Keeping up with the latest fashions have always been high on my priority list. However, the bright colors, long fabrics, and relaxed fits that surround me in California highly differ from the monochromatic, structured, and feminine looks that hail the streets of London.

There is no doubt that I will be emulating this oh so ‘smart’ style when I land in California.  Three looks have consumed my being (and pocket) while being here: Fur, leather, and shift dresses.

I love PETA friendly fur. It’s luxurious, classy, and most of all warm. I remember first trying out this look in 10^th grade on my 65 degree Socal campus- I was out of place to say the least. In a last minute dash to decrease the weight of my suitcase I ditched the fur before coming to London. And once I saw everyone in South Kensington prancing around in their sky high heels and fur coats, I deeply regretted  it. It’s the perfect addition to a posh outfit when heading out on the town.

Throw this over a turtle neck for a modern look. Try this one on sale for $75 on Modcloth.com:

I’ve been obsessed with leather since Britney Spears wore that all red leather jump suit in her “Oops I Did It Again” video. A hint of leather can add instant edge to your wardrobe. Buy a pair of these sleek leather pants from Zara for $50 :

Shift dresses are classic, and perfectly appropriate for all kinds of occasions. It’ll bring out the inner Audrey Hepburn in you. Try this one for $100 from Top Shop:

(added by Christelyn, because she thought it would be funny.)

No, I’m not talking about the kind of attention you want to avoid. No cat calls, puckered lips, or hissing coming from the mouths of the less than desirable. From what I can tell it’s not a fetish but a diverse pallet that the majority of Londoners share.

Throughout the city it is quite obvious that the Brits don’t have a set “type” like most Americans do. Here in America I can almost guess to the eyelash what type of preference someone has after talking to them for five minutes. But the Brits? They always keep me guessing.

In England the swirling isn’t limited to vanilla and chocolate. I have seen all types of people from all over the globe in a relationship with each other in London. It was clear that the Black women didn’t have to fear when they were not approached by a Black male. Every Black mother I have come into contact with proudly holds hands with her biracial daughter.

But what limits Americans from thinking in the same terms? The argument can be made that London is a Metropolitan city, where swirling is not uncommon. But I have a different theory.

In America, color often (wrongly) dictates the expected commonalities we have between one another.  Americans think of themselves in terms of White, Black, Yellow, Brown, or Red.

For example, when is the last time you met someone who identified themselves as primarily Norwegian? And in the rare case that this would happen, what characteristics would you expect this person to have? In America we don’t usually think in these ethnic terms. We think in basic terms of color.

It is hard for the British to think strictly in terms of color, because their respective countries of origin are so close. In Great Britain even the various Western European countries are known to have their own distinctive ways of life and traditions, and many citizens still feel attached to them. Here there is no guarantee or expectation that you will have something in common with all the people of your race. Therefore, being in a relationship with someone of a different race is not that different than being in a relationship with someone of a different ethnicity.

According to the UK newspaper the Independent, mixed race children are becoming a significant portion of the UK population:

On current trends, mixed-race babies will soon outnumber those born to black couples in Britain. The last census showed that people of mixed race make up the third-largest minority group behind Indians and Pakistanis. But with half of them aged 16 or younger, they are the fastest growing. In time, people of mixed race will become Britain’s largest ethnic minority.

It is very refreshing to be in a place that takes advantage of their diverse surroundings. And hey, I don’t mind the attention;) Reason #17383272 to move to London.

Hi Christelyn here my questions. I would like to start by saying that I hope none of what I say is taken in a derogatory way. It is all meant with the utmost honesty and respect. Its just coming from a different culture back ground things can be different and also views of other cultures can be different but not always accurate. I feel I also need to point out that I have never actually been out or slept with a black woman before, I’m not sure why but I would say mainly because its just never happened rather then any particular reason. My family ( mom dad bro) would not have any problem with it. First off what would be a good way of meeting black women and also a good way to approach them? What about looks and style? I’m 6ft 1 but I’m quite slim I want to train and gain more muscle and size would that be a plus in the eyes of a woman? Also what about personality? I’m quite shy and that is something i want to work on for myself not just for relationship wise.

