Category Archives: Identity

Style Ideas for Queens – Transitioning from 80 Degree to 60 Degree Weather

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It is September 11 in Cleveland, Ohio. That means it could snow any minute! Joking, but it was one of those days that reminded us that Autumn is a few weeks away. Yesterday, the weather was in the 80s. Last night there was a very soothing storm, and when we woke up, it was 63 degrees! It is cool… cool as in cold! I wasn’t quite ready to give up my sandals, so I wore some today. However, that may not be the case tomorrow! I am thinking, boots or sneakers for sure.

The sandals are one of my favorite pairs by Lucky Brand. They were about $25 at TJMaxx.

I made the ring from wire from Pat Catan’s or JoAnn’s.
I love basic black headwraps!
The shawl was on sale at Dillard’d for $10.
These earrings are from a store called Earthbound (in the mall). They were on sale for $4. Nice.
The dress is one of my thrift store finds- from the Goodwill for $5
Hello, I am Shila.

With style, you must possess the knowledge, right? Reading anything lately? I had a dream last night about my future, and when I woke up, I asked for a sign. A sign that I was doing the right thing in life. That detaching from people who hurt me was the thing to do. Then today, a friend of mine called and suggested that I read this book, so I rushed to the library and got it. It is just what I needed. It is an amazing story. I can’t put it down. I introduce to you:  Wounded in the House of a Friend by Sonia Sanchez…

wounded

It starts like this…

the unspoken word is born, i see it in our eyes dancing.

She hadn’t found anything. i had been careful. No lipstick, No matches from a well-known bar. No letters. Cards. Confessing an undying love. Nothing tangible for her to hold onto. But i knew she knew. It had been on her face, in her eyes for the last nine days. It was the way she looked at me sideways from across the restaurant table as she picked at her brown rice sushi. It was the way she paused in profile while inspecting my wolfdreams. It was the way her mouth took a detour from talk. And then as we exited the restaurant she said it casually: i know there is another woman. You must tell me about her when we get home.

Yeah. There was another woman. In fact there were three women. In Florida, California, and North Carolina. Places to replace her cool detachment of these last years. No sex for months. Always tired or sick or off to some conference designed to save the world from racism or extinction. If i had jerked off one more time in bed while lying next to her it woulda dropped off. Still i wondered how she knew.

… I love Sonia Sanchez’s writing and I am glad that I got to see her in November of last year. She was cool as can be. She had style, she had grace. I made eye contact with her, and she smiled at me. Just for a moment. I spoke to her. She spoke to me. I walked away.

Queen

P.S. One more thing, a song for you…

This my baby. I want to be great as you. Analog girl in a digital world.

Meditating in the Music – Falling in Love with SZA

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Music is so much a part of my life.  The messages resonate deep in my soul… and when I am searching, it helps.  So, a few weeks ago, I was introduced to SZA. Then I got to see her perform and she blew my mind!  She told me to: “go to church if you scared…”

and I said…

I KNOW IT HURTS

EVOLVING

 

I KNOW IT HURTS_SEPT 2014 2

My playlist consists of 2 songs today.

1. Every word in this song instigates something inside of me. I can feel it, twisting and turning in my gut.

2. This right here, you gotta get ready for it! … SZA is so live!

This is SZA. She is so beautiful, inside and out.

Have you ever felt like you were in a noisy place, yet somehow your mind maintained it’s silence? SILENCE IN A NOISY PLACE? Thank you for your time. god’s bless me. Peace.

Shila Iris aka Queen

Dress Like a Queen

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Vintage earring for like $3 from the thrift store.
Found this necklace for $5.
My large ankh ring.
I ended up wearing the flat shoes.

Hope you like! Peace and Love.

Shila Iris aka Queen

What I’m reading…

africa is style

 

Wardrobe Ideas for Queens

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I love this shirt. It was only $2 from a thrift store.
My leather bracelets and rings are from City Buddha in Cleveland Heights, Ohio
I got this belt from The Body Shop for $10. I wear it all the time. I love it!
The Black Headwrap is my thing.
I made these earrings. One of favorite pairs.
Found this necklace for a $1. What a steal.
I love the colors in this shirt.
My black skinny jeans are my favorite 🙂
These shoes are about 5 years old. They are by Guess from TJMaxx.

I am Shila Iris, who are you?

Smile. Check out my other posts.

Peace and love.

My Experience at AfroPunk was so Amazing!

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Me at AfroPunk- Picture Courtesy of Aagdolla Photographer

Me at AfroPunk

This year, the AfroPunk Festival in Brooklyn, New York was amazing! I had been wanting to go for 2 years, but once again I almost flaked out and stayed home. However, some wonderful ladies pushed me to go. I got my small amount of disposable income together and went for it! I am so glad that I did. I would estimate that over the course of 2 days, August 23 and 24, at least 50,000 people got to experience the funk of AfroPunk!

The 10 Major Cool Things About AfroPunk…

1. The beautiful Afrikans! -Gazing into the crowd, we looked so good ya’ll! Go Brown people! Everyone was fly! The Diaspora was well represented.

