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Happy New Year!

If you can't tell by now...I love harassing the dog.


2011

Happy New Year!

In 2011 I have goals. Not many, but what I think are pretty big goals and I will focus most of my attention in 2011 on achieving those goals. I remember back when I had to make a five year plan for one of my undergrad courses. Five years later I took a look at it and realized that I accomplished everything on the plan in the time I specified. I haven't made a plan since and because of that I feel like I have just been wandering aimlessly through life. So I made some goals (not resolutions) for 2011:
1. Sit down with my hubby and create a 10 year plan
2. Sell our current home and purchase a  new one (and larger one)
3. Payoff my car (#TeamNoCarNote)
4. Obtain a job that utilizes both my undergrad and graduate degree.

I make goals because I feel that resolutions are like rules - they are made to be broken. Think about it, what is a/are some goals you want to accomplish in 2011?

Happy New Year!

If you can't tell by now...I love harassing the dog.


2011

Happy New Year!

In 2011 I have goals. Not many, but what I think are pretty big goals and I will focus most of my attention in 2011 on achieving those goals. I remember back when I had to make a five year plan for one of my undergrad courses. Five years later I took a look at it and realized that I accomplished everything on the plan in the time I specified. I haven't made a plan since and because of that I feel like I have just been wandering aimlessly through life. So I made some goals (not resolutions) for 2011:
1. Sit down with my hubby and create a 10 year plan
2. Sell our current home and purchase a  new one (and larger one)
3. Payoff my car (#TeamNoCarNote)
4. Obtain a job that utilizes both my undergrad and graduate degree.

I make goals because I feel that resolutions are like rules - they are made to be broken. Think about it, what is a/are some goals you want to accomplish in 2011?

Product Review: Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose



Ingredients: Coconut Fatty Acid Cream Base, Organic Aloe Vera, Organic Shea Butter, Wheat Germ Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Rosa Mosqueta® Rose Hip Seed Oil; Extracts of Fennel, Hops, Balm Mint, Mistletoe, Camomile, Yarrow, Chrysanthemum, Angelica, Forsythia and Magnolia; Honeysuckle Oil, Carrot Oil, Aubrey’s Preservative (Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamins A, C and E).

They Say: For Dry, Brittle Hair  The sweet smell of success for your hair. Trade those dry, thirsty tresses for vibrant, touchably soft hair with this moisture-intensive conditioner. Restorative herbal emollients detangle and rehydrate to leave hair ultra-silky and irresistibly fragrant. Also recommended for bleached or highlighted hair. [source]

I Say: The smell was nice and it left a pleasant scent on my hair. However, it was a fight getting the product out of the bottle. Maybe it would be better packaged in a jar or an easier to squeeze bottle. Before purchasing I read a ton of rave reviews about the product so I was ready to be "wowed." But, I wasn't. This conditioner did not give me amazingly great results. The moisture factor was just okay and there was very little slip with this product. I purchased this conditioner because I was looking for an all natural/mostly natural hair conditioner. AOHR is not the one for me and I do not plan on purchasing this product again.


Product Review: Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose



Ingredients: Coconut Fatty Acid Cream Base, Organic Aloe Vera, Organic Shea Butter, Wheat Germ Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Rosa Mosqueta® Rose Hip Seed Oil; Extracts of Fennel, Hops, Balm Mint, Mistletoe, Camomile, Yarrow, Chrysanthemum, Angelica, Forsythia and Magnolia; Honeysuckle Oil, Carrot Oil, Aubrey’s Preservative (Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamins A, C and E).

They Say: For Dry, Brittle Hair  The sweet smell of success for your hair. Trade those dry, thirsty tresses for vibrant, touchably soft hair with this moisture-intensive conditioner. Restorative herbal emollients detangle and rehydrate to leave hair ultra-silky and irresistibly fragrant. Also recommended for bleached or highlighted hair. [source]

I Say: The smell was nice and it left a pleasant scent on my hair. However, it was a fight getting the product out of the bottle. Maybe it would be better packaged in a jar or an easier to squeeze bottle. Before purchasing I read a ton of rave reviews about the product so I was ready to be "wowed." But, I wasn't. This conditioner did not give me amazingly great results. The moisture factor was just okay and there was very little slip with this product. I purchased this conditioner because I was looking for an all natural/mostly natural hair conditioner. AOHR is not the one for me and I do not plan on purchasing this product again.


