LR Africa Day Fest| Summer Fun

We absolutely enjoyed ourselves at the 2nd Annual LR Africa Day Fest. It happened over Memorial Day Weekend and we ventured out shortly after the start. There was so much to do and see. They had crafts, art, food, and vendors. We purchased from local shops and artists and got to meet some amazing people.

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

Korto Momolu The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

The Lovely Photog Copyright 2018|Africa Day Fest

 

 

The LR Africa Day Fest, presented by Afrika House Organization, was held on Saturday, May 26th from 11a-6pm in the SOMA Neighborhood & Bernice Garden of Downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.

The LR Africa Day Fest featured vendors of all sorts, kid zone areas, entertainment with music and dancers, and plenty of food and art.

The LR Africa Day Fest helps to celebrate, showcase and educate on the African culture and arts. Africa Day is generally celebrated world-wide on May 25th of every year.

About Africa Day (Source: http://onlyinark.com/events/inaugural-africa-day-fest-to-celebrate-cultures/)

“Africa Day, formerly known as African Freedom Day and African Liberation Day, began May 25, 1963, through the Organization of African Unity, now known as the African Union, which promoted solidarity among African nations. Since its inception, the celebration of Africa Day has spread to the continents of Europe and Australia. Cities across the U.S. also recognize Africa Day.”

 

Africa Day Fest

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/LRAfricaDayFest/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/lrafricadayfest/

Twitter

twitter.com/lrafricadayfest

 

 

 

 

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Spotlight on Featured Book Author: Tora Spraggs

 

 

I am introducing the new Featured Book Author series here on the blog, to help place a spotlight on published authors who have authored or co-authored amazing fiction or nonfiction books.

The authors that are featured are women and men who have positive outlooks on life and positive messages to share. If you know of an author, or would like to be featured, complete the Featured Book Author Form and I will feature your published work.

Featured Book Author

 

Tora “ToraNado” Spraggs is a dynamic business woman and author with a diverse purpose, possessing a unique mix of entrepreneurship and inspirational work. As the owner of Mosaic Magnolias; Tora delivers the message that your past traumas should not dictate and determine your future, “You were born to bloom”. She believes that building a strong foundation in faith during your healing process is a major key to success. As a unique entrepreneur and also a motivational speaker, Tora aims to make a difference with her personal story.

Featured Books

From Wandering to Walking in Faith: Breaking the Stronghold of Abuse

 

 

Social Media

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/toranadonetwork

Twitter

twitter.com/ToraNadoNetwork

LinkTree

https://linktr.ee/toranadonetwork

 

 

 

Literacy is the Key to Success

My earliest childhood memory, is me sitting on my dads car reading a book at 5 yrs old. Ever since I could remember, I had a book in my hand. I started reading at a very young age. My mom introduced me to books as soon as I could walk and I began reading at the young age of 2.

I love reading books so much that instead of playing, I had my nose in a book. If I wasn’t reading, I was reimagining the stories that I dreamt of being in.

My love for books grew as I got older and I quickly fell in love with poetry by the age of 9. This year was a significant year for me, as my family dynamic changed and I now had a way to express myself——through poetry. I loved to draw and immerse myself in that creative space as well, but reading was like eating and breathing.

As I got older the fictional books, turned into non-fiction, and from there I began to educate myself on self care, self help business and more. Soaking it up like a sponge I learned more about how things were instead of how I imagined it. I always read in school, so much so, that by the time I got to high school, I was voted most likely to write a book. That says a lot for a young woman in high school. This was also a clue to what would be manifested in my future.

So fast forward to now, as a woman with a young child, I have given my love for books and reading to my daughter. Ever since she was in the womb, I’ve been reading to her. I have read to her continuously every night, since the day she was born. Now, at 6 yrs old she checks out a minimum of 30 books when we go to the library, which is every 1-2 weeks.

I have never let up because reading has been the best thing that has happened to me. It has not only allowed me to speak well, spell well, and educate me, it has allowed me to become cultured, imaginative and innovative. Through literacy, I’m providing my daughter the key to success.

There are several programs, authors, and published companies I support for helping to push and provide reading opportunities to children to adults. Literacy is a gift and shouldn’t be taken for granted. I hope that in this new digital age, reading books will never stop. It’s important to keep the legacy of real and tangible reading materials to help increase the literacy rates in our communities.

Literacy is…the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential.”

