HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Fly Zine Giveaway Winner: me, Me, ME!

via flygirlblog.com

I’m the winner of a zine by renowned designer Andrea Pippins of http://flygirlblog.com/! As a graduate student in art history, it's an honor to be the owner of such a valuable work of art.

Thank you, Andrea!

AN ART NERD'S NIGHT IN: On New Year's Eve (another wannabe outfit)

Another pretend outfit for my imaginary New Year's Party.

This outfit was inspired by the pattern on Tracee Ellis Ross's dress. It reminded me of the outdoors; thus my theme of insects, leaves, fur, and feathers like a fake forest...

Fur Coats at farfetch.com
Platforms at DSW

AN ART NERD'S NIGHT IN (on New Year's Eve, no less)

I'm going to post this now, because later all of you cool kids will be out there shopping for real outfits and preparing for real parties for real social lives {sigh+sad face}.
I've never been out to a New Year's Eve celebration. This year won't be any different. But if it was I would rock color like a true Diva -- Miss Jill Scott! Maybe next year...

Evening Dresses by Asos
Platforms by Betsey Johnson

WHAT I WORE TODAY: It's Elementary...Let's learn our shapes and colors

Today's Lesson Brought to You by:
Cardigan: Old Navy | Tank & Tights: Target | Dress: Ross | Necklace: Express | Shoes: Nine West

TENDING MY MOTHERS' GARDENS IN A ROOM OF MY OWN: A Time to...

I never watched my mother or grandmothers get harried over New Year’s Day, in the way that I have over the past few days. Their only requisites were an immaculately organized and well stocked home with pots of greens and black-eyed peas cooking—no sweat! Unlike my wise foremothers, my energy levels have ebbed and flowed frenetically as I plotted my next move for 2012. My plan has to be on paper by December 31!

I continued to make lists and organize, only to make more lists and reorganize. My energy was of the destructive variety: the kind that uproots harvests before they’re ripe and struggles to plant seed in frozen ground. My turning point was anxiety that manifested physically my chest. I took a moment to collect my calm with my  Henri Bendel Vanilla Bean Candle and a cup of (decaffeinated!) Zhena’s Fireside Chai. Breathe…in 1,2,3,4,5; out 1,2,3,4,5

My ancestors recognized the power of seasons, so New Year’s Day didn’t cause them to lose their cool. They weren’t distracted by human demarcations on their life goals, because everything had its own time and season. I felt my own seasons shift in June, and again radically in August.

"To everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:10, AMP)

I let all the articles and posts about resolutions get to me and make me feel as if what I was doing (my list of thirty-two things to accomplish before I turn thirty-two) wasn’t enough. All those articles and posts I’ve collected are pretty awesome, but I’ll file them away for the start of my next season.

Perfect Timing: Bunny Shoes for my Bunny Dress!

I was cruising Little Chief Honeybee and saw these darlings. I'm the queen of overkill...
There will be all bunny everthing ♥ I'm so excited to post the entire outfit!

WHAT I'LL WEAR TOMORROW (with a small intervention): A Bunny Dress By Erin Fetherston for Target

There’s this dress. It’s a whimsical | flirty | fun | pretty | candy store all mixed together.

 

Getting into this dress may require a little intervention. Hopefully, it won't look anything like this:

The Wrap Up of An Art Nerd's Day Out: A Crown of Glory Affair at The Tubman Museum

Yolanda Latimore is the Founder of Poetic Peace Arts, a troupe of spoken word artists, musicians, singers, comedians, DJs, producers, thespians, & more. But on Saturday she was gracing crowns with extraordinary locs and twists. 

Keep up with Poetic Peace Events: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Poetic-Peace-Arts/136790249693339
(478) 719-2054 poeticpeacearts@gmail.com

Trysha Stephens stood in for Gloria G. Marable - also known as "The Wig Lady” owner of Shh! It’s a Wig in Macon, Georgia. The range of wigs present ranged from exotic Patti LaBelle-esque styles to conservative styles meant to accommodate those with illness related alopecia (to those clients Ms. Marable offers a discount).

