Nina Saro-Wiwa's Transition

I KNOW this video is everywhere right now. Being discussed on YouTube, taking over Twitter timelines, being shared on Facebook...everywhere. To be completely  transparent I noticed people talking about the video yesterday and simply did not click the link. I didn't want to watch another "why I decided to transition" video, what new can someone say? All this changed when I received the link to the video in my inbox from a close friend and I finally decided to watch Nina Saro-Wiwa's New York Times Op-Doc, Transition.  

Screen Shot from New York Times

My first reaction was shock. The filmmaker, Nina Saro-Wiwa, was at the Darker than Brown Meet-Up I attended a few weeks ago interviewing people I'm guessing for this film. Thinking back I remember how excited she was to be surrounded by so many natural coifs. When I watched the video not only did I see people I knew from other natural hair meet-ups but some of the people I met that day. Small world. Saro-Wiwa's film  in my opinion is one that should be watched, shared, and discussed with as many people as possible.  I agree with her statement that natural hair is under represented in the mainstream media and wonder how we combat this. The natural hair movement is not going anywhere anytime soon. Every day there are new bloggers and vloggers sharing their tips and journeys with the other naturals. Although there are new women joining the natural hair movement daily I fear that this trend has yet to reach the younger generation. How do we compete with Nikki Minaj videos, Vibe magazine covers, and the  bags and bags of  long, straight, shiny hair in the beauty supply stores. Don't get me wrong, I believe that how you style your hair is a choice. Whether it be relaxed, colored, or a Cesar. However,  I would love to see the day that terminology such as "transitioned", "big chopped", and even "going natural" no longer have a place in this world because brown and black girls will grow up knowing that they are beautiful just the way they are. Simplistic? Maybe. Cliche? Yes. But isn't that what other girls have?

Please check out the film HERE is you have not already!

Add this to your Summer Fete List....

A few days ago I was ordering food from one of my fav places to eat, Bake and Things and I came across this flyer:

No Machel? Can't say I am not a little disappointed BUT there are some other great soca artists listed on the line up:  Kerwin, Benjai, KI, Nadia Batson...

The admission ticket comes with access to everything Six Flags Great Adventure  has to offer. Sounds like a fun day for the kids and a great night for the adults!

Hairstyle of the Week: Bridesmaid Edition

For the last few weeks I have been searching (and posting) about my relentless search for a hairstyle for my close friend Rockies wedding. Her wedding was this weekend (she looked gorgeous and we had a *hands in the air* shoes off*dance till you sweat* soca, reggae, and house music pumping* what do you mean it's over?* where's the after party?* amazing  time) and I definitely wanted to share the look I ended up rocking with you all. SADLY my camera was submerged in a small puddle of water over night the day before the wedding (tragic...I know) and stopped functioning for most of the wedding. I am still in the process of gathering other people's pics...but in the mean time I can share the ones I took of myself after the wedding!

 The hair style was actually  found in a hair magazine (I believe Hype Hair but I need to double check) and suggested by Rockie.  It is is basically a typical Mohawk  consisting of cornrows and twists. The twist and some of the cornrows were done with Marley Hair so I could have the desired length and fullness I needed to create this style. Afterwards ( my hair was done by one of the braiders in a African Hair Braiding Salon in my neighborhood) I pinned the twists up and voila. This weekend I will do a step by step pic tutorial to show you all how I pinned it up, but it is really a lot simpler than it looks.

What do you think?

Atlantic City Carnival Update....

It looks like they added Machel Montano and the HD Family to the line up for Atlantic City Carnival's post carnival concert! Looks like AC Carnival is turning out to be well worth the trip especially for my fellow Machel fans.

Anybody buy their ticket yet?

Natural Hair Icon: Alicia Keys

So, the other day while I was in the midst of conducting my massive manhunt for a formal natural hair style (yep...I am still at it) I came across pictures of Alicia Keys at the Billboard Music Awards a few weeks ago.

Fire!!! I LOVE this style. It is simple but definitely fierce. I rarely ever think of Alicia Keys when I am looking for natural hair inspiration because her hair texture does not resemble my own  but CLEARLY I have been missing out.  Remember when Alicia Keys  would only rock her signature cornrows...

although they were always fresh and creative they are nothing like the styles she has been sporting lately.

Alicia at the American Music Awards

Alicia at the  Grammys ...

Alicia Keys NYE 

Who is her stylist? I love the fact that she still incorporates braids in her hair styles and often in ways that you would never expect. Don't think you can replicate these styles on your own? I beg to differ. Most of these styles begin with a slicked back high ponytail... add some Marley hair or Kanekalon hair, braid it, pin it, and your good to go.

Kanekalon..

I may be over simplifying the process just a tad but I do believe you can create your own version of these hot looks.

Check out these YouTubers for inspiration:

Machel Fever...

D' Vibes Cyah Done!!!  

If you're anything like me when it comes to my LOVE of ALL things Machel then these two events are for you....

Machel at the Intrepid Museum featuring Farmer Nappy and Patrice Roberts, 3 Canal, KI and Barrington Levy. Now I have never been to the Intrepid but I am going to make several assumptions about the venue because the tickets are $100 for General VIP (includes a cash bar, show, and party afterwards) and $200 for Platinum VIP (includes open bar, front stage access, guided tours of the museum, and a space shuttle simulator). Log on to Caribbeanfever.com for more info and to purchase tickets....



Click here to purchase tickets...

If Machel at the Intrepid is a little too rich for your blood then maybe Machel on d' Beach can cure your carnival tabanca. Machel will be performing at the Jones Beach Nokia Theater on Sunday July 8th along with Partrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy and Kerwin DuBois. Gates open at 3pm and  tickets are  $60 General, $75 Front Row/ Stage Side, $100 VIP (Food Inclusive)
For tickets visit ticketmaster.com, livenation.com, JayBlessed.com, caribbeanbeachfest.com, the Jones Beach Box Office, email info @caribbeanbeaachfest.com or call 917 -930 2823, 914 536 5600 or 917-829- 7922.

Click Here for more info...

For those of you new to the world of Soca music Machel is an artist you need to familiarize yourself with.... he has won many awards and accolades for his contributions to Caribbean Music and what I admire about him the most is that he is a prime example of what hard work and determination can lead you to.

I will definitely be attending one of these events... hope to see some of you there!

Don't sleep ...

Target is one of my favorite one stop shops for everything from yogurt to home decor. I can literally spend hours (and hundreds of dollars) and pick up everything I need for my week at work, a gift for an upcoming engagement, and my wardrobe for my next vacation. Yes, WARDROBE!!! Lately Target has filled it's racks with summer dresses, cute tops, and eye catching bathing suits. If you are planning to make a splash in your local pool or have a plane ticket to an island this summer try adding one of these suits to your mix:

$11

$14

$14

$18