Happy Holidays

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello everyone...I just want to take this time to wish you all a "Happy Thanksgiving!!!" Remember to give thanks in all things, every situation, good times and bad...we always have something to be thankful for. God bless you all in this holiday season!

A New Love...

I have found a wonderful new conditioner that really works well for moisturizing my hair. From the first time I tried it (maybe a month ago) I fell in love...Hawaiian Silky Miracle Worker 14 in 1!!!

This product claims to: Moisturize, Strengthen, Defines Curls, Softens Hair, Adds Shine, Enhances Growth, For Healthy Braids, Heals Scalp, Relieves Chemical Burns, Non-Greasy, No Drip, Prevents Itching & Dandruff, Increases Body, Thermal Protection.

Hawaiian Silky Miracle Worker 14 in 1: is the very best product for protecting and maintaining your hairstyle. This versatile product can be used as a curl activator and moisturzer on natural curls and perm waved hair and a leave-in conditioner for relaxed, natural, and braided hair. This non-greasy, non-staining formula helps soften and detangle hair while soothing the scalp and healing abrasions leaving a vibrant sheen.

I say: This product is great. I love the way it makes my hair soft and moisturizes well. I use it every night on my ends before sealing with the oil of my choice (i.e. JBCO, Hot Six, or HN Growth Oil). I just completed a 31 week stretch about 8 weeks ago and started using this product on my ends after getting a trim. My ends are very healthy and this product helps keep them that way without being too much. All it takes is a very little, but it works wonders on the ends moisturizing (my opinion). To see a great way to use this product for styling check out: http://glorycrown.blogspot.com/ for the video "Styling with Hawaiian Silky."

Have a blessed day!!!

Update

Hello friends, I know it's been a while and I apologize. I have been so busy with grad school and I know if you've been there you will totally understand.

To update a little: I ended my stretch at 32 weeks and it was very successful. I really think I could've went longer, but decided to go ahead and relax since I had some free time to do so. All during my stretch I had no trouble with handling my new growth or anything. I decided to up my air drying instead of using the blow dryer weekly. So, I ended up blow drying maybe twice a month instead of weekly as normal. I air dried using the scarf method (thanks Sunshyne) or by putting my hair in a braid or bun to dry. I decided not to flat iron unless I had church or somewhere else to go that I wanted my hair straight.

Overall, in order to maintain my new growth I made sure to deep condition weekly for at least 45 minutes or longer with a cap on. I made sure that I moisturized and sealed either every day or every other day to make sure my ends were taken care of. Right now my main focus is making sure that my ends are healthy and that I maintain any growth that I have. My hair did grow and once again was at MBL, but I trimmed since it had been 6 months w/out one. So, I am about a 1/2 inch from where I was, but I'm cool with that because I have decided to focus on health before growth. I believe they go hand in hand and I will see the amount of growth I want as well. I am also using Jamaican Black Castor Oil to aid in thickness and growth as well. I think I will try to stretch again for at least 4 months if not 6 months~my main goal is to cut down the amount of relaxers I get each year.

That's all for now...take care my friends and have a blessed evening!

What's Up?

Hello friends, I decided to sort of give an update of what's going on since I haven't posted anything lately about my journey: Btw, I reached my goal of MBL but had to trim so this time I think I won't trim unless absolutely necessary.

1. It's been 20 weeks since my last relaxer and I am trying something new by stretching until I start graduate school in August. I wanna see how far I can go without any problems to determine how I can cut down on the number of relaxers I get per year or possibly go natural without the BC. It's looking good so far and I am actually able to manage the new growth without any problems~no breakage or anything so that's a plus. I will continue with my staple regimen as well and keep you posted. Please feel free to share any stretching tips you may have.

2. Lately I've been getting back into the makeup scene by watching lots of videos and purchasing some different products to try out. One of the products on my must have list is the new 88 warm palette (coastal scents)~I love the colors and I really want to try this out. Now I just need to step out the box and actually try the things I have purchased. I don't know why it's so hard because I used to get up everyday and faithfully put my makeup on. Have you got some makeup tips? Please share I would love to know "-"

3. I graduated on May 9th with my BS in Sociology and have been sort of relaxing for the summer and looking for a job. So far I haven't found anything, but am searching none the less. I am confident that there is something out there for me in my field so I am keeping a positive attitude about this.

That's all for now...please take care and be blessed!

For All The Ladies~Single and Married

Just a little "Food for Thought" that a good friend shared with me...it applies to all women whether you're married or single.

Subject: Saved & Single (Author Unknown)

What makes you think that just because I am an
Attractive woman of Godly intelligence
That I'm incomplete without a mate?
Who told you that without a man
Something's missing
From my life? And if so, What would that be?

LOVE

I love myself
And more importantly
I love the Lord
He told me that when I delight in Him,
He will give me the desires of my heart

SECURITY

I have everything I need according to His riches in glory.

INTIMACY

Now, how's a man going to get to know me
When he doesn't even know who he is in the Lord
See my Father told me I'm above a ruby's worth
And a gem does not seek; it is sought.

I'm single and that's all right with me
See, it's not that I oppose relationships
It's that I detest co-dependency
As a woman, I know it is not my role
To chase after any man
Esther 2:14 says that I am to wait on my king and when

He's delighted in me; He will call me by my name.

My Lord does not intend for me to be needy or desperate.
I am to be Cherished, Relished, Valued, and Honored,
It's not my job to convince him
Or Convict him of that,
My mate will already know it
And consistently show it
And he will stay on his knees daily
Not just to adore me
But to praise the Lord for
The virtuous woman he has found
So, when you see me by myself,
I'm not alone
I know what I have coming to me.

I'm single and saved, and right now that's all I need to be!

