I found these beautiful suckers online for $34 :D
I'm going to be selfish and not post the source of these shoes in this post until I order them... and have them on my feet. I've been craving some wingtip shoes in my life!!! I'm so excited. - sabla`
I really cannot get over how classic, and beautifully crafted these shoes are. I need them NOW!
Unisex Fisherman Pullover $78 || I have this sweater, I'm wearing it as I type (hah), It's my favorite and most versatile sweater I own and it's what inspired this post.
Scorching Sun $19.95 || It's SOLD OUT sorry about posting this one but I had to share the beauty of it. I was as disappointed as you probably are when I saw that it was sold out, so it's a mutual feeling.
Ecote Mohair Sweater $59 || This is another sweater that I own & fell in love with the color. It's the closest thing to Red I would wear, nothing brighter. I Recommend that you hit up an U.O Store soon because they're having a sale and there's a lot of sweaters in there. I got this sweater for $10!!!
I watched this music video prior to my knowledege about the Jordan Concord Sneakers. If you're familar with these sneakers, cool you're a step ahead! Watch this video and you probably should know by the end where I'm heading with this post.
Hope you watched and enjoyed the video. I feel it has a very deep and accurate message. I'm going to resist from making this post long, so anyways. Growing up, I have witnessed the cycle, the hype, the passion, and the arguments over the Air Jordan craze. I know everything I'm about to say isn't false. These sneakers represents being a part of a movement, well that's what "Sneakerheads" think for the most part. For the majority it's about being cool, fitting in, to appear as if you make so much money because not everyone can manage to spend $150 on every new pair of Jordans that's released, that's why people flaunt what they have on. On December 22nd at midnight the Jordan Concord 11's hit stores and with the Internet being the first thing for people to hit up, it's why I have knowledge of all of this, because I never jumped on the van wagon of the sneaker hype. The amount of tweets, and Facebook post that went up was insane. There were people posting pictures of them standing and camping on line outside of footlocker, people expressing excitement about their orders, and people saying how they can't wait to get them. There was even a girl who made a false statement about her boyfriend getting her these famous sneakers and based off the photograph of the supposed given sneakers, they were fake! Then, there were the criticizers and teasers (me). All of this madness was entertaining but I couldn't help but really notice how sad this Jordan story is. I researched the Jordan Concords and I know the history of them and why they're so important to some people, so I'm not ignorant. But there's people who are allowing these sneakers to define who they are through the definition of someone else and that person is Michael Jordan, he is the only reason why these sneakers have such high value to people and much thanks to a great marketing team. Marketers are one of the worlds best brainwashers, they do so well with making you think you should have something when in reality you don't need it because you will be fine without it regardless. I guess my biggest issue is what these sneakers have become. It became a contest about money and who can get them first, people's lives were lost over a pair of J's, kids are being robbed, there's kids crying to themselves wishing they can have them, stealing just to have them, rents aren't being paid just to have these sneakers. I've been in people houses who barely have anything in their refrigerator and have a terribly kept home yet every time a new pair of J's come out, they're walking around with them on. I just do not understand how blind people have became just to consume sneakers, or its better to say that the floating image these sneakers portray has consumed them. In all actuality these are just shoes. so much for avoiding this post from being long.
A few weeks ago after work I made my way to Barneys NY to wait for my two friends to get off of work as well. That's when I spotted these two stylish fellas right below, unfortunately I did not catch their names (the idiot in me). You can clearly see why their style caught my attention, I love the classic black brimmed hats, the long geometric sweater and the black GOLD SAFETY PINNED! sleeved sweater. Golden!
Come through tomorrow night to RipMC's Rap Session, an event for young artist and intellectuals to voice their opinions and showcase their talent with an open discussion and open mic taking place.
