tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87094131662197945812024-03-05T12:10:15.781-06:00Love My HairitageLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17322082227908052053noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-63930322496272534472015-01-06T12:09:00.001-06:002015-01-06T12:20:44.896-06:00New Year, New You!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><b> Embrace You!</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xr1NAnk34xFxv-30Lix8fWttj1L0iSAX64XDiWMk8I8uUHtG9G2opbP8B5NpwKZpn503_KHjmP6u1eGxHJG-BYfh7wxnAN1mK9gwHk8JB57Hh6X8gyQzPTfWlAF4qFcrtlekG7kVE_rv/s1600/Lisa+Hall-55-2647197799-O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xr1NAnk34xFxv-30Lix8fWttj1L0iSAX64XDiWMk8I8uUHtG9G2opbP8B5NpwKZpn503_KHjmP6u1eGxHJG-BYfh7wxnAN1mK9gwHk8JB57Hh6X8gyQzPTfWlAF4qFcrtlekG7kVE_rv/s1600/Lisa+Hall-55-2647197799-O.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I
cannot believe the 2014 holiday season is already done. After Thanksgiving was
over, everything else was a blur. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve,
New Year’s Day…where did the time go?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I
struggled this season with a bit of a sweet tooth and sad to say, I had dessert
with every meal. I’m so regretting it now because all my cute clothes are too tight. That’s not like me, but it was sooo
good. So now what?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As
many of us enter into the New Year we all no doubt, have a plan for change (<i>or at least a very strong desire</i>). Commonly,
many goals set this time of year, include some type of weight loss plan. However,
whether we plan to change our weight, change our job, or change our hair, we all
surely have something we want to modify.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;">NEW YEAR, NEW BODY</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I
want a total fitness makeover. I am somewhat in need of a fresh start, not to
be confused with a start over. I just need to reactivate what I had started and
be diligent about making constant improvements until it is completed - until I
reach and maintain my goal. My weight loss plan is where I’ll start this year, but there are so many areas where a new me is desired. First, I
want to lose 10 pounds and tone excessively. I want to wear a two-piece bikini this Spring Break and
I want to get back to the days when I did not NEED Spanx. Simple enough, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPU-0jIbo_8kT961ivT81vK0mXY58Tz4j-NpWZ6HlaHdTQFnUgB8syoraNcJnV2IMa5adTMZz1FGc7_jy6qq3CqrQ9FG1mIKmeyLr6H7I9cfsPZGVC7bD3pvY8o7u1pLtGyiv4fNeu_R5/s1600/Pilates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPU-0jIbo_8kT961ivT81vK0mXY58Tz4j-NpWZ6HlaHdTQFnUgB8syoraNcJnV2IMa5adTMZz1FGc7_jy6qq3CqrQ9FG1mIKmeyLr6H7I9cfsPZGVC7bD3pvY8o7u1pLtGyiv4fNeu_R5/s1600/Pilates.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not me, just my Pilates crush!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">So,
I guess I need to get back to what works, although herein lies the problem, IT’S
TOO MUCH WORK! Why can’t metabolism continue to do what it is supposed to do? I
love the feeling of accomplishment after a workout, But I HATE working out. I’ve
tried mixing it up, adding variations: outdoors, indoors, under the door – I’ve
done it all and I still HATE exercising. Currently, I do a combination of
Pilates, Cardio, and Weight training. It works when I work it. I just need to
do it, and for me, I realize I have to do SOMETHING every day. Never had this
problem before. And to make matters worse, my biggest issue is not usually poor
eating habits; its poor consistency in actually being more active. Have I
mentioned that I hate exercising?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;">NEW YEAR, NEW HAIR</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4Yw27VjPrhT9Vu64Yb0JBdNro1wUJBRiIDWaMPzxFYgP3l2nUijJ9dpz8oUH0cB4FMeB9BwyMLwZ_WhaE-RxL3hAi-57ZqJjuYkEUesoMxjlBuMozEHP2DUMUnNYSLpfFfgCrRfU7AgV/s1600/Weft+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4Yw27VjPrhT9Vu64Yb0JBdNro1wUJBRiIDWaMPzxFYgP3l2nUijJ9dpz8oUH0cB4FMeB9BwyMLwZ_WhaE-RxL3hAi-57ZqJjuYkEUesoMxjlBuMozEHP2DUMUnNYSLpfFfgCrRfU7AgV/s1600/Weft+hair.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">I
am also going to test out my first sew in!! Yeah. I’ve never had a sew in
before and am a little nervous about the actual thought of having thread wrapped
around my hair in a tight braid and how it might damage my hair. I also want to play with shorter
lengths with my new 'Do' as well as some fun color, all while preserving my hair.
I’ll post before and after pics of my sew in once my installation arrives. Kind
of excited…</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I
MIIIGGGHHHT post before and after weight loss shots if I can get ones that look decent enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>NEW YEAR, NEW MIND</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Although my listed goals are external, I am definitely working on the inside as well as the outside.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><u>What
about you?</u> New Year, New You? What are you hoping, wishing, praying, desiring
as a fresh start? Please share on FaceBook at Love My Hairitage.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Until
next time, keep growing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Demi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">XOXO<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-7303408456449338212014-11-13T13:18:00.000-06:002014-11-13T13:18:51.268-06:00Fierce Hair FeatureKaki's Hair Story Part II: <i>My Faithful Friend</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Hello Curl Gurls, I'm excited to continue Kaki's journey as I share the next part of her hair story!<br />
<br />
Kaki speaks of her hair as though she were reflecting on a person; a dear and close acquaintance. I have at times befriended my hair as well as kicked it to the curb in the way I treated it...I'm learning by Kaki's testimony to be more appreciative of my hair's own individuality and uniqueness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUcLkNnz66-2rF7S-loWtSnV3asjvxScLBZCHZx8UCvFQMVVvR1LjgJELV_H4uUeoARDGipnMzosmnhTq0HLn_9cQUpUWHqYQkriqEdKa1fa_cOOs8FeXU5nRJfur_h9U9schOQ26hHvf/s1600/Kaki+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUcLkNnz66-2rF7S-loWtSnV3asjvxScLBZCHZx8UCvFQMVVvR1LjgJELV_H4uUeoARDGipnMzosmnhTq0HLn_9cQUpUWHqYQkriqEdKa1fa_cOOs8FeXU5nRJfur_h9U9schOQ26hHvf/s200/Kaki+6.jpg" width="88" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The second thing that helped
me over the fence and, really this was the nail in the coffin of relaxers for
me, was I didn’t know my sister had also been considering going natural until
we had a discussion regarding it one day. As we exchanged reasons we were
considering going natural she said something that pierced me. She said, “I just
don’t want to be a slave to the relaxer the rest of my life.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wow! I had not
seen it that way. But at that point I realized I didn’t want to be a slave to
the relaxer the rest of my life either. And at that point we decided to take
the journey together. There’s something about having your best friend take a
difficult yet beautiful journey together with you! It makes the journey somehow
easier, your destination more attainable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At that time I began to devour
books on natural hair care. It seemed to me a sad commentary of the lack of
knowledge I had of something that had been a part of me all my life. I didn’t
know my own hair in its natural state. I didn’t know how to take care of my own
natural hair. But I learned. I am still learning.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-0qVmP1jTHM-1IBGalSoN8G-pSNVyZgCm_83YNZ_C4hUrSN4vVwhQmRVSgLbo_XlKRfsa29ewAB5JfTqG6wqbAPZV0PUCCSYlbljOJ8DPgGTSmLNkE8gN1aIvubhg4UMXhBuRxkaRHzu/s1600/Kaki+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-0qVmP1jTHM-1IBGalSoN8G-pSNVyZgCm_83YNZ_C4hUrSN4vVwhQmRVSgLbo_XlKRfsa29ewAB5JfTqG6wqbAPZV0PUCCSYlbljOJ8DPgGTSmLNkE8gN1aIvubhg4UMXhBuRxkaRHzu/s200/Kaki+10.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Calligraphy'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Q: What do you dislike most
about your hair?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A: Nothing! Absolutely
nothing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">It shrinks something
fierce it’s so curly. I get about 60-70% shrinkage when I shampoo it. It
tangles more than a little after I shampoo it as the curls playfully entwine
and coil up in one another and just stay there. I am able to overcome my shrinkage issue by wearing twists, which help to elongate my hair as well as give me styling flexibility. </span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNJGQglujYpXrdo-Q8U30b3jEVWdTpDnN1RoGMKrWT6EKCqcGyGSrl1k-WDiWGnbPsTcZLsPMfI3Gok3WWFn6mWd5h_Dd3ZV1a9HMqiK3PoOvUGE6JCsW6ECmgq2W-3KJtWL9ySf44uDa/s1600/Kaki+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNJGQglujYpXrdo-Q8U30b3jEVWdTpDnN1RoGMKrWT6EKCqcGyGSrl1k-WDiWGnbPsTcZLsPMfI3Gok3WWFn6mWd5h_Dd3ZV1a9HMqiK3PoOvUGE6JCsW6ECmgq2W-3KJtWL9ySf44uDa/s200/Kaki+8.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I simply gently pull the twists apart with my fingers and then gently still separate them more with a
wide-tooth comb and put them in huge twists to prepare for styling. Once
detangled,my hair behaves beautifully whether I put in twists, do a twist-out,
an up-do, etc. And it does not tangle again until after my next shampoo, of course!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My hair is my faithful friend.
It has always been beautifully there for me and I must say this is a wonderful
journey of discovery as I move on to new challenges such as the wash-in-go. I
know I will have super shrinkage and my hair will be super-duper curly but now
that I’m learning to love my hair, I’m learning to embrace those teeny-tiny
ringlets that I usually stretch out by twisting, doing up-dos or twist-outs, or
the very rare for me braid-out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReTP_-IVDRVMdTsc0BPwf4nNxEhuTZsa1t54O0-CYpGyo-J5Vhlmu_tc6-qPD_RAtEF08j6std602nub-e7a8NTol5gFvRB74fg4H3VZ-OOGdl8aClPJNzgSeQWXtwhGpuX2HXhJF_yS8/s1600/Kaki_Part+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReTP_-IVDRVMdTsc0BPwf4nNxEhuTZsa1t54O0-CYpGyo-J5Vhlmu_tc6-qPD_RAtEF08j6std602nub-e7a8NTol5gFvRB74fg4H3VZ-OOGdl8aClPJNzgSeQWXtwhGpuX2HXhJF_yS8/s200/Kaki_Part+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, I’d like to encourage
you all to love and embrace your hair just the way it is—kinky, curly, wavy,
straight, natural, permed, relaxed, straightened, color-treated, styled in a
weave, or fashioned under a wig—no matter the color, texture, or length; however
it looks or feels—love it! If it is damaged love it to life and to health and
to strength! If it is healthy love its vitality and fortitude!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Love yourself (not in a
self-centered, narcissistic way) but in a God-focused,
grateful-for-the-life-He-gave-you and He loves you just
the way you are!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<b>Thank you for sharing Kaki!</b><br />
<b>Curlies, what do you love most about your hair? Please share on our Face Book page. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Until next time, healthy hair IS good hair!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Demi,</b><br />
<b>XoXo</b><br />
<br />Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-69573453868123360362014-11-06T20:34:00.000-06:002014-11-06T20:37:35.080-06:00Fierce Hair FeatureKaki's Hair Story Part I: <i>My Faithful Friend</i><br />
<br />
Hello Lovelies,<br />
<br />
I spent a few moments with my friend Kaki hoping to understand her "hair affair," and boy did she enlighten me on just how much of an affair she is having with her hair!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHXBm4Uo0BFpY7jdPX23ei7WCKu4GoBT5vxs0LE45acPvZhw-uGmYpIPIdeW1v7kAgUknSv0gNMq7xAUqFpFMH-E8nOl7NGQz8Qvnhr4zGDhgyhxE7UX3POvOLYBxaxfCHO_j92S1rb9k/s1600/Kaki+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHXBm4Uo0BFpY7jdPX23ei7WCKu4GoBT5vxs0LE45acPvZhw-uGmYpIPIdeW1v7kAgUknSv0gNMq7xAUqFpFMH-E8nOl7NGQz8Qvnhr4zGDhgyhxE7UX3POvOLYBxaxfCHO_j92S1rb9k/s1600/Kaki+1.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Q:
What do you like most about your hair?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A:
It’s faithfulness</span><span style="font-family: Lucida Calligraphy;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I
love that my hair has always been there for me. It has always been right by my
side, adorning my head and keeping it warm—snuggling comfortably around my ears
or resting gently on my shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My hair is pretty
much like me. It is very laid back and easy-going. It has never been fussy or
given me attitude and it has never been wild and unruly even when people
including me, in ignorance, were not handling it well. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But
it always saved face for me and looked good even when it wasn’t feeling good,
never decrying its damaged state or declaring to the world its brokenness—like
when it sustained heat damage from thermal straightening. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQLoK88UhqQ_G1IQGPrBB9TfsfbxQQ63_a_-umo0y5jer-FrVCXPhzLCIaKnRQRl_-qRpo5ZAQtJwxqfSpYrls9IhIkos1gB9swUIb-vQ4sc5WO5keZZ88oDi7inSR9DU6ormpHjh6cZ0/s1600/Kaki+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQLoK88UhqQ_G1IQGPrBB9TfsfbxQQ63_a_-umo0y5jer-FrVCXPhzLCIaKnRQRl_-qRpo5ZAQtJwxqfSpYrls9IhIkos1gB9swUIb-vQ4sc5WO5keZZ88oDi7inSR9DU6ormpHjh6cZ0/s1600/Kaki+5.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Though
I’d gone natural several years ago, a few years back I started straightening my
hair in fall and winter for a change of pace. I guess it was a little
contradictory for me because one of the reasons—the main reason I went natural
is because it appeared to me that letting man straighten, by chemically and
permanently altering the structure of the curly hair God gave me, was like
saying God didn’t get it right so I had to go to man for a do-over.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now,
of course, this wasn’t my thinking nor was this what I was saying when I was
getting relaxers—neither am I saying this is what those who get relaxers are
thinking or saying. It just appeared to me that it seemed something was wrong
with my natural hair so getting a relaxer was correcting what was wrong. As an
adult I just kept up the tradition my mother started when I was twelve and she got
me my first relaxer treatment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscztM80Lpxnc8FUrY0ESyErcHm35gMNvCLx71v5po-xegZD3pxB1v1rdOH-23HoRyGZS2zQbUSfLNesuJBrp5B-tzhVg_b-Hhk7eHfFsVBc2_vPuTtAJ26cDoLLDQ06pNBayfB1VKmYvH/s1600/Kaki+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscztM80Lpxnc8FUrY0ESyErcHm35gMNvCLx71v5po-xegZD3pxB1v1rdOH-23HoRyGZS2zQbUSfLNesuJBrp5B-tzhVg_b-Hhk7eHfFsVBc2_vPuTtAJ26cDoLLDQ06pNBayfB1VKmYvH/s1600/Kaki+4.jpg" height="320" width="134" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But
since everything God made is good, I realized then, so is my hair. </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There’s
nothing wrong with it. There never was. There are two things that helped me
over the fence when I was deciding to go natural. First, my hairstylist was
shampooing my hair as his assistant was shampooing another client next to us.
