A Little Afro Love

Jourdan Dunn’s sporting a glorious fro on the cover of Elle France’s December 2008 issue (thanks to my fashion savior Make Fetch Happen for the head’s up!).

And I gotta ask — what do you see when you see this photo?

Do you see a striking and rare image of a model of color rocking a hair texture that isn’t stick straight?

Do you see an attempt by a mainstream foreign fashion magazine to continue the trend started most recently by Vogue Italia?

Or do you see something else that isn’t as beautiful and inspiring?

Like? Love? Hate? Meh?

I saw this image and I was struck by that crown of hair. I don’t care if it’s real or fake, all hers, or salon-assisted - to me, her fro looks HOT. Fly. She is working it and I love that Elle France put her and that fabulous hair front and center. A magazine cover like that gets an immediate spot on my coffee table.

I see that photo as hair inspiration for bellas who are on the fence about how beautiful their natural hair might be. But some of the comments on Make Fetch Happen were less glowing.

It all made me think about of two recent, brilliant blog posts I read on Racialicious — Nappily Ever After? Not Quite by Latoya Peterson, and Nappy Love: Or how I learned to stop worrying and embrace the kinks by Tami of What Tami Said. Beautiful, brave words written by two bloggers I am so inspired by, about their own experiences and feelings about embracing their natural hair texture. Those posts reminded me that not everyone’s hair journey is the same, but we learn so much along the path. The experiences we have with our natural hair — the response it evokes from others — reveals so much about how we define beauty, as versus how our peers and friends, significant others and families do.

I look at that photo, and I see a baby step in a direction I sincerely applaud. An undeniably stunning model, and a celebration of beauty I can see an almost-reflection of myself in.

What do you see? Do you love it? Or not?

2009 is MINE!

Happy New Year, bellas!!

This isn’t a post about resolutions or lists or the promises we make to ourselves every year — that post will come next week, after some much needed R&R&R. That’s Rest, Relaxation, and Reflection. I need some time to think and prepare for this new year.

This is about my New Year’s attitude. It’s best expressed in this photo of me, taken in 2007. I blogged about it here, on my first bloggiversary.

I’ll explain in a bit.

My New Year’s attitude is this: 2008 wasn’t so great. But in 2009, I’m gonna shine!

Corny rhyme yes, but that reflects how I feel today. I haven’t been this excited about a new year since Y2K. And that was a different excitement, one laced with wonder and fear. (Remember how people were all like, buying extra canned food and stocking up like the apocalypse was coming?). This new year, I feel hopeful. Optimistic. And ready to take on the world. Is it the Obama factor? Maybe.

I’m sick of making resolutions I can’t stick to, and finding myself slinking back to old, bad habits by February and March. I’m sick of letting myself down. I’m sick of saying, “next year this, next year that, next year, next year, next year.”

Next year is THIS YEAR.

2009 is MINE.

My year to grab life by the reins. My year to be the change I’ve been looking for. My year to stop wishing and hoping and praying for things that are within my grasp. MY. YEAR.

I feel like a spark has been ignited in me. And I want to pass it on!

Are you looking for a new job? Are you trying to lose weight, or quit smoking? Are you trying to finish a project or achieve a goal? Do you want to see your life improve in a specific way, that you see glinting ahead of you like the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel?

I’m here to tell you — I’m right there with you. And we can do it, whatever it is. We can do it, but any goal in life that is worth achieving, is worth working hard for.

In 2007, my husband took that photo of me. It was one of those important little life experiences. What Oprah might call, an “aha” moment.

And here’s what I had to say then:

“The photo at the top of the post was taken last Friday, when we were en route from Las Vegas to Lake Tahoe. It’s an eight hour drive through desolate desert, abandoned towns, and incredible mountains. We parked by the banks of a river in the mountains of California. My husband wanted to climb down a steep, rocky embankment to the water below. I didn’t. I said “I can’t.” But he climbed on down like a billy goat, and left me on the side of the road. “Come on,” he called up to me. “You can do it.” I was scared, but I tried. Slowly I made my way down the rocks, to the steep and shifting sand, down to the river with him. He took that photo of me as I climbed back up. I did it! I didn’t think I could, and I did! YAY!!! And that’s totally how it’s been with this site.

