THE UNCLASSIFIED COOL

defining life and style while adding to the culture..

[theunclassifiedcool]

My Style Inspo

When it comes to Style vs. Fashion, style will always win it for me. Fashion is trends, what's now, what's in for the season. That's cool and all but style embodies individualism. Tell me a story with the wardrobe. Tell me that you got this t-shirt from a flea market in LA and paired it with some trousers you thrifted in New York 5 years ago. That's style in my opinion.

This picture is a collage I curated with some of my favorite people when it comes to style. They are successful in their respective careers, whether it be sports, entertainment, the fashion industry, and etc.

Who are some of your favorite people when it comes to style??

[theunclassifiedcool]

Simple Fits

Over the last 2 years, I have been shifting towards being a minimalist when it comes to my style. Investing in some pieces, getting rid of a lot of clothes that were taking up space. If you know me, you know I love to all black or a black and white combo. It takes the ease off having to think too hard on what you're wearing. A lot of my wardrobe now can be worn multiple ways and that's the whole goal.

When I go to purchase anything clothes or shoes I now consider these things:

Am I going to wear this more than once?

Is the price worth the garment or shoe?

If I do invest in this piece am I guaranteeing myself that I'm going to get cost per wear?

What are the materials? Can this stand the test of time?

Can I wear this multiple ways?

With this fit, I wore a oversized button down from Asos, which I've had close to 4 years. It def needs to be replaced but I haven't found another like it. Thank God I'm pretty good with my pieces. The harem pants are from Amazon. Comfortable and definitely breathable. Shoes are Dr. Martens platforms. Bag- Zara. Simple yet effective. Not that it matters, (but I'll take them!) but I received a lot of compliments on this outfit.

As long as you're comfortable and the fit is functional you can execute!

Fin.

[theunclassifiedcool]

Sooo...the kid is back! I know, I know, I know! I have been gone for a long a** time (Like a couple years gone, eek!) You know as a creative, things tend to just happen. Life happens, Sh** happens! To make a long story short, the last time I really posted was during the pandemonium. (You know what I mean!) This is an effort to get back to what I love. Blogging was a creative outlet for me. Whether I went to an event, blogged about music, fashion/style, featuring other fellow creatives, or just blogging about wtf is going on, it's my space to just be me! I recently turned 35 years old and any opportunity that is morally right and serves me, I'm indulging. I have plenty of life to live and I want to share my experiences with you.

So let's cheers to me being back! *cheers*

Ohhh, and I started vlogging while I was away. I'll be sure to share on here too. Ok, ttyl.

[theunclassifiedcool]

Ralph Lauren has teamed up with alumni from Morehouse and Spelman colleges to created a limited-edition collection inspired by the two HBCUs and their history. The collection features an all-Black cast and creative team on set with campaign images, shot by photographer Nadine Ijewere, that look as if they’re pulled from a vintage yearbook and a film on the historical significance of HBCUs.

Do I need this?

If your style leans toward collegiate, old-school Americana, you’ll definitely find something here. The collection features cable-knit sweaters and cardigans, blazers, pin-striped suits, plaid skirts, and more. Then there are, of course, pieces with historical significance, like maroon Morehouse blazers and white dresses students often wore to the school’s induction ceremony. For anyone whose style is a bit more casual, there are “Spelman”-emblazoned crewnecks and varsity jackets in the school’s colors. From the looks of the campaign images, the collection is pretty wearable and versatile even if neither school is your alma mater. If you are an alum of either school, you can shop the collection a day earlier.

Pictures: Nadine Ijewere/Polo Ralph Lauren

Article: https://www.thecut.com/author/chinea-rodriguez/

Chinea Rodriguez Author Archive

View an archive of articles by Chinea Rodriguez for The Cut.

[theunclassifiedcool]

Will be copping. If it doesn’t seek out before I can get my hands on it.

[theunclassifiedcool]

[Respect the Architects] Series: Misa Hilton

Misa Hylton (Stylist and Fashion Designer) is known as a major influence in the fashion industry. She has styled many hip-hop and R&B artists since the 1990s, which include the likes of Lil Kim and Mary J Blige amongst several others. Hylton has influenced many fashion trends in popular culture, many that you see today. She is also a global creative partner for MCM, she has her own fashion academy and she was the focus of the documentary on Netflix entitled The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion. #respectthearchitects #blackhistory #fashion

[theunclassifiedcool]

The Creative’s Corner: Beverly Beal

This week TUC is chopping it up with the Beverly Beal about how she’s handling this quarantine season. Check it.

TUC: Self-Care:How have you been taking care of yourself during this quarantine? 

