Planning for Winter Vacation

With Thanksgiving over, Christmas is just around the corner. Which means that winter break will be here before you know it. Already counting down the days huh? I know I used to! I couldn't wait for the 2 week break, so that I could relax and most of all catch up on sleep. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of the lucky kids that got to go anywhere exciting during break. The only place I went was to my grandparent's house in Oxnard, CA and if you've ever had the privilege of going there you'll understand my lack of enthusiasm. But just because your parents aren't taking you some place like San Francisco or New York doesn't mean that your winter vacation has to be a complete waste. Don't have any plans? Here are some ideas to help keep you busy and having fun!

1. Volunteer: As we mentioned in our last post giving is the new black! Use your free time to volunteer at a local nonprofit or help your parents out by babysitting your younger siblings.

2. Amusement Parks: Get a group of friends together and visit your local amusement park.

3. Movie Night: Host a movie night where you watch your favorite movies and invite family and/or friends.

4. Museums: Visit your local museum. For our Brownstone girls in Los Angeles, check out the America I am exhibit at the California Science Center. The exhibit traces the amazing contributions African-Americans have made in America.

5. Shopping: There is never a dull day when shopping! Cash in those gifts cards you receive during the holidays and start working on your spring wardrobe.

6. Arts & Crafts: This may sound corny, but even if you aren't the artsy type start working on an art project. Michaels has plenty of fun projects that will keep you busy. You can even create a scrapbook with all the pictures from your break.

7. Slumber Party: Invite some friends over and have a slumber party.

8. Read for Fun: I know having to read defeats the whole purpose of being out of school. But break is the prefect time to read that leisure book you're always wanted to read. (Stay tuned Brownstone will be announcing its first book club next month) Or catch up on your favorite magazines or blogs like Brownstone ;)

9. Plan for the Future: Spend a couple hours researching colleges that you want to attend. It's never too early to start. Or if you're a senior use your break to finish up those college apps!

Let us know how you plan to spend your winter break. Send pictures to BrownstoneMag@gmail.com and you can be featured on our blog. Please send photos by January 4th.

--Tymika Morrison
Brownstone Team

Giving Back, The New Black

Holidays are the best. I wouldn’t trade spending time with my family, eating good food and spending time with my loved ones for the world! Not to mention a nice break from work or school is always nice too. I am always reminded of the things and people I am most thankful for and how I am truly blessed.

Holidays for many other people unfortunately are not the same. There are so many people, especially Black people, who got laid-off this year, who are homeless, who have no family to be around or no food to eat, who are sick and have no health coverage, and many who go through hard times. What can we do for them?

On occasion I try to volunteer my services, but I’m wondering how much of an impact I’m really making. Each year, I quietly volunteer at my sister’s job, stuffing envelopes or helping out at registration booths at some of her events. Or, since I braid hair, sometimes I’ll find myself giving out freebies. I’m sure there are a lot of us who do these occasional acts of kindness, but this year I know it’s not enough.

If your kinda out of the volunteering loop like I am, visit volunteermatch.org. It’s a great starting point to getting involved in our community. All you have to do is type in the area you live in and/or what type of volunteer opportunities you’re interested in and browse the list they provide you. Easy huh? I typed in Los Angeles and I found all sorts of opportunities I would like to be a part of. I really value education, so for me, my favorite was tutoring a homeless child in Downtown LA…I think it’s cool to find a favorite cuz that way, giving back may become the new black!

Do you know of any cool ways to give back to the Black community this year? If so, let everybody know!

--Kyle Holland
Brownstone Team

Parental Problems

The art of communication is natural for all of us, especially high school students who spend hours of the day chatting with friends at school, on the phone, via text message and though instant messenger. However, there is one group that stops a teenager dead in their communicating tracks, the parental unit. As a teenager, talking to your parents can be difficult because it can seem like you are in two different worlds. Allowance, curfew, and dating among other things all weigh heavily on the minds of teens and knowing how to effectively talk to your parents can help bring about strong compromises.

Whether you want to stay out a little later for next week’s dance or be able to attend your best friend's slumber party, write down what it is you’re looking to accomplish. Get all the details. Parents typically want to know information like the location of the party, the times, how you plan to get there and if any other parental chaperones will be in attendance. It’s important to know your information before approaching your parents so they know you are serious. Your lack of preparedness could lead to an immediate no to your request. You want to at least walk away from the situation having them consider letting you go to the party.



