OMG, He's a "Big Boy" Now!

My husband went ALL BY HIMSELF to H&M yesterday and bought himself a shirt!!! He's growing up on me *sniff sniff*. Since I've been living here in NYC (nearly 5 years), I've probably bought every single item of clothing for him down to socks. Or at least provided my consulting services if we both happened to be in the store (which is rare since he's afraid of shopping with me). Even when I was in Montreal I would buy stuff and bring it down.  I go on my own, pick items I think he'd like or look good on him, bring it home, and if he doesn't like it (it happens), I return/exchange it. His own personal shopper. Isn't he lucky? But yesterday he bought a cute plaid shirt and he got it on sale (which he made sure to point out to me)! WOW! But his experience wasn't a painless one, poor soul, he started with 3 items, one didn't fit right, the other, when he got to the register, they said it was in the wrong place and therefore cost more than he felt it was worth, so he left it (not without telling them about themselves though, lol). But the last one was JUST RIGHT! Way to go Damian!

I think this is it! (or similar)

*round of applause*

Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale for Women & Kids Started Today!

Don't be scared ;)

CLICK ME!

I know I'm running for the hills! :P

The sale is from May 25-28th, you also get double rewards points during that time. Huge markdowns! Enjoy!

How hot are these? I can so see these with some skinny white jeans and a nice loose royal blue off-shoulder top. I love my colors!
Miz Mooz 'Salima' T-Strap Sandal

Was: $109.95
Now: $79.90
25% OFF

*running away from the Nordstrom website*

Curly Girl Collective- Collective Expressions Event

I had the pleasure of attending this event on Sunday May 22nd, and I must say, I am sooo glad I was there. As I posted on their FB fanpage that same night:

Wow, that was a great event and I'm glad I was a part of it. Classy, entertaining and creative, everything just flowed so well. I had the pleasure of meeting so many great people, the energy and vibes were bouncing off the walls. I attended by myself, but it didn't feel that way at all! I was so proud being around so many natural beauties. The drinks, vendors and hairstylists were on point too. I will surely be at any other event CGC throws in the future. I LOVE CGC, AND MY HAIR! ;)

The event was from 4-8pm and when I got there a little after 4, the room was already full with ladies chit-chatting. They had the event at Brian Farrell's studio in the Chelsea Modern, such a great location. Hpnotiq sponsored the drinks and were promoting their new purple Harmonie drink which actually comes out June 1st, so we got a sneak peek! There were different cocktails made from it with cute, clever "Curly Girl" names. Man, I was nursing my drink for hours, kept going back for more ice, ha! Yeah, I went back for another, but that's besides the point :P The front room had the hair product swap basket, the bar, appetizers, a great artist/painter named Lorra Jackson who was capturing the event with her brush-strokes in a live-art installation, and a vendor, CanDid Art Accessories who was showcasing some fab jewelry, mainly feather earrings which are still all the rage. I saw ladies walking around wearing their new accessories right away, love it! Can you believe she accepted credit cards? HELP!

CanDid Art display

The back room had two makeup artists and a manicurist from Posh Nails BK, which just happens to be around the corner from me in Brooklyn (large up Prospect/Crown Heights!) Then outside in the backyard, Hannan Saleh, famed photographer, was taking photos of our slammin' outfits to feature in Ebony mag's Street Style. And let me tell you, there was REAL STYLE that night. Between the hair and style, I was getting whiplash.

Head downstairs and the party was ON! As soon as you got to the bottom of the stairs, CANDY, yay!!

I was overwhelmed in a good way, hair stylists styling one way, another accessories vendor selling stuff at 1/2 price (OH NO!), big up QuellyRue Designs, Esther Woo Vintage right next to her, then a photographer taking our pics with a backdrop...then Miss Jessie's was set up in another corner, then CGC had this big beautiful banner that we got to write on and answer "I Love My Hair Because..." with some photos of happenin' natural chica's around the border. I was really "liking myself" at this event. So well put together.

Racquel of QuellyRue Designs

Miss Jessie's Reps and Models, the girl on the left I recognize from their ad campaign

I Love My Hair Because...banner

Miko and Titi writing why they love their hair

The "mane" event was Miss Jessie's founders, Miko and Titi doing a "big chop" at 6pm. I was practically in tears when the model (an actual model) got her relaxed ends shaved off by Miko. She looked hawt before it was even styled! It was a really empowering moment. Here's a bit of loud footage from this: YouTube

Titi giving a little Miss Jessie's background

Model ready for her big-chop

Model after her big-chop and style, a twist-out

There were some raffles as well, and I was pretty hurt I didn't win that Huetiful hair steamer, lol...then I was literally hurt when I got hit in the mouth by a woman rushing to catch a "I Love My Hair" tee that was thrown into the crowd, my lip was bleeding!!  LMAOOO! All in good fun, but that was hilarious. All proceeds from the raffle went to the organization Petals-N-Belles. Pure positivity. 

I left that event feeling proud that I'm a natural girl, and a little tipsy (shhhh). I can't wait for Curly Girl Collective's next event!!

Some more pics:

Some CGC girls posing with Brian Farrell and a Miss Jessie's rep

Earrings that I bought...seems to be a color theme going on, to the left CanDid Art, right QuellyRue

Heyyy, poppin' gift bag with great products

 

Lorra Jackson painting that she finished by the end of the night. Sorry for the glare.



Me rockin' my "I Love My Hair" tank from Forever 21 ($13.80, heyyyy!)

Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Shampoo & Repairing Hair Mask- First Impression

Heyyyy, so I got samples of the above at the natural hair meet-up last Friday and used them both Saturday morning. When I first saw that the line was coming out, I was interested because anything "repairing", I want a part of, my hair is a bit damaged because I picked out my locs and didn't do a "big chop" at the new growth. I plan on trimming the damage as I go along. I absolutely love the smell of this line ever since I first smelled it when it debuted on May 9th (ummm, I just happened to be on my way to Target when I passed by the Carol's Daughter store, I swear). Anywho, the shampoo went on nicely (it's sulfate-free by the way) and made my hair soft where I was actually able to detangle with it. I put the mask on and a plastic cap for about 1/2 hour and when I washed it out, my hair didn't feel soft, it had that squeaky feel to it where you feel like if you pass a comb through it, it will break off...so I put some Oyin Handmade's Honey Hemp Conditioner in and washed it out and it was all good.  The sweet Monoi smell was gone though. Not sure if I'm a fan of that Honey Hemp orange peel smell, but let's leave that for another post, lol. I'm wondering if I used the mask too sparingly seeing as it was a trial size and maybe that's why my hair didn't feel moisturized? Not sure, but I'm going to use it up and give my final verdict when I do ;) I wish I got a sample of the conditioner, I love conditioners :)

The 8.5oz Repairing Shampoo is $18, $16.20 if you're a Carol's Daughter member, which I am because the membership was $5 at the time :D (10% discount).
The 8.5 oz Repairing Conditioner is $20, $18 for members
and
the 7 oz Repairing Hair Mask is $29, $26.10 for members

My hairstyle:
After I applied the Honey Hemp condish, I passed some Karen's Body Beautiful Heavenly Jojoba Hair Oil throughout my hair. Then I used some Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie (great natural-ingredient line and everything is $9.99 at Target) and Eco Styler Blue gel (Stockngo is the BOMB btw!) and did a two-strand flat twist on my wet hair and took it out the next day to go to another natural hair meet-up that I will post about later. My hair looked great I must say. I'm really digging the flat twist method more than the individual ones. There are less gaps and it looks more cohesive, which is ideal for my hair length right now. Chunky twist-outs look better when your hair is longer in my opinion.

How to do a two-strand flat twist-out you ask? I can't remember, but I think I got the idea from PrettyDimples01 on YouTube, I love her vids, check it out. I am entertaining the thought of starting my own vids, but I'm not sure, I feel like there are enough natural hair chica's doing hair videos, lol.

Natural Hair Meet-up @ Georgia NY, ft. Carol's Daughter's Monoi Collection

I decided last minute to go to this event @ Georgia NY on my way home from work on Friday and I'm glad I did (even though I looked a hot mess).  I met some great women and even two ladies that I subscribe to on YouTube, Taren916 (I found out about the event from her YT page) and Ahsiek1118. The event was from 6-9pm and when I got there around 6:30pm, ladies were mingling, chatting and enjoying cupcakes and wine. A nice intimate vibe.  I couldn't get over the variety of natural hair beauties, from big curly fro's to twist outs, locs and TWA's (teeny weeny afro's). It's nice to see women embracing their natural hair. Georgia is a cozy place in SOHO that has two chairs in the back to do hair with a sink, some hair products, body products (they are all natural) and some clothing items. A one stop shop! There were some giveaways (yay!), one to get your hair done, the other was the Monoi Collection gift set. I won neither, boooo ;) But I did walk away with some samples and new friends. I used the hair mask on Saturday. It smells soooo goood. Let's hope it works as good as it smells ;)

Ladies listening to the CD rep

 Ahsiek and myself

Carol's Daughter Monoi shampoo and mask samples

Embracing my Curly Girl!

So, I took out my locs after 6 years and I am loving it! Okay, I'm not going to lie, I turned into a product junkie experimenting with different brands, and I've been playing around with my hair...hmmm, I won't say "too much" (as hubby says!), but locs are relatively low-maintenance, so it's definitely more than before. I think that is something I missed, being able to pass a comb through my hair.  I got to a point where I wanted a change and the general health of my locs had diminished over the years even though they were almost waist-length. I feel so much lighter! Before I started my locs, I was natural for about 2 years prior, but trust me when I tell you that there were not nearly as many hair products for kinky, curly hair as there are now.  I may not have went to locs had there been. It could be that I was also living in Montreal at the time and the hair products are limited. After cutting and removing (yes, I picked most of it out because I didn't want it too short), I was going to texturize my hair, but decided to try again with my natural curls before going the chemical route.  I've been trying products I can get locally in drugstores, Target and local beauty supply stores (bss) as well as products that can only be ordered online. Just to see the difference because I'll pay for shipping if a product is exceptional and I hear great reviews, but if it's comparable to a local product I don't need to. I'm trying the "natural" ingredients route as well, trying to stay away from harsh sulfates, silicones and of late mineral oil and parabens. I say "trying" because if a product has either of the above and I really want to try it, I will. It's amazing how many hair products contain these ingredients, some contain all of them and more. When I looked at the products I already had I was amazed. Watch out for labels that scream "Organic" or "Natural", because a lot of the time when you check the ingredients, they aren't. I fell for that before I started reading the ingredients. I'm not saying anything is wrong with these ingredients, in my opinion, it's just that there are apparently certain products and methods recommended for curly hair and certain ones that aren't. There's a whole "Curly Girl" movement that was started by Lorraine Massey, which basically states the above along with not shampooing, but co-washing (wash with a conditioner), staying away from blow dryers, curling irons, brushes and combs, etc. You can look into and purchase her book on Amazon,  Curly Girl: The Handbook (latest version) or read up quickly on the process on ehow.com.

Here are some pics of my transition!

Pre-cut with Kinky Curly products

All cut and styled. Coil-out.