Now on a more serious note, my main question is, and this can be interpreted the wrong way, but I hope you don’t …. so here goes ….. Can a black woman really love a white man???? and not feel she as lost out somewhere? I ask this be cause where I come from in England which is not a very good area, that is some times a feeling I get from just on the grape vine and also from tv and reading. I feel it is a unwritten rule that black men and white women can date but not WM and BW and sometimes the black men and white women who date inter racially are the ones with the problem and don’t like it when they see it the other way round. Where I come from as well there are a lot of single white women with babies including white black Asian and exct babies. That is something I don’t want I’ve never wanted to be a single parent with kids by how many women. I suppose I’m a bit of a old style romantic and believe in true love that is why I have asked the question. I want my relationship to be mainly about true love and great sex and friendship will come with that.

This is were I don’t want you to take what I say the wrong way, and I know culture as a whole is different in England to USA. But from what I see where I come from a lot of black relationships are more about attitude rather then love but I suppose I’m seeing it more from the male point rather then the women’s. I have a lot of black male friends but not many women friends full stop. Also most the interracial relationships round by my which are mainly BM WW really aren’t what I want they are not in my opinion good healthy relationships for reasons you can probably guess why. I feel like I’m going on a bit of a racist rant here but I’m not I just want you to understand my concerns. these are some of the reasons why I am interested in black women. apart from the fact I have always found them attractive, I love the thick curvy body, big bums, lips and dark eyes. I also am really attracted to the fact they seem to have a lot of self respect, back bone and will not let any gangster rapper wannabe walk over them.

But like I’ve asked I would want to feel true love like I’m her number one and that she is full happy in the relationship.

Thanks for your help hope to hear from you soon.

Here’s my response to some of his questions:

FAIR NOTICE: I know lots of people will what to chime in on advice for “J,” but remember to keep it kind, cool, and classy. The purpose of me showcasing these questions is to facilitate a dialogue and give this community and opportunity to learn and grow from each other. That said, in overtly cruel comments and I’ll rip your e-tongues out, got it?

I discovered a few of them think that because there are few blacks in some of these places that, they would not be comfortable going.  Well, there are numerous places in the US where we could say the same thing. I don’t understand this fear and inhibition but I do rejoice in those who have gone out and claimed their piece of the globe.  I would advise anyone not to let the fear of racism keep them from taking advantage of an opportunity that could be once in a lifetime.  I have  “been the only one” or one of a few black people in a class, work or even church countless times.  Depending upon the situation, I have try to use those opportunities to educate folks.

Racism is everywhere and not going away anytime soon. Life goes on. Just think if the phenomenal woman Gloria Ray Karlmark, one of the “Little Rock Nine” let her circumstances limit her potential. She may have never become a chemist, she may never have met and married a Swedish man nor be in a position to head Fortune 500 companies in Sweden, Belgium or Holland. Gloria Karlmark may not have become the award winning and innovative power house she turned out to be had she not taken some risks and stepped out on faith.  Just check out Gloria Ray Karlmark on Swedish television talking about then candidate Obama and the possibility of him becoming the first US black president (2008).

Sweden is also home to another super achieving, black American woman.  She is Black Women in Europe Network  founder Adrianne George Lind. Adrianne is from Washington DC and was exposed to the international world as a youngster.  She had close family members who lived and worked overseas and that led to her being bitten by the travel adventure bug.  Adrianne used education as her ticket to cross the Atlantic and has since travled the globe. She obtained a Master’s degree in Marketing and PR in Belgium where she met her Swedish husband.  Married to the love of her life, Adrianne is now living in Sweden.  If she had any hesitancy about going overseas, Adrianne would never have left the states. She is another prime example of what we can accomplish given opportunity coupled with desire and passion. So seek out educational opportunities and go for it.

