A Grl Can Mac

I've Made Up My Mind

2012-01-06T00:17:00.000-05:00

I don't know how to stay away... This space was my very first introduction to the blogging world and every time that I kept reminding myself of this, it became harder and harder to walk away from it for good. This space out of all the ones I have now holds a very special place inside of me. It's an extension of my spirit. I have decided to continue writing and let it evolve with me. I will more than likely not update it as much as I used to though. I contemplated bringing all my blogs into one space and I'm still not sold on that. I feel like that would be too much going on in one spot and I kinda like readers having an option to peel back different layers of me by going to my different spaces. But we'll see. I could always change my mind. For right now, I think it's best I keep things separate.

I might make this turn more into an e-zine of sorts and update it monthly or bi-weekly. Haven't decided what kind of schedule I want to put this on but my focus is going to shift. I will still talk about hair but I want to expand on talking about other things and do more accessories features, art features, cultural events features, holistic living and such.

I'm also contemplating changing the name. I'm no longer a girl; that little girl still lives inside of me but I am a woman now. I have evolved past being a GRL that can mac. The name change wouldn't happen right away but I'm brainstorming. I need this space to mature and evolve with me. I'm still me but I'm not the same woman that I was when I started this blog. I've grown up so much and am amazed at how much strength and wisdom I have attained over the years from when I started this blog. So stay tuned; this place is officially going under construction to be something even greater than it started out being. Thank you for all your love and support. It does not go unappreciated.

New material coming soon. :D

Stay naturally fly,

Milan

Magical Changes to Come in 2012

2011-12-28T12:27:00.002-05:00

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Dear Kurlies,

I'm sensing that 2012 is going to be a magical year and I'm totally excited, claiming it and giving thanks for it already! I've also decided to do some reflecting on this blog and where I want to go with it. While I love (afro-texture) hair care, I will always be an all-things-creative enthusiast first and I'm now pondering over if it truly trumps my interest in hair.

I'm trying to figure out how I will keep this blog alive. I have my creative blog and my financial blog and my Tumblr. I've kinda taken more interest in them. As I get older I'm realizing that I'm so much more than my hair. I'm not obsessed with hair anymore really (definitely not like I used to be), my prominent interests are art, photography, cooking, and crafting of various sorts and now personal finance.

I now know my natural hair texture isn't bad because it's not a "Spanish/Indian" wavy or loose curl texture. My hair and the beauty of afro-kinky hair isn't a big deal to me anymore; it's just a given ya know? Duh are hair is the most unique and is absolutely beautiful! While my journey to grow my hair very long (because it's pretty long when stretched now) continues, I really feel like I've reached a hair nirvana of sort. I'm very, very happy with my hair's overall well being and appearance and like to keep it simple with my regimen, what I use and how I style my hair; so now what???

So I'm going to take another small break, take stock of everything and brainstorm how to reinvent this here space or if I will walk away. I thank you all for your love and encouragement over the years. For those of you that this is your first visit to my site, please take a look around. I've had this blog for over 3 years now so there is tons of reading content to get acquainted with.

Be blessed and stay naturally fly. Wishing you all a magical 2012.

Koils & Kinks,

Milan

Hey!

2011-12-25T07:53:00.001-05:00

Hi kurlies. Updating from the phone to say Merry Christmas! The computer has been ill so I couldn't update. Thought I would go crazy without it but it actually was good for me to take a break from the worldwide web and some technology. When my computer is back from the shop, I'll be back to posting regularly. Wishing you all healthy and Happy Holidays!

Milan

Like my new wig? It really looks like my hair texture. I love it!

My Hair:: Sealing Ends

2011-12-14T11:30:00.000-05:00

I did my big chop 3 years ago so needless to say, my ends are getting pretty old now. With my hair being longer and the ends getting older, I've started sealing them again to keep them from drying out and tangling so doggon much.

Every night before bed, after I've moisturized and plaited my hair, I apply Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque to the ends to keep them soft and supple. It's working. My hair still knots some naturally because that's just what koily hair likes to do but it's nowhere near as much as before I started employing this method. Obviously, before I started this sealing business, I had to do some major search and destroy operations to cut as many as the knots out as possible and since doing so and sealing, very few have returned. I'm very pleased.

The veterans weren't lying when they said mo hair mo problems though. I never experienced knotting really the first two years of my natural hair life but now, it's the story of my life. And here I thought they were bein whiny and melodramatic about this kinda stuff. That'll learn me. I'm singing the same tune now. I love my hair and all that comes with it, I'm just learning as my koils continue to grow that their characteristics, needs and my hair care practices continue to change and evolve. Keeps life interesting though so I'm wit it. (At least as it gets longer, I can be a lil lazier with it. It's never been easier to throw this bad boy up into simple, chic and protective up-do's: less time and less bobby pins. #score.)

What hair care practices are you doing differently now since your hair has become longer?

Music That Can Mac: Telepopmusik

2011-12-09T11:30:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday lovelies! Telepopmusik has been in heavy rotation on my iPod. I call this group of awesome French producers, the dream team. They produce this futuristic and serene chill out music that is just magical. They have a host of guest vocal artists that are featured on their work including (but not limited to) Angela McCluskey, French rapper, Mau; Deborah Anderson and a few others. I absolutely adore Angela McCluskey's voice, she's an AMAZING vocalist. You really hear how awesome her voice is in Love's Almighty on the Angel Milk album. Some of my other favorite songs are Don't Look Back and the very popular, Just Breathe from their first album, Genetic World.

How Cool: Solid Conditioner

2011-12-07T11:30:00.001-05:00

I thought the concept of LUSH's Jungle Solid Conditioner was too cool.You wet it in your hands to create a lather and distribute it throughout your hair. The site says that it smooths the hair strands and helps with detangling hair and in our world, any product that helps with detangling is a plus. Wonder how it would fare on kinky koily hair though.....

Mixtress Chronicles: My Latest Hair Mist

2011-12-05T11:30:00.000-05:00

My latest hair mist mix, I am LOVING. The ingredients are listed below in the order their majority in the mix.

Water - 90%
Aloe vera gel (I've been using Trader Joe's brand) - 5%
EVOO - 4.7%
Honey (just a little) - 0.3%

As with any of my mists, I don't measure anything and just eyeball it. It's mostly water and every thing else in small quantity is added. I added the percentages after each ingredient to give you an idea; this is a rough estimate. Be careful to not get carried away with the honey. If you get too happy with it, the mix will leave your hair sticky; ya girl speaks from experience on this-it's not a nice feeling. A quick squirt is enough. Honey is potent, a little goes a long way.

My hair has been loving EVOO lately and I couldn't be happier because it's super affordable and can be found everywhere. I was getting tired of paying more for the oils that I couldn't find in the local grocers. EVOO is super cheap and effective. Like coconut oil, it is able to penetrate the hair strand some and help prevent hydral fatigue (your hair absorbing too much water). This mist mix is trumping my previous mist that I used to make. When I use this with the Bee Mine Deja's Hair Milk, the result is even softer and moisturized koils. Score.

As with any of my hair mists, I make sure I dump whatever may be left after 2 weeks and create a new batch. I do this to prevent contamination.

2011 Natural Hair Holiday Shopping List

2011-12-03T15:30:00.000-05:00

Image from MarthaStewart.com

AGCM 2011 Holiday Natural Hair Gift Guide

Hair Care Products

Shea Moisture Gift Sets - Can be found in Walgreens, Target, Duane Reed and Walmart
Bee Mine products - You all know how I love the Deja's Hair Milk!
Make your own shealoe cream for friends and family. It's great for your hair or body.
Karen's Body Beautiful Keep It Soft Survival Kit

Hair Styling Tools
Curlformers
Stawllers - for fun curly sets
Hercules Magic Star Rake Comb Set
Denman D31 Detangling Brush

Appliances

Conair Ceramic Ionic Hot Air Brush
Hot Tools Ionic Hot Rollers

Books

Grow It! by Chicoro
Hair Products 101 by Chicoro
Thank God I'm Natural by Chris-Tia Donaldson
The Science of Black Hair by Audrey Davis-Sivasothy

Accessories & Art

Sofysticated Phunk accessories
Rachel Stewart accessories
Tomoka's Twists natural hair & locs accessories
I Love My Hair tees and art prints
ThePairABirds art prints

Bath & Body

LUSH Bath Bombs

Music That Can Mac:: New Designer Drug

2011-12-02T11:30:00.000-05:00

Image from J*Davey

I'm a huuuuge J*Davey enthusiast. Their latest album, New Designer Drug, dropped last Tuesday and I absolutely love every song on it.Group members Jack and Brook are just so talented and creative. I get a lot of inspiration from their work and create a lot of art listening to their music. If you are new to them, please get acquainted with their hard to describe genre that seamlessly glides through electronica, hip-hop, soul, rock, etc. and purchase their album for $2.99 (click the "get your fix" button next to the Enter Site to add the album to your cart).

Washing My Hair Less and Liking It

2011-11-30T11:30:00.001-05:00

April 2011

If you've read my hair regimen under the My Regimen tab at the top of the page, then you'll notice that I say in it that I wash my hair every 1-2 weeks. This cold season so far though, I'm finding myself washing my hair less frequently. It's more like every 2-3 weeks pass before I wash it.

Why this longer period in between washes? There are two reasons:

1) Sheer Laziness
The longer my hair gets, the less bothered I wanna be with it and the less time I want to spend on it. My hair has been growing like a weed and with the added length, it's just a lot more of everything to do and more time. I wear up-do's that take 10 mins or less to create most of the time now that are protective yet grown-n-sexy and I go on about my business. I find myself not messing with my hair much outside of keeping it moisturized and tangle free.

2) It's Just Not Necessary
in this stage of my hair, at least. I'm finding that my hair doesn't need to be washed frequently and because washing highly textured hair, rather it's with shampoo or conditioner, is somewhat of a "traumatic" experience to our hair. My koily hair is more fragile than straight, wavy and looser curl textures so washing it less is making it less subject to protein loss and accelerated weathering.

Now because I am not washing it as much, I do have to make sure that I detangle my hair once a week. That is key for me. My hair let me know very early on if I was going to do this, it still needed a comb run through it from time to time or it would be fairy knot city. I'm not one of those no comb kind of gals. I have to help those shed hairs out or they will tangle on the rest of my hair and that's not the bizness. I'm always listening to my hair to adjust how I care for it accordingly and I hope you all do this too. It's key to your hair thriving.

There it is. At this point, I wash my hair about 2 times a month and it's working out. I'm sure once the weather warms up again, that I will go back to washing it every week but for now the less frequent washes are doing right by my hair.

Do you wash your hair less frequently in the cold months or in general?

#teamdirtyhair

2011-11-29T11:30:00.000-05:00

Who knew dirty hair could look kinda good? #teamdirtyhair Hahaha.

In this picture I hadn't washed my hair in almost a month. Yikes. While I don't think I will go this long between washes again, I can say that as my hair gets longer the longer my time in between washes becomes and me or my hair doesn't seem to mind it. As long as I keep it moisturized, stretched and manipulate/comb it minimally we are good to go. Shortly after taking this picture the dirty hair was washed. Much better now. :D

Did You Do Any Natural Hair Black Friday-Cyber Monday Shopping?

2011-11-28T11:30:00.000-05:00

I was running low on my holy grail hair moisturizer, Bee Mine Deja's Hair Milk so I took advantage of their Black Friday sale they had. At Midnight, Friday morning, I was on the site to buy a 16 oz bottle of it for 30% off. As my hair gets longer, I'm blowing through the 8 oz bottle in record time so it saves me money to start buying the 16 oz bottle now.

I was glad for the discount. Some kind of way I got con'd into buying my younger sister the Bee-U-Ti-Ful Moisturizing Deep Conditioner before I checked outtoo. She's such a pimp, that one. Lol.

What did you all get?

How Are Your Wearing Your Hair for Turkey Day?

2011-11-23T20:26:00.001-05:00

July 2011: Twist Out (on damp hair)

Some may think this is silly but hey, it's the little things in life that get me excited, what can I say? So how are you all wearing your hair tomorrow? Out large and in charge? Basic bun? Twists? I'm bein nosy and wanna know.

I'm going to wear mine out in a flat twist bantu knot out like I did earlier this month again. That came out so nice and I have to look semi nice because you know folks be snapping pics and then tagging you on Facebook within hours of taking the pics. Smh. The world we live in, I tell ya.

Let me start setting my hair for that right now. Click on the link above to see how I set my hair for this style. Tweek it how you like and give it a try if you like. I'm going to keep it covered in a nice scarf headwrap till closer to dinner time. It's gotta be fressssshhhhh.

Let me get off the computer and make myself productive in these next few hours. Sike. We already know that's not gonna happen right, right now. It's the thought that counts though. Lata kurlies!