BB: I am personally a creature of habit. So self care for me is sticking to a routine. I've basically been trying to do the same thing I've been doing pre-pandemic. I wake up early, walk my dog, get dressed, have breakfast, and start work. As weird as it sounds, routines are my self care lol. Giving myself breaks in between my work day and stopping work at exactly 5pm sharp really helps me mentally. But ultimately staying busy and keeping my eye on the prize even if it is from home is how I care for myself. Not sure if that’s the answer you were looking for lol so I guess a good power nap and meditating is also on my self care list.

TUC: How are you staying motivated in spite of all that’s going on?

BB: This time away has actually shifted me into a space I knew I would be in but I honestly never saw it taking over the way it did. I am an influencer and an attorney. I've been blogging for 5 years and started my own firm almost a year ago. I built my firm for creatives, and since the pandemic, everything has made a shift to me advocating and protecting creatives. While I haven't been very "creative" myself, I have been motivated by creatives to protect their work and businesses through my firm. I think that need to want to help creative businesses around me is my new way of expressing my creativity.

To keep up with what Beverly has going on, be sure to follow her on Instagram @lifeinbeverlyheels​ and her webiste beverlybeallaw.com

[theunclassifiedcool]

Going live tonight on Instagram with my best friend and some dope gentlemen talking briefly about our respective platforms. Tune in !

[theunclassifiedcool]

Creatives Corner: Marquelle Turner-Gilchrist

It’s no secret that the world has been going through some changes which requires us to go through those changes too. I wanted to check in with my guy Marquelle Turner-Gilchrist an see how everything has been going with his way.  Check it out.

Pictured: Brooklyn, NY

Quarantine Energy: The first three weeks of quarantine were incredibly difficult for me. I am an em-path and I was soaking up and "consuming" all of the news around me. It was hard to constantly hear and see the impact of this virus. Ultimately, I made up my mind that I wanted to use this time to explore a platinum lining and I found that by re-focusing on things that are important to me, which included family and loved ones, strong, healthy bonds, and my well-being, my mood shifted and I have made the most of this time. I turned off the news and started calling and texting my friends more often just to check in on them. I put down the 3-cheese mac and cheese and started a new diet coupled with a new workout regimen. I've also embraced not being able to have a hair cut for over two months. It's allowed me to see below the surface. I've always chosen soul food over eye candy, so I've explored depth on a different level.

Pictured: The Sphinx + Giza Pyramids, Cairo Egypt

Motivation: Being a creative is like being a plant dad. To grow the plant it requires time, attention, watering, and energy. As a creative, we also have to dedicate time to the urge inside of us that incessantly requires that we create. For me, that means writing out my thoughts in a freestyle form of prose, blasting my favorite afro beats song and learning new dance moves, and using Pinterest to create mood-boards as inspiration for upcoming photo shoots. I also take days (on the weekend) to just sit and detach from social media and sit in my thoughts. I day-dream of the vision I have for the future, I speak positive affirmations and I ensure I am extending grace to myself and others. As time passes, I have found a sense of peace in this stillness and I hope to take away some of the lessons on the other side of Covid.

Picture: Seven Magic Mountains, Las Vegas, Nevada

Current Projects: Currently, along with my business partner Olushola Bashorun (@aqut), I am working on a print-editorial collective called The New Stereotype (TNS): STORIES. TNS: STORIES is a year-long story-telling journey highlighting black men and women across various industries here in the US in their most authentic form but through a fashion lens. We will shoot in NYC, Chicago, Washington DC, Los Angeles and a few other cities. We are excited to highlight people like the celebrity chef who cooked for Drake after sliding into his management's DMs, an art director and photographer who self-published his own book on black male culture, and a jazz musician who helped produce shows for Rihanna and Solange after graduating from Juilliard. We are creating "bespoke editorials" for everyone in the book to celebrate their life journeys. You can find out more about the project here.

I want to thank Marquelle again for participating in Creatives Corner and I am looking forward to his new project nd everything else he has in store! You can follow him on instagram @marquelleturner .and also visit his website marquelleturner.com.

[theunclassifiedcool]

BLACK LIVES MATTER

It’s not enough that Covid-19 has turned our world upside down, but another disease that has been around since we, black and brown people, made it to this land keeps reappearing... Racism. The tragic death of George Floyd was the straw that broke our black backs. To see the video of this black man laying on the ground saying “I can’t breathe” with the this heartless officer’s knee in his neck, is heart breaking. Like my cousin Will Smith said, Racism isn’t getting worse, it’s getting filmed.” This murder has sparked countless protest across the world and it has even brought upon looting and vandalism to say the least.

BLACK PEOPLE ARE TIRED. We are tired of the hate, the prejudice, the malice towards us, and the mistreatment. The senseless killings have to stop. Although I don’t agree with the looting and vandalism taking place, I understand it. We’re hurting. We’re angry. We are fed up. What is it going to take to bring upon change?

