Texturephile: Joan Smalls for V Magazine

We hardly ever see Joan Smalls rocking anything but bone straight locks so we're always pleasantly surprised to see her rocking some texture. Check out her spread entitled "Foxy Lady" in V Magazine's Issue 70.

source: V Magzine

source: V Magzine

source: V Magzine

source: V Magzine

Curl Spotter: Joan Smalls for US Vogue April 2011

source: US Vogue

Curl Spotter: Chrishell Stubbs for H&M S2011

Chrishell Stubbs can probably be considered fashion's new "it girl" and she just so happens to have naturally curly hair. Check her out in H&M's Spring 2011 ad campaign.

source: H&M

source: H&M

source: H&M

Curl Spotter: Sabina Karlsson and Marquita Pring for Levi's Curve ID

Check out two of our favorite curly girls Sabina Karlsson and Marquita Pring in a Levi's® Curve ID ad. The jeans are interesting because they are almost custom to fit your body's curves. The "Slight" is for women with little no no curves that have trouble finding jeans that fit at the waist. The "Demi" is for evenly proportioned women who don't typically have trouble finding jeans that fit. The "Bold" is for curvy girls that have issues with waist gapping in the back. " Supreme" is for super curvy chick who need a back with a higher rise so it doesn't sit too low. They are really affordable so now there is no excuse for muffin tops, butt cleavage or ill-fitting waist-gapping jeans.

source: Levi's® Curve ID

The Valentino Bun

For those of you who know how to french braid, here are two super chic buns from the Spring 2011 Valentino show and a semi-step-by-step pictorial on how to get it. You can see that the bottom left image is a little different because it doesn't utilize a full center part. You can't loose with either.

source:Style.com

Runway Buns To Rock Now

It's hot, you're going to the beach, you want your hair up and out of your way. I have a solution for you! I scoured Style.com to find these über cute buns. They are from the Spring 2011 and Fall 2011 runway collections. You can rock them on hair type. Try!

Carolina Herrera F2011	Nina Ricci S2011
Jill Sander S2011	Nina Ricci S2011

Beautiful Brooch Bouquets as Home Decor?

You don't have to get married to enjoy beautiful brooch bouquets. You can place them inside a beautiful vase and add them to your windowsill, desk, dresser or as a centerpiece for a dinning room table. You can even add them as an accent piece on your bed. Fresh flower are great, but these pieces will live on and on. Here are some amazing ones to get you started.

source: Bead Flora Jewels

source: Pinkderella

source: A Blissful Event

source: Hair Bows Wonder World

source: Noaki

source: The Ritzy Rose

Garden of Whismy Floral Hair Accessories

Add spring flair to your locks with these ultra feminine hair clips from Garden of Whimsy.

source: Garden of Whimsy

source: Garden of Whimsy

source: Garden of Whimsy

Mizani's Natural Curl Key

Have you seen Mizani's Natural Curl Key? Far less complicated the previous hair typing systems, this chart was a breath of fresh air. The chart goes into detail on each hair type to describe typical texture, growth pattern, body/volume, elasticity and porosity. It also lists specific product recommendations from their line if you're interested.

source: Mizani

Texturephile: Chrishell Stubbs for Arise Issue #12

Check out the latest issue of Arise. There's an editorial on chignons and color blocking the face featuring Chrishell Stubbs.

source: Arise Issue #12

source: Arise Issue #12

Texturephile: Nur by Fred Butler for AllWalks.Org

Nur Hellman is one of the newest faces in the fashion game. This image was spotted on AllWalks.Org, an organization that challenges the beauty standard by celebrating women of all shapes, sizes, ages and colors. See AllWalks.org.

source: All Walks

Artwork by So Yoon Lym

So Yoon Lym is a Korean born artist now exhibiting Urban Patterns at the Arthur M. Berger Art Gallery in Purchase, New York. This series of hair and braid paintings began in 2008 are based on photos taken by the artist of her students and people she stumbled upon while living in New Jersey.

source: www.soyoonlym.com

source: www.soyoonlym.com

source: www.soyoonlym.com

"I have a strong interest in hair as a transformative vehicle of physicality. I am also interested in the associations of hair and hairstyles as indicators of social, cultural, ethnic and gender affiliations. The interest in urban hairstyles is of particular interest since these hairstyles are unique to a particular social, cultural and ethnic experience that is not my own. As a woman, I have always been aware of the power of hair. And perhaps because of the experience of my strict and traditional upbringing, I have never explored the full potentials of my own possible hairstyles in public. Perhaps it is through my paintings that I am able to explore different representations of identity."  -So Yoon Lym

                                                      
Visit her site for more info: www.soyoonlym.com.

source: www.soyoonlym.com

Mastermind Group

I announced on Twitter that I am starting a Mastermind group. What is that? For those of you that don't know, it's a group of about 5-8 people that come together weekly or several times a week to brainstorm and coach each other get to the next level. For this particular group, I am looking for women that are willing to make the time commitment of at least one hour per week, women with at least a bachelor's degree, entrepreneurs, social media mavens, bloggers, law of attraction believers, between 25-35 years old, organized, go-getters and woman that are serious about drastically improving their lives by 2012.

