Fly

FGOTW

Who? My name is Jennifer Carter and I’m 36 years old.

Where? I’m a Carolina girl who has lived in Atlanta and the D.C. area and currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina.

What do you do? By day I’m an adult education instructor and by night I’m an artist and blogger. I call my painting style hip-hop folk art. I love the beauty in simple shapes but also the love-manic of lots of contrasting colors and accidental patterns. Currently I’m painting ladies with big beautiful eyes and wild colorful hair. I’m also a lover of words and putting in my two cents. So I often incorporate inspirational affirmations with a modern twist.

My blog is a natural extension of my journaling and it allows me to chronicle my journey as an artist and spiritual seeker while showcasing my photography and love of fashion and design.

What inspires you? I’m inspired by people who have beat the odds and gone on to fulfill their purpose regardless of what the masses say. I am also incredibly inspired by my 3 year old little boy. As moms (and especially single moms like me) we often put our dreams on the back burner, but I realized early on the only way to teach my son to follow his passion was by following mine. I have learned more about myself since he was born than all my years of trying to find myself. His presence lets me know that the risk is too great to NOT pursue my creative dreams. I want him to grow up knowing it’s not only possible but imperative to handle your business and be lead by your inner compass. Other inspirations: traveling, sitting on my front porch and listening to old people talk about their lives.

Why are you fly? I’m fly because my experiences and slightly to the left, quirky personality allow me to spread a positive message in a colorful and unique way. I’m fly because I’m brutally honest and ask lots of questions. I’m fly because I refuse to let circumstances define my happiness.

Advice: Nurture everything unique and different about you. Follow your intuition even when you don’t know where it’s leading you. AND steer clear of people who don’t believe in you.

After Single Ladies

Last night VH1 premiered the first episode of Single Ladies, a romantic comedy created by Queen Latifah, starring Stacey Dash and LisaRay McCoy — among some other familar faces. The series follows three women as they navigate relationships with their very differnt philosophies about love.

In theory, the show could be great. Single Ladies has some of the key ingredients to make it work. Can I compare it to a cake? Yes I can and I will. Single Ladies has sex and drama (the sugar and spice) but lacks good acting and writing (the eggs and the flour) to hold it all together. Ok, not the greatest analogy but you know what I mean.

As usual during a new show starring women of color I take it to Twitter to see what others are saying about the program. My timeline was lit up with disapproval, and like my Twitter friends, I used my tweets to express the dissatisfation of the show. As I thought about it though, I came to the conclusion that although it's fun to share your displeasure with a room full of people who agree with your displeasure, it doesn't help or change anything if you leave that room and do nothing to remedy the problem. In this case it's the lack of quality programming featuring women of color (or insert any of these: not enough diversity in the media, print magazines, arts or in design).

Complaining is only good with action. So I'm leaving the (Twitter) room with ideas to possibly help change the issue at hand, read them after ther jump. {{read on}}

 

Link of the Day

A classic song you just might hear at a bbq during this Memorial Day weekend. Have a good one and see you on Tuesday!

Music Friday: Bosco Photos

Beautiful photographs by Adam Tillman-Young featuring the lovely vocalist, Bosco.

Music Friday: Jasmine Solano

Diggin' the sound of DJ/rapper Jasmine Solano. Take a listen here.

Link of the Day

I recently wrapped up a mural design for a commercial space in Philly, and worked on the project with this wonderful artist, Cathey White.

'Till we meet again...

Cheers to you, Mama Oprah! Thank you for your light.

Style Muse: Erykah Badu

Always loving Erykah Badu's style. She's a free-spirited chameleon consistently experimenting and evolving her looks. From colorful turbans to fluffy 'fros, chunky locks and waist-length braids; layered bangles and show-stopping jewels; grungy jeans with converse shoes to flowy printed dresses paired with sky-high platforms — this cosmic flower-child knows how to switch it up with effortless flair.

Mike Gonzalez for Summer

If I had to list a few label favorites, Mike Gonzalez would be at the top of my list. I love his use of graphic prints with hints of bold color. If possible his entire collection would be my summer wardrobe.

Fly Trend: Tropicalia

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of lush rain-forest, tropical plant-life references in fashion, ad campaigns and catalogs (like in print pieces from Free People and Anthropologie) — and I think it's just beautiful. I'm drawn to the different green tones; from dark emeralds to acidic limes combined with pops of bright pinks and oranges. The essence of the tropics is that it's an earthy and fresh paradise, with a dash of surprise in the flora and fauna that thrive there. Who can't be inspired by all that beauty?

Here are a few items reminiscent of what you might find in tropicalia:

1. Sarah Cihat Dish  2. Flower Brooch  3. Crystal Parrot Earrings  4. Tropical Print Fabric Wrapped Flask  5. Diane von Furstenberg Cadence Flat Espadrilles  6. Loeffler Randall Honey Perforated Bootie in Lily Acid  7. Tory Burch Tory Turnlock Small Mani Tote  8. Emamó Giungla Embellished Silk Jumpsuit  9. Aurélie Bidermann Mother-of-pearl charm bracelet  10. Green Rainforest Leaves Handmade Clutch

Since we're on the topic of tropical environments, here is a little color palette based on my favorite song and music video from Jennifer Lopez "Waiting for Tonight." Don't front, you know you were jammin' to this song (then and now), too. It was only fitting to include screen-grabs from the video that was set in lush tropical greenery.

Brianna's Big Fish Portrait

Exhiition photo at Alice Yard in Trinidad by Nadia Huggins

While visiting Brianna McCarthy's blog Passion.Fruit, I came across this beautiful piece she created entitled Big Fish. Brianna is known for her dreamy illustrations of doe-eyed brown girls typically drawn in pen, pencil, or painted in acrylics and watercolor; but most recently she's been exploring a similar illustration style but using paper collage and now textiles.

Big Fish is a glorious example of Brianna's experimentation with textiles to create a large scale portrait of one of her girls. I love how layered and textured the image is with all the various prints and patterns. It's so beautiful and I look forward to seeing more of her work with this media.

Check out Brianna's recent cover feature in Arc Magazine, and be sure to visit her blog, Passion.Fruit.

Link of the Day

African inspired accessories and home furnishings...

FGOTW

Who? DJ Laa Choc, age — what's the step below being a cougar?

Where? I currently live behind my turntables and I'm Imported from Detroit.

What do you do? I am a DJ, writer & free spirit...and I do all of it in 5 inch heels and pink lip gloss.

What inspires you? Everything. Negativity inspires me to make something out of nothing. Happiness and love inspires me to keep going because I must be doing something right. Knowing that I have people looking at me inspires me to look good and do good.

Why are you fly? I live to the beat of my own tunes. I'm confident, submissive, strong, spoiled, grateful, supportive and imperfectly perfect. Whew! Now if that's not fly woman then God hasn't made her yet.

Advice: Don't be so critical on your life; enjoy it. Be courageous, love your family, keep great friends, dress according to how you want to feel and let a handsome man spoil you. :-)

Betsy + Iya Shop

Here's a sweet peek into the lovely shop/studio space and latest collection of Betsy + Iya, a jewelry brand based out of Portland, Oregon. I'm loving how the super cute space is designed for work and display, and it's so warm and bright with all those windows.

Check out the new collection, Origins, which features earrings and necklaces that dangle with chains, hand-engraved brass, or African-trade beads accents. See more of the beautiful collection here.

Wearing Food

These food inspired tees from Leah Goren are too fun. The first tee pictured uses illustrated hot dogs, the second — bacon, and the third is a pattern of chicken nuggets. So cute!