KisForKinky Black Friday Natural Hair Guide

2011-11-23T19:21:00.001-05:00

{ Image from KisForKinky.com }

Head over to KisForKinky's spot. She put together a fabulous natural hair Black Friday-Cyber Monday shopping guide! Go check it out if you've got Christmas shopping to do or want to get a little something for yourself at some great discounts. Happy Shopping.

Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving kurlies!

In Review:: Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream

2011-11-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

This product was sent to me to review for EXUDE Magazine, where I'm the Sr Beauty Editor, and I figured why not review it on here too. I just tried it out for the first time recently with pretty good results. I remember for years on the hair boards, naturals swearing by this leave in (before being natural was popular). I should have a full review up in another week or so after I've used it more extensively to see if it really works well with my hair.

Be on the look out for the review. Next post up will be me sharing a new thing I add to my hair before applying my leave ins.

My Hair:: Flat Twist Bantu Knot Out

2011-11-21T11:30:00.000-05:00

Hey kurlies. I had a FAB hair day when I tried this hairstyle out a couple weeks ago. I was inspired to do this style from one of Naptural85's videos (I can't find it! I would have shared the link to it.) and thought it was soooo cute. She did the vid a while ago and when I was deliberating what to do with my hair recently for my cousin's birthday dinner, this style came to mind. I'm glad I tried it. It came out great, I absolutely loved it.

HOW I ACHIEVED THE LOOK

I did mine on old hair, meaning it wasn't freshly washed and had been stretched over time from me moisturizing and plaiting (4 big plaits) it every night before bed. I used the products pictured below to moisturize and set my hair. That gel is pretty good and is all natural. (Cincy naturals, I got it at E &D Beauty Supply Store on Kemper Rd by Tri-County Mall. I'm not usually keen on supporting Koreans in this way but the owners there are very nice (, they have some product knowledge) and give excellent customer service.)

Products Used: homemade hair mist (water, aloe vera gel and grapeseed oil), Dr Naturals Superior Locking Gel and Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Mask

I sectioned and put my hair into 6 large flat twists because I wanted bodacious waves and kurls. If you want a more defined wave and kurl pattern, you'd want to do more flat twists then. I sealed the very ends with a little Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Mask and created a bantu knot with each end and pinned into place at the scalp to secure. I tied a scarf around my head and let set for about 4 hours. I set my hair around noon that day and by 4:30p, I had taken them down and lightly fluffed and seperated minimally (because I wanted to keep as much definition as possible) until the desired look was achieved.

I will definitely do this again. Maybe for Thanksgiving dinner this week. Stay naturally fly.

Chiroco's Hair Products 101 Book Giveaway Winners

2011-11-19T08:43:00.000-05:00

Sorry I made you all wait so long to see who won a copy of Hair Products 101 by Chicoro! So much was going on and then ya girl messed around and got sick but I am back in good health now and always thankful for a strong immune system. I think I was just doing so much and sometimes when we fall ill, it's our body's way of telling us to slow down.

Aaaaany-who....Each entrant was given a number in the order they commented and the winners were selected at random by Random.org. So the following ladies please email me your shipping address (by the end of this month or you forfeit your winnings and I'll redraw for another winner) so I can get your copies out to you:

TheOneAndOnly!

Afropean Queen!

Halicakes!

Congrats ladies and thank you to everyone who entered. I hope to do another one before the year is over so be on the lookout. It's a great book and I hope you will enjoy it as much I did. It is a permanent fixture in my natural hair care library.

Stay naturally fly and for all of you that enjoy reading what I have to say on this lil blog, I thank you. I do it for you and I do it for me too. :D Have a great weekend!

Music That Can Mac: J*Davey's Queen of Wonderland

2011-11-18T11:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday Kurlies! I'm finally back in full health! I never went to a doctor but I think I had the flu.

I feel like I haven done a music feature in ages. Probably because I haven't. This month has been bananas. So ready for a break/vacation. In anticipation of J*Davey's New Designer Drug album release next Tuesday, I chose to jam to Queen of Wonderland. This song, Jack is talking about, basically, how she's sprung over a man. Soooo many of us chickies can relate to this song! Enjoy and have a great weekend.
Queen of Wonderland Ft. Thundercat by ILLAV8R

Regular posts coming back soon and I know I said it before but I will announce the winners for the giveaway this weekend. Sorry for the delay!

The Modeling Project

2011-11-15T11:30:00.000-05:00

Get my neck warmer at my shop http://www.sofysticatedphunk.etsy.com/

Is coming soon! As an artist, I'm always giving myself projects to do and finding various ways to cultivate art. I have my 365 Photo Project going on and now I want to add a Modeling Project. I'm not interested in becoming a super model but I'd like to learn the art of it. Not sure when I will start it just yet because, as always, I've got a million things going on. Or maybe I should just start it now because if I don't I may always find an excuse. Lol.

This should be fun. I'll share some of them here but you will be able to follow the whole project on my Tumblr.

Toodles!

Brief Hiatus

2011-11-07T21:30:00.002-05:00

I'm a little under the weather chickies and am nursing myself back to health: tea, ~~overdosing on~~ taking vitamin c and goin to bed early tonight. (Hope I'm ok in the morning to go to work, I've got so much stuff to do!) I'll be back soon with the giveaway winners and other updates. Until then, check out all my old posts and such; I've got 3 years worth of material on here for your reading pleasure.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy week. I'll talk to you all soon. :D

The Naprika's Wrap

2011-11-05T11:30:00.000-04:00

I'm diggin this head wrap, gorgeous YouTuber, The Naprika is donning in this video. She shared that she puts her hair up like this for her yoga classes. Totally genius. You can look fly and still get your workout on. This can also be worn out for many other occasions or running errands too.

How I'd Replicate This Look

I'd put my hair in a Cinnabun and then wrap a cute scarf around the perimeter of my head. Totally simple.

My Hair:: Crochet Twists

2011-11-03T11:30:00.000-04:00

I tried to do The Damn Salon style urban twists but crochet them in instead and wasn't successful. Lol. It just didn't look like how they do it but it still turned out fab:

October 2011: Crochet Twists with Marley braiding hair

I loved it! I only got to rock this style for about 2 weeks because my scalp was not having it. I had an allergic reaction to this batch of hair and had to take them out. :( But I will definitely be revisiting them again.

Like typical crochet braids, on clean hair, all my hair was cornrowed straight back. Hair was then crocheted into the braids with a latch hook. Normally I would braid the extensions down some (and leave the rest out) but this time b/c this hair was a kinky texture, I was able to twist it down some. Instead of the usually curly hair I get for crochet braids, I used marley braiding hair. I like the marley hair better because the texture resembles my real hair texture. I played around with 2 different colors since I probably won't ever color my real hair.

I loved how it turned out. I got a lot of compliments and a lot of people really thought it was my hair and that I colored it. The Marley hair is also great because with crochet braids/twists, after a while, the parts will start to get fuzzy and it better blends with this kind of hair.

I gotta find a wig like this. Or find wefted marley hair and I'll make a wig like this myself!

Kurly Inspiration: Stellah's Groove

2011-11-02T11:30:00.000-04:00

Check out the beautiful Stellah's of Stellah's Groove vintage shop hair! Is this not sheer flyness?! I met her a month ago at my cousin's daughter's 1st birthday party. We got to talking about accessories, Etsy and hair and she was kind enough to let me snap a couple pictures of her fabulous hair to share on here with you all.

If vintage goodies are your Achilles heel, then you will love her shop. I'm totally diggin the Southwestern Sterling Silver Turqouise Leaf and Scroll Bracelet on there. Her shop includes all vintage shoes (there's some awesome cowboy boots up there starting at $45!), clothing and accessories. The shop has over 500 items for sell; see everything at http://www.stellahsgroove.etsy.com/

Be inspired, visit her shop (!) and stay naturally fly :D

New Afro Texture Hair Typing System

2011-10-31T11:30:00.001-04:00

Photo from http://www.wildsunshinebliss.com/

I'm sure many of you on this natural hair cyber world have heard of Wild Sunshine Bliss' afro hair typing system. I first learned of it over at Natural Sunshine.

Although it's not as descriptive as the LOIS system, I like this one too. According to it, my hair type is Medium, C2-3. What do you think ladies? Do you like this system? Are you still anti hair typing? Just try to remember whatever your stance, hair typing is what YOU make it. You can make it devisive or you make a tool for education and empowerment. Even the diabolical Andre Walker hair typing system helped me when I first went natural. You're better able to work with your hair and take good care of it when you know its properities and characteristics.

LOA Thursdays:: Celebrate Every Day

2011-10-27T11:30:00.000-04:00

July 2011 - I call this a "humidity fro"

As if it's your birthday! Because today is mine! :D

People have been asking me since last week, "what are you doing for your birthday?" I told them nothing out of the ordinary because I celebrate my life every day. Don't wait till your birthday to enjoy life, dance, laugh and smile. Do that every day and give thanks for your life every day.

When you expect the best, you get the best. ;D

Hair Products 101 Review and Giveaway!

2011-10-26T11:30:00.000-04:00

Remember when I was saying that I was going to read this book and share my thoughts with you guys? Shortly after I wrote that post and before I could purchase the book, the lovely Chicoro sent me a signed copy. She also sent me 3 additional copies to giveaway to some lucky ladies. Details on entry will be at the end of the post.

So I like to keep my reviews now as short yet to the point as possible. Because at the end of the day people want to know your overall thoughts on if a product is worth buying. This book is worth buying to add to your hair care library. If you are familiar with Chicoro's first publication, Grow It!, then you know her writing style is very encouraging, understandable and practical. She didn't veer from that approach in this book either.

Ever look at the ingredients on a product and outside of water, you don't know what the heck any of those fancy scientific terms for ingredients mean? This publication will better help you understand "what all that stuff" is and how they all work to create different effects on hair. I believe Chicoro's mission with this book like her other one is to continue empowering you to take your hair care into your own hands and make better and informed decisions. Hair Products 101 gives you the run down on the structure and characteristics of our hair, the general make up of hair care products and talks in detail about what ingredients are commonly used in different types of products like shampoos, conditioners, etc. and why. This is not a book that talks about how bad, good, organic or toxic ingredients are. It's simply an explanation to what the heck is in your products and what they do. It's empowering to be privvy to this type of information b/c it makes you, as a consumer, better able to shop for products more effectively and have an idea of how they will perform for you. I also like how this book was detailed yet very understandable. You won't feel like you are reading an organic chemistry book.

A lot of valuable information is packed into this quick and easy read. Chicoro states that she is not a scientist, doctor or cosmetologist. She is simply sharing information and tips and encourages you to do your own research as well. I like to think of myself as pretty savvy when it comes to reading and understanding product labels and I learned so much from this book. I recommend it to any and everyone to add to their hair care library.

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Giveaway starts today and will end next Wednesday, 11/3 at 11:59PM. Any entries after this time will not qualify. Three (3) winners will be selected via Random.com and announced that following Saturday.

To Enter: You must be a follower on the blog. If you aren't a follower now, all you have to do is start following to be eligible. Leave a comment stating your name that you follow the site under and share your favorite hair care product and an ingredient in it that you feel gives your hair good results.

Good luck and stay naturally fly!

Things That Can Mac: Dream Job Creative Business e-Course

2011-10-25T11:30:00.000-04:00

Image Source

For $38, I'd love to hear what gems of knowledge are shared in the Dream Job e-Course by Red Velvet. Most of us don't want to "work for the man" forever. I'd be interested to see what worked for them and their entreprenuerial success and how I could apply it to my own. The course covers a lot important components that are a recipe for success from branding your product/name to creating and maintaining steady growth for your business and more.

I plan to budget for this e-Course next month or the month after and will talk about it either during or once I have finished it.

Coffee Table Reads: Real Talk Tips by Cherise Amber Charleswell

2011-10-24T11:00:00.000-04:00

Early this summer I was sent this book, Real Talk Tips: Laugh-Out-Loud Pointers and Suggestions For the Morally Challenged, Socially Inept & the People Who Love Them, by the lovely author; Ms. Cherise Amber Charleswell; to give it a read and share my thoughts on it. Life got hectic and I wasn't able to review it right away but after reading it and literally "laughing out loud" many times reading the book, I really should have shared this one with you guys sooner! Real Talk Tips provides tips, words of wisdom and common sense with a humorous tone many times. Like I said, I had many "laugh out loud" moments reading this. The tips cover various aspects of life including health, personal grooming, relationships, child rearing, finances and life.

