Beauty & Free Events This Week

Hey there, Beautiful! Yes, I’m talking to you. This is blog is here to remind you of your beauty, even if no one else does (including, you). Read Yolanda’s post on why you are beautiful. While you’re reading our blog, take a look at free cultural events that are happening in New York this week. Ariam has researched the latest and greatest events in our beloved city, so you won’t need to do it. It’s easy, just click and you’re done.

As always, have a great night and see you tomorrow!

Peace,

Jen

You’re Beautiful

Ok! I’m totally sick of girls trying to have a “beauty contest” when they meet or boys making comments to make a girl feel less beautiful. There’s no hierarchy! Beauty is what you make it. “You are all beautiful,” even if the next person doesn’t see it or appreciate it. It’s up to you to realize there’s one you and that defines your originality and beauty. You can be confident in yourself and love it! (make that your motto)

The next time someone tries to make you feel less beautiful just think like Beyonce says, “You’re Irreplaceable!”

unHealthy shoes……

Ok! WHAT? A girl “gotta” love some height in her shoes! They give you an extra inch of confidence and sassiness. Unfortunately, someone has to always find negatives to things we thought could never be “unhealthy” such as SHOES. As much as I’m hesitating to share the bad news, I have to do it. So, here I go “bursting bubbles.” As fashionable as it is to flaunt heels; apparently, they are not so good for your feet and body.

1) Abnormal Posture
A high heel shoe places your foot in a plantarflexed (foot pointed downward) position, putting more pressure on your forefoot. This means your whole body has to adjust itself so you can remain in balance and this is not your normal posture.

2) Foot Problems
Heels increase the pressure on the bottom of the forefoot. The pressure increases as the height of the shoe heel increases. The increased pressure may lead to pain or foot deformities such as hammer toes, bunions, bunionettes (tailor’s bunions) and neuromas. In addition, a condition called Haglund’s deformity (pump bump) may result. The pointed, narrow toe box found in high heel shoes also causes corns, callouses and blisters.

3) Hard to Walk
When walking, your foot is in a “plantarflexed” form. In other words, you are unable to push off the ground with as much force. This causes your hip flexor muscles in your legs to work harder to move and pull your body forward. In addition, your knees stay bent and forward, causing your knee muscles to also work harder.

4) Off Balance
High-heels put you at risk of losing balance and spraining your ankles.

5) Back Pain
The normal s-curve shape of the back acts as a shock absorber, reducing stress on the vertebrae. Wearing high heels causes a change in this position and causes you to lean forward. The body’s responds to this by decreasing the forward curve of your lower back to help keep you in line. Poor alignment may lead to muscle overuse and back pain.

6) Sore Ankles
High heels limit the power and movement of the ankle joint.

Ok, so does this mean, no more high heels?

No! It is recommended you only wear high heels for special occasions and even then only a heel height of 1.5 inches.”

So take caution……..

Love your feet. Love your body. ALWAYS.

More Hair Love

Hi,

Hope you had a fab weekend!

I had a great time celebrating my little one’s birthday with friends and fam. It’s Monday and I’m glad to be back with you, my BFFs (blog friends forever)! Yolanda, a.k.a, Yolie shares her secrets straight from “Mother Africa” on how to keep her natural styles beautiful and healthy. Check out some of her tips on your natural ‘do or be daring and make a temporary switch for the summer. I’m giving it some thought myself. . .Check in tomorrow for tips on summer events and more feel-good conversation:)

Jen

Free, Fun Events This Week


While on the topic of summer events, I’ve found some great places for summer goers like you!
Generation Gap (calling out book lovers!): Contributing editor and columnist for Newsweek, Ellis Cose, will discuss his new books, “The End of Anger,” and his independent research on the generational transformation of American values. MONDAY., 7-10 PM. FREE GALAPAGOS ART SPACE. 16 Main St., Brooklyn
Decemberists in June: An indie band called the Decemberists will perform at a benefit concert at Celebrate Brooklyn! Opens at 6 p.m. TUESDAY., 7 PM. FREE. PROSPECT PARK BANDSHELL
MILE A MINUTE: Nine of the country’s museums, all calling Fifth Ave. FREE as part of the Museum Mile Festival, a huge block party and visual art celebration. TUES., 6-9 PM. FIFTH AVE FROM 82ND to 105 Sts.
“SELENA GOMEZ” GMA: Selena Gomez headlines a free performance as part of “Good Morning America’s” summer concert series. FRIDAY 7-9 AM. CENTRAL PARK RUMSEY PLAYFIELD, 72nd st and fifth ave.
FANTASTIC FIREWORKS: Head to Coney Island boardwalk for the First Friday Night Fireworks of the 2011 season. Arrive early for some live entertainment. FRIDAY., 9:30 PM, CONEY ISLAND BOARDWALK, BROOKLYN.
All should go out and take advantage of what our beautiful city has to offer!

Looking for an internship? Head over to Intern Queen!

For all of my high school students (seniors, pay close attention), if you haven’t heard, the Intern Queen is a great site to connect with internships in a variety of fields!
Intern Queen was founded by Lauren Berger, who juggled 15 internships throughout her college career! Whew! I’m feeling the pressure as I’m typing across this keyboard. She created the site primarily for college students (high school, too) to score internships and learn how to get career experience.
Recently, I became the campus ambassador of my school. Read my blog intro for the Intern Queen. I have been exposed to a world which was once foreign to me. The reason I’m spreading this knowledge is for you to become familiar with this site, as well as, other internship-based websites that open doors to high school students.
Whether you are looking to gain skills in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing; there is a wealth of information on this site that is important for your future.
Here’s how it works:
The employers/companies looking to get interns post on the site. It’s the potential interns job to fill out the information and place yourself in a pool of applicants. If desired, the employers will contact you.
I know it may seem overwhelming, but I got my first internship the summer after my freshman year of college. If you’re close to graduating, you may want to educate yourself about the application process. So, when next summer is here, you’ll have a few resources available to you.
Other sites:
Good luck, and if you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at frezghi91@gmail.com!

HAIR SECRETS

In response to Jen’s “Love your hair” blog, I totally agree. Our hair definitely does define a tinge of our personality and origins. Quite frankly, society has tried to set “hair standards” to defy our individuality, our culture and our roots. It’s lovely for us to have so many options, but we should also embrace our natural hair. I really love rocking my “mufushwa” [as seen in pic]. It totally offends some people, but that’s just me! Anyway,  no matter how you wear it, if it defines you, then it’s BEAUTIFUL, regardless of what anyone else may say or think. In addition to style, the other important thing is to always look after your hair.

Here are some tips!

1) Know your hair type: this helps you pick hair products that are best for your hair.

2) Wrap or braid your hair before going to bed. Based on your preference, you can part the hair and plait (braid) it, tie it back or wrap it with a scarf before going to bed. This will reduce the number of tangles you’ll have to comb out the next morning, therefore; minimizing the chances of breaking your hair.

3) Don’t wash your hair too often this will dry it out. (No more than every week to week and a half.)

4) Sleep with a satin scarf or sleep cap or with a satin pillow case. This helps avoid split ends caused by the rubbing of your hair against a “rough” cotton pillow case. It also avoids moisture being drained out of your hair into your pillow case.

5) Oil your scalp regularly with good natural oil, like shea butter or use a daily moisturizer. Some other natural oils to try are jojoba oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil.

6) Do a deep conditioner or hot oil treatment once a month.

7) Massage your scalp regularly to promote circulation and oil production.

8) Do not use Vaseline or petroleum products on your hair this blocks pores.

9) Always use a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair.

10) Spritzing a little water on your hair every day is good idea. Get a spray bottle and just spray it just a little.

11) Eat a proper diet. Vitamins and protein are essential for proper hair growth.

Love your hair, always!

Love Your Hair!

I was thinking of how fortunate it is to have the hair of black girl. I love my hair. I thought about this today when I was at a salon getting my permed hair styled, while my daughter was getting hers braided. We have many diverse styles we can rock on any given day. We can change it by season. It’s too hot so we decide to wear it short or have braids. It’s too cold, so we decide to grow it long, wear a weave or a wig. Sometimes our hair reflects our world views. A sister is into the history of African and African-American culture, so she decides to wear braids or a ‘fro. Another wants to celebrate her Caribbean roots and grows her hair into beautiful locks. While another has a huge personality and wants a big weave to reflect the style of her favorite celebrity.

We often judge each other based on our hairstyles as if one style is better than the other, but really it’s personal preference. If you have dreads, it doesn’t make you more political. If you wear a perm, it doesn’t mean you’re trying to “act white.” Some love the act of combing and grooming hair, while others are busy and want to be able to get up and go in the morning.

Whatever style we wear now, we have all had moments as little black girls of getting our hair braided or combed with pain or pleasure. No matter what the process is, the end result is beautiful. Our hair, like our culture, is strong and resilient. 

Real Talk

I think it’s time I added some real talk to this blog. Yes, it’s cool to learn about where to find jobs, upcoming events and the latest in music; however, it’s important for you, the reader of this blog, to have some real discussions about things happening in your life. That is the reason that I started this blog in the first place. Somehow, I got off track with the true purpose of this blog.

I started this blog, because of frustration. I look at TV, around my neighborhood in Brooklyn or have discussions with friends about teen girls and the stories I hear are heartbreaking. It’s become cute and trendy to “dumb yourself down” for the attention of a boy you like or to be friends with someone that you think is cool. I like reality shows and follow celebrity culture as much as the next person, but the consequences are much greater if you are a girl “in real life.” I’m sure you’ve seen the stories of girls sending naked pics to their boyfriends, but when they break up, they’re sent to the whole school or posted on Facebook and twitter. Some girls have even been charged as sex offenders.

You may not realize it now, but you can be your own individual. That doesn’t mean your life in middle school or high school will be easy. I know from experience that when you choose to get good grades or not have sex that people around you will tease you and give you labels. Plus, I had many male friends in high school that talked about sexual things they did with girls.  I knew that I didn’t want to be the girl they talked about at the lunch tables. When I was called a “virgin” or a “nerd,” I felt a brief moment of sadness (about 5 minutes) and then lifted myself back up, because even at a young age, I knew I wanted to go to college. I dated and had boyfriends, but there was not anyone that was going to take me off my path or discourage me from accomplishing my goal.

Think of a goal.

It doesn’t need to be college. It can be graduating from high school, learning a trade, starting a business or helping your community. Whatever it is, be unique and powerful enough to choose a path that will determine a positive future. 

Music For Monday!

Hi,

Hope you had a fantastic weekend! It’s nice to finally have some weather that actually fits the season. It is June, so we should have warm, sunny days. Cold and rainy winter days are not cute, especially for my hair. Anyway, my friend posted this video on his Facebook page. I thought I’d share this with you, too. Enjoy as these two ladies known as VanJess (Ivana and Jessica) sing their rendition of Alicia Keys’ song, Unthinkable. Hearing the girls sing their version of Alicia Keys’ song makes me think of how gifted, Alicia Keys is a musician, singer and songwriter.

See the YouTube video for yourself. Learn more about VanJess on Facebook and twitter.

Have a great Monday,

Jen