..Funsized, pan-African, spiritual, hippy princess! :-)
I started this blog because I love to share! Sharing is caring!
Whether if be my creations (SweetOrangeBoutique @SweetOrangeBou) or information on Hair & Beauty, fashion, food, travel or culture, I will share it.
I don't know it all, I am still learning and welcome you to join me as I navigate this thing called life.
These are my thoughts and feelings, nothing here is written to offend.
Thank you for reading,
@MsShayDivine
Martial Artist, Film Director & Blacktor Whose Numerous Movies Include 'New Jack City', 'Jungle Fever', 'Demolition Man', 'Money Train' & The 'Blade' Trilogy
Producer & Blacktress Who Has Starred In Numerous Movies Including ' Soul Food', 'Set It Off', Independence Day', 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love' & 'Two Can Play That Game' Among Several Others
Movie Director, Producer, Playwright & Blacktor Known For His Outstanding Roles In 'What's Love Got To Do With It?', 'Boyz N The Hood', 'School Daze', 'Akeelah And The Bee' & 'The Matrix' Franchise Among Many, Who Became The First Black Person To Portray 'Othello' In A Motion Picture By A Major Studio
As a child my mum took very good care of my hair. Her and my Nan are probably the reason I am blessed with the mane I have today...Thanks :-)
I had bedtime plats (large plats of 4 or 6), cornrow/cainrow, single plats, twists or my afro and that was it.
There were special occasions where I was aloud to have bobbles and pretty clips but not all the time and at the end of every evening I was sent to bed with my head scarf...NO MESSING!
When I look around at today's children I am shocked and sometimes appalled by the lack of care and attention they, and their parents, give to their hair.
I have seen school children with full heads of weave, braids so tight they have no hairline, patches, pony's pieces, bonding the works and I think it's sad as these same children will grow up not having a clue as to maintain their own hair...well that is left of it.
So with all that being said here are a few styles for little girls with afro hair I found on Goolge, there are really no excuses :-)
"EL HIEROGLYPH is London’s first Ancient Egyptian Inspired Jewellery Brand that specialises in materials such as sterling silver and semi precious stones"
"Carpe Diem Events brings you yet another Poetry Meets Art in solidarity with Congo and ethical technology! After many successful shows don't miss out on this show of live art to performance poetry, with presentations, open mic and a vegan buffet!"
Growing up ginger was always in our house, my Nan (RIP xxx) used to tell me to drink/chew or suck ginger for almost every ailment there is including, but not limited to toothache, stomachache, headache and travel sickness.
As an adult I continue to do the same and use a lot of ginger in my cooking, juicing and baking to add a bit of warm pungent spice.
So, what are some of the health benefits?
One of my favourite juices to make at home is Ginger, Pear, Lime and Cucumber...
My Fave Recipe A quarter of a bulb of ginger (to taste add or reduce as required) Half a small cucumber 2pears Juice of 1 lime
Cut all ingredients into small chunks, blend together with half a glass of water and enjoy :-)
I have been sent this video a few times over the years and with all the 'law of attraction' books and videos gaining popularity in recent years this has to be one of the best by far.
A positive and inspirational message which is easy to digest and apply to your everyday thinking.
On Friday 18th of July, I had my first ever festival experience in the shape of Lovebox Festival. Not only was it was a welcome day off work but the weather was hot...31° to be exact.
Through a tipsy and very comical tube ride, walking up to Victoria Park, (dressed in full typical festival regalia) my friend and I were already excited at the day to come and couldn't wait to get inside.
We had V.I.P tickets so, we had to walk across the park to the V.I.P area next to the stage, before stopping off at the first bar we saw to get a pear cider. Once we got inside, we were greeted with slightly cleaner porta potty's and a sheltered space decorated in Indian cloth with beds, cushions and places to kick your feet up (for me this is the only thing worth having V.I.P tickets for, as when you get a bit tired you need somewhere to chill comfortably.)
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After checking out the V.I.P area we walked around, taking in the many sights which included people doing balloons, a bungee jump ride, food stalls and music coming from all areas/stages. We got the chance to see Etta Bond perform and MNEK who I love. One of his backing singers sings the vocals in that song "Need You (100%)". (I have precious memories to that song, so I loved that haha!)
After seeing those guys perform we were excited to see the David Rodigan, aka the biggest white man in Reggae music to my knowledge. We just wanted to witness him playing wicked Reggae music whilst dancing semi-rhythmlessly and randomly shouting out 'bo' in the tunes. He was good tho but, did I mention it was 31°? While watching David we were squashed up at the front with the sun beating down on our neck backs, drinking litres of water and nearly getting into a fight, all while still dancing. After this we decided to go back and chill in the V.I.P spot for a bit and there was a moment where we both sat down on a bench and looked each other in the eyes and burst out laughing. We were both thinking the same thing; "I'm getting too old for this, I could just go home now". Though, I don't think we were actually too old it's just that the sun that we'd been in for six hours in no shade had run us ragged.
We decided that we would call it a day soon but not before I saw my baby Kano walking around in the V.I.P with his family and friends. I didn't go over to him because he was having downtime and enjoying hiself, and it's not like he was performing. (Or so I thought until I found out that he performed with Chase & Status after We left). On our way out we decided to give A$AP Rocky a miss and try to find one of the biggest UK garage DJs; DJ EZ but we couldn't and were half past dead by that point.
Overall the Lovebox Festival was a fun experience and we have vowed to go back next year but later on in the day so that we get to see more of the popular artists and if it's a hot day, then we won't fry before half the day is done...I'm also still sporting ankle tans from wearing hi-top converse!