Adrianne has become an International power broker who has built two networks the other being co-founder of Women of the African Diaspora. She is also co-founder and editor of Black ExPat Magazine.  Adrianne also runs the BWIE Blog  and hosts two BWIE subgroups in Facebook (one for women exclusively living, studying or working abroad, and one for those abroad and women in the US).  In 2010, Adrianne was inspired by Forbes Magazine World’s 100 Most Powerful Women List.  She went right into action creating and publishing the first (and two subsequent) Most Powerful Black Women in Europe List 2010.  My dear friend gets a heartfelt thanks from me for creating the networks where I met so many wonderful people I otherwise may never have known. (2011 list – 2012 list)

Thanks to Adrianne, I was inspired to compile a list of programs and schools.  As an information broker, I had received some requests for information about studying abroad — specifically Europe. Most universities in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Germany and many other EU countries are tuition FREE even for foreigners.  At least they used to be more than there are now.  So many non EU students were taking advantage of those opportunities so some countries have started charging.  Many remain free, so those who are interested will have to be diligent and research well. As always beware of scams and know that you will still have to demonstrate financial stability.  Some may wonder why bother if you still have to sustain yourself financially.  Well, you would have to sustain yourself financially at home anyway, so why not experience life abroad even if for one semester?  Where there is a will there is a way.  What better reason to live abroad is there other than to pursue education?   Ok, besides love, a killer job, extended vacation and maybe medical treatment?  Obtaining a quality degree makes school rank pretty high up on the list.

Explore the Country, Explore the Programs.

These degrees are offered in English. You can get your degree and not have to worry about learning the language of the host country for some programs.  A few countries require proof that you are learning their language.  Of course it would be best if you did learn the language, but for those that don’t it is one less stress while you are completing your education.  Two years ago, my friend Gavaza got a Masters in International Peace Studies in Finland in English and it was free.   She had to pay some room and board, but tuition was entirely free for her two year program. And she was paid for her internship.  Most can get part time jobs to help defray expenses. I say if at all possible, we should take advantage of these opportunities. The language skills alone should one become fluent gives you a additional skill that may prove useful upon returning to the States.  Even for those of us with professional degrees and who are already working could consider time abroad for study. This is easier for single people who don’t have families and homes, but on the other hand people are taking their spouses and families abroad all the time.

I met a sister on the BWE Social Network (a Tuskegee Veterinary School graduate) named Priscilla Bowen, DVM, Ph.D.  Her husband who is also a veterinarian, was offered an opportunity to receive specialized training in animal neurosurgery in Switzerland.  Dr. Bowen was not about to twiddle her thumbs while her husband was in training all day.  She wasted no time researching and found her own educational opportunity.  Dr. Bowen found, enrolled in and completed a Ph.d. program at the University of Zurich Veterinary School.  I asked Dr. Bowen if she would mentor a young black high school student who wanted to be a veterinarian.  Dr. Bowen was more than eager to mentor and graciously asked me to pass on her contact information to the young lady.  That is what it is all about.  It didn’t matter that we had never met, she was willing to reach out to young black women in any school pursuing their dream of becoming a veterinarian.

You can find almost any program in Europe including veterinarian medicine as we just learned.  Some schools in the smaller EU countries also seek international students as they all boast of wonderful educational opportunities.  You could go to medical school in Romania or Hungary.   You could get an Engineering degree in Norway, or study physics in Germany.  It doesn’t hurt to just check things out.  This also goes for spouses of those in Embassy jobs or with the US State Department or as we saw with Dr. Bowen someone in school.  Putting your mind to anything, you can make it work.   There is more research to do as I have barely scratched the surface.  Those of you whose curiosities have been piqued have your homework cut out for you.  Just know that some of these institutions have the been around for centuries and offer an education equal to or even surpass US educational standards.

Sweden. Korea. Spain. England. Japan. France. Germany. Italy. Brazil. The List is Long.

With passport in hand, have your necessary paperwork ready for visa applications, apply and wait for your acceptance letters.  Asia offers some opportunities too.  Regina Walton went to Korea specifically for school and started a blog as “Expat Jane“.  She completed a Master’s degree in International Studies at Ewha Women’s University.  Regina was able to learn Korean and even wrote a column for the Korean Herald. Regina told me that it was a fluke that she just happened to see an advertisement for the program and applied. She did not speak Korean at all, but because the program was offered in English, she went for it. Regina graduated from UCLA law school before going to Korea but she now writes for a living in Northern California.

