The Sistah Cafe: February 2012

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Grey's Anatomy ~ Baby Zola's Hair

Grey's Anatomy tackled the topic of white parents caring for their black children's hair in last weeks episode. I really love the way it was handled (with humor & love). For those of you who don't watch "Grey's". Dr. & Mrs Shepherd (a white couple) have adopted an African American child. I appreciate that the show expanded on this often untalked about issue. The clips are below.

In this scene Dr Shepherd believes that a woman is racist because she stares at him and baby Zola

In this scene Dr. Bailey shows Derek how to do baby Zola's hair

Did you see it? What did you think?

Monday, February 20, 2012

5 Styles in 10 Days with Curls Unleashed

Organic Roots Stimulator has added a new curl care line to its bevvy of products! Curls Unleashed was launched at Fro Fashion Week Spring 2012. I was invited to give the products a try and I am happy to report that I was very pleased with it. I dont believe that using a product one time with just one style can give you a total and fair review so I worked this line out. I did 5 styles in 10 days. I have thin type kinky and curly 4a hair. See for yourself the the specific product that I used, the style and the results that I got.

These are the Curls Unleashed products that I used:
Lavish in Lather Sulfate Free Shampoo
No Boundaries Leave In Conditioner
Take Command Curl Creme
Second Chance Curl Refresher
Let It Flow Shine & Define Mouse (gave this to my mom to try)

Day 1 ~ Wash N Go
I started by giving my hair a nice wash with Lavish in Lather Sulfate Free Shampoo. The name they gave this poo is very appropriate. It gave a very nice lather which scared me at first, but it did not leave my hair feeling stripped at all. It left my hair feeling good & smelling wonderful. (I used my own conditioner after the poo)

To achieve this Wash N Go I cocktailed the No Boundaries Leave In Conditioner & the Take Command Curl Creme. On totally damp hair I applied the No Boundaries leave in from root to tip and then shingled in the Take Command Curl Cream. I sealed with jojoba oil and let it air dry. I noticed no difference in the amount of shrinkage that I experienced. This product DID NOT DRY CRUNCHY!! You all know that I am Wash N Go girl so this made me very happy. As you can see it left my curls looking very shiny & healthy and feeling moisturized and soft to the touch.

Day 3 ~ Two Strand Twists
After touching and smelling the Second Chance Curl Refresher, I thought I'd try it for a 2 strand twist. I finger parted through my wash n go with just a dab of this product on my fingers for each twist. Again, great smelling product and not sticky at all. My twists were still soft.

Day 4 ~ Bantu Knots
I took a little bit of the No Boundaries Leave In Conditioner (about a dime size) and smoothed it into my twists on this day. I decided to throw some Bantu Knots in.

Day 5 ~ Bantu Knots Unraveled
I unraveled the knots, but not the twists on this day.

Day 6 - 10 ~ Twist Out
I took the twists out on day 6. These pics are on day 10, so this is a 4 day old twist out. I used the No Boundaries Leave In Conditioner this time to add moisture to my edges and pulled my hair back with a barette. My hair still smells as fresh as it did on day one, and is still soft to the touch.

I really like this product for my hair. I will definitely be using the Curls Unleashed line again and hope to try the No Restrictions Moisturizing Conditioner next time.

Have you tried this line yet?

Thanks for reading.

Peace :-)

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Thank You Whitney Houston

Words cannot express the emotions that I feel with the loss of our sistah, the beautiful songbird, Whitney Houston. Who was she to me you might ask. After all she is just another celebrity. She is not related to me. right? Well let me explain it to you like this. When someone's meaningful songs and words touch you at any point in your life, that person becomes family by proxy. See Whitney got me through high school. My senior prom hair style was based on her hair in "The Greatest Love of All" video. She was there with me through my first love AND my first heartbreak. She partied with me through the 90's as I came of age. She never let me down when she sang the Star Spangled Banner. She IS family. She IS our sister. She is an integral part of Music History, selling more than her share of records and winning a lion's share of rewards and recognitions. Never mind that she had personal and family issues. Who doesn't?! I just want to take a moment today to remember and recognize that angel, Whitney Houston. A legend who understood what her life purpose was and who used it to shine her radiant light upon us through song. She will be missed.

Thank you Whitney Houston

This was my favorite song.

