Author: Sessi.Dancing Corner

On a random week of the day I was scrolling through Instagram, and I was dead set on
taking a chair heel class. Then I saw Tony was doing Chairography every Tuesday at SassClass.
He also, teaches neo-burlesque, jazz burlesque, and so much more. First, I asked my friend if she
wanted to try the Chairography with Tony. She gave me her answer, but I forgot what it was. If
you guys know me, I do not wait on anybody to do anything. I just do it, no Nike though. Around
4pm I said f*ck it, and booked the last for Tuesday the 19th.
April 19th was the day of this dance class called Chairography with Tony Guerrero at SassClass . I was so ready for my work shift to be over,
so I can head to New York City and take this class. Once I got there his energy was just amazing . There was laughs and Tony describing, who
were dancing for, and what the song is about. He wanted it to be dramatic , sultry and it’s whomever you desired is sitting in the chair. Like
food, hot guy or whatever you desired at that moment, which that’s my favorite method to do during any heels class. Especially if you actually
do have someone in mind. Like if a man made a huge impact in my life any way shape or form. I feel like I have danced so much better using
that thought process, but back to the class. We dance to the song “ Crazy in Love” from the 50 Shades of Grey, you know the mood of the room
is completely set. Tony had four groups perform the routine and everyone was hyping and cheering everyone else on. That whole class had a
different kind of vibe that I experience in any dance/ heels class I ever taken before. It was more carefree and laughs, smiles and all of that. The
class was an hour, like they usually are But expect for some workshops that are longer than that.
I would most definitely recommend this class if you want to learn a chair routine and want to have fun with it too. It’s for all levels for dancers or
if you want to try something new for your man or just for yourself. You can follow Tony on his Instagram @tonyguerrero5678 take more of his
classes like Burlesque Jazz , Chairography , Neo-Burlesques, and so much more. All I know from my experience taking is his class was it was
fun and different. I would take that class again, because I let loose and I did not care if I messed up. I just kept smiling and kept dancing. My
body needed it and I felt so much better after I took Chairography

Creative Couples: Making it Work in Love and Business 

There’s an old cliché that you’re not supposed to mix business and pleasure, but the co-founders of a boutique “made to order” baking company called Drizzle by Snacks are also happily married which proves that’s just B.S.  With the aroma of love and freshly baked cakes in the air, I reached out to Alex and Amanda Rivera to ask them about their secret to making it all work in love and business.    

Q1.  What is your definition or description of a successful couple in business and love? 

Alex: It’s communication. When it comes down to it, every single moment of the day we have to
be open and honest with each other about plenty of things- what our needs and wants are,
especially in business. Our thoughts and visions have to be very clear. We cannot move forward
if we are not on the same page.
Amanda: Yeah. Definitely open and honest communication. It’s being honest when you don’t like
the other person’s idea or coming forward if you screwed up and taking accountability. It’s
patience and understanding in our both relationships-love and business alike.

Q2. In business, in order to run things efficiently everyone has a role to play, describe each of yours?

Amanda: I always say he’s the baker, and I’m the beauty [laughs] But seriously, I work on the look of
the cake and have an equal part in designing. Usually while Alex is baking, I am either
brainstorming the design or already working on pieces for the cake.
Alex: My role has to do with recipe development- making sure that our cakes not only look good
but taste good. We want to make sure people have the total package- look and taste. So, I’m
constantly thinking of new ways to think of those favorite flavors I had as a child and bring them
out into cakes. Also, structure and building the cakes internally. Oh! And washing dishes! [laughs]
Amanda doesn’t like that part.

Q3.  How do you collaborate and brainstorm for ideas?   

