I have to admit I’m a late arrival to the Janelle Monae appreciation society, though I’ve been mingling in the Janelle Monae “hmmm interesting” society for a while (thanks to an intro by my girl Lolly) but this album definitely changed my views.

So much so we’re currently taking a little break as I was practically listening to it every day for two weeks straight and I think I need to miss it for a bit. This tracks one of my faves though, alongside Locked Inside, Cold War and of course Tightrope.

Enjoy.

And not only that but these trainers are the answer to so many other dilemmas we face? I mean they could totally ease the process of letting go of your favourite teddy? Plus it’s a great way to ensure your feet look sufficiently friendly between manicures and… well… then there’s the um….. err the pinkness. I mean look at that fluffy pinkness what more could you possibly want?

In the meantime I wonder who’s music video these might turn up in?

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility if you discover pinkness is not actually a word x

[via Hypebeast]

After enjoying a browse of their gorgeous ranges (Chichia dresses and Bernos tees are my faves) I had the opportunity to ask the lovely Lola to tell me more about herself and the inspiration behind the boutique, and here’s what she had to say:

When I told a childhood friend that I was staring a boutique, she reminded me that when we were younger, I used to sew clothes for my dolls so this seemed like a natural step. It suddenly occurred to me that I hadn’t changed much!

I was born in London, grew up in Lagos until my teens, then moved back to London. Growing up with a mother who wears things like lime green faux crocodile skin shoes and bright geles, you almost have no choice than to become fascinated by fashion. However, I moved away from this fascination and decided to study French at university. I have to admit that I was lured by the opportunity of spending a year in Paris! This turned out to be an early blessing as it was in Paris that I first noticed how people wore African prints in a contemporary style and it got me thinking about Ankara prints like I had never done before. Years later and I have opened an online boutique selling African fashion.

Agnes and Lola is my passion and keeps me inspired beyond 9 to 5. I love the designers and the different ways they use African fabrics, from the Tanzanian khanga to Madagascan raffia. We aim to be a gem of a boutique, providing chic African style with quality service, all the while remaining ethical.

*Sigh* Such enterprising stories never fail to make me happy so an official Love Harlem salute to you Lola

So, much love to all my great friends and amazing family who have made this day so special. And here’s to the lessons learned from the past, to all the wonderful things to come and to all the other lovely August babies. Happy Birthday!

I haven’t really tried the hat and fro combo which she rocks so well. I’m feeling inspired

[via Paris Most Wanted]

And in other news Esperanza is giving away a free MP3 from the new album which you can get from her website www.esperanzaspalding.com. Yay!

Chamber Music Society is out now.

Aside from this clogs epidemic (?!?) We seem to be venturing into a season of relaxed wear. Nice!

1: Leonardo DiCaprio. Great casting number 1. This guy is so intense. He’s a quality actor for sure. It’s like his face was just framed to carry off intensity. I mean have you seen his eyebrows. In-tense. With all that in mind he kept me completely captivated throughout.

2: Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Great casting number 2. This guy used to have me cracking up as Tommy Solomon in 3rd Rock from the Sun and I’m so impressed with some of the roles he’s taken since. He was brilliant in (500) Days of Summer and I thought he was pretty awesome in this too, a little bit dark, a little bit cheeky and apparently very skilled in a fight.

3: The Beginning.There was a moment at the beginning where I wasn’t entirely sure I’d ‘get it’. I think that was intentional though. For the first five minutes they just throw you into the deep end with nothing to guide you so you really need to pay attention. Eventually all becomes clear but I liked that initial challenge.

4: The Ending. I’ve heard people applauded at the end of this film. Which doesn’t surprise me. It’s pretty epic but what is the real takeaway meaning? It’s too deep to be just entertainment. Too complicated to be just an action film or a thriller. It’s just very philosophical. is it a challenge for us to examine the things that keep us grounded? Is it a warning to the world of commerce on the consequences of persuasive advertising? Is it asking us to examine how we should handle moments of dissatisfaction with our present state?

