Natural Hair Equals Glamorous Hair!

We are all used to magazines showcasing the beauty of strong, healthy, luxurious flowing hair or the sass and pizzazz of a short pixie cut on some of our most notable starlets.  Rarely do we get a glimpse of a glamorous natural look, until now. 

In Ebony magazine’s July Collectors edition, Natural goes Glam in the spread, Curl Encounters, featuring GirlTD's own fashion and television blogger, novelist and freelance writer, GirlD, Rainy Day Diva, Denise Johnson.  And no matter which name she’s going by, or whatever she’s doing, (her hectic schedule requires that she wears many hats), thanks to Ebony, she’s doing it in better style.



Ebony Magazine Natural Hair Make-over featuring Girl Denise



It was four days before the actual photo shoot where the Rainy Day Diva, Denise received the email from Ebony Beauty and Style Editor Elaine Welteroth that would affirm the transformation of her mindset, from the creamy crack to natural, un-relaxed hair.  And it was this opportunity, this showcase to demonstrate how four years ago, the conversion to embrace her natural curls would not detract glamour and grace.  Denise learned that the sensuality and flexibility of one’s natural hair need not be sacrificed by her renewed choices.

Using style  and color expertise from the Devachan Salon, specifically, “The Color Doctor” Shari Harbinger, Color Director, world renown make-up artist to the stars, Lucky Smyler,  regal subjects, great lighting and photographer Ryan Bevens, the Rainy Day Diva and two additional natural hair enthusiasts were transformed.  Beautiful before, fabulous now….what a difference a  day makes.  “A lifetime….” says GirlD.  [The day affirmed my difference for a lifetime and a lifestyle…]

Coming up next…Behind The Scenes of a Professional Photo Shoot Transformation

Read more about Curl Encounters in Ebony's July Collectors Edition

Interview and article by Toni Staton Harris

Hawthorne Season Premiere

The season premiere of Hawthorne airs tonight. This is one of my favorite shows.  Aside from the fact that it is set in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia; it's a different spin on the tried and true medical drama.  For one, Hawthorne is based on the daily experiences of a nurse, played by actress Jada Pinkett Smith.  While there's plenty of drama (sometimes over-the-top), the hospital romances are for more realistic than the "Mc-Fantasies" of some other series.  

Last season left off with Hawthorne turning down the marriage proposal of love interest and doctor Tom Wakefield (Michael Vartan).  Before he could get the ring back in his pocket, a new love interest took it upon herself to help ease his pain.  I really wanted her to go away. Staff infection, transfer to a foreign land, anything.  After all, I wanted Hawthorne to find love again after the death of her husband.  

Then, something happened.  Drama in the streets of Richmond means drama in the E.R.  Somebody call the cops! Enter Detective Nick Renata (Mark Anthony). Suddenly, Hawthorne has a new love interest of her own.  With strong feelings for Dr. Wakefield and a blossoming friendship with the detective, it appeared we had a love triangle. A dilemna at least.  

Wait a minute, rewind that!  Did you catch it?  An educated, African-American woman, over the age of thirty (she has a teen daughter) is being pursued by two non African-American men on a cable television drama!

Recently, there's been a groundswell of negativity about black women.  There's the phantom and erroneous statistics that most of us will never marry.  The stereotypical portrayals and exchanges presented on reality television, that mislabel fiction for fact. Then, there was the Psychology Today blog post a few weeks ago that basically stated that black women were found less attractive than other races of women.  Just what was the purpose in that "study"?  Finally, there's the kitchen-table talk and salon banter that often keep these negative perceptions others have of us, in the forefront of our minds.  

So, I couldn't help but wonder if for all of the negativity aimed at black women in the media, and ultimately real life, do we ever stop and acknowledge the positive? It's true that there aren't enough of them, but they are there.  And with our support we'll see more.  

As for Hawthorne, wedding pictures of her and Dr. Wakefield are already being used in the promos.  I can't help but believe this is a dream sequence. It's too soon to just brush all of last season's insecurities under the rug.  Besides, I'm enjoying Mark Anthony's character.  If the love triangle isn't enough to make you tune in, try this.  There's a new doctor on call. Actor Derek Luke joins the cast. Get that popcorn ready.  Season 3 premiere episode airs tonight at 10/9c on TNT. 

GirlTD's Fantasy Players: Season 5

Season 4 was outstanding, but Season 5 can be explosive especially with a little help from some familiar friends.  Normally Fantasy Football occurs during the regular season.  However, since the writers of The Game are busy drafting for Season 5, GirlTD thought to put in a good word about [players] we’d love to see and/or come back.



We agreed on several players and the roles they could play:



Morris Chestnut: Retired player from The Best Man (New York Titans)

Morris Chestnut (Lance N.Y. veteran W.R.)

