Nine Year Anniversary

After nine years, still just as in love with my Sisterlocks as day one!! Not counting that I combined about a hundred locks four years ago and the length has made me lazier than ever. Not feeling scissor happy at the moment. So for now, feeling just fine.

Hey all. The young lad is doing good. He's now four months.
Teething, rolling over, cooing, spitting bubbles and trying to
drive up my blood pressure. It's all good. I'm loving every minute.
Enjoy.

Four Years and Post Baby

Hello my fellow bloggers. Next month will be my fourth year with Sisterlocks. All is well and I certainly hope the same with you. The lil man is keeping me plenty busy.

MY DEAR CHILD

You are the poem

I dreamed of writing

the masterpiece

I longed to paint.

You are the shining star

I reached for in my

ever hopeful quest

for life fulfilled..

You are my child.

Now with all things

I am blessed.

~Author Unknown~

My son RJ. Born March 25, 2009.

3 Years Plus a Few Updates

Hello, hello, hello!! I know I've been MIA for several months now. But from what I can see, all is well with everyone. So this is good. I will let this post serve as my anniversary, tagged, life updates and whatever else I suppose.

• In early June I moved from my apartment in the city to an apartment in the burbs. Since I had lived in my old place for 9 years, I had a lot of junk to keep/donate/trash. Shopping for new furniture was a blast of course.



• August marked my 3 Year milestone with Sisterlocks. Yippee!! Seems like it took long enough. I kinda miss the short hair, but I really really miss the low maintenance of the short lock days.



• Guess who is now 4 months pregnant. There must have been too much celebrating going on in the new apartment. I don't know if it's a boy or girl yet. But I'm too anxious to find out. I was blessed with no morning sickness and cravings for cheeseburgers and General Tso's chicken.



• I can't stand the weight gain. All of my hard work from Weight Watchers is gone, gone, gone.



• Right before I found out I was pregnant, I agreed to go and work for a different department at my job.



• So with a new apartment, new department at work and new life growing inside of me...I hope I've stated my case as to why I've been MIA from blogging. Can we say, "Life Comes At You Fast!!"



• So in a nutshell - I'm thrilled, scared, and nervous all in one. It's in God's hands. C'est la vie. Wish me luck.

Trip to Atlanta Highlights!

Blog buddies galore
A new outfit
More hair products
Gladys Knight's Chicken & Waffles
Lots of blue eye shadow
Fabulous updo hairstyle
Eyebrows arched finally
Algebra's signed CD
Dr. MLK Historical Site Center
Gorgeous locs everywhere

Check out more fabulous photos by clicking on the below links:

Meet & Greet

Hair Show

People Say the Darnest Things

As I've journeyed with my Sisterlocks over the past 31 months, I thought it would be fun to share some of my most memorable comments regarding my locks. They are not in any particular order with the length of my hair. I've wrote them down randomly.

• Look at those beady beads.
  
• Excuse me, are those Sisterlocks?
  
• You have Sisterlocks, no wonder they look like that.
  
• I didn't like them when you first got them done, but I like them now.
  
• I ran into a girl who has small corporate locks just like yours.
  
• You should keep them that length because when people let them get too long, that doesn't look good.
  
• You have Sisterlocks? (dumbfounded look).....oh.
  
• I can't believe you and your momma are going all the way to Detroit to get that shit put in yall's head. I'm tired of looking at the back of yall's head.
  
• Even though those may look good on you and all, sister girl, we need to find you another hairstyle.
  
• Your hair looks so pretty!
  
• I guess you don't have beady beads no more.
  
• If you don't have time to condition your hair after you wash it, then you shouldn't be washing it. Your hair may look healthy, but it doesn't feel healthy.
  
• So who cut your hair into that style?
  
• She paid a lot of money to have her locks look like this.
  
• Girl, you look like a million bucks!

Packing for Atlanta

I am ever so excited. Next month mother and I are heading to Atlanta for Paulette's meet & greet on April 26th and the Natural Hair Show April 27th - 28th. I'd love to meet some fellow blog buddies so do tell if you are available and would like to meet up.

