Last Minute Christmas Gifts for Your Fashionable Friends!

You've only got 3 more days to shop!! Fear not, I've got gifts for all budgets for your fashionable friends (and those who could use a bit of help in the style department!).

For the ladies:
Under $10: E.L.F. Makeup Palette comes with 32 great colors for your fashionista to either supplement her makeup collection with or to experiment with new combinations. For an added touch, include a nice eyeshadow brush to accompany the collection.
Under $25: Faux fur winter accessories to keep your friend super warm. This cute collar from H&M is available in US stores as well, and you can order cute earmuffs from ASOS next day delivery.
Under $50: A spa gift card is the perfect treat for your stylish friend. Everyone needs to feel good on the inside when they look good on the outside!

For the fellas:
Under $10: With the ease that guys lose these in the laundry, you can never go wrong with a set of dress socks so he can continue to wear his penny loafers in the winter.
Under $25: A year's subscription to GQ magazine is a great gift for your guy friend who's always dressed sharply, or for a guy who could use a few pointers.
Under $50: With everything becoming more and more streamlined, update your friend's wallet with a personalized money clip to hold all his cash and cards.

For anybody:
Under $10: A person with true style also knows the value of good hygiene, so a manicure set is a great gift to get any guy or girl.
Under $25: Fashion related books make for great reference and cute coffee table books. Hook up your female friend with this one, and your guy friend with this one.
Under $50: This leather iPad case will have your stylish friend crushing the accessories game, as technology is becoming a very important accessory that also needs to have its own style!

And remember the real reason of Christmas and give the gift of Jesus' love to someone!!

It's The Holiday Season!

Hey Everyone =)

As you've probably realized already, GU is taking on a NEW LOOK for the holidays!! =) We just wanted to spice things up to celebrate this Christmas Season!

The season entails soooo much! It's the season that we give, that we gather close to our friends and loved ones, and it's also when we begin to think about goals for the new year!! We know that a lot goes on during this time, and we want to know what is going on with YOU!

We would like to open our blog to people who are interested in writing! This is a great opportunity for you to show us what this season means to you! Write a poem, share your favorite holiday recipe, tell us what Christmas means to you...ANYTHING! We'd really love to open the opportunity up to all who are interested.

If you fall in this category, please email all submissions to unplugged.gospel@gmail.com.

We look forward to hearing from you and HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY! =)

Designer Spotlight

New Jersey based JK Experience is an up and coming husband and wife designer duo with several collections of clothing that aim to uplift women of God. The I AM collection contains casual tops with affirmations of what God has called his children to be, such as "I AM... BLESSED" and "I AM... A CONQUEROR". The Armor Collection, inspired by Ephesians 6:10-17, features dresses inspired by the armor of God. I would definitely rock the Helmet of Salvation dress below!

For more information on JK Experience, check out out this article on their collection: http://www.newdmagazine.com/apps/articles/web/articleid/75454/columnid/default.asp.

You can also find them at www.jkexperience.com, jkexperiencefashion.blogspot.com, or on their Facebook Fan page JK Experience.

Know of any Christian clothing or jewelry designers? Let us know and we'll feature them too!

GGIYB - Tilapia!!

Hey Everyone!! =)

So, in the post I wrote about a month ago, Glorifing God In Your Body, I told you all that I would be back with cool recipes that I've been using as I'm on this lifestyle change journey sooooooo, here I am to share with you a recipe that is TOTALLY easy and pretty healthy too!! I'll be talking about what has become my favorite as of late, TILAPIA! =)

Before I go into detail about that, I want to give you all a quick update. Since the previous post, I have lost another 4lbs which means I have lost 15lbs in total and I now only have 20 more lbs to go before I reach my goal!! whooty-whoot!! lol =) I've cut out a lot of meat (which is why I'm totally addicted to fish and seafood now lol) and I cut down on eating too many carbs. Surprisingly, my taste buds are starting to change also! The other day, I had a Resses Peanut Butter Cup (my most favorite chocolate in the WORLD lol) and it was TOTALLY too sweet (to my disappointment) and I couldnt eat the whole thing =(. I guess that's a good thing though lol. Anyway, now, back to the topic at hand, tilapia!

Now, the reason why I like tilapia so much is because, not only does it taste good BUT it's SUPER easy and quick to cook! It's perfect to cook quick fast after work without having to worry about being in the kitchen for hours at a time. So, here's what I do:

1. Start off with my powdered seasonings; I use black pepper, garlic powder, and fish seasoning and make sure to spread it over both sides of the fish.

2. Then I go to the real stuff (lol) and chop up some onions, peppers, scallion, thyme, and okra (because I LOOOVE me some okra! lol) and plop those right on top.

