We're Moving!!

After less than a year of blogging at culturedmisprint.blogspot.com, I've decided to make the move to culturedmisprint.com!

If you would like to keep receiving updates, follow Cultured Misprint on Bloglovin. I will no longer be using GFC. I would like to thank you all for the support and hopefully you'll choose to continue on my new and improved blog. Make sure to check out my new blog post where I share my morning routine, my style icon and more! See you there.

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Travel Tuesdays|| DanceAfrica 2015 Bazaar

Two weeks ago, I attended the DanceAfrica 2015 Bazaar. To be honest, in the beginning, I was a little disappointed. From the name of the event I assumed it would be enriched in African culture. This drew me to point out every little detail that I thought was "un-African". However, the deeper I got into the bazaar, I realized it wasn't just about Africa. The bazaar was a celebration of all that has come from Africa, which has touched other parts of the world including the Caribbean. There was a lot of Caribbean culture infused within the bazaar- flags and food and more. 
As you look through these pictures makes sure to play this song, which I discovered recently and interestingly enough incorporates a fusion of Caribbean and African beats.

Although, the bazaar was filled with shops, I found it more comforting as a place to hang out with friends and eat rather than actually shop. In my experience in purchasing African items, I found the many of the items there to be overpriced. But hey what do you expect when you're in Downtown Brooklyn, which has now become an extension of the city (otherwise known as Manhattan).
I also have to add, although, I attended the event with others, I had the opportunity to interact with many people. They were all friendly.
I would definitely recommend for others to attend the bazaar next year for food, fashion, friends and a fusion of cultures!

Lessons Learned|| Feeling Myself

Story time everyone. Gather 'round for story time. It was a chilly, spring night and I was cramming for my final exams. But that didn't stop me from scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed on my phone every now and then until my thumb landed on the silent autoplay video of Beyonce's & Nicki's Feeling Myself.  I refused to click on the video to hear the audio and instead I encouraged myself to focus. And there's how I missed my chance to see the leaked Tidal video. 
Yet I saw enough of it to be captivated by all the fashion. I'm pretty sure many of us have seen some semblance of the video by now, but if you haven't here's the teaser for your viewing pleasure:

Many sites have already put together a shopping list with most of the pieces in this Coachella festival themed video, but unless you're willing to shell out $10,495 for Nicki's Chloe fur jacket, I think I'll just pull together pieces from my closet and put together my own pieces inspired by Feeling Myself. Here are some of the lessons I learned from the video that I'll apply while scrummaging through my closet:   

Lesson #1: One pieces are always better than bikinis. I lied, actually not really. For most people, bikinis are preferable (or so it may seem). I mean what could be better than bearing it all except for your cherished parts (insert sarcasm).  I prefer to cover more up; I like my tankinis. I'd also like to save the abs I'm working on to myself.  If you can pull off a bikini, you can rock almost anything.

Lesson #2: Leather caps and bucket hats are the way to go. I've been switching between my leather cap, flat cap and bowler hat throughout the year. Now I just have to add the bucket hat to my list.

Lesson #3:  I only remember wearing overalls once during my childhood. Plus I'm really cringing at the thought of being considered an adult so I might invest in a pair of overalls to revel in my childhood thoughts. Who says you can't bring your childhood fun (and style) into your adulthood anyway? Also I'm glad that I'm not the only one who prefers being barefoot. Ain't no shame in the game. I love the feeling of sand sifting through my toes.

Lesson #4: I hated turtlenecks while I was in elementary school As much as I detested them, they came in handy for those frosty New York winters and now they have become a year-round staple. You can wear them this summer too!

Lesson #5: There's definitely more to festival style than fringe and flower crowns.  And as much of a opponent I am to wearing black during the winter, don't be afraid to wear that "all-black everything" this summer.  

And finally, remember to have fun- burgers and friends may find their way on my plans.

What are your plans for this summer (in style or in general)?

Monday Morning Reads

Being that most of my assignments are online, it makes it really easy for me to wander the waters of the web and get lost in its waves. Essentially, this all means I have a bad habit of using the internet to procrastinate. I tell myself I'll just click one link and then it leads to another then another. But I've decided to develop the negative into a positive and share with you guys some of my favorite links. 

