Longing for yesterday...throwback!

These images were taken 9 years ago.  I took these images at the time to showcase my tresses and how other naturals could incorporate wearing their natural tresses with ready to wear looks.  My husband and I were attending an end of the year company party and the outfit I wore that night was a black tube top jumpsuit with a matching wrap.

After I stumbled across these images I made a vow to myself to get back to the size I was when these images were captured.  I do believe at that time I weighed around 135 lbs and I now currently weigh 145 lbs.  For the past few months I would only exercise to maintain my current weight.  Well, today I'm starting the Julian Michael's 30 day shred and it is with a strong hope that I will see great results at the end of the 30 day exercise program as now my new goal is to gain back my strength and tone of yesterday.  It may take more than 30 days, but it won't be because I didn't give it all that I've got!

I know that you may be thinking gaining 10 lbs over a 9 year period of time is not bad and I too felt this way until I saw my pictures above.  I'm also planning on purchasing a juicer in the near future, so here's to ending this year gracefully and starting off the new year with a healthier frame of mind for a new and improved (and smaller) FRAME!

What's in a package?

If we are too busy being consumed with fulfilling our own heart's desires, we will ultimately neglect the needs of others.  Become part of something larger than yourself.  This is my personal goal for 2013!

Where the green grass grows

"The grass ain't always greener on the other side, it's only green where you water it."  Heard this while listening to a song earlier today (Long As You Love Me - JB).  I have heard people say, "the grass is greener on the other side", but what a great comeback response to such tomfoolery!

My New Bootie!

Bruno Magli Agna Black Ankle Boot in Pebble Grain

These were waiting for me under the Christmas tree!  Although these booties are the latest addition to my fashion arsenal, I have many other pieces that I have purchased over the past few months that I can't wait to share with you!

A White Christmas!

 We were awakened this morning to the sound of hard rain and lightening, but look at it now! Wonderful snow!  Just a beautiful and wonderful blanket of snow on Christmas day!

A bird's footprints in the snow found on our doorstep.  

A view of the winter wonderland from our dining room window.  

The beginning stages of the family igloo (not sure if anyone will stay in it) and snow covered foliage. We received a lot of snow today and now the family and I are all bundled up keeping warm.  I hope your Christmas was a blessed one as well.  Merry Christmas and God Bless You!

Little Angels!

What a blessing you can be in someone's life by simply taking the time to care!

For the past year I've been having this feeling of wanting to do more with my life regarding caring for others.  I would have talks with my husband regarding wanting to give back to our community in some way, but didn't quite know where to begin. I thank God for guiding me in this direction as I find that by my actively acting on this desire to help and to be of service to others, I find a since of peace and joy in knowing that I have, in some sort of way, helped make a difference in someone else's life in a positive and encouraging way.

Wash Day!

Here in Texas I live in an area that has hard water and since I do not have a water softening system within my home, I wash my strands using heated distilled water.  I'll either wash my hair while bent over my kitchen sink, or I'll take several jugs of heated distilled water and place them on the bench within my shower and wash my strands while taking a shower.   Either method takes a while longer than just washing my strands while in the shower (using hard water), but my end results are well worth it!  I'm able to detangle my strands easier and thus loose a lot less hair. I also experience less shedding in between washings.  Simply put, hard water and my strands don't mix.  My hair always suffers after using hard water to wash and condition my strands and as women (some) get older, they tend to experience thinning hair and I don't plan to help this process along in any way AT ALL!

Half and half!

Half straight and half curly.  This day was my wash day and normally I wash my strands in about four sections, but wanted to capture this image for my post. I'm elated that my curls are back, but I will tell you that in the back of my mind, whenever I wear my hair straight, I worry that my curls won't bounce back on wash day (gotta stop reading horror stories on heat damage).  I put my hair in fat wet twists which will become my staple style during the winter months.

Personalize it!

Personalized Ornaments done at home

Wanted to try something new this year and create my own Christmas tree ornaments.   I used wired ribbons, metallic paint pens and stickers to create my lil' treasures!  Since I can't draw, I also used stencils to paint bells, wreaths, etc... Although I made these for myself, these would make wonderful gifts to give to family and friends and they're quick to make.

I also made ornaments with the names of all of my immediate family members, and after my son's marry and have kids of their own, I will use this same idea to create new ornaments naming the new loved ones that have joined our family to celebrate and show them how much they are loved!

Peace, Love and Joy!

I purchased my items from Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics and Michael's.

Blue Ornaments - Purchased from Walmart and used the smooth textured bulbs only
Red, Gold and Off White Ornaments - Purchased from the Dollar Tree

*Hint* - You can also purchased frosted ornaments from Hobby Lobby to decorate

Paint Pen - Tree House Paint Marker - Hobby Lobby - Love! ($3.47)
Paint Pen - Krylon Pale Gold Leafing Pen - Joann's Fabric - Love! ($4.00 after using save 50% store coupon)
Paint Pen - Krylon Silver Leafing Pen - Joann's Fabric- Love! ($4.00 after using save 50% store coupon)
Wired Ribbon - Gold and Silver spools - Michael's - Love! ($1.99)
Martha Stewart Stencil - Michael's - Not bad, but would probably work better with paint instead of pens - ($4.99).  Also, the ornaments I used were a bit small for the size of these stencils, so it made it difficult to fit the stencil on the ball for a smooth/uniform image.

So give this DIY a try!  I'm sure many of you are great artists and can probably create some new and wonderful designs that you, your family and loved ones will enjoy!

Peace and Blessings!

Dutch Crown Braid

Ever since I saw Cat Deeley (SYTYCD) sport a similar style, I had to give it a try!  Her braids were created outward (showing) and my braids were done inward. Although I think it looks okay, I'll revisit this style again the next time I press my strands and created an outward braid.

Here is a link to an article sharing how the stylist created this look for Cat Deeley.  How to Get the Look!

I started braiding at my lower right temple, then took the ends of the loose braid and tucked it into the braid along my forehead.  Again, not bad, but it'll do.

Photo of the day!

Twins

Pony up front!

Whenever my hair is straightened I love wearing it down and out.  However, as days pass, my strands become weighed down (sebum) and my hair is not as "fluffy/airy" as it was after my initial press.  I love movement when I walk.me...I do. So it is at this time (a few days prior to wash day) I find ways to pin it up, braid it up, pony it up, etc... Looking over past images of my hair, I wanted to give the above braided style a try. This style was created by starting the braid from my side part (right temple) moving along the hair line with the loose braid hanging over my shoulder.  I love it!

The last time I created a style similar to this (images above), I started with creating the braid from the bottom  (below my right ear) braiding along the nape to the left with my loose braid hanging over my shoulder. Same style with just a different starting point.  Love it!