asirenspeaks

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[asirenspeaks]

Been about ya and I’m still about ya. 

I’ve curated a collection of my favorite couple self portraits I’ve taken of us over the years.  View the full set HERE.

[asirenspeaks]

How She Asked

“I remember you said you wanted to come out here and take pictures one day when it was empty.  That’s why I had you get up so early”  

We had initially scheduled the photo shoot date for Monday before the Sonder concert, but Irma’s scheduled arrival for Atlanta forced us to move it up a day.   It was early.  I’m talking before people are out doing their morning runs early.  Before praying grandmothers rise early.  The sun hadn’t even began to peak out yet, and there were still two skaters out practicing.  

Climbing down into the concrete ramps I gained a whole new level of respect for skaters,  it is steep and not easy to walk down or up and I couldn’t even imagine riding a skateboard down even the beginner side.  

I tried to and failed to climb up to the center of the ramps several times, sliding back down in defeat. I made a mental note to maybe NOT wear Fenty bow slides next time I need to climb up something and decided I wasn’t going to let this beat face go to waste and slayed in the pit of the skate park instead.

The sun finally decided to begin to  poke his head out as we were headed to the next location she picked, the Jackson street bridge.  The bridge offers unpatrolled views of the city and it’s not uncommon to see photo shoots taking place there.  In fact, a couple with an adorable King Charles Cavalier was taking pics when I first began to pose.  

When they wrapped their shoot , I helped Dani with the camera settings before she had me turn to catch to take a few shots with the rising sun reflecting off the skyline. I have been living in Atlanta almost 3 years now, and I never grow tired of that view.  I was so caught up in the morning air and how quiet a normally very busy area was that it took me a moment to realize that she was telling me to turn around to see if she liked the pics she’d taken so far.  That’s when I turned to find her on her knee with the most beautiful and perfect ring I’d ever seen .

 Jumping, and screaming, and ugly crying ensued.    

   We then headed to our favorite flying biscuit in Candler Park to celebrate with carbs and mimosas only to be thwarted by being reminded that it was Sunday and we couldn’t drink until 1230 (in the restaurant, I made sure I got it poppin as soon as I got home). Over breakfast she shared how she was able to keep her proposal from me, including scheduling  the ring delivery from FedEx when I was off running errands with Harlem.  The universe was on her side that day cause the delivery was a little late and it just so happened to be the day Amazon launched instant delivery with free breakfast item promo so I took longer than expected cause I was way too hype about free cereal.

She told me about how she was nervous and my girl Blu helped ease her nerves before she called my parents to ask for their blessing.  And she detailed the ring process to me.   I had found the jeweler, Princess Bride Diamonds, months ago on Instagram and had been obsessed with their unique pieces ever since.  Each ring is custom made and takes 4 to 6 weeks to receive.  Dani said working with Sarah for such an important purchase was an amazing experience and they even sent a handwritten note with the ring.  

 For now we are basking in the freshly engaged love feels and any wedding ideas are fairly abstract, but I’ll admit I’ve doubled my time spent on Pinterest already.  Her proposal was perfect and lowkey, and she made sure to pick a ring as unconventional as me.

[asirenspeaks]

Art Wars Atlanta

I’m still blessed with (somewhat) door off weather in Atlanta, but it’s also a constant reminder to always put on my Maja’s Very Own, before leaving the house.  In the short time it took for me to park along the train tracks and walk a good 50 feet from Fiona to the door, two mosquitoes were blessed with the sweet nectar of my blood and I was left with an itchy ankle. (A mistake that won’t happen again).  Armed with just an address and no obvious signage to let me know I was at the right location, I knew I arrived when I spotted people in eclectic garb clustered in front of the cathedral doors of a building with 585 painted along the windows.  (A few people wearing shirts that said ‘Art Wars: Atlanta , was also a dead giveaway, but that’s neither here nor there).

I often find myself gazing at the people as much as the art, and last night at Art Wars: Atlanta was no different.   Inside the walls of any aged building in Atlanta, there’s usually a bit of magic inside.  Much like art, no two buildings are the same, and the weathered brick, barn doors, and industrial space of the Ambient + Studio was the perfect backdrop for Art Wars.  The event brought out a stylish crowd, featured various artworks from a number of budding Atlanta artists, had massage chairs and live painting (both on bodies and canvases).  

