When All Else Fails...Crochet

It has been A WHILE since I have been able to put down my crochet needle. Simply because my main goal was to have a successful D.I.Y (Do It Yourself) Christmas. I know how much ear-warmers and finger-less gloves have been trending so when I saw BobWilson123's Ear-warmer Tutorial and Mikeyssmail's Fingerless Glove Tutorial, I had to revamp my christmas gift ideas and get to crocheting. At my local craft store, I was able to pick up a few fabulous bundles of rainbow yarn and with them, I made two awesome gifts! Pics seen below.

Red Heart Yarn is the best. Both in price and feel!!

I feel like my Fingerless Gloves came out quite nice!

This Flower tutorial can be found here!

A second pair that I made!

I inserted these buttons into the flowers myself!

Tell me what you think! Was the D.I.Y. Christmas gift method a good idea? Or would you still try and catch those sales? Comment below!

It's All About... Dwen!

Today--Christmas Day--marks one month since I sat down to get my very first tattoo. I know this post is long overdue but lets face it, I wasn't quite ready to show it (off) yet.  I got it on Black Friday (11/25/11) at 3pm at an awesome parlor in Park Slope called Third Eye Tattoo. And since then I have seen so many changes--both good and bad.

CHANGES LEARNED...
1) I never realized that tattoos were basically wounds. Okay! whatever, shoot me! But either way you put it, I was still intrigued. To know someone practically wounded me in the form of a beautiful significant symbol.

2) I noticed that the "ugly stage" ain't so ugly at all. Maybe it is to people with larger tattoos but my medium sized symbol made its way through its ugly phase quite gracefully. Almost made me wish it stayed a scab. Pics below

3) The final thing I noticed is the change in me. To put it simply, there is none. I am still the hyper, "young lookin'", over analyzing, smart-ass chick I was before I thought of even getting the tattoo.

CLEANING REG...
1) Washed it by hand, 3x/day w/ Antibacterial Dial Soap Bar
2) Immediately pat dry with a clean/unused paper towel
3) Used Bacitracin Ointment for the first week and a half
4) Followed up with Eucerin unscented lotion thereafter
5) Applied Bacitracin as well if I thought I needed it!
.....And YES! I got it the color red so that it could be an under-the-radar tattoo
So....

Without further ado, here she is. I call her Dwen after her cultural name, Dwennimen. She is an West African Adinkra Symbol.

See pics of my tattoo's stages below:

DWENNIMMEN

"ram's horns"

symbol of humility together with strength

The ram will fight fiercely against an adversary, but it also submits humbly to slaughter, emphasizing that even the strong need to be humble. 

11/25/11. At Parlor

11/25/11 After first cleaning

11/26/11 Inflamed Wound: Ugly Phase Part 1

11/27/11 All Scabbed Up: Ugly Phase Part 2

12/1/11 You Can See: Ugly Phase Part 3

12/14/11 The Aftermath

12/25/11 1 Month-a-versary!

Hope you find this helpful enough to pass along if you and/or a friend are looking to getting a tattoo sometime in the future. Any questions? Just comment below!

Weekend Tunes: On Christmas Day!

It has been some time since I did a weekend tune post and I've been considering a lot of throwbacks for the past week or so. Well it struck me today while I was watching a Sister, Sister marathon on centric.

Today is Christmas Day and though it didn't give off such a strong vibe in my household, it certainly did leave an aura of happiness--even between my mum and I. Anyway, I was watching the episode when Tia & Tamera has their prom and they get a shock when they find that Lisa made them prom dresses....right after they've just purchased their own dream dresses.

Besides the awesome memories Sister, Sister brought back of my own prom, it really jolted me even more when I saw that Jon B. was their celebrity appearance. And which song was he performing? None other than his hit single from 1997 "They Don't Know". Talk about such a THROWBACK!! I was too excited!

Anyway, without further ado, here is my weekend tune! Enjoy...

It's All About... Newspaper Nails!!

For some time now, I have been OBSESSED with jazzing up my nails... More so to disguise my occasionally busted cuticles, but other than that, finding out about newspaper nails was just AWESOME! Not only does it embody who I am as a person with it's backwards wording and random clips--taken from my appeal to write rants--but it also looked awesome! I look forward to improving in them but so far, here was my first take on them.
I used:

• Sinful Colors: "Snow Me White"
• Newspaper Clippings

The heart seen on my wedding fingers were all clippings! I figured if words could transfer then obviously colored photos could too! And these red hearts were the perfect size for my nails! Pics below!

Back to ...THESE Basics??