Check out the event page http://www.facebook.com/events/275699749145901/
&& To see photos of what went down at last month's Rap Session click the link below
The Weeknd! He never cease to disappoint me. There is not one song that he has released between House of Balloons, Thursday, and Now This! ECHOES OF SILENCE, that I have not liked. The Weeknd dropped the new mixtape today and as I type, I'm listening to Echoes of Silence just so I can express exactly how I feel in the moment of hearing these songs for the first time. You know the first time hearing a song is like no other. The Weeknd's sound is so distinctive and beautiful, his music honestly puts me in a trance and I just feel every beat and every sound he projects. The music commands your attention, mood, and thought perfectly. One perfect aspect of The Weeknd's music is he manages to make sure that every piano key, drum beat, echo, and vocal is heard in some unexplainable way. Click the image above or Click Here to download Echoes of Silence
Buckle Sandals $79 || Yes it isn't the best thing to be advertising due to the cold season but there's something about these shoes that I love so much. They're out of my comfort zone, so I'm curious to see how I would look in them.
Jeffrey Campbell Roks Wedge $148 || I tried these on in a different color and they're so easy to walk in and the most comfortable wedges ever. Plus the bold print is amazing.
Jeffrey Campbell Tapestry Rumble Boot $155 || I can honestly see myself wearing these boots on a regular basis. I have a love for tapestry shoes and its annoying that I don't own a pair yet, why? I don't know but I want to get my feet into these soon.
Flea Market Frolic Shoe $34.99 || Another pair of shoes that are out my comfort zone, pink is a color that you will rarely find me in.
Deena & Ozzy Reptile Loafer $49 || I've been wanting a pair of reptile loafers for a while now. I've seen many men sport this style of loafers for a while and I just been inspired to pick up a pair myself.
"Join us on this magical journey of creativity, history and energy, as
Lee "Scratch" Perry talks to us about being a fish walking on the
universe, his body being a "one man band" and what "Scratch" means to
him." -made-blog.com
I love to discover people. Learning and understanding who they are, what they do, how and why they do it. Creativity and art is infinite in my eyes and everyone is able to create and be an artist, it just lives within and have to be released. Creativity is freedom and fearlessness and I love to see people living by that.
I wasn't familiar with Lee "Scratch" Perry before watching this video by made-blog.com, I just love to indulge in their Visions of Visionaries series. While on tumblr a few months ago a photograph of Perry popped up on my dashboard and there was no telling of who he was, so I was bummed about that because his style is amazing. Today while on looking surfing through the Visions of Visionaries series I seen the video still of him and got excited to watch and learn about this man and just excited to have learned his name. I love how in tune he is with himself and his apparent spiritual connection. This man is an icon and living legend I did not know about and Im satisfied to have knowledge of him now. I'm driven to learn more about him, just by watching this interview he has inspired me. -sabla`
My room is my cave of self manifestation. It's a representation of my growth and maturity yet holds this stamp and influence of my past. All honesty and truth lies in there, my walls hear my thoughts, see my tears, witness me grow and create. My room is my canvas, it's where all the creative magic goes down, everything I create comes out better when it's done in my place of solidity. My room is a forever a work in progress as well as myself, I can't wait for what the future holds.
Recently I was feeling like something was missing from my room and I came to realize that there was no token of motivation present. I always wanted to post up something that motivates me everday and finally with a gold can of spray paint I did just that. It's not the most perfectly written thing but right at the top of this huge black canvas in my room I painted the word "AMBITION." It's something I have a lot of and always had. I guess I chose the word ambition to paint up there to remind me of why I started and a reminder of how I'm going to end in anything I do, Ambitious.
