Our earliest memories usually come from the special gatherings in our lives. Whether it was that fifth birthday party where we didn’t get that pony we wanted, meeting that special someone at a friend’s house party, or putting on a skit for your grandparents at their anniversary dinner, each memory has its own distinct place in our hearts. Being surrounded by people that make us happy, not just on special occasions, but in our daily lives is what keeps us going. The lifestyle blog, Get Togetha, was designed to help us keep those special moments close to our hearts, create new ones and develop our way of living. Get Togetha definitely pays homage to the old adage, “take care of home first.” Clutch took a moment to chat with the creator of Get Togetha on how to not only live well, but live in the happy and positive state of mind that only we ourselves can create.

Melinda: gettogetha.com

Clutch: For those not familiar with “Get Togetha”, what type of content does the site feature and highlight?
Melinda: Get Togetha is a site/blog that features content on home décor, living well, living quality, home entertaining and spiritual musings on life.

Clutch: When did you officially launch?
Melinda: I officially launched June 16, 2008.

Clutch: Nothing is more important than having a healthy social life. And there’s more to being social than just going out to clubs. How can we bring back the art of home entertaining?
Melinda: Well, our current financial situation has definitely caused us to think twice before we shell out unnecessary funds. Entertaining at home is simple. A bottle of your favorite, cook dinner or buy store bought and add friends. Or you can have a theme: seveties, dessert party, wine and cheese…the options are endless!

Clutch: Women are expected to save the world but how important is it for them to take care of their own personal world?
Melinda: Hmmm…this is a good question. And we keep hearing this over and over again because it needs to register. We got to take care of ourselves first otherwise what we offer won’t be top quality. Don’t your loved ones deserve that?

Clutch: Why do you think women of color are often overlooked when it comes to dealing with design (especially within the home)?
Melinda: I honestly have no idea. I know that my eyes go into super glue mode when HGTV is on! LOL…I think there’s this general consensus that we don’t like nice things unless a rapper or baller’s name is attached to it. But I know that there are women out there who love fashion for the home as well. That’s why I created Get Togetha.

Clutch: Where did your penchant for home entertaining and decorating come from?
Melinda: I’ve never been the party hard club type; but I’ve always been a social butterfly. I just started cooking at home an inviting people over and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve had more great times at my apartment than I’ve ever had at any club. As for design, I just go with what feels right. There’s so much in the home décor world to be inspired by.

Clutch: As women, we often are juggling a million different things at one time. How would Get Togetha benefit the woman who is always on the go?
Melinda: Get Togetha can offer a respite by helping women to focus on the bigger picture of quality living. If you’re busy slow down! Cut out the excess and surround yourself only with the things you love…and love your life.

Clutch: Part of your company’s philosophy is “You need a healthy dose of laughter. Everyday.” What makes you laugh?
Melinda: All kinds of stand up comedy, humor blogs, laughing at myself.

Clutch: What are some of your favorite design secrets?
Melinda: Wall paint can really influence your mood. I decorate with the jackets of record albums cause records are timeless, sepia photography and a touch of vintage in a living space makes it feel lived in.

Clutch: Who or what do you look to for inspiration?
Melinda: God. My inspiration never ends but to make it short I would say Oprah, Domino magazine, Sheila Bridges, and Michelle Obama.

Clutch: What advice would you give to our reader about throwing a great (and inexpensive) party?
Melinda: Set a budget, mix different textures of foods, and change the light bulb to blue or green it makes everyone look good.

Clutch: For a healthy lifestyle, what are three things that you surround yourself with on a daily basis?
Melinda: Soy Candles, eating my veggies, and drinking water. Sometimes I don’t take my own advice and I forget to hydrate.

Clutch: When you’re not writing “Get Togetha” what are some other sites that you visit?
Melinda: Gawker, Clutch (Really!), NY Times, Real Simple, DesignSponge and Domino.

Clutch: Why should someone bookmark “Get Togetha” or add it to their daily reading list?
Melinda: They should book GT because it’s one of a few beautifully designed home décor specific and lifestyle blogs dedicated to women of color. I have to toot my own horn.

Ladies could always used some very smart brothas in their lives. They are needed. They are wanted. They are…here. Born out of many hearings with women about their relationship imbroglios, The Champ and Panama have decided to take their brand of wisdom and disseminate it into an award-winning blog. Clutch had the pleasure of hearing from the players themselves in this entertaining exchange.