2. The Music- Oh my! LiAnn La Havas, D’Angelo, SZA, Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Shabazz Palaces, and The Internet were among my favorite.

3. The Vendors- Handmade goods galore! We are so talented! These were the best vendors that I have seen at a festival, ever!

4. The Free Things- they were giving away some very valuable merchandise. No contest, just walk up. Lovely.

5. The Good Vibrations and Energy of the Crowd- Everyone was so welcoming and full of love! “I got the vibrations to change the nation, lick shots in the air, crowd participation!”

6. The Photographers- AfroPunk is well documented.

7. The Artists- There were so many expressionists and bold people who were just rocking eccentric styles! I appreciated the confidence. Keep ya head up!

8. The Bonding Experience of Going with People- Although the ladies I went with only recently joined my Universe, they were great to experience AfroPunk with. We were on the same frequency.

9. What AfroPunk represents and the AfroPunk Official Merchandise. Everything sold out. This festival represents so much positivity. Image of No Hate (Black)

10. The Appreciation- The people who organize AfroPunk are so appreciative of the participants. They walked around and mingled. So wonderful. They send out nice emails to thank you for attending:

THANK YOU
There are few words that can express the amount of gratitude that we have for the AFROPUNK community.  People who consciously make an effort to join us year after year at the festival and online, supporters from around the block and around the world that come together for two days to celebrate culture and freedom with us. For that and more, thank you! See you next year!

Shila Iris for AfrikanEssence… I like saying AfroPunk… smile. Lol.

Reasons Why I Want to Go to AfroPunk Fest 2014

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I love the wonderful, artistic, and eccentric expressions from the tribe we call African Americans, Afrikans, or the colorful people of the Diaspora!  The beautiful and poetic faces. The funky and stylish kindred spirits.

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AfroPunk tends to attract the fearless ONES. Those who travel on that untouchable frequency. They levitate. The vibe is heavy. Who wants to go and check out “the other” Black experience? Here’s the website. Dates: August 23-24, 2014. BK, NY.

The type of music that you could hear at an AfroPunk Fest.

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Peace and love,

Shila Iris aka Queen, July 28, 2014, 12:53 a.m.

Juneteenth is Indepedence Day for Many

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As we approach the Fourth of July, don’t forget to explore the meaning of Juneteenth.

JUNETEENTH THINK TANK 2014_Page_1

JUNETEENTH THINK TANK 2014_Page_2 copy

Kush Queen  for African Essence

Ancient Dreams & Tantric Wisdom… the show

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COME CHECK out the band, Intercourse the Collective, this FRIDAY, JUNE 13 AT LIL’ AFRICA AKA THE KITCHEN located at 6816 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44103.

INTERCOURSE THE COLLECTIVE

This show will feature myself and my wonderful playmates- vocalist: RaShimba WildBloom, Drummer: Ali Boyd, Keyboard Player: Egan Ammerman, and the Digital Griot: jAfterDark. We will be doing a special tribute to the late Rayshawn Armstrong who was a well-known Cleveland poet and community driven activist. Thank you to poet, Bianca Michelle and artist, Latoya Kent for their participation in this show. Peace and love! See you there.

shila iris aka Queen 

Spring Style Ideas

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Are you having trouble coming up with style combinations? Try these looks. Depending upon the weather, you may or may not need to add a jacket or more layers to keep warm.

Shila Iris for African Essence

Need something to read?

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Late Nights and Heavy Hearts – The Playlist

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1. Otis Redding: Try a Little Tenderness

“WHEN SHE GETS WEARY, TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS, I KNOW SHE’S WAITING, JUST ANTICIPATING, FOR THINGS THAT SHE WILL NEVER POSSESS. BUT WHILE SHE’S THERE WAITING, TRY JUST A LITTLE BIT OF TENDERNESS. THAT’S ALL YOU GOT TO DO. NOW IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT SENTIMENTAL, NO, NO, NO, BUT SHE HAS HER GRIEVES AND CARES. BUT THE SOFT WORDS, THEY ARE SPOKE SO GENTLE AND IT MAKES IT EASIER TO BEAR,,, YOUNG GIRLS, THEY DON’T FORGET IT.”

2. Max Roach Quartet featuring Abbey Lincoln: Freedom Day

RIGHT AT 2:34 MY HEART SCREAMED FOR THE STRINGS! I FOUND MY FREEDOM IN THIS WONDERFUL MELODY. “SLAVE NO LONGER, THIS IS FREEDOM DAY!”

