Children Dress designed by Chermia Amour

Real Recognize REAL

 

"Funeral Procession" Oil Painting by Ellis Wilson 1950's

WHERE HAVE YOU SEEN THESE FAMOUS PAINTINGS???

"Sugar Shack" by Ernie Barnes 1974.

Men Fashion: You be the Judge

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Straight men should be able to be fly and fashionable, but when does it cross the line...? I understand the metro brothers who love fashion as much as us women, who want to be trendy and stylish. Yet, there is a fine line as to pushing the envelope for straight men particularly. Honestly, fellas needed to upgrade their fashion sense outside of the baggy jeans and oversized white t-shirt movement to a more fitted and tailored look. Some men styles and cuts are too feminine for me, but

YOU BE THE JUDGE...???

Lets take a look at Men's fashion today and you tell me what u think. Please men and women share your comments. Rate these 10 STYLES, IF IT'S A "How U Doin???" situation say "SHOT" and if it's just right simply say, "WILL DO"...I want to know how you feel!!!

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Food for Thought: Poeticism

Conquer

To Love is to Live
Live beyond limits,without a safezone
Without fears, leaving behind your past
Letting go, aiming to approach what's next in life
What's new to give of yourself, to sacrifice is to love
Leaning on trust, learning by falling
Exploring it's depths, to the core of it's root
Only to find that it first originated in you
Defining your every move, the reason why u choose
For the good, for the better, for the truth, for the pleasure
Have faith in it's endeavors, follow your heart
What is worth waiting for, is worth fighting for
If He loves you he will understand your fate
Go to the moon for you, compromise for you 
there's nothing to great,
That is Love,
To Live is to LoveBy CHERMIA LAKESHA

Perminator- Should U or Should'nt You...???




It's been more than 2 years since I rid myself of all chemicals, perms, or relaxers. My hair has regained it's momentum and recovered from the years of processing. I can't deny that with the proper care, a perm can be more beneficial to manage and tame the nest on our heads, but if your strong enough to maintain your natural hair it's all worth it.

AFTER: Without a Perm

GOOD VS. BAD

• Perms are great for smoothing out my edges and easier to maintain my hair to be bone straight.
• With a Perm I can style my hair and it lasts much longer.
• I don't have to worry about my hair in the humidity of the Summer when it's permed.

 My Perm Sistah

(I tried to convert her over to the naturah, but as you can see her hair is just as beautiful and healthy

with a perm)

• With a Perm, my hair just would NOT grow, all of my friends can vouched that I had my bowl cut for yearssssssssss...lol 
• Without a Perm, my hair is so full and bouncey.
• My natural hair has returned and without a Perm my hair has grown passed shoulder length...woopwoop not to mention I've broken a few hair combssssssss:(

My Natural Sistahs







After



It's totally up to you, and what you choose to do with your own hair. Rather you decide to perm it, weave it, or leave it, just embrace it because it's not your hair that makes you, it's really about who you are on the inside that matters the most.

Please feel free to drop a comment, ask a question, or even email me a pic of your hair...:)



Lesson Learned: Don't Miss Your Blessing

It's AMAZING how life is filled with many many lessons. I really feel like with everything theres meaning and if it's not for us to know now at this very moment, than maybe it's for someone else to learn and understand later. God says in Proverbs 5: 1-2,

"My son, to my wisdom O do pay attention. To my discernment incline your ears, so as to guard your thinking abilities; and may your own lips safeguard knowledge itself."

I caught this episode on Oprah and I felt compelled to share my thoughts on the lesson I learned. Here's a photo of Oprah Winfrey and book author, Iyanla Vanzant. Just in case you missed this special episode, I will fill you in on what happened. You see, Iyanla was an up incoming book author, who bluntly knew how to address readers with heated topics on relationships. She knew just how to dish it and Oprah gave her the arena to do just that. Iyanla literally did a 360 transition from food stamps to a million dollar paycheck when she signed on to Harpo productions. She was well on her way to stardom and Oprah was committed to preparing the way.

THE BLESSING: Iyanla and Dr. Phil came in together working on the show. Oprah was impressed by the both of them and she was even working towards giving Iyanla her own show. Oprah would even sit in the audience and allow Iyanla to lead her show. However, this was before Harpo had even produced other shows, so it was a learning experience for everyone.

THE CURSE: Yet the people in POWER, who was outside of the Oprah Winfrey show recognized the same blessings that was coming towards Iyanla and they wanted to CAPITALIZE on her newly developed success. Iyanla received a phone call to fly to NY and have dinner with these powerful executives. They wanted to give Iyanla her own show immediately, but she declined to leaving Harpo. She returned back to Chicago wondering if she had made the right choice.

