SheBreathes™ | Fashion + Culture

Certified Breathable | Sade Ft. Jay Z {Moon + Sky Remix}

Everyone knows by now that I'm a huge supporter of Sade, so it's with pleasure that I share the collaboration she did with Jay Z on her Moon and Sky song, from their upcoming album The Ultimate Collection, out May 3rd. Enjoy and be sure to purchase it here. I know I will!

Sade ft. Jay Moon + Stars Remix

Certified Breathable | Selah Sue

I'm a fan of good music, and Belgium arist, Selah Sue {Sanne Putseys} serves-up plenty of it. At just 21 she's opened for Prince, and collaborated with Cee-Lo and Jamie Lidell. Her self-entitled debut album has plenty of tracks that I've already fallen in love with, like Raggamuffin, Peace of Mind, Please, and Black Part Love, with plenty more that will keep real music lovers happy. Below is a glimpse into her world. Purchase her album here, and get to know her more here.

And Ragamuffin:

Foto Courtesy of Selah Sue.

Breatheable Links | Que Venha o Hexa!

Oi darlings I hope everyone had and awesome weekend! I'm still in Brasil, finishing-up São Paulo Fashion Week, and finishing projects for ZerothreeTEN {smile}. I will be updating my likes later this week! Brasil is on fiyah with World Cup madness, Que Venha O Hexa! In fact I've indulged in some more new nail polishes here and here, and will be getting the obligatory Brasilian mani/pedi in honour of us winning {I hope}. Full-on pride! If you want to join in on the fun, Barneys has some limited edition World Cup Havaianas, I've purchased mines while here, much cheaper {smile}. I hope you'll be watching Tuesday at 2:30 pm {EST}!

Foto © SheBreathes

Now onto some links I've been meaning to share on here:

We love Mani de Paula {Emanuela de Paula} and now she's blawging and sharing her beautiful photography. If you follow me on twitter than you already know this {smile}.

I also tweeted about The NY Times article that's finally caught-on to how some Brasilian scouts get down when it comes to searching for models -- something I've waxed about on here. I will say things are changing and I can attest to this personally. I've converged with plenty of scouts who know that it's time to show the diverse Brasil, so stay tuned.

Speaking of my beautifully and complex country, have you seen Vogue Brasil's May issue? They tried, hehe. Now, if you're ever in São Paulo, do stay at Emilano's, they're an awesome hotel, with amazing service! Tell 'em I sent you! Times are changing and it's amazing I think -- Brasilian Transexual model makes history! I got to watch the England vs US match at this amazing spot in SP, do visit if you're ever there. I do love this video, which I've tweeted a teaser on, now here's the full feature with Jorge Ben Jor, Mano Brown, Céu, Thalma, and Anelis on backup — UMBABARAUMA!

More awesome links on the interwebs:

Coco + Kelley has Maranon, People Stylewatch has deals and steals, StreetEtiquette has the Wonder Years, Luxirare is sharing her latest creation, Ebony has an awesome tie-dye tutorial {I'm a bit late, but wanted to share it}, Aphrochic has some wonderful news, and last but not least checkout Très Plus Cool newest share.

And around these parts:

Love + Dreams has French Elegance and Ethiopian designer Debora de Vita. On HeBreathes, Goldie is apologising for his tardiness {hehe} and finally sharing Tim Hamilton's Redux A/W 2010 collection. And course there is plenty on here, from my current lusting, new necklaces from Arondissement AQ1, to the beautiful shoes of emerging designer Eugene Riconneaus — plenty to explore.

Thank you for all your kind words regarding Baby Selah's 5th anniversary. Have a beautiful week and expect more goodies throughout!

Beijos e amor,

DS.

Soldier of Love | Sade

In lieu of fashion more loveliness from Sade, which despite some not mentioning is indeed a band that consists of Stuart Matthewman, Andrew Hale, and Paul Denman, and of course the never-aging Helen Falasade Adu, who is an extremely gracious woman. I hope this song helps you through your day. I of course love it! Click below to hear the song. Enjoy.

Soldier Of Love

Soldier of Love | Sade

Yesterday I received official word that Sade would release a new album on February 8th 2010, dubbed Soldier of Love. I tweeted about it. I'm excited and indeed Sejais will be there {in more ways than I can reveal right now}! You can pre-order the album because the hiatus is over and the Soldiers of Love are returning to the scene with sustenance for your soul!

Enjoy your hols {statesiders} + see you on Monday!

Clam Mag Scans | L'Eclaireuse

I'm so sorry things have been sporadic this week but as many of you know I'm away and in a completely different time zone than my statesiders. So sorry about the late posts or no posts, things will return to normal soon, but who can resist actually living? Remember I breathe LIFE. FASHION. CULTURE. With so much sun and other dreams to capture, updates may slow just a bit. But I didn't come empty handed, below are the scans from the Clam Magazine feature {which is out now}, thanks to reader Elle for sending them my way! I was surprised to learn I'm on page 3, that's so early on. I was sure I'd be tucked in the back some place. Seriously the issue features some amazing creatives like DJ Rashida, actress Rhona Mitra, to super creative illustrator Alyosha Quooss, and so many more from around the world. There are also loads of Brasilian artists with interviews in Português like Emanuel Arajuo, Ruy Carvalho, Daúde, Carlinhos Brown, etc. With amazing photography by Marc Baptiste, Andrew Donsumu, and so many more. I was completely smitten with Andrews fotos of model Mengly Hernandez, who it appears is a designer/photographer — amazed by her creativity. From Brasil, Barcelona, South Africa, to Brooklyn and California they've truly packed a beautiful and powerful punch — I love it! Perhaps now it will make much more sense why I said this. Clam is how my world looks to me —  diverse + filled to the brim with substance, and interesting individuals. Thanks again to Andy and his assistant Odessa, it's truly an honour to be in your magazine amongst the diverse and talented.

