Category Archives: Books

The Music of Ntjam Rosie

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There are so many beautiful women singing beautiful music! I love it. I am so high on this song. A friend of mine suggested this and I am so glad that he did! This song reminds of a time in my life when I was truly alone, but not lonely. I needed to be alone.  I was a young (er) woman, growing and learning and in need of solitude. Thank you Ntjam for the great vibes.

I used to hear music like this in my mind when I lived in DC. I would ride the Metro around the entire city until I got tired.

NtjamRosie_Videoshoot_site

Queen for African Essence

P.S. Looking for a book to read? I came across this book on Toure’s website. I really want to check it out. The story sounds so interesting: Soul City by Toure.

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Yellow Gold or Black Gold? The Music of Andy Allo and Esperanza Spalding

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Queen’s and King’s need good music to groove to, right? Then choose: would you rather have black or yellow gold? I’ll take both! Check out what these very beautiful sistahs have to say about gold. The lyrics are so sweet. It is good to know that people are still making good music… with their clothes on! Don’t forget to check out their styles. These ladies have so much flava and it doesn’t require any exposed body parts. At the very end of this article make sure you look at my book suggestions. Royalty must read!

YELLOW GOLD by Andy Allo

This is Andy Allo…

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I discovered Andy last night while looking for some Prince music on Amazon. My latest Prince fetish has me searching all over the Internet for his music! She came up as a suggestion and after listening to several of her songs, I think that she is pure hotness.
CHECK OUT ANDY’S WEBSITE WITH HER BIO AND MORE ABOUT HER MUSIC.
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BLACK GOLD by Esperanza Spalding featuring Algebra

This is Esperanza Spalding…

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Esperanza is my sweetheart of jazz. She is uplifting and I am glad to know that she is keeping jazz alive for the younger generations. She is the first woman to accomplish the things that she has on the bass. Sometimes when I hear her music I get chills. Check her out.

Esperanza’s WEBSITE WITH HER BIO AND MORE ABOUT HER MUSIC.

Life, love, and wisdom. You are black gold!

Queen for African Essence

P.S. Are you a reader? Then you have to check out QUESTLOVE’S new book: Mo Meta Blues. 

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Or Prince’s book: I Would Die 4 U: Why Prince Became an Icon

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In love with you and the things that you do. Enjoy your day!

Love These Outfits!

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I would love to see men walking around wearing this everyday!

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… and women wearing this!

Beautiful Dresses

Queen Duafe for African Essence

P.S. Looking forward to reading this book:

How to Start a Creative Business: The Jargon-Free Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs

How to Start a Creative Business: The Jargon-Free Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs

I Am Not Afraid to Turn 30

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I am happy to be coming close to 30!

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Probably won’t be taking anymore of these shots!

I am going to be 30 pretty soon and at least 20 people have asked me about having children. Whenever my age comes up, this is the first thing that people inquire about! Everyone wants to know about my marital status and my desires to start a family. Very rarely do people ask if I am happy with the work that I do or if I have good health. The only thing people seem to care about with this 29 year old girl is rather I am going to start having babies! Well I am not!

I am finding it hard to endure this sense of urgency and pressure that people are putting on me to have children right now! Honestly, I do not desire to have a child at the current moment and I am not the type of person who has dreamed of being married with children since I was a little girl. I have dreams more like Martin Luther King, Jr. I am sure the experience of having a child is wonderful, but I am in a different place. I do not need a child to define what I am as a woman. What I really need in my life is peace. Without it, I cannot imagine ever having a child.

Finding peace is my number one goal in life. I need to be able to live with who I am and get the best out of all of my experiences. I want to do other things so that if I ever have a child, I would be able to share my wonderful life with them via travel, education, and spirituality. My journey has only begun. If I do not have a child, then I will continue to share these things with my nieces and nephews. So to everyone that cannot help but to worry about what is going to happen to 30 year old Shila, you can just stop it! What I want is to stand on solid ground. Everything else will come naturally.

I cannot live up to anyone’s expectations, not even my own sometimes. So I would love it if everyone could just chill. It almost seems like people pity me for being childless. It’s like they ridicule my freedom. Not to say that children take away all freedom, but this is the tone in which people speak to me.

However, life is a beautiful thing and I appreciate everything that happens to me. I can appreciate the “warnings” but I do not feel threatened by age. I feel enlightened and mature!  I am not afraid of 30. When I was 25, two different doctors advised that I start having children then. They made it sound like if I didn’t start soon, my chances of miscarriage would be high. This may be true, but WHAT IF I am just a healthy person? Let’s focus on that! I always wondered why they had to make my life sound like a ticking time bomb.

