From Brooklyn to Paris

to the new year...

2009-01-02T17:59:00.000-08:00

and beyond :)

well readers...its been a heck of a ride..you have watched the blog grow..you've seen my adventures.... watched me go from brooklyn to paris and back and now I am closing out the blog! Thats right this is the first and last post of 09!!!! But turn that frown upside down! You can continue to watch my adventures in the Fashion Industry as I finish out my career at Parsons and strive to meet my goal to be a fashion designer!!!! Be sure to check on my new blog www.styleconnossuier.com!!!!!!! THE SAGA CONTINUES! I truly hope that all of you had a great year..and by great I mean one that you can look back on and learn from to be even better in 2009...a year that is in every way for CHANGE! As for me..i brought in 09 the only way thats right..happy!!!! With my friends having a blast and I am sure..that this will be a great year...better than the last!

top made by me....

bringing in the new year wearing my own design...as promised (to myself and close friends) I will be dressing myself in custom made by me pieces a lot more...I often make things for others but who better to pull of a Raeana look than Raeana

AGAIN WISHING YOU AN AMAAAZING AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!! AND DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK OUT WWW.STYLECONNOSSUIER.COM!!!!!!!!! see ya there!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

2008-12-26T23:32:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! and Happy Holidays from me and my family to you and yours...all of the drama and issues is small stuff now that i am back home with my family!

Christmas Eve with Kelly Price...and Nesha...Ms. Price has an amazing voice!!!

ooohhh back home....home sweet hooomeee!

christmas concert with my niece jayani!

auntie needs a glass of holiday cheer!! lol

i just cant get her to look at the camera!

EVER! lol

IM BAAACKKKK

2008-12-23T20:10:00.000-08:00

and aaaaassss promiisseeed I am giving the full run down of my work from this semester..below is work from my surface treatment class...in surface treatment we learned how to create textile designs using various techniques...that was one of my fav classes

design on silk using anti spreading agent....i worked directly on the silk to draw the abstract image of the faces...and painted over some areas with acrylic to give a lusterous effect...

foiling over bondoweb with leather...

batik technique using wax on fabric...one layer of color..and a layer of wax to protect the color placed first...another layer of color that blands with the first color and another layer of wax etc..

knit piece inspired by armor foiled and knit with strips of metallic fabric

ZAHO

2008-12-22T22:08:00.000-08:00

Im back home..but before I blog abut that whole saga..and while i figure out why i cant upload and pictures i want to share this with you....

posted this song because I am OBSESSED with it...Kif' Dir means something like what will I do in arabic...or at least thats what I found in my research about this amazing song..they played it on MTV in France...love the video too

<3 bisous

THOSE DAMN EYE-TALIANS!!!

2008-12-20T06:56:00.000-08:00

this is me right now...making my im embarrassed to be taking a photobooth in public but im going to smile anyway and play it off face..im coming to america...well trying to :( you like the product placement?? thats the bag of free stuff i got for looking like a sad puppy...

(blog disclaimer...no offense to immigrants..french people..italians..daft punk or short people)

I just want to put Alitalia on blasssssttttt for being so GHETTO and student universe on blast for being..um ghetto-er..lol well readers...im officially at the border with no driftwood...im stuck in FRANCE cuz my PLANE LEFT ME!!!! BAD ENOUGH student ghetto universe only had connecting flights...but i figured who am i to snub a pit stop in ROME and I was actually excited about it WRONG MOVE!!! BEFOOORRREEE you jumppp to conclusions and stereotype me as one of those "oh she thinks shes cute fashionably late people" I justtt want to let you know that I woke up ON TIME and got to the airport ALSO ON TIME! 11:15 flight...plane takes off...10:45 why?? to leave me stranded and piss me off!!! those Eye Talians man i swear pronto prego pronto prego!!!!! ppl warned me about Alitalia being bootleg but i just didnt listen..they dont pay attention to the time and furthermore who is on the plane!!! I checked all 3 of my bags and was assured that i would be fine i would make it on to the plane after all it wasnt due to leave for like 20 mins...but no they want to stop me and look through all of my art supplies like I am a terrorist smuggling bombs over baghdad!!!! im so mad right now!!!!!! sorry nesha I WILL BE missing the party tonight...but not because i would rather sleep on the floor in the airport alone with french people who dont respect personal space...which brings me to my other point about jabbing a man in the stomach for invading my personal space while trying to get decent cup of coffee at some bootleg non starbucks establishment...he cut me off..and then yelled at me about something in french and all i could say was get behind me im first..like im in 1st grade or something..it was kind of funny but he didnt laugh..im tired and i have already had 3 arguments in the airport today about personal space and obama..long story...but at the risk of sounding like a total brat i just want to say that... this only happened because my baggage was over the KILO limit come onnnn world cant we all just use pounds!!!!!i weighed it on a kiddie kilo scale b4 i left and did the conversion online but...that was not the best way to tell..since they weighed my bag with an elephant scale...anywho i had to buy another luggage an stuff a bunch of stuff in it..mega expense..DO NOT get me started on that! even my Audrey pillow is somewhere suffocating in a duffel bag right now :( i hope she is ok! I have been trying to get back to NY for the past few hours but everything is FULL and of course just my luck first class is empty if anyone wants to donate 5000 euro for me to sip champagne is last nights clothes with my headscarf on...i will take the early christmas present...(brb) well i just found out my luggage is not in rome...its fine..its in the airport and when i get a flight it will be put on it with me..i also got a free toothbrush t shirt soap and towel out of it along with a lecture from an african man about why i dont speak french and i have been here since august...merci boucoup universe...i guess this is better than the plane crashing tho...ill update when i know more about my whereabouts..OH AND AS IF THE UNIVERSE WERE NOT CRUEL ENOUGH! my makeup is wearing off! lol no joking but there is a snow storm in NY what the heck!!!! chances are i am still flying to rome in the AM and I just hope things go smoothly from there..because I was planning on a macaroni and cheese dinner this christmas....not a plate of spaghetti solo if you know what i mean :(

SPOTTED!!!!

2008-12-18T20:44:00.000-08:00

Paparazzi caught me out here..with Gabrielle Union...smh i just can NOT seem to get away from them!psshh!!!!!

ITS WINDING DOWWWN!

2008-12-17T15:17:00.000-08:00

THIS IS ME DONT I LOOK EXCITED!!!!!!! I WISH THERE WAS A BIGGER CAPS KEY SO I COULD TYPE HOW DARN EXCITED I AM RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!

PARTY TIME!!!!!! why??????? I just had my LAST final in Paris!!!!! whooowhooo finished it off with an amazing thai dinner with my classmates and now..cheese wine and packing!!!!!! french style!! im so excited!!!! I leave on Saturday and I will back on American soil around 6 pm..and from there..the possibilities are endless!!!

Daddy's Girls :)

2008-12-14T19:10:00.000-08:00

I loove runs house! Part of me wonders if this is because i went to high school with Angela so i feel like i should watch because i partially know her and all on the hey whats up basis...but then again i would probably watch anyway just because...well the spin off Daddy's Girls is coming out in January and I will FOR SURE be watching!!! I was just talking to N.E.S.H.A about it and she was just talking to Charles Hamilton about it and, we definately need our own show..Charles thinks it should be called the Agenda and me..im thinkin The comeup...I knowww I knowwww we have to start small...i have nothing against BCAT! lol just joking but kind of serious because if we can get a camera crew to follow us while we grind it out to stardom I am all for it..in fact I am thinking about documenting my senior year at Parsons and calling it "THE NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE"...keep a look out for that oh and ALBUM IS GOING TO BE IN STORES SOON CHECK IT OUT!!! (inside joke) enjoy the trailer! I love these girls! Nesha we have to fly to LA this summer for that cameo! We havent terrorized the west coast yet!

Daddy's Girls - MTV Shows - Run's House (Season 4) - MTV Shows

QUOTABLE.....

2008-12-02T15:56:00.000-08:00

"The only thing harder than trying is giving up"

I heard it somewhere..not sure where but it stuck..its finals time now..and I have 19 days left, workload is heavy but I keep tellin myself slacking is NOT an option no matter how distracted I am or homesick. This applies to so many other areas in life aside from work or school...when you give up on something...you will always remember the moment you threw in the towel...and the hardest thing about that is having failed without finishing. Wow I am really starting to feel like Rev Run with these quotables...I need a blackberry and a bubble bath..oh and a reality show ;)

If you want to read up on everyday stuggles..victories and stories and share in other peoples moments check out this website..its pretty cool....just copy and paste the link :)

http://wordsfrom.wordpress.com/

I'll be adding my WORDS to the site pretty soon so look out for that and maybe send in a few of your own

-Love Peace Hair Grease

HEADPHONIES

2008-12-01T08:38:00.000-08:00

big headphones are OFFICIALLY in! cuz me and Audrey say so! I just got mine and I loooveee them..so comfy compared to the stupid earbuds that fall out all the time not to mention they are warm and sooo sleek! I got mine from the conran shop...they are Panasonic...there is one in NY near 59th st..check out their website! and mock my words these are the new accessory...i just want to get a HEAD start :) no pun intended haha!

NOT YA GRAMAS KNITTIN

2008-12-01T08:28:00.000-08:00

SO I KNITTED A SCARF..FOR THIS ARMOR PROJECT..ITS A "PROCESS" BUT I AM ACTUALLY GOING TO WEAR IT.wait why was I typin in caps...anyways Its inspired by...drumroollll ARMOR! lol check the pictures out...offical pics of ALL my work in my end of semester exhibition soon to come!

BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS!

2008-12-01T07:56:00.000-08:00

Tiff and Mish my classmates B day Party! Sooo cute! Check the pics!

HAHA! before we left...( for the record I DO NOT dance like Hannah Montana NICK!)

doesnt she look like Kim K just a littttleee bit? well idk maybe i am dillusional

Havin a bit TOO much fun!

haha B DAY GIRL!

Can you spot the Vuitton's????yes..we ONLY party in heels :)

"PARTY DUN!!!"

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

2008-12-01T06:52:00.000-08:00

Kristin and I went to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur a beautiful church built in the early 1900's which peaked at the highest point in Paris..pretty much the best view of the entire city and by far the coolest! Kristin and I climbed stairsssssssssss boy did we climb some stairs to get to the top!!!! I of course recorded vids. but you have to wait on those :( sorry!!!!

random church on the way to Sacre Coeur

THE BASILICA!!!!

amazing!

Lookin out over Paris :)

CLOUDY DAY!

GO AHEAD GIRL! KRISTIN CLIMBIN THEM DUNGEON STAIRS...LOL

Eiffel Tower!!!! I swear it NEVER gets old!

Kristin and I leaving our mark!

dead bird on the way down...his other bird homies stopped by and poured some liquor out lol..dont ask me why i took this pic..just didn't understand his fate when birds arent supposed to fall..they fly :/

KRISTIN VISTS!!!

2008-12-01T01:54:00.000-08:00

I did a few days in Italy and she showed me around so it was only right that we hung in my temp. home PARIS!

we did some serious sight seeing but here is a pic of us relaxing at a cafe :)

we went to the Louvre and hung out

I was so hype to see a willow tree...lol

we wrapped up the night at BUddah Bar...sip sippin on Mai Tai untilllll...

the bill came...smh apparently u cant even SIT in the dining area of Buddah Bar in Paris unless you drop at least 50 euro each....out waitor insisted! mind you we had dinner before we went there...so that explains the face

SAW KANYE WIZZESSST!!!!!

2008-11-27T03:01:00.000-08:00

GLOW IN THE DARK TOUR hit Paris Bercy and of COURSE I was there front and center! The concert was amazing, the roots opened for Kanye and while I love the roots they gave a rather looooonnnnggg "opening" and I was already tired by the time Kanye came out..but as soon as he performed "GOOD MORNING" I was AWAKE! Soooo I went with my roomie and a few other friends one of which barely makes 5 feet and we were almost trampled by an angry mob of french teenagers..who wanted to get closer to "kanyiiii" as they say it, lol anyways I acted basically as her body guard the entire time and even had to take my earrings off and stretch my arms out to make sure she didn't get lost in the mosh pit! Aside from that it was an amazing experience!!!

Me and Tiff before the mosh pit!

Tiff we HAVE to get out of this mosh pit!

LOOK! I wore a love lock down shirt!

This Michael Moore looking guy was really creeping me out and should NOT have been so close..dont you agree! AND whou would have guessed he was a Kanye fan??? lol

GREAT performance..I took video but of COURSE Blogger is not cooperating with uploading em..sorry :(

showin off my GLOW IN THE DARK tour tee in class..post concert :)

Italans eat A LOT!

2008-11-26T12:24:00.000-08:00

Sooo Venice was cool and im wrapping up part 2...with how much darn food I ate in Italy!!! But my excuse is the way Italians eat...in "rounds" lol Kristin encouraged me the second night to eat like a true Italian! So..i did..and my pride wont let me post EVERY meal i ate...cuz that'd just make me look like a true foody instead of a foody on the down low..anyway :)

pizza!

before

after

Round 1

ROUND 2!

YOU CANT LEAVE VENICE WITHOUT A CARNIVAL MASK!!!!!

Ciao Italy!!!!!

