New year (2013) hair resolutions

Hello there lovelies~

I was looking at old posts and saw my new year's hair resolutions for 2011 :-O  Here they are:

1. Love my hair unconditionally
2. Deep condition my hair at least once per week (which I must admit I've been doing quite good with)
3. Make and maintain an appropriate hair routine (and as you all know I've been working on this for a minute now, but I feel like 2011 is my year ;-)
4. To straighten my hair at least once every three months
5. To trim my hair as needed (which hopefully with the use of a good routine will be not too often)
6. To tend to my hair every night (or close to every night, probably braid it at night)
7. To try at least one new hairstyle each month
8. To use more bold hair accessories
9. To make at least three hair accessories
10. To wear protective styles more often

I've taken the liberty of going ahead and scratching off the things I know I definitely didn't do, or at least didn't do longer than about two months into the new year. 

 

Yeah, I got a 40 on that test.  Hopefully, I will do a lot better this time around.  I have a few resolutions for my hair this upcoming year, and this time I'll keep track of how well I do with them.  So, I'm making  my public resolution below, which means that I can't deny resolving to do any of them.  You will probably notice some repeats from 2010 which goes to prove that I'm still working at getting this natural hair thing down........

1. To love/appreciate my hair unconditionally
2. To moisturize my hair daily
3. To trim my hair as needed
4. To deep condition at least once/month
5. To wash (co-wash, lemon juice rinse, or cleanse) my hair at least once/week
6. To not get hung up on length
7. To be gentle with my hair (am I the only one that acts as though it's okay to tug, yank and pull at natural hair?)
8. To take a holistic approach to my hair's health (this incorporates drinking water, eating well, getting my vitamins, exercising and getting enough rest....that last one's going to be a doosey)

Well, I think that's all for me.  Leave comments below with any new year's resolutions (hair or otherwise) that you have.   

Tootles for now, catch you in 2013!!!!

Acetyl Alcohol homemade leave in attempt 1......fail

Slight throwback pic from August 2012 (about 1 month post hair cut), I can't believe how much my hair has grown!  I like this pic.

Hello there lovelies~

As you know I'm working on a homemade leave in conditioner (read about attempt 1 here).  Previously, I tried using guar gum as a thickening agent for my conditioner, but didn't care for the texture that this produced.  Now don't get me wrong, overall the conditioner was good, but was more of a gel-like consistency and that wasn't what I was going for.  So, I bought some acetyl alcohol to use instead.  Acetyl alcohol is a thickening agent that also has some conditioning properties, sounds ideal right?  Well, that's what I thought too.  I ordered this product off of Amazon and it arrived last week.  Yesterday I decided to make my new batch of conditioner......yeah.   So, the acetyl alcohol comes as little balls (think Styrofoam stuffing of bean bag chairs minus the noise).  So, I warmed about 1/2 teaspoon in the microwave and it became liquid.  Okay, we're doing good so far.  I poured the acetyl alcohol into my anxiously awaiting mixture and the stupid thing clumped.  That's right, I had little clumps of acetyl alcohol floating in my liquid mixture....what?!?!  Is this a joke?  I mean, it did get thick, but I think when it only thickens itself it can't really be considered a thickener right?  Anyhoo, not too discouraged I decided to try to save the mix by adding my handy dandy guar gum.  Being an expert now I knew not to add too much, so I added about one modest teaspoon of guar gum.  I mixed everything together, put the mix in the fridge for about 3 hours and then checked it out.  I haven't used this on my hair yet, but the consistency is just what I want.  The leave in is liquid enough to pour out of a bottle (which I prefer to scooping out of a container), but not so liquidy that I'm afraid of losing it all in the shower when I pour.  

So, until I figure this mysterious acetyl alcohol out, which I WILL figure out, I guess I'll be sticking with guar gum for now.  I'll have to report back later on how this treats my hair.  

Tootles for now.....

PS-Check out curlyniki's blog sometime, she's in Tokyo.  I always forget about international naturals.   

Leave in ingredients:

12 teaspoons aloe vera juice

2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin

2 teaspoons castor oil

1 teaspoon jojoba oil

12 drops essential oil lavender

8 drops essential oil lemongrass

1 modest teaspoon guar gum powder

Several stubborn clumps acetyl alcohol

Contest!!!

