Favor to Ask

My friend Thi Chein who I met via Facebook, is a superb photographer who asked me to ask you to help him out with something. He has entered into a contest sponsored by Microsoft called "Name Your Dream Assignment" which will award aspiring photographers a nice amount of dinero to help them reach there dream through photo. His pictures are more than awesome they are a big deal. All I ask if you could spare some of your wonderful time and vote for him. He has an awesome website to that showcases his work, so if you wanna be a believer check out his site and then do him the honor of casting your vote too.

Thi site is called http://www.myslantedvision.com/ and the site to vote is : http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/thichien/addiction-powermoneysexdrugs/

(pics: Thi Chein.. www.myslantedvision.com)

Am I Woman or Mouse Woman?

Curls I had... Even el shorto....never again
And side/center parts have never done me wrong and shoulder length I've done

I'm thinking about doing something different to my hair, I asked some friends ideas or thoughts on the subject because hair is a serious matter. I do want to continue growing it out,but at the current moment I feel like I can't really do much with it but move the part around, add a random braid somewhere..etc. Some ideas I even contemplated which is definitely unlike me was adding....wait for it wait for it..extentions/or a weave..yess I know gasp, but a tasteful one, not one from around the block at some All you can find store and is fifty feet long. Color was also an option but I would want it darker rather than lighter because highlights and all that is too much maintenance and we are in a WHAT....recession yal. So if you have any wondrous ideas drop a comment or two or four.

Option 1: Even though I had bangs a few years ago, a more of a blunt cut this time possibly

After doing this, I leaning more towards the bangs so really no other options as I envisioned, but who knows I may not even go through with it come later this week, we shall see.

(pic. Vogue Italia)

Have You Seen My Childhood..its coming to a theater near you

OMGOODNESS!! I lovvveeed this book and I even have the t-shirt. I was so the little boy back in my young days of pony tails, l.a. gears, and acid washed jeans. A movie in which I can re-live my childhood for and hour and a half...I will definitely be up in some ones movie theater when this comes out.

**Pictures are coming soon too

And Like A Phoenix I Start Anew Again

Not exactly a picture of a Phoenix, but I liked her outfit and it was colorful and it reminded me of spring fresh colors...and she has a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag :)
Hello world, what can I say this weekend was a bit on the slump side. I mean there were a few highlights...I visited my inner groupie preteen side for the first time when I saw, waved and received a wave back from Mr.Jamie Foxx ( I even squealed...that will be a first and a last unless I see Pharrell or am given a Chanel Caviar Bag..lol), and that I hung out and did a smidget of shopping with my cuzo "Kan" on Saturday. But besides that I felt like a piece of grey matter walking the streets in search of something to inspire or just get my blood flowing for something different. So Saturday kinda ended on a whomp whomp status...but low and behold on Sunday I awoke to a beautiful email on my Facebook page from a good buddy of mind named "P" and some new friends he introduced me to. After a few messages back in forth and all, it left me in a good spot. Lets just say we "P" and my new amigos plan on making some moves but that will be presented later, a definite future post. :)

SO to end my definite lazy and uplifting Sunday, I did what I do best and what made me happy...watch my Asian drama, did a few sketches, chatted with a few friends (which helped perked me...I heart my friends), enjoyed hot cups of tea, listened to music (duh), and looked at some websites. I actually can't wait for Monday to come, just so I can start this weekend off on a good foot.

I was having a Bjork music moment today...if you don't know who she is as Mr.T would say "I pity the fool"..lol.. I heart Bjork been a fan since junior high, she is not for everyone but for one thing her videos are always on point and will always keep you guessing because she is the epitome of the phrase "Expect the unexpected"

(pics: thesatoralist.com)

Say No Because I said so and it's healthy, will help reduce global warming, stop animal cruelty, feed the homeless, make you a better person, ...etc.

Today and I mean as of March 27, 2009, all people from the age 0f 3 to 150 years old should be forbidden, banned, and any other "no-like" adjective should no longer for all that is good say the word "Swagger" or any of its related terms...so Swagg, swagga, swaggtacular, swaggtastic, swagga on, swagga-errific, swagger jacking, swaggalicous...etc. is no longer allowed to spill from the two lips that you where born with. Why? should you ask, well I will give you some reasons on why:


TiffsoYo's 5 Reasons to Ban/Retire the word "Swagger"

1. Today I saw a man who was probably in the age bracket of 48-55 wearing a tan hoodie with the word Swagg airbrushed in a array of colors.....wth...Who's kids lied to their Pop and told them he looked cool and hip. You are setting him up to get a variety of stares ranging from the raised eye brow all the way to snickers. Don't set up your family, love them.

