It's Just My Imagination

I found a phone outside of my apartment building, I picked it up, and brought up to my apartment. I was hoping for a phone call, so that I can tell the person that I have it, and they can have there possession back. Every time I lose a phone, I always hope that someone would find it, and hold it safe for me. Which seems to never be the story, and my phone is always lost or stolen to the world! Anyway, the phone laid next to my bed last night, and my imagination went wild. As I become a man that seems to be bipolar all through out the evening. I imagined it was trap, and it was planted for me to pick up and it was going to blow up any second! Then I thought it was some conspiracy theory, and the cops were going to come and take me away, What? Is one week of acting class making my imagination crazy and bigger than ever? What is wrong with me? LOL! The story ended well, the girl called for her phone, and my roommate brought it downstairs to her, while I was in the shower. She says the girl offered her forty bucks, for saving her life. My roommate declined the money, and came up stairs. I'm happy it all worked out, and I guess it was just my imagination!

Learning To Not Judge Yourself

The phrase above is so very vital to my life, and it is something I'm slowly learning how to do this week in acting class. The acting class for me thus far is a little slow, because I have so much experience, and went to college for theater, so I find people are learning things that I already know. However, it is amazing, to go back to square one, and relearn them. I'm also trying to take things seriously that I have never been able to do in my past. Sometimes acting teachers talk this lingo "mumbo jumbo stuff", that I don't want to ever give them a chance. "The energy from the palm of your hand, feel it, put it up above your head, move you hands up, and release all that energy", sometimes that kind of talk makes me think "What drugs are you on"? LOL, Now I'm allowing myself to open up and try these things. I am learning weird things in my journey on my first week of class. I know the head of the department, says "To bare with it, because the program starts basic, but it is going to get so intensive and crazy in a few weeks. I'm ready for the challenging parts to take place. However, although I find myself relearning, it is important to me, to get back to the basics. To get back into my body, and free myself up! Working so much, can pay a toll on your natural instincts, and you are always judging your performance. To be in a space where I have trust, to be able to fail, and try anything is the most important lesson for me this week. I love that I can fail and not be judged. I love that I can try things that are so off the wall, and find out that they work! I love being able to not judge my work, and this week thus far, has challenged me to do so.





P.S. Because of my crazy schedule with class, gym, real life, Brewster, and just being tired! I will now for the next 6 weeks only be blogging on the weekends!

Falling for Shanghai Tang

This past week, I was invited to cover the Shanghai Tang and Solerno movie premier for Fay Ann Lee's Falling for Grace, a Tribeca Film Festival phenomenon! The film, which originally opened under the title of East Broadway, sold out at every showing during the festival and has since toured the world, only to yield a consistent response from critics and the public viewers alike. That response being (of course): Everyone is truly falling for Grace!

Speaking of falling in love...After the event, I found myself falling for Shanghai Tang! The event took place at the Asia Society in the heart of the Upper East Side, and when I tell you that everyone, I mean EVERYONE (or really anyone who's anyone) was wearing Shanghai Tang, I kid you not. The prescreening reception was packed with celebrities (my most exciting moment was meeting WHOOPI GOLDBERG, who not only introduced the film but was also decked out in Shanghai Tang and cute clogs!! Hey, what did I tell you about clogs?!), socialites, politicians, designers and fashionistas all dressed in gorgeous Shanghai Tang numbers. I mean, check out the pictures below and see for yourself! Everyone looked soooo glamourous!! The attendees all sipped on delicious drinks of Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur Bellinis and snacked on dim sum from the Evergreen Cafe. I'm falling hard for this beautiful Chinese luxury brand. And now that I'm absolutely dyyyingggg for a piece from their latest line, it's good thing I received $100 towards the store in my goodie bag!!!

Fay Ann Lee (Actor, Writer, Director, Producer of Falling for Grace)

Gale Harold (Actor, also of Depserate Housewives and Queer as Folk)

Picture courtesy of Patrick McMullan

Fay Ann Lee & David Dinkins (Former NYC Mayor)

Photograph courtesy of Patrick McMullan

?,? Gale Harold, Fay Ann Lee, Clem Chung, Aileen Young (Cast Members)

Photograph courtesy of Patrick McMullan

Kathleen Turner (Actress of Californication, etc.)

