Still here!

Nothing much has happened in the last week or so....which means I'm still here and still locked!

I have gotten a lot of compliments on my hair, but I know that ppl think that they are just little braids. I was sooo happy when at my uncle's house for Christmas, a young lady (my cousin's girlfriend) said.."oh, that's so cute! You and your daughter have sisterlocks!"

Well, my daughter doesn't...she had small two strand twists all over her head, but it was nice for someone to finally compliment me on my hair and actually know what they are.

I can't wait for my retightning. My consultant, Kiki of Natural and Free, LLC (www.naturalandfree.com) is doing AWESOME! She is booked like every weekend, so I am going to have to schedule my retightnings like six months out!

I am anxious for it (my retightning) because I have a lot of questions...I don't style my hair at all, its so short that I just freestyle, but I definitely tell the difference in the two textures in my hair that KiKi was telling me about. The front seems to have unraveled, yet the back and the sides have "locks" that are still in place. I don't know if this is attributed to the consistent flakes in the front of my hair, which leads me to scratching and brushing my hair with my hands and fingers to get the flakes out. I will say that the flakes have calmed down a bit, but not much. The itchiness has subsided, but the flakes remain. (sigh)

I do have some slippage and those that have come completely undone in the back of my nape area, but I know that that is due to my bonnet not reaching the back of my hair and those baby's being wet while I'm in the shower.

I have some stray hairs just growing in my hair, mainly at the top, but KiKi said that's normal. I do realize that the hair at the top of my hair, from the middle to the front hairline is going to be the most difficult to lock. I feel like it's going to just unravel and try to do its own thing all the time.

I must admit, these four weeks went by so fast...a lot quicker than the three weeks in between my consultation and my initial install. I have a feeling that the next couple of months will go by pretty fast as well.

I'm looking forward to the NEW YEAR and all the things that it bring! 2010 will be the beginning of the rest of my life! New hair, new attitude, new and exciting things on the horizon!

Till next time!

I WASHED MY HAIR!

Sisterlocks are not only teaching me to love me wholly, but I'm learning a thing or two about patience.... My scalp is very itchy and flaky..and I don't think its from the lack of oil because I haven't "oiled" my hair or scalp in months prior...but I've always had dandruff. Before SLs when I had dandruff, I just washed my hair...and that was about every 4 or five days....so...going from the 4th to now (yesterday) was torture! I couldn't stop scratching, and flakes kept appearing, even after the acv (which was a temporary fix). So, last night I decided to wash my hair.... It took me an HOUR and FIFTEEN minutes just to braid (twist in my case since my hair is so short) and band and clip. Trying ever so gently not to mess anything up...not to be too rough...trying not to mess up my little babies... I diluted the shampoo and spritz my hair and rinsed, rinsed, rinsed...and today, I've come to these conclusions... 1) I diluted the shampoo too much cuz my scalp doesn't look or feel clean at all. 2) I twisted too tight, didn't get shampoo into the sections, just on top 3) I think I have slippage in the middle back of my hair and the front, but none in the back 4) A lot of my ends seemed to unravel Hmm....I don't think I zig zagged enough....i think I was being so careful that all I did was put some water on my hair and not wash really. I did separate the locks and let them air dry. I awoke this morning to still finding flakes....I have huge flakes only in the top and sides of my hair, not really in the back....I just had to shake and go. Hopefully things get better.... Any suggestions??

Loving my SLs and my NEW EARRINGS!

So... Today was another beautiful day of fluff and go! I just had to wear my earrings from CaiTai today (http://www.etsy.com/shop/BuyCaTai)! They are absolutely gorgemous! I usually have a ton of down time at work so a lot of my pics may be from there. Nothing really to report...I used some acv on my scalp and the itchies and dandruff have calmed down a bit. I'll be washing my hair on tomorrow and def posting pics of that. Till next time!

1 week old (technically!)

I've been living in some of my SLs for a week..others won't come to this milestone until Wednesday.

