How to Get Beach Hair (Without Hitting the Waves) | College Gloss

How to Get Beach Hair (Without Hitting the Waves) | College Gloss

Check out my most recent article on College Gloss.

That Song That You Can't Get Out of Your Head: "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye feat. Kimbra

There's always that one particular song that randomly pops up in your head. Sometimes these songs don't appeal to you when you first hear then, but gradually you find yourself humming it, and eventually full on belting out the lyrics to no one in particular.

I'd like to share my song of the month thus far and it's "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye feat. Kimbra. The originality of the video is what got me once I heard it a little over two weeks ago and the catchy relatable lyrics stick with you well after the song is over, so without much more of my babbling, check out the video.

Rest In Peace Whitney Houston

It seems like this year is starting off with the loss of the music industry's greatest and most talented singers that there have ever been. Today, we lost the wonderful and multi-talented Whitney Houston. CNN reports that

The entertainer, whose incredible talent was discovered at an early age, was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. (6:55 p.m. ET) at the Beverly Hilton hotel despite resuscitation efforts, a police spokesman said. Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen said there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent" and that the cause of her death is being investigated. 

It saddens me to say that the next generation will be missing out on another great. First Etta James and now Whitney Houston. The music world has been dealt another blow equivalent to the loss of Michael Jackson. I send the family my condolences.

I leave you on this note with a video from one of Whitney's last singles and one of my favorite songs by her, ever.

 Source: CNN

Legendary Singer, Etta James, Passes Away at Age 73

It's a sad day for the music world, as we suffer a loss of one of the greatest voices of all time. Today Etta James was pronounced dead after complications with leukemia. CNN confirms this by saying that: 

"She died from complications from leukemia with her husband, Artis Mills, and her sons by her side, De Leon (her manager) said.She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, and also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C. James died at a hospital in Riverside, California. She would have turned 74 Wednesday." (source: CNN)

As a fan of her music and her work ethic, I was quite surprised to hear about her death this morning. She always came off, throughout her career and life, as such a spit fire, that did things her way and didn't give a rat's butt about what other people thought about it. She was a determined and admired woman in the music industry and she will be forever missed. 

Rest in peace darling, your family is in my prayers.

Happy New Year!

Guess who's back? I know, I know I've been gone for quite sometime, but vlogging is my new love (I tried to make up for not blogging, by posting a a video or two on here) and not to mention I was finishing up my first semester of graduate school. It's so much more interesting than undergrad, but nevertheless I'm surviving. Part of my New Years plans (I hate resolutions) is to get back to blogging more consistently and overall just making a schedule so that everything fits in for me. School, vlogging, blogging, work, social life, etc.

Hopefully things go according plan. I hope you all enjoyed your Holiday Season and that you had an awesome and safe New Year.

-xO

New Music Monday: "Love On Top" Official Video

Once again, Beyoncé brings us another banger of a video. This woman's work ethic continues to astound me, even more so now that she'll be a mother in a few months. The simplistic layout of this video really showcases her performance ability and shows us once again why she is the queen or should I say king, as she likes to refer to herself . .. of R&B.

Like it, love it, let me know.

Later taters!

New Video: "Countdown" by Beyonce

Needless to say that any video coming from Beyonce is much anticipated, well today marked the release of the official video for Beyonce's "Countdown" video. To say that it's amazing is an understatement, the quirky and fun video obviously has had a lot of thought put into it and Beyonce delivers as usual, baby bump in tow and all.

Take a peak:

Transitioning: From Relaxed to Natural.

So year's ago as a biracial kid I never thought anything was wrong with my hair, but then I got to high school and saw that no one and I mean no one had hair like mine. If they did, they didn't wear it in its natural state and I begged and pleaded with my parents for them to let me alter my naturally curly hair. So with unenthusiastic answers, they said yes. Now here I am . . . I've transitioned from relaxed hair to natural hair over the course of the last three years and to say it wasn't easy was a complete understatement. Not only is transitioning a physical change of your appearance, but a mental change of how you view yourself and the world's perception of beauty.

Take a look at where I started:

Comment, Rate, Subscribe!

And She's Back!

Sorry for the terrible M.I.Aness  . . . is that a word? Well it is now. Things have been picking up for me as of late and although the job search in this city is still a nightmare, I have decided to throw myself back into writing and even start a youtube channel dedicated to hair and anything else that comes to my chaotic mind. So please, if you could find it in your loving little hearts to check out my channel and subscribe I'd be forever grateful.

