Your hot spot for NYC Fashion Week!

NYC Fashion Week starts this Thursday, September 9th-16th and designers and patrons from all over the world will be flocking to NYC to see the hottest runway designs. After attending numerous fashion events, Obvious Magazine wants to recommend a chic and fun place for you to unwind and dine.

SOB’s is New York’s popular Brazilian food hot spot which features live music from world renowned artists, fruity drinks and vibrant décor in the lower Manhattan neighborhood of Soho. SOB’s is in its 29th year of business and the restaurant has built a reputation as a breeding ground for emerging artists and trends. Even though Brazil is the music of choice, they fuse in African, Caribbean and Latin music to give customers the ultimate Latin culture experience.

The dishes (which are absolutely delicious) are traditional to Brazil but with a contemporary twist. Creative Director Robbin Gold likes to call it “Latin Soulfood.” Some of their popular dishes are Fish Taco, BBQ Salmon, Cuban Roast Pork Sandwich and Bistek Ipanema. Their dishes also have vegan and vegetarian options.

SOB’s  has exciting events to fit your needs during the week. If you’re looking for some place to hang out towards the end of the week SOB’s got you covered as well. Thursday is Basement Bhangra which is a night of music, drinks and dancing with a South Asian twist with DJ Rekha. Friday is Salsa Groove and Saturday is The Brazil Show which features SOB’s Samba dancers and the hottest live Samba bands (straight from Brazil). If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, you can have brunch on Sunday called Bossa Nova Brunch. They offer a three-course meal of Nuevo Latino for $26.99 (fixed priced), sangria (white or red), and you will listen to the smooth music of Bossa Nova. I personally attended the Bossa Nova Brunch, as well as The Brazil Show on Saturday and both times were absolutely amazing. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was comfortable and I can’t wait to visit SOB’s again. If you like great food, music, and an upscale atmosphere then SOB’s is your place for Fashion Week.

For more information about SOB’s visit:
www.sobs.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/SOBs-Sounds-of-Brazil/71581065494
Twitter: @SOBs
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/soundsofbrazil

Words by Kiescha Cherry, Editor-at-Large

The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong is one of the most prestigious hotels in China. The Peninsula Hotel was opened in the 1928 by the Kadoorie Family (who continues to own the hotel), after opening the world-famous Palace and Astor Hotels in Shanghai.  It is also the oldest hotel in Hong Kong. When visiting the Peninsula Hotel you can expect luxury, comfort and excitement.
In regards to accommodations, guests can choose to stay in the original building or the more modern Tower. Regardless of what you choose you can expect fingertip environment controls, plasma screen TVs, white marble bathrooms and amazing city views that are breathtaking. The Peninsula Hotel offers various rooms and suites to accommodate your needs. The Peninsula Hotel also hosts various events, meetings, weddings etc. offering luxury and elegance.

For leisure activities you can opt to go to the Peninsula’s Shopping Arcade which features 80 shops including some of the world’s luxury labels. Adjacent to the hotel is Nathan Road that offers two miles of boutiques, markets, shopping malls and luxury brands.  If you prefer to sightsee, The Peninsula Hotel is the only Hong Kong hotel that has its own helicopter and helipad for “flight-seeing” tours. The tour is 30 minutes and you can view the entire territory. If you prefer to stay on the ground, you can hire a chauffeur in to drive you in their Rolls-Royce Phantom and tour in style! The hotel also has a Peninsula Spa which offers harbor-view treatment rooms, saunas, treatment beds and steam rooms.
The Peninsula Hotel also has several restaurants that have excellent reputations of fine dining. Gaddi’s provide French cuisine. Felix serves contemporary cuisine, the Spring Room offers Cantonese cuisine in a 1920s setting, and these are just naming a few options the Peninsula Hotel has to offer.
You can make a reservation easily online and The Peninsula Hotel offers various room rates and packages. Next time you think of taking a trip to Hong Kong, opt for luxury, class and elegance at the prestigious Peninsula Hotel.

