What to do this summer on a finite budget? That’s what I’ll be thinking. Being an entrepreneur and small business owner is no easy task. It calls for long hours, plenty of work and extremely disciplined spending habits. (Certainly no easy task for me.) So, what’s a girl or guy to do when you’re absolutely excited for Summer to hit but your bank account screams…chill! Well, I’ve learned over the last several months that New York City is beyond the best place to take a stay-cation. There is an infinite list of things to do and they all can be done on a finite budget.
My first suggestion, before doing anything, is to invest more time in your PERSONAL CARE REGIMEN. We often forget to recognize how important this quality time is. Even if it’s designated to a weekend Saturday in your own bathroom. Order the bath salt scrub sample travel set and mix all four aromatic blends together. I do it all the time and the experience never fails to transport my mind to a far away island somewhere. TRUST ME…the stuff is real.
www.butterbykeba.com
Once you’re all bathed up and smelling scrumptious, your Big Fun in the City can begin. You won’t miss those long airport lines and the scrutinizing baggage and body check before the gate.
For instance, a few weeks ago I went on a Chelsea Gallery hop with my home-girl E and her BBFF B. (Please don’t ask what this acronym stands for cause I’m really not sure myself.) It had been quite some time since I frolicked around that part of town on the hunt for a visual head trip. There were lots of massively huge scaled art work exposing all sorts of beauty, mania, architecture and kink! There was one particular work of a chic condominium residence with a 1960’s mod facade. Each apartment window revealed an intense life scene or incident of some kind. Some sexual, several unnecessarily violent and the rest…a bit perverted. This piece was probably the one we stood in front of the longest…too many windows.
The others, however, were shear beauty, immense color, joy, sorrow and wonder. I managed to grab catalog cards for three of them. The first, Anne Neely’s exhibit, Where There’s Water, a collection of abstract landscapes.
Where There's Water
The second, Liz Markus’s Hot Nights At The Regal Beagle. This is the piece I felt sorrow for. Doesn’t her make-up look an absolute mess?? No definition, no structure…just a blotch of what seems to be a beautiful woman. Perhaps she’s happy, perhaps she’s sad. Who knows?? Oh…right…it’s hot at the regal beagle, so her make-up melted…of course.
Hot Nights At The Regal Beagle
The last, and my absolute favorite, Ruud van Empel’s Dawn, Souvenir, World, Moon. Now I must warn you. Some of the work will have you wondering if my boy Ruud has pedophilia. Empel’s work is sublime beauty and vivid nature. The children, adorable and innocent, which is what makes me wonder from where Mr. Empel pulls his inspiration. My guess is he loves children as much I do, or anyone else for that matter. NOTE: Just because an adult loves, admires and cares for young people that are not his/her own, DOES NOT make them a pedophile. Any who, take a look at his work. It’s amazingly tropical, surprisingly and probably inappropriately exotic, and will certainly transport you, if only for a brief moment.
Ruud van Empel
Ruud van Empel
Ruud van Empel
Best Regards,
Oh and do keep your skin soft.
Luv,
Keba
www.butterbykeba.com
Categories: Beauty · Botanicals · art · education
Tagged: Anne Neely, art, Chelsea Galleries, children, Liz Markus, Ruud van Empel, Stefan Stux Gallery
Great Pyramid in Giza
Hello Everyone,
Enjoying the beginning hints and scents of Spring in the air? Well, I’d like to share with you one of the most treasured and enlightning trips I’ve taken in my 35 years on this earth…Egypt. It is where I came and revitalized my spirit, learned of ancient truths and became familiar with a more sacred way of living.
Dr. Clinton Crawford is one of the most informed Egyptologists, scholars and historians of our day. Following the footsteps of Dr. Ben and our beloved Dr. Clarke, he makes a yearly two week pilgrimage to Egypt where he shares his knowledge and expertise on the way of life that this brilliant African civilization cultivated some 4000 plus years ago.
The inspiration that I experienced upon my return home is inexplicable. It is what I drew from to create and complete Butter By Keba.
I realize that we are in tough economic times at this historic moment. However, if you have saved for a rainy day and would like to invest in an experience that is sure to change your life, visit Dr. Clinton site www.sankofaworldpublishers.com for details on this year’s tour. Below are a few links that will provide detailed information as well.
http://www.sankofaworldpublishers.com/sankofawp-egyptstudytour2007.htm
http://www.sankofaworldpublishers.com/Egypt%20Brochure%202009%20color%20(3-panel).pdf
http://www.sankofaworldpublishers.com/index.html
Keep your skin soft.
Luv,
Keba
www.butterbykeba.com
Categories: Africa · Egypt · education · entrepreneurship · roots · travel
Tagged: Africa, Dr. John Henry Clarke, Dr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan, education, Egypt, History, Inspiration, Tours, travel
Hello Everyone,
I’ve just come back from an exciting seminar hosted by Project Enterprise’s Entrepreneurial night called the Sweet Smell of Success with Lisa Price of Carol’s Daughter, hosted by Columbia University. This was my second opportunity to hear Mrs. Price speak and educate. (I will refer to her as Mrs. Price because this evening I slipped and called her Lisa, as if she were a girlfriend. lol) My first learning experience with Lisa (oh what the heck) was at a workshop she held at the New York Open Center , my educational home of aromatherapy and natural perfumery, three years ago. I must say, this time was just as eye-opening and chuck-full of personal sharing as the last. She was so warm and open about her entrepreneurial journey. She’s truly genuine about her craft and love of it. I so respect her commitment to taking time to speak with new and young entrepreneurs. Sharing her story is so beneficial and uplifting to someone like myself. During an economic climate such as this, inspiration is priceless.
I have to admit y’all, I have never been a Carol’s Daughter customer. I remember purchasing a small bottle of “Jazzy Juicy” but I let it sit in my cabinet too long so it went bad. No…I’ve always been a Palmer’s Coco Butter kinda gal. It wasn’t until I was introduced to a small independent line by a Shaman (yes really), through an old boyfriend, that I became enlightened to all of my body care options. My love of cooking, seasoning and mixing foods and spices began to translate into a talent for blending oils, butters and essences.
My customers often compare me to Carol’s Daughter, a true compliment and honor, but in all honesty Butter By Keba renders a totally different product and experience. We focus on olfactory stimulation. Before I think of designing a new product, I must determine how it will smell first. I am totally obsessed with being able to seduce a nose with the perfect amount of this essence and the right amount of that essence. After I’ve married a group of accords to a new fragrance, I work on the product that will be enhanced with it. This is why Butter By Keba will most likely offer more fragrances than products. I love fragrance. To me, it is a woman’s best accessory. I’m not a high maintenance chic. I use 4 or 5 core products head to toe (all by BBK of course), and that’s it. So, although we both do a nice body butter, the two are completely different…and I mean completely.
I hope to continue to learn from today’s leaders in beauty and business. We live in a wonderful time where information is so readily available. Those who have been extremely successful in their industries have become so willing to share their knowledge and experience through seminars, books and workshops. I guess it’s their way of giving back. I say thank you to all of them… Lisa Price, Russell Simmons, D. Trump…thank you very much!
Keep your skin soft.
Luv,
Keba
www.butterbykeba.com
Categories: Beauty · Botanicals · Carol's Daughter · Columbia University · Healthcare · Relationships · entrepreneurship
Fruition Hair Serum
I’m often asked what I do to keep my hair so healthy and smooth. Once I reveal that my hair is also relaxed the next question follows, “what kind of relaxer are you using???” I’m always quick to reply “Hawaiian Silky Mild”. Little do women know, however, that often times a mild relaxer is the best route to take if you want to avoid over processing your hair, which is what takes away the luster and body.
I didn’t aways use mild though. No, my head has experienced them all, starting with Revlon regular. When I was sixteen, I snuck to Black Hair Is (remember them?) to take advantage of a $25 special they were offering on all relaxers. I was so excited to be finally liberated from the straight comb I bared every time my mother washed my hair. Yes, mommy was still washing my hair at the age of sixteen. It was simply too thick and too much for me to handle on my own.
Any who, the relaxer didn’t take as well as I would have liked. After all was said and done at I was left with a long and thick bob that sorta resembled the wig that Elizabeth Taylor wore when she played Cleopatra. After two touch ups and no foreseen future of a better hair do, I decided to try a different hair stylist. A girlfriend of mind suggested I try a place called Carmen Anna’s, located on 146th street and Broadway. I was introduced to the Dominican wash and set plus wrap. The first thing they did was upgrade me from the Revlon regular to the Revlon super. Boy…what a difference a little extra lye makes. My hair was looking like Mariah Carey’s. I was so happy, that is of course until my hair started to lose it’s natural luster and became limp, dry and just not so dark and lovely (remember them?) anymore.
