Majestic Divas SC Interview

Picture from google

Hello,
I am a twisted dread wearer and lovin it. I am also an author penning a book titled "Don't Dread, Dreads" and I need a few people to share their experience with dreads.

When did you start your dreads and why?

I started my Loc Jan 10, 2008. I've always been a fan of natural hair, and I've always love dread loc's. I was told by many stylist that my hair would not loc.. When I found a stylist that took the time to train my hair and go through the journey with me I was happy. I've always been happy with my decisison to loc..

What were the intial reaction/responses of friends, family, and co-workers?

No one liked it.. When I came home my kids blurted out " mom, you look like a boy! " you are bald headed. ** I've always had shoulder length hair- very long and relaxed.. my kids werent use to seeing me with short or tightly coiled hair **

Did you notice a boost in confidence or any other personality changes?

Yes, I felt very empowered and had a re newed sense of strength.. All of my fellow dred wearers embraced me and gave me loads of helpful tips. I almost immediately changed my diet- eating my organic, and going Au' Naturale ( with hair products, body products and food). I also started making my own products and eductating myself on Natural hair.

What do you like or dislike about your hair?

My hair is super curly.. Although most of my hair is loc'ked some are very curly and my roots are wavy and curly

What are the reactions now to your hair?

very nice comments.. again, my hair is curly so my locs are curly and when I wear them in a pont tail my roots are waved and curly whick gives a " different" look.

Check her out at her blog and let her know you appreciated her sharing her story.

Miss Sixx author of Au Naturale Blog

Diva Smooches and Sisterly Hugs!!
Miss Sixx, President
Majestic Divas Social Club

" WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN"

Check out our website and sign the guest book: www.majesticdivas.org

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Follow my blog on my Natural Hair/Loc Journey Au- Naturale by Miss Sixx
http://missnaturale.blogspot.com

Join my online yahoo group for Natural Hair....
Au_Naturale@yahoogroups.com
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Check out my
Gourmet Deviled Egg Website**
http://thedeviledegggourmet.webs.com
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Ansylla's Story

Photo from google pictures


This is an interview conducted with Ansylla who rocks a great hairstyle. I appreciate her openess to share with us and hope you find her story inspiring.

When did you decide to go natural and why?

In 1996, I noticed that my mother, grandmother and an aunt all had seriously thinning hair. All I could think was, “I AM NOT trying to be bald at 40!” At the time I was wearing my low cut hair texturized, primarily for convenience. I had just moved to DC and learned of a natural hair show at Howard University presented by Cornrows & Co. Now, this was pre-Mapquest and I had no idea how to get to Howard University. But I headed to DC and after getting turned around…and around…and around, I made it when the show was about half over. When I arrived…Man! The natural styles were breathtaking. I had no idea natural hair could be so beautiful. At the end of the show, Pamela Ferrell said, ”We have considered relaxing our hair as a rite of passage. But we didn’t stop to think what would happen if we never did.” That had such an impact on me. That was the day I went natural. I’ve never used a straightening chemical on my hair since. (This was written when I was a guest blogger on Kinnks.com. I hope that's ok.)


What was the intial reaction/responses of family, friends, co-workers?

I was the first in my close circle of friends to go natural. They seemed ok with it. I can't say that I remember much negativity. My mother is the only family I lived near at the time and she had no problems with it AT ALL. However….my first trip to see my family in New Orleans, was different. They weren't too thrilled. They were speechless actually. No one really said much, but I got strange looks from family and strangers. But I didn't care. I was committed. I'm proud to say that one of my aunts and her two teenage daughters have since loc'ed their hair.


Did you notice a confidence boost or other personality changes?

I wore my loose natural hair for about 7 years and I’ve been loc’d for the past 6. Going natural was very empowering. But loc’ing was liberating. In my opinion, self acceptance is vital. And going natural was a major step in my personal growth.


What do you like or dislike about you hair?

There isn't anything that I dislike about my hair, but it would be nice if my hair were denser. I like big hair, I just wasn't born with it. But as for my locs, I love everything about them.


What is the response to your hair style now?

Though I've been loc'ed for over 6 years, I cut my locs into a bob in Sept 2008. In June 2009, I cut them even shorter. This time in an assymetrical cut with a shaved portion at the nape. LOVE IT! I did that just to show the versatility of locs. People sometimes think locs are limited because they are often just worn very long. But locs are as stylish and versatile -- if not more so -- than any other hair style.



Check her out and let her know you enjoyed her story.



Ansylla
Holistic Hair & Advanced Loc Techniques Workshops
www.myhairitage.com

Living and Loving the Natural Way

Hello, fellow dread lovers.

It must be said we natural hair wearers are a rare and special breed. We take command of any space we enter. There is a sense of mystery about us and a confidence that runs deeper than mined ore. There are many sites which feature our uniqueness and boldness when it comes to hair styles.

I encourage all of you out there to live as unconstrained in your life as your hair is unconstraied. Don't compromise or let any negativity stop your flow. Love as caring and attentively as you do with your hair care. Show the world tat you are more than superficial beauty, which you can do well also, but a body that embodies a passionate individual voice that can grab your attention and hold it for more than a few minutes.

On this site, show me who you are and why you are living and loving free. What do your dreads mean to you and what do you think they mean to others around you?

Chris Rocks movie spoke volumes but you have your own story. Post pics and comments for all to view. I know there are some divas out there and I say, I'm lovin it.

Look forward to your posts and tell a friend.

APOCALYPSE NOW? 2012 is drawing close

Yes, it is that time of the year; the New Year.

