Nappturosity 50% off - ends 9/30/10 midnight

Hello family: I just wanted to drop in quickly to alert you to a book deal. Anyone interested in purchasing the book Nappturosity should head over to the site (http://www.naturalhairbook.com/). It is going out of print and they are offing the last copies at 50% off. If you are like me and did not want to pay the $27 smackeroos for this natural hair book, jump on this quick. This offer ends on September 30, 2010 at midnight and there is a limited amount of books left. You must enter the coupon code "thankyou" upon checkout. Hope someone finds this helpful.

Next week I will be posting about the books I recently read from Lisa Akbari: "The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair" and "Every Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair At Any Age". Both were available to my local library. Until next week Lovlies, take care!

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

Book Crazy: Building your home library

If you don’t have a natural hair library, what are you waiting for? I love reading hair related books. I would go online to discover books that might help me better care for me and my daughter’s natural hair. I started off borrowing a lot of books from my local library. However, some books I wanted were just not available to check out so I decided that I needed a book collection for home. I like being able to go back and reference the information in these books.

**Here are the books currently in my home library**

Hair Care

Grow It! How to Grow Afro-Texture Hair to Maximum Lengths in the Shortest Time

Naturally Healthy Hair: Herbal Treatments and Daily Care for Fabulous Hair

Relaxed or Natural – You Can Have Beautiful, Black, Healthy, Hair: Comprehensive Guide to Reaching Your Hair’s Full Potential

Thank God I’m Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair

The Knotty Truth: Managing Tightly Coiled Hair at Home: DIY Survival Guide

Ultra Black Hair Growth II: another 6” longer 1 year from now

Beauty/Recipe

Natural Beauty from the Garden: More Than 200 Do-It-Yourself Beauty Recipes and Garden Ideas

Reader’s Digest Natural Beauty: Making and Using Pure and Simple Beauty Products

Ingredient Dictionary

Milady’s Hair-Care Product & Ingredients Dictionary

**Here are the books currently on my wish list**

Don't Go Shopping for Hair-Care Products Without Me: Over 4,000 Products Reviewed, Plus the Latest Hair-Care Information (Previously borrowed from library but now I want a copy of my own.)

Nappturosity: How To Create Fabulous Natural Hair and Locs (I’m trying to locate a used copy. I just think $27 is a lot to pay for a new paperback copy of this book.)

On various natural hair blogs and social networks, you can find many reviews on some of these popular reads. Upon request, I would be happy to do a complete review on any of the books I own (click here to view my previous book “mini reviews”).

So what is (or will be) in your home library? Do you have any recommendations for me?

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

Study Hall: Book Club

*Not directly hair related* I apologize; I'm not trying to turn this into a fashion blog (Lord knows I'm extremely under-qualified, LOL)

I just wanted to go back a bit and elaborate on my previous scarf post. I always like to take my research a step futher so of course, I has to visit my library. On top of the HOURS I spent watching YouTube videos, I was still hungry for more. To my surprise, I found NUMEROUS other ways to rock scarves! The books that I checked out, exposed so many other options that I didn't know existed. While I enjoy internet sources, I always strive to compliment that knowledge with addtional resources (regardless of the subject matter). May I suggest the same to you?

Here are some books that were available to me:

99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Tie & Rock Your Scarf – Faith Blakeney, Justina Blakeney & Ellen Schultz
How many times have you looked at a scarf and thought, “cute, beautiful pattern . . . but what do I do with it?” Now with just a few basic tools and skills, everyone from a sewing novice to a fashion guru can reincarnate scarves old and new into party tops, ponchos, or even flowy evening dresses. The techniques are simple, the supplies are easy to find, and every one of the 99 awe-inspiring projects takes an hour or less, from start to finish.

How to tie scarves – Edie Weber
Next time you select a scarf to match your outfit and the occasion, tie it in one of these 24 distinctive styles. Full-color photos display every step and technique, along with fashion models showing off each finished touch. Experiment with your favorites for formal and informal occasions: * Windsor knot for the dress-for-success look * Whirligigs that add dazzle to casual * The turtleneck look and the double-ring look for casual dress * Ironed pleats for evening wear Add your favorite jewelry, as you braid a scarf with a gold necklace, or adapt scarves to different collar styles. The showstoppers: dramatic over-the-shoulder styles that plunge the length of your jacket in front, as well as imaginative streamers and pigtails down the back. 48 pages (all in color).