Sweden has over 600 programs in English.  One of my friends was accepted to an online Master’s program in Digital Library and Information Services at the University of Boras Swedish School of Library and Information Science in Boras, Sweden. She was one of 40 applicants admitted out of 400!! Her prayers were answered as she wanted an opportunity to go back to school and travel. The best part was that it is FREE!! As my friend stated, “It is a well-kept secret about free education in Europe, but we don’t know for how long.”   So, get moving if that is what you want to do. You can’t beat studies for free online or on campus. But realistically you have to do your homework and again have the means to support yourself.  Seek out internships, jobs, host families even affiliated churches may help with housing.  We have a young lady from France visiting Los Angeles for a 3 month drama class she found online.  The young lady contacted the church I attend and told us of her intentions and needs.  One of our members gladly hosted her while she is here.  That is out of the box thinking that saved her a fortune in housing.  It worked out great!

Here are some links to consider and remember this is just a small sampling of what is out there. Even if the school is not free, they may have scholarships or grants. Just ask someone at the school of your interest. If you know of programs, please list them in the comments. Again, good luck to all takers!

Bonus:  Find Bachelor’s Studies in Europe has an extensive list of all colleges in EU. Once you put in your search options, you can list the results by tuition. There are several pages of tuition free institutions listed.  This site has also has information on Master and Ph.D. programs. (Thanks Ashley!)

If you can’t find a suitable free program, you may be able to get financial aid to attend some overseas schools.  FAFSA International Universities  is a directory of institutions worldwide where U.S. students can use their financial aid for short term study abroad or even to get an undergraduate or master’s degree!  This link is to their Facebook page as I can’t seem to find the actual directory.  But if interested you could contact them via email  on Facebook.  (Thanks Sherise!)

The actual FAFSA website may prove useful too as you would need the school codes anyway.

This is general information from an India site about education in Europe, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. You will have to look through to find what you need, but the effort is probably well worth it.

Here is a listing  of European Union universities with graduate programs.

These schools are highly competitive and very reputable, so study will require dedication and hard work if you are accepted.

Check out the accreditation  of the various schools

Listing of universities

Sweden 

Linköping University is fully accredited and reputable  in Sweden.  LIU is offering tuition free doctorate degrees in English.   If you could find an online program, it would be ideal.

A listing of all the Swedish Universities offering Master level degrees in English. Most are tuition free.

A Wikipedia listing as well

This is a great site that leads to other international graduate information

Denmark 

Finland

U of Helsinki Finland

Finland 

Norway

Univeristy of Oslo

Iceland   University of Iceland. Icelandic schools don’t have tuition but registration fees. They also have a nice student loan program.

Listing of state and private Icelandic Universities

Netherlands

http://www.studyinholland.nl/

http://www.nuffic.nl/international-students/study-options

http://www.studyinholland.nl/

http://www.eurogates.nl/

http://www.isparis.edu/page.cfm?p=550

http://www.english.uva.nl/start.cfm

http://studylink.com/study-in-netherlands/

http://www.internationalgraduate.net/country/europe/netherlands.htm

Funding info for the Netherlands

Belgium

Hasselt is a Belgian University that charges, but may have some reduced tuition. You have to call and talk to people or at least email. You never know what kind of opportunities you may get just by asking questions.

Estonia   Study in Estonia (may have scholarships) 100 or more programs in English and they have EU status.

Italy 

Spain

Germany    (Higher education is free for everyone)

University of Stuttgart

University of Ulm

More great info from Germany

http://www.study-in.de/en/

http://www.admissionglobal.com/study_germany.asp

http://www.scholars4dev.com/category/country/europe-scholarships/germany-scholarships/

Hungary

Romainia 

Ukraine 

Bulgaria 

Croatia    (not free but they do have scholarships)

Slovakia

Slovenia    (not free)

Czech Republic

Lithuania

Latvia 

Russia

France    general info and does not appear to be free

Poland 

Switzerland   (not free)

Listing of Australian Schools or universities with graduate programs (Not Free)

Listing of UK schools  or universities with graduate programs (Not Free)

Listing of New Zealand schools or universities with graduate programs (Not Free)

Ladies, many of you want to go to Europe, Asia or Australia. I am an advocate of international travel if for nothing else, the experience, different people, cultures, food, air and life in general. Many black American women are living happily overseas with their husbands and families. It is not for everyone, but I still advocate visiting. You may wonder how do you do it?

