Naturally You- The Hair Journey

This is one of the most beautifully crafted vintage pieces I have ever seen. I designed the necklace and collaborated with a local vintage designer to bring it to life. She did an amazing job and far exceeded my expectations. Her name? Janelle. You can find more of her amazing vintage pieces at http://www.buyjanellejewelry.com/

I wore the piece to my friend’s wedding this past weekend. Below are pictures of the vintage piece. I named it “Nebu,” which is the Egyptian word for gold.

Nigerian attire for the reception.

I lovvveeed this look of the week. The white dress has amazing embroidered detail. I found the dress at a great boutique in Milwaukee. The head bow is actually a belt from an African outfit my mom had, so I used it wisely. I paired the look with earrings from a local vintage designer. They matched perfectly with the belt-turned-head bow. I bought the shoes for a great price. They really pulled out the yellow in the head bow and the earrings. Yay!!!

 Smile.

In 2001, Nigerian-American designer Chidima Anusiem began the first fruits of her clothing line by creating couture designs for friends and family. Her passion to express both her African and American cultures in her design led her to launch Chianu. In 2009, Chidima Anusiem’s sisters, Hope Anusiem and Chioma Akhabue, joined Chianu to launch the clothing line’s first collection.

Inspired by the rich, bold fabrics of Africa and the designers’ Nigerian heritage, Chianu’s chic and trendy pieces are created to reinvent the global marketplace’s view of African material and change the perception of who can and should wear these cleverly crafted silhouettes.   

Below are two of my favorite pieces from Chianu’s Fall 2010 Collection. Fabulous.

Yessssss.

I was talking to a friend about putting rods in my hair. I told her that I have to sleep a certain way when I do this style. I call it the "Princess Pose." I generally place my hands under my chin and lay gently on them. I know there are other women who sleep in this position as well. This post is for all of the ladies who sleep like this to look even more stunning in the morning.

Pretty in Victoria's Secret PINK.

Yes, I really do sleep like this.

This picture was taken last January. Three months prior to, I cut my hair for the second time, my 2nd BC. I don't have a lot of pictures from my early hair journey on here, so I wanted to do a throw back look of the week. 

This is one of my favorite dresses. I bought this dress at a fabulous boutique in Milwaukee. I got the "pearls" at Forever 21 and found the purse at Kohl's. Shopping wisely.

I love these necklaces. I found the necklace on the right at Charlotte Russe for a very reasonable price. I found the necklace on the right at Henri Girl Boutique. I love Henri Girl's cute clothing and accessories. Awesome!

Every time I wear this (it's only been twice including at this occasion) I always get compliments. Not that I need the approval to wear it. It's fabulous!

About two months ago, I found Dudu Osum's Shampoo at Mandisa Ngozi. I currently use the Dudu Osum black soap for my face and have been satisfied with the results. I figured I would try the shampoo and see if I liked it.

I have washed my hair three times with the shampoo. The first time I washed it, my hair was soft and tangle-free. I also used a conditioner the first time. The last two times, I did not use conditioner, only because I have not found an all-natural conditioner for natural hair. When I used the DuduOsum shampoo without conditioner my hair felt dry and tangled. I recently found a conditioner by Madame C.J. Walker that I will try next.

I also have not been using a creamy moisturizer over the past two months, so that may have contributed to my hair being tangled. I have only been using shea butter and my natural oil mixture to moisturize my hair because I am waiting on an all-natural hair milk made locally to come back in stock.

The next time I wash my hair with the Dudu Osum shampoo I’ll use conditioner and see if there are any noticeable results.

I love this look. The necklace and the shoes tied in very well together. I'm glad I found this dress at such a great price. Everything looked great!

Outfit including shoes and necklace shown above.

Boxing Kitten designer, Maya Amina Lake  was inspired by elements within the political and cultural climate of the Civil Rights Movement for her current collection, Resort 2010.

The background for the shoot was perfect.

Love this look, pose, and especially the background.

The Billie dress is phenomenal. smile.

Killing the poses.

Love the pose on the right. So classic.

Tam Tam. That's all I can say. Hmm.

I would rock this like there is NO tomorrow. With the fro out.

 I love Boxing Kitten.  Created by Maya Amina Lake, the company's vintage-inspired clothing is a bold and vibrant artistic expression of fashion evolved. I love the rich, African-inspired fabrics that are used. Most of them are Ankara fabrics which are 100% cotton veritable wax hollandais prints.

"Wax hollandaise is a method using wax block prints and batiking techniques", as the company's website explains. "Patterns are printed in wax on long strips of cloth, which are then immersed in vats of dye, usually indigo. The parts of the cloth not covered in wax absorb the dye, laying down a basic pattern. The wax-printed fabric can be sent through machines that partially break off the wax, since the wax breaks arbitrarily, no two lengths of the cloth are quite alike, which is what gives wax-print fabric its characteristic organic richness. Then the fabric is pattern-printed with other colors, anywhere from one to three times. The fabric is largely bought, worn and marketed in Western African countries."

Check out the oh-so-vintage chic Boxing Kitten pieces below.

Beyonce in a Glam Ensemble. Yesss!

Vogue Best Dressed!

Fergi-li-cious in Boxing Kitten!

Luv, luv Solange in this Boxing Kitten Get up.