I was a big fan of his work, from The Muppet Show and Sesame Street to Labryinth and The Dark Crystal. My brothers LOVED The Dark Crystal so much, our first dog was named Fizzgig!

Recently I watched Being Elmo on Netflix, which is all about the amazing Kevin Clash. If you’re a fan of the Muppets in general and the genius that went into creating them, it’s a MUST see.

It’s amazing that something Jim Henson dreamed up in the Fifties remains with us today, in movies and on television, entertaining and educating children around the world. What a beautiful thing. Thank you, Jim Henson, for changing the world in such a magical and meaningful way. Your legacy will live forever.

Which was your favorite of Jim Henson’s creations? Were you a Sesame Street fan? The original Muppet Show? Were you into Fraggle Rock, or Dinosaurs? Were you as obsessed with David Bowie in Labryinth as I was? Tell me!

Other products, especially those that claim to cater to natural hair, I do my best to at least try. Unless there’s an ingredient in there that I won’t use in my hair. For me, the two main two dealbreaker hair product ingredients are petrolatum and alcohol. From the moment I see those items appear in the first few ingredients on a label, I hesitate to give the product a try.

Image via blackgirllonghair.com

Now I KNOW this is up for debate. It’s been widely believed in the natural hair community that petrolatum (or mineral oil) is bad for your hair. However it’s a lot more complicated than the general statement that it’s bad, as Natural Chica explains in this very helpful video.

She’s an engineer and knows her science! I respect her knowledge so much.

For even MORE on mineral oil, check out Curly Nikki’s post A Closer Look at Mineral Oil, and Rules of Engagement for Mineral Oil over at BGLH. 

And I DO sometimes use these items in skincare like body lotions and even some of my bath products. But I personally don’t care for petrolatum based products in my hair because it makes it look all linty and heavy and I don’t like the feel of my hair after using those kinds of products. And if alcohol is the second or third ingredient in a hair product, I’ve come to realize that will translate to dry, frizzy hair for me. It’s been a process of trial and error, but those are my two biggest product dealbreakers. I try to avoid products that include them predominantly.

Whenever I hear something’s rumored to be bad for you, I try to do the due diligence and research it. I’m happy to know that these ingredients aren’t necessarily harmful to your hair. My hair just doesn’t like them, is all.

What about you, bellas? Do you have any hair product ingredient dealbreakers? Which are yours and why?

Bellas, let me tell you all about the Sony VAIO laptop.

I’m part of the Windows Champions program, which means the good folks of Windows give me an all-access pass to some of the hottest Windows PCs, Microsoft gear and news! Right now, I’m writing this blog post on a bright pink Sony VAIO Y. I LOVE IT. And I’m not even a pink lover! I’ll tell you why I love it. But first let’s get the specs out of the way, shall we?

SONY VAIO Y: Put a true pro to work for you with a laptop that offers superior portability, performance, and power. Enjoy HD graphics on the 11.6″ LED display, ample storage for your favorite multimedia, and the muscle of a new AMD Fusion APU—all in a slim, lightweight package. Price: $599.99

Specifications: AMD Fusion E-350; 4GB RAM; 320GB hard drive; Fusion Integrated Graphics; Standards lithium-ion battery; AC adapter

OK! Here’s what I love about my Sony VAIO Y, and this may be a factor for some of you…. I’m a self admitted Windows person. Remember those commercials, I’m a MAC, I’m a PC? I’ve always been a PC. I just feel more comfortable with the platform. The family had an Apple computer as our first machine when I was VERY little, but every computer I’ve owned myself has been a PC. Everywhere I’ve worked, the office computers are PCs. I associate PCs with putting in good work and that’s what I use my Vaio for on a daily basis.

Have any of you noticed how my blog posts look more professional lately? Photos embedded in a neat row and such? That isn’t because I did some special blogger HTML course (although that might be a great idea for the future…) It can be entirely attributed to Windows Live Writer, an incredible program that came with the Vaio. You can post directly from Live Writer and it allows you to embed, resize and edit photos in your post, include a watermark, embed video and hyperlinks with extreme ease, and even set your categories and tags before posting. I was resistant at first – it takes me a while to learn anything new and techy. But once I got the hang of Live Writer, I fell in LOVE. If you’re a blogger who lacks tech skills and haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend it.

The whole Windows Skydrive thing is awesome. Because I also have a Windows Phone, the photos I take with my phone are instantly accessible on the Sony VAIO laptop as well, which is SUCH an awesome tool for a blogger like me who uses her camera as phone almost always.

If you’re a traveler, this laptop is sweet. It’s so light and small and easy to travel with! It fits in a big purse. Although this is a petite laptop, the keyboard doesn’t feel all scrunched together. And if you’re using it on an airport tray table, it’s small enough that you won’t be terrified some jerk will crack it if you wind up sitting behind someone completely lacking in airplane etiquette, like this guy.

I think the Vaio was designed mainly with size, weight and portability in mind. The fact that it comes in this very girly pink color makes me think the intent was to create a machine for young women, like myself, who need a machine to work on while they’re on the go, and who are into the color and appearance of the machine they’re working on.

