Murder, murder, murder she wrote...Spotlight: Frank Ocean

I know most people will read this and say, "She is soo late." And I am, I admit it, but its your fault for not putting me on lol. I kid I kid.

Well I have a new music crush on Frank Ocean. His mixtape is one I can listen to straight through, and I can't say that about many other artists.  His voice, the beats, *deep sigh* I can't get enough.  The vibe he gives off is pretty straight, could see myself blasting this in my imaginary car wherever, whenever.  I also like that it seems like he is really speaking his mind, I respect it.  Tell me ten other R&B/Soul (?-don't really wanna give him a genre)* singers who do that...

Don't worry I'll wait.

He's apart of a group called OFWGKTA (Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All)...yeah, strange name I know.  I know of dude Tyler from that group, haven't heard his music (yet) but his gap is adorable. Syd the Kyd (producer) is pretty cool too, read an article about her the other day.

So download the mixtape Nostalgia/Ultra and give him a listen, he's dope, and with songs like "lovecrimes," "nature feels" and "swim good,"(and of course the single "Novacane") I put money on it that he'll be around for a while.

*Edit: Alternative hip-hop, yeah I got it from Wikipedia :P*

I just wanna LIVE!...*cues Good Charlotte*

I hate writing my feelings for the world to see, partly because 98% of you don't give a damn, and I don't want people in my beez-ness, but its my blog so whatever. My thoughts, no holds barred, right?

Right.

So I'm sitting in my living room, waiting for the water to boil in the tea kettle so I can make my green tea, giving television another chance and watching this new show "Single Ladies" on VH1 (I heart Lisa Raye and Stacey Dash).  Got a lot on my mind and I feel the need to vent, so bear with me...

I'm 19 years old, will be 20 in half a year, and I don't feel as if I've started living yet.  I see tweets from my friends like this just about every day:

"(insert ATL club here) tonight, me and the girls look flyyy."

"Just drivin around, where everybody at lets do somethin"

"Out...living."

Okay the last one I lied but yall catch my drift. Its just I've lived in Ga for what, 3 years now and I still don't know what a night out in Atlanta is like.  Its not that I'm antisocial, but I don't have a lot of people I'd consider "friends" so when everybody goes out its not like I have a group of friends down here I know I can call up...

*sigh* *takes a sip of tea*

I think I became a blogger partly because I don't really have a life, and a part of that had me thinking that, in time, I'd be able to post those pictures with me having a good time, going out with the girls, blah blah, yadda yadda.  I guess it'll come in time but I wanna start living, doing what I wanna do in life and not having to think of what others may think about it (I overthink, one of my biggest problems).

I don't like sitting in the house, but man, I can't drive lol. Blame the New York transportation system that made me believe I'd never need to learn.  And at 19 do you really want your parents dropping you off at the mall? Yeah, thought so.

And while I'm sitting here complaining about how I can't stand that I don't go out partying as much, thats not even my style (freshman year was enough, thank you). I just wanna chiiiiiiiil, shoot the breeze, hit up a few concerts, shop, explore the land outside of Conyers... I always tell my ATLien (is that word relevant?) friends that Ga is not for me, but really...I don't know too much about this state at all. I just know Conyers and Athens (and I've never been downtown at night outside of work, so I don't really know Athens either). (quick edit: never been to a UGA football game either)

I read my horoscope the other day when I was in the hair salon and it told me that the second half of this year would be prosperous for me, and considering the fact that the first half was sorry, it gave me hope.  I don't believe in that stuff but I wanna believe in that one (it was the January issue after all).

I don't know what made me wanna divulge this, this is pretty deep for me to actually explain to people why I say I feel I don't have a life (maybe because I'm phoneless -again- too long of a story). I've gotten close to it before, but every time I just x out the post and look for something else I do.  But uh, hopefully since I've admitted it to myself (and the world) how I want things to change, maybe I'll do something about it.

So I'm declaring May 30th, 2011, a new year for me (if the Chinese don't have to start January 1st neither do I).  Time for me to do things and live a lottle (that was a joke guys).

Guess this is a different approach to finding forever...So until I feel another interesting thought pop up in this big head of mines...Peace Outttt *50 tyson voice* <3

Put a little UMPH in it: Dominican Hair Salons

To all the ladies who want to turn heads with their amazing looking hair, I have just the thing:

Starting when I was about 9 years old I have been going to Dominican hair salons.  It was never hard to find one in Queens, as there is one (or three) on every other block.  The reason they are so popular (other than the ridiculously cheap pricing) is because of the WOW factor you are given once you are finished.  Haven't had a perm in a while?  Well that's fine, because with the techniques and products they use you'll look like you just finished getting a touch up, accompanied by full, bouncy hair.  Plus the fact that an average wash and set is about $20 makes their salons all the more appealing.

