Sleep Chronicles: The Night all mothers Loathe

9:21 pm Tonight is the night that all mothers loathe.  The night when you did everything right but your child just won't go to sleep.  I am in the midst of 5-10-15 right now, Lord help me.  The screams are killing me, but there seems to be no solution for the cries.  The Hubs is on a business call, so it's just me.


9:27 pm The Hubs is off the business call, so let's see if daddy can come to the rescue.

9:28 pm Here we go, let daddy handle it.

9:29 pm All is quiet, let's see how long this last.


9:43 pm After daddy went to soothe her, she went to sleep ugh, this makes me mad. But she's sleep so I guess its okay.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Positivi-D: Auditon for "Jazz: Birth of Cool"

I would have posted this sooner, but I just got the facebook invite.  One of my favorite spots the Virgil H. Carr Cultural Center, is hosting auditions on behalf of Plowshares Theater Group on Saturday April 2 from 1:30pm-4:30pm.

 Audition Details

WHERE: Virgil H. Carr Cultural Center

NEEDED: Casting 1 Male Actor, Age 20-50, and 2 Female Actress, Ages 20-50. All actors must be proficient in singing and have the ability to play multiple roles.

PREPARE: Please be prepared to sing two Jazz standards.

ARTISTS INVOLVED: Jazz: Birth of the Cool is Co-Directed by local Resident Company Member Brent Davin Vance ( I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change). Jazz: Birth of the Cool will also feature musical direction by local Jazz artist Bill Meyer.

Rehearsals begin April , 2011. The show runs May 5 – 15, 2011.

For more information, please contact us at casting@plowshares.org

To visit the Facebook Page CLICK HERE.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

I need your help

I am so thankful to all of the new followers that I have.  I am working so hard to improve things on my blog, and offer you more Product Reviews, Book Reviews, Event Highlights, History Highlights, Giveaways and so much more.

I'm new to the blogosphere and it takes time to perfect things, so please be patient.  I know I haven't posted this week, but there will be plenty tonight. I am working on 8 drafts right now, but I need your help. I want to hear from you. Are there any products that you think I should review? Any giveaways that you would be interested in? Topics you think I should include in a discussion? Other bloggers you think I should check out? What you like? Dislike? I want to know what you want?

I would love some feed back. Stay tuned.

Peace and Love,

Najeema  Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Blogosphere: Beauty and the Green

I love designing on a dime....I ran across this blogger via www.mombloggersclub.com about a week ago and I am addicted, check out one of my favorite post Beauty and the Green: Bring In Spring With Throw Pillows!

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Positvi-D: EVENT- Fearless Entertainment Presents: Flame Captured Detroit

Totally forgot to post this event a while ago. I've been working on so many things. Won't be able to make it myself but FLAME CAPTURED Detroit is goin' down March 26, 2011, 8PM @

Grace Christian Church

33801 Van Dyke Avenue (near 14 mile rd.)

Sterling Heights MI 48312

To Purchase Tickets Online CLICK HERE

Find out more on Facebook CLICK HERE

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Positivi-D: EVENT-Gamma Phi Delta 1ST Hip Hop Concert @ Central Michigan

 IT'S GOIN' DOWN TONIGHT AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN....BE THERE....

There is Positivi-D going on all through out Michigan especially on our college campuses.  If your in the Mount Pleasant area or don't mind traveling for a FREE event check this out.  My girl Mahogany Jones will be there and one of my Holy Hip Hop faves David Micheal will be in the building to...Check it out!

In case you are wondering where Bovee University Center Rotunda is, it is found on the wonderful campus of Central Michigan University. For more information check out the facebook event page, CLICK HERE

Peace and Love,
Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Still Here, by Min. Rhonda J. Smith

 I have been following the blog Musing of a (Recovering) Strong Black Woman by Rhonda  J. Smith, for several months now.  There are great tips on motherhood, health, Christianity, and so much more. 

Today I came across a video that really struck a cord with me, especially as it relates to my feelings about natural disasters. Check it out.



What are you feelings about national disasters?

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks
"I believe in Kingdom  Blogging!"

Positivi-D: EVENT- The Girl Who Cried Love

"The Girl Who Cried Love," written by Detroit native Orna C. Jones will be showing the weekends of  April 15-17 and April 22-23 at the Northwest Activity Center, 18100 Meyers, Detroit, MI.  For more information CLICK HERE.

