First Saturdays are when a large majority of Brooklyn locals flock to the Brooklyn Museum for a night of entertainment and culture. Black masculinity and the socialization of black men in America were themes in some of the popular exhibits of the night. I’ve been hearing rave reviews about Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic so I decided to go.
I discovered Basquiat’s Notebooks before heading to Kehinde Wiley. I am so happy this happened. The exhibit just opened the day before and it was a very high profile one. Everyone wanted to get a glimpse into the mind of Basquiat. As you walk in you are graced with a video of Basquiat working in his element of street art and graffiti. I became entranced as I watched this video of a young artist spray painting words that obviously had a deeper meaning behind it- THE WHOLE LIVERY LINE BOW LIKE THIS WITH THE BIG MONEY… He had on a long trench coat and wild natural hair. He looked modern, like someone I would meet in the Lower East Side today.
I walked into the exhibit and noticed that, as the name details, this exhibit would be a display of his notebooks throughout the years. I rubbed my head trying to figure out the depth behind his words. Was it to be analyzed or were his notes just like any other person jotting down things he viewed in the world. How was his notebook’s art? His words were simple; some were poetic. He obviously appreciated his heritage and wanted blacks to be the focal point of his art–the heroes. He also wanted us to pay attention to the words he crossed out. According to him, “I cross out words, so you will see them more. The fact that they are obscured makes you want to read them.” Continue reading “A Lesson in Culture and Black Masculinity”
A couple months ago I wrote a blog about Relationship Weight and how much I’ve gained after getting too comfortable. Well, I am finally taking my own advice and doing something about it. On April 1st I applied for Weight Watchers. I signed up for the $44 a month plan, which consists of meetings, 24/7 counseling, and online support. There are also other price points more or less than what I chose. I will consider the $19.95 a month plan once I get some control over my weight. The pictures of me in Dubai was a reality check; I looked at least 15-pounds overweight. I haven’t checked my weight but I can always tell when I’ve gained some. I get rolls in my neck and back. My face also looks fuller than it already is. I believe I am probably around 150 and I would like to get back down to 135. I feel like I am in college again when I gained the freshman 15 during my junior year. I already know what you’re thinking, junior year? but that year I decided to stay on campus in the dorms after 2-years of having my own apartment. With dorm living, comes the meal plan, where you can eat all day, every day and only God knows what they put in that food to make you fat.
I was surprised by how much fun Weight Watchers actually is. Each day I track the food I am eating and sometimes to meet certain goals I’ll eat fruit or more veggies which I would’ve never done had I not signed up for the program. I get 26 points daily that I try not to go over. The first couple of days I was going over these points. My love for baked mac and cheese cannot be replaced, but it was taking a majority of my daily points(10 pts) and this week alone I had it 3-4 times. I feel like as I get more involved and invested in the program things will change and I will begin to take my weight loss journey more seriously. I am excited to share this new journey with you. I am so stubborn when it comes to my food and don’t like to exercise, but I am going to try to make this fun.
It’s been a month since my 26th birthday and I am overjoyed with the outpouring of love and acknowledgment that I received this year. It’s truly a blessing when you are loved, and when people think enough about you to want to make you happy and recognize your special day. I was humbled as the gifts kept rolling in for the whole month of March and even in April. Like a spoiled brat, I received some of the things that I wanted most, the books that I wanted to read, flowers that I wanted to smell and cupcakes that I wanted to eat. What a blessing. Thank you all!
I am totally looking forward to what this new year has in store for me. I just feel so motivated. For those wondering, no, I don’t feel old turning 26, I feel younger and better than ever. I have a whole life to live. If 26 is old, what is 76? Some people need to get a grip and start putting things into perspective. I welcome growth because it makes becoming a better version of yourself possible. This year, I would love to be more outgoing; that would be a huge accomplishment because I can be so shy. I want to continue to encourage others. I want to start being more selfless, giving more to those in need and setting aside cash specifically for the homeless on the street. Overall, I want to evolve into a better me.
