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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Be Blessed: And RELAX...


This passed week was MURDER for yours truly. As much as I could've diffused by going out and being active, my body, mind and spirit were all SCREAMING in unison for an "in bed" weekend: Hanging in bed, comfy pj's, my honey by my side and a good movie, good song, or good book to entertain me.

I used to attribute my love of "in bed" days to laziness, and would beat myself up quite a bit about it, to be honest. But truthfully, the best thing I can do for myself is to listen to what I want and need and try like heck to provide it. And the same goes for you: If you want to chill and relax in bed on the weekend, and you can ACTUALLY do it... do it, man! Put an imaginary "Do Not Disturb" sign around your life and give yourself however much chill time you can afford. But you certainly do not have to take my word for it. The following, courtesy of The Daily Om, speaks on just this subject.

Recharging Your Batteries
Getting Run Down

Our natural state of being is vibrant, happy to be alive. Yet, there can be times when we feel run down and worn out. This does not mean that we are lazy or unfit for the tasks in our lives; it means that we need to recharge our batteries and find a way of keeping them charged. Vitamins and extra rest can be very helpful in restoring our physical bodies. And if we are willing to delve deeper, we may discover that there is an underlying cause for our exhaustion.

Whenever you are feeling run down, take an honest look at how you have been thinking, feeling and acting. You will likely find a belief, behavior pattern or even a relationship that is out of alignment with who you really are. Perhaps you believe you have to be perfect at everything or you have been bending over backwards to get people to like you. Maybe you are dealing with mild depression or simply have too much on your plate right now. There may also be people or situations in your life which are draining your energy. Once you get clear on the root cause, you can weed it out and better direct your flow of energy in the future.

In time, you might notice that the reasons you feel run down have less to do with how much you are doing and more to do with the fact that in your heart, you would rather be doing something else entirely. From now on, try and listen to what your heart really wants. It may take meditation, or just a moment of silent tuning in to gain the clarity you need, but it is well worth the effort. When you know what you truly want to do, and honor that in all situations, you will find that getting run down is a thing of the past.

This week I will refuel and relax as often as I need to...

Saturday, July 30, 2011

A Little [MINNIE RIPERTON] for a Saturday Night


Happy Saturday, Everyone!!! I dare you to listen tonight's song selection for a Saturday Night and not smile.... It just has that effect on you!

I hope that the melodic and angelic voice of Minnie Riperton singing "Les Fleurs" will light up your night!!



Friday, July 29, 2011

Let's Talk Tresses Friday: Your Top 5 "Stranded on a Desert Island" Products


Vacationing can be tough. You and your friends hop on a boat for a simple three hour tour.... and the next thing you know? You're stranded! LOL

If you were lucky enough to have five of your all time favorite hair staples with you on the island with the Professor and 'em.... How awesome would that be? For me, my Top 5 "Stranded on a Desert Island" products would include:

My Denman D3 Brush - Sure I could probably fashion a brush out of a coconut shell, but really... Señor Denman (As I affectionately call my brush) does the job just fine!

Oyin Handmade's Burnt Sugar Pomade - Purely for the way it smells and the way it makes my hair go "Oooooh"!!

Carol's Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey and Healthy Hair Butter.. these two products are the O.G.s in my Natural Hair Care Arsenal... I don't stray far from them!

Karen's Body Beautiful Luscious Locks Hair Mask - Yessss! Just.... Yesssss!


What would be the items you have with you? Leave a comment with your pick and why you chose it!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

I Heart Her Hair: Yaya DaCosta...


How much did I adore Yaya when I first spotted her on Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model?!?


She didn't quite make it to the title, coming in second place to Eva Marcille, but when it came to her gorgeous hair.... she's the tops! And can we in the Natural Hair Community make a formal request to Yaya to teach a LEARNING ANNEX course on her amazingly effortless but gorgeous updo's? LOL






Tuesday, July 26, 2011

:::drools::: Vanessa Hudgens-style for Plus Size Fashionistas


When Vanessa Hudgens appeared on the red carpet at the recent "Captain America" premiere, the internet was all a-buzz about her new, shorter hair (which I think looks adorable on her!). I, for one, couldn't get over her outfit!!!! It's such a great for summer, young, fun look, I decided to recreate the look for us plus size fashionistas. But instead of Vanessa's gold, I am bringing you a look silvery and seductive. Here's what I came up with:


Dress: Isabelle V-Neck Dress ($19.90, Alloy)
Shoes: Grey Smooth Velvet Close Toe Hidden Platform Pump Heels ($24.99, AmiClubWear)
Clutch: Glitter Extra Long Clutch ($43.10, ASOS)
Earrings: Shimmering Beaded Earrings ($2.80, Forever21)

Monday, July 25, 2011

Miss Moon's Musing About: Curly Pool Party 2011 NYC


This Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the Curly Pool Party at the beautiful Grace Hotel here in NYC, and I had a TOTAL BLAST!!! I hardly know where to begin!!

I guess the best place to start is with the Grace Hotel and the Pool area where the party was being held. The hotel, in New York's Time Square, was absolutely beautiful, surrounded by shops, theatres and a couple thousand tourists!!! LOL

The pool area boasted two saunas, a float up bar, a lounge area, and oodles of lush, lavish places to sit down, recline, and chat.


I was invited by NaturallyCurly.com to avoid the lines and come early to the reception designed for bloggers and press, when I arrived, I met briefly with the organizers of the event, received my HUGE goodie bag (PACKED with sweet treats from sponsors Jane Carter Solution, Hair Rules, Shea Moisture and Ouidad!) and arrived at the bar area that was complete an army of tiny tables, each topped with yummy treats as far as the eyes can see!


Cheese platters, cold cuts, veggie platters, and the one item that made me go "Ooooh!!!"....


SUSHI!!!!!!!

I walked into the pool area and was greeted by my girls Sudana of Creative Urbanista and Miss EmpressRi herself, y'all (it was AMAZING to finally meet her in person after knowing her for years online!!)

I also had the pleasure of meeting Chanel of Boutique De Bandeaux, whom I've admired for a long time and missed the opportunity to meet her at the recent Chic and Kinky's Naturals Night Out.

Sudana and I

The Empress Herself, Chanel, and Sudana all looking lovely and ready to hit the pool!!


During the first few moments, we had the opportunity to see a presentation of NaturallyCurly.com's new Mobile App, Curls on the Go, for iPhones and Android devices. It's dope, Y'all!!! I am very seriously thinking of bidding farewell to my BlackBerry to get an Android, JUST to download this app! LOL

Chai from Back to Curly surrounded by two lovely friends... I am so bummed I didn't get a chance to chat with her, aside from yelling hi across the room! We must meet up for coffee soon, Chai!

Chanel and I

After a gracious welcome from organizers Cassidy Blackwell (of Natural Selection) and Michelle Breyer (Co-founder & President of NaturallyCurly.com)... it was time to HIT the pool! After all, it's a Pool Party, and as the tagline of the event says, "Curls and Water DO Mix!"




I admit I spent waaaay too much time in the pool and not enough time chatting and networking (which I suck at!), but the water was definitely seductive to me. So much so, I was hesitant to get out the pool to get a drink! LOL Luckily, my girl Stephanie, arrived just in the nick of time with a glass of wine just for me! (Thanks, girl!!!)

After finishing my wine (in the pool...decadence!), I decided to venture off to the spa area with Sudana, Chanel and Stephanie. The Spa, hosted by Shea Moisture, had scrubs and other goodies for us to lavish our skins with before hitting the sauna.


This curly cutie from Shea Moisture was so sweet in giving us instructions on how to best use the Sugar Scrub!!

She and the Sugar Scrub, get a BIG thumbs up from me!!

Time to rinse!!!!!!!!!!! (I love this picture!)

Stephanie, all smiles and looking lovely as always!!!!!

Hanging with Steff in the sauna... I will be investing on a Hair Steamer in the next few months, because I've learned my hair is IN LOVE with steam!!!!

After our steam, we went over to the Sponsor's area, where the wonderful people of Jane Carter Solutions, Hair Rules and Ouidad were doing demonstrations and having one-on-one chats with curlies on how to use their products.




This curly cutie was kind enough to sit for a photo... I loved her hair!!

Carolina from Ouidad, showing Stephanie how to use their famous "rake and shake" technique for super happy curls!

Ouidad's newest spokesmodel!! :)

I had such a good time at the event!! Thanks so much to Alicia from NaturallyCurly.com for being so awesome and inviting me. Thanks Sudana and EmpressRi for the amazing hang (and for photo sharing!).. And thank you Stephanie for this...


I am proud to announce that I have finally got a new camera, so hopefully there will be much more (and much better quality) photos coming from me soon! Cheers!

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

Happy Monday, Everybody!!!! Did you miss me?!?! I certainly missed blogging desperately! My computer is not 100% yet, but it's out of intensive care! LOL


This week's Music Therapy with Miss Moon song choice is one that I hope will lift your spirits, and most importantly, I hope that it serves as an important reminder that nobody has domain over your joy. And with love (romantic love, brotherly love, sisterly love, familial love, and SELF love), every obstacle can be overcome and learned from. Personally, I think Solange sings about it far better than I could ever articulate, so I hope you all will enjoy "6 O'clock Blues".



6 O'Clock Blues

If my house flowed down in the river
If all of these walls tumble down in the storm
If this war took all of my money
All of my pride
But I'd never be poor

As long as we got each other
There's nothing in the world that can steal my joy
Yeah, As long as we got each other
We can overcome the badness of the world

'Cause people don't make the world go round like they used to
But I know if I got one thing
Baby I know got you
Yeah, you keep me sheltered through the six o'clock blues
And if I know one things going to be alright
Then I know that it's me and you (oh, oh)

So they say we're running out of time
We're running out of water
We're running out of light
We all got to many problems
And just not enough answers
But if we keep our own lives then they'll tell us what we like

Oh, but as long as we got each other
There's nothing in the world that can steal my joy
As long as we got each other (we can overcome)
We can overcome the badness of the world

They can sell me a story
And tell me we're in danger
But our love will never die

'Cause people don't make the world go round like they used to
But I know if I got one thing
Baby I know got you
You keep me sheltered through the six o'clock blues
Yeah, you keep me sheltered
Through the six o'clock
Yeah you keep me sheltered, sheltered, sheltered, sheltered
Baby if I know one thing
It's going to be all right
I know that I got my baby
Like the birds that live in the sky
We never have to worry
Cause somehow we'll get by

Saturday, July 23, 2011

A Little [AMY WINEHOUSE] for a Saturday Night


I wasn't going to post a "Saturday Night" song tonight. It was after learning of Amy Winehouse's death today, and feeling both saddened and infuriated by it, that I decided that I should share with you all one of my favorite songs of hers. I hope that while listening to "Tears Dry On Their Own" that you will all join me in sending Amy's family your thoughts and prayers, as I am sure they desperately need them now.




Rest in Peace, Amy Jade Winehouse
(14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011)