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...