Sheek Magazine

Category: Me

Fall Forward

We’re back to my favorite season! A change from the past few years is I’m out and about more (required unfortunately.) But the positive means I get to have fun with dressing again!

In previous posts I separated my wish list from my styling post but I thought I’d combine them this go around. I kept a running list all year and was able to find some things over the Spring & Summer instead of waiting until Fall began. Here’s what I added to my wardrobe this season and some thoughts on why as well. 

WISHLIST ITEMS

Camel Pocket Bag Blazer (69) $350

I got this in black last year and LOVE it, especially for travel. The giant pockets hold entire worlds, the denim is great for multiple seasons, and the cut is very wide and comfortable. I wanted to get this additional color for a lighter neutral option which I know will mix and match with so much.

 

Red Hoodie (Everybody.World) $120

I realized one rainy Summer day I didn’t have a hooded sweatshirt anymore. This is mainly because I don’t really consider them my style and once old ones no longer fit I got rid of them and didn’t replace them. The closest I have is a lounge robe made of stretchy jersey cotton. Well I saw this bright red beauty from a new-to-me brand and added it to the list. 100% cotton, a boxy fit with room in the chest, and my fav color? This will surely last me some years.  

 

Oversized White button ups (Nordstrom) $50 & $46

Found both of these in the anniversary sale. I was looking to replace one I thrifted awhile back that is more fitted and is made of a brushed cotton/flannel fabric. It also only has 1 chest pocket which I have never liked the look of. One of these has no pockets, and the other has two, which are both my preferenceover just one.

 

Loose Jeans (Re/Done via Nordstrom Rack) $50

These fit amazingly well in my waist, tummy, and legs and I’m still surprised by it. They were also an incredible deal at over 80% off retail at Nordstrom Rack. 

 

Cream Loafers (Alohas) $123, on sale

I’ve wanted some loafers for some years now, but not in the standard black. Looked a bit for a chunky style in this lighter hue and found these. I’ve heard positive reviews about the brand being comfortable, which is a must for any shoes I buy now.

 

Abstract Shape Tote (Primecut Bags) $348

Fell in love with this as soon as they released it over the summer. I’d been on the lookout for a new work bag and this one is the perfect combo of fun & me.

 


STILL SAVING FOR

Striped Sweater $236

 

Check back later to see how I’m styling them!

Sights from Summer

No crushed coils here, only sun protection and a fun print that matches my wardrobe!

 

Baby’s first pair of (bought) skates!

 

Nothing shows the tan off better than neon.

 

Summer essentials.

 

Been wearing these squishy slides as house shoes all season, the comfort can’t be beat!

 

 

Silver Jewelry

Originally made this post in March 2021, but since then things have changed! I’m still rocking silver, just leaning into a few sterling favorites for day-to-day wear. Some are coated brass, but they have that same warm tone sterling has so they go really well together.

NECKLACES

1st chain – Lady Grey | 2nd Chain – local art fair | 3rd chain – Wolf Circus Jewelry | Power Fist & Africa pendants from Solid Treasures | Eye pendant from Etsy

Love the look of stacking necklaces now!

 

EARRINGS


Stacks from Etsy | small cuff from Wolf Circus Jewelry | Large triple abstract circles & circle/oval ones from local vintage shop |
Triple cuffs from Lady Grey | Afro picks & Africa outline from Amazulu

 

Of all the items pictured above, these are my most favorite pieces that I reach for again and again.

 

I don’t wear rings or bracelets, but do enjoy a nice anklet in the Summer. These are the latest additions (from Jenny Bird) which look great layered together on one or on each ankle separately. They have a great shine and really pop on the tan!  

Room Tour

Here are some views of my office/style room! There are still a few things I’d like to adjust (more photography prints, a hook for my camera, and decide what to put in that chevron basket haha.) The rack will change seasonally and/or when I want to try a different theme. Otherwise, most everything is set. Hope you’re inspired!

