sondai: tales of a Visual Goddess

Photo(s) of the Day...

2011-10-19T20:04:00.001+01:00

Wedding Photographer Jason Lee is awesome. I love his portraits of his daughters.

A funny thing happen on the way to the hospital...

2011-09-27T00:16:00.001+01:00

Well not really...
On Friday I had a "slip and fall". It was certainly not a fun experience. It put a damper on my weekend plans. A serious damper. I was in the house with limited cable channels to surf and I was Senorita hop along. I didn't want to go to the hospital because I was just hopeful that "it would feel better soon". However, the pain is still there and the swelling is in an odd/weird formation. I called to see the hours for one location and the man got really snarky when I asked about x-rays. He said "oh so you are a doctor now and diagnosing yourself?" It took all I had not to jump through the phone and grab him by his collar. Ain't no one say anything about a diagnosis. Sometime people hear things and follow what others say and think they have the same license to say
it too. No bueno. It doesn't work like that. He finally said they did not have that capability there. To which I responded... 'Thanks that is all you had to say in the first place'.

So yesterday I went to the hospital. Ace bandaged and tiger balmed down. When I was 16/17 I did an internship in a hospital ER. I hated it. Fortunately, it was in an office and not in the open ER. Though I still had to walk through it to get to the office. Every ER smells the same, has kooky characters and things I just don't want to see or hear or smell. GW is no different. From the family arguing in the corner over the loved one brought in, to the giggling college girls, crying babies, eventually the football game, several SARS patient look- a- likes and a pregnant woman in agonizing pain the ER had sensory overload. I arrived about 6:45pm was processed and put to
wait for about 51/2 hours. Upon heading back to the ER, X-RAYS were ordered... You know for the diagnosis. And funny no snark came with that. They bandaged me back up and fit me with an air cast. My right foot looks like a mummy. Oh and icing on the cake... a cane. She didn't want to give me crutches because my knee is battered and bruised too. So a week and a half into age 36 I am walking with a cane. My ankle will more than likely lose weight too because this air cast is plastic and my ankle is sweating. This so sucks. Very much.

Awesomesauce!

2011-09-23T05:34:00.000+01:00

No other words!!

Day 2

2011-09-13T01:18:00.001+01:00

Looks like the products are working. Last night I maintained the curls with "the pineapple". I was able to just fluff and go. My hair is soft and has body. I know tonight I will need to re-set it and moisturize to keep the look going. Check out my pic below.

Yesterday Hair Results + Today's New Do

2011-09-11T18:17:00.001+01:00

So obviously this will be an update in pictures... These were taken with the cell phone. I think the quality is pretty good.

My initial style from the other day's hair care resurgence was a little lacking in definition. It wound up being a semi curly fro. It wasnt what I was looking for. I do not think it was thoroughly dry when I let it down. So later in the evening I re-moisturized with Lavish Curl Moisturizer from Curlz, good ole H2O, and coconut oil. I then sectioned my hair into six flat twists and knotted the ends. The end result of that set is the picture in the new blue Hurricane Irene bathroom project. :) I also added a look at the flat twists. I like todays look a lot better.

sondai

Back on my Hair Grind?

2011-09-10T17:33:00.000+01:00

*sigh* I never feel like I have enough time in the day. I am sure many folks feel like that. I am working on nipping that in the bud. I can not drift away from me anymore. With the dramas of everyday hawking my every move I plan on giving them the slip more often so that I can gain "me time".

Evidence of hair frustration

In the past couple of weeks I had to have purchased about $100 dollars worth of hair and body products. AND with some new YouTube videos discovered I am coveting about another $100 dollars worth. I spent my Friday night testing a few out and I am up early to see the results. Tar-Jay has a line of products called Shea Moisture. I discovered the lotion first. I love the combination of Frankincense and Myrrh. I use to by a product from Nubian something-or-other that was heavenly. That is a scent that will calm everything down for me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! OK, but Shea Moisture (my friend Shaneika discovered the hair care products) has more than just body products. They have a series of hair care products as well. Now... Chimire told me about the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie which I used sometime back in an earlier post with some flexi-rods. I actually liked it I think that it did what it said... enhanced the curl. I ventured off into the realm of shampoo this time. I have mentioned that moving to DC years ago I noticed that my scalp has gotten progressively worse when it comes to dandruff and dry itchy scalp. (I also need to examine some dietary things as well) I purchased the Shea Moisture Organic African Black Soap that focused on dry itchy scalp. Perfect. So I tried shampooing with that last night. I actually think that it stripped my hair leaving it to feel dry even under water. I do not necessarily think that was a bad thing though. I can see using it to tackle my problem scalp and using another shampoo to replenish. Which is essentially what I did. I followed that with some Suave, which also smelled a whole hell of a lot better.