Huetiful Hair Steamer

This is not a full review - just a recap of my first experience.

[Source]


I got the Huetiful Hair Steamer for Christmas and couldn't wait to use it. For my first steaming with the yarn braids I oiled my scalp lightly with Castor Oil (a humectant) and then sat under the steamer for 15-20 minutes.

It felt great! My scalp felt like little fingers were crawling all over my scalp and giving me mini massages in each area; also, my scalp/yarn did not feel overly damp after steaming. It felt so nice that I want to try and steam at least twice a week. The only downside was that I was unable to the steam to really focus on the back/nape area of my scalp. Part of the reason was due to the thickness of my braids. I am going to play around with adjust the level of my chair and steamer next time to see if that makes a difference.

Huetiful Hair Steamer

This is not a full review - just a recap of my first experience.

[Source]


I got the Huetiful Hair Steamer for Christmas and couldn't wait to use it. For my first steaming with the yarn braids I oiled my scalp lightly with Castor Oil (a humectant) and then sat under the steamer for 15-20 minutes.

It felt great! My scalp felt like little fingers were crawling all over my scalp and giving me mini massages in each area; also, my scalp/yarn did not feel overly damp after steaming. It felt so nice that I want to try and steam at least twice a week. The only downside was that I was unable to the steam to really focus on the back/nape area of my scalp. Part of the reason was due to the thickness of my braids. I am going to play around with adjust the level of my chair and steamer next time to see if that makes a difference.

Fish Tail Bangs Back

Quick simple and really easy.  This is a simple fishtail braiding the bangs back as shown below.

                                 I just continued to fish tail braid all the way down.

Fall/Winter 2010 - Week 8

Most of this week was spent installing my very first set of yarn braids. They are posted in the blog entry just before this one. I am loving them and I am already planning on doing them again. I want to leave them in for about a month so that means I will be setting aside a weekend at the end of January to take them out.

Sunday
My hair was in a bun from my Saturday wash. I decided that evening to start on the yarn braids. I separated my hair into sections and started braiding in the back. I moisturized each section of hair with leave-in conditioner before starting the braid. I braided from 6pm-11pm.

Monday-Tuesday
My braids were not complete so I wore a hat during the day. I braided from 7pm-11pm each night.

Wednesday
I was determined to finish braiding. I started around 5pm and braided until 3:30am. I believe the reason that the yarn braids took so long for me to install was because I had no idea what I was doing and this was my first time doing braids with something other than my own hair.

Thursday-Saturday
Anytime that my scalp felt a little dry I would spray some Aloe Gro onto my scalp. It's so cool and refreshing that I started spraying just for the feeling (lol). I got a Huetiful Hair Steamer for Christmas and since I can't wait to use it I will be sitting under it in my braids really soon (review coming).

Fall/Winter 2010 - Week 8

Most of this week was spent installing my very first set of yarn braids. They are posted in the blog entry just before this one. I am loving them and I am already planning on doing them again. I want to leave them in for about a month so that means I will be setting aside a weekend at the end of January to take them out.

Sunday
My hair was in a bun from my Saturday wash. I decided that evening to start on the yarn braids. I separated my hair into sections and started braiding in the back. I moisturized each section of hair with leave-in conditioner before starting the braid. I braided from 6pm-11pm.

Monday-Tuesday
My braids were not complete so I wore a hat during the day. I braided from 7pm-11pm each night.

Wednesday
I was determined to finish braiding. I started around 5pm and braided until 3:30am. I believe the reason that the yarn braids took so long for me to install was because I had no idea what I was doing and this was my first time doing braids with something other than my own hair.

Thursday-Saturday
Anytime that my scalp felt a little dry I would spray some Aloe Gro onto my scalp. It's so cool and refreshing that I started spraying just for the feeling (lol). I got a Huetiful Hair Steamer for Christmas and since I can't wait to use it I will be sitting under it in my braids really soon (review coming).

Yarn Braids? Yes!

I have seen on YouTube and read a lot on the the blogs about a protective braid style known by many as "yarn braids" or "genie locs." Since I now have some free time back in my life I decided to give them a try. Another reason that the timing to try them out was perfect was because the last two weeks of the year are causal days at my job and if I didn't like them I could easily throw on a hat. (Natural hair and hats - I love the combination).

