Well isn't this awesome!

Had to share...courtesy of This random nugget of joy

On Marriage...

Inspired by a text/email conversation with my girl @PeachyKween, I decided to briefly blog my two cents on marriage. Of course the original conversation (and probably what follows) will be a book because her and I go IN lol, but here's my snippet:

I think people struggle most with commitment so marriage serves as the perfect challenge, which some still fail. Point is, committed is committed, ring or not, wedding or not, marriage or not. Indeed it is still a beautiful thing to share and celebrate with the people you love...or simply something sacred between the couple and the ordained, but it really just depends on what BOTH individuals want, if anything MORE to express how in love they are. I'm saying all that to say, I don't want to be in a marriage where I feel like I'm the only one who wants it or to plan a wedding that is for ME versus US. You never know, I could end up in a relationship where marriage is not even of the essence because our love surpasses all doubt or provability or whatever people get married for lol. And yes, I've had my thoughts of what my wedding will be like, but ultimately I think the love I have for my husband and that of him for me, will be most telling of our future in love and marriage and how we chose to let the world SEE us.

I don't debate falling in love because I myself cant avoid that, too lovey dovey in love with love lol, however I guess my issue lies more in the compromise it takes to stay there. That's not the kind of love I want. And no, I'm not asking for flawless perfection, I just don't want to feel taxed or drained by what should be bringing me bliss. I don't think this is impossible, and even if it were, I'm a strong believer in not settling and dreaming big, so my love WILL exist! This love/marriage/relationship thing should be easy, its about togetherness, sharing, caring, building, and understanding...none of that should feel like a chore.

My ace @swtcupcake (Kells) is now engaged and I'm so excited for her. Regardless of your personal views on marriage, true love is always a beautiful thing to celebrate. I think her and @speakerboxxx love each other dearly and effortlessly and in that, I hope that remains forever as true love will. I feel like I need to end this with a picture of them lol *logs on fb, searches their pages* there ya go! awww <3

What E.Badu Do

Out my mind
just in time

E.Badu on point this whole week
and so we speak what she spoke
a familiar voice I haven't heard in a while
but it makes me smile
and reminisce on a love I yearned for yester
a love I know is forever
but not today
at least not that way
because the distance has a purpose
though to my heart you couldn't be closer
instantly, you do all this to me
and its effortless
the same as your kiss
I never knew a love like this
and still don't, except yours
and how you say you do
I believe you
I cant leave you
though gone from the space I once called my own
love got comfortable and called it home
and there's no place like it

so until I'm here again
and my heart frees from within
your undercover over lover
recovering from a love I cant get over

1:14am
6/1910

Poetics 2...(just realized I was trying to coin that term for these kind of random entries lol)

While looking for a piece I wrote last night, I came across this snippet with no date or time (which I usually tag every time, or try to), but appropriate for the moment.

I miss love
and the way it would hold me tight
at night
and love me to sleep
only to wake up in its presence again
its my best friend
when no one else is around...

I'm sure I planned to revisit it, but I actually kinda like it as is :-) Peace and LOVE!

Shootin Shit...

I have coined that term for all of my photographic ventures (so now that you're acquainted, you'll know what that means lol). I have TONS of photos that are just snaps of me on random days of wanting to take pictures. I'm no photographer per se, but I definitely dabble. I've always enjoyed the craft, actually took a class on it as a part of my major and do LOTS of it for work. Since I'm sort of in a lovey dovey mood (when am I not lol), here r two random pics I took at random times on random days. The photography is probably not all that great, but the subjects I do enjoy :-)

New York, Spring 2009

Reno, Nevada, Summer 2009 (dang time flies!)

I call her Astrology (painting)

I haven't painted in a long time. I do enjoy it, but I'm also a spontaneous artist and usually like to create upon inspiration, meaning like for example, when it comes to collaging, some do take lots of time and planning, but my smaller pieces, which I do more often and impulsively, take less time and are more of an instant release. With that said, any painting requires thought, organization, sketching, etc, at least for me most of the time. I'm a precision-aholic so everything I create has to be perfect in my eyes. Anyway, this piece took nearly a year to complete...not that it took that long to paint it, I just was not very consistent with it. I started drawing back in July or August of last year and finally finished it sometime earlier this year. Its a simple piece, just giving you the background. Here are a few pics of the process up to completion. Enjoy my piece of peace :-)! I like that, Imma have to end all my creative blogs like that lol...

Newest BIG collage piece

SO, I'm such a blog slacker, I know...I really wish I wasn't, but I'm working on it. I love this outlet, I just get caught up in so many things...anywho, enough about the bs, here's my newest BIG (measures about 22in x 22in approx.) collage piece. Again, I absolutely LOVE collaging and while its hot (meaning I'm enjoying it lol), Imma keep the fire burning! Its definitely a culture piece, the RBG center, with the SUN on the upper left and the brown to represent the BODY of our people on the lower right. I've included a few closeup pics but you have to see it in person (like any of my collage pieces) to really analyze and understand the concept and how it all comes together. I think this has taken the place of my "Making of Love" collage as my favorite...until the next :-) Enjoy! Peace!

