Like father, like daughter.

The works of

Toni Parks

(daughter of Gordon Parks)

 

Bridging the Gap: Photography by Gordon Parks and Toni Parks brings together the work of one of the twentieth century’s most acclaimed photographers, Gordon Parks, and his daughter/fellow photographer Toni Parks. Not only a photographer, Gordon Parks was an activist, writer and filmmaker, as well as one of the first African Americans to work for magazine and create a Hollywood film; he also co-founded LifeEssence magazine. Toni Parks is an active photographer living in the U.K. and member of Kamoinge, a New York-based group of African-American photographers established in 1963. Featuring photographs from The College of New Rochelle’s own collection, this show will touch on issues of that both Gordon and Toni Parks address in their black and white, and color prints, which collectively span over 50 years. 

“Bridging the Gap: Photography by Gordon Parks and Toni Parks” runs through Feb. 20 at the Castle Gallery at the College of New Rochelle, 29 Castle Place, New Rochelle. Six of Mr. Parks’s feature films will be screened in the gallery on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 6 to 8 p.m., Feb. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16. For a schedule of films, gallery hours and more information: cnr.edu/cg or (914) 654-5423. 

Would like to try...

Wrap it up.

I've had this fabric since middle school and in a moment of complete boredom, I decided to try it on. Nice fit.

...Selah Sue

This is Selah Sue, born Sanne Putseys, Belgian musician and songwriter.

Before I go further, I'd like you to know that it would be very, very uncool of you not to check out her work.

Now, moving on...

I first heard on Cee Lo's The Lady Killer, where she did a duet on the song Please. If I had a first crack at what ethnicity or even nationality she was, I would haver never, ever, ever, ever, guessed Belgian. Nevertheless, I dig her sound...it reminds me somewhat of Nneka.

Fleur Avenue

I Love this watch. Courtesy of Fleur Avenue

Because I had to...

This video has been floating around the web for awhile and while I'm sure you've seen it, I decided to post it here so it could be permanently cemented in my domain.

Handmade Journals

Soooo cute.

Courtesy of Inmostlight via Flickr

Inspired.

The Bicycle Portraits project was initiated by Stan Engelbrecht and Nic Grobler early in 2010. Whenever they can, together or separately, they’re on the lookout for fellow commuters, and people who use bicycles as part of their everyday work, to meet and photograph. They’re finding out who rides bicycles, why they ride bicycles, if and why they love their bicycles, and of course why so few South Africans choose bicycles as a transport option.

"Myself, Stan Engelbrecht and a good friend and fellow bicycle enthusiast, Nic Grobler recently started a project investigating South African bicycle culture, and the lack of cyclist commuters out there on our roads. We are currently raising funds to turn this project into a self-published full-color hard-cover photographic book ( similar to a previous book I've done, African Salad - www.dayonepublications.com ). We are shooting the entire project from our own bicycles while traveling around the country - we are meeting everyday South Africans out there while they use their bicycles."

As you'll see we are not photographing people who ride purely for exercise or recreation, but instead we are focussing on those who use bicycles as an integral tool in their day-to-day existence. We've noticed that in South Africa, especially in the major centers, very few people use bicycles as mode of transport. This is very strange since we have no proper public transport infrastructure, and that which does exist is expensive and unsafe.

Journal entry.

I have a wild obsession for history. The 1980's, especially the 70's, are two of my favorite eras of fascination. 

Right on, brotha.

Yah dig?

Every day, my interest in the style, language, and music of each time period leads to me to wikipedia, the bookstore, library, etc...and when I am awarded with a new piece of information, I must tell someone...anyone. My opening sentence when calling that lucky soul of a friend usually goes something like this: 

"sooo...I am such a nerd...did you know that 'fill in the blank'......?" 

Their response is pleasant of course, as I've always been openly crazy about anything "old," with the exception of heartache...which leads me to this glorious, yet silly (as if I didn't know this already) realization:  I need to open a vintage store. Please excuse me while I scream out loud for the sake of my own sanity...I AM OPENING A STORE!

Ok. 

Other new things:
Facial tutorials, via my Vimeo page
Organic/Health-related blog posts
More photography (I'm trying)

Any suggestions?

Peace & Light. 

