Afro Bliss: My product diary

By Katrice

It's only been about two months since I tried my first two-strand twist out. I procrastinated on doing it for a long time because I believed it would be a never-ending project. Well, I'm happy to say that it is worth every minute of the effort. I always call it a "labor of love" when I explain the amount of time (two hours) that I dedicate to doing it. Why? Because I love how much healthier my hair has felt and looked since I started twisting it. 

Women stop me all the time and ask what I do to achieve the wild kinky curly look. So, I decided to share my styling secrets in this post. 

First (and this has proved an essential element of my hair's look and feel), I wash my hair just once every two weeks. Before I set this schedule, I was washing it too frequently and drying it out immensely. I prefer to use Hair One non-sulfate shampoo; However, I recently purchased Taliah Waajid Black Soap liquid shampoo. So, I'm anxious to see if black soap is as good as everyone says. 

After washing, I always use a leave-in conditioner -- which at the moment is Murray's Parnevu Leave-in Conditioner.  And while, I love to wash my hair at the end of the day, I have learned that it's actually best to do so early enough in the day to moisturize it real well before bedtime.

Once it's dry, I apply Elasta QP Mango Butter -- another recent addition amongst my must-have natural hair products. I tried mango butter thinking that it would be a great hair dress (providing a nice shine as well as both moisture and hydration). Although it didn't work for what I intended, it did fill another void in my haircare routine. It provided me with a means for volumizing my afro.

The last step to a simple twist out is to apply a spot of Organic Root Stimulator Carrot Oil to each section prior to the twisting. This product is very rich, so you don't need to saturate your hair. Apply just enough to spread it the length of your hair. 

I tie my hair up with my the same wrap scarf that I used before going natural, and then take it down in the morning. And this is what it looks like when I first untwist it.

If I want to make it more full, I let the steam from my facial steamer cloud around me while I'm brushing my teeth. (Steam is a great natural moisturizer.) That gives it a bit of wildness that livens the style up. As you have probably guessed by now, I like volume.


I haven't quite figured out how to work with it well enough to wear the bangs down in the front, so I pin it up in the front. And voila!

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Closet Envy

Tibi Essentials: Fall 2010

By Katrice 


Every fashion lover dreams of being invited to New York Fashion Week. I actually sometimes wonder how I ended up in a field that doesn't somehow revolve around fashion, and why I'm not in NYC and London every year! Nevertheless, being able to catch a few designers' shows streaming online this year and others on YouTube makes up for it just enough to tide me over -- until I am there in person. And in the meantime a few of my favorites allow me a first-hand preview of their pieces; one of which is Tibi founder Amy Smilovic. 


Smilovic's designs are a breath of fresh air for women like me who want to be distinguishably classic. It's the best of both worlds. Think: glamour meets comfort.

Sunday Excursion

By Katrice

First stop ...

Brunch

Catfish filet, scrambled eggs, grits and a wheat biscuit

Afternoon in the city ...

Bronner Brothers Hair Show

Just relaxing ...

Blue jean jacket (Bitten), dress (Forever 21), Aviator shades, clutch (vintage Louis Vuitton)

Ailey 2010

By Katrice

I always look forward to February because it's when the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater comes to Atlanta. My anticipation for this year's performance was particularly high since learning that it would be dedicated to Judith Jamison's work as the company's creative director and the year of her retirement. They could have spent two hours rolling around the stage to the eclectic mix of soulful music and I would have been riveted. In other words, I'm a fan for life. But what was most memorable about Ailey 2010 for me was that I believe my 3-year-old niece also became a fan last night.

Her mom dressed her pristinely in a pink dress and black patent leather shoes with white bows in her hair. When I met them in the foyer, I could tell that she really didn't understand why we were there, but her eyes were bright with anticipation. We headed to the concession stand and got her set with popcorn, and waited for the doors to open.

Once inside, the rest is history -- for me, at least. Her eyes were so wide in the dark. (She whispered that she was scared.) But, then the music began, and she turned around with a coy smile. She loves music and lives to dance.

At the end of the performance of In/Side, she clapped louder than many of the adults around us. She watched the stage and she watched her two little friends a couple seats over to see their reactions. All the colors, movement, changes in music ... I imagine the show was like one long dream sequence for her. And then there was "Rocka Soul in the Bosom of Abraham."

She clapped and swayed from the start straight through to the reprise as we walked up the aisle. That's how Alvin Ailey is meant to be experienced.

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Simple beauty ...

