The Bridge to Bliss

I'm sure by now you've all heard the sad news -- V ine will soon be no more . The social app known for bringing laughter and even community in just 6 seconds will soon be archived as Twitter regroups. While I am one of the many unhappy campers at the thought of Vine being a truth of Christmas' past, I am also grateful for the reminiscent ways of folks on Twitter to think of our favorite Vine moments. Everybody knows the famed "Do It For The Vine," little girl, or the other girl serenading a potato flying around her room . We've been able to watch protests, budding musical artists, and today's hottest comedians all on one platform.  In an admirable act of closure, Vine's Creator Development Lead Karyn Spencer put out a call for addresses of those who wanted a care package with free Vine swag! And of course Sierra Lanae Boone was on top of everything! In remembrance of Vine, and in love of Fashion, check out my look with some of the...

As of today, I am 1/3 done with my final year of undergrad! Hardly reppin'. Always home. As I get closer and closer to that day of cap & gown bliss, it's important to smell the coffee along every step of the journey. Here's a few of the things this quarter at NU has taught me:  Whoever said "it's not about where you're from, it's about where you're going" LIED. It's about both of those things. Look, binaries suck. We don't have to choose between two extremes of what matters. Your story leading up to right now has shaped you and molded in ways that make your future as lit as it's bound to be. It's your story, after all.  #StayInYourLane will always, always be a major key to success. Listen, if I sat here comparing my highs to that of my neighbor, I would be miserable every day. The reality of everything is that there's always going to be someone with more experience than you, with more followers than you, or ...

  Can you believe it? I'll be an abroad chica in just a month! I'm feeling all emotions you would think - excitement, wonder, nervousness, incredulity...all of them! Check out my latest Kit on things I'm going to try and cross off of my list before I head over so that everything goes smoothly! Have you ever traveled abroad? What are some key tips you would give a novice like me? Until next time, XoXo -Si

Last week, I joined countless other college students and ventured home for Thanksgiving break. While I was there with my goofy yet loving family, my little cousin told me that I looked like a pineapple with my big, round puff ball sitting atop my head. I laughed and mentally added "pineapple" to the list of things I've been likened to since I began sporting my natural hair. But later that day, I began to think more on that comment. I thought back to an inspirational photo I saw on the interwebs about using the imagery of the pineapple to push forward and thrive. Be a pineapple: stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside. And while this quote is simple and straightforward, it speaks a lot to how I seek to conduct myself every day. I'm at a time in my life when there is a lot of grey . If I had a dollar for how many times I've been asked "so, what's the plan after graduation?" in the last 6 months, I could probably put a dent in my s...

Happy Friday all! Can you believe that we're just over month away from being done with 2016? This was...a year, to say the least. Soon enough I'll be headed off on a flight to Buenos Aires and not too much longer after that, I'll be walking across a graduation stage with my college degree. Wild. But, instead of thinking about the "what will be," let's think on the beauty of "what is," and even "what has." Earlier this week, I had the honor to be photographed by my friend and fellow creative, Diahann - known to the interwebs as Dee. She came to Chicago for a independent project taking photos of people in different neighborhoods, and I was lucky enough that she paid Evanston a visit! These photos SCREAM fall. Check out some of the photos from our shoot below and make sure you look out for Dee's work on her website or Twitter ! --- Serving "Autumnal Bliss" on a platter When you hear that the food is ready ...

rise /rīz/ verb move from a lower position to a higher one; come or go up. "the tiny aircraft rose from the ground"  noun   an upward movement; an instance of becoming higher. "the bird has a display flight of steep flapping rises"     Many a time, I find myself sitting on the futon in my "living room," (my place is a studio, so more like living space) with fingers sprawled across my laptop keys seeking ways to rise. It seems as if Solange's "Rise" came at such a perfectly introspective time in this chapter of my life story. Lately, this futon scene hasn't been complete without a beginning-to-end listening of Sol-Angel's A Seat At The Table. "Rise," which so adequately opens the album, is a push. An affirmation. A love letter. A declaration of self-accountability.  Before we become 'Weary,' before we can reach up to our 'Cranes in the Sky,' before wondering and accepting 'Wher...

What lies ahead of me scares me -- despite all of those faux-inspirational tweets saying it should be a good, inspirational feeling instead.  I've always been the person to plan. I decided where I wanted to go to college at the age of 15, and did everything in my power to assure I would be here. I read the career trajectory of everyone in the journalism business who inspired me, and can probably tell you what Amy Dubois Barnett's Wikipedia page reads verbatim. Even the most seemingly simple decisions have come after gruesome planning, much to the surprise of others. I could say planning comes to me as a "first nature" because I am ever-confident in my abilities. I could say I am sure of my very own trajectory and am merely acting on it. I could put together any flowery statement to describe my plans. All of these would smack me in the face with the full strength of lying karma. I over-plan because of fear. Yeah, I said it. I was and still am more than qualifie...

It's my last week and a half in the Big Apple! Instead of moping in the house on this beautiful summer day, I decided to explore the lovely borough I've had the pleasure to call home this summer. After taking the G train to a random stop, getting off and cruising, I decided I wanted to pay a visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. You just don't question your intuition. And I'm SO glad I didn't, the gardens were absolutely breathtaking. To be among such beautiful visions of life, I was in awe. I came across two bridal parties and my inner wedding planner beamed. To say the least, it was a well day spent - a day of peace in a city that can be so chaotic. Check out some of my photos below! Orchids are the essence of my heart. And a purple orchid? Chile. --- No one chooses the path I walk but me. Just keep swimming! Some guy stopped me to chat for a solid 5 minutes about my hair. Lol. I shall not be moved...