Creating a Fail Proof Regimen

These are my starting pictures for January 2011. My goal by the end of the year is to make it to MBL. Currently straightened I am APL, approaching BSL. I started off fresh with a trim so that those split ends don't stand in the way of me crossing the finish line!

Here is the regimen that I hope to stick with from January 2011 - March 2011. 

Monthly:

Henna Gloss once a month 

S&D method (if necessary)

Weekly:

Clarify hair with Suave's Clarifier or Red Vinegar rinse

 Deep Condition for one hour or more once a week

Daily:

Braidout/Twistout 4-5 times a week

Protective Style (Bunning/Ponytail tucked under...) 2-3 times a week

Moisturize and seal daily 

 Cover hair with a hat when outside daily to protect from frigid weather

Drink eight 8oz. glasses of water and incorporate 5-7 fruits and veggies

I've been trying to figure out why my braid outs do not give me the same texture that they gave me when I discovered how to do them in the Summer of 2010.

A picture from my birthday party...I don't know how I managed to score this definition on the perfect day!

A picture I took before going out for a bowling party. This braid out is partially damp but lasted the night.

So for the past 5 months I have been working to recreate the combination of definition, hold, and shine that I obtained from these braid outs that I did over the summer. No luck. I mean, my braid outs aren't a complete epic fail, they have a lot of body...but I miss the definition and shine that I used to have. I've been testing different products and combinations to see if I'm missing something...then one day it hit me...

I was not doing two things in my current braid outs that I did in the past:

1) I was not sealing my ends. This would result in very huge dried out frizz ball looking ends (in my opinion).

2) I was doing individual braids, rather than "cornrows". For some reason, cornrows make my braid outs come out neater and more uniform, so to speak.

So through sealing my ends and using cornrows, rather than individual braids, I got these results instead:

This is not fluffed out, even fluffed out I'm sure this would have had a lot more definition and hold than my braid outs as of late. Results like these keep my hands away from the direction of the flat iron. 

Hehe :)

A Resolution for 2011: More Protective Styling

I think that I'm so used to whipping my hair back and forth (ok that was tres cliche) these days that I'm prone to wearing my hair down. Ok...meaning 99.99% of the time. I'm not a fan of ponytails, buns, or anything that makes me feel that my hair is constrained. But I MUST adopt this in my process of obtaining BSL by mid 2011. So yes, I will be having long self-talks these next couple of days to convince myself that I can pull this look off!

Goal: Protective Style Buns/Updos/Ponytails on work days, Wearing twistouts, braidouts, and roller sets out on weekends and/or date nights!

Here are some ideas that I am going to try out for the next couple of months....

The side fishtail braid. I love this look and the glasses simply make it haut!

Flowers instantly add life to a boring updo. I love the simplicity of this look. Larger flowers work for this look as well.

I've been a big fan of Shingai Soniwa's look for a while now. I love how she takes natural styles up a notch with her choice of accessories.

This look is stunningly elegant. The model's eyelashes and hair style are definitely the focus points in this picture. Hopefully I can achieve this look with the correct amount of "bigness" <---NEW WORD by the end of 2011

A beautiful spin on a protective style...

When all else fails...shove it under a hat :)

Now...onto Part 2 of Protective Styling: Dressing it Up!


Accessories are a beautiful addition to Protective Styling. Some of the most breath taking pictures that I have seen of women wearing buns and updos becomes even more enchanting when I see them wearing a pair of stand-out earrings. In some cases, the bigger...THE BETTER!

This one would compliment a side swept updo very well if it was worn in the ear that is exposed...

Thinking about Spring Fashion (...to get my mind off of this cold weather)

I'm a summer baby. Never liked the winter. As soon as the temperature drops under 40 degrees my body starts shaking uncontrollably. Though I have to admit that the only part I like about winter is watching the snow fall. Not watching the snow accumulate. Not shoveling the snow. Not fighting over parking.

The only thing that I can do in the winter is dream about the Spring and Summer. Why not start with some fashionable item trends in shoes and purses (every woman's love <3) to look forward to in Spring 2011.

Everybody loves some animal print, and the design of this bag is so chic ;)

J'adore the versatility of this bag. This is a quick shop trip then out with the girls later piece.

Spring screams bright colors to me, so this clutch is right up my alley. I'd wear this with a simple brown or tan dress.

This could easily be my "I'm going to work, don't mess with me, I've got money to make bag"

I love the design and the print on these shoes. With shoes like this, a simple black dress would work. 

I like the three dimensional feel of these shoes. 

I have to admit that I am not a patent-leather girl. I think patent leather should be illegal. BUT...these shoes are making me think otherwise. I love the design on the soles and heels. 

Again, a pair that would stand out with a simple black dress on a date night. These need to make their way into my closet asap.

I love the trend of the square-ish heels. And the design of these shoe boots are stunning. 

While on a road trip with my best girls to Pittsburgh, we got on the topic of New Years Resolutions. My friend began to share with us the goals she would like to reach in the new year. I thought about a couple of goals....but over the next couple of days I thought...what if I discovered 30 things that I would like to accomplish before I turn 30....

The list is not complete yet, but here are a couple of things that will be on it...

Achieve WL hair
Go on  a cruise
Work on my Post-Master Degree 30 credits
Become a Mrs.
Establish a workout routine
Eat healthier and adopt organic food into my diet
Buy an Ipod Classic
Take my son to Disney World

Ok...the list will definitely be revisited...its just the beginning :)