Make It Work!

Project #1: Making my new kitchen work for me

What do you do when you don't have enough kitchen cabinets, or counter space, or a storage closet!?! You have to build from the ground up. I have a ridiculous amount of boxes marked KITCHEN, and a ridiculously limited amount of space in which to empty those boxes. Dinnerware from lives past, pots and pans, electrical this and that, TUPPERWARE! There just isn't room for it all. I came up with a solution for a fair number of cookware. An additional kitchen cart, to the microwave cart that I already had. I was storing my skillets and pots on this little thing. It was never going to work. I spotted this 5 shelf kitchen cart on Walmart's website and thought that it could get the job done. So far, mission accomplished. No more boxes of cookware! Dinnerware is a completely different story for a completely different post.

Have you added any new space savers to your home lately?

I Think I Like It

Even though I have a coil-out bang thing going on in the front, I'm happy with the results of this spontaneous finger coil set. They are undoubtedly falling every which way, and I'm sure that's because I just grabbed sections of hair and did my thing. The coils themselves are pretty neat, given the fact that I didn't really make that much of an effort to twist down to the root (note the poof).


We were rushing out the door this morning so I didn't give them much of a pick-me-up. I don't mind them laying flat to my head. I just put some coconut oil in my hands and ran my hands down my head to add a little moisture and shine.

I'm taking sides. This side is a little less random than the other side.

I also added an accessory: A crystal hair pin by Pretty in Peace. Its been a while since I've pulled out the accessories. Cute hair pins and hair combs can take a TWA in many beautiful directions.

I'm sure as the week goes on, and when I decide to wear my coils out, I will want to pin them into different places. I originally gave my self a diagonal part in the front, but since I didn't finishe the whole head the first night, I pulled the coils apart and hid the part. Today, with the help of my pin, the front has a bit of that original diagonal shaping. I intend to play with it some more this week and see what I come up with.

Last photo... I swear!

Decided to go ahead and retwist that front!

In Full Sprout

It all started last night - when my body refused to tire, and, well, my eyes refused to turn away from Youtube and my favorite natural hair blogs - and when a ton of product buildup and good old fashioned balls of lint prevented me from playing in Emma's hair. She was not a willing participant in pre-shampoo detangling activities. Left with nothing but hair on the brain, I decided to finally carve out a little of that elusive "me time".

• Spray bottle of water
• Duck bill clips
• Faux Denman brush (Goodie)
• Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel
• Annoyingly loud fan of bathroom light
• 2am rush of adrenaline
  

I've been working up the courage to throw these finger coils in my hair for the longest time. I attempted once, and quickly changed my mind as my arms quickly gave out. I think it was just the thought of possibly spending hours on my feet, in front of a mirror, tackling the crop atop this head. Way too much hair, and way too little patience - says the woman who has the child with the Angela Davis 'fro. But as my birthday approaches, I'm getting that itch for something new. The need is pushing me.

I was brave enough to complete the front. Did I mention that it was now 4am, and I would be needing to get up for work, and get Emma up for school at 7am? And I made the executive decision to only complete the front!


Good thing I know how to make cute accessories. This half head of coils was the talk of the office. Everyone was all about it, wanting to know how I achieved my look, one compliment after another. Insomnia never looked or felt so good. So, what did I do? Came home and completed the rest of my head!

Coils as random as the urge to start them

Notice I left the front of my head in an untouched coil out

Mistake? We shall see...

In Full Bloom

Sunshine must be near. A bag of yarn was thrown in my lap, and so I produced - was productive, and creative, and challenged my patience.


And two days and 31 inches later...


I ran out of yarn! But she sure is a beauty, with her many ends that needed to be weaved in. That is the point in which I challenged my patience. I didn't know if I'd be up to sticking with so many changes of color, but I did, almost without notice. The project just flowed. I hope she keeps her new little owner very warm and snug when she arrives in May.

While I was in the mood, I dug out Emma's blanket from my yarn trunk. Somehow, my 55 inch goal seems a little less stressful anxiety inducing.

And 27 inches later...


Yeah, I ran out of yarn! But at least I'm back in the groove.