But....I've loved every minute. I am a last minute type of girl...I wake up with just enough time to get dressed and head out of the door (I have a toddler that is allergic to sleep!). Since I've been locked, I actually have about 5 mins to spare...and that's a lot in my world!

Below are some pics of me today. I have a couple locks that are just doing their thang and sticking up all whicha way. But that's cool.

I got a lot of compliments today....a lot of "ooh I like your hair" But i know that many thought they were tiny braids...I didn't say anything different...it was family, so they'll see the transformation occur before their eyes.

OMG...what am I gonna do about the itchiness and the dandruff. I'm suppossed to wash my hair this weekend, but i don't know if I can last that long. Like, if my hands are in my hair now, its to scratch my scalp and try to get these dandruff out. I stopped oiling my scalp when I did the big chop because it felt like I had worms crawling on/in my scalp with the thickness of my hair....BUT I did wash my hair like every 3 0r 4 days...whenever it started to itch, I washed it...so I'm going a lil nuts over here!

But, besides that, I'm still liking them. I like them short....i'm appreciating the texture more. I don't feel compelled to spiral rod or roll them cuz my hair isn't long enuf yet. My locs are getting those curly q's already and is looking like a puff of curls anyway, so I'm glad they are just being left alone and i'm freestyling for now.

INSTALL PICS!

Each time I need to upload pics to the web, be it Facebook, or sending pics to family and friends, I can't find my USB cord. Well, this time was no different! So, I had to wait until my consultant posted the pics on her website so I can post them here! (u don't mind, do you? *wink*) Here they are folks!

I'M LOCKED DOWN!

YAAAYYYY!

It felt so good to be able to wake up this morning and go! Especially with the cold weather that Chicago is having (2 degrees with winds of 30 mph), I was in love this morning.

Normally, I would have a pic of me all dolled up, but this weather is nuts so what you see is me staying warm (hence the bare face and the sweat shirt!LOL)

I know you're probably wondering what the specs are so...here goes! (I'll figure out how to have it on the side of my blog like most of the seasoned women, but that may be some time from now)

SL Birthday: December 9th, 2009
Consultant: Mrs. Talley www.naturalandfree.com
Total Hours: 24.5 (over five days, my schedule is crazy)
Size: Small to small/medium in the crown
Locks: 600+ (I'll have a more accurate amount after my washing)

I'm sooooo excited!

Many thanks to KiKi...she was so patient with me and so knowledgeable and entertaining...couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Still getting locked down...

Sooo, my journey began on Friday, December 4th, 2009 at approx. 7 pm. At this time, I probably have over 550+ locks installed with an entire front section to go.

My consultant (trainee), Mrs. K. Talley is a trooper, like for real! I live in Lombard IL and for the last four days (and counting...she's coming back to finish on Wednesday) she has traveled from INDIANA to service me!

Can you imagine that!? I am so thankful for her... I knew at our consultation that I would chose her...her spirit is so warm, we talk and joke around like we've known each other for years. My family have welcomed her and I look forward to seeing her every month after this for a looooonnnnnnnnnnggggg time! I'm planning on scheduling my next re-tightenings for the next 6 months to a year once I have my follow-up!

I haven't been able to fully "ROCK MY LOCKS" yet because I am sporting a wide headband...but I already can't keep my hands out of my hair...I can't stop looking at it and I can't wait to experience all the new phases it will be going thru.

I told my dad I got Sisterlocked and he said "I thought you said you was gonna stay natural?" LOL Can't wait for him to see them develop too.

Its been challenging over the last couple of days trying to explain not only Sisterlocks, but also locking in general to my white and mexican co-workers. I'll just let time show them.

Why didn't I do this sooner!?

(pics coming soon)

TOOOODDDDAAAAYYY!

I have been so swamped at work that I almost forgot that today begins my installation.

I am excited! I have been waiting on this day for weeks...and now its finally here!

