It's time for a separation

Greetings Butterflies,

I have noticed that all my entries are getting bunched together. This is mainly due to the delay in posting since February. With the tragic loss of two close family members, has sent me into a tale spin that I am still not regrouped from. A lot of My writing work got set aside, pushed aside and got down right avoided during that time. In an effort to make up for lost time I have been on a posted frenzy which has resulted in to chaos.  I want to thank all my support system for working with me through this time.

However, I have noticed that personal entries are bunched together with community events and business events. I have decided that I am going to separate the two. As you know and have come to love "Gems of the Day" will remain my platform to showcase my work and work others I find interesting in the Fashion Industry.

Feel free to go to "Life According to Africa1" blog to get a sneak peak into the life of your girl..

Smooches,
Nit Ra






Keep it Cute... Always

The Dope Girl Project

Butterflies,

I recently attended a photo exhibit deemed "The Dope Girl Project". A collection of images that depict young women in their everyday lives and what makes them "Dope". Photographer Nakeya B. who hales from New Jersey and attends Rutgers University is the inspiration behind the exhibit.




Keep it Cute... Always

Art Pic of the Month

Butterflies,

Enjoy the colors........





Keep it Cute... Always



http://www.wisommm.org/about/history.html


http://www.wisommm.org/event_services/index.html

Fun with Little People

Keep it Cute... Always

R.I.P Beloved Big Lil Brother

Butterflies,

  My heart is heavy with grief for the life of my little brother taken too soon.  I will always love you and keep your memory alive in me and anyone that comes in contact.

I know your in a better place....beloved...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ENhy4eVsE

Keep it Cute... Always

Spring is on it's way.....trust me

Greetings Butterflies,

Last month was a tough one for yours truly. I lost my anchor in life however she is with me till my death. Always.

Well dear hearts,

Another month is opening up bringing us, oh so much closer to the glory days of summer!! So enjoy the pic.
I pick this one just for you...



Keep it Cute... Always

I love to play...

Greetings Butterflies,

We love to play and this weekend we did plenty of it at the Brooklyn Childrens Museum.









This is what I did this weekend.





Keep it Cute... Always

Welcome February!

Greetings Beautiful Butterflies, 

  I have some great news to announce. Drum roll please...... My Women's Accessories line will now be carried by Down to Earth Boutique & Gallery. Folks, if you have a chance to get away this weekend, let's travel down to Suffolk,Va for the grand opening of this very hip and oh, so stylish new boutique. You will get a chance to meet with the powerhouse behind this great concept store Ms. Terina McKinney, of Jypsea Inc. A respected designer in her own right.
   I personally feel honored to have my products mentioned in the same breath as KahriAnne Kerr, Harriet's Alter Ego, Bela Shehu, Letau Designs and Lelieth Co., just to name a few of the phenomenal artist on board for this venture.

So, If your game or adventurous head over to Washington Square Mall on February 7th, 2009, from 12:00pm until 4:00pm to 140 West Washington Street, Suffolk, Va 23434 for the Official Grand Opening & Meet n Greet. There will be plenty of fashion industry contacts to be made and local press reporters, so be ready for your close up? For more info goto: Myspace.com/downtoearthboutique 

See you there!!!!

 Nit

It's a new month and I am feeling charged up!!!

I am just a ball of energy these days, feeling a Patti La Belle rendition of New Attitude coming on lol.  Any who, dear butterflies here's the pic.

Keep it Cute... Always

Let It Snow or do whatever, I am going to Chill this weekend

Greetings Butterflies,


So the festivities are over and we are back to our normal lives. I am totally cool with that, this was the greatest year of my life and I only see bigger and better for the coming new year!!!

The weather forecast snow here in New York this weekend and after all the partying I have been doing these past few weeks. I welcome an excuse to stay in bed late, watch the boob tube and veg out.

