Dreams and goal posts

Progression is a tricky thing. How do you measure how far you've come if you're always evolving? The goals and direction you were working towards last year maybe completely different from your vision currently. Maybe you achieved more maybe you achieved less. As long as you're working and happy with the results nothing else really matters.

 It took me along time to understand that there's no cookie cutter for success that suits everyone. 

Everyone has different aspirations. Don't second guess your dreams because someone else's happy ending is different from yours. Some people want a brownstone with a stoop, some want red bottoms and a matching purse. Some want a condo with a city view others want a private jet so they can fly over the city. Remember your dreams, remember why they're special to you and don't let anyone knock them. 

To you it may look like I'm sitting on a goal post but to me I'm sitting on top of the world. Keep living. 

-Mego

What ever happened to Joe?

Summer time and Big Pun are synonymous, at least to me. Excuse me while I disturb my neighbours trying to hit these notes

 
 'Boricua, Morena'
 -Mego

Things that ruined my life

TRAPPED OUT THE BANDO, what does that even mean? *Rubs temples*

WOLVERINE!!!!! *cue adamantium blades*

So I went to see Wolverine last night, got really excited, went home and watched the rest of the X-men series. Now I'm here trying to move my cell phone with my mind and wondering if I squeeze my fists tight enough if a set of blades will shoot out of my knuckles. I'm going to make this post quick because Professor Xavier will probably be paying me a visit soon since, you know, I need to be taught how to control my super awesome mutant power. Anyway, I'm no movie critic, I don't even really know how to do movie reviews so let me wing this thing.

Wolverine or Logan or Hugh Jackman is a very, very very..very fine man. Jean is thirsty, she's all up in the man's dreams trying to seduce him in some white lingerie, titties all out.. bitch, we see you. It's interesting though, that entire subconscious dream shit was shot from his perspective,  highlighting the perve slime that he is. There's nothing wrong with that, he a very handsome perve slime.

Anyway it was dope to see Wolverine or Logan or whatever be humananized (is that a word?) for a little bit. The poor man is always being shot at, thrown through some forest or running for his dear life. When my dude got shot and didn't heal I had to choke back my tears. I was in the theatre like HOLD ON ONE DAMN SECOND, what the fuck you mean he's still bleeding?? Ugh, my heart. He finally really appreciates being a damn mutant. Homie has been beating the shit out of people and walking away for centuries and now he catches a blow and really feels it. But only for a little bit, don't worry, Wolverine never dies, he's like Chuck Norris. I feel like they buy their denim from the same boutique.

 Moving along. There are some interesting japanese cultural themes tied into the movie, the whole notion of respect, it just strikes a cord deep in my soul. But then there's this whole other theme of 'ask and if you don't recieve just take it and tell that person to fuck off' it's just so moving. Oh before I forget, there's this babe in the movie? Let me just tell you from now, you're probably already aware Beyonce 'cut' her hair.. let's just say the weave she took out got put to good use.
All in all, the movie was pretty awesome except for some corny ass transformer infused samurai ruining everyone's life. James Marigold did his thing, he clearly took a thing or two from Snyder and he probably read a stack of comics before he got to filming, AS HE SHOULD.

I rate this film, 2 blades, I mean thumbs up. Oh and those abs???? #heyboo

-Mego

WHEN I FEEL LIKE IT

I live in a parallel universe. It is not here nor there. It's my world, my reality, my fantasy, my nightmare. I do what I do when I want to do it. I say no when I want. I smile, I laugh, I'm grumpy, I scowl. Sometimes I dress up like I'm going to a ball, other times I dress like I'm on set for Mary J. Blige's Real Love video. I have fun. I galavant. I stay home. I eat take-out. Sometime's I'm vegan, other times I only eat meat. I'm responsible when necessary. At times I'm a tea leaf dancer, a gypsy of sorts. With that being said, in no way do I think the world revolves around me. I'm very aware of the bullshit that occurs around me, I simply choose not to be apart of it. Turn up, turn down, turn neutral, turn left or right - whatever.  Just do what makes you feel good and worry about the rest later.

