Just Being Me

So I haven't really been keeping up with the goal of blogging at least once a week, but the good news is that at least when I do the pictures are banging!  Anyways, today is my favorite yet worse day: SUNDAY. I mean, I love praising the Lord and getting revived spiritually! The main thing that I love about Sundays is that I get a chance to talk to God and be with my family. It is kind of hard being a fashion blogger, especially a broke one in college! Most of the successful fashion bloggers are already out of college and have real careers. I am a broke college student who is crying out to God (literally). I felt happy thought that my sister wanted to take pictures of me, because a lot of my friend in college are busy and I do not want to trouble them. Iyana is so great behind and in front of the camera. I couldn't ask God for a better sister. I look forward to coming home on the weekends to vent to her when I go back home. I think that is the beauty of having a sister(s) because you don't need a whole fake "squad", since God already blessed you with an amazing squad. 

This whole outfit is from the thrift store. I know that they said that you cannot get any sponsors if you thrift and post the outfits on your blog. Still, whatever because I am happy with blogging. I am happy with my little growing blog. I worked hard and if people do not support me because one outfit was not theirs then God bless you. I think when having a career and setting a life for yourself you have to be happy and okay with the days you do not get money or sponsors. That shows that you are really passionate about something! I also think it is amazing how in life as Christians (or not) we think we can tell God what we want. A wise Prophet at my church once said, " God does have a sense of humor, if you don't believe that he does then try telling Him what you will not do." God has a plan and purpose for each and everyone of our lives we just have to give it up to God and receive it. Allow God to lead you. There is this woman I follow on instagram that is a young and beautiful Pastor Tiffany Morriar. And one of her posts stood out to me because she said that she made a list of all the goals and things she wanted to happen in her life. One of the things that stood out to me was when she said that she was going to be married at 25 and she is 29 and still not married. It stood out to me because a lot of the girls I hang around and myself always talk about getting married. The most common age I hear is 25, and that was the age I picked out for myself as well. Yet, we do not know the plans God has for us. So no matter what area or even in marriage we have to know that ultimately God makes the decisions and we have to be patient. I hate being patient, I really do. Especially, when it comes to being dating, because I feel like everyone has someone, but then I realize that I got Jesus and I am not alone. I still have A LOT of learning about myself to do. I wanted the fantasy, but then I had to realize that in order to be in a Godly or any kind of secure relationship, I have to know who I am in God and myself. Relationships do take a lot of maturity and work. Once you have God, yourself figured out, dreams taken care of, and career then it might be time but even then you may still have to wait on God.  I did not mean to turn this into a lecture on relationships, but just know that you have to trust in God for guidance. 

PSALMS 139:13-15

Just Being Me

So I haven't really been keeping up with the goal of blogging at least once a week, but the good news is that at least when I do the pictures are banging!  Anyways, today is my favorite yet worse day: SUNDAY. I mean, I love praising the Lord and getting revived spiritually! The main thing that I love about Sundays is that I get a chance to talk to God and be with my family. It is kind of hard being a fashion blogger, especially a broke one in college! Most of the successful fashion bloggers are already out of college and have real careers. I am a broke college student who is crying out to God (literally). I felt happy thought that my sister wanted to take pictures of me, because a lot of my friend in college are busy and I do not want to trouble them. Iyana is so great behind and in front of the camera. I couldn't ask God for a better sister. I look forward to coming home on the weekends to vent to her when I go back home. I think that is the beauty of having a sister(s) because you don't need a whole fake "squad", since God already blessed you with an amazing squad. 

This whole outfit is from the thrift store. I know that they said that you cannot get any sponsors if you thrift and post the outfits on your blog. Still, whatever because I am happy with blogging. I am happy with my little growing blog. I worked hard and if people do not support me because one outfit was not theirs then God bless you. I think when having a career and setting a life for yourself you have to be happy and okay with the days you do not get money or sponsors. That shows that you are really passionate about something! I also think it is amazing how in life as Christians (or not) we think we can tell God what we want. A wise Prophet at my church once said, " God does have a sense of humor, if you don't believe that he does then try telling Him what you will not do." God has a plan and purpose for each and everyone of our lives we just have to give it up to God and receive it. Allow God to lead you. There is this woman I follow on instagram that is a young and beautiful Pastor Tiffany Morriar. And one of her posts stood out to me because she said that she made a list of all the goals and things she wanted to happen in her life. One of the things that stood out to me was when she said that she was going to be married at 25 and she is 29 and still not married. It stood out to me because a lot of the girls I hang around and myself always talk about getting married. The most common age I hear is 25, and that was the age I picked out for myself as well. Yet, we do not know the plans God has for us. So no matter what area or even in marriage we have to know that ultimately God makes the decisions and we have to be patient. I hate being patient, I really do. Especially, when it comes to being dating, because I feel like everyone has someone, but then I realize that I got Jesus and I am not alone. I still have A LOT of learning about myself to do. I wanted the fantasy, but then I had to realize that in order to be in a Godly or any kind of secure relationship, I have to know who I am in God and myself. Relationships do take a lot of maturity and work. Once you have God, yourself figured out, dreams taken care of, and career then it might be time but even then you may still have to wait on God.  I did not mean to turn this into a lecture on relationships, but just know that you have to trust in God for guidance. 

