Hi there.

It’s me CJ

You know, the other PNC who isn’t off gallivanting in NYC.

I’ll admit for a while and even still I am a bit #jealous of my other PNCs Aisha and Aaron living it up/interning in the Big Apple– attending lavish events, listening parties, and eating $1 jumbo sliced pizzas while I’m reduced to the $5 variety. I mean as much as I say I don’t like it, it is New York, where shit gets done.

Well, I’ve been holding the fort at MESH.’s home in Washington, D.C. and recently got my own internship grind on at Discovery Communications (Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, etc…oh and Oprah’s new network). Today was my first day and as exciting as that might be, I was overwhelmed by not only my new company’s relaxed and fun atmosphere but by the fashion choices of its new interns. Thus, I have been inspired.

—

Ok, summer internships. You know, the resume builders you work all second semester securing–going through countless applications and several nerve jabbing interviews. I understand there is a certain requirement of dress for the interviews (dark, boring, business professional) but now that you’ve secured the job, it’s time to have a little fun.

Even if your internship doesn’t require a certain style of dress, constantly remind them visually why they hired you. Play with fun summer colors but never look too casual. Guys, dress shirts (lightweight) are your best friend while summer chinos and linen pants teeter that casual/dressed line appropriately. Ladies, you should already know. Don’t shy away from bold statements and always have fun with accessories and soft colors that stand out without shouting “HI, I AM HERE AT THE OFFICE!”

It’s easy to find cool inexpensive styles for the summer and for that summer internship. Aside from thrift stores, favorites like H&M, Urban Outfitters, and Zara are constantly promoting sales for summer dress and have a few winter items for the low that can be effective in any season.Oh and don’t be afraid to pick up a couple items from Target or Wal-Mart (style doesn’t discriminate). For instance, my attire for my first day (business professional required) consisted of lightweight linens, a summer blazer, and simple yet stylish tie…and the cost?… Well, here’s the breakdown.

That’s right, for around $130 or less you can have a complete and stylish business professional look if you shop at the right places. Not to brag, okay, to brag–I turned heads at my internship and received several compliments, including my boss (the person who matters). It’s not hard to look the part and remember you want to continue to look the part day in and day out.

Looking for summer suits? check out your nearest H&M as well  as Uniqlo in NYC (they have a couple of $89 full suits–you can’t beat that).

Hope your summer internships are going great. You’ve worked hard so enjoy it!

Cj..

MESH.

Music.Edge.Style.Heaven

—

Last January MESH. was birthed from the minds of Aisha Johnson, Aaron Randle, & CJ Trahan II.

Last January the world was introduced to music, edge, style, and a bit of heaven.

Last January the MESHlife was created.

Last January it all began.

MESH. is excited to be celebrating our first birthday this month. Though we don’t have a particular date, January 2009 is a special month for the blog. It took the coincidental merge of three driven young individuals (the PNCs) to form the force that is MESH. The blog has quickly grown into a well-known entity in the blogosphere and is continuing to grow past all expectations. With the latest music, fashion, and lifestyle posts, MESH. has garnered the respect of many businesses and fellow lifestyle blogs. 2009 was an unforgettable year for the blog and it survived many struggles. But it’s a new year, and a new day and the MESH. PNCs are ready (along with you) to take the MESHlife to a new plateau of success. We would like to thank all of our supporters, especially those special few who have been down with us from day one (you know who you are).

Feel free to contact us as always @

Contact@theMeshlife.com

Twitter.com/theMESHlife

Also contact the PNCs personally @

Aisha

(Aisha@themeshlife.com)  (http://twitter.com/itsAK47)

Aaron

(Aaron@themeshlife.com)  (http://twitter.com/Boywonder11)

Cj

(Cj@themeshlife.com)  (http://twitter.com/CreoleJDeux)

MESH.

We here at MESH. just want to wish everyone a beautiful, blessed, and safe Thanksgiving.

