Thursday, July 31, 2008

New Artist Find: Jehro

So, if you read my blog on a regular basis, you know that I love music and I always share artists that I really love on my blog with others. Well, I've recently fallen in love with a French artist named Jehro.

He's from a musical family and hails from Marseille, France. My father played acoustic classical guitar and because of this, I have always had an affinity to musicians that play the guitar. Jehro plays the guitar and his sound has a very folky, reggaeish, soul about it. I know, that sounds like a strange mix, but it sounds wonderful. I'm a fan of each genre, so his sound is sweet music to my ears.

His self titled album came out in 2006 and I'm just now discovering it. Never too late though! If you're interested in purchasing his album, you can find it on Amazon.

Check him out and tell me what you think:

Here's one of his videos for the song 'Everything':


And here's the song that led me to him called 'Long is the Way':

Monday, July 28, 2008

Hair & Makeup Photo Shoot



I have a friend that's opening a salon, so we did a photo shoot this weekend. She did the hair and makeup and I took the photos. Here are the results, let me know what you think ladies.

Just click on the photos to see them full sized.





Monday, July 21, 2008

The Meaning of Bra Codes...













Nappies Rockin' it out!

I have to give a shout out to my Naptural ladies that attended the July Nappy Gathering this past Saturday.

It was wonderful to meet the newbies and see some old friends. We had a wonderful time with our rock themed night. We started off at the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner and walked the four blocks to the National Museum of Natural History to watch the 3D feature concert of U2 at the IMAX theatre. It was an awesome show and it was great to be surrounded by awesome naptural women who are so beautiful and down to earth!

Had a great time with you ladies and look forward to future events!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

July Lock Update...


Well, my hair is definitely going thru a growth spurt. I suddenly feel it brushing my upper back and it's strange since it just seems to have started doing that in the past few weeks.

This is my hair right after a wash while it's still wet. My hair regimen is back and forth these days. I'm still washing my hair on a weekly basis. I go back and forth with retwisting these days. Since it's warm outside and I tend to sweat a lot in my scalp, I've been twisting my roots about every other week to keep my hair, or more precisely my roots, from looking a bushy mess (lol).

I'm still diluting both my shampoo and conditioner concoctions with water in a spray bottle to evenly distribute during my washes. I've also made a watered down conditioner solution to use as a leave-in conditioner. With all the heat, it's always good to have a water based moisturizer for your locs. I've always read that our hair needs water most of all, so I'm trying to give my locs what they need to help them along their journey.

On a personal note, I have a lot of things going on in my life at the moment. I'm planting seeds that will be flourishing in the coming year, some of which will be clearly noticeable as time goes on via my blog and some that may not be. I feel like I'm on the verge of bringing forth a lot of light and I'm so excited to see how things will go.

Thanks for the ongoing support and inspiring comments.

Inspirations and blessings,
Nat

Monday, July 14, 2008

Kiss my placenta...



There's been talk that Erykah Badu is pregnant again and apparently, there was a backlash of negative comments made about the fact that she's having another child out of wedlock. How that matters to or should bother anyone is a mystery to me, but there were judgmental 'fans' making comments on a website. This irritated Erykah, as it should, and she decided to post the following response to all the nay-sayers.

This is absolutely classic and I agree with her 100%!

Check it out:


HOW DARE YOU DISRESPECT THE QUEENDOM

…AND MY CHILDREN AND MY INTELLIGENCE.

ive never been so disgusted in all of my life .
there is no other place i used to enjoy more .
i post no where else .
you guys have taken an all time low , tho.


