ATCM: Sweet and Spicy

Sweet and Spicy is owned by one of my alma mater (THE Ohio State University) alum, Danielle. Go Bucks! When I saw a link to her chic shop on Facebook, I knew I had to reach out to her for a feature.

She masterfully creates one of a kind jewelry pieces sure to make any woman sparkle and shine. Thanks for letting me share your goodies with the AGCM community!



When I asked her about the brand's philosophy and what kind of woman rocks her goods she had this to say:

"Sweet & Spicy Accessories is for the woman who can’t put her style in a box…she likes to mix girly with a bit of toughness…maybe with a hint of natural flavor…but most of all, always chic! The Sweet & Spicy Accessories girl has a multi-faceted personality…She may define herself as sweet…bold…sassy…or spicy…which is where the name Sweet & Spicy Accessories comes from! She loves accessories that are bold in color and big enough for her personality…and knows that fabulous accessories always complete a hot outfit!"

Luv it! If you can dig that philosophy, embody that philosophy or know someone that does, then check out her Etsy shop at www.SweetAndSpicy.etsy.com for more items.

Miss Kris New's Words of Encouragement

Check out this 2 part uplifting vid from Miss Kris New:





How can you not feel motivated after watching this? I luv everything that she had to say. Rocking your natural hair takes a lot of confidence so take pride in yourself and your hair and STRUT. She also states, which I liked, that there is a hairstyle for everyone. Did you read that? Hear when she said that? THERE IS A (NATURAL) HAIRSTYLE FOR EVERYONE. There are numerous natural hair resources out here now. Utilize them!

If you haven't subscribed to her channel, what are you waitin for!

Braid Out Routine Reloaded

So Udee asked me if since I started doing braid outs back in August if anything in my routine had changed.

Yes, I do do some things differently than when I started out:

* I (moisturize) and re-braid my hair every night. Yea, it can be a pain to do that but I actually find it therapeutic to do (every night about 20 mins) before hitting the sheets. It's automatic like wrapping your hair before you went to bed when you were relaxed.

* I said it up there in parentheses already but I also moisturize my hair daily: every night before re-braiding. Section by section, I mist on some of my moisturizing mist and seal with a hair lotion/milk, cream or butter. Now that it's cold, I like to seal with cream-butter consistency.

* I braid my hair in 4-5 braids on each side (of my head) and twist the ends.

I want to try braiding my hair into 2 french braids when it gets a lil longer (esp the front) to see what kind of braid outs I would get then. Probably bigger, looser waves.

This style has significantly cut down on, if not dern near eliminated, my hair tangling. It's def a mainstay hairstyle for me. If you haven't tried a braid out, I hope that you will try one soon. For all you shrinkage haters (which there will be a post on later on this week), this is a great way to combat that and show more of your hair's true length.

Twisted Style

With winter weather in full effect, I know many of you have or are planning to turn to protective styles like twists, kinky twists, and braids to keep your tresses moisturized and as breakage free as possible.




One of my hair idols, EbonyPrincessH, is super creative with styling her twists and braids (no extensions) and she graciously shared some pics of her various and rather elegant, if I say so, stylings! Thank you Ebony! So enjoy the eye candy for some ideas on how to rock your protective styles for work, church, a night out on the town or wherever else!



Maybe we can get her to come back and do a tutorial for one of the styles? What say you?



Check out her fotki for more pics and ideas. Her journey is very inspiring and one of my favorites. =)

Be inspired. =)

My Staple Products Line Up

So, ya girl can proudly say I'm 1 year (Dec. 8th!) deep in this natural hair game and I feel like I've pretty much finalized my staple products. It's fun to try something new (still want to try Argan oil) once every blue moon but these are the tried n trues; the mainstays and they always deliver:

* Cleanse: Castile Soap-mix of castile soap, evoo, and water

* ACV rinse

* Conditioner: Various homemade conditioning concoctions or simply water and oil (usually Coconut oil and/or EVOO)

* Moisturize/Leave In: my Moisturizing Mist (water, aloe vera juice/gel, jojoba oil), KBB Hair Milk, Shea Moisture Leave In

* Henna for Glosses/Treatments: Nupur henna

* my Oil Cocktail: EVOO, Coconut oil, Castor oil, and Jojoba oil

* Sealing ends and Twisting with: my Shea Frosting

I'm sure you noticed, that I like to keep it simple and that I make most of my stuff. I luv mixing things up and that I can make products with my specific hair needs in mind. It's also more cost effective for me, especially in the state of this economy, that I don't have to spend much and still have hair that is very healthy and looks fab.