This is Part One of an interview with two expats. Carolyn Vines, author of Black and (a)broad and blog of the same name is an expat living in the Netherlands with her Dutch husband and daughters interviews Adrianne George, founder of the Black Women In Europe Social Network™. Adrianne, an international powerbroker is a Washington DC native living in Sweden shares her journey abroad from conception through fruition. What an inspiration both of these award-winning bloggers are!

I say get your game plan on. Make a plan A, B, C and an exit strategy. If things don’t work out, the same plane that takes you there can bring you back or take you on to the next city to begin the next chapter of your life. The thing is to just get out there and live. Life is too short so go and do you!

This is Part Two of this wonderful interview. You will find out more about Adrianne’s journey and inspiration for the Black Women In Europe Social Network™. and much more. Where there is a will, there is a way!

Learn all about Carolyn and get smart travel advice Black and (a)broad Blog

Read all about black expatriates all over the world Black Expat Magazine

The cashier then says to me, “If you’re interested, we have Tony Blair’s book as well!”

Even though I had a feeling I would regret my question I asked anyway.

“Umm, who is Tony Blair?”

The cashier says to me, “Our previous Prime Minister.”

Well here lies the problem.

I’ve had longer conversations regarding America’s current election and economic state with British people than I have had with any of my fellow American classmates.

Every time one of these conversations arise, I am never expecting it.

The first time was with a club bouncer. After seeing my ID he said, “ I would go with Romney. He’s a great business man, so he’d definitely be able to run the country. Obama’s old news, man!”

I was really surprised to see the average Brit know more about our politics than the names of the people running. It’s not uncommon for the average American to solely be concerned with the party of the candidates running.

But this past weekend I got to see the extent of America’s influence when I joined a group of 20 British students on a retreat to discuss Religion, Politics, and Government.

They said they knew more about American Politics than their own, and that they wish they could vote in our election.

I can’t think of one American that knows the politics of another country better than our own. I would even be surprised to come across a person who had basic knowledge of the Israeli elections that are going on now. Despite the fact that Israel is an important part of our foreign policy.

With American elections slowly coming to a close, it is important to realize how lucky we are to have our voices heard not only for our choice of President, but the propositions within our own state.

Too often we underestimate the power a ballot holds. I’ve heard too many people say that they are not voting because all they have is a choice between two evils. People around the world are looking at the US elections with great enthusiasm and passion.

As Americans reaping the benefits of living in a country as great as ours, we should all take the time to vote. Because the reality is, none of the candidates are evil. They both have a plan to help this country, and are taking the time to promote these plans.  As American citizens we should be taking the small amount of time it takes to cast a ballot and have our voices be heard, while putting this action in perspective. People around the world can see the importance and impact of our elections. Why can’t we?

On Saturday, I rocked a Jaws t-shirt and went to my first screening, for Satellite Boy. It’s an Aussie film about an Aborigine boy torn between his traditional grandfather and more modern mother. Wonderful story! I sat next to some guy who was drop dead gorgeous and found out he was a Canadian actor who had once driven a smart car to LA to study acting more seriously. While he was there he bussed tables. I wish I could remember his name. Oh well.

Before my next film, I grabbed a quick bite to eat in the TIFF Lightbox restaurant and was immediately treated to a skateboard protest. Thousands of skateboarders suddenly descended on King Street and skated through the heart of the festival. No one in the restaurant knew what their demands were though.

The next movie I saw was the Lebanese Rocket Society, a documentary on a small Armenian college’s foray into building rockets in Lebanon in the 60’s, at the height of the space war between the US and Russia. Also a good film.

