MNMLISH X FLOREASHELBY



I'm more than excited to be introducing you to one of my favorite bloggers right now: Shelby from floreashelby.com. I "met" Shelby by complete luck. We both are followers of the Art Hoe Collective on instagram and one of her photo collages were uploaded on their page. I made a comment referring to an image in her artwork and how it reminded me of another artist and we quickly followed each other. The rest is history! I have Shelby to thank for the Urban Time Magazine interview and for putting me on to so many skincare/DIY tips! She's so dedicated and talented at what she is passionate about and its reflective on her blog. Recently, Shelby published a zine and it's now available for purchase through her site. I bought my copy as a way to show my appreciation & support for her and I'm more than happy for the overall beautiful publication she's crafted.

So you're probably wondering why I'm gushing over Shelby? Well, we've collaborated and came up with the cool idea to make a post circling the concept of style and identity. We really felt like our connection to self-identity and fashion were prominent in our lives and it just so happens we both own blogs that we can showcase that on. We came up with the idea to style each other and ourselves! Shelby had suggested a sundress, open-toed sandals and her favorite statement piece: a headwrap. I compromised the dress for a top and skirt instead because I actually don't own one (but now I'm seriously considering investing in a few statement sundresses because I love the feel of a full, flowing skirt) To see how I styled Shelby, head over to her page HERE.


Alongside the style-swap, we formulated some questions for each other. I came up with a few for Shelby (that can be read on her blog!) and she sent some to me to answer. Here's what she came up & what I had to say:
Shelby: How did you get into the world of coding?
In high school I took a Digital Interactive Media course (watered-down translation: graphic design) that I absolutely loved because it enabled me with the basics of understanding Adobe software and appreciating digital editing. And what made me register for that course was my interest of web design which sprouted from tumblr— yes, tumblr! I was actually making tumblr themes from scratch for a whole summer. I'm convinced this is where my nightowl trait formed because I would stay up until 3 or 4am at my computer trying to find ways to make or solve features and navigate around code. Coding is the only setting where I feel in control of what's being made, start to finish. It takes tremendous patience and attention to detail to successfully code. One little mistake can be the cause to why your entire script will fail to launch. It's not like with drawing where you make an error and it only shows where you made it. You mess up one line of code and it reflects EVERYWHERE.
Who are some of your style/visual icons?
Off the top of my head: Solange. Asiyami Gold. Amy Sall. Oroma Elewa. Rihanna. All these women exude a unique confidence and understanding of their physique, style and relation to cameras, lighting and angles. I tend to focus on how my body looks under certain lights and colors and at angles.

 
I am loving your minimalistic theme. From your URL to your “mnml minute” series, it seems like everything you do exudes simplicity. Why do you value it so much?
Thank you! Minimalism taught me to deconstruct. It's been a personal choice that came about when I felt so cluttered and at disarray with life. I go through a lot of anxiety and I noticed that detoxifying my space through art, photography, style or environment has a strong influence on how I deal with my mental & physical health. Also, color theory is a real thing to me and the reason I choose to limit the colors I wear & associate with is because I believe that certain hues bring about certain "moods". Taking colors away from my wardrobe allows for me to play more with textures and silhouettes in order to stand out. It's easier to be forgotten in all-black but if it's a mesh fabric or strange cut, it becomes memorable. I value minimalism because it's a process that I've adapted and continuously cultivate to accentuate my life and body. Even with the so-called "restrictions", minimalism is a freeing concept.
What projects are you involved in right now? I know you’ve written for CEP Journal; what can you tell me about your experience writing for a Black owned publication?
Currently, I'm just trying to take some time to become inspired again. All artists go through slow growth and I think we can all agree how frustrating and horrible it feels. It seems every time I get on my keyboard, I feel defeated by my whirlwind of thoughts and how to translate them so it's readable to everyone else. My next major project is to make a Youtube channel. I think I'd get mroe ideas and thoughts across if I could just say it. Sometimes typing becomes a form of restriction and limitation. It's so hard to type what you mean to say.