He stopped her and told her to look at something pertaining to my hair. She
said, “Oooh!” And then she went back to her client. Neither of them said
anything to me.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally,
after worry nearly consumed me (I had been too shy to ask them what was wrong)
I finally nervously yet softly blurted out, “What is it? What’s wrong?” My
stylist said, “Oh, I was just showing her your curl pattern. You have a
really nice curl pattern.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSz7ESwq-Os173hVvIerAX5tQSDNkGwgDa2gaSJlSH9xtJuqPknBV3UnSaYwIhrUdAjS8sSQWyD_2NSDZNMwXW4awMLuQe9pdSqOwrOSrYZWaj5NAF-v98VVC5ELuiE5mBhCv98RPlnMU/s1600/Kaki+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSz7ESwq-Os173hVvIerAX5tQSDNkGwgDa2gaSJlSH9xtJuqPknBV3UnSaYwIhrUdAjS8sSQWyD_2NSDZNMwXW4awMLuQe9pdSqOwrOSrYZWaj5NAF-v98VVC5ELuiE5mBhCv98RPlnMU/s1600/Kaki+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wow, I did? I didn’t know that. I hadn’t noticed it
in years and prior to age twelve it had seemed like a difficult and hard to
handle curl pattern at best.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stay tuned next week for Kaki's Hair Story Part II: <i>My Faithful Friend.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Until then, stay beautiful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Demi</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>XOXO</i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-79377496886902044822014-08-05T16:41:00.000-05:002014-08-05T16:41:06.444-05:00Protein Sensitivity<h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Why Does My Hair Feel Like Straw?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sometimes what we
believe to be a sensitivity to the use of protein is often an overuse of
protein. Just think about it... If your shampoo or pre-poo contains protein,
your detangling or rinse out conditioner contains protein, and your deep
conditioner, and styling products all contain protein...then you could be over
doing it with the protein.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Signs of
Protein Sensitivity</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hair is made up of
keratin, a type of protein.</span><span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Coarse hair contains greater amounts
of this protein while fine hair contains lesser amounts of keratin</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Protein can be lost through chemical, thermal or mechanical damage, and
the extreme use of heat or even through everyday styling and manipulation.
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;">When hair is damaged,
the use of a protein re-constructor strengthens the hair and helps
repair the damage by attaching to the hair’s surface and forming a layer
that helps retain and seal in moisture, somewhat mimicking what a
humectant would do. This keratin coating can also smooth the hair cuticle
making it appear shinier and smoother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Protein overuse or
sensitivity can cause your hair to feel hard and coarse, almost straw-like. There
are several 'good' proteins that help support healthy hair when used properly.
When selecting a protein-containing product to use, look
for structurizing proteins like corn, rice, soy, and wheat proteins.
Products with these proteins can be used at least 2-3 times a week to
strengthen, aid moisture, and condition your hair with minimal, if any damage.
Just make sure your shampoo and other products do not all contain protein or
you may be subject to protein over use.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">How Can I Tell
What My Hair Needs?</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;">1. Take a wet hair that
has been shed, stretch it out gently and if it breaks easily your hair needs
moisture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;">2. After doing a deep
treatment if you hair stretches out a lot and but does not return to it's original state,
your hair needs protein.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">3. After doing a deep
treatment stretch the hair out and if it bounces back to the original state,
your hair is in balance.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Conditioners that are protein free:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;">As I Am</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;">Aubrey Organics</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;">Aussie Moist</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;">Bed Head Moisture Maniac</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;">Bee Mine</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">What are your protein challenges? Please share your best tips and
tricks for managing protein use or protein sensitivity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></b><b style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<b style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Keep it Growing.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<b style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Demi,</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">XOXO</span></b></div>
</h2>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-33307817575474003082014-07-21T14:23:00.000-05:002014-07-21T14:23:57.679-05:00Is It Too Late to Get a Flat Belly?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I want a Flat Belly!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Since
June 6, 2014, I have been on a quest for better health. I joined a new Pilates workout facility - something I <i>thought
</i>I always wanted to do. I had no idea it would be so hard. At least four to
five days a week I am exercising for 50 minutes, intensively. I watch what eat
and have very few ‘cheat’ days. I do not eat fast food and drink about 60 oz.
of water a day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Although
I am starting to lose inches, I have not lost a pound and still feel like my
belly is minimally changed. I guess I need to mention that I have given
birth to four children, yet am within 15 pounds of my high school weight. Post
baby weight has never been an issue. I suppose that I should also mention that
in a few short years I will be celebrating my 50<sup>th</sup> birthday and
nature has definitely set in. Although I have many obstacles working against
me, I refuse to believe I cannot have a surgically unaltered flat stomach!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Well,
as a last resort, I am going to amp up my workouts with more intensity and add an additional day making it six days a week. I’m also going to try Prevention Magazines tips for reducing
belly fat. I’ll come back in 30 days with an update. At this point I need all the motivational help I can get.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Shrinking your belly with food
requires:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Adding two kinds of fiber to your diet</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. Bran and psyllium are the best
ingredients for breakfast cereals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Removing sodium.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> NEVER add salt at the table as sodium
causes bloating. Watch labels for sodium content.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Adding Potassium.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bananas
and potatoes help get rid of water weight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Removing all sugar alcohols</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. Our body is not meant to digest low
calorie sweeteners. They simply cause gas and bloating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Adding more fluids</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. Balances out the fiber and prevents
constipation. Enough said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Removing candy and soda.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> These enemies induce bloating and
causes a distended belly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Adding probiotic yogurt.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> These active cultures aide in
digestion and help eliminate constipation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Removing raw veggies</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. These cause bloating and gas and
distend the belly. Not good if you want to flatten the tummy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
am determined to get into a bikini (and actually be seen in public) before the
Summer ends. Wish me luck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
may even get brave enough to post before and after pics. Maybe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">XOXO,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Demi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-23487065026367864122014-06-30T19:53:00.002-05:002014-06-30T19:53:29.060-05:00RIP Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGX3Ot-cmlu4CNEY1YDyQQ8DB3lFomIjiXNGW2eVMeMU-EU2PbJVH7LoIU2CA9TPY7eyrUg8fxbcFNeqZMUcjLoLMc4m4UJn24DibcHNciiYJodsOGlG1YT37JD8DCG6nMKaN7lBKGzHI/s1600/no+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGX3Ot-cmlu4CNEY1YDyQQ8DB3lFomIjiXNGW2eVMeMU-EU2PbJVH7LoIU2CA9TPY7eyrUg8fxbcFNeqZMUcjLoLMc4m4UJn24DibcHNciiYJodsOGlG1YT37JD8DCG6nMKaN7lBKGzHI/s1600/no+cake.jpg" height="200" width="188" /></a></div>
The time has come for cake and I to break up. I love cake...I mean I really love cake. If I could eat cake all day, I would but this relationship is not good for me or my pant size. In an effort to have a healthier lifestyle, I have to remove cake from my diet (among other things). Our annual beach vacation is approaching and I'm always motivated to drop a few lbs for the beach. Here are few things I'm implementing for my weight loss journey.<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Exercise</b> - I joined <a href="http://campgladiator.com/dfw/" target="_blank">Camp Gladiator</a> last year and it has been a wonderful experience. The trainer for Desoto/Duncanville, Brandon Hall, demonstrated a few moves in <a href="http://www.dmagazine.com/health/2014/articles/06/five-exercises-for-swimsuit-season" target="_blank">D Magazine</a> to get you swimsuit ready. Brandon is a great trainer and can definitely help you achieve your goals. Shout out to trainers Veronica Cruz and Kevin Locks as well.</li>
<li><b>Eat breakfast</b> - I don't normally eat breakfast which I know is horrible.</li>
<li><b>Reduce portion sizes </b>- perhaps I won't eat the entire pizza</li>
<li><b>Meal plan </b>- Having meals prepared for the week gives me more control of what I'm eating vs buying food at a fast food restaurant. </li>
<li><b>Get more sleep - </b>turn off the tv and go to bed! </li>
<li><b>Be consistent</b> - I'm not good at this either.</li>
<li><b>Keep going</b> - If you fall of the wagon, jump back on!</li>
</ul>
<div>
Breaking up with cake, cookies, and all things junk is going to be very difficult for me. So if you see me and my attitude is unusually bad....I'm craving sweets. Forgive me. Overall, I need to lose 20lbs. Pray saints pray</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Beach ready day 0</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
XOXO,</div>
<div>
Lisa</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17322082227908052053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-69205701016084990972014-06-23T15:46:00.000-05:002014-06-24T00:26:40.287-05:00Embracing My Hair Part 2<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><b>The Growing
Out Process</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">About eight
years ago I decided to stop getting my hair relaxed. I was tired of the long
salon visits and the cost of keeping my hair ‘done.’ I didn’t know that what I
was doing was officially called ‘going natural’ and I had no friends who were
natural. I thought the process of going chemical-free would be somewhat
intuitive and well, easy. Boy was it NOT easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For one
thing, I HATED having two different textures of hair and although I’d styled my
own hair for years, I had no idea what to do with it. It sounds strange but
suddenly, I didn’t even know how to comb my own hair. I can’t even count the
number of combs I broke just trying to detangle my hair. I later found out that
I was doing it all wrong.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM80ByB5sxAjzSfqjltazmuOdN9bvAq0RgcSnBlo452UsLOZ7aPybJMHVrwvfbwEfFgweIENd_GIEb5QE51X3crcQO9uZ9NSoHJ0XSoL5Adi0uJWigr4K9I0qtEBt-yULZ7EC72NjMbCJ8/s1600/broken+comb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM80ByB5sxAjzSfqjltazmuOdN9bvAq0RgcSnBlo452UsLOZ7aPybJMHVrwvfbwEfFgweIENd_GIEb5QE51X3crcQO9uZ9NSoHJ0XSoL5Adi0uJWigr4K9I0qtEBt-yULZ7EC72NjMbCJ8/s1600/broken+comb.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Also, I didn’t
feel polished or pretty and like many who’ve taken this journey, I resorted to
the old faithful ponytail….everyday! Now what?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Well, if all
else fails, flatiron! And that’s exactly what I did while growing my hair out.
Fortunately I didn’t have a lot of heat damage (although at the time I didn’t
even know what heat damage was) and was able to keep this up for almost six
months. Then guess what??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I went back
and got my hair relaxed! WHYYYYYY? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Well because I just felt unattractive and not as
feminine. I was hair obsessed and thought everyone’s hair looked better than
mine. Why wasn’t I born with ‘good hair?” I went through this routine of
growing my hair out for a few months then getting another relaxer about three
times more before I finally said “no more!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I kept my
hair flat ironed for three years, keeping it conditioned and protected and yes,
I discovered YouTube videos that helped me to gain more confidence about the
process. After three years, I cut off the perm that was left, almost 10 inches
but I did not care because I was finally FREE! Free from what? My own self-imposed limitations on my hair and life and yes even on </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYndjgENtoqtUwt3yByl03JZdQv-kj8U6Z2l7Pkmc5HzQ_n4QxfJj4g5lw7MMtb9Jr1xlsmLe-s6bVel6e0MnaHTocLPz0CHOr9GZ-HNyVwubhxHHkfp77gSbOQmAiiEs3yWUOixHbQkWG/s1600/shed+hair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYndjgENtoqtUwt3yByl03JZdQv-kj8U6Z2l7Pkmc5HzQ_n4QxfJj4g5lw7MMtb9Jr1xlsmLe-s6bVel6e0MnaHTocLPz0CHOr9GZ-HNyVwubhxHHkfp77gSbOQmAiiEs3yWUOixHbQkWG/s1600/shed+hair.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
my self-esteem!<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Years later I
am still free and learning that just because I am natural does not mean my hair
is necessarily no maintenance. I still have to take care of it and pay very
close attention to how I handle it. (BTW – Yes. I became a product junkie along
the way but I finally calmed myself down and found out the few products that
really work).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmAxyzXVJ9WT01me9118FE0TvMcL2CBmOd0JOp9J2UJVabgzsl1Z-9Hazxbb7WbkTgGfPjfgn98M35DkFVJafxz8LefFowat7D63ZjZs31rOHBwDKCP6espL4Kh-wXUpE5_wf2qMAttw8/s1600/Lisa+Hall-8-2647187931-O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmAxyzXVJ9WT01me9118FE0TvMcL2CBmOd0JOp9J2UJVabgzsl1Z-9Hazxbb7WbkTgGfPjfgn98M35DkFVJafxz8LefFowat7D63ZjZs31rOHBwDKCP6espL4Kh-wXUpE5_wf2qMAttw8/s1600/Lisa+Hall-8-2647187931-O.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today, my
business partner Lisa and I have a greater mission in mind – not only
continuing on our own individual hair journeys, but also focusing on helping girls
and women everywhere to redefine their standard of beauty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It’s not all
about going natural, but feeling naturally beautiful when you look in the
mirror and changing things if you don’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">XoXo,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Keep
embracing the process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Demi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-50203698898192122022014-06-10T13:55:00.000-05:002014-06-10T13:55:08.430-05:00Embracing My Hair Part I<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Beginning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
have never understood my hair. I didn’t as a kid and am slowly learning today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmEj8bElgiI1F3yAXzBWj8vyDn0R8SR8RLaRwCGNK30GpOpIgT0ppANXvt84AiIOucP9ZVaZV6-c0x-ujv3RxESOXa4JYVwsOkRdYE9n64Q5WJ98tOCBWoprwPnxhxiHiShJWDE9sN7HB/s1600/Pressing+Comb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmEj8bElgiI1F3yAXzBWj8vyDn0R8SR8RLaRwCGNK30GpOpIgT0ppANXvt84AiIOucP9ZVaZV6-c0x-ujv3RxESOXa4JYVwsOkRdYE9n64Q5WJ98tOCBWoprwPnxhxiHiShJWDE9sN7HB/s1600/Pressing+Comb.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sitting
in my mom’s kitchen on a Saturday night right before Easter, getting my hair
pressed was a treat. I loved the look and feel of my hair but hated the heat
burns, the long process, and the combing – particularly since I have always
been extremely ‘tender-headed.’ Once my hair was pressed, I could not go
outside and play – nor did I want to –or do anything that would cause my hair
to ‘sweat back.’</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">On
Easter morning, I would get up and put on my new Easter dress with matching
ruffled socks, and my mom would take out the rollers and comb out my curls.