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Hello there lovelies~

So, I got this brilliant idea one day while watching "The Chopping Block."  For anyone not familiar, "The Chopping Block" is a reality tv show for aspiring chefs.  On the show, contestants are given certain ingredients and a limited amount of time to create a dish.  As I was watching the show I thought about how creative these individuals must be to come up with these meals with such random ingredients and limited time.  The episode that I watched used the ingredients:  testicles (I forget from which animal), coffee beans, bananas, and arugula I believe.  

So, as I was watching, the light bulb in my head went ding and I got the idea to create my own contest.  The contest goes as follows.  I'll give you a list of items to use and I would like to see the most creative/cute hairstyle that you can come up with using those items.  Once you create your hairstyle take a pic and send it to me (curlykinkybeauty@gmail.com).  The prize will be one hair product of your choosing (so make it good), a sample of my leave in (once redesigned to my liking), and cute hair accessories.  So start thinking and get those photos in.  And spread the word so I can have lots of pics to choose from.  Be sure to send a photo that you don't mind being displayed as I will post the winning pic on my blog.   

Drumroll please........ and the items are:

• 4 paperclips
• 1 flower (artificial or real)
• 3 ink pens or pencils
• 2 buttons
• 3 coins

Tootles for now

Rules for the contest

1. You must use all items 
2. You can not add additional items (products such as leave in or gel are fine)
3. All submissions must be received no later than 11:59pm January 1, 2013
4. All submissions must be sent to curlykinkybeauty@gmail.com
5. There will only be one winner chosen by myself, Shayna
6. All photos sent in will become the property of curlykinkybeauty.blogspot.com
7. Any photo sent in could be used on curlykinkybeauty.blogspot.com
8. In email with attached photo, contestant should specify product of choice to receive if he/she is the winner
9. In the email with attached photo, contestants should describe where each item was used in the hairstyle
10. Each person should have fun and enjoy creating a new hairstyle
11. By entering the contest you agree to all posted rules

DIY-leave in conditioner

Hello there lovelies~

I decided to begin making my own leave in conditioner from scratch.  I figured that it would be more cost effective to make my own leave in, and I would know exactly what's in the leave in and therefore exactly what I'm putting into my hair.  So, after a bit of googling and knowledge of ingredients that have done well in my hair I came up with the following ingredient list:

• Aloe vera juice (about 1 cup)-reduces frizziness
• Guar gum (2 heaping teaspoons)-thickener and conditioner
• Vegetable glycerin (2 teaspoons)-moisturizer
• Jojoba oil (1 teaspoon)-moisturizer
• Castor oil (1 teaspoon)-emollient and humectant (keep water in)
• Essential oils: rosemary, lavender (about 8 drops), lemongrass (about 5 drops)

I mixed everything together and put it in the fridge overnight (this is supposed to help the guar gum have a smooth texture).  The texture of the leave in came out to be a bit gummy-ish.  Unfortunately, I put too much guar gum in the mix.  However, the results of the leave in as a leave in are promising.  

Pros

• Leaves hair shiny
• Moisturizes some
• Defines curls
• Cost effective
• Contains only ingredients I approve of (and can pronounce the name of, read the label of a product sometime, sheesh)

Cons

• Flakes if you use too much
• Doesn't moisturize as much as I would like 
• The texture is too thick (similar to really thick gel) and difficult to spread through the hair
• Causing itchy scalp (this may be due to overuse)

So, although it's not exactly where I want it to be the leave in experiment was successful.  I ordered some ingredients last night to modify my conditioner a bit.  I will replace (at least some) the guar gum with cetyl alcohol and will add panthenol (Vitamin B5).  Cetyl alcohol is also a thickener and a moisturizer.  Panthenol is a moisturizer.

So, once my cetyl alcohol and panthenol come in I'll make a new batch of leave in and report back on the results.  

Tootles for now!

Thirty days of Thankfulness......the finale

Thirty days of thankfulness is over!  It's hard to write a post everyday. This is a challenge I'll have to conquer at another time!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness......Day 27

Freedom!

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Thirty days of Thankfulness......Day 19

To be in my home :-)  

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Thirty days of Thankfulness.....Day 18

Christmas decorations have begun to be hung around the city!!!!

Lights at the zoo, Columbia SC 2010

Thirty days of Thankfulness......Day 16

The first natural hair forum at FMU.  The forum will be held on November 29.  I'm not sure what will be included in the forum, but I'm so excited to see these young women embracing their natural selves!!!

