Safety first

Many people are concerned about the safety of the ingredients in the products they use. I understand the need to be educated about what we put in and on our bodies. You can access numerous online resources and print material that will reveal more information about these ingredients. I wanted to share some sites that you may want to check out for yourself. Hope this helps.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

*site has link to cosmetic safety database*
http://www.safecosmetics.org/

Cosmetic Index
http://www.cosmeticindex.com/category/?page=view&advert_category_id=62

GCI Magazine
http://www.gcimagazine.com/

Cosmetics and Toiletries
http://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/

Society of Cosmetic Chemists
http://www.scconline.org/website/index.shtml

Cosmetic Ingredient Review
http://www.cir-safety.org/index.shtml

Personal Care Products Council (former CTFA)
http://www.personalcarecouncil.org/

Food and Drug Administration
http://www.fda.gov/

CosmeticsInfo.org
http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/

Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CCTFA)
http://www.cctfa.ca/site/cctfa/

The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (U.K.)
http://www.ctpa.org.uk/

American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org/

Society of Toxicology
http://www.toxicology.org/index.asp

Thanks for reading. Be blessed

CallaLily

What is beautiful?

I understand that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and everyone has the right to their own opinion but I just needed to vent a little on this post. I have now been wearing my loose, natural hair for 11 months. My family has been totally supportive of my decision. However, last night some comments were made by my family that had me fuming! In summary, negative comments were voiced about women wearing locks. I have not considering locking my hair but I was offended by what was said.


Naturally, today I had to so some net surfing to find a hair gallery to go back and show to my family. Then, I remembered this blog. The creator of the blog also has a fantastic hair gallery here and I plan to head straight for the computer when I get home from work with my family following right behind me :-)


Hair choices are very personal and each individual has reasons on why they do the things they do with it. Going natural has allowed me to expand my views on what is beautiful. If you rock it "barber shop short", flowing down to your waist, natural or relaxed - I think it's all gorgeous and whatever your flavor is don't allow ANYONE to make you feel that you should conform to their view of beauty.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

Wow, that's DEEP!!!

Lots of people pay attention to deep conditioning their hair in colder weather. I love the benefits of deep conditioning my hair year round. I try to do this on a weekly basis. Here are some pointers to know if the conditioner you use is intended to penetrate your hair and provide nourishment: (1) label may read “deep conditioner” or “hair mask” (2) the instructions indicate to leave product on for 15 minutes or longer before rinsing (3) the instructions suggest the use of some form of heat.

In this upcoming year, I am on a new quest. Since I have PJ tendencies, I have tried many conditioners during my hair journey. Some have been purchased local and some I’ve ordered online. I have also enjoyed whipping up many of my own homemade conditioning treatments. Many times, what I use on my hair will change from week to week but in 2010 I want to establish my staple products and stick to those products.

I have found some conditioners that are nice but I really want to scrutinize what I put in my hair. While I want the ingredients in the products I purchase to promote healthy hair, I also want it to be economically sound. For me, that means, paying $1 per ounce of product (or close to that range).

These are some conditioners that I will try in the future. Not only do the ingredients sound hair yummy but it falls within the price I want to pay for a deep conditioner:

Hairveda – SitriNillah Masque-Ultra Moisturizing Deep Conditioner

Sweet Nature by Eddie – Love Deep Conditoner

Komaza Care – Olive Moisture Mask

I hope I have success with one of these products. Please let me know if you have tried any of these conditioners and what your results were. Also let me know of any product that I may want to try that meets the criteria.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

I'm on Facebook now!!!

So I FINALLY created a Facebook account. For those of you reading this that already have accounts, I’d love to connect with you over there *my badge is posted down in the right-hand banner*

I need your help getting acclimated on there also. Tell me where all the “hot spots” are – what groups are happening (natural hair or otherwise) and what are some of the pages you frequent? I might as well hit the ground running, right!

Until we meet again, take care & be blessed!

Thanks for reading.

CallaLily

Study Hall: Book Club

*Not directly hair related* I apologize; I'm not trying to turn this into a fashion blog (Lord knows I'm extremely under-qualified, LOL)

I just wanted to go back a bit and elaborate on my previous scarf post. I always like to take my research a step futher so of course, I has to visit my library. On top of the HOURS I spent watching YouTube videos, I was still hungry for more. To my surprise, I found NUMEROUS other ways to rock scarves! The books that I checked out, exposed so many other options that I didn't know existed. While I enjoy internet sources, I always strive to compliment that knowledge with addtional resources (regardless of the subject matter). May I suggest the same to you?