If you're interested, shoot me an e-mail: info@maneandchic.com answering the following questions...

• What are your goals for 2012?
• What are the best days of the week and times for you to participate in the Mastermind group?
• What are you doing now as a commitment to move forward in your business and personal life in 2011?
• Where did you get your undergraduate degree? What was your major?
• Do you have any post graduate education? What area did you study?
• Do you own your own business? What is it? What goods/services do you offer?
• How many FaceBook and Twitter followers do you have?
• What state do you live in? (Or country if outside the US)
• How many books do you read each month?
• Are you single or married? Do you have any children?
• How old are you?
• Give a couple of examples of how you've seen the Law of Attraction work in your life? 

If you're super serious, this is the group for you. If you're not content with mediocrity and if you are really looking to push and be pushed to your highest potential by women of like mind, send the e-mail! We have 7 1/2 months left in 2011 to get things done, let's do it!

If you don't fit what I'm looking for in a mastermind group, you should start your own. It should be people in your same field or women with your same interests.   

Would You Rather Have A Big Library or Big TV?

Looking for a way to hide your tv shame? Check out this cool space, the tv is hidden in a faux fireplace.
source: Kelly G Design

I recently heard an observation from Dr. Elon Bomani where she explained that when she visited the homes of the wealthy and successful, she saw vast libraries. In contrast, when she visited poor homes, she observed big screen televisions. Have you observed this phenomenon firsthand?

There was a time in my life when I moved into my first apartment and I didn't have a television at all for several months, it was the most productive time of my life. I was more creative, more busy, more social and I read a lot more. Now, I've limited my television watching to less than an hour a day and on most days, I don't watch at all. I'd like to get to a point where I can go weeks and eventually months without watching it. I can hardly ever just sit in front of the television and not do anything at all. If I'm watching television, it's usually when I'm cleaning or doing layouts or something else.

What about you? Please participate in the poll.

Show off your books with this unique revolving bookcase from PBTeen.

Law of Attraction by Michael Losier

This weekend I finished reading Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don't by Michael J. Losier. I read the entire book while sitting under the hair dryer. I was first interested in the book after hearing Losier on a radio show and found out he'd been on Oprah and done some other interesting things.

If you already know the basics of the Law of Attraction, this book will seem repetitive. That being said, repetition is the mother of learning. If you're already well-versed on the subject, this book will simply reiterate what you already know and drill the concept deeper into your subconscious.

Listen, the book isn't filled with airy-fairy nonsense or overly complicated with quantum physics concepts.  It is straight to the point and easy for anyone to understand. This book is more practical than most other Law of Attraction books because it has helpful worksheets that you can use.The author also has the worksheets available on his Website. There are also loads of pictures and diagrams and tips on how to teach children how to use the law of attraction. If you have children in your life, this book would be a thoughtful (and perhaps life-changing gift).

Little Curl Spotter: Vogue Brasil Kids

Check out the cute little curly girl on the cover of the April 2011 Vogue Brasil Kids.

source: Vogue Brasil

Have The Hair You Want: Step 5 Goals

Now, that we've discovered all of our negative thinking and feelings about our hair, (or whatever area of your life you're focusing on) it's time to get to the fun positive stuff ― goal-setting.

First, make a list of all the stuff you do want.


Example:

My New Hair Is...

• Healthy
• Full
• Shiny
• Waist-Length
• Sexy
• Chic

Now think about the steps you need to take to make your new hair goals happen.

Example:

My Action Steps...

• I will find and use amazing products.
• I will be more careful when I'm detangling.
• I will read credible hair care books and blogs.
• I will treat my hair like a fine fabric.

Finally, set the goal. You might write or type this on a pretty piece of paper somewhere you can see it to be reminded. It would be a good idea to keep it near the hair supplies you use everyday. You can affix it to the bottom of a container, inside your bathroom cabinet, on your mirror or just wherever you want it.

Example:

My goal is to have healthy, full, shiny, waist-length, sexy, chic hair by December 2011. 

Have The Hair You Want: Step 4 Forgiveness

This is the last step in uncovering the hidden barriers hindering us from having what we desire. Do you have any resentments, regrets or guilt concerning your hair?

List all of your resentments, regrets and guilt about hair.
Do you resent your parents for mating and giving you your unique, but hard to manage hair type? Have you ever resented a stylist for screwing up your hair? Do you regret ever getting a relaxer? Do you regret cutting off all of your hair as an impulse? Do you regret not going natural sooner? Do you feel guilty for wearing wigs, weaves and other hair augmentations? Feel guilty about not fully embracing your natural hair texture?

Now, read over them and let them go.
Were they really that bad? Did you learn something from the experiences? Find a positive spin to each of the items you listed. What can you do now to make the situation better? Forgive yourself, your parents, your stylists, your well-meaning friends and whoever else you mentioned in your list. All of that needed to happen to get you to a better place. Make a decision to consciously release all of your negative feelings about your hair.  