2008-11-21T05:29:00.000-08:00

I have been a BAD blogger lately! I have awful connection in my dorm so I am captive at school right now on a friday updating you guys on whats been up!!! Lots of exciting things have been happening! I have 28 days left in Paris not counting today, I have loved this place..hated it had fun..had tough times but as the time is winding down I realize I am really going to miss it! Anyways Paris aside I had an opportunity to visit a friend studying abroad in Milan which was cool. We toured around a bit and then went to Venice making for a VERY busy 4 day weekend...I also picked up Italian believe it or not in 4 days..more than I can say for the french Language which just is NOT sticking!!! peep the pics...GRAZIE!

Vote for Nesha

2008-11-18T16:02:00.000-08:00

Nuff Sed! Details below. You can vote once a day until Nov 20th. :-)

VOTE FOR HERAGENDA.COM IN THE BKFK UNLEASH YOUR LOCKER CHALLENGE

HELP EXPAND HER AGENDA AND VOTE!!

‘cuz No One Ever Slows Her Agenda….

VOTING IS OPEN ONLY NOVEMBER 18TH THROUGH NOVEMBER 20TH

VOTE NOW AT http://www.bkfk.com/Modules/Ideation/uyl_vote.aspx

HerAgenda.com is a revolutionary site inspiring girls to be focused on what they want to accomplish in life without letting obstacles stand in their way. The mission of HerAgenda.com is to inspire and empower women both young and old to never let anyone slow their agenda. The young women will be able to establish their own blogs just like the women who are apart of the Power Agendas and go on to create their own ‘power agendas.’

Its been a LONG TIME!

2008-11-05T07:43:00.000-08:00

since I have blogged...and I have so much to say! Now America is on the brink of change...last night we made HISTORY as the first African American was elected to be our 44th president!!! I did NOT go to sleep!! I was watching closely as the electoral votes came in at NYU Paris (pics to come), proudly sporting my I VOTED sticker! When I did get home the dorm was pretty lively, how could I sleep when history was being made! (thanks nick for letting ma watch your tv from skype lol) I have to say...now more than ever I am proud to be an AMERICAN! And I can say I am an American not becaused I was bron and raied here, or because my parents or their parents were born and raised here, because now I have a leader, who i will truly follow, now we have someone to look up to, something to look forward to! The future is in our hands and truly NOTHING is impossible! Dr. Martin Luther King likely dreamed of the day when a black man could lead a nation that he was once owned in...I was brought to tears at the image that is now my screen saver of the first family, a beacon of hope for unity and love in America! Like Barack said we have a long way to go! I have never been much into politics, and quite often I would turn away when politicians offered false hopes and promises, but I feel so encouraged this time around that we can really be the UNITED States of America! For sure I will be there on January 20th at Baracks inauguration!!!!!! I am looking at tickets as we speak!

'Change has come to America'
/

why they tryna...

2008-11-01T17:44:00.000-07:00

stick me for my PAPER???

well..I havent blogged in a while! Its not that I dont have anything to blog about...I have too much to blog about!!! And on top of it all I have midterms...I am actually working on a 15 piece collection right now with shaky hands from too much black coffee...AND on top of that somebody tried to "stick me or my paper" today! Yes readers..."i been robbed" lol...no laughing matter my debit card was taken and dishonesty is DISGUSTING! This leaves me penniless and with a valuable lesson learned...ALWAYS HAVE CASH ON YOU! The diva in me prefers plastic to paper because I just hate digging in my wallet at the atm...but its not a "diva" move to have no euro to your name! So many plans..so little money..needless to say I cancelled the card and the new one should be in next week.. (haha to the petty theif tryin to "stunt" with my card!) and until then I am enjoying this nice cheese sandwhich..courtesy of the french govt..no im just joiking..but I really am eating a cheese sandwhich right now :/ anyways I promise I will update you guys on the fabulosity really soon! Turns out I also left my USB in Ny on my last trip..so I can't upload pics..Im just all messed up in the game over here..but I wont let it slow me down! Back to work :)

Surprise!!!

2008-10-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

BROOKLYN TO PARIS got a face lift! I added a few adjustments to the page, not sure if you have noticed or not, but my other project is the sister site to From Brooklyn to Paris...I just "launched" STYLE CONNOSSUIER! I just made the switch to .com which should be open to you guys in about 3 days!!!! I am channeling in on the fashion feed there, but I will continue to faithfully post about my ventures in Paris here!!! So, when you visit me here just click to the left to the left :) well top left hand corner to be exact..and link directly to see what the Style Connossuier has to say!!!

Because...

2008-10-25T16:06:00.000-07:00

i did a photo shoot in the Bethesda Arcade for school...I love this video..

its in central park very nice spot, and apparently prime location for Musiq Soulchild and Mary J Blidge's new song "IFULEAVE". I'm really glad that Musiq is makin a comeback...He is my favorite male artist...and the song is beautiful enjoy :) Ps. ILOVETHEWAY musiq titles his songs and albums withoutseperating the words..its soo cool Im about to start writing like that and totally bite..lol so dontbesurprised when youseeit!

HOT TOPIC

2008-10-25T06:33:00.000-07:00

OBAMA is out here...

I was out fabric shopping at Marche St. Pierre today and i stopped in at some random indian store for a wig...ok thats a long story i well tell you readers about later but...dont worry it involves halloween! lol ayway the clerk asked me if i was from NY i said yea and he comes closer to my face ad simply asks...OBAMA? i sed yes..obama....now...is Obama a universal language? I mean the man isnt even in office yet and he has already changed the world..i dont think any US election has ever caused this much fuss overseas, why should they really care? Well the state of the US does effect france, because france and the US are like a couple that have been in marriage counseling for 40 years and have yet to get the divorce..so it matters...but the hate Bush here just as much as some Americans do... and I think that it is interesting that I have seen more OBAMA posters here than I did back home...amazing....anyway my friend sent me this video below...im starting to get really into this whole political circus..i was in the cab on my way home and the radio station was in french i understood every 5 words but all i really understood was... Obama..for sure they were talking about him, yet again causing the cab driver to turn around and say..Obama? No sir....I am not Obama...but I darn sure did vote for him!!!

Wassup 2008 - Click here for funny video clips

oh remember the wassuuuuuuuuuuuuuupppp guys? lol I forgot about them i remember i used to hold wasaauuupp contests to see who could hold it the longest! (lame)

Single Black Female....

2008-10-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

ya'll know the rest..ADDICTED TO RETAIL AND PROOUUD OF IT!

Well i am back in Paris now but last Friday night was one that I won't soon forget! I was HONORED to recieve recognition and a scholarship award from the Black Retail Action Group...the awards ceremony was held at the beautiful CIPRIANI Wall Street! Almost Everybody who is anybody in fashion was there and I made sure to meet and greet each one! My sponsor is Bloomingdales so I was seated next to the president of bloomingdales..my mama of course and the VP of finances for bloomingdales...I had an opportunity to meet Patrick Robinson VP of design for the Gap who also has his own line at Target...unfortuately it was too loud for us to have a normal conversation..so all he caught was my name..Raeana Roberson...and he said "oh wow we have the same last name"...right..I let that one go because I wouldnt mind being related to him, lol Tracy Reese was also there...( I am a former TR intern) and I walked up to her and said "hey I think I know you from somewhere..oh thats right I was a TR intern" ok soo lol at my corny humor but she has never seen me glammed up and didnt recognize me initially....then we schmoozed took pics blah blah Tracy is so sweet dont let anyone tell you differently! Well..I also had a chance to say hey to Constance White Style director of Ebay whom I met at The High School of fashion Industries before...she was also the Mistress of ceremonies...I ALSO met one of my fav models..Alek Wek...Robert Chavez President of Hermes Paris was honored..Harriete Cole, creative director of Ebony, and Gilles Bensimon (you may have heard the name over and over on Top model) he is the international creative director of Elle magazine! phew! WELL Harriet Cole is also a life coach and when she spoke she was very inspirational! She said that the fashion industry can be a warm enviroment (it can also be a rutheless cold hearted..shut yo mouth!) last night was one of those warm inviting times in the industry because BRAG is like one big family, and last night was the family reunion! even me... little ole college student saw so many familiar faces and had a chance to reconnect with people...I am looking forward to becoming a BRAG intern this summer and next years BRAG award ceremony! Enjoy the pictures and be sure to check out the Black Retail Action Group..Not exclusively for african americans...there were people from every race in attendance supporting BRAG..However, the reality is that our industry continues to struggle with the notion of creating a diverse workforce. Unfortunately, people of color in executive positions do not reflect the population. Other examples that come to mind are: not many women of color grace the runways of fashion week on a consistent basis; designers of color do not have a major presence in retail stores; and most of the ad campaigns out there do not speak to the enormous buying power of these important populations...the president of BRAG said he only longs for the day when he opens a high fashion magazine and see's all black models and there isn't a circus of press revolved around it (in reference to Vogue Italia's hooplah with the ground breaking Black Issue)...In other words it will be such a normal occurance to see african americans in positions of greatness that no extra hooplah is necessary...suddenly I feel an extreme amount of pressure to be GREAT! I owe it to the people who paved the way for me...to take advantage of every opportunity at hand, and pave the way for those who will come after me.

Mood music 4 ya! from Ms. Junior Independant
Ms Independent - Ne-Yo

In the car i was smiling but I had no idea what I was sitting in..my bro drove me there and unfortuately he failed to mention prior to me sitting that he had spilled oil in the passenger seat :( soo once i arrived I had a noticable oil stain on my derrier..totally blemishing my Karen Millen dress :(

BACK IN MY CITY! New York the city that never sleeps...for a night owl like moi

The Beautiful Cipriani!

The silent auction! I could have bid on an Hermes Bag for as low as $500 and I didnt I could kick myself now!

myself and Constance White...style director of Ebay

from left, Jeffrey Tweedy VP of Sean John, Gary Lampley President of BRAG, Super Model Alek Wek, Gilles Bensimone of Elle Mag, Actress Malinda Williams, Phil Robinson...not sure what he doesbut he's from Diddy's dynasty lol

NOT SO flattering pic of me with the president of BRAG...I ONLY TAKE PICTURES WITH THE CAMERA VERTICALLY! lol ok..diva moment anyways you cant look perfect in every picture!

Myself...with Alek Wek..notice how we are the same height...proving that if I were at least 80 pounds lighter..I COULD BE A SUPERMODEL..saying this while I am eating a pot..of yougurt...yes readers...I said a pot

on stage recieving my award...

Nicole Cokley VP of operations for BRAG, she presented me with the scholarship on behalf of bloomingdales, and My mom..aww so short :) lol

never enough photo opts..

Hey MAMA! you know i scream so loud for you :)

Buddha Bar part 1

2008-10-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

So...i didnt get a chance to post what exactly i did on my B DAY! my b day was actually on a wed. which you guys already read!!! yay libras!!! but I had french class till 10...so i decided not to do anything...but thursday the heels came out and the lashes went on!!! me and the girls hit up the oh so trendy BUDDHA BAR!! There is one in NYC but I have never been there..although from the pics that I saw its not half as pretty...anyways the food was reallly good and it totally knocks my other fav (SEA) out of the box! decor wise and food wise! It was a bit pricey so SEA gets em with the college friendly budget but....honestly it was worth every succulent dime well euro dime...whatever!

the music was also really good! check out buddha bar soundtrack below and next time you are (legelly and illegaly) downloading music snag a song or two!

Buddha Bar

i let the up-do work its magic with dramatic lashes but truth be told...i need SHELLY'S! my hair salon in brooklyn...i'll definately be hittin them up as soon as i get off the plane thursday!!!!

the world famous corny college pose in the hallway STRIKE A POSE! and yes nesha...I am tryin to get at you!

blurry eiffel tower in the back..city of lights..

IM ENGAGED!

2008-10-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

YEAH RIGHT!!!!!

....lol anyway the saga continues..man v.s woman as my gender role debates with Nesha and NIck continue...they have inspired this post... along with the book I am reading for my class Paris was A Woman (Earnest Hemingway The Sun Also Rises) which I will blog about later... along with the fact that...I was on Concrete Loop ( i know.... i know so low of me to read the internet gossip during work breaks but you guys do it too!) and I was reading an article about the details on Beyonce's wedding...according to B she does NOT have an engagement ring...of course Jay could afford to buy her a diamond mine if he wanted to, but she says the concept is silly..her reasoning seems more for privacy sake..but the more I think about it..the more I think it is silly too! Im only 20 so I am a WAYS away from an engagement but...I think every little girl has had dreams of what her wedding day would be like...and girls like me had dreams of a platinum band (custom engraved) Grade F RARE white diamond Harry Winston ring (pictured above) all that to say...I am re-thinking this because why should I walk around with this pricy piece of jewelry to let the world know that I am "promised" to someone...while my soon to be walks around...ringless? No indicator of the fact that he is soon to be married except for his mentioning it ..and lets be honest is that really going to come up on a Saturday night out with the guys? It doesnt boil down to a trust issue..because you should NOT marry someone you cant trust, but it boils down to a Gender issue..once again..the dominant male dividing and conquering..As for me if i should so decide to accept the Harry Winston as a token of my soon to be vowing to love me forever yada yada yada/conversation piece at the office/somethin to show to your girlfriends and brag about...better believe he should walk around with a "token" of his commitment as well...I mean granted the man has probably dropped a small fortune so that his fiance could be "official" and have a ring..but at the same time...the woman now looks like his property..its sort of a step back signal for other males..the promised man has "marked his territory"....its like ANIMALS peeing on a tree to mark their spot! ok well....maybe thats a bit drastic...I am still sorting out my feelings about this..and in spite of rambling on sounding like an angry feminist i really do like diamonds...Beyonce and Jay got matching tattoos on their ring fingers..thats the most permanent thing you could do (maybe not such a good idea with the divorce rate as high as it is) but still...at least its an even trade...I am actually working on a few designs for Male engagement rings..so that they dont have to feel "left out"...and there is a need for it...but then the other argument...who buys??? lol

only one male opinion so far on my engagement ring designs...thanks Nick, for saying that "its gay for a man to wear an engagemet ring, unless its a pinky ring" (commonly worn by pimps) I see where your head is...I'd like to know what my other male readers think about sporting some sort of engagement ring..oh by the way...I really hope that I did not start an argument in the home of my more seasoned/older readers who are in relationships, engaged and potentially on their way to the altar...but maybe you should at least get your man a rubberband or something for his ring finger...just to even it out...no pun intended :)

Boys...when will they learn?

