Updates
-
RT @CurttS: Happened upon Fuse & still cannot believe Whitney is gone. <<Same here. I (cont) http://t.co/qnteH3AL
-
Wishful thinking on my part trying to catch a cab in my hood. #deanwoodnedc
-
WHEN WILL THERE BE PROGRESS? Sad to say I am from NJ. RT @cnnbrk: N.J. Gov. Christie vetoes same-sex marriage bill http://t.co/ZCiBJjYt
-
@donlemoncnn I just really appreciated your respect and level head during some of your colleagues (cont) http://t.co/A45aZW1d
-
I am back in the Ddot Cdot. Excited to reach my bed. #traveling #beyondschoolhours
-
@Tamikalashelle it is dumb though they pay to get hit in the head by the people in economy.
-
Can someone yell me why they load the plane from the front to the back instead of the opposite? #traveling
-
Reengage youth into knowing and understanding they are smart. #teachthebabies
-
Major Birthday shout outs to @gravity508! Sorry we are on opposite coasts during your birthday but (cont) http://t.co/3LKXq68X
-
@FixWMATA I just heard the announcement. Was fortunate not to be on the one.
-
@stronglung it sure did. Bra companys may need to rethink underwire.
-
Just touched down in Dallas/ Fortworth
-
So if you are ever in the airport and they say she is blue... It means you will be felt up... O_o
-
@stronglung hey girl hey! Excited to her the new new! :)
-
I dislike traveling this early. My digestive system really hates it.
-
Up to dag on early imma sleep across the country.
-
@christenmc yes her make up looked really good. Loved it.
Posts
Well not really...
On Friday I had a "slip and fall". It was certainly not a fun experience. It put a damper on my weekend plans. A serious damper. I was in the house with limited cable channels to surf and I was Senorita hop along. I didn't want to go to the hospital because I was just hopeful that "it would feel better soon". However, the pain is still there and the swelling is in an odd/weird formation. I called to see the hours for one location and the man got really snarky when I asked about x-rays. He said "oh so you are a doctor now and diagnosing yourself?" It took all I had not to jump through the phone and grab him by his collar. Ain't no one say anything about a diagnosis. Sometime people hear things and follow what others say and think they have the same license to say
it too. No bueno. It doesn't work like that. He finally said they did not have that capability there. To which I responded... 'Thanks that is all you had to say in the first place'.
So yesterday I went to the hospital. Ace bandaged and tiger balmed down. When I was 16/17 I did an internship in a hospital ER. I hated it. Fortunately, it was in an office and not in the open ER. Though I still had to walk through it to get to the office. Every ER smells the same, has kooky characters and things I just don't want to see or hear or smell. GW is no different. From the family arguing in the corner over the loved one brought in, to the giggling college girls, crying babies, eventually the football game, several SARS patient look- a- likes and a pregnant woman in agonizing pain the ER had sensory overload. I arrived about 6:45pm was processed and put to
wait for about 51/2 hours. Upon heading back to the ER, X-RAYS were ordered... You know for the diagnosis. And funny no snark came with that. They bandaged me back up and fit me with an air cast. My right foot looks like a mummy. Oh and icing on the cake... a cane. She didn't want to give me crutches because my knee is battered and bruised too. So a week and a half into age 36 I am walking with a cane. My ankle will more than likely lose weight too because this air cast is plastic and my ankle is sweating. This so sucks. Very much.
Looks like the products are working. Last night I maintained the curls with "the pineapple". I was able to just fluff and go. My hair is soft and has body. I know tonight I will need to re-set it and moisturize to keep the look going. Check out my pic below.
So obviously this will be an update in pictures... These were taken with the cell phone. I think the quality is pretty good.
