DIY Deep Conditioner Using Nutribullet

The key to having healthy hair is deep conditioning!!!!!!!  All hair types need to be deep conditioned regularly.  I usually give my lion's mane some good TLC every weekend and Gracee's twice a month.  When newly coloring my hair I deep condition 2-3 times a week for a few months.  Why is it so important you ask?  Well deep conditioning helps to repair damaged hair, prevent hair from getting damaged, add moisture, give your hair LIFE, etc just to name a few.

Deep conditioning is also quite easy.  Being the Queen of "Ain't nobody got time for that" it has to be easy for me.  It can be done at any point in your hair regiment, meaning before shampooing or co-washing, afterwards, or in between.  I of course don't have time for all that in and out the shower shenanigans, so I always deep condition mine and Gracee's hair before co-washing (on dry hair).  I have not seen a significant difference in doing it afterwards or in between co-washing.

Well what do you use to deep condition?  You can use any conditioner or hair masque.  I love to use Tresemme Naturals conditioner to co-wash with and as a deep conditioner.  I am also quite fond of Giovanni's conditioners to deep condition with.  There are a number of products out there just for deep conditioning as well.  My favorite is Shea Moisture African Black Purification Masque.  Lately I have been trying out Carol's Daughter's products.  My absolute favorite is making my own!  Below I will show you what I used to give mine and Gracee's hair some serious TLC!








So I started with the items below.  I also added Extra Virgin Olive Oil (not pictured).  You can use whatever oil you like or leave it out.

Products Listed:
Raw Honey
Ripe Banana
Greek Yogurt
Avocado
Coconut Milk

I don't measure ingredients...I'm all about "eyeballing it".  So I just measured what I wanted in my tall nutribullet cup.  Put all ingredients in and blend until smooth.

Next I spoon the mixture in a bowl to apply to our hair.  I section our hair (this time into two) and start applying the mixture to our scalp and work my way down.  I focus more on the ends because the ends are your oldest hair and need more love and attention.  Then I twist the hair into little buns and place on usually a plastic grocery bag, but for you guys we will be classy and use our Sally's plastic caps.

I let Gracee's hair deep condition for 15-30 minutes.  I let mine deep condition for 30-60 minutes.  Next I just rinse it out thoroughly and co-wash with Tresemme Naturals.

After co-washing I apply an oil mixture (olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, and tea tree oil) to my scalp by just massaging it in.  Then I finger my shea butter mixture and my Shea Moisture African Black Soap Balancing Conditioner throughout my hair...and it was murder she wrote!

This time I finished my hair by putting it in my new favorite protective style, two pinned french braids.  I use the same products in Gracee's hair but put hers in ponytails and braided them for a braid out.  Our hair ended up being soft, shiny, and easier to detangle.

Farewell To the Elf On the Shelf

It's Christmas Eve and time to say good bye to our naughty but nice elves Elfy and Lily.  Let's take a look back to see what they have been up to this 2013.

Gracee continued to put Lily on blast for stealing her Barbies' dress, so being the lady Lily is, she invited the Barbies for a good ole heart to heart.  She has watched enough "The Real Housewives of (insert city)" to not want to be the talk of the town.  Barbie and Bratz were very receptive and even offered Lily a wardrobe change option.  There is no cat fighting going on here, we are a drama free house!

When missing his elf buddies, Elfy sought out for some male bonding with Ken.  If only we could be a fly on the wall to hear what they were talking about.  We are suspecting maybe proposal plans for he and Lily.  It's going to be exciting to see what next Christmas has in store!

When the cat is away...elves will play!  I guess all the fruit snacks and other treats that Georgee would leave out for the elves weren't enough.  They took matters into their own hands and made their own breakfast...with making a mess of course.  The kids were tickled but upset that the elves, in their minds, drank most of our syrup.

After getting into the pantry and eating maybe some ribs (oops) that Georgee may have wanted, he wished they had never come to our house.  Our elves of course heard this and had to go away for a few days.  They did come back just in time for Georgee's 5th birthday.  Since they won't be here in January for Gracee's 8th birthday, they sent her a little note as well.

On Elfy's and Lily's last night in our house, they finished where they started...in our Christmas Tree.  This time they posed for a photo opportunity with our little neighbor's traveling gingerbread man.  The elves definitely had an adventurous time this year, and met new friends along the way.  Hubby and I can only predict what they will be up to next year (psss a new elf)!

OOTD: 1 Dress 2 Styles

If there is one thing that I am learning about becoming a fashionista, it is to buy pieces that can be recycled with many other pieces in your closet.  I love pieces that I can wear in a variety of ways without ever having to go back to the store or spending more money.

A few weeks ago I needed a new dress to wear to see the Nutcracker with my family.  I found a cute greenish dress at the PX (post exchange-military store).  Below is how I styled it in a more traditional way.

Dress: PX $25
Tights:  (very old)
Ankle Booties:  Rack Room (years ago)
Neckalace:  Forever 21 (years ago)
Flower in hair:  Present from My Auntie Sis

That same weekend, Black Friday to be exact, I ventured (at a normal hour) into Famous Footwear to find my son some shoes and got suckered into buy one get one half off.  I have a wishlist of fall/winter must have items and combact boots were one of them.  I tried on a few flat boots that I have been looking for, but I didn't LOVE any of them.  I finally stumbled (yes I probably did trip over my own huge feet) upon these beauties below.

Dark Brown Combact Boots: Famous Footwear $50

Once I got the boots I hit up Pinterest to find style ideas with the boots and saw a lot of very feminine dresses paired with the boots.  I loved this idea.  It matches my personality perfectly!  I am very much of a tomboy with a feminine side!  So here is what I came up with.

Added Pieces:
Scarf: Amazon less than $10

I absolutely love this outfit with the combact boots. It adds a bit of edginess to a cutesy dress.  I felt pretty and powerful all in one!

DIY Xmas Gift for Ladies

I love giving gifts and mainly because I like to actually put thought into that person in what they like and would like.  It is the thought that counts right?  So this year I needed another inexpensive gift to give to my 10 co-workers!  So since all my girls are quite stylish and love pretty things, Pinterest came up with this idea for me!  The nail polish is from Target for $2 and I just used a box of Christmas tags and some ribbon to complete the gift.  I got assorted colors and allowed my co-workers to chose what they wanted.  I NAILED it!

Here are some ideas of other DIY gifts that my co-workers made for the rest of us.  Considering we are all Pinterest Addicts, I'm sure that's where they got their ideas.

This jar of deliciousness was made by Michela!  It's homemade hot chocolate with mini marshmellows on top and garnished with a candy cane.  As pretty as it is, I can't wait to enjoy a cup of joe (hot chocolate) while I write more blogs.

Laurie came up with this perfectly wrapped little number.  Inside is a small candle and scented hand sanitizer.  It's so pretty I don't want to open it.

Last but not least is Mariana's creation. It's moonshine!  She made apple pie or apple cider (I forgot which one) flavored moonshine.  She gave us instructions to wait 30 days before drinking it and to not consume it all at once.  Whew! Sounds like my kind of drink. I will wait to share this with Hubby.







I love all these gifts and hope that they will give you some DIY gift ideas to help spread the holiday cheer!

DIY Dollar Tree & Target Xmas Gifts

As I have mentioned before, Christmas is my favorite holiday!  One thing that I love about Christmas is of course GIFTS!  No, not receiving them, but giving them.  This year I decided to put my creativity to work (with the help of Pinterest) and make some of my own gifts.

I needed to think of what to give my daughter's 2nd grade teacher and my son's daycare teachers.  I needed to figure out how to make six gifts on a budget.  So I consulted Pinterest and tweaked the project to be my own.  I then went to the Dollar Tree and Target to gather my items and this is how I started.

Dollar Tree Items

So all of these items were $1 at the Dollar Tree.  My idea is to give the teachers pampering in a jar.  So thankfully I could find multiple items in one pack for one price!

Small glass bowls
Pack of 2 nail polishes with toe separator
Pack of 2 nail files
Pack of 25 decorative plastic treat bags

Target Items

I have a love hate relationship with Target. I love it with all my being, but hate my bill when I leave.  This time was no different, but at least these items weren't as expensive as the other items that snuck into my cart.

Cotton Balls-less than $1
Herseys Kisses-$3-5
Assorted Ribbon-less than $2
50 tags Container-$5
Pack of 3 nail polish-less than $5
St. Ives face scrub-less than $1
Pack of 8 Lipsmacker-less than $5
Sinful Colors nail polish-$2
Sorry I don't have exact prices, but that red bulls eye has a way of hypnotizing you into not thinking about prices.

And here is the process...

The original idea calls for the beloved mason jars.  Well after going to several stores and not finding them, I had to settle on these glass bowls.  I actually like the outcome with these instead.  Pictured are peppermint hersey kisses (my fave) and you can't do your nails without cotton balls.

