Fly

Music Friday: Africa Underground

Here's another awesome event at the National Museum of African Art. This upcoming segment of Africa Underground will be celebrating music, art and food from West Africa and the Caribbean. I'm there!

Style Muse: Inna Modja

Loving the effortless-casual-fly style of singer/songwriter Inna Modja.

Suakoko Betty

Fab designs featuring my fave — West African wax prints — from Suakoko Betty. I want that jumpsuit!

Shimmering Silver

I'm still loving things that shimmer, especially in silver.

1. Alexander McQueen Squeeze It leather clutch  2. Arosha Taglia Double Moon Ring  3. Confetti System Quartz Pinata in Silver  4. Zara Silver Snakeskin Sandal  5. Steve Madden Rego Wedge Sandal  6. White and Silver Flower Pin from Hazel & Nikita  7. Betsey Johnson Fancy Face Tote  8. Herve Leger Strapless Tiered Dress

Pitipua Vintage

Fun use of color in these photographs for Pitipua Vintage.

FGOTW

Who? Joan Erakit, 25

Where? I was born in Kenya, and I currently live in Canada

What do you do? I'm working on a pre-masters, which takes up plenty of time. I'm a style writer (my true love and passion). I write a blog called TheBrownGirlFiles, contribute to Frank151, and as of late I've been working on a collection of essays. It's rather embarrassing, I've been working on them for about 3 years now.

What inspires you? A few things really, travel because there is just no way to not be affected by new surroundings and new people. Art, because it's my one constant, and I can keep going back to it and find things I overlooked in the past. Love, because I fall easily, and it's always such a disaster — which makes for great writing I think.

Why are you fly? Who doesn't dig a well traveled black woman in high heels, red glasses and a pertinence for live hip hop shows?

Advice: Ambition is your bestfriend. Nurture it.

Artemis Leatherware

Hand-stitched leather handbags in rich earth-tones all from Artemis Leatherware.

Link of the Day

I have a special relationship with Paul Gauguin, one that spawned a little under 30 years ago. I've loved his work since I was a 4 year-old looking at one of his prints that hung in our living room (a small fake version of course).

This weekend I visited the National Gallery of Art for the Gauguin: Maker of Myth exhibition. There I was reminded of how much I love his use of color and stories of mysticism in his paintings. It was a delight to see the real thing and learn more about Gauguin's life.

Bluma Project

An initiative that employs women across the globe to create beautiful handmade pieces like these paper bead necklaces and cotton totes from Rwanda. I fell in love with the necklaces after seeing them Anthropologie a few days ago. To learn more about the Bluma Project click here, and to support click here or here.

Jasmine Rose

I love the cosmic tone in these beautiful collages exploring African-American femininity and beauty by Jasmine Rose.

Music Friday: Currently Jammin' To...

I have to admit, I really dig Bruno Mars' Doo-Wops and Hooligans. I've been playing tracks 1,2,6,8 and 10 repeatedly. Along with Doo-Wops I've been listening to a lot of Jill Scott. Maybe it's in preparation for her new album to come, The Light of the Sun. (I can't wait!) The Who is Jill Scott album is a favorite, but right now heavy in rotation as I work or when I'm driving is Beautifully Human. Her songs just feel so good.

Both albums celebrate love and I guess I'm just in a lovey-dovey mood.

What I Like Right Now

Here are a few items I enjoyed or picked up during my little time away from Fly:

Kinky-Curly - I was already a big fan of Kinky-Curly's Knot Today Leave in Detangler (I use it as a styling cream every week); but recently, I picked up the Come Clean Shampoo after learning it has a new formula that addresses issues with hard water build-up. Both products work lovely in my hair.

Tazo's Zen Tea - As I mentioned yesterday, I have been drinking a lot of tea lately. If you've been reading Fly for a while you may know that Republic of Tea's Vanilla Almond is my favorite tea ever, hands-down. But it's a black tea, and sometimes I want something a little lighter. So I tried this wonderful green tea from Tazo. There's a lovely hint of spearmint and lemon, and with a little honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon, this tea is superb for soothing the soul.

Halogen's Vivian Sandal - When I went through my summer wardrobe I realized I didn't have any black shoes. What?! So I treated myself to some 70's inspired platform-esque shoes from Halogen. I was looking for something that could translate from day to night and has a classic silhouette that would work for many for summers to come. I'm all about investing in high quality items that I can rock for a while. Also, this shoe is incredibly comfortable!

