Happy Hallo-Muertos!!

Happy Friday!!

Oh!! And Happy Halloween, it's coming up so fast!! I'm not sure what I'll be doing to celebrate the holiday, last year I went Trick-Or-Treating with my nephew who dressed as Harry Potter.. it was so cute!

But I never really celebrate this holiday.. actually, that's not true... I haven't celebrated it for the past three years because every time I tried celebrating in the past, it turned into the biggest #FAIL ever!

Case-in-Point:

2006: Spent over $70 dollars on a cute witch costume, makeup, and authentic witch's broom. Filipe dressed as warewolf. We sat in my dorm room looking for something to do all night until finally giving up, removing makeup and costume, and ordering Chinese food.

2008: Our first apartment together... Oh yeaaa, party tiiimmeee! Spent well over $300 dollars on cute tinker bell costume, makeup, Halloween decorations, and ... adult drinks... Filipe dressed as warewolf. Invited people over for fun, music, and... adult drinks... only to have a couple of people show up (awkwaard) who happen to not like each other (more awkwaaaard) who begin to fight (even more awkwaaard).... yeaaaah, "check please!"

2009: Decide to NEVER hold Halloween party again. Spent about $50 dollars on Halloween candy. Pulled out my old tinker bell wings. Filipe dressed as warewolf (which at this point, is looking more like a dog emerging from pile of ratty pubes). Filipe eagerly turns lights on to alert Trick-Or-Treaters that "This house has candy!!" ... not one trick-or-treater and us stuck with $50 worth of candy... WHYYYYYY!

LOL! So that's why last year we decided to head to my parent's house where my nephew would be Trick-Or-Treating in order to be GUARANTEED a good time! Sheeesh!

So yea, I love Halloween, but haven't really had that "time of my life" feeling since my old Trick-Or-Treating days! I wish Halloween was something a little more rich in culture, like how Latin America celebrates Dia De Los Muertos...

I guess I could always have my own Dia De Los Muertos! I love how it's a day solely to remember and celebrate passed lives of your loved ones... so beautiful! I've heard of so many people fearing death because, well for one, you're dead... not cool... but also because of the fear of just vanishing... never being remembered, almost like you never existed. Wouldn't it be great to know that at least once a year, there's a day dedicated to remembering and celebrating your life? That you won't just vanish into thin air, but it's guaranteed that at least your immediate family will still be thinking of you? (...although, hopefully they think of you anyway, but you know what I mean... a day dedicated to thinking of you). Instead of just passing out candy, more of us should adopt this tradition..

I think it's beautiful and an extremely healthy way to celebrate death and celebrate the lives of those you loved, who have passed. Hmm, I might share this with my family... it would be nice to have a moment during Halloween where we can at least share our feelings about our passed family members.

I have a close friend who lost her son and one of her biggest sources of pain come from the fact that she doesn't want anyone to forget who he was and that he existed in the world. If we had Dia De Los Muertos, I'm sure at least a portion of that pain would be eased knowing that on this day every year she and her family and friends would be thinking of him and celebrating his life. Not just on his birthday, or the day of passing, but on this day dedicated to celebrating that very thing, life and death. I think that would be beautiful.

Just sharing my thoughts. I think I really might have to adopt Dia De Los Muertos in my life. It really is a beautiful tradition... if you want more info about Dia De Los Muertos, here's some links you can check out!

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-history.html

http://www.cactuslanguagetraining.com/us/spanish/view/day-of-the-dead-in-mexico-a-time-to-celebrate/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/23/los-angeles-dia-de-los-mu_n_1027285.html#s426911

How do you celebrate Halloween? What are you dressing up as? And what's your funniest Halloween experience? Let me know! My costume is a Kick $!! Street Fighter! *BaM*

... now to figure out where to wear it. Oh Filipe? He's gonna be a warewolf... stuck in pubes apparently.. lol... 

Talk to you guys later! Have a great weekend and be safe! <3

"Natural Hair" Frustrations

Hey guys!

I get so many comments from women who are frustrated, tired of styling, or at a crossroad with their natural hair. So I wanted to give some encouragement to those who may be feeling overwhelmed!

First of all, it's natural (no pun intended), to feel frustrated or overwhelmed with your natural hair! Especially if you've been relaxed your entire life! Very rarely do you jump into something brand new, and know 100% what to do upon your first try.

