Broadway Musical 'Passing Strange' comes to Seattle (via @ACTtheatre)

One of my favorite musicals has touched down in Seattle, and I'm thrilled to have scored tickets to a preview show this week.

"Featuring LeRoy Bell (The X Factor), this award-winning Broadway hit is finally taking the Seattle stage. Passing Strange is a young black musician’s odyssey of self-discovery, complete with sex, drugs, and above all, rock-and-roll. It’s a musical, but don’t expect show tunes or sequins. Instead, this gritty, heartfelt show will shake the house—and your conceptions of manhood, race, and identity." -  A Contemporary Theatre

The show is slated to run through 6/29 at the ACT Theatre in downtown Seattle (7th and Union). Tickets are $40 and can be purchased in person at the box office (Tues-Sun) or online (there's an additional service fee). Check out the trailer below!

Beard Season: Know your History

The official start of summer is only a few weeks away and I know some dudes are deciding whether or not to ditch their beards. Before I lose my shit and go on a rampage regarding how all men look 1000% better with facial hair, I thought it might be nice to give everyone a formal history on beards! Yes, there are levels to this shit...

Blending Zury 'Wet and Wavy' Jerry Curl Sew-in with my Natural Hair

So, I totally meant to post this video back in April, but you know the usual excuses... life got in the way, I was busy with work, wrapping up a class, getting ready to travel... just doing me. So, yeah... this is late lol.

Blending. It's one of the most important aspects of a sew-in and was at the forefront of my concerns when using the 'Wet and Wavy' hair. Overall, I was happy to try out the Wet and Wavy hair because I felt it was a good match for my actual hair texture. When straight, the hair had texture to it and blended easily. I also enjoyed having my hair and the weave sweat out at the same rate. That's winning, all day, every day.

Below is a quick video showing how the hair blends.

Using Instagram Pics to make a Custom Phone Case (Via @Sticky9HQ)

Last year I blogged about discovering StickyGram (now known as Sticky9), and how they allowed me to transform my favorite Instagram pics into magnets. Well, Sticky9 has lured me in once again, this time with a customized iPhone case!

I didn't know which direction I wanted to go, but opted to create an homage to myself in honor of being awesome and turning 30 this month. It probably looks a bit egotistical, but it's basically taking my love of photography, selfies, phone cases and my many moods... then slapping them together old school collage style. Plus, this is pretty much as custom as a phone case can get.

The cases retail for $34.99 and come with free worldwide shipping. If the phone case isn't your speed, you can still choose the magnets or tablet case. Icing on the cake - - Use code FRIENDMAA5  to receive 15% off your order! 

Review: Forever21 Strapless Floral Skort Dress

Full disclosure: I still shop at Forever21. I'll be 30 next month, and at least twice a month I head into the retail chain and look for cheap, yet fashionable finds. Last week I snagged the cutest skort romper. Yes, you read that correctly... skort. Everything that was hot in the 90s is making a come back and skorts are no different.

I don't usually write reviews on F21's site, but after buying this romper and wearing it out for a recent date night, I absolutely HAD to share with everyone how amazing this dress/skort/romper is.

Most readers know I'm 5'2" and rather petite, but curvy. My official measurements are 34DDD-31-41.5, so it can be hard to find something that fits and is flattering. I bought a size Large and it fits perfectly!!! The added material that drapes over the romper, which makes it a skort, is lovely. The fit is comfortable, while the length is a bit short, but tasteful since this is a skort set. I truly wish they made this in other colors because I would buy one of each.

It's always difficult to find something that flatters my shape, but F21 nailed it with this. It's very cute in person. If I would've only seen it online I may have passed, but seeing it in store was great.

If you're short and busty, give this skort a try. You'll be pleased.The romper is a steal at $22.80 and can be purchased here.

Sh*t gets real when you're playing taboo...

Last night I played Taboo for the first time, and let me tell y'all... folks were not giving me ANY fucks as a newbie lol. It took me a few rounds to truly grasp the way the game should be played, but soon after I got the hang of it.

Now, I've come to realize I'm not the best "captain" of a team or description giver, but I do thrive as a guesser. Thus, if you're someone who describes words like a G pick me for your squad.

On another note, check out my neighbor (aka Fresh Prince of SEA) heckling the shit out of me with that buzzer lol...