I haven't blogged in months. I haven't written or submitted in months either. Since July (the last time I wrote on this blog) so much has happened a lot of good and some not so good, but I am still alive so that is all that counts.
To cut to the chase, the reason I haven't been updating this blog is because I'm not sure exactly where I want to go with this now. It's like when you reach that point in a relationship where you have "the talk". Yeah, well me and this blog are at that cross roads. When I first started Chocolate Milk DC it was all about arts and events, so I covered a lot of gallery openings, museum exhibits, etc. Then I started interviewing artist which was cool. I have a love/hate attitude towards interviewing people, though. I love talking to people and getting to know folks but I am not really the nosey journalist type, so it's hard for me to just sit and ask some random person a bunch of random questions.
Shortly after that I started publishing more of my writing in other places; web sites, anthologies and magazines which made me want to use this blog as a way to some how advertised my own work but that just felt like shameful self promotion.

Which brings me to the present.

I've thought about turning this into a fashion blog (since I majored in Fashion Design in college) but while I love fashion and textiles, sometimes it seems more label driven than arts driven. I am not a huge music head, so this couldn't be a music blog and I'm just not angry enough to have a "I'm angry, so I am going to complain about life" blog.
All that being said, the post from here on out are going to be pretty random until I find my niche, again.

New stuff

Check out my new Tumblr blog:
Sunday Bliss

Link Love

Twitter is annoying sometimes. I like tweeting while I am riding the bus home from work, but that's pretty much it. But, every now and then I come across a tweet about something cool, like the blog: Le Coil. The pictures on this blog do something to me that I can't convey in words. There are so many different representations of beauty on Le Coil...

Joyism

This event is going to be simply beautiful...
Click the flier to buy tickets and for more information

I think I am in love....

Lunch Box Theory Presents: Afro Beat

Who can resist Afro Beat, Cubanismo, and other cultural funky sounds, a DJ (DJ Underdog) who actually spins real records (yeah none of that digi crap) and face painting!

Friday April, 24, 2009
Selam Bar and Restaurant
1524 U St NW
Washington, DC
Cover Price: $1, yep you read that right 1 damn dollar!

Gotta Upgrade...

Okay, so I am following the wave and moving over to WordPress. I am still in the process of getting the blog right and all that jazz. So, on Thursday I will have moved completely and will supply you wonderful guys and gals with my new web address.

See you on the other side.

Forgetful me..

I here about a lot of interesting events. Some appropriate for this blog, some not so much. Often times I forget to blog about events, bands, etc. that I set out to. So, if I have ever or when I do (the 1st step is acceptance...lol) forget to blog about your stuff, please forgive me!
Thanks guys.

This is it, what.....

Yep, yep, Camp Lo tomorrow!
4/16/09
8:30 PM - 2:00 AM
LIV : 2001 11th St (11th and U)
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 299-0800

To buy tickets click the flier

Interview w/ Camille Peace

How long have you been designing and creating jewelry?

I have been creating jewelry since January of 2008. I started because some of my favorite jewelry pieces broke. In order to fix them I bought some basic tools, fixed my things, added new components, felt empowered, and expanded.

What is the artist community like in St. Louis; it doesn’t really strike me as a very progressive town?

Hmm... That's a tough one. It's not very cohesive. It’s hard to penetrate, even harder to link up, share ideas and build. Sort of a crabs in a barrel mentality. I tend to keep to myself, and do what I do best.

What are some of your inspirations?

I find inspiration in nature, in parks and on my hikes. My hometown San Diego, CA is a big inspiration to me; incorporating elements I used to find when I walked along the beach. Shells, mother of pearl, leaves from kelp, water, etc. I am also inspired by the music and style of Erykah Badu, India Arie and Jill Scott. I design with them in mind. I use materials that look beautiful against black skin; brass, sterling, wood, etc. I also flip through Vogue magazines, I constantly scan Google images and study other cultures to be influenced by their simplicity and use of color and texture. I often times purchase accessories from discount stores, break them apart to make new, original pieces. Textiles also influence me, food influences me, stories influence me, and emotions influence me. I feel everything and put it all into what I make.

You've been known to snap photos and DJ, what other art forms do you
indulge in and how do these affect your jewelry?

