Brave more so related to Jhene Aiko's new album, my favorite song right next to Lyin King. Also because I keep getting called this word or inspiring for reasons I'm still attempting to figure out myself. Everybody's still in shock from my hair. As in, I still can't walk into a room without everybody staring at me, and not because of my clothes like it usually it, I walk down the street and some people actually look frightened. This part is actually pretty funny. I think it's time to get out of the comfort zones we've marked up for ourselves.

xxoo missusmonroe

I ventured into the land of faux locs again, this time taking on the Marley adventure and going for my favorite color of hair, close to jet black, platinum blond. It took me about 8-9 hours with this style, a significant difference from the yarn locs. But onto the main point, my hair and my skin tone. I don't think I will ever see the day where someone else will not believe my skin tone should not affect every decision, clothes and makeup wise, that I make. Because my hair is blond, is bright, and therefore contrasts with my skin quite significantly, I'm not allowed? HOWEVER, if I was of a lighter complexion it would be completely acceptable. In fact, it'd be "cool", "daring", "original", "exotic" *bitterly laughs* but for girls like me it's "unprofessional", "different", "interesting", "courageous" or just "for someone else". Who is anyone to tell me I cannot venture into anything I wish to dabble in because of my pigmentation, are you kidding me? In all honesty, I believe it must be a joke; therefore, I can't even waste my breath on it, but I will publicize it for my girls out there to get a very important message. There's someone out here taking what is said to be "risks" for us. There's someone out here who's doing whatever she wants, not thinking once about what those of society are going to think, say, or do.

xxoo missusmonroe

Today was just one of those amazingly good days. You know when you just can't pinpoint something, but it was just great? Not necessarily all of it, but enough to thoroughly convince you of a good day? Yup, it was one of those.

xxoo missusmonroe

It was scorching. I was irritated from sweating. I was out at night and it was still humid out. Clearly it wasn't the greatest of times, but actually this dress really took care of me today, so God bless Missguided.

xxoo missusmonroe

As you can probably assume from the title, I don't want to insult your intelligence here, but my Labor Day weekend was spent in Virginia Beach, Norfolkish Virginia. Let me just tell you, the fact that I am paying a hefty out-of-state tuition is ridiculous compared to the fact that it took us about 4+ hours to get to another side of Virginia and I live about an hour and a half from my school. I don't understand why I'm paying so much money and I live closer! What a topic for another day, onto the adventure of Norfolk. We stayed at this really modern hotel we actually stayed in last weekend, we liked it so much we continued the chain down south. The ride there was partially stressful because of my mother's navigational skills, or lack thereof haha but that's why these things are called adventures. In any case, we finally got there and were trying to decide where to get dinner; I miraculously remembered this amazing place everybody in my school's always talking about, raving about their quality food and cheap prices. The thing about Cookout is it's only a southern chain, like Waffle House, and us Marylanders don't get that shit. So I completely hopped on that horse, ironically it was only 10 minutes from our hotel, it was fate I'll tell you. It was cool food, I don't know if I'd kill someone for it, but it wasn't disappointing, plus the dirt prices can't be complained about! The next day we spent at the beach all day, my kid brother and I being the only ones actually venturing in the water, my mother did set aside her anxieties for a little bit though, it was a proud moment for us.

xxoo missusmonroe

Friday was our NPHC step show but that's besides the point hah, I premiered my Ankara pants tailored in Nigeria, without the matching caftan, and I was just in love with my outfit guys. Plus the Brandy Melville knit crop I've been searching and drooling from all summer that I finally found on eBay. It was just the perfect outfit.. I don't even have much to say really. Hope y'all have a grand 'ol Labor day weekend.

xxoo missusmonroe

Today I experienced a massive amount of annoyance regarding higher figures in my life still stuck in their mindset of women and modesty. I don't think that women should be sloring themselves around or anything of the sort; however, I don't believe that the way I dress should be determined by the fact that one day I want to marry and I should be obsessed, really, with how males view me. That every time I get dressed I should be thinking of how others will view me that day. Sooner or later my happiness, joy, and pride will then be in the palms of others. That sounds a lot more like slavery to me. I am me and I will never be we and even when I become an us I will always be me, not you.

xxoo missusmonroe

I think I love birthdays more than the celebrant does, I mean really get into it. One of my close friends' birthday was today and we surprised her at dinner, her reaction was pretty magnificently priceless. I've experienced many variations of foods and have dabbled in the foods of different ethnicities but I have never had Lebanese food! That is until tonight, it was Lebanese/Mediterranean and y'know technically it wasn't even that ethnic because it wasn't apart of their original dishes but it was still an experience. As you can see from the photos, the food is so very photogenic and tastes as great as it looks. 

xxoo missusmonroe

Today was my first day back in school and can I just talk about how grateful I am to be back in the flow of things. I've noticed more and more people, especially black people, after high school not doing anything to further their education. I don't even know what I would do with myself, I just told my sister the other day even when I'm in school I still don't know what to do with myself! I understand going to work but everybody's so replaceable, especially without a degree. Then again, if there's no money for it what can you truly do but invest in digging yourself into more money trouble? Anyway, the true reason I was extremely happy to be left alone after moving in was because the process was just so tedious this year. Too much shit right? But I still can't help but resignate with the last couple days of summer...

xxoo missusmonroe