I like this outfit because it's simple, but nice.  Shirt is thermal undershirt from Mommy, sweater Goodwill, belt Nordstrom, Jeans American Eagle, Shoes Nine West (my faves that are falling apart)

Thirty days of Thankfulness.....Day 14

Lemon juice rinse.  I started using, many months ago now, a lemon juice/water rinse on my hair and I LOVE it.  I used to do the ACV/water rinse on my hair, but didn't enjoy smelling like an Easter egg so I switched to lemon juice.  I feel like the lemon juice mix leaves my hair clean, refreshed and ubber soft.   

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Thirty days of Thankfulness.....Day 13

The countless amazing things that God's doing both in my life and the lives of my friends.  I have had several friends sharing wonderful news lately and I am thrilled to hear each and every amazing report.  

Thirty days of Thankfulness.......Day 12

My job.  During my job hunt last year I prayed for a job that would surround me with great people, people I enjoyed being around 5 days a week.  Well, God heard my prayer.  Are my co-workers perfect?  Absolutely not.  Is there a lot more that I desire from co-workers?  Yes.  Am I so grateful to be surrounded by the people I get the privilege to be surrounded by each work day?  Definitely!!!!

On the way to church in yet another thrift store buy.  This dress was from a thrift store in Charleston that is NOT Goodwill, imagine that........

Thirty days of Thankfulness....Day 11

Yeah,
I missed a couple of days while out of town, but I'm back!!!

Books!

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Thirty days of Thankfulness......Day 8

Christmas decorations in the store.  I love Christmas time !!!!!!!

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Thirty days of Thankfulness.....Day 7

Great friends who make me laugh

Being silly before work one day.  As usual my hair is an old wash and go lightly sprayed with my water mix. 

Thirty days of Thankfulness......Day 6

That Romney didn't win!

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Thirty days of Thankfulness.......Day 5

Wow, just realized that day 4 didn't actually get posted on day 4, but I did write it yesterday:-) 

Day 5

Grateful for a wonderful weekend with some of my loved ones!!

Micah, ready to dominate the soccer field.  Not sure why this picture is so weirdo looking.  

Thirty days of Thankfulness.....Day 4

Rima's sweet 16!!!!

Thirty days of Thankfulness....Day 3

Beautiful weather

Okay, it doesn't quite look like this in Ga, but the weather is beautiful today (image source)

Thirty days of thankfulness.....day 2ish

Thankful to safely be in Ga with my sister.

Thirty days of Thankfulness......Day 1

Throughout the month of November I will make a post everyday stating one thing that I am thankful for.  Since this is a hair blog (mainly) I will begin with a hair product.

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Terressentials.  I haven't been using terressentials for long, but I am quite thankful for it.

Hump day happiness

Drum roll please....

1.  God loved me enough to wake me up this morning

2.  I get to spend the weekend with my sissy and her family

3.  It's almost Rima's birthday 

4.  Shunta and Troy are soon (semi-soon) to have a baby girl

5.  Advising is almost over

6.  Leah, grad school friend, is moving on to begin her career

7.  FALL BREAK!!!!!! Can we say sleep......

8.  Talked to my Granny this week (I just love that lady)

9.  My NYC peeps are okay

10.  I can start listening to Christmas music (truth be told, I listen to Christmas music almost year round, but now I don't have to worry about comments from people ;-)

There it is.  I am having a wonderful week and hope that you all are too!  Tune back in tomorrow for the start of 30 days of thankfulness!  

Tootles for now.

Hump day happiness

And we're back......

1.  God woke my family, friends and myself up this morning

2.  II Chronicles 20:15

3.  The granola I made yesterday is pretty much the best I've every had, hooray for homemade

4.  A new season

5.  A new church, Abundant Life on S. Irby Street

6.  All caught up on the family and community, thanks Mommy

7.  My Granny

8.  Finally got my arena built for research, let me just say that plexi glass is a beast and test of my patience (which is a work in progress)

9.  Meet and greet at church this coming Sunday with the pastor and his fam

10. New season of Tia and Tamera is on (I just casually found this out and knew this bit of info with no thanks to my so called friend Breana.......sad.......)

I'm grateful for so much, but those are a few for now.  Enjoy your hump day.  Smile, the work week is half over :-)

Tootles for now

Is it a class thing?......

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Hello lovelies~

Recently I've been taking a little unofficial inventory of the women I know and see who choose to live the natural hair life.  I feel as though there is an  overwhelming trend for the women I know/see with natural hair to be of a certain type.  That type of person tends to be, from my observation, those of the middle or upper class.  Also, these women seem to be more educated and to be professionals.  Now of course this isn't a blanket statement, and by no means am I saying that poor uneducated women are never natural.  However, this is just the observation that I have made lately.  