First, charge ALL of the cops involved with George Floyd’s murder. (Update ALL THE COPS HAVE BEEN CHARGED!) Lock them up. Secondly put laws in place to protect us. That’s going to take us going to the polls and voting for people that want to help us. If we are not going to vote, we can’t put the right people in office that need to be there. Lastly, continue to speak up. We can not continue sweeping things under the rug. We have a voice. Don’t let things come to a head and pop. Whether it’s in the work place, your community, the nation. Address it. Your friends of other ethnicities, what are they saying? Are they speaking up or being silent? Check them. They should be pulling up, posting, using their platforms, as well, about the social injustice. If they are not, they are apart of the problem.

As Sam Cooke sang, “it’s been a long, long time coming, but I know a change is gon’ come.”

The Revolution WILL be televised as it already has been.

Be safe, Stay dope. We’re in this together.

Hal

[theunclassifiedcool]

Insecure Reality

What’s good everybody? I hope you all are being safe and social distancing in this crazy world of ours. So this post is dedicated to Insecure. Yes Insecure. You know that hit critically acclaimed show that comes on Sundays at 10 pm? (lol) Moving on, to briefly state,this season of Insecure has really been centered around Issa and Molly’s friendship. 

Over the course of the last 3-4 seasons, we have seen the highs and lows, good times and bad times. I personally believe this is what makes this show so interesting. A lot of the scenarios happening this season, have triggered and started many conversations. Is Molly a bad friend?  Could she have done this or that? Is Issa wrong for doing this or that? Should she forgive Molly? The list goes on. I think the key component of all the drama is lack of COMMUNICATION.

This season has honestly been a a mirror for a lot of us, especially me. I was dealing with something similar with my best friend. Communication and a misunderstanding was the root of our problem. We as adults have to be somewhat open with our communication, especially with those we consider loved ones and/or family. 

Fast forward, to Episode 8 where Lawrence and Issa FINALLY have the conversation that has been seasons in the making. Honestly, the whole episode, I was smiling and throwing ish in excitement. I personally want them to be together. The last 2 episodes will be vital in seeing how that plays out as well as what will happen between Issa and Molly.

If you haven’t caught this season (Umm what are doing with your life?!) I suggest you catch up! Take an assessment of your own friendships and relationships. Are you the Molly or Issa? A mix of both? Think about it. Are you still feeling that ex boo? Could you go back? hmmmm

Stay Dope,

Hal

[theunclassifiedcool]

The Pandemic’s Effect on Business and YOU.

As we all know, there is a lot going on in the world. This pandemic referred to as COVID-19, has pretty much almost made the world stop completely. Now, things are slowly starting to open back up and many people have different opinions of whether non essential businesses should open back up..

Well here’s my take on it... Do what’s best for YOU. Some people haven’t worked in almost 2 months ad guess who DGAF? Your bills! This whole situation (Covid 19/ The Rona) caught everybody off guard. People necessarily don’t want to go to work, for safety, but they NEED to. Many did not receive government assistance or unemployment. Again, do what’s BEST for YOU. 

Back to the subject at hand.. I believe this pandemic has caused  many businesses to re-think their plans of course, but also to prepare for the future as this could happen again. Many establishments were forced to go out of business simply because they could not pay the rent for their buildings or store fronts. Honestly, before Rona, I, myself, was terrible at saving before but now I’ve been trying to save every coin I can because you just never know. Not to say I’m a guru at saving, but I’m definitely trying my best.  I have a small business but thank God it isn’t my sole source income because I would have had to pack up and head to Alabama!

All in all, I believe many businesses, of course, will make a comeback but I’m sure they have been brainstorming on how to cope with the unforeseen happenings in the future, as we all should.

Stay dope and safe,

Hal

[theunclassifiedcool]

“SUE ME”

Wale finally released his video for the the single “Sue Me” which was directed and written by the brilliant Kerby Jean Raymond with a host of other talented creatives. The video provides a great depiction of what it would be like to be black in a sense through “white eyes”.  Check it.

[theunclassifiedcool]

Pick-up or To-go? Black-owned Restaurants WE should continue to SUPPORT during the Pandemic. (Atlanta area)

During this pandemic, I know most of us are tired of going to grocery store, tired of cooking, washing dishes, etc etc! I know I am. At least twice maybe 3 times a week, I do try to eat out, to give myself a break. I have ALWAYS made it my mission to support  black-owned restaurants  locally or in surrounding areas. Soooo of course I curated a list of some of best black cuisine in the A! I have been to most of the spots on the list and there are some I still have to indulge in. 

Feel free to take look and hit me up with more places to add to the list so we can continue to support.