This felt like heaven</span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">! (It just occurred
to me if I was getting myself dressed, I was probably too old to be
wearing an Easter dress and matching ruffled socks…).</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> Unfortunately by the end of the Easter egg
hunt, my hair was a big poof of nothingness and back to pony tails I went.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxEb-WiwhPsmRRQOLg9Skit3w-aevNHDi7FwgbCbA27qmAT6y0PyRQYOP_U-_pV8nLYrzHBcMY-phNJ4l2F5rvhblFXKccVzjDPEfM5LDauI_J7idBc6TST9oryKDABhQgdTqmIZhQfzb/s1600/Dentle+Treatment+Super.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxEb-WiwhPsmRRQOLg9Skit3w-aevNHDi7FwgbCbA27qmAT6y0PyRQYOP_U-_pV8nLYrzHBcMY-phNJ4l2F5rvhblFXKccVzjDPEfM5LDauI_J7idBc6TST9oryKDABhQgdTqmIZhQfzb/s1600/Dentle+Treatment+Super.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">At
the age of 12 I got my first relaxer and you couldn’t tell me nothing! Lux – uri-
ous! I didn’t know or care what damage was being done. All I needed was to have
a retouch ready to go in six to eight weeks! I functioned this way for 20
years. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Surprisingly, who never desired to be natural was ME!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Next
time, I’ll continue the story with my painful growing out process saga…no big chop for me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Until
then, what are your remembrances of your earlier hair situation – were they
cute or painfully ugly? Please share.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">XoXo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Demi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-17974742035242731982014-06-03T16:32:00.000-05:002014-06-03T16:32:08.443-05:00MAC Tinted Moisturizer Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jqf_FkN3HRKNNohnsOdgG3DnHI4yBFIu5KjeaVCPhnYnbD0dcW9OHe41x5owLqVAPQuglQErtXXT3e_HCQ-NSgEgQAjlu3crXGpjFyHXPHhm-8Ee0y_aKVCmh7XyQv6MBwlj9L3eYYI/s1600/tinted-moisturizer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jqf_FkN3HRKNNohnsOdgG3DnHI4yBFIu5KjeaVCPhnYnbD0dcW9OHe41x5owLqVAPQuglQErtXXT3e_HCQ-NSgEgQAjlu3crXGpjFyHXPHhm-8Ee0y_aKVCmh7XyQv6MBwlj9L3eYYI/s1600/tinted-moisturizer.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Last week I purchased MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15 in dark plus from Dillard's as part of my #questforgirly. I wore the moisturizer to work all week. Let me tell you...it has been a struggle. I never realized how much I touch my face throughout the day. During the first couple of days it felt as though my face was itching constantly. I'm sure it was due to not being accustomed to having anything on my face. I applied the moisturizer with my hands on a clean face. The coverage was light and gave a very natural appearance. Later in the day I did notice my face was a bit oily. Overall, I was pleased with the moisturizer. Next, I'm trying a tinted moisturizer by Clinique. Stay tuned!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you have tried a tinted moisturizer, please share the brand.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
XOXO,</div>
<div>
Lisa</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17322082227908052053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-76146390226612006782014-05-27T16:25:00.000-05:002014-05-27T17:53:44.730-05:00Make Me Over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg4NkUwlkFzzFz-4eP0eZStuAeI4Z0WfRz0P0BoqI3JDI09Aio2XuHo6xinoQPty4Ye0HLr7_h9yqSCYUKWLBtwR_itt4P1vqjNHNuxOa601SfYOai1qN-2VwI4kUnPuSQ9fK7fjN4iw/s1600/Make+Me+Over+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg4NkUwlkFzzFz-4eP0eZStuAeI4Z0WfRz0P0BoqI3JDI09Aio2XuHo6xinoQPty4Ye0HLr7_h9yqSCYUKWLBtwR_itt4P1vqjNHNuxOa601SfYOai1qN-2VwI4kUnPuSQ9fK7fjN4iw/s1600/Make+Me+Over+pic.jpg" height="320" width="302" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
MUA - Annastashia Vee @missannabanna</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Model - Ebony @themodelebony</div>
<br />
Recently I have began considering wearing makeup. If you know me, then you know I am low maintenance at my core. My perfect outfit = flip flops, jeans, ponytail, and an OU t-shirt (Boomer). Well God has a sense of humor and blessed me with the most girly little lady. She is forcing me to step my game up. I figured makeup was good initial step in the quest for girly. I'm not ready for the full makeup application so I'm taking baby steps. Enter tinted moisturizer....Essentially tinted moisturizer is a moisturizing cream with a hint of color for sheer coverage. I want to try the following tinted moisturizers:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.aveeno.com/product/aveeno-+positively+radiant-+tinted+moisturizer+broad+spectrum+spf+30.do" target="_blank">Aveeno</a></li>
<li><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mac-studio-moisture-tint-spf-15/3054254" target="_blank">MAC</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.clinique.com/product/1599/15635/Makeup/Foundations/Moisture-Surge-Tinted-Moisturizer-SPF-15/index.tmpl" target="_blank">Clinique</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
I have been watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/MichellePhan" target="_blank">Michelle Phan's</a> YouTube channel. She has great tutorials. Far more advanced than I ever plan to get but very informative. We shall see how the project (#questforgirly) pans out. Wish me luck! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have you ever tried tinted moisturizer or planning a "make over" soon? I would love to hear about it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
XOXO,</div>
<div>
Lisa</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17322082227908052053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-69922565840586428202014-05-14T23:08:00.000-05:002014-05-14T23:16:24.010-05:00How Much Reality Can We Tolerate When it Comes to Beauty? You Decide?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>This is What 170 Pound Weight Loss Looks Like.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8VwxzZLA5OGJG9tk_6QkB3yVSE2BOPyGojWALxAjM5mc4Uk_DGnBKhMgxoozv7FWzdqlZaUD1fufKnYQpSeeBMutnhSlH3KbprZkCjHQ70kSw-oMhcJU5O4ZkIwyENkGFJW6FPEkfBme/s1600/Brooke+Birmingham_172+lb+weight+loss+reality.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8VwxzZLA5OGJG9tk_6QkB3yVSE2BOPyGojWALxAjM5mc4Uk_DGnBKhMgxoozv7FWzdqlZaUD1fufKnYQpSeeBMutnhSlH3KbprZkCjHQ70kSw-oMhcJU5O4ZkIwyENkGFJW6FPEkfBme/s1600/Brooke+Birmingham_172+lb+weight+loss+reality.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%;">Brooke Birmingham is an Illinois-based blogger who over the course
of four years, lost over 170 pounds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shape</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> magazine
happened to notice one of her blogs and a representative reached out to Brooke about
doing a "success story" profile to be featured on Shape.com.
Birmingham agreed, and provided this photo to be used in the feature.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">The<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><em style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shape</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"> writer
handling the story thanked Brooke for the photograph, and called her for an
interview. Brooke thought everything was fine until a few days later, she received
an email from the writer stating:</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVGm9fe3q3B1UvfcBaOboFRK1IsUivFotQk2k9auLdlzBq3V6skKavMhpfSWVeNMYTdC8gZh_VQMnQcNG8zFFvDdg4qIv9BkArR5jHLSqh5xVe-6bd5l-90ETWuPuu3EpBNA9D6Y6QvIb/s1600/Shape+to+Brooke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVGm9fe3q3B1UvfcBaOboFRK1IsUivFotQk2k9auLdlzBq3V6skKavMhpfSWVeNMYTdC8gZh_VQMnQcNG8zFFvDdg4qIv9BkArR5jHLSqh5xVe-6bd5l-90ETWuPuu3EpBNA9D6Y6QvIb/s1600/Shape+to+Brooke.jpg" height="137" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">Brooke of course, pushed back against sharing a ‘different’ photo. She
replied to </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">Shape:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nFXumSmsAAOSYK_9G_adz-Of9kQCgdBHMMJ-VvwBiicS4X-busiCPMQoO2zTUtlAH9voN2lkg3tdbrIGdMtGIbUxY7ZPph8nl3XvQuiwGWrw3A1HG_71UdXSgOrHpBmnTfpMQdgtHEGp/s1600/Brooke+to+Shape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nFXumSmsAAOSYK_9G_adz-Of9kQCgdBHMMJ-VvwBiicS4X-busiCPMQoO2zTUtlAH9voN2lkg3tdbrIGdMtGIbUxY7ZPph8nl3XvQuiwGWrw3A1HG_71UdXSgOrHpBmnTfpMQdgtHEGp/s1600/Brooke+to+Shape.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">After a few more emails </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">in which the writer repeatedly cited an "editorial
policy" against bikini photos, Brooke decided not to be included in the
feature.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">Recently, Brooke appeared on</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><i style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">The Today Show</i><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">together with</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><i style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">Shape </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">editor-at-large
Bahar Takhtehchian to discuss the unfortunate chain of events.</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%;">
<br />
Takhtehchian, for her part, stuck with the
magazine's official story, claiming the incident was simply the result of a
"miscommunication with a freelancer who is not employed by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shape</span></em>. Unfortunately," she added, "[the writer] said
that there was an editorial policy that simply doesn't exist. So, that's where
things went awry a little bit."<span class="apple-converted-space"> Ya think?</span><br />
<br />
Takhtehchian went on to say that the magazine is
turning over a new leaf, "celebrating people like Brooke" by
"featuring five other <u>real </u>women inside the pages of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shape
</span></em>magazine. And, yes, they will be publishing that bikini photo.</span><br />
<br />
Women who have gone through an extreme weight loss
are impacted not only physically, but also mentally. I wonder how Shape’s
initial response to Brooke, influenced her self-esteem?<br />
<br />
By agreeing to show photos of “real” women in
their magazine, Shape seems to have taken a step forward. However,
"real" seems to be a loaded term; it suggests that there's
something fundamentally different about "people like Brooke,"
something that makes<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shape</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> featuring
them not just its regularly scheduled programming, but some kind of generosity
or charity. A “special edition” of sorts.<br />
<br />
What do you think? </span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">Would you intentionally buy a
magazine with the above photo of Brooke on the cover or as a feature? What if that woman in the magazine were
you?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
Redefine your own beautiful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
Demi<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0in;">
XoXo<o:p></o:p></div>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-20757721160001893182014-04-28T11:54:00.000-05:002014-04-30T14:40:17.295-05:00What’s Up With Biotin?<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
perusing the shelves at your local drugstore or natural health foods shop,
you've probably stumbled across a bottle labeled "<a href="http://www.gnc.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2104785" sl-processed="1" style="outline: 0px;" target="_hplink"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Biotin</span></a>." According to dermatologists,
these <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/18/vitamins-minerals-for-hair-health_n_3451747.html" target="_hplink"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">B complex vitamins</span></a> (also known as vitamin H) are important in
metabolism, helping your body to process energy and transporting carbon dioxide
from your body's cells.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lofty
claims that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/long-hair-tips-biotin-viviscal_n_2718611.html" target="_hplink"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">biotin</span></a> can help grow healthier and stronger hair, skin
and nails has sparked a generation of pill-popping women who desire these
beauty benefits. But is biotin doing more harm than good to our bodies?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwTuHZUY5F0thl6ylrMjrtyNTs22GfQoV8ArcKFBxX8lppYrWr2vgh1UrYKQRMdVQl6m0sNITMt7AkERV9NI3jvr5bBet8dqMCRjQJz10yKTnIttjxwjjj1Dy-BzYsWgDtdvXA9lLz7dz/s1600/Biotin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwTuHZUY5F0thl6ylrMjrtyNTs22GfQoV8ArcKFBxX8lppYrWr2vgh1UrYKQRMdVQl6m0sNITMt7AkERV9NI3jvr5bBet8dqMCRjQJz10yKTnIttjxwjjj1Dy-BzYsWgDtdvXA9lLz7dz/s1600/Biotin.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Biotin</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Biotin,
also known as vitamin B-7, is an essential nutrient that can be found
naturally in foods such as eggs, brewer’s yeast, cauliflower and cucumber.
Biotin supports carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism and it is not common
to have a Biotin deficiency. Many of us consume plenty of Biotin in our diets
naturally, but it has been shown that taking higher doses of Biotin in
supplement form can greatly benefit the hair, skin and nails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Biotin
for Hair Growth</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Biotin
has been called 'hair food' and rightly so since one of the effects seen
most often is an increased rate of growth in the hair when taking biotin
supplements on a daily basis. How much Biotin is enough? Too much? The magic
number seems to hover around 5000 mcg a day, with daily consumption being very
important. Being inconsistent with taking biotin will definitely vary your
results. It's also important to understand that hair growth will not
happen overnight. You will most likely see results after about a month or so.