Some of my favorite lines in the book that had me laughing so hard, I was crying as I re-typed them on this post:

"Basic tip: Do not to attempt to 'drop it low/drop it like it's hot' etc. unless you are physically capable of getting back up on your own." (page 77)

"If one's ponytail is thinner than a pencil's circumference, and the edges along one's hairline are eroding, one should promptly make the decision to opt for another hairstyle." (page 21)

One should consider picking up a few cookbooks if one's children don't view going to bed without any supper as a form of punishment." (page 16)

"A public hallway is not the best place to commence to digging in one's ass. One may getting away with adjusting a wedgie quickly, but rapid-fire scratching and sniffing is unacceptable-" (page 4)

I'm telling you there were so many other's that had me rollin! And here are a couple great life quotes that were shared in the book:

"Instead of being jealous, be inquisitive. Find out how that individual you envy acquired his/her wealth, knowledge, confidence or sense of style." (page 73)

"The grass is greener on the other side because people spend too much time looking at others' lawns instead of tending their own." (page 62)

This light read is able to be insightful and hilarious at the same time. Once you're done reading it, it makes a great coffee table book and will have your guests feeling nothing short of entertained that's for sure.

Purchase your copy HERE

LOA Thursdays: Expecting the Best

2011-10-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

Most of us have been taught to "expect the worst" so then if the worse doesn't happen we're not as let down. In theory, that sounds like a good plan but it's really not. When you expect the worse, you don't expect the best either. So while a situation may not have turned out to be the worse, because you gave so much energy to prepping for the worse, the situatuion wasn't the best either; it was just "eh". Who genuinely wants to live in "eh" consistently for the rest of their lives? The Law of Attraction will really force you to think about what you think about. Remember, we have more control of our thoughts and feelings than we realize many times. We can't feel any way about anything without our own consent to feel it.

So if you didn't get approved for that loan, then look at/learn why you didn't and what you need to do to get approved for it; sometimes that even involves taking a different approach than you may have in the past. Put in the effort, get creative and expect the best the next time you apply for it and don't be suprised if you get it! If you want something bad enough, never get detered. You read my story on how I got here to NYC. I didn't get here expecting the worse. I got here because I kept trying and with each "let down", I let it fuel me to continue expecing the best and that's what I got! My life isn't perfect but it's very good b/c I choose to expect greatness for it.

Expect the best because that's what you deserve!

What things equate greatness for you life that you need to start expecting?

NYC Natural Hair Happenings: Honey B. Natural Event this Saturday

2011-10-19T21:33:00.002-04:00

NYC area kurlies, my girl and soRHOr, Kris, is hosting the Honey B. Natural event this Saturday, 10/22, from 7:30p to 10:30p in the city. They have goodie bags, giveaways, a product swap (so bring your products that you don't like or want), a mini hair show and a panel discussion with some notable ladies in our natural hair community. It will be a great time, there is lots to learn and lots of naturally fly hair will be in the building.

Entrance fee is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Visit www.honeybnatural.com for more details.

Books That Can Mac: Got to Testify by Pearl Cleage

2011-10-19T11:00:00.000-04:00

If you like to read vampire fiction mixed with a "love can conqeur all"/happy ending twist to it, then you may enjoy this read. In Just Wanna Testify, author Pearl Cleage takes you to small town, West End, Georgia that is the last of "safe" towns. Men tip their hats at women and hold doors, people leave their doors unlocked and children play outside without concern of getting kidnapped. The town's peaceful hum gets shaken up a bit when a group of Amazon , Black vamp models blow into town on a special mission....

You can find the book at your local library or purchase a copy by clicking the image below:

Toni Daley Shows Us How She Rocks Her Natural "Professionally"

2011-10-18T11:00:00.001-04:00

{Image Source}

Every now and again, you get that person who doesn't know/believe if natural hair is professional or not. It most certainly can be! The versatility of natural hair is bananas. It can be loud and disrespectful one day and conservative and about business the next.

If you're pressed for some conservative hairstyling ideas, check out some of Toni Daley's vids she did recently. She shares some ideas on how to rock your natural professional style. I like that they're all very simple to create and even the most hairstyling inept can create these looks.

I especially like this one below.

Gonna have to try this once I take my braids out. (Post on that later. I've got crochet braids back itches!)

Subscribe to her channel if you haven't already. She rox! I've learned so much from her.

All videos from Toni Daley 80

I Like The Damn Salon

2011-10-15T16:04:00.001-04:00

http://www.thedamnsalon.com/

I'm diggin the creativity the ladies of The Damn Salon have. I've got their theme song stuck in my head now too and their videos are quite entertaining. Those urban twists (seen in the picture above) look haute. I wanna do them but crochet them in instead. Stay tuned for how it comes out.

East Coast ladies, they'll be in (Washington) DC October 27th to the 31st for their Taste of Damn event. Watch the video below for more details.

Both videos from The Damn Salon

Adventures in NYC: Teedra Moses at SOB's

2011-10-14T07:58:00.002-04:00

Teedra Moses rocking it out at SOB's in NYC

Wednesday, October 12th, night me and some friends went to see Teedra Moses perform at SOB's. Teedra is one of my favorite music artists ever so I was really excited for this. I've loved her and her sound since Complex Simplicity back in '04. I made sure my camera was charged up and that my SDHC card close to empty. We were there right when the doors opened so we could secure our spots right at the stage.

She performed all the jams from Complex Simplicity all the way up to her latest mixtape that dropped this summer, Luxurious Undergrind. She looked effortlessly fierce in a tangerine colored, mini sheath; sparkly gold sandals and red lips. Teedra's an awesome performer, connected with her audience and sounds incredible live. I was right in the front and loved every minute of it. I know all the words to all Teedras songs and sang along (so much that I lost my voice!) so she sang in our direction a lot and she held my hand for a couple seconds. Teedra just rox. Her music speaks to me and real life things we as people/women go through. It's the way she expresses herself in her music too is how I express myself talking to people. I just love how she's classy and raw all at the same time. She's soooo talented.

Check out the video footage below I took of some of her performances for the night. Pictures coming soon!

I'm going to bed now. I'm still recovering from being out late for this concert- lost my voice and everything singing along to every song. Lol. It was well worth it and I'd lose my voice all over again. Well done Teedra! I'll always appreciate and love your music, you've had my support from day 1 and I'm still here! Mark my words that one day we will meet and I will get a pic with you. Maybe we'll even get to work together, I am a makeup artist afterall. Lol. :D

My Hair:: Apply Leave Ins on Wet Hair

2011-10-10T11:00:00.000-04:00

Twist Out done on damp hair

Hey kurlies. Hope you all chose to have a fabulous weekend. The weather was absolutely beautiful here in the Big Apple. I was truly thankful for this Indian Summer that we are experiencing. Yippee! What a week I had last week. I'm behind schedule on posts so please bear with me as I get back up to speed is week. Onto the topic at hand...

My hair continues to keep me on my toes. For a long time it liked my leave ins, after I had conditioned and washed my hair, to be applied on damp hair. It has flipped the script on me and now it responds better when I apply my leave ins on sopping wet hair. It retains moisture and softness better this way now. My hair has spoken so I have to pay attention.

WHAT I DO:
On sopping wet hair.....

* Apply aloe vera gel onto my hair in sections first
* Apply Bee Mine Deja's Hair Milk (or Shea Moisture Raw Organic Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner) to seal in moisture
* Optional: An extra step I sometimes take is to seal my ends with my shealoe pudding
* Let air dry completely and style as desired

The result I have is soft and moisturized hair. I will keep up this method until my hair tells me other wise.

What has your hair been telling you that you have no choice but to pay attention to?

LOA Thursdays: Choosing to Have a Good Day

2011-10-06T11:00:00.000-04:00

Image Source

I remember once in my childhood, one of my siblings said something that made me really upset. I was crying and really torn up about it. I cried to my mother and she told me, "No one [or thing] can make you feel any kind of way without your permission." I didn't understand it right away back then but I always kept that nugget of wisdom with me and as I got older I came to understand it.

This relates to today's topic because, having a good or a bad day ultimately is your choice. You can't have a good or bad day without your permission. I know you may be thinking but something bad happened the start of the day and it just threw my whole day of course or I was having a good day till this thing happened to me at the end of the day thus ruining my day overall. The short answer to that: it didn't have you to. You let it throw your day off course. The phrase, "Dont' sweat the small stuff" rings so true b/c bad things happen to everyone. It's all in how you CHOOSE TO RESPOND to them that shapes what kind of day, week, month, year and life you will have. We can't control everything that happens to us but we can control how we respond to things and if you want to feel good, then choose to feel good; dust yourself off from the bad incident and choose to reset yourself back to feeling good. Maybe it listening to your favorite song to get you back in happy space, taking a few deep breaths, a short prayer to God for some positivity, ect. Happiness doesn't just fall into lucky people's laps, it's a choice. Happy people actively pursue happiness and emit positivity so that it finds them more readily, easily and often.

If something bad happens to me during the course of the day, I try tell myself, "I'm thankful that it wasn't worse." No matter what situation you've encountered, it could always be worse, let 's be real. Try to remind yourself the situation could have been way more awful, give thanks that it wasn't and try to find ways to turn your mood around. Most of the time when you look back on your bad day, you see that it wasn't even that big to get so upset over. When you direct your thoughts towards positivity, those frequencies attract positive things.

On one Keeping up with the Kardashians (I aint ashamed to admit I watch!) episode when Khloe got married, at the reception, Kourtney's toast talked about how everyday, when their father was alive, he asked everyone to share the pit of their day and the peak of their day. I like this because it forces you to always recognize bad things happen everyday and positive things happen to us everyday too. Find the good in things, there is always a silver lining.

Please remember, no one likes for bad things to happen but they also remind us to be thankful for what good things we already have. It's crazy but the bad things are what make us who we are b/c they force us to grow and be more appreciative when the good things happen for us.

Stay positive and choose to have a good day.

Music That Can Mac: Baby by Brandy

2011-09-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday! Happy Friday! This weekend, I'm taking it back. Back in the 6th grade, I adored Brandy and down right wanted to be her. I loved her voice. She's an alto just like I was. I thought she was so cool and pretty and just the ultimate teenage, Black American beauty. I had the mini backpack purse like her, the bubble coat and long, jet black braids. Her tape, yes TAPE!, Brandy stayed in my walkman. I had a crush on this 8th grader back then and everytime I heard "Baby", I thought about him. I don't even remember his name, lol, but I thought he was so fine back then! Lol. So join me back down memory lane with this and have a great weekend!

LOA Thursdays: Meeting the LOA Halfway

2011-09-29T11:00:00.000-04:00

So in the past few LOA Thursdays, we've talked about creating vision boards, overhauling your thoughts to a positive frequency about things like money and daydreaming often about the things you want out in and from your life. These are all great steps forward. The other important component to getting this way of life to work for you is to then put some action behind it. You've got to meet the LOA halfway; meaning you've got to do your part. It's not enough to just want it, you've got to do something that puts you in the position to get it! It's not enough to want to marry your dream man but you aren't involved in any activities and live on your couch every single weekend or work 24/7 and never do anything fun and in social settings where you could meet people. Your actions must coincide with your thoughts.

I will share with you my journey of how I got to New York City. I was using the LOA and didn't even know it back then.....

I graduated from The Ohio State University and majored in Textiles & Clothing with a concentration in Product Development in June of 2005. I had big dreams of landing this ill job in the garment district of New York City right after graduation. Thanks to Bush (and the Bush administration) ravaging the economy, it was hard for me to find any job right away back then and I had to move in with my parents, who had moved to Cincinnati (right after I graduated from high school in NY), for about a year and a half. I wasn't too happy with that; Cincy's conservative and couldn't offer me the life and environment I wanted to be in. I wanted to work in the fashion industry and live in the fast pace, hustle n bustle of NYC so bad! I applied for jobs with no responses or was told they would only place me if I live there already. I was heartbroken and cried many a days. I couldn't just move to one of the most expensive cities in the world with no job lined up first! I was a broke, recent college graduate who couldn't even find full time work and was temping.

So I got creative. I have family here. I would apply for jobs and, with their permission, I used their mailing address on applications and my resumes. I also visited numerous times and would set up some interviews with recruiters acting like I had just moved here and was looking for work. Well, my creativity paid off. I visited for a few days for my birthday back in late October of 2006. I remember being on the plane to NY and I got the gut feeling something good was going to happen. I did my usual visit with family and go on some interviews. I had 3 interviews and got offers from all 3! I went back to Cincinnati, packed as much as I could and a week and 2 jam packed suitcases later, I was on a plane back to NYC to start a the new chapter in my life that I had so badly wanted. I am living one of my dreams! Do you know how cool that is?! I try to harp on this every day. I am living one of my dreams!

