Visuals in the Sunshine State

Over the winter holiday break, two of my friends and I took a trip to Tampa, Florida. Being a fashion major and knowing what all goes into creating window displays and other forms of visual merchandising from scratch, I was awed by some of the creativity expressed in the International Plaza mall.



Louis Vuitton


Although simple, this display was quite clever. The circus theme and analogous color scheme are quite the attention grabbers and I love how the bags are perceived to weigh more than the elephant.

J. Crew


In my visual merchandising class, with us being college students on a budget, we always had to be creative in the most financially conscious way possible -- that included recycling. Therefore, this window display containing pinwheels constructed of magazine pages really spoke to me. Big ups to J. Crew for this go green display.

Neiman Marcus


When ascending and descending the escalators, customers are presented with a beautiful visage hanging from the ceiling. This display consisted of white plastic butterflies, adorned with silver glitter and small crystals, which hung on thin, clear wire. 

[MY] Top 10 Mixtapes of 2011

I could not do a post crediting my favorite albums of 2011 without giving props to my favorite mixtapes and free EPs as well.  There were so many projects released in 2011 that I had to do two separate lists because it would have been much too difficult to combine them. Anyhow, enjoy.

10. Thursday | The Weeknd

The Toronto artist followed up House of Balloons with another tape that was pleasing and wonderfully put together.

9. Music Money Magnums | Travis Porter

This was another project that put me in party mode upon listening. The Atlanta natives definitely know how to make songs that are catchy.

8.  B---- I'm The S--- | Tyga

This entire mixtape is a party in and of itself. I had so much fun upon the first listen that I automatically knew it'd become a favorite of mine.

7. Under The Influence | Domo Genesis

I'll admit that this project exceeded my expectations. However, with him being an Odd Future affiliate, I was not surprised at all. Great beats and subject matter that takes you into another realm of hip-hop.

6. Live Love A$AP | A$AP Rocky 

This tape definitely took some getting used to, but I love it now. The production is wonderful and A$AP's flow is one that shouldn't go unnoticed.

5. Ghost Lady EP | Cocaine 80s

The second project from this collective including No I.D., James Fauntleroy, Common, and many more is truly amazing. To me, it surpassed their previous project and I'm anxious to hear more from them.

4. The Sex EP 2.0 | Terrace Martin

The L.A. native really did a number with this one. The subject matter is excessively erotic, however most enjoyable. This is definitely something to help one wind down after a long day or to share the listening experience with a special someone.

3. Afraid Of Heights | Omen

Hailing from Chicago, this new artist most certainly caught my attention. He tells an interesting story in each and every self-produced track that he lays making this tape more than just a pleasurable listening experience, but one that will make you think.

2. Nostalgia, Ultra | Frank Ocean

This Odd Future affiliate also hit the ground running with this tape. He wowed listeners with unique subject matter and a different approach to R&B in general. 

1. House Of Balloons | The Weeknd

It is ironic how his first project, in my opinion, surpassed all of his more recent work. His soothing voice and entrancing production made this mixtape more than music, but also a work of art. From beginning to end this 9-track tape draws listeners in leaving them wanting more.

Runner-up:


Return of 4Eva | Big K.R.I.T. -- As with my top album list, I surely hated to leave him off of this list, but it was only because I had 10 other mixtapes I like a tad more. However, I will acknowledge his talent as a rapper and producer and am anxious to see him grow as an artist.






Other listen-worthy mixtapes of 2011:


Love Love vs. Hate Love | Diddy Dirty Money


The Original Dom Kennedy | Dom Kennedy


Royal Flush II | CyHi Da Prynce


Pursuit EP | Cocaine 80s


Anticipation II | Trey Songz

[MY] Top 10 Albums of 2011

Here is a personal list of the top 10 albums that I found most desirable in 2011.  I based my choices and the order on elements such as how many songs I skip when listening to the album, sales, hype, lyrics, production and creativity. I also included runner-ups and why I chose not to make them a part of my list. 

10. Ambition | Wale

This DC emcee comes last on my list because I feel as though he has better work, such as 'More About Nothing' amongst other things. However, this album still has many radio-worthy hits and his heavily poetic lyricism prominent throughout.

9. Goblin | Tyler, the creator

Although undoubtedly one of the most lyrically controversial albums put out this year, you cannot deny this guy's talent. Tyler's overly-prominent individuality, tell-it-like-it-is lyricism, and his skills as a producer landed him on my list.

8. F.A.M.E. | Chris Brown

This fourth studio album from the Virginia native was strategically put together as something that would appeal to everyone.  The variety of the subject matter, levels of energy, and variety of featured artists kept me on my toes as I listened.

