LITK: Street Curlie (FB)- Amanda

LITK: Street Curlie (FB)- Amanda

Chunky Twist-Out = Super CUTE!

So, I was pretty pleased with the results of my CHUNKY TWIST-OUT…I did them after a co-wash and used some leave-in, twisting large sections while my hair was wet. Thanks to the state of Arizona I had a furlough Friday and spent the day air-drying my twists. Then next day I went to meet two of my girlie-friends for brunch in Scottsdale. Despite a little frizz in the back and some under-sections it was pretty cute.

So, I re-twisted four large pieces in the front, left the rest loose and slept with my satin bonnet on hoping that I could apply a little leave-in, fluff and go to church in the morning...I did...will not do that again. My hair was bigger (fluffier) and I like big hair but big and triangular due to this cut...not so much!

What's next- well tonight is wash, deep condition night...I was in Ross this weekend and I always check their beauty products section. I have been wanting to try the Yes to Carrots line so I bought the moisturizing mask...I am going to try that tonight and do some mini-twists and see how that goes...pics forthcoming...

Good Friends, Good Hair, Good Times!

Shame, shame, shame!

I can't even face you right now...I admit it, I am RAGGELY...not raggedly, RAGGELY...I am such a bad blogger I had to make up a brand new word for it. This is my first post since March...if I would have been consistent I might have made it to Oprah due to my massive following (deep sigh)now she's retiring and I am raggely.

Fortunately, I believe in redemption and all those who believe in heaven- you HAVE to forgive me if you want to go there so- I love you too! For the unbelieving... just be nice and give a sister another chance...say something crazy and I know some bad church kids who will harm you and your property for a few bags of skittles...don't play!

OK...so what has been going on with me...work, travel (NYC, Seattle twice..and all over Arizona for mostly work but a whole lotta pleasure), weight loss, weight gain, another hair CUT...yes, I got another cut. I should have let her chop off my raggely (there's that word again) ends the first time but you know some stylist are either scissor happy or try to conserve AS MUCH HAIR AS POSSIBLE...I think some of us sisters have made beauticians nervous with the shears...you kinda take your life in your hands with some of us when it comes to our hair.

For me, it's just hair- it grows back and I really wanted to start my growth regimen without crazy, split ends- so I got it chopped. It is a bit of a wedge cute and I am working it...I miss my length in the back and morning post-cut I looked in the mirror and I thought: Sponge Amanda Triangle Head alas...it's just hair...it will grow back and if according to plan will grow back with a VENGEANCE.

I have started DETANGLING...not a big deal for most of you but for a woman who hadn't used a comb in 12 years (I had locs) I was rather adverse to pulling a comb through my hair....don't ask me why...so my hair had some serious knots & matting I didn't want to deal with...I know, I know...like Usher- these are my confessions- if you want to hear it- you gotta hear it all.

I have also started a weekly washing & conditioning routine...I was a regular wash and go girl for real and ya'll know my Cantu-Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner was pretty much MY creamy crack. I didn't get off it cold turkey...I relished that last container and kissed it's plastic face before throwing the empty jar in the trash. I am going for more natural products and homemade concoctions...I went right out about got all the supplies for Kimmay'shttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXi2k4cFFhI Leave in and after a good wash, conditioning, detangling, condition & rinse...that leave-in made my hair feel like BUTTAH...Jesus lives!

I am now religiously wearing my satin bonnet at nights, keeping my hands out my hair (I was a bit OCD about pulling the knots out). I deep condition once a month and am now using SHAMPOO Bars http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com...

my natural soul sista-in-law Tacia

introduced me to their quiet existence as well as Mop Top Maven who uses an Ayurvedic Shampoo bar with a bevvy of Indian herbs and other natural goodness...FABULOSITY!!!!

Zora Neal Hurston once said, "Love is or it ain't. Thin love ain't love at all." If you had not gathered...I am pretty much a woman of extremes...either I am all in or all out...so I've decided jump back into blogging & life- eyes wide open, hair first! I am entering a new phase of my life, kids out of high school (did you just feel a jump in your spirit? I did), several, positive & challenging life-changing transitions occuring and I am all about moving forward and not looking back...I hope you'll join me...once a week at least lol...be blessed.

Here's some pics highlighting what my hair and I have been up to!

My only daughter and youngest child graduated! (More about that later!)

I celebrated with my my mom & real mama (the one that will cut you I suspect is my birth mother- can you guess which one is my REAL mom? The other is my Auntie!

I hit the streets with my girls!

Hit the streets of New York for business...and fun!

Tristan Wilds (Michael from the Wire)...I was nice and let his little girlie friend get in the pic...he was sweet- kissed me on the cheek...I understood the term "COUGAR" in a real way!

I walked the Red Carpet in NYC...cause I could!

I caught up with old friends & fam in Washington State!

I spent a few days in Flagstaff, AZ for work

Connected w/ two of my favorite Evergreen State College-Tacoma alums...a divine appt. for real!

I mentored a newbie...

I fell in love all over again...

I attended a wedding I was kicked out of...lol...now that's class lol!

I got my praise on...spontaniously...because God is so good to me!

I found Kimmaye's Leave-In

I also discovered Aussie Moist Conditioner and began again!

Talk to you next week to share the results of my the twist-out I am doing on Friday- blessings!

Just What I Said...Looking Like My Mama!