 Should she wait on Oprah to move her into her own show or should she go along with her own show with the powerful executives...??? 

After spending much time pondering, Iyanla said she went on a 7 day fast. It was in that very moment that she said God had spoken to her. She decided to have a meeting with Oprah to ask for her show and she also mentioned that the other network wanted to offer her a show now. Yet, Oprah wasn't prepared to give Iyanla a show at this very moment. However, Oprah distinctively remember Iyanla saying that God said that this opportunity was her ANOINTED time to move forward. So with that being said Oprah said she couldn't get in the way of GOD'S plan.

Are you sure the voice you heard was really God Speaking to you...???

THE LESSON:
I am a believer that God can speak to us and through us, but sometimes I feel like we allow our own wants and needs to get in the way. We disconnect from the meaning of his word and try to apply it to what we want it to be. Iyanla is just like you or me, Human, we make mistakes and sometimes we get in our own way. She wanted her own show and she was ready, but she wasn't fully ready nor prepared for what was all instored. Oprah had Iyanla's best intentions and really believed in her vision.
Dr. Phil and Iyanla came in together, making their start from the bottom to the top. I hope that in life we can apply this lesson and understand that everyone is not out to get you or hold you back, God will put you in places to go further. It is in him that you seek his wisdom and he will reveal to you the snakes in the grass. After Iyanla lost her place with Oprah, she took that other offer up and established her very own show. It was a disaster, there was no vision behind it, they only seen MONEY and POWER. The curse was in the offer and greed of them conspiring to steal Oprah's blessing and Iyanla's success. In this world you will get screwed and betrayed, ut that's why the bible is there. To prepare the way for us, and it's on us to lean on God by applying these biblical scriptures into our lives as we live day to day.

Everyday that I move forward with just one step closer to my dreams, I always remind myself of this scripture, Romans 12: 1-2,"And do not be conformed by the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." I hope that this has inspired you in some form or shape. Please share your experiences and don't hesitate to leave your comments.



Fashion CONSULTING

(It's time to pull out my sketch pad and hit the street markets)

Im in the mood to design and create,but not just ANYTHING.

I want your ideas on what's HOT for the SUMMER. I have some crazyyyyyyyyyyy ideas too. However, it's important that I hear from you first and foremost.

Let's do some fashion consulting together:

• WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER COLOR...?
• WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE STATEMENT FASHION PEICE...?
• DO YOU SHOP FOR ONE OF A KIND PEICES OR DO YOU STICK WITH THE TREND...?

Do NOT hesitate, please leave a comment!

"Baltimore's 2011 Vagina Monologues Show was SUPERB"

It was my pleasure to be apart of such an insightful and specticular show that brought awareness to the struggles and abuse that women often face! Through the performance of Vagina Monologues, which is written by Eve Ensler, each cast member portrays a character that shares their experiences and struggles of womanhood. Rather it be good or bad, devastating or remarkable each of their stories serves a greater purpose to connect with their audience. In a positive aspect these stories all relate to you or someone you know. 

Briell McCoy performing, "The Flood."

Elizabeth Godsey performing, "Reclaiming CUNT."

Alicia Hynsen performing, "The Vagina Workshop."

 

Me performing, "Because He Like to Look At It."

Morgan Reed performing, "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy."

Danita Tombs performing "My Vagina Was My Village."

SOOOOOO, TELL ME IF YOUR VAGINA COULD SPEAK WHAT WOULD IT SAY...? PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS

                                         (Go ahead, take sometime reflect on this topic that is often brushed under the rug)

It takes hardwork and dedication to produce such an intimate and candid show. Yet, Brielle McCoy, who produced the show, made it all possible for Baltimorians to take it all in. On March 12, 2011 nearly 200 women and men packed the Eubie Blake Center filling every seat and some even stood up the entire 2 hour show to support Vagina Monologues.Hosted by Baltimore's popular 92Q radio disc jockey, Ladawn Black set the mood and tone for the night. At 8:00 pm promptly 6 cast members, including myself,  took the stage performing individual monologues giving the audience something to talk about!

 I just want to give a huge shoutout to all of my cast members Morgan Reed, Danita Tombs, Alicia Henson, and Elizabeth Godsey who all did an exceptional job. Baltimore has so much more to offer besides the rise of crime and violence. We have to take time to celebrate the Good outside of the bad. I look forward to rebuilding my community in Baltimore and I can't wait to share the much sucessful projects that are sure to come!!!

Please visit at twentyonephotography.smugmug.com for more photos and contact info of the genius behind the lens.