Hair products and Nico's first tantrum

'Health is the state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open'

B.K.S Iyengar

Greetings and hi

Lets begin with Nico shall we. I have had Nico since November 2009, which makes him a toddler now and well he acted up yesterday. Thank Heavens he chose to have his tantrum at home because This Queen doesn't do public displays of foolishness. Not me.

Here is the problem. The flap were the chip card and batteries go - well its doesn't want to close when everything is in place. I took the batteries out to check if it would close when out? It did. So I figured maybe my batteries are bigger (they may be grew over night or whatever) and tried another brand but alas. Nothing. It wouldn't budge..umm... close. So I couldn't take Nico out. I had to bring in a new guy. My mom's camera and I have named him Rocky. Because he kicks butt and he came to my aid. And he is super.

I told Nico to get his story straight. And I gave him until Saturday. He is in Time Out as we speak. He must not know about me. Fixing him is Not in the 2011/2012 Financial Year Budget. Will keep you posted about him.

Moving on (whilst giving Nico the side eye). I bought Hair stuff!!!!!!!!!!! I went to this organic (not Indian) place and I bought tons of stuff that will help with my skin and hair regime. Basically my overall Health. I told ya'll I was getting ready for summer!!!!!!! Here's what I got. At the bottom of this post I will do a quick round up of the benefits and hows I will use these products.

My haul.

Argan oil

Two bottles to do my mixes in

Aloe Vera Gel

Spirulina tablets

Avocado oil and Jojoba oil

Henna

Disclaimer----- I want to take this opportunity to point out. I am no expect. I am no doctor/ no hair stylist/ no Natural Guru. I don't know Nothing about Nothing, except what I have read and Google'd, researched and asked about. Please don't take my word as Law. Half of these products I didn't know about until I started my Hair Journey. Actually, with the exception of Henna, I didn't know anything about the other stuff. I am only responsible for myself. Ok? Lets begin.

Here's what I found out about.....

Aloe Vera Gel --Promotes hair growth, moisturizes, defines curls, contains natural building enzymes for protein.Has the ability to soothe pains and regenerate skin cells (reduce wrinkles, acne, eczema)

How I will use it- Mix with Coconut oil and shea butter for a hair lotion. or apply to hair and seal with coconut oil. Or use as a substitution to hair gel. Or mix with my body lotion and apply over my body.

Jojoba oil ---adds moisture to hair, is non greasy.

How I will use it - As a hair conditioner, cuticle oil, body oil and also lip moisturizer. Can also be used as a makeup remover.

Avocado oil----- contains proteins, Vitamins A, D, E and B6, magnesium, iron, amino acids and folic acids. Its great for hair growth and nourishment.

How I will use it - Hot oil treatment, Hair conditioner (mixed with beer) and hair mask (I found recipes for all 3)

Argan oil ---- rich in Vitamin E, contains Omega 3 and Omega 9 unsaturated fatty acids that provide nutrition to hair, helps to protect and maintain skin, decreases the appearance of stretch marks as well as improves firmness and elasticity.

How I will use it -- Nails - add lemon juice and few drops of the oil to soak for a few minutes. Or as a night oil for my hands before bed.

Body - Mix with body lotion or apply pure.

Hair - ( intense treatment) apply oil to dry hair and cover head with towel for 30 minutes. Wash and style as normal. Or once or twice a week, massage into scalp and add a little to ends.

Henna- ----natural hair dye, great for maintaining healthy hair, prevents hair breakage and retains shine, balances the Ph of the scalp, good for grays (which I have-----gonna cover them babies up), great for dandruff. The kind that I bought was already premixed and is black. Remember when I said, I would get what I could? This is one of those situations.

How I will use it ----- Honestly, I have no idea. There are so many recipes, but will keep you posted on it.

Spirulina ---- is a blue green algae found in warm water alkaline volcanic lakes and is rich raw protein and Vitamins A1, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E, contains minerals, zinc, copper, iron, amino acids and fatty acids. It is anti aging, an energy booster, better digestion and for better sleep, also good for concentration, strengthens the (hair, skin and nails), lose weight (less food cravings and more balanced appetite) and strengthens the immune system.

How I will use it--- Since I have mine in tablet form, I use take these daily. But I will only begin on the 1 of April, that way I can track my progress.

