Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: Pretty Fly for a Dad Guy

Well today in America is the day we show a li’l love to the fathers in our lives.

Being a father of two, I can tell you that it’s not an easy idea to make a living reality everyday… but God knows I try and I hope the blueprint I’m drawing will build a beautiful home of memories and guidelines for my children.

So I decided to honor the day by letting my little photographer catpure me in this outfit that’s keeping me cool (hopefully in both senses of the word) on this very Texas day. …even if she thought I looked like a dork.

The pants you’ve seen before, I got them at a vintage shop in New York. But this shirt is something my eye caught while on a shopping spree at Humana Vintage in Milan with The Ladybug. They were having a CRAZY sale: EVERYTHING IN THE STORE WAS 8 EUROS!!! except for accessories which were only 2€. Be sure you’re gonna see an incredible buy I made when the winter rolls around, but for now check out this shirt that I’m enjoying.

I completed the look with a pair of brown sandals by Kenneth Cole.

HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY!!!

[photo credit: Shafiyah Giddins]

 

Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: The Great Spider Man…

The other night, The Ladybug and I decided to go to the cinema to the The Great Gatsby… in Italian.  Io non parlo o capito Italiano bene, but still… here’s my review of the film.

We arrived a few minutes late because we stopped to get something to eat so I’m not quite sure if Peter Parker was in a mental institution as he told the story or if he was just an eccentric author. Either way; I never saw Spider Man, so I think he had amnesia about his super powers and forgot he was merely a freelance photographer and not a journalist.

Anyway, Peter spent the first part of the movie tracking the villain with the blue pinky ring.  Now this guy went by the name “The Great Gatsby.” He was filthy rich.  He was a member of the Illuminati.  It was obvious because he liked to play Jay-Z records that were from the future and covers of Beyonce’s Crazy In Love along with Back to Black that was covered by Beyonce.  You see, years before… or in a few years years to come (depending on your perspective) Jay Gatsby stood on the bow of the Titanic declaring that he was king of the world, but he was penniless and died when the ship sunk. Miraculously he came back to life with the power to be seen and unseen at the same time, and he loved to throw house parties.

Peter Parker’s Spidey sense wasn’t really working well because there were bad things happening around him that he couldn’t feel.  Maybe it was because he had a bromantic crush on James Gatsby or it could have been because Sinister had taken over again, I’d have to see it again to figure that out.

Parker’s cousin was married to one of the most powerful men in all of New York City, but she was in love with someone else… you guessed it, The Great Gatsby.  They were together before he went to war, but she didn’t wait for him to come back because of something he told her in a letter he wrote when he thought he would die in battle.  Not to steal anything from my man Kanye West; still, “I ain’t sayin’ she’s a gold-digger, but she ain’t messin’ with no broke, broke…”

Spoiler alert: She killed three people with her selfishness and sent her cousin to the crazy house.  But there’s a silver-lining: Peter Parker’s therapist becomes rich because he took the story that Peter typed, wrote “The Great” on the manuscript and got it published.  Everyone called it an instant classic after it hit the New York Times Best Seller List.

Since The Ladybug actually speaks Italian, she may not agree with this review, but one thing we will surely agree on is THIS HAT!!! It was like my Kate Winslet in that purple and white stripped suit & hat moment from the Titanic.  I’ll never forget it.

So… what was your take on the movie??

 

See you “next Sunday.”

Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: Tell the DJ to Put a Nickel on the Needle Because It’s Record Store Day 2013

When I was in college, I learned about Sweetest Day from a girl I was dating.  She explained it to me as “Valentine’s Day for guys.”  …Yeah; never heard of it before… But it was cool because it was my day to be catered to.

Since then, more and more “days” seem to find their way on the calendar.  Some are really cool and thoughtful like Earthday (which is tomorrow), Honesty Day (April 30th) or funny like Talk Like A Pirate Day.  But then there are the ridiculas ones like Lost Sock Memorial Day and If Pets Had Thumbs Day.  These days there seems to be a day for everything.