Darlings, I know you have read this hundreds of times in this blog that positive thinking is the key. Dude! It is so true I can not even begin to tell you how you have to really reach for the stars even when some crappy stuff might be trying to make you focus on it. What do I mean? Stay Focused People!, Is what I mean. Last year, I decided that I would put one hundred and ten percent of my energy into taking my business to the next level and even though there is a lot of room for improvement in certain area's. I stopped worrying about what other people were going to think, and I just went for it, and let me just tell you, it was a great strategy if I can say so myself. It's like that saying a body in motion stays in motion, well a spirit surging for higher ground at some point finds angels to take it higher. I have been blessed by one great event after another and there seems to be no shortage insight. I am not saying times today are not hard and that just before jumping out of bed saying to your self "Today I will find a job." that it will happen. However, what I am saying is, if you are out of work create work for yourself. You are talented and whatever you are skilled in there is someone out there who needs your skill. Try instead of getting that one big paying assignment, find a few good paying assignments, Hell, freelance why don't ya. I do strongly feel that our realities are first born in our minds. So stay up full in thought and work that energy at all times.

I am literally fling, (yeah, with my Butterfly wings ha, how about that). So, once again you have been hit with another Public Service Announcement--Keep it Positive and Keep it Cute......Always



Nit




Keep it Cute... Always

Higher Ground part deux

Well it has all been a great big blur but it was fun!

Serron.













Serron's art work adorning our wall.






Introducing the great Serron.
















A happy shopper picking out earrings.














Musicians and Customers interacting



Jypsea's Owner Meca was in the house.
This is the place to be if your an art, music and good vibes lover
















Check out Spoken Word Artist Lyssen work the crowd!
















Keep it Cute... Always

Higher Ground

I want to thank everyone who partisipated and attended the Higher Ground event last night. It was a night full of fun and entertainment. As usual I will let the pictures speak for the selves.

Keep it Cute, Always

wired for sound

I am getting ready for everything that is now on my plate. Thank you O, for the crash course on being my own drill Sargent and not accepting mediocrity in anything.

Welcome To December...

Greetings Butterflies,




I have been running so much I forgot to post my monthly picture.


Please forgive the kid, I honestly just been grinding away at moving forward with my passions.
I have a passion to work for self, To do for self and to contribute to the greater good from the fruits of my labor. Sounds familiar? Dang straight ,I am setting Kwanzaa off early and proper like...That means I am going to make you laugh with my it's 10:17PM and I been up since 5:45AM pic.

I am going to make you think with the "You are only as good as the last conversation you walked away from and the other guy knows exactly where you coming from" and I am going to make you feel with the "Lord, I don't want to do this alone, but if I got to can I at least look cute doing it?" or should that go under the laugh category? Hell, I don't know I am exhausted.

Grinding til the dang thing breaks
Nit



Keep it Cute... Always

Greetings Butterflies,

This is your official invite.

Join me.

Keep it Cute... Always

Fresh out the oven: Holiday line item

Butterflies,

Tell me what ya think.

More Pics

Butterflies,


The event was such a success, my friends requested I post more images so, here they are enjoy! I would like for you to get a feel of the space we were in. It really was an awesome view hence the "view to a thrill" concept. We are also proud to announce that we will be presenting more shows in the future.

This photo below depicts Lydia of PoleStarImages's creativity. Lydia made this profile to display her jewelry. She also contributed her art work she is a phenomenal visual artist,an true renaissance woman she is definetly keeping Brooklyn cute.

This was one of our designers vending space. Yuko of Really Roots was in the house and everyone was going crazy over her creations.

Yes, folks she handcrafted all of these fab hats herself. I think her hats are great way to keep it cute people.

Nit Ra

The Show

Greetings Butterflies,

I would like to thank all our supporters that came out to our "View to a Thrill" event। Lydia and I were feeling like proud parents to see our brain child take off the way it did। I am truly inspired by all the well wishers that came to shop, take part in the festive environment or just to hang out। Thank you Ms. Linda Lindsay and Ms. Clarisse Kouadjo for all the support and guidance without you none of this could have been possible. I have to give a shout out to one fantastic young lady who is just amazing Miss Amika you were the best assistant ever, period. We look forward to working with you in the future.

It was a wonderful day and we all had fun.

Some of our shoppers checking out the art work.

A View to a Thrill

Greetings Butterflies,



Save the Date for a party: November 15th 2008



Please join me and Lydia of PoleStarImages as we host A View To A Thrill!! I know the flyer is small but if you click on it, it should open up, Hopefully.