3793 Mercer University Dr.
Macon, Georgia 31204 USA
questions@shhitsawig.info
 478.757.9803 / 1.877.757.9803http://www.shhwigs.info
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/shhitsawig/videos

I, personally, had my on the sweetest black sequined turban (reminiscent of June & Chrisette) that had just enough spandex to accommodate my afro and ward off those evil bad hair days.

Dr. Anissa Jones is Macon’s Beauty Triple Threat. She is a chiropractor, skin care therapist, and make up artist (MAC pro). Along with complimentary hand massages, she provided her top five skincare tips: 

1. Hydrate: Drink plenty of water and use a rich moisturizer twice a day with an SPF of 30 or above during the day. Dr. Jones is a firm believer that excellent skin care doesn’t have t be expensive. Some of her favorite brands include: Aveeno, Cetaphil, CeraVe, Oil of Olay, and Ponds.
2. Be Gentle: Avoid harsh detergents. Dr. Jones likes Dove for Sensitive Skin.
3. Watch What You Eat: Get plenty of dark leafy veggies, tomatoes, broccoli, blueberries oranges, salmon, sardines, and tuna.
4. Do the Kate Middleton: Combine fashion and skincare by wearing protective hats and sunglasses
5. Know What to Skip: Sunbathing, soda, etc. and develop better habits overall

http://www.fusionbackandbody.com/Home_Page.html

Fusion Back and Body Center

1200 Riverside Drive, Suite D

Macon, Georgia 31201

Phone: 478-741-9850

Fax: 478-741-9852

Email: info@fusionbackandbody.com

Dr. Chi Ezekwuech is a pharmacist who followed her creative calling to become a fine artist receiving her BFA from Wesleyan College in 1996. Her artwork and fashion sense reflect her Nigerian heritage. She was on hand to demonstrate the art of sculpting head wraps from some of the most beautiful fabrics I have ever seen (her model Ms. Stephens).

Nothing new under the sun!

Beauty Secrets from My Long Lost Girlfriend

Tina Turnbow

My long lost girlfriend always has the best tips and tricks.
Just in case you haven't read my October post on Tracee Ellis Ross, I just want to ensure my readers that I'm not some stalker. During my time living in Wyoming I became endeared with the character Joan, because she was one of the only women that I could relate to during a time when a felt racially isolated. So when she came back with Reed Between the Lines, I was so excited! The girlfriend I lost was now found....whenever she shares her wisdom, I'm enlightened in some way. I respect the wisdom of the 'fro. Hence my geeky excitement.

WHAT I WORE TODAY: An Art Nerd's Day Out (A Crown of Glory Affair at The Tubman Museum)

Me with Little Richard Penniman's piano, Macon, Georgia native, and  the real King of Rock 'n Roll.

The Nigerian inspired Christmas tree: beautifully embellished fabrics, vessels with kola nuts, musical instruments, uli designs, and a head wrap at the top of the tree to signify the importance of the figural and literal head in Nigerian (Ibo & Yoruba) cosmologies.

THE ART NERD WILL HAVE A DAY OUT! A Crown of Glory Affair (via Tubman African American Museum Website)

Wear your fancy hairdos, head wraps, and yes hats too.What adorns a lady’s head is her Crown and Glory!

Come for an afternoon of celebrating our inner and outer beauty. You will be treated to an afternoon of pampering, yummy delights, and feel like the queen and princess you are.

This event features Equal Rites the highly acclaimed exhibition by  internationally renowned Atlanta artist Michael D. Harris. The exhibit exemplifies the historic essence and beauty of Hair, Skin, and the Spirit.

Special guests include Chi Ezekwueche (head wraps), Dr. Anissa Jones (skin care and massage therapy), Yolanda “Y-O” Latimore (locks and twisting), Gloria Marable (Shh! It’s A Wig), Mae Parks (braiding), and Pat Person (accessories).

