Kaira Akita's ACE-in-one

When I met Kaira Akita last year, I recognized her as a force in the Atlanta entertainment scene. Not only did she hold her ground as “Keisha” – or Baby Mama #1 – against the whirlwind Tasha Smith in Why Did I Get Married, but she convinced us that “Diva” is a female version of a hustler in BET’s first, original sitcom Somebodies long before Beyoncé sang about it. What I did not know is how enterprising this young ingénue is. Founder of A Clothes Encounter, Akita manages to merge her love of fashion with her passion for all things theatrical.

What was once known as “a luxury consignment event” is now rebranded to A Clothes Encounter – The Fab for Less Fashion Collective. The original concept embodied everything great about being a woman: signature cocktails; girl bonding to the rhythms of Mary Jane, Jill and Badu; and more clothes, accessories and shoes than the best walk-in closet could sustain. The new brand is like a movie re-imagined in 3-D. It embodies event planning and management, styling services for the frugal fashionista and media design.

In order to understand the new vision, one must appreciate the former construct. The seeds for Akita’s original idea were planted when she downsized to a smaller apartment. This fashion nova had accumulated far too many clothes to carry to her new digs, so she decided to have a sale. In her mind she was having a “garage sale” of sorts, but this former event planner does nothing without panache. For Akita, that meant rallying girlfriends for cocktails, music and socializing, while ridding herself of baggage – literally. By the end of the evening, her girlfriend’s were inquiring about “the next one.” Akita gestated on that query for a while before conceiving the ACE abstraction.

According to Akita, she chose to focus on consignment or gently worn fashions because, “That is how I live.” (A girl after my own heart! I was first introduced to consignment shopping by my mother during the hunt for a prom dress. It was a satin taffeta, dual-hued forest green/black ruffled-mini, strapless, sweetheart neckline confection by Victor Costa for less than a $100– but enough about me.) Akita, not unlike your Savvy Shopaholic, believes that you do not have to spend endless ends to look good. Consignment, thrift and major discount retailers like Marshall’s and TJ Maxx are all part of the equation and “financially make sense.” The actress is complemented all the time on her well-crafted look by her friends who complain that they “could never find that stuff in a thrift shop” and assume that she shops in higher end stores like Neimans or Saks.

Akita’s mission is to make it easy for those who fluster easily over rows and rows of metal hanging racks. “I’m doing the legwork,” she says and she believes that her event is socially responsible as well. By recycling gently worn classic and designer duds, Akita turns one woman’s throwaways into another woman’s fab find. She also donates a portion of the proceeds from every event to partnering charity. You got to love a girl who gives back simply by being chic!

In her new effort, which is slightly down-scaled to accommodate her burgeoning acting career, Akita has partnered with such well known brands as Goodwill for the “Gorgeous by Goodwill” media campaign and Cook’s Warehouse for the “Cooking in Stilettos” event. Log onto www.aclothesencounteronline.com for details about her upcoming events and to read up on her special features like the “Boutique Spotlight.” In its latest incarnation, Akita plans to make it a bi-coastal feature of Atlanta and her home away from home, Los Angeles.

Kaira Akita is one savvy shopaholic to keep up with. Who knows, I just might see you at her next event…

The Insider Edition by Tracy Nicole

As The Insider on The Dish Now, I will explore the dynamics of relationships and love in addition to covering the literary world. If anyone had the answer on how to find love and have a perfect relationship they would be on the Forbes List above Oprah! I don’t claim to have the answers but I do know that all women have doubts, fall in love, make mistakes and hope to fall forward instead of backwards.

The mystery of falling in love and living a fairy tale starts younger than you think with those damn happily ever after stories that you start hearing from the time you are two years old. Not only are you being set up for disappointment by people who know better, but you really have no idea that happily ever after is just bullshit!!

Growing up I was always told that you should live by the Golden Rule. Well you might ask, “What exactly is the Golden Rule?” It means you should always treat others how you want to be treated. Now, my young naïve mind interpreted this caveat to mean that people will treat you how you treat them. I truly believed that shit! I really thought if I was nice to people they would be nice to me. If I did something for someone they would return the favor. If I was faithful in a relationship than the other person would be too! Boy, did I have that all wrong.