So there you have it. As of 1 April, I begin taking my tablets, doing daily bodily treatments (skin, nails and hands ) and start working out again (stretching the leg)and then during the weekend will do something with my hair. My basic goal is just better health, overall fitness, great skin, healthy hair. You know, what everybody wants. I want to do this for the rest of the year but realistically from April until maybe July to do another hair trim and then changing regimes for the winter. I am off to make a list of times (exercise, hair days etc), measurements, weight info, pictures for progress reports (using Rocky) and so forth.

Peace, Love and Healthy new Beginnings

I have been featured!!!!!!!!

We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success. We often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do; and probably he who never made a mistake never made a discovery.

- Samuel Smiles

Ohhhhh, I have been featured on Naturally Beautiful Hair!!!!!!!! Check it out.

I would like to take this opportunity to Thank Miss Karen, for giving me the forum to 'talk' about my Hair Journey. Its been a lovely, hard, interesting and always learning experience all this hair stuff. But everyday, I learn something new and Her Blog is one of the few that I frequent quite often (I really Really Really Love the Loc's Pictures!!!!!!).

If you are a new comer to my little space in the 'Blogsphere' ,Hi, I am Afropean Queen (Real name Christina) and welcome. And Enjoy.

Peace, Blessings and Sharing

Day 4 hair pictures (roller set and flat iron)

'Sometimes, you like to let the hair do the talking'

James Brown

Hi,

So its day 4 of my flat iron and trim. And its going good. But I gotta be honest with you, I really miss my 'natural' hair. Dont get me wrong, I like to swang my hair and luckily for me today, there was some wind, so I was 'merrily' skipping away as though I was an extra for the 'Sound of Music' but after a while, its gets old. I cant wait to get my hair wet and start playing with it. Ohhhhhhhh also, I went shopping and bought me some hair stuff. Will post more on that and Nico's first tantrum. Onto pictures. Enjoy.

FYI, I didnt do nothing to the hair except to take it out my high bun and frame it around my face using my hair brush. Simple and nothing else.

The front

My side

More of the side

The back of my head

The top of my head.

So, this cut was great for its purpose, but Now, I am excited about growing my hair longer. I realized this is pretty much how long I have had my hair give or take a little bit more over my shoulders. So its now onto longer, thicker and more gorgeous natural hair.

Peace, Blessings and Patience

My hair and I - playing with my camera.

'People are like stained glass windows, they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within'.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Hi and Good morning

So, after doing my hair, I was feeling myself and I got Nico out and started shooting. Then I got to play on the laptop and worked some proper magic into my pictures. I am basically just testing Nico out for Spring and Summer. Gotta make sure he is up to par so to speak. Enjoy!!!!!!

Grey and Fly

Darkness & Light

Between the lines

Black & Blue

Pouty lips

Four eyes

Swirly hair

Ohhhhh looks like Hair modeling may be in my future!!!!!!!!

As for the hair, it holding up really well. Its day 3 now and I have had it basically in a bun, but I keep changing the buns (can I type this?) Sometimes, I have a high bun and often times a low bun at the nape of my neck. Its still nice shiny (no longer oily), healthy and keeping the curls from the roller set. Hopefully it will hold up tomorrow also, that way, I can take pictures.

Peace, Blessings and wonderful cameras

Castor Oil - the type I use

Being Frugal does not mean cheap!!!!!! It means being economical and avoiding waste.

Catherine Pulsifer

Good morning!!!!!

So, I know I have posted about the different oils I use in my hair, so today I will talk a little bit about Castor oil. First of all here is what I know about Castor oil...

- Increase hair growth

- Thickens hair that begins to thin out (I had this problem at my edges)

- Prevents dry scalp

- Makes the hair fuller, shinier and prevents dryness.

- Contains Omega 9 fatty acids

Basically its great for hair, which is always good for me.

Now, at my local Indian store (not the one where I will get my Henna from - this is another one) I was looking for Castor oil and they only had this left and it was cheap, like less than 5 bucks and the bottle was small so I just got it. It was the last one (I always seem to get the last of hair products first my Shea Butter and now My Castor Oil).

This is the brand I use - Hollywood Beauty Castor oil

Here's what it claims.

Hair treatment

- for dry scalp

- Vitamin E

- 7 Natural oils

- No greasy build up

Its little because, I added some into my water spritzer bottle with Amla oil, Jasmine hair oil and Shea Butter Moisturizer.

