top of page
Search

In honor of Black History Month

Here are a few of my favorite books by Black authors. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi Woman of Color by Latonya Yvette...

An Ode To The Black Crayon

I met your scribble in my coloring book long before I even knew your nature Watched you highlight and confiscate with the same rhythm....

Oversized

I don't know about you but Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons. It's the colorful, changing weather, and cozy sweaters for...

I'm so sorry Breonna!

You may not have gotten the justice that you deserve, but you did not die in vain. We love you and will not stop fighting for our...

An Ode to Grandma Sallie

It's in her sweet tea tongue Her shady side-eye stares The way she comforts and confronts with the same twang It's in her rich chocolate...

Life Is An Adventure

Hey y'all!! Sorry I've been missing in action but the organization I work for is currently hosting camp for the kids in our community...

A Walk In a Park

This week at work was exhausting. It was one of the busiest weeks I've had in a while. So I was excited when I found out I would be...

Your Black friends are tired

As an artivist, I have yet to garner an artistic response to how I'm feeling. With all that’s going on right now, the impact hits...

It's okay not to be okay

I faked a couple smiles today Put on bronzer and tangerine lips and called myself pretty Called myself able Made myself ready despite how...

Relief

How hollow is the swell we take ownership of Not knowing that at any moment it could be lost Blown away by the breath of the universe...

Social Distancing is Kicking My Butt

I absolutely adore blogger Cynthia Andre. She's super cute, very stylish, and travels to the most beautiful places. Well recently while...

Within Her

Within her is Spring wrapped in an occasional tropical storm Tulips bloom beneath her feet Calling each freckle by name Knew that her...

Be your own hype man

I recently read this book at the end of 2019 called the Year Of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. In this book I was faced with a mirror that showed...

Out with the old, in with the new

(Poem) If I have mastered anything its the way my soul feels when I breath hope into it. Living although not easy comes with...

Home: Blog2
11899814_10206376420362567_279380485855444303_n_edited.jpg

Welcome to Shana Shanell’s A Work In Progress

A Creative Lifestyle Blog
Where we talk women struggles, victories, sisterhood, fashion, beauty, equality and so much more.

Born and raised in Philadelphia PA. I am the second oldest of six children, raised by a single mother.  I’ve always been a girlie girl. Rocking oversized hats and a red lippie like my mother for as long as I could remember.  My love for fashion, music, and art was groomed at an early age. I remember listening to the sweet soulful sounds of Anita Baker and Sade while wandering around my home. Their voices would bring comfort to a home that was sometimes chaotic. At school my favorite subject was art. I would get lost and painting and creating. I enjoyed designing clothes, and covering my hands with glue or clay. In art, I could be free.  I could be myself.  My love for poetry was cultivated in 4th grade when my teacher read “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes.  As a shy kid it changed my life and opened up the windows and doors to my soul.  I found refuge in words.  When I didn't know what to say I'd let my writing speak.  I am my most authentic self through my poetry.

After finding out I was pregnant at the age of 19, while in college I made the difficult decision to leave school and return home to work full time to provide for my son.  The album Miseducation of Lauryn Hill guided me through a tough period of my life.  Her pain nursed my pain and through that album I gained courage.

Shortly after I had my beautiful son, I met my best friend and the love of my life while working at the post office. He joined the Navy, and in 2002 we relocated to Virginia as husband and wife. I thought I had finally gotten my fairytale ending but marrying at such a young age wasn’t easy for either of us. We had a lot of hurdles to get over and didn't understand what it took to make a marriage work because neither one of us had an healthy example to follow.  Needless to say It wasn't easy, but we weathered the storm and fought hard to stay together.  We grew roots in the beginning of our marriage and learned how to stay planted.  

I've spent most of my young adult life raising a family.  I worked part-time gigs, played football mom, and dutiful wife.  I enjoyed it all, but I had to put a lot of my wants and desires aside for my family. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.  Being on this journey has helped to make me the strong woman I am today, but I believe God still has so much more in store for me.  

Now that my kids are becoming young men I have been able to spread my wings.  I went back to school and got a degree in human services.  I've travel to some beautiful places, and even started a new career. But what I enjoyed the most is being able to create again. I am writing what my heart speaks, and I am passionate about fashion and art again. This transition in my life has been really exciting and I want people to know that it’s never too late to start over. Join me as I create the life I want to live.  I am a work in progress.

Home: Welcome

Gallery

IMG_0717.jpg
Hustle
80034372_10218675426270028_3904114740804
I’m not a big dessert person. I would us
Thank you God for making me a mommy! It’
Still just a Philly girl at heart....jpg
A Sunday kind of love🖤.jpg
#Tagsource.jpg
Book Stack
74282981_10218401339258024_6203234957968
Home: Gallery
Image by Valentina Conde
View More
Home: Image

Subscribe Form

Thanks for submitting!

Home: Subscribe
All Categories
All Categories
This channel is coming soon!
Home: Video
Home: Contact

Subscribe Form

Thanks for submitting!

©2019 by Shana Shanell. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page