Lil Uzi Vert and guests will join Future at the Miami show
by Abesi Manyando
When it comes to giving back and philanthropy, the Freewishes Foundation has no boundaries. From the Mask On Campaign, to scholarships and wellness on wheels, Freewishes is an all year around organization that sows into the community and sometimes outside of the community.
Its been 11 days since Haiti was struck by a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake, over 2,200 have already passed in the tragedy. According to Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency, almost 13,000 people are reportedly injured along with 50,000 homes that have been destroyed. This does not include those who are still missing and unaccounted for. The restoration of Haiti will be a long and arduous process, and for Future and his FreeWishes Foundation, it is imperative that all resources are activated in order to help however possible. Future will be assisting Haiti through a benefit concert in Miami on September 3rd, 2021.
Future has had a large and loyal following in the Haitian community since the beginning of his career and acknowledges the Haitian community for contributing to his success stating that, “The least I can do is be of assistance to the people who have supported me unconditionally. Our foundation works all year around to assist local initiatives in Atlanta and around the country and we are excited about assisting Haiti,” said Future.
Future and his foundation will host the benefit concert at Oasis Wynwood in Miami on the Friday of Labor Day weekend. The concert will feature Lil Uzi and other special guest appearances. The foundation has partnered with Direct Relief to administer 100 % of the net proceeds to support the restoration effort in Haiti. Direct Relief is a global humanitarian aid organization active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries and was ranked as “the number one charity changing the world” by CNBC. They have a 100% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes.
“It is very important for us to ensure that medical assistance, supplies and donations go directly to the people in need and nowhere else. With Direct Relief we hope to support the grassroots local organizations and people in Haiti who are on the ground pulling themselves out of a very horrific situation,” stated FreeWishes Co-Founder and Future’s mother, Stephanie Jester.
“Direct Relief is deeply thankful to Future and FreeWishes for their incredible act of generosity to assist people in Haiti who face even more severe health risks from the recent earthquake because of the compounding effects of Covid and deep, chronic challenges,” said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief president and CEO. “Their support will translate directly into medications and supplies not otherwise available and keenly needed by Direct Relief’s partner health facilities providing essential care to people in Haiti in enormously tough circumstances”.
About THE FREEWISHES FOUNDATION: The FreeWishes Foundation was founded by Future, Stephanie Jester and Tia Wilburn 11 years ago. FreeWishes has been a resource to children, families and others disenfranchised in Metro Atlanta through inclusive educational programs, scholarship campaigns, health and wellness outreach and financial support to those in need. The FreeWishes Foundation seeks to deliver a message of hope, perseverance, and resilience to our community by lending support whenever possible. FreeWishes is responsible for the global “Mask On” campaign that provided masks and PPP equipment to thousands of hospitals, doctors, patients, and those in marginalized communities when Covid-19 first hit. The Foundation is responsible for Atlanta’s popular “Wellness on Wheels” program that provides food and health & wellness support to the Senior community. The Foundation is currently also hosting a Back-to-School drive for elementary schools in Atlanta.
As you know I’m obsessed with fashion designer Duro Olowuo. I think his pieces and collection are very royal. If ever I wrote a fairytale film based somewhere in Africa I imagine the wardrobe would be like all his pieces. The designs and colors plus patterns are so intricate and beautifully assembled. The headwraps, accessories and overall artistry is pretty sublime. So on heavy days when the news may depress you and your reality is spinning into chaos, take some time out and enjoy art. Fashion is art and today I enjoyed the designs of Duro Olowuo courtesy of his site. Check out a few videos from previous collections.
Freewishes aims to eradicate the educational gap in tech and science for marginalized students through education, applied training, and a spectacular new collaboration.
written by Abesi Manyando
Last year, Grammy award-winning entertainer Future and his Freewishes Foundation opened a sleek S.T.E.A.M lab in Atlanta. The lab was just the beginning of the foundation’s S.T.E.A.M initiative. At the time, Future stated, “It’s important that all students receive access to S.T.E.A.M education regardless of their background.”
The goal of the Freewishes Foundation is to eradicate the educational gap in tech and science amongst marginalized communities and extend the opportunity for all students to excel in S.T.E.A.M through quality education.
