Mya dropped “Fallen” way back in 2003 but the casual look she wore in the video still works today. Boyfriend jeans, simple white tank, a black leather jacket and simple gold accessories is a classic, cool girl look reminiscent of James Dean that will never go out of style. Dress it up with a pair of sky high heels, or dress it down with casual flat sandals, motorcycle boots, or a pair of cool sneakers.

Tanks by Juicy Couture
Platforms by Jimmy Choo

I love Exercise TV On Demand – they have tons of workout routines I do in my living room. After doing Cindy’ Whitmarsh’s Bikini Ready workout I was so sore but I felt toned and energized. It’s only 20 minutes but it works every major muscle group. Doing this twice a week, along with walking and jogging everyday, is whipping me into shape for summer with no gym.

When I turned on my TV this morning, Tupac’s California Love Remix video was on MTV Jams. I hated the original version of California Love but the remix was so dope. Artists from Northern and Southern California made cameos in the video, it was love from all over the state.

It’s crazy to think – if he were alive, Tupac Shakur would be turning 40 today. Sometimes I wonder why we still talk about Pac and how he can still be so prolific, then I realize he’s a legend. Whether you dig his music or not, he’s hip hop’s Elvis.

I wasn’t feeling Krit when I first heard him last year. He’s undoubtedly talented, I was just indifferent toward his music. Sometimes it takes me awhile to appreciate certain artists…I have to give them a few spins before I decide to like their music. After I listened to the Return of 4 Eva mixtape a few times, his sound began to resonate with me. I couldn’t deny the bass thumping and live instruments infused with Krit’s country slang.

Country Shi*t has earned its spot on my summer soundtrack, check out the remix featuring Ludacris and Bun B.

I’ve decided to share my love for vintage by selling my finds on Etsy. There are only a few items available for sale to start off with, but I will be continually updating my shop with new finds as they come. Check out what’s already in the shop…over the next week I will be adding more vintage jewelry, then I plan to add more clothes.

I hope you enjoy!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/hiphopmuse

It’s the weekend baby! It’s summer now and time to get outside, but I think I’m gonna keep it close to home this weekend. We’re at the halfway mark of 2011 and I feel compelled to declutter and get my living space right. I’ve already updated my closet organization and tossed out old clothes, now I need to repair some stuff. I’m also opening my vintage store on Etsy, I have lots of great vintage clothes and jewelry to share with everyone!

I’ll be in my apartment cleaning and posting clothes for most of the weekend, but I still want to celebrate summer by drinking sangria, listening to some laid back music, and going for a nice hike. I love being a homebody!

What are your plans for the weekend?

Image Source: LA Weekly

It’s been cold and overcast the past couple of days..perfect weather for something warm, brothy, and comforting. Flipping through my Paula Deen cookbook, I found a delicous recipe for Caldo Soup, a traditional Portuguese stew originally called Calde Verde.

“Calde Verde” literally translates to a “green soup” of collard greens or kale, Portuguese sausage, and potato. I used hot Louisiana sausage and kidney beans in place of potatoes. I used canned Glory Greens since I randomly had them in my cupboard. I know you’re thinking ‘canned greens??’ but they worked perfect for the stew.

Canned greens aside, this dish is wonderfully delicious, comforting, and simple to make. I served the caldo with mini cornbread muffins (from the recipe on the back of the Alber’s Cornmeal box). The pairing of the cornbread, collard greens, hot sausage and red kidney beans gave the stew a southern feel, making it the perfect Sunday soul food dinner.

*Recipe adapted from Paula Deen’s Lady & Sons cookbook.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound smoked sausage
• 1 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• Three 14-oz. cans chicken broth
• 1 27 oz can Glory Greens (or whatever canned greens)
• 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning

Directions

Dice the sausage into small pieces. Melt the butter in the olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the onion and sausage, and sauté until the onion and is transparent. Add garlic and saute until it becomes aromatic. Add the collard greens, kidney beans, Cajun seasoning and chicken stock. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.

…add up to big accomplishments when those steps are taken toward your dreams.

Image Source: Patrick Bridgeman

This song inspires me so much, it reminds me that I can do anything in the world I want to, if I just focus and do it. On to my random musings…

• I used to think that I’d never be happy working a 9-5. I always thought that true bliss would come from running my own business. I still believe this to a certain degree but life and time taught me a few things. Namely that it’s possible to have a 9-5 that I like. And that I can still have my own business while holding down a full time job. The only security I’ll ever have is that which I create for myself.
• The Hidden Colors documentary is a must-see. I thought I knew black history and world history, but clearly not as much as I thought. I have some book buying to do.
• I’m getting my hair pressed in three weeks, and I feel bittersweet about it. I need a good trim and I want to see how long my hair is, but I feel like I’m abandoning my natural curls. I see hair straightening being a once a year thing for me.
• I finally got a parking space in my apartment building. It may not mean anything to you but it’s the shit to me. Having your own dedicated parking spot in Koreatown means you’re OG official.
• I know everyone is happy that the US supposedly killed Bin Laden, but didn’t he die like 5 years ago? Was that really him? Does it really matter? Who knows.

In life there are usually more questions than answers. So just love and live life! Have a wonderful weekend beautiful people. Don’t forget to keep up with me on twitter @hiphopmuse.

Peace and love.

Mustard. Yep, regular old yellow mustard. Everyone has their own secret to great fried chicken, and mustard is mine. Yellow mustard tenderizes the meat and coats it well enough so that when you fry it, it becomes perfectly juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. After cleaning and drying, rub your chicken pieces with yellow mustard and coat them with seasoned flour. Drop them in a skillet of hot oil and fry on each side for 8-12 minutes. If you have a deep fryer it will cut the time in half since there’s no need to flip the bird.

*Tips:

1. Don’t toss the cooking oil when you’re done frying! It can be re-used for your next batch of homemade fried chicken or french fries.

2. Make sure the oil is HOT before you drop the chicken in.

I gave up my secret to perfect fried chicken, share yours in the comments!

I’ve been immersed in the world of Prodigy and Mobb Deep this week. The lovely folks at Simon & Schuster were kind enough to send me a promo copy of Prodigy’s autobiography “My Infamous Life,” which I’ll be reviewing early next week here on the blog. Did you know Mobb Deep’s classic album The Infamous was released 16 years ago this past Monday, April 25th? 16 years?? Sheesh I’m getting old. It feels like I just heard “Shook Ones” for the first time on Rap City just days ago.

Reading Prodigy’s book got me thinking about some of my favorite Mobb Deep/Prodigy songs.

Mobb Deep – Shook Ones Pt. II

Alchemist ft. Prodigy & Nina Sky – Hold You Down

Prodigy – Keep It Thoro

Mobb Deep – Get Away

Mobb Deep – Quiet Storm

 

Let’s talk Mobb Deep. Do you listen to them? Did you used to? What are your favorite Mobb Deep records? Do you plan on reading the book?

My latest Goodwill trip was awesome. I came up on some really unique pieces that I can’t wait to wear. The fun part is figuring out how to wear my finds in a way that doesn’t look like I’m trying too hard.

Here are a few items I picked up. There’s lots more, I’ll post pics once they return from the dry cleaners.

I’m thinking about wearing these vintage 90s red floral shorts with with a gold chain belt over it, a plain white tank top and flat leather sandals…

I might rock this vintage 70s polyester top tucked into a grey denim pencil skirt and a pair of nude pumps (soon to be an addition to my shoe collection!)

And this funny tribal shirt would look super cute tucked into a pair of white shorts and a pair of light brown platform sandals.