Not to be apart of the new insanely cliche of the use of the word Ambition I must associate Wale with this post. Because his poem "Ambitious Girl" is a part of my Top 25 played songs on Itunes. So on that note, pause the sidebar music video and click play. The Ambitious Girl by Wale -Sabla`
“Conformity knows no time or place; it is the struggle all of us face, to be ourselves despite the overwhelming pressure to be like everyone else.”- Anna Quindlen
Initially I would start this off by saying "we live in a society..." but I much rather began by saying we live in a world where no matter what society we're placed in, a dosage of conformity is constantly in the works in multiple versions. I must first state that conformity to a degree is highly necessary for order, structure and stability to manage humans for the better and their own protection. But that's not the type of conformity I'm feeling deep wrath for. Society is the typical "High School story." You must fit in to avoid scrutiny no matter how difficult and painful it becomes to maintain. I'm so sick of this imaginary painted box I'm being forced in by society's brainwashed products of people. I do not want to behave according to the "socially accepted" standards, I refuse. I refuse to dismiss everything that I am in order to conform into what everyone else wants me to be, because it's what's "right". Well, Its what's wrong to me. It's wrong to not think for yourself or make decisions for yourself. Minds are polluted with so much outside influence that its tarnishing the original content of the mind's state. The times in my life where I've been scrutinized for asking questions, or taking defense for something I do not believe in It appalls me. I do not want to shut up and just let things be, I don't look to change others minds I just look to be heard and understood. The creative are usually the ones who go against conformity because the creative look to break down the barriers and wipe away the imaginary painted boxes because we think outside of the box and beyond. There are no barricades to what can be thought. Creativity is the absence of fear and I am fearless of the thoughts and opinions of others because the only thoughts and opinions that has an effect on where I'm standing and where I'm breathing is my own. I'm not looking to act and look like you. I'm looking to be ME. -sabla`
Sex with Society by Kendrick Lamar
This track is amongst my favorite by the amazing Kendrick Lamar off his Section 80 album. Look past the vulgar lyrics of the song and actually hear what Kendrick is saying. He's going against conformity of the music industry and that he will continue to be true to who he is through all his songs because being who he is, is what got his music popular. Read the lyrics here.
You must know or have listened to Jesse Boykins III if you visit and read my blog often or close to often. He's a constant/ regular mention of mine here. Many was stricken including myself by Jesse's track Light to Dark off his most recent EP, Way of a Wayfarer that you should go and download. Joshua Kissi of Street Etiquette collaborated with Jesse to test out his director skills by creating a visual for the song. Joshua was inspired to start this project with "Light to Dark" because of the "potent lyrics dipped in substance and awareness, accompanied by a cinematic instrumental." Check out Joshua's whole recap of the process of the making of the video here at StreetEtiquette.com. Hope you appreciate and enjoy the video as much as I did, I find it to be perfection and pure art. Joshua did an amazing job for a first time director. -sabla`
Back in November Ms. Solange Knowles joined the blogging world again by relaunching her personal blog entitled "My Damn Blog" powered by tumblr which would only make sense because she's one of the poeple that's constantly popping up on my dashboard. Solange is amongst the women that I truly admire, It's stretches from her music, eccentric style, originality, and personality. The majority of her blog content is her personal digital, film, and Polaroid photographs of herself, family, and friends. mydamnblog.com is one of my favorite daily web visits. Look to the right of my page, its on my blogroll. Go Visit :)
-Sabla`
I'm in love with the aesthetic of all of Solange's photographs.
Last week my Fashion Design Class and I was granted a trip to the famous bridal flagship store Kleinfeld, where the TLC show "Say Yes to the Dress" is taken place and filmed. I was never the "average girl" who dreamed up her big wedding with the extravagant wedding dress, but being at Kleinfeld surrounded by all the beautiful wedding dresses triggered those thoughts inside me. We toured the whole Kleinfeld building which is bigger than what meets the eye, the store is 35,000 square feet which spreads out over two floors in Manhattan's Chelsea. Our tour was lead by the sweet owner and president of Kleinfeld Bridal, Mara Urshel. The time spent there was incredible and inspiring and it ended well which nearly left me in tears by the surprise that they kept from my class and I. They revealed to us that we will be competing against one another in a wedding dress design contest. The winner of the contest will have their dress design come to life and produced. I WAS EXCITED AND SPAZZING at the same time. I must win! This is an opportunity that has been presented to me so early in my life and I must work hard call it mine. Here are some photographs of my experience. -sabla`
There's a total of 28 bridal selection rooms and 17 private fitting rooms equipped with a personal consultant to make sure your dress is perfect. Each fitting room is something like an office to every consultant with photographs of their loved one, each room has it's own personality. There are event VIP fitting rooms to accommodate large parties and celebrities.
I have to admit the men's section of Kleinfeld Bridal excited me so much, I was the last one to come out. Everything in there was so beautiful.
The Roots || UNDUN Album Cover.
Click Cover to Buy Album.
