Adele, "Rolling in the Deep"

Words cannot express what a fan I am of Adele. I love her voice, her swag, her style. In my fantasy world, where I'm a singer, I'm an artist like Adele. Her songs are so soulful and I think anyone who's ever been in a relationship can relate. I've already pre-ordered her sophomore album, 21. I cannot WAIT to hear it.

Look at your life...

I need this shirt, as I've been living pretty reckless lately. I need a sassy gay friend to remind me to STOP. And look at my life...look at my choices. (Sigh). I've got to do better on ALL fronts--personal and professional. SMH.

Roadtripping

In about 2 weeks I begin my last year of law school. Then about 1 week to 10 days after graduation I begin preparing for the hardest exam of my life: the Bar. I've decided that after I sit for the bar exam at the end of July 2011, I want to take a road trip across a part of the country I've never been to (or at least am less familiar with).

My first thought was 40-West. Wilmington, NC to Bakersfield, CA. 2,689 miles. I've always known that I-40 cut clear across the country with little to no interruptions. I figured once I got to Bakersfield I could pop down to Los Angeles and/or San Diego, too.Also the Grand Canyon is along the way...I really want to see that!

Then my co-workers informed me that 95-N goes from Miami, FL to Maine. Now granted, its a shorter road trip, there are toll roads and technically its not straight 95-N, there are a few interruptions BUT I've heard the Eastern Seaboard in the summer is BEAUTIFUL and I've never been to majority of the cities on the route. Also, if I went to Maine I could perhaps pop over to Canada? Hmmm.

Haven't quite decided the plan. But I really want to do this and I'm hoping my sister Njeri and/or V will accompany me. Roadtripping in 2011. It would be a great opportunity to see more of our beautiful country. Clear my head after a mind-altering bar exam. And spend some QT with two pretty special people in my life.

I'm getting excited! ROADTRIP

Vintage Rotary Phones

In my summer slumber I have recently discovered AMC's Mad Men. Half a season in and it's safe to say I'm a fan! I love how beautifully the show captures the 1960s (or at least how I imagine the 1960s). I love the clothes. The hair. The smoking (my God, even the pregnant women smoke)! But most of all, I am completely obsessed with the telephones. They remind me of the phone my Granny had in her house for years...until recently. Even Granny has gone digital.

When it comes to home decor/design...I really have no experience or opinion. However, my family is HGTV obsessed and even V has begun to decorate her "grown up place." I've decided I'd really love a modern home with vintage accents...I like the juxtaposition of that. Thus, when I get my "grown up place" next summer I'm going to have a house phone. It will be vintage. And it will work.

If I want to be fancy ;-)

{Photos from Etsy}

Vintage Heaven

I've died and gone to vintage clothes heaven. Stumbled upon a vintage clothes website called LA Vintage. They have a wide range of sizes...a wide range of eras. Apparently I love the 80s. Who knew? Here are some of my favorites (I purchased the last one...love it!):

Fall Must Haves

Some people shop. Some people dance. Some people sing. Some people party. Me? I drink. I love to drink. I drink to bond with my sibs. I drink with my Mom. I drink with my friends. I drink alone. And while I'm sure you're waiting to here, "Hello, I'm Akili and I'm an alcoholic" I don't have a drinking problem I just recognize its an activity I enjoy. (Ha. Denial much?)

That being said, I'm not a beast like I used to be. Flashback to my college days. Think shots of [insert ANY liquor] chased by cheap beer. Think keg stands. Think PJ + the ill advised fruit. Think that ONE snow day freshman year when me and the roomie did 7 shots of cheap ass tequila. Yeah. I used to be able to throw down.

Then Christmas 2008. I'll spare you the details. But let's just say it resulted in a bout with alcohol poisoning (I lost) and my Mom pondering if she should take me to the ER.Fail.

So, while drinking is still a hobby of mine, I had to put the shots and heavy liquor drinks away...err...for the most part. I am a wine drinker. While a wine hangover is a bitch (nothing a club soda and Subway sandwich can't cure), a wine drunk....err....buzz? Kind of the best thing in life. That being said, these two items are fall MUST HAVES for 3L lifestyle (might don't make it) and the football games:

Treme

The last thing I need is yet another new show to watch but Treme which premieres tonight on HBO is from the creators of The Wire and tells the story of New Orleans natives attempting to rebuild post-Katrina. Color my excited and intrigued. Hopefully I'll be able to catch the premiere somewhere online...

Bionic

First single "Not Myself Tonight": March 30, 2010. Album: June 8, 2010. Consider me *officially* excited!

Happy Birthday to Me.

Monday marks my 24th Birthday. I've decided to gift (to myself) a few fashion treats. I don't really have a style, though KRC recently said, your style is COMFORTABLE. He assures me my looks are put together but that I look like a woman who thinks comfy = hot {I'm comfortable with this assessment, LOL}. The past few years have been heaven sent as "men's style" is very "in" right now. I'm the queen of jeans/blazer/t-shirt. I feel so chic and sexy in a nice blazer. I swear sometimes I want to RAID Frank's closest. He, as a man, dresses how I want to dress daily! I recently picked up the cutest plaid blazer from the thrift store and I think I'm rocking it on my birthday (exciiiiiiiiited!).

Anyway, because money is tight and my body fluctuates sizes I try to buy basic pieces that can be belted and can be worn spring through winter. I also look for pieces that depending on the shoes/make up could be a school look or a bar look. So we're basically talking about basics--tee's, tunics', dresses, blazers, etc. I'm a layers kind of chick. This summer I'll be wearing mini's with thin jackets or minis and cotton vests with a pump. Simple. Easy. I've given myself a $100 limit (clearly I'll be shopping the clearance sections) but here are some items I'm think would make perfect birthday presents...

 

  

  

 

I die for these black faux-denim "jeggings" from Dorothy Perkins. Denim Leggings are essential to my going out look. So those will DEFINITELY be ordered. Also, I an "all-black-everything" kind of girl, so that floral dress is a huge stretch for me. But I'm inching toward the quarter-century mark. I need to attempt to broaden my horizon. You can tell I'm "maturing". I'm actually getting excited about clothes...haha.