Lupita Nyong'o Amazing Speech on Black Beauty.

To me, this speech is the equivalent of the 'I Have A Dream' speech. How long are we going to have the light skin vs dark skin debate going on in our culture? When are we going to realize that certain actions like a rapper proclaiming his love for a certain shade doesn't make the preference for that shade a fact for everyone, just that person? I listened to this speech in awe and hoped that every little (and big) black girl everywhere did the same.

My Favorite Looks from Last Night's Oscars

What was your favorite look? Or should I say your second favorite as I think that Lupita stole the show :)

Images via Getty

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Havana Twist The Easy Way Using Crochet Method

Photo from NaturalHairFanatic blog

When I saw the first videos detailing the Havana Twists I was soo excited. It looked amazing and it looked so easy! Plus, the hair was very inexpensive so I could save money by doing it myself.

I ran out to the nearest beauty supply store and purchased a couple of packs of Marley Hair and got to work. As the YouTubers said it was simple you just put the hair between your hair and twist one side clockwise and the other side counter-clockwise.... Wait, or was it twist them both the same way?

I tried and tried but to no avail. It took me 20 minutes to do a crazy looking twist. Defeated I took my packs of Marley Hair and put them in the closet. Way in the back of the closet so that I didn't have to be reminded of my failure everyday while picking out my wardrobe.

Then, I came across some more videos that did the Havana Twist except you used the crochet method. All you have to do is cornrow your hair first and loop the hair under and then twist. Even I can do a twist. lol. So I am off to do this method. Well after I get my mom to cornrow my hair cause I can't do that #dontjudgeme.

Below are some YouTubers that show different methods of doing crochet braids. Can't wait to hear which on is your favorite :)

From the picture featured above this is ArtinaW on YouTube. I think her hair looks super cute! This is the method I'm trying.

  Here's another great tutorial but instead of looping the hair through she just ties it. I think this looks good too.

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How Long Have You Been Natural?

I am coming up on my 3 year natural anniversary in May. Yea! I am glad to see that more women are embracing their hair in its natural state. You are also starting to see black women with natural hair more and more in commercials and on the big screen. 

Personally, I don't think that this is a "trend". I think that we as black women have come full circle and have gotten back to celebrating our uniqueness and curly/kinky fros :).

So how long have you been natural and do you think that the "movement" will continue to grow? (I will publish the results next week).

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Great Cat Eye Tutorial

I saw this tutorial on YouTube and I loved it! She looks gorgeous. You can also use liquid eyeliner as well as stated in the video. (Below the video are some suggested products to help achieve this look)




My Suggested Products:

Eye Makeup Remover (oil free)

Liquid Eyeliner

Ultimate Mascara

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Give Dolls a Natural Hairstyle -- Love This Idea!!

I really wished this idea was around when I was younger. What a great way to inexpensively make your little girl's doll more resemble her! I especially love the doll with the afro puffs. How cute.

Click the link below the pictures to get the instructions on each look.

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Chic New Black French Manicure

Okay so I saw the above picture on Facebook and thought 'I am soooo doing this!'. I have never been one who liked black nail polish but I love the combination of matte and shiny black. 

Here is a video showing how simple it is.


So what do you think? :) Would you try it?

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What's With These Dumb Arguments to Defend the Trayvon Martin Verdict?

What is this stupidity that I am seeing on my newsfeed on Facebook? Are people really posting stories of black people killing white people to prove a point. And what is this point? Did the black people get off? (with the exception of O.J of course) If not then why did you post it? The reason is that we still like to think that we don't have any racism in this country. Unless of course you are talking about reverse racism then it is alive and well. Ironic isn't it?

This is just not a black thing though. Look at all of the different races (and countries) that are gathering at rallies. This is a movement. The laws need to be changed. Period. How are you not promoting gun violence when you are giving people a green light to fire at will? How can this law not be applicable for someone who doesn't have a weapon or for someone who only fired a warning shot but didn't actually hurt anyone? It is a stupid law that is applied on a whim and not fairly. I mean reportedly some gang members are using the stand your ground law as a defense.

This is essentially what I posted on my Facebook (before I unfollowed some folks lol). 

Wished that I could have attended the rally for Trayvon in Savannah today. I think that people are missing the point in the outrage. This is not about a tit for tat as in well black people kill white people too and no one gets mad about that and hold rallies. This is not about ignoring black on black crime as in well did you see all of the murders that happened in Chicago just last week alone. This is bringing about a conversation that President Obama talked about in his speech which is this: 'If Trayvon was of age and had a gun and he shot Zimmerman would he have been able to claim a stand your ground defense?' You know he would not have. No one is trying to paint and make people feel like all white people are racist, we know that is not the case. This case just brings up the point that the laws should be changed. The fact that he is not even given the consideration that he was standing his ground against someone who had a gun profiled and stalked him is where the outrage comes in. He is essentially being blamed for fighting for his life. If you can't see that, then I guess we will just have to agree to disagree and the fact that a lot of people can't see this point is what saddens me the most about this case. What if Trayvon was your child?