Well on ThrusDAY I heard about the upcoming DAY for SaturDAY and it was… Record Store DAY… YEAAAAA!  …No really, yea!!!  I immediately reaching out to The Ladybug to ask her if she knew about it (because she knows everything)- low and behold; she didn’t!

In short, the idea of the day is to (and this is me adding my two cents to the “definition”) go to a local “Mom & Pop Shop” and support/learn about some grass-roots movement music. …And with my beloved Ultrasone Signature Pro headphones in tow, that’s exactly what I did!

Bill’s is quite possibly the largest of Dallas’ local independent record stores, but I didn’t have the time to go there and to Good Records on Lower Greenville so I made a decision to go see my good friends at Good Records.

Good Records is a cozy shop with a wide range of new and used vinyl & CDs.  They also have a small stage for artist showcases.  I first leaned of this shop when I graduated from Jarvis and moved to Denton.  I used to go into Deep Elum often and the store was there.  It was the “home” of a group called The Polyphonic Spree.  I remember seeing other Dallas based groups there and just chillin’ in “my element.”

My visit was pretty early in the afternoon, but I still had a chance to meet some cool people, eat a little treat by Sugar Derby and flick through a few hangers of clothes on The Vintage Mobile.

To backtrack a bit: that relationship didn’t survive the 8 months between the elaborate Valentine’s Dream Den of Love Day a brotha spent a month of work-study pay on and this contrived promissory Sweetest Day… but now I have Record Store Day.  And this “Music Lovers’ Christmas” may only come around once a year, but the cool thing is: you can have as many of them throughout the year as little heart desires!  As a matter of fact, I encourage it!  And to help, here are a few cool apps:

The Vinyl District to check in and inform a community of music enthusiasts of the 5 double-U’s
Vinyl Tap to add some of that classic click & pop
iCrates for a butt-load of information (from collector pricing to liner notes)
Band of the Day is a great way to put new artists on your radar

Oh, I almost forgot: you know I couldn’t walk away without buying something…
I found these two albums to satiate my inner “Blatalian.”

See you “next Sunday.”

[photo credit: Stephanie Hays]

Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: I’m a Good Catholic School Boy… Cheartú?

Did you know that I went to Catholic School when I was a kid… and not just any Catholic School – I went so Saint Patrick’s Elementary School.

Why am I telling you this? Well; because today is not your ordinary Soul Sunday, no it’s St. Patrick’s Day and I’m doing it in style.

So I decided to go all out with this outfit post since the Boss Lady’s away.

Here I’m wearing a pair cords by Michael Kors, Geoffery Beene shirt, XMI Platinum tie, boots by Area Forte, my beloved D&G Sunglasses and the tireur d élite: this amazing jacket that was a wonderful suprise birthday gift from The Ladybug.

I simply adore this jacket.  If you remember The Ladybug’s “Looks Like You’re Gonna Have Good Luck… There’s a Ladybug in Milan!” post she told you about shopping at a place called Backstage Vintage.  Well while we were there, I tried on this jacket… really an amazing piece that we had a nice discussion with the shop owner about.  I was surprised to find this Italian Army Jacket in my size and it looked so good on me, but I was only there to support her so I passed.

…So if I haven’t said it enough already, “thanks Babes.”

Long story short… I decided to go to Dallas’ Galleria Mall in my little outfit of the day – at night and NEVER TOOK MY SHADES OFF!!! Yes, I thought I’d try to scare the people with my ‘G.I. Joe Louis the Leprechaun’ look. The only thing I succeeded to do was create intrigue and questions of what show I play on or which of my singles is playing…
…Mother Mary, please help our Reality TV Society.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day people!!!

See you “next Sunday.”

Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: Solange is Following the ’80s Brick Road…

I planned to do an outfit post for this edition of SSw/K, but all of that changed last night.

Yesterday I was spending a nice day with the kids, cleaning out my studio office when I received a call from one of the finest vocalist/performers I have the privilege of calling my friend, Melissa Musiq.  Melissa was in town to do background vocals for an artist who was going to perform that night at the 35 Denton Music Festival.  I didn’t have anything else planned, so I said, “for sure, I’ll come out. Who are you hitting with?” “Solange,” she replies, “and this is my first night on the gig.”

