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Just in Case I 'Die' Too Soon
“Tomorrow’s uncertainty promotes the urgency in the things that i’m about to say… Wale Folarin
I Hear the Good Die Young
Just in case I ‘die' too soon,
Let my daughter know she’ll do great in anything she puts her mind to,
That I lived & loved without my mommy too,
That even though you can’t see God you’re never really lonely bc as long as you’ve got a heart
beat thats proof, God is with you...
You’ll have bad days but you’ll have good ones too and its gonna be alright…
Just in case I ‘die' too soon tell my husband i'll always love him, not even death can do us
part...tell him even though he’ll never find another like me God's got him,
He can still love too…
You’ll have bad days but you’ll have good ones too and its gonna be alright…
Just in case I ‘die' too soon,
Let my brothers and sisters and cousins and friends know heaven is REAL
Mom & dad, grandaddy, the babies & everyone else are all still beautiful & happy too,
You’ll have bad days but you’ll have good ones too and its gonna be alright…
Just in case I die too soon tell my nieces and nephews CHIN UP!
Only the strong survive so for sure you’re gonna survive too...
You’ll have bad days but you’ll have good ones too and its gonna be alright…
Just in case I die too soon tell everyone you love that you really love em every chance you get.
Buy her roses while she’s still here if you think there’s a chance you’d show up at her funeral…tell
em you’ll have bad days but you’ll have good ones too and its gonna be alright...
Just in case I die too soon COUNT IT ALL JOY!
Energy cannot to be created or destroyed,
No one ever really ‘dies’
We just go off to be in another world,
Where we are needed to learn & teach just a little bit more…
Rest In Heaven DeLauna 'VonFabulous' Powell…she’s a beautiful girl, creative genius, mommy, friend, & inspiration to soooooo many. She could’ve been ME, dying too soon….so it hurts for me to imagine dying too soon or losing a loved one once again or how her daughter and mom and friends must feel...She’s not just me I’m not just her but WE, WE ALL DIE, without warning but we live like theres a forever here in this life. Then death comes around and reminds us that we don’t control shit. God lets us CHOOSE to live and die, be happy or sad, thankful or ungrateful…just until your job here is done. I’ve loved and i’ve lost…the only way to stay sane is to have faith in a grand plan that no one can understand…i have good days and bad ones too…to remain sane I am thankful to live instead of being afraid to die...
Faith over fear.
Rest In Paradise gorgeous...May you & God watch over your princess. <3 <3 <3
Solange: A Seat at the Table #BlackGirlMagic2016
Yea! I said it! lol And I mean every word. Solange Knowles (one of my favorite natural beauties) is and has always been an inspiring, original, multi-talented artist, both singing and dancing (and vogueing) to the beat of her own drum. If you're oblivious to her accomplishments both in the fashion and music world, just listen, you'll want to do research and dig up any picture she's ever taken, song she's written and/or been featured on. Her voice is crisp and soft, sultry and certain. Every song is so deep and soooooo what I (as a black woman) FEEL (see track 9: Don't Touch My Hair).
“Dont test my mouth, they say the truth is my sound.”
I feel exactly what she's describing. I can feel her joy and pain through the music. I feel her strength. Thats like super rare for music these days. The majority of mainstream artists don't really feed their audience valuable substance anymore. It Solange gave us A Seat at the Table and a served us 21 nourishing dishes. So for me to attempt to make this a quick 'Ajia thinks Solange is the shit' rant, or post...I literally had to blog about it. Im Almost seven years into blogging. Ive lately become extremely crucial on myself about what I share with my audience. Words stir up emotions...this album is raw. She tells it like it is but with strength. Kinda like when you can laugh about something that used to make you cry...even if the laugh is just to keep from crying. Ok ok lemme break it down to a few key points bc yeah, shits just got that real:
My favorites (just bc saying the entire album doesn't explain why shits so real)
A Seat at the Table
1. Rise "Fall in your ways so you can crumble" "Walk in your ways so you won't crumble." These phrases along with six other phrases say to me...Be purposeful in your walk to stand strong. If we fall in our ways we crumble. This says to me bad habits will leave you in crumbles. Go listen and let me know what you take from it.
2. Ok first off, I tried to take moments to really soak everything, write a short review of each song.......hahahahaha and I got lost lmao. If you haven't listened by now WAKE UP!!!! LMAO Everything above this paragraph was written around 2 am monday. Its 11:45pm tuesday afternoon and I'm still listening, I just can't put in words the magnitude of the blessing of her words and energy bring.
3. Ok so by the time you get through the album you'll wonder if Solo put one in the air to channel the late great Aaliyah. Thats literally the only artist that can compare to the mellow, sexy, and nonchalant vibe of this album. I hate to bring anyone up to describe how nice Solange is on the mic but come on just close your eyes and listen.