I have yet to visit a an Atlanta Art show where the DJ is unlit and I can say with total confidence that vibing to Bodak Yellow while sipping a peach thot juice a rita , as I meandered from exhibit to exhibit is a slice of happiness for me.  While I didn’t win a free painting from the raffles scattered throughout the evening, I did purchase a piece and I can’t wait to figure out where I’m going to hang it at home.  You can check out the artist here. 

It’s always a slay when Tavia is involved.  Check out her IG here. 

    The Art of Trina Williams.  See more from her on her instagram. 

What’s your favorite type of art ?  Do you frequent art shows and events in your city ?   Who is your favorite artist I should check out ?  Let me know in the comments . 

[asirenspeaks]

"Yes my yams are all the way out '  I whispered to myself as I hoisted myself from the driver's seat to sit on my soundbar.  My feet swung back and forth nervously as I noticed cars slowing down to stare at us.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm not feigning any sort of modesty, I'm no stranger to the near naked life, but this time felt different, perched atop my firecracker red Fiona in front of a bright  mural on a busy downtown Atlanta street.  (Are there any unbusy downtown Atlanta streets?)

"Relax, you look great." Dani reassured me as she turned my music up and snapped a few test shots. I had made mood boards for this months ago and initially wanted it to be a big ordeal. I mean, can you even call yourself a Jeep Girl if you don't take pics draped across it some form or fashion ?  I'm talking make-up, people holding reflector lights, and a personal lotion assistant.  I had assumed by this point I would be at my "ideal weight" (I still haven't decided what that is) and dammit I was gonna celebrate it .

A number of things caused me to diverge from that vision, and in the end it just ended up being Dani and I taking Fiona apart in celebration of 3 days of no rain in the forecast. Once the initial nerves faded, I embraced the experience for all that it was, a good time with my love on a sunny evening, and a celebration of the curves that I have.  

[asirenspeaks]

#FinanceFriday: How to Actually Keep Free Events (Mostly) Free

Soaring temperatures. Frozen drinks. BBQs and kickbacks.  Short shorts. Rain Drops. Crop tops. Rooftop and patio dining.  Festivals, Outdoor concerts, and pool parties.  Summer shenanigans are in full swing ( even though you can barely tell with all of the rain in Atlanta) and the “fun and fuckery” section of your budget may be taking a bit of hit.   One of the many ways this can happen is by getting caught up at a “free” or “almost free” event.   This happened to me on memorial day and again when I went to the “Wind down Wednesday” Prince tribute in centennial park on June 7th.   Here are some tips I use that you can follow to avoid checking your bank account like  . . .

1. Take out a predetermined amount of Cash.  

I swear by this rule, and I’ve talked about it in depth here . When you can see the money actually leaving your hand, it will keep you from the dreaded swipe and regret.  Especially at festivals.  

2.  Figure out your transportation and/or parking before you go.

Free events are free for a reason.  Sure, there may be no admission , but by the time you add in parking, drinks, food, and other impulse spending into the mix, you sometimes end up spending more because you’ve convinced yourself that you saved on going to a “free” event.  The Swindle !  If you live in a major city, I’m sure you’re used to parking rate increases for major events.  There are several ways to avoid this.   You can take public transportation (which is recommended in Atlanta because it’s so congested here), take and Uber or Lyft, or search and prepay for parking in advance.   (I definitely recommend this for concerts)   You can also find discounted parking rates and pay in advance by using Park Me, Park Wiz, and Parking Panda.  Figuring out transportation in advance not only saves your coins, it also saves time.   (Riding around a crowded event searching for parking is never fun).

3.  Be your own bartender.

This depends on the event, but many outdoor festivals allow you to bring coolers.   I spent SO MUCH MONEY at the little pop up bars at the Jazz Festival because I decided at the last minute to go and didn’t bring my own booze.   I also ate too much overpriced food.  Meanwhile , the man next to me that had his cooler full of snacks and beer was completely unbothered.   Lesson learned.   