Amanda: We are really good at bouncing ideas off of each other. Alex may think of something I
haven’t thought of before and then that idea may inspire me to think of something else and so
on and so forth. It can be really exciting thinking of the many ways we can make this cake look
awesome. There are so many different ways we can design it and we really want to make it our
own, original look.
Alex: We go into our cake room, and we start to think of things that relate to the cake or the
theme and discuss how we can incorporate that into the design. We ask the client different
questions, like things that are unique to that person so that when they get the cake they are
like, “Wow! This is just for me?!” It is one of a kind. When we do custom cakes, we make sure it
is one of a kind.
Amanda: Definitely. I agree. We basically try to personalize it without just having to put their
name on the cake.
Alex: You can get a cake from anywhere, but we want to take it that extra step.

Q4.  If you every disagree on a concept or idea relating to the design of a cake how do you prevent that from crossing over to your personal life and affecting what goes on at home? 

Amanda: Alex knows how I am. I’ll tell him straight up if I don’t like something. It can be super
frustra-ng at -mes. We know it is not personal and at the end of the day we both have the same
goal.
Alex: Well, just like always, Amanda is always right. We’ll leave it at that! [laughs] No, but in all
seriousness we are really blessed that 99% of the time, we are on the same page, so there are
not as many disagreements. It’s the reason why we have been able to take on this business and

create these designs almost effortlessly. We have a lot of moments where it’s like, “Oh my God! I
was just thinking the same thing!” Now, if there is a disagreement, I look at what is prac-cal,
what makes sense.
Amanda: No, you don’t.
Alex: What do you mean?
Amanda: He says he looks at what’s practical and most of the -me I am pulling my hair out
trying to figure out how we’re going to make this cake work! For example, him wanting to have a
disco ball spin while stacked in between cakes!
Alex: Okay! I like to think outside the box and try to give people things they have never seen
before. Whether it is doable or not, we just have to try and that’s why I cause Amanda
headaches.
Amanda: Exactly! His moto is basically, “We’ll figure it out!” and I get 5 more grey hairs from it.

Q5.   What advice would you give other hard working “hustling” couples when it comes to building a business together? 

Alex: That’s hard. I would say, if it’s truly your goal don’t give up. There are going to be a lot of
hard -mes, because we’re going through it now. You may wonder a lot of -mes what you’re
doing this for. In our case, our ideas coming to frui-on and knowing that you just start with flour
and bu\er and eggs, and then you have an amazing cake is just mind blowing. I think anybody
who is hustling or crea-ng something knows the feeling of seeing the client’s face when they
finally get that product and there is nothing to replace that.
Amanda: Yea, I would say, just do it. If you love whatever the business is and you work well with
each other, just do it. It has been the best experience and has brought us even closer together
than I could have ever imagined. We are super lucky that we work so well with each other. Of
course there are -mes that are super tough, but those are the -mes we grow together and get
stronger.

Q6.  Describe your most challenging as well as your favorite baking project?  Why? 

Alex: I would say the more challenging, the more -me you spend with it trying to figure out how
to do it. My favorite one had to be the barrel cake that actually poured liquor. I couldn’t believe I
pulled it off. It goes up on the list of favorites almost automatically because when it works out, it
is like you hit a milestone and achieved a goal for yourself. I thought something was going to go
wrong. I thought that I was going to build this cake and get ready to pour and nothing was going
to come out. That it was going to leak or spill, and I would have had to start all over again and it
was a waste of time. But it worked! My most recent favorite has to be the Nike themed cake. I
just like the look, I had to figure out how to make it two tiers and i just love the look of it. It was
so clean and so unique. Different than anything I have seen. I really like the Sonic one too. It’s
hard to say. Lol
Amanda: Definitely the barrel cake! He comes up with the wildest ideas and does not care. I also
think the crystal cake was fun and abstract. It was the first -me in a long -me Alex worked with
sugar like that. He created the most beau-ful cake topper. We haven’t posted that one on
Instagram just yet.

Q7.  Do you have any special techniques that you developed or use as a baker to help you improve a recipe or design of a cake?

