Weekend Fresh!
Happy weekend, loves!
Author Archive
Love Yourself IRL x Shelby Bentil
Scroll, double tap, scroll. Repeat. This describes our daily habit as we operate without even thinking while subconsciously comparing ourselves to glimpses + fake images of both friends and strangers. With social media acting as the number one addiction, learning to love yourself in real life can seem almost like an impossible task. Young + thriving author Shelby Bentil shares an impactful story of a teen girl struggling to discover herself + dreams in her first book, Diminished Dreams. Get to know how Shelby was inspired to create this story and how it represents numerous girls learning to love themselves while going after their dreams!
Your new book Diminished Dreams is a fiction story that shares the journey of a teen girl + her struggles after she finds out about her pregnancy. What inspired the story line of your book?
My inspiration behind Diminished Dreams is actually pretty complicated. I created the story at the age of 16 and at that time my focus was making the character this deranged teenager who became fed up with everyone hurting her and turning their back on her. This was actually an issue I was dealing with at the time. During my teenage years I experienced so much hurt that I channeled all of it into the character Castel. Now over the years, as I developed emotionally, mentally and spiritually, Castel’s story evolved and I used the character to express only that small part of me. If you notice in the book, Castel is constantly trying to be the positive one and give people chances regardless of how they betray her. In the first draft this was not the case. Castel was actually out to destroy everyone.
How important is it for young females to be proactive when it comes to attacking their goals rather than simply reacting from what their environment gives them?
For me being proactive and focusing on your goals should always be number one on your to do list. Now don’t get me wrong I know it can become very difficult to not react to what happens in your environment, I myself had to learn the hard way. It took me years to realize I couldn’t fight the world and I am still working on what to give my energy to. What I’ve learned is the more I focus on who I see myself becoming the more I tune out the negativity in my environment.
Getting a grip of who you are as a girl is tough due to a collage of media, school, life’s pressure, & the list goes on. How did you relate to the main character in your book when it came to understanding true self-love?
Castel is me. Well part of me. As I became a woman and learned self-love I transformed her story to reflect that. This is why in the book she grows the way she does. She goes from this girl who is so wrapped up in pleasing others and living how she is told to putting more focus on doing what is best for her and cutting the strings of control.
As a girl do you feel like it’s pressure in high school + college to conform to be accepted in different areas of your life? For example do you believe you have to be a completely different person with your boyfriend than you are with your parents or friends?
Oh, absolutely there is pressure to conform if you want to be “accepted.” Ironically, as I got older I found myself conforming in different ways than when I was a teenager or a child. For example when I was a child and a teen my main struggle with conformity was the pressure to be “tough.” Growing up in an urban environment, if you were not tough or getting into fights then you were an easy target for bullying. This resulted in me actually turning into a bully and being a very angry and mean child just to have a voice among my peers. As a young adult the levels of conformity transformed into what I looked like, who I dated, what I believed and more. It wasn’t until about several years ago that I really started to embrace me just the way I am. This started with my big chop. Cutting my hair during the “long hair don’t care” movement was a very significant moment for me because I was finally breaking away from labels and other people’s opinions.
(Beautiful comparison photo of legendary author + poet Maya Angelou to young + thriving author Shelby Bentil)
What’s one way girls can block out the noise of distractions early on and embrace their insecurities instead of trying to bury them?
As a young girl what I found most helpful to avoid distractions was getting lost in a hobby connected to my passion, which was writing. Going back to one of the previous questions, your reactions to your environment can really make you or brake you, so for me taking out a pen and my journal to write down what would have gotten me in trouble, allowed me to express myself, move on from an issue and keep pushing forward to my goals. Girls need to find outlets that are not friends, boyfriends or social media but hobbies that will help them discover their seed of greatness. From baking to sports, anything positive and productive will help them keep their head afloat. In terms of insecurities, I understand that is a lot more difficult to deal with because it has to deal with loving yourself. Self-love is easier said than done especially with this wave of social media that pretty much every female you look at appear to be exactly the same. What I believe is most helpful is to always keep positive sayings around to read and tell yourself something positive everyday. When we speak to ourselves positively we feel and live a positive life.
How does writing allow you to go deeper into yourself and grow as a person?
Writing allows me to awaken my creativity. When I write there are no boundaries, no rules. I can create a whole world based on my thoughts and events in my own life. The more I think, the deeper I dig into myself and it amazes me the where my mind wonders off to when I glide my pen on paper. Writing opens this door to an unknown place that only I have access to and from there I begin to challenge what I know and who I am until I reach the next door to the next unknown place, which will lead me to another path of understanding.