So next after the wash I jumped out the shower ready to try some of the other products I picked up. I had come across Jane Carter products in Tar-Jay but I wasn't sure about them with my hair texture. My hair does curl for sure but I am not a multi-ethnic chick. At least not that close in my lineage to have hair that curls when you look at it. (Was that PC? Probably not.) Because so many products are coming out that have those curly girls in mind I rely on referrals and recommendations. I was watching a very reliable (SMH) resource called YouTube and came across a video, actually a few hundred videos on natural hair. There was a review... come to think of it the girl looked nothing like me and her hair texture was far from mine... None-the-less I tried Jane Carter's Revitalizing Leave In Conditioner. Let me back up... After washing my hair I noticed something I haven't seen in a while. I had curly ends and wavy roots. It was body full and not limp like I have seen it lately in my washings. That was exciting. So adding the conditioner was easy. I was able to saturate my hair quickly and it didn't feel tacky or heavy. The only drawback was the scent; it wasn't a fun scent for a leave-in. I like to have a nice scent to waft around while walking past folks... and for myself. The added like about this product was that I could read just about everything on the bottle. Mostly herbs that I was familiar with like hops, rosemary, comfrey... which was an added plus. It was also a detangler. My hair was easy to comb through and that is no easy feet on hair as thick as mine. So after the leave in, came the Curl Enhancing Smoothie. There was my scent. Coconut and Hibiscus it smells more coconut than anything else. I smoothed the smoothie through my hair and sectioned it into six parts. I discovered a cute video with an equally cute hair style so I tried it out. My hair is not as long but the principles are the same. Besides all of that comes in due time.

I am typing this before the big unveil so I do not have the final word on how any of this worked. I can say that this re-surge in hair care has saved me from a big chop that was hovering. I was getting tired of my style and look and the initial video recommendation from Carla Thorpe saved me. I love my hair I just don't love the time it can sometimes consume. Watching videos yesterday showed me easier ways of styling which is always a big problem for me. I am excited to see the results and to try the rest of the products!

sondai

Doris

2011-07-24T00:39:00.001+01:00

I remember a lot from my childhood. But mostly it is out of context, like the ice cream shop in East Camden that my mom took me to get milkshakes and banana splits or someone finding a roach in a Donkey's roast beef sandwich and people not going there anymore. Most of these memories are random as is evident above and at a time like this that is difficult.
I can remember the way she held her arm after her surgery because there was a pin in it but why she had the surgery is beyond me. I can also remember us finding the $5000 check she used as a bookmark and hoping the books around the house would have more money in them to no avail. I can remember the story of her pulling my mom up off the ground by the seat her pants when she slipped on ice. That was actually a funny account. My grandmother and I were an interesting pair. I would give her "zurberts" in my effort to bring a little bit of The Cosby's into the Gaines household. She would giggle and and say "Awwww Kimmie stop it." I would fuss back forth with my grandma. I have always tried to rationalize everything and debates would ensue on my theories... Of which I had many. Sometimes she would get flustered and yell "Kathy... Kimmie...leave me alone now." To which she would sometimes laugh when she realized she called me my mother's name. I called her Mom. It was odd to outsiders. My mother was mommy, her mother was mom to both of us, and her mother was mum-mum to me and my mom. It got even more complex when I grew out of the "mommy" phase. Then the majority of women in the house were called... Mom. I grew up in my grandparent's house an only child with creative outbursts. I stayed up late, drank weird concoctions and was loud. My grandmother would always tell me to keep it down because the neighbours didn't need to know all of our business. I figured the neighbours were my friends and who cared they shouldn't be listening anyway. I think that was our biggest debate overall.

What pains me now is that since my memories are random I for the life of me am having the toughest time remembering lessons my grandma taught me. I have been walking around the city trying to either block that I can't remember or block the tears that make my voice quiver when I speak.

