take it....take it...TAKE IT!

Hey beautiful people-

If you're like me you live for words for affirmation/affection. Nothing brightens my day more, or should I say feeds my ego more, than a compliment or a nice word. This is also why I give encouraging words to others. A friend and I were recently talking about one of her classmates. She told me about how beautiful this girl is, but every time she complimented her the girl would give a negating response. When someone gives you a compliment you humbly accept even if you disagree. For example:

Him: You look so nice in that dress tonight.
Right way: Thank you!
Wrong way: You think so? I spent hours getting into my girdle because my stomach is atrocious.

Him: I love when you wear your hair like that. It highlights your best feature.
Right way: Awww thanks. I love doing pin-ups. Makes me feel like we're in the 80's.
Wrong way: Thanks. I have a huge pimple on my huge forehead so I decided to wear it up.

Him: You’re so beautiful, and your smile tops it off.
Right way: Lol I think so too. I was actually voted best smile in high school.
Wrong way: Oh so you think my face is beautiful but nothing else? What about my body? Thanks a lot!

NO! NO! NO! Take the fawking compliment. Nothing is sexier than self-confidence especially on women. Marilyn Monroe said "All little girls should be told they are pretty even if they are not". Even if you do not agree with the nice things people are telling you, at least give the outwardly impression you do. See, I could have the lowest self-esteem in the world, but one would never guess because I give off the impression I'm the smartest, most beautiful woman in the world. And I believe I am honestly! Do what I did: take these compliments and build your own pedestal. You are the only you you are ever going to be. Wear yourself well, because if you don't believe in you, I sure as ever won't either. =)

xoxo ♥ Jojo

this post really isn't about anything...

#teamNatural



leopard print...my obsession!



be yourself. everyone else is already taken.



my boyfriend back in the day...the G.O.A.T. RIP



she can sing the telephone book and it would be an epic classic.

perfect imperfections.

Hello folks! This post was inspired by a video I saw on youtube. I may make a video to it one day, but for now I'm taking it to text. It's called "Perfect Imperfections". Take your flaws, something you've been teased about, or something your  subconscious about and turn them into something positive. I'm leaving the comment section open so I want everyone to give their feedback or add your own list! Here's my take:

1. I have a lisp. It's becoming worse now that my wisdom teeth are growing in. Main reason why I haven't made videos in awhile BUT my mouth is beautiful. I have very pretty, white teeth and I articulate well. So what I put extra emphasis on one (out of twenty-six) letter...

2. I have a long chin. People used to make fun of me and call me JoCHINdee. Very creative...eh. BUT I have a beautiful face and bone structure. High cheek bones, full lips, round eyes, naturally arched and clean eyebrows, and a beautiful, dark brown skin to top it all off. My long chin contributes to my oval shaped face that is said to be the most feminine shape.

3. I have big thighs. Yeah I'm not the runway model or single digit sized girl. Shopping in Zara and H&M is hard for me because my body isn't the "European Cut" type. But man oh man do I fill out a dress. These hips are a force to be reckoned with.

4. My skin color. Growing up being called black or black as hell or blackie Chan was a MAJOR insult. Why? Because the lighter the better right? Not to go too much into the African-American ideals of beauty and European influences, but I now realize all that just stems from self-hatred. I get so many compliment from members of other races about how beautiful black skin is. I get so ENRAGED when I see all this Team Light-skinned and Team Dark-skinned mess. Why is it everyone else can appreciate the beauty of black skin except those who have it? All I know is my black is beautiful.

 

"Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,
That's me."

excerpt from Phenomenal Woman - Maya Angelou

Perfect does not exist...we are all beautiful.

♥ Jojo

Rock My Roots: The Reason & The Avocado Mask

I've recently been watching a lot of youtube videos on natural hair.  I've been natural for about 4 or 5 years now. My reason for going natural was by default. I weave my hair up so much it was pointless to get a perm. I'm like a beast on everything natural hair which is why it pisses me off when these girls who recently have gone natural disclude me in their lil natural hair rages...you new to this I been on this. loBut I digress.
So while watching youtube I became more inspired than ever to just rock my roots.  I wanted to do twist-uts, Bantu knot outs, poufs, wash-n-go, etc. I just wanted to wear my real hair. I wanted to embrace my natural beauty. I wanted to show what God gave me and how much it has grown. I wanted to show off my long, soft, lustrous, my real hair was. and Rushed home friday and snipped, snipped, snipped the threads. Ahhhhh....finally free. 

*****

The Avocado Hair Mask

Another one of my natural hair concoctions.  There are many variations but this is what works for me. All measurement are approximated.  The next time I'll prob add this to my freshly washed hair. To pretreat I wet my hair and added a very tad bit of shea butter throughout.