Freewishes has started programming for students in S.T.E.A.M. through a groundbreaking collaboration with Intel. The collaboration is entitled Intel Future Skills Day. It was held on February 26th and February 28th at the Freewishes S.T.E.A.M lab at Bessie Branham Recreation Center in Kirkwood, where Future grew up. It is the beginning of more programming for students interested in S.T.E.A.M education. Atlanta students interested in upcoming workshops and programming are encouraged to go to Freewishes.org.
As a company, Intel’s goal is to create world-changing technology that enriches the lives of every person. In 2016, they made the Intel® Future Skills platform to ensure that the next generation can access the framework needed for a lifetime of problem-solving and discovery through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) learning.
Tia Wilburn, Executive Director of Freewishes, is delighted about the collaboration and how this program will impact students throughout Atlanta.
“We are excited about this opportunity to partner with Intel to further one of our main objectives of S.T.E.A.M education. Our overall objective is to encourage students to become innovators by emphasizing students’ expressions and creativity when solving technical or science-related problems. We want our students to be more than just consumers and assemblers of technology. We want them to be devisers, catalysts for change, and the driving force behind innovation” – Tia Wilburn (Co-founder/Executive Director of FreeWishes Foundation).
Uriah Horne of the Atlanta Network of Intel African Ancestry (NIA) Co-Chair stated the following.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the esteemed FreeWishes Foundation. Together, we unite our forces to inspire and empower local Atlanta youth through our innovative S.T.E.A.M. project. Intel Future Skills Day represents a pivotal moment for us as we come together to spark curiosity, creativity, and a passion for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics among the young minds in our community. We are excited to further lay the foundation for a future where every child can access the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive in the digital age. Intel is proud to be at the forefront of this transformative journey. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact this collaboration will have, not just on the participants, but on the broader community, as we aspire to light the spark of possibility in the hearts and minds of the next generation.” -Uriah Horne
Kristade Swain (Atlanta Network of Intel African Ancestry (NIA) Co-Chair said, “We launched this S.T.E.A.M workshop day with the FreeWishes Foundation specifically for students across metro Atlanta as a way to equip them with the vital digital skills needed and to guarantee equitable access to technological opportunities within our community. We strive to emphasize the importance of representation within the tech industry. Who better to spearhead this movement towards greater inclusivity in tech than those who exemplify the richness of diversity we strive to see? Through this initiative, we’re not just teaching skills but hoping to inspire a new generation to see themselves as integral parts of the technological landscape.” –
The Freewishes Foundation looks forward to creating more programming with Intel as a resource to prepare the future generation in S.T.E.A.M.
You can’t have Valentine’s Day without the perfect flowers, fruit, or even the most exquisite plant. Unfortunately, Roses and bouquets are nice, but they don’t live a long life. Suppose you want something unforgettable that your valentine can hold on to forever. Shop Meredith Wing’s art pieces. Fun fashion illustrations made with real flowers, plants, and fruit and then photographed!
These are beautifully produced, two-dimensional digital prints that are ready to hang. Personally, I’m obsessed with gardens, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. I even have a children’s book about fruits and veggies. So if you want to be creative and elevate your flower-giving, buy art and shop moo mooi.
The gift of art is always a beautiful gift. If your valentine is an art and fashion enthusiast like me, Jessica Durrant is your go-to artist. I have a few of her pieces in my home and have gifted people I love with her art.
Jessica is one of our favorite illustrators and painters. Her vast body of work can transform and upgrade any room from bland to tres chic. Her work has been featured in television and media, including the PR favorite “Emily in Paris.” You can’t go wrong with art; it appreciates, not depreciates, making it a worthwhile investment. Jessica Durrant is a fashion illustrator & artist educator with over 12 years of experience. She grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. Her work is inspired by her travels around the globe, music, film, fashion, architecture, vintage illustration, Scandinavian design and her life itself.