My installation will be spread out over three days...so I won't technically be "born" until Sunday, which is the last day.

If I am not mistaken, I will only be getting parted today. My hair is kinda short, so I hope it doesn't take that long...I was hoping that at least one back section would be completed today. The more that gets done, the sooner, and the less time I'll be spending in the house.

Although the weekends are strictly devoted to my daughter (I take her out and we enjoy mommy/daughter time) and I'd hate to be cramped up inside the house for an entire weekend...it is the first cold weekend here in Chicago (20 degrees) so I guess staying in won't be too bad!

I will definitely be posting pics up during the process. I just got a new cell phone so I'm anxious to break it in and send/upload pics.

Till next time ppl!

Should have...

Reasearched more before I spent my money on the beeswax.....

I will be returning it today...that's if they have a return policy!

To be FREEEEE!

So....

Today was my first trip to a beauty salon since BC...and what an eye opening experience...

Friday is my install and I needed a satin bonnet and a satin pillowcase....didn't want to go to Sally's because it would be ridiculously expensive and I didn't feel like going to WalMart because I'm sure I'd end up spending more money on other things...
So I went to the beauty supply store because I KNEW that there wasn't anything else that I would need...

Typical store....hair all in the window, black girl at the register and the random Korean (i guess) walking around making sure you don't steal. (That's another blog all in itself! lawdy!)

Out of habit I go to the baby section...I'm always trying to find products to make my baby's hair all nice and wavy. (total mistake)

I picked up some conditioner and all this other stuff and then asked her, what do these products do? she told me..and the light bulb came on...

If I'm trying to get her hair to look as natural as possible, why the hell am I buying products? so i put everything back and asked where the beeswax was for twisting. She told me, then told me that maybe I should use a gel...
HUH? maybe not! I told her that gels are alcohol based and strip ur hair of natural oils...i just want her twists to hold. "you do them yourself?" "Yep", I replied...then I showed her a pic of my little girl.



"Woow! That's her hair? How old is she?" 2 years old, I replied.

She said that her 9 month old baby's hair is fine and rubber bands slip off and she puts all this stuff in it to make braids and stuff stay, but nothing helps...so I asked her why?

"Does your 9 month old really need ponytails and barrettes?

I told her that the best thing about having her was that I don't know how to braid or ponytail or anything like that, thus, I let brook's hair just grow, naturally. Had no choice...felt like I was inadequate in making her "look" good with hair styles.
I told her if her baby's hair is fine and silky, leave it alone. comb it and let her wear it free. let her hair just grow...she's only 9 months for God's sake!

And I sat in the car after that, knowing that I made the right decision. My daughter encouraged me to be natural...my research led me to finding alternatives to braids and ponytails....You won't see me, or her, in a shop, in a chair, getting straightened out.

Funny how before she was born, ppl bought me all types of hair bows and "ball" and barrettes for her hair, and she has a bucket full that she just dumps on the floor from time to time.

Yes, twisting her hair (before it became really long I used to box braid it, really small braids) takes time...but its time I'll gladly invest. We bond...I learn about her and her hair and I want to make her pretty.



Funny how more ppl have commented on my 'fro and her twists (or her hair in general) than anything else. It seems so unheard of for baby's to wear fro's or their natural hair.

Being natural made me walk different...talk different....it shouldn't be, but ppl make judgments according to how you look now...you get stared at more often, or are expected to be a certain way. I wear my fro proudly, and will wear my sisterlocks the same.

I still chuckle at a lady who said, "ur hair is nice...it fits you...u look like Jill Scott...u listen to her a lot?" Like my decision to go natural was brought on by JIll's music, like I am joining the revolution...I told her "honey, its not that deep. I did this for me."

If only Jill's music had subliminal messages that would make all ppl who heard it realize the beauty in natural hair....

All I know is, this is the first time in life I've spent less than 9 bucks at the beauty supply store on 3 products...and it felt so damn good!

Still waiting!

Four more days.....

