CONTENT
This word has a double meaning. Depending on how you phrase the word. One word, different meanings. A homophone. Love it! Depending on how you rooolll your tongue and twist teeth about, you will discover that one is an adjective, the other one is a noun. The noun Content is to have subject matter on a particular topic or area of work, it's also information. It would be of substance. These is what any online publication, school, art work, literary essays and research deals with. For us bloggers, its the bane of our existence. Creating relevant content that will inspire or at times educate and enlighten your readers. Personally, this is the fun part of blogging but creating content is no joke. The adjective part means to be satisfied, adequate, not wishing for more.Today I want to discuss the latter more than the former.
Do people ever achieve a state of contentment?
Whenever this topic comes up, and trust me it comes up at least a number of times every year, I always go back to that conversation I had years ago. The meaning of happiness and contentment. I believe we all want to be happy. We want to do the work we love, live with the people we love, have them near us. But it all boils down to being happy. I think that is what everyone wants in life. To be happy.
I have been doing a lot of thinking this whole month after the blog's 4TH Anneversary. It comes with the territory because with every birthday, anniversary or a new year, we tend to ask ourselves questions, create new goals, change a few things in our lives. It is always about the next thing, next move, next phase of growth. Sometimes it can drive you crazy when things do not go your way. I have come to realize that those bumps and hiccups teach you more than you would ever know. In the process of the "NEXT MOVE" phase, take sometime to appreciate all that you've done, been, seen and learnt.
I like to call it a state of Gratitude. Be thankful even when you are plotting or working on your next big thing. I posted something on my Instagram yesterday with a pretty yellow cab making a right turn, lot's of hidden meanings in this yes? That post prompted me to write this post today. The Instagram post when like this
O n c e in a while, it's ok to pull over the side of your journey and see how far you have come.
It's amazing that after four years of jotting down words on this space, I still find that there is always room for improvement. I want to give and share my best work. I would rather create one post a week that will be of quality than numerous posts a week with zero substance. I had to go back to the beginning an read those first posts. They are so beautiful. Some made me tear up a little bit. I think it;s about time I started sharing Throwback Posts. Can you believe it!! Throwback's already? Yes! Am I content with the content am sharing, absolutely yes. I want to write a blog I could enjoy reading as well. But am I content with it staying the way it is? No. There's always room for improvement. Room to explore and challenge myself creatively. I am totally immersing myself in that aspect. Taking pictures that are outside my comfort zone, working with different photographers and learning from them. It's quite an eye opening experience.
So while on this journey trying to constantly improve your self, remember to take a deep breath of air, smile and be grateful for all the lessons you've learnt along the way. Take time to look back and see how much you have accomplished, look back at the periods of your life where you never gave up. The moments that brought you to where you are today.
Black and Navy used to be a no no style wise but who cares about the rules any more. I love to pair neutrals like black and navy or nude and black by layering the pieces. I mostly go for different textures that way the colors do not blend into each other. The coat pulled this whole look together by introducing the print, grid and wool texture. You can never go wrong mixing neutral prints. For those who do not like experimenting with color, neutrals on neutrals are your best bet. This is one look I am content with!
Coat: F21
Cuillotes: Zara
Top: Thrifted
Shoes: ASOS
Bag: Zara
THE INDUSTRY IS WATCHING
I love collaborations. It's the only way we get to advance and learn things about ourselves when we come together for a cause. It may be in art, music, fashion. Think about some great collaborations that put Target on the map when they would launch a collection with a well known designer. Or how merchandise quickly went out of stock with the HM and Balmain Collaboration. In music, some greatests hits have come from collaborations, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. I can never take out that beat when California love is blasting, Tupac and Dr.Dre did the damn thing! Jaz and Linkin Park can I have an Encore.... I can go on forever.
I met Champ back in 2013 while he was shooting my Fashion with Roshie Episodes in New York. We hit it off immediately. I thought it would be a daunting task because I had never been in front of a camera, talking and doing interviews. Our friendship has blossomed over the years so it was without a doubt when he told me about his creative collective brand," The industry is watching." which is bringing underground artists, musicians, designers together to create amazing authentic work.
In this age that we live in, we are being watched constantly by surveillance cameras, by other people on social media when we share our work, food, workouts and so forth. For creatives, this is a great time to showcase your craft or passion. There is someone out there. They are always watching so keep doing your work, push it forth, you just might be the next big collaboration.
MORE
Happy September!
