Bespoke(Lazy, Youtube, I Heart Nashville, Carrie Mae Weems and Thangs…)Curry

So yadda yadda yadda, I haven’t been on the blog in a while. But I am officially up on Youtube.  Which I was pretty sure I’d never do but its much easier than having to sit down and type something out…I know … sad …lazy excuse.  But it is what it is. So I Vlog…

BepokeCurry’s Youtube

 

I am honestly falling in love with Nashville all over again.  African St. Festival is this weekend along with Wine on the River which is sold out.

 

Today’s OOTD Blue Jean Queen…you can find the details o the Youtube

But I am most psyched about the fact that Carrie Mae Weems newest exhibit, Carrie Mae Weems: Three Decades of Photography and Video, is also going up at The Frist Center and opens on the 21st and I can tell you how geeked I am. The Scene also has a dope article of the topic.

There’s also an interesting article at the Huffington Post with the Curator Kathryn E. Delmez of the Exhibit who works at The Frist Center. She speaks about Weems and” how From a young age, [she has] been interested in learning more about people who are different from [her] and various “hidden histories,” as Weems calls the stories not written into mainstream accounts.”

I will leave you with this really dope list of upcoming events in Nashville that I also found over at the Nashville Scene

Sept. 20:  Nfocus Al Fresco Enjoy appetizers and four courses — including family-style entrees — created by Chef Bart Pickens of Loveless Event Catering. There will also be wine, beer and cocktail pairings all served outside on the grounds of the plantation, with proceeds benefiting Mercy Children’s Clinic. 6 p.m. at Carnton Plantation

Sept. 20-22: Nashville Whiskey Festival This three-day festival starts with a VIP Tasting and Symposium and ends with the main event, an afternoon tasting as well as seminars conducted by spirit experts. A portion of ticket sales will benefit Nashville Clean Water Project. War Memorial Auditorium

Sept. 21-22: Southern Ground Music and Food Festival Oorganized by musical foodies The Zac Brown Band, Southern Ground will feature music from a variety of top country, alt-country, rock and pop acts alongside food from the band’s own cook as well as some of Nashville’s food trucks, restaurants and caterers. The Lawn at Riverfront Park

Sept. 22: The Great Food Truck Festival

The Lenox Village neighborhood is hosting a festival of food trucks in southeast Davidson County that will also include family-friendly live entertainment. A portion of the trucks’ proceeds will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. 5 p.m. at Lenox Village Square

Sept. 30: East Nashville Cocktail Crawl Sample signature cocktails at Watanabe World Cuisine, No. 308, Rumors East, Pomodoro East and enjoy access to the Tasting Room, which will focus on 1-ounce tastings of boutique spirits and liquors. VIP crawlers will also have access to a food and cocktail pairing event at The Holland House Bar & Refuge.

Oct. 9: Charlie Daniels Scholarships for Heroes Dinner

Dine on The Palm’s surf-and-turf while being entertained by Charlie himself. The dinner raises funds benefiting Sentinels of Freedom, an organization that helps injured veterans. 6:30 p.m. at The Palm

Oct. 13: Jog ‘n’ Hog Nashville’s iconic candy, Goo Goo Clusters, celebrates its 100th birthday this year with a number of events throughout the fall. As part of the celebration, the candy is hosting Jog ‘n’ Hog, in which participants jog two miles, eat Goo Goo Clusters and then jog another two miles. The event coincides with the 100th birthday of Shelby Park as well. 8:30 a.m. at Shelby Park

Oct. 13: Oktoberfest

Historic Germantown — home to some of the oldest residences in the city — invites the rest of Nashville to celebrate their German heritage at this free event that takes place throughout the neighborhood. The festival features a beer garden, authentic German food and entertainment, as well as a special play area just for the kids. 9 a.m. at Seventh Avenue and Monroe Street

Oct. 14: Battle of the Food Trucks

The food trucks step back in the ring to raise money for The Tomorrow Fund. Sample from the trucks and vote for your favorites. 3 p.m. at Greer Stadium

Oct. 14: Nashville Chili Festival

This all-ages event includes music, a chili pepper eating contest, activities for the kids and, of course, chili tastings and beer. Proceeds benefit Community Shares. Noon at Yazoo Brewing Co.