My initial style from the other day's hair care resurgence was a little lacking in definition. It wound up being a semi curly fro. It wasnt what I was looking for. I do not think it was thoroughly dry when I let it down. So later in the evening I re-moisturized with Lavish Curl Moisturizer from Curlz, good ole H2O, and coconut oil. I then sectioned my hair into six flat twists and knotted the ends. The end result of that set is the picture in the new blue Hurricane Irene bathroom project. :) I also added a look at the flat twists. I like todays look a lot better.
sondai
*sigh* I never feel like I have enough time in the day. I am sure many folks feel like that. I am working on nipping that in the bud. I can not drift away from me anymore. With the dramas of everyday hawking my every move I plan on giving them the slip more often so that I can gain "me time".
| Evidence of hair frustration |
So next after the wash I jumped out the shower ready to try some of the other products I picked up. I had come across Jane Carter products in Tar-Jay but I wasn't sure about them with my hair texture. My hair does curl for sure but I am not a multi-ethnic chick. At least not that close in my lineage to have hair that curls when you look at it. (Was that PC? Probably not.) Because so many products are coming out that have those curly girls in mind I rely on referrals and recommendations. I was watching a very reliable (SMH) resource called YouTube and came across a video, actually a few hundred videos on natural hair. There was a review... come to think of it the girl looked nothing like me and her hair texture was far from mine... None-the-less I tried Jane Carter's Revitalizing Leave In Conditioner. Let me back up... After washing my hair I noticed something I haven't seen in a while. I had curly ends and wavy roots. It was body full and not limp like I have seen it lately in my washings. That was exciting. So adding the conditioner was easy. I was able to saturate my hair quickly and it didn't feel tacky or heavy. The only drawback was the scent; it wasn't a fun scent for a leave-in. I like to have a nice scent to waft around while walking past folks... and for myself. The added like about this product was that I could read just about everything on the bottle. Mostly herbs that I was familiar with like hops, rosemary, comfrey... which was an added plus. It was also a detangler. My hair was easy to comb through and that is no easy feet on hair as thick as mine. So after the leave in, came the Curl Enhancing Smoothie. There was my scent. Coconut and Hibiscus it smells more coconut than anything else. I smoothed the smoothie through my hair and sectioned it into six parts. I discovered a cute video with an equally cute hair style so I tried it out. My hair is not as long but the principles are the same. Besides all of that comes in due time.
I am typing this before the big unveil so I do not have the final word on how any of this worked. I can say that this re-surge in hair care has saved me from a big chop that was hovering. I was getting tired of my style and look and the initial video recommendation from Carla Thorpe saved me. I love my hair I just don't love the time it can sometimes consume. Watching videos yesterday showed me easier ways of styling which is always a big problem for me. I am excited to see the results and to try the rest of the products!
sondai
I remember a lot from my childhood. But mostly it is out of context, like the ice cream shop in East Camden that my mom took me to get milkshakes and banana splits or someone finding a roach in a Donkey's roast beef sandwich and people not going there anymore. Most of these memories are random as is evident above and at a time like this that is difficult.
I can remember the way she held her arm after her surgery because there was a pin in it but why she had the surgery is beyond me. I can also remember us finding the $5000 check she used as a bookmark and hoping the books around the house would have more money in them to no avail. I can remember the story of her pulling my mom up off the ground by the seat her pants when she slipped on ice. That was actually a funny account. My grandmother and I were an interesting pair. I would give her "zurberts" in my effort to bring a little bit of The Cosby's into the Gaines household. She would giggle and and say "Awwww Kimmie stop it." I would fuss back forth with my grandma. I have always tried to rationalize everything and debates would ensue on my theories... Of which I had many. Sometimes she would get flustered and yell "Kathy... Kimmie...leave me alone now." To which she would sometimes laugh when she realized she called me my mother's name. I called her Mom. It was odd to outsiders. My mother was mommy, her mother was mom to both of us, and her mother was mum-mum to me and my mom. It got even more complex when I grew out of the "mommy" phase. Then the majority of women in the house were called... Mom. I grew up in my grandparent's house an only child with creative outbursts. I stayed up late, drank weird concoctions and was loud. My grandmother would always tell me to keep it down because the neighbours didn't need to know all of our business. I figured the neighbours were my friends and who cared they shouldn't be listening anyway. I think that was our biggest debate overall.
What pains me now is that since my memories are random I for the life of me am having the toughest time remembering lessons my grandma taught me. I have been walking around the city trying to either block that I can't remember or block the tears that make my voice quiver when I speak.
