Me this Summer.

( SIDE NOTE: Been studying Frida Kahlo… )

Musings x 4/30/2014

I've never truly put myself first.

currently: unlearning
Social media is losing it's appeal to me

it's always the people that you least expect that support you the most
Just fell in love with Shameless Maya
so many books have been recommended to me lately.. excited to dive in
new piercing this weekend

My biggest regrets usually involve believing in people
"naturally and genuinely curious"
trying not to fall into routines
God's love is manifold
undeniable
CHANGE
having something to look forward to
you have to sacrifice in order to gain
stop talking.
being around positive people
feline
no expectations,
the universe will bless you.. your good deeds won't go unnoticed
starting to get into travel shows.. nice reminder of how big the world is
too many live their lives in fear and don't even know it
play with color

Don't take me for granted
phenomenal woman

TBT x (Self) Length Envy

Jan 2012.

(I look so young here.) 

I was scrolling through old pictures on my macbook today and these pictures caught my eye. I'm so anxious to get my length back.. I still have a long way to go, but I'm getting there. Since I started wearing my hair natural ninety-percent of the time, along with lightening it to a blonder shade, I am very cognizant of the products that I use. When I was straightening it constantly products weren't even a passing thought. I've had to throw out so many that contain alcohol and other harsh ingredients because of the damaging effects that they were unknowingly causing, and because of this I feel that my hair is actually healthier. 

( SIDE NOTE: When my hair was this length I never really embraced my curls so I'm excited to see how the length and my 'fro will play out as well. )

Links We Love: GreatDay.com

A Great Day - The Daily Motivator

Diana Ross x Andy Warhol's Private Polaroid Collection

Polaroid of Diana Ross from Andy Warhol's private collection.



Spring Bucket List 2014

1. "Win" something
2. Have a picnic at the park - checkered blanket, picnic basket and all
3. Go to a carnival and get every color cotton candy
4. Scrapbook everything
5. Recreate a childhood photo
6. Visit Baltimore aquarium
7. Wine Festival
8. Print all pictures on memory card, and thereafter
9. Third tattoo
10. Order dessert first
11. Romantic carriage ride
12. Drive-in movie
13. Hot air balloon
14. Multiple dinner cruises
15. National Harbor Ferris Wheel at sunset
16. Road trip to Philly to go thrifting
17. Become a vegan for a week
18. Go to a cool indie festival - complete with face paint
19. Take picture with a "character"
20. Befriend a photographer and become his "muse"
21. Sleep under the stars
22. Visit a botanical garden
23. Throw a theme party
24. Ship TRIBE shirts to three new states
25. Paintballing!
26. Jump out of a plane
27. Take a chance on love
28. Road trip!
29. Governors Ball/ Tupac Broadway play
30. Start drum lessons
31. Learn salsa/ tango
32. Carry sidewalk chalk around for a whole day and channel my inner Banksy
33. Sell one of my paintings
34. Feature on a fashion/ hair blog
35. Get my fortune read
36. Save $1,000
37. Weekend beach getaways
38. Become a gym rat
39. Trace ancestry

(to be continued...)

TRIBE takes Miami!

My sis Kim looking super cute in her classic TRIBE tee, cut offs and hot pink lips.

 

 



( SIDE NOTE: All of my friends with like interests live thousands of miles away....  looks like I'll be solo a lot this summer. :/ )

The Foreign Exchange x The Howard Theatre

Meet me here.

 

It's been four years since I first saw the Foreign Exchange perform in Richmond. It was a great show... perfect atmosphere for date night or anyone who just enjoys a good live show. I'll be in there, bright and early. Doors open at 6.

"Dreams Are Made For Two," one of my favorite songs off the latest album.

It Takes More Than Water To Grow A Garden

it takes more than water to grow a garden

there's a difference between maintaining one, and actually putting love and care into it

why plant the seeds

( SIDE NOTE: "Do a little more each day then you think you can." - Lowell Thomas )

open mic this week is so necessary
I need to be surrounded by passionate people
expression,
good vibes
ill word play
release

I need to feel that

 

been a while since I've had something mind blowing.

The Bizarre Weekend: 4/26/2014

Gams.

We gave a new meaning to fashionably late...

#TheBizarre

The Flirtation with Vulnerability

The flirtation with vulnerability

the wanton need to

delve deeper into self

and feel something...

starts with a conscious decision to allow oneself to go there

knowing that the outcome of such action

could prove

beneficial or detrimental

but also embracing that the lingering space in between

is filled with the beauty of adrenaline and hope

terror and anticipation,

falling or flying?

into the deep abyss or a field of daisies

defenses disabled,
you're out there

possibilities unknown
but the desire to find out
overcomes the fear

knowing that there's no other way to get to this place

than to jump

 

 

Recap: Birthday Weekend 2014

Graces

The Tasting Room

National Harbor

Oxon Hill, MD

Links We Love: 100happyDays.com

Can you be happy for 100 days in a row?

