Photo by Clarke Sanders on Unsplash

How Can I Say I Love Myself And Not Help Others? Phyllis Hyman On Employing Black People

By Veronica Wells-Puoane of NoSugarNoCreamMag.com

Looking for something to distract myself from cleaning my room, a task which I have yet to complete, I landed on YouTube and started watching Phyllis Hyman interviews. I stumbled across this one from 1987. And being that it was the year I was born, I wondered what she had to say about life at this time. The entire interview was fascinating and insightful; but more than anything I was struck by how honest she appeared to be. I always think of artists, specifically of the past, as being coached and primed to be what the public wanted them to be rather than their authentic selves. But I quickly learned that this was not Phyllis Hyman. She said things that people without platforms might not have shared. And she was so refreshingly WOKE. See what she had to say about Black businesses and a few of the other things going on in her life, in the video playlist above.

I run a Black-owned company. In other words, it’s a minority-based company. Most of my employees are Black or Hispanic. And I deliberately started that years ago because of the unfortunate dilemma of minorities in the workforce. And in the entertainment field where Black generate billions of dollars, we don’t often get the opportunity to reap the benefits from that money that we generate. And considering that I generate part of that billion, I’m going to take it back to the community that put me here in the first place. It’s very important to me. It makes sense. It’s like adding one and one together. It makes two. Well, if the community put me out here, I’ve got to bring the community where I am. It’s that simple. And it makes so much sense to me, I don’t understand why others don’t do it more often.

I have not asked other Black artists. I don’t know. I have witnessed other artists. I look at Tina Turner and I have asked the company about her staff and I know she has no Black people on her staff, excluding one guy who takes care of her costumes. Diana Ross, I don’t believe she has many Blacks on her staff. I’ve seen her tour book and all and you see photographs–unless they all stayed home the night they took the pictures. I don’t know.

I think it stems from the stereotypes from days past…I think that we’re made to believe that ‘You sing. And I do the management. Let me do the other work.’ We’re brought up to believe Blacks can’t do the managerial part. The same way, in baseball, the gentlemen said that Blacks were not intelligent enough, if I’m not mistaken. That we can’t handle that sort of job. What a ridiculous thing to say. Bless his heart too, by the way. I love the fact that he said that. I’m not angry with him at all. It’s so nice to have someone say what we know everybody’s thinking. And this industry says that all the time. And I say, ‘How can I think I’m a decent human being? How can I think I have integrity? How can I think I’m a professional and not look for other Blacks to be the same?’ That does not compute. How can I say that I love myself and not help bring others around with me. Because there are lots of “mes” around. There are lots of other people around who want to work hard, who are drug and alcohol-free, who love their mothers and fathers, and are good to their children. There are a lot of us. So it’s very important for me. I’ve been doing it now–I’ve had my company for ten years and I’ve always, always had a company made up of that type of people. It’s worked wonderfully.

Veronica Wells-Puoane is the creator of the website NoSugarNoCreamMag. She is the author of “Bettah Days” and You’ll Be All Write, a question and answer journal for Black women. She is also the culture editor at MadameNoire.com.

Find more of her articles by Veronica on Curlynikki.com, HERE!

When you think of a professional or a successful man, you definitely think of one thing: A well-tailored suit. What's the central fixture of that suit?

The tie.

While it's become more acceptable to go without it on most occasions, the tie is still the staple of the formal man – whether the man attending a job interview, a business meeting, or a presentation. Its importance cannot be understated.

Men's ties are essential.

That's the topic of today, gentlemen. I'm telling you about the ONLY 5 ties you need to own… and 3 to avoid at all costs.

1. Solid Ties
2. Muted Patterns
3. ANOTHER Solid Tie
4. A Conservative Patterned Tie
5. A Fun Tie
6. Spotting Quality

1. The Classic – Solid Ties

If you've followed my content for a while, then you know I'm all about the interchangeable wardrobe. The best way to compliment that collection is by going with a solid tie. This gives you the maximum amount of options for the most outfits.

You could dress them up, but you could also dress them down. You can wear them to an interview or to Thanksgiving dinner. Try for classic colors – we're talking navy, green, purple, or red.

This article is sponsored by The Dark Knot's luxurious handmade ties and men's accessories.

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Each of The Dark Knot's products comes presented in an elegant black gift box along with a card with recommendations for matching attire!