THIS PLAY IS INTENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY DUE TO ADULT LANGUAGE AND CONTENT, SO LEAVE THE KIDS AT HOME.

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Product Review: Shea Moisture, Organic African Black Soap Shea Butter Lotion

I have struggled with dry skin and eczema for most of my life. Over the past few years I have not had a huge issue with my eczema, but dry skin  plagues me on a constant basis.  I am always looking for something to protects, nourish, and give my skin a natural glow. I want my outer beauty to be reflection of the inner beauty that God is creating in me.

Since I have been pregnant, those bumpy patches that I experience from eczema, decided to make a comeback.  For the first few months I had no clue what to do.  My go to products weren't working, my signature scents from Bath &  Body Works made me red and itchy, and I didn't feel like going to see a dermatologist again.  The eczema was back with a vengeance, until I found the naturals aisle at Target.  There it was, waiting for me, Shea Moisture, Organic African Black Soap Shea Butter Lotion. I have used Shea Moisture's hair care line several times before, but never knew they had a natural's body line.  Within two weeks of using this product I saw a tremendous drop in the bumpy patches on my skin, several childhood scars diminish, and my skin felt softer than ever. This is now, one of favorite go to products.

This product is very thick, so if you are thinking about using it I do suggest putting it on directly after getting out of the shower for proper skin absorption.  I often follow my application of this product with some extra virgin olive oil, it just gives me the extra silkiness that I'm looking for. This product gets five starts in my book, for doing exactly what it says it does, and so much more. My husband used this product on a pimple that developed on his neck and it disappeared within a couple of days

This product is both natural and eco-friendly. It is free ofof Parabens or Phthalates, Parrifin, Formaldehyde, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oil, Synthetic Fragrance, PABA, Synthetic Color, DEA, Animal Ingredients, and is not tested on animal.  You can feel good about using this product for your whole family.

Shea Moisture has several other products in their skin care line that I would like to try in the futures. These products include-

Lavender & Wild Orchid, Joint & Muscle Relief Dead Sea Salt Soak

Lemongrass & Tea Tree Body Scrub w/Orange Peel

Argan Oil & Raw Shea, Eczema, Psoraisis &Dry Skin Relief Balm

Organic Body Wash African Black Soap

Organic Bar African Black Soap

If you are looking for a natural body line, without all the yucky stuff. I definitely suggest trying Shea Moisture. 

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks
"I believe in Kingdom blogging!"

 Disclaimer: This is my unbiased opinion of this product. I was not compensated in anyway by Shea Moisture, Sundial Brands, or any of its affiliates for my review of this product.

Official video for "Kenya"- CANT, Solange Knowles, Twin Shadow (#Musicfo...

From her hair to her philanthropic tendencies Solange Knowles is leaving marks in society.  I have been following Ms. Knowles on Twitter lately and love what I am seeing, the video above is one of many things that set Solange apart from her big sis.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks
"I believe in Kingdom blogging1"

Journey through grief: Slushy Gray-Wintery White

A few months ago, while rummaging through my moms extensive book collection I came across the book,  Some Love, Some Pain, Sometime by J. California Cooper.  The title instantly stood out at me because of my circumstance.  I am becoming a lover of all things black and white, beautifully bound hard covers can brighten the darkest days.  It's the feel of it, the look of it, the spell of a good book that intrigues me.

I first encountered, the greatest book of them all, B-I-B-L-E, bound in black, inlaid with gold on burgundy and blue upholstered wooden pews.  I didn't know the value of a good book then, and black n' gold often functioned as the easel for my greatest creations, my muse peppermint sticks and lemon-drops.  The Great Book is more than a muse now, it is the center of my life, and at times like now the only thing that I can lean upon.

This week was filled with alot of love, and alot of pain as healed wounds were reopened. As many of you may know four years ago, I lost a huge chunk of myself, when my grandmother died.  The healing process isn't over, though I have come very far.  Losing a matriarch in the black community is far different than loosing a father figure. Often mama and grandma are the only guardians around; they care for you when you skin ya' knee, bust ya' head, even come to the rescue when old girl down the street tryna' mess witchu'.  They often function as mama and daddy.  I am not sayin' that this is the best way, but it is what it is, and it is how it is in many African American homes.

