Black August

August 2, 2021August 2, 2021 Cayla24Leave a comment

“Had to go home and reboot, I’m running back with the goonssssss” -Raja Kumar

So much has happened since the last I spoke. New location. New school. New job. New baby. New boo (check me out) lol! With some many changes I started feeling overwhelmed. So to get back on track with my goals I’ve decided that I’d make time with realigning my self discipline.

Black August has significantly become apart of my world now within these last five years. If black august is new to you, simply put it’s a month dedicated to paying homage to fallen Black revolutionaries, incarcerated freedom fighters, and Black resistance, historical and continued. BIG SHOUT OUT TO OUR FREEDOM FIGHTERS!

So many fresh starts happen this month, my children start back to school. I’m a mommy to a second grader and high schooler now y’all. FRESH MEAT! I start my last semester on receiving my masters degree. Y’all ya girl is about to be mastered! Whoop whoop! CAU HBCU Panther Pride certified y’all! Oh and I have started building my online store too. Don’t worry y’all can shop THE VISION soon!

Now let’s talk about Atlanta! Hotlanta for sure, lol! It’s on constant go, I mean you can take a break but why?? Shoot I see why no one ever leaves the city everything is already here! I haven’t gotten to explore like I’d like too however Sugar Factory, go, Atlantis, head over there, The World of Coca Cola, wheww their sodas taste better than if you bought it from a store itself, lol. Hmm, I should do a blog post about Sugar Factory because it’s faaarrrrrr from the restaurants in Pittsburgh got sure!

However with so much constant change I’m forever homesick so Pittsburgh got a nice visit from me. Me and the family even made it to Buffalo, NY for the first. A vacation while on vacation. That Lake Effect Diner though, fire!!! You hear me!

Anyhow once back in Pittsburgh I was able to build and connect, Mandela and that camera of his never fails. And of course GlamByJ.Nicole with her brush game on my eye make up details! Got to get my mental together, loved on, and now I am ready to reintroduce myself to the world again. With the vision, my vision!

Entertainment · Events · Family · Media · MOdel · Photography · Pittsburgh

Picture It Wright!!

August 1, 2018 Cayla24Leave a comment

That’s a real one in your reflection…

Without a follow, Without a mention…

You really pipin’ up on these n*%@$…

You gotta, be nice for what, to these n*%@$

I got behind the camera, again, this time for Johnathan Wright of Picture It Wright. Never a dull moment. It was great energy from John, and if you know anything about me I am thee shiest, however I’m an extreme extrovert, though my creativity comes from my introverted days. I met John originally at the Ultimate Powershoot brought to you by Nabila Yasamen El-Bey, this past February at the Valentine edition. And as always this go around, he kept that same energy!

Once comfort kicked in it was, ‘Lights, Camera, Action!‘ You gotta be nice for whatttttt???!! Lol. My solar plexus chakra has been calling out for me to bloom and shine not only during the sunny days either. Oh and if your not hip on chakras it’s just fancy term for the exact imbalances that I’ve been working on and going through.

It’s been taking me forever to be comfortable in my own skin. So worried to come around others because of the indirect energies put out to force you into a box of what they believe you to be, however I know myself. And John has done a great job of capturing my oshun spirit, blooming bright than any sunflower in the field!!

If you have any events such as, weddings, maternity, graduation, studio, commercial, etc basically you need something captured for life John Wright of Picture It Wright is the guy you need to link with!

The way these pictures are building my portfolio I should look into becoming a brand ambassador for more photographers, hmm what you think?? But anyways && as always Smooches!!

Follow on Instagram @pictureitwright!!

Community · Events · Family · Lifestyle · Pittsburgh

August Wilson Block Party!!

April 30, 2018 Cayla24Leave a comment

It’s a party it’s a party it’s a party!!

What an amazing turnout for the hill district community in celebration of one of their own, August Wilson to be exact! the 3rd Annual August Wilson Celebration: Hill District Block Party. There was local artist, improv open acts, poets, music, food vendors, and business stretched out between Devilliers and Roberts on Bedford Avenue.

After recently receiving the NAACP Image Award Wednesday evening, Devyn Swain along side Kim El, Crystal Noel, and DJ Selecta; with help from Blakk Steel, hosted the event and kept the crowd engaged and happy thee entire time. There were grand performances, one was that of Ibeji Drum Ensemble, who were all drumming in style. K- Dance Theatre put on thee cutest dance performance. Some spoken word was given by hosts Devyn and Crystal Noel. Food trucks were up and down the block, from vegan to Caribbean and everything in between. Vendors of diverse services and products were available throughout the entire event.

A beautiful mural, pictured above, was painted that included Donnie Kyte, Owner of Mollys World Boutique and creator of IkeWear36 Brand…20 years later, still going strong!! There was this dope face painter of Beanies Face Painting that was there doing kid faces. My baby got to get painted as a unicorn, so freaking cute! But my fave part of all was getting to meet Kelli Shakur, remember that name, owner of FroGang LLC.

