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

INVISIBLE Children

If you have ever seen vans driving down the highway with INVISIBLE CHILDREN on it, or been to a school or institution that has had INVISIBLE CHILDREN as a speaker, then you would know what an amazing foundation this is. If you have not had the honor of meeting people from this organization, then let me take a moment to tell you who they are and what they do.

At Rudy & Kelly Paul Mitchell Academy, we had the priveledge of having representatives from INVISIBLE CHILDREN come to our school this week and the experience has changed my life and many others as well.

It is hard for me to put into words all the things going on in Uganda and parts of Congo in Africa. When these volunteers came they presented a video of Tony's story. Watch this below and share what we experienced while watching this. I cannot embed it on my blog, but you can go to this link and watch the entire video. It is 45 minutes long.

http://vimeo.com/20856329

I am not writing about this for my own personal gain, I was just very touched by this and wanted to share.

Some people may not care what is going on outside of the US, but as an army veteran, I have seen things in Iraq that is forever apart of me. I have seen young children and women holding guns and rifles and to know that other humans, men, women, boys, girls, children are being taken out of their homes at night and forced to fight against their own people. That affects me in a HUGE way.

I wish I could do more as far as donating, but for now, I will just bring awareness. I do plan on joining a team locally to help raise money for this. I am glad that OBAMA has sent 100 advisors into Africa to help access the situation. I am in no way political, but this  again, I just had to write about it. 

Here are a few pics below of when they came to our school

we got to meet Stella who is from Northern Uganda and she shared her story with us

Merchandise for sale, with proceeds going to help Invisible Children expand the radio alert system to warn villages of the LRA who are abducting women and children

These bags are made by the men and women of Northern Uganda

Each bracelet is made in N. Uganda and each color represents someone's story. I got the white one, who represents Innocents story

The next day after they came, I went to Cafe Mocha and the whole team was there working and drinking coffee. I chit chatted with them and also bought a pin for my blazer. They are really inspirational.

I am not asking that you donate or anything, I just want you to watch the video and just be aware of whats happening around the world.

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Atomic Turquoise

In all the craziness of this past weekend, I almost forgot to post about my new hair color(s). Here are the two Manic Panic Colors I chose to use:

I had lightened the crown of my head and fringe area where I wanted the Turquoise to go. After I washed the lightener out and dried my hair, I then applied the turquiose to the lightened area.

I sectioned off all my hair- I did this myself only because I am too impatient and I wanted to change the hair color already! hahaha

Here you can see where I lightened it.

Next, I applied the Raven over the red, and since this is a semi permanent, it is more like a glaze over the red and the affect is pretty cool. It looks black but in the sun is a deep black-red. It reminds me of a bird feather! Like an exotic blackish red feather.

I also freshened up the shaved side and Voila! Done! I got tired of the red since I had it for 6 months and wanted to go back to darker colors now that fall is kickin in. How do you like it?

And yes these are 3D glasses with the lens punched out! I dont know why but I love wearing them- there goofy and funny and add some spunk. I know I am a nerd hahahahah

How do you like it? I hope that this inspires you to experiment on colors too! I would love to see them if you could send them to me! cecilia@sweetsurrenderart.com

"For all the doubters, non-believers, the cynicals that once were dreamers

One of these days you'll open up your eyes

And you'll realize"

Lindsey Lohan

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Nerd for Books

I recently got a gift card to my favorite store Barnes and Nobles Book Store. Although this was a gift for me, I always include my kiddos and get them goodies too! At first, when I told the kids we were going to the bookstore, they hesitated not wanting to go since there were no TOYS. But once I told them there was a Starbucks in it, they got sooo happy because they love their hot chocolates. hahahahahah   I love bookstores and I want my children to love reading too and going to bookstores as much as I do.

Once we got in the store, they immediatly went to the kids section and Matthias made a straight line to the comics section and starts pulling down books and looking through them. Arabella could only think about hot chocolate. hahaha until she came across a section of girl diary's ( the kind with a lock on it) and that caught her attention.  I was the same way at her age. hahah funny how that happens

 I actually picked up a book next to her diary that had drawing styles for fashion design on sale for $6- I couldnt help myself, I had to grab it! I wish this book was out when I was younger! I love how they break down how to draw faces and clothing. I like the faces because I could use them as facesheets when I design makeup looks. The croakies ( the trace drawings of people) are really good too!

After they picked out $10 worth for each of them, I went and grabbed two of my favorite tattoo magazines, Bound By Ink and Rebel Ink.

I grabbed my usual Cinnamon Dulce Latte, the kiddos two hot chocolates and a rice krispies treat that we all shared.

see me eyeballing that COLOR NOOK?? I want to get one soooo bad!

Arabella feels so grown up and likes to pretend she is drinking Coffee. hahahaha

I hope you enjoyed our lil trip to Barnes and Nobles with us! Do you like to go to Barnes and Nobles? Whats your favorite part of going there? I like to get coffee and browse magazines and books for inspiration!

See you again soon!

The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination.

 Elizabeth Hardwick quotes



Surrender to Your Inner Artist

All Hallows Eve Wedding

A good client of mine Michelle came in last week for a hair appointment, and I mentioned a few posts ago that she also made me this cute hat to die for! She also told me she was getting married on Halloween! And so she invited me to attend and would love if I did her hair and makeup, of course I wouldnt miss that since she is a good friend and client! :)

I was sooooo happy to be apart of her day today! I did her hair and makeup and also helped to take pictures at the ceremony for her.

She had an "anything goes" theme to her wedding, which leaned more towards a gothic theme. She made her own dress, bouquet and hat to go with it. Her family members and her new family also dressed up to celebrate this occasion!

It was a nice ceremony with intimate friends and family in a park nearby that has a beauitful Japanese inspired Garden. Minutes before we all arrived at the park, there had in fact been another wedding ceremony taking place! So, there are many more couples tying the knot on Halloween!

Here are just a few pics I managed to take in between of taking video and pictures for her and her husband, James!

( I wasnt dressed up like I had planned, I had left my costume at home in a mad dash to finish errands before doing her hair and makeup) hahaha

It was so heartwarming to see Michelle and James exchange vows, the energy in the air was so loving and I even teared up when they said their "I do's". I am so happy for them to start their lives together as husband and wife and I congratulate them on their wedding!

You don't marry someone you can live with - you marry the person who you cannot live without.

 Unknown quotes 

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

NAHA Competition

The North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) is the most prestigious photographic beauty competition in North America, celebrating the artistry and skill of the professional salon industry. Individuals are recognized in 13 categories of excellence during a star-studded awards ceremony. NAHA is part of PBA Beauty Week.  go here for more information!  www.probeauty.org

This past week, Ms. Angie posted information about the NAHA Competition and it gave me a creative push.  I went and researched it online and it got me super pumped! These photos are just jaw dropping AMAZING! With my style of color and design, I feel like this is right up my alley. 

Here are all the categories:

AG - Avant Garde
CC - Contemporary Classic
HC - Haircolor
FF - Fashion Forward
SD - Salon Design of the Year
TX - Texture
ST - Salon Team of the Year
MU - Make-up Artist of the Year
ED - Editorial Hairstylist of the Year
HS - Hairstylist of the Year
SH - Student Hairstylist of the Year
MS - Master Hairstylist of the Year
SM - Salon MBA    

Check  out these photos and tell me this doesnt INSPIRE you!!! (all photos courtesy of Probeauty.org)

I am just in amazement and these photos really inspire me to compete. The deadline is in Feb 2012 so I have to get a move on. I have been brainstorming, and already have cooked up some amazing ideas!

If you are interested in this competition, please check out www.probeauty.org.  This website will have all the information you need such as registration and entry forms, categories, rules and more!

Thanks for stopping by and let me know what you think of some of these photos and the remarkable work the hairstylists and makeup artists put into them!

If you're not making mistakes, you're not taking risks, and that means you're not going anywhere. The key is to make mistakes faster than the competition, so you have more changes to learn and win.

 John W Holt Jr quotes

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Marionette/Lolita Doll Face

It was dress up day today, so everyone came in wearing cute, creepy, funny, sweet or crazy costumes. The weather turned very chilly today with cold wind and some ice rain, I thought it was going to snow. I just found out that parts in NYC got some snow too. CRAZY!!!

I decided to dress up as a Marionette/ Lolita Doll. The best part of this look was the eyelashes! I love how it makes my eyes bigger and doll like. I wanted to do more to this look, but just didnt have the time. I will have to do a photo shoot and elaborate on all the details.

This is my friend Jinaki who dressed like a guy! hahahah

There were lots of other awesome looks: check out these photos:

Today went by super fast and now I am at home, lounged out in my bed- it is so cold outside- so I have my fluffy socks on, sweatpants and a comfy sweater and my laptop to keep me warm. hahahaha

My hubby is out with my brother doing the Zombie Run in Ghent Norfolk so I am getting some relax time :)

What do you like to do when you are home on a cold night? Watch movies? Make hot cocoa? Leave a comment, would love to hear about you! Dont forget to Join or Follow my blog for more updates!

Behind every successful woman is a substantial amount of coffee.

 Unknown quotes 

Surrender to Your Inner Artist