when you hope it's a hoax

I grew up with Robin Williams. We hung out in my living room, every week, for years. As a young adult, I fell in love with him on the big screen. Some of my favorite cinematic experiences are owed to him; Dead Poets Society,  Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, The Birdcage ...the list is tremendous.

I haven't been able to contain my sadness about his death. The idea that such a gift to the world was in enough pain to want to exit, leaves me distressed.

What I wish for everyone, is the courage to reach out. There should be no condemnation for seeking help. If your bone was broken, would you not cast or splint it, for healing aid? Why not the heart, psyche and mind?

I pray for Robin's family. And I implore all of you to rebuke fear and pride. Take care of you AND each other. 

Rest, now RW.

xo

Lila

Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-TALK

I know how the shapewear clings

Happy Sunday curvy curlies! I hope your weekend has been full of fun in the summer sun with iced libations, good folks and loose clothes. And I stress comfy, loose clothes, because us curvy girls need a damn break from compression garments and support bras and whatnot.

Listen, I am all things #bodypositive, but I believes in a good foundation ministry. These boobs, booty and thighs need to be girded up sometimes. Amen.

The thing is, body shapers can be exhausting. Ladies, holla if you hear me! The energy and aptitude it takes to get into a spandex suit is crazy. And I'm not talking about the cute, little ones you wear under a dress. Have you ever tried to wedge yourself into a full body garment for a smooth pants situation? Sheer torture - a sometimes, necessary torture, but cruel and unusual, in my opinion. And who the heck designed the crotch hole?! LordT! Can ANYone actually have a successful health break through that hole? I'm serious, please share your success stories, cause I'm not convinced. I have spent entirely too much time in public restrooms peeling myself out of a girdle to relieve my, ahem, bladder.

My mission in life is to either discover or design undergarments that do not; roll up or down, cut off circulation, contribute to an incontinence problem, or crush ribs.

Stay tuned ...

xo

Lila

queendom in the la! #nappywood

Imagine fragrant, essential oils and incense seducing you into a space where natural hair, Afrocentric fashion and jewelry, hair care education and self care are all celebrated. That curvy curlies, is Nappywood LA!

One of the largest natural hair events in Southern California, Nappywood provides hair and healthcare education, live performances and vendors from around the country. It was a great opportunity for naturalistas, bloggers, vloggers and stylists to glean ideas and information from each other, in the spirit of community and sisterhood. I ran into curlfriends I've know since junior high school and was too excited to see that we have all embraced our coils and kinks!

Exhilarating hardly describes how great it felt and feels to be a part of this movement. Huge shout out Lydia Boyd of La Curly Girls, Kelsie Lyn of Au Natural Love and Ray Parker and Mike Kimani of LRC Healthy Hair Care, for the amazing energy and love.

xo

Lila

honor the light in you

Hi curvy curlies! I just completed a self-imposed, 21 day, yoga challenge.  I decided to encourage myself to breathe, stretch and meditate - daily, without excuse. It was far from easy, but I love how I felt attempting to twist myself into poses my brain couldn't quite fathom. The meditation came easily for me because I was able to empty my mind of any thoughts that did not directly contribute to me holding a position. There is a peaceful, calming space inside of us; I was delighted to spend the last three weeks in mine. 

While the benefits of meditating were immediate, the posing profits have been slower to realize, but I am stronger! I am committed to a better me. I want to feel better. I want to look better. I want move better. And man, do I want to sleep better. Yoga is a new friend that I plan on getting to know intimately.

*Namaste*

Lila

it's electric!

Curlfriend Janelle Monae's sound and style are the perfect storm of innovation, creativity and talent. The video for her latest single, "Electric Lady" is an amazing display of these elements. Hanging out with her naturally gorgeous Electro Phi Beta friends, she lets her curly tresses loose, in a clever juxtaposition of advanced technology (amazing product placement by Samsung) against vintage automobiles and the ageless, feel-good concept of friends partying with friends.

We're too excited to see Janelle like this - in all of her natural queendom and electricity, free flowing fro and southern swag. We love and salute you Electric Lady!

