Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Funkadelic


Monday, December 29, 2014

Interior Decor: Feng Shui, Balance x Crystal Healing


I finally got matching nightstands for my bedroom as an effort to improve the feng shui in my space. I always had one on the side of the bed I slept on, but I must admit it feels better having that balance on both sides. I have two red candles in the love sector of my room (and the side I sleep on), as well as my crystal collection, (which I've added to recently, as pictured below) homemade marble coasters and a hand painted incense holder. 

The other side has a Moroccan style lantern (as is the overall theme of my room), "lucky" bamboo trellis plant (8 stalks represent 'wealth and abundance' - also, bamboo isn't typically used in the bedroom, especially bedside because it represents growth and vibrancy which can go against the calm vibe of a bedroom. I chose to go against the grain.. maybe I'll move them one day, but for now it doesn't bother me), more crystals and a Ganesha statue, known to remove obstacles and represent new beginnings. 


New additions:
Agate - Achieve stability and balance
Pyrite - Block negative energies, protection, enhances emotional well-being and good health
Black Onyx - Absorbs and transforms negative energy, provides support during times of stress, confusion and grief
Amethyst - Changes negative into positive, brings tranquility
Rose Quartz - Known as the 'Love Stone,' Comforts and heals the heart
Hematite - Protective stone, Improves relationships, balance and peace
Blue Quartz - Uplifting, restores hope and happiness, aids in overcoming fear and reaching out to others


( SIDE NOTE: They say if you want something you must first make space for it. Currently.. )

Bump It (Part 1 & 2) x Badu

vibe.

Musings: 12/29/2014

the saying, 'everything happens for a reason' helps me sleep better at night

"because everything that's meant to happen does.. eventually."
-American Beauty  
I'd like to be on a beach soon..
I've learned that avoidance solves nothing.. most times you have to deal with your problems head on
sold my first paintings on 12/24/2014
that makes me SO happy to say  :)
still no clue how I'm bringing in the new year... although I'd much rather focus on my state of mind vs. being at some big over the top, overly hyped location

jan 1 marks day one of my pescatarian journey (pray!)
they say the way you bring in the new year is an indication of how your year will play out..

a new vision board is long overdue

two days left.. let the countdown begin



new fav, styled in sepia


Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Media: 1 (Won)
Being innocent until proven guilty: 0

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

who are you
with the light's off
behind closed doors
when no one knows that the identity is yours
when out of town
unidentified
which parts do you show
what parts do you hide
 
 
 
.... and why?
 
 
 
 
 
shari renee

Monday, December 22, 2014

Weekend Recap: Fashionably Business Mixer x Mom's Bday Dinner


Any event that involves mixing and mingling, business card exchange and a nice cocktail is a good one in my book. My right hand, Chelli and I ended up at Malmaison, down on the waterfront for the DC Fashion Foundation's Fashionably Business mixer. Thanks to Georgetown's barrage of constant traffic (for no reason) we were a little late... but we were still able to meet a lot of interesting people. 
The location was secluded, had a very nice set up, and we may consider it as the location of our next event/ future collaboration. It's nice to have a meeting of the minds with local people that have common interests that you may otherwise never come into contact with.



...and on the other side of town my mom had a birthday dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Graces Mandarin at the National Harbor. Praying that I'm able to age with even half the grace of this woman... she looked amazing. Happy Birthday!


( SIDE NOTE: All I want for Christmas is to spend time with family, and to pay down some of my debts. Anything else would be a bonus. I provide for myself, I don't want for much. )

Friday, December 19, 2014

Monday, December 15, 2014

Marbled.

really enjoyed making these


2014: End of Year Recap

The year is winding down, and it's only right to reflect on all that has taken place; the highs and lows, ups, downs and plateaus.
(Will update through the end of the year.)

In 2014:

I allowed myself to be vulnerable.
I jumped.
I experimented.
 I lived.
I loved, man did I love...
I fell.
I made mistakes, again and again... but most importantly, I got back up.
I experienced more growth this year than I have in my entire adult life.
I conquered fears.
I found my voice, and used it.
I gained new friendships,
made amends and said goodbyes.
Hit refresh on my creativity.
Nearly doubled my blog posts from the previous year.
Stepped outside of my comfort zone, and found myself in my solitude.
I relinquished control and in turn regained a greater focus.
Saw my brand grow, and connected with the TRIBE in person.
Loyalties were tested, some thrived and some shriveled.
 I found balance on my own two feet.
And most importantly, I became comfortable in my own skin.


