Yo! I know, I know, it’s been a MINUTE. No real excuses as to why, but just know I’ve been writing a lot for xoNecole.com. The xoNecole team has been so incredibly supportive of me. The positive energy I receive just through email and gchats and responses to my articles really inspire me to keep going. It fills me in a way that I need so much. Thank you!
Read MoreWhat does “Mercury in retrograde” even mean? When I even begin to think about astrology, I head to world-renowned astrologer #SusanMiller (astrologyzone.com). Here’s are some points I pulled from her article on Mercury retrograde:
Read MoreThere’s a lot to be said about #hustle. To me, hustle is the ability to keep going despite your circumstances. Be it your financial situation, your talent level and even, at times, your emotional and physical health, you keep on in pursuit of whatever goal it is that you have in mind. Just like that saying “hustle beats talent every time”, you really can’t knock the hustle.
The Broccoli City FestivalV returned for its fifth installment bigger and better than ever. With a massive set of performers and headlining acts to interactive photo booths, retail and food options galore, this year was even more epic as the music festival was preceded by a host of events spanning 4 days.
Read MoreImagine my surprise when I found myself not only on the couch last night with the tv on, but tuned into Vh1 and not the usual CNN. I’ll be honest, I was trying to catch some of the tea from LHH Miami. I have basically been on a reality tv sabbatical since 2013 with no intentions of returning. But alas, there I was. Only able to catch the last few minutes, almost serendipitously America’s Next Top Model was on my screen. Immediately, I was taken back to the time where I couldn’t wait for the next episode of ANTM. Drawn in by the impeccable filming and editing, I got comfortable.
Read MoreHappy 2018, folks. I hope this new year brings us all success, love, freedom and peace. I pray that we can take the lessons from 2017 and productively apply them to all of our goals and wishes for the new year.
Read MoreSimilar to Jazz Music of the past, which was often criticized for it’s unpredictable composition and perceived lack of classical musical structure, this album can come across frenetic and disjointed. For me, this is exactly why there is almost a hidden genius behind the boards.
Read MoreBefore she was known for her controversial antics on Bridezillas and her apperance on the first season of Marriage Boot Camp, Danni Starr was already a seasoned radio personality who'd been hustling in the industry since the age of 19. Like everyone else, she has a story to tell, and, man, is it a good one.
Read MoreAlongside other Washington, D.C. based media outlets, I was given the chance to preview the show as well attend the exclusive dinner and premier of the show with Marlon Wayans himself. His positive energy was only outmatched by his famous sense of humor and his graciousness.
Read MoreWhat do get when you take the hustle of a salesman, the energy of an entertainer, and the foresight of a CEO? You get Nick Storm, the national director of promotions for CÎROC (the luxury vodka of the Diageo brand).
Read MoreWhat better way to “do it for the culture” than to have an interactive event featuring amazing artwork, dope music, and complimentary drinks. That’s exactly what the curators of Arts, Beats and Lyrics did when it hit Washington, DC. Presented by Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, the event displayed artwork by up-and-coming as well as seasoned artists while transforming Echostage into an art-lovers dream.
Read MoreKendrick Lamar touched down in Washington, DC on July 21st for TheDAMN. Tour, but not before he held an exclusive, one-day-only pop-up shop. Filled with merch, M Street "popped" with hundreds of die-hard fans waiting in line--some got in line as early as 5am!
From hats to concert t-shirts, fans were able to grab their favorite piece before heading to the Verizon Center for the actual show.
Read MoreFrom the moment you lay “eyez” on Tupac Shakur (Demetrius Shipp, Jr.), you are transported back to a time where you were still using a Discman, could call the local radio station to request your favorite song, and MTV still played videos.
Read MoreWrap around stages and large projection screens aside, the vibe immediately enveloped you and wrapped you up into the world of Hov. Transported out of DC, we were in Brooklyn for the night under the spell of the latest inductee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame: Sean Carter.
Read MoreIt's true that a lot can happen in a year. What's even truer is that you can LEARN so much in a year. So, on the one year mark of starting this blogging journey, I thought I'd throw out 7 things I've learned since starting this blog. Some are functional things while others are more personal. When you step into a new lane, there might be traffic, speed bumps and detours. Hopefully this list with help you along on your trip (see what I did there).
Read MoreHighly-anticipated and long overdue, we have the 13th studio album from the man, the myth, the mogul himself: JAY-Z. Amidst business deals with Sprint, name re-hyfenations and the ongoing silence of frequent collaborator and recent beef-instigator Kanye West, the roll-out of this album commenced. Esoteric, mysterious and cryptic are all words I've seen/used to describe the announcement of JAY-Z's 13th studio album.
Read MoreIt was the moment I had been waiting for what seems like a lifetime: seeing Pharrell, in the flesh, again. As soon as I found out about The Roots Picnic's line-up for its 10th anniversary, there was no doubt that I was going. And upon my entry into the Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, I tried every finesse trick I had in the bag to get better access to the front of the stage: it was that important. But alas, to no avail and without the press pass I so desperately wanted, I decide to forgo seeing Solange (again), and try to make my way to as close to the front of the stage as possible.
Read MoreWell, here it is: the "highly anticipated" release of the collaborative album by home state hero (Florida) T-Pain and Louisiana's own Lil Wayne entitled "TWayne". Apparently this collab has been teased since my haydays, 2009 to be exact, but at the time, I was more concerned with size charts, fitting rooms and color coded closets (I used to manage retail at 12+ hour days, so forgive me).
What better way to satiate your retail appetite and support up-and-coming small businesses than to visit and shop Pop-Up style. Spring has spring, and so has the new pop-up shop curated by Femme Fetal DC.
Read MoreAre you newly engaged and don't know where to start? Are you a bride-to-be ballin' on a budget? I spoke with Michelle from A4dable Events about her experience as a wedding and event planner, her upcoming event When Chic Brides Brunch, and why planning a wedding doesn't have to turn you into a Bridezilla.
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