Here are some books that were available to me:

99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Tie & Rock Your Scarf – Faith Blakeney, Justina Blakeney & Ellen Schultz
How many times have you looked at a scarf and thought, “cute, beautiful pattern . . . but what do I do with it?” Now with just a few basic tools and skills, everyone from a sewing novice to a fashion guru can reincarnate scarves old and new into party tops, ponchos, or even flowy evening dresses. The techniques are simple, the supplies are easy to find, and every one of the 99 awe-inspiring projects takes an hour or less, from start to finish.

How to tie scarves – Edie Weber
Next time you select a scarf to match your outfit and the occasion, tie it in one of these 24 distinctive styles. Full-color photos display every step and technique, along with fashion models showing off each finished touch. Experiment with your favorites for formal and informal occasions: * Windsor knot for the dress-for-success look * Whirligigs that add dazzle to casual * The turtleneck look and the double-ring look for casual dress * Ironed pleats for evening wear Add your favorite jewelry, as you braid a scarf with a gold necklace, or adapt scarves to different collar styles. The showstoppers: dramatic over-the-shoulder styles that plunge the length of your jacket in front, as well as imaginative streamers and pigtails down the back. 48 pages (all in color).

Sensational Scarves: 30 Fabulous Ideas for Twisting, Draping, and Folding – Carol Endler Sterbenz
A well-known artisan and best-selling author offers expert advice and step-by-step instructions on how men and women can use scarves to add color, style, and flair to any outfit.

The Complete Book of Scarves: All You Need to Make, Decorate, Embellish, Tie & Wear – Jo Packman
This elegantly photographed collection of scarves to make and enhance embraces the simple and the sensational. The fabrics specified include those found in notions departments and luxurious upscale fabric stores...and results subtly accent an ensemble or create daring and dramatic fashion statements. Clear, numbered directions for making and decorating various types of scarves are punctuated with profiles of the craftspersons....Those less dexterous who prefer simply to shop for their finishing touches, and those who have successfully created their scarves of choice, will appreciate the final chapter, which offers several pages of photos and diagrams of ideas for typing, draping, wrapping, and even decorating with scarves, allowing anyone to tie one on with style.--Booklist. 128 pages (all in color).

The five-minute scarf arranger – Pia Tryde Sandeman
Scarves continue to be the most touted, the most popular and the most versatile accessory in women's fashion. Here are instructions for creating more than 30 fabulous scarf arrangements.

I found these books very helpful. There are dozens of published books on scarves. Your local library may have a different selection but if you’re interested, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

Let me be honest. . .

I’ve been tagged with the Honest Scrap award by the beautiful Chocolate Orchid. Thanks girlfriend!

10 Honest Things About Me:
1. I’m a terrible speller (always have check my spelling on such words as definitely, kielbasa, lasagna, and so on)


2. I used to be in 4H club (don’t front, I know ya’ll remember 4H smile)


3. I enjoy watching Spongebob with my daughter (sometimes without her)


4. I’ve only been horseback riding once (I think it was about 7 or 8 years ago)


5. I’m an obsessive note writer/list maker (which turns out to be a waste of paper most times, LOL)


6. I want to learn how to ride a motorcycle – Biker Chic Baby!


7. I’m probably one of the few people that has an acquired taste for okra (and brussels sprouts, and liver & onions)


8. It’s been years since I’ve balanced a checkbook!


9. I’m just now learning to enjoy shopping (more patience with age I guess)

10. I didn’t know how to properly cornrow hair until 7 years ago (a coworker showed me how on a baby doll – don’t laugh)

I will give this award to the following lovelies whose YouTube channels I enjoy but also have great content on their blog.

Naptural Diva

The Discount Trendsetter Show

Naturally Flyy

Hair && There

MissKrisNew



Here are the rules:

1. Post the award on your blog
2. Present this award to others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you
3. Tell those people they’ve been awarded HONEST SCRAP, inform them of these guidelines
4. Share “Ten Honest Things” about yourself


Thanks for reading. Be blessed!


CallaLily

My latest obsession

Scarves! Oh, why have I slept on these for so long? I am just putting my toe into the waters of this marvelous fashion accessory. Recently, I’ve spent countless hours on YouTube discovering the many ways you can sport scarves. From head adornments to tops, my nose is wide open to expanding my fashion choices with beautiful fabrics. All shapes (square to rectangle), all sizes (large to small), all colors (solids to prints) and all fabrics (cotton to silk), even winter scarves (got my eye on an Infinity scarf) – I will not discriminate, LOL. I now move past the mindset of the infamous cotton handkerchief worn to bed to exploring a whole new world of options. I’m ready to dive in but need to go shopping first – yay! I’ll be hitting up thrift stores and places like Walmart, Target, TJ Maxx and Marshalls for starters. What ways to you wear scarves? Where do you buy them?

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily