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?

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 :-)

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.

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 :-)

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

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. 

Wells Fargo representatives Kia Thomas & Jemond White

As well as successful business bloggers, authors, etc.

Charmaine Author/Radio Personality
www.relationshippartyradio.com

Andrea Amir
www.SmartMoneyChicks.com

Corey Moore
Owner ~ Fortune Financial Group, LLC

We were treated to mellow music from an up and coming artist

Chuck Benjamin

There were gourmet chefs there to feed us.  

And specialty vendors...

It was all this...and so much more!!

I will continue to cover Chocolate Chat Atlanta Events as long as they have them!

Click here to see to see the rest of the pictures Chocolate Chat Atlanta III

Thanks for reading.

Peace

Henna: Lush vs Jamila

It is well past time for me to henna again.  If I am on my game I should be doing it every 6 - 8 weeks.  I started using henna about a year ago when I was looking for a natural way to color my hair.  The coloring became secondary when I saw how much it enhanced my hair in other ways.  My hair appeared to be shinier.  The treatment seemed to make it appear darker but tinted in the light and it also appeared to be thicker.  The deep conditioning like effects that I got from the henna far outweighed my desire for colored hair and is now part of my regimen.  The very 1st time I used henna from Lush called Caca Rouge.  Here is the video from that application:




The last time I did a treatment I tried it a different way.  I used Jamila Henna and a recipe from a fellow blogger @NaturalByL of Natural Review By L The recipe called for Henna, Coconut Milk, Apple Cider Vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Jamila Henna

Jamila Henna Box

Coconut Milk

Apple Cider Vinegar

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

It was a simple blend and this is the consistency of what it looked like blended together.

I applied it the same way for both methods. I used EO Chamomile & Lemon w/Honey conditioner to rinse it all out after 4 hours.

Overall, I think both techniques for the treatment are effective and beneficial for my hair. There were no dramatic changes in the color for either method.  The ingredients for the Jamila Henna method were more economical and easier to obtain.  I have to go to the mall or order the Lush on line and it is pricey.
Do you henna?  If so, whats your method?

Thanks for reading.

Peace :-)

Chocolate Chat Atlanta

I am pleased to announce that The SistahChick & Our Natural Kids will be one of the sponsors for Chocolate Chat Atlanta!!  Chocolate Chat Atlanta is a face to face social networking mixer.  It is the brainchild of Ericka Tinsley aka SwarthyDaisy.  Since its inception in June 2011 it continues to grow into a major Atlanta happening.
On January 29th, 2012, SwarthyDaisy along with planner Dianna Hicks of Luxe Events Atlanta are preparing for the third installment of this wonderful event and we are so excited to be a part of it.

This time the focus will be on Finances!  There will be professional speakers and specialty vendors from all over Atlanta and as stated in Chocolate Chat Atlanta's beautiful program guide, "... it promises to be Atlanta's most entertaining, informative and fun way to blend the community and business professionals together!"

Check out footage from ~ The SistahChick attends Chocolate Chat Atlanta II



Click here to see pics from The SistahChick attends Chocolate Chat II
Chocolate Chat II

For more information on Chocolate Chat Atlanta
https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateChatAtlanta

Thanks for reading!
Peace

Sistah Spotlight! ~ ChiChi Sophistication

I am so excited to tell you about this wonderful spirit that I am honored to have run into along my natural hair journey.  Her name is Keianna aka KeeKee aka ChiChi Sophistication.  I met KeeKee on the Our Natural Kids website.  From the moment she entered our online space she has been nothing but positive. KeeKee is a stylist who specializes in natural hair and braiding for children.  The DMV area is where she spreads her love for her people and her craft.  She says on her blog that she "...plants the seeds of self-love and acceptance while providing the hair with proper care..." I couldn't agree more.  We just love her over at Our Natural Kids, so much so that she was named Social Information Contributor for the site!  She brings us a wealth of information.  Her positive energy is astounding.  Her willingness to encourage & motivate speaks volumes about who she is as a person.

In addition to helping Our Natural Kids to promote natural hair health style and maintenance for kids here are a few other places that KeeKee lends her time to:

ChiChi Sophistication (blog)
Natural Hair Care for Children (Facebook, along with ONK Contributor, Jamesha Bazemore)
KeeKeeAllNatural (YouTube)
Chi Chi Sophistication (Facebook)
@KeekeeAlNatural (Twitter)
...and more!!

Please go check her out in whatever venue you like.  You will be glad that you did.

Thanks for reading.

Peace :-)

DIY ~ Tween Bedroom Make Over

This is a a pic of my precious daughter when she was 3 years old in the personal space that I created for her in an effort to get her out of our bed.  As you can see, at that time she loved her dolly's and she loved her room.

Pink and green Disney colors along with the whimsical flowery border made her small room bright but cozy.
Defined areas were created so as not to waste any space.

My daughter, aka The LittleChick is now 9 years old.  Children in this age group are socially referred to as "Tweens"  A Tween as defined by www.thefreedictionary.com is "...a child between middle childhood and adolescence, usually between 8 and 12 years old..." She is definitely not into the same things that she used to be into, but she is still my little girl. We decided that it was time to update her space to something a bit more age and personality appropriate.

We started by letting The LittleChick pick her paint color. She chose a stunning shade of purple. We decided to accent that purple with hot pink and black.  3 bold colors for her vibrant and bold personality.  Perfect!

Because we are a DIY family, we called my brother in law to come over and paint the room, while hubby and I got busy clearing out the room and painting her bed and other accessories black.

I found this beautiful hot pink & white, reversible, zebra print comforter set.  It really pops against the purple backdrop and the now black bed.

My daughter loves to draw and paint, so we got her a sleek black writing table.

Since her room is small she needed a nice spacious dresser to store all of her things in.

We had some of her own art framed in black and hung them in her room.

  

 Doesn't everyone need a spare set of butterfly wings?

Overall, it took us 1 day, some elbow grease and about $250 to complete this makeover.  The LittleChick is pleased with the transformation and so were her friends.  If they could just stay little...

Thanks for reading :-)