5: Be prepared to have very, very strange dreams after watching. I’ve seen this film twice and both times I’ve had weird dreams about dreaming within a dream and whether I’m really awake. A number of people have said the same thing happened to them too so be warned, whilst your enjoying the film your subconscious is apparently getting a little trippy.

PS: Did I mention I’m learning to play guitar? I’ll have to do a blog post on it soon.

Read all about how and why they put this together on their blog then click the image below to watch the full length animation.

PS you should check out her blog too. Lovely.

With that in mind I don’t know why I tortured myself by watching So You Think You Can Dance season 7 other than to say as usual it was an amazing season and I just had to share some of my favourite performances:

Top 6 Group Performance: Sting – Every LIttle Thing She Does Is Magic

Billy, Ade and Alex: Dinah Washington / Max Richter – This Bitter Earth / On The Nature Of Daylight

And a few others I wasn’t able to embed but you have to watch:

• Billy and Ade perform contemporary piece to Mad World
• Lauren and Twitch hip hop performance to My Chick Bad
• Lauren and Twitch hip hop performance to Power
• Adechike and Comforts hip hop routine to Fallin’
• Kent and Neil’s contemporary routine to How It Ends
• Robert and Alison contemporary routine to Fix You

Throughout this season I’ve just been so impressed by the dancing so here’s my 5 on it:

1. Kent and Lauren both had amazing personalities but every single performance by Lauren was just breath-taking. Her solos were beyond anything and she absolutely deserved to win.
2. Billy should be brought back as a choreographer. The things he can do with his body are ridiculous. Just ridiculous.
3. Alex Wong, as the judges commented, was way beyond the standards for this show. Amazing dancer. I would actually pay to see this guy perform.
4. I missed the season of SYTYCD where Alison competed but I’m so glad they brought her in as an All Star. She is excellent and totally committed in every performance. No wonder her an Alex’s performance together was so potent.
5. Ade and Twitch. I can watch these guys all day. Ade is built like such a man I hardly expect him to move the way he does as a contemporary dancer, which is what makes it all the more extraordinary when he does. As for Twitch, I’ve always been a fan, he has so much personality. Plus they’re both pretty cute.

I also have to applaud Nigel Lythgoe, the series’ judge and executive producer for introducing National Dance Day to the States. That’s such an achievement and I’m so impressed he managed to pull it off. Let’s hope he brings it over to the UK.

Don’t think I’m entirely convinced by the hair cut. Though it could be an ode to Wintour. What do you think?

Seeing this fruit salad (which I hunted though a million blogs to find) reminded me of those moments. (Psst click image for recipe.)

[via lecoil]

I’m in love with your business
and your productivity is the reason I interest,
ambitious girl
see, I like the person that you are,
but I’m in love with the person that you have potential to be
and all your dreams sharing with me
and your secrets baring with me
and the flaws, you ain’t even got to mention to me,
ambitious girl,
you just wanna win,
and you’d rather chase your dreams, then to try to chase these men
that try to chase these skirts
that try to chase these shots with flavors that not even as sweet as her
my ambitious girl,
I wont forget you,
I just reflect on how I ain’t met you, yet boo
you somewhere, getting your life in order
so for the time being, i hope this overscribe might support her
support her, or work her, she worth it
go girl
go girl
go girl
ambition
go girl…

OK so Wale’s obviously been reading my diary so come on… hands up! Who went and gave my diary to Wale??? :p

[via naturalaffrohair]

On my recent trip to Atlanta my girl Lolly (who seems to be a celebrity magnet. Seriously, everytime I’m with her we bump into somebody who was, is or is about to be famous) managed to see him in Lenox Mall. Apparently he’s a perfect gentleman, super-hot and upon shaking his hand she found out they’re very soft.

I on the other found out that I should basically stick with Lolly at all times. Seriously, all times! Anyway enjoy…

PS Check out the lovely Lolly’s blog too.