All things Glycerin

'Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to appear consistent drives himself into a false position'.

- Mohandas K. Gandhi

Morning all !!!!!

In the pursuit of moisture for my hair, I came across Glycerin. I read read read on it. Asked around and went shopping. And yep I found some!!!!!! But first let me tell you what I know about Glycerin :

This is pure Glycerin. I found mine at my local Indian store.

- Glycerin comes from the soup making process and it is a neutral colour which is thick and sweet tasting (will take their word for it). Vegetable glycerin is a food grade product which is derived from vegetable oil.

- its a skin friendly humectant (basically it attracts water to hair and skin)

- Its a solvent and is great for hair growth

- Its also great for dry skin because it improves and protects ths skin as well as helping to build an even skin structure. It attracts just the right amount of moisture to hydrate the skin.

- Glycerine can be mixed with essential oils ( Jojoba oil, Tea Tree oil etc) and carrier oils, water and honey.

Note: Glycerine can be used in its pure form, but in limited quantities. It can be used directly on the sin as a moisturizer or can be added to both water, creams and lotions.

My new cute little water spritzer bottle

My mixture

So in my water bottle I added: Water, Glycerin, Aloe Vera gel, Coconut oil, Vitamin E oil and Jojoba oil. And I spritz my hair every morning when I wake up and as needed during the day. Before I wrap my hair at Night I spritz again (but more so on my ends and scalp and do a nice massage) then I cover my head. This leaves my scalp and hair very moistured at night and silky smooth in the morning. It may seem like a lot, but its seriously hot this summer and my hair loves the added Moisture.

I have also added glycerin to my skin cream mixture.

Disclaimer: As always, I do my own research and test products on myself first. I am no scientist (ask my high school teachers, they will gladly tell you that) nor am I a hair or skin guru. Nothing I say is law. Everything on my blog is about my own journey. I share with you to maybe encourage you and help you along your way.

Peace, Love and Moisture

Hair Products for summer

'Of course there is not formula for success except, perhaps, an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings'.

- Arthur Rubinstein

Hi and Goodmorning

So in dealing with my hair issues, I did some research and went shopping. The plan for summer is basically, oil my scalp and see what works. Let me backtrack, my hair is going through some ish. It wont hold a style, its dry at the scalp but oily at the hair. It will only curl with lots, lots and I mean lots of products in it. I am currently dealing with 3 different type textures (curly, wavy and straight) and I think that wavy and straight may be winning.

The thing is, when I wash my hair and dry it loose without anything in it. It drys wavy and straight. Like seriously....., I can give relaxed ladies a run for their money with my natural hair!!!!! Then when I add products (a whole lot) I got to fight it to make it do something. Which only lasts me that day and maybe if I am lucky 2 or three days. Case in point, that wash n go? Yep, that looked cute that day, a hot mess a few days later, and that was after re-moisturizing and adding more gel. Or my mini twists which I just did on Thursday, and I wrap my hair at night and cover my head with a scarf and hair bonnet? That's coming undone. And I was hoping on keeping the mini twists in for at least 4 weeks. I do have the scalp issue cleared up and my hair is lovely and shinny. But I really don't want to be adding products everyday to make my hair do something it clearly doesn't.

Anyhoooo I went in search of some stuff for my hair and here is what I got......

It looks great from the top though ;-)

My new Haul.

Castor oil - The Latin name is Ricin.

Vitamin E oil

Hair oil - This has Ayurveda herbs such as Amalaki fruits : Bringaraj, Brahmi, Vacha and Sesame oil (this will get a post by it self)

Sweet Almond oil

Vatika - Enriched coconut hair oil (been reading and hearing great things about this baby)

Pure Glycerine

So, I am at this point with my hair, that curliness doesnt matter anymore. I just want healthy hair that grows and if whats coming out my scalp is wavy or straight, then so be it. I will keep the twists in as long as I can and then see what to do afterwards. I may braid my hair again and keep that in for a few weeks or maybe 2 or 3 months, alternating between cornrows and braids. I think my best course of action is just to oil my scalp and keep my hair moisturized, and my hands out of it. At least until December, when I will be 2 years natural, then at that stage be at a better position to gauge whats going on. I know from my last Big Chop in 09, that when I would just leave my hair alone and do very little to it. It does its on thing. Very well.

I am still remaining Natural ladies, it just means my natural hair is more wavy/straight then curly. I made the decision so see this through and I am sticking to it. Besides, Miss India said ' I am not my Hair', Y'all!!!!!!