Go on. Go eat and get fat. Be thankful for the food!

MESH.

MESH. now has an official Twitter page! Follow us for updates on our latest posts and events!

MESH. 

What do John Legend, India Arie, Maxwell, Estelle, Aretha Franklin and Musiq Soulchild have in common?

Aside from breathtaking and classically soulful music, they have all shared the same opening act; a talented, enthusiastic, Irish/Nigerian songstress with a beautiful voice whose looking to take the R&B/Soul genre to new, unchartered territories. Her name is Laura Izibor and her sound is uniquely her own. Reminiscent of vintage and piano driven soul, Laura’s debut album Let The Truth Be Told is a classic and was featured on MESH.‘s “The Soundtrack of 2009: The Best Thus Far” [here].

Laura Izibor did the honor of opening for Musiq Soulchild at Howard University’s Homecoming R&B Concert this year and gave MESH. the privilege of catching up with her before her performance.

—

Let’s start with the popular question, how did you get started?

Laura: I got started by accident. In grade school, my teacher asked everyone to get up and sing. I had never sung a day in my life. So I got up and sang a line from “There Can Be Miracles” by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. That was the beginning; my teachers and classmates were like “Oh! You can sing!” That’s how I discovered I could sing, so then I started playing around with the piano and began teaching myself.  Songwriting was the next inevitable step and by 14 or 15 I was like I really want to do this. I began entering song competitions, sending demos off, and then I got my break when I was 16.  I showcased and then at 17 I got signed to my record label.

Your album is titled Let The Truth Be Told, so what truths did you want to reveal with this album?

Laura: Just my truth in life, in my own life and love. You know I was able to write the whole album so that it was nobody else’s vision or story. From one person to the next you’re able to put the album on and from beginning to end and say, “Ok, so this is what actually goes on in her life.” You’re able to feel that intimacy.

My personal favorite tracks from the album are “Mmm” and “The Worst is Over,” what are yours? Which are your favorites to perform?

Laura: Mmm, well they’re all like my babies! It’s hard to pick a favorite but I do love “What Would You Do” and I love “Mmm.” Oh! I love “I Don’t Want You Back” as well because to me it’s the irony of life when you’re over someone, they come knocking at the exact point you’re really over them and they want you back and it’s like that song is playing “Nope! I don’t want you back!”

So this is your first Howard University Homecoming, are you excited to be in D.C. and for Homecoming?

Laura: I am! I’m getting more and more excited because everyone else is so excited, you know?

What ways are you looking to broaden your fan base in the U.S?

Laura: I tour a lot. I just got off tour with John Legend, Maxwell, and India Arie. That’s where I’m happiest. I love performing. I get a lot of movies, TV slots and things like that. People can hear you in different ways.

So what sets you apart from the artist you’ve just mentioned and what makes you MESHworthy?

Laura: I think, I play an instrument, I write everything, I’m Black and I’m Irish, (Laughter) I keep saying that, it makes me original!  I don’t think it’s a competition, we are all individuals born with wonderful gifts and what music you make is a reflection of that.

Okay, last question for some fun. Is there any cool slang or saying from Ireland you can teach me really quick?

Laura: Um, you can…. actually no I won’t, that’s kind of bad. If something’s really good you can say rapid!

So, “That was rapid!”?

Laura: Exactly, or you can say deadly!

—

With music as deadly or rapid as hers, we are sure that Laura’s career will continue to blossom as she continues to offer uniquely raw and soulful music. If you are interested in her music, go get her album Let The Truth Be Told, which dropped June 16, you won’t be dissappointed.

-Cj

MESH.

thought you should know:

It’s my birthday.

Cj

Get a glimpse of us doing what we do best…..cooking up excellence in ‘the lab’.

What’s on the agenda?

MESH. PNCs

Expect big things in the coming weeks.

[The Scenario]

The MESH. PNC‘s were all innocently enjoying their Sunday evenings:

Aisha-Just getting out of seeing Orphan…mentally preparing herself to drive a truck.