PSALMS 139:13-15

You Know Who You Are: Texture Discovery

You Know Who You Are

            This piece really came from a place of unrequited love. I have been feeling that for a while now and I was just trying to be open. This piece is so delicate to me because many people do not have the power to combine what they write in their diary or journal then showcase it to the world. In some sense this was a way for me to reveal my true self to just lie there naked to the world to see all the hurt I have been feeling that no one knows about except for God. I used a wide variety of colors because I wanted to show how many emotions I have been feeling in the inside. The hair extensions show another aspect of my journal and life as a young African American woman. The words are actually from a poem that I wrote about how I was feeling to this person. Then I tie it all in with God. The fact that I love this person who doesn’t want me to love them so much it hurts. I know God still loves me and I am not trying to make this person love me. Still, I feel bad that this person will never love me because they think no one should love them. Which draws me even closer to them. I have a huge heart no matter how many times you hurt me I will still try to love you like crazy. Yet, creating this piece helped me to realize that I can love him all I want but it has to be God’s love that helps him. My love is nothing compared to God’s and he loves this guy way more than I do. So it is best that I just place it in God’s hands. It is still a challenge for me to erase all of our memories together and give him to God, because I have built a strong love for him. I really thought deeply while making this piece, and part of it is because I put my diary in it. When you put something so precious and so sacred to you in a piece you really become open like a book for the world to see.

You Know Who You Are: Texture Discovery

You Know Who You Are

            This piece really came from a place of unrequited love. I have been feeling that for a while now and I was just trying to be open. This piece is so delicate to me because many people do not have the power to combine what they write in their diary or journal then showcase it to the world. In some sense this was a way for me to reveal my true self to just lie there naked to the world to see all the hurt I have been feeling that no one knows about except for God. I used a wide variety of colors because I wanted to show how many emotions I have been feeling in the inside. The hair extensions show another aspect of my journal and life as a young African American woman. The words are actually from a poem that I wrote about how I was feeling to this person. Then I tie it all in with God. The fact that I love this person who doesn’t want me to love them so much it hurts. I know God still loves me and I am not trying to make this person love me. Still, I feel bad that this person will never love me because they think no one should love them. Which draws me even closer to them. I have a huge heart no matter how many times you hurt me I will still try to love you like crazy. Yet, creating this piece helped me to realize that I can love him all I want but it has to be God’s love that helps him. My love is nothing compared to God’s and he loves this guy way more than I do. So it is best that I just place it in God’s hands. It is still a challenge for me to erase all of our memories together and give him to God, because I have built a strong love for him. I really thought deeply while making this piece, and part of it is because I put my diary in it. When you put something so precious and so sacred to you in a piece you really become open like a book for the world to see.

Art 201: Master Painting Assignment Mickalene Thomas

Okay, so this painting took me a really long time because I was just drawing/ painting off of Mickalene Thomas' reference. So it doesn't look exactly like her but I have good news! Apparently, she liked it! I almost died this morning seeing that on Instagram she liked my Master Painting of it! I could not and still cannot believe that she did. When hers is so much better, but to God be the glory! Also, look up Mickalene Thomas and you can also go to her website she is amazing! mickalenethomas.com

Art 201: Master Painting Assignment Mickalene Thomas

Okay, so this painting took me a really long time because I was just drawing/ painting off of Mickalene Thomas' reference. So it doesn't look exactly like her but I have good news! Apparently, she liked it! I almost died this morning seeing that on Instagram she liked my Master Painting of it! I could not and still cannot believe that she did. When hers is so much better, but to God be the glory! Also, look up Mickalene Thomas and you can also go to her website she is amazing! mickalenethomas.com

Why The Justin Bieber Sorry Video Is A Form Of Cultural Appropriation to Me...