Biotin has also been shown to increase nail and eyelash growth and can be a
great treatment for people who are suffering from eczema.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Does
Biotin Make all Hair on the Body Grow?</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
question I wonder about most often is, "Will the rest of the hair on my
body grow excessively too?". Thankfully, no. Unlike the hair on our head, the hair on
our body is only programmed to grow to a certain length. This is what
mercifully allows beautician’s to avoid having to cut and style their client's
arm hair!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Biotin
Side Effects</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The quest for beauty however, is not
without cost. Anyone who is pregnant or trying to become pregnant should avoid
taking biotin or consult their doctor before doing so. Biotin has also been
shown to decrease the effectiveness of some heart and anti-seizure medications.
Possible signs of biotin overdose include slower release of insulin, skin rashes,
lower vitamin C and B6 levels, and high blood sugar levels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Where
Can You Find Biotin & What’s the Correct Dosage?</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Biotin
can be found at most drug stores and almost all vitamin stores and just about
every multivitamin supplement contains some form of biotin. Make sure to note how many mcg's
of Biotin that you are buying. If you are looking to take 5000 mcg's a day, you
don't want to buy a bottle of 500 mcg pills and have to take 10 pills! There
are several brands out there that come in 1000 and 5000 mcg form. The general
daily recommended daily dosage by dermatologists is 2.5 mg of biotin.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve recently tried a
popular hair vitamin that contained biotin. My results were positive, yet
limited. Have you tried biotin or another specialty hair vitamin with great results? What’s your take
on biotin’s benefits?</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the meantime, s</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">tay healthy.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Demi</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">XOXO</span></div>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-17491595987620046712014-04-22T14:57:00.002-05:002014-04-22T15:13:52.165-05:00Hairline Damage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="http://worldofbraiding.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/img_05831-1.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<br />
Hair loss around the hairline seems to be on trend these days. Its especially frustrating to have a thinning hairline when the rest of your hair is flourishing. Well ladies, there <i>may</i> be hope to regrow your hairline (depending on the severity of the loss).<br />
<br />
<b>Discover</b> - Find out why your hair is thinning. Do you have a medical condition? Have you recently had a hormonal change i.e. having a baby? Is your damage due to traction alopecia? Traction alopecia is a form of alopecia, or gradual hair loss, caused by repetitive or persistent pulling or force on hair roots. This occurs when braids, ponytail, or weaves are worn too tight near the hairline. Most of the styles used by African American women involve chronic traction. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<br />
Can this problem be fixed? Perhaps. Depending on the amount of damage that has been caused to the hair follicle, you may need to seek the help of a dermatologist. For ladies that have not reached this level of damage there is hope. Immediately stop all negative hair practices!!!!<br />
<br />
There are a few practices to avoid<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>tight ponytails and braids</li>
<li>overuse of weaves and wigs. <img src="http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/countessvaughn-top.jpg?w=960&h=350" height="72" width="200" />Countess Vaughn was on The Doctors last month detailing her experience with lace fronts wigs. <a href="http://youtu.be/nPFyZpc2qB4" target="_blank">Countess Vaughn Video</a> </li>
<li>harsh chemicals</li>
<li>rough brushing around the hairline</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Remedy</b> - Please understand there are no guarantees on any treatment. Your ability to regrow hair depends on how severe the damage. Some tips to help avoid hairline damage include low manipulation styling, applying moisture to the hairline, and using a silk/satin pillowcase at night. Also giving your hair a break from wigs, weaves, and braids is essential as well. Too much of anything is bad for you, right? A few of the natural hair forums list the following products that many have tried to stimulate hair growth around the hairline.</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Castor Oil</li>
<li>Rosemary Oil</li>
<li>Peppermint Oil</li>
<li>Sulfur 8</li>
<li>Vitamin E</li>
<li>Coconut Oil</li>
</ul>
<div>
The hairline is very delicate and we have to be careful how we care for it. Personally, my hairline began to thin after I had my babies. Postpartum shedding is the devil. I haven't tried any of the above methods but I'm considering the peppermint oil. Have you tried any methods to help your hairline? Let me know.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
XOXO,</div>
<div>
Lisa</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17322082227908052053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-68246911662526875242014-04-14T23:26:00.000-05:002014-04-14T23:26:36.456-05:00P.E.A.R.L. Girls<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10050" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I spent a few moments speaking with Keisha Howard, CEO and Founder of the empowering organization called P.E.A.R.L. Girls. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">P.E.A.R.L = <u>P</u>oised, <u>E</u>legant <u>a</u>nd <u>R</u>esponsible <u>L</u>eaders!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">At Love My Hairitage we are committed to building self esteem and redefining a new standard of beauty in women and girls all across the world. Understanding the work of Keisha and her team was very informative and a delight to share!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rcfIaQDCMFHbx3TB0XPsE_Mt9VtWrDSlQjvwFcO979Arzw5pkS88jpW_1-RiwCaPhEUdKVlBzBpp5Ggo-gePdN5r7TGjoNLDUMi8C-6U8sccqBtm3aC8G2MN-wl2y4D6Uw98KhVinjbY/s1600/Keisha+Howard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rcfIaQDCMFHbx3TB0XPsE_Mt9VtWrDSlQjvwFcO979Arzw5pkS88jpW_1-RiwCaPhEUdKVlBzBpp5Ggo-gePdN5r7TGjoNLDUMi8C-6U8sccqBtm3aC8G2MN-wl2y4D6Uw98KhVinjbY/s1600/Keisha+Howard.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Who is Keisha Howard - Briefly introduce yourself</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10060" style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;">I am a school counselor by day and girl’s confidence coach at night.<span> </span>I am the Founder of P.E.A.R.L. Girls which is a self-esteem enhancement organization for girls in DFW.<span> </span>Since 2007, over 1000 girls have participated in our programs. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"><span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10042" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10041"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10040" style="font-size: 14pt;">When did you know developing girls was something you HAD to do?</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10038" style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;">When I started working in an Elementary school and I noticed that several girls lacked self-esteem and<span> </span>they also lacked positive social skills.<span> </span>I saw a need, so I created the program to help them. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10037" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10036"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10035" style="font-size: 14pt;">What ages do you work with? How does a girl apply for your program?</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_9897" style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;">Most of our programs are for girls in ages 4-17.<span> </span>However, this year we are also offering an etiquette workshop for adults age 18 and older.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"><span></span></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxN-pkLEBej_I9GuOC-akNT0MOUTTeQED8UZGDa4qZbpj5B_JLqKAnPe6S3M9SEalShhyphenhyphenO6Qo3GKZst4qPmV5S4GdqvHYJO0ydbISQzYx-aNuTxyLHHk7J78Qj3Ztu5eug4pHezL2lpCSR/s1600/girls_at-park1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxN-pkLEBej_I9GuOC-akNT0MOUTTeQED8UZGDa4qZbpj5B_JLqKAnPe6S3M9SEalShhyphenhyphenO6Qo3GKZst4qPmV5S4GdqvHYJO0ydbISQzYx-aNuTxyLHHk7J78Qj3Ztu5eug4pHezL2lpCSR/s1600/girls_at-park1.jpg" height="170" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"><span></span></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;">All of our programs can be registered for on our website, <a href="http://www.pearl-girls.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.Pearl-Girls.org</a>.<span> We </span>have an Etiquette Workshop & Meal on May 17 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. We also have an inner-beauty self-esteem pageant where girls are taught principles through pageantry. This pageant celebrates girl's natural beauty! It's all about confidence and every girl receives a crown, trophy, and sash. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10069" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10068"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10067" style="font-size: 14pt;">You mentioned that becoming a P.E.A.R.L. Girl starts from within. What outward signs does a girl usually reflect that demonstrates her inner beauty and self confidence? What does she walk away with?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10070" style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;">She is confident in her walk and holds her head up.<span> </span>She goes after her goals, she stands up for her herself and for what’s right.<span> </span>She also volunteers and gives back to the community. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQuRG2uRGnKTXz_LPjtmkWjnFJdrO27PGBKRjIYrRji0pKm4uvj7gTAI-B5BTYmqGI0eG_nA4hzOKzrPrP1F6_O-g1pBQCDUjgE2usCm0BlXSPwyz1Tt_1AGnQXyzaQ7ZwNH_nER2f1bv/s1600/girls-holding-hands2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQuRG2uRGnKTXz_LPjtmkWjnFJdrO27PGBKRjIYrRji0pKm4uvj7gTAI-B5BTYmqGI0eG_nA4hzOKzrPrP1F6_O-g1pBQCDUjgE2usCm0BlXSPwyz1Tt_1AGnQXyzaQ7ZwNH_nER2f1bv/s1600/girls-holding-hands2.jpg" height="172" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">How did you come up with: Education + Etiquette + Empowerment = Success!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;">All of our workshops focus on instilling life skills.<span> </span>We bring in qualified guest speakers to present on various topics affecting girls today.<span> </span>We also make sure that our workshops are interactive and fun so that the girls are learning while having fun. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGF4AtcLw6iO4MELa5Z-dkEuXkq-LIG0xx3WOSvl3FWKGrnO8N7fkuYMvt1Lhk4QdRHd2GYcn2Qpriw5RIlqNXWocd7nnkaM6k7rPf-DtxLHtf4OZy0_aVJL3aB6DXIGevhpcqR4xRPDDD/s1600/Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGF4AtcLw6iO4MELa5Z-dkEuXkq-LIG0xx3WOSvl3FWKGrnO8N7fkuYMvt1Lhk4QdRHd2GYcn2Qpriw5RIlqNXWocd7nnkaM6k7rPf-DtxLHtf4OZy0_aVJL3aB6DXIGevhpcqR4xRPDDD/s1600/Group.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Where do you see the organization in five years?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;">I am currently writing a self-esteem book for girls and developing <span></span>a P.E.A.R.L. Girls curriculum which will be available for people to purchase and start a branch of P.E.A.R.L. Girls in their school and community. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeVV3OxYclVbKo0aRXX4PDbiXyNAvX8Tzd55o5hx07ETyaY2c0_L_XGDuHyIkG3kN0yfbbPFouYdgF3-Yuzj4GtckwrQZhwnZKKJRl0FTc_MNYzKWpSIp5Yknm9xw2g5W5LUCTcJoPYrq/s1600/Keisha_Facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeVV3OxYclVbKo0aRXX4PDbiXyNAvX8Tzd55o5hx07ETyaY2c0_L_XGDuHyIkG3kN0yfbbPFouYdgF3-Yuzj4GtckwrQZhwnZKKJRl0FTc_MNYzKWpSIp5Yknm9xw2g5W5LUCTcJoPYrq/s1600/Keisha_Facebook.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">On another topic, you have beautiful, natural hair - what's your hair story? Do you believe natural hair is a trend?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;">I have been natural for about 4 years.<span> </span>I don’t believe that it is a trend.<span> </span>To me, being natural is me embracing my authentic self.<span> </span>It is me truly loving what God blessed me with.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"><span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">How has being natural influenced how you feel about yourself? </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;">It has enhanced my personal self-esteem because I feel that I am genuinely embracing me.<span> </span>I feel free and real which is empowering. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Did you receive support from your family on your decision to go natural? If not, how did you handle it?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;">Yes, my family was supportive, they love my hair.<span> </span>My sister actually went natural 2 years after I did. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Final thought - Although your girls are not all natural, how important is it to get them to redefine what beauty is?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10137" style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;">It’s important to redefine beauty because society's beauty standards are flawed.<span> </span>Society sends the media messages to girls that one must be thin, have really long hair, etc. to be pretty.<span> </span>We try to teach the girls that it’s whats on the inside that makes one beautiful.<span> </span>A person’s community service, their public speaking skills, and their special talents also make them beautiful. ..All the makeup in the world can’t hide an ugly personality. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;">Thank you Keisha!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaNRNbJ_Ht_teBguqKqRYKKzcr4pcj6CC0vvySWjtfALpVQZaSuQD-IPXEETQfTs67udShFg3Fw6o2UUjlCObTaDZ5eBxQQ82YtPso5epdfRximKkZaCpODEqXrKbwMp1qkNawvKVa_LT/s1600/keisha-Empower-Hours-JUne-2010-0111-960x250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaNRNbJ_Ht_teBguqKqRYKKzcr4pcj6CC0vvySWjtfALpVQZaSuQD-IPXEETQfTs67udShFg3Fw6o2UUjlCObTaDZ5eBxQQ82YtPso5epdfRximKkZaCpODEqXrKbwMp1qkNawvKVa_LT/s1600/keisha-Empower-Hours-JUne-2010-0111-960x250.jpg" height="164" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 48.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10141" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10140" style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Check out their programs online : </span><a href="http://www.pearl-girls.org/" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10139" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pearl-girls.org/">www.Pearl-Girls.org</a></span><a href="http://www.pearl-girls.org,facebook/"></a></span></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pearl-girls.org,on/">Facebook</a> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pearlgirlsinc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">www.facebook.com/pearlgirlsinc</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> <span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div class="yiv5713170945gmail_extra" style="text-align: left;">
