One of the first things we decided to publicly do as a small business was volunteer. The opportunity came up to run a 5k for a local charity ... I declined, I really ain't about running. But something I do love is cleaning, it's something my dad instilled in me. When we first saw the posting on Facebook from the San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation for volunteers to clean up a home in an historic neighborhood, I jumped at the opportunity to help out.
Bout to get started ... we were all smiles and suited up!
By the middle of the morning I was covered from head to toe #teamnobugsonme
@MrOgba was doing the most!
We demolished the backyard
Found a few little treasures ... including a grapevine that I left by mistake. :(
Met some cool peeps.
So, this tells me that I can get a garden...
That's a mattress they're carrying ... I refused to touch it.
Here are a few pics of our fantastic Saturday. And some before and after of the beautiful home we helped clean up.
The Before
The After ... all clean
Shout-out to the Team!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Everyone, I'd love to find out what you do to give back to your community, have you started your own initiative in your neighborhood? Let me know in the comments section.
This sounds like so much fun!! Can't wait to connect with other Black Bloggers and have some fun on the beach!
Nationwide (November 28, 2011) -- Black Bloggers Connect is partnering with iHustleNation to present the Black Bloggers Connect Cruise 2012. Bloggers, vloggers, webpreneurs, mompreneurs, social media experts, tech gurus & business owners are all invited to join the Black Bloggers Connect Cruise to Ocho Rios, Jamaica & the Cayman Islands on June 2nd- June 7th 2012. Attendees will have the opportunity to: network with members of the Black online community, participate in break out discussions, be eligible for prize give-aways, and experience Ocho Rios, Jamaica & the Cayman Islands.
The Cayman Islands yall!
BlackBloggersConnect.com is one of the largest online collectives of Black bloggers worldwide. It is also the #1 resource for Black bloggers to network online. BBC members are from over 20 countries, across the world including: U.S.A, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Dominican Republic, Nigeria, Ghana, Thailand and the U.K.
"We are really excited about the Black Bloggers Connect Cruise 2012. We wanted the Black online world to connect in an exciting way. iHustlenation has hosted this cruise for 3 years with last year having hundreds of attendees from all over the country. This year, our partnership hopes to unite networking with relaxation and fun, " says Jessica Ann Mitchell, the founder of Black Bloggers Connect.
Attendees that sign-up for the cruise on or before January 2nd will have their blog, website or business featured on the homepage of BlackBloggersConnect.com and NationalBlackPages.com. Attendees are able to sign-up and receive additional information at BBCCruise.com.
Other cruise partners include: Naturals With Attitude, Next Level Entertainment Group, Time 2 Play, and Youtube sensations TxCutie and iHustleNation. Visit www.BBCCruise.com to get more information and register.
Just to let everyone know, the BlackInTheCity blog is going to pay for me to go on this trip, so I need all of my loyal faithful readers to check out my ads and advertisers, leave a comment, let me know what you want the BlackInTheCity blog to talk about.
Pretty sure these people aren't bloggers, but they're black and they look good...all that matters! Cruisin' yall!
It's Friday, lunchtime and you just got invited to a small backyard party ... that just turned into a swanky dinner party ... that just might put you in a room full of upward mobile professionals, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Its more than mere beers and bratwurst, this is a wine-sipping sophisticated good time.
But, you have nothing to wear.
Quick trips to the mall are always affordable, but what's more affordable are the styles and fashions of Charlotte Russe, they can be mixed-matched and "worn as a dress, instead of a skirt" and often times pepper my closet adding color blocking, pops of intrigue and pizzazz to any ensemble. My quick fashion, I believe, has kept me afloat in times where your first impression is surmised from an individual style and confidence based logarithm.
Why the sudden interest in Charlotte Russe? Because I think they may have broken the mold when it comes to inexpensive trendy pieces that fit tons of different styles and personalities. The brand has evolved greatly over the years, so yes, I am a frequenter of the Russe.
