PFMs on the Town: AfroPunk Fest 2012

i had a great time this past weekend enjoying the beautiful weather and beautiful people all out celebrating this year's AfroPunk Festival 8/25-26 in Brooklyn.  i actually made it out to both days.  i love people watching and this was the event for it.  everyone was out showing off their afropunk styling; from clothing and accessories to hair styles, i saw it all!

the first day, i had a wonderful time catching up and hanging with an old friend plus running into many others. i specifically wanted to see Alice Smith perform but i didn't make it out in time.  i did make it out in time to check out the vendors.  i saw my fellow jewelry designer and college buddy, Melody of Melody's Addiction repping her wares.  i also saw a few other designers that i plan to check out (grabbed their cards for website shopping).  i couldn't resist taking home a necklace by Kelly Horrigan Handmade because it called my name when i saw it.  i hung around to see Ms. Erykah Badu perform but was really disappointed by the sound - so much so that i ended the night early.

i headed back out on Sunday, this time with the whole family to meet up with some of my besties and their children.  we were prepared with sheets and snacks and tp (for the port-a-potties, ewww lol).  the kids played ball and ran around while we enjoyed the music.  i really enjoyed Reggie Watts performance.  it was my first time experiencing his sound.  my girl and i ventured away from our perfect spot to see Janelle Monae but the sea of people made it hard to enjoy her set.  we quickly headed back before TV On The Radio went on because i was really excited to see their performance.  luckily, they figured out what the sound issue was that ruined Erykah's set.  TV On The Radio was everything i hoped for- great sound, great vibe and a great end to a great day.  i can't wait for next year when we can do it all over again! xo Sesheta

Daily Outfit: Afro Punk

i am loving the warm weather.  i love feeling the warmth of the sun and constantly being in a freezing office, has me running outdoors for "heat breaks" so that i can warm up as well as enjoy the summer days.  considering we are in the last few days of July, i am determined to enjoy as much of the summer weather that we have left.  warm weather also means a change in our background scenery.  The grass and plants come alive and make the perfect addition to our summer fashion.  

i've dubbed this outfit Afro Punk because it is just that - a little bit Afrocentric, a little bit Punk.  my Maven ReFreshed tribal dress (it once was a pair of pants with a matching top) is funked up by my studded vest!  (i am getting so much use out of it!  recently, i rocked it over my leather jacket for warmth and it was so fresh, i can't wait to wear it that way for fall!)  i borrowed Afro Punk from the annual summer festival  and movement that bears the same name.  this year's festival takes place on August 25-26th in Brooklyn.  i love the Afro-Punk Fest because it honors those of us who don't fit into the traditional punk scene.   instead we are creating our own scene and the fest gives us a venue to hear music and see artists that are new and fresh.  i am looking forward to this year's events.  the only downside is it will mean that summer is just about over. booo!  though i'm looking forward to it, i'm still glad that festival is a whole month away which leaves a lot of time for sunshine! xo sesheta

(Hoops and Cowrie Link Necklace (worn as a bracelet) - MavenFresh, Dress and Studded Vest - Maven ReFreshed,  Gladiator sandals - Nicole, Belt - Thrifted)

PFMs on the Town: Brooklyn Brewery

last Friday, i had the pleasure of hanging at Brooklyn Brewery for the first time.  a bunch of my friends, mostly my ol' Wesleyan cronies, as well as family gathered in honor of my hubby's birthday.  we had sooo much fun.   we had a chance to try lots of new Brooklyn beers while in the company of good friends.  

