Curly Curl Cream & The Great Detangler

I have always been a big fan of Taliah Waajid's Products.  Her Black Earth Products line were some of the 1st Natural hair specific products that I ever tried and I've been using them for a few years.  They have recently added a line Curly, Waves & Naturals.  I was fortunate enough to be able to obtain a few of the products at a hairshow for a good hairshow price :-) I am happy to report that I have been using the Curly Curl Cream & The Great Detangler for about 6 months and I am LOVING the results.
(Mineral Oil is listed in the ingredients of The Great Detangler)


As stated in a previous post...

<<< I look for products that will  assist my hair in retaining moisture, while remaining soft and touchable.  I also like it to smell good...When MY hair gets moisture it spirals and shines.  If I can find a product that can make this last for a week, then I feel like its a good product.  I believe that my hair is thin type 4a/4b. It enjoys a thick, creamy, leave in conditioner.>>>

I will also add that I am perfectly happy with my hair and its texture, my goal is never to change that, however, I am ok with enhancing what I already have.


The Great Detangler & The Curly Curl Cream meet all of MY requirements, leaving my hair shiny, moisturized and soft to the touch.  I can get this to last for a week with daily refreshing.  


I use both of these products as a leave in (yes I mix in a little of The Great Detangler in with my Curly Curl Cream) and apply it to wet hair and let air dry for a wash n go.  Along with producing great results, these products are also economical and easily obtainable since you can get them at Walgreens, Target, Etc.

Taliah Waajid's Curly Curl Cream, The Great Detangler &
Curl Sealer (haven't tried the Curl Sealer yet!)

Have you tried these products?  I'd love to know what you think about them!

Fro Fashion Week ~ Spring 2012 ~ Lead Press Supporter

It's official!! Yours Truly has been selected by Naturally Me! Media, LLC (Parent company of Fro Fashion Week) as one the Lead Press Supporters for the Spring Event!! I am so excited to have been chosen! After attending my very first Fro Fashion Week event in the Fall (2011) I am elated to now be a part of it all!  This is a MAJOR Atlanta event! Being a Lead Press Supporter will allow me to bring YOU updates as well as up close and personal footage of the weeks activities. I will be onsite and I cant wait to bring it all to you! So please stay tuned for the latest  and most up to date information regarding Fro Fashion Week ~ Spring 2012 from The SistahChick's point of view here at The Sistah Cafe!! Thank you Ms. Tarin Boone for creating such an upscale, wonderful and necessary event!  Get Your Tickets Today!

Kim Coles & The SistahChick
Fro Fashion Week Fall 2011
Penthouse Party

Natural Beauty
Fro Fashion Week Fall 2011
Penthouse Party

Gorgeous MC
Fro Fashion Week Fall 2011
Fashion Show

Fashion Show
Fro Fashion Week Fall 2011

Check out my footage of the Fro Fashion Show! (Fall 2011)

For More Pics...

Fro Fashion Week - (Fall 2011) Pt 1 ~ Penthouse Party

Fro Fashion Week - (Fall 2011) Pt 2 ~ Fashion Show

Stay tuned for more!!

Natural Skin Care

As I continue my Natural hair journey it has become more and more apparent to me that personal care and wellness products for skin, hair and body are ALL essential.  How can I focus on the health of JUST my hair and not the rest of my body?  I love hearing about places like Oasis Health Vitamin & Herb Shoppe in downtown Decatur.  They have informed me that they will be hosting a trunk show/in store demonstration on October 22nd from 5:00p to 7:30p.  They will be teaching about herbs that are good for hair growth & health.  The featured product line will be Dirty Beauty, a natural skincare line. There will also be food, drinks and giveaways!!  If you are in the Metro Atlanta area come on out and learn something at this FREE event.  
(rsvp info on the flyer)

Thank you so much to Cera, Co Owner of Oasis Health, Inc for sharing this information

International Shea Butter Convention ~ Atlanta

The 9th Annual International Shea Butter Convention will take place on October 13th - 15th, 2011 at the Georgia International Convention Center here in Atlanta, GA.


Our Natural Kids is honored to be invited to take part by participating in The Shea Works Initiative ~ A Math & Science Literacy Project on October 15th from 2p - 4p. (registration begins at 1:30p!)


The Shea Works Initiative is for children in grades 5 - 8 AND Free w/their parents.


If you are in Atlanta please support this event! You DO NOT have to be a member of Our Natural Kids to participate!  Just come on out and learn with us!!

There will be a Shea Market, Natural Hair Show and Cultural Celebration directly AFTERwards (about 30 min after) which is also FREE!