Sorry Video Link: https://youtu.be/fRh_vgS2dFE

Jamaican Dancehall video links: https://youtu.be/2LbkFFtbYQk

https://youtu.be/RO7-FRbozOc

https://youtu.be/fjqCr9hLBOc

https://youtu.be/QmxJm4w6cN8

Okay, I know a lot of people are going to hate me now and quite frankly I do not care. First off, let me just say I do not have anything against Justin Bieber, and I think he is talented and may God bless him.  The Sorry video angers me and a few of my friends and so since no one else has said anything I am going to say something. Cultural Appropriation is basically another culture taking another culture's cultural elements whether it be hair styles, food, style of dance, or clothing and claiming it as its own. My Great grandmother was Haitian/Dominican, but my friend who's family is from Dominica and Jamaica pointed out to me that those dances in Justin Bieber's video were heavily Jamaican dancehall styles. Also, not even just Jamaican dancehall some of those dancing my cousins, or even my friends, and I have been doing since I was little. There was not even one black girl in the  'Sorry' video. That was what kind of angered me because you guys are dancing and dressing how we dressed in the 90s and trying to make it seem like it is yours. I think it is so sad how we are losing our culture right in the front of our faces. Like it is so sad how every time we as a minority get something they want to take it and claim it as their own. No they did not explicitly proclaim those dances as theirs in the video, but at the same time they did not include a Black woman. I know that that is not the problem but can someone please tell me why just last year a black guy in Intro to Sociology 121 say that he doesn't like black women because they are always dressing nasty and dancing nasty in videos, but now the Caucasian girls are dancing just as hard as we were and trying to dress like we did in the 90s. Just because you are taking whining, tic tocking, and clothes from another time period does not mean you are not culturally appropriating my culture. My problem is not really with the Caucasian girls my problem is why can't we just perform cultural appreciation? Why can't we just admit we all like something from some cultures and give them credit for what is theirs? Life would be so much easier if people would just stop culturally appropriating and start appreciating or not taking anything at all but becoming creative and creating their own new culture. I do not know, but all I know is that African American men contradict themselves.

Many of you know that I go to a small Christian extremely conservative liberal arts college, and there are only a few black people here. I have heard and seen with my own eyes guys say stuff like I don't like black girls or she's too ghetto. It's like where are people getting this stuff? Like a lot of African American guys will date Caucasian women and act like they are the Queen of the Nile or something, but when it comes to us they can't even look at us. Then I tried to date(not really date but you know just see) outside of my culture and even they slammed me down. It's like no offense but the Caucasian girls win either way. They get the white boys, black boys, and probably everything else. It's like why as black women we have to wait to be happy and not that boys make us happy, but why do we have to wait. Why are we so devalued by our own men and culture? This is outrageous to me! It's so funny how I watch how a black guy treats me compared to a white girl on campus. Like they study with them, take them out on dates, and I am like God when am I going to get someone that treats me that well?  When are we going to start getting appreciated? When is the world going to change their slave days mentality and stop looking at black as impure and white as pure? I am a fed up black woman. This would make you mad too if black guys tell you oh I don't like black women because they dance too nasty, or are too loud, but look around you! White girls are trying so hard to be like us and then they get praised for it. Shaking my head, it's like we still get treated beneath all other races. Do not give me crap about feminism because Black women statistically make less then White men and black men, and even less that white women. So don't tell me that we are all in this together, because we are not. No I don't hate white girls but I am tired of them getting praised for doing things we started back in Africa and we get shunned for it. This is exactly why I don't tell white girls anything about me. I don't tell them about my hair, nails, clothing anything, because they use it against you. I do not have the time at all for this.

Okay, guys let me calm down and try to be peaceful. I know that God loves us all and that we all did derive from the same race, but it is impossible for the world to just start over, and now say there will be no more other races.  I think we all should just listen to each other and I think more than ever we all need the Lord to guide us, because there is so much going on in the world and these are the end times. I mean look at the weather. Prayer does change things and I believe that once we stop trying to look at each other and get ourselves right with God then we will be able to thrive. Also, just to let you guys know I am not mad or sad about not having a boyfriend, because I had to listen to God. I might see those girls getting treated so nice but God has something great for me. God has something better for me, and maybe I just have to be patient. I had to learn that I cannot compare myself to those girls because I never know who God has for me. So I am trying to just patiently wait on the person God has given me even if that means not dating in college. 