Lessons Learned/ Observed:

Comfort zones are cool and all, but nothing ever grows there.
Trying new foods will make you feel like you haven't truly been alive until you discovered them.
Wine is the answer. (.. the question doesn't matter.)
Go to as many concerts as humanly possible.. even if it means sometimes going alone. ( 2014 line up- KING, Snoop, Outkast, Damien Marley, Janelle Monae, The Roots, The Foreign Exchange, Pharoahe Monch, SZA, TV on the Radio, Bahamadia, Rihanna, Metallica..etc.)
Nothing great can manifest if the timing isn't right.
Avoid "ego" at all costs.
You should enjoy the people you choose to be around. People don't realize the control they have over who they allow to be in their lives.
Laugh.. find people who make you laugh.
Trust God to deliver.
"What I know for sure is this: You are built not to shrink down but to blossom into more. To be more splendid. To be more extraordinary. To use every moment to fill yourself up." -Oprah
Actions outweigh words. Period. (.. a hard one when you're a sucker for convo/ "sweet nothings.")
NOBODY can take your blessing!
Take the time to truly get to know who people are, and not who they portray themselves to be.
Listen!!
Value the good people around you.
When someone shows you who they are, believe them.
Travel, and often.
People will run in and out of your life if you leave the door open.
...and while on the subject of doors, it's impossible to enter a new one if your foot is still stuck in the old.
For every purchase made with credit, pay it off, or a portion right then and there.
And you don't owe anyone anything... not even the benefit of the doubt 
Stay woke.

D'Angelo For Breakfast.

he better stop playing...

Girls Night In x Hostess Requirements: Wear A Wig

If there's one thing I can say about my friends - we know how to have fun.

What's better than girls night in; complete with dress up, games, prizes, laughs, good eats and girl talk? … Not much. There's video, but I swore I'd never leak it.. lol.

I didn't want the night to end. 

Saturday, December 13, 2014

We Still Here

 We the TRIBE.

Friday, December 12, 2014

"The image of where you're going has to be more dominant than the image of where you are."
 


Thursday, December 11, 2014

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Millions March NYC

this is so important.
 
 
 
 
 
( SIDE NOTE: *Updated* There is a march in DC on the aforementioned date as well. Click here to register. )



Monday, December 8, 2014

QueenS x TheeSatisfaction

whatever you do...


( SIDE NOTE: Numerology has my stolen my interest for today. )

Saturday, December 6, 2014

#TBT Hair Envy

Sitting here (killing time as my deep conditioning treatment soaks in) reminiscing over pictures from two years ago... pre- blonde, before what feels like countless cuts, shrinkage and a change in curl pattern; and before I had to stretch my curls to get them to hang longer. I love the length here but the definition in my curls has greatly improved now that straightening my hair is no longer a part of my weekly routine. Amazing to think that I achieved this length with little to no regard to how I was treating my hair. I put no thought into products, heat styled almost daily and didn't really care for wearing my hair in it's natural state. The only time it received any real tlc was when I was in the salon.

 Now I'm a complete product junkie (complete with studying the ingredients and what my hair does and does not respond well to.. - post on that coming later), only go to the salon for trims three times a year, and don't care for my hair in any state other than my natural. Oh, how times have changed! 



( SIDE NOTE: I'm working on a number of things… spiritually, mentally and physically; and 2015 will be the year that it all comes together. God willing.)

Friday, December 5, 2014

Musings: 12/05/2014

got substance?
my dreams have been giving me a lot to interpret lately
I've been able to wake up and vividly remember at least one dream for each day of the passing week,
the latest seemed to center around candles.. these interpretations speak to me

the grinch (with Jim Carrey) is on, my dog's in my lap and I couldn't be more content in this moment.
everything that you come across on a daily basis is for a reason
..know that

people have been showing interest in purchasing my art, and I couldn't be more honored.
while I'm not completely comfortable putting a price on my work because that's not my purpose in creating I may explore the idea


thank you.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

True Life: I Wish I Was At Art Basel...

 All images via Cedar Pasori
 
 
 
Andre 3000 displays every jumpsuit, complete with emblazoned slogan, worn on Outkast's reunion tour this summer. Legendary.
 
The exhibit is on display at The Savannah College of Art and Design's Museum in Miami. 