So then of course I had to ask myself why this may be.  I wonder if natural hair often than not accompanies a general desire to live a more wholesome lifestyle, and therefore is more often embraced by women who are more educated.  Or, I wonder if women who are of a certain status are more comfortable with going against the norm?  

I'm not sure why this trend may be occurring, but from what I see, it is.  

Chime in on this.  Do you feel as though there is a greater tendency for women of a higher status to wear their hair natural than those of a lower status?  If so, why? 

That's I have
Tootles for now!

my bff

In my ongoing battle against dryness I have rediscovered my bff water.  Water is by far the best moisturizer I have found for my hair.  I "water" my hair twice a day (once if I'm being lazy).  About once a week I wash my hair in the shower and add leave in (2tsp Giovanni leave in, 6tsp Aloe Vera juice, 2tsp vegetable glycerin, 1tsp Jojoba oil, 1tsp Castor oil, 1 drop liquid vitamin B, drops of essential oil of lavender, lemongrass, rosemary).  To wash my hair I use Aubrey Honeysuckle Rose, lemon juice rinse, plain water, or Terressentials about once a month.  On the other days I spray my hair with water from my bottle in the morning and at night.  I have found my favorite mixture to be tap water (about 22oz), about 4 drops liquid Vitamin B, 1-2tsp Aubrey honeysuckle rose conditioner, 2tsp vegetable glycerin, 1tsp Jojoba oil. 

I also DC with water when I feel like my hair needs an extra boost of moisture.  I simply spray my water mix on and cover with a plastic cap.  I place a satin scarf over my plastic cap and sleep as normal.  Usually, once I wake from my overnight DC I lightly spray and go.  

I know I have recommended water before, but it's so important I'm harping on it again!  So if you are struggling with moisture give it a try.  

Let me know how you combat dry hair.

Have a great week,

Tootles for now

Favor isn't fair

Beautiful sunrise in Puerto Rico.  Yup, it's definite, God is by far still (and I'm sure always will be) my favorite artist!

Hello there lovelies~

I hope that everyone is doing well and had a wonderful hump day.  Instead of hump day happiness this week I decided to write about an experience that I recently had (don't worry, it's happiness).  Earlier this week I had a "wow, favor really isn't fair" moment.  This week I found out that a fellow co-worker is a non tenure track professor.  So quick explanation of tenure.  

In academia, to gain tenure is THE goal.  Once tenured, you have job security at that university for life (unless you do something incredibly stupid like blow the place up).  So, now a days especially tenure track jobs are quite competitive and hard to obtain.  A few months after I was hired at FMU the department chair approached me and asked me to apply for a tenure track position that the department had open.  What?!?!  Can we say "thanks God, because I clearly did nothing to deserve that."  

So, as the plot thickens, let's go back to my co-worker who is not in a tenure track position.  Once I learned this information I began to wonder why would the department ask me over him to accept a tenure track position?  According to credentials, he would be a much more likely option to be asked to move into a tenure track position than myself.  After some consideration I decided that the only reason I am where I am is because favor isn't fair, and I thank God for favor. 

So, once again God has come through in a HUGE way for me.  I love when God does something to remind me of His awesomeness and inexplicable love for me!!

That's all I have and I think that's enough to cover all top 10 hump day happiness slots!

Tootles for now~

Hump day happiness

On time today.....

1.  God woke my family and myself up this morning

2.  Increase in my storehouse

3.  Autumn is here

4.  Research is finally moving right along

5.  The fair is quickly approaching (although I haven't decided on Sate fair of Coastal Carolina fair, thoughts)

6.  My hair is mostly happy (I just have this one patch, grrrr....)

7.  Nadia is moved in safe and sound

8.  A great book club discussion last Friday (yeah, never did quite finish that book......)

9.  A job I love with people I enjoy being around

10.  Upcoming blessings of life

Have a wonderful and fabulous hump day!!!!

Tootles for now

Hump day (almost) happiness

Well, I'm a day behind, but still full of happiness and gratefulness.......