Jessica is no lightweight or everyday illustrator and painter. Her clients include The Washington Post, The Gates Foundation, Simon Malls, Royal Caribbean, Target, Sephora, Dior, IKEA, Starbucks, British & Japanese Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar Korea, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren and Talbot’s. She might just be the next Van Gogh, Monet or Renoir so buy those pieces while you can still afford them
If you want to bring out your inner sexy vixen today, Remedy offers a Valentine’s Day Collection of Glosses, Liners, & Lipsticks. They have curated a set just for this day of love. Created by popular Beauty Mogul and influencer Ari Fletcher, Remedy’s lip glosses are high quality, rich and long-lasting. The color stays on after multiple kisses. Discover the ART OF SEDUCTION with this unique Valentine’s Day Collection. Our pick for your V-Day date is the SIREN x ONYX combo. Indulge in the ultimate allure with Remedy’s sexiest date night lip combo. Unveil confidence and sophistication with the perfect pairing of their rich, velvety matte lipstick in a seductive red hue and a precisely defining lip liner to enhance your pout. Ari also has multiple colored lipglosses and liners to choose from. Ask your man what he might prefer and make it a memorable Valentine’s Day!
It’s Valentine’s Day, and we know we gotta keep it hot, exclusive, and fresh. Thanks to Feminine Care CEO, Maat Petrova, ladies have been feeling the benefits of the most transformative and perfect feminine care routine. Femmagic has every element of feminine care covered. We wanted to just choose one product and realized you can’t have one without the others. So indulge yourself, embrace your femininity, and sexual appetite with Femmagic.
We can start with the feminine cleanse Coocheewa. Omg, this is so lathering; soft and smells so good. You’ll be in the shower forever, feeling squeaky clean and ready for magic afterwards. COOCHEEWA is An all-natural, toxin-free & plant-based feminine wash with a dainty magical aroma. Coocheewaa meaning coochee wash in ‘inside joke girlfriend terms,’ will cleanse your vaginal area without throwing off your pH levels like other chemical-filled soaps. 2. VAGELIXIR: A magical concoction of 100% natural botanicals for women known to soothe discomfort, ease irritation, and kill infections. Vagelixir is a supreme aid to all feminine healing matters, restoring your reproductive health, balance, and confidence as a woman. Lets take it further and go internal with the VAJAY YAY | PROBIOTIC GUMMIES.
These are SWEET PROBIOTIC GUMMIES FOR A SWEETER YONI! This is Maat’s Secret to Feeling Great Inside & Out! If you know Maat Petrova, you know she exudes beauty, femininity, love, and confidence, but she says all this is an inside job that starts within, from radical self-love to how we take care of our bodies. Her unique formula is crafted to enhance your overall comfort. These delicious gummies offer support for your vaginal and urinary health. Why Choose Vajay Yay? Healthy Boost:
These Probiotic Gummies promote comfort and balance in intimate areas. You’re setting the stage for better overall well-being by prioritizing your body’s needs. For that after-sex care and vaginal balance, pop a Femmagic PH POPS (PURE BORIC ACID SUPPOSITORIES). Ingredients: 100% pure boric acid, 600 mg (recommended effective dose) vegetable capsules. This is known as an effective solution to keep your PH balanced, but Maat says for longer-lasting, more herbal benefits, use VAGELIXIR for the above symptoms and after-sex care. You’ll thank us later!
Chances are you might be getting flown out to some exotic location for Valentine’s Day, a trip to Paris, perhaps somewhere in Africa, or just a staycation in your city. Whatever the situation is you must travel in style and convenience. If you’re the type that maximizes your time and has your laptop or work in hand, you are in luck. Props luggage has you covered at the airport or lounge.
The suitcase’s legs “turn heads” at every airport. Business and family travelers have used the PropsLuggage as a workspace in a crowded airport, especially if they don’t belong to the Flyers Club. To get any serious work, writing, or coloring done at an airport, you really need to have a table – which can be hard to find without an airport lounge. The Props 22-inch Hardcase Carry-On looks like a standard four-wheel bag, but with the release of a latch, you can swing down a pair of legs, which turns the suitcase into a workable 18 by 13-inch work surface, raised about 22 inches off the floor. I love how inventive and chic this is. It’s simple, cute, and makes traveling so much easier. Get this for someone you love or even yourself…why not? Self-love is top tier too! Shop Props luggage.