Homemade Deodorant

I actually made this blog post in 2010, but thought it would be better to publish it closer to Spring. This is the first of many DIY posts. If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment.

Why would I do a DIY on homemade deodorant?

Deodorant, from brands such as Secret, Dove, Degree (and more--most of which are sold at grocery stores) contain aluminum, a metal that when "absorbed through the skin of the armpit, results in ultimate accumulation of high levels of this metal in the brain," according to the World Health Organization. It has also been linked to diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

Natural deodorants from Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and other natural health/orgranic supermarkets do not contain aluminum, but the effectiveness of the deodorant is poor and in my opinion, there is nothing worse than having smelly pits (ha ha). So, I decided to make my own deodorant.

Here is what you will need:

1 cup coconut oil
2 teaspoons each lavender and sweet almond oil
1/4 cup each cornstarch and baking soda

*Use less baking soda (more cornstarch) if you have sensitive skin.

You will also need an empty deodorant container. I used a Secret container, which I had to practically rip apart with a knife to open.

Mixing it was fairly easy and I added less/more to get the right consistency. To test it, just dip your finger in the mixture and rub it on your skin. It should rub on like a light powder.

Once you're done mixing, pour the mixture in the container. I put my container in the fridge afterwards to harden it a little bit and took it out after 30 minutes. If the mixture is too runny, just put it in the fridge each day.

Peace & Light.

Inspired: Sean Brown

"When you have a gift its very important to understand the power of it and how to use it to affect other people because how it affects other people, in turn, affects you."

-Sean Brown 

bySeanBrown from Sean Brown on Vimeo.

Amazing.

Rarely am I at a loss for words.

His work speaks for itself.

Check out his blog

My Finds.

Art by Shavetta

Inspired.

 I was browsing StyleLikeU.com and came across an amazing feature & closet of Kimberly Sumner, an artist that currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. This video is so inspiring, especially for someone like me...being that I've never been to NY & at 27, I am just starting to turn my dreams into reality. Her style is so care free and she shares my love for COLOR & BOLD jewelry. Love it. 

"There is a point of acknowledging and realizing that you are trying to assimilate and be something you will never be... What's wrong with being yourself?"

-Kimberly Sumner 

 Check out her feature by clicking here. All photos above are copyrighted by StyleLikeU.com. 

Dear Spring, please visit me soon.

Piera Gelardi

I've never been a fan of Mr. Winter...he is so cold & stuffy. I'd much rather hang with the sunshine & rain. 

Top of the morning, to you...beautiful.

Photo by Steffilyn via Flickr

"Living well is an art that can be developed: a love of life and ability to take great pleasure from small offerings and assurance that the world owes you nothing and that every gift is exactly that, a gift. "

— Maya Angelou

I want.

 

My Finds: Peace Images Jewelry

Peace Images Jewelry

Amazing, right?

Inspired.

Reblogged from my tumblr

"And I figured out that the reason I couldn't get through the day as well as I can now is because I had too many things on my mind, on my plate, you know, for one person to have. So I started to eliminate some of the things that were too heavy to carry and unnecessary."

-Erykah Badu

To know your gift, the calling the Most High as for you, is an experience like no other. When you are inspired, you must share & be an inspiration to another. E. Badu has been an inspiration to me from the jump...I dig her style & her courage...and of course, the music.

“I look at some other videos. I’m not naming names, because I don’t want that to be mentioned. There is the thing with sexuality. I’m naked for 13 seconds, and these people are naked the whole time and gyrating and saying come “lick on my lollipop,” and “suck on my cinnamon roll,” and, you know, suggesting sex. People are uncomfortable with sexuality that’s not for male consumption. Could be ‘cause I did it in public too. Do you think people would have been complaining if I had on high-heel shoes?”

Favorite song: Other side of the game (love the video too)

Peace & light.

My Finds: River of Romansk

 

 

Beautiful.

Visit River of Romansk by clicking here.

Inspired.

Velvet: 

Take of my hand, drink of my mind

taste of my spirit, become divine

come into me, into the place

where I am dreaming of your embrace.

To me.

Come to me.

To me.

Come to me.

Whisper my name, call me your all

follow the sound, of my heart beating

when you have come, feel your caress

the taste of your lips, do you remember

love?

Do you

Remember love?

Remember.

... 

José James 

Listen

Inspired: Gordon Parks