Eat | Drink | Play >> Week In Photos

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see
the whole staircase, just take the first step."
-Martin Luther King, Jr. 

I had a blast this past week hanging with friends and meeting new faces; here are a few pics snapped from my event at The Room and from Rocky Rivera's video release screening! Cheers to girl power, stepping out on faith, and women supporting each other! - I have been quite busy this week so I will spend the weekend answering comments + emails. To answer one question, I will do a tutorial on that DIY top from earlier this week! I just have to find a way to film the video which doesn't expose my lady parts all across YouTube. lol

I'm finally planning a natural hair + total wellness meet-up that may take place near the beginning of November. I'd like to get a head count of how many people are interested so that I can choose the perfect venue. You don't have to have "natural hair" to join in on the fun, as the premise is a gathering of positive and supportive women discussing goals, life, hair, beauty etc. If you're interested please send an email to nikole@themoptopmaven.com and I will inform you of a date once I have solidified a location!! This should be fun!

My girl Monica Payne! Check out her blog for places to go in L.A - I love all of her events, always a chill vibe with good people! 

I tried something a bit different with my hair; I'm going to report back next week to make sure it wasn't just a fluke!

I loved her energy! Grammy Nominated writer Khadia

 I heart these ladies xoxo

Asael giving us his B-boy stance!

Alicia and Rocky Rivera!



Follow me on Twitter | Add me on Bloglovin' |   

Eat | Drink | Play: >> Weekend In Photos

I spent this weekend cooking, thrifting, crafting, relaxing, and hanging out with friends! This past Sunday, Lo and I decided to head over to Honey On The Rooftop, we had an amazing time! Here are a few pics we snapped! 

I ran into Felicia Leatherwood; Celebrity Stylist and founder of Loving Your Hair With Natural Care!

I also ran into the fabulous Kethia of Flaunt Files! I loved her hair!

Hey Lo!

Ran into a fab MTM reader, I loved everything from her glasses and hair, to her pink lippy!

Ja'Maal Buster; Eyelash Guru To The Stars [think Kelis, Paris Hilton, Rihanna, Keri Hilson] - Can I just say how much I love his hair?!?

Later on that night we went for drinks at the W!

I loved the ambiance of this place! The drinks were delish as well!

I hope everyone enjoyed their extended weekend!

 

TOP: DIY from Jersey Fabric

SKIRT: 50cent Thrifted Carole Little Skirt

Follow me on Twitter | Add me on Bloglovin' |   

Imagination Is The Beginning Of Creation. You Imagine What You Desire, You Will What You Imagine, And At Last You Create What You Will - George Bernard Shaw

Thought I would share some of my photography with you today - And since we are on the subject of photography, here are a few of my favorite photography resources! I will be working on updating the site with a resources section soon which will include more info on Photography and other topics of interest. 

I also want to thank everyone out there for the overwhelming amount of love and support you have shown from day one. The sisterhood and positive support has been tremendous, and I am very grateful for it all! A big shout out to some of my male readers out there, thanks guys for support as well! 

 

Blogs/Websites:

Strobist

Photo.Net

The Photo Forum

Books:                                                                                                                                                        

Understanding Exposure, How To Shoot Great Photographs With A Film Or Digital Camera 

Learning To See Creatively

Adobe Photoshop CS3 For Photographers 

Spotted this beautiful building downtown!

 I talked to this gentlemen briefly about issues some of the homeless men and women of Downtown L.A are facing. Their public benefit cards are being stolen, and they are being physically, sexually, and verbally abused. I am starting a non-profit this year in order to bring awareness to these issues, as well as provide a safe haven, delicious healthy food and snacks, resources, clothing, and toiletries to assist them in their transition back into society. As no one should ever be forgotten.

At my favorite Cafe; Bricks & Scones, working on my editorial schedule for the blog, I have a ton of videos and special features lined up for you all! 

 

Walking around the Flower District, I love putting together my own floral arrangements on the cheap! Ten bucks and under is usually my limit.

 

 This building had a lot of character!

 I thought the eyeglass necklaces at Forever 21 were pretty cool!

Still eating my yogurt sprinkled with Flax Seed & Wheat Germ. It's definitely made a big difference in my skin!

Yesterday I wore two bun's on either side and slapped on a hat. I was feeling a bit hair-lazy that day. I'm wearing my new favorite earrings my mum brought back from Africa. Thanks mum!

Later on that night, I took it down to go out to the movies. I only had five minutes to get ready, so I just spritzed it with a bit of Tui Leave In by Carol's Daughter and left the rest up to nature.

 This pic was taken earlier this week, I intended on sharing my Bantu Knot out results. However it was an epic fail [as they always seem to be]. I had to run some errands and didn't have time to finagle it back into a ponytail, so I wrapped it up. E-badu style and went on my merry way.

Happy Friday everyone! I will see you all Monday!

Follow me on Twitter | Add me on Bloglovin' |   

A Photograph Is Memory In The Raw. - Carrie Latet | Week In Photos

Happy Friday everyone! It's been a while since I have shared "week-in-photos" with you, so here they are!

 

Dinner at Yamashiro's last night! My hair was a mess, I twisted it with a butter-based product, because I wanted more of a fluffier look. Instead I got an un-defined mess. Ah well.

 

Pics snapped earlier in the week from my test shoot with Lo!

 

I think she's still sore from squeezing into that tiny space!

 

I picked up these high-waist shorts last night after dinner from American Apparel. They have the cutest zippers along the side, and I loved the fit. The light coral color is what drew me in.

I also got this pink petticoat, and blue long-sleeve lace bodysuit [pardon the black bra].

I am fascinated with the buildings downtown! I make a trip down almost every weekend just to shoot!

 

The buildings have so much character!

 

I love snapping pics of worn, weathered buildings with fire escapes!

 

I decided to climb up one and get a better view.  

 

While snapping pics of buildings, I ran into Lo [what are the odds]. No kidding. She was Downtown pulling clothes for a client. 

 Later on that day I picked up some seed beads for my jewelry line. 

 

Here I am a few days later at the Bilal concert

A couple of days ago, I had a late breakfast at my new favorite cafe; Crave. I ordered the usual...Strawberry Crepe's...