Super Service Day II

Rudy & Kelly Academy Paul Mitchell hosted its second Super Service Day this past Tuesday.  I have posted about this before, so for those who do not know what it is, Super Service Day is where the whole school takes on a salon atmosphere and the future professionals get a chance to be booked all day with back to back clients. Last SSD was in September or right before September, and I had booked 5 clients and also had 2 walk ins. I had sold the most takehome products for the day and won a set of Paul Mitchell Cutting Shears. (Which is AWESOME, because those babies are expensive!)

This was a photo taken after Super Service Day in September, I had received flowers for my birthday and stuck the fallen petals in my hair. hahahaha

We are all broken down into teams, andonce again I was on the GREEN TEAM. I had prebooked 7 clients and with my friend Hailey's help she assisted in blow drying and sectioning, shampooing. I had to pass off a haircut to her because I did not have time to cut a clients hair. I had two other assistants Josh and Ashley that helped to blowdry and style out my cousin, Jessica. See below

I did about 3 or 4  all over color applications, a Keratin Conditioning treatment, a manicure, blowdry and style. Almost every guest of mine bought products and this morning, they announced that I won for having the most services performed for SSD! Hailey also won for most take home products sold! And we are both on the green team.

Everyone that had a guest that day was able to pick two items out of a big cart full of goodies, and I grabbed some clips ( because you can never have enough) and Modern Elixers Foam, I also won a Paul Mitchell Express Ion Dry V2 Dryer, and The Style for a Cause Stylist Pink Pack. I took a quick pic below

I had alot of fun doing the SSD especially since I graduate next week. I just wanted to share this with you on one of the many fun things I do at school!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again!

Smile through the hard times, even though it doesn't seem to get any better, cause a smile is the first step to fixing things.
Unknown quotes

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Guest Speakers

Steve and Terry Cowan are owners of the Paul Mitchell Academy in Chicago. They are also the main distributers of Paul Mitchell in Illinois. Rudy and Kelly Academy welcomed them with open arms to hear them speak to us all, future professionals and learning leaders.

I tried to sit up front as much as possible, I was in the second row, and sorry if you hear my laughing and side comments and see funny faces from friends at school. hahahaha

I just loved the intro of their presentation and their inspiring stories and words of widsom. I am really glad I was able to meet them especially before graduating, and speaking of which I graduate next week. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Ok, on to the videos.



There are three videos that I edited, since for some reason I cannot load videos longer than 15 minutes although I had the access to for a while. But oh well, I divided it up, and editing them as fast as I can even though I am not really taking out anything, just adding a title and credits. Its just my movie editor takes forever to save and then upload onto youtube. hahahaha So here is the second video




I only recorded about half of their presentation, only because for 1. My hand started getting tired :( and for 2. Time was running out and they had to speed up their presentation. I do want to say that their visit reminded me why I chose this industry to get into. I love the beauty industry. You meet so many awesome and inspiring people.

I was supposed to post this last week, but I got busy, so here it is. Even if you are not a hair stylist, these two are just hilarious and you can appreciate humor! :)

I hope you enjoy and come back soon!




Surrender to Your Inner Artist

For Us and For You

Following my earlier post of "Graduating Already", I felt that a video with pictures is just not enough.

Since I am the geek who loves to make videos, I went around and got a few words of the girls I started school with.  These girls, who I barely knew sitting next to in a classroom, are now among those I call "family". 

Ms. Christina- we were her first CORE class

We have laughed together, cried together and even though we may not get along all the time, and we get on each others nerves, we have each others back no matter what.

I wish I could post ALL the pictures I have because all these pictures hold memories. People make fun of me because I am always taking pictures. The reason I do, is because I regret not having pictures during the times I would have liked to remember. Life is too short, so I take pictures to remember it all.

So many doors are already being opened not only for me, but for anyone who wants to take that risk and go for their dreams.  So this is for all of you, from us. Good luck to you

Although time seems to fly, it never travels faster than one day at a time. Each day is a new opportunity to live your life to the fullest. In each waking day, you will find scores of blessings and opportunities for positive change. Do not let your TODAY be stolen by the unchangeable past or the indefinite future! Today is a new day!

 Steve Maraboli quotes

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Graduating already???

I started Rudy & Kelly Paul Mitchell Academy in January earlier this year.  I have said this before and I will say it again, Hair is not my Passion, at least not at first. I have been a geeked out artist most of my life, my first love has always been fashion and following that Design. I have studied fashion design, fashion merchandising, fashion retail management, interior design and graphic design.

