My Biggest Inspiration...

As everyone knows, my biggest inspiration is Janelle Monae. If I could, I would hijack her entire wardrobe. I recently tried to figure out my new obsession with black and white. That seems to be the only colors that I buy lately. Then I realized, I am definitely embodying everything that Janelle stands for. From the simple yet sophisticated wardrobe, to the use of her image to promote positivity.

The reason I love her so much is because for the first time, I saw a beautiful, strong, black woman in the lime light, who dressed and carried herself modestly. Her music wasn't talking about anything provocative, nor did she demean herself in her videos. She took a completely different approach to her image, and I admire her for that.

Before I even really started wearing ties myself (although in high school I tried it out every now again), I had an obsession with them. I loved seeing a man dressed up in a suit and tie. I already knew the contents of my future husbands closet. Then I thought, why wait until then? So from there, my style evolved. Not sure if I'll continue wearing them so often (I got asked if i was a lesbian a little while back), but they will forever be in my wardrobe in some way.

Thank you Janelle, for representing women who's rather be valued for their mind and for their body.

I do not own any of the pictures used above. 

30 Day Challenge: Day 24...

My favorite song is Signal Fire by Snow Patrol. It was been my favorite song since my freshman year in high school. This song really got me through some tough times. I fell in love with this song when I started expanding my horizons. I called it my enlightening phase of my life. I chopped all my hair off, started listening to different kinds of music, made all types of friends, and I dove head first into exploring who I was. It was a beautiful point in my life. I was more sure of who I was at that time compared to any other point in my life. And this song helped navigate me through it.

The lyrics are so simple and the words are so clear, yet so complex and applicable to any part of your life. It made me value honesty, transparency, and life itself.

30 Day Challenge: Day 23...

I have been natural for a little over 3 years, and I have gone through my fair share of products. I have some ups and downs, and 2 cabinets full of products that will never see the light of day until I decide to throw them away. So many brands can be deceiving with their false advertising.

I have learned to start reading the ingredients. That is the biggest thing for me. At one point in time, I went all natural, using only things made from the earth on my hair but it became expensive on my Ramen twice a week budget, and hard to find in West Texas. Until one day I stumbled up Carols Daughter. I have been using Lisa's brand ever since. I have deviated to see if I could find something cheaper, but nothing works as well. And trust when I say, a little goes a long way with her products.

My only issue with them is that they have started cutting corners. When I first started using them, they used rich ingredients like coconut oil or jojoba oil. Now they use corn oil or sunflower seed oil which doesn't do as much for your hair. But I still love their products. I just stopped using the products that they have cut corners on.

My hair just feels different with this on it. And it seals in moisture really well.

I hate how thick it is, but it works to keep my twists for over 2 weeks if
I need it, combined with the hair balm.

This is a must for a roller set, twist out, or a blow out.  

I'm not a fan of the smell, but it works well when braiding my hair.

This is my favorite deep conditioner. Mixed with honey and olive oil,
 it leaves my hair shinny and smelling amazing. 

30 Day Challenge: Day 14...

I have an obsession with short hair. I have cut all my hair off twice in my life because of it. Not sure if I can bring myself to do it again after all the progress that I've made, but I can still lust after these hair styles. Haha, even if no one can really see it.