Sunday, May 23, 2010

MUSIC || tippin' on the tightrope.


I checked out Janelle Monae's new project, The ArchAndroid, which was released on Tuesday. I've been listening to a bit of it each day, but I finally had time to sit and listen through it in its entirety yesterday before I went to bed. It's a lot to chew on. But I like that in music. It's an eclectic mix of all types of music, not just the funk/soul mix you get from her single, "Tightrope." It's fun. And it makes you FEEL. For most of the songs, there's so much going on, it takes one listen to feel each song's vibe, one listen to really get the intricacies of the music, and one to really pay attention to the lyrics. I love it.

I think this review sums up how I feel about it.
If you don't know Janelle Monae, check out this video and get the album:


Friday, May 21, 2010

LIFE || inspiration to live life to the fullest

[i'm inspired by] cute chubby girls. pretty fat girls. girls with style. girls who don't let size define them. girls who go out and do. girls who wear bright colors because they refuse to hide. girls who wear black because it's chic, not because it's slimming. girls who know fat does not equal ugly. or dumb. girls like [my]self. and sometimes, girls [i] wish [i] could be.

-- revised facebook status from two days ago

I had a long post about body acceptance that was going to go here, but I scratched it. I'd been bogged down with lots of body hate coming from everywhere, from the media to myself. Then I just started typing. The status speaks for itself. Being comfortable in your skin takes time and you have to do it over and over again. It helps if you have inspiration. And this is dedicated to my friends and family of all sizes who live life to the fullest, not obsessed with numbers on a tag or a scale. To those who know that life won't start when they gain 10 pounds or lose 50. That even if they aren't all the way pleased with health or size, they work on it, but still live! They're not afraid to be silly, to be fly, to dress up, to dance, to travel, to shop, to throw out clothes that don't fit, to flirt, to eat, even. Those that have major sex appeal or just those that feel sexy.

I am working to get that way everyday.

I'm pretty sure more will come in the future.

*photo of model Tara Lynn in French Elle Magazine

Monday, May 17, 2010

MUSIC || thicke v. robin thicke: or something like that.

See, I enjoy Robin Thicke. I love his music. He's sexy. He's smooth. He's suave. But if I had to choose, I'd take THICKE over Robin Thicke any day. Yes, I know. Thicke is Robin Thicke. But still.

I was a senior in high school when I saw the video for "When I Get You Alone." I don't want to sound like every little thing changed my life, but I really feel like watching that video was a life-changing event. I knew that my music life would never be the same, and I had a hunch the music world would be affected as well.

So I looked him up. And found out who he was. And tried to get my hands on the album--which was kind of hard because it got pushed back. (I know, I went to the music store to get the album and they told me it wasn't out yet.) When I finally got my hands on it, and listened, I thought: This man is crazy. . . and I love it.

It was soul and wild and raw. There were so many different sounds and topics covered in that one album. Every single emotion was touched on and tapped into. From brutally honest "The Stupid Things" to "Suga Mama" about his woman who "won't public affection me" all the way to the laid back optimism of "I'm 'a Be Alright." It was just brilliant to me.
Absolutely brilliant. And, yes, while Robin Thicke's new singles are sexy and cool, there is something I miss from the the Thicke of A Beautiful World.

I think that's why, though I love his singles, I love getting my hands on the albums because that's where the artist I was introduced to can still be heard. He's evolved, of course, but the essence is still there. Which is why he's still one of my favorite artists to this day.

By the way: I liked his long hair.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

UPDATE || changes? pt.2

. . .and i drink cups of tea has a new layout! I really like it. It's fresh and clean and fun!

I am now working on the organization of the content. I talk about everything here, but i feel like it needed a focus. From now on you'll see a category before each title. The categories are:

LIFE -- posts on how i may see life/ am learning to see life
LOVE -- views on love and relationships
MUSIC -- posts related to music
ART -- posts related to art
FASHION -- posts related to fashion/ plus size fashion
FOOD -- about food, of course
UPDATE --- posts that are just me checking in or let
IRL (in real life) -- posts related to things going on in my personal life

I'm also trying to figure a schedule of when to write in each category to keep me writing regularly here. I'm not sure yet.

I think that this organization system will work for me and mostly be great for all who read this blog. I'm really excited.

Feel free to leave some feedback! I'd appreciate it.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

UPDATE || changes?

I've been thinking about the format and direction of . . . and i drink cups of tea lately. I know that I want to change the format of it a bit, maybe follow some sort of theme. I'm really not sure though because the content here is all over the place, and it's been a semi-personal blog for most of the time I've had it. I don't even think many people read it, you know? But I'd like to make it different or bigger somehow.

There'll be a few changes in the coming months and I also will be more regular with posting. Thanks to those who already read . . . and i drink cups of tea so far! Comments and suggestions are welcome! Please and thanks.

And just for good measure, The new Beyonce video "Why Don't You Love Me":

"Why Don't You Love Me" - Beyoncé from Beyoncé on Vimeo.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010