Wednesday, October 10, 2012

BET Hip Hop Awards 2012

Some of the hottest artists of your favorite summer hip hop records and albums all united for BETs 2012 Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta, this past Tuesday. Hip-Hop fans have been in heavy anticipation for BETS "cypher" sessions and preformances which included legends such as RZA, DMX, Talib Kweli and, Jean Grae. As well as lyrically captivating and upcoming artists from Top Dawg Entertainment Ab-Soul, ScHoolBoyQ, and Kendrick Lamar. Lamar also went home with the lyricist of the year award, beating out hip hops legendary veterans Jay-Z and Kanye West. Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J, 2 Chainz, Young Jezzy, and T.I all gave thrilling energy-filled performances to some of the dopest track bangers of the year. Then, Violator Management artist preformed a touching tribute to its founder and CEO, Chris Lighty. A Tribe Called Quest preformed "Award Tour", while Busta Rhymes vamped the tribute with "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See", and Missy Elliot encouraged the crowd to "Get Your Freak On" to celebrate Chris Lighty's legacy.  


Show Opener: Wiz Khalifa The Cypher: Jean Grae, Sarkodie, Ab-Soul, Talib Kweli  
The Chris Lighty Tribute: LL Cool J, Funk Mater Flex, A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe,  and Missy Elliot.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

return of forever,



Keeping it cool. 



With Love, Elle.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

for the happy,

In your ear:
It is Sunday, and everything I do is based on my mood ring.

The asteroids galaxy tour, Lady Jesus

The asteroids galaxy tour is definitely a band that resides on my bucket list to see live before age 25. The bands 2008 single "The sun ain't shinning no more" instantaneously grabbed my attention and I was undoubtedly hooked after that. The Asteroids Galaxy Tour has a psychedelic sound reminding me of a combination of Oh Land and Holly Smoke. I suggest everyone take a listen to the bands music!


The asteroids galaxy tour, Bad Fever

“The moon lives in the lining of your skin.”

-
Pablo Neruda


With Love, Elle.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

THE full moon,

Tonight's full moon in Scorpio is also a SUPER MOON!


You can catch me staring out my window seal, but here are some insights on tonight's moon that I gathered from various readers of the stars. 

“This Scorpio Full Moon is also called the Wesak Moon, the most auspicious day in Buddhism, for it celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.  In this energetic opposition between Taurus and Scorpio, we are all called to the great union with Nature and the heavens, celebrating the Divine within Nature and within ourselves.  Like the Buddha, we are called to acknowledge the divine spirit in our human nature as we overcome and release the emotional demons that plague us and separate us from our spiritual inheritance…”

“This Taurus/Scorpio Full Moon asks us to become aware of the people and things we give the highest value to, and to look at the emotional trauma that keeps us apart.  It’s time to question our values and beliefs about money, power, happiness and our connection to each other and to the Earth.  There are powerful forces at work determined to keep the old system alive, regardless of how many people and places it destroys.  But we are equally powerful, and the Cosmos is lending us energy to break-through our paralysis and stand up for our beliefs. “

“Not only is this a significant Full Moon in Scorpio, but the emotional currents are very strong. And under a Full Moon’s influence emotional tides run high and low.  Have no doubt we are going to feel – intense with just about everything and perhaps everyone. This can be helpful practice to trust yourself and the in another. Extreme emotions ranging from dark to light may arise at the slightest trigger. We have the opportunity to purge, let go and rebirth our emotional selves now.  We may need to intimately express our feelings to someone. We can practice deepening our trust within ourselves here.”

 ”It may be that we find ourselves in an uncomfortable power struggle or struggling to trust self in some way. But engaging in the extreme point of view of ‘right and wrong’ only makes things messy and more confusing and no one wins. It is possible to step away from it and realize the lesson within it, find the middle ground and move on.”
-Dipali Desai

“Forgiveness is a huge part of any healing process as is the need to remain as non-judgmental as possible. Pluto both fuels the need to dig deep and the knife to open old wounds, allowing them to drain. Mars in Virgo is very well suited to going over the details but since it is also exactly in conjunct Uranus in Aries, it will be less patient than usual. Go easy on the criticism – both of yourself and others.”
-astrologer Diane at Libra Seeking Balance
“The focus will be on our self-worth, resources and our core values. Taurus seeks comfort and acceptance for ourselves as we are; Scorpio seeks to reveal our vulnerabilities, unmet needs, desires and hidden resentment. We may feel it is impossible to avoid the intensity of our feelings at this powerful Scorpio Full Moon. Yet, a small amount of objectivity can make our feelings useful rather than destructive. Taurus reminds us of what we cherish. Scorpio shows us what we need to transform. We are in the process of a universal transformation.”
“The Scorpio Full Moon is revealing the hidden motivations, hidden agendas and important truths about the misuse of power and our resources worldwide.  We are changing from short-term, shortsighted gains to long-term, life-enhancing goals.”