CEP Journal is such an amazing experience and I love writing for them. The guys behind CEP Journal (Martin & Ryan) have been so genuinely supportive and open to ideas. They tell the writing team to be unapologetic in their words and encourage us to speak from within. I'm pushed to enter my space of emotion and thought and reflect all that my spirit can allow. I've spoken with them through the phone and I felt so welcomed and appreciated! With the release of their first publication, I am so, so excited to see that take off and grow. This will be my first time featuring in a print and once I receive my copy, there will be TEARS. Everything CEP Journal stands for means so much to me.




You’ve got a very eclectic background. As a Black woman, you’re a strong proponent of Black Lives Matter and other Black-empowering movements. As a creative and writer, you share your works online that make people stop and think. How do you plan to blend all of your many talents? Any career goals or dream projects in mind?
That's been something I've been trying to figure out for a long time. Many people who have met me and seen the way I interact always assume I'm going to pursue medicine because of my compassion and "activism" but I have no interest in the medical field. I battle with finding a career that will let me be creative and charitable at the same time. When we think of artists, we don't categorize their work on the same level as a doctor's. I don't think any one really thinks art can be just as powerful as medicine or business so it's difficult trying to figure out a way to let people see that. When I would say "I want to do fashion," people would advise me against it in a way that suggested that I was putting my talent and abilities to waste pursuing a "selfish" career. That's why it always brings me to my knees to hear, "your piece made me feel..." because I was taught that words & art would never have such an impact. I recently read a comment about my piece in CEP Journal's print and how the reader felt connected to my words. I'm still shaken by that. Those kind of remarks of gratitude are heard in the doctor's office post-surgery or something. Not from a 19 year old girl awkwardly rummaging words on the internet. I always think What?! But I didn't do anything special except write or draw. I believe that art is just as healing, but society values other things before it will understand that.

Anyways, with that being said I would like to become a creative director or a buyer. That would be my ultimate goal if I could achieve that with a sustainable income and comfortable living. I want to incorporate my passion for design/visuals, travel and learning all into one. I think the only thing holding me back now is myself and the surroundings I'm in. I don't come from a "fashion hotspot" city and most of my family/friends don't really get it. But I'm still pursuing it despite that. I want to make it and show other Black girls like myself that it's doable.
What are some of your top five basics items? They can be skincare/haircare products makeup, or items of clothing. 
  1. Face masks! I am absolutely in love with Aztec indian clay + apple cider vinegar masks - I love it because it works well but I do hate how messy it is. I hate buying pre-made masks because I don't like the idea of their chemical preservatives but the Freedman Charcoal & Black Sugar scrub is doing wonders for my skin right now. And my other favorite mask is one I make myself and will blog about very soon!
  2. Off shoulder tops (obviously) are a go-to wardrobe item. I like my upper body attire to be loose and as little fabric as possible. I love clothes but I also hate clothes. I don't like bras, fabric touching my underarms, etc but off shoulder tops really give me that physical freedom to move and I don't feel like I'm suffocating my body in clothes. Plus, I think it accentuates my figure and I always admire myself a lot in them.
  3. BODY OIL AND HIGHLIGHTERS are God's gift to Earth. I love anything that will reflect light from my skin. I own like 6 highlighters now and just got into body oil and am already obsessed. It's the best thing I've owned since.
  4. Almond oil was the first facial oil I bought and its been a must have since. It gives my skin a plump glow that I really like and when I mix it with foundation, it helps to turn the formula into a dewy finish for when I want it.
  5. Body Scrubs are something I want to get into next. I think I've gotten the hang of facial care and now I want my body to glisten and compliment the rest of me. I'm still in the process of looking around for the right one - there's so many to choose from!
Shelby - I loved working with you and hope we have more amazing collabs in the future! Thank you for all your continuous support and I hope that my admiration & support for you is felt just as much. You're a beautiful, glowin' individual that is always promoting better ways to be oneself. I wish you only the best in your college endeavors and if you need anything else in the future, I'm a text away, haha. Much love for you and your journey!

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