Friends, last year when I attended the North Carolina Natural Hair Care Expo, I met and introduced you to this adorable (did I mention gorgeous!) duo, Jameka and Sierra, known collectively as Pretty Natural Divas. These lovely ladies, who began their journey representing for the natural hair college community, write and produce videos on all things natural hair. As part of their mission to inspire ladies to embrace their natural hair, they also have a Pretty Natural Divas product line. Aren’t they amazing? 
Learn more about Pretty Natural Divas from one of the co-founders, Jameka. (Sierra’s story coming soon!)
1. I absolutely love the story of how you two met and formed a friendship. Can you share with our readers how “Pretty Natural Divas” came to fruition?
We have disagreements on how we actually came up with PND lol. It depends on who you ask. Sierra is my “natural hair big sister” and through that we became close friends. We stayed up chit chatting about natural hair often and other goofy things. One night we were up and talking about how it would be cool to have a off the wall/in your face tshirt about natural hair, and jokingly we talked about making a company and doing so. We stayed up for hours that night putting together ideas, and then over that winter break we made a FB page, blog, and store. Here we are 1 year later 
2. The clothing designs in the “Pretty Natural Divas” store are distinctly creative, and the messages are so inspiring. What was your motivation for creating this product line?
Aww, thanks. We are both big goofballs and jokesters, and that’s pretty evident in our tees. We knew that there were very [few] t-shirt companies geared to making positive and celebratory remarks when it came to black women and their hair so we wanted to do so. We started with a focus on celebrating natural hair, and have since broadened to include some styles that just celebrate being an African-American female, in general. Our customers have expressed that they don’t always want a tee that makes them the spokesperson for natural hair. They suggested subtle tees that weren’t as “in your face” like some of our styles, thus we have shirts for both occasions.
3. In your “Spotlight Saturdays” series, readers showcase their dynamic natural hair styles. Can you tell me your favorite hairstyle and how you achieved it?
My favorite hairstyle varies based on the day of the week, the month, the season, etc. I used to be into doing my hair everyday and then life hit me lol. I’m student teaching on top of working daily, teaching children’s church twice a month, and other priorities. My hair has taken a back seat. I’m currently in love with braid outs. I was a devout “twist-outer” for awhile, until I met the BRAID OUT lol. I haven’t looked back since I started. I’ll actually be sharing this newfound revelation with our readers sooner (as soon as I get time to).
Just as I am now a devout “braid out-er”, I am a devout Shea Moisture fan. I just love their products and their company. We had the opportunity to interview their CEO for our blog, and they sent us some products for our 1 year anniversary celebration to giveaway, so I loveee them. They are the one company who’s products have been consistent no matter what I use. Plus everything is $9.99- can’t beat that!….The products I use to achieve my styles are by Shea Moisture. I use the Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Curl and Style Milk, and Hold & Shine Mist, along with their shampoos, conditioners, and masques. Yep, I own just about everything, lol.
4. What advice do you have for those are considering transitioning to natural hair, especially college students who may have limited funds and time?
You know, I would love to be able to tell all of the answers and say that it’s such an easy process, but I’d be lying. I’m 18 months into the game and I still learn something new every day. The best piece of advice is research! Going natural is not as easy as one thinks. It’s not merely about stopping a perm. People really don’t understand the psychological effects that come with relaxing your hair since childhood and going back to your naturally curly tresses. The online community is so helpful though. There are blogs, vlogs, radio shows, etc. all geared for serving as “support groups”, inspiration, information, etc.