Finally, I attended the premiere for End of Watch, the new Jake Gyllenhaal film with Michael Pena, about two LAPD cops. As I was in line to get in, the Cloud Atlas premiere was letting out and Halle Berry and Tom Hanks came out the back exit by where we were lined up! Of course the paps knew they’d come out that way so it got really crazy. The End of Watch director and cast came out for Q&A afterward as well and did about 30 minutes. I even got picked to ask a question!

Sunday

I did a sightseeing tour to see more of the city and bought souvenirs. I stopped by GUESS which was running a special for TIFF attendees:  if you showed your film ticket, you got $30 off your purchase, sale items included!

I like Toronto but boy is it expensive to be so small. The cabs are more expensive than New York! However, I did really enjoy how much culture the city has to offer (there’s a shoe museum, castle and other interesting places in/around downtown Toronto).

Overall

I had a great time. I love movies and always watch DVD extras for insight in the process so all of the Q&A was right up my alley. In another life I used to write short stories and stuff so I feel like my creative juices have been inspired and are flowing again. Going forward I’d love to get involved in my local film community. Almost every major city has a film festival now so I’d love to see the work of local writers, directors, actors, etc. There’s also a few film discussion clubs I’ve seen floating around in my city.

If you’re planning to check out a film festival, here are some quick tips that I learned:

First time film festival attendees 

1) Determine in advance (before tickets go on sale) which films you want to see

2) figure out if it makes more sense to buy a festival pass/membership or to buy tickets individually

3) once the schedule is released, if you want to see multiple films in a day, consider the distance between theaters and any likely line up times for popular films

4) have back-up films figured out in advance in case your primary films sell out

5) plan to immediately buy tickets once they go on sale to the public

6) if time permits, scout out all relevant film locations (i.e. box office to pick up tickets, individual participating theaters, etc) in advance for planning purposes (i.e. whether you’ll be standing outside and may need an umbrella, parking costs, etc)

7) arrive early to have plenty of time in the event of unforeseen issues (i.e. location change, etc)

8) Bring snacks and water

9) During the movie, mentally note questions for the crew later on, if Q&A is allowed

10) Plan to have fun, if nothing else!

Pictures from the Cabbagetown street festival:

Why attend a film festival?

You’re interested in:

• seeing films before they are released to the general public
• seeing films that may not or will not be released in your city/country
• Q&A with the director, cast, producers, etc, which reveals details about the creative process or inspiration behind the film
• connecting with people in the industry or other attendees who share your love of film

TIFF 2012

Here’s a brief rundown of my experience at the Toronto International Film Festival (known as TIFF) a few weeks ago. It was my first time ever at a film festival! You can check out reviews of the movies I saw on my blog at theamateurauteur.tumblr.com.

I arrived the first day of the festival and that evening, went to the rush line for the French film Rust and Bone starring Marion Cotillard. The rush line is for people who don’t have tickets but may be asked to come inside (for free) if any empty seats are available. I had just gotten in line (and was about 30th) when some lady walked up and asked if I was alone. When I said yes, she gave me a free ticket and told me to enjoy the show. What amazing luck already! I must say, the Canadian hospitality was wonderful my entire time in Toronto.

I went in and Marion was on the red carpet doing press, right as I walked by! In the theater I sat next to a Canadian woman who was concerned about right wing U.S. politics so we chatted briefly about the U.S. election. The film was introduced in French by the director, which Marion translated. I highly recommend Rust and Bone if it’s released in North America.

Friday morning I got to the box office super early to try for tickets to that evening’s premiere of Place Beyond the Pines, starring Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, and Eva Mendes (Ray Liotta also appears). Some dodgy scalpers (yes, there are scalpers for movie premieres) in line kept asking what I was waiting for, to which I kept replying quite vaguely, as they were giving me bad vibes. There were some girls who had been waiting since the day before to get tickets to Imogene (there’s a guy in it from Glee) and when the doors opened, the scalpers took all but one of the remaining tickets to that film! However, I got my tickets and a friend I was meeting went early to make sure we got good seats. As I was heading to the theater, a crazy roar erupted and people started running into the streets like maniacs. It was Bradley Cooper on the red carpet!