Oct. 19: Franklin Wine Festival The festival includes a number of vintner dinners and seminars, but the big event is the Grand Tasting with more than 300 wines to sample and food from more than 30 restaurants and confectioners. 7 p.m. at The Factory at Franklin

Nov. 2: Wine Down Main Street

Franklin will close off traffic as Main Street merchants host special wine, beer and food tastings. Ticket prices include entertainment and all tastings. Proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, Franklin and Fairview Clubhouses. 7 p.m. on Main Street in Downtown Franklin

Nov. 3: Anthony Bourdain: Guts and Glory

For one night, you can listen to Bourdain tell stories of his past culinary exploits while funding his future adventures. 8 p.m. at TPAC’s Jackson Hall

Dec. 1: 12South Winter Warmer

The season’s best craft beer tasting event will also have music and plenty of food to soak up that beer. Tickets go on sale Oct. 26 at 9 a.m. They sold out within a few hours last year, so keep that date and time handy. Benefits The Workshop/Oasis Center. 11 a.m. at Sevier Park —Lesley Lassiter

Afrochic Lifestyle

BespokeCurry

the neoAfroe

Instagram/Twitter/Youtube/Facebook=BespokeCurry

Curry(AdventuresinPickling)Curls

I am officially back and haven’t forgotten about you guys.  I’ve been back in Tennessee for 2 weeks now and I am still getting myself adjusted…trying to turn off my city brain and get back into my southern girl state of mind.

In the coming months I will be working on making the AfroChic Lifestyle an original brand, and a part of this process will be me getting my creative on, and really focusing on the areas that I feel scream AfroChic.

One part of the business that I am hoping to get going first is a line of homemade hand canned goodies. So in prep I am taking a Canning Class at the Cohn Adult Learning Center in West Nashville.

A big part of my being back in my city is really and truly discovering everything Nashville has to offer.  There are so many hidden gems and resources in this city so a fun part of the process will also be rediscovering all the great things this city has to offer.

So there are more pics from my Adventures in Pickling after the Jump and my OOTD for the class as well. You know me!

Curry(Denver-Days1&2)Curls

This is a mini-update of my Denver Vacation. These photos haven’t been edited in the least but I wanted to put them up.

Photo above is of the SouthernFriedBelgian Sandwich I had from DBar which is owned by Keegan Gerhard.

The food at this place was delicious, and the desserts, so good you feel bad… nuff said. Plus in addition to great food the prices are all under $15.

and FYI I added Tempura Lobster to my SouthernFriedBelgian. Seems like overkill I know, but not in the least.

My sister and hubby for Dessert had

pineapple v.2.0
honey cake • spiced pineapple • cilantro • macadamia lace • passion fro yo

This place is known for its desserts and cakes Mom and I had

What the fall…!?! 
cornmeal # cake • h.m. goat cheesecake • spiced squash compote • yogurt sorbet

and FYI I hate squash… this was the best dessert I have ever had in my life.

OOTD for my first few days here. I’m on a roll and the best is yet to come. I like how all of these ‘fits turned out.

Sister and Hubby

I’ve missed my sister like crazy and her natural is getting fiercer by the day.  She rarely straightens it but I found the pic above. Shes so gorgeous.

Skittle and Tea for Trayvon at the rally in City Park.

I had a chance to hang out with my twin cousins yesterday as well. These girls are hilarious and fearless. The last shot is at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Mickey Mouse Kachina Doll

There are a few more random shots below. I am realizing it probably would have been easier to just to an album, but oh well!

Today we are off to Red Rocks, Pearl St. and, Colorado Mills.

So Stay Tuned for More!

Happy Monday

TheNeoAfro

Curry(SpringNdaDMV)Curls

Its Spring in the DMV which means warmth, no more grey skin, and a chance for me to capture this re-birth behind the lens.

It also means a 28th birthday on the 21st

Spring in tha DMV…

CurryCurls meet Jourdon Anderson “Remembering Not Only a Few but the Many..” We Are Living History Books

Remembering and learning Black History when I was younger and thinking about it now, my perceptions have changed. While my personal discovery of all things Black Folks continues daily and while today Black History is more prevlaent in commercial spheres, it also seems to be watered down and stuck on repeat.  I hear the same names mentioned, the ones we all know well. Those pillar stones of Black History if you will, Dr. King, Malcolm X, Mary McLoud Bethune, Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth,  and Harriet Tubman we know them all very well, but when do we show the true scope of our history, our diversity from those who struggled in the public eye and those who struggled privately.  We haven’t  learned all we can from those familiar names above, but there are so many others who’s stories of struggle, pain, and heroism need to be told.

