Get Into It: Maya Angelou & Dave Chappelle "Iconoclasts"

The Sundance Channel had a series called "Iconoclasts." It pairs two different artists together and they are filmed for a day. This particular interview was filmed in 2006. I just discovered it this week after the passing of Dr. Maya Angelou. It features Maya Angelou and Dave Chappelle in an in-depth conversation. I loved how amazing it was. Maya's voice is one of the most unique ones ever. She speaks with such knowledge and wisdom. This interview also gave me a better insight into Dave Chappelle as well. If you have never seen it, please take the time to do so now. You will enjoy it. Get into it. 

Just Because I Felt Like It: Jay Z "Unplugged"

MTV's "Unplugged" series was such a dope show. One of my favorite episodes ever has to be the one with Jay Z. I am a huge fan of his. The only better than his music is seeing it backed with a live band. There was not one misstep on this show. I loved it when it aired live. I have seen it more than 10 times. And, I own the Unplugged album. It's Friday and we all deserve some good music in our ears. If you've never seen this, I am shocked. You should go ahead and get into it. Enjoy Shawn Corey!

It's My Hair: Product Review Cantu Coconut

I am very biased when it comes to Cantu products. So, it was a no brainer to try out some of their new products. They were on sale at Walgreen's as a part of their Buy One Get One sale. So, I grabbed the Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream and the Shea Butter Coconut Milk Shine and Hold Mist. I shampooed my hair with my Obia Natural Hair Coconut & Shea Shampoo Bar. I dried my hair with a tee shirt. I used a little Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In. Then I used the Cantu Coconut Curling Cream before starting my braids. After my hair was braided, I sprayed it with the Shea Butter Coconut Milk Shine and Hold Mist before sitting under the hooded dryer for a 1/2 hour.  I put on my silk head scarf and went to sleep.

My first impression of the products were great. The smell was amazing. Which is weird for me because I dislike coconuts. But, apparently, I love the way it smells in this line of products. The next morning, I put some of my own oil mix on my fingers and unbraided my hair. I could tell after only doing one that the results would be amazing. I was right. The products worked well in my hair. I loved the way my hair felt. It was soft and moist. I loved it. I was impressed with the outcome. I also got so many compliments on my hair last weekend. Needles to say, these two products have been added to my natural  hair care regimen. Cantu wins again. I would recommend this to all my fellow naturalistas. Get into it and my hair in the pictures below. 

Rest In Paradise, Dr. Maya Angelou

 



Maya Angelou lived an incredible life. She departed this Earth today at 86 years old. I know we are all mourning this loss. But, in actuality, we should be celebrated the well lived life of an amazing woman. I was a kid the first time I was introduced to the work of Dr. Angelou. From my first reading of "Still I Rise," "Phenomenal Woman," and "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings," I was changed. Her words enlightened me. Over the years, I became a fan. Her voice is so distinctive. There aren't enough words to fully express how important Maya Angelou has been on the literary world. She was one of my early influences when I began writing poetry. Her words made me want to write more. She will be missed dearly. Her legacy will live on for centuries. A writer truly never dies because they leave their work here for us. Rest in paradise, Ms. Angelou.

Phenomenal Woman
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me."

 



#100Tunes100Days

I noticed a hashtag (#) on Instagram that interested me. It was #100Tunes100Days. I do not know where it started but it's music related so I was all in. I decided to focus on the songs that have special memories attached to them. Especially the songs from my childhood that made me into the woman I am today. I thought that this challenge would be better served if I did it on Tumblr. I wanted to do more than just list the song. I wanted a Spotify or Soundcloud or Youtube link to the actual song. As well as a little bit about why I chose that particular song. I am into week 2 of this challenge. It has been really easy for me to choose songs so far. I know it will get harder as the days pass. Feel free to join in if you like. I am having way too much fun with it. You can follow my list of #100Tunes100Days on my Tumblr. 

**My Picks for #100Tunes100Days**

1. "Out On A Limb" - Teena Marie
2. "Baby-Baby-Baby" - TLC
3. "Lyte As A Rock" - MC Lyte
4. "Purple" - Prince
5. "Roni" - Bobby Brown
6. "Push It" - Salt-N-Pepa
7. "I Can't Help It" - Michael Jackson
8. "Funny How Time Flies" - Janet Jackson
9. "I Need Love" - LL Cool J
10. "Children's Story" - Slick Rick
11. "Congratulations" - Vesta Williams

May I Proceed?

• I had the best time this weekend in Atlanta for my mini-vacay. My family came together to celebrate my baby sister's high school graduation. I am so tired but I needed that getaway.
• This weekend reinforces the fact that I really need to stop being so anti-social. There is no reason that I should be stuck in the house all the time. I've let life happen around for over a year. I'm sick of it. I don't have a desire to be in the club every weekend. But, there has to be more to life than this. And, I'm going to get it. 
• Also, I am now thinking about moving to Atlanta. I need a major life change. The life I thought was destined to belong to me doesn't exist anymore. It is time for me to find out exactly what that is. I do not think it's here for me. 
• I am being a bum today. My feet are swollen for some strange reasons.I'm thankful that they don't hurt but this swollenness is kinda freaking me out a bit. I cannot go anywhere because of this. So, I am currently on the sick and shut in list. Pray for me, people. 
• I also have a angry and unexplainable ugly bruise on the inside of my right thigh. I don't remember how I got it or where. My sister is a great bartender and I am attributing this war wound to her mixology skills this weekend. 

