(New Video Post) Updates and Why I do #selflove saturday!

I’m sorry for the lack of activity but it’s all for good reason! Mama is working! “Black Actress” is in full production and I’ve been in LA and New York cooking up some good stuff for everyone to see this September! I’m so excited for this project and honestly a little overwhelmed with amazement that I’m actually making this happen! Check out my instagram page for a look into my cali trip and more behind the scenes is coming this week! Woop! Woop!

Also in this video is my “why” behind why I’m so big on #selflove! Starting a self love journey, seriously helped me get out of depression and started me on the path to living the life that I wanted! I made a conscious choice to love my self and live to my potential and I think it’s important to share that with people, so that’s why I love self love!

 

 

(New video post) Take a stand with @ATWCurls Viral Video Campaign

It’s time for us all to take a stand and do something and be apart of something to stop social injustice. Check out the video below and join Around the way curls to in making a viral video campaign to show we want a change.

As well if you are in Toronto, please go see the play “Secrets of a Black Boy” two shows (July 27th/ 2pm and 8pm show time) at the Daniels Spectrum Theatre written by playwright Darren Anthony and take part in the community discussion afterwards to talk about how we can make a change as a community.  http://secretsofablackboy.eventbrite.ca/ www.secretsofablackboy.com

969344_10201378757128839_1902309900_n

 

 

(New video post) Self-Motivation &Mentality #selflovesaturday

Happy  Self love Saturday!

I wanted to chat with you guys quickly about a subject I’ve had to discuss a few times this week and that’s being self- motivated and having the right mentality.

My beliefs are the right mentality and the ability to self motivate go hand in hand! You’ve got to have both and you’ve got to work them like a muscle! Strengthen your mentality and learn to motivate yourself to want to live better, do better and be better!

Tweet me some of your self love tips! @missandrealewis 

(New Video Post) Q&A session with A.Lewy!

Thanks to everyone who sent in their questions, I really love making these videos because I feel like I’m having an actual convo with some of you! I’ll be doing more of these from time to time but you can always tweet me or comment on instagram or facebook and I try to answer everyone! Hope you’re all having a great thursday!

(New post) When you take a leap of faith and it doesn’t work out….

I took a big leap of faith last week and it didn’t work out how I wanted it to but for some reason the first thing that came to my mind was hope and I wanted to share some of my thoughts with you guys who may have gone through the same thing…

When taking a leap of faith and it doesn’t work out as planned don’t get down, don’t begin to have regrets and think about the coulda shoulda wouldas. Instead make room…Make room for the blessing that you’re supposed to have. This leap of faith gone wrong is just a dot in the map of your life to lead you to the places and the people that you’re supposed to be with. It wasn’t a mistake, it was an eye opener to show you and everyone else that you’re ready, that you want it and you’re willing to do anything for it. So be proud, add another hole to your confidence belt and tug it tighter because you’re definitely closer. This opportunity may not have worked out as you planned but God and the Universe is just getting you ready for the right one so keep going and keep jumping until you land.

To all my dreamers stay positive 🙂

201301-omag-flying-balloons-600x411

 

 

 

(New video post) Embracing your natural beauty #selflovesaturday

#43 Embracing your natural beauty

One of my goals for myself this year is to be as “naturally beautiful as I can be”. Natural beauty for me is embracing what you have and making the absolute best of it, whether it be your hair, skin or body you’ve got to appreciate it and love yourself enough to want these parts of you to be the best they can be. When I say natural though that doesn’t mean I’m anti-weave or makeup, that stuff is fine as long as it’s within reason and for the right reasons. If you’re wearing weave because you hate your hair and you want to appear to be someone else and if you wear makeup because you think you HAVE TO then those reasons aren’t good and you might need to begin a self-love  journey.

Self love for me involves working on whats on the inside to make sure the outside is a true reflection of love and beauty and it all starts with health. Health of your mind body and soul. When you get your mind in the state of wanting to embrace self love then I find that you naturally want to improve every part of your life including your outer beauty. There is no point in hating what you have or being envious of others because of what they’ve got when you aren’t embracing your own true beauty and making the best of it! I think Natural beauty all starts with making the absolute best of what you have, embracing your flaws, recognizing your assets and running with it! So I encourage all of you to embrace your natural beauty and make the best of what you got! xo Happy #selflovesaturday

(New post) “Whatcha been doin lewy?” …Updates and apologies

Sorry it’s been a bit slow but oddly “slow on the blog” is a good thing because it means I’ve been busy! What have I been busy doing, you ask? Workin’ workin’ workin’ day n’ night! 

I’m currently doing a play in the Toronto Fringe Festival called Bremen Rock City and it’s been doing incredibly well! The critics are calling it a classic, the next big thing and babies are crying tears of joy! No lie, I don’t make this stuff people! It’s been a truly amazing experience. This is my first time doing the Fringe Fest and I couldn’t have asked for a better show or group of people to work with. The creative team is young, fun and hungry to succeed and the cast is some of the most talented people I’ve ever been around! I’m love, love loving it! 

Check out some of these reviews

Toronto Star “Bremen Rock City A Must See”

Mooney on Theatre“Bremen Rock City Toronto Fringe Review”

Also it’s almost “Black Actress”  Time!! Yay! My “baby” web series that I had a successful indie gogo campaign with in March thanks to all of ya’ll!  After months of working on scripts, finding locations, hiring actors and so much more we’re finally getting ready to film this thang!!! I’m going to jump out of my skin I’m so excited! The first part of my adventure starts in Los Angeles and then New York, I’ll be giving you guys a lot of video updates and some promo videos coming in August and the series will premier on Issa Rae’s youtube channel  in September! Again I can’t even begin to tell you guys how excited I am for this dream turning into a reality! It’s been a long time coming and I’m so happy with the team I have around me helping to make this show a success. I’m blessed.

