Tag - I'm it!

I recently was tagged by Funbi at datfunkyfro.  For me to be tagged by Funbi I feel so honored to have such a lovely God fearing women recognize my modest little blog, I'm kinda flattered.

To begin with, here are the rules of the tag :

a. You must post the rules.
b. Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
c. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've been tagged.
d. Tag eleven people and link them in your post.
e. Let them know you've tagged them.

 

11 fun facts about me:

1.  If you haven't noticed my favorite color is pink.

2.  I married my best friend who is my knight in shiny armor.

3.  I have just recently started to potty train my 2 year old son.  PLEASE PRAY FOR ME! 

4.  I'm seriously thinking about going back to school to get my master's degree with a focus on Autism.

5.  I pray every night with my son who demands that I close my eyes but he won't close his.

6.  I only listen to Christian music while driving in my car.

7.  I'm starting to really enjoy watching Thomas and Friends, but really hate Dora.

8.  I have flat feet and since I broke my foot 8 years ago, I can't wear anything with a heel.

9.  I get more comments on my hair now then I ever did when it was relaxed.

10. I never thought that I would enjoy watching Monster Jam with my son would be fun.

11. I love the Lord with all my heart and count my BLESSINGS everyday.  (Most of you already knew that.)

 

Casual or elegant?

I have a 2 year old!  I don't want poop, snot, puke, food or anything gross smeared on anything nice.  So, casual.

Who has inspired you the most in your life?

My parents.  I was blessed with wonderful parents.  They never let me go a day without letting me know that they loved me.

What are five items you cannot leave your home without?

Diaper bag, purse, lip stick/gloss/balm, epi pen, glasses 

What career are you aspiring to undertake & why OR what is your present job?

I'm a teacher and I love it!  I'm doing exactly what I feel God wants me to do with my life and I'm good at it.  Low pay, but very rewarding.

What is your favorite phrase?

When my son says to me "momma I want to hold you".  Makes my heart melt every time!

What is your favorite city?

Madrid - I lived there for 3 years and I want to go back and visit.

What do you enjoy doing most when you are alone?

I love to read romance novels (don't judge me!).

What song can you not possibly get out of your head right now?

Mercy Me  - I can only Imagine 

What book are you reading & what is your best all time read?

Kresley Cole's most recent release and my all time favorite is anything  from Jane Austin (Pride and Prejudice hands down).

PC or Mac?

PC only because that's the kind a computer I have at work and my laptop given to me through a grant for school.

What movie have you seen recently?

The day before my birthday the hubby and I took our son to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D.  I haven't seen anything with a rating above PG since 2009. 

 

My 11 Questions? (Warning some are deep and some are silly.)

If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would do with the winnings?

Morning or night person?

What is one thing you must do before you die?  

Cartoons or documentaries?

If you could go back into time to talk to yourself, what advice would you give yourself?

City or country?

What is the #1 character trait you can't live without in your spouse or possible future mate?

Ice skates or roller skates?

What modern day convenience can you easily live without?

What modern day convenience can you not live without?

Chocolate milk or white milk?

 

10 people I'm tagging (Sorry only 10 from me)

Chasity Williams at Black Sistah  

JazzWife at Slimwavy

Minasek 

Curls and Coils  

Dominique-Alexis at Natural Hair Care

Coilybella

1BlessedNatural

Camelia at The Blooming Diva

SpecialK

Krys at Discovering Natural Beauty

Eco Styler Olive Oil Revisted

This morning I decided to revisit my Eco Styler Olive Oil.  Instead of using my Aussie Moist I used Tresemme as my leave in conditioner.  I applied my jojoba rosemary oil mixture under the Tresemme.  This time around, I applied less conditioner then I traditional would do.  As I raked it through my hair I had very little white this time and as my hair dried the white disappeared.

I really like how my curls are well defined, but my hair is really crunchy.  The Eco Styler Olive Oil is a 10 hold on a scale of 1 through 10.  So, knowing this I'm not surprised that my hair is crunchy.  I will see if my hair softens up over the next couple of days.  I noticed that the olive oil version is stickier than the protein version.  It also felt thicker when I applied it to my hair.  Overall, I'm pleased with my results.  My curls are shiny and very defined.  On a different note, I won a giveaway on MopTop products and I'm looking forward to reviewing those products.  Until next time...
Blessings!

Eco Styler Gel Olive Oil battles my Aussie Moist

I have been using the Eco Styler Gel in the black container and loving the results.  Since I have introduced my jojoba and rosemary oil mixture to my routine I thought that the Eco Styler Gel with Olive Oil would be better for my hair.  So, this morning I decided to try the Eco Styler with Olive Oil for my wash-n-go.  I co-washed with my Hello Hydration, patted my hair with my microfiber towel, added my jojoba and rosemary oil mix and massaged it into my scalp, then I applied a handful of my Aussie Moist conditioner.  I was using my Denman brush like before to rake the gel through my hair when I noticed that my hair was getting whiter and whiter.  Now, I'm use to my conditioner foaming up a little, but this was really foamy!