For more information about the Peninsula Hotel log onto http://www.peninsula.com/hong_kong/en/default.aspx#/Hong_Kong/en/

Words by Kiescha Cherry, Editor-at-Large

Cell phone alarm goes off. You wake up, check your Twitter, MySpace, or Facebook, and then you head to the shower. Social media has managed to corner at least 25% of the average user’s time daily. We connect with others in our area code, zip code, and even trending dress codes. It makes you wonder, what are you doing with your bit of real estate on the World Wide Web? Is your social media profile the best representation of the person you are today, the person you want to be tomorrow? Moreover, if you ever to meet your online contacts offline would you be everything they expected you be.

For me, Social Media is an important part of my life. I set aside 3 time slots in my day just to maintain my visibility with my domestic, as well as, international contacts via the web. When you are building your brand, promoting a project, or attempting to reconnect with old friends or colleagues, your profile on popular social media should have a few key things to communicate to others the person you are today.

Side note: I always chuckle when some protest that they are a private person or they have a private profile, Obvious Family if you don’t own the domain, your information online is never completely private. Make the system work for r you, or simply remove yourself from the matrix:

My latest and greatest challenge has been offline encounters. It’s always a strange arrangement when interacting with various personalities in real-time that you’ve exchanged a note with, commented on a discussion thread, or co-sign on a status message.  When the interaction is impromptu, here’s a few tried and true ways to make sure your Social Media encounter isn’t a #FAIL.

1. Be confident! Don’t sidle over to them like a parking lot assailant. Make your approach purposeful and direct, so the introductions go smoothly.

2. Do more than just ask their name. Here’s an Example, “Excuse me, are you the program director for the last gallery event at the MET?” A professional advance to a new face that references something meaningful, is more flattering than yelling out their screen name.

3. Extend your business card, invite them to a cool event your hosting, or reverse the bullhorn and ask them about their organization, business, or current projects.

4. Continually say their name during your conversation, so that it sticks.  Politely exchange emails FIRST, and let them offer their number. Respect their personal space.

5. Last but not least, don’t be chatty. If the conversation is flowing, continue on. If there’s awkward silence, bid them adieu and carry on.

Overall, chance encounters with online friends shouldn’t be gauche.  If you represent yourself well on the web, be willing to further the connection offline.  You never know where an opportunity lies in simple conversation and friendly face time!

Dwele has come a long way since his debut with Slum Village on “Tainted.” With his fourth album hitting stores this past June 29, he has established himself as a vocalist, writer and producer.

Dwele did not land into music by accident. He has always been inspired by singers such as Miles Davis and Stevie Wonder. However, Motown artists were only a fraction of his decision to become a vocalist. “A major thing that happened in my life that pushed me to go in the musical route was loosing my father. Before he passed he taught me about music. That’s a way to keep me with him.” Dwele used his loss as a way to channel feelings the studio. Dwele sold his demo The Rize, out of the trunk of his car which eventually landed him his first record deal. Since the music industry has changed over the years, he feels there are more advantages of getting your voice heard than when he first started. “Take advantage of the free promotion of the internet. It’s a whole new game. This is the time of the self made star.”

Dwele has been able to keep his personal life off the gossip sites, but he is not completely exempt from the media’s scrutiny. The crooner took a more comical approach when addressing certain rumors. Around his first album Dwele recalls hearing that he was gay. Instead of getting upset he took it as a sign that he finally made it.  “You know you’ve made it as a singer when they call you gay.”

When it comes to juggling his private and professional life, Dwele feels the two go hand in hand. “At the end of the day when you step off the stage, you have to go live a regular life. I want to be myself whether I’m on stage or not.”
Dwele is known for his mid-tempo and contemporary music. With every album he has been able to seductively sing his way into his fans hearts. The process of making an album can be tedious, and this time around, Dwele wanted to give fans something different. “I let the music dictate what I write. Really I just try to lock myself up. I grab inspiration from everyday living.” With each album the singer challenges himself by trying something new. Whether it’s an instrument or a concept, Dwele wants to keep growing as an artist. With W.ants W.orld W.oman he decided to express three different sides of him: the inner alter ego, his political awareness and his softer side (as he appropriately called it, baby making music). “I just really wanted to do something different and a little more creative. Its not saying I want worldly women, I’m just breaking it up into three different sections.”