4. Aight so for any non-black people who've wanted to gain an understanding bad enough that you've actually reached this point: Listen to track 8 (Tina Taught Me) followed by track 13. If you still have questions like why we always 'so mad' lol listen to track 5 (Dad Was Mad) followed by track 6. Solange is her mama and daddys daughter. Bottom line. And she just so happens to have the gift and courage to speak up for those of us who don't. Thanks Solange!!!
5. Like I'm so inspired I'm arranging 'A Seat At The Table' Luncheon for black business women. This album is a reminder thats it's ok for us black women to be emotional. To be vulnerable and to be a bitch if need be without being labeled 'the angry black woman' we are all just human. Well we do have that black girl magic no one else possess but that can mean a range of things (like the ability our hair has to defy gravity and take and hold any shape we feel necessary).
6. This is my favorite album of all time. Because for me as a 27 year old black woman in 2016, I've gone through a lot with myself, family, friends, and associates. Just the world around me in general. I've often felt misunderstood. Been called crazy all my life lol only to hear an album like this remind that I may be crazy but nah not stupid. This is a tough body to live in in todays world. I own that shit. Solo just reminded us in 21 tracks that we better be fuckn proud bc we have every right to be. I AM. <3
7. Can I just say s/o to Solo for featuring the great Master P. The man who broke records and paved the way for other rap artists from the streets. S/o to Wayne for spilling his heart. Lord knows so many of us needed the reminder to let go. S/o to Tweet for blessing us wit a moment her voice is angelic. Ok I can't continue to go on bc I won't stop!!! Play F.U.B.U. and know I'm vibing wit you right now!!! <3 <3 <3 <3
with love,
AjiaZ
Wait! I forgot to mention the powerful imagery!!! How could I forget!!
Solo's visuals feature beautiful natural black girls of every shade. This shows little black girls everywhere their own beauty in the media. Growing up we only saw black women with relaxed hair so we relaxed our hair in the name of beauty. Its that important. The album means so much to my black girls.
I think the point she's making is when you're confident and beautiful it sensate matter what you wear, bc YOU wear the clothes, they shouldn't ever wear you.
Back 2 Werk!
Awwww man. Ok so first of all GOD IS GOOD! I am currently recovering from surgery. This week was my first week back to work (aka the first time I've been able to style someones hair without pain since 2014)! Long story short, I couldn't use my right hand at all for 5 weeks. Thats 35 days. 840 hours. No typing, no writing. *deep sigh. Thats also a long time to go without using my gift to enhance beauty and uplift souls all in the same meeting. I couldn't do anyones makeup, hair, i couldn't even do brows. Me without brows is like pancakes without syrup, ya feel me? Ive been slaying (the good, the bad, and the ugly) brows since i was 14 in the gym at school. I used to cut half of my own brows off in the name of a bomb ass arch. (that was ten years ago. I currently only pluck like 4 hairs I'm over that trend). That ability was gone for me momentarily. It was scary. I couldn't 'write my plans & make em plain'. Which has my perspective on TEN right now after having that gift I took for granted BACK. I just wanna share it all. I want to share my gift, my secrets, my tips that i've leaned about beauty. From the fact that beauty starts within (drink you water, love yourself) to tips on a dramatic hollywood look. I am in love with being a woman and expressing myself. I am in love with Gods creativity, how he managed to make us all different yet all so beautiful. I wanna be the one to say its cool, wear your weave girl, rock your natural hair, you're so pretty without makeup and man your makeup is beautiful! See, I struggled with finding my beauty. It wasn't because it wasn't there it was because I was looking for beauty on someone else's scale. Beauty can not be placed in a box and for years thats what I tried to do. It really is in the eye of the beholder so if you feel beautiful that is beautiful! Ya following me?? So now that I know what beauty truly is (perspective) I wanna focus on the beauty of Art. Art makes no error. To sum it up I am thankful for my journey and what Im learning in life. Ill be posting more art that matters TO ME. I am no longer looking for ways to be clever. I am only interested in being honest. With love,
AjiaZ <3
Goddess Locs Natural Hair Journey
