Hair Gripes: Fear the Chop

When I first BC-ed i.e. Big Chopped (yep, I know the terminology ) about a month ago I could have related to this woman, a little bit. I want to emphasize the “a little bit” part because while I can relate to her having certain expectations and mentally preparing herself to stop at a certain length, that’s where it ends. Yea, the hairstylist messed her hair up but I think she’s taking things too hard and not giving herself much of a chance to really own her new look. I mean, I'm looking at it, and it came out good in the end. Isn't that what matters? I’m sure there are plenty of people who’ve told her how cute her new do is but I do understand that she is the only one who needs to believe it to be true. I'm sorry that she is not enjoying her natural journey to the fullest but I am and I think my hair looks fabulous post-BC. Check out my "Big Chop" story over on Back To Curly, a fabulous natural hair blog, and tell me I’m lying. I dare you!

Music Gripes: Real Soul

I only needed to hear Leela James (Tell Me You Love Me) and Raheem Devaughn’s (Bulletproof) duet, Mr. Incredible, Ms. Unforgettable, once before I knew that I loved it. What’s not to love? This song exudes soul from the first note to the last. And, both artists are great in their own rights. In my opinion, they are underrated artists who are among the few who set the standard for what real music sounds like in an age where one song is starting to sound the same as the next and when fewer songs manage to move you and make you feel something with one listen. This song does that. It touches your soul and I at least, want to hear it over and over again. Happy soulful weekend!

Fashion Gripes: Choice Accessories

I learned a tangible truth not too long ago. It was a lesson that as a former fashion student I should have learned long ago. But even as a student, I was more interested in prints and bright, funky colors than in anything else. Sure I could help someone else pull a fierce look together but I often stopped short of pushing the boundaries of fashion when it came to my own appearance. Make no mistake, I was no fashion slob! I knew what looked good on me and I knew when it was time to switch out the clothes that I was hanging on to in the vain hope of losing the pounds that I gained over the years. So how could I completely miss out on the fact that it’s not only about what the clothes look like or how the hair is flowing but also the choice of accessories that pull a look together?

I’ve always been a fan of belts and shoes but not so much so of jewelry. Part of this stems from the fact that I had a habit of losing things so when I would receive pricey bracelets or the like as presents, it seemed safer to leave them at home in my jewelry box. Also, I was more into small, tasteful jewelry- the kind you can wear with any outfit- so I am truly surprise at how much fun I’m having playing with dangly earrings and chunky bracelets and selecting the right pieces to go with whatever look I’m trying to achieve on a given day. By far, my favorite piece of accessory is the headband. I can no longer visit a store and leave without first checking out the hair accessories and over the past few months, I’ve amassed several funky finds. Headbands are definitely deeply intertwined with my overall look. Of course, it all started with the hair. When I first made the decision to transition to a more natural state, headbands felt like a necessity to cover unsightly roots. Now that I’m all the way natural, it’s all about the fashion. I wonder where else my hair journey will lead me?