Flashback Friday: GOT THE CHECK BUT YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO FILL IN THE 000's ...

I had the pleasure of attending Loc Lov Styles 1st annual Black Excellence Gala a couple of weeks ago. An event entirely focused on celebrating accomplishments within the African American community during a time when we are so inundated with images of violent acts committed against us.

#BAGLADIESLIVE WEEKEND: THE 2ND TIME AROUND WAS EVEN BETTER; NATURALISTA HAIR SHOW 2014 #IAmN

I had the pleasure of dishing yet again about that which I've learned thus far along my journey as both a Blogger and Producer/Host of BagLadiesRadio.com. The social media landscape is ever-expanding and talking about it is something I love to do. Even moreso when you have an event that provides a great platform and other fabulous Bloggers and Vloggers to accompany you. Thus this year's 2nd edition Naturalista Hair Show. Upon being asked to participate, I was all in. Last year was great. Not only did I get to dish but I also had the pleasure of putting faces with the names of Bloggers that I admire and had connected with via social media but had never actually met. And I swooned over natural hair styles. And got my shop on too. This year was no different. The "Beauty and The Blog" panel featured myself and Yolanda Renee of etcblogmag.com, Jonna Scott-Blakes of naturally-glam.com and Anissa LiMara of ilovealimara.net. And was moderated by Christine Louis of root2curl.com. I had the pleasure of speaking alongside Yolanda and Jonna before (click here), and we picked up right where we left off. 

Pictured with Jonna and Annisa after our panel

My view from the stage

Pictured with one of the attendees

After panel antics with Diana Ramsey of sisterswithbeauty.com. She made me do it!

The questions were great. And there is nothing more humbling than sitting a'front an audience who is engaged and hanging on every word that you have to say. I was flattered to have been asked some awesome questions and even more flattered after the event by the many compliments regarding both what I said and what I wore. Hold fast for details. And that's not even all. The hair!!!!! The lovely ladies in attendance rocking eau natural were just gorgeous. This year's Naturalista Hair Show included not only panels but hands on workshops so that you could actually try your hand at different natural styles. There was also a marketplace of fab vendors. I paid a visit to a dear friend, Terry Williams, owner of Shea Butter Like Whoa. And there was also a pop-up salon of which my own stylist participated. And guess what ? For the second year in a row, my stylist Salih Watts, Owner and Master Loctician of LocLov.com won the award for "Best Loctician in the DMV!!!"

My Stylist, Salih Watts pictured with his lovely models Kim and Stacey after being awarded

I had to cop some butta 

Me and the fabulous "Lady Kim" wrap maxi I had the pleasure of rocking 

I have to extend a special thanks to Hannah Monet. The lovely ladies behind this online boutique extended me an invitation to showcase one of their fabulous pieces, a wrap maxi named "Lady Kim" and the response was awesome. Per an IG post, it is effortless, comfortable, chic and sexy and was the perfect choice because I had an earlier commitment and literally did a 10 second quick change and makeup touch up before making my way to the event and didn't miss a beat in this gorgeous frock. I can't wait to share more about Hannah Monet. Be sure to follow them on IG @shophannahmonet and visit the online boutique at hannahmonet.com.

My VIP Swag Box

Founder of The Naturalista Hair Show and Owner of N Natural Hair Studio, Angela Walker outdid herself by not only adding more elements including a fashion show but this year's event was extended to two days! As good as 2014 was, I can only imagine what has yet to come for next year's 2015 edition. How will she add to the "epicness?" I can't wait. Can you?

What natural hair events have you attended?

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I WAS FEATURED FOR "WONDER WOMEN WEDNESDAY" ON @_LOCOLOGY_

Locology, which is the Instagram page of LocologyMagazine.com, has a weekly feature tagged as "Wonder Women Wednesday" during which they showcase women who have a natural hair journey specific to locs, dreadlocks, dreads or however you might refer.
I was flattered to have been featured yesterday. I jokingly replied to the post that I oftentimes feel like I'm wearing a cape. Wonder Woman! This is my 2nd time around having locs. After having locs for about 4 years, I cut them in 2004 when my first child was born. I always said I would go another round but this time was completely unintentional. I previously kept my hair very short. An "even steven" is what I called it. I missed seeing my barber for a couple weeks and before I knew it, I had an adorable fro and I just didn't want to cut it. Thus, locs for the 2nd time around. It's been 3+ years and my locs are growing twice as fast this time around and I'm having much more fun with styling options which is a testament to working with a great stylist (Salih Watts, loclov.com), and using good product. You can see pics all over my Instagram page @bagladies.  

