New Line of Black Barbies with Blacker Features

"Barbie is getting some new friends. Mattel announced Tuesday that it is launching a line of black dolls with more “authentic facial characteristics” than the company’s dolls have featured until now.

The dolls, which are part of the “So In Style” line have “fuller lips, a wider nose, more distinctive cheek bones and curlier hair,” according to the world’s biggest toymaker.

Chris Rock talks Good Hair with Oprah

Watch Oprah!
Chris Rock is on.
Solange will be stopping by.
Also it's all Oprah's hair!
And she's all natural!

to be continued . . .

~still chasing honey

Nas' Open Letter To Chicago's Youth

Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong wars! Killing each other is definitely played out. Being hurt from the lost of a love one was never cool.

Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong war! I know that feeling, that frustration with life and needing to take it out on someone, any one. But....

We chose the dumbest things to go the hardest for. I remember seeing deaths over 8 ball jackets, Fila sneakers, and name plate chains. Deaths over "he say, she say"!!!!! "I'm from this block or I'm from that block", or "my moms n pops is f*cked up now the whole world gotta pay"!!!

I remember feeling like I was the hardest "n*gga" breathing. And I couldn't wait to prove it. But let's think. What are we really proving?? And proving what to who?? Everybody knows Chicago breeds the strongest of the strong but I just feel, me, being ya brother from another state feels your pain as if I grew up with you in ya very own household.

You have the ability and mindpower to change they way we are looked at. Look who's watching us young warriors, look who's throwing us in jail constantly, look at the ignorance in the world. Look at the racist dogs who love to see us down. Loving to bury us in the ground or in jail where we continue this worthless war on one another.

Young warriors.... We are WASTING more and more time. We gotta get on our jobs and take over the world. Cuz this movie left the theaters years ago, Juice, Menace, Boys n the Hood , Blood n Blood Out, Belly!

When we see each other why do we see hatred? Why were we born in a storm, born soldiers, WARRIORS....and instead of building each other up we are at war with each other.. May the soul of this young person find peace with the almighty. I'm with you young warriors. You're me and I'm you. But trust me! you are fighting the wrong war.

This sh*t sucks !!

Nas

Sexual Offender's Shanty Towns

Miami and Atlanta are going through the same stuff. Both cities have designated unhabitable areas for sexual predators who can not find housing that complies with the law.

In Miami, some sexual offenders are being directed to live under the Julia Tuttle bridge. The local law here in Miami, forbids sex offenders from living within 2,500 feet of places where children gather.

The City of Miami is suing Florida's Department of Transportation administrators for placing convicted sex offenders and predators under the Julia Tuttle Causeway. The city is asking the courts to grant a temporary and permanent injunction requiring the sex offenders to be moved from under the bridge and no longer be issued identification listing the Julia Tuttle Causeway as their permanent address.

Bohemian Rhapshody with Joy Bryant -- The Tracks of My Weave

Joy Bryant has a blog over at Essence. Here is her blog about being a weave-a-holic.

As the threads of the grown-out tracks were being snipped, I broke out my laptop and began my ritualistic daily web search. I go from news of the day to articles/blogs about the news of the day, ending up on entertainment/gossip/fashion stuff. But that day, something caught my attention and trumped all of the glowing reviews of President Obama’s health care speech:

It was Tyra’s hair.National Real Hair Day?

I missed that one...In fact, on National Real Hair Day, I was calling Extensions Plus in L.A. to make sure they had enough of the 20” "relaxed roots" texture hair that I love oh so much (and that keeps selling out like crazy!), and making an appointment to get my hair, I mean, my weave, hooked up.

Chicago Student Beaten to Death

Sixteen year old, Derrion Albert, was beaten to death while walking home from school. Some reports say that he was an innocent bystander that got caught up in a rival gang fight. Others say that he was beaten to death because he refused to join a gang.

Prosecutors have charged 3 teens with first degree murder. One of the three is a minor but they all have been charged as adults for this crime.

If you can stomach it, you can take a look at the raw footage here.

How You Doin'?!

Is East Cleveland Mayor Eric Brewer a cross dresser? Several pictures have leaked of a man, who people speculate to be Mayor Eric Brewer in women's clothing. Do you think it's him?

Read this article to learn more about East Cleveland's corrupt past and Mayor Brewer. 

