She's Back...

The twists are gone and my hair is free to be once again!  I missed it so much.

Even though I washed my hair with the twists know there was definite buildup; she needed some serious TLC.  I washed with Curls for Target Creamy Cleanser, conditioned with Suave Almond and Shea Butter then deep conditioned with Miss Jessie's SST.  She was loving it. I clipped my ends just a little then threw some Design Essentials leave-in and HE Long Term Relationship leave in, twisted it up, sealed with Vatika oil and was good to go.  When I went to bed I really thought my hair was gonna be dry because I didn't apply the leave-in sections like I usually do but when I woke up this morning, it was super soft.  Though because my camera sorta sucks, I doubt you can tell.

Here are some pics of how my hair turned out today.  Now for me to put up day 1 hair is a big deal, because I typically never like my hair on day 1 but I was kinda feeling myself today.

Hopefully I can maintain my hair during the winter but with hats and scarves I'm a little worried.  In fact while I was out running errands, I damn near cried because I felt a strand of hair get caught on my scarf.  Plus the wind... I almost bought a bag of hair again out of fear.

My next goal is start experimenting with different styles: bantu knot outs, braid outs, mini-twists.

Til then.

"...Oxford Comma"

I saw these adorable oxfords on The Fashion Bomb and had to share.  Fashion line, Boxing Kitten, are responsible for them.  If you don't know Boxing Kitten they're the designers of this dress that Solange was sporting a few months back (which I heart):

Here they are,courtesy of the Fashion Bomb:

Now they're not even an option for the winter, I'm thinking way ahead to spring/summer, but what do you think of them?

Sneak Peek

Because I'm ridiculously impatient, I took out 2 twists in the very back of my hair, about 2 weeks into having the kinky twists in.  I told myself I was gonna replace them but I'm a week away from taking them all out and it just hasn't happened.   Here's a sneak peak of what the back of my hair looks like stretched out at 7 months natural.

I was cheesing hard as I took this because it's exciting.

Now if only I could get my hair to start falling instead of sticking straight out...

What's On Your Hair's Hoilday Wish List?

I'm starting to realize that the list of things my hair wants is longer than the list of things I want for myself.  She has a mind of her own I tell you.  Most of this stuff is pretty much useless right now because she's all tucked away in these kinky twists.  Unless I take them out like I'm planning on doing for the holidays.  I really miss her. I'm gonna take the Christmas/New Year holiday to let my hair breathe then send her away again.

Here's my list:

- Yes to Cucumbers

-Oyin Handmade Shine & Define/Whipped Pudding

-Conair paddle brush

-Rhassoul clay

-Huetiful Hair steamer

 

I know these things are pretty cheap (aside from the steamer) but I can't buy them til I finish some of the stuff in my drawer.  FYI taking much longer than I expected!

Just wanted to share a few things on my list; please feel free to leave your list in the comments.  I can always use more ideas for products to try & review!

Holiday Sale: Bath & Body Works

One of my biggest addictions is on sale!

Click here to read up on how much I love Bath & Body Works salt scrub.

If you have a B&BW fave here's your chance to get it.  I got 3 jars of There's the Rub for $40 when one jar retails for $24.  Now I don't have to be a cheapie, I can exfoliate as much as I want.  Finally I can finish the jar I bought back in June.  I was being so stingy it's sad... I even added sea salt from my kitchen to the mix.  FYI bad idea, my legs were on fire after shaving, which has never happened before.

I haven't seen an end date to the sale so I'm sure it will go right up til Christmas.  If it doesn't I'll make sure to alert you.

Guest Post on Protective Styles

My buddy Arnizz (she's gonna hate that I used my nickname for her)  was nice enough to write up a post for me about another alternative to protective styles besides sew-in weaves or braids/extensions... the cap.  So if you're contemplating what to do as a PS this winter, add this to your consideration.

She writes:

I have been natural since 2003 and I can honestly say that I am never going back to a perm, but I’m not going to lie and say that I enjoy every moment being natural. I have no desire to submit into the power of the "creamy crack." Sometimes I just don’t feel like dealing with my natural hair. The hours of deep conditioning, finding a new product for your hair every other week, staying up late and waking up early to tame your mane is not my idea of a good time. In 2008, I got introduced to the idea of putting on caps and I've been hooked ever since. There are times where I see a style that I want to try that might require a perm or to have straight hair. I am not a fan of straightening my hair because I used to do it so much my hair never kinked back to its original state when it got wet. I think caps are safer than getting a sew in weave. Certain sew in styles require that some of your hair to cover the track forcing you to flat iron constantly to ensure that your hair blend in with the weave. Putting on a cap doesn’t require you to expose any of your hair.