I have the most fun in the dressing room, its like a meeting of fan club members.
::::IDEA ALERT::::
Visit http://charlotterusse.org/
What if the dressing rooms were the fan club, customers and fashionistas alike who love trying on clothes would be greeted by a friendly Russe-r (sales associate) who then would offer to snap a pic of them in the pieces they find ... the pics would then be posted onto the Charlotte Russe FB page, twitpic'd and even put on the website. And as new fan club members sign up to be featured other customers get the opportunity to vote for their favorite ensembles.
Someone call up Charlotte and tell her she's saved me from so many "I have nothing to wear!" moments!!!
Tell me about how your quick fashion is often mistaken for couture?
Last week I took the afternoon to visit some of my favorite consignment shops out here in San Antonio. It was truly a #BlackInTheCity afternoon.
When I stopped at my first resale boutique, Texas Resale on I410, and found a ton of different looks, I knew the day would be amazing.
Anyone that knows me, knows that I love to be flashed out, especially with sequins and I've always been a little bit retro, from my afro days at Cass Tech or dashiki/bell bottom poetry nights at Fisk University, its just my style.. my lil bro has been known to not understand my need for le' flare, i.e. these two looks from previous nights out...
Working @The MASH Mag Pre-Launch w/ a borrowed Banana Republic Sequin sheath dress
@Glamaholics winning weekend. This sequined tee was found at a Detroit thrift, and I kinda altered it.
Ok, so for my first look I twisted and turned the uber-hollywood look of celebrity jail bird Lindsay Lohan - now, her outfit was publicized as a $10k (yeah, THOUSAND) ensemble, check it out...
And here's my look ... I love this top, and slacks were BRAND NEW, with tags ... the entire get up was a whopping $45!! But honestly, even though I loved this top, it weighed like 15 lbs.
What do you think?
Okay, for my next looks I hit up a consignment store called Bygones on Broadway ... and found these two look-alike get-ups.
San Antonio luvs them some Eva Longoria, and when I saw my fav housewife (turned Philanthropist) in this chic striped tee and hot pant look, complete with sky high pumps, I had to work it ... but with a #BlackInTheCity flare ... of course.
How can anyone go wrong with high-waisted corduroy booty shorts?
Seriously loved this belt and the striped blouse was just enough ... it has always been my thing to wear shorts and long sleeves, its just something so split-pea urban about it.
The last look that I fell in love with was beautifully portrayed by a fashionista that I am on the good side of being obsessed with. The Diva Tocarra put some major glam in a simple animal print skirt and basic black blouse ...
I took a page from the Essence style book and inverted the look ... mixing a animal print blouse with a pleated wool skirt ... this knee length look will be great for work or the office. .. and the ticket, a timeless $10.80!
Oh what a joy! I had a bomb time and everyone that I met was soo perfect, they told me what worked and what didn't ... the staff at each of the boutiques were so helpful (hey Lolita and Charlie-Ann @ Goodwill).
I met a young lady, by the name of Carmen, she was getting ready to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary...and had my same taste for flare, check out how beautiful she is with her sequined mini
Mi Gusto Mucho!
It ain't easy being thrifty ladies, but it is easy being stylish on a budget so next time you want to touch up your wardrobe don't stunt on what your neighborhood resale has to offer. All you need is a little bit of money and a lot of patience and you can walk away with some major treasures.
TTYL
(DISCLAIMER: I am no way a fashion blogger .. but I do love shopping)
SO, a few nights in a row I have been sleepless with writing and writing, and wasting time on the internet when I should be writing and then more writing.
Now, if you follow me on twitter, and I suggest you do @darealchrisreed, you are probably familiar with my jokes, small tidbits of info concerning building business, retweets and side eyes.
I try not to clique up on twitter, because talking to a wide array of my followers and the people I follow is way more fun. Sometimes I just chime in, becaus
e it's all I may have time for.
