The Creamy Crack Rehab

This year, I found a feed on Instagram that helped me through my natural hair journey called "The Creamy Crack Rehab". Whenever i felt slightly tempted by the luster and sheen of a perm, that feed had multitudes of photos of men and women who embraced their natural hair. The name of the feed was perfect, and it did rehabilitate me from the temptation of the perm.

It provided a better appreciation for natural hair textures and some motivation for how i wish my hair to be in the future. Not only does the gallery focus on hair textures, the curator posts lovely illustrations of everyday issues faced by persons with natural hair. It's highly comforting to come to this space and see that many others faced those same twist out fails and comb breaking days that you have. It also lets you know that if these people have those rough days and haven't given up, that you should still push through.

Once again, when I'm interested in something or someone of interest, i always feel prompted to post it to my blog. I decided to get first had information instead of just my own perspectives and the curator of the wonderful gallery, Beulah Davina, kindly agreed to give me some insight into her inspiration for her masterpiece.

Here We Go:

My name is Beulah Davina and I am 22 years old. My favourite things are music, hair, photography, books and anything that involves acting or performance (theatre, films etc.) I currently live in the UK and I have a degree in Religious Studies and Theology.

I started The Creamy Crack Rehab in September 2012 because I decided to go natural but had no idea how to look after my hair. I used the Internet to research natural hair care and then I shared what I learnt on the Tumblr page. I also used the page to upload and reblog images of men and women with natural hair styles as I realised up until then that a majority of photos I had seen were of people with straight hair. I've always thought representation is important and I knew that people with natural hair weren't being represented or celebrated as much as people with straight hair so I just wanted a platform that naturals could go to to see relatable and inspirational images of women with kinky, curly and coily hair.

I started creating my cartoon illustrations almost accidentally. One evening during the Christmas holidays, I was extremely bored watching YouTube vlogs and doodling with a pen and paper. I remembered my friend had Bantu knots the week before and when she undid them she started walking around like she was Beyonce lol. I drew an extremely basic picture of a girl with Bantu knots and an image of her with curls with the caption: Naturals Be Like: I woke up like this #Flawless| When they really woke up like this.

I decided to upload the cartoon on The Creamy Crack Rehab's Instagram and Tumblr page because I thought my followers deserved a laugh, but honestly, I was worried that some people would be offended. When I uploaded it, I got a crazy amount of love and followers and so I kept creating more and more. Most of my cartoons are inspired by personal experiences or experiences that my natural friends have had.

I'm no artist, I just love to express some of my thoughts with simple illustrations. I draw my cartoons because I enjoy making people laugh and I like it when people can relate to each other. Whenever I upload a cartoon, my aim is to get at least one comment or message from somebody saying, 'this is me lol' or 'this is so true'. I think the natural hair community is amazing and I love to point out the things that make us all similar no matter how different our curl patterns or hair textures are.

Website: TheCreamyCrackRehab

Instagram: TheCreamyCrackRehab

TEDx Antigua

Kai's presentation, "Spiritual Change - The Journey to Rasta" will share with us, and the world, her personal and spiritual voyage. Kai Davis represented her country as a dancer at a number of festivals between 1990 and 2002.

Lia's speech addresses the impact of climate change, looks at ways in which local Antiguans have become climate innovators and discusses small but innovative ways in which we ourselves can also be climate innovators. Born to adventurers, Lia Nicholson's grandparents sailed the family to the twin island state of Antigua & Barbuda in the 1940s.

Gomes, a devout Christian, focuses on Breath, Mind, Spirit during his talk and how simple meditation and breathing techniques can improve health and return balance to life. Sifu Jurey Gomes is a recognised and decorated martial arts practitioner and founder of the Fist of Nothingness system of martial arts.

Marcella's speech will tackle the issues of displacement from her home country Dominica to her adopted home of Antigua. Follow her as she finds herself, her home and her place in this world. Marcella André-Georges is an entrepreneur and transformative leader.

Calypso Joe's talk, "Our Story in Song - Examining the social consciousness of calypso" will focus on the lingering impacts of slavery, colonialism and racism on society and will end with the positive charge of nation building. Joseph "Calypso Joe" Hunte started his musical career as a student in the Johnson's Point Primary School drama program.

