Potion Collective Memorial Day Showcase

        On Memorial Day, The Potion Collective will showcase an impressive line up at Brooklyn Fire Proof East, with myself as the featured artist. :) The holiday celebration features an all-day cookout beginning at 1:30pm. At 7:30, the mic opens up to whichever creative souls are called. ADMISSION IS FREE. At about 10pm, I've compiled a selection of my works to share with you all. I can't even begin to explain how excited I am, but if you have the time to attend, I'm sure to impress you. That, I guarantee. 

Brooklyn Fire Proof East

119 Ingraham Street

Brooklyn, NY 

OPEN MIC

7:30pm

FREE ADMISSION

Bobby Stone and Friends Concert (Brooklyn, NY)

      

On May 18th, Bobby Stone held his 3rd indie/unsigned artist concert in Brooklyn, NY - and it was dope.   The New Old School is the title of Stone's latest music project - the concert being the official release party -as well as the guide for his craft and crowd: An old school feel, with The New School appeal. Not only was I excited to participate,  but I am both humbled and honored to have been chosen by a crowd with such a specific (and dope) "genre" of sorts.

ELLA's LIVE interview on 90.3FM

           ELLA is LIVE with DJ F.B., and the 90.3FM URI Radio team on Thursday, May 23rd from 12a-3am. To live stream the show, go to WRUI.org or turn your dials to 90.3FM (Southeastern Mass, Rhode Island, Northeastern CT and parts of Long Island). Hear some new, music from Brooklyn's own Hollywood and CF's King Cooper. Meanwhile, ELLA joins to discuss females in the rap game/music industry and her plans to take over.

TO LISTEN NOW, CLICK HERE!

@ISEENTHOS Fashion Show + Release Party

           As expected, Corey Ty has done it again. On Wednesday, May 1st, at Magnet Lounge, the designer debuted the newest additions to his clothing line -and his career. Patch Adamms, as the designer and his Black Label collection will be known here forward, describes his work as "unique, bold, witty and eye-catching." The description barely captures the charismatic personality and individual beauty each piece carries, transferring that energy right onto the models as they drip confidence down the runway. 

Lil Kim at The Gramercy Theatre

     

       Lil Kim is "The Queen B" for a reason. When she hits the stage, it's like her album just dropped. It's like she's setting the standard - again. I was blessed with the opportunity to attend her performance at The Gramercy Theatre on April 26th. of a particular breed of female: one who can do what men do, sometimes better than he can.The issue is, Kim survived the game better than her man did. I can never look at Kim and dismiss the hardships she's faced. She gave herself to a lifestyle that didn't really wanted her body more than her art. Still, she prevailed. As Kim has said for herself, "A queen is not a queen because she has not failed. A Queen is a queen because failure has not stopped her." The most beautiful thing about Kim is that she was so human.

Calvin Klein Watches - $199 - $350

Calvin Klein "Ray" Watch - $199

           Calvin Klein makes a classy selection of craftily made watches. The Swiss pieces are mostly stainless steel but come in a variety of size and styles to suit the angry teen to the angry old man with the fabulous diva sitting pretty right in between. Some of the watches are really classy and artistic, like the Calvin Klein "Ray" Watch.  Although I did scoop this bad girl up, I've been looking for a watch I can throw on at anytime.  My department at work produces all the advertising and packaging for Calvin Klein. Any box, bag, poster or billboard or commercial you see comes from the people in my office. If we're lucky, samples come around. I posted some photos on my Instagram yesterday, so thought I'd share my finds in full. That said, my watch collection just got a decent upgrade. 

            Before I started looking into watches, I had no idea of what one cost. Watches are supposed to be part of a "collection" so you should be willing to spend a little bit of change to get a true collection started. A good watch should last you forever, you kinda want to hand these things down. I rarely know what I've picked up, but when I can, I Google it to see the worth. It's not that the worth defines a product, the the price gives you an idea of the esteem and class of the product (or at least what the producers think the value is).  I think it's brilliant of a company to give its employees things, so that we can tell the public about the product. These aren't the first watches I've gotten (I've also bought some at sample sales) but I really do love them. They're just well made and presentable. The name Calvin Klein is both ordinary American and high-end depending on who's checking. So... I just recommend a Calvin watch if you're in the market. Something new *shrugs* Check out the goodies I scored.

Vladimir M. Baptiste - Artist, Baltimore MD

 

        Vladimir M. Baptiste is a passionate artist whose paintings practically ooze with emotion. He is also my Facebook friend :)  He'd read my last post on Chopin and was kind (and real enough) to share his thoughts with me. We spoke briefly on our favorite Chopin selections and he even ended up recommending a violinist for me to listen to. The one thing Vladimir never mentioned was that he is an artist himself. What I admire most is where his inspiration comes from and his willingness to share those details.

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) - Pianist + Composer

       I can't stop listening to this!! At 7 years old, Frédéric Chopin (Sho-pon) had composed his first two Polonaises (Polish dancing music).  As I browsed the $1 sale walls of Book Off, I had recognized Chopin's name, but had no real idea of the incredible genius he was. A child piano Prodigy, Chopin's works were highly influenced mostly by the legendary composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.The Polish musician lived most of his life in France. Due to illness,  he passed at the age of 39 years old, his work being the only children he left behind. In his will, he asked his heart be removed from his body. His heart is immured in a pillar at the Holy Cross Church in Warsaw, Poland with an inscription that reads, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21) --A true testament to the musicians' artistry and personality.

Super Sweetback Treatment by @Miss_Jessies

         Huge S/O to Miss Jessie's because I actually use the stuff. My hair is natural (no chemical straightening) and the most recent thing I've done has been coloring it. I'm a fan of dying my hair, so may hair tends to be on the dry side. Split ends are the death of me, so I've always got to put extra oils and stuff in it. My preference is to have a treatment I can leave on through the end of my shower, or walk around the house looking ravishing and ratchet in my shower cap. Miss Jessie's gives me everything my heart and hair desire. It's like... dessert for my tresses.

      

Suede Fringe Sandals by Chelsea Crew

"Apache" by Chelsea Crews - $49.99

      

 
       Time to break out the peep-toes! I go through phases where I just need to buy myself anything for a bit of retail therapy. Whenever I'm in need, I drop by NYCK at 495 7th Ave., NYC. While the website is a little tough to navigate, I love the store. There is always a good sale selection. You can go in there with $20 and get a decent shoe. Literally. I get most of my summer shoes here because they're cheap, but fairly well made depending on your taste. Sometimes I just need something, anything new. Especially in the summer time, a bunch of anything wedges can make your outfits gain extra personality.

      Summer wedges are brilliant in that they look good with anything; dresses, jeans, pants, shorts, skirts. I find myself switching shoes more often in the cold season, so I just like to have random pairs to throw on. Truthfully, though, if ever I'm feeling down, this is a cheap way to make myself feel happy at lunch :) & any shoe that people stop me to compliment me on is an amazing shoe regardless of the price tag. Just make sure your shoe is made of leather and you're pretty good.  I sifted myself a bit of gold with these.