Fly

I Love My Hair Card for Hallmark

I've been tweeting and chatting about this on the Fly FB fanpage but wanted to make sure I made a mention here.

Last year I was commissioned to illustrate an I Love My Hair Mother's Day card for Hallmark's Mahogany line, and last week the card finally hit stores. I've always been of the mind-set of keeping things to myself until they happen so I literally told about three people — which meant the excitement has been boiling up inside for the last six months.

I'm so very honored for this opportunity because:
1. who knew that a graduate thesis project would end up as inspiration for card product for the number one card retailer in the world?!
2. having worked at Hallmark (many years ago) I know how selective they are about choosing artists/illustrators to commission so the fact that they reached out for this opportunity blew me away, and
3. taking the writer's words and forming them into a 'fro of coils is a great way to celebrate natural hair!

I'm so happy with the final piece. I love how the message is highlighted in gold foil, and the heart shaped lips are in a fuschia foil. Then you open the card to a bright pop of color, a complimentary swirly type-face and some fun hand-lettered type for the main greeting "Happy Mother's Day." These were all decisions executed by the card designer.

If you'd like to support this collaboration you can purchase the cards at most Hallmark locations that sell the Mahogany line. The card is in the Mother's Day section under "sister." 

A Letter to the Girl(s) Moving to New York City

One of my homegirls is on her way to New York City as I type this post. She's about the same age as I was the first time I moved to New York, and her adventure reminded me of that exciting time — not only for myself but for the many young ladies who take that courageous leap.

Thinking about the opportunity, the thrill, and the challenges that come with such a move inspired me to write this letter to my friend and all the girls who want to move or is moving to the Big Apple.

Dear New York City Bound Girl(s),
First let me say congratulations on your decision to pack up all your belongings and make your way to a city that is bursting with energy and opportunity. Whether it was an easy or difficult decision I'm sure there are people around you who don't understand the desire to take on this adventure. They are the naysayers who think you are crazy, or even the people who love you and are just worried about your well-being — that alone can be easily discouraging. But you've overcome it because you are well on your way to find a way and I commend you.

Now, I just want to share a few things that I think might help you along your way. I'm no New York expert but after going and living there twice I have a few words of advice I would like to share; some things I learned on my own and others I wish someone told me before I went.

1. Keep a journal. I started my journal weeks before I left for the city and have kept one ever since. Having a daily ritual of writing was a great way for me to reflect and regroup. My journal was my refuge for the days that were challenging, and a record of my happy celebrations. You can write your thoughts, keep a blog, or Pinterest page; either way make sure you are documenting this exciting time.

2. Make a plan, and then don't follow it. What I mean is make sure you have some goals, some things you want to achieve while you are there. At the same time be flexible and open to what might come; you just never ever know what can happen. Make a plan that keeps you grounded and focused, but don't follow it so stringently that you're not having fun or are missing out on other goodness coming your way.

3. Surround yourself with kind and positive people. Let's be real, New York City is hard. It can beat you down before it builds you up. Most people there are also trying to make their own way, so don't get in their way or... With that it can feel overwhelming, and the last thing you want to do is be around people who bring you down.

I was very blessed when I was in New York because a few friends from college were also there. We struggled, partied, cried, and laughed together. Then I worked with some amazing people who helped make the transition easier.

Find your tribe. Ask friends of friends to introduce you to their friends, go to events and meet folks, join organizations that will put you in circles of like-minded people. This is a great starting place — then be sure to weed out the folks who aren't positively contributing to your life.

4. Find a job, any job immediately. Some of you are going to New York for a job but there are others, who like me, decided to wing it. Well it's not the easiest way but not impossible. Be open to working in retail or food service until you can find the best opportunity that suits you. Working in a coffee shop or neighborhood boutique is a great way to meet people and make connections, and it forces you to get out and hustle.

5. Discomfort is temporary. We hear the stories: you might share a place with four other roommates, have a studio without a kitchen, work day and night for pennies, get stuck on a train that goes express and you end up all the way uptown when you were just trying to make that audition in midtown. Yes it can be challenging but discomfort is temporary. If you are working hard, staying positive, and keeping your eyes on the prize then that discomfort will soon fade. A simple daily reminder, "I'm living my dream, I'm in New York City" will get you through.