This song seems appropriate. Maybe not. Enjoy.
-Mego

MONDAY NIGHT MOOD MUSIC

Let your hair down, grab that wooden spoon and belt out these lyrics with me




'Preeeettaaaaaaaaaaaay'

 - Mego

London Lovin

I was only in London for 3 days, but it was instant love. The amazing sights, fantastic accents, ah-may-zing shopping (Primark is a broke girls dreammm), crazy partying and great food. I only wish I could've stayed longer, there's so much to experience there, but there's always next time. I leave you with a few of my captures of my trip:

Definitely couldn't leave without visiting the famed Harrods

 

 I stayed at the Citizen M, highly recommend it to anyone traveling to London or Amsterdam. It is super chic and modern and each hotel is uniquely decorated. Also it's really high tech, you control your room with a remote or an ipad, there's mood lighting and free movies it's well worth the price.

On the London Eye

'Living' in London (have you bought your toque yet?)

Ello Ben

Is it too early to book another trip?

-Nicole aka earthwanderer

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

shop here

broke&living&nevertakingtheTTCagain
-Mego

Been around the world and I - I - I

So as I said in my last post I just recently returned to reality from my stupid awesome month long trip to Amsterdam. Why Amsterdam you ask, well aside from it being scenically beautiful and completely amazing, the love of my life happens to live there and we do the whole long distance thing from Toronto to Amsterdam. It has its tough points (the whole ocean apart thing, for one) but so far it's been pretty awesome, aside from him being one of the best things that has happened to me, our love also takes us to amazing places we've never been before. I've been to Amsterdam, Paris, London, Spain, New York and who knows if I would have traveled to these places had it not been for my relationship. Love and travel? What could be better.

This trip was the best to date, it was like my graduation present to myself, three and a half weeks in Amsterdam, a trip to London and another trip to Barcelona. I'll split up the trip posts, and start off this wanderlust fiesta with Barcelona, Spain. So the best way to see Barcelona if you only have 2 days is by motor scooter, how me and my boyfriend managed to rent a scooter with no international license or European license is beyond me *cue chamilionaire's ridin dirty*, but we did it and let me tell you I was scared for my life on the back of that scooter. However I got to see everything, we got everywhere super fast and it was surprisingly cheap! Also having a friend that lives there is a great help too (Hey Claire boo). The one thing I expected from Barcelona was nice weather and beautiful beaches, and boy did I not get any of that lol it was cold most of our trip and the one time we went to the beach there was what seemed to be a category 4 hurricane and an intense sand storm -_- .... I'm sorry was I complaining?

We checked out as much as we could, the most memorable and important sites to check out when you're in Barcelona are any or all of Antoni Gaudi's surrealist architectural masterpieces. We visted the infamous Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, and the Park Guell. Antoni Gaudi must have been on something, cause all of his works are like something someone on mushrooms would describe to you. If Barcelona wasn't on your bucket list, after these pics...it should be, if not for the warm weather and nice beaches, then definitely for Gaudi. Without further adieu, my captures of Barcelona.
 

La Sagrada Familia

La Pedrera

Hey Boyfriend

Park Guell

Wish I could post all my pictures, but you get the gist....pure awesomeness.

 -Nicole "take me back" Simmons

Milestones

So I just recently got back from an amazing month long trip to Europe (vaycay posts and pics to come) and not even a week later was my graduation. I wasn't really excited about it or thought much of the whole thing, but let me tell you it feels DAMN good to officially draw that chapter of my life to a close. Four long hard years of studying, tests, projects, stress, and fun times and the rewarding feeling of never having to do it again is (excuse my french) fucking fantastic. 