Sudoku Score!

Is it just me or is it super thrilling to complete a sudoku puzzle? lol love it! :-)

Speaking of Sudoku score *reaching for book*, peep this cool (so far, haven't gotten to the juice yet) little book on sudoku astrology, which I did not know existed until I randomly came across it on Barnes and Noble on sale for like 2 bucks (u know I just had to but it at that price lol #bargainista #shopaholic). Good stuff...

Bloggage on bloggage...

I have a funny relationship with blogging...sometimes I even find that I had more to say before I start blogging (tons of things on my mind), like I'll want to physically write something versus blogging it (for sake of more authenticity and/or the habit of forgetting stuff)...or maybe its just perception of what a blog is (which has basically become a public online journal for me and another form of creative expression), cause it ultimately needs a purpose right? It cant just be your (my) random rants of the day (wait, yes it could lol) right? WRONG, its whatever I make it! And for those that enjoy that making, makes us cool, kindred and comrads, being that the sharing of me in whatever form provided is appreciated. Anywho, my point I had about blogging was that I find myself thinking of blogs to plan and save in my database til one randomly bloggerific day I decide to do five in a row...and then wait probably five week to blog again, none of which takes place purposely. I'm saying all that to say blogging is not something to over-think in my opinion. Nothing against something planed to be shared presentably, but i like the random aspect of blogging. I think that is what makes any blog worth reading and/or following. I really could blog everyday when inspired of course, but my days seem to slip by beyond the chance to do that (excuses, I COULD make time). I definitely used to be more addicted to my laptop, so I think that allowed for more activity, but I think work drains my eyes enough to where sometimes I don't even wanna open my computer (another excuse, though truthful lol). And so, I blog tonight in a fight against sleep and anticipation for a sleep in Sunday :-) Stay tuned for at least 2 blogs...I was gonna say immediately following, but it might be tomorrow lol (finally getting sleepy)...peeeeeace!

A poem...

Something told me I should write tonight
with no real inspiration, but I said I might
so I grabbed a pencil to jot down my thoughts
and instead of writing, in them I got lost
I told myself to focus, channel my inspires
maybe you, maybe us, maybe all of my desires
nope, still blankness, though plenty consumes my mind
perhaps I should save this poem for some other time
like when I have a topic, a muse, or a dream
all of which already exists, at least that what it seemed
So again, I grab my pencil in an attempt to share
something that I'm forcing, though I thought was already there
the need to put my finger on it, yet something I cannot touch
even though i feel it, to explain it? not so much
the answers I'm requesting, this poem cannot provide
for everything I need already lies inside
And though I'm one who is openly expressive
another poem will come to replace this digressive
and when it does, it will only prove the same
a mere reflection of my mind's game...

4/14/10
12:34am

My Kind of Love

I'm realizing that this weekend has entailed lots of talk about love...whether it be good, bad, hopeful, negligent, dreamy, feared, loved, desired, adored, unhappy, content, or just a blur, the subject of love on a level of partnership has been in consumption (as if its not always, but again, there was just enough to reflect on). Rather than give a spill on my take or reiterating everything I've taken in and breathed out this weekend, I was inspired after reading my newly found kindred sis Keila's blog on love and an experience that defined her kind of love, I wanted to post something that represents mine. On of my other friends Miya (super talented tattoist/artist...def check him out of you haven't...now I think I may blog about him in general and also all of the work hes done for me...stay tuned) had a very interesting conversation too that gave me some perspective on love as well. Then per usual, Nyandia and I spoke for at least an hour in a Bank of America parking lot (lol) about love and marriage, and then also per usual Shalay and I had one of our 2+ hour long phone pow wow's about such things as well. Anyway, let me get to the point lol, heres a video of a very admirable poet named Shihan who is one of Def Poetry's regulars...I absolutely love this piece as again, it represents (or at least does a good job at trying to summarize) "My Kind of Love"...

Creativity in motion...

So, I realized I hadn't posted any of my paintings/drawing. I'm so consumed in collaging that I sometimes forget I do dabble in other mediums when inspired. Then there's my graphics, which I'm also realizing I've never blogged about, but I'm the meantime visit LNCMotifs (my graphic design web portfolio that needs to be updated) to check me out on that tip. Ok, back to what I was saying...my work is really abstract and it will be apparent that I LOVE swirls and creating movement and motion in all that I do. Anywho, here's a peak at some of my favorite pieces. Along with my collage work, I do plan to produce prints for all you art lovers/collectors so stayed tuned :-) OH, I also just finished a painting last night! I'll post another blog in stages!