Have The Hair You Want: Step 3 What Do You Expect?

In reaching our goals or in working hard to achieve our goals, we sometimes feel like we are hitting a brick wall. It's really important to uncover the hidden barriers hindering us from reaching our goals. Using your hair literally or as a metaphor for a bigger life goal, let's think about what we've been expecting from our hair and make a list. Some people will have negative or positive expectations. Be brutally honest with yourself.

Are you really expecting your hair to be thicker, longer, healthier or whatever it is that you want? Are your expectations limiting? If you really think about it, can you exceed some of your expectations? Are you expecting to have setbacks? What are you expecting from your hair? Your life? Your money? Your love life? Your career? Or whatever area you want to work on? Make the list. If you want you can break it up into time frames: what you've been expect 6 months from now, 1 year from now, 2 years from now, 5 years from now, etc.

Next, cross of the expectations you want to exceed. Review the list later and frequently to see which expectations you've met. Work on ways to raise your expectations.

Have The Hair You Want Series is based on the book, How to Attract Money Using Mind Power by James Goi Jr.

Spring Cleaning Check In

Are you participating in Mane and Chic's Spring Cleaning Challenge? I hope you are. It's very liberating and freeing to let go of old stuff to make room for incredible new things and new energy in your life. Just a reminder, the goal is to get rid of 50 things. You can read the book Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life like I did and you can also download the free workbook on ThrowOutFiftyThings.com. There are two versions, one you can print out if you want to write your responses: ThrowOutFiftyThingsWorkbook.pdf or there is a Word document for typing in your responses: ThrowOutFiftyThingsWorkbook.doc.

The Pink Cart

The major rules:

• If it no longer serves you, throw it out.
• Groups of things just count as 1 item.
• Negative thoughts, beliefs and people count. They say we are the average of the five people we associate with the most. If people are no longer serving you, it might be time to let go. Get rid of those negative thoughts and beliefs too. You can write them out and tear them up as part of the letting go process.

The deadline for this Spring Cleaning Challenge is June 20, 2011, the first day of summer.

Have you seen The Pink Cart (pictured above)? Five dollars from the purchase of every Pink Cart goes to support the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer awareness programs.

Join The Mane & Chic Tribe, Subscribe

Earlier this week, I tweeted about the Powerball Lottery that was at $218 Million. I announced that I would give away half of my after tax winnings to my Mane & Chic tribe. Why? I know that I have to be a giver in order to be a getter. Also, I'm passionate about helping others pursue their dreams especially when they've been helping to support mine. My tribe of winners would then continue in that giving spirit and spread and give to others. So... obviously, I didn't win that Powerball, but who knows when I might. Big changes are happening soon. Are you a member of the Mane & Chic tribe? Don't be left out of the loop, get maneandchic delivered by email.

How to Get Out of Your Own Way by Tyrese

Earlier today, I read a tweet that Deepak Chopra sent to Tyrese. Also, Deepak's #Follow Friday included @Tyrese. I thought that was odd. Then, I got home and I was watching Wendy WIlliams only because I saw that Tyrese would be on. Normally, I wouldn't care, but because of the tweet I saw from Deepak earlier, I thought it would be interesting to check out. Tyrese was on Wendy talking about his new book: How to Get Out of Your Own Way. During the interview he seemed very evolved... maybe. I don't know how many times he used the word "energy", but he seemed very in tune with his spirituality. Anyway, I thought he was going to say something really profound until it seemed like Wendy was putting words in his mouth and kept cutting him off. Needless to say, I became very intrigued by his book. I was surprised to see the rankings on Amazon. It's #2 on Amazon's Self Help/Motivational books, right after Steven Covey and above the famed gurus like David Allen, Joseph Murphy and Napoleon Hill in this category.

I literally have seven books in transit as we speak and about 3-4 books that I'm reading now but I felt like I saw that tweet (I hardly ever read other people's tweets) and watched Wendy (I hardly ever watch Wendy) for a reason and maybe I'm meant to read this book. At the time of this post, it has 41 out of 43 reviews with 5 stars on Amazon. I wish it was on Audible, he would have a great reading voice. Unenthusiastic, nasal or monotone readers are the biggest downside to listening to audiobooks, but I know Tyrese would kill it. Hopefully he can make that happen by the time I get to his book on by queue.

Have any of you read How to Get Out of Your Own Way? How was it?

What To Wear To A Spring Wedding

It's spring and you know what that means: lots of weddings. As evidenced by my inbox, many women are seeking inspiration on what to wear to their friend's nuptials. These outfits were based on a reader request, she loved the color but had no idea what to wear with blue satin shoes. You can pair the blue with any color of the rainbow, but if you really want to create a cohesive look, it would be a good idea to pair the shoes with a coordinating bag. They don't have to match perfectly. Patterns and multicolored textures work well for this purpose. Here's a couple of ideas to illustrate how one shoe/bag combo can work with a few different color options.