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2. Small, Muted Patterns

A tie with a subtle pattern is a small step below a solid men's tie. It can still be deemed worthy of business-formal, but not quite ultra-formal. Still, you can get away with it on most occasions.

There are a few patterns to go for on a second tie. A classic is a polka-dot pattern. Otherwise, you can go to a foulard. Avoid excess of colors and allow for no more than three on the tie. In fact, I'd recommend having the colors be as muted as possible.

3. Another Solid Tie

Yes, another one. Why do I say this? It's all about building upon the interchangeable wardrobe once again. Just like how I advocate for white and light blue shirts, so to do I recommend two solid men's ties.

You can't go wrong with solid ties.

The color choice is simple: A different one from your first tie.

4. A Conservative Tie You Resonate With

With three ties in your arsenal, it's time to think outside the interchangeable box for a second. By that, I mean it's time for you to pick something you identify with – but that also falls within a modest category.

So, which men's ties count toward this? If you value military heritage, then how about going with a regimental striped tie? If you're in college and you're proud of your school, find one in your university colors. Thinking of going a little wild? Hunt down something in paisley.

5. A Fun Tie

By fun, I mean something a little more wacky and aggressive. They can be big polka dots or a bold geometric pattern.

Hell, I love knitted ties for this. They are the most casual category of tie without a doubt (don't wear them to work), but they're great for adding texture to your outfit while still showing your adherence to elegance.

How To Spot A High Quality Tie

Ok, we've gone over the road map for your first five ties. Now, we need a quick overview of just HOW to spot a quality tie when you go shopping. It's not as simple as hitting up your local Target and getting the first thing on the rack. Pay attention, gents.

The Material

For men's ties, you need to hunt down 100% silk. This is widely considered to be THE material for higher-end ties. It's soft and gives your whole outfit a much sleeker look.

Synthetics are cheaper, yes, but they're not worth it. Synthetic fabrics will not last you nearly as long, and they're far more likely to break down.

Construction

When you lay the blade (the larger end of the tie) down on the palm of your hand, the tie should simply lay flat on your palm. We're talking no crumpling, no stiffness. It should conform like water.

Look at the gusset – the part of the tie that joins the tail and the blade. Quality ties will have a reinforcement built in to keep it as durable as possible.

A simple detail on the back of the tie toward the larger end is the bar tack. This simply grants added protection to the seam.

Finally, check if there's a slip stitch. You have to dig a little into the end of the tie, but you'll find a thread that you can essentially pull. With every tug, you'll see the tie scrunch up – but it should fall back into place once you let go. This essentially helps the tie keep its elasticity.

All of these things are signs you've got a high-quality tie in your hands.

Gents, there you have it – the perfect and quick guide to get started on your tie collection. Remember to prioritize quality over everything else – that way those five ties last you forever.

Click below to watch the video – Tying A Necktie Ultimate Guide (How To Tie A Tie)

The post The ONLY 5 Men’s Ties You Need To Own appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

Young adults who have just entered the workforce and newer working professionals love getting gifts that keep their lifestyle and needs in mind. Give them something more personal than a gift card. Find practical gifts they can use in their everyday lives instead of your gift ending up in the back of their closet or being regifted. Help the young professional you know look more sophisticated with a luxury watch or a high-end fountain pen. Save them time and money with a meal kit service and ways to brew their favorite coffee drinks at home.Whether you are shopping for a recent college graduate or someone just entering the corporate world, these six gifts are a thoughtful and practical way to mark an important career milestone.

1. Leather Messenger Bag
A leather messenger bag will make them look more professional and stylish than using a canvas backpack to carry their laptop to and from work. This unisex high-quality handmade leather bag is roomy enough to hold up to a 17" laptop along with books and files in the main compartment. The front compartment can fit a 13" tablet, and the two side pockets are big enough to store your smartphone, keys and other essentials. This practical messenger bag is handcrafted from 100% full-grain leather and is oil-tanned to make it soft, pliable and scuff resistant. It comes with an adjustable and removable shoulder strap, enabling it to double up as a briefcase for the young executive or entrepreneur on the go.

2. Meal Kit Service
With a busy lifestyle, who has time to grocery shop and cook these days? Giving a meal kit service saves them time and money. Cooking at home is healthier and more affordable than take-out, and many meal kits come with recipes and fully prepared ingredients for quick and easy cooking. They don’t have to be an experienced chef to make a great meal. You can even choose plans based on their dietary needs.  Green Chef offers Keto, Paleo and plant-based meal plans, as well as conventional plans offering meat and seafood entrees. All their ingredients are organic and free from GMOs, antibiotics and pesticides. Their kits include pre-made sauces, spices and marinades to use with their fully prepped ingredients. Meals can be prepared in 30 minutes using their easy-to-follow recipes, and the menu changes weekly so they won’t get tired of eating the same foods.

3. Fountain Pen
Fountain pens make great gifts for anyone who loves writing or signing their name with a flourish. They encourage creativity and exploring new ways to write, like calligraphy and journaling. A good-quality fountain pen doesn’t have to break the bank. The Faber-Castell Ambition Fountain Pen is a high-quality, customizable pen for under $200. The German-made pens have a high-quality stainless steel nib and chrome-plated end-cap and tip for a sleek design.  Faber-Castell offers a wide array of barrel designs, including textured resins, multiple colors and exotic woods.

4. Standing Desk
There are numerous health benefits to using a standing desk. Scientists believe people who sit too much suffer from diabetes and heart disease at an increased rate. Sitting for long periods can also lead to weight gain. If the young professional you know sits at a desk job all day, consider giving them a standing desk. You can find standing desks to use on their own and desk and tabletop models that convert their current desk area into a standing desk.  The Uplift Standing Desk offers desktop customization with added accessories like lamps, mats, keyboard trays, and organizers. It’s adjustable vertically, fitting users from 4'4" to 6'7" tall. It comes with a 30-day trial period and a 15-year warranty, ensuring they’ll love using it and that the desk will last. Uplift also sells desk converters, allowing your friend or loved one to benefit from a standing desk on their current work surface. You can find models made for use with monitors and keyboards and models to use with laptops.

5. Coffee and Espresso Maker
Help them get their caffeine fix with a combination coffee maker. Combination machines let the young professional in your life make a variety of coffee drinks, including brewing regular drip coffee, and make concentrated shots so they can craft their favorite latte right at home. The Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker is a versatile machine that makes classic- or rich-style brews to enjoy hot and even brews over ice so they can enjoy an instant iced coffee in the summer. The machine can also craft specialty coffeehouse drinks like cappuccinos and lattes using coffee shots and its built-in milk frother.  This coffee maker allows users to choose their brew size, including single cup, travel mug and half- and whole-sized carafe brews. The included thermal carafe is great for keeping their pot of coffee warm for hours. Its black and stainless steel design fits every kitchen, and the small machine won’t take up all their counter space. It’s a great option for the young professional who needs to kick-start their morning.

6. Luxury Watch
Nothing says “I’ve made it” quite like wearing a luxury watch. A Rolex watch is the pinnacle of luxury watches recognized throughout the world. Their automatic movements and jewelry-grade gold, platinum and stainless steel bands set the standard for luxury watches. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is an excellent starter model. This iconic timepiece is available in a range of reference numbers with dial colors ranging from midnight blue to lemon yellow. The case and bracelet are made from Oystersteel, Rolex’s patented stainless steel superalloy. The white gold hour markers offer classical styling, ensuring the timepiece coordinates with the gift recipient’s corporate attire.  You may think luxury watches are way out of your price range, but affordable options are available. You can find many pre-owned brands of luxury watches, including pre-owned Rolex watches. 

Impress Your Gen Z or Millennial Professional with Your Gift
Finding gifts for Gen Z and Millennials may seem daunting, but these six gifts are sure to please any young professional starting out in the corporate world. These gifts give feelings of sophistication and luxury to young adults in your life. They help new professionals save time and form healthy habits. 

Young adults who have just entered the workforce and newer working professionals love getting gifts that keep their lifestyle and needs in mind. Give them something more personal than a gift card. Find practical gifts they can use in their everyday lives instead of your gift ending up in the back of their closet or being regifted. Help the young professional you know look more sophisticated with a luxury watch or a high-end fountain pen. Save them time and money with a meal kit service and ways to brew their favorite coffee drinks at home.Whether you are shopping for a recent college graduate or someone just entering the corporate world, these six gifts are a thoughtful and practical way to mark an important career milestone.