I’LL STATE MY PEACE

i am a great mother and care giver to my 2 children and to this world .
my children are 2 of the kindest and happiest people i have met.
I home schooled them and taught them the ways of good to the best of my ability.
i am their doctor and their nurse .
and even sometimes their mother and their father.

i am an excellent mother and resent all of the negative comments and insults on my character.
I PUT MUCH TIME AND THOUGHT INTO HAVING AND RAISING MY CHILDREN.
IVE HAD THE HONORS OF HAVING 2 HOME BIRTHS AND 2 WONDERFUL PARTNERS BY MY SIDE.

every relationship i have been in was because i loved the person DEARLY and was dedicated to us “exclusively” FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

the fathers of my children are my brothers and friends .
we have a great deal of respect for one another and always will.
WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN TO NO END.
we took our own “vows” and CONTINUE TO UPHOLD THEM.
AND THAT IS WHAT THAT IS .

question?
WHAT IS MARRIAGE ?
WHO IS THE JUDGE?
WE ONLY UNDERSTAND THE EXAMPLES WE ARE GIVEN ( well sort of)

WOULD IT “LOOK BETTER ” TO MARRY AND DIVIORCE AND MARRY AGAIN ?
WOULD THAT BE MORALLY CORRECT ?
WHATS THE DIFFERENCE ? the government’s involvement i guess.
IDEALLY , IT WOULD BE EXCELLENT TO FIND THE MAN OR WOMAN WHO FULFILLS YOUR SPIRIT AND STAY FOR EVER AND EVER ( thru sickness and health till death do us part ) AND HAVE HEALTHY STRONG CHILDREN AS A RESULT OF A HEALTHY AND STRONG UNION.
(this CAN happen … we need much training , however.)

OR

IS IT REALLY “GOOD” TO STAY IN A RELATIONSHIP WHERE BOTH PARTIES ARE UNFULFILLED , LONGING FOR RELIEF , BRINGING one another down as a result of improper training , creating BAD ENERGY AND EXPERIENCES FOR THE CHILD TO REPEAT ?
(not to mention breeding deceit and anger and resentment )
SEEMS TO CREATE FEARFUL CHILDREN WHO TURN INTO FEARFUL ADULTS .

HOW MANY OF YOU GREW UP IN 2 PARENT HOMES THAT WERE MISERABLE AS FUCK ?
OR 2 PARENT HOMES THAT WERE NOT PERFECT BUT WORKED?
HOW MANY GREW UP IN ONE PARENT HOMES WHERE THE MOTHER WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE CARED FOR BUT SHE WASNT QUITE HAPPY?
HOW ABOUT A HOME WHERE THE FATHER WAS THE MAIN CARE GIVER AND DID THE BEST HE COULD -LACKING NURTURE?
HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE A SIBLING THAT HAS A DIFFERENT FATHER OR MOTHER?
DOES HE OR SHE MEAN LESS TO YOU?
HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE MORE THAN 1 MOTHER OR FATHER OF YOUR OWN CHILDren ?
HOW MANY OF YOU HAD /OR / ARE PARENTS RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN ,THAT DONT QUITE FIT ANY OF THESE DESCRIPTIONS?
HOW MANY OF YOU STAY IN UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS FOR FEAR OF GOING TO HELL?
HOW MANY HOS OUT THERE … THAT HAVE KIDS TO GET A PAYDAY?
HOW MANY PEOPLE GETTING THEY ASS KICKED AND ARE FORCED TO SUBMIT CAUSE YO MAMA GOT HER ASS KICKED?
THEN WHAT is CORRECT?

how about this:

I PRAY WITH MY CHILDREN
I FEED THEM GOOD FOOD
THEY RESPECT PEOPLES DIFFERENCES
THEY TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH ME
THE KNOW WHO THEY ARE
THEY ADORE THEIR FATHERS AND ARE LOVED BY 2 PARENTS OR MORE -
OR TWO OR MORE SETS OF LOVING GRANDPARENTS
THEY CRY
THEY GET HURT
THEY GET SICK
THEY HEAL