<br clear="all" />Keep Believing in yourself!</div>
<div class="yiv5713170945gmail_extra" style="text-align: left;">
Demi</div>
<div class="yiv5713170945gmail_extra" style="text-align: left;">
XoXo</div>
</span><div class="yiv5713170945gmail_extra" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv5713170945gmail_extra" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1397528454273_10142" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-24038439359891907042014-03-17T15:42:00.001-05:002014-03-17T15:42:54.947-05:00Ten Must Haves that Contribute to Healthier Hair Hello Ladies,<br />
<br />
Wanted to share a brief list of ten items that support maintaining a healthy 'Do." According to Allure Magazine, a few good staple products, make all the difference:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>A Restorative Shampoo is a must, at least monthly to clarify, hydrate, and repair hair from mishandling, weather, or product abuse.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>A Super-absorbent towel or T-shirt really works to rid hair of excess moisture as well as helps to get you out the door sooner (especially if you wear a wash n go) without creating extra frizz.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>A good Heat Protectant is necessary - if you use heat - to shield hair from the use of blow dryers and flat irons and seal hair with a bit of silicone to keep damage at bay. A clarifying shampoo might be needed to rid hair of all traces of silicone afterwards.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>If you color your hair, a less damaging alternative is recommended. Although Henna is a healthy option, some women do not like the red tone it leaves behind. Another option is <i>L'Oreal's</i> new color line called<i> INOA</i>. This line of hair color does not contain ammonia or peroxide - which can cause dryness or strip hair of moisture, but it does deposit vibrant and lasting color.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>A good deep conditioner is needed at least once a month. Whether you use a protein-rich or moisture-rich treatment, at a minimum, one should be used once a month to repair or fill in the gaps of our hair's needs.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>If you blow dry, a good ionic dryer is recommended to avoid the pitfalls of over drying. The benefit of ionic heat is that it causes the cuticle to lie flat, which can help the hair hold in moisture. The <i>T3 Featherweight Professional</i> hair dryer is a good ionic dryer to try.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>If you flat iron your hair, a good silicone emitting iron is best. A flat iron with a ceramic coating that emits silicone's, causes the hair to feel silkier sooner and avoids the need for too many passes through the hair. Also the use of silicone's helps to eliminate frizz so you flat iron less frequently. The <i>Remington Style Therapy Frizz-Therapy</i> flat iron is a good silicone emitting iron to try.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Split ends plague us all at one point and cutting is not always preferred. A good camouflage creme might be the answer to buy yourself some time to allow the hair to grow out before cutting off the pesky split ends. <i>White Sands The Cure 24/7</i> is a good split end camo creme to temporarily seal frayed ends, and help to prevent future breakage while preserving the cuticle. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Glossing seems to be the trend to add instant shine, yet not all glossers are created equal. If you're going to gloss, then gloss well using <i>John Frieda's Luminous Color Glaze</i> for a clear and month lasting shine. I have noticed no damage to my natural curls and see a big difference in how my ringlets pop, especially in the sun!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>To Brush or not to brush? Having the right bristles makes all the difference. When the bristles are coarse, and unaligned properly, we risk losing healthy strands at a slow rate, particularly around the already fragile edges. Invest in a good brush or risk doing more damage than good. Boar bristles seem to be the most flexible and safest for all hair types.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
What items or products have contributed to healthier hair for you? </div>
<div>
What products made your holy grail (HG) list?</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until next time, keep it growing!</div>
<div>
Demi</div>
<div>
XOXO</div>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-8855750281794946022014-03-05T09:00:00.000-06:002014-03-05T09:00:07.292-06:00Hairfinity Challenge Results!<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Hi Curlfriends,</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Well, my Hairfinity journey is officially over and I wanted to report my results-- but first let me share a few things about my overall experience.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">During my two-month journey, I was very systematic about my hair care regimen and was consistent with taking my vitamins each day as directed on the bottle. I used very few products and wore my hair in protective styles for the entire two months.</span> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I also made sure my hair was moisturized, paying specific attention to my ends.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">One of the greatest benefits besides any growth achieved is how taking these vitamins really caused me to care for my hair in a way that I normally do not and to pay attention to the state my hair was in at all times. For example, because I started my Hairfinity challenge in the winter, I was more aware of the need to maintain my hair's moisture because of colder temperatures. I quickly realized how moist hair impacts my ability to retain length. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">During my growth challenge, I also wanted to avoid my tendency towards using too many products and possibly skewing the results. I kept it simple and used the same shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, leave-in, oil, and sealer throughout the challenge. I also wanted to be sure not to introduce any new techniques or products so that I could really give these vitamins a fair try.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><b>Now for the results…</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHFSYVAjknxmTZW0F4rQlEAczVVn6oJDkYhKk4bXW2qKZKwdY2CgAWO_2MuXyRq61_qRGJpSjcmpDZpsWBaVTrFhraMYIBK-xlq2zwzOOa4PITeWfRnfSdONcdCyy3IM-6j1hA0DnA1Ru/s1600/Before+Nape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHFSYVAjknxmTZW0F4rQlEAczVVn6oJDkYhKk4bXW2qKZKwdY2CgAWO_2MuXyRq61_qRGJpSjcmpDZpsWBaVTrFhraMYIBK-xlq2zwzOOa4PITeWfRnfSdONcdCyy3IM-6j1hA0DnA1Ru/s1600/Before+Nape.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BEFORE: Nape 13 1/4 inches</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFwNwDJh2Tx1pdrsP6cCOlv2o-dn2CDOhsPj308OCQ451pjxoUMNEqUMKkuXTLGVQJPzWjSmAKPsq0UA8dK5u3ng2W8jdvr8OeRlqHb4EAjTrT1-evBrlByfBgebBXBr7zxOn6mg9vPf0/s1600/After+Nape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFwNwDJh2Tx1pdrsP6cCOlv2o-dn2CDOhsPj308OCQ451pjxoUMNEqUMKkuXTLGVQJPzWjSmAKPsq0UA8dK5u3ng2W8jdvr8OeRlqHb4EAjTrT1-evBrlByfBgebBXBr7zxOn6mg9vPf0/s1600/After+Nape.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">AFTER: Nape 15 inches</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br clear="all" />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I found that my sides and front seem to grow faster than the hair at the nape of my neck (I’ve always had really fine hair at the nape that tangles very easily and has always been problematic for me).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td></td><td bgcolor="white" height="40" style="background: white; border-bottom: white 0.75pt solid; border-left: white 0.75pt solid; border-right: white 0.75pt solid; border-top: white 0.75pt solid; vertical-align: top;" width="312"><!--[endif]--><!--[if !mso]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251661312;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><!--[endif]--><br />
<div class="shape" style="padding-bottom: 4.35pt; padding-left: 7.95pt; padding-right: 7.95pt; padding-top: 4.35pt;" v:shape="_x0000_s1029">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<!--[endif]--><!--[if !vml]--></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFt_o9u3hoA8e-JA9BKgQcdNfcaEdqxgyl-YwyhjzIprnV1oWEOkZ8zwcXbEBfVbs10r9G1ARIrSiw_QKxee4uvFWRsbjMRtlC05ZQfQWohKFRCoUY3-SnvBJspXw9dlqkBT964Bb7H4K/s1600/Before+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFt_o9u3hoA8e-JA9BKgQcdNfcaEdqxgyl-YwyhjzIprnV1oWEOkZ8zwcXbEBfVbs10r9G1ARIrSiw_QKxee4uvFWRsbjMRtlC05ZQfQWohKFRCoUY3-SnvBJspXw9dlqkBT964Bb7H4K/s1600/Before+Front.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">FRONT BEFORE: 13 1/4 inches </span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t202"
style='position:absolute;margin-left:218.25pt;margin-top:295.5pt;width:229.5pt;
height:25.5pt;z-index:251667456;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;
mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-width-relative:margin;mso-height-relative:margin;v-text-anchor:top'
o:gfxdata="UEsDBBQABgAIAAAAIQC75UiUBQEAAB4CAAATAAAAW0NvbnRlbnRfVHlwZXNdLnhtbKSRvU7DMBSF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" strokecolor="white [3212]"/><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="height: 40px; margin-left: 290px; margin-top: 393px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 312px; z-index: 251667456;"></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDKZrVVoQUm2EjGu_VVWSZdeD9RkTxhyntehWwY6UXyA01fAxMwX0fIR1Ffaj72OAdPaksbY_FN1EdxSDRKeQntSUmEcjvXS9e7FHUj5gKQSCK7wvGbur-R5wiKgE5Hh7ZedSTfUKbS1L/s1600/After+Front+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDKZrVVoQUm2EjGu_VVWSZdeD9RkTxhyntehWwY6UXyA01fAxMwX0fIR1Ffaj72OAdPaksbY_FN1EdxSDRKeQntSUmEcjvXS9e7FHUj5gKQSCK7wvGbur-R5wiKgE5Hh7ZedSTfUKbS1L/s1600/After+Front+1.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyOu_PAixrz7o4YnPsNwouKRjGQLkbf230OnCFbTxCjt1ag9_qf1Z36-q-0YpQJ6BrrXzePCt-usHJ1jpj6Fc0nbXBr1kh5N8_QYh0gwp3FSrIRugCNfjz1wFmXxSRQXaoEhyp3LHmnvZ/s1600/After+Front+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyOu_PAixrz7o4YnPsNwouKRjGQLkbf230OnCFbTxCjt1ag9_qf1Z36-q-0YpQJ6BrrXzePCt-usHJ1jpj6Fc0nbXBr1kh5N8_QYh0gwp3FSrIRugCNfjz1wFmXxSRQXaoEhyp3LHmnvZ/s1600/After+Front+2.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">FRONT AFTER: 15 inches</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I love the curl pattern and density of the hair at the front of my head because it is the most consistent.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_37" o:spid="_x0000_i1034" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:4in;
height:3in;rotation:90;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\DEMETR~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg"
o:title="20140203_220958"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_38"
o:spid="_x0000_i1033" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:279pt;height:208.5pt;
rotation:90;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\DEMETR~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image009.jpg"
o:title="20140203_221016"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td></td><td bgcolor="white" height="40" style="background: white; border-bottom: white 0.75pt solid; border-left: white 0.75pt solid; border-right: white 0.75pt solid; border-top: white 0.75pt solid; vertical-align: top;" width="312"><!--[endif]--><!--[if !mso]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251663360;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><!--[endif]--><br />
<div class="shape" style="padding-bottom: 4.35pt; padding-left: 7.95pt; padding-right: 7.95pt; padding-top: 4.35pt;" v:shape="_x0000_s1027">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><!--[endif]--><!--[if !vml]--></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbUi-OU2vcXpiAghqsqBrCB3zus3ccB9Xe1ojKZDR36TB4rgwc-PMJsWJ9GIy6ivvTI96WkukBqFRngP5rb9hNUayKNpJQ7tpVpHvcBGbFbgvmyFHoxYNkqT9yRkBcj4t0Np6ZO0vH5EP/s1600/Before+front+right+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbUi-OU2vcXpiAghqsqBrCB3zus3ccB9Xe1ojKZDR36TB4rgwc-PMJsWJ9GIy6ivvTI96WkukBqFRngP5rb9hNUayKNpJQ7tpVpHvcBGbFbgvmyFHoxYNkqT9yRkBcj4t0Np6ZO0vH5EP/s1600/Before+front+right+side.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BEFORE: Front Right Side 14 inches</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee2o9pne_YOhMazehukyva-s_-MOmPNn6WtUYK_I7Hj9_gX9iibFhc74UEG4gxR9nO_ld6-RxgPNGCym3eGehmlOrxA7bH0otwoQnvobZ8hP08DGiTwZEFh9xGSLZTfsbWLMkad4MOzsv/s1600/After+front+right+side+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee2o9pne_YOhMazehukyva-s_-MOmPNn6WtUYK_I7Hj9_gX9iibFhc74UEG4gxR9nO_ld6-RxgPNGCym3eGehmlOrxA7bH0otwoQnvobZ8hP08DGiTwZEFh9xGSLZTfsbWLMkad4MOzsv/s1600/After+front+right+side+2.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">AFTER: Front Right Side 15 1/2 inches</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br clear="all" />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_8" o:spid="_x0000_i1031"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:280.5pt;height:280.5pt;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\DEMETR~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image013.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4NP-l39yGRGlz7d9vybx0QtemM74B7AF049NZwkUT8jphM6ozBn-5KhLbJE1e01etS0hhFKH1iPt_NdGKIRd6LBPBp42UYC3bi6Zsl5wehCZKvbu2Cm0oAdPdLe2Uoy_McVo7B6e99cm/s1600/Before+behind+ear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4NP-l39yGRGlz7d9vybx0QtemM74B7AF049NZwkUT8jphM6ozBn-5KhLbJE1e01etS0hhFKH1iPt_NdGKIRd6LBPBp42UYC3bi6Zsl5wehCZKvbu2Cm0oAdPdLe2Uoy_McVo7B6e99cm/s1600/Before+behind+ear.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BEFORE: Behind Ear </span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZmCzAl-29xuEFsHJSRH5_TnuVlknbMJitnbFRDdLJVDlfvGj8m0Li8fwiupwy8qJiSzpX6xY2MH4Y9TX6msVva_jzf2B5tn6QQuKSWcUnPzKSCipAPA5ms7FNMrh6m8xD4x_ZWKnkOkn/s1600/After+behind+ear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZmCzAl-29xuEFsHJSRH5_TnuVlknbMJitnbFRDdLJVDlfvGj8m0Li8fwiupwy8qJiSzpX6xY2MH4Y9TX6msVva_jzf2B5tn6QQuKSWcUnPzKSCipAPA5ms7FNMrh6m8xD4x_ZWKnkOkn/s1600/After+behind+ear.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">AFTER: Behind Ear </span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8B08xHpJHlcNqMkUoIxDAUXyI02aMOR2RbCwjTzR9aOTloI5rdvZ1RY3ePBw0MACQ_q3KNLdfQb3McdZ3JM6bEaoMVmhZSwb2GAwuqlSpUIDgrf1X36b3wJ7KalRMvehRut-h15pLFCq/s1600/Before+Volume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8B08xHpJHlcNqMkUoIxDAUXyI02aMOR2RbCwjTzR9aOTloI5rdvZ1RY3ePBw0MACQ_q3KNLdfQb3McdZ3JM6bEaoMVmhZSwb2GAwuqlSpUIDgrf1X36b3wJ7KalRMvehRut-h15pLFCq/s1600/Before+Volume.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;">BEFORE: Volume </span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS9HVQ_y2PR80gWDg8BYOZrB4PEhKkaMcXC8dhMZMRvqgD0IKEJJV8uFbo0lbdEQbs9UqLzg3vFTV2Zwvx-foCPsZ8rlQcE19ksGcoYfrQjj1xozKmyCCC_91i5kJlUvEdXNRzwcj-j7M/s1600/After+Volume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS9HVQ_y2PR80gWDg8BYOZrB4PEhKkaMcXC8dhMZMRvqgD0IKEJJV8uFbo0lbdEQbs9UqLzg3vFTV2Zwvx-foCPsZ8rlQcE19ksGcoYfrQjj1xozKmyCCC_91i5kJlUvEdXNRzwcj-j7M/s1600/After+Volume.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;">AFTER: Volume</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Overall, I was able to retain an average of about 1.5 inches in length throughout. I generally noticed an increase in the thickness/density of my hair and saw a major decrease in shedding. Because I have color on the ends, I noticed my ends were somewhat thinner, yet afterwards, they seemed more consistent with the rest of my hair strand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Can I attribute these changes solely to my use of Hairfinity Vitamins? Not conclusively, but what I can say is that I credit the Hairfinity team for causing me to pay attention to the care I give my hair and to be more consistent with my hair care routine and styling. I'm convinced that my hair will grow and I can retain length. I'm thankful too that my hair is the healthiest it’s ever been.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What are you doing to grow and retain length? Please share at info@lovemyhairitage.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Until next time- keep growing,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Demi</span></div>