For more information about the event site location check out this website.

designschemesathome.com

PoleStarImages.com








Keep it Cute... Always

Pop Up Boutique

My Time at the Pop Boutique

This weekend we took part in an event that was sponsored by Vantage Properties and The West Harlem Art Fund. The event dubbed "Hallelujah, Harlem Public Art Fest 2008" The Pop-Up Boutique featured several designers offering a variety items. The event is an effort to bring art and culture to the Upper West Side. To promote the event there were art installations in various store fronts in the neighborhood. These set ups were very striking and thought provoking. I am very proud to have been part of it. This will be a two part entry one dedicated to the window installations and the other to the Pop-UP Boutique.

I'm in the window...Dude!

Check out my products in the display window of Harriet's Alter Ego. I have no words.

Greetings Butterflies,
Gems of the day is going mobile via my cellphone.
Well, I should be able to keep you updated better now. "How" you ask?. I, now can update directly to the blog via my cellphone. This opens up time slots which were closed prior to this new service. So, you can expect more entries moving forward...yeah!!!

I am all about living creatively, My lifetime goal is to connect with other people tapping in to their creative side and making a living from it.

Check out the photos from the art exhibit.

Totally Mobile:

On October 5th a couple of really nice events took place in Brooklyn, Atlantic Antic is an annual gathering that always has something for everyone.
The other was an art show at Harriet's Alter Ego, What was really cool about this event was that all the participants were women. Exceptional women, who all had fantastic stories to tell through their work.







Keep it Cute... Always

Greetings Butterflies,

October Rocks!!! Why you ask? I will tell you.

Please join me and my creative family as we celebrate the Website launch of Internationally acclaimed Cocolah.com. Yes, yours truly is one of the designers featured and I am going global. Hows that for rocking

You are invited to the Website launch party at Harriet's Alter Ego on Sunday October 5th, 2008 from 5pm - 9pm at 293 Flatbush Avenue between St. Marks and Prospect Pl. Come and meet the designers and the host of the evening Yacira Valdez.

Speaking of Harriet's Alter Ego, Please join me in celebrating my Fall Accessory Fashion line at Harriet's. That's right your girl will have her accessory line on sale at the Bohemian Capital of New York.
How am i feeling about that fact? Well, excited does not begin to describe the feeling people.

bo·he·mi·an

(bō-hē'mē-ən) n. A person with artistic or literary interests who disregards conventional standards of behavior.

Keep it Cute... Always

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME...SORRY, I LEFT YOU

GREETINGS BUTTERFLIES,

We definitely have lots of ground to cover. We at Gemz By Design and sister company Nit Ra Sit Originals have been working very diligently to bring you some of the most exciting news of the season for us. As you know we mentioned in July that the Gemz By Design family had found a new location. The opening of our new design house was the first of many milestones that mark this most amazing year for this little company.

July 15th, 2008: Gemz By Design moved to a new location and begun work on our design studio. I like most people am greatly influenced by my environment, my motivation, my inspirations usually come from what I surround myself with. Keeping that in mind, I chose some very vibrant colors for the studio to keep me charged and to also give a positive charge of energy to my employees as well as my clients. I think we are gonna like it here!!

August 2008: As we celebrate the Khemitic New Year, we also decided to go within and take stock of what direction we would like to see the company take in the coming season. Our plans are to bring fresh ideas to table. Our on line family is very out spoken and we are confident that you all will let us know what you think. ( I am looking forward to it)

Meanwhile back at the ranch: (it's the "shop" but I thought that sounded weird)
We are putting the final touches on our space and look forward to our first event.



September 2008: We kicked off the beginning of fall with our Annual Labor day festivities, such as the "Kiddie Carnival" where we received a preview of what the bigger kids had in store for us this year. As usual they did not disappoint. Labor Day weekend was awesome!!
















9/07: We attended the final event for the season with The Brooklyn Urban Arts Market. It was a beautiful day and people were out and about. I also had the pleasure of working with a very talented local artist Ms. Lydia Randall, if you are an art enthusiast you will appreciate Ms. Randall's work.
The atmosphere was electric with great music coming from the sound stage and performers like the legendary hip hop pioneer Africa Bambaataa and DJ collective Soul Summit did not disappoint. From what I could tell everyone there got their two step on, yours truly included.











