I have been natural for a year and a half now, and I am loving the process. I am always looking for new hairstyles. I almost fell on the floor when I came across this style. I plan to try it when I have 3 hours to kill.
What are some of your favorite natural hair styles?
I received my last relaxer on May 23, 2009. I did the big chop on November 25, 2009 because I was really tired of dealing with the two different textures. It took me about a month to get used to the length of my hair. Before the cut I had about 12 inches of hair….after the cut I had about 2 and a half inches. I got used to the length, and my hair really started growing. Not only did the growth take off, but the hair was growing in healthy. That is what I love most about it, that my hair is healthy.
I had a hard time finding the right products for my hair. For those who are considering going natural, I will say that this is the hardest part. You will probably try product after product, trying to get the thing that your hair loves. I found products that did well in my hair for a little while, then they didn’t work as well. I finally found something and I am loving it. My hairstylist is now going natural and she started selling Design Elements Natural hair care line. I love the curl stretching cream for my twists. I am sampling other parts of the line now.
I was searching the web for hairstyles, and I finally found the key to making a puff ponytail. I had been trying to figure this one out for a while. I should have known to go to YouTube. I never would have thought in a million years to use the leg of a pair of stockings to do a puff. But, that is what folks are using. 
So, I cut off a leg and I got to work. Here is my first puff.
The next day I did a ponytail with a little less puff. It takes some practice not to make these too tight. LOL
I was playing around with my new app on this next photo. The app is calling Plastic Bullet, and I love it. You can save pics in their natural form, or Plastic Bullet will add different effects. I am going to Connecticut next week and I plan to use it to take pics of the scenery. It saves photos in high resolution, which I love because I want to print some pics out poster size.
I have a friend named Kelly who always talks about African Americans being represented where she shops. Whenever we would go into a store (usually a craft store) she would ask for an african american item. When they said they didn’t have it, Kelly would say, “Well, why don’t you have it. I think we should be represented.” I never really gave much thought to it at first, but as we started shopping together at craft stores more and more, I started to feel the same way. Then I would go to other stores, shopping for clothes, food, etc, and I would look to see how many minority workers were employed there. I don’t think it’s asking too much to see yourself represented in places where you spend your hard earned money. I think that as a people we need to demand to be represented where we spend our money!
I was online last night searching for cards. I make cards to sell, but I also like to support other people in their business endeavors. So, I got on Etsy and I stumbled across soapboxtheory’s shop. You can see soapboxtheory’s full shop where she has a wonderful array of cards, tees, and other items! I fell in love with the shop instantly. African American’s are definitely represented in this shop. Happy Shopping!
I purchased this card, and I cannot wait to get it.
Isn’t this the cutest thing?!!! I am loving the fact that the little girl has natural hair…not a permed “do.” I am sure that I will spend a lot of money in this shop!
While browsing the shop, I also saw a card that had been sold, but I sent soapboxtheory a message to see if it will be available again. Here is the card.
I saw this tee, and I want it. I am going to buy it this weekend. I have been natural for a little over 3 months, and I am loving it. I want to represent that with tees. I have 2 “natural hair” tees so far.
So, when you’re looking for cards to send to your family, think of soapboxtheory, and swing by her Etsy shop!
Peace and Blessings,
Michelle
My wife and I went to E.’s wedding this weekend. E. is her sorority sister (SGRho). The wedding was absolutely beautiful. They make a wonderful Couple. E. (husband) is a Zeta. I got to see them and the SGRho’s stroll. It was a beautiful thing.
I have finally found a hairstyle that I like, so I am going to post a picture of my TWA. I am really feeling this journey. I am in search of a couple more styles that look good on me. I like the one that i have now, but I would like to have a couple to fall back on. Don’t want to be a one trick pony.
My before hair. I am the one in the middle.
My TWA
I wore a head scarf to work today, and this is how my hair looked when I took it off.
I would like to hear from some of my natural sisters about the type of hair products they use. I received some help from trishasdaughter last week, and it was very helpful!
