Proving that everything in French does indeed sound amazing.

I have, in recent times, started listening to French/Senegalese rapper MC Solaar. French rap is as ridiculous as it sounds...but I love it. What I didn't realize is that long, long ago he collaborated with Missy Elliott. Thus my journey back to 90s music today was sweetened by this little discovery.

Oh, and by the way he studied languages at the University of Jussieu, and was post-graduate in philosophy. I love it when I discover these little bits of commonality.

Happy Spring

Each St. Patrick's Day, I bust out this purse given to me by my late grandmother, the person that gave me my shopping gene. She always believed auctions, variety stores, and garage sales were full of treasures and because of that, I can't pass a dollar store without thinking of her. I often find myself saying "It was only $1!" to my husband, which was her Eureka cry after finding a random marabou-covered item or knick-knack.
Embarrassingly enough in my childhood, I somehow gave her the nickname "Cracker." Though I eventually started calling her Grandma (probably when I learned "Cracker" is somewhat racially charged...) her kids always called her Annette. I have few memories of my dad or his siblings calling her "mom," but I think Annette suited her. Certainly better than "Cracker!" Kids say the darnedest things...

Spring is the time I remember her most. Though she decorated for all holidays, I think she particularly loved Easter, garnishing the house with eggs and baby chicks. What I didn't know about her until she died, however, is that while she brought me a bag of marshmallow Peeps and chocolate bunnies, she brought an even bigger bag of Easter treats to our church for the kids of our Parish who were less fortunate. I didn't realize what a big contributor she was to our church's food bank. But I shouldn't be surprised, that was Annette. Always thinking of someone else.

"If you don't like it, you don't have to wear it," she reminded me when she gave me the purse, knowing how much I loved bags. And sure, it's no Louis Vuitton, but it's one of my most treasured bags because it reminds me that I am a bargain hunting, indecisive, holiday-decorating, Hershey's-chocolate-loving member of the Brown family...

I miss you, Annette.

Another Marchesa Plug

Marchesa seems to be a "maison" I am googling a lot lately and after yesterday's music post I was reminded that Marchesa dressed Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe (star of "Precious"). The size talk on the "fashion world" is a dead horse. Screw size issues, I don't care. Just dress to kill...

Even (awesome) femme blog JEZEBEL had to concur:

"Screw porn, Gabourey Sidibe's drapey Marchesa was a money-shot even on this red carpet."

Best Mash Up Yet

The Marchesa website, aside from hosting a smorgasbord of beautiful clothing, mashed up two of my favorite songs: Massive Attack's Teardrop and Led Zeppelin's The Battle of Evermore.

Click to listen. It's track 1.

Genius much?