Pic from 2006 when I was in school for Fashion Merchandising

But mind you, I have never completed any of my degree programs, not because I didnt want to, but like so many of my readers have experienced, Life gets in the way and puts plans on pause.
I have had to start over my life so many times throughout my journey to find myself and to find what I was passionate for. All I knew was that I loved ART, in all shapes and forms. I was in the military and have worked in various other fields and I just never felt like I was doing what I loved.

My first love: Fashion (like my lil avatar? hahahaha)

Some people would view me as a dreamer, or undecided, or lost and drifting artist because I want to do so many things. I think I am ambitious, I want to incorporate all my loves and passion and combine them all to be the ultimate artist and share my art with the world.


I have grown alot over the past year and have rediscovered myself all over again and have awakened the resting artist inside. Attending this school has changed my life in more ways than one. I didnt view this school as just a way to pass time, or just to do something with myself because I was bored.

I viewed this school as a second chance in life, a way to redeem myself since I felt like a failure for not finishing college (I dont feel like that anymore (:  ) 

The first of our class graduated this past saturday and the rest of us will be following within the next month or two. I graduate next month and I am excited to move onto the next chapter.
So, here is a quick 5 minute video of a brief slideshow of some of my classmates and I.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and sharing this with me.






Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Winner of Top Photo Stylist Competition

Lucie Doughty

This past weekend, Lucie Doughty (One of the top stylists of Paul Mitchell family!) herself made a phone call to Rudy & Kelly Academy Paul Mitchell Partner School to announce that one of the learning leaders, Ms. Angie Duncan won The Next Top Photo Stylist Competition for the Makeup Category!!!!!! 

Angie Duncan- Learning Leader and winner!!!

News like this travels fast in our school and when I made my way to Ms. Angie to give her congratulatory hugs, she had tears in her eyes and she was just in complete SHOCK. I am so happy for her and proud of her because I remember me and her would always talk about what that would be like to win and to go out to California to do a photo shoot with Lucie.

Myself, Ms. Angie, Ms. Emily and Jak Jak!

Today, Ms. Angie was teaching our makeup specialty class and I really enjoyed her telling us about her struggles in her life and how she strived to always push herself and go for her dreams.

She showed us her "dream Board"and  she described it as having it so detailed and precise that istead of wishing for things to happen, she would type up affirmations of what she wants to happen as if they have already happened. A good example would be that her past dream board, she wrote that she she won the photo shoot with Lucie Doughty and then it really happened!

It is as if she spoke it into existence! After her class today, and exploring what other career opportunities there could be out there for me, I felt so inspired- I think it was the swift kick in my butt that I needed! hahahahaha

I just wanted to share with you all the great news for Ms. Angie, who is also a mentor to me. I am so happy for her and cant wait to see what her photo shoot will be like with Lucie!

And if you want to check Lucie's work out, just google her and see what kind of work she does! Its amazing, here are a few of my favorites from her latest photo shoot

I hope you enjoyed this and I hope you stop by again!

Dont forget to sign up to follow my blog!
Surrender to Your Inner Artist

It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.

 Muhammad Ali quotes

Race for a Cure

This past weekend, our school, Rudy & Kelly Paul Mitchell Partner School participated in the Breast Cancer Race for a Cure Susan G Komen Foundation here in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

We all met up at 9am dressed in our school tshirts and joined many other supporters, survivors, family and friends to help support this Foundation.

I know a few survivors that have beat the breast cancer and fortunatly none of my close family or friends has lost their battle to breast cancer. I have, however had family members pass away from other types of cancers such as Lung Cancer and Brain Cancer. Losing someone you love to cancer is hard, because you feel so helpless. But I have learned is no matter what, you keep supporting and loving that person.

There was a survivor that got married on stage in front of the entire crowd to a man she fell madly in love with. All of us witnessed their marriage ceremony, and it was a beautiful one at that!! Her hair and makeup was done by students and staff from my school. It is awesome to be apart of that! We all cried and cheered for her and her new husband.

This was an amazing experience that I am proud to have been apart of it.

Here are some pictures, enjoy

That is a dolphin I managed to snap a quick picture of!!!

The Couple getting married!

This baby was sooo happy and kickin his legs out, it was so adorable!

This walk was for every man, woman and child affected by Breast Cancer.

There is a light in this world, a healing spirit
more powerful than any darkness we may encounter.
We sometime lose sight of this force
when there is suffering, and too much pain.
Then suddenly,
the spirit will emerge
through the lives of ordinary people who hear a calland answer in extraordinary ways.Mother Teresa

Have you participated in helping to find a cure for any type of cancer? This was my first time doing this type of thing, and I will continue to do this every chance I get.

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Princess for a Day

It has been so busy this week, and I finally got a night to type up some blogs. I really try to blog everyday, but it gets hard when I dont have an ipad or a tablet or even a smart phone hahaha But that is on the bottom on my list of needs/wants for right now.

