Sandra Bland

"Believe it or not, I am still not over Sandra Bland

Go figure, right?

I mean a black girl, with a loud mouth, and take not shit from nobody serving it blood running through her veins

You know, they type to own her own body or swear she did anyways

And parade around all proud and what not of this churn or woman and darkness she has bled

It's almost as if she had a voice or tried to use it somehow before the noose and/or trash bag snatched it out of her throat

And I know it's hard to believe that months later your ears are hearing the same damn poem

And, trust me, it's hard to believe that my fingers are writing it

But how eerie it is to see a woman so much like you die and have it called a mystery

You know we crowded around Twitter that day, and so many after, trying to solve a riddle

Like, how long can a black girl lives if she speaks when not spoken to?

And how closely can America watch and still not see the blood spilling from the brown?

Must you drown in it to realize?

Must we all go missing?

When I stand in the center of campus and say that, "I AM SANDRA BLAND" 

And a sea of white faces look on in confusion

Or look away in disgust

I realize how suicide =CAN be murder

And we are still trying to solve the riddle

The answer is clear:

It is easy to be killed by oppression

To have it fester beneath your skin and have it suck all the light and/or blood out of you

I do not know what type of pain one must cower under to hope for death instead

I do not know who wrote this riddle, who thought it funny

But I do know that I AM Black

That I AM Woman

That sadness accompanies my loud mouth and slides beneath my toes daring to swim its way into my throat

That, itself, is reason to believe they tied the noose

So. Believe it or not, I am still not over Sandra Bland.

Go figure, right?"

Dance Will ALWAYS Be Life

And this is truer than true. No matter how far I have strayed, Dance will always be at the core of who I am.

Dance has taught me more about myself and this world than I can put into one single blog post. 

I'm grateful for the late nights and early mornings. 

For the bruised toes.

For sprained ankles. 

Tendinitis.

Rotation.

Concussions.

(Yes, concussions.)

Blood. Sweat. And literal tears.

For it all.

One thing for sure, dance is not easy. That's not why we do it. There are no easy claims to fame. No fast money. And often times it can be a world full of rejection.

But we are FREE here. 

I say "here" and it can be kind of confusing, being that I don't really study dance any more. I'm not actively taking classes or performing, and to be honest I don't even remember the last time I thoroughly stretched. But every single time a song comes on, I'm moving inside. 

Every time, I want to give up on a simple task I hear the words of all of my former teacher-loves cheering me on; reminding me that complacency never gets cast. 

People who give up don't see the bouquet of roses. 

And that no matter what, you dance through it all.

From house lights to curtains, you leave your entire soul on the stage and for one moment you are both completely empty and drastically full.

For that moment, it is all worth it and you are breathing with your favorite song.

Dance has taught me that perseverance is the only way to make the curtsy worthwhile.

So even when times are tough, when the work is piling, the interviews are plenty, but callbacks are few...when it seems the easiest thing to do is fall and stay there,

Remember that, we have danced our entire life here.

The beauty is coming.

The beauty is here.

It's in the dance. 

DIY Avocado + Banana Deep Conditioner

Welcome back loves!

Alright, so I've taken out my Marley twists, trimmed my hair....and abruptly realized it is MORE DRY THAN DUST. As you all know, I've been on an all-natural journey to cleansing my mind, body, and spirit, but my hair should not be exempt.

We are taking it back to the basics with this easy, all natural deep conditioner that you can make from ingredients STRAIGHT from your kitchen! This particular recipe is inspired by the beautiful Naptural85.

The first thing I do is wash my hair with a sulfate-free shampoo. Then I apply the conditioner.

Here is what you will need: 

1. One Whole Ripe Avocado 

2. One Whole Ripe Banana

3. 1/2 Cup of Aloe Vera Juice

4. Two Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Blend all of the ingredients together in a blender. This helps smooth the chunks of avocado and banana so that you don't spend hours in the shower trying to rinse it out later. Next, I pour the mask through a small rice strainer and into a large bowl to completely eliminate the chunks!

*The Blender and rice strainer are OPTIONAL. You can always whisk the ingredients together and it will work the exact same!*

Apply the conditioner, generously throughout your hair. Be sure to coat EACH strand!

Wrap your hair in  a plastic cap, or Kroger bag :), and allow it to penetrate your strands for at least an hour. During this time, you can go for a walk, watch some episodes of Grey's Anatomy, or cry about finals LOL.

Once an hour has passed, rinse the deep conditioner thoroughly. I also like to follow up with a rinse our conditioner to ensure that all of the avocado and banana smell is out of my hair.

