Monday is here....As if this ever changes.

Monday creeps up so quietly with this looming dread - at least it has for me lately. I've been working on finding ways to inspire myself amidst the mundane work and hustle that's been my Monday over the last few months. Even if that something is to get me out of my comfort zone. And Lord have I been out of my comfort zone. The reality is, I'm always searching for the good, for the beautiful. I'm consistently looking for people who are living their lives and making a difference in a way I hope and believe is possible - it's just they've manifested it or are in process of manifesting it. We all need to keep a reserve of the people and things that inspire us. This series is a documentation of mine.

Carrie Mae Weems

I've been a fangirl of Weems for some time now. It's the way she photographs herself and stares into the camera. A kind of daring and courage. This is from the Kitchen series. She's unapologetic and I'm here for it. Most recently, she's won the MacArthur "Genius" Award in 2013 and won the National Artist Award this year. She has a body of work spanning over 40 years. Here are a couple of great interviews with BOMB Magazine and Corbis.

Handmade Habitat Candles

I love the "Soothe the Soul" Candle. I bought it here while perusing another beloved shop and have been a fan ever since. They currently have a pop up shop here in the city! I still need to visit and cannot wait!!

The Art of Organized Noize - A Documentary

I sat back trying to relax last weekend and watched this and it brought back some amazing memories of ATL. All I can say is it's a good history lesson in southern hip hop with life lessons sprinkled in. You've gotta see how they were hustling out these beats and lyrics in the Dungeon. The interview with Fab 5 Freddy particularly warms my heart. You can watch the trailer HERE. Good way to get your Netflix and chill on.

Mama's Gun

I've been listening to music in a different way lately. I've been looking for answers and healing, for inspiration and for a road map. Music always loves me back in this way. Listening to it to bring me across the bridge. When this album came out in 2000 I'm not sure what the hell I was doing that I didn't listen to these other songs. Maybe I wasn't there spiritually yet to pay attention when Mama's Gun came out or my ears weren't ready. I've been listening to this album interspersed with a few other albums on a single playlist over and over again and it's been gathering me.

Personal faves from this album: Orange Moon and Green Eyes

Loza Maleombho

This Ivorian beauty's designs found their way to Bey's Formation video. I mean - can we be the same after the video? Of course not. I love how candid she is and visuals of her shop, her shopping for fabrics. Pay attention to the amount she began her business with - it's a good lesson that sometimes we need less than we think we do. Where there's a will there's a way.

Well, these are a few of the things I've seen that've gotten me through over the last few months. I have so many little things that all add up to get to the next day or the next moment. I can't stress enough that we need those things to carry us through. I used to hold so much of the good in - but there's no need. I still may keep a few secrets because we all need and have them right? But for the most part, we also need to know we're not alone in needing inspiration and beauty. Even if it's just good, entirely too expensive gelato or a wonderful bargain bottle of wine.... tacos. Notice how food is always a part of this? I'll have to post a few eats next week.

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May your week be filled with the renewal of Spirit spring brings, with love, with courage and with the stamina to accomplish your most important tasks.

With Love,

Rae