Tag: featured

Can We Capitalize on Creativity Equally
Creativity has reached new heights with the internet and social media. Gone are the days when your brilliant artwork was only framed on your parents refrigerator. Now it has the potential to go viral with a simple tweet, insta-post, or snap. The question is, where does all of that new attention lead to?

Digital influence, according to Techopedia, is the ability to create an effect, change opinions and behaviors, and drive measurable outcomes online largely through social networking. So, it is more than just a popularity contest, but still has some mystery behind it. As I learn more about branding and production to enhance my blog and future projects, I have noticed a variety of patterns in what gets loved and lost. Also, being interested in intellectual property and legal protection of creativity, I have noticed a gap in protection and awareness.

Certain niches or content tend to pick up more attention quickly. Women are the majority of online creators. Fashion and beauty get the most attention. The definition of quality content is based on a preference for polished personal branding. This is where the difference among titles comes into play.
- The blogger post has a few paragraphs similar to a journal entry with a lot of pretty pictures, sponsored links, and social media followers.
- The writer post has numerous paragraphs similar to a short story with a few illustrations or gifs, helpful links, and social media followers.
- The journalist post has numerous paragraphs similar to a news article with pretty pictures, source links, interviews, and social media followers.
For the consumer, the internet is a great asset because you have access to all kinds of content. For the creator, depending on your circumstances, the internet feels highly saturated. Which of these three posts would you pay the most for? Which of these three posts do you think receives the most revenue?

Monetizing creativity is not a new phenomenon, but the internet has taken it to another level. This new level of digital influence comes with some questionable characters. People can buy followers, likes, and comments. This diminishes the credibility and value of the digital influence industry, which was brilliantly called out in this article by The Luxury Spot. On the other hand, since this industry is still evolving, there are no concrete rules or rates. Creatives who are organically growing their following are being ripped off by brands. Refinery29 did a great article about this issue. I am glad to see others sharing information and insight on this, but we still have a long way to go to establish whether this industry is a passing trend or a substantial career.

Across the board, according to the digital influence experts, the one guaranteed way to monetize your creativity online is through e-courses. Initially, online courses with recorded lectures and live interaction were popular among some universities in 2012. This phase faded for reasons I am not sure of yet. Later, bloggers picked it up and adapted it to their niche. From DIY projects, to parenting tips, to business advice, there is an e-course on everything. There are even e-courses to teach you how to create an e-course. Now, we have celebrities doing e-courses: Serena Williams teaches tennis, Christina Aguilera teaches singing, and Dustin Hoffman teaches acting through MasterClass. These courses range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. That adds up to a pretty nice profit. The question is, does the value of the course equal the price? Is the curriculum viable? Is the information more than what you could Google yourself? Depending on what you are looking for, the course could be great or fluff.

Protecting creativity is also not new, but does need an upgrade. I worked at a pro bono trademark clinic this past semester and gained some insight in the business behind creating and filing trademarks and copyrights. Our clients were traditional small businesses looking to trademark logos and names, but the work got me wondering how these intellectual property laws apply to new media and digital influence. For example, someone creates something really funny or catchy on Vine or Snapchat and it gets a big response. Then, someone else with a bigger following (who might be a real celebrity or company) picks up the original clip, copies it, and posts it as their own with their face on it. Technically, your work is entitled to copyright protection once it is created. Can the original person present their Vine in court as evidence of copyright infringement? Since the majority of social media is free, the likelihood of anyone paying for litigation to protect their work is slim to none. We need to enhance the support and protection of those who create and innovate. What incentive is there to share your work when it is overlooked or stolen? The Fader did a great article on this issue.

When balancing popularity contests and mysterious algorithms with no support, it can seem capitalizing on creativity equally is not possible. With the variety of creators and innovators I have interacted with, I think we can shift this digital influence industry to be a more wholesome experience. This is not public radio or cable TV, where the advertiser, sponsor, and shareholder dictates what and who is seen or heard. This is the future of content and culture. The advertiser, sponsor, and shareholder might continue to make the bulk of the profit from this new medium of content, but the consumer is demanding more of a say in what they want to see and hear. We can make an impact on this. So many of us digital influencers are part of the “side hustle” club. Our skills and talents cover more industries than you would expect. Let’s think outside of the box to not only contribute to the never-ending feed of polished photos, funny videos, and trending hashtags, but to also take ownership of an industry we created.

