SPRINGIN IN THE CITY

Floral Patterned Kimono $24.95| H&M Loves Coachella Collection

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's Party!" -Robin Williams

The birds are chirping, the allergies are kicking, the sun's shining, and I feel so alive!! Spring symbolizes new beginnings, new blooms, new energy, new life.  I feel all those changes within and outside.  I have recently made lots of changes in my life.  I have a new creative job in the city, I have new developments going on with Offtharecord, I'm shifting gears suddenly and I can't wait to share all of the new ventures and projects with you all soon!!  

All of that change has me feeling so good, excited, and full of energy.  I love to express myself fully and boldly so I had to embrace my changes and also wear them.  By now you know that I change my hair about as often as my socks.  Spring is the perfect time to embrace brightness, so I dyed my hair turquoise, or blue green, or greenish, or lemon sherbet color, who knows.... I did it myself so there's no specific name for the color (I will be sure to make a #fastandfierce diy video soon).  I love this hair color, it makes me feel so bold, bright, and fierce!  I look in the mirror and it screams, "Be BOLD bitch, be BOLD!" Then I walk out and act accordingly.  

Another favorite thing to do is switch up my style.  No more black leather jackets and combat boots (winter uniform).  It's time to brighten up.  Changing season wardrobe doesn't mean splurging and spending tons of money.  I'm one thrifty mama, I just don't believe you have to spend tons of money on looking like a million dollars.  Money looks better in my bank account or invested in my son's future and mine.  That's just my personal thought.  Brands don't make you, it's the woman in the clothes. Always remember that my fellow kick ass girls.  However, if you got it, flaunt it!  One of the most affordable cool buys I picked up was the floral patterned kimono in the pictures from H&M's Love Coachella Collection.  This baby was only $24.95! Not bad for a statement piece.  I got a lot of compliments on it and I felt like a new spring bloom.  I wore a basic black tank and black pants along with my black gladiator sandals.  Another thrifty but cool buy are my white cat eye sunnies from a vintage, thrift shop in Midtown ATL called The Lucky Exchange priced at just $10.00!! 

Photos Captured by Adia Dightman

I'm excited about everything, I'm happy to see another spring, I'm ready to rock my bright hair, step boldly into my destiny, and look fierce each step with my thrifty gear!! Remember to keep blooming my friends and make this spring the best spring of your life!!

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HOW LIPSTICK AND SUNGLASSES CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE!! #FASTANDFIERCE

Helloooooooo awesome people who read my blog!!! I love you!! :) I've been slacking on my #fastandfierce youtube videos, but I'm back with a new one. I realize that there are 2 things I always run to when I'm in a hurry to get ready and need to look fierce; sunglasses and lipstick! I share with you my favorite sunglasses and my 3 favorite lipstick shades. I don't know if they're in season or what not but those are my quick resources. Anywho, whatever, you catch my drift. I'm not like a super makeup guru or professional (clearly) so these are just my personal #fastandfierce fun tips for kick ass girls... and some guys! Hope you dig it! Share your thoughts, comments, or whatever. Bye!!

Oh yeah!
Don't forget to subscribe to my Youtube Channel for more! Follow the link -----> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBW_15Lo8ssOBSdhMoUJZUA

Lipsticks

Mac- Ruby Woo Matte
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick- Matte 002 "Pink Pout"
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick- Creme 477 Black Cherry

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NEW YORK NEW YEAR!!

It is no secret that New York is my favorite place.  In 2014 I spent plenty of weekends going back and forth as often as I could just to gather some new inspiration and visit the many amazing friends I have here.  The past handsome year of 2014 has been one hell of a roller coaster ride.  2014 was a year of dancing out of my comfort zone, facing my fears, shedding of old ideas, projects, jobs and people.  I can't say that it was easy but growth isn't a pretty process.  Growth is stretching and stretching does't always feel that amazing right?  As the year was coming to a close I felt extremely drained physically and mentally as well as uninspired.  I could blame it on the bad eating habits I had been practicing due to my busy mind and activities as I prepare to push new projects this new year or I could blame it on my lack of organization and my ability to get all anxious and panicky when things don't move fast enough, but I'm just gonna take full accountability and work on bettering myself so I don't fall back in that place of fatigue and creative block again (I'm a little crazy I know).  However, I certainly wanted to end 2014 strong and kick off 2015 with a bang! What better place to ring in 2015 than the city that has been a huge source of inspiration since the first time I visited? I packed up and flew off to New York City baby!