 

 

ITEMS:

Copper rack – Etsy

Copper hangars – At Home

White wall shelves, frames, small cabinets – Ikea

Chair – Wayfair

Bamboo floor protector mat – Office Depot

Grey cart, desk, lamp – Target

Rose gold drum table – Goodwill

Mirror, rug – hand-me-downs from mom

Winter Style

This will be a Winter of practicality because I’ll only be going out for necessities like groceries and the like. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have fun with layers! My base look remains consistent throughout winter; varying turtlenecks and jeans.

New color palette to try:

Primary: Red + Yellow + Blue

Outfit formulas-

Faces coat + white boots

White puffer coat + blue beanie + yellow scarf + rorange gloves + white boots

Camel coat + camel & abstract shape scarf + rorange beanie + cream gloves + black boots

Rorange coat + cream beanie + black gloves + black boots

 

Until next time, stay Sheek!

-Shekinah

Hair Changes

These past ten years of being natural have been a learning experience. Not only in how to do my hair, but what my hair means to me. As I grow older, I’ve made deliberate choices about it that challenge societal notions of “beauty” for cis women. Here are a few of those changes listed below.

COLOR

For the longest, I had colors in the red family. Dark auburn, ginger, cinnamon, then eventually an ombre blonde on the ends. Loved that color for it really matched my freckles and somehow looked more “natural” on me than my black hair. 

I still feel like my natural hair color washes me out. My face is about 4 shades paler than the rest of my body and that difference has always been something I disliked. Black hair seemed to draw attention to that, but I’m contemplating just accepting it to stop with the bleach damage. Hopefully my freckles will darken with time like my mom’s have.

For the past year or so, I’ve been trying to get silver hair. I’ve wanted it since 2015, but was worried that the amount of bleaching to get there would be too damaging (basically something I’ve realized lately.) It’s such a great neutral color and I can’t get over how amazing it looks with my favorite red. So many women have been pressured to hide all signs of aging and have covered their natural greys with dye. It’s great to see more embracing the grey (like my mom and Mate’s mom!) I’ve had some white hairs mixed in since childhood but I can’t wait till they take over!

To try and lay off the bleach, I’ve found a new product. It’s a temporary silver hair wax that has amazing results on all types of natural hair. So I’m thinking I can just add that in each week when I style, and focus on building back my hair’s health.

LENGTH

I cut my hair recently which would make this big chop number 4. There was some damage and I also wanted to try a tapered shape. I used to have a goal of “long” hair like many naturalistas but I’ve switched my goal to be “big hair” with an emphasis on healthy coils. The cut means it’ll take more time to achieve, but the ease of short hair is undeniable! 

Unfortunately, countless women have been told to never cut their hair, it makes them beautiful, it’s their “glory” etc etc. I never thought this dead protein on my head should be exalted as such, I see it as another way to express myself. But damaged, stringy ends were not an asset to my coiled coif, so a cut was in order. 

STYLE

When I first went natural, I tried all the hairstyles. Twists, roller sets, protective styles, you name it! (You can still watch the tutorials on my Youtube.) I never had a weave and only wore wigs for cosplay, but that opens up even more possibilities for people who enjoy them!

I love natural hair, the variety we can achieve, reclaiming a part of ourselves that was hated due to white supremacy. And though there’s been a lot more acceptance of natural hair in the past decade, there are still issues of appropriation from white people, Black individuals being reprimanded at school & work, and an overall lack of representation of kinkier styles being considered just as “beautiful” as loose curly ones. 

Of all the styles I’ve tried, the fro is my ultimate favorite. No matter the color, no matter the length, this is the style for me. I especially enjoy trimming and playing with different shapes. My fro also helps me feel closer to my parents who had them in the 70s. One day I just want a big ass fro that can help me knock injustice out!

Until next time, stay Sheek!

