Fall looks and news

Life in brandon, SD has been hectic to say the least. I just got back from a trip to raleigh, NC. I visited my old school there as well as friends. I was able to encourage and enable several of my sisters who had gone natural but had been struggling with a number of hair issues since I left the school. I also have been sharing advice with people via Facebook. This exchange of ideas and tips is most enjoyable. :) as of right now my hair is in need of inspiration. The bun I had been wearing was super cute, but I am on to the next look! I need to pay close attention to protecting my ends. They seem a bit dry lately. I was going to wait until December to try a new style with weave but it's getting cold out here in south dakota and I need to keep my head warm! Lol. So I will try the silky locs using the crotchet braiding technique next. More on that to come. Also to come pics of my latest styles n a video about how I use my vegetable glycerin to moisturizer my hair. This video is for a friend but I hope it's helpful to others as well. Ttyl!

Hair challenge update and midterms

Sooo, I have been veering off my schedule somewhat but overall I have been keeping up with my hair challenge. I am about to start twist outs next. This is one style I dread because I do not have very thick hair. But we will see!!!! Also going to try henna after I read through CurlyNikki's thorough information. I am considering red. This week I wore a mohawk using kinky curly in the middle and for the first time really liked the results now that my hair is getting a bit longer. I also found a protective style I really like and will try soon. Ill leave that as a surprise lol.


Midterms....ughh. Stats was a trying exam. Hope it went better then it felt. All Other classes went well though. Half way there!!! writing my scholarship essay this week. Hope its a winner. :)

Pre-poo options review 3-Aloe vera gel

Ok,

 So I haven't been sticking quite to my original plan with the pre-poo. I am low on honey right now so i'm going to try the aloe vera gel with jojoba oil and coconut oil ( and a few drops of rosemary). Updates tomorrow morning on how this goes.

I have been spraying my hair every couple days with my veggie glycerin spritz to bring back the life to my kinky curly curling custard finger coils. It really helps bring shine, and keeps my hair really really soft.
I also try to use castor oil on my roots at least two times a week. I know this is down from before, but now I am using the cold-press castor oil instead of the Jamaican Black Castor Oil mix. Since I am using this castor oil straight -too much gets too sticky.

I really think the Deep Conditioning has help my hair to start growing and the moisture is helping to retain length. I missed a Deep Co this weekend since I was out all weekend for homecoming. However my hair is fine and is just starting to look dirty so that's why I am doing my pre-poo early.

All in all I am enjoying life :) Midterms next week.....enough said. Presentation and speech tomorrow afternoon, then stats quiz at night. Time to get  my study on!

hair mood: happy and ready for a DC

pre-poo options review 2-Castor oil

Castor oil pre-poo: check!
I used cold press castor oil  and water as my pre-poo and I was very happy with the results. My hair tends to be very dry so the thicker oils work better on my hair.

p.s. I am going to stop using olive oil on my hair and start using Safflower oil. This gives me much better results then Olive oil, I notice olive oil works better on people with softer/straighter hair then mine.

pre-poo options review 1

Trial 1.
Coconut oil, EVOO, and tresemme conditioner pre-poo.....negative.
I didnt think it was that impressive on my hair. I left it in overnight. Soo...on to the next.

pre-poo options

Ok
I did a little accidental research and found several options for pre-pooing. I will try each one and give reviews on my youtube channel of how each one turned out. (thesistership1315). So all the combinations I will try are as follows:


1. castor oil and water
2. honey and Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
3. honey (coconut oil hair rinse:between shampoo and conditioner)
4. safflower oil
5. coconut oil, jojoba, and a cheap cholesterol conditioner
6. Coconut oil and EVOO
7. aloe vera gel and any oil
8. recipe I found-
1/4 cup raw wild honey
1/4 cup organic molasses (optional)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup raw sugar (raw is important as is still has molasses and is not bleached like white sugar)
1/4 cornstarch
1/4 cup lemon extract (or you can use fresh squeezed lemon if need be)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
10-12 drops of your favorite essential oil; i use rosemary and tea tree


Another thing I learned which I didn't realize is that you shouldn't heat up your coconut oil in the microwave because it messes up the properties in the oil. Instead you should boil water and put your bowl of oil in the hot water until it melts. 


p.s. a family at our church have relatives who own a honey farm....which means i get free honey every time I need some. Also met a girl who had a huge tub of tea tree oil she didnt need. my point? take advantage of little connections like this ladies! it saves money :)


Benefits of pre-shampooing?:
help protect our hair from the harsh shampooing process and conditions hair

6 month hair challenge breakdown!

Ok I am prepping for my 6 month challenge. Again my challenge is to wear my hair out for 6 months, no braids or afros.


However.....I left my self a little crutch. I will be wearing crochet braids for 2 of the six months (Dec and Feb). I chose this style because I have never worn them before, and more importantly my hair grows the fastest with cornrows and my natural hair, also importantly it gets realllllly cold in South Dakota in the winter and the weave will keep my head warm lol. This style allows my hair to stay in cornrows while still having the look of a weave minus all the pulling and tightness of a sew-in. I am trying them out on my mom this weekend and am excited to see the results! pics to come on that. 

So my regiment that I plan on as of now goes as follows: (mind you I am trying my hardest to keep it simple)
Fridays: Pre-poo/Hot oil treatment- will leave this in overnight using a combination of EVOO or coconut oil and rosemary oil
Saturday mornings:
Shampoo (or co-wash)-Spanish Sur-Gro shampoo
condition-Yes to Cucumbers 
deep condition- homemade DC
style- will alternate each month between kinky curly curling custard, two strand twist, and crotchet braiding*. I cant wear two strand twist for 6 months straight I would go crazy lol. 

* with the crotchet braids I plan to buy human hair and still co-wash my hair once a week and oil my scalp with the castor oil mix through out the week. 

I will also try to trim more often as my hair seems to do much better when its trimmed. 


Other products I will use: shea butter mix-homemade, vegetable glycerin spray, flaxseed gel, my castor oil mix, carrier oils, essential oils, Castor oil (or JBCO)

I will not be using any heat on my hair until the day after my 6 month mark March 30th. 


My mom recently bought me a book on hair care, there are tons of homemade recipes in their and I will be trying some of them out and making vlogs on the results.

Subscribe to my youtube channel (thesistership1315) to follow along in my progress. This schedule is not like set in stone, I make deviate from the path a little, but this is the overall plan. I am not good at sticking to projects for a long period of time so this should be interesting and im so excited! I will be starting next friday. Long, healthy hair here I come! 

http://www.youtube.com/thesistership1315 


Comment, Rate, Subscribe!!!


my new shampoo:

my conditioner:

Classes!!

Ok. Class meets once a week for three hours. Sound easy? ha. You have one session per week to get all the knowledge you would normally get in three days. There are no tutors for any of the classes im taking on top of that. Though hopefully these are basic enough I wont need one.

Intro to Computers
Marketing
Music Appreciation
Public Speaking
Statistics for Business majors

I feel like im a liberal arts major lol. This should be fun. ttyl!

Natural Hair Exposed challenge and product reviews and updates

Soooooo. Basically I have been natural for 2 years an 9mons. However my hair length is not reflecting such. I have been watching youtube videos and I have realized two things. 
1. the main reason for my not retaining length is that I have not been taking care of  my hair properly until this summer.
2. I have not found settled down on what products work best at the cheapest price for me and settled down on a regiment. 


Two more things I realized today.
 1. I have to figure out what products I am going to rule out
2. start to minimize the complexity of what I do. 

Many girls with long hair do not use a whole lot of products and their regiment is fairly simple. However, there are still some products I am waiting to try out (once I get some more heads braided). Particularly:
A nice butter- Homemade and the shea yogurt moisturizer by Blackonyx 
a leave-in that actually works for me-no particular one in mind
and a better shampoo-Herbal Essence and Spanish Sur Gro (oldie but goodie)