For the last ten years my grandmother has not been the robust grandma of my youth. I mourned her the day that she didn't know who I was. I have anticipated this day but didn't really plan for the saddness of losing her all over again. I am happy that she is no longer the crumpled woman I saw on my last trip home. I am happy that I got to hold her hand as she fell asleep that last time I was home. I am happy that she is at peace. I hope that the memories return and that they are beyond random fits of scattered thoughts. Doris Priscilla Smith Gaines June 26,1926 - July 23, 2011

So... Let's talk hair...

2011-07-11T03:59:00.002+01:00

It has been some time since my last confession... I have always known that hair is the equivalent of MAINTAINANCE. My mother has been digging out these old pictures and came across an image of a whincing child with her hand around the child's wrist pulling her towards her. That child was of course me. I had to ask... "Mom what were you doing to me?" Her reply... Trying to comb your hair. She said I would fret and run and scream "Noooooooo!" Now this particular time I don't remember. I remember seeing this picture before but the time in question... Nope. I do remember hating to get my hair done. My hair is THICK. My mother use to try and trick salons into doing my hair she would ask them if they did children's styles make the appointment and bring me in to only take me back home because... "Nah uhh her hair is too thick". They had no idea how to handle it. And I was one of those kids that was... Tenderheaded. (Really the notion of tenderheaded kids is merely because folks to not know how to comb hair properly. If hair is tangled combing from the root to the end is not possible. Section the hair give it a twist at the root and start detangling from the end.) My hair is still thick and had I knew how to communicate that combing tip as a child there would have been less tears. I can also remember snatching my hair out of my mom's hand one time because it hurt so bad... My hand hurt worse after I did that which kinda took my mind off of how bad my head hurt.
A few months ago with all of the henna and twistin and treatments for my hair. I got tired. I understood what those hairdressers who refused to do my hair were avoiding. There is a lot of hair up there. Arms get tired. Backs get sore. But I will tell you I prefer to have someone do my hair. I thought I would try a salon in the Columbia Heights neighborhood. It was a Spanish salon but a girl I met on the train got her hair done there and it was cute so I tried it. The wash was GREAT she scrubbed my scalp well... Great little head massage! Wash, condition, blow dry and flat iron. That was the goal. Had she just did a blowdry like she did on her previous client my hair would have had life, bounce, body... But instead she sprayed shine to blow dry each section. I thought it was a heat protector she was using. Typically shine is used AFTER the hair is dry. I guess because my hair wasn't looking shiny from jump she thought it was needed. So... My hair came out with to much product in it and it was uncute! It wasn't a Dominican salon. (since then I have the name an number of the best... I will have to try her one day)
I am currently happy with my current style and think this will be a new journey into braided looks. At Pizzazz Hair Studio in Camden NJ (my mom's salon) Desiree hooked up a cute braided style with a swoop of straightness on the left. I like it. I am whippin my hair back and forth... (may need ER soon for my neck). Once this comes out I will be headed to Twist it Sista over in NE they did a cute braided mohawk that I loved. I need to get a hair fund going because I can't do a raggedy braided doo. That just ain't acceptable. I will keep you posted.

Support Youth's Summer by Swapping Cool Fashions!

2011-06-03T18:12:00.000+01:00

Decide to declutter? Feel the urge to purge? Fancy a flirty frock?

Well gather your garments and bring them to...

The General Store Inc's

Summer Swapping Spree Fundraiser

benefiting CentroNia's Studio 6/4 Youth Program.

Bring your gently used SUMMER clothes and accessories to exchange or swap for other "new” gently used items.

Items that will be accepted include dresses, skirts, pants shorts, tops, blouses, shoes, purses, and jewelry.(summer items only)

All sizes are welcome and you must bring at least 10 items.

Swap as much and as long as you like (well until we end at 2pm)

Artist and Youth Advocate Lisa "Lady Pcoq" Pegram is the host. Door Prizes! Complimentary refreshments and copies of TGS’s OFFICIAL SWAPPING SPREE MIX while supplies last.

Proceeds benefit CentroNia's Studio 6/4 Youth Program

CentroNía’s Youth Development and Leadership Program, Studio 64, prepares and guides youth towards future opportunities created and defined by them and rooted in entrepreneurial initiative, social justice, communities, cultures and languages. The Youth Development program is a direct result of a need to serve our children as they have transitioned through CentroNía.

www.centronia.org

¿Tomaste la decisión de ordenar tu casa? ¿Sientes la necesidad de deshacerte de algunas cosas? ¿Deseas un vestido coqueto?

Bien, reúne tus prendas de vestir y tráelas a La Tienda General Inc.