If you are in Atlanta please support this event! You DO NOT have to be a member of Our Natural Kids to participate!  Just come on out and learn with us!!


For More Information:


The 2011 9th Annual International Shea Butter Convention

White Chili Recipe

I am trying to ease up on the red meats and I thought that this would be an interesting twist on regular chili. It turned out great and the family loved it.  Feel free to swap out whatever you want.  Recipes are meant to be customized AND shared.

White Chili
Ingredients

2.5lbs of Chicken Breast (chunked/cubed)
1 lb Turkey Smoked Sausage
3/4 -1 cup Yellow or Orange Bell Pepper (chopped)
3/4 -1 cup yellow onion (chopped)
1 1/2 chopped garlic clove
1/4 cup canola oil
3 tbs flour
1 can of great northern beans
1 cup of sliced portobella mushrooms
Sweet Corn
1 can chicken broth
1/4 c. half/half
Spices: Ms. Dash, Cumin, Oregano, Salt Pepper, red pepper

(I season my chicken with the spices, then marinate  a little before starting)

In a large skillet heat oil.
Throw in the onion, bell pepper & garlic and cook for a few minutes.
Sprinkle in the flour and coat the veggies.
Throw in the chicken over that and coat with the floured veggies.
Cover and let cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
When the chicken is mostly done, transfer to a Dutch oven. Pour everything in, including the scrapings from the skillet.
Slice the turkey smoked sausage & portobellas and cook them a little in the same skillet and toss that in along with the corn. add chicken broth as needed and let it all simmer (15 min).  Check your seasonings & add more if you want (i went heavy on the cumin cause i like it).

Cook it till you are sure your chicken is cooked thoroughly, add the beans last along with the half/half.  Cook for a few more minutes.  Serves many.  Garnish with cilantro, green onion, jack cheese, sour cream...or whatever you want. Its a very hearty meal.

Hope you like it!  If you try it, please come back and tell me about!

Thanks for reading.

Container Garden Update!

Back in May my daughter and I decided to try our hand at a little gardening. Container Gardening that it is.  At that time I blogged that, I thought it would be a fun summer project for her and that it would serve a purpose.  Boy was I right to the nth power!!  Not only do I feel that we have both grown as human beings because of the experience, but we also were able to produce our own edible crops.  My daughter was NOT a veggie eater prior to this, but we found that if she grows them... she WILL eat them! All summer we enjoyed dozens of delicious cucumbers, fresh basil, fresh onion, beautiful red bell peppers, cilantro and even a couple of watermelons.  It was fun, fun, fun and we are now preparing to grow various lettuces for the fall.  Here are a few pics of our endeavors, hope you enjoy :-)

Cilantro, Basil & Parsley

Basil

 

Harvested Basil

Cucumber Harvest

She is eating veggies!!

Sliced Cucs

We ended up w/30+

One Tiny Melon

Cuc on the vine

Orange in the middle?? Super Sweet & Good

Watermelon

Red Bell Pepper

Harvested Melon

Size does not matter, her smile does :-)

Thanks for reading!!

1st Annual Leadership Enrichment Conference ~ ATL

The SistahChick & Our Natural Kids are pleased to be supporters of the 1st Annual Leadership Enrichment Conference hosted by our friends over at AfroPuffs and Ponytails.  AfroPuffs & PonyTails, Inc. is an organization that works to inspire and empower African American/Black preteen & teen girls.  The conference will be held in Atlanta, October 1 & 2, 2011 and it is an event that you do not want to miss!!  The first day will be filled with speakers who are educators, motivators and entrepreneurs that are already successfully reaching our young ladies.  The 2nd day will be about business with vendors & marketers with products and information to share and more.  This will be a GREAT networking event for people who are interested in finding out how to do more to motivate and uplift our greatest commodity... our girls.

Show your support!   

Purchase a program ad for YOUR business or organization today!

Become a Vendor!

Register Online to attend!!

Click the link to learn more!
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e4swjxpj1a529433&llr=l4nyjfhab

afropuffsandponytails

Thanks for reading!

Blogalicious ATL!

I attended a wonderful Blogalicious Meetup event hosted by Lamar & Ronnie Tyler of BlackAndMarriedWithKids.  It was held at the Hudson Grille in midtown Atlanta. A precursor or teaser even for the major Blogalicious Weekend event that is being held this year in Washington D.C., it was the place to be if you are a blogger who is passionate about what you blog about and you like to mingle.  There was a panel of successful bloggers there to share their stories and to answer questions.  We were able to see part of a Be Blogalicious documentary. There were giveaways, information, good food & drink and much, much more.  It was a packed house full of fascinating people.

