tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70793361198025666212024-03-16T03:22:01.359-04:00Geraldine the GreatWriter.Thinker.BeautyLover.
General musings of a GirlyGirl.Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-42340317326850903172016-01-28T12:00:00.000-05:002016-01-28T12:00:01.310-05:00A Reintroduction.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 'How many years have you been natural?', the woman quizzed. I'd seen her approaching, as I stood at a busy downtown intersection. Her stride had been so purposeful and direct, that I had already removed one earphone, in anticipation of whatever it was would have to ask.<br />"That's all you, right?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She gestured to my hair, as she neared, and I chuckled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Yeah, it's all mine." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I watched as her eyes kept breaking contact with mine, drifting up to my head to survey. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I knew what she was thinking. I'm well-trained in </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">the mental math naturals do to approximate growth rate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Length of hair</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> /</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Length of time</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">X =</span></div>
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<b style="color: #e06666;">If I'm natural for at least 5 years, my hair will be down my back by then.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's really a rough calculation, since many factors affect growth rate. There's the tightness of curl, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">learning curves, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">perhaps a sprinkle of various set backs, breakages, trims, intentional hair cuts, etc. A lot of variants influence length, so even though I always offer up an answer-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">'Almost 7 years. I've been natural for almost 7 years.'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know that the length of time doesn't always mean voluminous long hair galore.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmYt3Z0uaVolL8M0lO-iyzlPWwLzg1AE5JgDeha6T3ccJZgY3SZoRVpyJ7aLGbHHKS_joVTCANhda6Yqbe-YY_qO3_vwwlkl9HOHBMaILEwf760YMZdE1UGwECrd5Juxr-bze_fwr5uc/s1600/20160128_042251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmYt3Z0uaVolL8M0lO-iyzlPWwLzg1AE5JgDeha6T3ccJZgY3SZoRVpyJ7aLGbHHKS_joVTCANhda6Yqbe-YY_qO3_vwwlkl9HOHBMaILEwf760YMZdE1UGwECrd5Juxr-bze_fwr5uc/s640/20160128_042251.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" width="422" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then there's always shrinkage that still blows my mind. In the above image, my hair is about 21 inches stretched (give or take), and about 4 inches wet. When dry, my hair looses about another half an inch. It's such a fun part of natural hair, and </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">shrinkage comparison pictures will forever take my breath away away</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">. Off topic, I will be updating you in full with new measurements of my hair. And</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> as a sort of reintroduction to the characteristics of my predominantly 4c hair, allow me to run them by you guys really quickly:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><b style="color: #e06666;">*</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My hair is super dense.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>*</b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My curls vary from pen spring sized to straw sized.</span><br />
<b style="color: #e06666;">*</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My hair is porous, so I'm always focused on hydration and sealing moisture into my strands.</span><br />
<b style="color: #e06666;">*</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A purely rough estimate of my strands has the longest pieces at about 23 inches. But, stay tuned for concrete </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>deets </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> on this.</span><br />
<b style="color: #e06666;">*</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I trim twice a year, and my last trim was last July. I'm pretty excited about trimming again soon lol. </span><br />
<b style="color: #e06666;">*</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My routine is notorious for being very minimal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- I don't like brushes or combs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">-I mostly finger detangle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">-I protective style.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A lot.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Hmm what else?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I'm missing anything you </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>wanna </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">know about my texture, you guys, please comment below.</span></div>
