Fly Read: #NP Kelis’ “Protect My Heart”

24 May

 

image

One of my favorite singers Kelis just joined Instagram as SausageandBoots and as I was scrolling through her pictures, a song from her album, Tasty popped up in my head. Tasty was such a dope album and Kelis was always ahead of her time. You think Rihanna has girls copping her style? I remember interning in New York the summer of 2006 when Kelis’ I am Kelis album came out,  she had every girl in NY shaving half their head. That trend was all Kelis. She was the orginal good girl gone bad without the abusive boyfriend drama.

  “Protect My Heart” off of Tasty came to me because asking God to guard my heart is something that I frevently pray about. Guarding your heart is something that only God can do and it requires daily conversations with him. As a woman we have to be active, vigliant and careful about how much of our heart we give to a man. Some men are nothing but wolves in sheep’s clothing and if we aren’t asking God to guard our hearts than it is easier than one might think to get caught with a nasty wolf. You won’t think he’s a wolf because he’ll be dressed so nicely, he’ll have tons of swag, he will say everything you’ve been wanting to hear but there will be something off with him. Something that you just can’t pinpoint, something that even your friends can’t see and that’s when God is stepping in and telling you to step back.  

We all have the gift of discernment we just have to really be close to God to truly ultize it. When dating guys be prayfully of what, when and how much of yourself you give away. When you’re a single woman your main priority is to give your whole heart to God. Your heart should be so lost in God that a man must seek him in order to find you.  And don’t fret if a man isn’t currently pursuing you because Jesus is constantly pursuing you.  

Have a blessed weekend my friends. 

**I’m currently raising money for a great missionary trip around the world, The Fly Girl Goes Global (www.gofundme.com/flycarla). If you’re a fan of my writings than please check out the traveling and writing journey that I’m about to embark on starting next month. Your support would mean so much to me! **

XOXO  

Carla Thomas

Writer and Fly Girl

Fly Read: Don’t Settle For Good Enough

23 May

image

How long will you go about your life without identifying your purpose? If you believe that life is nothing more than a social experiment then coast on, but don’t continue to take others on your purposeless journey. And sir, a wife is referred to as a “helpmeet.” You don’t need help if you aren’t doing anything. Life is more than just waking up, going to a job, hanging out on occasion, and going home to sleep and eat. You’ve been given a commission to fulfill, and it’s one that cannot be ignored. Don’t fear the adventure and passion that goes along with pursing a goal that goes beyond you and your lifetime. Clearly identify your part to play in this commission we’ve been given, and firmly commit to it! End the games, and exit the maze of mediocrity you’ve come to know.- Written by Cornelius Lindsey

I’m raising money for a great missionary trip and I would love your support! Check out my The Fly Girl Goes Global campaign, www.gofundeme.com/flycarla .

Fly Read: Like Beyonce, I’m a GROWN WOMAN

21 May
Beyonce just released her “Grown Woman” song and as I’m listening to the song I think of all the grown woman decisions I am currently making. I’ve made a decision to leave a city that I love to create the life I wish to live. I’ve decided to pack up everything, station myself in Baltimore and use the next seven months to travel and write. This is void of others expectations, void of what some of my friends think I should be doing, and void of what my parent’s believe I should be doing. To me being a grown woman is having an independent thought, an independent thought is a thought that a woman makes without the influence of others, the media and pop culture.

A grown woman knows that not everyone is rooting for her, a grown woman knows that some of the people close to her will doubt her and while there will be MORE obstacles stepping out of her comfort zone, it will be well worth it. A grown woman knows there is nothing cute about playing it safe or playing small for the sake of others, she knows that there is nothing fulfilling about not seeking to be fulfilled. A grown woman knows that if it is in God’s will and she is abiding in Him, that the possibilities are endless.

Some women are walking around grown in age but still mentally and spiritually little girls. As for me, I’m getting my grown woman on.

www.gofundme.com/flycarla

Fly Read: Nothing’s More Attractive Than A Heavy Praying Woman

20 May

praying_hands

“Nothing’s more attractive than a heavy praying woman
To a him when those and them been defecating on me.
Her would sense the heaven, and him when Andre omen
Baby I’m hell, save me, don’t bail…”- Andre 3000

3 Stacks said it best. As I am learning The Word, I have never felt any prettier. As I am starting to understand the instructions to live Christ like, I have more confidence, I’m more secure and I just feel really good. Living as a Christian gives me an inner beauty that no makeup could accentuate. It’s an inner beauty of knowing that if you give yourself away and let God live through you; you’re getting nothing less than the best.  God’s blessings are better than any human desires and they come by the way of faith and prayer.