Before I try BlackOnyx shea butter mix I am going to try making my own (once I take my hair out in a few weeks). After that is used up hopefully I wont be broke anymore and I can try hers. As far as the leave-in. Ive tried sheamoisture's and cantu's and neither of those work for me. The one by sheamoisture leaves my hair dry for some reason, and the one by cantu is too heavy and leaves little white chunks in my hair I cant get out. Soooo still on the look out for that. It is a bit harder being in  South Dakota where you cant just drive down the street to your local beauty supply store and pick something up. Most all my products ar bought online at: Amazon, Barsnbutters.com (my shea butter), or Sallys online store (we have a sallys but the online store is more extensive). Or bought from the health food stores (which make them pretty expensive) or the indian store (my coconut oil), I found aloe vera gel at Walmart super cheap and I use that alot with my clients who have straighter hair. As far as the shampoo I think I would like to try Herbal Essence because its avaiable around here and i've heard good reviews. I am also thinking of trying Spanish Sur gro product line because it is old and has proven results. I am totally satisfied with my Yes to Cucumbers conditioner. Its awesome! I think I will continue to use the same recipe I used last for my deep condition because it leaves my hair way softer then with the original recipe I was using with the egg. 

I have been trying to do the castor oil challenge. However with extensions in I dont know if that will effect the results. Other techniques I am curious to try on my hair is the pre-pooing (I tried this once and liked the results), and the green house effect. Since I am just going to school and living at home I might actually have time for these. My Jamaican black castor oil is already running out and my mom was nice enough to pick some more up for me. This is regular castor oil though not the Sunny Isle Jamaican kind. She also picked up rosemary oil which I haven't tried yet and tea tree oil (also never tried). So I think I'm going to stick with my all natural products and try to continue to make homemade recipes instead of ready-made products. 

I am going to attempt to keep my hair out of braids for the next 6 months. AHHHHH that is sooo hard for me. I love my spring twist and fluffy twist. Once I put them in they are so easy and fun to style. Its sort of become part of my look to those who know me. Right now I'm really craving the bright red fluffy twist I had in for my birthday. But at the same time I want length!!!!! Also I think that the braids are definitely not helping with improving the thickness of my hair. My hair is already really fine and not super thick like others. So I need to give the braids a rest and let it thicken back up. The good thing about spring or fluffy twist is they are soooo lightweight so I know they don't weight down my hair like kinky twist or braids. Also with my braids in I am not deep conditioning my hair on a regular basis like I would otherwise and I think that is important that I start doing that. Lastly I am going to take extra time to take care of my ends. I know my hair can grow, but can I retain length? That's what I need to prove to myself


So once I take my braids out I'm going to start documenting my 6 month journey. My personality is one that loves to start projects but never wants to finish them. So this will be a challenge but definitely one I want to take. My mom has the belief that its genetics and some people are just born with hair that can grown down their back. While I agree to some extent I also think people can grown their hair way longer then they thought possible with proper care. And I really would love to prove to her that my hair can grow past my shoulders and hopefully down my back. I'm 20 now and in 6 years I would love to have mid-back or lower back length hair. I think it can happen faster than that. But we will see!!!! One think I do not like is looking nappy! I want to find cute styles that are sophisticated enough that I will want to wear them out the house, while still being protective. And I am about tired of the afro puff look. I like it but I have worn it too much. I am a person that craves variety. I cant wear my hair the same way week after week. That's why I always turn to twists or some variation thereof. I also do not feel my hair is thick like others to wear twists just out as a style by itself. 

Soooo moral of this long and confusing story? I want length and thickness (dont we all?). But I want to be confident enough with the thickness of my hair to wear it out. the texture of my hair is not silky and smooth or strong like other naturals I see on youtube. So I will be working extra hard to find those products that help thicken naturally. 

Advice and feedback are wanted, needed, and welcome!!!!

Sorry no pics this time. But there will be plenty coming!!

New look and experiences!!

So this is my current look. fluffy twist and cornrows.
Today I went to lake alvin in Harrison, SD and a guy let me try out his paddle board!! First time on any kind of board. It was awesome!!!

(for those wondering what a paddle board is)
p.s. that is not me

Books and boys

So good news.
So far I have ordered my books for 4 of my 6 classes. Its been wayyy too expensive so far. Waiting on the last two because I'm considering dropping on of them. They are Accounting 1 and Marketing. I think marketing will be fun. I hope I dont have to drop that one. School starting in two weeks! orientation next week. This should be interesting.