Summer Swapping Spree Fundraiser benefiting CentroNia's Studio 6/4 Youth Program.

Trae tu ropa y accesorios de VERANO ligeramente usados para intercambiar o cambiar por otros artículos "nuevos" ligeramente usados.

Los artículos que serán aceptados incluyen vestidos, faldas, pantalones cortos, camisetas, blusas, zapatos, carteras y joyería (solamente artículos de verano).

Todas las tallas son bienvenidas y debes traer al menos 10 artículos.

Intercambia durante todo el tiempo que desees (bueno, hasta que terminemos a las 2pm)

Artist and Youth Advocate Lisa "Lady Pcoq" Pegram is the host. Door Prizes! Complimentary refreshments and copies of TGS's OFFICIAL SWAPPING SPREE MIX while supplies last.

Lo recaudado es a beneficio del Programa Desarrollo Juvenil Estudio 6/4 de CentroNía.

El Programa de Liderazgo y Desarrollo Juvenil de CentroNía, Estudio 64, prepara y dirige a la juventud hacia futuras oportunidades creadas y definidas por ellos y arraigado en iniciativas empresariales, justicia social, comunidades, idiomas y culturas. El programa de Desarrollo Juvenil es un resultado directo de una necesidad de servir a nuestros niños cuando ellos han realizado su transición a través de CentroNía.

Hairily Frustrated.

2011-04-13T02:49:00.001+01:00

So there have been no hair posts. For that I do apologize. A number of you have let me know you have read my posts. I am grateful! I have written posts and hoarded them on my computer in my phone. Why? Because I am frustrated with my hair. I see cute coifuires everyday and then I see my fuzzy top. It is not stylish or funky and I just feel like I can't do anything with it. I just want a new doo. Something cute and manageable. Something that fits my face and my personality.

Kinda Over It

2011-02-15T19:35:00.000Z

Ok so it was fun in the beginning. I thought this challenge was going to be so much more. So let me give you some updates. I am not sure of the status of the Moptop Maven. I pray that she is recovering from what ever has kept her away so long. I am kinda over the curly look right now; particularly because my goal was to treat my hair better, the shrinkage and maintenance has been grueling. Despite using neem oil I still have dandruff interestingly enough it is not falling though. (strange) I am fighting the urge to blow dry my hair straight. Really fighting it. I want to last until June but I am getting tired of this look. Just wanted to keep folks posted. I know I have been lost in cyberspace so... Oh and I am due to wash my hair. No... over due.

2011-02-04T10:27:00.000Z

So I did my Kalpi tone treatment this weekend (uhhh sorry two weekends ago now). I thought I would be out and about running the streets but I stayed home. So back to the treatment... I probably mixed it with to much water because it was a little bit looser than pudding. (I forgot to take a picture of it... sorry) I applied it pretty much the same way as the henna treatment. The purpose of this treatment was to make my hair more manageable and stronger at the root.

Kalpi tone is also said to add a darker tint to your hair as well. Currently, I still see red highlights from the henna. One thing I did notice is the the strand is more "together" for lack of a more scientific hair term. It looks healthier. I don't notice any split ends.There are some drawbacks to this treatment though. I currently remind myself of an Indian restaurant which in turn is making me hungry. The scent is super strong.

Though it is growing on me. It is a fresh earthy scent. Also it seemed to make my hair dry but not brittle. I think this treatment was also harder to wash out. I may have left it on to long though too. I applied this new moisturizer (courtesy of @naturalellechim) called Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie which I got at Target. And contains hibiscus, coconut oil, neem and other ingredients that are mentioned in the ayurvedic convo. My hair is a little greasy. Which I do not like. But I think that I used to much. I did a Caruso curl and then I was out the door. (and neglected to take a shot of the final look.) But next time... My hair is growing though and it feels better.

Meanwhile... I like this shot...

2011-01-17T21:16:00.000Z

The results are in...

You can't really see the color but it is there. My gray hair is a goldy red color. I didn't do the indigo because I was already doing my hair the ENTIRE DAY! From about 11am - 8pm. I think my next washing I will do the Kapli Tone and after that the indigo. I found all natural "black" henna in the HOOD! Yes in the neighborhood beauty supply. Really excited that I can just go around the way and support my African bredren.

Jersey at-ti-tude...

