Food for Thought

In dedication to February, I've decided to list five tasty treats for all you busting your brains about what edible arrangements to indulge in.

1. Chocolate-covered Strawberries:
I don't even like chocolate like that and I'm having sudden surges of desire for these. Fruit and candy mixed together? Scrumptious. Edible Arrangements has fruit baskets for sale or you can purchase them alone, in a sweetheart bouquet. Either way, you can't go wrong with this classic fave.

2. Kissable Massage Oil:
One of Victoria's biggest secrets this month comes in a flavor called vanilla craving, and who doesn't love vanilla?! Massages are underrated. Not many people tend to give them out but they're so relaxing, especially since ten times out of ten we've felt stress at some point that week. The media makes it seem as if we have to go to spas to receive them but it's much more special coming from a loved one. Make your massages count.

3. Edible Body Icing:
Brush included, this goodie is sure to inspire you. You know what's just as good as a personally written card? A personalized, painted note on that special someone. Hotel Chocolat has a yummy chocolate and caramel mix and Vickies Secrets has body icing available in midnight chocolate.

4. Have Your Cake and Eat it Too:
Sometimes homemade treats are better than just purchasing. You can show that someone that you took the time out to really make them something from the heart. You can tailor the flavor to something you know they would like and even write your own message or add your own decorations. If you're stuck on what kind of cake to make, red velvet has always been a personal favorite!

5. Be a Sweetie:
There's so many choices in candies to choose from. You can spice up your life with kiss-shaped chocolates, covered lightly in cocoa butter and filled with chilli jam from The Chocolate Trading Company. Other sweet ideas include hand-crafted, dark chocolate stilettos for the fashion savvy or gelatin hearts or rice krispies hearts for those who prefer treats with less calories. The ideas are limitless!

Feel Test

So Ladies, you've met a new man and things seem to be going in the right direction. The conversation and dates have exceeded your expectations and the chemistry is definitely there. You're over the polite kisses and the next base is calling your name. You have to admit, you're kinda worried if it's going to be worth it though. What if it's bad? What if he doesn't match up to all the sweet nothings he's been whispering in your ear? The next few words are essential in saving you from having a bad intimate experience.

DO A FEEL TEST!

What is a feel test, you ask? It's a test to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. You need to feel if what he's bringing to the table is a lot or not much at all. It could be right in the heat of things. Simply feel if his package is what you're comfortable with or plain unacceptable. If it's right, then by all means proceed with whatever course of action you deem appropriate or necessary. If not, you can simply pull the "Actually, Im not ready for all this yet," "We're moving too fast," or the "I need more time," card and save yourself the energy.

For The Naturals

Is "Kinky" the new it factor? It has exceedingly become popular to say goodbye to the chemicals and embrace naturalness. Black women around the world are making hair statements these days by rocking their fros, wearing braids, putting in twists, and even sporting curly mohawks. I remember learning in advertising class about perm companies and black haircare products being owned by predominantly White businesspeople. They would stress the appeal of having straight hair in advertisements as a way for African-American women to get men, look more beautiful, and have a higher overall appeal. Even in the "Good Hair" documentary by Chris Rock, he had went into a beauty supple store and pointed at an afro wig and the black cashier told him no one wants that kind of hair anymore. In the media, not many celebrities are seen sporting natural tresses, so the image is still one that is not placed on a pedestal.

Personally, natural hair is just too much for me to handle. I like getting that fresh perm, having that bounce and seeing my roots all smooth and slicked back. However, I applaud all those who are stepping out with their natural crowns and going against the grain. Confidence has always been the best look, no matter how you choose to accessorize it.

Here are some links to some cool online articles from Clutch Magazine!
http://clutchmagonline.com/newsgossipinfo/ten-things-potential-naturals-should-know/
http://clutchmagonline.com/beauty/the-ten-natural-hair-commandments/

FOTO OP: "Thirsty For Knowledge?" Campaign

Snapple Ad #2 I created for Ad Copywriting class.

FOTO OP: Snapple Ad

"Thirsty For Knowledge?" print ad I created for my Ad Copywriting class.

Full Exposure: VS Topless Bikini

Thumbs up or down?

Four Yr. Old Suspended for Hair

It's ridiculous how some school systems have gotten with limiting individuality. Even 4 yr. olds have drama?!

Fake Hair Phoebia

It's understood that being able to run your fingers through a girls scalp without feeling layers of eighteen inch Yaki sewed in is heavenly. I get that. When asked to choose between a girl with a weave and a girl with real hair, we can already predict the answer. Guys and some girls seem to have a heightened dislike for the weave, mainly because they don't like the fact that it's artificial. However, a lot of the times if it's done really well guys don't even know the difference.

Even though artists like India Arie sing "I am not my hair," hair continues to be one of the most important female attributes. It's like the accessory to the face. If a girl's hair is not looking right, a lot of the times it's going to determine her vibe or affect her confidence level. Guys are even attracted to girls based on what kind of hairstyle they have. Girls, for the most part, like a lot of variety with their hair and weave offers that option without affecting your real hair. What I don't get in the weave bashing arguments is that celebrities definitely go through weaves like underwear and they seemed to be put on a pedestal for their looks.

Now, I'm not advocating excessive use of weave or anything. I recall seeing that Chris Rock documentary "Good Hair" and learned that different types of weaves are coming off the heads of Indians, and other races in South Asia, who aren't even aware of how it's being used. Some of them are told that it's for religious sacrifices and other women get it cut right off their head as their praying. There are hair factories where the hair is then washed, sewed, and packaged. It's wild, and definitely tainted my perspective.

People use weaves for different reasons, though. Sometimes they use it to grow their hair back, or because they don't even have hair to grow. I advocate choice, and if you want to be wet-n-wavy today and romance curl tomorrow because that makes you feel good about yourself and your appearance, then to each his own. There's plenty of women out there with fake hair that are living perfectly fine. And for every man that doesn't like weave, there's one that doesn't really care. At the end of the day it's about YOU, and what YOU like. You are the author of your own dictionary, not hair.

Foto Op: Black (Hair) Magic

Foto Op: Taken right before I washed my hair.
Its amazing what my hair can do without help. 2010 style? I think not :0]