Check out more of Shelby here!
6 Campus-Ready Hairstyles!
Spring is about to say ‘hello’ to the world (even though it’s not feeling like it). Well, it’s always better to be prepared in the meantime! Check out 6 fresh hairstyles that will keep your tresses on point + can take you from class to the quad.
Fresh Faux Locs – Protective styles are easy + great for hair growth. Try faux locs to spice up your look this spring break.
Braided To The Back– Don’t be afraid of length + showing off your beautiful face. So opting for braided back styles are a must.
Crochet Twists– Easy to install + dope style to rock from the dorm room into to the weekend.
Blow Out Double Buns– Get versatile with your tresses. Blow out your curls + add some volume to your styles.
Tribal Braids- Timeless braids that represent culture + style! You can never go wrong with tribal braids.
Hair Cuffs/Jewelry– Need a super quick makeover? Hair cuffs + jewelry will transform your look in seconds!
Meet Alysia Johnson!
INSPIRE. MOVE. MOTIVATE! Dance is an infectious form of creativity that allows you to free your mind, body + spirit. Dancer Alysia Johnson bottles up inspiration from the world around her as she showcases her gift of dance + reflects the story of her generation. She is carving out her voice through her impactful moves + leaving a trail of inspiration and open doors behind her.
Alysia Johnson is a dancer, writer, choreographer, arts education advocate and a soon to be graduate from The Juilliard School in the Spring of 2018. Hailing from Dallas, Texas is where she attended Dallas Black Dance Theater and Booker T. Washington HSPVA before moving to New York. She has had the pleasure of performing works by Robert Battle, Dwight Rhoden, Kyle Abraham, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano and many other admirable choreographers. Her choreography was recognized by the National Foundation of the Arts, and she holds a passion for arts education near to her heart.
In June of 2015, Alysia founded Emerging Dancers of Dallas, a program catering to young artists in the DFW area and in her companies third year they launched their very first summer intensive August 2017.
Let’s get to know Alysia a little better!
Photo by Mikaela Kelly
Dance is powerful beyond belief + can enrich your life in numerous ways! What first attracted you to the world of dance? When did you know you wanted to pursue your passion?
I agree 100%! Dance is everywhere so it was almost impossible for me to not be attracted to it. It’s so hard for me to pinpoint when I first fell in love with dance because I’ve done it everyday for the past 8 years intensely and I am so lucky to get to do what I love. I remember one moment when I was certain that I wanted do perform and dance everyday. There was a long period of time where I was injured and doctors were telling me I shouldn’t dance and looking back I didn’t even give that kind of rhetoric a second chance. I remember just searching to find doctors who believed in me and the art form just as much as I did because I knew that I HAD to be a dancer.
Soon to be a graduate from The Juilliard School this upcoming spring, what was your proudest moment? Was the transition to NYC a difficult jump to make while perfecting your craft?
I’ve recently been working very hard on developing a consistent and confident voice and speaking up about things I am passionate about is something I am very proud of. My proudest moment to date was probably when the Dean asked me and a few other students to join the Student Committee search for the next president of the school. I hadn’t been much of a talker but I had shown my interest in arts education and the school took me seriously.
The transition was actually super easy, I adapt and accept change pretty well and I was fortunate to have my high school best friends not too far away from in the city to help with any hardships.
You founded Emerging Dancers of Dallas, a program catering to young artists in the DFW area. Why was it important to create a space + opportunity for young artists to flourish in the Dallas area?
Creating EDD is one of my proudest accomplishments. I am a direct product of the Dallas Arts community and I wouldn’t be where I am without their constant support. Leaving home and moving to NYC taught me a lot about the importance of having a stable and nurturing environment that will see you through trials, process and all the way to an end product if that’s what the artist chooses. Dallas has produces incredible artists and EDD is a reminder of how the youth has and will continually contributes to that. Young artists have a sense of fearlessness and if I can help cultivate that for as long as possible through art and education, then I’m doing a small part for the bigger picture.
Photo by Eddie Eng
Being young, juggling responsibilities while walking towards your dreams can sometimes get to be a bit overwhelming, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?