Look what they have done to my hair...Do you believe that I have not had a perm since early March?!

What Dominican salons do is use rich products and a roller-set and blow dry method that most Black salons do not. After washing your hair they take you straight to one the hair stylists chairs and put rollers in your hair depending on your length.  Then comes the hair dryer, which you sit under for an hour or more, or at least until your hair is dry.  I find it pretty relaxing, I fall asleep every time. :P

Then for the part I dread the most: Blow-drying your hair out o_O.

So they take the rollers out and you have a big curly head of hair, which they straighten with an extremely hot blow dryer.  Yes, I wince in pain every time they get near my edges, especially with that little round hair brush (they switch between big and little round hair brushes as they straighten your hair).  Then they style it and spray a light hair sheen and you're good to go! Perfection every time.

I got my hair done Monday and today was the first time I have bumped it since then.  I used to go every two weeks, and my hair grew really fast (Then I got to college where they take my money every chance they get).  When I get it done if I do not leave it out they will wrap it for me, most salons charging a dollar or two to do so (includes the price for the bobby pins).

A lot of women may have grown up going to African-American hair salons, as they use less heat and still give you a glossy finish.  Don't, however, be afraid to try something new.  These past ten years for me have been great.  Forming a good relationship with your stylist is good too, sometimes I get my ends cut for free because they know they are guaranteed my business every couple of weeks.

Every time I refer someone to these salons they never look back, and I'm sure you won't either.

Note: If you decide to go on the weekend, get there early or be prepared to wait a little while, as these are their busiest days.  Also find out what days they have their specials.  Google it to find one nearest you.

Here's to beautiful hair from here on out!

And it goes a lil somethin' like this.. My Summer Playlist

No matter where I am this summer this is what will be blaring out my speakers.  I listen to just about everything, google and take a listen, might find something to add to your playlist.

• Frank Ocean, "Novacane"
• DJ Drama x Roscoe Dash x Fabolous x Wiz Khalifa, "Oh My" 
• Drake, "Dreams Money Can Buy"
• Katy Perry x Kanye West, "E.T."
• Tity Boi, "Spend It" & "La La"
• DJ Khaled x Drake x Rick Ross x Lil Wayne, "I'm On One"
• Kelly Rowland x Jeremih x Lil Wayne, "Motivation (Remix)"
• Soulja Boy, "Money Gang"
• Rick Ross x Wale x Jadakiss "600 Benz"
• Future, "Magic," "Pop Them Bands" & "Splashin'" 
• Drake x T.I. "Poppin' Bottles"
• Digable Planets, "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)"
• Gucci x Rocko x Webbie, "I Don't Love Her" 
• Adele, "Rolling in the Deep"
• Ke$ha x B.O.B. "Blow (Remix)"
• Wiz Khalifa x Too Short, "On My Level" &  remake of "Juicy"
• Black Eyed Peas, "Just Can't Get Enough"
• Wale x Rick Ross x Meek Mill x J. Cole, "Fitted Cap" 
• J. Cole "Return of Simba"

Add a little Lupe, Cudi, Badu, Waka, A Tribe Called Quest and Florence and the Machine and its a go! Hope everyone is starting off their summer nicely. If you have any songs you want me to hear leave a comment!

Give a girl some curls and she don't know how to act...

(Shoutout to Mac special effects and Dominican Hair Salon in Conyers!)

-Kairi <3

Didn't watch the awards but I still saw some winners!

I'm not really into the awards show thing, plus there was no one I was really excited to see tonight at the Billboard Awards.  I did however, see what people wore to the show, and besides Fergie's neckbrace dress, Nicki Minaj's disaster of an outfit (which her Barbies I'm sure find fitting) and Justin Bieber as he became the Shiny Suit Man of 2011, there were a few good looking people tonight:

Keri Hilson looked BAD! Head to toe she killed it.

Kelly looked "okay." Seen that dress on so many people before, working that weave though. Still cute.

Rihanna however...

*drools* Then again when doesn't she have a good day? Love her <3

"I can't be there with you, but I can dream"...Spotlight: Mr. Hudson

   It amazes me that he still isn't famous worldwide yet.  His voice gives me chills.

I first heard him on Kanye's "808s & Heartbreak." I hope when he does get popular in the States he won't change up like everyone else does (e.g. Drake)

      Here's one of my favorite songs from him. Love it, hope you all do too.

So people are stealing weave now..

Just read an article (shoutout to Fashion Bomb Daily) about how people are stealing expensive weave nowadays.

Ridiculous.  But then again, with the way people buy and wear a new weave every few weeks it does make one wonder how they afford all of this (kidding-slightly).

