Sunday Style: Curly 'fro

"Ultimate independence is total dependence on the word of God."

Wanna see a #fail? I have yet to master the curly 'fro, maybe my hair just doesn't want to do that particular style. It never comes out looking like a curly 'fro. This Sunday it just looked...that's it. Just looked.

I attempted to achieve the curly 'fro by flat twisting and doing bantu knots at the end of the twists. This method didn't work the way I imagined it would so back to the drawing board I go.

Sunday message
Ultimate Freedom
John 8:1-11; 31-32
The woman in the text was granted the ultimate freedom is when Jesus free her after she was caught in the act of adultery. The woman represents you and me in that she dead and caught up in her sin. The men that brought the woman to Jesus wanted to know what he would do but instead of answering them Jesus acted as if he did not hear them. Sometime you have to act like you don't hear your adversaries. However, just because you act like you don't hear them it does not mean that they will go away. Jesus stood up on the woman's behalf in this text without directly judging her. When Jesus stands up on you behalf - your enemies will have to leave you alone. The woman was freed from the bondage of sin - that is the ultimate freedom.

I love this song!

Sunday Style: Curly 'fro

"Ultimate independence is total dependence on the word of God."

Wanna see a #fail? I have yet to master the curly 'fro, maybe my hair just doesn't want to do that particular style. It never comes out looking like a curly 'fro. This Sunday it just looked...that's it. Just looked.

I attempted to achieve the curly 'fro by flat twisting and doing bantu knots at the end of the twists. This method didn't work the way I imagined it would so back to the drawing board I go.

Sunday message
Ultimate Freedom
John 8:1-11; 31-32
The woman in the text was granted the ultimate freedom is when Jesus free her after she was caught in the act of adultery. The woman represents you and me in that she dead and caught up in her sin. The men that brought the woman to Jesus wanted to know what he would do but instead of answering them Jesus acted as if he did not hear them. Sometime you have to act like you don't hear your adversaries. However, just because you act like you don't hear them it does not mean that they will go away. Jesus stood up on the woman's behalf in this text without directly judging her. When Jesus stands up on you behalf - your enemies will have to leave you alone. The woman was freed from the bondage of sin - that is the ultimate freedom.

I love this song!

Sunday Style: Banana Clip Updo

This past weekend was extremely long and busy. On Saturday the Hubby and I rode in the Central Children's Home parade on his motorcycle. It was HOT and sitting in the sun on a bike throwing heat from the engine made it hotter. Then I had some manual labor to do after the parade. Our day started at 7am and I did not get out of the heat until 5:30pm. I was exhausted and had no energy for hair.

I wore two cornrows (1 on each side) all day so that my helmet would fit and so that I could be somewhat cooler throughout the day. When I took the cornrows out my hair was stretched and all over the place - it was a mess. So, I pulled one of my previous styles out of retirement and created an updo with a banana clip.

I created this look using the technique in this tutorial (19), starting at the 2:10 mark:

Sunday's Message
In My Father's House
Luke 15:11-13
God gives us the gracious gift of freewill and just because he doesn't interfere in what we do doesn't mean that he isn't aware. One thing that we should keep in mind that freewill isn't always free. In the text the son that went away was find as long as he had something that people wanted. Folks will always embrace you when you have something they want but when it's gone, they're gone. This parable demonstrates to us that neither son had a relationship with the father. The oldest didn't understand the father's actions and the youngest strayed away. Even though the youngest strayed his father still received him back with open arms and blessings. The oldest one was with his father the entire time but failed to see his blessings right before his very eyes.

Sunday Style: Banana Clip Updo

This past weekend was extremely long and busy. On Saturday the Hubby and I rode in the Central Children's Home parade on his motorcycle. It was HOT and sitting in the sun on a bike throwing heat from the engine made it hotter. Then I had some manual labor to do after the parade. Our day started at 7am and I did not get out of the heat until 5:30pm. I was exhausted and had no energy for hair.