I like to say I’m pretty good at staying calm and collected even when things can seem a little overwhelming, but the truth is there have been times especially as a working student where I’ve felt in over my head about future projects and new pieces I’m working on. There’s a few things I do when I feel like I’m getting into an unproductive or negative headspace. I stop completely and take a break from what I’m doing because at that point you’ll on fluster yourself more. When I’m feeling defeated I use a lot of self-talk and positive affirmation reminding myself that the moments where I feel discouraged or defeated do not make up my DNA. I try to nip those feelings in the bud as soon as I can and maybe talk it out with a friend, it’s best to not let those temporary moments fester and keep you down longer than they have too.
We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you?
Oh my goodness you can draw inspiration from so many people and places. Living in NYC has inspired me to be a little bit more adventurous and risk-taking for sure. My mother has an incredible amount of perseverance and an A+ work ethic and I’m grateful that it has rubbed off on me. Once you start noticing and appreciating the strengths in the differences amongst people, you can get inspiration in people that can carry you through your tough days and weeks.
Photo by Omar Zobles
We are all about empowerment, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?
When I hear the word ’empowerment’ I automatically associate education and inclusion with it. There’s so much information available now with social media and the internet it’s a great way to connect and find people who you can identify with. There’s nothing more powerful than a person or group of people who remains a vessel to all of the information out there. It’s such an artsy thing to say, but empowerment and success don’t come from degrading other people and their ideas, it comes from growing through understanding and empathy.
What advice would you give girls who want to follow their dreams and passions but are nervous or intimidated?
If you are nervous or intimidated by failure, try looking at it as an opportunity to grow and learn from the process/outcome. Don’t anticipate failure, give yourself a chance. You have to be the biggest advocate for yourself!
Time for faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?
Ooh my celeb crush differs by the week but the most consistent is Beyoncé. How could I not say that? My favorite artist is a recent writer I came across Nayyirah Waheed, she finds ways to say things I’ve been thinking and makes it poetry. I am a huge fan of French fries, actually almost all things potato involved haha. My favorite movie has been Colombiana for sometime now. Zoe Saldana plays the main character and I love the plot!!
Check out more of Alysia here:
Make Your Love Come Down!
So it’s the day of love + a lot of cheesiness, right? BUT there’s nothing cheesy about spoiling yourself or atleast treating yourself for the small or big accomplishments you’ve started to knock out at the beginning of 2018, right? Well, no matter if you have a secret admirer or not, your love is all ya need to celebrate. Remember, loving yourself is a must + any others adjust a plus!
Doll up!– Okay, yes so if you’re in college you can sneak in between classes to get a mani or pedi. And even if you’re barely able to focus after 8 hours of walking the halls of your high school, make it a point to unwind after studying. That’s what study breaks are meant for! So pull out your go-to nail polish colors and knock out your home spa!
Bestie status! Valentine’s Day weekend couldn’t land on a better weekend, right? Forget the sappy love stories + grab your bestie to see Black Panther! Not only can you get caught up with the melanin magic on screen but you can just and enjoy + relax with your homegirls after conquering another week!
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Trade off! Okay, I know that we just ended holiday season but this one isn’t going to cost any coins. Okay, so hearing sweet things about yourself never gets old but we oftentimes take it for granted when we’re always with the people we love! So, trade off compliments! Whether it’s you + bff or you and your bf, each of you should say atleast 2 traits you appreciaite about the other. You would be amazed how people will never forget sweet truths about themselves!
Happy Valentine’s Day, loves!
Weekend Fresh!
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Happy weekends, loves!
Style Diary x Samara Marshall!
Scroll through the style diary of college student + fashion blogger, Samara Marshall:
Style is showing who you are with out having to speak! Name your top 3 trends you’re feeling this season?
Okay, three trends that I am currently loving is velvet, florals and my favorite has to be denim on denim. Velvet really caught my attention last year as I saw theses pieces everywhere from Macy’s, Old Navy and even Ross. What I really like about this trend is that when I look for clothing I typically look at the print and that print usually is the focal point of my outfit so having the focal be a texture had been different yet fun. Next would have to be florals. I don’t know what it is but I just love floral print probably because it seems to bring a bright and cheery look to my outfit. Last but not least is denim on denim. I swear everytime I wear denim on denim I feel like I am in the streets of New York because that’s wear I first saw this type of style. It’s just so chic and daring and it has become one of my go to looks.
If you had 30 seconds to grab your 3 favorite style pieces, what would they be?
Oh gosh, that’s hard! One would have to be my denim jacket from Forever 21. What I like about it is well, it’s denim so I can pair it with anything and second it has photos sewn on to the back so it adds a unique touch! Second, would have to be my black booties from Charlotte Russe. I have had theses booties for almost four years now and they have really made a more simple outfit of mines evolve into something more. Lastly, I have to say is just plain black jeans. I know that sounds rather boring but black jeans are my favorite because I can pair anything with them.