Thank you all for reading this! Try not to kill me or murder me with unkind words! Lol, I do not have anything against anyone I just had to get that off my chest and I want to write about something we all can relate to.

Here is an example of African American 90's hip hop fashion:

Why The Justin Bieber Sorry Video Is A Form Of Cultural Appropriation to Me...

Sorry Video Link: https://youtu.be/fRh_vgS2dFE

Jamaican Dancehall video links: https://youtu.be/2LbkFFtbYQk

https://youtu.be/RO7-FRbozOc

https://youtu.be/fjqCr9hLBOc

https://youtu.be/QmxJm4w6cN8

Okay, I know a lot of people are going to hate me now and quite frankly I do not care. First off, let me just say I do not have anything against Justin Bieber, and I think he is talented and may God bless him.  The Sorry video angers me and a few of my friends and so since no one else has said anything I am going to say something. Cultural Appropriation is basically another culture taking another culture's cultural elements whether it be hair styles, food, style of dance, or clothing and claiming it as its own. My Great grandmother was Haitian/Dominican, but my friend who's family is from Dominica and Jamaica pointed out to me that those dances in Justin Bieber's video were heavily Jamaican dancehall styles. Also, not even just Jamaican dancehall some of those dancing my cousins, or even my friends, and I have been doing since I was little. There was not even one black girl in the  'Sorry' video. That was what kind of angered me because you guys are dancing and dressing how we dressed in the 90s and trying to make it seem like it is yours. I think it is so sad how we are losing our culture right in the front of our faces. Like it is so sad how every time we as a minority get something they want to take it and claim it as their own. No they did not explicitly proclaim those dances as theirs in the video, but at the same time they did not include a Black woman. I know that that is not the problem but can someone please tell me why just last year a black guy in Intro to Sociology 121 say that he doesn't like black women because they are always dressing nasty and dancing nasty in videos, but now the Caucasian girls are dancing just as hard as we were and trying to dress like we did in the 90s. Just because you are taking whining, tic tocking, and clothes from another time period does not mean you are not culturally appropriating my culture. My problem is not really with the Caucasian girls my problem is why can't we just perform cultural appreciation? Why can't we just admit we all like something from some cultures and give them credit for what is theirs? Life would be so much easier if people would just stop culturally appropriating and start appreciating or not taking anything at all but becoming creative and creating their own new culture. I do not know, but all I know is that African American men contradict themselves.

Many of you know that I go to a small Christian extremely conservative liberal arts college, and there are only a few black people here. I have heard and seen with my own eyes guys say stuff like I don't like black girls or she's too ghetto. It's like where are people getting this stuff? Like a lot of African American guys will date Caucasian women and act like they are the Queen of the Nile or something, but when it comes to us they can't even look at us. Then I tried to date(not really date but you know just see) outside of my culture and even they slammed me down. It's like no offense but the Caucasian girls win either way. They get the white boys, black boys, and probably everything else. It's like why as black women we have to wait to be happy and not that boys make us happy, but why do we have to wait. Why are we so devalued by our own men and culture? This is outrageous to me! It's so funny how I watch how a black guy treats me compared to a white girl on campus. Like they study with them, take them out on dates, and I am like God when am I going to get someone that treats me that well?  When are we going to start getting appreciated? When is the world going to change their slave days mentality and stop looking at black as impure and white as pure? I am a fed up black woman. This would make you mad too if black guys tell you oh I don't like black women because they dance too nasty, or are too loud, but look around you! White girls are trying so hard to be like us and then they get praised for it. Shaking my head, it's like we still get treated beneath all other races. Do not give me crap about feminism because Black women statistically make less then White men and black men, and even less that white women. So don't tell me that we are all in this together, because we are not. No I don't hate white girls but I am tired of them getting praised for doing things we started back in Africa and we get shunned for it. This is exactly why I don't tell white girls anything about me. I don't tell them about my hair, nails, clothing anything, because they use it against you. I do not have the time at all for this.

Okay, guys let me calm down and try to be peaceful. I know that God loves us all and that we all did derive from the same race, but it is impossible for the world to just start over, and now say there will be no more other races.  I think we all should just listen to each other and I think more than ever we all need the Lord to guide us, because there is so much going on in the world and these are the end times. I mean look at the weather. Prayer does change things and I believe that once we stop trying to look at each other and get ourselves right with God then we will be able to thrive. Also, just to let you guys know I am not mad or sad about not having a boyfriend, because I had to listen to God. I might see those girls getting treated so nice but God has something great for me. God has something better for me, and maybe I just have to be patient. I had to learn that I cannot compare myself to those girls because I never know who God has for me. So I am trying to just patiently wait on the person God has given me even if that means not dating in college. 