Here's the Ingredients:

Soybean oil, Safflower oil, Castor oil, Mineral Oil, Tocopheral Acetate (Vitamin E) Almond oil, Jojoba Oil, Coconut oil, Methylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparabenm, Butylparaben, Fragrance, BHA, D &C Yellow #11, D & C Green # 6.

Ok, lets get to it.

I like that it has so many oils in it, however, I know from the Blogs and Forums about reading Ingredients and whats good and whats not good for hair like I need to be wary about Parabens and so forth. But here's the thing - I live in Sweden, a country not really inhibited by 'naturals' - there are some but not like in London, Amsterdam and the USA. Also, getting any kind of Natural hair product from the States is not easy. So I gotta use what I can find (and whats in English lol). And if it means for now finding products that are not so highly thought of - well unfortunately for now, thats what I gotta do. Because of my limited choices, I really Should just be GRATEFUL to find anything (AND I ALWAYS AM). Believe me, Stockholm is easier in this regard than when I was living in Vienna, Austria. That's one of the reasons, I decided to relax my hair after my first Big Chop - I couldn't find Nothing!!!!!! Trust me, I looked.

Now, this little baby (and she is small - 2oz (59.2 ML)) seems to work very well for me. I have been using it now for about 3 weeks I think and it really has done the job. My edges firstly were extremely thin to begin with, but now fuller and growing in very nicely. Also, My hair is shiny, stronger and my scalp is well oiled.

The bad part?

It smells kinda weird. I have a strong sense of smell, so this is a little too strong for me. So what I do, is I mix some Jasmine hair oil and Amla oil to it and put that all over my head. Sometimes, I add Shea butter but not often.

How I use this product.

After washing my hair, I apply a little to my finger tips and go line by line over my scalp. Then I add some onto my ends and seal with Shea Butter this is my deep condition method. Then I cover my head with a shower cap ( do what needs to be done for a few hours and then rinse out). I have been doing this ever since my hair came out of braids. I think I have washed my hair now three times - the first after taking the braids out. Which was when I first applied this and during the week again, when I did the first roller set and then again last night.

Over all its been good to my hair. But I like I said, I gotta use what I can find, so often times, I may or may not use products that are not so highly thought of, but for now, I gotta do me. And I gotta do what feels good to the hair. And this feels so goood!!!!!!!!!!!!! It really does.

So thats it.

Peace, Blessings and making do with what you have.

Roller set re -done and Hair length pictures!!!!!! Part 2

The hair is the richest ornament of women.

Martin Luther

So here is part 2. Now, I know I said earlier, I was staying away from heat and I did try what with air drying and all, but I really Needed to stretch it out and see for myself how long it was and what the ends looked like. They were begining to feel very coarse and dry to me as well as lanky looking. So yep, I flat ironed my hair and then my sister got to cutting/trimming (she worked in a hair salon before, so she knows what she is doing).

Below are some pictures just to show you what I was working with and what the end results look like.

The ends looked bad, I ain't even gonna lie.

Not good from the side either.....

After my trim, me looking in the mirror (checking out my free haircut - couldn't really complain, Salon trips are not in the 2011/2012 financial budget, so getting ANYTHING free is good)

Yes, I did Whip my hair back and forth, Y'all!!!!!

Wind hair. lol

So yep, thats it. Now, am gonna get some Henna this week, and do a treatment. Since I love my Black hair color, I have decided to use Indigo and keep my hair black. And then probably the following week its back to braids or cornrows. Haven't decided yet.

Ohhh in case you are wondering, my hair goal for 2011 is bra strap level or to the small/middle of my back. I want this by December 2011.

Have a good week darlings.

Love, Blessings and sisters who can cut hair.

Roller set re -done and Hair length pictures!!!!!! Part 1

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and winds long to play with your hair.

Kahlil Gibran

Hi,

So I decided to re-do my roller set, but this time, I got my sis to bring along her flat iron, so I could really stretch it out and see how long it was. Man oh man. The roller set it self was fine, however I was a bit heavy handed with my oils and my hair came out a little too oily. But overall, I am as happy as can be. I did decide to trim the hair though and you will soon see why.

Below are the pictures.

My lovely green old school rollers. I do love them though!!!!!!!

Thick and Gorgeous

awwww it made a little curly

This is my natural hair color however, I have natural brown/auburn highlights.

My hair in a bun.

So next up are my part 2, which is my hair length before my trim and then afterwards.