Aaron-Still recuperating from a lavish loft party.

Cj- Getting his ass kicked in a game of Monopoly.

[Then out of nowhere, they discover]

MESH. is a finalist in two categories (Best New Blog, Best Group Blog) for the 2009 Black Weblog Awards!

Excitement? (Hell yeah!)

MESH.| Music. Edge.Style.Heaven. would like to say thank you to all who have continually supported us. We didn’t realize the success we could accomplish and owe in large part to you guys. We ask that you continue to stand by us as we grow into an unstoppable force.  We’re delighted that the MESHlife has become a legitimate lifestyle and encourage everyone to dwell in it and get lifted!

Now, the work isn’t over yet. We need for you to go [HERE] and vote for MESH. in categories 9 & 16 (Those are the only ones you have to worry about as you can only vote for a certain number of categories). Help us achieve this award and spread the word about the awards as well as our blog.

THANK YOU!

MESH.

So I came across this….

And I was forced to remember just how dope IPO is and how they will soon be a force to reckon with.

If you foolishly forgot. Go find out a little more about IPO [here].

Cj

The event will take place on Thursday, August 20th

At Tabaq Bistro on U St. In Washington, DC at 9pm

(Exact Address Of The Venue Will Be Given Upon RSVP)

RSVP
e-mail: meshcontact@gmail.com

Bish Please. Birds been got this worm.

You’re Late. List [closed].

MESH.

Music. I once said to my MESH. PNC Aisha and roommate Tallas, music is the driving force in our lives. It’s the rhythm to which we channel emotions, the beat to how we handle situations, and the soundtrack to our soul. Deep right? Well, here at MESH. we like to know what our viewers have etched into their musical spirits. We want to know….what four songs are on heavy rotation on your iPod and can’t seem to leave your head? But first, we offer ours.

Aisha:

1. Chameleon- Christian Milian

2. Winner- Drake

3. Regret-LeToya Luckett

4. Want It- Lloyd

Aaron:

1. When You Hear the Baseline – Major Lazer feat. Ms. Thing

2. Crumbling Therapy- Overdoz

3. Winner- Drake

4. Ask Them Hoes- Lil’ Wayne

Cj:

1. Whatever You Want- Consequence ft. Kanye West & John Legend

2. Playing Possum- Maxwell

3. Regret- LeToya Luckett

4. It Would Be- Trey Songz

We are really anxious to see the comments on this one. So again we ask…

What are your top 4 songs of the moment?

Cj

Yes, Volume II of The Music presented by us here at MESH has arrived. It’s titled Couple’s Therapy and has the R&B lover in mind. Everyone’s relationships can go through break ups and then oddly right into sensual make ups, it’s part of the fun. Come on a journey with 22 tracks that all relate to our deepest emotions: love & lust. Whether your relationship is having the “Troubles” of Act I, the “Break Up” of Act II, the longing, missing, and reminiscing of Act III, or the ultimate make up–the best “Couple’s Therapy” (SEX) of Act III, this mixtape is sure to please. 

WARNING: If you are looking for a lot of club bangers this is not the mixtape for you, try (MESH MIXTAPE VOLUME I HERE) or wait a couple more weeks for our summer jam mixtape coming soon.

And yes, I’m aware the tracklisting numbers got a little jumbled. Oh, well haha.

(DOWNLOAD MESH MIXTAPE VOLUME II:COUPLE’S THERAPY HERE)

Also stay tuned for the next mixtape filled with jams for the summer.

MESH.

First. Let me apologize that the post have been lacking as of late. We are just trying to get back into the swing of things from Spring Break and other episodes in our lives. The posts will return!!

In the mean time you can surely follow us on twitter. You know that addictive little site. (You know you want to!)

Cj= http://twitter.com/CjTII

Aaron= http://twitter.com/BoyWonder11

and we shall post Aisha’s after we force her to get one.

-peace.