Although we dedicate only one day a year to saving the globe, every day should really be Earth Day. It’s important to be conscious of the effects we have on the environment not only as individuals, but as an entire species. Making little efforts daily can really add up in the long run. For example, buying a pair of Nudie Jeans from Next, which are made from organic denim, is a great way to support companies whose businesses don’t harm the planet. In addition to buying eco-friendly products, here are some things you can do in your every day life to ensure the longevity of the Earth and future for our planet.
-Replace plastic water bottles and paper coffee cups with reusable cups and mugs
-Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs)
-Pay bills online, eliminating paper statements, invoices and promotional material.
-Use public transportation more often to take one more cars off the road and save carbon emissions and gasoline.
-Recycle plastic and paper at home and at work.
-Save up to 80 percent of the energy required to wash clothes by using cold water.
-Plant a tree in your backyard. One tree can offset tons of carbon over its lifetime.
Every little bit helps. Do your part to keep the planet clean.
As we recently celebrated Earth Day, it’s important to recognize the effect our actions have on the environment. Every effort we make to live a green lifestyle helps to save our planet. One thing you can do is come to NEXT for some Nudie Jeans.
The denim used to make Nudie Jeans is produced from organic cotton. The Nudie Jeans company is ahead of the competition when it comes to being ecologically conscious and environmentally savvy. They not only use organic cotton, they use green processes in the dyeing and the finish of the yarn used in their production. Using products like potato starch and pre-reduced indigo not only help to keep the jeans chemical free, but it fits into the standards of remaining an ec0-friendly brand.
When you pick up a pair of Nudie Jeans from NEXT, you not only can feel good about how they look and fit, but you can feel good about how they were made. You know that your great pair of Nudie Jeans is made from natural products and the Nudie Jeans Company is helping the environment one pair at a time.
Antoine L. Dunn can be characterized as many things: a talented man, a former Cleveland Heights Tiger, a singer, and a musician. His music, however, is not as easily categorized. Although derived mostly from Soul, Dunn’s voice has transcended genre to create a sound all his own. I was excited to sit down with the International musician to learn more about his music and the man behind it.
1.) How would you best describe your musical style?
Antoine L. Dunn: I would say the best way to describe my music style would be to say my music is “Smooth.” It’s easy and comforting on the ears.
2.) When did you discover your musical talent?
Dunn: I discovered my musical talent when I was about 11 years old. I challenged myself to write a bedtime song for my girlfriend at the time and that’s how songwriting started for me.
3) Who is your musical inspiration?
Dunn: I have many musical inspirations. From an artist point-of-view, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, and John Legend are all great sources of inspiration. From a production aspect, I’m truly inspired by a few good friends of mine: Tony Nicholas, Randy Bowland, and Marc “MDoc” Williams.
4.) Who inspires you in life?
Dunn: My mother is by far the biggest inspiration for my life. Fighting a 15-year breast cancer battle has proven her to be the most influential life fighter I know. Her legend makes me fight for my legend as a singer, songwriter, and music producer every day of my life.
5.) What is your favorite article of clothing?
Dunn: I’d have to say the collared shirt is my favorite article of clothing. It can be classy, stylish, but yet relaxed at the same time.
6.) What makes you different from other artists?
Dunn: True Stories. I’d say 90+% of the art I create is from a true life experience. When a fan hears my music, they are really seeing directly into my life. I’m not hiding. I’m putting all my emotions on the table for the listener to hear. I’m looking to mend broken hearts.
7.) What is your favorite cocktail?
Dunn: Don’t know, but I’ll take suggestions.
8.) What’s the best kept secret about Cleveland?
Dunn: There is opportunity for advancement in music, and the entertainment business. Many people say that Cleveland has no opportunity for people striving to be successful in music and entertainment, but I know different. The main ingredient to finding hidden opportunity in a market like Cleveland is professionalism.
9.) Who would you love to record a track with?
Dunn: I would absolutely love to record a track with Choklate, an amazing female singer and songwriter that I really look forward to meeting one day.
10.) What has been the most fulfilling experience of your life?
Dunn: The most fulfilling moment of my life is right now. Just to wake up and to know I am living my life’s purpose is fulfillment enough for me. I’ve been able to accomplish so much by living for right now, so I’ll keep it that way.
11.) What was the worst job you ever had?
Dunn: I sold newspaper subscriptions from grocery stores for three weeks.
12.) Who are the Top 5 artists in your ears right now?
Dunn: Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, James Morrison, John Mayer, Antoine L. Dunn
13.) What is your favorite place to travel to?
Dunn: Thailand is my favorite place to travel to!
14.) What is one thing you want to achieve before you leave this earth?
Dunn: I would like to receive a Grammy Award for all my years of dedication to my art in songwriting and producing music.
15.) What’s next for Antoine Dunn?
