So in the midst of my web browsing, thinking about getting a few new things for the back yard and for the house to spruce it up for the summer I cam across a few things from one of my favorite stores, Modani Furniture! AND they are having a sale too! I’m having a hard time deciding which piece that I really want, so here’s my wish list. Maybe someone will get me everything on this list!!! (hint, hint)
One of the reasons why I like this store so much is because Modani offers modern furniture at a wholesale price that is three times more affordable than the average designer furniture store. Modani conceptualizes on showcasing Modern Furniture by using clean minimalist lines, cool tones and new modern styles with bold features. Turns out the sale runs July 1-10 on selected items. Click here or the image below for all sale items.
My Wish List:
Sexy Right!!!?!
1) Sexy, modern and flexible, these leaning candle holders bring a fresh, clean design to your home. At only $39 (down from $240) the trio candle holders set will look nice while dining outside to watch the fireworks.
So Simple Summery and Chic for Storage right?!
2) Store all your outdoor gear in Modani’s stylish storage box. Made of a synthetic rattan, this modern wicker box will hold up to water, wind, bugs and more with their weather-resistant material. Grab a couple to add to your patio or outdoor area to store your barbeque equipment, pool toys and other outside accessories for only $349 (down from $990). Click here for all outdoor items.
3) The Grandiose vase is the perfect accessory to add to your garden or even to your outside patio. The large, sleek-lined white vase is oversized and sets on the floor next to a table. Bring some of your flowers in with this modern minimalist vase. Decorate for your outdoor Fourth of July party with this unique vase. Grab for only $90, down from $580.
Simple, and fierce at the same time, "I love Lamp" lol
4) Perfect to light up those nights on the patio, this modern floor lamp will light up your porch while you relax over a BBQ dinner this Fourth of July. Add a modern flair to your outside area with the Tuco Floor lamp for only $49, (down from $995).
5) Get funky and stylish with the Nikkia vase. This ultra pink bubbly ceramic vase is the missing ingredient in any trendy and colorful apartment. Dress up your bedroom or outside table with this accessory. It comes in two sizes for a versatile look. Order yours today for only $15 (down from $180).
6) The hottest deal is the rock-bottom prices on plush microfiber pillows in red, blue, black and yellow. The soft pillows are a great accessory to toss on the couch, the bed or even behind your back while sitting at your desk. At only $15 (down from $110) they are a major steal!
Dont forget, these items are on sale until the 10th! Hope you have a great weekend shopping!!! I know I will!!! 🙂
I recently went to a casting call and I had to come home and write this post, because the girls there were doing too much in terms of their outfits. Large gaudy earrings, too much makeup, hair looking like they were about to do an ad for skittles, and every other major NO was in appearance at this casting call.
Just to clarify the difference between a casting call and a go-see
Casting Call: In the performing arts, casting (or casting call) is a vital pre-production process for selecting the right talent for the project or show.
Go-see: When a client has a specific look that they are going for and you have been selected to be viewed in order to make a final decision on which model to use for the project. Expect that there will be models there who have a similar look to yours.
Rule of thumb when going to casting calls, keep it to the MINIMUM! Your beauty and talent should be the thing they remember the most, not something totally outrageous that you are wearing to stand out.
This means:
VERY light makeup – no pinks, purples, or greens etc on the eyes and no red or hot pink lipstick. Keep your makeup natural, this means a basic face: concealer, foundation (if you need more coverage than concealer), mascara, and a skin tone lipstick or gloss.
Hair should be pulled back and out of the face. Go for a simple ponytail or a bun. If your hair is short, style it in a cute style but make sure you don’t have any bangs covering your face.
Nails – Neutral nails PLEASE! A picture of spongebob should not be all on your nails along with glitter rhinestones, and your social security number, and they should not be extremely long either. This includes the toes. Go for a french manicure, or american manicure or any light pinks or browns. Think flesh tones.