6. Don't ever be afraid to leave. The city is fabulous, seductive, fun, amazing, and wonderful. But if you ever feel like you want to leave and find opportunities elsewhere or take a break don't be afraid to do so.

Although New York is always changing, the key things always stay the same: that energy, the opportunity to do big things, and that real estate is expensive. So if you decide to leave don't worry you won't miss much. Aside from new buildings, stores and restuarants it will all pretty much be the same if you decide to come back.

With all that said I am so excited for you. I know you will rock that town and do amazing things. Be kind to yourself, be safe, and remember to have fun. See the city as much as you can, walk, picnic in Central Park, get coffee with friends, exercise, and be happy.

Cheers to following your dreams!

What about you, are you making a big move soon? To New York or another major city? Did you make the move and now have any tips/advice you can share?

Fly on HGTV's Blog

Shout out to HGTV's Kayla Kitts for the awesome write up about Fly on HGTV's blog, Design Happens, for their Blogger of the Month feature. Yayy! I'm a huge HGTV fan so this is a wonderful treat and honor. Click here to check it out.

A Fly Event at Anthropologie

I am super excited to announce a Fly event I'm throwing for all of my D.C. area readers and friends. With the holidays upon us and the year coming to an end, I thought it would be fun to close out Fly's 5th anniversary year with a celebration at one of my favorite retail spaces...Anthropologie!

Everyone is invited to come out and celebrate five years of Fly. This is an opportunity for me to meet in-person the many Fly readers who have supported the site (and my many creative endeavors over the years) and also a lovely way for us to take a break from the holiday madness.

I am so grateful and honored that the new Anthropologie location in D.C. is co-hosting the event; allowing us to mix and mingle, while we sip and shop in beautifully inspiring space. If you haven't been to the new Anthropologie this is the perfect excuse to make a visit.

So let's get dressed up and ready for a fun evening of Fly!

Click this link to RSVP to the Fly event (you must RSVP).

To promote the event, I, along with the help of some amazingly talented friends, have put together a fun semi stop-motion video showing how I would rock items from Anthro's holiday collection. I will be posting some collages and photos from the shoot in the days leading up to the event, so keep checking back for more!

Click this link to RSVP to the Fly event.

Fly Five Thoughts From My Weekend

1. My weekend started at the Refinery 29 D.C. Launch Party at the Madewell store in Georgetown. That evening the space had exploded with extraordinary style, but despite all of the many fabulous ladies who were dripping with cool outfits the girls who really stood out to me were the ones smiling and who seemed to be having a really great time. I wished I had my camera to capture those ladies who were engaging, laughing and seemed comfortable in their own skin — no matter what they were rocking. With that event I was reminded that real style is effortless and about exuding personality and confidence. Cheers to all those wonderful ladies who expressed their individualistic style at the event.

2. At a #DC Residence pop-up shop and gallery opening I happily ran into a friend who I hadn't seen in a while. I was so excited to see her! After checking out the goods we left for some dessert and catch up time. I shared with her some ideas and things I'm working on and she was like, "Andrea, how can I help you?!" I really needed to hear that because I sometimes get caught up in trying to do everything myself.

I was brought up with the attitude that you should keep things to yourself until you know for sure they're going to happen. But lately I've been trying to do something a little different; I'm trying to be more open to sharing my ideas with others. In doing so I learned thatsharing with people who walk in a positive light can only send positive energy back my way.

3. I usually reserve my Sundays to do my hair and prepare my lectures and course assignments for the week, so I rarely hang out on that day. But this particular Sunday I was invited to a brunch with 6 other ladies and despite my weekly ritual I forced myself to go. And it was magical. I was soooo glad that I went. Brunch with such a lovely group of ladies reminded me that if there's an opportunity to meet wonderful people I should always try to make myself available.

4. Somehow, despite my out-and-about-ness over the weekend, I still managed to get a lot of work done. I also felt more rested and ended up having a great start to the week. So I reminded myself that sometimes you just have to make time for fun and that the work will get done.

