Guess who's 21?

I'm finally legal! At first I didn't want to do anything since my birthday fell on a Tuesday, I know how lame is that. You're supposed to get like black out drunk on your 21st birthday, but I may or may not have already done that the week prior in the Dominican Republic (ahem). Last minute my mom decided we could at least go out to dinner with close friends and family. So we got all dressed up and went out to one of my favorite places in D.C., Bus Boys and Poets.

Me, tasting my first glass of wine (legally)! It was so good. Very flavorful and tart.

I got my second tattoo on my actual birthday with my good friend Veronica holding my hand the whole time. Man it was rough, I knew the foot was supposed to hurt more than most other places, and it DID! But so worth it. It says "To a Skylark".

Thursday my mom and I snuck away to Pittsburgh for the evening to paint the town. We went out to dinner at this place called NOLA's, the staff was amazing. 

The following morning we went to the Andy Warhol museum and it was to die for! I never wanted to leave! I plan to go back and spend more time in it. So many floors of Andy ahh! Overall it turned out to be a really good birthday. I had plans to return to the apartment for a friend's birthday party, but my car had other plans. It decided to die on me right ear the tolls. So I'm back at my parent's house waiting for it to be drivable again. What's more is my phone went crai on me too, so I'm pretty much in the dark ages and carless. To add insult to injury I'm nursing a sudden case of bronchitis. Boy I know how to celebrate! Maybe all this rush of bad luck is an omen for something or perhaps something amazing is about to happen to me who knows. The good definitely out weighs all the bad!

~Turtle

FANCY FRIDAY: Going to the Gallery

Headed to an art gallery anytime soon? A visit to an art gallery is a great afternoon date or just a nice way to pass the time and stay cool in the summer. If you are, dressing nice for an art gallery isn't a thing of the past. Despite the summer tourists who clamber into galleries in their squeaky tennis shoes, ripped jeans, and t-shirts from resorts. Bleh! If you're stumped on what to wear to a gallery have no fear! Sometimes I think a dress is too dressy, or an outfit is too casual. I then stumbled upon the perfect solution.   

Find a lovely dress with a funky pattern. I use any excuse to wear to my new hi-low birdie dress from Target. 

Add a dark colored blazer for that sophisticated cosmopolitan look. I went with a black one from H&M.

You can't go wrong with a simple and neutral color pair of flats. 

If you get the chance, GO to the Andy Warhol Museum! It's an incredible. 

Kay's inspirations: Andy and Josephine

For nearly six years now I have been a huge fan of Andy Warhol. I can remember the day I first stumbled upon him. I was 15 on Hollywood Boulevard with my parents, when I saw a tote bag that was created based on some of his work and quotes. I was puzzled and enticed by the bag. My dad came up behind me and said, "Huh, never thought I'd see Andy Warhol on a bag." I was intrigued. I went home that night in the hotel and googled my heart's content out till I couldn't keep my eyes open. When we returned from the trip I went out and bought a book on him and before long, I was hooked! Whenever people ask me what about him registers with me so strongly I never say the same thing. But, after giving it a lot of thought I think it's more or less how he led his life and allowed his passions, no matter how superficial they may have appeared to some people, direct and guide him. His world gives me the courage to be myself. In discovering Andy I also discovered a love for Pop and Modern Art.

"I'm afraid if you look a thing long enough, it loses all of it's meaning." -Andy Warhol

The iconic Josephine Baker led a very exciting, inspiring, and moving life. Growing up I struggled with my racial identity and my confidence as a whole. In my own self discovery I discovered Josephine's story in dealing with racial identity and self confidence. She was able to overcome it all and in doing so led one of the greatest lives for young black women, and young women in general, to admire. I was moved to learn that she was one of the first black international superstars, a dancer, a singer, a fashionista, and an adoptive mother of twelve children. Like Andy Warhol, her passions also become her source of strength. She was a major activist for civil rights, women's rights, and became an expatriate in France in order to free herself from the racial discrimination she suffered under in the United States. I try my best to channel her confidence and her drive with everything I do. 

"I improvised, crazed by the music... Even my teeth and eyes burned with fever. Each time I leaped I seemed to touch the sky and when I regained earth it seemed to be mine alone." -Josephine Baker

Here's a clip of her doing the infamous banana dance! 

~Turtle