Jerusalem.

I ended up not going to the Dead Sea on Saturday since the weather wasn't the best, so instead I went to Jerusalem which I think I enjoyed just as much. I hadn't been there for a very long time, which is a pity since it is always such an interesting city to visit. It's such a unique place due to its history, ancient architecture, beautiful scenery around it and the atmosphere with almost everyone being very religious. I should have taken more pictures of it, and especially of the old city, but it was quite rainy so we didn't spend enough time there. I will most likely go back there again in a couple of weeks when my parents are coming for a visit, so then I'll try to take more pictures.

Christy's Loc Question

Hello all! I received an email from a reader by the name of Christy. She is obsessed with picking out the lint in her loc's, with is causing major damage, including thinning of her loc's. Below is picture of two of her loc's, one healthy and one thinned out because of constantly being picked at.

I have a few suggestions from previous post (link fix & repairing broken loc's - which can also be used to fix thin loc's). Leave a comment for Christy if you also have advice on what she can do to repair thinning loc's. What have been your quick or not so quick fixes?

Inspirational Photo of the day - Corinne Bailey Ray

Beautiful photo of Corinne Bailey Ray.

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Project Sole - Charity Highlight

I don't know about you, but when my tennis shoes get to the point where the springy bounce is gone, and their not so pretty any more - I am ready to replace them. Once I buy new shoes, I often just toss my old shoes. That for me is the norm. But recently I read an article in people magazine about a man that decided to start donating his and other peoples used tennis shoes to under privileged children in other countries. What a great idea. Of course, if all things were possible, I am sure we would rather be giving these children new shoes. But for a child that has no shoes at all, something used is just as helpful. So I think that when I go to buy my next pair of new sneakers, I will check out some Project Sole as a source to recycle my old shoe.

From Project Sole:

"We are a shoe charity. We use your donations of athletic tennis shoes to supply durable footwear for others in underprivileged communities throughout the world and use proceeds to make financial contributions in our local community:

• We offer financial support to charitable causes and organizations
• We supplement educational expenses for local schools
• We provide student scholarships"

For other shoe donation sources, check out How to Donate Your Used Running Shoes.

RE: Suggestions?

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**I just watched this video again... lol. I sure did say "you guys" a lot. Well it is a bad habit of mine. I do know that the majority of the readers for this blog are women. So I do apologize if the phrase 'you guys' was a bit annoying... :-P. I will try to watch out for that the next time I do a video. 

~ Love, Peace & Happiness to everyone ~
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Holiday, finally.

Yesterday the passover break begun - which is really nice - not because my Hebrew course has been so demanding that I neccessarily need a break, but it's nice to have a break from homework and have entire days off. I bought a bike a few days ago so I'll be using the break to bike around exploring places. I really am looking forward to that! Today I had a nice day going shopping with my friend Elise and I bought a really pretty sailor scarf that I will show you in a couple of days. Oh, and tomorrow I am most likely going to the Dead Sea for a day trip, which I am hoping will be fun.




The shoes and the vest are from Zara and the blouse, skirt and belt from H&M.

Interviewed by Toshia Shaw

Check out my interview on On The Road To Queendom. Thank you Toshia!

Suggestions??

What would you like to see on this blog? I would love to hear some feedback from you all. If there is something you would like to learn more about, leave a comment. If there is a subject, hair style, product or any thing else that you want to see - let me know. One of the previous suggestions was more styling videos for people with shorter loc's, coils and afro's. So that is something I am working on. Readers contribution is also a big goal of mines. It actually makes the experience of being a part of the Natural hair community that much greater for me because there is a constant interaction where I am learning from you. So if you have comments, suggestions, questions, stories, art... or more, that you want to sure on this blog - please do not hesitate to email me at naturalhairbeauty@gmail.com. Or you can leave a comment on this post or leave a comment on the NBH Guestbook.

~ Karen

Inspirational Photos - Decas

Beautiful photos from Decas, who lives in Bermuda. Below is a picture of him and his wife. What a lovely couple.

Black Men LUV - Photo Gallery

For facebook users, there is a cool fan page called Black Men Who Love Black Women. I like this page because there are a lot of women with different textures and styles, that come together to celebrate their own unique beauty.

