We spoke to Angy of Instagram’s @Angycalista about her passion for art, food, her man and the lifestyle of what’s real and what’s make belief. Follow her on her journey of creativity.
Angy please tell us a little about yourself.
AC: I love spending time with loved ones, psychology, health and nutrition, dancing and helping people however I can. Also, there’s more than meets the eye.
What is your favorite part about being a fashion/ lifestyle blogger?
AC: I love expressing myself in various ways; through aesthetics, expression/personality, and through the mind. I believe all three, if used properly, can inspire others with our being. Social media or physical media, whatever media is at my disposal, I enjoy having a platform to show my essence and the ability to inspire people along the way. Witnessing someone blossom or change their mentality in an enlightened way brings me a great amount of joy. Selfishly, I doubly enjoy the process when I’m able to show someone an ingredient they may be missing. I live my life passionately and I hope that my loving nature can radiate and inspire others to truly find their own fulfillment.
Tell us about how collaborations have played a role in your business. And any favorites you’ve participated into date?
AC: It has been fun working with different brands and artists. It’s incredible to see and meet incredible talents. Truly remarkable and inspiring! Meeting and/or communicating with cool and artistic people along the way has been quite meaningful. All my collaborations have been with great people and I hope you are all doing well!
You are quite a talented artist. Tell us more about that. Is it more of a hobby or can one day be a profession?
AC: Thank you. It is both a hobby and a profession, rather being an artist is a way of life. Upon waking until I retire in my bed, my art is alive.
Long story short, I started drawing during childhood to express my inner world. Then came musical instruments and dance. I must thank my parents for encouraging me and my brothers to dive into different realms of the art world. I stopped my main creative endeavors for about a decade which allowed me to gain some life experience. When I traveled around and lived in Europe, I was able to tap into parts of my mind that may not have been accessible had I not stepped out of my comfort zone. I must thank all the people who were along my life journey who helped me tap into truths within myself. You are wonderful people and I’m grateful for you all.
I had to eventually move back to my true home and have a restart, that’s where I started my aesthetics business and tapped back into visual arts (colored penciling) as a hobby, more a creative happy place. It’s funny how life works; we’re eventually encouraged to go back to where our inner child’s love and joy reside, especially if our life has taken us particularly off path.
My man and I met in orchestra class back in grade school, seated side-by-side. Because of his love for me, even back then, orchestra class was always my favorite class to attend. We rekindled our love after so many years and the happiness that was there as a child still resonates now.
As for visual arts, I have a few projects in the making. Let’s see how it unfolds.
What are some of the most important qualities you think are required to be successful in the influencer space?
AC: I believe you need to be self-aware and fully accept yourself in order to be successful, regardless of the platform. Through trial and error, I’ve realized you can only trust yourself in matters of what truly resonates within you. We all have an inner compass. We just need to clear the fog to see the light from within and when you do, you can tap into your greatest potential; your truth. Because many define success as external wealth, people are motivated to portray external wealth and think this leads to success. It’s almost a mathematical mistake. When we are primarily driven by external wealth, the more internal values are bankrupt and that eventually will deplete us from our happiness. I believe when you do things truly from the heart, you are successful because that inner joy cannot be messed with. Everyone’s success looks different from the outside. But internally; that is where true success lies.
In what way does being a multicultural and international fashionista and blogger help you connect with your fans?
AC: I believe being from a different background in general adds a touch of uniqueness and flair. I absolutely love Italian and English culture and fashion, yet my roots are from Asian and American culture. Blending in my own way allows the unification of cultures and functioning as something entirely new. I tend to attract those who have been taught one thing and find criticism in it and therefore are led to something different, eventually create something new. My fans are creators just like I am, so I am also a fan of theirs.
What do you do when you are not working on social media?
AC: I am always creating or expressing my inner passionate world somehow and doing my best to inspire others with my being or getting inspiration from daily life through spontaneous adventures. Along with fashion and visual arts, I do spend a lot of my time learning about optimal health, not just for the body, but also for the mind, heart, and soul; personal development. Real wealth is heath in all aspects. All of it is interconnected. I have an aesthetics business that helps people with confidence by tweaking their physical appearance as well as their inner world. It is a joy to see how changing a small aspect in the physical appearance can bring so much confidence and joy to someone’s emotional well-being. Compassion, attuned empathy and care are of utmost importance in service.
I also love to dance, play music, read, learn, design, pamper myself and the ones I love, laugh, try new foods and experiences, and explore Mother Nature and the aesthetics of the world; being in the moment. I also enjoy going to jazz bars and comedies clubs and wandering aimlessly. I love deep, engaging conversations that enlighten the mind, heart and soul. I surround myself with people, situations, and places that bring me joy. Life is a short ride, so why not spend it well?
Recently I started to really enjoy making dishes from scratch. Cooking, dancing, creating art, designing, styling, communicating and exploring all help calm my mind and feed my soul. They serve as my creative happy places. Because of my interest in the human psyche, currently, I am also helping my man in developing characters and stories from the inspiration we pull from our curious, deep-diving conversations and lives.
What is your personal definition of the term being creative?
AC: We are all creative, in various degrees. Being creative is self-expression to the highest degree. Creativity is the quality that you bring to the activity or outlet you are doing. It is an attitude, an inner approach or how you look at things. Creativity means loving whatsoever you do. We are all the artists of our own lives. We can create our own reality by our very own thoughts. Creating a baby, a business, a home; the way we walk, talk, dress, cook, sweep the floor or build a structure; our essence, our views, our perspectives, etc. These are all part of being creative. Remember, we are all born from creation itself.
It is about executing your ideas with great love, great joy and a deep interest. It is about the act of creating something meaningful that changes you and the world around you no matter how big or small. If the world recognizes it, you should be grateful. If not, you will still find intrinsic joy and happiness.
We believe that reach is not everything when brands and agencies decide how to budget with influencers. Product endorsements may work with small influencers, but those with more reach should be treated and paid differently. We would like to see a transparent and performance-based payment culture in the future. How do you perceive the current situation?
AC: I agree with transparency and performance-based payment, but I do believe that regardless what the intentions are, we as influencers and brands should collaborate if it is right with both parties. Growing up with a business family, friends within businesses, and being a business owner myself, I understand the struggles of marketing a business. Every business and person have different motives and intentions, different backgrounds, or even transitions. Regardless, at the end of the day, we should do things that are right and align with our hearts.
Any favorite books that have made a positive impact on your life you can share with us?
AC: There are so many, as I love to read, but the books that started the rebirth of my life are:
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer, along with The Four Agreements & The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz.
I believe that books hold so much power and insight. We should take the time to sit down and really dive deep into the meanings and truths they provide. Wisdom has been passed on through history for countless years and it’s up to us to find and spread the wisdom that we believe or resonate with. Not all books are equal, but a book can be a treasure box. And with the right treasure box, you, yourself, can unlock the untapped jewels from within.
One of my man’s interest is the art of movies which I recently developed an interest in as well. I believe movies can also have positive impact on one’s life and bring meaning and understanding within oneself. The question of “what is your absolute favorite movie and why?” can reveal so much about you, the theme of your life, your struggles, etc.
Any last words?
AC: Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this project. It was delightful and insightful. I am excited for your brand! As I tend to end my posts with a question, I want to ask:
Where in your life—in what places, doing what things, with which people—can you say, “I like myself here,”?