My entire world came to an end in high school when I found out my boyfriend was talking to another girl on the phone. He actually lied to me. I was devastated. What happened to the Golden Rule? I thought everyone lived by the Rule. That screwed me up and I had to learn to play the game of life. Lucky for me life was really just beginning…

After two engagements, one marriage, two kids, a divorce, and learning how to date (in that order!) all while nurturing my career as a budding new Author, I have dedicated myself to learning more about the complexities of relationships and how they work. I want to know what’s going on in relationships out there. When people share their stories they would be amazed by how many people are going through the same exact situations.

Times have certainly changed with online dating, texting, tweeting, facebooking, etc. As the Insider, I will address the questions that people shy away from discussing like:
• Why do some women think they are exempt from how a man treated another woman?
• How do you get your sexy back in the bedroom after the kids?
• When it comes to relating to your teenager(s), did you know that you speak a different language?
• How close are friends if one lets the other go out looking a ‘Hot Ass Mess’?

Love is an unsolvable mystery that will always find a way to remain a permanent fixture in our lives. What some people forget is that the love has to start within. Love is life; and if you miss love, you miss out on life…

I’m looking forward to discussing all the relationship topics thrown my way and diving into the literary world via a monthly book review on The Dish Now. This is The Insider signing off.

Director's Spotlight on Gary Hardwick

Director’s Spotlight
By Carol West

The ladies of “The Dish Now” recently dropped in on the National Book Club Conference here in Atlanta only to find the extraordinary talent, Gary Hardwick, hard at work. He has directed box offices smashes like “The Brothers” and “Deliver Us From Eva”, but this weekend we found him basking in another one of his many accomplishments as novelist. Gary’s followers loved his earlier mysteries such as “Color of Justice” and “The Executioner’s Game”. However, after listening to an excerpt from his soon to be released “Dark Town Redemption”, faithful fans and newcomers alike will be in for a treat.

His latest novel as he describes it is ‘a nifty little thriller’ that brings together a grand murder mystery set around the uproar of the Vietnam era in Detroit, Michigan. A white rookie, racist cop is set on a collision course with a black soldier (based in part on Hardwick’s own brother) who returns from the Vietnam War only to encounter the brutal murder of his brother. The volatile nature of what was occurring historically in America at that time placed alongside this juicy murder mystery is a recipe for something well worth the read. “Dark Town Redemption” is currently slated for release February 2011.

Additionally, I had an opportunity to sit down with Hardwick and find out just how he came to be this powerful screenwriter, director, and author. He also reveals what he is up to next and how he stays motivated to do all that he does.

Gary Hardwick has been writing since he was a tween growing up in Detroit, Michigan. He was interested in writing at an early age and thought he might consider it as a career some day, but the timeline sped up when at the tender age of eleven, he came across a frightening statistic that said African American males living in his city had a life expectancy of 25 years. To that he calmly retorted “I guess I had better get started then.”

Eight novels, countless screenplays, and television shows later, he is ready to begin shooting another feature film! That’s right people, Hardwick is currently scheduled to begin shooting a romantic comedy, “The Showdown” right here in Atlanta this fall.

For those of you wondering how to achieve even a fraction of the success Hardwick has attained in the world of screenwriting, he offers the following, “Screenwriting is more a discipline than an art. I’m pretty good at understanding what Hollywood wants.” He clearly delivers on that understanding and Hollywood has given a resounding nod of approval.

At the end of all this, I really wanted to know what made this guy get up every day and keep writing and cranking out these successful works of fiction. In an understated, yet intellectual fashion all his own, he smiles and divulges, “I get to create happy endings. It all turns out right because I say so.”

Say so Gary. Say so.

The Dish Now-The Savvy Shopaholic Blog

INTRODUCING THE SAVVY SHOPAHOLIC BLOG

Judging from the title of this blog one might assume that I enjoy retail therapy: red tag sales, markdowns, close-outs or standing in line outside of some big-box retailer at the crack-of-dawn in the freezing cold in anticipation of getting first crack at the selection of bargain basement deals. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. I actually abhor shopping! There are a few things I find more enjoyable than shopping: reading the back of cereal boxes; doing the laundry; or getting in a session of P90X!

When I was a struggling college student, I dreamed of the day that I would be able to take my highly-degreed-big-money-earning-self on lavish spending sprees through the halls of Neiman, Saks, Nordstrom and/or Marshall Fields. Or better yet, I would be able to turn to any page in the Spiegel catalog and order with abandon. Let’s not mention the visions of point and click on J. Crew’s site or Zappos.com - Lord have mercy - the endless array of shoes on that site!