Yours truly

Wrapaloc Set

My wrapalocs orders consisted of 4 medium packs, 2 small packs and the instructional DVD. I washed my hair and then blow dryed it a little. Instead of a deep condition, I opted to use the SL cream moisturizer on each section of hair. I did NOT use any setting gel, foam or spray. I used about 35 small tools and 18 medium tools. To save time, I purposely used about 7-8 locks per tool with the exception of the front. Whether I actually saved time or not is definitely up for debate. I would say I spent about an hour putting the tools in. Another 20 minutes was spent gawking in the mirror and saying to myself, "What are you doing? This doesn't look anything like the instructions." So out the window went the benefit of not being able to see the tools in the hair.

I contemplated wearing a covering on my head the next day. But I played with the sections some more until my hair had more of a bantu knot look. Since under normal circumstances I don't know how to create bantu knots, I was perfectly fine with this look.


My co-workers sure know how to make a gal feel special. The compliments kept pouring in and I believe they thought the tools were some sort of hair ornaments. But since I was too self-conscious about the tools showing, I only wore them in for 1 day. When I took them out the next day, below is the result. Not bad for somebody who didn't follow directions.



So after all is said is done, is wrapalocs worth the money? I'll put it this way....
YES - if you love your soft spikes curler set but wish the curls would last a week or two longer.
NO - if you complained your soft spikes set was too curly and you purposely went out of your way to make the curls looser.

Pictured above, the curls have fallen after about 4 days. Since I don't see myself using the recommended 3 locks per tool right now, I am perfectly happy with my results. I'll reserve this for use in the future as my hair gets longer. However, I will strive to hide the tools more in the front next time so that I'll feel more comfortable wearing the bantu knot look a few more days.

On Having Longer Length

I get bored with the same old style very easily so finding new ways to style my hair is definitely not a problem. It's more of how long it takes to get these styles that is the problem. Fortunately, updos usually take no more than fifteen minutes. Such as the one in these photos. I've got my single plaits for braidouts down to about 30 minutes and I don't want to spend more than 45 minutes on roller sets. So this means I'll be using more locs on each roller and I'm perfectly fine with that. Since I just got my wrapalocs order, I won't have to worry about the curls not lasting long enough.

On the flip side, the chore of washing it was it was a bit overwhelming at first. I remember when it was nothing for me to come home after work and wash my hair in 15 minutes, towel it dry and be out of the house afterward. That ritual is truly a thing of the past. The new ritual is to wash the loc ends 2.5 times and then wash my scalp only for 2.5 times.

Condition it, moisturize it, and blow dry out some of the wetness. If I do a braid out or roller set, this entire process is at least 2 hours. But my scalp and locs are getting so much cleaner now. I've commented on a few blogs how the dandruff that was getting trapped in my locs was very frustrating. Something else that seems to be a thing of the past, I hope.

As for lint, what lint? No linty particles shall come near these locs I say! I am all about avoidance. I just prefer this approach instead of dying, cutting, scrubbing, etc. Consultants are quite surprised as I get commented quite frequently, "I see you don't have a lint problem." That's exactly how I intend to keep it.

Tagged

I can no longer brag about being cavity free. I got my first filling in October of last year.

I don't like taking pills, medication, or visiting the doctor. I'm one of the wait until the last minute folks when it comes to such. However, I am definitely in favor of trying natural remedies.

Despite the above, this year I opted for my first flu shot. I did get sick a few weeks later. Fortunately, it wasn't a deathly ill kind of sick. Maybe it was a coincidence, maybe it wasn't.

Four or five years ago I stopped wearing a watch. The battery went dead on the one I was wearing at the time and I refused to relace it or buy a new watch. Since the time is all around me, I feel there is no need.

CSI, Law & Order, Cold Case - I can watch them over and over.

