Throwback Thursday Presents...

The Roots and Erykah Badu are artists that I've always admired. This collaboration was modern day magic. Jill Scott wrote the hook for this song and was orginally supposed to be the featured artist on the track. Since Jilly didn't have that star power Erykah had at the time, producers felt it was more marketable for Jill to take the back seat. Respectfully, both Jill and Erykah performed the song together on Dave Chappelle's concert movie "Block Party". I hope to hear more projects from this dynamic trio in the future.

Happy Thursday everyone!

Just Like a Star

Corinne Bailey Rae is my hair crush of the month. She went from short flirty curls to "come and get me" curls in what seems like no time. Her self-titled album was released in 2006, so her tresses have blossomed quite a bit since she stepped into the spotlight. CBR is definitely representing the natural hair community well. She kind of reminds me of an urban Carrie Bradshaw in this photo. Don't you agree? Sights like these grant me inspiration to move forward in my natural hair journey. Although it's only been 1 year, there are times I've been surprisingly bored with my hair and had thoughts of giving up. Truth be told, lacking patience won't do much for me at this point. My goal is to continue exploring what my hair loves and to master the maintenance of my natural texture. During the colder months, I'll get by with concentrating on moisturizing and protective styling. Then I'll be one step closer to achieving the bed head curls I desire.

Throwback Thursday Presents

Here's an oldie, but goodie. "You Outta Know" is an anthem for those of us that have ever had the pleasure of sleeping with a broken heart. Alanis Morissette ladies and gentleman is simply the truth. Her lyrics are amazing! This song is a head banger and I fell in love with her music even more when I heard "Ironic". If you've never heard this song, you're about to witness one of the most talented, slept on artists. Enjoy. Happy Thursday!

Trick or Treat

This time of year always creeps up on me and I’m almost never prepared. Growing up, we didn’t celebrate Halloween due to parental control. L Perhaps that’s why I don’t really think about it until the week of or even the day before. Living vicariously through my friends at a young age wasn’t my idea of fun or fair, but I managed to get by with a homemade costume every now and again. I had no intentions of dressing up this year. At the request of one of my BF's, I shopped my closet and made it work.

Can you guess what look I was going for?

The old and young are out today in rare form. Please be safe if you’re going to a party or candy hunting from door to door with the little ones. Beware of the candy bags thieves, egg bombers and heavy juice drinkers. People have an excuse to act a little crazy today so be observant of your surroundings and have a good time.

Hope your night is full of more treats than tricks!

Peace & Love

Giving Back

Last month, I had the pleasure of working with my fellow H.S. alum and students to restore "The Pride of Chicago". The Alumni Association of Chicago Vocational High School reached out to former band members in hopes of giving the students a real homecoming experience. For years, the school's music program has been neglected and the reputation dramatically declined. So we showed up and showed out and the response was overwhelming. We were mentioned on V103, WGCI and  Power 92.3 radio stations. The word spread like a wildfire and now our rival high school band alum are inspired by our idea. What I'm most proud of is the impact that the homecoming performance had on the students. Now the music program has been reinstated as a major! Kudos to everyone who invested their time and effort into making this happen. Teamwork really does make the dream work!

8.10.11

I've always been super excited about my birthday, but turning 30 has me on cloud nine! As a little girl, I remember saying when I turn 30 I'll be rich, have my own business and I'll be married with kids. Let's just say I'm making progress with meeting those expectations. Lol. However, I'm at the point in my life that I can honestly say I'm happy. Give or take the challenges life may bring, I know that I'm tremendously blessed.

I am humbly grateful for everything and everyone in my life. My prime has arrived and I'm just glad to still be in the mix. I'm very proud of how far I've come. From being a little tomboy who was only interested in riding my bike, jumping double dutch rope and terrorizing my brother, to an intelligent business woman and even someone's wife. (who knew) Momma and Daddy's youngest born is all grown up. And this year, I'll dance until my feet go on strike.

Throwback Thursday Presents...