So often we limit ourselves by thinking we can’t. Sometimes all it takes is that first burst of courage, that push to try, to make you realize that you really can do anything you put your mind to. If a scaredy-cat like me can do it, so can you — whether your goal is to go natural or be fit or find a better job or take better care of yourself or do something new that you’ve been afraid to try.”

That was in 2007, and I sincerely meant those words when I wrote them. Since then I’ve taken baby steps towards the kinds of changes I was hinting at. Now we’re in 2009. The time for baby steps is over.

Bellas, fellas — I’m about to embark on a journey of self-improvement, and I know the road is going to be rocky and the incline is going to be steep. It won’t be an easy road, but it’s a worthwhile one. I’m going to tell you all about it, along the way. I’d love you to come with me.

What are your goals for the New Year? What are your dreams, and are you ready to achieve them? How do you feel about 2009?

Did You Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas?

The clinical term for my mental condition since December 20 or thereabouts, is holidazed. Bellas and fellas, I’ve been caught up in the season and the workload that goes with it. So sorry I’ve disappeared. Every week brings new things-to-do that have been keeping me away from this here blog.

The holidays are a time to spend with family and friends, bonding, enjoying each others company, and making beautiful memories together.

That’s what my friend Onami and her sister Keiko did in Canada, where they made this remarkable snow person. Isn’t she gorgeous? Onami described her as “a colonial-times African lady with some traditional Mexican additions, like the flaming sacred heart on her chest.”

I don’t know about y’all, but my previous efforts at snow people wind up looking a lot more like Frosty the Bedraggled Snowman. Hats off to Onami and her sister Keiko for their ingenuity! I went to high school with both of these ladies, and they’ve always been so artistic and talented.

I spent the holidays in the company of my husband, our cat Max, and thanks to Skype and the magic of modern-day technology, we got to see our family members in Chicago, Las Vegas, and even in Trinidad, just for a moment. Next year we’ll be spending the holidays with some of them in person, but for this year, Skype really came through in terms of delivering that feeling of family bonding. Just to see my mom and dad and my two little nieces, was incredible.

In terms of gifts I got some great ones, including a Garmin GPS for my car (now hopefully I won’t have to call my husband wailing “baby, I’m lost!” anymore, when I venture into Broward County). I wanted The Slanket, but my husband went one better and got me the Brookstone Dream Blanket, which is the softest blanket ever. I’m in love with it!

My in-laws got me a bottle of shrub from Tait Farms, which some of you may recall, I mentioned a while back. And adore. And they got us an awesome vacuum cleaner robot that the cat is both terrified of and fascinated by.

The biggest gift I got for my husband was Rock Band 2 for the Wii, and every night ever since we’ve been getting in some musical therapy. We’ve been rocking out on songs like White Wedding and Give It Away (which I must say, I own. “What I got you gotta give it to your ma-ma!”).

And now Christmas has passed, the wrapping paper and boxes are all thrown away, and our once thriving tree now is getting that Charlie Brown lean. Another holiday season, another year, almost over and gone.

How did you spend your holiday? Did you get any gifts you especially love? Did you give any gifts you especially loved? Tell me!

RIP, Eartha Kitt

Man. I planned to do a special Afrobella Christmas post, and the day got swept away in a whirlwind of gifts and family phone calls. But I read this news and it knocked the wind out of my sails. The legendary Eartha Kitt has passed away at the age of 81, succumbing to a long battle with colon cancer.

In her heyday, Eartha Kitt was a force of nature, a unique musical presence, the ultimate sex kitten. And behind the slinky, cartoonish persona and the unique voice, she was a human rights activist who was unafraid of speaking truth to power. The Washington Post has a phenomenal obit that tells of an expensive lunch with Kitt that must have been one of the most magnificent and surreal moments in that reporter’s life.