5. This last thought was inspired by some great conversations I had throughout the weekend. Be encouraging. Whether you think an idea is crazy or not, when someone shares something with you, something they'd like to pursue or try, sometimes they just need to hear "go for it."

Of course you do not want to encourage an idea that could leave a friend or loved one injured, homeless or in trouble with the law, but oftentimes we don't have the capacity to understand why someone wants to eat jelly beans for a week, join a synchronized swimming team, or rock a hot pink jumpsuit. If that person wants to do it you just gotta sit back and say "I love you, and I think that's an awesome idea."

We can't impose our doubts and limitations on others. Just because we can't see what someone else might envision doesn't mean it's impossible. Just be open to listening and acknowledging the ideas that someone has to share.

These were all thoughts that came from my weekend. What about you, did you learn anything wonderful this weekend? Have an a-ha moment? Reminded of something fabulous? Do share.

Happy Halloween!

This year I was the fabulous artist Frida Kahlo for my Halloween costume. What about you? Did you dress up for any parties over the weekend, or will you be wearing a costume tonight? If so who or what will you be?

Photo by Jessica Bell

Thank You Steve Jobs

I interact with an Apple computer every single day, and have been doing so since 1998 when I first started taking courses in graphic design. But my relationship with Apple started decades earlier when the famous technology brand was called Macintosh and the logo was a rainbow-colored apple graphic. I was in elementary school playing Oregon Trail on that tiny screen, excited about typing on the keyboard and pushing that floppy disk into the disk drive.

In 2000 I got my very first Apple computer, a G4 to help me get through the final semesters of art school. Oh how I longed to have my own; gone were the days of working in the stale computer labs at school. One by one my classmates and I began purchasing our G4's — having our own at home was a badge of pride. We felt like we were officially graphic designers.

It wasn't only about convenience, having something cool, or being technologically-forward, it was about having the flexibility to be creative. Apple products allowed us to create our designs on easy to manage systems that also looked great. This is all because of the genius that is Steve Jobs.

On my way into work this morning I was listening to NPR and a former colleage of Steve Jobs said that all this man wanted to do was to create "tools to unleash human creativity" — and he did just that.

Along with revolutionizing the way we listen to music, and now how we read books and publications Steve Jobs changed the way we produce work. Whether it's music, film, fashion, animation or graphics, his vision made it easier for people, from our children to our grandparents to connect, communicate, and create. This is what design and innovation really means: helping each other to explore the various aspects of our lives.

With that said I am saddened by the passing of Steve Jobs, but I am extremely thankful for his contributions. His passion for innovation and design, and desire to give us the tools to explore our creative aspirations should be an inspiration to all. Rest in peace, Steve Jobs, and thank you.

Taking Time to Chill

About two weeks ago I forced myself to get away.

For me summer is not summer without a visit to the beach. When I was living in Philly my homegirl, Rahil, her son and I would do day trips to the Jersey shore where we would eat fresh fruit, hefty sandwiches and munch on chips with guacamole and pico. Our beach regime included chat and magazine breaks between our jaunts into the cool ocean.

When the sun would begin setting behind us, we would then pack our things and head home, stopping at our favorite little honor wagon on the way to pick up fresh veggies (and Jersey peaches) for dinner.

At the time, I was on summer break and Rahil was a stay-at-home mom so summertime for us was infused with leisure.

Back to reality! Since graduating I've been going non-stop so quick beach visits became few and far between. Up until two weeks ago I had not been to one sandy oasis all summer; and with the new school year upon me (Monday!) I was afraid it wasn't going to happen. Then I realized I just needed to go. Despite the fact that I had 3 syllabi to complete, a logo to design and a budget that did not necessarily permit a last minute drive up to Jersey (gas and tolls!!) I simply said screw it, I'm going. And I'm so glad I did.

I needed face-to-face girlfriend chat time and was so excited to hang with my little homie who calls me Auntie Dre. The sand was inviting and the ocean was refreshing. It was a short beach day but absolutely perfect. I really needed to take time to chill.

What about you? What do you do to relax? Where do you go for a quick little getaway?

Fly Q&A Session

Don't forget the Fly Q&A Wednesday August 17th at 8 pm EST, on the Fly Fan Page. Join me and other amazing Fly readers for a casual Q&A convo about the worlds of blogging, graphic design and art school. "Like" the Fly fan page for your access to the conversation.