Annnnnd I’m working on NEW MUSIC!!! Woop! Woop! I’m a singer and I’m an artist and I’ll never stop making music and art! Seriously, I just can’t, my soul just refuses to quit. I’m currently working with some amazing producer/songwriters The Rezza Bros. A brother duo who truly are some of the best musicians I’ve ever worked with and they can do everything and they’re hilarious, I’m usually paranoid about losing my voice from laughing so much in the studio lol. I’ll have a video with them soon.

 So life is good! I’m grinding, I’m loving, I’m living and I promise to have more frequent updates/blog posts/video etc very soon! Thanks for reading, and subscribing, hope you’re all doing well and chasing your dreams! xo

(New Video) Headshots 101 – Actor Chats #blackactress

I recently got new head shots taken and I’m really excited about them! It’s a been a few years since I took new shots and I’m in a great place, stage and age in my life that I can honestly say I feel like there’s some new energy in my acting career!

The great thing about new head shots is that it’s a new start in some ways. Casting directors get to see you in a new light whether it be a little older, slimmer, more confident, new hairstyle or whatever you want, you’re breathing new life into YOU! I did my shots with a great photographer Pierre Gautreau who I’ve shot with many times before and he gave me the best advice, “a great shot is all about the energy that you give to the camera” and I found this to be true. I came into his studio like BAM and I felt like that through the whole shoot, I was relaxed and happy and at the end of the day my agents were happy and I was too with the final results.

Whether you’re an actor or not I think professional photos are a must have and can be used in so many ways! Check out my story about my head shots in the video below and if you’re an actor let me know your secrets to a great shot and if you’re not, consider getting some professional photos done whether for business or personal! xo

(New Video) Happy Canada Day – Top 5 reasons I love Canada

Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian peeps! I absolutely LOVE being a Canadian!

I appreciated being born and raised in Canada the more I traveled and lived in other cities and as much fun and experiences as I’ve had all over the world, there is nothing like your home! Here is a quick video on the top 5 reasons I love being apart of this great nation! Enjoy your long weekend with friends and family and good food! xo

 

Top 5 Reasons

1. Diversity: Many people do not know this bu Canada is a very diverse place, especially Toronto! We’ve got a little bit of every culture here, it’s beautiful.

2. Cleanliness: Canada is one of the cleanest countries you will ever go to. We take pride in having clean streets!

3. The health care system: We take care of our own especially when it comes to health. It’s not a perfect system but it’s good and you will get top notch service when you need it!

4. Tim Hortons: In Canada we have a very unhealthy obsession with donuts and coffee and there is literally a Tim Horton’s coffee shop on every corner. I love donuts so this is a good problem for me.

5. Friendly: Canadians are extremely friendly and easy going people and there’s nothing wrong with that!

Happy Canada Day!

(New blog post) 7 Step prescription to Self Love #selflovesaturday

As you guys may know I’ve been on a very serious “self love journey”, it’s been going on for the last year and a half and the change in my mentality has changed my life in an amazing way.

Having “self love” is not having conceit or being self absorbed but instead it’s is being aware and appreciative of who you are and what you want and need in life to life a better positive life filled with LOVE. I encourage everyone to start a journey in Self Love whether it’s taking small steps or big steps, you won’t regret it, I found a perfect 7 Step Prescription to Self Love written by Deborah Khoshaba, Psy.D for anyone who doesn’t know where to start, take a look at these steps to get you started.

  1. Become mindful. People who have more self-love tend to know what they think, feel and want. They are mindful of who they are and act on this knowledge, rather than on what others want for them.
  2. Act on what you need rather than what you want. You love yourself when you can turn away from something that feels good and exciting to what you need to stay strong, centered, and moving forward in your life, instead. By staying focused on what you need, you turn away from automatic behavior patterns that get you into trouble, keep you stuck in the past, and lessen self-love.
  3. Practice good self-care. You will love yourself more, when you take better care of your basic needs. People high in self-love nourish themselves daily through healthy activities, like sound nutrition, exercise, proper sleep, intimacy and healthy social interactions.
  4. Set boundaries. You’ll love yourself more when you set limits or say no to work, love, or activities that deplete or harm you physically, emotionally and spiritually, or express poorly who you are.
  5. Protect yourself. Bring the right people into your life. I love the termfrenemies that I learned from my younger clients. It describes so well the type of “friends” who take pleasure in your pain and loss rather than in your happiness and success. My suggestion to you here: Get rid of them! There isn’t enough time in your life to waste on people who want to take away the shine on your face that says, “I genuinely love myself and life”. You will love and respect yourself more.
  6. Forgive yourself. We humans can be so hard on ourselves. The downside of taking responsiblity for our actions is punishing ourselves too much for mistakes in learning and growing. You have to accept your humanness (the fact that you are not perfect), before you can truly love yourself. Practice being less hard on yourself when you make a mistake. Remember, there are no failures, if you have learned and grown from your mistakes; there are only lessons learned.
  7. Live intentionally. You will accept and love yourself more, whatever is happening in your life, when you live with purpose and design. Your purpose doesn’t have to be crystal clear to you. If your intention is to live a meaningful and healthy life, you will make decisions that support this intention, and feel good about yourself when you succeed in this purpose. You will love yourself more if you see yourself accomplishing what you set out to do. You need to establish your living intentions, to do this.