Fashion | Eli-Nay

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Black-Owned
Beauty
Travel

What If It All Works Out?

During a recent trip to the Hamptons, something shifted in me. Being away from home—whether near or far—always seems to leave a lasting imprint on me, but this time was different. If you’ve been keeping up with me for years—or even the last few months—you’d know that I’m a fashion and beauty editor and content creator. Not to be confused with an influencer, I’m a creative professional who loves telling meaningful stories that push culture forward, whether that’s through my p

Aug 114 min read

An Ode to the Knicks, From a New Yorker

Growing up in New York City is simply iconic—especially now. My voice is somewhat hoarse, I've been wearing blue and orange for nearly a week straight, I'm never home, and the sun seems to be shining especially brightly these days—all signs of one thing. The Knicks have just won the National Basketball Association’s Championship for the first time since 1973 (yeah, 53 years). Though I’ve always been proud to be a born-and-raised New Yorker, this historic moment has given that

Jun 174 min read

Everybody Wants to Be "It"—Why?

Though it seems like a new trend comes on the scene every day, there’s one thing that’s become a mainstay on the internet for years—being “it.” It factor, it thing, it girl (that girl, him, main character as spinoffs), I’m sure you’ve heard it all. And there’s nothing wrong with being it. The concept screams coolness, but is twofold; something that’s in you and something that’s shown by how one presents themself. But what is being “it” anyway? And why are we so obsessed with

May 213 min read

The Past Is a Teacher, Not a Home

The past. It’s complicated. We love it, we hate it, and most times, we unknowingly live from it. Of course, each mindset has its place—but how do we know when to separate who we are from who we were, and who we’re becoming? Is it the past itself we’re attached to, or is it the versions of ourselves we were in those moments? And do we exactly hate the skeletons of our pasts or the role(s) we played in certain situations? Where does our love, hate, and obsession with the past e

Apr 223 min read

Catch the Vision

We’re officially in the first full week of April, and I’ve learned so much in just eight days. One would think that to reach an epiphany, you need more time or some life-changing encounter. But I guess, the saying “you learn something new every day” is true — and when you choose to be more intentional about every moment, you’ll start seeing things you might have missed before. What am I talking about? Vision. At the beginning of each year, there’s always a hyperfocus on this

Apr 83 min read

Is Pressure Good For You?

If there’s one thing Q1 has shown me, it’s the strangely intricate beauty of pressure. Even writing that feels surreal, considering I’ve always avoided it. Growing up, my dad spoiled me, so I got used to having things go my way—pressure, of course, does the exact opposite. Because of that, I used to resent it whenever it showed up in work, church, my social life, or anywhere else. To me, happiness came from getting what I wanted. But what if that’s not the whole truth? What

Mar 303 min read

The Miseducation of Self-Elevation

When Lauryn Hill asked, “How you gonna win when you ain’t right within?” in “Doo Wop (That Thing),” she was speaking to something deeper than success. So much of our lives revolves around achieving—securing the dream job, building a family, buying a home. We all want to win. But I’m learning that winning isn’t limited to just what’s tangible. Sometimes winning looks like doing the inner work: seeking God, going to therapy, choosing discipline over comfort, or finally bookin

Feb 243 min read

The Pursuit of Real Luxury

“Ugly people just walking around with all these luxuries,” my brother said to me in a recent, lengthy conversation. No, he wasn’t referring to the physical ugliness of people. He was referencing the internal blemishes that people have inside and are quite comfortable with — sometimes unknowingly, and other times knowingly. And it got me thinking. Most of the things that we [humans] are pursuing are extrinsic. Whether it’s a new house, car, money, a promotion, traveling first

Jan 273 min read

2026: The Whole Point.

As I closed out 2025, I left many things behind. But there’s one concept I carried with me straight into the New Year: God is the whole point . It sounds basic, right? Let me cook. About three years ago, I started creating gratitude jars. 2023 was an especially interesting year for me, particularly in my career. I was freshly navigating freelance life, praying desperately for God to bless me with a full-time editor position. It was hard. But somewhere along the way, I decide

Jan 14 min read

Dreams, They Come a Long Way

" Dreams, they come a long way," Solange famously said on her album, "When I Get Home. " And as I get older, the more I understand those lyrics — and not just because I'm a committed fan of the H-Town artist. I've been through experiences that have taught me just how complex dreams, from chasing them to living in them, can actually be, contrary to what I thought in my formative years. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the commonly used term as " a series of thoughts, ima

Nov 5, 20254 min read

Denim Skirts Are More Than a Trend For Me

While keeping up with trends is an essential part of my job as a fashion and beauty editor, I do the opposite when it comes to my personal style. I wasn't outrightly taught to stay away from the trend cycle. Still, when I started discovering my sartorial identity as a teenager, I always loved purchasing pieces that I didn't see on others, and I've maintained this approach to shopping ever since. And as much as my style has evolved, this mindset is still a part of its foundati

Jun 30, 20253 min read

I Spent 72 Hours In Paris — Here’s What I Wore

Have you ever had those moments where you pause and think you’re living in answered prayers? Yeah, that’s how life has been feeling for me lately. Don’t get me wrong, every moment is a blessing, but sometimes, you can’t help but pause in gratitude because (once again), God has blown your mind in the best way possible. Recently, I had the privilege of attending a press trip in Paris, both monumental "firsts" for me. Although the trip was brief, it was undoubtedly one of the b

May 15, 20253 min read