Tuesday, November 6th is Election Day 2012.

The 2012 elections undoubtedly will be decisive in American politics. With a president seeking re-election, the control of Congress up for grabs and a stagnant economy – American voters are ready to head to the polls. What’s on your mind this election season – jobs, the economy, marriage equality, reproductive rights? Now more than ever, women need to make sure our voices are heard about the kind of future we envision for ourselves and our families.

Get informed. Get active. Get involved. Get motivated. Regardless of party affiliation or candidate preference…GET OUT AND VOTE!

If you’re not sure where to vote, click here to find your local polling place and additional information.

“If you really want to fly, harness your power to your passion.” -Oprah

Be passionate about finding your purpose! By “passions”, I am referring to creative or constructive endeavors or activities that you enjoy immersing yourself in. Passion is the gasoline that powers our engines, steers us in the right direction and drives us into our destiny.

It is never too late to figure out what you love to do and to create a life around living your dreams. It’s self-discovery time; take the journey to find the answers. These answers to who you are and what you love is not contained in any book or sold in any store. Instead, the answers to what fires your imagination and makes your heart beat faster are found inside of you.

Neglecting passion blocks your creative flow, leaving you feeling stifled and unsatisfied.

Creating a life following your passion can only start with taking the time to discover and then making the necessary changes so your life starts to reflect those things…and you can really take flight!

Lately, there’s a lot of discussion among black women about what is considered to be truly natural. While these discussions are useful to the extent that we are sharing our diverse opinions with each other but can anyone else define what is natural to me or to you…

How do you define “natural” for black hair? Does it just mean being weave/wig-free? What about people who wear natural looking wigs? What if you don’t have a relaxer, but you dye it? What if you don’t have a relaxer, but you use hair products full of chemicals?

Let’s talk ladies:

1. What does “natural” mean to you?

1. Are there any requirements to being considered “natural”?

1. What does your natural hair represent to you?

There are many options for beating the summer heat and humidity, and keeping your natural style in check. A girl can be hot and sexy….literally in 90 plus degree heat!

There are two major challenges that women encounter during the summer — retaining moisture and curl definition. Simple summer natural hair styles that will keep you looking great from the board room to the beach.
Here are a few suggestions:

• To moisturize and define wash and wear curls, apply Curl Defining Cream from root to tips of wet tresses.

• For roller or straw sets to beat the summer balminess, turn to Wrap & Roll for light hold with no residue.

• Sweating is also a challenge when trying to preserve a hairstyle. Try one of these:

• up do’s
• wear headbands & scarves to lift the hair off the face
• at night pull the hair to the top of the head while sleeping if you sweat at night

Say goodbye to the summertime styling struggle and get ready to live free!

When a child relates to the Head of State and sees something of himself in that position, he is taught that he too can achieve the highest status in the land. No matter your race, gender or political affiliation, this image strikes a chord that speaks volumes!

(POTUS Barack Obama and a young visitor at the White House, circa 2009)

For decades at the White House, photographs of the current President at work, and at play, hang in the West Wing. The image above remains after more than three years and is just seeing the light of day from a New York Time’s article recently published. It did in fact touch the heart of the masses across all political lines…it’s been the hottest topic this week online and via email.

Here’s the skinny on the conversation that led to this moment:

"I want to know if my hair is just like yours," he told Mr. Obama, so quietly that the president asked him to speak again.
Jacob did, and Mr. Obama replied, "Why don’t you touch it and see for yourself?" He lowered his head, level with Jacob, who hesitated.
"Touch it, dude!" Mr. Obama said.
As Jacob patted the presidential crown…
"So, what do you think?" Mr. Obama asked.
"Yes, it does feel the same," Jacob said.

PRICELESS!

Halle Berry was recently interviewed on Elle Magazine’s fashion blog. She talked about hair, beauty and aging gracefully – three things that all women can appreciate. She spoke of her aesthetician who is her skin-whisperer, expressed that beauty is embracing every stage of your life with confidence and grace like Tina Turner and Audrey Hepburn and then Halle talked hair…

Elle:    You’re known for your pixie cut. What inspired you to grow your hair out?

Halle: Well, I’m probably not going to grow it out; these are extensions. I love short hair—that’s me, that’s who I am. I just feel confident and feel like my best self when I have short hair. But it’s fun to change sometimes. I get a little bored and, as a woman, I want to change my shoes, my outfit, and my hair. And thanks to extensions, it’s easy to do. The trick is that you have to get hair that looks like it’s actually growing out of your head—it has to be the same texture as your natural hair. My hair is naturally curly like this, so you’re not able to see where the extensions begin.

Yes, gotta love her for embracing it all – from her naturally curly hair to extensions. You’re your hair however you wear it!