Keeping the Do Professional

I, like many natural-haired women, believe natural hair can definitely be considered professional. I've never had a problem working in a corporate scene with a fluffy side swept bang and a tailored bun sitting at the base of my nape and quite frankly, many of my corporate bosses have shown their fascination in my ...ethnic do's. I mean, I've even gotten the "wear it in an afro one day" comment once or twice but that's a different story for a different day. Point blank, there has been a triple standard against black women and themselves for some time now.

We ask ourselves questions like:

• How will I do my hair for work tomorrow after I leave the gym?
• Can I even go to the gym?
• Maybe if I....but that's not professional... =/

And because of these struggles between work, exercise, and being true to oneself we've, in an immense way, thrown the one important aspect to the waste side; exercise and health. I can vouch for myself when I say that while interning at a corporate-styled office, I threw out a few good exercise days I knew I needed just so that I could keep my hairstyle. Yes, it did give me that feeling of shame, but in worse light, during that time that I was caring for my hair more, I managed to gain back a week's worth of weight that I had managed to lose some months ago. 

Ashamed, I was and it didn't help when I also decided to rationalize it all.

• Well maybe if I just eat better, I'll lose weight the same way
• Toning can always come later (after this internship)
• I have a presentation tomorrow so a good night's sleep and a fierce do is way more important!

Once more, after I ended the stupid rationalizations, I thought back to when I had finally embraced my natural hair. All the good thoughts running through my mind. How I would never have to be that woman worried about her hair while free-styling on the elliptical. How I could always reach for my go-to bun style. How professionalism and exercise would never clash because I knew within myself that professionalism didn't just consist of a hair do but also a demeanor. But now look where I was.... acting like that same stereotype of "I can't sweat out my style"....and becoming unhealthy because of it. And it wasn't just me. I mean, the video below explains it all and so does BGG2WL  

Ladies! Long story short, I had to literally find my way back to sanity where it concerned my hair and it's healthiness as well as my body's healthiness. I didn't promise myself I'd never stray off track again but I try to be realistic about my situations on a consistent basis. I don't want to be the next stereotypical black women who is unhealthy and in no shape to get healthy because of something as small as keeping my hair do professional.

Balance is always key. As long as you confess to yourself that you can keep it professional while you work out!

It's All About... Doing It Yourself ^_~

Around October of last year, I took up a new hobby of making my own jewelry. Simply because I knew I'd be broke when Christmas time came and I was trying to find and economic way to give out thoughtful presents. During this time, I came into contact with a craft store known as Beads World. They had all types of trinkets to mess with and a million more items to create with! So I set out on a journey. I promised, I'd make my three closest friends a box of gifts. Each person would get my own rendition of a Fingerless Glove and Earwarmer set I crocheted and it would come with one or two pars of earrings.

Well the former idea was a breeze. While on my crochet frenzy, I made 3 pairs of fingerless gloves and earwarmer sets. You can see the blogpost I did on them here! And then when it came time to make the earrings, I began slow. Now the studs were no problem. I had found a bunch of unwanted buttons at my job the previous week and decided to tamper with them--in the end, creating some awesome button/studd earrings. And then I fooled around with tough wire and realized I could also combine my crochet and newly found jewelry making skills together to form awesomely unique earrings.

However, by the time December came around, I was still in my "tampering stage" all excited about the wonderful discoveries and pieces I had made. Let's not forget, by the time Christmas and my depressing birthday had passed, I was no longer in so much of a "giving" mood. Needless to say, I still had these piece close to me. So I said "what the heck" Ill just keep them for myself ...thus ends my sweet little story.

In the end, only one of my friends (who I am no longer friends with) received my crochet warmer kit, and NO ONE received my handmade earrings. Nope! Instead on days when I'm feeling pretty, I rock 'em to work...and to this day, it still never ceases to amaze me that I did this and that people would stop me on the street to give me compliments on them!! Good ole DIYs ^_^...

 I made these pieces playful jewelry. So I know after seeing these pics you may ask if I could make you a pair, and the answer MAY just be yes! However, please keep in mind that I post hyperlinks in my blogs for a reason. These are all projects any guy or girl could do...if their interested enough

...And I say, if they're NOT interested enough, then why even ask ME to make them a pair! Pics (and possibly more hyperlinks {tutorials}) are posted below.

ENJOY! <3

My most recent pair

With them on!

My very first pair of the "crochet style" These flowers are made here!!

With them on!

Some cameo studs

My first pair using Felt reinforcement

My Regal pair!!

Buttons made into studs!

testing out hard wire

Some button studs!

Pearl Button Studs!

Don't believe these can be earrings?

I'm sure you all can do it! Just purchase some buttons, earring posts, stubs and some awesome E6000 glue! 

Thanks!

Weekend Tunes: Jilly from Philly

When in doubt, I've always turned to my favorite songstress, Ms. Jilly Scott! And tonight I'm in doubt about all this weight I'd like to loose... give or take 40 l-b's...So to end off this tasteful yet abrupt weekend, here's one of her fantastic songs i've got on rotation in my MIND! lol 

Also an awesome welcome into the real flow of Spring!
Enjoy! <3