But E ?  The event doesn’t allow outside liquor.   Well my friends, when you find yourself in this situation , you have a few options.  The first one is  obvious: Pregame so that you don’t spend as much when you’re out.   Food vendors make notoriously weak drinks , and you can get more bang for your buck at a liquor store.   Another option , for the more adventurous , is to take a flask.  They come from the obvious to the less detectable and Amazon has so many cute ones to choose from.  See that picture below ?  Those are three flasks, I kid you not.  Click the picture to purchase for only $8 ! 

(You taking a flask is your own journey.  Be safe. Be smart guys .  I’m just offering all the options here,  and cannot be held liable for a bad judgement call on your end).

Hopefully these tips will help you to better balance having and awesome summer while still reaching your savings and financial goals.   Ah, the joys of #adulting.  What life hacks do you use to save money when going out ?  Share below ! 

[asirenspeaks]

Summer 17 necessities :  Maja’s Very Own Organic Mosquito Repellent

“Pretend I’m not here” I told Maja as I placed my nikon in her face (Yes, flash and all).  After she posed for me while still holding her wine glass, (yes, kindred spirits) I focused my attention on her products.   It was a Sunday afternoon, and she helped me arrange the products into a flatlay, flipping switches on and off to cast the perfect lighting.  It had been raining cats and dogs on and off since the spring in Atlanta, and the constant heat and humidity created the perfect conditions for mosquitoes to flourish.  The mosquitoes were clearly out here eating and living good while we either a) hide out indoors b) get bit up c) try chemical bug sprays and still get bit up and now also stink in addition to being bit up and itchy.  Those worries are now a thing of the past, thanks to Maja’s Very Own.  Now if you’ve been here before, you know I’m no stranger to chemical free living (in most  ways, still working on others) so I was over the moon when Maja let me purchase some of her MVO organic mosquito repellent before the shop launched.  I tested it the best way I know , I used it when I went to Florida for mother’s day weekend (Florida mosquitoes are a whole different level of terrible).  Not only did I return to Atlanta unbitten, but my family loved it too, mostly because it didn’t have that yucky chemical smell and stickiness most repellents give.  

Maja’s Very Own, is the true definition of an entrepreneurial effort.  She is a one woman show, from expertly mixing her butters and oils, down to the labels that she designed herself.   I had purchased before the labels were created, so I enjoyed admiring the intricate flowers the California native artist created.   They are  simple and effective, much like the product itself.  

  Get to know Maja , the artist and creator of Maja’s Very Own below.

 Tell me about how Maja's very Own started.

My thoughts of developing a mosquito repellent started when I knew I’d be moving back to the South. I lived in South Carolina for 8 years and there I found out I was highly allergic. Living there was miserable because 4-5 months out the year I couldn’t step out the house passed a certain hour in fear of being bit. I would swell so bad, and I even developed MRSA from being bitten before. I was determined to enjoy my new move because it was a new chapter in my life, and I didn’t want to limit myself. So I did my fav thing ever and google researched anything I could regarding mosquitoes and how to naturally repel them. I knew there had to be plants that worked, I hated the smell of OFF! And anything with DEET. Even if they add a “flowery” smell to those products, it smells horrible. It’s nothing but chemicals. I’m a self-proclaimed black hippy lol and want nothing to do with such things. I made my first batch summer ’16, it was a small personal bottle just to try things out. I was my own guinea pig and saw it worked for a little while but I still would get bit and would have to load up on benedryl to avoid using my Epi-Pen. But summer 17 was going to be my summer. I started my health journey, finally settled into southern living and really wanted to see what ATL had to offer. By doing more research I found better oils and remedies that might help so I threw some things together and would try them out and finally found a mix that worked and smelled good. Fortunately this time around friends and family tested it to make sure it worked for different people who have a different body chemistry than I do. Whala !  Maja’s Very Own. I wanted to have fun with it, so making it wouldn’t feel like or become a job, I already have one of those. That’s why there are Drake references in my description, someone told me I was “too urban” for those but clearly they didn’t get it was an MVO ting ayyyee lmao plus who doesn’t love a little Aubrey Drake in their life?… life is to enjoy and why not enjoy what you do?

