Styling Afro Kinky Hair

Good Housekeeping has joined the natural hair movement. Short but simple article about a natural hair sister and her trials and tribulations of styling her natural hair. Styling Afro Kinky Hair

Wearing Ethnic Clothing At Work - Women Displaying Cultural Pride At The Office - Marie Claire

Wearing Ethnic Clothing At Work - Women Displaying Cultural Pride At The Office - Marie Claire

My 4 month Nappiversary!!!

Four months ago, I went natural with no intention to make a statement.  In retrospect, I went natural because I was ready.  I have learned so much about myself.  I now view my hair as an accessory.  I can change it according to my mood.  My hair expresses who I am, and does not define who I am.  Wait...I repeat!  My hair expresses who I am, and does not define who I am.  It has taken me 39 years to realize this.

 As I enter my "life begins at 40" stage, I have made a consciencous effort to feed my mind, body and soul. I have made the conscienceous effort to develop new friendships and to nuture and support old ones. You see, me going natural isn't only about my hair.  It is about self-exploration, and transformation! It is about spiritual growth and empowerment!  It is about acceptance and making decisions...wise, consciencous decisions.  I had my ahh ha moment and realized... going natural is about ME!!!!!

e.l.f Haul from Target

Promise Yourself

This is so inspirational that I had to post it on my blog.  If everyone tried to incorporate one of these concepts into their life the world would be a better place.

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can
disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to
every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel like there is
something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your
optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best,
and expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on the
greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give
every living person you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, and too
strong for fear, and to happy to permit the
presence of trouble.

The Optimist Creed
From The Optimist International

In my Makeup Bag

With spring being right around the corner, I needed to spruce up my makeup bag. I love makeup and it can be very costly.  However, I sometimes purchase my makeup either on sale or from a discount outlet such as Lots for Less. Some women will not purchase discount makeup. Why?  I say, “Why not?!!!” Target, Walgreens, and other drugstores are also great places to find budget friendly makeup.   This week Rite-Aid had a great sale on Maybelline and Revlon products.  So, I gathered my coupons and sale flyer and hit the pavement.

With  BOGOs (By one get one half off) and 40% off products, I purchased a tube of mascara, two bottles of  foundation,  two eye shadow palettes and pressed power all for the price of one bottle of designer foundation.  Yup!!  That’s right!  For less than $50.00 dollars, I was able to fill my makeup bag to the brim. 

 I must admit that I am a MAC addict.  My love for MAC came from sheer need.  As a woman of color, it has been difficult to find the correct color foundation.  Back in the day, I use to pay an arm and a leg to have my foundation custom blended at the Prescriptives counter.  We have come a long way baby…but still are not quite there yet.  Although there are a lot more shades available for women of color, not all stores carry those shades.  So please don’t be discouraged if you cannot find your shade in your local neighborhood drugstore. 




40% off $4.43 Revlon Volume Express Falsies

 

40% off $3.59 Maybelline 4 palette in Seashore Frost



BOGO $13.99 Revlon Color Stay Mineral Finish Powder in Suntan Matte



BOGO $6.50 Revelon Photo Ready Foundation in Caramel



Don’t be afraid to color outside the lines!

Accessories are a girl's best friend!

It has been almost 4 months since my big chop. I have tried several ways to spice up my twa.  I must admit, I bought some hair accessories, however, my daughter has forbidden me from wearing them. LOL!!!!

  While I  continue my search for the perfect, age appropriate,  hair accessories, I will rock my fabulous earrings. Earrings are another great way to showcase your short natural do! Not only have I added several more pairs of earrings to my already large earring collection, I have started a scarf collection too.   Remember to ALWAYS buy accessories on SALE!  Charlotte Russe has a great accessories sale...2 for $8.00.  Can't beat that.  Forever 21 is another favorite for very inexpensive accessories. When it comes to costume and fashion jewlery you can always find bargains. 

