The Opposite of No

                                                           Graphics by: Nikki Farquharson

Because sometimes my friends say it 10 times better. Thanks Dre. Xo


When everything aches
And you can't see straight
Is it just in your head?
Is your heart dead?

The beat it remains
Singing songs of love's faults
Where were you that day?
Why haven't you called?
You didn't know it was me
But who else could it be

You apologize profusely
See me in the revelry
Your apathetic attitude
Has me seeing double
Of who I thought you used to be
Compared to what you show to me

Uniting once again
Is in the cards for us
Tell me what you think
Tell me that you trust
In your feelings for me

The future of us you see
Your secret life of bees
Let's watch the sun rise
Again from where we sat
And laughed and talked and danced
Drinking in love's dissidence
Bittersweet Symphony
Has all been washed in black
The sound of you next to me
Has always brought me back

The reality truly is
Nothing is nor will ever be
But telling the world otherwise
Battles my apathy

Thank You

The peace of mind one experiences on one's own, one's certainty of self in the serenity of solitude, are nothing in comparison to the relase and openess and fluency one shares with another, in close companionship-Muriel Barbery

On this very special night, I attended a dinner party. A most gracious host feasted our senses in impeccable style. A group of beautiful women delighted my faculties with their talents, honesty, and laughter.

Jeff, you have a heart of gold and an armoire of platnium. You are one of a kind.
Amor, Gracias.

Is that?

Yes, yes it is. Powder blue. I know, you are jealous. I would be too. I got them while I was in Miami; a little souvenir.

Mahi Mahi

Mahi-mahi are swift and acrobatic game fish with striking colours. Their sides are golden with iridescent greens and blues, and their belly is white and yellow. When these tropical fish get excited they light up- This makes sense.

Everything is the way it should be. As you may know, I recently got back from Miami and a cruise. Words cannot describe the fantasy of a trip I had, but I'll try anyways. Miami and Cozumel are both beautiful and ridiculously entertaining to say the least, but my trip was made by a group of ladies I call my Mahi Mahi crew. The name started off as a joke because that's all we ate. Lunch and dinner, Mahi was the preferred choice. But then it became our go-to word selection.

I decided to look up this tasty and ever so popular fish, and its description fit my ladies all so perfectly. Game fish -we were always in the game 5-0. Striking Colours-just view pictures please. When they get excited they light up-you ladies lit up everywhere we went and you certainly lit up my life. Thank you for the best trip ever. Things happen because they are suppose to happen; make sure to always be present when you are in the midst of magical moments.

Love you, Nalinai, Priti, Daniella, Sophia, Cassandra and Patron

Greetings from Love

This past week was amazing. I went to Miami and on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico for the wedding of two of the most beautiful people I know.I came back with the love bug. Truth is, I love the thought of love but my track record isn't that impressive (one exception-koala). Maybe my fault-whatevs- but sadly I have been slightly tainted and boderline incredulous about blissful unions.

However, witnessing two people genuinely in love can change a fool's perception. Not to sound cheesy, but Nalinai and Jeff are two gorgeous human beings.They respect eachother, uplift one another and have committed their hearts and souls before God and their loved ones. All of our friends look up to them and wish to someday be able to share the same kind of love they gave all of us. Made me believe. Love you both and Congrats. XO

Note: thanks to everyone who took pictures ;)

Photo credits: Tara Brolly, Danielle Dziepak, Me

New Age Fashion

Tabitha Simmons, shoe designer and contributing editor, Vogue

Reading Interview Magazine (one of my favs) I stumbled  upon this quote "Fashion has sped up so much due to the internet. I don't understand which race we are all trying to win." Oh Tabitha, such truth you speak of. Lately, everything moves at supersonic speed. Rarely do we take the time to contemplate and enjoy the movement around us. Fashion and love trends are no exception.

I see people changing styles like changing panties (hopefully you understand the frequency of this act).  Its so vague and transparent. Very few left with an original sense of expression. I am completely aware that trends come and go-and they are fun- but there has to be a hault when faced with mass dictation of superficiality. Popular demands are soooo last season. Set your own pace and take the time to indulge in your sense of style.

Venus

Photography by David-Tacho-Sanchez (my lil brother)

Venus-Rita Rebelde

Not that I like to brag-blatant lie-but here is the lastest picture taken by my lucky star. Dave, your ability to percieve things in a way that make most people flinch is captivating. You don't give a damn, and for that I admire you. You have the ability to create beautiful things on your own terms and rhythm. Keep creating. Te amo

I always went to summer school bc of math

By South Korean Artisit, Minjae Lee

I read today that an aristocrat is a woman who is never sullied by vulgarity, although she maybe surrounded by it . This pierced my thought process. Often enough we value things for its material substance and consider it the paragon of what we desire. Its been embedded like a formula into our minds: (money+social status = power) factor in connections and you dervive the root of social utopia. Multiple that with beauty and your π will de desired by all.