Your clothing should be form fitting, not extremely tight! and should be neutral as well. No need to over accessorize, the casting directors, designers, Make-up artists need to see you as you are. You need to be seen as a blank slate so that can envision what they are able to do with your look.
Shoes – NEVER show up with flats or sneakers on! Its OK to wear them around town on your way to the casting or go-see but once you get to the building where it is being held, you need to change into your heels before you walk in. Often times once you get to the location where they are holding the casting its right there as you enter or step off the elevator, no time to make a second first impression, you are judges as unprofessional if you walk in there without heels on. Consider High heels as a part of your work uniform as a model. When you are in model model mode, you cannot be seen without them, PERIOD
Here are a few visual examples of what I am talking about:
Clothing
Being that it is summer, this is along the lines of what I wear to a casting call. Its cool, simple and shows off the form. When I am running around and I don’t feel like being in my heels a cute pair of flats or flat sandals will work perfectly with this. For a casting call in colder months, I recommend swapping the shorts for a pair of leggings or skinny jeans and the open toe heels for a simple pump or cute high heeled bootie.
These are a few of my faves. I personally don’t wear all of this at one time, but most of the time on a casting call or go-see I’ll have on the concealer, mascara, and lip-gloss. For my nails they are usually done with an american manicure, but in the the event they aren’t I just have them with clear polish.
You are in luck, there are different styles that are acceptable for go-sees and castings. These are a few styles that I wear
A simple bun
A simple pony
Again, when in doubt, go with the minimum but keep it sleek and neat. If you have any questions that you want me to address in the next post, comment this post so I can address it.
Yes it has been a while since I have written a post, but I assure you, Its not because I didn’t want to its because I’ve been too busy to sit down here and do it. But now I’m back and I’m ready to get back to bloggin!!! YAAAY!
And yes you are reading the post title correctly, I have not had a weave in my hair for slightly over a year. Let me tell you the story…
You see, a few years ago, back in 2003, I was in a car accident that injured my thumbs. (This guy ran a stop sign and crossed in front of me and I couldn’t stop in time, which totaled my first car 🙁 and turned me in to the “cautious” driver I am now…) I loved to do my own hair prior to that and being that my hands were injured and it hurt to do simple things like write and type, you can imagine how much pain I was in trying to do my hair. So my solution to that? I went to the african shop and got Kinky Twists in my hair, something simple and easy for me to maintain. I got them touched up every so many months until my hands got better to the point where I could handle things without pain, then I went back to doing my own hair. That’s when I believe that the laziness set in lol. I figured that I don’t really feel like doing my hair EVERYDAY but I want it to look good EVERYDAY, and I didn’t want braids or twists anymore so what can I get? I didn’t want to get a relaxer anymore because I was scared that my scalp would be too sensitive and it wouldn’t take being that I hadn’t had a perm in about 6 months at that time. Thus began the journey of the WEAVE QUEEN!
I had worn weaves before in the past, but this started an era with me where I REFUSED to be seen without one! My real hair was in that natural at the root and permed at the ends state and I didn’t feel like dealing with the jungle at the root on a regular lol and it seemed that the weaves had saved my life! All I had to do was wake up every morning and make sure the little section that showed to cover up my tracks was straight, who could ask for anything easier?! Not to mention, when I was in college, I didn’t really have a lot of time to dedicate to my hair with studying, internships, running a club on campus and working and I just wanted it to look good. PERIOD
It wasn’t until after I graduated from college that I realized the damage that was being done to my hair from the constant wearing of the weaves. Sure my hair was growing underneath, but that section that I kept out in the front to cover my weaves was breaking horribly! I don’t know if it was because it was permanately straight due to excessive heat straightening or what, but all I know is when I attempted to try wearing my hair different ways without weave, my hair felt like doing a hard core “break” dance and those permed ends quickly fell off. What ever was left of that, that continued to remain straight after I washed my hair and didn’t revert to a thick cotton ball state, I cut it off and thus began to wear MY hair.