 When you realized you could turn your own personal remedy into a business, did you have any fears along the way ?   If so , how did you overcome them ?

I originally wasn’t going to sell it or even mention it. It was the push from family that gave me the courage to start bottling it. I have a hard time putting myself out there I’m very introverted unless I know you personally. It worked so well for family I was like fuck it why not, what do I have to lose? Yes, it’s pricey but not only will I be helping myself but others. As soon I made mention of it on my FB people were messaging me telling me they have the same problem and they hate the mass produced products as well.

My main fear was the cost to do everything, because everything I used I made sure was organic, pure and naturally sourced. We all know organic isn’t cheap, but I took the leap anyway because I believe in what I’m doing. I truly believe that as long as you try to do what you whole heartedly believe in you’ll never fail because you tried. You come out a winner because you learned something by simply trying. Plus i'm beyond fortunate because my family supports everything I do, I couldn't ask for anything more than that. they're my cheerleaders even when I fail, they understand the importance of being an entrepreneur, especially being a woman and black, how important that is. I want my brothers see me try and fail or succeed, and know they don't have to keep working for someone else funding another's dream. You can put time into your own and build an empire. It'll take time, and i'm not saying I'll be hugely successful, but until my last breath I'm going to use the gifts God gave me and keep trying. Just having my younger brothers tell me they're going to step out of their comfort zone to try something because they see me trying is everything, or having my mom and grandmothers tell me they're proud of me having the courage to constantly put myself out there.  I don't care if I sell nothing else,lol that's the most rewarding thing i've ever experienced. I'll forever submit my artwork to galleries or shows and keep making stuff in the kitchen just because of those things right there.

 What are some of the challenges you faced initially as a small business owner?

Money… lmao point blank, everything else comes pretty easy for me. At a random job I had I learned design so I design all my labels, thank you inserts and banners for my Etsy. I’m also an artist so I pay serious attention to detail, almost borderline OCD lol

 Also because of that I kind of get anxiety wondering if people like what I’m sending them. Along with the product I send a general thank you, but I also send a handwritten note that I appreciate them and I believe in giving back to the Earth we take from daily. I enclose wildflowers, lavender and a few other seeds for them to plant personally or just spread somewhere so in a small way we help stabilize our bee population because we need them. Without the bees I won’t be able to continue making the product even if it’s just for myself and never sell another bottle, the fruits we eat or anything for that matter. We have to give back in some type of way, it's small but it’s something. My black hippy ish lmao

 Do you plan on expanding your product line in the future ?

I do actually last summer on top of making me a spray I also made repellent infused jewelry which I was hella surprised it worked! I forgot to spray myself and just had on my bangles and earrings and never got bit. Also beside the spray I also have a rub I made. I think people tend to shy away from the rub because it’s the summer but in the summer we still need lotion with this hard ATL water lol. I use that in place of my lotion everyday just as extra protection because I myself have even forgotten to spray myself down before walking out and regret it as soon as I feel a slight burn then welt somewhere. It's lighter than you’d think and moisturizes your skin so well because of the Shea and coconut oil. Still smells really good which a main focus was. You can wear either spray or rub along w your fav oil or perfume and it won’t be overbearing. But yea jewelry is the next move.

 You can purchase Maja’s product at here etsy shop here.   You can also keep up with her on instagram.  I highly recommend her products, not only to support small owned black businesses, but because you can’t slay all seasons 17 when you’re swollen and itchy .  

[asirenspeaks]

Boats and Hoes : A Retrospective

It’s been a good bit since I’ve dropped a photo diary and sometimes a bunch of words aren’t necessary. Yesterday we headed to Lake Lanier to celebrate Trasee’s birthday.  We initially got rained out last Sunday afternoon , but I feel like the universe knew what it was doing when it was rescheduled for the evening because being out on the water under the full moon was magical.  Last night was a mixture of great weather ,a large party boat, Hennessy , Jack Daniels, (margaritas for Dani and I, you know I’m a tequila girl), yummy food, a great playlist , dope people, and great energies.  

The Birthday Girl, Trasee ! 

