Tuesday 31 May 2016

Nice to Meet You Cynthia Polanco, Cynthia Conciergerie Visionnaire | #AileReve Interview



Cynthia Polanco from Cynthia Conciergerie is the next Montreal-based visionary who has left an indelible impression on me. The leading lady of the moment is quite the fun, gutsy and humble entrepreneur.  We still wonder how she manages to have her finger on the pulse with the latest Canadian and international chic and cozy spots for shopping, dining and pampering.

Whether you’re planning a trip on the far side of the world, a special event, a girls night-out or you're looking for something refreshing and different to do with a loved one… she has the perfect recommendation you are looking for. 

I have been following her on Instagram for a few months now and Cynthia Conciergerie as a business shows you how smart, working women have that extra pizzazz to make their mark in the real world. Braving the world with a little scarf around the neck, high heels and rouge lips, she is the essence of a girl boss, a young queen whose creativity has the power to make you see your very own city in a new light.  It's a wonder she has time to sleep, Cynthia is a dream to work with.


No matter what it is you’re drinking right now, the time is right to raise your glass to dreamers who choose to shine bright and turn their dreams to reality even after some bitter challenges and painful situations. Cynthia Conciergerie is quite the glamorous touchdown not just for Montreal but the whole world.  Nice to meet you darling!


- Naná Moon Oyå





| The Interview |

If there was a movie produced about your life, who would play you, and why? 
Although Alicia Keys is a singer and not an actress, l would definitely want her to play my role and the story of my life as we both have a lot of things in common. She suffered for a long time from the abandon of her father and grew up with a lot of pain and anger until she had to learn to let things go. She then started a career without even imagining how much she would grow and be successfull by working hard and always remaining humble and loyal to herself. Therefore, l would imagine or want someone with the same or a similar pattern to understand such feelings and interpretate my life and my role.

Tell us two things that make you smile. 
Jazz music while sipping coffee, watching the snow falling during winter and my lovely cat that always finds a way to make me smile and laugh by his funny behaviour.

How would you describe your fashion style?
My style is very feminine. l always have a nice manicure and a jewlery according to my outffit. I would say l am between trendy and classy with a touch of pop added by lipstick or my shoes.

Without much hesitation, what are the three destinations of your dream? 
Greece, French Polynesia and France.

One pleasant thing we would be surprised to know about you? 
I'm passionate about languages and would like to learn as much as l could. I currently speak French, English, Spanish, Italian, Haitian Creole and l am learning Brazilian Portuguese at the moment.

What music have you been listening on repeat lately? 
Etta James and a lot of music from the 20s and the 30s.

Three things you could never leave home without. 
My cellphone, my Prada sunglasses and my current MAC lipstick (l always wear lipstick, haha)

What are your two favorite quotes (of the moment)? 
''You have nothing to loose in trying.''
''You don't get what you do not ask for.''

According to you, what is the purpose of life?
I have learned the purpose of life thanks to the Bible and l know that it is a wonderful purpose that's written there. Therefore, we should make our best to live in peace in this world, do good things around us and according to God's will.

For you, a Visionary is...
Someone with a goal and a purpose that can see furthermore than the present moment and works hard to achieve it inspiring others.

Photo credit:  Archer's Photography
Cynthia Polanco's profile picture | Photo credit: Nadia Seccareccia Photography

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One move can bring people together. One move can set a whole generation free. Free to live their dreams. 

Naná Moon Oyá
@ailereve

Tuesday 3 May 2016

Nice to Meet You Christelle François • Soulful Entrepreneur at Game Changers


My dream in life is to rise up to my full potential and live a life that I love. 
I'm currently working on launching a new start up that could potentially revolutionize 
the way the African and Caribbean diaspora stay connected to their families.

- Christelle FrançoisMTL | T.O (Canada)
Photo, courtesy of Christelle François



• T H E   I N T E R V I E W • 
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If there was a movie produced about your life, who would play you, and why?
I would want Kimberly Elise to play me. I think she is an excellent actress and I feel that should could portray the many facets of my personality and grit. There is an intensity in her eyes that is captivating.




What do you love about yourself?
I love my ambition and my zest for life.




What have you been reading lately?




Two things that make you smile.
The sun and children laughing.


Courtesy of Christelle François


Name two people who have influenced your journey thus far.

- Maya Angelou has been an incredible inspiration for me as I go through my journey. She represented a woman who was fearless and expansive in her life and career. She placed no limits on who she was and could become. This resonates with me very strongly as I continue to grow and evolve. I don't want to put any contraints on myself in terms of what I can achieve, even if it's something that has never been done.

- Mohammed Yunus, I read one of his books "Banker to the Poor" when I was 19 and it completely shifted my thinking of the world and the possibilities on the types of businesses I wanted to create. 



Two favorite quotes of the moment

"Be still and know."  (Psalms 46:10)  

"A noble purpose inspires sacrifice, stimulates innovation and encourages perseverance." 
- Gary Hamel




Three destinations of your dreams.
Egypt, Fiji, and Kenya



How would you describe your fashion style?
Classy / Chic with some funk sprinkled on it.



Tell us one pleasant thing people would be surprised to know about you.
I know all the lyrics from Illmatic. 



For you, Art is...
...liberation and vulnerability.