Makeup Brushes

Hi ladies...I know that there are many brushes used for makeup; some more popular than others. I was considering placing an order from www.eyeslipsface.com since the brushes start at $1 then you pay shipping. Well, I was on the makeup aisle in my local Dollar Store and saw that they are now carrying some of the Elf brushes for $1. At the time they had 5 of them and I figured this is a cheaper alternative to trying out brushes since I wouldn't have to pay the shipping or wait for an order. At least if I don't like them I didn't pay a whole lot for them. Anyway, I am not sure if they are going to carry more than just the 5 brushes I saw, but it's worth a try. I just wanted to share and see if any of you ladies have seen the Elf brushes in your local Dollar Store or your opinion of these brushes if you have used them. Blessings til next time...

Did You Know?

Hey ladies, I was walking through Wal-Mart hair section of course and I noticed that they are now carrying Chi silk infusion. I have never used this product so I am not sure if it's the entire line or not, but there seemed to be quite a few choices. Anyway, for all of you who do use this product it is now available at Wally World. As for the price (around $23.00 I think), I would say it's close to what the price was when I saw these products at Trade Secrets. Maybe some of you who purchase and use Chi silk infusion can let me know if the price is right if you see it at your local Wal-Mart. Have a blessed day until next time...

Information on Essential Oils

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share some great books that were given to me by a family member who uses aromatherapy oils for health and personal enjoyment. (The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood and Aromatherapy for Everyone by P.J. Pierson and Mary Shipley). Here are two great books recommended as a place to start your journey. Each oil listed is followed by information on therapeutic and essential oil applications. Check them out and let me know what you think. Both books are available on Amazon. Enjoy til next time...

Hair Update

Hey friends...yesterday ended an 18 week stretch for me. I really think I could've stretched longer, but decided to go ahead and relax. I had a lot of new growth which was manageable until about a week ago, but this is probably my fault because I was so busy I really didn't feel like spraying my new growth with Hydratherma Naturals follicle invigorator (makes the new growth lay down and so soft). I had planned to relax at 12 weeks, but with classes and life in general I just kept doing my weekly washes and deep conditioning. Time got a way from me and before I knew it...18 weeks was here. I have been considering trying to go natural, but I don't know yet~this stretch kind of gave me an idea what I would be dealing with. It wasn't so bad, so we'll see.

In the department of new products: I tried Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum and I really like it. It has a wonderful scent and the shine is just beautiful. Now do I like this better than the Hask Pure Shine Serum? I can't really say that I like one any better than the other, but I do like the smell of both of them better than Biosilk. Now, I gotta try Chi and see how it compares. I also got a new flat iron and I love it....Corioliss SXE Hair Straighten Iron. My hair is silky and shiny after using this iron. I will try to add some pics soon...until next time~Many blessings in your hair journey!!!

The President of the United States of America

"At Last President Barak Obama and Mrs. Obama"

Today history was made and I am happy to be a part of it. I am so overwhelmed that words really cannot do my feelings justice. The message for me and my household is clear; we can do anything and everything~no limits to what we can achieve.

Let us keep the first family and his cabinet in our prayers. God bless!!!

My Little BSS

LaQT, (and anyone else) this is especially for you, I guess you sort of tagged me lol...I finally got my list together of all of the products that I have at this time. Now, I do not use all of these and have already given away quite a few items. I am so embarrassed because most of this was purchased in the height of my pjism~way before I even ran across any hair boards. Here we go...

Oils/Gels:
--Evoo
--Castor oil
--Extra Virgin Coconut oil
--Glycerin
--Vitamin E oil
--Dabur Alma oil (after my 2nd use I love this)
--Hot Six oil

Heat Protectants/Gels:
--Hask Pure Shine Serum (love)
--Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum (love)
--Let's Jam Heat Styles Straightening Cream
--Aloe Vera Gel
--Smooth 'N Shine Polishing Conditioning Gel (don't use)
--Motions Shine Enhancing Pomade (don't use)
--Double Protein Dark Styling Gel (don't use)

Hydratherma Naturals Moisture Boosting Collection: (Staples)
--Amino Clarifying Shampoo
--Moisture Boosting Shampoo
--Moisture Boosting DC Treatment
--Amino Plus Protein DC Treatment
--Follicle Invigorator
--Moisture/Protein Balance Leave-in Conditioner
--Daily Moisturizing Growth Lotion
--Hair Growth Oil

Moisturizers/Conditioners/Other Products:
--BB Castor & Aloe Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion
--BB Foam Moisturizing Wrapping Lotion
--Elasta QP Mango Butter Moisturizer
--Luster's Pink Glosser
--Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion
--V05 Moisture Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie Shampoo (horrible)
--V05 Moisture Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie Conditioner (good for prepoo)
--Tresemme' Vitamin E Moisture Rich Conditioner (good for prepoo)
--Pantene Clarifying Shampoo
--Dark 'N Lovely Protein Intensive Conditioner
--Motions Neutralizing Shampoo
--Right On Curl Activator Moisturizer
--Palmer's Hair Success Mink Oil Sheen w/Vitamin E
--Beautiful Collections Darkest Brown Semi-Permanent Color
--Pantene Relaxed & Natural Oil Moisturizer
--Pantene Relaxed & Natural Conditioner
--Pantene Relaxed & Natural Conditioning Wrap & Set Lotion
--Black & Sassy Finishing Wrap Sheen (gives nice shine)
--Black & Sassy Thicker & Richer Sassy Shine
--ORS Replenishing Pak (love)
--Smooth 'N Shine Therapy Silk Fusion Critical Repair Reconstructor (haven't used yet)
--Matrix Essentials Sleek Look Miracle Reconstructor (free gift~haven't used)

I think that's everything lol!!! I'm tired I gotta go to bed now.