Who the Eff Perms A 9 Month Old Baby's Hair???

I stumbled across this video on YT and I just had to post here... I don't even know where to begin on this.  Like...  First of all, whoever thought it was ok to perform a chemical service on someone else's  freaking infant should have been locked up!!  Many people don't know this, but if you physically alter someone else's child without their permission in any way, relaxing a child's hair included, they can press charges and have you thrown in jail.  And that is exactly what I would have done in this situation.

Just look at that baby's hair!  What little hair she has left anyway...  This is just too sad for words.  And then with the fact that it seems her mother decided to continue  perming her toddler's hair is just insane.  And deplorable.  It's just not right...

I don't even know what else to say on this subject.  I'm ridiculously mad that this was allowed to happen to this innocent child and I hope her mother has since educated herself about the dangers of relaxers and isn't giving them to her baby anymore...  You guys sound off... I just can't...

My Thoughts On the "Good Hair" Concept

Pictures of the Day

More break room pics.  I really need to get a better camera...
This is second day twist out hair, done using Naptural85's method.
9 months, 3 weeks natural.

Some Dresses I Designed

Working Sketch

Just thought I would share some sketches I did for class.  In the first one you can tell I was just figuring out how I wanted the dresses to appear on the croquis.  The structure of the bodies can still be seen through the clothing and it's not as neat as it could be.

Finished Design

Here, I don't have anything showing through the dresses I don't want to and I've added some toning to give the garments some depth.  I was really happy with how these turned out so I decided to share them here.  Too bad I'm changing my major. Lol :)

Be on "True Life" When You Go Natural!!!

Image credit to publicmediacorps.org

So I was browsing the internet and I found out that MTV's "True Life" is currently casting for African American women who are making the transition to natural hair and plan to do the Big Chop.  For anyone not in the know, the BC is when a woman cuts all of her relaxed ends off to become 100% natural.  I think this is absolutely AMAZING!  I can't believe we've come so far that a major network wants to document what it means for women who decide to forego relaxers.

There is so much misinformation and disdain concerning Black hair that I think it's time something was done to finally stop the madness and set the record straight.  Seeing what women go through when they decide to go natural, learning the reasons behind it, and understanding why this is such a huge decision has the potential to change so many different aspects of our culture, not only as Black people, but as American people as well.  Imagine if women didn't have to worry about employers not hiring them because they don't understand that natural Black hair looks a certain way?  Imagine if more Black men understood the affect it has on Black women when they give ultimatums like, "Straighten your hair, or we can't be together anymore."  Imagine if the nation as a whole understood that the main reason Black women have so many issues with their hair is because they were forced to assimilate into a culture that broke down everything about their race and made it negative and undesirable after enslaving their people for over two centuries?  Just imagine that...

I'm know America won't all of a sudden become super enlightened about the journey that is going natural and start to look at Black hair with some form of understanding once this episode of "True Life" airs.  But this is definitely a step in the right direction for this one day becoming a reality.  Knowledge truly is key, and I can only hope MTV casts women who have done their research and know their hair.  I encourage anyone who is planning to do the big chop, is between the ages of 15 and 28, and wants to document their transition to send an email to casting@lintonmedia.com.  Include your name, location, phone number, recent photos of yourself, and your hair story.  Good luck to everyone who chooses to apply and don't forget to spread the word! :)

A Surprisingly GREAT Detangler!!

So, I was on YT browsing through some old videos of people I'm subscribed to.  I had already seen this video before, but after watching Naptural85's twist out tutorial, I decided to try her method.  All I used in my hair was my whipped shea butter and water.  I detangled my hair before getting in the shower using Tresemme Naturals' Vibrantly Smooth conditioner and my (modified) denman brush.  I know I said I couldn't stand it, but it's not that bad when used correctly.  I'll go into further detail later.

But anyway, after each section was detangled I put it into a simple two strand twist and then got in the shower to rinse/co-wash my hair.  When I got out and started on my hair, I applied my whipped shea to each section and then went through with my denman one more time.  I was really surprised at how well the shea butter detangled my hair!!  I can't really describe it as having "slip" per se but, my denman was going through my hair with even less difficulty than when I use conditioner on wet hair.  I already loved shea butter as a hair and body product but now I'm liking it even more.  I had no idea it could be so useful.

I'm sorry I can't think of a better way to describe how it felt while I was detangling my hair, but just take my word for it that it felt really good.  Now, I know I had already detangled my hair before getting into the shower and it was still in the twists before I took them apart to re-twist using Naptural85's method, but my hair is never so detangled that I can just run my fingers or a tool through it without any problems.  That's just not the nature of my hair.  And I could tell the shea butter was making it much easier for my brush to get through my hair than anything else I might have put on it.

So basically, I'm just saying I think you should try using shipped shea as a detangler.  If it works for you, great! If not, now you know one more thing that doesn't work, lol.  Let me know how it goes.  Here's Naptural85's twist out tutorial.  Enjoy!!