No, it takes many attempts before you can master anything in life! So if you're newly natural, take comfort that you're getting all your hard-knocks out in the beginning, so that you will have smooth sailing later on. It's inevitable; it must happen! There will always be a learning curve that needs to be conquered, so embrace it as a required step in ultimately mastering your hair.

I didn't know what to do right away! It took me about two years to finally feel like I've totally mastered my hair: what it needs, likes, and how to control it. The first two years of my journey were definitely trial-and-error! Many days of leaving the house with hairstyles that I thought were cute, only to get to my destination and think "Girl!? What the HECK were you thinking when you tucked THAT piece into THERE!?" Yes! Many, many embarrassing moments! But like with everything else, it's a learning experience of what not to do, so you can eventually learn what to do!

If you're frustrated, don't sulk or rip your hair out, just find a nice protective style to put it in for a while so you can have a well-deserved break. We all get tired! It doesn't mean you've failed or your hair is "uncontrollable." It just means you need a break, time to gather your thoughts so you can try again with a fresh mind and rested hands.

Kinky twists, or braids are great styles that can last you an entire month if you protect them at night! That's a month of rest, relaxation, and time to recoup! And what's best is that they look cute too! So you're letting your hair grow stress-free, getting some rest, and you've got a cute style that you can be proud of!

Another question I receive is "Don't you ever have the urge to straighten your hair?"

I don't really have the desire to straighten, as much as I have the desire to see length and feel the weight of my hair. Not sure why, but the feeling of your hair whipping in the wind, or falling over your shoulder just feels so good sometimes!

But there are many ways to satisfy this urge without straightening your hair! When I feel this urge, I head straight for my mini twists! I LOVE mini twists because you get the movement, length, and weight to satisfy any "long hair" urges; you also get a much-deserved break! And after wearing them for a month, you actually get sick of them and yearn for your big puffy hair back! So it's win-win!

There are so many ways to get around that frustration with your hair. It's not a fad, not a style, not a trend... it's your hair! There's no way it can ever fail you or go out of style, it just takes a while to get used to it and get over that initial learning curve.

Stick with it, a learning curve sometimes takes years! I'm pretty sure the first girl to get a relaxer didn't just chop all her hair off because she didn't know how to maintain it. No, she friggin' wanted that relaxer baby! So she stuck with it, figured out how to wrap it at night, oil her scalp, and learned the hard way that you can't walk outside in the rain. Why? Because she liked how her hair looked and was DETERMINED to make it work no matter how long it took to figure out.

And decades later, here we are! Most relaxed women know pretty darn well that they need to invest in a satin scarf, wrap it at night, and avoid the rain! But that took some time to figure out, and so will your own personal natural hair routine... but the outcome is definitely worth the learning curve, so stick with it.

Here's a video I created back in the day of some natural hairstyles to help inspire you to see just how many options you have when styling! You are Degas and your hair is clay, so go make a friggin' masterpiece already!

XoXo Nap

How To Become A Graphic Designer | Extra Tidbits!

Hey Guys!

I'm so pumped you guys liked my How To Become A Graphic Designer | Pros Cons & What To Expect video! It was a blast to make, haha, although Filipe was NOT very happy with me poking the lens out of his sunglasses, LOL!

*Confession Time* (Don't you just love confessions): I couldn't WAIT to poke a hole in those sunglasses, they were SO UGLY!!! LOL, aww, I know, "You're Mean!" ... I know, I know! But I told him we would go and get him a nice new pair! Some that didn't make him look like a member of Jersey Shore.

Okay, so I had a lot of questions following the video and decided I would try and answer a couple of the most common here! P.s. SO thrilled to see so many of you are also in the arts industry! It feels so comforting to know that we all pretty much feel the same way and that it's just something that goes with the business!

Okay, so Gretta asks:

I live in Michigan where the Design jobs are none. I really want to know how, how, how do I get into becoming a free-lancer or who should I contact to start looking for work like this. If you can let me know where to look or on what website to join. I'd appreciate it."

Hey Gretta! First off all, contact your old professors and the Art Director at your old school. Ask them if they know of anyone hiring contractors, free-lancers, or paid interns (most companies in this economy are looking for free-lancers over employees; it's more cost-effective). Bother the HECK out of them and let them know you are desperate.