So for styling this time around I did a rod set and sat under the dryer for about 30 minutes. The more rods you have the less hair on each and the less drying time it takes... I think. Now I hope you all are aware I have no idea what these hairstyles are going to look like prior to. I just roll and figure it out later. So far I have been enjoying the experiment. When I took my hair off of the rods last night the curls were loose. I put a scarf on my head before going to sleep and hoped for the best. To my surprise the curls were mashed down but when given a little shake they perked right up. So, today I was channeling Dorothy Dandridge.

Side Bar...

2011-01-17T18:14:00.000Z

I am working on a project for my mother. The wheels got to spinning in my head and I thought... 'Hmmm the silhouette of a sophisticated woman would set this off and make it classy." So I did a search for images. There were more women bending over and crawling on the ground on the internet than anything else. Diversity isn't offered much either. The objectification of women is ridiculous. This is by no way an in depth analysis just a sidebar to my days work. Carry on...

woman silhouette - Google Search: "silhouette"

Tchau!

2011-01-16T20:39:00.000Z

UPDATES... UPDATES! They finally came. My package from the Indian Grocer! It included Vatika Oil, Henna, Kapli Tone and Neem Powders. I was extremely excited! I have been watching and re-watching MTM tutorials only to figure out that I had forgotten to pick up odds and ends to actually do the Henna Gloss.

Yes I look crazy... I said I was extremely excited!!

So today I did it. I was nervous but I just dove in. Glossing your hair with henna is believed to:

Help stop/curb breakage
Makes hair stronger
Thickens strands
Temporarily loosens curl patterns for some [enhances curl patterns in others]
Reduces dandruff
Imparts shine, and makes hair incredibly silky

- Taken from Moptop Maven's blog dated Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Once I started it took about 15 minutes to apply the pre mixed (mixed the night before) henna to my head. It looked like chocolate pudding. (I was actually thinking about doing mehndi to my hands with the rest but the added conditioner may not work well for that.) I started off with wild hair as I collapsed the night before because of the Axel F party at Liv with DJ JahSonic. I had so much fun that my body was off the creak when walking up the steps. I guess missing 3 weeks of Zumba and sugar will do that to the joints. So my hair was TOSSED!

Cute little body wave in the front though right? I sectioned off my hair into my now customary four sections. Put on some gloves and had at it.

My Henna was made with water, V05 Moisture Milks Moisturizing Conditioner in Strawberry and Creme, LustreSilk's Herbal Cholesterol Deep Conditioning Creme enriched with Carrot Oil and to really soften my hair (hopefully) some olive oil.

Being that I love my camera and do not want henna on the lens or body I did not take pictures during the process. You can check out the mud head shots below though...

I am hoping to strengthen my curl pattern and prevent any more damage. I will let you know the results but it has been about 3 hours and I think I should go rinse this now. I still have to deep condition and rod my hair.

Tchau for now!

Today's Inspiration comes from Photoleer: Jack's the name...

2011-01-10T22:22:00.000Z

Photoleer: Jack's the name...

2011-01-07T16:05:00.000Z

So... my morning Caruso Curler project... Apparently, I thought that I only had a little bit of hair. I was wrong. I have A LOT of hair. So my 14 curler pack Caruso was a little short and I had to stretch them. So I guess I will have to buy some more curlers. Besides that, I am rather impressed with the product. I will most certainly need to do some things different. I think I am an end paper candidate and need to purchase those to roll so my ends don't get fuzzy. I also think I need to leave the rollers in longer. My hair is thick and the curls still felt a little damp when I took them out.

"Just wakin' up in the morning gotta thank God!" ~ O'Shea Jackson

The Regimen
I started out with a twisty, coily fro that I fell asleep on. Glad I have a satin pillow because I was knocked out without my scarf and didn't moisturize my hair. So first, I sectioned my hair into four, detangling each section and moisturized with Pantene Pro-V Relaxed and Natural for Women of Color Daily Oil Cream Moisturizer (please note that my products STILL have not come). I sealed in the moisture with a blend of coconut and olive oil. I am excited about pay day because I will be ordering more products from Oyin Handmade in Baltimore. (I love those folks at Oyin!)

I already had the Caruso steaming...

I began rolling the back. Oh yeah... steam is hot... and my fingers are sensitive.

See that hair that is out? I was making it STRETCH with the curlers by then. The little curlers just had to work!!! Thank goodness they did. I let the rollers sit for a while as I sat under the bonnet for about 15 minutes on cool.

stock shot from previous post... :)

So the curlers came out... and I got ready for work. I am normally not a big hair person but...