Some of the tutorials I watched on YT to learn how to do yarn braids are here, here, and here.
A blog that I found extremely helpful is here.

I did learn a few things with the braids:
• Braiding in small sections gives better results. Larger sections results in a lot of space and a lot of  visible scalp.
• Don't braid too tight or close to the edges. I had about 10 braids that I did a little to tight for my liking.
• Moisturize each section before braiding. The last thing you want with a protective style is breakage. Handling dry hair too roughly will lead to breakage.
• TIME. Putting in yarn braids so that they look good, takes t - i - m - e!!
• A spray bottle filled with your favorite moisturizer is great for daily moisturizing.


Side


Ponytail

Front


Rear

Thoughts?
I love the outcome! This is definitely something that I will do again. When time allows and I am looking forward to trying out some styles with the braids.


If you have tried yarn braids, do you have any tips that you would like to share?

Yarn Braids? Yes!

I have seen on YouTube and read a lot on the the blogs about a protective braid style known by many as "yarn braids" or "genie locs." Since I now have some free time back in my life I decided to give them a try. Another reason that the timing to try them out was perfect was because the last two weeks of the year are causal days at my job and if I didn't like them I could easily throw on a hat. (Natural hair and hats - I love the combination).

Some of the tutorials I watched on YT to learn how to do yarn braids are here, here, and here.
A blog that I found extremely helpful is here.

I did learn a few things with the braids:
• Braiding in small sections gives better results. Larger sections results in a lot of space and a lot of  visible scalp.
• Don't braid too tight or close to the edges. I had about 10 braids that I did a little to tight for my liking.
• Moisturize each section before braiding. The last thing you want with a protective style is breakage. Handling dry hair too roughly will lead to breakage.
• TIME. Putting in yarn braids so that they look good, takes t - i - m - e!!
• A spray bottle filled with your favorite moisturizer is great for daily moisturizing.


Side


Ponytail

Front


Rear

Thoughts?
I love the outcome! This is definitely something that I will do again. When time allows and I am looking forward to trying out some styles with the braids.


If you have tried yarn braids, do you have any tips that you would like to share?

Favorite Hair Things of 2010

Over the past year I discovered a few (somewhat) new hair-related items that I have grown to love! Some items I had tried before but finally got the hang of them in 2010 and others were new discoveries that I wish I would have known about sooner. Here's my 2010 list:

Products
Giovanni SAS Conditioner
Jasmine Oil

YouTube Channels

Gadgets/ToolsNatural Hair Search Engine
Hair Stopper

Click the link to view the 2009 list: Favorite Hair Things of 2009


Please share your 2010 discoveries!

Favorite Hair Things of 2010

Over the past year I discovered a few (somewhat) new hair-related items that I have grown to love! Some items I had tried before but finally got the hang of them in 2010 and others were new discoveries that I wish I would have known about sooner. Here's my 2010 list:

Products
Giovanni SAS Conditioner
Jasmine Oil

YouTube Channels

Gadgets/ToolsNatural Hair Search Engine
Hair Stopper

Click the link to view the 2009 list: Favorite Hair Things of 2009


Please share your 2010 discoveries!

My co-washing method


During the fall/winter season I only shampoo once a month and co-wash during the weeks in between shampoo days. One day I was running short on time so I applied the conditioner (Giovanni SAS) I was planning on using (for the cowash) to my hair while it was dry. The conditioner remained on for about 30 minutes before I was able to finally rinse and detangle in the shower. The results were amazing (to me) and I was convinced it was probably a fluke but I had to test it out a few more times just to make sure.

With the next few weekends that passed I did the following:
-Took down what ever protective style I was wearing that week
-Applied conditioner to my (dry) hair while putting it in four sections
-Let the conditioner sit on my hair until is was dry/stiff and then rinsed in sections
-I detangled each section with my rubber based brush (like a denman) as I rinsed
-Finally, applied a leave-in conditioner and styled as usual

This method was quick and easy. My hair was detangled, extremely manageable, and soft in the end. As a result, I am now doing the steps above with all my winter cowashes.

I love accidentally discovering great ways to revamp my regimen!

My co-washing method


During the fall/winter season I only shampoo once a month and co-wash during the weeks in between shampoo days. One day I was running short on time so I applied the conditioner (Giovanni SAS) I was planning on using (for the cowash) to my hair while it was dry. The conditioner remained on for about 30 minutes before I was able to finally rinse and detangle in the shower. The results were amazing (to me) and I was convinced it was probably a fluke but I had to test it out a few more times just to make sure.

