4 OF MY BIGGEST MISTAKES!!

Relaxing My Hair

Relaxed hair, I should've cared! [Age 17 - 29]

I was 17, too quick to make decisions and STUPID!! A very good friend of my mother's who is a qualified and highly recommended hairdresser and stylist relaxed my hair and chopped it into a bob and I loved it! The quality of my natural hair is pretty decent and the length is too. It's just really fine.... Having had my hair treated professionally for a year, I was lazy one weekend and instead of going to the hairdresser, I decided to purchase a kit and relax my own hair. FLIPPING IMBECILE!!!! Left the mixture in for too long, the top of my head began to burn and I was left with 2 bald patches which have never fully recovered. Although I [even more stupidly] continued to have my hair relaxed on and off for some years after that traumatic incident, I've no intention of doing so again! Not only due to that experience but, the chemicals are likely to have a negative impact later on in life as I've learned through the stories of older women. Braiding using hair extensions is also a strain on natural hair and so, I'm now at the stage where I think, like most black women, I might return to the old school and will never be lazy with it!

A 'Beneficial' Friend 
Completely different from a one night stand, FWB [Friends With Benefits] enter into a non committed intimate sharing, for want of a better way of putting it, that is to be on a strictly casusal basis... The mistake I made was allowing this to happen with one of my closest and dearest male friends many, many years ago. It lasted so damn long [at least 2 years, I think] that it felt very much like an actual relationship which neither of us wanted at the time and it all got a little bit messy. Although we are no longer in contact, we're always civil if we see one another which is actually super rare. Getting involved intimately completely destroyed what had been such an amazingly beautiful friendship because, we didn't ever openly communicate to each other how the situation was making us feel! Suffice to say, I no longer have a problem speaking my mind!!

Taking A Job I Didn't Really Want 
As you may know, I frikkin LOVE to keep myself busy especially creatively and this once led me to pursue a role I knew I wasn't particularly keen on at a company I'd heard such bad things about. I sent in my application, was interviewed, offered the job and from day one was treated so badly [as were many before me]!! Little did I know this particular chapter in my life was to turn my resilience up a gear, reignite my passion for radio and have me discover hidden skills and qualities which have since helped massively with my creative endeavors. Everything really does happen for a reason.

Going Backwards
Leaving déja vu fm the first time was something I was so, so upset about as it was due to

At déja with former resident host Linda E
and current member Colin

poor health. Returning sometime later was incredibly frustrating because, I felt stuck. I just didn't feel as though I was growing, or developing and genuinely had no idea what to do, when and how. However, going back enabled me to see clearly my strengths as a presenter, the areas in which I needed to improve, what I didn't want for my show and for myself as a professional and the platform I would need to pursue next so as to progress in the way I had been craving! Sometimes what you consider to be your worst mistakes might just turn out to be your best lessons, or the most needed push in what is to be a much better direction! Life, ehy?

What about you? Can you relate? What mistakes have you made that later turned out to be a blessing?

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PREVIOUS POST: Mother's Day Gift Ideas

RADIO SHOW PODCAST below this page.... 

MOTHER'S DAY GIFT IDEAS!!

In the UK, Mothering Sunday falls on the 26th of March 2017. If you're celebrating [be that with your mother, or in her memory] these suggestions might be right for the occasion, specially written for those with a limited budget!

TREATS

• Theatre 
• Spa Experience
• Home Pamper Service - DIY
• Custom made / inscribed jewellery, or bag etc

FOOD 

• Afternoon Tea
• Her favourtie restaurant - private area, special surprise cake etc
• Bake and Dance - cake making to the backdrop of your mum's fave music!
• Picnic - indoors if the weather isn't great - blanket on the floor of the largest room, nature CD in the background, pack of cards and a few other games etc

ACTIVITIES

• Road trip
• Create a picture album of your best times together 
• Memory lane - visit the place, or places where you grew up 
• Film a 'Mothers Day Q&A' video where you answer questions about each other, or a 'How Well Do You Really Know Your Daughter' tag [visual keepsake] 

CHEAP & CHEERFUL

• Movies and Games [anytime of the day]
• Indoor sports at your local leisure centre, or gym etc
• Cook a fancy [ish] meal for your mother and her partner, or to enjoy with her closest friend / friends
• Take a stroll around your local area / town / neighbourhood with a homemade coffee / tea / hot chocolate [obviously in a flask!]

It really doesn't matter what you choose to do, or how much money you actually spend. The most important thing is the giving of your time and to ensure it's quality!

Thanks for reading. Do let me know if you take any of these suggestions on board and how it goes!  
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! x

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PREVIOUS POST: LESSONS LEARNED!

RADIO SHOW PODCAST below this page.... 

EXCITING NEWS!!

I'm extremely proud to have partnered with this wonderful, innovative brand. I always aim to help raise the profiles of emerging talents through radio interviews, blog features and the alike. Why? Well, because, I can and it’s what [I believe] we should all be doing if we have the means. I didn't want to collaborate with a view to earning. This is simply about supporting those who are positively driven; who are making a significant difference to the lives of others. 

Formerly known as NOTHING CLOTHING COMPANY / IMNA

I absolutely adore what this business represented. Founded in 2014 by a man with an empowering story, Nothing Clothing Company / IMNA was focused on "coming together to change lives" and they do this by working with those who are like-minded to raise awareness of amazing charities and causes in line with their own ethos, as well as individuals such as myself with a platform that has a similar aim.

Marketed as a 'premier good-cause fashion company', their generous donations to those in need made them a stand out brand in an industry driven by financial gain as opposed to the desire to give. With a simple but unique logo that everyone from your grandparents to mainstream personalities around the world are / were wearing, or wanted to wear, this was a truly remarkable brand that made everyone feel amazing! It was an absolute joy to be part of what was such a brilliant, worthwhile, authentic and giving company. 

My line was be a casual range, very me, consisting of the sample hoodie pictured, jogging bottoms, t-shirts and vests. I'm too frikkin' excited!! Oh. My. Life!! God is so, so great!

Gary Scales, the director, was a guest on my radio show [Wednesday 1st March 2017]. Have a listen to his interview for more information about how the company was founded and funded, etc by clicking the logo!



If you would like to collaborate with me in some way, perhaps to host your event, or join forces on promoting a fabulous brand / cause etc, please email: realtalkuk_creative@outlook.com 

In other equally EXCITING news:

I've been nominated for a Divas of Colour award 2017 in the presenter category! [Don't watch the incorrect spelling of my surname in that screen shot image of the email I received, ha-ha]. I mean, WOW!!!! This is SUPER fab because, this nomination in itself is a win! It's all about the recognition!! I wholeheartedly appreciate my skills, work ethic and achievements etc being recognised and appreciated! Click on the email to see my nominee photo!! :D

Thanks for reading and for your support. 

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