A Crown of Glory Affair
Saturday, December 17th
12:00 Noon–2:00 P.M.
Tickets: $10.00 (BUY ONLINE)

TUBMAN AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
340 Walnut Street
Macon, Georgia 31201
Tel: (478) 743-8544

WHAT I WORE TODAY: Camouflage + Vivid Colors = Hidden in Plain Sight

Cardigan: The Limited | Blouse: Gap | Skirt: Gap | Boots: Kenneth Cole
Necklace: Hand strung by Me | Flower: Arden B | Tights: Target

A TRUE FASHION ICON: Happy Birthday Ms. Ella Baker

“You didn't see me on television, you didn't see news stories about me. (However, when she was in front of the camera she was stunning) The kind of role that I tried to play was to pick up pieces or put together pieces out of which I hoped organization might come. My theory is, strong people don't need strong leaders.” 

Ella Baker believed in grassroots activism. She didn’t believe that the people would benefit from a spokesperson, but rather the people would benefit from agitating for their needs from the sweat of their own brows (“ahem” MLK—God rest his soul), which is why she founded SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) in 1960.

The spirit of Ella Baker’s activism is still so relevant today. In 2008, the citizens of the United States were looking for a strong leader. Through aggressive grassroots efforts, Barack Obama was elected. But some of those same grassroots activists invigorated by the hope offered by candidate Obama became disgruntled by the leadership style they expected from him. Arguably, Obama embodies the spirit of Ella Baker’s activism. Grassroots is not a buzzword for him; it’s not a campaign strategy. It’s a movement. Is Obama just as disappointed in his supported as they are in him? Will that movement pick up its steam  in 2012?

WHAT I WORE TODAY: Shape Shifters, Look No. 2

Flats: Nine West | Cardigan: Old Navy | Earrings: Urban Outfitters

Beautiful New Music by DaNedra

ep cover styled by one of my favorite bloggers http://politicsandfashionshi.blogspot.com/

AN ART NERD'S NIGHT IN

Tonight I'll be home watching my DVD set of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency with the illustrious Jill Scott as Precious Ramotswe.

PLOT: Precious leaves the past and the countryside of Botswana behind to start a detective agency in Gaborone after her father's death. She uses the monetary gifts and priceless lessons that her father has given her to become the best detective in the region.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency has always been one of my favorite shows but I identified with the Precious character more after my Mum passed away. In one episode she says, "When an esteemed loved one dies, she becomes an ancestor. Those she left behind can depend on her wisdom and guidance if they honor her by leading a successful, productive being, living to one's full, god-given potential." Of course I feverishly began to strategically plan my goals, thinking about the lessons that my mother and grandmothers taught me...

Another reason that I identify with Precious is because of her penchant for unconscious munching as she sits in contemplation. It became a nasty habit of mine in graduate school. One of her clients calls her "the fattest tart in Gaborone," and in another case she is taunted by the women that she is investigating at a pageant...my inner critic has gotten to me--just a smoothie for me tonight.

I hope that your night out or in is a great one!

Your Personal Fashion Stylist

In the online magazine Coco & Creme  Danielle Pointdujour asks "Would You Hire A Fashion Stylist?" I say yes. A stylist isn't a luxury of the rich, but the necessity of the working woman. My expertise is performing closet overhauls, which sometimes turn into interventions. I sort, reorganize, and classify, create outfits, and provide a shopping list to fill the wardrobe gaps.

Stylists are essential in an economy based on consumption. Some women are bombarded by the limitless choices, not knowing what will work or what won't. Some women think that it's expensive to pull together a great wardrobe. Others don't know how to work with the pieces that they already have. The focus becomes consumption at all costs, which is a recipe for disaster. Without a goal you're destined to waste money and time and become frustrated. A stylist lends the proper focus.

Who/what helps you solve your wardrobe dilemmas: siblings, friends, mannequins, TV shows, books, magazines?