I wore two cornrows (1 on each side) all day so that my helmet would fit and so that I could be somewhat cooler throughout the day. When I took the cornrows out my hair was stretched and all over the place - it was a mess. So, I pulled one of my previous styles out of retirement and created an updo with a banana clip.

I created this look using the technique in this tutorial (19), starting at the 2:10 mark:

Sunday's Message
In My Father's House
Luke 15:11-13
God gives us the gracious gift of freewill and just because he doesn't interfere in what we do doesn't mean that he isn't aware. One thing that we should keep in mind that freewill isn't always free. In the text the son that went away was find as long as he had something that people wanted. Folks will always embrace you when you have something they want but when it's gone, they're gone. This parable demonstrates to us that neither son had a relationship with the father. The oldest didn't understand the father's actions and the youngest strayed away. Even though the youngest strayed his father still received him back with open arms and blessings. The oldest one was with his father the entire time but failed to see his blessings right before his very eyes.

Sunday Style: Cornrows and a Side Swept Twist-out

Sunday's hair was second day hair from Saturday's style. I put a few cornrows on one side and then flat twisted the other side for a twist-out.

On Saturday:

Then on Sunday:

To refresh the twist-out I moisturized my hair (review of that product coming real soon), sealed with coconut oil, and flat twisted. The result was a soft defined twist out. Then I fluffed until it was as big as I wanted it.

This past Sunday was graduation Sunday - all the high school and college grads were acknowledged. Instead of a sermon we all received a motivational word from a guest speaker. It made me think back to the 30 Day Blog Challenge post about my thoughts on education. After hearing that speech I told my husband that if I was a high school senior, I would not want to go to college after hearing that speech. The speech wasn't bad at all - it was real. The speaker made it plain that it's going to take a lot more than education to make it in this world. I agree.

Brand yourself.

Sunday Style: Cornrows and a Side Swept Twist-out

Sunday's hair was second day hair from Saturday's style. I put a few cornrows on one side and then flat twisted the other side for a twist-out.

On Saturday:

Then on Sunday:

To refresh the twist-out I moisturized my hair (review of that product coming real soon), sealed with coconut oil, and flat twisted. The result was a soft defined twist out. Then I fluffed until it was as big as I wanted it.

This past Sunday was graduation Sunday - all the high school and college grads were acknowledged. Instead of a sermon we all received a motivational word from a guest speaker. It made me think back to the 30 Day Blog Challenge post about my thoughts on education. After hearing that speech I told my husband that if I was a high school senior, I would not want to go to college after hearing that speech. The speech wasn't bad at all - it was real. The speaker made it plain that it's going to take a lot more than education to make it in this world. I agree.

Brand yourself.

Sunday Style: Asymmetrical Twist-out

Why didn't anyone tell me about this look...I'm all late. I saw that the video for "Shame" was posted back in April. I'm out of the loop with it comes to music videos. Ya'll have to keep me on my toes when there is a cute hairstyle out there hiding in a video.

My version of this look was not as full because did not include any added hair. I created as much fullness as I could by fluffing.

For the short side of the style I encouraged shrinkage by wetting the hair with a spray bottle filled with only water. The longer side of the hair was twisted after the hair was allowed to air dry for about 30 minutes.

If you hate shrinkage this is a perfect example of how it can be your friend - it can be used to simulate a cut. I'm going to look into more ways to use shrinkage to my advantage when it comes to styles.

For a tutorial of this style check out my YouTube Channel: Asymmetrical Twist-out

Sunday's Message
Victory Through Christ
1 Corinthians 15:57
We are in a war, but if you are a child of God you will be victorious through Christ. We should live victoriously because we are more than conquerors. Many times it may appear that we have been defeated but that is only temporary.
To live a Victorious Life
1. Encourage the presence of God. James 4:8
2. Embrace the promises of God. Hebrews 13:5
3. Entreat the power of God.
Live in a power beyond yourself

Sunday Style: Asymmetrical Twist-out

Why didn't anyone tell me about this look...I'm all late. I saw that the video for "Shame" was posted back in April. I'm out of the loop with it comes to music videos. Ya'll have to keep me on my toes when there is a cute hairstyle out there hiding in a video.