Las Alonso:  Veteran Player

Shanti Lowry: (Dionne Taylor)  She needs to return as high-powered publicist, maybe she and Melanie didn’t end up being friends after all, especially after she and Superman got married

Mechad Brooks: (Superman) Businessman, Dionne’s husband and nemesis to both Melanie and Derwin

Lance Gross:  All around fine man player who gives, Derwin and Malik a run for their money on the field and in the bedroom



Lance Gross Fantasy "The Game" Heart-throb

Now while we agreed on several, GirlTD also had different players we’d love to see.  Girl Denise’s list went a little something like this:

Golden Brooks: A new sunbeam, corporate heavy or manager; or she and real life beau D.B. Woodside (currently seen on Single Ladies) can be power couple owners of skybox

Golden Brooks and real life beau D.B. Woodside expecting in September



Ice Cube: Former player, now Assistant Coach


 

Girl Toni’s Picks: 

Jill Marie Jones:  Wife of Coach T, T also stands for Tasha’s nemesis. Seems as if Coach T didn't only like white women after all....

Jill Marie Jones

Chaz Lemar Shephard: Trey Wiggs, overshadowed wide receiver for The Outlaws; longtime boyfriend of Drew Sidora

Drew Sidora: singer, longtime girlfriend of Trey Wiggs

Regina Hall

Regina Hall: Sister of Janay, bent on making sure Melanie doesn’t get the best of her sister

*Bonus:  We'd all love to see Joan return and give us a peak into her life.....

Melanie and Cousin Joan at a Sabers Game

This is just a short list  of our fantasy all-stars to get the writers started.  Who would you like to see appear and/or re-appear on Season 5?

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Mack

Before Tasha Mack Wendy&Steve on The Steve Harvey Show

Clearly, if you are thinking like a Tasha Mack, you are in as much man trouble as she is.  Let’s see, there was Punk A** Chauncey (who apologized for messing up of her love-life for life, but it help solve her man problems), Coach T, Rick Fox, Dante and Ronnie-Bo.  She’s had men in all shapes and sizes and still hasn’t managed to get her love-life together. Tasha needs a man! 

Steve Harvey backstage at Hoodie Awards

So in the wake of Steve Harvey’s announcements: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man is being made into a movie and that he desires to appear on our favorite show, The Game, GirlTD thought Tasha Mack could use some friendly advice from the Manhood Guru himself.  In fact, Steve could appear on several episodes in Season 5, not only to dispense advice but also to perhaps give Tasha Mack the hook-up treatment on his show.  Hook Tasha up and on the right path to finding and keeping a man.  GirlTD is sending out a Strawberry Letter to Steve Harvey on Tasha Mack’s behalf.  It is time to get this meeting started....

Dear Steve and Shirley,

I am a forty-something year old woman who Balls.  I own my own financially lucrative business; I’m a sports manager.  I’ve helped to turn around the careers of fallen athletes to become major superstars and managed and guided the careers of many others.  Again I ball!  I live in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in San Diego, I drive one of five luxury cars at any given time including, a Bentley, a Lambo, A Mercedes among others.  I wear the best in jewelry and fashion, I fly my hairstylist in from my native town, Richmond California, weekly to fix up my “trickety trickety tracks.”  I look great.  I maintain my phenomenal figure, I have beautiful skin and great lips.  Again, I’m Ballin but I can’t seem to find a man that can handle my wealth, status and cajones. I've dated them all: ballers, shotcallers, wannabees and white woman chasers.  Now I’ve been told by my friends and lovers that I’m hood rich, extravagant, decadent angry and loud.  But my girlfriends are just jealous and the men, well I think the men are intimidated by me.  How can I find a man who is not only on my level financially and career wise but can handle a strong woman that is not in the market for bull unless it is served with my lobster.

Tasha the "Mack-nificent"

Please Help!

Signed,

Loud, Lonely and Ballin’                            

Wendy Raquel Robinson A Bridesmaid for Niecy

The last time we saw Tasha Mack (Wendy Raquel Robinson) as a bridesmaid on The Game things didn't go so well.  Thankfully that wasn't the case in real life.  Last weekend Wendy Raquel Robinson served as a bridesmaid for friend, comedienne and actress, Niecy Nash.

If you couldn't make it to Malibu for the ceremony, don't fret.  TLC will air Niecy Nash's Wedding Bash on Saturday June 4.  Until then, here's a behind-the-scenes peek at Niecy preparing for her big day: Niecy's Summer Wedding.

Wendy Raquel Robinson, Niecy Nash

The Newlyweds: Niecy Nash and Jay Tucker

Source: TheYBF, Life & Style