Me:  I’m not getting in the water.  Also me : 

#sunsetsituations 

Midnight taboo.  Shit got real. 

Outfit Details.   I paired one of my favorite brazilian bikinis from le doux with an adorable (and inexpensive) crochet coverup I got from Amazon .   Click below to shop the coverup. Eachway Handmade Women's Sexy Hollow Crochet Bikini Cover Up Lace Floral Knitted Swimsuit Cover Up Dress ((US Size 10-12) XL)

   What’s your liquor of choice?   I normally swear by tequila but I see 2017 has me stepping outside of my comfort zone.  What can I say? Hennything is possible. 

[asirenspeaks]

The Lonely Side of Healthy Living

After years of yoyo dieting foolishness, I started taking my nutrition and workouts seriously in May of 2015. Since then I have lost 40 pounds and kept it off.  Now 40 may not seem like the biggest number, but I lift weights and I lift heavy , so my body looks completely different.  I lost love handles, my double chin, a lot of aches and pains, and for awhile there, I lost my social life.   Here are a few of the social hurdles I had to overcome

Dang, you never come out anymore !

 When I initially started , I was very strict  with my nutrition and workouts, which meant no going out to eat, no partying, and no tequila.  (Believe me, the no tequila was the hardest part).  That led to me turning down a lot of invitations that I would normally jump on before, because I was serious about snatching that waist down .  I would offer alternatives to a turn up only to get a “Let me check my schedule” and never get a response.  The fitness friend curve is real.  Of course this was temporary, but it still sucked and I spent many nights in bed watching lit snap stories like this. 

 Now you know I’m not going to present a problem without a solution , so here are a few things you can offer as alternatives to meeting up invitations that are counterproductive to your nutrition goals.

1. Yoga.  My girl Blu wrote an amazing piece on the benefits of yoga, and if you’re in Atlanta, you can go for free every Sunday.   Good vibes and good stretches.

 2. Outdoor adventures !  It’s summertime, and you go shoot the hooch (river tubing) starting at only $10 (and you can bring your own snacks)

 3. Take a new class together .  From painting, to glass blowing, to twerking, to pole dancing, their are a myriad of classes that you can sign up for (and get free trials for) that will offer unique bonding experiences.

 When I came out of my cave with a slightly more relaxed meal plan but an overall changed palette, I dealt with different hurdle.  

 “Is that all you’re going to eat ? “

 That is the most annoying question ever.   I for one, don’t get in other people’s plates unless they ask me to watch them for moral support. Two, someone would be offended if someone pointed out their portions on the other end of the spectrum .   When I go out, I usually drink a green smoothie or have eat healthy small snack before.  I do this on purpose.  So that my eyes are not bigger than my stomach and I don’t just eat unhealthy food just to eat it. And I’d rather give those calories to tequila.   I’m not on a diet, it was a true lifestyle change, that’s why almost two years later, I have maintained the loss and I am still continuing to lose fat and build muscle without starving myself.   

 Now that I am at a healthier weight, I’m not as strict, but I am still mindful of what I’m eating and the time of day.  I will eat more at a brunch than I will going out later in the day.  I find this is what works best for me.

 When people constantly comment on what you’re eating or your portion size, I’ve found the best thing counteract this, is to not over explain yourself.  Eventually people will get the hint, and mind their own plates.

 Oh You Acting Brand New ?!

 This is well documented social side effect that accompanies weight loss. Not everyone is going to like the boost of confidence that comes with a more svelte figure.   Even though I have embraced and shared my body at every point of my fitness journey and every size ( I didn’t gain weight until adulthood, and I reached my highest weight of 223 lbs after an injury and long recovery) many people felt (and voiced to me) that I was conceited and felt like I was too good once I got serious about my weight loss and made it stick.

 As with any growth in life, some people will choose to exit and make room for the people that align with you and want to see you win.  

 The emotional aspect of weight loss is often more taxing than the physical.   Everyone has the days when they want to give up. The negative encounters were counter productive to me reaching my goal, but if I would have given into the peer pressure or shrunk myself down to make others feel more comfortable I would have stunted my personal growth.  I have made many adjustments since then , including friend workouts that work for any fitness level.  Now I give full disclaimers if I can’t eat food where I’m gonna to be at, that I’m gonna eat before and still come.  I don’t expect everyone to bend to my nutritional restrictions, but I do like that they respect them.  