Champ & Panama: verysmartbrothas.com

Clutch: Where did you get the idea to start Very Smart Brothas and when did it come into existence?
The Champ: Panama and I have been friends and fans of each other’s writing for a few years now. Throughout that time, it seems like we’ve both always been the go-to person for our respective friends in regards to relationship and/or dating advice. A couple years ago, we decided to create a relationship themed book by gathering the best relationship topics from our personal blogs and compiling them into one. Because of our laziness, this project hit the back burner for a year or so. In early 2008 though, we (along with our Managing Editor, Lizz Burr) decided to try and create a website that dealt with many of the topics and themes we explore in the book. Our first entry ran the first week of April.

Clutch: The tone of the blog is informative and funny, yet it feels like the reader is talking to a good friend. How do you keep that balance?
The Champ: We are well-read, funny, and friendly people, so being informative, funny, and friendly isn’t that much of a stretch. Seriously though, we’re just two guys who are able to provide a bit of wisdom, insight, and humor in regards to the trials and tribulations of dating and/or relationships. We’re not caricatures. You’re not going to come on VSB and read useless drivel about how to be a pimp or player, but at the same time, you’re not going to get any half-wit, effeminate, whining about “why black women want thugs” or any bulls— like that, and I think our readers appreciate that. Basically, we keep this balance by being ourselves.

Panama: I think it’s also because of how interactive the site is. It pretty much IS a full out discussion with your friend. We spend all day in the comments sections to respond directly to questions folks have about what we’ve written. Which means people can call us on our BS statements, which they do, often. Lucky for us, we’re right, even when we’re not.

Clutch: For people who are new to your blog, how would you describe your blog in three words?
The Champ: How about a haiku?

Panama and Champ
Sexy, daily. Wisdom too
Steelers all the way!!!

Panama: The Champ’s haiku pretty much said it all (and forget the Steelers, hail to the Redskins…who just.lost.to.the.Cincinatti.Bengals. Never mind the Redskins. Go Steelers.), but three words that I think of are love, peace, and soooooooooooooooul. Or at least while Don Cornelius has legal problems.

Clutch: What goals or purposes do you want the blog to achieve?
The Champ: Personally, we hope that the blog is able to give us a solid fan base for our other projects globally, both P and I feel that “well-informed and practical” people equals “good relationships”, “good relationships” equal “happy people”, and “happy people” equals “less crime.” Basically, we’re trying to fight crime.

Clutch: Congrats on the 2009 Black Web Award for Best Blog. What major milestones do you feel the blog has reached?
The Champ: Thanks for the congrats. Honestly, I don’t know about milestones, but I don’t know if there’s another black male ran relationship themed blog that’s doing what we’re doing right now, especially when you consider that most of our traffic is from word-of-mouth. We’re not backed by any conglomerates, we haven’t spammed on any more popular blogs, and we haven’t begged anyone for a link exchange, and I’m proud of the fact that we were able to become relevant without having to do any of that stuff.

Clutch: How will your blog change the perception of what blogs are about?
The Champ: I think we’ve been able to show that a couple black guys can run a relationship blog without being bitches or blatantly disrespecting women. I also think we’re helping to show that we (black males) don’t have to be caricatures or archetypes’ to be successful.

Clutch: From the start of the blog to now, how do you feel your blog has grown?
The Champ: Along with the growth in traffic, we’ve become a bit of a social-networking venue, as VSB-er’s across the country have organized happy hours and other outings with each other. We also have consistent commentators from London, Johannesburg, Sydney, and many other foreign cities, and it honestly amazes me that people in Africa and Europe are reading sh– that I’m writing on my little Dell PC in Pittsburgh, PA. Also, from a writing standpoint, we’ve started to branch out a bit more with our topics. Although we still focus on relationships, we also have entries on race, politics, music, and other fresh and relevant issues.

Clutch: What has been the biggest challenge you have faced with your blog?
The Champ: Making sure I don’t repeat topics, which is a bit more challenging that I assumed it would be.

Panama: Remaining fresh…you’d think there were a million things to talk about when it comes to relationships but really, there are like four: love, sex, cheating, and the difference between men and women. That’s it. Period. All she wrote. Nothing more. Nevermore.

Clutch: If your blog could make one general statement, what would you want it say?
The Champ: Pay attention and lighten the f— up (laughing). You’ll be much happier if you’re able to do both of these things.