But on more than one instance I was bombarded on twitter by "models" sending out pics of themselves in order to gain exposure. Now, this isn't a blog about knocking model chicks (get ya money boo), I mean, I myself considered the trade, but ... um ... I already got on a good train called College, and well, didn't feel like leaving that. Anywho, I instantly threw myself into the twitter-rant of @OhMyGlenda, ironically she's a model...
"...feel like i gotta shake my ass for some singles and get some ass shots to get attention in detroit.."
"some of these photographers only wanna shoot you...if you getting naked...#pause...i'll wait..sorry perv"
(@OhMyGlenda)
I had to agree. I mean, I'm no model, but the amount of exploitation that most women put themselves through in order to get a little attention, um, my bad "exposure", is getting a little ridiculous, and has definitely taken over some of the mindsets of the younger generation.
To the point where girls are aspiring to devote themselves to the most outlandish of professions, video model, groupie, professional facebook photo taker, non of which too lucrative...and if that falls through, some of these young girls (and I am speaking from my experience as a SAT/ACT test prep teacher in Detroit Public Schools) actually think to fall back on a career as a medical transcriber would carry them their whole lives. Um, there's a reason Devry has to go up against the collegiate accreditation bureau every year...CUZ THAT MESS WON'T LAST EITHER!
I don't want to be the weird stage mother, where I live surreptitiousness and vicariously through my younger students lives, imposing on them my values and my understanding of how college should be mandatory. But they aren't hearing that.
You see, when I was in high school, I was kinda ... weird. But not like the weird kids they have now, I
was kind of "I ain't trying to get in your face about anything, cuz I got my own thing going on." Me and my pumas, my GAP one-shoulder book bag, timberland boots worn with thick cable-knit tights, jean skirts and ofcourse, the "Why don't she have a perm" afro ... at Detroit's historically fashion forward Cass Technical HS.
(I say that so you don't think I was "I don't have a friend in the world, I hate everyone" type of weird)
But I turned out alright. I followed a few trends, yes, but I never fell victim to using my body as a tool to make money, create a following or a fanbase ... aside from posting a new avatar or cute fb pic, that I am not going to say is covered head to toe ... but I'm no participant of #tittietuesday.
So what is
the lesson here? ... ladies and girls ... and some of the boys around the world ... there is no type of "modeling" that goes on between 2am and 4am. That's what the government calls "soliciting". (pause for applause)
Ofcourse my life isn't super glamorous, but its eventful, weeving my way through the "pervs" as OhMyGlenda explained, finding other true divas who are just as regular, yet on a path towards a success that has longevity ... who may, on my 30th because it sounds fun, and I ain't GOT to, hit up an amateur night somewhere far far away from my home, or maybe just do the VixenFitness class. I find that my boys are still my boys, they respect me (yeah, its possible).
My girl @LadyWhitehead sent me to this Youtube video ... (there's cursing in it mom, so...don't have it loud with dad around), but I completely associate with this chick...
Funny right? I was crying laughing so hard when I saw this. So go forth ... be you, be wonderful, be weird ... but please, be fully clothed.
As of late I have been focused and I am inspired by all of the women that I know who, aside from being beautiful have decided to devote their minds to creating successful businesses. They are networking, searching for new opportunities, growing and giving.
*again, this post is not by any means knocking the stripping or video model profession, however I feel that there should be more done, mentally, to prepare girls to believe that those jobs are substantial and are reputation breaking, you may see that a video model gets her own show on VH1, but how often is this? How hard was it for her to legitimately voice her desire and willingness to be on her show? Did she have to work to be taken seriously as well as work to be viewed as an object? Viable questions before stepping into that role.
**also, I must say RIP to my bestie forever to my girl Meloni O'Brien Smith, she was a beautiful soul, activist, inspiration and yes, model from Detroit
...
she took me on my first photoshoot when we were at Fisk University together. Killed by a drunk driver Apr. 7, 2007, only God knows the amount of potential this woman had...