Dwele has never been short of executing to his fans. From his first to his last, he has managed to deliver something new every time. With WWW hitting shelves next month, fans are sure to have a tasteful three-section album.

Words by Crystal Hardman

The Flexible silicone Illuminated Full Sized Keyboard is strong, silent and indestructible! It’s portable so you can just roll it up and take it with you! Coffee spills on your Keyboard? This computer device simply wipes clean with a damp cloth.

Never learned to type without looking at the keys? Now you can respond to those late night emails without the assistance of a blaring desk lamp! Late night blogging will never be the same….
·    Virtually indestructible
·    Washable and hygienic
·    Portable and storable
·    Dust-proof and water-resistant
·    EL illumination on/off
·    Simply wipe up any spilled liquid with a damp cloth
·    Fits in your briefcase, backpack or notebook carrying bag and you do not have to worry about any sharp edges
·    Full size keyboard measures: 19″ x 5.5″
System Requirements: Available USB or PS2 Port

http://www.perpetualkid.com/flexible-illuminated-keyboard.aspx

A Must Buy! This is a very functional camera and very easy to use. You just point-in-shoot and that’s it. Keep in mind it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles like a traditional video camera but for the money its a great buy. The upload feature on this camera is a superb and east to use. Price: $199.

Check out our promo video shot with the Flip UltraHD™. The grain in the video was added in post-production.

Features:

The Flip UltraHD™ camcorder combines Flip Video’s signature shoot-and-share simplicity with the power of vivid, vibrant HD video. With 2 hours of record time, you’ll never miss another minute again. And because of UltraHD‘s pocket-sized portability, you’ll truly be able to capture HD video anytime, anywhere.
Simple to Shoot

• Easy-to-use, pocket-sized HD camcorder
• Start recording within 3 seconds of power-up; simple user interface features one-touch recording, making HD video easier and more fun than ever
• Captures 2 hours of incredible HD video on 8GB of built-in memory; no additional memory needed
• Comes with Flip Video rechargeable AA battery pack (recharges when connected to USB); Power Adapter sold separately (buy now); Camcorder also functions with two standard AA batteries
• Large 2.0 inch anti-glare display to play back and delete videos
• Fast lens – great low or bright light results; 2x digital zoom
• Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your PC or Mac to launch pre-loaded FlipShare™ software
• FlipShare software makes it easy to email videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, capture still-image snapshots, and upload video to Facebook™, MySpace™, YouTube™ and other sharing sites
• HDMI™ output (mini-HDMI connector) makes it easy to watch video on your HDTV; Standard HDMI™ cables sold separately (buy now)
• Records high-quality H.264 videos that are compatible with most video-playing applications, including Windows Media Player, QuickTime Player, and iTunes
• Video: 16:9 widescreen, HD 720p (1280 x 720) at 30 frames per second (fps) progressive scan; recorded as MP4 files
• “Child Safe” mode to prevent accidental deletions of clips
• Silent mode for recording in sensitive situations
• Tripod mount fits any standard tripod

Simple to Share
Pre-loaded FlipShare™ software for instant viewing, editing, one-click emailing, and online sharing:

• Browse, play back, organize and archive your videos
• Create movies with video clips, music and titles
• Edit clips and create still-image snapshots from video
• Instantly upload to Facebook™, MySpace™, YouTube™ and other video sharing sites
• Share your videos privately using attachment-free emails or greetings cards (free and unlimited video sharing)
• Create private Flip Channels to share your videos with groups of family and friends

Purchase Here

Where would we be without our supporting cast? Peyton Manning wouldn’t have time to throw, captains would be swabbing their own decks, and the Dunder Mifflin paper company’s brainstorming meetings wouldn’t be considered entertainment. Success typically depends on behind-the-scenes help, and your body is no different.

