Bad-ass Bloggers (BaBs): Meet the Pookalitas of Pooka Pure & Simple

One of the goodies in my Chic and Kinky Naturals Night Out gift bag was a sample of Pooka Pure & Simple's Shea n Olive Hair Butter, which my I have worn OUT since receiving it (The smell is intoxicating and my hair loved this stuff!!!).

I saw this as synchronicity at its finest because I have recently had the opportunity to learn more about the brand, and the wonderful women behind its jars (affectionately known as the Pookalitas) from Dawn Fitch, founder and creator of Pooka Pure & Simple.

Dawn, the story about how Pooka Pure & Simple came to creation is a fascinating one, truly the makings of a movie: After becoming ill and receiving no sound diagnosis from doctors, you began to explore holistic therapies, including aromatherapy and discovered a love of their healing properties. Many people fail to consider alternative therapies when they’re ill… what inspired you to consider outside avenues?

Well getting no sound diagnosis from the Drs. I really had no direction to go in. Since I couldn’t pinpoint the exact problem, it was hard to look for a diagnosis, so I figured I’d make an overall life change. Changing my nutrition and living a more holistic lifestyle I knew would benefit me no matter what the problem was.

I am a sucker for sisterhood, and I love the fact that Pooka Pure & Simple is a collaborative effort between you and three of your closest and dearest friends, aka “The Pookalitas”, and with them you manage every aspect of Pooka from sales, to marketing and to finance. Would you say you were blessed to be surrounded by such talented women, or has the creation of the company been a catalyst for them to realize they had these talents?

Oh definitely BLESSED, LOL! The funny thing is when we started the business we each had the exact talents that we needed. Tricia had a degree in finance, Donna in communcations. April in communications/marketing and mine was in Graphic Design. When GOD works it out, HE works it out perfectly!

People can learn more about you and the Pookalitas by visiting your blog, aptly named, The Pookalitas at http://pookalitas.blogspot.com/ . I’ll tell you, The Braxtons have NOTHING on your soul sister circle (Can we get them a reality show, please??!?)!! Can you tell us a little bit about each of the Pookalitas and your favorite quality they possess?

First off, GREAT QUESTIONS, LOL!! You’re good at what you do! Well we’re each in different phases of life, so most women can connect with at least one of us.

I’m single and searchin, LOL!! All of the other 3 pookalitas got married 5 years ago within in 2 months of each other!! Donna is still married and loving it, deciding on how and if she will extend her family, Tricia is the mom to a 2 year old and dealing with all that comes with that, Aprils husband unfortunately passed away only 6 months after they were married from a heart attack and she is now raising 2 boys.

My sisters are amazing women and a favorite quality would be Donna Dependable, she always there for you, Tricia Tenacious, shes loyal and never gives up and April Awe Inspiring, after all she’s been through, shes a great mom and friend to all!

Dawn, as a Pookalita you are not exempt from this question. What is a favorite quality you possess?

hmmmm........I have a good sense of humor and I love to laugh and make other people laugh!

Let’s get to the nitty gritty and the topic I am sure many of my readers will want to know about: Pooka Pure & Simple’s Products. As someone who is definitely in love with scents I’m curious about the story behind each collection and their signature scents. What type of person do you envision liking each collection?

Caliente Man: Well we say this one is for the Hot Fellas, but the ladies who love musk also love this one too!!
Citrus Basil: Clean and Fresh! This one we call the anti-fruity! It’s soapy clean.
Coconut Crunch: This one is for the island lovers, a very soft coconut breeze!
Foot Fetish: This one should be mandatory for all, LOL! For the ladies and the gents, everything you need for smooth, fresh smellin’ toes!
Guava: This is one of our tops scents! Very fruity, we have to remind people not to drink it!
Honey Almond: A fan favorite! A smooth almond scent, the honey just adds a light, sweet note to this blend.
Papaya: Soft and sultry...Although this is Papaya it has a hint of gardenia in it, not too sweet.
Pomegranate: We never thought anything could give Guava a run for its money but this scent does. A delicious, sweet, pomegranate!
Vanilla Sand: We call this one Vanilla on the Beach! Not the ordinary vanilla this one has a spicy kick to it! This is for our earthy, zen folks.

Dawn, you had me at Vanilla Sand... that scents sounds like it's right up my alley! You can expect an order from me soon (My hair really wants some more that that Shea n Olive Hair Butter).

Did any of those scents call out to you? Be sure to visit Pooka Pure & Simple online at http://www.pookapureandsimple.com. You can also expect an official review from me in the upcoming weeks, in the meantime, check out Chai from BacktoCurly.com's experiences using Shea n Olive Hair Butter.

Be sure to visit The Pookalitas at:

http://pookalitas.blogspot.com/

If you'd like to featured in a future BaBs posting, or want to suggest a BaB for me to profile, please click here to contact Miss Moon's Musings.

Bad-ass Bloggers (BaBs): Meet Tracy of Everything She Wants

I love reading blogs... this is one of the main inspirations for me starting Miss Moon's Musings. I decided that I would share a few dope blogs and introduce to the people behind them... I call them BaBs: Bad-ass Bloggers*.

The very first BaB to be featured is actually someone I've written about before. When I discovered her blog, I knew I had to reach out to her and I am so grateful that she accepted my offer for an interview! Thank you so much, Tracy! And I hope you all will enjoy getting to know her!

I love the title of your blog, Tracy, “Everything She Wants”. What’s the inspiration behind the name?

For a year and a half I wrote a daily beauty and style blog called Hot Mama Daily for b5media. When that blog folded, I decided to start my own beauty and style blog. Over a weekend I brainstormed names with my husband and came up with Everything She Wants, which is the title of my favorite Wham! song. For those too young to remember Wham, it was an '80s pop duo that included George Michael. The name also signifies what the blog's content includes -- everything she wants in beauty, style, fitness, fashion, etc. What makes my blog different, however, is that I make an effort to spotlight products, designers, and trends that have a self-esteem or charitable benefit.

In addition to your blog, you’ve written for Essence, Upscale, The NY Daily News, and AM New York on fashion, travel, health and a myriad of other subjects. Is there one subject in particular that you are really passionate about?

I'm passionate about all those subjects. I love to shop. I love to travel. And I'm conscious about my health. The thread is all of my work is providing serviceable information to the reader and capturing a story whether I'm interviewing a fashion designer, health expert, or recording artist.

You are amazingly knowledgeable about fashion, and your blog definitely reflects this. What recent trends are you most excited about?

I'm excited about the African/ethnic/tribal trend that was hot this spring and is carrying over to the summer. I recently did a post on three African-and-African-inspired lines that have a charitable benefit.

My readers were first introduced to you when I posted the story of your 2008 wedding. Are many people astonished (as I admittedly was) that you managed to pull off such a beautiful wedding in N.Y.C for under $5000? Why do you think that there aren’t more budget brides out there?

I think most women have literally bought into the wedding industry hoopla about how much you have to spend on your dress and your wedding. I'm a budget shopper by nature, so that's how I approached my wedding. I know you don't have to spend a lot to look like you did. I went to several bridal events and the energy was so frenzied and geared towards selling brides an expensive and generic experience. I wanted an intimate, eclectic wedding that reflected my taste, and a sterile catering hall and a $2500 dress is not my style. I don't mean to knock other women if that's the experience they want. But once I decided that wasn't the type of wedding I wanted, I was able to create the wedding I did want.

We picked the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Japanese Pond because of the sheer natural beauty, the minimal donation, and it's tucked away and private. Luckily we had a clear, sunny morning for the ceremony.

After going to the Running of the Brides sale at Filene's and a few other bridal boutiques, I didn't find a dress that I loved and wasn't willing to pay $250 or more for what I'd tried on. So with only two months left before the wedding, I decided to do a Google search for what I wanted. I'm on the computer all day but I'd forgotten how useful the internet can be in terms of shopping. From my search I found my dress on Ebay. I was the only bidder and I got it for $27. The seller had planned to wear the dress, which she bought at Saks Off the Rack, but couldn't fit it. So I got the dress brand new. Luckily it fit perfectly and I only had to make one slight alteration.

For the reception, I'd visited several catering halls and other outdoor venues where the catering cost would be separate. I wasn't sold on any of the food I'd tasted and the bill for catering alone would have been more than $5k. So after I talked to a co-worker who had her wedding reception at a restaurant, my wheels started turning. We picked Madiba, a South African restaurant in Fort Greene because of the open, light-filled space and the cultural atmosphere. The owner is also very personable and accommodating. I think it was the first wedding reception he'd hosted at the restaurant and he and his staff exceeded our expectations. By having the reception during brunch time, we saved money and Madiba was able to open for their regular dinner service.

What advice would you give to brides-to-be who want to plan a wedding without selling breaking the bank?

Do your wedding your way. Don't give into pressure from the wedding industry or even family and friends. You know best what you want. Be creative and find a way to execute the wedding you want without going into debt. It takes a little more thought, but you'll be happier with the outcome.

What’s next for you? Any scoop on what you are working on now?

I'm working on boosting readership for Everything She Wants and working on freelance articles for Juicy Magazine (a new beauty and hair magazine), amNewYork, and SheKnows.com. I'm also drafting a book proposal for a budget bride book. Other than that, I'm always in the market for lifestyle, fashion, and entertainment writing assignments and blogging opportunities. So if there are any editors out there reading this, I'd love to hear from you.

Be sure to visit Tracy at http://www.everythingshewants.net

*If you'd like to featured in a future BaBs posting, or want to suggest a BaB for me to profile, please click here to contact Miss Moon's Musings.

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

Music is a huge part of my life. I think that I have a song for every emotion, every situation under the sun. My friends will testify to this, Whenever they are happy, sad, grieving or celebrating...I am quick to post a video, or name a song to play.

I always say to play the long on a loop for an hour, but if that type of thing is not you... 30 minutes will do. I call this, "Music Therapy with Miss Moon"

So I have a job interview tomorrow, and I need to strut my stuff. Now I have a bunch of struttin' songs, but this is one that I've been shaking my too-fine booty to lately, Adriana Evans, "7 Days":





And you KNOW I am going to strut into my job interview tomorrow!! Wish me luck!!!