If you want to keep your skin moisturized all night for whatever it is you and your love have going on today, consider Garners Garden’s Natural Body Balm Stick. This will quickly become your favorite product to moisturize your skin with! You no longer have to warm up body butter or shea butter in your hands before applying it to your body. Just have your lover uncap the natural Body Balm Stick and run it over your chest, down to your navel, shoulders, thighs, and the sides of your buttocks. They can spread it over your entire body for a quick but highly effective way to moisturize your ENTIRE body. Convenient for travel and everyday use, you will love this moisturizing body balm stick! Choose from your favorite scents or select the BOGO option to receive a variety of their natural balm pack. Their scents are made from essential oils, including lavender and lemongrass, and are unscented.
Best Comfy but Chic Sportswear: ARPLNSNHOTLS(pronounced Airplanes & Hotels) by Wallo
ARPLNSNHOTLS was founded by Media Mogul and Entrepreneur Wallo267. His dream for this perfect fashion line stemmed from his desire to create a lifestyle brand rooted in function and comfort-ability. ARPLNSNHOTELS intersects his jet-setting lifestyle and love of street-wear culture. I love that this is streetwear but very high quality. I have several pieces that were gifted to me by my friend Casino, and the fabric, stitching, and design quality are high-tier. The clothes don’t fade and shrink, so I know that Wallo has invested great money and must have incredible craftsmen creating this collection. I can see this in Urban Outfitters this year.
ARPLNSNHOTLS‘ lifestyle brand is for the person with important people to see and incredible places to be. It’s for the person who wants to look fly and chic while being comfortable. Wallo states that his line is also for the person who understands the places you’ll go are only limited to what you can dream of.
A woman-owned and woman-operated company, Milène Jardine Chocolatier offers bespoke, international chocolate inspired by her personal mantra: Live by Love. After exploring over 35 countries and meeting inspirational people every step of the way, she believes in the healing power of food, connection, and love. The vision is to celebrate the beauty of diversity through chocolate. Each contains the finest natural ingredients: ethically sourced dark chocolate, exotic herbs, and spices that heal and soothe the body.
Milène Jardine Chocolatier offers chocolate pairings on their website as well.Create an unforgettable event with unique chocolate pairings. From wine to liquor and cheese, they have a tasting menu to entertain all your guests. Indulge your taste buds and learn how the flavor profiles in spirits and cheeses complement the chocolate assortment
Top Event Management Executive, Al Weber shares steps to execute the perfect event
Curating top events and parties sounds easy but only a few in the industry rise to the top effortlessly. There’s a big difference between a party promoter and an event curator/executive. People like Sean “Diddy” Combs revolutionized the event and party game. After Diddy many people started elevating the event space genres. Events and parties became epic and unforgettable…when produced by the right team. There are levels to this. If you’re trying to put together something memorable and prestigious this requires a lot of knowledge, time, a great budget, and a professional leader to execute the process.
Al Weber events
Al Weber is an event executive and sports/ entertainment mogul who has mastered that art of event curation. He knows how to execute unforgettable parties and events. Weber’s events are more of an experience than a party. He has distinguished himself above the rest and has learned the do’s and don’ts along the way. Before going into event curation, Weber was a top collegiate athlete who rubbed shoulders with all the right people. He has a great rolodex and nurtured his relationships over the years. This has allowed him to become one of the best entertainment event executives in the country.
Al Weber events
Weber has curated events for many top celebrities and worked with different personalities. Some of his personal favorite events included those he had with Justin Combs, Bernice Burgos, Mimi Faust, Jagged Edge, Bow Wow and more. Weber says he was inspired to architect events by his friend Kevin Wales. This was the beginning of a successful dream. Still, it wasn’t until he was at the home of Sean “Diddy” Combs that he realized that he needed to dream bigger.
“I was in awe of Diddy’s surroundings and the level of opulence that he operates at. That really motivated me to think bigger. Sometimes you think you’ve reached a certain level but you’re just scratching the surface, said Weber. From that moment on, Weber took his company and dreams to extraordinary heights within Louisiana and all over the country. He recently did a mesmerizing event hosted by Bernice Burgoise Burgos which included the attendance of Councilman Byron Lee of Jefferson Parrish. The all-white party was so extraordinary people are still talking about it months later. So like most people we wanted to know how to execute the perfect event or party? An event that people remember forever. We invited Weber to visit 7th and Lotus to share his tips on how to produce and execute a successful event.
How to produce a successful and unforgettable event.