Will update hair and do reviews soon on the hair oil (which my scalp and hair loves!!!!!!!) as well as the coconut hair oil.

Blessings, Love and Natural State of Affairs.

And......... I'm back!!!!!!

Happy Sunday Everyone

Sorry for the break, but life caught up with me and some stuff to do..... I have assignments pending as well as an exam coming up, so I was sorting out everything. Anyways, this is just a short post to let you know, I have not deserted my blog lol and I am still around. Next week I will be posting on:

Hair products for summer

All things Glycerin

Spirulina update

Skansen (that's a place here in Stockholm)

Hair update

Aloe Vera Juice update

Blessings, Joy and a wonderful afternoon.

New Hair pictures!!!!!

'You cant punish yourself into change. You cant whip yourself into shape. But you can love yourself into well-being'.

- Susan Syke

Hi All

Ok, so everyone knows that Aloe Vera Gel is my thang right? But untill I get the plant, I had to make some short cuts. Why? Well because I use my aloe Vera gel in my skin mixtures so I am running low (which is why, I am on the lookout for the plant). Anyhoooo, I bought some IC Fantasia , Hair Polisher Styling Gel which has Aloe Vera, Vitamins and Wheat Protein in it and boy did it make my curls pop!!!!!!! Pop as in Popcorn!!!!!! Pop as in Champagne pop!!!! Pop as in POP!!!!!! Check out the pictures!!!!!!

This is how I parted my hair (don't worry its not a bald spot or anything, I just parted it this way lol)

Was feeling myself at this point.......

See those curls? Pop is my new name!!!!!!!

Basically, what I did, was wash my hair and use my Leave in Conditioner from Aussie and then work the gel through my hair. No comb, no brush, just my fingers and I was good to go.
I will do a proper review after I have tried this product a few more times, but for now, I am happy as can be y'all!!!!!!!! The shine, the curls, the movement!!!!!! I cant fault it. Its soooo seriously my summer product. Me is very happy ladies.

Blessings, Joy and Curls.

New Goodies!!!!!

'Whoever said money can't buy happiness simple doesnt know where to go shopping'.

- Bo Derek

Hi Everyone

So on a recent trip with my parents, we visited a shop that exports goods from South Africa and Zimbabwe. My mom wanted specific spices and a three legged black pot and I went just to have a looksee. And well, I found some lovely new goodies for myself. Have a look........

These fabulous new necklaces

This gorgeous bag!!!!!

These little painted soapstone shapes.

A new Tea to try out.

A yummy smelling Rooiboos & Honey Soap. It smells sooooo goood!!!!!

The place that I went to also boasts in its own restaurant that specializes in African cuisine, namely from Southern Africa, as well as the shop sells dried fruits, spices, chutney's and tons more stuff. I took lots of pictures, so will hopefully do a post about the place very soon.

Blessings, Peace and Shopping

TAG!!!!!!!! I have always wanted to try one!!!!!

'It's the game of life. Do I win or do I lose? One day they're gonna shut the game down. I gotta have as much fun and go around the board as many times as I can before it's my turn to leave'.
- Tupac Shakur

Ohhhh morning everyone!!!!!

So I saw on my twin's blog (Naturaleza) about this tag and I really want in on it, so here goes!!!!!! We share the same birth date, We Gemini's!!!!!! Anyways....... Let's begin.

A - Age : 29

B -Bed size : Queen size ( ummm fit for a Queen like Moi)

C - Chore I hate: drying dishes, I have no problem washes them but man, I hate drying.

D -Day I like the most: Wednesday

E - How I like my eggs : Scrambled

F - Favorite colour : ohhhhh I guess brownish/gold/yellow (somewhere in-between)

G - Gold or Silver : Gold

H - Height: 1, 52 cm, I is a bit on the short side ;-( )

I - Instrument (one I love to hear): The Saxophone ( I find it soooooo so grown up and sexy)

J - Job title : At the moment in between and student.

K - Kids: Not yet

L - Live: Stockholm, Sweden

M - Mom : Revival

N - Nicknames : Chris, Chrissy, Desh, Nadesh

O - Overnight stay at hospital: Yes, many many many times lol.

P - Pet Peeve : Dishonesty

Q - Quote from a movie: Nobody puts Baby in the corner ( Dirty Dancing - First prize I ever won, was a VHS of that movie)

R - Right or left handed : Right

S - Siblings : 3

T - Time I arise: I set my watch for 8:00. My brain arises at 11:59.

