Truly Touching

I'm up early this morning, which if you know me well is very....well, uncharacteristic. I enjoy fall more than any other season and it's something about it that impels me to...wake up early. I guess I feel better being up before noon or 2... I guess.
Presently, I find myself fixated to the HTC mytouch pictured above. I don't know what it is that intrigues me so much-but I know I want it. The stock photo was in white but why would anyone buy white electronics? Sure, it's brighter but thinking about the dirt it could attract...I'll pass.
It all began last week when I began to closely assess my sidekick slide. I've only had it for a year and some months and in that time it hasn't gone through much wear and tear. Still...as great as sidekicks are (especially the keyboard), I couldn't help but feel it's a little...dated.
With the upsurge of smartphones, the sidekick manages to still sell reasonably. All the same, the majority of consumers for this phone are... teenagers
For the last two years, I've had sidekicks (the ID and then the slide) and they've been as resourceful as a PDA could be. Then again I was a teenager and by Feburary I lose the "teen" and am on the onset to adulthood. It goes without saying, while I don't need the mytouch to ascertain my adulthood, a little transition never hurt anyone.
I want to trasition and with my disinterest in my sidekick only mounting, it won't be long.
Still, I can't rashly dish out $399 (plus taxes, upgrade fee and shipping, which totals to $461, unless I buy it in-store) for a phone at the moment. I have books to buy next semester
...but soon...
Wow, I officially sound like a college student

Update #1

A concise update:
-In class from Sep 8
-My camera purchase is pending until November
-Going to Otakon 2010

Greenhorn

I had Monday and Tuesday off, so I guess there are a couple things newsworthy.
After six months, Terell has returned to the relaxer; he relaxed Tuesday, I beleive. It surprised me how contrite he was and honestly puzzled me, as he had vented to me this whole soliloquy about his acceptance of his hair shortly before. While not painstakingly shocking, it did have me thinking...
... is that why the relaxer is called the creamy crack? Will I eventually revert back to it?
I answered myself with a curt, "No." After nearly four months of being natural, I couldn't be anymore content...not to mention the hardships it took to reach this point herein. From the unnerving stares of deprecation from my own people; to the outright derision and disdain from my peers and even family members.
I've gone too far to slap a relaxer back onto my head. To me, that's just cowardice and while my hair is in cornrows now, I can resume my research. So far, I've learned oil is used a sealant for moisture; so I'm investing in Coconut oil. I cornrowed to allay the tension my puffs have been sustaining on my hair for the last two months or so and allow some new growth. Along this journey, I've come to the realization of my true hair type and texture, in the face of truisms that my family and the media promulgates. My head varies from beautiful, thick kinks, tight coils and corkscrews to fine curls.
I love Terell and I will support any choice he chooses to make. He assured he'll keep up with his regimen and preserve the health of his ends and I'm sure he will (=, under my watch.
Moreover, I'm still scaling the house for my camera charger. It's exasperating at most, since I have quite a few pictured updates. I'm off to my room now...

July

Happy 4th of July everyone, especially William and Marcine. Qhemet's sale is over: they've closed the store down for the next week until the large influx of orderes are processed and shipped. If you know me, you know well I managed to get what I could out of the sale. What'd I buy?
1 Burdock Root Butter Cream. I've been using its thicker counterpart, the Amla Olive Heavy Cream and since I've recently discovered my hair texture was fine and not thick as I first purported, I've now learned what consistencies mesh or conflict with my hair. Qhem's AOHC didn't absorb too quick into my strands, since it's so thick; so I haven't received noteworthy results. BRBC is thinner in consistency so I'm hoping for the best.
My AOHC will go to Terell, who's also growing his hair out. Fortunately, his hair's thicker.

2. Olive Honey Hydrating Balm: Qhem's site description claims it can be used to moisturize wet or dry hair. It's consistency is like honey, which is thick. I'm gambling here, really since I'm knowingly buying something that may not be effective on my hair but will try it, anyway. It sounded so tempting and now that it's getting hotter, I need the moisture.

3. Indian Macassar Conditioning Oil: A light, thin blend of oils in a 2oz bottle. I should've bought two, but the other can wait till Friday. I've heard of oil being utilized for moisture renitence and since I've been experiencing perpetual dryness, maybe a light oil may help. It has a thicker counterpart, the Castor & Moringa Softening Serum for those with thicker/coraser textures.

My purchase should be here in the next week or so but may not be doing a blog till the week after. I need a new camera charger-my wall charger managed to disappear strangely after the dining room was finished painting. If I find, it, expect an update. For now, I have work at 5 so I'm going to go relax. Whew!

Footnote: Qhemet Biologics is a reputable product line, made from natural ingredients that do not contain mineral oil, petroleum or other ingredients that can sustain enduring damage to curly, coily, kinky or wavy black hair. Qhem's prices are reasonable and since they are handmade and not manufactured, your order will take about a week, at most two to process and ship. Orders are processed and shipped in the order they are received...so with this line, patience is a must.
Moreover, if you're interested the aforementioned products, here are the prices for the Burdock Root Butter Cream, Olive Honey Hydrating Balm, Indian Macassar Conditioning Oil and the Amla Olive Heavy Cream, 2 and 8oz sizes respectively. Indian Macassar Conditioning Oil and Cator & Moringa Softening Serum are only sold in 2.50z.
You may visit here for more info or a look at her other products.
Amla and Olive Heavy Cream: $5.50/$16.50
Burdock Root Butter Cream: $,5.50/$16.00
Olive Honey Hydrating Balm: $5.50/$16.00
Indian Macassar Conditioning Oil: $10.00
Castor & Moringa Softening Serum: $10.00

Nature ♥

Qhemet Biologics is having a sale from 3-8 PM today. Enter code "nature" in the coupon box at checkout and get 20% off. This is a good time to try some of their products (=, updates when I receive my goodies.

Color Me PJ

Initial step to solving a problem is admitting you have one, right?
Well, I don't have one; I'm just a product junkie. There are a lot of disparaging connotations that come with being a product junkie....yet I don't see a problem with it.
In any case, I hauled in a lot of products that I've been longing to try for a while. More of the Curl Junkie line; Anita Grant products from the UK; and Curls.
Curl Junkie is a natural hair product line started in Brooklyn, NY by Marsha Coulton. As pictured, I have most of her products-and when money's looking good again after my new pair of glasses and my laptop, I'll be purchasing the remaining few. For the most part, I'm pleased with the products I've purchased and they give my hair what it's been yearning for: moisture. Most of the products' consistencies are nice and thick, and great scents in addition to their effectiveness. Curl Junkie's an invaluable part to my hair care regimen and I'll be undoubtedly making another haul. For more info, visit here. It'll break the bank a little but it's more than worth every penny.

Curls is a product line designated for women with multi-racial/biracial curly hair; as well as women with african-american or afro-carribean textured hair. Curls was created and founded by Mahisha Dellinger, who is also multi-racial. Pictured are: Coconut Sublime Conditioner (Left), Curls Milkshake (Right) and Whipped Cream (Center). There is also a shampoo and a clarifying shapoo as well as 3 other styling products and a sprtiz moisturizer...yet I'll purchase those another time. Curls consistencies vary from thick to creamy or milky and they smell delicious. I've only used each product about twice since they were delivered to me Saturday and results were passable. All the same, with Curls I'm presuming results will be more favorable if the entire system is used. At a later date, I'll purchase the calirfyer, shampoo, moisturizer and maybe the Curls Souffle' styler. For now, I'll continue using the awesome conditioner and the whipped cream or milkshake as an occasional leave-in. For more info, visit here .Affordable and free shipping on orders $50 or over.
Note: Before buying any CURLS products, please assess your hair type throughly and refer to the hair type chart on the site. Although CURLS products is for every hair type and texture, different methods, products and overall application differs amongst hair types. Do not go out on a whim and buy just any product or apply it any way, especially if your hair leans more to 3c-4b (kinky-curly/kinky). You will, more or less, wind up looking a hot mess.
Anita Grant is a product line business started in the UK by Anita Grant. Her products are aimed towards all afro and curly hair textures; with a selection spanning from butters and creams for the hair to oils and clays for the skin and face. Pictured is the Creamy Cafe Latte curl cream (Left) and the Kelp and Ylang Ylang shampoo bar (Right). I also ordered bentonite clay and rhassoul cubes in succession but they haven't arrived yet, coming from the UK. I'll feature them in a future blog. Anita Grant customer service is great and the consistency of the Creamy Cafe Latte is smooth and buttery and the smell made me almost want to eat it. Moreover, it made my hair so soft that I could not stop touching it last night, heh. I haven't tried the Ylang Ylang bar, since it arrived just yesterday (and I shampooed Sunday already) but I will, most likely next month. Later, I plan to purchase another Ylang Ylang 'poo bar, more rhassoul cubes (for deep conditioning), another cafe latte and probably her amla 'poo bar. Prices are in British Pounds so it's best to use the currency converter if you're in the U.S. Don't expect prompt delivery: it is coming from England, after all. For more info, visit: Here.
Note: Prices are in British Pounds so it's best to use the currency converter if you're unfamiliar with the pound. You will be billed and charged a couple days after your transaction; but your products may take up to 2-4 weeks, even an entire month to arrive. Anita's products tend to run a little smaller (3.5-5 ounces, as opposed to standard 8-16 oz sizes) so it's advisable to overlook the sample sizes if you live in the States and want to try her products.


Is my PJism a problem? As far as I see it...no. After going natural 3 months ago, I've realized to ultimately find something great for my hair is to use trial and error. Few products have not worked on my hair and many have benefitted my hair. After all...don't you want yours to be at its best?

