Life... And Angela

Soaring dreams

12:21 AM

Dreams soar on the clouds of time. Unattainable to most, except to the ones willing to fly to uncharted altitudes.

Sometimes I think I'm pretty great. Other times I compare my life to others greatness and think "What will I be great in?" Don't get me wrong, I know the talent in art I have. I also know that there are people that can't even imagine drawing the things that I draw. Unfortunately, insecurity and fear come into play and what I know to be true of myself can seem like such a faint noise in the surrounding sounds of life.

It's a new year! 2018 is here. I can't change the world in a day but I can change myself.

I decided to start working on me personally and how I think of myself. So below I've written five things that I'm going to try and work on daily. Hopefully, this will give me the momentum, motivation, and inspiration to actually do something great. With any luck, this will also do the same for you!

1. See me through the eyes of God

I want to see the joy and beauty He sees when He looks at me. I want to see why he loves me. In order for me to accomplish this, I definitely need to jump into his word and read it daily. I am human and I forget! I forget how much I'm loved and valued. I forget how precious I am. I forget how much Jesus fought to save my life. Reading daily will help me remember and reset my thoughts. Not only for my perception of myself but for my perception of others as well. As people like to say your thoughts become your words and your words become your actions. Simple as that.

2. I want to be intentional

I want to be intentional in the art that I make and in the people that I love. I want to be intentional in the choices that I make. I want to be intentional in being the person that people come in contact with. I want to be in control of the person that people meet and get to know. Conscious of who I am. Now I know I can't control people's perception of me but I can control how I perceive myself.

3. I would like to be more open

Now that's a broad statement to make but I simply want to be open and free to spontaneity. To different opportunities that may pass in my life. For example, I want to be open-minded about a simple book suggestion that maybe I would not have acquired on my own. Or I want to go on an adventure and jump out of a plane with some close friends. I don't want to be so safe and cautious anymore. Risk is where greatness is formed.

4. I'd love to establish more confidence

Over the last few years, my confidence and self-esteem have slowly dwindled. Though that is slightly sad to admit it is something that everyone goes through at some point. I know that with some hard work and dedication, self-love and prayer I am going to get back to being me. There was a time that I remember I didn't self check myself every 5 minutes and over-think my thought process, and the things that I did, and said. There was a time when I didn't care what people thought, seriously. As my life went on I did. It's horrible to care about people's thoughts about you. Sometimes their overly opinionated suggestions can be useful. However, I want to be able to decipher my own opinions and likes and dislikes and beliefs. Whether they are about me, my choices, or my beliefs.

5. I want to be content and joyous

Happiness means everything to me. I want to be joyful in the things that I go through in life and what I do. I may not always be in a position that I choose but I want to be able to enjoy those situations and those trials. There's always something good in it whether I believe it at that moment or not. There are always lessons that are seeds to help me grow.

I haven't written in such a long time and I must say it feels good to be back. Love you all! Thank you for checking out my blog.

Remember, you never have to feel alone because Jesus is always with you. Just chat him up!

Love,

Minute Transition

6:00 AM

Living in New York we tend to have busy days and even busier nights. Therefore, we've always got to be ready for the minute transition. What's the minute transition you ask? It's that moment when you finally get home from whatever you were doing that day and your friend calls you up to have a spontaneous night of fun. They give you a time to be ready that's so soon you only have what feels like a minute to come up with a fun and flirtatious look. You don't want to say you can't make it in time because you don't know what to wear, right? Of course not! Thus, you're thrown into the twilight zone of the minute transition.

Being able to change a day look to night is a key skill to attain in the city. Without this adaptability, you may just end up in the F.O.M.O, fear of missing out, sinkhole. Surely, you wouldn't want to be in that position. That's why I'm here to make sure no one gets left behind in this fast-paced city!

The set above is a cute and fun look. While this look is simple the pop of colors and the graphic tee add just the right amount of playfulness this outfit needs. To complete the look I added the chic and versatile gold earrings. #ad The ICON AUrate earrings are so cute and barely there but they add just the right amount of sparkle to any look. I would definitely encourage you to check out the gold earrings from AUrate to see which one you would pair best with this outfit. If you like what you see the link and the 10% DISCOUNT CODE will be listed at the end of the post.

The simple formula of the minute transition is to subtract a prominent piece of clothing and add in a new piece to revamp the look. In this case, I simply switched out the light color denim jeans for a black denim skirt. It's as simple as 1, 2, 3. There you have it ladies, an easy way to complete a minute transition to style yourself for a great night out instead of being stuck at home with the fear of missing out.

To make this look even more attainable use "AUrateExclusive10" to receive a 10% discount at this link AUrate Gold Earrings This will take you straight to AUrate where you can find more easy to wear gold earrings that could become your next great staple. Which earrings would you pair with this look? Let me know in the comments below!

For more links to products use in the above sets click the thumbnails below.

Remember you never have to feel alone because Jesus is always with you. Just chat Him up! Peace and love.
-A

Minute Transition DAY by hopelaw featuring gold earrings by AUrate
Minute Transition NIGHT by hopelaw featuring asymmetric denim skirt

Distressed Denim

11:28 PM

Counterfeit: The Thoughts

3:02 AM

The Windows

9:50 PM

Unapologetically Me

11:54 AM

Today I'm gonna wake up and let all the coils and curls on the top of my head flow every which way the wind decides to blow them in.

I'm gonna look in the mirror at the dark frames of strength and late nights around my eyes. Even though I can see a mini mountain forming on the surface of the middle of my cheek I'm going to say with my well vaselined lips "you are... so beautiful. You're made in His image and His likeness shines through you".

I'm gonna put on my red and white striped shirt and my form fitting black bell bottom ripped denim jeans because "yeah I have a butt and what?!"

I'm gonna strut down the sidewalk with my head held high and my back up right and if you choose to cross the street because of my dark skin your loss. You missed the chance to see a 70's inspired melanin masterpiece up close and personal.
What you thought was harmful was completely harmless.

I might say ain't and y'all and throw grammar to the wind today.
I'm gonna be happy and love me because I know my worth.
You want to try and put me down? Hold me down? The truth that I know from my God will always be strong enough to pull me back to an upright position and back onto my feet.
Those stereotypes against me will phase me no more.

You know why?

Because today I'm gonna be unapologetically me.

Hey All!

Soooooo I got an undercut, *gasp*. Pretty much everyone in my life was shock. I got some really great responses and I completely ignored all the other ones. I truly do not have time for that and from the wise words of Neka W. "they can all take several seats", haha.

So the other day I went to the Moma with one of my really close friends and it was faaaantastic. We caught up, saw art, and then went to see Suicide Squad. My first time seeing it and her second. She is such a good friend for going with me, haha. I thought it was a really good movie but I would have definitely rather the Joker be in it more, not at all or only in flashback from Harley Quinn's point of view. But that's just me.

The inspiration of the outfit I chose to wear was completely derived from my love of the 70's and the fact that I really wanted to wear color. Thanks to Gap I now own amazing black wide leg jeans that only cost $7. Yes and yes! Forget gold! An amazing bargain is all I need.

The above post is just a reminder to anyone that needs it. We all have many flaws some that we dislike more than others. But when you remember who you are and how great your worth is nothing can stop you. Being unapologetically you means loving yourself from the inside out. Go a little crazy, have fun, and be who you truly are.