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-51005196369603202452016-01-26T12:00:00.000-05:002016-01-26T12:00:08.291-05:005 Cold Weather Tips for Type 4 Hair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Raise your hand if you used </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>#Blizzard2016</b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> as some downtime to nurture your hair? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You guys already know that I did. It was the perfect excuse to spend some time with my hair (believe it or not, my low maintenance self often gets accused of spending too much time with it, already. Imagine!). But this weekend, with being inundated by 32'' of snow, I mean, what else was there to do? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNSto1SQxSbFI02Ir-3aKDeKig0uBxyFq_lH8eFD4ZqgjDfQRtGsD4w5lqDIdWq3aYsC4vce-uBCmoHGVYvdCVyXC6oHAvZOBr4aRj2SGOaD0qaRJVC3Y-rO49-rS40UbCO-JDJksSRA/s1600/gerimua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNSto1SQxSbFI02Ir-3aKDeKig0uBxyFq_lH8eFD4ZqgjDfQRtGsD4w5lqDIdWq3aYsC4vce-uBCmoHGVYvdCVyXC6oHAvZOBr4aRj2SGOaD0qaRJVC3Y-rO49-rS40UbCO-JDJksSRA/s1600/gerimua.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sitting Indian style in front of my tv with traces of my coconut prepoo running down my neck (I always use too much), I started thinking of cold weather fixes that can work for us naturals who are dealing with brutal winter storms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Take a look at what I came up with, and add to the list if I've left any out:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>1.</b></span> <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Cold water rinses are </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">counter-intuitive, because who doesn't love steamy hot showers in the winter? This girl loves them year-round.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> But, they can be very drying to your skin and hair. So, try ending your wash routines with a blast of cold water, which flattens hair cuticles and tightens up the pores on your skin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>2. </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Up your</span> <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>steam treatments</b></span>. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Steam treatments create moist environments for your hair. A moist environment is especially important when deep conditioning because the steam opens up your cuticles, allowing your hair conditioners and hair oils to penetrate and work more effectively. There are many steamers on the market (<a href="http://qredew.com/" target="_blank">Q-redew</a>, <a href="http://www.behuetiful.com/" target="_blank">Huetiful</a>, etc).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you don't own any steam machines? No worries. I don't either. To get similar results, I heat up a small wet towel (think washcloth) in the microwave and place it over my plastic</span> <b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">baggied </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">head. Then I cover my head with another plastic bag, and I turban everything up in a larger towel.</span> </div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>3. </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Increase your hot</span> <b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">oil treatments</span></b>. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the perfect time for them because a lot of us suffer from itchier scalps during the dry winter months. Warm up your oils and apply them to your scalp. They are also great for your hair strands and they work similarly to the steam treatments in opening up your cuticles and imparting healthy nutrients. What's also great about them is that you can use easily accessed oils- coconut, olive, avocado, jojoba. I'm going to be trying this with palm oil soon.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">4.</span></b> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cold weather usually also means drier temperatures that leech out moisture from your hair. Are you dealing with this as you rip and run through your daily activities? No problem. I love creating portable elixirs that re-hydrate my hair when I'm out and about. My favorite ingredients are simple- glycerin, rose water, and coconut oil. They're mixed in a tiny spray bottle et voila; a cute</span> <b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">hydrator </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">for cold temperatures and thirsty hair.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">5. Bun </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">your hair before you cover it in your hoodie or beanie. Hear me out on this one. If you're not protective styling during this time, and you're rocking twist outs and wash n gos, you can still protect your hair as you move about. Wrap your hair up in a loose bun (you don't have to disrupt your style too much). Then wear your jacket hoodie or beanie as you normally would, before you step out into the cold. Once you're at your destination, remove the bun and fluff out your tresses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did I leave any out? Chime in below.</span></div>
