poetry: salt.

the night was busy making the moon
so
i gathered my quilt
and softly
told my heart
we'd come back
tomorrow. 

- Nayyirah Waheed

soneto xvii

No te amo como si fueras rosa de sal, topacio

o flecha de claveles que propagan el fuego:

te amo como se aman ciertas cosas oscuras,

secretamente, entre la sombra y el alma.

Te amo como la planta que no florece y lleva

dentro de sí, escondida, la luz de aquellas flores,

y gracias a tu amor vive oscuro en mi cuerpo

el apretado aroma que ascendió de la tierra.

Te amo sin saber como, ni cuándo, ni de donde, 

te amo directamente sin problemas ni orgullo:

así te amo porque no sé amar de otra manera,

sino así de este modo en que no soy ni eres,

tan cerca que tu mano sobre mi pecho es mía,

tan cerca que se cierran tus ojos con mi sueño

 ---------------------------------------------

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,

or the arrow of the carnations the fire shoots off.

I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,

in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms

but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;

thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,

risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.

I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;

so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,

so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,

so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

Pablo Neruda

sukoon

The arabic word for serenity is sukoon. Ramadan is a month that is usually been one of peace and serenity for your body and soul. We hope that all of our readers are having an incredibly blessed and peaceful month. We also hope that it is one filled with deep remembrance, especially of the oppressed and voiceless all over the world. Places that are not able to find peace and serenity, whether that be due to political conflict, starvation, poor health, etc.

 May we all be guided to find more love, kindness, and generosity for all of humanity.

french damask & leather gloves

"Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know." - John Keats 

Hello, near-perfect afternoon. I would, of course, prefer a fine french cappuccino myself but you do you, Keats. Anila and I quite literally have spent hours talking about fruit and warm weather. As in sitting down and discussing our favorite fruits in all their glory. It's not strange- we just feel very strongly about good coffee, good fruit, and warmth. Especially during days of dismal weather, like that we've been having for the past too many months. Seriously- these cold temperatures have long lost their charm and appeal for me. Anila & Tas came to visit me in my current Southern residence a few weekends ago. I'm sure they were hoping for slightly warmer temperatures but unfortunately, we have never been so lucky with weather anytime we meet. Anila brings the rain and the cold, I'm convinced.

We did however, get a chance to visit the Maymont Mansion - once owned by Richmond royalty and beautifully decorated with furniture and tastes from all over the world. I was particularly fond of the ladies tea room, wallpapered with original french damask fabric in a subtle, dusty pink color. The room was accented with furniture characteristic of the French Regence style in deep oaks and gold.

STUNNING, omg.

Dining room

Library- very Italian

We also visited the Maymont gardens at the estate which are absolutely stunning and doesn't even feel like you're in a city. Unfortunately, it was ridiculously cold that day and we were barely able to stand outside fore more than a few minutes. Lucky for us, just enough to get these pics. 

Pink Oversized coat: "Lofty"
Loafers: Jones New York

Orange-Red Coat: Old Navy 

Black leather bag: Aldo
Black Leather gloves: Dillard's

Camel Coat: H&M
Red leather gloves:

  Other Winter Outfits

Beige blouse: H&M
Mint Bubble necklace: Forever21
Faux Fur vest: Marshall's
Brown Leather Boots: Macy's

Hopefully warm weather soon! 

-S

beauty of shade

to become unbound

We are created to be broken, to become unbound, to discover the space for two worlds.

We are indeed created to be broken, for the sake of keeping our hearts soft and conscience humble. To always be reminded of a greater power, to remember the impermanence of our time. This drives us to reflect and discover. Ramadan is discovery. In the depths of fasting, we discover our own true self, our source of strength, our intentions, and the capacity of our hearts.

and most importantly, we rediscover our primordial affinity towards God.

There is so much to say about the beauty of Ramadan to try to capture its essence; the air, the camaraderie, the marked livening of the spirit, the peace and mercy, the act of fasting itself, the forms of submission - but language would do it only so much justice.

May we all benefit highly from these last ten days and carry these discoveries beyond this month.