I was never good with math. In fact, I hate it. Funny how we respect things that add no meaning to our existence, creativity or to our sense of humanity. I've seen many apply a similar formula but end up negating their true properties. 

Please don't misinterpret me; I'm not condoning self-improvement-I'm all for the hustle. This stems from a girl who barefaced said to me "I don't respect a man who wears a $300 jacket, why isn't at least 700... if he wants me, he better get me a pair of Louboutin's." Flabbergasted by this-I wasn't seeking such vulgar information-I now write my thoughts.  

 Lets change up the equation for contemplation purposes: we seek those who in face of superficiality can excavate light within. Despite being taught to value numerical properties can treasure the simplest forms, and despite conventional perceptions of vulgarity are always true. Maybe you like dancing on tables topless-maybe you're a wild thing- or perhaps you never leave your house without pepperspray; whatever the case may be, always have your self-love reign and never get stained by the lust we have fostered for vulgar things.

ps: I really want these

Note: If you need a book suggestion, read Muriel Barbery's The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Maybe we can start a book club. seriously. :) 

Lady-Lili-Luck

Strolling down Elizabeth St. in NYC I encountered this character. I'm sorry but I couldn't resist. I had to take a shot. Not just for my personal entertainment (I would be lying if I said I'm not thoroughly amused) but because I thought of you all. I figured you're entitled to share your thoughts on these comical instances.

Here are mine: Nude and lavender are the colours this season. However, in this case I think the look got lost in translation. That said, an outfit like this must bring about some kind of outcome. I think she might have gotten lucky.Kudos to her for not giving (and having) a rats-ass.

Moment of truth...

Last night I experienced an intense moment of honesty. My most beautiful friend (literally and figuratively speaking) had to tell  me something that would affect me. I think he was most concerened about how I would swallow all the shaddiness. Shocked I was. All I can say is that identity crisis's after the age of 28 are just chessy; especially if you involve other people. How else do you accessorize your naked truth of being?

As I sat down to write, I thought I would share more of the shaddiness. But as my fingers type, all I really want to share is how lucky I am to have a friend who is true to himself and true to our friendship.

He has been with me through thick and thin (too thick and too many sticky situations have you help me overcome). Our laughs, dances, moves, tears, complicated situations and even our obsessive compulsive marathons of Intervention watching, have made me fall in love with you in a way that I can only hope you grasp.


Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. ~ Mother Teresa

You are genuine, you are extraordinary and I will never get tired of loving you.

Tell the truth

And we should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once. And we should call every truth false which was not accompanied by at least one laugh- Friedrich Nietzsche

Assume hypothetically you lost your voice. For some unthinkable but powerful reason you lost this conventional form of expression. Then what? What do you resort to? How do you communicate what you feel: how badly your heart hurts, how crazy that makes you, how beautifully that feeling elevates you, how lost or how present your mind is?

Would this force you to get creative and explore all your faculties? or would you resign your privelge of expression and let your imagination run dry in the face of despot circumstances?

They say actions speak truth and happiness is the way to be. Always let those you love, know how much you do. Always keep true to yourself and love what you do. Anything can come to fruition if you want it be.

Oh, the places I'll go...

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
-Dr. Seus

There are people, places and patterns you encounter in life that are catalyst for change. They say your 20's is a time for self-discovery and change, I agree.

My trip to NYC has been nothing short of amazing. Being here resulted in a shift in my state of mind. Perhaps I sound like the rest of the world when they say New York has that "je ne sais quoi" that makes you MOVE.

Its true. Many factors push you to act quick and go: the sea of cars, waves of people, the homeless chasing after you or the homeboy yelling "yo shorty" three blocks down Fashion Ave. But there is also an energy so strong you can't help but abid and adapt to its fast yet fluid force.

Colors everywhere: on walls, cars, people, streets and all of a sudden in you. A tension pulls you towards the place you want to be. I found that spot and I'm going.

Where are you going?

Just watch

The Making of the 2010 Pirelli Calendar by Terry Richardson from Rafael Rubira fashion4fun.com.br on Vimeo.

He needs no introduction (in case you don't know Terry Richardson, SHAME ON YOU-to the corner). Needed some sexy up in this place.
Enjoy.

Me Like

A is for absolutely astonished and in awe for
Being in a state of
Consciousness that
Does not
Exemplify or
Follow my
Girl-like
Hesitations.
In fact,
Jess usually
Keeps
Looking the other way.
Mainly because
No
One
Presents a Pier
Quite like this.
Realizing that I want to
Step on despite the
Tides; Turns Things
Upside down.
Very
Worried,
X-cept 
You
Zen things out.

Now you know my ABC,
won't you give me a peanut butter cookie while in NYC?