Weekend Pics

Here are some pics my homegirl, Rahil, took during her weekend visit. She pulled out her camera to capture our fun as we wandered around looking for fleamarkets and such in D.C.

Yoooo! Fly's Back!

Hello beautiful, fabulous, fly people! It's been three wonderful weeks since my "taking a break" post and so much has happened in that short period of time.

Here's what I was up to during my time away:

• Started a workout regime. It only latest a week and a half.
• Drank a lot of tea (something I love doing!).
• Hung out with friends.
• Stared at the computer screen a lot. (Overwhelmed with the possibilities.)
• Cried. (Good cries.)
• Watched TV.
• Drank more tea.
• Read some of my neglected magazines.
• Stared at my inbox of unanswered emails and finally said, "I'm on break" and logged out.
• Made myself drink more water.
• Argued with a boy.
• Played Tetris on my Blackberry (I'm addicted).
• Stared at my computer screen some more.
• Drank more tea.
• Read The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra (awesome by the way).
• Went through my spring/summer wardrobe. Blah!
• An excuse for a little shopping. Yayy!
• Did a lot of journaling.
• Finally picked up my sketchbook  — once, to move it when I cleaned off my desk.
• Had drinks with my father and talked his ear off about love and relationships. (He loved this!)
• Talked my mother's ear off about love and relationships. (She told me to leave her alone. Ha!)
• Jotted notes and collected images for Fly.
• Bought Nicki Minaj's "Did it On 'Em" and Lil Wayne's "Right Above it" and played them both over and over.
• Wrote a loose/flexible five year plan.
• Started taking a Portuguese class, and finally got over the fact that I had to start at level one.
• Went to a nightclub where every girl rocked the same Kim Kardashian inspired look and realized that was totally not my scene. Had fun dancing though.
• Stopped drinking tea! (And then started again.)

When I took that time off I didn't expect much at all, just an opportunity to do whatever. I didn't expect any kind of enlightenment or profound revelations, but did in fact have both. I don't mean to sound like a self-help guru but I was able to clear my mind, re-energize and reconnect with my authentic self. With so much go, go, go and getting caught up in what I want to do for the future I was totally stripping myself of any opportunity to enjoy the here and now (AND enjoy the lovely people in my life).

So, in my mind I'm tusslin'
Back and forth ‘tween here and hustlin’
I don’t wanna time travel no mo
I wanna be here  — Erykah Badu "Window Seat"

Sing it Erykah! Yes, no more time-traveling for me, and you too, if you find yourself getting stuck always looking forward. Enjoy small everyday moments. They all come together to make a happy fruitful life.

I'm going to spend more time helping my mother in her garden, eating with friends who make me laugh, writing in my journal and drinking tea (and wine), offering to help a friend in need, donating to organizations I respect and admire, laughing with my students (they are too funny), and just smiling.

All that to say, I feel rejuvenated and so very excited to be back. I hope you enjoy all the new posts to come!

P.S. Thank you for all your beautiful warm words of inspiration and encouragement. I appreciate the love and support. Thank you so much!

Taking A Break...

Coincidentally as I was preparing to publish this "taking a break" post last night the internet went out and I haven't had access to the web until 4:45 pm today. Not being able to get online confirmed the following...

They say when you are looking at a piece of art you should get as close as you can to see all the details: the brush strokes in a painting, the layering of ink in a print, or the texture of wood or stone in a sculpture. You're supposed to get close to understand the process, feel the energy of the artist, connect with the work and somehow become a part of what you're observing.

But to really appreciate what you're seeing you have to step back and take it all in as a whole. Not only as an individual piece but how it fits with the other pieces and in the space around it: the gallery, the living room, or the outdoor environment where the artwork lives. This allows the viewer to interpret the art and it's place in the world. This process of getting in and then stepping back is also a great way for each of us to evaluate the many complexities of our lives.

This is what I'm doing at this very moment in my life as I assess my work as a graphic designer, as a teacher in design education, and as I contemplate the future of Fly.