Friday, May 4, 2012

the warning signals,




the moment you catch yourself adding artificial Love to your relationship,
that isn't that bad,
that could be worse.
the second you find yourself saying, "Love is not always suppose to be blissful"
you better run, sprint, and fly away.





With Love, Elle. 

what happens in Vegas,



A friend of mine asked me "how do you get over a shitty heart-break?" I believe I'm still to young to exactly know how, but with experience I have managed.
  • cut your phone service off
  • stay away from social media
  • rid of all memorabilia (pictures, clothing, written acknowledgments, the text messages you review non-stop, the whole nine...etc)
  • exercise, and eat well   
  • surround yourself around positive people and atmospheres 
  • converse with individuals who have been through tougher Love struggles than you (& be grateful) 
  • examine the break-up as a catalyst for growth, and a reminder to always Love thyself better. 
  • do NOT listen to Lykke Li's "Possibility" 
  • do NOT, i repeat DO NOT watch Blue Valentine 
  • do NOT sentimentalize about your failed relationship, be honest and acknowledge at one point & time you both were raw with venom.  
  • cry whenever necessary, even at inappropriate moments like in the middle of your philosophy presentation or standing in the government documents section in the library. 
  • make peace, send your former partner Love, learn from the light and darkness you experienced in-between, and next time do not over-look the warning signs.
  • find a couple you respectively admire and ask them "how does it feel?" so next time you can know when its Love.  
  • in one to five years you will be over it and you will sleep so well because of the realization that you were always Loved.
everything that happens here, stays 
there is never one who "looses" you can only win or learn. 



With Love, Elle.

the kids just ain't alright,

Forever Youthful 


In-between classes, volunteering,  and working I found time to have a nice meal and drew up a couple of my old friends.

In your ear:

Kendrick Lamar, R.O.T.C


R.O.T.C is from Kendrick Lamar's stimulating 2010 project Overly Dedicated [O.d] which instantly gained him attention. Compton native Lamar is an informative conscious lyricist that is commonly known for his mainstream single "I do this" featuring Jay Rock and his affiliation with Black Hippie. His latest project Section 80 released in 2011 was ranked as one of the top digital hip-hop releases of the year. Lamar is scheduled to drop another album this year called, Good Kid in a Mad City. Kendrick Lamar should definitely be considered a breathe of fresh air for the hip-hop lifestyle, and I highly suggest everyone to take a listen.

Kendrick Lamar, Ronald Reagan Era ft RZA



With Love, Elle. 

Saturday, April 28, 2012

through peace & war,



With Love, Elle. 

so please don’t try to serenade me, I am a one man band

In your ear:


Lianne La Havas, Tease Me. 



Recovering undercover over-lover, 
recovering and Lianna La Havas puts me in a blissful soul asylum. It was quiet irresistible for me to not be struck with immediate admiration for her beautiful raw vocals paired with her luscious guitar instrumentals. Lianna is definitely my favorite artist of the year so far and I am not ashamed to say I played her song "No room for doubt" on repeat so consistently my roommate asked me to listen to a different record. I suggest everyone take a listen to her music, I guarantee you will fall hard on your musical knees.  


With Love, Elle 

tigerish,

In real life:


This past Sunday I attended Frostburg State University's Miss Black & Gold Pageant 



I wore a silk button up that I reconstructed and made into a romantic draped low cut  blouse, tan causal skinny pants, vintage almond shaped earrings, three gold metal bracelets, a hand-made gold chain necklace, a thrifted gold & printed belt, black chunky Steve Madden platform pumps, and one of my favorite purses passed down by my nanny. 

The pageant was pretty interesting and the ladies competing looked beautiful, congratulations to the 2012 Miss. Black, Miss. Gold, and Miss. Black &Gold.


With Love, Elle. 

Friday, April 27, 2012

four, twenty.

In real life:


Futuristic wildflower, a women with a penchant for vintage.


Outfit: high-waisted denim shorts, reconstructed yellow blouse with black circles, a reconstructed vintage short-sleeve causal blazer, a hand-made gold chain necklace, and gold plated earrings from Forever 21. All reconstructed and hand-made jewelry was created and altered by me.


I took an eventful journey around campus, through the woods, and played around in a construction site just enjoying my surroundings.



