It’s come to my attention that our concern for the environment really isn’t an issue of lack of care, it’s really an issue of misunderstanding and lack of education. Flower-girl by nature, recycling was drilled into my head since I began those first days of kindergarten. Cans, bottles, mixed paper and aluminum were separated accordingly and all was right with the earth. Fast-forward 20 years later as I am now responsible for educating my friends about reducing waste as I swiftly fish glass jars and milk cartons out of the trash. Everyone else’s excuse, “I was never taught how to recycle.”
Are you one of these unfortunate folks never taught the laws of limiting our impact on the environment? I forgive... -
Get My New eBook Eco-Glamorous & Win a Gift Card to SpiritBeautyLounge.com
OBVs I am super excited to announce the recent launch of my new eBook, Eco-Glamorous: A Fail-Proof Guide to Ditching Toxic Beauty Products, Protecting Your Health & Greening Your Beauty Routine, available...
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What I Learned From My Mom About Being A Single-Parent Superstar
If my life were to be solely defined by statistics I wouldn’t be where I am today. As one of many children born into this world under the nucleus of a single-parent home, society can often make us feel,...
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Do You Know What’s Really in Your Food?
Image Source Are you a fan of crushed beetles in your strawberry shake or ammonia in your beef? By choice you may not have an option. After the Starbucks fiasco and countless warnings by popular mediums like Food...
Recycling 101: Stepping up Your Environment Game
It’s come to my attention that our concern for the environment really isn’t an issue of lack of care, it’s really an issue of misunderstanding and lack of education. Flower-girl by nature, recycling was drilled into my head since I began those first days of kindergarten. Cans, bottles, mixed paper and aluminum were separated accordingly and all was right with the earth. Fast-forward 20 years later as I am now responsible for educating my friends about reducing waste as I swiftly fish glass jars and milk cartons out of the trash. Everyone else’s excuse, “I was never taught how to recycle.”
Are you one of these unfortunate folks never taught the laws of limiting our impact on the environment? I forgive... Sickle Cell Anemia – Transforming The Crisis
Sickle cell anemia is no joke folks and is a disease that runs rampantly in the African American community. I wanted to write on this subject for the simple fact that those close to me with this disease suffer in silence and continue to blindly neglect their health due to lack of information when, like in all diseases, can be managed with a good diet and a healthy lifestyle. I don’t have the disease and it doesn’t run in my family, but it’s heartbreaking to see those l love trying to cope with no known solutions.
What it is: Sickle cell anemia is an inherited form of anemia — a condition in which there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your body. For most people this disease causes... VIXEN OF THE WEEK: Ellen Gustafson
Sometimes God will put the right people in front of you at some of the most peculiar times. In this case, I met Ms. Ellen Gustafson in my bed! While working in a spa, I was in the middle of giving Ellen a facial when we began to engage in typical lady talk, you know, the usual topics like, aging, life, men, when she started talking about her nonprofits FEED, which she started with Laura Bush and 30 Project. How random! There sat this amazing beauty and change agent under my steamer and magnifying lamp. I knew I had to talk to her more and share her mission with the world.
Four years ago, Ellen, began the FEED project (you’ve probably seen the feed bags in Whole Foods), while working with the UN Food program where she ran into... ORGANIC BEAUTY VIXEN LAUNCHES “LIVE BEAUTIFUL EXPERT SERIES” FEATURING NYC’s TOP BEAUTY AND HEALTH GURUS
On March 17th, 2011, OrganicBeautyVixen.com will kick-off its first ever “Live Beautiful Expert Series”, a panel discussion featuring top beauty, health and fitness gurus. A leading multi-cultural, eco-beauty blog that focuses on healthy living, wellness and self-care, OrganicBeautyVixen.com has invited New York City’s most influential players in the wellness industry to share their expertise, advice and inspiration that will drive people to change and live better, healthier lives.
I believe that by coming together as professionals in this industry, we can truly lead positive change. By providing the right information and providing tools and resources, we will inspire people to think about how they run their lives and what they... Vixen of the Week: Actress and Producer Latonia Phipps
Ms. Phipps is an extra-ordinary talent that I was able to discover after seeing her show back in November, Fishin in Brooklyn. As much as I want to, I can’t keep her remarkable and beautiful talent. Thankfully, she agreed to speak with me and be showcased as our first Vixen of the Week.
Check out the interview below:
OBV: How would you describe your style?
Phipps: I would say I’m “Afro-Artsy-Sheek” some days I’ll have my Angela Davis moment and wear a pair of skinny black jeans with a graffic tee and a picked out messy fro. And other days I’ll feel a bit more feminine and sport a soft cotton cow-neck sweater dress w/ some “get em” boots and pinned up fro.
OBV: What makes you unique?
I... A New Year, A New Life
The new year is around the corner. Can you believe it? I’m still amazed as I reflect on all of the beauty in my life. The toxic people and habits I’ve managed to eliminate, and the positive opportunities and relationships that have added an abundance of hope, love and new energy into my life.
I’m so blessed to end this year with exciting news! I was recently chosen as one of the 15 finalists to compete for a chance to win the title of World’s Next Top Natural Hair Model! What a beautiful blessing to represent such an image of natural beauty. Please do me the honor of casting your vote by clicking here.
While I do believe that I have a great chance at winning, I’m also aware that this contest is only the... Why I Love My Hair: An Ode to My Afro-OBVs
When Willow Smith debuted her latest hit “whip my hair” and the mash-up of the Sesame Street “I love my Hair” song hit the YouTube world, I was so excited to be celebrated. I don’t know what it is about being a black woman in America but even as a young girl I knew that kinky, curly wasn’t in. My mother always told me how beautiful I was and how beautiful my hair was but she still succumbed to applying the Just for Me kit in the kitchen to my kinky hair that was becoming unruly and hard to manage.
Just like most black women on earth my hair has its own story to tell. From braids to relaxers, flat irons, to fall outs, my hair has been on a journey of self-expression, insecurity and finally, resting in a place of love.
About 2... Beauty is as Beauty Does: My Evening With Fly Female Entrepreneurs
Inspiration, life, challenge, determination. These are all of the things that I felt as I sat in the back room of a chic Manhattan lounge listening to 4 entrepreneurs share their stories and ideas on how to be successful. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending the Facing Your Fears, Tales of a Fly Female Entrepreneur panel series hosted by Renae Bluitt (creator of the popular blog, yes I have to do a shout out, www.inhershoesblog).
The night was thick with enthusiasm and eagerness to hear from the outstanding panelists sharing their expertise on overcoming fear. The lovely lady entrepreneurs included Tracey Ferguson of JONES magazine, Jodie Patterson owner of Georgia Beauty Boutique, Maya Lake designer and creator of Boxing... Join the Movement!
