baby imma star....

"I dont wanna stop until I reach the top...."

Oh that song brings back so many memories....my days as a dancer with MSD. Ahhh i miss my dancing days....

Enough reminiscing, I want this....
It's star necklace reminding of my favorite video game, Super Mario Bros. I peeped this necklace at Fly, my favorite art/design blogs to visit. This necklace and many other accessories can purchased at Mock Couture.

♥ A.Erika ♥

summer plans updates [2]

So here are some of the pictures I have been promising. [My camera finally came and I LOVE it!] These are the official 2009 NSBE/SHPE Career Fair brochures that were sent to corporate companies. Designed by yours truly. Comments, suggestions, opinions are encouraged and valued.

♥ A.Erika ♥

a little humor for the day....

I saw this via NecoleBitchie.com, one of my new favorite blogs. It starts off as a normal wedding dance but turns into a little show. It's too cute. I love seeing black couples in love. Enjoy!!



♥ A.Erika ♥

summer plans updates [1]

So its been awhile since I've posted but all is well. Just wanted to give an update on my summer plans.

1. Roadtrip: I haven't done too much traveling since I have been working alot. I have been to NYC quite a bit. I kinda wanna go one more time before I go on my biggest roadtrip of the summer....JAMAICA. Yep and I'm sooooo excited because I haven't been in like 10 years.

2. Leisure Reading: Finally finished Steve Harvey's book. He's so on point with everything and it gets A.Erika's stamp of approval. I'm currently reading: Get Yours! The Girlfriends' Guide to Having Everything You Ever Dreamed of and More. It's written by one of my career inspiration, Ms. Amy Dubois Barnett. She's pretty darn amazing, becoming the first African-American woman to be editor of major mainstream magazine.

3. Assembling my portfolio: I finished my resume and Career Fair brochures. Now I'm working on a newspaper ad and revisions for an autism campaign poster series. Pictures coming soon....since my NEW camera is coming this week. :-)

4. Photoshoot: Scheduling it for next week. Should be a good time. I still need to create a theme/ schedule for it so it can be organized.

5. Blogging: I am definitely slacking on that...3 weeks ago I had my last posting. But I'm back...I promise

Other random plans I didn't mention:

- Working out: I have a steady workout regimen. I have lost about 8 lbs, down to size 6 [dress size], AND can run a mile in 10 miles. I am sticking with it even when I feel discouraged and I'm liking the result.

- Learning about myself: I am always trying to improve my core. This summer I've realized that I do not anybody in order for me to be happy. I thought I would my life would be different with me ending my friendship with my so-called best friend. It is different, in that, I am able to enjoy being by myself and get to know so many people. I am much happier without her being my friend. My mom called it, knowing we wouldn't be friends for a long time and I didn't even believe her but she was right.

Its been a pretty productive summer thus far. I cant believe I have about 3 weeks before everything starts. I am definitely enjoying this summer and looking forward to what happens the next couple weeks.

my final ode to mj

I find it quite interesting when people say u, other people, the media, etc are making a deal about MJ's passing. Comparing it to other deaths saying how the public's reaction isn't the same other influential musical icons such Sinatra, Elvis, John Lennon, etc. First of all, this man is probably the best entertainer of all time. So I think the attention from the media, which hasn't always been good, is just for somebody of his magnitude. He is nowhere near Jesus but he was damn good at his craft.
Second of all, to address the displeasure of people's FB status updates/tweets on MJ's passing. Most of those musical icons died when Facebook, Twitter, and all the other social networking sites were nonexistent. So who's to say that if these sites were available, the public outcry would've been the same.

Again I say rest in peace, MJ.

aesthetically pleasing [1]

I love all aspects of arts....dance, music, visual arts, etc. Kinda why I'm a senior design student. LOL. I am starting a segment displaying art/ visually appealing pieces called Aesthetically Pleasing. So I found a couple pieces that are aesthetically pleasing.

First is artwork by Dawn Okoro, a 2002 graduate of University of Texas at Austin [GO LONGHORNS! :-D] and a recent graduate of Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

I really like this one! Every woman knows having at least ONE of these bags is important in their wardrobe.This next piece is kinda Harlem Renaissance-esque. With the jazz age and the speakeasies. Gracious....I love that period!


To view more of her work, visit www.dawnokoro.com

Second is the animation of post done by a design student. It is pretty cool....animation isnt my thing. Just sticking to graphic design.

♥ A.Erika ♥

life is not promised...

This weekend was an enlightening one for me! I drove down to the city to see my mom visiting from Atlanta. As I'm waiting for to come, I check Ubertwitter seeing that the King of Pop, Mr. Michael Jackson, was not doing well. I didnt really think anything of it cuz I figured he would get better. Then one of good friends called me and told me he was dead. I was shocked....eventually the news was confirmed and Michael Jackson had passed at age 50. I think I'm in a state of shock...thinking that this is a publicity stunt but after seeing the gurney covered with the white sheet, the reality began to set in. It disturbed me so much that some of the media were focusing on all the negativity and not highlighting his INTERNATIONAL success. Probably the most acclaimed musical artist of this generation. Some people probably envy his success but when I actually think about it, he gave his personal life to the WORLD. He could not go out in public without paparazzi following him or fans asking for pictures, autographs, etc. I commend him for being so humble...some of these newer artists need to take a page out of his book because some will never receive the praise or success Michael did. So to Mr. King of Pop. Rest In Peace. Thank you for being so selfless, giving us classic after classic. Breaking color barriers and allowing the world to accept African-American musical artists. And for that, I am grateful. I hope you have found peace.

I also had to deal with my aunt in rehab. She's doing really well...I am proud of the progress she is making. We actually got her a day pass and took her out. It was fun, just like old times before she got sick. It was just hard seeing my aunt like that cuz shes always on the move. I also saw my uncle who had knee surgery. He looks GREAT!! 30 pounds in 6 weeks! I was like uncle you have lost weight...he doesnt look sickly though...it fits him.

Seeing all this made me realize that life is not a guarantee so cherish it. Take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way and embrace them because you never know where they will lead. I been kinda timid of all these responsibilities but I have to step up to the plate especially if I want to change and progress. So I'm "starting with [wo]man in the mirror...if I wanna make the world a better place, taking a look at myself and making a change..."

♥ A.Erika ♥