Monday, December 31, 2012

Upcoming Posts for the New Year!

Its a new year! Woohoo! 2013 is here! Well, almost. With a new year comes new goals, dreams, and opportunities. Here is a list of posts for the new year:

Hair Products & Reviews-I notice that I get more views on hair product reviews, so I guess people like them. If you are a company or small business and would like for me to review a product, please email me at walkingthroughhoney@yahoo.com

Clean Eating-A new lifestyle that I kinda do, but not all the time. I currently have the Clean Eating Recharge book, so when I finish there will be more posts about that and how I am doing, challenges and recipes.

Fitness-I know that I said that I wasn't concern with losing weight anymore, but I feel like I need to do something for myself. I am going to do a little somethin', somethin' in the new year, but once again a lifestyle change.

Books, on Books, on top of Books-In 2012 I seriously slacked on reading books, other than the bible, I got nothing. I really miss just getting away from technology and letting my mind run wild and reading a good book.

Money Mondays-Saving money, buying a house, no buy challenges, yup, its on in 2013.

I'm thinking about opening back up my 360 in 365 list again, because I didn't accomplish as much on that list that I wanted to. And also there will be the normal posts about life, dating, Words of Wisdom, and Spiritual Sundays.

What posts would you like to see in 2013?

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Spiritual Sunday: Knowledge

This year has been almost blah for me. Not in a bad way, but just in a way that has made me take notice of the things that are going on around me and within me. It seems like the one thing that the Lord has been telling me is to seek knowledge. 

As many of you may know, I have been debating on several things in my life and it all boils down to knowledge. I have been debating back and forth about whether I want to buy a house and out of no where my coworker says 'Have you actually researched the programs out there for first time home buyers and single woman?' With a clueless look on my face, 'No, I never thought of that.' I looked online and there it was a program that will help me with closing costs and repairs. Something that I never would have known if I wouldn't have talked to her that day or about mentioned it casually in conversation.

At the end of this year I realize that there are some things that I want so very badly, but I am not quite ready for since I have not taken the proper steps to seek the knowledge to make my plan successful. Now, I know that there are things that you just have to trust and take that step of faith out there and do, but what you will find is that some things are just not in God's time since you don't have the knowledge to do it. And yes, there are mistakes that will be made, but learning from them and taking the knowledge that you have, and moving forward.

Leading into 2013, I am going to fill myself with knowledge, knowledge and more knowledge! There are so many things that I need to seek out and expand about my life. My friend said something that kind of inspired this post. She said that '[We] are the last generation that will actually have some sense. Most of these kids out here don't have a clue what do, how to make decisions, or anything that will help the world or make it a better place.' And the more I thought about it, its true. I thought about how wise my father is. He only has an 8th grade education, but he is really well-versed in many things, from politics to carpentry. Some of his habits consist of reading the paper daily, not looking at TV, unless its CNN or the local news, and seeking knowledge from different people and places.

For the next year, I invite you to be a sponge and soak up all that you can. Read the book of Proverbs.  Read the newspaper. Learn a new word every week, and use it. Think outside the box. Exercise your mind in ways that you never thought possible. Find a different way of doing things. Be aware and knowledgeable of things other than the newest IPhone out. Seek and you shall find. Make the right decisions knowing that you have thought about all possible options and looked at it from every angle, but most importantly seeking out God for his knowledge to guide you.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

The Best of 2012...

Well, 2012 is winding down and all over the place there are 'the best of' lists everywhere. So I decided to do one. Aside from the 'Never to late for Now' episode of 30 Rock, there are actually a couple of things that made my life easier, better, happier and all of the above.

Beauty

 Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer

MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 in NW 45. I've never been one to use concealer, but after watching 100 Youtube videos, I finally gave in and brought some. Seriously, the best $18 ever spent! The coverage is amazing! You can wear just the concealer and powder and you will look flawless. It's buildable so you can for from light to full. I cannot explain how great it is, just go to you nearest counter and try it for yourself.

Food

Pinned Image

Roasted. Broccoli. I eat this every week. Just look up a recipe for it and you'll be making it every week. I love it!

Hair

I am still in the trial and error phase with hair products when it comes to trying to develop a regime and staple products. My go-to line, when all else has failed: Shea Moisture. The Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Moisture Retention Shampoo, the African Black Soap Body Wash, and the list could go on. One of the greatest thing about this line is affordable and available in drugstores.

Clothing




Old Navy's Rockstar Jeans...or Jeggings...whatever you want to call them. I found myself buying and reaching for these jean more than any pair in my closet. The stretch and fit are great, when you figure out what size you actually wear. Also, the length is perfect for shorter people such as myself.



Honorable Mentions



Etsy! I am addicted to looking at all types of things one here. From vintage wedding dresses to handcrafted earrings to body products. The thing that attracts me to this site is the uniqueness of everything on there, truly one of a kind items, and you are supporting small businesses.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Thankful Tuesdays at Work!

I just had to post that today was a good day! It seems like everywhere I looked there was good thing happening around me at work.  I normally post Thankful Thursdays, but this time I was so excited that I just had to share...right now!

  • I am so thankful that one of my residents finally got her stuff together to go another site! Long story, she needed a birth certificate to be able to transfer units, and she got it! I am so proud of her. Sad to lose her as a resident, but happy because I know that she'll love her new place even more and its the best for her.