Last saturday, I participated in Princess for a Day at Rudy & Kelly Paul Mitchell Partner School. We get to dress up in pretty dresses and little girls come in dressed up as princesses and they get their own crown and their hair curled, a mini eyeshadow application, lip gloss and nail polish. I had brought my face paint so if any of them wanted to have something on their cheek I could whip out my paint brush and make them even more glamourous!

We felt like princesses ourselves :)

My daughter finally let me do her hair!

She loves these events!

We are having this event again soon. I believe sometime next month! I dont think I will do it again just so other future pros have a chance to do it. But I had a blast and I am glad all the girls did. I wish they would do a "Super Hero for a Day" so that all the boys have something cool to go to. I could do their facepaint and spike their hair up because I know my son Matthias would love it! When I have my salon/boutique, I will def be having those events for my special little guests :)

Thanks for stopping by my sweets!

My boyfriend calls me princess, but I think of myself more along the lines of monkey and retard.
Alicia Silverstone quotes

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FREE HUGS & More!

Today was a busy day, almost like everyday but there was just an energy in the air almost electrofying...well, at least to me anyways.  We had our Townhall day yesterday (where we get a day off, but the learning leaders have training-so like a teacher work day haha), but we still get our hours as long as we do our "Homeplay"-they dont like to say "homework" so instead they insert play. We had to come up with a PATRIOTIC updo or theme and we could use accessories, well, I decided to do something different. Check it out!

After lunch, we went and had FREE HUGS DAY! This is an event that ALL Paul Mitchell Schools all over the country go out into the community at the same time and give Free Hugs to people and share our Paul Mitchell "Be Nice or Else" Culture.

Here is a video from our school last year!


I am still editing the video footage that I shot, but in the meantime, here are some images to feast your eyeballs on!

Mr. Rudy himself of Rudy & Kelly Salons out for FREE HUGS!

I love my Ms. Emily!

My carribean loves! Jinaki and Titielle

I really love how these pics came out. I used my SONY BLOGGIE. I am impressed! Outside light looks amazing with this camera...but inside light-not so much. But I still love it!

I mailed out my entry form, my photos and everything in my packet to the Top Photo Stylist Contest for Paul Mitchell Schools today! I love my photos and the experience I had while doing the photoshoot, but I have bigger aspirations and I see where I can improve. So, I am really eager to do more photoshoots and expand on this aspect of hair and makeup. On  a positive note, I can say that this photoshoot wasnt bad for my first one. There is def more to come!

Here is the video that I edited for our Free Hugs Event! Check it out- there are tons of funny moments!


As always, thanks for stopping by and dont forget I have a giveaway going on for My Memories! Open till friday!

Quote of the day:
I believe anything is possible. Research into quantum physics proves that a system changes simply by someone observing it. Therefore, all you have to do is be awake and aware of your environment, and that enables you to transform everything around you. It sounds like hocus pocus, but scientists are coming to realize that just thinking about something can make it happen. Turns out maybe faith can move mountains.
Christine Anderson quotes


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David Marc from Advance Academy JPMS

Occasionally, or usually once a month our school gets a special guest who either come from Advanced Academy or from another school or salon and he or she comes and talk about  his or her journey of being a hair stylist and offer advice for all of us up and coming hair stylists.

Advanced Academy Team

Today, David Marc came to our school and I have to say  he is one of the best guest speakers we have had for a while. The last one that was pretty awesome was Taryn Aiken, who is also from the Advanced Academy and Jasmine Brock. Maybe the stylists that come from Advanced Academy have more energy and like to have fun more than some of our normal guest speakers! You can check out other Advanced Academy Team Members here.

David with Andrew, a learning leader from RKA

During FREE HUGS EVENT today!

David Marc Campbell is a texture specialist on the Advanced Academy Team and is based out of Tampa Bay, Florida Paul Mitchell Partner School. He started out the presentation with some clips of him at his school and pictures and a cute commercial like movie that had all of us rolling, falling out seats. There was a short movie clip of Denzel Washington in the movie Malcolm X of him geting a relaxer (which he played to show relaxers since he is a texture specialist)

I tried to find a clip on youtube with it, but no luck. Oh well!

He talked about why he joined the beauty industry and how he became part of the Paul Mitchell family as a learning leader/texture specialist down in Tampa.

I dont want to write everything he talked about in his presentation, because I do not want to spoil the experience with other future professionals! He shared with our school and future professionals what it takes to be an AMAZING STYLIST using his own System of how to get clients, how to manage them and to expand on your client book.

