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Rene Holiday

Posts Written ByRene Holiday

handmade earrings by gypsyposh by tosh

GypsyPosh by TOSH jewelry https://www.gypsyposh.com/  is earthy, eclectic, and simply beautiful. The pieces caught my eye at a launch party for https://www.trnstylist.com/. GypsyPosh by TOSH pieces are both delicate and whimsy, and strong statement pieces are part of the collection as well. They cater to both men and women. I was immediately intrigued… I recently caught up with owner/designer Natashia Blach. This lady is beautiful inside and out! She is so passionate about every piece that she creates, which makes you fall in love with the brand even more. I wanted to know how she got started? Where did the name…

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In the Yoruba language, “Eyele Funfun” means “White Pigeon”. In  Yoruba/Lukumi http://www.lukumiart.com/ocha/ tradition, white pigeons represent purity. They are often used to remove negative energy. For several years now, my Babalow (Godfather in Ifa, spiritual mentor) has had me do a yearly cleanse on New Year’s Eve with a white pigeon. It is very simple. I get a white pigeon- not the dirty pigeons you see on the streets. But a beautiful bird purchased from a reputable bird store. I take the bird and sweep it across the top of my head, across the front and back of my body, front…

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Natural beauty benefits.

First of all, some of you may be asking “What is a Pre-Poo?” A Pre-Poo is the process of applying a treatment to your hair prior to shampooing and conditioning. Hence the name “Pre-Poo”. It’s an extra step you can add to your hair routine. A Pre-Poo will add moisture to your hair, and help keep it from becoming too dry from shampooing.  We all know that shampooing will strip your hair of moisture. Now that fall has officially begun and winter is just around the corner, this is the perfect time to experiment with different Pre-Poo’s. There are so…

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I recently went to my Happy Place as I do every week. A hidden beautiful river that flows through the mountains here in Southern California. As I walked down the bank, I noticed something low to the ground move into the bush. I couldn’t make out what it was. Was it a lizard? Was it a snake? I made a conscious decision  to proceed in the opposite direction. I wasn’t taking any chances even if it was only a squirrel. Whatever it was I scared it off. Or so I thought… I soon forgot about it and relaxed on a…

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I recently shaved my head for the second time in 18 months (you can read about it the first time here http://reneholiday.com/nurturing-locs/ ). It was unexpected and it was unplanned. I thought about it for a couple of days. Literally about 48 hours later I called my barber, and headed his way to shave my head, on a Friday evening… Now let me take you back to the weekend prior. My Godmother called me for our weekly conversation. It’s more like a “Spiritual Tune-Up.” In our conversation we talk about my Ocha https://oshunschild.com/2013/11/08/making-ocha-and-the-initiation-procedure/, and that my hair will be shaved again.…

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Everything changed on March 4, 2017, in a good way. My thought process, my energy, my level of sprituality, literally everything. I called my Godfather in Ifa (read more about Ifa here http://thesacredforest.org/ifa )  and all I said was “Baba (Yoruba word for father/wise man), I’m ready”.  He’s been waiting years for me to say that! This will not make sense to some of you, so I will explain as such. I’ve been a practioner of African Orisha Worship for many, many years.  In this tradition you ultimately want to be crowned with the Orisha that walks with you. The ceremony is…

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Oshun! Oshun! Oshun! Maferefun Oshun! Recently Beyonce hit the Grammy stage, and the world has not stop talking about her channeling Oshun for her performance. If you are not familiar with Oshun, she is the African Deity of love, beauty, prosperity and fertility. This description of Oshun are quick bullet points, there is SO much more to her than this. If you are a practitioner of Ifa and Yoruba religions (such as myself), a conversation about Oshun is just a common conversation to have. However, I do find it interesting that the rest of the world is now intrigued by…

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Essential oils can be your hairs best friend any time of the year. Their benefits are endless! They moisturize, sooth dry scalps, and help you’re blood circulation. I can on and on. They are even more “essential” during the winter months. I have been wearing my hair natural for almost 20 years. From dreadlocs to my current afro, and have been using essential oils along this natural hair journey. Working with essential oils is very easy. The most important thing to remember, is to use a carrier oil. You will blend your essential oil with a carrier oil. This is…

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Often in life, the best experiences are often unplanned and unexpected. When you just live your life, let go of the rules and expectations, that is when life is at its best. This past October was no exception to the rule. As my 48th birthday was rapidly approaching, I made a conscious decision to just live and let go. I was asked if I wanted a dinner party, did I want to go out to a club, and I declined pretty much everything that was offered to me. I just wanted to live and let go, and see what happens……

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Spring is here! What better time of year than now to start clearing out all of your old clothes from your closet. Make room for the pieces you actually wear, and get an honest look at what you need to add. I promise to keep this simple, and give you 5 reasons you just to need to Let it Go… 1. It has holes. Whether moths got to it or it has a small tear, let it go. If the damage is minimal, donate it. Someone less fortunate will appreciate it.           2. Missing Buttons. If…

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