2008-10-12T14:28:00.000-07:00

What would you do if you were a boy for just one day? Personally I think women and Gay men are really the only ones who know how to treat a woman..along with a select few heterosexuals who are already taken, so on that note...I didnt like the new Beyonce song when I first heard it..its a new sound for her but the vid is a tear jerker and for any girl who has every felt taken for granted, the lyrics hit home...BUT what more can I expect from Beyonce...she always "brings it" for the ladies...give the video a chance..it really switches up near the end..enjoy :)

QUOTABLE.....

2008-10-12T12:57:00.003-07:00

"not eveyone is going to like you, so choose your enemies wisely"
-moi

this quote was inspired by my fav TV show in the previous post..in one scene Malik is talking to Mel about Derwins actions...and he says Derwins problem is that he just wants everyone to like him..I guess he is not the type to make a "bad impression" but thats a problem..because not only is he hurting Mel..the love of his life..but making her an enemy..which isnt his intention its just that he's too stupid to realize that its not a win win situation...people have more control over who their enemies are than they know...so..as for the sidechicks feelings..are they as important as Mel's? Dont think so..but in Derwis world he wants to leave as the good guy..and consider everyones feelings even tho the only feelings that should really be of real importance in the situation is Mel..the girl who's heart he broke..I use this scenario because A) its how I came up with the quote and B) a male female relationship is the easiest to relate it to..although it extends to many aspects of life..nobody is perfect and you cant always be the good guy in every situation..it just depends who you want to be a "good guy" to...ok i think I am done here :)

THE GAME

2008-10-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

...my ALL TIME favorite (black) show since Girlfriends... Mel (tia mowery's character) is my homegirl!!!! and I play NO GAMES when it comes to tuning in!!! Soooo thank you SO much N.E.S.H.A for sending me the you tube link!!! apparently every FRIDAY at 8:30 you can catch it on ch.11 but as for me I will be tuning in for the new season via you tube....I dont even know where to begin with why i love this show...so just watch (posted below)heck watch all of the episodes..catch up....its just pure comedy!!! Just wondering..WHEN is MEL going to give up on stupid Derwin! ok he's HOT very HOT but he keeps making the same mistakes over and over and she is jeaprodizing her med school career for this loser, tha sap side of me wants them to be together tho because I like happy endings but the angry black woman side says...BURN HIS CLOTHES! lol...seriously readers I scream at my tv..well computer screen while I'm watching! lol and PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW because there is a threat to take it off of the air..which is a shame because if anyone else has noticed... black shows always have time conflicts with one another and are dropping from the air like flies after one season..but shows like Seinfield go through 10 seasons or more...smh i'll save that argument for another post...FRIDAY AT 8:30 PM THE CW The Game!!!!!!!

watch this first... its the end of last seasons finale..then you will better understand the next vid...

first episode of this season...

TIA talks about Mel's character (this is from last season but i like how she explains the character)

ALL ABOUT LIBRA's!!!!

2008-10-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

Hey readers! Just thought I should let you all know..that as of right now (in Paris) it is my 20th b day!!!! THAT MEANS 20 years of history in the making and many more to go (est 1988 made in brooklyn swagged in france lol)!!!!! Sooo I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone from my floor for bursting into my room to scream happy b day while I was curling my hair...MiL, Elliot, Kara, Ece, Esra, Jess THANKS!! lol allsoo I want to point out that my om obliviously called me to talk and forgot it was my b day!!! Thanks for the cards also Mom and Nesha!!! I looove getting mail so keep it coming! Enough blabber Im a LIBRA anyone who has come into contact with one knows that or the most prt we are very loyal people...usually having an artistic side of some sort or a love of the arts...but thats my unoficial survey..here is some more stuff! I copied from lovetoknow.com i wrote in BOLD CAPS the things that stand out to me the most...it is pretty cool to read traits about your horoscope, especially when it's dead on! Enjoy! Especially my fellow LIBRAS!

Famous Libra:

Mahatma Ghandi

AS A LIBRA:

Your creative side may show itself in appreciation of things beyond food and fashion (TRUE); you have a love of good food, wine, music and theater.
You have inherent good taste and a finely honed sense of elegance. You bring a dramatic flair to everything you do, impressing those around you. You love entertaining. You are a social being who is just as happy out at an event or spending time with friends in a casual setting at home.
You enjoy the adventurous side of travel and love to discover new places and especially the interesting people who reside in them (TRUE).

When you really focus your attention on an endeavor, it has a good chance of success. Your ability to see the big picture helps you in all your efforts. This is good, because Libras are not frugal beings. Your love of things that are luxurious and sensual leads you to make extravagant and even careless purchases. (SEE ITS NOT MY FAULT THAT I AM EXPENSIVE MOM!)

You have a well-honed sense of analysis; you are able to look at a problem from every angle and to quickly weigh the possible solutions! You're a skilled philosopher with the ability to think about intangible concepts as well as things that are more concrete. You're talented at many things, so it may take you several ventures to find your real niche in life. Do not get discouraged! You're a born devil's advocate. You'll switch sides in an argument just to make sure both viewpoints are well represented. These traits of a Libra help you negotiate and also make you a natural manager. While you're content to go along with a productive and peaceful group, if there is no natural leader you'll always be willing to assume that role.

You bring finely-honed perceptions to everything you do, adding an artistic flair and insight to all projects you undertake.

Libras are often creative and artistic and are often found in these fields:

Music
Dance
Visual Arts
Designers
Architects
Libras are also very oriented toward people and negotiation and are suited to the following careers:

You enjoy being around other people and love a party. However, you're most in your element with one other person, whether it is a friend or lover (TRUE).

You, more than almost any other sign, understand the value of networking, (ALSO TRUE) and you often gain advantage in life by making use of your connections. You are a born matchmaker, and your friends often look to you for relationship advice or assistance in their romantic connections. Your desire for harmony is very strong, and you'll try to please the people around you (TRUE...CAN BE GOOD AND BAD). You are often the peacemaker in your family. While you publicly will fight for the rights of those around you, in your personal life you seek relationships that are peaceful(OMG..TRUE no more drama.lol).

You'll find that you have several people who recur in your life and you'll run into them over and over again (TRUE), in unplanned situations. You have a well-developed sense of humor and you often find laughs in things that other people ignore (TRUE..cracking jokes on everyone); Libras enjoy the quirky side of life!

Romantic Traits of a Libra
You're quite fond of the opposite sex and thrive on harmless and friendly flirtation. Be careful of those who misunderstand your playful nature. When you have a disagreement with a loved one, you still act with honor and integrity, making it easy to smooth past the rough spots. You're not afraid to question yourself and you're willing to engage in self-analysis in order to improve your life and relationships (TRUE)!

You tend to see the romantic side of most situations, and are eternally optimistic about the promise of your relationships. You have a highly developed sexual side and may even tend toward promiscuity if you do not temper your strong erotic nature.

Libras often have good love relationships with these signs:

Aquarius
Gemini
Sagittarius
Leo
Libra
Scorpio
(only these signs need apply..please attach photo...lol)

"SINGLE BLACK FEMALE ADDICTED TO RETAIL"

2008-10-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

AND PROUD OF IT!!! On that note...I think it is time that I officially announce my latest honor! I am a BRAG scholarship recipient!!!! This is a big deal because I do not feel that there are enough african amricans recognized in the fashion industry...while I appreciate the familiar faces and talent in the industry today I am hoping for more than a "token black designer" in the forefront, because there is so much more talent that deserves recognition...As a BRAG scholar I vowed to make a life long affiliation with the orginization..giving back to the community and the fashion community upon graduation from Parsons... BRAG stands for the BLACK RETAIL ACTION GROUP and if you have never heard of them read the following...and check out their blog http://bragusa.blogspot.com/ also the website http://www.bragusa.org/board.php ( tried to make it easy for ya..just COPY PASTE THE LINK BUTTON IS ACTING PC ON ME :) I want to thank everyone for their help and advice especially the three people who helped me recieve this scholarship by way of recommendation..Ms. Sharon Watkins Pastor David Keith Brawley of St. Paul Community Baptist Church and designer and writer Alicia Edwards...(no I am not accepting a Grammy lol) THANK YOU!!!!!!!

BRAG Mission Statement:

To promote the acceptance and participation of people of color at all levels of retail and related industries by:

· Promoting awareness to the corporate community of challenges facing people of color in the workplace and assisting in the selection, development and advancement of people of color.

· Promoting the professional development and leadership skills of high school and college members, professional members and associates.

· Providing a forum for the exchange of information and offering an environment for networking
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I will be attending the award ceremony on Oct 17th where I will meet with my sponsor and mingle with other Brag affiliates and scholarship recipients...thats right guys!! Brief NY appearance!!!! Im excited!!!!!
CHECK THE PHOTOS FROM LAST YEARS AWARDS CEREMONY!!!!

Mikki Taylor of Essence Magazine

NAOMI!

Naomi...Dam Dash (where's Rachel?? I love Rachel Roy! I hope she comes this year!)..and Constance White style director of Ebay

Last years HS scholarship recipients

On the end Mr Thomas...my mentor from the Adopt A Student program at my Alma Mater..fashion Industries HS!

KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR PICS OF ME AT THE UPCOMING CEREMONY!!!!
I hope some of my readers interested in design, marketing or anything retail related are checking this opportunity out also!!!

Tres Tres Chic...

2008-10-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

lovin this song....a little mood music 4 ya LIVE YA LIFE!!! i know I'm livin mine to the FULLEST!!!
Rihanna ft Ti - live your life.mp3 - Rihanna

FASHION WEEK Paris! I was invited to the Spanish designer Estrella Archs' show...which was pretty amazing, great silhouettes and flouncy bright cocktail dresses made their way down a stark urban runway..the show presented her Spring 2009 collection at Le Parking Turenne in Paris. Le Parking, a parking garage in the chic Marais district, was the perfect backdrop for Archs' collection, which was a straightforward runway presentation with REALLY good music!

The simplicity of the setting was a perfect balance for the collection, titled "Earthly, Heavenly, De-Light in Cadaqués,"
check the pics!!!

in the limo on my way to the show...

The beautiful view out of the windows

Outside of Le Parking Turenne

HARRY!

Inside..waiting for the show to start....

PEOPLE WATCHIN....LOVED HER TOP!!!

Love this Lady's boots! the ones furthest in the BG

"front row portrait" lol

SHOWTIME! hey Jess is that Kanye?
___________________________________________
THE COLLECTION! My bootleg shots mixed with some professional ones I snagged and a vid! i took video at the show but I have to remember NOT to hold the cam vertically or the videos will be sideways!!!!!!!!!
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"HIPSTER"?

2008-10-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

in response to the recent post on societyandstyle.blogspot.com about hipster rap...I offer this, hilarious video! Featuring Nick...in the"red pants" haha!

Now...I have been having this debate about HIPSTERS with my friends for a looonnggg time...especially N.E.S.H.A about cuz she rolls deep with dudes who dress like peter pan (insider lol) once I noticed the types of parties they were going to and the music they were downloading (shout out to Mickey Factz)...i wondered..are my friends undercover HIPSTERS? I HATED hipsters..hypebeasters..and posers....just cuz it was annoying..and majority of them were rummaging through the wrong part of the thrift shop for clothes..I mean these are kids form the neighborhood who recently made this transformation into "coolness" by "surrounding themselves with "uncoolness" and wearing STUPID clothes...but then again aren't people allowed to change? When hating on the hipsters singled me out of most of the weekend social activites, and meeting nice people..i stopped..cuz lets face it, hating on them became trendy anyway when DIE HIPSTER shirts went on sale at urban and HIPSTER SCUM stickers appeared in subway stations on the L line... I was rolling in the crowd by association..it still baffles me, so I dont think about it much... some of the music is cool...some sucks..but to sum it up my definition of "hipster rap" which YES exists is underground hip hop which caters to a specific crowd of antimatter :) although there is some mainstream hip hop catering to the same crowd..the hipsters mimic mainstream coolness...break it down..spin it around turn it inside out and "own" it :)

THE UNINVITED...

2008-10-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

The Uninvited in HD

Scared??? Mike I know you want to see this with me!!!! lol sorrrryyy If I like corny horror movies! January 09 people!
THE UNINVITED....(omg can you believe its about to be 09?)

drawing class :)

2008-10-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

I <3 my drawing class...because we have SOO Much freedom..my instuctor expects us to step outside of the normal way of fashion drawing and look more to fine arts to pull inspiration for our "looK" I am experimenting with new media and my drawing style is really changing!!!! I also like the fact that we get to draw each other!!! I am so much more inspired by drawing my classmates rather than the unnatractive poorly dressed older model we are usually assigned :( lol not to sound mean but..I need to WANT to look at the model to draw them..and when I draw my classmates I kind of think of them as characters...so its cool! its cool to walk around after you pose and see how everyone inteprets your "persona" lol

TAKING THE MODEL STAND!!!!

my classmates gesture drawing.... interpretaion of moi!

