Sisters, How Y'all Feel? Brothers, Y'all Alright?

Whew! This world has turned upside down in just a few shorts days, and I’m still trying to figure out when Black History month left the scene! Too much and not enough is happening right now. A lot of people are scared, confused, and anxious at the moment. I get it. That’s why I wanted to drop in real quick to see how everyone is holding up and to throw some good energy and inspiration your way. Let’s jump in below.

THE LATEST ON AS SAM’S WORLD TURNS….

1. What I’ve Been Monitoring - I’m keeping abreast of the crisis unfolding right before our eyes, but I’m making sure to feed my mind and spirit with positive things to counter all the scary news. I’ve been watching funny and inspirational YouTube videos, and I’m taking the time to catch up on some interesting shows on television. Right now the Hillary Clinton series on Hulu has my attention. It’s a documentation of her journey from childhood to now. It’s cool to see how she navigated the world under all the circumstances she has encountered. It’s also interesting to see her and Bill’s true life behind the political doors. I also just finished watching the latest season of Grown-ish. Yes it’s a college show, but the writing and story lines are actually compelling, relatable, and relevant. Oh and the fashion…..whoever the wardrobe stylist is for this show has my heart!! I get tons of style inspiration from all the characters!

2. What I’ve Been Reading - In the midst of all the chaos and the unknown, the one thing you can control is your mind. I’m forever working on training my thoughts and perspective. So when my girl recommended The Power Of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy in our group chat, I jumped on purchasing the book. I just cracked it open, but from what I can tell it will definitely be beneficial to my journey. I recently created a reading nook in my home, so I’m excited to snuggle up with this book in that designated area.

3. What I’ve Been Listening To - A Written Testimony by Jay Electronica!!! I’ve not only been listening to this album, I’ve been studying it as well. That is what real hip hop does to me….it forces me to grow, discover, learn, and have in-depth conversations. Each time I listen to this album I catch something I didn’t hear the previous time. Jay Electronica has been in the rap game for a minute; yet, it took him SEVERAL years before he dropped his studio album…..and it was definitely worth the wait. The moral of this story to me is - everything in due time. Just make sure in the meantime, while you’re waiting for your moment, you’re picking up gems and exercising your mind and faith so that you can come correct with whatever you set out to do. Congrats Jay!!!!

4. What I’ve Been Wearing - It seems comfortable will be a reoccurring theme in my spring/summer wardrobe. Anything flowing, stretchy, or loose - bring it my way!!! Minimalism is my thing. The less I have to deal with, the more comfortable I am….and that goes for fashion and life.

5. What I’m Working On - Y’all, it’s so hard for me to stay out of this peanut head of mine!!!! I’m trying my best not to over analyze and deep dive into certain things. I sometimes can’t enjoy a simple moment without trying to discover the underlying cause of the moment lol. I’m working on this aspect of myself, but it’s hard to combat this issue being that I am a true Aquarius and that I was raised to think critically. The best practices that have remedied this habit for me have been participating in mindless activities. When I find myself overthinking, I tune into someone else’s life via a book or television. Or, I write it out. I’m bearing with myself though, because I know I’m a work in progress.

6. Quote For The Week - I had a conversation with my mother the other day about how difficult it is to be a righteous person (defined by my own terms) who tunes out the world and does what’s best for them. I won’t lie, I get tired of trying to be who I’m supposed to be in a world that doesn’t celebrate individuality and authenticity. Her reply was something that I already knew but had to hear again. She said, “Always try to do a difficult right (what’s in your spirit) instead of an easy wrong (the thing that isn’t in your spirit). Doing what’s right is like getting rid of the debt upfront, Doing the wrong thing is letting the debt collect over time.” We got to continue to pay it up front y’all.

“The hardest thing to do is to be true to yourself, especially when everybody is watching.”

— Dave Chappelle

Everyone, please remain vigilant and safe out here. This virus thing is serious business; however, when I rode my bike the other day through the empty streets of New Orleans, I couldn’t help but smile. Yes I’m concerned about those who have been directly and indirectly affected by this crisis, but at the same time I’m enjoying this downtime. It’s peaceful. The world seems so motionless right now, and sometimes that in itself is the cure to whatever has been disrupted….stillness.

Being still,

- Samjah Iman

Outfit Details: T-shirt // Biker Shorts // Thigh-High Boots (My entire outfit came from Forever 21…yes even the boots!)

Photo Credit: 87 Photography 

Still Kicking in My Casual Bodycon Dress + Red Leather Chucks

I was having a conversation with my 93 year old grandmother the other day, and I asked her how she was doing.  Her response was, "I'm still kicking....just not as high."  I giggled.  And I told her as long as she is kicking, then everything is flowing.  I then thought about how I've been feeling a little uninspired and mentally tired lately, but despite those feelings I still get up and do what I have to do.  Sometimes I get a little hard on myself when I feel like I haven't accomplished as much as I think I should.  But then I'm reminded that as long as I'm pushing myself to do something, even if it's small, then it's all good.  

The words my grandmother spoke resonated with me.  It reminded me that there will be times I won't be at my best - my kicks will be lower than usual, and that is totally okay.  As long as I am still kicking, then I am still in the game - and that is half the battle.  

Keep kicking my people...   