Everyone Should know about........ The Moringa Plant!!!!!

I was brought up to believe that the only thing worth doing was to add to the sum of accurate information in the world.

- Margaret Mead

Hi everyone,

So one of the great things about traveling and living in different parts of the world is the vast amount of information that is gathered and learnt. And one thing, I learnt in Nigeria was about the Moringa plant. This plant is hailed as the 'Miracle' plant. I can say so much about it and I will, but let me just give you some facts:

- 7 times the Vitamin C of Oranges

- 4 times the Vitamin A of Carrots

- 4 times the Calcium of Milk

- 3 times Potassium of Bananas

- 2 times the Protein of Yogurt.

Thats just in the leaves!!!!! And believe me the leaves are tiny!!!!!!

This plant is also great for

- skin (the paste of the leaves is used to beautify skin)

- balancing the cholesterol levels in the body

- it protects liver and kidneys

- it can be used as a water purifier

- it can be used with breast milk to feed babies. (or even added to formulas to feed babies)

- the leaves can be consumed to stimulate metabolism

- The flowers, gum, bark, roots, seeds and pods can all be used as medicine ( for burns, scars and sores as well as to combat malnutrition - Its commonly used in Africa for this very purpose).

- It can be used as Biogas

- Livestock fodder

- Plant growth enhancer

The Benefits are endless.

This plant is native to India however today in can be found in Africa, Central and South America, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. I know from personal experience that every single part of the plant can be used, from the pods, to seeds, to branches to the tiny leaves. It can also be used as food, like a vegetable (cook it as you would spinach or greens), you can drink it as a tea or even give it to livestock. It helps with nutrition (we experimented with chickens - my mom had chicken that weren't getting it on, so she gave them some Moringa (my mom had grinded the leaves into a spice like consistency) and lets just say, we had tons of little chicks around. Plus the chickens became fat and very healthy.

Now, I know most information state, that it can only grow in very hot or dry climate, well, I can tell you, thats hogwash. We have (not we - but my mom) had planted some indoors and they grew, as well as in wet, rainy areas they also grew. The reason most people state that it must grow outside is because, you have to trim the top of the Moringa once it reaches a certain height for it to grow much further. And boy does it shoot up.

Also, now its very common to get Moringa tea. I checked online and it can be bought. Moringa in a tea form is very important because it has 46 antioxidants and essential Amino acids are also found. All in All the Moringa plant is truly an amazing plant.

Therefore, I decided to have it as my first Everyone Should Know About post. So now you know. Get some Moringa!!!!!!!!!!

Now for myself : Since I have all this vast information about this plant and I have leaves, seeds and tea. I have decided to see what it can do for my hair. So over the next few weeks, I will use it for my hair and will come back and let you all know about it. I am thinking, I may use it together with my Henna application, so that I can get a deep treatment or maybe I will make a paste and add that to my oils and shea butter. Not to worry, what ever I do, I will let you in on it. Onto some pictures.

From just one leaf!!!!!!

Beautiful plant.

This is what one branch would look like. Everything can be used.

Moringa and cream cheese spread for crackers (in the back) and steamed Moringa Muffins.

Moringa Muffins (recipe coming soon).

Here are a few links to learn more:

Moringa

Moringa

Moringa

Moringa

So there you have it. Get some Moringa for yourself. I promise you, it will be the Best Present you can give to yourself.

Love, Blessings and Sharing of Knowledge.

Ever in Windhoek, Namibia ? Stop at .....

To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves.

- Mohandas K. Gandhi

Hiya

I was suppose to start a segment about cool little stores or places I found interesting in Stockholm and the first place I found was/is just wonderful, however, most of the products from that store come from Japan and Asia. I felt with what had happened, I decided to hold off that post for a little later. But, I am a planner and I have things in my arsenal for emergency situations, so, I remembered that when I was in Windhoek, I made a stop with my mom at this garden place. Now, I don't mean to brag, but I have a green thumb, it seems whatever I planted into the ground seems to grow (thats also a philosophy I have in my own personal life). And basically, I love to get down on my knees and play with soil and plant something. Take note - I like to play and plant. I don't like to water (yet somehow, even without much watering my seeds seem to grow and that goes for anything, Vegetables, flowers and fruit). And with the busy things we had to do in Windhoek, my mom and I decided to head over to this fabulous place for some relaxation. Its kinda like our version of a spa, without all the people touching our bodies and oils and things. lol.