Each bowl gets 2 small nail polishes, one lip smacker, one toe separator, one face scrub, and one nail file.  The two bowls in the front are for Gracee's 2nd grade teacher and Georgee's lead teacher.  I gave them extra nail polish and Gracee's teacher a Target gift card.  Confession: I thought the face scrub was lotion until I set it out to be packaged and read the label.  Oops, but hey, having a clean face is pampering too!

To finish up the project just place the bowl in the plastic treat bag, tie with the tie, and add ribbon and a tag.  And wah-la...you have yourself six inexpensive teachers' gifts.

And here is the finished product!  Not bad for a the queen of "ain't nobody got time for that" Mommy!  I must say, as obsessed as I am with Pinterest, I like my project better.  Oh the things we can accomplish when we use our noggin!

The Elf on the Shelf

Christmas is my favorite holiday!  My favorite part of it is all the Christmas traditions.  I like to take a trip down memory lane and think about the traditions I grew up on.  I remember my mom decorating the inside of our entire house...even the bathroom.  Now that is one I'm slowly working on for my own family.  I remember my Dad taking us into the woods (I'm a country girl) to pick out and cut down a Christmas tree...and no we didn't have to pay for it!  It was the woods for Pete's sake!  I also remember rushing home on Christmas Eve to go to bed early to allow Santa to do his work.

Hubby and I have been keeping up with traditions that we grew up on, while creating our own. Even though he is deployed, I try to continue with our traditions and incorporate him as much as we can.  One of our super fun traditions that we started last year thanks to my Aunt Deb, was the Elf on the Shelf!  My aunt sent "Elfie" to the kids and he made his debut at the beginning of December.  After reading the book and understanding NOT to touch the elf, the kids and us were excited.  Hubby and I had fun deciding what crazy things Elfie would get into next.  The kids had fun trying to find him daily.  This year Elfie made his debut when the Christmas tree went up, a day or two after Thanksgiving.  A few days later (thanks Amazon) Lily joined him.

Little Georgee left the elves a treat

Georgee was excited when Lily appeared!  He was tickled that Elfie had a girlfriend.  Gracee on the other hand said, "Santa sent us a girl elf, and she stole my barbie's skirt!"  Needless to say, she is still hung up on the skirt issue.  I'm almost afraid to "borrow" Lily another skirt, even though I didn't realize that Lily is a bit thicker than Barbie.

I never know what the elves will "cook" up.  Georgee is especially excited to try to find out where they are.  Each morning he rushes downstairs to try to find them.  Gracee on the other hand is getting older and not doing much believing anymore.  I really don't mind because I am not crazy about the whole Santa idea so we don't stress it in our house. We talk to them more about Jesus being born.  I do let them believe what they want because they are kids and it's fun, but for the most part they know that their parents decide on and buy their gifts.  Santa just may leave them one unwrapped gift.

I guess they had work to do

Last year Gracee believed that the elf was real, but this year I can tell that she has her reservations about this.  She has not said anything, but she isn't as into trying to find them every morning.  Georgee does question their realness by pointing out that they don't look real and look like dolls.  He also says that they freak him out because he feel that they are starring at him.

Every night I show Hubby on video chat where the elves are, and I always ask him for suggestions.  Last year he was the one that came up with the really cool elf spots.  His suggestions this year are in the kids bedrooms or bathrooms.  I told him that I am keeping them downstairs this year due to Georgee continuing to talk about being freaked out by the elves' eyes.  The boy already don't sleep through the night, so the last thing I need on my hands is elf nightmares!

So even though the holidays are tough for us with Hubby being deployed, I'm happy to see that my kiddos get a little bit of happiness every morning thanks to these elves.  Stay tuned to see what else the elves get themselves into with 12 days left until Christmas.

Mommy and her Bikini Body

It's the teeny weeny itty bitty yellow (pink) polka dot bikini...okay don't tell me I'm the only one that remembers that song from some weight loss commercial?  Anyway every since giving birth to my two kids, now almost 8 and 5 years old, I have avoided bikinis like the plague!  I would often look back on my fave pre-baby body in this white bikini posing in Mexico thinking that I would never look good in a bikini again! Well once you get to know me you will see that I have the mentality that if someone else can do it...I can too!  I have seen way too many fitsporations of mommies looking better than ever after having even more than four kids.  So I have no excuse!  April 2013 I went to Marshall's and purchase my first bikini since motherhood.  It was cute, cheap, and way too small!  I took a before pic in it to store away with double bolt locks never to show anyone!  I didn't think I would actually look decent in the bathing suit one day but figured it was cheap so it wouldn't be too much of a lost.

