The As-I-Amber Podcast & Blog
I think when artists sample songs that they are generation gap connectors and a way to introduce older songs to younger generations. It’s also a way for newer artists to pay homage to the great artists before them. SAMPLED SONGS Playlist Links below. What’s your favorite sampled song? Check the playlist below on Spotify and YouTube. Apple Music users click here and Tidal users click here.
Some of your favorite Contemporary Christian and Gospel throwbacks!
Click here for Apple Music Playlist
I like the choice of wearing my hair in different styles. Most of the time it’s because I get bored easily and other times I just don’t feel like doing my thick hair or permanently having my hair look the same everyday like a cartoon character. Some say “it’s just hair”, but to me, it’s not. Haircare is a multi-million-dollar industry and hair is sensitive and controversial topic. Even comedian, Chris Rock, did a controversial documentary back in 2009 called “Good Hair” about black women and their relationship with natural hair, hair straighteners, and weaves and more recently a Hulu documentary called “Hair Tales” talks about the generational and cultural differences between Black women and hair. I have always noticed how some people treat others differently based off of their hair texture, hair color, hair length and hair style. I have also been treated differently or receive more or less attention depending on how my hair looks.
More recently film maker, Matthew A. Cherry’s , animated short film “Hair Love” about a black father styling his daughter’s natural hair won an Academy Award. More and more black people are embracing their natural curls and coils. However not every person, workplace, or environment is as accepting. The state of California is one of the first states to ban discrimination based off of ones natural hair, with The Crown Act, but other places have currently not followed suit. Recently I’ve read dozens of articles on how some people have been suspended from schools, sports teams, fired from jobs and even told they would not be able to walk at graduation ceremonies, not because of the content of their character, but simply because of their hair texture, hair color, or hair style preference. Why are we judging someone solely off their natural hair and not their character?
In our society depending on the community or culture hair that is straighter or wavier or long is considered ‘good’ and anything that is not like that is considered ‘bad’. I had relaxers (chemical hair straightening) for 14 years of my life and at age 19 I decided to stop getting relaxers and “go natural” (stopped using chemical straightening). I decided to go natural because the stylist I had been going to moved and I was away in college in another city and didn’t feel like experimenting with any more different stylists who said they did relaxers, but ended up damaging people’s hair. I was also curious how my natural hair looked because I couldn’t remember a time when I didn’t have relaxers. I also did not want to cut all my hair off so I transitioned by getting weaves and braids. 
I have now been relaxer free for 12 years. I get my hair blown out and flat ironed and I sometimes wear it un-straightened. One thing that I’ve noticed is that my natural hair is healthier and thicker than it was when I was getting relaxers. I still like to wear braids and weaves simply because I think they’re pretty and less maintenance, especially when exercising. There is nothing wrong with wanting versatility in hair. Just because you choose to wear your natural hair chemical free, just because you choose to get relaxers, just because you choose not to wear weave does not make you better or less than. How do you know someone isn’t battling an illness or dealing with hair loss? Not everyone that wears their hair straight or weaved is bald or hates themselves. I find it interesting that whenever I have my hair in a certain style I attract certain people or get more or less attention. I often wonder why this is. I wonder if people think about that when they’re speaking to a person. Whatever happened to style preference and upkeep? What if you want your hair straight today and curly next week? What if you want length and don’t have the patience to wait until it grows a certain length? What if you want to have short hair without actually cutting your own hair? All I want to say is let’s focus not only on hair style, but what’s underneath, like our hair health and spiritual health.
Here is the Apple Music Playlist for Hair & Self Care and Spotify playlist below.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5yYxskT0n2wixFXoTqRrtF?si=BS86ddF2RXScHatTXYfeUw
| Number of Adults | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $35/hr |
| 2 Adults | $45/hr |
| 3 Adults | $55/hr |
| 4 Adults | $65/hr |
If additional time is needed, it is billed at the same hourly rate. Clients are always asked before continuing. Payment is due at the end of the session.
Travel Fees (Outside Columbus,Ga)
Before “reality tv” and Instagram models took over our screens these actresses graced our televisions and magazines playing iconic roles from some of our favorite childhood shows. Whether you wanted to be the Pink Power Ranger on the playground or have your hair straightened like “Ashley Banks” these characters left a mark on us 80’s and 90’s babies. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and also see what these actresses are up to now.
6. “Tiffany Warren” the daughter on the NBC Sitcom “In the House” was played by actress and model Maia Campbell. After the series ended Maia went on to be in the music video for Tyrese’s “Sweet Lady” and films like “Trippin” and “Seventeen Again.” More recently Maia appeared on the reality series “Iyanla Fix My Life” a few years ago to get some guidance with her battles with drug addiction, parenting, and mental health issues. Happy to say in 2026 she is sober and thriving! Praying for you Maia!
