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