Style inspo is everything! Who’s your ultimate fashion icon + why?
When I look for style inspiration I just look on Pintrest at random peoples posts. I guess you can say any and everybody is my style inspiration because we all have different and unique styles. Sometimes I might see a particular piece of clothing that someone is wearing and I might say “Hmm, let me try that”. Now, if I was going to a really big event I might have to take a few notes from Zendaya. Her style is everything and she truly stands out when she is on the red carpet. I literally have a whole board on Pintrest board dedicated to her looks because in all seriousness she just had to have her own board because she just stands out!
Getting ready for class can be fun but stressful if you’re in a time crunch, what’s your go-to look if you’re in a rush?
I am litterally in a time crunch everyday going to class so I usually result to a pair of jeans, a top and a cardigan or jacket. This morning actually I got up rather late and had a few minutes to get out the door so I ended up getting a dark pair of jeans, a white turtleneck top and a maroon cardigan. Typically, this is my usually look and the cardigan or jacket is added to help better complete the outfit. As for shoes I just go with boots because it’s still cold where I am.
What’s your number 1 rule when it comes to style?
Wear whatever you want and don’t be afraid to venture out and try new things! My style cannot be summed up in one word, I like to venture out and wear different pieces. If I want to wear something with a boho feel I will wear it or if I buy something that is more girly then you best believe I will rock it. I know that kind of sounds like my outfit choices are all over the place but it’s fun to experiment. I fell in love with fashion because it is fun and that’s what I really want others to kind of see that fashion is not boring but can really bring joy or bring you confidence.
Check out more of Samara Marshall’s fresh style:
FAKE It or MAKE It!
From fresh kicks to the latest hair trends to your 50 bottles of nail polish scattered in your room, they all have one thing in common. Umm yeah, they cost money, right? Right! And another truth about these items is that just because you have them doesn’t mean you actually have extra money or should I dare and say ‘savings’? So even though you may look like you have it together that may be far from the truth. Alright, so scroll through to see if you want to FAKE it or actually MAKE it.
Stay In Your Lane- Just like they taught you in Driver’s ED to stay in your lane, the same rules apply when it comes to your coins. Just because your friend blows money without working doesn’t mean you can do the same. Remember, you put in hard work on your part-time gig after classes to get the extra cash flow. Spend wisely. And plus, you’re getting a jumpstart on adulthood that your spoiled home girl will have to catch up to. Again, spend wisely.
STRUGGLE mode now or BOSS mode later- Ooh we all love shiny, new things to add to our collection. But let me ask you this, would you rather be able to splurge just for the moment or actually have a lifestyle where you can flourish for years? Sacrifices today pave the growth of tomorrow. So don’t feel bad for packing lunch or not getting every refreshment at the movies. You’re just in prep mode for the rest of your life!
Savings are GHOST!- Okay, so this is tricky. In a world where we can’t get through 12 hours without sharing a ‘fun’ update about life, we have an itch to tell the world how much we’re saving especially if you’ve been cutting back. Well, this is a personal win that at the right time as you’re getting older will naturally slip out. When you’re the only one in your crew not stressing about hitting the college bookstore or even when spring break comes around you’re not scraping for that senior trip! Just know savings will come in handy in numerous ways + that’s always better than an Instagram debut.
Beauty Diary x Toni Bryanne!
Scroll through the beauty diary of New Jersey based beauty vlogger, Toni Bryanne!
What city do you live in? Roselle, NJ
If you had only 15 seconds to grab 3 beauty products, what would they be?
Eyebrow pencil, lip gloss, and BB cream
Beauty inspo is everything! Who’s your ultimate beauty icon + why?
My ultimate beauty icon is Rihanna. She’s drop dead gorgeous and could probably make a trash bag look good. From reviews I’ve heard about Fenty Beauty, I know it’s diverse, affordable, and very high-end. I haven’t had a chance to get my hands on Fenty Beauty yet, but I know I must!
You did an empowering vlog focusing on how black girls + women are stereotyped. How do you continue to embrace who you are + confidently love yourself?
Being a young black women in a society constantly telling me I’m not good enough pushes me to want to do better. I know my brown skin is beautiful and I have to remind myself I am not the vast stereotypes held against black women and black beauty. When I posted that video I was afraid of holding the stereotypes as the “angry black woman”, but I knew I had to speak my truth no matter how many views I received or how many people felt that stereotype fit my persona. Loving myself is loving others and teaching black women around me their beauty and strength they have. I know myself and black women are destined to take over the world and inspire people worldwide.