1. As a native New Yorker whose goal is to go to France this year, there's no better way to compare "the City of Lights and the City that Never Sleeps"

2. Nike is doing something different and it includes the phrase "I can't." Forgoing their usual "Just Do It" Nike is translating the inner thoughts of a woman into motivation

3. Have you seen Rihanna's "American Oxygen" music video? Rihanna has been known to evolve and change with every album and it seems like she's taking this video in a political direction.

4. Amandla Stenberg stirred up a lot of reaction in her role as Rue of Hunger Games and she's stirring the pot once again with this school video project about cultural appropriation. This is a must watch.

5. I'm pretty sure I was not that kid in kindergarten drooling over jelly sandals. I would be the last person you would expect to appreciate them, but I like these grown up jelly sandals

6. Do you want to start your own fashion business or any business or brand for that matter? Well Proenza Schouler has some advice for you.

Did you like any of these links as much as I did? Let me know in the comments below.

Award Shows & Fashion Flows (A Weekend in Review)

As I was consumed within exams and assignments, I missed three award shows (although one will air on TV tonight) within one weekend. This was one weekend ago. Although I missed the award shows you know I couldn’t miss the fashion and as late as I am I couldn’t miss the opportunity to share with you my favorite looks of that weekend. So once again, I present to you my (not-so-timely) Weekend in Review.

Chris Brown went for a casual jeans and tee look. His jacket was what stood out to me and of course, would stand out to anyone with it's neon pink and green colors.  The jacket definitely pulls his look together and makes his casual look more appropriate for an award show.

I've never associated Iggy with being a style icon. But lately she's been showing people another side of her as her outfits scream I can do fashion too. I love the combo of the mesh top along with her vest. I'm going to need to add something similar to this in my closet, but with less boob cleavage. I love the way her top and shoes complement the print in her pants and bring out the black.

Zendaya went for the same color scheme as Chris as she sported a green top with high neckline and cutouts on the side, along with pink bandeau. She added a zebra print (which incorporate other prints) skirt and pink stilettos to match her bandeau. Zendaya has been experimenting with her style a lot lately. Not many people would be able to pull of this quirky look. 

Traci Ross Ellis went for a simple, yet elegant look. Her white and metallic dress looks amazing on her. Not many people can pull of a long slit that stops mid-thigh or a one shoulder look, not to mention combining the both together.

Oh Janelle, I just adore Janelle Monae's style. She went for a complimentary two piece look- a black and white crop top along with a midi striped skirt. She made a great choice in throwing on her red floral print coat before she walked out the door. She looks fabulous! I also love that she's natural and rocking her curls. 

The founder of Black Girls Rock, Beverly Bond made a grand statement with this Cinderella blue dress. What better way to show that Black Girls Rock than using her dress to poke towards African Americans being (Disney) princesses too. I didn't know who she was, but her dress made me make a double take and find out. Although it is hard to see the dress seems to have a holographic-metallic sheen, which I love.

For a children's award show, I found this romper to be a little short and maybe a little inappropriate too. For anything else, I would definitely approve of this look. Mandy Capristo white piece paired with her white heels would look great and more fitting at a summer party or get together. The silver designs are also very eccentric.
Being that I've watched Jessie, a show on which Skai Jackson starred in I was blown away by this look. On the show, she is the youngest child, but here she's definitely not afraid to let people know that's she growing up. I love this look being that you can make it work anywhere. I can see myself wearing something like this for a mid-day snack or brunch. 
I'm really in love with Emilia McCarthy's dress. Wearing white seems to be a theme this award season. I love the way this boxy top part of the dress makes its transition as it flows into the pleated skirt section of the dress. The mesh material of the dress also makes it interesting in that you can see a solid white piece underneath.
Which look was your favorite? And do you think Mandy Capristo's look was appropriate for the Kid's Choice Awards?

Spring Lust List

Ah the birds are tweeting, the wind is breezing and the people are smiling. To think that just last week we had three snowstorms. New York City has to be bipolar. Regardless of that fact, this weather has me in a happy, cheerful mood. I feel so, so...springy. I don't know if that's a word. But in my dictionary:

 Springy /ˈspriNGē/ adjective to crave all things spring

And for me that obviously starts with clothing and accessories! I couldn't avoid making this list of items I'm lusting this spring.

shoes | bag | blazer | necklace | journal | pants

1. Shoes. One year it was Converses, for two years it was TOMS and now I want Vans. But not any kind of Vans, I want the metallic ones that sparkle under the sun with each step you take.