Now all you lovelies can see me and my crazy hair. Please view, subscribe, and share with your friends.

Jobless once more . .

I suppose when it rains it pours and . . well right now for me it's hailing right along with the downpour. Since I've blogged last I informed you all that I have completed my internship and am back on the job hunt. It seems like with the one step that I've taken forward, I'm dealing with more backlash about me not trying hard enough to gain employment. I can't just go up to someone, strangle them from across their desk, and demand they give me a job. I'm trying to remain positive, but with all the negativity coming at me from a never ending source of stupid, it's been hard.

Hope you've all had better luck than I have.

New Music - "For The First Time" by The Script

Today calls for me to speak about The Script's wonderful new video. I know that since I've been missing this video may not be considered as new, but because they are my absolute most favorite band in the world-- I MUST tell you all about their new single "For The First Time."

On their new sophomore album Science & Faith, The Script come back with what I call a banger. "For The First Time" is a head nodding, soul identifying song that captures the listener's ear. In the tough times that we are going through now, the song's lyrics are perfectly aligned with people's lives across the nation (they've always been absolutely marvelous when it comes to penning soulful and deep lyrics). The video that accompanies the song is a bit of the short film, showing the struggles that many people go through with trying to survive life; with finding a job and managing relationships.

If you don't believe me well take a look for yourselves:

(regular video)

Short Film Version:


Hope you enjoy this bit of music.
Interested in getting the album? Well check it out here:
Science & Faith (US Bonus Track Version)
Happy listening taters.

M.I.A. . . . No Excuse.

Well hello there darlings, I know I've been MIA for God only knows how long and I have had a ton of stuff happen to me since the last time I've actually updated. I have finished my internship (as of two weeks ago) and have currently snagged a job. Whoppie! I also managed to snag myself an intestinal infection that stuck with me for nearly four weeks and then I got the flu following that. BUT, I'm hanging in there and I'm better now.

So the holidays have nearly blurred by and the next holiday coming is my birthday (yes, this should be a national holiday). Anywho, I would like to wish all of my readers a belated Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to those that may not celebrate Christmas.

I hope the New Year finds you all in great spirits and opens many doors for jobs and internships for those of you that are in the same boat as yours truly.

Later taters.

Book Review Friday!

Hello lovies, between working and studying for my GRE (yikes!) which is this Sunday, I haven't had much time to blog, but I know when Friday rolls around I have to at least get my book reviews out (if I have any). You're in luck today, I do. Today's recommendation comes from one of my favorite authors, Becca Fitzpatrick.

"Crescendo" picks up two months after the end of "Hush, Hush" and all appears to be well between Patch (swoon)  and Nora, but there's some things that Nora doesn't know that's about to change everything. Nora's sure that she and Patch belong together, but after a great night out things with Patch begin to change, well Patch changes. He starts acting weird after her confession of those "three magical words" and he begins to distance himself. With Patch acting weird Nora struggles to hold on to what little is left of their relationship. Unfortunately, the bad wins out and Nora gives up declaring she want nothing to do with Patch. Little does Nora know that probably was one of the worst things she could've ever done regarding her life. This could be the end of Nora; without Patch to watch over her, danger decides to have a field day with her. With her old childhood friend Scott back in the picture, a whole ton of issues float to the surface of what Nora now knows as her life. Is there any hope for her and Patch? What's up with Rixon? And does Vee think about anything other than boys and food?

By the time I reached the end of this book I was pinning for MORE Patch and each time I see a black Jeep Commander on the highway or on my way home from work; I find myself saying: "Is that a Black Jeep Commander?! ( whispers ) Could be Patch." Yes, I am a dork, sue me.

If you haven't read the first book of the series, give it a shot: Hush, Hush . Read "Hush, Hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick already? Then what are you waiting for? Read Crescendo (Hush, Hush) . You won't be disappointed. Oh, for future notice book three will be out next year, it's called "Tempest." To say I'm stoked about it would be the understatement of the century.

P.S. - Don't forget to follow Becca Fitzpatrick on Twitter, you can find her here: @becfitzpatrick

Have an awesome weekend lovies.

Book Review Friday!

Agh, so when I'm at work and I'm done with all my assignments for the day I always turn to whatever book I'm reading that week to keep my mind occupied and whoa nelly did Torment by Lauren Kate keep my occupied.