Stay on task with your responsibilities. Show your parents you are dependable by doing your chores on time, keeping up with your grades and following your curfew. Your parents will be more comfortable talking to you about making changes if you are showing them that you can already handle the responsibilities you’ve been given. So if you are asked to watch your brother this Friday and that will help extend your curfew by 30 minutes, do it without complaining! Your parents will more than likely be impressed with your maturity.

Schedule a time to speak with your parents. Even though it may not seem like it, your parents are very busy worrying about work and taking care of the home. You want to make sure you don’t disturb your mom while she’s busy paying bills or interrupt your dad when he’s trying to finish a work project. Scheduling time will let your parents know you are serious. Once you sit down with them, go over your list, give them the details they are looking for and hope for the best. Even if you don’t get your way, always remember your parents have “been there, done that” and truly have your best interest at heart. So don’t stress out if things don’t always go your way. Most importantly, try to have an open dialogue with your parents everyday and not just when you need something by talking about everyday events like the track meet yesterday or how their day was at work.

Good luck!

Martine Rouzan
-- Brownstone Team

On the Grind, All the Time

"Where did the day go?" I used to ask myself this question all the time. I would wake up each day knowing I had a lot to get done, but I alwas found myself ending the day without accomplishing anything...

Whenever I heard the term "time-management" I used to think it was something for adults. I thought adults were the only ones ever complaining about not having enough time to do stuff, so "time-management" never meant much to me. Well, I was wrong. Whether I wanted to believe it or not, "time-management" was something I had to master in high school. Between AP classes, holding leadershipo positions, braiding hair, cheerleading and still trying to apply to college, all while having fun, made it virtually impossible to get anything done. On top of that, there was a lot of pressure on me to do well and go somewhere in life, which didn't make it any easier. I was always on the grind...

During these busy high school years, "time-management" was the most valuable tool I held on to. Learning to be more organized with my time enabled me to increase my productivity, decrease my stress levels, and still have personal time. Whether it was a bunch of busy homework from my teachers, class projects or whatever, this is what I did.

Prioritize

When something came my way that I knew I had to spend time on, I would first determine how important the task at hand was. For example, if I knew I wasn't prepared for the physics or history test coming up, I would make studing a higer prioirity. In turn, I would have to put things like shopping or doing hair temporarily on the back burner.

Organize

After prioritizing, I knew exactly what the day's work would entail. I would then organize my time so that I could feasibly get it all done. I went out and bought a really cute organizer and blocked out chunks of time for all my tasks. I would be sure to work on only what I told myself what I would work on so that I could actually finish 1 thing instead of starting 3 or 4 different things. Organizing my time in this way allowed me to shop, talk on the phone, and still get my work done.

Focus

Another thing that I had to force myself to do was focus. Knowing myself, I'm the type of person who needs a quiet environment in order to get stuff done. So I would leave my cell phone in another room and turn the TV off...and WALLAH! I got my work done.

No matter how busy you are, always remember to make time for yourself...even if you have to schedule it in like I do...lol. Sounds pathetic, but it's real. Go to the spa, get your nails and hair done, and go to parties with your homegirls...be on your grind! Just know youself, and kno how to get it done without making yourself go crazy.

--Kyle Holland

Brownstone Team

Party Planning 101

Whether you are planning your Sweet 16 or a small kickback with friends, planning your very first party can be overwhelming. But there is no need to worry, we have some tips that will successfully guide you along the way.

Dollars & Sense – The very first thing to consider is your budget. Plan a party that is right for the money you have. Knowing your finances well determines whether your Sweet 16 will be a simple sleepover or an elaborate event. Regardless of finances, make sure you get creative with your theme so that you have a party that reflects you and that you will ultimately enjoy. Flip through magazines and surf the internet for fun and unique ideas that will make your event stand out from the rest.