I'm really proud of the work that went into producing all of this. TEDx Antigua showcased some of Antigua's Great Minds and allowed the world to see a snippet into our culture and what makes us, us. The Ted Talks all grouped under the tagline, "Fungee & Pepperpot a recipe for development and change" did just what it's organizers hoped it would, incite in the minds of others the need to reshape and rethink our perspective on how we should attain spiritual, economical, and regional development.

SPOTLIGHT: FALIESHA GOMEZ

I had an email interview with the beautiful and artistic Faliesha from Instagram. I've been following her for awhile and her feed is wonderful. She's a peaceful person and she shares lots of Muslim passages that often uplift my spirit. So, i approached her about this feature for my Blog and i was so ecstatic when she said yes. I'll stop holding up the process : ) Here's more on Faliesha . . .

My name is Faliesha Gomez, i live in Canada, and I'm in my last year of high school, soon to be going off to college. Ever since I was a young girl I've always had a passion for art and fashion.  It was always that one thing that I went to when I needed to get my feelings out or even when I felt like being Inspired. With that being said I thought of a way to broadcast my talent to other people, so why not henna! It was something I knew many people would enjoy. I began practicing on myself as a child, and realized that it was something I truly admired. And wanted to share it with other people. And ever since then I loved what I been doing!

Religion is something that either brings people together or rips them apart. It shouldn't be that way. I think all religions are beautiful no matter what one you come from, or what you've been grown into, and you shouldn't be judged for what you believe. My mother is Muslim and father is Jewish. My decision on religion was purely my choice. Growing up I always leaned towards my mother's religion. Islam. It was always so fascinating and beautiful to me to see so many people come together, people that have never met giving each other hugs and kisses. I thought it was beautiful. Now being older, I really have learned that Islam is a beautiful religion. No flaws at all, I fell in love with my religion and am 100% content with my decision to be a Muslim.

Jane Sews: Summer Capsule

the south african-based label jane sews has just released their new summer capsule collection, and as expected, it’s a good one! designer amy venter has introduced a beautiful new set of classic dresses and separates in a clean black and cream palette with the cutest little sandals and handbags to go with them. the palm print is fun and playful without being overdone, just the type of thing i would love to wear on that imaginary resort vacation i’ve got planned in my head. everything is constructed in crisp cotton, breezy rayon, and luxurious silk blends right in their durban studio, at an incredibly affordable price point. if you haven’t taken the time to check out this brand, then today is the day!  - Calivintage

The best thing about living in the Caribbean is that i get to shop for summer clothing all year round. So when i came across the JANE SEWS SUMMER CAPSULE, i just knew that these were things that i could see myself wearing. The 'flowy' dresses and loose flair bottoms are just perfect, and the prints scream my name. I'm a devout fan of dresses, and if you like them as much as i do, i can assure you that this collection is one you should check out.

   The collection is both comfortable and stylish and is appealing for the everyday person to sport around. The collection incorporates very simple and bright colors that just shout summer. The tasteful design of the clothing attracted me to the collection to begin with. The Collection also has an afro-centric fell to it and i really loved the designs. The Shoot was well executed and the model was rightly selected. If you are ever looking for something new and refreshing i highly suggest Jane Sews.

tink photography hair and make-up by candice mac nicol model: ndumi matiwane

Insta-Feature: Christopher Aaron

Bookworm, Stylist, and chilling in Los Angeles California.. This is only some context for the great and awesome chris aaron, @christopher_aaron on instagram. He's a very interesting guy and so, doing what i do best, i decided that he needed an insta-feature, to show you bits and pieces of his instagram. He's somewhat of a minimalist as he makes simple things appeal to his followers and make little things in his life extraordinary.

He's a photographer in his own right. He captures his day to day sightings so effortlessly and his cool fades and soothing tones just make you fall in love with his feed over and over again. His feed is not only an expression of himself but it's appealing and noteworthy in a way that makes it unique and different from the average personal feed.

Christopher is also a bit of a foodie! He enjoys sharing photos of his wonderful meals which sometimes make me a bit jealous. Most of all, Chris is a really cool person and he's very supportive of my work... he's become sort of an insta-friend. He's a hard working, fun loving guy, who enjoys adventures. Check out his work and i think you'll find him interesting too.