Keeping Your Hair Moisturized

Naptural85 is probably one of the most popular natural hair vloggers on YouTube and is definitely a personal favorite of mine.  I think her hair is absolutely beautiful and I love how she has become a master of her own hair.  This video is about a year old, but the information in it is still absolutely pertinent to anyone trying to combat dry hair.  Since we're in cold weather now, I thought it would be nice to share it on the blog for anyone who hasn't seen it.  I definitely recommend you check out Naptural85's channel because she's got some great info to share. Later, loves. :-*

Cornrow Tutorials

These tutorials make the process look so clear and easy. I love how the first one tells which fingers to use to do what with (...I hope that sentence made sense. lol) and the second one stops in between each step to show exactly what's being done. Maybe I'll try it later.  But right now I'm deep conditioning my hair so yeah. :)

http://youtu.be/GjlX5YCn_wk

What A Bad Black Girl I Am

I can't cornrow.  As much as it pains me to admit that, I've never really been able to do it on myself.  When I "dummy" on other people, I can get some kind of sad looking braids in and people tell me all I have to do is practice, but who has the time for that?  Plus I get frustrated really quickly any time something doesn't come easily to me.  I know, that makes me sound like a brat.  And maybe I am.  So be it. lol  :-P

But not knowing how to do something that's viewed as a basic skill for most women in the Black community makes me feel bad.  It's honestly a source of insecurity for me and I hate that.  I think I'm going to watch some YT tutorials and see if that will help me....  But honestly, I know what my problem with it is:  I don't know how to hold the hair/how to position my hands.  As I'm trying to cornrow, the way I hold the hair constantly changes because I don't have the muscle memory necessary to perform the motion with any fluidity. :'(

Oh well, hopefully YT will help me to get it some day.

Don't Allow Congress To Start Censoring Content On The Web

I just found out about this. But apparently, there is a potential law being reviewed by Congress right now that would basically give the government the power to control what content makes it's way to the internet.  Obviously, as a blogger, the thought of our stupid ass government having the power to control what I say and do on my blog and in my videos frightens me.  I hope you guys will sign the petition against this law and keep the internet the way it is.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_internet/?cxDqncb

Lies About Black Hair Care

The Word of the Day

Today's word is boscage.
Pronounced [BOS-kij].
A noun.
Definition: A mass of trees or shrubs

China Mieville, The City & the City
"Plunging along a narrow path thick-set on each side with leafy boscage, Paul caught sight of the two retreating figures a few yards only in front of him."

BOV #4: I've Been Slacking

A quick vlog.  I haven't been taking the best possible care of my hair and just wanted talk about why that is and how I want to improve. 9 months, 3 days natural. :)

My New Little Friend :)

Just had to share this adorable little pink robot ring I picked up yesterday.  I think it's so cute how he looks like a little nerd!!  Necktie, glasses, pocket and all.  Want one?? 7 Eleven, $1.99. ^__^

If This Makes Me a Bitch, So Be It

Remember my post about letting people go when continuing to have them in your life brings more negativity than positivity?  When I originally wrote that post, I was going through some things in my life that led me to believe continuing a friendship with a specific person was causing me undue stress and frustration to the point that I no longer wanted to have anything to do with him.  We've only really been friends for around a year now but ups and downs we've dealt with almost seem like those typically dealt with couples in long term relationships.  Every time I try to point out that the volatility in our relationship is unhealthy and honestly not worth carrying on in my opinion, I'm met with opposition and confusion.  And somehow, I allow myself to be convinced that perhaps I'm wrong and our friendship is worth saving.

But every time, after a period of calm, the storm comes back even more ferocious than before.  And I'm convinced yet again that no "friendship" on the planet is worth the stress, guilt, frustration, and anger that this relationship brings me.  Besides the fact that it's bad for my mental and emotional health, I no longer have the energy, willpower, or appetence to continue this roller coaster ride.  And I've made so very clear to the person in question.  However, it would seam that my actions and my words haven't been lining up.  Even though I've clearly stated that this person and I are no longer "friends," we've continued communication with each other as though we are.  The difference is the communication isn't on a constant/consistent basis and I no longer feel any guilt associated with wanting to spend time with other people.  Rather than feel burdened by our relationship, classifying it as a non relationship seemed to help us get along better.  Until last night.

Ex friend called me and for reasons we won't go into, though it was ok to approach me like an angry boyfriend questioning his girlfriends whereabouts and behavior.  Maybe he didn't see it as that, but that's how it came off to me.  My mind was completely boggled that he would think giving me attitude and questioning me was even an option after I declared our friendship over.  He is nowhere close to being in a position that would safely allow him to talk to me that way.  So I immediately told him so.  Not very kindly, I might add.  In short, I let him no that my whereabouts and the company I keep are no longer any concern of his and he has no right to question me or get mad about either.  The fact that he came at me the way he did just proves that continuing to have any kind of communication with him (in the hopes that one day I could possibly be comfortable/confident that things won't be as bad as they were enough to actually call him a friend again) was a mistake.

Through this experience I have learned that sometimes not only is it okay to let people go, it's actually necessary.  So unfortunately (or more likely, fortunately) I will not be continuing any communication with this person.  It's obvious that communication of any kind will result in something negative eventually.  I refuse to put myself through that any longer.  I have no desire to "work out" any problems we have.  It's just not that important to me.  Sorry but, we're done.  It's time for both of us to move on.