Artist Madrid, Naturally

I have always had a thing for bangs. I just love them! So I was so physed this week when I realized I could once again rock bangs with my hair kinky! It all started when I decided to take my Bob Marley twists/braids (I will talk about that more in a later post) out earlier then anticipated. Since there were still a couple more days till wash day, LeLola was definitely all "stretched" out with no place (or style) to go. So I used the opportunity to try a style NaturallyLazy had just shared with me. You basically just start from the center of your head and flat twist (medium-sized) your hair out. Then you roll the ends. In the morning, you get up and undo everything (carefully!). And TaDa! So I look into the mirror and I tell myself not to get to excited. I have been down this road so many times before. I start off with a bang and then an hour later my "bang" is standing straight up on my head. So sad. This time however it stayed! I think the extra stretchin...

By ShakaLynn I’ve always loved the feel of warm wooly cotton locks running through my fingers. From the first time my mother taught me to braid hair I knew it would be a love I’d possess for a lifetime.  Yes, I was the teen on the block who would braid, twist, twirl and cornrow up the locals in the neighborhood— male and females.  Whether it be for a little spending money or just for the love of it—I was always in someone’s head.  Being a ‘New Yorker’ I am usually willing to give most things a try.  And so when my daughter said that she was “going natural” (which I had been telling her for years that natural would be the look that would refine her mild yet saucy personality)—I decided that it would also be my opportunity to forgo perms and hot combs.  I’ve been semi-natural off and on over the years and was never a 6-8 week touch-up person.  My hair already looked like—huh...what’s going on here?  My hair and me have an understanding—I lea...

Many people know that a Mediterranean diet* has heart health benefits. But it is also very tasty and can be very simple to make. Some of my friends and I decided to to get together and make ourselves a healthy Mediterranean-inspired lunch: As soon as we decided to make turkey pita sandwiches, I thought that the sauce they put on gyros would be a nice addition (and healthier option than mayo). As I started Googling recipes, two things became apparent: this sauce is called Tzatziki ( Phonetic Pronunciation:  tsah-ZEE-kee ) and that it is made out of cucumbers (eek!). Side note: I really don't like cucumbers but love their cousin the pickle. So I decided that even though I didn't quite know how to call it and it was made with cucumbers, I would be adventurous and make it anyway. It definitely paid off!!!!  * Meaning: food that is habitually eaten Tzatziki Sauce+ Makes about 1 1/2 cups WeightWatchers PointsPlus: 2 per serving Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups ...

How do I prevent skin cancer? How should I select a sunscreen? How do I apply sunscreen? Other sunscreen FAQs *All links take you to AAD.org (American Academy of Dermatology website)

So I'm a little behind. But I promise you all a post or two next week. Wherever you are and wherever your going have a Great Weekend!!!

I’ve mentioned this before but I feel like I should go into more detail about losing weight and self-image. Losing weight is a war and there are days when you feel like giving up because it is just too difficult (I know I feel that way many a times). But did you ever think that maybe your attitude towards the whole process may also be stunting your progress? As someone who has been plus size since puberty, trust me when I say I know a thing or two about having low self-esteem and not being pleased by what I see in the mirror. As a teenager, I tried so many times to get the weight off. But what methods was I using: starving myself, fad diets, excluding whole food groups etc. Of course none of these were permanent solutions. Why would I put my body through horrible things like that? Because I hated my body. Because I felt like I deserved to suffer through those horrid methods as punishment for being fat. Fast forward a couple years, I think that I have accepted myself an...

For More Information: http://www.skincancer.org/

The moment you all have been waiting for: my first post on exercising! What have I been doing? I have been exercising regularly since the second week in March. I have worked my way up to a least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes. My Format: For the aerobic section, I either do walking or dancing. My goal is to start adding strength training into my routine by next week. The Challenges? The #1 challenge I face when it comes to exercising is being consistent.  This is a two-fold problem for me:       1.)     I need motivation! The Nexercise App gives me just that. First off, it is free to download (check). You can track your activity by having it in your pocket or arm band during exercise or by adding it later (check).  It even has a GPS feature that can tell you how many miles you have walked or jogged.  Last but certainly not least, you earn coupons and points (which can add up to...