AND there you have it folks! Soft, Moisturized, and Defined Curls! Comment down below some of your favorite DIY hair product staples. I'd love to chat with all of you.

Until next time!

Stay happy, Stay healthy!

~Naturallykbiggie

Did Someone Say Hair Goals?

Welcome Back Loves!

 I think it's time we sit and reflect on all the good things that can happen in a year. I made the Dean's List. I fell in deeper love with ever single thing around me. 365 more days of my parent's love.

......OH, AND MY HAIR GREW!

 

I am here to show you guys my healthy hair journey since I did my second big chop last May. I also want to share an updated hair care regimen and talk about some goals for 2016! Let's get started!

 

Here Is My Hair Growth Since My Second Big Chop:

Updated Hair Care Regimen Tips:

Oddly enough, I haven't truly been caring for my hair the way I should. With such a busy schedule there were times I didn't sleep with a satin bonnet and  let days and days go by without moisturizing my hair. On top of that, I know I haven't been taking care of my overall health the way I usually do, but luckily I'm trying to get back on track. Hey, we're all human right?!

Here are a few things that I've recently added to my hair care routine:

 

 

1. Aloe Vera Juice

WHY: This has given my curls LIFE, okay!? I keep my Aloe Vera Juice in a spray bottle in the refrigerator up until my time of use. Aloe Vera contains proteolytic enzymes that help repair dead skin cells on the scalp. It also leaves the hair smooth and shinny, prevents an itchy scalp, and promotes hair growth. HOW TO: After cleansing and conditioning my hair, I spray the Aloe Vera Juice thoroughly

throughout my hair and seal with my homemade hair oil.

2. My Homemade Hair Oil

WHY: In the warmer months, I don't like to use heavy products. In fact, most times I spray my hair with Aloe Vera Juice, seal with an oil, and twist/braid on up. I combine Olive Oil (because its the cheapest), Coconut Oil, Flax Seed Oil, and Castor Oil in a bottle. The coconut oil and olive oil are the perfect mix of heavy and light oils that I know will penetrate my hair shaft. Flax seed oil is packed with omega-3 fatty acids and castor oil can help improve hair thickness and rebalance the scalp's ph. HOW TO: I will slap this oil all over my hair as a 15 minute hot oil treatment before cleansing. I also use this after cleansing to seal in my hair's moisture.

 

3. Scalp Massages

WHY: Mainly because college is hard and sometimes you just need a good rub down lol. BUT ALSO scalp massages are a great way to stimulate you hair follicles, encouraging more blood flow circulation. This helps with the continuous growth of new, healthy hair strands. HOW: Using my Homemade Hair Oil, I massage my scalp for about 5 minutes, at least twice a week. P.S. It's GREAT right before bed time.

 

4. Protective Styles

WHY: Like I said...college is hard lol. I know I used to LOVE wearing my hair out, frolicking around campus, but it is easier and way more efficient to rock a protective style. Protective styles allow for either your ends, or majority of your hair to be tucked away from the harsh air and stranger's wandering hands lol. HOW: I LOVE TURBANS, so sometimes I'll moisturize and twist my hair into some jumbo flat twists, slap on a bonnet, and tie up a scarf. I also love Marley twists and Box braids as a form of protective style. Some more easy mid-week protective styles could be a pin up-do, a puff or bun, or some good ole Queen Latifah Set It Off braids. Whatever suits you style!

FAV PROTECTIVE STYLES:

     

So What's Next?
As the semesters ends and I'm able to get a grasp on this life of mine, I plan on getting back into weekly exercise, meal prepping, and of course tons of water. Aside from that, I'm taking this summer for the ultimate self care as I re-center in meditation and prayer.

I plan to:
1. Continue Protective Styling while giving my hair a break in between.
2. Go to a salon and get a really good Trim within the next two months.
3. Invest in a hair Steamer to increase the moisture levels in my hair and skin.
4. Cleanse my scalp at least once a week.
5. Practice Patience and Enjoy My Naps every step of the way!

Share your Hair Goals for 2016 with me in the comments below. As always, thank you so much for reading!

Stay happy. Stay healthy!
~Naturallykbiggie :)

  



 

You Do What You Want When You Poppin'

 

 

Good Morning Everyone!

Everyone knows my motto for 2016:
YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT WHEN YOU POPPIN'

But what does that really mean?

I am here to share with you the three step formula.
*WARNING* Following these steps can lead to extreme self determination, joy, and spiritual enlightenment. Use at ANY point in your life process and repeat as often as necessary.
Let the poppin' begin.

