New Blogger On The Block: The SLS

Our new blogger on the block is:

The SLS by Teddy. 

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I was inspired by a journalism camp experience where a staff member at a local newspaper suggested I start a blog of my own. That lead to my first blog where I wrote about my favorite bands, groups, and music I listened to. The blog took off, but since my blog was mainly about Korean pop music, I felt restricted to only one genre of music. My friend, Shineh, found out about my blog and suggested we do one together. So we decided to create a blog that combined both our interest in celebrities and music,and produced The SLS.

What is the promise that you make to people who visit your blog?

We want to promote musical artists on our blog who may not receive the attention that they deserve. We hope by doing so, our reader's will be able to expand their taste in music,while the artists we promote receive more attention to their work.

Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?

Although I'm not a parent, I subscribe to MyBrownBaby. I love the style and voice that Denene Brown and the other posters give in their posts. The issues that they address in their topics may not be spotlighted in mainstream media, but they are all topics that affect the black community.

The Prophet, owner of Theprophetblog.net, is also another favorite of mine. He talks abut a wide range of music which include American, Japanese, and Korean pop music. I love his bluntness and how crafty he is when writing posts. He also does his research, so his opinions have weight. 

Brothers With No Game is another site that I subscribe to. It's written by four men from the United Kingdom who share their relationship advice and observations to their readers. They use lots of metaphors (comparing love to soccer) and real dialogue in their posts which helps their readers understand their view. Their site shows that that love is something people around the world can relate to.

I also subscribe to many bloggers and YouTube personalities who deal with natural hair. I've been transitioning for a year now and the advice I've received from these bloggers has been very helpful.Although there are many knowledgeable ladies that I could say influence me, I believe the one that inspires me the most is YouTuber Naptural85. I love her hair tutorials, and she give advice on how to tame your curls. Her videos are always professional and informing.

The SLS's Top Three Blog Posts:

Artist Spotlight: Introducing Jac Rip

Ayo JIn, Where You At?

The Real Reason Why Matt Barnes and Gloria Govan Split Up

New Blogger On The Block: Dime On A Dime

Our new blogger on the block is:

Dime On A Dime by Vee Gilbert

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I found that as a single mom of 2 girls, the days of splurging and spending money on myself were long gone! After years of denying purchases for myself in order to care for my children, I had a revelation: “I deserve to look and feel good too”. With that statement, I began researching and finding budget friendly, creative fashion alternatives that would allow me to look as beautiful as I felt. I coupled my background as a makeup artist and hair stylist with my new-found knack for finding and piecing together inexpensive outfits, and began putting ideas into the blogging atmosphere!

What is the promise that you make to people who visit your blog?

Viewers can expect to receive a host of budget friendly info and stylings on all things fashion or beauty related; including tips toward financial fitness, product reviews, beauty tutorials, outfit ideas and contests. I promise to make beauty on a budget easy & affordable.

Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?

Afrobella, JessieAdore, KurlyBella, and WhoWhatWear. 

Dime on a Dime's Top Three Blog Posts:

Financial Fitness Challenge Tip #1: Identify The Enemy!

Look For Less: Can’t Get Enough Of J.Crew Stripes!

Fabulous Thrifted Finds: Black Gold Studded Dress For $3.50

New Blogger on the Block: Brown Sugar

Our new blogger on the block is:

Brown Sugar by Nicole Nared.

Why did you decide to start blogging?

Like many food bloggers, I started my blog out of boredom. I began my food blog to share some of the foods that I was creating in my own kitchen. At the time, I had no idea how huge of an entity food blogging really was. So I quickly learned different aspects of food blogging such as recipe creating, photography, and the use of social media in efforts to make my blog successful. 

When I started to get my rhythm of creating and sharing my recipes, I started to wonder how I could separate myself from the rest of the food blogs out there. I didn't want another food blog. Therefore, I decided to begin blogging about different hot spots in the City of Cincinnati and Sex. Hence the tag line: Food, Citylife, Sex. When I first started my sex column, people thought it was based on the physical aspect of the subject but it is a place where I discuss variations around the subject such as the dichotomy between men and women in several aspects, the interplay of relationships, and how the physical act of sex plays as a key character in those relationships.

My food blog is my "baby". It is where I have the complete freedom to share good food, have great conversation, and share a little bit about my "hood". My vision for my blog is for it to become a meaningful platform in the African American community and a household name. I believe that eating good food is healing to the soul and talking is therapy. Therefore, my blog encompasses everything that people need to feel good.