What do you think about capitalizing creativity? What do you think about digital influencers? Can we bring equality to this industry? Let me know in the comments below. Also, remember to connect with me on Twitter and Instagram. I would love to hear from you.

Wearing: Angela Taioni dress and shirt; Michael Kors heels; Clutch made in Liberia

Big thank you to Uncle Nii Bonney and Auntie Damali for these beautiful clothes. They really are a work of art.
July 1, 2016
What We Sacrifice for Beauty and Pollution

I love vintage and futuristic cars. I appreciate the art behind their detailing, colors, and gadgets. Actually, I plan to collect classics when I am mature and fabulous. I visited the Sculpted Steel exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and was really impressed by the sculptures. It got me thinking about the need to balance this kind of beauty against the pollution it can cause. I started wondering how technology is protecting and hindering the environment.

It is no secret that our planet is suffering. Pollution caused by car emission is one of many issues. When you think about how many fumes we are spewing into the air on a daily basis, since the Industrial Age, it might seem amusing to think we could make any difference to the inevitable. Regardless of which side of that debate you are on, I think we all should make an effort to make an impact on this.

There are alternative means of energy. The variety of alternative fuels and rechargeable energy should be as convenient as finding gas stations in Texas. However, the source of energy for alternative energy should not be coal and oil. That is kind of counterproductive, don’t you think?

Let’s talk about what we are doing globally and individually to protect the beauty of our planet. We can manipulate the weather. Not only can we make it rain, but we can reduce the number of hurricanes that occur each year. Actually, in 2009, Bill Gates applied to patent technology that would cool the water before hurricanes develop. In 2014, the United Nations published a report showing how the hole in our ozone layer is shrinking thanks to removing certain chemicals from refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosol cans in the 1980s. However, the substituted chemical apparently contributes to global warming. In 2015, the Dutch opened the world’s first smog-free tower. It is like a jumbo filter that collects polluted air and returns smog-free air.

I am sharing these examples not only to encourage the younger members of my community to explore innovation in STEM courses and industries, but also to show how technology is helping to protect our planet. There are plenty of ideas like these that need to be supported. I feel we can maintain a balance between tech upgrades that enhance our lives and those that hold our lives hostage. Those movies about smart houses and robots catching feelings and making decisions on their own, like iRobot, Eagle Eye, and Smart House, are not fiction. We already have “smart devices” for our homes growing in number and size. Look at the power of your cell phone! I might not be the first to have a robot assistant, but I will be having the ultimate Sonos speakers experience in my home.

What I love about technology and science, sometimes, is how it always keeps the bigger picture in mind. It puts in perspective what we sacrifice for beauty and pollution. We can do better.

What are you doing to protect the beauty of our planet? What do you think of technology’s role in this issue? Let me know in the comments below. Also, remember to connect with me on Twitter and Instagram. I would love to hear from you.

Wearing: New York & Company blouse & skirt; Michael Kors heels; Kashmir VII clutch; Charming Charlie earrings

June 22, 2016
How To Stop Blocking Yourself

As we continue this journey to strive for our best and better ourselves, there are some challenges that take time to solve. One is self-sabotage. I don’t mean setting up traps for yourself like Tom and Jerry. I am talking about those habits we don’t notice. Those reflexes that kick into gear before you can catch them.

One of those habits is a form of self-defense. We all have been hurt, disappointed, or betrayed at different points in our life. Those types of scars sometimes refuse to heal. Your capacity to trust shrinks and your guard thickens. It gets harder to distinguish between friend and foe, so you keep everyone at a distance. It is not paranoia, but more a shield of protection. The problem with these kinds of scars is that they block you from meeting great new people and receiving new opportunities. Let’s work on that.

Heal and Forgive

Subconsciously and directly, we suppress a lot of emotions. We might not consider it holding a grudge. We might believe we have mastered pushing past them. This is not healthy because it keeps you feeling disappointed all the time. Take the time to heal emotionally and spiritually. Fully forgive yourself. I don’t mean to track down that mean kid from elementary school to tell them you forgive them. I also don’t mean to continue blaming others for everything that has not worked out for you. Forgive yourself to clear your plate. Accept your past, nurture your present, and embrace your future.