Boys...Well the main guy I been talking to over the summer went back overseas. :( and really I dont think its possible to start anything defined with him at this point. Maybe in the future. Once I get my grades together and get into grad school. Distance and other personal issues. But on the bright side, I got asked out on a date. Yay! So that should be fun. The guy seems pretty kool from what i've seen so far. I'll let you guys know how it went. Its strictly for fun though, have too many classes this semester for anything serious....I am not that good at time management and I know it. smh.

Homemade Deep Conditioner (wash day)

Today I took out my zat twist. I 'pre-pooed' with EVOO and a little coconut oil on on the ends. Then, I used Garner Fructis shampoo (because thats what all the ladies in the house use together, not because I personally like it so much for my hair), Yes to Cucumber conditioner-first time use, and my homemade deep conditioner. Forgot to take pics of what it looked like. But it looked like any deep conditioner...the consistency was that of a regular conditioner (not deep conditioner). 

I used the Yes to cucumbers conditioner as my base. Along with an Olive Oil deep penetrating conditioner $1.50 packet.

so overall-mind you these are pretty loose measurements:
1 cup of conditioner
1 Tbs honey
2 Tbs Extra virgin olive oil
1-2 Tsp: vegetable glycerin, Vatika coconut oil, Jamacian Black Castor Oil, Vitamen E oil, Aloe vera gel
3 drops essential oils
a sprinkle of cinnamon (because I just took my braids out and cinnamon helps with thinning and balding)

I will leave this in for two hours with a plastic cap and towel over the cap to retain the heat. Finished results will be posted soon!

When I figure out what I need more or less of I will perfect this recipe. Ultimately I would say I would definitely use more (2 tsp) of the Coconut oil, JBCO, and vegetable glycerin and less (1 tsp) of the Vitamen E oil, and Aloe vera gel.

The sistership1315 @ Lake Okoboji!!!

So last friday me and my sister took a trip to Lake Okoboji, Iowa. It was an end of the summer day trip approx. 1 1/2 hours from sioux falls. The day was kind of overcast and a bit cooler. Though this was not the exact weather we preferred it was quite enjoyable. We looked through the little shops around the lake, ate lunch at The Godfather's pizza, and laid out in the sand. There were boats, jet skiis, and para sailors out for the day. I really would love to para-sail some day! We ate funnel cake and ice-cream, and almost went to the rock and roll museum.....but it was a$1.00 admission and it looks kinda dinky inside. We actually got in the water, though my sister was screaming the whole time, 'Aahhh its cold!' lol. There was an art museum we wanted to go to on our way out, but it started raining around 5 and we decided to head back home. Eating pizza in a place that is known for its seafood resturants may have been not as exciting but it was definitely a money saver. We ordered a large pizza for $15 and had plenty of left overs (which the rest of my family quickly consumed on our arrival home). As we headed back to sioux falls, the rain started to clear. Downtown looked pretty lively, and we considered parking by Falls park and walking there....but then it started to sprinkle again. One thing about black women, perm or no perm, we prefer to stay as dry as possible unless of course we are swimming in the Carribean or Mediterrean perhaps. So, our last stop was to A&W were we started a rootbeer and the rest of our pizza (yea i know thats getto). Thus ended our day. To our dismay the next day was sunny and warm.....a perfect day for the lake....ugghhh. O well! lol
Six days until she leaves for Milligan College!!
and today I gave her a back-to-school hair do: fluffy twist! they are so cute!
Heres a picture

Sorry guys we didnt take any pictures when we were at the lake. It started raining right when we got the camera out!

product build up!!!

So I've been spraying my hair everyday with water (mixed with a drop of EVOO, coconut oil, and jojoba oil) and using the JBCO mix every other day and it seems like my hair is really fuzzy and greasy all of a sudden. Without the water it was ok. A little sticky at times but not the end of the world. Soooo I guess im not going to spray everyday. Since I have twist which are really of a wooly conistency it takes a bit longer to dry and it just looks kinda dead. I guess now im just going to spray when I feel it is getting dry and go from there. Maybe with braids the scalp is dryer more easily maybe bc of the parts. But with twist the scalp is not as exposed and therefore I guess I dont need so much moisture all the time. Ughh anyway. The thing right now is that my hair aged like 3 weeks. :(

I was planning on going to Omaha next weekend with the braids still in but now I think I will take them out. That added with the fail on dipping the ends kinda put a damper on the whole hairdo. :( :( I dont think ill get zat twist again. They look too much like kinky twist and are frankly too boring for me.

