Monday comes after a busy weekend of celebrating birthdays for the littlest members of my family. Throwing and even attending birthday parties for the little ones can be tiring but fun at the same time. My sister threw a party for her now 2-year old and the theme was amazing as per usual. It was an art party. The kiddies got to design their own little tote bags and create their own painted art. I found the coolest blue wall to snap some pics in front of this weekend as well.
Getting my hair ready in the midst of all the breeze.Ok, the mane is tame.The festive and colorful paper straws to compliment the lollipops.There were plenty of fabric markers on hand to design your own tote.The little ones also showed their creative sides by painting these masterpieces.
Try some of these ideas for your next children party. The kiddies loved the temporary tattoos. I was tattooing all afternoon.
The July Curlboxwas curated with Walmart and the products inside of the box were all chosen with a summer beach vacation in mind. The box was the perfect thing for me to choose a few products from that I wouldn’t normally use for my beach vacation wash and go style. The box was chuck full of goodies but I pulled the Aussie 3 Moist Minute Miracle Conditioner and the Herbal Essences Hair Milk. The two products worked great together. The conditioner hydrated my curls instantly and the hair milk eased all of the tangles out of my washed hair. All I needed to do was finger comb my curls and go.
The Aussie 3 Minute Miracle ConditionerHerbal Essences Hair Milk leaves hair super luxe feeling and detangles curly hair with ease.
The proof is in the pudding so take a peek at the curls.
The combo left me with non greasy, no product feel which is necessary for the balmy beach weather.During the day I kept my hair in a low ponytail and wore my hat religiously to help protect my face and mane from the sun’s rays.
We had the most fabulous vacation in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Our stay at the Holiday Inn All Inclusive in Montego Bay was the perfect place to stay with our little ones and the spouse. They provide a spacious room with a cute island style balcony overlooking the beach. The meals were a fusion of Jamaican and American fare. The hotel provides phenomenal nightly entertainment that is fit for the whole family. My husband gave the Michael Jackson impersonator a standing ovation after a near one hour performance with a dance troupe. Did I mention the Jerk Hut, all day cocktails (I recommend the Miami Vice), pool, white sand beach and all day activities? yeah, they have that too.
An arial view of the pool and some of the beach property at the Holiday Inn All Inclusive.Amazing stretch of beach. We enjoyed iced slushies to cool off beachside.
After pool ice slush. The girls loved it.The entertainment staff at the Holiday Inn are fabulous. There is a show every night on their main stage at 8pm. Angelique walked in the kiddie fashion show.We left the resort and walked to nearby jerk spot called, Scotchies (like the scotch bonnet pepper). The chicken and pork are slowed cooked on wood burning fire. The meat captures the flavor of the logs. Smokey and moist deliciousness.The seating at Scotchies is outdoors and the tables are covered with a thatched roof umbrella.Another outing took us to The Great House at Rose Hall. There is a legend of an evil woman named Annie Palmer who was last to live in this home and is said to still haunt it today. It’s a must see.The sunset at The Great House is majestic. The 6pm view of the sun, lush greenery and never ending sea gives you a great perspective of the beauty that surrounds you.This wasn’t on the tour guide but we made a trip to downtown Montego Bay. It is worth the trip. We visited Sam Sharp Square and browsed the cool cultural center nearby.When in Downtown Mobay you take a shot near all of the colorful flyers.
Don’t let the word “bakery” fool you. This place is beyond cupcakes and things. The City Bakery is a collision of healthy eats and the most decadent pastries. Today I stopped in for French Toast baked in the sweetest syrup and my little opted for the whole wheat croissant. It is less hectic on a Sunday but still offered kale infused salads and little hearty pizza rectangles alongside the king of all mac and cheese, the white cheddar mac. Take a peek inside…
Some things that I loved inside of The City Bakery:
The decor is rustic yet modern. Stainless steel highlights the wooden butcher block tables.No plastic cutlery allowed.Wooden tables to rest the elbow on.Amazing salad bar with local grown greens.Protein selection for the salads.Le mac n cheese. The Chocolate Room is hiding in the back of this picture.A refreshing green drink to compliment the croissant.Simple and good.The croissant and a sweet french toast.There is a cute children’s eating nook decked out with a play kitchen.
Bon Appétit!The folks at City Bakery must be hilarious because the back of their card makes me chuckle.Food labels posted in the back of the restaurant.The next time you are downtown, head on over and try the hot chocolate. Pair it with a salad so that you won’t feel too guilty.
Summertime is upon us and not only are our clothes more cool and carefree, so is our hair! My styles range from free flowing curls to high buns. Me, like most, have some products that are always in my hair stash and others change along with the styles that I choose to wear.
When I’m doing loose and carefree curls I opt for a curl cream or a curl custard. I opt for a “wash and go” or a “braid out” to achieve curly styles.