I did it for the first time, like really out and about and proud back in 2009 and I did a photoshoot to commemorate it and to join Tyra Banks in her “Real Hair” Day and this is what it looked like in 2009:
After that photoshoot, from time to time, I would still wear my weaves but then something MAJOR happened…
Can you guess what it is?
BILLS!!! That trick Sallie Mae started beatin down my door for me to start paying back my student loans! I had to take a chill pill on my spending and cut back on a few things. Weaves were the first thing on the list!
I started recycling my weaves, washing and wearing again of course (good for the environment right?! lol), figuring out ways to stretch out my weaves and make them last longer, until I just couldn’t anymore and I stopped wearing them completely and challenged myself to wearing my hair for 3 months straight, in which case I would reward myself with a weave! Crazy, I know. But that was my thinking at the time. When it came time for me to reward myself, I didn’t really feel like wearing a weave, but, because I was going to visit my bestie in Cali, I thought I don’t wanna worry about my hair while im out there so I wore a nice, cool, bob weave, pictured here:
I still have this romper somewhere…the question is where…(raised eyebrow)
When I got back, from that trip, I kept the weave for a a few weeks and when I took it out, I haven’t put a weave back in my hair since.
I say all of this because recently I had to think back to the last time I had a weave, and May of 2010 was that time. Now its June of 2011 and I still love wearing my hair.
Now I’m not saying that I will never wear a weave again, or that wearing weaves is the wrong thing to do, in fact the next weave I intend on getting will be a big curly fro, or a long Naomi Campbell style weave with a center part. I love the versatility that my hair is able to give me in my look, I’ll even go as far to say, that because I’ve been wearing my hair it has been a sole reason of why I am booking more modeling jobs. But none the less, I love the fact that I have options with my hair, its deciding what to do with it next that’s driving me crazy! lol
It’s funny how social media can put you in contact with people you would least expect to meet. The connections that you can make, the things that you can get done in business and in life can all come about within the instance of a tweet or a Facebook comment on a post. That’s exactly how it came about that I met Mr. Over Time Grind, Mr. OTG if you will. When I came across his Twitter account I checked out his website and saw that he was a producer and fell in love with the grind and the business model of his site http://www.idoublel.com/. (Check it out you’ll see what I’m talking about) I thought why aren’t all producers/artists doing something like this and being about the business of music instead of expecting everything to be for free? I reached out to him and asked if I would pick his brain with an interview for the site and he agreed and below is a synopsis of what we talked about as, he had a lot of knowledge and experience to give. I decided to share with you all of the note worthy information, especially what is most useful for all of us who are looking to get up and get out there and make it.
For this interview, I started it out a little differently. Instead of diving into my questions I decided to start out with questions that I had asked my Facebook friends to give me for Mr. OTG and this was his response.
Steph W. Asks the following questions:
What are the top 3 adversities that you have had to face in order to get to where you are today?
Go Crazy Remix
Well the top 3, I’d have to say would be Confidence, you know getting my confidence up in order to take some of the feedback that the industry can bring your way. As an artist you wear your creativity and your heart on your sleeve and you have to be strong to be able to accept that people may not like everything that you put out. With that I’d say that my second one is learning how to take criticism. I’ve had to come to understand that the things that people say aren’t because they don’t like what you do, it’s because they have their opinion and they just want to help to make what you are doing better. The last thing that I’ve had to overcome is learning not to dis-count anyone. I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t have the money or connections that you are looking for doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give then a listen or a chance to hear what they have got to say. I’ve looked over a lot of quality people in the beginning who are not doing it big in the industry and realized that I’ve missed out on making a connection with them when I had the chance. So if there is anything that I really want people to know is that I’m open to talking with people and hearing what they have, you never know where it may go.
The saying goes, “It’s not what you know it’s who you know.” Does that account for the minority or majority of your success in the industry?
Crown +Dro
I would say it’s definitely what you know. There are things that I didn’t know and in the industry a lot of people aren’t willing to share information about how to protect themselves and how to really make money and to continue to be a success in this industry. When I first started, I didn’t know too much about copyrighting my music, and joining ASCAP and all of that stuff on how to protect yourself and really profit from your music. There are still things I’m still learning about the business like the promotional photos, and things like that, that artists and producers need to promote themselves.
