Culture

  • Culture,  Experience,  Hotels,  Pretty City

    What is Black Joy?

    From electing a nitwit into the highest seat in the Oval Office to the phenomenal headline renaming a popular festival to “Beychella”, the media is taking us on a rollercoaster ride. I hardly ever watch television anymore but that doesn’t mean that the negative reports don’t make their way into my subconscious through outlets like Facebook and instagram. None of us are immune to negative infiltration of media. It’s tough to focus on the good things happening in our communities because they are often underreported. When I was invited by the City of Oakland to attend the Black Joy Parade, I thought, “it’s about time” that we celebrate our blackness…

  • Food

    Rishikesh, India: 5 restaurants you can stomach. 

    If traveling is not for the faint of heart then India is not faint of stomach. My thirty days in Rishikesh while studying yoga left an impression on my heart but also a dent in my stomach. The yogic diet did not fair well with the barbecue loving, macaroni feening, cornbread stuffing gal from Texas.  I am also my mother’s daughter so the OCD tendencies started to kick in when I would sit down to eat. Menus were stuck to the tables with God knows what, flys would swarm  and I got an eyeful of some not so pristine kitchen quarters. If you’re ever in Rishikesh, India here are five…

  • Culture,  Experience

    Who leaves New York City?

    Before you get your whities in a bunch this is not some sappy good-bye letter swearing off NYC and damning everyone to hell who doesn’t jump ship NOW! Quite the contrary, NYC has been good to me in …its own way. The thing is one brisk night in October I woke up out of my sleep with an idea to study yoga, to take it seriously. I was failing a adulating nut yoga was he one thing that kept me balanced.  I began scouring the net for more information on programs and schools. I did a general search which lead me to bookretreats.com and there I found tons of schools, programs…

  • Culture,  Travel

    Paradise Interrupted: Traveling when tragedy strikes

    A few years back I made a New Years resolution promising that I would take my mother on a trip out of the country. I didn’t have a preference on where or when to go, but I simply wanted to make it my life’s mission to get this woman out of the USA! I hounded her for months on end to “Get Yo Passport”, so much so that it became my the new way to greet her ” Hey mom, did you “Get Yo Passport?!” One day, out of the blue, I received a picture of a small navy blue book with gold foil embossments. “By George I thing she’s got it”…her passport…

  • Culture

    Fast Food Frenzy : Fort Worth, Texas

    There has never been a time when I visited my home town Fort Worth, Texas and did not indulge in the savory, cheesy, sweet, fried and spicy fast food. Its just what I crave the very moment I step onto Texas soil. I shamelessly gain a pound for every 24 hours I spend here. Here are my absolute must drive- thru and eat up culinary quickies. Up first is the sweet chocolate syrupy triple sundae from Braums. For as long as I could remember  I would visit Braums with my mom, grandmother and various family members. Braums is known for their juicy hamburgers, cherry limeades and ice cream. Nine times…

  • Culture

    What about Kwanzaa?

    The word Kwanzaa is derived from Kiswahili matunda ya kwanza, literally ‘first fruits (of the harvest),’ from kwanza‘first. Kwanzaa an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community, Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. Given the profound significance Kwanzaa has for African Americans and indeed, the world African community, it is imperative that an authoritative source and site be made available to give an accurate and expansive account of its origins, concepts, values, symbols and practice. Kwanzaa is observed by many African Americans from December 26 to January 1 as a…

  • Beauty,  Culture

    Rain: More than just Bubbles and Balms

    While galavanting around Rockefeller Center  I stumbled upon several people sprinkled in a shop holding colorful objects. Through the window I eyed displays with several vibrant colored bars aligned and organized by design. I looked up to see the word RAIN above the entrance to the shop. As I entered RAIN I was greeted by a pleasant voice. Im always looking for new beauty products, especially bath products so I was naturally inquisitive. I was in luck ,the owner, Hendrien was present and shared what RAIN is all about. RAIN originated in South Africa and opened up this wonderful location in NYC’s Rockefeller Center. RAIN makes handmade bath & body products using natural ingredients…

  • Culture

    Brukwine Dance Workout

    What are your plans tonight? Not big on the whole club scene, but love to dance? I can say that my club days are dwindling down but I truly miss hitting the dance floor. Dancing is totally fun and a great way to get some quality exercise in! Have you ever looked at a dancer’s body? Really check out their physique, in general their bodies are toned, slender  and incredibly fit. When a friend invited me to a dance class I gave her that look, but her excitement for Brukwine let me know that this was no ordinary class. She immediately pulled up their instagram page (@bruckwineaddiction)where I watched 15…

  • Culture,  Travel

    Around The World Beauty Exhibition

    Celebrity makeup artist Stephanie Flor shares her travels with NYC this past Thursday at Inglot Studios at Chelsea Market in a one night only exhibition. Stephanie Flor shares beauty traditions from her latest voyages from Macchu Picchu (that was really fun to say) and Tanzania. The night will showcased souvenirs and photos from Flor’s travels to Africa, Asia, and South America, as well as a gallery of photos inspired by the traditions, produced by the artist herself. Travel fanatics and beauty enthusiast experienced Flor’s adventures through henna applications, beauty makeovers (is she not killing it in this purple hair), photo shoots, and an intriguing dance performance. Delicious cocktails crafted by Birthday Cake Wine..so…

  • Culture

    Inspire A Difference Honors Event 2014

        A rainy night in NYC did not deter five amazing women from coming out to share their dedication to victim’s right, homelessness and healing to inspire a difference. Special guest included Tamron Hall and Susan Lucci.  Executive Editor of Glamour Magazine, Lauren Smith Brody gave the opening remarks with a quote, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”-Eleanor Roosevelt Henry Schleiff, President of…

  • Culture

    Just kickin’ it!

    Fall is here and you’re  ready to kick it but first, you need the proper attire. Move over Timberland, Women’s Cat Colorado Boots are a good look this fall. I adore this cool cheetah print. Check out these classic black leather quilted  booties with built in shoe pads for kick ass comfort. Because ever girl needs a little sparkle. Navy is a trend color this season and these over the knee suede boots are everything, need I tell you not to step on them. Now this is what I call fashion fellatio! Knee pads included! Thanks Chanel!   Which will you rock this fall ?