Aspiring 23rd Birthday Hairstyles

For some time now....Well for the past year, I've been on a mission to re-embrace the joy of my birthday. Let's just say last year's sucked... BIG SOUR BALLS. And though it was partially my fault for not having anything planned, the way in which it played out was at the hands of an individual I'd rather pretend is dead at the moment! LOL Hmmm...was that too harsh? Idk, maybe I'll re-edit this in a month's time with something nicer but for now, it's staying that way.

SIDENOTE:
I know it has been a while since I've posted and honestly, feeling my emotionally synced fingers run across the keyboard is making me wonder why I ever slowed down on writing blog posts at all. LOL--I'll admit, I only have about five followers and where it concerns publicity and getting my blog out there, I am not the sharpest needle. Kill me dead, but I still say having no interaction on something that's meant for the public plays a bit of hardball with my esteem and writing capabilities. Why write if no one will read...or listen, right?

Anyway, I didn't open up this post to ramble so let's get back to business.

In short, for this post, I will share the hairstyles I am ranking as contenders for my upcoming 23rd birthday celebration. And I pray at least ONE of them gets done!!

HAIRSTYLES

~*CassBeccai*~

bout a week ago, I came across Cassandra Beccai, a fellow natural who has a natural hair product line out called Eden's Heart ... Though I have never tried her products, I became quite attached to her through her YouTube page. And on her page, I came across a hairstyle she did herself. Cassandra is a spirited young woman with a calm sense of life. She put me at rest from the get-go and she might not have crazy humor, but sometimes you need a content person to convey happiness to you! Anyway, here is the video she made and the hairstyle I am so0o tempted to try. Not saying I'll do it for my birthday, but it is quite tempting. Plus it reminds me of Havana Twists (which are way more expensive) because it looks so natural!



~*India Davis*~

India Davis--of the YouTube trio-ed sisterly sensation, MyNaturalSistas-- has been bedazzling my eyes since I came across them on the Tube! This lady right here! She can do it up with some curl formers! So I figured I would given them a shot and what better time to order my Curlformers than Black Friday!! So that is what I did! I know there are a million exclamation points in this one subsection but oh well~ LOL ... I am DEFINITELY considering doing this fluffy style for my birthday! I am going to start my trial hopefully next week, by washing, detangling, deep conditioning and moisturizing my hair. Then I will apply the curl formers in sections with each section using a different product so that I can see which product worked better! Here is a tutorial on India putting in her Curlformers! It seems so easy and with mine waiting for me at home, you better blieve I'm going to lay this all out in a strategic manner!

 ~*NeEkNinja*~

I actually came across NeEkNinJa tonight before I decided to write this blog. Maybe she was my inspiration--idk--but I LOVED this faux bun tutorial she did! Made my creative gene itch to step out of the box. I must say, for about a month now, I have been wanting to try doing styles with add-on hair--whether it be Marley braid or regular Kenekalon. So this may just be a contender! And a great protective style, might I add! I've also included a bonus style. It's Yarn Braids/Wraps that she did and then styled into petals!!! Can you say AMAZING?!

Broken Promises and a Cooking Mentality

***

So I told myself on the 1st of August that I would enjoy this break I was taking from my blog and just relax. But I noticed lately that I was becoming so antsy about getting back into the fall mentality that I didn't realize I NOT having fun! So I've broken my own promise to get back to basics and write down the overflowing thoughts in my head? And why is this?? Well it's because I've been obsessed with food lately. Yes...I said it ...and I am PROUD! I have always been a foodie. And it's because of my constant search to find the balance between healthy and tasty eating.

Many more posts will be appearing in regards to where my life has ...and has NOT been going in the last 3 months of my posting absence. But for now; let's talk food. ^_^

This morning after editing and uploading a video from scratch for the fourth time on youtube, I decided i'd let it go. If the shit ended up crashing and failing again, I'd just have to disappoint the family with various clippings of shots from the event. Because, at this moment, I'm just so fed up. I mean come on!! FOUR TIMES?

