January 22, 2011: Participate in the Natural Beauty Movement

I saw the article below while blog reading...I totally co-sign on this and hope I remember to do it on Saturday :)

A good friend of mine came up with the concept of us (black young women) showcasing our beautiful faces on the social networks that we are a part of! We are always hiding behind our MAC foundations and L'oreal shadows and people rarely see who we really are! So she is challenging you and I for one day...post up a picture of you! The natural You! 

 

Help Raise Awareness for Young Women with Low Self-Image: Post Natural Picture of Yourself on Jan. 22, 2011 – No make-up, Lip gloss Okay!

 

I am asking women of all ages, ethnicity and culture to participate in our #NaturalBeauty Movement on January 22, 2011. Ladies, put down that MAC foundation and those colorful eye shadows, that Maybelline mascara and any other make-up you use on a daily basis. Yes, even the neutral ones. Basically, if its make-up, you can’t use it. 

Now, pick up your favorite clear lip gloss or flavored chapstick and take a snapshot of that beautiful face you’ve been blessed with. The Rules are simple: No make-up, Yes to lip gloss and chapstick. And you must keep your picture up for the entire day of the movement (Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011).

The purpose of the #NaturalBeauty Movement is to both, embrace our natural beauty and to encourage other women to embrace theirs as well. I think that this generation puts so much emphasis on Botox and cosmetic plastic surgery that we’re starting to forget what natural beauty is: Imperfection! Yes, I said it. NO ONE IS PERFECT! No one is born with a perfect body or a perfect face, we all get pimples once in a while, and a blemish is not the end of the world!

According to the Social Issue Research Centre, “Among women over 18 looking at themselves in the mirror, research indicates that at least 80% are unhappy with what they see. Many will not even be seeing an accurate reflection.” This study shows just how important this #NaturalBeauty Movement is.

Whether you’re on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace or any other social networking site, please join me in raising awareness for young women with low self-image.

Follow my girl and her movement on twitter: Chokolatnoir 

Remembering the Dream...Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has always been a central focus in black and American history. I remember as a child memorizing the "I Have A Dream" speech for a church program.

With the current climate in the country, re-reading his speech has made me realize that we still have work to do to make Dr. King's dream realized. But the only way for that to happen is to make his dream our own.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

We need to remind each and every Congressperson and elected official that this is the standard and responsibility we hold them to. Find a common ground "across the aisles" and work from there. And stop forgetting the people you are supposedly working for.

Once our elected officials go to City Hall, State Capitol or Capital Hill, you still have the responsibility and the right to hold them accountable and challenge them to have standards and be sound in their dealings and judgment.

On this holiday, I challenge each of you to do something constructive in honor and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Continue to live the dream!

Work Look to Duplicate...

I will duplicate this look

Diane Von Furstenberg
FW 11/12 Pre-Fall

with this dress

and add the Trendy Socialite touch...

stay tuned!

Me Likey...Another Look to Try

I like the color combination and sleekness of this look. I also think this is sleek way to take out of season dresses into the next season without looking like, "Oh she has on a turtleneck underneath her dress." You know...OBVIOUS! LOL

Happy Founders Day to My Sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

98 years ago, 22 remarkable women began on organization that would change the lives hundreds of thousands of women around the world.....including this one.

Happy Founders Day to all my lovely sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.!

This post is dedicated to my deceased sorors, Sadie M. King (my aunt) and Mavis G. Williams (my godmother)

Natural Hair Style to Try (When My Hair Gets a Little Longer :))

I saw this hairstyle featured on BGLH and loved it!


My hair isn't quite long enough for it, so I'm not sure how it will look, but I will try it soon.

That's My First Lady: Michelle Obama Does Vintage

Michelle Obama Taps into the Vintage Movement in Historic Fashion First
By Anita Bennett

In what is believed to be a first ever for a U.S. First Lady, Michelle Obama wore a second hand dress to a high profile public event.

Mrs Obama surprised fashion insiders, when she arrived at the Christmas in Washington concert wearing a vintage black dress with a black lace overlay once owned by someone else.

Hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, the concert was taped Sunday and aired last night on TNT, showing Mrs. Obama wearing the dazzling design with its full tea-length tulle skirt.

A first lady first? Michelle Obama is believed to be the only first lady to wear a second hand design to a public event, December 12 , Washington, DC

The dress by the late American designer Norman Norelli has a square neckline, which according to People Style Watch is 'something rarely seen in contemporary designs'. 
Several American media outlets reported the dress was purchased at New York Vintage in the Chelsea neighbourhood of New York City.

The boutique's co-owner Jon Schneck later told The Huffington Post: 'We are truly honoured that the first lady has chosen a gown from New York Vintage as her first venture into vintage couture.

Great find: Mrs. Obama's dress was purchased at a vintage boutique in New York

He added: 'Other dresses from our archive have been scheduled for use by the first lady later this year.'Schneck would not reveal how much Mrs. Obama paid for the dress, although fashion experts believe it may have been somewhere around $2,500,  since the 1950s dress is one of a kind.

Obama's fashion choices frequently make headlines, including her penchant for over-the-counter looks from chains such as J. Crew.

Star studded!  Mariah Carey, Ellen DeGeneres and R&B singer Maxwell pose for pictures with America's first family

In the past, off the rack fashions have immediately become top sellers in the department stores and boutiques where they originated.

