Motivation


This single phrase on this photo circulated among many people online and I just had to share it with my viewers.

We always find excuses when it comes to doing things- I am definetely guilty of this too. Especially when it comes to projects, homework (when I was in college) or other boring chores that I dont wanna do, like clean out the college or even my car. hahaha

Many of us procrastinate, wanna sleep in all morning or push off something that you say you will do tomorrow and then forget about it altogether.

My friend Terry

She made this for me
I had posted this online, and a friend of mine (Terry from the picture above mine) from school saw it when she was laying in bed, contemplating whether or not to come to school that day, and because she saw this image, she came to school and said that it made her day, even though she didnt want to come, she knew that she needed to be at school.

She hated me for posting it while all still loving that I did post it. It made her day and in a way it made my day too. Its nice to know when I can make someone smile.

So I hope this made your day! Enjoy some of these quotes that I find motivational as well. And as always, thanks for stopping by! 

We shall never have more time. We have, and always had, all the time there is. No object is served in waiting until next week or even until tomorrow. Keep going... Concentrate on something useful.
Arnold Bennett quotes

Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy.
Wayne Gretzky quotes

You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination.
Ralph Marston quotes


Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results.
Willie Nelson quotes



Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Quality Time

I meant for this blog to be about art, fashion, beauty and other things and lately it seems to be more personal. I hope yall dont mind. I had created a personal blog separately but I didnt like it as much trying to keep up with two blogs.




My two days off seemed to have flown by in the blink of an eye- as usual. In between driving around and entertaining a 6 and 7 year old, going to the park, doing laundry, cooking and cleaning, I somewhat managed to edit a couple videos and do some research for an upcoming hair show I will be doing some makeup/body paint work (enter me JUMPING and SCREAMING!)



 I also got to stop by Studio Evolve to see an old friend from high school and support their Shoot For Good Art Event. Stopped by a friends house to help her out since she hurt her back and also one of my friends gave me a sewing machine that was just chillin in her attic.  (YAY!!!) now I can pretend that I am on Project Runway hahahahaha

I didnt get things done that I needed to but I am waiting for my body paint to get shipped then I can get to work. I cant wait for you guys to see what I will be doing.

And just a heads up, for anyone passing through or if your a regular visitor, I am going to be creating a different website showcasing all my art: paintings, drawings, portfolio work, graphic makeup work- so basically a business page so that I will be freelance in this area of Hampton Roads, VA. I will still have this personal blog up and will continue to update it i will just have more tabs you can visit!



As always thanks for stopping by! I will leave you with this video and lyrics because I just cant stop listening to this. I am in love with this girl/band- The Pretty Reckless




Lyrics - You ~ Taylor Momsen

You don't want me, no
You don't need me
Like I want you, oh
Like I need you

And I want you in my life
And I need you in my life

You can't see me, no
Like I see you
I can't have you, no
Like you have me

And I want you in my life
And I need you in my life

You can't feel me, no
Like I feel you
I can't steal you, no
Like you stole me

And I want you in my life
And I need you in my life

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



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

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!




Surrender to Your Inner Artist