Atlanta Content Creator Inspiring [life] style

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Musings of a Muse - Part 7

Before I sat down to write this post I was pretty certain of what I wanted to write about today. I had all these thoughts in my head about something that happened during my trip to South Africa. But now that I'm here actually ready to write, I no longer feel the need to write on that subject matter. But since it's the deepest thought I've had all month, I might as well do a little something something about it.

Otherwise I'll gab about trite things like my feelings on random couple PDAs in stairwells when I'm trying to get from point A to point B--don't do it.
--#--

After a tour through a museum in Johannesburg, the hubs and I stopped at the adjacent cafe for a nosh and nibble. When ordering my drink, the barista kept referring to me as "sista," which was a recurring theme in South Africa. I was fine with it. The hubs and I sat down and started to chat about what-have-you. But the hubs can sometimes be a bit of a mumbler. So I exclaimed, "What?" as he doesn't seem to know how to speak up. On that note, the barista came over to me and proceeded to tell me that a pretty girl like myself shouldn't say "what".

I'm sure this was a case of "no harm, no foul." But it offended me a bit. I felt like this guy--who doesn't know me--is interjecting himself into my life to say a lady shouldn't do such things. My bra burning side came out. It's a culture of women speak softly and know your place which didn't sit well with me.

Or perhaps he just felt some connection to me since we both have melanin and felt like we were basically family. The same type of thing happens to me in Jamaica too, where everyone seems to think we're all family and can say whatever. But I'm like, "Dude, I just met you."

I did go to a spa a few days later in Cape Town in which one of the girl's there put her hand all through my natural hair without permission. Usually, it's not cool, but I suppose it's OK though...since she's my "sista" and all.

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Monday, July 28, 2014

Lookbook: Tom Hearts Kate Spade


Friday night I wore this to a dinner and craft event hosted by TOMS at Santana Row. I got to peruse the new TOMS eyewear line and some of their coffee. Yes, TOMS does coffee now too! I was able to customize a pair of sunnies as well, while enjoying dinner at this intimate affair. It was really nice hanging with the TOMS crew and getting to meet some local Bay Area bloggers. #OneforOne I wanted to wear my TOMS, but they're blue and just wouldn't match very well with this look. Speaking of the look, what do you think?

I thought it was appropriate to include this bib necklace designed with Angola in mind off the heels of my Africa trip. How amazing are the cutouts on this Kate Spade dress? Will be perfect for showing off my future rib cage tat.

On the Muse: | Reign Nzingha bib necklace c/o Lilith + McRae | Kate Spade dress via BC | Target hat |With Alyson of The Beauty Vanity and Monica of Living in Vogue

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Friday, July 25, 2014

Giveaway: Summer Style with ORS Edge Control

Summer style is not just about the clothes you wear on your back and the sandals you put on your feet. When I think about style, I consider everything that makes a look stylish from head to toe--and that includes summer hair. If you're a naturalista like I am, then you know that having smooth edges is essential for kinky, curly hair.

For my curly edges I like to use ORS Edge Control because of its built-in protection, which enables a long-lasting hold. And the hold is smooth and soft--no flakes necessary. Olive Oil edge control is made with all natural ingredients like olive oil (for moisture), aloe vera (for conditioning) and wheat protein (for strengthening). And you can use this on curly hair or straight hair--simply any time you need to keep your edges smooth in the summer heat. Chilli from TLC is a great ambassador for always having perfectly controlled hair!

