This post is a public service announcement for those of us who are fans of the KeraPro product line.  You may remember when I first was introduced to the Kerastase brand via Miss Pink Pearls.  After trying Kerastase Nutrithermique, I was hooked. I loved this product so much that the $60.00 price tag didn't even bother me. Then I learned of an alternative brand by the name of Kera Pro.



After doing a full review, I came to the conclusion that even though both products look and feel different, they had the same overall affect on my hair.  Best of all, the KeraPro cost 1/6th of the price of its counterpart.  At only $10.99 KeraPro was in everyone's price range.  Many of you tried it and fell in love.  I even shared a feature from a young lady singing the praises of KeraPro.  Well I just learned that Sally's is running a sale and knocking off an additional 50%.  I do not know how long the sale will run but, for now, KeraPro is only $5.99!  If you haven't tried this wonderful conditioner yet.  Here's your chance.

I can not tell you how happy I am about the latest "trend" of strappy heeled sandals. I'm in love with the minimalist look and feel of these ultra feminine shoes.  They're just so flattering. I have yet to see them look anything less than fabulous on any one.

It all began when I first layed my eyes on these YSL heels.  I couldn't resist the classic design.  It reminded me of how Apple designs their products to be so simple yet incredibly functional. They looked more like a work of art then just a simple pair of shoes.   That's when I started the hunt for my first pair.  At this point, I only have one pair of heeled sandals but rest assured I will invite another pair to join  my collection.


I was a little bummed that the YSL shoes cost $800.00.  As much as I love them, they're not within my budget.  Then my prayers were heard when I stumbled upon a nearly identical pair from Zara at 1/10th of the cost. I've already planned a trip to the mall to check them out for myself.  Since I have such a simple style,  I need a pair of striking shoes to take my look to the next level.

One of my intentions this year is to dress a little more feminine.  Which means wearing more skirts and dresses. I think the minimal look of these heels will keep the focus on my attire while complimenting the outfit perfectly.  Another thing I love about this look is that it requires me to continue to take good care of my feet.  Ever since I started exfoliating them every day, I've been able to walk confidently knowing that even in the dead of winter, I still have soft, healthy heels.  Speaking of exfoliation. After being inspired by Chilli on a previous post,  I've been thinking a lot lately about creating an exfoliation routine that we can do everyday to create/maintain healthy skin and hair.  I'll be dedicating a post on this topic because I would like to turn it into a challenge for all of us.  Before any challenge, I like to build a routine and experiment personally before sharing with everyone.

Have you ever gone through periods of time where you've been really into something? Seems like I'm always going though phases where I'm infatuated with one thing or another.  Today, I'd like to share are few of my favorites that I'm currently obsessed with. 

Nutrient Rich Seaweed Snacks//


There's an Asian grocery store not too far from me.  They carry all types of spices and delicacies from the far east.  Me? I go there for my gluten free soy sauce and lifetime supplies of toasted seaweed sheets.


These crispy treats are so addictive it's not even funny.  Years ago I wrote about the benefits of eating super green foods like seaweed.  After reading so many accounts of women who had lovely hair and shared that they ate a lot of seaweed, I was convinced.  My obsession with these roasted seaweed snacks started out as means by which I could create healthier hair.  But I would continue to enjoy them even if  they weren't loaded with vitamins and minerals.  But they are good for me so it's even better!  If you haven't tried these, you've been depriving yourself.

MASON JARS//


I was at the checkout line the other day when my eyes just happen to land on a case of mason jars.  Normally, I wouldn't  be affected by such a sight.   If it hadn't been for the experience at an indie hangout where I was served my mojito from a jar, I wouldn't have made this purchase.  Drinking out of a jar was so enjoyable that I couldn't resist recreating the experience at home with bamboo tea.  This weekend I whipped up a batch of  tea and infused it with lemon.  It was so perfect.  My husband seemed to like it as much as me so we refilled the jar several  times over the course of the day. 