You'll Need:

• 1/2 Avocado (the other half you can eat or save for a face mask)
• 4 tablespoons of Mayo (or an egg yolk)
• Several drops of Olive Oil, Vitamin E oil, Coconut Oil or any of your fav essential oils (EOs)

What to Do:

• Pit and skin avocado. 
• In a bowl mash avocado as much as possible. 
• Add mayo (or egg yolk) and mix extremely well.
• Add EOs. Continue to mash, whisk, and stir until mixture is completely homogenous. 

Adding to you hair:

• Part hair in 4 or 5 sections. 
• With a gloved hand or dye brush apply avocado mask to hair liberally. 
• Make sure you have applied to all of your hair. 
• Cover with a processing cap to retain the heat (for added heat you can cover with a silk scarf). 
• Leave in for at least 30 minutes. 
• (Wash &) condition hair. 

ENJOY! 

Check back for the results NEXT post! ----> 

♥Jojo

caught off guard

love this pic...

beautiful brown skin. don't let anyone else tell you differently. -Me

words inspired by Brown Skin by India.Arie. post inspired by @ChrisEnPointe.

Do You Dare?

My first haul!!!! Yay...lol. If we have ever talked fashion or if you follow my twitter, then you know how much of a muse June Ambrose is to me. No matter which avant-garde ensemble she wears, her lips pop out at me. She ALWAYS wears a color that stands out. MAC's Ruby Woo (matte) is becoming her signature color, and, of course I had to try it for myself. 

I like that you can control the intensity of the red. I have my own personal reservations about lip colors and my skin, but nothing could stop me from making this work...and I'm pretty sure "I own it" ;)

Proud moments...

...aside from the alleged breast&booty implants, TO dating rumors, and fake sex tape Kenya Summer Moore, aka Miss USA 1993 (the first African-American winner), is one of my favorite black women. Not only has she mad history, but her philanthropy work has made her admirable. I cannot comment on her recent image, but Miss Moore is the ish. I now only wonder why no one has wifed her...

Power to the chocolate sisters!!!! :)

C'Mon People, It's 2010....

....and y'all still tripping about weave ?!?!?! While such a powerful natural hair movement going on in the Black community, weaves are still predominant.  The Kardashian sisters, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, Madonna also wear weave extentions in their hair...although it may not as obvious as black women.  I don't say this to bash them, but to bring up my point: EVERYONE (not literally, duh) wears weave nowadays so why do black women always get so dogged about it ???? 

Everyone's fav Beyonce wears them and has been and will forever, Alicia Keys, Tyra, Nicki Minaj all add extensions to their mane. And while they are the hottest topics today, people are still find time to blast weaves.  I do not understand what the big deal is...fake hair has been around since pre-history...you'd think by now people would be accustomed. It's hair NOT a big deal.  Then the conversation turns into, don't be ashamed of what you have, or you are not happy with what you have naturally, or you are just being lazy. Truth be told, while some of those assumptions hold true for some folks, others either just like weave or are wearing weave for CERTAIN reasons.  I know a lot of people who are transitioning or have damaged hair that are wearing weave to protect what they have.  Other people just like to try new things and don't want to constantly flat iron or color their hair. Me wearing weave does not make me self-conscioous abut my real hair or lazy....just makes me a weave wearer wanting my hair to grow super long, thick, and healthy. So I keep it braided and conditioned...under my weave. It's all about self expression-like a piercing or tattoo-so what's the big deal ? Thoughts...


(sidenote: I forgot to do it yesterday but CONGRATS TO MY CITY'S TEAM...THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS - NHL 2010 CHAMPIONS. yea baby !)

It seems like only the rich and famous are able to reach society's idealistic view of the beauty. Certainly, as a woman I have found myself burdened with trying to be like Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, and them....but no matter how hard I try results do not come fast enough and I give up. Being in Liberia definitely opened my eyes to  A LOT of things. Also, reflecting off recent success of some of my peers I realized that this journey is more so a long term one-if I want it to be lasting that is. Looking at myself I realized that maybe now is the time. I knew I could do it. Senior year of high school I lost 20 pounds over the course of four months. After, the freshman +15, drinking, and not-so routine way of living in college, I have gained my share of "college wight". Transitioning into the real world-and dreams of walking along an exotic beach shamelessly with my man and his chiseled abs and speedo-I know I gotta do this! I realized I'm getting older and the healthy habits have to start like NOW... 

Let's lQQk at my progression....(notice my face and forearms...)

November 2009

December 2009

January 2010 - on my birthday !!!

February 2010

                                                                                      

Beginning, middle and end of March 2010 (next three pix)

^two weeks ago^

>>>Although my immediate goal is weight loss, I also am working towards improving my quality of life. The journey does not and will not end once I reach my ideal size. Your prayers and words of encouragement are always welcomed and appreciated.  Philippinians 4:18 says I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. No goal is unrealistic and unreachable. Keep in mind I'm doing this the old-fashion way, just diet & exercise (mainly because I cannot afford surgeries and fad diets lol). By my 23rd birthday I, granted I keep working as hard as I am now, I should be where I wanna be !!!!! 
<3 JSK