Photo courtesy of Patrick McMullan

Samantha Daniels (Actress of Californication, etc.)

Photo Courtesty of Patrick McMullan

Tracy Stern (Actress of Californication, etc) and Chloe Stern

Photograph courtesy of Patrick McMillan

Clem Chung (Actor) and Michelle Botticelli

Kimberly Guilfoyl and Angel Sanchez (Designer)

Photograph courtesy of Patrick McMullan

Whoopi Goldberg

Photography coutesy of Patrick McMullan

Adelina Wong Ettelson (Actress of Californication, etc.), Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Shin(makes cameo in Falling for Grace)

Photograph coutesy of Patrick McMullan

Thuy Diep (Designer) and Guest

Photograph courtesy of Patrick McMullan

Alex McCord, Sonja Morgan, and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps (of The Real Desperate Housewives)

Photograph Courtesy of Patrick McMullan

Mia Morgan (Stylist)

Photograph courtesy of Patrick McMullan

Edward Tricomi and Lauren Ezersky (Although it's not Shanghai Tang, I LOVE her style!)

Photograph courtesy of Patrick McMullan

Natalia K and Desiree Dymond (Models)

Photograph courtesy of Patrick McMullan

Photograph courtesy of Patrick McMullan

Whoppi Goldberg introducing the film

Q&A with Fay Ann Lee & Cast Members

Shanghai Tang & Solerno Goodie Bags

I wore Handkerchief Sweater by Millau, Bandage Skirt by Pleasure Doing Business, Shoes by Jeffrey Campbell, Scarf by Franco Ferreri, Necklace unknown (gift from friend in London) Bag by Salvatore Ferragamo

For Shanghai Tang click here

To learn more about Fay Ann Lee's Falling for Grace click here and here

For more on Photographer Patrick McMullan click here

The movie is set to hit theaters on March 19th!

I too will be hitting the theater that day to see it again! Who's coming with me?!

xx.

M

What a 'Do

Everything about this is a total "do."

xx.

M

HAPPY 21ST!!

Today my youngest sister turns 21! Wow, I'm starting to feel verrrrry old.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASS!! Stay classy! Get pampered! Drink a chic drink to celebrate!

For those of you who don't know, the last two pictures are from our recent trip to Paris. We drank Red & White French wine at a local and authentic French restaurant and then attended the Moulin Rouge! Such tourists! It's rare lately, but I love having all three sisters together! The birthday girl is all the way on the right in the picture!

xx.

M

Vintage & My Dad

Yes, I looooove the influence of the late 60s and 70s fashion. And Yes, that really is my Dad (circa 1968 or '69, front row, third from right). True men's fashion from that time period. Don't they look fantastic (especially my Dad)??!!

xx.

M

Follow Your Path

As I read on facebook of friends from The A Chorus Line tour, booking gigs and making there Broadway Debut. Not to sound cocky, but I have been there-- done that. I haven't went on a single audition. I'm sorry, blog world, I'm very superstitious and won't be blogging about meetings or projects I audition for. I like to keep my auditions to myself, and talk about it, once the gig is mine. However, I am following my path, people judge, people wonder why I haven't auditioned. That is not my path right now, my goal was to go to school, and when I get out of my intensive program-- audition like crazy. What have I been doing for the past two months? Gym, meetings with agents, finding a new church home, and solidifying my life here in New York City! Finally, the day has come, when I started my class. As I had breakfast, and walked Brewster this a.m. at the crack butt of the morning! It was a great day, and the class seems like something I will grow from, and come out with more awareness of myself, and hopefully an even better actor. As an ethnic actor, I have to work harder than most. Cause yes I may have less competition, but I have alot of barriers to break! Not to mention, less roles written for me, and it is my time to move out of the chorus, and get out front. I am doing everything I can to be the best me! I need to be on my game, and ready to represent myself to my fullest potential. I truly enjoy the work, I thrive for perfection, and love the obsession I have about my craft! So here I go, on my journey, and following my path. Auditions I will see you in three months, and you better be ready, cause I'm going to be a force to be reckon with! Thank you GOD, for giving me the strength to not waver from my path, as I had many temptations, and for challenging me to make a change, and to have FAITH, not FEAR, in the abyss of a unknown future!