I LOVE drawing this girl..she's such a character...

LUNCH AT MONOPRIX!!!!!! GRRRRRRREAT!

Mannnnnn!

2008-10-04T20:50:00.000-07:00

Is anybody else in love with this song!!!!!
Love Lock down final
well...I know I have it on REPLAY, I am really feelin the african drums at the end...and just the beat overall...I think of runway shows (mine lol) whenever I hear (good) music..and I stock up songs I think are good for fashion shows (future), this song deserves an amazing opening look (mine lol)I also really like the words...pretty deep for anyone who can relate...I Know i can...keep your love locked down!

EIFFEL TOWER SUNDAY!

2008-10-04T20:13:00.000-07:00

all the postcards! SO PRETTY! just give me some time guys...im really bad with this but I will be sending some out pretty soon :) believe it or not i have them in my room FILLED OUT with your names...but i have yet to walk by derrier to the post office put a stamp on it..and mail it! also mail me your addresses!!!! I think I only have like 2 out fo 10 that I need!!!!!!

aint she a beauty!!!!!!

Someone in a mummy costume...not moving i tried to take a vid of the teenagers tourmenting him or her..in the costume but..idk i guess it wasnt really THAT cool after all...so i kept it moving :)

classic shot under the tower :)

almost doesnt look real right!!!!! well it almost doesnt feel real either!!!!! GREAT day so we decided to have a little camp out...

peep the setup :)

fun Friday pt 2

2008-10-04T20:12:00.002-07:00

the next spot..The Social Club..techno club, not really my kind of scene..but I can pretty much have fun anywhere...i'd post vids but as usual I am having technical difficulties :)

SOCIAL CLUB!!!!

me and Kara...givin Naomi and kate Moss looks : )

get down girl gon head get down!

yea..it was that kind of club..lol

must they do this??? I mean cant we just get a sticker?? I hate getting stamped...I dont want everyone in church to know i was in the club on saturday..lol

au revoir social club!!!!!! FOR GOOD! lol techno aint my thing....there just isnt enough yager and red bull to make me like techno...ever

Nostalgia...

2008-10-01T17:51:00.000-07:00

The term nostalgia describes a longing for the past, often in idealized form...i.e that fuzzy feelin you get in your heart when you hear a song...see a movie etc.
All I Have - Jennifer Lopez featuring LL Cool J

IT IS craaaaaaazzzzyyy how one song can trigger a series of flashbacks! I was just talking to my friends about my upcoming birthday (the big 2 0 YAYYY!) and of course I wish I could celebrate with them...we have been friends for so long and we have watched each other grow and change so much....so I had to post this song..its dedicated to my girls..MISS YOU GUYS! LOL you would think I was locked up somewhere or somethin! but even when I was in NY we always talked about the beginning of our Journey as friends..and everything that we have come through together and continue to face together...anywayyyyy watch the Vid guys!!! Remember regents week...Pradas in the snow...Maid in Manhattan..girls night...Pina Coladas....the Rice party in Harlem Cooper Union Saturday morning party Saturday night blah blah Assata I know you probably wrote it all down!!!all that came out just from one song! Thats why I love music sooo much, it helps preserve the memories...I could go ONNN and on from this one song....ps. Im thinkin about makin a playlist on my IPOD called NOSTALGIA...<3 it!

Remember this...

2008-10-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

Im up LATE as usual working on a pair of pants..and I tried Soulja Boy...I tried Kanye...had a few cups of coffee..but actually mellow music really soothes me while I am working late...I love this song havent heard it since like 11th grade...wow...I miss High School...anyway, ONWARD MARCH! lol back to work, just thought i'd take the blog down sappy memory lane with me..and PS Ray J would be so much more appealing to me if I hadnt seen that tape :/

fun Friday part I

2008-09-30T17:11:00.000-07:00

Some of the girls went to Disney Land..I had to stay behind and do work ALLLLLA DAY :( so we made up for it with a night of fun and got home at 6am!!!!! whats all work with NO play anyway????A VERY UNHAPPY PERSON!!!!!

HEYY THIS IS my street....

my car...HAHA yea yeaa

Only the classiest of women dance on tables...CAYOTE UGLY at Cafe Oz...the Australian Bar we ended up at the other night, hey I always said before I die I want to dance on a table..so there! lol

DANITY KANE -2 lol

PRIMIERE VISION

2008-09-30T16:51:00.000-07:00

Premiere Vision...the largest textile expose/trade show in Paris..comes twice a year...it was held in the suburbs of Paris...in a venue that reminded me of te Javitz center in NYC..but better

I LOVE this girl...shes so adorable

me and Jess leaving Primiere Vision...its so exclusive they dont allow you to take pics inside...but I risked it anyway...

Miles and Miles of vendors..couture fabrics..high tech fabrics...etc..they showed a film about the overall goal of the expose..very abstract..didnt make sense..but the beanbag chairs ROCKED and now I want one in my room..I made a lot of good connections..I was even offered a job...in Florence Italy :/ not sooo useful, lol I also met Vendors who sell vintage fabrics to Tracy Reese! Yea..I name dropped...and got a free tote bag cuz of it :) lol it was sooooo FUN! like a playground for fashion designers...we stayed half the day..ate lunch there and even played batche/batchi/i cant spell it ball...

THE LAST....

2008-09-29T15:12:00.001-07:00

person on earth to join blogger! lol meet my friend and ultimate NAS fan Nick....
Hero ft. Keri Hilson - NaS

im not really certain...but im pretty sure he's going to be bloggin about the "comeup" same hustle just different sides of the spectrum...he's more on the entertainment side of the industry... but read more on his blog...

www.tomorrowsmogul.blogspot.com

check out the vid UNFORGIVABLE on his blog (I was going to wait for you to get your "post game" up but...I think I gave you enough of a THREE WEEK head start) lol anyways...the vid is funny as heck but i cant jeaprodize my "image" by posting it on MY blog...because its very GRAPHIC to say the least..all I can give you is the screen shot..

but who doesnt love crude humor huh huh?? I have a pretty sick sense of humor anyway but maybe its just me :) now GIMME SOME WAFFLE FRIIIIIEEEESS! LOL...gotta watch the whole series to kno where that one came from...

Class topic...Gender Roles

2008-09-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

an appropriate artist...and song for this post :)
Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson

YES Rhonesha...gender is culturally constructed... sex is biological and there are no absolutes in gender its about context..all the way across the world and my cousin and I are studying some of the same topics...lets compare notes N.E.S.H.A :) LOL but first let me explain the "aim" of the class....

RIGHT now I am actually sitting in class (bad girl) blogging and note taking.... not too bad cuz some girl is giving a presentation right now (zzzzzz)...working to my advantage because I can reflect on what was discussed before the presentation...

PARIS WAS A WOMAN...The whole point in the class is very abstract, we are learning not only Gender Roles and how they played a part in the migration of artists during the 1920's and 30's but also about the artists and writers on a whole who came to Paris for intellectual love affairs to better understand our reasoning as young artists and designers for wanting to be here..on the first day of class the instructor went around and asked all of us..WHY PARIS? My answer.... rather than continuing the semester at Parsons NY... i want to grow creatively and have more freedom to express myself outside of paramaters..then she read us a quote I'm not sure if I got it exactly right but it was something like:

"It's not whate Paris gives you, but what it doesnt take away." its from Gertrude Stein's The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, you may have heard of Stein...famous for her play with language and words.. "A rose is a rose is a rose" while many writers believe that they can Master language...Stein proves that language often escapes you and has a life of its own...(have you ever said a word 10 times and suddenly it sounds wierd? or looses its meaning?) There are lots of different meanings of words...and people misunderstand each other because of the different meanings of words....Stein does not feel that she can become the master or creator of language, language creates her, she works with language as sounds, rhymes and rhythms…not just what the words mean..its not always important what the word means to her...sooo the fact that i dont always use proper puncutation on my blog, or capitalization is understandable :) and sometimes more meaningful than careless....you just have to notice (when i use I vs i for instance)

annyyyywayyyy hope you all are still with me im getting a bit immersed into the class :) turns out many of the great writers..and entertainers (Langston Hughes, Josephine Baker, Alice B Toklas etc) had similar reasons for being here....only they were fleeing paramaters based on gender, sexual preference, and race...I am hoping by the end of the course to better understand Paris was a Woman beyond its literary context....

last week we had two additional readings Judith Butler's excerpts from subversive bodily acts and The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir. Both women...writing about the "rights of passage" of femininity and the "lost" femininity:

"Woman, we are told, envies man his penis and wishes to castrate him; but the childish desire for the penis is important in the life of the adult woman only if she feels her femininity as a mutilation; and then it is as a symbol of all the privileges of manhood that she wishes to appropriate the male organ. We may readily agree that her dream of castration has this symbolic significance: she wishes, it is thought, to deprive the male of his transcendence. The battle of the sexes is not implicit in the anatomy of man and woman. The truth is that when one evokes it, one takes for granted that in the timeless realm of Ideas a battle is being waged between those vague essences the Eternal Feminine and the Eternal Masculine; and one neglects the fact that this titanic combat assumes on earth two totally different forms, corresponding with two different moments of history."
-Simone de Beauvoir

WOMEN ARE ALWAYS lesser, men and women are NOT like two electrical pulls…there is light and dark..left and right..straight and curved,Man and Woman..unknowingly you categorize the good and bad in each of these pairs...i'll choose one example...right, left..left is most commonly the negative because of the Latin root sinistro or sinistr meaning The inability to perform acts requiring manual skill with either hand; literally, "having two left hands", Clumsy, awkwardness, or being unskillful in the use of both hands. (GO LEFTIES) lol and also in the context of religion (Christianity) the right hand of the father....the only son of God...Jesus Christ...the connotation of RIGHT is positive..and the word right is also applied in the context v.s wrong....in terms of sex...Man and Woman..straight and curved...straight is in one direction not containing any elements of SURPRISE, a woman..curvy or curvier by nature than a man the "superior" being..but what then of androgyny? A woman who is not curvy..a Lesbian, Stein herself was very masculine, had short hair and a fuller figure...outside of her social group people assumed that she was trying to be manly, because she favored women sexually and they also assumed that she preffered to look masculine, because of her own self hatred, and yearning for a male reproductive organ...according to Stein this was not the case at ALL..she and other lesbians in her social circle those percieved as "feminine" and "masculine" alike enjoyed being women so much that they had no desire to function in society with, or AS any other sex (MEN)...thus turning to each other for all of there needs..which threatened societal values...traditional views on gender roles and religious beliefs...interestingly enough...my classmates were just talking about how its illegal to perform certain sexual acts in some states in the US....i think she just said massachussets but..Idk.....THIS is because of the fear of a spread of homosexuality..in order to keep the physical relationship between a man and a woman sacred..according to religion and society..these acts should only be performed between a man and woman who are married to produce children..and for no other reason...which is why in The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir she talks about mutilation..the castration of MEN AND WOMEN to prevent the ability to recieve pleasure from sex.... ok so not to bore you.... I will cut to the meat and potatoes of my peak of interest in this lecture...and that is:

Sex and gender is the first step in our IDENTITY as human beings..for example..when a baby is born what is the first thing people ask?????? Is it a boy or a girl.....

NATURE VS NURTURE..is there an original sex? Butler talks about discreet genders and she says you are either fully male or fully female...and the ability to cross between gender lines as one pleases...then i could be a Gay man..not physically ever but gender is culturally constructed...as I said earlier...by sex (and by choice)...I am AND will always be a heterosexual woman...

also interesting is the specification of gender in language...in the english language we have.......................................... policeMAN....postMAN..fireMAN...AND TEACHER...which profession is most closely associated with a woman? In languages other than english like french there are no official female conjugations for professions like minister and engineer...so they say MADAME and use then use the male version of the word..also in spanish the plural tense of a word, even if you are addressing a room full of women and one little boy... is always the male conjugation...because the "male" conjugation of a word is considered nuetral...MAN able to apply to all...nuetral....so then is it easier for the male to cross between gender lines...or is it more accepted? At one time in history specifically in Greece men preferred each other, and only went to their wives to birth sons...In Gertrude Stein's circle openly gay men were still looked "down" upon for their sexual preference but it was not spoken about...for some reason they were not a threat..but the idea of the lesbian...a woman who does not need a man for anything..not even sexual pleasure..was considered threatning to the livelyhood of the "penis"...and cultural values that go along with it...

AND when regarding the body as a politically "RELIGIOUSLY" and culturally regulated surface..which has "openings" to the outside world....one thinks about the body in terms of borders...and the need to protect these borders (not letting anyone in and out of your borders freely) for the sake of..................................?

I REALLY needed...