2. Bag. This metallic azure color just makes me happy, okay? Okay. Being that I attempt to stuff everything I've ever owned in life into my school bags, I think this bag would only be fitting for my weekend travels (as if I actually need anymore bags, so maybe instead it would make a nice 3D masterpiece that I can admire every time I open my closet doors). 

3. Blazer. The amount blazers I have in my closet (some yet to be worn) is no joke. But how can I possibly avoid the temptation when blazers have the dazzling effect of dressing up any outfit. And as many blazers as I own, I don't own one in this rose pink color, which will add to my cheerful, springy mood.

4. Necklace. It is on a very rare occasion that you will find me without a bejeweled interlacing chain dangling from my neck. This spring will be no exception and the bigger statement it makes the better.

5. Journal. With college I find very little time for myself, let alone time to even write for my personal enjoyment. During my freshman year of college I kept a journal on my laptop to document my semester. But now I rarely have time to sit down and write in it. This mini journal will make it easier for me to jot down my notes as I simultaneously balance the required task New Yorkers face during rush hour, strap hanging on my way to class.

6. Pants.  I'm usually a denim girl, but I guess not every corporate office would appreciate my powder blue distressed denim jeans. So for professional purposes, pants are a must, but they are also light and more airy. Plus pants can be dressed up or down. Recently, I've also been buying patterned pants. They are so amazing.

hat | coat | passport cover | clutch | jeans | book | duffel bag

7. Hat. What's that? A hat. Crazy, junky, funky hat. I don't think I've ever owned a sunhat. But to think of it I've also never been a hat person. Even during the winter I would try to get away from wearing hats. Why? Because it hid my hair and made me look like a boy, I told my mother. But now I wear hats all the time- regular hats, leather caps, bowler hats and so on. So it's time to add a sunhat to the list.

8. Coat. I wouldn't really consider this a coat, but rather a long cardigan or long blazer. Long cardigans seemed to be a trend this winter. I couldn't put my hands on any particular one that I liked. But I really love the white on this one.

9. Passport Cover. In my Renew, Refresh, Repeat post, I said one of my goals was to travel this summer. In order to do that I have to get my passport ready and stylin' too. This one is obviously way more money than I'd been willing to spend on a passport cover, but it's just an idea of what I'd want. 

10. Clutch. Another one of the things I don't own. I never really understood how useful it would be for me, being that I love to pack on a lot of stuff when I go out. But this holographic clutch is too cute and on trend (not that I follow trends much anyway).

11. Jeans. Nothing wrong with adding more denim in your wardrobe just for the sake of variety. And I simply just love this pair. 

12. Book. My lovely friend gifted me with the fabulous Girl Boss book by Sophia Amoruso, the founder of Nasty Gal. I was so close to finishing the book over winter break, but then college drained all my free time away. Once I finish the few pages left and mediate over them, I want to look through Alexa Chung's It. This book has a lot of mixed reviews, but I'd like to make my own judgement first.

13. Duffel Bag. I love the nautical look. It reminds of me of the water, ships and boats, but most importantly, summer! This would complement my passport cover for travelling purposes or even a girl's night in sleepover.

Spring is not the only thing that has me in a cheerful mood. As you may or may not know, I've hit one hundred followers! I've also been awarded the Liebester Blogger Award from three fellow bloggers. Although this is a smaller achievement on the grander scale of things, I believe it is worth noting. I want to thank everyone for their support. And to celebrate, I will be doing an FAQ and outfit post in one (I know you guys haven’t seen any of my outfits yet). Most of the FAQ questions will come from Liebester questions asked by my three fellow bloggers, but I will also take questions from you! Leave me all your wonders of the world below and I’ll answer them in a post that will come out some time during the spring.   What are you lusting this spring? Also don’t forget to leave me your questions below!