</div>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-11218198700964016652014-03-03T10:40:00.000-06:002014-03-03T10:40:26.304-06:00Redefining BeautyCongrats Lupita Nyongo!!! Over the past few weeks Lupita has been all the rage on the fashion blogs and her dress at the Oscars did not disappoint. She was simply stunning. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2z6hnhjE1AeVp5rf0CU83I-MqQRzwf-JeeelA50Ak1D4nDrW5tcvQoMC9J43uvHMs_hJRLjVx2kzcZUnQxCVLBWgNPN_7qgS5Xpfd6cSZDlVyS79pv4fZyiOLl6eLXmV4vyDGiAiaas/s1600/Lupita-Nyongo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2z6hnhjE1AeVp5rf0CU83I-MqQRzwf-JeeelA50Ak1D4nDrW5tcvQoMC9J43uvHMs_hJRLjVx2kzcZUnQxCVLBWgNPN_7qgS5Xpfd6cSZDlVyS79pv4fZyiOLl6eLXmV4vyDGiAiaas/s1600/Lupita-Nyongo.jpg" height="320" width="198" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What made me truly fall in love was this line in her speech, "No matter where you're from, your dreams are valid." So I started researching Lupita and I came across the speech she gave at The Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon. You can also find the speech on YouTube.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"I want to take this opportunity to talk about beauty. Black beauty. Dark beauty. I received a letter from a girl and I’d like to share just a small part of it with you: "Dear Lupita," it reads, "I think you’re really lucky to be this Black but yet this successful in Hollywood overnight. I was just about to buy Dencia’s Whitenicious cream to lighten my skin when you appeared on the world map and saved me."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
My heart bled a little when I read those words. I could never have guessed that my first job out of school would be so powerful in and of itself and that it would propel me to be such an image of hope in the same way that the women of <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Color Purple</em> were to me. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I remember a time when I too felt unbeautiful. I put on the TV and only saw pale skin, I got teased and taunted about my night-shaded skin. And my one prayer to God, the miracle worker, was that I would wake up lighter-skinned. The morning would come and I would be so excited about seeing my new skin that I would refuse to look down at myself until I was in front of a mirror because I wanted to see my fair face first. And every day I experienced the same disappointment of being just as dark as I had been the day before. I tried to negotiate with God: I told him I would stop stealing sugar cubes at night if he gave me what I wanted; I would listen to my mother's every word and never lose my school sweater again if he just made me a little lighter. But I guess God was unimpressed with my bargaining chips because He never listened. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
And when I was a teenager my self-hate grew worse, as you can imagine happens with adolescence. My mother reminded me often that she thought that I was beautiful but that was no consolation: She’s my mother, of course she’s supposed to think I am beautiful. And then Alek Wek came on the international scene. A celebrated model, she was dark as night, she was on all of the runways and in every magazine and everyone was talking about how beautiful she was. Even Oprah called her beautiful and that made it a fact. I couldn’t believe that people were embracing a woman who looked so much like me as beautiful. My complexion had always been an obstacle to overcome and all of a sudden, Oprah was telling me it wasn’t. It was perplexing and I wanted to reject it because I had begun to enjoy the seduction of inadequacy. But a flower couldn’t help but bloom inside of me. When I saw Alek I inadvertently saw a reflection of myself that I could not deny. Now, I had a spring in my step because I felt more seen, more appreciated by the far away gatekeepers of beauty, but around me the preference for light skin prevailed. To the beholders that I thought mattered, I was still unbeautiful. And my mother again would say to me, "You can’t eat beauty. It doesn’t feed you." And these words plagued and bothered me; I didn’t really understand them until finally I realized that beauty was not a thing that I could acquire or consume, it was something that I just had to be. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
And what my mother meant when she said you can’t eat beauty was that you can’t rely on how you look to sustain you. What is fundamentally beautiful is compassion for yourself and for those around you. That kind of beauty enflames the heart and enchants the soul. It is what got Patsey in so much trouble with her master, but it is also what has kept her story alive to this day. We remember the beauty of her spirit even after the beauty of her body has faded away. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
And so I hope that my presence on your screens and in the magazines may lead you, young girl, on a similar journey. That you will feel the validation of your external beauty but also get to the deeper business of being beautiful inside. There is no shade to that beauty."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
AMEN!</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17322082227908052053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-18053948733365785982014-02-17T13:10:00.000-06:002014-02-17T13:10:50.923-06:00The Big Re-Chop<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello Beautiful,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve noticed recently, several naturalistas have been
opting for a shorter <i>Do</i>. In the
recent frenzy to have longer (and healthier) hair, many have decided to cut
several inches off their already natural (and in most cases, beautiful) mane. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>What has ignited The Big Re-Chop? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One example of a beautiful re-chop is @shabbysista of @mynaturalsistas.
Her new cut is flattering, full, and very becoming. Wonder what made her do the
big re-chop? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve also seen @taren916 cut, dye, dye it back, straighten,
get a wig, get rid of a wig, etc. You name it and she’s probably done it to her
gorgeous hair and it still rocks! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">@moknowshair says that some women opt to do a big re-chop
possibly to “get rid of heat or dye damage and start fresh.” Mo definitely KNOWS
HAIR!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I asked
a few other ladies what they thought and below are their responses for possible
reasons to do a big re-chop:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To
add or change the shape of your hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To start
a new hair growth/healthy hair journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Because
you were bored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Because
you hate the color/style/texture of your hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To
begin an easier maintenance routine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To
add more flexibility, pop, fullness to your current style.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Are you thinking about cutting your hair? If so why? If
not, why not? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We’d like to hear what your thoughts are. <b><i>Is a
re-chop in your future?</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>Write us at info@lovemyhairitage.com</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Healthy hair forever,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XOXO</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Demi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-79418681756273905792014-02-10T16:04:00.002-06:002014-02-20T07:09:11.676-06:00Upcoming Event: Curl Talk Focus GroupHey Laaaaddddiessss!<br />
<br />
Please join us for Ladies Focus Group - <b>Curl Talk</b>. We will discuss hair, body image, fitness, etc. We truly value the opinion of our community and would love your input.<br />
<br />
Details:<br />
Curl Talk Focus Group<br />
Polk-Wisdom Library<br />
March 1, 2014 at 2pm<br />
7151 Library Lane<br />
Dallas, TX 75232<br />
<br />
Please register at <a href="https://curltalkfocusgroup.eventbrite.com/">https://curltalkfocusgroup.eventbrite.com</a><br />
<br />
We hope to see you there!<br />
<br />
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17322082227908052053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-74043385858748703392014-02-03T11:33:00.000-06:002014-02-03T11:38:41.549-06:00Fierce Hair Feature<br />
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
line-height:200%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:14.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:major-bidi;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sonya’s Hair Story:</span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"> </span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://sonyawoods.blogspot.com/2014/01/i-am-not-my-hair.html">I Am Not My
Hair</a></span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once every two weeks, my mother would wash
and condition my hair as a young girl.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I inherited dull, coarse, and very kinky hair that
required a hot pressing comb to straighten it. Pressing was necessary in order
to navigate through the mane on my head. I was obsessed with having perfect
hair. In my finite thinking, long hair indicated beauty and I wanted it at any
cost. It was my crown of glory so to speak.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiah-jmFHMGO-SRbHDyfmaCB6QIn3zlIR9Rwa72Pnt4bTAMHIsyjzIq_VVmaez9MviFcTZcsFlNQqPJy26inJpQgEyySKHp7WDmpGD7anPkOSpGsoURy2HBWFLgNBY0W9qEmS_3lwPi9gDP/s1600/Sonya+pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiah-jmFHMGO-SRbHDyfmaCB6QIn3zlIR9Rwa72Pnt4bTAMHIsyjzIq_VVmaez9MviFcTZcsFlNQqPJy26inJpQgEyySKHp7WDmpGD7anPkOSpGsoURy2HBWFLgNBY0W9qEmS_3lwPi9gDP/s1600/Sonya+pic+1.jpg" height="320" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I vividly remember being in the second grade,
taking down my ponytails to get my hair washed. As I began combing, globs of
hair were coming from the top of my head. With every stroke, hair was in my
hands. I ran into the den to show my mother while screaming…My hair is
falling out! My mother was horrified. She could not believe what she was
seeing. I went blank after that. I have no memory of what happened the rest of
that night, except me crying.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The next few weeks, I went through a series
of tests and continued balding. My mother was given a prescription shampoo to
use daily to wash my hair. It was a painful process for the both of us. I cried
every day. My mother cried too, but she would cry and pray.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The top right side of my head was completely bald,
not a strand in sight. I was told my hair would never grow back. She said I
told my father she was trying to kill me. My mother would not accept the doctor’s
answer. She knitted a navy blue hat with a red flower for me to wear
every day. I wore it every single day, and she washed my hair every single
night. One day she stopped crying; she started to build my courage to endure. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She began planting the seed of prayer in my heart
as my tears watered them. I would hear her say, "Lord please let Sonya's
hair grow back." One day I began praying what I heard her say, and it was
so. It was several long months of prayers, but one day we saw growth. Fine
fuzzy hair started growing from the top of my head. I witnessed first-hand the
power of a praying mother. Little did I know, it was the beginning of my
faith walk in His plan for my life.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmyDWaoZFkRiVMrjJV2KJgICU3mWa_9nchheEYbiwEEQ1XVSvprt6XbHpZPFMYQkIxARL3qk6TLCxZp2ZhQJCrNKBz9QChDonlmZ2gLAjqZecy_2W4JMMEdL_v5J2lF2pp2awWkMVma2r/s1600/Sonya+pic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmyDWaoZFkRiVMrjJV2KJgICU3mWa_9nchheEYbiwEEQ1XVSvprt6XbHpZPFMYQkIxARL3qk6TLCxZp2ZhQJCrNKBz9QChDonlmZ2gLAjqZecy_2W4JMMEdL_v5J2lF2pp2awWkMVma2r/s1600/Sonya+pic+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CtQYwPRfqXIlbmi9t38CvU5ncnOpVBAMNYGKrpXI0vAA4ZepMqqHSgel0ugGSFYscQSa4szEx92NnbVJuWDNHQE9TZVFINB594UBMZ_9u4kEpXzJk8HRGQOfwRBtmR4LMEf5aLrDtLXt/s1600/IMG_1494.jpg"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are no photos of me in the navy blue hat or
without my hair. I was teased, taunted, and made fun of too many days. My
mother recognized the mental blow to my self-esteem and chose to protect me as
much as possible. No need to be reminded of the pain; I had been through enough
at this point. The above photo was taken in the third grade. I am in love with
this picture because my hair had grown back. It was my comeback moment! I
was so proud.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One day I promised the Lord if He allowed my hair
to never bald again, I would give Him glory with the hair I had left. He did
and I did. I still have moments of my hair thinning, but I keep praising and
thanking Him for what’s left.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am reminded of the story in second Corinthians
12:7, the Apostle Paul prayed for the thorn in his flesh to be removed. It was
God's way of keeping him humbled. Although I'm not Paul, my hair keeps me
humble. Whenever my hair sheds, when being complimented on my hair, I say
thank you. It's God's way of encouraging me. He builds my self-esteem and
whispers sweet nothings in my ear. I AM the manicurist, makeup artist, hair and
wardrobe stylist. All for His glory. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although you’re
not natural, do you think natural hair is a trend?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I do not think natural hair is a
trend. It is a way for some to express creativity; for others it could be
health reasons.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you believe