 My healthy partner in crime over at LiveloveBlu dropped more keys than Dj Khaled on maintaining your healthy habits while eating out.  I’ll definitely be using these to stay on track this summer.  

 My Girl Tammi’s birthday dinner Memorial day week.   Yes I had a (small) piece of cake and tequila.  In fact I had arrived at her dinner straight from a tequila party , which is another story for another day . 

For those on and a weight loss journey , what are some of the negative or alienating experiences you’ve encountered ?  How did you handle it and did it make you feel discouraged or motivate you more?  Comment below and let's grow together !

[asirenspeaks]

5 Ways to Make Everyday feel Like a Vacay

The Stunt Season is breathing down our necks, and I, for one, am too excited to have my social media feeds filled with bikini clad bodies, day parties, festivals, travel, and shenanigans (even though those in seasonless areas have already been indulging in those activities; it’s time for the rest of us to join you).

You too can Slay, All day in a cute, inexpensive high cute swimsuit.  I picked it up on amazon and they have a variety of colors and slogans available.  Click the pic below to shop! 

Whether you are counting down the days till your vacation , just getting back, or not taking one at all, you can inject many of those feel good experiences that make vacation so special into your everyday life.  Don’t spend the days counting down the time till your next experience, live in the now and make everyday a dynamic part of your experience.  Here are some tips to get you started.

Eat something You’ve Never had before 

Whether we are traveling domestically or internationally, one of the first things we do when visit somewhere we don’t reside is to try the food.   So do that in your own city.  Even better, go to a farmer’s market ( yes a farmers market, the food is super fresh and cheaper than grocery stores and the experience is an adventure in itself) and make a recipe you’ve never tried before.   Drink, turn off the TV, open the window or patio door, and put on some music while you cook. And dance while you’re at it.

Take a nap.  Really .  It’s OK.

It’s been said that a vacation is nothing more than a series of expensive naps and with each solar return, I tend to agree more and more with that.    I think about how busy I am during my regular day between balancing a new live-in relationship with opposite schedules, work, fitness, and my entrepreneurial projects, and I miss the days of nap time as a child. (and go back and silently curse 6 year Essence for not taking full advantage of the experience). I know this isn’t possible everyday, but dammit, if you’re tired, lay your ass down. Even if it’s just a 26 minute NASA NAP*.

This is my bed.  It is so fluffy and serene and made for napping and loving.  

Take out time to enjoy the sunrise/sunset.

 When we travel, especially if  we have a spot with a great view, many of us will wake up early to catch the sunrise or make sure we stop our plans to catch the #sunsetsituation.  What if I told you there are beautiful sunrises and sunsets everywhere including where you live ? (I know right?!)  I make a point to get up early enough to let the sunrise ease over these bones with vinyls playing in the background (I usually starting with Solange’s “Rise”, such an obvious and perfect choice).  But Essence, I don’t have a view ! Make one.  Take a walk around your neighborhood at sunset, step out on your balcony or in your backyard in the morning and commune with nature.  You’ll be glad you did.

Make a frou frou libation .

 We all like to indulge in the extra calories that come in a frosty sugary blend of alcoholic goodness on a beach or poolside.  Why not do that at home ?   Now I won’t lie, most of the time I get straight to the point. Give me my drunkess without all the juice, preferably  in the form of tequila shots.  However, even I sometimes put my blender to good use and make frozen margaritas with fresh fruit.  I’m talking garnishments!  And colorful straws ! Treat yourself!  If tequila isn’t your thing (and to be honest I don’t quite trust you if it isn’t) , throw some actual fresh mint sprigs in your at home mojito, pull out those copper cups and experiment with the many variations of mules.  Put something other than oj in your mimosa. You can even make homemade sangrias with fresh fruit for those that don’t care for hard liquor.  Then take a step back and snap a pic for the gram.  We’re on vacation right ?!

A lemon blueberry mimosa.  Also known as heaven in your mouth. 