Who Knew

Who knew we’d have foes
simply because of the way we wear our clothes
Kinky fros
Wide nose
But the very blood within us flows
The same
In vain
(in vein)
Because the skin that covers it isn’t the same

Who knew that melanin could cause such disdain
In this day and age
Eliciting rage
Disgust
Is that really enough
To separate us

The human race,
Who knew,
Only has room for one?
(Won)
A race
To be first place
Only to stand above another
Are we not people?
Did we not all come from a mother?
A sister, a brother?
But no,
Couldn’t be
 
They say

 You’re not the right color.
 
Shari Renee



8 x Willow Smith

so much knowledge in a 14 year old body



( SIDE NOTE: All of this controversy has inspired me to write poetry again. )

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

America

Yellana James

trippy.
 
 
more 


Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Musings: 12/02/2014

Soundtrack: Tha Carter II

attempting to drink a gallon of water a day, because youth.
 love seeing that "1" on the calendar
seeking balance in all aspects of my life.. I'm not there yet but I'm closer
also tracing my ancestry this month

my dream last night had an 'Orange is the New Black' theme
I fall in love with the mind first, sapiosexual
very big on Asian and Moroccan décor.

“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny,”
- the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
...still pushing this book on everyone I meet.

I'm at a point in my life where I'm just not afraid anymore,
teflon.

Ready

 ps. working on an end of year recap

Saturday, November 29, 2014

BLACK

…is Beautiful.



free time
*Updated*

series complete.

( SIDE NOTE: "X" pin by HouseofMiMi )
"Invest in the human family. Invest in people. Build a little community of those you love and who love you." 

Mitch Albom

Friday, November 28, 2014

(Pre)Weekend Recap: Thanksgiving Eve x Forgiveness

 Huxley

I rarely 'club.'



( SIDE NOTE: I decided that my goal before going into the new year is to forgive all of the people in my life who have caused me any type of pain - a kind of 'end of year' resolution if you will. It takes a lot of real conversations with yourself to tap into the reason why you may be letting a person or situation weigh so heavy on your heart… and many times it isn't until you've had these conversations that you realize some of the feelings are still lingering with you. It's up to you to decide if you're in a place to free yourself (because it's only you that a grudge is hindering) and let the hurt go.

Before I began, I promised that I'd be honest with myself in my forgiveness. I sat down and ran a list through my head of all of the people that have brought me any kind of significant, lasting grief throughout the years; and one by one asked myself if I could forgive them, truly. It brought up a lot of repressed feelings and caused me to recognize that some of the experiences I went through were for my protection and progression. 

Even in all of my efforts,I realized that there was a small number of people that I simply was not ready to forgive; it was either too fresh or ran too deep, and I didn't want to lie to myself for the purpose of being able to say I have a clear conscience. This is not a 'fake it until you make it' situation. They say when you hold on to things you're not harming anyone but yourself, which I wholeheartedly believe to be true. I have given myself a month to do some serious soul searching in order to start the new year with a fresh slate. I encourage everyone to consciously make efforts to let go of the hurt and resentment that is unknowingly eating away at so many people. Although I have not lifted all of the weight off of my shoulders, I'm proud of myself for beginning the process. I feel much lighter. 


 ) 

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

It saddens me that this is the world that we live in.
 
 
RIP Mike Brown
 

 
Justice will come.

Monday, November 24, 2014

 
"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness."


Weekend Recap: "Only In Town For A Night" x A Housewarming x A Septum Ring

The title to this post makes it seem like my weekend consisted of more than it actually did. My baby Kim flew in town to surprise our little sister (and her "number" -sorority lingo) for her housewarming. It was a great excuse to get everyone under one roof and enjoy drinks, laughs and good company; not to mention celebrating a super chic condo and Kim's exciting new career move. I love seeing my loved ones doing well. Can't wait to see what the next few months have in store.
 
 
( SIDE NOTE: I love being able to play with the look of a septum piercing without the commitment. There's plenty of them out there. Etsy has the best ones.)


Friday, November 21, 2014

muse


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Calm Down x Lola Wolf

mood.

Reading List x November 2014

These have been on my reading list for a while now, as well as the two mentioned below. (Which I'm more excited about because they were actually sold out.) I'm beginning with Malcolm Gladwell's, "The Tipping Point." Feel free to read along, or if you have any other good book suggestions leave them in the comments. 



Links We Love: I Am Necole x When Life Gets Stale

 
 


Unfinished Poem #2: Completely Uninspired

a quip forever lingered on his lips
and that's what I loved about him
ability to match wits,
talk shit and quietly
sit,
no awkward pauses
...

Pink Matter

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