Brave the Great Outdoors

It's pouring today in NYC...Dolce & Gabbana finds it acceptable to brave the elements with plastic bags over our favorite expensive shoes. I don't know if I'm OK with this...

...I might just say that you should invest in some rain boots (I live in my Hunter boots on days like today...with the "welly socks" of course!). I'm surprised that Dolce hasn't just designed their own luxury pair yet!

xx.

M

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

This week's Haute Bag Lady pick is the Louis Vuitton NeverFull PM in Damier Ebene Canvas.

Isn't she gorgeous! I love, love, love, Louis Vuitton. Lately I'm more partial to the Damier Ebene print. The NeverFull is the ideal luxury tote, perfect for work, travel, and weekend errands. Its a classic style in a classic print that would work with a variety of outfits.

This haute bag is $700.00. A great investment to make if the price is within your budget because you'll have the bag forever.


Check out the world of Louis Vuitton

Press Play: Corinne Bailey Rae - Like A Star

After a three year abscence, the eclectic and uber talented Corinne Bailey Rae is back.

"Like A Star" was the song that came on and everything around me had to stop. The lyrics, the melody. There was just nothing like it on the radio.

I can't wait to to get Corinne's new cd, "The Sea" this Tuesday.

Welcome back Corinne. You were missed!

Feel the Rush!

I helped to style hot new singer and song-writer Monica Rush for her performance at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn this past weekend! She preformed at the sold out show with big names such as Talib Kwell, Ghostface, Jay Electricona, and Blackroc. Not only does she have a banging urban style, but the girl can saaaang...and dance! She's definitely legit. Check out her website and her catchy single (I've already proclaimed it as my new pregaming/getting ready/going out anthem) "100 Dolla Bill" here!!

Monica Rush performing at the Knitting Factory, 1/20/10, Brooklyn, NY

Monica Rush wore Top by Emma & Sam, Vest by Millau, Leggings are artist's own, Jewlery is also artist's own, Leather Chain Glove by Carolina Amato , & (you can't tell from this picture) Sam Edelman Zoe Boot

Also check out Monica Rush's Fan Page on Facebook & Follow her on Twitter!

Isn't she so freaking hot?! Her album drops this fall and she is totally the next big breakthrough in the hip-hop/electronic/funk/pop industry! I bet you'll be RUSH-ing to stores for this one! I mean really, this girl does it allllllllll.

xx.

M

A Life of Style: Hair Care Boot Camp 2010

Happy Sunday! I've been feeling some kind of way about my hair so I decided to blog about it. I'm long overdue for a Hair Care Boot Camp update so I'm bringing this series back in a big way for Twenty-10.

My last Hair Care Boot Camp post was ahem, quite some time ago and so much has changed. Back then I was growing my hair out and really wanted to achieve a certain length. Well I made an impulsive decision on December 5th, 2009 and got my hair cut short. Fast forward to today and I am so over my hair cut. I'm so over my hair cut, I need a new word for over. I loved my hair cut for about three weeks but now I regret going short. So I'm back on my healthy hair regimen...again.

Throughout my recent hair journey, I have discovered that when I am stressed out, my hair suffers. Last summer was a particularly stressful time in my life and by September my hair was not doing well at all. My stress level has reached an all time high and the damage is done. I cut my hair because I needed a change. I was hoping to feel more sassy and chic. You know channeling my inner Mary J. Blige or something. Well the feeling of sassy and chic hung around for three, four days at the most. Perhaps I really wasn't ready to go short.

If I can just get my bob (pictured at right) back by June, I'll be very happy.

Wish me luck!!!!

Hair Care Boot Camp rides again...

Olympics of 2010 in 20 Days!

20 days until the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver!!!!!!

Hope that all of our athletes are well rested and ready to bring home some golds!!!

PS. I don't care that this is menswear...I want those moon boots.

Moncler Gamme Bleu 2010 Fall/Winter

via hypebeast, jak&jil,GQ

xx.

M