May his soul rest in peace and may we get beyond some people thinking that this is about race baiting so that we can get to taking back our communities and to having meaningful dialogue about reducing violence.  

No Black People Using the 'N' Word Does Not Make Paula Deen Ok

I hear this time and time again from people. From "well meaning" news people reporting on a story about another races use of the word to just every day people and from black people too. What is this? It is this: "How can black people get mad when another race uses the 'n' word when sooo many black people use that word. I mean you hear it in rap songs all of the time."

Yeah ok. Have you heard the number of females who jokingly refer to their friends as a bitch? Even female artists refer to themselves as bitches in their songs. Does this now give everybody free reign to just haul off and call a woman a bitch? No, of course not. Then why would you even use this logic as a justification for her using the word nigger? (And no 'nigga' is not a cool acceptable form of the word.) It makes no sense.

She was dead wrong and if the report of some of her actions are accurate then she deserves to go down. I mean wanting to dress people up as slaves. Seriously! So that goes to show what her mentality is now for everyone who is saying what's the big deal about her using the word once upon a time (supposedly she doesn't still use the word).

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My First Attempt At Marley Braids (Havana Twists)

(what they are supposed to look like)

Sooo I finally bought some Marley hair after watching a YouTube video that made doing this style (also known as Havana Twists) look so easy. I mean you part your hair into big sections. Put the hair in the middle. Twist it around the hair individually and then twist the hair together and boom there you have it! Uh no my first attempt on my first braid was more WTF than boom. lol. I guess we will see what it turns out to be :)

Undecided on If I'm Watching The George Zimmerman Trial

I am totally undecided if I am going to watch any of the trial. I follow Al Sharpton on Facebook so I know he'll keep me up on the happenings and I think that I should probably keep it that way. 

This whole case just makes me so angry. Not just because of what happened but because of the reaction to it. I have never seen a case where an unarmed person can be hunted down (a teenager no less) while not doing anything wrong, killed and then have a good bit of people take up for the shooter. I mean really? 

What possible reason could have justified the shooting. He said he was getting beat up. Well if you run after me and then pull out a gun guess what I'm going to do. I'm going to try my best to beat the hell out of you. What else can you do in that situation?

Like I said I think it's best not to watch it. My heart goes out to his parents. I can't even imagine going through that.

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My Semi Wash and Go For My Natural Hair

I normally shy away from wearing my hair in a wash and go style because it curls up so tight and the end affect end up being a tightly curled baby fro which I don't like on me. However, I don't always have the time for my twist outs from the night before to dry out completely thus resulting in a frizzy mess.

So today I decided to do a wet twist out (is this even a term? :) ). Figuring that it would stretch the curls out just enough. 

I really like the results. Sorry my phone camera sucks and you can't really see the definition. Will post some more pictures later on lol.

The products that I used were Shea Moistures Curl Enhancing Smoothie to twist my freshly washed hair. I let it stay that way for about 30 minutes. Just enough time for me to eat breakfast and get my clothes ready. After taking out the twists I played with my hair a little. Left it for about 5-10 minutes (so that it could curl up a little more) and then came back and followed up with some Cantu Shea Butter Shine Gel for shine.

I think that this going to be my go to style for those mornings where I am pressed for time.

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Does the Cheerios Ad Prove We Still Have A Ways To Go In This Country?

I read the story yesterday about Cheerios having to shut down their comment section for their new commercial while at work (what? I was on break lol) and could not believe it. I had not seen the commercial yet but wondered what could be so offensive. 

Okay, you have an adorable little girl with a white mom and black dad. Oh the shock! I mean when did black and white people start dating and making children and getting married and stuff? I mean really it's 2013. Had there not been a story on it and I saw the commercial I would not have foreseen the backlash that would accompany it.

However, I live in south Georgia where prejudiced is still very existent, although not too much, so I can't say that I am that surprised (sadly).

So it made me wonder is it because the couple is a black man and a white women? It's not as though you have never seen a mixed couple in an ad. But let's be honest, how often do you see an ad with a mixed couple? 

I applaud Cheerios for standing by their ad. I don't eat them but my little niece loves the stuff so looks like Auntie needs to go out and buy 10 boxes :).

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My Review of the Taliah Waajid Curl Sealer

 
Well I tried the Curl Sealer because #1 I like their Curly Curl Cream and #2 I am always looking for ways to make my curls more defined when I wear my wash and go's. 