21 Days

Behavioral science tells us it takes 21 days to develop a habit. In just 21 days, studies show that you can take control of your time and built into your life a habit that will bring you peace, joy, and guidance. Studies say that when you want to start a habit, don't tell yourself you are doing it for life, tell yourself (your conscious brain) that you are just going to try it for 21 days. When you have completed this for 21 days your conscious mind has the choice of stopping it or carrying on, or so it thinks. Your neural pathways have formed already and you will more than likely continue with your new habit, you will have seen the benefits along the way your unconscious will want to continue if it has been beneficial.

I have decided to put this study to the test. I am dedicating 21 days, (Sunday t0 Sunday) no breaks, to exercising. Specifically I will be running. Today I am on day 3 and although I am sore and tired, I feel compelled to go to the park.

Will you take on this challenge with me? What will your 21 day habit(s) be?

~still chasing honey

Trend Alert: Thigh High Boots (THB)

I know everybody isn't bold enough to rock TGB. But I dare you to! THB is the thing for the fall. All the celebrities are wearing them. I must admit I've seen some in the past and I was like HELL NO! But the ones I have seen now are simply gorg. I just gotta have them. I've seen mainly black but what would I do for a nice pair of brown ones! Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Ciara, even Ashanti have been rocking THB. Ladies, I think this is going to be a must have. These boots make your legs look so long and sexy but they also can give a polished looked. Here are some of my favorite pairs thus far.

Melody Thorton from Pussy Cat dolls.

The uber fabolous, Rihanna doin' dem skin tight Stella McCartney THB.

Ashanti rocked some at the VH1 Hip Hop Awards.

 

All Hail, Ice Queen Beckham!  

Last but not least. Here is Rachel Weisz featured in the August Issue of Harper's Bazaar. Check out her Alexander McQueen THB.

WARNING: Please read this article about where not to wear them. lol.

Source, Source

Baby Issues

Baby Issue No. 1.

Giving birth to a baby that is 19.21lbs and 24.4inches!

Yo, he looks like he's 1 years old. I would never have a baby again if this came out.

HIV Tests: New 'Vaccine' Cuts Infection Rate

"A clinical trial of a new HIV vaccine has proved effective in cutting the infection rate of the virus that leads to Aids." I'm just figuring to out how the US Army got 16,000 folk from Thailand to test this vaccine out.

Exploitation Maybe?! I'm just saying.

Anyways, The US Army gave half of the "volunteers" the vaccine and the other half the placebo. "In the final analysis, 74 placebo recipients became infected with HIV compared to 51 in the vaccine regimen group." Thus, the vaccine decreased the risk of HIV by 31.2%.

Many are hopeful because this may be the beginning of finding a successful vaccine for the virus in the near future. HIV affects around 6.800 people A DAY! I know people who have DIED from the disease. So it is a real issue that affects us all.

How much do you think they'll charge for the vaccination? Would you get it?

Source

Jay-Z on Oprah 9/24/09

So Little Miss O (okay, Kinda Big Deal Miss O) IS having a RAPPER on her show. Interesting?!?!

Opportunist in every since of the word. I ain't hating.

~ i ain't the only one chasing honey -- huh!

Reality Check: Sorry Tyra, Your Hair Aint Natural . . .

it's CHEMICALLY PROCESSED!

Mission Possible: Natural Hair Transition

Taking the big step can be very frightening. Tons of questions race through your head.
What will people think of me?
Will I be able to get a job?
Will my boyfriend like it?
Although, I can't change the way people may perceive you because of your hair, I can give you tips of what yo expect and how to make the transition easy.

Here are two ways to transition to natural hair.
1) Cut off the relaxed hair. For some this is not an option. Many beginners say that this option is way too drastic. I understand, but I must admit this option is the best way because you don't have to worry about breakage, its easy to manage and most importantly, it forces you to become comfortable with it. When you do the big chop there really aren't many ways to hide it. This option is the the boldest way. Depending on the new growth you may be able to two strand twist it or comb twist it.

2) Braids/Extensions/Straw Set/Flat Twists/Crinkle Set/Twist Out. This option allows you to grow out your new growth to a desired length and then cutting off the relaxer. You then have a variety of ways to style your natural hair.

There you go, you have two choices, you can live with the permed hair at the end of the natural hair that is coming in or you can cut the permed hair off. If you are so adamant about having length be prepared for some breakage. The place where your natural hair meet your relaxed hair is a weak point so naturally your hair will break.

I've gone natural twice and I have used both methods. However I do prefer the big chop because my hair was so much more healthier. When I tried to go for length and left my relaxed ends, my hair was breaking like crazy.