Praying is the direct communication to God and it is vital for one’s faith and well-being. God instructs us to tell him everything and to pray with thanksgiving and petition. It’s not a cliché when someone says that prayer changes things! It’s true! God wants to bless you but he also wants you to acknowledge him and pray for exactly what you want. To serve God, you must humble yourself, give thanks, ask specifically for what you seek and then truly believe that your blessings will come.

It’s hard to believe what we can’t see but the blessings are worth it. Last year, I was praying for a new apartment. I loved my first apartment in New York and at first it was a blessing. I needed a place to stay, a friend hooked me up and I had my own little slice of Heaven in Bed-Stuy but within the last year, I was in dire need of a new apartment. My slice of Heaven turned into a hot mess, I was dealing with a slum lord, living without heat and hot water throughout winter all while trying to be a fly girl. I had no gas in my apartment for months because my landlord had me servicing the entire building with gas and it took ConEd months to figure out the problem and restore my gas. Unbeknown to most, I was attending Jay-Z parties and New York Fashion Week while showering at a friend’s house but even in the mist of my trails, God was still working. I then spent all of spring and summer battling my landlord in court; I was not paying rent for unsavory living conditions. I then was not only praying for a new apartment but while in my situation of going to landlord-tenant court I was praying for God to step in as a lawyer.

I battled it out with my landlord for eight months! The attorneys for my landlord had no idea that they were up against a young Howard University graduate with Jesus as her lawyer. Right before court, I would get down on my knees and ask God to step in as lawyer and once I went to court, I barely had to say anything. The landlord’s attorneys would put their foot in their mouths, God was working! Months past and I finally saw that my battle with my landlord wasn’t going anywhere. It was time for me to move, I wasn’t sad, God had seen me through months of tenant court with no lawyer so I knew he was setting me up with a new apartment. I left my apartment with no clear direction of what was next, I just packed my belongings up, stayed with a friend, continued on to work, continued to pray and exactly one week from the time I had moved out, I was approved for an apartment that I was interested in. It was a blessing! I had no idea the outcome, all I knew was that I had to step out on faith, continue to pray and believe.  God works! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. He is ever so present and He is with us at every step. It’s not a myth or a fairytale, He is real! He is still present in your current circumstance- YOU ARE NOT ALONE in whatever you are going through.

Being a woman who faithfully prays is like a man finding a wife, it’s a good thing. I don’t just pray at night, I set my alarm at 6:00AM to pray in the morning because Psalm 5:3 (KJV) states, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord ; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Praying in the morning gives me the sense of protection and strength to get through the day. I ask God to see me to through my work shift, to protect me on the train, to guard me heart and thoughts and to protect my family and friends as they go about their day. I pray that God keeps me safe and sane because I could lose my mind at any given time! I could lose hope and once you’ve lost hope, you have lost everything.  Praying puts everything in prospective and it gets us through the tough times. What if we prayed just as much as we complained?  And even though I’m not here for my enemies, I pray for them the most.

Being a woman who prays through her situation is attractive; being a woman who knows that there is a higher power breathing in her direction is way more beautiful than any makeup contouring. As the work week gets underway, remember to pray your way through it. Pray for your coworkers, pray for your family, pray for your friends, pray for your foes and God will see you through it.

 

Stay prayed up my friends.

 

XOXO,

Carla Thomas

Writer and Fly Girl

www.gofundme.com/flycarla

 

 

The Fly Girl Goes Global!

18 May

carla

Beloved:

You never know how God will use you or where he can take you, it’s through prayer and conversations and lining up your will with His that one can see that the possibilities are endless. I was listening to my Mary Mary station on Pandora and this one song just caught my heart, it was Israel & New Breed’s, “Take the Limits off/No Limits (Enlarge My Territory)” and as I was listening to the lyrics of the song, I realized that this particular song was a reflection of what I have been praying for.

In the past couple of months, I realized that although I LOVE New York City I need to take a step back from the city life to focus on my craft and do even greater things than slinging pasta at an Italian restaurant while sometimes writing. My website The Fly Girl Guide is flourishing but I kept saying to myself, how much better or bigger would the FGG be if I solely focused on my writing? I also have tons of other writing ideas that are lodged in my head waiting to come out but haven’t because I have not been able to correctly prioritized my time between trying to survive in New York City and finding time to write.