Create a budget. This is first and foremost. You need to know what you are working with financially before you begin anything. There are so many things and people to consider. You must have a planned budget and also leave room for incidentals and other expenses because sometimes you may have unforeseen expenses. Once that budget is created, try and stick as close as possible to it. Especially if you have an investor. You want to be able to make three times what you’ve put in so that you can pay back the investor and make a profit. Event curation is a business. It’s not something you do for popularity or just having a good time. You must have business sense and think long-term.
Set a Date! Give your potential guests and the public enough time to get themselves together for the most unforgettable experience. Set the date and time ahead of time.
Hiring the right team: Line up the best in each category. The event planner, Décor team, Staff, PR & Marketing because that is key. You can have the most incredible event but how will people know to come. Also if you want buzz after the event, you need a good PR team. You have to hire a host/hostess.
Al Weber with Bernice
Think about your demographic and someone the crowd will enjoy and be entertained by. Go with your gut but research who motivates people to spend their money and come to events. DO they have a good social media following? A good team. Are they organized etc? You’re paying for all of this so hire carefully. Don’t forget about the DJ. They will set the tone. So get the best that fits your demographics.
Venue: Find the perfect venue in a location that caters to your demographic. Consider if it’s going to be a complete rent out of the venue or if it’s a club negotiating the door or bar profits.
Theme: Choose a theme yourself or have the decorator and PR person help you come up with something creative. You can do something traditional or something that stands out. Consider colors, a TV show, a film or a specific time in pop culture or a decade. Like a 70’s, 80’s or 90’s party. There are so many options. The décor is so key because the ambiance and correlation of the theme into the event can make or break your event. Your interior designer and decorator is important.
Food: Hire the right caterer or chef. Make sure they are organized and have great reviews. Ask around. Consider people’s diet choices. Vegan, non-vegan, seafood only or all of the above. Pre-tase the menu. You have to taste the food before you finalize a menu. It better be exceptional.
Invitation: work with your team to create a guest list including a V.I.P or celebrity list as well. The PR person is usually over the guest list, and they should have someone who handles the celebs and V. I. P specifically. No matter what status your guests are still treat everyone like V. I. P. That’s my specialty. I create an environment where people never want to leave or always want to come back.
Get invitations out on time. It’s best to go virtual with E-invitations and it’s organized. You see who RSVPs right then and there and you can do a presale of tickets.
When you have all of this together, have the publicist send out a press release announcing the event. Then have the assistants start sending out the invitations!-
For more tips and event consulting please contact Al Weber via instagram.
Derrick Townsel on the benefits of yoga for mental health and soul
by Abesi Manyando & Zain-Minkah Murdock
Physical, Spiritual and Mental,. These words describe yoga, a practice originating thousands of years ago and defined as a ” Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, which, includes breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures.
Yoga advocates and prescribes to a course of physical and mental disciplines utilized to attain liberation from the material world and union of the self with the Supreme Being. There are a lot of skewed perceptions about yoga but former NFL Player, Derrick (DJ) Townsel is revolutionizing how people think about this mentally healing discipline. “A lot of people tend to believe that only rich, California stay-at-home moms do yoga,” begins Townsel, a former NFL player, now known to the yoga population as “the Rasta Yogi”.
“When I played with the Texans I would see guys tear ACLs and that right there was just a sign that I needed to do more stretches because that could’ve very well been me in a practice or a game,” Townsel spoke of the wake-up call leading him to yoga. His favorite pose has always been the Scorpion, but as of late, he’s been doing the Visvamitrasana (vees-va-may-tra-sah-nah), or the ‘Flying Warrior’–a horizontally oriented pose involving a lot of balance and patience.
He gains a lot of his inspiration from fellow yogi, Laura Sykora, who sparked his interest with the inversion challenge. “Just seeing how easily she was performing poses and how hard it was to get into them, I was like, okay this is something that I want to really get into and try out,” he laughs.
He’s also disintegrating the racial and gender-based archetypes by just doing what he loves—something that actually started out in the middle of his living room.
Despite his humble beginnings, the health coach from Florida has influenced many of whom may not have even met him in person. Social media has contributed largely to his efforts to break down the barriers these stereotypes have built. The Rasta Yogi also accredits yoga as a way to strengthen bonds with his family.