7. “Hilary Banks“, cousin Will’s at times ditzy, yet fashionable cousin on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” was played by actress Karyn Parsons. Karyn went on to be in 90’s films like “Class Act” and “Major Payne.” More recently Karyn is a mother, wife, and now an author of the children’s book “How High The Moon” and creator of “Sweet Blackberry“, a line of animated films about unsung Black heroes.
8. “Kelly Kapowski” the popular high school student from the NBC sitcom “Saved by the Bell” was played by actress Tiffani Theissan. After “Saved by the Bell” ended Tiffani went on to star in “Saved by the Bell: The College Years” and the FOX series “Beverly Hills: 90210.” Tiffani went on to star in the 2020 “Saved by the Bell” Reboot and is the star of the MTV comedy clip food show ‘Deliciousness.
9. “Lisa Turtle” the wealthy and fashionable friend on NBC’s “Saved by the Bell” was played by actress Lark Voorhies. After the series ended Lark made appearances in movies such as “Civil Brand“, “How High“, and “How to be a Player“, more recently she appeared on the Dr. Oz show talking about her issues with her mental health, and will be making appearances on the 2020-2021 reboot of “Saved by the Bell“
10. “Denise Huxtable” who was the free spirited rebel character from “The Cosby Show” & “A Different World‘ sitcoms was played by actress Lisa Bonét. After those shows ended Lisa was married to rock star, Lenny Kravitz and had their daughter, actress Zoe Kravitz. After Lisa and Lenny divorced she married actor Jason Mamoa and had two other children. Lisa appeared in 90’s films such as “Enemy of the State“, “Biker Boyz“, and “High Fidelity“, but hasn’t really acted in a while.
Who were your favorites growing up? Comment below.
January 15th is my Birthday! I feel blessed to share a birthday with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s Founders’ Day. I’m grateful to God for another year of life and for the lessons I’ve learned and am continuing to learn.
I never would’ve imagined back in 2020-2021 entering my 30’s still in a global pandemic and not being able to celebrate that milestone birthday due to covid and my dad being in icu. Praise God he is doing better today!
When you have a birthday right before or after Christmas you’re usually mindful of the fact that people just spent all their money on the holidays, barely have PTO days, are on a “New Year, New Me” diet or fast.
Today I an on a beach chillin’ with my toes in the sand listening to the ocean waves crash!
The pandemic years and life in general, have taught me that things don’t always go our way and that sometimes we make plans, but God laughs.
It seems like yesterday I was a 16-year-old who just got her driver’s license and was on MySpace listening to the girl group, Danity Kane. Now, I’m an official adult that pays bills, yet still watches Disney Plus, needs a snack, and a nap to function. The young people on Tik-Tok would call me “old” and older adults call me “young.” I feel in between.
In my twenties, I had lots of adventures as well as ups and downs. I gained weight, lost friends, gained friends, and lost weight. I studied abroad and graduated from college, moved back home with my parents, then moved out of state to a city where I knew no one. I worked in photography, applied for numerous jobs, worked in Corporate America, and now behind the scenes in TV. I traveled the world visiting New York City, Italy, Greece, London, Paris, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. I’ve also gone to numerous concerts seeing Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson, Solange, Jazmine Sullivan, Drake, Future, Migos, OutKast, Monica, Erykah Badu, and JoJo perform. I guess you can say I like music and live my life to the fullest.
I know it is 2026 and this is not an episode of Netflix’s “Bridgerton” set in the 1800s. Yet, depending on your culture or environment in some places when a woman hits her 20’s and early 30’s the majority of her peers in her age bracket have children and are getting married and if you’re not a mommy, fiancé, or wife by a certain age you’re looked at differently.
Currently as an unmarried 35-year-old woman with no children I enjoy my freedom to pick up and go without having to consider anyone else, yet sometimes some people peculiarly look at me because of that. There is an unspoken, yet loud sound of the tick-tock of an accomplishment timer and biological clock. We are bombarded with various messages about getting older and what that means regarding fertility or relationship status.
Society tells us what we “should” be doing or accomplishing by a certain time frame. Then in this digital age, it is so easy to compare our lives to what others choose to display on social media and we think that we “should” have accomplished certain milestones by a certain age, and if not you’re somehow “behind” or a failure in life.
But, I’m here to remind you all and myself that God made you a unique individual. Everyone is displaying their highlight reel on social media, but you don’t always know their behind the scenes. Everyone’s life path is different and it does not make you better than or less than if you have achieved or experienced certain things more or less quickly on this journey of life.
Remember you are fearfully and wonderfully made. According to Galatians 6:4-5 (MSG) “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”
I feel like a butterfly that has gone through metamorphosis during my 20s and is now breaking from the cocoon to take flight. I’m continuing to live my life like it’s golden and am excited for all the things that God has in store for me. Cheers to this new chapter of life!
The As-I-Amber Podcast & Blog 