-Shekinah

Black Bags

I’ve loved the classic look of black leather bags for so many years now. I thought it’d be fun to show the various ones I have with a description of how I use each.

Medium Camera Bag

This was a hand-me-down from my dad and has held up so well over the years. I’d use this for a shoot that needs a bit more gear (like flash or another lens.)

Laptop Bag

This was a secondhand find from a local consignment store. It is the perfect size for if I needed to bring my MacBook pro anywhere and could fit my small portfolio book and resumes.

Camera Purse

This was one of my first intentional, ethical purchases years ago from Ona. It is my go to for headshot/portrait sessions when I only need my camera and 2 lenses. 

Mini Circle Purse

The smallest of the bunch, this was my last purchase from Fossil when I worked there many years ago. When I only need a few items, I use this.

Halfmoon Bag

My most recent buy from the wonderful Tree Fairfax. This would be great for hands free activities like the farmer’s market or travel and can fit a nice amount in it as long as the items are flatter.

Until next time, stay Sheek!

-Shekinah

Fall Style

Every year when August rolls around, I inevitably swoon for the thought of cooler days and layers. The thoughts are premature of course, for it remains pretty hot through September so Fall styling must always wait. But once that briskness arrives? I go all in!

New color palette to try:

Cream + Rorange + Camel + Black

Outfit formulas-

Tee + jeans + fun socks + derbys

Boxy black top + black pants + red socks & black boots OR red boots

Boxy black top + camel pants + cream mules or boots

Cream/black quilted jacket + cream tee + camel pants + red socks + black chelseas

Dark denim jacket + striped tee + camel pants + black boots

Camel jacket + cream tee + washed black jeans + red boots or rorange mary janes

Red denim jacket + cream tee + dark jeans + black with red boots

Until next time, stay Sheek!

-Shekinah

Work Bag

I’ve been partial to vintage Coach bags for years now, and have been able to find them secondhand in stores and online. This most recent find is something I had on my poshmark wishlist for about a year before buying. Since it was in new condition, the seller had it listed at its full price so I knew it would be quite a big purchase. It is so well made, my favorite color, and I know it will last for many many years.

Here’s a peek of what’s inside:

-ipad pro

-Charger/cords

-Business cards

-Small notebook & pen

Until next time, stay Sheek!

-Shekinah

Silver Hair

I finally achieved silver hair!

I had attempted this before in December of last year then again in January of this year. Only the ends of my hair were light enough for the silver to take. Over the past several months, I’ve been bleaching (and consequently trimming/applying protein treatments) to get my hair to a light enough yellow.

I actually was going to stick with blonde for awhile, but this last time I bleached the roots and decided to try silver again.

After lightening, there was still quite a bit of brassiness so I applied the Fanola no yellow shampoo and left it on for a bit. The ends took as usual but the upper area was still stubbornly honey colored. I had some left over Manic Panic “alien grey” from before so I put that on the still brassy roots.

I rinsed and it helped a lot. The next day, there were still a few blonde places, so I put the Fanola no yellow conditioner on with a plastic cap for a few hours. That helped blend some more, though it left a lilac cast.

Next wash, I shampooed to get the excess purple out and dried it to apply one more batch of “alien grey” on any remaining patchiness. After rinsing again, I was so pleased with the results.

Lastly, I ordered the Overtone silver conditioner line to maintain. Having all three shades will allow me to mix and distribute differently on particular places on my hair. 

All-in-all, I’m glad I was able to make this color possible. It’s fun yet still a neutral hue that matches with all my outfits. And I can refresh it with color depositing conditioner, so no more risk of damage on these weary ends!

Keeping these in mind helped me through the process:

1) Patience

2) Multiple Bleaching Sessions

3) Not afraid of trimming/cutting damaged ends

4) Protein Treatments + Deep Conditioning

5) Purple/Silver Toning Products  

Until next time, stay Sheek!

-Shekinah