Image Credit: Charlotte’s Heart

Thanksgiving will be here in a few weeks, but why wait until then to express gratitude? I’m no spiritualist, but I do believe that numbers are symbolic and it’s no coincidence that we are alive to experience this very day. It will be a very, very long time before 11/11/11 will come again. 100 years, to be exact.

With all the trouble going on today – economic uprisings, and constant imminent threats to humanity from our environment, society, and sometimes fellow human beings – it’s important to remember that no matter what, we’re still alive and that alone is a reason to be thankful. Every day, somebody didn’t make it. But we did, and that’s reason enough to be grateful.

In honor of 11/11/11, I’m thankful for:

1. My family and friends.

2.  The breath filling my lungs, blood pumping through my veins, and beautiful brown skin to keep my organs safe.

3. A healthy, loving relationship with the man in my life.

4.  A career that allows me to utilize my natural talent and creativity.

5. That I have food, shelter, and clean running water.

6. That I have means to pay my bills, even punk ass Sallie Mae.

7. That my grandmother, who has lived through the Great Depression, Jim Crow, and Civil Rights, is on this earth to experience the first black President of the United States.

8. That I’m on this earth to experience the first black President of the United States.

9. That although I’ve had my share of battle wounds, I’ve made it through life so far mostly unscathed.

10. Understanding and expression of self.

11. Being an aunt to my 2 year old nephew.

Do you think 11/11/11 has any significance? What things are you thankful for right now, at this very moment?

Image: Favim.com

Creating a capsule wardrobe – a timeless way of expressing  your individual style Style & Beauty Doc

If making a bungee cord bracelet is this easy, pass me the hot glue gun! I-Spy-DIY

Still on the DIY tip…make your own flour tortillas Annie’s Eats

How to wash vintage silk scarves Couture Allure

The secret to writing great content: research. Never stop learning.  Copyblogger

Queen Latifah is coming back to daytime TV, yay!  KeepItTrill

I’m digging this song and video. The Kid Daytona’s style is so New York, it represents the whole Nas/Ghostface/Mobb Deep street sound. When I think of east coast rap, this is exactly what it should sound like.

As If!

Not a huge stretch for me, but at least I’m participating this year. I threw this together at the last minute…did I make it work?

If I didn’t already wear some variation of these styles in everyday life. I’m obsessed with 70s, 80s, and 90s style and its influence on today’s fashion. The whimsical, flowy, flower child element of the 70s, the bright, flashy, androgyny of the 80s, and the grungy, earthy, anything goes style of the 90s tend to find their way in my style choices. I’m a regular girl who works in marketing…but there’s an inner 80s pop star/90s rap chick living inside me.

1. Appollonia from Purple Rain

Image Source: All Star Pics

2. 1970s Cher

Image Source: Style Goes Strong

3. 1980s Madonna

Image Source: Rad 80s Fashion

4. Janet Jackson (Rhythm Nation)

Image Source: JanetJacksonPhotos.com

5. Jody Watley

Image Source: Lyric Dogs

6. Queen Latifah

7.  Erykah Badu

Image Source: T-hair-apy

9. Salt N’ Pepa

Image Source: All Star Pics

One of my favorite OG rap chicks, Memphis emcee Gangsta Boo, shares her thoughts on Kreayshawn. I share Boo’s sentiment – Kreayshawn is a caricature of black women who’s emulation is offensive to our culture. We can tell those who’ve truly been acclimated to black culture, and those who haven’t. And Kreayshawn is faker than a $4 bill.

Peep the vid to hear Gangster Boo’s thoughts on Kreayshawn.

Video via XXL

Tie neck blouses are all over the fashion blogs and magazines for fall 2011. It’s a classically feminine piece that’s versatile enough to be dressed up or down. I’ve been lucky enough to nab a few when pulling items for my Etsy store. Too bad they weren’t my size, or I would have kept them for myself!

Once a great piece like a tie neck blouse makes it to your wardrobe, then comes the question of how to style it. Oh, the ways…buttoned up professional, casually romantic, polished edgy…have fun with it!

Homegirl is giving me a Mya-esque vibe. So many dope style elements here: big, billowing curly hair, cute boys with Big Daddy Kane flat tops, chunky jewelry, sneakers, There’s much inspiration here for ladies into bright, funky, eclectic style.

Image Credit: Victoria Peckham via Flickr

My stove has been off for 3 months. It’s not broken or anything. I’d just been busy preoccupied with summer to even think about cooking. It was too hot to turn on the stove anyway. If it wasn’t grilled or from a taco stand, most likely I didn’t eat it. Now that it’s cooling off and I’m at home more often, I’m motivated to fire up the stove. That, and these inspiring meals from some of my favorite food blogs. These recipes got me so excited, I can’t wait to turn on some music and create a delicious meal.

Steak Faijitas

For a meat and potatoes girl like me, savory steak and and sauteed vegetables with warm tortillas keep me full and satisfied. The leftovers are great to take to work for lunch the next day.

via Simply Recipes

Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Spinach and Gorgonzola

Chicken and spinach are one of my favorite protein/vegetable pairings. Stuffing a chicken breast with spinach and gorgonzola (or any type of cheese) brings complexity to simple ingredients.

via Athletic Foodie

Shrimp Pasta with Oven Dried Tomatoes

I’m a total pasta whore, I just can’t get enough carbs! The fresh ingredients in this dish are big on flavor and satiety. It’s pretty too. Who doesn’t love an eye-catching meal? If  it looks good, it usually tastes good too!

via Annie Eats

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Yay for more pasta! Cajun Chicken Pasta is a winner because the flavor combination is familiar to me, having a grandmother from Louisiana. The pasta starch brings an Italian feel to the dish. I love bell pepper, and this dish uses plenty of it. This one’s a strong candidate for Sunday dinner.

via Pioneer Woman

What’s cooking in your neck of the woods?

This video is so cute, it reminds me of young street love..and the leading lady is so lovely. I like the new jack swing element to the track.

Suffering from a case of the Mondays, I turned the TV to VH1 Soul while getting dressed for work this morning to put myself in a happier mood. And indeed it worked, because the video for one of my favorite songs came on.

Singing along, I began to reminisce about 90s fashion. When I think of Jodeci, I think of baggy jeans, combat boots, baseball caps, and leather vests. Jodeci’s image was crafted by the creator of ghetto fabulous fashion himself, Puff,  Diddy, Sean Combs, or whatever you want to call him. Think street (leather, combat boots, sneakers, jerseys) combined with high fashion (designer accessories and labels). If it wasn’t for him, Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Lil Kim, Heavy D, Biggie, and others wouldn’t have been the most stylish artists of the 90s. Dude can come off as a bit of a joke sometimes, but he is undeniably stylish.

I created an inspiration board of combat boots reminiscent of Jodeci and early 90s street fashion. I’d rock these with a pair of jeans, a dress, or some denim shorts before it gets too cold.

Do you have any random style inspiration? Please share!

There are only 8 days left for us to enjoy you. Before you go, let us have:

One last splash through the waves.

One last al fresco meal at a sidewalk cafe.

Photo Credit: MagnusFranklin’s Flickr

One last picnic in the park.

Photo Credit: Favim via Adrenia.Tumblr.com

One last night on the town with bare shoulders, legs, and open toes.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net