This time around I've spent a week here rather than just a weekend.  I had no specific plan, I just kind of came to clear my mind and find some new energy.  That I found! I spent New Year's eve day exploring throughout the city from Brooklyn to Manhattan to Central Park just taking photos of people and things that inspired me (you can peep those in my Photo Journal).  After my exploring was over, I ended up going to a couple New Year's Eve parties with a good friend of mine, we rode the train to the parties with his friends who were super cool! Right at the stroke midnight I found myself hugging new cool strangers and feeling great! We bounced over to a loft party where I met some pretty rad people, danced and laughed the night away feeling a sense of new energy entering my life.  It was pretty great! I have spent the rest of my New Year days creating with some of my favorite creatives here in NY, preparing some new work and ventures I'll be heading into this year and getting my energy and mind right.   I feel so refreshed, I feel so alive, I feel so light after shedding so much this past year, I feel ready to enter a new dimension.  I don't much believe in resolutions but I do have one motto for 2015 which I plan on continuing this new chapter in my journey. 2015 is the year of  #FUCKFEAR! Yep, that's what I'll live by this year.  If I want something I'm just going to do it. Do what it takes without letting anything hold me back.  Not even myself! This is the year to run after my destiny!! You should too!! Happy New Year my awesome friends.  Make it count!!

Check out my New Year's Eve Photos HERE!

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The SamOffThaRecord Experience Season 2 Ep. 2 "Musings With My Muse"

"Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

One cannot go through life without a little magic.  Magic is believing in yourself!! When you believe in magic, you meet magical people.  I've had a muse for the past year.  His name is Harold Waight!! He is a mensch and an extremely multi talented visual artist, painter, photographer, has a fascinating sense of style and is just cool as an ice cube!! I believe Harold is on the verge of his artistic breakthrough, I see the passion in his eyes, I see the drive within him and when I hear all his stories of defeat, struggle, and perseverance I cannot believe he shares them so non chalantly, not victimizing his self but laughing and inspiring me. He is a victorious being on his way to amazing things and creating shift along the way!! Well I had to spend some time with him and his beau, the super dope fashion designer Malcolm Diggs this last time I was in New York.  We always have fun creating, laughing and inspiring each other to keep believing in magic and most importantly ourselves!! I hope you enjoy this episode and you too feel inspired to believe in magic!!

                                    

                        Harold at his home studio looking at all his photos from his recent exhibit.

Check out Harold's work at http://www.haroldwaight.com

Check out Malcolm's Digg Cool Exclusive Gear http://www.malcolmscloset.com

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SOTR EXPERIENCE x RAHBI & THE RAW BAND (Season 1 Episode 4)

SOTR Experience | "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" feat Rahbi & The Raw Band Season 1 Ep. 4 from OFFTHARECORD on Vimeo.

'SOTR EXPERIENCE X RAHBI & THE RAW BAND'

Meet Rahbi (lead singer), JFly (md/drummer), Chris Harris (lead guitar), MoDre(bass), DaeDae (keys) , Emi Morris & Jaysings (backing vocals)!! They are RAW!
This week I present to you my latest episode from "THE SAMOFFTHARECORD EXPERIENCE".  I ran, I swung, I went down a slide, and I danced while glitter fell from the sky with one of the most amazing, talented and creative bands in Atlanta, Rahbi and The Raw Band.  We took over the playground and turned it into a memorable & magical mini concert right in the heart of the city. 
In a world where the masses have lost their ability to dream, Rahbi and The Raw Band show us that it is possible to make your dreams a reality by working hard, believing, and uniting with like minded individuals. Not only are they Super Rockstars who rock stages alongside artists like Janelle Monae, but a powerful group of individuals who's goal is to "inspire minds, blur lines, and inspire people to live their purpose." They are The Raw Band and they are here to conquer the world. Hit play and remember to
LIVE.CREATE.INSPIRE!!

Featured song: Flick by Rahbi & RAW|  Like it Grab Music Here
Keep up with Rahbi via his twitter, instagram and youtube!