Viola Davis

I absolutely love her natural look. 


But I have to ask.


Should it have made such a hoopla? Is it so surprising for an african american woman to wear her hair natural? I don't think that it should have been such a huge headline for the Oscar's. She is beautiful and natural hair is beautiful but it was very awkward. It was stating that she was wig less. Like wearing "wigs" and "weaves" is the normal way for african american woman to wear their hair. 


I am glad that it may have been accepted but it makes me feel as if it is the new fad and not another beautiful way for african american woman to wear her hair. If you wear your hair straightened or tightly coiled it should be celebrated. 


I am not taking away from the opportunity it has presented for african american women to not feel obliged to wear her hair straightened at conservative award ceremonies. I love that she did this and that it is drawing attention but I feel that it was not treated as "normal". 

1 year Anniversary!

Today marks a year that I have done the big chop and I am so satisfied with my decision. My hair is growing rapidly, healthy and I don't miss the creamy crack not a bit. 

There were rough patches were I momentarily wanted to go back but they were short lived. 

Going natural has been an awesome experience and I am so proud that I did it! 

Here is a photo timeline of my journey!!!!!! 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Transition-to-our-natural-roots/122876514462181

Two days After the big chop and some color (Feb. 12th) 

Combed out (Feb 13th) *Special Day*

A few months later (April 2011)

June 2011

August 2011

September 2011

Collage September/October 2011

December 2011

Jan. 2012

Jan. 2011

Feb. 2012

The Big Chop!

I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary of the BIG CHOP!


I was very nervous and anxious and frustrated all rolled up in one. My journey has been long but I enjoyed learning about my natural hair. I had no idea what I was doing. I started transitioning October 2010. I chopped it all off one afternoon, on Feb. 4th, 2011 and the rest is history.




I did my research on youtube. Youtube is an excellent resource on finding about new products and how to do styles. There were so many people going through the same thing as I was. Transitioning to natural hair. There youtube channels have wonderful tips on what products to use, how to make your own products and great styles to try on your newly transitioned hair.


Doing the big chop and rocking the fro is no easy task. Your hair does what it wants from day to day, some products work, some doesn't. Going from straight hair to tightly coiled hair is a different experience to say the least. You have to find what works best for you and remember to not get frustrated and go day to day. What may look busted to you looks beautiful to everyone else. I have gotten many compliments on styles I thought was horrendous.


I enjoy trying to make my hair do what I want it to do. The two strand twist outs, blow out, flat twist, and small, medium and large fro styles keep me from looking the same day to day. I am proud that I stuck it out and did not succumb to using the "creamy crack" on days that I got frustrated.


I created a page on Facebook to discuss all things natural hair and if you are a natural girl or considering transitioning or doing the Big Chop check it out sometime. It is not just be talking but many people ask questions and I answer them or find the answer or we all discuss it. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Transition-to-our-natural-roots/122876514462181?ref=tn_tnmn

Me after the big chop and some hair color. 

Me Now. 

Kwanzaa

I wanted to begin to celebrate Kwanzaa last year. I remember learning about it in grammar school and in a book a few years back. I researched about it last year and I felt inspired. 

I feel that the message is beautiful. I wonder why not many people celebrate it. I don't celebrate it because I feel that I am black and have to but because I believe in the principles it represents. 

I am going to give a general overview of Kwanzaa's seven principles which is celebrated each of the seven days of Kwanzaa. Also the lighting of the Kinara. There are many more traditions and customs associated with Kwanzaa. I am giving a basic and simple overview.

Day 1 is Umoja which stands for Unity. We strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race. 

Day 2 is Kujichagulia which stands for self determination. To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves. 

Day 3 is Ujima which stands for Collective work and responsibility. To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.

Day 4 is Ujamaa which stands for cooperative economics. To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together. 

Day 5 is Nia which stands for Purpose. To make our collective vocation the building and develop if our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. 

Day 6 is Kuumba which stands for creativity. To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Day 7 Imani stands for faith. To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. 


Each day of Kwanzaa you light the candles on the Kinara. You have 3 red candles, 3 green candles and one black candle which sits in the middle. 

You light the black candle on the 1st day

You light the black and first red candle on Day 2

You light the black candle, 1st red candle and 1st green candle on Day 3

You light the black candle, 1st & 2nd red candles and the 1st green candle on Day 4. 

You light the black candle, 1st & 2nd red candles, & the 1st & 2nd green candles on Day 5. 

You light the black candle, all the red candles and the 1st & 2nd green candles on Day 6. 

You light all the candles on Day 7. 

Natural hair social

Not at all sure about going alone but so happy that I decided to go. Treasure our tresses was such a wonderful event. The natural hair community has been nothing short of inviting and warm. No one is judging and everyone is showing love. I arrived alone and met at least twenty people who took to me right away. I was asked to take pictures and about my hair care regimen. I was unsure about my hair as I did not take the time to do it. Instead I run in some Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie and left. I love to meet other naturals to share my story and to hear others as well as hive tips of what have and haven't worked for me.

Definitely a successful and great evening......