3 let your light shine

via today and tomorrow

2 rest in peace

2 be constantly aware

via free people clothing blog

4 yabba dabba do!!

nike dunks flintstones pack.

i love these!!

photos via hypebeast.

6 listen in tonight!!

I did this sketch of a friend of mine by the name of D. Grady. He has a radio show on Tuesday nights from 10-12pm on 88.7FM here in the Raleigh, NC area. It's a really fun show, so you should check it out. If you want to listen but you can't pick up the signal, you can listen through iTunes! Go to the station website, right click on the "Listen Now" links in the top right corner. Then open iTunes, press Ctrl+U and paste the link into the "Open Stream" field. Wala!! You can listen to my boys from wherever you are!

Also, if you're unaware of what's going on with Black radio stations, please check out this article. I, like many people I know, have a lot of issues with the quality of music that's being played on Black radio, but I recognize the significant impact and the necessity for it in our communities. It would be a shame to see it go away. Read this article and then do what you can to help!

5 summer cinema

movies i'm looking forward to!

Definitely seeing this in IMAX!! Release date June 24th

Armon has been talking about this movie since last year.... and I love Johnny Depp! In Theaters July 1st

And last but not least, a movie about a cause I really care about; food in America.

It's about time somebody drew attention to what's going on on farms and in grocery stores today.

Not sure when this is being released, but check your local Indie theaters.

6 best kept secret

So when you think of great quality, top designer, but discount price clothing the first thing that comes to mind is probably.... Target.

But I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Everybody's favorite big box store (that we love to hate) has some amazing basic pieces by Norma Kamali, and they are all under $20. I don't know about you, but I love that because I can't afford much more nowadays. To make it even better, a lot of the pieces are made of organic cotton and they are all super cute.

I don't own any of this stuff yet, but I plan on picking some up soon! If you already have some, let me know what you think!

9 shout outs

Hey! I just wanna take the time out to thank everybody that follows my blog and comments.

I love comments!! I do read and try to respond to all the comments and I appreciate every one! So please, don't just lurk, let me know what you think! ;)

Lately, I've been loving Conjured Perceptions, a very real look into the (sometimes crazy) dating life of young ATL single Buppie. Stew (and Douglass) always have something entertaining to argue about and my boyfriend always posts something that makes me smile. Veteran blogger Tay is back with a new blog that's just as fresh as her old one. It's called Something Different.

These are just some of the blogs that I read everyday, and I subscribe to all of them through Google Reader. If you use Google Reader, share with me! I share things everyday.

I've also added some new links to the Extra Cool Awesomeness column on the right so check them out!

free people clothing blog always posts really cool stuff everyday

Ouigi (aka the Bearded Man) and the rest of The Brooklyn Circus crew have some of the best style on the net.

I love how Va$htie can be both extra cool and random at the same time.

And Karla from Karla's Closet has crazy style.

If I had her wardrobe, I'd take pictures of myself all the time too!! lol

Thanks again for reading! Happy Blogging Ya'll :)

5 bon appetit

I know I'm not the only person that takes pictures of their food....

Turkey Burger and Sweet Potatoe Fries I made at home.

Fried Calamari...

... and Tuna Sashimi at my favorite sushi place, Kanki. 

We had two more rolls but for some reason I don't have pictures... 

probably too busy eating :)

And Blue Moon with the boys while watching the game.

My weekend was great! How was yours? 

2 opportunity

via melody eh$ani

7 bee plus one

Happy Thursday everybody!! 

I'm excited because I get to see my love tomorrow and of course, it's almost the weekend! SBP reader Bee sent me this adorable photo of her and a handsome friend last week.... 

....and yesterday I did a sketch of it. Unfortunately, the scanner cut off the perimeter of the drawing... Hope you love it Bee! And thanks again for the inspiration.

P.S. I love your hair Bee!! ;)

 

10 violet stars happy hunting

Hopefully this lady is coming out with some new music this summer!  We could use her originality right now....

2 how to be happy in business

via whatconsumesme 

3 proud mary

I've been drawing almost everyday, but slacking on scanning them in. 

Here is a drawing I did last night of my childhood idol, Tina Turner. 

I have some more drawings to scan in so I'll keep them coming!

Special thanks to Bee for sending me an inspiration pic! 

I haven't forgotten about you, it's coming soon. :)

3 jcrew meets star trek

I wish I could dress like this everyday! 

Or anyday really.... lol

Rachel Roy Resort Collection 2010

2 summer games

On Friday I volunteered with some of my co-workers at the opening ceremony for the North Carolina Special Olympics. It was so much fun! The athletes from each county were announced as they filed in the gym while we cheered them on. The athletes were so excited and appreciated all of the support. If you have a chance to volunteer with your local Special Olympics, you should!

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt" 

Special Olympics Athlete Oath

3 little girl blue

my finished drawing of one of North Carolina's finest, Nina Simone.

1 black barbie

gorgeous images from Dutch fabric manufacturer VLISCO.

see more here!

4 lady gaga gives me the creeps

but i still love Wale and this song!

1 just wanna say...

i miss my girls!

3 love and nina

For the month of June, I want to try to do a drawing a day. I heard a great piece of advice on the radio a couple weeks ago that inspired this goal. Michael Baisden was talking about how in order to reach your goals, you have to put in more time working on your dreams than your day job. He spoke about being a bus driver and writing his books while driving the train. He'd have passengers proofread his writing and give feedback while he was driving, and then go home and put in as much time into his dreams as he did "on the job". I think that's such a great way to focus your energy into what you want instead of what you are in the day to day.

Anyway, here's a look at what I've been working on and there will be more to come!
While you're at it, check out my portfolio to see more of my artwork. Let me know what you think!

In progress....

Finished! Recognize this guy?

Starting Nina....

Halfway done... Stay tuned for the finished product!

If you have a photo you'd like me to draw, you can email it to me at niki(dot)mcneill(at)gmail(dot)com. I'm always looking for inspriation pics!