Views From The 6 Thoughts

Friday 29 April 2016

Views From The 6 by Drake has been officially released.
This is Drake's sixth album, with 20 song and it includes singles such as Hotline Bling, One Dance and Pop Style. 

Prior to the release, Drake did an interview with Zane Lowe in Toronto to talk about his recording process, what is next for him and The Young Money  ( ie Birdman, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj).

Drake explains that this particular album, compared his other albums was inspired by his hometown of Toronto  and the change of season in the city. 



"The album is based around the change of the season in our city. 
It starts around in wintertime. Starts with “Keep The Family Close.” 
Winter to summer and back to winter again. It’s just to show you the two extreme moods that we have.." 

Click bellow to listen to the full interview



My Views


 From what I have heard from the album, it combines a mix of everything; from ballads to dancehall.

As a creative, this shows me that Drake doesn't limit his music style to one genre. It shows that he can be more versatile and create better and more unique songs.

So far, I would have to say these are my favourite songs;

1. Controlla
2. Weston Road Flows
3. Redemption 
4.  One Dance
5. Too Good ft Rihanna









Go support the OVO Sound and Drake by purchasing this album on iTunes.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/views/id1108737195

Posted By Urbanista ( Azza Gasim)
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram (@azza_urbanista)
0

PROM ft THE BLCK TUX

Monday 25 April 2016


I would say for any female growing up, Prom is one of the biggest events to happen in your life time.
It's almost as big as your wedding and having your first child, for the reason of a lot of planning goes into what you wear on that day.

Planning
Some people spend months of their high school year, planning what they will wear. they would search through fashion magazines, websites, even dress shops to find the right dress/tux.

I would advice anyone who is currently looking for their prom dress, to search online to get an idea of the latest trends and see what suits you.
 Here are some websites that I would recommend;





THE BLCK TUX
This is a website is a great place for you to choose the perfect tux for prom without any hassle.

All you have to do is select your favorite pieces from their tuxedo rental collection, give them your measurements – which you can take yourself– and they'll send you your tuxedo and accessories with plenty of time before the event!

To find out more information, please visit their website and see how they can help you prepare for prom.
Link: https://theblacktux.com/prom

My  Prom Experience
For me, Prom was defiantly of one of the highlights from my final year in school.
When I decided what to wear, I read through Teen Vogue and Seventeen magazine to see what the last trends were.

( Note: This was before Instagram and Pinterest were available)

 I even visited a few shops in the area such as  Debenhams, Monsoon, Next and House of Frazer  to see what they had available in the Formal Dress department.

In the end, I ended up purchasing a maxi dress from Ted Baker. At that time, I wasn't looking for something over the top. I wanted something simple and for me to wear for other occasions, which I believe is the key to looking for formal attire. Always look for something practical, that you know you can wear for other occasions. Don't go all out on something you can only wear once.

Here are a few images from my Prom back in 2010






Posted By Urbanista ( Azza Gasim)
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram (@azza_urbanista)
0

Beyonce- The Feminist Has Spoken.

Sunday 24 April 2016

For those of you who weren't aware, Beyonce  has just dropped her new album entitled Lemonade and released it as an hour length film on HBO. 

The story behind Lemonade is about her issues with infidelity and the power of black womanhood.
Like any story, it was sectioned off into the following chapters.

" Intuition, Denial, Anger, Apathy, Emptiness, Accountability, Reformation, Forgiveness, Resurrection, Hope, Redemption "

Black Womanhood


One thing the film captured was the idea of black womanhood, which I felt was the most powerful thing, I have seen throughout the film.

As Beyonce is a feminist, I knew from when she released Flawless,  she was going to show something else more powerful to all women and that we are strong, hard working people.

The part in Flawless, that I am talking about is the part where Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's speech said the following;
" We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller.

We say to girls: "You can have ambition, but not too much
You should aim to be successful, but not too successful
Otherwise, you will threaten the man"


Because I am female, I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices.Always keeping in mind that marriage is the most important.

Now, marriage can be a source of joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage
And we don't teach boys the same?


We raise girls to see each other as competitors.
Not for jobs or for accomplishments, which I think can be a good thingBut for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are
Feminist: a person who believes in the social
Political, and economic equality of the sexes
"


I took note that for each chapter features,  Beyonce was reciting poetry by Warsan Shire
Take a listen to Warsan Shire's poetry.



Warsan Shire - "For Women Who Are Difficult To Love" from MovingOn on Vimeo.

I would also like to add that in one part, a section from  Malcolm X speech was included and stated;

"The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman."

Special Guests and Features

Some guest appearances in the HBO film included Serena Williams, Zendaya, Winnie Harlow, and Amandla Stenberg and Quvenzhane Wallis.





As well as that, she has also targeted the Black Lives Matter movement by including mothers of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner, who were victims of police brutality in 2012, 2014 and 2015.




On the album,  The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, James Blake, and Jack White. Just Blaze, Diplo, Mike WiLL Made-It, Hit-Boy, and more were featured, as well.

If you haven't heard it or seen the full film, it is available on Tidal. 
Check the link bellow.

tidal.com/playlist/cb4d7b94-b0fd-4e77-b3ae-cdc32138bd53

Posted By Urbanista ( Azza Gasim)
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram (@azza_urbanista)
0

Jourdan Dunn- Cooking Queen

Saturday 23 April 2016

Not only do I love Fashion, Art, Music, Photography..etc

I also love to cook and bake in my spare time. This is something that by watching my mum and all the strong women in my family in the kitchen, it made me aspire to be like them and be a good cook/baker.

One Particular cook I have been inspired by is Jourdan Dunn. Not only is she a model, but she is also a cook and started her own cooking show on Jay-Z online channel; Life and Times  on Youtube.



I'm so happy to hear that she is going to be putting some of her best recipes in cookbook.

"JOURDAN DUNN is set to give Nigella Lawson a run for her money, by launching a cookbook. The model and devoted chef revealed that she planned to follow in the footsteps of fellow models Lorraine Pascal and Sophie Dahl by committing her favourite recipes to paper, but couldn't yet reveal when the book is likely to be available.-  by Lauren Miligan from Vogue UK

Reference: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2016/04/22/jourdan-dunn-cook-book-model-cookery-show

I tried one of her recipes for Jerk Chicken, Mango Salsa and Rice and Peas and I have to say it tasted amazing.




Here is the entire playlist of Well Dunn on Life & Times



Make sure you checkout my My Baking Journal, this is where I have been documenting recipes I have tried.
(see link: http://urbanistafashionblog.blogspot.co.uk/p/information-not-only-is-this-my-own.html )

Posted By Urbanista ( Azza Gasim)
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram (@azza_urbanista)Go to your blog list
0

Kelly Rowland- Black Beauty Goddess


To all of my dark skin beauties, Kelly Rowland has saved us all with her new announcement of she is releasing a make up line, which will mainly target women of colour.

Although she is still in the beginning stages, she told Essence Magazine; 

"My makeup artist Sheika Daley and I are actually starting a makeup line we’re making sure we make, well, we’re starting off with lashes and then we’re going to have it grow for all women," Rowland told Essence. "But definitely making sure we have our chocolate girls covered. Gotta get the chocolate girls in there! We have to have that, you know. I think Iman has done a beautiful makeup line and I want to do it too!


Kelly Rowland SXSW Interview




Previously, she was at SXSW discussing her new BET show Chasing Destiny. This show is a documentary style show, which is  about Kelly Rowland along with Frank Gatson in search for the next girl group. It is also helping her to establish herself as mogul, as well as an artist.

One important factor she mentioned, when asked by a member of the audience for her advice about her sister being rejected by a guy saying:  "You would be cuter, if you weren't so dark skinned."

This is why I can understand why she wanted to create Chasing Destiny because of the fact that there aren't enough dark skinned girl groups or  young leaders out there to be role models for this generation.