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-71512369446003483922016-01-18T12:00:00.000-05:002016-01-18T12:00:22.762-05:00Revising the Twist Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT02hngGi2myKO_C1PcgIJbg7puE5q4mjAgFcn6uEtU_7QE3Eq8fcqHwKSYYYhC3JtXp9vc_qtHTdbFWJegta5d6dv1jjUuHsfErBp7DQRg9REKrcd3XHd4zhUROGTIn3oZsirJS0mgM/s1600/C360_2016-01-16-19-42-52-237-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="613" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT02hngGi2myKO_C1PcgIJbg7puE5q4mjAgFcn6uEtU_7QE3Eq8fcqHwKSYYYhC3JtXp9vc_qtHTdbFWJegta5d6dv1jjUuHsfErBp7DQRg9REKrcd3XHd4zhUROGTIn3oZsirJS0mgM/s640/C360_2016-01-16-19-42-52-237-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like learning. I like being humbled. I like pleasant surprises, long walks, candle light dinners, paninis from Wawas... actually, I LOVE paninis from Wawas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But right. On the topic of hair, over the weekend, I revisited a style that I've always wished I could love on my head. Have we talked about my love/hate relationship with twist outs? We have before, haven't we? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Quick recap-</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">* </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They are easy, super easy to install, but-</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">*</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My hair always looks thinner than normal when I do them.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">* </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To counter the thinness, I separate the curls and fluff for fullness, but-</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">*</span></b><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I get a multitude of tangles, and who needs encouraged tangles?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As a whole, twistouts just never look 'right' on me </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">:-/</span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. I don't know what it is.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, over the weekend, as I stood wedged between my closet door and shelves laden with creams and oils, my eyes settled on my Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercream.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbebEZ530wyyvkQRt08mExPgwMRmmXf9AMTvObaup9Ey7PC13aoFavopsoVqnxMBiW9Dk_4nGZSLWnWE757zcsavzHZ-_hnTB6hVz80Xkw1OKJmTMkFDP3zFesBzLq5rtlLWAh5AT83g/s1600/C360_2016-01-17-18-02-49-476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbebEZ530wyyvkQRt08mExPgwMRmmXf9AMTvObaup9Ey7PC13aoFavopsoVqnxMBiW9Dk_4nGZSLWnWE757zcsavzHZ-_hnTB6hVz80Xkw1OKJmTMkFDP3zFesBzLq5rtlLWAh5AT83g/s640/C360_2016-01-17-18-02-49-476.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've had this jar for months and months. Whenever I'd think about using it, I'd reread the ingredients list and gingerly put it back. The mineral oil and the petrolatum, were problematic. They still are, but since I'm close to my wash day, I thought it wouldn't hurt to experiment a little.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1N_nEDi2Vx-yx9uFjP-eKnxpG2GJ9YrHZzyoo8df_QHbky5TKraMzBpFA6uZ6IxdSq9jU6ZrX1xtJ2kDNyESzVWip9EyY3eWB7ShRubdsUrfG3L2jHh3GLBjuOWO29XMGz5nxXM-OyM/s1600/C360_2016-01-17-18-00-13-886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1N_nEDi2Vx-yx9uFjP-eKnxpG2GJ9YrHZzyoo8df_QHbky5TKraMzBpFA6uZ6IxdSq9jU6ZrX1xtJ2kDNyESzVWip9EyY3eWB7ShRubdsUrfG3L2jHh3GLBjuOWO29XMGz5nxXM-OyM/s640/C360_2016-01-17-18-00-13-886.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I completely saturated the sections of hair with the cream- </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>like </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">the cream seeped out of my hair as I completed each twist. When the cream would seep out, I'd swipe it off the twist, and redistribute it on my ends. Then, instead of cold rodding the ends, as I normally would, I'd wrap the ends around themselves </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>à la</b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> bantu knot.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbXtYke2eKzqSaDy_X16yXyCDhp2vCJMl1aMbu22P7LQmU6fd58iTfVcGerMX95PAJH1Tm2jG4gVDJmLRlfBWuaG0aHkO4Jt1zDTUFJTelTLSbFK4fE78dM2fxusQOqswyKhX_Eb8Db4/s1600/20160116_005431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbXtYke2eKzqSaDy_X16yXyCDhp2vCJMl1aMbu22P7LQmU6fd58iTfVcGerMX95PAJH1Tm2jG4gVDJmLRlfBWuaG0aHkO4Jt1zDTUFJTelTLSbFK4fE78dM2fxusQOqswyKhX_Eb8Db4/s640/20160116_005431.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> A day later, the twists were unraveled. More importantly, I went against everything in my soul, and separated the sections entirely. I usually only concentrate on separating the roots and shaft of my hair, whenever I do braidouts and the like. I rarely ever separate the ends, but I stuck to the task at hand and went all the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Surprisingly, the tangles were minimal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> So far, anyways lol. At night, I've been pineappling ie, gathering my hair at the top of my head, and tying a scarf loosely around my head to keep it all in place.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRAOCgBxXLhFOkbz_K57_eXLzWJFSMht4sx3fPIP41pQ9NzH-HnJhS606kae0IPC9vcut0ZP8tvcwYW2RgXQTuJSQ9uGmQIWzxqGPy6s0vb2NcWgm63pJIKR7MWLxsVDzcalRf4TmnKQ/s1600/C360_2016-01-16-19-40-19-061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRAOCgBxXLhFOkbz_K57_eXLzWJFSMht4sx3fPIP41pQ9NzH-HnJhS606kae0IPC9vcut0ZP8tvcwYW2RgXQTuJSQ9uGmQIWzxqGPy6s0vb2NcWgm63pJIKR7MWLxsVDzcalRf4TmnKQ/s1600/C360_2016-01-16-19-40-19-061.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have to say I'm really feeling it. The definition at my ends is really pretty. My hair feels soft and moisturized, and I keep catching </span><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Babe</b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> trying to sneak sniffs lol. </span></div>
Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-45219826692295376392016-01-12T09:30:00.000-05:002016-01-12T12:18:47.116-05:00#MindsetShifts<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">"Who taught you to hate the color of your skin? Who taught you to hate the texture of your hair? Who taught you to hate the shape of you nose and the shape of your lips? Who taught you to hate yourself from the top of your head to the soles of your feet?"</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">- </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Malcom X (Ronald Stokes funeral service)</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: left;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">These questions still resonate deeply with us today, because the conditions that created the insecurities we have in ourselves, still exist. We exist within those conditions, so we still battle with self acceptance in all forms. Sometimes, the fight's easier because there are tangible victories. Viola's Emmy acceptance speech. My mom resisting the urge to smooth out my curly edges. I celebrate all of our successes. Over the weekend, and in case you missed it, I collaborated with two natural hair vloggers (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/nappyfu/" target="_blank">Nappyfu </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/livingwithosa/" target="_blank">LivingwithOsa</a>) on tips we thought naturals with the curliest hair textures would like to hear. While my partners created uniquely applicable content that was punchy and direct, my video veered into the motivational realm.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Before scheduling the video upload, I'd had a bout of anxiety about the length of it and about my entire demeanor. It was longer than the others and long videos toe the line between being inspirational and preachy. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">I didn't want to be preachy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">But, I wanted to convey a message that I as a 7 year natural would appreciate hearing from others with my hair type. I'd have appreciated the message at any stage during my journey, frankly. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">In that perspective, I was able to rest a bit easier, and to anticipate the responses that the video would elicit, in a calmer and strengthened manner. And plus, I'd asked viewers to comment on their own mindset shifts they'd experienced along the way. Most of mine were discussed in the video, and I'm </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">still reading through all the comments, because my viewers went in </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>y'all</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. I'd asked them to, and they rose to the occasion beautifully.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All three of our videos are here for you to view. I'd love to hear your thoughts, as well. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you experienced any mindset shifts of your own?</span></div>
Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-81151891798075627222016-01-04T13:21:00.001-05:002016-01-04T14:11:06.459-05:00And a Happy New Year!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPKtWp4LMkZruqBG3YbtKynPUEAJKSIlOHJf1L8teqOyLnO5qF93qEnaOUm7UBIj-MewjkFh4JujTkPsMBRAn_3Vf6oiVaaeBFvdi9sSjuEyotR62bQslcvOsAvpFjbgJXX1B0aa-3qM/s1600/Geraldinethegreatlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPKtWp4LMkZruqBG3YbtKynPUEAJKSIlOHJf1L8teqOyLnO5qF93qEnaOUm7UBIj-MewjkFh4JujTkPsMBRAn_3Vf6oiVaaeBFvdi9sSjuEyotR62bQslcvOsAvpFjbgJXX1B0aa-3qM/s640/Geraldinethegreatlogo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Hi hi hi!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here we are again friends, looking over the vast expanse of the new year- every possibility being probable. The new year is our official restart button. Everyone acknowledges </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">IT</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, and most of us try to give ourselves the chance to get it right, whatever that may be for us. Personally, as some of you may have noticed, I'm allowing myself to be more active</span> <b><span style="color: #e06666;">GTG</span></b>.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It's definitely challenging balancing work and home life with blogging here, and content creating on YouTube. I LOVE doing both and as I still run into you guys in the most random places</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> (heeey</span> <b><span style="color: #e06666;">Habiba</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">! And Hiiiee to the</span> <b><span style="color: #e06666;">beautiful sister</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I met last summer at Afropunk, even though I thought I was in disguise lol </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">:-)</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> ) you constantly urge me to do more, more, and more.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiBoX3V0Wq-l9bU5ivFm4CVWMVz6vCTpcTx0FHejrKjE06I6o8E9dRSJh0ZoC4ZzUdsQm_c60Dr6inl_3der3t6Li7B72a6xRzn1ZQ0QqaIm93XILGyD-q1nSelonu0LfGioRpAknxbY/s1600/Gerimua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiBoX3V0Wq-l9bU5ivFm4CVWMVz6vCTpcTx0FHejrKjE06I6o8E9dRSJh0ZoC4ZzUdsQm_c60Dr6inl_3der3t6Li7B72a6xRzn1ZQ0QqaIm93XILGyD-q1nSelonu0LfGioRpAknxbY/s1600/Gerimua.jpg" title="geraldine the great" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, I'm giving myself the permission to do just that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last year, I was totally inundated with several projects. I also worked on being more present for my friends and family. This was quite the feat for me, as I'm normally inclined to withdrawing away from the world. I worked on breaking out of my shell a bit, and becoming more involved. I'm still totally a proud introvert, but my yearlong exercise left me feeling completely full... and depleted. I learned that</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> there are rewards in opening up. People are nice and warm, and they make you laugh and think. Opening up makes me uncomfortably vulnerable and in that, I learned some harder lessons. Folks will consume you whole, if you don't erect protective barriers for yourself. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On New Years Eve, while people were out drinking and partying, I was tucked away on my bed, snug under my covers, Bob's Burger episodes in queue on my laptop and my notepad on hand. As I was jotting down my goals for the new year, I accepted the message that this new year will also be my year- the year of </span></span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">ME</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, as it's now been dubbed lol.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There'll be no more apologies.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now about you! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How'd you spend NYE, and what goals, if any, do you have for 2016? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also, what lessons did you learn in</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 2015?</span></div>
Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-15425455856747583782015-12-11T01:07:00.000-05:002015-12-11T09:29:46.595-05:00Updated Winter Hair Routine<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi Friends,</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Seasons Greetings</span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> and happy holidays!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Has your winter been mild like mine has been so far? This time last year, I remember there already being heavy snowfall in the north east, and my mood had already slipped into a funk. Well this year, I have no complaints to make yet. I half wish the weather would stay this way for the rest of the year. I mean, does the world really need winter?