Miracles do happen. After years of trial and error, I’ve found the perfect foundation. Of course, it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t give a bit of a back-story.
I went to the dermatologist, and I forgot to wipe off my make up before going in the chair. With his microscopic glasses, my doctor inquisitively asked what makeup I was using. At this point, I was using a MAC foundation and/or concealer. A look of concern came on his face as he said: “Your make up is clogging your pores, you can’t use those kinds of products-your skin is too sensitive.”
“Well, doc, what am I supposed to use?” I replied
“You need natural products, try Clinique or Bare Minerals. Go to the store they will tell you” he said.
A week later, I went to Sephora and explained to them my dermatologist recommendation. They did the foundation test, which is really cool; the associate placed a device on my face which detected my exact skin color. I was in need of 100% natural products which would reduce the options that came up once my skin color was in the system. I immediately told her I was interested in Bare Minerals as suggested by my doctor. She led me to the Bare Mineral section and worked with me until I found the color that was a match for my skin. The color is #18 Bare Walnut. It’s hypoallergenic and made without the following ingredients:
Oil
Silicone
Parabens
Fragrance
Six-months later and my skin is doing so much better. I still have breakouts but they are minimal. I drink tons of water and take Hair, Skin, and Nails pills, but the compliments I get on my make up coverage are amazing. Bare Minerals foundation allows my skin to breathe, reduces how much of my pores are clogged and is an exact match to my skin color which is a first. It leaves my skin looking flawless. I am truly amazed by this product. It also lasts really long. I just finished the first bottle that I bought 6-months ago. Another plus is the cost. It’s priced at Sephoras for $29, which I think is a great price point. I hardly ever do product reviews but I thought this one deserved a rave review. Bare Minerals: Rating 9
Karla’s Closet exhibits some of the best and most minimalist styles that you can think of and that’s why I love her blog. She’s funky but simple. It’s attainable styles; boyfriend jeans, belly shirts, and wide-legged slacks. I love that she wears neutrals, she doesn’t experiment much with colors. Black, White, Nude, Navy Blue and Army Green seem to be her colors of choice. I enjoy it when she travels, whether its Hong Kong, Paris or an exotic island, she’s always dressed perfectly for the occasion.
Shirley Beniag gives me more of the classic, professional, and chic vibe. She shops at ZARA and H&M, so it’s so easy to replicate her style. Sometimes she gives Olivia Pope, which is always a treat. She makes professional dressing look fabulous and attainable. The thing that I also love about Shirley is how neat she is and her personality is incredible. I can watch her on youtube for days. She’s funny and so stunning. Her sister has a cooking blog as well, so I take turns watching the both of them. I love Shirley, but sometimes you have to wait a while before she posts new content. I don’t blame her though, life gets hectic.
I just discovered this site, but I am a long time fan of Alexis Phifer (who is most famously known as the ex girlfriend of Kanye West). She’s beautiful and a few years back I discovered she has a keen eye for fashion. Now she has a website that highlights her fashion sense. What I like about Alexis is how she mixes it up. She can wear funky suede boots with a boho oversized sweater and look like a million bucks. You can shop on her website and replicate some of her looks, as she is a designer. She’s pretty cool. Continue reading “Ky’s Fave Bloggers Awards 2015”
When I was 10-years old, I overheard a family member tell someone that she thought I was cute, not pretty, not beautiful, just cute. I was taking a nap on the couch and woke up in time to hear her conversation. It damaged me. I pretended like I was asleep, but turned around to hide the teardrops falling from my eyes.
For years, I looked at myself as just cute, not pretty, not beautiful, but cute. In reality, I questioned why others didn’t view me as I viewed myself. I loved my skin color. I am amber brown, a combination of my mother’s fair skin and my father’s rich dark skin. I have beautiful full lips, big brown eyes, as bright as the sun and a button nose. I have a small gap in my teeth, which adds to my beautiful imperfections. My hair is cotton soft and was never really able to grow very long (it has a mind of its own). I loved who I saw looking back at me when I looked in the mirror, but to others, I guess I wasn’t good enough.