Sensational Scarves: 30 Fabulous Ideas for Twisting, Draping, and Folding – Carol Endler Sterbenz
A well-known artisan and best-selling author offers expert advice and step-by-step instructions on how men and women can use scarves to add color, style, and flair to any outfit.

The Complete Book of Scarves: All You Need to Make, Decorate, Embellish, Tie & Wear – Jo Packman
This elegantly photographed collection of scarves to make and enhance embraces the simple and the sensational. The fabrics specified include those found in notions departments and luxurious upscale fabric stores...and results subtly accent an ensemble or create daring and dramatic fashion statements. Clear, numbered directions for making and decorating various types of scarves are punctuated with profiles of the craftspersons....Those less dexterous who prefer simply to shop for their finishing touches, and those who have successfully created their scarves of choice, will appreciate the final chapter, which offers several pages of photos and diagrams of ideas for typing, draping, wrapping, and even decorating with scarves, allowing anyone to tie one on with style.--Booklist. 128 pages (all in color).

The five-minute scarf arranger – Pia Tryde Sandeman
Scarves continue to be the most touted, the most popular and the most versatile accessory in women's fashion. Here are instructions for creating more than 30 fabulous scarf arrangements.

I found these books very helpful. There are dozens of published books on scarves. Your local library may have a different selection but if you’re interested, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

Study Hall: Book Club

Unfortunately, I can’t say that I really got into this book but wanted to make interested parties aware of it. The book is separated into 3 parts; (1) your hair: chapters 1-5 (2) common hair problems: chapters 6-9 and (3) hair thinning & loss: chapters 10-15. The publication, written by a hair replacement surgeon, does contain a lot of helpful information, including some recipes/remedies you can prepare at home. Here is the 411 if you think this is up your alley.

The Hair Bible : The Ultimate Guide to Healthy, Beautiful Hair Forever by Susan Craig Scott with Karen W. Bressler
Summary: At last, medical science explains "bad hair days" -- and what you can do to avoid them! The straight-haired among us long for curls, yet those so endowed wish to tame their headstrong locks. Although you can't change what you were born with, you can make the most of the hair you have -- by knowing the physiological, chemical, and even psychological causes of the most common hair problems. Dr. Susan Craig Scott, a hair-replacement surgeon, consults with other medical authorities and beauty experts to present the ultimate companion to having vibrant, healthy hair at any age. The Hair Bible is every woman's guide to

• Best daily treatments, products, and hair care tools
• Styling without damage
• Finding your look
• Fixing styling mistakes
• Choosing wigs, extensions, and other alternatives

The Hair Bible also tackles a major concern for millions of women: hair loss. Dr. Scott explains how stress, diet, prescription medication, vitamin deficiencies, chronic illness, and other factors affect hair growth -- and, with a keen awareness of the emotional strains on women coping with thinning hair, she presents up-to-the-minute information on all treatment options:

MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL: minoxidil, cortisone, and hormone therapies NATURAL: herbal products, stress management, and fitness
NUTRITIONAL: dietary changes for improved hair
SURGICAL: implants, grafting, scalp reduction, and more

Get to the root of your hair care concerns. Turn to The Hair Bible for answers -- and make every day a great hair day!


Thanks for reading. Be blessed!


CallaLily


*You can click on the “study hall” label in the right-hand column to read posts you have missed

Study Hall: Book Club

I love, love, love this book I just got done reading! It’s overflowing with a wealth of useful information on hair care. It also addresses Ayurveda. Most important to me, mid-way through the book it gets into using natural ingredients in your hair regimen and gives a solid foundation on herbal preparations. It’s filled with basic, easy recipes and all-in-all I can’t say enough good things about it. This read is definitely a good investment!

Naturally Health Hair by Mary Beth Janssen

Summary: Your hair reflects your personality, emotion, style, and self-esteem. Now internationally acclaimed hair designer and educator Mary Beth Janssen explains how achieving harmony in your mind and body can give you the stunning hair you've always wished for. You'll discover:

* Ayurvedic philosophy -- the ancient holistic health science from India -- and how it can renew and invigorate your hair

* Vital foods, vitamins, and minerals for healthy hair

* Natural hair care formulas to make at home

* Healthful approaches to cut, color, and styling

* Tips for finding and working with a salon and hair care professional

As an educator and author, Mary Beth Janssen is a voice for the integration of beauty and wellness. She is one of the most sought-after commercial hair designers, and she created a series of instructional videotapes and manuals for the salon industry. Janssen is a certified education for Deepak Chopra's Infinite Possibilities organization as well as an herbalist, massage therapist, aromatherapist, and Master Gardener. Her company, The Janssen Sourc, Inc., serves as a wellness consultant to the beauty profession and the community at large. She lives in Illinois.

