AURAL PLEASURE : SOLANGE

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A few weeks have passed and I am just now 

coming down from a lyrically induced high

imparted by Solange. 

If you are a longtime reader, you already know 

my sentiments about and toward Solange...

(For the sake of time I will simply leave the link for your backtracking pleasure). 

Over the past couple of months, Solange has been hinting 

at some form of audio-visual greatness that was sure 

to change the landscape. 

Little did we know what we were in store for. 

Following the overall tone of activism in 2016, 

in order for us to stand up, she had us sit down with 

A Seat At The Table. 

Beginning with the track listing....

We almost didn't need to hear the album to

understand exactly the tone and direction we would

be heading in. Fully aware of her efforts to restore the 

imagery of and in the black community, this was her 

monument and her falsetto was the chisel. 

With tracks titled " F.U.B.U"  "Mad" and "Don't Touch My Hair" 

you instantly heard the frustrations that echo

any standard brunch/water cooler chat/twitter feed by a

black female. 

A fantastic and resounding contradiction is what this is...

so melodic and soft, familiar of love ballads, if you will, 

yet it is essentially a roaring battle cry, pleading for 

basic human respect. 

The interludes: typically the parts one would fast forward through 

in order to get to the meat of an album. 

Except here the interludes are the bones...the marrow really. 

providing all the flavor and nourishment to this

meal which we aren't worthy of receiving. 

With features from both parents 

Matthew Knowles and Tina Lawson, 

providing insight on their individual black experience, 

to Master P's dissection of his hustle and building of his 

No Limit empire, it has been rightfully placed

at the musical alter right beside Lauryn Hill's 

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album.(1998)

Solange blessed us 100 fold by quickly following up the 

album release with visuals to "Cranes In The Sky" & 

"Don't Touch My Hair".  Unless you have been hiding under

a boulder for the past 5 or so years, you are full aware of 

Solange's knack for making any and everything visually 

delectable by simply putting her pinky in it. 

The anticipation rivaled that of 17 year old boys on prom night.

Let's just say it was high.  Leaking still-shots days before on 

her beautifully curated Instagram feed, Solange 

gave us jolts of monochromatic and botanic electricity. 

What was presented can not be digested through reading, 

only consumed through watching for oneself. 

The impeccably styled visuals

feature black men and women appearing 

more regal and desirable than ever. 

Far gone are the images of the stereotypes or the over-sexualization of 

black women. It taps into the norm and the stripped down beauty.

(Surprise! we don't all randomly twerk in the grocery store) 

The men, were firmly present, yet not "hard or coarse" as they 

are typically depicted.

(Surprise Again! Not every black man is a gun toting gangsta!)

If you have yet to listen to the album, 

I strongly encourage you to do your soul some good 

and  treat yourself

to a masterfully produce bit of music.

Your senses will thank you.

Until next time...

xo, 

Kel 

AURAL PLEASURE: BEEN TO THE MOON BY CORINNE BAILEY RAE

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It's been a long time coming.
forever girl crush and voice crush...
In all her glory, the video for Been To The Moon is
quite literally a visual feast and leaves much to be anticipated
from her forthcoming album
The Heart Speaks In Whispers due out this May.
Definitely, a more mature being + sound from her debut album,
Not a stretch or unfathomably different....
but, for someone like myself that has grown with her,
And it is more than welcomed....
wild hair and all.

Until next time.
xo.
Kel 

AURAL PLEASURE : DROP BY CHLOE + HALLE

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when youth doesn't disappoint....

Until next time.

xo, 

Kel 

GIRLS THAT DO: MARIAN KIHOGO

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"Trends are fickle, but innate style should be lauded, celebrated, and put on a pedestal."

When you can't pin-point what is phenomenal about something, 

you are typically found gobsmacked. 

That is precisely my reaction upon discovering Marian Kihogo.

Her Headwear.  Her Wristwear.  Her Footwear. Her Everything

is everything.  And she is absolutely correct. Mastering style should be celebrated

because layering gobs of texture, color, and enamel is no easy feat. 

Go ahead and find yourself hypnotized by her. 

For more style inspo, check out my Style Crushes and other Girls That Do. 

Until next time...

xo, 

Kel

HAPPY 20-SWERVE-TEEN

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First and Foremost...

Heeeeeeeey!!!

Happy 2016 loves. Long time no play, huh.

I'm going to keep this brief and spare you the long, drawn out

"see what had happened was" Schpeal and just leave it 

at I was handling business and taking care of my troops. 

I figured I would bring the blog back on a high note 

that kind of matches how I am feeling (not looking) these days. 

Can we talk about how the pact Adriana made to get her to stop aging!!!

Insanity, I tell you. 

Any whooo, I will be doing some light posting 

to get back in the swing of things and give those of 

you that are still hanging

a run down of some fun that be happening in the coming weeks/months.

  Hope you are all in for a fabulous weekend. 

Can't wait to chat more.

Until next time, 

Kel  

AURAL PLEASURE : YUNA

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Every season I habitually latch on to a new artist that kind of sets the tone for the season. 

This time around it is Yuna.  Yes I know I am a smidgen bit late on this train, 

but this is definitely a case of better late than never.

What a refreshing sound that is beyond welcomed amongst the sea of....whatever they call this 

"ugh-ness" playing on the radio these days.  (do I sound old and grandmotherly yet?)

Definitely see this blaring during my weekends shuffling around the house

 or just letting it play in the background during a work day. 

AND I won't even step into how epic her style is, because that is seriously just the cherry.

Take a moment and hook yourself on this a bit...

Until next time...

xo, 

Kel

AURAL PLEASURE : JHENE AIKO

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new load up...

Jhene Aiko

Enjoy

SO SO

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I have been slightly trapped by the baby. 

If I budge he will wake up... and it has been a very long day

so I am succumbing to his reign-pulling way. 

Plus he looks crazy cute so, it's all good. 

I'm also getting a minute to just chill and binge on some

Solange--interviews, videos, music. 

I won't go down the road of how cool she is, cause I won't be 

able to keep it brief. 

So find out for yourself and peep this interview and this sesh.

--Kel

DISCOVER ME: FEMME

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 So I am going to go on the record to say,

I am not a "fan" of Beyonce. 

(checks over shoulders for the instant attack from her hive)

(no seriously, I'm checking and slightly scared.)

I never express my sentiments about her outside of my home for the fear of the lashing

and subsequent stutter that stems from my walking on egg shells as if I were 

talking about someones grandmother or religion. 

I don't intend on elaborating extensively here, because the emotion behind my feelings 

towards her is a bit layered and honestly far too complex and probably boring for one to 

read. But on that same record I can say that I admire Beyonce. 

Contradictory much? (blame the post- postpartum hormones)

Where does this stem from you ask? Well, you already know the answer to that.

Her recent massacre on the music distribution platform created a media frenzy that was hard to ignore. Even for me.  So I surrendered...slightly. 

I ventured over to youtube to view her behind the scenes and "reasons why" she 

decided to launch her latest project this way. Intriguing to say the least.

One thing I never argued about when it can to Beyonce was her hustle. 

To be frank, she makes shit happen. And she does it big. 

I, like many, was already on Twitter following a Scandal Thursday tweet up and 

watched my timeline shift to complete shock and fangirl screams as she debuts her secret album. 

And as I rolled my eyes and scoffed at the redundancy of the "#BOWDOWN's and Queendom proclamations, I simultaneously proclaimed her a genius. 

Yes, without even hearing a track. It was pure genius from a publicity 

and business perspective.

And coincided almost perfectly with my "vision for 2014" declarations. 

Don't Speak. Just Do. 

aka... don't flap your gums about all the magic you are hoping to create in the new year, 

Whether it is scheduled, already photographed, or paid for. Just do it and when it

is fully matured, then release it. So much can happen that could set everything you are working toward to fail. Why not eliminate the need to have to deal with the doubt of the nay-sayers, extend deadlines, or apologize about delays and just do it and let the surprise of it all be the ultimate reward.

(I'm sure there is a far better summary of all this wrapped in a beautifully packaged 

Joel Olsteen or Dalai Lama quote.) 

What does all this have to do with the video above. 

Well, in one of the two videos Beyonce posted, she referenced her discovery of 

feminists Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.  This was also a discovery for me. 

While many of my emotions stem from very feminists like roots I thought that

I would tap into her speech. And what'll know?! The bells chimed blissfully and 

articulated so much of what I have tried to say for years about the workforce, 

high school, relationships, pop culture and beyond. 

The correlation between Chimamanda's speech and what Beyonce was able to achieve with her debut, is showing young girls that one does not have to sacrifice their being in order to be seen and gain the respect and / or accolades that are due. Women don't have to dilute themselves nor do they have to compete or tear down in order to stand firm on their plot. But instead should inspire and unearth that which has been masked by the constant display of competitiveness and female gender thrashing on reality tv.

 I'm not 100% certain this comes across clear... and yes it might be slightly soapbox-y 

but hey...all in all that deserves respect.

INTIMATE STRANGERS

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What a beautiful subject to capture.

 As an avid people watcher I love the idea of actually 

getting a chance to interact with these "characters" as I call them, 

in real live. Lately, I have been very gung-ho on meeting strangers. 

In a safe setting of course. 

It's mainly been at the grocery markets. I've met 

2 elderly men. Both happen to be in their mid 70s

One from Pakistan. The other from Iran.