U - Undergarments : That's my thing. Forget the shoes and the bags....... Give me Victoria's secret!!!!!!!

V - Vegetables I don't like: Aubergines / Eggplant ....... yuk yuk yuk

W - What makes me run late in the mornings: I used to be a kindergarten teacher, and I used to set my watch always 10 minutes ahead, but come flu season....... Then its on. That and what to wear.

X - X-rays: Yes

Y - Yummy food I like to make: Mixed seafood with creme fraiche, cheese and white wine sauce with pasta . Its my comfort, go to, just stay in and eat from the pot, feeling blue food. If it asked me to marry it, I would. Gladly. It would a marriage made in hips to die for HEAVEN.

Z - Zoo : I always try to go where ever I am, its because in my country we don't have zoo's we have National parks. So Zoo's interest me.

So, that's Me. Link me and Tag along!!!!!!!!!

Blessings, Love and Randomness

What's my secret.......?

'Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you'.

- Oprah Winfrey

Good Morning All

So lets just into it shall we (lets also forget that I didn't blog much last week: Two words. Sun and Summer). I recently blogged my hair disaster right, about how my scalp is so dry and my hair wont do nothing, would not hold a style, well it was touch and go there for a minute. I really was about to get the scissors out and do a 4th Big Chop. But I persevered and just gave it a few days and tried something different.

And now I have a little Secret......... Aloe Vera Gel!!!!!!!!! Darlings, let me tell you, I mean, I did a post on it. I know the plant, I know the benefits, I have been using the stuff. But it was only after I was at a loss did it really come together. And the best part, I am not just using Aloe Vera for my hair, but for my skin and I drink the stuff also. So I definitely getting all the benefits....... my skin is smooth, silky and blemish free, my hair feels great and my body is doing what its supposed to (we wont go into details....... but I drink my juice twice a day. Morning and Night).

Let me just explain what I did and am now doing.

Hair: I decided to just stick to a few products for now. Jojoba oil, Amla oil and Aloe Vera gel. I wash and condition my hair as usual. Then I mix Jojoba and Amla in my hands and apply that into my wet hair and scalp. Next up. I take some gel and work it through my hair, either crunching it, or brushing it through with my Denman. Then I either tie it up in a bun, or do a wash n go. This seems to work for me, my scalp is back to what it was, its no longer itchy or dry, my ends are wonderful and overall my hair looks shinny, healthy and Beautiful!!!!!! Just look at the pictures below.......

Now, for my skin.

I mixed Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Aloe Vera Gel, Vitamin E oil, Jojoba oil and a few drops of Argan oil. I apply that everyday to my skin. I have been doing for a while now. A few weeks actually. So my skin, is seriously glowing, its beautiful and ohhhhhh so soft. Babies ain't got nothing on me y'all!!!!!!!!!

And I am still drinking my Aloe Vera juice. And I am also taking my Spirulina tablets...... (update post coming soon).

So the point of this post? Get some Aloe people!!!!!!! Actually, I am now on the lookout for the actual plant, so I can plant that for myself. I don't play. I am about to have me an Aloe garden, y'all!!!!!!!

Disclaimer: Please note, I am no doctor, no scientist and no hair guru. I only know what is working for me. Everything on my blog is my opinion, my thoughts and my conclusions, after doing my own research. Everyone, is different. What works for me, May or May not work for you. Please Do not take my word as Law.

Blessings, Joy and Simplicity.

Birthday Post!!!!!!

'Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learnt from them and less to do with how many birthdays you have celebrated'.

-Author Unknown

Hi all, so here is my Birthday post.

So as I have already stated, I turned 29 years young this year. And I celebrated it in Finland. I have a thing about celebrating my birthdays in different countries - for example, I have had birthdays in Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia), Abuja (Nigeria), Hyvinkää (Finland), Namibia and Zambia. Its my new tradition, to celebrate each coming birthday someplace new. Anyways, this year, it was in Hyvinkää Finland. And it was super. Great food, amazing company, wonderful weather and happiness all around. I got tons of messages from friends and family (thanks to Facebook) and I had already gotten gifts from my family, so I was pretty happy leading up to my Big Day. Here are pictures of the day.

My birthday cake!!!!!!!!! Yummy, fresh strawberry, raspberries and cherry's on whipped cream with a vanilla sponge cake underneath.

This was dinner - Polenta, corn, spinach , chicken with mushroom in red wine sauce.

