Hello everyone and Happy Holidays!  For some time now I have been telling you that I have had a BIG announcement to make.  As I am sure you will all understand I had to wait for the perfect time to make this announcement and that time is HERE!

I am very pleased and honored to announce that I, along with all of M Famous Enterprises and Christopher Macken Concepts, are now joining forces with one of Atlanta’s TOP destinations for all things beauty.  As of today it is official that I am the Consulting Creative Director of…   …The Salon at BLUE; The salon division of BLUE MEDSPA in Atlanta.  This premier location boasts a state of the art, three story facility right in the heart of fabulous Midtown Atlanta.

As I am sure you all know by now, I don’t ever associate my name with anything less than perfection and BLUE MEDSPA is just that.  Offering everything from Facials and massage to Botox and cosmetic surgery… and now “Red BLUE Carpet Hair”, they are your final one stop shop to “flawless”.  A reputation for excellence and proudly serving many of the Atlanta Elite, BLUE MEDSPA was obviously the perfect place for Christopher Macken!  The actual spa is breath taking and allows you to get away without having to leave town as well as the price point will not break the bank.  BLUE MEDSPA and I believe that everyone should have the right to feel beautiful and are happy to be expanding the BLUE team of professionals.  I am currently seeking a few talented full-time and part-time stylists to join our team!  If you are interested, please feel free to contact me at cmacken@christophermacken.com .

Please take a moment and check out the web site www.bluemedspa.com

I can assure you that we are eager and happy to service all of your beauty needs!

Thank you again for being an “M Famous Member” and all of your love, encouragement, and support!  Without all of you, none of my dreams would be coming true!  Stay M Famous everyone!

Christopher Macken

First of all I would like to personally apologize to everyone for being so tardy in the posting of this blog…. I wanted to do some research and be certain that I was telling you the correct information.  I have recently had an overwhelming number of people asking me about skin care and how to prevent and slow the aging process.  Let’s face it people…we are all image conscious…and our faces are the first sign of aging!  I think one of the most surprising things to me has been the recent overflow of MEN concerned with anti-aging.  It seems that men are becoming more and more aware of the need to maintain their youth.

Obviously, there are plenty of topical and even surgical ways to get that quick fix, but for those who may be on a budget or not willing/in need of such drastic measures yet, I know some proven ways of fighting off Father Time for as long as possible. First, I would suggest you start this journey in your very own refrigerators!  Oh yes, you read correctly!  Many of the things we use in our kitchens to prepare our meals can help turn back the hands of time.  I personally do a PURE OLIVE OIL treatment one night a week.  I would advise you to place a towel over your pillow to keep the oil from getting on your linens, but olive oil HAS been known to improve skins elasticity and promote a healthy glow.  You will be able to see a difference quickly and your skin will feel moisturized and refreshed.

Another way to feel your skin tighten is to use egg whites.   I know what you are thinking, however you will agree with me if you try it.  Get a paintbrush and paint on a thin layer of egg whites on problem areas and feel the tightening as it dries.  I encourage you to be cautious around your eyes mainly because egg whites in your eye is just gross.

For those of you that would like to see an instant improvement, you can always use Preparation H.  Don’t laugh!  When I modeled in my younger days, the makeup artists would always start by applying Preparation H Cream (not ointment) around my eyes to eliminate the bags under my eyes (as a young model we partied a good bit and late nights never mixed with an early morning photo shoot).  Within minutes my eyes would look rested and refreshed.  I still use this trick to this day when my schedule is a little overloaded with appearances, and I am feeling tired.

Now for all of you that may want a topical cream to do the trick, I suggest visiting Blue Med Spa in Midtown Atlanta!  They have a friendly and helpful staff that will pair you and your mug up with a cream that will do exactly what you need.   While you are there, be sure to ask about their preventative injections!

Thank you all for following and sending in your questions!  Keep them coming, and I will do my best to send you in the right direction!  Leave your comments and feel free to share your own beauty secrets!  I love trying new things!  Thank you all again and remember…you are all beautiful just the way you are!

Live an M Famous Life,

Mr. M Famous, Christopher Macken

As I sit here at my desk and think about all I have to get done today…all the phone calls that need to be made and the presentations that need to be perfected, I am reminded of what I was doing one year ago.  One year ago I was waking up on my friend’s sofa in his apartment in Buckhead.  I can still remember staring out of his window and thinking to myself, “What does this city have in store for me?”  One year ago today I woke up as an Atlanta resident for the first time, looking for an apartment and a job and friends and the list goes on.  I was on my quest to reinvent my life… again.  After all, I had made it in metropolitan Florida, so surely I could do it here in Atlanta.  Though I had no clue where I would start, I knew in my gut this was right where I needed to be.

Of course people told me that I was crazy to walk away from everything I had going on at the time in order to plant my flag in a new city, but I felt this is where I was being told to go.  Here I am one year later, sitting at my desk and staring at this beautiful city with my balcony door open hearing the sounds of the city as it wakes up. It makes me feel like a part of something so much bigger than me.  And I know that I will hit that very city hard in a couple of hours continuing to ensure that my flag is firmly planted. Almost one year ago, I told my best friend and PR Manager “E” to make a list of things I wanted to accomplish in my first year: 1.TV 2. Print 3. Radio.

Well, I write for DIY Weddings Magazine as a style columnist, I have been back on the air for various radio stations and a couple of weeks ago, I filmed my small role in a show called Necessary Roughness on USA Network ( a TON of fun). In February I was even named the “Living Ken Doll of Atlanta,” and I feel like my life is coming together beautifully….My dreams are coming true…. And this is JUST THE BEGINNING!  My company is doing well, and my jewelry line is already getting some attention even though it is not “officially” on the market. One piece is on TV and another was worn by singer Tony Terry at an event with Hinton Battle.  I thank the Universe every day for my blessings and even for the hard work it took to get here.  I am far from done ATLANTA, so show me what you got! I have big projects in the works and am about to bust to tell you what they are!  The M Famous name will grow by leaps and bounds in the coming year.  If this is what I accomplished in one year, just wait to see what can I do in the next few.

I say all of this to say that there is no such thing as DREAMING TOO BIG!  Go ahead, reach for the stars.  As I sit here and reflect on the past year, I am so happy that I kept my head in the clouds.  Daydreaming has always served me well.

To all of my friends, family and followers, thank you so much.  I love you all and thank you for the support.  I could not have made it this far in just one year without you.

Love to you all,

Christopher Macken AKA Mr. M Famous

Please - Tweet Me, Facebook Me or comment below

Let me start by saying that I LOVE feedback from readers, tweeps and facebook followers. Hitch or Ditch has been so fun, and I thank each and every one of you for reading and participating.  I want to continue to give you a voice, so if you have a salon that “rocked your mop,” and you want to recommend them, OR a salon that turned your “Hair Do into a Hair Don’t” and want to warn people….let me know!  I want to review and investigate them.  Send your story to askmfamous@christophermacken.com. Comment on the blog, Tweet me or shoot me a Facebook message. Tell me your name or remain anonymous! We have all been there and this is your chance to speak up!  So without further a due I would like to present….

The Head Case Report!  First Case File….Helmet Salon

Ladies and gentlemen, I must warn you that the time has come where pigs may be flying.  Hell may be a bit frigid, and Gary Busey is now sane!  All of these things happened at the same time around 1PM on Monday. Why you ask – I went to a salon and allowed someone to “trim” my hair!  Those of you who know me, know that I am very particular about my “mane,” and since I am a trained hair artist as well, I rarely trust anyone with my locks.  On top of that, I am in the middle of the process of growing my hair out AGAIN, so, of course, the anxiety was even higher.