After this realization, I started applying for writing programs that will force me to focus and to actually write in a collegiate setting. I was recently accepted in Yale University’s Writing Conference which will take place in June. For an intensive weekend in June, I will focus on revising my script for a pilot TV show (think 2013 Living Single). Once accepted in the program at Yale, I proved which I knew to be true, I can write, I just need to light a fire under my butt to make it happen.

I then decided that I needed to go further with my writing so I applied for a creative writing program at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. Thanks be to God, I was also accepted into the University of Cambridge’s writing program. I will spend three weeks in late July working on my fiction book geared towards teenage girls (I am already on chapter three!) with esteemed professors and other writers.

Now after having been accepted into two great programs, I said to myself besides writing for my own personal gain what else is next? I then decided to take my skills of writing and editing to Africa to help with a start-up school in Tanzania. I am prayerfully traveling to Shinyanga, Tanzania in November to help with the recently opened Anna Schubert Preschool of Shinyanga. The goal of The Anna Schubert Preschool of Shinyanga is to teach the Shinyanga children English, give them exposure to books, reading and writing with an aim to expand their minds from an early age. I am excited to be a part of such a wonderful endeavor that will be extremely beneficial to the development of young children of Tanzania.

I have a lot going on! But these are all faith based trips, I am praying for an increase and for God to enlarge my territory meaning I am writing with a purpose and then using my writing skills to help educate others. I am looking to show young Black girls that it is possible to follow your dreams and to do so with style and grace. I would love for all my friends and family to help me go on this great mission trip around the world. From Yale University to the University of Cambridge in England to Tanzania, Africa, I am seeking donations to help take me GOLBAL!

Your support will help me cover the expenses associated with my traveling, including:

-The University of Cambridge tuition costs, accommodation and fees
-Roundtrip airfare to and from the United Kingdom
-Roundtrip airfare to and from Tanzania, Africa
-Room & Board in Tanzania
-All Necessary Vaccinations

Thank you in advance! I also accept well wishes and safe travel prayers! Remember God loves you like crazy!

Peace & Blessings,
Carla Thomas better known as Fly Carla

P.S. Of course, I will blog about my travels and experiences abroad!

Fly Fashion: 10 Non- Clothing Items Every Fly Girl Should Own

28 Mar

As a fly girl, you must think outside of the box and your closet. Being fly means you pay attention to the little details that make you stand out from the crowd, it’s the added thought to the small things that shows you truly have style.

gym
1. Gym membership- You have a closet full of clothes, you might as well look your best in them. Keep that figure tight!

2. Flask- Because girls with class don’t need a glass.

  Kate Spade New York Pop Art Check Umbrella


Kate Spade New York
Pop Art Check Umbrella

3. Umbrella- Face the bad weather with style.

josephine baker

4. Tool Box- Hang your own Warhol with pink tools.

5. Wine Glasses- Red wine deserves a red wine glass and white wine deserves a white glass. You’re grown; you should know the difference and have proper glassware for every occasion.

Shoes Stationery from Paper Source

Shoes Stationery from Paper Source

6. Stationary- Send sweet nothings or say thank you with your own personalized stationary. In an era of Facebook and email, something personal goes a long way.

7. Pen- Ditch the BIC and invest in a good pen.

image1

8. iPhone- Sorry folks, you get judged by your phone so upgrade now. I mean, there are twelve-year-olds who own one, so you should too.

9. Sewing kit- Every fly girl should know how to sew on a button or fix a small tear, save your money and do-it- yourself.

Shark Press and Refresh Garment Steamer

Shark Press and Refresh Garment Steamer

10. Steamer- For those impromptu events when you need to be on your cocktail dress sh*t but don’t have time to take it the cleaners. A garment cleaner will have your dress party ready in no time.

Fly Event: Tuesday Girls’ Night Out At Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar

25 Mar

image

Chocolate and wine are similar to diamonds, they’re a girl’s best friend. Make a resvervation for you and your bf and head to Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar in the west village for their Girls’ Night Out.

The deets:
Make a reservation today for tomorrow through FIND  A TABLE and type the code: ‘Girls’ Night Out’ in the special requests’ box to receive a complimentary chocolate shot and a belgian chocolate covered strawberry.

