Category Archives: life
LIFE: Dining With Joey Bada$$ x Run-In With Angelo Baque and Rafael Rios
Last night I finally got the long-overdue chance to have dinner with my label mate, Joey Bada$$. While I waited for him at the bar, I ran into Angelo Baque and Rafael Rios who were also having dinner and waiting for a table. By the time Joey showed up, there was a table for 4 available and we decided to merge our dinners into one. It was a good time and I got to play with my new favorite toy, the Fuji Mini Instax.
LIFE: Behind The Scenes x Refinery29 x Lyz Olko & Coco & Breezy (Article Out Now!)
Special thanks to Refinery29 for always showing me love. Check my feature alongside a month-long piece titled “Party Girls”, which spotlights some incredible femme fatales.
By Gabriel Bell, Photographed by Michael Flores, Illustration by Ammiel Mendoza
Hair and Makeup by Bethany Brill.
Supreme sweatshirt; Supreme tank, Ebay skirt, Surface to Air boots,Vintage Chanel bag, Bing Bang necklaces, Vintage Givenchy ring.
Coco & Breezy, Lyz Olko and Me!
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Check the Interview
LIFE: Wendy Williams x “Ask Wendy” Book Release Party x Pink Elephant (5.9.13)
Photo via GLOBAL GRIND
After the Frank 151 Panel Discussion ended, I decided to run around the corner to check out Miss Wendy Williams Book Launch at the new Pink Elephant. As you might imagine, it was star-studded and overflowing with decadent desserts and drinks! I didn’t get to meet Miss Wendy, but our day will come! I was glad to have been invited!
Me & DJ Kiss
Don’t let her beauty fool you, she is a monster on the 1′s and 2′s. Seriously.
I didn’t stay too long. I had a date with some work, sweatpants and my couch…so I headed home early.
LIFE: Frank 151 Leaders Panel x Barnes & Noble USQ x Nick Tershay, Stephen Malbon, Adam Pasulka & Me (5.9.13)
Frank 151 has been a staple in my life since high school. The miniature publication started it’s circulation in 1999 and recently went from being an underground bible to an accessible publication sold at local Barnes and Nobles (now slightly larger)! How’s that for convenient. When they asked me to be apart of their panel discussion on “Leaders”, I was definitely down! Especially since I had just interviewed Jonathan Mannion for that very issue. 
I hate public speaking engagements because I’m not very good at it, or at least I don’t think so. I’m better one on one answering questions. Regardless, I was honored to be apart of the panel and answered various questions to the best of my abilities!
Brittney Escovedo, Mrs. Malbon, Mr. Malbon, Me and Sydney Reising
Dweeb.
I met some amazing supporters at the event! I was super stoked. These two lovely Filipina girls from San Diego brought me my favorite raw/vegan cookies from One Lucky Duck. It was so sweet of them!
Arthur Soleimanpour & Eli Reed
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LIFE: DJ’ing at 1OAK Alongside DJ Huggy Bear x 212 Tuesdays
212 TUESDAYS return, this time around to 1OAK. If you live in New York and don’t bother with fancy clubs, your asking yourself the same thing I asked myself ”1OAK is still around”? I had no idea, no shade. Regardless, the addition of 212 TUESDAYS will make your work week dip worth it. Trust.
DJ Huggy Bear & DJ Curry Fingers
I absolutely hate my hair in a single ponytail, but having no time on your hand will make you do things you normally wouldn’t. I guess it doesn’t look so bad. I’ve also gained some weight back, but I’m still looking a little crypt keeper-ish.
The Crew!
Huggles playing the jams.
Awesome. Let’s all look at the people who spent 700$ on a bottle of Grey Goose that actually costs like 65$ in real life. Woo hoo.
I was obsessed with popping these bottles…they were actual glass bottles of Jana! Super fancy. Guess what will be on my rider next time I’m booked! Mhmmm.
INVITE: Frank 151 Leaders Panel Discussion x Va$htie, Sean Avery, Nick Tershay, Adam Pasulka & Stephen Malbon x Barnes & Noble Union Square (TONIGHT)
In celebration of Chapter 51, FRANK is holding a special “Leaders” panel discussion at Barnes & Noble Union Square on Thursday, May 9, 2013 in NYC. The featured panelists will be Diamond Supply Co. founder Nick Tershay, “Downtown’s Sweetheart” Va$htie, former NHL winger Sean Avery, and FRANK151 publisher Stephen Malbon. Moderated by FRANK’s Editor in Chief Adam Pasulka, the panelists will speak on leadership, their careers, and what success means to them.