So, since I had a meeting this morning I decided to quickly jump into the shower and rinse all the gel out.  I then did everything listed above, but I used my Eco Styler gel in the black container.  No foaming from my conditioner and I got my usually results.  Sorry no pictures of the foamy white hair, I was running late and we got a dusting of snow which translates into a long commute.

What I really want is some advice.  The Eco Styler Gel in the black container is brown so I believe that maybe the white foam didn't happen because of that.  While the Olive Oil version is clear.  So, if I use the Olive Oil again will it foam up and if so will it dry clear?  Also, is my jojoba and rosemary oil mixture making my conditioner and Eco Styler Olive Oil become foamy white?  Please help!  Until next time...
Blessings!

Church Hair

Today for church I wore my hair with Eco Styler Gel.  I really like this look and I got several compliments at church.  So many people came up to me and asked if this was my "natural curl" or "how did you get your hair so curly?".

I used my Denman brush to help define my curls.  Thank you Coco Natural for the post on the many uses of the Denman brush.  Since I'm doing some shout outs, over at Slimwavy she posted the Natural Hair Challenge 2014.  I signed up and found out that I'm the only one from MN.  So, this is me encouraging all of you naturals who are growing out your mane to join me and JazzWife in this challenge.  I emailed the above picture for my before picture.  Until next time...
Blessings!

New Oils...New Experiment

Well I decided to order some jojoba and rosemary oil.  I am planning to make my own rosemary oil, but it takes 4 weeks of direct sun light.  Here in MN the sun comes up at 8am and is down at 5pm.  So, I'll make my own rosemary oil this spring.  You're probably wondering why I'm going to use jojoba and rosemary oil.  Well, my mother likes to bring to my attention how I'm going gray.  I know I have gray hair and it doesn't bother me, but the day after my mother told me I had more gray hair two more students informed me that they thought my gray was "multiplying".

So, me and my BFF Google did some research and I found out the if you start using rosemary oil when you first start going gray you can slowly over time darken your hair.  I'm hoping to get the health effects of possible hair growth by stimulating the hair follicles and the darkening of my grays, basically a two for one.  Jojoba oil also has a reputation to stimulate and promote hair growth.  You all know that I have a problem area in the front/top of my head.  This area of hair thinned out back in March 2011 when I did my last relaxer.

Thinned out spot.

There it is, my problem spot.  I really want this spot to fill back in with hair.  This spot is the reason why I went natural.  The thought of being bald inspired me to kick the chemicals that caused the hair loss.  When I get my oils I plan to use them everyday.  I will check my progress in three months sometime in April.  I know that I won't see any results on the gray hair, but I am hoping to see some new fuzzy hair in my problem spot.  The good news is that I haven't noticed this spot getting larger, but I want it to get smaller and fill in, so wish me luck!  Until next time...
Blessings!

Birthday Hair

My parents came for my birthday and we all enjoyed a wonderful evening.  Burger Jones was great and afterwards my hubby surprised me with a carriage ride around Nicollet Island.  My parents just celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary and my hubby decided to treat us all to a carriage ride.  My son was thrilled to "ride with the horse".  The fresh snow made everything look white, clean and beautiful.  Afterward we came home for some cake and ice cream. 

I washed my hair and applied my Eco Styler gel.  This look is becoming my new favorite and go to style.  Check out the pictures below.

My parents at Burger Jones.

I just blew out my candles.

Not the best picture,  but how I wore my hair.

My curls.

Everything was wonderful until the end of the night.  My father was experiencing some pain in his leg and when he was getting ready for bed he noticed how swollen it was.  My father has a history of blood clots so this really concerned my parents.  At 1am my hubby ended up driving my parents to the emergency room where my father was diagnosed with another blood clot.  The good news is that he didn't need to be admitted into the hospital, the bad news is that the new medicine he needs to take costs $2000 for a month supply.  My parents only got enough medicine for today and tomorrow, basically enough until my father can see his own doctor.  Please send prayers to my parents.  Until next time...
Blessings!

Birthday Blessings!

Tomorrow is my 36th birthday.  I feel so blessed to have lived another year that I really don't care that I will be closer to 40 than I will be to 30.  My parents are coming to visit tomorrow and my husband has ordered me a red velvet cake with cream cheese icing from my favorite bakery The Cake Box.  Yep, that's right no dieting for me tomorrow!  The hubby made reservations for me at Burger Jones for my dinner tomorrow and I plan to have a very large juicy burger with fries!  Burger Jones was voted the best burger in the twin cities area.  It's my birthday and I gonna eat whatever I want! 