When taking these pictures I would cringe.  I felt that I looked 6 months preggers.  I kept taking the pics in hopes to motivate myself to just do it!  So here is my struggle.  Like I mentioned, my kids are almost 8 and 5 years old and here I am just now really losing the rest of the baby weight.  It had nothing to do with lack of knowledge, but everything with STOP PUTTING CRAP INTO YOUR BODY!  I have always known all the right things to eat and exercises to do, and do them faithfully, but often sabbatoge myself.  I think we sometimes are afraid to change so take one step forward and three steps back.  This was a constant roller coaster with me for years.  There just comes a point where you get sick and tired of being at the amusement park!  It has to get old at some point right?

There comes a point when you are just sick and tired of feeling and looking the same way and feeling horrible about it.  On the outside I didn't by any means think I was fat.  People would constantly tell me that I am small and didn't need to do anything to my body, but they didn't see me naked or these pictures.  I always would say that I know that I am not fat, but I do have some fat to lose.  Even small people can be out of shape.  So after being sick and tired of what I saw in the bathroom mirror when getting out the shower, I finally found my "ah-ha" moment.  My hubby was deploying and 9 months gave me a great timeline to focus on me (somewhat) and "just do it".  I have never had a timeline to push me before until then.  So I started to practice what I preached (and knew) and stuck with it.  Months later I didn't even notice a difference until I started to take more pictures and put them side by side.

Left: April 2013/Right: Dec 2013

Just last night I noticed the bikini still hanging in my closet.  I had forgotten about it for many months.  Looking at myself on the regular I didn't think I would look decent in the suit yet, but decided to give it a go anyway.  I took the pictures and sent them to my hubby who approved and to my sisterger (sister manager) who bullied me into posting the pictures and writing this blog on it.  And she even came up with the title (peer pressure).  

I do not know what weight I was in either picture.  Possibly 140's in the left one and 130's in the right one.  I try not to be a slave to the scale but try to rely more on how I feel, look, and how my clothes fit.  I do like to get that number every now and then to gauge where I am at, but do not obsess over it like I would in the past causing me more setbacks.  At this point I feel I look "alright" in the bikini in that I still have some work to do like toning.  I am happy that after posting this picture I got a lot of people tell me that it was motivating to them, and that's my main goal.  To motivate others to get their body back and where they want it to be.  It is possible, you have to just do it!  

Watch out now!  Hubby has a little over 90 days before he returns so that's my cute to kick this thing up into high gear!  Most experts will tell you that you can get great results in 12 weeks if you are focused and dedicated.  So I'm using this last bit of my timeline to eat cleaner and tighten it all up.  I am thankful that I started writing this blog to keep me motivated so that I can continue to motivate others! Team Bikini Body Mommies!

DIY Shea Butter Mixture

The key to natural hair is MOISTURE!  Natural hair dries out easily and needs products in it to keep it moisturized.  One simple way to do that is by keeping a leave in conditioner in it.  To seal in that moisture you need some type of oil.  I remember the days of using "grease" (hair grease) in my hair for many relaxed years and it always leaving my hair as its namesake...greasy!  Us naturals do not have or like "greasy" hair.  So we use natural oils to seal in the moisture without leaving grease stains on the couch (Coming To America Scene).  I live by coconut oil, but like to change it up.  Also, my daughter has a thicker texture hair than mine and need some extra moisture, so I decided to try shea butter.  Instead of me boring you with all the benefits of shea butter for natural hair click here for more info from one of my favorite natural hair gurus "Curly Nikki".

Ingredients I used:

4 tbsp Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
100% Grapeseed Oil (add as much as you want)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (add as much as you want)
5oz 100% Natural African Shea Butter
1 drop of 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil
(I also added a few drops of Carol's Daughter Ecstasy Dry Oil Mist for a better smell. Add what you like)

I use my nutribullet to add all the ingredients up to mix.  You can use a hand mixer as well.  Using the nutribullet will liquidfy the mixture, which I like, but if you want it to be thicker just put in the fridge (an hour or so) until you get your desired consistency.