Hair can be such a fun accessory! What’s your fave hairstyle to rock + why?
One thing about me is that I always like to keep my hair very simple. I would say my favorite hairstyle is a sleek side part low ponytail. I like this look because while my hair is tamed and neat, the side part adds a fierce component to the look. Although I am ashamed to say I don’t really like unleashing my curls in a fro, twist out, or braid out as much as I used to a few years ago, I can say I have always been natural and truly love and embrace my curls. I prefer natural hair over straight hair any day.
Being a girl on-the-go can be stressful, what’s one beauty must-have that lives in your bag?
One beauty must-have that lives in my bag is lip gloss. If I leave my house without lip gloss in my bag, I have a mini breakdown. Chapped lips is a no go for me!
If you’re easing your way into makeup, where’s a good place to start? Eyes? Lips?
The best place to start when starting makeup is the eyes. Start off with trying different mascaras and work your way into using eyeliner first and then eye shadows. One tip I can give to girls starting to get into makeup is that it takes practice, and it’ll most likely look a little crazy the first time (trust me I know)! Don’t compare yourself to these experienced makeup gurus!
What’s your number 1 beauty rule?
My number one beauty rule is to BLEND, BLEND, BLEND! Blend your concealer, blend your contour, blend your eye shadow, just blend everything! I promise you’ll thank me and love me after you take that advice!
Follow more of Toni’s fresh beauty regimen here!
Style Diary x Nzinga Suluki-Bey!
Scroll through the style diary of Philly based teen style blogger, Nzinga Suluki-Bey:
Style is showing who you are with out having to speak! Name your top 3 trends you’re feeling this season?
My three favorite style pieces are black bottoms, big sweatshirts and gold accent jewelry. In the morning usually only have 30 seconds to decide what to throw on and it’s always black bottoms and one of my favorite sweatshirts. Of course I have been taught to wear earrings and they just always happen to be gold.
What’s your number 1 rule when it comes to style?
I do have to say this was the easiest question because its a mantra of mine. My number one rule is “You wear the clothes. The clothes shouldn’t wear you!” Before fashion, I was just a little girl putting on clothing until I found the meaning of self expression. So now when I dress I always remember that I make the clothing on my body look good.
Getting ready for class can be fun but stressful if you’re in a time crunch, what’s your go-to look if you’re in a rush?
My go-to-look when I’m in a rush is all black jeans, my Miles Culture sweatshirt with a simple t-shirt, gold earrings, my Michael Kors watch and Stan Smith orange and white sneakers. My go-to look is always comfort and simple only when I’m in a rush otherwise I would wear a nice jacket. I always think that people have that one favorite clothing piece and mine in 2018 will be my sweatshirts.
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Style is showing who you are without having to speak! Name your top 3 trends you’re feeling this season?
Although I love my sweatshirts with everything that is not my favorite trend this season. I love the amount of breaking the unwritten rules of fashion. I wear white all the time even after labor day. I also wear a lot of jeans that have accent pieces on them which are why I wear and love that fashion trend. Before jeans with accents, I didn’t know what I was missing. Now my jeans have zippers, spray paint, words or patches on them. Now my third and final trend is self expressive clothing. T-shirts that have #blacklivesmatter, sheorthority and black by popular demand. I mean I am obsessed with clothing that shows someones best self.
Style inspo is everything! Who’s your ultimate fashion icon + why?
I, Nzinga, love expressing myself. Showing people my voice has never been a problem, but when it comes to showing my style to others it’s always been hard. I have now learned from Kat Graham that it doesn’t matter what people think about what you put on your body because it’s about being true to oneself. My ultimate fashion icon is Kat Graham because she doesn’t have a set style and that drives people crazy. They try and define her as this person that she isn’t and she indulges them with just a taste of who she is. Kat Graham wears 90’s one day and she’s a hippie another. Sometimes she even brings out old trends like bell bottom jeans or women suits on the red carpet. Kat Graham has showed me that when my mother and aunts say I wear tom boyish shoes just smile and say thank you. She has also showed me to spread my wings a little when it comes to ones closet. Without Kat Graham I don’t think I would have started my blog because she became a producer without knowing anything. She started being the face for a nonprofit because she wanted to give back. If any star influenced me it would be her. My ultimate fashion icon is Kat Graham because I see myself in her, it is that simple.
Follow Nzinga’s style here…