School takes up a shitload of our life, from age 6 to 23 I have been in school learning, for the most part haha, and just like that I'm finished. It's like I'm Django and I just got my free man papers, it's sooo liberating! Now comes the question of what now? I'm off to mold my life, I have to be a grown up....such a scary thought. Job, Car, House, Marriage, Kids? That's how it's supposed to go right? Nah fuck that, I'm not one for conventionality, it's time for me to let life actively happen to me. Meaning I'm going to enjoy these next few months and see where life takes me but never let life just happen to me, but wherever it takes me you best believe broke&living is going to be a huge part of it. Whatever happens I'm ready and willing, the future better bring it *pelvic thrusts*

Nicole - The Graduate

SENSIBLE FOOTWEAR

There was a time when you'd spend a good fraction of your pay cheque on a pair of kicks that were over priced, uncomfortable and more than likely half a size too small. Ah yes, the joys of being in high school. Gone are those days and now, being the young adult that you are it's only right that you buy shoes that meet your needs and are worth the investment. That's right homie, the Concords you just bought that squeeze your big toe and irritate your corns? Not worth it. 

Let me take this opportunity to introduce you to the Nike Roshe Run's. They've  been on the market for over a year but, I've only recently purchased these bad boys and let me say, I absolutely love them. The Roshe's are the epitome of simplicity, they're everything you need in a go-to sneaker. Features include full mesh up top which is great for  breathability and a Phylon midsole that's both lightweight and perfect for impact protection. In addition, the collar doubles as an ankle support and offers protection. The rubber outsole covers all your traction needs which makes this the  perfect sneaker to hit the gym or the track in.

If you're looking for a sneaker that offers arch support, comfort and is lightweight at an affordable price point, this is your shoe! If you spend majority of your day on your feet (that means all my nurses, servers, interns, and retail shorties) pick these sneakers up, they'll change your life! 

Nike waddap? 

-Mego 

THEME MUSIC THURSDAY

Doesn't James Blake look like one of the cashiers at Lavish & Squalor or is it just me? Anyway, while listening to his most recent album, I fell in love with Take a Fall for Me feat. RZA. You know that one song you keep pulling up before it even hits the chorus? This is it!

I heard through the grapevine that great love, it takes time

-Mego

SOMEONE ONCE TOLD ME SOMETHING

        This pretty much sums it up,

          

       Read it one more time

       I apologize about the image quality

        .....not. Squint.

     

          -Mego 

Stranger danger?

Ladies and gentlemen we've been had, lied to, hoodwinked, bamboozled. By whom you may ask? Our very own parentals.. Remember all those times they told you not to talk to strangers? Hogwash! Talking to strangers has led me to an array of interesting characters from best friends, to mentors and everything else in between. Experiences, lessons, joys, pains all because of encounters with strangers. One of the many perks of working where I am right now is that my office is located right across from Bryant Park, so at lunch I usually find myself having a sandwich and a glass of OJ in the park doing some people watching and sight seeing. This time I met a young gentleman (stranger) who asked if I could spare 4 minutes of my time to complete a survey about perfumes. Me being in such a great mood that day I obliged. After completing the survey (which was accompanied by a series of props) I decided to make conversation with this stranger, now known as Tajh Rust. I come to find out that Perfume guy is actually responsible for creating incredibly beautiful contemporary art pieces. He's an artist! Like a real bonafied contemporary art genius..

I discovered an array of inspiration and talent just by making conversation with this stranger. One thing I love about this city is that you never know who you're going to run into and what they're capable of. This one certainly blew me away.

Please be sure to check out his work: iTRustArt 

Thank you for inspiring.

..............sorry mom.

- Char

#TBT Swim Good

Many moons ago (and by many moons I mean last summer) the team and I decided to make use of the pool and a couple of point and shoot cameras we had laying around. This was the outcome.