My beautician braids my hair down and places two sheets of paper towel over the braids.  Afterwards she places the stocking over the paper towel. The paper towel is placed so that it prevents the glue from making contact with the braids. I choose to have the stocking sewn onto the braid so that I don't have to take the cap off at night. Some people choose to take it off at night. I have put a variety of stocking caps with different styles on my head. I like having the option of putting on a cap and going back to my natural hair. I find that my hair grows faster when my hair is underneath a cap because I am not messing around with it. I usually keep my cap for about 3-4 weeks depending on the style. And then... I throw it away. Some people take it off and wear it at different times. I’m more comfortable wearing a cap than wigs because it’s made on my head so the style fits and frame my face. I feel like it lays flatter than regular wig. I’m all for natural hair but sometimes I need a break. Caps are definitely a stress reliever. Remember you can’t do every style with a cap pick so choose wisely.

Here are a couple of her looks with the cap:

And here's me when I tried it out for NYE 2010:

If you do decide to try it out let me know how it goes for you.

Rihanna for Interview magazine

I dunno if it's the photography or the styling and everything that goes along with it but I'm starting to forgive Rihanna for this red hair.

She looks f*cking gorgeous in this Interview magazine spread.  I wanna get my hand on this magazine because she was interviewed by Kanye West, so when I have a little time I'm gonna head to Barnes & Noble to read it there.  You can read some of it here.  Let's be real... You know you read books and mags there too so you don't have to buy them.

Here's a look:

(courtesy of Ultimate-Rihanna.com)

Miss Jessie's BOGO

If you're as obsessed with blogs as I am I'm sure you've seen this already:

 

Now I've been waiting all year for this because I need more of the Super Sweetback Treatment in my life and I just couldn't bring myself to pay $48 for one jar.  $48 for two, I'm a little more comfortable with.  I wanna try some of their other products and judge for myself because I hear such good and bad things about them but I'll just buy the sample sizes.

The sample sizes aren't on sale and the BOGO sale isn't being offered at Target but you can order them from the Miss Jessie's website, CurlMart, or this list of retailers.  And even though I Christmas shop online because I have no patience for holiday shoppers, crowded stores and mob scenes; I found a store that sells Miss Jessie's at my local mall so I'm gonna head over there (really early one day) so I can save on shipping fees.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Since I've Been Gone

After stuffing my face I decided to finally upload some pics and show you guys.  I tried a dark lip the other day and while I haven't perfected it, I love it.  These are pics from my friend's wedding celebration and some after Thanksgiving bonding with my boo.

Cheers to the happy couple, I'm such a sucker for love.

Here's a close up of my face which I really debated puttin up because I don't entirely love it.  My issue: eyebrows (or lack thereof) My goal is to learn how to fake some eyebrows because I love thick gorgeous ones I'm just not capable of growing them.  I'll make sure I document those trials and errors. And if you have any suggestions, PLEASE SHARE.

Quick pic of me and my #1 gettin drinks.  I wish I had a pic of the full outfit because I loved it but...

...

I've been super exhausted from working and have been neglecting my poor baby.  But I'm gonna step my game up.  I hit the 6 month mark of being natural on Nov 9th but the day came and went. I completely forgot about it.  And I would've shown my progress from May to now but I'm in protective style mode for the fall/winter.  I don't plan on seeing my hair until late December.  It's only been a day since I did it but I miss my hair already :(

In the meantime I'll work on some outfit posts and other randomness that comes to mind.  Hopefully have some Black Friday deals posted for you.

Please be patient, I'm slowly adjusting to my new schedule.

My Wish List: Accessories

I shouldn't be spending but if I were this is what I'd be spending it on

Earrings by Forever 21
Rings by Forever 21

It's Not You... Oh Wait It Is You

I just had to break up with something near and dear to me: my imitation Denman.  I don't know what it is but lately it's been so abusive.  It pulls and tugs and rips my hair out.  I almost didn't want to believe something that was once so good to me could treat me this way.  I would sit and wonder if it was something I had done.  Was my hair too dry? Did I not start from the ends and work my way up? Nope.  I noticed little seams in the brush which is most likely the culprit.  So I decided he and I need to go our separate ways.  Now it won't be easy because I always reflect on the good times we had.  The smooth twist-outs and detangled hair.  It'll take some time but I'll find something else that's right for my detangling needs.  Actually I'm a little interested in something else as I write this... a paddle brush.  I heard about him from KurlyBella's post on KisforKinky and I think it's time we meet.  I'm clearing out a little room in my product drawer so I can arrange a date for he and I.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Common- Come Close

I saw this video on VH1 Soul and it made my day.

