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Esmesha’s Life: Celebrating Hip-Hop Culture at The Dirty South Exhibition at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
I’ve always been proud to be a native of the #DirtySouth. Houston is my home. The South’s enigmatic culture permeates through film, music, fashion and art – and it’s hard to ignore the immutable presence of Southern influence throughout society. I grew up in Trinity Gardens (near Fifth Ward) and my childhood resonated with the…
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How Saying “No” Keeps Me Unbothered
When I started attending therapy, one of the biggest topics I struggled with was simply saying “no”. And, not just to my therapist… but to my family, to my clients, strangers, my supervisor… the works. The thought of rejecting others just wasn’t in my character. There were times where I would sacrifice my comfort and…
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Romanticizing Your Life
The autumn season always transports me into my most reflective self. I spend endless time marinating on my daydreams, chasing nostalgia and incorporating tiny bits of guilty pleasures that keep me on a natural high. Autumn also brings about glimpses into the new year. Although we haven’t officially belted Auld Lan Sine at the top…
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How To: Style A Cardigan in a Warmer Climate
Fall is here! And, as bad as I want to embrace cozy stylings, the typical daily temperature in Houston rings in at about 80 to 86 degrees. Umm… cool down, where? While living in such a warm (and humid) climate, I have to find subtle ways to rock autumn wardrobe staples. Enter in the timeless…
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I Purchased My First Vivienne Westwood Necklace!
I found myself binging one of my favorite shows on HBO, Run the World. The overall premise of the sitcom follows the lives of four successful Black women while also examining their own individual struggles – from career changes to discovering life’s purpose to infidelity – this one runs the gamut when it comes to…
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Why Telfar Is The Brand That Keeps On Giving
Founded in 2005, Telfar is a New York-based brand that you simply cannot overlook. If you log into Instagram, you’ll immediately spot one of their iconic bags within minutes of scrolling. Many are not aware that the rise of this fashion house was far from an overnight success. The visionary behind Telfar’s slayage, Telfar Clemens,…
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Maintaining Happiness: Three Tips That Help Me Protect My Peace
Happiness is personal. It’s not the type of thing you can just go and pick up for your local bodega. Happiness is rooted deeper in acknowledging who you are and what you stand for for. Happiness can also be robbed in a myriad of ways, but the overall goal is that you maintain your little…
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Sis, Lose the Bonnet!
There’s an epidemic within the Black community. Bonnets have taken over. And, I’m not speaking in the literal sense of sistahs actually donning their bonnets during their weekly grocery run – no, I’m also referring to the mentality that comes along with it. No lie: I’ve seen grown women walk into malls, corporate offices, schools,…
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Dianne Taught Me: How My Mother’s Personal Style Still Influences Me
My mother is the center of my life. ‘Til this day, her influence still has an unwavering hold on me. Dianne is a woman who never ceases to amaze. Her strength is like no other, her wisdom is boundless and she is the personification of living a purpose-driven life. Growing up, my mother (or “momma”…
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Practicing Gratitude
Gratitude. It’s a word that we hear often, but, at times, fail to fully acknowledge. I never understood the power of gratitude until 2020. I started a monthly gratitude journal that continues to serve as a source of optimism and light, even my most desolate moments. Jotting down what I am grateful for blesses me…
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