Hair Pron! (Yes, I went there!)

And without further ado, shameless self-portraits, and hair PRON

(FYI pictures in order from most recent, to 3-4 months ago)

TOO much time with my youcam...but I've had some growth.  Go me!

#FAIL

Clearly, I failed with the whole 30 day challenge.  I made it to Day 1.  *ducks* Wait, don't stone me.  I know, I know.  I should have tried harder, but I didn't realized I'd be traveling as much, that my internship at the VA would take over, or that I would have midterms, 20 page papers, presentations, and all that...Do y'all get where I'm going with this?  I OFFICIALLY LOATHE GRAD SCHOOL.  Not to mention the fact that the admin and faculty are up in arms, and the faculty is on strike.  Oh how I love SIUC.  *insert sarcasm here*, May 2012 can't get here soon enough, and until it does, please believe I will keep reiterating that fact, over, and over, and over. Ugh. Le Sigh. 

Day 1

Okay, my tablet is acting insane, and wont upload my picture  but today I was domestic  cooking, cleaning, being super mom, NAP, more cleaning, ironing and now catching up on some BET,  'Reed between the lines' premieres today!

30-Day-Challenge

In order for me to blog on a somewhat regular basis, I willing to try to complete a 30 day blog challenge.  Here’s the 30 day list, join in if you’d like!

Day 1 – A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.
Day 2 – A photo of something you ate today.
Day 3 – Your idea of the perfect first date.
Day 4 – Your favorite photograph of your best friend.
Day 5 – A photo of yourself two years ago.
Day 6 – A photo of an animal you’d love to keep as a pet.
Day 7 – Your dream wedding.
Day 8 – A song to match your mood.
Day 9 – A photo of the item you last purchased.
Day 10 – A photo of your favorite place to eat.
Day 11 – What’s in your makeup bag?
Day 12 – A photograph of the town you live in.
Day 13 – Your favorite musician and why?
Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to.
Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without.
Day 16 – Your celebrity crush.
Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.
Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.
Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.
Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.
Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.
Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently. A letter to someone who broke my heart.
Day 23 – 15 facts about you.
Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.
Day 25 – What’s in your purse?
Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.
Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?
Day 28 – Your favorite movie.
Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.
Day 30 – A photograph of youself today + three good things that have happened in the past 30 days.

...it takes 30 days to make a habit...

Quick Pic: Birthday Hair

Taken from my new tablet!  It just occurred to me that I hae yet to install blogger on my new toy.  *holds head in shame* I know, I have to do better with this blogging thing.  I spend so much time reading others people's blogs, that I really need to focus on my own.  I'm going to try to do better!

I've definitely been slacking on updating...whew, it's been almost a month.  I can atest to one things, and that is being a full time grad student and working 20+ hours a week, and an hour away from my home is kicking my tail.  I haven't been this tired since...since I don't know when.  Probably when I found out I was pregnant with my little bambino. :)

So let's play catch up... (in bullet form)

• Still natural, been playing with shampoos, conditioners and moisturizers, haven't found something that I'm totally and truly in love with, and being  PJ is expensive.  Right now in rotation I have, a shea whip from Tree Naturals (it's great), that Design Essentials Line, some stuff from Qhemets (well actually, alot of stuff), and shea moisture shampoo (which is okay -_-) 
• still doing the natural hair PS challenge, being doing Twists, twistouts (since it's still short), DC'ing, and wearing hats, which my husband doesn't care too much for, BUT this is my head! 
• Oh yeah, and I got a feather in my hair... (total waste of $20)
• I went to Florida for a pre-birthday getaway, it was less than enthusiastic, and there are so many things that I would change about that trip.  It seems that the year of 25 isn't starting out so bad, next week, Hubby will be out of town, and I will be spending my birthday alone. bummer. Thanks Missouri!
• I have been doing some minimal shopping--and I'll post some great finds from Marshalls that I got on my trip.
• I have hopped off the workout wagon--why? because I'm sleep if I'm not moving, or somewhere in a corner taking a power nap, I really need to stay up on my Iron pills more, or I'm going to crash , and never be the same.  Jumping back on this bandwagon, SOON!
• looking forward to homecoming at Carolina and NCAT...now to find some cute going out dresses.  Any Suggestions?

I guess that's it

PS challenge...HELP

One month in, and I'm kinda over it.  Ready to take these braids out, they're fuzzy!  Tell me to get back on the wagon!