However, all of that was before I decided to become an actress and continue my financial disenfranchisement. Once I choose the lifestyle of “artist” the trajectory of my life went in a wholly different path. Upwards of 85% of Screen Actors Guild members make less than $10,000 per year and depending on the year that would include me.

As Hollywood is all about the aesthetic - money or no money - I had to step up to step out. In casually, laid-back LA where a night out is all about the cute top, low-rise, boot cut jeans and sexy heels looking the part can get pricey. Then you certainly can’t be seen in photographs in the same outfit. Quelle horreur!

Once I had that bang-up year of bookings, I was able to put my money where my dreams were. Trust me; I had my $125 Frankie B barely-above-pube moments, but I could not afford to keep that up (or sit down – my whole ass would be out!) Not to mention, once I had an opportunity to shop the way I had always dreamed, I discovered I did not really like the process. It was only when I did not have the money that I saw all the things I wished I could have. I am sure some of you have experienced that delusion!

So, this blog is dedicated to the girl whose life necessitates looking good while scrimping or the woman whose personal obligations demand financial discretion and time limitations. Here, I will treat you to new ways to dress to impress without spending in excess. Help you discover ways to shop that you never considered before. Treat yourself to a fabulous design without getting behind on the mortgage, car note or anything else. Creative spending in the name of looking good is how we do it over here!

I plan to help you uncover your inner, frugal fashionista because the economic times dictate it. Teach you to be a savvy shoppanista because we could all afford some thriftyness in these lean years. I guarantee you no one loves a good bargain the way I do! I am on a mission to help you look like a million (minus four or five zeroes.) I am the savvy shopaholic and this is a public service announcement.

For more dish on trending topics and news you can use see updated posts by my girls Tracy Nicole and Carol West who are Dishing NOW at www.thesdishnowblog.blogspot.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter at The Dish Now.

Welcome!!

Welcome all readers to Carol West’s first blog and thanks so much for checking in on the women of “The Dish Now”! We are excited about our new project and we hope to give you a reliable and entertaining source for all your must-have reviews and information!

Since I am your go-to girl for all things movie, music, and TV, I am going to have plenty to say about it all and I will refrain from being down right mean, but I do intend to tell it like it is and keep it real.

If you want to know if the latest action flick is worth the admission price and popcorn for a night out at the movies? Let me give you a clue. If you are wondering if the latest pop music starlet to hit the stage is suitable for your tween or just another Lindsay Lohan wannabe? Holla! I got your back! So let’s get straight to it shall we?

First, let’s take a bite out of my pick for date night. That’s right. You guessed it. Twilight is destined to be a box office hit for all those star crossed lovers out there. Typically vampire movies just don’t do it for me, but this is certainly not a typical vampire movie. It is a twisted and complicated love story with lots of action that keeps you glued to the screen.

For a family night pick I was really hoping Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and the rest of the Saturday Night Live Crew would really bring it in “Grownups, but alas it seemed more like a comedian reunion than anything else. There are a few good funnies along the way, just know that there is always the DVD option in a few months.

On to TV picks…Is this the year of the vampire or what? ABC’s first season of “The Gates” is going to make you cringe the next time a neighbor brings over those ‘welcome to the neighborhood’ brownies. Rhona Mitra’s portrayal of the everyday housewife with a british accent is definitely a stab at making myth more like reality, but will it make it to season 2? Well, let’s see, isn’t Michelle Geller enjoying the syndication success of a little show that ran a myriad of seasons called “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”? Hmmm, I suppose only you and neilsen will be the judges of that one.

Well, it must also be the year for British accents as Russell Brand not so eloquently bears in, “Get Him to the Greek”. Now aside from Brand’s antics I was particularly anxious to see P Diddy’s acting skills in this film where he is basically spoofing himself. I love a good spoof as much as anyone and it takes a particular skill to be able to do your own. It also takes a bit more humility that some are willing to admit. I will say only this. Comedy is definitely your strong point. Job well done Diddy.

That’s a wrap for now. Also, there is fashion, relationship advice, book reviews, and so much more at “The Dish Now”! Check out my girls, Roman and Tracy Nicole on their blogs and let’s dish…NOW!