"Could you really love somebody who was absolutely nobody without you? You really want somebody like that? Somebody who falls apart when you walk out the door? You don't, do you?"

-Toni Morrison

Weekend Recap: The Perfect Weekend LA

( nothing less than )

Stronger Than Pride x Sade



feels.

Frierson Wedding x Love Epiphanies

This past weekend brought me back to Norfolk for my sorority sister Tiffany's wedding. It felt good to be surrounded by so much love - not only between the bride and the groom, but for them by the people in attendance. It's beautiful to find your soul mate in someone.

 

The ceremony was filled with emotion and it really served as a reminder that we are growing up! The commitments expressed in the vows were so real, and it kind of makes the whole 'going through the motions' of dating thing seem trivial. In discussions with my sisters post-ceremony we all agreed (for the most part) that we are nowhere near ready to be married at this age. However, there is no time to be wasted on anyone who isn't serious about moving on to that next stage in life. Don't get me wrong... these are the fun years, and people go into dating for all types of different reasons depending on where they are in their life at the moment. We are still discovering ourselves and laying out the foundation for who/ where we want to be later in life.. and there's nothing wrong with that. Contrary to popular belief, I feel that having someone by your side as you grow into the man/ woman that you want to be is a beautiful thing. The idea that you can do it on your own... but you don't have to. I'm rambling, but with that said "situationships," flings and rebounds at this age just feel childish and there's no room for anyone bringing that type of temporariness to the table. 

 

Date people, feel them out and if it feels wrong - move on! Don't waste your time trying to make it "feel" right; and most of all, always be honest and upfront in your intentions.

 

 

 

Have a Great Day all! :)

 

 

( SIDE NOTE: 10 Ways to Be a Better Person  )



The Deep End

Let life break your heart

until your heart becomes

unbreakable.

Try. Fail. Risk.

Jump off the deep end.

 

There are no conditions to love.

And no end to it's depths.

 

-Jeff Foster

 

 

( SIDE NOTE: I've discovered a new obsession with Ancient Egyptian culture. Currently taking in everything I can find on the subject. )

If I don't know anything else, I know this... People put up a fight for what they love.

 



Natural Love

So I stole this picture of my cousin and his girlfriend from her Instagram (@designsbyshirabenson). To be fair I announced that I was going to do so, so in a way I asked permission lol. I immediately stopped scrolling when I saw it because it's such a dynamic shot. It truly captures the love shared between the two of them, all the while triggering a double dose of natural hair envy (those locs?!). It reminded me of another adorable picture of a natural couple that I came across earlier in the week. How beautiful is Natural Love?

Thoughts On An Airplane Napkin, Revisited: Love, Happiness, Freedom - Trifecta

Love, Happiness, Freedom: Trifecta

in pursuit.

Love and freedom aren't as traditionally linked with the idea of "pursuit" as happiness. However, I find that in discussions with my peers and through self- reflection these three always seem to come up.

love,

of self

reciprocated love of others

happiness, 

defining what it means and being true to self

accomplishments/ with where we are in life

freedom, 

to be proudly and unapologetically who we are

to live the life we dreamed for ourselves


In these discussions the 'what' is so clearly defined. It is in the 'how does one get there' that it all begins to become cloudy. There is such a demand for immediate results when we set our minds to something, especially in this generation, that we want to have it instantly. The sad (although not really if you think about it) truth of it is.. it often times doesn't work out that way. These three ideals are so closely linked that it almost seems that you can't have one without the other. We all want to be loved. Even the biggest cynic in the world can deny it until they're blue in the face, but without the love of self or the true reciprocated love of another our happiness suffers. And what is happiness without someone you love to share it with? How happy can one be if they feel trapped or cornered into not living or pursuing the life they envisioned for themselves?

While there is no set formula for achieving this "trifecta" and everyone's journey will be unique to them, I find that in my personal experience I've learned (and am still learning) to pursue the freedom aspect first. It is in pursuing freedom, going out and discovering the life that we want to lead, that we are being the truest to ourselves and thus will find happiness in that aspect alone. In finding happiness through doing the things you love you will in turn come across people with similar interests and values, and have a greater chance of finding a fulfilling love to share it all with.

- a few thoughts that I captured on a napkin while in flight a few months ago. 

when I fly my mind tends to wander. and again tonight.

revisited.