After all you have achieved…What is your primary inspiration that allows you to continue what you do and come up with fresh concepts?
Postman (Dirty)
My primary inspiration comes from life. I’m a regular blue collar dude, I work with my hands and working with my music for me it’s a release. I draw inspiration from things that are going on in life around me. Like the other day I was walking towards South St. and I saw the bums on the street and I went home and worked on a song about that and how they looked to me and the struggles and the life they must go through. I’m not the type of artist that raps about the 8 cars or the huge mansion that I don’t have, that’s not who I am and that’s not what I aspire to be, I just want a good car, place to live and the things that I need to take care of, to be taken care of, and I don’t have problem working in order to get that.
What was your most rewarding experience as a producer?
I 2 L’s
My most rewarding experience would have to be when my girlfriend at the time told me that she just heard one of my beats on TV, on a promo for the Tiny and Toya 2 show. I didn’t believe her when she said it then I told her to rewind it, and then I heard it! I was like WOW, and I wasn’t excited because it was playing on TV I was happy because the feedback I got from my friends and family was so positive and it was rewarding to me that people would be able to share in my music.
Luis Y. asks:
If the eight year old version of him was to walk up to you today, what would the eight year old version of you have to say to you today?
84 More
Well the 8 year old me, would probably be like, why didn’t I end up like the dudes in Hoop Dreams lol! But based on how I grew up it was kinda like that, except I got hurt and it ended my ball playing. As it turned out I had to find something else that I was good at to occupy my time and eventually it brings me to where I am today. But I think the 8 year old me would be proud of me.
After we finished the Facebook questions I asked a few of my own, mainly about the business of his music. I started off asking how he got the name Mr. Over Time Grind.
SO when I checked out your website, I was thoroughly impressed how you have your beats up and ready to go either for sale or for lease and you even give bundle details on the beats! When I saw that I was like he truly is Mr. OTG, this dude is not playin! [laughs] Where does that name come from and where did you get the concept for that site?!
Novacane Remix
Well I used to work my job all day and spend all night at home working on my website and my music to the point where when I would come into work I would have bags under my eyes and be super tired and people stated calling me Mr. Over Time Grind and the name just stuck and if been focused ever since. For the site the site came about as a way for me to promote my music and have it available for anyone who was interested. Similar to the blogs that I have, that is more about the promotional aspect and networking for my music and to give others a way to have their work out there and get attention to their music.
What kind of success have you seen with your music being on those sites?
Well I have been fortunate enough to now be working with Philly artist Tone Trump, I’ve had my site talked about on the Star and Buckwild show and with my own music I’ve had over 55,000 downloads of my mixtape.
I think that I have covered everything; I know that we have covered a lot! Is there anything that you would like to mention that I may have missed?
Ok so, I was up late last night trying to get some work done when I veered off track (as usual) and I came across this artist. Apparently she is working with well known producer B. Major and has a project out called THE BROKE BITCH SLAYER (yaaaaaas to that title! I LIVE). So being that the title of the mixtape peaked my interest and I like what I heard! (only way it was going to make it on my blog any way lol) Through a little more of my digging, this woman has the backing of the industry behind her and seems like the next female rapper to blow. Even Lil Kim says so (check the video below).
Listen to the mixtape here and let me know what you think below:
I came across these today and I thought I would share. These are feather extensions that clip into your hair and you can style them with a flat iron and curl them with a curling iron and everything! Just as if it was your hair! I like the concept of these feathers, but being that I have natural afro-textured hair, I don’t see how I can wear this without having a straight sew in weave. Either way, I decided to share because I thought this was pretty cool, and with the right styling it can be really unique and cute. Check out the feathers in action in the video below.