When my Ma-Ma (Ma-muh is my mother, you may not be able to tell the difference, but there is one) I lost a piece of self.  My identity was nurtured by a woman who was the first to lay eyes on me out of the womb and cut the cord of nourishment, only to feed my hunger later.  It was always Nette' and Jeema. Our adventures took us by car, by air, by plane, by train across the States.  Yes my mom was there, but because of the occasionally bickering, fighting, and the apparent similarities in personality, that's how people knew us.  The dynamic duo was torn apart on the slushy gray-wintery white February night when Ma-Ma was called home.  I know that she was in pain, I know it was her time, but that hasn't made the affect any easier.

As I sit her, clicking at the keys, wiping away the tears, I realize that I can't let the pain out-way the love.  The love I have, the love I've had, and the love I will have in the future.  The Good Book taught me that.  The ultimate application of love was shown in the pain of the cross.  For some heartbreak, but as the blood come's running down deliverance should be found.  I can live, because He died.  I can move forward, because though death surrounded me, God found me in the midst.

My journey hasn't ended yet, and as I got the call that several close friends lost their Ma-Ma's and Ma-Muh's my heart broke. I know that they will experience a whole lotta' pain, but they will overcome by His wintery-white love.

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks
"I believe in Kingdom blogging!"


Some Love Some Pain Sometime - 1996 publication.

Blogosphere Update

I honestly have the best friends in the world, life is fab right now. As a mom of a one year old with a new addition on the way, I realiize that it is important for me to ask for help when I need it.  I got it.

I know that I haven't blogged in a couple of days, but there are tons of things in the works.  To all of my new followers and subscribes, thank you. 

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks, a well rested mom

In my Jewelry Box

In my jewelry box, among costume jewelry and grandma’s pearls, sits a silver shield.  It’s not my most ostentatious piece, no diamond, no pearls,  it’s not embellished in gold, but is the most precious of them all.  It has a faint whisper speaking volumes on friendship and love. It may be dulling a little, but it shines just as bright today as it did the first day that I saw it. 

When I first started dating my now husband he wore a shield around his neck that said, “ …Be courageous and strong, do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9, NIV This was his life scripture, a scripture that was applicable in his everyday life.  I found this to be one of the most admirable things about him.  It gave me insight into his character.  His one accessory was his devotion to God.  

Often when he had to leave me and drive two hours back home, and we knew that we wouldn’t see each other for awhile he would leave his shield with me.  He didn’t really need it because it was in his heart, but at times being so far away from a person that I was beginning to fall madly in love with, was hard so it helped me.

I haven’t found my own life scripture yet, though there are many that I am fond of, but every time I open my jewelry box I am reminded of my husband’s commitment first to God, to our love and friendship, and to our family.

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

“I believe in Kingdom blogging.”

Product Review: Pantene Pro-V Curly Hair Series Dry to Moisturized Conditioner for CO-WASHING

Note: This product review is based solely on my use of the product for the purpose of co-washing.

I decided a couple of weeks ago , after seeing bad reviews oPantene Pro-V Curly Series, that I was not going to invest in this product. Well I stuck to my guns and didn’t, but I did receive a free sample of the conditioner in the mail, so I figured I could use it for one of my weekly co-washes.  I am not picky about the products that I use for co-washing, but I do require that the product leaves my Type 4 Hair soft, moisturized, with a reduce amount of tangles.  

How I co-wash (Conditioner Wash): Before co-washing I detangle my hair with a wide tooth comb and a spray bottle with a olive oil-water mix. I rinse my hair thoroughly with warm water lifting any dirt that may be near my scalp. After water washing once, while my hair is still damp, I vigorously wash my hair using my selected conditioner, in this case Pantene Pro-V Curly Hair Series Dry to Moisturized  Conditioner. Rinse, add conditioner again, this time leaving it to sit in my hair about 15 minutes. Finally I rinse the remaining conditioner out, add a leave- in conditioner, then a styling agent.

What happened: When I first added the product to my hair, I was surprised to find that it actually felt pretty soft. However after reapplying the conditioner, and leaving it in my hair for 15 minutes it felt dry, the opposite of what I was looking for.  I didn’t feel like co-washing so I decided to use some of Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Leave- in Conditioner and Some of Marguerites Magic.   I braided it up, put on my bonnet and went bed.  When I woke up this morning my hair was soft, with a light coating, just like I like it. I attribute this to my go-to Carols Daughter products.