You may get discouraged sometimes because your dreams may seem so immense and almost impossible to you. My dream to get to NYC sometimes felt too big and often I got scared that I might have gotten stuck in Ohio and miserable. But that's what so cool about the LOA, if you get creative and find ways to meet it halfway, YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT! It always comes about in a way that you didn't have planned out in your head but it's always right on time and a pleasant suprise. Be encouraged and get creative, what you want is on its way to you.

What dream do you have the seems so big? What things do you think you can do now that will put you in a place to get it?

Product Review: Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditoner

2011-09-27T10:25:00.000-04:00

I'm slowly falling for the Organic Raw Shea Butter collection in the Shea Moisture line. This whole line has argan oil in it and it's really making me want to try this oil alone in the near future. So far each product I've tried from it is doing my hair lovely. I'm already attached to the shampoo in this line, it's official, and now I really like this Restorative Conditioner. It's creamy and goes on smooth, has excellent slip for detangling and when I rinsed it out; it left my hair feeling very soft. It smells just as good as the shampoo from this line. Shea Moisture if you're reading this, please sell that scent (as a solid perfume please)! I love it and have been told by men that it smells "intoxicating". ;D

The ingredients are great, the scent is great, the price is great and the results are great. This could mess around and be a staple! The instructions say that you can use it as a leave in too. I may try it like that in the near future.

The Deets:
Shea Moisture Raw Organic Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner
Where to Buy: Target, http://www.target.com/, or Walgreens
Price: around $10 for 12 fl oz

Vist the Shea Moisture website: http://www.sheamoisture.com/

Kurly Directory: Fro Stoppa

2011-09-26T11:00:00.000-04:00

http://www.frostoppa.com/

I found another cool kinky-kurly hair site and have to share it with you: http://www.frostoppa.com/. When I first found her site, I stayed on there for a couple hours reading post after post and looking at the pictures; I couldn't stop reading! She shares great natural hair tips, hairstyle tutorials and styles she creates with her hair. I've taken a liking to her site because she does a lot of hairstyles with twists and keeps her regimen and staple products simple. I'm really determined to make twists a fly part of my lifestyle and hair routine. They're just so simple and easy! My life has become so active (I'm never home I feel like) that I need "fly on the go" hair. So if you love twisting your hair or want to get into wearing twists, this site is especially very inspirational. I've gotten some hairstyle ideas from GG that I'll be putting my spin on in the near future.

So go check it out. Stay naturally fly. :D

Music That Can Mac;: Fly Union

2011-09-23T11:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday! I first heard of hip hop trio, Fly Union, from Andrea of Fly. Don't sleep on her music recommendations people. Check out their website and download their TGTC: The Greater Than Club mixtape for free 99. They flow over a lot of remastered, old skool, 60's soul beats. I luv the feeling this album gives me. I've been playing it non stop since I downloaded it.

{Video Source}

Have a great weekend!

LOA Thursdays: Daydreaming is Cool

2011-09-22T11:00:00.000-04:00

The Law of Attraction encourages daydreaming. Dream up the life you want. Maybe for you, it's traveling 90% of the year or becoming a successful blogger ;D . Maybe it's having your own farm or working from home. Put pictures around your place and on your computer that represent the life that you want. Daydream about this often. Yeah, I said it, daydream often. The more you think about what you want from your life, the more situations will line up to get you the life that you want. Now in order for this to work, you must do your part and do things to help the process along but your job is to act like you have the life you want already, be thankful for it already and let God and the universe work out the "how" it will come about.

Part of my dream life involves being the beautiful, Black American Domestic Goddess that my paternal grandmother was and adding a modern twist that is appropriate to the times that we live in now. Born and raised in North Carolina, she could BURN in the kitchen and was the homemaker extrodinaire. Looking at old pictures, man, she made it look fabulous. People loved her cooking, dinner parties, etc and she delighted in feeding people and seeing them enjoy good meals. She stayed fly, could do laundry and fold clothes like a pro, kept the house spotless and my dad and his siblings always looked good and were well taken care of. I have always wanted to be similar to my grandmother. She was just so fly to me. So I daydream about cooking awesome meals for my future husband and our children. I also daydream about hosting great dinner parties and successfully running my future household (with the help of my hubby of course). I like to feed people and like my grandmother, I delight in seeing people enjoying my creations. With each meal I cook, I'm getting closer and closer to cooking as great as my grandma did and that makes me feel so good!

When you daydream about your dream life, what does some of your life look like?

Hair Lessons Learned, Wisdom Earned: Sweet Almond Oil

2011-09-19T11:00:00.000-04:00

Leaves me with a greasy mess of strands that won't go away till I wash my hair. x_x

It's best that I use SAO for my skin (my skin LOVES it) and if I need to seal my hair with an oil, just stick to my grapeseed oil.

I'm just starting to realize that I really don't need to seal my hair anyhow. Oils easily build up in my hair. On some rare occasions I may need to but usually my Bee Mine Deja's Hair Milk does the trick keeping my hair properly moisturized and sealed. :D

What have you learned about your hair lately?

LOA Thursdays: The Money Chant

2011-09-15T11:30:00.000-04:00

Money DOES grow on trees!

Say it with me: "Money comes easily and frequently".

Say it till you believe it. Loral Langemeier talked about in The Secret (page 106) how, growing up, he was taught that you had to work hard for and struggle to have money so he shifted his thoughts and came up with the quote above to think into existence instead. I say this everyday at least once a day and while I'm not a balla YET, I'm increasing my financial stability and prosperity as each day passes. Unexpected income finds me when I'm not even paying attention. A friend recently gave me $5 that she owed me for something that I don't even remember. I said to myself right before that incident that I needed to get some cash so I could do my laundry. Womp, there it is! Creating wealth is a mindset. Obviously, there are other things you have to do to generate wealth and we will get into that later but your life and every day events start with your thoughts.

What are your attitudes toward money? Remember, you attract what you think about. Your thoughts are powerful, choose the right ones to harp on.

Book Review to Come: Hair Products 101 by Chicoro

2011-09-14T11:00:00.000-04:00

I really dig Chicoro's simple and effective approach to hair care. Her book, Grow It!, is my hair care bible still to this day and I reread it often. I'm late and didn't know that she came out with another book recently, Hair Products 101. I enjoy reading, learning and supporting Chicoro. In my encounters with her, she's been very down to earth and her practical and simple advise in hair yields results. I will be purchasing this book soon to add to my hair care library and once I finish reading it, I will share with you all my thoughts.

Have any of you out there read this book yet?

If you're interested in reading it with me, email me (milan@agrlcanmac.com) and I'll set up a chat/discussion thing of some sort. If you like the sound of that, get your copy from below and let's do this!:

Product Review: Bee Mine Bee Lovely Moisturizing Daily Conditioner

2011-09-13T08:30:00.000-04:00

In short, I like the Bee Mine Bee Lovely Moisturizing Daily Conditioner.

You all know how much I luv the Bee Mine Deja's Hair Milk. I've been using it as a leave in and it makes my hair feel and look so good. My hair feels so soft and moisturized since using it; I've been having hair-gasms left and right! It's got a smooth and light, creamy consistency. It smells great too. Use sparingly if you have hair like mine that doesn't need a lot of oil on it. It's got castor oil as one of the ingredients in it and I got too happy with it one time and it left my hair on the greasy side some. When I used it with a lighter hand, my hair didn't feel greasy at all so be careful how much you use. A little goes a long way! The instructions say that you can use it as a rinse out conditioner as well. I may have to try it like that next.

Will I re-buy this product? Honestly, probably not. It's good but sometimes I just am in the mood to try something new. I didn't need this product in my arsenal. It's a good product though and I would definitely recommend it to others. Give a try, especially if your hair likes castor oil.

WHERE TO BUY:
http://www.beemineproducts.com/

http://www.ecodermis.com/

Amazon - click the picture below

Oil Cleansing Method Updates

2011-09-12T08:30:00.000-04:00

I've been exclusively using the oil cleansing method for over a year now. My face couldn't be happier and even though I have oily skin, it never appears oily anymore. I use some different things than I used to the last time I talked about it.

I now use sweet almond oil on my face. It's a light and smooth oil and leaves my skin even softer and smoother than grapeseed oil. SAO also gives my skin mega glow; it even glows under those awful flourescent lights that usually make people look like "death becomes her". I luv it!

To cleanse my face, I went back to black soap and it is doin wonders on my face like it has in the past. I like Shea Moisture's brand best.

HOW I DO IT:

Massage a little SAO onto my face for 30 seconds to one minute
Wet face and cleanse with black soap using my exfoliating sponge (this is great at helping slough off the dead skin cells on the surface of the face and much gentler than using a buff puff/exfoliating pad) and pat dry
Apply homemade toner mix (1 part ACV, 3 parts Water, quick squirt of honey) to face with a cotton ball
Add a couple drops of SAO to hand/s and gently massage into skin

Super simple and easy. That's it. Any of you all still doing the OCM? What oil/s are you using?

Note. This is how I do the OCM; this is not law. Everyone's regimen will vary. Some people use a toner, some don't. Some people use soap and some don't; they only use the oil. I'm sharing what I do as a guideline to give you an idea of how you can take the method and tailor it to fit your skin's needs and preferences.

2011-09-09T08:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday! I luv 4 day work weeks. :D I was still exhausted last week so I didn't have music for the day for you. This Friday I wanna vibe to Jasmine Solano. This chick is so ill and her flow is ridic. I first became a fan when she performed as one of the opening acts for J*Davey's New Designer Drug promo concert in BK back in June. Check her out.

[Video Source]

Have a great weekend!

LOA Thursdays: Vision Board for Your Hair

2011-09-08T08:30:00.000-04:00

Sources going from left to right: KinkyCurls, both images in the middle: Ishe, last two I do not remember

I'm starting a new series every Thursday for however long I feel like doing it. It is called LOA Thursdays. LOA is short for the Law of Attraction. The Law of Attraction is one of The Secrets to living a fulfilling life and getting what ever it is that you want. I want to help inspire those that are interesed in taking control of their thoughts to live their best life. Join me every Thursday, as I share content or thoughts that embody this philosophy.

When you truly believe in this concept, it will do amazing things in your life. It has in mine (Shoot I lived in New York City on unemployment for almost 2 years; had money to pay all my bills and still live a little.) and continues to do so.

Since this is mainly a hair and beauty blog, I figured I'd kick off the series by talking about how this concept can be used for our hair. We all gave our relaxers the dueces for various reasons. A lot of us we wanted to grow "healthy" long hair without the use of hair texure altering chemicals.

This Thursday, I want to inspire you to create a vision board for your hair goals (if you created some for yourself). Whatever you want for your hair, put it on a board; add affirmations on there as well if you like. You can create a physical board on something like poster board or create one on the computer and print it out. Get creative with it! Believe that you will achieve what you included on your board, get excited about it as if you already have it and look at it daily if you can.

The picture above is the vision board I created for my hair. As you all know, I don't straighten my hair so instead, I put pictures of ladies with awesome blow outs that are my ultimate hair length goal. I also included a picture of how I ultimately want my hair to look in braid outs and twist outs, etc. I included the picture of the french braid because that's how I can't wait to prep my hair for bed each night once my hair is long enough: moisturize, put in 1-2 french braids and go to bed! Simplicity and ease is what I'm striving for. Lastly, the affirmation I put on my board was "grow long and strong". I first heard this statement from LHCF member Cichelle. She grew her hair from ear length to her waist in 2 years and I remember her sharing that outside of taking great care of her hair (and use of protective styling), she told her hair every day to grow long and strong. I may add additional affirmations to my board but I like it like this for now.

What are you waiting for? Start creating yours and if you are interested, email pictures of them to me to share on here. Let's inspire each other.

Stay naturally fly!

If you haven't read The Secret and are interested, get your copy by clicking on the picture below. Amazon has gently used copies for a low as $2.

Talking Healthy Beauty at the Healthy Beauty Project

2011-09-07T13:00:00.000-04:00

Celebrity make up artist and healthy beauty enthusiast, Todra Payne, has been in the beauty industry for a over a decade now and wanted to create a more holistic approach to beauty by emphasizing that beauty comes in many different packages and encouraging the use of products with healthy ingredients b/c they are better for you and just as effective as the stuff on the mega store, department store and drugstore shelves. It's alarming what things companies throw into their products and how the FDA doesn't regulate this area of consumer products. Didn't know that? Please do your research. Your head may spin!

If you are into healthier beauty alternatives and a healthier concept of what beauty is (not the prepackaged Hollywood hype or video girls hype), then stop by, read the articles and join the Healthy Beauty Social network. The ladies on the forum share some great beauty tips and many healthy cosmetics lines like Priia and Sweet Libertine are members there so you can talk with the owners directly. I'm on there. I know we're inundated with forums now but if this is of interest to you, I'll see you over there!

CORRECTION: Ladies, Healthy Beauty Social is full social network; it is much more than a forum.

