Salon Decor

The luxurious hair salon interior designed by Scott Weston.

Details Of An Artist

In the entrance of this year I understood the importance of transparency, and how it aids, affects and guides the life choices of others. For me like many of you transparency is/was something that you shielded and kept under wraps until you were home in your room amongst folks(me, myself and I) you knew and trusted, and then you became transparent with the truth you chose to believe, the lie you live and the reality of what the truth really is. I am learning that my truths are not only beneficial for a healthy life but also for the preserving and strengthening of another.

I think we as a people have really clichéd the term “keeping it real.” In my opinion “real” is the truth about who you are even at the worst parts. I am at a place in my life where I can admit that up to this point I have never felt good enough, strong enough, or worth anything to those around me. I know what it’s like to be in a room full of people and still be alone. To long to be a part of something greater then yourself but not having the courage to take the steps to get there, and later seeing the elevation of that thing and telling yourself that you were not worth it anyway.

I 've learned over time that no matter how different I may be, I am now who I was created to be to fulfill my own specific destiny, and though I have been looked over, talked about, and chosen last with little expectation by others. For me I am of some great quality hidden over time in my adversity, shielded from they who would have abused me as a gift, and buried in a chest as a treasure to be discovered by those who would honor and respect my shine, appreciating me enough to hold me close, but be so proud to have me that they showcase me in the glass displays of their lives.

I am coming into a greater understanding of life, and I can acknowledge that the life we live is not ours to live, but our lives are to be gifts to others. Embracing the individual, cherishing the life within, and walking in the honor that you were chosen to touch them "specifically." Something about your life was important enough, and valuable enough that your still here, all for the benefit of aiding another to live.

In my past I can admit that I gave away everything that I was not taught to value and in turn ended up with a whole lot of nothing, sharing myself with individuals who did not even realize, or respect the sacrifice that I made. As the greatest gift one can give to another is the untouched part of a whole self. As America is doing today I sold myself off in pieces sharing with those who discarded me in the end. Today through grace I can hold my head up high I may never be able to deny what I have done, but I’m clean and more whole then I was.

Today I see myself as quality, and with the valuable life I have left I seek to use it to affect positive change in the lives of others! In this life some of us fight more than others. I too had to fight, but know that sometimes you have to fight the battles of those who may not be strong enough to overcome on their own. So life sends you. I challenge you to keep fighting as many of the battles you fight today will become over whelming victories for multitudes tomorrow. Mahalia Jackson sang a song on the memorial during the Dr. King speech there and it sums it up

If I can help somebody
As I travel along
If I can help somebody
With a word or song
If I can help somebody
From doing wrong
My living shall not be in vain.

My living shall not be in vain
My living shall not be in vain
If I can help somebody 
While I'm singing this song
My living shall not be in vain

Today I speak to you who are late for purpose but right on time for destiny. Those of you who missed the buss of opportunity, but caught a cab for a life mandate. Live, laugh, love, and know that there is more t you then what you can see, there’s more in you then what you can feel, and the fact that your reading this proves that life has a need for you to be here! Love yourself, value your neighbor and share with the stranger. Touch a life today and change many lives tomorrow! Then your living will not be in vain.

Internet Games

Monecka Freeman's "Hisoceiti" Style

I had my own thoughts about how this blog would go. However when I seen this would begin to take a turn in another direction where I would be showcasing major artist doing major things, there were certain names I jotted down as “must haves,” and the fabulous Monecka Freeman was one of them. I can remember being a stylist in hair school hearing about this woman who was racking up serious charges (compliments) and taking names later.

There have been very few individuals who have caused me to step back and look at my own work and elevate my own game even higher, and I must admit that she indeed was one of them (some others you will be introduced to shortly). Monecka Freeman known throughout Columbus Ohio, and now the rest of the world! Is an entity that you cannot box into one specific category, so it’s evident why I just choose to label her an artist. Innovative, creative, mastering, and stylishly challenging this woman does it all and makes you love to love her, and hate to love her at the same time. The finished product she puts out forces you to love the gift and respect the artist; however your pride hates the fact that secretly you’re sweating this individual so hard. In the end you simply let go and try to keep your knees from buckling at whatever it is she will do next.