And even more strangely they both asked to race me to my car. 

Maybe it's a common joke for waddling pregnant women. 

I obliged with a slight scoot. They both beat me terribly and proceeded two 

indulge me in their long career history while loading my bags. 

It was sincere and uninhibited. They had the kindest eyes and sweet pats

on the back as they departed while wishing me well with my future baby.

In essence, maybe turning your nose up at the gentleman next to you 

on the bus is the wrong approach. We've placed ourselves in such a bubble

that we are missing opportunities to actually spread joy outside of our typical circles. 

So, here's a double-dog dare for ya! 

Go somewhere. Anywhere. Say "hello" to a stranger and follow that up with a

"how's life treating you these days?" Now their response may not 

be receptive to your random act of kindness and curiosity, 
because the shell of their bubble is thick too, but it's ok. 

Your branch was extended and growth was made.

Hope this leads you to an inspiring story, kind eyes and well wishes.--Kel

YOUNG & BEAUTIFUL

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I've been team Lana since forever.

I wish some of her old tracks were available for purchase somewhere

because they are so raw. Most are very black & white/hot or cold with her,

but she's my ride or die...

This song kept me up a few nights in a row for 

its simple haunting undertone. 

If you've seen The Great Gatsby (The Baz version)

you have probably heard it before during the scene where 

Daisy is visiting Gatsby's digs for the first time. 

But just in case you haven't, I thought I'd share what's got

 my ears itching lately. 

Any new music recommendations you've got are always welcome. 

I need to re-beef up my library. --Kel

MADE TO LOVE

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It is early Sunday morning and I'm awake when I 

know I should be asleep, but this song is in my head. 

The commercial featuring it just aired a bit ago, so I 

blame it for my insomnia.

John Legend can go ahead an claim his place as my favorite 

living male vocalist. 

We danced to "So High" at our wedding and his 

album "Once Again" was pretty much the soundtrack 

to our courtship.

(I mean Save Room....Heaven Only Knows?? C'Mon)

Anywho, I had to post the video more so for it's intoxicating imagery.

It's stunning really.

CG has a place, and while it think a lomo lens is lovely, I enjoyed the use of it here.

And from a photographic perspective, there is nothing more pure than 

flesh on flesh that is not so overtly pornographic. 

But passionate. 

 I am overdue for an ITunes haul... and this is at the top of my list. 

What knew music are you guys listening to that I should add to my list?--Kel

DISCOVER YOU

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**Warning: Nudity throughout the video, so watch this when you leave the office!**

This journey has not been candy-coated.

my pregnancy thus far has been exhaustive and occasionally left 

me terrified for reasons purely vain.

other than coping with the fact that I can't have my nightly glass of wine with my 

guilty-pleasure tv, I am coming to grips with the fact that

my body is no longer mine and it is morphing. Again.

Like most women who have been pregnant or even struggled with

your metabolism slowing down in your latter 20s, (at 26 it hit a brick wall)

you catch a glimpse of yourself naked in the mirror, prepped for

your shower and you are stopped by a "what they hell happened to my _____!!"moment 

you notice a new dimple, not on your face. your breast are trying to befriend your navel.

that crease on your back has grown deeper. 

your profile reads more like a long sigh.

I dip in and out of this slump simply because i feel alone 

at times. a 20 something with a mini and one on the way, with breast that are only in their

glory when I'm pregnant and the energy level of some 80 year old's

...hell I dont look like these lustful goddesses on tumblr.

Then I stumbled upon Jade Beall's initiative.

 Her photographic, super sized, post-it reminder to woman to

give that nagging voice in your head the finger and celebrate the reason

those tiger stripes exist. celebrate the birth mark. the pudge. the uneven breast.

 the weighed-down cheeks. the ripples. all of it. it is yours. 

Quiet down that megaphone enhanced voice inside your head

and find a way to enjoy your life and the body that will carry you through it.

 

hope this finds you well....

Cheers & Bisous---Kel

 

MORSEL OF JOY

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This one goes out to you all in the cubes...

I know it's Friday and you are rejoicing because in a few hours

you will be free. 

But for now you are staring into excel sheets, 
Listening to you boss pass on yet another project on your plate, 
sneaking status updates

on Facebook, and eating leftovers that you really

 didn't want to take for lunch today. 

Here is a morsel of joy and laughter to carry you over that next hump of today... 

until 4:30/5/6 (dare I say 7) when you can cheers it all 

away to the frickin weekend (RiRi style)

--Kel

DISCOVER ART / JUDITH ANN BRAUN

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This  proof of magic could have been very useful as a kid

after I finger painted on walls.

Judith Ann Braun has mastered a delicacy 

in our favorite style of painting as a child. 