Check out the video below. 

curvy curlies all up in a man's world

There's so much yummy, caramel, chocolate, curvy curly goodness in Get On Up, I had to take a moment to express my excitement about this film! Get On Up is the James Brown biopic, starring Chadwick Boseman, curvy girl, Octavia Spencer, curlfriend, Viola Davis and curvycurly,  Jill Scott.

From all of the accounts I've read about this film, Chadwick embodies a surreal enthusiasm and spirit of the Godfather of Soul. CGNC is thrilled to acknowledge Mr. Brown's soulful contribution to American history, and to salute what is certain to be a fascinating portrayal of his life, as brought to the big screen by these amazing artists.

Please support Get On Up, set for nationwide release, this Friday, August 1st. Check out the trailer below:

acte II

Olanna and Ashley Renée make up the dynamic, southern bred, CurvyCurly, opera-singing duo of ActeII! These beautiful ladies were recently featured on "America's Got Talent" and their performance blew the judges away. Their voices and personalities are as lovely as the curves and curls they sport - naturally.

CGNC is proud to celebrate these sAngin curlfriends! I love to see sistas doing something out of the box! Check out a clip of their perfomance below:

dear white people

NEWSFLASH: "Dear white people: please stop touching my hair, does this look like a petting zoo to you?" "Dear White People" is a satire about the students of Winchester University,  an Ivy League establishment of higher learning. The film focuses on the racial discussion and dynamics these students experience.

Set for release in October of this year, "Dear White People" has already garnered a huge social following and considerable interest, after it's showing and win at Sundance.

I think the film will be funny, enlightening and an absolute discussion piece. A huge CurvyCurly girl shout out to Ashley Blaine Featherson, Teyonah Parris, and Tessa Thompson for their performances! LOVE to see curlfriends on the big screen.

Check out the trailer below:

yay for yaya!

If looks tell a story, these glimpses of curly girl, Yaya DaCosta as Whitney Houston are on point! There has been lots of chatter about how Nippy's family feels about this movie, but the jury is out until the film is released.

CGNC is here to celebrate our natural sister in a leading role about one of the world's greatest gifts. Yaya, we salute you!

healing hands

Happy hump day curvy curlies! I just touched down in the lone star state and I'm sooo happy to be on my way to mom's house. It's time for a little cocoa butter on my heart and mind.

Fort Worth is easily 20 degrees warmer than it is in southern Cali, so I'm super grateful, my girl Britta hooked me up with a fly, effortless, protective style for this trip. Not only is this hair cute and easy, the process is very relaxing and soothing to me. Britta's fingers and knuckles are cocoa butter on my scalp - LOL! Seriously, I could sleep the entire time she works on my hair.

It dawned on me, a part of that serenity, is the sense of nostalgia. Sitting in her chair, while she braids my hair, I'm transported to my grandmother's kitchen. I can smell the pressing comb getting hot and the palmers oil on my scalp (y'all don't know nothing about that). I always leave Britta's presence feeling better/inspired/lifted.

I hope you ladies and gentlemen are making sure to spend time in the presence of folk who edify you. Healing, light and love can come from anywhere. Be open. Let your soul get soothed. Thanks B!

xo

Lila

during/after 

for styling inquiries contact; @BrittaBeautee on twitter or lila.mayes@curvygirlsncurls.com

blooms of hope

Life is not a peaceful, perfect journey. It isn't. There are moments of bliss and moments of utter sadness. There will be amazing, euphoric highs and death valley lows. There will be days of intense pressure and weeks of easy living. I know, I done had em all. 

I am currently in the eye of a raging stress storm - in a moment by moment battle of fight or flight.  Don't trip though, I will win! I just get tired sometimes.

Today the Creator gave me the sweetest gift. My support system knew I was feeling some kind of way and they began praying for me. In different time zones, in different prayer cadences, I'm sure, but praying.  Then I saw it! Fresh blooms on an orchid I thought was dying. Those pretty, little, purple blooms made it so plain. As long as our roots are watered, we can continue to bloom. The breath I just took - filled with promise. The beat of my heart - the rhythm of purpose. Those orchid blossoms - hope staring me in the face.

xoxo

Lila

top shelf

You ever wake up feeling angst but, can't quite put your finger on the source? You do a mental checklist - hmmm, not that. Not that. Is it that? Nope, not that..ohhhh yeahhhh, that thing.