When I was 15, my boyfriend told me “You’re Beautiful” for the first time in my life, I heard those words; it made me love him even more. My whole worth was warped into how he viewed me. I wanted to be his ideal; I wanted to remain beautiful in his eyes. Once our relationship ended, I was completely lost. I spent years trying to reverse the effect that he had on me. I was insecure and I felt rejected. Who would ever love me as much as he did? Who would ever view me as beautiful again? I was broken. Continue reading “Reclaiming My Beauty”
To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect from Motown the Musical. In life I’ve learned the least you expect the more you gain and as a result, I really enjoyed this broadway show. It was one of the best shows I have ever seen and I would recommend it to anyone.
Here are 10 Things I loved about Motown the Musical:
1. The History: One of the things I enjoyed about Motown the Musical was the incorporation of historical events from the 60s and 70s including President John F. Kennedy’s death, segregation in the south, race riots/protests, the Vietnam War and the death of MLK. These were just a few of the incidents during that time that shook the nation, black and white to their core and I believe it was very significant to incorporate these events into the play. It added a lot of perspectives and illustrated the magnitude of building a powerhouse such as Motown in the midst of such chaos in America and around the world.
Photo Cred: NY Times
2. The Storyline: The storyline was from the perspective of music mogul Berry Gordy. Like many 20-something-year-olds, Berry Gordy had a dream and he watched his dream come to fruition. He created Motown, one of the most successful record labels in history. But this label was not invincible and had its highs and lows. Berry Gordy built the careers of world-renowned stars including Diana Ross and The Supremes, The Temptations, Jackson 5 and Marvin Gaye just to name a few. However, a lot of his precious artists quickly left him for more money with the bigger record labels like RCA. It was inspiring to see how loyal Smokey Robinson was through it all. I had no idea they were best friends prior to the musical. I learned so much about how hard it really is to create something from the ground up. My eyes were glued from the beginning to the end.
3. The Costumes: I was amazed by the costuming in this play. I even googled to cross-check the accuracy of these costumes and they were spot on. The colors were bright and aligned greatly with what each of these stars wore during that time. Amazing! 4. The Engagement: When the actress, Valisia LeKae, playing Diana Ross sang Reach Out and Touch she actually forced everyone in the audience to hold one another’s hand and sway from side to side. She even called audience members to come on stage and sing with her. It was so engaging.
5. The Acting: I enjoyed the acting. The actors and actresses were believable. Berry Gordy’s character was charming and passionate. Diana Ross’ character had sass. Little Michael Jackson gave me chills.
6. The Music: Oh, the music of those times was beautiful. Motown music was made out of love and passion. We all know love never goes out of style. The singers of the Motown Era were one of a kind.
7. My Seats: My seats were orchestra level smack dab in the center. It was perfect!
8. The Enchantment: I really felt like I was there. I felt like I took a trip back in time to the ’60s and I was so enchanted.
9. Sing-A-Long: I knew all the songs and it felt good to be able to sing-a-long without being looked at like I was insane. There were others who knew more than me-which was to be expected as Motown is way before my time. It’s amazing how relevant Motown still is today.10. It’s Legacy: The legacy of Motown is undisputed. Motown has captured the hearts of generations and generations to come. I had no idea that Tina Marie, Rick James, and The Commodores were a product of Motown. They were huge in their day. I also didn’t know songs like “My Guy” was a Motown creation. I became enlightened during the show and it illustrated to me just how much of an impact Motown had and continues to have. It’s a household name. Berry Gordy may not have felt appreciated but he is a musical genius and his legacy will live on forever.
One of my New Year resolutions is visualization. Visualization is the idea that if I can see it, if I can hear it, if I can touch it, if I can taste it, if I can smell it, then it’s mine.
