Tag: fashion

Bad and Boujee

A314D27C-404F-4CF8-809C-78D074D8500B.jpegUrban dictionary defines boujee as.”High class, flossin’, ballin’, One who posesses swag. Always on fashion trends. Elite, rich.” Right now, I’m getting a $4 pedicure in Hanoi, Vietnam, and am bra-less, in a shirt I bought in Thailand for $5. I’m also rocking $12 sweat pants I got in Japan because I didn’t want to do the walk of shame in my booty shorts from the night before. Yet, I’m still feeling Bad and Boujee.

Whatever you’re feeling has very little to do with what’s happening outside of yourself. Certainly, getting a pedicure while sipping tea is a big contributing factor to me feeling badass and boujee af, but it ultimately it is how you interpret life internally that sets the tone for the way you feel. If a lad roasts me for my ballsy outfit, I have a few options. One option is to be a little bitch and change clothes. Or, I can think he’s just not as innovative, creative, confident, or badass as I am, and continue my bad and boujee feels.

Outside influences can so easily deter us from feeling our best. We’re accustomed to comparing ourselves to the limiting constructs that our society has inflicted on us. It’s all make believe, and we’ve done it to ourselves. As in, we believe something so much that it makes the reality we perceive. hence the word make believe. We make it believable.

I’ve been feeling somewhat insecure at times. I’m constantly surrounded by beautiful people that are nearly a decade younger than I am. I’ve compared myself to other girls and felt like if I searched “past their prime” into google images, my picture would be there. But I’m fucking fire. Inside and out I am perfectly imperfect and I love it. I’m beautiful. You’re beautiful. Beauty comes in every form, and it’s what we make ourselves believe that will determine if we feel bad and boujee or just strait up bad.

I’m not here preaching like I’m peachy all of the time and life always feels good. I get sad. Things irritate me. Earlier, I felt like rolling my eyes the moment anyone tried to talk to me because I was peopled out, and didn’t want to deal with humans. However, the opportunity for change always exists. I don’t know about you, but I’m choosing to consciously make my life a fairy tale, and it’s titled Bad and Boujee. Who’s with me?

 

Why Japan Is Freakin’ Awesome

B2813F2E-CEB9-49E1-AF30-67D94A6B42B8.jpegJapan is freaking awesome. It’s been my lifelong dream to come here and it did not disappoint. If I told you all of the reasons why I love Japan, you’d have to pull out a futon and get in your pajamas. So, for times’ sake, I’ll tell you something that I found extremely fascinating and wonderful. 

In America, if you dressed up like you were from a utopian universe where everyone was cracked out of their minds, I think it’s safe to say you’d be heavily judged. Here, it’s simply the way they’ve chosen to express themselves. In Tokyo, if you want to shave an image of Elmo on the back of your head, or dress like you’re about to do some really kinky shit the moment you turn the corner, no biggy! Feel like giving us Mary Poppins wing woman vibes? Go for it!

Where I’m from, saying we have freedom of expression is dropped almost as much as veganism and CrossFit. Yet, it seems like we have the freedom, but not the courage to do so in a society that is so quick to judge someone based on their appearance. It’s as though we’ve blocked ourselves from even letting our minds explore all of the possibilities because of our unconscious fear.

I saw a chick that looked like she came straight out of a sci-fi movie. I instantly questioned if I was cool enough to live in a place like Tokyo. The creativity and intent put behind their appearance comes across as an art form and expression of self, rather than an attempt to stand out for the sake of attention and/or brainwashed ideals alone.

Look, I’m not saying that everyone back home isn’t expressing themselves. (But if you’re triggered by what I’m saying you may want to look into that) I’m emphasizing the vast range of ingenuity and inspiration that Japan has. Many people elsewhere do express themselves the way they’d like, but maybe even they don’t know all of the other options they have that would suit them too.

I know half of the people that I see post on my Facebook newsfeed wish everyday was Halloween, so why are we not living like it is? If you’ve been dying to buy that BDSM looking necklace (guilty as charged) or give yourself a haircut that’s out of this world, go for it. Dress up, have fun, be you, and think big… If you want to that is.

Don’t assume the next time you see me I’ll be looking like I came out of a cosplay convention. I really don’t have the will or patience. I love Japan because it’s quirky, innovative, beautiful, culturally rich, has incredible food, and hands down the best people watching opportunities of anywhere I’ve ever been.