Once the thing is identified, our tendency is to sit in it. Wallow. Bathe in the disappointment/stress/sadness. But why?! We have to think higher! Reach for the top shelf solution. Even the "little things" require higher thinking, because when you string the "little things" together, they make up the big thing. The big picture. The big idea. Feel me? 

I'm going to think higher. Reach for top shelf solutions. Didn't get the promotion - shine brighter. Bad hair day - funky headwrap. Traffic jams - walk to work days. Rude customers/service people/associates/colleagues - pray for peace. LOL. Think higher! 

Thinking higher does require some effort, but don't most challenging endeavors? Higher thinking segues into higher living. Higher loving. A higher existence. I sure want one.

xo

Lila

soul food

Hi curvy curlies! And a great big, juicy kiss to the brethren who love us! We 'preciate y'all.

If you've been following my social sites, you already know last weekend's shenanigans were all things BET Awards. Hear me when I e-tell you, there were lots of shenanigans, and I mean lots. There were also some amazing panel discussions in the form of the BET Experience, Genius Talks. Bravo, BET! To have shared the same air, time and space with the likes of Bill Withers and Nikki Giovanni, was the stuff bucket lists are made of. Which begs the question, why were there only a few of us sharing that air and space?

The fact that these, sort of, soulful Ted Talks exist, but aren't, in my opinion, geniusly marketed, is problematic for me. The basketball bleachers were full. The indoor and outdoor performance stages had large audiences, even with one sound system after the next competing with only 20 feet between them. There was no shortage of young ladies with "VIP" credentials, milling about in obscenely mini dresses and six inch heels. Soooo folks knew this experience was happening, but the spitting of some knowledge from living legends was clearly not a priority for attendees and dare I intimate, the host of the weekend.

Listen, I'm all for a good time. Some good music, sports, food, and social interaction - it's good for the soul, but when and how does your soul get fed, nourished, even, when sustenance is at the bottom of the list?

I’m clear that I am sounding my age. I have fallen, kicking and screaming into my forties. Don't get it twisted, doe, I gets a turn up spirit er' now and then! However, even at 25, I would not have missed an opportunity to sit at the feet of genius. It concerns me that so many of my sisters and brothers are enamored with the trashy television that glamorizes the nouveau riche involved in on air fights and sex galore. These misogynistic lyrics that women are rocking out to, is equally distressing. Ladies, when you’re listening to and signing “these hoes ain’t loyal”, who y’all singing to? Are you singing to yourselves? You singing to your sisters? Wth? We cannot continue to Spike Lee-glide through this thing, numb to these messages. WAKE UP!! I am not suggesting that we have to be bottom of the ocean deep all of the time, but, get some balance. Fill up on some good ole soul food – take a class, watch a documentary, visit a place you have never been, spend some time in prayer and meditation. Take good care of the one you there is. Be discriminate in what you open your spirit to. 

xo

Lila

p.o.c.

I like to describe my style as afro/boho chic. There's something comfortable, funky and stylish (IMO) about flowy printed fabrics, head wraps and cross body bags. I love a maxi skirt, jean jacket and a high top camoflage chuck. Ankara skirts and chambray tops with stiletto clogs do it for me, too.

I've  intentionally avoided the word "colorful", but did I really need to spell it out? When you think crown covering, do you think, drab and lifeless? "Ankara" provokes visions of reds, yellows and greens, doesn't it? Is it just me?

As my style evolved over the years, pops of color found their way into my daily fits. There's something about bright hues that instantly lift my mood. My closet is full of fuscia, orange, purple, yellow, and blues.  I love to rock a green eyeliner and a red lip - just because. You should try it. Indulge in a hot pink lip or a turquoise pedicure, when you're feeling down. Honey, I promise those happy little toes will smile up at you every time you take a peek at them.

This week, in celebration of summer's arrival, I decided to rock yellow as my p.o.c. Believe me when I tell you, my light shined everywhere I went - and if y'all didn't notice, it's cool. I was shining and smiling on the inside!

xoxo

Lila

shape ya rump

Summer is officially here, folks! I'm seeing so many gorgeous, colorful fits for us curvy girls, I gotsta get my #curvyFit work outs on! The challenge for me is consistency. My days are long and my nights are sometimes even longer. When am I supposed to squeeze in a fitness regimen?