BLENDTEC BLENDER//


Next on my list is this nifty Blendtec blender that I picked up on a trip to Sam's Club. I went in there for one thing and walked out with a state of the art blender. The Blendtec is supposed to rival the Vitamix Blender which is said to be the best in the world.  Me and this other lady were pretty much sold the product by a guy who did a live in store demo.  Later she told me that she only came in to get a hot dog for her daughter and herself.  What sold us is how many options available with this amazing machine. The guy blended ice cream, soup, green juice, fruit smoothies.  After purchasing I walked over to their produce section and was approached by one of the employees at Sam's who proudly told me that I wouldn't regret the purchase.  He went on to say that he's had his Blendtec for years and enjoyed a smoothie for breakfast that morning.  After a week past I had buyers remorse but once I was able to make an avocado smoothie that tastes as good as the Vietnamese restaurant up the street, I knew that this new toy was a keeper.  The best part of this purchase was the recipe book. I hope to share some of the recipes with you in the future. 

YSL SHADOW QUAD//


The last thing on my current faves list is this Pure Chromatics eye shadow quad from Yves Saint Lauren.  I purchased after having received the best makeup session of my life.  Seriously, never has anyone done my makeup where I didn't run to the restroom and wash it off immediately after the reveal.  She did such an amazing job that I purchased eye shadow knowing that I'd never be able to recreate her work of art.  Even though I couldn't create the look, these colors are still my favorite for everyday looks. I've got tons of eye shadow at home (and I mean tons of it). But the quality of the YSL brand can not be compared.  I just love the shimmer it gives without being all glittery.  I look forward to adding more colors from that brand to my collection in the future.

Finally able to get my hands on the new Iman BB Creme.  I heard about the release of this product late last year but had the hardest time finding it in stores until recently.

I already owned Maybeline's Dream Fresh BB Cream but I longed for Iman's brand because I just knew I would find a better match for my skin tone.



For those of us who aren't that familiar with BB Cream. Basically, it's an all in one product that moisturizes, color corrects, and protects the skin from UV rays.  So instead of using a sun screen, a moisturizer, primer, foundation, etc. One applies a BB Cream and is ready to go.  BB Creme is great for those of us who wants something light on their skin that takes care of multiple roles at once.


This product is perfect for me because I don't wear a ton of makeup.  Iman's BB Creme isn't heavy on the skin.  Feels like I have nothing on.  Some days I'm short on time and run out of the door with nothing on my face.  When that happens, all I do is whip out my little BB Creme tube and moments later, my blemishes are covered and my skin is protected from the sun.  Simple and easy.  This BB Creme give me a little bit a glow which may have something to do with the oils in the ingredient list.  For those of you who have oily skin, you have the option of finishing with a powder to complete your look.

Iman, I want to thank you for creating this line of product.  I travel quite a bit and having one easy to carry product that does it all is truly a dream come true.

Iman Skin Tone Evener BB Cream SPF 15

I'm telling you right now that I have no plans on wearing a plain ol' boring bun this spring & summer.  Protective styling is a high priority but that doesn't we have to settle for the basic bun.

In lieu of the bun, I'm going for jumbo braids.  This style can work on pretty much any length and looks absolutely fabulous.  Would you like to take a moment and become inspired to find your newest signature summer look?



With all the options available, how can anyone get bored?  What I also love about this style is that it can last several days with little to no manipulation. This style also give me the option of wearing my hair in loose waves once I've unbraided.

 Let's all join me in saying goodbye to the bland bun.

Awwww yeah! We about to take this water drinking challenge thang to a new level.  Hopefully by now, you all are experiencing the wonderful skin, hair and other benefits from increasing your water intake.  

But perhaps you may have gotten a little bored with sipping on flavorless water day after day.  Maybe you need to add a little bit of sexiness to this water drinking experience.  If that sounds like you, then fret no more because I have the solution to all of your woes.