For the last ten years my grandmother has not been the robust grandma of my youth. I mourned her the day that she didn't know who I was. I have anticipated this day but didn't really plan for the saddness of losing her all over again. I am happy that she is no longer the crumpled woman I saw on my last trip home. I am happy that I got to hold her hand as she fell asleep that last time I was home. I am happy that she is at peace. I hope that the memories return and that they are beyond random fits of scattered thoughts. Doris Priscilla Smith Gaines June 26,1926 - July 23, 2011
A few months ago with all of the henna and twistin and treatments for my hair. I got tired. I understood what those hairdressers who refused to do my hair were avoiding. There is a lot of hair up there. Arms get tired. Backs get sore. But I will tell you I prefer to have someone do my hair. I thought I would try a salon in the Columbia Heights neighborhood. It was a Spanish salon but a girl I met on the train got her hair done there and it was cute so I tried it. The wash was GREAT she scrubbed my scalp well... Great little head massage! Wash, condition, blow dry and flat iron. That was the goal. Had she just did a blowdry like she did on her previous client my hair would have had life, bounce, body... But instead she sprayed shine to blow dry each section. I thought it was a heat protector she was using. Typically shine is used AFTER the hair is dry. I guess because my hair wasn't looking shiny from jump she thought it was needed. So... My hair came out with to much product in it and it was uncute! It wasn't a Dominican salon. (since then I have the name an number of the best... I will have to try her one day)
I am currently happy with my current style and think this will be a new journey into braided looks. At Pizzazz Hair Studio in Camden NJ (my mom's salon) Desiree hooked up a cute braided style with a swoop of straightness on the left. I like it. I am whippin my hair back and forth... (may need ER soon for my neck). Once this comes out I will be headed to Twist it Sista over in NE they did a cute braided mohawk that I loved. I need to get a hair fund going because I can't do a raggedy braided doo. That just ain't acceptable. I will keep you posted.
So there have been no hair posts. For that I do apologize. A number of you have let me know you have read my posts. I am grateful! I have written posts and hoarded them on my computer in my phone. Why? Because I am frustrated with my hair. I see cute coifuires everyday and then I see my fuzzy top. It is not stylish or funky and I just feel like I can't do anything with it. I just want a new doo. Something cute and manageable. Something that fits my face and my personality.
Kalpi tone is also said to add a darker tint to your hair as well. Currently, I still see red highlights from the henna. One thing I did notice is the the strand is more "together" for lack of a more scientific hair term. It looks healthier. I don't notice any split ends.There are some drawbacks to this treatment though. I currently remind myself of an Indian restaurant which in turn is making me hungry. The scent is super strong.
Though it is growing on me. It is a fresh earthy scent. Also it seemed to make my hair dry but not brittle. I think this treatment was also harder to wash out. I may have left it on to long though too. I applied this new moisturizer (courtesy of @naturalellechim) called Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie which I got at Target. And contains hibiscus, coconut oil, neem and other ingredients that are mentioned in the ayurvedic convo. My hair is a little greasy. Which I do not like. But I think that I used to much. I did a Caruso curl and then I was out the door. (and neglected to take a shot of the final look.) But next time... My hair is growing though and it feels better.
Meanwhile... I like this shot...
| Jersey at-ti-tude... |
| Yes I look crazy... I said I was extremely excited!! |
- Help stop/curb breakage
- Makes hair stronger
- Thickens strands
- Temporarily loosens curl patterns for some [enhances curl patterns in others]
- Reduces dandruff
- Imparts shine, and makes hair incredibly silky
| "Just wakin' up in the morning gotta thank God!" ~ O'Shea Jackson |
The Regimen
I started out with a twisty, coily fro that I fell asleep on. Glad I have a satin pillow because I was knocked out without my scarf and didn't moisturize my hair. So first, I sectioned my hair into four, detangling each section and moisturized with Pantene Pro-V Relaxed and Natural for Women of Color Daily Oil Cream Moisturizer (please note that my products STILL have not come). I sealed in the moisture with a blend of coconut and olive oil. I am excited about pay day because I will be ordering more products from Oyin Handmade in Baltimore. (I love those folks at Oyin!)
| stock shot from previous post... :) |
| Wavy Curly Fro... hmmm ok... |
I placed the order for my Henna, Kalpi Tone, and Vatika oil before NYE, I also came across a Caruso Curler set that I said "why not" to and ordered that as well. I ordered the curlers way after other products... Guess which came first...
