My BK State of Mind

Red Hook Trolleys...NOPE

2011-06-06T22:32:00.000-04:00

The New York City DOT released their findings of the Brooklyn Streetcar Feasibility Study and recognized that it is not physically, nor financially, possible to put trolley service in the Red Hook area. Information already known before the study ended.

Atlantic Yards CHAOS

2011-06-06T22:25:00.000-04:00

The Barclays Capital Arena isn't exactly something I'm looking forward to...traffic wise.

And apparently, the residents of Prospects Heights continue to be unhappy as well. This battle has been going on for years, with the people losing to a big corporation.

Daily News Article (The Score: Recalling 'The Battle for Brooklyn')

(Photo credit: NY Daily News)

Check out the documentary "Battle for Brooklyn" as it debuts at this year's Brooklyn International Film Festival and screens at a film festival near you.

Foodies Unite!!

2011-05-01T18:24:00.000-04:00

It's official! On May 21st, the creators of the Brooklyn Flea will launch their outdoor marketplace "Smorgasburg", located at N.Sixth Street on the Williamsburg waterfront. Be sure to visit Smorgasburg for more information.

(Picture provided courtesy of Brooklyn Flea )

Bklyn Designs not being held in BK this year

2011-05-01T18:19:00.000-04:00

(Above picture provided courtesy of Bklyn Designs )
The annual showcase, Bklyn Designs, will not go down in DUMBO this year due to new state budget cuts. Therefore, the opportunity for local interior designers, retailers and manufacturers to present their portfolios/wares is a no go. Check with Bklyn Designs for updates about their 10th Anniversary celebration scheduled for next year.

Siren Music Festival no longer @ Coney Island

2011-05-01T18:10:00.000-04:00

The free one-day indie rock show that was held on Coney Island for ten years straight is no more! The Village Voice sponsered event has been revamped for Manhattan's South Street Seaport as the "4Knots Music Festival". Ummm, really?!

So Long...to the Flip camera?!

2011-04-13T16:58:00.000-04:00

I can still remember adding this to my list of items to get, and always forgetting to actually cop it. Guess now I'm glad I didn't.
Click here to read the article.

2011-04-12T13:07:00.001-04:00

Using brownstone material to design a Brooklyn brownstone...how original! What will architects come up with next?

2011-04-12T12:54:00.001-04:00

I've had a beef with the city designing bike lanes every damn wear for quite some time now-probably because I have not been a frequent bike rider since I was a teen. But this photo jumped out at me on the front page of Brooklyn Paper of Brooklyn artist Agata Olek and her flambouyant bike. If I saw this lady riding I'd stop...stare for a moment...and let her float on in peace.

Full story of bike rider can be read here.

NaPtural Inspiration: MALE EDITION: Jesse Boykins III

2011-04-12T11:25:00.000-04:00

Check Boykins' cameo in YahZarah's "Why Don't You Call Me No More" video

NaPtural Inspiration: Singer, Leela James

2011-04-12T11:12:00.000-04:00

I call her the small woman with the golden voice as big and voluminous as her natural coif!

NaPtural Inspiration: Singer, Algebra Blessett

2011-03-13T22:18:00.000-04:00

NaPtural Inspiration: Singer, Goapele

2011-03-13T22:15:00.000-04:00

Whether locked or braided, I adore Goapele's hair.

{Color Focus: Coral}

2011-03-12T16:41:00.000-05:00

I'm not a girlie-girl in the least. I don't reach for purples, and I don't grasp my pearls when I see pink. But there is something about Coral and all it's highs and lows that make me giggle.

(Interior design courtesy of Interior Design Reference )

(Photo courtesy of AY Magazine )

(Page from Lucky Magazine, April 2011 spread.)

NaPtural Inspiration: Singer/Song Writer, YahZarah aka Purple St. James

2011-03-12T11:45:00.000-05:00

What a great singer/performer. If you don't know about YahZarah I suggest you do some research.

PEEP GAME: YahZarah aka Purple St. James: "Why Dontcha Call Me No More" music video

Peep Game: N'Dambi "Can't Hardly Wait" music video

2011-03-12T11:39:00.000-05:00

Check out the clothing choices...embrace the hair styles!

NaPtural Inspiration: Singer, N'Dambi

2011-03-12T11:37:00.000-05:00

I love the hair & style of this North Carolina native.

NaPtural Inspiration: Singer, Conya Doss

2011-03-12T11:34:00.001-05:00

NaPtural Inspiration: Singer, N'Dambi

2011-03-12T11:34:00.000-05:00

I adore the hair/style of this North Carolina native.

NaPtural Inspiration: Singer, Sy Smith

2011-03-12T11:32:00.000-05:00

Peep Game: Marsha Ambrosius "Far Away" music video

2011-03-12T11:11:00.000-05:00

Please watch this video; such a great message and a break from the monotony of other videos being released.

Peep Game: Raphael Saadiq "Good Man" music video

2011-03-12T11:09:00.000-05:00

Not only is it a song you can vibe to, but the message is clear and the visuals are great. Loved seeing Yaya Dacosta play in this one.