I've teamed up with ORS for a lovely giveaway for you muses. Organic Root Stimulator wants you to share your #1SummerStyle by entering to win ORS Edge Control. Two winners will each receive 8 ORS edge control containers. A grand prize winner will receive 8 ORS edge control containers and some goodies from Socialbliss!
Socialbliss goodies include:
| Melie Bianco metallic bag | C. Wonder necklace | Ulta pretty in pink lipgloss | Essie magnetic charm nail color | 3 pairs of earrings | Retro-Specs cat eye sunglasses | My Ties hair ties | Izzy & Ali coin purse | Kimono wrap |
Open to U.S. & International readers - ends 7/31/14. Allow 30 days processing from winning notice.
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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

The Perfect Panna Cotta

I'm a dessert kind of girl who usually opts for sweets over savory. But I realized that I've never really shared anything about food on the blog, apart from a few snippets of the dishes I'm loving each month. Well, while I was in South Africa, the hubs fell in love with a delicious panna cotta dish. This Italian custard was served to us at our hotel in Cape Town, and the cook generously gave us the recipe! Scroll down and enjoy this perfect panna cotta--no baking necessary. FYI--the measurements might be a bit off since they were converted from the metric system.
PERFECT PANNA COTTA // Makes 6

250 ml heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4 g Knox gelatine
150 g condensed milk
150 g Chobani Greek yogurt
Pam canola oil cooking spray
Garnish: granny smith apple, peach, cinnamon, nutmeg

Mix vanilla extract and heavy whipping cream to a boil in small pot. At the same time, mix the gelatine with a 1/4 cup ice water. Once cream comes to a boil, remove from stove and stir in the now slightly thickened gelatine into the pot. Add the yogurt and condensed milk. Stir until mixture is evenly distributed.

Grease baking mold with canola oil cooking spray. Pour the mixture into each mold. Set in the fridge for as little as 4 hours or as long as overnight. Setting time varies, but we let it stay overnight and completed it the next morning.
While panna cotta hardens in fridge, finely chop apple and peach. Garnish the outer rim of the dish for both taste and look. Lightly sprinkle the top of the panna cotta with peach, cinnamon and nutmeg. We decided to do the same in shooter form as well with our Rag & Bone shot glasses. Enjoy this decadent dessert in either manner!

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Monday, July 21, 2014

Loookbook: Bright in Bo Kaap

About a week into my South Africa vacation we made a little stop in the former Malay Quarter of Cape Town known as Bo-Kaap. You might remember me mentioning it in my loving in July post. It's just really cool to see a place like this--so brightly colorful--in the middle of the rest of Cape Town. Unfortunately, I only had a few minutes to wander in the neighborhood so we only took a few photos before we had to head off to our next destination!

But this was one of the warmer days on the trip. Cape Town pretty much has all four seasons in one day, so I was happy for some sun. Yes to these white sunnies (with zebra print on the sides) and comfy chinos though. Would love to go back to Bo-Kaap for another shoot. Wouldn't you? FYI--the first image is courtesy of Wikipedia.

On the Muse: | Zara lace shirt | Forever 21 slim fit chinos | Target blazer | Modcloth porch edition flats | Daniel Wellington watch | Clubmaster sunglasses c/o ShopLately | Spangle necklace c/o ShopLately | 
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Friday, July 18, 2014

Postcards from South Africa

Table Mountain - Cape TownZebras - Karongwe SafariNelson Mandela's House - Johannesburg

In case you didn't know, my first two weeks of July were spent in South Africa, vacationing in both Johannesburg and Cape Town. Since those places are on the other side of the equator, it was winter in July. Thankfully I brought layers and the temps were pretty nice for the most part. As you can see from the pictures, I got to experience a lot of things, including visiting Nelson Mandela's and Desmond Tutu's homes, going on a few safaris and game drives, and taking in the beautiful scenery of South Africa. Follow on Instagram to see even more pics! Have you ever been to South Africa or any country on the African continent? I'd probably live in Cape Town if I ever moved there.
Lion Pride - Kruger National ParkElephant Whispers (cheeky elephant)Mountainside vendors - Blyde River CanyonAfrican Jackass Penguins - Boulders Beach

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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Inspiring Style: Jeff Koons Is Mr. Neo Pop

You might have heard a lot about contemporary artist Jeff Koons in the past few weeks. You might have seen him in Vanity Fair recently or saw his half pony, half dinosaur Split-Rocker sculpture at Rockefeller Center. Or maybe, like me, you heard that he just collaborated with H&M for an art-pop balloon dog leather bag. And unlike his other creations, this bag is affordable, coming in at $50 (available July 17). Check out some of his pieces to see if you like his style. Some are a bit out there, but others are quite interesting and cool. These are a few of my faves from the Celebration collection. What do you think? I hear Gaga is a fan. All images courtesy of Jeff Koons.
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Monday, July 14, 2014