7. Take Care | Drake

The Toronto actor turned rapper/singer caught me a little off guard with this one. It was much more laid back and emotional than I expected, yet in a good way. Drake is developing a multi-faceted persona as an artist and this album proves so undoubtedly. I also love how much he decides to reveal about his life via this project.

6. Lioness: Hidden Treasures | Amy Winehouse

This amazing posthumous compilation of unreleased tracks was put together by the London songbird's record label and family members and sums up her talent wonderfully.  With features from Nas to Tony Bennett and remakes of many old classics, the soulfulness of this album took me to another place.

5. Finally Famous | Big Sean

This album made my list mainly for exceeding my expectations.  Between Sean's signature witty punchlines, wonderfully executed production primarily from No I.D., and featured artistry from Lupe, Pharrell, Kanye, Wiz, and more, this album was filled with pleasant surprises.  Many of the tracks are fun and energetic, while others are more serious and give the listener a better sense of who Sean is as an artist and as a person.

4. Camp | Childish Gambino

The multi-talented Donald Glover hit the ground running with this entirely self-produced first commercial release of his. He tells stories of his childhood and uses endless amounts of analogies and pop culture references allowing the listener to get to know him. His vivacious personality, spunky flow, and realness factor work together to make this multi-faceted album a masterpiece and left me wanting more.

3. 21 | Adele

Another soulful English songstress graces my countdown and for obvious reasons. Her lyrics tell the listener of her highest highs and lowest lows while simultaneously entrancing us with her her strong, immaculate voice. Adele harnesses her post-breakup emotion in a most remarkable way and delivers a wonderfully put together production.

2. Watch The Throne | Jay-Z & Kanye West

I will not ramble on too much about this masterpiece due to the lengthy review I previously posted upon its release, however, I will be concise and simply reiterate that this album encompasses everything that a great album should. It was well thought out in every aspect -- impeccable lyricism, an impressive array of featured artists and producers, and even beautifully executed album art.

1. Section.80 | Kendrick Lamar

Six months later and I am still truly speechless as far as this little piece of heaven is concerned. Its success was displayed by how well it surfaced despite having absolutely no radio or television coverage. Kendrick is not only a lyricist, but a thinker and activist. The way he managed to relay his point of view regarding issues that plague modern day society is astonishing.

Runner-ups:

Locke High 2 | Terrace Martin -- Although one of my favorite artists, there were many other albums I liked this year. However, if I did a top 11, this definitely would have made the cut.

Nothing But The Beat | David Guetta -- I honestly enjoy every single track on this album and absolutely live for the energy, however, a good album, for me, needs to be one that I can listen to over and over again.

Cole World: Sideline Story | J. Cole -- I hate to leave him with the short end of the stick but I feel he has much better work, as proven by 'The Warm Up' and 'Friday Night Lights'.

Other good albums this year:

Born This Way | Lady Gaga

BlackenedWhite | MellowHype


From The Westside With Love II | Dom Kennedy

The Div | Pac Div

Love After War | Robin Thicke

Mac & Devin Go To High School | Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa

Vote For Your XXL 2012 Class Freshman

The polls have opened for you to cast your vote for your favorite XXL 2012 class freshman.  Amongst the 50 candidates, there is definitely some tough competition with Chip the Ripper, Casey Veggies, A$AP Rocky, Earl Sweatshirt, Kreayshawn, Laws, Smoke DZA and Stalley just to name a few.  So follow this link to cast your vote!! You can only vote once! However, I've cheated and voted from multiple computers.  Check out last year's class below.

Zac Posen | Pre-Fall 2012 Collection

Although Manhattan-born Zac Posen has only been designing for about ten years, nowhere near as long as some of your other well-known designers, his work says otherwise.  His pre-fall 2012 collection is comparable to a classic, timeless work of art.  Rather than using tons of patterns and excessive colors to add complexity to his pieces, he instead uses minute details, emphatic lines, and exaggerated silhouettes.  It is the epitome of sophistication.

A Bright 2012

Pantone, the official color system of the industry, has announced that "Tangerine Tango" is the color of the year for 2012.  That being said, the vivacious hue will be found in clothing and accessories, cosmetics, home furnishings and more throughout the coming year.  Fashion designers such as Elie Tahari, Tommy Hilfiger and Adrienne Vittadini have already incorporated this appropriate shade of orange into their Spring 2012 collections.  Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute described the color as, "an orange with a lot of depth to it.  Reminiscent of the shadings of sunset," as well as "Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive..."

Artistic Array

The High Museum of Art Atlanta is currently showcasing an exhibition entitled "Picasso to Warhol" which displays over 100 works from fourteen of the most famous and well-known artists of the 20th century.  The art is from New York's Modern Museum of Art and this is the first time a display of this sort has been assembled in the Southeast.  The exhibition will be in effect until April 29, 2012 and tickets can be purchased here.