So, if you are Ever in Windhoek, and I do hope you do get a chance to go to Namibia, make a stop at Ferreira's. Not just for the gorgeous plants, flowers and garden tools.But for a whole new way to look at gardening. You could literally find yourself there for hours, just strolling down the walk ways, or having something to eat at the deli/cafe, or finding some cute outfit at the clothing store, or having a chat with the very experienced staff members about whatever it is you are looking for, trust me, you won't leave empty handed. My mom (and dad) would go there every Saturday, just to sit under the huge trees or walk amongst the flowers. There is also a small area for children, so basically the whole family can go (there is enough parking, so no worries there). The prices are very reasonable and I honestly think, people go for far more than just plants. Its truly a garden paradise.

Here are some pictures I took. And yes, these are all my own pictures, No Google image and paste. These were taken by myself and Nico (thats my camera - Yes, he has a name. No, I don't think thats weird).

This is the place.

The sun hit this 'Elephant' just perfectly.

Plant /pot holders.

I love this little guy!!!!!!

More gorgeous-ness.

Lovely plants, just waiting to be taken home by you.

Eat the Herbs too!!!!!!!

See anything you like?

Cactus!!!!

Love this, they just chillin'

Name: Ferreira's Nursery Garden Landscaping center

Location: Mandume Ndemufayo Ave

Ausspannplatz
Windhoek, Namibia

My signature scent and my first roller set.

For lack of attention a thousand forms of loveliness elude us every day.

- Evelyn Underhill

Hi everyone.

Gonna keep it short today, I decided yesterday to wash, condition and roller set my hair, I oiled my hair with the Caster oil infusion that I posted about earlier, Amla oil and Shea butter. Luckily for me, my sister left her flat iron at her (and her boyfriends place) otherwise, I would have flat ironed my hair. I have old school rollers, the kind that have pins in them, so I put in 33 green rollers in my hair. I bought them in Namibia and red is the smallest, then comes pink, then blue, then green is larger and orange is the biggest. I know taking a picture would have been best, I wasn't thinking at that time. But I am happy to announce my hair was covered in only green rollers, so thats good. Next up, Orange!!!!!!!!! Its these small things in life that make me happy.

I opted against sitting under the dryer and instead chose to sleep with my rollers ALL NIGHT. I had pins sticking into my head, but I kept telling myself, its for the hair, its for the hair. (The things I do for my hair!!!!)

So this morning, I was going to do a cling film wrap (or whatever its called- were you brush the hair and then cling film it and sit under a dryer or whatever. Its on Youtube), but my hands were toooo tired and I couldn't get my hair to lie flat across my head, every time, one side would, the top part became undone, so I just wore a head band. The hair looked good though, its nice, thick, not too greasy and curled up very nicely, I did a good job. Plus I was very proud of myself, I completely did not use any heat what so ever!!!!!! But, Its just for this week. Perhaps on Friday or Saturday, I will cornrow or braid my hair again and leave it alone for a few weeks. Below are the only good photos I got, believe me my hands were too tired.

Shiny, healthy and BEAUTIFUL and so soft!!!!!!!!

The back had uncurled because of my head band, but overall I am happy.

Now, summer is soon upon us, and it got me to thinking about my new soon to be slim self. I figured, I have the shoes, the dress (I will soon add more), and the hair is growing on target, all I need now, is a summer fragrance. Which I got.

Hello, my Love!!!!!!! You sexy thing you!!!!!!!

I LOVE Me some Carolina Herrera - 212 Sexy!!!!!!!!!

I like to call this my 'signature' scent. I prefer this to all else, however, when my last bottle finished, I didn't replace it ( my budget and all). I have others (I collect perfumes -that's my thing) , but this little lady was my all. I don't know, maybe its the cute packaging or the smell. But its something. And it speaks to Moi. It calls on me, I feel sexy, confident, poised. You know, everything a French man would want........;-)

So I decided, now that summer is fast approaching, I need to get myself in gear and stay on top of things. So yep, I am good to go. Bring on Summer. I have a to do list: Travel, get a tan, go swimming, go to the zoo, visit some Museums, go to some open air concerts, find me a French man (yes, I slipped that one in there), go shopping, eat crayfish, ice cream, drink some mojitos and all those other summery things to do.

So here's to getting ready for Summer.

Blessings, Perfume and finding some sweet Romance.