I feel like turning 30 will be the beginning of another beautiful phase in my life and I am ready to learn and just have fun with it. I have noticed changes in my metabolism and I have gained a little weight- I am the heaviest that I have ever been in my life. I noticed that any extra pounds I pick up are gathering in my midsection and thighs. All I can do is work harder at eating right and exercising (so, no I am not pregnant to the people who asked!).

Frankly, I am so excited to be getting away from the turbulent twenties. I feel like moving on. I am ready to accept everything that comes with age rather it be weight or peace. I was speaking with someone about looks and she spoke to me as if my body changes had to be a negative thing. Why would I expect to have the same body as I did when I was younger? I am not interested in looking like a plastic magazine cover either. I want to be naturally me. Furthermore, I am fond of moderation so I will not watch myself become too much of anything if I can help it. Turning 30 does not mean that I can start overeating and destroying my body. I want to stay healthy. I know plenty of sistahs who are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who look amazing.

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My girl Rashimba Bloom is looking good in her late 30s!

I do not fear looking older. I just do not see myself letting go and becoming desperate for a relationship or for a man. I am not interested in the older man who chases after younger women purposefully as if older women have nothing he desires. I figure, let the younger women have him, because I don’t want an immature man like that. My mind operates a little differently. I am prone to move towards a person out of love and not lust.

Also, I have noticed that I feel differently about many things; but I can control my anxiety and levels of stress better than I ever have. My hair is different, my mind is different, and my spirit is ever evolving! That is what I care about. Not the simple age of 30. The “BIG 3-0″ they say! NO PRESSURE. I am ready to embrace it all! Furthermore, if I get to be 40, and my partner and I decide to have a baby, all we can do is try. There will be no regrets. I am living in this moment right now… and I love it!

Thelathini, karibu! (30, welcome!)

Peace and love,

Queen Duafe for African Essence

Queen

My niece and I

P.S. I am looking forward to reading this book:

Sophia: Goddess of Wisdom, Bride of God

Sophia: Goddess of Wisdom, Bride of God

Need a good book to read? I found this one to be OK. It was helpful in many ways.

HBR’s 10 Must-Reads on Managing Yourself

Book

Also, if you have not ever visited this blog, be sure to check out the About Page or Details Tab above.

I Love the Sun! Thrifted Ensemble…

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Wondering how to wear your NON-FANCY thrift store finds? Check it out. … and if you haven’t ever visited this blog, be sure to check out the ABOUT page aka Details tab at the top.

I love when the sun is out! I live in Midwestern United States where it is cold at least 9 months out of the year. So, when the sun decides to show its face, I am like, here I am, shine down on me! I have to be careful because last year I got my very first sun burn and it wasn’t fun at all! So remember everyone if you are going to be in the sun, for even just a few minutes, rub shea butter on your skin because it is a sun block. You may even want to use something else along with the shea.

My first day in the sun… I bought this outfit from second hand stores.

Clip-on earrings $1.99 from Icing by Claires
Shirt- light-weight sweater material- $4 from Platos Closet
Shirt- Amnerican Eagle Outfitters from Platos Closet $4
Bone bracelets $25- Festival vendor
This denim skirt is from the thrift store for $3. It is a brand I only see at Target. I think it’s cool that it has pockets.
Claires sales ankh rings!
Ankh ring- Claires (clearance price $3.75)
I love this ring, but it’s cheap!
The bone ring on my right hand is from City Buddha of Cleveland Heights. It was $3.95.
I am not sure if you can tell, but this is Revlon black nail polish which I really like. To give it a matte look I used China Glaze matte top coat. It was on sale at Sally’s for $2.50. I got 2 bottles. I am impressed. It is a good top coat. I went without chipped polish for at least two whole days. I’m rough on my hands!

Let me say, I just cut my hair, yet again! I love short hair. It is auburn-colored. I am going to stop using chemical dyes soon and switch to henna dye which is now sold at Whole Foods. I got a cheap $4 dye from Sally’s Beauty (who is Sally?, lol).