My version of this look was not as full because did not include any added hair. I created as much fullness as I could by fluffing.

For the short side of the style I encouraged shrinkage by wetting the hair with a spray bottle filled with only water. The longer side of the hair was twisted after the hair was allowed to air dry for about 30 minutes.

If you hate shrinkage this is a perfect example of how it can be your friend - it can be used to simulate a cut. I'm going to look into more ways to use shrinkage to my advantage when it comes to styles.

For a tutorial of this style check out my YouTube Channel: Asymmetrical Twist-out

Sunday's Message
Victory Through Christ
1 Corinthians 15:57
We are in a war, but if you are a child of God you will be victorious through Christ. We should live victoriously because we are more than conquerors. Many times it may appear that we have been defeated but that is only temporary.
To live a Victorious Life
1. Encourage the presence of God. James 4:8
2. Embrace the promises of God. Hebrews 13:5
3. Entreat the power of God.
Live in a power beyond yourself

Sunday Style: 8 plait Braid-Out

Sunday's hair was created out of pure laziness. On Saturday I wore a braid-out that was created with some plaits set with KBB Heavenly Jojoba Oil. On Saturday night I re-plaited the hair without product because I could feel that my hair did not need anymore. That is one product that lasts for days.

On Sunday morning I removed the plaits and fluffed to hide the parts.

Sunday was HOT so I know that I wont be doing a lot of braid-outs this summer. I usually save my updos and buns for the winter but it looks like they will be making a comeback to keep all this hair off of my neck during these hot days.

Sunday's Message (05/29/2011)

A Time To Remember

Joshua 4:1-9

There are things and times in our lives for all of us that we would rather forget but God sometimes calls us to remember. The memorial that the Israelites were instructed to build was to serve as a reminder of where the Lord brought them from and a reminder of his power.

1. What the Lord has already done for us

2. The commitment we made to the Lord

3. The Lord deserves our praise - in everything give thanks

Other things we ought to remember: Deuteronomy 7:18, Exodus 20:8, Deuteronomy 6:10-12, Deuteronomy 4:9, 1 Chronicles 16:12, Psalm 103:2, Psalm 105:5, Ecclesiastes 12:1, and 1 Corinthians 11:24-25

Sunday Style: 8 plait Braid-Out

Sunday's hair was created out of pure laziness. On Saturday I wore a braid-out that was created with some plaits set with KBB Heavenly Jojoba Oil. On Saturday night I re-plaited the hair without product because I could feel that my hair did not need anymore. That is one product that lasts for days.

On Sunday morning I removed the plaits and fluffed to hide the parts.

Sunday was HOT so I know that I wont be doing a lot of braid-outs this summer. I usually save my updos and buns for the winter but it looks like they will be making a comeback to keep all this hair off of my neck during these hot days.

Sunday's Message (05/29/2011)

A Time To Remember

Joshua 4:1-9

There are things and times in our lives for all of us that we would rather forget but God sometimes calls us to remember. The memorial that the Israelites were instructed to build was to serve as a reminder of where the Lord brought them from and a reminder of his power.

1. What the Lord has already done for us

2. The commitment we made to the Lord

3. The Lord deserves our praise - in everything give thanks

Other things we ought to remember: Deuteronomy 7:18, Exodus 20:8, Deuteronomy 6:10-12, Deuteronomy 4:9, 1 Chronicles 16:12, Psalm 103:2, Psalm 105:5, Ecclesiastes 12:1, and 1 Corinthians 11:24-25

Sunday Style: 2nd Day twist-out

Whenever I want to get an additional day out of an twist-out I pineappled my hair at night and put on my satin bonnet. In the morning I just have to fluff and go.

This twist-out actually got a little "fluff" assistance from the high humidity that North Carolina has been having lately. The twists for this style were done earlier in the week and left in for a few days before un-twisted on Saturday.





