28 Jul 2025
Ep 9 | Cowboy Carter DIYs & Interviews
In this episode, I shout out my TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@ziggiefresh16) and Lemon8 (https://www.lemon8-app.com/@ziggiefresh16?region=us&pid=website_seo_share) accounts, as well as The FRESH Media Podcast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G04GFEc_STs&list=PLq-D4vmH2Hj52v1XLxmBWY_rLtSLqd_ZZ). Recently, I’ve had some setbacks, but some life advancements. In my next article, I’m going to give you an update on the direction of my website. For now, here’s what you missed (in June)!
Finding My Creative Rhythm: A Mid-Year Check-In
As we move through the year, I've been reflecting on my productivity and creative journey, and I'm excited to share some updates with you.
This month, I focused on Black Music Month content for my Fresh Media Podcast. While I only managed a couple of episodes, I've learned valuable lessons about planning that I'm applying going forward. I'm already looking ahead to August, where I'll be featuring someone I met at the African-American Marketing Association's Marketing for the Culture Summit—she has an exciting event coming up that I can't wait to share.
Celebrating Juneteenth and Beyoncé
One of my highlights was creating two newsletter editions about Juneteenth events, helping people find ways to participate in this important celebration. But perhaps my biggest project was preparing for Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour coming to town. I'm attending the show this Sunday, and I went all out creating my outfit.
The creative process became deeply personal. I upcycled a hat and transformed jean shorts into a skirt, but the centerpiece was a sash I designed with a Texas homecoming "mom"—a tradition that might be unfamiliar to those outside Texas. This project connected me to my high school days when I was on the drill team, and I even incorporated a button from my memory box from that time.
The inspiration came from Cowboy Carter's themes of reflection and "coming home," which reminded me of homecoming and gave me the chance to create the mum I never had in high school. I documented the entire four-part process on TikTok (@ziggiefresh16 (https://www.tiktok.com/@ziggiefresh16)), and the response from followers has been incredible.
Crafting Through Challenges
This project served a deeper purpose beyond concert preparation. As someone who processes emotions through crafting, this elaborate undertaking helped me work through the grief of losing my dog. The creative outlet provided exactly what I needed during a difficult time.
I'm calling myself the "lavender cowgirl" for the concert, staying true to my love of purple while prioritizing comfort—because anyone who's been to a Beyoncé show knows it's a party, and comfortable feet are essential.
Moving Forward
While I haven't been as consistent with my morning book reading goals, I've maintained a steady TikTok posting schedule and established a better wake-up routine. Balancing a full-time job means my energy fluctuates, but I'm finding my rhythm and feeling genuinely proud of my consistency.
The summer ahead looks promising, and I'm excited about the creative momentum I'm building.
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