Beautifullamb on CurlyNikki!

This is beyond late, but I thought I should post the link here anyway. I was featured on popular natural hair website CurlyNikki.com a couple of months ago. She gives great advice for healthy hair care. Check her out while you're browsing the web!

Click here to link to my feature.

Stay Blessed :-)

A Tribute to the Awkward Black Girls

It seems everyone can't get enough of Awkward Black Girl. (If you're reading this with a question mark etched across your face, get awkward and get with it!) The hit web series chronicles the everyday adventures of "J," the "awkward black girl," which is a personality type rarely seen on television, especially among women of color. Since the show's online debut in February, it has amassed more than 240,000 views on YouTube and created a solid group of fans who have even donated money to keep the show alive. Show supporters raised more than $56,000 in roughly a month! (Source: Kansas City Star)

Media heads are starting to take notice as well, as online news articles have been popping up left and right highlighting the show's success, which creator Issa Rae attributes to social media. Celebs are catching on too! Fellow funny girl Gabrielle Union tweeted a special shout out to the unexpected smash series, calling the show "genius." With the way things are going, it may not be long before "AWB" is popping up in your TV guide.

That said, I thought I'd pay tribute to AWB's predecessors. Here's a list of the awkward black girls who paved the way.

1. "Freddie" (A Different World)

Played by Cree Summer

Freddie was technically more of a free spirit than she was awkward; however, she was a nice break from the norm. Actually, A Different World is one of the few shows that had various depictions of black people. The show's focus on life at an HBCU created opportunities to show the diversity within the black community.

2. "Synclaire" (Living Single)

Played by Kim Coles

Synclaire was Khadijah's (Queen Latifah) good-natured cousin, Overton's leading lady, and an aspiring actress. She was often regarded as absent-minded and gullible, but she was no fool. She possessed a child-like innocence and strong sense of self that enabled her to avoid the relationship pitfalls faced by her friends.

3. "Myra" (Family Matters)

Played by Michelle Thomas

It's hard to imagine that any woman could love Steve Urkel, especially pre-Stefon; but Myra was the equally quirky, yet way more attractive beauty who was able to distract Steve's attention from Laura Winslow-for a while at least. She and Steve shared a bond that however annoying, was nothing less than authentic. She loved him for him, and we loved her for that.

4. "Joan" (Girlfriends)

Played by Tracee Ellis Ross

Sure. Joan was a successful lawyer and everyone's favorite Girlfriend, but she was not without her awkward and corny moments. We can't overlook her strange obsession with holidays, over-use of legal terms in casual conversation, and inventive ways to run men off. She was the corporate world's awkward black girl, who received a pass for balancing and often suppressing her inner-AWB.

FOUR? JUST FOUR?! Wow, That's pretty sad. Well...did I leave anyone off?

Who on television would you consider an awkward black girl?

Blog Request: Khloe & Lamar "Sometimes I feel like a fatherless child"

It never occurred to me to do blog requests, until I actually got a request (LOL). But I absolutely love the idea and would be more than happy to blog on any topic you would like to see talked about. So feel free to leave a request comment or email me!

And sorry for the lack of posts lately. It's about that time in the school year where the work load starts picking up and the first thing to go is my blog. Sorry :-(

Anyway, I got a request to talk about last night's premiere episode of Khloe & Lamar on E!

I have to admit that I watch all the Kardashian shows....yes its true.

It's my guilty pleasure! Aside from all the hunger for media attention that is the essence of the Kardashian family, they're alright with me. (LOL)

I for one could have neverimagined that a sex tape would result in an entire empire for not just Kim, but her entire family! It might be fair to say that her star power has surpassed that of her R&B crooner turned reality TV celebrity co-star Ray-J. ( -__- )

And though I certainly have my criticisms of the first family of reality TV and how they acquired their fame, I will reserve judgment for now.

So back to last night's premiere.

I initially was sort of irritated at the thought of yet another spin off show. I mean honestly, the Kardashians are on our small screens consistently year round. Did we not JUST close out Kourtney and Kim Take New York last week? Kardashian saturation was not putting me in a good head space.

But, I tuned in despite my better judgment, and was pleasantly surprised.

Let's face it. When you first got wind of a wedding for Khloe and Lamar you just new things would not go down unless a camera crew was there to witness. The whole situation was a quick recipe for reality TV gold. But their marriage, though only a year, has outlasted many of our expectations. But we can't say we didn't see this show coming.

My thing is, I'm a Laker fan. And anything that would potentially distract Lamar from the game was just simply not going to fly. But so far, it doesn't seem like its affected his game. Also, Khloe & Lamar is one of the few shoes to get actual NBA access to shoot footage. I wonder if LaLa will have such luck...hmm?

Anyway, last night's show I'm ashamed to say had me on the brink of tears. I know, I know I'm shaking my head right along with you. But if you didn't watch...don't judge, thanks!

The episode featured a hot button issue in our community, fatherless children.

Lamar's father Joe Odom, who is a former heroin addict popped up on Khloe and Kourtney at a book signing. This was the first time they had met. After getting acquainted and making small talk, Joe preceded to ask Khloe if it's alright if he and his new wife get a couple of tickets to the Laker game. Khloe agreed to make it happen. Things were all fine and well until Khloe mentioned the little family reunion to Lamar who was none too pleased.

Lamar expressed to Khloe that he and his father had a difficult and complicated relationship that was beyond her comprehension, and suggested that she just leave it alone. However, Khloe having lost her own father, didn't see why Lamar was being so cold and why he wouldn't even allow his Dad to come to a game. Lamar said Joe knew the terms of his and Lamar's relationship, which did not include game attendance. He felt Joe should have never popped up on Khloe. Unsatisfied with Lamar's reasoning for isolating his father, Khloe continues to push the issue; at which point Lamar makes a random phone call to Joe to show Khloe his true nature.