A big “wow” came out of my mouth.  Not because it was Solange… I mean Lissa has done bax for Chrissette Michelle, Josh Groban, Jessie J. and so many more… but because it was Solange.  You see, just a week or two ago I found her new single & video and sent it to The Ladybug.  She and I shared and delighted in the look of the video and sound of the record- Losing You.

The festival was rained out, so all the stages were moved to indoor venues.  Her show was moved from Stage One to this warehouse spot called The Hive.  Set to perform at 8pm, at no fault of her own, she didn’t hit the state ’til a little after 10, but she and her band made it very much worth the wait.
If Beyonce is the instant chart topping single with a bullet, Solange is the undeniable B-side that surprises the charts because it gets all the house parties going – and slowing.

Vintage dressed with a look that’s very tomorrow, Solange sizzled on stage.  Her vocals were superb and the crowd seemed to follow the dancing ball as they never missed a lyric.
I enjoyed her performance to much that I went on iTunes as soon as I got in the care and downloaded the album, “True.”  It feels like an album of great records finally released from a label’s vault.  It’s funky, sweaty, sensuous and reminds me of the Prince & Cameo records they used to play on Philadelphia’s Power 99FM in the mid-eights.

Speaking of Illadelph, a funny thing happened when we met at the venue.  Melissa introduced Solange and I, and she said, “I remember you!”  Honestly, I was taken aback and like, ‘yeah right,’ but she continued, “you’re a manager from Philly, right? My dad introduced us a couple years ago.”  Indeed, I remembered, but I would have never thought she’d have.

All in all, if you’ve not been a fan or know nothing about Solange, I suggest you check out this album.  And I hope my girl Melissa lands a permanent spot on this gig… Not only because she really wants it, but because I’d like to introduce my boss and stylist to Ms. Musiq have have her set her wardrobe and look.

[singing] Oh yes, I’m the great connector…

See you “next Sunday.”

[photo credit: KNAGUI]

Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: Vintage is the New Black

C’mere; let me whisper three little words in your ear…Black – Is – Beautiful.
And this is exactly what I’ve come to learn about vintage.

If you’ve ever taken a look at my bio here on TLC, you’d know that I dug “vintage” long before the Ladybug taught me what it was.  The craftsmanship, love, attention to detail and quality of materials is undeniable.  It’s no wonder how much accessorizing with or wearing a vintage piece enhances your look- or how hard our heads turn when we see a classic/antique car on the street or how far an emotional trip your soul takes when you hear a heartfelt old school record.

Vintage makes you smile and want more because, in this financial climate, it’s affordable (for the most part) and gives you an opportunity to be a bit more expressive than the average Joe/Joanne.  It’s like they say, “the Blacker the Berry, the Sweeter the Juice.”  At least that’s what the smart designers, marketers and retailers are hoping you understand.

Everywhere you look these days, you’re seeing more and more vintage and vintage inspired things- on the racks, on the road, in music, magazines and even in advertising. I was in a bottom of the barrel big box store, Wal-Mart, not too long ago and even they had gotten into the “vintage game,” advertising frames in their optical department.

Hints of this “trend” are everywhere… all over the world, and I’ll tell you why: because “Black Don’t Crack!!!”  There’s something to say about things that lasts for years, takes a break and comes back again- relevant, powerful, impressive and engaging just as it had when it was introduced.

Think of what’s trending in fashion… color blocking, natural materials… bangs… all of these things are taking us to the memories of bygone eras.  Just go to the cinema or turn on the television and you’ll see what I mean.

When I first noticed this production of remaking old movies and TV series, it really irritated me because I thought creativity and imagination had gone out the window, but then I realized what was going on.  The industry isn’t being unimaginative (half cocked belief), they are only trying to evoke nostalgia and reignite the feeling of strength and security from a rich and fruitful past.