Be Present in the Moment

 Mindfulness is something that is often overlooked in the day to day grind.   Part of what makes a getaway just that is that we are completely submerged in the moment and feeling (save for the breaks to snapchat and let people see the moment and to take pics for IG).   Take time to be grateful everyday for you life, even on the lackluster days.   And if you are having an uninspired day, try one of the aforementioned tips to help turn it around.  

  I practice what a preach to inject joy and serenity into each day.  You can follow the journey on my Instagram at asirenspeaks or on my snapchat at Eweezytaughtme.    Share your everyday vacay pics with me by using the tag #sirensweet and remember, ALL SEASONS 17.

*A NASA Nap is the optimal short nap time for peak recharge and alertness.  It is 26 minutes, no more, no less.  And yes, I set my alarms before naps for 26 minutes.  If i have time for a longer nap, I'll do 90 minutes but no less , unless of course it’s 26.  Easy enough right?

[asirenspeaks]

So You’re Considering Spin?  Tips for your first class.

It’s no secret that cardio is my least favorite part of my healthy lifestyle, and it’s because it usually it can get a bit boring. So when my girl Maja found a free trial spin class for the grand opening of Cycle Bar East Cobb ,I was down.  I heard that not only is spinning a great way to burn a bunch of calories, but that it’s also really fun.   My butt is sore, but it’s totally worth it.   If you’re considering trying spin class, I say go for it, and here’s a few tips to make sure you maximize your experience. 

1. BUY PADDED CYCLE SHORTS ! 

I cannot stress this enough.  Especially if you have a bigger butt.  And even with the padded shorts , your butt will be a bit sore, but that will decrease with time . (Or so I’m told).  I found really cute bibbed cycle shorts on amazon, and I didn’t have to worry about them rolling down while I peddled for my life. 

2. STRETCH 

This tip is coming directly from Maja.  I asked her for a bit of advice to give other beginners, as it was her first spin class, too, and she had one word of advice.  STRETCH!

3. KNOW THAT YOU WILL WORK YOUR WHOLE BODY. 

Your legs may be clipped into the bikes, but spinning is definitely a full body workout.  Our instructor Jen had us use weighted bars where we worked our upper body while peddling, and also she had us position ourselves in certain ways to engage our core (which I completely loved cause I’m all for training core without doing crunches). 

4. PUSH YOURSELF BUT LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.

This is my first time in years venturing into a group fitness setting.  At cyclebar they let you pick your bike, so I went for the middle row.   They had an interactive leaderboard, which was a really great tool to help me with pushing myself to move up, and to make sure my legs where moving fast enough to get the overall class rpm up.   At times throughout the class I couldn’t peddle as fast or hold myself up and I had to sit down and just keep peddling, but the point is I kept moving and will get better with time. 

5. DRINK YOUR WATER 

When our class ended, they were waiting for us with cold citrus scented towels to wipe off with and an array of health snacks, including fruit, granola bars, and room temperature and chilled water.   This was needed. 

6. HAVE FUN

Exercise should be an integral part of our everyday life, but it shouldn’t feel like a chore.  Spin is challenging and fun, and I can definitely say the instructor Jen had a lot to do with how much I enjoyed the class.  She pushed, was motivational , and had good humor.

                                    Jen, our awesome instructor. 

If you live in the Atlanta metro area  I definitely recommend trying out the East Cobb Cycle bar.  The facility is clean and beautiful, and the staff was super friendly with helping out a first timer.  And because they specialize in spin, the aesthetics of the room that the class was in added to the experience.   Mood lighting good music, and led tower candles while burning a major sweat on a Sunday ? Count me in.  

You can try a free 30 minute session to learn the basics here. 

[asirenspeaks]

Audio Confections : B.L.A.M.E. Society

If you follow me on snapchat, you know that I spend a great deal of my day vibing to music .   If I had dollar for someone  asked me what I was listening too, I could park a third Jeep outside .  It would be criminal if I didn’t share these gems with you all so you can vibe out with me for All Seasons 17. 