You know how those spa places sometimes give you a small cup of lemon or cucumber water to heighten your experience?  But you sip on it slowly 'cause you don't want to be the guy who keeps going back for endless refills.  Now you can guzzle down as much infused water as you want in the privacy of your own home.

Infused water is the easiest thing in the world to make.  All I did was slice up some strawberries, cucumber, lemons & mint.  Also included is a pinch of pink salt to mineralize my water.  Then I added water and suddenly I've got a delicious flavored "vitamin water" that excites my senses and my taste buds.  I can't even look at that beautiful bottle without wanting to take a sip.

I know that there may be some who struggled to join us in this water challenge because water may not "taste good."  If that sounds like something you might say, then I urge you to give this infused water experience a try.  Although I don't recommend, I'll give you permission to add a little agave nectar to the mix to sweeten it up a little. Not only does this taste good but it feels like such an indulgent experience.  Like I'm treating myself to a little something special. 

This fruit water also comes with health benefits as well. Some say that some of the vitamins and minerals of the fruit & herb are released into the water.  Cucumber is a perfect ingredient for this amazing drink because the sulfur content is good for our hair and skin.  Lemons have cleansing and detoxing qualities.  Whatever your favorite fruit, just toss it in and you're good to go.  A coworker took a look at my fruit infused water bottle today and said to me "it looks so fancy."  In my mind I said to myself, "that's because it is." 

I'm in somewhat of a predicament.  It's not really a predicament but more of a unique situation.  You see, for the past several months I've placed heavy emphasis on my skin care journey and my fitness habits.  I'm happy to say that as a result, I've been able to enjoy clear skin and I'm on my way to creating the body I imagine.

Sounds good right?  Except for the fact that during this same time period, I've severely neglected my hair.  Instead of weekly washes & deep conditioning, I would allow two weeks to pass.  Then I found styles that hid my hair so I wouldn't have to moisturize and seal on a regular basis.  The outcome of all this was an absurd amount of tangles and hair that feels dry and lackluster overall.  Worse yet, I'm well on my way to having the skin and body that I worked so hard for only to have hair that is below my expectations.  Not happening.

Now it's time to regroup and set things in another direction so I can have perfect hair, skin and body by summer.  As I assess the situation, I realize that I must employ the same tactics that helped me sculpt my body and cleared my skin on this mission to restore my hair.  In both cases, I am doing something everyday to create or maintain my results.  With my skin, I use the sauna several times a week and deep clean my pores with a clay mask bar daily.  I've also managed to increase the frequency of my gym workouts to several times a week.  With my hair care routine, there's nothing I'm doing daily/regularly at this moment with the exception of taking vitamins.

So the first thing I gotta do is to bring back regularity into my regimen.  So these are the rules I'm bringing back into play:

• Become consistent once again in scalp brushing.  
• Wash, deep condition, steam, weekly (even better if I can do it every 4-5 days).
• Utilize the strand ceremony method to revitalize my distressed strands.
• Continue to drink lots of water and take my supplements.
• Moisturize and seal nightly.  

This post is sort of an update on the one I wrote in August of last year.  When I first made my purchase I picked out two of them on a whim.  At the time, I had no idea of the difference between the two. The only thing that led me was that gut feeling that told me that I was doing the right thing.

And it's not even my birthday.  The good folks at Pantene were generous enough to send me their full line of their new collection of products. I'm really excited because I was a Pantene user way back in the day.  Who can forget the perfectly shiny locks they proudly displayed in their television commercials. For that reason only, I will forever be a fan.


The line has products that say "Truly Natural Hair" or "Truly Relaxed Hair" as a way of defining what's best for our hair type.  From the relaxed hair line I was provided:

• A lightweight shampoo
• Moisturizing conditioner
• Intensive Moisturizing Shampoo
• Oil Cream Moisturizer

I'm on a mission to craft my ideal frame.  So far weight training has been a powerful ally in this quest for my desired look.  My biggest area of concern, at the moment, is my midsection and, based on the look I want, doing endless crunches isn't the answer.  You see, doing several hundred sit ups on a regular basis may create a bulky, squared off mid-section.  That's why I've created an even better plan to tighten my waistline and create a toned midsection.


