It's days away from February and for many highschoolers across the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), this is the time for semester 2. New semester, new you!
That's what we like to think, while we trudge into classes, dreading the formulas and assignments that will soon bombard us. Yeah... Fun stuff.
But before we get to all that, let's enjoy the moment. Let's enjoy a beautiful Friday night in January. My favourite way to spend a night like this? Throw on some calming music, grab a cup of tea, and watch my ratchet shows. Yes, I'll admit it. I watch Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta and Hollywood. But tonight, I just want to blog.
Music and writing is good for the soul. And so is this playlist.
I orginally made it for a friend of mine, for his birthday. I use to be afraid to share music with people. I was always a lover of indie, rock, alternative, etc, and that never made me specifically "cool" with the other kids. They were expecting me to recite ever lyric from Jay-z and bounce to every soca beat. Now, that's fine and all. I love the music of the black community, but I refuse to be limited, or put in a box. I refuse for anyone to dictate how music should make me feel and what I should and should not relate to.
This playlist, the ultimate chill package, is everything and more. It have the soft melodies, rising tempos, something to think about, something get amped about, and most importantly, something to feel. Every song in this, to me, has so much meaning. Every beat, instrument, and note come together to create something next to perfection. Yes, I'm probably being super extra, but I love it, and I made it.
The transitions are perfect. We start of slow with Ivy-Active Child, and towards the middle we get some hip-hop from Childish Gambino. Something we can get hyped to, until we bring it back down with some Frank Ocean and FKA Twigs later. Trust me, this was carefully calculated.
So, try it. Listen.
Grab your tea and experience the Ultimate Chill Package.
Friday 30 January 2015
Tuesday 27 January 2015
Casual Outings with Zuw
Just a cute little outfit for a dinner. Nude tone skirt with a fab texture, and a black wool leveled sweater. Throw on a few accessories, and you're ready to go. I wish I could've gotten the boots too. A snap from a nice evening, and Zuw striking a poseee.
FIX UP, LOOK SHARP
p.s. I AM TRYING TO GET A NICE CAMERA. PLEASE FORGIVE THE QUALITY (OR LACK THERE OF)
FIX UP, LOOK SHARP
p.s. I AM TRYING TO GET A NICE CAMERA. PLEASE FORGIVE THE QUALITY (OR LACK THERE OF)
Weird waiters,but lovely friends
I can definitely understand why restaurants are hesitant when students/teens arrive, and I cannot blame them too much. Tonight, I went out to celebrate my bestie's 18th. The beautiful brown young woman, who has been in my life for nearly 10 years. She's a jem, and it's been rad to watch her grow into a young woman. Of course, as my bestfriend, it is my duty to tell her that I hate her all the time, but today, today I decided that I would be nice for once and explain the love that I have for her in my heart and soul. Yes, both. A dual combination.
Friends are a lovely thing. Unlike family these are people that you choose to have in your life, and it is also these people that will tell you who you are. Well these two amazing people tell me that I am kind, funny, energetic, loving, fierce, and definitely sassy. These two people, are so important to me, and even though I go off to university soon (super scary), I think (and hope) that they will always mean this much to me.
On a side note, we head a very weird waiter or host guy. We walked in, and called our reservation, which was originally for 18 but then reduced to 12, and then reduced to 8. Yeah, people definitely suck. But anyways, the guy had us waiting in the for for maybe 10 minutes (no big deal) and took us to the table. There was a little shade thrown with snide comments about not needing and many tables as need, but, as I love to say, "there are some things you lowe."
The weird stuff really started to kick in later when more guest arrived. The guy constantly tried photo-bombing our pictures, which at first was funny,but then a little ridiculous. Like really man, for the 5th time? Really? At some point, someone said they didn't want to ask the guy to take a picture of us because he was annoying, and the guy gave us the cold shoulder (or service) for the rest of the night! What!? I didn't even understand life at that point.
Then, as we were leaving, he says to me "I bet you guys enjoyed yourselves. You were laughing your asses off. What was so funny?"
.... What?
Who are you?
Where do you come from?
What?
LIFE IS FUNNY SIR. LIFE IS FUNNY AND I SHALL LAUGH AS I WISH.
Like I said, super weird. But overall, it was a lovely night. Not mad at all.
(Sorry for the horrible summary, its 1 am, and Zuw is kinda tired)
IS IT TIME FOR THE BIG CHOP?