With the next few weekends that passed I did the following:
-Took down what ever protective style I was wearing that week
-Applied conditioner to my (dry) hair while putting it in four sections
-Let the conditioner sit on my hair until is was dry/stiff and then rinsed in sections
-I detangled each section with my rubber based brush (like a denman) as I rinsed
-Finally, applied a leave-in conditioner and styled as usual

This method was quick and easy. My hair was detangled, extremely manageable, and soft in the end. As a result, I am now doing the steps above with all my winter cowashes.

I love accidentally discovering great ways to revamp my regimen!

Braid to Side Ponytail

I started the french braid at the left top side of her head and braided sideways until it got to the opposite ear.

                                          Once the french braid is complete secure it with an elastic.
                                          Take a small amount of hair and wrap it around the ponytail.
                                               Below is the top view of all her hair.


Today is the first day of Winter...



This year it seemed like the Fall season forgot to make its appearance in North Carolina and so my hair care regimen has been winterized for some time now. I am shampooing less, conditioning regularly, and keeping my hair in protective styles. Check out my winter hair care regimen here. Also, Google as a great blog search feature that lets you find and read about the winterized hair care regimen of other bloggers.

Have you already put your winter hair care regimen into effect?
(Feel free to share your regimen)

Sharing your regimen may be a way to help someone that is going through their first winter was a natural lady.

Today is the first day of Winter...



This year it seemed like the Fall season forgot to make its appearance in North Carolina and so my hair care regimen has been winterized for some time now. I am shampooing less, conditioning regularly, and keeping my hair in protective styles. Check out my winter hair care regimen here. Also, Google as a great blog search feature that lets you find and read about the winterized hair care regimen of other bloggers.

Have you already put your winter hair care regimen into effect?
(Feel free to share your regimen)

Sharing your regimen may be a way to help someone that is going through their first winter was a natural lady.

Fall/Winter 2010 - Week 7



Sunday
My hair was still in a low bun from my Saturday cowash.

Monday-Wednesday
Still bunning it...

Thursday-Friday
I was home for 2 days and so there was no need to do my hair. I took my bun down and just kept my hair clipped up.

Saturday
I cowashed my hair with Giovanni SAS and pulled my hair back into another low bun.

---

My hair was kind of neglected this past week because it was my last week of class an all my free time was spent researching and typing up papers. I am so GLAD that this part of life is done. Two years of blood (paper cuts), sweat, and tears...it's finally OVER. God did it all (Tia wanted to quit everyday).

Fall/Winter 2010 - Week 7



Sunday
My hair was still in a low bun from my Saturday cowash.

Monday-Wednesday
Still bunning it...

Thursday-Friday
I was home for 2 days and so there was no need to do my hair. I took my bun down and just kept my hair clipped up.

Saturday
I cowashed my hair with Giovanni SAS and pulled my hair back into another low bun.

---

My hair was kind of neglected this past week because it was my last week of class an all my free time was spent researching and typing up papers. I am so GLAD that this part of life is done. Two years of blood (paper cuts), sweat, and tears...it's finally OVER. God did it all (Tia wanted to quit everyday).

Braids in Headband

 This is quick, fun, easy, and really cute.  All you do is start by making your part.  Then make a small braid on the right side of her head as shown below. (Braid all the way to the ends)
 On the left side start by making one braid closer to the front of her head.
 Make a 2nd braid towards the back of her head so the braids lay off centered from each other as shown below.
 Take both sides of the hair and pull them tight and secure with an elastic at the base of her head.



Toddler French Braids

It is not very often this fun filled 3 year old will let me do anything creative with her hair so I always jump at the few opportunities. 
 I made 2 small french braids as shown below on each side of her head.
 Then I combined the 2 french braids with (the everyday request just 1 elastic)
                                                        Below is (sort of the top of her head)



Fall/Winter 2010 - Week 6

Sunday
I co-washed my hair and it felt great! I am falling in love with Giovanni SAS. I styled my hair in a low bun for the week after sealing in leave-in conditioner with shea butter.

Monday-Tuesday
Still bunning it...

Wednesday
The heat in our house has been bumping so that made the air in our house extra dry. As a result, my hair felt really dry and I couldn't take it so I did a mid-week cowash and re-styled my hair back in the bun.