  - Mego

Suffering Succotash

I'm on the number 5 train going from Brooklyn to Manhattan and from the corner of my eye i see movement. Not the uncomfortable shift in the seat type movement, or the "let me move out of this guy's way before he yawns in my face with his hot breath again" maneuver, but a two step of some sort. I look over and it's the happiest man i've ever seen wearing an old school Daffy Duck shirt jamming to whatever flavour is banging in his ear. While everyone on the train sits quietly with an almost somber/nonchalant/unamused look on their faces, heading to work or wherever they go at 7AM, this one is JAMMIN. He seriously just said "f**** it this is my shii".

This puts things into perspective for me.. in life we have choices. We can choose to succumb to unhappiness and boredom or we can make the decision to change our perspective and just be happy. Find the good in every bad. Don't worry be happy. (insert another cliche phrase here) Now i'm not saying you need to be doing the bachata everywhere you go...but like...smile once in a while you know?

- Char

THIRSTY THURSDAY

You know what I'm tired of? The overflow of useless information that seems to bombard my life. Social Networks have made it so easy to create and disseminate information that the important stuff tends to get lost somewhere in translation.

For instance,  I'll check my twitter account to find out what's going on in lets say... Syria and my timeline gets b-lined by some regurgitated motivational quote that's probably stolen from a meme that's probably stolen from a Walk To Remember. I have my moments and there are times when I'm really not in the mood. Thank God for filters. But sometimes, even those are no help. You happy people are like Chicken Pox and although I'm a big supporter of freedom of speech I really wish you all would take a hiatus from time to time.

Anyway the real purpose of this post is to  look at the 'lurking/creeping' and 'thirsting' we do via social networks. 

Everyone lurks/creeps, myself included. I was looking Rosa Acosta's Instagram page only a few moments prior to starting this post. She's so fine it gives me a migrane. Anyway, scrolling through her pictures isn't going to help me get abs or make my butt more firm. I need to put my phone down and take the same effort I  invested into creeping her page and use it towards working out. 

There's no sense in spending oodles of time scrolling through someone's online life unless it's motivating you to get up and do something. You get where I'm going with this? No? Regulate your creeping son. It's all fun and games until you accidentally like someone's picture. Yep. 

Moving along, thirsting is a dangerous game. Actually its pretty pathetic. You're practically stalking this person. You like all 106 pictures and spam their comments with those heart-eyed smiley faces. You know everything about them and I do mean everything. But wait, Hey, hold on, remember that thing you keep saying you'll do but still haven't done? Why don't you stop thirsting, get up and go do it. 

Man, if you're gonna thirst, thirst over more important things, thirst over paying your bills, bettering your education. And if you're already thirsting over your priorities-my bad. 

All I'm trying to say is spend less time gawking and watching people and focus on yourself. And if you have your shit in order and you are thirsting over yourself, then by all means,

-Mego 

WTF IS A CLAYCO ?

Music that exudes madness, the type of arrangement that has your lip curling and hands in the air at the drop of a baseline. That nitty-gritty raw feeling that puts you in the place of the artist. You're now drug lord or the trap gawd and in that moment all you want to do is take the energy that's building up in you and destroy something (in my case it's usually a desk). Anyway, without further adieu, I give you new work courtesy of the gentlemen over at W1SEGUYS, Derek Wise and his most recent single, Clayco off of his HIGHLY anticipated album, Mama's Basement.

 

 I Still don't know what a Clayco is though,
 -Mego

Yellow Cab

Complacency has never been something that sat well with me. To be honest it scares the 
living crap out of me. I want personal growth, I want self discovery, I want success 
and being complacent stops any of that from happening. The reason I get stuck there is 
out of fear, fear of the unknown. My breakfast consists of "what if" followed by a 
"I'm not good enough" lunch and then I end the day with large serving of an "I'm fine 
where I am" dinner. I'm fed up. 
 
