Natural Ladies In the House

Model - Noel
Hello Natural Ladies!!My name is Noel Simone Wippler. I am 20 years old and I am born and raised in New York City. My goal is to be a Natural Hair Model. I would like to be a model and advocate natural hair and hair styles for stylists, photographers, for magazines, for hair shows, & websites. I am open to all natural hair styles and opportunities and advocating natural hair care.I would like to promote healthy hair styles for ladies aspiring to be natural. People admire my hair everywhere I go! My hair has been on a spiritual journey with me. When I had my hair relaxed since I was 6 years old with Super Relaxers, my hair would be lifeless and easily damaged. No matter how much I cared for my hair, and protected it, it would still be weak, and dry! It seemed as if I were wasting all of my money and time on my hair, and I wouldn't be content with it. So in 2009, I decided I was going to grow my relaxer out. Two years later, and I am happier than ever! I will grow my hair as long as it can go. I want to show ladies that it is possible!Would you like me to be your hair model? I would love to work for you! Contact Information: Noel S. Wippler, Email: n_wippler@yahoo.comThank You For Your Time. Peace.


Curtnita




I love sites that appreciate being natural and how natural is beautiful..so with that being said "I'M HAPPY TO BE NAPPY...AND FADED TIGHT"
CURTNITA





Model - Nekesha

I am 36 years old and I have a career in social work, in addition, to being a full time mother. I work with individuals who have had their children taken away for abuse, threatened harm or neglect, in addition to, working with parents that have substance abuse issues that have also resulted in their children being removed. I have worked in this profession for over 10 years. I have been growing my locks for 11 years and I remember when I started them, there were not many encouraging sites such as your to help me with my journey. My locks are so much a part of me and who I have become. Contact: tobesmother@comcast.net.
Jacqueline

I was all about relaxed super straight hair. The straighter the better. I loved wigs and weaves. I mainly did quick weave bobs, or long curls. I decided to go natural because my hair looked life less and unhealthy. It wasn't growing the way I wanted it to. I had recently dyed it myself (bad idea) and it broke off really bad. I just wanted my hair to look healthy and grow which is why I decided to go natural

I didn't know what my hair would look like without being relaxed and was afraid I would go back and relax it if I couldn't take care of it. I also was worried about how my then boyfriend would react to it. He surprisingly loved it and I was really shocked by this. I decided in July 2011 that I was not going to relax my hair anymore. By August I was ready to get that Dark and Lovely in my head, but I remained strong. I was just doing wigs and extensions. Then in October of this year, I got off work one day and just decided to cut my hair! I cut off all my relaxed hair and had tight curls left. I couldn't believe it and took a picture and sent it to my boyfriend. I washed it and just wore it in a fro the next day at work. I received a lot of compliments on it. I was alittle leery because I didn't feel like a girl. But after watching youtube videos( love love love iknowlee, HUGE help to me) I started buying cute headbands and flowers(my favorite). I haven't quite mastered the two strand twist but I'm working on it. So its either in a TWA or a puff most of the time. This also gave me a chance to play up my eye makeup and wear different earrings( feathers, feathers, feathers!). When I look at myself now, I feel absolutely beautiful and I love how fast my hair is growing and how healthy it looks. Being newly natural, I enjoy the blogs and youtube videos because it gives me confidence to remain natural and be true to myself. Truely glad to have found the new me!

My favorite products: Shea Moisture Curling Smoothie..makes my hair feel really soft and healthy looking. Knot Today Leave In from Kinky Curly. Use this to detangle my hair in the shower. If though it doesn't get that tangled surprisingly. ORS Edge Control. I use this when I do my puffs. I don't like my edges looking bad and this really smoothes them down. ** Bonus- Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner...so thick and leaves my hair feeling really soft and smelling even better.  My advice for others: 
I would say just to go for it! I have gain so much confidence in myself and the woman that I have become just by the few months of me being natural. I see my mom who passed away in 2006 when I look in the mirror and I love that! If you want healthy hair that grows extremely fast(like mine has) I think going natural is the way to go. Wish I would've have cut my hair sooner!

Brittany's New Gorgeous Look!