BodyRock...'Let it Go!'

is killing me! That is all!

PS Challenge Weeks 3-7

I got 'Poetic Justice' braids on August 18th.  I'll be trying to wear them for a month, (so September 18, they have gots to go!) if I don't get a case of the frizzies...when braids get frizzy, they get ugly...at least to me, and I've invested too much time in myself and this hair of mines!

I've realized I haven't taken one picture since I've had these braids in and I wouldn't dare do it now...because today is an off day for me.  However, I've mostly been wearing them in a high bun, while I'm in school/work.  and a side bun when I'm home.  I've yet to wear them out because they're waist length, and I'm definitely, 5'2. :)

Oh... mini product review.

My MIL bought me the whole design essentials natural line, and I used it to wash/condition/style my hair twice before I got my braids...so far, it's meh. I haven't been blown away.  But, I do want to give it a fair chance, not to mention I know how expensive it was!

...so more on those product near the end of September! right now I'm only using a shea butter fluff from Tree Naturals!, she's new so she has no website [that I know of], but I subscribed to her on YouTube, and she's super sweet! I found her from Curly Nikki, where she was featured!

welp...I guess that's all for now.

Update in a few weeks!

NATURAL HAIR PRODUCT SALE!!!

Qhemet Biologicals is having a product sale! 

20% off orders over $27 (subtotal)

and free shipping orders over $70 (subtotal)

click below to get in on the fun! 

Qhemet Biologicals 

I ordered quite a few things...reviews coming soon, after I take out my 'Poetic Justice' Braids.  Still working on this Good Hair Blog Protective Style Challenge! I'm still going strong...I'm so proud of me! 

Are you mixed?

“So where you from?”
“I live in D.C. In southeast.”
“No. I mean, where are you originally from? Are you Dominican?”
“Nope.”
“Pamanian?”
“Still no.”
And so on and so forth as we play Name That Nationality through a few more countries and implied ethnicities until at last I reveal that I’m just Black. Plain ol’, regular ol’, everyday ol’, grade A basic African-American. No frills, no spices, no extra ingredients added.

Interesting concept this article talked about...read more over at Clutch Magazine.

[source]

How many of you have had a conversations along those line?  I know I have before.  Especially in college.  It was in college that I first experienced the weird questions, like"Are you mixed with Chinese?" "Are you mixed with Japanese?" Like, who asks that when you first meet someone?  I always reply "No", and then...

Inspiring

Today I am reading day 8 of Life Application Study Bible ® Devotion: http://bible.us/r/x.8.5u

Tax free Weekend (NC) Finds

I spent, well actually my MIL (luv her!) bought me a few things during tax-free weekend, I wasn't looking for anything in particular, but I score some super cute things and all for under $70--because there was tax (well there was on the purse). YAY.  well...

AHHHH!

I've so been slacking...school has started back, my son is now home from the In-laws, and between being a mother, wife, and tryna better me, my blog got lost somewhere in the mix.

I've super nervous/excited/anxious to be embarking on my last year of graduate school, so much so, I was having major headaches, and near panic attacks next year.  This year will be super busy with my intern and school, and driving an hr one way just to go to either.  but with Faith I will persevere. I read a quote today that reminded me of that:

"Faith makes things POSSIBLE...not EASY."

Boy, I really needed to read that.  I know that I need to have more faith in God that he will order my steps, but also more faith in myself, because I know he has my back!  Just what I needed to hear.  I thought I'd share because someone else needed to hear it also. ~Besos~

OTIS --New Jay-Z and Kanye

I'm ashamed.  I have yet to pick up this CD, and it's because of sheer laziness, and I keep forgetting to go to Target!  Gosh!  I can't wait to get my hands on it, but until then I'll have to suffice with listening to 'OTIS' over and over and whatever tracks they play on SIRIUS.  ugh, I have to get this CD tomorrow.

This song OTIS hits so hard, when it dropped, I downloaded it immediately, not to mention the fact, that it samples one of my favorite Otis Redding's songs, "Try a Little Tenderness"...I had just been singing it the day before, where it played in this random store on one of my random shopping outings.  :).
Anyways, the video, after the jump. Enjoy!

In order...

...to do our jobs, we have to realize that defeat is not an option.

Quote of the day

It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else's eyes.

-Sally Field

PS Challenge Week 2

This week I have flat twist that are currently [hanging] down but will be pinned up if I need to go out of the house.  This style only consists of 7 two strand flat twist going down, and can be loosened for a flat twist out...will I be letting them loose?... I doubt it.  For now I'm wearing a summer beanie and calling it a day!

Oh, I got the idea from this chick--Ms. Danti! Love her hair!

Death to Fat (BodyRock.tv Workout)

...almost killed me.  OMG.  My throat is burning from breathing too hard.  And this exercise was only 12 minutes long.  Jesus be a fence.  anyways, here's the breakdown:

Quote of the Day

"We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets."
— Marilyn Monroe

My natural hair story...

I got diagnosed with Psoriasis in November 2009. At first it started in just small patches on my chest. But somehow it moved to my scalp. I'm not sure where it came from, but the doctors have told me that it's genetic...funny thing is. NO one and I mean no one in my family has a case of psoriasis. Weird.

Anyways, I got my last relaxer October 3, 2009...a Mizani Rhelaxer or whatever it's called. It was my first time getting that type of relaxer (I usually got botanicals)...and it made my hair all silky. It burned a little, and I had the sores, but I thought what the hey. I've had em before...

but those 'sores' never went away, they became scaly patches... and psoriasis as I've been told.

BodyRock BodyRock, I make your body rock

So my friend Naima (NaimaE on Youtube), she's a classmate from school contacted me on becoming a Bodyrocker--the home workout movement.  Now many of you may have never heard of bodyrock.tv, and I never had heard of the site, but coincidentally, I had already subscribed to the youtube channel.  Anyways, I'm on this never ending quest to lose weight.  In the past 6-8 months so far, I've lost maybe 20 pounds, but I'm still not at the weight I wanna be.  I still wanna lose at least 25 more.  I'm not FAT per se, but I'm not where I wanna be, especially after baby K.

Anyways, back to bodyrock.tv, it's High Intense exercises, between (4-20 minutes) that you can do daily at home.  So none of that, "I don't have time to workout", because 20 minutes is nothing, and you don't have to go anywhere.  It's like watching basketball wives, and working out at the same time.  I think it's doable, and I want to get rid of the mommy stomach, and these thick arms.

I'll try to keep track of my progress up here, and maybe try to recruit (followers, if I ever get any, lol) and maybe a few friends.

Wish me luck!

1st protective style challenge

So Alex over at GOODhairblog, has started a PS challenge.  All of the instructions are over at her blog, the the gist of it is that you have to keep your protected for the next 3 months, starting today [August 1].  Now, me I've never been in an PS challenge, and I've never really been the type to protect my hair.  I guess I should post my hair story on here, maybe in another post. [I'll link] I promise, well I'll try. I haven't had a relaxer since October 2009.  and I've been cutting and snipping, and I'm finally all natural, I have a few heat damage ends, too many for my liking, and I want my hair to grow past shoulder length.  I hate this length on me right now.  So the first style that I've tried... [sorry about the quality of this picture, I'm too lazy to go out to the car and get my camera]

...medium sized twist, straight ends and all, pinned up.  It's okay.  I think my head looks to be too round, and a need some new big studs, pearls preferably.  

So here's to the next 3 months, Hopefully I won't fall off of the wagon. 

 

RIP AMY WINEHOUSE

"So far removed from all that we went through/And I tread a troubled track /My odds are stacked /I'll go back to black." 

A couple of days ago, the music world lost one of their greats.  It saddens me that Amy lost her battle on this earth. In working in the mental health field, I encounter all types of people that abuse substances.  Though I never have and never may encountered one as talented as Amy, I understand her fight.  I understand the self-medicating, I understand her wanting to escape her own reality.  Often times we don't know what people are going through, and I think the public will never understand.  However, I pray that she finds solace in the place that she now resides. 

I pray for her family, I pray for her friends, I pray for her fans, I pray for her soul...

RIP Amy.

Welcome to Accidentally, Me

Welcome to Accidentally, Me, a blog about well, umm me.  Being that I'm a frequent lurker, [read stalker] of blogs all over the web, I've decided to try to do one of my own.  I'm a product junkie, foodie, and I love all things pretty...resulting in me being quite a shopaholic. My sister tells me I need to sit down somewhere...but I digress.  It's a habit! Not to be confused I love a good bargain!  Here's to sharing my experiences with you all, good, bad, and ugly....but hopefully more good :)