You're also going to want to join the AIGA. If you're a graphic designer, or in school to become one, this is a site you need to be on. There's valuable information about the industry, new advances, new challenges, and changing styles; not to mention the camaraderie and support. They're also a portfolio host, which means you can upload your work and resume into your own personal profile on the site, and it gets posted on their Job Finder. It's great because employers, or those looking for free-lancers, frequent the site and look through the portfolios; I've gotten work from my online portfolio on AIGA. They also have a list of Job Openings, by state, on the website that you can rummage through and apply for! If you're a student, they have student discounts, but regardless, membership is extremely fair and pretty cheap. You will also want to post your AIGA portfolio link on your resume under "Memberships",  anytime you're applying for a position. It's a sign of commitment to the industry and it gives you an edge. AIGA is an esteemed community and most employers look for involvement outside of the workplace and classroom to show that you are self-motivated.

You also want to contact anyone who owns a small business, or anyone who has a start-up company, and see if you can send them a copy of your portfolio. Most times, small businesses or start-ups don't have the marketing budget required to hire BIG Graphic Design Studios, and therefore, will gladly take a look at what you can offer them. If they bite, then it could very well be a client that sticks with you throughout the growth of their company. Just make sure if they like what they see and want to work with you, that you set a price that allows YOU to pay your bills. Just because you are new at freelancing doesn't mean you should get taken advantage of. They should pay you what your worth. **FYI, entry level pay for a SOLID portfolio and skill set these days is at least $20 per hour... It can be more or less depending on skills, what type of project you're working on, what the client is expecting of you, and the amount of time given to complete the project. You need to ask all of the details, and set expectations, before you get started so you both are on the same page.  Don't. Get. Taken. Advantage. Of. You need to learn how to communicate effectively with your client so they understand what they are paying for and why.

Giryb asks:

I really want to go to school for graphic design but I'm not really a drawer. My question to you is do you have to be a GREAT drawer or know how to draw to be a graphic designer?"

Not at all!! Some of the most interesting compositions are of distorted figures. It adds interest and personality. I feel like I am cursed because I can only draw in proportions; how boring! I wish I could be more free with my hand. If you do not know how to draw, count yourself lucky! You can ALWAYS learn how to draw, but it's hard to learn how to "un-draw." In my case, it's harder for me to draw distorted, free figures because I am so programmed to remember proportions. With you, it will be second nature. Besides, once you get into art school, you will find your "voice."

Knowing how to draw before school can make things easier in some cases, but don't let your lack of drawing ability deter you! The best work starts on blank canvases, and that's what you are! You're in the perfect mindset to soak up as much knowledge as you can get about drawing because as of right now, you have no knowledge about drawing. Just make sure you choose wisely and attend a school that will show you how to cultivate your personal voice and drawing style.

And remember, it's art, which means it's your interpretation. There's no wrong or right way to draw in art. As long as you can explain why you did what you did, and it has some aesthetic allure, you'll be good! 

Hope that helps guys! I'll answer some more questions later!

How To Maintain Wash and Go for 5 Days or More "Natural Hair"

Here's an easy method on how to maintain a Wash and Go style for 5 days or more. This is an easy and quick technique that leaves curls defined, detangled, and separated throughout the week! I've been using this method since my TWA stage, and since my hair has grown longer, it's been even more helpful.

This also works to maintain twist outs if you don't care about shrinkage. Just know that with a twist out style, the hair will continue to shrink up as the days go by and will eventually turn into a Wash and Go. Hope you enjoy!

XoXo Whit

Graciously Giving Gratitude

Hey Guys!

Hope you all had awesome weekends! I came across ThxThxThx.com, a website dedicated to practicing gratitude, and was inspired! It's definitely a great idea to keep tabs on what's positive in your life and what you're thankful for, especially these days, when everything in the news is "Doom&Gloom." Definitely check out ThxThxThx.com, it's such a positive, uplifting, and sometimes funny blog!

I'm grateful for this beautiful sunny day! Peeking through my windows to wake me up without an alarm clock, and feeding me vitamin D to keep my spirits high! Thanks sun, you rock! Love, Whit

What are you grateful for today? Leave it below in the comments!

XoXo Whit

F21, Nordstrom, ColourMe Haul!

Hey Guys!

I was sent some items for review from ColourMe.com and since I had some other accessory purchases, I figured I'd just bunch it all together into one mini haul.

I hope you enjoy the haul and the items!

Check out the video below and the description box on YouTube, to find out how you can win a $50 Gift card to ColourMe.com; they're giving out three (3) of them!

