#crwndangl

[ashlieayanna-blog]

ending the first week of women's history month with this doodle inspired by @alex_elle's light-filled daughter.🌻✨ . because every woman that has ever made (and will make) history starts as a girl with dreams as big as the universe.💛 . #artbyashay #crwndangl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #supportblackart #art #blackgirlmagic #blackqueens #womenshistorymonth #womenshistory #vsco #vscoart #vscoartist #dopeblackart #blackartist #blkcreatives #creatives #veganartist #womenartists #blackgirlart #artistsofig #artshare #blackartmatters #blackartspace #femme #feminism #blacklivesmatter #educationforgirls

[crwndangl-blog]

taking leaps

these next words garnered a bit of inspiration from a video by kristen leo. <3

throughout the course of my life i’ve typically done what was expected of me: remained polite with my words (usually), played nicely, acted ladylike, remained quiet (even when the situation called for the exact opposite), made the honor roll, applied to a few top universities for the sake of it (got in), studied science/medicine. blah blah, the list goes on.

however, these past two years - 2016 in particular - have produced significant changes in me. some gradual, blossoming before my eyes; others so abrupt i still have yet to conceive how they even came about. regardless, these changes are very much welcome. for far too long i felt as if i was living someone else’s life, some other being’s dream. which is probably why over the course of this past year and a half i ended up making the drastic switch from science/medicine to art as my study of pursuit. looking back over the course of my life there had always been nudges of sorts, guiding me to art, but because of the age-old ‘starving artist’ archetype, combined with caribbean parents that were big on finding a ‘good paying job’, i ran the other way. but you can’t outrun your heart haha. 

not too much earlier than that, i made the switch to veganism, which in and of itself has opened up my mind to so many beliefs and feelings regarding this planet and its inhabitants. even the way in which i view fashion and make-up has changed. although there’s still lots of work to be done, i’m starting to see clothes and make-up as fun things to have; not necessities. internally i grew more in my love for myself, the love of my skin, and the love of my culture. 2015 and 2016 really gave me room to grow as a black woman. i no longer see myself or those like me as ‘ugly’ or ‘less than’. this love has even spilled over into an immense appreciation for all other races/ethnicities, particularly fellow people of color.

all of these experiences and moments of growth have culminated into an enormous force that has pushed me out of my comfort zone, into new patterns of thought, as well as instilled in me a dire need to live doing what i was made to do; what i love. granted, there are things in my past that i treasure and appreciate. i mean without them i wouldn’t be where i am today. but it’s great to no longer seem like a pawn in someone else’s game. it’s beautiful to feel as if you’re finally on track to living your life out loud, catering to the things that you care about, unearthing God-given talents. being what you were made to be.

and this is what i encourage you all to do if you get the chance.

question everything around you, even yourself. fight to know the real you. only follow your passion, your heart. and yes, it will may very well feel more difficult at times (compared to when you were merely floating through life), but it is so worth it. personally, even with the moments of disappointment, ‘artist block’, and frustration, i’ve ended up feeling more fulfilled and content than i ever would’ve had i continued down the path i was headed nearly two years ago. why? because me following my passion as an artist helps to push me through the worst of times. the love for what i’m doing keeps me going. had i stuck to medicine i would probably have a degree right now, maybe two, but ultimately at the price of my sanity and happiness.

so please, i implore you, take that leap whatever it may be, wherever it may lead. do it for your peace of my mind, do it for the lives you may touch, do it for the pure happiness. just jump.

aa

(c) 2017 crwnd angl co.

[crwndangl-blog]

recipe: easy (healthy) coffee ice cream

Hey angls! 

I’m back! This time with something that involves... ice cream! One of the most fun things for me  to eat is ‘nice’-cream. Partially because I get to do so much with it since it’s being made entirely from scratch. But mainly because ice-cream, period, is one of faves, and will always be. 

Another fun fact: using all natural ingredients makes this ice cream much healthier, allowing you to eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner guilt-free!

That being said, here’s one of my more simple (and to be honest favorite) recipes for this frozen treat.

3 Frozen Bananas (or as many as you want). A little splash of cashew milk (to get the blender going + add creaminess). 3 tsps of agave to sweeten (sugar or syrup can be used instead). Or nothing at all since bananas are sweet on their own. Ground decaf coffee (I used about 2 tbsp). Vanilla to taste (you can use the liquid version or beans).

Put everything in the blender and blend until smooth but still thick. For toppings I added sliced strawberries, blueberries, and chia seeds.

Let me know if you tried it and how it tastes! 

aa