OKAY. YES.
THIS IS A REAL CONSIDERATION.
So, for a while, I've been considering doing the big chop. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, the big chop is when you decide to cut off most or all your hair, and basically restart. It's pretty scary to be honest.
All my life, I've only wanted long hair, and have only felt truly at my best with long hair. But,I've only gotten that with braids, extensions, etc. I'll admit it, my natural hair is one of my biggest insecurities. It probably has a lot to do with the "good hair" vs "bad hair" debate, and I've always felt that I've been of the less pretty side of that. Now, I have done the natural thang! I really have, but in Canada, with Canadian weather, and Canadian snow, it's kind of hard to maintain health when your hair isn't made for this kind of climate.
That's just how it is.
But, I think I want to take the next step to really let my hair do its thaaang.
I usually go natural over the spring-summer months, when we're lucky enough to get it, but now, it doesn't feel like its enough. I don't know. This could be just a spur of the moment thing, but I'm really debating taking that step.
Can a 4C really take that kind of chop and grow back better and stronger? I dont know, and that's my fear. That my hair wont grow. And honestly, it doesn't feel like it has over the last... 4-5 years?
I think I need change. Maybe change my habits, change my regime, do something!
Any suggestions for a High school senior debaiting the big chop? Holla at your girlllllllll
- Zuw
THIS IS A REAL CONSIDERATION.
So, for a while, I've been considering doing the big chop. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, the big chop is when you decide to cut off most or all your hair, and basically restart. It's pretty scary to be honest.
All my life, I've only wanted long hair, and have only felt truly at my best with long hair. But,I've only gotten that with braids, extensions, etc. I'll admit it, my natural hair is one of my biggest insecurities. It probably has a lot to do with the "good hair" vs "bad hair" debate, and I've always felt that I've been of the less pretty side of that. Now, I have done the natural thang! I really have, but in Canada, with Canadian weather, and Canadian snow, it's kind of hard to maintain health when your hair isn't made for this kind of climate.
That's just how it is.
But, I think I want to take the next step to really let my hair do its thaaang.
I usually go natural over the spring-summer months, when we're lucky enough to get it, but now, it doesn't feel like its enough. I don't know. This could be just a spur of the moment thing, but I'm really debating taking that step.
Can a 4C really take that kind of chop and grow back better and stronger? I dont know, and that's my fear. That my hair wont grow. And honestly, it doesn't feel like it has over the last... 4-5 years?
I think I need change. Maybe change my habits, change my regime, do something!
Any suggestions for a High school senior debaiting the big chop? Holla at your girlllllllll
- Zuw
Waking up Zuw
So I woke up this morning, and after obviously staying in bed for at least 45 minutes, just staring at the ceiling and thinking about life, I felt this inner need. I had this feeling of "hey, you know what you should do today? Blog." And I was like, oh, that's true.
So, from the time I woke up, which was around 9:30-10 am, I've just been prowling the internet, finding interesting blogs and such and just indulging in the fabulous community that is the blogosphere. I noticed that through my searches, I was looking for a lot of African-American fashion bloggers. Not that I don't love my Caucasian, Latino, Asian, etc. peeps, but I really wanted to explore black fashion and see how different women express themselves. It was wonderful, and surprisingly liberating.
I'm not sure why I chose that word. Liberating.
But I think that was really how I felt as I went through page after page of Vintage Virgin and Where Did U Get That.These women are wonderful, fabulous, confident, and ahhhhh.
Yes, I am definitely fan girling right now, and I am not afraid to say it!
Their styles are so unique and crafty, and just ... :). I'm literally all smiles. So, that was a gem.
But, trust me, this is not a dedication blog, and no, I'm not trying to be the next Canadian fashionista. No, no. That is not Zuw. Zuw likes clothes, Zuw likes pretty things. No, I cannot name brand on brand for you, but yes I can definitely style a great thrifted outfit for you. So, that's me. That's me being true to Zuw. If I post about fashion, it's literally because found something cool and want to share it, not me trying to make a statement and dive into the fashion journalism world. Although that would be super cool.
I feel like that's sort of the objective for a lot of teen bloggers, which isn't a bad thing either. The kids that sit at Starbucks tables for hours on hours, red lipstick, black coffee, and mac book. Anxiously typing away about the newest Tartan collection for Spring/Summer 2015. Oh, and don't forget the DLSR camera on the table. I can appreciate the effort they put into their passion for fashion.