So I will rely in the future on my favorite: Spring twist, and my second favorite: Fluffy twist (which I did for my mom recently and they look soooo cute on her). These are unique bc there are not so popular yet (especially in SD!!! lol) and they really fit my personality. Also they do not put alot of stress on my hair because they are so fluffy and light. Until next time!

Proper care for braids

So, I came across a girl who helped me with some basic knowledge about hair care during braids I wasn't aware of. Since I tend to lean toward braids..mostly because they are easier to manage..properly caring for my hair while it is braided is important. I am hoping that following her tips I will have much more successful results after taking out my twist as far as retaining length/preventing breakage. It is kind of self defeating if you put your hair in a protective style and then you dont take care of it and it ends up thinning or breaking. 

One thing I am going to stop doing is microbraids. The girl talked about how the smaller the braid the worse it is for your hair. I dont think my hair suffered too much from the micros however my goal is to stop putting alot of  stress on my hair all together....so micros im going to at least take a break from. I put the link below. She has really thick long hair. 

So today I started with her suggestions. However the water I used was mixed with vegetable glycerin and my hair was really stick between that and the JBCO mix. I actually like the smell of the JBCO in a weird way. Its very earthy. anyway....I bought another spray bottle just for a water and oils  mix. The glycerin spray I have to use more sparingly (or us a smaller glycerin to water ration). It tends to be sticky. 

Ok guys here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Torridiana777#p/u/26/URxkmmO0LwQ

http://www.youtube.com/user/Torridiana777#p/u/25/jb-ddXyydOs

http://www.youtube.com/user/Torridiana777#p/u/24/KTHTRfHZG4A

Handy new site I found for thrifters :)

http://www.thethriftshopper.com/

Jamacian Black Castor oil Mix

JBCO, school update, and workout suggestions

Hair. So I have been using the JBCO mix every other day. I do notice the smell but size I used 2 oz of that and 2 oz of other oils it is not as strong. Today I found and Indian grocer that sells coconut oil twice the size (10.14 oz)  that I bought online at butters-n-bars for $4.50!!! This is wayyy cheaper. I think I spent $8 or $9 for a 5 oz bottle.I was quite happy about that. I had to ask some Indians that were working in the mall because it wasn't in an obvious location. I am considering trying henna when I take my twists out.

School. So I registered for all my classes. I am taking 18 credits!!! so i'ma be super busy this semester. I haven't go books yet. So I emailed all the teachers and will hopefully get responses back soon. I haven't officially closed the deal off with my old school. I am going to have to work over time since Im switching majors so late in the game. But I think computer info systems should be pretty interesting and fun. I have mad respect for those engineering majors that actually finish their degree. Engineering is no joke.  So books being ordered soon. Classes start Aug 29th. I hope to read through some of the book before hand so I can get a head start to ensure As and Bs. Life will definitely be different staying home in Sioux Falls, SD this semester. Prayfully I will do well and be able to transfer. Your prayers are welcome! Hopefully my new hair regiment will be in place by then.


 Also trying to work out every other day. I dont want to get fat!!! haha. Tips on that are welcome!

kenay hits the runaway and inspires Luis Vuitton

So my bestfriend from school was so excited because some of her friends from school have finally made it big. Check out these runway designs. Kenya is on the rise!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2050464433078.2111900.1588516294&type=1

these are some 'behind the scenes' more personal look at her two friends. love it!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2053078538429&set=a.2053075698358.2111995.1588516294&type=1&theater#!/media/set/?set=a.2053075698358.2111995.1588516294&type=1