1.  God woke my family and myself up this morning

2.  I talked to my Daddy yesterday and the doctor visit went okay...prayers are heard

3.  Autumn is quickly approaching

4.  Shunta and Troy are going to be parents!!!!!  (see comment from last hump day happiness)

5.  Jesus is my friend

 6.  Book club this Friday (I wonder if I can read 150 pages in one night? :-/ )

7.  I am beginning to feel better....again, prayers are heard

8.  Rima had a great progress report (1 B, 3A's)

9.  The expression on Rima's face last night when we were baking a cake and I showed her how to work the electric mixer...priceless

10.   Miles has been very understanding (well, sort of understanding) of our lack of walks lately....oh the hectic life of a single working mom ;-)

That's it for this morning....have a wonderful Thursday!!!!

Tootles for now...

Growing

Off to work in a Goodwill find from my summer shopapalooza.  I paired my dress with a belt, platforms and pearls.  I just love Goodwill. My hair is an old wash and go refreshed with my water/conditioner mix.  Dress $3.79 Goodwill, Belt $19.95 boutique in NOLA, shoes $17.99 Ross, pearls-who knows.

Hello there lovelies~

As you all know I got my hair cut about 2 months ago.  Of course, with every hair cut comes the decision of keeping the hair cut or letting it grow out.  As is the case for everyone, I too had to make this tough decision.  Well, after much contemplation I have come to the decision of letting my hair grow back out.  I have definitely gone through the "grass is greener" complex.  Basically, when my hair was long I wanted to cut it so that I didn't have to do as much work to my hair.  Now that my hair is short I miss being able to style and "do" my hair.  Now don't get me wrong.  I am still enjoying the haircut.  If there is one thing that I've learned over the past 5 years it is to enjoy your hair at each stage, because before you know it you will be at another "hair phase."  I've also learned to focus on the good and beauty of where your hair is at that moment.  No matter what the state of your hair may be there is always something that you can complain about, but why bother.  

So, for now I am intending to let my hair grow back out as long as it can get.  I will enjoy my hair at each stage it goes through with no length goals in mind.  I'm hoping to stay inspired to try new styles with my hair as it grows out which I didn't do enough of as my hair was growing out the first BC time around.   

Well, that's all for today.

Tootles for now!

Hump day happiness

Phew, long day!

1.  God woke my family, friends and myself up this morning

2.  I don't have any absolute engagements this weekend (can we say sleep in and then beach time)

3.  I schmoozed with rich, fancy and important this evening

4.  Shunta showed me how to facetime 

5.  Comments on the blog (Got one from a new commenter recently!!!  :-)

6.  The state fair is soon coming (so excited to take Rima)

7.  A bit ahead on work, which means no need to work in the evenings or weekends (let's hope I can keep this up)

8.  Rima's first swim lesson went....well.....well enough

9.  I don't have to go to robotics team with Rima this Friday (now I know I'm a nerd, but I draw the line at star trek conventions and robotics)

10.  Appreciating the simply life (single and child free is not so bad)

Well, that sums up my top 10 for today.  Please be sure to share some of the things that have brought you joy or gratefulness today!

Tootles for now

Lessons from motherhood

Goodwill strikes again with a $4 skirt I picked up while on vacation in Myrtle Beach

Hello lovelies~

I have been a mother for a full three weeks now, and therefore feel authorized to share lessons from motherhood with you all.  Boy oh boy is life different once the children come along.  Now, as I suspected, I'm not the type of mother to smother or re-design my life around my child, but it is amazing how children take over.  There are so many things and events that I have already done or attended for Rima that I had absolutely no desire to take part in (for example, 2 hour robotics team meeting on a Friday night, yuck). However, I get through these moments by reminding myself that the world doesn't revolve around me and that I'm not the only one who deserves to have a good time.  So, the biggest lessons that I have learned thus far include patience, selflessness, love, patience, acceptance, patience and more patience.

One thing that my mother and I have often struggled with in our relationship is her allowing me to be myself even if that meant that I wasn't a "mini-me" of her.  I have had a really hard time understanding why it has been so difficult for my mother to simply let me be and to express myself in the way that feels most comfortable for me.  I had a difficult time understanding until Rima came that is.  Oh my goodness, I want so badly for her to wear cute clothes, to be more adventurous, to try new things, basically to be more like me.  Of course it is beside me why she wouldn't want to be a mini-me, but I acknowledge that that is something I have to accept, as hard as it may be.  So,  I guess the old saying of "you'll understand when you become a parent" is true.  

Now for the ultimate question, have I turned into my mother?  Although there was one day when I had a revelation of oh my goodness I am being Melissa (this was a day when I was dragging Rima around a furniture store looking at pieces that we probably won't buy that she couldn't care less about), I'd have to say no, I am not my mother, not yet at least.  However, I do feel like I understand some of the decisions she's made regarding me a WHOLE lot better.  