Thursday-Friday
Bunning...

Saturday
I cowashed my hair with Giovanni SAS and did medium two strand twists. I have been alternating between bunning and twists since I have not had time to really sit down and do a bun style that I like.

---

You can tell by my simple routine this past week that things have been quite busy lately. I have less than one week until I am done with school FOREVER and I can't wait. The regular blog postings will resume and I can get back to doing things I love.

It's cold...can you believe that the first day of winter isn't until Dec 21st?!?!

Fall/Winter 2010 - Week 6

Sunday
I co-washed my hair and it felt great! I am falling in love with Giovanni SAS. I styled my hair in a low bun for the week after sealing in leave-in conditioner with shea butter.

Monday-Tuesday
Still bunning it...

Wednesday
The heat in our house has been bumping so that made the air in our house extra dry. As a result, my hair felt really dry and I couldn't take it so I did a mid-week cowash and re-styled my hair back in the bun.

Thursday-Friday
Bunning...

Saturday
I cowashed my hair with Giovanni SAS and did medium two strand twists. I have been alternating between bunning and twists since I have not had time to really sit down and do a bun style that I like.

---

You can tell by my simple routine this past week that things have been quite busy lately. I have less than one week until I am done with school FOREVER and I can't wait. The regular blog postings will resume and I can get back to doing things I love.

It's cold...can you believe that the first day of winter isn't until Dec 21st?!?!

X Braids

This hairstyle was designed by my daughter she asked if I could make french braids that cross in the center.  So here it is.

I started with one french braid that in the center I just braided as shown below instead of adding hair (this was because I didn't want bulk in the cross section.)
                                   Next make another french braid across her head. Shown below.
                                             I also braided all the way to the bottom of each braid.
I then pulled the ends of the braids and folded them up to the base of her head and curled the ends to lay over the braids as shown below.




Fall/Winter 2010 - Week 5

During week 4 I wore my hair in medium sized two strand twists and kept them up in a messy-like bun all week.

Sunday
On Sunday I took down the bun that I put up on Saturday and two strand twisted my hair. The position that the bun was in on Saturday made it hard for me to sleep so, down it came. I did the two strand twists on dry hair using only Suave Tropical Coconut Conditioner and Coconut Oil. It took me about 1.5hrs to do the twists

Monday-Friday
I couldn't believe that for the entire week my hair felt moisturized and I did not have to apply any product to my hair at all during the week. I will definitely be using that combo again. It's really something that I did years ago but strayed away from for no good reason. Twisting with conditioner also slows down frizziness with my styles.

Saturday
On Saturday my job had its annual Holiday Party so I took my twists out for a more festive look. If I would have remembered on Sunday that the party was on Friday, I would not have taken down my bun and wore my hair that way all week and to the party. Since I was busy with schoolwork all day on Saturday and then attending the holiday party on Saturday night I was unable to wash and condition my hair. Wash day was moved to Sunday.

2-Strand Twists

Messy Bun

Fall/Winter 2010 - Week 5

During week 4 I wore my hair in medium sized two strand twists and kept them up in a messy-like bun all week.

Sunday
On Sunday I took down the bun that I put up on Saturday and two strand twisted my hair. The position that the bun was in on Saturday made it hard for me to sleep so, down it came. I did the two strand twists on dry hair using only Suave Tropical Coconut Conditioner and Coconut Oil. It took me about 1.5hrs to do the twists

Monday-Friday
I couldn't believe that for the entire week my hair felt moisturized and I did not have to apply any product to my hair at all during the week. I will definitely be using that combo again. It's really something that I did years ago but strayed away from for no good reason. Twisting with conditioner also slows down frizziness with my styles.

Saturday
On Saturday my job had its annual Holiday Party so I took my twists out for a more festive look. If I would have remembered on Sunday that the party was on Friday, I would not have taken down my bun and wore my hair that way all week and to the party. Since I was busy with schoolwork all day on Saturday and then attending the holiday party on Saturday night I was unable to wash and condition my hair. Wash day was moved to Sunday.

2-Strand Twists

Messy Bun

Braided Sides

Make a french braid with all the hair on her left side of her head.  Braid it down a ways (as shown below)
                                Make another french braid with all the hair on her right side.
 Lift up a small amount of hair (this will be to hide the braids after they are attached together as shown below) 
                                                     Back comb the hair over the braid.