...but I digress

Back to cooking...

I've never learned to cook. Yes! I am an American woman, born of Jamaican decent, with no proper training on how to feed myself from the home, care for others physically, OR--for my own temperament--PLEASE a man...v_v'

Nope. My mom has just never been one to teach me how to cook. She doesn't like anyone in her kitchen. So you might say that the few dishes I do know how to make stemmed from rainy days at home alone while mom was assisting in the Operating Room at Kings County Hospital. I won't complain A LOT because truth be told, I knew her reasoning behind it--be it a selfish one--she wanted folks to constantly depend on her...and in her mind, teaching your children to cook was like saying "Thanks mom but I don't need to eat your chicken soup! I can make my own now!"... Can someone say RUDE? But where is the hint of morality??

Doesn't matter. Because of this selfish mentality, my 26 y.o. brother and lil ole' me never learned how to make all the awesome traditional dishes from our roots or even simple American dishes to keep us--i don't know--ALIVE!

As of now, I still can't step foot in the kitchen when she is around because if she is, she'll just grab everything out my hand and make it for me. So lose there. But what I can do it stock up on some recipes. That way I'll be all prepped when the day does come that she's not home and I once again have to kitchen to myself... rain or shine.-___-

So, what's my motivator, you may ask?

Kin Community of course!

I found them on YouTube a few weeks back and fell in love when they came on as an advertisement before one of my natural hair videos started playing. Kin Community is basically a channel geared towards domestic living but of course, in my world, editing is everything! So it's more than cooking or crafting to me! In short it's like a freedom to react anyway you want when in the presence of food and trinkets. And who doesn't like freedom, right??? I even described it to a friend as a vessel "that brings me THAT much closer to my SATC (Sex and the City), success-with-a-white-picke

t-fence and Brooklyn Heights apt type life! HA!"

This channel is just so simple but delicious and it makes me want to clean my bank account buying goodies in the organic markets spread around Brooklyn! 

Here's a flavor of why I love this channel! And I hope you guys enjoy it too!

SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP

  

Till next post
--With Love, from Brooklyn
~*ForeverCoily*~

It's All About... Doing It Yourself ^_~

Around October of last year, I took up a new hobby of making my own jewelry. Simply because I knew I'd be broke when Christmas time came and I was trying to find and economic way to give out thoughtful presents. During this time, I came into contact with a craft store known as Beads World. They had all types of trinkets to mess with and a million more items to create with! So I set out on a journey. I promised, I'd make my three closest friends a box of gifts. Each person would get my own rendition of a Fingerless Glove and Earwarmer set I crocheted and it would come with one or two pars of earrings.

Well the former idea was a breeze. While on my crochet frenzy, I made 3 pairs of fingerless gloves and earwarmer sets. You can see the blogpost I did on them here! And then when it came time to make the earrings, I began slow. Now the studs were no problem. I had found a bunch of unwanted buttons at my job the previous week and decided to tamper with them--in the end, creating some awesome button/studd earrings. And then I fooled around with tough wire and realized I could also combine my crochet and newly found jewelry making skills together to form awesomely unique earrings.

However, by the time December came around, I was still in my "tampering stage" all excited about the wonderful discoveries and pieces I had made. Let's not forget, by the time Christmas and my depressing birthday had passed, I was no longer in so much of a "giving" mood. Needless to say, I still had these piece close to me. So I said "what the heck" Ill just keep them for myself ...thus ends my sweet little story.

In the end, only one of my friends (who I am no longer friends with) received my crochet warmer kit, and NO ONE received my handmade earrings. Nope! Instead on days when I'm feeling pretty, I rock 'em to work...and to this day, it still never ceases to amaze me that I did this and that people would stop me on the street to give me compliments on them!! Good ole DIYs ^_^...