The Covers [front and back}.

Oh and expect to see more of me very soon. I've finally decided a few steps from behind the blog won't hurt me. I recently did a magazine shoot while I was in Brasil + have one coming up for a UK publication. Perhaps I need to rethink my non-belief in the personal brand {smile}. Nah it's all for the shoes with a nod to SheBreathes.

Music from Daúde

Beijos e amor.

Photographer | David Titlow + VV Brown

I've been slowly falling in love with British singer VV Brown's music, so it's no surprise that upon perusing London-based photographer David Titlow's virtual hub that I was drawn to the photoshoot he did with her. I'm diggin' his style and I love that he captures his subjects in their natual surroundings rather than a studio. My favourites pulled + shared below. Visit and explore more of Mr. Titlow's world because it's a smorgasbord of goodness that doesn't feel overly slick or trendy.

Fotos David Titlow {c}.

And if you need a lift from a full day of final farewells to Michael Jackson, who will be sorely missed, VV's music might just be what you need. Especially if you have a penchant for the fun + unconventional, click + bounce a little.

Beijos.

Happy Weekend + Paula Lima

Oi darlings! I am finally back on track and there are so many goodies next week, from new designers, new accessories, revisits, and of course those giveaways. Below are a few more updates.

I've created The Sales Vault, to house all those awesome bargains + sample sales that get sent my way, so be sure to add it to your reader, subscribe, and indulge. It's updated daily!

There is also The Studio Series, which will be up and running over the weekend. I've always wanted to share my thoughts, opinions, and proven approaches to the fashion biz + business in general, so I hope you bookmark + join me, it's going to be fun!

Don't forget the two giveaways currently going on, the Kiss My Face goodies, and the two $250 gift cards from Nordstrom!

Now, I leave you with one of my favourite Brasilian artist, Ms. Paula Lima + her band performing "Vou Deixar, from her SambaChic CD/DVD. You can find more of her music here. Have a beautiful weekend!

Midweek Music | Adele

I had planned on adding another feature, but I need to hear from the designer for some better fotos. So that'll be shared tomorrow. In the meantime a little "midweek music" for your soul {smile}.

By now I'm sure the whole world knows about Adele, but this doesn't stop me from professing my love for an artist who continues to make Britain look good! And she's only like 19 or 20! She's got such a smooth + beautiful voice, love her and am so proud of her success. She's one of the few singers I can actually stand to listen to these days.

Cold Shoulder, has to be one of my favourite songs on the album, so I share.  You can see more of her videos here, and please do visit her website. Be sure to discover some other artist I've shared here.

Beijinhos.

Boa Sorte: Vanessa da Mata

Boa Sorta {Good Luck} a song by Brasilian singer Vanessa da Mata with Ben Harper, stays in heavy rotation in my home, mainly because the lyrics resonate with me, and the song is the perfect remedy to being homesick. The entire album, which is called "Sim" {Yes}, moves the hips and soothes the soul. Why "Sim"? Because as Vanessa says "it's a positive affirmation to life", and I couldn't agree more.

 

Vanessa on the cover of Raça in 2006.

Beijos.

Sweet Refuge: Aline de Lima

Oi, tudo bem? How is your Sunday? I'm up doing loads of papers {homework} and listening to one of my favourite new Brasilian singers, Aline de Lima. Her first album Arrebol stays in rotation when I'm traveling, now she's released Açaí and I can't wait to absorb it.

While the world holds tight to it's Bebels, Aline is fresh and intoxicating - her voice transports me to a sweet place. In these increasingly stressful times it's good to just breathe and that's what I've been doing with Aline's music as my backdrop. She's so good that I can hear waves crashing and taste the coco water as it nourishes my soul. Sunday smells like Brasil and the worries of tomorrow are on an island somewhere. I feel prepared to start my week. No stress because I'm sitting under a palm tree, watching crabs vie for a spot in the sand. Feeling the wind brush against my skin I hear thunder, but it's just the sky waking-up and nudging me forward. Despite everything I'm finding refuge in the simple things.

What's your refuge? What inspires you beyond the everyday worries?

Beijos.

Callabria: Natasja

I wanted to start the humpday off early, as I may not get on here tomorrow. I thought about the lovely Danish Reggae/Rap artist Natasja, when I was in Target {Tarjay} recently and saw them blasting their new commercial which featured her song Callabria the 2007 mix. I've been a fan for a while now and hearing her song in a commercial was a testament to where this bright shining star was going. Sadly Natasja passed away in the summer of 2007. She is missed but I'm so happy to see that the music she left has reached new heights. Move your hips while you repeat with me "Easy now no fi go down, Whoop Whoop".

You can absorb her music here.

Beijinhos.