The List – Your budget will help you determine how many guests you can invite. Find or create invitations that match your theme. E-vites are an inexpensive way to invite and keep track of your guests. A good rule of thumb is to send invitations out two to three weeks before your event. Make sure to invite people that are important to you and will make you feel like a queen on your special day. Remember that quality is more important that quantity. Don’t aim to just fill a room, instead your goal should be to share your moment with company that will really help you to enjoy your event. So make your list and check it twice to make sure you have the right guests attending.

Party Palate – Your party should have some type of snack to offer your guest and definitely some cold drinks. The best places to get party food are Costco, Sam’s Club or other warehouse stores. Buying in bulk enables you to get enough so that your guests are satisfied while saving some money. You don’t have to get fancy; chips, pretzels, soda and water should be the type of things you’re looking to serve. And if it’s your birthday, don’t forget the cake!

Décor Galore – Whether you are partying at home or at a fancy venue, decorations will help the theme of your event come to life. If you’re having a luau or Mardi Gras themed party, make leis or buy beads for your guests to put on as they walk in. Having something simpler, like a super sweet 16 sleepover? Decorate with oversized pillows, tiaras and bright colored blankets to create a princess oasis. Also, remember to capture the details of your decorations with photos. Make sure all your friends bring their cameras to your party and have them share the photos online after.

Tune Time – Music is a must no matter what type of party you have. If your budget permits, you may want to hire a DJ. But don’t spend too much! Scope out classmates who DJ on the side or know someone who does. You never know, you just might get a discount because you helped him with that tricky Algebra homework! Also consider being your own DJ. Create a playlist on your MP3 player, set it up to your speaker system and get your boogie on! This is a great way to save money and avoid hearing the songs you dislike.

Guest Gifts – If you can afford it, favors are a great way to send your guests home. Something simple like candy with a little note is a nice way to say thank you to your guests for coming to the party. If favors are out of the budget, don’t let your manners fly out the window. You should still plan on creating a homemade thank you card or an email for your guests especially if they purchased a gift for you.

Celebrate – Make sure you have fun! Planning a party can be stressful, but don’t get so caught up in making it perfect that you don’t have a good time. This party is for you and you are probably celebrating something special like a birthday or a graduation, so make sure you take the time to enjoy!

--Martine Rouzan
Brownstone Team

Hair Care

For me, hair has always been intriguing. All the different hair textures, lengths and styles that represent black women make our race beautiful, diverse and unlike any other race. Our hair ranges from curls to kinks and varies in density and color. Even within my own family, you will find waves, locks, braids, and weaves. There is however one thing in common about all these different hair types…they all require regular care and maintenance. Our hair is prone to beakage and can be fragile and tempramental, so it’s up to us to be proactive about our hair health. For me, it was (and still is) all about trial and error. Here are some things I learned about my hair with the styles I wear most frequently.

Braids

I was 6 years old when I got my 1 set of dookie braids. I got them done at Shopper’s World on LaBrea and Rodeo…lol. What an experience! I kept them in for one month and quite a bit of my hair ended up on the floor by the time my mom took them out. Looking back, I learned that with these dookie braids, there was way too much strain on my hair follicles and my fine hair could not take the heavy weight of a thick braid. When I wear braids now, I make sure my braider understands how much hair to add to each individual or cornrow. I also make sure I grease my scalp on a regular basis to keep it moisterized so that my hair doesn’t become too brittle.

Weaves

When I got my first weave, I knew it wasn’t going to be the last. I went to school out of town so weaves were convenient, versatile and easy for me to manage. But all too often the misconception with weaves is that once you get them, you can forget about your own hair. It is really important to condition your weave just as you would your own hair, because after all your hair is still up under there. When wearing weaves, try getting hot oil treatments, reconstructor conditioning treatments. Also, make sure you trim the dead ends off any of the hair you leave out to prevent further beakage.

Press & Curl

When I’m between braids and weaves, I normally wear a press and curl. This style allows me to give my hair a break from the pulling and tugging of ponytails or braids and gives my hair a chance to be free. But with press and curls, it’s important that you monitor the heat on your pressing combs or flat irons, because too much heat will burn your hair out. Cellophanes are a great way to protect your hair and add shine to your hair. Colored cellophanes are also a great alternative to harsh chemicals in hair dye.

These are just a few of my tips. Feel free to post some of your hair care tips or favorite styles.