3. Put a little bit of margarine on the fish (so that it doesn't dry up and it gives it REALLY good flavor)

4. Wrap it all up in foil

5. Put it in the oven at 350 degrees and let it cook for about 20 minutes.

THAT'S IT!! lol - it's soooo easy. And what's great is that, you can put any seasoning on it that you happen to like and it'll still be good! AND you can pair it with anything: rice, a baked potatoe, or vegetables, and there's your meal! =)

soooo, you should ALL try it and let me know how it comes out!! =)

Now, before I go, I just want to let you know what I've been learning through this journey from a spiritual stand point. Much like any journey, it hasn't been easy. God has been teaching me discipline and the importance of balance! I definitely do NOT deprive myself of everything "bad". I have a piece of cake, chocolate, pizza, or whatever else that I see as a treat and I don't feel bad about it. Why? Because balance is KEY not only to this journey but to LIFE! With that being said, I want to leave you with this scripture found in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well". Life isn't about ONLY seeking the Kingdom (though that should be the FIRST thing we do), but God wants us to balance everything in our NATURAL life as well !! For me, that means good health, for you it may mean a sound mind, peace, even wealth! Whatever it may be, seek God then ask Him to help you balance it into your life! =)

Inspiration

Yo! Sam here with another music post for you. As you know I always try to bring to you music by artists you are unfamiliar with. Last time I posted I brought an acoustic style worship number. Well this post will be a BIT different.. well ALOT different since I will be bringing you some 'hip-hop' Now it's no secret that Rap is genre that has been dominated, owned, and loved greatly by people of color, however, every now and again people of other races get into the genre and take it by storm.

This video I'm about to share with you guys features young men of Asian descent going in for Christ. I was greatly impressed by this video and their skills. Let me know what you think! [My favorite is Mickey Cho!]

Fall/Winter Essential: Scarves

Scarves can instantly add excitement to a basic outfit in the fall or winter, while protecting your neck from random gusts of wind. Check out this great video below that shows 25 different ways to wear a scarf for both guys and girls!

TESTIMONY TIME

Hello my dears!! I hope you all are doing absolutely fantastic!

I come to you today because I have a BURNING testimony to share with you all. It's very simple, and some may not even see the significance in it, but it's my heart's desire that someone is encouraged by this.

So here goes...

I work in a hospital that specializes in treatment and care for patients with cancer, and am one of the front line staff working with patients. Today, the doctor I work for requested a very important document that he needed to review before seeing a particular patient (who he is seeing tomorrow in his clinic) that would help determine the course of action for the specific cancer that she has.

I called a family member of this patient and asked her for the number where I can locate the document and the family member goes ballistic on the phone. I am very understanding, because it is a sensitive issue and she and I both understand that without this document, her family member's care and treatment can be delayed even further, which is, obviously not ideal. I finally get a number from her but when I called the number, the person was of NO help at all. I started to get worried, because of the importance of the document and the responsibility that was on me to retrieve it.

I had a take a break to go to a meeting and when I came back from the meeting and was walking back to my office (which is in another building) I determined in my heart that God can do ANYTHING and if he can heal me (post about that will probably come afterwards) then he can definitely help me get this piece of paper that I needed. I walked back to my office saying over and over in my mind, "I will get this document by the end of the day, in Jesus name". I said it with faith and I 100% believed it.

I get back to my desk full of faith and ready to see the paper I need in the fax machine...but I didn't. However, I did NOT let this discourage me in any way at all. Then I received an email from my co-worker stating that the lady I was working with earlier to retreive the document said she couldn't help anymore and was leaving for the day. Upsetting right??? ...wrong! That didn't stop me from believing. I kept on saying, if God can heal a BODY then He can get a peice of paper to me lol.

Long story short, I ended up speaking with someone who was able to help me. Though it wasn't in the way I orginally expected, the person ensured me that the document will be ready to send by tomorrow when the patient is seeing the doctor. Relieved, I called the patient to inform her, to only find out that someone else in another department who used to work at the other facility, was able to get the report in no time and she had the document IN HER HAND!

When I tell you I REJOICED!! and as of right now, my nurse has the document and is going to fax it to me any minute now.

I know those may seem minute, but it just goes to show that God is TRULY able to do ANYTHING!! No matter how big or small it may seem!

I hope that this is encouraging to someone out there!! Whatever you need God to do, BELIEVE, don't let your faith be moved, and I KNOW that He'll come through for you!! =D

Falling into Autumn Fashion

Yes, corny title I know, but fall is definitely here (at least where I live). I love fall fashion because you get to wear more clothes/layers than during summertime but you're not covering up your whole outfit with a huge winter coat. So how do you navigate the in-between period of fall without having to buy a whole new wardrobe? Keep reading below:

For the ladies:

• Layer opaque colored or sheer patterned tights underneath your skirts and shorts to extend their wearability into the colder months.
• Get a few jackets or blazers to throw on over summery tanks and crops. A black boyfriend blazer, a denim jacket, and a tan biker jacket are all wardrobe essentials!

For the fellas:

• Replace your t-shirts with plaid flannel shirts which are still relaxed, but very warm. Or you can just throw the flannel shirt over your tee and leave it unbuttoned for a chill look.
• Invest in a black or navy blue puffer jacket which you can layer over button downs and sweaters.

Everybody:

• Switch out your shorts and airy bottoms for corduroys. Don't just stick with black; wine and hunter green colored cords are a great fall staple.
• Silk, cotton, and wool scarves are a great way to navigate the awkwardness of the chilly outdoors and the warm indoors. Bright colors and cool designs will give your outfits some pop.

See that was easy! You're now ready to tackle fall, just by using what's already in your wardrobe and adding a few fall items. Check below for examples:

fall into autumn by ieboh featuring vintage silk scarves

The Great awakening

Hey guys! It's Sam. Bringing you a music update from a group you may not be accustomed to. I love songs with an unplugged feel, and I feel like the aesthetics and setting in this video pull off that vibe. Here's Leeland's song. "The Great Awakening"




One man wakes, awakens another
Second one wakes his next door brother
Three awake and rouse a town
And turn the whole place upside down
Many awake, will cause such a fuss
It finally awakes all of us
One man awakes with dawn in his eyes
Surely then it multiplies

I love this group. Check em out when you get the chance!