one’s style influences hair or vice-versa?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I definitely believe one’s style
influences their hair choice. Fashion does too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As a stylist,
you dress women daily. What connection if any, do you find between looks (hair
specifically) and self-esteem?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whatever is going on inwardly
will reflect in the outer appearance. When you say “I’m having a bad hair day,”
you are in essence saying a lot about your attitude. Your esteem is highly
affected by the way you think of yourself.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLxVbhWyLb3XUtWeLWA3FzTOAlacnXc-vvEyn2-1YNkEXYBvhHDjtTZp-KpAmDvzDQ5FnIYbC53dg-20Bm1It8RydGVFLsOr_4Huo1wXSMVS6f3Ma1qCSZTPSfxjVbbInWqfXznQcso_G/s1600/Sonya+pic+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLxVbhWyLb3XUtWeLWA3FzTOAlacnXc-vvEyn2-1YNkEXYBvhHDjtTZp-KpAmDvzDQ5FnIYbC53dg-20Bm1It8RydGVFLsOr_4Huo1wXSMVS6f3Ma1qCSZTPSfxjVbbInWqfXznQcso_G/s1600/Sonya+pic+4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt4cyerppQOOHQULWQtq0aOaW0__mkCaiT9KS3WXbSICWJD9ZrcEMxooTcnAm1Vw5XaKNsjDNxkMBUU4MxP5X_3rVD-kHx-e8_UoLve0gsZq91oht8F6NOo9hgfUgPTrEQZPVxotkTxAi/s1600/Sonya+pic+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3Lod_G7wcJwXdi7BqGRCWi36pwKfpOHRGBZRpL75KuxJdDMNoysE0mjTbhXkgNsLfwYrOxt9V2IVpbzueg5aIFj38tbTp_je5Y3Ux1MjuuJ8qHcxoV3cFOEgJU3SytsqCTRm8xBsUh0Q/s1600/IMG_8150.JPG"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoZ5ywYROckdRjD6NZZoDWddiyI3bcpNPK1YFRj423WIENWguyzG5bKgPWq4IC0kN6EgTFUKfEECMfTB-kW3maAL3oJqZhwNRW6jMsChvIMEWq7K5jv_0DmuZ7H2Uhi-FfoD7xe9MdjKN/s1600/IMG_2671.JPG"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt4cyerppQOOHQULWQtq0aOaW0__mkCaiT9KS3WXbSICWJD9ZrcEMxooTcnAm1Vw5XaKNsjDNxkMBUU4MxP5X_3rVD-kHx-e8_UoLve0gsZq91oht8F6NOo9hgfUgPTrEQZPVxotkTxAi/s1600/Sonya+pic+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt4cyerppQOOHQULWQtq0aOaW0__mkCaiT9KS3WXbSICWJD9ZrcEMxooTcnAm1Vw5XaKNsjDNxkMBUU4MxP5X_3rVD-kHx-e8_UoLve0gsZq91oht8F6NOo9hgfUgPTrEQZPVxotkTxAi/s1600/Sonya+pic+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">India Arie
said it best, </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I am not
my hair, I am not this skin, I am not your expectations;</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am a soul
deep within".</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You are not
your hair, you are more...</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is
purpose inside of you, use it for </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">His Glory!!</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank you Sonya, for sharing your hair story!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">XoXo,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Demi</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYO2r2lESYEpGn9fAAjM_K_mMO2BK5tA4cjDur-kZxp4FxJwHbpzyTsp4g8utViNca-uavQQUpE2kqxUCGthQKMTQ454OhJ7Rq77OoYBwpNFcH-yLcgr7piqimYphmIDIJT2-aRYB2LUh/s1600/IMG_1497.JPG"><br />
</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLxVbhWyLb3XUtWeLWA3FzTOAlacnXc-vvEyn2-1YNkEXYBvhHDjtTZp-KpAmDvzDQ5FnIYbC53dg-20Bm1It8RydGVFLsOr_4Huo1wXSMVS6f3Ma1qCSZTPSfxjVbbInWqfXznQcso_G/s1600/Sonya+pic+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1unofFSEKrqTcW2cbzJ1csux-92KQJxZAUszdx9HxMGIM030X5m_hp1FL9wH1nwGRcSiSP0xnVpVNFjchvjrdKxkSG3WIPpTOIap-jbZOcsaQri-v98kHeDnZZYFESyNYCY-K_A41g39h/s1600/Sonya+pic+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-77794837436990842882014-01-27T12:12:00.000-06:002014-01-27T12:12:20.563-06:00Grammy Awards 2014I tuned in to watch the Grammy Awards last night. Other than a handful of performances, it was a snooze fest. I found myself flipping between the awards and the pro bowl. Let's start with the fashion. Overall the ladies and gents did a great job. There are a few stylists that are out of a job today but let's stay on the positive end.<br />
<br />
Here are my favs ladies of the night - Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and Ciara<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoNN3oSKhLPVD1l2oY7WPHZAzFa_LXLpF6oiVPcy4J8DKOPScuLNl9XTv8lBHYLmJ-I7jC0S6VcFA80NnTWy5Zmfhkunb-mqUsMotrWF3UyzixGapxs6FjTZBcg8EXBVDsGaTgXJ51Lw/s1600/grammys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoNN3oSKhLPVD1l2oY7WPHZAzFa_LXLpF6oiVPcy4J8DKOPScuLNl9XTv8lBHYLmJ-I7jC0S6VcFA80NnTWy5Zmfhkunb-mqUsMotrWF3UyzixGapxs6FjTZBcg8EXBVDsGaTgXJ51Lw/s1600/grammys.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Men - John Legend, Kevin Hart, Kendrick Lamar, and Robin Thicke<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTsq8e5W6ZPgU6IMnHuUilhv-wJjya5kkzjbaiLkDnSPbmnrN-LlBfoNWgvx61327E5iBlA1JkclhZsAgOd7Btya27WI6Vad5vEEos7Unikyh1qcwyY9lBjq5yhoIhxZ72r-OL2N-Vbs/s1600/grammys+men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTsq8e5W6ZPgU6IMnHuUilhv-wJjya5kkzjbaiLkDnSPbmnrN-LlBfoNWgvx61327E5iBlA1JkclhZsAgOd7Btya27WI6Vad5vEEos7Unikyh1qcwyY9lBjq5yhoIhxZ72r-OL2N-Vbs/s1600/grammys+men.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The best performance of the night hands down goes to Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons. It was great. Twitter was buzzing during this performance. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8vfM6krCeDx1yjZCnDHbDEf8Wa82H1kycjN7-ICaKpzSRyOvFQHmYyEhuRGKavYFyWf8D3KpmKJhooemnxTX2iUnnXrsc9_5V2fdpW-raaTg5sYX8ipMlgb_h_WM87gBI45QqxvK3LE/s1600/kend1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8vfM6krCeDx1yjZCnDHbDEf8Wa82H1kycjN7-ICaKpzSRyOvFQHmYyEhuRGKavYFyWf8D3KpmKJhooemnxTX2iUnnXrsc9_5V2fdpW-raaTg5sYX8ipMlgb_h_WM87gBI45QqxvK3LE/s1600/kend1.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Of course, we have to mention Mrs. Carter. I like the new sensual side of Beyonce.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKaIGUk1c5ElREIL3x7Q9HrCqtLjfK1vwkW9-YD7R3UPuw0WCAwMkxqRuwsBoHMTGlcwGGLxC-gI0csD02yWm2I7cQP5KoSkRuHG578pKZHcVh_cxpR9WGt-rqzv390ijkm6xBbuZV6M/s1600/Beyonce-Jay-Z-Grammys-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKaIGUk1c5ElREIL3x7Q9HrCqtLjfK1vwkW9-YD7R3UPuw0WCAwMkxqRuwsBoHMTGlcwGGLxC-gI0csD02yWm2I7cQP5KoSkRuHG578pKZHcVh_cxpR9WGt-rqzv390ijkm6xBbuZV6M/s1600/Beyonce-Jay-Z-Grammys-2014.jpg" height="400" width="377" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And I absolutely love the PDA of The Carter's</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKOpGBCgpAHOt1Vx8mZAJyG0z1M4JA6h54zIosCHWflVfyDvDOHhRgkW4QKfqrN04-aVc87Dea66t3KTMimE8gy_etwQMFJ333KuYJSGpxSVGFbT6Y11zrgWWjHL_Pz8qPjVezF1QUvc/s1600/pda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKOpGBCgpAHOt1Vx8mZAJyG0z1M4JA6h54zIosCHWflVfyDvDOHhRgkW4QKfqrN04-aVc87Dea66t3KTMimE8gy_etwQMFJ333KuYJSGpxSVGFbT6Y11zrgWWjHL_Pz8qPjVezF1QUvc/s1600/pda.jpg" height="400" width="275" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope Blue enjoys her new sippy cup. Did you watch the Grammy's?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
XOXO,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lisa</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17322082227908052053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-10566661827266722562014-01-13T15:13:00.004-06:002014-01-13T15:13:58.124-06:00Fierce Hair Feature<br />
<br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<b><div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTCZpZ3du2FPDA2Oquohq-5Kivcq1s7GLEvSFWQqYtUS1e8l8UwJkdKO8POrXTXPIeEgC3WvYc3Yohlt64-xx8UUrCvMqxGFRzARrzzjQh0bi-kJ7ThUkfC1OIia967Y-LSJB4jjzXkw/s1600/ebby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTCZpZ3du2FPDA2Oquohq-5Kivcq1s7GLEvSFWQqYtUS1e8l8UwJkdKO8POrXTXPIeEgC3WvYc3Yohlt64-xx8UUrCvMqxGFRzARrzzjQh0bi-kJ7ThUkfC1OIia967Y-LSJB4jjzXkw/s320/ebby.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Ebony's Hair Story</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
How long have you been natural?</b> 6 years, since 2008. My hair had been relaxed/permed since 5th grade.<br /><br /><b> What was the determining factor in going natural?</b> My hair was being damaged badly by relaxers and excessive heat/flat irons. Relaxers were too harsh and I felt like I couldn't do anything nice to it unless I had a “fresh perm.” My older sister, who was already natural, inspired me to do the same in 2008. I've been in love with my hair ever since.<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghALW60Yntjj6RSQZS-Et8xBcYjD3sM0qPU1mkve0wjpk5N2IU8xbGW33kNbfv23bsjYh19V-K6FFowhn4DwZd-gYJXZwUE8_4BKyr8EemM7xKo5LQdVSWzJ1bFri6N5ZrpppJJ7WALbY/s1600/ebby5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghALW60Yntjj6RSQZS-Et8xBcYjD3sM0qPU1mkve0wjpk5N2IU8xbGW33kNbfv23bsjYh19V-K6FFowhn4DwZd-gYJXZwUE8_4BKyr8EemM7xKo5LQdVSWzJ1bFri6N5ZrpppJJ7WALbY/s200/ebby5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<b>Did you receive any flak for going natural?</b> Most people were very supportive and loved my natural hair. I get compliments on my hair from people of all nationalities and races. It was actually my mom who I caught the most flak from. She liked my hair better long and relaxed. She feels that natural hair is not acceptable in the corporate world and that it can hinder a black woman’s career growth.</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10Srs9pacSa0gweRQbAKfGr2rqlRsMOmmQF4hFuEgpqAFxecrfsqxTtgFYxETohQt6ylc5YHsYl51Tk8uCzC-ZubaTbyGNPXGIAbqBhyphenhyphenxdbXRBNoJcyvnHjlXRbDfV3CdEnV0jog1gCw/s1600/ebby3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><b><br />What is something you wish you would have known before making this jump?</b> I wish I would have known how much easier it would be to maintain my hair in its natural state, compared to when it’s relaxed. For some, it may take more effort and time to manage their natural hair, but for me, it makes things so much easier. I spend, on average, about 5 minutes doing my hair in the mornings now. When I was relaxed, I’d spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour trying to do something with my hair every morning. <br /><br /><b>Did you transition or big chop? How was that experience?</b> I transitioned from a relaxed bob to a natural bob, trimming the relaxed ends a little more every couple months until all the relaxer had been cut off. I flat ironed the new growth close to my scalp so that it would match the portion of my hair that was straight. I also wore corn rows or twists sometimes during this transition period. After having them in for a few days, I would take the twists down and wear a twist out style for the next couple of days. </div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10Srs9pacSa0gweRQbAKfGr2rqlRsMOmmQF4hFuEgpqAFxecrfsqxTtgFYxETohQt6ylc5YHsYl51Tk8uCzC-ZubaTbyGNPXGIAbqBhyphenhyphenxdbXRBNoJcyvnHjlXRbDfV3CdEnV0jog1gCw/s1600/ebby3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10Srs9pacSa0gweRQbAKfGr2rqlRsMOmmQF4hFuEgpqAFxecrfsqxTtgFYxETohQt6ylc5YHsYl51Tk8uCzC-ZubaTbyGNPXGIAbqBhyphenhyphenxdbXRBNoJcyvnHjlXRbDfV3CdEnV0jog1gCw/s200/ebby3.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>What products are you using currently?</b> I use Pantene Pro-V relaxed and Natural Shampoo and Conditioner. I love the way this conditioner leaves my hair feeling so soft and easy to comb through. I have also used Miss Jessie’s curly pudding in the past. I liked that product but decided it was becoming too expensive and difficult to come by. I like to be able to walk into any grocery or drug store and find what I need. A lot of Miss Jessie’s products are only available online.<br /><b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>In your opinion, what is the best thing about being natural?</b> The best thing about being natural to me is the freedom. I am not at the mercy of any hairstylist and there are no particular products I absolutely have to have for my hair to look its best. I just wake up, shower, shampoo once and condition, then let it air dry. Whichever way the wind blows is what I’ll be rocking for the day. I still clip my own ends and like to experiment with color.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqU9hAS0VLQXKHQnD-3N9vjUODDWQlWXfKUQsXLc4iyFdTmKXfAgyqVmK0lWlEfl5nbXMrx8GeASH7ttpLtGsCKUVd1XTqxBMyDlSJLIQoutuoyoMGN-TGiwa1sl51ut8-oeJNmifp4o/s1600/ebby6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqU9hAS0VLQXKHQnD-3N9vjUODDWQlWXfKUQsXLc4iyFdTmKXfAgyqVmK0lWlEfl5nbXMrx8GeASH7ttpLtGsCKUVd1XTqxBMyDlSJLIQoutuoyoMGN-TGiwa1sl51ut8-oeJNmifp4o/s200/ebby6.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /><b>What are your thoughts about this natural hair trend?</b> Do you feel as though it’s a trend? Unfortunately I do feel like it is a trend. Like many other trends, it is popular and cool to jump on the bandwagon right now. Something will eventually take its place on the ‘new trends’ shelf and then only true naturalistas will remain.<br /><br /><b>Any suggestions/tips for other thinking about this natural journey?</b> My suggestion to those thinking of taking the leap is to ask yourself why you are considering it. Don’t let people around you influence the way you feel about yourself and/or your hair. Our hair makes us unique and you should embrace that part of yourself and own it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsn4uQJrOL4Cyp9qDBKqFdt9LawQeg_KeIijVqlut-NUtRB9IA7DcSl5lyl2htDFuC9LOretDfI7Ou5Md0127DEr1C98fSL3DwpBkBuXu5WPH5uCOsTXGWpepFLHnefFo6ODrTFe_tSs/s1600/ebby2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsn4uQJrOL4Cyp9qDBKqFdt9LawQeg_KeIijVqlut-NUtRB9IA7DcSl5lyl2htDFuC9LOretDfI7Ou5Md0127DEr1C98fSL3DwpBkBuXu5WPH5uCOsTXGWpepFLHnefFo6ODrTFe_tSs/s320/ebby2.jpg" width="213" /></a><br /><br /><br />Thanks Ebony for sharing your story!</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17322082227908052053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-49111809803383970052014-01-06T13:03:00.001-06:002014-01-06T13:03:37.512-06:00Heat Damage CheckTips on preventing heat damage<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Always use a heat protectant. Silicone based products preferably.</li>
<li>Use heat on clean hair. Product build up can make your hair more susceptible to heat damage.</li>
<li>Use on healthy hair. If your hair is already damaged it is more vulnerable.</li>
<li>Take control. Use heat appliances with a temperature dial - not just low and high settings. Healthy burns at approximately 450 degrees. Use a lower temp for fine hair (upper 200s) and coarse hair may be able to handle higher temperatures.</li>
<li>Do not use heat appliances on your hair for more than a few seconds. Don't linger.</li>
<li>Do you! Learn your hair. Just because your friend using heat weekly doesn't mean your hair can tolerate regular heat styling. </li>
<li>Professional help. If all else fails and/or you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, seek the help of a licensed, creditable stylist.</li>
</ol>
<div>