The panel included: Stacey of Justice Fergie; Danica Kombol of Be Everywhere, and Bren Herrera of Flanboyant Eats.   Lamar Tyler was the MC along with his lovely wife, Ronnie.  We learned about choosing a niche, determining your passion, when is the right time to call in a professional, promoting your brand, the importance of Networking and the list goes on.

Ronnie Tyler & The SistahChick

@SwarthyDaisy

This was an interesting, informative and very well put together mixer.  I really enjoyed myself and I learned so much.  I see a Blogalicious Weekend event in my future!!!  In the meantime, for more information on Blogalicious Weekend and how to register check out their website!  http://beblogalicious.com/

Thanks for reading :-)

Atlanta Natural Hair Events ~ Summer/Fall 2011

Atlanta is always a buzz with the BEST of Hair Shows & Natural Hair events and this Summer/Fall will be no different!!  Which one will you attend??

Bronner Bros Intl Hair Show 

August 20 - 23, 2011 

Georgia World Congress Center

http://www.bronnerbros.com/

Black August Weekend/Happily Natural Day 

August 26 - 28 2011 

Omenala Griot Museum

http://happilynaturalday.com/

World Natural Hair & Beauty Show 

 September 10 - 11, 2011 

Georgia Int'l Convention Center

http://www.naturalhair.org/

Fro Fashion Week 

September 17 - 25, 2011 

Hotel Melia

http://frofashionweek.com/

International Shea Butter Convention 

October 13 - 15

Georgia Int'l Convention Center

http://www.sheainstitute.com/

Money Saving Tips for Product Junkies

Hey all of you product junkies out there!!  Admitting that you have the problem is the 1st step.  right?  lol  Well welcome to the family we're here for you.  Whether you are trying organic OR non organic products it can get pricey trying to find what products work for you.  If you are like me and just love trying new things it can become even more of an expense... but it doesn't have to be.  One thing is for sure, if i try a product and I end up liking it, I WILL buy more!!  That being said...

Here are some tried & true tips to help you SAVE MONEY!! 

"Over The Counter" ~ These are products that you can get in any stores beauty section.  When I first went natural, Garnier Fructis & Infusium, Motions were my favs.  I don't use them anymore but I am just saying don't knock what you can get at Walmart or the grocery store. Some of those OTC products are great!  I have heard people swear by the Herbal Essence line.  Be careful though if you want to stick to organic products. Just because it looks and sounds organic, doesn't mean that it is.  (Read your ingredients)

Product Swaps ~ This is where you meet with fellow natural sistahs to swap products. generally the way it works is you get to swap product for product, so ex:  if you bring 8 items you leave with 8 items It is assumed that the persons swapping will only bring new or gently used items. if you have some kind of phobia this wont be for you :-)  But this is a GOOD way to mingle, try new things and also to see what else is out there and what others are using.  And its free!!

Mostly New & Some Gently used products obtained at a Product Swap

TJ Maxx ~ I really should include Ross & Marshall as well.  These stores often get shipments on several costly product lines.  I have gotten these product lines there:  GioVanni & EO. I heard that the Say Yes To.. line & some Carols Daughter has been seen there as well.  They are DEEPLY discounted! (1 Liter of Giovanni Deep Moisture Shampoo $12.99!!) They get different items every week, so what you find there will vary and they also wont have the exact same thing at a different store.  I love the hunt!

Buy in Bulk ~ Sometimes buying in larger quantities means paying less per oz.  Do the math.  You could end up saving lots of money this way. If you know you like it, buy the larger quantity.

Lola's Green Hair ~ I met this really cool chick via Twitter (@LolasGreenHair)  she has a very cool website by the same name.  Here you can post & sell your new & gently used items and you can also BUY new or gently used items.  The membership is my favorite price... FREE! The product prices are awesome!  Check it out for yourself!

Hair Shows ~ If you are fortunate enough to live in an area where there are Hair Shows do yourself a favor and check it out.  There are always LOTS of vendors selling some of your favorite products for the low low.  For instance I got a $20+ jar of Jane Carter Nourish & Shine for $5.00 at last years World Natural Hair Show ~ Atlanta.  There will also hopefully be  vendors from smaller & little known product lines to sell you GREAT products for a good price.  Word of warning, SOME hair shows are costly to get into.  If you are going in for product be aware of the cost and your bottomline.

Some of the items obtained from the World Natural Hair Show 2010

Some items obtained from the World Natural Hair Show 2011

"Meet Ups" ~ These are gatherings where people are merely meeting at various locations to talk Natural Hair.  Again, if you are in an area where these meetings occur, go to them.  There is most always a freebie or two involved.  Most of the time the freebies are sample size, but i have been to some where they gave full size! The double benefit of attending meet ups is that you are gonna be hanging out with like minded people, meeting new people and its just fun! aaand usually they're FREE!!