5. What future plans/projects do you have for “Pretty Natural Divas”?
Who knows?! We celebrated our 1 year anniversary of our launch on January 14, 2011. We’re both at very hectic times in life with being in school and working, and balancing the rest of life. We no longer live in the same area, which makes it somewhat difficult too. At this point, blogging and vlogging consistently are focuses because we definitely want to make sure that we’re faithful to our readers/viewers. We launched a lot of new and revamped shirts earlier this year too. #Naturalhair meetups and hair expos may be on the list for the summer too. We went to the North Carolina Expo last year as vendors which was fun. We probably won’t be vendors at any expos this year, but still may travel for some of them. Like I said, who knows…
Keep up with Jameka and Sierra’s intriguing natural hair (and life!) adventures by checking them out on the web below:
Web: www.prettynaturaldivas.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/pndestore
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/prettynaturaldivas
Facebook: www.facebook/prettynaturaldivas
Well friends, as promised, I have been busy in the kitchen. What’s on the menu tonight? Mexican food! These dishes are extraordinarily easy and perfect for a weeknight meal when you’re short on time. What’s first?
Corn, Tomato, & Cilantro Salad
An ideal spring/summer dish, this is a perfect for a light lunch or an addition to an outdoor barbeque. You can prepare this advance and let it marinate for a few hours or eat it right away!
Ingredients:
Note: I don’t have exact measurements, because you can adjust the ingredients according to taste.
Corn (I prefer fresh, but you *can* use frozen or canned if shucking is not your thing, lol.)
Cilantro
Tomatoes
1. Remove the corn from the cob. Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil onto the corn and mix well until all kernels coated.
2. Dice tomatoes and add to corn. (I used the larger kind).
3. Tear cilantro into small pieces and add to corn/tomato mix.
4. You’re done. Told you! It’s that simple.
Bean and Guac Tortillas
Ingredients:
Pinto, Black or Vegetarian Refried Beans
Lettuce
Guacamole (You can find an easy to make recipe here.)
Tortillas (Whole Wheat or Sprouted Grain)
Salsa
Warm the tortillas on a low setting in the oven or by lightly frying on the stovetop. Starting with the beans, layer each ingredient onto the tortilla and top with a dash of your favorite salsa.
I must say, this meal is light, yet filling. Even though I prepared two tortillas, I only had room in my little tummy for one.
By the way, it took me longer to wash the dishes than it did to make my dinner. Now, if I can only find someone to take on that arduous task.
¡Muy Delicioso!
What are your favorite Mexican dishes?
Hello lovelies! I am beyond excited to share with you pictures from All Day Natural and Beale Street Chic’s recent beauty and style event, “Beauty, Beauty, & Beyond”. From the attendees’ reactions and beautiful smiles, everyone involved had a fabulous time. (By the way, this event is just a sneak peek of what’s to come for the Tennessee Natural Care and Wholistic Wellness Expo on July 16. I just know that it’s marked on your calendar, right? ).
The dazzling photos below are from the extraordinarily talented Carlos E. Canelo of Visible Spectro Photography. Check out his amazing images, and contact him on his site here.
The epitome of the event’s theme of beauty and style, Elle of Beale Street Chic.
Kimberly “The Stylist” Brown of Urban Chocolate Boutique was wowing the crowd with her unique handmade and vintage designs. Aren’t those earrings jaw-droppers? I love this lady’s style.
Miss Della, Makeup Artist/Consultant
“And beauty is her name…” She’s small in stature, but big on talent. Della had people waiting in line for her expert makeup applications. I’m sure you can see why.
Remember Bastet of OC Vegan Foods from her previous feature on All Day Natural? We were lucky to have her bring her healthy delights and dee-lish baked goods to keep the ladies’ bellies full.
Legacy, Locks, Braids & Natural Styles
Extremely knowledgeable hairstylist, Pearl “The Hair Deva” Walker of Legacy Locks provided hair consultations to the attendees…with a break in between for bellydancing.
Touch of Essence Mobile Spa
Sparkling shea butter manicure, courtesy of Touch of Essence Mobile Spa. They offer spa manicures, pedicures, massages, and authentic shea butter, among other natural products.
Anago Samina Herbal Care Products
Brittany, the creator/founder of Anago Samina has such a sweet spirit, and I can tell her positive energy goes into everything that she makes. These products are of superb quality, and I love their shea-based products for natural hair.
