Song of the Day

Beautiful black folks strolling the streets of Paris — love it! (...As if you couldn't tell from a previous post.) This head-bobbing retro-inspired track by Liam Bailey makes me smile and want to eat crepes and go to Sacre Coeur.

I need a muse like a MoFo

I am constantly reading parenting/style/design blogs and lamenting the lack of p.o.c. represented (I'm one of those pesky people who actually sends complain-y letters to the editor). Now, here's Mater Mia, giving a voice to super-stylish women of color who discuss their different routes on the mommy track. 

I only just now discovered it, so there are probably flaws that my hater-vision will ultimately catch. But the concept is really speaking to me. Wardrobe stylist moms, Broadway actress moms, poet moms, journalist moms [cough, cough]. They all seem so aspirational — it's simultaneously enducing gooseflesh, guilt and nausea. I want in!

That subscription to O Magazine my mother none-too-subtly gifted me is not having the desired life-improving effect. Frankly, I don't feel inspired to do anything with the monthly issues, other than cut up their pretty pictures for use in my gift wrapping collage projects. Mater Mia, on the other hand, might just do the trick. 

So, I'm wondering, where's the L.A. equivalent of this New York-based mothering site? Is the universe — by way of HuffPo and my tipster friend, Tembi — telling me that I should seize the moment and helm such a site of my own? 

Hmm. 

It's not outside the realm of possibility. Plus, it would give me a tangible excuse to just go up to interesting-looking strangers and start talking to them (not as effortless in L.A. as it is on the East Coast).

Of course, it is far more likely that I will go have a sulk over a bowl of popcorn. But, hey, after the bowl's all emptied...

Art I Heart — Naoshi

The other day, I decided budgets are for chumps and stopped by Clover to engage in the age-old art of "buying stuff that, even in the instant that you're entering your pin number, you know you're going to return." I am disturbingly good at this, people. One purchase that's a guaranteed keeper: greeting cards by Yakahama, Japan artist, Naoshi.

She uses a technique called "sunae," which, according to her site, means shiny, colorful sand. Bursting with cuteness, right? As with most of the art that really gets to me, her style suits both kids and adults suffering (or, maybe, "blessed with"?) arrested development.

See more after the jump.

For the Love of Lists — Things I'm excited about this summer

1. Beasts of the Southern Wild. I just listened to an interview with the director and read an interview with the teeny little star and I am beyond excited about the July 6 release. I haven't really tracked an opening date like this in a while (other than Moonrise Kingdom, which I reviewed merely as "better than Darjeeling and Team Zissou, but, still...").

I've already watched the trailer an unreasonable amount of times.




2. Louie, Season 3 starting this week. I love a show that makes me a little uncomfortable and sweaty (the husband's pick of Breaking Bad makes me too, too uncomfortable and sweaty). Now that Louis CK is back in my life, he can fill the face-palm hole that Girls' season closer left in my life. (As for the latter, I fell for the hype hook, line and sinker. Loves that show.)

3. Our upcoming family trip to Toronto. Yes, it's still a month+ away, but I love pre-pre-planning my vacations. Thus far, I know AGO — we'll be there just in time to catch the Picasso exhibit — and the Ontario Science Center are on the itinerary. If you've been to TO (is it lame to call it that, á la, Frisco?) and have recommendations for exceptional espresso beverages and/or bougie dining, do please leave them in the comments.

For the Love of Lists — Get A Life Fest

I've been trying to reclaim my social life, but I must say that over the past year, things have been dragging. This is, chiefly, because I don't have a dedicated party posse like in the Austin Days of Yore (sniff). The last few weeks, though, have signaled a return to form. The iCal has filled with more than just first graders' birthday parties, school volunteering obligations and dental appointments.

Just what have I been doing? To the lists!

Shows/gigs that were well worth the cost of the babysitter:
1. Lianne La Havas at Bootleg Theater — She's charming, a solid songwriter, has great stage presence, and comes across as a less treacly version of Corinne Bailey Rae. The packed crowd — from where I stood, an odd blend of alterna-black girls and middle-aged white dudes in business attire — was spellbound. And, though, I refuse to chalk this up to anything more than urban legend, for the sake of my fragile constitution, Stevie Wonder was reportedly one of the admiring onlookers. I NEED to disbelieve these reports; surely, if my idol was in the building, my radar would've gone off.


Check out La Havas serenading Parisian shoppers:



Lianne La Havas | No Room For Doubt | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.



Click through to see more...

Watch This — The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl

It almost hurts to admit it: I watch "Single Ladies."

There. Ripped that Band-Aid right on off. I feel liberated...but no less dirty.

Now, I don't watch it to the point where I know all the characters' names by heart, nor do I even have the programming info memorized. But if it's on (and it's, seemingly, always on), I'll watch it.

I'm shamefaced about this because — for those of you who can honestly say they've never seen it — it is horrendous. It's like a black "Sex and the City" set in some R&B music video fantasy depiction of Atlanta. There is zero acting ability involved, with emphasis placed, instead, on a.) how well (outgoing) star Stacey Dash is preserving herself and, b.) how short and tight a dress can possibly be before it's considered a tank top.

And, sadly, "Single Ladies" is one of the few predominately black ensemble cast shows on scripted TV anymore. It makes me long for "A Different World," or even "Moesha."

I'm not saying it's "set the race back" bad, but it certainly isn't charting any new, or needed territory. All the same, it's proving to be ratings gold for VH1. Meanwhile, innovator Issa Rae has to resort to Kickstarter pan-handling to fund her series of webisodes, "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl."

Full disclosure: It took me a few episodes to get into "ABG," but by the end of Ep 4, I was all in. I'm even anxiously awaiting the latest installment (promised for next Thursday, Sept. 8). I could explain it all, but it's best to just watch the series for yourself. Here's the first episode...

Wantables, The Birthday Edition — Yoóbu Bags

Parasol tote by outofafrika, $90.

Around this time of year, I start crafting birthday wish lists (much like when I was 16). Who's going to use them to advise their purchases? No one (much like when I was 16).

Wishful thinking, or no, these handcrafted Yoóbu bags by outofafrika (found via Fly) are certainly on this year's list.

Mustard wristlet, $48.

The wristlets seem like perfect pop-of-color accessories to add to otherwise basic outfits. But my "carry nothing beside ID, ATM card, keys and lip gloss" days are long behind me. As such, the big shoulder bags and totes speak to my pack mule/Mom reality.

Kaleidoscope bag, $105.

The Denise Huxtable in me thoroughly approves!

So, if any of you readers want to pool your resources and get on my VERY good side, y'all now know what's up!