The Benjamins

I met Stephanie

who wanted to gift her family with a photo-shoot

"we haven't shot as a family in over 30 years!"

The Benjamins

minutes into the shoot

and their genuine love and support for each other was clear

their energy

it's contagious

they compliment each other perfectly

'we've been married for almost 40 years. . . '

'what's the secret?'

'it's not all peaches but you've just got to put in the work

and remember the love'

. . . 

'so were you the over protective big brother?'

'always. . . and still am'

'really we just love spending time together

even if its just hanging out and chatting in the kitchen'

'we love outdoor activities like fishing

and dad's a real Harley guy'

. . . 

the sweetest family

had a blast meeting them

check out the full story on my site

. . . 

alive

current mood

. . .

self portrait #2

about seeking light

. . . 

#naija2014/15

I spent this past holiday season in Nigeria

although I'm there every year, this trip felt different

I somehow viewed my hometown with a new set of eyes

and experienced it in a new way

highlights:

my sister's radio hosting:

my big sister has been taking the African fitness world by storm

so proud of her

she had a couple radio gigs while in town and i tagged along with her

while she co-hosted with the lovely Tosyn Bucknor of Top Radio 90.9

the crew was too much fun

art:

all my years in Nigeria and I had never visited the Nike Art Gallery

such an incredible space

never in my life have I been surrounded with so much amazing and inspiring art

all by Nigerian artists

also spent a good amount of town strolling through multiple markets in search of artwork

my sister, friends and i bought a couple pieces

not sure why, but every time I visit Nigeria, I end up only buying souvenirs for people

this year was surprisingly my first time purchasing artwork for myself.

and of course,

visiting Nigeria always means celebrations, food, friends and family!

had a great time just hanging out and eating every single thing I possibly could

because holiday calories don't stick

so thankful for that!

side note:

since returning from Nigeria

I haven't been able to stop listening to the Flavour album

it's become my soundtrack for #naija2014/15

how its made - cooking

on the road

top radio - my sister about to show Tosyn how to do push ups.

marketplace

in search - the guy in blue was leading us to "where they sell artwork"

wrapping up a piece we bought

Nike art gallery

and a selfie 

¿Por Qué no?

catch the full story on my site

sky full of stars

this is just perfect

i somehow can never get enough of this song

loving the way he breaks down the making of it

. . .

coldplay - sky full of stars

i dont care

go on and tear me apart

i dont care

if you do

cuz in a sky

in a sky full of stars

i think i saw you

. . . 

angels

it happens like this

one day you meet someone and for some inexplicable reason

you feel more connected to this stranger than anyone else

closer to them than your closest family.

perhaps this person carries within them an angel

one sent to you for some higher purpose;

to teach you an important lesson

or to keep you safe during perilous time.

what you must do is trust them

even if they come hand in hand with pain or suffering

the reason for their presence will become clear in due time

though here is a word of warning

you may grow to love this person

but remember they are not yours to keep

their purpose isn't to save you

but to show you how to save yourself

and once this is fulfilled

the halo lifts and the angel leaves their body as the person exits your life

they will be a stranger to you once more

_______________________________________

it is so dark right now

i can't see any light around me

that's because the light is coming from you

you can't see it but everyone else can

. . . 

- lang leav, love and misadventure

self portrait #1

about being my own muse

flaws and all

. . .