I felt the same way when Michael Jackson died. Check out my tribute to the King of Pop...

Excerpts of My Life...Soundtrack by Michael Jackson ~ A Tribute to the King

Thanks for reading.

Peace.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Bloggers, Brands & Brunch ~ Fro Fashion Week Spring 2012

As a Lead Press Supporter for Fro Fashion Week I was invited to attend Bloggers, Brands & Brunch. This elegantly planned luncheon for preregistered bloggers & guests was sponsored by Design Essentials. Beauty, Hair and Culture Blogger, Afrobella was the keynote speaker. She gave us a very candid and straight forward presentation, where she shared many useful tips on how to become a successful blogger and build your brand.

I jotted down a few of her key suggestions:

*Your logo or name is NOT your brand... YOU are your brand!
*Find your lane and stay in it!
*Be HAPPY for the success of your fellow bloggers!
*Don't allow yourself to be bought and sold.
*Don't allow fear to paralyze you into inaction.
*Dream BIG and Dream FIERCE!

Located in the penthouse of the beautiful Melia Hotel, Atlanta, was the perfect backdrop for a perfect luncheon.

A Who's Who of the Natural Hair Community was in the house.

Actress Kim Coles, Felicia Leatherwood, Master Barber Williams (SofNfree) & Afrobella

Design Essentials had a one on one with Afrobella. There was Q & A during the discussion.

Meet the Fro Fashion Week Spring 2012 Lead Press supporters, along with Ms. Tarin Boone.

It was nice to have an established and well respected blogger like Afrobella as Keynote Speaker. A great time was had by all and we learned so much.

Click here to see the rest of the pictures ~~> Bloggers, Brands and Brunch
Thanks for reading

Peace :-)

Sunday, February 5, 2012

I Love Me & I Have the Right to Remain Curly!

I escorted my daughter to a wonderful event last week appropriately named "I Love Me and I Have the Right to Remain Curly!". This was a fantastic celebration of natural hair and ALL things girly. Held at Atlanta's own Dazzling Diva Day Spa and organized by Julia Davis of TruChatOnline.com this gathering was the frilly, pink, sparkly, answer to most little girls dreams. A Fro Fashion Week sanctioned event, "I Love Me..." made children it's main focus. Natural hair product maker JessiCurl not only sponsored the event, but the Owner/Ceo Jessica McGuinty was in the house to encourage the young ladies in attendance to love themselves just the way they are. The SistahChick and Our Natural Kids are proud to have sponsored one of the giveaways ($25 TJ Maxx Gift) Card.

Upon arrival each girl was escorted to a room with tables filled with cupcakes by Chanelle's Heavenly Treasures

Each cupcake was topped with original art from
Author/Illustrator Ayanna Davis

Julia Davis of TruChatOnline.com and Spa owner Angela Robins did a great job of making the girls feel comfortable and explaining to them what they could expect.

Drawings for giveaways happened through out the evening.

My LittleChick and the winner of the prize that was donated by
The SistahChick and Our Natural Kids

The girls were really delighted to hear Jessica McGuinty speak. She was able to relate to them on a personal level by sharing some stories from her youth where people teased her because of her thick curly hair. She also talked about how her curly hair led her to start her company JessiCurl.

Salon Infinity owner, Trina Pierre showed them how their Barbies can have curly hair too!

Motivational speaker Daree Allen spoke to them about her new book, "Whats Wrong With Me" and taught them how to journal as a means of self expression.

Several girls volunteered to read from "12 Months With Ayanna's Kids" by Author Ayanna Davis

Each girl left with a gift bag full of goodies, but they also left feeling empowered and good about who they are. Now that is priceless!!

Click here to see the rest of the pictures ~~~> "I Love Me..."

Thanks for reading,

Peace

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Chocolate Chat Atlanta - III

Chocolate Chat Atlanta

I will never have enough good things to say about the Chocolate Chat events that are happening in Atlanta. I am true supporter! Ericka Tinsley aka SwarthyDaisy & Event Planner Dianna Hicks of Luxe Events both have a knack for bringing together great mixes of individuals to keep us educated, enlightened and entertained. In this age of recession, foreclosures, overspending & debt, finances was the perfect topic of discussion for this installment of Chocolate Chat.

There were financial professionals in the house.