Symmetrical swipes replace the gloppy masses of

 muddled colors that reflect the sporadic nature and 

freedom of the craft. But instead we are able to see 

a calculation and evenness of pressure that assuredly

leads to steady rate and stroke.

All I know is that from here on out

I will be hoarding all of Chloe's fingerprint trees and families that she 

creates in class.... You never know what it can amount to.

Here she is in action! Pretty captivating, right?

I urge you to dive a little deeper into Judith's work

over here. 

Enjoy!--Kel

SHINY PONIES

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Why?

Because it's Wednesday and you have an inbox full of

BS that you would rather put off until another era. 

Your bills are due and you would rather burn 

that stack of envelopes in a car fire. 

You ate that extra piece of 

(insert guilt-food)

and now you

feel bad.

That is not just the reason for the video. 

It is the reason for a video featuring

(Grande Dame) Jenna Lyons 

(aka my cool aunt--i tease that it's one of the reasons i married my hub. 

Just to be a Lyons)

talking about that which brings pleasure, sweats, and shivers

to all women no matter what her style is....

Shoes. 

 Go ahead and rest your hand under your chin.

Pause the video several times to swoon a little 

longer at those floral "mullet" pumps. 

Hell, just replay it 8 times like I did and 

completely ignore life for 2.5 seconds

and instead indulge in this dose of

lovely. 

Bious---Kel 

SILENCE

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Marina Abramovic and Ulay started an intense love story in the 70s, performing art out of the van they lived in. When they felt the relationship had run its course, they decided to walk the Great Wall of China, each from one end, meeting for one last big hug in the middle and never seeing each other again. At her 2010 MoMa retrospective Marina performed ‘The Artist Is Present’ as part of the show, a minute of silence with each stranger who sat in front of her. Ulay arrived without her knowing it and this is what happened.

such a lovely find this video was...

The only blunder was the applause. 

Sometimes I wish people can do exactly what Marina has done here

and bottle up the emotion, only slightly, and release it in a way so pure

and tender to the moment.  Noise can be such a stain to 

the beauty that is silence.  

Slapping your hands together or shouting or evening talking to show

happiness, or approval is probably one of the most overrated 

gestures we have to date. 

 

As for me, I am quite fond of people watching. 

Not in a creepy, peering through your windows sort of way. 

Moreso in an I'm sitting at a cafe and possibly staring for 2 minute intervals

at someone across the room way. 

Only because I find the fact that there are so many people

we interact with indirectly everyday, yet will never know 

their name. So I look into them and mental ask them questions that 

will never be answered.  I play out their day based on their disposition

I find them in... sometimes I pray for them. Sometimes I don't. 

Sometimes I actually approach them and converse, but that is rare. 

I would hate for them to ruin the picture I have painted in my head about them.

To answer those questions and sour the beauty of my own answer with 

some level of ignorance and looseness. 

So... we remain strangers. We may see each other the following day in the 

elevator or cafe or pumping gas and

I still will not know their name. 

Next time you attend a stage play or watch your child

dance in the living room, try to refrain from using your 

typical vehicle of expression. Rather be silent

and let the pleasantries embed themselves in you and 

escape only to wash over you. 

Just try....

---Kel

DISCOVER ART / DISCOVER BEAUTY

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by Shane Koyczan

A hauntingly beautiful message is what this is...

I had this prepped for next week, but there was no way I could sit on it any longer. 

it's something we all need devour as opposed to simply taste. 

let it wash over you. let it sit in your belly heavily like grits.

whether you were the poked or the prodder. 

Enjoy---Kel

DISCOVER ME / 1

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Not sure what avenue this post will lead to, but I'm taking the ride any how.

I was presented with a blogger award, by one of my 

readers and one of the requirements was to tell you all

7 things that you may not know about me. 

The blog has been around for 4 years, so I'm not 100% sure 

of what I have omitted and divulged. 

Sporadically, I will release a few nuances that 

you might not find out unless you are in my world. 

And because I try to be transparent here, I'm having a tough time

coming up with a neatly numbered list. 

So here goes....

ROSHAMBO

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 Roshambo

1. It's Charlie!! (Christopher Abbott)

(recently added to my list of "guy's that make my eyes glisten".)

2. It's about love rekindled--- personally, I think it's the best kind.

3. It's Free People

Free People is one of those rare entities that has the ability to 

find the right girl, with the right hair, with the right tattoos, lovin the right guy

and it makes us all want to be her in that moment. 

Whether she's wearing a large feather headdress...

frosted sequins with snow in her hair... or running 

through the fields in the Spring. 
There is a constant...and the message is never vague or muddled. 
Always loud and clear, who they are targeting and why. 

They have the wand that makes you magic.  
(I guess what you're hearing is the love i have URBN brands.)
They've always been able to feed me through all my phases.

Enjoy! ---Kel