For today’s Audio Confection : I present to you B.L.A.M.E. Society and their mixtape MC Poetics which you can listen to for free here .  Vastly different from the hip hop that inundates the airwaves today , B.L.A.M.E. Society brings the flow of true emcees, filled with uplifting messages of power unity, self awareness (and Amy Winehouse samples).   

Get to know the movement through my interview with the founder, Cato. 

How many members contribute to the sound and how did you start out ?

So originally I (CATO) started out as a solo act. I pride myself on self production(beats, vocals,lyrics, promo, etc.) but as one can imagine, this can be very exhausting and often futile. So in early 2015 I had an epiphany. The idea was what if there was one space where an artist can come,and receive all the support he/she needs in order to only focus their craft. I wanted to offer video,instrumentals, blogs, anything, you name it. So I began finding those individuals who had their various supports to offer. This came to be known as Black Liberating Arts Movement & Entertainment Society, or simply B.L.A.M.E. SOCIETY. Our collective is still in the early stages but while we develop ourselves to fulfill the vision, we still have some dope music to share with the world. In this particular project ‘E.MCEE P.OETICS’; P-MO and myself are the voices on the records. I produced 6 of the 9 tracks, and 2 are J-Dilla instrumentals. We love Jay-Dee and felt we expressed ourselves in a manner that uplifts his legacy. P-Mo and I have been friends since 7th grade. We view each other as brothers, and competition on the mic; I feel that relationship can be felt through this project.

Your sound is very different from wha’s in rotation on mainstream radio,where do you pull inspiration from?

Specifically for this record, P-Mo and I (CATO) wanted to bring back that feel of boom bap hip hop for the listeners. Some say its old fashioned, and outdated but we believe that some things don’t go out of style. Our biggest hip-hop hero is NAS, Jay-z, Mobb Deep, and many more. For the production side of the project, I felt connected with Amy Winehouse for a few reasons. One of her producers is a producer for Nas and so with going back and vibing to her soulful voice over Salaam Remy tracks was how a couple tracks were created. The shared inspiration for even creating music is to show people how lyrical, creative, and complex St. Louis artist can be in this time.

What was the direction of this mixtape ? 

The direction was to show listeners the talent that St. Louis artists have.  P-Mo and Cato represent the craft of poetry when spitting rhymes on a mic. Every lyric has a purpose, each verse tells a story, and anyone who allows themselves to be immersed into the EP will understand how this isn’t just rap…this is art.

What can we look forward to in the future from Cato and P-MO, and the B.L.A.M.E. Society Collective as a whole ? 

Honestly we have many projects in the work. P-Mo is working on his solo EP, which will be nothing short of amazing. Cato has a project coming up soon…we can’t give to many details, but this EP will include the instrumentals of DJ Domo (our DJ/Producer). His style is versatile and is sure to impress.

My favs on the mixtape are “Trouble” “Elevate Daily” and “Yo World” .  Which tracks are your favorites? 

My (CATO) favorite song from the EP is “Keep It Cool”. I produced this track especially for P-Mo who, in my opinion, absolutely killed it. The track contains a Nas sample, ‘Take it In Blood’ from his album “It Was Written”. This track expresses the talent and dedication that we have when it comes to music. In this song not only is P-Mo hitting the listener with delicate word play, but the story and content is captivating.

Do you have some tips you can share for those balancing the everyday grind with pursuing their creative passions ? 

Get in what you can. We are all working, educating, parenting, and overall taking care of ourselves. People are busy, and we acknowledge that, however if we all just do even one thing; write one rhyme, record one song, connect with each other once a day, great things start to take shape. The grind is never over; we push until we can push no more.

What is your definition of success? 

To all of us, success is sustaining life by doing what we love. Our goal is to make enough funds creating music in our various capacities so that we can do this full time.

I complete agree on the definition of success, and I know it’s coming for the talented emcees.  Support real hip hop by checking out their mixtape here and putting them in your rotation .  

You can keep up with the B.L.A.M.E. Society on 

Twitter : @blame___society 

IG : @b.l.a.m.e.society 

Tumblr : 19cato90.tumblr.com 

*this post was a collaboration between A Siren speaks and B.L.A.M.E. Society, but as always, all opinions are my own