--Kyle Holland
Brownstone Team

Slumber in Style

Have you out grown your bedroom? Even though you have graduated into high school, your bedroom may still reflect that of an elementary school student. Time for that Tinker Bell lamp to hit the dust and wave bye-bye to those Cinderella sheets; a young woman has emerged and it’s time for your bedroom to reflect that!

Pick a Theme or Color Scheme – Redecorating your room starts with a vision. Are you a hot pink princess or a black and white diva? Decide right away on what direction you want your design plan to take. If you’re having trouble deciding what to do, look online for decorating ideas or take a trip to your local fabric store. You can sit there for hours and browse through design books. Once you’ve narrowed down an idea, you can start looking for fabrics that suit your style. Most importantly, make sure you compromise with your parents. If your favorite color is a dark red or purple, don’t expect your parents to allow you to paint your entire room that color. Create an accent wall by painting just one wall your bold color and add additional splashes of color with pillows, drapes and rugs.


Bedroom on a Budget – You may not have a lot of money to design your new bedroom so take advantage of some money saving design tips. Since you may already be in the fabric store perusing books for ideas, you might want to purchase some of your decorations from there. Look for “Do It Yourself” kits to create your own pillows and artwork. One easy way to create artwork is to buy a few inexpensive picture frames and some of your favorite fabric. Fabric can cost as little as $5.00 a yard and you certainly will not need a whole yard for your art project. Cut out cute designs like the first initial of your name and frame it. You can also use the fabric to create borders for your photos before you place them in a frame. This is a creative and money saving method to spruce up your room. It is even possible keep that old Cinderella bedspread and simply cover it with your new fabric to change the look. Don’t forget to check out the clearance section of the bedding department because you may be able to find some throw pillows, rugs or candles to enhance your style inexpensively.


Redecorating your room is easy and fun. Don’t forget to let your personality shine in the process. Let me know your design tips and how you are changing your bedroom look for less!

--Martine Rouzan
Brownstone Team

Your Hair is What You Eat

We are all familiar with the saying, “you are what you eat,” and our familiarity with this phrase derives from our understanding that how we look on the outside is affected by what we are putting inside of our bodies. This concept of “beauty from the inside out” is also applied to our hair. The most fundamental contributor to hair’s appearance is nutrition. Hair building vitamins and nutrients absorbed in the blood have more of an influence on how our hair grows, looks and feels than any product we put on top of our hair.

Although hair is dead, it is one of the fastest growing tissues in the body made from the food we eat. The generation of hair tissues is a continuous process that is more efficient when the tissues are provided with the necessary proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral. Our hair is primarily made of protein, but every vitamin and mineral facilitates a function in the body. The specific nutrients beneficial in improving the health, vitality and appearance of our hair are:

Vitamin A- prevents drying of the hair but excessive amounts can cause hair loss

Vitamin B- promotes healthy hair and skin

Vitamin C- helps in the growth and repair of cells; prevents skin damage and promotes healing

Vitamin E- improves blood circulation

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s)- helps relieve itching and inflammation

Selenium- controls dry scalp

Iron- creates richer blood and carries oxygen to the cells

Zinc- important for the replication, growth and repair of cells


Don’t underestimate the power of a healthy lifestyle and its influence on the growth and appearance of your hair. Take care of your body and your hair will flourish.



Here are a few healthy food options your hair will enjoy:

- Yellow, red and green vegetables
- Whole grains
- Brown rice
- Beans
- Oatmeal
- Nuts
- Eggs
- Avocado
- Soy beans
- Bananas
- Lean proteins
- Fish

EAT UP!

--Dr. Kari Williams, IIT, TECT
Guest Blogger

About the author: Dr. Kari Williams, IIT, TECT

B.A., University of California, Berkeley; M.A., International Institute of Trichology; PhD., Elan Center for Trichology; Licensed barber, professional hair designer & stylist, natural hair care specialist, trainer, educator and consultant on proper hair care, maintenance, styling and design, hair care products consultant, Board Certified Trichologist, Co-founder & President of AnnCarol Hair Collection & Hair Care Products, and Founder, CEO & President of Mahogany Hair Revolution Salon & Trichology Clinic.

For more information please visit www.mahoganyrevolution.com