It's My Birthday! And I Was Feeling Myself

Better late than never, right? This November, I celebrated my 24th birthday in style.  And yes, I am only shy one year from being a quarter century in age.  Anyway, this year a couple of friends and I had dinner at this very nice and popular restaurant in Blacksburg called Bull and Bones Brewhaus and Grill off of First & Main St. This place had the most amazing menu and even better beer that they brew themselves.  My birthday was the perfect occasion for me to try some new cuisines and beer on my actual birthday and get out and dress up.  I absolutely enjoyed myself that night and here are a few photos of the aftermath.  I was feeling myself (lol).

What Am I Really Trying to Say?

I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed by the technology I have at the palm of my hand, at any moments reach.  Being so consumed with all things unimportant to my immediate life, I grow frustrated, angry, and sickened - not because I yearn for these things, but because I'm tired of hearing, seeing, and even partaking in meaningless things time and time again.  A shift in my paradigm is on the way.

#BlackLivesMatter

Let me get a few things off of my chest.

I am silent... I am silent because there are no words that genuinely or appropriately express the way I feel after hearing the grand jury verdict of the Mike Brown case.  The officer, officer Wilson, was not indicted for ANY (not one) charges against him.  That is some utter bulls*** and I am pissed off.

My heart is heavy;

Autumn Fashion: Grab Your Cardigans & Boots!

Pull out your cardigans, your knew-high boots, your leggings, mini-dresses! It's time to have some autumn fun. Decided to play with various prints and color combinations. I think I nailed this look. What you do think?

Hope For Tomorrow

I had the opportunity to sort through a few of my most recent self-portraits.  This one in particular stood out the most.  My eyes are striking, filled with hopefulness, and you can clearly tell that I am smiling or otherwise happy.  As Tyra Banks would say, I am Smizing.  Mission accomplished.  I decided to play with a few filters and make it pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is the entire month of October along with other commemorations such as Hispanic Heritage Month or Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

I personally lost my maternal grandmother to breast cancer in 2002.  She was surely a woman of God, grace, and great strength.  I learned quite a few things from her about being a young woman - how to cook, clean, style my hair and dress up, go grocery shopping, interact/play with my cousins and family members, appreciate and respect those around me, and build my faith by being surrounded by other faithful people (we were up in the House of the Lord every single Sunday Amen!).  I used to spend my summers with her when I was a child.  Although I didn't fully comprehend everything that was going on leading up to her passing, I knew one thing - she was a soldier and I would never know she was going through anything.  She always held it down.  I've reflected on her impact on my family before (Flashback, A Trip Down Memory Lane); her legacy still remains.

The world needs some ounce of happiness and inspiration.  I hope that I can add to that equation with photography like so.

Maleshia J.