Lookbook: Recycled Glass

This Zara top reminds me of the images you see when you Google "recycled glass" on the Internet. I was instantly drawn to it when I saw it online (plus, Zara was having a sale at the time too--so no-brainer). These photos were taken before I left for my trip, but no worries! I'll be back stateside in no time. Wish I had more to say and time to say it, but I have to go...time's a wastin'. Keep up with my vacation exploits on Instagram, of course.

On the Muse: Zara embroidered tulle top | Lauren Conrad for Kohls leather shorts | Parisa G by Guess wedges | Target hat | Lulu's its-a dot time taupe watch | Jessica Simpson clutch | Grace Sparkle cuff |
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Friday, July 11, 2014

What I'm Loving in July 2014

So there is this neighborhood in Cape Town, South Africa called Bo-Kaap. It's from the former Malay Quarter on the slopes of Signal Hill and it's stunning. It's a multicultural area known for its cobblestone streets and brightly colored houses. I couldn't be more excited to take some photos here! Hopefully you'll see some on the blog soon.

After being in Vegas for WWDMAGIC in February, I realized just how much I needed a portable battery charger while on a trip. It's amazing how quickly your phone dies when you're adding pictures to Instagram, looking up the weather and reading on your Nook app. That's why this RAVPower portable charger has been a godsend.

Maybe it's because it's summer and I've been into summer whites, but I'm totally loving white sunglasses right now. In order: ShopLately | M Missoni | Spitfire | Alexander McQueen (faves). White sunnies are just so bold and daring. They make for a great accessory and second pair to own, especially in a gradient, cat-eye style.

If Lupita grows her hair out and wears it in a natural hair updo, I'm pretty sure the internet would explode. Been diggin' these hairstyles all month, so I've been wearing my hair in this manner pretty much every day.

What are you loving this July?

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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Staying Healthy While on Vacation

Two things that seem to happen to a lot of people every summer: vacation and exercise. I've been working out and partaking in summer vacations (South Africa anyone?) as well. But it can be hard to maintain your diet healthy eating while also keeping up with exercise when you're trying to relax on a beach, take a city tour or just visit friends and family. Here are a few tips to help you stay healthy while on vacation so your holiday still feels like a holiday, and you don't come back home having gained all the weight it just took months to lose.

Foods to Eat

Protein Bars - try ones like this Quinoa Apricot bar with under 200 calories, 4 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein | Also dig Fig Almond bars that you can make ahead and snack on during your trip.

Fruit Gummies - these might sound weird at first, but these Watermelon Gummies are a great way to get in your fruit without the mess. It's a lot easier to carry these in your mini satchel on vacay than an actual watermelon. | They are healthier than gummies found in the processed food aisle because they're made from real watermelon and the only sugar added is honey (optional). They also provide amino acids!

Brown Rice Cakes - the only thing healthier than a rice cake is a Brown Rice Cake | It's full of vitamins, calcium and iron. Plus, all you have to do to burn off rice cake calories is watch TV for 30 minutes or take a five-minute walk.

Frozen Edamame - just defrost and add a touch of salt for delicious Frozen Edamame. You don't need to go to a restaurant for this healthy soybean snack | A cup of them is about 130 calories with 6 grams of fiber.

Shrimp Cocktail - I love seafood, especially when I can eat it without a care in the world like Shrimp Cocktail | Five pieces is about 100 calories with under 10 grams of carbs--that's just amazing.

Skinny Latte - we all know that you can find a coffee shop on just about any street corner in the world. When your caffeine craving kicks in, opt for a Skinny Latte | I like to get the caramel flavor in a tall size as I find that's all the coffee I need. Skinny means non-fat or with skim milk and sugar-free syrup, so you're saving on calories and splurging on taste | 90 calories, 9 grams of protein and 30% of your daily calcium

Other great options: | turkey jerky | yogurt | egg whites & whole wheat toast | seared tuna, avocado salad |
Exercise to Complete

Walk Around - If you'll be in a new city and you want to explore, then try walking around from museum to museum and cafe to cafe. Big cities are practically made for walking and can be less stressful than taxi rides.

Utilize Hotel Gym - Take advantage of your hotel stay and use the gym, which is usually equipped with the proper cardio machines and free weights. But you can even workout in your room with simple yoga or one of the many Pinterest exercises. A few hotels even offer stay fit kits that are sent to your room, complete with yoga mats, workout videos and an MP3 player loaded with motivational music.

Local Physical Activity - If you're going to a cold place then consider skiing or snowboarding. A beach resort? Try surfing or paddle boarding. A place with a lot of mountains? Enjoy the scenery with a hike or bike ride. Emerge yourself in the culture through local physical activity.

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Monday, July 7, 2014

Lookbook: Sheer Genius

For the love of coffee! My drink of choice these days is an iced nonfat caramel latte. It gets the job done. If you're a coffee drinker, what's your favorite drink, hot or cold? I don't typically need caffeine to wake me up, but it can be quite tasty. Currently, I'm using the sounds of Johannesburg to wake me up in the morning, since I'm not stateside. So I celebrated my 4th of July weekend by exploring Pretoria, Kruger Museum and the rest of Jo'Burg. But these are photos from a couple weeks ago back in Cali. How did you all spend your July 4th weekend? Did you picnic or watch fireworks? Maybe you're just happy it's July and summer is officially here!

On the Muse: | Tobi front to back lightning tank | Zara sheer detail shorts | Modcloth porch edition flats | Forever 21 love & coffee tote (sold out) | ApartStyle midnight shimmer blazer |
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Friday, July 4, 2014

Inspiring Style: Pick and Shoes

Happy 4th of July! This post has nothing to do with the July 4th holiday, unless you count that I'm celebrating my shoe (in)dependence. I don't know if you're aware, but I really like shoes. I don't actually have closet space for any more, but that doesn't stop me from adding to my collection. (I should donate). Right now I'm really into pointy, chic styles. Here are some of my summer shoe picks for height, stability and comfort. So go ahead: pick and shoes!

For Height: Not sure why, but I am in love with pointed shoes for summer. And if they have an asymmetrical cut then even better! For Stability: But it's summer and you can't wear pumps all day. Switch it up with peep toe wedges that let your bright pedicure shine through. For Comfort: Yes, more pointed toes! Flats are my go-to shoe style, especially now that they come in such cute designs, cut-outs, studs and bows.

What are your go-to shoes for summer?

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Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Most Anticipated New Shows for Summer

A few TV shows you should consider watching this summer:
The Leftovers - June 29 (HBO): I read the novel by Tom Perrotta last summer and really enjoyed it. I suggested that the hubs (and now to you) should read it before he gets too into the show. The main question of the show is: how would you cope if members of your society simply vanished one day? Your children? Your neighbor? Your best friend? Was it random? Why them and not you? And what the hell is the Guilty Remnant?
Girl Meets World - June 27 (Disney Channel): To be 100% honest, I'm not certain I'll actually watch this show, but that doesn't mean that I'm not interested. Boy Meets World used to be one of my favorites growing up, so a spin-off with Cory and Topanga's spawn deserves at least an episode or two. Rider Strong might even come back!
Extant - July 9 (CBS): We just can't get enough of "world ending" or "alien resurrecting" shows and movies, so why should this be any different? Extant is about an astronaut (Halle Berry) who returns home and finds herself inexplicably pregnant after being in space for a year. Say what now? It's so crazy that it's cool.
Gotham - Fall (FOX): OK, OK! Technically, Gotham doesn't come out until the fall, but I'm so excited for it that I had to feature it here. The entertainment business loves to do remakes and whatnot, so it's great to see the Batman story from another perspective. Completely geek-ed out excited right now. How about you?
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