I call this: Life

via: theburiedlife

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

 
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. 
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’ 

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed.. ‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things—-your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—-and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else—-the small stuff.  

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. 

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.   Take care of the golf balls first—-the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. 

The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’ The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

Re-posted With Love,

Kenya 

OMG - Curly Nikki wrote a book!!! OMG

Our fellow beauty Curly Nikki has written a book! If you are a natural beauty, you know what this means! This is like Jay-Z writing a "how to make it in the game" book for aspiring rappers, or like Mother Teresa writing a 10 step cheat sheet on how to make the world a better place. Take a look:

Better Than Good hair 

by: Nikki Walton

and

Ernessa T. Carter

The ever elusive regimen (Part 1- Products)

Hey beauties!

Relaxed or natural, straight or curly, everyone needs a steady regimen for their hair! I will try to share what I know works but this regimen is ever evolving and will not work for everyone... It works for me. Here are all the products that I use!!!

·         (All items can be purchased at Target unless otherwise noted)

Shampoo

I wash about once a month, or twice if my hair feels it needs to be washed that often. I cover my hair in virgin coconut oil then I use a concoction of Dr. Bronner's Castile soap Lavender and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Put this in a squirt bottle and gently shake. This becomes a very creamy cleanser that does not strip your hair like commercial shampoos. Also it is 100% natural! :)

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Conditioner and Deep Conditioner treatments

      I conditioner rinse or Co-poo weekly with Herbal Essences Hello Hydration  is a hot pick. Many naturals use this product and you can get it for about $6. I wet detangle with lots of conditioner because I feel I lose less hair that way so it is important that I have a good conditioner that is also inexpensive!

      

      I deep condition every two weeks. Deep conditions could be just about the most important  process in caring for natural hair. I use Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque with some added coconut oil or EVOO. I leave in the masque for some time (1hr) and then rinse. Sitting under the dryer is optional.

     

·         

Other Conditioning Treatments 

Hot oil treatments are helpful when you have extra dry hair or just need an moisture overhaul. This should be done before shampoo or co-poo. I like two different treatments:

• Warm EVOO & Honey hot oil treatment (1 vit E capsule) 
• Warm Hot Six oil & Honey hot oil treatment (1 vit E capsule)

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Daily  use and Styling Products

Shea moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus

      Please disregard the Deep Treatment Masque this is a conditioning product that I mentioned above.  

•       Curling Souffle (Agave nectar, flax seed oil)- used for styling
•       Curl Enhancing Smoothie (Coconut Oil, silk protein  neem oil)- moisture, used for sealing with the LOC method
•      Hold & Shine Moisture Mist (Organic coconut Oil, silk protein, neem oil)- Used to rejuvenate styles like twists and braids                                                                                       

Eco Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel
This is the best gel on the market for natural ladies! It has several benefits:

1. Cheap, cheap, cheap! If you are on a budget you can add this to the top of your list.
2. Made with olive oil so it is ultra moisturizing
3. Great hold but will not harden and break your hair!

     

Curls - Curl Creme Brule

      When my curls and styles need a little moisture boost.  Also it smells Delish!

Smooth 'N Shine Polishing
Silk 'n Sleek Straighten Polisher and Heat Protectant
I use this product only when I am blowing out my hair. Works wonders.

      

The ABCs of Curly Hair

NaturallyCurly

Hello Beautiful

Well hellooooo beautiful,

I am a first time blogger so I am still getting use to the water so to speak. I just felt the urge to add to the beauty of the internet and maybe bond with someone who believes in what I do.  I know you are out there!

I will discuss all things lovely, mostly my journey with natural hair care. I am absolutely fascinated that the coils that grow from my head. My mane is the epitome of me: strong yet fragile, versatile yet stubborn as an ox. I cannot say enough about the love, frustration, and happiness that comes with me being natural. I want to share my regimen and how it has grown and morphed into the simplest form. I want to encourage those 4C ladies out there, like some other 4Cs encouraged me. If you are a 4C you know what I'm talking about!

There are ups and downs on any journey and this one is no different. I want to speak of the joy of the perfect blow out and the pain of the thing most black women do not want to discuss. I want to cover all of the bases.

I also love fashion. Not in the buy $1000 pair of shoes because I saw Rihanna wearing them kind of fashion but the - OMG last one on the shelf at half price - kind of fashion. I love chic, sexy, comfortable, and fabulous clothes that make you feel as good as you look and won't break the bank. I will admit that I am not a trendy person.... actually I steer clear of anything that might even look like a band wagon. Admittedly, I do find some pieces hard to pass up (love me a pair of brightly colored pants) so I add them to my closet.

For me and many women, makeup that goes with your features and style is hard to come by so I will include what I have found to work for me. For example, my lips are full (no plumper necessary), so for the longest time I stayed away from colors. I have now perfected a way to get fierce red lips without the pain of bleeding color, creasing, or looking like a clown. YAY!

I will be giving my two cents on the beauty of life. SO, I will blog about many things besides what I listed above. I hope you, my beauties, appreciate my opinions!

With love,

Kenya

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever."  ~ John Keats