second thoughts.....and hair challenges

Ok so I have been hearing bad reviews about jamacian black castor oil.....alot of shedding. so I am a bit scared now. However I have heard that blending it with other oils helps alot. So my plan is to use (in my 4 oz applicator bottle) half JBCO and the other half jojoba oil, olive oil and vatika coconut oil. My main theory is just to blend this oil into my products instead of using it alone and see how this works. In the future I may use a more concentrated version out. I am going to add the JBCO to my deep conditioner which will be homemade (another blog on that), with the castor oil mix, and in my shea butter mix (also soon to make). I am not sure whether or not I should use it in my green house effect/pre-pooing. I am hesitant about this mainly because one of the ladies from real queens started off using it and experienced alot of shedding and ultimately does not support it. She now used EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and uses the ghe (green house effect) daily. She has had a crazy amount of growth. Soooo I am just not sure. Others have used JBCO with great results. I think I will try the jbco about 3 times a week. just see how it goes. If I experience any unusual shedding i will switch to evoo. jbco acts as a toxin so the theory is that the shedding is necessary....If anything I need thickness not thinning. But we will see. I am going to start using the castor oil mix as soon as I get the jbco in the mail. I will start with the deep co and shea butter when the twists are out. I am only leaving them in for a month...so about the first weekend in august. I am so eager to get my hair growing and interested in trying these new methods on my hair journey and seeing which work best on my hair.  I will document these challenges and report any progess. ttyl!!!!

castor oil challenge and product update

Ok guys so I am doing a castor oil challenge. I will use jamacian black castor oil (mixed with jojoba oil, olive oil, and essential oils) for 3 mons and document the results. Right now I have braids in, but I am going to go head and start with the twist in. I bought an applicator bottle so I can just get it on the roots. I havent hear of anyone using it with twist in, so I dont know if this is going to affect it or not. But I bought my jojoba oil today from the health food store. 

I also got my 1lbs of shea butter and vatik coconut oil from butters-n-bars.com yesterday. So I will be making my shea butter mix and homemade deep conditioner later when I take my braids out. I have also recently purchased aloe vera  and vitamen E oil from walmart. So more updates on that to come. Im excited! I really really want to focus on length with my hair. I am so impatient!!! Its been 2 years and ive had a few setbacks and my hair should be longer than it really is :( so I am going full force now hoping for longer healthier happier hair. 

hair mood: ready to grow!!!

My heart hurts-reflection

 He hurt me

But I hurt him

I feel stabbed

crushed

I want to scream

I love him so much

I feel everything I thought was real being ripped from my fingers

Reality sets in

The reason I dont trust

The reason I dont love

hits me in the face when I finally take a chance

I cant breathe

everything is spinning

my heart hurts.

Like this if you have been here before.

I scribbled this randomly during one of my break ups. I look back and see all the emotion and strain I went through (and Im sure many of you have been here before). If your single dudes always say "Why are you single?" As if your doing something the wrong way. But why does no one every say "Why are you dating?" The truth to that answer is often not a pleasant one. Insecurity, dependency, approval-all these things lead us to want a relationship. For christians, all these things can be solved or found in God. Did we forget that? When I see this poem, and I think of how God has never made me feel this way. I smile, and am happy I am single.

zat twist :)

needless to say these look pretty much like kinky twist. but they are much lighter weight. I only used one pack. dont know what to do with the ends yet. 

ps. devotional soon

box braids 9 hrs!!! smh i am too slow

Hair Finally came in!

Vegetable glycerin spray results

So I used a little of the spray on my hair last night. I feel that I may have used too much glycerin....My hair seemed a bit sticky in the morning. Then again my hair is not freshly washed so I don't  know if that had something to do with it. However, I used it it on this little girl's hair that is Ethiopian and has curly hair very similar to a mixed child's hair and it worked wonderfully. I used it to comb through the tangles with little effort I also added some cantu shea butter and the end result of her hair was great! I think I need to figure out what ratio of water to glycerin to use on my hair texture. More later.... 