THE DEETS:
* Visit The Healthy Beauty Project website: http://www.healthybeautyproject.com/
* Join the network: http://www.healthybeautysocial.com/
* Facebook: Healthy Beauty Project
* Follow onTwitter: Todra Payne

Back Up Shampoo: Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo

2011-09-06T08:30:00.000-04:00

I had been going through some trials and tribulations with my hair last month and the month before but I am happy to report that we are back on track baby! I learned that I'm lost without my Bee Mine hair moisturizers! Nothing does my hair as lovely as they do. I so will be doing business with Tracey some kind of way or the other in the near future; I'm claiming it. Her products are just so awesome and I'm so thankful her line was ever created!

But let's get back to the topic at hand. I decided to get the Shea Moisture Moisture Retention shampoo as my back up when I didn't feel like making my homemade hair wash or was in a place that wasn't conducisive for me to make it. While I luv my hair wash to bits, it's more time intensive (I have to make it for every wash) and sometimes I need to get in and get out. In those cases, I've started using this shampoo and just following up with an ACV rinse. This is what I did before I created my hair wash mix.

I totally dig this shampoo! OMG. I've, dare I say it, never used a shampoo that didn't dry my hair out some until I tried out this one. This product cleansed my hair and yet left it feeling soft and smooth too! It doesn't lather a lot but I like that. It lathers enough and spreads easily onto my scalp and hair. And it smells heavenly, like frankensense and myrrh. I wanna find a scented oil or scented fragrance stick with that now.

I'm totally hooked. I plan to use this and my hair wash interchangably.

WHERE TO BUY:
* Target approx $10 http://www.target.com/
* Walgreens approx $10 http://www.walgreens.com/

Get Your Fashion Week Exclusives from EXUDE Magazine

2011-09-06T07:30:00.000-04:00

{Korto Momolu Spring 2011 Image Source}

Fashion Week is starts tomorrow! Make sure you guys stay plugged in for coverage on it over at EXUDE Magazine. You may or may not know but I am the Senior Beauty Editor over there and we cover Fashion Week every year so please check us out and read our coverage on the various shows going on.

One thing I feel that Fashion Week lacks though is designer diversity. Wish there were more Black designers "in the tents"; more minority designers in general. The only Black designer we can count on to always make the tents is Tracy Reese. We should create our own Fashion Week. Black Fashion Week? Black American Fashion Week?

Kurlfriends

2011-09-05T21:50:00.000-04:00

{Image Source}

This picture is so cute. Regularly scheduled posting is coming back starting tomorrow! Hope you all had a wonderful Holiday weekend. I had a blast. Lataz!

My Hair is Going Bananas: Rolling with the Punches

2011-08-28T22:51:00.001-04:00

Might give up and wear my hair like this 24/7 if I don't get it back on track! {Image Source}

So you saw my recent post about this a couple weeks ago but I feel that I need to vent about it some more.

My hair is goin bananas. It's really changing and I've had to take a step back and make some adjustments. I've been thrown off on how to keep it moisturized, it tangles like crazy now and it's too hot (and humid) to wear it out all the time. My hair regimen is simple but I really want to get it even simpler (like to prep my hair for bed each night, I throw it into 2 french braids).

This need for simplicity may limit my use of my hair wash. I haven't figured out a way to make a large batch of it and preserve it properly so I have to mix it for every wash. This may not sound bad, but it really sucks when I'm traveling which I've been doin a lot of lately. Other places aren't always mixtress friendly. I don't plan to banish my hair wash but I think I need a standby hair cleanser that I like (and I'll just have to do an ACV rinse afterward to get the same affect as the hair wash).

I'm over using gel to slick back my edges. I'd rather find a nice pomade that doesn't give me too uch build up instead.

My hair has been tangling like a mug; air drying in braided sections has not been its friend as of late so I may be washing my hair less and blowing it out (2x per month) to keep it super stretched and tangle free. I gave my hair a trim not too long ago so I think it's just that it's getting longer and going through changes.
I also think that I need to start applying my leave ins to my hair wet. I normally apply them to my hair damp but it's making my hair feel weird now so I've gone back to applying on wet hair now.....

I think I'm about to banish twists on my head for good. They just don't play nice really with my hair. I can't let water touch them or that's an instant guarantee that they'll tangle so I can't mist them for moisture. And even when I don't let any water touch them, they still tangle. Not to mention they still only look good worn up on me because otherwise they look scalpy and sparse (unless I do them super small and that still won't work because I can't really moisturized them now without experiencing tangling!).

Man, I'm so ready for the day when I can prep my hair for bed by just putting it in 2 french braids and then can style in some easy, chic up-do's the next day. Maybe if I do go back to blow drying 2 times a month, I'll be able to do this.

I don't know kurlies.... I'm in a different head space these days. I need low maintainence, simple styles that are age appropriate and that I feel fly in. I think I'm becoming lazier? The longer that I'm natural the more my mindset on things evolve. Yeah, this is def off topic and needs its own post.....

With this re-adjustment of things, I will be re-evaluating all the products that are currently in my rotation. I may have to do a complete overhaul. I think most will stay but some things that aren't performing anymore will have to get gone and I will introduce new products into the mix. Welcome to my journey to longer lengths! Things are changing!

Hope everyone was safe this weekend and my east coast kurlies didn't suffer too much if any damage from Irene. Thank God it wasn't what they initially projected.

Hairstyles: Retro Braided Up-Do

2011-08-26T22:09:00.000-04:00

America's Next Top Natural Model Contest winner, Timolin. Image seen HERE

I'm almost back kurlies. Almost caught back up on things. Anywho, doesn't this hairstyle rock?! Be inspired and have fun with this hair. Look what it can do!

I wanna try this style out. Obviously my hair ins't that long in the front so I'd achieve this look by getting some assistance from some Marley bulk braiding hair.

To all my east coast people, please be safe this weekend! (Hurricane) Irene isn't playing around!

Links That Can Mac

2011-08-23T11:19:00.001-04:00

Don't ignore the signs!: 6 Vital Signs that Naturals Often Ignore

Sunshine of Natural Sunshine Network's Shortage of Good Black Men vid. I've never believed that because all I've dated are accomplished Black men in their own rights. Watch the vid, ponder on it, share it with folks, discuss.

Quick tips for the freshmen or any year college beauties that are growing out their perms to rock the natural: College, Coils and You: 5 Tips for Transitioing on Campus

Be Back Soon

2011-08-22T10:57:00.000-04:00

So you may have noticed last week my posting was sporadic. I was out of town all last week for my sister's wedding (one down, two of us left!). I had a blast, ended up on some adventures, of course, but am exhausted at the same time. Being the maid of honor is fun but hard work! I'll share some pics of how I wore my hair for the wedding (I had to seriously improvise because I couldn't do what I had planned!) and a hair salon horror story soon. So stay tuned!

It was nice to spend the week with my family. I love them so much and even though we all would have liked to kill each other at various points of finishing up this wedding, we always have fun together. Being in the Midwest for a break always leaves me feeling rested, refreshed and recharged. I'll be back to my regularly scheduled writing soon.

In the meantime, check out LuBellaCoils' latest video from her The Physical Transformation series. Some segments of my Please Stop Comparing Your Hair to Others vid were featured in the video! View it below:

I was so humbled that she reached out to me to use some of my vid to share a message with people. We are all in this together. Make sure you subscribe to her channel if you aren't already. Her channel rox! Be back soon!

Mo Hair, Mo Problems: What Is Going on with My Hair?!

2011-08-19T10:27:00.000-04:00

The natural hair vets weren't lying when they said "mo hair, mo problems". The longer my hair gets the more TLC I have to give it. I've been struggling with knots like a mug. It's imparative now more than ever that I keep my hair stretched at all times. I've also been having a problem lately keeping it moisturized and sealed properly. I'm taking notes and trying different combinations. One thing is I've run out of my Bee Mine Deja's Hair Milk. I need to re-up on it. My hair really behaves and stays moisturized with that. Yes, I was falling for my Shea Moisture Curl & STyle Milk all over again but now it's acting distant and calling me less. It's like it's good but something is now off and it's not doing as well as it normally does. I'm also noticing that sealing is becoming a very good idea for my hair. I wasn't consistent with this in the past because my hair accumulates build up fast if I'm not careful but I'm seeing, just recenly, that my hair likes it and retains more moisture when I do it. For me, it has to be a light oil my hair will absorb though or it will just leave my hair a dry, greasy mess. Right now I'm experimenting with sweet almond oil. I may try apricot kernel oil too; that's a light one.

Ay mi pelo!

I'm not alarmed or scared or ready to slap on a relaxer or anything. I attribute this to "growing pains". Come December, I will be natural for 3 years. It's seeming like as you pass the 2 years natural threshold, some things change because you now have a lot of hair. I'm moving into that space and as always, I will figure it out. No journey is easy peasy all the time. They are riddled with trials and tribulations and celebrations and achievements but you need all of these to define a journey.

Any of you feeling like I'm feeling? Or you vets, did you feel this way at the 2, 2.5 year natural mark?

My Hair: Conair Detangling Comb Making a Comeback in my Hair Tools Arsenal

2011-08-16T11:03:00.000-04:00

Conair Style & Detangle Comb around $3 at Walmart

Lately my Magic Star Rake Comb hasn't been getting the detangling job done. I'm not quite sure when it and my hair fell out of sync but as my hair gets longer, it's not as effective I'm feeling like. So I've gone back to an old favorite, this Conair detangling combed pictured. It's funny how I'm finding myself going back to many of the things I used when I first went natural (and my hair was much shorter). Guess, if it wasn't broken, I shouldn't have tried to fix it. Well, ya live and ya learn in life and hair!

So I've been using the Conair detangling comb again and we've picked up right where we left off; like I didn't desert it 2 years ago. I really don't know why I stopped using it outside of probably wanting to trying something I thought was better. Now I use the MSRC to comb through my hair during the week instead (I'm a kurlie that has to comb my hair between washes. I don't comb it every day but I can't go more than a few days without combing it out or my hair tangles like nobody's business). For me, I've observed that the MSRC works best on my hair when it's dry but I've moisturized it with a hair lotion (and sealed with a light oil) first before combing it. It doesn't work as effectively when my hair is wet or damp now.

It's interesting to watch my hair continue to evolve the longer it gets. It's definitely gone through some changes and tangles way more easily now, a post coming up on my hair changes sometime this week. It's bananas so I just keep listening to my hair and making changes accordingly.

Hairstyle Files: Easy Retro-Funky Up-Do

2011-08-15T09:45:00.000-04:00

Check out this cute, up-do Mstoot7 created and shared. She said it didn't take her more than 10 minutes to create. You can complete a formal or casual look with this hairstyle; it all depends on how you style and accessorize your look. Give it a try! I will be in the near future. Of course, for me more than likely, I will accessorize to give this a chic and funky look. :D

Music That Can Mac: Brandon's remix of Supersonic Technologic

2011-08-12T11:05:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday kurlies! We made it to yet another weekend. My boy, Brandon*, remix of Daft Punk's Supersonic Technologic is sure to help you bring in your weekend the right way and get you out of your seat and jamming. Have a great weekend. :D

Video from eyelovebrandon

Art that Can Mac: The Pairabirds by Tabitha Bianca Brown

2011-08-11T11:27:00.002-04:00

Yearbook Ellie print from http://www.thepairabirds.etsy.com/. Aint she dope?

Check out more awesome prints like this from artist, Tabitha Bianca Brown's, Etsy shop: thepairabirds. The prices are supper reasonable and I plan to buy a print next month to show my support. I want to snag this Ellie one first. They are dope!

Inspiration

2011-08-10T11:49:00.000-04:00

Image Source

This pic is all kinds of dopeness. Gonna have to try that hairstyle.

Be inspired.

Going to Try Harder to Buy American

2011-08-09T11:40:00.002-04:00

We, Americans (should be) are aware that our economy is still very shaky and part of that is because we import everything. We no longer "buy American" and are at the mercy of other countries for almost all of our goods, natural resources, etc; we are not a self suffient country anymore. Scary, right? It's bananas. Practically everything is made in China and they are so rich off of it. I think one of the ways we can help heal our economic wounds is to start buying American again and keeping more of our dollars in our country by encouraging and supporting more American made goods. With keeping things in our country comes increased costs though but I've decided to start just budgeting for it b/c I'm starting to feel some type of way about this and I was taught to be the change I want to see.

I've balked about the prices of American made brands like American Apparel but I've just got to get over it and maybe can only buy one thing from there per visit/month. Etsy is also another great place to find tons of American made, quality and hand crafted goods. I understand those with families may be giving me the side eye.... I understand when you've got a family to support, you've got to stretch each dollar as far it can possibly go but I still think that it's important we support our own in some way, shape or form. I'll be researching more made in America brands and sharing them. I think it's important we take responsibility in the downfall of our economy as well as the building it back up. We can't blame the government for everything when we have votes, dollars, voices and choices.