 I made these pieces playful jewelry. So I know after seeing these pics you may ask if I could make you a pair, and the answer MAY just be yes! However, please keep in mind that I post hyperlinks in my blogs for a reason. These are all projects any guy or girl could do...if their interested enough

...And I say, if they're NOT interested enough, then why even ask ME to make them a pair! Pics (and possibly more hyperlinks {tutorials}) are posted below.

ENJOY! <3

My most recent pair

With them on!

My very first pair of the "crochet style" These flowers are made here!!

With them on!

Some cameo studs

My first pair using Felt reinforcement

My Regal pair!!

Buttons made into studs!

testing out hard wire

Some button studs!

Pearl Button Studs!

Don't believe these can be earrings?

I'm sure you all can do it! Just purchase some buttons, earring posts, stubs and some awesome E6000 glue! 

Thanks!

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!

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*~

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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!

~*"Kiss Me Home" Lip Scrub*~

I'm presently laying in bed listening to Kelly Price's "So Sweet"... Can't say I don't rock to this song on quiet nights such as this one. But I'm proud of myself tonight. Though I've done nothing much to account for the day, I must admit that I was able to make my very first Lip Scrub! For those who don't know what lip scrub is, it is usually a sweet grainy substance applied to the lips to scrub off all the dead skin cells that make the lips crusty, chapped and constantly dried out! 

Pic from MakeUpAlley

I found out about this awesome invention a while back when my friend, Netchem (check out her Blogspot) offered me some of her Lush Mint Julip Balm and the feeling was UNBELIEVABLE! Never had I tasted something so heavenly sweet and minty all at once and better yet, My lips felt incredibly soft soon after!

Well now that my little anecdote is over! I must say I was tempted to find the recipe--though I had somehow concocted it in my mind at that exact moment of eureka! Anywho, it's been months counting and I've found a multiple of YouTube videos on lip scrubs but sorry >__> ... NONE of them matched up to Lush or even looked  "clean" enough to lather on to my lips! lol

But tonight I was bored and as I forced myself off of Facebook, I found myself grabbing up the cute gold rimmed tube I purchased from Ricky's. I knew the chances of me making this long-awaited lip scrub was drawing near but sometimes spontaneous combustion of the mind is all you need! So I went to work and in less than five mins I had a mixture. And as you can see to the right, I was already LOVING my new "Kiss Me Home" lip scrub!

Now, I know if by some chance, I actually gain followers on this blog of Soliloquy, I'll be asked which ingredients I used so I'll just add them now. And please keep in mind, everything was either added by obviousness or ...well...sheer accident! lol

"Kiss Me Home" Lip Scrub

• Brown Sugar
• Lip gloss
• Petroleum
• Lemon Juice
• Peppermint Essential Oil    

Mind you, I did not put measurements because I 1) eyeballed everything and 2) made it right in the gold-rimmed container. I used the brown sugar as the main base, the lipgloss to give it hold, the Petroleum to seal in moisture, the Lemon Juice (accidentally) to make it more paste-like, and the Peppermint Essential Oil as its second most important base!1) to give a great mint finish with my breath and 2) to add a real organic essential oil to it so that it would be completely natural! 

I had an awesome time making my new "Kiss Me Home" Lip Scrub. As for the name! Well, you'll have to contact me personally to find out my reasoning behind it! lol

WHEN YOUR OBSESSED 1: Makes Me Wanna....

Crochet....

I've always had this love for Arts & Crafts. Now that doesn't mean I am a pro at it, but ask me what I've made and I'll proudly list:

• A Ipod Snuggy
• Scarves upon Scarves
• A hat for my precious niece
• A book cover
• an many more to come...

What's my next project?? Hmmm...well my new fad of course! LOL

I've fallen victim of these luscious Loop/Infinity/Circle scarves!

And I just figured...

Why buy, when I can make!! 

Update to come...

after all, I'm heading to my fave crafts store tomorrow! YAY!