From the beginning of Torment, we are thrown back into Luce's world and we get a first hand look on what it's like for her to be separated from Daniel after thinking that they would be able to be together. After the drama at Sword & Cross, Luce needs to be hidden or there won't be a Luce and Daniel anymore. Luce's life, this time around, is different; there aren't any second chances and as much as Daniel would like to keep Luce with him it would be the worst thing that he could do. The Outcasts are searching for Luce and Luce is doing her best to keep herself occupied at her new hiding place at Shoreline. Shoreline is the exact opposite of Sword & Cross, it's alive and well the students are bit more civil and less convict. At Shoreline Luce begins to learn more about her past lives with Daniel and a bit more about the inky shadows that lurk about the forest surrounding Shoreline.  In all the commotion of being uprooted from Daniel, Luce decides to do things her own way and leaves the Shoreline campus searching for information about her past, but in knowledge Luce brings danger upon herself and her friends at the Shoreline campus. By the end of the novel, your fingers are crossed for Daniel and Luce, are they really meant to be together or is this whole business of fallen angels too much for their relationship to survive again?

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and cannot wait until the third book of the series is released; I love a good cliff hanger and Torment definitely left me hanging. As I said before, if you love YA Dark Romance novels, this is definitely a book you need to check out if you haven't already.

Interested in reading Torment? Already read the first book of the series, Fallen? Check it out here: Torment (Fallen)

Happy reading! Oh, and Happy Halloween.

P.S. - Follow Lauren Kate on Twitter @laurenkatebooks

Book Review Friday!

So some how, with all the chaos going in my life, I've still managed to find time to read. Amazing, I know. Anywho, the last book I took on and completed within a week was Fallen by Lauren Kate. This book was released last year and I had heard many WONDERFUL things about it, but at that time I always had other books that I wanted to read and Fallen got put on the backburner . .  until now that is and WHOA BUDDY, was this book an freaking fantastic read!

Fallen by Lauren Kate is an enthralling story of a young girl named Luncinda Price who gets sent to a school by the name of Sword & Cross. Sword & Cross resembles more of a prison than a school for young people striving to learn, then again maybe that's why they sent Lucinda there. The reason Lucinda was sent to this school was because of a mysterious accident she seemingly had no control over, nor did she have a explanation as to how it happened and why someone died. With new hair and new issues added to her life Lucinda is sent to Sword & Cross by her parents. Here at the oh so lovely (sarcasm) Sword & Cross, Lucinda encounters a series of people. Miss Sophia, Penn, Arriane, Gabe, Roland, Molly, Cam, and lastly Daniel. There's something different about all these people she encounters and Luce can't quite put her finger on it. What's the allure to Cam and Daniel? Why does she feel like she's met Daniel before? This story twists and turns taking the reader for a ride right along side Lucinda as she discovers not everything meets the eye about her friends and teachers at Sword & Cross.

This book is apart of a series and I've just begun the second book; it's amazing so far and I can't wait to see what drama awaits Luce in Torment. I'll be sure to review it as soon as I'm done.

Let me know if you decide to give it a read, I'm sure if you enjoy the supernatural . . . you'll enjoy this YA book.

Interested in reading? Get it here: Fallen 

New Music - Video Premiere of "Yeah 3x" by Chris Brown

Okay, so it's the weekend for me and probably a couple dozen other people (I don't intern on Fridays) and I was excited to find out that one of my favorite songs would finally have a video to go along with it. I was at work and certain websites are blocked on it, so I wasn't able to see it until I got home.

The video for "Yeah 3x" (Yeah three-times, for those unsure of how to read the title) is a high energy, vibrantly colored, dance packed visual expression of a good time to good dance music. Although Chris Brown hasn't been putting music out on the radio for the past year and some change, he's put out  his mixtape (with Tyga, called Fan of a Fan) earlier this year online and let's not forget that earlier last year he put out his last album Graffiti (an amazing album that didn't get too much attention because of his past mistakes). But now Brown is back and hitting the radios hard with not only his song "Deuces"  (which came out over the summer and is a song off his mixtape, Fan of a Fan) and the "Deuces (remix)" he's now got another song out that gears towards the pop-genre with "Yeah 3x".

Without further ado, because I tend to ramble, I present to you . . "Yeah 3x":

Pretty freaking sick, right? Love it? Want it on your iPod: Yeah 3x (Explicit Version) or if you like to keep things clean: Yeah 3x (Clean Version)

New Music Monday - "Whip My Hair" by Willow Smith - Video Premiere

So I said I would come back and post this video once it premiered and well it did. Today Willow Smith's video for "Whip My Hair" premiered and boy did it premiere. The video was nothing short of amazing, but what would you expect? The girl is obviously talented out of the wazoo and I love the fact that she isn't afraid to be herself. I think I appreciate her more as an upcoming artist for being real more than anything.

Anywho, without anymore of my rambling here is the "Whip My Hair" video:

How amazing is she? All I have to say those already making music (won't name names) is watch out. I feel like there are a few that should be worried; one in particular. Anywho, love it? hate it? Let me know.

Breathe Easy Saturday

Wowzers, this past week opened my eyes so much further in regards to the world of journalism and writing in general (I started my internship). I've noticed that some of the bosses people deal with are severely unorganized . . . woosah. I have a few friends dealing with this issue, I feel for them . . . really I do. Also the writing the assignments aren't always as rewarding as you would like to think, because they may come off boring (this tends to happen when you write about something you have absolutely NO interest in). However, I am grateful for the experience of being able to write and garner more experience in the field that I love.

Anywho, hope your Saturday is going well and that your week was wonderful. Between writing at work, writing at home, editing at work, editing at hom, and reading every where else in between I've been one busy girl.

Enjoy your weekend and enjoy today. As always here's a song to add to your day . . .

Interested in adding this song to your playlist?: Check it out Trouble by Never Shout Never!

Breathe Easy Saturday

Good morning lovies, this week update's have been far and few mostly because I'm trying to get myself together for my internship that starts this coming week on Saturday, so forgive me. But anywho, I am definitely writing this edition of Breathe Easy Saturday from the confines of my bed, why? Because that's the cool thing to do and also because my blankets still feel heavenly. Anyway, I was thinking about how I was having great difficulty after I got my internship because they needed some information that they said I hadn't sent them the day after my interview and things got a little hectic and stressful. I am grateful however for that particular part of this experience because it definitely showed me patience, well more patience. I was disgruntled that everything that happened was happening, but when I spoke to my mother she told me something I hadn't really thought about, which was: "don't stress it, because stressing over it doesn't change anything." She was completely right and the moment I stopped wracking my brain over whether or not my internship was set in stone they called me the next day.

So there are trials in success; can't get everything easily I suppose.

I hope everyone's weekend is off to a great start and that this fall weather is treating you wonderfully. Have an amazing weekend and be safe.

Ah, and what would this Breathe Easy Saturday be without a little tunage? Right, abnormal.

Interested in this song? Like fist pumping on the weekends? (rotfl) You'll have to wait until it's available for purchase . . this is that new NEW music (Yeah 3x by Chris Brown).

A Break From My Regular Blog Posting Schedule: A Word From Well . . . Me.

Lovelies, you will never guess what happened today. I had a journalism internship interview and guess what? I got the position. Now I would have loved for my first journalism job (outside of college that is) to be an actual job that pays, but hey you have to sacrifice to get to where you want to be in the future. I'm pretty freaking thrilled right now; so thrilled that I've been busting out into spontaneous dance parties since I got home from my interview at four o'clock (glances at the clock, it's six forty-seven now) and I'm still going.

I feel like all my hard work is starting to pay off in some way. I think that a lot of people post college are starting to lose hope in ever getting a job that is in the field that they studied. I know I did and I haven't even been out of college six months yet; I can only imagine how others dealing with this struggle feel.

So in the time that I haven't been working/interning, I've done some insane things, I cut my midback length hair to my chin, I've started a children's book series, I've begun blogging again, and I've begun to just get to know myself better. Trying to understand what I really want to do with myself and who I am . . outside of school. -Because believe it or not you are two entirely different people in school and outside of school; when school's no more you get to know the real you. I found that I'm quite a cranky person without something to occupy my mind so I've been doing the absolute most when it comes to writing. I've thrown myself into it completely and even though I'm not employed I realized that I'm a happier person when I'm dealing with my passion.

Now that I've been rambling for two paragraphs, I just wanted to say . . . to all those recent college graduates and even those that may have graduated in the past two years struggling to find employment in the field in which you studied . . you'll find it! I promise you will . .  it just may take a lot more time than you want it to. Just stay positive (lame, I know). Throw yourself into what you love, work hard on applying to positions (I applied all willy nilly) and eventually what you love will give back to you; when you least expect it of course.