it was hard not to be swept up by the hipster vibe that was all over the area.  located in Williamsburg, (right around the corner from both Beacon's closet and Brooklyn Bowl), the place was teeming with brooklynites (both native and newly relocated) and tourists all enjoying good company, music and, of course, brew.  we have already decided that we have to make it a regular excursion - especially while the weather is warm.  i for one am really looking forward to going back.  ...but the night didn't end here for us; once we closed down the brewery, we headed to Brooklyn Bowl for food and bowling.  beer and bowling - love it!! lol

i hope that you have been using the summer as an excuse to get out and enjoy life. being the mom of three and also having been married forever, it's so easy to get stuck in the regular routine.  i love every opportunity to remember that i am still young and fabulous and looking to have fun - even if my favorite place to hang is on my couch lol.  tonight, the hubby and i are meeting one of our fave couples to dance the night away while the legendary Q-tip spins on the ones and twos at Irving Plaza.  how are you starting off your weekend?  however you spend it, hope you have a blast! xo sesheta

PFMs on the Town: Sun In Bloom Restaurant

the BLT - i could have eaten two of these myself!!

Exhilarating Spring Renewal - soooooo good

this weekend, Becca and i had the chance to experience the food-gasm of Sun in Bloom restaurant in Park Slope, Brooklyn.  we met up with one of our sisters in beauty/health wellness, Rebecca Casciano who introduced us to this fabulous spot.  did i mention that it's a Vegan/Raw restaurant?? before we even got there, we checked out their menu and saw at least 3 things that we wanted to try!  we started out with some fresh pressed gingerade (yum) and scoured over the menu for a long time before making our final decision.  though it was a really hard choice, Becca and i split the BLT (the shitake bacon is sooooooo yummy you might even think it's the real thing) and added avocado to it (OMG!!) and the Exhilirating Spring Renewal which had tofu scramble, quinoa, black beans and a selection of scrumptious veggies.  then for dessert, we got some of the Orgasmic Granola Delight - Coconut kefir and their homemade granola with strawberries (but no mangoes like the menu said  :( which was the only downside of the whole meal).  we dug in so fast, i didn't get a picture of it lol!!  we can't wait to go back!!

P.S.  it was actually a weekend of food-gasm!! at our friends shower the day before held at E.B. Elliot's on Freeport's Nautical Mile, Becca and i had a specialty dish made just for us of the most amazing medley of veggies - corn, string beans (nice and crisp like i love them), roasted romaine (which i've never had) and more!!!   every weekend should be like that!

PFMs on the Town: Saturday Night Lights

Sarah Brodsky...amazing!

Minerva Lions in action

That's me with the chocolate boots!

The weekend plan was to continue celebrating birthdays with my brother (turning the big 3-0) and some other lucky fellow Sagittarians on Saturday night. This meant a sweet low-key Friday night on the couch cuddled up with my man, our little kitty Stewie, and a soon-to-be-finished crocheted hoodie that I was excited to give as a gift. Do you know how challenging it is to be working with yarn around around a slightly crazy cat? Well it ain't easy but he's cute so I let it go.

My rock star bro always does it up right and this time was no exception! We headed to Brooklyn with friends for a delicious dinner at the Oak Wine Bar and then on to Big Sky Works. This definitely was the place to be if you wanted to catch a party that combined killer bands with amazing aerial acts, a DJ, and a light show. The Minerva Lions were especially fantastic (not that I'm biased, but hey I am related to the lead singer.) Hope you all had a splendid weekend. And look- here we are already at Wednesday...yay!

PS Since I really didn't get any detailed outfit photos worthy of posting, here's a re-creation...laid out on my bed. I wore this Saturday night and loved it so much that I wanted to give you a feel for the concept of the look. Sparkly sequins, faded black skinny jeans, and chocolate knee-high boots topped off with a fitted blazer. The finale was our latest earring creation- the Peacock Fan Fares with chain, sparkle and rich peacock colors that really popped against my hair and outfit. Olive, charcoal, and chocolate...loving it!

(Sequin Tank- J.Crew, AG Rosebud Jeans- Anthropologie, Cartonnier Blazer- Anthropologie, Frye Paige Cuff Boots- Tobi, Feather Fanfare Earrings {not yet available}- MavenFresh, Latico Clutch- Ooh La La)