With Love, Elle.

we made it in America,

Coretta Scott King:


They say "behind every greatman stands a great woman". Coretta Scott King, civil rights activist and widow of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was definitely an exception. Standing steely beside her husband instead of behind as a phenomenal political activist, mother of four, and wife therefore, homage must be paid. April 27, 1927 was the birth of Mrs. King and today would have been her 85th birthday, but during the 79 years of her lifetime she has made a very influential affect on society. Hosting freedom concerts, forming the Full Employment Action Council, being an activist for equal justice and human rights, as well as lobbying to establish the great Dr. King's birthday as a national holiday are only a few of her accomplishments that still remain relevant to this day. Coretta Scott Kings, legacy will live on forever and I hope to one day embark such a significant role in society. I am on my way and Mrs. King you are one of my inspirations you are a guiding light, thank you.


"I am convinced that if I had not had a wife with the fortitude, strength and calmness of Coretta, I could not have stood up amid the ordeals and tensions surrounding the Montgomery movement,"
-Dr. King


"A new Coretta Scott King I think I found one."
-Dom K

With Love, Elle.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

tHERsday,

1:43am



Traveling in-between an eagle and the phoenix
learning to love the unlovable from a binocular distance,
and the loved while finding peace in forgiveness.
Wrestling with darkness to transform it into light,
I am the salt of the eARTh, sometimes a nocturnal energy.
Acknowledging you are no different and i'm...
well i'm no better, no better than anybody but myself.


With Love, Elle. 

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

June in April

In Real Life:


I recently flaunted a June Ambrose inspired turban wrap for the first time.


The human form of longing
Don supreme QUEEN 
Honey, venom
A starving man's first meal
Dandy, conscious anonymity
Peace, Love, war
Intellectual independence, infinite
Beautiful Freedom.

With Love, Elle. 

iLL WiL: #28BluntsLater

In your ear: 


The lyrically vicious Baltimore artist iLL WiL recently released his third mix-tape #28BluntsLater last week. iLL WiL's fifteen track EP is his third mix-tape release, and it is evident he is dedicated to progression and achieving a climax of success. Download #28BluntsLater here: http://illwilbarbertc.bandcamp.com/album/28bluntslater-ep as well as his last mix-tape FiLLthy also available on bandcamp, you wont be sorry. 


With Love, Elle. 

Monday, April 23, 2012

2:20am,

Eric Roberson, All for Me.


Eric Roberson has a mellow-soul voice to sooth you into realization and also be the catalyst of expressive tears. I truly enjoy listening to this record because it reminds me of my mother, everything about it and everything about her is parallel. When I’m yearning for some motivation to push through sunshine and rain this song is my provider, all for me. 

With Love, Elle. 

-crafty wildflower,

Today, I finally discovered the perfect mistake. 

 as a sweater...

& as a pair of pants.

Waking up to a cool breeze coming through my fifth floor window with three missing blinds that happen to be laying on top of me I was instinctively determined to wear a sweater today. Barely awoke and already running late to prepare for my ten o’clock class I anxiously grabbed my favorite sweater, ran to the mirror, put my leg in the arm of the right sleeve, then left. I looked in the mirror with confusion of why my legs were in the arms of my sweater and intrigued by the possibility this mistake could have. I imagined a great outfit; therefore, I found a belt and a couple of my crafty utensils and got to work. I believe the outcome of my morning mishap turned out to be a pretty snazzy pair of harem pantsJ.  


With Love, Elle.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Wednesday



Today an associate of mine asked me, “Do you want some more to drink? Your glass is almost empty.” I couldn’t help but to smile obnoxiously with joy, because three years ago I would have said the exact same thing. It is evident I have grown up some and my progression is becoming more evident day by day. I responded to her saying, "nah no thank you. my glass is not almost empty, but barely full."

With Love, Elle. 

Now Look,



I am a writer, because I wake up every morning and write without pay blissfully.
I am a writer, because I wake up at 8:40 am in the morning to write then go to get something to eat not realizing twelve hours have passed and it is now 3 am.
I am a writer, because I write. 
I am a writer, because I allowed writing to be my life. 


With Love, Elle.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

my type of party,

Where are these parties happening at?
I'll be down to party with them...


Red cups, ganja smoke, maximum security, clique, your favorite over played radio songs, and a million and one camera flashes are what you should expect from a party in 2012. I sometimes wonder how the modern day party atmosphere and substance made its presence. You rarely see people dancing or intermingling with one another outside of there normal group of friends. Sobriety is beyond rare and instead of dancing majority of the people make the dance floors their personal runway. I rarely go out for those reasons, but when I do I Love conversing with strangers, dancing with my friends and the people around us, and just having fun making the most out of my environment. The “Hollywood” type party scene is wacky to me, and I believe it is hard to create great memories when you have the same routine with the same individuals.  Let loose a little, converse amongst one another, and cut it up on the dance floor with a stranger. Keep it cute always, exclusive at home, and cut it up when partying because life is to short the the stagnant!

With Love, Elle.