Weekend Recap: Made In America, Day 2

Labor Day weekend consisted of relaxation, the Made in America concert - day 2, and more relaxation. I skipped day 1. I'm not big on two days in a row of the same thing… especially when large crowds are involved. One day was plenty. Future, Lolawolf, Grits and Biscuits and Fab put on a great show. We left before The Weeknd went on, which was totally fine… I saw all I needed to see of him at The Roots Picnic. I wish I would've been able to catch Banks' performance but time got away from me. Thanks to MM for making it all possible! And of course I had my thoroughest girl with me. ;)


( SIDE NOTE: The Internet will be in DC in two weeks. So you'll definitely catch me there. )

Links We Love: The Friend Zone Podcast

Love this new podcast. I'm only on episode one, but I can already tell that 'The Friend Zone' is going to be a welcome addition to my current podcast rotation (below).



Musings: 9/3/2015

so many thoughts running through my head....

put me on to new music and I'll never forget you

with that said,



you're welcome.




"Sometimes your only job in someone's life was to prepare them to be better for someone else, and that's a very hard reality to accept... but it's the truth."
-HeyFranHey, The FriendZone

'I Do' Vox Box Review via Influenster

I've fallen so far behind on blogging. I've had a lot going on in the past few weeks, so I have a lot of posts coming in the next couple of days. I wanted to take a moment to review the "I Do" Vox Box that I received from @Influenster as a courtesy (gratis) to weigh in on wedding themed products for a wedding that I was set to attend back in July. A few of the standout products were:


 @Indeedlabs nanoblur skin perfecting cream; It can be applied over or under make-up, minimizes the appearance of pores and gives the skin an overall airbrushed look. I will definitely continue to use this.. it's been a lifesaver in these sweltering summer months.


Neutrogena hand cream; extremely moisturizing, and gives skin a glistening, #nanoblurred look that I can appreciate with all of the skin that is on display this time of year. I hate the look of dry, blistered skin.


Ache and Pain Relief to Go; this was cool because it provides the relief of a pill without having to have a glass/ bottle of water handy if pain happens on the run.


The other products pictured were decent, but not really my cup of tea. For the Covergirl Stay Luminous foundation, my issue was moreso that I don't really wear foundation so any amount of it just feels heavy on my face; and the Outlast Longwear lipstick was simply not a good color for me... but I liked the texture and staying power. 

Recap: Pancakes And Booze Art Show

I have amazingly wonderful people around me. 

To everyone that came out to support, by showing your face, purchasing a piece, attempting to get in (I apologize for the venues lack of space; the turnout was crazy!) or even coming up to share how my work spoke to/ inspired you… I appreciate each and every one of you.

Oh yeah, go check out my shop.

"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions."

-Albert Einstein

( SIDE NOTE: Re-watched "The Secret" on Netflix and I highly recommend that you drop everything that you're doing right now and do the same. )

Higher x Wynter Gordon

theme song to life right now

Pancakes And Booze x 8/20/2015

My second Art Show!!!

Penn Social

Aug 20

7pm
DC

Lust List: All 'Pom' Everything

( SIDE NOTE: Ordered my ancestry DNA kit today. I can't wait! )

manifest (v)

to prove; put beyond doubt or question

Musings: 8/5/2015

when you meet dope people who just get it >

vibrational alignment is real

( SIDE NOTE:  trying to submerge myself in my art. below, a few pieces that may or may not be finished. haven't decided yet. )

Here x Alessia Cara

life mood.

Toki's Synth Series



So I stumbled across a post on Toki's Synth Series on @RockCreekSocial's instagram page on Monday and decided it was something I wanted to see for myself. I rounded up my love Ashleigh, and ventured to DC in hopes of discovering this hidden gem.

The series, which 'uses yarn to visualize sound in three dimensions' is hidden in an abandoned building near Rhode Island Metro Station.... like literally.... AN ABANDONED BUILDING. It took us a while to figure out exactly how to get in, (thankfully we were able to catch a few Howard students coming out who helped with this) but once inside it was no easy feat. We had to literally climb into the building, which we weren't really dressed for, but it ended up being worth all of the mystery and effort.

The installation is a series of multicolored yarn weaved around columns in the middle of an old decaying factory. The windows are hollowed out so it makes for really dope lighting. Depending on where you're standing when viewing the installation the patterns formed vary. It's such a clever location as you have to be really curious to find it. I loved the adventurous appeal of that.

If you love adventure, and are looking for something to do on a random afternoon, I recommend it. I wouldn't recommend going too late, as it may get a little creepy roaming around an abandoned building at night.

Inspire the Tribe.

Gucci Mane Art Show x Brooklyn

one of those moments I wish I lived in New York

if you're in Brooklyn, or able to get there, do me a favor and check this out for me





lazy days of summer

( SIDE NOTE: missing my blonde.. but also missing my length. what's a gal to do? )

Musings: 7/28/2015

purpose/ reason

the moment we start to look at all of the happenings in life from a purposeful perspective we are able to appreciate them more. everything/ everyone that we come into contact with serves a purpose, some bigger/ smaller than others… but none without giving us a (small/ big) nudge in the direction that we're supposed to be traveling. 

people often say, "I'm right where I'm supposed to be," and while it may not always be what we want to hear at the time, or possibly even believe as it rolls off our tongues, I believe it to read truer with every passing day. 

purpose/ reason is rarely revealed immediately. it's more of a 'hindsight is 20/20' concept where it isn't really clear until you look back on it… timespan varies. i've caught myself in certain situations recently where I'm sometimes able to recognize the beauty/ reasoning of why something has happened, or is happening a lot sooner than I may have noticed it before I tapped into this way of thinking. 