Hmmm so until I realized I had stopped my crave for water, I didn't know what to do about my poor, dry hair. So on Dec 5th, I escaped from my house--telling my mum I'd be right back--JUST so I could catch the 3 a half hour downtown to the Ricky's on Montague!
I LOVE ME SOME BROOKLYN HEIGHTS!!!
Anyway, I hauled ass into the shop and grabbed the first--well second--bottle I saw! The first was the "TRY ME" sample. Along with that I got my very first self-bought Carol's Daughter product... None other than the Hair Mimosa!
Then I realized the next day while at the Rainy Day Bryant Park Natural meet up that my lack of drinking water was probably the most significant reason as to why I had such a drastic change in my hair and ultimately my skin's moisture... SMH! And though it took a trip to Shea Moisture to have such a revelation, I definitely don't regret my $30 purchase from the day before! Pricing below.
KINKY CURLY KNOT TODAY: $13
CAROL'S DAUGHTER MHH: $17

Bryant Park on a Rainy Night

I was fortunate enough to gather with a friend and other Naturals at Bryant Park on Dec. 6th for a Shea Moisture sale event. It was also a duel meet up to have a chance to talk to YouTuber Taren916. I've been a follower of hers for a while and I must admit, now that YouTube is practically my television, I was elated to see her up, close and personal!
It was also nice to see all the Naturals who came out to support on such a rainy day. I didn't bother to buy any Shea Moisture products since I already house a few of them under my bathroom sink, however, I was given a few samples of the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie! All the best to empty them into the half empty or full jar of smoothie I have at home!
Another treat I got was my birthday present from Sephora Beauty! Pics of that coming soon but for now here's a fabulous shot of me, Ms. Taren Guy of Taren916, and my dear friend Netchem.
For those of you Naturals who didn't get a chance to join in on the Rainy Day, Shea Moisture meet-up, their 3 for $20 sale will be ongoing till Jan 8, 2012! So you can get 3 full-size products for only $20! That's practically a steal!
And like Netchem says,
A la prochaine! (Until next time)

It's All About: ...World AIDS Day

Thank you so much, Ms. V. Charles for giving us this much needed PSA on Worlds AIDS Day
Check out more of her awesome videos >>here<<

Do You Know Your Status?
If not, Planned Parenthood's in your area will be giving free HIV Tests
Check them out >>here<<

LESSON 2: All that Glitters.... Ain't Moisturizer!

For some time now I have been on a search for moisturizing products. I've come across all types.

Shea Moisture: Curl Enhancing Smoothie

This does everything for me!.... for about a day =/

Shea Moisture: Deep Treatment Masque

I'm just trying to finish the jar so I can fill it with my own goodies...

Unrefined Shea Butter

 But I always have to mix it with something else...

Kinky Curly: Knot Today

But  this was way too expensive...

AND NOW...

I've just come to realize that not only am I a reformed "Product Junkie", but I am also slow at learning what my hair likes... However, like my mum says, better late than never. For now I'm just using my Shea Whip and Aloe Vera Juice.... These two items are what help me retain moisture. So I've learned my lesson... And that is , all that glitters (or rather is pretty to the eye on the shelf) does not always do the job of moisturizing... It just doesn't. 

Sunday Tunes... Ms. Ahn's Studio Sound is Beautiful

I can never fall out of love with Priscilla Ahn's voice and this video definitely doe not disappoint. I am sure I have posted it somewhere here on my blog but it never hurts to repost! Enjoy "Dream" below:

2011 Wishlist

This year, I am really trying to have a smooth end to the year. And a way I will try to do this is by posting my wishlist. Because my birthday is 5 days after Christmas, and it's the start of November, I figured I'd just get it over with. The items below are my actual desires but they are not LIMITED, in case a :match" is found for cheaper... I will try to be realistic lol

1) Minnetonka Double Fringe Moccasins (info below picture)

Purchase at: Shoebuy (click here)

Their Price: $54.95

Coupon: BUY5 (copy+paste this to get $5 off)

**I hope the coupon still works by December

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

2) Rachel Stewart Dwennimen Earrings

Purchase at: Rachel Stewart (click here)

Price: $31.00

**Let's hope she has a sale in December!

Yup! so this is all I have for now... probably wont even get any longer, so if friends would like to go half and half on a gift, be my guest lol

It's All About: ...Rachel Stewart

For a while now, I've been relieving my guilty pleasured mind with Rachel Stewart's Jewelry website. I say "guilty pleasure" because I LOVE her jewelry but at this time, her prices are quite out of my reach. So I've decided to do a bit of investigation. And this is what I found! 