I wrote a tribute to Eartha in 2006, as part of my Beautifully Aging Bellas series. I said then, “It’s easy to get caught up in the fantastic cartoonishness of Eartha, and forget how ridiculously talented she is.” Eartha Kitt embraced her image. She owned her image. But I hope this clip of her performing the definitive version of Santa, Baby, shines a brighter light on her talent. She was a unique and amazing singer with a delivery that’s hard to match.

Eartha’s version of C’est Si Bon was both a send-up and a celebration of her sex kitten image. I absolutely love it. Check out how effortlessly fly and self-possessed she is.

True story - I’ve been trying to perfect that purr for years. I can’t even roll my r’s. Pathetic. But Eartha made it look so easy.

This clip of her performing I Want To Be Evil is one of my very favorites, for its sheer intensity. Eartha gave raw emotion in every performance. She was of that era of performers who gave good face, as they say — strong actresses like Gloria Swanson, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford. Eartha proves she could stand toe to toe with the best of them in just the performance of this song.

Beautiful, brave, funny, and fierce — Eartha Kitt was an inspiration to me and many an afrobella. To say she’ll be missed is an understatement. And to lose a legend like her on Christmas Day makes for a bittersweet holiday indeed.

Batman? Boomerang? Or one of her memorable songs - share your favorite Eartha Kitt moment with me!

Last Minute Gifts, By Bellas For Bellas

In a perfect world, I would have posted this roundup of fabulous by bellas, for bellas items over a week ago. But as many of you know, the holidays can be insanely hectic. I feel like the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. I’m late! I’m late!

I don’t know if you can still put in an order with these companies in time for December 25. But hey — tis the SEASON, right? Here’s some last minute, unique gift ideas from indie businesses that I hope aren’t too late for you to enjoy and support.

Whimsicard — Party Stuff for People of Color specializes in inspiring images just because, for weddings and now, for the holidays! Their Christmas card line features a happy bella sporting a natural hairstyle. $15 for a box of 10, and Whimsicard will include your name in it for two extra dollars.

With a name like DeadSexy Cosmetics, you already know what you’re in for. Intense pigments, stunning colors, and looks that kill. Makeup artist Thea Mitchell delivers all that and then some. I reviewed the line once before, but it bears repeating for those of you preparing for holiday parties and New Year’s Eve. She’s got amazing makeup tutorial videos on YouTube!

OMG, her Harlem Renaissance demo is so up my alley.

You can buy ALL of that makeup at DeadsexyCosmetics.com. My absolute favorite product from the line is the Two Cheeky blush — those shades look bright, but TRUST me, they blend beautifully into a warm brown skin tone. $19.98 and SO worth it. Her eyeshadows are amazing as well!

If you’re looking for more than makeup, Etsy Artists of Color is a tremendous resource. Especially if you’re into supporting wearable art, bath products, and other such creative endeavors. Through the EAOC, I discovered Amanda Jones and her amazing sounding soaps, Cece St. Croix and these oversized hammered petal earrings I adore, and the super fly woven hats of Dahlia Soleil. And don’t forget Tomoka’s Twists! All are still open for the holidays, so get your shop on!

Last week, a longtime reader added a holiday special to the comments of my Bargains for my Bellas post. When I checked out the link, I was blown away. The bath and beauty products of Darcy’s Botanicals sound amazing! The Madagascar Vanilla Styling Creme sounds especially divine — my hair loves a creamy, curly hair styling butter, and I adore the heady scent of vanilla. And it’s $12! Sounds like a sweet deal.

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? Tell me how it’s going, bellas!

The Winners of the Brian McKnight & Ledisi Christmas CD Giveaway are….

Bellas, I hope all of you get what you want for Christmas. But I only have 5 CD sets to give away. And so without further ado, the winners are…

Nolagirl

Fleurzty

Marcia

Janet

and T.O

Congratulations, bellas!! If you read this, e mail me ASAP at bella@afrobella.com. I’ll be writing you myself, but either way, I need to hear from you ASAP with your real names and addresses so we can get your holiday music out before December 25!

And in the spirit, here’s yet another sampler of Ledisi’s Christmas album.

Her album has such a warm and bubbly vibe to it. I see big and beautiful things coming for Ledisi in 2009.

And if you didn’t win this giveaway, no worries - there’s more in store for the new year!