So, after 10 years of the same routine, a wash and set every week and touch-ups every 2-3 months, I made a bold decision. No more relaxer…it’s time for some thick corn-rows. For about a year I grew as much of my relaxer out as I could. However, when all was said and done with that experiment, I was left saying to myself, “what the heck do you think you’re doing?”. Did I really think I could manage my own head of chemical-free hair? After all, it used to take my Mom 5 hours just to comb through it after a wash. It was definitely time to rethink my hair maintenance strategy.
While on a New Year’s vacation in St. Thomas, I discovered a relaxer that really left the hair feeling healthy and conditioned. It’s base had mink oil in it and the women on the island swore by it. As soon as I returned to New York, I searched for the Hawiian Silky. I started out with regular but then remembered what my first go around left me with so I downgraded to mild and have been using it ever since. My hair began to restore itself but I was still left with breakage issues while in between washes and touch-ups
In 2005, I was introduced to this potion called Magic Potion. Yes…seriously…. that’s what it was called and that was just what it was, magic. The yellowish serum was a blend of natural oils and waxes. When I was no longer able to get a hold of the person that supplied me with it I totally freaked out, that is until I realized that I still had the empty bottle with ingredients on the back…. 
After time, trial and just a few errors, I was able to formulate a serum that I actually prefer better. The general concept is there but adding my own special touch is what makes it special. Fruition Hair Serum is like fruit nectar for the hair. It’s thick ,sweet and you just need a drop to transform a dull coat of hair into one that shines with life!
Keep your skin soft.
Luv,
Keba
www.butterbykeba.com
Categories: Beauty · Botanicals · Herbal · hair · hair care · relaxers · roots
Tagged: Beauty, chemical treatments, hair, hair care, relaxers
A couple of months ago I received a beautiful package of herbal powders from my dear friend Mr. DW in Mumbai India. It was tightly wrapped in a natural cotton sack with a homemade label well taped to the front. What an official international package this was. I didn’t open it for an entire day and a half because I refused to rip it open while I was pressed for time or preoccupied with other tasks. No…I wanted to wait until I could give this special Mumbai package my undivided attention. After all, my good friend took precious time out of his day to source these wonderful goods. I had to give the experience of opening such a treasure from across the Atlantic its proper respect.
In my treasure pouch WERE four “time tested” ingredients that have been used for ages.
Neem(Azadaractica Indica)-
Used for the treatment of all sorts of skin problems. The constituents are Nimbidol and Gedunin and these have good fungicidal properties. Also, very effective in treatment of skin disorders like scabies, warts, eczema, psoriasis and dandruff.
Sandalwood (Chandan) : This is a unique Indian plant that has an extraordinary fragrance. The bark of the sandalwood tree is very smooth and sandalwood paste results in an extremely smooth, unblemished and lustrous look to the skin. The fragrance of sandalwood has proven to be an aphrodisiac. H-E-L-L-O…we love sandalwood.
Turmeric (Haldi) : This is used as a popular remedy for infections, boils, injuries and accident recovery.
Basil (Tulsi) : This is worshipped as the purest and sublime plant. This is very effective in treating skin disorders as it is a blood purifier and kills bacteria. This provides relief to inflamed throat conditions as well.
So over the last month and a half I’ve been researching the best mediums, consistencies and methods of introducing these very special herbal substances to the Butter By Keba line. I’m definitely thinking body butter or perhaps a light salve. Something that has a cooling and soothing effect to the skin and scalp if preferred. I’d blend essential oil potions that enhance the herbal product with fragrant magic of course. I’m also considering an herbal body and face mask. This would be a top seller during the warmer months. Neem is also a great bug repellent. Using a neem and sandalwood mask before heading out to an outdoor concert in the park would kill two birds with one stone!
These are some of what Butter By Keba has stewing for the Spring/Summer collection
If you have any ideas for products or would like to see these wonderful herbs used in a specific way, please comment.
Thanks much!
Keep your skin soft
Luv,
Keba
www.butterbykeba.com
Categories: Beauty · Botanicals · Healthcare · Herbal · India · Organic
Tagged: Beauty, Botanicals, Organics, Skincare
Citruese Salt Scrub
A few months back, while doing a designers show, a customer asked if my scrubs were salt or sugar. She said that it was very important that she stay away from sugar scrubs because they irritated her eczema. Who knew? I wouldn’t have imagined that sugar could irritate the skin if applied topically. But, when you think about it…what does it do to our bodies when ingested?
Hmmm….
My reason for using Dead Sea Salt for our body scrubs was purely about my familiarity with its detoxifying properties for the skin and body. I used to hear stories from my Israeli friends about the natural healing baths of Dead Sea Salt that the region’s people and its visitors had the luxury of taking. Why wouldn’t you want to recreate that in a jar that could be used at your whim? When I think about sugar scrubs, however, I can’t help but think about all the damaging aspects of sugar to our bodies when ingested, diabetes, obesity and…cavities, yikes! I just couldn’t imagine swimming in a bath of Dead Sea Sugar, unless lemons were added of course….yummm, fresh lemonade. I’m sorry, we’re talking bath products here not beverages.
Any who, what do you prefer in a scrub, salt or sugar?
Categories: Beauty
Tagged: Beauty, Body
Citruese Body Lotion
Every year Mt. Sinai’s African Culture Committee opens the hospital doors to small businesses, like Butter, to sell their products and services to staff, visitors, patients and anyone who needs a gift or pick me up trinket to add sparkle to their day. This year I was so blessed and lucky to have been recommended by one of my fabulous customers. Over the last three weeks on each Friday, I displayed and sold my collection to a diverse and appreciative group of women and men. What a fabulous experience. Not only did I bring in some decent revenue but I made new friends and established new customer relationships. This is the part of selling that I love, relationship building, whether it’s selling high end properties or high end body lotion. It’s all a feel good experience.
As I ran my little set up table, I couldn’t help but be reminded of where I was…a hospital. This is a place where people come to be treated, diagnosed or told that what ales them may shorten their time on this beautiful earth.
Between customer inquiries, purchases and girlie chatter, out the corner of my eye I noticed the father breaking down in tears in front of his grown daughter because the loved one who occupied a bed upstairs may have not been recovering the way they had hoped. For every 10 staff members there were at least 3 patients rolling around in their wheel chairs or dragging huge monitors and intravenous bags . At some point, all I wanted to do was run up to them with a bottle of my citruese lotion and squirt some in their hands…”here, take this, on the house”.
Fragrance can be so uplifting, motivating and sometimes mind boggling. A tasteful scent can trasform moods and sometimes sense of being.
Being in that hospital, however, took me back 25 years to a period in my life when my childhood stopped short as I found myself in the sterile hospital room of my beloved Grandma Evelyn as she battled a year with breast cancer, a battle she did not win. Every day my mom ran between her office and the hospital tending to Grandma’s needs. I don’t think I’ve spent as much time among hospital staff and patients since then until this month at Mt. Sinai. And you know what? It was as if a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. Confronting my hospital phobias (stemming from those days with my Granny) in a positive manner was strangely comforting.
After my first Friday at Mt. Sinai, I couldn’t wait for the next Friday, and it wasn’t solely about making money. It was about smiling at everyone that walked by, whether they stopped to check out the collection or not. It was about eating hospital cafeteria food that was actually delicious and extremely affordable. But most importantly, it was about being grateful for my presence in this world, my clean bill of health, and the fun moments I had with Grandma when she had a clean bill of health. We should all be so lucky…
Keep your skin soft…
luv,
Keba
www.butterbykeba.com
Categories: Beauty · Healthcare · Relationships · family
Tagged: family, Healing, Health, Hope, Love, Values
I started experimenting with shea butter about 3 years ago while living in Harlem. I was trying to duplicate a sweet and spicy smelling moisturizer that my ‘then boyfriend’ used to bring me on the regular. It was a very smoooth consistency of shea butter, beeswax and about 8 other ingredients. When we broke up I felt totally drained of everything, including some of the best body butter I thought I’d ever try. CORRECTION! That is until I started making my own. I would head down to 125th street on the weekends and sometimes all the way to Brooklyn to source all types of shea butter textures. White, yellow, no smell, yuck smell, (that is until I researched much better qualities online). I would come home with pounds of the stuff and start melting, mixing and pouring til my heart was content.
You see, not only was I trying to get over a very odd relationship but I was also trying to distress from a very ODD work environment in the Real Estate Industry. I couldn’t wait until the weekend came just so I could turn off the cell, shut down the laptop and begin my mixology extravaganza.
Who would ever think that an odd and often turbulent relationship would lead to a sense of freedom (both mental and creative), purpose and a means to generate more income. The experience taught me to never judge a situation by its cover because some of the strangest covers can reveal very life changing and life learning awakenings. When I look back at all of my so..so relationships, the ones with the craziest bumps are the ones that I learned from the most. I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
Keep your skin soft.
luv,
Keba
www.butterbykeba.com
Categories: Beauty · Relationships
Tagged: Beauty, Body, Boyfriends, Girlfriends, Relationships