SHIRT by American Eagle Outfitters via Plato’s Closet. It is blue and a light-weight sweater material – $4

SKIRT by Mossimo which is a brand only sold at Target via Thrift Store – denim with pockets $3

SANDALS by Kohls – $10

FEATHER EARRINGS from Icing by Claire’s – $1.99

BONE BRACELETS- African street festival – $25

BONE RING- City Buddha in Cleveland Heights, Ohio – $3.95

ANKH RING- Claire’s (in the mall) – $3.75

FINGER NAIL POLISH- Revlon Knockout Color 731 from Walgreen’s – $4; top coat is Matte Magic by China Glaze from Sally’s Beauty Supply – $2.50 on clearance

… these little details won’t matter to the men, but women ask, so there it is!

Peace and Love,

Queen Duafe for African Essence

P.S. Need a good book to read? Check it out…The Seat of the Soul

The crazy cats around me love the sun too!

Bibi is my tabby cat
This cat is so cool! My neighbors cat
Scaling the side…
Perched, distracted by a bird

Having a Good Day the Tantric Way – Who is YahZarah?

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If you haven’t ever visited this blog, be sure to check out the DETAILS page.

Jambo! I hope you are feeling good today. If you are not, there is still a chance to turn your day around. It starts with you. I suggest using sounds and smells to heighten your senses and lift the vibrations around you. The vibrations around you are the levels of good or bad energy. The higher the vibration, the better off you are. What DO I DO to turn my day around and lift my vibrations? I am glad you asked! My checklist goes like this:

  1. Light some incense- even my friends with asthma use incense. If you are able to find a good brand such as Wild Berry, HEM, or Tulasi- you are in luck. These brands release the longest lasting smells that can linger for hours.
  2. Try having a positive conversation with someone- only talk about the good things that are going on in your life. Try NOT to talk about anything negative and offer no complaints. I love calling my friends that live in other cities. I can have a fresh experience talking to them without having to tell them about anything bad.
  3. Eat a well-balanced meal. I find that eating good food really lifts my spirit. I like spicy fish and veggies, Indian and African dishes, smoothies, coconut ice cream from Trader Joe’s, some meats (not fried). I LOVE GOOD FOOD! Steamed broccoli with garlic and lemon really gives me energy as well as brussel sprouts and kale sauteed in olive oil with garlic and capers. Go green if you are really feeling down.
  4. Get some plants. I find that looking at them lifts my mood. I got some beautiful plants from a garden center. It’s best to go to a real garden center if you are looking for a mature plant (not Wal-Mart or Home Depot). These are my plants:
    Golden Pothos- Requires little light and watering only once every 10 days.
    Mature Pothos like this look great on top of book shelves.
    Sansevieria (aka snake plant) is the easiest house plant to care for, requiring very little attention. This one is very mature.
  5. GOOD MUSIC- if you can find an old album that you really like, listen away! If you want to try something new. Go to YouTube and type in the names of your favorite artists. On the right hand side of the screen, YouTube lists recommendations. A lot of times these recommendations are great! YouTube tries to find other artists that are similar to the one you typed in. I type Sade or Nneka and I get great results. I love 90s music so I type 702 or TLC, and get great results too.

And this brings me to YahZarah! I am so excited to share the music of this wonderful lady. She made her mark performing as a background singer for Erykah Badu (I just learned this). She also sang with a music group called the Foreign Exchange (I remember this). I heard her album The Ballad of Purple St. James and I loved it! The first song is the most inviting. You can use it for various occasions to get a party started! It just makes you want to get up and dance. This is YahZarah:

Yahzarah 1 Yahzarah

HAVING A GOOD DAY THE TANTRIC WAY? Check out this video. Pay attention to her altar. Change your day by listening to vibes like this! This made me feel good at a time when I was experiencing a lot of fatigue. I ended up finding it on YouTube by mistake. I watched it 10 times! I was so high. I love it! Furthermore, I am doing research on the Goddess Kali and in this video YahZarah has an image of the Goddess over her altar. Awesome! I admire her movement and confidence. I do not consider her energy strictly sexual. It can be a whole lot of things.

Peace and love,

Queen Duafe for African Essence

P.S. Looking for more information on Tantricism? I found this book to be useful.

The Tantric Way by Ajit Mookerjee and Madhu Khanna

The Tantric Way

5 Artists Too Awesome for Mainstream

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Five Artists copy

Many great vocalists settle for small careers in music. I’m with it, but I have to say I wish their music was circulated more than the superficial junk we hear on the radios. I have heard so many great albums where it wasn’t just one song that was good, the whole CD, every lyric and every beat was good! I don’t often get that with mainstream artists. The vibrations in each of these artists music was so high, I got chills down my spine! The music feels so good,  I just float away!

This is my list of artists that I recommend you get to  know. If you have any to add, please comment. Peace and love.

How I Do by Res… MOST LISTENED TO SONG ON ALBUM: Let Love

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Transient by Gaelle… MOST LISTENED TO SONG ON ALBUM: Fade Away

The Once and Future by the Jazzyfatnastees… MOST LISTENED TO: Let It Go

Love Rain Down by Conya Doss… MOST LISTENED TO SONG ON ALBUM: Sign

Breath From Another by Esthero… MOST LISTENED TO: Breath From Another

Although I listen to some songs more than others, when I say every song is good, I mean EVERY song on each of these albums is good! It’s real emotions and real music. It doesn’t even matter when the album came out because they are all FRESH TO DEATH! It doesn’t stop there, they have other albums that are great too so go on Amazon and search if you are interested.

Queen Duafe for African Essence

P.S. Need a book to read? I recommend African Holistic Health by Llaila O. Afrika. This a good companion to have at home, so you may need to buy it if you believe that herbs heal… they do, I am a witness. 

African Holistic Health

The 60 Degree Spring Queen – Identity Solutions

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Blog of the Day – revolucionno.wordpress.com

Jambo! Welcome. I am Queen & I come to you in the spirit of DUAFE, an african adinkra symbol that symbolizes beauty, cleanliness & desirable feminine qualities. I represent the women of the world who fight to control their own destinies and avoid being characterized as VICTIMS. We are not victims. We are the Mothers of Civilization who hold WISDOM and TRUTH.

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I intend to reach into the past to reclaim visual images and rhetoric of revolution. I am here to raise the consciousness and reject attempts to control the powerful identity of woman through stereotypes. WE are more than what you see. I take the past for guidance because it allows me to take a closer look at feminism and female empowerment. We are living in a time where the identity of the woman has become highly-sexualized. Women really believe that they do not look “good” unless their bodies are exposed. Self-esteem is at an all time low, and large companies are making so much money off of bringing the image of the WOMAN down.

Women seem to gladly give away their money to purchase hair, make-up, and name-brand BS that just makes them blend in. I am not opposed to any of these things when bought and used in moderation. Sometimes you might see something that you just love and it just so happens it is name brand. A little make-up is cool, but a lot is not. You have to understand that you should not RELY on these superficial elements. They should ONLY be used as ADORNMENT.

Sometimes it seems like everyone is trying to be someone else. The light women want the brown girl features and the brown girls want the light girl features. Why can’t we just be happy as we are? We can love each other and be friends without wanting to be the other woman. I am trying to break the notion that we have to be exposed to look good; and that we have to lighten or exaggerate our features to be accepted. You do not have to be this way because, guess what? You are beautiful without all the glam. So check this out…

It’s springtime in the Midwest and we can expect varying temperatures. Dressing for the weather is important. Don’t get caught standing in the shade freezing or standing in the sun burning up! It may not be the best idea to pull out the shorts just yet, so try some colorful jeans and light weight fabrics that will give you just enough protection to enjoy the weather. Since it is still Spring, 60 degrees means that you still need to carry a jacket with you. If it was 60 degrees in the Summer, you would not need the jacket, but Spring is fickle so stay on the safe side.

A colorful springtime idea…

THE STYLE:

Earrings, $2, on sale at Icing by Claire’s

Shirt, $4 end of season sale at Sears

Pants, $20 at Forever21

Red Wedge shoes, Payless BOGO $10 ( I do not suggest buying these shoes- they are cheaply made and make a noise when I walk. They do not feel great)

Red Wedge sandals, Nine West Outlet, $20 (these shoes are all leather upper and they feel great- bought at least 4 years ago)

Brown Fornili Shoe by Aldo, $95

Queen Duafe for African Essence

P.S. Don’t forget to follow my blog by clicking on the FOLLOW button up top! Let’s keep in touch and be sure to let me know, if you have a blog you want me to check out.

Don’t forget to check out this blog!

BlogofDay

revolucionno.wordpress.com

Need a book to read? Iconic: Decoding Images of the Revolutionary Black Woman by Lakesia D. Johnson

Iconic: Decoding Images of the Revolutionary Black Woman

 

WOMEN’S STORIES- The ART of STORYTELLING

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Storytelling is a creative art form that dates back to the beginning of time. It has been one of the most effective methods in communicating and in sharing history. It allows us to break down and let it all out! I personally love to share my stories with people as part of my cycle of growth. I have loved and been loved; I have hurt and been hurt- telling these stories are liberating!

