It’s always gratifying to know that there are talented females in the music industry who are well respected for their skill and high level of professionalism.

Midi Zooreetah a.k.a Midi Munster, is not just talented but excels past many of her male-counterparts who are usually the ones to garner attention. At age 22, this North Philly native and producer is  bound for big things. Midi first caught my attention on Twitter by promoting herself as a female producer. Scrolling through her tracks, each one has its own sound and influences with the same core foundation that makes her work hers.

It wasn’t long until I became a fan and was asking Ms. Munster to chat with Stylish Thought to let us in on how she creates tracks good enough to run Kanye out of town!

When did you get involved with production?

I officially started producing/remixing about 8 years ago. I started off producing electronica/industrial/noise and was dabbling in hip hop as well. Hip Hop didn’t become my focus until after I had applied for an internship at Sigma Studios. I didn’t get the gig, but the interviewer advised me to “stick with it and go harder.” I haven’t looked back since.

What are some of your influences when coming up new tracks?
I usually just let my mind wander while listening to my surroundings or favorite artists, and go from there . My mood and what I’m going through definitely steer my direction. I hardly ever limit myself as to what the finished product will be.

What are your top 5 tracks of all time? (I know this is a challenge…)
Very good question! Picking out only 5 is the hardest part…
1. Devil In a New Dress by Kanye West ft. Rick Ross
2. Death Time by Converter
3. Can You Feel What I’m Saying? by Minnie Riperton
4. Honesty Ok by Dido
5. Everyday Struggle by Notorious B.I.G

What upcoming projects should we keep a lookout for?
Currently, my beats will be appearing on a compilation mix tape of Philly artists. We are still in the production stage so I won’t say too much just yet but when it drops … Everyone will know! I love the element of surprise!

Which one of your tracks is your most prized and why?
I would say its a toss up between “Johnny” and “Power4.” Johnny because I had been tweaking it for years and every version has evolved into an even better composition. As a producer, that rarely happens. Usually you have ONE version you are most happy with, but I literally love all 234 versions. lol.  I love Power4 because it was a personal challenge to make an *MPC style beat, this was my fog horn warning to Kanye West that “I’m here!”

Last but not least, where did the name come from?
Midi is actually a nickname of a nickname. When I was first starting out friends called me “Midnight,” and some still do. One friend then decided that they were going to give me a better nickname, “Midi,” and it stuck. I have a lot of names though and I answer to them all. Each name is an intricate bit of what makes me, me.

*MPC stands for MIDI Production Center or Music Production Center, both refer to electronic musical instruments which sequence and manipulate sounds to create music.

Listen NOW:

Check out Midi’s other tracks on Soundcloud and be sure to follow her on Twitter @MidiZooreetah 

Chaisley Lussier is a DJ, producer and entrepreneur. You can check out more of her favorite songs & mixes out at http://jeparlemusique.tumblr.com/ and be sure to follow her on Twitter @chaisleylussier

Who are you? Age? From?
Wendy Ding, 27. Freelance Illustrator from Toronto, Canada

What do you do?
I create artwork for clients in fashion, advertising, magazines and special events. I also try to keep busy with personal work and art shows. More info on my website www.wendyding.com

What dreams are you working toward?
Building a steady flow of freelance work so I can be my own boss (and make the 9-5 a distant memory!)

What motivates you to succeed?
To look back on each day and be proud of my progress, as well as sharing my work and journey on my blog to encourage others to make their dreams come true.

What has been your biggest obstacle?
Not starting sooner.

What advice would you give other women?
Don’t be afraid of rejection. Keep trying. Reach out to that dream client / customer / contact no matter how seemingly daunting or impossible; people tend to respond well if you ask nicely. Make an effort to see the beauty in everything. Align your career with your passion. 

Check out more stills from the vintage inspired video and watch it below.

Isn’t the song and video styling divine?

Handmade designs, handcrafted jewelry, indie designers. This weekend the Philadelphia Art Star Craft Bazaar, hosted by Art Star Boutique, brought out a variety of unique vendors, artists, designers and stylish lasses. We caught the amazing art and wares as well as snapped a few stylish art loving ladies. 

