There is no force more potent than love. Take away love and your earth is a tomb.
Without love, your life will echo emptiness. With it, your life vibrates warmth and meaning. Even during times of hardship, love always shines through. (believe this, and take to the bank!)
If you have it, you don't need anything else, and if you don't have it, it doesn't much matter what else you have.
As you look back on the events in your life, you will find that the moments that stand out, the moments that you have really lived(vacay with the bros or girls), are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.
Therefore, search for love. Once you have learned to love, you'll have learned to live.
Love is the most important ingredient for living well. I believe as a culture we've forgot to love, you know, the simple things. I'm not sure where the disconnect roared its head but I challenge you to go back to space of love and just watch the changes, improvements, and win-wins you'll begin noticing.
In closing, there's a scripture in the Bible that reads: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love."
Before hitting the theaters last night, I cozied on the floor in Barnes & Nobles perusing the new monthlies and book titles on display. As I'm grabbing from the 'Men's Interest' section, this akward yet interesting Esquire cover grips me. I stood there with the ? marked face. But getting more into the cover, I realized the buzzy graphical copy in the left corner. It read: We Shot This Image To Catch Your Eye So You Will Pick Up This Issue. I thought, "are sales really plummeting over at the pub?" Whatever the case, the intention definitely caught my attention and I'm sure the pockets of other consumers.
Jessica Simpson re-enacting a famous 1965 Esquire cover starring model Virna Lisi.
Surprising unconventional first dance routines has become the norm at weddings all over. In today's funnies the wedding clip below is the best out thus far! It punches up creativity, love and plain ole good times!
Speaking of choreographed routines, you remember this classic part in 'House Party?' Priceless. Mr. MSR swore he was 'Play' in the early days!
What does Russell Simmons, Kanye West, 50 Cent, Common, Marc Ecko, Reverend Run, Duke, Lil Jon, Don "Magic" Juan and Whoo Kid all currently share in common?
These iconic hip-hop subjects are all apart of the exhibition of portraits for painter Alexander Melamid. Holy Hip-Hop! New Paintings by Alex Melamid features portraits capturing each icons larger-than-life persona. Melamid is phenomenal when mirroring every spec of the performer (he uses a European technique he’s been applying for the past 40 years) or individual on the life-size portraits.
“Melamid was introduced to his subjects by his son, Dan "Dan the Man" Melamid, a music video director working in the hip-hop industry. For two years, from 2003 to 2005, Melamid spent time with each of the men, got to know them, then photographed and drew them as the basis for his paintings,” according to exhibit materials.
If you’re in the Detroit area, Holy Hip-Hop! New Paintings by Alex Melamid will be on view at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) from February 8 through April 20, 2008.
"Beware of the fury of the patient man." -- John Dryden
Our minds perceive and give relative value - positive and negative - to the different sides of a duality. We usually shun the negative. It's important to know that you cannot eliminate the negative by focusing exclusively on the positive. Energetically, both opposites must remain in balance (read this).
Increase one and its opposite will also increase. Try to be only positive and the negative within you will raise its ugly head. We work with dualities by remembering that each is part of the whole. We must acknowledge and accept all aspects of life, because they all exist within us. And so, if we seek to be honest, we do so by acknowledging our potential to be dishonest.
We can also bring in love and compassion when we catch ourselves acting out the negative. Power arises out of integrating the positive and negatives within us (strange, but true). From the tension that exists between the two, we develop awareness and become more conscious and compassionate.
In closing Gents, remember, "Any fool can run towards the light. It takes a master with courage to turn and face the darkness and shine his own light there."
He gets my vote for "Best Spring Edgy!" I believe this is a custom creation but wouldn't be surprised if it's Thom Browne, Balenciaga, or Brooks Brother!
Luigi Martini of Kiton (calypso man) grooving in style. I'm digging the various quirky textures and elements.
Kudos for Lindsay presenting the urban-chic look as they call it. The lion face tank and metallic dunks are killers!
Always rolling in style no matter how different their fashion choices are!
Michael Macko (Saks Menswear Director) I like the risk-taking with this ensemble!
