It’s Time to Show Up

There’s so much I want to say right now, but what I will say is this: As non-black POC and especially the white folks— we need to SHOW UP and be allies for the black community. There are a lot of ways in which we can help the movement right now even if we can’t be on the front lines.

Donate to bail funds, donate medical supplies, donate food and water, offer shelter and a safe space for protesters, keep using your voices and speaking up. Please keep checking in on each other, your black friends especially, and please don’t forget to take time to rest. This is a marathon, and I am in it for the long haul. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything, I’m here for you. 🖤

#BlackLivesMatter
#NoJusticeNoPeace

DONATE BELOW- (I will update with more links as I find them, please reach out if you know of any other reputable organizations).

NW Community Bail Fund: https://www.nwcombailfund.org

National Bail Fund Network: https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory

Black Visions Collective: https://www.blackvisionsmn.org

Episode 10: Hang out with me, Virtually!

I’ve been working hard the last month or so on a couple projects with some amazing people to brain storm ways in which we can support folks and stay connected during quarantine. 😁

I have a few upcoming VIRTUAL events happening this week that I’m so excited to share with y’all. 😁

Learn more about Blossom and Art Parlour in my latest vlog update and catch the event details below to find out how you can connect with some dope people (and hang out with me of course 😏)! ☑️

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WEDNESDAY 4/29 @ 6-8 pm PST – 🌸 BLOSSOM 🌸 Zoom Networking Event RSVP: aprilblossom2020.splashthat.com

SATURDAY 5/2 @ 2-4 pm PST – 🎨 Art Parlour presents: May 2020 Zoom Artist Showcase – Go to http://www.facebook.com/artparlourofficial to learn more!

Attend one, or both and be sure to tell a friend to tell a friend. 💋

Episode 9: Finding Connection in Quarantine

I’ll be honest, it’s rough out here y’all. Like many I’ve become caught in the monotonous daily loop with little end in sight. With my daughter home from school for the rest of the year I’ve added the challenge of being mother, teacher and playmate to my list of roles.

Fortunately for me, a creative opportunity fell into my lap not long after the start of quarantine that is helping to keep me busy and sane. My new role as artist relations and curation manager for Art Parlour is helping me flex my skills to bring artists of all mediums together for one of a kind virtual events, and I’m excited to share it with you all.

Art Parlour is not just an opportunity for the PNW creative community to connect, let’s make this a global movement for artists and musicians to collaborate and network!

For more information on how to get your work featured, send me an email at michelle.artparlour@gmail.com. ❤️

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As always, like, comment and subscribe if you like what you see!

Stay safe and healthy out there.

– Miss Michelle Mai

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Music – “Mint Leaves” by Jeff Kaale

Episode 8: The New Normal

Life is pretty weird for the majority of us right now. Personally, I feel as though I’ve gone into autopilot living within the microcosm of my home. As a result, life just feels as though it’s been “put on hold” due to the growing COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, there’s not much else we can do as responsible citizens besides stay home, follow quarantine guidelines, and hope.

With all this uncertainty it’s absolutely normal to feel lost, angry or sad. Emotions run high and tempers are short. Being self-employed as a freelance makeup artist, my means of income has been cut to virtually zero, just like many others. Not to mention, as a mother with a school-aged child it’s an added challenge to now find ways to keep my daughter not only occupied, but engaged and learning.

In this episode, I chat about ways I’ve learned to pivot and adapt during these times. Keeping routines not only aids me from going stir-crazy, but helps my daughter cope with these new changes as well.

I’d love to hear ways in which you all are adapting during these unprecedented and uncertain times. How do you stay positive and motivated?

I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Sending you all my love and light— especially to those tireless healthcare workers on the frontlines of this crisis. ✨❤️✨

P.S. Please stay home if you can, and WASH YOUR HANDS!!!

Episode 7: Side Effects of the Coronavirus

With recent events surrounding Coronavirus in the last few weeks, there’s been an understandable uptick in public anxiety— but unfortunately racism and xenophobia towards Chinese and Asian communities have seen an increase as well. 😒 I say this not to downplay the unending racism that black and brown people have to deal with on the daily, because this is the reality many of my friends face— but I’m here to say that racism in general is NOT OK. So let’s do better. 🤙🏼

It’s important during these uncertain times that we stay safe, but also informed. Spreading misinformation is no help to anyone, and we must all do our part to support our neighbors and community members. A lot of folks are hurting right now and the Seattle economy is being hit hard. COVID-19 isn’t just affecting our physical and mental health, it’s affecting our livelihoods. If you are one of those fortunate enough to be getting paid to work from home, and you are financially able, please do your part to support your local community and businesses. Not to mention, let’s do our best to support all the artists, service industry workers and other freelancers who depend on gigs to pay their bills who are having clients cancel. It’s getting wild out here. 😅

I will do my best to share financial support resources for the local community as I come across them. We’re all in this together y’all, please stay healthy and safe. 🙏🏼❤️ 

Episode 6: Small Changes for Sustainable Living Pt. 1

Wow February seriously flew by! 😳 I’ve had a lot on my mind lately but I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can be more sustainable and make better choices for our planet and our future. That’s why I’ve decided to start a sub-series of my vlog that talks about small, easy changes we can all make to reduce our environmental impact and dependence on single use plastics! ✨♻️✨ Hope you enjoy my first #SmallChange!

Shoot me a DM if you have any questions or if you have other ideas for sustainable and waste-free living! 💕

P.S. Shouts out to my girl Sylvia Wolf of Sylvnos who will be helping host a #BlackHistoryMonth book swap TOMORROW 2/26 from 7pm at Sugar Hill Seattle along with Nemo Jamilla & Gennette Cordova. If you’re in the city, be sure to check it out and support your local black femmes! 📚

Episode 5: More Self Care + Tucson Recap

Woah! I can’t believe it’s almost half way through February already. 😅 Also, Happy Black History Month!!! It’s been a non-stop couple of weeks but I’ve made it a point to make self-care a priority through it all.

Here’s a quick recap of my Tucson trip and a little more on what I have coming next. ✨ #OnMaiMind

Episode 4: Feast or Famine + Slowing Down

The events of this last weekend were a huge reminder to me to slow down. Collectively I know the energy is still so heavy out here— sometimes we all get so caught up in the day to day and forget what’s really important. Here’s a quick life update and some reflections during this super emotionally charged time.

I hope all of you can take some time to do some self care and check in on yourself as well as your loved ones. 🖤

Episode 3: Snowpocalypse 2020 + The Freelance Struggle

Y’all we survived the Snowpocalypse of 2020! 🙏🏼❄️ Being snowed in this week left me a lot of time to think about how I want to shift my mindset from that of scarcity to abundance. This freelance artist grind is truly a lifestyle and I’m committed to making it a success.

How do YOU stay motivated? Tell me in the comments! ❤️

Episode 2: The “Origin Story” + Full Moon Vibes

#TGIF amirite? This week I’m divulging more on my Vlogs “origin story” as well as sharing some thoughts on our first #FullMoon of the year! Do any of you practice any full moon rituals? I’d love to hear!✨🌕✨