In order to get what you've never had, you have to do something you've never done. 
That's how the saying goes right? They tell you to step outside of your comfort zone to
start making mistakes or potentially failing to really get your mojo going. Fine..so 
here I am...emptied out the savings... in a new city stripped from everything and 
everyone I hold near and dear putting in long hours at a fashion house built through 
the blood sweat and tears of the last emperor. In a cut throat environment where it is 
eat or be eaten... On a journey to self discovery, achieve personal goals and come 
out on top. The yellow cabs are my compass as I have no clue where I'm going or where 
I'll end up. But this is the city where dreams come true no? 
....wish me luck. 

(Photo credit: Toptravellists.net)

- Char 

....and you are?

I'm the biggest scatterbrain I know, I usually have a trillion thoughts running through my head at any given time. If you bump into me at Starbucks in the morning and ask me what plans I have in order the answer will probably change by lunch time. I can't help it *shrugs*

 I have a huge calendar above my desk, two agendas and  3 notebooks I jot my thoughts down in. So, it's not that I'm not organized, or that I'm confused. I know where I'm going, I just don't know how to get there. Unfortunately, even in this day and age, you can't type your dreams into a search engine and find the fastest route to achieving your goals. You have to map that shit out yourself. It's been a long time coming, and I've had plenty of ups and even more downs but I wouldn't change any of it for the world. 

The most important thing on the road to discovery is knowing who you are. You can read as many self help books as you like and pretend your all knowing but the only person you're fooling is yourself.

Take time and find out who you are and be comfortable with that person, love that person because if you don't, who will? 

There are too many people walking around who change who they are depending on the clique they're with, for what? Yo, mystic from x-men, shes a fictional character, that's not real life, stop your shit.

Obviously the people around you will mould you one way or another just don't let it flip who you are completely. Stay true to you. Your character, your vibe, your lasting impression on people, your word; these are all things that I believe should be consistent. These things define you. 

You're always changing, you weren't the same cluster of cells you were 5 minutes ago, it's inevitable. But change with purpose, evolve with experience and grow with wisdom. Don't conform to fit in. 

BE YOU! 

-Mego

LOVE IS LOVE, LOVE

I hope you love Method Man as much as I do,

 

Met this Redbone Jasmine Meghan in midtown Madhattan, haha 

WHAT IS LIFE?

Life isn't a game, this much I know. But, if it were to be compared to one it would definitely be Jenga.  Think about it, imagine all the blocks are life lessons, education and experiences you've acquired over the years. You move around the ones you need when an opportunities presents itself all the while keeping balance and trying not to topple over the Jenga tower that is your universe. The trick is appropriate placement, patience and observation. Shit, it makes sense to me. If you could compare your life to a game what would it be?

 -Mego

From Goddess to Goon, 5 songs that will bring out your inner ratchet

By now, I'm sure many of you are familiar with the term sophisti-ratchet. For those of you who are not, here is the definition courtesy of Urban Dictionary.

So-phis-ti-rat-chet [so-fis-ti RAT chit]
1. A woman of highly educated pedigree (academically, socially, and otherwise) and worldly breeding; fluent in various forms of public etiquette yet is equally knowledgeable of the latest strip club songs, updated on most prime-time ratchet cable programs and conversant in the tongue of ratchetness.

GUILTY! I love trap music just as much as the next person. I often throw my hands in the air and shake my imaginary dreads in an attempt at channeling my inner Wocka Flocka. However, I’m quite capable at bottling up my French Montana ad-libs and having a well versed conversation about world affairs or the stock market. It’s all about balance.

Anyway, what was I saying? Ah yes, music. I recently visited Atlanta, which I’ve dubbed ratchet music capital of the Party & Bullshit world. After 5 days of non-stop-speaker-blowing-TURN-UP tunes I’ve compiled a small list of songs that will have you losing all composure and appropriacy as soon as the beat drops.