2. It's completely over used for everything that has no relation to a person's sense of style...Ex. (true story) I heard it used in this way " Man ! this pizza is swagtastic !" ...WHAT!! did I hear the record scratch and skip and heads snap back to the point of wip lash...yes you read write...I heard that exact sentence leave the tongue of a stranger..and they were serious with this statement...Let's all take a moment now to shake our heads in shame to allow such a word to succumb to such miss usage of poor grammar.

3. Ryan Seacrest. Need I say more.

4. It's found it's way to the country music genre.... "Hopped up out the bed yaw, turn my swaggg on, dusted off my cowboy boots and said what's up.."

5. According to my brother Civil War veterans are using it.

So yeah as of today March 27, 2009 we all should make an effort if not already to reduce and later reuse in 5 years to come to stop with the word use of Swagg. Like I said it will help fight against global warming, save the rainforests of South America, help re-freeze the polar ice caps, get you a signifcant other or make your current relationship better, tone your body and give you abs, clear acne, fight against crime, and just make you better person that everyone will love.

** I think its ok to play a few songs that contains the word but eventually we will need to play them at a minimum just so we can enforce this new rule.

Merry Christmas Mr.Lawrence - FYI

I can not get this song out of my head for the love of all things that are ....are....something good. Take a listen it's really good, definitely a dance in the mirror type song, because I don't have the guts to do a full out choreography on the streets yet.

Hump Day

We and others who lost our VIP status seating because of the over booking of seats.

Wednesday was an ok day, nothing out of the ordinary except for the fact that it started off to a good start at around 1:15 am. I alil phone call from someone unexpected, but it definitely was a nice short call in which I got two song dedications which definitely caused me to blush and giggle like a pre-teen. After hitting the bed to regain my full 8 hours of sleep, I did the typical which is watch my morning dosage of Maury and then off to work. Earlier last week I came up on some free tickets to a pre-screening of "A Haunting in Connecticut" which didn't come out until this Friday. So I met up with my good friend Jamal to go feel like VIP status at the Ritz, but unfortunately our time of glistening in VIP status was quickly extinguished because they over booked the seating...lames.

How could they turn us down...I guess they saw that stash of food in my bag..lol

Oh well that is what the Internet is for...SIKE SIKE..lol.. I do NOT promote watching movies on the net because they are fuzzy........and against the law..lol.

OK....I know I have been slacking on the outfit photos, but have no fear I will produce some this week. Work has been a bit hectic, but they are coming :)

Here is some new music for the mean time: I let my kid* Cheza randomly pick a song and this is what she chose...open your mind, close your eyes and see

*I don't have a kid that I birthed, but one that I purchased and ordered that I named Cheza Box Moore. She is my 3rd electronic Baby or E-baby, so if you ask me if I have kids, the answers is yes..I have a small tribe of 4 Ebabies who I love all like I laid in the delivery room of Bestbuy and popped out from my Visa card.

Ms. Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie is gracing the cover of Black Book magazine's April cover, and honestly I'm not to pumped about it. Don't get me wrong I have always liked (Yeah I said it)Ms.Richie from the time she was coming out in the lime light as Paris Hilton's side kick,to her losing weight, and other "wacked out" Hollywood hay days. But I feel like this look is being recycled by sooo many people. I mean I'm all about reusing, recycling, recession-living or what not but come on. I think from Lady Gaga, Ciara, Beyonce (who needs to go on vaca for a while), and probably some more have done the "futuristic/80's pop/half cyborg" look so many times in the last few months its becoming overly repetitive and predictable. Quit swagga-jacking/copying and pasting/bitin/and sweatin each other become a lil more original...just alil please.


Don't take it as me "hating"...Oh no I love Ms.Ritchie, I just want the best out of everyone. My torch still burns bright for her because besides all of her personal hoopla I have always liked her style even if it was through the help of Rachel Zoe. I preferred her over any of the "It girls" of her time. I also think she is hilarious, she made the "Simple Life" funny because she was the main one causing the mischief or had some funny catch phrase or comeback. Also can you also believe that she is pregnant again while these picks where taken...wowza!

(pics:Bbook.com)

I'll Pass on the Extra Butter on the Popcorn, I need to Fit in MY Valentino Dress

All I can say is, who would like to accompany me to this? If your going to be in the business of fashion or any career/subject for that matter you need to know it's roots to succeed.

Love,Sex, & Magic

Woowza! I am definitely feeling this video, from the outfits, the the dancing choreography (is it really dancing, either way I like it). Oh so sexy, and JT is looking very tasty. I actually like this version compared to the Madonna and JT version.

