Little Dragon

I am a little late in the game with this one but I really love Little Dragon. I discovered the band through Miss Moss's playlist and had one of those moments when you discover new music and you play it over and over again because you can't believe you have never heard it before because it's THAT good. Little Dragon is a Swedish electronic band. Yukimi Nagano is the vocals and her close high school friends Erik Bodin play drums, Fredrik Källgren Wallin plays bass and Håkan Wirenstrand on keyboards. Although their music is labeled electronic I would say it definitely has a soulful R&B aspect to it as well, Nagano's vocal definitely bring that in. I have heard some people call her the Asian Erykah Badu too! Now if you never heard their music before don't expect to instantly see that comparison. But honestly, I do hear it now the more I listen to Nagano's voice. I love Badu so know that I am not quick to go comparing people to her! If Little Dragon and Badu ever collaborated though that would be pretty awesome. Below are some of my favorite songs by Little Dragon that you should let you ears enjoy. 

via Hazyskyline

(My favorite song by Little Dragon)
Also good songs to check out: Night Light, Twice and After the Rain

Shawty

Donald Glover, Childish Gambino, Troy Barnes, whatever you want to call him it's safe to say he is a shawty. There are so many reasons to love this guy and he keeps popping up everywhere whether it is music, television, anything that is remotely awesome. Example: He was in the season finale of Awkward Black Girl! Either way saw these photos taken by Ariel Rosenbloom made me fall more in love with him. It also looks like he is in my uncles old loft in Philly which makes me feel like I am at this photo shoot. Happy rain happy weekend! 

Mancala!

Words with Friends got nothing on Mancala! I used to love playing this game when I was younger I had my own wooden board with the stones as well as the computer game! If you don't know how to play mancala its pretty simple however I am not going to try and explain, but you can read how here. After a little research I found out that mancala comes from the Arabic word naqala meaning "to move." I also found out that mancala  isn't the name of the game but is the name of the family of these types of games which are count and capture games. Mancala games are played in many African and Asian societies and is often called Kalah or Oware. The game dates back to between 500 and 700 AD in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Thanks wikipedia! Either way I was reminded of the game when my mom says that her students love to play at school. I decided if I am ever rich and excessive I am going to have a room in my house just for playing mancala. In the center of the room will be an a beautifully elaborate wooden mancala board sculpted in the shape of an elephant with gems to play with. Sounds fun right? Below are some images I found of people playing the game throughout Africa. 

Playing mancala in the sand in the Sudan.  

A Dinka man smokes a pipe while playing in Southern Sudan. 

Children playing mancala in Akropong Akvapim, Ghana.

Wood mancala board from the Cameroon. 

ultimate fur vest

Also when I saw this outfit I believe the words "holy guacamole" first came to mind. I wouldn't mind walking the streets in this one bit. Speaking of guacamole I made egg tacos with the avocados on top today so yummy!

The Sartorialist

womp womp

So it seems winter has finally decided to grace us with its presence. Although I love the way winter looks I don't like being cold. Also winter does nothing but bad for my car and living in the country you need a car to survive. I am not to happy about being immobile at the moment. I saw this post on wit + delight on pity parties and I had to share. I basically just want to do and wear all of these things right now as I am stuck inside. The wool panties are too cute. However I am going to stay positive about winter and engage in some winter sports soon! My plans are to ice fish and learn to snowboard!

Lady Love

At Last is one of my most favorite songs in the world. Everything about it is perfect. Honest, powerful, raw and romantic. You can't listen to it and start singing along. Etta James had the goods and although she was very ill and I am still really sad about her death. They sure as hell don't make them like they used to. RIP

travel bug

I am definitely itching for another big trip soon. I miss having the sheer thrill of going on an adventure in a place that is completely foreign. But I can't complain because I am rediscovering the beauties of my own back yard that I grew up in and the land of Connecticut. New England really is beautiful, because  you really experience every season to the fullest. I think it's important to spend time at home when your older and learn to appreciate it. Because then when you do go on that next big trip you can respect and learn to love the differences. 

A well traveled woman 

Instagram

Is my newest obsession. I know everyone loves it but it's for good reason it's simply the best. I love photography but sometimes I don't want to take my cameras everywhere I go. I love this app because it makes me actually like my cell phone photos and be able to share daily photographs. I have a old iphone with a broken screen but that hasn't stopped me from taken photos on it. It's perfect for photography lovers and narcissistic people. Below are some of my favorite photos I've taken using the app. In other photography news I was given FO FREE everything you need to make your own dark room. SUPER STOKED!

Thank you Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama provides 20 ways to get good karma. Trying to start the new year off right by approaching things differently then I have in the past even if its just the little things and seeing if it does cause positive change in the long run. 

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R’s:
   -  Respect for self,
   -  Respect for others and
   -  Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and
    think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
20. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

back to life back to reality

We have officially merged with 2012. Welcome to the new version of the world, its a little older but still fly. Today as I embraced the new year I realized that its time to organize some things. I went through all my old photos and found some favorites from this year that I never posted on here from personal, work and other random things. I also realized it may be better to post my thoughts at the top of my posts and not the bottom. I am even chilling in the new chill spot of my house.