Natural Selection's Naturals Night Out

It's going down next weekend! Time for the kinky girls to get down in the town! Its been a while since we've all linked up, so it will be great getting the chance to see everyone, meet some new folks, and get to see some hairstyling demonstrations. I'm excited!

Check out Cassidy's post at Natural Selection for all the details!

If you're in the Bay, I hope to see you there!

Swatch What Happens!

Project #2: Finding the right furniture

Two months in, and my living room is still bare. I know exactly how I'd like to fill it,deciding on the with what, is the challenge. I feel like I have to make the right decision, the very first purchase. Spending my hard earned cash on something that is completely wrong for my space is not an option. Ironically, free items are not excluded from this mode of thinking. I've been offered some pieces by co-workers, and I've looked here and there, thinking that I could make someone else's trash my treasure. No such luck. How ever gracious an offer might be, it doesn't mean that what's being offered is something that I want to look at every day. Despite what you may have been taught, beggers can most certainly be choosers, and I have a determination to create peace in my new space, which can't always be done with pieces that already have stories to tell.

With my budget in mind, I have been searching for affordable, functional and stylish. I think I may have narrowed my search. I recently ordered fabric swatches from a company called Home Reserve. They have some pretty uniquely designed furniture which features storage and a lot of options. The Oversized Pillow shown above is in one of the swatches that I ordered. I love the modern pattern and the cool colors. I received my package yesterday and the Ella Cafe pattern is gonna be a go for my throw pillows, a console table and a couple pieces of wall art - all options at Home Reserve. Thinking of going with a chocolate brown for a sofa and ottoman that I like, also at Home Reserve. I'm feeling pretty good about the space that I am envisioning. Hopefully it will manifest itself soon.

The Sun is Shining

I think its safe to say that I no longer want to skip the Spring season. I don't think I have ever been this happy to see or feel the sun heat my skin. The countless days of rain and dark skies was so emotionally draining for me. I don't know how long this beautiful weather will be with us, but right now, in this moment, it feels so good to breathe again.

Sneezing and itching aside, I am actually looking forward to getting outdoors. Being without brightness and color for so long, I find it almost impossible to pass by a flower or plant and not stop to take in its beauty. I want to fill my house with them. A space that is naturally dark needs the life of nature. Emma and I are starting with this beautifully simple bunch of Sunflowers (my favorite flower). A compromise for the fruit tree Emma was eyeballing.

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.