Cementing her status as First Lady of fashion, last year The Council of Fashion Designers of America honoured Mrs. Obama with a style award last year.

Noting her 'meteoric rise as a fashion icon,' CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg said Obama had 'a unique look that balances the duality of her lives' in her roles as adviser to her husband, President Barack Obama, and mother to their two daughters.

Family Photo: President Obama, Mrs. Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha and the first lady's mother Marian Robinson  pose with local children

An Exciting Announcement!!!!

Check out the video below to hear my exciting news!

Look to Recreate...Sequins in the Daytime!

I have a minor girl crush on Tami over at The Style Sample. I'm not too proud to admit it :)

She has such an amazing ability to put things together in a way I wouldn't think of.

I have pieces like the outfit below in my closet, but would never think to put it together like this.

I'm going to have to go home and try this on to see if I can pull it off...but some of my blog readers (my friends in my head) definitely can!

Outfit of the Night

I was invited to the end of the year football banquet at work. It wasn't semi or anything (there were people in jeans and hoodies there...yes, jeans and hoodies).

I was definitely in "high cotton" that night. Decided to rep my school with an eggplant cowl neck sweater dress...well, you'll see the rest if you keep scrolling.

Dress: Plato's Closet
Necklace/Earrings: Bubu "Chulo" Extraordinary Fashion Jewelry (link here)
Polish: Something (forgot name) by Nicole for OPI
Shoes: Shoe Carnival (2+ years ago)

I See Myself As...

I see myself as...

smart, loyal, moody, helpful, creative, stubborn, passionate, classic, a lady, teachable, inquisitive.

I submitted this to the Natural Belle blog. She is doing a powerful self-portrait series on how we see ourselves. It teaches about love and self-acceptance. If you'd like to participate, email her at naturalbelle1983@gmail.com. You can also look at the self portraits by reading her blog here.

Thanks Tamara!!! Sweet Makeup Look....

My makeup muse Tamara at The Collective Musings of Tamara, posted this pretty, precious look of Kelly Rowland. Kelly may not be doing much musically, but she is killin' it style wise.

Click here to read Tamara's steps to achieve this look. Then subscribe to her blog...STAT!

Starting My Summer Lookbook: Maxi Skirt & White Tee

Normally I loathe seeing fashion 1-2 seasons ahead. I mean I'm sitting here in my infinity scarf and space heater on typing this...I ain't trying to see strapless dresses and sandals right now :).

But when I noticed this, I thought...hmmm, this is a look I'd rock.

Jill Sanders SS11 collection

I'm all about a maxi skirt or dress, so I know I would feel super comfortable and cute. And what would summer be with a crisp white Tee?!?! I might even rock a bolder lip with it...

I am beginning to stockpile a few looks that I hope to wear this summer, so I guess I shouldn't fuss too badly for the spring/summer looks that are hitting the runways and magazines right now.

Any spring/summer trends you plan to add to your wardrobe?

Going Back to My Roots: Baggying!

When I first started my healthy hair journey in December, 2007, one of the first things I embraced was "baggying." Essentially it is a technique to keep the ends of your hair moisturized throughout the day while you either wear a bun or a phony pony.

Since the ends of your hair are the "oldest" parts of your hair, it is fragile and prone to damage and breakage. The potential damage and breakage is increased if the ends of your hair are dry. That's why anyone worth their weight on YouTube and blogosphere states that moisturizing and caring for ends is a major part of any hair care regimen.

It seems over the years, that many have abandoned this method of keeping ends moisturized. I will say it's not for everyone and you have to continue to pay close attention to how your hair responds to all-day moisture. But for me, it was a key part to my length retention while relaxed.

Since being natural, I haven't baggied as much as I used to. But now that it's winter, I am going to go back to this process since it worked well for me while relaxed.

I decided to wear a phony pony this morning, so it is a perfect opportunity to baggy!

For more information and pictorial guide to baggying, click here!

The Perfect Transition or Long-Term Stretch Hairstyle: The Rollerset

Over the last few weeks I've been approached by at least six people inquiring about my natural hair journey. They love my hair and the next words out of their mouths are "I could never do that." My response usually is "Of course you can." I've recently begun asking, "Why not?" The only way to help influence someone to seriously consider this decision is to help address their concerns or objections. More often than not, their number one concern is the transitioning process and blending the two textures.

While I transitioned, the primary and best way for me to do that was by rocking a rollerset. A rollerset does two things

• Stretches the new growth texture
• Blends the natural and relaxed textures

The style, versatility and low manipulation of rollersets allows you to transition or stretch your relaxers longer while still maintaining a style. We risk heat damage or not having a curly texture because we are applying heat to our hair daily. I have nothing against straight styles as a form of transitioning or stretching. But if you are on a healthy hair journey, low manipulation and low heat are fundamental principles of that regimen.

One rollerset can yield a plethora of styles for you. I rollerset 1-2 times a week (I loved a fresh rollerset). But I would be able to keep it for 3-4 days (if I took care of it).

Obviously it can rock it curly

You can rock a wrap

I loved rocking a curly updo (wore this to a wedding)

As the roller set gets older, you can rock other styles

If you are creative with your rolling direction and a brush, you can even wear a flip

You can maintain your curls by rolling as needed or pincurling it. I used both methods and they both worked well.

Whether you are transitioning to natural hair or would just like to stretch your relaxers longer, consider rollersets for the versatility and low manipulation.