I don't particulary care for perfume per se. I opt for the heavy cream lotions by Bath & Body and Victoria's Secret instead.

I love a good Riesling and that's pretty much the only wine I really previously cared for. A few months ago I expanded my horizons and I found out that I love a good Cabernet Sauvignon along with other reds and whites. My taste buds are finally opening up to dry wines as well.

Loving Accessories

Greetings everyone!! Length + maturity = I really get to enjoy my accessories to the fullest. Pictured above I'm wearing the Betty Davis Tomoka Twist. Sensational is all I have to say about this collection. As a matter of fact, it describes all of the pieces on the site. More sets are definitely in my future.

Below are a few pics of me wearing my Loc Soc. A different variation of how I wore it here in the summer. Versatility is so great.





As for washing, I took advantage of Chosenvessel's Komaza product post by going to the site and purchasing a few samples of the shampoo with emu and tea tree oil. Since it helps alleviate the itching and dandruff, I've splurged on a full bottle purchase. I have absolutely nothing against the Nizoral, but I would like to stick with natural remedies if possible. I will admit that I really don't look forward to washing my hair anymore. But that's just another one of the growing pains I guess.

At first I just knew I would keep growing my hair until I could at least sit on it. Strictly from a maintenance perspective, that probably won't happen. I'm pretty confident no hair cuts up until I hit my 4th year. After that, I'll just have to go with whatever feelings are driving me when that point in time gets here. In the meantime, I'll keep looking at Audrey's gorgeous Sisterlocks to help keep me motivated.

Self-retightening is still in the works. Despite the $250 for the SL training, I definitely have no regrets on taking the class in July of this year. Initially it's tedious but still liberating. Life happens and you never know when a situation is going to arise prompting you to have to give it a go yourself. My first try was over 30 hrs, the second was in the neighborhood of 20. I only have ambitions to get down to 10-14. In a couple of weeks, I'll have another try to see how close I come to getting there.

Class or no class, knowing that you can touch up your locks if needed is truly no understatement.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2 Year Growth

Muslimahlocs said...
Happy lockiversary! Your sisterlocks look fabulous. They have grown so much in the past two years. How have you grown with them?

Getting Sisterlocks have allowed me to truly fall in love with my hair. This is a feeling I never had prior to having them. As far as I can remember, I was brainwashed to believe that my was so bad that it needed to be fried, tamed and broke down to do right. I was so miseducated that I actually believed my hair wouldn't even do right when locked. That belief is one factor that played into why it took me so long to start locking in the first place. Due to reprogamming from the past two years, I accept and love my hair in all its glory. It may not be as soft as other people's, I don't care. It's not as thick as somebody else's, I don't care. I may have to go through a few extra steps for pretty curls to hold, I don't care. I am not longing for anybody else's hair texture. I love my hair for what God blessed me with.

I'm done judging and being judged. Everybody doesn't wear locks for the same reason nor do I believe they should have to. Everybody isn't going to lock their hair the same way I did and I don't feel they should have to. Am I biased? Of course!! But at the end of the day based on my circumstances from two years ago, I feel good about my hair decision to lock and how I chose to lock. Right now, nothing is broke so I don't need to fix it.

If I ever have to cut my locks off and sport my loose hair texture, I am now ready. To sum up my overall reflection of how I feel about my hair....I am at peace. This also means being tolerant of other people's hair decisons regardless of whether they are good or bad from my point of view.

The Take Down

I wore the updo plaits for five days and received many compliments on it much to my delight. Turns out it was quite a hit and I had nothing to worry about in the first place. I'm even more pleased with my crinkly braidout result. Funny it kind of reminds me of my jeri curl do from back in the day. If it holds a little past the weekend then I will consider it a definite success. Since I did not use any setting lotion, I guess it will be interesting.

2 Year Update

I am over the blog lazies long enough to do my two year update. Yeah baby! The below collage is my two year growth compared to my day one installation.

Next are photos of this years growth compared to my one year growth.

Despite the ups, despite the downs, you all know the speech - I love my hair! To all the newbies, keep toughing it out. The growing pains don't last forever.

At first tonight was just a wash. Then I wanted to do something different so I decided to single plait for a crinkle look. I did this back in January and loved the volume but the style was gone the next day. Therefore I wanted to keep the plaits in for at least 2-3 days, but then there is work. I thought about wearing a Loc Soc but only as a last resort. After putting in the plaits, I remembered some advice I gave Chosenvessel a while ago and I started to pin up the plaits. It's a bit on the eclectic side but hopefully I can pull it off. I'll take my Loc Soc with me to work just in case. I'll wear this up style until early next week and maybe my crinkles will have a fair chance.





A little bit of length does come in handy. Whoohoo!

A Visit With Paulette

Yesterday I was in Detroit visiting with the very lovely Paulette. Her new shop Locks4Life is now open. The product junkie in me just couldn't resist buying a couple of Loc Socs from her new display. I've been wanting to try one for a while but the website has been under construction. Last I heard, some folks were still having trouble with the site so I'm not sure of its status. I guess it would be safe to send an email to the owner before making a purchase. They are advertised to be very very versatile.

Let's Talk

I can't wait to hear from everyone. This should be fun.

Interview From Cluizel

1. Three wishes that you can use on yourself...what are they?
a) I really need some height. In another life, at least six inches should do.

b) To have been smarter in math and science.

c) No more debt. Please just make it go away.


2. Stilettos/flats/sneakers?
Flats - I must have comfort over beauty, unless I can get both in a perfect world.


3. Favorite condiment?
That would depend on what I'm eating. If it's fries...ketchup, a hotdog....mustard, and grilled meat....bring on the barbecue sauce!!


4. Sisterlocks...any regrets? Would you do anything differently?

For the most part, I've had a pretty good journey and I have very few complaints in regards to Sisterlocks. In lieu of previous posts, perhaps I would have gone with bigger hairline locks.


All of my other issues were due to me having to come to terms and love the hair texture I was born with. I still have not given my loose natural hair a fair shot until this day. One of these days, I hope to rectify that.

5. If you could wave a magic wand and make an ex disappear would you? Why?

No, I don't think I would want to make any of my ex's disappear. I think they were good guys for the most part, just had some problems. And until a sista ties the knot, you never know.........

If you want to give your interview a shot. Feel free to let me know.

Lock Repair

After having my locks retightened two weeks ago by new consultant, I had a WTF moment when I saw one of my front locks had a bunched knot right near the root. I'm saying there's no way she didn't know she did this. It feels like a hot mess! Urghh. And it is one of my front locks. So everytime my hand-in-hair-itis struck, of course my finger landed directly on the bunched knot. This unkempt lock was really irking me.


So each day as I would say to myself the least she could of done was try to fix it. I mean just take a comb and...... well that's it! I knew at that moment what I had to do. I found one of my rat tail combs and started combing at the bunched knot. When it was loosened enough, I finger rolled it back into place with the rest of the lock. No more bunched knot and my lock is back to looking all perfect again. I'm learning from this locking experience, sometimes you just have to take matters into your own hands.

Don't be afraid to trust your own judgement.

Thinning Locks

I asked Muslimahlocs if she has micro micro locks and her response was, "Compared to your picture definitely."



While those super micro SLs are gorgeous, I knew hands down they are not for me. First off, I would have to forget about ever doing my own retightenings and second, the tiny locks I do have, have me so paranoid that they are going to break off. I've already combined some of them but they are still much to little for my own personal liking. I really don't want to do anymore combining if I don't have to. So I'm hoping the roots will grow in thicker.
Of course these problem locks are at my unstable front hairline.

Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if my locks started out that way. But I suspect some of my locks have thinned due to natural hair thinning and/or retightenings done where the tension of the lock was done waay to tight.

In this pic here, note the difference of the lock I'm pointing to versus the other locks around it.

I guess I will have to do what's necessary and hope for the best.