NaPtural Inspiration: Model/Actress, Yaya DaCosta

2011-03-12T11:07:00.000-05:00

Always keeping it regal and napturalle!

(Photo still from her role in Raphael Saadiq's "Good Man" video.)

NaPtural Inspiration: Model, Bre Scullark

2011-03-12T11:05:00.000-05:00

Former America's Next Top Model contestant

NaPtural Inspiration: Singer/Song Writer, Corrine Bailey Rae

2011-03-12T11:02:00.000-05:00

There aren't enough words for how much I love Corrine.

NaPtural Inspiration: Actress, Mari Morrow

2011-03-12T11:00:00.000-05:00

Some of the best hair in the game!

NaPtural Inspiration: Actress/Singer, Heather Headley

2011-03-12T10:58:00.000-05:00

Beautiful voice. Beautiful face. Beautiful hair versatility!

NaPtural Inspiration: Jazz Singer, Esperanza Spalding

2011-03-12T10:54:00.000-05:00

I was first introduced to Spalding through a spread in a Black woman's hair care magazine, and fell in love with her look/style from the beginning.

NaPtural Inspiration: Actress, Rachel True

2011-03-12T10:50:00.000-05:00

The go-to-black-girl-in-all-those-90s-movies! That's how some may refer to True because they didn't know her name. But you can't forget her lovely hair.

NaPtural Inspiration: Actress/Singer/Song Writer, Cree Summer

2011-03-12T10:46:00.000-05:00

I've loved Cree Summer's character Winifred "Freddy" Brooks on A Different World since I was a kid. What I loved even more about her was her full head of tight ringlets, before I even knew what ringlets were.

2011-02-09T12:27:00.002-05:00

I've had these pair of construction boots (Timberlands) for nine-count 'em 1-2...9-NYC winters. I've plowed and shoveled snow in them; crushed rock salt and ice melt in them; they have been hit with hail, sleet, ice, rain and even bleach. My trusty Tims!

2011-02-09T12:23:00.003-05:00

Was leaving work one day and encountered a building, that was being worked on, that was causing underground rumbling from an inside explosion. Hoping no one was hurt/injured. But I was OUT!

2011-02-09T12:21:00.003-05:00

NYC was continually beat up with snowstorm after icestorm after rainstorm for the past few weeks. Hopefully, this scene won't repeat for another winter.

2011-01-16T18:47:00.004-05:00

NYC had more snow dumped on the streets this past week. But something was a little bit different...check out what I captured:

An actual Sanitation Department clean-up courtesy of the department screwing up during the December blizzard. They cleared the streets all night, laid rock salt and even cleared icey paths on the sidealks. In conclusion, they did their jobs. Congrats!

2011-01-08T19:44:00.005-05:00

I couldn't help but grab a quick shot of a fellow sista waiting for her stop with her bags from Marc Jacobs. Yes, BAGS!!! To top it off her carry bag and boots were fly. Made me smile on the inside.

2011-01-08T10:55:00.006-05:00

It snowed yet again in the NYC. All this white stuff has me bored and thinking of metallics for some reason. Metallics just happened to be one of the big trends of Fall 2010.

I spotted these gold laceless oxfords on the way to work one day. [Excuse my legs in the shot.]

I managed to find these silver laced pair on the Forever 21 website.

2011-01-06T10:28:00.006-05:00

Bringing in 2011 was great, except for one thing. Two really! The aftermath of the blizzard left tons of snow/ice & trash...yuck!(The above pic was taken right before dawn. Those cars got stuck while driving.)

(About 26 inches fell causing the dark SUV to get stuck hours earlier. And that wack hooptie parked in front of my residence belongs to a lonely nosey ass neighbor!)

Bloomberg & Sanitation clearly dropped the ball for an entire week and counting.

2010-12-28T13:36:00.003-05:00

The snow finally quit falling yesterday morning, but the cleanup has been a disaster. On days like these when I have to push back the dreaded snow, ly down rock salt and keep from cursing from the lack of good shows on t.v., I just think back to snowy days that have passed. Which brings me to today's thought: Timberland construction boots! I still have a pair, which are strictly worn in the snow. Not really good on warmth, but they get the job done. I have copped many a pair of "Tims" but I still wear the only contruction pair originally purchased during my high school days years ago. Talk about a throwback!! I might just have to dedicate a whole post to my "Timberland" days...just might.

It's snowing...

2010-12-26T15:13:00.004-05:00

...and all I can think about is fly footwear. No, not Uggs! Actual boots that can stand up to the harsh elements of the NorthEast and still make an outfit rock out. Like these models from boot company SOREL:

Artist Frank Morrison

2010-07-03T11:53:00.003-04:00

This guy makes some of the fliest art pieces I've ever seen in my life. I guess it's because of his graffiti background.

And being an 80's baby I adore graffiti art. Each piece by Morrison makes me want to buy a house, paint each wall a different color and put all his work on the walls...nothing else. Forget those boring wall sconces...Frank Morrison artwork is what I need in my decor.

(Shown above) Frank Morrison's latest work: Dream Catcher (Limited Edition) (l.) and previous work, Sweet Hearts (r.)

Proud Divas (below)

Fly Girls (below r.) Beat Street (below l.)