If you have his product or you have tried it let me know what you think of it. Maybe I’ll get these for my next photo shoot???!?!?!?! (Any Photogs in jersey, philly, maybe nyc wanna try for it? Im thinking beach scene but rugged…)
Started out my weekend catching up with friends I havent seen in a long time (a few years I think) at Friday’s. (at the bar of course, lol) We all got some food and some drinks and well… here’s what MY section looked like by the end of our time there lol:
We all had 2 glasses of Wine, 4 shots of Jeigermiester (don’t judge lol) and a beer for protection. (I’ll explain how a beer is protection at a later date lol) Some drank their beer, I let mine chill as we caught up on each other’s lives and shared a few laughs…Good times!
Then the following day, I headed to a friend’s bbq for one of her family members who had graduated from college. Tore some burgers, chicken, hotdogs, and pasta salad UP! Then being as my homie is a bartender as well she created a mango slushie that was perfect for the cook out. By the end, this is what my area looked like lol:
Yes you are correct, you are seeing a baby’s bottle next to the mike’s lol. We spent the cookout as aunties for our friend’s baby…you need a mikes after that! lol
Fun times! Hope you had a great start to the summer this weekend.
AND don’t forget to remember those who gave their lives for our country this Memorial Day!
In my search of music to share with you all that doesn’t compare to what the other blogs are sharing I finally found some NEW music. I had to reach across “the pond” to get it but none the less its here! I would like to introduce to you the music of Andrew Cunningham!
Photo Credit: James Kilcoin – www.northnorfolkphotography.co.uk
Andrew was gracious enough to do a brief interview with AleanElston.com and I am soo grateful! Check out what he had to say about his music:
Where are you from and what is your music background?
I was born in South Shields which is a small town in the north-east of England up near the border. I’ve moved around a lot though, so wherever I happen to be at that moment is my home I guess. At the moment it’s London. I started playing guitar when I was 12 though I had been singing and tapping on school desks from an early age. It often resulted in me getting sent out of the classroom, which I was happy with as it meant there were no distractions from the music in my head lol
What are your songs about?
My songs cover a variety of different themes. Some are the old classic themes such as love lost, love gained, feeling alone or whatever. Some are about life, some are political and some have other meanings. Over and Over’s instrumental intro is a dedication to two people who killed themselves a few years ago (they didn’t know each other, but the second happened not long after the first and it was pretty upsetting). Another of my songs is about me getting struck by lightning when I was 17 and as a result suffering from Epilepsy which has been the cause of many injuries (some quite severe) for me. So, lots of topics. I write about what I know.
Do you write your own songs?
I write all of my own songs. I don’t tend to write with others, but I have done so a couple of times in previous bands. Process? There is none. Sometimes I will write an entire song in my head and it will be just a case of working it out on guitar and finalising lyrics. Other times it might be me playing guitar and I have a melody but no words, so I’ll bumble some inane drivel down the mic until I come up with something better. Then there are the times when I get a plethora of lyrics bombarded from my brain to notepad and I have to try and make sense of them to sculpt a song. It depends on what I’m doing I guess! In bands I find that jamming is a good way to start the writing process though.
Who are your musical influences?
My musical influences are so broad that I could literally be here all day! I guess my earliest influences come from my parents. They listened to The Beatles, Motown, Bob Dylan, Smallfaces, Cat Stevens, Neil Young, Marmalade, Steeler’s Wheel, Bowie and that sort of thing. When I got to about the age of 8-9 I started to discover heavy metal and rock through my older brother. So I got into Iron Maiden (the first album I ever bought was ‘Live After Death’. I was also really into Marillion who were a local band back then for us. From there I’ve just tried to listen to everything I can. Some I will dismiss as tripe, but most I take on board in some form or another. Recently I’ve really been enjoying playing afrobeat!
What image do you think your music conveys?
I’d like to think that my music ignores image to a certain extent. Music is too deep to be easily portrayed as a fixed image. I guess there is a certain amount of independence and solidarity in it though. Call me pretentious, but it really doesn’t mean that much to me, though I do recognise it’s importance with certain styles of music and in certain walks of life.
