Links We Love: Releasing Dead Weight

Akin Olokun: Releasing Dead Weight

I'd really like to live my life a little more this way. Dedicating a part of my weekend to decluttering my space. I always feel better after I let go of things that, for lack of a better word, I was ultimately hoarding - old school work, clothes that have been stored in bins for years, broken accessories that I swore I'd somehow restore, impulse purchases I never wore, etc. Spring is right around the corner after all. 

I recently watched a documentary on Netflix, "Living On One Dollar," and it was really humbling, I highly recommend it if you're ever looking for a good documentary (or a little humbling ;)) 

garden nymph

I could change your life, but I'm not going to force it on ya

Governor's Ball Line Up 2015

I'm thinking day 1/day 2

sunday night 

( SIDE NOTE: goals that I set out to accomplish in six months, I've now achieved in two. grateful. )

Turning 30 Should Not Be A Starting Point

People treat the big 3-0 like this big miraculous age where everything in life will change; after thirty it will be acceptable - expected even - to get more serious about life. But in all actuality there are some of us who are serious about life at our current ages. Thirty is not the be all end all when it comes to deciding you are ready to adopt an adult mindset. Knowledge, maturity and growth should be something we build on with each coming year, instead of waiting for a false beacon of light that being thirty brings. I know people that are still doing the same things at 27 that they were doing at 24, so to assume that the bridge between 29 and 30 will bring about some grand 'a-ha' moment seems trivial. 

Don't allow people to tell you you're too young for something, or too old for something. You decide.  There's no one age where things will be just right all across the board. You decide your pace. Set your own timeline. 

was going to write a really deep post about how people have the power to choose the direction of their lives, and how each choice is a sacrifice of the outcome of another.. but I got lazy. 

so:

red or green pill, 

you live and you learn

"Mans natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart."

- Confucius





Lust List: Archie's Press Maps

Put on for your city(ies)

I'm a first generation Washingtonian. My family hails from New Orleans, LA. this year I plan to take steps toward exploring the culture more, and finding out as much as I can about those who came before me. I also want to trace my ancestry before the end of Black History Month (although I've been told the results can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks). I feel like you can't truly know yourself until you know where you come from.. and I want to know more than just the surface. Where did we come from? What stories do my grandparents have to share from their childhoods? How did we find our way to DC? What did their parents do for a living, and their parents before them? Hopefully one day I'll be able to add an African country/ territory (or 3)  to this list.

( SIDE NOTE: Ash Wednesday calls for us to give up something, and this year instead of giving up food (chocolate, red meat) or something to do with vanity (40 Days of Curls) as I've done in previous years, I'll be giving up something that will instead help my peace of mind. ) 

P.S. Pay attention to who supports you.. like really supports you, not just who talks about it. It's never the people that you'd expect.. a complete stranger will support you before those you're closest to.

Community x Roman Lee Norfleet

support the underground

Updated: '40(ish) Days of Curls' Product Overhaul

I've been saying I was going to do an updated product overhaul for a while now. My last one was almost two years ago (horrible, I know). Now that I'm well into my natural hair journey I pay much closer attention to what I choose to use in my hair, and I'm even more selective because my hair is color treated (alcohol is a no no). These products have worked wonders on trying to maintain my hair's health as well as regaining length that was lost in my transition. (I use the word transition lightly because I've always been natural.. I use it to refer to the time when I stopped heat abusing my hair every two weeks and switched to wearing my curls first time.) I arranged the products in the order that I use them, and the coconut oil can be used as both a pre-poo and to seal ends.

From l to r:

LouAna 100% Pure Coconut Oil

III Sisters of Nature Cleasing Co-Wash with Coconut Milk 10oz

Pureology Perfect for Platinum Conditioner, 8.5 Ounce

It's a 10 miracle leave -in Plus Keratin 10oz

Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Leave-In Conditioner 16oz
Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner - 33 oz

Not pictured:
Natural Argan Oil (also used as an end sealant) 

Inspire the Tribe.

Weekend Recap: Lauryn Hill x Badu x Valentine's Day

spent valentine's day w ms. hill and badu

more videos on my Youtube

Musings: 2/16/2015

lauryn hill + badu concerts back to back makes for an unforgettable weekend

ascension,

no affiliation

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." -Alice Walker

( SIDE NOTE: Time is ticking to get your tickets for my very first art show. If you're in the DC area March 4th, come out and support. )

The Blind Trust Project



this is so powerful,

I cried

Happy Dilla Month!

quick sketch

 

 

art by shari renee

 

 



Weekend Recap: The Black Love Experience @ Nubian Hueman x 2/8/2015

Nubian Hueman hosts some of the best events in DC; that's not opinion, that's a fact. The Black Love Experience was no exception. The night was perfect from beginning to end. Black owned businesses from all across the DC area came together under one roof to showcase their genius. There were fashion/ accessory designers, massage therapists, pastry chefs, artists, poets, relationship gurus, (complete with dating/ marriage workshops) photogs and musicians. Anything you could possibly dream up... it was there. And I'm so thankful that Anika continues to give all of these opportunities to young black entrepreneurs to get their names and brands out there. I will forever support Nubian Hueman because of that. And who knows, maybe next year you'll see a familiar face there. ;)

 

Special shout out to the brands: LLULO, Jamilla Okubo (artist), House of Mimi, Good Thoughts Tea Co, AllyElle Cards, 84 Gem, Pages (poet), E-Baby (poet) Markus Prime (artist), The Date Whisperer (relationship guru), Ujamaa Box, Cakes by Tanya (pastry chef) and many, many more. 

 

Inspire the Tribe.



( SIDE NOTE: Another thing that I appreciate about these events is the crowd. Ankara prints and natural hair everywhere! lol It's so nice to be among people that appreciate a little culture over the club.  )



Musings: 2/3/2015

I've been praying a lot for a stronger drive lately

more motivation, and to reach and surpass my envisioned potential

this year has started off with a bang

I feel as though all of my prayers for peace and clarity were granted on Jan 1st when the clock struck 12

I'm sure that it's all in my mind and that I was subconsciously waiting on the new year to give a fresh start to a state of mind that I'd been working toward for some time,

but either way

I'm so grateful to have found it and that I'm still maintaining it a month and some change later

I hope it never leaves me

"If the problem can be solved, why worry? If the problem cannot be solved, worrying will do you no good." - Dalai Lama

I've been working hard to try to create at least one painting a day until my very first art show, Mar 4th, a little over a month away. However, my creative process is extremely laid back. I paint what I want to paint. I don't think about being cohesive. I don't force it. I just create, and release it into the world to be received. 

Ain't No Giving In x Chronixx

reggae is always a good way to start the day