Remake TV like Hawaii Five-O and Dallas (which I can still make audiences chuckle with a single phrase from the stage) or retro-inspired shows like the short lived Pan-Am, Playboy Club or sensational Mad Men and all of the sequels and prequels based on highly successful films are all examples of how we’re not only being given classic escape routes, but are also being lead to places that make us feel better by reminding as where we’ve been and give hope for where we’re headed.

Vintage can be life changing, inspiring, connecting, enlightening… I’m all about it these days.  I see it everywhere and in everything without even looking for it.  So I challenge you… introduce someone you know to this lifestyle because vintage is the new black – and you know what they say about black…
“Once You Go Black, You Never Go Back!”

Happy Black History Month

See you “next Sunday.”

Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: Happy NAMM Year!!!

Every year for four days in January, I take an incredible and exhausting trip to California for NAMM.

NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) is America’s largest music trade show, and it’s poised at the top of the year to showcase what most companies will roll out as their newest and most innovative products.  I’m always excited to see the latest of the latest and even more excited to make some great deal or relationship for the artists that I represent.

This year while on post during a couple of Mark’s performances, I noticed a booth that I’ve seen years prior, but this time I couldn’t stop looking at it.  I told the Ladybug about a month ago that I’m so much more aware of vintage and vintage things now that she’s turned me on to it as a lifestyle.  So based on my fixation on this booth, I decided to compose a post that would showcase some of the vintage inspired ideas found at this year’s NAMM.

I’ll begin at what was the beginning for me… The Souldier booth.

The booth was mad busy and the owner; although she acknowledged me and posed for a photo wasn’t able to talk, so I simply asked for some lit and went on my quest (since I changed the entire idea of this year’s first SSwK post completely in 13 seconds) to gather photos and information.  She asked me to come back to talk and maybe she wouldn’t be so busy.

You won’t believe all of the vintage inspired things you’d see here in this “music geek cave” of innovation, but there was a lot and I didn’t even scratch the surface.

First I came up on and amp and effects pedals company called Burriss.  Robert Burriss had some beautiful gear.  In talking with him, I learned that he has been in the repair business for many years… working on some of the greatest equipment ever (a lot of which is now considered vintage).  His line is inspired from the coolest things he came to know and love in vintage equipment.  He’s been hand building his line of amps since 1995. One of his greatest passions behind his brand is the desire that someone build heirloom worthy devices that are well priced.

I also checked out Vintage Vibe pianos.  These keyboards pay homage to the Fender Rhodes.  Very well built and super sexy!!!

Guitars are plentiful at NAMM, but earlier in the day I couldn’t help stopping by Italia Guitars to see in person what I’d salivated over in print.  And can I tell you, they are BEAUTIFUL!

There was also Jay K. Co. guitar strap company and Gretsch, which is one of the oldest drum & guitar companies out there. This year they are celebrating 130 of being in business and one of the artist who endorses their guitars is a wonderful vintage expression artist named Lynda Kay.  I love the photos on her site… and the music is good too.  And I can’t forget about Ayin Aleph, whom I actually shot while she was playing yesterday because of her slick vintage look.

On the basement level of the convention center, you’ll find many of the acoustic stringed instruments and the pure genius (this product will be your grandchild’s new hotness), along with the completely obscure… and that was the case with the Wheelharp for Antiquity Music by Jon Jones & Sons.  No one playing on it knew how to play it, so I won’t say anything about the sound, but it looked interesting.

There was also this string of booths that seemed to all be strung together like a chain of analog modular synth scientists sons’ bedrooms with a “Keep Out” sign on the door.

Also downstairs I witnessed the musical mind of Don Lewis with LEO. “WOW” is all I can really say.

There was even a company there selling a product that was designed to speed up the “vintage process” by aging the tone of your instrument called Tone Rite.

But by far my best and most friendly “vintage find” of the day was the inspiration that sparked this post.  With tired legs and mind that were asking my body to walk out of the door, my heart returned me to the Souldier booth which was still in high hustle.  I took advantage of the wait by taking in the array of products and a seat in an open chair.

I watched, in admiration, Jennifer Tabor (company founder and President) and her trusted staff sell strap after strap to everyone in their full booth.  She moved nearly 30 to a guy before my very eyes.

When we finally got a chance to sit down to talk, I learned that the company is based on the west side of Chicago (Ukraine Village) and it was started 7 years ago.  She simply made a few gifts using seat-belt material and vintage fabrics for the guys in her band, each one receiving something to fit their different personalities.  They encouraged her to make more to sell at their gigs and it quickly grew from being something you could only get at a show on a weekend night to merchandise sold in 200 stores within a year.  …And did I mention that she was teaching at the time?  She’s a cellist who taught kindergarten – 8th grade orchestra for ten years.

Jennifer has taken the time to find old non-existent fabrics from the ’60s & ’70s and put them back in demand by creating products that are chic and reminiscently recent. Something I found intriguing is that for her, the word “vintage” was nearly a bad word regarding a certain demographic of her customers. This is why she uses the term “original fabrics” for her Rock n’ Roll Lifestyle brand.

Since I had a chance to talk with Ms. Tabor about her business, I figured I’d ask The Ladybug’s famous question… “What does vintage mean to you?”
It’s funny how this question can sometimes stop people in their vintage tracks, but Jennifer pulled through with a very nice response. “Vintage is my childhood… It’s what we’re drawn to as adults (for example: the things we like now that we didn’t like then) because they bring warms memories from our childhood.  It also has to be offset by 20 – 30 years [so none of my childhood memories are vintage yet... they're just "original"].”

I had my eye on this bag… I loved it so much that I picked it up and put it on.  I wanted to buy it!!! So I opened it up to find out what was in it to make it so heavy… “Umm, somebody left their stuff in my new bag.”  I guess that would have worked if it wasn’t the president’s bag. LOL

See you “next Sunday!”

To see more great pix and videos detailing my experience at NAMM, visit my facebook page: www.facebook.com/knagui

Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: The Man with Wandering Eyes

I think you know by now that I’m a connoisseur of film, specifically, independent film.  I’ve been fortunate to participate in film festivals around the world and if I’m not at one of our local indie movie houses (a new one is being built right behind my home- God IS good!), I’m watching Sundance Channel or IFC.

On this past Monday, I took in a twilight screening of Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel.  I did it because of my affiliation with TLC and my love for The Ladybug.  Getting “into” her world is something that I find interesting.  I mean, I don’t plan on going deep (even if I can – inside joke) into fashion… that’s why I have her as my stylist, but I think if I’m going to do this- I shouldn’t be ignorant.

So, Mrs. Vreeland is the MOTHER of fashion editors.  She invented the job description and designed the blueprint of how we view fashion today.  And not only the way we view fashion, but also the presentation of exhibits at museums.

I once heard Robert Whul say, “when the legend becomes fact, print the legend!”  And that’s exactly what she did… through her active imagination.  Someone called her accounts of the things that happened in and around her life “fraction” a mixture of fact and fiction.

I’m not going to tell you much about the film because I HATE WHEN PEOPLE SPOIL MOVIES FOR ME, but I will say this: she was the epitome of the futuristic vintage enthusiast.  And you ask; “what the hell is that, Gui?” Well, she never left the love of her beloved 1920s.  For her, that decade was one of promise and exploration.  She used the emotions that the ’20s gave her to guide her life.

One of the reasons I love documentaries so much is because they always seem to motivate and inspire me.  It’s another reason why my library is heavy with autobiographies and biographies.  This film was told by Diana through the recordings made by George Plimpton who assisted her in writing her autobiography, D.V.  There are also great interviews she did with talk show hosts and others with designers, family members, friends, and employees.

It’s very well known that she was not an easy person to work for and by all accounts her way of writing memos pretty much made her the worlds first blogger.  A woman truly ahead of her time with the ability to not leave anyone behind.

There were several things that she said that I’m keeping with me, here’s one I’ll share with you. “I shall die very young- Maybe 70 or 80 or 90, but very young.” Born in July of 1903, her body left us in August of ’89, but her spirit and influence remain as the eternal voice of the fashion world. She’s a memorable character, whose lasting influence continues to inspire.