I love to wake up and open my balcony. The air is so crisp and clean. Spring is just 31 days away.

Last Looks at Winter (Styles)

By Katrice

Bloomindales peeking from behind the snow in Atlanta

I was standing in The Loft buying tights and the woman in front of me said she was struggling to find clothes for the remainder of the winter because spring apparel has been put out. (She just moved to Atlanta from Florida.) Although I could see her point about the warm weather clothes in the front of the store, I couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't ventured to the clearance section. It is literally heaven at this time of year. So, I decided to to take a look myself -- just to see what I could find on sale.

Considerate it my little gift to you.

First stop, Target.

Exhiliration sheer paisley dress $12.98

In white flowers (Luv this one!)

Exhiliration black tank with beaded necklaces attached $8.98

This is the time to buy party dresses!!!

Rodarte for Target crepe-silk blend dress with tulle
$9.98

The Limited

Gray tweed. It was so fun and classic.

$24.99

$49.99

$34.99

A great little sheer top to wear with a skirt or jeans

$14.99

Welcome to Macy's! This sale made me want to start calling everyone I know.

Just about everything I touched was $4.99!

OMG! This little dress has a pink satin bottom with a black lace overlay. $4.99!!!

Brown fur vest

$4.99

Simple at the top but flirty red and black tapestry at the bottom. Soooo cute.

Just in case someone doesn't have enough skinny jeans.

$9.99

Forever 21!

$10.99

Three-tiered lace mini skirt. It's sooooo lush. $8.99

$4.99

$8.99

This sweater stopped me in my tracks! Nude, black and white with beading around the collar and sheer ruffles at the waist and cuffs. $8.99!!!!

Good Times at Home

By Katrice

It's raining in Atlanta. Woo hoo! I guess I actually should be bummed because I didn't get to be single in the city this evening. But, coupled with the fact that I'm battling a nagging cold -- rainy days make me relish being a "homebody" even more. I find so many interestingly whimsical activities to do around my apartment that, not only are my friends entertained by my tales of adventure, I sometimes have to laugh out loud at myself. So, if you're easily bored when confined to the house or even just looking for ways to liven up your down time, I've got your covered with my 9 Surefire Tips to Being an Intriguing Homebody.

1. Get yourself a hobby. When my mom told me to find a hobby growing up, I thought it was corny and resisted for no real reason that I can think of. But, I've come to appreciate my hobbies as a good distraction from everyday stresses and a perfect outlet for my creative energy. Most times you find something you're good at, that you'd never have known otherwise.

2. Explore your favorite cookbook. This has been on my To-Do list for a while because I have a vintage Betty Crocker cookbook from my grandmother's collection as well as a new one of my own -- B. Smith Cooks Southern-Style. I fancy myself a gourmet cook in the making.

3. Take in a YouTube beauty tutorial. I recently joked with a friend that I needed her to teach me how to put on false eye lashes and she told me to just watch a couple videos on YouTube like she did. Though I'd already tried that, I did learn how to do a smokey eye a couple years ago. So, all was not lost. It's like being in the MAC chair without the $50 makeup lesson price tag.

4. Snuggle up with a good magazine. If you're too busy to read an entire book, magazines are fantastic substitute. My suggestions: Women's Health, Fast Company, O Magazine and InStyle (well, that's my short list. E-mail me for the unabbreviated version.)

5. Catch up with friends and family via Web cam. It's so much more fun than a regular phone call.

6. Journal. Capturing your thoughts and experiences by journaling is a good way to relax, relate, release ... and to chronicle your life. You may just want to look back on the times that make you who you are.

7. Have an Earth Hour. Every so often, I turn the television, lights and music off, light some candles in every room and lay down for an hour of the most peaceful relaxation you can ever imagine. I've been hooked on the concept since March 28, 2009, when the rest of the country paused at 8:30 p.m. to raise awareness about climate change and the threat from rising greenhouse gas emissions.

Atlanta Earth Hour 2009

8. Play dress up. I'm not good with deciding what to wear to work when I get up in the morning. So, I look forward to rummaging through my closet and putting together different ensembles on Sunday evenings -- all in the name of preparing for the week ahead. Mostly, I just like rediscovering and re-coordinating my wardrobe. lol

9. Feed your mind. My friend Kamille turned me on to Google Documentaries and I don't know how I got this far in my inquisitive life not having discovered this wonderful Google accessory. Not only are they entertaining, you feel as if you're growing smarter by the moment.