If you aren’t a big history buff, we are in the middle of a multi-year celebration of  The Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. In the DMV Civil War anything is hard to avoid, with sites like, Ford’s Theatre, Lincoln’s Cottage, The Frederick Douglass House,  lots of museums, and so many historic sites, battlefields etc. you can’t help but be a part of it in some way if you are involved in the DMV Arts and Events Communities in any way.

I produce a couple of groups that were specifically created to be performing ensembles that work primarily from Civil War Material, specifically songs and written pieces of the era.  Today Jubilee Voices our African-American ensemble performed as a part of Frederick Douglass’ 194th Birthday Celebration

Curry(CommunityLove)Curls

It is hard lately to keep work and personal time separate . Due to the nature of planning a festival any outings, shopping trips etc become a hunt for products and vendors that I might have at my event.  Speaking of which thanks to Alex of  TheGoodHairBlog for posting my call to DMV area Natural Hair Bloggers and BusinessFolk  for SunFest 2011. Be sure to head over to her blog and check out the call.  I will re-post the call as well at the end of this post.

One of the spots the I love to frequent in the warmer months is Eastern Market  it is probably one of the most well known markets in DC and I wouldn’t necessarily say its the best but they do have a few vendors that I absolutely love!

It was only in my plans to by a few small food items for home I ended up making a splurge purchase, but one that wasn’t filled with too much guilt as  it was my way of  supporting my community.

With the recent Respect DC Campaign that was created as news of 4 Wal-Mart’s that are all set to open in DC in 2012.  I am reminded of how important it is to try and make an effort to not always buy from major chains simply out of convenience.

Wal-Mart is a beast in the south but when I moved to California for graduate school finding a Wal-Mart was like the ultimate hunt and when you did it was only the standard kind, most of the time poorly stocked and poorly kept up.

After 6 months or so of realizing that Wal-Mart was more on an inconvenience than a convenience,  I was forced to explore my neighborhood and find different grocery stores, and specialty shops.  I came to love the relationships I began to build with these shops. They took pride in being the best at doing a few things and not trying to conquer it all by succeeding at some but failing at most.

DC is similar to Southern Cali in that there are a lot of niche specialty shops here that have grown out of the diverse communities you find in the DC  area. I have a running list and haven’t even scratched the surface. Every time I venture into a new area or discover a new street there is a whole set of amazing unique shops that comes right along with it!

Back to Eastern Market… I love Dutch Wax Prints and had been eying a wrap skirt at one of the vendor booths on the flea market side of the market. I first I passed it by didn’t go in to look at it but as I came back by later that day I couldn’t resist. I fingered the fabric and asked the price of the skirt. The Genevieve the lovely Guyanese woman running the booth told me in her caribbean sweet  accent$65.

My thrifty side screeched a bit steep and not in the budget but I realized if that had been me on the other end and this were my business I would hope someone would see the art in my craft and support my business and realize that.  So my boyfriend helped me scrounge up enough cash and this might be one of my fav purchases all year!

Maxi WrapSkirt by Genevieve of JayBee Fashions

Cropped by Me H&M Lime Yellow Tank

Cropped Blue Jean Jacket The Gap

Jewelry F21, Miscellaneous, Old Navy

I also discovered a new Shea Butter Vendor Savannah Essentials Shea Butter Store .  I  purchased the New Eupohoria Shea Butter which is scented with Mango, Ylang Ylang, Myrhh and Orange Oils.  It smells delightful I purchased a jar for $15 which I’ve been using on my hair and skin daily. They also carry lotions, oils and, shampoo bars (this is next on my list to try) and are a MD based business.

There is also one other booth that I wish I had in my back yard.  In a Pickle is hands down the best pickle I have everrrrrr had in my life. This is one of the booths I would love to have for SunFest.

If you don’t like pickles then I can forgive you for that, I don’t why, but I get it … really I don’t.  Either way they have hot & spicy pickles, and super sour, horseradish, and ol’ bay along with olive and other antipasti items.  So if you are at Eastern Market make sure you stop by.