2008-09-29T05:23:00.000-07:00

to hear this song...I listen to it over and over and over when I am feeling overwhelmed with work or just with whatever...and I remember why I am working so hard in the first place and what I want out of this dream...things may fall in the path of your dreams but as you stay focused and work hard..it will all pay off.hey like Kanye sed to whom much is given much is tested..I've definately been blessed so I guess this is the test....anyway....I think the lyrics are powerful...I just got home from patternmaking class, fustrated, and grrrrrr..and after the night and morning I had (allnighter)...I needed these words...so maybe theres someone else out there..reading this...who needs to hear this song right now too...

sorry I could only find the vid form from you tube for some reason....

oh...Karina Pasian for readers who dont know her.... she's the girl who sings 16 @ war and I really like her voice...shes like a young A Keys...plays the piano and everything...Nesha....I think that girl needs a T shirt! lol

BUT The day wasnt a COMPLETE loss...I mean you have to take the good with the bad....the natual Yin and Yang of life...so I may have walked into class feeling like crap but, it made me work faster....and harder and I walked out with an invitation to a show in Paris Fashion week this Wednsday!!!! So thats 2 shows in a week (im going to a show on Sunday) :) i'll let you all know more after the "jump".....

RIGHT now...

2008-09-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

..me and the girls from the floor are hangin out..tryin to figure out a plan for the night...but FIRST we danced to videos on you tube...like this

YEA right...but this is how they dance here...soo...CRANK that! lol

this is dedicated to my mommy...

2008-09-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

thanks a lot mom...for always makin those ghetto welfare burgers, lol and for the record I ALWAYS PICKED THE ONIONS AND PEPPERS OUT!

"Pimpin" aint easy...

2008-09-26T17:42:00.000-07:00

we girls insisted on paying the bill for the night...equally....honest..but after we went out this was said:

"If you wanna go out with a girl, you gotta have money, if you wanna go out with a lot of girls you gotta have a lot of money, if you dont have money, stay your ass home! I mean if a man goes out with girls..he should pay the tab, if not, then he isn't a man and he should stay his ass home"

-Mil of Switzerland aka Movie Mike aka A-MILLIE Swizzy LOL

NOW...I have not added subtracted divided or multiplied any of that quote..straight from the horses mouth so dont shoot the messenger (me)...especially my male readers! LOL often a topic of debate amoungst my guy friends...so Im pretty sure I have to hear an earful after this post...and in fact I am hoping to start a small battle fo the sexes which is why I even mentioned it, but I really wish I had video of him saying it, because it was hilarious!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So we went to the Latin Quarter...and as always we had fun :) at a bar that did not require high heels after a long day of walking at Versailles...

next stop...fun fun fun!

where we landed...

me and Jesse

Ece and Esra from Turkey and Kara from London

smoke filled...im a sucker for cool decor

my milkshake brings all the :) BY THE WAYYY pina colada in france SUCKS the waitor explained the process of making rum here, its like 5 times distilled and very potent...gross...I dont get why they cant just use malibu....so dont be fooled it may look good..but it taste like soap foam with nail polish remover in it! lol

...can't go wrong wit that...

when the time comes for me to get married....I know my friends are going to push for a bachelorette party...but really even seeing stuff like this im embarassed...i guess you figured it out by now...a bunch of girls and a bride to be parading around the latin quarter with a larger than LIFE blowup....external organ rained on our innocent parade, lol well...NOTHING about this screams I AM ABOUT TO GET MARRIED! is that really how women celebrate? The march of the penis??? SO take note girls...id much rather a "tea party with cucumber sandwiches with the crust cut off" (from brown sugar my fav movie) no really tho IF YOU MUST get a Will Demps look alike..to back flip out of a cake...fine...but this..was an embarassment to the bridal party...and does that mean her soon to be husband was somewhere in paris parading around with a giant.....nevermind....moving on...

NO you guys go ahead...I'll have a shot of EVIAN! lol

WHAAAAT!

WHY?

mil did it...and why? i honestly dont know..but I know it went toooo far...and that WAS my drink before it was...uh absorbed? lol
___________________
NOW...to end this post i have a SPECIAL gift...I dont know what it means..and who started it...but its annoying and i dont get it..soooo to everyone who has ever done this to me....GROW UP! AND....................

I GOT YOU

WE GOT YOU

YEAH..IM PRETTY SURE WE ALL GOT YOU

THE GARDENS OF VERSAILLES!

2008-09-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

HI READERS!!! SOME OF YOU MAY BE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY VIEWING THE PICTURES...YES, THEY ARE SIDEWAYS...NO I CAN NOT FIX IT...AND YES I TRIED....LOL so if you care enough...tilt that heavy thing attached to your neck and marvel at La Bella Vita! as usual...check the mood music below...my new fav band..they are big in London according to Kara, my neighbor...The Ting Tings :) SHUT UP AND LET ME GO!and yes Assata it sounds very gossip girls...but I hate that show..
Shut Up and Let Me Go - The Ting Tings

THE HALL OF MIRRORS! duh I take pics of myself every five steps so i loved this room! : )

hahahaha! I bet looked so mature taking this picture...lol

Marie Antoinettes Bed :)

I wanted to go outside...the tour was getting a bit too long for me :( this is the Garden view from her room...

YAYYY finally outside on my way to the garden....lookin like the brooklyn version of Alice in Wonderland :)

stunna shades at Versailles!!! lol and I dont get the palm trees...but it was definately hot as Miami out there...

I LOOOOVE this photo...thas the desolate area of the garden behind me where the Marie Antoinette apts are...but sadly all can NOT be seen in one day :( so I never got to venture over there...but the depth in this pic (rotate head now) gives you an idea of how huge the garden is!

SOMEWHEEEERREE over the rainbow! it was so close I wanted to touch it...but..you cant touch the rainbow, you can only taste it..HAHA skittles..get it! ok..moving on

is it just me...or is the sky bluer everywhere OUTSIDE OF New York, lol

he was camera shy, and asked me to please NOT photograph his face

HI MOM! lol gotta love those free incoming calls...international calling rate...2 euros a minute!!! close friends...get your calling card game up...well thank God for skype!!!! I can talk to ppl for free! but i just had to talk to my mom and tell her how pretty everything was :)

ON OUR WAY INTO THE...

roman looking circle of fountains...feelin a bit like A KEYS in the KARMA video here...minus the grand piano...Versace jumpsuit..and well the roman colloseum i guess..hey does anyone know where she shot that video? I want to go there next..
THE END :) well...PAUSE cuz I have a feeling while the weather is still nice i will be heading back to Versailles for the garden very soon!

VERSAILLES II

2008-09-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

sit back... relax...listen to KANYE and let me tell you about the rest of Versailles while I still have internet connection :)
Kanye West - Addiction

While at Versailles we took a tour of the private artwork collection....zzzzzzz lol apparently during the 19th century both men and women of high status wore red heels..so naturally Louboutin is a genius for the historical reference...and with my serious interest in historical costume I should have a pair by now (hi mom! hi dad! :) lol

COLLEGE DROPOUT haha

Jeff Koon sculpture....you guessed it Mike Jack-O with billy jean...but thats not his lover...its just a monkey :/ I dont know how I feel about his work...and I dont know if it is versailles worthy...but who am I to judge...I think it is amusing but I am not really a fan of Modern art anyway...I mean the best modern sculpture I have seen is Ron Mueck the guy is NUTZ! definately google him..he does really huge and very very tiny sculptures of very realistic looking people...

Louis XIV's bedchamber..it was so overwhelming i had to take the pic in TWO PARTS! his bed occupied the exact center of the chateau from 1701 onward... He considered himself the Sun King so literally he felt the sun should rise and shine out of his...well i'll let you finish the rest! Anyway It was a key setting for events...

VERSAILLES...part I

2008-09-24T14:52:00.000-07:00

Versailles will always have a special place in my heart...because I remember studying for my Art History final second semester of Freshman year..and FOR THE LIFE OF ME I could not remember the name of the chateau..well...Versailles has haunted me ever since..I aced the test and made it to the place I have been reading about since like forever...if you have never heard of it..... Louis XIV had it built..it took 75 years and was enjoyed by the french court were they were too distracted with the latest court fashion to pay any attention to organizing a conspiracy against the king, it was also home of famed beheaded french queen Marie Antoinette... :) it was beautiful but I was most impressed with the gardens...I can NOT imagine living there...we barely covered half of it in one visit! We went at the perfect time...the weather was great and there was a Jeff Koon exhibit going on..so the juxtaposition of classical romantic style with the modern art was amusing...check the photos..
current mood: NOSTALGIC
thinkin about: you
listening to: this
wanting to: sleep
VIBE to it...keep readin

Complexity ft. Jill Scott - Roots

eating a MEAN tarte fraise on the train on the way to CHATEAU VERSAILLES!!!! yea...they caught me :/

once we got in the door...beauty eh?

..heaven must be missing an angel...missin one angel darlin cuz im here with you right now :) haha! This is me in the church/chapel IN VERSAILLES where Marie Antoinette was married..then a 14 year old Austrian Princess..back then people didnt marry because they were in love...it was just to make france look good making an alliance with a powerful nation like Austria..yea.micro history lesson ya'll lol!

sorry its sideways...my mac is actin all PC ON ME! lol but this is where the king would stand...and watch mass every sunday...

MORE OF THE CHURCH!
speakin of mass this just reminded me...technically i think im catholic still..sort of...well idk whatever I dont discriminate.... so im goin to Notre Dame to get some CH'UCH! LOL yea im not expecting any screaming and shoutin but..it is a once in a lifetime experience to hear mass in like 7 different languages at once in a historical cathedral...anyyywayyy....

GEVERNY part II

2008-09-23T16:27:00.000-07:00

play my song :)
We Major - Kanye West

bike riding whowhooo! lol i tried to upload vids but...connections sucks right now so more after the jump!

anything worth havin is hard work...check the view out..the journey was rough but the payoff was oh soo sweet!

MADE IT...MAJOR! lol

THATS ME!! and the whole group...and guess who's house im standing in front of! NO NOT RUNS HOUSE! Monets House!!! Beauty aint it!

GEVERNY part 1...

2008-09-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

my fav song right now...mood music for ya
Electric Feel - MGMT
I trecked to Geverny in the countryside of France for an fun filled day at Claude Monets house... I saw the very garden that inspired so many of the impressionist paintings that he is famed for today. Its one thing to study about it for an art history test..its another to be in the Japanese garden amongst the water Lillies...anyways I'm a bit sad so many people don't know who he was check it out..understandable for a non artist who doesn't have to but..anyway we took the metro to somethin like Penn Station where we caught the french version of the LIRR or Path out of Paris..to the suburbs..were we caught ANOTHER TRAIN to our destination where we biked 5 KILOMETERS UP HILL AND BACK! I thought I was going to pass out but the scenery was beautiful...we also went to the American Museum of Paris..which was very very boring..lol this post is prob. goin to be in about 3 or 4 parts..and readers you KNOW that I love you because seriously..I have no time to blog right now:( so sad cuz I just love exposing everything that I do! lol but I heard thru the grapevine that I had the same post up for too long so here ya go! just don't be surprised if part 2 comes tomorrow or the day after that..not to mention internet is very very slow right now!

fresh face ready for the day! Geverny france!

train station.........

me..lauren and kim..and more of the really cool train station

got the comfy cute look goin...and of course the fashion students are FASHIONABLY LATE we missed the train..we took the next one...(it wasnt my fault)

I chomped a croussaint..and NASTY starbucks..it was like 90% milk 10% coffee :(

loove the fanny packs attached to the jackets! lol and the beenie hats!ha!

the bikes!!!! i hope i didn't do "permanent damage" riding those crap things!! cuz i want kids one day!!!! lol it was all fun tho!!

CREPE AND CIDER!

2008-09-19T17:57:00.000-07:00

my thighs are tellin me noooo but my taste buds are tellin me yesssss! I take mine with nutella...and the cider is basically like sparkling cider mixed with beer..it was pretty good tho!

The CREPERIE

OLD school for real..I thought it would be rood to take a picture of the SOLE 80 year old man who worked there as a server...cashier..and crepe maker...but you get the idea right?

MOVIE NIGHT II

2008-09-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

song from the movie really depressing because of the context, you will understand after you watch but..I think the song is beautiful, take a listen : )

Mad World - Original Soundtrack

two words..DONNIE DARKO we watched it after Jess beat Mike in soccer... have you ever seen a film that just stayed with you? I mean really just made you think about life or even your place in life? Well Donnie Darko is a film with a twist and without giving too much away the outcome is very VERY similar to the fate of Bruce Willis in the Sixth Sense...have you ever thought about what would happen to everyone you have ever hurt, or loved, or both if you were never born? Or if you never met them? Throughout the film we watch Donnie experience true joy, loss of a loved one, falling in love, and his first "sexual encounter" as the world aroud him falls apart, in the end others are saved by his good fortune that we watched the entire movie not being a reality. I will NOT elaborate because I want you guys to go rent it! or NETFLIX or something! seriously readers! its a bit strange but I think after you watch it twice you will really get it and fall in love with it the way I did! Anyway at the risk of sounding full of myself it really made me think about the impact I have on others just by being alive...i try to keep it positive but..you never know how much trouble you could have saved someone if you never met them....or how much joy you bring to a persons world just by being a part of it...DONNIE DARKO PEOPLE :) deep stuff...

movie night I...

2008-09-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

Location: Lounge
Aim: To get my concepts assignment done with moral support/ distractions
Conclusion: interesting night

my "living room"

my setup

MOVIE MIKE he owns the playstation in the lounge so hes the coolest kid in the building..ok his name is MIL but i dont like the way that sounds...so he lets me call him mike : ) hahahaha anyway if it werent for him and kara i wouldnt have seen donnie darko...which I will tell you guys about in the next post!