The Winners of the Cantu and Charity Giveaway are…

I hosted some truly remarkable giveaways this year, but the Cantu giveaway might be the best one yet.

Your answers were so inspiring and heartwarming — from those of you who work for or have started your own charity orgnizations to those of you who donate clothes, food, and time to those in your community, I gotta say thank you to all of you for making a difference in your own special way.

One of you bellas called it — this was a hard one to judge. But here are my 5 picks:

Carolyn

BK

Browntastic

Jennifer

and Bridgette

Congratulations, bellas! E mail me ASAP at bella@afrobella.com. I’ll write you myself, but either way, I need to get your real names and addresses ASAP so we can get your fabulous hair care packages out before December 25!

Thank you all so much for sharing your charitable acts. You introduced me and other Afrobella readers to some great charity groups. Your stories inspired others, and if you believe in karma like I do, you know your kind acts won’t go unrewarded. Happy Holidays, everybody!!

5…Classic Christmas Covers

Christmas is here, and a whole new passel of singers are taking on the holiday classics we grew up listening to. Because who needs Donny Hathaway’s This Christmas when we’ve got… Chris Brown! I say SACRILEGE.

Some Christmas classics need to stay classic. Still, there are some great updates on the Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole standards, and every year new artists add to the list. I reached out to my Twitter friends to ask what their fave Christmas covers were, and got some great responses. Pisces in Purple loves John Cougar Mellencamp’s I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. DJ Diva loves Destiny’s Child singing Carol of the Bells. Jawnita, self-described HBIC of my favorite music magazine The Fader, shouted out Mariah’s So So Def remix of All I Want for Christmas is You.

My top 5 is a little more traditional, but hey - it ends with a giveaway! The last for the season!! So without further ado, here are my favorite Christmas cover songs.

1. Aretha Franklin’s Silent Night.

The Queen of Soul released her very first holiday album this year, This Christmas, exclusively for sale at Borders. It’s all about Christmas classics, sang as only Aretha could — big and majestic and soaring. If you like your holidays traditional, you’ll love Aretha’s album. Her voice can fill a cathedral. And this song brings the reason for the season to mind immediately.

2. Whitney. Do You Hear What I Hear?

On a personal note — Whitney Houston, I miss you and that magnificent voice. Come back soon!

Goodness gracious, her voice is so big and so beautiful. I’ve always loved this particular song, written as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missle Crisis in 1962. Bing Crosby’s was the first popular version, but Whitney’s is absolutely my favorite. And don’t get me started on her version of Joy to the World!

3. What Child Is This, by Vanessa Williams.

I think Vanessa’s smooth, warm, jazzy version of this song — originally recorded for A Very Special Christmas, Volume 2 is the business. And she’s stunning as ever in the video. This song would fit in equally well around the fireplace, opening presents with your family, as it would at a crowded bar, sipping hot toddies with your friends. I’ve celebrated Christmas in both ways, so I know of what I speak.

4. Ledisi’s cover of Give Love on Christmas Day.

I am so late to the Ledisi party! She’s so talented, beautiful, all natural… an obvious candidate for the return of Afrobella of the Month in 2009. The songstress has recorded a brilliant holiday album, It’s Christmas, and it’s a must-have for any bella who’s feeling the holiday spirit. And AOL Black Voices reveals, she’s planning a tour! If you’re looking for a new holiday album to add to your collection, this is the one. Her voice just floats so beautifully on tracks like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and her original songs, are sure to be classics in our holiday rotation eventually. I absolutely adore that she covered a contemporary classic, one I grew up listening to on the Jackson 5 Christmas Album.
Aww. Young Michael’s voice still touches my heart.

5. Brian McKnight’s take on The Christmas Song.

Brian McKnight’s version of The Christmas Song gives a delicious update to the holiday classic that speaks most to my Christmas memories. I almost didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I do, because Nat King Cole is so close to my heart. But Soulbounce dubbed him the heir apparent, and his version reveals why. It’s like Nat King Cole with a little Marvin Gaye flava. I love it. I think Brian McKnight’s album, I’ll Be Home For Christmas is a beautiful update for families who own Nat King Cole’s Christmas album. I am listening to it and loving it, and I’m proud to offer it as my final Christmas giveaway!