Ok enough with the back ground story.   Monday, I went to take my daughter (standard poodle named Coco Chanel) to her grooming appointment at The Pet Set in Midtown. By the way, the Groomer there does a fabulous job, and the staff seems to be friendly and caring.  After dropping her off, I walked out the door and remembered that my hair also needed a small maintenance trim (kind of hard to do yourself) and there is a salon right next door.  Helmet Salon, located at 970 Piedmont Avenue, is a salon that I obviously have known about for quite some time, and I have heard both good and bad things (more good than bad).  So I took a deep breath and walked into the trendy midtown salon.  First of all, there was a guy there that recognized me and immediately struck up conversation as he was checking out.   His hair looked nice.  Clearly, I was looking for any reason at all to back out of the hair trim!  I started screaming on the inside… What if the cut too much?  What if they ruin my hair?  I know I sound a bit obsessive.  That song by India Arie, “I am Not My Hair,” is NOT my theme song.  Anyway, I digress…

…Back to the guy paying for his hair cut. The man’s hair was perfectly cut.  Now let’s just hope they can cut longer hair just as well.  When the receptionist, Lauren, finished up with the gentleman, she turned her focus to me.  “How can we help you?”  Ok, so she is cute and pleasant.  After I proceeded to explain to her what I wanted, I asked her to PLEASE be honest with me. I asked that she recommend someone who is not scissor-happy and would do a good job, and I told her that even if that certain person wasn’t there, I could and would come back another time.   She explained that I would be very pleased with the stylist Sonae.  I’ll be the judge of that I thought…

Finally after an hour of nervously window shopping, the time came for me to face the person that I was supposed to trust with my hair – my entire identity.  ME trust someone else with MY look?!?!  What was I thinking?   I thought for a second that I should cancel and leave.  I was directed to the waiting area where I made a cup of coffee from the complimentary beverage stand and was joined by Lauren as she struck up very friendly conversation with me.  I think she knew I was pretty nervous.  I must say that her level of customer service was great.  After a few moments Sonae rounded the corner and introduced herself, escorted me back to her station and sat me down in the chair.  This felt very strange….Being the one IN the chair.  Oh goodness!  She went through the consultation with me and told me she had already been “briefed” on what I wanted but wanted me to tell her in my own words.  Then she said the magic words that helped to put my mind at ease…“Is it ok if I cut your hair dry?”  AhhHA!  She sounds like she knows what she is doing.  Then she picked up her shears and her comb….my heart is racing and she made her first cut and then her second and before I knew it….. she actually gave me a SMALL trim.  She didn’t LOB it off.   She carefully went through the whole cut, explaining the whole time what she was doing.  Now of course when she finished, I asked if I could style it myself.   Baby steps Sonae…Baby steps. My hair cut was perfect!  She did EXACTLY what I asked her to do and nothing more.  I’m telling you, if you want me to recommend a good stylist, I would suggest you call 404-815-1629 and ask for an appointment with Sonae.  Her cuts are GREAT!  Thank you girl… I will be back when I need another maintenance trim.

This has been a “HEADCASE” report from the HOUSE OF M FAMOUS! Sonae at Helmet in Midtown is “M Famous Approved” for Cuts! (I would like to watch her color technique as well if I can get an invite hint, hint) I want to know if you have ever been. What did you think? Who did you see? Chime in on Helmet Salon or send me your idea for my next report. Comment on the blog, Tweet me or shoot me a Facebook message.

Be M Famous!

Christopher Macken

I am honored and thrilled to announce that I have been named Atlanta’s real-life Ken Doll! On Friday, February 18, I will be the special guest at Wreak HAVoC’s Fake February Barbie and Ken Valentine’s Day held at Opera Atlanta.

So whether you have that special someone or you bring a group of friends, join me this Friday and have the perfect Valentine’s Day celebration. Dress as your favorite theme Barbie and Ken – preppy, athletic, hipster, jersey shore…be creative!

