The Blog about everything…from the perspective of a city-born, suburb-raised, country-nurtured Black Girl. All Rights Reserved ©
The most basic form of self-care I find myself indulging in is gratitude, and boy, have I been gorging myself on it lately. So far this year, the most significant reason to be grateful was reaching my 31st birthday. To be able to experience an additional year of life despite ongoing racial and gender injustice,… Continue reading A Self Care Series: Gratitude & My 31st Birthday
Finding and maintaining hobbies can be one of the best ways to take care of yourself. They are the ultimate adult playtime (my opinion, of course...backed up by data; see Dr. Brene Brown’s work)! I didn’t always believe in such pursuits because I thought they took precious time away from working (sad, I know). Just… Continue reading A Self Care Series: Photography & Nostalgia’s Tool
I must say that this Pandemic has undoubtedly tested my commitment to my self-care practices. What once felt enjoyable, luxurious, and only necessary in small intervals now seems crucial to my day-to-day wellbeing, thus making it pertinent and maybe even lifesaving. And since self-care appears to be an essential mechanism to weather this formidable catastrophe… Continue reading A Self-Care Series: The Nail Salon Visit
So I originally published these photos on Instagram at the top of the year, and well...that was a severe flop. But it wasn’t a flop for the reasons one may think. Normally, I don’t mind sharing my photos on social media as it allows me to share my love of photography with others while also… Continue reading Second Time’s The Charm: San Juan, Puerto Rico
This photoshoot was originally all about the hair. I saw a photograph of a young lady with a similar hairstyle and I just knew I had to try it on myself (unfortunately, I can’t remember where I saw the photo). The hairstyle, to me, conveyed an essence of freedom, peace, femininity, sensuality, humble pride, and… Continue reading A Self Portrait Shoot: The Back Story
One of my girlfriends, Lynette K., sent this screen-grab to me a few days ago (below). After nodding in somber affirmation at its sentiment, I began reading the message that supplemented it. Now before I share the perspective-altering message she wrote me (that I just could not keep to myself), I think it’s only right… Continue reading A Girlfriend’s Love Letter
Dear White girl who commented on the “fact” that I have finally decided to “grow my hair out” since our time in high school. Let's take a step back, pause and consider some things... NUMBER 1... The girl you knew when we were kids didn’t “not have hair” because she didn’t want it; it wasn't… Continue reading Dear White Girl…
My trip to New Orleans, Louisiana was a two-day “layover” during a much longer road trip home from Los Angeles, California to Washington, DC. In true introvert fashion, and for the purpose of my mental solace, I meandered around the city alone, on foot and by street car, wandering up and down vacant streets of… Continue reading New Orleans (NAW-lins)
“The fear that I heard in my father’s voice, for example, when he realized that I really believed I could do anything a white boy could do, and had every intention of proving it, was not at all like the fear I heard when one of us was ill or had fallen down the stairs… Continue reading Black Fear and Black Parental Love
Dear Innanets,* My favorite artist, Prince (may he rest in eternal peace) once said, “Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called...life.” I felt that. But how do we do this? How do we get through this thing called life? In all my (limited) wisdom, I’ll venture to say that… Continue reading Dear Innanets
Otis Lily 