No one can tell you how to tell your story. You have to decide on the best way to share your life. Some people will like what you do, and many won’t, but if you keep a clean heart, the world will return the positive energy to you.

I most often choose to tell my stories using poetry. I look like this when I do (lol). Queen1

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I find it refreshing and it gives me a crazy boost that flows through my entire body! It’s hard to explain. My style is at best rhythmic, but the cadence changes just as the temperature of my stories change. My pulse goes up and down and through the roof! Even when I’m calm, I’m excited inside. I tell women’s stories because I AM WOMAN. Some of these stories are bright and cheerful, and some are deep and dark, but in the end everything is good.

In storytelling, I have learned that denial is not an option. The truth sets me free. My perspective is what’s most important in my art of storytelling. I mesh together what I have learned with what’s happening now. The past, the future, and the most important- THE PRESENT! I am here RIGHT NOW! Not tomorrow or yesterday- now!

In my continued celebration of women I would like to share with you a small gift that a very special person gave to me … Nikki Giovani’s book “My House.” Published in 1972.
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The guy that gave me this book is someone that I talk to in passing, but he’s almost a stranger. Somehow he understood that I adored poetry and he decided to give me this book as a gift for Women’s History Month. Much love to him for thinking of me. What is so special about this gift is that pages 25 and 26 are missing! The poem that is supposed to be on these pages is called Just A New York Poem. This is weird for me because New York has been on my mind for weeks now. He gives me this book with the poem ripped out! Interesting. I feel like I needed that poem to be in the book, but it is not. Well, the rest of the book is great. Check it out if you can.

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I like Nikki’s poems. I met Nikki Giovanni during my undergraduate studies at Fisk University. She once attended Fisk and she was a visiting professor for some time. I really dig her evolution as a woman. Her stories travel deep into the soul and resonate. She tells the truth. I appreciate Nikki Giovanni and all the women who boldly tell stories of hurt and triumph without placing blame or pointing fingers. Peace to all Queens who have stopped hiding. Peace to you.
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Queen Duafe for African Essence

Style Ideas for African American Women- 1st Day of Winter 2012-2013

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Outfit Elements:

1. The Crown- I’m wearing a hat from H&M. Since I have shorter hair, when I wear hats, I wrap a scarf underneath the hat to give the hat a heightened look.

2. Manicure- I like dark polishes. I have on China Glaze’s first mate color. It is a wonderful blue color. I am not a big fan of the quality of the polish. It chips easily. 1st and last time I’ll buy it!

3. Make-up- not into, mascara, foundation, blushes, etc. However, I really like tinted lips so I often wear a light coat of lipstick. I like Iman’s brandy. Very nice.

4. Jewelry- Black wooden jewelry is my thing. Got the necklace from a consignment store circa 2007 and have only worn it a few times. Just starting to get into into. The pink on the right side of the necklace matches the hot pink skirt perfectly! The rings I got from City Buddha for very cheap, like $1.95-2.98/ring. The bracelets are a treasure that I got from a friend from Guinea. He sells them at fairs, festivals, etc. They were about $25 for both. They are made from the tusks of an elephant. Actually, I think they can run up to $25 a piece or more in some places. They are worth it. Love them. My fav in the jewelry chest.

5. Skirt- Hot pink from Forever 21. $6.

6. Sweater- TJMaxx– Clearance price $10.

7. Stockings- Not sure (maybe from Target on sale?)

8. Shoes- Kohls. $24.

Queen Duafe for African Essence

Style Ideas for Sistahs- 2012-2013

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Outfit Elements:

1. The Crown- Early stages of locs. I loved my hair this year. It took 3 months to lock. I washed it myself once a week. I did not twist it much because I liked the roots thick and I liked the new growth to show- I’ve always liked rugged locs.

2. Manicure- Clear polish.

3. Make-up- not into, mascara, foundation, blushes, etc. However, I really like tinted lips so I often wear a light coat of lipstick. I like Iman’s brandy. Very nice.

4. Jewelry- Gold jewelry. Bangles- Forever 21, ring- consignment shop, earrings, Indian & African clothing store circa 2006; watch- a booth in the mall (can’t remember name)

5. Dress- Dillard’s

6. Jacket- Dillard’s

7. Socks- Marshall’s

8. Book- My fav book from college: Before the Mayflower

9. Shoes- DSW circa 2009

Queen Duafe for African Essence