Sista' Please, Speak Life

By Katrice

This week, I had a troubling encounter with someone I would consider an elder in my professional circle of women that impacted me to seize this moment for a dialogue with my sistas'. As if I was writing four years ago for this moment, it left me feeling that now is as good a time as any to share a piece that I penned back then about our responsibility as women to teach our girls the importance of speaking life.

~

April, 2006

I recently took the subway home from work in downtown Philadelphia at a time when many people dread to ride ... the end of the school day. With just the hum of the train in my consciousness, it wasn’t long before I realized why I had heard that the early afternoon was the worst time to travel. As I watched for my stop, I was jarred from my daydream by a voice that seemed in complete anarchy against the concept of respect. It took me all the way back to sixth grade. The female voice could have been from someone I knew. I didn’t know this girl, but I knew her type. She was loud-talking her friends about everyone who had gotten on "her last f---ing nerves" that day at school. As soon as I heard her first expletive-laced comment I shifted in my seat to try and see her face. I wasn't the only one looking in her direction, though I'm sure my interest was different. She was on a roll about a girl that she seemed to hate. By coincidence, a friend and I had just had a conversation about empowering young black women, so this teenage girl’s disposition and expression had my full attention. I was convinced that this was meant to be a teachable moment for me.

While other passengers around me cringed at how freely she cursed through the conversation with her three girl-friends, I reminisced about the girls I knew who reminded me of her when I was younger. She is the girl who wouldn't be noted in the junior high school year book as "most popular," "best dressed" or "most likely to succeed." She actually would probably not be noted for anything, but everyone would know her. She is the one who "does not take mess" from anyone and is likely befriended by other girls to keep her from talking about them. She was the girl who had told everyone that I "thought I was all that," by lunchtime on my first day at a new middle school. I knew her well. But, I resisted allowing my personal reflections to affect my opinion of this girl. I was sure a life lesson could be won here, and I was correct. The message, I concluded, was that this young woman needed someone to speak life to her. African-American women are resilient – strong and determined. It’s important to tell and show our girls this. However, what is more important is that we break the cycle of our internalized oppression. Otherwise, we will continue to raise daughters who believe that their sisters are their enemies. This is not rocket science nor is it a major discovery for which I can be credited. It was, however, enough to make me start checking myself for the “enemy tendencies.”

We consistently manifest the negative ideals that Western culture has embedded in us through our incessant quest for mainstream “beauty” as well as our interactions with each other. No, not all of us are guilty of this. But, enough of us engage in this behavior to negatively influence the development of our girls. I imagine that the young woman I saw that day on the train has a fashioned a bogus self-concept that shakes under the weight of her insecurities. However, she is not solely to blame. All of us can share in the responsibility for her need to tear another one of her sisters down to build herself up. I had to ask myself how many times I have used the phrase, “she thinks she’s all that.” I am embarrassed to admit that I am guilty of it. That has become our banner statement for verbally attacking one another. We say it in the grocery store; we say it at work and at church, and even about celebrities that we have never met. I also reflected on the many times that I had been walking in the store and came face to face with another African-American woman who either quickly averted her eyes or starred back at me as if I had no right to speak to her. I was suddenly intensely mindful about the way I talk about myself in front of the girls that I mentor. Much of my self-concept developed in the shadow of my mother’s expressed perception of herself. Although I don’t ever remember her talking about or putting down another woman, I do remember the vigilant way that she went about taking care of her mind and body. I have inherited the latter inclination. Now in my 30's, I understand why the former was just as important.

Along with our mothers, many women influence us; and as women, we influence girls by the way we conduct ourselves. Speaking life simply means that we don’t participate in the system of oppression that has caused us to feel intimidated by each other. It means that we make the effort to speak positively and share encouraging words with our sisters. We reach out to one another by affirming our sisters and celebrating all of our diversity, our accomplishments and our happiness. And most importantly, we teach our daughters to do the same.

~

Today, my sentiments are the same -- only more intense. My successes are a testament to the strength of my elders, and an entry way for those who will follow me. Elders, we are not your competition ... we are your testimonies. Girls, let us be your examples. My success is every woman's success. A healthy outlook and self-concept affords me the strength to lift up my neighbor. So, I will not accept it as any sense of normalcy that we tear each other down ... especially in those instances when we believe it is necessary to do so in process of building each other up. And I challenge my sisters to resist doing so. Beauty, love, security, esteem, success, happiness, contentment are not in short supply. There is absolutely enough for each one of us to have an overflowing portion.

Imagine what would happen if we just simply spoke life.