THEY ARE real

THEY ARE NOT AN IDEA or a TOPIC
AND NEITHER AM I .
I AM ALIVE .
I AM BEAUTIFUL A WOMAN.
I AM A GOOD WOMAN.
I AM GROWING
I AM COMPLETE WITH OR WITHOUT A PARTNER AND WILL ALWAYS BE
AND I HAVE DREAMS OF A FAMILY STRUCTURE
ALL OF MY DREAMS DO NOT COME TRUE
AND DESPITE ALL OF THE PAIN IN MY LIFE …
IN MY MOTHERS LIFE …
IN MY GRANDMOTHERS LIFE
WE HAVE ALWAYS ENDURED
AND THERE IS SO MUCH JOY TO BE EXPERIENCED.
I NEVER HAD A FATHER AND I DONT KNOW WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE -
BUT MY CHILDREN DO , AND THEY LOVE THEIR ‘PARENTS’ .

WE ARE THEIR CHAMPIONS .

live how you want . follow which ever pattern YOU like .
MY CHILDREN WILL BE LEADERS
and they will not ever be slaves to this society’s failing idea of morality.
THEY OWN THEIR MINDS AND THEIR DREAMS.

BIRTH CONTROL lol … could have 10 babies instead of 2 .

I LOVE CHILDREN AND I WILL HAVE AS MANY AS GOD WILL GIVE ME .

I AM VERY HEALTHY AND RESPONSIBLE AND SO ARE ALL OF MY PARTNERS

I CHOSE THEM WISELY AND SOBERLY .

ALL GOOD BROTHERS .

your opinions lack experience and are not only careless but also very uninformed and immature.

nothing is sacred here . and i see why.

if i loose you as a fan because i want to continue to have children then
F*CK OFF… WHO NEEDS YOU ….CERTAINLY NOT ME … KICK ROCKS … CALL TYRONE … PACK LIGHT …. BITE ME

i have defended myself here ON THIS SITE and hurled a few insults .. but only in response to your insults of
my music , my clothes , my lyrics , my hair , my being a woman , my spirit, my choices of partners….
these have all been on trial here . and i continued to support the energy of this place .

this is to all the okay players / REAL HUMAN BEINGS hiding behind screen names in order to insult one another and who ever else you will.

geeeez…
i had to say something
i am so sad for parents who try , today guys
enough is enuf.

dont judge to quickly , OKAY PLAYER?

i know you are having fun , but what if it were you and your children?
my son is 10 .
my daughter, 4 .

peace

ANALOGUE GIRL

and if this post is not clear
kiss my placenta.

Monday, July 07, 2008

Positivity...

I need change in my life. I'm sure a lot of you who are reading this can relate to my ongoing revalation. I believe in the theory of The Secret and have been slacking in my practices of late. I had an epiphany and I realize that I've been back peddling and that's why I have returned to some old habits that have been producing ill affects in my life. I have to live for me and make change for myself.

Our thoughts create our reality..... This works in both a positive way and the reverse. Think of the negative thoughts you might have and how they manifest themselves in your life.



The universe has been calling to me and I have not been listening until this weekend. I had a few experiences that brought to light that what I have been thinking, I brought into existence. There were moments of clarity that manifested in several different ways this weekend that started as little whispers and ended in full clarity.

I am recommitting to positive change in my life. I started to see its benefits in my life and got so distracted with stress and other people's issues and problems, that I strayed from my path, but I am not going to allow this to happen any longer. I will create change in my life because I am already visualizing what the other side will look like and it is such a beautiful existence.

The world is conspiring in my favor!

Locked Beauty of the Month: Winniele


Winniele is another MS friend that I think is just gorgeous. She is rocking the thick locks that I prefer and doing it with such style. I know that everything isn't for everyone, but I've always had a thing for thick locks like hers. I love the fact that just as in our race there are so many varieties of colors and hues and the same holds true with locks.


I have to say that Winniele has inspired me from the start and continues to be an inspiration for me on my bad hair days. As my journey has progressed beyond the early stages of transformation, I must admit that I have had very few of those days and know that even if I do, I can look to these kinds of photos for inspiration that there is beauty on the other side.