Some bubbly

Some German Henkell!!!!!!

I rocked my hair with a two strand twist updo.

All in all it was great. I look forward to many many many many more Birthdays. If y'all dont know, I plan on living till I am 120 years old. I will be rocking my natural hair, some seriously nice shoes, cute old lady handbag, amazing jewelry and still have my camera by my side still traveling!!!!!!!! Trust me.

Blessings, Love and Cake

I proudly rep for team Natural!!!!!

Hi everyone,

Ohhhh, I thought I should do a hair blog just showing how far I have come with my hair........ Its one of those days.... you know, when I am looking a little extra hard at the creamy crack box or flat iron or scissors thinking 'I cant do this anymore, just let me get it all straight or start again'. Yep, I have had hair disasters y'all!!!!!!! In Finland I tried to do a two strand twist and it only lasted 2 days, but that wasnt the worst!!!!!! Can it get worse you ask?!!!!! H E double Hockey sticks Yes!!!!!!!

My scalp is dry , itchy and I have flakes. I mean. It just happened overnight, like literally. It wouldnt hold a style, was dry as a desert (and I come from a desert country, so I know DRY). Nothing wants to work. No wash n go, no twist, no bunning (that looks like crap now). I did think about braiding my hair, but summer has started and I aint trying to kill my self for no hair (meaning its way to hot to have braids/extensions/yarn in my head).

Whats the plan, you ask? No clue. I didnt want to have to break into my London stash just yet, was hopping to save them for winter and keep with my oils, butters and so forth, but it looks like I may need to start using the products and figure out something. Otherwise, I will be rocking hats, turbans and headwraps all summer long!!!!!! And its hot y'all!!!!!!! Let me put it this way, Namibia is a desert country, so when I say Sweden is hot, you better know, I know what I am talking about.

Now, let me just look at my pictures and remember and celebrate how far and how long I have come. I have tried to keep these photos in the order of my hair journey......

Bald Head - Big Chop 08

Shaved sides and little on the top 09

in 2010 I had my hair in braids or

cornrows. This was taken late 2010

My first roller set since my big chop - 2011

Flat ironed hair before my first trim since Big Chop - 2011

My bob - after my hair cut.

Before my Indigo treatment - 2011

My first Indigo treatment - 2011

My first attempt at two strand twisting.

Wash n go - 2011

Twist n curl updo.

Braid out high bun

Twist n curl with cute accessories.

Thats it really, just need to keep reminding myself that I have come a long way since my first Big Chop in 07. Will keep you guys posted on what I decide to do with my hair, or better yet, if anyone can give me any suggestions. How to work with humidity, heat, new hair styles, new products (that can be found in Europe lol), please feel free to post a comment. As for me, will keep on keeping on.

Blessings, Joy and Strength.

Helsinki Pictures!!!!!

I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move'.

-Robert Louis Stevenson

Hi all

I am back in Stockholm, after two weeks in Finland, and what a time I had!!!!!!! It was great going there, firstly because I had heard such wonderful stories about Finland from friends and family, but also from a political view point (Namibia has had a long relationship with Finland). Anyways, I stayed with friends of my parents - the lady is Namibian and her husband is Finnish and their little boy. I also met some other Namibians, a South African, some Russians and Tanzanians. All in all, I felt like my trip could have been sponsored by the UN.

It really was a wonderful time, Finnish people are so different from the Swedes, from the language to the food, to the culture and how they dress. For me, the Finnish people are laid back, funky, seriously cool hippies (I am not saying they are!!!! they just seem to be so nice) like people in Berlin, Germany. They are seriously friendly, open and walk to know everything about you. Or then again maybe its me and I attract people who seem to want to talk to me?!!!! Anyways, I loved it. The reason for my trip was too look at univerisities in order to finish my degree. So that was why I went. That and because I love to travel and see new places. And it was a Birthday present from my parents. Ok Onto Pictures!!!!!!!

This is actually a church built underground.

A man on a horse!!!!!! I am making it my life's work to find pictures like this every place I go to.

Helsinki has a beach!!!!!!!

Kalevi and I

I love this artwork!!!!!

Me looking Fierce!!!!!

I have decided to split my trip into a few blog posts.

Helsinki

Birthday post

Hair update

and Summertime in Hyvinkää (which is the town in which I stayed in).

So hi again, hope you guys missed me, I actually missed blogging, but it was nice to take some time out and just chill. But I did miss being on here lol.

Blessings, Love and Helsinki