Click here to RSVP! Hope to see you there.

Be M Famous

CMC

As I was sitting on my balcony this morning having a cup of coffee, I looked down and noticed a young couple holding hands and walking out of my building.  I don’t know what struck me about seeing this, but I started to think, “Hand holding” is such a very strong, public statement.  As they walked away, they passed a car where an older gentleman was holding the hand of what looked to be his wife as she feebly stepped onto the curb of the sidewalk and gained her footing.  I couldn’t help but think about all the different times I have held hands with someone and the many different reasons for doing so…

…My mother holding my hand and walking me into school on the first day.  Somehow her grasp comforted me, letting me know that everything was going to be alright.   Or perhaps the many Thanksgiving dinners with the whole family gathered in the kitchen before fixing our plates.  My Grandmother orchestrating the event by asking us all to join hands in prayer as my Grandfather blessed the meal that she had spent most of the night before preparing.  I always held my oldest cousins hand. We would squeeze each other’s hands to see if we could make the other say something during the prayer – in turn getting a stern look from Grandmother.  In spite of the antics surrounding that moment, there was a feeling of togetherness that kept us so close with each other.  …That same cousin later in life marrying her husband as they took each other’s hands and left the church where they were married by my same Grandfather that has led us in prayer all of our lives.  Running through the shower of birdseed they were joined by their hands and their hearts.

I can very distinctly remember my grandmother holding the hand of her mother as she passed away.  The whole room was silent as they shared that moment for the last time.

Of course there is the moment when I nervously reached over to grab the hand of my date at the movies or the times as a child when you join hands with your friends in a game of Red Rover.

Next time you are out and about, look around.  Take a sec and think about the people around you that are holding hands.  A young couple holding hands for a short time, or an elderly couple that may have been holding hands for years.  A mother holding her child’s hand as she reminds him to look both ways before crossing the street.  This very simple gesture that we often overlook and don’t give a second thought, comes from such a terrific place, a loving place!  I cannot think of a time that a simple touch of two hands would be for any other reason other than love.  Whether for comfort, support, understanding, love, safety or to help keep someone from falling; it really is a beautiful thing.  That’s just my random thought and observation for the day…My advice to you all today… go hold someone’s hand!  I promise it will lead to a great day!

Just a thought…

Mr M Famous

Hello all.  Thank you all for your emails and inquiries requesting a new blog post.  I have been so very busy – no excuse, I know.  Those of you who follow me on Facebook and Twitter may already know about the “goings-on” but for everyone else lemme just tell ya…

First of all, I am now the Creative Director of a beautiful salon here in Midtown Atlanta.  The feeling is so great to be able to go into a salon everyday and know that I am actively achieving my dreams and goals (still with many more to go).  Let this be proof positive that if you dream it, you can achieve it!  I have to say that the responsibility is great and the task can be stressful. However, it is worth it at the end of the day to know that I work with such terrific people and work for owners who share a great vision of the true meaning of a high-end salon.  To those people I say – thank you for everything!

In other news, all of you know just how much I LOVE having a full social calendar, and girls and boys, it has never been more full! YAY! From Gay Pride Atlanta to Halloween parties, I have been having a blast. Child please!?!?!?! Ok, so let’s talk PRIDE people. I had so much fun with my friend (that has been known as “M”) but will now and forever be known as “Tree House.”  LOL! She knows why.  I was so touched by Delta, Coca-Cola, Orbitz and Smirnoff Vodka for sponsoring the festivities.  These amazing sponsors are proof that the tides are turning in a beautiful, accepting direction.  The care and support of such large and powerful companies gives me hope that the rest of the country will come around as well.  It is so great!  Best way to describe it…LIVE IT LOVE IT LIVE IT!!!!!  Oh, and “Tree House”…May I have a to-go cup please!?

