After the Pre-Poo

I finally completed my hair for the week…lol! I pre-pooed my hair with coconut oil (click here to see video) before my co-wash to add a little extra tender loving care to my kinky coils, and didn't wash it out for two days (I know I need to do better); but I just didn't want to do my hair until I would take the time to do it carefully. Have anyone ever felt like that? I hope I’m not the only one…smh.

Any-who, I co-washed my hair, and decided to record a video on how I ended up styling my hair for the week (click here to see video.) I must say that I do like the finish product! ☻

I flat-twisted my entire head and then twisted the ends into one another; then pinned the back into a sort-of-crisscross to do. “It’s a look!” I also did a demo video on how I got this eye look (click here to see video.)

I did it this way with the mind of thinking if it’s not too hot (Alabama weather) I can wear a unit (wig) on some days or just jazz it up with accessories. Either way, it will be quite cute.

I will post a video later on this week (right before wash day) to show the twist-out style that I will end up with during the weekend, so look for that video too!

Ya’ll I am thinking of doing a “Twist Challenge” in honor of the late “Dawnyele” because she did one from August – November 2013; I’m thinking to do the same this year. Does anyone want to join me? Let me know.

I appreciate you for stopping by my page, and don’t forget to check out my channels also. ☻

Cassandra

Cassyp 4c Life 

♥ ☻Oh yeah! My loving hubby’s birthday just past…I love you Babe ♥ ☻

Thank you God!

I saw this video post on my Facebook page by Valerie Ferguson (thanks for sharing ThickChickVlogs, which is how I saw it); and it truly blessed me. I wanted to pass it along to my sisters and brothers out there.

Totally awesome!!

I Don’t Have Nothing New

I haven’t been making videos lately because I don’t have anything new to share. Lately, I have been really melancholy about things of late.  I have been combating the feeling by consulting with God, praying, reading the Bible, Inspirational books, Biblical Study Guides, and spending time with positive family & friends. I really wanted to post today just to say “hi everyone.”  What do you do when you feel blah?

Bad Hair Day – Don’t Care

So to show that I am (as they say) only human;  I thought that I should share with you guys how I really do keep it moving, even on a “bad hair” day. Now I had my hair in a protective style for a couple of weeks, and I took my hair down because I missed my kinky hair; I didn't want to leave any tension on my edges; and it was time for a wash.

So I did a protein deep conditioning just to be sure that my hair was at a good balance, plus it’s been several months since I did one, and my hair needed it. So after doing the moisturizing and sealing after the wash I decided to twist my hair for a twist-out style that I would were the next day.

Look at this:

 

I was looking at this hair and so disappointed at the results (shrunken, frizzy, etc.), but what can I do? 

I looked in the mirror and put on some earrings, and kept it going. “It’s a look” lol! Don’t get me wrong, I didn't get the results that I wanted, but in no way did it make me feel any different about my beautiful hair—it just wasn't cooperating today.

Yes, some days our hair will not look like how we want, and yeah I could have thrown on a cap, wig, or whatever; but I decided that I am still beautiful, even when my hair doesn't act right because this is the hair that my God gave me; so it is well, good, and I am satisfied.

As I always say “IT’S A LOOK!”

Coconut Oil Pre-Poo Feels Good!

At one point in my natural hair journey, approximately last fall (Sept. 2013) I had a lot of build up and sore spots--like these little bumps that was so irritated on my scalp, and I started a regimen where I washed my hair with Johnson & Johnson baby wash every week for about 6-7 weeks, and co-washed in between shampooing to be sure to remove all product build up from twist-outs, and from using oil to sooth my scalp. But since then (approx. my birthday week), my scalp cleared up, and now I just make sure to wash/clarify my scalp every other week unless my hair needs the process earlier.

I also currently use an oil mixture to massage my scalp for prevention or relief of itchiness throughout the week...lol! I usually use olive oil, wonder 8 oil (which includes jojoba, safflower, etc), castor oil, and vitamin E. 

Thankfully my scalp is doing well at this time, but I had to do research and trial & error to figure out what works for my scalp and hair.

I had to wash my hair with shampoo again; but this time I did a pre-poo first with coconut oil, and my hair felt so good as the oil penetrated my strands, I finger detangled and twisted up each section. Wow, I didn't really realize how much my hair likes coconut oil--yeah, yeah, I know my hair responded well to coconut oil, but it was like my hair was butter. So I put a plastic bag on my head for about an hour, and then I shampooed my hair. I then proceeded to condition my hair with regular conditioner, and rinsed my hair with cold water to shock my cuticles closed. My hair felt so good and soft. 

I added my "African Pride Olive Oil Miracle" leave in conditioner,  used coconut oil to seal, SM Coconut Curl Enhancing Smoothie, and Eco styler (Olive oil formula) gel to my strands; and banded my hair only twisting at the ends. My hair was smelling something delicious; I asked my hubby "that ain't my hair smelling delicious is it?" He was like "yep." Right before I went to sleep it came to my mind--I hope I didn't over do it with the coconut oil. I don't know, I guess I will see tomorrow (I did not take my hair down today.) Now I hope I didn't throw my hair in coconut overload...lol idk?

Since I didn't band my hair in a long while I will make a video, and let you know. What do you think? Did I over do it or not?

Cassandra--

Hair Therapy: Real or Not?