Be sure and check out my call to DMV area Natural Hair Bloggers & Vendors  for SunFest 2011 on the post that went up over on The Good Hair Blog  and is posted below!

CurryCurls(DC-3 & Capital Bikeshare)Conquests

Spring was in no rush this year in DC. It teased me with a few semi warm days tossed sparingly (and I do mean sparingly) in between temperatures that have no business being in March or April.  Now to DC folk I look foolish cause they all seem to know and are fine with the fact that it doesn’t really get warm until mid or late April. Having spent the last three years of my life in Southern California, spoiled by a never-ending sundress and sandal collection, you can see why it might be little hard for me.

Finally over this last week the weather has become consistently warmer, which means I can get out of this hibernation. I can say that I successfully made it through my first east coast winter and I am completely cool if it takes a good long time coming back around.

Now that spring is here, it means farmers markets, short shorts, music outdoors, festivals, barbecue grills, too big thighs getting stuck to poorly made plastic chairs,more excuses to take more pictures than I already do, sweating in my hair and not givin a care… you get the idea

Sunday is typically the only full day I have with the boyfriend and we were itching to get out and about. The sun was shining and work was coming on Monday whether we wanted it to or not, so we made the most.

Definition The Most– usually meaning good food and whatever other random fun we can muster up.

As a general disclaimer, I enjoy anything that can be smushed between, tucked inside, folded into that wonderful invention called bread or any bread like substance. Which leads me to one of my all time fav food… hotdogs, but not your standard I’ll have a hot dog with ketchup. Let’s be clear about a few rules, yes there are hot dog rules in my world. Really I only have one rule.

Ketchup belongs on french fries not hotdogs.

anything else is game on!

423 8th St SE (between S D St & S E St) Washington, DC 20003 Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast

and right now, the game, is at DC-3’s the hotdog mecca(my tagline)

or rather

a vintage hot dog joint that takes cues from the glory days of American aviation (their tagline)

They offer a photo menu along with their standard menu if the words aren’t enough to get your tummy growling. Their menu boasts such hot dogs as the (descriptions from DC-3’s Menu):

Chicago 7- your standard Chicago style hot dog (you can’t go wrong and hands down one of my favorites)

Arkansas Razorback Red- Petit Jean “Arkansas Made” Cheese & Bacon Dog, Chili, Coleslaw, Onion, Fried Pickle Chips (also delish)

California Left Winger- All Veggie Falafal “Dog” Heidelburg Deli Bun, Tzatziki Sauce, Avocado(delish yet again)

Bay Bridge Pretzel Dog- All Beef Dog, Heidelburg Pretzel Roll, Homeade Crab Dip, Old Bay (if you are a carbohydrate lover this is the place for you to be)

Rochester White Snappy Griller – Zweigle’s of Rochester White Hot, Lyon Butter Grilled Frankfurt Loaf, One Thin Line of Yellow Mustard (tastes like  a delicate bratwurst)

Q’s Soul Bulgogi and Kimchi- Certified Angus Beef Dog, Lyon Butter Grilled Frankfurt Loaf, Marinated Rib-eye Bulgogi, Pickled Kimchi (My sister and her hubby would love this, they love Korean food!)

and they don’t just do hotdogs either the Boyfriend loved:

Chef Jacoby’s I-talian Beef Sammy – Half Pound Au Jus-Dunked Rib Eye, Jardinere Peppers, Onions …How About A Double Dunk?

You can also build our own hotdog for all of you budding hotdog connoisseurs! You can have your dog Splitski, Flat-Grilled, Char-Grilled, or Deep Fried. Not to mention they have Fresh Cotton Candy (I’ll be back this summer), Fripps (aka waffle fries, which they were out of NO BUENO), Fried Pickles (a restaurant after a southern girls heart), and  ” A Selection of Refreshing Throw-back Beverages”(this makes me chuckle).

From bottom left up an round to bottom righ Chef Jacobys I-talian Sammy, California Left Winger, Chicago 7, Rochester White Snappy Griller, Bay Bridge Pretzel Dog

This was my second trip to DC-3 in a few days, I went initially and bought some home for the BF, he was so impressed with how they tasted right out of the fridge that he wanted to have and up close and personal experience. We had a semi smorgasbord and taking bites and passing them back and forth until we finished. and then after pigging out like true foodies …