“FroGang is a movement that UNAPOLOGETICALLY promotes, empowers, and encourages the wear of Afros and natural hair. The movement allows black women and young girls to redefine what black beauty is through their OWN eyes.” -FroGang LLC

Overall, a great event to attend and experience. So many Hill natives in attendance. The Hill District has a lot of history and still is creating history everyday. Black love is dope! Smooches!!

www.frogang.org

www.augustwilsonbirthdaycelebration.com

Artist · Author · Events · Family · Pittsburgh · Public Figure

Lashawn Reed Day!!

February 17, 2018February 17, 2018 Cayla24Leave a comment

“Comparison is an act of violence against the self” ~Iyanla Vanzant

Lashawn Reed Day was everything!! This is the 2nd annual event held in celebration of the Queen Lashawn. This all family event was filled with a live deejay, live performances, live entertainment, and words of encouragement from Lashawn herself along with guest speaker, executive director Kevin McNair of 1Nation Mentoring.

Lashawn, owner of Strong Ambitious Women; S.A.W LLC, is more than just a mentor she is a author of self help book “You Are Your Thoughts”, she is a conscious artist that goes by the name SBoo, and her commitment to the young women in the City of Pittsburgh is reason for being awarded this day.

Throughout the event while Deejay Deez played great music on the 1s and 2a all you could see when you looked across the gymnasium of Pittsburgh Langley K-8 were the youth running around in the designs of Lashawn Reed’s clothing line that recently just dropped called “Eye Am Somebody”, 8th grader Aaliyah Knight gave words of wisdom stating,” Belief is what you are, belief is what you do”. Kevin McNair gave his back story giving the hope that, ” If you get a thought and have a plan you will be successful,” his words hold proof because of the miles he’s already walked in of his own shoes. Locally signed artist Latia E.F.B performed her hit “Live It Up” after being hyped up prior by the Dream Dancers DDFD. Everything came together very well.

Face painting for the children was provided by Lachelle Allen owner of LA Creative Eye. There was free food, free haircuts, and gift card giveaways. Btw, my daughter Destinee won a raffle giveaway…whoot whoot!! Great local support was in the building with Lashawn Reeds’ sister Shawneca; The Shade Queen #ShadedByTheQueen, music producer Dj Stevie B, Bree x Chon #PirateGang412, Virgil of Virgboogi Designs, as well as Original Telegenic Productions. If you wasn’t there you missed out on a great event, but don’t worry you always have next year so go ahead and save the date because February 16th is LASHAWN REED DAY!! She is making history, BLACK HISTORY! Smooches!!

Follow on Instagram:

@queen_sboo @sboo_musicpage @strongambitiouswomen @latia_efb @dream_dancers_#LashawnReedDay #TeamSboo #EyeAmSomebody #Mentor #Author #Studio24 #Blogger

Events · Family · Lifestyle · Pittsburgh

Peppa Pig’s Surprise 2k17!!

October 23, 2017October 23, 2017 Cayla24Leave a comment

Yah yah yippie yippie yah….yah yah yippie yippie yah…we went riding to the seaside with peppa pig and her family. This interactive live show was everything and more to end out the week!

Early Sunday evening, as me and my children run across the street to the main entrance of the Byham Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh, my youngest excites herself to watch Peppa Pig Live. We head over to pick up our reserved tickets and head to our seats, side note: this is the first time my child has had enough coordination for a whole day all about this pig, lol. Peppa Pig theme music starts up, the kids go crazy *covers ears*.

This show was so much fun. Children’s plays aren’t like they use to be, though. It’s very interactive to keep the attention of the children but as a parent I’m distracted by the fact that the people playing and controlling the characters are dressed in all black, moving the props to make the show come alive. My child doesn’t even see them…it’s like talking to a beautiful person who has a huge mole center of their forehead. The conversation doesn’t stop but the sight is very distracting *smacks forehead* “It’s just people holding the props,” *sucks teeth* ughhhhhh Destinee don’t be hating on your sisters imagination!! Guess I wasn’t the only one who noticed, lol.

Overall a must see to enjoy with the family. The under the water scene was my favorite. Especially the jellyfish, the scene was blacked out and the creatures under the sea were all glowing in a neon light. Hmmmm that gives me a great party idea, that prop has Pinterest written all over it.

*Psst*Almost forgot to mention, those two little girls in the picture are my legacy, Destinee and Journee, my old head and young buck shorty, lol.

Outfit Deets:

Emerald Laced Dress- H&M

Accessories:

Center Gold Studded Black Patent Belt- H&M

Maroon Velvet Booties- Steve Madden

Three Link Gold Choker- Forever21

Gold Watch- Micheal Kors

Fenty Beauty
#PGH #LifestyleBlogger #FashionBlogger #Simplistic #FentyBeautyObessed