Sunday Message (05/22/2011)
I'm About To Make A Come-back
Job 1:13-19; 42:10
Job's wealth was chronicled early in the book of Job but his greatest wealth was actually his relationship with God. Therefore, Job was not great because of his possessions, he was great because of his position (the right position is being in a relationship with God). During one of the most troubling times in his life Job had an unwavering faith in God. During his trial, Job learned 3 lessons that we all should learn:
1. We have buoyancy - God has given us the ability to bounce back
2. We have persistence - the ability to stand firm in the midst of obstacles [Romans 8:39]
3. Something is about to break - God will make a way out of no way, a breakthrough
Job got back all he lost and more as result of standing firm in the fear of God. You can have all the worth in the world but if you don't have Jesus you don't have anything.

Sunday Style: 2nd Day twist-out

Whenever I want to get an additional day out of an twist-out I pineappled my hair at night and put on my satin bonnet. In the morning I just have to fluff and go.

This twist-out actually got a little "fluff" assistance from the high humidity that North Carolina has been having lately. The twists for this style were done earlier in the week and left in for a few days before un-twisted on Saturday.





Sunday Message (05/22/2011)
I'm About To Make A Come-back
Job 1:13-19; 42:10
Job's wealth was chronicled early in the book of Job but his greatest wealth was actually his relationship with God. Therefore, Job was not great because of his possessions, he was great because of his position (the right position is being in a relationship with God). During one of the most troubling times in his life Job had an unwavering faith in God. During his trial, Job learned 3 lessons that we all should learn:
1. We have buoyancy - God has given us the ability to bounce back
2. We have persistence - the ability to stand firm in the midst of obstacles [Romans 8:39]
3. Something is about to break - God will make a way out of no way, a breakthrough
Job got back all he lost and more as result of standing firm in the fear of God. You can have all the worth in the world but if you don't have Jesus you don't have anything.

Tornadoes, Hair, and Sunshine

This weekend (04.16.11 - 04.17.11) was a crazy weekend. First North Carolina got abused by storms and tornadoes. People's homes were pick up and thrown, cars flipped, and lives lost. The most amazing story I have read thus far is the one about the 3 month old baby that was taken by the tornado winds and then found safely on a stack of wood.

See photos of the destruction here: NC tornado disaster

Around 2pm we lost power and the wind picked up. I was in the middle of deep conditioning my hair. So I checked the weather report (thank God for our technological advancements) on my phone. The tornado was predicted to hit our area around 4pm. So I rinsed my hair and used the remaining day light coming through the window to start twisting. If the tornado came early at least I would already be in a bathroom.

By 3:30pm I was done with my hair so we waited in the windowless bathroom until it sounded calm. We heard wind and then it got quiet. We looked out the window and it was raining, then it started to hail, then the sun came out. It was bright beautiful sunshine.

In the end God watched over us. We suffered no damage whatsoever. Not even one shingle blew off the house. But the damage 5-10 minutes down the street from us is devastating. Two HBCUs in our area have had to cancel classes for the remainder of the semester.
 
As a result of  styling my hair in the midst of a storm, I have to call this look "twisted in a storm." I did have to SMH at myself because only I would be in the bathroom doing my hair during a tornado warning.

My heart goes out to every person in each state that suffered a loss with this storm.

Click here to see the inspiration for this look.

Since we didn't have power I did this look from memory. I should have more twists in the front and the back was a guess because there is not a shot that shows the hair from the back.

Tornadoes, Hair, and Sunshine

This weekend (04.16.11 - 04.17.11) was a crazy weekend. First North Carolina got abused by storms and tornadoes. People's homes were pick up and thrown, cars flipped, and lives lost. The most amazing story I have read thus far is the one about the 3 month old baby that was taken by the tornado winds and then found safely on a stack of wood.