But... That probably won't be me. And I can accept that. I don't have to be that person.
Do you ever feel like, there's so much pressure to become that person though? It's kind of like that "keeping up with the Jones" mentality, but with, I don't know, Becky.
I say this stuff because I've been there. I've been the odd girl out with a room of Beckys (I say Becky because I actually have a sister named Becky). Gothic chic has been very dominant for a while, and that includes super strong black white contrasts, with sharp angles. So, my school has been taken over by a league of pale faced girls, with wine colour lipstick. You know that old saying? All different in the same way? Yeah... It was like that.
But anyways, I digress from my point. My point is that I can really appreciate all the young black female bloggers out there making a name for themselves. It's super inspiring for a girl like me to see someone who looks like me. Black women are rarely appropriately represented in the media, so it's nice to see young women like me. A 17 year-old, 5'2 on a good day, Cocoa coloured young woman. I can really appreciate it. And it would be more lovely to find more Toronto based women, but know knows, maybe I'm not searching enough. But, I'm sure I'll find them one day. Or, maybe I'll be that Canadian blogger that I'm looking for.
Who knowwwwwwwwws
So, from the time I woke up, which was around 9:30-10 am, I've just been prowling the internet, finding interesting blogs and such and just indulging in the fabulous community that is the blogosphere. I noticed that through my searches, I was looking for a lot of African-American fashion bloggers. Not that I don't love my Caucasian, Latino, Asian, etc. peeps, but I really wanted to explore black fashion and see how different women express themselves. It was wonderful, and surprisingly liberating.
I'm not sure why I chose that word. Liberating.
But I think that was really how I felt as I went through page after page of Vintage Virgin and Where Did U Get That.These women are wonderful, fabulous, confident, and ahhhhh.
Yes, I am definitely fan girling right now, and I am not afraid to say it!
Their styles are so unique and crafty, and just ... :). I'm literally all smiles. So, that was a gem.
But, trust me, this is not a dedication blog, and no, I'm not trying to be the next Canadian fashionista. No, no. That is not Zuw. Zuw likes clothes, Zuw likes pretty things. No, I cannot name brand on brand for you, but yes I can definitely style a great thrifted outfit for you. So, that's me. That's me being true to Zuw. If I post about fashion, it's literally because found something cool and want to share it, not me trying to make a statement and dive into the fashion journalism world. Although that would be super cool.
I feel like that's sort of the objective for a lot of teen bloggers, which isn't a bad thing either. The kids that sit at Starbucks tables for hours on hours, red lipstick, black coffee, and mac book. Anxiously typing away about the newest Tartan collection for Spring/Summer 2015. Oh, and don't forget the DLSR camera on the table. I can appreciate the effort they put into their passion for fashion.
But... That probably won't be me. And I can accept that. I don't have to be that person.
Do you ever feel like, there's so much pressure to become that person though? It's kind of like that "keeping up with the Jones" mentality, but with, I don't know, Becky.
I say this stuff because I've been there. I've been the odd girl out with a room of Beckys (I say Becky because I actually have a sister named Becky). Gothic chic has been very dominant for a while, and that includes super strong black white contrasts, with sharp angles. So, my school has been taken over by a league of pale faced girls, with wine colour lipstick. You know that old saying? All different in the same way? Yeah... It was like that.
But anyways, I digress from my point. My point is that I can really appreciate all the young black female bloggers out there making a name for themselves. It's super inspiring for a girl like me to see someone who looks like me. Black women are rarely appropriately represented in the media, so it's nice to see young women like me. A 17 year-old, 5'2 on a good day, Cocoa coloured young woman. I can really appreciate it. And it would be more lovely to find more Toronto based women, but know knows, maybe I'm not searching enough. But, I'm sure I'll find them one day. Or, maybe I'll be that Canadian blogger that I'm looking for.
Who knowwwwwwwwws
Monday 26 January 2015
Bring Me Spring, Bring Me BLKKANGAROO
So a few days ago, I was browsing through a couple African blogs and such, seeing what's happening in the mother land, and I stumbled upon this gem.
BLKKANGAROO and the BLKKMARKET Spring/Summer 2015 collection.
