What I’m Listening To This Week

Here’s what I’m listening to right now:

Image via Direct Lyrics

Song: Same Old Love

Artist: Selena Gomez

Best Line: You left in peace, left me in pieces

I haven’t loved a lot of the stuff Selena has come out with in the past couple of years, but this song is so chill and catchy that you just can’t help but bob your head to the beat.

 

Image via Press Play OK

Song: Start A Riot

Artist: Banners

Best Line: I will wade through the fire and smoke like sunlight through the haze

Why Listen: You know all those star-crossed lover stories: epic, persistent, and endlessly romantic. Now think of this concept forged into a single, beautiful piece of music. Welcome to this song.

 

Image via KLCC

Song: My Song 5 (Remix)

Artist: Haim ft. A$AP Ferg

Best Line: Missing you never led to much of anything

Why Listen: Straight badassery. I don’t know how else to put this. The drums hit you to the core in the exact way you want them to, the vocals distilled bitterness incarnate, and that guitar is just sick. Thank the lord for these sisters.

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Fitting Name For These Cray Twins (Legend Movie Review)

Tom Hardy is remarkable.

But really, though. This film about the Kray twins who ran London’s underground in the 1960s is a fantastic ride for a number of reasons. First, we have the incredible performance by Hardy, playing two very distinct and wonderful roles: Ronnie and Reggie Kray. The cinematography was beautiful, the costumes spectacular, and the soundtrack enjoyable.

But, my favorite part about this film was not necessarily Hardy’s performance. There was something about the story unfolded. You know from the start that these are bad guys, guys who willingly chose a life of violence and criminal behavior. But regardless, they’re likable characters and you sympathize with them anyway. However, as the movie continues, you begin to realize more and more just how far from normal these twins are: adding beautiful subtleties to the complexity of the brothers, their relationship with each other and others.

Go see it. You won’t be disappointed.

Featured image via Mirror

Back to Black: 10 Ways to Wear Black

Yes, black will always be chic. Black will always be in. It is always a good idea to have black items in your closet. Having too much black may get you thinking that there’s not too many ways to style this color (lack of color? I can never remember), but don’t worry: I’ve got 10 ways to wear black right here.

1) Accessorize

Image via Bloglovin/Image via Sarah Sarna

Add a simple pair of cuffs or go dripping with jewels. However you want to wear it is up to you: use color, wear some statement jewelry, the possibilities are endless. With a simple black outfit, you can pile on whatever you please and never worry about over-accessorizing.

2) Leather Jacket

Image via Bloglovin/Image via Who What Wear

Every girl needs a leather jacket. It’s one of those staple items that always looks cool and never goes out of style. Whether you want to go with a simple biker jacket or jazz it up with studs and rhinestones is all up to you.

3) Layered

Image via mmmchai/Image via They All Hate Us

Black on black on black. The key to layering with black clothes is the same as any other kind of layering, just make sure all your layers are of that one, oh-so-stylish, monochromatic hue.

4) Suited Up

Image via Harpers Bazaar/Image via The Coveteur

I love a good suit. It’s edgy and classy all at once: especially so if all you’re wearing is black. Go for a pin-striped look or a more silky feel. Either way, you’ll be looking super slick and chic.

5) Retro

Image via Make It Last/Image via Lucky Shops

Who says you can’t have a throwback day and still rock it in all black? Don a 50’s style dress or go for 70’s boho flair: just make sure it’s all in black.

6) Top to Bottom

Image via Tumblr/Image via Life in Red Lipstick

This is one of the easiest ways to wear all black–and it looks good on everyone. All you need is three items: black shirt, black pants, and black shoes. BAM! You’ve got this look down.

7) Classy

Image via The Reformation/Image via Allezxandra

Add a string of pearls or a pop of red lips to a classy black look and people will be raving about your outfit all day long.

8) Lace

Image via Fashion Diva Design/Image via Shop Style

I’m rather fond of lacy looks: especially in black. Go for a high-fashion ensemble, or something a little simpler and more comfortable. Either way, the lace look is always fun and flirtatious.

9) Goth

Image via Trend Hunter/Image via Glam Radar

One of the more classic black looks. Similar to the layering look, the key is just to pile on a lot of black: whether it’s with a heavy jacket or a sheer top and tights, all black is the key. Don’t forget to top it off with a chic hat and put on your darkest shade of lipstick.

10) LBD

Image via A Love Is Blind/Image via Lextravagance

And we finish up with the most classic and simplest of black looks. Another staple item, every girl should have a little black dress in her closet (I happen to have 5). You can dress them up heels and fabulous earrings or dress them down with a pair of worn out Chucks. The LBD is a life-saver.

What are your favorite all black looks?

Featured Images from left to right: Image via Media Cache/Image via Fashion A to Z/Image via The Copper Sun

Trailers That Have Me Freaking Out

I LOVE myself some movies. Watching trailers and anticipating what movies you’re excited for is all part of the fun. Here are a few film trailers that have me freaking out.