Besides, you all know how I do, I need that extra money that I'm not spending on hair care and styling products to buy accessories with!

My Favorite Conditioner

My mainstay and favorite conditioner of all time is good ol (extra virgin) coconut oil. It nourishes my hair, gives it shine, smoothes the strands, and results in incredible softness. What more could you ask for in a conditioner?

I know you are thinking, you can condition with just coconut oil? Yes, in fact any oil of your choice can be a conditioner. Check out The Natural Haven's post on deep conditioning. It changed my hair's life and kept more money in my pocket.


How I Use It:

1) Mist a section of hair first with my moisturizing mist
2) Apply coconut oil to section
3) Braid section
4) Repeat on the rest of head. I usually end up with 6-8 sections when I'm done.
5) Put on a plastic conditioning cap and leave on for 15-30 mins
6) Rinse, continue with washing routine, and style as desired (usually a braid out these days for me)

Simple and delivers.

What's your favorite conditioner?

It's My 1ST Kurliversary!!!!

Today marks one year since I did my BC and became fully natural. =)

Oh what a journey it has been! I learned soooo much this first year and can't believe how wonderfully my hair has grown and how much it has showed off for me. I'm tellin you ladies, all you need is one year. After that, there's no limit to where you can go. So ye, I'm an advocate for the BC. What's 1 year? You blink and that goes by so just do it!



My success couldn't have been without all the great natural hair blogs, Fotki albums, YouTube channels, and hair forums/boards so thank you all! Many of you directly and indirectly helped me in immense ways that I can never possibly express all my gratitude for. I continue to learn from you all and you have aided in enhancing my life. =)

4 mos post BC: April '09 Mini Twists

I thank all you natural ladies before me that showed me that our hair is BEAUTIFUL and that we should be ever so proud to rock this hair that grows out of our head. Thank you for inspiring me and others too. And now I hope to inspire others with my journey.

8 mos post BC: August '09 Curly Fro

I look forward to seeing where Year 2 will take me and as always, welcome you all to join me. To infinity and beyond! Lol. I couldn't help myself. You all know I'm silly!

12 mos post BC: December '09 Braid Out

For more pics of my journey this first year, check out my fotki.

Kurly Inspiration

Ms. Keeli

I saw this TheScissorBoy vid and thought I'd share.

Lovin the cut on her fro. It's hot. The whole video, I couldn't take my eyes off of her hair or her accessories.

Stocking Stuffers

These are a few of my favorite things........




If you don't know about this fabulous book, you must be living under a rock! Check out my review I did on this book back in October if you don't know about it. Support your fellow natural sista, Chris-Tia, and cop this book for a loved one or friend who's thinking about going natural, is transitioning, or is natural already this Holiday season. It really is the Natural Hair 101 Handbook and makes a great stocking stuffer item or you can always vent to someone that you "sure could use" a copy for this Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, etc.... ;)

Get an autographed copy with a personalized inscription that reads "Dear 'insert name', always stay natural. You are beautiful the way you are." from http://thankgodimnatural.wordpress.com/store . Free shipping (this excludes international shipping) from now until Xmas!

Tis the season to have fabulous natural hair! Spread the joy!

Reader Question

Q) Uduak hit me up and asked:

"May I ask that you do a blog on trimming techniques? It's been 7 months and I've never done a trim...I think it's about time for one, but I'm scared (even tho I've trimmed other pple's hair before)! Since you've been natural, have you trimmed? How'd you do it?Thanks, girl!

Your blog is forever an inspiration (true talk!)"

A) First off, thank you! My main aim is to inspire so I'm glad that it is working! I did a whole post back in February dedicated to trims, methods, and tips. So check it out. I will be natural one year on the 8th (!) and I have trimmed my hair twice this year. My preferred method of trimming my hair is while it's in twists.

Hope this was helpful! Stay naturally fly.