Name 3 artists you’d like to be compared to.
I wouldn’t really want to be compared to anyone as I’m not them. I guess if there are three writers/bands that I would have loved to have been or been part of it would be The Beatles, Bowie and Bon Jovi (yes I know! – like I said… I got into rock when I was young lol)
What are your immediate music career goals?
Worldwide domination of the music market? Nah. I’d like to be touring the globe, and able to earn a decent enough living that I can buy a house and all that palava. So long as I’m doing what I love doing I will be happy!
Photo Credit: James Kilcoin – www.northnorfolkphotography.co.uk
How would you define the word “success”?
Doing what you want to do, and doing it well.
Are you looking for an independent label deal or a major label deal?
I’m self-releasing my first album because I don’t feel the need for any backing at this moment. If it does well enough I will license it out to the best bidder. I’ve had lots of offers coming through recently so we shall see what happens. I’m not ruling out anything, nor am I kidding myself that I will become an overnight star. Either way I’m prepared to work my arse off to achieve what I want to achieve.
Facebook is currently the best place to keep up tabs on what I’m upto. Once the main site goes live that will be the best source of information and snippets etc.
Thank you so much Andrew for your time, I wish you much success! ~Alean
West Hollywood Mayor John Duran, center, along with Modani employees, cuts the ribbon to officially open Modani Furniture’s Los Angeles showroom.
Well known across the country and especially by celebrities (Kimora Lee Simmons Hounsou, Kevin Hart, CeeLo, and 50 Cent to name a few) for chic and fashionable decor. Modani Furniture opened its doors in style with a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting on May 11 at its prime Sunset Blvd. location in West Hollywood, CA.
Modani has some really hot furniture and key statement pieces to interior decorate your home. A few of my favorite things are the leather couch, the pink vases, and just under that the patio set that turns into a ball for easy storage when not in use!
Only one of many stylish inspirations to be found in side Modani Furniture’s newest showroom in West Hollywood.Create a backyard oasis – then roll it up. This modern outdoor patio set can fit back into one ball for storage.
Started by three French entrepreneurs, Nathan Cohen, Steven Athea, and Yonel Fellous, the trio’s focus on making modern furniture different and ultra-contemporary has brought a unique and eclectic collection from around the world to major U.S. cities. Learn more about the company at www.modani.com
Well, its been a long week. A long LONG week for me. I don’t work Monday through Friday like most people and for me, Today my weekend begins. How am I spending today? In order to stop my whining about the long week, with some WINE of course!
There is nothing like a good glass of wine to sit down with and relax with my thoughts. I’m actually sipping as I write this post. The weather is nice, not hot, not cool, just right and my reisling is cool and crisp and sweet because I made it into my favorite drink – PEACH SANGRIA!
I figure I’d share the recipe, its pretty standard, but I added a few elements that I found online.
This recipe is enough for a serving size of 4.
2 (375 ml) bottles Riesling wine
1/2 cup peach schnapps
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 ripe peaches, cut into wedges or 1 1/2 use half a jar of preserved peach slices
1/2 orange, sliced
1/2 lemon, sliced
Combine all of the ingredients, be careful not to make a mess as the fruit may cause the pitcher to overflow.
Chill the sangria overnight for more flavor OR
Add ice just before you serve it
and get into your most relaxing chair or position on the couch and relax with a good book or the remote.
3) The Grandiose vase is the perfect accessory to add to your garden or even to your outside patio. The large, sleek-lined white vase is oversized and sets on the floor next to a table. Bring some of your flowers in with this modern minimalist vase. Decorate for your outdoor Fourth of July party with this unique vase. Grab for only $90, down from $580.
5) Get funky and stylish with the Nikkia vase. This ultra pink bubbly ceramic vase is the missing ingredient in any trendy and colorful apartment. Dress up your bedroom or outside table with this accessory. It comes in two sizes for a versatile look. Order yours today for only $15 (down from $180).
