When I’m not on YouTube I’m freelancing as a photographer and voice actor. I’m so blessed that as of late I’ve been able to do that full-time. When I first moved to NYC I obviously had to get a job, so I got a bunch! I worked as a cocktail waitress at a few places and worked at a photo studio as a production assistant. Don’t get me wrong, a joe job is necessary to get to where you need to go but not the end all and be all. I was making bank as a cocktail waitress! I’m talking $300-$600 per night! And sometimes more! I was able to buy my photography gear and all the other expenses and pay RENT. I eventually had to quit working at the studio because I was getting paid chump change! I was making $200/week! I made more money popping bottles than I did working in the photo world, but then I realized I started to get comfortable and not actually do the thing I enjoyed doing, which is fine but I wanted to work as a full-time artist what happened? 

Priorities! Here I am trying really hard to priorities. The artist life is not a glamorous one, or at least it doesn’t start out that way but I’m at a point where I’ve reassessed by set of beliefs. I now believe the things I love the most can and will support me abundantly and I believe I can do a lot of good with a lot of money

speaking of stuck, last night i went to the opening party of Con Artists, SLAP: Adhesives & Egos, A DIY Sticker Exhibition

if you live in NY you should definitely check it out running until April 3rd. it was great to be around amazingly talented artist, positive vibes, new york scensters, unstuck from misery and flooded with creative movement!

was that sooooo hard Shameless?! lesson learned—-> torture yourself, shorter than longer, then get to it and DO IT ALREADY! so a ton more post on all the tid bits coming your way : )

the year after that I did quotes and since those are simple and fast enough I thought I’d share that with you all here

I made these for video purposes and will probably keep these for my bare walls : ) this year the cousins are doing Kris Kringle which makes life so much easier! any who! enjoy this video and get inspired! you still have time!!!

i bought this lovely 4 foot pink backdrop from Adorama for $22 bucks! i also bought a teal one i’ll most definitely use for another shoot.

styled by the lovely Joceyln Correia. she really impressed me with these looks. this was my first time working with her and she nailed it! i love how simple, yet effective all her pieces translated.

Model and friend @itsmyrayeraye isn’t your standard agency model,however her facial features are breath-taking!

it’s near impossible to capture her at a bad angle!with the holidays right around the corner i’m busy snapping away at events, a couple weddings and interior design stuff. i’m so excited about 2013! i’m finally building my network here in NYC! i have a ton of new clients and photos to update my site with. and of course i’ll release it all for January 2013. I used to complain that i couldn’t book a job but now i can’t find the time!

watch and enjoy!

Happy Monday : )

I partied it up with my Shameless Niece Brianna and the kiddy cousins for thanksgiving out in Pennsylvania hence this video and a few others with the rest of the curly cousins. I tried my best to answer most of your questions. If I didn’t feel free to ask me questions here and I’ll make a part deux video at some point. As for the ladies who had transitioning questions here are a few gurus that you should check out:

http://www.youtube.com/user/longhairdontcare2011
http://www.youtube.com/user/CourtneyNaturalHair
http://www.youtube.com/user/heyfranhey
http://www.youtube.com/user/MahoganyCurls
http://www.youtube.com/taren916

As for the products, I’m experimenting with other moisturizers besides Shea’s Curl & Style Milk. I love how it’s all natural, the smell and the moisturizing curl definition but I really don’t like how it feels “built up” on my hair…like I can feel the “film” on my hair later on in the week if that makes any sense. Since I finished a bottle of the Curl & Style Milk some time ago I started messing around with other products such as Cantu Shea Butter leave in conditioning repair cream which really does moisturize but if I go this route I use it with the Eco Styler Gel for hold. I’m not completely satisfied. I might just cave in and buy Moroccan Oil’s Curl Control Moouse which was introduced to me by Salon718 but it’s $20! I’m so cheap! Cause that’s expensive! My friends say it’s an investment but I think it’s robbery…
Anyways! I’ll need to make a video dedicated to products since I can’t make up my mind on the topic…well besides my love for Shea Moisture’s Shampoo and Moroccan Oil’s Intense Hydration Mask.
The one thing I left out that was major was my Keratin Treatment! I did a Brazilian Blowout last January. It was amazing! I loved it! I did ask the stylist to only use heat up to 410 and not 450 which is standard. If you watch my very first video you’ll notice my curl pattern is way more loose because I still had the keratin in. As you can see now, it’s completely washed out. I got the BB because I wanted a temporary change and keratin can be an awesome deep conditioner and since my hair was soooo dry I thought I’d kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Would I do it again? YES! but with a price ticket of $250-$400 not anytime soon

More questions answered
1) When I go to bed I put my hair in either a pineapple ponytail much like this photo here but not so “wide”:

or

if it’s later in the week and my curls are all over the place i’ll do a brush out and sleep with my hair in a high bun and wear it out all frizzy Diana Ross styles the following morning and thereafter. frizzy, unruly curls can work if you WERK-it-out! and yes, i do sleep with a satin pillow case as well.

or

i feel sorry for men married to curlies that take care…this cap is so not hot. marry someone who loves you cap and all thanks boo bear!

now if i do twist it overnight i use a leave-in conditioner, currently using Kinky Curly and in love with the Optimum 6-in-1 Miracle Oil. the thing about most oils is it usually just sits on top of the hair shaft not moisturizing . i think the exception is Moroccan oil, however it’s pricey! you really need something to soften the hair cuticle before you use an oil hence the Kinky Curly which I am loving! i also will sometimes use the Eco Styler gel if i want super duper defined curls. the next day you simply unravel and rock the twist out as is or separate the curls for a more natural look.

this is what my hair looks like when i DON’T twist and simply put styling product and air dry…not very special and rather flat looking

my hair unravelled on a 2 strand twist out…DEFINITION FOR DAYS!!!

and just cause, here’s a curly hair collage of me throughout the years

Well now I’m a YouTube partner which means my videos have started to generate money. That compounded with the fact that I have thousands of subscribers means I have to think, plan, produce and upload videos! that’s work! and and and…there’s this whole new world of YouTube networks. WTH?! I’ve had a few networks approach me but I don’t want to make premature decisions. It’s not too complicated but it’s a lot to digest for someone who had no intentions of getting into this world. All of this just keeps reminding me that I have to stay focused on the bigger picture. How can I work this and not get caught up? How can I be a Tuber and still persue my other passions? But yeah…life is a roller coaster. Plan all you want but be prepared for the unexpected

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for helping me reach my goals and for your continued inspirations! You really have no idea how grateful I am for even having you read this post! Thank You!

Here’s a little video I did of my photography: