Meet this amazing human; actress, singer, producer, writer and friend, Ciara Reneé. I was blessed a few months ago to connect with her though her production company, Our Sky Productions. As she was preparing to get her short film entitled Reddy Records off the ground.

The company’s mission of inclusion, equity, equality, and representation was what drew me to connect and reach out to Ciara. It turned out that the universe wanted us to connect because she needed an artistically and graphic savy friend as well. haha. After collaborating on a couple projects and getting to know this gal, I joined the team for Reddy Records as a co-producer.

Before she moved to LA and I returned to Ohio, we had the chance for a photoshoot with a mission to highlight gender stereotypes. For this shoot we wanted to show equality between the dualities while also displaying a paradoxical shift in how we typically see the two. I had a blast in the studio capturing these shots, it definitely is one of my favorite shoots to date.

Check out Ciara here on instagram and twitter, as she shares her journey and voice. She is such a bright light and soul, speaking her truth on important topics of our world, she also is an unreal talent with a killer voice!

Lastly, check out and follow REDDY RECORDS! It is a musical fantasia about a woman who has to find forgiveness with her father, as well as face her fears and insecurities. This film features a diverse and inclusive cast and crew. After 3 months of hard work, through a crowdfunding campaign on SEED AND SPARK.. we are FULLY FUNDED. Now it is time to make this work of art.

I’ve been grateful for Ciara’s friendship and have learned so much through this process. I am proud of the work she has done and what we have done together, and cannot wait for the next step of the journey…

Enjoy these shots from our shoot… there were soo so many good ones!

XO. ZAFI

This year is flying by! Yes, I have been posting less... but I also have been doing more! As much as I constantly miss the city, my friends and the lifestyle, I stop to think about my accomplishments. 

For those of you who do not know, I am currently a full-time art teacher. I teach grades 4 though 8 and also get to teach fashion design. I know crazy, middle school!? They are crazy indeed— somedays they are all attitude and are cooler than school, other days they are inquisitive, insightful, creative, silly and inspiring. I absolutely love that I get to inspire and teach them everyday! 

Massillon has truly given me the opportunity to make my visions a reality. We have been creating so much goodness in the classroom- check out some of the work on my art ed twitter. I also have taken on my largest project yet! I recently was the Artistic Director for our school musical, Beauty and the Beast. I was overwhelmed with nothing put positive feedback! Also being part of the theatre community, fed my soul (I'm obsessed with theatre for those of you who didn't know!) Even though it was a middle school level, I set my expectations at nothing but the best. People raved that it did not look like a middle school production either! 

All of these things combined have gotten me noticed. And I am proud to say, I have been chosen as the candidate for my district as Educator Rookie of the Year! I am proud to be a Massillon Tiger. Thank you to everyone in believing in me, supporting me, and recognizing me.

T-I-G!

Jacket: Forever 21 | Jeans: Tobi | Shoes: Free People | Photography: Rachel Hanon

As for my outfit- I found this jacket at Forever 21! It's our school spirit colors, but I love that on the sleeve it says NEW YORK. It is like the best of both worlds! I let the jacket stand for itself by pairing it with all black, of course. My ripped knee black skinnies are from Tobi and my slide-on mules are Free People. I feel like a race car driver in this outfit. 3-2-1... Let's go! Here's to more greatness this year. 

Xo Zafi 

I usually never make serious resolutions for the new year. When I make resolutions, they are typical and not taken seriously- like getting organized, or working out. Although I did discover my love for working out, but that came unrelated to resolutions. 

This year I do want to make it a mission to be creative, make, and collaborate as much as possible. This means whatever it maybe - starting my art, growing in photo, reaching out to fellow creatives, or working on my blog. I want to be in a constant state of making. So far I think I have a good start, I went to a photo meet up on the New Years Day and met over 200 photographers as part of the instagram group Pursuit of Portraits. I have already reached out to a few area photographers for meeting up, and collaborating, and making that happen. I also have been creating a studio area for some visual art! I have a feeling this year is going to be a good one. 2018 is gonna be my year. 

This shoot was done at the end of 2017, with one of my first connections back here in Ohio. Lindsey Poy's photos are magic. I always love seeing her new photos, check her pics here. I can't wait to hang out more, collaborate and feed off of her creative energy. 

I also loved this outfit. How perfect and easy is this blush, velvet, hoodie-dress? I threw on some OTK boots, and my stack of Alex and Ani's and I was good to go. 

What are some things you are working on this year?

Xo Zafi

I cannot believe Halloween has come and gone this year. Despite it being one of my favorite holidays, I kept it pretty chill this year. I am pretty sure the gross weather had a lot to do with it. I did dress up at school as a comic book character though, going all out on my makeup to perfect a comic book aesthetic. To end my week, I went to a party at the independent movie theatre: The Nightlight with my college bestie, Giselle. Assembling a last-minute costume, I created a dark-eyed, blood, red lips look combined with one of my many black dresses, to become a vampire. And lastly, I found this orange, velvet dress at Target. It was just too cute to pass up. It reminds me of a dress Ms. Frizzle would wear for Halloween; as a teacher I will happily embrace anything that gives me Ms. Frizzle whimsy vibes. The vibrant orange and bat pattern is just so fun! I paired this dress with my go-to leather jacket and some leather booties.

I had a blast finally shooting and exploring Akron with my newest photo friend, Lindsey Poy—check out some of her work here. 

As for a random life update: I know I've been MIA, but this quarter my priority has been getting acclimated to school. In the meantime, I somehow have created a ton of content waiting to be posted, so stay tuned! 

Hope you had a Happy Halloween! <3 

Dress: Target | Jacket: Nasty Gal | Booties: Nordstrom Rack | Accessories: Alex and Ani | Photography: Lindsey Poy

Xo. Zafi