Sweet Love on My Mind

We caught with our friend Mrs.DaniDevine for a little 2021 Q & A!

GGR asks: "For many, 2020 was a time of self-reflection, and perhaps a test of patience or perseverance. Describe your 2020, and if you could give yourself one piece of advice heading into the New Year, what would it be?"

Mrs.DaniDevine says: "I'm not ashamed to admit that 2020 went well for me, relatively! Other then losing my job due to covid down-sizing, and getting a new role with the same company, I got the opportunity to start modeling for publication - I even got 2 covers! I also got to know my spouse more than ever during quarantine, and worked even more on developing friendships - making sure to try to be there for those around me, and offer as much support as I could.

Through this time at home, I've been able to reflect on my own mental health. My advice to myself, and anyone else who needs to hear it, would be to take time: Take time for yourself, take time to take little steps towards a sense of normalcy, take time to check in on those around you, take time to just sit and reflect on your day, take time to try one new thing and take time to grow. Right now, we've got time - all of the time in the world - use it wisely; start a new craft, read a book, reach out to old friends, clean/declutter your surroundings, learn a new language - just don't waste this time that we have, use it as an opportunity to grow as a person, and make a wonderful life for yourself and those around you."

Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Danielle! If you'd like to hear more from Mrs.DaniDevine, you can find her on Instagram at @MrsDaniDevine.

Banned 'Walkabout' Short Petticoat, $52

Length: 20-23"
Suggested for: minis, skater skirts, and other shorter skirts

Banned 'Starlite' Classic Length Petticoat, $64

Length: 24-26"
Suggested for: below-the-knee dresses and skirts. This is the most common petticoat length!

Banned 'Lifeforms' Tea Length Petticoat, $67

Length: 28"
Suggested for: mid-shin dresses, or if you like the look of a petticoat peeking out under the hem of shorter dresses. This the highly coveted (hard to find) TRUE tea length petticoat.

Hazel Scott (1920 – 1981) was an actress, singer, and supremely talented pianist who pioneered "swinging the classics," fusing classical and jazz music into her own signature style.

She was a musical child prodigy who was admitted to Julliard at age 8 and was performing in top venues by age 16. Later, she rose to prominence as a jazz singer and an actress, and became the first black American to have their own national TV show with "The Hazel Scott Show" in 1950.

As an outspoken critic of discrimination and segregation, she worked to improve the representation of Black artists in film and made a lasting impact on the arts.

Among her many impressive skills, she could flawlessly play two pianos at the same time, as seen in the above clip from the 1943 film, The Heat’s On.

Want more Hazel Scott? Here's another stunning performance from her 1943 movie, I DooD It, via Youtube. You can also hear more of her work and learn more about her life and her activism in a recent BBC World Service program, Hazel Scott: Jazz star and barrier breaker.