All in my Own Backyard (A Weekend in Review)

Honestly, how much of a backyard can I really have living in NYC? I'd just like to accept the city as my backyard. Beyond the perimeters of my house, I exit into the concrete jungle where a new species of predators approach.
Okay, maybe there are no predators, but there are a lot of strangers (aka celebrities) on my side of the neighborhood. This past weekend was filled with fashion and basketball and at times they both came together for All-Star Weekend & Fashion Week! Sadly, I could only enjoy this from behind TV & computer screens.
Saturday afternoon, I was right outside the Barclays Center taking pictures as people gave me dirty looks assuming that I was going to skip the line and I shot them a stare back. And today I stared longingly as photographers and women dressed fur waited outside a warehouse right by my school for a fashion show to start. It's as if all these events are teasing me. Although I did not have a front row seat to these events, I'd like to share with you my favorite highlights from this past weekend:

Known as one of the most fashionable sport industries, Lebron James and the NBA put on a fashion show where eight basketball players competed strutting their stuff with IMG models such as Chanel Iman by their side. The players which included Jeff Teague, James Harden, Zach LaVine (who you will hear more about later) and JR Smith (so sad to see him leave the Knicks, please don't mention their losing streak, I will always be a loyal fan) showed off different outfits for each of the three rounds.  Kevin Hart and Shaquille O'Neal were also there hosting the show. 

I didn't even know this was a thing until I switched to TNT hoping I wouldn't miss All Star Weekend's Slam Dunk contest. I mean, basketball players strutting the runaway? That was the last thing I was expecting. I didn't tune in on time, but I loved every minute of what I did catch. 

It was even more special when a player near and dear to my heart, representing my home team, the NY Knicks won! I haven't fully accepted the Brooklyn Nets yet, sorry. Although, J.R. Smith is now a Cleveland Cavalier, I'll consider him a Knicks for now. REPRESENT.

This is what followed the All-Star All-Style fashion show this past Saturday. Although, it is a three day event, I usually always miss the celebrity basketball game (on Friday) and I don't care too much for the East v. West game (on Sunday) although I did watch it this year (the West won again sadly). But something I refuse to miss, for sure, is the Slam Dunk Contest and Three Point Contest, which for me is the most entertaining part of All-Star Weekend. If anything, that in itself encompasses what All-Star Weekend is really about, bringing together amazing players for some fun!  

Although I was very hopeful for my African friend, Victor Oladipo, Zach Lavine really grew on me. For one of his performances, in a nod to Michael Jordan's Space Jam movie he did this:

As easy as this looks, you need some serious skills to be able to do this. I mean, I can barely jump 3 inches off the group.
And Steph Curry ahhh, what can I say? I really like him and his family (his wife is Youtuber by the way). Steph Curry is amazing I mean there's a reason Drake mentioned him in his song "0 to 100." Don't believe me? Watch him in the 3-Point Contest:

  If you're not a basketball fan, you may be thinking what's the big deal? Why are the sportscasters yelling? The effect is definitely greater when you watch the whole competition from the beginning and see what each player has to offer and what makes these specific players so significant and talented. 
The half-time show was amazing too. Although I didn't expect anything from Ariana Grande for the half-time show it was good.  

Other than spending my procrastination time staring at basketball players, I was also staring at photos from Fashion Week. There were so many shows and amazing looks (I see you Zac Posen) and amazing street style looks that I can share with you. But over all those shows I think Kanye West collaboration with Adidas and showcase of the Yeezy Season 1 collection is the one that I still remember the most. 

When his collection first made its debut, I didn't know how to feel about it. I was definitely confused being that the models looked barely clothed. I mean I know most runaway looks aren't made ready to wear, but this was a little off for me. Still it wasn't long before the collection grew on me, especially when I saw Kim sport items from the collection. 

Every piece of this outfit is from the Yeezy Season 1 Collection. Kanye has definitely transformed her look from her Paris Hilton wannabe days. I mean did you see her at the Grammy's? Who else can pull off a golden bathrobe like that.

Kanye has definitely brought something different to the table and it's not just in his music (which he's actually getting a best visionary award for soon from BET) but also in his style.

In the spirit of Black History Month & Fashion Week , I had to share this article I recently stumbled upon with you. The fashion industry seems to find a lot of inspiration within the African American culture ranging from music created by artists like Rihanna to even street style and urban culture. African American consumers also have a large buying power. So why is it that very few African Americans have the chance to showcase their designs down the runways of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week? This article tackles just that and it's a really interesting read about something that I would say most people don't really think about or even question, although it is nothing new. What do you think?
So like me, did you spend your weekend procrastinating and watch All-Star Weekend or did you follow Fashion Week? What was your favorite part? Share your thoughts with me in the comments below and let me how your week is going so far.