YALE student wearing grunge very well and natural-looking.
This child actor is off to a great start! Besides his high-style accessories (LV coin purse and luxe chipper gold watch) I like the mix of cotton shirt with tweed flat front pants. Side note: This girl said "you and this kid look alike." I don't see it, does anyone else?
I have been slightly away and handling many interesting projects. One in particular, I'm thrilled to share once the pieces falls in together! With that said, I'm back with the content!
The leaves are protruding from the branches while their accents-- bold flowers--are steadily blooming. Another telltale for Spring I'm noticing--all down Madison Ave and other posh avenues--are lighter-hued power suits with solid or striped contrast shirts.
If you're a product of 1980s you'll remember when Power Suits came onto the scene with their sharp cuts, broad shoulder pads (it beefed up the frame), and rigidness. According to men's fashion historical records, Ralph Lauren launched the 'Power Suit.' The term is explanatory: the designs provide a high level of prestige, power and classic refinement.
I'm all for the power suit--but only two-button single breast styles. Its slicker, very debonair-like and instantly whips your frame into sartorial-mode. I always say, "purchasing a power suit (have it tailored afterwards) that matches your shape and skin tone produce style-winners."
This Spring, take a powerful risk and nab unconventional shades Gents: Fiery red, chocolate, sky-blue(very Spring!), super-white (Diddy, watch out this year!), forest green, etc. In addition, cast away dispels of power suits having to color match. Mix matching colors is quite OK. Or if you prefer matching, turn your tailored separates (jackets, pants, and vests) into a power suit. No worries, I do both all the time and still execute the exact power suit silhouette.
Spring Power Suits I'm Enjoying:
A perfect example of a proper fitting power suit!
Wicked execution for the power suit hitting the town.
Stellar preppy/casual look here with the power suit.
Gents, I saw this video from GMA Weekend anchor (aired last week) speaking with DETAILS editor's discussing appropriate suiting for various shaped men. I thought it was a cool compliment to this entry. Enjoy!
Yesterday, prior to entering the luxury retail behemoth we NY’ers call ‘Saks Fifth Avenue’, Dolce and Gabbana’s new men’s fragrance “THE ONE” conquered the window displays. I mean, wraparound electronic window displays featuring their campaign video of the new scent. I’m not sure if you Gents knew, but D&G tapped Matthew McConaughey to be the spokes model for “THE ONE.” The video was pretty cool and I thought I’d share once I was able to track it down.
The truth is what it is. It's neither good nor bad. It's simple reality.
Tailor your concepts to fit reality, instead of trying to stuff reality into your concepts. No matter what you believe, it won't change the facts.
If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true is really true, there would be little hope of advancement in the world.
Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. If fifty-million people say a foolish thing, it's still a foolish thing. Successful people are realistic and aren't trapped by false appearances.
"Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them."
-- Orison Swett Marden
We can’t escape problems and negativity. Escaping just brings denial and suppression - we continue to carry the problem with us (basically, the troubled past) . Ironically, it is our lack of acceptance and resistance to the problem that creates the pain. Resistance builds up an energy wall or block that, if not discharged, gets suppressed into the body. These blocks identify places where we have not enough understanding or love.
For health, we must work through what we seek to avoid. How do we do this? We can love parts of ourselves that we don’t like. We can seek the lessons we are being invited to learn through the problem. We can examine our beliefs and seek to see different perspectives and a bigger picture. As our perspectives grow, more of life makes sense and has meaning.
Eknath Easwaran once said, "The Lord is a good psychologist: he knows the way our minds run. Turmoil can be the Lord's way of tapping us on the shoulder and saying, 'Don't forget me."
There is no such thing as no chance. Don't think about the things you can't do. Think about the things you can do.
No matter what the level of your ability, you have more potential than you can ever develop in a lifetime.
You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you could do. There are no limitations to what you can do except the limitations of your own mind.
Your range of available choices right now is limitless. Look at things as they can be.