JESS AND MIKE goin hard for some soccer video game...

my slippies from MONOPRIX :) the french version of target but wayyy wayyy wayyyyy better!!!! soo comfy!

nothing to do with movie night but..look at how they do chinese food here! not just chinese I had italian take out today and it was also reheated and vacum wrapped! i dot get it..its cute but eating out of different containers for one meal makes me feel greedy!

DO YOU HAVE A HATER?

2008-09-16T13:29:00.000-07:00

...cuz if i didnt have at least one HATER I would be doin somethin wrong...when you cut the grass, OR I SHOULD SAY WHEN YOUR GRASS GETS CUT, CUZ SOMETIMES YOU dont even cut it..you leave no room for the "snakes" to hide! My bestie sent me this its by Maya Angelou...I dont have time right now to post about allllllll the cool stuff that I am doing...the workload is gettin crazy...its gettin its gettin its gettin kinda hectic..lol anyway I did take the time out to read this Merci Assata!!!!! oh and aside from the long piece I also like this:

LET NOTHING GOOD OR BAD UPSET THE BALANCE OF LIFE

-Maya Angelou

(mood music 4 ya)
Hate On Me - Jill Scott

A hater is someone who is jealous and envious and spends all their
time trying to make you look small so they can look tall.

They are very negative people to say the least. Nothing is ever
good enough!

When you make your mark, you will always attract some haters...

That's why you have to be careful with whom you share your
blessings and your dreams, because some folk can't handle seeing

you blessed...

It's dangerous to be like somebody else... If God wanted you to be
like somebody else, He would have given you what He gave them! Right?

You never know what people have gone through to get what they
have...

The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they
don't know my story...

If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, you
can rest assured that the water bill is higher there too!

We've all got some haters among us!

Some people envy you because you can:
a) Have a relationship with God
b) Light up a room when you walk in
c) Start your own business
d) Tell a man / woman to hit the curb

(if he / she isn't about the right thing)
e) Raise your children without both parents being

in the home

Haters can't stand to see you happy.
Haters will never want to see you succeed.

Most of our haters are people who are supposed to be
on our side.

How do you handle your undercover haters?

You can handle these haters by:

1. Knowing who you are & who your true friends are
*(VERY IMPORTANT!!)

2. Having a purpose to your life: Purpose does not
mean having a job. You can have a job and still be
unfulfilled.

A purpose is having a clear sense of what God has called you to be.

Your purpose is not defined by what others think about you.

3. By remembering what you have is by divine

prerogative and not human manipulation.

Fulfill your dreams! You only have one life to live...when its your
time to leave this earth, you 'want' to be able to say, 'I've lived my

life and fulfilled 'my' dreams,... Now I'm ready to go HOME!

When God gives you favor, you can tell your haters, 'Don't look at
me...Look at Who is in charge of me...'

till next time readers : )

eat your WHEATIES kid!

2008-09-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

Jahmir my little buddy took fashion week by storm he's rollin deep with some "hot hottie male models" for the Donna Karan show

:) does anyone know these guys? lol

annnnd he is pictured with Donna Karan herself!

He also got to meet Brandy! Look out for my next post about his movie debut! you may also recognize him from the Wheaties box :)

SKYPE ME!

2008-09-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

IM ON SKYPE NOW :) if you are too, you can talk to me for free! for all of my friends who already used their 15 minutes on the phone card to hit me up :)gimme a ring... you can also do vid chat and its sooo much clearer than vid chat on aim anyway I am:

brooklyn2paris

download skype people! :)

muah!!!!!

THE REASON.....

2008-09-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

I filled out an absantee ballot...

haha! BARACK the vote :)

OUTAKES!

2008-09-08T22:39:00.000-07:00

just funny..random....quirky wierd... whatever pics! lol basically just sum stuff I wanted to post :) enjoy a good laugh!

(soundtrack...this is my fav song right now... I see sounds too pharell <3 <3 lol)
Anti Matter - N*E*R*D
dig it???

smh..ONLY in the city of love..in case you were wondering one of these specially equipt "vending" machines is in every metro station..

Jess and I thought it would be fun to dress up like Mary Kate Olsen..well actually we were going for gypsy looks but that didnt fly too well :( here in Paris there are lots of gypsy beggars..we were only out for 5 minutes dressed this way lol but hey it WAS fun!

lets play PISS OFF THE ROOMATE! lol no she knows that I am rarely serious and we get along well...although she looks pissed off at my antics in this pic.... which is why I love it!

i think I was trying to hail the metro....lol

in these! BAD idea..considering I am not RIHANNA! lol

lol!!!!!! if more people just screamed like this when they felt like it...there would be less angry people in the world!!!!! sometimes you just have to blow off steam!

1st day...

2008-09-08T21:43:00.000-07:00

....new school...new shoes ; ) check it out....
New Shoes (Prod.by Stargate) - Beyonce

first day of classes and I looove my instructor Shaghig Terzakian, she has been teaching at Parsons Paris for 8 years now and I have heard only good things about her!!!! today I had draping but mostly we just spent time getting to know one another and talking about the semester and what is expected of the students by december...we will be constructing our own designs! Today we went supply shopping...there are only 8 students in my class..3 are Parsons Juniors in Paris and the other 5 are all from NY!!! crazy we out number them on their own turf!!! there are only 6 juniors at Parsons Paris! Its more intimate than NY which is nice and the pace is also different so..I wont be slacking but I also wont be ripping my hair out everyday which is a nice change of pace for me!!!!

I have a pretty full schedule still:

Junior design Monday and Thursday

Knitting and Knotting and French Tuesday

Drawing and Textile Identification on Wed ( and I have a 2 hour gap btw the two)

Surface Treatment Thursday

and good ole concepts FRIDAY!!! I live 15 mins from school so I am very pleased!

some shots of the classroom! a bit "grunge" but what do you want from an art school!

FIGHT FOR THE DRESSFORM! which they call dummies here (i find it offensive to my form) lol I actually named my form this semester...her name is BON BON (good good) in french...its like that old Al Greene song...she has to be good to me..and I will be good to her! lol anyway its soo cozy nobody was fighting for a good form, most of them are brand new as you can see my BON BON is..and they are super light! no wheels or cages like the ones in NY also the school supplies all the machine parts and muslin which is GREAT!

Me and Jess with Nicole in the metro on the way to buy supplies...and me with classmates chatting and laughing it up about idk spending 100 euro on sewing supplies??? lol
BY THE WAY! i didnt get a close up but as you can see my hair is BACK TO NORMAL or as close to it as possible!!!THANKS TO SALON MARK CLEMENT!!!! yes thas right! I tried out the salon I posted about previously (the black girl pain post..check the archive) I have to say I cant complain..the problem with trying out a new salon is you compare the experience to the old one..its not bad..not better just different...BUT I MISS SHELLY'S my salon in brooklyn nonetheless :) but mark can hook me up for now!

the kiddies....

2008-09-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

only thing about bein away is...missing the kiddies grow up...cuz it happens so fast, for example my niece had her first day of school..only happens once but at least I have the pics I was baby stitting Jayani and Jaydin a lot right before I left so I had my time with them and I hope I can get vid chat workin to see what they are up to! The pics are too cute my bro sent em..look at my niece with her shiny first day of school face!!! lol she looks like the kids from the islands or something with the uniform so cute

let the children go!!!! lol

thinkin about college already!

not my HAIR!!!!

2008-09-08T20:42:00.000-07:00

this post is in response to the previous post black girl pain :) and the saga continues....mood music?
I Am Not My Hair - India.Arie & P!nk

soooo..funny story about how I keep blowing the fuse on my floor...as of today I am a repeat offender..I am so late posting this that I am no longer working this "look" but this is me..after too many volts of electricity passed through my poor blow dryer..yupp SHELLY'S i wrapped it up erykah badu style!!!! i actually got a lot of compliments on the look...especially from the non american students..my neighbor is from greece and she LOVED it..she wants me to do it again..but its one of those "looks" not the norm Raeana..just somethin I tried out :) or as we artists like to say a happy accident :) i must admit i kinda like the natural look tho...it also went over well at some spanish club we went to..

INTROday..

2008-09-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

the infamous blue door on orientation day...behind this door..dreams come true! not too crazy about this pic of me..I was tired but..its really about the door!!! lol

me..jess and our neighbor Kara from LONDON!!! whowhoo where we plan to go very soon...and sidenote...can the DOLLAR GET A LITTLE MORE RESPECT AROUND THESE PARTS! its even worse in London kara says!

my crib!!!

2008-09-08T19:49:00.000-07:00

due to difficulty with blogger and the crap wireless connection here I never showed you guys...MY CRIB! LOL dont worry..wont be a long tour..I like to think of it as uh..small but chic :/ lol annyyywayyy I love it:

"THE GREEN DOOR"...not very descriptive but that is all the school told us to look for when they said check in 8 30am..yea and that wasnt even what they told us...Jess and I were told to go across the st from the metro..yea well thats a church :/ anyway this is my beat up lookin front door but you cant judge a book by its cover! behind that is a scary alley!!! lol and in that is my other front door guarded 24 hours by BRINKS (mom thats what you are paying for lol dont worry im safe) and then...

the winding staircase...pretty, YES practical in heels...NO!! lol I LIVE ON THE 3RD FLOOR! they go on forever! cant wait for the elevators to work!

ME!!! in the room beforeeee the extreme home makeover...its brand new..never been slept in before...very IKEAish..

we have the best decorated room...in the building thanks to a few finds at the florist and local thrift shops!

the best part!!! looks good at any time of day now we have pink flowers in them so its even cuter!

drumrollllllllll for my AUDREY PILLOW!!! I LOVE IT!! cant wait to set her up in my room @ home :)

just call it a quotable.....

2008-09-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

sooo I am back to letting you readers into my very personal thoughts!!

I was just thinkin of how much I went through to get to where I am standing today..and I think its safe to say that I am earning my letters (N.E.S.H.A) check post archive if you dont know what that is!!!...I am so happy here in Paris....Looking back all of the stressing was for nothing because everything worked out!!!! One month ago I had noooo idea where I was going to live...two weeks ago I didnt have a visa...one week ago I took a flight to france alone and didnt know any french!!! Yet here I am 4am the first night of school...not homeless and learning more and more french everyday!!! so full of creativity and thoughts (and unfinished hw lol) that I cant sleep, so I am here talking to you guys..my readers...sharing my thoughts...and I came across this:

"Today is the tomorrow that you feared yesterday"

so true..random things inspire me...philisophical..biblical...whimsical...comical hey even someones away message (gotta love my friend qiana for that lol)!!! but here I am.. I dreamed of this opportunity since I stepped foot into Parsons struggling with my portfolio late for my interview (I got lost lol)!!!! I am living a dream that I have had my entire life...most of my friends (all actually) know how much this opportunity means to me..when I think back on my days at Fashion High School...only telling everyone about the journey I wanted to take..I had no idea what was in store for me...always knowing that something special would happen for me here in Paris.. Aside from the sightseeing and partying..the frolicking and dressing up the MEAT AND POTATOES of me being here is to grow personally and as a designer...I cherish every experience that I have had thus far and I love Parsons Paris!!! I feel as though I am beginning to fully realize myself as a designer by exposing myself to different people and their ideas...there is so much more that I can say but I want to leave off with this...I really believe that no achievement is impossible if you are willing to work hard for it!!!!

<3

a peaceful night...

2008-09-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

I am in love with this pic..its down at the Louvre River..so peaceful I love it!

backtracking...and such

2008-09-06T11:38:00.000-07:00

heres a bunch of stuff I should have posted that I have done...but didnt sorry you guys!!!! lol
Me in front of the Arc de Triomphe in the Champs-Élysées!
Jess and I frolicking in an alley...then we stumbled upon a funny sign that reminds me of some of my friends..save water drink beer! haha! a really great sushi dinner!!!

im OBSESSED with the metro

breakfast...yogurt and honey..Lunch cheese wine and baguette

AND THEN....

dressed for the night out! only in europe could i pull off a mini with a leather jacket! lol well the weather here is soo weird its cold one day and hot the next so i guess I was just prepared for both! lol

we went to GIBUS or the CANDY CLUB whatever you want to call it...it was pretty cool..good dj and I met some kids from london they were fun..check the vid its pretty funny when dude starts rapping and saying he is camron:

I am "MAD" late..

2008-09-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

with the posting but the internet connection here is very bad!!!! Dont worry I have been complaining about it! for what I am paying to live here I should be able to surf the web at the speed of light! anywayyysss im going to try and catch you guys up as best as I can...so there was..the last few days at ODEON (the hotel) a club night at GIBUS/candy club....meeting some cool kids form london...getting lost finding my new home at the ST JOHNS dorm...a "picinic" with my neighbors in front of the eiffel tower at like 1am...a visit to the river..orientation at Parsons Paris..annd jiving around in the room just decorating drawing and planning for OCTOBER FEST...takin random pics RUNNING OUT OF PHONE MINUTES dressing like a gypsy hippie with my roomie and wandering about...planning to go to the BASTILLE burning out my hair dryer, blowing the fuse on my floor and much much more :) voila! but...here we go :) oh yea...ppl have been asking me if im home sick...home sick idk yet but im.people sick ..as in I wish i could speak fluent french and stay here and just bring all my friends and fam here! OOH im enrolled to take french classes and school starts on the 8th!!! sooo exciting because I just came back from the post office where I used sign language to communicate with the nice guy who didnt speak english :( I have to get my language skills up! ill post pics as soon as DERRICK fixes wifi!!!!! BUM im putting DERRICK AND ST JOHNS ON BLAST! OFFICIALLY!