Tim Ferris, a lifestyle hacker, has published several best sellers.  I own a copy of The 4-Hour Body, his second published work.  In the chapter titled Six Minute Abs: Two exercises that really work, Tim reintroduced me to the transverse abdominal muscles.  These muscles "run horizontally like a belt" and because of this they're also known as the "corset muscles."  Whenever I want to create a smaller waist, I grab one of my belts to create that illusion.  What if I can train my stomach to have that same look naturally?

I actually did.  You see, I went through a period of time when I consistently did transverse abdominal "exercises" and was handsomely rewarded with the slimmest waist I ever had.  My stomach wasn't just flat. It shrunk all the way around in a way I've never seen before. Now I'm ready to have a flawless tummy again without having to do a myriad of sit ups.  Let me share with you how I'll do it.

Instead of crunches, I'll focus on core strengthening exercises like planks that focus more on the transverse abdonminals.  Planks work the muscles deep within.  Whenever I do them I can feel every muscle in my abdomen come alive.  The best thing about planks is that I don't have to do 50 of them.  I just hold the pose for as long as possible and keep it moving. Even though planking is not as labor intensive as doing sit ups, doesn't mean they're easy.  But it's always fun to set a goal and challenge yourself to beat your time.

The next transverse abdominal exercise I did was even easier than the plank. By consistently practicing the stomach vacuum, my midsection shrunk in ways I have never done before.  Simply put, the stomach vacuum is where you pull your core muscles in as deeply as possible after expelling the air out of your lungs. Like the plank, you hold for a period of time and release.  When I first started doing these, I felt silly and was certain that I would receive no value from doing them.  But after remaining consistent, and seeing the wonderful results, I changed my tune.  Here's a video that describes and demonstrates the stomach vacuum.

Another version of the stomach vacuum is introduced in Tim's book as the "cat vomit exercise."  Which is pretty much the stomach vacuum done on all fours.  Here I am demonstrating the exercise.

Me, practicing the stomach vacuum exercise.

This exercise is way easier than traditional sit ups and are oh so effective at pulling the tummy inwards naturally.

Another easy waist "workout" I love doing is a callanetics inspired move known as the waist whittler.

Other things I'm doing to accentuate a small waist is to do lots of lower body work like squats and leg presses and focusing on my lower back.  As I build my bottom half, my midsection seems to shrink in comparison.  Last but certainly not least is the addition of plenty of cardio into the mix.  The only times I could see visibly see my ab muscles were when I maintained routines that involved plenty of jogging, jumprope, or other cardio intensive moves. By the way, I did little to no sit ups in conjunction to the cardio.  Once upon a time, I did sit ups every night. My abs were pretty strong but not were as visible as when I focused on fat burning.


With regards to my eating habits. I intend to do the following:

• Less rice, more vegetables.
• Smaller portions.  I almost always eat until I am full or stuffed. Never until I'm satisfied. This results in my stomach stretching out into a nice little pot belly after every meal.  Going forward, I will eat sensible portions.
• Lot's of water.

I'm 100% confident that by following these strategies I'll (once again) have a strong core and the tummy of my dreams.

I'm so excited to formally introduce this product to you.  I found out about Babyface Pure Protein completely by accident.  This was one of Amazon's product recommendations that appeared as I was inquiring about another brand.  Immediately, my eyes were drawn to the positive reviews.

People were going on and one about how a protein treatment made their hair soft.  This idea completely blew my mind because every time I think of a heavy protein, the first thought that comes to my mind is hard, stiff strands.  How could this be?  I immediately placed the product in my wish list and let a few weeks past.  For some reason, I couldn't get Pure Protein out of my mind so I went for it and finally placed the order.

