Categories
Blog General

WHAT’S IN A NAME….

I get a lot of questions about the inspiration behind the name #ConquerTheSoil. Truth is, I struggled for a long time to come up with one. It is from the writings of one of the foremost intellects in American history, the phenomenal Mr. W.E.B. Du Bois.

In this passage, Mr. Du Bois references some of the many: cultural, environmental, and spiritual gifts brought to the United States by African slaves. Moral of the story inspiration is everywhere and the answer might just be in the moment you open that book.

Categories
Blog Fashion

FOR THE RECORD, MOTHER NATURE IS A BLACK WOMAN

The historic September issues of British and American Vogue featuring Rihanna and Beyoncé on the cover was nothing but epic level slayage. It confirmed what I already suspected was true: Mother Nature is a Black Woman. Point. Blank. Period.

It also confirmed what I’ve told myself about style in general. After seeing these covers, I give myself unapologetic permission to be completely extra at any and every garden engagement I attend going forward. Y’all are gonna get these floral crowns and anything else I decide to do and you will like it! 

Categories
Blog Garden

TO THE LEFT TO THE LEFT….

What’s wrong with this picture? The container needs to be about 6”—to the left to the left—(shoutout Beyoncé!) Here’s why, the various shades of green foliage reallllllly clash with the burgundy wall. There are a lot of undertones in these greens (like yellow and gray) and they are fighting each other! And guess what? Ain’t nobody winning y’all—and that’s why it’s clashing.

If you move the container over just a wee bit, it will be in front of a window trimmed in dark green. Now it becomes more of Monochromatic design (a design featuring variations of one color.) In this case Green. You save the design and it didn’t cost you a dime to fix the error. You’re welcome!

Categories
Blog Culture

AMERICAN GARDEN HERO

Happy 4th of July y’all! Meet Mr. Wormley Hughes: Head Gardener at Monticello; “Master of Many Trades;” Horticulture Icon; and slave of Thomas Jefferson (the principle author of the Declaration of Independence and 3rd U.S. President.) Real talk: being “Head Gardener” is a big a** deal!

Jefferson’s granddaughter Ellen recalled Mr. Hughes being “armed with a spade and a hoe.” He planted seeds, bulbs, and trees. Mr. Hughes also planted flowers beds; took up bulbs for winter; and spread dung in the vegetable garden. Hughes even dug Jefferson’s grave. There is no Monticello without mentioning Wormley Hughes and the many slaves who’s talents were used forcibly by Jefferson to build and nurture its land.

“Independence Day” in the USA is a celebration of July 4, 1776—the date the 13 colonies received independence from British rule. Note: slaves like Wormley Hughes did not receive their full independence until “Juneteenth” June 19, 1865.

(Picture from Monticello website)