NATURAL HAIR EXPO..My BIRTHDAY...& A GALA!!

Happy November Everybody! It's my favorite month of the year because so many exciting things are happening around this time  for me. I always looking forward to the Fall season. The  pleasant weather and my birthday are always highlights for me! Also, Nappiology DFW has their Annual Expo around this time so I am in fall heaven. The highlight of the expo is actually hanging out with people I love as we celebrate our natural hair, and the events are always a bonus!  Kim Coles was actually in attendance this year and had her on workshop. It was Hilarious..She is so down to earth and funny we loved her Class.  She shared her natural hair journey, her journey as a Hollywood actress, as well as some valuable life lessons on forgiveness and humility. It was really good!   

Kim Coles In living Color!

  

As for the vendor booths, The person who I most wanted to be there(Jane Carter) was not in attendace, you can usually get her products for $5 & $10. So, I didn't buy many products. I purchased a professional "natural" line called Isabella's Own because of the size of the jars. We'll see how it pans out. It's not All natural so I'm a little turned off by that.   Overall I loved it, I met a lot of  new people, and I also ran into a lot of people that I knew it was refreshing.

Chanel and I met once during the  first Yr of our Journey!

Also, I had the pleasure of attending My sister n Law's Annual Gala. Many generous people come out to support her Campaign against Hunger in Texas, it's quite amazing. She pulls out all the stops and our entire family is so proud of everything she does for our community, and we are delighted to claim her! 

Hubby,Darrin,Tracey, &  CJ (sis)

And Happy 38th Birthday to me! It is always a blessing to get another year  under my belt. It's just a reminder of how good God has been to me!  Gifts are ALWAYS nice, but I am just grateful that  I am constantly surrounded by His Love, I thank Him for salvation and the people who love me! ...AND

 My Mom is in town!  She spent the entire day with me for my birthday!(I don't know why I didn't take any photos with her today! So, I  had to put one together!)  I am happy!    Until Next time....  

Keep your life Healthy and Happy!! 

  

Trader Joe's Comes to North Dallas!

I'm Officially In love with Trader Joe's!! 

Conditioners, Shampoos, Jojoba oil 

 Yaaaay! Sept 7th Trader Joe's made it's arrival in North Dallas! Let me tell you, I have been hearing about Trader Joe's since I began my natural hair journey 4 years ago.   I use to watch youtube videos with all these women raving over Trader Joe's conditioner.  I was dying to try this "new" brand of conditioner only to find out that it was not just a brand of conditioner but an entire organic food store!  And there was not ONE  anywhere in the Dallas/Ft Worth area..  But, thankfully I had a friend whose mother cared enough to send her care packages from Atlanta, GA, she gave me three bottles and oh my gosh I was hooked!   But the only problem was, once they were gone, that was it!   So when I got the news that we were getting a Trader Joe's, not just one but three, I was like WOW I could not wait...So needless to say I was there on opening Day!

My 3rd Trip! : )

Trader Joe's hasn't been here a week and I've already been 3 Times. I know it's kind of crazy but I can;t help it! They are so inexpensive I couldn't believe the prices for their produce and all of their organic food.  We are not use to getting this kind of  food for such great prices. I've been turning all of my family and friends on to Trader Joe's and they love it too!  My hair, my stomach, and my pocket book is very pleased. 

This is the beginning of a BEAUTIFUL relationship!

Long live Organic Eating and Healthy Hair Care!! 

  

Natural Hair Care Products: Are there too many to choose from?

Three tips on  how you can avoid becoming a Product Junkie

I've noticed with the rapid increase in our women returning to their natural roots. The selection of Natural hair care products available are also increasing at an overwhelming rate.  When I began my natural hair journey,  I only knew of a few natural hair care products on the market.  Carol's Daughter,  Black Earth Products by Taalijah Waajid , and Raw African Shea Butter! But these days choosing a natural hair product may not be that simple.  They all seem to promise everything that we want. Moisture, curl definition, stretch, slip, softness, and shine!   

So, how do we decide what to buy without breaking the bank and earning the infamous title of Product Junkie?   Below are some things I've tried to keep me in check when deciding to purchase Natural Hair Care products.  