NOTE: I have been experiencing MAJOR frustration with my Amazon widget (mentioned last Wednesday). I seem to run into technical issues every time I add something to it. I now have 79 book listings and I believe it will stay that way for the time being. I hope my hours of work are not in vain and this helps someone.

Thanks for reading.  Be blessed!

CallaLily

* You can click on the “study hall” label in the right-hand column to read posts you have missed

Study Hall: Book Club

First off I would like to say that I am very excited about my new Amazon widget. I have tried to compile this resource to include dozens of books on adult and youth hair maintenance, methods to natural approaches, as well as stories for our little one’s to impart a sense of pride in their “hairitage”. I will make additions to this widget as I discover more books.

I finished reading a book that a lot of naturals are raving about – Curl Talk by Ouidad. This book is filled with lots of good information for ALL curly heads. One thing that I really resonated with me was a statement in the very first chapter “A curl’s best friend is awareness”. This statement itself speaks volumes! I’m sure you can tell I how much that stuck with me since this quote is the theme of my widget :-)

Summary: Finally, the "Queen of Curl" reveals the secrets of curly hair to the millions of women at loose ends with their unruly locks.

Sixty percent of American women have curly hair -- a little-known fact concealed by straighteners, relaxers, perms, irons, blow-dryers, and gallons of styling products. Now, the foremost expert in the field (celebrated by Elle and Vogue as "a curl's best friend") offers an alternative to the daily wrestling match with what's on your head.

Based on 20 years of experience around the world and in her one-of-a-kind New York City curly-only salon, author Ouidad debunks common curly hair myths and offers practical advice for taming, maintaining, and confidently reveling in your gift of naturally curly hair. From finding the right cut, choosing the best conditioning products, and styling your hair for any occasion to everyday conundrums like to shampoo or not to shampoo, and how to blow-dry without causing a frizz attack, Ouidad's advice, illustrated with photographs, drawings, and anecdotes from her experiences with curly-haired women around the globe, will revolutionize the way you approach your hair.

I recommend heading to your library to check out this book. The author of this book has her own line of hair products and also has a fabulous website if you didn’t already know.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

*You can click the “study hall” label in the right-hand column to read posts you have missed

Study Hall: Book Club

This week’s “Book Club” is not dealing with hair care. I’ve been wanting to check out Lisa Price’s book. Most are probably familiar with her company Carol’s Daughter. This book is her account on how she went from financial straits to president of a multimillion-dollar enterprise. In this inspirational memoir, it is wonderful to see a minority woman overcome her circumstances and pursue what she is truly passionate about. Lisa has also spoken with college students and taught seminars on being an entrepreneur. I enjoy the way she shares her life stories so openly with the readers and I hope this book will spark your attention as well.

Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found My Passion by Lisa Price and Hilary Beard

Summary: In this remarkable memoir, Lisa Price shares the extraordinary story of how she went from bankruptcy to successful entrepreneur—grossing more than two million a year while working from her very own Brooklyn home. Intoxicated by fragrance and scent even as a child, Lisa was famous among her friends for always smelling good. She never imagined that the oils she enjoyed mixing up for her own pleasure would give way to the hugely popular “Carol’s Daughter,” a luxurious, all-natural line of bath and beauty products. How did a young black woman in financial straits, unable to get a business loan and deeply in debt, churn out a multi-million dollar enterprise? With $100 in cash, her own kitchen, and the simple notion that people should follow their hearts (which Lisa did by following her nose!) But first Lisa had to face down her demons—her fears about money, low self-esteem, and a history of failed relationships. But as she tackled each problem, her confidence soared and her business was unstoppable. She met her husband and business partner, began a family, and bought a large, beautiful space in her Brooklyn neighborhood to sell her products—favorites like Honey Pudding, Mango Body Butter, and Jamaican Punch that stars such as Halle Berry, Erykah Badu, Maya Angelou, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Rosie Perez buy religiously. In Success Never Smelled So Sweet, Lisa Price charts her amazing journey in lively, down-to-earth stories about her childhood growing up in Brooklyn and the often unexpected “accidents” in the kitchen that led to her bestselling scents. From the early cultivation of her sensory gift through cooking with her Trinidadian grandmother to her painful years in a rigid school system where she was berated by teachers and bullied by kids, Lisa speaks tenderly and wisely about the subtle ways in which life can guide us to our inner truth—even as it throws out difficult obstacles along the way. For any woman who has ever longed to leave the nine-to-five grind and work successfully from home, Lisa Price’s story is a must-read. Filled with inspiring anecdotes, life advice from her own mother, Carol, and the recipes for some of her best-loved products, Success Never Smelled So Sweet is a book to read by candlelight while soaking in a silky rose-milk bath.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