 I remember the first time I seen Ms. Freeman, it was years back at a “Hair Wars” hair show at the Aladdin Shrine temple. This woman stepped out on stage with props silver bell bottoms, heels higher than the clouds in the sky and a presence that demanded your attention.

It would be years later that I would actually work with her in a salon and I must tell you, it was a rather intimidating experience. Over the years I have kept tabs on her career. I was more then ecstatic when I began to hear news about her blowing up! In Columbus Ohio, you can always tell when you’re encountering a person who was dropped off in the cornfield that did not belong. She is defiantly one of those individuals. It took some time, and in all honesty I am still in shock that she even gave me the opportunity, and or the privilege of an interview(I’m so giddy about this!), but today I want to present to you Monecka Freeman. the stylist, the lady, the face of brand that’s sure to have you addicted!

"Attention Please!" B Moses

A native of Columbus Ohio, B-Moses is a highly respected individual amongst his community. Very dedicated to his faith, and seemingly peculiar, he’s a man with many layers. If you are fortunate to be shown any of the multiple sides of who he is you will walk away with a different outlook on life and a new respect for the order of the kingdom of God. A newlywed to the marriage game, but highly devoted to his new found role has chief and priest of his home. This fella is more than the triple threat, but he may just be perceived by his adversary as a terrorist.

 B-Moses is currently in the studio working on another project. This man seems to be one of Ohio’s greatest secrets un-kept to the masses outside of its cornfields but concealed by the farmland within. His current release, “Reppin the King,” has proven to be a serious head banger with a thick and very potent lyrical content. With songs like “Respond with Faith,” “The Struggle,” and “Live with It.” You are sure to have conveyed to you what a B-Moses message really is. Redemption, perseverance, faith, and the power of true conviction through a love for what’s real to him.

Currently there is a silent buzz going on in regards to his song “He Is real.” This song is tackling major issues affecting men in and out of church today. Homosexuality, and molestation. IN a world where most men tend to shy away from topics of this nature to avoid having their masculinity confronted and questioned this dude seems to rise above the eye glares and whispers and throws the problem face to face with a solution that can help, save, heal, and deliver. In a short interview with this man I wanted to see who he was as the man, what his thoughts were on current issues like the youth, and what other knowledge he would drop.

Products

VSI have been receiving e mails from some of you who are new to using the ceramic irons. The two products I am seriously down with would be the CHI Thermal Spray and the Elasta QP Elucent spray. These two products aid you in a successful outcome when using your ceramic irons on your clients. Mainly I use Chi however the Elasta QP is a serious contender and would enable me to pinch my pennies! (lol)

Both products enable you to  flip,feather, and flat iron. However the Elucent spray by Elasta QP also enables you to sculpt, wave, and dry mold(a sculpting or molding technique used in creating styles). Both products hold their weight, I think when it comes down to it, it's going to be a personal preference.

Happy Birthday Dr. King

Today is the day we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Known as one of the most famous members of the civil rights movement. He is mostly quoted for his “I have a dream speech.” In a time when racism was the blatant norm(as still it is today) in America, due to the treatment of how African Americans were treated Martin Luther King Jr. spearheaded a bus boycott that would go down in history as one of Americas most organized statements in a demand for fair treatment, and integration.

In celebrating Dr. King’s birthday I really can help but think, “how far really have we come?” Are we as African Americans really living out our lives as grateful legacies to the struggle of those who came and fought before us or if still here today would those people who fought for equal rights and equality for us be sorely disappointed? IN his speech Dr. King says “I have been to the mountaintop.” I am wondering if he visited that same mountaintop today how full would his valley be?