He shared his experiences of guests he has or had in the past and many of them were hilarious. His energy was just bouncing off the walls and I could see that he really does have a passion for what he does and that kind of attitude is highly contagious!

He wrapped up his presentation and I was able to talk to him after. I think I have found another person I look up to and gain inspiration from! He held up my doll during his time on stage to demonstrate how much money a hair stylist can make doing color and that ANYTHING is possible.  I had him sign my doll head and of course took a picture! I was so excited about it, can you tell? So Cheesy I am, I know .

David Marc and I with my Patriotic Baby Doll!

So, I have to share somewhat of a funny story (or at least funny to me) with yall. Some of you may or many not know this, but I spent a few years and most of my summers living with my grandparents in Lakeland Florida and I have been wanting to move back . A few years ago,I was accepted to go to a fashion art school down there but just couldnt at that time. Once my mom retires from the Navy, I think we are all ready for a geographic change and I really want to go to Lakeland, or Tampa.

I have it written in my goals list that after I work in a salon for a few years and we do move down to Florida, that I want to be a learning leader for the Tampa school. I was talking to my husband about it last week and then today we have a guest speaker from that school. I dont know if it was a sign or a coincidence (which I dont believe in) but I felt like I was on the right track of getting to where I want to be.

I want to thank David for being a "Daymaker" and inspiring me to be a better professional hairstylist. I had one of those days that confirmed I am supposed to be doing this and I am loving every minute of it! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, advice and humor with all of us at Rudy & Kelly Paul Mitchell of Virginia Beach, VA!

For all my readers, thank you for stopping by, I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my lil ol' blog!

Cecilia


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Behind the Scenes

Here are a few photos from behind the scenes at the Miss Uproar Beauty event  and Uproar Festival

It was so amazing that I was able to be apart of this, especially since it was my birthday. I dont wanna be a "debbie downer" lol about my birthdays but I have had a few birthdays that werent the best. I feel like I can finally celebrate not only my birthday but my life and happiness. I create my own happiness!

My hubby was able to come along too for the ride and he loved it. We all got in for free and got Pit passes and also scored After party passes as well. Only a few people stayed that late to enjoy the party.

I stayed to watch Seether because I knew my mom would be mad if I didnt stay for their performance. lol Jermie and I caught a few guitar picks that they threw out to the crowd to add to our collection of other concert goodies we have started to collect! I will have to give my mom one of the guitar picks just for her!


I didnt stay for the afterparty because I had an appointment with Gentleman Jim from Blue Horseshoe Tattoo to start my collar bone tattoo chest piece!  Stay tuned for the next post on my tattoo!


Here is a video I edited real quick just a glimpse of some of the excitement that went on behind the scenes in the Backstage area. At the end of the video, there is a surprise serenading for my birthday.
I tried to load to youtube, but it wont :( having technical difficulties) So, hopefully I can just load them to here!


 I will have to find another way to upload this video, my server is actin up as usual. I will keep you updated on it.

Thanks for stopping by! Please subscribe for updates on more from Sweet Surrender!

Enjoy!

Sweet Surrender Art. Beauty. Fashion.

Busy Busy week

This week was amazing! I had two guests in my chair which I had already posted about in my last post, and yesterday was a busy saturday! We had our Princess For a Day event for FUNraising at Rudy & Kelly Paul Mitchell School where girls under 14 can come and be treated like a princess, they can wear a princess costume, get their hair done in a pretty updo, a lil makeup and get their nails painted and they even get their own princess tiara!!! So, of course Arabella wanted to go and she was excited about it all week!




her hair is so long!

They played princess movies all day and she was so good, at first she was shy and clung to my arm, but I knew once she warmed up to everyone, that she would show her real personality. 

I had my second guest yesterday while Arabella was getting all dolled up, and my guest was really laid back and outgoing, and she wanted her hair colored and cut. She had really curly hair and it was my first haircut on a female. I wasnt nervous at all, so I think maybe I was meant to do this! I did everything I was taught to do and was reall friendly and made sure she had a great experience since it was her first time coming into the school. Here is a picture of her haircut

She was really happy with her cut and color and when she left, she tipped me $20! I couldnt believe that! I told one of our learning leaders and she said, "See, that's what happens when you are professional". It totally made my day! I went into the New Core classroom and shared my news with the newest future professionals that if they do everything they are taught with a positive attitude, they can go far!

After that, Bella was all done and she stayed with me until the end of the day and by that time, she was acting herself, in fact she was rolling on the ground, growling at people in a playful way! lol she is so funny!

she was changed out of her dress and her updo was falling out, when I tried to fix it, she said, "no!!!! I like it when it falls out!" lol

That was my day yesterday! Just wanted to share it with my bloggers!

Do what you love and the money will follow.