The event starts at 7pm and will require an in-store purchase of Chapter 51 ($10) for entry.
Come by and say HELLO!
LIFE: Saturday Brooklyn Bowling with a Spring-Time Cold
A couple weeks ago, my sister came to visit me. We did some hanging in Brooklyn and went for a Saturday afternoon Bowl. I was suffering from a cold or bad allergies, so I wasn’t much fun and I looked like death. But…here are some flicks! Yay!
Bad News Bears.
LIFE: Working In DC x Broccoli Fest & Afterparty At Opera x Big K.R.I.T. x Day 3 (4.21.13)
We woke up ready to start the day. Earlier, Elle had put on Stephen’s Ewing jersey for jokes and I wanted to do the same thing for a photo. This is what you’d call ‘a jersey dress to the max’…or maxi. It was even more appropriate with The Knicks win on Saturday, boom!
Elle’s feets in Baron Von Fancy socks and Nike Flyknits.
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I was so hungry for a good meal that I Googled for a Vegan/Raw restaurant and found Khepra’s Raw Food Juice Bar (a reader named Brittany also suggested this place). It was the bomb…like…really. It was all homegrown, I loved the vibe. I walked in to find a goods being sold in the front and in the back was the little set-up where you buy your food and sit and eat if you like.
Stoked!
A Hempburger with Broccoli and Kale…fitting for 4/20 and Broccoli Fest.
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It’s important to be resourceful…always!
Before we saw this band, we heard them…and we totally believed they were black. When we saw that they were long-haired white boys we were surprised. They jammed and the crowd loved them! I wish I knew their name…anyone?
Spinser Tracy, Me & Uncle Scooty
Me and DC Rapper LightShow, who I quoted on my Instagram earlier that day…
We played a baseball pitching game…it was fun!
Young Scoozle did the best out of all of us…
Elle was riding dirrrrrrty.
Elle said “Roll Tide” to one of the guys working the festival and he was so stoked and said “Roll Tide” back. Later, he saw us again and suggested they take a photo together and I was with that!
It was so incredible to be at this festival. I thought it would be a nightmare to be there from 12-8 and by the time 8 came around I was bummed to leave. I met so many great people…took photos with them and conversed a bit . Not only that, they were all really attractive and had great style. #JustSaying
I was a happy camper.
Broccoli Bouquet
Amaris and her Pepsi…”Now Made With Real Sugar?” she asked. “What was it made with before?!” Hahaha I laughed and questioned the same thing. #stopeandfrisk
Me and Amaris in DKNY, oh my – we’re Jiggy!
Jamel and Amber Mims
Getting ready to announce Krit! Before that, the crowd was going nuts to some Go-Go music. It was fascinating to see, I know nothing about Go-Go.
Krit killed it. He is a great performer.
Stephen aka DJ Huggy Bear in the cut…literally
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After the Broccoli Fest there was an afterparty at Opera. The club was super chic and Spinser Tracy killed his set! Me and Krit got to catch up and we found out that even Elle had been refering to him as her Country Cousin for a long time, they really are actually related!
Elle thought this would be a funny photo and it so is.
Real Country Cousins and not Play Country Cousins
Ryan Kibler and Friend
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Then…I saw this and just about lost my mind!!!
It’s my Vladdy baby, on a cute tee. I was so stoked I couldn’t get over it. It took me a minute, I was geeked.
Spinser Tracy who is also the cousin of my friend Janell Snowden. Its a small world!
Sipping Ro-zay With My Bro-zay.
Bros Before Hoes
We turnt it up like Dee & Ricky and killed the couch!
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Then, right at 2 the lights came on and the club was closing. Perfect time for us to bounce, get to the hotel and check out, pick up food at The Diner and head home to NYC! On our way out we saw a gang of Deer, like 6 or 7 of them just in someones front yard. It was incredible! Look!
And before I let this DC trip go like Blackstreet, here’s another ode to…
BLACK ICE.