Expand Your Comfort Zone

Removing the blocks around you requires some risk. It will not feel comfortable. You may never be fully certain if you are making the right decisions. That is the point. This kind of risk will provide lessons and challenges that will enhance your life more than you could ever imagine. Create an environment that pushes you to interact with new people and experiences.

Practice and Initiate

The only way to truly remove these blocks is to re-align your lifestyle. This is not a mission to reach a certain weight, tax bracket, or grade. The plan should be to maintain this mindset forever. Thus, we cannot take a passive approach. Initiate dialogue with yourself and others to practice healing and reaching beyond your comfort zone. Take note of what triggers hurtful memories and guarded reactions. Make a point to not push past your emotions, but sit with them. Learn from those emotions to enable you to move on.

What can you do today to stop blocking yourself? Let me know in the comments below. Also, remember to connect with me on Twitter and Instagram. I would love to hear from you.

Wearing: New York & Company blouse and skirt; Michael Kors heels

June 15, 2016
What Prince and his Purple Badness Taught Us

For me, Prince passing felt like the world had lost a lot of magic. I could not bring myself to write anything about him. It takes a while for reality to sink in. With all the information, videos, and rumors that resurfaced, I want to focus on what we all can learn from Prince. He taught us to be unapologetic with our brilliance. That is a lot to unpack. Let’s try. Shall we?

Create and protect your work and your luck

We all know about the fall out between Prince and Warner Brothers plus the impact Prince business decisions made on the music industry at large. Not only did he stand up for himself, but he reached out to others to provide an alternative for artists to conduct business on their terms. He created all of his work and made huge efforts to protect all of it. Self-made success is not easy, but I would argue it is the most rewarding. This applies to every aspect of life, from your career to your family to your health. Create your reality and your luck. Build your opportunities and protect the results. Always remember the hard work pays off, regardless of how long or difficult it feels.

Only compete with yourself

Prince was an ultimate boss at throwing shade. When you are about your business and comfortable in your own skin, no one can touch you. I don’t mean you should up your shade game, but keep your priorities straight. The only person you should be competing with is yourself. Focus on being better than who you were yesterday. Push yourself to dream bigger and reach higher. Take time to master your craft. Most of us are pretty good at a lot of different things. That is cool to keep you occupied, but if you want to capitalize on your skills, you need to be a boss at it. Only then can you throw shade that people will respect.

Don’t be a slave to time

For some reason I viewed Prince as immortal. As if death was beneath him. In a few of his interviews that have resurfaced on YouTube, he mentions a number of times that he does not believe in time or reminiscing. Now, we might not be able to completely dedicate our lives to a no-time-zone due to deadlines, jobs, and bills, but we can still learn something from this. We tend to complain that we do not have enough time. We make excuses for it never being the right time. We race against time. I think we could be happier and more productive if we do not accept being a slave to time. We can make time work for us. Pay attention to how you are using it. Are you allowing others to waste it? What consumes it? Are you being intentional with it? You would be surprised how much time-baggage you could let go.

Bring magic to the world

I really appreciate and respect Prince for all of the gifts he shared with us. He understood his purpose and lived it to the fullest. Is it just me, or does it feel like 2016 is not playing? We have lost so many greats this year. No one can take their place, but that void should not be left empty. I believe passion is the key to bring magic back into the world. Passion for life, equality, love, and connection taken to a cosmic level. We should all strive to recognize and master our gifts to share them with our community.

What did you learn from Prince or any of the greats we lost this year? Let me know in the comments below.

Wearing: ASOS jumpsuit; Dillards heels; Target belt

June 6, 2016
Future of Fashion in Houston: Event Recap

When you think of fashion capitals, what city comes to mind? New York? Paris? Milan? Tokyo? Those are all true, but with technology and social media, new cities are gradually finding their place in the fashion world. Houston might be one of those cities. I had the pleasure of attending the “Future of Fashion” speaker series at Kit and Ace in Rice Village. It was hosted and curated by David Rochez, style blogger at fromNYtoTX, and featured an insightful panel discussing fashion in Houston and the future of fashion around the world.

First, if you are looking for a cool place to host an event, you should check out Kit and Ace. The store has a modern and edgy vibe with a nice clothing selection. The space is perfect for an intimate mixer, panel, or pop-up shop. DJ Anarchy provided the soundtrack and maintained the best mix of soul, hip-hop, and R&B I had not heard in a while.