Daily Motivation: The Mantra

this was fun.

 

In case you forgot

..lol

Musings x 4/23/2014

lost all the pictures on my phone... feels like a new start
I've been smiling a lot more lately
please don't shoot me down,
kill my vibe
or any other variation of attempting to break my spirit.

the foreign exchange - May 2, The Howard Theatre
just want to watch 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids' and relive my childhood

 all tie dye everything
set a strong foundation

...looking forward to it
when men refer to their significant other as their 'rib' >

doubt your doubts until they no longer exist
reciprocation is a rare, beautiful bird.
my mindset is evolving... shifting

realized that I have found something that scares me... reminded me that I am alive

the alchemist

If I can't have you the way I want you, I don't want you
thrive baby.
all we have is right now
new shipment is in!
my love for peaches is too real
"appear as you may wish to be" - Machiavelli
love to see loved ones progressing
positivity wins.
al(l)ways
 



Look Up

There's beauty there.

Early Morning Discussion: What Does Love Feel Like?

A close friend of mine broke the ice in our group chat this morning with a simple, albeit completely random, question that sparked a dialogue that stretched well into the workday. The almost childlike innocence of it was so sweet and unexpected. She asked, "What does love feel like?" The question was coming from a genuine place of wanting to know what it felt like to be in love... a feeling that she herself wasn't sure if she ever experienced. Although this isn't normally something that can easily be put into words, the responses started pouring in - each beautifully different from the other. It was endearing to read some of the responses. It was also eye-opening to see what response the question triggered from myself. Read some of the responses below, followed by my answer.

 

---

 

Yeah, it's like that.

 

Pink and Purple Sunsets

The view from the restaurant where I had my birthday dinner was absolutely beautiful. As I captured this photo I couldn't help but to imagine how breathtaking it would be to witness the sunset while atop of the ferris wheel in the distance. I'm adding this to my bucket list for the summer.



love is so crazy/ beautiful



captured a little glimpse of spring on my lunch break



Musings x 4/17/14

"the truth remains under the bridge of lies it takes a lifetime to construct.."

shari renee

 

- a note from my journal that dates back to high school, but still proves relevant. There are times that I feel I knew so much more about life and what it truly meant to live when I was younger... before the textbooks and media began to cloud the mind.

 

It is up to us to unlearn and reeducate ourselves. Question everything... research, and seek out the answers for ourselves. Don't become a slave to the machine.

The Unmasked Effect: Legacies Unveiled

Growth.
Impactful.
Survivor.
Birth.
Relentless.
Good.
Present.
Freedom.

This is powerful. Watch.

Saturday is MY day.

Just so you know...

in case you forgot.

I Stand Alone x Robert Glasper x Common

The interlude at the end, greater than.

 

"The irresistible appeal of Black individuality - where has all of that gone?"

"The trends of the times be damned...

 

"We should all be unsatisfied with mimicking the popular, rather than mining the fertile veins of creativity that God placed deep inside each of us."

Recap: The B- Word Screening

1. Celeste and the "Creole Sour Patch Kid" aka moi. Her words, not mine.

2, 3. Wanted to take this bucket hat home. I didn't.. I should have.

4, 5. The best sushi and tacos are on the West Coast.

6 - 12. Amoeba Music with my cousin and West Coast transplant Stee,

my new favorite hoodie and Grey Ant.

13. When in LA I drink Thai iced tea at least once a day. So good. My addiction.

14. Coachellaaaaa..

15 - 18. Pre- "The B-Word" screening selfies.

16. The B-Word played on six screens in RAIN nightclub in Studio City, CA. There was a good turnout and everyone seemed to enjoy the three films that were played.

17 - 18. The producing duo behind "The B-Word," The Celistan twins!

19 - 21. Post- screening fun. This wasn't the dress that I originally planned to wear.. but it was the first I tried on and I fell in love with the simplicity of it. It gave me a Carrie vibe. My sister Tamika was my date and she proved to be a true team player when the party moved from the screening to Sardo's karaoke bar! There's footage, but it will never get out.. lol. We performed Outkast "Ms. Jackson" in honor of their Coachella performance and Brandy "I Wanna Be Down."

 

( SIDE NOTE: The B- Word screening was so nice! From the film to the venue - I am so proud of my cousins for pulling off such a major feat. I can't wait for it to come to DC and to see what else these amazing girls have in store. Congrats ladies! )