My View: I tried out this product for one purpose, and one purpose only, co-washing.  I definitely will not use it alone for this purpose again because it left my hair dry. I haven't totally given up on Pantene though. In the future I plan on trying other products in this line,  including the Deep Moistrizing Treatment and Shampoo.  I would also like to try out the Pantene Relaxed and Naturals , Nature Fusion, and  Medium-Thick Hair Solution.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Disclaimer: I was not paid in anyway to review this product, this is my honest unbiased opinion.

Judge for yourself, check out some other reviews on Pantene Pro-V Curly Hair Series.

Curlitude: How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

I have been asked this question a lot recently. Take a look at this article that was posted today on Naturally Curly.com.

Curlies: How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

How Often do I wash my hair?
Personally I co-wash (conditioner wash) my hair about twice a week, and shampoo my hair about twice a month.


What products do I use to wash my hair?
I am slowly becoming a natural hair product junky. For the past couple of months I have been using Organic Root Stimulator's Olive Oil Creamy Aloe Shampoo  and Organic Root Stimulator's Replenishing Conditioner. The shampoo does contain sulfates, which I don't mind, but if you are looking for sulfate free check your local Target or Meijer, they have lots of options.  I found that these products, especially the Replenishing Conditioner, leave my hair moist with a light coating, manageable, and tangle free. Over the next couple  of weeks this will be changing. I just received my Carol's Daughter Best Tressed Hair Set, which contains Tui Shampoo and Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner. (Reviews coming soon)

My suggestions
In all my research on this topic, online and otherwise, I have found several common trends.

1. Do whats right for your hair. I have two different textures of hair, both which require alot of moisture, so co-washing and leave in conditioners are a must for me. 
2. Try out a couple of different washing schedules, shampoos, and conditioners to see what works best for your curls.
3. Do as much research about your hairtype as possible. Watch youtube vid's from other curlies and product reviews.
4. Find out whats in the products and what they can do to your hair.

None of this information is really new, you can find it on many natural hair website. Here are a few suggestions of where to go....


www.naturallycurly.com
www.thirstyroots.com
www.treasuredlocks.com

Hair isn't just about the way you look on the outside, it is about your God given confidence on the inside.  Love and nuture, your mind, body, and soul. Fall into the good book, The B-I-B-L-E, eat right and drink lots of water in order to get good balance.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks
"I believe in Kingdom blogging!"

Product Review: Johnson's Natural Baby Shampoo

Since becoming a mom I am becoming increasingly more conscious of what I put in and on my family's bodies.  I am not an organic fanatic or a natural guru, but I love a good product without all the yucky chemicals in it from time to time, especially hair products.

My 18 month old daughter(Elise) is classified as a Type 3 on the hair scale.  For the most part I use the same products that I use on my hair on her's.  (I'm somewhere in the Type 4 category.) I love Elise's curls so I try to take care of them. I frequently try out new products, talk to older curlies in her category, read product reviews, and do as much research as possible in order to find the right fit for her curls.  One of the main issues that I have with most baby shampoo's on the market, especially when it comes to Elise's hair, is that even after conditioning, hair is left dry and frizzy, which is not the look were going for.

While at my local Target a few days ago, I was surprised to find an affordable shampoo option, Johnson's Natural Baby Shampoo. It is 98% natural and has no paraben's, dyes, Animal Byproducts, Silicons, Lanolin, Parrafins, Petrolatum, or Phthalates.  This a low foaming product, but I can tell you after using it on Elise's hair, it leaves hair soft and clean. The Johnson's Natural Line also includes both a Natural Baby Lotion, a Natural Baby HEAD-TO-TOE Foaming Baby Wash, and a Kid's Line.  I have not had the opportunity to try any of the other products from this collection, but it definitely is on my tuh-do list and will have a review on them as well.

This product definitely gives you a whole lot of bang for your buck, running around $5 dollars at your local department store.  Johnson & Johnson has done it again,  producing a great product that can fit any moms budget.  I give it 5 stars for creating moisture rich manageable curls at an affordable price.

Note: Stay tuned video review's coming soon.

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Find out more about this Product Line at http://www.johnsonsbaby.com/naturals
Disclaimer: This is my unbiased opinion. I was not paid in anyway to review this product.

Post Revisited: A few of my favorite post from I AM Curly Locks

Below are links to some of my personal favorite posting within' the past year.  Check them out.

Vital Love

Braggin' Rights

I'm UNDER CONSTRUCTION(Walls are being fortified

Black Women in History: My History-Marie Antionette Thomas

Curlitude Post Series

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks
"I believe in Kingdom blogging!"