My only issue with the Vaio is the battery life, but hey – can someone show me a laptop that has consistently incredible battery life that doesn’t diminish over time? No, seriously – can someone? I’d love to know if one exists! The Vaio website says 5 hours 45 minutes of battery life but right now I’m experiencing substantially less than that – closer to two hours. Maybe it’s the way I’ve been using it and the  number of programs I’m running? I don’t know. All I DO know is, one lucky bella will win a pink Sony VAIO Y of their very own right here!

How do you enter, how do you win?

Leave a comment and tell me – What would YOU do with an awesome new laptop?

A lucky winner will be chosen at random and this contest will officially be open until MONDAY May 28 and a winner will be announced that week!

This contest is open to entries in the U.S.A, from readers over age 18.

If you have won a giveaway on Afrobella.com within the last calendar year, I respectfully ask that you skip this one and wish your fellow bellas well!

Winners will be notified via e-mail, and they’ll have 48 hours to respond with their name, address and phone number — if a winner fails to respond in time, an alternative winner may be selected.

Of course there’s my mom, Peggy. But it truly does take a village to raise a child, so allow me to introduce you to the rest of my village.

From left to right – my big sister Petal, who was the person responsible for encouraging me to be a reader and a writer. So many of my childhood memories are of just me and her, going to the bookstore or library or just driving around St. James and Port of Spain with her. Petal comments frequently on the blog as Pets, so some of you have encountered her before, maybe without knowing! My big sister helped to raise me into the person I am today. AND she’s one of the best real estate agents in Trinidad so if you need a real estate agent, contact her!

My mom’s in the green cardigan and navy dress. Then in front of me is my niece Dominique – Little Afrobella has grown up!

Aunty Gemma is to my right – longtime readers of the site will remember her from this post about her dealing with breast cancer. She’s doing great! Aunty Gemma is still teaching piano lessons and sharing a love of music with her students every day (including my nieces)!

Aunty Opal is in the coral top with the green bag and she’s really the de facto caretaker of the kids in the family. My mom always was a busy, working mom with a demanding career. Aunty Opal is the one who I came home from school to watch Sesame Street with, who made delicious Chelsea Buns on our special occasions, and who was always there with a snack or a hug when I needed one before my mom came home from work. 

And next to her is my other niece, Isabella! She’s such a little cutie

These women helped to raise me and steer me on the right path in life. They are always there for me when I need them, and all I hope to ever do is to make them proud. I think I’m doing alright so far!

And this is my whole family!

From left to right:

Back row – my big brother Dominic, my dad, my husband Steve, my big brother Patrick, and Ken the very sweet and accomodating owner of the Chinese Dragon restaurant in Debe, Trinidad.

Second row – my sister Petal, my mom, me, Aunty Gemma and Aunty Opal.

Front row – Dominique and Isabella

And today they’re all gathering together to celebrate Mother’s Day. I’m about to call home and let them know just how much I love them, and that I wish I could be there to celebrate with them.

Whether you’re a mother with your own kids, or you’ve adopted a family, or if you’re a loving sister or aunt or grandma who really plays a motherly role in the lives of little ones, I wish you a very happy Mother’s Day. Thank you for all you have done to shape a child’s life! It ALL counts. Thank you for being part of someone’s village. You’re more appreciated than you may know.

Happy Mother’s Day, bellas!!!

Giveaway #3 – The Sofistafunk RX Emergency Skirt!

By now you already know how I feel about Sofistafunk The Skirt Company. I LOVE them! Everywhere I’ve worn their garments, I’ve gotten nothing but compliments.

The Oscars.

The Curls Unleashed Textures on the Runway event in NYC during New York Fashion Week!

The Red Pump Project Fashion Show here in Chicago!

Everywhere I’ve worn Sofistafunk, it’s been a head turning, OMG that is fabulous where did you get that experience. And bellas, I want YOU to have that experience too!

Behold, the Sofistafunk RX Emergency Skirt. It’s a brand new concoction by these amazing designers from New Jersey, and the intent is portability and spontaneity.

Isn’t that the CUTEST IDEA EVER????

As one of of my Mother’s Day giveaways, Sofistafunk is offering THREE LUCKY AFROBELLA READERS  a special Sofistafunk RX Emergency Skirt of their very own!

BUT unlike other contests, this WON’T be right here on the blog. This is a TWITTER ONLY GIVEAWAY!

How do you enter, how do you win?

Follow @afrobella and @sofistafunk on twitter and then tweet: @afrobella sent me! Please enter me to win the @sofistafunk RX skirt!

This contest will officially be open until MONDAY. So tweet it up! Oooooh and Sofistafunk is also on Facebook, check em out there!

This contest is open to entries in the U.S.A, from readers over age 18.

Winners will be notified via e-mail, and they’ll have 48 hours to respond with their name, address and phone number — if a winner fails to respond in time, an alternative winner may be selected.

Right before my wedding, 10 years ago!