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Apart from that, I've noticed that my hair has been feeling drier than normal-understandable since there is less moisture in the air during this time. In any case, I wanted to get in front of the problem before it escalated into something worse, like breakage.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3re3dCyQ698tj_EGJQGMwEnqWl4lopzS7m4-ocUoVTPuV0VoRgu4vfeaTcJHILm5qsMWqay0c7nrB-BbLhDvbiRDzVvDvVOqu263Ahc4tttJoFJMOQ-bgG3TV_CFi2sU4jT9bxDv3Myc/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3re3dCyQ698tj_EGJQGMwEnqWl4lopzS7m4-ocUoVTPuV0VoRgu4vfeaTcJHILm5qsMWqay0c7nrB-BbLhDvbiRDzVvDvVOqu263Ahc4tttJoFJMOQ-bgG3TV_CFi2sU4jT9bxDv3Myc/s1600/collage.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Getting in front of the problem for me, means returning to proven techniques that have worked in the past, namely </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>avocado </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">treatments. Once upon a time, they were all I did, and my hair thrived, you hear me? Thrived. I stopped doing them when I started to feel that the preparation process was too involved and I suppose I was trying to simplify my already simple routine. Lazy natural, reporting for duty. This year, I decided to start dedicating more time to maintaining my hair, just like the good old days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We used to be besties, my hair and I, and I want to start nurturing our relationship again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-OznsLuQjjRd39j5RVo0zP2HIAJzHxSFLObjI1WigdzlLSh91Qmte4e9b-9H0Y_pPO2qIwaAr7a7D7Xro9abHlUdmQNu2eI-GjE6bYDJ59RfzyWA57Mdfuwa5Hdty31_2yepyavwcrU/s1600/Old+Faitful-+Avocado+and+Clay1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpBeZKteAkLiZRnCtNJkbnstwV-Ds1ndhJ39-CNGJoyJ9u7NlTE9w_VxECMf2Yk9fbbVOrvU3KjJVL5OqDi8uQKxaoUgy4so2Rqq1EEXOA_rCQbp9TdnDy7IxFFY_fP0eFXE6-7RDikI/s1600/Old+Faitful-+Avocado+and+Clay1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpBeZKteAkLiZRnCtNJkbnstwV-Ds1ndhJ39-CNGJoyJ9u7NlTE9w_VxECMf2Yk9fbbVOrvU3KjJVL5OqDi8uQKxaoUgy4so2Rqq1EEXOA_rCQbp9TdnDy7IxFFY_fP0eFXE6-7RDikI/s1600/Old+Faitful-+Avocado+and+Clay1.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For several weeks now, I've been treating my hair to a yummy avocado deep conditioner mix. You all know that I finger detangle once a month, so I've been deep conditioning with the mix after my detangling session, and following up the following week with a cowash and another avocado deep condition. I make my treatment in batches that last for two sessions, so that I don't feel overwhelmed in the prep process, and so far this has been working well for me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwP1WxIsqjqsuHJ6FqVx4zaKxprbbFS0qADVbfk1UncbiM758csa-xlBgoqNRrnFuHRkevXXEqUZtr8HRA0pkW6lmdKRA8PXyo6gpac4yJJU5_9mln2cQVZFgwgH01xmbSjjdq5I8Kec/s1600/IMG_3089.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwP1WxIsqjqsuHJ6FqVx4zaKxprbbFS0qADVbfk1UncbiM758csa-xlBgoqNRrnFuHRkevXXEqUZtr8HRA0pkW6lmdKRA8PXyo6gpac4yJJU5_9mln2cQVZFgwgH01xmbSjjdq5I8Kec/s1600/IMG_3089.JPG" title="avocado deep treatment" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">More recently, I started using</span> <b><span style="color: #e06666;">bentonite </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">clay to cleanse my hair. One awesome thing I like about both of these treatments is the consistency of both mixes. They are heavy in texture, and when applied to the hair, they add weight to my curls, effectively elongating the coils. They also encourage clumping, and both of these factors (clumping and elongation) are ideal when you're trying to reduce tangles or breakage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reducing tangles and breakage is always the focus, isn't it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So this will be my routine into the new year and out of the cold weather. Hopefully, the bentonite clay won't overly dry out my hair. If it does, I'll probably still stick with the avocado deep conditioning, but switch back to shampooing once a month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime friends, stay tuned and take a look my latest </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uiac1P0TFPU" target="_blank">video</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">, detailing my entire process.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let me know what you think.</span></div>
