tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37426487725499000082024-11-01T06:34:51.073-04:00Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-76327471575986126842014-06-20T15:57:00.000-04:002014-06-20T15:58:59.108-04:00

Last year, I unexpectedly had to take a hiatus from blogging when my daughter got sick.  Looking for my latest articles? Check me out at Natural Hair Rules!, where I write all things natural hair. Stay tuned for a new blog. I'll announce the new blog here. Thank you for your continued support!

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-46095585383499981552013-04-25T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-28T01:04:28.249-04:00

  This pic was last weekend. My one weekend off in April. And it was a breath of fresh air.  Last Saturday, we celebrated my eldest daughter's 2nd birthday (pictured below).  (I still can't believe she is already two!)  I am pictured above with my youngest daughter who will be one next month.  (Yes. I am a working mom with two kids under 2. I don't know how I do it

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-62669880376282140452013-04-16T08:00:00.000-04:002013-04-16T08:00:04.708-04:00

I have a case of the Aprils... the busiest time of the year for me at work.  As I try to make it through the day, I slowly countdown til the end of the month.  (It can't come fast enough...) Please bare with me as I return to a regular posting schedule. In the meantime, please check out my latest articles for Black Hair Media! Tamara Shares Her "Natural Hair Rules" Textured Beauty

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-68115220602893993892013-03-29T16:46:00.000-04:002013-03-29T16:46:09.232-04:00

Who does that? Who writes a post about walking into your purpose and then disappears?  I do. That's who. But let me explain... This is a very busy time of year for me at work. To make my life more difficult, I submitted a presentation to my regional professional conference. Not only was I accepted, but I was selected to be a Lead Presenter and streamed live.  No pressure... right?

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-54309294097149501852013-02-26T13:45:00.000-05:002013-02-26T13:55:54.395-05:00

Walking into your purpose is no easy task. At least it wasn't for me... Looking back at my twenties, it was a time defined by my search for my purpose in life. Finding a career. Finding love. Becoming a mother. Becoming a real  adult, and defining what that means for me. My thirties -- on the other hand -- are about me walking into my purpose.  Connecting the dots.  And

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-60464285062252301782013-02-13T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-13T08:00:15.574-05:00

In honor of Valentine's Day, and for the Bloggers Like Me Blog Hop, I'm reviving two personal posts I wrote about letting love in ... and out. **This post is powered by #BLMGirls. Learn more about #BLMGirls HERE. You can check out other posts from our #BLMBlogHop by visiting the link below http://www.thriftyandshameless.blogspot.com/** First, let me preface this story with some

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-32420654696226388342013-02-12T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-12T08:00:11.976-05:00

In honor of Valentine's Day, and for the Bloggers Like Me Blog Hop, I'm reviving two personal posts I wrote about letting love in ... and out.  **This post is powered by #BLMGirls. Learn more about #BLMGirls HERE. You can check out other posts from our #BLMBlogHop by visiting the link below http://www.thriftyandshameless.blogspot.com/** A while ago, I wrote about how I let love in.&nbsp

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-83567675980773684332013-02-11T12:46:00.000-05:002013-02-11T13:19:10.289-05:00

I'm the first person to admit. My hair regimen is not perfect. Far from it. But I have to do what works for me and my lifestyle. Even if it is not the most optimal routine. It works for me. And as you can see, my hair is pretty healthy. And my sanity is intact. Here are my tips for maintaining healthy hair, while juggling a busy life: K.I.S.S.  - No really. Keep it simple.  The

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-73177311545072717952013-02-04T13:14:00.000-05:002013-02-05T11:10:56.092-05:00

It's February. Black History Month. So it's only seems fitting that we discuss the "Natural Hair Movement".  Well, first I provide a disclaimer.   I don't ascribe to the "Natural Hair Movement". Nor do I believe in the "Natural Hair Community" and here's why... Natural hair can be empowering. To wear the hair you were born with after years of altering its texture

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-57801726591442267462013-02-01T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-01T08:00:00.678-05:00

I've been featured on Around the Way Curls! Check it out!

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-53069909090915378872013-01-31T08:19:00.000-05:002013-01-31T08:19:36.374-05:00

I was finally upstairs. It took long enough!  My sense of time was off, but it had to be almost two hours of waiting.  And you know the first question I asked was, " Can I have my epidural now?"  The nurse told me that I had to have an IV for 15 minutes first.  (And while we are on the topic of IVs. If you ever wonder why mom and baby look swollen after birth. IV

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-91402638118335103962013-01-29T08:00:00.000-05:002013-01-29T08:00:06.300-05:00

As I was walked back to my office, I saw my husband walking toward me. "Why aren't you answering your phone?" he asked. "I left it in my office. I needed to get a towel.  See!" I pointed to my pants that were soaking wet. We gathered my things and headed to his car.  But before he would let me sit down, he got his work jacket so that I wouldn't get his seat wet. Really?! I gave him

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-64890966849491053002013-01-28T12:19:00.000-05:002013-01-28T12:19:47.480-05:00

I recently came across the story of my first born, Mariah. So I figured I'd share her birth story.  While I'm at it, I'll work on Ava's birth story as well. It's still fresh in my mind although it was almost 8 months ago... It was Tuesday, April 19th. My hubby and I were talking during our daily midday phone call and he said, "I have a feeling that she's coming today".  Why