Do you buy American? If so, what types of things do you buy? Maybe my next car will be American. My dream car is a Range Rover. That's an American brand, right? If it's not then you know how little I know about cars. Hahaha.

Mixtress Chronicles: New Batch of Aloe Vera Custard

2011-08-07T17:11:00.000-04:00

I made a new batch recently and tweeked it some. I like this mix better than the previous one and may stick with this one. Coconut oil is great for pre-treating your hair before washing because it helps prevent your hair from absorbing too much water, which is known as hydral fatigue. So I like it better than the other oils I used in my previous mix. It also leaves my hair feeling softer and fluffier.

I also now keep my custard in the fridge to keep the mix fresher and from separating. I bought two big bottles of the Trader Joes brand aloe vera gel but I'm still partial to my J/A/S/O/N brand aloe vera gel. So once I use up what AVG I have now, I will go back to that one.

Happy Mixing

Music That Can Mac: Lunar.Sun.Light by Def Gray

2011-08-05T11:37:00.001-04:00

{Image from http://defgray.bandcamp.com }

Happy Friday kurlies! This song, Lunar.Sun.Light, has been on constant replay on my iPod. I know about Def Sound (a feature of him will be coming soon!) and enjoy his work but I was new to Nikko Gray; she's got a great sound. They both have their own respective sounds and music but when they collaborate together, they become Def Gray. This song's got such a chill out vibe and composition to it. If you like what you hear, download it for a buck HERE or from the link the below.

Product Review: Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Nectar Leave-In

2011-08-04T11:52:00.036-04:00

I got a sample of the Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Nectar Leave-In in my goodie bag from The Coil Review cocktail party. I've used it quite a few times now and am ready to tell you what I really think about it and how it works with my hair. I'm going to start prefacing reviews, when I do them, by giving a recap on my hair texture. It may get annoying to my usual readers who are familiar with what kind of hair I have but we have to be considerate of any newcomers or those passing by that may become usuals. Ya feel me? So....

- My Andre Walker hair type is 4a
- My LOIS hair classification is: Fine strands, Spongey, Medium density, High sheen, Softy and Frizzy/Fuzzy
- My hair texture overall can be described as: kinky and coily. The very sides and the front are looser like wavy/loose curls. It's annoying (I wish they were all the same kinky, coily texture!) but that's another post...

I feel the need to share this so you can get a clear view of why or why not my hair might like certain products and maybe it will help you figure out if it would work for yours.

The first time I used this, I really liked it. Had my hair even softer than usual. The consistency is light and creamy, has a great scent and it was easy to evenly distribute the product. As I continued using it though, I started not to like it as much. With this summer humidity this leave in causes my hair to shrink up at a higher rate. I don't like this because when my hair shrinks up, like most kinky kurlies, it has a tendency to tangle on itself. I don't experience this as much with the Kinky Curly Knot Today. So I know I said in my initial review that I liked it more than the KCKT but after more uses, I don't plan to stray from my KCKT.

The hair nectar has slip but not enough I started to see after a while. Lots of slip in any leave in I'm using is crucial for me because I detangle my hair AFTER I've washed it most of the time. This product also has glycerin in it which may be a culprit as well as to why my hair got over it quickly. The more in tune I become with my hair the more I realize, yea it tolerates glycerin in small doses but at the end of the day, it really doesn't like glycerin. I'm starting to think glycerin isn't a girl with spongey hair's friend. My hair already adores water, I don't think it needs the extra help to absorb moisture from the air.

I think this is a good product none the less but it's just not for me. My hair responds best to glycerin free products. My hair has spoken and I've got to listen. I think if you have thirstier hair of a medium density (because in my opinion, I'm not sure this would cut it for kurlies with thicker hair) that dries out easily or that doesn't mind glycerin, this may be a good leave in for you to try.

Brazilian Waxing: I'm Ready to Take the Plunge

2011-08-02T11:01:00.005-04:00

Image from http://www.beautywired.com/

Kurlies, I think I'm ready to try this. I have never gotten a brazilian wax done before. I think I have a pretty good threshold for pain so I'm revving myself up.

I didn't know where to start as far as where to go. I knew that I wanted to support a black owned business if I could and I remembered that Karen's Body Beautiful has a spa now and they offer this service. So, I'm going to schedule an appointment with her spa in the near future. I've met Karen several times and she's fab, makes great products and genuinely takes pride the products and services that she provides so I want to patronize her business.

When I call to schedule this, I have a few questions about this whole procedure:

* How often do I need to get the waxing done?
* What type of wax is used? I've heard some people use chocolate waxes, etc...
* What type of care do I have to take before and after the procedure?

I've been doing some research on my own as well. I think I'll be ok but fear I will get hooked to these! I'm interested to experience this and will share my reactions and observations about it. I'll also write up a review on the spa and the customer service.

Brooklyn belles, what other spas do good Brazilians for an affordable price?

Beats, Rhythmes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest Documentary Review

2011-08-01T11:55:00.001-04:00

I'm not a movie critic so by no means is this review going to be super analytical or disecting the cinematic content and components. This is just my, Milan's, point of view on this documentary and what I took away from it.

I really liked it. Me and my girl, Yaa, went to go see it the weekend after it came to NY and we both really enjoyed it. The theater was PACKED with people of all races and colors. I've always liked A Tribe Called Quest because they just seemed so unique to me and they had great sound. I also liked that their messages weren't just "conscious" but that they also spread a lot of positivity and inspiration of bettering one's self. Of course they had their fun songs like one of my favorites, Benita Applebum, but even that song was dope because it's Q-Tip is trying to holla at this girl (w/ an "apple bum" aka a big butt. Lol) but he's so charasmatic and respectful about it in the song. He starts the song with "Hey Benita, nice to meet you." Ya know? Not some "Hey b*t@h your azz is phat, lemme hit that" ya feel me?

Of course, the documentary gave background and history on the group members and rise and fall of them. I like the members even more now after learning more about them. Q-Tip produced all the music for the group so in one part, he actually gave the backstory on how he produced Benita Applebum and let you into his creative process. I swear I just love seeing people passionate about their craft, whatever it may be. As an artist myself, I enjoy getting a glimpse into other artist's creative process and what fuels it. After watching this I was able to get an idea if there'll be a reunion in the future. I'm not going to give it away, you've got to see the movie for yourself.

I give this movie two thumbs up. It was inspiring and gave me another push I needed to really get serious about pursuing my dream careers that all involve art and inspiring people. All throughout the movie, I'm like I gotta do this! I have talents that God has given me and some of them I've got to share with the world too.

Check out the website HERE to see when it's coming to a theater near you. If you're already a fan, I think you'll like it and if you've never heard of ATCQ, you just might become a new one. :D

Did A Henna Gloss Since Forever

2011-07-31T19:24:00.000-04:00

Tip: Applying henna with gloves hairstylists use to do hair color is even better than the regular plastic/latex gloves. New Yorkers, I got thse gloves from Beauty 35 (on 35th and 8th in the city). I'm sure Sally's sells something comparable.

I haven't done a henna treatment of any kind in MONTHS. I had been neglecting to do them once a month like I used to. I need to get back to it. My hair is great now but it really does benefit from the use of henna. It shows off when I stay on my henna game so I decided to do a henna gloss recently. Here's the mix I used this time. This is general recipe I normally use when I'm not trying anything new:

* 2 Tbsp Nupur Henna
* Coconut milk (till a creamy pudding consistency was achieved)
* 1 Tablespoon Grapeseed oil
* Some squirts of aloe vera gel
* 1 Tsp Honey

Note. If you have shorter hair or longer hair than mine and want to try this recipe, you can tweek it to match your needs. My hair between APL and BSL when stretched and I always have left overs. I freeze what is left over and use it for the next application. With trial and error, you'll figure out what proportions will work best for you.

I did my usual pre-treatment of my hair before washing it with my aloe vera custard and then cleased my hair with my hair mud wash mix. I blotted my hair with my old t-shirt (that I use to gently remove excess water from hair) to remove any excess water so that my hair was damp.

What the mixture looks like when its all mixed up. I like my henna gloss mixes to have a creamy pudding consistency. I get little to no mess when applying it with this consistency.

I then applied the mixture to my hair in sections and let sit (no plastic cap) for about 20-30 mins and did house work and some art before rinsing it out. Yeah, I don't leave my henna treatments on for hours upon hours anymore. I've things to do and I receive all the benefits in this time frame. First I just rinsed it out with water. The coconut milk really makes rinsing out henna so much breezier. Then I rinsed with Yes to Carrots conditioner to make sure I got the rest out.

My hair felt great as always: soft, smooth, lots of sheen, and fortified. Henna also results in defining and clumping my koils really well, so well that right after the treatment, they don't want to be combed out and stretched! Next week it'll be fine when I go to wash it though but that just shows how well it clumps my koils.
So gotta get back to doing them once a month. My hair feels sooooo nice!

New to henna? Visit Henna for Hair first and download the free e-booklet before you try it or any of my henna mixes.

Music That Can Mac: Accept the New by Theophilus London

2011-07-29T11:04:00.001-04:00

I've been sleepin on this kid. I saw him perform at the Weeksville Garden Party in Crown Heights last weekend and I liked his sound. He's unique and wears some unique things but I dig his originality. Lol. One of my favorite songs he performed that night was Accept the New. Give it a listen below and see if you don't like it too.

Check out the website for more info and music on this dude: http://www.theophiluslondon.net/
Have a great weekend!

Support Good Music!: Please Donate to Siraj Nuri's Kickstarter Campaign

2011-07-28T11:14:00.001-04:00

Hey kurlies. Artist Siraj Nuri is accepting donations to contribute to the costs for recording her very first album. Please support good music. If you have only $2 to spare, every little bit is appreciated. Visit her site at http://www.sirajnuri.com/ for more information on how you can contribute and check out the feature I did on her recently. She is totally worth it.

Note. I wasn't asked, paid, etc to post this. This is coming from the heart. She's a great artist, has a great energy and with your support she can share even more of her positive energy with us.

See n Try Hairstyles: Toni Daley's 3 Flat Twists

2011-07-27T11:39:00.004-04:00

It's friggin hot as Hades here in the Big Apple. So much so that I don't even want the fro out. Hairstyles that keep my hair outta my face and off my neck are what the natural hair doctor ordered. Toni recently did a quick tutorial on an easy, summer heat appropriate hairstyle. I love that she did it on wet/damp hair actually because the day I did this style, I was air drying my hair from washing it but had places to be and people to see so this is a great style for that if you need to wash your hair but you've got places to be before your hair has fully dried.

WHAT I USED:

- Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Nectar leave-in

- Sealed with my homemade Shealoe Cream

- You'll see in Toni's tutorial that she used gel. I didn't feel like using any so I didn't but you can if you like to.

- Head scarf to tie my hair down with. This helps to smooth your edges and give a sleeker look.

Check out her tutorial below, subscribe to her channel if you haven't already (she's fab! and "a friend in my head") and stay cool in this summer heat!

PS (If you're diggin the earrings I wore, they're in the shop!)

The Dandy Lion Exhibit at MoCADA

2011-07-26T11:04:00.001-04:00

Image from Le Coil

Last Thursday my friend Yaa texted me during the day something like, I'm going to the opening of this exhibit at MoCADA and Lecoil is going to be there too. I'm going, you wanna come? It was a crazy busy week at work so I was down for some culture in Brooklyn with other artsy fartsy people. Because I got asked the day of, I didn't have my camera. I so wish I would have had it though. There were lots of picture worthy moments. Oh well. You can see pictures from the event at High Snobette.

The Dandy Lion exhibit, curated by Shantrelle P. Lewis, was a sea of pictures of great looking black men taken by some noted photographers like Jamala Johns of Lecoil and Kwesi Abbensetts just to name a couple. She wanted the exhibit to positively portray black men and redifine black masculine identity. I'd say she accomplished her mission. The images showed black men at their finest and freshest. It was a nice, intimate event with a stylish and chill crowd, great music, eats and wine. We were even entertained by a proud Aberiginy man who played the Doo Ri Doo and got a little history lesson on the instrument.

This was my first time at the MoCADA and I'm seriously considering becoming a member. I luv supporting positive things like this. If you're in the area, the exhibit is up till August 22nd. Go check it out.

MoCADA: Museum of Cultural African Diaspora Arts
80 Hanson Pl
Brooklyn, NY
http://www.mocada.org/

Summer Chic: Headwraps

2011-07-25T11:32:00.002-04:00

In this summer heat, it's all about hairstyles that keep my hair off my neck and out of my face. This look is great for that. It's also quick and easy to achieve so you can do this style if you're in a rush and need to get out the door.