I can't but help see chics trying to find tops like CiCi's one piece and rocking them this summer more so as an outfit of sum sort. I'm actually for it, just make sure if you opt to do something like that to be worn either during the day time hours or late night el clubo scene please do it with class and have a real friend there in the process who will tell you if its a hit or miss. And let me re-iterate when I mean to wear outside I mean with a bottom ( jeans, shorts, pants..etc) on for those that thought I meant just wear outside like your going straight to the beach...if I saw you do that on the street I would slap you and yell at you in a friendly loving way. Later as the weather progress I will do style segments of putting certain pieces together for this. But in the mean time if your on the hunt one reasonable place to hit up is American Apparel. I like to venture to this store because they offer basic tees, hoodies, leggings, dresses, sweats and in a plethora of colors for both women and men. If not really your place to venture of course places like Asos and Victoria's Secret swim wear collection offer one pieces.

(photo: American Apparel)

So Good I May Lick the Screen

Top: Givenchey sandals, Nine West Kentaro, Donna Karen Sculptured Blazer, Nine West Ciraco, Banana Republic drop waist dress, Mocs with Studs (DIY), mmmunt denim circle dress, Ninewest Jenicca, Matthew Williamson Cropped Blazer, See by Chloe tote, Nine West Rusty, Lanvin Patterned Shoes and Clutch)

Excuse me while I wipe the drool from the side of my mouth. This summer I'm all for color ( as everyone else should be too), skirts, blazers, and my slowly growing obsession of shoes and bags. I love the heat and can't wait to say "Deuces" to my winter clothes and "Hola Mami" to my spring and summer attire. Please bring on the heat and all of its wonderful glory.

As the weather battles itself on how it feel...you can't but notice how everything and I mean EVERYTHING is ready for a continuous and steady flow of warm weather. Case in point Rita's Water Ice proudly opened its doors the other day to welcome in Spring, unfortunately mother nature was not feeling it and left people standing for "Mystery" flavor and Cherry water ice with cool breezes and light flurries smacking them in the face like "Ahhh Haa" (I was one of them (lol)).


But yeah retail stores, magazines, television, even nature (I'm a believer of when Robins appear Spring is here and it should be warm, something I was taught in Elementary school) have been forcing us to want a consistent flow of warm weather. But any hoo, you can't help but not to walk and browse on the new prospect looks/ fashions that we will be wearing come late spring and summer. Even for my soft love of sneakers, have you not been watching how Nike's line of SB shoes have been very appealing lately..I mean those Nike Melbourne Gold Rails had a beautiful golden glow and angel babies playing the harps around them....Huhhh.

(photos: Nine west.com, pixie market.com, net-a-porter.com, Banana Republic.com, Photo bucket-pic#2)

Once for me and once for someone new

LOVE SHUFFLE

So tonight as I stayed in, yeah boring Tiff-so ended Friday the boring way. I didn't welcome the first day of Spring as I envisioned it...Smiling ear to ear in the warm sunlight, a soft Philly pretzel shalacked with both spicy and yellow mustard in one hand and a free Rita's water ice in the other. Instead there was a balled up fist tucked inside my jacket pocket and in the other a new tube of Blistex lip balm. Spring had welcomed me with harsh cold winds and a slight case of chapped lips. So after a tiring day of work I figured I was going to spend the remainder of my day planted in my room playing catch up on my Asian dramas. Yes, for those who don't know me real well I love no I am addicted to Asian Dramas. Something about them can beat out any drama/ soap opera American TV has to offer ( but that is another post to be discussed).

SO, as I watched the Japanese drama "Love Shuffle" (which is amazing), the characters made a point that kind of hit me while I was brushing my teeth and kinda reminded me of the "Season, Reason, Lifetime" poem. It made me think of the people that I have come across in my life and how their influence has helped shaped and molded me to the person that stands before you. I believe if anything when you are born you are given some personality, but through out time it's a mix of the people and your environment that makes you who who are. For example, I thank my best friend who I will call A* for exposing me to new genres of music. It was because of her I believe got me to venture outsides the box of what "Black people listen to". She was the only black kid that I knew in seventh grade who listened to Marilyn Manson, Korn, Nirvana, and Bjork. She listened to rap and all but could care less about it. I believe she had a strong influence besides a few other people, for my thirst of music. I can say that if you ever ventured onto my music library you may be blown away from what I have. But that's just one example, I'm sure if you really sat down and thought about it ,what can you say that you have learned or experienced from a particular person that you know. It doesn't have to be something big we all affect each other in different ways, and this can even be further stretched out to strangers that you have come across in your travels. For those who I do consider friends, acquaintances, strangers, even those who I am not fond of I would like to take this time to say "Thank you". Thank you for playing a part in my on going development . Now, if you where to take it up a notch what imprint do you think you left on people? [ cue in dramatic music: Din Din Diiiiinnnn: ...lol]