Start a blog or YT ~ When i started my channel & blog my intent was not to get free products, i didn't even know that was a possibility.  But as my memberships grow I am finding that more companies are willing to send us products to try.  So i wouldn't say this should be a reason to get into it cause its a lot of work.  but if you are already doing it... Its free products.

Please share how you save!!  Hope this helps

Thanks for Reading,
Peace :-)

The Sistah Cafe & Our Natural Kids NEW Look!

Greetings Family!

I appreciate you all so much for checking out my blog as well as my other online entities.  We have made some changes recently and I wanted to share them with you, so consider this a relaunch!

With the help of our friends over at BosGraph Design we have made all of our sites more attractive & hopefully visible by updating them with professional logos, warm and inviting colors, and by removing all  unnecessary links.  As my relationship with the online Natural Hair community grows I wanted my sites to represent.  I am hoping that these changes will help to invite more views, sponsorship & donations as we continue to share our knowledge & experiences with you.

Introducing...

Our Natural Kids ~  This site was launched back in February 2010.  It was a result of the positive feedback that my daughter & I received after we posted a bunch of Natural Hair Styling & Maintenance vids on You Tube.   This is a social networking site that allows its members to do everything from Uploading pics & vids to blogging to personalizing your own profile page, you name it.  We have discussions boards as well as chat capability.  There are interactive sub groups like MotherBloggers & The MarketPlace to help members connect!!  We have volunteer contributors there to give you professional tips (Jamesha Bazemore) and to encourage you in a positive way (Keianna Johnson) We are now nearly 800 members strong with members in nearly every state and many countries worldwide!!  People from all over the globe are coming together on Our Natural Kids to discuss hair care and maintenance for children with curly, multi textured, afrotype hair.

The Sistah Cafe ~ Its all in the name.  This is where your girl, The SistahChick, hangs out! Here I share a little bit more about myself.  Whether I am writing about my Natural hair, showing you pics of my family or our latest trips, bringing you updates from my Container Garden or just sharing recipes...Cafe's are warm & inviting places where you can relax, chill & be yourself.  The Sistah Cafe is that plus more!!!

The SistahChick's Spot ~  This is my YouTube Channel.  I became a YouTuber on 4/10/2009 with one goal only and that was to share my Natural Hair journey with the world!  Since the beginning Natural Hair has been the main focus of this channel.  However, as with life, there are many different facets to every journey.  Here you can watch as My LittleChick and I show our hair regimens.  Here you can also see a video diary of my Quit Smoking journey, product reviews, tutorials plus footage of various events that I have attended in Atlanta, yearly photoslide updates set to funky music and much much more! 

The SistahChick & Our Natural Kids ~ We are on FaceBook!!  Our FaceBook fanpage allows us to possibly come in contact with at least some of its 500 million users.  Here we are able to quickly update you with whatever is going on in the African American online community.  We provide links to pertinent news/info regarding natural hair products, videos, websites, etc.  for kids and adults as well.

All of these entities are a direct result of my love for my race, my people & my culture.  I truly enjoy sharing & fellowship with like minded individuals.  Being online allows us to reach people that we wouldnt normally be able to come into contact with.  I hope that my community appreciates the time, cost & work that my family & I have put into all of these projects. We will continue to share our positive light & energy with you and we hope that you will spread it on to others! 

Thanks for reading.
Peace :-)

Chocolate Chat Atlanta

I attended my very first and most definitely not last Chocolate Chat event this past Sunday and I had a fantastic time!!  This event was hosted by Joined Forces of Atlanta.  "Swarthy Daisy" was our MC. It was held at a trendy space in the Historic Edgewood area.  When I imagine it in my mind, this is what conscious black Atlanta looks like.  There were members of the Art Community in the house, (Musicians, Singers & Poets) The Health Community, (Doctors, Nutritionists, & refloxologists) and Vendors (Jewelry, Skin Care, Make Up, etc,).  There were decadent desserts which included a chocolate fountain.  Wine flowed as well.  The energy was astoundingly positive and could be felt from the moment you entered. I just love meeting new people. Mingling.  Learning.  If you ever see events that involve any of the people or groups mentioned above, do yourself a favor and check them out, you wont be dissapponted.  Hope you enjoy the pics.  Peace.

You can check out the video for this event here Welcome to Chocolate Chat Atlanta

You can also check out more pics on our FaceBook Page

The SistahChick & Our Natural Kids

"Like" Us 

Thanks for reading!