It's everything I could ever ask a Spring/Summer collection to be. Vibrant, colourful (Canadian spelling), and stylish. Established in June of 2012, the African label is young, but is making a name for itself. Blkkangaroo is a "fresh take on the African aesthetics", and with its "If found, send back to the motherland" tees, I cannot help but feel the urge to buy literally everything. But sadly, money is a thing, and a thing I do not have. Oh the struggles of a jobless teen.
Anyways, definitely check out the BLKKMARKET collection. It's very reflective of native African tribes through its graphics, but also creates a very modern scene through the colours and tunic styled tees. Pay attention to the meaning behind the clothes, because Blkkangaroo is more than just a brand.
BLKKANGAROO site
BLKKANGAROO facebook
 |
| From the Blkkmarket Facebook. Lovely, yes. |
BLKKANGAROO and the BLKKMARKET Spring/Summer 2015 collection.
It's everything I could ever ask a Spring/Summer collection to be. Vibrant, colourful (Canadian spelling), and stylish. Established in June of 2012, the African label is young, but is making a name for itself. Blkkangaroo is a "fresh take on the African aesthetics", and with its "If found, send back to the motherland" tees, I cannot help but feel the urge to buy literally everything. But sadly, money is a thing, and a thing I do not have. Oh the struggles of a jobless teen.
Anyways, definitely check out the BLKKMARKET collection. It's very reflective of native African tribes through its graphics, but also creates a very modern scene through the colours and tunic styled tees. Pay attention to the meaning behind the clothes, because Blkkangaroo is more than just a brand.
BLKKANGAROO site
BLKKANGAROO facebook
Not Another Teenage Blogger...
Yes, yes it is another teenage blogger.
Of course, 2015 seems a little late to step into the oh so competitive world of blogging, anything is better late than never right? Or at least that's what I try to tell myself before spending 5 hours reading about blog platform and HTML coding. Which, just to let you guys know, I still have no understanding of. So, time wasted? Maybe not.
Last night, I was emotional. You know, stereotypical teenage girl type of emotional where you just want to roll around on the floor and cry and listen to very intense dream-pop music, because who else can feel your pain better than Beach House? Come on, Real Love, Gila? Those songs are meant for my body on floor, featuring a tear or two. Okay, maybe three.
Anyways, that whole this was weird. Yes, very weird. I was getting emotional because, well, I don't know. I don;t know, and I think it's okay not to know sometimes. Why do people always feel that there needs to be a reason for someone to be emotional? I'm young, and I'm dumb, and sometimes I just want to scream and shout, and other times, I just want to tell the world that I love you all.
This post, is just a post. It's just me talking, literally, to myself, or to you, in my room. But, I think it's always the beginning of something. It could be the beginning of something really significant, to at least. And with that, I'm pretty happy. After my emotional drama, I realized that I wanted to take another go at blogging (yes, I've tried and failed multiple times, but never give up right?) and do something just for me. Just for Zuw. but I also wanted to share with you guys (whoever you guys are). So, this whole thing, as you've probably noticed from the title, is about being true to yourself and being true to others. So, this is me trying to be true to Zuw.
Of course, 2015 seems a little late to step into the oh so competitive world of blogging, anything is better late than never right? Or at least that's what I try to tell myself before spending 5 hours reading about blog platform and HTML coding. Which, just to let you guys know, I still have no understanding of. So, time wasted? Maybe not.
Last night, I was emotional. You know, stereotypical teenage girl type of emotional where you just want to roll around on the floor and cry and listen to very intense dream-pop music, because who else can feel your pain better than Beach House? Come on, Real Love, Gila? Those songs are meant for my body on floor, featuring a tear or two. Okay, maybe three.
Anyways, that whole this was weird. Yes, very weird. I was getting emotional because, well, I don't know. I don;t know, and I think it's okay not to know sometimes. Why do people always feel that there needs to be a reason for someone to be emotional? I'm young, and I'm dumb, and sometimes I just want to scream and shout, and other times, I just want to tell the world that I love you all.
This post, is just a post. It's just me talking, literally, to myself, or to you, in my room. But, I think it's always the beginning of something. It could be the beginning of something really significant, to at least. And with that, I'm pretty happy. After my emotional drama, I realized that I wanted to take another go at blogging (yes, I've tried and failed multiple times, but never give up right?) and do something just for me. Just for Zuw. but I also wanted to share with you guys (whoever you guys are). So, this whole thing, as you've probably noticed from the title, is about being true to yourself and being true to others. So, this is me trying to be true to Zuw.
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