| Ok so there are curls... Kinda. |
| Go Montré it's yo Birthday! |
| We had a fabulous time at Casa Oaxaca |
| Hands down the best dessert eva! |
I was able to purchase Neem Oil from Yes! Organic Market. I have had a problem with dandruff since moving to DC. Yes it has been a long time. The water here just isn't like the water in NJ. I figured if I just regularly washed my hair it would be ok. But dandruff is not conducive to my lifestyle because I love wearing black... OFTEN. Neem Oil is said to help with dandruff. It is apparently good for a number of conditions from rashes and acne to skin diseases. It is also said be good for eczema but not said to be a cure. The one drawback is the scent or should I say odor. I added the stinky oil (it smells like ground peanuts and tar kinda) to my regular Nexxus Therappe Shampoo. In following MTM's advice, I sectioned my hair. (Yes that is me looking silly below) and shampooed each section. I have been wearing my hair pressed for so long it truly doesn't tangle like it did when I was a little one. So I am not sure at this stage whether I really need to section it for that purpose. I think as my hair begins to rejuvenate it will become necessary. My goal is to achieve BIG HAIR. Yes, I am taking it back to Jersey. Beyond massive hair I want healthy hair. Like I said in a recent post I am trying to return to an "age of innocence" with my hair.
So once my hair was washed with my Neem infused shampoo. I sectioned it again to apply Lustresilk's Olive Oil Cholesterol and let it sit under a plastic cap for about 20 minutes. I will say once I rinsed it out my hair had a noticeably different feel to it. I use Cholesterol often but more as a conditioner. I never let it sit over 3 minutes... yeah I know... Anyway, once I rinsed it out I still used my regular conditioner. I added a daily leave in moisturizer as my hair has been feeling awfully dry these days. Winter? I don't know... more than likely no time for proper maintenance.
I can remember just owning a Greatest Hits CD (which was jacked) not to mention my mother's records and putting them on repeat singing every song and thinking I was grown.
You made love to me like fire and rain / Ooh, you know you've got to be a hurricane/Killing me with kisses, oh, so subtly/You make love forever, baby/You make love foreverKnowing not a damn thing she spoke of but singin' with passion and confidence. Teena Marie was straight up. She talked about her feelings what she wanted and how she wanted it.
And you made love to me like sugar and spice/Hush my broken heart, this must be paradise
Killing me with kisses, oh, so tenderly/You make love forever, baby/You make love forever I ain't gonna let you go that easy/You've got to say you love me too/I ain't gonna let you go that easy/I'm gonna give it all to you
Suspended animation, I’m lost inside of you/I feel so insecure and yet I’ve never felt so sure, what am I gonna do/ I'm out on a limb I'm giving into you againYou really don't want to be anywhere near me when this song is on... because I am going to sing it. LOUDLY. With all of the runs! Mind you, when I was listening to Lady Tee like I said there was no recipient of this loud pitchy version of her music sung by yours truly but the passion existed.
Oh what about "Dear Lover"
'Cause I've been wishing on the rings of Saturn/Calling on Jupiter and Mars/Praying on ten zillion light years/To bring you closer to my heart
WHAT?
I am sadden by her loss but thankful for the presents that she left us. She most certainly was a talent. The memories she has left, the music, her legacy is one of strength, sensuality and confidence. My deepest condolences to her daughter Alia Rose and her family. Though she will forever be among us through the music.
| Me at the Falling Whistles event at Eden Lounge |
| In Brooklyn sporting my new do in September |
| Before the cut... |
Posts
Oh to wear shoes again… This are crute!!!
Alaïa. Lovely as always. (Taken with instagram)
I love facial hair on a man. *heart palpitations*
Bamba Nazar African/Arabic Dutch DJ
Happy New Year… Wishing you more… More Peace, more Love, more Power, more Motivation!
This is my favorite photo this week. Let me introduce you to Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, mother of to date the most prolific music producer in the industry, J Dilla. Dilla continues to make generations nod their head even after his death. Ma Dukes is the keeper of his legacy and she continues to spread his message and his spirit to all she comes in touch with. Support the http://www.jdillafoundation.org/
Washington, DC 5th Annual Dilla Tribute photo by Kimberly C. Gaines
Every time I walk through the Theatre hall at Duke Ellington I make sure the picture frames are straight. I have done a lot of work for Duke; from photographs to poster designs. In this photo I think I have done 10 out of the 18 on the wall. :)
So remember when I said once the fence was done…? Here is the Marvin Gaye mosaic! Beautiful!