Amanda: We are always learning, always researching how to do new things. I’m having fun using
different color techniques and u-lizing airbrushing more. I am ge^ng into pain-ng on the cake
and molding more as well.
Alex: Once I perfected the chocolate cake I was like oh we can sell this. Then adding Nutella and
Oreos- I mean how could you not like it? Lol But, I would say I am inspired by so many artists in
general whether they are bakers are just artists. Finding this one cake artist, @by.aletoso, I was
inspired by the way he used his edible images and how he told the story. There was so much
ac-on where most cakes that use edible images, just place them on top. That’s its. It’s so plain
that way. But he actually placed the characters in a position where they were actually doing
something. He used them very artistically. Another favorite artist is @che`ennyrivera from City
Cakes in NYC, with his hyper realis-c cakes and just mind blowing perfection. His cakes look
perfect. Another artist who always has perfect cakes is @flourhousecakes. His work is just out of
this world beautiful. Getting support from an artist like that, definitely keeps us inspired.

  Q8.  How do you market your business and which tactics have been the most successful? 

Amanda: Right now we are really trying to build out clientele through Instagram, especially with
reels and finding different ways to make our cakes exciting. The best thing though has been word
of mouth and we have gotten really lucky to have such amazing and supportive clients.
Instagram has helped us and bunch but word of mouth takes the cake! (See what I did there?)
Our clients are the most supportive clients ever! We also have had a lot of support from a
company we get our edible paper from: @paper2eat. From the minute we started tagging them
in our photos, they have been repos-ng us and showing us so much love! They even used our
“Friends” themed cake for advertising on their Amazon page. We have had returning clients,
referrals, support from businesses and people in the baking community and it is just the best
feeling.
Alex: We have been lucky enough to keep us really busy while balancing full -me jobs.

Q9.  What next for Drizzle by Snacks?  Is it a hobby you both love and enjoying doing together or is it something you would want to do full-time? 

Alex: Full -me for sure. Yea, I mean what’s next for us? I mean if we can be the Chip and Joanna
Gaines of cakes, that would be awesome! Lol I don’t want people to just fall in love with our
cakes, but fall in love with us as people. I feel like we have a very fun relationship and we
definitely enjoy having each other around. We’re goof balls and anyone who is around us long
enough, knows that. I would like to share that special thing we have with the world.
Amanda: It’s definitely something we would love to do full -me. Our goal is to work for
ourselves but also have a family business that our future children can grow into. Success is more
than financial freedom. It is having the -me to spend with your family. The most important thing
to us is family. We put a lot of love into our family as well as our cakes and that’s what we want
you to feel when you buy a cake from us

They have really given new meaning to the saying, the couple that plays together stays together. You can find their business page at….

Instagram: @drizzlebysnacks

TikTok: drizzlebysnacks

Order all your customize cakes in the email on their bio. You won’t regret it

Ugh, These Temporary Highs Tour with Snoh Aalegra at Radio City Music Hall at New York City.

When you hear “I want you around “By Snoh Aalegra coming through your radio speakers in your
car on a beautiful summer’s day. Your windows are down and hair blowing through the wind. You are
vibing and singing the lyrics “I want you around” along with Snoh and it puts you in a feel-good mood
and nothing can stop you whatever your destination is that day. You look up all of Snoh’s songs and
albums because you can’t get that one song out of your head. Now, she’s your favorite R&B singer, from
her music, voice, and personality (You decided to follow her on Instagram because she is bad) More so,
Snoh music is so relatable you feel every word she is singing or least imagining it, if you haven’t felt that
kind of love.
Well, that is kind of similar to what I did, but I heard Snoh on a podcast and went down the R&B heaven
rabbit hole that hit home in so many different ways than anything I heard in a while . Once Snoh Aalegra
announced that she was going on tour, I hit up my cousin up because it’s couple weeks before her
birthday. It’s the perfect birthday present for her, also my cousin and I can make more memories
together too. It was perfect timing and we love us some Snoh Aalegra.
On March 26th was the day of “ Ugh, These temporary highs” tour with Snoh Aalegra. Where the lights
started to dim and the curtains went up and Snoh started singing right off the bat. With songs from “
Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies” and “ Ugh, those feels again” and everything aligned with each
songs. Snoh concert was such a vibe and energy in her show was something I never experience before
and I’ve been to a lot of R&B Concerts. Everyone in the audience was dancing and singing along Snoh
and it was a vibed within itself. Her light show that went perfectly with every song that she sang and her
bodysuit that was nice glitter. Everything about Snoh Aalegra show was amazing and hearing certain
songs live hit right in the feels. I almost cried at certain parts of the songs, and others I just sang my
heart out. I’m so happy Snoh Aalerga sold out both days of Radio City Music Hall because that’s pretty
big.
After the Snoh show My cousin and I had her songs stuck in our heads. That’s how you know
you are still on a high from a amazing show. The fact that Snoh Aalerga sounds exactly the same as she
does on her records is another plus. The whole show was an experience and I loved every minute of it. I
would highly recommend you start listening to Snoh Aalergra on those warm sunny summer days or
nights. With some wine, beer, cocktail and just vibe out to some Snoh Aalegra with your friends or lover
or yourself. You’ll be in your own little world and just vibing to Snoh Aalegra. Once she tour again you
should go ASAP and get your tickets, it’s so worth it.

