Anytime you’re in New York City, you can always find delicious specialty cafes, eateries and bakeries lining the busy streets. From the delicious artisanal ice cream truck that’s parked along the curb, like that of Van Leeuwen, to the popular vegan bakery Babycakes, I either stumble upon these tasty finds luckily or I hear about them from magazines or by word of mouth. During a recent trip to New York, I made sure that I didn’t leave without stopping by Babycakes NYC. I found out about this bakery when their cookbook of the same name, by founder Erin McKenna, with its cover photo of enticing chocolate cupcakes caught my eye in the bookstore.

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Anytime you’re in New York City, you can always find delicious specialty cafes, eateries and bakeries lining the busy streets. From the delicious artisanal ice cream truck that’s parked along the curb, like that of Van Leeuwen, to the popular vegan bakery Babycakes, I either stumble upon these tasty finds luckily or I hear about them from magazines or by word of mouth. During a recent trip to New York, I made sure that I didn’t leave without stopping by Babycakes NYC. I found out about this bakery when their cookbook of the same name, by founder Erin McKenna, with its cover photo of enticing chocolate cupcakes caught my eye in the bookstore. I’m fascinated by vegan baking, because ...
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A personal project I'm working on. A year of intentionally living a more gracious, graceful, and grace-giving life.

~SLY from SheenaLaShay.com

This past weekend I was in Atlanta again for the annual Happlily Natural Day. If you are into buying one of a kind african inspired everything it was the place to be. The vendors (myself included) had so many original products to see. I think at one point I was overwhelmed with all the creativity and the quality of products. I'm still thinking about all the funky purses, jewelry, art and apparel that I saw.

People came out, but the event did not pull in the crowd that I anticipated. I made the best of it though. I got my networking mack on and I met a lot of creative and conscious minded black folk. I hope to be able to share some of those products on the website soon. Who says we can't support and buy black? The devil is a lie. I saw it for myself this weekend. I think we may be on to something.

SoulSeed Tees

I have been listening to this song a ton lately. Ever since I was little, whenever I was going through changes, I would sing this song to myself and it would comfort me.

When most people find out that I was home-schooled for high-school, after the initial surprise or confirmation towards my perceived idiosyncrasies, they then pose the question as to why my family made that decision. They wonder if it had something to do with my conservative christian upbringing or if it had something to do with my parents and a need to shelter their children. A few who don't know me have even wondered if I had a learning disability or was kicked out of school for behavioral issues. The answer is none of the above.

The main reason my mother decided to home-school me and the rest of my siblings was because my three year old sister was too smart for school.

Let me explain.

Here is what I thought of the recipe.

Last week I received two large containers of sugar plums from my CSA (Community Supported Agriculture.) The only time I've heard of Sugar Plums were in relation to Christmas. I believe its a dessert or treat people make that actually has nothing to do with sugar plums. I could be wrong.

After two and a half years of being natural, I am finally starting to experiment on different styles and looks. My carefree attitude toward's my natural hair created a path to my becoming a little bored of my everyday image. Now I am spicing things up a bit, creating different everyday styles, from funky to formal.

Here is a video tutorial I made which was inspired by Dorothy Dandridge's sensual and elegant style. I adore her short hairdos which still had that feminine touch.

As I am a also fashion designer, I spiced my look up a bit with a cute vintage style dress I made. I just recently started this channel on youtube so I will be doing a few more experimental styles and tuturials. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8kRqqW7E78

Mmmmmmmmmmm I cry out softly…….. followed up with a deep sigh


a sigh of release, a sigh of sweet relief


quickly followed by a playful giggle


of pleasure, announcing my enjoyment


embraced by the strength of your hands


my once focused thoughts are arrested by


a feeling so strong I just can’t deny it


wait people are watching ! I wish we were alone!


we still have to walk through this store


its too late now I’ve already expressed


my enjoyment of the touch of your lips & caress of your tongue on my neck.

I am expressing myself authentically, intentionally and artistically in everything that I encompass. I am surrounded by creative expressions, thoughts, actions, words, people and experiences. I am surrounded by books, journals, papers, notes, histories and stories. I am gracefully violent in those I select for my inner circle.

Are you burned out and in need of some relaxation and pampering? You do not have to take time off for a long vacation or leave town for a quick getaway. Stay local, set aside a few hours and enjoy a rejuvenating romantic day with your partner. Some day spas can be found in a swanky urban hotel or a beautiful beachfront resort. After your treatment you can enjoy the amenities that the property has to offer and best of all, if you choose, you can always spend the night! Read the rest of this article at www.truzion.com/naturalessentials.

