one.

I present to you Madam Puffykins...

TUNEAGE: GEORGIA ANN MULDROW

I LOVE THIS LADY! NUFF SAID.

I was first introduced to G.A.M. as a feature on one of my fave Badu songs "Master Teacher" . Peep below and get our life! It also features the love of my life, Bilal and produced by Sa-Ra Creative Partners. EPIC!

My homeslice, Corey, posted this G.A.M. song on his brand spanking new blog, Fluorescent Beige, and I can't stop listening. Make sure you cop her album that dropped November 10th! ::Running to iTunes::

Take off and fly/Use life as a runway

CURLY GIRL DIARIES- 0021 [10/15/09]

On April 15th, a little before I started the blog, I decided to really take the health of my hair seriously. I have always been natural (minus that one perm in 2004) , but never knew that not having a perm did not constitute health. After tons of research and blog scouring, I decided on a 6-month no heat challenge. During those 6 months, my hair grew (even though I need to keep better tabs on my fairy knots) and I found some staple styles and go-to products. The only drag was the fact that stretching my hair meant dedicating like 20 hours before my hair is actually completed. But all in all, it was a great experience, that I will probably try again. I challenge all of you to push yourselves and go on a hair challenge. If nothing else, it will really test your vanity gangsta.

So ladies and gents...here is the day my hair felt heat for the first time in 6 months. Don't mind the tape on my blowdryer, I refuse to get rid of it even tho I broke then nozzle.

::kanye shrug::

CITY BOPPIN: SKYLIGHT GALLERY

You have a looong time to see the exhibit, so make sure you try to get there. My boy Kwesi has some work being shown. Remember him from the Heatwave post?? Make sure you keep tabs on my dude and all of his amazingness. He's the next Gordon Parks.

BEFORE I GO:

Skylight Gallery is right smack in the middle of my hood, Bed-Stuy. I am so excited about all of the things going on in my neighbs! Some scoff and call it gentrification, but I'm kind of in the middle because its being primarily done by people of color.

This is supposed to be a CITY BOPPIN post, but I couldn't resist to ask the question. Is gentrification ok if it is being done by people who look like the cities residents, but different socioeconomic group?

CURLY GIRL DIARIES- 0020

I hope my amla post peaked your interest in trying my new obsession! Here are the steps:

-Wet your (pre oiled)hair.

-Pour about 4 tablespoons of amla powder into a bowl. (I prefer the Hesh brand)

-Add in warm water and stir until you have a brownie-like consistency. Alot of CGs add oils,different conditoners,etc but I kept it basic my first go round.

-Section and apply the mixture the same way you put on your DT.

-Cover with plastic. Wrap a towel around for extra heat. (you can keep this on for anywhere between an hour to overnight)

-Co-wash making sure you get all of the amla out.

-Most important step... Run your fingers through your hair and GET.YOUR.LIFE.!

TUNEAGE: SA-RA CREATIVE PARTNERS

Words fail me when I think about the awesomry that is Sa-Ra Creative Partners. I'm pretty sure Corey and I would not be friends if it wasn't for them. They have perfected the jazz/hiphop/soul mash-up that I adore and have created that sound for some of my faves J*Davey and THEE Erykah Badu. (Yes, Taz, Om'mas, and Shafiq are responsible for the New Amerykah album ) Formed in L.A., these dudes produce,write,sing....ALL-AT ALL-AT. Here is my go-to track from their latest album "Nuclear Evolution: The Age Of Love".

This morning/ I woke up and the kings came/I saw a rainbow after the rain/SUNSHINE/I was blinded by the rays/ They say the time has come/ Lift up your veils/ WALK INTO THE SUN

CURLY GIRL DIARIES- 0019

If you dug the hair in the previous post, here are a couple shots I took for you guys.

Always reppin for CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY!!!

This was a staple style for me while I was gone. Its my usual cornrow/two-strand twist combo, but I used some installations (weave) to make it a bit bigger. (Ya'll know I love obnoxious hair!)I can't wait to see how she looks with my newly red hair!

LE BOOTHE: FOUND GOD IN SELF/LOVING FIERCLEY

Favorite booth session to date...

BRAIN FOOD: THE BLACK BOOK

BE THERE.PERIOD.

CURLY GIRL DIARIES- 0018

Its boo season and right now the only thing I'm hugged up with is my incredibly soft hair.

(Andre 3000 voice) OOOoooh...I just wanna lay in huh hair!

This is all thanks to the new love of my hair life.....AMLA!

I first heard about amla on one of the CG blogs I read daily as a replacement for henna. Since I am already a redhead, I didn't want to use henna and it turn some crazy organgey-cherry cola sitch. After tons of research and watching hella YouTube videos, I decided to try it.

IN FREAKING LOVE!!!

My hair is soft, bouncy and had tons of shine. I rec this to EVERYONE! Amla is made from Indian gooseberries. It promotes hair growth, strengthens roots, and gives hair a mean luster. It can also be used as an astringent for your face.

For all my NYCers, I bought a box for $2.49 (!) from an Indian bodega on 28th & 6th. For my out-of-towners, you can go here if you do not have an Indian district in your city.

Try it...like..RIGHT NOW...no, like I'm not kidding...NOW

APARTMENT HUNT: I'M NOT HOMELESS

For anyone that was wondering, my disappearance was not due to homelessness...

I moved into my very own place! ::heel click:: With the freedom to create my own safe haven, I have been hitting up some amazing places to turn my house into a home.

Of course, I've been scouring the town fave Urban Outfitters. I found an amazing tiered hanging lamp for 10 bucks to match my East African theme throughout the apartment. For all things modern, but with a vintage hipster twist, UO is the place.

Urban's big sister, Anthropologie has also been a lifesaver for my inner shabby chic style. Plates and mugs with dainty yet, intricate floral prints were great buys at $1.99 a piece! Anthropologie can be a bit pricey, but you MUST be willing to dig because the deals are there.

As of late, I have become enamored with Z Gallerie. They follow current trends for the interior design set, but have a (semi) affordable price point. Unfortunately, they closed their NYC locations, but the website is filled with lust worthy items that I'm sure won't disappoint upon arrival. Since I know my readers love me, I know you guys can pool some funds so I can put this in my bathroom! ::wink::

Lastly, my hugest recommendation for creating an amazing space goes to ::drum roll please:: CB2! The younger hip version of Crate and Barrel has been a Godsend! It picks up where Ikea's penchant for style lacks in quality. CB2 is chic and reeks of downtown cool. I'm a huge HGTV fan and this will be my first home project using their hanging teardrop vases and candle holders.

And there you have it ladies and gentlemen...happy home hunting!

OK, OK...LAST RHIANNA POST

THIS RIHANNA REIGN JUST WON'T LET UP! #iDie

TUNEAGE: RIHANNA

Ok guys, if you didn't know, I am OBSESSED with Robin Rihanna Fenty!

I could not wait until the 23rd for Rated R to drop, so thanks to my music obsessed friend Brandon and YouTube, I've been banging the new album around the house. Check out my faves below.

*Note to Def Jam: I will be copping a physical album next Tuesday. PROMISE.

Firebomb

G4L

Rockstar

::Tapping Mic:: IS THIS THING ON?

Why is this vid hella grainy Blogspot.com???

THE WAIT IS OVA

LOOK WHO IS BAAAAAAACK.............

Rihanna - New Music - More Music Videos

Not RhiRhi...but meeee!!!