The panel included Mara, life and style blogger at Malibu Mara, David Rodriguez, head chef at Tout Suite, and Kalan Laws, style blogger at Señor Guapo. The question as to whether Houston will ever catch up to be considered a fashion capital had mixed responses. On the one hand, it is obvious that an interest in the arts is gradually growing in Houston. Everyone who attended provided great street style. A lot of big name brands and stores are opening in Houston. However, Houston was built as an oil and gas hub and, like most of Texas, maintains a conservative character. Kalan noted that anything avant-garde or cutting edge is still considered weird in Houston. David Rodriguez shared his experience in Houston visiting upscale restaurants and being made to feel he did not belong there. Mara mentioned how the big brand stores that are moving to Houston are not catering to millennials who are into fashion but more for the luxury side of Houston. All the panelists agreed that it is up to the millennials of Houston (who are born after 1980) to make Houston a fashion forward city.

I agree that Houston’s extreme temperature and mode of transportation requires creativity to adapt its version of fashion. Unlike other fashion capitals, it is difficult to develop street style in a place that does not have pedestrians. We drive everywhere and are always battling heat waves, hurricanes, floods, and mosquitos. In spite of all of that, we still know how to clean up and show up to events like this.

The dark side of fashion was also discussed. Fast-fashion, which includes H&M, Forever 21, and Zara, is continually destroying our planet and violating human rights. All the panelists noted that the re-emergence of thrifting for kids from all economic demographics is a way to be fashionable and avoid contributing to the continued destruction of our planet.

What does the future of fashion look like? As people, regardless of race, status, or beliefs, we connect through fashion, music, and food. This might bring us even closer in the future.

I really enjoyed this event and am looking forward to more events like this in Houston. Make sure you follow all the bloggers mentioned to stay up to date with cool events and fashionable photos from Houston.

What do you think is the future of fashion? Let me know in the comments below.

June 2, 2016
This Will Be The Best Summer Madness

Summer summer time. Time to sit back and unwind. We are all looking forward to spending more time outside, seeing more friends, and having a good time. Some of us might have plans to make this the best summer yet. Actually, we all should. Regardless if you are on a full vacation or will only take a few weekends off, you should be intentional in how you use your summer. Here are some tips to do that.

Plan a project

This can be short-term and/or long-term. Have you been longing to re-design your living room? Expand your garden? Upgrade your business? Change your hair? Now is the time to do it. When I am planning a project, I write my ideas down, then elaborate with a google doc and pinterest board…any possibly some YouTube videos. Planning can be as fun as implementing your idea.

Self-care

Beyond getting “snatched” for the summer, pay attention to your mind, body, and soul. What are you doing to stimulate your curiosity and imagination? Every summer I collect a few books to add to my library and entertain my mood. I also tend to get new-found inspiration for my blog or creative projects during the summer. Take advantage of the weather and shift some of your exercise routine outside. Check in with your health. I don’t believe in diets. Eating should always be enjoyable. Being deprived never feels pleasant. Looking healthy comes in a variety of sizes. Stick to what works for you and what foods help you be your version of healthy. Check in with your emotions. Are you stressed? Disappointed? Unpack those feelings, talk to friends and family, seek guidance from your higher beliefs. In the summer, the sun should not only shine outside, but also in your heart.

Explore

Whether it is planned or spontaneous, take time to travel. It can be a stay-cation at a local hotel, a road trip to a festival, a cruise to the Islands, or an international flight. I am planning a few road trips and look forward to sharing photos and stories with you about them. Sometimes I do get cold feet with the uncertainty of what might happen on trips to new places, but that is the beauty of exploring. Expand your horizons. Enjoy new sounds, smells, and textures. Live in the moment, regardless of how short or long it is. Most importantly, make memories to cherish.

Connect

This is not a “no new friends” zone. Spend time with family and friends this summer, but also step out of your comfort zone to vibe with new people. You never know what possibilities can come out of a new friendly encounter. I love hearing others stories just for laughs and to learn. It’s inspiring to learn how someone thinks, where they have been, and where they want to go. It is not only about what you can get or gain from someone. It is also about what you can give and simple companionship.

What are your plans for this summer? Let me know in the comments below.

Wearing: ASOS blazer; The Limited blouse; New York & Company jeans; DSW heels

Special thanks to my brother Dantes for contributing his swag to these photos and my sister Damali for taking the photos.

May 30, 2016