Our British sista took the world by storm and yes I got caught up in it. I fell in love with this song and followed her the remainder of her career. Lisa Stansfield was the shhhhh... Wherever you are, we miss you. Get Will I Am to drop you a track and so you can make a comeback. Whitney did it and you can too! Lbvs. 

Happy Thursday! Enjoy your weekend.

Natural Hair Sermon

Many have said that African-American women that choose to wear their natural hair are arrogant, extreme or self-righteous. This may hold some truth one way or the other. Allow me to introduce myself, shall I? My name is Chrishelle, most people call me Coco. Don't ask. My favorite fruit is a strawberry and my skin color is, well you know. The hair on my head has been chemical free for a total of 10 months. Before I chose to undo what my wonderful aunt did to my hair, I experimented with just about every hair style you could think of. As long as my hair was fried, dyed (okay really rinsed) or laid to the side, I was a happy camper.

I've always had hair past my shoulders, but I'd always change it up. I used to rock french rolls, rodded ponytails (you know the ones that went in the microwave, uh huh...lol) a layered bob, Rihanna inspired mohawk, 18 inch yaki or deep wave extentions, microbraids, crocheted extentions, fingerwaves, layered, pincurl and stacked ponytails and the list goes on. Out of all the hairstyles I've had, I must say that my hair is it's healthiest in it's natural state. No more pump it up spritz, oil sheen or hair relaxer for me. Believe me when I say that those days are over. Being natural is quite the liberating experience. Let me tell you why. I no longer have to run for cover when it rains. I can go all day not to worry about combing my hair to keep it in place. I can swim or get wet without the headache of putting on a swimming cap. Lastly, I am confident knowing that THIS is how God made me and I am beautiful no matter what!

With that, I must say that just because my hair is natural doesn't make me believe for a minute that I'm better than someone who isn't. This is a decision that I made and I'm proud of it, but I will not judge anyone who chooses to walk a different walk. I get so sick and tired of those women who say that natural hair women think they all that and so forth. Pluhleez stop that madness!!!! First it was light skinned women against dark and now this? Is the new hype of hate that's brewing: Relaxed Hair vs. Naturals? Let's quit all this nonsense and get free. We're all beautiful in our own right. Even the chick you swear up and down is ugly as hell is a star in someone's eyes. Believe that. So let's work on encouraging each other instead of ripping each other to shreads. I mean really...when are we gonna get enough? Being positive is the way to go. So if you see somebody that looks nice, instead of being nasty towards them, just let them know.

Sprung Poetry

I am in love with his heartbeat

I am in love with his toes

With his sun kissed complexion

I love the shape of his nose

I am in love with his mustache

That enhances his lips

I am in love with his shoulders

right down to his fingertips

I am in love with his walk

and his bright sexy smile

His kisses make me blush

as if I am a child

I am in love with his eyebrows

so thick and untamed

I love the shade of his eyes

for mine are just the same

I am in love with his affection

so warm and sincere

he is in love with his woman

and has made that crystal clear

I am in love with our synergy

as hand is to a glove

How far HE has brought us

I gratefully thank the Lord above

I am in love with our friendship

I am in love with our future

I am in love

Throwback Thursday Presents...

Happy Thursday! Ohhh on the TLC tip! I LOVE LOVE LOVE me some TLC, let me tell you! Those girls were my frickin' hero's back in the day when I was a kid. I remember my girls Laura and Angelita performed this song with me for the 8th graders at the school talent show. We practiced our little hearts out and it paid off. We killed the show and I recall receiving a standing ovation. Keep in mind that we were in 7th grade but those darn 8th graders were R.U.D.E. If felt like it was Showtime at the Apollo, but we were just in the center of the school gym. Lol. TLC was a force to be reckoned with. My husband says they were super weak, but he just doesn't understand that they were that deal. I have many favorite TLC songs. HisStory, Ain't to Proud to Beg, Scrubs, Baby, Baby Baby, and the list goes on. What was or still is your favorite TLC song?