Well, here's the thing, we shouldn't be squeezing in those things that benefit our wholeness.  We MUST make/schedule/take time for self-care and maintenance. My commitment to the best me, is morning prayer, meditation, AND at least 30 minutes of intense aerobic activity, 5 days a week. Will you join me? Sprint up some hills. Run in the sand. Dance till your thighs ache. Pull out your jump ropes!

I dare you.

Lila

reverie

my dreams are big. my dreams are enormous and in color. my dreams are gigantic and colorful and a jazz band plays my theme music. my dreams are dope.

you skerred or nah?

I’m sitting in a cloud of John Coltrane and Gregory Porter after learning of Ruby Dee’s death. Something about this jazzy music reminds me of her. I loved her. She was a great. A great actress. A great activist. A great example of a loving wife. A great displayer of love for humanity. 

When Maya Angelou passed a few weeks ago, I asked “who’s next?” Today I’m wondering, what scares you? One of my favorite Ruby Dee quotes, is “God make me so uncomfortable that I will do the very thing I fear.” It’s time to move, folks. Step out of your comfort zone. Walk away from fear. I pray that you will continue to be so haunted by your calling that you run into your destiny with reckless abandon! We need you. The world is starving for that thing that exists in your creative soul. Do it. Take your position as this generation’s Maya and the next Ruby.

Rest in paradise, queen. 

xo

Lila

my intentional awareness

Hi curvy curlies! First, let me express my gratitude for the love. Y'all da best!

As I was getting dressed this morning, I noticed how my style has evolved into much more Afrocentric than ever. Ankara accessories and head wraps have become a part of my daily wardrobe. In fact, I feel naked without a piece of afrochic jewelry on my wrists. I've even started to create my own pieces. 

It is no coincidence that on my journey back to natural hair, I have become more conscious about my heritage, my spirituality and my expression of the two. How can I embrace myself - the way the creator designed me, and not become more enlightened about my ancestry? It is natural for me to feel more connected to the motherland in my natural state. And I love all things motherlandISH - the colors, rich history, sounds, skin tones, curvy bodies and whatnot.

What's amazing is, as I connect to my roots, there is an organic (more intimate) linking to the creator. God has constructed us so magnificently, if we could get a small (clear) glimpse of ourselves, the self-love would overflow. Love on yourself today. Get to know you better.

Lila

#ootd

Headwrap - CurvyGirls N Curls YT

Blazer - Ralph Lauren

Jeans - Gap

Sandals - Isola

Earrings - Simply Cecily

Bracelet - African imports

who's next?

The world lost a light this morning. Maya Angelou was an actress, composer, feminist, gladiator, motivational speaker, poet, and queen. Because she was, I am. Because she did, I do. One of my favorite quotes from Lady Maya, is "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." 

We all have something to offer the world. ALL of us. Your story does not have to be one of tragedy - it does not have to be one of triumph, it does, however, deserve to be shared. Believe that! Tell it (show, paint, sing, dance, create) because there is power in the telling. There is liberation in the expression. Curvy Girls N Curls exists because I could not bear to hold these ideas in, any longer. YOUR story may brighten the world. Just do it.

I salute you Maya Angelou. I smile with you and rejoice for your life and  the gifts you shared with us. I know you are rejoicing with the angels.

#curvygirlsncurls #ootd

Headwrap - CurvyGirls N Curls on YouTube  

Necklace - Curl Safari

Tee - Curvy Girls N Curls

Peplum skirt - FlyGirl Couture

Arm candy - dlaregarrum (IG)

holiday mondays

I LOVE holidays that extend the weekend. There's something so liberating about not having to set the alarm on a Sunday night. I stay awake as long as possible, just to take advantage of it.

This Memorial Day weekend has been chock full of good fellowship, good friends and good eats - right here in my own little slice of city of angels heaven.  Here's a special shoutout to all the men and women who have paid the ultimate cost, serving our country. With gratitude, Curvy Girls N Curls thanks you! 

Enjoy your day curvy curlies. Be safe! 

#ootd

Hair - CurvyGirls N Curls YouTube  

Dress - GAP vintage tube dress  

Sunnies - SWANK bg Just Glam

Shoes - Cole Haan

Vest - JuJu (goodwill find)