Stylish Saints: Daryl

Stylish Saints will highlight the personal style of men and women who represent Christ while looking incredibly fashionable. Peep the breakdown of some of their looks, and find out how you can boost your wardrobe so you too can be a stylish saint!

Name: Daryl Wright

Age: 23

Location: Queens, NY

What inspires his style: "I just try to stay comfortable in what I wear because it's a reflection of who I am. Fashion to me is about letting your clothes say who you are without you having to. So I never want to seem like I'm trying too hard because then I'm not being myself. I dress to express, not to impress."

What I like about Daryl's style: Daryl's style definitely reflects a well-dressing veteran, not just someone who hopped on the style swag bandwagon a few months ago. He knows what works well for his look, and jazzes up common outfits with accessories that the common man probably wouldn't consider. Let's check out his use of accessories in the following pics:

Casual

Here Daryl pairs a red knit beanie with large readers for a nice casual fall look. The beanie matches well with his red plaid shirt, but the colors aren't overkill. The half-rimmed readers are less harsh on the eyes than full plastic frames, so if you look super geeky in every pair of readers you've tried on consider a half-rimmed pair.

Semi-Formal

Here Daryl keeps his color palette muted but adds excitement to his outfit in the patterns of his accessories. The band on his fedora has a similar stripe pattern as his vest, so they complement each other. Since he keeps his tie simple in a solid color, he's left with the choice to spice things up with a polka-dotted pocket square which adds flair to this muted palette.

Formal

Now I'll be the first to admit that I'm a sucker for bow ties. But this right here? This WINS. This purple and gold patterned bow tie is 1. in a wonderful color combination (purple and yellow are complementary colors) and 2. tied beautifully. If you are going to wear a bow tie, you have to tie it, because the imperfections in the tying method gives the look way more character than a clip on. And did you think I was going to ignore this bold pocket square?! The square is what takes this look to another level, and only someone with Daryl's confidence and (for lack of a better word) swag could pull this off.

Did you like Daryl's style? Check out some men's accessories to boost your look!

Daryl's Style by ieboh featuring retro shades

Would you like to be featured as a "Stylish Saint" or do you have a friend who you think should be nominated? Please send a picture of male or female stylish saints to unplugged.gospel@gmail.com for consideration.

Glorifying God In Your Body

Hey my darlings!! I hope you all are doing absolutely FABULOUS!!

STOP: Be aware that this post is not like many of the others but, there's more than one way to unplug the gospel, right? =) ok...now PLAY

I haven't blogged in a while cuz I've been super busy with...life lol. One of the things I've been occupying my time with is getting my body together.

I'll let you all in on a little personal history on me. For most of my life, I've always been the "thick girl" and I've had a constant battle with my weight. I was at my smallest in high school and I reached my heaviest after my first year out of college (yeah, that wasn't too long ago at all).

Anyway, as of late (the last month) I've decided to get myself together. But, before I go any further, I have to clarify what I mean by "get myself together". I had to realize that losing weight is not only about weight but about treating me - my body, my spirit, my soul, everything that is ME - properly. I'm reminded of 1 Cor 6:20 which states, "...therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

This scripture helped me realized that my body is HIS and if He dwells IN my body, I should be treating my body with the utmost respect and love. This goes beyond the sexual context that most people reference it for, but it also means, I need to watch what I put in my body; what kinds of food I eat, what kind of toxins I consume, etc.

Therefore, this is NOT a diet (I repeat, NOT a diet) but it's something I'm doing to better me, my life, and my body. My body deserves to be treated right =)

I'm saying all of this to say that, in my upcoming posts about food, I'll probably mix it up and show some healthy food options, recipes, and places where you can go to eat a GREAT healthy meal! Whoot-whoot!! Hope you all are ready for the ride!! So far I've lost 11 pounds and I have to lose 29 more to get to my goal (and I feel GREAT!)!!!

I've never done this before so, y'all pray for me as I unplug the gospel in a NEW way!!

BE BLESSED!! =)

New Music: Have Your Way-David Metayer & One Accord

Have you ever gone through a situation in life and what you're trying to do or accomplish you tell God, "have your way?" This new single from David Metayer and One Accord, a local band  from Brooklyn, N.Y., embodies that. The first stanza says "steering the wheel of life and it has not worked for me, I've tried every lane and it has not worked for me." This song creates a story that identifyies a problem,  that many of us may face, of trying to do things on our own, but as it progresses the song CLEARLY indicates the fact that God is needed.

With the high energy sound of this bass thumping, guitar blazing, drum thrashing track, the message is phenomenal. It's a representation of us just giving all to God, surrendering our lives, will, and purpose to Him and telling him "Have Your Way." This track is one of those tracks that once you start singing it, it's easy to remember; the message becomes apart of you even if you're not noticing that. (It happens to me all the time).


This is awesome music from a great group! Please go out and purchase the single here (http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/have-your-way-single/id463930646).

Thank you all and let's unplug the Gospel.

Terrence

Panpipe Worship!!

What's up everyone? Yesterday morning (9/9/11) I was heading home from handling business in the city (Manhattan for our non-NYC friends) and I was introduced to something that surprised me. While transferring from the 6 train to the E line I heard worship music being played on the pan pipe. Did you read that correctly? YES! The pan pipe.

