Throwback Thursday: "Ex-Factor"

This is the kick off of Throwback Thursday: Gemini Edition. I'll be featuring a video from a Gemini artist every week until June 20. First up is Miss Lauryn Hill. Let's hope she'll be ready and willing to bless us with some great music in the future. In the meantime, enjoy one of her classics.

Ex-Factor x Lauryn Hill circa 1998.

I'm a grownnnnn woman!

Today I turn the big 2-5. It really feels like I was just turning 21. Time really flies the older you get. I'm thankful for another year and all the things I've learned thus far. I still have a lot of growing to do. You're never too old to continue to grow and learn. While I have my days, I can't complain today. It's just going to be a day of no worries and celebration and enjoying this spring air.

This means I'm five years away from 30 and time is of the essence! I've got moves to make! I've been getting an outpouring of love since the clock struck midnight and I love each and every one of my friends and relatives for showing me love on my special day. May 21 is also the official start of Gemini season. In honor of that, I will feature Gemini artists nonstop every Throwback Thursday until June 21 like I did last year! You're in for a real treat! 

Let it be known that Grown Woman is my official birthday anthem courtesy of Queen/Motha Beyoncé. Get into it! 

Throwback Thursday: "Fantasy"

So I'm pretty sure this is my fourth or fifth Throwback Thursday featuring Queen Mimi, but you can never have enough Mariah. She's definitely listed on my G.V.O.A.T. (Greatest Vocalists Of All Time) List and for good reason. I grew up listening to her, her range is amazing and the woman can write a song! I've never watched American Idol consistently until this season just because she was a judge. As a result, I've been visiting a lot of her old records lately. Get into this skate party certified jam!

Self Help: The Defining Decade by Meg Jay, PhD

If you've read some of my past posts, you will see that I've talked a lot about being stuck and confused in my 20something post-grad life (Click the Lifestyle tag for more). I stumbled across an article in ELLE several months ago with three books dedicated to twentysomethings and I wanted to get my hands on them. I finally got my hands on one I've been trying to track down at the library for months just in time for the book club my friend is starting. I read the first chapter and so far, so good. I'll leave the titles and authors of all the books ELLE mentioned if you're interested in reading them. I think they'll be very helpful and insightful. Happy reading!

• The Defining Decade by Meg Jay, PhD
• Twenty Something by Robin Marantz Henig & Samantah Henig
• F*CK! I'm In My Twenties by Emma Koenig

Kitchen Experiments: My First Green Smoothie

I felt like getting creative and trying my hand at making a green smoothie yesterday since I've been wanting to try one for the longest. I pretty much used the fruits & veggies we had in the fridge. It turned out pretty good. I would definitely tweak the recipe to make it a little bit better, but I plan on making more smoothies in the near future. I didn't measure anything, I just freestyled to see how it would turn out. Here's what I used:

• kale
• strawberries
• 1/2 banana (sliced)
• raspberries
• a Granny Smith apple (diced)
• 1 mango
• vanilla almond milk
• ice cubes

Next time, I want to throw some cucumbers, kiwi and pineapple in the mix! 

Throwback Thursday: "All Falls Down"

Classic Kanye. This is one of the many songs responsible for my fandom today. If Yeezy was to go back to this flow or even his Late Registration/Graduation flow, I wouldn't be mad at all! This is by far one of the realest songs he's ever made.

Rediscovered Tracks: "How Many Drinks?"

Don't you just love rediscovering music you didn't initially love at first listen? That's what happened with this track. It happens to me all the time even with my favorite artists. As much as I love Miguel and kept Kaleidoscope Dream in rotation, I must admit I wasn't crazy about this song. I normally listen to an album and automatically have songs I reach for and those become my favorites, then I have songs that get paid dust. How Many Drinks? definitely got paid dust until the video was released. I love Miguel and I love Kendrick so this made me love the song. They should definitely collaborate again. Those are my favorite Cali boys and they're both insanely talented so they should definitely collaborate again! I'm officially in love with this song. It has a nice little laid back groove to it.

 

Throwback Thursday: "Baby Baby Baby"

On the 12th year anniversary of Left Eye's passing, this week's Throwback Thursday is to pay tribute. One of my favorite TLC songs ever. RIP Left Eye. You're truly missed.

Baby Baby Baby x TLC. Circa 1992.