Toms Shoes - I've been wanting a pair for a while and finally picked up this Ash gray version. They make my feet happy (so comfortable) and my heart smile; because for every pair sold the company gives a pair to a child in need. Love this.

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra - My mother gave me this book several years ago. For some reason I wasn't ready for it then, but recently I kept seeing it around the house and decided to read it during my break. I read a law a day. It was pretty magical. The book confirmed a lot of what I've been thinking lately and opened my eyes to how I want to live.

Soil Mates - My homegirl and fellow Tyler alumna, Sara Alway, just released her amazing book, Soil Mates. It's the perfect guide to companion planting (meaning certain vegetables planted together thrive and can sometimes protect each other from natural pests). The writing is superb and the illustrations are really fun. My mother is an avid gardener so I gave her my copy that was sent over from the publisher. I've been helping her prepare her vegetable garden and we love referencing Soil Mates as we go. (Perfect Mother's Day gift for a mom who gardens.)

Melody Ehsani

I am loving the latest accessories from Melody Ehsani, and the photographs are beautiful.

Grace Jones Inpsired

During one of my lazy afternoons thumbing through an issue of Harper's Bazaar UK I came across a series of glorious Grace Jones-inspired photographs featuring Shingai Shoniwa (from The Noisettes) as Grace Jones. The photos were taken by Txema Yeste. The one above is my favorite of the series, so fab!

Yoooo! Fly's Back!

Hello beautiful, fabulous, fly people! It's been three wonderful weeks since my "taking a break" post and so much has happened in that short period of time.

Here's what I was up to during my time away:

• Started a workout regime. It only latest a week and a half.
• Drank a lot of tea (something I love doing!).
• Hung out with friends.
• Stared at the computer screen a lot. (Overwhelmed with the possibilities.)
• Cried. (Good cries.)
• Watched TV.
• Drank more tea.
• Read some of my neglected magazines.
• Stared at my inbox of unanswered emails and finally said, "I'm on break" and logged out.
• Made myself drink more water.
• Argued with a boy.
• Played Tetris on my Blackberry (I'm addicted).
• Stared at my computer screen some more.
• Drank more tea.
• Read The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra (awesome by the way).
• Went through my spring/summer wardrobe. Blah!
• An excuse for a little shopping. Yayy!
• Did a lot of journaling.
• Finally picked up my sketchbook  — once, to move it when I cleaned off my desk.
• Had drinks with my father and talked his ear off about love and relationships. (He loved this!)
• Talked my mother's ear off about love and relationships. (She told me to leave her alone. Ha!)
• Jotted notes and collected images for Fly.
• Bought Nicki Minaj's "Did it On 'Em" and Lil Wayne's "Right Above it" and played them both over and over.
• Wrote a loose/flexible five year plan.
• Started taking a Portuguese class, and finally got over the fact that I had to start at level one.
• Went to a nightclub where every girl rocked the same Kim Kardashian inspired look and realized that was totally not my scene. Had fun dancing though.
• Stopped drinking tea! (And then started again.)

When I took that time off I didn't expect much at all, just an opportunity to do whatever. I didn't expect any kind of enlightenment or profound revelations, but did in fact have both. I don't mean to sound like a self-help guru but I was able to clear my mind, re-energize and reconnect with my authentic self. With so much go, go, go and getting caught up in what I want to do for the future I was totally stripping myself of any opportunity to enjoy the here and now (AND enjoy the lovely people in my life).

So, in my mind I'm tusslin'
Back and forth ‘tween here and hustlin’
I don’t wanna time travel no mo
I wanna be here  — Erykah Badu "Window Seat"

Sing it Erykah! Yes, no more time-traveling for me, and you too, if you find yourself getting stuck always looking forward. Enjoy small everyday moments. They all come together to make a happy fruitful life.

I'm going to spend more time helping my mother in her garden, eating with friends who make me laugh, writing in my journal and drinking tea (and wine), offering to help a friend in need, donating to organizations I respect and admire, laughing with my students (they are too funny), and just smiling.

All that to say, I feel rejuvenated and so very excited to be back. I hope you enjoy all the new posts to come!

P.S. Thank you for all your beautiful warm words of inspiration and encouragement. I appreciate the love and support. Thank you so much!