Ok ok, let me explain. As I was walking down from the 6 train I heard, "you took the fall, and thought of me, above all." Now, I figured that the music was similar, and God was placing that song on my heart, but as I got closer it went back to the top of the chorus. "Crucified, you laid behind the stone, for me you died, rejected and alone, like a rose trampled on the ground, you took the fall and thought of me, above all." When I realized what I was hearing I got excited because it was different yet you heard the worship come from it AND it's an absolute favorite of mine. He was playing for real, he wasn't playing it because he wanted too, but he was playing to share the message that the song represents.

We usually see pan pipe players in Union Square or at 34th Street Herald Square dressed in their native garb playing music from their country, which is usually of either Central or South American origin. When I hear them I really don't pay attention to them and what they're doing, but rather continue to go about my business. I don't expect what I heard.

After "Above All" the person playing whose name I don't know, started playing "Agnus Dei," and I thought to myself, "he's bringing down the glory, pan pipe for Jesus."

It's great to see people using other ways and methods to share the greatness that is Jesus Christ. God is awesome! Next time you hear something out of the ordinary in the street or on the subway, it maybe someone proclaiming Jesus, in a way we're not used too, in a way that's unplugged.

...Unplug the Gospel...
Terrence

Wet Weather Fashion

So I know you all were complaining about the blazing heat that seemed to last all summer, and because of all your complaints, the transition to fall has brought with it cold weather’s unfriendly cousin: precipitation. Just because it’s wet outside doesn’t mean you have to dress like all your clothes were destroyed by the hurricane! Dressing well in the rain can be tricky because you don’t want to ruin your nice clothes in the event that you’re caught outside and it starts to rain sideways, but it’s definitely doable. Check out the dos and don’ts of wet weather fashion below!

DO wear a simple outfit such as jeans and a casual top. Guys, make it fashionable by choosing a graphic tee or a button down in a muted print. Girls, you can get away with a pocket v-neck tee just by throwing on a statement necklace.

DON’T wear anything that might get ruined in the rain, such as suede or leather. Pretty self-explanatory.

DO have proper foot and outerwear. Rain boots or water-proof shoes are a must and come in assorted styles and price ranges for both men and women. For those who don’t like rain boots, duck boots are a less clunky option. Throw on a hooded rain jacket or even a poncho if you want. But your outfit will be a major fail if it’s fly but completely soaked.

DON’T go out with a flimsy umbrella. Nothing messes up your swag more than when your umbrella is broken and you have to pull one side down to shield your body from the rain.

DO invest in a tan trench coat. An American style classic, the trench will be useful on days where you’re dressed a bit more formally, and automatically adds a touch of class to any rain-appropriate outfit.

Peep the style inspiration below:

Rain gear by ieboh featuring a rain coat

How Bad Do You Want It?

Hey Everyone!

So, a few weeks ago I wrote an entry about the retreat I was going on and how I was going expecting to receive and, my oh my, God certainly showed up!

The group that I traveled with (Team Matt T.!!) worked really hard during the day to make sure that we produced a sincere and real worship experience and because of this, not only were the young people blessed (it was a youth retreat), but we each received a blessing also! Personally, the thing God kept whispering to me over and over and over and over and over again was "How Bad Do You Want it? ...let your faith prove it!"

This is so simple, yet extremely profound. Personally, I'm the type to think things out to the TEE before going through with anything. Everything has to be organized and most importantly, logical, before I go forth. However, this frame of mind, puts limits on God. I'm essentially saying, "God, you can only do A if X, Y, and Z are in order", when in actuality, God can do what he wants, move how he wants, and seriously blow my mind if he wants to, IF I have the faith to see it done.

Since the retreat (we came back on Friday morning), I've been playing with my faith. One of my closest friends, Matthew, said during devotions on the retreat that he is going to set faith goals and believe God 100% that he is going to come through and sure enough, the goals that he set, and that we set as a group, were met on the retreat. I came back home, and did the same thing and sure enough, God came through.

I don't plan on having it stop here. I am going to start making a conscious effort to take God out the box of logic that I have so delicately placed Him in, and instead, HAVE FUN WITH FAITH!

With that being said...
Is there anything that you want really badly? ...How bad do you want it? once, you've answered that question, let your faith prove it!

Be encouraged! =)

Wardrobe Essentials: Shorts

If you haven’t worn shorts all summer, you’re truly missing out on life! For girls and guys alike, shorts offer a simple way to beat the heat. They’re much more comfortable than jeans or slacks, can’t get blown away like skirts or dresses, and are extremely versatile. Plus, nothing feels better than when a rare summer breeze hits your legs! If you’re one of those (strange) people who don’t like to wear shorts, or just want more ideas on how to wear them in all settings, keep on reading!

Casual
Ah, nothing like waking up, throwing on your fave graphic tee, your fave pair of denim shorts, and heading out the door! Denim shorts are an all-American style necessity, and come in a plethora of lengths, cuts, and washes, so girls and guys alike can find one that fits their unique style. Cargo shorts are another great option for guys, as are white shorts for girls. Throw on a fedora and wear your favorite shoes whether they’re canvas slip-ons, Dunks, or gladiator sandals.

casual shorts by ieboh featuring a sheer shirt

Casual chic
Khaki or olive toned shorts build the basis for this look, and the weight of a chambray shirt is perfect weight for late summer. Bold prints and interesting textures make it stylish: for the fellas, (reasonable) plaids are easy to find and year-round appropriate, and printed shorts are a great way for girls to fancy it up just a tad bit. Leave your everyday kicks at home and bring out the boat shoes or sequined Toms.

semi casual shorts by ieboh featuring a pink tee

Dressy
Definitely the hardest to pull off, but still doable. For men, stick with slim cut shorts that stop right at the knee. Pair with a gray or dark blue jacket with no more than two buttons, a crisp shirt (no tie please), and suede or penny loafers. Or wear a cardigan with a skinny tie, undo the top button, and push up the sleeves for a less preppy look. Ladies, choose a pair of tailored shorts in either lace, wool, or leather, and pair it with a blouse with a peter pan or bow tie collar. Or try a playsuit for the all-in-one look, and add a blazer, pearls, and platforms to dress it up.

dressed up shorts by ieboh featuring pearl earrings

Bonus: Transitioning to Fall
The easiest way to transition shorts to fall is to wear a sweater or a cardigan. For guys, choose a cut that shows off that body that you worked so hard for over the summer. Ladies, go for an oversized, off-the shoulder sweater or knit to balance against the length of shorts.

Now that you know all the ways you can wear shorts, make sure you get the most out of them before winter shows up!

Retreat

"When the music fades, and all is stripped away, and I simply come..."

Next week I am going on a week long retreat in Pennsylvania to minister praise and worship with a group that I am part of (Team Matt T.!). At first, I was consumed with the fact that I will be away from work for a WHOLE WEEK and able to chill with a group of friends who literally double as my second family (love those guys).

Now, let's rewind - Earlier this week, I was chatting with the mister about some things that have been troubling me and he encouraged me to RETREAT during the RETREAT! I don't know why, but that hit me pretty hard as I realized that the time away is going to be more than a mere vacation, but time to really seek God and spend time in His presence.

I plan on challenging myself spiritually on this retreat. As a praise and worship singer, most of the time when I worship, it's through song. This is definitely great, however, I want to seek God in a new way. I want the music to be gone and I want to communicate my heart's deepest desires by simply talking to God.

I did my devotions yesterday and today on a passage of scripture that really encouraged me (and I hope it encourages you too) - Psalms 116:1-2 "I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live."
God WANTS to hear our voice, He WANTS to know our hearts desires, He is WAITING to hear what we have to say. As a result, I'm going to pour my heart to Him!

I say all of this to encourage you to spend time with God. You don't need to go on a retreat to actually retreat from your every day life and seek God. Turn your phone off, seperate yourself from the internet, or anything else that can serve as a distraction, and spend time in God's word and in His presence.

=)

Trend Watch: Crop Tops

Hey guys, it's Ije here and I'll be your Gospel Unplugged fashion correspondent! I will be writing about both men and women's fashion trends, outfit suggestions, and stylish saints so don't hesitate to ask if you have any fashion inquiries. Let's get started on today's topic: crop tops!

One of summer’s biggest trends is the crop top. While it might be inappropriate to wear a belly-baring top to a Sunday church service, you shouldn’t shy away from buying them. Crop tops aren’t for the faint of heart, so only wear them if you’re comfortable with your body. Before buying, try the top on and do the “hands raised in worship” and the “bow before the King” tests. Raise your hands as you would in worship to see how far the top rises, and then bend over as if you are bowing. If too much of your stomach shows, your crop might not be appropriate for church wear. You can also consider wearing a tank top underneath your crop top, either in a flesh tone color or one that nicely contrasts with the top. Once you’re ready to buy, here’s how to wear crop-tops without baring it all:

Hanging with friends/bible study:
Pick a crop top in a simple color but with a cool detail like embroidery, stitching, or a pocket. Try to find one with an asymmetrical hem that’s longer in the back. Pair it with your favorite pair of skinny jeans, and go for a high-waisted pair for even more coverage. Finish off your simple outfit with statement jewelry and jeweled sandals, and you’ll look super stylish without being forced.

Church picnic/midweek service:
Choose a skin-tight crop top, even a bustier top might work for this look. Keep the color simple, but experiment with different materials such as denim or lace. Pair it with a knee-length or midi pleated skirt in a bold color like yellow or red. Top off your look with a wide belt placed right where the skirt and top meet, and throw on a pair of wedges to finish it off.

Church service:
Find a crop top with a colorful print; try graphic prints, animal prints, or flowers, which are all on trend this season. Throw on your trusty black pencil skirt and pull it up as high as necessary so that no skin shows when you raise your hands. Complete the look with an envelope clutch in a contrast color and nude pumps. For extra protection, wear a long necklace which will keep your top close to your body in case the church fans are on overdrive.

Crop tops by ieboh featuring a geometric necklace

Now that you know how and where to wear crop tops, go and get yourself one (or a few) on an end-of-summer sale from your favorite store, or click any item above to see where you can purchase!

Enjoying Your Summer

Hello my darlings!

I hope you all are having a wonderful day thus far :)

I was recently thinking about something that my pastor has been saying for the past few Sundays that is SO simple, but SO profound: make sure to enjoy your summer.

A lot of times, we get caught up in our day to day lives; whether it be school, work, rehearsals, chores, etc. and forget to take time out to have fun! It's important to make sure your life is balanced with work AND fun. My pastor encouraged the congregation to go on vacations and if you can't do that, then do what he calls a "stay-cation", which is pretty much doing something fun right here in NYC (and there's TONS of stuff to do if you look into what's available, and lots of the stuff is FREE too!).

This summer I've become addicted to spades (whoot-whoot! lol) and as a result, I gather with a few friends maybe once a week and we get together to play in a backyard, basement, living room - pretty much wherever we can fit a table and 4 ppl lol. Also, I've made a point take advantage of $6 Tuesdays at movie theaters and other simple things that can totally enhance my days/summer.

If you know of any simple [or even more elaborate] things that can be done this summer, feel free to share it with us! We'd love to know.

Ok - I think that's all I have to say for now :)

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!! =)

Danielle Lewis - Surrender

Hello my darlings!

So, if you follow us on twitter and/or facebook then you should know by now that TODAY DANIELLE LEWIS' NEW SINGLE OFF OF HER UPCOMING WORSHIP EP DROPS FOR FREE!!!!

Ok, enough shouting, lol.

When I first heard that Danielle Lewis was dropping a single, I got SO excited. As a person, I admire this young woman of God SOOOO much; she is truly inspirational and she has SUCH a big heart (I LOVE YOU DANNI!). As an artist, she is creative and her voice is O-MAZING! So, knowing these things, I knew that whatever she released was going to be great, especially since it's coming off of her worship EP (she's a serious worshipper too!). After I really sat down and listened to the song, I realize, it EXCEEDED my expectations!

I think one of the most important parts of any song are the lyrics and the lyrics to this song are SO powerful and relatable. Then I remembered that Matthew Thomas (most commonly known as Matt T.) co-wrote the song! (If you've never heard of his ministry, then I'm going to shamelessly plug it in now (and not only because I sing back-up for him lol) - check out his facebook page when you get the chance - www.facebook.com/PsalmistKing). The words are something that just about anyone can relate to if their hearts cry is to totally surrender to Christ.

Overall, it is a very powerful, well-written, intriguing, heart song that you ALL should listen to if you haven't already.

To download the single for FREE, go to Danielle Lewis' website! Enjoy!! :) http://www.purelydanielle.com/

Let it Rise

One thing that has always intrigued me about the kingdom is it's diversity. It's so awesome that anyone from any race or any nation has the opportunity to call upon the name of Jesus. This shows in many ways, especially through music. I love the fact that we can worship and praise God with a full band, a multitude of voices with singing and dancing, or even on the flip-side, we can worship him in the stillness, just by ourselves with our one voice. Whether it's to a soft acoustic feel or a hype "gospel" groove, we can give glory to God depending on the occasion. I have two videos demonstrating that for you guys today. Both videos are of the popular worship song "Let it Rise" but are done very different. I love them both and I think both worshippers did an excellent job with the song. Check em out and feel free to comment back. Did you prefer one version over the other? Does your church do it like this? Let us know! =)

Now Introducing to Some and Presenting to all E2VG!

So the other day I was searching for YouTube clips of a musician named Anthony Nembhard who has become one of my favorite bass players. His style is very different yet very musical. So when I searched his name, videos from the Berklee Files came up because he played bass on the 'Bottoms Up' and 'Over' Live Arrangements.

Something that did come up was a video entitled, 'E2VG Throne of My Heart As The Deer.' I watched and listened to this video and the worship is amazing! You can feel worship in all components of the video. You know, recently I've been going through a lot in my personal life, and this video has been a tremendous blessing. When the words 'You sit on the throne of my heart God' are sung, it reminds me that Christ lives in me and that even though I am facing difficulties right now, that God is indeed at the throne of heart with me always. I listen to this video at least 10 times a day as I work. You must be wondering where this video is, it's right here:

After watching this video I wanted to know more about E2VG. So I continued searching YouTube, and I was blessed. One thing that blessed me was the fact that in EVERY video that has them in it, they are worshiping. This is amazing, because we live in a time period where older church goers don't think people of this generation worship, they bad talk artist saying they are too wild plus many other things. (I grew up in a west indian church lol) But, E2VG definitely worships! Each video I watched ministered to me and blessed me.





If you want more on E2VG you can search on YouTube, you can find them on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/e2vg/id385801008), and twitter at @EV2G. Their music is really great and the worship is incredible, I hope that you are blessed as well. Let's continue to #unplugthegospel

T. Charles

VAPIANO

Hello my darlings! So, for those of you who don't know me, you will soon learn that I LOVE Pasta! As a result, most of my food posts may be about pasta - though, I plan on venturing out, we'll see how that goes.

Anyway, on Friday night I hung out with my beautiful sister Tyre and my fabulous friend Ije. We were debating between going to Spice and a restuarant that I hadn't been to before - Vapiano (which we ultimately ended up picking!). Ije had been there before so she gave us the run down. Pretty much, upon entering the restaurant you get a card that serves as your cash when ordering food and drinks; when you leave, you present your card and pay for your meal and whatever else you ended up buying. Then went straight to one of the pasta stations to order.

I chose "PESTO E SPINACI" which is pretty much a light cream sauce, spinach, tomatoes, a hint of pesto, and your choice of pasta. What's great about this restaurant is that, once you order, you can stand and watch them make it in front of you. When we each got our food, we chose our own seating - a table upstairs in a somewhat dimly lit surrounded by other tables and near an area with couches that catered for a bigger crowd.

Unfortunately, I didnt take a picture of my food :( but it tasted and LOOKED absolutely AMAZING!!! It was definitely worth the $12 that I paid for it.

I definitely recommend this spot to anyone who loves pasta (or pizza, or sandwiches) and a chill place to relax and eat. I saw friends celebrating a birthday, families sitting around, as well as couples - so this place, definitely caters for everyone.

For more information check out the website (http://www.vapianointernational.com/vapiano/cms/) and if you're in the NYC area, you can go directly to the spot (113 University Pl. - the only location in New York) and try it out yourself! :)

If you end up going or if you have been already, leave a comment and let us know what you think!

=)

Creativity!

Hey Everyone, it's me again :) I haven't written in a while because I've been super busy with numerous things - singing, church, work - the regular :)

Anyway, recently I started reading a book entitled "The Creative Leader" by Ed Young (I highly recommend this book to any leader of any business, church, ministry, etc. - it definitely helps get your creative juices flowing and encourages you to find new, creative ways, to unplug the gospel in whatever field you're working in) as an assignment for the creative team at my church (Team Life Church!! lol). While reading it this morning, I gained fresh insight on different ways to invoke creativity in the things I'm involved in as well as in my personal life.

Now, fast forward - I'm at work and I'm going through my emails from earlier this week and I uncover an email from a friend of mine (s/o to Jaime!!) of a youtube clip of a DOPE arrangement of the song "Shout to the Lord". I am VERY much into different praise and worship songs and this one has truly captivated me! Throughout the song, Darlene Zschech is going between different keys! It sounds amazing and is DEFINITELY above all else, VERY CREATIVE!

Please check it out, leave comments, let us know what you think about it (even if you don't like it, you can share that too! lol).

That is all - enjoy the rest of your day folks! :)

Dwayne Tryumf

Hey All! It's Sam bringing you another blog post. Today I wanted to do a blog post about Hip-Hop Artist Dwayne Tryumf. I'm actually a really huge fan of Rap/Hip-Hop so I'm extra critical when it comes to who I listen to, but Dwayne Tryumf is an artist that truly delivers great music with God-glorifying lyrics. Dwayne Tryumf first turned heads on the Christian Rap scene a couple of years ago with his 777 intro, which you can view below. I'm sure you will agree, the brother went ALL the way in.



What makes him kind of unique is the fact that he is actually from the UK. There is actually a strong Hip-Hop force growing over there and hopefully I will be sure to introduce to more and more UK artists. Anyway before I go I'll leave another one of Tryumf's songs with you, one that really touches me every time I hear it. It's called "This is For you". Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below! 'Till Later.

S'Mac - YUM YUM!

Hey all, it’s Celeste here! I have yet to blog, so I decided that my first post should be dedicated to one of my favorite restaurants: S’Mac. This extremely chill, home-like, store front restaurant specializes in just about everyone’s favorite comfort food – macaroni and cheese! Located in the East Village (345 East 12th Street), Sarita’s Mac & Cheese has every type of creative variation of macaroni and cheese imaginable. Each dish is a unique mix of a particular blend of mac and cheese. For example, cheeseburger mac & cheese was made “for the Hearty Meat Eater! Cheddar and American cheeses combined with seasoned Ground Beef” and my favorite, Mediterranean, will (according to the website) , sweep you away to the Mediterranean Sea - Goat cheese, sauteed spinach, kalamata olives, and roasted garlic (yummmmmmy!). You can almost feel the breeze from the water...”.

Like many other restaurants, there is vocabulary that is exclusive to S’Mac. When you go there, don’t bother asking for a “small” plate of mac and cheese – instead you have to ask for a “nosh”. If you’re really hungry, you can ask for a “major munch”, if you’re sharing your plate with others, the “mongo” would be appropriate, and if you’re catering for a bunch of people, go right ahead and get the “Partay” dish! Also, there isn’t ONLY Mac and cheese there – you can order cookies (which are absolutely DELISH!), chips, salad, and there are an array of drinks to choose from too! Regardless of the size, or the side order you choose to go along with your meal, I PROMISE, you won’t regret your visit to S’Mac! :)

http://www.smacnyc.com/home.html

Candace Cato Coming Home (remix)

Hey all this is Terrence here! So if you don't know my birthday was a few weeks (I am still accepting gifts lol), and a very special lady purchased me an 160 GB iPod. I had music to put on it already but I wanted more. I went to bandcamp.com to download a few mixtapes and while doing this I came across a song with the title 'Coming Home' but it was in the Gospel genre. Now, most of us know that Diddy and Dirty Money did a song called Coming Home, so I was a bit skeptical about it.

I went through with the download and I must say I got the better end of the deal. The lyrics in the first stanza really captured my attention, I had the dirty I can't believe this is what I'm listening to face cause it was THAT GREAT! Candace really speaks of truth in her song, but always talks about a hope that is there through Jesus.

I made contact with Candace via Facebook and the energy you get in here music you get in her personality and from working with different artist, thats really a great characteristic. Just letting your music emulate you.

Here is the Coming Home Remix by Candace Cato:

To download the single go to, http://candacecato.bandcamp.com/ It will BLESS YOU!!!!

Thanks for helping us Unplug The Gospel

Terrence

Mali Music's Story

Hey! Hope ya'll enjoyed the holiday weekend. Sadly enough I didn't get any BBQ invites but it's ok. The Lord knows my heart and He will provide me some BBQ pork ribs, OH! Ya'll not hearing me today!

Seriously though, back to business lol.

We all know (and hopefully love) Mali Music. He has taken the Gospel Music industry by storm with his new urban contemporary sound, edifying lyrics, and intricate musical production. I recently had the pleasure of attending the "B.E.T. Music Matters" event this past April at Crash Mansion (that's where we held our first event for Danielle Lewis!) and I can tell you, the crowd went CRAZY for Mali, and he delivered!