For the most part it seemed like it would be promising. The gel wasn't very heavy. I started on freshly washed hair and applied moderate amounts. The results were ok as my curls had some definition but it left some white residue in my hair which I don't like. I also didn't like the fact that my hair was a little crunchy. Plus although it said that it adds shine I didn't find that to be the case.

Decided to try again on dry hair since it said it can be used on wet or dry hair. Again with the white residue. Seemed to be even more so on dry hair. Again no sheen.

So this is definitely not a product that I would buy again. What are your experiences with this product? Inquiring minds want to know :)

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I Want To Make This Fluffy Shea Butter Mix

 

I have always wanted to experiment with making my own shea butter mixture. I currently use the Cantu Shea Butter mix and pretty much like the results but I always have to add something else to my hair to give it the shine that I want. Plus, it would probably be less expensive and because I'm making it I know the ingredients that are going into it.

So it was off to YouTube I go! :) I came across the following video and it made me want to run out and get all of the ingredients so that I could whip up a batch. The final results looks so yummy and fluffy (Similar ingredients list is below the video)


Ingredients:

• Mixing bowl
• Handheld mixer
• spatula/turner
• measuring device for teaspoon/tablespoon
• empty container
• shea butter
• coconut oil
• castor oil
• vitamin E oil
• Sweet Almond oil or Grape seed oil
• Argan oil (optional)

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Trying Out The Envelope Budgeting System

Okay, after looking at the balance in my bank account in despair last week I've realized that I really must get my finances in order. I've said that before and even signed up for mint.com, but I need something more visible, tangible and at my fingertips.

One of my cousins once told me about using the envelope system years ago so that is what popped into my mind today. Coincidentally I was talking to my  boss earlier today and he mentioned that he heard Dave Ramsey on a show this morning talking about using the envelope budgeting system. He has a very neat and compact organizer that is reasonably priced.

The basic idea is that you budget down to the nickel what you are able to spend on certain things such as groceries, entertainment, etc and put the money into different envelopes. Once the money is gone, it's gone. No exceptions. So if you budgeted $50 for clothes then that is all that you get. Frankly this is going to be my toughest thing to budget lol.

You also need to set a budget based on when you get paid. As for the envelopes you could use plain envelopes or the clear vinyl ones that are pretty sturdy.

They also have some very pretty ones like these:

My main question though was how do you set a realistic food budget. I think that $10 a day for me would be pretty good. The consensus on the web seems to be that you should plan your meals out in order to save on your grocery bill. I'm not much of a couponer, but it should not be a big deal to plan around the circular. 
I am going to try this out for a few weeks and report back on whether or not it helped :). 
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Ladies: Would You Date A Guy Who Lived With His Mom?

 

I started to think about this question after I saw an article that talked about how Bradley Cooper's mom has been living with him since the death of his father to cancer in 2011 (May issue of Details mag). My standard answer used to be "it depends" and boy would the reason have to be good lol.

There are several good reasons to move back in with the parentals. Hell I had to do so after I was laid off so I could save up to get back on my feet (I am now all independent and stuff). But are guys allowed the same understanding as females? Probably not. 

However let's be truthful here. If the guy looks like Bradley Cooper who cares? :)

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My Top 10 Natural Hairstyles for the summer

Okay so it's summertime and although I am glad for the warm weather, my hair is so not. It's become a frizzy mess and I'm rather new to the natural hair game so I'm on the lookout for some styles to help me deal. lol

The above picture of Beyonce had me wanting to run to the nearest braiding salon. But because I know that I really don't have the patience for all of that I went on the hunt for a few styles for inspiration. Enjoy! :)

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(Please if re-pinning only pin from the original source)

So these are just a few of the styles that I saw on the web that I liked. So what's on your summer style list? Make sure to follow me on Pinterest for more natural hair style inspirations (pinsperation).

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Kim and Kanye's Magazine Cover, Hot or Not?

Was browsing some stories today when I saw this. Well now. It is the cover for French magazine L'Officiel Hommes. Some may think that the cover is hot, some may think that it is tasteless. What say you?

As for me, hey I gotta admit it is kinda hot. lol

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The Obama's Love Them

Ah the Obamas. How I love them. I always say that I want that Obama kind of love. That it's only you and I even though the whole world is watching kind of magic!

I was at work so I unfortunately missed hearing our President speak live but when I got home and turned on my television what I saw was them dancing together. Looking like they were having the time of their lives and not a care about all of the hateful things that have been said about them. I believe that having your priorities straight and having surrounding love helps with that. 

Maybe one day I'll find that type of love that they seem to share :)

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