The Beggar x Mos Def

this is the song that would play in the background in the first love scene in the movie of my life,

utterly obsessed.

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.

 

The Truth About Soulmates

 

interesting 

...and I read the whole thing.

 

Roses Are Red x International Day of Happiness

I grew up with a father who always had fresh flowers waiting for me when I would visit. I didn't know just how lucky I was then, (I didn't realize that this wasn't the "norm," because for me, growing up, it was) but I was blessed with such an amazing, doting man that set my standards high in regard to how I'd look at a man and how I'd allow myself to be treated.

 

 Since, flowers have had a very special meaning to me. They take me back to those days as a little girl and the sense of joy when I'd open my bedroom door and see a beautiful bouquet staring back at me; a feeling of being thought of and valued, and most of all knowing that my happiness mattered to someone other than myself.

 

I chose to capture this picture at my local grocery

and share my brief story in honor of International Day of Happiness!

 

What makes you happy? 

 

( SIDE NOTE: Beyond your wildest dreams... I'm trying to go there. )



What Kind of Love x Gambino

I fell in love just now..

with a song

special thanks to Tiff for hipping me

sometimes God wants YOU to make the decision

and if He see's you're not doing it He will

place situations and things in your life to almost make you walk away

sometimes He'll make people leave you because He knows you don't have the strength to walk away

and He doesn't want you to waste anymore of your time.


Jon Rafman, Keith Haring Theatre, 2013.

If Famous Artist Chose Interior Design Instead of Fine Art 

What an interesting concept! How cool would it to be to walk into this theatre. I love the look of ceiling-to-floor art. I think someone should run with the idea... I know I'd be there.

source

Please support my cousins first cinematic short, "The B Word," under their newly formed production company, Celistan & Co Films. They are more than half way to their $5,000 goal. So proud of them! A message about the project below:

“THE B WORD” is a cinematic short narrative depicting two sisters on conflicting paths; both leading to a destructive cycle of fear, blame and uncertainty. The story is set around the disease of “Bulimia Nervosa”, and how it’s debilitating factors can transform a sisterly bond into one of dysfunction; ultimately becoming unhealthy and toxic. This short is a fictionalized take on a growing epidemic in our community that has yet to be addressed on a grand scale.

The estimated cost to produce the “The B Word” is $5,000. Of course, in order to bring this groundbreaking and socially conscious short to the masses, we need your help. We setup a Kickstarter campaign and invite you to generously donate to our project. Please understand in order to bring this effort to the community, we need your help and support; any funding or awareness you can contribute is appreciated. In order to receive the requested amount of $5,000, we must reach or exceed our goal. All monies will be used for production cost such as gear, crew, locations, etc.

Awareness is priceless. “The B Word” hopes to start a conversation in the African-American community regarding bulimia. Gone is the time where we ignore the “elephant” in the room. Too long have we ignored our physical and mental health issues while eradicating our youth and children’s futures. Please donate to a cause close to our hearts and lets begin to start the conversation.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/321151899/the-b-word

I can't stop playing this.

Happy 95th Birthday Nelson Mandela!



How do you know you’re in love?

—COMMON: Man, I know I’m in love when I think about her a lot and I’m finding ways to get to that person. Even though I gotta work, even though I gotta take care of other responsibilities, I’m like yo, when am I gonna fly out and see that person? I look forward to seeing them.

—KENDRICK LAMAR: How do you know you’re in love? When your heart feels it instead of your mind and your penis don’t. You know, it’s deeper than that… That’s when you know.

—PETE ROCK: Oh man you feel it right here, *touches heart*, right there, it’s like cupid’s shooting you in the heart, that shit’s just BOOW! Lots of people say they don’t believe in love at first sight, but I do, it’s happened to me.

—A$AP ROCKY: You know you in love cuz you don’t want nobody else but that person. You know, that’s how you know for sure. Like you could see a million other bad bitches, but you know, but it don’t even matter, you stuck.

—BIG BOI: Your heart flutters a little bit, you like to kiss on the mouth a lot, your neck get hot when you kiss on the mouth, that type of stuff. Stuff like that, yea.

—QUESTLOVE: I THINK WHEN THAT PERSON CONSUMES YOU.

I love this.

via tumblr. 

I was waiting on the extended version.
crack in it's purest form.