woo-hoo 2009 is almost upon us!!

Wow! 2008 is over!

With such a surprising great ending to the long election, I think that even with the recession (yeah, its a recession - time to face facts) we should all look toward the new year with hope.

This year I was kinda feeling old. I am in my early forties and although I feel good most days - my body seems to be sending me other signals. I get stiff, my skin stays dry, my hair is like straw and I can go on and on.

But instead of continuing to focus on the bad, I did what I usually tell my sons to do when they have questions about things (because my brain isn't what it used to be)- i say check online.

So here I go checking essence mag and somehow I stumbled upon some really great blogs discussing hair, health, dieting and all sorts of topics.

Now, I am informed and motivated.

What I will be continuing to do into the new year:

Continue with my doctor's appointments,
Continue to tackle my hair,
Move my ass off the couch a bit more,
Spend more time with my family,
Go take a few more school courses,
Take it easy on the junk food,
Travel
Get back to saving $$

Also, I'm not going to despair. If I fall off the wagon, I will get back on.

I realize too that we all have crap to go through in life and if all I'm worrying about is being in my forties and dealing with what goes along with it -- then I need to really get over myself.

Anyway, lets all stay healthy, wealthy and wise in the New Year. Also, lets continue to support our new Prez!

Peace and Blessings!!

Product Review - Organics by Africa's Best Olive Oil Deep Conditioner

My product review is on Organics by Africa's Best Olive Oil Deep Conditioner. I purchased this product primarily because of its price which was about $3.99. Also, I was lured by the Olive Oil on the label.

I've been using this deep conditioner for about 6 weeks. I use this weekly and pre-condition my hair before shampooing.

How I used this conditioner was to apply the cream throughout my hair from roots to ends and walk around with a plastic cap for about 30 minutes. I then rinse it out, shampoo, use a rinse out conditioner, then a leave in conditioner and then either air dry or sit under my dryer.

Most deep conditioners that I've used in the past have made some difference. My hair would feel softer or more manageable.

To me, this conditioner didn't do much of anything. As a matter of fact, I've been just using it steady to see if there would be some improvement.

Right now I am 2+ months post relaxer, so I am doing a lot of playing around and experimenting with my hair.

But as with anything in life, you learn to enhance on what you have. So this is the product that I was able to mix my molasses with and apply to my hair.

Since this is a cream, the molasses mixed well and wasn't a mess or sticky.

The molasses definitely made a difference in my hair. As I rinse this mix from my hair, my hair feels smooth and soft.

So I would not recommend this product but if you need an inexpensive deep conditioning creme to mix another product - then this would help.

soft and beautiful's body lotion

i received a sample of soft and beautiful's new product. its a 24 hour body lotion. it contains those key ingredients - cocoa butter, shea butter and almond butter.

this is a great body lotion. i would even have to agree that for my REALLY dry skin it did its job. it also has a light creamy feel with a great light scent to enhance not overload.

usually when i use lotion by time i remove my clothing in the evening - my skin is looking dry.

this time - not so. my skin felt soft and looked moisturized. this lotion isnt thick but does the job without being greasy.

i highly recommend this item and look forward to trying out the rest of this new product line.

my new conditioner

well for the past few months, I've been experimenting with my hair. i have not been relaxing it every 6-8 weeks as recommended. so i just shampoo, deep condition and use a leave in condition. i then sit under the dryer for about 30 minutes and thats it.

my last relaxer was the beginning of October. only problem is my hair is short in the back and even shorter without straightening it. styling options are limited and my styling skills are lacking. but whatever, i'm trying to go the healthy route.

so in my online research, i stumble upon a few sites that are raving about molasses. first i see posts that say you should have some daily in tea or coffee. then i see the ones that say if you put it on topically it decreases breakage and leaves hair soft.

i decided to mix the molasses with my current deep conditioner. i apply all through my hair. to my surprise mixing it with the creme conditioner and applying wasnt messy at all.

also, to my surprise, my hair was softer and more manageable.

this will definitely be my new hair conditioner.

i've decided that instead of becoming a product junkie - i will be using what is in my cabinets. so at least my current some what dull current conditioner will not go to waste.

Peace

my hair, my life...

When I relaxed my hair in June 2008, although my hair looked good - it wasn't. I knew my kitchen (hair at the back of my head) was a mess. my ends were raggedy and i was really ready to just chop my hair off. The stylist even suggested that I lay off the relaxers a bit.

So i started to just let my hair go. Yes, I am a mess like that. I have a job in a casual environment - so I thought - let me just leave my hair alone.

Well, of course as things would have it... I get called for a job interview. Its more $, growth and I do need to get away from the people I work with before.... well, moving on...

So early October, I head into Manhattan to my favorite salon, Rosalina's. Its on Amsterdam Avenue in Harlem.

I got the works - relaxer, deep conditioner, some color and my eyebrows done! Yes, when I am able to get to NYC - I take full advantage!

I looked great and yes the hair was in a bit more better shape.

So I think that I may be onto something.... I neglect my hair but once relaxed I could see it struggling to get healthy.

So I get to work online - researching, checking everyone's website, blogs, pics, hair diaries. This helps in one aspect. I realize that we all want beautiful hair. I realize it can be done. Even relaxed african-american hair. I also realize that I have to work at it.

I have to eat better, exercise, take better care of my hair, relearn how to do my hair and experiment. And this is what i plan to do. I also learned that I do not have to relax my hair as often.

So just as I've decided that I will let my hair be - meaning chemical free and the above regimen.... I may have a job offer.

Now what to do? Just as I've accepted my transitioning hair and am still struggling to style it, I still havent been able to manage my hair. Although I am a huge fan of all hairstyles - particularly natural. I am not a fan of walking around a professional setting with messy hair - no matter what the length, texture, etc.

So until i get final word on this job or unless my kitchen grows in rapidly and stronger, I guess I will be returning to the salons. Which I must add, I hate the salons in my current area (upstate NY).

But I too will continue the active process of growing my hair - healthy!

I will wrap in my silk scarf. I will shampoo, deep condition weekly and use very little heat.

So if you see me in the streets, try no to laugh too hard! I'm just trying to grow out my hair!!

Peace