(Post by Bag Ladies Radio Show.)

This particular featured pic was from a shoot last year by Tiffany Josephs. I LOVE my current length. It's the longest my hair has been in like forever. I said for the summer I would just rock up-do's and not let my hair down until my birthday in October. I can't wait to see the length then. I'm also considering color to switch it up for the summer.

Do you have locs or have you ever considered?

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New season lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram

Behind-The-Scenes of my Photo-shoot with Tiffany Josephs Photography

I had been putting off updating my head-shots for far too long. Upon meeting Tiffany Josephs at INHMD-DC (click here for my previous published post), during which she snapped some gorgeous shots of me participating in a panel, I immediately hit her up about shooting my head-shots. My last shots I had short hair, an "even steven." I have locs now for the second time around and I'm a bit just a tad more "voluptuous." Yeah, that's the word.  Anywho, Tiffany although I asked, she graciously offered rather to shoot me. We nailed down a date and this is a sneak peek of some of the candid moments. 

What started out as one look, turned into three looks, alot of fun and fabulous results. It was nostalgic for me, flexing my "wardrobe stylist" muscle. I used to do it on a freelance basis ...Back in the day. And it's one thing to outfit yourself to go out or do whatever but for a professional shoot, the attention to detail and efforts to coordinate are on a whole other level. 

 Look #2 - I just feel like this shot totally captures me in my essence. I'm ALWAYS laughing at ...Sumpin.
Dress: Kardashian Kollection / Neckwear: Target / Earrings (Studs): Charming Charlie / Neon Pumps: Shoxie

Look #3 - I can admittedly say I was likely being vain in this shot. I love this jumper! Also another Kardashian piece. It's just effortless and flattering. And I love anything leopard print. This was the last look and we were just playing at this point with extra time and per Tiffany's instruction, "just throw something on!"
Jumper: Kardashian Kollection / Neckwear: My own stash / Earrings: Charming Charlie

Kudos to my hairstylist and Loctician, Salih Watts of LocLov.com.  I had an idea in mind when I saw him the day prior and he executed perfectly. I just love the angle of this shot and how it shows the definition of my locs. I was probably running my mouth in this shot about ...Sumpin.

Look #1 - I think I was just trying to make sure nothing popped out of place in this one. Blame it on the "voluptuousness."

Dress: Calvin Klein / Neckwear: Traci Lynn / Earrings: Charming Charlie

Look #2 - I look totally less the "voluptuousness" and trim and slim in this shot. If only ...The power of angle and lighting.

Look #2 - Your guess is as good as mine. One of those totally oblivious moments. This look was a total pop of color. I just wanted to go in a total opposite direction from Look #1. 

The grainy texture of this shot is amazing. I saw it an immediately thought of Spike Lee for some reason. Like "She's Gotta Have It look." I love it. Oh, and I look slim.

My good girlfriend and MUA, Stephanie McKenzie of PamperingJunkes.com, couldn't be on set during the shoot. We were initially only planning to shoot one look. So as we continued the shoot, I had to make sure my face stayed "beat" and nothing slid to the floor.

And to think, these are just the candid, untouched shots. What do you think? 

I can't wait to share the other shots. I will follow-up this post with a Part 2 that covers why I chose the looks I did and more. I ❤ Tiffany Josephs Photography. It was such a pleasure and a privilege to shoot with Tiffany. You will love her too. You can contact Tiffany via her website at www.TiffanyJosephsPhotography.com. Tiffany does a great job of setting the mood and establishing comfort and really works with you to achieve what you want. I can't wait to shoot with her again! The next time around, my kids will participate. Pray for me now :-).

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