While in Austin I had the honor to screen a documentary called "Building Hope" about a couple of non-profiters that in their efforts to promote lacking education in the 4 corners of the world were touched by the small community of Mahiga, Kenya.
The couple, the Pipkins (Turk and Christy), based in Austin, run a non profit called The Nobelity Project. Their goal, to share, through film, the lives and education of children around the globe. A friend of mine from both high school and college has been working with the couple for a few months, and actually worked on the documentary, so when I sat down in the theatre I just figured it would be a seemingly self-induced load of "look what we did for these African kids". Not. the. case.
It is beautiful what this couple have created for the students at Mahiga Hope School. And the film pieced together not only the troubles that the students faced but also how hard The Nobelity Project had to work in order to get people to realize that schools aren't easily to come by commodities as they are in the States. Being from Detroit, where to close a few hundred schools only takes a press release and few boards of wood, I never really paid attention to the work involved in actually building a school. I usually drive down a street and I'm blown away by just how many schools lay vacant amongst the neighborhoods...just think, if the students at Mahiga Hope would see that, their hearts would explode.
Check out the trailer...
After the film I had the opportunity to talk with Christy Pipkin (left), who during the entire ordeal of building a school in Kenya, traveling across the ocean, raising her own children, and running a non-profit had her own battles ... but let's stay on task. I wanted so badly to interview her. To ask her if she was met with any adversity from potential sponsors, from naysayers, from folks that would labor her a "Saint w/ hopes of an Oscar", but instead all I could share was complete and utter gratitude. I am so thankful for this project. So thankful for their drive. So happy that it was completely, and I look forward to one day being able to devote myself to something as groundbreaking. We shared tears (hince the red eyes) amongst the viewers and Aderemi (my friend) laughed at our poor little souls...but hey, so what.
Also, if you would like to donate to the Mahiga Hope School or to get more information about a screening near you, please visit the Nobelity Project on Facebook.
Black in the City made LAWeekly ... how dope is that!? The homie Remi and I walked at full speed to catch up with Wu-Tang, seriously we almost ran across Austin to get to this concert ... and it was sooo fly, Erykah Badu was the dj, Ghostface was murdering the stage and the Wu ... well... it was the WU!
Peep the Link...you can find me at image 47...looking a little tired, but still Black...beautiful, and in the City.
So I have been consumed with sourcing this week, I know ... it doesn't stop right. I have been trying to find a few of the finest t-shirts in the game for a friends new line. In and out of dressing rooms, feeling tanks, stretching shirts, peeking at labels, I am completely hands on with this task.
I mean, have you looked at how the t-shirt business has grown over the past 10 years. People are astounded with Twitter and Facebook being so popular, but a t-shirt ... when do you think a t-shirt will ever become un-popular...tell the truth!? Last week I think I collected about 20 free shirts on my trip to Austin...all of which with funny remarks and slogans. And although I am not sitting here thinking, I can't wait to rock this Rackspace.com tee with my Bebe or Juicy sweatsuit, but I do know that they make a few rounds with me either on the treadmill, in my subdivision, or even at the gym ... if I ever get around going ... but that's another update.
Any who, all these t-shirts have me running circles around San Antonio, and its surprising the amount of Rayon, Polyester and just all kinds of horrible fibers that won't turn out well after the first wash. Which led me to one question ... where's the cotton?
Share with me your favorite cotton experience ... well here are mine, the Cotton commercials ... and for the record, I want every dress, sweater, shoe...within reason, in all of these commercials.
Jasmine Sullivan, the epitome of soul in a cotton commercial
Leona Lewis, I like the wallpaper too
Colbie Caillat
Miranda Lambert ... a lil' country flava
Zooey Deschanel
Whew ... was that a fresh little piece of fashion purity or what?
Makes me feel like a little giveaway ... for my XLs, I have a few KIK/Play Nice tees as well as a couple other free tshirts I got at SXSW this year, if you want one, share your favorite t-shirt pic/tagline in the replies and I'll pick a pic/tagline and ship you out a freebie ... how's that? Hurry, giveaway ends on Friday.
Sitting in a wax paper basket, topped with 2 pieces of hearty wheat bread, just like I ordered.
Carrob's wings are two words ... Just. Awesome.
I think this may be the only black-owned restaurant in Austin (I mean, I did a Yelp search, not much came up). The white boy ahead of me, just may be sure of it... his order consists of a proud helping of mac n'cheese, chicken fried steak, corn, green beans and texas toast. Time. of. his. life.
I had a chance to meet with Carol and Robert, married more than 10 years, owners of CARROB'S cafe, they described their establishment as new-Soul food, because they served espresso, had outdoor seating, and most of their patrons were young liberal students, so they had a vegetarian menu.
Carrob's is located at 605 Sabbine St., off 6th in downtown Austin.
{Twist}
I didn't really try much on the menu, there wasn't time, I had to rush over to a "backyard" concert featuring one of my "now" favorite crooners, Gary Clark Jr.
The venue was almost random. Ana and I were kinda short in the crowd, but as we powered our way through we, like most began to fall head over heals in love for the back end, ol' skool, sittin on yo' porch, where's my harmonica, sang yo' song, Gary Clark Jr.
He is tall.
Black.
Skinny.
Singing about his baby, most likely his two tone acoustic guitar, or maybe the gold crusted diamond covered piece around his neck, but deep down I know that his baby is something we ain't thought of, something of blues and dreams ... cuz he's a modern crooner, and that kind of love, the kind he's singing of is that only the night can hold.
But the boy is seriously back woods. His melodic guitar takes over mid-song to create an experience that takes over not only your hips ... but everyone elses. We entrancingly sway. He gives the crowd a pearly smile, acknowledging his effect on us and strums on. Burning the soles of our feet into the broken alley, grinding the beat or picturing the most hurtful love in our minds, instantly this song is all of our "jam".
Introducing to you ... if you ain't (yup, AIN'T) already heard ... Gary Clark Jr.
So, if you follow me on twitter you probably recognize all of the #sxsw hashtags, but didn't really know what the abbreviation stood for ... well, South by Southwest is one of the largest conferences centered on Technology, Music and Film in the country. Its hosted every year in Austin, TX and this year I decided to make my out there.
Now being
from Detroit, I have been to my share of techno fests and winter-blasts ... but nothing could have prepared me for this. There had to be an extra 100,000 people in the small city, that reminded me a lot of Ann Arbor (home of my alma mater ...Go Blue), only with cactus. The houses, the hippie cultural, bicyclists and pedestrians took me back to a collegiate mindset ... I was ready to hit the streets, find some cool venues and experience the music.
The main way to find out what hot and whats the best thing to do at SXSW, is to literally talk to strangers ... something I do best. I had a great chat with this group of Battle Ready Black Chicks...very informative group of divas ...
I struck up a conversation with some awesome people this past weekend and these ladies gave me the one up on the good Bohemian concerts and who Youtube sensation DeStorm is ...
Thats the thing about being Black in the City, I can talk to just about anyone ... and get the information that I am looking for and then more.
It's all about being connected. Mostly because I am more about making a connection.
From left to right I saw people meeting, laughing and basically enjoying each other. There had to have been 100 bars on 6th Street's two-mile stretch, and every where we went, there was a welcoming atmosphere, great music, cheap drinks and good people ... once you get passed the bouncers.
On the second day...I strolled up on a few conversations with some very chill people ... including one of my (and my lil bro's)
favorite rappers, Black Milk. Look for that conversation tomorrow.