Eling Chang, designer and maker of Migration Goods

Reworked vintage belts from Joey Five Cents

Katie looked amazing in her thrifted red polka dot dress!

Rugged and unique jewelry from Concrete Polish

Isn’t this duo super adorable! 

Check out more vendors and learn more about the Art Star Craft Bazaar! 

“People have said no to all my ideas along the way. No to my first book, which turned out to be a best seller. No to my Skinnygirl Cocktails. Never assume that anyone is smarter than you are. Trust your gut and keep it simple”

~ Bethenny Frankel

What We’re Reading!

• Travel Obsessives, check out Fathom’s 24 Best Travel Blogs & Websites
• 5 Directors You Should Know who Aren’t Old White Men (Hint: they’re women!)
• The American Dream: Should you quit your day job to blog? from Independent Fashion Bloggers
• How to Road Trip Solo! Hit the open road lone woman!
• I found  Marie Forleo’s  ”upper limit problem” explanation fascinating

“Each of has an internal thermometer for how much success, wealth, happiness, love, and intimacy we’ll let ourselves experience.  That’s our upper limit setting.  Kind of like our success comfort zone. When we exceed our internal thermostat setting and life gets super duper OMG good - we unconsciously do things to sabotage ourselves, so we can drop back to the old, familiar place where we feel in control.”  Read more: http://marieforleo.com/2010/08/upper-limit-problem

What We’re Watching!

Bethenny Frankel is truly an inspiration. Check out her talk with Ellen on getting everything you want!

Don’t forget to enter our Karina Dress giveaway by following @Karinachronicles on Twitter! See contest rules and check out the lovely Karina Dresses that could be yours!

Have a loving Mother’s Day!

Overcoming addiction, rape and abuse to be the woman she was meant to be.

A Piece of Cake is the story of Cupcake Brown and her life’s unfortunate trials and tribulations. Equally horrifying and inspiring, I found Piece of Cake to be a true page-turner.

Cupcake’s life was touched by tragedy at a young age with the death of her mother at age 11. After the death of her mother, Cupcake learns that the man she thought was her father was actually her stepfather. Cupcake’s stepfather then loses custody to her biological father. From here, Cupcake’s life takes another turn for worst when her biological father who proves to be opposite of the caring father figure she had in her stepfather, puts her in the care of an abusive foster mother.

During her childhood, Cupcake was subjected to a series of horrific experiences in the foster care system in California. Rape, prostitution, abusive relationships, and drug addiction are just a few of the chilling life experiences that Cupcake dealt with before she reached young adulthood.

But Cupcake didn’t let her past define her. She turned her life around and is now a lawyer and motivational speaker.

Cupcake’s compelling story has received praise by people from different walks of life; from Oprah who has featured Cupcake in her magazine to pop star Demi Lovato who praised the book in Seventeen Magazine.

Here is more editorial praise for A Piece of Cake:

 A Piece of Cake doesn’t serve up delectable metaphors or feature rhythmic prose. Instead, it dazzles you with the amazing change that is possible in one lifetime. We see a woman learn to build a family from strangers who help her because she is another human being trying to overcome horrendous circumstances. It is a story that is poetic in its simplicity, beautifully stripped to the basics.

— Patrice Gaines, The Washington Post (source)

 From abused foster child to addicted prostitute to attorney-Brown has quite a story to tell. With a seven-city tour.

— Library Journal (source)

 Harrowing, earnest autobiography takes readers on a tour from incomprehensible evil through unexpected kindness to eventual triumph.

— Kirkus Reviews (source)

Reading A Piece of Cake left me with the feeling of hope and reminded me that turning your life around even when it doesn’t seem possible can actually happen. The memoir is also a lesson in how self-love can aid in recovery from addiction and emotional trauma.

A Piece of Cake will have you rooting for Cupcake to survive and thrive until you read the last sentence of the book. Though it’s definitely not light-hearted reading, I highly recommend A Piece of Cake as a worthwhile book to read.

Get your copy of Piece of Cake on Amazon

Shenneth Dove-Morse is a fashion enthusiast that turned her life-long love of style and fashion into a blog titled Shen Dove Style. Shenneth loves books, films, traveling, positive thinking, social media, and finding creative inspiration online and offline.

