Review: Ardency Inn's The Sound of New York Collection

I first heard about Ardency Inn from an It'sMyRayeRaye vlog and now, after seeing their Sound of New York collection, I am completely in love! If you didn't know, Ardency Inn is inspired by NYC's underground music scene. The Sound of New York collection's Modster Long Play Lip Vinyl colors draw inspiration from four of NYC's hottest DJs.

Dubster Mix, $23

Original Mix, $23

Club Mix, $23

Studio Mix, $23

I don't know about you, but I need the Dubster Mix in my life...TODAY! Purchase any of these colors online. 

Good Bad Hair Day

I love my hair, even when it is obviously a ridiculous hot mess:) #nappyroots

The Bag

I admire a woman that can thrift and/or wear vintage clothes. I would never look good in sequence or shoulder pads, but I recognize game. This brings me to my aunt. She has a closet full of old clothes that have gone vintage from her college days. I think there are a lot of gems in there, but she REFUSES to let me start her an Etsy store. I convinced her to unload this purse. Any takers? Hit me up at hjclaypr@gmail.com and let me know. There is some fashionista out there that can rock this bag. Sadly, I am not one of them.

The Homies

So this happened this weekend: I got to see Kinfolk and Haynes. Every time I hang with them, I get so excited like something amazing is about to happen, if we just sit and chill. There is something to be said for a married couple that doesn't get on your nerves:)

The Workshop

So Saturday I taught the Sheen Magazine writer's workshop. We got a lot done in regards to our next issue, and as usual, it was really good to see the writers. The day was packed with pizza, Mariah Carey impressions, and swag bags. Until next time ya'll!

Turn up, it's Monday!

Energy

I have had a lot of energy of late to get things done that I need to get done. On New Years Day, I made a plan for myself to get to where I needed to be by the end of the year. I'm really confident in it, and a couple of things are already coming through that I wanted to happen. Of late, I have been so hyped about this plan that I can't even sleep! I wake up in the middle of the night to fulfill another task before I force myself to sleep. Here is the thing: I am trying not to overdo it because I know how easy it is for me to burn out. Looking back on my 20s, I don't know what happened. There is no reason, other than my own insecurities and self-doubt, for me to not be where I need to be. As I move towards 30, I can feel myself shedding the fear snakeskin a little day by day. I feel a little gangsta actually. I am determined to keep faith that this year will take me where I need to go. I can't go into 30 with nothing accumulated, like now. It just wouldn't be cute...or logical. 

Sheen Magazine 3rd Anniversary Party: My Highlights

Me being cute o the carpet:)

Me and Demetria McKinney, Sheen's Jan/Feb cover.

Yes, Oh! Nikka's Nikka Shae. Please check out the ATL's undercover socialite on her website.

Writer LaRubia McDaniel and Reigndrop Lopes.

Sheen's Instafamous Associate Publisher Toni Chapman. Over 12,000 followers! Huh?

I love it when the office comes to the A because I get to see the co-workers: Sheen's Art Director Jessica Williams and our Twitter fabulous Graphic Artist Denisha Wilson. Almost 6 thousand followers. How do regular people get these numbers?

Tre, Sheen's Web Manager Maria, and Denisha again.

 

OMG, everyone showed so much love to Sheen at Bar One on Thursday Night. I had such a good time, meeting our cover Demetria McKinney and hanging with the people who have supported the magazine and me in the city for the past 5 years. The best part for me: seeing the magazine staff, which is based in S. Carolina. They are the homies:)

 

 

The Price of Being Cold

It is freezing in Atlanta and my heat doesn't work.
I have a space heater that I am afraid to use as much as I need to because of how much it is going to cost.
The apartment complex I live in has advised that I keep the water dripping so it won't freeze in the pipes, but I am not paying for that!
It is so cold that I thought about unplugging my refrigerator and just putting my food outside in a box to stay fresh, but I'm scared that it would get stolen.
Going downstairs is unbearable. You can see your breath when you exhale. So I spent money I don't have to order food just so I can spend more time next to my space heater.
Oh the space heater. I sit so close to it that the heat on my face is giving me a tan.
I am afraid to get my next power bill. I can't imagine how much it is going to cost, but I have to say, I am freezing! I can't take it!
Sadly, I have to report that I am too poor to get cold.

Fran had a layover and came over with Amber for a surprise visit last night. Man, talk about some much needed happy times. When they arrived, I was lying on my floor amid my bedding watching Frasier on Netflix. I love these ladies!

A Classic. 

Eyebrows

In an attempt to do something out of the ordinary to start off my year, I went to a nail shop to get my eyebrows arched. The lady at the front counter sent me to the back of the salon to a room where a pregnant Korean woman sat with her feet up playing on her Galaxy. She nodded for me to sit at in a worn leather chair that looked like it had been through it. It was at this point that it dawned on me to go ask the lady at the front desk what the score of the salon was. You know, like how you walk into business like McDonald's or something and there is a score on the wall so you can see what the health department rated them? Salons are supposed to have those too, right? She told me that the owner keeps it. I'm not sure that she understood what I was asking, but her answer scared me and I left. Maybe next time.