As I am sitting here writing to all of you, I am just getting settled in for the evening and unraveling my layers (love the cold weather). Coco and I are sitting at my desk that is nestled up to a large picture window that just so happens to be directly to the right of the balcony door of my new condo located on the 12th floor of  a gorgeous condo building in Midtown.  As I look up from my computer I see the buildings of Buckhead Atlanta and all of Atlantic Station.  The city lights are truly breathtaking and the sounds of the city never grow old. With this kind of view and Adam Lambert playing on the IPod (thanks Mom), I have to ask how I got so lucky?  Many of you may be thinking that my view of the sky line explains the title of the blog.  No sir!  Actually, it is to describe just how high I set my goals.   I moved here a mere 5 months ago. Just five months ago I was very new in a city about which I knew very little and had even fewer contacts.  But, something in me said that it was time for me to take this step.  I can tell you that the move was not an easy decision, but I truly felt that I needed to make a giant leap, knowing that it was in God’s hands.

Now naysayers always exist….but my inner voice kept telling me to reach for my goals….Hence the title of this blog “View from the Top.”  Though I have achieved so many of my goals, I am still not anywhere close to being at “the top.”  I want to encourage all of you to set your goals as high as your heart will allow.  Aim for that brass ring and reach for it.  Don’t allow anyone to ever tell you that you CAN’T! If I had had listened to those people, I would not be enjoying myself as much as I am now.  This reminds me of my favorite quote…”Life is about the journey and not the destination.”  Though I am far from my final destination, I am thankful for every minute of the climb. Push yourselves and grow from the journey.  Even when no one else seems to believe in you, know that I do.  How are you going about achieving your dreams and goals? What is your story? Email me, and I will blog about it.

*This Blog is dedicated to all of the children who have lost their lives as a result of bullying.  Just 10 years ago I was recovering from a suicide attempt after years of being bullied, because I was gay.  My hope is that no child ever has to resort to something like that ever again.  No goal is out of reach and every life has value.  Love yourselves and each other…not for the reasons that make you the same, but for the reasons that make you different! Loving one another is the only way to live “An M Famous Life,” and it is a major step toward your own “View from the Top!!!!!”

God bless you all!

Be M Famous

Christopher Macken

Ok so we all know the old saying, “Do not put off for tomorrow what could be done today.”   Well normally I would agree with that, but in this case, things are simply falling right into place for me by waiting until the last minute.  All week I have been sitting down at this computer and staring, quite blankly I might add, at a screen that had a couple of sentences on it and I might add, not very good ones at that.  So, I tried all the usual tricks to get the creative juices flowing: candles (I’ve gone through three pillar candles), music (every genre you can think of), having a glass of wine… or three (that usually does the trick). But, nothing!  The only thing that my attempts got me was glazed over and singing along with Bobby Brown to “My Prerogative” and dancing around the house with the dog while using my wine glass as a microphone (the reverb on a good red wine glass gives you very nice pitch and tone) … “can’t tell me how to live, it’s my prerogative….  do what I want to do….”

What was the big problem?  I just write about my life and what is going on right…  It’s not like I am penning the 8th Harry Potter book (oh but wouldn’t it be great if they came out with one), but this week has provided plenty of reasons to be distracted. This week has literally been one social engagement after another.  Wednesday evening at Steel Restaurant and Lounge was fabulous, as usual, because I got to go out and celebrate the successful launch of the “Ask M Famous” style column.  Most of you are aware that Steel is my standing Wednesday night spot – free sushi and $5 Kettle One Drinks.  It is really a blast.  I have met so many cool people and will, of course, be there this upcoming Wednesday at 5 p.m. with some close friends who will be in the area.  Come hang out with us!