I love, love, love photography. I work everyday to get better at it. And, naturally, taking great photos helps me market my jewelry. People do not have the option of holding and touching my pieces before they purchase them, so they rely on an expressive photo. Photography teaches me to see things from various angles, and to detect beauty that isn't so in-your-face. It teaches me about lines and composition, texture and color. I am grateful to my fiancé for teaching me how to DJ (DJ Trackstar).

DJing involves the use of the ears, eyes, soul and technique. When making jewelry, technique is important. How you hold the piece you are working on, etc; and I am guided by my soul when I create. I rarely sketch. I am very much hands-on.

Check out Camille's online store: PEACE IMAGES

Sunday Link Love

Two things I love to do on Sunday's is read Post Secrets and search the 'net for dope blogs.
Here are my findings so far this morning:

Kounter Kulture/ Really cool indie-ish, quasi hip hop art blog. Lots of pictures and interesting links.

Real-I-Rising/ This blog is self described as;self movement through holistic well being, creativity and culture. Very good info here on various rituals, yoga, energy work, etc. For the hippie in you.

Dear Old Love/ A co-worker of mines turned my on to this one, so I can not take full credit. Dear Old Love is a blog filled with short, one liner, confessions about old loves. Be careful this one is addictive because it's something we can all relate to.

That's all I got right now. I will be updating throughout the day....

I have got to be the flakiest blogger online. I am going to make a concious effort to show this blog more love! My inbox is filled with so many dope, unique [insert hip adjective here] events, so without further ado here are some that are coming up.




This event has got to be one of the most innovative ideas I have seen in a long time. I got to give it up to Words Beats & Life, their use of hip hop as a way to reach out to today's youth is so smart, considering how some rap music (not hip hop) has negatively influenced the youth.
Bum Rush the Boards is on Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m
Click on the flier for registration information.





Chloe & Maud Productions have organized Washington DC's first tap dance festival, DC Tap Fest. What might a tap dance festival entail you might ask; lots of free classes, jam sessions, student showcases, and history lectures, oh yeah and Dean Hargrove will be there filming his documentary Tap Dreams. This event would be great for dancers of all ages.
For more info and to audition for the documentary just click the flier.



Of course, The Pink Line Project is bringing you a collage of indie art and design. This event is a mix of art, fashion, anime, music and origami! Hmmm...not sure how the origami is going to fit into all this, but it is cherry blossom time and the cherry blossoms were a gift from Japan. Which explains why this area has some of the worst allergy inducing Springs in the country, but I digress...
This event includes music and video by Yoko K + Aphrodizia, food by On The Fly (those cute, green, overpriced food carts that you see all over the city) and fashion by Moojooken.
For more info click the flier.

When Harlem Came to Paris

This theatrical event is back, the first one was such a hit Lil So So decided to do it again!
Click on the picture for ticket prices/ info.

Exit The Apple.

Jamyla and Pierre of Exit The Apple are opening up a store that will feature independent media, arts and Oyin Handmade Hair and Body Products. The grand opening is Saturday, Feb. 7th and they will be open every Saturday thereafter. I love to see creative couples doing their thing! Congratulations to them both on the store opening.

Exit The Apple
2103 N.Charles Street (ground Floor)
Open to the publis 12-7PM
(410)343-7020

The New Classics Tour

Parties at sneaker shops are always hot (in a low key, high fashion, hipster sorta way) and DJ 2 Tone Jones will be spinning, so the music will definitely be on point.
Click on the flyer for more info.

Interesting exhibit/opening

If you must go out for the Inauguration...

I totally support Obama, but I am not leaving my house when the those massive crowds come to DC, it's just not worth it for me. That being said, this event seems pretty cool. So, if you are going to be out partying check this out!

For more info and/or to buy tickets just click on the flyer.

Just got this in an email...

The Mothertongue community calls upon women poets, writers, and creative voices to come together and REFLECT upon our past and look to the future with a one-day series of writing workshops, including a reflection on the life and loss of local activist Cheryl Ann Spector (1958-2007). We will use our collective voices to form a series of poetry broadsides to be displayed throughout DC. Workshops will be lead by, J. Scales, Ken Vegas, Natalie Illum and Bonnie Morris

The Mother Tongue Writing Workshops will be held on January 24 from 11:30 am-4:30pm
@ Flashpoint (916 G St. NW)

To register or for more info email: dmevennou@gmail.com