boy talk #3

soooo......im crushing pretty hard on a certain someone. Not so much in the traditional sense. Yes I am attracted to him (and him to me for those who think im just dreaming lol). But there is alot I can do to help him. Not in the sense that he is lazy or small-minded. But just perhaps lack of resources or knowledge that is more available to me. But there are many qualities that I am pleased about in him. Of course there are some I am not so pleased with, which is why I am trying to hesitate and fully consider the big picture. There is alot to think about in this sort of unusual situation. The most important thing I am trying to decide is if there is enough potential in the future for me to continue on this interest. Because if its not I would much rather stop now. It would be a hard road if I do choose to continue on it. And not exactly as romantic and fun as other relationships would be. Getting older its like i have to look at each relationship a whole lot more seriously. I cant play games or not think about tomorrow n just enjoy it for the fun of it. Dont want to waste time with people who I know I could never have a future with. And I am hard headed but I think I am finally learning the hard way. And I am much more hesitant now with serious relationships. Yea i think my personality likes variety and I always may have a little crush here or there. to keep things interesting. But I am not one to get deeply attached to everyone, not to the point I cant move on. Close friends or people who have been a big part of my life I do get deeply attached to. Side note-thats why it realllly sucks that i'm leaving Meredith college now and transferring. I have made some good friends....I thought these would be the people I graduate with and some would be in my wedding. But I dont know now. hopefully some of those friendships can continue on......but back to the topic....i kinda hope this isnt just a surface, temporary thing. If its what God wants then I hope it will really be something special one day. And if not, I pray He will have grace and show me His better plan :)

Life talk #1

Right now I am sooo unmotivated for some reason. Today I am applying for tutoring jobs in the public school system as well as at Avera. I am working on my hair presentation that I am presenting July 14th!!! I am nervous. This is for the local christian adoption agency for those adopting children of African descent. Also doing more research in my new major in computer information systems (previously industrial engineering)!! There are many routes you can go with this major and I am exploring the possibilities. More updates on the job search! Your prayers are more than welcome (and needed!)

Another homemade flaxseed gel success!

This time I used a different lady's recipe.
Ultimately I used:
1/4 cup of brown flaxseeds (I got a half pound from the health food store for about $0.75!!!!!)
1 cup of water
1/8 cup of pure aloe vera
3 drops of essential oils

This time I cooked the seeds a bit longer and the consistency was much thicker. 
When I first tried to strain the seeds in the stocking only a little bit came out. I also think I let it cool too much. My solution was to put the seeds back in the pot and add some water to heat it up again. I did not let it boil just get it back to  a thinner consistency. That worked pretty well! so Here are a few pictures of the process. Again youtube has clear videos. naturalchica has my favorite. 

first Vegetable glycerin spritz!

1/2 cup of water and 1/8 cup (or 5/8 cup)
3/8 cups of vegetable glycerin
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 drops of essential oils (Wyndnere-insect repellent contains: lavendar, peppermint, citronella, lemongrass,thyme, an cedarwood)

I use this 'insect repellent' labeled essential oil because it has several of the essential oils I like. Also the citronella keeps bugs away lol. I only use this particular insect repellent kind in the summer. In the winter there is really no need. 

I watched a youtube video that explained 3 tbs of glycerin to 5 tbs of water. I doubled this recipe because I have a bigger water bottle. You simply add the ingredients together in the bottle and that's it. I am excited to use it. I got the vegetable glycerin from a health food store. I am going to see how this consistency works and consider adding a bit more glycerin later.

hair day!!!!!

Today I am excited!!! So i finally got paid and  I bought my vegetable glycerin an flaxseeds. I am making my spray and gel. Also i ordered shea butter from this site called butter n bars. I also ordered some vatik coconut oil. I am in the process of ordering jamacian black castor oil. Pictures to come!
ps. my zat twist hair is a day away.!!
hair mood: happy

Hair update #3 grecian updo

Hey guys!

So right now I am wearing this cute little style I found on youtube. Its called a Grecian Updo. I did my normal conditioner with garner fructis and then a deep conditioner that is homemade (ingredients below). This deep conditioner I have kind of created and borrowed....I have only used it about 3 or 4 times. So far no complaints but I am looking for something that makes my hair a bit softer. I used my jane carter nourish and shine and the rest of my flax seed gel. I choose to moderately blowdry my hair so that the puff was really a puff lol. I took these pictures after the second day and realized that this is really a one day hairstyle for me. The next day it was looking dry and a bit frizzy.
hair mode: hopeful....looking for a better moisturizer


inspired by this video! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDCbU7ySPb8&feature=player_embedded#at=641

Deep conditioner:
3 tbs honey
4 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp cinnamon
coconut milk (still dont have an exact amount)
1 egg
shea butter (moderate amount)

