Fly

Bye Bye NY

This is it! This is my last post here in New York City. From now on I will be sharing my discoveries and inspirations from lovely Philadelphia. I can't believe the time is here, my boxes are packed and my apartment looks so sad and empty. But no tears, I am excited about my new life and can't wait to share my new experiences with you. Because of my move and the Fourth of July holiday, I will not be posting next week, but I will be back the following weeks with another webisode, more self-nominated Fly Girls of the Week, and a new feature to Fly—Fly Contributors for health, beauty and fashion. So definitely come back soon to see all the new goodies.

In the meantime I'd like to share the Top Five things I will miss about New York City:
5. The subway. As much as it annoys me at times, it is quite nice to not have to worry about parking, gas, a car note, and car insurance. It's the most reliable subway system ever.
4. Living in Harlem and being around the rich history and diversity that makes Harlem what it is.
3. The fashion and seeing people with so much style everyday.
2. The people. I will miss sitting at a cafe or in the park and just people-watch, I could do that for hours.
1. Walking. Walking is mandatory in this city and I love it, and it helps cover that extra piece of cake I love from the Little Pie Company. There's so much to see that you would miss it all on the train, in a car or on a bus. Walking is by far the best way to explore and inhale New York City.

and, Top Four things I will NOT miss about New York City
4. The subway. Okay so it is reliable and you don't have to pay a car note but I won't miss the rats, the urine scented subway platforms, the homeless/crackheads being disruptive, the weekend schedule that leaves you waiting twenty minutes longer than necessary, and the crowded ride where I'm always stuck under someone's armpit.
3. Having to plan my grocery list according to how many bags I can carry. They can't be too heavy for walking, getting on the train, and carrying them up those subway stairs.
2. I won't miss the crowds that are everywhere you go, especially on the weekends. Forget about a sale, everything is always picked over.
1. Expensive rent, for sure!

So while Fly is on hiatus, be sure to check out Clutch Magazine on July 1st for the new issue, and visit some of these great sites:
Uwishunu
Snowflakes and Cupcakes
Vanity Pages
Carpal Tunnel Magazine
Urban Outfitters Blog
Clutch Magazine
Styleaholics
The BKC

Have a great weekend and week to come!

Lillian Farag

I'm diggin' these illustrations from Lillian Farag. She uses a mix of embroidery, screen-printing, and hand dyed fabrics to create her beautiful pieces. Click here to see more of her work.

Element Eden Advocates

Element and Jane Magazine have teamed up to find the next Element Eden Advocate. They are looking for female artists to be a "part of a team of visionaries who inspire creativity in others." Sounds like an amazing opportunity. For more information click here, and to see previously chosen Eden Advocates, click here. Much thanks to the Snowflakes and Cupcakes blog for the links.

Afro-Latin Americans

I LOVE this article on the MiamiHerald.com website about race relations, identity, and culture among Afro-Latin Americans. The site is extensive with photography, articles, video and an interactive map that shows the paths which tie Africa to the Americas. The articles are broken up into five different parts each featuring a different Latin America country: Brazil, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Nicaragua. My favorite is Part 2 which covers "Black Denial" in the Dominican Republic. In this section, they touch on Black Dominican women straightening their hair because of the belief that natural curly hair is ugly. Last year I had an awful experience when I went into a Dominican hair salon to have my hair blown out (which I do every now and then for a change of style), this article made me see why they were looking at me crazy when I walked in with my head full of tight curls.

I definitely think everyone should check out this wonderful package of information and beautiful imagery, it's a wonderful way to learn and be inspired. Thanks Brian, for the link.

Fly Girl of the Week

Meet another fantastic Fly Girl of the Week. Be inspired and stay Fly.