SLIM AND HUSKY’S PIZZERIA 

DAT FIRE JERK CHICKEN

GOCHA’S BREAKFAST BAR

MS ICEY’S KITCHEN 

KRAB QUEENZ 

MR. EVERYTHING CAFE

BUSY BEES

SLUTTY VEGAN

NANA”S CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

MANGOS CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT

SPICE HOUSE ATL

ROC SOUTH CUISINE

MILK AND HONEY ATL

TASSILI’S RAW REALITY

KELZ KITCHEN  

These are a few choices but I’m sure there are several more! Comment, send me a DM, or email and let me know so I can add to the list! Also each restaurant listed is linked so be sure to click the hyperlink to view.

Stay Dope and Safe,

Hal

[theunclassifiedcool]

True Life: We’re in quarantine..

What’s good you guys? I know it has been a while since I posted any content, but I’m back! Just a little back story on why I haven’t been on here, I kind of fell into becoming an entrepreneur, introducing my brand “The Unclassifed Cool”. It all started when I had a friend to make a t-shirt with my blog name on it and I posted it, wore the shirt it out and wallah, a hit. 

 Long story short, the people wanted it. It still blows my mind to see someone wear my brand. I’ve had quite a few moments, but two that I recall, was when Sonique Saturday, whom I’ve been a fan of for a while, wore my brand and I damn near passed out. The second moment was when one of my friends did a photo shoot. I was totally not expecting it, and I high key cried. The images represented exactly what I see in my mind as far as The Unclassified Cool lifestyle. 

Moving on, fast forward to today, it is April 26th 2020 and we’re in experiencing a world pandemic. We have all been, or most of us, in quarantine for the last, almost 2 months. Cites shutting down everything except “essential stores”, thousands of people getting sick/dying from this unfortunate virus, COVID 19/Corona virus. 

Although this quarantine has been challenging, it has definitely afforded a few lessons. One would be to not take family and friends for granted. Facetime and talking on the phone can only do so much. I need to be in the room with my people cutting up and having a good time! Secondly, I have saved money during this quarantine. No unnecessary spending  has occurred. I have gotten much needed rest, maybe too much (hahaha). Before, I know a lot of us were always on go, doing something. This has forced us to sit the hell down. I finally organized my closet, got rid of clothes and things that are no longer of relevance to me. (sighs)

All in all, I basically said all of that to say, yeah we are in an unfortunate time but it’s all about perspective. Change it. Focus on the positive, re-direct your energy to do something productive, remain optimistic, but most of all use this time to focus on YOU. Although all of this is a bit overwhelming, we will indeed get through this and we’re going to come out better than ever. Faith the grain of a mustard seed is all we need. 

Stay Dope,

Hal. 

[theunclassifiedcool]

Freaknik: A Curated Playlist

Get your door knockers, daisy dukes, cross colour fits, and high tops ready. Freaknik: A Curated Playlist.

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/freaknik-a-curated-playlist/pl.u-Zmbllp1CzZBeer

‎FREAKNIK: A Curated Playlist by Harold Cochran

‎Playlist · 24 Songs

[theunclassifiedcool]

You Know We LOVE a GOOD BRUNCH! (ATLANTA)

What’s popping guys?! I know it’s been a minute, but he’s here! Happy New Year and Happy Black History Month by the way! I know, I know, I’m late but hey! Better late than never! So to kick this New Year off, I have created a list of a few of Atlanta’s DOPEST brunch spots. No matter where you are currently residing all of us, especially millennials, love a good brunch! I, along with the help of my friends, have comprised a great list of spots that you should try.

Atlanta has so many known spots and also hidden/new spots that are guaranteed to fulfill your brunch needs. Whether you’re looking for a day party with a bomb DJ, live music, great food, or great vibes, I got you covered! Now this is a disclaimer, I have not been to every brunch spot but I have been to a few and counting. So for my people that live out of town, this may be some help for you when you visit, or even if you’re in town and looking for dope vibe. These are 20 spots that I’ve been to since I’ve been in Atlanta. Mind you, there are a whole lot more that I haven’t been to. Check out the list!

In no particular order:

1.      5 Church Atlanta

2.      55th and Park

3.      Simons Restaurant

4.      Gocha Breakfast Bar

5.      Atlantis

6.      South City Kitchen

7.      The Hive in Buckhead

8.      Negril Village

9.      Greens and Gravy

10.   BQE

11.   Park Tavern

12.   The Mercury (Ponce City Market)

13.   Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint

14.   Marlow’s Tavern

15.   The Southern Gentleman

16.   Boogalou

17.   Atlanta Breakfast Club

18.   Rosie’s Coffee Café

19.   Ms. Icey’s Kitchen

20.   Whiskey Mistress

Now I have given you the names, do your research and see what would best fulfill your brunch needs!

 -Hal