Wavy Curly Fro... hmmm ok...

Come Check Me Out!

2011-01-05T11:45:00.001Z

Digital Photography by Kimberly C. Gaines

December 1, 2010 – January 22, 2011

Tubman-Mahan Art Gallery
The Center for Green Urbanism
3938 Benning Road, NE
Washington, DC

Curated by Authentic Contemporary Art

Artist Reception: Friday, January 7, 2011, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Artist Statement:

“Solar panels, green space, bicycles and assimilation; brick, construction, power and gentrification, those are the words that I equate with Denmark and DC.

This exhibition shows how well both places mask the power they have over “little people” with development. From DC to Denmark, you will find the nuances of city life; manicured lawns, mosaics, graffiti, traffic… all at the surface of a complex human condition. Traveling to Denmark to discuss integration from my perspective as a teaching artist, I found that it was really assimilation that was sought, but the resiliency of war torn immigrants is in conflict with a new generation growing up Dane. When gentrified neighborhoods and marginalized people have been camouflaged with new store fronts and street signs in DC living the battlefield has a glossier appearance. This exhibition is about the surfaces.

You will not always be able to identify the “hood” in either place but you must certainly keep in mind that it exists.”

About Kimberly C. Gaines:

Kimberly C. Gaines was born and raised in Camden, New Jersey, and “grew up” in Washington, DC. In the chocolate city, Kimberly studied film and photography at Howard University. She is the founder of sondai expressions, her own graphic design and photography firm. Her skills as a visual artist have led her to be a consultant for over 7 years.

Kimberly’s photographs have appeared in Metro Connections, the Source Magazine, Urb Magazine and The Smithsonian Institute National Portrait Gallery. She has also completed designs for the Harlem Theater Company, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Green and Williams Enterprises, Inc., and the stage musicals THE TRUTH and All That Glitters… for Restoration Stage, Inc.

Kimberly was selected in 2005 by the Museum of the African Diaspora to be a part of their permanent exhibit with her portrait series, Lady’s Day in the Park. She is currently using her talent in design, photography and media to build curriculum for youth to foster a better understanding of Media Literacy.

2011-01-05T07:24:00.000Z

Alright so I STILL do not have my hair products that I ordered. I am a little sad about that. BUT I kept it moving. Last night I re-moisturized my hair with a combination of H2O and Nubian Heritage Raw Shea Butter Daily Moisturizing Hair Mist in Frankincense and Myrrh (I love this scent I bought the lotion and the hand cream). I sectioned my hair in to four major sections and then made smaller sections and sprayed them with the hair mist then sealed in the moisture with Shea Butter. I meant to use coconut oil but I will try that next time. I coiled each smaller section into bantu knots and secured it with a bobby pin. Then I covered my hair with a silk scarf and passed out because I was super sleepy at that point. Hence, the reason there are no shots of this process. Stay tuned though because I am about to live my life in pictures with this haircare challenge.

I placed the order for my Henna, Kalpi Tone, and Vatika oil before NYE, I also came across a Caruso Curler set that I said "why not" to and ordered that as well. I ordered the curlers way after other products... Guess which came first...

YAY!!!! These things look fun. I am excited to try them. I will have pics and details when I delve into this one. In the mean while check out the video below at the ORIGINAL Infomercials. I wouldn't call the number as this is really a THROWBACK... if you couldn't tell. I actually think these are hilarious especially when Mr. Caruso comes on at the end... Hope that wasn't the result of him using the the curlers. *O_O*

Ciao for Now!

sondai

2011-01-01T12:15:00.001Z

Ok so there are curls... Kinda.

I knew folks would be like... "Huh? How did it turn out." Keeping it like True Blood with the cliff hangers over here. ;) All and all I think my hair turned out kinda cute. Once I put the outfit together and fluffed a bit... It is a cute look. I am excited to get my hair products and start this challenge and welcome others to join me. Shout out to Chimire for introducing me to The MopTop Maven and to MTM for challenging us to take better care of our hair!

I hope to incorporate more and more Ayurvedic products during this process. I am really looking forward to a more healthier crop of hair. I am glad I didn't opt to blow dry my hair out. It really would have been the easy way out. I am committing to do the work necessary to achieve a healthy head of hair. I am happy with the end result.