You can store your mixture in small mason jars or I just re-use empty product containers.  These products are all easy to find:

Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, and EVOO:  Walmart cooking oil isle, Commissary, or any health food store
Shea Butter:  My neighbor bought mine from a beauty supply store, but you can order it on Amazon as well
Tea Tree Oil: I got mine from the Commissary, but you can get it at any health food store
CD's Dry Oil Mist: I ordered mine online, but any store that carries Carol's Daughter's products

All products were less than $8 (except for the Carol's Daughter product...go figure!)

I apply the mixture to my hair after I wash it by massaging it in my scalp and applying some to my ends.  You can definitely apply it after you put in your leave in conditioner.  I don't apply a lot because heavier products weigh my hair down.  I use it in my daughter's protective styles and her hair stays very moisturized and it holds her braid outs and twist outs better (mine as well).

Chai Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

 

I love all things pumpkin, and this is my favorite Fall smoothie!


Chai Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

3 tbsp 100% pure raw can pumpkin
1 scoop Vanilla protein
1/2 c premade Vanilla chai tea
1/2 c almond milk
dash of cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
drop of vanilla extract
drizzle of honey
few ice cubes

Blend (I use nutribullet) and enjoy!

Home Decor: My Vanity

Summer 2012 I decided to make my own vanity.  Hubby and I had given away our bedroom furniture before moving to our current duty station and only bought a bed.  I needed something to put my things on watched enough you tube videos to DIY this vanity on a cheap budget!

This was quite awhile ago so I might be a little fuzzy on the places and prices of all the items:

Nail Polish Stand:  Is actually a cupcake stand that I got from the thrift store for $2-4 and I spray painted it.

Wooden Jewelry Box:  A gift from my uncle (Hey Uncle Benny) to my daughter as a baby

Silver Jewelry Box:  Wedding gift from my hubby

Mirror:  Big Lots $15

Jewelry Tree:  Thrift store for $2-4 (spray painted black)

White Make Up Bin:  Walmart (IDK price)

Make Up Mirror:  Walmart less than $5

Lamp:  We have had it for years

Table:  It is apart of our dining room set but the movers broke the glass

Table Top:  I measured the top and got wood cut at Lowes for less than $10 and spray painted it

Zebra Blanket:  Target less than $15

Chair:  Thrift store $4-7

Jewelry Organizer Box:  Big Lots $10

Spray Paint: Lowes $4 (I just got what the guy suggested for the wood I bought)

Even though I loved this vanity...I recently had to lay it to rest.  We finally furnished the rest of our bedroom with real furniture and a nightstand replaced my beautiful vanity.  It was good while it lasted!

50 Random Facts About Me!

50 Random Facts About Me!

1.  I have 7 piercings (1 in left ear, 5 in right ear, and belly)

2.  I love shrimp

3.  I love salad

4.  I'm a geek and love to be in school

5.  I'm obsessed with you tube videos

6.  I can be antisocial

7.  I'm sometimes shy

8.  I grew up being a tomboy

9.  I used to be fat

10. I have long skinny fingers and toes

11.  I am easily annoyed

12.  I love salt and vinegar chips and coke (soda that is)

13.  I used to play the piano, but didn't learn the notes

14.  I have two middle names

15.  I used to choreograph dances 

16.  I'm obsessed with health and fitness

17.  I have baby fever all the time, but don't want any more babies

18.  I loved being pregnant

19.  I'm obsessed with natural hair

20.  I got my license at 15

21.  I'm quite OCD about cleanliness and organization

22.  I grew up in the country

23.  I have a thing for hybrid animals

24.  I talk to myself all the time

25.  I got braces at 21, right after my mom got hers

26.  I am spiritual/religious

27.  I love HGTV

28.  I love to order magazines

29.  I got bit by a dog to save my little cousin from it

30.  My dream job is to be a novelist

31.  I like experimenting with cooking

32.  Health products excite me

33.  I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up

34.  I have a Masters in Counseling

35.  I hate overly edited you tube videos

36.  It's always hard for me to just choose one thing

37.  I hate cars (too small)

38.  I have little woman syndrome

39.  I like to eat buttermilk and cornbread (mixed together)

40.  I hate talking in front of people

41.  I used to eat baby food for snacks until I had my own kids

42.  I worked at McDonalds even when I had a Master's degree

43.  I used to work at Victoria's Secrets

44.  I drive a big truck (Titan)

45.  I have a big dog (Great Dane)

46.  I of course have boob envy

47.  I detest holey under garments

48.  Under garments must match

49.  I require a lot of me time (but I don't get it)

50.  I love old sitcoms