King said in an interview that this photograph was taken as he tried to explain to his daughter Yolanda why she could not go to Funtown, a whites-only amusement park in Atlanta. King claims to have been tongue-tied when speaking to her. “One of the most painful experiences I have ever faced was to see her tears when I told her Funtown was closed to colored children, for I realized the first dark cloud of inferiority had floated into her little mental sky.” – Time Magazine

I was probably about Yolanda’s age when it became apparent that  there were people who could be driven to anger by my skin colour. Without me even saying a word, they’d just see it and suddenly have something to say.

But then I have to smile, not only for the memories of my dad swooping in to tackle the issue with my school but also for all the positive affirmation my mum gave me at home.

All the pictures and facts of amazing inventors, artists, leaders and key historical figures that decorated the walls in our house, reminding me of all the things I have to be proud of from my history.

It made such a huge difference for me and my love of not just my culture but cultures in general. I just love hearing about the history that makes where you, you’re friend or great aunt’s husband might have come from. Everyone deserves to feel that the culture that made them is pretty amazing, right?

So anyway I wonder what the great speaker that was Martin Luther King said to battle his daughter’s “first dark cloud of inferiority”? I can imagine it was pretty amazing.

^{[via Time Magazine]}

A lots happened this year and to be honest balancing it all has been pretty demanding so  I haven’t had the time to commit to Harlem Loves as  much as I’ve wanted to. What has been truly amazing is that despite this I’ve received such amazing encouragement this year from readers, fellow bloggers, friends, family and the fantastic people who nominated me as a finalist for Precious Awards’ Blogger of The Year.

So as is becoming my tradition it’s time to share some of the blog highlights from the past 12 months. Thos things you’ve apparently enjoyed reading as much as I’ve enjoyed posting…

THE MUSIC: Looks like 2010 was a good year for jazz…

1. John Coltrane – Naima (1965)
“This is so deliciously yummy I could eat it. The “too-amazing-for words” saxophonist John Coltrane performs Naima live in Belgium 1965″

2. Trombone Shorty ft Lenny Kravitz – Something Beautiful
“There’s something truly great about finding a new artist to enjoy as we head towards summer.”

3. Esperanza Spalding – Little Fly
“This is bringing my day to a sweet close…”

the quotes: A new section introduced in 2010 featuring interesting words from interesting people…

1. Ambitious Girl x Wale
“see, I like the person that you are,
but I’m in love with the person that you have potential to be” – Wale

2. Will.I.Am – “the music industry is gone”
“The music industry is gone, but Twitter will inspire the next industry” – Will.i.am

3. Christina Perri – Jar of Hearts
“You’re gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul” – Christina

THE ART: Great to discover some new talents…

1. Hip Hop Prints x The Pairabirds
“How cute is the print by Tabitha Bianca Brown, the artistic genius behind The Pairabirds.”

2. Self Portrait x Daisy Giles
This is just gorgeous. Artist Daisy Giles shares this stunning self portrait.

3.Africa Bambara x Gangstuck
“Love this image by a French artist known as gangstuck who dedicated it to his brother Markus”

THE PHOTOGRAPH: European magazines were stepping up their game this year…

1. Nneka x German Vogue
“Check out these gorgeous pix of the Nigerian-German singer, Nneka in August’s German Vogue.”

2. Ebony Magazine 65th Anniversary Tribute Covers
“For it’s 65th anniversary Ebony Magazine has produced this fab series of tribute covers featuring everyone from Nia Long (as Dorothy Dandridge) to Usher (as Sammy Davis Junior).”

3. Chanel Iman x Elle Italia October 2010
“Gorgeous shots of Chanel Iman by photographer Matt Jones. After my experience of seeing the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre I’m loving the sense of movement in this.”

THE STYLE: The highstreet ruled mostly but great to see support for the independent boutique too…

1. Primark Autumn 2010 Collection
“Yup Primarni, I have my eye on you”

2. H&M Autumn Winter 2010
“Speaking of Jon Kortajarena, in the words of Madonna, this man knows how to ‘give good face’”

3. Agnes and Lola (African fashion boutique)
“Have you met Agnes and Lola? It’s a fab little UK-based “African fashion boutique” I’ve had the great pleasure of being introduced to…”

The Tresstastic: Always room for a little natural hair inspiration…

1. Shingai Shoniwa – Natural Hair, Vintage Style
“Shingai Shoniwa. Great voice, great style and great hair. I just love it.”

2. The Headwrap
“Winter is here. Which means hair-wise I’m in protective styling mode and my ends will not see the light of day until March.”

3. Mahogany Boisseau
“Awww just sooo pretty. I just love this whole look including the full and free flowing fro”

THE GIGGLES: Sesame Street gave me the most giggles this year and apparently you too…

1. Willow Smith Vs Sesame Street – Whip My Hair
“Some very smart and extremely funny person has brought Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair” together with Sesame Street’s “I Love My Hair” in a mash-up of genius proportions.

2. Never Say No To Panda
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched this and cracked up each time. I heart Pandas.