In a young woman’s life there are few things she will need as much as a great dress. A dress that goes from her cubicle to cocktail hour; from dorm room to dance floor. A dress that fits like second skin and exudes the essence of who she is. 

Karina Dresses, designed and made with love in Brooklyn, New York by designer Karina Cousineau are precisely those kinds of dresses. With the tagline, “Dresses for Every- Body”, Karina Dresses believes in fashion that is empowering and allows women to embrace their bodies just the way they are. Hear Hear! 

Available in high quality and limited fabrics, there’s a dress style for everyone from the flattering and retro wrap dress style “Gala” that I decided on to classic cut of the “Megan” dress. No matter your figure you can find a Karina Dress that fits and flatters. And each style comes in a variety of colors and patterns so you can take your pick from classic black to antique florals or retro polka dots! I chose polka dots, surprise, surprise! 

For women by women, Karina Dresses will fast become that go-to piece in your wardrobe. The fit and fabric is perfect for a Saturday stroll or presenting your brilliant idea to a room full of people. I feel poised, beautiful and like I can do anything in my Karina dress! 

Dress: Karina Dresses, Gala Style / Boots: Steve Madden / Hat: Vintage / Jewelry: Vintage / Earrings: Dose of Vitamin F

Want to win your own Karina Dresses dress? See contest rules below

CONTEST RULES

1. “QUALIFY” FOR CONTEST BY FOLLOWING KARINA DRESSES ON TWITTER (https://twitter.com/#!/karinachronicle) AND FOLLOWING STYLISH THOUGHT ON TWITTER (https://twitter.com/stylishthought)

2. “EXTRA” ENTRY FOR POSTING CONTACT INFORMATION OF YOUR FAVORITE DRESS BOUTIQUE WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DRESSES SOLD (post in comments below)

3. US ONLY

4. CONTEST ENDS MAY 23, 2012

And to get your hands on Karina Dress now you can use the code STYLISHTHOUGHT30 on karinadresses.com for $30 off any full price dress. That way everyone’s a winner!

Meet Imani Bilal, Mother, Artist & Jewelry Designer

Who are you? Your Age? From?

My name is Imani Bilal. I’m 28 years old, from DC by way of MD by way of NYC. I move around a bit!

What do you do?

I’m a creator. I prefer the term “creator” because I believe we deposit pieces of ourselves into the things we create. Creations come from a place of soul and spirit and therefore become “alive” with whatever we put into them. I design and create accessories for Venus Visuals, an out of the box accessory line founded by my sister (Muslimah Bilal) and I in January of 2009.

What dreams are you working toward?

I’m working towards expanding Venus Visuals into an entire movement that encourages, supports, and teaches young ladies how to be creative, independent thinking, business minded women. I am also working towards increasing our national and international presence. We recently received our first set of contracts with boutiques and department stores in Japan. This is a dream come true, and served as validation that all things are possible. I would like to continue to expand globally, to eventually open my own boutique, and to be inspired by and inspire as many people as possible on the way!

What motivates you to succeed?

People who say I won’t or can’t! Haha! Seriously though…negative people definitely motivate me and I end up pushing myself even harder. The stories of people who are successfully living their dreams after struggling with so many different types of adversity inspire and motivate me to continue on when things get rough. There are so many people who are watching, pushing, and encouraging me. There are so many people who asked how to start with jewelry making, or have asked how they too can start their own business. All these things/people motivate me and I work hard not to let anyone down. I want my success to be a collective celebration. I eat, we eat. That’s what it’s all about!

What has been your biggest obstacle?

I am a mother, wife, college student, and the list goes on. It can be a lot to juggle. There are days I feel like giving up, there are times I get discouraged, but I always re-center and refocus myself. My biggest obstacle is being patient with ME, and allowing myself to go through the rough points…as they are natural bumps we will all encounter one way or another on our respective journeys. 

What advice would you give other women?

Be absolutely fearless. Be absolutely confident. Be absolutely humble. Love hard. Work hard…and be kind.

Great advice Imani. Check out Imani’s accessories at Venusvisuals.com and leave her some love in the comments!