"It’s just a trip to me. One of the things I looked for first, was chocolate girls in my group because I feel it’s so necessary for my niece, my unborn kid, and they come out chocolate, she has to see more chocolate women all in front of her because we have one in Fifth Harmony.  Here's the reason why, I wanted to change that. I want to be apart of changing that.  Janet Jackson did it for me. Whitney Houston did it for me. Michelle Obama does it for me. It's so necessary because we have to have that. No disrespect to our beautiful african american women, who are lighter and fairer than us. But at the same time, we have to see all colour. That what I love the most about Destiny's Child  and respected the most. "



Make sure you watch Chasing Destiny every Tuesday on BET.
Here is the trailer for the show:



Kelly Rowland in Dubai 2013
Make sure you take a look at my post from 2013, where I was fortunate to see Kelly Rowland in Dubai for her Hour Choice event.

Link: http://urbanistafashionblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/kelly-rowland-at-hour-choice.html)

Posted By Urbanista ( Azza Gasim)
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram (@azza_urbanista)
0

My Ivy Park Experience

Thursday 14 April 2016


IVY PARK  has officially arrived!
Of course, I had get up super early and head down to Topshop and buy a few pieces.
When it comes to these kind of events, you always have to be prepared and know what you want beforehand and create a wishlist.

Wishlist

So this is what was on my wish list;


My Wishlist:
Logo Sweat Long Sleeve £28
Logo Crew Neck Tee £16
Logo Mesh Neck Tee £32
Seamless Crop Crew Neck Tee £20
Elastic Waistband Joggers £32 
Low Rise Elastic Leggings £38
Logo Beenie Hat  £15


Purchased Items

IVY PARK Purchased



Logo Crew Long Hoodie £32
Drop Armhole Tank £15
Logo Baseball Cap £15

Buy it all on :
http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/category/clothing-427/ivy-park-5463599?intcmpid=IvyPark_cat

Store Images

With these sort of events, I wasn't sure if they were going to be available in Plymouth , as it a small town. But I was wrong.

They had more items than I ever imagined. They might not have had everything on my wish list, but still, it was enough to buy a few pieces.

 Even though, I didn't have my camera on me, I still managed to document the moment on my phone.
( Note: please excuse the quality.)








Posted By Urbanista ( Azza Gasim)
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram (@azza_urbanista)
0

IVY PARK Preview

Wednesday 13 April 2016

We are less than 24 hours away from Beyonce's Ivy Park collection launch.

I'm not sure about you, but I have been doing my research on what's actually in the collection and where I can buy it from. Luckily, Topshop & JD Sports in Plymouth are selling it, so that means I don't have to wait and go to London or buy it online. ( However, if I don't find what I want, I will order it online.)

For those of you who are unsure on where to buy Ivy Park,  take a look at my last post;
http://urbanistafashionblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/ivy-park-ss16-beyonce-where-is-your-park_1.html


Lookbook

Until it launches tomorrow, here are some images from the Ivy Park Lookbook to see what is instore tomorrow.










( These were found on Complex: http://uk.complex.com/style/2016/04/beyonce-ivy-park-lookbook )


Product Images & Prices

For anyone enquiring on how much each piece will be, take a look at the link bellow.

Thanks Elle Magazine for posting the product images and prices.

http://www.elle.com/fashion/news/g28074/ivy-park-collection-prices/?

Come back tomorrow for my post on the official launch and the pieces I have bought! <3 br="">
Posted By Urbanista ( Azza Gasim)
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram (@azza_urbanista)
0

Black Beauty Artwork Part 3

Sunday 10 April 2016
"When you feel inspired and motivated, there is so much you can achieve. " - Azza Gasim

I have already explained in my previous posts of how inspired I have become lately, with embracing my natural hair and showcasing it through my artwork.

Today, I began experimenting with Water Colours  and this is where it has lead me.







Posted By Urbanista ( Azza Gasim)
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram (@azza_urbanista)
0

Black Beauty Artwork Part 2

Saturday 9 April 2016
Everyday, I have felt more and more inspired to create different variations of my sketches, either using paint, collaging, ink..etc.

I have a feeling that by the end of the month or if an opportunity comes my way to work/intern, I will have a new portfolio of art pieces, inspired by natural hair and women of colour. 

But for now,  here are the ones I have completed in the past week.










 



Posted By Urbanista ( Azza Gasim)
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram (@azza_urbanista)
1