One of the best magazines out right now covering black culture is Clutch. They are a monthly online mag that updates daily with a blog that covers current events, fashion and music. Growing up I was an Essence chick, I always wanted to be in the magazine (Hell, who am I kidding, I still do, lol) but the flava and content that I grew up on with Susan Taylor is gone. I have not brought a copy since last year and it deeply saddens me. However, Clutch does it for me, and I look forward to being up in there very soon.

A new blog, Riclectic that showcases blacks in interior design has gotten laidback. Ri Henson has put together a great blog of designers doing there thing. Even in it’s infancy I have found the blog to be extremely informative and a great read. I am exited to be a featured designer on the site. Check it out.

I am an avid reader who likes to stay abreast of what the streets are saying, wearing, debating, and rocking. That helps me to define and develop and grow my own ideas, opinions, and creations. So today let me share what Laidback is reading. I met a cat named Kenneth Brown last night as he hosted a business development seminar. He blessed me with his new book From Welfare to Faring Well that I immediately dug into on the train last night. It’s an easy and inspiring read thus far, I’ll hit you back with the full scoop this weekend. I am also reading City magazine which has great art direction and is always on the cusp of what’s hot in fashion and culture in all of the major cities of the World, and now they offer their back issues online for free.
Swindle, another great magazine with crazy art direction, layout and content is also what I am diggin in presently and always leaves me with a ton of inspiration for new designs. Get brain, must read. Share some of your favorite reads.

Let’s take a trip to the library and see what inspires laidback. laidback is inspired by the streets, with a high regard for hip hop. Before laidback could even come at you we had to get our game tight which means keeping our minds right so we studied “Think and Grow Rich A Black Choice” by Dennis Kimbro, I told you guys how hype I was too meet him last month. “How to Be A Guide to Contemporary Living for African Americans” by Harriet Cole who is now heading it up over at Ebony magazine is a muct read for proper decorum. Now for design inspiration I run to Martha Coopers’ Hip Hop Files and Subway Art, as well as Sneaker Freaker, the book and the site. I have collected and read so many books and want so many more, that I think at some point I am going to add an amazon book store to the site with my picks, because there are so many more like Tricia Guild Pattern: Using Pattern to Create Sophisticated, Show Stopping Interiors, and Marimekko: Fabrics, Fashion, Architecture, these two books are great resources for color and pattern, while the pattern itself might not be your style the layouts and the color usage and graphics is bananas! Like I said there is so much more, later this week I will also hit you with some of the best magazines that inspire from all over the world that inspire laidback. While kickin back stylishly, chilling at the pad bedecked in laidback, don’t just be stylish, read style.

I had the privilege of partying with the publishers of a great new magazine that is representing the voice of our youth, Say It Loud a few weeks ago.
I met Kayinde through a friend at dinner one night and we chatted about goals and what we are doing. She left me with one of the issues that was a great read form cover to cover. Great styling, interviews and real talk all written and produced by our future… teens and young adults. It is a must read. I also had the good fortune to advertise in the current issue. Check out the site, become their friend, and pass it on.