Climbing the Success Ladder

 

There's nothing worse than working hard on a job where you feel unappreciated and unvalued. Especially when you notice those that are skating from month to month barely doing any work at all. It's down right unfulfilling and overwhelmingly frustrating. Don't be discouraged. There is hope! It comes a time in everyone's life when you'll have to make a serious decision to do what you love and love what you do. This is the true pursuit of happiness. Whether it's volunteering to help someone in need or to build your own empire, what counts is how much you enjoy the line of work. Otherwise, you're just wasting time. We aren't always clear as to which direction we should take our careers, but just working a glass ceiling job year after year is not the ticket. Many jobs are not designed for you to get stagnate because to most employers you are simply just a number. So you should always have a backup plan to keep yourself afloat. Over the years, I've heard this numerous times, but you don't always grasp the reality of a situation until it's staring you in the face. Figure out what type of work you would be happy doing. Set goals and work hard to attain them and position yourself for the change.
Pray and ask God for direction and it shall be done.

Make A Statement...

Freedom of expression is an awesome concept that establishes each person's individuality. How uber boring would it be if everyone dressed exactly the same way? You have the buppies, yuppies, eclectics, conservatives, and the monochromatics. Then there's the trendsetters and trendforecasters that set the tone and inspires the world. Whichever style personality you choose to embrace, it doesn't always cost a fortune to look and feel great. The value of your personal style is not determined by how much you spend. What counts is the rhythm of your pieces and how well they work for you. When I was a young buck, I could not live without name brand clothing. Back then, being fresh and clean was about matching designers from head to toe. Guess, Used, Damaged, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren and Girbauds were my end all and be all. I had no idea that I could be fashionable without rocking a name brand. Wasn't until I went to an HBCU that I found out that there is life without drowning yourself in name brands. So now that I have a blind eye to it all, I simply wear what I feel compliments me best. Other than to cover your unmentionables, that's really the sole purpose behind fashion. So I encourage everyone to be not afraid of exploring different styles and experimenting with colors. Before you open your mouth, you are judged on your appearance. So make your statement without saying a word.

Peace & Love

Throwback Thursdays Presents...

Here's another favorite throwback jam. Many people are sleep on Stephanie, but the girl is mean with the vocals. Happy Thursday.

Choosing Battles With Wisdom

The question was presented to me whether fighting all the time and making up keeps the spark in a relationship. Perhaps it can, but when those sparks blow a fuse then you'll have a whole new set of issues. It took some time before I truly understood that there is a time to speak and a time to be silent. When you're able to discern between the two, the better off you'll be. Let's face it. We ALL have issues and how we deal with them measures our level of maturity. If you decide that you must snap, crackle and pop about any and everything that bothers you, trust and believe - you will be miserable. Point, blank, period. Thinking before you speak and not allowing small things to effect you will benefit you much more in the end. For the good book states, "Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few" (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

Wedding Bliss

That's right! I am now a married woman and my heart is full of joy. My wedding was everything I ever hoped for and so much more! I'm just getting back into the swing of things, but I'll be back with more posts very soon. Stay tuned. Peace and love...

My Hair Story

                  
Most of the decisions made about my hair are thought out well in advance before execution. Like when I got bored with my long hair and cut it into a Halle Berry look (circa 1992 Boomerang). Shorty after, I decided to get it cut into a modern mohawk. When I got bored with the short hair do, I created a wig and began the process of me allowing my hair to grow freely without manipulation. Here's what I did. I glued tracks onto a stocking cap, cut and styled it, repeating this process for almost 2 years. There were many instances where I took better care of the darn extensions than I did my own hair. I know. I know. Shame on me. Little did I know, this behavior would cost me big time. 


One weekend in September 2010, I bought more packs of hair to create another wig. Taking my hair down took longer than usual, but at the time, I didn't think anything of it. My goal was to hurry up and get that old weave out so I could redo my hair and get on with my day. Soon enough I found a monstrosity of rubber glued dreadlocks chillin' at the top of my head! In slight panic, I drenched my hair in conditioner to help loosen the glue so detangling would be easier, but there was no use. I mean, it was quite a sight to see. I tried everything from vaseline, conditioner, and glue remover shampoo but that damn glue just wouldn't give. So I called my fiance and begged him to rescue me. I gotta give it to him, he tried detangling for a while until I made the executive decision for him to cut the glued dreads out of my hair completely. Since I hadn't relaxed my hair in months, I had two different textures of hair on my head. I had new growth and of course my ends were still relaxed. By the time he got finished, I was left with a teeny weeny afro and a single shead tear. Sweeping up all that hair was more painful than my big chop itself.