“Aside from the physical, the biggest part [of the personal benefits] is the spiritual,” Townsel discloses. “I grew up in a very Christian household, but I never really had that true connection with the higher power. But, through yogaand meditation, I have seen more than I have with some years of church…I was in church all the time and I would see people who were, you know, praising the Lord, and then fighting in the parking lot. I really haven’t been to church in years. But, my mom always calls me and asks, ‘Have you been to church?’ and I’m like, ‘Mama, my mat is my church.’”
However, preoccupying himself with his new passion did not come without challenges.
“Trying to clear your mind and be still—that’s usually the first one that people deal with, with meditation, physically just trying to get past a lot of years of lifting weights and playing football, so my muscles were extremely tight…I’m not going to say it’s been an easy journey but it hasn’t been one where I’ve struggled much. I’ve just surrendered and been letting things happen the way they are. I just know that I’m going through certain things for a reason.”
He defines strength as, ‘subjective’. “Strength to me could be different to somebody else. To some people it’s physical, to some people it’s mental, to some people it’s spiritual…it pretty much changes person by person. For me, it’s helping others finding strength. My purpose is to help people, so I find my strength helping others discover theirs.”
Some things you should take away from the West-Indian yoga instructor?
“The main thing is, I’m a very easy person to approach,” he says. “A lot of people, when they comment and I comment back on things [on social media] they’re like, ‘Oh, I didn’t think you would respond!’ I’m very easy to talk to. I love communicating with people, I love seeing people be the best versions of themselves—which is why I started personal training and PT [physical therapy] yoga because I like to help people realize the power they have within them.”
You can catch up with Derrick in Washington D.C on April 9th to start or continue your journey in Yoga. Check out when he’s coming to your town next here! For additional workshops and to keep up with Derrick bookmark his website and subscribe to his newsletters here!
The inspiration we needed is almost here. Beyoncé’s latest visual album arrives sooner then later.
From Variety: On Sunday morning, the 24-time Grammy winner released a trailer for “Black Is King,” her new visual album releasing on Disney Plus on July 31.
The album is based on “The Lion King: The Gift,” the soundtrack for the classic Disney movie’s photorealistic remake that debuted last year. Beyoncé curated and executive produced the soundtrack, which featured her daughter Blue Ivy Carter, Jay-Z, Childish Gambino, Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar, Tierra Whack, 070 Shake, Jessie Reyez and other artists.
“Black Is King” promises to reimagine the lessons from “The Lion King” for “today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns,” according to a press release.
“You, who were formed by the heat of the galaxy, what a thing to be. Both unique and familiar. To be one and the same. And still unlike any other,” Beyoncé says in mesmerizing narration throughout the trailer. “Life is a set of choices. Lead or be led astray. Follow your light or lose it.”
The trailer borrows imagery from “The Lion King,” and Disney fans will recognize quotes from the movie in several moments. The vibrant cinematography and style mirror Beyoncé’s “Spirit” music video from the movie’s soundtrack. According to the press release, the visual album filmed in New York, Los Angeles, South Africa, West Africa, London and Belgium.
Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o makes a brief appearance in the trailer, and the press release says Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Naomi Campbell, Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé’s mom Tina Knowles-Lawson and other artists from “The Gift” will appear in “Black Is King.”
Directors Emmanuel Adjei, Blitz Bazawule, Pierre Debusschere, Jenn Nkiru, Ibra Ake, Dikayl Rimmasch, Jake Nava and Kwasi Fordjour contributed to the visual album, which was produced by Parkwood Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures.
Organizational Strategist, Stacey Dyce of Atlanta’s Jamrock C.S shares tips to live a clutter free life and explains how our environment influences our happiness, success and peace of mind.
A new year rewards us with new beginnings and resolutions. For some people their goals for the new year may be to lose weight, be more spiritual, get a new style, make more money, find balance between work and personal life… the list goes on and on. Above all these things, it’s safe to say that people generally want a more focused and organized life that allows them to fulfill all of their goals and resolutions, leading them to be happier and still. Like most working professionals, I get overwhelmed with my hectic schedule, and an endless to-do list coupled with balancing my life.