3. Grover vs Old Spice Man
“Sesame Street’s Grover takes on the award winning Old Spice commercial. You have to watch this, it’s fab!”

THE INTERIOR: I don’t know if it’s this time of austerity we seem to be living in but there seemed to be a lot of teeny tiny living in 2010.

1. Teeny Tiny Victorian Cottage
“Look at this teeny tiny…umm I guess you could call it shed that was converted into this victorian inspired hideaway.

2. David Kaihoi’s bold, beautiful and very small home
“How completely gorgeous and amazingly organized is David Kaihoi’s teeny tiny apartment.

3. Hot pink and blue room x Judith Balis
“I’ve always loved that look of a hot colour being teamed with bold black and white. It’s so exciting.”

THE SHOW: The Game’s is back in January!!! That is all.

The Game Season 4 Teaser Trailer
“The Game officially returns to US screens in January 2011 on BET and here’s a teaser trailer!”

What’s Wrong With X-Factor?
“There is something very wrong with X-factor this year.”

So You Think You Can Dance Season 7
“One of my life regrets is that I took music GCSE instead of dance. Not that I was on my way to becoming the next Ciara or anything but it’s fair to say it would’ve made more of an impact on my life then getting to Grade 2 on the trumpet ever has.”

So there it is. The posts you brought to the top in 2010. Thanks again for reading and sharing. Here’s to even bigger and better blogging in 2011.

Facts About Projection from Studiocanoe

So here are a few of my top categories I tend to post about and I thought I’d share the posts that you have made most popular followed by a few of my personal faves.

The Art:
Childhood by Michael Jackson – I was so surprised to see Michael Jackson was a talented artist too and apparently I wasn’t the only one.

Leonid Afremov – My personal favourite art post is a recent one featuring the work of Leonid Afremov. It just makes me feel warm inside during the stark winter.

The Design:
Arkitip Macbook Sleeves – Apple fans I salute you and your obvious dedication to Apple accessories by making this a top post.

Framed Objects x The. – These home accessories are just too cute. Seriously… cute!

The Destination:
El Palauet Deluxe Hotel – Barcelona – Glad to see you all appreciated this very cool hotel in one of my favourite cities too.

Aurora Australis – I had to share this as my personal favourite as it’s still my passion to go see the lights at some stage in my life. Sigh… one day.

The Experience:
I got my blackberry bold – So apparently my good news was also your good news as so many of you decided to read up on my experience of finally getting my phone. I have to say… I’m still a fan.

I Want To Hula, Obama’s Inauguration, Snow Day!!! – I know I’ve cheated and added three but honestly it was so hard to choose. Read them and see for yourself.

The Gadget:

Apple’s 5th Generation iPod Nano – I was so excited by this news and so were you

Special Edition Leica Camera – Just because it’s a beautiful looking gadget

The Giggles:
Harlem Vs Charlize Theron in J’Adore – I can’t believe such a recent post became so popular already but yes that’s what I get for confessing my secret and very random ambitions.

Pharrell’s Mad for McDonalds, Scary Bedtime Prayer – Watching these two videos still made me die with laughter… I’m just getting my breath back

The Interior:
Laura Ashley Spring Summer 2009 – I’m actually in full agreement with you here as it’s my favourite interiors post too. I’ll have to make sure I stay on top with sharing their new collection with you.

The Movie:
Precious (Trailer) – I never would have predicted all the controversy that’s since come out with the release of this movie. I still haven’t watched it either. To be honest it looks so morbid I’m not sure I could face it…

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof – This has been one of my favourite movies for years so it was a pleasure to share it with you. I also watched the play recently featuring, Phylicia Rashaad, Sanaa Lathan, James Earl Jones and Adrian Lester. I’ll do a review for you soon.

The Music:
Foster Sylvers – Misdemeanor – Now this really surprised me. Out of all the music I posted apparently this is your favourite. I won’t argue with you though, I love it too.

Amanda Diva – Neon, Mos Def- Casa Bey, Homecut ft Corinne Bailey Rae & Soweto Kinch – I Don’t Even Know – I had to cheat again, sorry. It was really hard not to post more but here are a few of my favourites.

The Photograph:
Kanye West & Crew Vs Paris Fashion Week – Glad to see this picture made you giggle as much as it did me.

Kelis x Oyster Magazine, Jourdan Dunn x Russian Vogue, Mmmmaxwell – All of these pictures were just too fierce for words.

The Show:
American Idol Judges Mansion – This was your favourite post out of The Shows… were you as gutted as me when Jamar left?

So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) – I talk about this show often and I’ll keep doing so… it’s just sooooo great!

The Stationery:
Doane Paper Utility – Aww the lovely people at Doane Paper were very sweet to me when they read of my love for their notebook. I totally agree with you guys and have made this my top fave too.

The Style:
Primark Autumn 2009 – Who loves a bargain? We do! We do!

Giuseppe Zanotti Shoes – This post had to be pulled out of the archives. I mean how often can a girl say the object of her shoe dreams came true?