And if you don't win one of the three (3) gift cards, no worries, they are also giving Naptural85 viewers 25% OFF their entire purchase! At checkout, just use the coupon/promo code: NAPTURAL85

XoXo Whit

Perfect Winter Wash and WHAT!?

Hey Guys!

So on my last upload, "The Perfect Winter Wash and Go" I received a lot of questions on why I considered that style a Wash and Go instead of a twist out. I answered a couple of the comments, but realized that I couldn't answer them all, so decided to post my response here.

I agree, it is definitely a twist out, no disagreements here! However, for me, it's also a Wash and Go. If any of you know me, you know that I wash my hair in twists 9 out of 10 times. It's what I've always done, so every time I wash my hair, It'll be in twists. Does that mean I can never wear a wash and go because my hair will always be in twists?

There's not one definition of a wash and go. My personal definition, is when I can wash my hair and immediately leave the bathroom. No styling, no fuss, just time saved. And I feel like that's what I did in this instance. I washed my hair and didn't have to re-comb it, no products, no scrunching.. just went on my business. I just happen to prefer to wash my hair while in twists. The twists are so big that I don't get that zig zag pattern of a twist out anyway, it just helps to stretch my natural pattern.

Let me ask this question: If I wash my hair and then put it into a bun for 30 minutes to let it dry, do I have to call it a "Bun-out"? Or if I wash my hair and then stretch it using a diffuser, do I have to call it a "Diffuse-out" or "Wash and Diffuse"? Lol, you see my point...? They all fall under the term "wash and go", there are so many different versions...

My definition of a twist out includes combing the hair to stretch it out and to get rid of the natural pattern, applying a product, and re-twisting in sections to adapt a new pattern. That's just how I view it, we're all different.

In this instance and this style, even though my hair was in twists after I washed, I feel more connected to the word "Wash and Go" than the word "Twist Out," simply because I didn't feel like I did what I would traditionally do to achieve my version of a twist out. My definition of a twist out will be different from the next person's; that doesn't make it wrong and it doesn't make it right... it just is.

I did this style again, and completed it in 30 minutes; 30 minutes! I mean, that's crazy! I've seen a traditional wash and go that could take a woman an hour and a half to complete. So why is it that their wash and go is more "wash and go-ier" than this version, when this takes less time?

I'm not writing this because I want you to call it a "wash and go," trust me, it doesn't matter to me. I would've just not responded, but I received so many questions about it that it got me thinking... why is it so important to figure out what it should be called, that we go back and forth on it? To me, it can be both! But why do we as people always need to be "right" and prove others to be "wrong" in hair care? Can't we just say "hmm, interesting perspective"...

I think everyone has their own definition of styling and hair care, and there's no way that everything can always fit it into this perfect little box... there are way too many different points-of-view on this earth, we'd be going back and forth forever, lol!

Anyway, it's like I've said before, in my world, there's no rules to hair care. I like to mix it up constantly, which is why I hardly ever do a wash and go the same way, (except this version, because I LOVE it!), it's all about how I feel in that moment. And the moment I completed this style, I thought "This wash and go rocks!!" and haven't looked back since. But honestly, it doesn't matter to me what you call it, call it a "Twist Out", "Twist and Go", "Wash Out", "Poop on a Stick", it really doesn't matter, I just hope it helps you save some time and energy while doing your hair.

XoXo Whit

Turning Over A NEW Leaf

So there's a confession I need to make... and some of you may already know this, but... I'm a coffee addict! **GASP** I know, I know... I'm ashamed.

My love of coffee is ridiculous! I started drinking it my junior year of college and have been addicted ever since. I actually remember the very first moment that I tasted and fell in love with coffee:

I was involved in a lot of extra-curricular activities, including dance and track, worked an hour away from my dorm during the week and on the weekends, not to mention being an art student... (that means you LIVE in the Art Building... Art students shouldn't even waste money on campus housing... just bring a cot and sleep next to your easel, you'll be alright...)

Well, it was before my American Poetry class (of course... booorinnng) that I decided enough was enough! If I was going to make it through this class, I would need some help! So I marched down to the cafeteria and picked up the largest, most-obnoxious cup of coffee I could find! And as I sipped on it throughout my class, I slowly began to feel.... awake!? I actually made it through the entire class without one droopy eye, nor that embarrassing body twerk that happens when you fall asleep sitting up! Ahhh, I was so excited!! And as I looked down at my cup of coffee, my eyes widened to the realization that this was the magical potion that I've been looking for!