Coil Junkie

Phew, was going to blog last night but I was just so worn out. Tery came to visit, and as usualy, my Monday couldn't be any better. He had an interview at the Old Navy in SoHo; it goes without saying he did fantastic. I know he'll get the job-and we'll go out to dinner to celebrate. I feel...although Tery does visit only once a week, we've achieved another magnitude of closeness-and I appreciate him evermore. He's everything to me...
As far as today goes, I slept for most of it. When I managed to get up, I played DDR for about 30 minutes, when I realized...my scalp was in need of a serious wash. All that sweating from the weekend and especially the weather had left my scalp yearning for some moisture. Promptly, I rummaged through my cabinet and started my first of my two weekly washes. After being natural for two months, it really has me more attentive and conscientious about the health of my hair. Having afro hair, I experience dryness if wash more than 2 times a week. I wash Wednesdays and Sundays; since it was feeling as dirty as ever, I resolved to today. To avoid additional dryness, I use a sulfate-free shampoo Kinky Curly Come Clean; my favorite conditioner Herbal Essences Hello Hydration; and my new long-term deep conditioner, Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment by Curl Junkie. It smells like strawberry ice cream, which alone sold me.

HEHH (L),CJ (C),and KCCC(R)
Since my hair texture's thick and its type kinky as well as coily and curly, it's a chore detangling. To detangle, I coat my hair in conditioner (douse is more like it), and section it off into six sections with metal duckbill clips. I then undo one section at a time, comb through with either my Wet Look or Jilbere' wide-tooth comb (not pictured) and detangle from the ends up. If I'm in the mood for additional detangling, I use my Denman D3.

Duckbill clips, Denman D3 and Wet Look Shower Comb
Sectioning had actually made shampooing easier, as wlel as my hair more managable. It took a little longer, but I loved the results-especially of the deep conditioner. My hair was extremely soft and I couldn't stop playing with my hair. As of today, Curl Junkie's Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment will be a permanent staple in my routine. Tomorrow's work, so let's see how that goes..and by the way: here's the results.

Freshly shampooed and DCed hair. No product

Honey Punch

Not too eventful this weekend...but man, am I tired. Did an 11-hour shift yesterday; 5 hours today. In total: arouynd 26 hours, 14 hours less than the week before. Ugh...at least I'll be able to order my Studio 15 by the 29th. Priss relayed to me over the phone his Inspiron suffered a terrible shock; and a laceration across the cover. As inflammed as he was, he managed to still stay rational-he'll be purchasing two new covers and most importantly, a lock for his door...
...moreover Urban Outfitters have really piqued my interest as of late. I was up till almost 5 browsing their clothes...I actually like what I see. In hindsight to transitions, my sense of style has been one of those changeovers. A while back, I gave my closet a huge overhaul. I had amassed five bags of clothes that I outfitted; or simply grew disinterested in. My end result? Several hangers of fairly new clothes and a yearning for more.I'm just going for me, nothing in the slightest respect of a label.

Blue Tunic

Coral Tunic...love this color

Teal Tunic...if only they had teal leggings

Flutter Tunic

...and then came the tanks. Although I have most of the rainbow, I'd still like a white and ah, cerise one

Cerise tank..yum

White tank

...let's see where this goes...

Sunny the Ride

There hasn't been much that's been newsworthy...trust me. With college, friendships and just life itself...I've hardly had the time. It doesn't mean, all the same that I don't have any news. There have been a couple transitions. With the oncoming summer, I'll be posting more frequently. Heh, let's begin. It's a little late in the week, so I guess I'll start from Thursday since that was the most eventful.

Tuesday wasn't as mind-numbing as I expected it to be. After all, I had the day off; William had the day off; and we decided to hang out. It was nice out and he wanted to check out Uniqlo...so why not? All the same, I couldn't leave the house unkempt. After a two-hour hold-up, we promptly departed. Before Uniqlo, Will suggested we stop at Forbidden Planet-even better. With most of my summer wardrobe out of the way, I can finally expand my manga collection.


On our way, just an offhand picture...that damn sun.

In spite of all the stops we made (bank, bakery), we made it to Forbidden Planet just before 5. We spent about, hm, 20 minutes at most in there. I saw so much I wanted-as well as what I needed.As a bibliophile, it's almost like a tease to be in a bookstore,teeming with manga, hardly being able to walk out without more than 2 books. If it's not 3 or more, than I can't stand to be in one. Payday's only 3 days away, still. It wasn't long before we grew weary of window shopping so we took our leave to the 6 train. I may go back Friday, though, shh...

On the 5


Forbidden Planet

Although I've only been there once with Tery, we found Uniqlo without much incident. We immediately began scaling each and every floor. If you're partial to vivid, eye-catching colors...Unqlo has color, and every top that comes to mind. While they don't carry shirts with the company logo embossed brazenly at the front, their quality offsets it. After all, who wants to advertise a company every other shirt? I know I don't. William really couldn't find much that interested him, so I had to intercede. After scarmbling about for nearly an hour, we were set. I had 2 camisoles and 3 tanks; William had two shirts and a pair of socks. Next was...anywhere else that caught our interest. After browsing in Yellow Rat Bastard, we went to China Town which was just only 10 minutes out of our way (I'm just now finding this out). After a couples games, Will grabbed Subway; I grabbed McDonald's and after 8 we were on our way home.

Oversseing Uniqlo from the third floor

My camisoles (L) and my tanks (R)

Will gets paid next Thursday so this won't be the last excusrion we'll be making. After all, we have a lot more ground to cover...and we'll need Marcine with us the next time.

Train ride home...