Vincent Thomas Leman is the creative mind behind Dust Furniture along with his wife Jessica. Dust Furniture was founded in Valparaiso, Indiana in 2005, but they have been making furniture since 2001. The married duo makes furniture right out of their imaginations and sketches it onto paper. From there the sketch is scanned onto a computer.  To design intricate creations such as these can take months, or even years, because it requires a lot of discipline and preciseness.

What sparks the minds of these two? It could be anything from a shape, curve or a simple movement.  The inspiration behind the name Dust Furniture came with the idea that imprinting the company’s name on each piece of furniture would remind the buyer to keep their pieces clean and dust free.

Vincent strays away from the straight lined furniture and gives buyers abstract one of a kind artwork. Everything is presented with a name, which all have different stories behind the creation. The cabinets and clocks look like props out of an Alice in Wonderland movie, but Vincent still invents furniture that is suitable for that empty corner in your house. And for those that are eco conscious, everything that is used to make the furniture is recyclable; from the paint to the packaging.

An interesting piece titled “Together We Can,” contains three cabinets stacked upon each other. The inspiration comes from Acrobats that were lifting each other up to reach a high goal. All of his cabinets are made stretched, curved and stacked together with unusual shapes and sizes.

Even though Vincent considers his creations to be traditional, he “strives to create furniture that is functional to the degree that it may be successfully integrated into daily life, yet–equally important–provides a spark to brighten the routine of daily life.”

http://dustfurniture.com

By Crystal Hardman

Mayer Hawthorne grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, just outside of Detroit. He vividly remembers as a child driving with his father, and tuning the car radio in to the rich soul and jazz history the region provided. “Most of the best music ever made came out of Detroit,” claims the singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who count Isaac Hayes, Leroy Hutson, Mike Terry, and Barry White among his influences. However, he draws the most inspiration from the music of Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, the legendary songwriting and production trio of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, and Eddie Holland Jr.

The “retro” tag is added to almost any contemporary work that sounds like it was originally recorded between 1966 and 1974. Hawthorne, among the newest contributors to the genre, is aware of how trends come and go. After being introduced to Stones Throw label head Peanut Butter Wolf by mutual friend Noelle Scaggs of the Rebirth, even his current boss was skeptical. “He showed me two songs and I didn’t understand what I was listening to,” Wolf recalls. “I asked him if they were old songs that he did re-edits of – I couldn’t believe they were new songs and that he played all the instruments.”

And after meeting in person, it was even harder for Wolf to believe that Hawthorne was also the lead vocalist. Few expect such heartfelt sentiment to come from a 29-year-old white kid from Ann Arbor, but he has caught the ear of his family at Stones Throw, as well as BBC Radio 1 host Gilles Peterson and producer/DJ Mark Ronson. Expectations are high for the admitted vinyl junkie who never planned on taking his crooning public. Hawthorne’s hanging-by-a-string falsetto and breakbeat production on his first recorded effort, the tender “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out,” are simultaneously Smokey and J Dilla – equal parts “The Tracks of My Tears” and “Fall in Love.” “It’s soul,” he explains, “But it’s new.”

Hawthorne has produced and played instruments for much of his life, but never intended to become a singer. He isn’t formally trained, and never sang in the church choir or in any of the bands he was in before founding the County (formerly the County Commissioners). But here he is, new school soul sensation, who has taken the Motown assembly-line production model and eliminated nearly every element, but himself and a few hired hands. “I think Mayer is the only artist in the history of the label that I’ve signed after hearing only two songs,” says Peanut Butter Wolf. “Sometimes, you just know it’s the right thing to do.”

And for those willing to believe anything is possible, be grateful to have Mayer Hawthorne on the scene. It’s not just throwback music anymore – this revival is all about progression.

By Ronnie Reese

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