1. Leather Messenger Bag
A leather messenger bag will make them look more professional and stylish than using a canvas backpack to carry their laptop to and from work. This unisex high-quality handmade leather bag is roomy enough to hold up to a 17" laptop along with books and files in the main compartment. The front compartment can fit a 13" tablet, and the two side pockets are big enough to store your smartphone, keys and other essentials. This practical messenger bag is handcrafted from 100% full-grain leather and is oil-tanned to make it soft, pliable and scuff resistant. It comes with an adjustable and removable shoulder strap, enabling it to double up as a briefcase for the young executive or entrepreneur on the go.

2. Meal Kit Service
With a busy lifestyle, who has time to grocery shop and cook these days? Giving a meal kit service saves them time and money. Cooking at home is healthier and more affordable than take-out, and many meal kits come with recipes and fully prepared ingredients for quick and easy cooking. They don’t have to be an experienced chef to make a great meal. You can even choose plans based on their dietary needs.  Green Chef offers Keto, Paleo and plant-based meal plans, as well as conventional plans offering meat and seafood entrees. All their ingredients are organic and free from GMOs, antibiotics and pesticides. Their kits include pre-made sauces, spices and marinades to use with their fully prepped ingredients. Meals can be prepared in 30 minutes using their easy-to-follow recipes, and the menu changes weekly so they won’t get tired of eating the same foods.

3. Fountain Pen
Fountain pens make great gifts for anyone who loves writing or signing their name with a flourish. They encourage creativity and exploring new ways to write, like calligraphy and journaling. A good-quality fountain pen doesn’t have to break the bank. The Faber-Castell Ambition Fountain Pen is a high-quality, customizable pen for under $200. The German-made pens have a high-quality stainless steel nib and chrome-plated end-cap and tip for a sleek design.  Faber-Castell offers a wide array of barrel designs, including textured resins, multiple colors and exotic woods.

4. Standing Desk
There are numerous health benefits to using a standing desk. Scientists believe people who sit too much suffer from diabetes and heart disease at an increased rate. Sitting for long periods can also lead to weight gain. If the young professional you know sits at a desk job all day, consider giving them a standing desk. You can find standing desks to use on their own and desk and tabletop models that convert their current desk area into a standing desk.  The Uplift Standing Desk offers desktop customization with added accessories like lamps, mats, keyboard trays, and organizers. It’s adjustable vertically, fitting users from 4'4" to 6'7" tall. It comes with a 30-day trial period and a 15-year warranty, ensuring they’ll love using it and that the desk will last. Uplift also sells desk converters, allowing your friend or loved one to benefit from a standing desk on their current work surface. You can find models made for use with monitors and keyboards and models to use with laptops.

5. Coffee and Espresso Maker
Help them get their caffeine fix with a combination coffee maker. Combination machines let the young professional in your life make a variety of coffee drinks, including brewing regular drip coffee, and make concentrated shots so they can craft their favorite latte right at home. The Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker is a versatile machine that makes classic- or rich-style brews to enjoy hot and even brews over ice so they can enjoy an instant iced coffee in the summer. The machine can also craft specialty coffeehouse drinks like cappuccinos and lattes using coffee shots and its built-in milk frother.  This coffee maker allows users to choose their brew size, including single cup, travel mug and half- and whole-sized carafe brews. The included thermal carafe is great for keeping their pot of coffee warm for hours. Its black and stainless steel design fits every kitchen, and the small machine won’t take up all their counter space. It’s a great option for the young professional who needs to kick-start their morning.

6. Luxury Watch
Nothing says “I’ve made it” quite like wearing a luxury watch. A Rolex watch is the pinnacle of luxury watches recognized throughout the world. Their automatic movements and jewelry-grade gold, platinum and stainless steel bands set the standard for luxury watches. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is an excellent starter model. This iconic timepiece is available in a range of reference numbers with dial colors ranging from midnight blue to lemon yellow. The case and bracelet are made from Oystersteel, Rolex’s patented stainless steel superalloy. The white gold hour markers offer classical styling, ensuring the timepiece coordinates with the gift recipient’s corporate attire.  You may think luxury watches are way out of your price range, but affordable options are available. You can find many pre-owned brands of luxury watches, including pre-owned Rolex watches. 

Impress Your Gen Z or Millennial Professional with Your Gift
Finding gifts for Gen Z and Millennials may seem daunting, but these six gifts are sure to please any young professional starting out in the corporate world. These gifts give feelings of sophistication and luxury to young adults in your life. They help new professionals save time and form healthy habits. 