Though we know his Music, do we really know his story? Many of us can sing along with his music word for word, but do we know what God did for him? Do we know the Mali before the Music? Well a while ago I came across this interview of Mali conducted by P4CM where Mali Music got the chance to go deep into his testimony and past and I was touched. He shared his search, his struggles, and even his fallings. I know that I myself was able to relate with Mali and I think you can to. Check it out below.



Hope this blessed you like it blessed me!

Michael Gungor

Hey guys! Sam here! Gospel Unplugged's Graphic Designer. Just wanted to introduce myself as an author here on this site. I'll be bringing you a variety of different stuff, hopefully introducing you to new christian artists that are out there but you've never heard before. Expect a .. different sound. =) I can't wait! Let's get into it!

First artist I figured I'd introduce you to is Michael Gungor. Many of you know Israel Houghton, well, this guy is one of the many people behind the scenes that work with him. He played a key role in writing "Friend of God", the worship song we all know and love. Anyways, the guy is a beasty guitarist and an excellent singer/songwriter. Why don't you check him out in this Video:



And watch him go IN in this video:



Check him out! =)

Exclusive Pics!

Yes! The pics are here! From the epic ministry launch! If you were there, you already know. If you weren't, you need to see these pics. Click the graphic! Go comment! Tell us what you think! =)

Jovita Sheppard's Rock Righteous the Album, drops TODAY!!

Jovita Sheppard's album drops TODAY! Rock Righteous the Album comes out today on iTunes and amazon.com.

Jovita Sheppard has been blessing us with this movement in Kingdom music called Rock Righteous and her album is finally here!! Rock Righteous the Album will bless you, continue rocking out and unplugging the Gospel.

This brand new CD includes: the lead single "Running", "Shine On Me", "Not Afraid to Glow", and the title track "Rock Righteous".

Go purchase this great album today! Rock Righteous

Here is a video from Jovita's Album Release:

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An Explosive Night, the A-Minor Musik Youth Explosion

On March 13th A-Minor Musik and Promise House of Mount Moriah AME Church came together and had a Youth Explosion that was definitely explosive. From Praise & Worship ministered by Danielle Lewis who gave a very urban feel to 'Lord I Lift Your Name on High', and then 'Lord You're Mighty' made popular by Youthful Praise. This set in motion the greatness that would come for the rest of the night. Be sure to support Danielle and get a copy of her album 'Amazing' (Danielle Lewis- Amazing).

First group up was Broken ChainZ, they are  a group of musician's who love God and who's purpose is to spread the message of Freedom through repentance and redemption by the blood of Jesus Christ. They first ministered their lead single 'Freedom Cry' which is available on iTunes, (Freedom Cry). The authority in which the drums, synthesizers, bass, and guitars possesed show the freedom that they sang about. At the end of the song they went into the chorus of well known hymn 'Lamb of God' that punctuated the message of their song and the purpose of their ministry. They also did 'Cross Anthem' that will be on their project that's coming in the near future. Be on the lookout for great things coming from them.

Next we had BLESSED. He came with his Christian Rap us giving us a powerful and captivating performance that left us empowered as we chanted 'You've got to go' letting the devil know that all that he is trying to do is not allowed and he's got to go.

After chanting like that we had Doobie Powell up! Coming from Connecticut he came and gave us some great singing and great playing as he sat behind the keys. Due to car trouble his band was unable to play with him, but he had two of New York's greatest musicians in Carlin White and Dwayne "DW" Wright accompany him. View the videos to see what I'm talking about.

After Doobie we had Jules Bartholomew & Judacamp. They sang three songs, two of which are from their current album, 180 Degrees that's currently available on iTunes. They not only sang but ministered 'No Record' and 'Change Me Now'. They way in which Jules led the song the people really were really able to relate and just worship. After that they did their leading single 'Dance' and we sure we're dancing in the pews and aisles at Mount Moriah AME Church.

Up next we had the group/ministry we we're their to see and support, A-Minor Musik Group. Led by musician/producer Andre 'A-Minor' Johnson they did the lead singles from the album The A-Minor Project. First up was Linny Smith Jr. who sang 'Exalt Your Name.' His vocal ability with the infectious music made it one great reason for people to clap and get up out of their seats as we understood why God is so good!

After we exalted His name, we went into letting God 'It's Me' sang beautifully by Naomi Soloman. This song is amazing because it shows that we have to be humble ourselves and tell God we are in the need. No matter what we do what we go through, once we tell God 'It's Me' he's always there, even when we dont deserve it.

Last but not least we had Cjai sing 'Joy.' This song is a real head banger, it portrays why we have so much joy! Accompanying Cjai was the Abun-Dance ministry from Mount Moriah AME Church. He did an amazing job in leading us in the song and teaching us how to 'dougie' as the band jammed away! It was a great way to end the night, a night that was awesome, wonderful, great, and very EXPLOSIVE!!!

Special thank you to Andre 'A-Minor' Johnson for allowing us to be apart and cover this event. We most certainly had a great time and enjoyed ourselves.

To view photos from this great event click this link -> View photos from Youth Explosion

A-Minor Musik Youth Explosion, THIS SUNDAY!!

This Sunday March 13th is a Youth Explosion hosted by A-Minor Musik featuring Danielle Lewis, Broken ChainZ, Doobie Powell, and Judacamp. The location is Mount Moriah AME Church, 116-20 Francis Lewis Blvd, Cambria Heights NY, 11412.

Gospel Unplugged will be in the building and we hope to see all of you there!

Concert Promo Video