Instagram – @snohaalegra

You can stream all of Snoh Aalegra in a streaming plateforms

  I booked a private session with my friend Alyssa that was teaching me both pole and yoga. In the past I did heel classes out of New York for so long and I always like to challenge myself more ways than one.  It was the best of both worlds like I got to hang out with my friend and learn pole dancing and let go with a friend.  You get the comfortability of being yourself and there is no judgement, plus Alyssa knows me since middle school and high school. She always had that big sister role for me. Alyssa always showed her growth in her pole and yoga through her social media. I love that for her and her energy shines bright while she was doing the things she loves. I love people that are passionate about what they are doing and turn it into a business. Then watch them building it from the bottom up.

On February 6th, I went up to northern new jersey to learn pole and yoga with my friend Alyssa. When I got there, we had a little wine while we did yoga and stretch before we hit the pole. We also catch up in between everything else, which I love because I have not seen her in forever. Then, she taught me movement on the pole. Alyssa would show what the movement is supposed to look like and how it is done. Alyssa did it effortlessly teaching me each move and just seeing it in person than on social media. Then, I got to learn the movements one by one like the sit and spin, spin, so much more.
The energy and the vibe between the two of us was unmatched it was only good energy from start to finish. Towards the end of the private session, we did a freestyle to Tank’s song “I love Ya “featuring Yo Gotti. The fact that we flow so easily to the music and kept going to a certain part of the song was unmatched and in sync with the whole session. Plus, for me it was so much fun and easier for me to let go because Alyssa gives off that good energy and she always been careful and fun. I would recommend her private session with Alyssa either in person or in zoom. You follow her business page on Instagram
@rootedxjoints

On October 24^th at noon my cousin and I went to New York City to bring Italy to us, since we could not go to Rome, Italy ourselves. The Fever app and site are doing all these events around NYC. We decided to go to the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, where we can see the paintings on the ceilings. Piece by piece you got to see every detail and paint stroke in all the paintings. Then they gave you what the paintings meaning with their site and listening to how Michelangelo went about making each specific painting. 

After we left the museum, we decided to keep the Italy theme going by heading into Little Italy. So, we walked around until we found the best restaurant and we did. The restaurant was called “IL Cortie” and the restaurant made you feel like you were in Italy from how they made the place look to the waiter calling you bella every time they see you. Like for me, I never been to Italy, but if its anything like that restaurant sign me up please!

I would recommend you guys do you own “bring whatever country to you if you cannot go to “since covid. It is a different and fun feelings like when you do go to the country and experience the real thing. But, in the meantime, New York City is the melting pot of every nationality, and you can feel like you are visiting a country without leaving. The experience is a breath of fresh air and try something out of your comfort zone. Honestly, you will not regret at it, be one of your top experiences you ever had.