Ugh!
Patience is a virtue! So, I keep saying that this time is allowing my hair to grow just a little bit more LOL!

The BF asked "when are you getting your hair done again?"(as he grabs a fistful of my natural 'fro). Although he knows nothing of sisterlocks, and is still not understanding even after I explain it to him, I know he trusts me.

Plus, I look good in whatever I do!

Hair done....now its on to transforming my body. Gotta start working out and paying close attention to being healthy. I have to set a good example for my daughter. Right now her eating habits are horrible, a reflection of me. I can't make sure she's eating right if I'm not doing the same thing.

2010 will begin a new journey for me...I will begin to live again. I thought my world ended when my mom passed away, but she was giving me a newfound life as the woman she knew she raised me to be!

Till next time ppl!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving all!

I always love being with family. Family can piss you off, make you just cringe, but in the end, you all know its out of love....and there is tons of love in my family.

This year, I decided against putting up and my baby's father stayed home....if he comes around, he does...if not...oh well. Our lives will go on...

Still on the countdown for my hair. This time next week I'll be heading home to get ready for my install. 7 more days! Seems like a loonnnggg time! I'm just giving my hair a little more time to grow.

I am scared though. I've seen tons of pics of sisterlocks and I know that they all can look different, however, I have yet to see a blog or a pic of the install on a sista with less than 4 inches of natural hair. My natural hair is measuring in at about 3 inches and 2.5 in some areas of my hair. My test locks are short.....just not sure how I'm gonna look initially.....

Sisterlock Test Locks

In my haste to write about "Good Hair" I didn't post a pic of my test locks...

Its been fie days now, and aside from occasionally feeling something while trying to pick my hair out, I haven't noticed my test locks in my hair. They have actually curled us and are kinda tucked amongst the hugeness of my afro.

Of course I'm still excited! Of course I wish this Monday waws November 30th which would mean I only had a couple more days till my installation, but since I still have two more weeks, I'm gonna stop trying to count the days.

I'll instead focus on shorter milestones.....Thanksgiving on Thursday, class on next Tuesday, payday... LOL

Good or Bad Hair???

Soooo,

Last night I finally saw "Good Hair"...and I'm kinda surprised at how I feel about it. Its almost like I was watching Rosewood or something. I had so many thoughts running through my head..I got a chance to watch it while the mister was at work and the baby was asleep, no interruptions whatsoever.

That movie has...
1) confirmed my decision to go natural. Funny how Eve is quoting "I am not my hair" as a justification of wearing weaves and relaxers, but the true intent and words (in the song or otherwise) is to freely be....
2) Ironic that (as the sister described)people think you are being "revolutionary" when you decide to wear your hair in its natural state, be it locked, free flowing, afro, braids, etc.
3) Confirmed that I will NEVER put a relaxer in my baby's hair...my baby has DRAPES! Why? because I'm patient with her, I'm patient with her hair. I thank God I had no clue what to do with her hair...to this day, I don't know how to braid. But I research daily on what I can do to her hair that does not require heat or a relaxer. And my baby doesn't have the silky straight hair, her hair is dense and coily and curly and I've heard countless times, "you need to put a perm in her hair". NEVER...those are for lazy ass mothers who don't take pride in their child's hair. Your baby doesn't even have her set of adult teeth and you put a relaxer in it??? No thank you!
4) made me even more adamant about never going to another Korean/Japanese/Chinese beauty shop. You can't even speak English, yet you sell tons of products made for my hair and have the nerve to tell me what's natural?? KICK ROCKS!

I could go on, but I won't...I think I got my point across.

Being natural is so liberating! There are no expectations on how I will look....Sure I don't have ppl coming up to me telling me how straight my hair is, or how great my layers look. But i do have ppl telling me how beautiful my afro is...how it "fits my face", even white ppl have commented on how beautiful my hair is.

Why is it so foreign for us to rock our natural hair? White women accessorize their hair, some alter it with color...but they rock the hair that they were born with, just figure out the texture and do what is necessary for their hair.