1. Assess what your primary hair care needs are, and start purchasing your products accordingly:  try not to move on to anything extra until you satisfy what's most important.  For example,  If you are having issues with keeping your hair moisturized and you've yet to find a product to give your hair what it needs in this area; then keep your focus on finding the product or ingredients that will give you exactly what you need.  Try to resist purchasing 3 or 4 curl definers or detangling leave in conditioners if you've already found one that works well for your hair. (Exception: UNLESS,  you find room for improvement in one of the areas below. 


2. Decide how you want to receive your products:  There are a ton of wonderful products out there that work. Some are local and most of them are available for online purchase only depending on where you live.    For some of us, purchasing online to get  what we want is not a problem, and for others we want to walk into a local retain shop and grab what we want when we want.  If you know you are not one of those who will continue to order products on line, pay  expensive shipping charges, and wait 7 business days to get it, why get sucked in? Seriously! This is a hard lesson,  I had to learn it, so I could  share it with you.  Be real with your self.  If purchasing your hair products online for the rest of your life doesn't bother you then, do so.. But if you are a local person, look for what you need on the ground. This can save you a lot of  money.    

3. Decide how much you want to  spend on your products long term.  Lets be real, there are some natural products out here that are insanely expensive. I'm talking 48.00 for an 8 oz jar of conditioner! Now for me I know I have too much hair to spend that much on a jar of conditioner. I typically go through an 8 oz jar in two sessions!  I know we can  get curious about how some things will work on our hair, but if you know this is not an expense that you will want to continue why start? Try purchasing your products in a price range that make sense to you, and that you are willing to keep up.


These are my 3 tips for purchasing natural hair care products the smart way, what's yours?  

What's your 2012 Healthy Hair Goals?

Protective Style

Happy New Year Everybody! I pray that everyone had a wonderful holiday with their friends and family. I love the Holidays it such a fun time. I enjoyed playing in my hair, to which I was a little forced because I had so many Christmas parties to go to! My hair was down and out a lot more than I cared for, but it was fun. I did enjoy it!

Pinned Twist outs and Braid outs

I didn't do anything elaborate as I am very simple when it comes to styling my hair I don't like too much manipulation so twist outs and braid outs are my signature moves when it comes to creating a base for styles. I  just set the texture and pin here and there.  As I said it was a  blast, but now it's time to get back down to business!   I've had time to reflect on my hair care regimen  from 2011 and I know what I need to do and will do for most of 2012.. 

Protective Style Mini Twist

In 2012 I am keeping it simple with a protective style mini twist regimen.  I've found that I really love mini twists. They are very versatile and my hair stays very soft and moisturized when I have them in. Last year I had more trims than I cared for, and I know the mistakes I made.  My detangling was an issue, I was experiencing minor breakage, so I've switched to 97% finger detangling. I'm slowly getting to 100%  I 've also  increased how often I moisturize and seal my ends and my ends have felt a lot healthier and I have not needed a trim since I've changed the way I detangle(I will have another post coming up on that!)   So yes, I've thought about it, and my hair care is going to be very simple this year, because I want to retain every inch that I grow, I was successful in retaininig all 6 inches my first year because I wore protective styles 97% of the time. Also my ends were healthier, and healthy hair is always my first priority!

My Low manipulation Regimen for 2012

• Cassia & Amla treatment 1x a month
• Wash and Deep Condition every 3 weeks(add leave-ins and moisturizers)
• Put in Mini twist wear in for 3 to 4 weeks(Keep hair moisturized and oiled)
• Scalp cleanses only, while in twist.(moisturize and keep oiled)

             *washing my twists cause them to tangle..badly, and that is counter productive, so scalp cleanses are enough for me during this 3 week period. 

And That's it! This is basically all I will be doing. I have learned when you fine something that works for your hair, you stick with it and this is what brings results! I use to think I needed to deep condition my hair every single week. But I've since learned that the additional manipulation to detangle wreaks more havoc on my hair than not deep conditioning every week. (but trust me it's being conditioned!)  I do plan to have fun with my hair while wearing my mini twist I've gotten pretty good with my Rod sets and pin up styles!  I am looking forward to  a year filled with simple Healthy Hair Care!  What about you?  What did you learn from your hair care regime last  year? Do you plan to continue doing what you were doing, or will you switch it up to match your long term healthy hair care

goals? 

Rodded & Pinned Mini Twists(2.5 wks old)

Until Next Time! : )