As promised my heat damage check</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The results are in...drum roll please....NO heat damage. WHEW I'm so relieved. I opted for suggestions #7 - Professional help. A licensed stylist flat ironed my hair. I'm certain that is the reason I have no heat damage. Here are a few pictures</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4JmnnTwtlWdUx99tql_iGZ2m9lXNy6PTRhS-pkO-4JuP6lvDqoQzECphsZ8CurpW7AehdUeAlfLxCpxa92XHgBnazbFZ176b_gn0oo_JRQVAxhyyijXcoP9pgHX5qF3H2I538E3SdLY/s1600/IMG_0443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4JmnnTwtlWdUx99tql_iGZ2m9lXNy6PTRhS-pkO-4JuP6lvDqoQzECphsZ8CurpW7AehdUeAlfLxCpxa92XHgBnazbFZ176b_gn0oo_JRQVAxhyyijXcoP9pgHX5qF3H2I538E3SdLY/s1600/IMG_0443.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Om2zzBEDGNVIsfJiRFtbFB9gHOYJfyNFJ9zpLEzxmY1b9C4R5_H44oPkooAaKaz5R3VXbGAWXBccosyaF_Qi-eglaor_XeYCxo2onUaiQhC73SlZNB4kLwqgHDKGKRB7r53JHhiSq4M/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Om2zzBEDGNVIsfJiRFtbFB9gHOYJfyNFJ9zpLEzxmY1b9C4R5_H44oPkooAaKaz5R3VXbGAWXBccosyaF_Qi-eglaor_XeYCxo2onUaiQhC73SlZNB4kLwqgHDKGKRB7r53JHhiSq4M/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-9VfIemqAo3W-be_eG-9NCF1apriy0RBnlF5C4dPyggEN3pWUkU9xfcDP60UnXfpAFlYbOIsV-NCW7tbloFJQel25RE1b3WqZMkbwTIlE_n9navfVFkMeXOAXPDp6FG0KM-2QU8yKBw/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-9VfIemqAo3W-be_eG-9NCF1apriy0RBnlF5C4dPyggEN3pWUkU9xfcDP60UnXfpAFlYbOIsV-NCW7tbloFJQel25RE1b3WqZMkbwTIlE_n9navfVFkMeXOAXPDp6FG0KM-2QU8yKBw/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Products used to wash my hair<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Curl Rehab Moisturizing Treatment - Strawberry Ice-Cream scent (left on for 1 hour) by Curl Junkie</li>
<li>Moisture Retention Shampoo by Shea Moisture </li>
<li>Leave in conditioner by As I Am</li>
<li>Twist Defining Cream by As I Am</li>
</ul>
<div>
XOXO,</div>
<div>
Lisa</div>
</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17322082227908052053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-40377015983457144042013-12-31T06:30:00.000-06:002013-12-31T06:30:01.947-06:00Heat DamageI'm afraid....I straightened my hair for the first time in a year and I'm afraid to wash it for fear of heat damage. Previously, I was the flat iron queen! Religiously I would get my hair flat ironed every two weeks so I'm very familiar with heat damage. My hair has been straight for 12 days and the time has come to wash it. So let's discuss heat damage. <br />
<br />
A strand of hair is made up of cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The cuticle is the outermost layer which protects the cortex. During heat styling, if the cuticle is completely removed it leaves the cortex exposed. The cortex is made of keratin (a protein). When heat is applied to a protein it changes the structure thus resulting in heat damage.<br />
<br />
Causes of heat damage<br />
- Frequent heat styling<br />
- Use of heat styling tools with a very high temperature - hair burns at<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px;">233C (451.4F)</span><br />
- Not using a heat protectant (be mindful you can still experience heat damage while using a protectant)<br />
<br />
Signs of heat damage<br />
- After washing your natural curl pattern does not return<br />
- Excessive split ends and breakage<br />
- Limp and dull hair<br />
<br />
Here is a picture of my straight hair. Check back next week for the results of my heat damage check and tips on how to prevent heat damage.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWWsxUfXvzBp01K8sdZuXIxyDBWuZnn5ORyaa8MMJWOVqCGIZS0TP4ZijZQmAdyJoSpbHkzzZqmz7jgBQPmVmPkQsdEWPrczqDoZjIuQ5RRJCOL-iJVtWzYpjerGjY6gyf6A4OGCSiBc/s1600/Screenshot_2013-12-30-22-18-25-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWWsxUfXvzBp01K8sdZuXIxyDBWuZnn5ORyaa8MMJWOVqCGIZS0TP4ZijZQmAdyJoSpbHkzzZqmz7jgBQPmVmPkQsdEWPrczqDoZjIuQ5RRJCOL-iJVtWzYpjerGjY6gyf6A4OGCSiBc/s320/Screenshot_2013-12-30-22-18-25-1.png" width="197" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
XOXO,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lisa</div>
<br />
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17322082227908052053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709413166219794581.post-65787264476016488292013-12-23T07:30:00.000-06:002013-12-23T07:30:01.037-06:00Part II: LaTresha Sayles: The Force Behind Tree Naturals<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hi Curlies, </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank you for joining us again for part two of the interview with the founder of Tree Naturals, Latresha Sayles. We posed a few hair-important questions, and below are her responses.</span><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 31.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tell us your hair story - Why did you decide
to go natural?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I stumbled upon my
natural hair journey. I was ready for something new plus my schedule was very
busy and I was tired of going to the salon all the time and waiting for
hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, I just wanted to sleep
without “sleeping cute.”</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember at my last
visit I told my stylist to just cut it all off and I’d figure it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said, “So you’re going natural?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My response was “What’s that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lol, I haven’t looked back since! Today, four
years later my hair is almost waist length and extremely healthy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 31.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Did you big chop or transition?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I did the big chop in
July 2009.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 31.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>What
were some of your challenges?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I felt extremely lost
and all alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one in my circle
looked like me and I didn’t see naturals out and about like I do now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t have anyone to have “curl talk” with
and I quickly realized that I needed someone, because I was uneducated on how
to care for my hair in its natural state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was given my first perm around age 5 or 6 and relaxed hair was all I
knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hair was beginning to get
extremely dry and break off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone
mentioned there was a huge natural hair community on YouTube and I found so
much love and support there.<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(This pic was about 3
months into my journey…I hated my hair and I hated taking pics!) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1cubfbCDNbvpXbzTmhEat03Y0h_zhrEAKEJ_eK0edO8ONS_CwqXxKYU7bdJz13H1f01pKRIfNAZUlknvrEQOH2XcY5EFTJOzgA_-n0cAjCQU9VldOl-wga49duZPBMrqZ5PQ8XnSg1Lc/s1600/Tree_Chop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1cubfbCDNbvpXbzTmhEat03Y0h_zhrEAKEJ_eK0edO8ONS_CwqXxKYU7bdJz13H1f01pKRIfNAZUlknvrEQOH2XcY5EFTJOzgA_-n0cAjCQU9VldOl-wga49duZPBMrqZ5PQ8XnSg1Lc/s1600/Tree_Chop.jpg" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Did you receive push back from others (work,
family, friends) for going natural?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not really, but I
could tell my Grandmother and Pop Pop didn’t understand it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Pop Pop swore I was wearing a wig!</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I did
get the stares from folks at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Overall
I received mostly very positive feedback, but we all have to go through that
learning phase, and it’s so funny to me now because the same folks who made me
feel uncomfortable are asking me for advice! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 31.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What was/is the greatest benefit for you from
going natural?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was able to discover
so much about myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that I’m
able to switch up my look whenever I want!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I want straight hair, curly hair, wavy hair, whatever it is I can do
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a lot stronger than I give
myself credit for and I’m a lot more confident as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rocking a huge fro’ gets you a lot of
attention and is definitely a conversation starter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, more importantly because I was
struggling with my own natural hair, I was able to tap into a hidden gift I had
to create the Tree Naturals product line that helps other naturals on a daily
basis; I think that’s the greatest benefit of all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlK8UOpT71NNrG6NoKMrjmj87KAXiBO_o9nx7_to6ULxzdfryTsCMRPuXJEJt551EAJmt7PtDJoGYSqbPXbb_R_DCcoxXcdZQ26nfFd9aQqhkwzEhsRZr1nEeRMMOuNzjVeU3oZB7AuF94/s1600/Tree_Straight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlK8UOpT71NNrG6NoKMrjmj87KAXiBO_o9nx7_to6ULxzdfryTsCMRPuXJEJt551EAJmt7PtDJoGYSqbPXbb_R_DCcoxXcdZQ26nfFd9aQqhkwzEhsRZr1nEeRMMOuNzjVeU3oZB7AuF94/s320/Tree_Straight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOqmcDA5crb87eVZdNCpCZaDD0bdhM8LD_EK9DQy7yT21iv5AXw8U5XtHhTvXVdA0M4k2afByRJXbsxOQhv2Jq1zJ89l5ii8OePifbI3whpMR9agQHpK1geU5a4hbdOxE56zkNYAG3Xht/s1600/Tree_Side+swept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOqmcDA5crb87eVZdNCpCZaDD0bdhM8LD_EK9DQy7yT21iv5AXw8U5XtHhTvXVdA0M4k2afByRJXbsxOQhv2Jq1zJ89l5ii8OePifbI3whpMR9agQHpK1geU5a4hbdOxE56zkNYAG3Xht/s320/Tree_Side+swept.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 31.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 31.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> In your opinion, is natural hair a trend? What
is the future of natural hair?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Absolutely not!
Natural hair is not a fad or a trend, it’s a lifestyle and like it or not world
WE naturals are here to stay!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never let
anyone tell you it’s “just hair” because it’s so much more than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have consistently fought for acceptance
and our hair is a part of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
think of the future of natural hair all I see are FRO’s!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What message can we send to our girls about
embracing their natural beauty?</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whether I’m at an
event or just talking to our little ones, I always try to show them that they
should be very proud of who they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are beautiful, just the way they are. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children
are like little sponges and they soak up what we do; if they see we love
ourselves and we are proud of how we are naturally, that helps them to love
themselves just as they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
especially important for our little girls, because it all starts with
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember I was in the grocery
store and there was a little natural girl there just staring at me so I waved
“hi” at her and kept on walking, but I heard her tell her Mother, “Mom, look!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looks just like me!!” My heart was filled
with joy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here’s a picture of a
little natural princess I met at a recent event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I styled her hair and she was so happy and
full of life and personality. I could tell that she was so proud of her new
hairstyle and to see the look of confidence on her face was overwhelming! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOU0fKtThD9m1Ef78RYHL5cAwbXB2hASFrnewFH0KZfezRqO-JSa0OQU4IbnmUUmhQhG_5qKybZlddCvUoiDx9aCFMpioJiybPgQIJZrdZKGuTmgrSVRBfH_2OMFyhqLuhXlKMU3TjRATJ/s1600/Tree_Girlie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOU0fKtThD9m1Ef78RYHL5cAwbXB2hASFrnewFH0KZfezRqO-JSa0OQU4IbnmUUmhQhG_5qKybZlddCvUoiDx9aCFMpioJiybPgQIJZrdZKGuTmgrSVRBfH_2OMFyhqLuhXlKMU3TjRATJ/s320/Tree_Girlie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 31.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 31.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> How did Tree Naturals come to be? What is your
goal as a company, what can we expect in the future?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tree Naturals was born
in 2011 out of frustration with my own hair and the need for quality products that
would perform as promised and although I loved being a product junky, it did
not hide the fact that my hair was looking a hot mess, which made me feel
unattractive and it was affecting my self-esteem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began recording video tutorials on YouTube
and my very first product I made was a whipped hair & body butter that I
kept in a Tupperware container.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
subscribers began noticing how my hair was getting healthier and they demanded
to know my secrets…and what was in the container! After that I began manufacturing
Tree Naturals products to share with the world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our goal is to provide
the best all-natural products for our customers that feed and nourish their
curls while helping them to grow the big hair they want! We also enjoy
educating our curlies through our YouTube channel and at our events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of our goals as a company for 2014 are
to travel to more cities and attend the World Natural Hair Show! We want Tree Naturals
to be a house hold name!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_aGTRDMVfwTndqsuCEwf60_7hiMZcEnsy81K0ysldRsDs84JveVChNyBbzeToVTtPU4YJXq0X_aoDSl04alQ4Sjcoa8t6UFS1Xa6Qe5uhrHFS0cm-_yZ_dT8TiNjfa7Ez270OZicWpOf/s1600/Tree+Part+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_aGTRDMVfwTndqsuCEwf60_7hiMZcEnsy81K0ysldRsDs84JveVChNyBbzeToVTtPU4YJXq0X_aoDSl04alQ4Sjcoa8t6UFS1Xa6Qe5uhrHFS0cm-_yZ_dT8TiNjfa7Ez270OZicWpOf/s320/Tree+Part+II.jpg" width="320" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Upcoming events, how to order, etc?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We participated in
about 15 events for 2013; one of them being our very 1<sup>st</sup> Pop Up
Shop, so as the year closes out we are working on our 2014 calendar, so stay
tuned for updates! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At this time you can
order online at </span><a href="http://www.treenaturals.com/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.treenaturals.com</span></a> <span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and be sure to sign up to receive our newsletter to stay
informed of all things Tree Naturals!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Keep up with us on
Facebook at </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/treenaturals"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.facebook.com/treenaturals</span></a><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twitter @treenaturals</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Instagram
@treenaturals</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Recently, Tree Naturals became available at Regency Square Mall @the Epic Curls Boutique (Richmond, Virginia). </i><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Congrats and thank you, Tree for sharing with us!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Xoxo,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Demi </span></div>
Demihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912393849708846044noreply@blogger.com1