Dunn: Well, Cleveland’s own Avant and I will be in live concert at Playhouse Square April 30th for Avant’s Kiss Goodbye Tour! On May 31, my solo EP “Miss My Love” will be released worldwide. We will announce the release party details within the next few weeks on my website www.antoineldunn.com. The record is currently available online for pre-order!
I appreciate Antoine Dunn sitting down with me. He is a one talented man. You can learn more about him not only by visiting his website www.antoineldunn.com but you can also follow him on twitter @AntoineLDunn.
You can purchase tickets to see him open for Avant on April 30 by clicking here. It’s going to be an amazing show.
Antoine L Dunn’s official music video for his song “Choose Or Get Chossz”
Every Tuesday night, people gather in the underground, dimly-lit booths of the bside on Coventry in Cleveland Heights. They are there to experience something incredible. They have been experiencing Tuesday nights like this for the last 15 years. It’s a place where people from the Cleveland area can go to showcase their talents. They may not pursue these talents professionally, but they save them for Tuesday nights to share with the bside crowd. They are poets, singers, emcees and musicians. There’s a fantastic house band that picks up on the rhythms of the speakers and creates a soundtrack behind them. It’s an impromptu jam session mixed with a poetry slam in an environment that reminds me of an underground jazz club.
Every time I go, I am inspired. I am not only inspired by the words that are spoken or the songs that are performed, but I am inspired at the fact that people who you would never guess have these talents get on the stage and give a piece of themselves to the crowd. The performances are so raw and real. It’s truly something I wish everyone could experience. Some of these poets deliver words that can be quite profound. Some of their messages will remain in my thoughts for days after I hear them. If you haven’t been to the bside to see it for yourself, here’s a preview of what you’re missing.
Spring is a time for the sun to shine but don’t think your wrist can’t give it competition. These women’s accessories at NEXT Beachwood are the perfect way to complete your favorite looks this season.
In honor of Earth Week, I wanted to sample some local restaurants who use organic ingredients or ingredients grown locally. I came across an amazing little spot in Highland Heights right off of Route 271 called Naya Bistro & Lounge.
The restaurant was chic and contemporary. Definitely a great place to take a date for dinner. I arrived during Happy Hour and was surprised at how great the specials were. $5 glasses of house wine, $5 appetizer menu, and $7 martinis.
The staff was incredibly personable and friendly. I even made friends with the bartender Diane. She informed me that Naya is home to a variety of organic wines and that some of their cocktails are even made with organic liqueur. I had the opportunity to taste a new signature cocktail of theirs that contains organic cucumber liqueur. It was one of the most refreshing things I have ever tasted. Definitely a concoction fit for a warm summer day.
Diane had also made a martini called a Patriot Martini that was red white and blue. The colors separated perfectly and the cocktail gave me drink ideas for this summer’s Fourth of July festivities.
The Happy Hour menu had a wonderful selection ranging from chicken egg rolls to pita pizzas. I ordered the Margherita Pita Pizza, Potato Skins and Chicken Egg Roll. The portions were a good size; just enough to share with a friend but not so much that you couldn’t eat it all yourself. The essence of the food really spoke to the freshness of the ingredients. The pizza tasted of fresh tomatoes. It’s proof that organic and locally grown ingredients make a difference in the quality and flavor of the food.
The potato skins also had a unique twist. Instead of using traditional russet potatoes, Naya uses red skin potatoes. I enjoyed the consistency of the red skin potatoes better because the potatoes did not overwhelm the other ingredients. Sometimes russet potatoes can be thick and overbearing. Naya has really mastered the perfect balance of potato, bacon, sour cream and green onions. The dish was served on a plate of greens and with a cheese sauce, which added to the presentation.
The chicken egg roll was hearty and contained chicken, cabbage, red peppers, and sesame oil. They were served with a sweet and sour sauce. If I was blindfolded, I would have thought that these egg rolls were made fresh from an Asian restaurant. It really took my taste buds to a trip Far East.
I am so glad I stumbled across Naya. Not only was the food delicious, but the staff was a joy to be around. It will definitely be a place that I visit again and again, especially during the Happy Hour (Monday through Thursday from 4pm to 7pm). If I were to give this experience a grade, it would definitely get an A. It is a chic, trendy restaurant that doesn’t give you a stuffy feeling. It was a great atmosphere with a great staff and great cuisine to match.
We had our friends from LDRS in Chicago come down for the launch of their Spring ’11 collection exclusively at Next. Tensions may have flared over the proceedings of NBA playoff basketball, but everyone kicked back on the raining Saturday afternoon and witnessed the Bulls come back against the Pacers on the livestream. Enough about that, if you missed out, take a look at the pics.
… and remember what you need: gear, girls, goodtimes.
LDRS1354 now available at Next Coventry and Beachwood.