According to you, what is the purpose of life?
I believe that the purpose of life is to love and honour what your gut and intuition is hinting you to do. Do you!

Connect with Christelle François 
@christellejdv | Game Changers | Facebook


Courtesy of Christelle François

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The Nice to Meet You Interview is Aile Rėve's signature. It is our way to soulfully connect with the artist and visionary. The NTMY allows us to take off for a voyage into the furthest reaches of their mind, with love, humility, and poetry.

Anaëlle Naná Moon Watå
Mermaid-in-Chief @AileReve 


Sunday 1 May 2016

Nice to Meet You Marie (Miji) Kouassi • The Miji Mojo


"I'm from Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and I live in Paris. I'm a Fashion Blogger who has just finished her studies so now I'm a Telecommunications and Networks Engineer. For me fashion is about discovering Yourself, expressing Yourself. It might sound too "cliché" but I really think that Fashion is the best way to express who we are, our personality. 

My dream in life is to be happy with myself in all my 'different lives' : personal, professional, family life, love life. I think this balance is what everyone needs."

Miji Kouassi | The Miji Mojo
Photo, Régis Doumouya
Paris | France



• T H E   I N T E R V I E W • 
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Tell us one pleasant thing people would be surprised to know about you.
Hum.. I could watch Dragon Ball Z episodes, all day! I love this thing! (Smile)



What do you love about yourself?

It's a very difficult question... 
Unfortunately, it is more easy for us to say what we don't like about ourselves... 
I think I love how determined I am when I have an objective. I give myself the tools to succeed and I am not afraid of challenges.


Photo, Régis Doumouya


Two things that make you smile.
I'm a person who's always smiling. My sport teacher thinks I'm joking about her during her class because I'm always smiling. Babies also make me smile. (laughs) 



Name two people who have influenced your journey thus far.

The ultimate person who has influenced me is my mother. I never told her but for me it's the strongest woman I have ever seen. She gives me the strength to do my best. She built who I am and she has never stopped telling me that I can do everything I want because I am special.
The other person is a friend of mine, Alexandra. She encouraged me to start my first blog. She told me I could do it if I really wanted to. She taught me how to love my beautiful hair. She is a woman of God. And I really want to put God first in my life as she does.



Three destinations of your dreams.

Brazil because I want to walk on the Rio de Janeiro beach with a micro bikini (laughs). It is kind of a dream. 

Japan because it is an unknown civilisation for me and I am sure that it would be a great experience. 

Australia because it seems so far away for me.

Photo, Régis Doumouya


How would you describe your fashion style?

I don't have that "one" fashion style. My style depends on my mood, and I have many moods. I am an impulsive person and so is my style. I mix and match pieces from differents styles.  One day, I want to be classic, the other I want to be more fearless and wild. But I always follow these two rules:


  • Even if my outfit is classic, there will be always an eye-catchy piece, something that stands out.
  • I listen to myself, so I dress to please myself. 


Two things you could never leave home without.

My phone and my metro pass.



For you, Art is...
For me, Art is the expression of someone's heart. You feel something and you try to show what you're feeling. And the people who see the artist's expression can feel a different thing, which is okay. People can say "I love it", "I don't like it", "It makes me cry", "It is ugly" or "I don't know, I feel nothing". This is Art for me. The "consequences" are not predetermined. And we are free to give our interpretation. So... can I say that Art is Freedom? 



According to you, what is the purpose of life?
My mother used to tell me that I could do everything I wanted in my life and that I had a huge potential. I agree with her and I think that everybody has a huge potential. We have to discover this strength and make sure that the world will also see our potential in the things that we do. We have to give the best we can. It's about projects, relationships... At the end of my life, I want to tell to myself "Good Job girl! You did everything you loved and you gave it all you've got. No regrets." Happiness comes with it.  It's my purpose of life. (Smile)

Connect with Marie Kouassi here: The Miji Mojo

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The Nice to Meet You Interview is Aile Rėve's signature. It is our way to soulfully connect with the artist and visionary. The NTMY allows us to take off for a voyage into the furthest reaches of their mind, with love, humility, and poetry.

Anaëlle Naná Moon Watå
Mermaid-in-Chief @AileReve 


Mermaid Letter | May Editorial by Naná Moon


Last month, I strongly focused on setting things into motion and making new commitments. I finally left my 9-5 comfort zone, and stepped up to the next chapter of my life as the soulful entrepreneur I always wanted to become. Not only that, I also booked a one-way ticket because... outside the comfort zone is where the magic truly happens, it's where we grow. It so happens that "growth" is one of our key words this month, as we are celebrating the Flower Moon.

Aile Rėve is blooming into the colors of love with an abundance of style editorials (for her - him - the children, and home) , refreshing wellness content,  and for the first time ever, we're launching Aile Rėve's first edition of the Soulful Entrepreneurs Worldwide Repertoire. We are officially partnering up with our sister S O U L M A T E company: nuw.Space; we're taking our adventure to a whole other level! Yaaaay! 

The previous celebration was all about faith and trust in the future. This month, my Mermaid goal is to revive the flame and passion within you. Don't dig up in doubt what you planted in faith. Let's blossom together, and keep on reaching new heights.

Wishing you a lovely Flower Moon Celebration.

• • 

Anaëlle Naná Moon Watå
Mermaid-in-Chief @AileReve 
ailereve.com