The director came out and introduced the cast, one by one. First out was Ryan Gosling of course, then Bradley Cooper, then Eva Mendes, then the rest of the cast. Eva and Ryan’s body language was very interesting throughout the evening!

The movie was amazing. At some point my friend nudged me and pointed. Harvey Weinstein was sitting right behind me. However, he left shortly thereafter.

The director and cast Q&A session  commenced shortly after the movie ended. Unfortunately, most of the questions were embarrassingly fangirl-ish and all directed at Ryan. He’s really funny in person though, quite quick on his feet. After the second “Ohmygod you’re so sexy”, he was like “that’s a statement, not a question” and tried to kick it back to the director (you can see him smirking in almost all of the pictures below). Some other lady asked (of course after saying how sexy he was) if he could keep any of the tattoos from the movie which one would he keep. I mean, really.

The biggest nonsense came courtesy of some lady who started off her “question” rambling about the upcoming CHL strike and that Ryan was a favored son of Canada and blah blah blah. She then presented him with some hockey paraphernalia. He kindly thanked her, picked it up, got back in line on stage and proceeded to unfold everything.

I’d assumed it was a hat and tshirt or jersey or something but… wait for it…

IT WAS A ONESIE.

Anyway, after the Q&A ended we tried to catch the cast for autographs but they left through a back door. I then met up with BB&W’s very own Sophia, who took me to a fun sushi joint and showed me around a couple of neighborhoods- the Annex, near the Univ of Toronto, and Yorkville, which is super ritzy.

Coming soon – part 2: Foreign films, the End of Watch premiere and seeing Toronto!

Here are more pictures from my first two days at the festival:

Outside the TIFF Lightbox

Fun treats handed out before the premiere

The E! Team

A bit of a hair update:

This is what my hair looked like before the chop (I had 2-year old dreadlocks)….

This is what happened when I got a little scissor-happy and snipped my locks off…(Oh, yes I did…)

And this is what my hair looked like after I went to a barber and got him to even out my hack job.

Having hair this short was a dream. I went to Paris a few days after I got it cut and delighted in the fact that I didn’t even have to bring shampoo (the dinky hotel shampoo would be just fine). It dried super fast and it still looked good even if I didn’t put any product in it.  I missed having hair, though, and lamented the versatility I used to have with my longer locks.  Because when your hair’s this short, you only really have one style.

I decided to grow it out.  I was thrilled when I was able to sport a mini afro in April.  Here’s a comparison shot of my hair on Day 1 of my cut vs Day 90-ish:

Cute, right? But, as I discovered (at least in my case!), with more  hair, comes more responsibility.

With my dreadlocks, I could just wash and go.  No drama necessary.  With my loose hair, however, I started to worry about tangles and my follicles lacking moisture. My hair is super super tightly curled and therefore shrinks up, which is a pain. When I let my hair “just be” it started to look “just crazy”.  Dislike.

How did this cramp my travel style?  Well, on a trip to Peru last March, I had to bring a comb, brush, special conditioner, and a bottle of hair moisturizer.  No bueno for me… Because, epiphany: I hate doing my hair. Especially when I travel. Because, when I travel, the last thing I want to worry about is my hairdo. Simplicity is key for me and I hate to overpack (it stresses me out a fair bit), so  having to bring along a bunch of tools to tame my hair was not. good. at. all.

For the record, after the first day or two, I ended up wearing hats the rest of my Peru trip.

The best travel hairstyles for me are ones that require little-to-no maintenance or products.  For brown girls like me with really really kinky coils, this equates to cornrows, dreadlocks, and braided hair extensions, all of which I’ve worn at some point in my travels.

At the beginning of May I put in some braids, just in time for my trip to Nice and Monaco. I loved them.

But inevitably, I started getting bored of my ‘do.Two months after that I took them out was surprised at how much my hair had grown.  I blow-dried my hair a bit so as to stretch out my afro and was able to rock a little puff:

I’ve been rocking the puff for the last two months and as much as I love it, I‘ve made an appointment to start dreads again at the beginning of November. I’m all about simplicity and locs were the lowest-maintenance style I’ve ever had.