Another way some people transition is by pressing their natural hair as it grows. I wouldn't advise this way because your hair is prone to major breakage and it can also damage the natural hair you are trying to grow. When I had natural loose hair (now I have locks) I would straighten my hair, and after I washed my hair, to get it back kinky, I would have straight parts. So this method can really damage your natural hair texture. This method doesn't make much sense because going natural is really about texture and hair pattern, but this method damages your natural hair pattern.

How did you transition? 

WTF NEWS: Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom Engaged?!?!

Does marriage in Hollywood mean dating? I mean in the real world (at least I believe) marriage is something that is serious, it's sacred. Isn't marriage a lifetime promise? Maybe I'm backwards!?!

But Khloe and Lamar have been dating for about a month and this Sunday they are tieing the knot. Are they serious? Maybe they will work out. But a month? Maybe I'm way too traditional. Maybe you can find out so much about a person within a month and make a that huge commitment.

I've done some research on Mr. Odom.

GB: Know Thy Role

It has recently been brought to my attention that many of you put an exorbitant amount of weight in some of your friendships. You expect more from your friends than they are able to produce, and when they reveal to you their limitations you are deeply disheartened and depressed. This is extremely unnecessary. I’m not advising you to relieve them of their duties as your friend and adopt a better selection process, but I encourage you to recognize the function each friend serves in your life.

The simply fact is this: the people that come in your life do so for different purposes. Everyone doesn’t share the same role and thus you should not have the same expectation of everyone. Your mission is to figure out why that person has been sent to you and to make sure you get the lesson they were sent to provide. I have this one friend who is just a complainer. She has a negative commentary for all of her life’s experiences and always feels compelled to share them. I used to avoid all conversation and interaction with her because I always knew where they would end: despair. But now I engage her because I know the purpose she serves in my life. She teaches me how to see the positive in every situation and, when I want to vent and see the negative, she’s always there with it. I don’t call her for any other purpose but for venting and I don’t hold her friendship to any other expectation because she would fail miserably.

Guest Bloggers

Hello Lifers!


Sometimes a sistah gets a lil tired . . . Sike! But I do know some awesome folk who have taught me so much about life. And I thought it would be a shame to just keep all that great wisdom to myself so I've decided to share. Every other Wednesday get ready for our Guest Blogger (GB) series. I will feature a guest blogger who will grace our blog with a piece.

Youtubeawhore: Run This Town (Spoof)

Messy -- just the way I like it!

For The Voice That Speaks Within: That Girl

Written by: Ronke
Starring: Stacey

Designer of Choice? A Statement.

Victoria Rowell's dress on the red carpet for the Emmy's had me screaming "NO!" to my computer screen. I expected to see glitz and glamour but I saw her in this number and although, I love Obama, I must admit I shook my head in disapproval. I did some research because I needed to figure out why.

So I did some research and as I read, I nodded my hair in agreement. Victoria chose to make a political statement instead of a fashion statement during a major watched showed and during a time where President Obama has been getting slack about the Health Care Reform Plan.

I must admit she had me thinking about Obama. And I commend her for taking the road less traveled.

Source

Current Event: Man Kills Wife and 5 Children

This blog is dedicated to Geurline Damas, 32, and her children Michzach, 9, Marven, 6, Maven, 5, Megan, 3 and 11-month-old Morgan.

Hot Water Treatment for Locks

Maybe I'm paranoid but I feel like my locks aren't all the way clean. My scalp is always clean but my the locks sometimes feel dirty. This summer I was in the pool daily so I have clarified my hair several times just to get impurities out. But my hair still felt and looked unclean. I have attributed this to the product I use. I've been using Carol's Daughters Loc Butter. The product is pretty thick and when I read the ingredients it does have beeswax in it. A product that I hate and I told myself that I wouldn't use during my lock journey. Although it's not in its pure form it's one thing that I don't want in my hair. So I've been noticing that the tips of some of my hair looks gooky. And washing it repeatedly ain't getting the gook out. So I've been doing some research to see what I could do to take the product gook out.

DIY: Bantu Knots

So my sister Aretha has been natural for over a decade. I'll feature her soon. I put some bantu knots in her hair and later took them down and styled her hair into a fauxhawk. 

STEP 1:  Banut Knots: double strand the hair

Blue Is The New Black

I read this article about women getting unhappier. Even though women have come a long way, achieving more rights which gave them more opportunity, this article says that they are more unhappier. The author asks, "Did the feminist revolution end up benefiting men more than women?"

Here are a few interesting points in the article. Okay maybe it's like the entire article but hey it's a good article.



See the entire article here.
Arianna Huffington points out in a blog post headlined “The Sad, Shocking Truth About How Women Are Feeling”: “It doesn’t matter what their marital status is, how much money they make, whether or not they have children, their ethnic background, or the country they live in. Women around the world are in a funk.”

