THAT GUY'S GOTTA STOP... HE'LL SEE US

[This post's title comes from James Dean's last words before he was killed in a car crash]

[Music: My favourite song by the Sonics, "Walking the Dog"]

THE EMINENT ANCESTOR ATTACKED THE GHOST REGION. THE THIRD YEAR HE CONQUERED IT. ORDINARY PEOPLE WERE NOT EMPLOYED.

I have this recurring dream that I realise there's a whole new floor to my house that I never realised was there. Like, I have much more to do, more space to dominate and grow into. It's a nice floor too. 

What does it mean? Obviously, the house represents me. That's standard dream stuff. My first thought was, I need to work harder to realise all that I am capable of. But upon reflection, I thought, maybe it means I shouldn't try so hard because everything is already there waiting for me to discover it?

[Post's title comes from a reading I got from the IChing. Obvious, isn't it? ha.]

THEREIN LIES THE IRONY

LOLA RE + COMPLEXD MAGAZINE

So I've got a new writing gig that I'm actually very excited about. I'll be contributing to the UK's only digital multicultural magazine, called Complexd.


I met the force behind Complexd, Kered Clement at an event, and I was incredibly impressed by her. Fashion is full of crazy, big personalities and the first thing I noticed was how chilled out and focused she was.


I introduced myself, we sat down and she told me her vision behind the magazine. The world is increasingly multicultural she says. Modern women live in more than one place, celebrate different cultures, speak different languages, and want their magazines to reflect that.


The potential is limitless, and it's definitely a project I want to be involved in. Stay tuned.




[photo from www.complexd.co.uk]

NO MORE MR. NICE GUY

I am not exactly a stilettos and lace-front girl myself, but I have to say Kimora Lee Simmons has made a fantastic perfume with Baby Phat Golden Goddess. It smells sweet and warm, with notes of champagne, night orchid, blue lilies and Brazilian seringa. Not overpowering, just mellow and soft. I like it a lot... 5 checks-worth. Now that's a first here at Lola Re.

[Today's song is a classic pairing between Pharrell and Snoop - "Drop It Like It's Hot." See, you didn't think I listened to hip hop, did you? lol]

EVEN THE LIGHTS ARE DANCING AT THE BOOGALOO TONIGHT

I went on a walk the other day and saw this graffiti under a bridge. Would make a nice print, but I like the way mostly that you can find something joyful, amusing and absurd under a dirty old bridge. 

[This post's title comes from a couple of weeks when I was at a venue called Boogaloo with a friend listening to a very talented group of young guys performing a retro version of 'Doin' the Mess Around'. Suddenly this old guy got up and started actually doing the dance, and everyone went crazy because it was so cool. The joint was jumping so much, the lights were flickering. And hence the title.]

DON'T YOU PAY THEM FOLKS NO NEVER MIND

Since living in England, where the winters are colder than.... almost anything I've ever experienced, my skin has started getting dehydrated in the winter. This cream really helps solve that problem! It's cheap, you can find it at pretty much any health store, and it really melts into my skin, balancing it and leaving it soft and plump with no irritation, breakouts or oiliness halfway through the day. I'd give it 5 checks, but it smells like medicine. It's definitely a staple though.





[This post's title comes from a line in the film Malcolm X. A woman said that to him right before he was assassinated and he smiled and said "Yes Ma'am." Denzel Washington was incredible in this role - there were large periods of the film that I forgot it was him, which is hard when you're an actor as talented and famous as Denzel Washington. Definitely go see that movie if you haven't already.]

DON'T WORRY... MY HEART, IT DON'T NEVER QUIT. I AIN'T READY TO CHECK OUT

[This post's title comes from the first monologue in Carlito's Way, when Al Pacino is really out of it and being rushed to the hospital.]


[The song is Metamorphosis by Philip Glass, and the pianist is Branka Palic. I have heard it performed by other pianists, but the way she plays it is so .... great? I dunno I really love the composer and pianist together. And the lighting on the stage]

HUNKER DOWN JOHNNY, GO ON

[Song: "Looks Like Rain" by Babeshadow and The Street.]
[pic: apatchofskye.com]

PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR THE CAUSE AND CURE IS CALLING

Straight to the inspiration: the title for this post is inspired by a song by The New Pornographers called "Your Hands." I really like the lyrics, they remind me of some kind of modern social call to action.