Step One: Know, without a doubt, that you are poppin'
Whatever that means to you, internalize it.
Something that has helped me realize the magnitude of my POP is writing and reciting morning mantras. Although it can be helpful to recite a prewritten mantra, nothing truly resonates like speaking your OWN words into the universe.

Here is a simple mantra to begin with:
"I am alive today.
Whether the sun shines or the skies cry,
My happiness is solely dependent on me.
Today I choose to be free."

Step Two: I like to call this the "Who Gone Check Me Boo?"
Ok, you're poppin' so now what? Now is the time to do all the things you've dreamed of. I know that I always find myself waiting to live my dreams, promising that there is a better suited day to start truly living.

THERE IS NOT BETTER TIME THAN NOW.

The past year has abruptly taught me how short life is. How often people wish towards tomorrow for a bigger smile or a better life. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Ask your self this: If today is my last day, did I live a joyful life? Did I use my voice as a testimony? Or did I shrink the talents God blessed me with in order to accommodate someone else's happiness?

The choice of freedom is yours.

Step Three: What fun is poppin' alone?
You all know that we don't hold our blessings to ourselves. Not in this fam, we don't.

Once you have completed steps one and two, take it upon yourself to help others reach their POP potential as well. We shine from within and radiate outwards. If you see a sis struggling to believe in herself, teach her to POP. If a brother is doubting his dream, teach him to POP too.

Be intentional with your words and actions. Pray, meditate, seek understanding.

"Make yourself a priority."

Stay Happy. Stay Healthy!
~Naturallykbiggie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Summer of Life Lived

Welcome back loves!

I have been gone for such a long time and I have missed you all dearly. I am starting (and this time finishing) a new series on my blog entitled, "The Summer of Life Lived." I'll be taking you all with me on all of my summer adventures as I travel, try new veggie restaurants, and attend cool events. You all can expect a new blog post EACH WEEK.
I promise :)

The first segments of Life Lived is a recap of my amazing pescatarian lunch from Poor Calvin's this afternoon. 

I met my mom and two of my amazing god mother sistergirlfriends for a lunch date at 11:30. During this time, the lunch crowd had not yet arrived, the FREE parking was relatively empty, and the ambiance was beautiful.

The menu, which was moderately affordable, was packed with Asian-inspired dishes. I decided on the Lobster Fried Rice. I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED. I also ordered the "home made" Raspberry Tea with a hint of the home made Lemonade.

My meal was absolutely delicious. Although the service grew a little slow, Poor Calvin's is definitely Naturallykbiggie certified!

I encourage you all to try this amazing restaurant located at
510 Piedmont Ave NE Atlanta, Ga. 30308

American Pie

How to raise a black boy

Or how to raise dying things

Or how to grow oak trees from concrete

Or how to turn 50 cents into three meals

Or how the streets make meals out of brown skin

Or how brown skin settles into pavement by morning

Or how we all felt his dreams spill beneath or footsteps

Or how the system blames us for the mess they made

Or how the street corners feel like an auction block

Or how they sold us this American Dream

Or how they cut us this American Pie

Or how no one left a slice for boys with mahogany skin

Or how no one taught they mommas to love life back into breathless things

Or how no one told they mommas they was birthing tombstones

Or how they carve tombstones from our baby’s test scores

Or how to pass a test you never knew was coming

Or how to fail a test you never knew was there

Or how to walk out of handcuffs made for your wrists

Or how to not love your hood

Or how to not dap your kin

Or how to not do what it takes to make ends meet

Or how to solve a 400 word puzzle with five pieces

Or how to color inside the lines when you ain’t got no crayons

Or how to play free at recess

Or how to walk home from third grade 50 years old

Or how to be born a thug, a killer, a shaken bottle of angry man

Or how to not be angry, man

Or how to see black mommas weeping over walking dead babies

Or how to not see no momma at all

Or how they call the closest thing to Home a project

Or how they tear the project down and build a Starbucks can’t nobody afford to drink at

Or how to make it out the hood they keep such a tight lid on

Or how to sleep and make gun shots your alarm clock

Or how they sell us guns, but don’t sell us books

Or how to beautiful and brilliant in Black bodies

Or how to be more than Black bodies

Or how to be living and growing and thriving things

Or how to avoid unfortunate things

Or how to die as quietly as you have lived

Or how to not live at all

Or how they sold us this American Dream

Or how they cut us this American Pie

Or how no one left a slice for boys with mahogany skin