Posted on Facebook, 11/2/11

No, this message was not directed toward me, but coincidentally another Courtney who had fallen in love with her jewelry and was also probably in my same predicament with her pricing. No lie, If I had the money to spend, $30 for a pair of earrings wouldn't bother me. Now on to this sale!

I am just praying that in case there is a sale, that there will be a significant drop in the Dwennimmen Earrings I've been so infatuated with! I won't lie. Seeing these earrings is what made me decide that I was going to get the West African Adinkra symbol for "Strength" tattooed on my wrist!

PS: For all my loved ones, This would be an AWESOME Christmas/Birthday present! 

But for now, it's all about Rachel Stewart and her titillating jewelry!   

Crochet Rules: Always Follow Your Gut

I came across this video last week and it stuck with me. Since last year I've been dying to make my very own Infinity scarf but I could never seem to get the time or make it the right way. So far I've made neck warmers, unfinished crochet links and to top it off, I've wasted some valuable yarn. So when I saw this video I decided that I didn't want it to be a repeat. And I chose to follow my gut!

On Tuesday, I purchased up some Lion Brand Yarn along with it's required 9mm size Crochet hook from my local Fabric/Craft store. I was hoping to find the black and another contrasting but subtle color. Let's just say that didn't happen but what I did come across was a color similar to the one BobWilson123 had in her video. Still determined to pick up a second color, I paired the gorgeous crimson with a mauve/purple color. Not my fave but it would have to do. 

And I'm proud of my final product! Check out the pics below...

Have you made any creations? Crochet or Knit? Please, feel free to share!

~*The Shea*~: Ingredients You'll Need

So to come off of my previous blog, I would like to share my new Shea Whip recipe with those of you who read my blog! For all those who believe in preserving your natural tresses, I do hope this $Free.99 recipe helps you realize that you can make your own curl remedies and organic products right in the comfort of your own home!

Upon finding out about the wonderful luxuries Grapeseed Oil has, I made sure that was my second most important ingredient; besides Shea of course! And along the way, I was able to go from this:

...to this:

...

Follow my recipe below and you can also have some of my Shea Whip!

  INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED & WHY

Unrefined Shea Butter
--8oz >> You are making Shea Whip!

Grapeseed Oil
-- 5tbsp >> This oil is very powerful serum when it comes to creating and locking moisture into your hair, especially during the cold months. I love this oil because it's not as heavy as Castor Oil where it'll weigh down my hair but also not as light as Olive Oil which usually gets sucked up too quickly. This may sound like a huge amount for only 8oz of Shea but it's not...AT ALL


Coconut Oil
-- 3tbsp>> Coconut Oil is awesome when you want to give your hair that shine that it needs. It is also a great oil to retain moisture.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
-- 1 1/2tbsp>> This light oil also moisturzes and softens the hair.


Vitamin E Oil
-- 3tbsp>> As beneficial as it is to the cuticles and skin, how could you not put it in your hair! It's one of those oils your body needs.

Jojoba Oil
-- 2tsp>> Because Jojoba is so similar to our body's actual Sebum, it is always good to add a little extra. The reason so many African Americans have dry hair is because the sebum doesn't get the chance to dispurse from our scalp and coat the whole strand of hair. Our kinky tresses are what makes this process hard. So why not slap on a bit of the oil manually. That's how I see it!

Peppermint Oil
-- 1tsp>> Though my main reason for adding in this essential oil is for fragrance, I also know that putting it in my mixture will help promote hair growth. The tingling sensation many people say oils like peppermint and rosemary give them is basically the oils "menthol" properties penetrating the scalp and opening up the pores to let in my blood flow and oxygen! So why not add some in. But please, DON'T be heavy handed with this one. As you see, I only put 2 teaspoons in!

Castor Oil
-- 2tsp>> Plain and simple, I love Castor OIl but I don't want it to overshadow my Grapeseed Oil. Pay attention to the measurements. I made sure I only put 2 teaspoons of this oil in as well! It's good but not a main ingredient I necessarily need. If anything, you may also be able to interchange it for another heavy property.

Honey
--1tbsp>> Honey is a Humectant which means it pulls moisture from the hair and adds it to the hair. Tho I like this aspect, I do try to be careful with my humectants because the last thing I want is moisture overload. My main reason for using this ingredient is to PRESERVE my Shea Whip for the next few months ahead of it. It may last me longer than I think so I'd hate for it to spoil!

Boiled Water
--2tbsp>> This final ingredient can be left out but I feel it is of importance because water is the number one moisturizer. Not only that but in some crazy way, I feel it was the aspect in this recipe that gave my Shea the "whippy" effect! So try it without and let me know it if makes a difference!