* You can click on the “study hall” label in the right-hand column to read posts you have missed

Study Hall: Book Club

This week’s Study Hall will focus on the “Book Club” feature. I will have more upcoming books to put in the spotlight since I will be making a trip to the library soon to check out a ton of books involving hair care. To continue my glimpse into maintaining hair for our little one’s, I wanted to share 3 books I have previously read that I feel deserve mention.


It’s All Good Hair: The Guide to Styling and Grooming Black Children’s Hair by Michele N-K Collison


Summary: What are you going to do with your children's hair? Combing your daughter's hair is giving you a headache and now your son is asking you for cornrows. Relax. Finally, there's a lifeline for those who are desperately seeking help in styling their Black children's hair. Learn the tricks and techniques for today's most popular hairstyles with the easy-to-follow steps found in It's All Good Hair. It features hair-care and styling tips from a variety of experts, and you'll learn all the secrets to braiding, relaxing, and locking, as well as discover many other creative styling ideas. Say good-bye to those disastrous attempts at doing it alone. Here's the support you need to help your children look good and feel their very best.

Kinki Kreations: A Parent’s Guide to Natural Black Hair Care for Kids by Jena Rene Williams

Summary: For parents, the ultimate styling manual for African American children with wavy, curly, and kinky hair, from an award-winning stylist to the stars who lives by the motto “Healthy care for natural hair!” Even with her renowned styling talents, Jena Renee Williams found herself put to the test when a sad little girl and her mother came into her salon one day. The girl’s hair was limp, nearly lifeless, and she had nasty burns on her scalp. After calling on her mental and spiritual reserves, Williams patiently worked on the girl’s hair, ultimately giving her Senegalese twists. Both mother and daughter were delighted, and their happiness over the new style inspired Williams to write a guide that would show parents how black children can celebrate their natural hair, helping them to avoid the potential damage caused by relaxers and develop self-love at an early age. Kinki Kreationsoffers step-by-step, easy-to-follow instructions for styles that can be created in less than fifteen minutes. This innovative handbook reveals expert techniques for crowning little heads with afros, braids, cornrows, twists, and a variety of other all-natural styles. Tips for proper shampooing, caring for newborns’ hair, and finding the right salon are included too. Best of all,Kinki Kreationsshowcases Williams’s work in dozens of adorable, helpful photographs. A styling book with both sheen and substance,Kinki Kreationsgives the world a sparkling new key to self-esteem and authentic beauty.

Wavy, Curly, Kinky: The African American Child’s Hair Care Guide by Deborah R. Lilly

Summary: Your hands-on guide to the best care for your child's hairNow taking care of your child's hair can be fun, easy, and trouble-free! In Wavy, Curly, Kinky, renowned stylist Deborah Lilly shows parents the best ways to style and maintain African American boys' and girls' hair from infancy to the preteen years. She presents clear, easy-to-follow hair care guidelines for the three different types of African American hair and gives you expert recommendations for the best products and techniques for each hair type.Featuring step-by-step instructions, photographs, illustrations, and a helpful question-and-answer section, this comprehensive, user-friendly guide shows you how to: Determine your child's hair texture Get up to speed on hair care basics from washing to combing to braiding Press, relax, or texturize hair Weigh the pros and cons of cutting your child's hair Train, nurture, and manage problem hairKeep your child's hair healthy and looking great with Wavy, Curly, Kinky-and transform hair care time from a chore to a fun, bonding experience for both you and your child!

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

* You can click on the “study hall” label in the right-hand column to read posts you have missed