Im listening to....
World Town - M.I.A.
dig it? or dog it? I <3 it!

LOONG day part II

2008-09-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

we walked...i love the way the streets are set up in Paris, they are all like little alleys and it feels so exclusive, so cute and you never know what you can find!

LIKE really cool grafitti!

..then crossing the street took forever! so i decided to have a spur of the moment photoshoot!

then I headed over to the Louvre River, which is very popular at night! People go to the bridge and have picnics with wine, cheese and baguettes! SIDEBAR it seems like the culture here is very easy going, nothing is on the GO..the other day I just wanted a cup of tea or coffe to bring home and I could not find a place to get any! they have starbucks here but mostly in the bussiness, heavy shopping, or tourist areas! I realized I actually have to sit down at a cafe to get something hot to drink! even water sometime...so thats pretty interesting and definately made me realize whats the rush!! life is too short! sit down, de-stress and have some flippin coffee!!!

There are monuments everywhere! this is me trying to figure out what the heck im tanding in front of..i should probably take an official tour at this point...because i say ooohh and aaaahh at soo many things that I have no idea about haha! I will definately take a tour this week! But nonetheless ooohh and aaah whatever it was behind that golden gate..it was so beautiful..

all the cars we think are "hot"...they pay to ride in for like 10 or 15 minutes...yeah thas right...benz cabs..chreysler cabs..smh

TOLD YOU GUYS!!! that I would find GROM!!! and I did! I had no idea that it was so close to where I was living..which could be dangerous...go to the one in the village!!! check the post archive for the story behind this gelato heaven!!

ended the night at the local grocery store...and thas the end of this very long post :) neeexxttttt!!!!!!

LOONG day..

2008-09-02T08:49:00.001-07:00

..but I took it easy.. started out my day with a nice cup of coffee at the local cafe, like every other Parisian.."implants" like me follow their lead...

oh YEAA and by the way..though im so late posting this I am no longer staying here..but this was the first stop! ODEON hotel in st.Germain..i still live in St.Germain not too far from the hotel tho :)

EVERYONE rides a bike here in Paris..so im going to do it too! and work off some of those croissants! if you buy a monthly "metro" pass you can wave it in front of the bike machine and get a bike too! cool cuz school is only like 10 mins away from where I live and there is a bike station near my school!! yay!

found this cute little vintage shop while I was discovering st. Germain and they had pretty good prices...Assata you would love it in there

I stopped in another cute boutique and tried on some HELLZ BELLZ jeans..actually they were more like a satin/latex glove! very nice but a little too low anyways they made my legs look nice now that im lookin at the pic so i might want to go back for em..

and theeeeennn i stopped and picked up the "whip" I was having it detailed :) yea well...you make what you want of it! lol

really you dont see too many large size cars I have been seeing a bunch of cars that Jess and I like to call puppies, or boogars lol and they are by this company..the only thing that makes em cool is the euro plate :/

we just wanted to have fun :(

2008-08-29T11:53:00.001-07:00

(mood music for post, play for full experience)
Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Lauper Cindy

it was all fun and games...we thought he was fun, and then..there were two lesson learned:

NEVER let anyone join you for dinner, and walk away without leaving money on the table...watch the vid below...in one, he's interacting and it all seems cool, then comes his getaway something about his phone in his car..yeah right :/ looking back on it I think he thought we were laughing at him and felt uncomfortable so he left..oh well whatever, the funniest part was that he said i was very beautiful, like black and white :/ ? i kno black and white..maybe he realized american girls arent overeasy unfortunatly due to what ppl see on television I guess we seem that...anyway at least the resturaunt took his meal off the bill but I had to pay for that coke, which I drank the remainder of! so much for being nice!!! oh also i was referring to a bottle of chocolate liquer in that vid! mmm but we didnt get it :( too much chocolate!!

the night that never ended...

2008-08-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

(soundtrack for post, press play for full effect)
Please Dont Stop the Music - Rihanna

Jesse and I decided to get all "dolled" up and hit the town for dinner..once again but we definately wore pants this time :)not short frocks...we went to the Notre Dame area which is notorious for attracting young college students (didnt see many lol) and offering cheap meals..., you would think that I learned my lesson earlier in the day...I about meeting new friends well, I will start from the beginning

Jess and I were in the park practicing our verbs and stuff from the french book when 2 guys walked by..the came back a few minutes later saying how cool it was that we were practicing french and where were we from..normally I am VERY mean and I dont talk to new people..I either look away or dont answer them but they were young and I do wat to make friends here to find out about cool things to do so we told them we were students yada yada..there were 4 of us speaking english (one of the french dudes only spoke french) we joked and laughed about which language was harder they seemed very cool, so we exchanged numbers so we could meet up in notre dame later...it was all good. until 2 seconds after they left, i recieved a phone call..Im workin with a prepaid phone over here so i dont have minutes to waste!!! I answered to see if maybe he left something..idk but no, he just wanted to say how nice it was to meet us ad how beautiful we were..I figured maybe its the french way ( he seem to be very flattering ad passionate about women..they are also agressive), no, red flag..RED flag, we start walking down the champs elysées when someone taps me on the shoulder..who do you think it is..im like ok. get a grip this is getting wierd...they AGAIN bring up meeting later, we keep walking hangin out and i happen to look at my phone, who do I have 5 missed calls from...yea who else? not COOL! at all..dont stalk me :/ anyways we decided not to persue any friendship in order to keep the peace i think they got the hint although this morning i had 2 missed calls from them..anyway the night pictured was verrrryyyy interesting after the creep encounter Jess and I figured its impossible to make FRIENDS without sending mixed signals GUYS dont get it..so we went out just us and it was all fun untillll......

Ny is 2nd to this..

2008-08-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

We tried to eat cheap on the second day, there are tons of Japanese and chinese resturaunts so we tried one..i had spicy shrimp and white rice...pretty good, same as chinese food from home really except for the service... I know some of the pics are sideways! lol some of my friends have even reminded me :) I cant figure out why or how to rotate them so my only suggestion for now is to rotate your dome piece :)

-merci!

after lunch, we walked it off, went down by the "river" and hung out, took pics met a strange artist and made our way to a very dangerous shopping area at which point my camera died..sorry guys :/

EIFFEL tower

2008-08-29T04:42:00.000-07:00

(song for post listen for full effect)

Glamorous - Fergie Feat. Ludacris

Jesse and I prepared ourselves for an evening out...little did we know that "skin" aint so "in" with the parisians in our area..we thought our little black frocks were appropriate but we were stared at, howled at and even followed that night...aside from that the metro was pretty cool, you have to open the door to the train car yourself, its similar to opening the door at the back oh the bus in nyc except there is a handle, same spring action tho, anyway the train station is very clean, there are vending machines and i didnt see one rat! Passing a news stand I noticed a large ad for OBAMA on the cover of french GQ!!! I can dig that! The french support Obama, I have even watched the news here and even tho I dont know what they are saying, their talkin about him!

The tower was gorgeous, I had no idea it would be so great and its way bigger than I expected, you can go on one of three levels and eat i believe (we didnt go up) and the lighting varies it went from an utraviolet blue to a shimmering disco show! After we saw the tower we made our way to grab some food when we were followed by soldiers with huge guns! they insisted on taking pics with us! they didnt speak much english but managed to say we were beautiful and ask for our numbers :/ flattering but...anyway i'll have to blog about my experience with french guys in a WHOLE seperate post! I finished off the night with a glass of vino (nasty btw and overrated) and french onion soup, with a nougat drenched in rasberry sauce! "mad" good!!!! OH PS. I HATE HEARING MYSELF ON VIDEO! I KNOW I WAS IN AWE BUT I SOUND like an idiot! (nobody agree..or else! lol)I only posted it cus it got good footage of the towers light show :)

...continued

2008-08-29T04:06:00.000-07:00

you just saw..me and Jesse eating lunch, the very heavy room key, us walking in an alley annd stuff I shot from the cab, promise my blog posts will get more focused after this, im just so overwhelmed and trying my best to get stuff out in some kind of order!

from landing to the door...

2008-08-29T03:44:00.000-07:00

when we were landing I had an opportunity to see the country side...beautiful!!!! I would love to go back at some point...when i got to the city area I saw lots of cool stuff avan passed an ikea!!!! gotta have ikea!!! so I felt like a real tourist..as I mentioned in the last post I had a really cool cab driver/personal tour guide and everything was oooh's and aaaahsss's from the back seat...I caught my first glimpse of the eiffel tower and I really felt like I was in Paris!! It seems a little like NYC sometimes but the old country beauty that shines through is much cooler than anything that I have seen in NY...I mean I love NY but the statue of liberty is CORNY compared so the Champs-Élysées!!!! where I am staying is kind of like soho...very trendy lots of cafe's heck even a starbucks! one thing I noticed right away is that there are bikes everywhere!!!!!!!!!!! and wierd tiny cars anyway keep reading more pics in 5 4 3 2.......

the flight...

2008-08-29T03:02:00.001-07:00

(song for post, listen for full effect)

ParisTokyo Remix CLEAN - Lupe Fiasco ft. CL Smooth

I got to newark airport at around 8:50 (thanks rae) but the flight left at 9:50 and ran like stacy dash in that kanye video to check my bags...I was so nervous but I made it to gate C71 right in time for boarding..I got the window seat 9f, that was pretty cool until this snuggle couple came and sat next to me anyway I had a pretty good dinner on the plane and since I ate vegitarian I was served first!! oh a bit of advice NEVER wear eye liner on an overnight flight, you WILL wake up with rocks in your eyes :/ anyway we flew like 3987 miles or something and when we were so high up that I couldnt even see the city lights, I noticed the wierdest thing, orange lightening in the pitch black sky, it was beautiful, but scary!!! I trie to fall asleep but couldnt, because for some reason I always think of not wanting to wake up dead, which is a major oxymoron but im just not comfortable sleeping miles and miles up in the sky, the coolest part was flying from night to day which i missed cuz I went against my sleeping rule and nodded off :( I saw a little of it tho...also I thought it was cool that I looked over and noticed that I was aboard a Rolls Royce plane :) of COURSE! oh one embarassing part of the flight experience aside form my brother telling some girl at the airport to move it..literally because she was in the background of my picture was boarding the plane..firstI thought they were giving out free snacks and I went to grab a bag only to realize that it was not for me...then i boarded the plane greeted by a french speaking flight attendant: bienvenu : i said it back, which is stupid, because that means welcome...I was so hungry by the time breakfast ( lonely croussaint andnasty fruit) came out that i took my retainer out (yes I wear a retainer) and dropped it on the floor...i spent so much time shoveling through my crap trying to find it...that I almost missed the view landing...i got off the plane, refusing to speak because i suddenly forgot how to say everything i learned in french...and went on the hunt for my bags..i admit I am an overpacker so they were very heavy and a nice guy helped me with them but of course could not speak english so I couldnt even thank him really...i wheeled my crap put to the curb and met a line waiting for cabs..luckily i got in a cab with an english speaking driver and he was very nice..I only knew that I was supposed to go to odeon hotel..he said which one? I said the one, lol needless to say when we got to odeon street there were MANY hotel odeons!!!! anyways I arrived and asked for my roomate..they gave me a huge room key and I made my way up to the empty room, she was out and they let me up anyway even though I could be an axe murdered..when she came upstairs we went out to lunch...I had salmon..dumped fries that did NOT come with the meal onto my plate but I love fries..couldnt resist...annnddddddddd keep reading :)

IM HERE!

2008-08-29T02:40:00.001-07:00

(song for post, listen for full effect)
St. Germaine - Paris Combo - Les Nubians

I have so soooo much back tracking to do for you guys..I have been here in Paris for like 4 days now...its hard to tell because its all been a blur..I flew out on Monday night at 9:50 and got to Paris on Tuesday morning at 11:45 am so my tuesday felt like a continuation of my Monday or something..anyway I havent been blogging because of a flaky internet connection at the hotel where I am staying and I cant lie..I've been out having FUN!!!!! Im actually sitting at a little cafe right now having breakfast...and really good coffee... so..here we go!

IM a rappers wife...

2008-08-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

quickey random fact.... its wierd to see someone..with no relation to you..with "your face"...I always wondered what I look like to other people...not in pics but from the "outside" which is wierd cuz i hate seeing myself on video but..anyway i'll get to the story, people have made a connection between myself and Mashonda (WIFE of SWIZZ BEATS) for some time now, it kind of faded away and came back in spurts the "oh raeana the girl who looks like Mashonda comments"

I was always caught off guard with it..she is cute (of courseif she looks like meeee) and had a catchy song but I didn't really know who she was..anyway it came up today AGAIN that I look like her... so I decided to GOOGLE her...and just get it overwith..I mean I had to see..do we really look anything alike? verrryy creepy I have a pretty distinctive look and I have never seen anyone who looks like me but, she has the same facial structure and..unless you look too hard we do favor each other,if she is ever sick, and cant make it to an event I THINK with the right weave..I could fill in...from the right angle..haha tell me what you guys think..ps. IF you have never seen me...in person...orrr without the "SWOOP" you cant make an accurate evaluation..but for those of you who have seen me...OMG right!

also wierd...I dated a guy once upon a time who kiiinnndaa looks like Swizz Beats..im thinking next BET awards...we make our move!! haha!!!

SO-LO....