I was feeling kind of “blah” this afternoon after completing my errands. Now don’t get me wrong I maintain my joy always, and I was feeling it, but I was feeling some kind of way—as they say. My hubby was asking did I need him to give me some extra attention, but I wasn’t in the mood for that either. I don’t like to bring others down when I am feeling down. I can’t stand the “misery loves company” mentality. LOL! Plus, I’m think it’s because that “time of the month” is coming up…yeah, I said it…lol!

Anyway, I digress; so as I was just enjoying the sun, and praying to God to take my emotions that is when it came to me. I have been wearing a braid-out for the several days, and I did have a great Spa/wash day—I spent the whole day pampering my hair and myself; it was awesome. Like I said before I have been wearing a braid-out for the last 5 days, and I have some build-up, which is when the question popped into my mind. Why not do a co-wash to get the gunk out.

I tell you guys, as I was putting in the “Naturally Silk Elements-Cleansing COWASH” into my strands; I oddly started to feel lighter, cheerful, and brighter. But, yeah I really like the creamy slip of my strands going through my hand and finger-tips. It was quite refreshing. So I parted my hair into (4) four sections and twisted my hair and then rinsed out each section in the shower. My hair and my emotions were all cleaned up.

Have anyone other than I ever experienced this type of release? I always enjoy my coils, but I don’t recall every get a therapeutic-like feeling as this before. May be its just me; I don’t know, but I wanted to share it with my natural community and readers.

Hair therapy? Real or not? As of today, I definitely say “real.”

Cassandra

Oil Modification/Revisit

So after wearing my hair in braid-outs all last week. I enjoyed a good deep conditioning/wash day. I decided to add (regular) Castor oil back to my oil mixture. I know when I first went natural in 2011, my staple oils were olive oil, tea tree oil, castor oil, sunflower oil, carrot oil, and vitamin E oil. I didn’t break out or have any issues back then, and I really like the thickness of castor oil, and it does add so much shine to my hair. I had tried to use the Jamaican Black Castor oil (JBCO), and then it seem like I was breaking out, so I decided that I would stop with the JBCO, and didn’t use any form of the oil; which now as I think—I really think the break-out was from other issues.

So I was purchasing some items at the store, and decided to get a bottle of the old castor oil I purchased in the past, and added some in my oil bottle I use for sealing my hair and massaging my scalp. I will see how it goes, but I already can tell the difference in shine when I took my hair down.

Do you have some old regimen items that you stopped using, but now thinking or decided to add back?

I Made My 1st Peach Cobbler

In my effort to learn new things, I made my very 1st Peach Cobbler; and sugar-free at that! I watched a few videos on YT and decided that "hey, I can do that." And boom...

 I used for my base recipe info by HomeStyleCooking- PEACH COBBLER ( CANNED PEACHES)

My husband and sons said it was very good, and they don't even like my "Splenda" sweet items. I must say it was very good. I can't wait to make it again. I think I will make a regular cobbler with real sugar for my guys, and a sugar-free one for me because I tell you this cobbler didn't make it through the night...lol!

I am so thankful for people who share their wisdom and abilities. Appreciate you all!

Happy Friday! What you cooking tonight?

Happy Friday Lovelies

I was just straightening up around my home and marinating some chicken that I will be cooking for dinner tonight, and I felt like making a post for my friends & family out there.

So I have been checking out some "foodie" videos on YT and actually made a couple of dishes that really hit it off with the family...I mean even my mother-in-law was wondering where I got the recipe for my "Curry Beef Stew, (brown) rice and beans, & Roti" meal I cooked earlier this week, which was an adaptation of "BlackOnyx77: Jamaican Curry Goat- Tutorial, Jamaican Rice and Peas- Tutorial" and "madhurarecipe: How to make roti/chapati/poli (layered roti)."  Wow, how that made me smile on the inside & out!

So I didn't have any goat so I just used a beef roast I chopped into chunks, but instead of a thick consistency it came out like a stew, which was still awesome! I love me some rice & beans from my earlier days being born and raised in NY, and I ate roti before, but didn't know the proper name of it, and it isn't too hard to make either; plus it doesn't need many ingredients to make...that is always a plus for me. 

I also made a couple of other things this week, which was a hit with my family, and I must admit I am always filled with joy when my guys love what I cook...Tee Hee :D

So what will you guys be making for dinner tonight or what did you make this week that was a hit with the family? And it don't have to be anything special just as long as it made your family happy, and made you feel the joy!

It’s a New Year!!! 2014 is Here!!!

Happy New Year’s Day everyone. I know I’m 7 days late, but you were on my heart the whole time. I pray that everyone made it through safely.

I personally spent New Year’s Eve with my hubby and brought the new year in, and went to bed afterwards…lol! But it was so nice and quite pleasant the two of us.

My boys was at their Mema’s house, she had all her grand boys with her; and had a blast. I know they enjoyed bringing in the new year at church because it is awesome worshipping the Lord during the crossover; at least for me it always is.

So I wore my hair in a twisted-knot up style on Dec. 31^st, and then took it down on Jan. 1^st as a puffed out afro. I spent the morning with my bestie Jen, and then spent the night at my sister, Sheila’s house, whom boys were also with Mema. It was an awesome time. I stayed up all night watching the 1st season of "Orange is the New Black," which was surprisingly good; I can't wait to watch the second season on Netflix.

So I don't really believe in making "New Year's Resolutions" but I do make claims for the new year.

For 2014 I claim Jesus’ Will as my way; and I claim my purpose that God has set forth for me. AMEN!

What do you claim for 2014?