When People come to your blog what will they find?

When people come to my blog people will find simple and comforting recipes, articles the demonstrate different "hot spots" in my city, and slightly controversial article based around the subject of sex.

What is the promise that you make to people who visit your blog?

I promise that people will eat good, want to visit Cincinnati, and want to have more open dialogue about different subject matters that goes on in relationships. Overall, people will want to come back.

Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?

My biggest blogging inspiration is Ree Drummond, also known as, The Pioneer Woman. Her story and tremendous success that she has received from her blog is very inspiring. Along with that, there are several other blogger that I follow pretty religiously such as The Duo Dishes, Sweetapolita, Kevin and Amanda, Annie Eats, Tasty Kitchen, and several others.

Brown Sugar's Top Three Blog Posts:

Mexican Meatballs

Rice Krispie Treat Popcorn

Blueberry French Toast

New Blogger On The Block: Hostal Malure

Our new blogger on the block is:

Hostal Malure by Hostal Malure.

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I absolutely love celebrity entertainment and interviewing different artist. It has been a passion of mines from years. I remember growing up and reading magazines thinking how I would love to work in that field.

When People come to your blog what will they find?

People will find honesty. I do not hold back on the way I'm feeling when I write post for my site. I don't bash anyone. However, I tell my opinion and allow readers to form their own.

What is the promise that you make to people who visit your blog?

I will never post a rumor.

Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?

Necole Bitchie.

Hostal Malure's Top Three Blog Posts:

Monica's 'New Life' Predicted to Have LOW Opening Sales

ARTICLE: Dear Black History Month, F*ck You #OpenLetter

Tipsy Alert: Top 4 Summer Drink Recipes

 A Sneak Peek 

New Blogger On The Block: SMDLR

Our new blogger on the block is:

 Smdlr, curating coffee culture by Chermelle D. Edwards.

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I love coffee, coffee shops, culture and the intersection of the three in relation to forming universal community. In every part of the world coffee plays a part in culture. But, without the people to consume coffee, frequent a coffee shop and commune over coffee and other goods, the industry wouldn't exist. In conceiving smdlr, I looked for something to marry my love of the Arts - film, music, fashion, literature - and coffee was the connector. Every single thing that I love, I can find within the coffee shop. My aim is to document and curate it wherever I am.

When People come to your blog what will they find?

Monthly readers will find photo essays and articles documenting independent coffee shops and roasters. Weekly, they will find diverse photo essays of regulars who frequent coffee shops. Monday’s and Wednesday they’ll usually find fashion posts on style as it appears in coffee shops. Tuesday, they will find a curated mixtape of songs played in coffee shops. Thursday, they’ll experience art currently exhibited in a coffee shop from within the U.S. or abroad accompanied by an interview with the artist. Friday, on the sites blog, they’ll find a “culture news” post informing them of events occurring in coffee shops. Given that Saturday many like to sit and sip coffee as a leisure activity on the weekends, Saturday’s post named (siplipSaturday) aims to direct readers to a sound (new , underground or vintage) that smdlr imagines playing in a coffee shop on a Saturday. Bi-Monthly on Sunday’s they can travel virtually with smdlr on a coffee crawl – visiting three coffee shops within walking distance in specific neighborhood sampling coffee and culture from three points of view. Lastly, readers can always hit the coffeetography tab, for a running tumblrlog of regulars and smdlr’s impromptu meetings and subsequent documentation.

What is the promise that you make to people who visit your blog?

I promise to be a curator of independent coffee culture. I promise to show you the face of the people - who are just like you and I, looking to connect with others. I promise to document what I feel is an independent revolution through the epicenter of the coffee shop – the coffee shop as a cultural institution, the roasters and farmers behind the beans, the fashion in coffee shop culture, the music played in coffee shops, the art on the walls of coffee shops and the people who keep these spaces alive. I promise to be my authentic self and to share my journeys through conversation and coffee with readers every time they visit. Ultimately, I promise to be me.

Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?

The blogs that inspire me are lecoil.tumblr, soul-surfer.com, karlas closet, guerreisms, the wild honey pie, the coveted, swagger New York, jak and jill, wit and delight, my damn blog, and many more.

SMDLR'sTop Three Blog Posts:

Feature : Sweetleaf LIC

Art : Tommy Yoon : Los Angeles, DripLA

Music: siplipSaturday : 19 on six with a side of sig