LIFE: Working In DC x Day Off Cookout With Amaris & Jamel x Day 2 (4.20.13)
Elle said, “post this photo on your blog and see if your readers can guess which bottle belongs to who. Starting from Right; The BBQ is Stephens, the water is yours since you’re so healthy, the ginger ale is Scott’s and the wine is mine since everyone probably thinks I’m an alcoholic”.
Day 2 of our DC trip was chill. We scooped up Amaris and she took us to the farmer’s market. Then we went to get groceries so we could have a little cookout at Jamel’s Mom’s house. Although I was exhausted beyond words, we set up shop and got to cooking. Before we knew it, the greatest team of all won the game (eh em, The Knicks) and we headed back to the hotel so my toddler self could get sleep.
The purchase of this air freshener by Huggy single-handedly ruined our trip experience and at the same time completed it. It had slipped out of its bag and was giving us all headaches, yet none of us threw it out. Every time someone got a strong whiff of it they had to say out loud “Black Ice”…and that happened a lot.
This homeless woman was just sleeping by the pool.
I was too hungry to take pictures before and during. So, as soon as I was done stuffing my mouth I took some flicks.
Young Scoozle and Jason
Amaris, DJ Huggy Bear (constantly playing chess) and Elle Clay
I rode my bike home after it was all done
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We didn’t do much this day, just kicked it lazy style and before we knew it – the day was over. I was so beat, I was in bed by 8. From what I can tell DC is beautiful. We didn’t get to ightsee, then again I’m not the sightseeing kind of gal (I hate admitting that because it sounds so terrible). I was looking forward to Day 3, for the Broccoli Fest which I was hosting and DJ’ing at. Stay tuned tomorrow for that post!
LIFE: Working In DC x DJ’ing The Howard Theatre Gala x Chaka Khan & More x Pre-Birthday Celebrations x Day 1 (4.19.13)
I was so stoked for this trip to DC for a few reasons. Mainly because I had never been before (at least I don’t think) and because I was playing selector at 3 events! I was originally booked to host and DJ at the BROCCOLI FESTIVAL on 4/21, then I was booked to host the after-party the same night with my friend Big K.R.I.T and the after-party to Howard Theatre’s Second Annual Gala Benefit on 4/19.
I made a meal for the road…you know, a little kale/tomato/cucumber/chick pea salad!
Basically, that all means I had a weekend to get to know DC. I decided to take my friends DJ Huggy Bear, Elle Clay and Young Scoozle on a road trip and we would meet our other friends Amaris and Jamel when we got to “Chocolate City” (thanks to Elle for informing me of the city’s nickname). It would be a sort of pre-birthday celebration for me…
Roy Rogers and Hot Fries
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After driving in heavy traffic and a monsoon, for what seemed like 6 hours, we got to the hotel room and chilled for a little bit. We then got ready and headed out to the gala in pouring rain.
I met Chaka Khan and just look at her!!! She’s incredible and gorgeous and 60!!! She was also very sweet.
It was a very grown event and although we felt underdressed, we had a good time.
Raheem DeVaughn and Jaguar Wright
D.L. Hughley was also in the house…
There was an exquisite dessert bar…but, nothing was vegan 
Then we headed out with our very sweet coordinator, Tiffanie Wagner, to the local club…Current (I think). It was fun, but soon we had to leave since clubs close at 2am there.
Tiffanie Wagner and Elle Clay
Haha, Elle looking at her Instagram. She posted a pretty hilarious photo of me and her…
The fellas! Young Scoozle and Huggy Bear
There was a hookah in the club. I still don’t quite understand the point of smoking from one despite having it explained to me by the locals. I don’t know…
Afterwards we headed to The Diner for some late night food. Everyone said it’s “the spot” so we had to go. Of course I got a Greek Salad (no Feta) and steamed Brussel Sprouts and it was delicious and I was happy.
Stephen aka DJ Huggy Bear and his pancakes.
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Since we got in at night and went to the hotel and to the venue, there was nothing I could report on my interpretation of the city. Everyone seemed nice and of course the architecture was incredible.
All in all, it was a fun night that had some glitches here and there. Traveling with anyone is hard, but traveling with friends while working can also cause some strain. It’s a difficult place…trying to find a balance between business and pleasure. Either way, we had some good laughs. More to come on Day 2 and Day 3 of our DC trip tomorrow and Wednesday.
