Straightening My Natural Hair | Taking a Day for Myself

Oh my goodness, let me tell you!  For me, it's just been "one of those days" everyday of the week for the last few weeks.  I've been feeling frazzled, overwhelmed, emotional and downright grouchy.  On top of that MJ has been extra clingy.  I believe there is some part of my baby that knows he's about to not be the baby anymore.  

I have to admit that while I do enjoy my baby semi-reverting back to baby mode, I did appreciate the independence he'd begun to exhibit before we were expecting.  So what's MJ up to?  He wants to hold hands walking around the house and if we're not holding hands he expects me to be able to get chores done while he holds tight to my leg.  If I'm sitting, he must be sitting directly up under my arm or on my lap.

I do understand how he be must be feeling and I've been completely open to giving him the attention that he needs.  However, while catering to his and my husbands needs, I realized two weeks ago that I'd--once again--been completely neglecting my own.  I was in desperate need of a haircut, I wanted my hair straightened and let's not even talk about the horrid condition of my poor neglected feet.

Natural Hairstyle| My Fabulous Bantu Knot Out

At the beginning of last week, I was deperate for a way to jazz up my hair without having to do much.  If you don't know by now, let me jsut tell you that I'm particularly lazy about hair these days.  Sure, I want it to look nice but I don't want to spend 4-5 hours out of my day wrestling with hair.  (Let me also say that since I've gone Curly Girl, my hair is SO much easier to manage! More on that later.)

A little bored with my twists out I went back to an old favorite of mine--BANTU KNOTS!  Back in the day, my bantu knots didn't turn out all that great but since then, I've got them down to a science.  They come out great every time and the only problems with frizz that I get are if I fiddle with my hair too much.  Which, that's a problem for every natural, lol.

Anyway, here are pics of the results to include a little bantu knot video tutorial as well.

Music Love | Dawn Richard (GoldenHeart Album Snippets)

This is the moment I've been waiting for along with every other Heart:  Dawn Richard is set to release her much anticipated album, GoldenHeart on Tuesday Janaury 15, 2013.  The album will feature 16-tracks including one of my favorite tracks so far, '86.

Take This With You | Hope for a Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that you all made it safely, in good health and with spirits high. Whatever list of goals or resolutions you've conjured up, I pray you strength, knowledge and the determination to see it through. I'm looking forward to this being a great year and I'm expecting God to douse us with a double portion of what he blessed us with last year.

 I don't usually have any New Year's resolutions and this year's no different aside from the determination to finish my list of "31 Things". Of course, now that I'm with child some of those things like going to Carnival and running those 2 or 3 marathons will definitely have to be crossed off the list. I think after the baby there is only one marathon that I'll be able to complete so that will be left on the list. I'm in the process of revamping the list and I'll make sure I show you a side by side so you'll know what's changed and what's still the same.

 Before I sign off, I found some beautiful quotes that I'd like you to take with you. Stay encouraged this year and keep working on your goals. Even if it's just one step each day, you'll be one step closer to living the life you envision.

You must step out of your comfort zone.

Excuses change NOTHING.  Stop talking, make a plan and start working.

When your back is against the wall, you'll fight harder.

If you don't love it, don't be afraid leave it behind.

*images sourced from Pinterest*