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.

Have a Wonderful Holiday Weekend!

Inspirational Photo of the Day!

Gorgeous photo!

Source: Young Brian

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.