An already gorgeous Brittany, wowed me on Facebook today, with her new hair cut and how gorgeous she looks in these evening gowns. I love her style! Thank you for sharing... :-).  To learn more about Brittany, check out her interview with Naturally Beautiful Hair blog here.

Starting the New Years with Pops Of Color!


I am loving my new Feather Fashion Clips hair accessories. Each feather clip-in has great color combinations, that give awesome pops of color, that can help to change my look when I want to try something new with my hair. Feather Fashion Clips work with any hair type and are affordable. Go to their site now to see their Buy 2, get one free sale now! 

Singer - Elle Varner



  


 Great music by talented singer - Elle Varner!


To see more of Elle, check her out on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and her Website.

Goody Accessories & Double Wear Line























I am loving my new hair accessories from Goody! Lots of great headbands and hair clips that can also be worn as pins. Goody accessories are a great brand because the're are accessories that work for both your  little girl and for you. They have organic based hair products. And they has also have new line of Double Wear accessories that include 2-in-1 headbands and ponytail holders that can double as necklace or bracelet. To see more, go to Goody.com.


Merry Christmas, Thoughts, Thank you's & Wallpaper



Here we are again at the end of another busy year. As I tidy my desk and prepare for some much anticipated time away from the office, my mind reflects on the year that was.

It has been a year of setbacks, struggle, sickness and sadness for so many people I know and so many people I don’t know and to them I would like to say sorry. Sorry you had to go through so much heartache and sorrow. I hope, as the year crosses over to the next, things will improve for you all. xx

For me, I feel like I have been chasing my tail all year with to do lists the size of Mount Everest. No matter how easy it may look, nothing and I repeat, nothing comes easy.

With lots of hard work, commitment, stress, worry, exhaustion and tears comes achievement and 2011 saw the successful launch of our online store which I am looking forward to growing and developing further in 2012.

The year also brought some exciting jobs my way along with some wonderful new clients as well as old clients who are very supportive and encouraging and for that I am very thankful. I am also very thankful for the wonderful, hard-working and creative people I've had the fortune of working with this year both in-house at B&S and externally. They have all helped me more than you could ever imagine and I am truly grateful for everything they have brought to the table.

Throughout the year I was presented with some extremely exciting, yet humbling offers. One such offer is something I have been secretly working on for the most part of the second half of this year and it is something I have been dying to tell you about.

Do you want to know what it is?

Well, I am thrilled and excited to announce that earlier this year renowned Australian paint and wallpaper company, Porter’s Paints asked me to design a range of wallpaper with them and in the early part of 2012 we will be launching Anna Spiro for Porter’s Paints – a collection of wallpapers which will certainly spell my signature style . This is something I have always dreamt of doing and I would like to extend a huge thank you to Porter's Paints for this wonderful opportunity.

In the photo above and below of my inspiration board, if you look closely, you might be able to identify some of the drawings of the proposed designs. A special little sneak peek for you my loyal readers.

There will be 3 designs to start with and the collection will hopefully grow to 12 designs and maybe, just maybe, some of the designs might eventually be available in fabric too. The colour ways will be fresh and uplifting and perfect for all of you who love colour just as much as I do.


So, there are some big things in the pipeline and lots of hard work ahead in 2012. But for now, it’s off to the beach with my boys to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and just between you and me I can’t wait to spend endless days with them swimming, walking, reading, sleeping, laughing, talking, kissing and cuddling.

Thank you so much for following my blog and my journey. It’s been 5 years now since I started this blog and I can’t believe that you continue to read it. I really can’t.

I hope I can continue to fill your world with colour and inspiration in 2012.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!

Love,
Anna
xx


PS.  I'll be back sometime in January.  Not sure when. xx

Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway Winner!!!

Thank you everyone that participated in the Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway. The winner is Dada Chiku (Curly-haired Chatterbox)!!! Congraguations... :-). Please contact me at naturalhairbeauty@gmail.com to give me your ship to address. This will be forward to Shappy Apple Rep, who will send the dress to you in your size. Thank you everyone and Happy Holidays!