Sometimes through all of this, maintaining organization becomes challenging but our environment dictates our mood, focus and well being either allowing us to soar in our endeavors or struggle through our clutter. A cluttered environment at times yields to a cluttered mind. This isn’t true for everyone because obviously there are many artists who thrive in complete disarray. If you are looking to be more focused and organized this year you have to start by decluttering your living and work space.
Organizational Strategist, Stacey Dyce is a powerful woman and entrepreneur who will elevate your lifestyle through organization so that you can unleash the best in you with a sharp focused mind. As the the Owner of Jamrock Cleaning Services, Stacey doesn’t just clean and organize space she is a fierce creative artist who can transform your life with her peaceful energy and magical touch.
Stacey also teaches clients how to maintain the sleek and neat environment that she creates. She really helped me become better in maintaining a much more organized living and working space. She finds a place for the things we love. For example i have a lot of throw pillows, cards and notebooks (some just laying around) but Stacey found a perfect space for each of my pillows, cards & notebooks. She values our things and understand that they have meaning and purpose for each individual. The impact she has on her clients’ lives becomes a powerful lifestyle transformation allowing us to lives our best lives ever. Check out Jamrock’s 7 tips on how to declutter in 2016!
If you love a Bohemian/African influence filled with patterns, pillows and lots of throws like me its okay, Stacey recommends that everything can be in plain sight for the visual effect but still must be slightly stored neatly.
Tip 1. Create a to-do List for all the projects in your home that need cleaning like your attic, storage room, refrigerator, ceilings, ceiling fan, or baseboards. Please give yourself a realistic time frame, I recommend 1 year to complete everything on your list. Remember Rome was not built in 1 day.
Keeping your high ceilings and lights clean is important because when dust collects up high it will fall and this is a major no no that Stacey doesn’t tolerate.
Tip 2. Downsize/Consolidation will instantly create more space any room simply practice getting rid of things that don’t make sense like having 4 umbrellas if you’re a bachelor/ bachelorette, lots of brushes, unused products etc. Combining half empty bottles like conditioners, sprays or shampoo downsizes the clutter. Also keep your products in compartments/jars too.
shelves, jars, and boxes are your best friends, use them in bathrooms too.
Tip 3. Clean as you go. Practice returning things back to its designated home after using it, clean the kitchen as you cook, and make use of your cabinets and kitchen shelves. (see below) You can create your own shelves easily. Also fold/hang up your laundry after they dry. These are great habits that will keep your home more organized.
Tip 4. At least 2X a year move around the furniture in each room. This cost efficient form of remodeling will minimize de-coloration on floors(carpet), provide you with a full inventory of your items that may be broken or needs to be replaced, and brings a fresh new look to your home.
Tip 5. Get a Blessing Box or trunk. Place this box in your closet, laundry room or in the garage and as you come across items ( clothes, shoes or other household items) around your house that you don’t need or want place them in the box.
Once the box is full drop them off or schedule a pick up with your local Goodwill or shelter. Remember to receive blessings you must first be one to others.Also you can be creative and use a trunk for both decor and storage like the one pictured above. You can place items in your trunk as opposed to having them laying around. Also having a shelf with compartments can help you from creating clutter. Just like your favorite pillows & throws every object in your space can have a home.
Tip 6. Recycle. Reuse newspaper in place of paper towels to clean windows and mirrors, give old blankets to the family pet, use holey socks to dust furniture or damaged towels to dry your car after going through the car wash are just a few creative cost efficient was to recycle.
Tip 7. Hire a cleaning service Don’t feel ashamed, embarrassed, or disappointed that your living condition requires help. Cleaners are not hired for their opinion their job is to help relieve your stress and maintaining cleanliness. Make sure you personalize your service and how frequent to ensure you get quality service.- StaceyTo contact Stacey follow her on IG @jamrockcleaningservices
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As people across the country demand justice for the death of George Floyd, there are numerous ways you can take action in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Apart from donating to organizations like the George Floyd Memorial Fund, the Minnesota Freedom Fund, and Campaign Zero (find a list of resources here), you can also show support for black creators by putting money into black-owned businesses. To that end, we’re resharing our list of black-owned beauty brands that are setting the standard in the beauty industry. Shop them today—and every day.
There’s no doubt about it: The last few years have ushered in a whole new standard of diversity and inclusivity within the beauty industry. Thanks to Fenty Beauty’s complete disruption, more and more brands—from ne