I don't have a problem with weave.  More recently the more I see it on other people makes me realize that weave is not just for bald-headed women, but more so just to change up your look.  And thats just fine.  Hell, I wore a weave bun last night to the movies.  After seeing how simple it was when my hair alone just won't cut it (and watching a Youtube tutorial on how to put it in), I honestly can see myself wearing it a lot more.

Yes I have hair, plenty of it.  However, I have had past shoulder length, blonde highlighted hair since I was 13.  After a while that gets pretty boring.  I plan on experimenting with my hair a lot more now.  I've always wanted to try short hair but know deep down I could never cut my own, I like versatility.  Which means I'll be in Sunny's Hair Supply this week buying a nice lil 27 piece (already priced it, at $15, veryyyy cheap).

Plus, the confidence a little extra hair piece gives you never hurt anyone, I definitely felt a little more confident than usual last night when my bun was the size I always wanted it to be (also with the Cool Greys on, swag).

With all these Youtube tutorials looking at women transform themselves in under an hour I'm sure you'd get curious too.  So why not?

I'll save how I feel about certain people's upkeep of their weaves for another post (:

They say the faster you rise the harder you fall...

Taking my time with everything from this point on, slow and steady always wins the race (I hope).

Bad Chick Alert: Eva Marcille

More beautiful than her looks is her confidence.

               You never see her NOT on point, even on her chill days she is the definition of gorgeous. On top of everything she's intelligent and a GREAT model.

                                       And her shoe game? Smh, jealous.

                 Been a fan since she won ANTM, one of my favorite celebrities <3

November will be a great month...

Enough said. (Black Cement 3s)

Sweet Tooth: Dulce Candy

If you don't already know (and I really do not understand why), Dulce Candy is one great fashion blog.

She dresses so cute! Once an Army girl, she went back to L.A. to pursue her fashion designer dreams.  Her makeup, hair and clothes are DOPE all the time.  That takes effort.

I've been following her blog for almost TWO YEARS and still anticipate when she'll post something new.  I envy her closet, she shows you something new in just about every post. A lot of people look at her Youtube makeup and hair tutorials but I'm more interested in her style (not a big makeup and hair person at the moment- Chapstick and a wash and set thank you, ha!). This past year she and her husband even gave birth to their first child, Izek, and she showed off fashionable maternity looks (I feel like I know her family semi-personally, lol.)

*Salute a bad chick when you see one.*

#SoYouMad?

My school got #SoYouMad trending on Twitter, shoutout to UGA, specifically @bebeBADaxx @KcFolarin & @MrHogan15.

Dude at my school nicknamed Tate Mark went in on it, not really making sense but it was hilarious.

...Some people took it a little too seriously *seals mouth shut and ducks for cover*

A great night though, nice way to start off my summer...

Wale was wrong- a young woman should be able to wear both Jordans AND Pumps (;

 *cues "The Trip (Downtown)" in the background*

Throughout my entire life up until I entered college last fall I refused to wear anything that didn't start and end with Nike or Jordan.  The way a girly girl can explain her love for Christian Louboutins is the way I can explain my love for a pair of retros.

I don't think I'll ever give up my love for sneakers, but I've definitely cut back on buying them the last year and a half.  With one of the girliest people I know as my freshman roommate (shoutout to Mckenzie Parkins), when I started going to the clubs I had to come correct.  No Js on Homecoming weekend for me, but instead my first pair of pumps (purple at that).

                                                     (Mckenzie and I)
Boy was that the beginning of the end...

Now I'm in love with shoes.  I once used to stalk 23isback until I memorized all the release dates, and now I go on multiple sites just to see what new pumps I want to get o_O.

It's not a bad thing though, just a part of me growing into a young woman.  Can't wear sneakers to everything, although at one point I swore up and down you could. Its okay to to rock both though. Better yet, its preferred.

                                 Plus heels make me feel pretttttty  (;

The future China Comic and Animation Museum.

                                                All I can say is WOW.

They're going to start building in 2012. I am not a big fan of comics or (newer) animation, but this is one of the coolest places I have ever seen. 3D cartoons, I'd go just for that.  Plus the setup is AMAZING.

The company MVRDV won the international competition to have their design chosen as the winning one.  Not only did they create an awesome design, but the features there are just as dope.  A comic book library, theme park, and THREE cinemas.

I do love Transformers, which sold me into this whole thing when I saw the picture above. Yeah having a life-size Transformer just standing there would probably scare the hell out of me, but I'd be more excited than the kids in all honesty. ^_^

So I think a trip is in order in a few years. I'll start saving money from now.

Tumblr'd out.

Like the majority of bloggers on the internet I have a Tumblr, which will be deleted after this post.  I was tired of seeing the same snapback-wearing guys, quotes that relate to every single person, the same pictures on people's pages.  I didn't decide to start blogging for that. So I had to move on, show people how I really feel instead of showing them through reblogged pictures.  Time to start new.