 How do you wear your hair? Do you have different hairstyles for when you travel? Are you a low-maintenance girl or do you bring your special conditioners, hair straighteners, and curlers when you’re on the road?

Questions about travel? Want to read more of my travel adventures? Hit me up on my blog: Oneika the Traveller !

I’ve read many entries on how to attract a man on several blogs including this one and they seem like great pointers…until I scroll down to the bottom and read the comment section. It seems as though the flirting and points that are given seem like more work and frustration for many of you who are doing or trying the techniques offered to you; the 5 second eye-flirt, the smile, the starting a conversation, etc, etc.

But how do these techniques differ from abroad? Are they helpful? Well I can give you my experience..

My experience has been…it’s not needed. While in Korea, I believe I’ve been asked out and pursued by Korean men without having to initiate anything. You can pretty much ask any black woman who has been in Korea for a good length of time and they will tell you the exact same thing. I remember jokingly telling my friend that Korea will soon by the Italy of Asia. I could simply be waiting on the metro train and a Korean man will come up to me to say “Hi, how are you?” (I use to think they were only practicing their English with me) “You are very beautiful, can I have your number.” I mentioned before on this blog, that I was really surprised that Korean men were stepping up their game and getting out of the “I’m shy” box. This also has a lot to do with the fact that many of their teachers are foreigners so they are exposed to different kinds of beauty besides their own and Caucasians.

The same happened when I was in Thailand…I mentioned it before in a previous post where I came across some French men during my tour who kept calling me “Bella” and “Beyonce”,lol. Again, I didn’t initiate anything. I simply was a beautiful woman passing by. Even the locals in Thailand were calling me and a friend of mine who came along, beautiful.

Currently I am living in Italy and I only have a few days left. Let’s just say I don’t need to wink, do 5 second eye-flirts or any of that is suggested. I am simply just a woman. I look nice, I smile, and that’s it. One morning , I was heading towards the bus stop when an Italian man was working outside doing construction started singing loudly, when I looked over, he had the biggest smile on his face, while singing to me and then said “Buongiorno bellissima!” I thought it was cute and hilarious. Moments before him when I bought my ticket, the man who was selling them to me kept saying “bellissima, bellissima…you, me…coffee”,lol. That’s the only English he knew, but knew enough to ask me out for coffee. I declined, the man was old enough to be my father,lol. There are more stories that I have here in Italy, too many to go over. Which is a good thing.

I know lately in the BWIR blog forms that the topic of invisibility has come up. I want to say to young black girls and women, that where you are currently are in this world, is not the world. There is a whole world outside of your school, your city, your area that does not think you are invisible.

In case you had any doubt in your mind as a black woman…YOU ARE DESIRABLE!  Don’t worry yourself about men who are not responding to your flirts. Simply do what a woman is suppose to do; look good, smile, and go about your business. Let the men do the work, it’s easier that way and less frustrating on your part. Whether men are approaching you or not, believe that there is a man who is memorized by you, because men are always checking out women.

I know another issue that has come up is that men are too “shy” to approach you. I understand that, but is that really your problem? Do you really know who is too shy to approach you? Remember you are an irresistible woman and an irresistible woman doesn’t have time or energy to be upset with someone who hasn’t approached them.

If it is in your nature to naturally flirt, then by all means, do so. Do what works for you. If you are not into that, but prefer to socialize, then put yourself in a socialized setting where talking will be required, but whatever you do, don’t get frustrated!

I remember a line from Tyra Banks in one of the seasons of Top Model, where she told her contestants… “Every hall way is a runway”. In other words in every opportunity that you can find, practice walking down the runway to perfect your walk. The same goes whenever you go out, even if it is to the grocery store to look your best and be that irresistible woman.

The here is a tip I will give you ladies; be an irresistible woman in your own right. Every woman can be irresistible. Whether it’s the twinkle in your eye, the way you walk, the way you smile, the way you interact with others, you can only be you. I’ve come across many beautiful black women who are irresistible in their own right.

Want more? Follow Citrina at @JQAbroad on twitter and her blog www.jamericanqueenabroad.blogspot.com