After class ended, I raced down campus towards my dorm room... not because of excitement, but because my body was full of caffeine! I couldn't slow my legs down if I tried! I passed by friends yelling out to me, "Hey Whitney! Where you off to!?" and replied, "...can't talk now! Gotta Goooooo...!" as my legs traveled farther and farther away.

Finally in my dorm room, I looked down at my clothes sprawled everywhere and the cluttered mess that I had been too tired to clean for the past week. I didn't even think twice! I got to work and my room was spotless in twenty minutes! It was a miracle! I called my mom and told her about my experience!

That was the day coffee permanently entered my life. I got more done in that one day than I was able to for weeks previous! Anyway, why do I tell you this? Because to this day, I am still in love with coffee. It has gotten to the point where sometimes if I am too tired to get out of bed, all I have to think is "... the faster you get out of bed, the faster you can drink coffee!" Lol, and I'm up in flash!

**The "Don't Think I'm Supporting Coffee-holism" Disclaimer: Now there was a time during my senior year of college that I was over working my self and downing waaay too much coffee and no water. I ended up in the hospital for a couple of days, and since then have learned that too much coffee is a bad thing. If I find myself drinking coffee everyday for weeks on end, I'll stop drinking it for a week or so to make sure my body is balanced.**

Anyways... long story short... I love coffee.

This week, however, I ran out of coffee and decided that I should use this coffee-less time to introduce something a little bit more healthy into my diet. I've started replacing my usual cup of coffee with a cup of Green Tea! Now, don't get it twisted.. I will still drink coffee, but I'm going to try to start drinking green tea in place of my morning "cup-of-joe" at least twice a week.

Does green tea give me that "Best Part of Waking Up" moment? Not yet... I definitely miss my coffee...

Then why drink it? Green tea has a lot of health benefits!

It's great for your heart health, improves digestion, and stimulates your brain functionality. It's packed with tons of antioxidants, which help to boost your immune system, protecting your body from multiple diseases, diabetes, obesity, and many forms of cancer. It also helps to speed up your metabolism, which can help you shed a few pounds over time, and improves the elasticity and complexion of your skin!

So yea... I'm gonna hit up the green tea for a while!

I've tried to drink more green tea in the past, but have failed because I was trying to drink it at night. Well, some nights I would forget, and then the whole thing would be ruined... But I think if I try drinking a cup in the morning instead of my usual cup of coffee, I won't be as apt to forget, since drinking coffee in the A.M. has become such a ritual for me.

So, here's to trying: so-far, so-good! And if you're a coffee-holic like me, or even if you're not... try substituting your usual "cup-of-joe" in the morning with a cup or two of green tea instead and test out the benefits for yourself!

XoXo Whit

For more information on the benefits of Green Tea, click here!

How To Detangle "Natural Hair"

Hey Guys,

After receiving a lot of questions about my de-tangling method, I realized that my last de-tangling video was posted October 10, 2009! Since my hair has grown a lot since then (two years ago!!) I felt the need to update everyone with how I go about attacking my hair currently, with my new length and new products...

Keep in mind, this is how I de-tangle my hair when I've let it go for far too long, usually after wearing multiple wash-and-gos. Also, this method can be used to de-tangle before a wash, or to transition into another style. I will usually do this detailed method when transitioning into another style.

I hope this helps!

Natural Hair Salon Grand Opening | Meko New York - New Jersey

Hey Guys!

This weekend, I witnessed the celebration and opening of a brand new hair salon, Meko New York! They're a natural hair salon, specializing in natural hair care, weaves, and wigs in the New Jersey area. The owner, Simeko, is such a sweet woman, who really seems to care about natural hair care and educating her clients on how to maintain it and keep it healthy.

The celebration included natural hair demonstrations, a fashion show, live music, and make overs!

The owner Simeko (right) with stylist and wig specialist, Denisha (left).

One of the best parts was being able to meet some Naptural85 viewers in person; I was definitely more nervous to meet them, lol, (re-affirming my introvert-ness)...

Some of the beautiful and sweet Meko event helpers!

I would like to mention that the style on the two lovely ladies below was installed at Meko New York. It's called the "Simeko!"

Unfortunately, my hair kind-of fell flat by the end of the day due to heat... :( ... but that didn't stop me from getting in some pics <3

p.s. look at the gorgeous hair to my far right... this is another style created by Simeko!

Some more examples of what a client can receive at Meko New York... This one was either a wig or a weave application, can't remember which!