So with a little fear and slight trembling I did it- got my hair straightened and trimmed. The process was a pleasant experience- it was nice to have someone else caring for my hair for a change. My stylist was gentle with me and was sure to deep condition and use a heat protectant.

I was actually surprise by the length of my hair during the blow out...I knew that it was going to be long but this is the longest my natural hair has ever been excluding my luvlee 9-year old dread locs. So it was cool to see how much it had grown since my second big chop after locs!


The stylist detangled gently and I lost about the same amount of hair as when I detangle at home so that was cool, though I must admit when she did get to flat ironing that is when I got a little uncomforatable...the smell of my hair burning (not frying) was bothersome...it has been so long since I have associated that smell with my head...it kind of turns my stomach when I smell my daugther FRYING her hair or when I am in the vicinity of a salon. Interesting how all that is foreign to me now when the beauty shop was home away from home.

As for the results...though she did an excellent job, I was underwhelmed at how straight hair looks on me...I really think I look rather abnormal. There are some women who can work both straight and curly hair, there are some women I see with straight hair that I think (to myself) you REALLY should go natural!




As for me, straight hair is just not me. Doesn't fit with my personality or personal style...my teenagers said, "mom, we like you with big, curly hair" most of my co-workers were like..."it's cute" or "ummm no." My homeslice from Pakistan said, "I hate to sound white but I really like your straight hair." We laughed and I told her what she saw that day she would likely see no more, she sighed, I smiled...all the way back to curly! Thank GOD ALMIGHTY the curls bounced right back!

OMg...Straightening this Week for a Trim...

Yes, you read that RIGHT- I have an appointment to get my hair flat ironed & trimmed this week…it has been YEARS since I have straightened my hair and YEARS since I have had a trim. I have noticed my plethora of split ends for a while and knew this day would come but I am SCURRED!

I have a friend who has been doing hair for years but is finally in school now- she will be doing the procedure. She has wanted to get her hands in my head for a long time AND she has an sincere appreciation for natural hair and natural products so that makes me feel better.

I have been reading a lot of threads lately about the dangers of straightening and the possibility of it changing my curl pattern. I am going to say a prayer, use a heat protectant and go for it. I had it straightened once right after I cut my locks so that I could trim…I was walking around looking like my mama for a few days and went right back to my curls without a problem. I am very curious to see it straight and get these ends taken care of…I suspect they are slowing my growth a little. Also, many curlies go from straight to curls with no problem…it is part of the great versatility of our hair.

I will post a pic but make no mistake, though I love my mama, if the result is the same as last time…straight hair may not make it through the weekend!

Blessings!

Oh and please excuse this pic...I am in desperate need of a threading (my Threader left the trade...darn her!)so the brows and the upper lip are out of control!

Sloppy Pony Tail

Yes, it is has been a while...we fall down we get up ok? :) I have not blogged in a while due to the fact that Arizona State government is determined to work a sista like there is no such thing as the Emancipation Proclamation! However, at long last I am back...

Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving and are enjoying this season! Nothing much to report on the hair front...I did however stumble on a hair option as a result of being lazy one morning and got rave reviews...it actually was cute but too simple for me to claim fabulosity! Just a sloppy pony with bangs but the make up was on point and I did indeed work it. The picture of me and the mic is just me playing around at my brother's studio...everyone who knows me that I CANNOT sing...they don't even tell me when choir rehearsal is...I look like I am really doing something don't I?

I have also been working out though I am dog tired...I could no longer deny the connection between natural hair care and SELF CARE. How can I not take care of the body that produces my lovely locs? I know I need to take care of myself- it is the doing it that is the hard part! I am getting older and want to be around a while. I have battled weight ALL my life and am not on a mission to get skinny just healthy while providing myself more fashion options and some cuter panties!

So, I joined LA Fitness and am loving the classes...have been going faithfully for about two months though I did take a week off this week (route canal and I am freakin tired) but I am back on it MONDAY. Zumba is my new love...oh how I love shaking the money maker but I have discovered that I don't have as much endurance as I used to...a sister could put in some work on the dance floor- these days I'd rather nap but it feels good to move and I am determined to eventually teach this class.

There are a couple of instructors that are not in the best shape but they can run circles around me and can move their hips like nobodies business...I'll be darned if I let one of these older ladies or whit chics out dance me...what the H? The white girls can move...put a sister to shame...however my competitive nature pushes me to continue and get better. I will keep you posted on my self care journey!

Ode to Corrine Bailey Ray…and kimmaytube!

O.K. so I tried the Corrine B Ray look with some help from Kimmaytube and I like the way it came out but I would definitely do some things differently next time…and there will be a next time!

I cannot do a flat twist to SAVE MY LIFE so I did the two strand, then twisted the two-strand and then did the coil. It was a spontaneous attempt so I did not use product in my first three pieces in the front (mistake) and of course noticed the coil was less defined which could not be in a more conspicuous location on my crown but I digress.

So, I did use Cantu Leave-In for the majority of my hair and next time I might use more of the cantu or my aloe vera and coconut oil concoction…not sure but I think I will get a better result next time.

Lots of compliments at the office…I have become quite the natural hair maven at the office…I can tell the lighter hued folks in the office are curious and a Jamaican colleague just had to put her hands all up in it…fortunately for her she is an elder and I like her!

Here is kimmay's YOUTUBE Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/kimmaytube