I have been a member of Black Business Women Online for a while and I just wanted to share this very valuable resource to anyone interested in networking with other black businesses online. I continue to learn tips on building my business and I have connected with some positive and helpful people. If you are interested in finding out about Black Business Women Online. Click Here

Greetings! I hope everyone is having a great summer thus far. I’ve been on the go so much (note to self: practice what you preach), that I haven’t had nearly enough time to get out to the farmers’ markets and pick-your-own farms to enjoy the bounty of summer. Although, several weeks ago, I did have the opportunity to share two delicious and easy recipes at Common Good City Farm during a cooking workshop that I taught. Both recipes are nutritious and make for great summer side dishes.
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I am in an emergent space right now. Wanting to be more authentic and creative. Wanting to live my day to day from a place of purpose and intention. Wanting to be more insightful and share my discoveries with other mamas and women in the world. But I am finding that instead of being true to my path, true to where I currently am in my life, I am waiting to be in that perfect balance of creativity and love, life and work. Waiting to be “perfect” so then I can share my insights and wisdom. That is not what my life or this blog is about.

Ever since I started classes at Institute of Integrative Nutrition, I've been getting that question a lot.  I don't mind people asking because it gives me an opportunity to explain but I do wish it were a more prevalent profession.  More health coaches would mean more people living happier lives, less prescription drugs and hospital bills which means less tax dollars spent on healthcare.

Since graduating last week as a Certified Health Coach, now seems like the perfect time to include an entry on what I do.

Health coaching is simply helping people lead healthier lifestyles.  And there are many ways that signing up for my program can help you. Let us count the ways.

Enter here to win! Ends 8/13, 9p est.

How are you doing with your transmogrification? Are you moving forward at a rewarding rate or do you have to slow things down? Is your business life visibly changing the way you want it to or are you still stuck with the same old problems?

Sometimes it can be very frustrating for professionals like me who work with bright-eyed entrepreneurs because I can get caught up in their dreams. I can imagine how great their lives will be when they have accomplished the goals and tasks we have set out for them to do. I can see the benefits — more income, more cash in the bank, a more satisfying life and the rush of knowing that they are in control of their lives.

Then the comfort zone hits. Even though I can see the finish line, they are still standing still. They have put in hours to develop new skills and change their business building habits, they have followed my advice, they have begun digging for their red diamond and they have all done so very well. But then it all stops.

All-around-social-media-buddy, Ayesha Siddiqua sent me a tweet a few weeks ago... "I am going to write a poem about your business." OK. Cool. Honored.

Smellgoodspa
Aroma and fragrance flying around,
Clasp your dreams and let beauty surround!
Rich and soulful,Forever yours,
Describing you,defining you,personifying your heart!
Smellgoodspa brings aroma of heavens for you!
Perfumes and incense of love,
Arouse yourself with joys of soothing scents and mists of everlasting love.
A perfume for the frangrance in you,
Smellgoodspa celebrates life and it's fragrances,just for you!
The next time someone says''Mmmm,you smell good!!'',
Smile back at smellgoodspa for making your day refreshingly wonderful :)

-By Ayesha Siddiqua http://ayesha-s.blogspot.com

I've been meaning to share this with my YMIB sisters for awhile now. I've been working on a series of Osun-inspired works for the past 3 years (and I suppose it will continue as long as they keep coming!). In June I presented 'A Lineage of Water and Gold,' an installation piece inspired by Rachel E. Harding's essay "What Part of the River You're In: African American Women in Devotion to Osun." The piece was presented in my Brooklyn bedroom, and I invited friends to contribute whatever they wanted to the altar piece.

I wanted to blur the lines between altar and art installation. I incorporated photography and painted pieces with traditional Osun elements like water, oranges, and honey.

I left New York a couple of days ago, and I'm staying at a hotel in Philadelphia because my flight was overbooked. It has been an interesting few days of getting back to self, of listening to my inner voice.
The first place I landed (and got stranded in overnight) was Charlotte. As I stepped out of the airport, the first thing that struck me was the trees, and the smell of the air. I hadn't breathed in really fresh air in awhile, and hadn't even noticed it. Then I looked upward towards the sky and saw trees instead of buildings, and I couldn't stop staring. It all felt so beautiful and yet so alien to me. And when I got to my hotel and stepped outside to grab a bite to eat, the evening air was...quiet. I began to smile. The decision to leave had felt right in my heart, and now being out of the city I felt at peace.

Is it possible? Read this comment from a blog called Vanilla Please, which the host claims is a blog in support of black women who want to date outside their race. Most commenters on the site seem to feel that there is nothing wrong with feeling that black men are simply not good enough for them. I beg the question: Can you identify as black, hate black men, and still love yourself?

Greetings Sistahs,

I haven't posted here in a long while and wanted to take the time to update on the most recent happenings in my life.