This is a “wash and go”. To keep curls defined I apply a custard or curl cream after I wash and condition my hair.A curl custard like this one from Pantene does the job for free flowing curls or an up do. The Eco Gel is every curly girl’s must have for keeping stray hairs at bay.A great shampoo is essential for ridding your hair of products without having a drying effect. This Cantu shampoo does just that. The Carol’s Daughter Hair Mimosa is a staple for me. I gives my hair sheen and moisturizes without being extra greasy. Remember, dry hair breaks! The LottaBody Edge Control keeps these edges in check.Finding the right products to keep your hair protected and cute in the Summer sun is Just as important as your denim shorts and flip flops.
Old Navy is one of my absolutely favorite stores. I get the essentials for myself and my daughter there for all seasons. The prices are always right for me and they keep on trend with all of the top brands all while keeping things very classic. The classic pieces are always great with bold accessories.
This Old Navy White Vintage Tee has been a Summer staple.I paired my tee with a high bun and gold plated ear cuffs from H&M.The red lips are a combo of MAC’s “Ruby Woo” and a gloss.Skin courtesy of the Summer sun.Closeup of the coin chain that I purchased at the H&M on the Champs Elysees in Paris.H&M “PeaceandLove” ear cuff.
The Brooklyn Museum welcomed it’s 1 millionth visitor to it’s Target First Saturdays. Target sponsors many free events in cultural institutions across the city and the Brooklyn Museum’ First Saturday is a great way to spend some time soaking up the arts and engage in lively, timely cultural discussions all for free. This Saturday there was a presentation for Michael July’s coffee table book, “Afros: A Celebration of Natural Hair”. The event was hosted by the fabulously candid, Micheala Angela Davisand the extremely funny, Malik Yoba. He is an actor but may have been a comic in his former life. Anu Prestonia of Khamit Kinks, a popular natural hair salon in Brooklyn, curated a natural hair show.
Michaela Angela Davis and Malik Yoba were the evening’s hosts. They presented Michael July’s “Afros”.Anu of Khamit Kinks curated a hair show with three natural hair models.Anu’s gifted stylist, who hails from Senegal, created 3 unique styles for the models.The venue was full and the natural hairstyles were beyond fabulous.The ladies were styled to perfection.Momma afros and baby afros.TWAs on display.There were also lovers who shared a passion for natural hair.Locks were styled in intricate updos.The fellas also came out in droves. They too represented in stylish ways.
It is the museum after all so you cannot forget about the arts. I got the chance to check out a great Civil Rights exhibit.
You cannot forget about the art.“Witness: Arts and Civil Rights in the 60s”. #ActivismThis year is the anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This exhibit reminds us of the way things are and the way they used to be.
Most of us are on social media more hours of the day than we will honestly admit. We just find ourselves scrolling through our IG feed, Twitter feed or Facebook feed for reasons unknown to us. Are we looking for something new, interesting? Most posts aren’t groundbreaking. They don’t enlighten us to the degree that we should be scrolling as much as we do. However, we keep refreshing or scrolling to find that new new. The question I ask then is, when do you unplug? Do you unplug when out with friends, family at social events? Do you unplug when on vacation, at work, at your place of worship?
I am so very guilty of over scrolling. Being caught up with the scroll can cause us to ignore some basic things we should be doing with the people around us. In more extreme cases, you may ignore work or school responsibilities. Here is a list of things you may do when you unplug:
Clean and organize the space around you. A clean and organized space provides mental clarity. You also feel a sense of accomplishment when you declutter.
Connect with the actual friends that you have. There is nothing like being with people who you choose to be around.
Reconnect with family members. Maintaining family ties is essential.
Read a book that you’ve been meaning to read.
Create something. Anything.
Exercise and create a healthy meal plan for the week/month.
My iPhone is like a friend. I connect with people who share similar interests through Twitter and IG.Take the time to actually talk to friends and connect with family.Invest some time into yourself. Unplug and take time to exercise, eat right and maintain a great space around you.Our perspective may change or we may get new insight on issues we’ve never thought of before if we unplug and take a class or workshop on an unknown topic.Playing games is so underrated! stock up on game boards and invite friends/family over for game night. Good clean fun.
We fell in love with Tracee Ellis Rossafter we got to know her as Joan Clayton on the hit show “Girlfriends”. Joan was characterized by her zany antics and lush head of curls. We had to bid goodbye to Joan but we got to meet Tracee. Tracee’s Instagram is fun and gives us a peek into the life of one of our favorite actresses. She’s living her life like it’s golden through fun and fitness and she shared some recent pictures from Italy and the gym time paid off. She looks phenomenal!
Her IG Handle: TraceeEllisRoss
Reasons Why We Love Tracee:
Tracee recently shared some vacation pictures from Italy showing off a sun kissed glow.I shouldn’t envy her backside but I do. Sue me! Forty has never looked so good.Tracee shares with us that she works hard at the gym to stay fit. She hashtags #redlipfit so that we can work right alongside her.Tracee has this great head of curly hair and it has become a signature of sorts. She partnered with “Optimum” hair care products a few months back to rep their Amla line.Tracee and stylist, Johnny Wright talking about the Optimum Amla product line
Tracee will be back on our screens in the Fall with a new ABC sitcom, “Blackish”.
TamaraLoves 
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