1: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

If you haven’t seen this trailer, there’s a problem. This is history in the making. Watch the trailer. Honestly.

 

2: The Hateful Eight

As a Tarantino fan, I must say that with a stellar cast like this, you can be sure I’ll be one of the first lined up to see this film. I’m also looking forward to the soundtrack, something that always impresses me with Tarantino films, as well as how he’s going to play with this Western genre.

 

3. The Revenant

I. Love. This. Trailer. It’s brilliant, beautiful, and sets up the conflict so that we know exactly what we’re getting ourselves into when we sit down to watch the movie. The cinematography in the trailer alone is breathtaking and I cannot wait to see the brilliance of two actors like Hardy and DiCaprio in another film. Who’s excited? I’m excited.

 

4. Alice Through The Looking Glass

Two things you should know about me: 1) I much prefer Carroll’s Through The Looking Glass to the original Alice in Wonderland story. 2) I may be somewhat obsessed with Mia Wasikowska. So yeah, maybe I’m a little biased in my very present enthusiasm for this movie, but come on. It looks stunning already.

 

5. Deadpool

Yes. Finally. After they royally screwed up one of the cleverest Marvel characters in that X-Men movie we’d all like to forget, Deadpool is finally getting a second chance. And by the looks of this trailer, it’s gonna be good. The fight scenes will be brilliant, the banter will revel in its own explicit nature, and Deadpool will be allowed to be that merc with a mouth that we all love.

Featured Image

Images from left to right: Image via Screen Crush/Image via Comic Book/Image via YouTube

 

Join the Glamhive

I follow a ton of fashion bloggers. But sometimes, it can be frustrating. You know when your favorite fashion blogger has this fantastic outfit and you want to recreate it piece by piece?

No? Nobody? Just me? Well, fine.

But anyway, it’s frustrating, not being able to find the pieces you want to recreate the look for yourself. Well, you don’t need to stress any longer, because I have found the site for you.

Welcome to the Glamhive.

First, follow your favorite fashion bloggers on Glamhive. Then, find a look you love. Next, shop straight from the look.

That’s right. You can go directly from the fashion look to an online store where you can purchase the piece! And I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet. The more times you shop from Glamhive looks, the more points you get. Points can accumulate to equal gift cards at different retailers like Anthropologie, ASOS, Zara, and tons more!

Are you ready to join the Glamhive? Check it out here! And follow me @HBEASLEY to see my own fashion looks!

Featured image via Twitter.

Book Review: Between The World and Me

“In America, the injury is not in being born with darker skin, with fuller lips, with a broader nose, but in everything that happens after.” -Ta-Nehisi Coates

It took me a few weeks to read this book. Not because I didn’t have the time or because the language was particularly dense. But, everyone once in a while you stumble upon something that is so true and resonant, yet painful. Reading this book was not like experiencing a sharp, surprising pain. It was as if being reminded that the wound deep inside you was still there and it still hurt, throbbing.

People act like black people being treated badly in America is some newfound phenomena. Come up with slogans like “Black Lives Matter” or rebrand racism as “microaggressions.” No matter what name you give it, it isn’t new. These ideas and prejudices are deeply rooted in our country and we are still feeling the effects of what happened long ago.

The book gets to the heart of that. Constructed as a letter to his fifteen year-old son, Ta-Nehisi Coates describes the experience of being black in America through different moments in his life. Through beautiful, poignant language, he captures the fears and emotions of his own experience while juxtaposing them against his son’s experience as being black in America in a different situation as his father.

Everyone should read this book. I’m a firm believer in education, empathy, and understanding as the tools to heal racism and prejudice. Yes, this book is hard to read. It divulges truth we’d rather not here and presents ideas we’d rather not think of, but there is nothing more important than seeing and understanding these truths.

And once understood, the question still stands. What are you going to do about the truths you have learned?

Featured image via Elle.

What I’m Listening To This Week

Check out the songs I’m listening to this week:

Image via BET

Song: WTF

Artist: Missy Elliot

Best Line: I’m like kak-a-rak-a-rak-rak-a-rak-a-rak/Make a new track, make ’em fall on they crack

Why Listen: Um, it’s Missy’s brilliant comeback. And your new groove anthem. If you haven’t heard it before now, it’s time to get with the program.

 

Image via Idolator

Song: Downtown

Artist: Macklemore

Best Line: Neighbors yelling at me like, “You need to slow down.”/Going thirty-eight, Dan, chill the fuck out
/Mow your damn lawn and sit the hell down

Why Listen: You got a bit of nostalgia, a fantastic groove, and lyrics that’ll have you laughing the whole song long. And of course, a brilliant music video with some great dance moves for you up in the club. Thanks, Mack.

 

Image via Windish Agency

Song: Take It Easy

Artist: Jetta

Best Line: Black sky, keeping it light/All the time you stay away/Cold here, it’s never enough

Why Listen: This start has that powerful, soulful, Adele-esque drive and builds with awesome drums and gets a bit rock and roll near the climax. I’m a fan.