why did I meet this person?

what role did I play in this persons development/ progression, and vice versa?

what did a situation bring out of me/ contribute to pushing me a little closer to where I am now/ where I want to be?

there's always a reason. 

some people come into your life solely as a distraction, 

some people are walking lessons/ examples to one persons life, all while being something completely different to someone else. 

sometimes you experience a setback only to realize in the long run it put you in the best position ever to prepare for what was to come next, 

some people are put into your life to teach you loyalty by being the absolute worst example of it, sometimes we miss the lessons/ reasons and they are given to us over and over again until something finally clicks,

the list goes on, 

and I'm grateful for everything on it

...

it's all very interesting to watch unfold and it's caused me not to question as much in a 'woe is me' way, and more so in a 'where is this taking me' way. 

it's all a part of our journey and it truly is a magnificent one.

but I'm rambling, and drinking wine as I write this.

goodnight 

 

Inspire the Tribe.

Double Trouble - Uranus and Venus Retrograding Together!


"Uranus in retrograde is a time for huge transformation. The only thing holding us back from it will be our own ego and our own fear. This retrograde is an opportunity that shouldn’t be taken lightly and we mustn’t allow it to pass by due to our being too afraid to be shaken up.


It’s time to embrace all that we’ve been trying to hide from. To look very closely at who we are, what we want, who is around us and where we are heading. Uranus in retrograde gives us a firm kick in the butt to prevent us from settling into routines that feel too easy for us."


"As with Venus in retrograde, we will be digging up the past to encrypt and decode it and find some of the answers that have been eluding us. We will not be satisfied until our curiosity has been soothed and we have investigated, questioned, researched and done our homework on what and who has led us to where we are now. And why.
We know that we have repeated so many lessons time and again and there are many parts of our lives that we still do not seem to have fully learned from or completely understood.


We constantly ask ourselves, “Why are the same things being continuously brought to my attention.“


Not any more!"

HIPSTORY x Amit Shimoni

thursday's dope finds

www.justiceorelse.com

important

7/22/2015

I'm happy

:)

The Beach Exhibit x National Building Museum

ball is life

Louis Farrakhan x The Breakfast Club



watch this

seriously.

Musings: 7/16/2015

haven't written a poem in months,
.. haven't been inspired to
haven't painted in weeks,
.. haven't been inspired to




mood: house key x lolawolf
so moved by the Louis Farrakhan x The Breakfast Club interview (see next post)


oftentimes I feel like letting people back in is this huge monumental mistake/ waste of time.. it never goes back to how it was, and I hate to stain a memory
what's that saying.... you can't go home again?



( SIDE NOTE: 10 Important Questions You Should Ask Yourself To Figure Out If You're On The Right Track )

Stronger Than Pride x Sade



feels.

not all girls love flowers..

but this girl does

Wedding Season/ Wedding Woes

Congrats Bernice and James!




( SIDE NOTE: I'm finally getting some length back, but I also need a trim.. these pictures are making me second guess getting my roots touched up this week. I kind of like the contrast. )

Weekend Recap: X Men Inspired Fourth of July

Three day weekends call for hair color experimentation. 

For the 4th weekend I decided to revisit an old favorite - grey curls. It's so crazy to me that this color has become mainstream over the last year or so… it's so wrong, (who would've thought the hair color our mother's are trying so desperately to cover up would become vogue for the younger generation?) that it's right. It just works. 

Philadelphia treated me wonderfully, as usual. I fell asleep in a hammock (best sleep ever - in case you were wondering) under the stars and a flashing light adorned tree canopy. I saw The Roots, Miguel and surprise guest Cee- Lo live, followed by an amazing firework show. Enjoyed local eateries I can't find in DC (a must when traveling) and just really enjoyed myself overall.    

Inspire the Tribe.



( SIDE NOTE: I love when people send me pictures of my art on display in their homes. I'm still pinching myself that I was able to cross this goal off of my bucket list so quickly and in such a high volume. )

beginning.

middle.

end.

Alright x Kendrick Lamar

be open to change

truly open

embrace it

welcome it

for it is the only constant in life

a lot of things are changing in my world right now

I've never been good at letting go

but everything in life was once new

and you can either be afraid or excited about what's

coming next



Simple Things x Miguel



"...just be a hard act to follow"

U.N.I.T.Y.

( SIDE NOTE: Stop Worrying About How Much You Matter. Great Read. )

Musings: 7/1/2015

Miguel, why did you do this to me?

39 items on my summer 2015 bucket list so far, and I plan to do them all
 (will post later)
dreams of painting a mural by summer's end.
funny how speaking things into existence works
I need an easel
love seeing that "1" on the calendar
timing, this thing about timing and how it can make or break

...the notes in my phone hold some of my deepest thoughts
"for you know that when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow." 
- James 1:3
giving someone the benefit of the doubt is a benefit to whom exactly?

this weekend, this weekend.... I don't know how to feel, but I'm sure time will tell.


:)

snapchat stills,

follow me @InspiretheTribe



Gulf of Alaska

two oceans meet, but don't mix

Musings: 6/24/2015

protect your energy

control your vibe
a little late starting on this years summer bucket list.. but better late than never

more than halfway through season three of OITNB and I can't tell if it really happened.. in other words, it sucks lol

when you keep shuffling the same deck eventually the cards get worn
this last year taught me 60% of what I know about life


opportunity pouring in,
blessed


can't be afraid of the unknown.. always be open to what comes next
just let it all happen naturally
MIGUEL'S NEW ALBUM.
wearing all black on the fourth of july...


treating myself to a spa day. I've earned it.


star crossed lovers

Wine Slow x Gyptian