A few tips I would give to fellow Festival Virgins like myself is:
1) If it's sunny, drink plenty of water and less alcohol
2) Bring a pack of tissue to use in the porta potty
3) Buy a program!!! Even if prices are extortionate that you have to chip in. You really need one as the festival doesn't have an app and it will prevent you from missing the action you really want to see like we did.
That said, I can't wait to go to more festivals next year!
Editor & Publisher Referred To As The 'Dean Of The Negro Press' Who Founded 'The Norfolk Journal And Guide' Which Became The Largest Selling Black Newspaper In The South Of The U.S.A
Comedic Actress Most Known For Her Hilarious Skits On 'Saturday Night Live' Who Is Also The Daughter Of Songbird Minni Ripperton & God-Daughter Of Songstress Teena Marie
Typically an American tradition, Baby Showers are quickly becoming popular here in the UK as a way to celebrate and share Mummy's pregnancy with family and friends, chat, eat, play baby related games and 'shower' the Mum-to-be with gifts and essentials for her soon arriving bundle of joy. Baby showers are usually organised by friends or relatives of the Mum-to-be a couple of months before the baby is due, are sometimes a surprise, and traditionally is "a no boys allowed" event - even if the baby is a boy.
I've been to at least 3 baby showers in as many years and today K and I attended one for a uni friend of ours (unfortunately Shay couldn't make it) and "It's a BOY". We both went out looking for gifts this past week, and anyone that knows me, knows that I was in my own personal mini-heaven. Since our Girls baby is a boy I'm going to share a few bits regarding boys/unisex items.
I always aim to get a nice blanket for a newborn because it's useful and something that can be kept for many years. I am obsessed with these two blankets (pictured below) from The White Company, at a cost of £34 & £36 respectively (though slightly pricey for blankets!) are perfect for the task at hand;
If you're a bit strapped for cash, are not that close with the mum, or just aren't too fussed about baby clothes, but still want to make a bit of an effort, you could pick up something at Mothercare;
Gap on the other hand, have always got great little pieces for the little ones, and they do a great gift wrap service from £1.50 (free if you spend more than £30) and with regular sales you can't go wrong.
Lastly I'll say that sometimes Mummy needs a little TLC too...and something like this 'Nappy Cake' fromNappycakeshop.co.ukis perfect;
Not only does this "cake"come with a few luxury products for Mum to pamper herself with (during and after pregnancy), it comes with eco-friendly disposable nappies, a blanket, muslin, and teddy bear amongst other things for baby. MOST importantly after no alcohol for 9 WHOLE months, a little bottle of Moet to 'wet the babies head' with upon arrival...*Note to K and Shay, when its my time I WANT one of these :)
Congratulations to our girl C.Weezy (inside joke), her partner and all the other expectant parents out there.
French Born Footballer Who Currently Plays For Manchester City F.C And Became The Youngest Player To Win A Premier League Medal With Arsenal F.C During The 2003-2004 Season
Now some of us may know that for the best part of this year this couple have not been seeing eye to eye, and rumor has it T.I. has allegedly been stepping out on Tiny. We've even heard he allegedly fathered a child outside their marriage (but that’s none of our business).
Now I’m not sure which came out first, nor do I care (especially not for T.I.) but I do know that on 22nd July, Tiny released her first solo single, whereas T.I's video was uploaded onto YouTube and they seem to be talking to each other and about their marital troubles through song. Tiny's single was released on her Pretty Hustle label via Grand Hustle which coincidentally is T.I.'s label (so Mr Controlling T.I. will still be cashing in on her Sales);
Now number 1 on the iTunes R&B chart, in ‘What The F@#k You Gon’ Do?’ (the Clean Version is ‘What You Gon’ Do’), Tiny repeatedly asks what T.I. gon’ do without her, but she still ain't left yet lol. In fact she’s just gone BACK (Again that’s none of our business).
I actually like the song, not because it’s great, but because the lyrics are REAL and I’m sure many a woman can relate. The melody and beat kind of remind me of that 90’s R&B I came up on. I’m so happy to see Tiny back on the scene because 1) Xscape went HARD in the 90’s/early 00’s 2) Although she never had the strongest voice in the group, she was always my favorite and 3) She seems like an amazing woman. This release and some of her other recent business ventures MUST have been a condition of her giving TI another chance because lawd knows he seemed to shut down every other project she was about come out within the past. Let’s hope she keeps a bit of an upper hand.
Now for Mr Controlling...I mean T.I.
The best bit about this song for me is the girl singing on the chorus. I am trying to be unbiased here, but whilst I’m sure T.I. really loves/missed his wife when she was gone, and some of the lyrics are sweet, for the most part It’s Bulls*it and seems like he just picked any remotely slow beat from one of his in-house producers cutting room floors and ran with it. He doesn't apologize once, disses Tiny’s close friends, and to me almost comes across as he’s blaming Tiny for his actions.
However folk gon’ do what folk gon’ do, so I hope if they are trying to make it work, that it actually works, they get past it and Tiny is able to keep doing her like she has been of late.
For the last couple of centuries it has been common knowledge that a fair amount of missionaries go to 'third world' countries under the guise of religion for the sole purpose of reveling in their Savior Complex, while the ugly and painful truth for indigenous groups is that these 'missionaries', are doing no more than acting out their evil deeds of manipulation and exploitation in every form imaginable.
I hope this piece of sh*t and all those like him eternally rot in hell after a lifetime of bad karma!