  • Everyone that I called today answered their phone! Great! Yes! At work, that is a good thing.

  • My part-time maintenance aid had a good attitude and was willing to help out with stuff. He begged to leave early, but I got more out of him than most people did.

  • One of the other managers was at a store and asked if he could pick my material up and deliver it to my site! Sure can!

  • Without even asking one of tradesman volunteered to come help with snow removal, if needed!

  • I got someone to help out while my full-time maintenance aid is off!

Not work related, and possibly the best thing ever, my dad wants to buy my car and help me get a new one! There ain't no body like my daddy! I love him so much! It's kind of like a win-win for the both of us.

I feel so blessed! Thank You Jesus! I know that some of this seems like small stuff, but it helped make my day. Its the little things with me.

Feeling Blessed and Highly Favored??!? Let me know--no matter how small it was!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Product Review: As I Am DoubleButter Cream

I tried so hard to love you, As I Am DoubleButter Cream! When I say that I tried, I mean, I did every possible thing to try to make this work for my hair.

I went into Sally's, palms sweaty, debit card in hand, prepared to shell out $28.99 plus tax for this product that I seen all over YouTube with rave reviews. Believe it or not, I glanced at the ingredients because I noticed that it contains coconut oil, and my hair doesn't respond well to it.

After about 12 minutes of contemplation and two conversation with the sales girls, glancing several other products for one-third of price, I ran to the register and brought it!


Moisture is essential for great natural coils and curls. When your hair feels a bit rough and dry, and looks that way too, this is the jar to reach for. The power-packed As I Am® DoubleButter® Cream is a rich emollient blend, graced with the finest array of natural butters and organic oils. It gets the job done.

Sounds really good right?







I couldn't contain myself!  Hastily, I washed and deep conditioned my hair. Finally something that would make my hair really soft, great for twist outs, moisture for days, my mind just went on and on. After my deep condition, I prepared my hair for a protective style. I added a leave in conditioner, oiled my scalp, added the DoubleButter Cream and sealed with some castor oil and started to detangle and braid. I woke up the next morning and expected that my hair was going to be super soft, but it wasn't. Ok, no problem, mist with water, add the cream, and seal with some oil. After 3 days, my hair felt drier than ever. It was like I didn't do anything to it at all.

When I removed my braids to wash, my hair was crunchy. Crunchy like I had been putting gel on my hair the whole time--not a creamy moisturizer.

I wasn't willing to give up that easily. I pre-pooed, washed, and deep conditioned again. This time I used the LOC method for sealing in moisture. I added my leave in conditioner, added castor oil, and then the DoubleButter Cream and proceeded to braid it up. The next morning...better! Finally!

Now, I thought to myself, let me try a twist out. The results were ok. Why? Because my ends were dry and crunchy. I used the LOC method and the ends were still dry. The definition was decent for it to just be with a moisturizer, but nothing like when I did it with the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.

The bottom line: For the price this product, it just doesn't stack up. My concern is that when doing the LOC method I wonder what is making my hair moisturized--the water and castor oil, or the actual moisturizer. I wanted to say that it was because of the change in the weather and that my hair was just extremely dry, but I think that I was just making excuses to try to love this product after all the hype. The one thing that I do love about this product is the smell, but beyond that...I got nothing.

I know that it was more than likely because of the amount of coconut oil in the product and from what I heard (not sure if this is fact) coconut oil has some protein in it and that could have possibly caused the crunchiness in my hair. I'm sorry but it will be going back to Sally's tomorrow.

I did buy some Qhemet Biologics products as a replacement, and I'm just as excited to get it in the mail as I was to try this one! I also brought another cream moisturizer on Black Friday. The search for the perfect moisturizer continues.

Have you tried the As I Am DoubleButter Cream? Do you like it? Was it worth the price for you?

Monday, December 3, 2012

Cold Weather+Natural Hair=Protective Styles

Here in Western PA, we have went from sunny 60 degrees to a balmy 39 degrees with flurries all within one week. But I am not complaining by any means because I love fall weather. Beyond all of the scarfs and falling leaves, I have to take extra care with my natural hair. My go to protective style is a wig. Yes, some naturals are like, I don't wear any type of wigs or weaves...I'm not that natural. My reasons for choosing wigs are simple: they work, allow me to take care of my hair under there, quick and easy.

I recently went crazy on blackhairsprays website and ordered about $70 in hair. One of the wigs that I purchased was a full cap wig named Cutie 15. Oh wait, let me just say that this wig was $17.99, not too bad. Underneath the wig I wore my hair in cornrows, moisturized with As I Am Doublebutter Cream (review to come at a later time), and a stocking cap. Wigs allows my hair and scalp underneath to breath and be oiled and moisturized whenever its needed.



As you can see the hair is a really nice texture, but its the typical full cap wig. The one thing that I wish is that this was a little fuller, track-wise. Honestly, its really thin when its worn out,which is the reason that I wore it up or in a ponytail most of the time. I wore it 2 weeks and it still looks like it did when I first started wearing it. For the price and the purpose, it worked for me. But there are times when I don't feel like myself.

I am thinking about making a protective styles calendar, so that I can plan out exactly what I am going to do during the colder months for my hair. Planning ahead will help me with saving money because I can stock up on hair and or products when there is a sale, and never say that I am bored or have nothing to do with my hair.

What are some of your protective styles during the cold weather?