See photos of the destruction here: NC tornado disaster

Around 2pm we lost power and the wind picked up. I was in the middle of deep conditioning my hair. So I checked the weather report (thank God for our technological advancements) on my phone. The tornado was predicted to hit our area around 4pm. So I rinsed my hair and used the remaining day light coming through the window to start twisting. If the tornado came early at least I would already be in a bathroom.

By 3:30pm I was done with my hair so we waited in the windowless bathroom until it sounded calm. We heard wind and then it got quiet. We looked out the window and it was raining, then it started to hail, then the sun came out. It was bright beautiful sunshine.

In the end God watched over us. We suffered no damage whatsoever. Not even one shingle blew off the house. But the damage 5-10 minutes down the street from us is devastating. Two HBCUs in our area have had to cancel classes for the remainder of the semester.
 
As a result of  styling my hair in the midst of a storm, I have to call this look "twisted in a storm." I did have to SMH at myself because only I would be in the bathroom doing my hair during a tornado warning.

My heart goes out to every person in each state that suffered a loss with this storm.

Click here to see the inspiration for this look.

Since we didn't have power I did this look from memory. I should have more twists in the front and the back was a guess because there is not a shot that shows the hair from the back.

Sunday Style: A Straight Look

I had a big fat FAIL with my hair this Sunday. I have noticed the last few times that I have straightened my hair that I lack styling skills when it comes to styling my hair when straight. I wanted to set some curls on the end of my hair so I applied coconut oil and set the ends on flexirods overnight. The next morning on one section actually curled. By the time I arrived at church that section had fell. So I ended up with straight, full, messy hair. A bad hair day.

Sunday Message (03Apr2011)
The Crossroads Between A Blessing And A Curse
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
If an eternity in God's presence is your destination then you should know which way to go. When faced with a crossroad, oftentimes we will choose the option that will cause the least amount of pain even when that option is not the best for us. In the text Moses wanted the people to know where they came from and how they got there. He was basically telling the people to love the Lord, walk in his ways, and fear Him. We can't just live any kind of way and expect God to keep blessing us. Sometimes it seems that the more God blesses us the less we do for him.
Other reference verses:
2 Chronicles 7:14
Deuteronomy 10:12, 10:22
Deuteronomy 11:26-28

Sunday Style: A Straight Look

I had a big fat FAIL with my hair this Sunday. I have noticed the last few times that I have straightened my hair that I lack styling skills when it comes to styling my hair when straight. I wanted to set some curls on the end of my hair so I applied coconut oil and set the ends on flexirods overnight. The next morning on one section actually curled. By the time I arrived at church that section had fell. So I ended up with straight, full, messy hair. A bad hair day.

Sunday Message (03Apr2011)
The Crossroads Between A Blessing And A Curse
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
If an eternity in God's presence is your destination then you should know which way to go. When faced with a crossroad, oftentimes we will choose the option that will cause the least amount of pain even when that option is not the best for us. In the text Moses wanted the people to know where they came from and how they got there. He was basically telling the people to love the Lord, walk in his ways, and fear Him. We can't just live any kind of way and expect God to keep blessing us. Sometimes it seems that the more God blesses us the less we do for him.
Other reference verses:
2 Chronicles 7:14
Deuteronomy 10:12, 10:22
Deuteronomy 11:26-28

Sunday Style: Curlformers Set

I got the energy to do it again and during the process I discovered that my hair has seem to have grown quite a bit. I had to send Hubby (He's so good to me) to the store to get some extra long curlformers because my hair was hanging out of the end of some of the curlformers.

Day 2 Curlformers set

The steps I followed for this set include:

• Shampooed hair with Giovanni SAS Shampoo
• Deep conditioned with Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula Deep Conditioning Protein Pack
• Rinsed hair thoroughly and applied a leave-in conditioner to each section
• Just before putting in the curlformers a setting lotion mix was applied lightly to each section of hair
• If sections started to dry when styling then a leave condition was used to re-moisten the hair

Sunday's Message (27Mar2011)
The Myths of Marriage
John 3:16

Myth #1: "Marriages are made in heaven" - marriages suffer because people go into marriage without taking prayer into the marriage
Myth #2: "The perfect marriage" - How can imperfect people make a perfect marriage?
Myth #3: "Don't say anything and you won't have anything to take back" - Lack of communication causes problems
Myth #4: "Once you get 'em, you got 'em" - People tend to get to the point in which they take the relationship for granted. Keep doing what you did to get them.