My neighborhood has lush green areas and it is not over-developed. (Thank God) I am excited about the beautification going on. Look at this mosaic of Marvin Gaye on the corner of Minnesota and Nannie Helen Burroughs. Once the fence is down I promise to get a better shot! ;)
I am extremely proud when my “kids” pursue goals and opportunities that will enhance and enlighten their personal view of the world we live in.
Two of my students Maria and Ruth have won a partial scholarship from Experiment in International Living to travel to France and Spain this summer. They still need to raise 2,000 dollars by June 10th to take advantage of this exciting opportunity. They have also arranged a series of fund raisers to offset some of the cost. Any donation would be accepted and I will make arrangements to get donations from you to them. I can be reached at kimberly.c.gaines@gmail.com or 202 487 9572 I hope you can contribute! Thank you!
For years the neighbors of Duke Ellington School of the Arts allowed their dogs to shit (yes I said it) on the school’s lawn. The student’s of Ellington could not step in the grass for fear of soiling their fresh gear. Not only is it disrespectful but it says a little something about how the neighbors look at the youth of this institution. Would they have done the same on the lawn of Visitation just down the street? Well now there is a statement! Mr. Ellington himself says NO PETS!
I think of myself as a eclectic being. I once had a description for my style but later thought defining it was unnecessary. I like everything from plain to preppy, classy to cultural and elegant to ethereal. Now that is not to say I would put all of those looks on this body but aesthetically I am pleased by them. I think having that visual taste of a- little -dab- of- this and a- little- dab- of- that makes me good at “looks”; an eye for what fits with what. I am grateful to be open to new ideas and visual concepts. It helps in the long run!
Audio
Favorites
Posts
On Monday, Feb 20th Southpaw held it’s LAST show in that cozy, grungy, awesome space that we have come to love. The End of an Era event hosted by Combat Jack featured a live interview & slide show with Lyricist Lounge’s Danny Castro & “Chino”; performances by The Artifacts, Keith Murray, Jean Grae, Organized Konfusion and Masta Ace. A live cypher with Hip-Hop band Dujeous and what appeared to be like 80 emcees on stage a la Wu-Tang style. The cypher had a lot of up & coming emcees along side Brand Nubian’s Sadat X, Craig G and Ras Kass all sending off Southpaw in style. And after the emcees did their thing, it was only right that the DJs work it out. DJs Eclipse, Stretch Armstrong and Rich Medina kept the energy on point, after all it was still a party—right? Southpaw might be no more physically, we all still have memories of those great nights we’ve experienced there.
You didn’t know? Fiona Apple is back in the spotlight with new tour dates and new music on the way. Although I’m not thinking that anything can replace the legendary Tidal I’m definately trying to be in the audience for her return. Tour dates and SXSW below.
03/15 – Austin, TX: Central Presbyterian Church (Pitchfork SXSW Showcase)
03/19 – Chicago, IL: Lincoln Hall
03/21 – Washington, DC: Sixth and I
03/23 – Brooklyn, NY: Music Hall of Williamsburg
03/24 – Atlantic City, NJ: Music Box
03/26 – New York, NY: Bowery Ballroom
03/27 – Boston, MA: Royale
Back when I was first writing this blog, I stumbled across a rather amazing LA musician called A Race of Angels. His 2004 album Broadcast no. 1 is still considered one of the best of the decade. But after a while he disappeared. Thankfully he’s back on the scene with this mix thanks to Portland’s Fresh Selects as well as a new EP on iTunes.
And check out one of my favorite songs of last decade, Afrika Displaced:
WOW. I’m simply blown away by this track by the Europe via LA duo Rhye. With over 10,000 Soundcloud plays already, we see that others are feeling this track as well. Not much is known about the duo, but we do know that Quadron’s Robin Hannibal is behind the boards. Check it.
DJ Eko isn’t just a good friend of mine. She also turns out to be a great DJ too. (I kid!) Her Soultronica mix that she did for Okayplayer is stellar mixup of forward thinking R&B. There are some rather amazing and choice cuts on this laid back mix. Enjoy.