Fun, Fun, Fun
As promised, we had a surprise for the crowd….bellydancing! Chupoo mesmerized the crowd with her sultry dancing and invited some adventurous ladies to learn a few hip-shaking moves on their own!
Chupoo and Terri of the blog BrownGirl Speaks in action!
My blogging buddy Tia (on the right) of Naturally Tia. Isn’t she absolutely gorgeous?
Another (very pretty!) member of the blogging family, Ashley of Beautiful on a Budget.
Thanks so much to everyone who came out to support this event. We can’t wait to see you at the next one!
(c) All Day Natural, 2011
Ahh, twists. They are my absolutely favorite natural hair style! Yes, I could name over 1,000 reasons why I love twists (maybe I’ll write a book…), but for now I’ll just start with these:
1. They are easy. On wash days, the time it takes for me to rinse and condition my hair is decreased from one hour + to a few minutes. With twists, when I am getting ready in the mornings, I can just untie my silk scarf, shake my hair and go. Even if I do a more intricate style, it doesn’t take long. Although I do looove my kinky ‘fro, I must admit that I get spoiled by the ease of twists.
2. They are versatile. Kinky, Senagalese, Yarn, Flat, Fluffy, Two-Strand. There are a plethora of twist types. Your look is only limited by your creativity. I never get bored with twists, because there are so many kinds in which to experiment. And the styles! You can wear up-dos, buns, ponytails, “twist”-hawks, to name a few, or even add extensions if you choose to add a splash of color (to prevent damage to your own hair.)
3. They are a great protective style. During the year I transitioned, I relied on two-strand twists often. They helped to relieve the tension between my permed hair and new growth. Even now that I have been natural for years, I still frequently revert to my go-to style. When I keep my hair twisted, I don’t have to worry about constant manipulation, heat or product buildup. They are the ultimate simple style!
Do you wear twists? What are your favorite twist styles?
Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.
~Jim Davis
I must confess: I was not a fan of vegetables growing up. (Unless you count french fries…hey, potatoes are a vegetable, right?) Every Sunday, we had some sort of greens for dinner, and every Monday we had those same greens for leftovers. Salads were a necessary evil, unless they were slathered with ranch dressing. And cabbage and green beans, ugh–don’t get me started.
Thanks goodness with age I have developed wisdom (at least I think, lol) and a love affair with vegetables! Goodbye, Popeye’s Chicken. Hello, Farmer’s Market. Sauteed okra and marinated green beans literally make my mouth water now. Who would have thought? That is why I am SO excited about the 21 Day Vegan Kickstart from Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). The Kickstart is a 21 day (free!) program for those who are interested in exploring a vegan/vegetarian diet. It has a suggested meal plan, tips and recipes, even encouragement from fellow veg celebrities. Even if you are not ready to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle full-time, I think this is a good way to incorporate some healthy changes into your routine, that are hopefully long-lasting. (They say it only takes 21 days to make a habit).
Anyway, one reason that I love the Kickstart is because it gives me new recipe ideas and inspires me to renew my love affair with the kitchen. Of course, I am going to share my experiences with you my dear friends. For the next few weeks, I’ll update you all on my kitchen exploits, along with the links to recipes. I will only choose the simple ones, I promise. I like my dishes to be quick and easy. I haven’t decided what to cook first, but I have been craving some Italian lately….
Here’s to fun in the kitchen and healthy eating!
What vegan/vegetarian dishes would you like to try?
All Day Natural and Beale Street Chic’s premier style and beauty event is just a few days away…and we can’t WAIT! Get ready for an evening of shopping, pampering, meeting new friends and a delightful time!
“Beauty, Blogging, & Beyond”
Saturday, April 2nd 4:00-7:00 p.m.
First Congo, 1000 S. Cooper, Memphis, TN.