Clutch: Who do you hope to reach with your blog?
The Champ: Everyone. Although our name is Very Smart Brothas, there’s relevant information for all demographics. Even midgets get love on VSB.

After receiving a formal education at the historic Clark Atlanta University, Glamo ventured to New York City, determined to make a name for himself in the industry. Still very young, yet extremely focused, he has been able to gain access to some of fashion’s heavy hitters. He’s worked with top design houses, modeling agencies, hair stylists, make-up artists, and celebrities. Most recently, Glamo appeared on MTV’s “Made: Model House” and coached three inexperienced modeling hopefuls, one of whom ended up receiving a one-year contract. His witty, no-nonsense attitude pushed the girls to their limits. But they all left the competition with new looks, revamped wardrobes, and extraordinary self-confidence that had been more than lacking before.

As the founder and creative force behind The Glamore Deluxe Company, Glamo continues to extend his unique style, vision, and voice to top clients in fashion and entertainment. The firm offers such services as wardrobe styling, image consulting, runway coaching, and event production, just to name a few. Recently, we sat down with the fashion extraordinaire, who gave us more insight into his work.

Clutch: You have been called a fashion industry prodigy by colleagues, mentors and peers. How did you get your start in the industry?
Glamo: I got my start in the industry producing and directing fashion shows in college and from there things just kind of snow balled. I realized if I was coming up with the concept of the show then I wanted a certain type of walk. If I had control over the walk then I wanted to style the show as well. So that was the making of Glamo.

Clutch: Who are your major influences and what inspires you to create?
Glamo: Influences that inspire me to create are found heavily in the arts. Movies, paintings, music, and people. I am a big people watcher. It’s funny the many things, looks, and characters that you can create for people just by watching them when they are not suspecting.

Clutch: Fashion is constantly changing and evolving. How do you stay ahead of the game?
Glamo: I would like to think that I stay ahead of the game by being a busy body. I am always at some designers’ preview showing or looking for the next and the best; never afraid to see what’s new and hot or what one thinks will be. All while keeping abreast with the established brands/designers to see how they are reinventing themselves. Fashion may always be at a constant change but when something is a staple or classic honey it ain’t going anywhere, lol!

Clutch: Through your company The Glamore Deluxe you are able to service not only the fashion industry but the entertainment industry as well. What are some of the biggest challenges you face in both industries?
Glamo: The biggest challenge that I face from both industries is that people cannot see how it is possible for one person to be multi talented. You can only be known for this or that or boundaries are set on your potential. It takes for me to really get out here and show people on a daily basis that I cannot and will not be placed into just one box. There is enough of me to go around.

Clutch: Who do you think will stand out from our generation as a style icon?
Glamo: Its no shade behind this but one young lady that I think will stand out and is well on her way is Ms.Rhianna. I was not a fan of her look for the first 3 singles or so. But now…that woman wears me out with her fashion! She wears the clothes not vice versa — I get life from her!

Clutch: You wear many hats as a stylist, creative director, and the owner of a company. How do you balance it all?
Glamo: Yes indeed I do wear several hats with The Glamore Deluxe Company. I believe that the balance comes from the relationship that I build with my clients and my creativity. Creative people will never run out of ideas and when I take on the responsibility of creating for each client they and their major possibilities become my inspiration, therefore its no need to balance. I am juiced up for them!

Clutch: With every new project there are always new sets of obstacles to face. How do you prepare yourself for these challenges when taking on something new?
Glamo: I prepare my self for challenges when taking on something new the old fashion way…prayer! Prayer is the one thing that has always worked for me. Sometimes I need a little more patience to deal with a particular client. Other times I may need more energy to deal with others. Either way I am never afraid to take a moment and send one up.

Clutch: Style and beauty is often in the eye of the beholder. How would you define style?
Glamo: Style is one’s personal understanding of self. Its about knowing what you are going for when you are getting dressed, what works best for you. Just because they are making it does not mean that they are making it for you. And I am not just talking size. I am talking about color, shapes, and the full monte honey. People who grasp this to me are “stylish.”

Clutch: What trends do you predict to be big for the upcoming season?
Glamo: I predict that the one-sie will be big in the spring. I feel like just about every major designer gave their variation. And the high waisted short shorts are another trend that I am sure we will see a lot of in the spring.

Intro by: Chelsea Smith