Oh how time and knowledge bring about change and understanding.  

Well, those are my biggest motherhood lessons thus far.  I anticipate many more lessons before June rolls around so I'll keep you all updated on those.  

Feel free to share any motherhood or life lessons that you have learned and found helpful along the way.

Tootles for now!

Hump day happiness

Here goes my happiness....Be sure to leave a bit of your happiness in the comments section

1.  God woke my family, friends and myself up this morning

2.  Great news from friends

3.  A wonderful labor day weekend with my family

4.  An awesome 28th birthday (the best I've ever had :-)

5.  Girls' night out tomorrow night (hooray for Mexican food and margaritas)

6.  Recent life lessons in patience (who knew you had to be patient and selfless to be a mother)

7.  A relaxed evening (praise the Lord for this one)

8.  Time tonight to read (see number 7 and praise the Lord again)

9.  My job

10.  The opportunities that await me

That's all I have for today,

Tootles for now!

The last single lady in Florence

From left to right:  Sister, brother in law, me.  We went parasailing on my birthday.  So much fun!!!

Okay, so I modified that title from Sex and the City movie 1.  However, it feels appropriate for this post.  Despite how it may seem, this is not a rant about being single.  Quite the contrary, this is a post about one of the joys of being single.  This weekend my family (extended included) vacationed in Myrtle Beach.  While there I went parasailing, played in the pool, played on the beach with strangers and had an all around wonderful time.  Trying new activities made me realize how little I know about what I really enjoy doing.  I mean, okay, I know I enjoy reading and listening to music and everyone knows I enjoy shopping, but I am talking about adventures.  Although I have hobbies I feel as though it's important to also know what type of activities and outings I enjoy.  I mean, how will I know the best place for hubby and I to vacation if I don't know what I enjoy doing.  As I was thinking about this, I realized what an awesome opportunity I have right now.  I realized what a great time in my life this is to  try new things, take risks, go on adventures and really figure myself out.  So, now I am excited.  I'm excited about trying new things and getting out there.....just because.  

Let me know what you have learned about yourself lately.  What new adventures have you gone on that have taught you a bit more about you?  

Tootles for now

Hump day (sort of) happiness

Hey there lovelies~
I was a bit out of commission yesterday, but here goes my happiness....

1.  God woke myself and my family/friends up this morning

2.  Rima finally finished that ENTIRE cake she ate (why do my friends continually supply her with sweets?!?!?)

3.  Beach time this weekend

4.  Family time this weekend (I feel like I haven't seen the niece and nephew in forever)

5.  New work computer (help, I'm turning into an Apple girl)

6.  Breana is excited for hump day happiness

7.  My tummy is getting happy again

8.  I'm surrounded by wonderful people

9.  Upcoming birthday (hooray for 28!)

10.  Pay day!!!!

Share your happiness too!!!

Tootles for now

Hump day happiness

Crazy day, but here it goes....

1.  God woke me up this morning with a purpose

2.  Rima had a good first day of school

3.  A fun (and super busy) Columbia weekend this past weekend (thanks Breana)

4.  Phone convo with Kandy 

5.  Meeting great new colleagues (I had to wait until now to attend the new faculty orientation, imagine that)

6.  I got to watch Half and Half yesterday, perhaps this cable thing isn't so bad

7.  A yummy dinner is in the oven (which Rima will eat since all of her cookies are gone, thank God)

8.  It is almost vacation time (well, mini vacation, well, family time disguised as vacation)

9.  Krissy's birthday lunch tomorrow (mmmm....Indian food)

10.  Micah and Taylinn had a wonderful first day of school this week

Well, that's it for this hump day and thank goodness because I am pooped!

Tootles for now

Hump day happiness

And the top 10 today are.....

1.  God woke me up this morning

2.  My Granny (I love her so much, I'm so grateful that she's still around)

3.  My new daughter

4.  Linda (the mother of another host family who has been SO helpful to me, I foresee us being friends)

5.  My knee finally feeling well enough for me to run a bit again

6.  Upcoming family time (the whole family, whoa, I don't think this has every happened on vacation before, I mean we're talking aunts, uncles, cousins, the whole VanDyke (Mommy's family) clan)

7. Small group tomorrow

8.  Learning so much about other religions and cultures from Rima

9.  Meeting Louis yesterday (he and his wife have a newly adopted son and Louis was so positive and has such a great and grateful spirit)