Tracklist:
Hudson Mohawk+Robin Hannibal+Myele Manzanza : Ain’t Nobody Like You
Joker : On My Mind
Frank Ocean : We All Try
The Weeknd : What You Need (Prison Garde Rmx)
OOoOO : No Summer4U
Kelly Rowland : Motivation (Jacques Greene Rmx)
James Drake : Wilhelm’s Fucking Best
TV on The Radio : Love Dog
Subeena+Jamie Woon : Solidify
Ifan Dafydd : No Good
SBTRKT : Never Never
Little Dragon : Ritual Union (Tensnake Rmx)
Salva : Keys Open Doors (MachineDrum Rmx)
Cecil : Bossom
Jay Haze+Laila Tov : Tonight
Tiombe Lockhart : Drifter
Goapele+Los Rakas : Play
Vida Jafari : The People
Mar : Inglewood
Miguel : Sure Thing (Brook D’Leau Rmx)
Lunice : Out of Touch
New Edition : A Little Bit of Love (Brenmar Rmx)
Sade : By Your Side (Cottonbelly Rmx)
J*Davey : Get Together
Photos by Sneakshot.
Every year, Donuts Are Forever becomes a mecca for Dilla fans to pay respect to the fallen producer, who passed away 6 years ago. Like always, Donuts has become a family reunion. I bumped into people from DC, Philly, and even California. The venue was packed by 9PM, and seeing so much positivity at Brooklyn Bowl ensured to me that hip-hop is very much alive. Young, old, black, white, asisan–everyone was in the building and down to have a good time.
The sounds were provided by Neil Armstrong and Prince Paul, but it was none other than DJ Getlive who did just that. Get everybody live in the building with a great selection of Dilla classics like the ubiquitous ”Fuck The Police,” and “Stakes Is High.” And special props go out to Don Will and Von P of Tanya Morgan who played hypemen for the entire 5 hour show.
All in all, it was a great night of fellowship and dance. I saw people who once had beef hug on the dance floor. I just hope we can recreate this spirit and legacy on a daily basis, and not just once a year.
Now that dubstep has pretty much got a lock on the US market, a few of us in The States are hoping that grime will somehow take over in The States. Or at least cats will start rapping over dubstep beats. This new track from Skepta provides the template for a good grime track. His homage to his boy Tinchy Stryder has one of the best beats I’ve heard this year. Jump on this.
It seems like Santigold’s last release “Big Mouth” went nowhere when it dropped last month. Maybe that’s because it reused the dwali rhythm that we’ve become sick of thanks to Major Lazer and Beyonce. That’s neither here nor there, as the follow up “Disparate Youth,” more than makes up for it. Santi’s long awaited follow up album Master of My Make Believe drops soon.
I have a feeling that most of you do not know who Jonathan Mannion is. Unlike a lot of hip-hop photographers, Mannion stays pretty clear off the radar. However, his work is most certainly in your music collection. From Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt, to Eminiem’s Marshall Mathers EP, to The Game’s cover for his debut The Documentary. Beyond that, he’s shot candids of everybody in hip-hop. Seeing this all come to life in a gallery setting was pretty amazing. During Grammy Week in LA, Reebok put together some of Mannion’s best works in a very well curated collection at the Milk Gallery in LA. Check it.
You can’t front. The Weeknd’s House of Balloons has not only reinvigorated R&B but inspired art of it’s own. From fan videos to art and remixes, Toronto’s Abel Tesfaye has inspired a pseudo-industry. Not all is good however, as lot of Weeknd remixes are bunk. Chi Duly’s Balloons of Haus might just be the first rework that I actually enjoy. The upbeat and electro house remixes are definitely floor fillers. Check it. (via Different Kitchen)
Visuals from one of the more slept on mixtapes of 2012. Daley is becoming and R&B sensation. Just wait.
Fresh visuals from the FADER-label signee’s new single produced by Pharrell. Honestly I didn’t like this at first but it’s been on repeat for a while. Maybe because of the classic Neptunes production, or Yuna’s understated yet sexy voice. Who knows? Check it.
Get More: Yuna, Live Your Life, Music, More Music Videos