FIVE lucky winners will win a copy of Brian McKnight’s album, I’ll Be Home For Christmas AND a copy of Ledisi’s It’s Christmas.

And I’ll make this an easy one. All you have to do is tell me, what do YOU want to find underneath your Christmas tree this year?

I will close these comments on Sunday, and announce winners on Monday! I gotta get this moving in order to get these items mailed out before the holidays.

Happy Friday, bellas and fellas!! And Merry Christmas!!

The Afrobella Giveaway - Cantu and Charity

Tis the season to be giving, so let me get to getting with my latest giveaway! This is not the last Afrobella giveaway of the year, but it’s one of the last before Christmas. And it’s a line that many, many, many of you bellas have expressed love for — Cantu Shea Butter hair products!

Word of mouth led me to discover this affordable, natural-hair friendly product line available at Drugstore.com, and I fell head over heels from first use.

Everything isn’t for everybody, but I’ve gotten overwhelmingly positive reviews about the product line from readers ever since I first reviewed it in 2006. Like I said then, the Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment “makes my hair very curly, very defined, and very boingy.” Soft to the touch, but strong and difficult to break. I slick it on right out of the shower, and it takes just a little air drying to completely absorb (I do frequently leave the house with white beads of fluid on the ends of my coils, but because I live in a sunny climate I roll down my window on the way to work and poof, vamoose).

The Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream really is the business, 53 comments on Drugstore.com rate it at 4 stars out of a total of 5. Not bad, right? You get a deep, thick tub for $4.99, and this is a product that really does stack up against some of the more pricey curly hair brands, in terms of providing moisture to coarse, dry hair. For a product that’s so affordable, and yes - does contain some of those bad-for-you ingredients — I’m kind of astonished at how the combination of soybean oil and shea butter so effortlessly penetrates my hair shaft.

Cantu does occasionally leave buildup if I use it too often without in-between scalp scrubs and cleansing shampooing, so be forewarned. But I know so many of you bellas love the brand, because it’s affordable and effective.

And for those of you who haven’t tried if and are wondering — what can Cantu do for you? You can find out for yourself with the Afrobella Cantu Holiday Hair promotion!

Three winners will win $50 worth of Cantu products, including:

* Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream
* Grow Strong
* Super Shine Hair Silk
* Natural Olive Oil
* Rinse out conditioner
* Moisturizing cream shampoo
* Body lotion

I see you over there, wondering how you could win this awesome package just in time for the holidays. Well, normally I don’t ask much more than a question, or for you to repeat a specific phrase to be considered as an entry for my giveaways. But for this giveaway — considering the time of year and the economic times we’re in — I’d like to ask you bellas to do something a little different, and a lot important.

All over the news, there are stories of poverty and struggle and strife, of jobs being lost and companies being shut down. Some of the stories I find the most heartbreaking, are about the charity organizations that are suffering in the wake of this economic crisis.

When things are hard in your own home, it can be really difficult to think of someone else’s dilemmas. But we’re in a year when more people will need charitable support.

Continue reading »

The Dushi Giveaway Winners Are…

Bellas - WOW. Your list of Christmas wishes was in turns funny, sad, inspiring, and always heartfelt. Thank you ALL for entering.

Out of 81 entries, we only have two pairs of earrings to bestow. And Leah of Dushi Trade and I chose AmandaG and DblDee. Congratulations, bellas!

I will be in touch for your addresses, because I gotta get a move-on and send these out ASAP for you to wear them by Christmas!

The giveaways will be coming fast and furious - I’ve got TWO more lined up before Christmas Day hits us all next week. Right now I gotta buckle down to some day job duties, but once I’m done, check back in this afternoon for a big, fabulous, hair product giveaway!

And if you didn’t win the giveaway, fret not — Dushi Trade is still offering 15% off any purchase if you enter the coupon code “AFROBELLA” upon purchasing your item of choice, until December 31. So you can still get yourself the Afrobella jewelry gift set!