 NUMBER 5 FRENCH MONTANA, DIDDY, MGK, Los, Red Café - OCHO CINCO

*clears throat* HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHN

 NUMBER 4 LIL WAYNE FEAT. 2 CHAINZ -RICH AS F***

 NUMBER 3 ACE HOOD FEAT. FUTURE & RICK ROSS - BUGATTI

 NUMBER 2 LIL WAYNE, BIRDMAN, FUTURE & NICKI MINAJ - TAP OUT  

AND THE NUMBER ONE SONG IS, 

 DRUM ROLL PLEASE 

 ................................................

FUTURE, RICK ROSS, A$AP ROCKY, WIZ KHALIFA - U.O.E.N.O.  

I will not be held responsible for any desks that are flipped or neck muscles that are pulled while listing to this ratchet line-up 

PLEASE TURN-UP RESPONSIBLY!

 -Mego

One Million Little Pieces

 Memory boxes are one of my favourite things to go through. It's like this enchanted treasure chest that is full of talismans. Each one taking you back to a different time or experience that is represented through this particular object. It's crazy to me. Imagine if you could do that with your work. Every time someone saw a picture you captured or a reel you filmed, or a work of art you designed they could feel you at the moment you created that piece. That would be pretty awesome, huh. The truth is you're already doing that whether you like it or not. All that you create, assist with, mould or touch has a piece of you embedded in it. You're leaving pieces of yourself behind. How would you like to be remembered?
-Mego

sunstroke

Sunspiration and Charlene's chocolate skin

-Nicole

BE A BUTTERFLY

People will throw shade, negative energy, spit balls, folding chairs, battery acid, hot irons etc. at you to bring you down. Don't let them have that power! Rise above it all. Be at peace with yourself. Be free.

BE A BUTTERFLY.

I leave you with this clip from The Proud Family movie.

*Crump dances + catches cramp + can't breathe* LORD

-Mego

My eyes are green...

Still pinching myself...
 
She celebrated her birthday with the city, blessed the stage with her talent. 

And then this happened.........

Erykah Badu wearing broke&living LIVING two tier chain

 
Golden voice. Free spirit. Prophet. Erykah. 
 
Special Shout out to DJA1 also as well.. 

-Char 

The all mighty V.

International Women's Day is everyday.

But if you don't already, use today to be appreciative of all the amazing women in your life. Your Mother, Aunts, Sisters, Friends and the many women who have come and gone. Spread love to your fellow woman. I won't quote Maya Angelou or write some cheesy confirmation, but I will say be grateful for your breasts, hips and the all mighty vagina, embrace your sex and all the strengths that come with it.

 

 Even though Miss Georgia O'keeffe denied her infamous floral paintings were portrayals of the female genitalia .... this shit looks like a vagina to me *shrugs*

Happy Women's Day!

-Nicole

ARTST TLK (ep.2) Pharrell w/ KAWS x David Salle

Be inspired. inspire.

-Char

IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY

I can feel the tension and anxiety building up in you. Your energy is all wrong. The first thing you need to do is chill. Life is stressful, get over it. If you sit and count all your problems you'll go into depression. You'll lock yourself in your closet and rock back and forth in a corner until doomsday (which, judging by the weather could be very soon). I challenge you to count your blessings and find the beauty in all the hideous things that are weighing you down. Don't take things so seriously, loosen up, laugh, act silly and dance like no one is watching.. while listening to A Tribe Called Red's 'Red Skinned Girl'

Go on, dance

-Mego

Finding Le Happy

Where do you want to be? What's it gonna take for you to get there? Envision it. Map it out. Make a plan. Then follow that plan until you get there. The end destination is your Happy. We're all (well most) working hard to make someone else's dreams come true and at this point it is a necessary evil. Yet knowing where you're headed and knowing the path to take to get there, makes things easier and creates a viable exit strategy. This is cliche as all hell but YOU control your destiny, those same people whose dreams you're bringing to life were once where you are (unless they were born with Christofle's Malmaison Classique spoon in their mouth). Patience is key, consistency is KEY. Do whatever you have to to find your happy and stay happy.




btw to serve a table of eight with these badboys it'll cost you 148k...*walks off*


-Char