Where have I been???

WOW, I didn't expect to be gone so long. Sorry that I haven't been around. I have been busy and preoccupied with other things. I still have left some things hanging and I intend to get back on track. I just wanted you to know that I'm still here and haven't abandon my blog. I'll be putting up some posts later in the week.

CallaLily

Study Hall: Information Overload

Ok, I am truly convinced that coincidences don’t exist; what is purposed to be; WILL be. Check out last week’s string of events:

Sunday: During a web surfing session, I discovered Naptural Roots Magazine for the first time (yes, I know I live under a rock). I made a note to go back and thoroughly check out the site later in the week – I had planned to feature them in my Study Hall post

Tuesday: Went back to check out the site and was deterred to do my Study Hall post on them since it was noted they were revamping the website. I wasn’t really sure what was going on and I seem to find sites that get abandoned (they longer update their page) or just end up being taken down (i.e. Natural Hair Digest). Then I decided I would post on a site that I had recently re-discovered.

Wednesday: Some time after I put up my post, I perused some other blogs that I read on occasion. I came across a post on Going Au Naturale from 2 weeks prior *interrupted thoughts: Why am I always late on so many things? I guess if I was on Facebook (like my friends keep nudging me to do) I might not be so clueless. . . back to your regularly scheduled program* Low and behold. . . Mae had done an interview with LeAnne Dolce, Founder of Naptural Roots Magazine. I’m so happy that I stumbled across this so I can share their dialogue with you. Enjoy the read on Going Au Naturale and check out Naputual Roots Magazine.

All in the universe is as is should be :-)

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

*You can click on the “study hall” label in the right-hand column to read posts you have missed

I'm truly honored: Kreativ Blogger Award

the.kisser has graciously bestowed me with my first award (Thank you!). I want to share my award with these fabulous blogs:

Nominees

1. The Natural Haven

2. ChocolateOrchid

3. Nu Kynk

4. Beads, Braids, & Beyond

5. Newly Natural

6. Nappturology 101

7. ~Back to Curly~

Here are the rules for recipients:

1. Copy the logo on your blog or post

2. Mention who gave you the award

3. Nominate at least 7 blogs you find creative (link your nominees within your post)

4. Let them know they have received this award by commenting on their blog

5. Share 10 creative facts about yourself

10 creative facts about moi:

1. I experiment with & tweak recipes (for hair and for eating) Go mixtress :-)

2. Soon I will explore making my own hair accessories

3. I like to plan small parties/events

4. I can tell great children stories

5. I LOVE jazz music

6. I played the clarinet

7. I organized a book club once

8. I attended African dance classes

9. I've made up my own games

10. I like doing "crafty" things

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

Back to Basics: Seal (A Hair Regimen Series)

Here’s where we bring in the big guns – so break out your “heavy” artillery for this step. It is time to utilize your oils, butters and thicker creams. Several factors can determine what you will use here; weather, hair type, how you intend to style and what product (and how much) you used in step 4 are some things you may want to consider.

Step 5: Seal

What: Sealing is applying a product (oil or butter based) to the hair in order to lock in moisture.

When: Immediately following hydration

Why: The obvious intent of hydration is to prevent the hair from becoming dry.

How: In my personal opinion, you should seal the entire length of the hair shaft on your wash day while your hair is still wet. When you hydrate in the days following your wash, you may only want to seal the ends (feeling that using product daily on the entire hair shaft is not necessary).

It is important to explore your options and see what works best for your hair. If your hair is fine and easily weighed down or you don’t want to be left with “greasy” hair, a light oil may work best. For those whose hair is thick and coarse, your hair may respond better to heavy butters and creams.

Also, pay attention to the primary ingredients for the product you used in the prior step. Could your hair milk, lotion or cream serve as a sealant as well as a moisturizer?

Other notes: Remember that the ends of your hair are the oldest and require a little more attention.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

Friday’s Formula/Tasty Tresses: Carrot (ongoing contest)

“What’s up doc?” I may be grown but I still love my cartoons :-) My daughter doesn’t appreciate carrots as much as Bugs Bunny but maybe she would agree to one of the treatments below quicker than she would gobble up a plate of them. Forgetting about the dozens of products you can buy that are carrot-based, I didn’t think I would find much hair related information on carrots. Indeed I was pleasantly surprised. Hope you enjoy what I discovered.

What’s on the menu for your mane #7 – Carrot

CARROT: A vegetable that is packed to the brim with beneficial nutrients, antioxidants, and beta carotene. Beta-Carotene stimulates the formation of new hair and skin cells and also protects hair and skin from damage caused by the sun and pollution. There are also claims that carrots do a great job of cleaning out toxins and built up residue in hair and skin. Carrots are used to create Essential Oil, CO2 Extracts, Macerated Oil, and Hydrosol. The dried roots are even powdered to create a gentle, nourishing exfoliant. Carrot oil, being high vitamins A & E, is a great hair conditioner and helps to improve scalp condition.