So, Thursday it was my turn to play hostess with the mostest. I had a small gathering of people over for dinner and cooked a fabulous meal.  You should know, I am trying to learn to cook (thus far in my life, the only thing that I could make without fail has been reservations.)  I am enjoying having people over and showing them a great time with great food and, of course, a fabulous bottle of wine.  If any of you have recipes that I can try, please send them too me at askmfamous@christophermacken.com or copy and paste them to the comment section of the blog.  That way you can share them with everyone as well.  At any rate, my guest of honor on Thursday night was one of the team members for a certain potential Georgia Governor candidate who just happens to be a Republican.  It was a great opportunity to actually speak with someone regarding the issues and not a television commercial.  Now if you know me, you know that I am not going to get very political or try to sway you in one direction or the other; the point of me saying this is to encourage you to actually research the candidates and decide what platform suits you best! Continue Reading »

I have decided to make the announcement. Word is getting out anyway…

…I have had such a great run here in Milledgeville over the past two and a half years. So many terrific people and great clients. Thank you all for your support of, both me and Christopher Macken Cosmetics. The time has come, however, for me to branch out and extend my career in new and exciting directions. Most of you know about my love of the city and how I miss living there. I guess by this point you all see where this is going…

I will be relocating to Atlanta in the next couple of months. It is time for me to challenge myself again. My Cosmetic line will still be available here in Milledgeville and you all know I am still very much a part of Salon 2000.

This was not an easy decision and took some time to make. I knew that leaving would be difficult but the challenges ahead of me are exciting and the opportunity for myself and my company to grow are plenty. Again I can’t begin to thank everyone of my friends, family, and clients for their support over the years. You all have made everything possible.

I will not be gone for good. I will continue to come back to the lake and visit on a fairly regular basis. I have had all the R&R that Lake Sinclair can provide and am ready once again for hustle and bustle. I do encourage all of my clients to continue to support Salon 2000 and know that if you can’t make the trip to Atlanta I understand and Kenny Dennis and Barbara Morrow are very Talented and will take very good care of you.

You can follow my journey on Facebook, Twitter, and of course, the official Christopher Macken Blog. I certainly hope you all stay in touch.

Thank you all for your warm “well wishes” and you will all be missed.

Much love,
Christopher Macken

Gosh what can I say… I have been so very busy the past couple of weeks. I have been styling fashion shows as well as speaking to different organizations. You know, as busy as I have been I am enjoying every single bit of it! I had a free moment to sit down and update you all on the “goings on”.

Last weekend I was in Atlanta, and of course, I mixed business with pleasure! I went to club jungle Sat. Night which was, if I do say so myself, some of the most fun I have had in a long time. You all HAVE to check them out if you are in the area! FABULOUS CLUB! Special thank you to the management and staff for showing me such a great time. Of course the company you keep makes a big difference as well. My friends are so great. I have not been able to spend time with them in months so this was a much needed reunion. Sunday after styling several high profile clients earlier in the morning I met back up with my friends at the roof top pool atop the Lindbergh Vista building. GORGEOUS!!! Overlooking Midtown Atlanta and Buckhead, we caught all the sun we could before getting ready to hit the town again. Like I said “the Company You Keep”. And that company was terrific!

After a second night of fun I called it a night only to hit the road bright and early to head back to central Georgia to style a fashion show. To play hard you must work hard! at least that is what they tell me. lol

I have decided to take the reins back in my company where the distribution of the cosmetics are concerned. We will only be taking 2 new distributors every 6 months. I want to keep the company very client focused and by spreading so rapidly I felt as though we were in danger of overlooking our main focus… the customer.

The clothing line, M Famous Couture, is coming along very well.

So much going on and I am so excited to be in the middle of it all. Thank you all for being so supportive of me and finding an interest in what I have going on.

Fashion tip for the week is…. …..MEN in short shorts….. simply put…. NO! lol have a great weekend everyone and keep those comments coming in! also stay up to date with me by following me on Facebook (Christopher Macken) and Twitter (cmackencosmetic).

To my dear friends… M and JE ( you both know who you are ) thank you for being there with me through the whole process and being my friends! I love you both dearly!

Love,
CM