Three months until the year is over! That thought is enough to make me wonder where in the world the year went to. Summer as we know it comes and goes faster than you can say “VMA’S”. Talking about he VMA’S apart from all the amazing performances, BEYONCE anyone! Rihanna and her VANGUARD…. Then there was Teyana Taylor’s body! Goodness!! I woke up to gazillion meme’s the next day. Teyana made you want to promise to be faithful to your gym, to love and to hold, for richer or for poor, in sickness and in health….. You get the drift.
Life being the unpredictable journey we are on, we can get sidetracked by things. Things that keep us busy, things that make us forget our purpose, our goals. It happens so slowly like a spark that if not taken care off it becomes a raging fire. We forget to enjoy the things that make us whole, the things that make us happy, things we are passionate about start becoming a chore when you get burnt out.
I read somewhere that passion is when you put energy into something than is required to do it. It is more than just enthusiasm or excitement. Passion is ambition materialized into action to put as much heart, body, mind, and soul into something as humanly possible. You do it because you enjoy it! At times, you even crave it. I started thinking of how I would not go out and play with my friends because I was taken in by the characters of a novel, or how I would eternally bug my mum for a new set of paints, and just recently in my hot yoga class when I would gently roll out my mat as if a vendor displaying a bolt of luxurious silk.
It made me think of the little things I am passionate about, things that I crave. Things that I enjoy doing but I haven't carved out time for them as much as I would want to. Those things include.
1. Write more – This writing thing started as a thing I did in high school just to pass time. Years later, I started back at it the this blog happened. I really enjoy it but I do it only when I have a post to publish but I have taken upon myself to type or jot something down daily. It could be on any subject the point is to get writing.
2. Read more. – Yes! Yes.. I know I am already a voracious reader why would I want to read more? Here’s the thing. Social media happened. Trying to balance the time between Snapchat and Instagram is already a challenge. Do not bring up Facebook and Twitter! Goodness. With all these amazing networking tools that are deemed to make us more social but in essence has made us glued to the screens on our palms, my reading has gone down lately. That’s why the book section has not been updated of late. Welp! Hence reading more us a priority. I can’t wait to tell you what I got started on recently.
3. Have more QT! That alone time where I can think about life and goals and my vision. Time to jot down what’s running in my head. Or even meditate. Finding time to in pencil quiet time has rather been umm difficult. I need that alone time, just to hit the reset button. Reboot my system.
4. Take more pictures. I run a lifestyle blog for Pete’s sake. It goes without saying that more lifestyle incorporated pictures should be at the top of my list. Furthermore, I have a camera might as well put it to good use. Talking about cameras, I have out grown my Cannon T3i which I have had since the Genesis of this blog. I have been looking into other cameras mostly Sony a6000 since it’s light and easy to use, Canon 5D Mark III but costs an arm and a leg, throw in a ribcage and some spleens while you are at it. Sigh. Then there is the Fuji XTI which is not a DSLR but will make my little vintage loving heart beat so fast you’d think I just locked eyes with Idris Elba. Do you guys have any camera you could suggest to me?
5. More yoga. Seriously. Summer came and my hot yoga went out the window. Probably because I felt like it was too warm for hot yoga anyway. Well, the winds of winter can be felt late at night. Time to roll out the mat.
6. Paint more! Paint, sketch, doodle all of the above. Discover my inner five year old child. The one that would sketch just about anything. I miss that girl. She was fearless, undaunted by anything and if she messed up. She just figured a different way of getting that sketch done. I am looking forward to this reunion.
That pretty much sums it up. Doing MORE of what I love.
Happy New Month and as always, thanks for stopping by.
SUMMER BLUE
The last time I wore this dress was about two years ago, in Jamaica. I had put it on the furthest corner in my little closet so when I pulled it out recently, it brought back amazing memories from that trip. At the time, I had long box braids, was a few pounds heavier, and I had fallen madly in love with Jamaica. I still am. The food, the people, the weather, the food again, and ohhhh the heavenly music. I have transported my self back there mentally, gently rocking on a hammock, sipping on a drink with an umbrella on it while some reggae tunes play in the background.... Sigh** My friends are convinced that I will get married to a Caribbean Man. If his name is Konshens, please tell him to call me. THANKS!
With the August heat wave scorching the East Coast, I figured a light flowy maxi dress was what I needed to survive. Paired this pretty number with a fabulous printed red bag a sister to the blue one in Harlem. A fun way to add color and print to the whole look.
Thanks for stopping by