~*The Shea*~

************************************************************************

It has been two trying weeks for me. Simply because I was dying to make my own personal form of Shea Whip! I have been watching a multitude of videos about creating this heavenly hair product and without much ado I have finally created it!! Here's a sneak peak till I get the recipe laid out in writing!!

THE TRAILER

MY NEW LOVE FOR 2: GS Oil ^_^

For the past week or so, I have been on the hunt for at least one product that will protect my hair and keep it moisturized from this winter's harsh winds!

The same day I went to pick up my diploma, I had all intentions of making it an adventure to find that (or those) product(s). I wanted to go to Whole Foods and purchase Vegetable Glycerin. I wanted to go to Trader Joe's and restock on Jojoba Oil. I wanted to hunt down an organic shop to purchase some Vitamin E Oil. And I felt like not having a creamy water-based product in my possession would curse my ends till...well till NO END!

… The week has passed though and I still haven't made that trip to Whole Foods or found that creamy water-based product.

But I have had a few reminders pushed my way. The following morning after getting my diploma and going to a dear friend's family funeral, I chose to do what I knew best and stick to basics. I set my messenger bag on my dresser and pulled out all the products I HAD been able to acquire that day:

•Headbands

•Raw/ Unrefined Shea Butter

•Grapeseed Oil

•Castor Oil

•Coconut Oil

•Headphones

Now let's minus the headphones but as for everything else, I realized I had done pretty well with my 2-minute shopping spree! ^_^

And along with my happiness was excitement for my newfound item; Grapeseed Oil. I had done prior research on it and saw that there were a myriad of pros and not enough cons to question my wallet on whether spending money on this oil was beneficial. I had also known the location I would purchase it.

Reminder #1 is definitely to always remember that sticking to the basics is KEY! When I get excited, I do have a tendency to complicate matters so I was happy when I remembered to pull myself back and just know that my hair would survive from my three staple products: My Shea Butter Mixture, Aloe Vera Juice in a spritz bottle, and oil(s) to seal in the moisture.

Reminder #2 came to me this morning when I dug my hands in my hair and decided to crack open that Grapeseed Oil. It was a proven testimony that one should ALWAYS change up their regular routine in the most simplified, and slightest of ways. If you change your routine too quick and drastically, you may NEVER end up knowing what made your hair-shedding increase in number after a month of trial. Was it stress, change in (food) diet, OR the fact that you began using 3 new products at once and now your hair is no longer the same? So do your changes gradually.

Reminder #3 came just a few minutes ago. After I two-strand twisted my hair this morning, I tied it down with my satin scarf. It's been covered the whole day so taking it off a few minutes ago is just an astonishment in itself. I used only Aloe Vera Juice, Grapeseed Oil, and Unrefined Shea on my hair. And the sheen that my hair now has is beautiful. Something rare if I may also add. I've never had this much sheen in my hair before! I have also never had such a rich and heavy oil in my head that did it's job without feeling too greasy or leaving stains wherever I went.

GRAPESEED OIL IS THE TRUTH! And it was also ONLY $5.99! ( for 8.45 oz bottle)


Now that I have found it, I won't have to worry about being called "GREAZZY" by my momma because it does its job without showing its spots! Lol

It's made me so elated, I've taken time out of research for work to write this blog! Lol

What's next on my agenda you may ask?

•I'd like to make a new batch of Shea mix that includes the Gpsd oil and I want the texture to be CREAMY.

• I want to reassess the products I'm using for my winter regimine

•And I'd like to keep my hair in protective styles!

Anyone want to share their routine? Just leave a comment below!

Blogger App

As always, I'm a late bloomer involving most things. Well now that I have this Blogger App on my Android, hopefully it'll be easier to post posts! *crossing my fingers*

Investing the Time: Continuation of a Sucky First-One

I remember at one point or another in my life, I promised myself a sequence of successes would get played out. However, it is September 20th and I must save face by admitting that this sequence ran left while I ran right. Not saying some on the list didn't get done. I picked up a book, procured a job till I find a temporarily permanent one, I wrote a blog...for my new blog--However, I didn't finish reading that book; my mind rationalizing that I like to savor authors' words. I also haven't found that temporarily permanent position. And, can't even remember the URL to this new blog.

#FAIL
??

I think not. Because just like my weight loss, I never took it seriously. I let Scallion Pancakes, Facebook, and crocheting get in the way, each potentially ruining all positivity (If that is even a word) I had for this summer. Then I came across my own actions in the wrong way. I had been telling my friends...and family for so long that I couldn't wait for the 2011 summer to blasted-well end and now I've realized it's because I knew Fall would bring me a fresh start.