And I can't leave without telling you about the awesome food in Austin, everything wasn't tacos and free beer... I found one of the largest burgers in the city, at a fast food pace, for about $8, add a Miller High Life Tall Boy (what other beverage helps wash down a 3/4 lb. cheeser) and I had a $10 blissful lunch, with free wifi.
Now, as a dinner recommendation, I have to go Black on yall...since I been in Texas I have been trying to find a suita
ble soul food restaurant ... I mean, we ARE still in the south, right?
I came up on a small cafe called Carrob's ...and when I looked at the menu I noticed two very similar heart warming meal ingredients, chicken fried steak and mac n' cheese. I had done it, I had hit a quick lick...a soul food restaurant, right off 6th street, in the heart of Austin, this restaurant was obviously a student favorite, complete with outside seating and 15 minute wait for food. It's owners, Carol and Robert ...get it CARol and ROBert --> CARROB'S, were active, with just as much sweat on them as their barista, bus boy, and cashier combined. The couple describe their cafe more like neo-soul food restaurant, because of the vegetarian options.
Oh..and you know I had some fun...check me out ...#
More updates forethecoming ... and I am sharing some new opportunities with you all ... thanks to all of my new readers and ...TTYL!
This morning I woke to a great surprise (kinda, I had a little foreshadowing) ... but in my efforts to promote the Black In The City blog around the country, I am being featured as the Blog of The Day via BlackBloggerNetwork.com !!!
Thanks to my readers, the academy ... haha, just joking.
Like you all may be realizing, its a huge transition growing into a
new city. When I first got to San Antonio, I just didn't know where to start, thankfully I had my family here to point me in some of the right directions.
Most recently Chloe invited me to go to The Witte (pronounced witty) Museum in Downtown San Antonio called Decadent Deserts, where you have the opportunity to try the newest most delicious sweet treats the city has to offer.
I talk to strangers, and my fam knows it, I mean, I get it from them, which is a good quality to have when you're a fresh face in the place. Don't forget to crack a smile and meet some new folks next time you are out...
All in all, we had a great evening, met some fab folks...got some ideas for future catered events ... and my sugar high is just now residing... TTYL
When my girl came to me with this, I couldn't help but crack up! But it sounds like a bunch of fun, I mean, I'm sorry Jay Z, but autotune is not dead ... atleast not in my house!
Or, are opposites really not opposites ... but two very similar posers.
This may be the case for the Broken Girl and Mr. Love Jones . Modern urban anthropologists shooting the shit at every chance, throwing verses back and forth. Underneath they secretly planned for the day when either would "find something better to do after work". So far, nothing had come up, and Broken Girl and Mr. Love Jones dreaded time together, not because it was horrible, but because each day growing closer they feared having to part that much more.
Broken Girl figured that she had fallen for Mr. Love Jones some time after college. Randomly passing him on the street, with friends. She tried her best to float by, slowly, giving him the chance to share a common breath. Girl incountered a lot of his 'types' in that summer, it was fun to her...enjoying a newfound freedom, learning and understanding differences and .. commonalities (lol).
As for Mr. Love Jones, yes...the Mr. Love Jones, he has always been to suave to admit to even the thought of catching feelings. He's everywhere, all the time, listening in on conversations, speaking his mind, over-thinking, watching, organizing, writing, rapping, loving, singing, being...what more can I say? He'll be the most charming...but in excess, he'll completely change your mind, he's the ultimate catalysts.
So, back to what happens when they are together...basically on a daily basis for hours on end, neither one easily goes into the 'night hours' with the other. It's as if they feel it mandatory to get time in together, so they get it over with, and continue with their "other regularly scheduled programming". More times than not, they'll touch basis late in evening, a refresher and a confirmation that it will all go down again tomorrow.
Now being
I talk to strangers, and my fam knows it, I mean, I get it from them, which is a good quality to have when you're a fresh face in the place. Don't forget to crack a smile and meet some new folks next time you are out...