Need a wine recommendation? Try the Poggione Rosso Di Montalcino, it’s a medium bodied red from Tuscany

The Weekend Guide

15 Mar

Cheers to the freakin’ weekend! Here’s my fly curated list of the top activities you should check out this weekend.

Friday:

Foxy: The Complete Pam Grier Collection:

Pam-Grier

Starting today and through Sunday, the Film Society of Lincoln Center is screening all of iconic film and TV star Pam Grier’s movies. Grier will also be appearing at a few of the screenings, including tonight’s  screening of Jackie Brown, which will be preceded by a Q&A between Grier and Simon Doonan. There are tickets still available and you can check the complete movie schedule here.

 

Teyana Taylor does your nails:
adidas

Harlem singer Teyana Taylor teamed up with BK nail artist Christina Rinaldi this weekend for the Good Luck Charm pop-up nail salon at the new Adidas Originals event space at 365 Broadway. Those who love nail art can stop by for a limited-edition mani on Friday from 4:00PM to 8:00PM, on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00PM to 10:00PM. Click here to learn more.

 

Discover Healthy Foundation with Beauty Blogger Felicia Benson:

Discover Healthy Foundation with Beauty Blogger Felicia Benson
Beauty expert Felicia Walker Benson of This That Beauty Blog shows you how to find your ideal shade and foundation formula. Felicia is a highly sought after beauty authority and she will surely you up with the perfect foundation.  Find her today, March 15 at the Sephora Times Square, 1500 Broadway at 43rd Street from 5:00PM-7:00PM

Saturday:

Lift Off:
surface to air
This is the prefect time to score up to 75% off of parisian-cool rags, accessories and shoes. The Surface to Air sample sale continues until the 17th. Friday, March 15: 10:00AM-7:00PM, Saturday, March 16: 10:00AM-7:00PM, Sunday, March 17: 10:00AM-5:00PM;Location: 260 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10001

Sunday:

Sunday Winter Jazz Brunch at Upstairs at the Kimberly Hotel:the-kimberly-hotel-new-york-upstairs-rooftop-560

Join Upstairs at the Kimberly Hotel for the last installment of their Winter Jazz Brunch. This takes brunch to a grown and sexy level. When: Sunday, March 17,12:00PM – 3:00PM, Where:Upstairs at the Kimberly Hotel, 145 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022

Talib Kweli w/ Cory Mo (LIVE full band show!):

talib kweli
Talib Kweli is your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper. He is a stable of hip-hop and has been able to make music that entertains and educates. On Sunday, he will perform with a full live band at Brooklyn Bowl. Sunday, March 17, Doors: 6:00PM/ Show: 9:00PM, Tickets ($15) available at the door only. Brooklyn Bowl-61 Wythe Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211

You’ve Got Fly: Inbox Scan

13 Mar

You’ve got mail! Fly picks from my inbox.

CHLOE

Barneys: It’s Back! Shop the Iconic Chloé Paddington Bag (pictured)

Nasty Gal: Bits and pieces we’re losing it for

H&M: Perfect spring blazers + 25% off when you purchase pants

Brooklyn Based: Three Ways to Welcome Spring

New Music: Fly Pod Playlist

12 Mar

Here’s what you should be listening to now!  Add my new fave cuts to your #flypod.

Kat Dahlia

Kat Dahlia

“Money Party” by Kat Dahlia- This newcomer will give Rihanna a run for her money.

 

Lady (Nicole Wray and  Terri Walker)

Lady (Nicole Wray and Terri Walker)

“Get Ready” by Lady (Terri Walker x Nicole Wray) – I’ve been a fan of Nicole Wray since her, “Make It Hot” days with Missy. Now she’s back and partnered with English R&B and soul singer, Terri Walker for a super girl group called, Lady. Get ready because this joint is sexy and soulful.

 

Bridgette Kelly, Kendrick Lamar

Bridget Kelly, Kendrick Lamar

“Street Dreamin” by Bridget Kelly ft. Kendrick Lamar- Jay-Z is determined to make Bridget Kelly happen, for this new single she’s teamed up with MTV’s 2013 Hottest MC: Kendrick Lamar.

 

Paris 96

Paris 96

“Afternoon” by Paris 96 (Theophilus London x Jesse Boykins III)- Jesse’s voice is like butter on their first single and this track is perfect for an afternoon delight.

 

Jarvis

Jarvis

“Make A Little Room” by Jarvis- For the teenybopper in you.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 180 other followers