CBC Week, how I wore my hair and a few dresses

It was recently CBC week here in DC (Congressional Black Caucus) which means a full week of workshops, events, parties and networking.  I tried to go hard in the paint lol.  I went out after work from Wed straight through Saturday, and washed the press out of my hair on Friday (and kept right on going!)

Conclusion... I am no longer a spring chicken.  I was SOOO exhausted by Sunday! But I had a great time at most of the events I went to (not all).  Here are some picts from the days I remembered to take them.  I was feeling the two dresses below.  The green one is from ASOS and the black and grey one I got from Filene's Basement before it closed last year.

Stretched wash and go

Nothing really to report on but I have a few picts of a stretched wash and go from this past weekend.

I was out and about Friday night and wanted to wear my hair out.  I stretched it with my hand held blow dryer manually that morning, and I wore it at work in a few buns whenever I was sitting at my desk.  That night I let it free on the town lol.

I did the wash and go the day before on Thursday morning with some Fructise cream I am trying out and the Eco style Argen oil (yellow) gel.  It was an average wash and go, with pretty good next day results.  I've added some shea butter daily to keep it soft and shiny, and as of today I have still not washed my hair lol.  I have it in a big flat twist in front and a side bun.  SO I guess it was successful as a styling session for longevity! 

here are picts from being out Friday night:

Hurricane Haul!

Holy Hurricane!

My mom is here visiting and lo and behold, punctuating her visit is a huge hurricane.  I hate Irene.

So before we had to shutter ourselves in for the day we went food shopping and as usual, that turned into product and goodies shopping.  :-)

We are lucky to be in close proximity to Glut Co-op and Nicey's Boutique. Both are in Mt. Rainier, Md (between Hyattsville and DC).  Both offer the opportunity to score great textile & food, goods & products.  And we spent over an hour shopping lol.  Here is out collective haul:

From Glut, aside from lots of yummy food and dry goods, we got Nature's Blessing Hair Pomade, Zuresh foaming full body cleanser (long time favorite of both of ours) Grapeseed oil, and Dr. Bronner - Castile Soap.  From Nisey's we got 2 beautiful, stretchy scarves, two large winter type hats, A beautiful royal blue Tam, some see-through socks (lol) some of those necklaces you can double and bend up to your hearts content, a copper bracelet for my ailing wrist, some sparkling headbands (for $1 each!!! on sale), some lip gloss sticks, and some aromatic oils for those oil burners. AND she was having a 40% off sale so we got everything for almost half off marked prices!  She even carries Kinky Curly products, mixed chicks, and several other brands of products, soaps and incense. Plus clothes and hats- and I almost forgot- the "Good Hair" tote in the background!  I love it and can't wait to do my general shopping with it.  I may leave it in my car so that I always have it.

We also went to Yes Organics grocery store in DC after our lunch at Eatonville (yum!) and got some Braggs Apple cider vinegar, and Aztec Secret - Indian Healing Bentonite Clay for facials we did last night. I also got another bottle of my KMF gel and decided to try their conditioner. We're all stocked up on yummy foods and watching the rain come down.  But after this blows through, I encourage all my readers in DC to take trip the Glut and Nicey's next door to do some fun and wholesome shopping, while supporting a natural black entrepreneur and a non-profit that feeds back (literally) into their community.

(extra points for anyone who can play I Spy in the photo above and see what other MD food we have been partaking in lol) 

SunFest and Happy Father's day!

Hey there!  Happy Fathers Day to all the daddies out there, including my daddy!

 Me, my dad, and his dad.

Today I will hanging with my BF and his son at the SunFest in Silverspring.  There will be a little natural hair area with a few vendors including Safi Haircare!  I'll be there to meet folks and answer any questions people have about natural hair.  I made little tiney cards too lol.  Even thought I'm not selling anything I hope to be able to contribute to the booth.  Come by with your dad and the dads in your life.  There will be lots of entertainment.

D.M.V. Shout out!

Hey DMV ladies! (DC, MD, VA)

I have met a few women in person who read my blog and I just want to say that it really makes my day to know you are on here and appreciate the blog enough to say hello.  And then I feel bad that I am not posting as often as I want to lol.

So a big Hello! to you all, anyone who has seen me out and about and said hi, and everyone reading and checking out the picts (and sometimes vids). I am glad I can help, and entertain and share.  I appreciate the love!

*hugs*

Sooo in the spirit of sharing for my DMV friends (sorry everyone else!)- I discovered a product seemingly exclusive to Safeway and its partners.  A brand called In-KIND.  It was $5 each on sale as I walked down the product aisle, which I habitually do even when I should not.  The only info I can find about the product on the internet is about the new bottle designs, which are quite fabulous!  So I was a sucker and grabbed the Curl Care Conditioner, Gel, and styling cream.  Two thumbs up for the conditioner and styling cream. One Thumb down for the gel.

The smell of all the products is kinda of citrus and clean.  I love it, particularly given my love for the KMF gel grapefruity smell lol.

But the conditioner- it's light and sudsy kinda.  It reminds me of the Yes to Cucumbers consistency.  It works well to detangle and it seemed very moisturizing.  Plus the ingredients are pretty good so I am in serious like.

Then the leave-in.  It has wax in it- *insert sound of doom* BUT my hair loves products with waxes- like Deva Curl Set it Free.  The issue with waxes is that they can build up, and if you are using direct heat( I don't) I hear it can burn and damage the hair.  I have not had any build up issues so I can't knock it for my own hair.  anywhoo... It spreads, is has slip, it's light, it smells good. seems to keep my hair plump-like.  My hair is shiny with it alone.  Again- I like it a lot.

Now the gel- womp womp.....It's liquidy, super light- again- reminds me of AnGEL from Deva.  It goes on kinda like a serum- but it doesn't stick any hair together- no clumping.  Then by the time you have applied enough to think it's helping- all you have done is guarantee some crunch on your undefined curls later lol. whack. no es bueno on wet hair.  But I will try it in a roller set before I turn my other thumb down.

So here is day two hair, with their gel fading fast, from last week. Sorry I only got a few hasty pictures.  It is just halfway pulled back with a plastic elastic into a loose and low puff.
Looks kinda like a large hawk. (heh heh)

TODAY, however, I did the same product combo but used my pink Ecostyler gel and a lil grapeseed oil over it = Defined, soft, fluffy curls all over!  Loving it! I have gotten several compliments out and about and even wrote down my blog and the Eco styler for a woman who sold me some cute shoes lol.  I'll take picts when I get home.

So if you have a safeway near you- here is their nod to natural haircare products.  I'd say it's definitely the best buy on their shelf if you happen to need something while you are out lol.