9/20: Nit Ra Sit Originals participated in SOLA!! Shops of Lewis Avenue 3rd annual Outdoor Event. Great fun was had by all. If you live in the Brooklyn area or near by I encourage you to check out Lewis Avenue shops from Fulton Street straight down to Green Avenue. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what is taking place here.














Keep it Cute... Always

Happy Birthday Gems Of The Day!!!

Yes, my baby is two years old today. In these two years I have set pieces of my soul on these pages. Giving my readers some insight to who I am, What I like and where I am going. This journey has been filled with high points and some low ones. Writing about all of them has been therapy for me. It has allowed me to express what is currently going on in my life and also allow my readers to comment and give me some insight. Trust me it's way cheaper than actually going to therapy...

I would like to honor the people in my life, on this anniversary of my blog because they assist me in being the best person I can be. I have surrounded myself with progressive positive people who strive for excellence in their everyday life. Which in turn forces one to excel in her own. To my extended family of well wishers I thank you for your contributions in my life and this journey we are on. I thank you. However, I would also, like to thank my distractors (there aren't many) why? because if it were not for you, I would never have a ruler to measure myself. I realize without struggle there is no glory in victory.

Butterflies, continue to strive for the best, surround your self with people who truly want to see you in your most positive light. Never be afraid to say "No" this is not right for me or You are not right for me. Regardless of out the come. Be true to self first. Sometimes this leaves you in a space by yourself but guess what that's okay at times. You will grow from the situation and that is all anyone can ask for.


Keep it Cute... Always

Guess where I am going to be this weekend?




Wrong..

LOL

I will actually be at two events. The Brooklyn Urban Arts Market and Bikini Under the Bridge.





I am so excited about the new events going on at the House of Nit Ra Sit I can hardly sit still. We have opened a new tailor boutique in the heart of Crown Heights very exciting. We are in major shows with international attention surrounding them. Golden!




Keep it Cute... Always

The 4th Annual Afro-Punk Festival parties its way to a close this weekend right here on Clinton Avenue between Myrtle & Willoughby. Afro Punk, BAM and MARP have come together again to organize the 2nd annual Afro Punk Block Party, bringing the best underground local artists and artisans, tasty treats from local food favorites, and family-friendly activities directly to Fort Greene and Clinton Hill for an all-day, all-out neighborhood celebration! Not the usual street fair, there’s enough in store to entertain all day. Make sure you find time to check it out, this is definitely an event not to miss.

Here’s just a sample of what you can expect:

Live Music all day
Kudu, J*Davey, The Carps, The Caesarz , DJ Rich Medina, The Dustbin Brothers

Family-friendly fun DIY T-shirt screen printing is back by popular demand! The folks from Afro Punk will help kids make a statement by offering a quick screen-printing lesson. (All day)
Local artist Derick Cross will also be on hand for free facepainting for the young ones (or young at heart)(1pm-6pm)
Healthy Kids Van – NYC Public Advocate’s office is brining their mobile Community Healthcare Unit, complete with important information for parents and games for kids. Come spin their giant prize wheel and get free stuff like hats and waterbottles! (12pm – 3pm)
Brooklyn Botanical Garden will be on site to teach us how to compost. Put those food scraps to good use and reduce your garbage footprint! (12pm-5pm)
BikeNY is offering free bike safety classes for youth! More information and registration (not required) is available here. Please bring your own bike if you’d like to participate! (1pm-4pm)

Local Dish
Homemade sweet treats by The Bakery (their peach cobbler is one of our favorites!)
Tamboril puts a Nuevo Latino twist on some of your favorite eats
Restaurant New Orleans brings their delicious crab cakes and vegetarian red beans

DIY Fashion, Accessories and Artisan Merchandise
Buy direct from some of the hottest, edgiest local DIY designers! We’ll have clothing, accessories an other goodies for adults and kids alike. Or, beautify yourself with stuff from some of the neighborhood’s best all-natural product-makers. Definitely a shoppers delight!
Keep it Cute... Always