Toni Daley did a great tutorial on how to create this style, see it below (the tutorial starts at 5:50 mins in). In the fall when the weather is cooler, I'll permit my bangs to come out and play with this hairstyle. ;D

Stay cool, it's hot outside!

Music That Can Mac: Siraj Nuri

2011-07-22T11:15:00.001-04:00

Happy Friedy kurlies! We made it to yet another weekend. This Friday I want to share with you a new artist, Siraj Nuri, that I just recently learned of. Thanks to my girl Essense Vibez. :D I saw her perform live last weekend and it was phenomenal. Her vocals are wonderful and the band was amazing! I snapped pics and got some video footage of the performance so once I get everything edited and together, I'll put the post up by next week (I'll work on it this weekend.). The beautiful Siraj Nuri has rhythms that blend the likes of jazz, soul and hip-hop. Her voice is all jazz though. Its a cool blend. Check out her mixtape, Land, and download it for free HERE.

If you like what she's doing, please support her and if it so moves you, donate something to her kickstarter campaign (I made my donation!). She's raising money to record her first album which she would like to release spring 2012. PLEASE SUPPORT GOOD MUSIC! It's out there, just gotta look for it and stay up on my Music That Can Mac features every Friday. :D

Have a great weekend chicies and stay cool. We're having a heat wave in NY and I haven't even CARED to wear the fro out. It's too damn hot!

Mixtress Chronicles: Made a New Hair Mist

2011-07-21T11:25:00.001-04:00

I made a new hair mist recently. I had been abandoning using a mist as of late but remembered how much more moisturized my hair stayed when I would lightly mist it before applying oil or a moisturizing product like my Bee Mine Deja's Hair Milk.

This latest mix consists of the following:

- Water - My mists are always mainly water. I'd say this mix is about 80% water.
- Grapeseed oil - My hair loves this oil to bits n pieces
- Honey - About 2 long squirts of it. I love honey and add it to just about all of my mixes. It imparts great sheen, softness and moisture to my hair.
- Lavendar Essential Oil - Just 4 drops for a little fragrance. It's a little too strong on its own though. I may have to add a couple drops of another essential oil to tone it down some.

The essential oil is totally optional. You don't have to add any if you try out my mix. As always, you all know, I don't measure anything and eyeball everything. It's 80% water I'd say and like 19.8% grapeseed oil. The honey and essential oils are so minimal I don't think they even qualify for a percentage. That's just me though.

I like this mix. I mainly mist my hair at night when I'm moisturizing it and braiding it up to keep my hair stretched. I'll probably use it on my hair before I pre-treat my hair with my aloe vera custard on wash days too.

I may to stick to this mix but you all know I rarely stick to the exact same mix. I'm always tweaking and trying different ingredients the next time around. Some get their thrills from gambling, extreme sports, etc for me, some of it is mixing. :D

Happy Mixing.

Nutricious Can = Delicious with Food Heaven Made Easy

2011-07-20T11:42:00.001-04:00

Episode 1: $10 Meal Time from Food Heaven Made Easy on Vimeo.

I first learned of Wendy and Jessica of Food Heaven Made Easy over at Black Girl with Long Hair and was instantly impressed, excited and hooked to see two women of color promoting healthier eating and providing ways to do so. Both are nutritionists and in school for their Masters in this field so they know what they are talking about. Bad nutrition is a universal issue, especially here in the States but obviously since I'm a Black woman I take a particular interest in the health of those that look like me. Many of you all probably saw this already since a lot of my readers are BGLH readers but if you aren't then this post is for you.

Check out the article HERE that BGLH did on them and visit their website http://www.foodheavenmadeeasy.com/ I plan to try this meal they made in the video very soon; maybe next week or so. It looks like a great summer dish and I luv me some kale. Yes, I'm one of those people that actually likes vegetables. I like what these young women are doing and they have my support. I'll be watching/following. :D

Maid of Honor Hairstyles

2011-07-19T11:25:00.001-04:00

So my sister is getting married next month and I'm the MOH aka maid of honor. She's not a huge fan of natural hair and even though it is her special day, I made it quite clear before she even tried to mention it that I'm not straightening my hair. She said as long as I wasn't rocking "slave plaits" (yes she is awful sometimes. lol) she didn't mind that. I've been brainstorming some ideas and thought I'd share with you where I'm drawing some inspiration from. I know I'll probably end up doing some kind of flat twisted up-do because they are pretty and hold up nicely. Plus in the August, Cincinnati heat, it will keep my hair out of my way.

Napturally Curly's Flat Twist Pin Up-Do (I've done something similar to this before so I may revisit it)

keke52284 rocks a really cute do on this vid

I'm going to try these hairstyles before hand to see which one I like best and will commit to.

Music That Can Mac: Teedra Moses' Luxurious Undergrind Mixtape

2011-07-15T11:30:00.002-04:00

Happy Friday Kurlies! Today's music is from my girl, Teedra. She released another mixtape, Luxurious Undergrind, recently and you know I had to share it with you guys. Her voice is amazing and her deliverance is how I would say something. She's classic, yet raw and "a friend in my head". But back to the mixtape, it's ill but then again, I wouldn't expect anything less from her. My favorites are, man I don't think I have a favorite just yet but I like that a few of the songs have jazz influences on them. On Another Luvr, the bass is rockin. Check out The One below. I luv how in the song, she is talking about not settling basically and that just because a man is good man and other people have declared him the one doesn't mean he's the one for her. Speak on it! Maybe I just feel that song so much because those are the thoughts that I live by:

Video from DjNovemberMusic

Download the mixtape HERE.

Have a great weekend. ;D

Mixtress Chronicles: My Lastest Shealoe Cream

2011-07-13T11:47:00.001-04:00

If you follow me on Twitter, then you know I recently made a batch of shealoe cream. In my past mixing experiences, with this type of product I usually don't make it exactly the same as the last batch. The skeleton of the recipe always stays the same but I'm always adding or trying something a little different to see what I get. Here's the recipe for the latest batch:

* (ivory color) Shea Butter
* Aloe Vera Gel: Any brand will do. I usually use the J/A/S/O/N brand. I used Lily of the Desert brand this time.
* Oil of Choice: This time I used Coconut Oil (I'll probably try avocado or a blend of avocado oil and grapeseed oil next time.)
* a quick squirt of Honey: This step is totally optional. I just luv honey so I like to add it to a lot of my mixes. Honey imparts moisture and sheen for our hair texture.

HOW I MIX
I didn't share any measurements because I don't really use them for this type of recipe. I just kinda eye ball it. First I whip the shea butter alone with a hand mixer (because I don't have a standing one). It's been hot as Hades here so the shea butter was already soft enough that I didn't have to warm it up to soften it. Next I add the oil and whip again. Then I pour aloe vera gel and whip it again. I keep adding aloe vera gel till I get the creamy consistency that I like. Lastly, I add the quick squirt of honey and whip one last time.

In my mixing experiences, I've found that when you whip it like I explained, it yields a more fluffier mix than when you dump everything in at once and whip it. So that's it. I used it to twist my hair with this past week. I rocked twists all week in up-do's and took them down this weekend.

I like twists on me when I pin them up.

Here's how my twist out came out.

Excuse the "glowing" face. It was soooo hot the whole weekend.

I used Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Nectar (leave in) underneath it and I just luv the results and my hair feels incredible. A full review will be coming soon on the Hair Nectar.

Stay naturally fly

Kurly New: Check Out New Product Line Curly Kinks

2011-07-12T11:47:00.001-04:00

Kurlies that like to do wash n go's, there's a new product line in town. Popular Youtuber, Monique Freeman, of CoilsKinksCurls recently launched her own haircare line. The name of the line is Curly Kinks and right now it contains a natural styling gel and a leave in conditioner. More products are to come. The prices are reasonable and competitive to the famous Kinky Curly line. The 16oz jar of of the Coil Custard is $22 and eligible for free shipping. Nice.

THE DEETS:
Curly Kinks
http://www.curlykinks.com/
Facebook: Curly Kinks

Kurly Directory: Darker than Brown

2011-07-11T11:38:00.002-04:00

http://www.darkerthanbrown.com/

While at The Coil Review cocktail party last month, I met lots of fabulous ladies. One of the them was Nneka, a vivacious kurly who has a natural hair meet up group here in New York where monthly meet ups go down to hang out (they go to mixers, out to eat, various kurly events, etc.) with other fellow kurlies and do what else, talk hair, products, tips and regimens. Please stop by and show her sight, Darker Than Brown, some luv as she takes you along her hair journey and shares information on natural hair care.

I like her Week in Review posts where she shares what she's done with her hair and/or learned about it for the week. This is inspiring and encouraging for new naturals or those new to taking better care of their hair.because it's important to make notes of what's working and what's not so you can take control of your hair's destiny accordingly.You know I only share positive places with you guys, so check her out and follow if you like.

Stay naturally fly

Fros for the 4th [of July]

2011-07-10T12:09:00.001-04:00

It looks like this is becoming an annual thing. I participated in its first year, in effect, last year and participated again this year. I rocked a day 4 old twist out that still had a ton of definition this past 4th of July. I luv'd it.

How I Achieved This Look:

* I twisted medium size twists on damp hair.
* I used Kinky Curly Knot Today leave-in and twisted with unrefined, (the ivory color) shea butter
* I wore my hair pinned up for the week in the twists (You all know how much I dislike how my twists look worn down at this stage of my hair's length.) and then took them out that Friday
* Tip: I think my hair stayed defined as long as it did b/c I fussed with it minimally. When I took each twist down, I didn't separate them at all. I let them stay in tact and expand as the days went on. Sometimes separating the twists leads to frizz and loss of the set curl pattern faster.

That's it. I didn't put any extra product on my hair while I had the twists in or when I took them out. At night, I slept with my Stay on Right hair sack and this helped tremendously, as well, in keeping my hairstyle fresh.

Did you rock your Fro for the 4th?

Initial Thoughts After Using the Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Nectar for the 1st Time

2011-07-09T11:58:00.001-04:00

I got a sample of the Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Nectar from the goodie bags we got from The Coil Review cocktail party last month. I finally ran out of Kinky Curly Knot Today so it was the perfect chance to give this leave in a try.

I like a lot of Karen's products (her moisturizing lotion, Super Duper leave-in, etc.) and have had a lot of success with many of them and was hoping I could add this product to the list of goodies.

I pre-treated (with my homemade aloe vera custard) and cleansed my hair (with my hair mud wash recipe) as normal. Then applied the product to my hair damp. First off, it smells lovely. I got the lavendar vanilla scent. The consistency is light and very creamy and was easily distributed through my medium density koils and kurls.

It will be hard for me to tell how well this product works just yet b/c I then put my hair in medium size twists (twisted with my latest shealoe cream mix). Well, I think it's probably good. When my hair was completely dry, my twists felt luscious: bouncy, moisturized and soft. That's a start. I'll have to come back to do like a second part to the review when I choose to wear my hair loose for the week. Signing off and out.

Stay naturally fly.

Music That Can Mac: Things I Should've Told Her Mixtape

2011-07-08T19:28:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday Kurlies! Now onto the topic at hand.....

The Things I Should've Told Her mixtape is not to be slept on. My boys, Trumaine Lamar and Brandon*, have done it again. The tracks were produced by Brandon* and the vocals are all Trumaine. I've talked about them both on here before and featured their stuff. Outside of them being my peoples, they are so wonderfully talented. Trumaine's voice is a breath of fresh air and Brandon's musicality create a blend of musical bliss. If you like what you hear download the mixtape HERE. Support good music.

Have a great weekend. I'm going to see Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest. A review will be in order soon.

A Different Technique for Doing a High Bun

2011-07-07T11:48:00.002-04:00

I like this method, wj539: www.youtube.com/wj539 uses to create her high buns better than how I do mine. I'm going to try this next time I feel like rocking one.

Taren's Journey to Getting Fit

2011-07-06T11:01:00.002-04:00

I'd like to start talking about fitness more on here. Check out Taren of Taren916 's journey getting into better shape. I'll be tuned in so I can glean informaton that her trainer shares. I like that weight loss isn't her goal but just staying in shape and keeping toned is her aim. I am in the same boat. I don't feel I need to lose any weight but I want to stay active and healthy.

On Track to Reach BSL by December

2011-07-04T11:28:00.001-04:00

Me circa 2009 shortly after my BC: Mini Twists
looked good worn down when I had a TWA.

