This spacious and sunny two bedroom is great for artists, a couple, or small family. It is as charming as a mother-in-law but much more modern and forgiving. When it rains, pay extra attention to the crack in the ceiling, that was from 2005 when he told her, “If it’s love than let it go and …
This song, accompanied by James Swindell’s music video, is simply stunning. And though life hasn’t been so exemplary for miss M, the melodies found in this particular tune makes today feel as if I am floating in a bounty of clouds and grace… Laura Mvula’s freshmen album titled, Sing To The Moon is very polished; the kind of …
When it comes it b lines directly to you on the dance floor. It is rude and disruptive and wants to be heard. You are accepting. When it comes your friends tell you to be careful. Quiet. Gentle. Smart. Patient. Strong. You’re sweating but it’s cold and you rush out of REM into a sort …
This DIY project is merely a tutorial on how I winterized a perfectly swoon-worthy vintage mod chair back in February. And though today is a beautiful sunny first day of April, this winterizing, if you will, seemed like the perfect solution to creating a cozier corner nook in my teeny Brooklyn flat. The winter here has …
Music should wear notes Music should sing lullabies to the babies so they can go to sleep Music should dance — Unknown 4th Grade Girl <3
So I had a dream last night that I was having an extremely humble poor-man’s wedding—kinda just how I’ve always envisioned and wanted, I guess. I was dressed in a pretty white sweater with jeans but when his mother saw me, with complete disdain she said, “Yeah. You better change.” Going down a long concrete …
No I wasn’t at the 1992 Los Angeles riots. I was 9-years-old on a playground in Hershey, Pennsylvania learning the ropes of boarding school for semi-smart, poor, yet well-behaved kids. Meanwhile, our girl, Dr. Mae C. Jemison (left) took orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on September 12, 1992 as the 1st African-American women in space. Mae received …
Maybe it’s because I’m hungry but after finding her world renowned chocolate soufflé recipe, I was shocked that I hadn’t known of her before. Edna Lewis, (April 13, 1916 — February 13, 2006) was mentioned in her obituary as “the South’s answer to Julia Child”— a perfect representation of her legacy. She was born in Freetown, Virginia, in 1916, …
I think this is the third year in a row that I’m going to attempt slinging some African-American historical facts during the month of February—hold me to it. OK? In the meantime, peep this Tumblr blog that celebrates all things black culture and everything else in between. I think you’re gonna like it. Happy Friday
So I drag my ass and a friend to a writing workshop. We bike for almost a half-hour through the blustery rain and cold of Brooklyn. This is my first time attending a workshop since living in San Francisco. We walk in the building, up the elevator, into the hall, over the river and through the …
“Mostly what I want to create is something very interesting for eyeballs, it’s more visual than anything—a visual experience.” Every time I get the honor to interview fine artists, a bit of awkwardness takes over me. But the art of interviewing and allowing talented people to illustrate authentic insights on their work and process, winds …
There’s been a lot of photo-cataloging, working and drinking in my life as of late. Peep me, here, and let’s be obsessed together—forever and never be apart. ps I’m having an awful time falling asleep.
It’s been stated that on average, Americans spend over 90% of our time indoors (these statistics may not reflect most Californian’s and other sun-seekers who no doubt use their outdoor environment as a yearlong playground). Even so, it is particularly surprising to hear that indoor air is scientifically proven to be often times more polluted than outdoor air. And most of …
1. I was raised there from the age of six to 21-years-old before moving out West. 2. The Baltimore Orioles, who’ve made a fairytale comeback this season! 3. Because the city of Baltimore and mostly the entire state of Maryland is surrounded by water—lakes, rivers, marshes, the bay, and the ocean. Consider it a dirtier version of …
So, as many of you may know, when I like something I play it OUT. I’ve been unabashedly listening to ‘Genesis’ from Grimes’ new album for about two and a half weeks straight; with some random 90′s hip hop and freak folk peppered into my playlist(s). To my pleasant surprise, the video came out a little under …
She turned her attention to the junky purse and wrestled out a book of short stories she was finally becoming attached to. But soon after she finished the second paragraph, the bus stopped at fourteenth street. A lady walked on the bus, and the young women took her eyes from the pages of the book and …
Last weekend instead of binge drinking and celebrating Labor Day, I moved out of my place, went through some pretty traumatizing life changes and dip dye’d my curtains for this week’s LOCZIdesign’s blog post… I live in an apartment with my dog Kocoa who loves to push his head through the curtains to look outside of …
Nicola Noelle Buffa has worked with some of our clients at LOCZIdesign (the small interior design firm I blog for) to create custom conceptual textile pieces for their home. She is a traditionally trained fine artist, highly skilled third generation seamstress, treasure collector, and master of domesticity. Hailing from Orange County, Nicola admits to coveting her SoCal rockabilly roots in …
