Goodbye 2014...Hello 2015!

Happy New Year!

I won't hold you hostage with a super long post, but I did want to drop by and write something. Writing has been on my mind lately and just yesterday a friend asked why I didn't post anymore. Last post was in July. JULY. Now, I don't need to defend my absence but I will say that is a long time to be gone. Too long. Life was being lived. Feelings were being felt. Money was being made and spent, lol. I will do better, I have to. A lot happened in 2014. In a wide scope, America was being extra ugly towards my folk. Tragedy is never easy, but within the struggle there is beauty and the result of this unrest will be magnificent. People from all over came to Ferguson and the surrounding areas to show solidarity and let the powers that be know that this mistreatment is for the birds. On a more personal note, I got my own place, cut my hair...multiple times, bought a car, went back to school (<<<<<<I'm real excited about this one), I wrote my first guest piece on another site, went to some GREAT concerts, (OUTKAST, anyone??) D'Angelo returned to music and I willingly gave him my coins, I made some good new friends, dissolved some silly relationships, got promoted, switched branches, became uncomfortable. Most importantly, I loved, laughed, cried, lived and reveled in my being different. 2014 definitely had its share of ups and downs. I'm something like an optimist though so I tend not to dwell on the low points for long. I am definitely appreciative of all that happened and all that will happen. As far as resolutions go, I'm not big on them. I do like to have goals set though. My goals change throughout the year. As my mind shifts, so do the goals. I do have a little list for right now though.

 2015 Goals (so far)

• Take more pictures
• Dress up more
• Be more optimistic
• Do more art
• Improve
• Go more places ( here and abroad)
• Take no shit
• Organize
• Save money/make more
• Focus/Be attentive
• Learn more
• Be more awesome
• Be more aware
• Listen more (to God, to music, to myself, to others)
• Love myself and others more 

That's all I have to say right now. What are your plans for this year?
 Stay blessed or be pressed...




*soundtrack to this post was The Internet. Get familiar

Change has come

Hey!

Things have been changing for me recently and I now have time to sit down collect myself, say thank you, and write. We're 3 months into the new year and I've got a promotion, my own apartment, a haircut, and no car, lol. They are all connected and I'm thankful for each one of them. The past month or so has been a month of growth. I'm growing into my adulthood and my womanhood and I'm accepting it with open arms. It's very comforting and exciting to see yourself mature seamlessly. Of course we all have our "moments," but I'm proud of the woman I'm becoming, and it inspires me to keep growing and living! I also know I'm getting older because all I want to do on the weekends is catch up on sleep lol. #elderly 

This promotion had come just in time because I had been feeling under challenged in my old position and my mind was restless. I couldn't sleep at night because I was fearing that I was wasting my potential and intelligence. I was thankful that I had a job, but baby, I wanted to QUIT. I just wasn't getting what I thought I needed. I felt like I had learned all of what I was supposed to in that role. So, yeah, I'm glad about this new title.

 I've got my own place now. No more living off the fat of the land at my parent's because they've decided to move back to Houston. They wanted me to come, but I unlike them, am not retired and can't just up and move. I felt I was getting older and now was the best time for me to make this move. I'm still between both places, but I sleep at my apartment most nights and my mama has already left for 5th Ward leaving daddy to pack up the house. It's an adjustment to say the least but I know it'll be good in the end. I'm still in the beginning stages. No bed or tv  yet, but come May when I get JSU out of my pockets, I'll more to spend. My car broke down about a month ago. Ivy was old and well used. I see it as a silver lining because now I don't have to spend money on car maintenance, insurance, gas, etc.  

On to this hair honey, I had long been thinking about a change in hairstyles. I got inspired to cut all of it while was getting those trendy linings for a couple of months last summer. So I did it. Took my shoulder length hair and had my stylist chop it and give me a tapered cut. I LOVE it! I already feel so different. I've never had short hair before and I feel free. I'm #summertimefine  and it's barely spring, LOL

All these things are happening all at once. I'm beyond blessed, thankful, and grateful for them and for the people in my life who are supporting me. We'll see by the end of the year where I am emotionally, but right now, I 'm floating. Watch this Black girl fly (word to K-Dot)

Here's to change, it's making me better even when I don't feel like it is.

That's my before and after picture. #Cheekbones #TWA #new

It ain't easy living green...