Hello!! Today is a new beginning! Whats new in my life (that has me so excited i'm blogging again, finally after what seems like a horrific amount of time) *exhale I am finally an all natural girl! My big sister Tiffany started my natural goddess locs. Goddess locs do not differ much from dreadlocks. From an aesthetic point they're just a more girly version (as seen on lisa bonnet & megan goode). I've been relaxer (perm) free for about 2 years. I got my first relaxer about twenty years ago when i was just about six years old. An older cousin mixed up a kiddie perm just for me. It burned. Bad. But I was 'pretty'. My hair being straightened or having my kinky curls stretched out was how my generation and quite a few before had been brainwashed to believe was the standard of beauty. For the next twenty years my sister Jasmine (one of the best stylists in our city) and I straightened my hair, cut my hair, curled my hair, dyed my hair, braided it down and add extensions added to it etc. etc. So i'm sorta burnt out on the pressure; the pressure to detangle, relax, straighten and basically manipulate my hair into a foreign state regularly. Don't get me wrong, I still have a couple bundles of Brazilian weave in a bag at my salon space. Those bundles got me through so many 'ugly days' lol. I'm just ready for something different. Not to mention my baby girl can only believe what she sees. Mommy can't be an advocate for natural beauty yet neglect to take care and even sometimes where my natural hair! lol So I quit the creamy crack slowly but surely (went from an entire relaxed head to only relaxing my edges to finally giving it up completely). The last few weeks before I finally did it I wore Ghana braids (cornrows using extensions and a feed in method). I had an appointment set for faux locks earlier this week actually. So remember big sis Tiffany the one who locked my hair? She just started her loc journey five weeks ago. This is what made me finally give in lol. We sort of look alike so I could picture myself with them, even in what some call 'the ugly stage. My baby brother has locks. They've grown down his chest in about seven years. He started his after our mother passed. She had thick locks like Lauryn Hill. Also my son has locks. He started his three years ago and today they sit pass his shoulders. My new sister-in-law has blonde locks. She's a doctor. Seeing her rock hers flawlessly broke down the "unprofessional" stereotype that once had me thinking I shouldn't ever (if i want to be seen as a pro) have locks. These five are my main inspirations. Not to mention my clients. I've been a professional natural stylist for almost three years. In this time I've witnessed the longest most luxurious hair and the worst case scenarios too. Ive come to the conclusion that healthy hair is GOOD hair. *yall don't hear me lol
My relaxed hair was thin and only grew down my back after I stopped getting relaxers. Now i know plenty women who have long relaxed hair but i am neither of them. I can only speak from my experiences and my opinion. So I am excited! So excited i've decided to take my readers with me on my goddess loc journey!! Oh I like the way that sounds too lol say it out loud GODDESS locks <3 Stay tuned!
My 'transitioning' hair. The thicker bottom half is natural. The top brittle half is relaxed
Braids by Neisha Faye
Locs 2 Months Old
The Truth About those 'Crazy Wrap Things'
Ok so first things first. What the hell even is a wrap thing?? lol Well the crazy wrap thing is actually an organic, plant based body contouring wrap that helps remove waste from the body giving our tummies, thighs, arms (anywhere from the neck down basically)a firmer appearance. The proper use requires water intake to aid in the body's detox and just 45 minutes! . The amazing wrap is created by ItWorksGlobal. ItWorks is a faith based company that uses plants, fruits, and veggies to help people all over the world lose weight, grow healthier longer hair (lashes included) detox, gain muscles, breathe better and maintain a healthy lifestyle (and make lots of money too if you're about that life). Finally, a company I can trust!!! These days there are so many harmful options to achieve the bodies we want. Did you know everything that goes in and on our bodies enters our bloodstream and organs within 35 seconds?? Yup. So this means our body lotions, lipstick, foods, EVERYTHING can potentially help or harm us. There are many everyday use items on the shelves that have cancer causing ingredients and since I want to live a long while (ya know experience grandkids, grow old) i've gotta switch my routine up. I am a foodie so its extremely hard for me to change my diet so I started with my beauty products. Crazy wrap thingy included! lol Check out a wrap session I did live on snapchat below! Try it yourself! There is actually a BOGO sale on (buy one get one) right now until midnight. Thats 8 for the price of 4 just for our loyal customers! <3 <3 <3 ***CLICK THIS LINK TO PURCHASE***
Just showing my friends and clients how these wraps work. I did one live via snapchat (@AjiaZ) while working soooo don't mind the silly filters in between. Check out those results at the end though!! Woop whoop!
Brow Magic w/AjiaZ
AjiaZ's 'No MakeUp' Makeup
So am I the only one who's noticed a shift in 'it girl' look'?? Suddenly the world wants to appreciate 'natural beauty'. But we still want the enhancements!!! (naturally lmao) ok so any who! Ive finally created an easy less than 5 minute tutorial to show you guys how to achieve an everyday 'no makeup' look! Let me know what you guys need help with and i will get to it!! Enjoy
HI!!! I am AjiaZ, MUA with 10+ years of experience. Its taken me forever to create a video but here it finally is! Ok, I'm old school (aka I believe less is more) so although a beat face is all the rave these days, I personally prefer less makeup for an everyday look.