Can you tell that I’ve only been getting 4 hours of sleep for the past two months? Can you tell that during the day I’m likely to feel guilt, sorrow, sadness, exhaustion, excitement, pain, but not hunger? Just by looking at me, would you guess that I’ve been emotionally attempting to suffocate myself with things to do — …
So if you know me outside of my alter ago — M-squared, you know that I’ve been an avid bike-rider for over a decade. You’ve heard me complain about public transportation, about cars, about sweating too much before I get to the club, and almost always about wearing a helmet. I often times come off …
August 13th, today, is Left-hander’s Day. And on top of all the other things I could bitch and moan about being in the minority of, being left-handed is one that spans across all creeds and seems far more plausible and playful in its celebration. I stand firm in my admiration, pride and empathy for fellow …
When you arrive and find yourself on the brink of change, does everything appear to be vast and open? Does the knowing and unknowing of who and what and where you’ll be in the next coming phase — turning of age scare you? And though change is an ever changing affair, does it baffle you …
There’s no excuse really for the lack of real talk blogging on m-squared this past year — but I’ll still list a few: I feel extremely empty inside only writing about what’s going on in my life. What about what’s going on in yours? I’m so tired of looking at a computer screen after writing blog entries for my …
My grandfather, Hugo, named me ‘Choicee” when I was a little babe. His first Grandchild from his first and only daughter. First granddaughter. Much like the word ‘choice’, but with an extra E sound — and letter. Turns out I am choicee, or choosy, I suppose is the non-Liberian broken English Translation. Don’t know how …
Uh huh, yeah. Good morning to you too. But could you tell me why waking up feels as though you’re exiting the womb? It’s so mystifying — sleep. It’s a bitter sweet, almost alien-like experience waking up from it — the earlier the more eerie. I have a friend who just recently started a job …
Remember how hard it was to see a naked body when you were a kid/teenager? I don’t know if I was just a little too curious, but it was always on my mind — and always such a mind-fuck to actually see one: the side of a breast, a vagina and god forbid a flaccid …
Reblogged from M-squared: Got my hair braided today. I took a ten year break from it, but have recently started up again. Only this time I’m 4,000 miles away from my hairdresser–my mother–I miss her. The way she smelled of rose petals and freesia as I sat between her lap for hair-braiding and a long chat. She never …
A young woman in her early 30’s walked to the bus stop a block away from her house and waited there with a chilled bottle of Mexican soda pop in her hand. The bus finally arrived. But when it did, it came to a squeaking halt about a dozen feet past where she was standing. … Continue reading »
Beth Bates Shout obscenities at the goldfish shitting up the Tupperware on your mantel and refuse them food and oxygen. Feel like crying, but don’t. Slash the tires of the person who fracked your plans. Or not. Tell yourself, “It’ll work out.” Write a treatise exposing the low standard of business practices among Christian business … Continue reading »
The secret bookshop, Brazenhead Books; NYC. Continue reading »
In eleventh grade, I was in a small singing ensemble called the “New Horizons”, (spoiler alert. I was in band from 4th grade until 10th grade and sang in choir from nine years old, all the way through college). We were your typical high-school troop who sang dated, cheesy songs from our mothers and grandmother’s era at luncheons, … Continue reading »
Now that Vagina (Valentine’s) day is officially over and all of my self-bought flowers are beginning to wilt; I thought it was safe to jump back into Black History Month. Before it’s all said and done. I heard of Jamel Shabazz and his book, A Time Before Crack, several years ago. It was at the … Continue reading »
That’s about it. Also that I may be going back to drinking gin exclusively. I’ll let you know how it goes this weekend in Miami… Continue reading »
You were good to me this past long weekend. I learned how to ride you like a true champ — much to my surprise. But you gave me too much time to think about my life. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about that. Continue reading »
I have the biggest crush on Fatime Al Qadiri— a lovely producer/composer; born in Senegal, raised in Kuwait and now based in Brooklyn. Who knows, maybe I’ll run into her on my birthday (sike, I wish). Turns out she’s been making music on her casio since 9-years-old as a vessel of escape from what the squares were … Continue reading »
I like being snugly and comfortable on Friday nights; preferably staying in to watch something campy, or depressing while everyone else drinks at bars like it’s amateur hour. In light of the sun being in Gemini and my birthday just around the corner, I thought I would show you which sweatshirts I’d like for my 29th. Pick which one you like … Continue reading »
