Women in Fitness

So this morning, I literally just read an article on Business Insider about Nike launching its new #BetterForIt campaign as they advertise to women in fitness. The commercial shows a couple of women, who are in the "beginning" stage of their workout habits. Trying new workouts, being uncomfortable, and pushing through it. Great campaign. However, the ad doesn't actually show women in the beginning stages of working out. It shows women with pretty much the same body structure. Who, I'm sure, are already pretty in shape, and probably don't have any stigmas about the gym. They don't look like they would be very uncomfortable in the gym around more fit women.

Now, I really wanted to praise the UK's Sport England campaign called "This Girl Can". Not only does this campaign show a more diverse group of women. It really shows women in different shapes and sizes working it out. Not only are these women working it out, they are exuding confidence while doing so. If I needed anymore motivation to get started, and not give two sh*ts about who else was around, this campaign does it for me. Watch both of the videos below:

The Big Chop: Why I Chose To Do It

I know it's been a while since I've posted about my hair...or anything in that matter. But a month ago, I decided to finally do something I had been wanting to do since late summer 2014. I chopped it all off!

I've been asked why, and I wish I had some cool spontaneous story about how I was just bored, and just went to the shop, and voila! But, that's not quite how my story went. It's true, I was bored with my hair. But I also was going through a growth rough patch. I didn't think my hair was growing anymore. I consulted with a couple people, my boyfriend being a persuading factor, decided I would give my hair a few more weeks and then think about it again.

Well January 2015 hit, and in pure "new year, new me" fashion, the need for this hair cut was just eating at me. I couldn't shake this feeling, that although, I've never cut my hair nearly as short as what I was going for, I need absolutely needed to this. 

Again, my hair wasn't growing. It was uneven due to infrequent trimmings, and just not straightening my hair at all. Also, my hair didn't feel clean. I wore wash -n- go's, as my scalp is really sensitive and builds up quickly, and no matter whether I cowashed or washed with purifying shampoo, it just didn't feel clean. It was nasty!

So I cut it....

And it's been a month long journey lol. I'm still getting used not being able to hide behind my hair. Not being able to try different styles. I will say, I'm so in love with the low maintenance of it so far. And oddly enough, I get a compliment almost every day. Listen to this, every day! I can't style it. I can only wear wash -n- go's, and somehow my confidence in this cut has gone up day by day.

Have you been contemplating getting the Big Chop? What's holding you back?

Dove's #LoveYourCurls Ad

Dove has come out with a new commercial that I couldn't help but love. It shows a group of curly hair little girls discussing how much they don' t like their hair because its not straight. So Dove asks family and friends of these girls to wear their curls. Cause they'll only love their hair if we love ours right? Check out the video below.

I absolutely love it! What do you think?

How To Highlight & Contour a New Face

I'll start by saying I'm not the biggest make up user. I'm not a make up novice. I know what to use for my face and what I like. And I know I'm a bit late on this highlight and contour trend going on. But I couldn't help but realize how many people are using this trend to look like a different person.

I'm all for using make up to enhance your beauty. But how far are we really willing to go to feel beautiful. It's like the inexpensive substitute to surgery. I've seen some very good tutorials, where the girls didn't change their appearance, they highlighted certain parts of their face....cool.

Then I attempted to watch a 27 min tutorial where this guy completely changed the look of his face. I'm talking skin complexion, eyebrows, thinner nose, higher cheek bones. From the beginning of the video to the end, he was a different person. He created a new face.

And I know I can't speak for everybody, but to me this has shown more and more people who have decided they don't like the way they look and they're going to look like somebody else. Where's the Self Love people?!

Maybe I'm overreacting, I don't know. I just know I love myself way too much to give my self a different face. And want my daughter to grow up loving herself enough to not feel like she has to change her appearance to fit into a superficial state of being for people who don't care about her anyway. I want her to love the face god gave her,  a mix from both myself and her father, that blended and created her.

#NoJustice For Killing Of Mike Brown

Last night the decision from the Ferguson Grand Jury was to not indict Officer Darren Wilson for the murder of Michael Brown. Last night, I sat and watched Prosecutor McCulloch ramble on about the inconsistencies of testimony and how the physical evidence  supported Officer Wilson's story. As the prosecutor began talking, I knew in my gut that the grand jury had no intentions on indicting Officer Wilson. 

Tension grew even higher during the prosecutors speech as police cruisers stormed the peaceful streets as people were still shocked and quiet about the decision that was made. I watched for as long as I could, knowing a riot was soon to break out. And low and behold, its exactly what happened.

You know, I really wasn't surprised to hear the decision. This justice system, the system created by the government well before Black People had Civil Rights, was not built to protect us. The system didn't fail us because it was never built for us. There's a war going on and its on our young black men. But my question is: Where are our Black Leaders?

I've heard that people now want to boycott Black Friday. Which I have no problem with, but boycotting one day doesn't ignite change. When unions go on strike, they go on strike until the change has happened. Until they're demands are met. So if you're going to boycott shopping on Black Friday, boycott shopping for the whole Holiday season. Boycott shopping all together until they feel the pain that our community felt with last nights decision. 

If you want some change, be about that change. But let's no just react without thinking, because that's what they're expecting us to do anyway.

My prayers go out to the Brown Family during this Holiday season.

They're Back Aca-Bitches!!!

So anyone who knows me, knows I absolutely love the movie Pitch Perfect. There's a special place in my heart for all musicals, especially RENT. And yes, I'm aware that Pitch Perfect isn't a musical, nor does it come anywhere close to RENT or even some of the greatest musicals out there.

But after just seeing this trailer, my day has completely been made. Although from the looks of this trailer, it may not be as funny as the first movie. Wouldn't be the first sequel to not live up to the first. I'll still be at the movies to see it when it comes out in May 2015. Check out the trailer below.

Oh and BTW, I don't know how many of you are Hunger Game fans. But this girl here shall be in the theater 30 mins before the movie starts!

Fall iN

Fall iN by lavender-blonde-stephenson featuring versace boots

Forever 21 sweat top
forever21.com

Martin Grant ballerina skirt
boutique1.com

Versace boots
forwardforward.com

Brooks Brothers crossbody shoulder bag
brooksbrothers.com