Thanks for the inspiration Winniele and showing me and others that locks are indeed beautiful and sensual. You are a natural beauty!

ACV Rinse


Ever since I'd started doing research on locking my hair, I noticed a lot of information on ACV rinses. When I discovered fotki.com, I remember reading that so many of the ladies that had locks I admired were doing ACV rinses. It's funny how much of a journey life is because I also distinctly remember thinking that I would never put vinegar in my hair, among other things (lol) and now, I'm such the advocate.

I've never been a product junkie, even before locking my hair, so I certainly wouldn't say I've put a lot of junk in my hair since I've been locking. I'm a very simple person and when I find something I like and that works, I stick with it. The easier, the better. This applies to everything in my life. I say all this to say that I was washing my hair a few weeks ago and noticed that I had this gunk in my hair. While towel drying my hair, I noticed a section of my locks that had this gunk that felt and looked like a build up of conditioner. So, I went back in the shower quickly to wash again and used water as hot as I could stand it to help break it down. My efforts were in vain since the gunk was still there.

I was pretty shocked, since I know I don't really use anything in my locks that isn't water solluble, I use a clarifying shampoo and conditioner on a regular, wash my hair weekly, etc. so I was wondering where this gunk was coming from. Thankfully, when my hair dried, it wasn't apparent. I went straight to my trusty research tool (my computer.. lol) and started researching what would resolve this "situation". I couldn't rest knowing I had gunk in my hair (ewwww). Well, that's where I found all this information about the benefits of an ACV rinse. For those of you that don't know the benefits, here's some valuable information:

The outer layer of the hair, the cuticle, covers the hair shaft and protects it like the bark on a tree. The cuticle is made of overlapping layers of long scales that lie along the surface of the hair like shingles on a roof. It is the condition of the cuticle scales that determines whether you are going to have a bad hair day. When the cuticle is in good shape, is unbroken, and lies flat, your hair has a smooth appearance. When the layers of the cuticle are tightly knit together, the light is able to reflect off the cuticle. This is what makes hair shine! The cuticle opens when we shampoo our hair. When the cuticle layers are open and not knit together, the hair will feel rough, coarse and brittle. The hair will absorb the light rather than reflect it, which gives the appearance of dull and lifeless hair.

Vinegar removes scaly build-up and residue from hair shafts and closes the cuticles. Since residue coats the hair causing it to look dull, removing residue gives your hair more shine. By closing the cuticles, the hair slides more easily and there will be fewer tangles. Vinegar has a tonic action that promotes blood circulation in the small capillaries that irrigate the skin.

I've also read some information that emphasizes the fact that ACV rinses cleanse the scalp of dandruff causing bacteria which will help reduce the itchies that many of us locking experience from time to time. Another added benefit is that lice cannot lay eggs on a smooth shaft of hair, so if that's an issue you've ever dealt with (yuk), vinegar comes to the rescue.

Well, I've now incorporated the ACV rinse to my hair washing regimen. I wash my hair every week and do an ACV rinse after shampooing. I have noticed that my locks are shinier and the gunk is GONE!!! That was also because I sat with the ACV rinse on my hair for an hour and went lock by lock and worked the build up out. As with my shampoo and conditioner, I put my ACV rinse concoction in a spray bottle to evenly distribute it throughout my locks from root to tip. I also added some EO to my blend and some fragrant oils as well to keep the smell at bay. I didn't want to walk around smelling like a salad.

I will say that I noticed the smell more while my hair was still wet and it slowly lessened as my hair dried. I have to admit that every now and then, I could smell it during the week, so I just put some fragrant oils directly on my locks. I'm sure I was the only one that noticed the smell, but I'm spastic about my hair smelling good, so I didn't want to chance it.

Have you tried ACV rinses and how did they work for you? I'd love to know...

Nat