Our family is passionate about gardening with Thomas at the helm with his talent and botanical know-how. From the well-seasoned gardener to the brand new planter, we believe the key to finding the greatest gift starts with knowing what type of gardening they love most, and what they may not buy for themselves. To help ease the decision making, Thomas has spent hours researching and refining his knowledge about gardening, including sourcing new product and testing tools and techniques. Below is a list of holiday gifts for the gardener, with a little something for everyone.

Sun Hat

Lightweight Folding Wheelbarrow

Rattan Handle Secateurs

The post Holiday Gifts For The Gardener appeared first on Julia Berolzheimer.

Photo by ziphaus on Unsplash

Curly Hair Ingredients 101: The Amazing (And Surprising) Benefits of Garlic for Hair Growth

By Jacqueline Samaroo

If you live in Count Dracula’s Transylvania or you’ve seen any old vampire movie that’s worth its screams, you know how good garlic is when it comes to keeping vampires at bay. Pretty handy, right?

You know we’re just kidding but… did you know that even if it can’t keep fictional vampires off your neck, garlic may be able to keep your hair on your head?

Wait! Before you rush out to grab a bottle of garlic hair shampoo, here’s a look at this ubiquitous spice (or herb or vegetable?!) and some of the ways it is good for you. We’ll zero in on some of the benefits of garlic for hair growth.

What is garlic?

If anyone tries to drag you into the “Is garlic a vegetable, spice, or herb?” debate, just tell them it’s a bulb and leave it at that.

Humans have been using garlic (Allum sativum) for thousands of years both as a medicinal plant and as a pungent but much-loved flavoring for food.  Ancient records from China, Mesopotamia, and Egypt mention garlic and it was even found in King Tut’s tomb!

Garlic is native to Central Asia. It’s a relative of onions, chives, shallots, and leeks. In fact, its name comes from an Old English word meaning “spear-shaped leek.”

Did you know the cloves of a garlic bulb aren’t the only part of the plant that is edible? Cuisines in various parts of the world also enjoy making use of its milder-flavored leaves and flowers.

Garlic benefits for health

Garlic is used as a traditional home remedy to alleviate symptoms of the common cold. It is also eaten as a way to lower blood pressure. Some persons swear by its ability to lower your risk of dementia in later years. Others use it as a way to lower cholesterol levels.

Research shows that garlic can be a good source of vitamin B6 and C, as well as manganese, selenium, phosphorous, and sulfur.

Studies show that garlic does, in fact, have an impact on lowering blood pressure. More research is needed, however, into such questions as to how sustained its effect is. Also, some of garlic’s compounds have been the subject of research into their possible role in fighting cancer.

Garlic is also being studied for its often touted ability to reduce blood sugar levels. Research into this has shown that it does actually lower blood pressure (whether or not you have high blood pressure). However, the decrease might be quite small and the effect might only be seen after taking garlic powder for at least three months.

There are garlic benefits for skin, too, as its antioxidants do what antioxidants do best – prevent and repair damage from the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress is one of the main factors that cause skin to age.

Benefits of garlic for hair growth

OK, now we’re at the point where we look at whether you should be ordering that garlic hair shampoo for thicker, healthier locs. We say “Go for it!” Here’s why.

Remember when we mentioned those vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in garlic? Well, those are some of the same nutrients that have been shown to promote hair growth.

• Check out our recent posts on vitamin C and the B group of vitamins and how they contribute to hair growth:

9 Wonderful Vitamin B Complex Benefits

4 Amazing Benefits of Vitamin C for Hair Growth

• Plus, since antioxidants are among the garlic benefits for skin, they’ll be very beneficial for scalp skin, too. The strands of hair grow from the scalp and need it to be in its best shape for them to also be healthy and strong.
• Selenium is one of the nutrients in garlic that takes on an antioxidant role. It has been shown to have a variety of health benefits. However, you may hear of selenium being a cause of hair loss. That’s true of excess selenium intake which can lead to selenium toxicity.
• BUT, getting your selenium from whole foods as a part of a balanced diet has not been shown to lead to excess selenium intake. The danger arises when you take supplements with selenium. So, be sure to consult with your doctor before taking any dietary supplements. Also, check out this quick selenium article and video from WebMD.
• Garlic has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, as well. These help it to help you maintain scalp health.

Do you use garlic shampoo or any hair product with garlic for hair growth? Tell us about it!