"There is somethingintriguing about the black woman who loves the way she was born. So much so that she goes against the grain and chooses NOT to put a burning-hot relaxer on her scalp to straighten her hair in order to fit inside the "mainstream". This group is for all guys who recognize the black woman's natural beauty. And if you are a woman with natural hair, please join ad represent yourself."

Good morning....

... except it not really being morning anymore at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. However, I woke up late and to me it sort of still feels like morning. I love days when I have nothing in particular to do and I can have a long breakfast: today I had spicy toast with cheese, tomatoes and basil and drank green tea with stevia leaves (a natural and healthy sweetener so much sweeter than sugar. I am so thrilled that I found a stevia plant since I was under the impression that they've been banned nearly everywhere due to the immensely powerful sugar industry).



I also love having enough time to spend as much time as I want getting dressed, and rummaging through my closet sorting my clothes. This is what I am wearing today.





Now I am going out to buy some groceries and make tortillas for my boyfriend when he comes back from university.

I also wanted to say that you are all so sweet for continuing to read my blog even if my updates are quite inconsistent and even if I have not been very good at commenting back on your blogs lately. I really appreciate all of you :)

Art by Zatarra

Artwork by Zatarra

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Totally Random....

Ok.... so I am so happy. It's funny how sometimes the smallest things can make you smile. I have been wearing the same broke down glasses for like 2 years now. Much longer than that! But the last 2 years have been the worst because my glasses were basically falling apart. I was working from home for a year or two, so my insurance was basically non-existent. But things have been better lately. So I finally took the plunge and brought 2 pairs of new glasses. What do you think? This is the first time I have ever gotten square frames, but I kind of like it. I am hoping that I have that sexy librarian look going on... lol.

Ok ok.... so I am a big nerd. But a cool nerd... right?!? Maybe even a little très nerdy chic?  He he.. one can only hope! Happy Thursday everyone.

Price of Beauty

Jessica Simpson has a new show called The Price of Beauty. I watched the show last night, and I liked it. Jessica's roll as host is not what where use to when it comes to international travel shows. Let's face it, Jessica is no Lisa Ling. But Jessica is genuine and she keeps it fun. So that counts for something. The show is about Jessica traveling the world to find out what different cultures definition of beauty is. A lot of shows about beauty are all fluff. But this show actually seems to have substance. What about you? What do you think?

**Update: The Price Of Beauty tv show airs on VH1. Check out the schedule here.

Will you watch The Price of Beauty?

Inspirational photo - Femi

Beautiful photo of Femi.

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On top of a rock.

One of you asked me if I could write a little bit about my daily life here in Israel, which I thought was a good idea. I think I mentioned a few posts ago that I've begun learning Hebrew - which I do for a couple of hours in the morning from Monday to Thursday. So far it's fun and because I hear Hebrew being spoken around me so much it feels like I am learning the language quite fast. Another good thing about the course is getting to know other people since I really want to have friends here. Other than that my days have more or less been occupied with fixing the apartment (I really hope we can move in this weekend!), and just being with my boyfriend and his family. I wish I had a job, too, but unfortunately I have to wait quite a while until I get my working permit. At the same time I saved up quite a lot of money in Norway so it isn't that urgent, and I do enjoy having time off and just enjoying myself - especially when the weather is so nice!






Top and shorts by H&M.

PS: I mentioned a few days ago that I was going to the H&M opening party in Israel, and while I was there I was photographed and interviewed about my outfit by one of the biggest newspapers in Israel. Really exciting! You can see it here, but it's unfortunatley all in Hebrew.

Oval Office Figurine

I love this Oval office figurine of the Obama Family by designer Annie Lee. This is definitely on my Christmas wish list.

Quote - Vasanti Mccray

This thought filled quote comes from Vasanti Mccray.

"A Woman says on my page; If she see's 1 more brother over 30 with his hair braided, she's gonna throw up. I say 2 her; ur unaware of the Beauty of ur Blackness. Women get their hair braided everyday, no problem, but when a man gets his done we're called corny or tacky. People learn ur culture, heritage and history, pay homage 2 ur ancestors. I would like it if she knew something about her own blackness!!!!!!"

Sabriya Simon Photography

Check out these 'breath of fresh air' photos from Sabriya Makini Simon. Sabriya was born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Antigua.



To read more about Sabriya, check out this article.