Julee's Stripping...well, not really!

Rememeber I told you guys a looong time ago that I wanted to try my hand at stripping???

Well, it happened...at least for two hours, in a controlled setting, and with NO men (good enough for me)! I enrolled myself in an S Factor striptease class and wrote about my expereince for Sirens Magazine online.

Check it out:
http://www.sirensmag.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=99&Itemid=12

Enjoy and happy stripping!

Love and Light...

Normally RUGBY and the name JULEE would never be uttered in the same sentence. However, my life is anything but normal...

Last week I decided to take my self proclaimed girlie-girl, somewhat bougie, fashionista-self a little less seriously (or a little more seriously depending how you look at it) and start playing RUGBY!

I know, I know... I'm crazy right? I've heard it over and over again that Rugby is just football without pads, and that I just might end up killing myself. Pish posh people! I'm an athlete first and foremost. Last time I checked I am the same gal who dedicated four years to Division-I track and field. I think I can take a few over-grown women trying to tackle me...but they have to catch me first!

Anyway, I attended my first Rugby practice last Thursday and I'm thirsty for more! I must say that I was a tad bit nervous, but after meeting the team I felt really welcomed. The team is made up of both "amateurs" (like myself) and actual nationally ranked players.

The first practice went smoothly once I figured out that you can only throw the ball behind you and kick the ball forward. Talk about confusing! We jumped right into playing a 7 on 7 touch game and I managed to catch on fast. I even scored a "try" aka a "touchdown" for all the Rugby illiterate (like myself)!

Sooooooo everyone, I have decided that I will return to the field this Thursday and see if I survive another week. This week we start tackling, so I will make sure to report back. In the meantime, I will proudly strut up in down the streets of New York City in my fabulous Manolos and sundresses. Who knows, after Thursday I might not be able to wear them! Pray for me!

Love and Light...

Kinky--Nappy--"Straight off the boat"....call it what you want, AND call it my hair!

For a longtime I was don't comfortable and especially not prepared to deal with my natural hair. I feel amazing blessed that I was able to grow up in the suburbs in beautiful homes, attending private schools, and being afforded all the little extras that my family was able to provide. I take NONE of that for granted...I hope one day I will be able to do the same for my family. However, there were several bad habits and traits that I picked up along the way. One being a sincere dislike for my hair. Shameful, I know!

However, when I'm surrounded by pretty little white girls that are jumping in and out of pools, running around field hockey and lacrosse fields and laying out on the beach in some of the worst humidity I've ever experienced, without thinking twice about the state of their hair....it starts to break you down.

So, it goes without saying that I went through my stint (only 3 years) of RELAXERS...which should change its name because all it did was end up making my hair break off and STRESS me out. I had a strong BRAID phase, which actually made my hair grow back healthier and longer, but it doesn't always give you the most professional, grown and sexy look. I also rocked the BUN for awhile...meaning I simply slicked back my hair and tried really hard to forget that it was there. Double shame! When school and most importanly track ended, I started really paying attention to pressing my hair. BUT that takes about 3 hours when you're doing it yourself or if you are me....having your father perform the duties on occassion. Yes, my father used to press my hair, and No he is not gay. He just grew up in the south and had three sisters.

Well everyone, as you can see from some of the pictures I have put up on this page I have now started to embrace the natural state of my hair that I tried so hard to mask. I have been RELAXER FREE for 12 YEARS, and I've become increasingly comfortable with it's super curly texture. Maybe of you have asked if I've cut it because it looks so short in the pictures, and the answer is NO. God has blessed black folk with the most amazingly versatile hair. I know think it's wonderful that I can press my hair one night and a few days later by simply adding water, my head turns into a cornucopia of curls! It sounds kind of like a Chia Pet....but don't be fooled, I now know my hair is FIERCE.

In conclusion, never take for granted all the wonderful gifts, talents, and traits you have!

Love and Light...

I am so ashamed. Sometimes I can't believe I call myself a writer...

Life has been coming at me so fast these days. I can't even find the time to sit and reflect. However, God is good and he has kept me safe and sound as I make my way through life in the big city.

Thankfully I've been able to catch up with a few of the shining lights in my life....one being, Erin Bagley. I'm so excited to see that she has decided to start a blog! Her life is way too fabulous to be keeping to herself. Man I miss the times back in Richmond when we would buy Brie, French bread and caviar for a girls-night-in to watch Sex And The City. Such Ladies!

I now spend my nights slaving away in the fashion closet and dreaming that all the clothes were in my closet...or at least fit me (I haven't been sample size--a size 4-- since birth)! Alas, I must remind myself that this is what I've been dreaming of for a long time. With each day more and more responsibilities come...compiling credits, organizing the closet, writing sidebars, calling in clothes, and being a Fashionista all at the same time. Phew!

In other news...

1) I have been working on a book project, so stay tuned....you might be picking me up in your local Barnes and Nobles (man I love that store)!

2) Rahsaan and I will be celebrating our 1 year anniversary on July 11th.....Wow, times flies when your intoxicatingly in love!

3) Zandile...my Homegirl with a huge capital H and business partner.... was accepted into the Fashion Journalism masters program at Central St. Martin's in London. ONLY 6 people are accepted into the program each year. This girl is not playing around! I have already embraced the fact that I will have to be asking her for a job in the next five years.

That's all for now. I'm really going to try and update this page more often....sorry for the delay.


Love and Light...