Admission:: $5.00
Giveaway:
To be eligible for a free ticket, all you have to do is share this post on Facebook or Twitter (or both!) and leave a comment below, letting me know what you did. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on the blog on Friday. Not only will you receive free admission to the event, but you’ll be in for another surprise too. Can’t reveal it yet!
See you all soon!
Update: Congratulations to Tia! You are the winner of the ticket (and a little something extra too! ). See you Saturday!
My transition to all natural products: cosmetics, lotions, soaps was very easy. I was motivated to change my routine after discovering that many traditional deodorants have odious ingredients which are toxic to the body. Savvy Brown has an excellent post, “What’s the Deal with Aluminum and Deodorant? “ on her site. Finding a natural effective alternative, however, has proved to be challenging. I am not yet daring enough to make my own (although if you are, you should check out these how-tos from Sociology of Sheena and The Natural Beauty Workshop.) What a pleasant surprise when I found Salubritas–Natural Deodorant Balm in my Eco-Emi box. (That is why I love these monthly packages!)
The creator’s story is very inspiring. It is reassuring to know that the company is committed to health-conscious, eco-friendly products. You apply Salubritas differently than other deodorants. You actually take a small amount and massage it onto your body. I had the Orange Lavender balm, an interesting combination, yet very pleasant scent. The balm comes in a plethora of other scents too.
I must say, Salubritas is the most consistently effective deodorant I have used thus far–perfect for everyday use. (Trust me, I wouldn’t send you out into the world, shall we say, “unprotected”? ). I haven’t applied this deodorant for intense workouts yet, but the website says the balm has been “mountain-bike tested”. It’s definitely worth a try!
Have you tried Salubritas Deodorant Balm? What natural deodorant has worked best for you?
As for New York City, it is a place apart. There is not its match in any other country in the world.
Pearl S. Buck
I don’t know if it’s the diverse array of people, dizzying excitement from the streets or the overwhelming abundance of food choices, but New York City has always captivated my soul, from the first time I stepped on its soil. I recently visited one of my favorite cities and want to share with you my adventures and finds.
Ohhh, the Food!
I would say that I have come back from my trip twenty pounds bigger, but since I trekked all around Manhattan, maybe I walked it all off. (Let’s hope!)
Of course I had to find my fix of ethiopian food. First stop: Zoma Restaurant in Harlem. My friend and I dined with Sheena LaShay of Sociology of Sheena (Check out her dynamic writings). We had a lovely time connecting like old friends and savoring the magnificent meal.
I did save some room on my palate for an appetizing dish the next day at The Organic Grill, in the East Village. I stared at the menu for the longest trying to figure out what to get (too many choices!) I settled on the herbivore version of the Philly Cheese Steak: the Grilled Seitan Burger. Dee-lish! Afterwards, I sat by the dessert counter and ogled the coconut cream pie, apple berry crisp and lemon cheesecake (all vegan). (You all KNOW I have a sweet tooth!) My friend delighted in the rich Chocolate Mocha Torte.
Later that evening, I stopped by Loving Hut. The veggie burger was pretty good, but I was most impressed by the carrot-ginger dressing on the house salad. Simple, yet appetizing…I am going to experiment with this recipe soon….
Beauty Extravaganza
While in the city, I wandered into Rain, a quaint shop in Rockefeller Plaza. Rain carries bath and body products with natural ingredients from Africa. It has an area where you can try each of the products: body cream, bath salts, handmade soaps. (You can even make your own custom scrubs and soaps.) The sales clerk was very knowledgeable and patient while I asked a billion questions about each of the products. I went home with a handful of samples and the Vanilla Rooibos Cream. I haven’t decided if I am actually going to use it or just marvel in the exquisite scent forever…
On my last day, I stopped by the Green Flea Market, I must say, I saved the best for last. In addition to a number of handmade jewelry finds, I discovered a trove of natural beauty treasures.