I vowed to myself that I would never neglect my hair again. The next time I took my hair down to refresh, I noticed this unbelievably coily hair texture that captivated me. Although, my hair was chemical free, I was still using hair products designed for chemically treated hair due to my lack of knowledge on how to care for my virgin hair. I grew pretty frustrated on wash days because, but I decided to be patient and do some research. It's baffles me how unfamiliar I was with my hair texture, but I was not backing down from this challenge. Today I am overjoyed because I've discovered a treasure that's been hidden for over 16 years.

I'm just a few months shy of being one year natural and I'm lovin it! This is one of the best decisions I've made in my life and I encourage you all that are thinking about it to do it! I am by no means knocking those that choose to do the opposite, because trust me I have done it all. However, there are certainly rewards when taking certain risks and I most definitely consider myself a walking testimony that it you take the risk you'll earn the reward.

Throwback Thursday Presents...

                                           

I am addicted to Nina Simone's music! She has so much soul and grace that it really goes without saying. Her songs are so amazing that I just get lost in her voice. This piece speaks to me because I've harbored thoughts like these many times. The last day of Women's History Month is dedicated to the incomparable Nina Simone. Hope you enjoy!

Live Out Loud

In the past, I have been guilty of taking myself way too seriously. Then I met the love of my life and all that soon changed. My beloved is known to roast any and everything in his sight (including myself) so he keeps me laughing. We are all uniquely made and it is my belief that EVERYONE has different levels of beauty. For example, I know I have a big forehead. Yes. My brother teased me my entire childhood and I used to get so mad with him. For one, his jug isn't much smaller than mine and I felt like he was being mean just because he had nothing else better to do. Nonetheless, I woke up one morning and pulled my hair back in a ponytail and thought, I'm still cute in a Tyra Banks kinda way. Lol. And I love my forehead more than ever because it's apart of who I am and God makes no mistakes. Embracing your flaws is essential to self love. So if you're embarrassed by your imperfections, I encourage you not to be. Instead, try enhancing your best assets letting your inner beauty overshadow your insecurities and pray for those that question how awesome you are.

First love yourself, then you can truly learn to love others.

Throwback Thursday Presents...

One random summer morning, I turned on the tube to find MTV's wake up video show on. I was barely awake and scrambling to find an outfit for work. Hearing this unfamilar beautiful voice, I made it to the TV just in time to see the name of the song and artist. Since I'd only heard like 50 seconds of the song, I was so eager to get online and hear the full version. When I heard the melody again I fell hard for Chrisette Michele and I've been a huge fan every since. This song is beautiful, it's relatable and it happens everyday. Check out Chrisette Michele early in her career. Hope you enjoy! Happy Thursday to all.

Peace & Love

Adjustment Bureau

There's no such thing as a perfect relationship. Each and every one of us are bound to experience ups and downs with our mate at some point. Sometimes the two of you can agree to disagree, but most likely this won't happen all the time. Emotions run high, feelings get hurt and disappointment stands at the door and knocks. So what do we do when the roads get rough? Men typically visit the gym, tune into a sports network or hang with their guys as a form of release. When women are going through, you'll find them cleaning, shopping, eating, or leaning on the shoulder of a friend. Retail therapy and treats are some of my favorite things to do any day. Cleaning is always a healthy and productive thing, but spilling the beans is not always the smartest move to make depending on who you confide in.

