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How I Wear a Twist-Out Hairstyle for Six Days

December 9, 2012 By 11 Comments

For two weeks, I have been wearing my hair in a twist out style and this is the first time I have been able to make the style last for at least six days. My hair routine does not take me anywhere near as long as it used to. Most mornings, about ten minutes tops. Creating the twists the first day take about 35 minutes and I wear them all day, letting them dry. This makes the twist out look a lot better the first day.

Days 2 - 4, I re-twist my hair every night and sleep with a silk cap on my hair. Day 5-6, I did not re-twist my hair. Instead, I decided to pull my hair back and throw on a headband.

My hair texture is fine, so using a lot of products weighs it down and attracts dirt. For the past two years, I have been making my own hair moisturizer using a few simple items:

  • Leave-in conditioner (does not matter what kind, but something with as few products in it as possible. This is your base)
  • Coconut oil
  • Olive oil
  • Caster Oil
  • Aloe Vera Juice
  • Grapeseed Oil
  • Sweet Almond Oil
  • Avocado Oil
  • Vitamin E
  • Flaxseed Oil
  • Lavender Oil
  • Orange Oil
  • Patchouli Oil

I mix up a small batch of this and store it in the fridge. With the Aloe Vera juice in the mixture, keeping the mixture in a cool place prevents it from spoiling. Since I have been wearing the twist-out, I wash my hair once a week (usually on Saturday) with a cleansing conditioner. I no longer use shampoo because it strips my hair completely of moisture. I have used Wen and I was not overly impressed with it. The product works well, but it is overpriced. Instead, I have found a cleansing conditioner called Hair One . It works just as well as Wen and cost a lot less.

If you take the time to re-twist your hair before bed, your twist-out can last for at least a week. I am on my third week of wearing my hair like this before I move into wearing protective styles for the winter months. I would love to know what others are doing to promote healthy hair and what types of products you are using. Please do share in the comments and I will do my best to answer any questions you have.

 

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How to Start and Stick to a Fitness Program

October 29, 2012 By 1 Comment

Today, I along with two other women started the BodyRock.tv workouts. So far, two of us have completed the workout and we both said a few colorful words after we were done. I am not going to lie, the workout was intense, hard and worth it. Who would think you could get a good workout in twelve minutes?

I have started and stopped fitness programs many times, but I wanted this one to be success so I decided to ask a friend, Sili if she would join me one day and be an accountability partner. A few months later, she contacted me and said she had another friend, Natalie, that would love to get in on this. We started a private Facebook group Friday and decided we were going to start Monday. There was no point in talking about it. It was time to take action and we did just that today.

The easiest way to stick with a fitness program is to find one that challenges you and will keep your interest. As I said before, having an accountability partner helps to keep you motivated. Now, exercise is part of a good fitness program, but it is not everything. The ladies and I are also altering our diets by paying attention to what we are eating so that we can maximize the benefits to our program. I found a post this weekend that offered a very easy diet plan I am going to follow.

I am so glad I decided to move my health and fitness up on my list of priorities. When it comes down to it, I am no good to myself, my children or those who depend on me when I am not at my best physically. It is long overdue that this became a lifestyle change for me. Our group is open to anyone who wants to join us in this fitness journey, so let me know if you would like to join along. We are not playing around and are taking this serious. If you are ready to make a change for the positive, join in! We would love to have you.

 

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How I Learned to Embrace My Naturally Curly Hair

September 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

For years, I have had a love-hate-love-love-hate-love relationship with my hair. Currently, my hair and I are in a love phase. For the past three or so months, I have been sporting a full blown curly afro. Five or so years ago, I would have never worn this style. But, I have found since I have embraced every aspect of my natural hair texture and I wear it proudly, I receive more attention for simply being me.

I used put so much product in my hair trying to tame the curls, make them wavy instead of the corkscrew curls that they are and dye it every color under the sun from honey blond to reddish-brown. I got sick of all the work I had to put into achieving hair I did not even like. Earlier this year, I cut a vast majority of my hair off. I cut off all the damage, the horribly bad hair color and started fresh.

I started wearing two-strand twists, twist outs, braids, afros and all kinds of protective styles. Then, I noticed some of the young ladies in my church wearing their natural hair. One came up to me and said I had inspired her to embrace her hair. It was not my intention to do so, but I realized I had the privilege to be a example for her and others who were in a battle with their hair.

Women are so defined by their hair. Especially African-American women. After having been told for years that our kinky and curly hair is ugly, it is no wonder our children have not had positive examples of loving their hair. I wore perms for years and stopped perming over 12 years ago. My girls have watched me fight my hair and finally love it. In fact, we have this on-going joke to see how big I can get my fro each morning. Some days, it is insanely huge and I love it. Finally, I love it.

I am not defined by my hair, but it has become a signature part of my style, and I love that. Now, I can focus on what is really important, like growing inside and being the best person I can, rather than putting so much attention into something external that will eventually fade one day.

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How I picked Rizzo, Meet Cute and Petit Allegro with Rivet & Sway

August 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Look what came in the mail yesterday, @jennyonthespot @rivetandsway

I have worn glasses for a long time. I had lasik at one point and it lasted all of three years before I started to notice my vision changing again. So, a few years ago, I went and picked up a new pair of spectacles. Earlier this year, I knew I was due for a check up, but I had been putting it off until recently. You see, I have three children in glasses and contacts now. To say this is a strain on our family financially is an understatement. Being the momma, my need for new glasses was going to have to wait.

Then I saw a giveaway Jenny was running on her blog about this online eyewear company called Rivet & Sway. I was fascinated. I have never ordered anything as important as glasses online, but I did trust the experience from what Jenny described. Also, I started communicating with Rivet & Sway on Facebook and Twitter and I was sold with how professional and engaged they were. A few weeks later, I found out I had won the giveaway for a pair of glasses. This is by far one of the biggest blessings I have received this year.

My experience with Rivet & Sway has been awesome. I selected my three pair of glasses to try on at home they came in the best packaging ever! The designer in me could not get over the clever , simple design. I loved everything about the boxes the spectacles were packaged in down to the enclosures explaining the process.

I was having a time choosing between two pair: Rizzo and Meet Cute. So, I mentioned this on FB or Twitter and I was told to contact their stylist, Ritzy and she would offer some suggestions. Less than 24 hours later, I received a response and knew the glasses I was going to select. Rizzo, baby! These glasses look amazing in person and I just received an email from the CEO, John telling me my glasses are on the way. To say I am thrilled is an understatement.

Seriously, people, I have never been more excited about a purchase. Every single step of the way, the customer service was top notch. I am not being compensated and have not been asked to write this post by any of the Rivet & Sway team. I just felt compelled to share one of the best customer experiences I have had in a really long time. When you treat people right and make them feel taken care of, your customers will sing your praises. And, as a person who would not have trusted something as important as my vision to an online company, I can say they convinced me they know how to do this right. If you are planning to purchase new glasses and you want something different and insanely stylish, give Rivet & Sway a try. You will be glad you did!

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