______________________________________________________________________

Happy New Year

1.1.11

Check out some of the flicks below from Montre's 100th Birthday dinner at Casa Oaxaca one of DC's Best kept secrets although now since you read this it isn't a secret... Don't she look good for her age? LOL

Go Montré it's yo Birthday!

We had a fabulous time at Casa Oaxaca

Hands down the best dessert eva!

Ok!

1.1.11

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T22:03:00.000Z

I don't know how she does it all. The Mop Top Maven (MTM), that is. Doing hair is some serious business and a major time investment but... I am doing it. I have a Leo mother and having a good looking mane is important to me. So I decided to do the 2011 Haircare Challenge with MTM. And I am sharing my hair journey with everyone. I kinda started early because I want a fresh do for the evening with it being NYE and all, so I figured why not. I am anxiously awaiting hair products in the mail. I wanted to use the brands MTM discussed on her blog and I am still on the look out for an Indian grocer in the DC area. (Need to Langley Park maybe.) So I do not really have all that I need to REALLY start. So I just used products that I already had with one addition.

I was able to purchase Neem Oil from Yes! Organic Market. I have had a problem with dandruff since moving to DC. Yes it has been a long time. The water here just isn't like the water in NJ. I figured if I just regularly washed my hair it would be ok. But dandruff is not conducive to my lifestyle because I love wearing black... OFTEN. Neem Oil is said to help with dandruff. It is apparently good for a number of conditions from rashes and acne to skin diseases. It is also said be good for eczema but not said to be a cure. The one drawback is the scent or should I say odor. I added the stinky oil (it smells like ground peanuts and tar kinda) to my regular Nexxus Therappe Shampoo. In following MTM's advice, I sectioned my hair. (Yes that is me looking silly below) and shampooed each section. I have been wearing my hair pressed for so long it truly doesn't tangle like it did when I was a little one. So I am not sure at this stage whether I really need to section it for that purpose. I think as my hair begins to rejuvenate it will become necessary. My goal is to achieve BIG HAIR. Yes, I am taking it back to Jersey. Beyond massive hair I want healthy hair. Like I said in a recent post I am trying to return to an "age of innocence" with my hair.
So once my hair was washed with my Neem infused shampoo. I sectioned it again to apply Lustresilk's Olive Oil Cholesterol and let it sit under a plastic cap for about 20 minutes. I will say once I rinsed it out my hair had a noticeably different feel to it. I use Cholesterol often but more as a conditioner. I never let it sit over 3 minutes... yeah I know... Anyway, once I rinsed it out I still used my regular conditioner. I added a daily leave in moisturizer as my hair has been feeling awfully dry these days. Winter? I don't know... more than likely no time for proper maintenance.

We are now at the part were I style my hair. I have had numerous natural styles. Braided mohawks, twists and twist outs, bantu knots and more, BUT... in most cases they were either done at the hands of a skilled professional or by happenstance. I have never been the best stylist of my own hair which is why I would always rock an Afro. I could twist my hair well and have a head full of neatly sized ropes which would last long enough to create a fun fraggly twist out building back to that signature Fro. Recently I purchased a bonnet that attaches to a blow dryer. It is a spacious plastic contraption that makes my head look like a silver marshmallow.

I decided to try curlers. In hindsight flat twists probably would have given me a cute wavy curl. *sigh* But I didn't do that. The bonnet works... let me tell you! Heat is kickin' in this bad boy! I just hope that it drys to the root of my hair. Oh and I hope that my hair comes out lookin CRUTE!!! I will let you know.

Ciao! ... for now.

2010-12-31T04:47:00.000Z

Can I have one of him in 2011??? :D

2010-12-27T08:47:00.000Z

The Legendary Teena Marie

March 5, 1956 – December 26, 2010

I am still in disbelief over the passing of Lady Tee. Teena Marie, born Mary Christine Brockert, was apart of my childhood. She was my mother's contemporary, though she was woven into the patchwork of my musical quilt history. Every song she belted out was straight from an experience and the soul. This is the reason she was Vanilla Chocolate, the very reason she was claimed in the Black community. Every song was an instant classic. Teena Marie was a ground breaking chart topper and well worth the acclaim. Not only did she sing and dance and write and arrange she was a musician which is more than I can say about a lot of today's artists that are considered by industry standards to be "on top". In a recent interview she discussed corny music being on one end of the spectrum and just really foul music on the opposite end. She said that she was just trying to fit into that 'middle slice of good music'. During her time all of the music... "all of it was good music."