Question. How many times has someone casually offered their suggestions about what you should, need or better do in your situation? Instead of being an encouraging shoulder to lean on, they become blatantly judgemental & hypercritical. Then there are those that will send you off on blank missions just to sit back and watch you dance. All friends aren't guilty of this crime but there are a great percentage out there that are. Rather than becoming emotionally involved while taking inventory of each and every tit or tat exchanged in your friend's relationship, try being supportive and positively encourage them along the way. Building up an emotional wall with someone you have no direct intimacy ties to is merely a waste of time. Make your friend smile when they cry, keep them calm when they panic, be their strength when they're weak and sometimes just lend your ear when they need to purge emotionally. Sure you can try preaching until you're blue in the face, but it'll get you nowhere and may even cause strain on your friendship. Or maybe you can speak positive affirmations instead and add years to someones life. The true definition of a friend is measured by one who has your best interest at heart and will stand by your side allowing you to grow.

I Heart Nail Paint



Without a doubt, nail polish is my guilty pleasure. Right now, I'm into Katy Perry's OPI lacquer teenage dream. Very cute hue for the spring. With so many colors to choose from, and yes I've pretty much tried nearly every shade, I think my nails will briefly go nude this spring. Not literally, but I'm thinking bamboo or maybe pastel pinks here and there. The setback with using nude colors is that when the polish chips, it looks like sheer crap. I'm as annoyed with nail polish chips as Mommy Dearest is about wire hangers! Lol. It's just not okay. As hard as it is to keep your polish in tact when you cook, clean and work your gig, here are a few tips that may help your manicure stay just as fresh as your pedicure.


1. Top coat - Apply a second layer of a strengthening top coat to your nail concentrating on the free edge. The free edge of the nail is nail extending beyond both the nail bed and nail plate. I recommend Sally Hansen, China Glaze or OPI.

2. Cuticle Oil - Applying a small amount of cuticle oil around your cuticle and nail helps seal the nail polish when it's semi dry. Think of your hair being damp when you apply oil to it. The oil locks in moisture in hair the same way oil can lock the paint in place.

3. Cold Water - Cold water contracts everything it touches, so try letting the cold water bounce off your nails for about 10-15 seconds. Shake the excess water off and your touch up is as good as new!

Nail polish is a great accessory for any look you plan to rock. Make it work for you!

Throwback Thursdays

Hey yall and Happy Thursday! Every week on this day I'll hit you with one of my absolute fav throwback jams. The first throw back that came to mind was Jade's "Don't Walk Away", but the video had poor resolution so I decided to go with Brownstone. Where in the hell is Brownstone? Other than a cameo appearance on Martin, I haven't seen these ladies since the 90's. So if this post reaches you somehow, please comeback to us! I know I'm not alone when I say I love, love, love me some Brownstone. We also know how tricky it is for girl groups to stay together. Whatever the case may be, this song is an R&B classic! Please enjoy the kickoff to your weekend!

There is Beauty in the World...

How can you pretend that beauty isn't staring you dead in the face? How can a culture be ignored when their presence beams like sunlight dancing on mirrors? Who taught you to hate the very image you spend countless dollars to emulate? Could it be that ignorance was force fed during adolescence? Or perhaps, these views started with your first breath? Make no mistake, I am far more than just misunderstood. You know my history more than you'd like to admit. Yet you continue to resent me every chance you get. The good book says the last shall be first and the first shall be last. It wouldn't kill you to show me some respect when I walk pass.

- a day in the life of shopping in the Goldcoast

F.A.S.H.I.O.N - My Endless Love

To say I was bitten by the fashion bug since birth would be a cornfed lie. However, when I fell in love, I fell pretty hard. You can always pinpoint what your passion is if you're willing to do it for free. That's just what I did. TFP photo shoots, fashion show production and wardrobe styling was my claim to fame in college. Just when I received my fashion degree and called myself stepping out into the real world to make mula, I had no plan and we were on the brink of a recession. Realizing that my city was not booming with fashion leads, I found myself day dreaming about my future quite often. I knew I was creatively capable of doing most things, but I allowed excuses to put things off instead. Ignoring the encouragement of my Literature professor began to haunt me. As time went on I began to realize that just maybe I should follow through on my promise to complete my manuscript, but life got in the way and my dreams were not paying back any of my student loan debt. So here I am feeling like a jack of all trades and a master of none, I've taken a leap of faith and decided to enter the blog world and see where it takes me. Hope you enjoy this blog as much as I'll appreciate the journey.