Ra's Roundup #25
Offline is the New Luxury
Good Day to you everyone!
It’s time for another edition of Ra’s Roundup. This month I’m thinking about growth –– I want to know if growth is always the result of going through a period of discomfort.
There is a new stage of my life that I am seriously desperado to step into, yet the steps feel… overwhelming because they’ll take a long period of being uncomfy. Starting a business is a feat that takes ages of planning, saving and yes, courting discomfort.
I was telling a co-worker that sometimes you read stories of business men and they speak about how they saved every penny they could, didn’t go on family vacations or take time off work instead they hustled to get where they want to be. My young co-worker couldn’t relate lmao, but me, I get it. I have dreams that are bigger than what I can afford in this instance and I am already sacrificing feelings of instant gratification.
It’s taken me until my mid-thirties to realize that while I’d like to think I’m the girl who wants to spend all her money on the beach to enjoy herself… I’m really the girl who wants to be a top boss and save all her money for her goals.
It’s not exactly thee most uncomfortable thing… but saving money requires discipline but more importantly, hope for the future. For brighter…ahem, wealthier days.
Let’s get into the roundup! Yehawwww. 🤠
Offline is the New Luxury
I know most of us are online…
But something I’ve been trying to do is get offline more. Remember last month when I talked about the books and magazines I would be reading? Well they came in and I’ve been picking them up recreationally and, intentionally in times of boredom.
Let’s unpack this a little further because let’s face it, offline, can be expensive. Minimally, journaling requires the purchase of a notebook and pen. Maximally, going to a concert or festival could cost well into the thousands.
Expensive or not, I have been enjoying what little time I spend offline. Side effects of living offline include but are not limited to more clarity and better self image.
If I’m keeping it real, I am the type to ‘post just to post’ but recently, I’ve been reeling it in. I can feel myself drifting away from the hypnotic lure of the scroll and I want to know… are you feeling this too?
Pink & Red
Valentine’s Day is coming up and it’s my favorite holiday (no, for real). I love that there’s a holiday for love. so I’ve selected a few pink and red images that I love.
Punk Futurism
In honor of Black History Month, the following images are from my are.na channel “Punk Futurism” with over 100 followers this is the most popular are.na channel that I curate. The internet is so funny, I have at least 25 are.na channels all of which I think are great but this particular one focusing on the Black punk futurism movement is the most popular. I have been tracking this movement for nearly 2 years now.
Also, If you know of any job openings as a trend forecaster please let me know. I have a B.A. in fashion merchandising and retail marketing, so you know it’s real.
Balenciaga, Fall 2007
Jean Paul Gaultier Makeup 2009
ScreenCaps
A screenshot of Fruits magazine. The Japanese streetwear magazine that has documented hundreds upon hundreds of looks.View More Here: https://www.are.na/paula-pedraza/fruits-nna2zr1dldy
Workout much?
I didn’t share this story with my IG followers… instead I put it here for you. I have followed Flux Vitality since 2020, he’s a fitness trainer who is actively studying for a physical therapy degree. His information has helped me lose weight and grow stronger so I do recommend. You can find Dion here: https://www.fluxvitality.com
One thing I do love about the Internet is it brings us all together, sometimes with comical results.For better or worse the internet is a collective of points of view (POVS) and its can really highlight the glaring differences in our thinking. Like the one above. Make a custom rug that looks like you for your man’s man cave … some people probably thought that was a wonderful idea but on the internet, no idea goes unchecked, or more accurately, un-judged. That’s why I love being offline and inside so much, caint no one perceive me. Maybe offline, truly is the new luxury.
Beyonce set off the Renaissance with her RWT last year and since then I’ve seen people expanding on that concept. We are now in a self acknowledged renaissance period. It’s as if we collectively understand that times are very bleak and that we desire global effort to lift ourselves up by our bootstraps. Above, Erykah Badu talks about the digital climate of exposing and mocking each other and a “rebirth”. A rebirth, which I took to mean the same thing as a renaissance.
The gossiping and mocking seems like a new form of stoning which is indicative of a cultural reset (IMO) –– Badu did post this a few days after Katt Williams interview with Shannon Sharpe which really was a storm of exposés itself.
AD Break
This week I found this collapsible foot bath. It’s $25 and comes in three two-toned colors. I’m on my feet all day at my job and this is a way to both keep my feet cute and relax with epsom salts and scented oils. Lavish? Maybe. But I sort of think, if you don’t often get pedicures, you should have one of these.
Buy one here and I make commission!
New Episode of Explorations on YT
In Addition to the AD break I want to plug the latest episode of Explorations which is on Soldier of Love by the band Sade.
This month, the world also celebrates the Chinese New Year. This year is the Year of the Dragon. I was born in a year of the dragon and felt compelled to make postcards for the holiday. You can buy them on my website, https://andradaniellelee.com/Shop-1
Fashion Fashion
I watched the Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture show by Simone Rocha and was really into the jewelry… specifically the bun hoop earrings. I can see this orbital shape taking off in fast fashion.
For me the collaboration felt like kind of a stretch for Rocha who usually displays a more fanciful sort of feminine than that of JPG. But the collaboration had some interesting results. Like the dresses that were ordinary from the front but upon turning the runway revealed a backless treatment!
Simone Rocha for JPG Haute Couture above.
British Fashion Award Winner Martine Rose shows another brill. collection
Amongst the menswear collections I loved were Louis Vuitton by Pharrell Williams, Wales Bonner, and Martine Rose. Rose continues to create a new world one wants to fit into, the style is vibrant and doesn’t discriminate between the high-brow and the low-brow. Every look had pieces and ideas for every budget.
Substack doesn’t allow you to link tweets any more but the below link contains a thought provoking video. Basically the question is would you eat the same food your dog licked? https://x.com/therealandralee/status/1748054357742940487?s=20
That’s all I’ve got for y’all in this month’s roundup. I hope you all have a positive and abundant February! Happy Black history month, happy Valentines Day and Happy Chinese New Year!
Big Love,
Andra “Ra” Lee