'Skin Deep' in Tangled Hair Politics

It's me again! Yeah!!!!!! JK. Sorry, I'm in a wierd mood.

Anyways....I saw this article and wanted to pass it along for your reading enjoyment. It seems we just can't get enough of the natural hair issue and people love talking about it. Heck, it's why you come here, right?!

If you like reading The New York Times, check out this article. In parts it kind of feels like someone is beating a dead horse-we know the hair industry is widely supported by black female patrons, etc etc.

"Anyone who thought such preconceptions were outdated would have been reminded otherwise by some negative reactions to the president’s 11-year-old daughter, Malia Obama, who wore her hair in twists while in Rome this summer. Commenters on the conservative blog Free Republic attacked her as unfit to represent America for stepping out unstraightened."

Of course we know it's still an issue but it irks me when people talk about kids.
So check it out and let me know what you think!

Tiziano e Kelly

One of my favorite Italian singers, Tiziano Ferro, has a new song with Kelly Rowland. The Italian version does not feature her but there is an English version on which she sings. As I mentioned in my post on her newest song, When Love Takes Over, I really like when she ventures out and does something atypical as opposed to sticking strictly to R&B.

The Italian version of the song is called Indietro or Behind in English. The English version is called Breath Gentle. I the Italian version but I like that she sings on the English one, and they do sing a little in Italian at the end. So here is the duet version.

My sisterlocks Journey in Photos ........

This photo represents my feeble attempt to curl the thicker locks. As you see, the curls are fewer, less dense, they separate and they don't last. I attempted to curl them much tighter than they appear here. This photo was taken before I took out the first 2 rows of locks and adding a little color. In the next photo, my first two rows are new locks. (Locks were picked out and replaced - a long tedious process.)
This photo was taken after my crown locks were combined. I took out the top two rows of about 5 "combined" locks and replaced them with about 13 new thinner locks. At the top, I no longer have the fullness shown in photos below.

What I enjoyed most about my locks was the ability to wear my hair forward. My top locks were thin and there were many giving me great styling flexibility.

View my blog: http://oliviajewelshaw.blogspot.com/

Weekend Adventures in Pastry

It had been so long since I'd made something besides cookies that I decided to make dinner and dessert over the weekend. But, since this is a pastry blog, the dinner didn't make the cut.
Custards are one of my favorite things to make in the kitchen so I made creme caramel.

The difference between creme caramel custard and creme brulee custard is that the creme caramel contains egg whites so that it can stand on it's own when it's unmolded. However, I happen to like the texture of creme brulee and the caramel sauce on the creme caramel and, since I'm not in culinary school anymore, I'm allowed to break the rules so I didn't include the egg whites in this recipe. The finished product still stood on it's own and was incredibly creamy. While making the custard, after I separated the yolks from the whites, I removed the membrane that surrounds the yolks. It can get pretty messy but it ensures that the texture will be smooth throughout the custard.


I had about 1 cup of egg whites left over from the custard so I made these meringue cookies. I added chopped pistachios and vanilla extract.

Knowledge from The Haven

A question I have often wondered but never actually investigated was so conveniently answered on The Natural Haven, one of my very favorite natural hair blogs. You can expect answers that are more than just opinion because Jc does her research and uses her scientific background to look at a question from all angles. So here it is:

Should you really leave conditioner on your hair????

Click the question to find out the answer...

Prettier in Pink

we recently worked on an homage to John Hughes.
hair- shampoo
clothing - ariella
makeup - nikki estille
models - leanna, e-stan & paul birch
photo - kari

R.I.P. from ariella

A Natural Hair Documentary

Cruzing You Tube as usual and I came across this video. I thought you might enjoy.

So click HERE to see it!

Essence on Good Hair

Looks like Essence.com is running a survey to asses public opinion on hair, specifically natural hair. Interesting....
If you wanna take it, click here.
Come back and let me know what you think.

Watercolor Cookies

I don't usually like to paint simply because I'm not that good at it. But, I was able to use what little skill I have (probably something I got from my mom, which you'll see if you visit her art blog), to make these "watercolor" cookies.


The inspiration for these cookies came from a drawer knob that I saw on display at the Home Depot. I painted the roses on by using edible shimmer dust mixed with alcohol (Bacardi 151). The mixture was thinner than usual so that I could get that watercolor look. I had to work quickly, though, because if the brush is left in one area for too long it will start to dissolve the icing.

Available in my Etsy shop. Don't forget to enter into the SweetAmbs Cookie giveaway at Fantabulously Frugal!