Thank you all for reading this! Try not to kill me or murder me with unkind words! Lol, I do not have anything against anyone I just had to get that off my chest and I want to write about something we all can relate to.

Here is an example of African American 90's hip hop fashion:

When Chicago Weather is Tripping

Yesterday I had a blast taking these photos. The weather was 71 degrees so I decided to bust out my favorite 100% leather thrift store bought skirt, and my favorite see through Paris shirt. I love the off guard photos because they capture something that is not there when I am trying to look like a model or whatever. I also remade my gun purse, with real spray paint, and paint splatters. I had a real great time using my purse as my paint palette last week, I got so into it and I cannot wait to show my new art piece because I am personally in love with it and all the texture I am using. Well I will be showing the purse up close later, and I just want to encourage people to express themselves. Never let anyone take away your self expression! PSALMS 139:13-15

When Chicago Weather is Tripping

Yesterday I had a blast taking these photos. The weather was 71 degrees so I decided to bust out my favorite 100% leather thrift store bought skirt, and my favorite see through Paris shirt. I love the off guard photos because they capture something that is not there when I am trying to look like a model or whatever. I also remade my gun purse, with real spray paint, and paint splatters. I had a real great time using my purse as my paint palette last week, I got so into it and I cannot wait to show my new art piece because I am personally in love with it and all the texture I am using. Well I will be showing the purse up close later, and I just want to encourage people to express themselves. Never let anyone take away your self expression! PSALMS 139:13-15

Are Natural Hair Products Getting Too Expensive

Okay so here is the back story of my life: I have been natural all my life. Yep, not one chemical probably hormonal imbalances and my hair changing. Still, I never got a perm or changed my hair color (not that those things are bad)! I always say that it is amazing how until 2010 as African American women we did not know how to take care of our hair. Sure my hair was easy to manage but because of being a preteen and starting to do my own hair I did not know what to do. My mom had super long hair and people always did her hair so I can't be mad at the fact that she didn't help me grow my hair because she didn't know how to either. There is such a deep science with natural that I am sure many people already know about by now. Still, I want to know why I am spending (well was) at least 50-150 dollars on natural hair products! This is ridiculous when I was like the only one in my class natural life was so much easier. I feel like yes I understand business and how prices have to go up, but still there has to be a cheaper brand because it is not that serious. I know that Black Girl With Long hair teaches readers how to diy their own products. As for me, I just want to tell you guys I tried out some of the natural and knock off hair products from Dollar Tree, and they kind of work exactly the same just watered down. I am a college student and if I find any deals out here I am sharing it with you guys, because we need each other. A tip for making the Dollar Tree products less watery is to add some of your favorite oils like castor oil, avocado oil, olive oil, etc. Also keep co washing and using what you have been doing and basically you should get the same results I know I do. I am sorry but no one wants to pay 20 dollars for some Pillow Soft curls. Is it really that serious? I personally do not think it is but then again that's just me.  

Are Natural Hair Products Getting Too Expensive

Okay so here is the back story of my life: I have been natural all my life. Yep, not one chemical probably hormonal imbalances and my hair changing. Still, I never got a perm or changed my hair color (not that those things are bad)! I always say that it is amazing how until 2010 as African American women we did not know how to take care of our hair. Sure my hair was easy to manage but because of being a preteen and starting to do my own hair I did not know what to do. My mom had super long hair and people always did her hair so I can't be mad at the fact that she didn't help me grow my hair because she didn't know how to either. There is such a deep science with natural that I am sure many people already know about by now. Still, I want to know why I am spending (well was) at least 50-150 dollars on natural hair products! This is ridiculous when I was like the only one in my class natural life was so much easier. I feel like yes I understand business and how prices have to go up, but still there has to be a cheaper brand because it is not that serious. I know that Black Girl With Long hair teaches readers how to diy their own products. As for me, I just want to tell you guys I tried out some of the natural and knock off hair products from Dollar Tree, and they kind of work exactly the same just watered down. I am a college student and if I find any deals out here I am sharing it with you guys, because we need each other. A tip for making the Dollar Tree products less watery is to add some of your favorite oils like castor oil, avocado oil, olive oil, etc. Also keep co washing and using what you have been doing and basically you should get the same results I know I do. I am sorry but no one wants to pay 20 dollars for some Pillow Soft curls. Is it really that serious? I personally do not think it is but then again that's just me.