As with each new year, we ask ourselves: is this the year that the world will end? Apocalypse seems to be the word of choice for 2009. I myself have found myself checking out the history channel to make sure that I can identify the tell-tell signs of the end of the world.

I even googled "Predictions of 2012." One of my daughters said that she is just now getting her life together and it would be unfair for the world to end on her career. Whatever one may believe (by the way, I think that we are living in those imfamous last days) I hope that we all are reflecting on the life that we are living now and the life that we intend to live eternally.

I consider myself as a nice person, but we all know that it takes more than just 'niceness' to secure a place in eternity with our Creator. So, instead of sitting and sulking about the approach of 2012 which seems to be plagued with all kinds of bad stuff, I will thank God for today.

I will thank God for this flooding rain that we are having, because there is a promise of sun. I will thank God for these quivering stubborn pounds that I am on my 6th attempt to shed, because I have been told in Scripture that I am awesomely and wonderfully made. I will thank God for each of you who have stumbled onto my sporadic blog site, because you help me to strive to be more interesting and disciplined.

Enjoy the New Year
2009 will be the greatest year yet to be a child of God.

Vacations Are Great

If you can not guess I will tell you. I went to Florida for vacation in May and had a wonderful time looking at all of the flowers. There were so many topiary that it was hard not to fall in love with flowers. I found out that I do not take a lot of pictures while I am on vacation, but I don't think that will change.

The Picture of me is on Wall Street, in New York. We know how bullish the market has been lately. I went to New York just before Thanksgiving and the New Yorkers let us know that we were having unseasonably early cold (that accounts a little for the mitch match winter wear). I have to say that I love New York and was surprised at how it was not as it is depicted on t.v. (I was in Manhattan across from Madison Square Gardens so maybe I did not truely experience New York).

I enjoyed going to China Town, Little Italy, SoHo and various other places. I rode the subway and was asked to play the violin by a subway performer. I saw the Rocketts at Radio City Music Hall and the wax museum was beyond my expectations. I took a boat out past the Statue of Liberty and visited Ellis Island (how magnificent). I went up the 86 floors to the Empire State Building. Life is great.

I don't know what my next adventure will be but stay tuned.

What great vacations have you been on in 2008 and where you plan or hope to go in 2009?

Book Review: The Collard Patch

Thanks to Mary Lou Cheatham and Paul Elliot for allowing me to review their book. Look forward to doing more reviews with them and other authors. You can order this book at: Blue Moon Books-Louisiana. 207 N. Service Rd., E. #213. Ruston, LA 71270.

I found the breakdown of the opening chapters as helpful but was confused as to how they actually related to the rest of the book sections. The information under each chapter heading was enthralling. I enjoyed the history of the collard greens and even the helpful hints that I will definitely use to help with garden pests. The information in regards to the African American heritage and use of collard greens was an interesting addition. The book was written in a way to give the collard lover and the novice collard eater a deeper appreciation of the vegetable.

The interweaving of humor helped to balance the technical aspects of recipes and dietary information. The personal recipes, bios, and other stories shared makes this book a timeless treasure that can be handed down from generation to generation for "comfort food encouragement." The personal touches of the individual stories encourages one to try one or two of the inspirational recipes. The diversity and range that the authors incorporated will definitely touch many people as well as palates.

Additional website information encourages the reader to delve deeper into the great world of collard greens. The addition of childhood recollections add to the charm of The Collard Patch. The book is not just a book of recipes, but of history and experiences that go along with living a good life filled with laughter and eating right filled with love.

I would recommend The Collard Patch to adventurous cooks, the garden lover, and to those interested in restoration of the mind, body, and spirit. I was delightfully surprised at the down-home feel that I was left with after reading the book. A true experience of relaxation filled with delicious, easy to follow recipes that once tried are destined to be favorites.

Who am I?

As Joseph Epstein, an American essayist says: "We all exist on at least three levels: the person as he or she appears in public; the person as he or she is known to intimates, which includes family and dear friends, and the person, deepest of all, who is only known to him- or herself, where all aspirations, resentments, fantasies, desires, and much else that is not ready for public knowledge reside" I find myself asking the same question that the Republican party is asking about McCain and of Obama, of myself. I have an "Obama - Biden 08" bumper sticker hiding on my backseat underneath bookbags and a emergency cold weather jacket.

I AM AFRAID TO POST IT ON MY CAR'S BUMPER OR ANY OTHER PUBLIC PLACE THAT IS TIED TO ME PERSONALLY. Who am I?

I protest loudly within the confines of my home secure walls at what I consider racism shown towards Obama. I yell at the televised speeches of Palin and stare astonished at her backers and cheerers. I cheer for Obama in his debates and hope to acheive the dignity and wisdom that he exemplifies. Yet I feel wary to let the public know my political choice.

He does nto protest abortion. Neither do I but I do not advocate it. WE both believe in prevention. Does that make me less of a Christian?

Why do I hide this from man when God knows. God knows the heart of McCain, Obama, and Palin. Who would God tell the people "Who am I?"

How do I stand and who do I stand with? If people are left questioning this it is because I am concealing myself purposefully from them. But why when it is God that matters? What else do I hide from the public and should I do so? I think Obama is the bravest person that I have met in my lifetime. He is running for President even on the threat of death. "Kill him" is shouted in formth of Secret Service men without hesitation.

Jesus did what he knew would help the world on the pains of death (No, I am not comparing Obama to Jesus). What about me? I am a Christian and I am black. I do nothing on the pains of death. Who am I? How often will I hide and on what subjects that are more relevant than this election?

WHO AM I?