Who are you? My name is Noni. I also go by "Known" depending on who's asking. I am 26.
Where are you? I live in Los Angeles. The group I'm in has renamed LA. We like to call her, Fresh City. We have a lot of pride in our cute little town.
What do you do? Millenium Renaissance Woman. I do it all. I call myself a storyteller and an educator because those are the two things I'm most passionate about. I am an emcee in a live band. I am a poet/writer/performer. I sing, touring with different bands and artists. I play the guitar. I went to school for directing so I'm a thespian at heart. I do hip-hop theater and write webisodes. I'm addicted to blogging and playing with children. I have an active political life and community, striving everyday to stay informed and inspiring other people to work for change. I travel internationally to do healing work through the arts with women and children. My second home is South Africa. Check me out here.
What inspires you? I am inspired by love. Cheesy huh? But it's true. I was raised with a lot of love and the older I get, the more I realize what a privilege that was. I work to make everything I do reflect love, laughter and light. I think life is as much about how you treat people as what you do. I am inspired by people who live life with giving love as their guide.
Why are you fly? I'm fly cuz I do me, all of the time. Being in LA, people might feel the pressure to look or act like other folks, I don't. I rock what I love. And because I love it, other people do too. When I get dressed in the morning, I work with how I'm feeling and really try to honestly express myself. I also have a mean walk. My sister taught me to switch when I was 10. To be an emcee, you need ridiculous swagger.
Advice: Be patient with yourself. Empires were not built overnight, neither are you. We have a whole lifetime to figure out who we are, what makes us happy, what we want to do. Resist the pressure to be perfect and just work at feeling great everyday. Joy, confidence, and contentment are the sexiest things you can wear. Try them on, I promise you'll love it.

Sweet Candles

So, for my new apartment I am searching for the perfect candle scents for my home. While browsing around Anthropologie I came across Pacifica, long-burning soy wax candles in delicious fragrances. Because I had a gift card I went ahead and splurged on the Brazilian Mango Grapefruit scented candle.

Typography in Brooklyn

I was roaming around a street fair with friends in Brooklyn and started snapping these photos of store front typography. My favorite is the yellow lettering outside of a French cafe.

Madison Star Couture

Some people may know Misa Hylton as P. Diddy's first baby's mom, but she's also known for her career styling celebs with her amazing fashion sense. Recently, I learned from Clutch Magazine that Misa launched an online boutque, Madison Star Couture, where she shares what she thinks is hot with the world. I love these pieces and would LOVE to own that peach tunic by Meghan Fabulous. To learn more about Misa and her fabulous self, check out 10 Questions with Misa Hylton on Clutch Magazine. Visit madisonstarcouture.com to see more beautiful fashion.

Djema Imports

The other day I was strolling on 125th St. in Harlem and came across this fantastic store, Djema Imports, which has an incredible selection of African cotton fabrics. I bought two swatches (shown below) from the quarter yard pile, and was thrilled that they allowed me to take pictures. Read a little more about Djema Imports on the Uptown Flavor Blog.

Hand Job

Thanks to the Urban Outiftters Blog I discovered the wonderful work of illustrator/graphic designer, Michael Perry. Check out his new book, Hand Job, which showcases his hand-drawn type.

Sightseeing in New York

Ever since I moved to New York City I wanted to get on one of those sightseeing bus tours. If you've ever been to the city you know exactly what I'm talking about, it's those red double decker buses that's always filled with eager tourists ready to take pictures of everything—even street lights. The other day I was one of those people. It was so cheesily fun! My friend and I chose the downtown loop tour and it was amazing to see and learn about buildings and streets you come across everyday. It's also incredible to realize you can live somewhere for years and never see Wall Street or the United Nations building. I grew up outside of D.C. and it was the same thing, I've never been to the Lincoln Memorial or visited the White House. Long story short, it was a lot of fun and I really recommend it, we had a hilarious tour guide (I think she was drunk) and on a beautiful day you'll enjoy the sun and the city breeze hitting your face...um maybe not the city breeze so much, too much dirt :). Oh my...New York, I'm gonna miss you!

Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten

They say if you have nothing nice to say then you shouldn't say anything at all, well I'm sorry but I have to say something about Sarah Jessica Parker's new line Bitten. I was quite disappointed! With all the hype around it I expected a lot more. I wanted to see prettier, colorful pieces—but maybe I'm thinking too much about Carrie Bradshaw and not SJP. Granted the website didn't quite excite me but I thought, hey I have to see it in person. So I did, and everything was so generic. On the other hand, I must say I did fall in love with one thing, Bitten's cute denim cropped jacket. It's a great fit, the wash is perfect and it was only $14.98. But remember, this is all just my opinion, you really have to see it for yourself.

Webisode Stills/Renegade Craft Fair

Last Saturday I ventured out to Brooklyn, once again, to cover the 3rd Annual Renegade Craft Fair for my third webisode. I wanted to buy everything! There were pillows, hand-crafted jewelry, pretty patterned dresses and bags, letter-pressed goodies, screen-printed posters, and more. It was all fantastic but I couldn't cover it all, time was a factor and it was VERY hot.

Anyway, here are some "behind the scenes" pics of the wares featured in the webisode. Look for the webisode and info on the featured pieces to come soon. To see previous webisodes click here, or check them out on youtube.com.

See by Chloe

Check out these beautiful Fall pieces from the See by Chloe line at Bergdorf Goodman.

Fly Girl of the Week

It's my pleasure to introduce Shayla, another self-nominated FGOTW.

Who are you? Shayla, 27
Where? Lived all over Orange County, California. My mom and I moved around a lot, and I was never in the same apartment, or same school for very long. Spent one year on a commune in the desert  when I was 11.
What do you do? I am a painter! I make 'Light Reactive Paintings.' I work in acrylic. I make my paintings experiential and meditative for the viewer. I focus on how light changes the color and effect of each piece. The colors of each painting change and morph throughout the day (so how it appears in the morning is somewhat different than in the evening.) In addition to how each painting appears in normal lighting, all my art is uv reactive and glows in the dark. I am currently a working artist and have spent three years as the Creative Director for an arts-based, event-planning organization, with emphasis on culture, meditation, discussion, and spirituality. My art is currently hanging in local businesses and I am preparing for my first solo gallery show in Laguna Beach, California in July 2007.

http://www.shaylamaddox.com
http://www.shayoa.blogspot.com

Sometimes I do acting and modeling, because it's just so much fun. :o) I have performed in many plays and independent films.
What inspires you? I believe in Thin Spaces, where the spiritual world and natural world intersect. Sunsets, sunrises, the moon, the stars and planets, the universe, molecules, atoms, cycles of time, and everything in between speak to me of something greater, something higher, something more connected than science, religion, or philosophy can comprehend. I love to color. Painting makes me feel like I'm 5 years old. My mom was an painter and stained glass artisan. She is constantly busy and involved with many different activities.
Why are you fly? I often work 12 hours per day without stopping, because I feel a responsibility to take advantage of my abilities and work for my dreams with every ounce of effort that I have. My life is a gift and an opportunity to work for what I love, and to contribute something valuable to the world. I will not be of use to anyone in an office building, and my work should be a path that invigorates me and makes me excited to wake up in the morning. I wake up and paint in my underwear, forget to eat, and have to remind myself to go to sleep.
Advice: WORK HARD! I am truly a lazy person. Laziness does not get you any closer to your goals. I have a mantra that basically states, if I am thinking about my career more than I am DOING my career, something is wrong. Always be moving forward. Remain humble, grateful, and teachable. Constantly improve yourself for the rest of your life. Marketing is KEY, no matter what pursuit you have. Make sure people know about you, and make sure they know what you do. You have to own your life, and be about *that thing* that you'll want to be remembered for. You only have one life, so make sure that when you look back on it when you're 70, you are doing what you want to remember. Think backwards. If you want to accomplish something in 5 years, figure out what you're doing right now to move closer to that goal. Give to charities, to remind yourself that even when you're at the end of your rope, you still have something to offer and help to give. Form a community of people who believe in you and support your dreams. Ditch the people who talk you out of it, or who are otherwise destructive to your goals.