My level of caution around using protein is so strong that I let the small bottle sit on my counter for weeks before I mustered up the nerve to put it to use.  Finally I made the decision to take that first step.  Before I tell you about my experience, let me share a little more about this product from the pamphlet included in the package.

|"Babyface's Pure Protein is a very effective (and addictive) treatment for damaged hair , as well as a superb product to help protect hair from damage in the first place.  A favorite of high end stylists for close to 20 years now, it keeps hair healthy looking and feeling, and protects it from the damaging effects of heat and chemical treatments.  The specifically prepared formula penetrates to the hair's core, protecting it from the inside out.  Strong hair breaks less. Less breakage=Longer Hair!  Add a dose to any chemical treatment or use it as a damage treatment to strengthen week or damaged hair."

 The way to use Pure Protein is to mix a little bit (1/2 capful to 1 capful) with your favorite moisturizing conditioner.  According to the instructions, "waxy/high oil conditioners seem to produce the silkiest feeling and work best with the protein."  This was all I needed to hear because all of my favorite conditioners seem to fall under that category.  My product closet is filled with thick, nourishing conditioners that perfectly compliment this product.  This will save me money over time since I will no longer be on the lookout for a strengthening conditioner to pair with my moisturizing faves.

When it comes to strengthening conditioners, I have a few that I turn to when needed.


01. Aveda Damage Remedy is probably the "weakest" of the group.  By weakest I mean that I'm able to use on a weekly basis without fear of protein overload. Actually, because of this post I carefully reviewed the ingredient list and realized that there were no obvious proteins mentioned.  So even though the label say "damage remedy" I'm not sure how much repair this product actually offers.  Either way, it's still a quality product which I would repurchase in the future.

02.  Aubrey Organics GBP is one of those products that I use post relaxer to strengthen my strands.  I consider this a heavy protein product and because of this I use Glycogen Protein Balancer (GPB) sparingly. The main from of protein in GPB is derived from oyster shells.  What makes this product stand out is that it's all natural. Probably the only all natural conditioner I own.

03. Aphogee Keratin 2 minute reconstructor gets the most use.  It strengthens without creating the stiffness of its sister product, the Two Step Protein Treatment.  The main protein ingredients in this product are hydrolized keratin and hydrolized vegetable protein.

04.  Asience Conditioner is true to it's orient heritage by offering hydrolized pearl protein as it's active ingredient.  With every use, my hair responds accordingly. My strands are denser and breakage slows.  I have to use the right amount of this stuff otherwise I may veer into stiff hair category.  Truthfully, this is a solid product that I'm happy to have as a part of the team.

05.  Redken Extreme Strength Builder Plus is one of the newest additions to my regimen.  Not only does my hair get to enjoy hydrolized soy and vegetable proteins, it also gets to feast on yummy ceramides as well.  None of my other strengthening conditioners do this.  Because of this alone, this product is a staple.  Look out for a full review of Redken  Extreme in the future.

06. Finally, the baby of the group is Babyface pure protein.  Made of hydrolized collagen protein, it's the most concentrated of the bunch. I like the idea of adding a little or a lot of protein to my conditioning mix depending on my hair's needs.

I've used Babyface twice now and not once did I experience stiff hair.  In fact, it seemed to do the opposite.  My hair felt so balanced. The level of elasticity heightened.  I love this little baby.  I've officially granted it instant staple status.   Pure Protein is exactly what I needed. I'm always using moisturizing conditioners so now I can incorporate this into my regi every two weeks and fortify my hair without adverse effects.  This product is just too perfect.

Oh, did I mention that I emailed them yesterday about the benefits of using Babyface with a chemical service and here's their response.

|You can either do a treatment before the process, or just add it directly to the solution of any relaxer, perm or hair color. This will help to preserve the hair's natural keratin during the processing, resulting in less damage. And when coloring hair, it adds additional protein to the hair so the color lasts longer (the color sticks to the protein).  It is recommended to do a treatment after chemical processes also. This is a professional protein treatment, and was originally used exclusively in salons as a classic protein treatment and to add to chemical processes to help protect the hair during the treatment. 