4th of July

Today we went to my sister christines bff's house for fireworks...since fireworks are illegal for residents in maryland this was pretty fun. Actually it was AWESOME lol. We put like a mound of little crackers together and lite them all at the same time. Definitely something I want to do every year from now on. S'mores followed (yum!) this was definitely a more exciting night :)

Boy talk #2

Saw that guy today at the mall....have a slight feeling he has a girlfriend/wife and or kids....but no definite. He was with this ratchet friend who was eyeing me n that pettafile way lol smh.....talked for a bit. Hopefully i'll see him at the 4th of july celebration. He is the most decent (as in manners) and attractive black guy i have met so far that actually gives a black girl the time of day....soooo we will see. No other boy updates. Talked with the one guy interest that lives over seas on skype......that boy is Fine smh....lol.
boy mood: 30% hopeful  70% fed up and uninterested

Boy talk #1

So I hope to have this topic where i can periodically vent or ponder my romantic life....or lack of it. Its always fun to talk about boys. Ill probably look back at this someday and laugh at myself for my worries and anticipations over potential interests. Currently I am single. It kinda overwhelmingly clear that I need to stay single for awhile and get my grades and career in order. However, in the mean time I have a few interests to keep me occupied and laughing. Ill have to leave names out since that would spoil some of this lol. So i guess right now I have two main interests. The problem is they r both very far away :( Why does that always happen to me? I am in no way a long distance kind of girl, but all the really great guys I meet seem to live in the next country! is this just a illusion I have that good guys only exist somewhere else? As in are there good guys right around here I dont notice? mmm well idk. Think on that more later. For the first time in a long time I am taking the super cautious route with both interests. Instead of rushing or anticipating I really want to get to know them as people first. If they are real future relationships waiting shouldn't change that. So its kinda like a 'friend with interest zone' if that makes sense? yea...anyway. More on that later......if you are looking for a guy to marry come to South Dakota...they will hook you right up. If you are looking for a guy to date. Don't come here! everyone is already dating/engaged. These seem to be their main interest.....and the caliber of guys is just not up to par if you ask me :( . You see beautiful girls with these plain unattractive guys all the time. There is not much to go around I guess....At the moment I am kinda looking for a guy to hang out with while i'm here. I have like a total of one female friend....which is kool. But lol when the semester starts and i'm stuck out here I hope to have some fun. Sooo im on the look out. Most of the black guys I have met are like at least 6-15 years older than me on average....sooo its kinda unfortunate. Idk where are the young 20s black guys are...might have to improvise....if I have any  luck i'll let you know. Its kinda depressing to see many black woman here in their 30s and still not married or dating....scary even. Thats like a flashing light for me saying 'gt out before your eggs dry up!' lol on that note I think im done. More coming up later!!!! haha

Hair Update #2

you can buy flax seed get if you cant make it

Jane Carter nourish and shine

homemade flaxseed gel

sheamoisture leave-in conditioner

new hairband 

So I did a braid out the other day. I co-wash my hair and used my sheamoisture leave-in conditioner. Then put in 8 or 9 cornrows straight back. I used my Jane Carter nourish and shine shea butter and homemade flax seed gel. I left it in all yesterday and took it out this morning. It is pretty cute. This is my 'waiting' hair style while i'm waiting for my zat twist which i am ordering TODAY! lol. Im excited. pictures to come :)

Also Did a little girls hair yesterday from Ethiopia. She is adopted by white parents into a family of 12! her two brothers were adopted with her. Several other of her siblings are adopted from various places such as Guatemala and China. As unique and awesome as this family is, I do not want this young girl to forget her roots and culture. She has gorgeous long hair but it was extremely matted at the ends and very hard. She is wearing ponytails with the poof out in the summer like a white girl and that is causing damage to the ends. I hope to help her as well as other adoptive families in my upcoming hair workshop to understand and appreciate black hair. I find white mothers are often scared of it as it can be intimidating, this often leads to a perm which will more likely than not damage their hair. In an urban environment where there are many professionals trained in handling black hair a girls hair may grow very long and beautiful with a perm, but out here there is very little available for black hair. The up keep necessary for a perm is much more challenging. Until next time!

Hair mood: refreshed :)