- Samjah Iman

Outfit Details: Bodycon Casual Dress // Red Leather Converse Tennis

I Got The Power

The other day I met a friend for some good conversation and tasty food. When ordering our menu selections, I asked the cashier a question and her response was short and condescending. My friend and I looked at each other in disbelief. To make sure I wasn't in the twilight zone, I asked another question....and received another nasty response. I chuckled...not because anything was funny, but because I was losing my patience and the neck rolling was about to commence. I looked at my friend. He shrugged his shoulders and laughed. I then shook my head and let it go.

We sat down at our table and discussed what just happened. My friend said, "that was an opportunity for us to look inward, not outward." I thought about his statement. He was right.  

“Feeling played is a choice.”

— Nesby Phips

People will always act how they want to act and none of us can change that. However, what we can change is how we feel about their actions and respond to them. We have a choice in that matter. I'm learning that most of the confrontations we tend to encounter have a lot to do with our ego. Once we believe our ego has been bruised, we react. The only reason I was about to give the cashier a piece of my mind was because I felt like, "how dare she talk to me like that!" Ego....that's all it was. Then I thought, "why would I let this young girl determine my actions and how my evening with my friend is going to go?" So instead of stooping to the cashier's level, I chose to take control of my feelings and let her have whatever moment she was having.   

I'm trying this new thing in life where I don't blame other people for my actions or feelings. I am taking full responsibility for how I allow myself to feel and react to situations. A rude cashier at a restaurant shouldn't control my mood, a lunatic driving crazy in traffic shouldn't make me yell obscenities out my car window, nor should a frustrated customer service rep push me to lose my patience. Now of course I won't allow anyone to mistreat or harm me. Sometimes you do have to let some people know where you stand.  However, I will try not to allow any person to dictate my mood or make me react in a way I will regret later.  I am in control of my world.....and absolutely no one will have the power to shake it up. No one!

In the maturing process,

- Samjah Iman

Outfit Details: Long t-shirt // Vintage Levis (old) // Daisie Pumps

P.S. - If you haven't checked out the movie Black Panther please do so ASAP!! It's exhilarating! The characters were beautiful and talented, the fashion was exceptional and dynamic, and above all the message was powerful. I'm still in awe of that film!  Go see it!

Don't Watch The Pot + Think Outside The Box Hoodie

I woke up the other morning feeling like "what the hell am I doing?!"  I felt like my hustling efforts were at a stand still; like I was doing a lot of seed planting but nothing was sprouting fast enough.  I was unmotivated.  Then I took a deep breath and told myself that I could either lay here and wallow in my bull, get up and go harder, or get up and go grocery shopping.  I chose the latter.

Sometimes when you've done all you can do, you just have to step back and trust that God will do the rest.  When I agonize over things and try to force them, it seems to push them further from my reach and it takes forever for them to come to fruition.  But when I do my part, let stuff flow freely, then leave it be - things start happening.

My grandmother always says, "a watched pot never boils." And she is right.  Ever threw some water in the pot and stood there to watch it boil....it takes a minute huh?  But when you throw the water in the pot then walk off and come back, it's cooking time.  Let that sit in your brain for a second.

In other news, you all know I love a good statement tee or sweatshirt.  This particular one caught my eye not because of the popping fuchsia color but because of the message.  It represents how I try to live my life daily - outside the box.  Feeling it?  Cop your hoodie here. 

Here's to being unconventional and not watching the pot boil.  

Peace and Blessings,

- Samjah Iman    

Photo Credit: shotbyclipz@gmail.com

H&M Overall Shorts

Remember the movie Boyz in the Hood?  Remember the part when they were little kids and Dough Boy stated that he was about to go to the store and his brother Ricky said, "why, you ain't got no money."  And Dough Boy simply replied, "I'm going anyway!"  This was me talking to myself this past Saturday.  I met a friend for breakfast, then after breakfast my free self said, "Girl the day is beautiful and young...go shopping!"  My reasonable self said, "You ain't got no money!"  My free self said, "I'm going anyway!"  As a result, I found these cute overall shorts from H&M...check them out!

I've been looking for some overall shorts and stumbled upon these for a reasonable price at H&M.  I paired them with my leather Converse and a Cities Print Denim Tote I purchased from American Apparel.

Hope you all had an awesome weekend!  I got the chance to catch the movie Get Out on yesterday - A MUST SEE!  It is an incredible movie that forces you to use your brain and think beyond the surface.  In a nutshell, it reinforces what we already know about us.  Check it out!   

Have a crazy good week!

Peace and Blessings,

- Samjah Iman

Photo Credit: majstudios@yahoo.com

NY Yankee Style

I had to have a classic New York Yankee's cap, and I could care less about the Yankees.  But there's just something about these caps that make the ultimate street style statement.  A New York Yankee Cap can turn any casual outfit up for men and women.     

I paired my Yankee cap with an off-the-shoulder bodysuit, some skinny jeans, my Intuition choker, and my Steve Madden booties.  This outfit can be worn to an event, while shopping, or on an outing with a friend.

This fashion thing has no limits.  You can pair sporty pieces with dressy pieces or inexpensive pieces with expensive pieces.  It can be as simple as you want it to be or as extravagant as you want it to be.  As long as it's authentically you, then you are always in style. 

Hope you all have a great weekend!  My hope is that you branch out and do something new or something that makes you smile this weekend.  I plan on exploring more of New Orleans.  I've really been enjoying myself.  I ate fried ribs (Lord Louisiana people fry everything!) and Vietnamese food for the first time this past week, and both were excellent!  Who knows what else I will get into or eat this weekend....the possibilities and food are endless!

Live, Love and Laugh,

- Samjah Iman