"Put-put-put your hands together
For the silver bullet make me
Put-put-put your heads together
For the cause and cure we’re waiting

Digging through and past the center
Of the earth go straight
Play the scientist and vandal
Sweating either way"

One cool modern call to action is Coalition of the Willing, which encourages people to use the Internet and pool their knowledge to help combat global warming. The video is really amazing, I've never seen graphics like that before, aaaaaaaaaand I've included it below. 

IF YOU SMILE AT THE MIRROR, THE MIRROR SMILES BACK AT YOU

[This post's title comes from a practical wise version of The Golden Rule told to me by a very smart Chinese guy in my neighbourhood]





[Music is a song I've been OBSESSED with by Jazmine Sullivan. She has such a raw, emotionally powerful voice. It makes me want to start singing again.]
[pic: me]

JUST BE YOURSELF

[pic: apatchofskye.com]

SHOW ME YOUR TEETH

[This post's title is also the title of a Lady Gaga song]
[pic: me]

WHO'S TINO?

[This post's title comes from My So Called Life, which was one of my favourite TV shows. It had some guy named Tino in it who never actually was in any scenes, but everyone talked about him like he'd just arrived or just left. And the acting in it was so good! Remember this scene? "Do any human beings ever realise life while they live it? Every, every minute?"]

[pic: apatchofskye.com]

THE SOUTHERN HARMONY AND MUSICAL COMPANION

[This post's title is also the title of the album i'm listening to on repeat today, the 1998 album by the Black Crowes.]





[Music is from a really amazing Amazing band I saw on Late Night with Jools Holland, Delta Spirit. This song is called White Table]
[pic: apatchofskye.com]

YOU HAVE A HEART LIKE MINE

[pic: apatchofskye.com]

I'M A GOOD GIRL, I AM

[This post's title comes from a line in My Fair Lady]
[pic: me]

IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA DANCE, JUST STAY HOME AND LISTEN TO THE OLDIES STATION

[This post's title is a quote from the band Gossip about their music theory. They say 'our mission is to make you dance']
[pic: me]

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU AND YOU AND YOU AND OH ESPECIALLY YOU

So this is what I'm wearing for now. I also changed my hair and got new shoes from Sweden but I'll have to take better pics of them at another, more opportune moment (i.e. not in the office handicapped bathroom. HA) Ya'll know I had to get caught up. I hope you like it :o)

TEENAGE HEARTS ARE BREAKING AROUND THE WORLD TONIGHT

Is it wrong for me to want an intern for my everyday life? I'm soooooooooooooo overcommitted. (A big sorry to my one fan, I'm sorry Anonymous I will do more FOTD).

Is the 6 day workweek too much? It's all stuff I love doing though - dance, art, fashion, etc... and meeting all the really cool people out there and trying to keep up with the beautiful souls back in the States.

OK would love to finish this but I have to go to dance class.......

:o)

A TOMMY DROPS HIS HARMONICA IN NO MAN'S LAND

I figured I'd do a review post because this blog after all does say "beauty" in the title, and there are some cool products I've been using but haven't reviewed.  I'll just say I have sensitive, combination skin and I'm always trying to fight breakouts and even my skintone.

I tried SK-II's facial treatment essence for a few months. It's gotten rave reviews by beauty bloggers, the fashion press and spokespeople like Cate Blanchett whose skin I think is lovely.  It's got pitera in it, which is an extract of fermented sake from Japan. It's also quite expensive which makes you think it's going to work really well (lol). 

You use it twice a day after you wash and tone your face, as an emulsion. Just put a few drops in your hands and press them into your face and neck, then follow it with your serum, moisturiser, etc etc. Some women call it their Holy Water but I'm not really a fan.

I thought it smelled bad first of all. Like... eggs. Secondly, I didn't see any positive change in my skin while I was using it. In fact, I think my skin actually felt less plump and more delicate after using it for 6 weeks. And because it's in a glass jar, it doesn't travel well and I was always scared of dropping it on the floor.

Two checks. I honestly don't think it's worth the money. The half-used bottle is just laying in a drawer now!

[The title for this post comes from a poem I saw on the subway and wrote down in my phone. It's called Harmonica by Michael Longley and it's part of the series Poems on the Underground, which has loads of poems in different places on the subways. (So you're not just looking at deodorant commercials)]

IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME DON'T

[This post's title comes from the song "If you don't believe me, don't" by The Psychotics. I love 60s garage music. listenlistenlisten ]

DON'T MIND IF I DO

If I were a more astute producer, I'd do a mash-up of Emilie Simon's "The Big Machine" and The Grateful Dead's "Candyman." Try playing them at the same time.