First, one of the most significant relationships in my life has been restored and repaired: my marriage. My partner of nearly nine years and I have reconciled and are living blissfully as a family again with our seven year old dawta. Marriage is a challenge and worth fighting for and I thank Allah everyday for our union. Our relaionship is still not without some trials but as time goes on we are better able to handle obstacles in our path and better able to deal with our different yet similar personalities.

Secondly, my family is a big proponent of Living life abundantly, freely and uninhibited. We are co-owners in several successful local businesses and we're blessed each and everyday to be able to make a living without a "job."

Lastly, as I've been liberated from the Plantation called a "job", it enables us to engage in eclectic homeschooling with or daughter full time once again. We live the FreeStyle (Freedom Lifestyle) where we have the freedom to live as our family desires.

Ok, so I came to the conclusion that “It Is”Love I Really Want…and the person I want love with is my knight & shining armor(My True Friend). Was it always like that…Ummmmm No! One thing I can say, is that if we were nothing else, we were friends, more him then me….I can admit that because he stuck by me through so much drama & trauma. He never judged me, never questioned me and never turned his back on me. Even when time passed & we did not speak, he was there for me.I just was not aware! Why, because I was so consumed with what I thought I wanted.

Even when I was going through my drama & trauma, he sat patiently and remained a true “friend”. All this time holding true to his feelings for me….Feelings, that was more then just “friendly”. After my trauma & drama he stilled remained a true “friend”, however, expressions of his love were very adamant. Where did they come from I thought to myself, is this all of a sudden….Thinking back on the 5+ years we have been friends, I now realize that his love for me has always been there, I was just too consumed to see it and feel it.

True-Life

True-Life is a new company that offers writing, marketing and consulting services to non-profits and small businesses. I have over 10 years journalism experience and over 4 years in development/fundraising. If you need any of these services, please contact me.

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Grant Research will include a list of 10 foundations that your non-profit is eligible to apply for. The list will include the name, address, contact person, grant guidelines and deadlines as well as the link to the application and/or the printed application.

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Hey sistas I was in Atlanta this weekend for the Afrikan Woman Institute of Atlanta Grand Opening and I met Queen Afua. This sista elder is powerful. The experience was highly emotional and some things happened that were unexpected. However, speakers spoke on political prisoners on to giving yourself more than the leftover crumbs. Some danced and others cried. I sold some shirts and connected with some positive sistas.

K. In today’s world of entertainment, where we can watch re-runs of “I Love Lucy” and “Bernie Mac”… move to sound bites of Michael Jackson and James Brown…glance at images of Marilyn Monroe and Joan Crawford…you find what society calls legend. Frankly, you find what I call “The Dead”. They are not your ancestors. Yet, something about them inspires our minds and keeps us moving in the direction set forth by the world we live in and the ‘way’ this world would like you to be.

L. In today’s more competitive educational institutions, where we study classics…striving to scribe like Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, and Zora Neale Hurston…yearning to philosophize like Socrates, Plato, and Augustine of Hippo… attempting to re-build human resources on the ideas of Karl Marx…wanting to solve calculated problems like Albert Einstein…there you will find “The Dead”. And somehow, our minds have been programmed to place our souls at ease at the mere mention of their names. Yet, at the idea of calling on the name and learning from the ways of our OWN ancestors, we tread slowly with fear and trembling. Why?

A sistar friend of mine texted me yesterday and asked me "What do I feel is the most misunderstood thing about me?" and I had to respond with my passion and vision for my life.
For many years people saw me as this young woman full of ambition and motivation, but my progress was minimal. My efforts were mediocre, but they served their purpose at the time. Now, years later, I am married and have two children and a strong foundation from which i stand. My desires are the same, but my motivation has changed, my path has changed and people are not so overwhelmingly supportive of this.
When I was single and could attend every sister circle, every open mic, and was there to aid any and everyone in need, I was the best person in the world.
Now that I move with caution, I'm being judged. This one sister told me I have changed and she doesn't like the change. I have indeed changed. I now have a family in place. I have children that need me, I have a husband that needs me, I need me.

I have stopped focusing on the world and started focusing on my world and now everyone has a problem.

What a whirlwind few weeks it has been, I am just to the point now where I can take a step back and reflect on it all. My journey is coming full circle, and I am packing my bags and returning home to California. I will try best to articulate my decision and the peace it has brought me.

Returning home has so much to do with my Saturn Return. I've been in New York struggling to "make it" and having the time of my life socially and creatively, but I'm realizing my foundation isn't solid here and would not be for some time. Things are progressing, but I need a more stable home life, and financially that is out of my reach here. Rent eats up so much money here, and the spaces I can afford are very small. It simply came down to being able to have a better quality of life and a better work/life balance at home. I've known that all along, but as I approach age 29 in the fall, those kinds of things mean more to me. There is a lot that I'm letting go of, but I am embracing more of what is at my deeper core as well.