I know the ideals and feelings are so deep rooted and it'll take some time to un-do...But it can't stop at "Good Hair"....

I commend Chris Rock for making it informative yet comical in order to reach a broader audience, but I still don't think the message was had beyond the credits of the film.

I'm just glad I made my decision a long time ago...

I'm on my way....

Hey, Hey, HEY!

I am pretty diligent when I want something....I wasn't going to let up until I got results!

Unfortunately, out of all the people I contacted, whether by email or phone, only ONE person contacted me back (and she called to tell me she wasn't taking any new clients).

I was kinda upset....how could one begin their journey with Sisterlocks, if it's gonna take weeks or even months to get them started. If there are more people out there like me, then I'm sure they just decided to do something else....

Until KiKi came along....

If you do your research and you read the blogs and Google more and more, then you begin to see the some familiar faces....and if you're as gung ho as me, then you connect them together.

I sent KeAndri Talley of Natural and Free, LLC at www.naturalandfree.com a message and within 20 mins she replied....the NEXT DAY, I had my consultation.

That's right! As I write I have my test locks and I'm scheduled for December 4th.

KeAndri really upheld the professionalism that I expected from all the other consultants....maybe they don't need new business, but if you represent a larger company and trademark, then you should act better with responses. Hell, auto responses are still available on email servers.

But, that's ok! I am already looking forward to my sessions with KeAndri, and that's how its supposed to be....forming sisterhoods while getting Sisterlocked.

And soo it begins....

Lots of things have happened in the last three years, and while those things have greatly shaped my present... on here, they aren't that important....not because you don't need to know, but mainly because, if you're smart, you'll kinda figure it out.

I'm still a DIVA....just transforming a bit....starting with my hair.

My hair has always been beautiful....for as long as I can remember. My mother took great care of my hair, so much so that i never even washed my hair before I turned 18. Healthy, long, beautiful, thick hair.....my hair was her prize...then i went to college.

Imagine, being 18 and not even knowing how to wash and dry my hair? Miraculously, I still had great hair...my hair was a trooper, it endured all the craziness i did to it.

Healthy, thick hair....permed hair that looked like a wig when it was curled and styled...never wore braids that much, other than the ones my mother put in my hair....

Then I began to experiment...colors, cuts, long, straight, everything, and no matter what i did I was still bored with my hair. No matter what style, it was always cute.

That's cuz I MADE my hair...flash forward....

My daughter is a beautiful 2 year old who was born with a HEAD FULL OF CURLY HAIR. Everyone told me that it would fall out...baby hair always does...well it didn't. It got longer and thicker and curlier and my days and nights were spent researching and spending tons of money on products....cuz I had NO CLUE WHAT TO DO WITH HER HAIR!

As a mother, you never want to harm your child. No tugging, pressing, or any of that, especially not on a baby (she's only 2) Snow White would have never ate the poisonous apple if I was her mother...I would have gotten to it first. But how can I try out these products if my hair is permed.

So...I cut it off. My shining glory was cut off... partly because of my baby girl, but also because I no longer wanted to be defined by my hair. My uncle once said, "I either see you with your hair done, or not, never an in between...."

What is in between? The period where you need a touch up?

As I am learning about my baby's hair, I'm learning about my own...and myself. People look at me differently with my afro...some think I'm on this deep path, listening to India Aire and Musiq everyday, burning incense and such. I laugh and reply, "honey, its not that deep...I just wanted natural hair". But why, when someone chooses to wear their natural hair, is it perceived to be this deep transition? Or is it?

I wanted my daughter to love her hair....I wanted, from as long as she can remember, her to know that I love her natural hair because I love my own. How can I tell her, "No, baby, your natural hair is beautiful, you don't need a perm", when I go and get "touched up" every 6 weeks.

The pic you see is 3 months after the big chop and I love it...but I want something more....

I've decided that more is Sisterlocks....