Kitchen clean up

If I don't clean any other room my house, I am gonna' clean my kitchen. Of course there are days where I just don't have the time, and the dish water that I made turns sour, but this is a rare ocassion.  I guess it was instilled in me that the kitchen must be clean. As a child, my mothers (grandmother and mother) insisted that the dishes be done before I went bed. A defiant me would stay up all night, go to sleep and reep the consequences as I was woken up  in the middle of the night to get the dishes done.  Looking back on myself then I ask, "Why was I so insistent on persistently being disobedient in choosing not to do my weekly chore?" Who knows, but the dishes must be done and the kitchen clean for it affects tomorrow.

The kitchen is where it all goes done.   For us black girls its where hot combs were heated, hair was washed, and spiral curls were formed. The heart of the home where your body and soul is filled.  For me some of my most memorable experiences happened in the kitchen; making cranberry relish for Thanksgiving, licking cake batter from the mixing bowl, cornbread n' greens, New Year's corn-beef with cabbage on the side; Ummmmmmmmmm I can smell it now rosemary n' tyme, brown sugar n' butter, taste the double fudge bars n' lemon drop cookies, just a few of my favorite things.  Food is the foundations for family, and it comes out of the kitchen so it must be clean cause' I don't want yesturdays curls in tommorows goodies.

My mothers knew what they were doing when they made me clean the kitchen, they were teaching me a life lesson.  If the kitchen is the center of the home, then it is imperative to keep it clean because if it is not clean then the filth that you left can transfer into your body through the food that you prepare and put into your body.  I am by no means saying that having a few dishes in the sink is disaster, but I am suggesting that keeping tabs on kitchen cleaning is a must. If not taken care of properly mold, mildew, bacteria, and so much more can go in both the seen and unseen places of the kitchen.

Just like God washes us white as snow removing the dirt from our murkiest places, the ultimate clorox, we must do the same in our home.  A little bit of bleach n' water goes a long way.  God is already working on the inside, so we must keep up with whats on the outside.

My grandma always said, "'Our house is a reflection of us." My living room might be a little junky, heck I have a one year old, but my kitchen it's always a work in progress, always in the process of getting clean.  The center is getting aligned.

To my fellow mothers, single or married, if you can take the time to sit down and eat with your family and clean up afterwards.   There is great reward in this.  What nourishes our soul comes out of the kitchen, so it is good to keep the foundation clean. A little bit of bleach goes a long way to get rid of the filth.

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks
"I believe in Kingdom blogging!"

Glenn Beck's Detroit bashing, Someone doesn't see the POSITIVI-D in Detroit

Okay so a couple times a week my hubby sends me interesting internet links that he finds from local news stations in Detroit.  Some are humorous, many informative, sometimes after watching the video I am just down right mad.  Today's video was a commentary done by Glenn Beck on the city of Detroit, that is the currently the talk of the town. This commentary attempted to rip apart  Detroit. I know that this is just his bias  opinion, but the Mad Black Woman in me wants to say, "Sit down and shut up."

In his commentary he compares Detroit to a post-atomic bomb Hiroshima. WDIV's News Anchor Paula Tutman put it best "...just another national figure who has a platform to bash Detroit..."  Oh and he uses that plateform so well, to misinform American's about Detroit. Over and over he talks about Detroit's dependence on the auto industry and Democrats being the problem. Tell me Glenn Beck is the solution to put uninformed knuckleheads like you in office.  Detroit was not alone in depending on the auto industry, we are an industrial nation, America and the auto industry are one.  The auto industry not only funded Metropolitan Detroit, it created jobs all cross America.

In my opinion Glenn Beck is everything that is wrong in society, rather than being a solution, he creates more problems.  I have not had the opportunity to listen to any other ranting from Glenn Beck's Fox broadcast, and I probably won't in the future, but momma always said, "If you ain't got nothing good to say, then don't say nothin' at all."

Here's the BASHING, what do you think?

WDIV Channel 4 isn't feeling it, CLICK HERE to see what they had to say
http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/27035850/index.html

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Aborting and Shaming Mamas

Once again a great post by Mrs. Rhonda Smith of "Musing of a Recovering Strong Black Woman" blog....

Check out her latest post posing questions with lengthy answers...

Aborting and Shaming Mamas

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks