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THE AGELESS STYLE LINKUP
Hi, welcome to the Ageless Style Linkup. The linkup runs the first Tuesday of each month and features 10 women over the age of 40 styling an outfit based on one theme, and, because we’re all so different, each theme interpretation is different. Each month, one of the co-hosts invites a guest co-host to join us for the linkup. Our goal is to show you that style is ageless…
THE THEME
This month’s theme is Inspired by a Song and was suggested by Jodie. I chose I Am Not My Hair by India.Arie ft. Akon.
When I was a little girl, I used to watch my other press my sisters’ hair and beg her to do mine. “No,” she’d say, “you have good hair; you don’t need it.” Then she’d take a bit of water and curl my hair around her fingers.
I hated that… I wanted thick bushy hair like my sisters. I didn’t want the limp, flat curls on my head.
Shontel and Daenel – babies
My aunt, grandma, dad, Shontel, Daenel, and Jacquie – about 4 years old
Around 8 years old
And, as soon as I was old enough, I put a relaxer in my hair and never looked back…
Daenel and Shontel – about 15 years old
MY LOOK
Until a few months ago when I decided to cut off all of my hair.
From the time we are little, African American women are taught that their hair is something that needs to be tamed or controlled. African Americans are denied jobs because of the hair that grows naturally out of their heads. We’re told if we want to advance in our careers, we need straighten it {or, in the case of men, keep it cropped short}. This is the hair that grows out of our heads and, yet, we’re told it’s not good enough. It’s not professional. It’s not attractive.
When I made the decision to cut off my hair and wear it natural, I knew that I’d get some questions and a few side ways looks. I don’t care.
It took me forty-seven years to get to this point. My hair is what it is. Some days it’s curly, some days it’s frizzy. Sometimes I have no idea what it is.
But I am not my hair…
I’m a child of God. A wife. A mom and a grandma. I’m a drinker of coffee AND tea. A wanna be photog with a love for Bleu and plants. I have a wicked sense of humor and speak fluent TV. I’m a champion chair dancer and queen of carpool karaoke. I’m obsessed with monkeys and the color purple {the actual color, not the book, although I did enjoy the book and will sing every song from the movie to the top of my lungs}. I’m an introvert who masquerades as an extrovert with a knack for overthinking the smallest of things.
Even with all of that, I am not my hair.
Earrings – Nickel and Suede | Embroidered Blouse – Similar | Step Hem Jeans – Similar | Sandals – Similar
Don’t forget to visit my co-hosts…
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits Blog, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest
Bettye ~ Fashion Schlub Blog, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Daenel ~ Living outside the stacks Blog, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter
Debbie ~ Fashion Fairy Dust Bloglovin, Blog, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter
Jennie ~ A Pocketful of Polka Dots Blog, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Bloglovin
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style Blog, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter
Julia ~ When the Girls Rule Blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram
Kellyann ~ This Blonde’s Shopping Bag Blog, Instagram, Bloglovin, Twitter
Shelly ~ The Queen in Between Blog, Instagram, Bloglovin, Pinterest, Facebook
Shugunna ~ Nzuri N* Simplicity Blog, Pinterest, Instagram
YOU’RE INVITED…
Click here to see the inspiration piece and to get all the details.
Now go play in your closet,
LET’S CONNECT
For more stylish inspiration, check out the following linkups:
Where I Co-host
- Ageless Style – Ten women, over the age of forty, prove that style is ageless. First Tuesday of the month.
- Fab Forties – Six bloggers, over the age of forty, show they’re still fabulously fashionable. First Monday of the month.
- Style Imitating Art – Style inspired by pieces of art. Every other week.