Someday Perfume

Great last minute holiday buy!  I usually don't wear perfumes, but I love this new perfume called Someday!  It smells really good and is quickly becoming one of my favorite scents. This will be one perfume that will not sit on my counter collecting dust. 
"SOMEDAY by Justin Bieber is more than just a perfume: it's a fragrance full of the energy, passion, and confidence that pushes him to the top of the charts. This fragrance's glass bottle is fresh yet flirty, anything but ordinary, and topped with a burst of blooming hearts. A crystal-encrusted, heart-shaped charm can be removed and attached to a keychain or zipper pull."

African Doll Clothes by Donnilah


Whatinspired you to create dolls with African clothing? My original inspirationcame from an African woman who requested me to make dolls that reflected theladies in her African wedding. I am always up for the challenge. I studied thepictures and found the fabric… I’t all started coming together.

Howdid you learn to sew/create African styled clothing? My father taught me how tosew. His mother (my grandmother) taught him and all of her 10 children how tosew. I am grateful to have a skill that has been passed down throughgenerations. The concept of African/Ethnic styles comes from watching the topdesigners who have adopted the styles of Ancent African clothing, geometricdesigns and patterns. We are so diverse in style and flare. We are theoriginators of fashion. I am still studying and interpreting style and fashionson a global scale.

Howhas the response been to your doll creations? The responses have been awesome.I have customers of all ethnic backgrounds who enjoy the dolls and the beautythey represent. I am really encouraging people to collect them and enjoy theirback story. I want to teach the children about fashions from around the world. Thesedolls create awareness and appreciation of global beauty, not just Africanbeauty. African people are all over the world because we all from Africa.

Whatis your goal with bringing these dolls to our community? I am hoping my art andstories will educate little girls. We also need to teach our children its ok tobe, look, like who you are. God made no mistakes in creating us it’s a blessingwe are so diverse and we come in so many beautiful shades and colors. I alsohope we learn to leave a legacy as my grandmother and father has left with me.In every doll that I make I leave that legacy the spirit my grandmother's artand fashion lives on.

Howcan people see more of your work and how can they contact you? I can be reachedat: info@justblaque.com. I am opening up an online boutique soon Annie Bella'sboutique, named after my grandmother Mrs. Annie Bell McClendon.

Almost There...



We are getting there slowly but surely even though the days just seem to be racing by.  We only have a few more jobs to install between now and Friday thank goodness!! 

Today we installed a job which we've been working on all year and although the builder's haven't quite finished I had to snap this photo of the ensuite to show you.  It's just such a gorgeous house.  I will get some more photos to share with you in the new year because the kitchen is to-die-for!!  We painted all the cabinetry pale green...so pretty!

My posts may be a bit light on now this week but I will be posting a final post for the year towards the end of the week in which I will be sharing some very exciting news so stay tuned for that!!
xx
Anna

Flowers Everywhere


We've had an endless bounty of beautiful flowers from the garden this week.  The Zinnas are flowering in full glory and the Dahlias just seem to keep on coming.  Here are some sitting on our fireplace mantel this afternoon.  There's no doubt about it, they make me so happy!!

Hope you've had a happy weekend!
xx
Anna


Happy Friday


I just had to post this beautiful vintage one-off Indian cloth box.  It is so beautiful.  It is one of 8 we just received into the store today.  I am officially in-love with all of them.  You should see inside them...they are divine!

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend...not long to go now until the holidays!  I think I am counting down the minutes!!!

xx
Anna

Pretty Things












Just a few pretty random things I've been obsessing over this week...
xx
Anna

Tablecloths Back in Stock


Just in case you missed out the first time round, I thought I would let you know that we have some of our beautiful embroidered tablecloths back in stock over at the online store.  There is only 3 red and 2 blue left so if you would like one CLICK HERE... UPDATE - ALL THE BLUE CLOTHS ARE NOW SOLD AND THERE IS ONLY 2 RED CLOTHS LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  HURRY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, if you liked our fabulous beach towels I have marked the green and coral coloured towels down to half the original price.  CLICK HERE...

We also have a few more blue and white owl jugs back in stock...CLICK HERE

This Friday will be our last day for guaranteed pre-Christmas shipping within Australia just in case you wanted to do any last minute Christmas shopping!!

http://www.absolutelybeautifulthings.com.au/ xx
Anna

Inspirational Photo of the Day!