My World | Throwback Thursday - Your Critics

Hello loves. Wanted to share a post I create over 2 years on another site and wanted to share as it is relevant still...

Family and friends are your best and worst critics:

I find myself at times being more nervous around family and friends than I do around total strangers. I’ve realized that this is because they know YOU. These are the people that will give you their honest opinion and not spare your feelings. This is not to discourage you…It is done in hopes that you’ll take heed to what is being said.

To my family and friends [otherwise known as my critics]…I thank you and I love you

Even though this is still relevant in my life (for example, I have no problem talking to new hires at my job however, getting up and speaking in front of people I've known for year and/or my whole life bothers me sometimes). 

Does anyone else feel this way?

Motivation/Music Monday

Hey hey!

Wanted to come and spread some positive energy and/or motivation:

The past few months have brought on new things for hubby and I; by far the most challenging phase we've had (and trust, we have not lived on "Easy Street").

For me, staying positive is hard because I'm a worry wart and have been for many years. What balances me out? My husband. He is strong even in our scariest moments and is always there telling me "WE GOT THIS". His faith is so strong and I aspire to be in that same place.

I AM A WORK IN PROGRESS

Something else that helps me exude positive energy or motivation is music as it has a way of pulling on your emotional strings. Whether I'm looking to be calm, hype, serene... I have songs that will help take me there.

My motivational song of choice for the past few months has been and still is, is Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds". 

The lyrics are repetitive HOWEVER the message is clear:

"Don't worry, about a thing. Because every little thing, gonna be all right..."

This is my reminder that we can't stress over things out of our control. You do what you can and have faith that things will turn out in your favor.

I'm not saying that this fixes things for me but this is a start to take my mind to a calmer place.

Let me know your song(s) of motivation.

Natural Hair Anniversary

July 2nd marked 6 years being relaxer free. This past year has simply been a year of maintaining health and trying new things.

In September, I finally got up the nerve to do give my self an undercut (click >>>here<<< for more on my cut). I am still loving this cut and I'm still able to do some of the styles that I did prior.
I also took this time to grow my color out because I just wasn't feeling it anymore. I honestly liked how the color looked once it began to grow out.

Things that I've learned this year about my hair this year? Nothing really. Other than the cut, I haven't really experimented with many products, styles or regimens. The previous years have taught me just enough to keep my hair in decent condition

Staple products? If you look at any of my Pick 6 post, you'll know that I am #TeamSheaMoisture...This also applies to hair products; I use their Superfruit Complex shampoo and conditioner for cleansing, my whipped shea butter mixture as well as home mix of oils (whatever I choose to mix) to lock in moisture. For styling products, I use Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Curl Defining Pudding.

Go-to styles? With my cut, I have been wearing "The Puff" on a regular (mainly because I rarely feel like doing my hair). I have also done faux top knots, pompadours and my version of a Halo braid or what I like to call the twisted crown.

No real plans this year with  my hair other than possibly coloring it again. I am really interested in trying out Shea Moisture's Hair Color system... And although the "internets" is saturated with tutorials on this product, I may come with a demo.

Natural Hair Anniversary

July 2nd marked 5 years since I starting the journey of going back natural and 4 years of be being fully naturally (all processed hair being completely gone).  

Year 2 <<< Click to view my 2 year anniversary

A lot of trial and error to figure out what agreed with my hair/scalp and what didn't. Within that year did discover that my hair is in love with pomades and oils. Year 2 also forced me into a regimen because again with trial and error I learned that my hair needs a little more TLC in its natural state (ie: moisturizing, taming, protecting, etc.). With protecting my hair, I  learned to better style it. Growing up I learned how to braid and flat twist from my mother but rarely put this talent to use because my go to style was simply flat ironing or curling it. Thanks to YT I was able to jump back in and perfect this taught craft and do more protective styling to let my hair rest.

Year 3 <<< Click to view my 3 year anniversary

Experimenting with styles. Now knowing that I was able to do my own hair I tried out a lot of different styles: kinky twist, flat twist, marley hair, twist outs, braid outs, and everything in between. I discovered what I call my go to hair style, as well as an interest in cutting my hair in a style... Never did it though.

Year 4 left out the element of surprise since I know what works for my hair and what styles I can jump to as a last resort. Returning natural  4  years ago brought on a lot of research as far as what product has the least amount if not, any chemicals and what products had ingredients that would help promote healthy hair. With that in mind it made me think this year about not only being concerned about what I put on my scalp but also what I'm putting in my body. 

I have been pushing myself to eat better and take care of myself. Now, I am no poster child for Healthy, Clean, Me or anything but, when shopping for groceries I am more conscience about what I buy. More fresh fruits and veggies, and less pre-packed/processed foods. Less beef and pork, and more lean meats. We have also cut back on eating out, which forces us to eat our groceries before they go bad AND keeps more money in our pockets.

Going back natural was a choice that I initially made because I was frustrated with the result I was getting with my alternative styling method...That being relaxers. At this moment in my life, I have been frustrated with the results that I a getting from not taking care of my body so, I'm trying to shift gears and push hard to work towards a better me ALL AROUND.

Has your natural hair journey opened the door(s) to other aspects of life that you want to work on?

- Creatively Coiled

Pick 6 - Spring

It has been such a long time since I last posted (actually since the last Pick 6 for Winter). Summer is here and it is time to share my...

So... Lets jump right in!!!



Hair: Entwine Couture Exotique Butter-Creme Hydrator - For whatever reason, I was sleeping on this product for a few months and I honestly do not know why. What made me revisit it?: a frustrating moment of running and hands through my DRY hair trying to figure out what I already owned that could help other than using shea butter to seal in moisture. I can apply the butter-creme hydrator to my hair WITHOUT spritzing with water and my hair feels soft and rejuvenated.

>>Click here to to see my review on this is other Entwine products<<

Fashion: Palazzo Pants - being comfortable is the name of the game and I am personally tired of wearing slacks to work. I am so glad and palazzo pants are still a trend and can be found almost everywhere. I am stocking up on them now and my stores of choice are Target (check out the Ava and Viv collection) and Cato...Which by the way, was something else I was sleeping on. Side Note: I hadn't stepped foot in Cato in well over 2 years and honestly forgot about it but a friend reintroduced me to the store and I am impressed.

Beauty: Eyebrow pencils - meh! I really don't have much to say about this except that... I have limited hair above the eye and therefore choose to enhance it by filling them in. My favorite brow pencils are by e.l.f. and NYX.

>>Click here to see my eyebrow demo<<

Skin: Dermasil - If you have read any of the past Pick 6, you may be aware that I have troubling skin (ie: sometimes dry, oily, hyper pigmented....blah, blah, blah). Now I am dealing with my eczema breaking out on my wrist and ring finger...My left ring finger to be exact. Dermasil combats the dryness of my eczema and keeps it from itching. I using the formula for extra dry skin.






Accessories: Crocs flat shoes - OK, so don't judge me and don't take me off you "Cool" list...If I was ever on it but. I am LOVING them. I hated Crocs when they 1st came out because they are hideous however, knowing that they have different styles have helped a lot of people (including myself) accept them. These things are so comfy. I will certainly be purchasing more to wear to work

Random *Wish List Item*: Fujifilm Instax mini 8 - I have seen this camera circulating on line and it is adorable. It takes me back to the old school Polaroid instant camera that my parents owned. I though it was so cool sitting there shaking my the picture anticipating the image. It may seem like overload because I have a digital camera and my phone but I don't care... I want one. They run about $70.00 and I am considering it (no time soon but I am interested).

What items were you loving on this Spring?

Pick 6 - Winter

Well, hello Spring. Even though the warm weather hasn't officially settled in  I must say that I am looking forward to any sight of sunshine and warm weather BUT, before we move on past the chills let me share my...

Hair: African Braid Durban Twist Hair - I lucked up on this at a nearby beauty supply trying to figure out a quick way to style my hair. What really caught my attention was the definition: as if it were in large twist. The texture of the hair is softer than other braiding hair I have used in the past which is also a plus for me. I wasn't in the mood to do any detailed styling so I resulted to simple top knots to keep my hands out of my hair for a while. I buy this hair again and attempt to install kinky twist.






Fashion: Trench coat from Target - I purchase this coat well over 4 years ago for $13.00 from Target and I absolutely love it. With the cold weather that hits North Carolina, it is nice to have a nice long coat to wear. It is also machine washable so I have no problem keeping it clean.






Beauty: Very simple for the this Winter - A cocoa butter stick. Along with dry skin I suffer from hyper pigmentation  on my face which happens very easily when I mess the the acne on my face. If I catch these dark spots soon enough, I'm able to correct them by slathering cocoa butter on spot before I go to bed.








Skin: Shea Moisture Massage Oils - If you didn't know already, I'm #TeamSheaMoisture. Once out of the shower, I simply apply this to my skin without completely drying off to help lock in moisture. I've been enjoying the Olive and Green Tea oil.








Accessories: Stud earrings from Target - I wear these literally everyday when I'm  not looking to over do the ear glam. They are simple but "blinged" out a bit where I do not feel like I am doing too much.

Random: Hmmmm. I would have to say that my random this Winter is BAGELS - I've really been leaning with them hard this season as a quick breakfast. I have  enjoyed all wheat and poppy seed bagels 

with Garden Vegetable cream cheese.




Share with me your favorites from Winter :)

No Fast Food February UPDATE

February has come and gone so, I wanted to come and give you my...

UPDATE

I honestly enjoyed this challenge as it forced me to really plan out our meals: prepping food a day in advance and going into my recipe box to pull out some recipes that I hadn't used in a while. Along with this challenge, we tried our best to prepare meals that consisted of fresh produce so there was a lot of fresh veggies filling the fridge and with there being more fresh food, we were more moved to go ahead and actually cook and eat so none of it would go to waste.

With the cold weather taking over the month, comfort food was the name of the game: 

Pictures Clockwise: Grilled peppers and onions (rice not pictured).
Turkey Kielbasa, peppers, potatos and onions.
Buffalo chicken, broccoli, cheese and potatoes.
Turkey chili.

We enjoyed a lot of hearty meals throughout the month and had the opportunity to take a crack at making a soup (mind you, this is was a very random soup where I literally just purchased broth and veggies...Chopped 'em up and threw them in a pot... It turned out yummy):

Shared via Instagram

Shared via Instagram

With all of this being said. I am sad to report that I only made it 14 days straight without any fast food (insert sad face here). See, what had happened was...Sir and I hit the town and on Valentine's night and had all the intentions of coming home and preparing a meal HOWEVER, mother nature saw fit to hit Wake County with winds so harsh that when we arrived home, our power was out. 

All in all, we had takeout food 5 times last month...Which to me, was still good although I would have loved to complete the full 28 days with just home cooked meals. This was easy on the pockets and helped us clean out the fridge and actually start eating more of what we purchased. 

I will be trying this again. 

Did you participate in #NoFastFoodFebruary? If so, did you make it through the month?

-creatively coiled