Inside the market, I encountered the nicest vendor from U.C.A.N. Enterprises, which sells natural skin care products. All of the products are handmade (by her Mother, how sweet), and you can tell a lot of thoughtfulness and care goes into them. The 3-in-1 (soap, shampoo and body wash) was extremely moisturizing. You can find this product (and others) here.
During my trek, I met the most adorable lady, Liz Santiago, founder of the eco-friendly skin care company, CeleBritAy. Liz shared how her own health-conscious lifestyle influenced the ingredients she chose for her products. I love her enthusiasm for the products, which was contagious. She even shared some samples with me, and I cannot wait to order my next batch. Check CeleBritAy out online or for you all that are lucky enough to be in the area, stop by the Brooklyn store.
I was certainly impressed. I only wish I had more time to devote to explore the finds…and more room in my suitcase! What a glorious weekend!
Have you been to any of these places in NYC? What are your favorite healthy spots and vendors in the city?
Ready for “Beauty, Blogging, & Beyond” hosted by All Day Natural and Beale Street Chic? We are! The big event is only two weeks away….
“Beauty, Blogging, & Beyond”
Saturday, April 2nd 4:00-7:00 p.m.
First Congo, 1000 S. Cooper, Memphis, TN.
Admission:: $5.00
We want to give you a preview of what to expect:
Handmade Bath & Body Products from Mi-Me and The Bubble Bistro
Hair & Beauty Products from Anago Samina
Jewelry and Designs from Urban Chocolate
……and more!
Prepare to be pampered as well, with:
- Relaxing spa manicures and massages from Touch of Essence Mobile Spa
- Complimentary hair care consultations and makeup applications
- Tasty treats from OC Vegan Foods
- Photography by Carlos Canelo
We will have you looking fly and smelling sweet just in time for Spring!
In anticipation of “”Beauty, Blogging & Beyond”, we are hosting a special giveaway for the event. Leave a comment below answering one of the following questions. You will be entered into a drawing for a gift to be unveiled at the event. Must be present to win.
Have you tried anything from one of the fabulous vendors above? List your favorite product below.
OR
What is your must-have natural beauty treatment?
I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature’s rebirth?
~Edward Giobbi
Springtime is almost here. The breathtaking array of color from nascent flower gardens and forest green hues from the blades of glass signify Mother Nature’s constant evolution. What a perfect time of the year for us to make beautiful changes in our own lives too!
What changes have been weighing on your mind? We are evolving beings. There is always room for us to grow, whether spiritually, emotionally or physically. Our excuses for not making positive changes often outweigh our motives for doing so. Sometimes you need some motivation to push you in the right direction. Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Just Do It. What are you waiting for to make the change? Too often, we put off big decisions (and small ones) to some indeterminate time in the future. “When you earn more money. When your child gets older. When you get a new relationship….” Often the longer we procrastinate about a decision, the more unappealing and seemingly unattainable it seems.
I have been contemplating embarking on a strength training program for a long time. Not particularly fond of intense exercise, I delayed the decision. One day, I woke up and just decided to join the local gym on a whim. Now, I actually look forward to my workouts!
2. Create a support system. I have shared with you the value of having a support system before. Cultivating this support is often vital to your success. You want to have a circle of people who encourage, support and surround you with positive energy. Do not entertain those who question your decisions or even worse, judge you for them. You want to have family members and friends around you who will nurture your spirit during your journey. Who knows? You may be the support they need to make similar positive changes one day.
3. Visualize where you want to be. Whether you write down your goals or create images in your mind, always stay focused on what you want to achieve. This will help you remain motivated on the days you are feeling anxious, tempted or frustrated. Place notes on your mirror or desktop or take time for your visualizations a few minutes each day.
This weekend, when completing an exhausting class at the gym, I wondered, “Why am I submitting myself through this when I could be at home surfing through my Netflix queue?” Then, I remembered my goal: killer abs and arms (Watch out, Venus Williams!). That gave me the stamina to complete the workout and actually pushed me to work harder.
Here’s to welcome changes!
What positive changes do you want to make in your life?