• I want food. That requires two things I am not willing to do: putting on clothes and leaving the house. I am unable to do either. 
• As tiring as my weekend was, I cannot sleep. And, I am ok with that. Tonight's sleep will be glorious. 
• This whole Donald Sterling/NBA stuff is crazy. I am anxious to see exactly how it's going to play out. I've heard some ramblings of extreme measures being taken. I def think I'm gonna like Adam Silver more than David Stern. He is not playing. OAN, the playoffs have been very good this season. Really wanna see a Heat/OKC finals matchup. I would not be interested in a Finals that includes the Spurs. Yes, they are a great team. They are also the most boring team in the league. They put me to sleep.
• In general, if I feel like I need to fall back from you, I do it instantly. I don't like to put myself in a position to get my feelings hurt. I am also not in the market for any situation that's going to end badly for me. Falling back is a defense mechanism. I have perfected it. 
• Happy Memorial Day! I am thankful and grateful for all those who are currently serving, have served and those who have given their lives while serving. They are all a blessing to each of us and our sense of freedom. Thank an armed services member today! Happy Monday people!!

Ladies Love Lyrics: Mary Mary "Go Get It"

Some days a song just speaks to you. I discovered this Mary Mary song via their reality show. I LOVED it instantly. It motivates me every single time I play it. Get into these lyrics. 

"It's like you're looking through a telescope you see where you gon be
Growing getting better you're not the person they see
Can't be mad at the things you been through cuz they built yo muscle
Now you're stronger than you've ever been they can't stop yo hustle

Yo Faith ain't never small that's what brought you this far
See you got your dreams and you got your prayers and 

you got yo God he gon take you there

See everybody has a season and I believe this one's yours
Cuz you been workin, waitin, this what you been prayin for

[Chorus:]
Go get it, Go Get it, Go get it, Go get it, Go get it
Go get yo blessing
Go get it, Go get it, Go get it, Go get it, Go get it, Go get it
It's yo time, it's yo time, it's yo time, it's yo time

You were made to live a good life and that's what I believe
So hit the floor say a prayer start working you got to do something
It's alright to crawl before you walk it's alright to walk before you run
But if you wanna get what you never got gotta do something that you never done.."

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!!! Today is a special day. I love my Mom. I love the relationship that we have. She is my best friend. She can make me laugh even when I'd rather not. She always seems to know when I need a hug or a kind word. Even when she is pressuring me about having kids, I still love her. Today, I celebrate her. I celebrate the woman she is and the woman she's raised. My Mom did not have an easy life. But, she sacrificed it all for my brother and I. She worked two jobs throughout my entire high school and college years. She made sure we had everything. She was and still is one of my favorite people. She believes in me when I find it hard to believe in myself. I love that woman more than life. I am so blessed that God chose her for me. 

There aren't really enough words to fully explain how much I love my Mom. She is one of my favorite people and best friends. She hates to take pics, which is why I had to search forever for these. She is the silliest, most honest woman I know. I told her today that she was my gift. She loves me unconditionally and that is a gift in itself. I really hope the mothers in the world have a great day today. You are truly appreciated. Happy Mother's Day!!

It's My Hair: Comparisons

 The top pic is from September 2011. I had gotten my last relaxer in July of that year. I was testing a theory at first. I wanted to see how long I could go between relaxers. This was how I started my natural hair journey. The bottom pic is from last month. It's the first time I straighten my natural hair in at least a year. I didn't realize how different my hair was until I saw these two pictures. I will say that my hair was healthy in both. But, clearly it is thicker, fuller in the natural pic. I could not have asked for anything better. I did not have unrealistic expectations going into this. I knew my natural hair would not be like Tracee Ellis Ross. I would not have those loose curls. I just wanted to know what my hair felt like without a relaxer in it. I was scared in the beginning. My only thought was that if it didn't work out in my favor I could always get another relaxer. I haven't had that thought in years now. I love my hair. I was already camera happy. I take way more pictures of my hair now. 

One of the main reasons I decide to return to my natural state is one I haven't said out loud too much. I was in a place mentally and emotionally that I was preparing for my future as a Mom. I did not want to pass on the tradition of thinking the hair that grows out of your head was bad or unmanageable. This is the silent tradition that had been passed down generation after generation. I did not want my future daughters to have bad feelings about their hair. So, I wanted to learn everything I could about my hair in its natural state to pass on to them. Now, I may not get to make that dream come true because I haven't had any children. But, this was an important lesson and journey for myself. I have a few cousins who have returned to their natural states because of me. That makes me feel incredible. I can truly say I love my hair even on the days that my twist out's aren't completely dry or my bantu knots didn't curl the way I wanted them to. It's my hair and my journey and I am so glad that I did this.