Yesterday, I attended the "Belle Butters Presents: Hey Fran Hey | Natural Living Hair & Health" event. It was held in downtown STL and we got to meet, mix, and mingle with the local business owner Tasha Burton of Belle Butters and popular YouTube personality and healthy lifestyle champion Fran. It was another opportunity to be around like minded individuals. I must say that I attend a fair amount of events and this was put together well. I met people I had never seen before. I'm glad Fran and Tasha's fan bases showed up and out. It had it's kinks, (insert rimshot) but mostly it was good. I do appreciate that while hair is what brought us together is was not the majority of the conversation. I was so glad there were no tutorials. There were vendors and light refreshments and entertainment. I enjoyed Thelonius Kryptonite but I felt that this wasn't his scene. Corey Black came through and delivered poetry that charmed and stroked the egos of the black women . While both talents were appreciated, I felt like the lady dj would have been enough. I must be honest, I don't purchase a lot of products for my hair and skin. I do really like Tasha's products, despite me being a burgeoning frugalista, I will occasionally buy her wares. Thanks to YouTube and sites like Fran's, I know how to whip some things up, but I don't know everything and the science behind it. That's where this chat was helpful. The ladies gave insight to living a healthier existence. They shared their stories and struggles. Fran gave the secrets to her physique, (and how while she no longer indulges, just the mention of Popeye's gives her goosebumps, lol) Tasha gave the scoop on how to keep your black from cracking and how combining their tips with your own research can help you build and maintain your regimen. Tasha gave out good business advice. She touched on perseverance, faith, and belief in oneself. Both ladies stayed after to take pictures and answer questions. I enjoyed myself and can't wait for the next event of this type.I think the turnout was good, it showed that Midwest wants more events like this and that when folk come into town, they see that we will support. Maybe it can/should be a series featuring other bloggers and social media personalities?  

That's Fran of  HeyFranHey and yours truly after we had a good chat about blogging.
She is sweet like agave nectar, lol

Patience!!

Act now and get some action for FREE.99!

Solange

I love Solange. Don't get me wrong I definitely love Beyonce' but the spunk, the confidence, and talent that radiates from Ms. Solange gives me life! I still listen to Sol-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams like it's new. SO imagine my excitement when I heard she was ready to release some new music. Here's her new single and video "Losing You" filmed in South Africa. Full of fashion, fun, energy and good music. All things I expect from her.

Tell me the truth boy am I losing you for good...

Excuse me while I testify...

I have had this same statement uttered to me more times than I can count! This young lady has put my feelings into words. I thank her for that and hopefully this makes you uncomfortable and allows you to rethink what you say.

Naturally Beautiful

This song is dedicated to my fellow Naturalistas. Our beauty is appreciated. Dead Prez, the revolutionary rappers who are bigger than Hip-Hop. Dedicated originally to all the moms but I am sure they won't mind me sharing with the rest of the sisters.

Update

Hey there,

It's been a while since I've posted so I decided that I would do so. The last time I blogged, there was a busy weekend ahead of me. I got some of the natural hair things accomplished. My sister's hair turned out really well thanks to Erica at UHURU salon (S 39th St. Stl). I got some really good information,tips and products at the natural hair meeting. Now, the give away that was to take place did not happen because I live in the Midwest and we had a bit of a snow and ice situation that prevented it. Let's see what else has occurred... That's right, I had a BIRTHDAY! Another year older and slightly wiser,lol. My birthday is dangerously close to Christmas. This used to bother me when I was younger but now as long as people remember and are sincere with their wishes, I am happy. So I think that's all I have to update for now. I'll try and post more often.

A Stop on My Natural Journey

As you can tell from that fetching picture on your bottom right, I am a card carrying napptural girl. I am constantly in search of products and services that are both affordable and genuinely good. In my quest to embrace the crown that was given to me, I unknowingly brought my little sister with me. She has locs. They aren't long yet but they're hers and are in a constant of progression. I have ceased to try and re twist her locs myself, lol. I just couldn't get it to stay neat for more than a day. I was scouring other blog sites and just happened to find a list of natural salons in St. Louis. Tomorrow I will be taking my sis to one called UHURU. Uhuru is Swahili for freedom. The reviews I read were good so I hope our experience is good as the other reviewers were. I also have been invited to a Natural Hair Meetup tomorrow. This is where like follicled sisters meet and swap products, stories, and tips in hopes to encourage, uplift and extend each other, our selves and our hair respectively. On Sunday, there is another meeting this time of a more structured and promotional nature. It will be hosted by AVEDA. They want to demonstrate how well their products work on African-American hair. I am dragging my two best friends with me, no need to hold out on the free products and pampering. It promises to be a natural hair bonanza for me and my folk this weekend I will post the results of this trip sometime this weekend.