I recently purchased The Root's new album "Undun" that was released in early December. I was not disappointed at all by the tracks and as I always do with good newly downloaded music I constantly listen to it. With the combination of amazing instrumentals and Black Thought's rhymes It's easy to loose sight or never gain sight of what is actually being told through those rhymes. Today I discovered the music video / Short film for the Undun Album featuring songs off the album. Tip the Scale, Stomp, Sleep, & One Time. That's when I discovered there was a much more deeper complex story to the UNDUN album.
"undun
is the story of kid who becomes criminal, but he wasn't born criminal.
He's not the nouveau exotic primitive bug eyed gunrunner... he's
actually thoughtful and is neither victim nor hero. Just some kid who
begins to order his world in a way that makes the most sense to him at a
given moment... At the end of the day... isn't that what we all do?" -The Roots
If I can choose one thing about The Roots that I feel has always kept them relevant and iconic is despite their great music its the fact that they have stayed original and true to who they are and what they want to create. The Roots has never fell into the melting pot of Trends that has manifested in the music industry through time. I am infactuated and I must dive more into the concept of The Undun album. From research what I know currently is The Undun album is a reverse narrative based on a kid named Redford Stephens who goes through pivotal moments in his life between 1990 and 1999. The moments are all due to a bad decision Stephens make which ends tragic.
The Undun Album & Short Film is just not based on Redford Stephens who is a fictional character, but don't let that fool you, Redford Stephens represents millions of young black males living in poverty, living a chosen life that seems like the only sensible one for the moment. All choices aren't easy, don't be quick to judge.
Amongst the long list of everything I love, one of them would be the feeling of being surrounded by intellectual, opinionated, creative people who are aware of their surroundings and society. I've featured and mentioned a friend of mine, RipMC numerous times here on GoldenSense. He's a poet, rapper, author, and an event planner. Rip reached out to me to participate in promoting his event entitled "Rap Session," It was free event that consisted of an open discussion, and open mic for anyone to showcase their talent.
The night was filled with good vibes from beginning to end. We dug deep and spoke on topics such as Occupy Wall Street, and how the Internet is changing human interaction. Our discussion about the internet changing human interaction was perfectly followed by Rip's co-host Marshall "Soulful" Jones spitting a poem entitled "TouchScreen." My jaw dropped due to the perfection of chosen words of metaphors and similes, and his performance just as a whole. It was incredible, I do recommend you to hit up YouTube to watch or Click Here! Overall Laughs were shared, music was played, thoughts were expressed and my friend Kai and I was even on the verge of crying at some points through the night, I learned a lot and I couldn't ask for a better appreciated ending of my day. -sabla`
Scroll down to click "Read More" to view more photos of the night.
If you didn't know by now, I love Hip-Hop so much and I respect the craft of rapping, that's why I can't stand when I hear people like Soulja Boy or Waka Flaka call themselves creating Hip-Hop. When the time came for the open mic portion of the night Charles who's stage name is Cash took center with his guitar and performed what he says is one of his "most passionate pieces" called "Flaws." I personally have not seen any rapper perform with a guitar since Lauryn Hill so that made me so much more infatuated by his music and the song was beautiful, I totally understood why he would call it one of his most passionate pieces due to the lyrics. Look and listen to "Flaws" for yourself HERE. By the way Cash will be releasing an album on the 10th of December entitled "Cash is Already Dead, The Life Tape" look out for it.
In a previous post of mine I've expressed my unconsciousn adaptation to menswear. I must say that the style exhibited here does inspire me a great deal and I love the clean cut, professional, but still comes off as casual look on men. Photos featured are from some of my favorite male blogger such as Joshua Kissi & Travis Gumbs of Street Etiquette, Kadeem Johnson of Kjohnlasoul, and Spencer Edwards of Proprpostur just to name my top three. I've been following their blogs for about more than two years now. The way these men ensemble their looks is just.... "Sharp!" I don't know how else to put it (That's something my mother would say). Well, I'm going to leave the photos to speak for themselves, hopefully you understand why their style encompasses me so much. Check out their sites, the visuals and all the content is quality.