A few Sundays back, I and a storm of comrades visited the “Sankofa Series” at Harriet's Alter Ego (retail space intertwined with art gallery ). Another comrade, Larry Ossei-Mensah (My Global Hustle), and his friend Stanley Lumax are the creators of this prolific series. The photog duo, displayed arresting documentary-style shots of the African culture—Ghana in particularly. I never traveled to the continent, but the soulful visuals encourage one to visit the mother land without qualms.
Exhibit patron analyzing photos.
Subject Kimathi (Jamhuri Wear) inset with exhibit portrait behind.
Each shot posses a strength and story that was clear. I think these are two attributes Larry and Stanley executes—strengths any photographer would want to convey. A market woman intensely scaling fishes to a well-built beautiful girl (think model Ajuma) who powerfully kicks a soccer ball (sans shoes at that) in a grass field were just a sample of what viewers took in.
Compelling Shots!
Sankofa Series was bustling with cool art lovers and style players. Also, people rocked (I caught myself bopping at one point) to good tunes. Along with the melodies, visitors were served the tastiest apps. I had instant flashbacks of family cooking just because of how amazing the chicken and bite-size fried filet's were.
Mr. MSR nestled between two lovelies.
Larry and Stanley posing with their crew.
The “Sankofa Series” is great exhibit that I would love to see make stops at various U.S. and African cultural institutions.
Last week during a taping break (stay tune for clip), I walked into the Ralph Lauren mini-mansion in SOHO (Madison ave. holds the larger mansion) just to see the new menswear collection(s) on-hand. Ralphie never fails with the offerings! It’s rad to see him conquer new design boundaries season-after-season. I toured the regal-like space and noticed many prospects, but no guarantees. Until that is, I saw my new OBSESSION and must-get: Ralph Lauren’s Black Label’s Monza II belted jacket.
At first glance from a distance, I figured it was part of the more athletic-inspired RLX collection. The jacket’s glistening buckle throat latch and hook-and-eye closure pulled me in like Scorpion from Mortal Kombat. The many dual flap pockets and grommet ventilations only heightened my impulses to purchase the investment piece.
The shop associates must have said “why is this guy inspecting the Monza like that?”
It’s classic. It’s wearable. It’s fresh-and-fly. It’s worth the 650+ tag. Lastly, it’s a Ralph piece you’ll always cherish—even at 65 years of age!
"If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words."
What passes over your lips each day?
Are your words typically negative, critical, gossiping, deceptive, illusory, justifying, blaming, manipulative and argumentative? Are they more uplifting, inspirational, positive, questioning, beautiful, loving, universal, truthful, accepting and supportive?
The throat is our center of expression. Who we are sneaks out in our attitudes and in what we say.
"Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs."
As said in the Holy Bible, "The wise weigh their words on a scale with gold."
I had the exclusive opportunity Wednesday morning, to privy the much-talked about Takashi Murakami retrospective. @MURAKAMI is out-of-this-world! The celebrated, better put, acclaimed Japanese artist will be presented at the Brooklyn Museum from April 5- July 13, 2008. Being part of the PRESS junket, it gave me the ultimate freeness to interpret, photograph, and even question his distinctive artworks. The best part of it all, documenting images for the readers to enjoy and immerse in.
Dr. Murakami (get it right. Ph.D. alum of prestigious Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music) is cited as one the most powerful artists to have emerge from Asia in the late 20th century. Takashi's skillful hands have shown me ‘anime’ (animation) in newer formations. Honestly, it’s unbelievable!
Takashi Murakami ‘trademark painting styles’ were streamlined through most of the life-size and photo frame measurement pieces on display. Relayed to the PRESS, “Murakami blends the bright palette of pop, the flatness of anime, and the ominous dreams of surrealism. In addition to Takashi’s paintings, his momentous pieces for Louis Vuitton are on display and for sale. For the ladies, I got inside scoop from the LV camp: A new camo bag design by Takashi is soon to debut. BrooklynMuseum is offering the collabo bag first anywhere, exclusively for 2 weeks, then afterwards it's onto select stores. After seeing the bag, my friend Z, said she think its going to be thenext “It-Bag” for the females.
In closing, I’ve included my favorite shots from the exhibit. If you’re planning on visiting NYC, or you reside here, definitely get your butt over to the exhibit.
Thanks to everyone at the exhibit: Mona Sharf at Louis Vuitton; The Brooklyn Museum Communications Department; Lifestyle and Culture Writer Zandile Blay and Takashi Murakami’s dope stylist—MSR reader—Alexander Allen.
PS: I didn’t make the gala last night but I’m sure we’ll see pictures and news bits circulating about Kanye’s awesome performance.
MR. MSR EXHIBIT CAPTURING :
My homie is very business-minded with the copyright [name] move!
Brace yourself for this title: "That I may time transcend, that a universe my heart may unfold."
DoB (Alter ego for Takashi) balloons.
Louis Vuitton lock and key bow pocketbooks! All monogram created for Louis Vuitton by Mr. Murakami.
Mr. MSR had to get a shot in! lol. Posing alongside "Melting DOB."
"Super Flat Jellyfish"
"And Then, And Then, And Then And Then," '96.
"Tan Tan Bo Puking."
The BEST piece for last. Its FIREEEEE!
UPDATE: Kanye gave a great show for last night's Gala attendees. Take notice!
Quick gala recap for the viewers! Marc Jacobs was channeling hardcore "Miami Vice."
Entry Extension:
Jay-Z, although co-chair didn't make a big entrance last night. Why not make a presence if your co-chair right? I'll tell you why--Jay tied the knot with "Beautiful B" tonight at their penthouse in Tribeca. Tribeca was a paparazzi mosh pit for the tight-lip nuptials.
To control the outcome of anything, you control the action at the point of decision making. If you let others make decisions for you, you give up control. When you control the decisions, you control the actions.
It's your life. You decide what you're going to do with it. If you don't run your own life, someone else will. You're in control of your life to the degree that you make decisions.
Take charge of your life, so there is no longer a need to ask permission of others. When you ask permission, you are giving someone veto power over your life.
Take control and start making those decisions. Only you are responsible for your life.
I’m thumbing through some magazines and the adverts for Ralph Lauren’s classic and bit nostalgic Blue Label stares me down. Ralph Lauren—or better yet David Lauren—continuously executes timeless advertising campaigns—both for print and billboard. Side note: Check next week’s entry for profile piece on David Lauren.
Just take a minute of your oh-so busy time and analyze these two story-telling adverts. I don’t know about you, but I find Ralph Lauren ads embed touches of aspiration and luxe. In conjunction with the campaign, the collection IS FIRE! The boastful prints are fresh and the solid-colored (both men’s and women’s) garment engineering is timeless!
Comprised Caption: AMAZING!!
Spring/Summer is soon approaching, and I recommend purchasing from the season-appropriate label. Plus, at the end of the day, a Ralph Lauren piece or outfit beefs up any style—be it for guy or lady.
It will be your constant effort to be first class in everything you attempt that will help you conquer the heights of success. Always do more then you're supposed to do and you can have, be or do anything you want.
Do a little more then average and from that point on your progress multiplies itself out of all proportion to the effort you put in. You can do a little more each day then you think you can. There is always a best way of doing everything.
Find it.
To enjoy enduring success, you should travel a little in advance of the rest of the world (taking your passions beyond limits).
True success comes from being successful in little things.
"You can never get to peace and inner security without first acknowledging all of the good things in your life. If you're forever wanting and longing for more without first appreciating things the way they are, you'll stay in discord."
-- Doc Childre and Howard Martin
Develop an attitude of gratitude. We discover a sense of wholeness as we appreciate both the small and big things in our lives. And it really helps to remember to appreciate ourselves. Appreciation is more than just acceptance -- it's respect and admiration. Let go of criticism and self-abuse.
"Generally, appreciation means some blend of thankfulness, admiration, approval, and gratitude. In the financial world, something that ‘appreciates’ grows in value. With the power tool of appreciation, you get the benefit of both perspectives: as you learn to be consistently thankful and approving, your life will grow in value."
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