Kofi Annan

If you are a part of, or know of any great literacy programs or communities, don’t hesitate to share below.

Literacy Efforts I Support:

The Little Free Library

Barbershop Books

National Biographers Day

Did you know that it’s #nationalbiographersday ? Gearing up to start writing my autobiography and I’m excited and scared at the same time. I’ve been writing for years, but there’s something about writing about my life and the truth in it, that makes me hesitant. The truth is, if I don’t tell my story who will? .

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Spotlight on Featured Book Author: Stevii Aisha Mills

I am introducing the new Featured Book Author series here on the blog, to help place a spotlight on published authors who have authored or co-authored amazing fiction or nonfiction books.

The authors that are featured are women and men who have positive outlooks on life and positive messages to share. If you know of an author, or would like to be featured, complete the Featured Book Author Form and I will feature your published work.

Featured Book Author

Stevii Aisha Mills embraces a culture where fun is not just a niche, it is a necessity! Stevii is a native of Greensboro, NC and a proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where Aggie Pride reigns. Her formal education consists of a BA in Public Relations and a MS in Human Resources, however Stevii’s real life experiences have made her a well known social media influencer and gained her the title “The Chief IT Factor Cultivator“!

A woman unashamed to incorporate tons of fun into her life and business, all the while declaring, “I love my life!”, has made Stevii a highly sought out speaker and consultant.

Featured Books

Cultivating Your It Factor

You Have No Idea The Hell I’ve Been Through

The Pieces Of My Platform

www.stevii.com/steviisbooksandmedia

Social Media

www.instagram.com/SteviiAishaMills

www.facebook.com/SteviiAishaMills

www.twitter.com/steviiamills

https://www.pscp.tv/SteviiAishaMills/follow

Events/Conferences

Choosing Your Ideal Client: Part I

 

 

In business, we all want to work with the “perfect” client. Whether it’s for selling a product or specifically, a service, we want to be and deal with the best of the best.

As you know, I’ve been a photographer in business for awhile now, and in this time I have researched many different ways to reach potential clients and provide excellent service to them. In this time of research, I’ve found that I wanted a better relationship with the people that I service and want to be able to choose my ideal client.

What do you mean by choosing an ideal client? To sum it up, choosing the individual or business that you want to provide products or services to that are perfectly matched to your mission, goals and value offered in your business.

Why do I want to choose my ideal client as opposed to working with anyone? The purpose of choosing your ideal client is to help to increase the value, profitability, creativity and fulfillment in your chosen area of expertise. You essentially want to be able to work with your ideal client to have a better connection and long lasting relationship and to help produce productivity, referrals and confidence in what you provide.

In thinking about choosing your ideal client, you want to create a checklist, but before you do, you’ll need to list the characteristics that you DON’T WANT in a client and the characteristics that you DO WANT.

When creating your lists, make sure to think of the characteristics and behaviors that you don’t want your ideal client to possess and start from there. Are they close minded? Are they non-communicative? Are they demanding? Are they negative? You get where I’m going with this line of questioning right?

Now what about the clients you do want? Are they outgoing? Are they value centered as opposed to price centered? Are they confident? Are they reliable? Are they positive? In creating these lists, we can prune our clients lists or start to create an ideal client list, which will move us further into marketing to our ideal client.

Have you thought about having the perfect client or customer?

Why or why not?

 

What Seeds Are You Sowing This Season?

 

 

Spring is finally here! Well, it has arrived in some parts of the U.S., it has certainly been missed here in Arkansas.

To sow a seed, in gardening terms is to get a seed ready to plant for something to grow. In spiritual terms, to sow a seed, means to give or do something for the purpose of growth.

 

There are 3 Ways I plan to Sow a Seed This Season:

 

Stewardship for my community, family and friends.

Self Care for me and my mental and physical wellness.

Surround myself with positive people and things.

 

If you’d like to see me chat more about sowing a seed, check out my video below:

What Seeds Are You Sowing This Season?

 

Top 10 Tips To Be Successful at Blogging & Live Streaming| The “C” Factor

Top 10 Tips to be Successful in Blogging and Live Streaming

How To Take The Best Self Portrait|Self Portraits Tips for Bloggers

How To Take the

Best Self Portrait

Self-portraits are the one way you can express yourself that you have complete control over. Whether you’re showing off an outfit of the day, or wanting to add photos to your website, these tips on how to take the best self-portrait will help you along the way.

What type of camera should I use for my Self Portrait?

I use aNikon D5200a Nikon D3100 DSLR (previous camera) for my portraits. I have an 18-55mm kit lens, a 50mm 1.8 lens, and a 55-200mm lens. The best lens for portraits would be the 50 mm 1.8, because it gives the best bokeh (depth of field-blurred background), but the kit lens would be fine to use as well. As far as DSLRs go, I would recommend the Nikon D3100 DSLR or the Canon Rebel T3i DSLR. They are both reasonably priced and are the equivalent of each other in rank.

Point & Shoot Cameras are great as well and there are a lot of good ones to choose from. I would highly recommend any point and shoot that is above 12 MP, because of the high print quality and computer screen quality.  The Canon Power Shot SX170 IS Digital Camera or the Nikon COOLPIX L820 Digital Camera.

What type of lighting should I use for my Self Portrait?

The best way to shoot a Self Portrait is to have great lighting. I would definitely recommend shooting outdoors because the more natural the better and the light is more appealing. The best times would be during the day, preferably the golden hour (6-9 am 3-5 pm). If you can’t shoot during those times, you can shoot in the shade to avoid the direct sunlight that can wash out your picture. The image will look a lot better after you edit them if you choose to.

If you shoot indoors, that’s great! Natural light, once again, is the best option for lighting. An open window or open door can provide you with the best light. If you lack the natural light you need to take indoor portraits, you can use photography lighting. The best way is to use the 3 point lighting system. This will help you achieve beautiful lighting.

How can I shoot my Self Portrait?

You can take your Self Portrait on your own by using a tripod and setting the self-timer or use a wireless remote trigger. Make sure to shoot from different angles with different expressions. Having lots of options to choose from will help you to select the best photos from your photo shoot.

Where should I shoot my Self Portrait?

Choosing an interesting location will help make your Self Portrait  stand out. Also, make sure that the background isn’t cluttered or full of people, cars or other distracting elements. You want your self-portrait to be more about you, not the background. There are a few options to shoot your self-portrait such as parks, school campuses, and urban/city landscape. EXTRA TIP: Try not to shoot in public areas alone for safety reasons, but if you have to, shoot in well-lit, populated areas during the day.  If you can, shoot a Self Portrait on your own turf—home or apartment, do it! I’ve gotten some of my best photos in my backyard.

Lastly, show your best styled outfit for your Self Portrait and show a style you’re comfortable with. If you ever choose a style that isn’t part of your brand or preference, it will convey in your photos. Choose wisely and have fun with it! Don’t take your shoot seriously! Relax, have fun and be yourself! Your personality will shine through!

 I hope these tips helped you on how to take the best self portrait. I will go more in depth on the cameras settings that would be best used for self portraits in a future post.

 

Tell Me…

Have you ever taken a self portrait? What were some of the problems you experienced, if any?

Beauty Review| GlassesShop.Com Product Review + (50% Off Coupon Code)

I was lucky enough to be able to try out a beautiful pair of glasses from GlassesShop.com The website hosts a plethora of prescription eyeglasses online and prescription sunglasses you can order in all styles and colors. You also have a choice to purchase glasses without a prescription.

 

 

I chose the GrandPraire Wayfarer glasses (SKU:FP0283) from GlassesShop.com  in Purple/Pink. They are also offered in the color black. These are my favorite style, which is Cat-Eye and I absolutely love the color combinations. It’s a beautiful combination of purples, plums and pinks and perfect for spring.

 

(Follow My Color Palette Series Here)

The site was easy to navigate on GlassesShop.com and the ordering was easy to complete. GlassesShop.com also has the Try-On feature, in which you can use a male or female default photo offered on the website, or you can upload your own photo, which allows for a more realistic try-on viewing. (Note: The glasses that you choose coloring will be a little off in the Try-On View, but the website has product photos that show the true color of the glasses)

 

Sidenote: I did fail to enter my prescription for the eyeglasses I chose, but I can wear them for fashion or wear them with my contacts and have style.

For my readers, GlassesShop.Com are offering a special coupon code GSHOT50. You will  receive 50% off on eyeglasses online and prescription sunglasses with free lenses (sale frames excluded).

Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary for a honest review. All product reviews are honest and without bias. Links are not affiliate links for compensation. Thank you for your loyalty! 🙂