In my element...

most recent piece on plywood. medium: sharpies

favorite piece! favorite colors! medium: sharpies

medium: acrylic on canvas

medium: acrylic on canvas...a friend told me she saw L.O.V.E in there, do you? I do now, but I see two E's...the beauty of abstract! :-)

Styles by LaNoya: Shalay's semi mohawk creation

Just wanted to share one of my random hair creations. My good friend Shalay (@PeachYKween on twitter...follow her lovely bubbly-ness if you aren't already) came to Atlanta to visit and wanted me to dabble in her do ;-) She kinda wanted a mohawk, but wanted me to just be creative and do what I do, so...this is what I came up with, hope you likey! We lovey!



She two strand twisted the from herself which was the perfect addition!

Oh wait, I forgot to include the pics of the lovely 5 minute updo she did for me! Loved it! and I'm usually all about wearing my hair down...whether curly, straight, crinkled, its always down (lazy...retwisting is already enuff work lol)...peep!

Smoke Dance

Ok, I'm really gonna work on blogging in the moment and not like 10 at a time, but it honestly feels better this way oddly. Anywho, this is a random video I captured as I watched incense smoke "dance"...I thought this was fascinating...would probably be more interesting if I put some music behind it, but the silence is meditative. Peep...

Opposites Attract (poem)

Like good and evil
As I rebel against both
To create the balance that is life
And mine is no exception to the struggle
As the battle of mind and heart
Spirit and body
Attempt to co-exist
What is this?
Urge to explore the unknown
And release all inhibitions
Without neglecting what is moral
But that do we define?
Or are we consciously blind
To what the world has in mind
As we allow it to dictate
The nature of our relate
Freedom is such a broad term
But to embrace it is liberating
And again we attempt the find the balance
Because being too free
Is taboo u see
And relative to YOUR image of me
But I can't be held captive
To that impression
As one being with one mind and one life
In a world of karma and judgment
The conscious and subconscious must exist together
As they repel and magnetize
Not to demise
But to help us realize
That opposites attract

11/19/09 midnight hour

My Spicey attacked me lol!

Ok, so he really didn't, but I was going through my phone and found this old video of Spicey and I. I think the video is pretty hilarious, seeing as how this was the first time I'd ever heard him growl, but no, he did not bite me...no animals nor humans were harmed during the making of this video :-) I do scream as if I was dying, which is comedy...hes pretty possessive of his belongings lol! enjoy!

Thrifty furniture...

I came across a random thrift store near my friend's house and HAD to get this wicker chair (super throw back ol skool) and this "sankofa" lamp (I swear i've been seeing it everywhere since I got my tattoo). Stay tuned, m gonna draw something funky on the lamp shade! Ten bucks each, hope u likey, me lovey! :-)

My mini collages...

Been on my rapid collaging tip lol...just sharing a few of my mini ones, which are lots of fun because I usually give them a specific statement/theme to build on. Enjoy..

Spring/Summer Shoes! So ready!

Got caught up in web shoe window shopping lol...thought I'd share...I sooo need all of these, I have the outfits planned in my head and everything :-) All courtesy of DSW, my fav shoe store to shop!

Erma's visit, Kinky Twists and hair story...

I was inspired to feature Erma (@adaoha on twitter) and her kinky twists she asked me to do for her from her visit a few days ago after reading about this Hair Horror Story. It was her idea to do a before an after shoot of the style (see below). Erma has beautiful curls and coils and embraced them full force last summer and even prior, but according to her, she got annoyed (which translates to lazy lol) with it and decided to color, perm, weave and wig it for the last few months lol. She loves the element of change and creativity with her hair, and so do I (not for my hair so much since I do have locs and started them especially for low maintenance, hence my continual suggestion for her if she really wants to free herself of all these extra hair affairs), but I think we both agree now that her natural hair is best as is. Even with locs, you are still lent a variety of styling options. She is considering locs, but wants her hair to grow back more before she starts. We shall keep you posted on that decision lol. Check her hair out from last summer (diggin through old photos) and harass her on twitter to go back to keepin it natural lol :-p

Photo stolen from her facebook, Summer 2008 I think lol

Summer 2009


So the before picture is after her hair being washed (went to the spa...her hair was pressed with a wig prior to). It is also after it being died permed, and cut, as you notice the ends are straight and the roots are growing back in naturally. The after is clearly of the kinky twists I gave her. This is the only angle we took, but they matched her haircut in color as well as length (her idea, short in the back, longer in the front). End result was super cute!

Silly us...ppl should never be that excited about going to Golden Corral, but we def were stoked! This is my grandma's favorite place to eat btw, blame her for the buffet love lol!

Fashion Inspiration #2

I almost forgot about this website, but I stumbled upon this nugget of joy a while ago and just revisited its fun! Beware: you WILL get caught up and lose track of time playing virtual dress-up all while web shopping...window web shopping at the least lol. Enjoy Polyvore! Here r a few of my inspirations...