So yes, you may call me in-denial. Quite frankly, I call it same. But what I try to stick to is speaking only optimism. Maybe there was a reason for all these setbacks. I mean, I know this time around that it was in no way, shape, or form, procrastination.

No...no #FAIL... just a second chance at a sucky first one. So I'll be simple and invest the time...this time around.

Song of the Night!

In just a few words, Jill Scott turns indenial acceptance into a brief moment of realization.... Just check out what I know id the truth... Her video "Hear My Call", from her new album The Light of the Sun

"God, please hear my call

I am afraid for me

Love has burned me wrong

I need your healing...Please..."

How to Be a Successful YouTube Natural!

It has come to my awareness that many more women in the African American community who have transitioned back to their natural hair/roots are now engrossed in the effort to help other young women out with this task.

DISCLAIMER:

I, myself, have never gone through the traditional "transition". This being the perm to natural roots phase. I've always been a natural. However, I have found myself tranisitioning in a different way. More in a natural to Au Natural way; refining the products I've used down to homemade solutions and taking better care of my hair, mentally and physically.

In a recent text from my girl, and fellow natural, Netchem Hairston (check her out here), this want of helping out her "female neighbors" came through the simple fact that she was purchasing a new computer; this one having a built in webcam. Now that she had the capabilities, she knew that creating natural hair videos would be another way to progress her already helpful nature. So she asked me and most likely, other friends: "Do you have any ideas on natural hair videos I can do?" Then I began to think of the aspects that made a good natural hair youtuber.

And this is my reply:

Here are some ideas of how I would do it (if I had a webcam)!

I would first start with an introductory video, of course. Who I am, how I became involved in the natural hair community and obsessed with the renewal of knowing that the perm is no longer trending. No offense though. I would then follow up my first video with how I "transitioned". This would include pictures and narration; crossfades and animated text; and of course a stamp that this video was made by ME.

This video would then be followed by my daily, weekly, and/or monthly regimine. This of course would first start off with all the abbreviations I'm about to mouth off.

• Do I pre-poo or in other words, pre-shampoo and what it is.
• Do I co-wash or in other words, conditioner-wash and what this is.
• How I detangle.
• How I deep condition
• And most importantly, how often do I do these steps? And why?

The video following this would most likely be a "Staples" video, telling my now few subscribers what hair products I have kept close and which ones I have disgarded.

As a side note, I'd most likely end up making a video on my favorite youtubing naturals and why my subscribers should go check them out! Then I would follow up with my own plugs to blogs I have written. It is a MUST that you brand yourself and keep a constant following.

Another video would entail a series of "On-Cam" impromptu hairstyles, made simple and quick. Every natural and ....un-natural (lol) wants a quick tutorial that can keep her day going without any abrupt reason.

And lastly, to be a successful youtubing natural, I'd always make sure to keep a few "FAIL" videos on hand as well. This will ensure fore a well-rounded channel and it will help your subscribers learn why a style most likely didn't work out the way they had expected it to. 

Now, I'm sure you're saying that I have watched enough youtubing naturals to see the formula they have chosen to take to acquire successful notariety in the YouTube community but the most I can say is that, I believe there is usually a formula--intended or unintended--in everything we choose to do.

So don't deny it! Just make sure you're your best when it comes time to put it out there!

--Courtney James

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCILLE BALL!

I can't express my excitement for the Lucille Ball marathon going on today on Hallmark! However, I can bless my page with her photo!! Happy Birthday Lucy!

Keeping Up with the Times...

 I need to sit in front of my computer and seriously write a series of upcoming blog posts! I have so many thoughts. But the question is, how do I slow down my mind long enough to get all those thoughts out on the paper...before it ends up being old news? Some may say my attention span is short, but I just believe I'm stuck in the habit of constantly trying to keep up with the times... #whatyouthink?--My FB Status

HERE'S one of those thoughts that have quickly become old...

Today is June 25th: the second year anniversary of Michael Jackson's death. However, Michael isn't on my brain. Recently, I was bombarded by Facebook statuses on my newsfeed concerning New York's decision to legalize gay marriage and I was pleased with this decision. Why, you may ask? For one, I thought it was time for others to come to grips with the choices that people have chosen to make in their lives. Especially because this realization will not alter the naysayers lives in any way. Secondly, I, as well as the rest of the nation, know that there are more important things for the media industry and government to focus on. I stand corrected by many who chose to argue out the factors, but I'm not the confrontational type. So no! I won't argue or express my opinion on the matter any further. Right now, my mind is telling me that this law, along with the Facebook statuses are OLD NEWS... time to move on.