A customer of mine ordered these birdhouse cookies as a housewarming gift for a friend.

The birds are done by making the basic shape with a small piping tip (Wilton #1) then using a scribe tool to manipulate the icing to make the legs, tail, and beak.
I was using tooth picks for this kind of work but then switched to a scribe tool, which is much more environmentally friendly and economical since you don't have to throw it out when you're done.

The birds are finished by placing little blue eyes on their little faces with, of course, an edible ink marker (Foodoodler brand works very well for me).

Enter the giveaway at Fantabulously Frugal going on through Monday to win 6 of my Brush Embroidery Cookies in brown and pink.

Bleah

I'm lying in bed now, having just woken up.

My poor blog looks so stupid with no updates I've decided to tell you all about my mediocre day yesterday.

First I woke up at 11am and the sun was blazing hot. Then I called my friend and yelled at him, "Omg let's go tanning!!!!"

My friend said ok, but he needs to go to the gym first. I said I'd meet him at his place at 1.30pm then.

Boiled potatoes to make mashed potatoes. Talked to shuyin on msn. Burnt potatoes. Whole house smelt like burnt potatoes. Hahahaha! I'm so descriptive. Ok fine, it smelt rancid.

Cut off the burnt parts. Mashed potatoes with some water (no milk at home), chunks of butter and a dollop of mayo. It's fab. I make fab mashed potatoes.

Mike came home for lunch.

Pumpkin pooped on the shoe rack. Got walloped and time-out-ed in her toilet. (Till later)

Packed potatoes in microwaveable rectangular plastic box and left for friend's place. Took a cab. Had the cleverness to call him before I reached to find out he is still ta pao-ing food at cineleisure.

I stopped the cab there (he stays in orchard, has own swimming pool!!), and he went to buy LJS while I bought the fake jap food from cine's basement.

Meanwhile, went to do do club (just beside food place) with the intentions to buy fake eyelashes, if they got nice ones.

I picked 4.

The price was $19.80!

I jumped and said, "Why so expensive??"

Woman said coz one packet is $4.95.

I said, "Oh you all increased the price, used to be $3.80."

Stupid woman said, "No, it has always been this price."

Retard to the max! I clearly remember it was $3.80 coz I must have bought at least 40 pairs of lashes from there! Always been $4.95 my ass!! Always been that price since she's been working there maybe!!

So I said, "I don't want it anymore."

The semi-evolved human said, "Huh, all of them?"

I answered in the affirmative.

She yelled, "But I already keyed them in!!" And acted like I have to do her a favour and pay up $19.80 just coz she already keyed my lashes in!!! Wtf??

It's not my problem that she keyed it in and I told her as much. Ridiculous.

Walked away. Nobody stopped me, although I'm sure they would be cursing me for the rest of the day.

With food, went to my friend's place, took off clothes (with bikini left of course) and AHHHHhhhhhh! Sun!! We had a decadent time eating at the pool.

Tanned till 5pm. I was a bit burnt.

Wongsie and mike then came over (asked Mike to release Pumpkin from Time-Out) and all 4 of us went to Jumbo seafood to eat.

We had drunken prawns, scallops wrapped in yam, mee goreng, spinach and mushroom tofu, and kang kong! It was not bad.

Then we adjoined to The Daily Scoop for ice cream, which was closed. Went to Udders instead. I had Strawberry Fields and Cempedak icecream!!

And then mike sent everyone home and we went home too.

I started reading My Sister's Keeper. It's promising. Finished to page 15.

Fell asleep till now.

And this is the first blog post written on my berry!!

Braid Buns and Mini Diva Giveaway!!

I usually plan my daughter's hair around the clothes that she is going to wear, today she decided to wear this simple kind of old fashioned shirt I made her. The fabric it's made out of reminds me of pioneers, so I decided we needed to come up with a braided up do and we have also been into doing buns lately so this is what I came up with.

1)Start by parting the hair down the middle, like you are gonna do pig tales secure one side with elastic while working with other side.

2)The take a side and section that into 3 triangular sections. You can see it in the picture. Then french braid each section from the bottom up so that the hair is piled on top of the head. Secure with elastic.Then braid the pony tale and wrap it around making a bun and secure with bobby pins. Repeat to the other side.

That's it your done it took me about 20 mins to do this style and it turned out really cute. Once I was done I added some ribbon and a couple of clips.

I love braids because they hold all the hair back out of her face and they last through lots of rough housing and play.