I give this film 7 out of 9 beats per measure.

 

See you “next Sunday.”

Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: The Mechanical Bull Ride of Life

If any of you have been fortunate enough to be at or near a track when Ferraris are lapping, you’ll know the distinct sound of them looming around.  I liken my experience hearing them like a swarm of bees.  It was an exciting moment because, like any boy, I remember playing with my cherished red Ferrari Match-Box. But as exciting as that was, it wan’t a highlight of my life because… well, my heart had been stolen and my loyalty locked by the true love of my car life… LAMBORGHINI.

I remember the day it happened: April… or… May something… 1986.  You see, there was a new kid who came to school earlier that semester, Rob Schimmel, and I somehow became his friend.  Rob was mad cool.  By his account, he was the grandson of Arch Rizzo, the wealthy owner of the exclusive restaurant Archie’s Intown which explained why they lived in the loft above the restaurant.  His dad drove a Porsche and his older sister was a HOT punk chick (can’t remember her name and it’s a good thing because of FB – lol)!!!  She introduced me to The Cure and other punk bands like The Dead Kennedys.

So back to this day in April or May… I went over to Rob’s after school, as usual.  He picked up the mail as we walked in the door and in the mail was his latest issue of some car magazine.  This guy had to be rich, he was getting magazines mail to him… in his name!!! Damn, he’s cool!. LOL  So his sister made us a snack and we went up to his room to listen to music and see who could tell the most believable lies about stuff we knew nothing about (every guy reading this knows exactly what I mean).  At one point during this BS fest, I opened his new magazine and the page it landed on had a picture and caption I will never forget: ‘The Lamborghini Motorcycle: From Concept to Creation’ (…or something like that).  My head went spinning… “WHAT?!?… ROB, LAMBORGHINI MAKES MOTORCYCLES!!!” He responded, ‘I know; my dad took me on a ride of a friend of his the summer before 6th grade.’  Later I found out that was a continuation of our BS fest, but at that very moment he was the 80′s version of the Fonz.

At the time, I was into motorcycles much more than cars and Lamborghini sweet talked me into loving it by speaking my language.  There were only five made and they are now vintage (see how I just justified telling you this story? – lol)  From that day on, I stopped loving Ferrari and married my beloved Lambo… ’til death us do part.

Ferruccio Lamborghini was born in 1916 under the sign of Taurus (this explains the logo). The extraordinary history of ‘Lamborghini Automobili’ began in 1963. And just like the perfect moment when idea meets opportunity, he founded a tractor factory in the period following World War II. It was a major point of reference in this industry and other businesses followed. He amassed the bulk of his fortune before he turned 50 and set out to take on a new challenge… to build a super sports car to compete with Ferrari.
…You can read the rest of this history on the Lamborghini website in the language of your choosing. (there you’ll also see the Lamborghini off-road vehicle- just another reason for me to love them)

Fastforward to August 17, 2012… OK, maybe I need to rewind just a bit so you’ll understand.

Last year my family bought me a gift for my birthday that they were busting at the seams to give to me.  I was out of the country when my birthday rolled around so they had to wait until I got home.  The gift? A one hour drive of a Lamborghini Gallardo.  I was amazed and joyfully grateful.

Because of my travel and work schedule, I wasn’t able to find the time to commit to the drive… not to mention the booking for the car was not the most open of their selection.  Time passed and I forgot about it, but then I was coming close to the expiration- calls were placed, appointment made and I was ready for my bull ride.

The place that provides this experience is called DFW Drive Your Dream in Fort Worth, Texas – USA.  I loved learning the story of how the business came to be and they have some INCREDIBLE cars on site and beautiful museum.  You know I could have spent my morning in there looking at every detail; still, my appointment was for 10am and it started promptly.

It was an amazing experience, but there are two moment that I’ll never forget.  The first is the sound and feel of starting the engine.  Honestly, it all could have ended right there.  Let me try to explain: my high school mascot was the Bearcat.  It’s drawn fictitiously as this beast with the body of a bear and the head of a cat (mix between a tiger & bobcat).  I imagine this beast to sound scary, but the truth is- the bearcat is real and they are… small.  And the sound it makes is not very menacing at all… it’s cuuute. (LOL a bit of an inside joke between the Ladybug and me).

But the sound of this engine was like the size of the bull it bares with the body of a lion and the ferociousness of morphing these two animals into one.  My back still holds the scars of it’s claws and horns ripping through my flesh… I’m serious when I say, that really could have been the end of the ride for me, but thank God it wasn’t.

The second moment came near the end of the tour.  This ride is not on a track, it’s around the streets of downtown Ft. Worth and on the highway.  My tour guide and I had a great conversation during the entire ride, but when came the “official” time for me to open this beast up:  she simply challenged me to get it above a certain number of mph (miles per hour)- then… silence… For me, the feeling driving that fast was amazing… the sound and feel of the engine at my back, blue skies in front of me… I felt like I was flying, but the real rush hit me as I saw how quickly things were coming toward me while I was slowing down.  In the words of Mos Def on that Bilal record: “My heart rushed, my face flush, tell the driver “hit the breaks, slow the pace up…”

All in all, I would suggest anyone to take advantage of this opportunity.  Search online for exotic car tours in your area.  And if you’re in the D.F. Dub., give the fine people at Drive Your Dream a call… you will not be disappointed. And like me, you’ll schedule your next drive nearly immediately.

Enjoy the video.

See you “next Sunday.”

Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: Taking a Bite Out of the Ladybug’s “Big Apple”

“New York, New York big city of dreams, but everything in New York ain’t always what it seems. You might be fooled if you come from outta town, but I’m down by law- I know my way around.”  These lyrics by Grand Master Flash hit my mind often; especially when I touch down in New York, but when I visited the City in April I was introduced to another facet… New York Vintage.

My trips to New York are always the same: meeting in high story offices with incredible views, bagel run at H&H Bagels on the Upper West Side, Chinese at my favorite spot in Chinatown and a short visit with family.  This trip wasn’t to much different (H&H closed in January-sniff, sniff), but there was an added purpose.  The Ladybug had planned a trip the following month and asked me to visit and stake out some spots to know if they were still there and/or with her time.  You see, we wanted to be there together and show each other “our New York,” but it couldn’t happen- so we opted to do a check list with photo sharing.

One of the shops I stopped by was L Train Vintage.  The Ladybug has shown you the great pieces she picked up there, but I thought I might deviate from my norm and share with you my “virgin vintage” find.

As quiet as it’s kept, I’m a pretty good shopper.  I was raised shopping around with my aunts.  That might be where my “eye” comes from.  I’m not “into” fashion, so I don’t know what to call these pants, but I instantly loved them.

When I bought them I was super excited!!! Now don’t get me wrong- I didn’t some thrifting and retro wearing when I was in college, but this was different. The purpose around the purchase was vintage and I felt like I’m finally inside this world I correspond with.

I have to admit, I enjoyed the flavor of the Ladybug’s Big Apple and I couldn’t wait to tell her about my find, but I severely downplayed it and told her that I’d show them to her when I got to Italy.  Little did she know, she’d soon be my photographer and I her model.

So I’m seen here in my vintage pants by Thomson, paired with a Jack and Jones T-shirt I picked up in Berlin.  My accessories: Belt by Trussardi, a music bracelet that was a gift from a fellow musician I did a clinic with in May, charm bracelet is by Axcent with charms I’ve acquired over the years, pearl by MiMi and watch by Pryngeps. Finally the shoes are Bed Stü… I picked them up in a shop called Shoegasm near Canal.

The pants really worked out well. I only needed to have the hem lowered. One funny thing is the number size of the waist- 40… much larger than what I wear, but I guess that’s what that vanity sizing in today fashion is all about.

The Ladybug and I had fun doing this shoot.  I did a few Zoolander poses, but they were too awful to post.

Hope you like what you see.  And if you dig the photography, let her know!

See you “Next Sunday!”