 However, I will splurge once in awhile on a fab find from a street vendor. But, I will never spend more than $20.00. unless I LOVE it! Don't be afraid to express your fabulousness through accessories!

Review: MAC's Wonder Woman Line

This was originally posted at [insertgeekhere] on March 2, 2011.

 Recently, MAC makeup announced their new line of Wonder Women makeup. As a geek girl, I was thrilled. Yes, it is probably a shameless attempt at the company to get my money, but it makes me feel validated as a geek and a girl. It's nice to feel that a makeup company recognizes that geek girls aren't a stereotype and that we wear makeup.

MAC even sponsored this great fashion show by Jeremy Scott during NY Fashion Week that features Superhero Fashion.

I went with the team to Macy's to check it out because it looked so fun! While Getsuyobi hid by the door holding our bags, Wysefyre and I happily checked out all of the fun cases they had out.

The display was old school Wonder Woman and looked great. A guy even came in off the street just to take a picture of it.

 I loved the look of the compacts and how bright and bold they were. They did capture the feel of Wonder Woman. The makeup colors were also bright and bold to the point of "I can't wear those except to a cosplay" bright. Granted, with the right skin tone, it may look good, but the average girl might feel a bit out of place.

 I had gone into the store planning on buying a lip glass, because I love having all different shades of lip wear. After looking at everything, I decided to buy Secret Identity, a bronze, shimmery shade that looked similar to other lip glosses I own and the only one I liked out of the bunch. When I finally got home to try it, it looked very watery against my lips, almost like melted chocolate. Once I blotted, it looked a little better but I was disappointed. Wysefyre tested the eyeliner on her hand, and it refused to wash off for two days, despite a lot of scrubbing. It finally came off after she used some toxic strength cleaning products.

Overall, this line didn't stand up to MAC usual quality. However, I still plan on buying regular MAC products, and I am hopeful that they will expand the Wonder Woman line with better quality stuff.

Wilderowens writes regularly for [insertgeekhere] as she tries to prove to the world that a Girl can still be a Geek.  She resides in New York. 

Please secure your own oxygen mask prior to assisting children or helping others!

If you've ever flown on an airplane most of us have heard this prior to take off.  However, we need to do this in our everyday lives.

Many women, myself included, are so busy raising children working in and out of the home and tending to the needs of others that we often neglect ourselves. As a matter of fact, I am sure that more women will take their children to the doctor at the first sniffle, sneeze or cough.  But, when they are sick they'll take a Tylenol and call it a day.

Some of you may say, "but I go and get my nails and hair done."  That doesn't count.  I mean really giving yourself that much need dose of oxygen.   Are you taking time to feed your soul?  Are you pursuing your goals and dreams? Are you making healthy food choices?  If you are healthy, both mentally and physically, then you can really lead by example and take care of your families.  Being self aware and  securing your own oxygen mask first does not mean  that you are selfish.  It actually means that you are selfless!

According to the airline, once the cabin loses air pressure, you will have only 18 seconds of consciousness.  Get the picture! 

Here are some tips that will get you in the habit of securing your own oxygen mask first!

1. Connect or Reconnect with GOD.  Prayer works!
2. It is OK to ask for help...so, ask for help!
3.Learn to let go. It doesn't have to be perfect.
4. Make rest and quiet time a priority
5.Create pampering and self-care rituals and  incorporated them in your life.
6.Make an effort to eat one vegetarian meal a week.
7. Go for it!  Write a bucket list and start checking off your  goals.
8. Join one organization and participate!
9.Utilize social networks more often and network, network, network!
10. Get your finances in order.

Black Women: Set SMART Goals for Yourself

Black Women: Set SMART Goals for Yourself

If not now!  When?  You have to be proactive in order to move ahead. This article is straight forward and to the point.  If you are like me, I make so many list and rarely do I  ever go back to them.  This article will help you not only  in making career choices, but in any aspect of your life.  Use it to apply in your life and see what happens.  What do you have to lose?