I also wanted to mention a giveaway that Hair for the Mini Diva is doing right now. She has some fantastic bows that she makes herself, I love her bows because they are very unique some I have never seen before. If you want a chance to win some bows go on over to her blog Hair for the Mini Diva and enter Good luck!.

Cookie Giveaway

Fantabulously Frugal is giving away cookies from SweetAmbs!! Visit the Etsy Monday blog post and follow the instructions for a chance to win 6 of my Brush Embroidery Cookies in brown and pink.

Fantabulously Frugal is a blog where you can find bargains, coupons, free samples and more. Make sure to visit often for all kinds of great deals!

I made these cookies as a custom order for a baptism. Edible ink markers come in very handy when making the initials.


Check out my interview on Dollface Delights, a blog that chronicles the journey of starting a business.

Fresh-Squeezed Fotki Juice: Mrssmif

I have been stalkin Mrssmif's fabulous fotki on the regular and was so glad she agreed to be a part of this series. I love her styles and I'm sure you will too.

NL: What motivated you to go natural?

In 2004, I felt led to start eating better and taking better care of my temple. As I began eating better, and working out more often, I ran into a problem. Working out made me sweat. Sweat made my hair frizz. I didn't want my hair to frizz, so I wouldn't work out. The cycle would continue. Then one day, when praying for good health, and weight loss, God revealed to me that my hair was making me fat! LOL What kinda sense did that make, not working out just to have straight hair?! Besides, I was so worried about being organic, and not putting toxic things IN my body, yet, I was constantly putting them ON my body. I was always known for my long straight, sleek, styles. But I knew what it took to maintain those styles, and it just wasn't worth the health sacrifice anymore. But I was very concerned about what others thought, and my hair was very much a part of my identity (where was India Arie when you needed her,lol), so it was quite a struggle for me. So, against all odds, I let go (of the perm and the pounds about 40 =) thank God)...

NL: Your twists and braids look amazing! How do you create your styles?

It's so weird to hear people say,lol, because I never touched my hair until going natural! I'm not a creative/hands on person, so if I can do a style ANYONE can learn to do it!

I always start w/deep conditioned hair. and then braid/twist semi-damp/almost dry, stretched hair, using either homemade shealoe, or coconut oil, and seal w/castor oil. I use the grab and twist/braid method with all styles except the micro braids (with my own hair) that I'm wearing now. My two reasons for doing this is 1) I really stink at parting, lol and 2) I don't want spaces in my hair for twistout/braidouts. After twisting/braiding, I usually air dry, wearing a hat or scarf if I need to go out, and then untwist/braid for a nice wavy braidout. Or wear them as is, if small and done neatly as a protective style.

NL: What is your typical hair (wash and style)/product regimen?

To shampoo, I use liquid castile soap (Trader Joes carries it pretty cheap like $2), and once in a while if I feel any buildup, I'll add a small bit (like 1tsp-1tblspn) of baking soda to the castile to help remove it. To condition, I use mayo (either store bought, or homemade), or other egg & oil based mixture (homemade) and allow to sit with a shower cap for anywhere from 15 min -2 hours, depending on how much time I have/how lazy I'm being, lol. I then rinse, using lukewarm water (very important when using products w/egg, hot water scrambles the egg in your hair,lol). I then do a acv rinse using 1/4cup acv to 3 3/4cup softened/distilled water. I do this once or twice/week in the winter, 2-3x's /month in summer. In summer I mostly co-wash using only a conditioner that meets my above requirements, and just detangle in the shower (with/conditioner in hair), rinse and go. When/if I feel buildup, I refer back to the shampoo routine above.

For moisturizing in between /immediately after washes, I use homemade leave-in and homemade shealoe for twisting/braiding, in the winter (heavier moisture). In the summer I use a homemade curly pudding for wash and go hair (lighter moisture).

NL: What is one thing you know now about being natural that you wish you knew beforehand?

That my hair would flourish w/o chemicals! I often look back now and wish I'd done it sooner. I worried so much about how short my hair would look, and if "natural hair would look right on me", as so many other people do. Now I just realize that this is what my hair wanted all along, I was just putting up a fight.


NL: Is there anything else that you want NL readers to know?