2008-08-19T18:14:00.000-07:00

oookay PEOPLE so... my mom broke her foot : ( looks like im flying out to paris solo...which wouldnt bug me other than the fact that im a little anxious about the whole obtaining an apartment thing, oh and of course getting to a foreign country where i dont speak the language and trying to find my roomate who will be waiting at (unsaid) hostel or hotel...meanwhile i will have no way of calling her...pish tosh man im still going to remain optimistic but the universe is realllly trying me this summer!!!!! thing is im auctioning off one ticket to a kind soul (with strong arms : ) who would like to come along..carry bags, keep me company, let me drool on their shoulder on the plane annnnd run errands with me : ) lol joking but kind of really serious here : / mommy dearest is a little worried that the "baby" is goin all the way overseas and she cant see where im going to be living...she actually cried and i feel really bad...I tried to make her feel better and I said:

"mom I live in NY, I take the train at 1 am in heels, which handicaps running capabilities... and if I can make it HERE I can make it ANYWHERE!"

me....a RESPONSIBLE almoost 20 yr old but um...soooo shes not buyin it...and is really considering buying a ticket for someone to accompany me...blah blah it kinda sucks : ( buttttt could be a cool getaway for the person with the winning ticket!!!!!

please post resume, picture and criminal record below ASAP : ) haha

au revoir!
signed,
frustrated american

RIGHT AS RAIN...

2008-08-17T21:40:00.001-07:00

Right as Rain [Live][*] - Adele

the track i posted is LIVE and it sounds so crisp and beautiful...ADELE is talented and easily a repeat offender on my i pod!!!! she has a very soulful voice...my new Amy Winehouse (I still love u tho Amy) so check her out readers...ps. i post a lot about what music im "diggin" because music is so tied into everything I do, especially when im working but even walking down the street..I think everyone needs a diva moment...and a soundtrack to go with it, I mean if your going to peer out of a window and be all dramatic with running mascara on a rainy day.. or run for the train in heels why not pretend your in a movie while a track plays in the background!!!! (2much?) lol well anyway right now..im loading up my IPOD with new music specifically for Paris...I feel like I need a soundtrack for the moments I am going to experience..it will make for better memories...im a sucker for NOSTALGIA anyways : )

amazing...

2008-08-16T08:12:00.001-07:00

what pics u can find when you google Raeana...the one above is from my friend assatas blog assatasays.com check it out lol i mean everything from my b day last yr to um random pics playin around....seeee why i am so selective you guys when you post pics of me on myspace (ashley) is there any way u can get those down lol?? if anyone knows let me know cuz there are some that id rather not see..anyway i think its kinda cool to find yourself on google! all you have to do is have a myspace page and your on the world wide web!!!!!!! cool. guess i have to get my GOOGLE game up....the more notable things that pop up the better!!!

SO im watchin PROJECT RUNWAY and then...

2008-08-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

we love you Tim...enough said

HOLLA!!!!!! lol

BLACK GIRL pain...

2008-08-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

well...I have relaxed hair and I have been feeling a little anxiety when it comes to KEEPING UP APPEARANCES!!!! I refuse to be in one of the most beautiful cities in the world..and my hair is just not on point... I have considered going natural a number of times...im curious about "the look" but lets face it...now is JUST not the right time for me to experiment...soooo in an attempt to keep my signature straight jet black swooped care free hair style (pictured above) the mission was ON! I have been "stalking" women of african descent in Paris via facebook and myspace since I found out that I would be going to school there..mainly to ask them WHERE ARE THE GOOD HAIR SALONS! finally I stumbled upon this amazing website PrissyMag.com that has everything from local news to dating tips and profiles in Paris, fashion news and of course BLACK HAIR SALONS! I am delighted : ) well..I have my eye on the Salon Mark Clément..and we will see how things are looking mid september : ) hopefully this post can help the next cycle of black girls from feelin too much "black girl pain" overseas...

Salon Mark Clément
Locale: 58 rue Volta, 3rd arrondissement
Metro: Temple or Arts et Metiers
Tel: (33).1.40.27.03.27

in serious DENIAL..

2008-08-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

about fall? well I am...I cant believe its cooling off and the beach days are soon to be over, there are a few things from your summer wardrobe/accessory bin that must be carried over to fall and one of them is yellow nail polish...Ladies.if you were not up on it all summer it is not too late! jump on the banwagon and "get you some" I love it! My fav is by ESSIE and its called SHORTY PANTS...think about it, how retro would it be to mix this with warm tones of brown and orange for fall, mix it up a little and do something other than black when you are trying to be different! go BRIGHT FOR FALL! I know I am!

ID LIKE TO THANK THE ITALIANS....

2008-08-12T21:28:00.000-07:00

for good shoes..good underwear models....and GROM!

I stumbled upon this cute place in the village the other night and I indulged in the Tirimasu ice cream well gelato actually...without a care in the world about calories! Anyway if you are ever in the area they have the "sexiest" ice cream cones I have ever seen...so slender... they have one in paris....already looked it up so I WILL be visiting...but of course : )

GROM
233, Bleecker and Carmine
Manhattan
New York City
Tel. (+1) 212 206 1738

feelin poetic QUOTABLE....

2008-08-12T21:14:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you have to "be" what your public see's, in order to keep things together when you want to fall apart...
-me

to everyone, ESPECIALLY women with enough "poise" to DEAL, and still be fab and make it to the office..or even the classroom on time, bussiness as usual

You don't have to be what people think you are be yourself..but as for me, I am a "character" in my own life.. I just act like the person I want to be, so that eventually one day, I can become her....

yea yea...one of those inspirational posts I suppose, consider my blog an open invitation to my mind...

-

On tour with CHANEL....

2008-08-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

MOBILE ART....the exhibition focused around the signature quilted bag...the tour started in Hong Kong followed by Tokyo, where it just wrapped..the next stop is New York then off to Moscow and the final show will be... where else...Paris..In July of 2010. I am hoping to see the show when it comes to New York at the risk of sounding blunt..i want to see what the fuss is about! After all my FAV architect Zaha Hadid designed the futuristic white dome that the show is housed in...I dont quite see the resemblance but the dome itself is supposed to be modeled after an early Chanel bag....Highlights from the show are featured above including the big Chanel purse...and an instillation display by artists Loris Cecchini and Michael Lin...one of the most interesting insitillations is "at the bottom" by Tabaimo of Japan. Visitors go up steps to look down a "well" where walls are covered with mysterious, seemingly floating objects, representing the dreams of Chanel customers...and of course with art..there is great contreversy with the piece that includes tattooed stuffed pigs and matching purses by Wim Delvoye of Belgium. The display is called "Jesus, Love & CHANEL bags." I DON'T get it but in the name of Art, shock value, name dropping (big name architect involved) and marketing they pretty much have it all down pact where drawing a crowd is concerned...after all it is CHANEL so there is natural buzz...

I feel kinda like...

2008-08-03T19:37:00.000-07:00

Famous Girl - christian rich

this is a cool song sounds a little like gym class heroes..so here ya go... maybe, just maybe...in a few more years I can be some lucky guys famous girl ; )

QUOTABLE.....

2008-08-02T01:29:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Girls - Charles Hamilton
of the day is....

"NO ONE EVER SLOWS HER AGENDA"

-Rhonesha Byng

I live by it...if you do too and you want a tee shirt to support the launch of the site www.heragenda.com

EMAIL..... INFO@HERAGENDA.COM or NESHA@NOONEEVERSLOWSHERAGENDA.COM
hope you enjoy the song BROOKLYN GIRLS one of my favs by Charles Hamilton...Im definately going to be pumpin this one hard while in Paris...especially if I get a little home sick...Nesha gets a "shout out" in the song..and so does her motto...

QUOTABLES...

2008-08-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

I often come up with random "quotes"..and I will say them to myself over and over...you ever wonder how and why famous quotes get to be famous? well

1)word of mouth
2) word of mouth and then you die and its suddenly the it thing to say
3) you are Oprah :)

anyway...brainstorming with Rhonesha..who some of you may know here on Blogger for her well known societyandstyle.blogspot.com (check it out)about an upcoming "project" which I will later post about...I came up with something

"you can never think what you are doing is enough, because if you think what you are doing is enough then you have reason to stop, and stopping is never an option"

also a friend of mine (cough cough NICK) said something modeled after the whole "pretty is as pretty does" thing.. in defense...I simply said

"pretty is not as pretty does, pretty can only do if pretty is"

it speaks for itself...all this to say..ITS QUOTABLES the new feature of my blog..quotes by me..and ocassionally friends of mine..and maybe i'll throw in a few famous ones or two :)

THE BANNER IS...

2008-08-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

finally up and running...i created it myself in illustrator...some of my friends know I have been buggin around with it for the longest trying to figure out why it would not post..well thanks FIREFOX :)

what do you think?

BEAUTY in the name of....

2008-08-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

(information and photo both taken from nitrolicious..im just passing amazingness along)

NITROLICIOUS SAYS:

"Louis Vuitton will be opening a new flagship store in Tokyo, Japan by 2010. The 10 story flagship store was designed by UNStudio, these images show a proposed take on the store. UNStudio takes a new environmentally friendly approach to the design and construction of the store. Inside the Louis Vuitton mongram leaf shaped building you will be able to find a few amnetities such as a cafe, spa, bookstore, exhibition gallery, and last but not least retail space. Stay tuned for more news as the location and construction time is being kept a secret. via Freshness (Thanks X!) / Dezeen

Wow!" check out www.nitrolicious.com (one of my fav blogs)

I wouldnt mind living on the top floor and having all of the floors underneath act as closet space :) LOUIS ITEMS INCLUDED another Kanye moment....sigh

HAVE mercy...

2008-08-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

PROMISE I wont post anymore shoes... :( ok im lying but these are too awesome...I have to show them off...Im just doin a Kanye right now...Close my eyes and imagine...so for all you chicks with trust funds out there...you got it!

OH my ZAHA!

2008-08-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

HADID has done it from the Guggenheim to Soho boutiques...she has her own shoe collection! I SWEAR on those Louboutins that I was JUST discussing with my concepts professor from last semster how Zaha Hadid should do this. I designed an evening collection Inspired by her architecture and included shoes and acccessories...my only fret...why didn't she ask me to come on board! (just joking) well...Hadid opted for a more...."casual" approach than I would have expected the shoes are made of plastic!!!! (so Mary Quant 1960's retro) and this particular style has striking similarities to "The ideal house" that she designed....yea that red thing with all the cut outs pictured above...A HOUSE! well nonetheless... she is my ALL time favorite architect...she and Frank Gehry but I respect that a minority WOMAN of middle eastern (Iraqi) descent came and took over the "game" with innovative possibilities. Not only is she an architect but also a painter...it is my dream to have her design my home one day..and heck if I cant swing that at LEAST the furniture in it! The shoes will be retailing for $350 and you can check for them at Opening Ceremony, 35 Howard street... and other boutiques this September :)

SIN!!!!

2008-07-31T18:43:00.000-07:00

....they must be, simply because they are all too amazing not to be...forget the louboutin's in the last post (not for long because I may still want them..mom...dad...oprah..any takers?) but to indulge in any of the above from Pierre Hardy would take the place of the joy of eating...sleeping...and even breathing in my life...sigh well back to reality I found the addition of the fur particularly innovative on the patent evening/rihanna must own that... shoe..very different for Pierre Hardy, they could easily be mistaken for Givenchy or Chole...or even Lanvin hmm I dont know...nonetheless I will definately leave an open spot for any of the above on that dream list of mine....oh and the mens kicks...im totally diggin!

his and hers Pierre Hardy..whats better than that!

PLEASE mommy...or daddy or Oprah?

2008-07-31T15:02:00.000-07:00

I was most proud of this first pair of shoes...a pair of Michael Kors heels I scored this summer...at Nordstrom...love em love em recommend em to any girl like me who wants to go for "the look" and has no interest in participating in a segment of SCARRED on MTV...well they are more comfy than most flats I have!

Since we ARE on the subject of shoes...im beginning a "dream" list of one special thing I would like to take with me to Paris...and I found these cute vintage inspired Louboutin's at Barneys...C'EST MOI!!!!! I want them and I like them because they are "sensible" and I can hear my mother now asking me how many times I will wear them...and I have the defense argument prepared "but mom it is a nuetral color and the heel is not that high, I can wear it with almost anything and they have longevity in my closet because of the subdued toe!" :( but..if worst comes to worst i'll do like kanye did before he had it..close my eyes and IMAGINE :)

more "DREAM" items to come (OPRAH ARE YOU READING THIS?)

THE WOMEN...

2008-07-31T13:38:00.000-07:00

...my summer/fall project:

Students are to develop two separate Fall/Winter Collection Croquis Groups (one for a Sportswear, one for a Businesswear (Schoolwear) Collection) that utilize two different points of concepts for each grouping. The very personal inspiration should come from a favorite historical film (15th to mid-20th century), its mood, stories, its personalities, its settings, etc. which leads the student into two different concepts targeting two different, given categories and groups.

• Select one of the two groups and execute 6-8 Finishes, hinged layout format. Separate hinged flat layout, separate mood board, separate fabric board (swatches neatly trimmed, with fabric development and samples, all trims, hardware, etc.). No cut-out figures or flats. (Students do not need to execute finishes/flats for the other croquis group).

• Extensive imagery research about the inspiration source (one research board) which will lead the student into two different collection concepts visualized in two separate concept boards, story or mood boards including 3 to 5 keywords, main and additional colorcard for each concept.

GOOD STUFF HUH... here we go!