Sometimes I fall victim to small-mindedness. I’ve reduced my dreams, like so many adults, to that of an average lifestyle, which is unacceptable. We should all strive for greatness. There were people, especially our ancestors, that came before us, who paved the way so that we could be great. Take Mary McLeod Bethune. She created a multi-million dollar institution/university for African American students denied the right to an education by mainstream colleges; she was the advisor to presidents of the United States and she fought for civil rights. She did all of this with just $1.50 and 6 students in her first class. If she could do it with $1.50 why can’t we do it with all the resources we have today?
Therefore:
I see growth in my spirituality
I see service to others
I see Homeownership
I see my beautiful car
I see a higher degree
I see no more student loan debt
I see a strong marriage and children
I see happiness and immense love
I see a career that I love
I see travel to countries all over the world.
I declare all of this in the name of Jesus, it will happen with faith and vision in his time and not mine.
Honestly, I only wanted to go to the Koons exhibit to get an amazing picture in front of Balloon Dog. I’ve only heard of Jeff Koons work once in my life while researching Asian culture. Having just saw the Kara Walker exhibit, the Koons exhibit was not as deep but I was still very intrigued because I love avant-garde art.
I pre-purchased my ticket to avoid waiting on the long line and invited two friends to experience “Cult-of-Koons” also known as Retrospective at the Whitney Museum.
We started on the top floor and worked our way down. The first exhibit we visited was called Antiquity which showcased artwork from the ancient world infused with 1950’s pinups girls. We eventually made our way to Popeye and Hulk Elvis before discovering the “nirvana” of the exhibit also known as Balloon Dog and the Playdough structure. I was intrigued by his artwork but to be honest I didn’t understand it. What was the deeper meaning behind his sculptures?
We proceeded to The inflatables, Gazing Ball, and Banality. I enjoyed these exhibits the least. For one, I am not a fan of readymade art. I understand the sexual undertones of the inflatables but it lacked substance. Equilibrium was pretty cool; how he got the basketball to stay afloat in that water was beyond me. Luxury and Degradation was funny. All hail to the Hennessy piece.
Overall, I enjoyed a great night out with my girls. There is something so cool about going to a museum at 1AM. I felt so Sex in the City when Carrie was dating Aleksandr Petrovsky. We eventually found out the Retrospective was in a sense mocking and/or highlighting the tangible things that we value so much in our culture including sex, athletes, celebrities, alcohol, and play dough among others. Twas a night to remember.
July 6, 2014, marked the last day that the Kara Walker “A Subtlety, or the Marvelous Sugar Baby, an Homage to the unpaid and overworked Artisans who have refined our Sweet tastes from the cane fields to the Kitchens of the New World on the Occasion of the demolition of the Domino Sugar Refining Plant” exhibit would be shown to the world. The sugar and molasses structures would be destroyed along with the huge factory that it was displayed in and I am so honored to have received the opportunity to be in the presence of such greatness before it’s demise.
I gain inspiration from art. It’s sort of a creative outlet for me and for a moment in time, I can try and figure out the depth and thought process that might’ve gone into a certain piece of artwork and/or sculpture. Simultaneously, I love African American history. I love to learn about the resilience of my people. Pride fills my soul as I take in all the sacrifices that my ancestors had to go through so I could live a better life. How could I ever repay them? I often ask myself this very question. All I can honestly do is promise them excellence; Excellence in myself, my work, my commitments, my education, and my life. I am committed to making my ancestors proud and never letting their legacy die.
I get a sense that Kara might feel the same way. Her installation revitalized the issue of race, slavery, rape, industrialization, westernization, and femininity (along with many other things). She reopened the conversation and exposed the harsh realities of slavery and the free labor of African Americans which built the very foundation of this country; The Mammy Sphinx was a powerful sight to witness. Standing tall, with its Afrocentric features and profound physical assets, I was filled with so much pride in its presence. One of the best moments of this exhibit was listening to the casual conversations among visitors as they discussed the various meanings and purposes behind Subtlety. Some bystanders stood silent, enamored by the sphinx while others just wanted to be pictured with it.
LifestyleByKy 