That it was 95% mental (at least for me!). Once I just got enough guts and did it, it was so liberating! Don't be concerned about what others will think, or worried that it doesn't look like you want it to right away. Have patience with your hair, and the rewards will pay off in the end. Like I said, I didn't know the first thing about hair, having paid others for years to style it for me (I never even washed my own hair!), but now I enjoy trying new things (some work, many don't) and taking good care of my temple in every way. Experiment with new styles ONLY when you have time, and don't have anywhere important to be, this will take much of the frustration out of time spent doing your hair. And give you time to perfect the style before presenting yourself to the world. I learned this the hard way, lol.. Try not to worry about what others think. You never know who may be watching your confidence and follow suit. I was so concerned about what my friends and family would say, yet they are my biggest supporters now (my mom and 2 out of 3 of my sisters have gone natural!). My youngest sis makes even the most relaxed sistahs wanna go natural, simply because of the confidence level that she exudes (that I wish I had), and she has the thickest texture of us all! And last but not least, don't tell yourself that natural hair "does not look right" on you. God makes no mistakes, He gave you the perfect hair...for you.

Braid-out

Two-strand twist bantu knot-out

Individual Mini Braids (this is what really got me!)

Thanks to Mrssmif for sharing with all of us!

6mths and half way there

So here I am posting an update to commemorate my half way mark. Feels good that I am still going strong and learning a little about myself as time progresses. This august I have officially returned back to work from almost a full year of mat leave and I have to say that I was filled with so much anxiety because I did not know if my hair would be accepted by my peers or bosses . I mean for so long I was wearing relaxers and thought that this was the only acceptable hairstyle in my profession or any job for that matter, but you know what? why is it that other people can wear their natural hair at least (naturally straight) in a regular pony tail and I have to go out buy a relaxer to do this? Why can't I wear my hair naturally and rock a pony tail my way (naturally kinky)? Seriously though folks it was my own way of thinking that kept me from being who I am. My peers never had a problem with my hair as long I kept it neat. I look professional and my hair looks cute with all the headbands Ive been wearing and all and Ive gradually progressed going from natural curls to the locs, it shouldn't have been surprising. No one said anything negative or if they were thinking it they sure did not even gave a hint of animosity about it. I mean who's going to have a staff meeting about someones natural hair? but getting to the point I think that most other black people have a problem with the whole natural hair thing and if I were amongst many more black people in my work place I might have been sent straight home with a relaxer kit in hand and told not to come back till I was good and proper. If I were working for my mother (she has her own business) my hair would not be appropriate and I would have to wear wigs everyday to work. I just think we all have to push on and not be afraid to answer people's questions and have good but constructive comebacks to comments when dealing with the hair issue and for Pete's sake lets keep the hair neat and presentable if possible. The other day I had a friend ask me if I washed my hair and I told him "of course" he said that he met another person who had dreads but it was a hot ass mess and their head stunk something awful, and this was coming from a white friend mind you. This "dread head" already gave my friend a bad perception of what having locs were all about and that all dreadies were probably the same. I set this man correct, I even let him smell my hair. Lol we probably looked like a pair of chimps having a go at it but hey anything to set the record straight right? People are going to be curious and ask. No one should really get offended when people just want answers to what could come across as ignorant questi0ns. Otherwise my foot would have definitely come off in someones ass if they were getting fresh with me for real though.




On another note if I were most major companies Sheen Carson (dark& lovely) or whom ever are in the business of selling relaxer and chemicals to make the nappy heads look "appropriate" in any setting I would try to send out the message that going nappy headed is very unprofessional. I would try my darn hardest to get the newbie naturals to come back to the crack or at least use my products for their new found endeavor.

People who are now choosing to explore their natural side should have the right to do so, but at the same time we should allow people the right to keep the relaxer if they want to as well. Why become a Jehovah's witness to going natural and try to shout out the good word then stomp on people for staying on the creamy crack? Dang! some people just look good with a perm. Hey dying ones hair is a chemical job too why don't we stomp on them as well?...... I just can not condone the judging of people for not wanting to switch. It's like trying to get someone who's been smoking cigarettes non stop for 20 years to quit cold turkey. It's not impossible but sure the heck hard. I think that if more people choose to go natural let your hair speak for it's self if people like what they see and ask you for info then freely give it. Don't chase em off with the non creamy crack propaganda. More and more people are choosing to explore themselves and others are following because that's what they were born to do right? I think some people are a little to militant with the hair thing. I am just glad the internet was here and that people were kind enough to share info on their hair. It took me a good 5 years to finally go natural then 3 more years to lock. Without the plethora of info on here I would probably still be hauling ass to the salon every two weeks. (I just don't have the money for all that) and even though some people still do and they be looking good too kudos to you for it but I still and will always be a DIY. Anyway just wanted to drop my little two cents for today wishing all my fellow lockers and those considering peace and blessings.

One Love

NAt