I just wanted to share a few pictures because I know a few of you wanted to see my new hair. Let me know yours thoughts.
Peace and blessings,
Michelle
I search the web for things that interest me. Here are a few things that I came across recently.
1. My wife is in love with Sade. I think if she could trade me in, she would. :-0 She was anticipating the release of Sade’s CD this December. Well, we didn’t hear anything about it. So, last night I did a search, and learned that the CD is due to drop on February 8, 2010. I must admit, I love Sade also. I had the biggest crush on her when I was a young girl. Now, it’s all about her music. You must admit, she makes beautiful music.
2. I love cards. I make handmade cards and sell them on Etsy. I often peruse the web to see what others are doing as far as cards are concerned. I came across this site that sells Letterpress cards. I went to Archiver’s a few weeks ago, and I found out that they have a Letterpress kit for one of the die cut machines that they sell. I am so on it. Here are a few samples of the cards that I found on the Old Tom Foolery website.
3. I have fallen in love with these Aphrochic pillows. I definitely want the silhouette pillow centered in the front.
4. I am loving her hair in this pic…and the tee is hot also. The tees are also for sale on Aprhochic’s website.
5. I absolutely love this painting. I found it on YMIB, but it doesn’t state where/if it can be purchased.
6. When I work on scrapbooking, or when I am making handmade cards, I sometimes use colored pencils. I currently have them stored in a tall mason jar, but I think I want to make this caddy to put them in. Love it!
This is a collage of some of the things that I am feeling right now. I will go clockwise and end with the center photo.
1. iPhone I have been in love with the iPhone for a long time. Instead of getting the iPhone when I upgraded the last time, I tried to give Sprint a chance. I got screwed for having done this. My bill went from $70 to $104 because of a lie told to me by one of the “customer service” folk. I am not going to do the whole two years on this contract. I disregarded the signs, and now I am paying. 
2. Be Natural Tee As you all know, I am going natural. My wife bought this “Think outside the box” tee for me when I first decided that I wanted to start the journey. I love this tee, and the whole premise behind it.
3. Natural Beauty This tee can be found on BNatural’s website also. It is linked above. I really like this one because of the definition on the shirt. It says, 1. One whose beauty radiates from the inside out. 2. One whose beauty does not rely on outside manipulation. 3. ME.
4. MacBook This has also been a long time love of mine. One day I will be able to go to the Apple Store and drop a thousand bones for it, but right now we’re trying to get our budget straight. But, just so you know, MAC is the best laptop out there.
5. Commitment My wife bought me a “Courage” print from this website. I searched the site and found the Commitment one. I work for the Board of Elections, and I know the importance of each vote. I know that my ancestors died for my right to vote, and I value that a lot. This will be the next print that I get.
6. ColorSplash App I don’t even have an iPhone yet, but I’ve searched the Apps on iTunes millions of times. The search for this one came about today. I am making Christmas cards for my co-worker Anna. She is a dog lover, and she plans to put her two dogs Odie and Pete on her cards. I plan to do the picture of them in black and white, and have their Santa outfits in Red and white. So, I did a search for a program that could do that, and ColorSplash was one of them.
7. Cable Cardigan I started knitting again, and was really excited about it. Then the holidays started approaching, and I began making cards to sell on my Etsy site. Now that I am pretty much done with that- except for making Anna’s cards, and the cards that my wife and I plan to send out – I can once again focus my attention on knitting. This sweater will be my first project. I am interested in seeing how long it will take me.
8. Celebrate Equality and Diversity in America If you read my blog, then you know that I am a lesbian. I am serious about diversity. It really pains me that we have not made more progress as far as diversity is concerned. I plan to get this tee shirt to wear to work on Casual Fridays.
9. Total Money Makeover This is where I am now. Working through Dave Ramsey’s money makeover plan. It is my goal to be debt free. No credit cards, nothing. I am so tired of being a slave to debt. It is so important to let this stuff go. We are planning a family, and when we do so, I don’t want any of the issues with debt to stand in our way.
10. African American Art Work I am so interested in African American art right now, especially when it has to do with women rockin’ natural hairstyles. This is a piece that I also want to get in our home. I think this would be a perfect addition. This decal can be purchased at Ten23Designs.
11. Golashes For some reason I have acquired this liking for Golashes. I am still looking for the perfect pair for me. I saw a cute pair in the DSW ad by Tommy Hilfiger. I have to go try them on to see how they fit. The last few times I tried some on they didn’t fit the way I wanted them to.
12. Nikon D90 Ok. This is another item that I have been wanting for a while. In case you all don’t know this about me, I will spend my last dime for others, but I am somewhat cheap when it comes to buying things for myself. This is on my “to buy” list.
13. Natural Hair I love anything to do with natural hair. I love to see photos of African American women rockin’ their natural hair styles. I love the way T’Keyah’s hair looks in this photo. This is my motivation. I am getting it cut tomorrow, and I will only have two inches of hair. This is what I have to look forward to.
I went to see Marie (my natural hair stylist) today, and I am all set. Come Wednesday, I will have 2 inches of hair on my head. I am nervous about it, but at the same time I am so ready for this change. I am so tired of dealing with two different textures. So, I am ready for the next phase. I look forward to the changes as it grows back out, healthy and natural.
I was on Afrobella last night and I have already found the hairstyle that I want once my hair has grown back out.When talking to the stylist I asked about the texture of my hair. She stated that it is medium-fine, and it has a wavy/curly pattern. I think the hardest thing for me will be finding the products that will do right with my hair. So, for all my natural readers, please let me know what your favorites are. I plan to also get some suggestions from my stylist.
While I was on Afrobella’s website I
found some art work that I like. 
I am
the person who loves to decorate in our households, so I have been bouncing ideas through my head of ways to update the look in our home. The furniture is good, so the next step for me would be to paint all the walls, and then add some art work and accessories in each room. Here is a very nice print, and it can be purchased here. I plan to put this one in the guest bedroom. I am still looking for some art to go in the basement…which is where my craft room will be. If you see something that you think may be appropriate, let me know.
Well, I was supposed to call my Aunt at 9:30 pm. I am 10 minutes late. So, I must wrap this up. Have a good evening.
Peace and blessings
Michelle
It has been quite a while since my last post. I am trying to get back into the swing of things. I am completely healed from the surgery, at least physically. At times I still tussle with the fact that I will never have any biological children of my own. I know that this is something that I cannot change, and I will come to accept it one day. But, it is a process.
The most busy time at my job is almost over. We are wrapping up the election, but unfortunately, we may have 6 recounts in our county. So, that will mean not being able to take off days as soon as we would have liked. I am so ready for a vacation!!!
My little cousin is turning 19 on December 3rd, and she is a die hard Aaliyah fan. She wants an Aaliyah canvas painting. It’s $88 on eBay. I think I am going to get it for her, and that will be her birthday/Christmas present. I honestly believe that she can do the painting herself. She draws, and the girl has skills. Here is the painting she wants.
My brother sent me a text a couple days ago asking if I was butch or femme. Today he sent a text stating that I must be butch because I plan on getting locks somewhere in my going natural process. He stated that he “despises” hard lesbians, and he believes that butches wear locks. Now, this is my thing. It’s hard enough for gays and lesbians to deal with stereotypes and incorrect information from straight people, but to also hear it from gays disheartens me. Oh yeah, my brother is gay. I told him that I don’t do roles. I am neither butch or femme…I am just as comfortable in a dress and heels as I am in jeans and tims. He stated that there is always a butch and femme in gay/lesbian relationships. This, I do not believe. My wife and I have two friends who are in a relationship, and they are both “butch”. I have friends who are in a relationship and they’re both “femme”. So, to say that there is always one and the other is not true.
He asked me if I was the “boy”. He feels that because a woman “fixes up stuff” around the home, she is “butch”. I don’t believe this either. If a woman who identifies as “butch” cleans the house and cooks, does that make her “femme”? No, it makes her a woman who cleans and cooks. I just don’t like labels. Never have. I am who I am, and that’s it. Don’t try to put me in a box. I cook, clean the house, and I fix things around the house. What does that make me? It makes me an adult with a wife and a home.
I talked to my new natural hairstylist today. I am going to go tomorrow to show her the picture of how I want my hair and we will make an appointment from there. Part of me is so excited about having it cut because I am tired of dealing with two textures. There is part of me that is also nervous…wondering how it will look. I will get through it though. Will post pics once the deed is done.
I have been perusing blogs and I came across usweetpea here on wordpress. That is where the image to the left came from. She has a blog post up there where she talks about an Etsy seller. You all know I love Etsy, and that I sell my products on there also. Well, here is the image that she posted that I fell in love with. I gotta have this! 
If you also like this, you can purchase it on the Etsy website in Ten23 Designs shop. There are lots of lovely items this shop. Swing by and see what you can find.
I have been on a desperate search for a short hairstyle that I like. I am currently transitioning to natural. I haven’t had a relaxer since May 23rd…which is also the day that I married the love of my life. So, it’s been a little over 4 months. I went to my hairdresser one time, for her to twist my hair so that I could take the twists out and wear it curly. After that, I asked myself why would I pay $55 to do something that I can do myself. So, I have been doing it on my own, except I’ve been doing a braid out.
That's me on the left...but you all probably know that by now.
I love the way it comes out, but I am tired of doing it every week. I am ready for the transition to be over. So, I have been looking for a style that can be done if the rest of the relaxer is cut out of my hair. I just want to get down to the knitty gritty. Here is the style that I came up with. Let me know if you all like it. I think it’s just a finger twist…at least I hope so.
Love this style. Wonder how it would look on me.
If you all have some short hair styles in your stash, please pass them on. I am open to it all.
Peace and blessings
Michelle
My wife and I woke very early this morning. This is unusual for us on a Saturday. We got up and came downstairs. She started watching one of her programs, and I started getting my items together to list on eBay. I am cleaning out my closet. There is no need to keep this stuff that I either don’t wear or can’t fit. Might as well make a profit from it.
After posting my items on eBay, I had to check out my greeting card site. I am selling cards on Etsy. Well, I am selling more off of Etsy, but I still keep the site. I am currently researching making handmade soap to sell on Etsy under the name SoapTherapy. I will let you all know when that’s up and running. In the meantime, if you have any greeting card needs, let me know. I have about 10 up there now, but I sell a lot offline. I have one customer who has given me a list for the whole year.
In researching soap making, I came across a blog. Soapguy has some nice stuff on his site. I want to contact him to discuss the process, but he hasn’t posted since February. This is some of his soap listed below. I hope my business runs this well when I get started.
Soap by SoapGuy
I am so looking forward to Whitney’s CD. I am somewhat disappointed that it doesn’t come out until September. But, I can wait. I hope that it is worth the wait. I have loved Whitney since day one. I hated to see her take a downhill slide, but I feel like she’s on her way back up. I will definitely purchase the album on the day it drops. She looks really good on the album cover. Get it Whitney!!!
Look To You album cover
Lookin' good Whitney
I need to get up from here and run my errands. I need to run to Target to get some Motions Foam Wrap so that I can do my hair over. I found the hairstyle that I will wear through my transition period. I like it. I paid my hairdress $55 to do it the first time, but now I know how to do it myself. So, I can keep my $55 in my pocket.
My transition hairdo
We are going to see Mint Condition today. They are giving a free concert at Sawyer Point. I am not a really big Mint Condition fan, but I like a lot of their music. You have to admit though…free is free. Will let you know how the concert is on my next post. Until then, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Going to see them in concert today
Peace and blessings
Michelle
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