Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Relations Wednesday: Friendships, "Ain't Nobody Straight!"


Real friends are certainly hard to find these days. You find yourself being the only one you can truly depend on. The friends around you bring more drama than positivity into your life. Then you start to question their loyalty, making statements like "Ain't nobody loyal." or Ain't Nobody Straight." If this sounds like you then you may need to reevaluate the people you call friends in your life. You may even need to self evaluate the type of friend you are to others. You are the company you keep. If you are that loner type of person that needs no one then more power to you. But are you also the person that claims no one is real or loyal? Think back and ask yourself if you have you always been loyal. I know what it's like to have great group of friends and I hate to see others miss out on such a dynamic type of relationship and support system. No you don't need friends but I think it makes life a bit more fulfilling to have someone there by your side to experience life's ups and downs. I love my friends, dearly. Several of them are like family. And if you know what it's like to be flawed and to have people that love you anyway with no blood relation, then you understand the value of a good friendship.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Tresses Tuesday: My Two Year Natural Hair Anniversary

Hello to all my Brown Queens! I want to send a special shout out to my natural Brown Queens. This week I am celebrating my two year natural hair anniversary. I got my last relaxer two years ago and I haven't looked back since. I transitioned for a year and five months, cutting a little as I went along. I was not brave enough for the big chop. I had long and pretty healthy hair besides the fact that it was a little broken off at the crown from a permanent color I'd had a year before. I definitely faced a lot of criticism and I still am about my decision to go natural. I am often asked in a judgmental manner "Why did you go natural?" or "What made you want to do that?". Although it would suit me fine to say "Because I wanted to", I would prefer to respond in a way that could help others not be so negative about something that shouldn't even be too much of their concern. Anytime someone questions my decision, I simply tell the truth. I went natural because I wanted to see if my hair would return back to the soft curly texture it was before I got relaxers as a child. Even more so I did it as a self acceptance exercise. I wanted to accept myself for who I truly am inside and out. I don't want to feel like I have to be anything other than how I was born to feel beautiful. I wanted to take on that state of mind. Going natural was a liberating experience. I also learned an important lesson throughout my journey. Yes, I am beautiful in my natural state. No, I don't need to change what I look like to feel beautiful. However, If I wanted to wear a weave or a relaxer, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that and it does not change the fact that I am beautiful with or without it. My advice to you is if you want to go natural, do it if that is what makes you feel beautiful and happy. If you want to get a relaxer or stay relaxed. make sure you are not doing it to be accepted or to "become" beautiful or because you already are. I have learned that those types of chemicals can be damaging to your hair but I know plenty who have a healthy head of hair with a relaxer. I was relaxed most of my life so I am a testament to that. My natural transition was a tough one indeed. Every day is not a good hair day but I love my hair and I am elated with the growth and strength of my hair. I plan to let it keep growing as long as it will grow. Critics tend to be silenced when they learn how well my hair is progressing. I do plan on making a youtube video soon but for now here are some pics of my journey from relaxed to natural.
























Monday, February 27, 2012

Music Monday: Calling all Music Lovers... What's on your Pandora?

     I have a confession to make. I am in love and have been for quite a while now. I am in love with music and I swear music loves me back. I can't go a day without having it in my life in some form or another whether I am listening, watching music videos, or singing a song myself. I am 100%, a music lover and will forever be. I love most types of music. My favorite is SOUL and anything that branches off of that. I like r&b, gospel, hip hop, country, pop, punk rock, some classical, and some in between. I try to listen to all genres of music but I do tend to stay in the genre of soul or neo soul! I also tend to go through spells where I only listen to one artist's music for like a week straight. Lately it has been Ryan Leslie, Jill Scott, Maxwell, Musiq Soulchild, or another one of my favorites that I am feeling at the time. You will begin to realize who my favorite musicians are by the music you hear on The BQC!  On Music Mondays I will share with you new musicians that I come across and think are phenomenal or someone who I like that I recommend you to hear. As a music lover, I love sharing with other music lovers, our musical taste. Today on Music Monday I would like to share with you, my stations on Pandora. There are still many artists I would like to add but I think my list is pretty hot right now. Let me know what you think. "Now keep in mind I'm an artist! And I'm sensitive about my sh**" - Erykah Badu. I currently have Ryan Leslie, Maroon 5, Eric Benet, Jazmine Sullivan, Music Soulchild, Toni Braxton, Maxwell, Tank, Jill Scott, Chris Brown, and Trey Songz. Share your list of Pandora stations with us on The BQC! Who keeps your Pandora or your Ipod on fire??


*** Playlist includes I used to love H.E.R. x Common, Love of My life x Erykah Badu and Common, Music x Eric Sermon***

Happy Music Monday!!

                                                 
Greetings, Brown Queens! Thank you for supporting The BQC so far. The first week was a success. I want to see more feedback from you ladies so don't be afraid to talk to me! Be sure to join The BQC and tell your friends about it!! Brown Kings, please don't hesitate to let the beautiful Brown Queens hear your voice. Now, let's have a good week on The BQC!