Stylish Thought

I’m all down for artistic expression, poetic license or what have you. I understand stepping outside of boxes and doing what other people aren’t doing. I appreciate it actually. However, what I do not appreciate is when some thing is different and is passed off as the hottest, most unique thing since sliced bread.

808′s & Heartbreaks, Kanye West’s 4th studio album borders of the experimental (for him) and he’s doing some amazing things graphically with the albums artwork. His use of the vocoder is hilarious and interesting at the same time, and while he’s changed his method a bit, he still retains his same “self-absorbed” nature on this album (in the best possible way) I agree that it’s more introspective and maybe with everything that has been happening in his life as of late, we couldn’t expect anything except 808′s to come from Kanye.

Say You Will, Amazing, Heartless and Love Lockdown are by and by favorites. Pinnocho Story and Welcome to Heartbreak have a real testimony that is so endearing to this album and reminds you that Kanye is after all the loveable avant gardist of Hip-Hop. While 808′s is not a ground-shattering album, it is maybe the most personal from Kanye and for that reason alone you have to love it.

“My friend showed me a picture of his kids I showed him some pictures of my cribs he said his daughter just got a new report card and I just brought a new sports car”

Listen to 808′s & Heartbreaks or hear snippets here:

Here is the video for the 2nd single, “Heartless”

Few things in life are as stressful and self-depreciating as moving in with the boyfriend. At some point in life most of us will have a roommate; however the roommate above all others is the one you actually “room” with. Deciding to move in with the man you love is the simple part, but getting the man you love to love your baggage is a bit trickier. And by baggage I don’t mean the fact that you pick your toenails in bed or your phobia of large flat screen TVs; more like the baggage that is literally bags and bags of stuff.

In a normal cohabiting environment you would unpack your things, put them in your designated space and pray that your roomie is neither klepto nor pyro maniac. With men, decidedly one you’ve been intimate with and have loving feelings, it isn’t that simple. Your abundance of things is problematic, downright unnecessary and will, if not dealt with, cause strain in your relationship. And if you’re anything like me, your stubbornness and unwillingness to edit your things will also cause strain.

With a move pending soon, discussions of what’s necessary, what’s unnecessary, what’s worn, what hasn’t been worn has been common fare for the beau and me. While parting with a pair of worn black boots seems ludicrous to me, his practical nature says to chuck them, and a vicious cycle ensues. This is not going to be pretty. I’m instantly transported to Sex and the City (please forgive the reference) episode “The Good Fight” when Carrie and Aidan moved in and they fought over her useless stuff, his useless stuff and her, may I say, very fabulous Roberto Cavalli outfit.

While I don’t possess any manner of Cavalli, I do have pieces that I’ve acquired that while I don’t wear often, I most certainly think about wearing. The idea of having to part with them makes me cringe and gives me uncomfortable BGs. And while I know that I may have to cut down all of the things I’ve accumulated for the sake of our union, it doesn’t make it better. I’ve loved some of my clothes and shoes longer than I’ve known my boyfriend.

I’ve loved some of my clothes and shoes longer than I’ve known my boyfriend.

And while I wish that my love interest had the same existential crisis; he’s simply not a pack rat like moi.

I guess it all boils down to whether you’re willing to make the compromise that relationships require. Can I part with a bright red floor length gladiator dress that has never seen the light of day, so that I can enjoy the light of day in my new place? Or is a black studded sweater dress more coveted than my Man Du Jour? Just like clothes, I’ve got lots of questions and much like your true love, there’s only one real answer.

With all the stresses of life, it’s imperative to get away, if even for a bit. In an effort to put some frequent flyer miles on my bum and get some stamps in my empty passport (pathetic I know), I’ll be traveling in the next coming years. I have so many excursions planned and I want to bring my stylish readers along with me….
My first stop is Atlanta. Home of electic hip-hop, HBCU’s and chicken and waffles. Before you get worried, no I’m not going to stalk NeNe for Real Housewives of Atlanta (love her I do, as does Anderson Cooper). But am going to visit a close girlfriend of mine, whom I haven’t seen in ages. And as if it isn’t a given, going to shop and explore the retail scene in the ATL.

Outside of the legendary culinary delights, the push for African-American progress and Lil Jon, I’m not keen on the things that Atlanta has to offer on the fashion scene. Watching the RH of Atlanta would lead one to believe that it’s nothing but Bling Bling, Dior and stilettos. Thus further research is necessary and while I would love to “Mall it up”, I prefer to seek out some of Atlanta’s hidden retail and vintage gems.

Hopefully I’ll be able to bring you some images of all debauchery, amazing thrifting, delectable food and general good time. (experiencing some technical difficulties right now)

Japan Launch of CDG Collection with over 2,000 waiting in line / Worldwide release is on November 13th

Designer/retailer collaborations are one of my favorite aspects of fashion today. It makes high fashion more accessible to the masses and getting to say you have a piece of an amazing designers is great (even if it’s a lower end piece, who gives a shit). And with the current financial crisis it’s a way to justify buying, because it’s on the cheapie side of things.

However, the madness that ensues when these collaborations debut is crazy. It’s like fans in line waiting for Spice Girl tickets (please don’t judge me). The Comme De Garcons collection for H & M debuted in Tokyo and the lines were ridiculous. With over 2,000 people waiting. Due to the crisis I can imagine that stateside there may not be as much mayhem, but the consumption of these “diffusion lines” is at a quickened pace no matter what.

While I’m not interested in the Comme De Garcons (me thinks it’s a bit overpriced and maybe not CDG enough. And it kills me, as you know my passion for polka dots, I simply can’t justify the prices to my bank account). I am highly anticipating the new collabo of Alexander McQueen and Tar-gay. It’s not the usual Go: International capsule collections but a full in house line (or so rumor has it. I’m thrilled about this, not only because Target produces par on par some of the best collaborations (remember Erin Fetherston…loved it) and it’s guaranteed to not be heinously priced. Awww, there is a fashion God admist the hostility and mayhem.

With the victory of Barack Obama and the millions of people that came and voted to support him (yours truly included) change has been blowing in the wind. It’s on the lips of everyone from Philadelphia, PA to Anchorage, AL. With change in our political climate, my thoughts go to change in my own life and ultimately wardrobe. The fancies of spring are giving way to the the seriousness of fall and winter and thus a wardrobe reassessment is in order.

These images have been swarming around my mind and preparing me for the shift in our world that is destined to come and the shift in my wardrobe as fall enters and gives way to change.

I’m not the most neutral person, I have strong opinions (really) and this blog is definitely a platform for them. With that said, the election of our lifetime (the media’s spin, not mine) is finally coming to a conclusion and in the next couple of days, months of campaigning, mud slinging and accusations will crumble and once the rubble falls one candidate will be victorious.

My hope is that this election will redefine what American politics are and it’s not so much who wins it’s that that person wins fair. My leanings are definitely towards Barack Obama, not because he is the savior we’ve been looking for (I don’t subscribe to that) but I do believe that he is the candidate with the most integrity and passion for taking America out of it’s economical distress and aiding others around the world.

I won’t belabor the point, but I think it’s imperative that we VOTE tomorrow. This election needs to be as comprehensive as possible. With the despicable mud-slinging and name calling that has been rampant, this election needs to be more clear cut than ever and we MUST exercise our voice and choice. VOTE for HOPE!!!