1/2 capful should be enough - unless the hair being treated is extra long (mid-back length or longer). For a relaxer, we recommend doing a treatment afterward also, just because a relaxer is quite harsh on the hair. You wouldn't have to do it immediately, just the next time the hair is washed.  

I'm elated to give this baby a whirl come relaxer day.  Overall, I rate this product highly because it does it's job without the adverse effects of protein overload.  I'm not sure if it has to do with the type of protein used or if it's because I'm mixing with quality conditioners with high moisture levels.  The only drawback is the size of the bottle but I can also look at it as a good thing because it keeps me from going overboard with the protein usage.  Either way it's perfect for me and I'm happy to recommend to you as well.

Stay sexy my friends.

I'm really excited to share my first ever DIY project on the blog with you.  I love hair accessories and I'm always on the lookout for flowered hair candy. Normally, the flower hair accessories I stumble on at the store are too big or look too much like cheap silk flowers.  So I decided to make my own that were just perfect.

First step was to stop by my local Michael's craft store.  I went in knowing that I wanted to make my own ornamental hair pin wasn't sure what I would find. I was open to the possibilities of making a jeweled hair pin or one with natural stones. Whatever worked.  But when I saw these tiny, neutral colored flowers, I knew they would be so perfect.  Best of all, they were extremely affordable.



Putting them together required a little work and patience.  First I rested the flowers face down on a steady surface, then I balanced the hair pin on the flower (smooth side down).  Once balanced, I proceeded to pour the super glue onto the pin, securing it in place.  I first tried this with super glue gel but found it ineffective.  Luckily, I had the liquid version handy which did the trick.


The glue dried quickly and moments later, I created the cutest hair pins ever!


Since my hair is so thick, I can actually "stick" them in my hair instead of "pinning" them in. I find that sticking them in seems a little healthier for me since I'm not used to using hair pins this small. This method would work using bigger pins and even hair clips.

I can't tell you how much I love these little things.  It's been a while since I've done a DIY It felt pretty gratifying doing something with my hands.  Can't wait to rock these with my maxi dresses come spring.

We are less than 20 days away from the start of Spring. Warm weather is on it's way which means that we can no longer hide under layers of clothing.  I will be the first to admit that my workout schedule took a hit due to my travel schedule mixed with a little bit of laziness.  But I'm here to say that I've gotten myself back on track so I will be fully ready for summer.  As always, I like to use a little bit of inspiration to keep myself motivated.  So for the next half of the year, I'll share some workout pics to keep us inspired to work our bodies.

Miss Dolly Castro (@dollycastro) never fails to inspire with her constant updates the work she puts in to crafting her perfectly toned body.   Working out isn't something we do for a season. Ideally, it's a lifetime habit.  I'm reminded of this every time I check out the social updates of my fitness inspirations.


Nic  (@nikkinac) has been a source fitness inspiration for a while now.   Rarely do we see her in anything other than workout gear.  Working out is a part of her daily life.  Recently, Nic started offering group workout classes.  I wish I was close enough to partake in the festivities but, for now, I'll just use her drive (and her abs) as my motivator.


(instragram: @natashaellie)


Miss Porsha Stewart (@porshadstewart) is the newest part of the Real Housewives of Atlanta cast.  On her Instagram feed Porsha revealed to her followers that she leverages the power of the squat to create her curves.  Porsha likes to do 4 sets of 50 squats before entering the shower 4-5 days a week.  One can tell that Porsha has probably been petite for most (or all) of her life.  She probably doesn't need to work out.  But she does.  Exercising isn't all about losing weight but staying fit and toned.  A new level of confidence comes once one's body tones up.  There's nothing like it.

Stay inspired ladies.