D-I-Y Nappturaliciously: Share Your Hair Curltastrophes & Win with NaturallyCurly.com!!!

Admit it: you have one, I have one... most of us have a Hair Curltasprohe Story. For me it was when I was still newly natural... I decided to dye my hair a bright vibrant RED. The color didn't take the first time, so I went out the next day and bought TWO MORE BOXES (!!!!!!) and promptly applied it to my hair. Suffice to say that my shoulder length hair became my earring length, as you can see in the photo below! LOL



NaturallyCurly.com is teaming up with Pantene for a chance for you to win a $500 grand prize package by asking you to share your most embarrassing curltastrophes.

“This is a way for us curly girlies to let go of our curltastrophe moments,” says Michelle Breyer, president and co-founder of NaturallyCurly.com. “My curltastrophe moment happened in college when I received a thio-based and lye relaxer combo. I had a chemical haircut and bald spots for almost 2 years! Let’s just say I always wore hats.” Check out other NaturallyCurly.com staffers’ curltastrophes in the video below!



Readers can take part in the ultimate giveaway with Pantene by telling us why they need a personal Pantene Curl Solution. Contestants are encouraged to send in their most embarrassing personal curltastrophe story and provide a picture (optional). Creativity and enthusiasm will be rewarded. Five lucky winners will receive a year supply of Pantene Curly Hair Series and a Flip video camera. Each prize is valued at $500.

To share your story (and for a chance to win!), visit http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltastrophe

DO SOMETHING: Japan Disaster Relief

Be sure to buy a similar poster to this one for $10 at Etsy Shop NanLawson

Unless you are an insensitive a-hole (serious side eye to YOU, Glenn Beck... What, are you and Pat Robertson taking turns?!?!?), you cannot look at the startling images of the devastation in Japan without feeling for the people there, as well as the many Japanese-Americans here hoping and praying that their families are okay.



You can lend a helping hand to the people of Japan by donating to any number of the following organizations (Special Shout Out to Bust Magazine for providing this list):

* The Happy Hearts Fund was started by model Petra Nemacova after she survived the 2004 Indian tsunami. It’s not a first response fund, but helps rebuild communities after disasters. It’s administrative members are underwritten by the board, meaning that 100% of its funds go towards relief.

* ShelterBox provides shelter for displaced and evacuated persons. Reports are estimating that over 250,000 people have been made homeless by the disaster.

* Oxfam Japan helps fight poverty and social justice in Japan. It’s important to remember that in a disaster situation, it is often the region’s poorest who are hardest hit. Visit their website to make a secure donation.

* Lady Gaga has created white “we pray for japan” bracelets. They can be purchased for 5 bucks with all proceeds going to relief efforts in Japan.

* Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is sending two three-person teams to some of the hardest hit areas of Japan, the Iwate and Miyagi prefectures along the coast. To learn more about the organization's efforts or make a donation, visit Doctorswithoutborders.org.

* Salvation Army personnel are organizing efforts in Tokyo and will soon send a team to help the severely damaged city of Sendai, Japan. To contribute to earthquake relief, text 'JAPAN' or 'QUAKE' to 80888 to make a $10 donation or visit SalvationArmyUSA.org.

* Action Against Hunger and ACF International have provided relief efforts in Japan as well as preventive measures in the Philippines' province of Cuatuadnes. Thanks to alert systems the organization set up in the area, they were able to help 45,00 at-risk persons evacuate and prevent a much larger disaster. Their relief efforts are on-going.

* The Red Cross has begun relief efforts. To donate, you can visit their website or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone. A word of caution, however, when you text a donation 5-10% of your donation goes to mGive as an administrative fee. The best way to donate is through the organization's secure website, or using a good old fashion cheque.

* Save the Children is accepting donations for its Children’s Emergency Fund.

Miss Moon's Musing About: Rethinking Pink for Spring!!!

When perusing my closet, one color that is in slight supply is pink. Truth be told, I have never been a super huge fan of the color. Of course, I had my Eva Joia moments when I was a kid in the 80s (Major cool points if you know what that is! LOL), but as an adult... I haven't worn much pink in my everyday looks.

Ever since I've been wearing Spitfire, from M∙A∙C's Wonder Woman Collection, I've been more and more drawn to the pink and all the similar shades (magenta, fuchsia, etc.) and have decided to give myself some much-needed pizazz for Spring by incorporating some pink into my life. Here are a few options that will be sure to brighten your wardrobe AND your day!!



#1 - Round the Lock Carnation Pink Purse ($39.00, Lulu's)
#2 - Floral and Paisley Lurex Square Scarf in Pink ($20.00, Urban Outfitters)
#3 - Revlon Superlustrous Lipstick in Fuchsia Fusion (14.95, Amazon.com)
#4 - Silver and Fuchsia Bangle Set ($12.50, Torrid)
#5 - Sinful Colors Nail Polish Oasis ($2.50, Sinful Color)

Last but certainly not least... if I am feeling bold, I would definitely consider:

#6 - Avenue Textured Dot Dress ($64.90, One Stop Plus)

Are you thinking pink for spring?!?!?

Yummm!!! Thai Tea Iced Cream... Where have you BEEN my whole life?!?!?

I have said this before, and if this it's the first time on my blog, let me be known with no uncertainty that Thai Iced Tea = GOODNESS. In fact, this may be my "Rosebud..." one day, so good thing this blog will be around for clarification purposes!

When I saw this recipe on My Cake Wardrobe (GREAT Blog, by the way... I am a new follower!!), I almost caught the holy ghost a little. Imagine.... Thai Iced Tea... in Ice Cream format. A spoon materializes in my hand just thinking about it. LOL

Thai Tea Iced Cream

1 cup evaporated milk
2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup of loose Thai tea leaves in a tea sock
5 large egg yolks

Warm the evaporated milk, heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk and tea leaves in a medium sauce pan. Cover, remove from the heat and let steep at room temperature for 1 hour.

When the mixture is cooled, squeeze excess liquid from the tea sock to maximize the flavor of the tea. Rewarm the tea-infused milk.

In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm mixture into the egg yolks whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the sauce pan.

Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens.

Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.