This is where things got misty. After what seemed to be a few minutes on the phone, Joe Odom started asking Lamar for money, tickets, shoes, etc. Lamar had already been fully supporting Joe with rent money and a monthly allowance, yet his father consistently sought out more material things from his rags to riches son. I was so hurt for Lamar. He regarded the phone call as though it was typical conversation, which was very saddening. It was as if he had become completely numb to his father soliciting money from him. Yet, you could still see he was very hurt that his father only maintained a relationship for what he could get out of it. The two had lost so many years of their relationship due to Joe's postwar drug addiction. And now that both are seemingly in a better space in their lives (Lamar's pro-ball career and Joe's sober life) Joe was more focused on using Lamar than loving him.

It's no secret that post Vietnam, soldiers were not properly taken care of to make sure they were mentally sound to return to a normal life, and many turned to drugs and alcohol to cope, resulting in a range of negative consequences for them and their families. Many ended up abandoning their responsibilities. Lamar's story is all too familiar to so many families. Lamar acknowledged his father's difficult life, but said that he was not looking for him to be a father, but to just act like he was a father. Acting like a decent human being would have sufficed. I don't want to judge Joe, because I honestly can't imagine all he has been through, but there has got to be a better way to go about having a relationship with Lamar. But does he even REALLY want a relationship?

This issue is something that can arise with many young men today growing up without a father. If you don't take the opportunity to be one when you had it, can you ever really reestablish that relationship?

Your thoughts?

Fights Over Spaghetti and the Last Clearance T-Shirt....Is This Who We Are?

This week two disturbing videos surfaced in my news feed. My heart was heavy after viewing the way young black women were portrayed and ultimately, the way they conducted themselves.

Here are the videos before I say my peace.

I don't even know how to describe my frustration. Wait....yes I do.

First let me say that I was not present at either altercation, and do not know any information other than what was displayed in the videos. Much of the commentary associated with the first video seemed to be in defense of the two young girls who were said to have been "provoked." I can see that. There was no visibly just cause for calling them animals for eating on a subway. Simply minding your own business would have prevented this situation. As someone who was verbally harassed and demeaned on a NYC subway, I understand the struggle to keep composure when pushed to the edge. I only really began to take issue with this video after I saw the second clip. There seemed to be an interesting theme, "black girls fighting=entertainment."

The girls on the subway were being harassed, yes. Any reasonable person would have been defensive, true. But what played out here, goes far beyond a mere subway scuffle, which is what made this video worthy of being but on YouTube, with over 100,000 views. It's the dynamic. Angry black women vs......whomever really. We can never get enough of that right? No one stepped in (until all hell broke loose) to mitigate the situation. Again, I say this as someone harassed on a train when again NO ONE offered so much as squeal of support. But sadly, it seems that's just the world we live in now. If it doesn't concern me, I'm keeping my mouth closed. Oh, but I will pull out this camera and have you caught out there on YouTube looking senseless. I will lend you a hand with that.

And this second video. Acting a H.A.M in a business establishment as though it were a scene from Fight Club. Punches thrown, merchandise vandalized, weaves flying every which-way. Is this who we are? I'll answer that... no! But this is how the world continues to see ALL OF US, as a result of the select few and that truly irks me. I don't say this looking down on these individuals because, again I was not there to witness the events that transpired leading up to the physical altercations, but I'm willing to bet it just wasn't that serious. And how can I blame these girls anyway. Is this not the same behavior we see aired weekly on Bad Girls Club? Basketball Wives? Jersey Shore....need I go on?

It seems that winning the title of "the baddest" reigns supreme over "the brightest," which is just stupid. I'm not sitting here waving my little judgmental finger over everyone. I had a hand in this as well. I watch these shows...well not Jersey Shore, but that's neither here nor there. Anyway, while I thought I was just being entertained, it seems we are being conditioned to believe this is the way women settle disputes. We name call, we demoralize, we humiliate, we fight. We just can't help but tear each other down and take pleasure in the presumed victory. I can just hear these girls now "yea, I beat that (insert words here), and its on YouTube!" No...please take a seat in the nearest super-glued chair. To use my very best English, this ain't winning.

But the reason these videos scored so many hits on YouTube is the same reason these deplorable television shows get the highest ratings...even over scripted programming. Why do we enjoy seeing women tear each other down?

There wouldn't be as much issue with these shows if they were the exception and not the rule. But there are far fewer positive portrayals of women on television, particularly women of color to combat these negative images. As a result, life imitates, well if I can even call it art.

And with bystanders so willing to pull out a camera phone to make some quick cash from worldstarhiphop, it won't be long before the next aspiring Bad Girls Club castmember auditions via a YouTube street brawl.

I don't have a thought provoking question as I usually do to close this post.

It's actually more of a rant. But I like to hear your rantings as well, so please leave a comment.

Let's love each other ok? :-)

And I feel the need to make this disclaimer:

My feelings on these videos are far more complex and more in depth than what this blog post can explain. I've been a black woman for a long time so I can't possibly sum up the whole of my feelings in a few minutes. But it's enough to get a conversation going...so talk to me!

Art Paisley

Just got this cute mint color from Ulta last week. Had to test it out. What do you think? Hot or not?

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Funky Fresh

It's been a little minute since I've posted some nail designs. How cute are these?!

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New Music: Sha Stimuli Wake Up & Go

(Via Clutch Magazine)

This was a cute concept. Unfortunately this message isn't loud of enough to drown out the sound of the self-hate promoting records put out everyday. Sighs...

Enjoy it while you can. :-)