Music Monday: South African with a Little Jazz

It is Black History Month (woohoooo) I love history, I love my people.  I found a marvelous website www.blackpast.org with a multitude of information.  It is moving and powerful to see how a people, a cultural group, was dissected, robbed, pillaged and raped of its prosperity and humanity; but continue to be trendsetters, contributors, people of power.  As I was reading today I came across this story of Miriam Makeba.  An intriguing story of music, love, beauty, exile, war, peace and ultimately world changing decisions.

Miriam Makeba

 Zenzile Miriam Makeba was born in 1932.  Imagine, or think back to your knowledge/awareness of what the world was like, internationally for people of color.  Now imagine this striking beauty, boldly trying to make a name for herself in the music industry, making a name for a new sound African Jazz.  In 2012 the odds would be in her favor, she is beautiful talented and creative.  In 1932, the odds were slightly different as she was black.  Even in Africa, it mattered.

1965

The story continues to describe how she makes her way through a social justice performance, anti-apartheid musical, in South Africa in the 60's... she ended up in exile through a visa to Vienna.  While in exile she met Harry Belafonte and came to the US.   Long story short, she she won a Grammy, a peace prize, married Stokely Carmichael, served in the United Nations, CHANGED THE WORLD as we know it on so many levels. 

1959

I am so inspired by her international efforts to do what she loved and made the world a better place, 1932- 2008.

Makeba in 1959 Come Back, Africa

http://youtu.be/V74f9eIi9c0

Makeba & Belafonte 1966 Grammy Award Winner

Makeba & Carmichael

Makeba & Carmichael

Makeba in her STUNNING older years

ANOTHER MARVELOUS VIDEO HERE (embedding option disabled)


Who inspires you, whether talent, drive, beauty, words feel free to comment who and why. 
Continue to take advantage of this month of February, Black History Month, so we can learn more about the cultures that we are either a part of or which surround us.

Great Face FRIDAY - It's all so NEW!

It's Friay, it's Friday, IT'S FRIDAY!! (insert happy dance here)  I am thrilled and in the best mood for many reasons. 
First of all, I get to sleep in tomorrow, so today officially marks the last day of 5:30am alarm clocks for this week.  Second, also tomorrow, is the MN Fashion Blogger Meet-Up at Cheeky Monkey Deli and I happen to be going with the freshest..... Kasidy from The Fresh Factor, you can view her blog here she is super MARVELOUS!  The most important thing is I BOUGHT ALL NEW MAKEUP....(swoon).

I took a few pics as I was throwing out my used makeup, this is VERY interesting...haha.  I recently did a post on steps to a great face which you can check out here.  I showed all of my makeup on that post, which I did preface on the disclaimer, I actually use my makeup and use it til its gone! For instance...

Covergirl Ultimate Finish Liquid Powder in Buff Beige

Covergirl Ultimate Finish Liquid Powder in Buff Beige

Its SO PRETTY... the new one of course.. (wink wink)

Covergirl Simply Powder Foundation in Buff Beige

Covergirl Simply Powder Foundation in Buff Beige

I especially love this powder by Physician's formula, except it always breaks apart near the end of its life cycle, unlike the Cover girl powders, which would be the only downfall.

Summer Eclipse Bronzing & Shimmery Face Powder

New Mascara has to be my ULTIMATE FAVORITE NEW MAKEUP ITEM to buy!!! (yes I really am that excited, haha)

My eyes are one of my favorite things ever as it pertains to my physical attributes, and I am a firm believer in finding your best two.. which I discuss more on a previous post you can read here, so needless to say I was super happy about his one!
My daughter Mayowa wanted to get in on this one... haha.. she's so cute..

Mayowa helping mommy :)  We were aiming for a shot like the pic below... haha!

Revlon Luscious Grow Mascara- notice the clumpy old brush on the left.. makes a world of difference!

 Of course all of this loveliness adds up to this GREAT FACE!

Toddler Tuesday! Feliz Navidad...

Amidst practicing for our Christmas service that the little kids sing in..

Take I

Take II

The beautiful Mayowa ...has been a busy girl.

organizing the pecans for NaNa's homemade turtles

making sure the chocolate tastes right... "helping" as she phrased it :)

in front of the tree at NaNa's

Her first "skirt and blouse" affair, means she is no longer a baby she is now a girl!

Afterwards when she found my lipstick!

TODDLER Tuesday!! My darling is 3!

I bought basic inexpensive wood letters from Michaels and painted them, then hung them in her room. :)

My beloved Mayowa, that's her family name short for Gabriella Olumayowa which is her first and middle name.  She is amazing and beautiful and more than I could've ever imagined in one little container of joy. 

Apple Orchard Fall 2011

Her second name, Olumayowa (oh-loo-mah-yo-wah), is Yoruba for God has given/brought us joy. I liked the ring to it when she was first born, and my husband is Yoruba.  She is a gift, given to us on Nov 3, 2008... I didn't know what she was going to be like, obviously.. but let me tell you, if you have been around her or most times even see her, she brings a smile to your face and literally 'joy' to your heart!!

about 2 months old

From 2-3 she transformed SO MUCH!! :)

Age 2, literally the day after her bday, with her favorite... ELMO! :)

Winter 2010; she loves painting

Easter 2011; my office pic of her

Spring 2011; on the way to daycare

This was her 3rd birthday party :)

and her thank you card below...

LOVE THIS GIRL! :)