For months I have been working non-stop, juggling between freelance gigs, teaching, working on Fly, and hopelessly trying to find time where I can create work just for the sake of creating. It's been a challenging balancing act. I love being busy, but the elements I love most about all of these amazing opportunities and working hard are also the very things that leave me exhausted.

With that said I'm taking a much needed step back to do some evaluating in various areas including Fly. After much thought I have decided to take a break from the site. I'm thinking a week or two, but I don't really know. So basically, I'll be back whenever I feel refreshed and ready to share new inspiration and valuable information.

I'm excited because it leaves room for me to really see the big picture, be creative and potentially generate new ideas. It breaks my heart to not have Fly updated over this period of time (drives me a little crazy actually) but it's more important to me to take this time to really think about what I want to share and how I want to connect with Fly readers.

So...I think I just made it sound a lot more dramatic than it really is, because Fly will be back soon!

As always thank you for your time and support, and for always sharing your comments and stories. I look forward to maintaining that connection. If you have any questions feel free to email me (flygirlblog[at]aol[dot]com). Please take this time to visit some of the older posts and see how far Fly has come (check out the categories here) and continue to submit for Fly Girl of the Week.

Take care and I'll see you soon!

P.S. I'm taking a break from Twitter and the Fly Fan Page as well but may update here and there. So please "follow" and "like" for updates on Fly's return.

A Thank You Message

  cards from Rifle Paper Co.

I want to take this time to say thank you. I'm always grateful for the time you share with Fly. I get tons of emails and comments with positive messages of support and I read every one of them with happiness and delight. I have to admit it's difficult to respond to all of the emails I receive but do know every message is appreciated. Every time you check your Fly reader, send a tweet, share a link on Facebook or refer a friend to Fly it is all very much appreciated.

I really do love sharing what I learn and find. I love working on Fly because there are so many amazingly talented people out there who deserve to shine and don't always have the platform to do so. Fly is that platform for new talent, discovery and fun treasures. Sharing all this gives me so much joy.

You all inspire me! When I don't feel as creative I'll revisit posts featuring the amazing artists I admire; the advice from the Fly Girls of the Week ignite me when I'm having a rough week; and it never ever fails, when I'm ready to step back and take some time away from Fly (that does happen every now and then) I ALWAYS get a sweet message from someone saying "thank you."

So in honor of this Thanksgiving holiday I'm sending out a big thanks to you amazing readers, and another big thank you to all my fabulous sponsors (be sure to support them, too). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. And for those who don't celebrate, have a great rest of your week and a lovely weekend. I'll see you next Monday!

Baltimore Farmers' Market & Bazaar

Although I live in Maryland I rarely ever go to Baltimore (I live a lot closer to D.C.), so most of my social activities happen in the nation's capital. But this weekend I wanted to try something different. On Sunday I ventured up to Baltimore for a little romp through the Farmers' Market & Bazaar, which happens every Sunday (between May and December) under the Jones Falls Expressway. Boy what a treat!


There were tons of vendors selling fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, pickles, sweets, jewelry, bags, art — you name it. There was even a young woman selling her fun vintage finds on a cute white bus — loved that concept.

The market colors were beautiful, especially with the fruits of fall (apples and squash), but it was also nice to see pretty palettes happen in unexpected places like in these hula hoops.

It was a fab way to start a Sunday morning before heading off to the Baltimore Museum of Art for the Andy Warhol exhibit. Hope you had a lovely weekend, too.

To see some edited photos from the market check out Fly on Facebook here.

Fly Question of the Week

Because I had so much fun answering the questions for my Fly 10 Questions feature and because I received way more than 10 great inquiries I'm going to try answering one a week. Here's the first one.

If you could be reincarnated as delicious dessert, what would it be?
A wonderful Brazilian treat called quindim. It's a custard-like dessert made with eggs, butter and coconut; it's so delicious and so cute.

Quindim is pretty easy to make but can be disastrous if a very important step is left out. You have to make sure you pass the egg yolk through a sieve. Apparently if you skip this step somehow the quindim ends up smelling and tasting like rotten eggs. Done right, though, quindim becomes the perfect little sweet treat. See the recipe here, and a cute little video on how to make Quindim here.