3. Abbey Lincoln: Brother Where Are You?

AND BECAUSE ABBEY IS SUCH A GREAT STORYTELLER AND GRIOT, I JUST HAD TO HEAR ONE MORE BEFORE I WENT INTO MY SLUMBER. “IT SEEMS THERE ARE VERY FEW, WHO WILL ANSWER OUR BROTHER’S CALL. BROTHER WHERE ARE YOU, THEY TOLD ME THAT YOU CAME THIS WAY.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7eYsaJq108

4. Isley Brothers: Prelude to Harvest for the World

GROWING UP, MY MOTHER PLAYED THIS RECORD MANY MANY NIGHTS. SHE HAD A BEAUTIFUL AND SOULFUL VOICE. WHEN SHE SANG IT, I FELT EVERY WORD. TONIGHT I WAS THINKING OF HER, AND I HEARD HER SINGING THIS IN MY HEAD. “GATHER EVERY MAN. GATHER EVERY WOMAN. CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE YOUR LIVES! GIVE THANKS FOR YOUR CHILDREN. WHEN WILL THERE BE, A HARVEST FOR THE PEOPLE? WHEN WILL THERE BE, A HARVEST FOR THE WORLD?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjjO_a3gdzc

5. Sade: Feel No Pain (She is a beautiful woman and I love her music)

SO, I WAS THINKING OF MY FATHER AND BROTHERS AS WELL, AND THIS REMINDED OF THEM. “HELP THEM TO STRIVE, HELP THEM TO MOVE ON. HELP THEM TO HAVE SOME FUTURE, HELP THEM TO LIVE LONG. HELP THEM TO LIVE LIFE. HELP THEM TO SMILE. DON’T LET THEM STAY HOME AND LISTEN TO THE BLUES…       DON’T  LET THEM LOSE, WE GOTTA GIVE THEM A CHANCE. IT’S GONNA COME BACK ON EVERY ONE, IF YOU DON’T MAKE THEM DANCE. DON’T LET THEM STAY HOME AND LISTEN TO THE BLUES…    ONE DAY, WE’RE GOING TO WAKE UP.WITH GHETTOS ALL AROUND. ALL OVER, MY FRIEND. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A MAN BREAK DOWN?”

6. Michael Jackson: In the Closet

I WAS HAVING MIXED EMOTIONS, SO I HAD TO LEAVE OFF WITH THIS. THE UP AND DOWN ROLLER COASTER RIDE I N THIS SONG, RELAXES ME. THE SOFT FEMININE SPEAKING AND THEN THE SMOOTH RAUNCHINESS OF MICHAEL, I LOVE IT! CAUSE… “THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT YOU, BABY, THAT MAKES ME WANT TO GIVE IT TO YOU. JUST PROMISE ME THAT WHATEVER WE SAY OR DO TO ONE ANOTHER, FOR NOW, WE’LL MAKE A VOW TO, KEEP IT IN THE CLOSET!”

TOUCH ME THERE, MAKE THE MOVES, CAST THE SPELL.

Peace and Love,

Kush Queendom and Shila Iris, Saturday, May 17, 1:49 a.m.

African Fashion Trend of the Day 2014

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BE BEAUTIFUL IN YOUR OWN SKIN, CREATE YOUR OWN TRENDS

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Love this fit. I would add an ankh ring…

Ankh Ring

and these earrings (I have short hair)… 

EARRINGS

Shila Iris, May 13, 2014

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH – A Poem 4U

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I wrote this poem weeks ago, but I just got the opportunity to share it.

“Busy as a bee, I be, in constant rotation. Smiling out loud to the people in my face, I race, I learn to win. I keep going and going, drifting in the wind. Feeling the breeze as the branches on my trees, shake. Leaves fall to the ground. Children race to collect to the gifts from my pinata, my arms open wide. I embrace. I cry today, for the poet inside of them that wants to be free…”

In honor of National Poetry Month, I write. This is called… Poem Tectonics 2 copy

Click the image of the poem to enlarge.

POEM Tectonics copy

Test

Peace 4 Love,

Queen Duafe aka Shila Iris aka Kush Queen

Adinkra Symbols

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Shila Iris's avatarEarth & Ether

Adinkra symbols are of African origin and reflect a system of human values that are universal: family, integrity, tolerance, harmony, determination, & protection among many others...

I am Shila Iris and I come to you in the spirit of the African Adinkra symbol, duafe which represents beauty, cleanliness, & desirable feminine qualities. Embrace.

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National Poetry Month- Erykah Badu the Poet

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For National Poetry Month, I would like to honor Queen Erykah Badu who has been my favorite artist since the first time I saw her in 1998, running across the TV screen singing “On and On.” In the video she portrayed a maid which was based on the movie adaptation of The Color Purple written by Alice Walker. I found her to be mesmerizing then, and I still do. Here is a poem she performed on Def Poetry Jam:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEXu6UmRPZc

Pure hotness!

In addition to her wonderful poetry, earth-moving lyrics, and gracefully eclectic style, Erykah possesses a great deal of wisdom on life, making many people feel rewarded by her presence. She is on the May 2014 cover of Essence Magazine along with Ledisi and Solange. I can’t wait to read the article. Check out these beauties. Eseence Magazine 1Listen to her words on HAVING THE COURAGE TO BE BEAUTIFUL AND TO BE YOURSELF

This is what I am listening to today:

She also has one of the best albums of all time for me: Mama’s Gun

Check out the good reads:

Badusim

Queen shila iris for african essence