It's beautiful as is Common (mmmm...)

This hands down is my favorite Common song.

Plus... gorgeous natural hair alert!!

Shock Boutique

So Shock Boutique was amazing enough to give me a coupon code for me and my readers/tweeps.

25% off when you enter the code "SHOCKTWEET" when you check out.

This is the site that I got my leopard scarf from and it has really cute stuff,

if you're like drawing inspiration from celeb photos/style, this is definitely a site to go to,

check it out!

On the Hunt

If you follow me on Twitter, you'll know that I've been searching for the perfect leopard print scarf.  And I've had no luck.  Well I found it, the perfect scarf...

 

Scarves & Wraps by Alexander McQueen

 

Courtesy of the late great Alexander McQueen, all for the reasonable price of $475!!! Umm... not gonna happen. Now I know it's a classic and I'll wear it forever but I can only throw that much money out for bags, maybe shoes. If anyone has a suggestion for where can I find a budget friendly silk or wool leopard print scarf for $30 and under PLEASE leave me a comment or tweet me @marcysuburbs.

I need one in my life!

P.S. Peep the leopard "spots" some of them are skulls, so damn cute

UPDATE: I think a found a scarf that really grabbed my attention... and it's GREEN and $16

(via ShockBoutique)

What do you think? Go after it or hold out til I find classic leopard

 

Product Review: Vatika Oil

Since I started my transition all I read about was coconut oil.  The miracle oil.  Well of course I was new to this whole thing and decided I needed that in my life.  And well, it never really did much for me.  My skin loves it but my hair... not so much.  I need something heavier and as you know shea butter turns my hair a lovely shade of ashy white :(  So through trial and error I stumbled  upon KBB's Butter Love and I was in love until... As I started getting to bottom it got gritty and stayed in my hair.  Now I was able to mix it with the top layer that was smooth but the closer I get to the bottom, the less mixing options I have.  So I may have broken my "no product" rule during a lunch break.  I headed over to a local Indian store and picked up Vatika oil because I heard such rave reviews.

What makes this very different from regular old coconut oil is that it is enriched with henna, amla, brahmi, lemon, along with others.  You may be wondering what those are and in my opinion no one does a better job of explaining it than the Moptop Maven.  She has a two part post on Ayurvedic regimens that will break everything down for you (Part 1/ Part 2)

I don't know what it is about this oil but I love it. Wait I semi-sorta love it. There's one thing that's keeping me from loving it- the smell.  I've finally gotten used to it but ugh.  Hopefully the scent doesn't linger (I'm really not too sure because I think I've gotten used to it.)  Other than that, it's living up to its hype.  My grapeseed oil and JBCO have taken a back seat to it and I'm fine with that, it helps eliminate my product junkie-ism.  I'm gonna try to get rid of my oils by adding them to my "meh" conditioners (HE Long Term Relationship and Suave Almond & Shea Butter) so I can buy a big bottle of Vatika.

My Verdict: 5/5 (Yes despite the smell!)

Sheesh Already?!

I am rapidly approaching the 6 month mark of being natural and I couldn't be happier.  I get to do my "In __ months as a natural" post in a little less than 2 weeks*. Hopefully I'll be able to show a length update but my hair may be twisted by then.  I know I keep saying that but I may be in a hair show for my boyfriend's father so I can't twist it up just yet.  Although I thought I loved it before I really think I'm falling for my hair.  It's been fun experimenting and learning what my hair likes and dislikes.  If I were to experiment like this with a relaxer, I'd be bald headed by now.  By now, I'm starting to find what works for me and it shows.  I can't wait to see what my hair is like when I hit the 1 year mark.  Stay tuned, I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoy doing this and please if there's anything you want to know or want me to talk about, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

*I've decided to save it for 6 month intervals, doing it every month is overkill and I want to be able to notice a difference in growth/appearance

Blow Dry Results

Umm so I don't see much of a difference. I did baggy for a little which may have meant shrinkage because of the added moisture but no big change.

Here's the outcome: