Friday Instagram Faves and NEW Vintage Finds

Happy Friday Everyone!
Just wanted to share a few of my favorite Instagram photos for this week which really all happened yesterday at music festival under the Brooklyn Bridge which celebrated the music and culture of Brazil:

You should definitely sign up for your local community events, especially with summer on its way. If you're in Brooklyn check out www.bricartsmedia.org

Also, I'm preparing a new line of designs inspired by vintage finds. I was blessed with some pieces from a friend who shops only vintage and being its only of each, I'll be up-cycling the pieces for a new look and flavor for order. Again, it's O.A.K. (one of a kind) so first come first serve, I'll choose a date when they'll be up for purchase, do definitely check in!

Have a great and blessed weekend,

Black History Month Love: Celebrating Bob Marley

"If you know your history, then you would know where yuh coming from?" -Bob Marley & the Wailers "Buffalo Soldier"

courtesy of  http://www.marleycoffee.com (I WANTED HIS HAIR!) lol

courtesy of  http://www.marleycoffee.com 

courtesy of  http://www.marleycoffee.com 

It's nearly three decades after the passing of Bob Marley, and his voice seems to be stronger than ever. My parents actually had us listening to music from Soca, Jazz, even Rock! However, one of my father's favorite genre's reggae just resonated in the house. I grew up listening to the likes of Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse to name a few. However, there was a strong connection to the music of Bob Marley. I remember my sister and I dancing n' singing the lyrics of  Bob Marley & the Wailers verbatim, pretending to be the I-Threes with mi mum right next to us! After my sister passed away, the music of Bob Marley seemed to soothe my heart n' soul with memories and I purchased every single CD, Poster, book, even went into my father's vault of records and took them with me! In the Caribbean, when we're close to an elder, we tend to give them the uncle or aunty title, so with that said, after listening to you since I was a baby, I'm sending you lots of LOVE & VIBRATIONS on your Earth Day Uncle Bob! 


Love n' Light, 
Shanti

"Could You Be Loved" - Bob Marley & the Wailers

Check out my earrings in Shop related to Music & Culture:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91001068/hand-printed-fabric-button-earrings

http://www.etsy.com/listing/87306304/aye-shanti-earring-greeting-cards

Black History Month Love: Esperanza Spalding "Black Gold"

For some reason, February 1st opened like a Lion! It's Black History Month and also early yesterday we learned of the passing of Soul Train's conductor, Don Cornelius "He was a Cultural Game Changer on a Global Level" - Al Sharpton R.I.P. Don Cornelius. 

Also, one of my favorite artist, Esperanza Spalding debuted her new video "Black Gold"

If you remember the talented afro'-rockin'-sista who received a Grammy for I believe, Best New Artist (literally had Beiber fans in an uproar, please tell dem sit down lol)! This video was a refreshing vibe of jazz, soul and just Brown Sugar vybes. The video featured a touching connection of a father teaching his sons BlackHistory in a book entitled "Black Gold". It brought tears to my eyes because it reminded me of my childhood with my parents and them teaching me not only Black History but CULTURAL HISTORY... THANK YOU ESPERANZA for blessing us with such a beautiful video!

(when you get a chance, look for the video or watch 106&Park and vote for her!)

Here take a listen: New Music: Esperanza Spalding – Black Gold | stupidDOPE.com

I’m not gonna sit around and waste my precious divine energy trying to explain and be ashamed of things you think are wrong with me.

  —Esperanza Spalding

© Johann Sauty from http://www.esperanzaspalding.com

Peace, Love, & Soul

Shanti

NEW in SHOP: CELEBRATING LOVE n' SOCA!!!

NEW on ETSY:

With Valentines & CARNIVAL approaching, I was so inspired to create a line of earrings that just expressed all my LOVES. If anyone knows me, besides my hubby, family, and friends, I am a  LOVER of SOCA with a passion for Color, Mas, Music, IRON, riddim oh gooosh! lol So, I decided to create  earrings that expresses just that. I present to you expressions of LOVE. Oh, and for a magical effect, check out one of my favorite Trinidad Carnival 2k12 chunes that I played all while creating these gems Nadia Batson's Intimate:

Check out www.mangopaperscissors.etsy.com

Add me on Twitter: AyeShanti

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ayeshanti

POP of COLOR in WINTER

Yes, I watch it's a "Brad, Brad World" on Bravo and I love when he mentions "POP of Color" because I'm a believer of adding color to everything, to my food, my journals and of course my jewelry. Now that it's winter, especially here on the east coast, it's all about chunky scarves, gloves and hats. Everything is over sized and the weather can be gloomy, so for days like this, I love to accessorize with pieces that just POP.
Here are some South African traditional beaded bracelets I wore yesterday to liven up my look! The first bracelet is actually my sister's from The Brooklyn African Street Festival circa 1990. There's that little piece of string I refuse to fix, embracing all the imperfections and wearn'tear that she once wore!So, while we wait for spring and summer days to come, accentuate your daily style with some color and culture! Choose any color off the rainbow, combine, mix, match... it's your life, treat it like a music video you would like to watch everyday!  

Blessings,
Shanti