(The one exception is black women in America, who are a bit happier than they were in 1972, but still not as happy as black men.)

“Though women begin their lives more fulfilled than men, as they age, they gradually become less happy,” Marcus Buckingham writes in his new blog on The Huffington Post, pointing out that this darker view covers feelings about marriage, money and material goods. “Men, in contrast, get happier as they get older.”

When women stepped into male- dominated realms, they put more demands — and stress — on themselves. If they once judged themselves on looks, kids, hubbies, gardens and dinner parties, now they judge themselves on looks, kids, hubbies, gardens, dinner parties — and grad school, work, office deadlines and meshing a two-career marriage.

Add this to the fact that women are hormonally more complicated and biologically more vulnerable. Women are much harder on themselves than men.

They [women] tend to attach to other people more strongly, beat themselves up more when they lose attachments, take things more personally at work and pop far more antidepressants.

America is more youth and looks obsessed than ever, with an array of expensive cosmetic procedures that allow women to be their own Frankenstein Barbies.

Men also tend to fare better romantically as time wears on. There are more widows than widowers, and men have an easier time getting younger mates.

Youtubeawhore: Lady Marmalade

I love Youtube. I mean I love Youtube. My BFF calls me a Youtubeawhore, because I am always on Youtube. So I am starting a series called Youtubeawhore with my all time favorite Youtube videos. I really can't rank them because they are all EXCELLENT. So I want to start off my series, with "a friend in my head." She's the kind of girl that brings ya to church and make ya do the stanky face. Please welcome FANTASIA singing for Patti LaBelle's UNCF Tribute.



~still chasing honey

The Plot Thickens . . .

Remember a while back when we spoke about Caster Semenya the South African sprinter whose gender was questioned. Well the IAAF say the test has determined that Semenya has no womb or ovaries. Semenya was also found to have internal testes and three times the amount of testosterone that a “normal” female would have. Thus, she is a hermaphrodite (someone with both male and female sexual characteristics). The IAAF has not ruled out stripping Semenya of her 800m world championships gold medal. But I doubt that they will.
 

Enlighten Me Please: T-Painin It?!

I kinda understand why Jay would be offended when T-Pain, uninvited and all, stood on the stage when Jay sang DOA. One can assume that T-Pain did it in arrogance. him standing on stage may read to a lot of people that despite Jay saying forget autotune I am the king of autotune and I'm chilling on your stage, now what? But anyways, when on says a person is T-Painin It that means that they are univited guest.


Okay Lil Mama jumps on the stage with Jay Z and Alicia Keys. What's the big deal? She's a young artist from Brooklyn (just like Jay) and has no beef with him. What about that is disrespectful? Enlighten me please.

When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong -- Kanye West Edition

Kanye's First Apology that he posted on his site.

Kanye’s 2nd apology he posted on his site.
"I feel like Ben Stiller in “Meet the Parents” when he messed up everything and Robert De Niro asked him to leave… That was Taylor’s moment and I had no right in any way to take it from her. I am truly sorry."


Kanye's 3rd Apology on Jay Leno.
Kanye's 4th and personal apology -- After Taylor appeared on the view.


What do I think?
Kanye got issues -- yes plural. He is a narcissist and he is known for these episodes. Everyone knows he is a brat. He must have it his way. What made this different from the other episodes is that he wasn't in the category. He wasn't nominated for Best Female Artist Video Award but he felt it was his duty to speak on Beyonce's behalf. He displayed what we call the Captain Save a Hoe syndrome. What makes him think that his opinion is law?

I do believe that his mother's death is the cause of his excessive drinking. An entire bottle of hennessy -- come on really. He didn't roll through there with a styrofoam cup filled with liquor he had an entire bottle. I don't think he has dealt with his mother's passing -- that's why he dates certain women (another topic for another day) and why he is a drunk.

On A Small Hiatus

sorry viewers, been a bit busy and now i have the flu. i have some things i need to talk about like the VMA's. And I have some cute pics to share with you. i'll post them later this evening or tmw. Take Care!

Mission Possible: AFRO BELLA VOL.

Meet Nina. I met her this summer while volunteering with College Summit in Miami. We got to know each other better during a car ride. Through those few minutes of conversation everything that I had previously observed about Nina had been confirmed. Nina is a confident yet sensitive woman. She is very open and is a great listener. She embraces life's lessons and is appreciative of every experience. I was elated when she wanted to be a part of this series because Nina is truly a Natural Beauty inside and out.