So my current goal is to reach BSL, when stretched, by this December or at least have some lead hairs there so that I can maintain it there most of 2012 till the rest of my hair catches up. I trimmed my hair recently and am revved up to reach this goal. Some hair in the back is very close to BSL now actually. I have about 5 more months so this goal is totally attainable I think. Isn't it crazy that come this December I will be natural for 3 years? Man, time flies. It's been a rollercoaster ride but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I luv my hair, occasional bad/frustrating hair days and all.

I've started keeping it crazy simple with my hair. I rock small to medium size twists (take me 1-2 hours to put in) pinned up in the Fly Girls up-do during the week and take the twists down on Friday's to rock a twist out for the weekend. Sometimes I blow my hair out prior to twisting and sometimes I don't and just twist on damp hair, it just depends on the mood I'm in. Either way I use my homemade shealoe cream to twist with.

This crazy simplicity is working great for me. It's getting hot and makes sense to employ hair styles that are low maintenance and keep hair off my neck and out of my face. Plus with my busy schedule during the week, it's great to get up and not have to figure out how I want to wear my hair. It's that get up-n-go hair. ;D

Good Hair Day w/ the Curly Fro

2011-07-03T11:11:00.001-04:00

One day in particular last week, I had a perfect hair day. I was rocking a Curly Fro and it came out so good, I didn't want the day to end for fear it wouldn't look perfect the next day.

WHAT I USED:
* Bee Mine Deja's Hair Milk
* Kiss My Face Upper Management Styling Gel

I employed the curly fro method (was made popular by Dr. Lisa Akbari), which is, essentially, putting your hair into two-strand twists, rolling each twist and tucking it into your hair. If you need to see this explanation, check out the tutorial below by Curly Chronicles. This style is super easy to create and creates a lovely kurly set.

I used the gel sparingly for each section before twisting to give the style a little more hold than if I hadn't used it. I let this set overnight and then in the morning took the twists down with my fingers lightly coated in grapeseed oil and fluffed till my desired look was achieved.

Most days are good hair days but I luv when I have perfect hair days. :D

I Trimmed My Hair

2011-07-02T19:49:00.001-04:00

I noticed that my ends were tangling up more lately, detangling was greeting me with some resistance (which is so unlike my hair. Usually detangling is a breeze for me.) and the fairy knots were becoming more prevalent. I finally realized that it was time for a trim.

I put my hair into medium size, two strand twists and used my hair cutting sheers to trim my ends. I never cut/trim my hair wet; it's always dry. I could see that at the end of many of the twists were some fairy knots so I would cut just above them. I didn't measure exactly but I couldn't have cut more than a half inch to an inch of hair.

My ends look way better and I think the next time I go to detangle and wash my hair, the process should be back to how it usually is, drama free. I need to put myself on a hair trimming schedule. I think the last time I trimmed my hair was back in December and my hair started acting out last month so I think it's safe to say, I need to trim my hair about every 6 months or 2 times a year.

From here on out, I will trim my hair every December and June. I don't feel that it is necessary to trim more than that. How often do you trim your hair?

Not sure how to trim your own hair? Check out an old article of mine sharing some tips on trimming natural hair.

Music That Can Mac: Paper Chase - Clara Hill ft. Vikter Duplaix

2011-07-01T11:44:00.002-04:00

Hello 3 day weekend! Woot woot! Hope you all have fab plans for the weekend. I have plans to wreck some havoc in the Big Apple. :D I've got some crafts I'm dying to get to and cookouts to attend. If my body will let me, I'll even try to sleep in. Hahah.

This song is the latest to be on repeat over my way. The rhythm is on point for me and gets me dancing in the morning as I'm getting ready for work. Check it out: my boy Vikter Duplaix and super talented, Clara Hill. I just got introduced to her and I'm luvin her stuff.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Respect the Kink NYC Natural Hair Meet Up

2011-06-28T11:51:00.001-04:00

I'm in. I'm almost always down for a natural hair shin dig. Who's going?!

More details about the event at http://www.ilovemyfro.com/

Don't Listen to Men

2011-06-27T12:04:00.000-04:00

Originally posted 3-27-09

Don't you just luv when a guy tells you, "you don't need all that make up and stuff" or "I like natural beauty better"? I laugh heartily when I hear any man say this (and then I ask for their description of what "natural beauty" looks like. They usually go on to describe some celebrity like Christina Milian, Janet Jackson, Gabrielle Union, etc.. Nuff said.). One, if they seriously think I'm getting all dolled up solely for them, then they're egos just took a hit. Ok, some of it is for them (a whole 1%) but the vast majority of it (99%) is for MOI. I enjoy all things beauty (, fitness,) and style which I feel keeps me looking and feeling my best.

Men say all that crap but the first woman that they drool over is the one that takes great care of herself: make up done right (I'm not talking about caked on or looking like a clown), pretty hair, a body that they like, exudes confidence, etc.... Men don't know what they want b/c the minute you listen to that and start wearing sweats, not doing your hair, and letting your eyebrows grow outta shape, that's the woman that they say they wouldn't holla at because of how she carries herself, etc. LOL.

I would like to venture and say that what they really mean is that they don't want a woman that looks "superficial" or loses her self esteem when it's time to wipe off all the glitz n such, can't "live" w/o it, etc.. I can live without cosmetics but would I want to? Haaaaaails to the naw. Sorry. Ya girl enjoys it way too much. An anti make up lady I am not and any man that will be with me will know this b/c chances are when he met me, I had some on. LOL.

I don't know about you but make up, to me, is a way to ENHANCE one's beauty; adorn ones face not make you look like who done it and why. What's wrong with enhancing what ya mamma gave ya in a tasteful and classy way? And what's wrong with feeling beautiful? Tell me a woman that doesn't like to feel beautiful and I'll shake some sense into her. I'm not saying that your make up, clothes, etc. should DEFINE everything that you are as a person but let's be honest, it's FUN. We can't control what life will throw us but we have control over how we present ourselves to the world (before they sit down and talk to us). And let's face it, when you look good, you really do feel good. We're WOMEN for crying out loud. It's in our genetic make up. Even those that it's not their everyday forte, on those special occasions that they dress up they still want to look and feel slammin.

Make up or adorning our face, how we style our hair, what we wear have been core things in the lives of human beings since the beginning of time. (Even animals have various grooming rituals to keep them looking their best.) In any culture you study, ancient or current, people take pride in these components of life. It's natural to wanna look good! And I don't see anything wrong with it.

I say all this to say, don't let a dude try to pull the wool over your eyes and say "you don't need all the make up and stuff". (That's like telling them they don't NEED that XBox 360. I betcha they'll choose their words more carefully next time.) Especially if when he met you, you had your hair right, make up done, then he REALLY needs to go on somewhere. LOL. No, you don't need make up to survive (although I'm sure some might beg to differ!), per say, but you LIKE it. And if you like it and enjoy it, keep doin you. At the end of the day, it has to be for YOU. The world is still your oyster! Stake your claim! Everybody needs something for just themselves.

Happy Friday ladies!

*******4-7-09: Makeup Theory Workshops did a similar post on this topic. Check it out.*************

So You Wanna be a Model?

2011-06-25T11:24:00.001-04:00

Model and actress, Andrea Bordeaux

Check out this article over at Indochine's Top Shelf on fellow kurlie, model and actress, Andrea Bordeaux. In the article, she gives a pretty detailed run down on the modeling business and how her understanding of it is seating her in the driver's seat of her modeling and acting destiny. So if you are interested in the world of modeling, check out the article HERE to get more insight on it from her perspective.

Music That Can Mac: Whatchalookin@ by J*Davey

2011-06-24T10:37:00.002-04:00

Guess who was at the J*Davey New Designer Drug tour concert that kicked off here in Brooklyn? If you guessed me then you're right! Yes, this past Tuesday night I was at Southpaw to be in the present at their performance (and can I tell you, us kurlies were in the BUILDING! I luv Brooklyn, man. We go hard out here.). I've luv'd this band for years but this was my first time seeing them perform and it def won't be my last! The show was beyond awesome and left me so inspired. So in remembrance of their recent visit here, I present you a new song off their upcoming album:

"Whatchalookin@"

Note. This was footage from one of their performances on their New World Culture tour back in March/April, not the one I just attended.

Have a great weekend kurls! :D

Four Words

2011-06-23T11:39:00.001-04:00

LOVE.

MY.

HAIR!

Back to Pre-Treating my Hair with my Homemade Aloe Vera Custard

2011-06-22T11:08:00.003-04:00

2.5 years in this natural hair game and I'm still playing around with certain aspects of my hair care routine. It's a journey, kurlies, I'm telling you! But a fun one, in my opinion.

I'm back to pre-poo'ing my hair with my aloe vera gel and grapeseed oil mix. It has awesome slip, so it's great for detangling, and leaves my hair feeling so soft and smooth. I don't really remember why I stopped using it for a spell but I'm back to using it and it still refuses to disappoint.

I don't measure the ingredients precisely. I just eye ball it like I do most of my concoctions. I shared this recipe with you all a while back but I'll share it again especially for those new to my blog that probably didn't go back that far (I have a lot of posts. I've had this blog for 3 years now!) back to see it.

* Aloe vera gel - not the food grade kind. I use the 99% one by Lily of the Desert or the 98% one by J/A/S/O/N

* Grapeseed oil - you can use whatever oil you like or have on hand. My hair has an affinity to grapeseed oil so that's what I like to use.

* (Optional) Honey - just a quick squirt. It gives my hair a shot of moisture and adds a pretty sheen to my hair.

The concoction is mainly aloe vera gel. I keep stirring in the grapeseed oil till a smooth and creamy consistency is achieved. That's it. Super simple and easy to make and it doesn't spoil fast if you buy a commercial brand aloe vera gel.

I should think of a catchy name for this mix. Hmm... AVGoil? AVGO? Aloe Vera Custard? I like the sound of custard. It does have a custardy, creamy consistency when I've completed mixing it. I think I shall call this mix my Aloe Vera Custard. It's official. :D

Any old hair care practices, mixes, or products you all have found your way back to?

PS (Still luvin my Denman D31 detangling brush.)

My New Method to Squeezing Fitness into My Active Lifestyle

2011-06-21T11:13:00.001-04:00

Image from http://afflictedyard.com/

Like most women, I struggle with keeping fitness a constant in my life. I'm great for 6 months, slack off for 6 months and the cycle repeats and keeps going. I'm trying, yet again, to make fitness my boo for the long haul and not my jump off. Lol. I think I'm onto something and came up with a plan that suits my current lifestyle.

Quick snap shot of my current life:

Single
No kids
Get home from work late; our office closes at 6 so I don't get home from work till about 7p or so
Very active and involved lifestyle; I'm not home very much
Doesn't like to get up super early to exercise
Doesn't like to exercise too late in the evening
Doesn't like (to work out at) gyms

Where does one find a way to work fitness in with a rap sheet like this, right? I'll show you how: I work out for 10-15 mins a day during the week (and at least 20-30 mins on the weekends). It's better than nothing and you'd be surprised what you can accomplish in that short amount of time daily.

Because my weeks are hectic, I don't get home early and I don't own a gym membership; I save my cardio for the weekends. Saturday and Sunday morning or evening, I do some kind of cardio. These days it's power walking for 20-30 mins (I have to figure out what I will do in the winter about this though.) and do yoga afterward to stretch and get centered. I'd luv to get into tennis or volleyball, they're great full body workouts. One great thing about living in NY is that I do a lot of walking during the day so that helps in my quest for staying active and somewhat fit. Monday through Friday, I do 10-15 min of basic exercises and a short resistance training routine (using resistance bands) or yoga routines in the morning. If I'm feeling up to it, I'll do an additional 10-15 mins in the evening when I'm home from work. I'm working on getting more in the habit of doing yoga routines in the evening that help me wind down and relax before bed.

Monday - Friday I don't exercise for more than 15 mins.

Basic exercises include: 1 set of crunches, oblique crunches, push ups, squats and calf raises. I used to incorporate lunges into this too but it was causing me injuires. Either I was doing them incorrectly or my legs just don't like them. Come to think of it, I've always disliked lunges, even in my high school track days.

Note. I am not a doctor nor a personal trainer. This is not professional advice. This is simply giving you a glimpse into my fitness journey and a way to inspire you to get creative with how you find ways to work it into your schedule.

This is working fabulously for me. There is totally no excuse for me anymore. I have 10-15 mins to take care of myself every day.

What types of workout schedules are you guys on?

Accessories That Can Mac: Jute Tote by Drika B

2011-06-20T10:02:00.001-04:00

Watercress Jute Basic Tote by Drika B

Ummmmm yeah, this Drika B bag is hot! And can you believe it's only $72!? I thought it would cost so much more than this. Affordable hotness kurlies, jump on it! I luv the design and I'm such a sucker for tote bags. I WILL be making a purchase in the near future. Check her etsy shop: http://www.drikab.etsy.com/ to see more of her designs.