The Video:

The Making of i-D Magazine’s PYT cover – That cover is so iconic, apparently you just had to see how it was made.

Lauryn Hill Live – This video was too great not to share. Lauryn doing her thing when she did it best.

So there you have it a Harlem Loves year in review. It’s been truly amazing with a number of unexpected but thoroughly enjoyable events and surprises. I’m rushing off now to enjoy the festivities so ciao for now and I’ll see you in the new year.

But yes that is the way my mind works and after watching this video for a trip down memory lane I wonder if it may be partly to blame for my appetite for the random… I mean seriously what kind of kid finds a supermouse entertaining… me apparently.

On the other hand they might just decide they want to come up and join in on the endless stream of fun that is Lucky Voice karaoke.

The party box (£45) gives you a taster of the fab times to be had at their karaoke bars in various locations across Britain including Soho, Islington, Manchester and Cardiff.

To give you a bit of background to my fanaticism, I first came across Lucky Voice when a friend took me to the Soho bar to celebrate her birthday. Up until this point I would have sworn I was karaoke-phobic but apparently all I need is a cushy private booth, cool lighting and a genius song list, and I am the happiest (and loudest) girl in the land.

Love it.

[via Wallpaper]

She might as well have been in my house it’s so close to where I grew up. I am both thrilled and sad I missed it but here’s the video below.

Whoop Whoop! EGA I Salute You!

Admittedly, even now I will still hum the legendary theme tune, randomly sing the pinball countdown or burst out in Manamanah.

But truly the greatest song which will be passed down in the bath time experiences of my future children to their children, and their grandchildren, and their great grand children for ever and ever.. and ever… is Do De Rubber Duck.

The idea was to start work early and take a late break at 3.30pm. I would then spend 30 minutes, driving to my mum’s where I would arrive in time for the 4pm start of inauguration activities and pick up work where I left off. Like I said, that was the idea but not quite what happened.

15:50pm
Myself and my sister are scrambling round my house. I’m fretting now and declare to my sister that unlike our experience of being late for New Years we can’t just park up and watch the events unfold from a field. In other words it’s time to go!

16:15pm
In my sister’s words, I’m driving like Cruella DeVille as we make our way to our mum’s. I’m frantically trying to find a radio station that can tell me what’s going on and am very annoyed to be hearing everything from Girls Aloud to some dude asking when will people realise that whales are more precious than cod.

16:35pm
I do a swift and surprisingly near- perfect park in the bay infront of my mum’s house. And rush in just in time to catch Rik Warren’s opening prayer. My responses to various parts of this ceremony are as follows:

• Aretha Franklin – She looks lovely. The hat is risky but it really suits her. Go Diva Go! (Speaking of which, Aretha really doesn’t strike me as the female version of a hustler)
• Joe Biden’s Oath – I think I quite like Jill Biden’s red coat
• Musical Selection – How cute is Anthony McGill? Must google him later
• Obama becomes President – Can’t believe this is happening. Did he just stumble on the oath? I wonder if they’re really nervous? (Later discover it may have been the other guy’s fault)
• President Obama’s Speech – I bet this is going to be amazing. He’s sounding quite sombre though, like he’s trying to manage expectations and avoid the hysteria this moment could create. Overall a solemn but effective speech
• Elizabeth Alexander’s Poem – Huh?
• Rev E. Lowry – Wow this man is soooo old. His speech is good though. Hold on, is he rhyming? I love this guy!

PS: I feel like I’ve missed something? What do you think?

Ever since I found out Radio 2 dedicates Sunday afternoons to a playlist full of Hollywood classics, movie star blues and big band numbers, my musical appetite seems to run in that direction over the latter half of the weekend.

So in keeping with this tradition I thought I’d share a bluesy number which became one of my favourites long before Beyonce decided to take on the role of the singer in the upcoming movie Cadillac Records.

The song is of course At Last, a classic by Etta James.

[audio:http://www.weddingannouncer.com/music/1249/etta-james-at-last.mp3]

The strip by Aaron McGruder (pictured left) featured in several US newspapers and provided a witty look at cultural and political issues via the strip’s 10-year old protagonist, Huey Freeman.

Controversial as it may sound (I have friends who still look at me like I’m Sarah Palin at a Greenpeace rally when I say this) I do not like the cartoon series that the strip was so unfairly sacrificed for.

It’s a real shame, as I would have loved to see what Huey and Riley would have said about Obama but in memory of one of the greatest comic strips (and in dedication to the video game fanatics out there) this one’s for you.

I was just browsing YouTube and came across the 90s classic that is Donnell Jones singing “You know that I love you”. Listening to it gave me such a back in the day feeling I had to share the video with you.

With that in mind, am I the only one who’s noticed the rise in 90s nostalgia? Is it the sign of a reluctantly aging generation?

Even if it was, the worse that can happen is we’ll gain those rose-tinted glasses the older generation seem to enjoy and live safe in the knowledge that we enjoyed the best years.

Donnell Jones sings You Know That I Love You

What do you think?
Would this be in your 90s playlist? What songs would you have? What’s Donnell even up to these days?