When I got home from work yesterday my son came up to me and said "come mommy and open your present".  The hubby quickly scooped him up and whispered into his ear "It's a secret remember, mommy will open it when grandma and grandpa come".  Then my son yelled very loudly "No, mommy should open now!".  Gotta love the boy!  He cracks me up everyday. 

I am so blessed to have another year with my family, especially my son and hubby.
I am blessed to finally have my health back in time to see my parents and celebrate my birthday.
I am blessed to have a thoughtful considered husband who is involving our son and my parents in my birthday celebration.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.  For by me your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased.  Proverbs 10 and 11

I pray that the Lord blesses me with many more happy healthy birthdays and his wisdom and blessings continue to be multiplied upon me.  I pray that my light continues to shine brightly to be a testament of God's grace and love.  Until next time...

Blessings!

Next day with Eco Styler

I woke up this morning and all I did was spray a little water in my hair and twirl some curls around my fingers.  I really liked that this style stayed firm and my hair feels like it usually does with just conditioner. 

I added a flower to my hair because it matched my sweater.  I really like the Eco Styler for wash n go's.  I think this will be my go to style for wash n go's.  Until next time...
Blessings!

Wash n go with eco styler gel

So, yesterday while at the store with my son I needed some more of my Aussie Moist and you know what that means.  Since I was walking down the aisle looking at all the products I happened to come across the Eco Styler Gel.  Now, I have read a lot about Eco Styler Gel and Kinky Curly Curling Custard.  For my first attempt with a gel I decided to only spent $2.49 as compared to $16.99 for KCCC and then having to buy Knot Today for $11.99.  So, the Eco Styler can be used with my Aussie Moist for $5.69 for a grand total of $8.18 or the KCCC for a grand total of $28.98.  No brainer, I went with the Eco Styler. 

Okay, so I co-washed my hair with my Hello Hydration this morning.  For my leave in I used my Aussie Moist and then I started to apply my Eco Styler all over my head starting in the back.  As I raked it through my hair with my fingers I detangled with my wide tooth comb using my other hand.  In the front I created a part and pinned the part down with some clips until my hair dried.  Which only took about 3 hours.  I then used my Denman brush to define the curls in the front.

Wet hair.

Clips I used to hold the part.

Dry hair.  Not bad for shrinkage.

Clips really helped to define my part.

Texture pic of my curls.

Dry hair and loving my curls.

Dry hair and defined curls.

I'm sure you can tell after seven pictures that I really liked this look.  Total thumbs up for the Eco Styler Gel!  I have a very firm hold and it was a little crunchy, but since it has dried and I have played with the curls my hair has softened up a lot.  I expect it to soften up some more after I have slept on it tonight.  It was a super quick style that took only about 5 minutes to apply the gel and I loved how defined my curls came out.  I plan to wear my hair like this till wash day Saturday which happens to also be my birthday.  I'm hoping that it gets fuller as the week progresses because I really like big full hair.  As always your thoughts and comments are welcome.  BTW I will gladly welcome your thoughts on what you think my hair type is.  I think that I might be a 4a or a 3c, but I really don't know so your thoughts are welcomed.  Until next time...
Blessings!

5th month anniversary of big chop

It's been 5 months since my BC.  Yesterday I washed my hair and did about 30 two strand twists all over my head.  This morning I took the twists out and I really liked the look.  I measured my hair and guess what no length this month.  Last month I was at 4.5 inches in the front and this month I measured at 4.5 inches in the front.

5 month anniversary hair two strand twist out.

4.5 inches in the front.

Length check in the back.

Length check on the left side.

So, I think that the reason why I didn't have any length this month is because I have been sick the entire time.  I know that I don't have any breakage because I would have seen the broken hairs either in my sink or in my comb.  No broken hairs, but no length.  I'm not going to worry about the no length this month.  My hair feels thicker and fuller and it looks healthy.  Until next time...
Blessings!

Kreative Blog Award

The Conditions for Accepting the Award are:

• Link back to the person who gave you this award

• Answer the questions below

• Award 10 other blogs and let them know in a comment or email

• Share 7 random thoughts about yourself

I want to thank Coilybella for passing this award to me.

The Questions:


1. NAME YOUR FAVORITE SONG:

Amazing Grace.  I love this song played with bag pipes, sung at church, or song solo with mo music.  It's a classic considering it was written by a former slave ship captain who later became a minister.  Great history behind the song.

2. NAME YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT:

Cheesecake, chocolate, ice cream well heck just about anything sweet I love.  That's why I'm dieting.

3. WHAT TICKS ME OFF:

Being cut off in traffic, crazy drivers talking on their phones instead of driving, and people who sit in restaurants and talk on their phone loudly!  I really hate people who yell and or swear at their kids at the grocery store!

4. WHEN I'M UPSET I:

Talk to my husband and pray.

5. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PET:

I love dogs and cats.

6. BLACK OR WHITE:

I like them both together, but white looks good on me in the summer.

7. BIGGEST FEAR:

Losing my son.

8. EVERYDAY ATTITUDE:

Be positive and always look for your BLESSINGS!

9. WHAT IS PERFECTION:

The grace of God.

10. GUILTY PLEASURE:

Reading romance novels (don't judge me).


7 Random Thoughts about me

- I'm biracial (mom white and my dad is black).
- My father is retired Air Force and I was raised on air force bases.
- I lived in Spain for 3 years.
- I no longer listen to secular music in my car only Christian music.
- I was a nationally ranked athlete in high school and college for shot put and discus.
- I can't sleep at night until I have personally checked on my son.
- I was in labor for 43 hours before my son was born. 

I am now passing these award to these lovely bloggers
Chastity Williams at Black Sistah Blog
Minasek
Dominique-Alexis at natural-hair-care-info
Krys at Finding my Natural Beauti

Coilybella and I have the same friends, so only these 4 for me.
Blessings!

Chunky Twist Out

Okay, the Bantu Knots didn't survive the night.  I decided to just do a wash and go on Wednesday.  Wednesday night I decided to twist up my hair into about 25 chunky twists.  My son was crawling all over my lap asking me over and over again "momma I want to help" and "momma your hair looks funny".  It took me about 30 minutes to twist up my entire head and I think I could of gotten it done in 15 minutes if "the boy" wasn't distracting me so much.

Chunky twists I just finished putting in.

Twist out and fluffed.

Texture

Needless to say I love this look!  I didn't have to prompt my husband to notice and compliment.  My day care lady said that my hair looks so much longer.  Music to my ears!  I plan to wear the chunky twist out until wash day Saturday.  Tomorrow I might do a fro hawk.  Until next time...
Blessings!

Bantu Knot Fro Hawk

So, after the miserable twist out from New Year's day I went searching for something on YouTube.  I watched a few videos and got hooked on the Bantu Knots.  Most of you already know that I don't like spending a lot of time twisting my hair.  So, I decided to do 6 Bantu Knots on the side of my head giving me a fro hawk look. 

So, these Bantu Knots are far from prefect and I'm using pins to keep them in, but this is only my second attempt at Bantu Knots.  I plan to sleep with the pins in and then take them out in the morning.  If the knots stay, great!  If not I will simply make my fro hawk with combs.  I sprayed the front of my hair with some water and used my Denman brush to make my quick curls. 

I really like the Bantu Knot look and would love to have my whole head done, but I don't have the skill, patience, and I think I need more length to make the knots look great.  I loved Jada Pinkett-Smith's Bantu Knots from the Matrix and my tiny knots look nothing like hers because she had longer hair.

If the knots survive the night I will take some pictures in the morning without the pins.  Until next time...
Blessings!

Flat Twist Out and Two Strand Twist Out

On New Year's Eve I started to two strand twist my hair, but after 10 minutes and a crying toddler I decided to also flat twist my hair.  So, I did about 10 two strand twists and 5 fat flat twists to create this look.

No make up and looking tired.

You may of noticed a lack of pictures.  That's because this is the only picture I liked.  The other pictures were either fuzzy or just plain old U.G.L.Y.!  

This is what I've learned from this experience.  Flat twists allow me to determine what direction I want my hair to lay when I take the twist out.  Two strand twists on my short hair, especially on the top makes my hair stick straight out.  On a positive note, I liked the wavy pattern the twist out gave my hair, but I felt like I had to play with it a lot to give my hair some shape instead of randomness.  I'm not going out into public with this look and I plan to only wear it for New Year's Day.  I don't consider this style a failed attempt, considering I learned something about my hair, but I will hold off on the two strand twist outs until I have more length.  Until next time...

Blessings!

A new year...a new beginning!

Happy New Year!  As I have been reviewing 2011 in my head I realize that I really don't have any resolutions.  I do plan to continue to diet and lose more weight, but I didn't gain any weight over the holiday.  In fact I lost a couple of pounds.  I stopped biting my nails last June and I have been fully natural since August.  So, I have decided to look at 2012 as a new beginning.  Below is a list of some things I will try to incorporate into my life over the next couple of weeks.

My new beginnings...
I will let my husband win the next fight even if I know I'm right.
The next time I think my son has earned a time out I will just put him into a time out.
I will only do lengths checks on my hair on my monthly BC anniversaries until March 2012.
When I go back to work next Monday, I will wake up in the morning and not groan in tiredness, but say a quick prayer of thankfulness that I have a job I love doing.

So, there's my list.  Short and sweet.  I feel very blessed to have my wonderful husband, beautiful son, and overall great life.  I pray that all of you have a very blessed new beginning to a New Year!  Until next time...
Blessings!