Update: Hustle & Flow

Long update. If you don't like my words, don't read it.

1. Prayer Retreat

Many may not realize it, but I love Jesus. That being said, I went on a prayer retreat with a group of people. It was everything I wanted & more, the very thing I didn't know I needed. I learned a lot within three days. I can't wait to do it again. Here are some photos I took while at Sandy Cove.

---

2. New Tee Alert

To lead into this, I have to share the story of how I discovered this new shirt shop. I had been searching for places to get shirts done, but I don't even know where to look. So I reached out to someone who I always can trust to have an answer for me; Andrew. Andrew was someone I met at Aldo one day. It was surreal. I approached him knowing nothing of him. I was just curious on his opinion of some designs I got printed on tees. He told me what my name was, which was surprising for one because not only did I never see this man before, but he knew who I was & someone else I worked with & he said my name correctly. He told me he went to elementary school with me, but he was one of my upper classmen. In short, he's a very knowledge individual. If anyone knows anything about who I can go to for anything fashion related in this area, it's him. My friend had already told me about the first place to get shirts printed on, but I needed someone who would be willing to do embroidery with no limits. That's when he recommended Beckman. Nothing but good words.

It was a Sunday afternoon when I ventured towards the beachfront with hopes of finding a place that can create physical copies of my dreams. I decided to walk because it was a nice day out. I realized walking four miles on a hot summer day wasn't ideal on my way back home, but the sky was beautiful. I put up stickers as I strolled. When I finally got to the location marked on Google Maps, I was in the wrong place. I had walked in the wrong store. The cashier was kind enough to tell me the place I was looking for was next door. She had a pleasant smile when she did so. With the door already being opened, I simply walked in. There were a few people looking around & a young lady close to my age behind the second counter pressing shirts. Closer to me, there was a man a bit taller than me. I approached him slowly trying to ready myself to ask a single question. He was relaxed, chill even. I recall showing him what I wanted with a crop top I had brought with me. He looked at it, made a slight face & asked if I had got it done online. Yes, I did. I begin pouring out my struggles of finding places & interjected; not in a rude way, but to provide assurance. His confidence created a spotlight around him. A song that I felt I heard before, but couldn't name, played in the background. Much like 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone', it was of the psychedelic soul genre, which made this moment felt like a movie scene ripped out of the pages of Quentin Tarantino's diary. I felt comfortable. I knew I was talking to someone who knew what they were doing.

That's the story. This is the shirt.

The shirt pictured is XL, so keep that in mind. I got the print done at the first shop, the embroidery done at the second. I don't know who really pays attention to my blog, but in one of my older posts, I said I was going to make this. The original plan was to make the back design bigger, but that's the max size both of the shirt shops I went are capable of doing as of this moment. One day, it'll take up the whole back again. For now, that's this is the move.

---

3. New Crop Top Color!

Okay, so I meant to include this photo in the last post I made, but I forgot.

You see here, I actually drew these cropped crewnecks I made. I thought about the colors & all. I didn't have a sewing machine at the time. I didn't know where to get the blanks from. I did what I could do though. That brings me to this...

...“Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.“

— Habakkuk 2:2

What ever it is that you wish to do, a goal, dream, vision, desire, what ever it is, make a plan. Whether it's an outline, a drawing or a statement, start somewhere. Make progress towards it. Finish what you started. But yeah, new color for the cropped crewneck is orange. I like this one the most. I like the blue a lot too, but this orange pops.

---

4. Another Poem

I wrote this two days ago, I think. I was waiting for a bus that never came.

Silent Pain

Ink strokes paint hieroglyphs laced with fury

Intended for your eyes only

The poison evaporates over time

It’s aroma flavoring the air; frustration taints your tongue

Unwilling eyes feed a deciphering mind

Struck

Wound written in stone

Simultaneously, your purity is pierced

The cracks in the tablet parallel your sanctuary

Refusal to reveal the death of your heaven

Silent pain

---

5. Models Needed

I have initiated enlisting models. I made a post on my public Instagram account. To be honest, I would like to say three people who've come to me (one of them, I messaged) is what I'm looking for. I'm excited to be working new people. I'm going through a transition right now, so they'll probably get the side of me I hide from most because I need this to be what I want & I need to pull the best out of them. We'll see what happens.

To anyone that is interested in modeling, the above is the post & my email is ( info@adorabrand ).

---

6. "Collab" Coming?

New merch is on the way always, but this is different. Basically, it's a collaboration, but not what one may think, nor what I originally wanted to do. As of this moment, I have made all my own designs. This is the first time I will be using someone else's art. We'll see what happens. Stay tuned!

---

7. Next Giftboxes & What's Next!

The next gift boxes are on the forefront. It's going to inspirational Ilan Zechory & his lovely wife, Audrey Gelman. I should be done with them by the end of this week. To tell you the truth, this one is very meaningful to me because Ilan is one of the most humble persons I've ever met. He has always be far too kind to me & accepting, even when I was a mess. The first time I met him in person, I was shocked at his excitement to meet me. I felt special. I didn't think I deserved the energy he was giving. Every encounter I've had when him has always become a highlighted memory. His wife is extremely pleasant as well. I hope my present is well received.

I usually would make 'What's Next' a separate part, but...so yeah, this the moves...

• Today: Prices are going back to normal. Will update pinned post on ordering

• 8/25: New embroidery design to be digitalized

• 8/27: adorá Roses Lapel Pins delivery

• 9/1: Plan meeting with a fashion designer

• Mid-Sept: Photoshoots

---

Personal Thoughts & Reflections

I don't take offense to things easily. You see, people take offense to things because they take it personally. For me, one of the most insulting things you can do, to me, is question the genuineness of my heart. I don't speak much. When I do, outside of joking, I mean my words. I've been trying my hardest to have my tongue operate in encouragement, life & love. It's bold to say this, but I do hope to master doing so in my lifetime. Why do I say this. Because, although my intentions are always to help, it's not always my place, nor is it my responsibility. Even more so, everybody doesn't deserve it, as I speak from my heart; I can't give my heart to everyone. I am not for everybody & I know that. You may see pieces of my emotions riddled in this piece I've gifted the world. Those part shine the brightest. I think it's best I hide those star bits for the ones who I'm for, the ones who see the real.

At the same time, I was walking to a train station. This hit me:

I had just "missed" a bus. In my defense, the bus never came...the train wasn't coming for another thirty minutes, but I was rushing to get to the station.

The station seems so far away, but it's not. I'm going to get there in time, I know it. I shouldn't rush to get there. I might miss something if I move too fast. That's what I realized I've been doing with life. There are going to be setbacks, but I'm going to get where I need to be. There is no need for me to force anything. Even if it doesn't work out the first time, everything is going to work out for my good in the end.

I hope you guys like these words.

---

I wish you all grace, mercy, success, wholeness, love, blessings, & peace of mind, spirit & soul. I appreciate who ever took the time to read this. I once again thank you for reading this because you don't have to, but you do. I appreciate you & your time & attention. Have a blessed day. I love you with a pure & innocent love.