Mama Bella knows what she LOVES and isn’t afraid to say it. She also isn’t afraid to respectfully speak her mind if she’s confused by a gift. I remember when I was young, my big brother Clint gave her an iron for Mother’s Day. And my mama was NOT having it. I called her up yesterday to ask her why she had that hilarious and memorable reaction. “Well you see, in my mind, that’s how he looked at me. Like I am there to serve. So let me equip her with items to serve. It was NOT the thing to do,” she explained. And remember that year that Dad got you an exercise bike for Mother’s Day? That didn’t go so well either. “Yes, I remember. That threw me off completely.”

Baby pictures from Belmont, Trinidad

The typical gifts that Mama Bella LOVES? Flowers, fragrances, special clothing items and spa trips are all par for the Mother’s Day course. But to find out the VERY best gift a mother could get, I had to dig deeper.

My parents renewed their wedding vows for their 25th anniversary. I was 12

It’s Friday! Mother’s Day is SUNDAY. And according to my mother, these are THE BEST MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS YOU COULD GIVE.

Mother’s Day gift #1 — “Your presence and personal attention on that day. Get up, have breakfast with her, maybe you prepare her favorite thing and bring it to her on a tray. Or maybe you take her out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, whatever. The salient point is, spend time with her and be happy to be there. Remember in 2009, when they brought you?” (In 2009, my mother’s Mother’s Day present was ME, brought in on a surprise trip from Miami, right before we moved to Chicago). “The main factor that made that Mother’s Day so special, is that you were here.”

Mother’s Day gift #2 – After gift #1 I had to ask my mom, what if you’re not able to hop on a plane and surprise her, what’s another great gift idea? “Well if you can’t actually be there, just keep in touch. Let her know how you feel. Skype is a good tool for that. Call on the phone, send a card, all those little things mean something on Mother’s Day.”

I plan to Skype with my parents — I got them a Logitech camera a few years back and Skype sells Skype approved cameras and phones to make the process painless on both sides. It’s revolutionized communication. It’s so amazing to be able to literally SEE each other, show your relatives your apartment, eat a meal or play a game with them via the camera. It’s so awesomely Back to the Future, I LOVE SKYPE.

Mother’s Day gift #3 — I had to press Mama Bella to discuss actual material gifts, she’s definitely a woman with a lot of stuff (as am I, as am I). But she’s always had specific loves and she believes just about every woman would agree with her. “Gift number three…. flowers. To me, flowers say alot. Flowers and fragrances. Because your children can’t truly buy you the jewelry you might want unless they’re very wealthy. But a daughter or child should know what kind of scent their mother would like, and more than anything else it’s the thought behind the gift. The fact that you took time and effort to choose something special. You get extra points for effort.”

Me and my mom in Salybia, Trinidad, in January during my last visit home!

And there you have it, straight from my mom! She’s given me the best beauty advice, the best life advice, the best upbringing. I love you so much, mom. Thank you for everything you are, and everything you’ve done. Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Bellas, what are you giving or getting for Mother’s Day? Tell me!

Moms today are aware and consciously making an effort to improve the health and happiness of their kids. They work hard to cook healthy meals for their families, and to provide in the best way that they can for their loved ones. And often, moms work so hard that they don’t get time for themselves, to enjoy life and connect with their own interests. So often it winds up being that you sacrifice being an individual woman with your own style and flavor, for being a supermom which means listening to kids music and not having time to read or relax or do YOU.

Afrobella moms, I SALUTE YOU. And so does amazing natural hair and bodycare brand Cara B. Naturally.

Cara B is all about gentle, loving care for children’s hair. Chemical free, certified natural, by the Natural Products Association, and made with love. Check them out at MyCaraB.com. In honor of you this Mother’s Day, we’ve come up with the ideal gift. LO and BEHOLD, the Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Basket!!

What’s inside and in store, for one lucky mama bella? Let me tell you!

-a full set of CARA B Naturally products

-a Beautiful Naturally t-shirt

-a Kindle Fire (!!!)

-an autographed children’s book by author Helen Kimbrough

-a $150 Spa Week gift certificate

Yes. All of this for you, because you deserve to go to the spa, read some good books, and reinforce natural beauty for both you and your little ones!

How do you enter, how do you win??

Leave a comment below telling me what YOU do to to improve the health and happiness of your kids!

And ALSO the wonderful folks at Cara B are offering a special 30% coupon code!!! Just enter AFROBELLA to get 30% off your entire order + free shipping on purchases of $25 or more.

This contest will be officially closed in a WEEK – so you need to enter by May 17 at noon CST to be eligible to win. Only ONE lucky winner will be chosen.

Please like Cara B on Facebook and follow Cara B on Twitter!

This contest is open to entries in the U.S.A, from readers over age 18.

Winners will be notified via e-mail, and they’ll have 48 hours to respond with their name, address and phone number — if a winner fails to respond in time, an alternative winner may be selected.

GOOD LUCK, bellas!

I want to know what you think! Comment in the discussion box below for a chance to win gift cards and other fun prizes!