I can remember just owning a Greatest Hits CD (which was jacked) not to mention my mother's records and putting them on repeat singing every song and thinking I was grown.

You made love to me like fire and rain / Ooh, you know you've got to be a hurricane/Killing me with kisses, oh, so subtly/You make love forever, baby/You make love forever

Knowing not a damn thing she spoke of but singin' with passion and confidence. Teena Marie was straight up. She talked about her feelings what she wanted and how she wanted it.

And you made love to me like sugar and spice/Hush my broken heart, this must be paradise

Killing me with kisses, oh, so tenderly/You make love forever, baby/You make love forever I ain't gonna let you go that easy/You've got to say you love me too/I ain't gonna let you go that easy/I'm gonna give it all to you

I wasn't giving nothing to nobody but... you would have thought otherwise as I sat reorganizing music on my bedroom floor. One of my absolute favorites was "Out on a Limb"

Suspended animation, I’m lost inside of you/I feel so insecure and yet I’ve never felt so sure, what am I gonna do/ I'm out on a limb I'm giving into you again

You really don't want to be anywhere near me when this song is on... because I am going to sing it. LOUDLY. With all of the runs! Mind you, when I was listening to Lady Tee like I said there was no recipient of this loud pitchy version of her music sung by yours truly but the passion existed.

Oh what about "Dear Lover"

'Cause I've been wishing on the rings of Saturn/Calling on Jupiter and Mars/Praying on ten zillion light years/To bring you closer to my heart

WHAT?

I could go on. And on... and on...

I am sadden by her loss but thankful for the presents that she left us. She most certainly was a talent. The memories she has left, the music, her legacy is one of strength, sensuality and confidence. My deepest condolences to her daughter Alia Rose and her family. Though she will forever be among us through the music.

Whippin' My Hair into Shape

2010-12-24T05:10:00.000Z

Me at the Falling Whistles event at Eden Lounge

A couple of months ago I started rocking a cute little curly look. I love the way it came out. I would put a scarf on at night and wake up to a less than curly coiffure the next day. The style just would not last for as long as I am use to. Before I started pressing my hair I rocked twists and a fro. Neither of which my hair even tries to cooperate with now. I have heat damage and my hair STAYS straight on the ends while the rest has a crinkle to it.

My friend and co-worker Chimire has been telling me about this blog called the Moptop Maven (MTM). I have checked it a few times. The writer, Nikole, always has a cute hairstyle and outfit. Chimire mentioned that MTM was using a strict ayurvedic hair regimen to grow healthier tresses. Nikole's goal is to have waist length hair in 2011. In September, I cut my hair into a pointed Bob. I just knew that I would rock this style for at least 6 months... Well it is now December and to look at my hair you can't really tell I even had the cut.

In Brooklyn sporting my new do in September

One thing for sure, I do need to trim my ends!

I have always wanted a Lisa Bonet wavy curly crop of hair. Not the texture but the shape. My texture is fine. When I was about 6 or 7 I can remember being a witch with vampire teeth for Halloween (not sure why) and that is when I had all of that big fluffy hair past my shoulders. I guess I have been trying to get back to that length and health ever since. Although I have been sidetracked along the way. I always wind up doing something drastic before I can get to that length.

On January 1, Nikole, The MopTop Maven will begin her 6 month hair challenge for a healthier head of hair. I am signing up. My goal is to get my hair past my shoulders again and be able to sport an Afro at the squirt of a water bottle! I like the idea of versatility, having soft sultry waves or bone straight tresses depending on the mood of the day. Most importantly is the health of my hair. I want it luxuriously fabulous not spotty and putsy. (I made that word up but it sounds right in my head.)

Before the cut...

2010-12-06T04:00:00.001Z

It has been entirely to long I know. I am still alive... still kicking. Collecting that life experience, baby. And boy is it a load to carry. I have come upon some inspiration that I wanted to share with you... I can only give you a taste though. You will have to check out The Couch Sessions in the next couple of days to get more but...

I had the privilege of attending Aniekan Udofia's exhibition "Can U Dig It?"

And this is my inspiration for the week. Although the entire exhibition is off the chain, this is the one that give me pause. Aniekan's detail makes his images come alive. There is so much in one piece that study is necessary. I have load more to say on this brother but you have to wait... Meanwhile take a gander at The Couch Sessions and catch up on a few things.

sondai...