The musical selection for today comes from the group Earth, Wind and Fire with their song Fantasy which happens to be the opening main theme to the series "Love Shuffle". I have always liked this song more so for the different range in vocals and the last part of the song with the high note. From listening to the actual lyrics it is definitely a perfect theme for the series and even for this post...no? And the commercial for the series love shuffle if your interested to watch it go to (http://www.mysoju.com/)






(pic, wiki.d-addicts.com/Love_Shuffle)

Am I still stuck In your head?

Balenciaga RTW Fall 07

Usually when most people wake up in the morning the first thing that comes to mind is to go pee or hit the snooze button for an extra 5 or 10 minutes of sleep. This morning when my eyes greeted the sunlight the only that came to mind was this Hurley dress and the Balenciaga-esque blazer I saw the other day in a vintage store. I mean for a good 10 minutes I laid there day dreaming about how I should've smacked myself for not making that purchase. You see the old non-budget Tiffso would've done it, but I'm trying to pay off some things as a "resolution" for 2009. HOWEVER, my philosophy has always been this as well: Sleep on it for 24 hours and if its still parading and having break dancing parties in your mind go back for it. SOooo, I think I may risk having my pockets being on cotton status for a few days just to quench that thirst. No worries though all my bills are paid on time and more than the minimum. :)

I think it will be a good look for now (minus the fur trim) because the weather is still trying to get its self together while transitioning from Winter to Spring. I love a good structured blazer than can be worn with jeans, a skirt, or whatever. It's definitely a new way of changing it up from the typical windbreaker or heavy spring jackets.

(pics, style.com)

So Nice and So Right

SOoo, today was a great day for oh so many reasons:
1. Finished and processed my taxes ( how I count the days of stalking the mail man everyday until I receive that wondrous check with my name typed in its Times New Roman font with my name on it)
2. Got some extra funds in the el banko so my pockets are no longer sitting on cotton
3. It was 60 plus degrees outside
4. Went downtown and to South St. to meet up with my beautiful friend Ty
5. I ate octopus for the first time, and I loved it !!

I think every year especially when the weather breaks, and the weather is over 50 degrees I fall back in love....with Philly. Like how Carrie had a relationship with her city, I too have the same relationship with my city. Something about when the weather gets warmer it seems Philly comes to life. I could go on and on about it.. I think from the staple "Philly Summer Diet" (Philly pretzels and water ice w/ fruit chunks), to the free concerts throughout the city, the smell of BBQ grills, going to the various parks and hanging out on the benches, open fire hydrants sprayin the neighborhood kids to cool off..etc...uhhh I heart my city. Even though its an ongoing love/hate relationship it definitely has my heart inside of it.


While hangin with Ty who I've come to realize may be my shopping counter part, I bought a few items from this vintage store we hit up on South St. .I'm "Supposed" to be watching my spending..more so cutting back but it's an addiction. I found two blazers which I didn't get but may go back for (one reminds me of a wacked out but oh so Tiff-ish Balmain jacket..I think I will go back for), but made out like a bandit with some items for the summer. A cute cropped 80's tee, some bracelets and some canvas slip-ons (and I only paided five dollores for (I spelled it this way for a reason)) which will be used for a DIY project...can't wait.

Ohhh! and for my music segment for the day to hopefully open you to some new tunes to play or re-play if you know about this artist ..it is the wonderful Japanese group Nujabes...some of you may of heared them on the anime show Samurai Champloo (which is more adult themed yet great to watch). They have some awesome stuff, if you like chill type music, jazz, a rap overlay like Common-esque type stuff every once in a while then you will definately like them..if not it never hurts to just listen and try. So check out the video and enjoy.

A Day in History

Hello Lover

Hello Good people and I would like to say "Welcome/Okaeri/Ni Hao/insert any other language" to my blog "A Diamond in Clothes Racks". This is my very first blog ever and I hope it becomes a special selection in your favorites tab. I can tell you off hand that this wont be the typical blog, because if you knew me I am not the typical person. I'm one that is hard to describe and define, so be prepared for whenever you visit that you will leave here with a new added wrinkle in your brain. I hope to inspire and maybe even entertain you as possible. I encourage you to leave comments because I love them..whether they are comments of love and encouragement or filled with hate, keep them coming because I know that those are my biggest fans wanting for me to push harder.

OooHhh!!! And Happy St. Patty's Day to all my Irish people out there too :)