Love is needed to sustain marriage and that love must be a capital L kind of love. Meaning that the love should have a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension. Vertical: love God first, you can't love others if you don't love God. Horizontal: reach out and touch others with love

When love hurts you and can seem to forgive, turn it around and "give for" - you will never know what the response will be. Just as God gave us his son (John 3:16) after man caused him trouble in his heart (Genesis 6:6).

Sunday Style: Curlformers Set

I got the energy to do it again and during the process I discovered that my hair has seem to have grown quite a bit. I had to send Hubby (He's so good to me) to the store to get some extra long curlformers because my hair was hanging out of the end of some of the curlformers.

Day 2 Curlformers set

The steps I followed for this set include:

• Shampooed hair with Giovanni SAS Shampoo
• Deep conditioned with Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula Deep Conditioning Protein Pack
• Rinsed hair thoroughly and applied a leave-in conditioner to each section
• Just before putting in the curlformers a setting lotion mix was applied lightly to each section of hair
• If sections started to dry when styling then a leave condition was used to re-moisten the hair

Sunday's Message (27Mar2011)
The Myths of Marriage
John 3:16

Myth #1: "Marriages are made in heaven" - marriages suffer because people go into marriage without taking prayer into the marriage
Myth #2: "The perfect marriage" - How can imperfect people make a perfect marriage?
Myth #3: "Don't say anything and you won't have anything to take back" - Lack of communication causes problems
Myth #4: "Once you get 'em, you got 'em" - People tend to get to the point in which they take the relationship for granted. Keep doing what you did to get them.

Love is needed to sustain marriage and that love must be a capital L kind of love. Meaning that the love should have a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension. Vertical: love God first, you can't love others if you don't love God. Horizontal: reach out and touch others with love

When love hurts you and can seem to forgive, turn it around and "give for" - you will never know what the response will be. Just as God gave us his son (John 3:16) after man caused him trouble in his heart (Genesis 6:6).

Sunday Style: Braid-out

To achieve this look I did seven individual braids with SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.  Three braids from the crown to the nape and four on each side. I did not curl the ends I just twisted the end of each braid after braiding, put on my satin bonnet, and called it a night. In the morning I took the braids out and fluffed until it was well blended.

Sunday's message
Extravagant Love
John 12:1-3
The action of Mary in this verse was her way of showing love to Jesus - because she used such a costly perfume it was considered significant. Immediately following her actions they were questioned by Judas Iscariot. The message explains the significance of Mary's extravagant display of love.
Extravagant love is:
1. Precious to us - an offering that honors the Lord must be dear to us
2. Pleasant to others - your work will speak for itself
3. Perplexing to some - people have a hard time understanding your actions; many times the people that are perplexed are usually selfish people
4. Pleasing to Christ - His is the voice that matters

Sunday Style: Braid-out

To achieve this look I did seven individual braids with SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.  Three braids from the crown to the nape and four on each side. I did not curl the ends I just twisted the end of each braid after braiding, put on my satin bonnet, and called it a night. In the morning I took the braids out and fluffed until it was well blended.

Sunday's message
Extravagant Love
John 12:1-3
The action of Mary in this verse was her way of showing love to Jesus - because she used such a costly perfume it was considered significant. Immediately following her actions they were questioned by Judas Iscariot. The message explains the significance of Mary's extravagant display of love.
Extravagant love is:
1. Precious to us - an offering that honors the Lord must be dear to us
2. Pleasant to others - your work will speak for itself
3. Perplexing to some - people have a hard time understanding your actions; many times the people that are perplexed are usually selfish people
4. Pleasing to Christ - His is the voice that matters