Here are a few carrot recipes to try yourself:

Carrot Banana Hair Conditioner
3 carrots
1 ripe banana
Honey
Mayonnaise
Peppermint
Water
Blender
Container with lid
Towel
Steam or boil 3 washed and chopped carrots in 1 cup of water until tender. Fifteen minutes may be long enough to soften the carrots. Pour the carrot and water into a blender, and blend until almost smooth. Add fresh or dried peppermint to the blender and blend. Add the banana and blend until smooth and creamy. Next, add 1 teaspoon of honey and 1/2 cup of mayonnaise to the blender. Blend all ingredients together, making a smooth and creamy hair conditioner. Spoon the mixture into a jar with a lid, and store in the refrigerator until your next shampoo. Add a generous amount after shampooing, making sure to massage the hair conditioner in well. Wrap with a towel and leave in for 15 minutes to 2 hours. Rinse and towel dry.

Carrot & Avocado Hair Treatment
2 tsp carrot macerated oil*
1 ripe avocado
Prepare the macerated oil with the jojoba oil and carrot (*see below). Mash the avocado, then blend it with the oil to make a paste. Apply the mixture to the hair and scalp and leave for one hour. Wash off, using a mild shampoo with added lemon juice.
* For carrot macerate place the grated carrot in a bowl. Cover the carrot with jojoba oil. Place the bowl containing the mixture over a pan of boiling water and heat for 1 hour. Remove from the heat, strain and repeat with fresh carrot. Strain and pour into a dark glass bottle.

Infused Carrot Oil
2 carrots, peeled and grated
Coconut oil
Place the grated carrot in the crock of a slow cooker. Add sufficient melted coconut oil to cover and pour it over the carrot. Replace the lid on the slow cooker and cook the carrots and coconut oil at the lowest heat setting until the carrots are very soft and the oil is a deep orange color. Remove from the heat and strain the oil through a fine mesh sieve. Pour into dark, glass jars and allow to cool and set. Oil can be used for hot oil treatments or added to hair conditioner.

NOTE: Please lean toward a bit of caution since I’ve heard that some staining can result from using carrots.

~Ongoing contest (click here for details and rules)~

Can you guess what next week’s hair food (or drink) will be?

Leave your entry below in the comment section.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

* Other recipes can be found in the "hair recipe" category to the right

Study Hall: Information Overload

Here is a cute site that I re-discovered recently. Samara’s site is dedicated to African American women with relaxed or natural hair who seek long, healthy tresses. She provides helpful articles on proper hair care. She also has a blog and YouTube channel with tutorials. Head on over there!

Grow Black Hair

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

YouTube is ssoooo awesome!

Along my hair journey I came across some great hair information and tutorials on YouTube. When I started my account, it was solely to subscribe to my favorite channels. Last week, when I did my Study Hall post on Black Owned Businesses, I was unable to copy and paste the table I had formatted. Therefore, the only reason why I went through the trouble of downloading a video to my YouTube channel was so my blog post wasn’t funky looking and EXTREMELY long, lol. I never imagined that anyone on YouTube would actually find my channel and view the only video that I downloaded. So basically, I did it for my blog readers and it is already reaching more people than I thought. I started to get responses from others. I have made a few revisions and 1 addition to my original list, then reloaded it. Hopefully, the video will gain more exposure and I will get more addition requests. I love how all of these cyber communities work in concert.

I have one other video slideshow in mind for the future but I don’t see me becoming a vlogger (video blogger) – for now my focus is just on blogging.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

Back to Basics: Hydrate/Moisturize (A Hair Regimen Series)

Moisture comes from WATER; not oils and heavy butters. It is ideal to moisturize your hair at least once daily. Some do it several times a day while others may prefer every other day. Either way, it is vital that you incorporate this step into your hair regimen.

Step 4: Hydrate/Moisturize

What: Hydration is applying a product to the hair for moisture.

When: Daily is preferred

Why: The obvious intent of hydration is to prevent the hair from becoming dry.

How: Applying water or a water-based product to the hair without total saturation. A simple spray bottle of water or other liquid concoction is fine. Also, there are various leave-in conditioners that can serve this purpose. Hair milks, lotions or creams, listing water as the first ingredient, are also excellent.

Other notes: Depending on the style your hair is in, be aware that shrinkage is possible.


Thanks for reading. Be blessed!


CallaLily