10.  Having to cook (now that Rima is here I am cooking more, and I think it's a good thing, I could use the practice)

So, that's it for today.  Feel free to leave a comment containing the things that you are most grateful for/happy about on this beautiful "hump day"

Tootles for now

Denise Richards on the couch: let's talk about it

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Hey there lovelies~

I was checking out curlyniki's blog as I periodically do, and I came across this interview with Denise Richards.  I clicked to read the interview not because I like Denise Richards, but because her hair looked beautiful in the accompanying photo.  After reading the interview I began reading some of the comments as I usually do.  I noticed that a lot of women were commenting on the "racist" comments that had been made by some.  So of course I then had to read back until I go to these "racist" comments.  The comments that were shunned said things like....

"thin ice Niki, very thin ice"

"i think her people pretty much reached out to CN because she's going to be in a Tyler Perry movie...I can imagine this post might get interesting...."

"I love diversity as much as the next person, but as a woman of color this interview does very little to inspire me. It kind of reminds me of reading mainstream magazines and they have a "Hair" section that does very little to speak to me or my hair. I applaud her acceptance of her hair, but I can't relate."

".....don't "they" (yes, by "they" I mean WHITE PEOPLE) have enough already? Don't we see so much about their hair enough in commercials and in magazines that won't even consider using black women in ads? I'm pretty open minded, but I have to be honest...When I saw Denise Richard's photo, I actually looked up at the URL to make sure that I was in the right place....."

So, I want to know your feelings on the interview.  Do you have a problem with curlyniki doing an interview with women who are not Black?  Do you think the comments made were racist?  What did you think of the interview?

Be sure to weigh in and share your opinions.  Let's talk about it!

Tootles for now

I'm a mom!!!

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Yup, you read the title right, I'm a mom.  Today I picked up my foreign exchange student from the airport and officially became a mom (that's what she calls me :-) for the next 10 months.  My new daughter is Rima and so far I just think she is great!  Rima is from the Philippines.  She is 16 years old and adorable.  The decision to host a student was a last minute one that made me quite a bit nervous at first; however, now I know that it was a great idea.  I am already excited about all of the things that I will learn such as how to cook everyday, set rules, be selfless....you know...mom stuff.  As Rima and I were at dinner tonight she said, " mom, can I have a favor?"  I replied, "sure, what is it?"  She said, "when we get home may I rest?"  I said to myself, "God sent me the right one, that's my child, we are going to get along just fine."  So, here I am, broken Shayna single mother of one.  

Tootles for now!

Broken

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Hey all~

I just returned from a journey group meeting and felt led to write this post.  Tonight, I visited with a small group (this church calls them journey groups) for a church that I am considering joining.  I found the group to be a wonderful and enlightening experience. 

 

The group is a singles group for ages 19-34.  The group is usually made up of 6-12 people; however, tonight there were only 4 of us.  The leader of the group is a 30 year old single woman from Phoenix, AZ who has been living in Florence for 2 years now.  In the next few weeks this young lady will be moving back to AZ.  Throughout the evening she shared many personal thoughts and experiences behind her desire to leave Florence.  As I listened, I realized that a lot of the issues that she struggles with, so do I.  

She posed the question of, "why is it that we are afraid to show our brokenness to others?"  In other words, when I see a friend and she says, "hey, how are you?"  Instead of saying "good, thanks" why don't I say, "I've been better, I'm tired of being single, I still don't understand why God brought me to Florence, I feel like I'm living in a dream, I'm tired, I'm a bit stressed, I have no idea what I was thinking when I agreed to host this exchange student, I don't feel pretty enough, I really want to go on vacation and I wouldn't mind going on a shopping spree to fill my closet with loads of fabulosity."  

Even though I too play into this idea that my life is perfect and there is never anything wrong, I'm not sure why people do this.  I suppose I do it because I feel like I don't get the "right" to feel down.  My problems aren't big enough to give me the "right" to complain.  Or perhaps I hide my broken self because telling others what is really going on would make me feel vulnerable to them.  Maybe I play this role because in my mind, as a follower of Christ, I am supposed to not worry and despite what is going on be joyous in the Lord at all times.  

Honestly, I don't know why I play this game, but I'm tired of it.  So, here I am, broken.  Fortunately, I know now that I'm not the only broken one in the crowd.  I know that not only are there other broken people around me, but there are broken people around me suffering from the same (or similar) feelings as myself.  So, tonight I have been inspired.  I feel inspired to share with others and not cover up the brokenness.  A wound that's always hidden under a bandage takes much longer to heal than one that is exposed to the open air.  

