Reflecting

Ongoing tradition of posting my yearly recap on December 30th continues (here's the '14 recap). Take a stroll with me down 2015 lane.

I've had some great experiences this year such as being a judge at Morgan State University's Plus Size Pageant. Always wanted to do something like that and for it to be plus size, that was cool. And no Steve Harvey moment, either. I entered the White House premises for the first time, like, ever. Only a matter of time 'til I step inside the White House. And not for some 10 minute tour either. Nope. It will be for an event. Look, it's gonna be President Obama's last year in office. The time is now. Also, I can notch two more conferences in my blogger's belt - Blogalicious in Baltimore and The CurvyCon in NYC.

Speaking of cities not my own, boy did I visit some pretty nice places to attend some fantastic events. At the very top has to be South Africa. Oh what a trip. What. A. Trip. Since the layover was in London, enjoyed the almost 14hr free time outside of the airport. Took my first road trip to N'awlins (from Houston, TX, babay). While there, I made sure to hit up the two day Jazz & Heritage Festival. The other music festival I attended this year was The Roots Picnic in Philly.

Nothing New
January
The only outfit post in Jan.
Shame.

Line Up
February
Technically, this photo was taken in Jan but I posted it in Feb.

Inspiration 11
March

Do you wanna know my favorite album of this year? Not the best, mind you ~~because some folks can't read~~ but my favorite? Rae Sremmurd's SremmLife. LIT LIT LIT. I've annoyed so many people around me with this album. Y'know how a special moment in your life is connected to a song? Well, for me, SremmLife will always remind me of my South Africa trip. Always. Cause I played that mofo out, ya hear me? (That and the Nick Jonas album. But that album was released late '14 so it doesn't count.) The main reason why I hit up the Roots Picnic was to see Rae Sremmurd live. But me being me, that dream didn't come true because while they were performing, I decided to get inked up for the first time. Oops. (What up Eddie's Tattoo 621!) Other stand out albums for me this year were Jazmine Sullivan's Reality Show (She's actually performing tonight at the Fillmore but I found out way too late and it's sold out. Ugh.), the Pentatonix album, ASAP Rocky's AT.LONG.LAST.ASAP, Drake and Future collaboration effort What A Time To Be Alive (the perfect pregame album, by the way), Justin Beiber's Purpose, and, last but definitely not the least, Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly.

My sister surprised me with a ticket to see Kendrick perform his critically acclaimed album with the prestigious National Symphony Orchestra in October. And that, you guys, was the only concert I attended in 2015. Shame. Yes, I did get to see quite a number of musical artists perform at festivals. But festivals and concerts ain't the same. The vibe is different.

Geometric
April

Vivid
May

Fringe
June

As stated so many times, I watch a lot of TV shows...but at least they're quality TV shows. Besides my mainstays like Game of Thrones, Scandal, Silicon Valley etc., I've added a whole bunch of new shows to my already long ass list. Empire. VEEP. Friday Night Lights. Jane the Virgin. unReal. Mr. Robot. Flesh and Bone. Master of None. Scream Queens. Grinder. Narcos. Jessica Jones. I did slip in Friday Night Lights, a show that ended in 2011, because it now holds a special place in my heart. Right next to LOST. And can't forget about the two documentaries that stunned me: The Jinx and Making a Murderer.

R.I.P Parenthood.

On the other end of the spectrum, I can count the number of movies I've watched this year on one hand, either in theatre (Creed and Amy) or on TV (Inside Out, Interstellar, and Southpaw).

Clear Blue Sky
July

Crowns & Stripes
August

Purple Daze
September

My reading took a quite a hit this year. I was doing so good the first couple of months but, really, no excuses. Gotta step my game up in '16. Thankfully, there are a stack of books waiting for me on my side table. Anywho, my eyes pored through Americanah, Trading Up (couldn't finish), Humans of New York and Humans of New York Stories. And right before reading The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, I got the chance to meet her at the discussion and book signing event. Timbaland would've been on this list but his book signing got postponed with no rescheduled date in sight. Bummer.

And that's all she wrote for 2015. Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve leading to Jan 01, 2016. I truly don't know what's in store for Heart, Print & Style but here's hoping it'll be something good.