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-52802196345196013652013-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:002013-01-25T08:00:06.108-05:00

At age 21 with only a few bills (car insurance and cell phone), no rent, no responsibilities...why not?  Why not take the time to figure out what I REALLY wanted to do, rather than thrust myself into a career I would hate? For three months, I did temp. work and took the time to figure it all out.  I looked back at my college years and I realized that I had suprisingly fallen in

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-78672507751704592382013-01-24T13:17:00.000-05:002013-01-24T13:17:04.464-05:00

In life, when we think about love we think of God, our families, our significant others, even our clothes and  our cars. But too often, we neglect the one thing that monopolizes a majority of our lives --our jobs. Think about it.  Eight hours a day, five days a week, for forty-five years.  If not more.  You spend more time at work than with your family (especially in

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-77127620480724538932013-01-22T12:30:00.001-05:002013-01-25T12:30:11.669-05:00

You see that AFTER? I worked HARD for that. REALLY HARD. As a mom, it takes serious effort to look good. And I swear, I will NEVER have the details down like I did before kids.  But I'm OKwith that. As long as I don't take the easy road and bum it out.  I remember when I was a new mom on a trip to Babiesrus. One of the workers was surprised

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-62289449480138802992013-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:002013-01-24T15:24:13.715-05:00

In part one of the hair typing series, I broke down the various aspects of hair typing: curl pattern, porosity, texture, density, and elasticity.  But now the question is...how do you put this information into practice? The easiest way to explain this is to use myself as an example. When I  first went natural. I was quite confused.  Everyone was throwing around terms, products

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-73658329939027717152013-01-16T12:16:00.000-05:002013-01-16T12:16:12.497-05:00

Source: Google Images As an academic advisor (one of my many titles), I often advise students on grad school preparation.  A major part of my discussion is centered on dispelling myths and misconceptions of graduate school. Since I recall having those same misconceptions and I know many in the blogging world are interested in graduate school, I figured I'd pass on my knowledge... 1.&

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-41519361491105396832013-01-16T12:14:00.000-05:002013-01-16T12:14:28.739-05:00

In my prior post, I dispelled three myths that people often have about graduate study. Today, I'll let you know how I learned these lessons. 1. Grad school is NOT a place to find yourself. That is the purpose of college. In college, I learned a lot about myself.  Like a true West Indian [as my friends describe], I often had 3 jobs at a time.  (They all had flexible schedules, where I

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-9760428380457852402013-01-11T11:06:00.000-05:002013-01-17T22:56:15.862-05:00

Let's face it. Hair typing gets a bad rap. A really bad rap.  It is viewed as the categorization of "good" and "bad" hair textures.  Women can be found online asking others to categorize them.  Stereotypes ensue and then hair typing gets a bad name.  But if you think beyond the Andre Walker Typing System ( 3C, 4A, etc.), you will find that understanding all aspects of

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-46172684769903616262013-01-09T12:26:00.000-05:002013-01-22T12:44:34.228-05:00

As a new mom, I struggle with finding a routine that allows me to balance family, career... and ME. The first video in the Girl Crush series was very refreshing. It was great to know other moms leave the house with minimal (or no) makeup just like me. I will admit that I have the lofty goal of wearing some makeup. Right now, I only use a moisturizer (it's not even tinted), clear mascara, lipgloss

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-73609396415856046332013-01-07T12:32:00.000-05:002013-01-07T12:32:23.901-05:00

If you didn't notice, I am a staff writer for Black Hair Media. For your convenience, I have included links in the menu bar and in the left column. Please feel free to check out my "Natural Corner" and comment.  Here are some of my most recent articles: Product Review of Qhemet Biologics Hair Products for Less than $5 Scalp Soothing Remedies Clay as a Shampoo Alternative Washing and

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-27865607805464635162013-01-03T12:14:00.004-05:002013-03-13T00:48:15.743-04:00

  Today, I have a guest post on Natural Hair Rules! In September, I set a record. It took a whopping three days to detangle my hair. A styling assistant washed my hair in a circular motion, which caused numerous tangles. Then, he proceeded to brush my hair from the root and in a rough manner. ( And continued to do so after I expressed concern.) To top it off, the stylist put my

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-54415583220976227022013-01-03T11:31:00.000-05:002013-01-03T11:32:52.163-05:00

Stories normally start at the beginning.  They introduce the characters, build the plot, anti-climax, and bring the story home.  But in this story, the middle is the most satiating part of the story.  So let's start "in medias res".  (And yes, I looked up the term.) My hair for my first date night out with the hubby (after baby). And here's how we got here... I

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3742648772549900008.post-53142908819113810292013-01-01T13:08:00.001-05:002013-01-01T13:15:51.835-05:00

Welcome to "Busy Life. Fab Hair.", a blog dedicated to helping natural women fit their hair routine into their busy lifestyles. Here, you will not only learn how to cut your styling time, but how to embark on your natural hair journey in a more formalized manner. And, of course, you will find tidbits on how to manage various aspects of a busy life. How to Navigate... The official launch

Latoyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08512827243771016338noreply@blogger.com3