So, weigh in.  Why do we cover up our "uncomfortable" feelings?  What are your fears?  What is it that you don't say when asked, "how are you?"

Tootles for now....

  

Hump day happiness

Top ten of the day.....

1.  God woke me and my family/friends this morning

2.  Kandy got a job!!!

3.  Time with my sister this weekend 

4.  Seeing the niece, nephew and parents briefly this weekend

5.  Seeing Mark Friday night

6.  Dinner Sunday with Avis and Amaka

7.  Breana time Friday and Saturday (even though I am obviously getting too old to hang out with her and Deborah, IHOP at 3am, when was the last time that happened?!?!?!)

8.  Anticipation of Tori's answers on "Shayna and Breana's male mind inquiry"

9.  Meeting Rimalyn Friday (grateful/excited/nervous...feeling magenta)

10.  Terressentials hair wash

Well, that's it for today.  Leave me comments of what you are happy or thankful for today.....

Tootles for now, happy hump day!

Terressentials Organic Hair Wash: product review

A wash and go.  I used Terressentials hair wash and added as a leave in Aubrey Honeysuckle Rose conditioner with a bit of water.  I loved the outcome!

Hello there lovelies~

For a while I have been wanting to try the Terressentials Organic Hair Wash.  Well, I have tried it a few times and am ready to write a review.  I decided to try Terressentials because it is USDA certified organic, is said to help reduce tangles/knots, help to add/maintain moisture and is highly recommended by my hair icon (Naptural85)!  Terressentials is not widely sold in stores, so I had to order online.  I decided to order the largest bottle (16 oz) of the Lavender wash.  Including shipping and handling the product came out to be a bit less than $30.  The package arrived on time (within one week) and was in good condition upon arrival. 

The website for Terressentials recommends doing a detox regimen upon first using Terressentials.  The detox lasts for one week and consists of multiple hair washing per day.  Yeah, that wasn't going to happen here.  I instead decided to do a modified detox consisting of me washing my hair 3 times in one week on 3 separate days.  The detox is meant to rid the hair of all the build up from non-natural products.  Considering I didn't use much non-natural product (everything I use now is natural) I probably didn't need to do a detox at all.  However, I ended up doing 2 washes in one week on two different days. 

The first time I washed with Terressentials I liked it.  While the hair wash was on, my hair felt soft.  Once I got out of the shower my hair remained soft enough.  The second time I used Terressentials I didn't care for it much because I felt like it dried my hair out a bit.  However, I decided to give the hair wash another try.  This morning (about one month after my first two attempts) I washed my hair with the Terressentials again.  This morning, I loved it!  I washed my hair in the sink instead of the shower and I think that this helped me out a lot.  The first couple of times that I used the Terressentials I didn't like the fact that I couldn't gauge how much I was using (it doesn't lather AT ALL).  However, by washing outside of the shower I could see in the mirror how much I used.  

Oh my goodness.  My hair felt SO soft while the Terressentials was on it.  My hair felt so great I didn't want to rinse the hair wash out.  After I rinsed I followed with Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner as a leave in.  My hair feels clean, soft and refreshed.  My scalp also feels super clean, but not dry.  Although the product is a bit costly a little goes a long way, and I feel that the product is well worth the price!!!  As of right now, I plan to make this a staple product (of which I currently have none since cutting my hair). 

I hope that this hair wash will help to maintain the moisture in my hair, help reduce the amount of time needed to detangle and help maintain the softness of my hair.  I am especially hoping that these things will be true as my hair grows back out (whenever that happens to be).  I will be sure to report back on my feelings once I have been using it for a bit longer.  As of now, I'm super excited about it!!!!  Hooray for recommendations from Naptural85.

Pros  

• Organic
• Leaves hair soft
• Leaves hair moisturized
• Doesn't require much product
• Smells GREAT!!
• Doesn't cover up damage to your hair (as do many other products), but actually restores health (this is something that I don't know first hand yet, but have heard and believe because it doesn't coat hair, you can see it rinsing out and feel the clean afterward)

Cons

• Must be ordered online
• A bit costly (although the longevity of the product may balance out the price)
• Hard to gauge amount being used if you wash without a mirror

So, those are my current thoughts on Terressentials.  I will be sure to let you know if I'm still loving it in about 6 months or so!  If you've tried Terressentials let me know your thoughts on it and which one you have tried. 

Tootles for now