The Drexina Nelson Salon: Beauty Media Network's Be Beautiful Salon Tour

Fabulous Atlanta fashion, extravagant hairdos, shoeicide, captivating artwork, exquisite cuisine, intriguing small talk and so much more: These are a few of the things I experienced during the Beauty Media Network's Salon Tour stop at The Drexina Nelson Salon here in Atlanta, Georgia.

I joined celebrity photographer Drexina Nelson at her brand new salon for what was appropriately called "the ultimate art, fashion, beauty affair." When you first approach the building, you aren't prepared for how beautiful the salon you are about to witness is. I loved the modern decor that utilized a chic combination of black and silver.  The walls were adorned with beautiful photography artwork and I was surely impressed. I was even more impressed at how inviting and warm Drexina herself was. I took a second to introduce myself to her and she was so kind and pleasant. I was especially excited about my conversation with Drexina because I found out her salon caters to natural hair! They will surely be seeing me there very soon! Oh, and lets not forget how FAB Drexina looked!

Me with the lady of the night; Drexina Nelson 

Now lets talk about the event itself. I loved it! I took my mom as my date to this event for a little mother daughter bonding time! We had a blast. Everyone was so friendly and ready for conversation. I was a little shocked because we all know the perception about women in Atlanta: MEAN! However, this was not the case at this event. Everyone mingled, conversed, laughed, drank, and ate. It was surely a beautiful night.

How fly was my mother's outfit for the event!

So I have a little event "networking" advice for you all. If you ever attend an event and at first you aren't sure how to start conversation, then start with a complement. People love to hear what you love about them and trust me it will get the conversation going. Here is the thing though, don't jump start the conversation if you have nowhere to drive it to. For example, if you want to introduce yourself to the host of the event, then start with a compliment about the event then move on to talk about what you do and hand her/him your business card. Usually, if you got a chance to talk to the host of the event, you don't have much time being that they are busy and everyone is trying to get that one-on-one time too. I must admit, sometimes I get a little shy, but the more I network the easier it gets.

Beautiful models effortlessly sporting the designs of CHAI Design Studio 

Me with the talented designer responsible for the outfits above check out CHAI Design Studio at
www.chaidesignstudio.com

So anyway... you all know I couldn't go home without my goodie bag from BASIC Hair Care System. The cute goodie bag was stuffed with the boost sulfate free shampoo, the restoration conditioner, and a little bottle of herbaceous oil. Connect with them on twitter using hashtag #basichaircare and on instagram using #basichaircare.

If you want to check out The Drexina Nelson Salon, it is located at 781 Wheeler Street #7 Atlanta, Georgia 30318. Again, I am especially excited that they cater to natural hair -- once these braids are out -- I will definitely be going there for a blow out. Follow Drexina Nelson on twitter and like The Drexina Nelson Salon on Facebook. 

Every Little Thing Is Gonna Be Alright!

Sometimes in life we get blindsided by a variety of conditions: family drama, relationship drama, friendship issues, financial issues, health issues, emotional issues, and so much more. The worst part is that these situations always seem to happen all at once and often catch us off guard.

I can personally attest to this. Lately, I've had a lot going on in my life. Don't get me wrong, not everything has been negative, but oftentimes the negative issues tend to overshadow the positive (and this shouldn't be so). It is a very weird place to be in when certain situations are going well but at the same time other situations are going askew. It is a place where you want to be grateful for all that is going well, but at the same time you are frustrated at what isn't quite working out.

It's times like this when you have to find your happy place! Your "happy place" doesn't have to be a physical location, it can be a person (or people), a song, a book, or anything that reminds you that every little thing is gonna be alright! 

My happy places are my friends and my family, my Bob Marley playlist, my doggie Alex, and this blog! While I am on this subject, I would like to take a second to thank all of my friends who are there when I need to vent, cry, or complain about anything! They listen, they make me laugh, and they remind me that every little thing is gonna be alright! 

So what are your happy places? If you don't know, you need to find out! So when negative energy decides to catch you off guard (and throws Miley Cyrus' wrecking balls at you), then you catch negative energy off guard too by retreating to your happy place for positive energy and throw that wrecking ball right back at it!!


When I look at all the beautiful fall trees currently out in Atlanta, I see a beautiful connection with rebirth and rejuvenation. Whenever you are going through negativity in your life, retreat to your happy place and be reborn. Dust off your old fall leaves and start over for a new season and a new you. This is especially applicable as we prepare to enter a brand new year!!!

Happy Sweet Sixteen Birthday To My Brother JOSHUA!

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!!

I want to take time out to wish the youngest member of my family a HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN! Happy Birthday Oluwadara Anuoluwapo Joshua Coker! Yes, I blasted your Yoruba names! 

I am SO PROUD to call myself the big sister of this wonderful, hardworking, and dedicated young man. He is destined for greatness and so shall he be! I don't know a teenager who works as hard as this young man. 

Don't get me wrong, he is stubborn, sometimes ruuuuuude, and always thinks he is right. However, all of that doesn't even matter because: he also has a giving heart/personality, he is intelligent, he is a true friend, he is kind, he is funny, he will brighten your day, and so much more. It is because of all these things and much more that I am so proud to say he is MY LITTLE BROTHER!

So, in honor of his 16th birthday, I would like to share a 16 facts about DJ!

1) In our family we call him "Mr. Fun Facts" because he is the KING of random knowledge. This is something he has been doing ever since he was a young kid.

2) The kid can dance! Don't let him fool you. He likes to play shy, but his moves are SICK!

Joshua's old jersey number was 52 in honor of his favorite football player Ray Lewis

3) The love he has for the sport of Football is incomparable. From his pop warner football days as a little boy till today, football has kept a special place in his heart. What can I say, he loves the sport!

4) Ever since he got older and got bigger than me, he likes to bully me and chest bump me randomly around the house...sigh...lol

5) He...loves...food!

6) He is one of the most giving people you will ever meet!

7) Don't ask him to draw ANYTHING for you; he is absolutely, positively not artistic haha

8) His favorite show is the office. If you ever hear him screaming laughing and you don't know why, then he is probably watching the office!

9) Cheesecake factory is the way to his heart!

Right by my side since he was a little boy! He still annoyed me though

Look how young he was in this picture

10) When he was a toddler, he used to hide cookies around the house in random places like behind the couch. We were never quite sure if he was saving them to eat them later or what??

11) He is a really funny young man. He will make you laugh!

12) His favorite color is red

13) If you want to piss him off very fast, say something negative about Apple, the iPhone, or Greater Atlanta Christian School!

14) Every year he gets older, he also graduates to a shoe size that corresponds with his age. Hopefully he stops this year because that would make him a size 16 shoe!

15) It could be below zero in the house and he will STILL be hot and will STILL need to take off his shirt! He is ALWAYS hot

16) He is my adorable little brother that I love so much, who will always be my little baby no matter how old he gets!

**BONUS FACT: CHICAGO BEARS! THAT IS ALL!

Always up to something. What was he doing back there? lol

I'm pretty sure he is 13 in this picture

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY JOSHUA! I LOVE YOU!!