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-75983713814763939752015-09-01T18:19:00.001-04:002015-09-01T18:20:15.138-04:00Retention? Moisture? Growth? Ask 'em!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Soooo, this is happening tomorrow guys.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCR7jbhlFZKuMXcZ8ysOzxjGIXSUCdiTlAlZxFCYfxqcI_4wjNM1OcZc74GtwBqZIZq51prVKj8BmynSK1wnG7VMNE86AWUktdi-BqXCA2iyyjpBXBYpZOlzEAZpCHr63B5x1NNPnTzo/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Geraldine Amakihe, GeraldinetheGreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCR7jbhlFZKuMXcZ8ysOzxjGIXSUCdiTlAlZxFCYfxqcI_4wjNM1OcZc74GtwBqZIZq51prVKj8BmynSK1wnG7VMNE86AWUktdi-BqXCA2iyyjpBXBYpZOlzEAZpCHr63B5x1NNPnTzo/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I won't pretend that there hasn't been a gap from my last blog update. Blame my celeb spirit animals- Kerry... Janet... Beyonce... We like laying low, taking hiatuses for inspiration, and grinding it out behind the scenes. Call the breaks </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>inspiratuses </b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">lol. When we pop back up, it's supposed to be worth it. And, there's been a really good reason for this break guys, apart from overtiming it at work. In a few months, I'll be able to share more with you all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've teamed up with <a href="http://kamdora.com/" target="_blank">Kamdora.com</a> for a one hour twitter chat tomorrow, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">9am EST/2pm GMT.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Early for us in the States, but just right for you folks across the pond and in Naija.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll be sharing tips and tricks that helped me during my natural hair journey- techniques that I still use today. Cool, because you'll get your questions answered in real time. You know how I like to appear and disappear. Well, I'll be ready and waiting for you tomorrow, live tweeting with <a href="https://twitter.com/myKamdora" target="_blank">@myKamdora</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you can make it, roll through!</span></div>
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-56147164097996175642015-06-30T01:24:00.002-04:002015-06-30T01:24:38.206-04:00Tagged!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Heey Guys,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was recently tagged to do the Natural and Nigerian Tag by the ever funny</span> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/OLUB20" target="_blank">NappyFu</a> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">on YouTube.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you haven't checked out her videos before, go ahead and open up another tab to check her out. Thank me later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime, you can also watch me wax on and on about my personal evolution, natural hair, and Nigerian food.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Especially about the food.</span></div>
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-35934383267992381902015-06-17T00:21:00.001-04:002016-01-18T06:45:54.133-05:00About the Men<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Haircut looks really good, </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Babe</b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I smiled, greeting him with an upturned cheek for his kiss. I turned back to my laptop screen, squinting as I refocused on the tiny letters. I really should book that eye appointment soon, I thought, as my fingers flew across the keyboard. After a moment of curious silence, I looked back up and caught him watching me work. He looked pensive. Pensive and amused.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Something happen at the barbershop, again?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ever since he'd switched barbers, he'd regale me with random anecdotes about the goings-ons of his most recent visit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stroking his freshly trimmed beard, he chuckled,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Some people really have no self-awareness,</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Geraldine</span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXupRrLMtjITzLcEpwqBkvaMDKNdb0UCbEotE4_klbeFFCcYcwxNa-Ee-ZohVA3A7PEMcBXMKPpa_t3f0k6tBJJ62CoCIeLpgpYnGilQsiVel-sYKXU5xO2Cyk9xq1aEplaxz51SZVMs/s1600/1936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GeraldinetheGreat" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXupRrLMtjITzLcEpwqBkvaMDKNdb0UCbEotE4_klbeFFCcYcwxNa-Ee-ZohVA3A7PEMcBXMKPpa_t3f0k6tBJJ62CoCIeLpgpYnGilQsiVel-sYKXU5xO2Cyk9xq1aEplaxz51SZVMs/s400/1936.jpg" title="" width="395" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Immediately, I sat up straighter, tucked my feet underneath my body, and readied myself to be entertained by the latest antics of the men at his barbershop. Today's tale centered around a father and his young son of about 7 years old. It appeared to be a sort of bonding outing between the two- Sunday morning haircuts. While waiting to be serviced, the little boy had declared that he wanted his hair to resemble another client's, a teenager who sported a curly mohawk that was also completely saturated with a white cream. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"It looked like s-curl cream or something lame like that," Babe guessed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I stifled a snort.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> As he remembers, the dad quipped, "I keep telling you that you don't have good Indian hair like I do. You have that nappy stuff from your mom's side of the family.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">At this juncture, everyone in the shop was snickering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The child looked on, puzzled. I imagine, he probably didn't understand, and was probably simply happy to just be out with his father. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKGstfAkZTBG_5zmMPbV4r0o9m3JwKyN1rFMMOpx9NK5SwAuf2xB9e8fKkVrdGJaFut1ceGGlqjyyHZJUNwopqDcjbK4Pw-gEGVFOKF2Fx8SA9AAqrpYLD2dgxqqhNaHXCBgqzghOM94/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKGstfAkZTBG_5zmMPbV4r0o9m3JwKyN1rFMMOpx9NK5SwAuf2xB9e8fKkVrdGJaFut1ceGGlqjyyHZJUNwopqDcjbK4Pw-gEGVFOKF2Fx8SA9AAqrpYLD2dgxqqhNaHXCBgqzghOM94/s640/IMG_1905.JPG" title="GeraldinetheGreat" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm all for spending quality time with the kids, but served with a healthy portion of self-hate, too?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Really.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In my lifetime, I'd like to witness the period when we collectively move past these hang ups.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Can we break the chains already?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2NOCAhUJ_EOGjZOP6V0EMuDpx_A6yh4uwNOdefJNIWwdI7cEd_NqevR_-nUgirFLIuXatDOuyOJ1hzYKvos92DWoctoqTPVNnEu89uOUzxFZ8Of76K7NwrpU50ZTEHbSCDe9MSM4iEU/s1600/IMG_1928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GeraldinetheGreat" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2NOCAhUJ_EOGjZOP6V0EMuDpx_A6yh4uwNOdefJNIWwdI7cEd_NqevR_-nUgirFLIuXatDOuyOJ1hzYKvos92DWoctoqTPVNnEu89uOUzxFZ8Of76K7NwrpU50ZTEHbSCDe9MSM4iEU/s640/IMG_1928.JPG" title="" width="486" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On lighter notes, I've been feeling whimsical, maybe even a little manic. New York summers bring it out of me, and I can't ever get enough. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seriously. Why can't summer last year round?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjevJhqf7uFU5-_Irfcx1Keqzq5eFTo4FtFvDDWiFSKjX-2TdDB4f1UhXhSpknFbIDu5E2SWECSGWf5Gy4TIh43jIJkobXwCCiwj4SDkRY_fDUC94g9CDVnagyKmokIoCRYzhCAI-q-Y/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjevJhqf7uFU5-_Irfcx1Keqzq5eFTo4FtFvDDWiFSKjX-2TdDB4f1UhXhSpknFbIDu5E2SWECSGWf5Gy4TIh43jIJkobXwCCiwj4SDkRY_fDUC94g9CDVnagyKmokIoCRYzhCAI-q-Y/s640/IMG_1930.JPG" title="GeraldinetheGreat" width="522" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I filmed a short tutorial on this fun hairstyle, and it's as simple as it looks- two buns in the front, an unraveled cold rod set in the back. Perfect for summer festivals, fairs... fêtes?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Any plans for the summer?</span></div>
<br />Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-58454089200388849322015-05-27T19:34:00.000-04:002015-05-27T19:34:41.345-04:00Threaded Hair- The Wrap Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEG1Tr3I00xnpRYB-w_yrvUvk814Q5yGawH64eMWjE9k2wBnXmOj5EiACC6mdNvk4geTomXdbviTMS1zvpraCKNd-W2WwBKcNgfa-CnlZZfKMRg9esBkG59xt5Q_P2uolUsW_xfY2zEHs/s1600/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEG1Tr3I00xnpRYB-w_yrvUvk814Q5yGawH64eMWjE9k2wBnXmOj5EiACC6mdNvk4geTomXdbviTMS1zvpraCKNd-W2WwBKcNgfa-CnlZZfKMRg9esBkG59xt5Q_P2uolUsW_xfY2zEHs/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Hey Guys!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Have you caught part 1 of my threading video?</span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p05xfchyRLE" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Quickly put- this entire thing took forever to complete.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Since my hair is already long, paired with filming, and some snack breaks in between, the whole process was just really labor intensive. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After the second piece of hair was threaded up under the water stream, I abandoned ship, and moved the entire operation onto dry land. Why didn't anyone tell me that I'd be standing in the shower for years if I really wanted to completely thread each section of hair? Apparently, you can also get sick that way- cold symptoms and everything.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What else did I learn?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. As I'd decided to thread smaller sections to get the most stretch, it also took more time to complete. </span><span style="color: #e06666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Duh.</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. As I'd decided to make sure the hair portions were completely covered in thread, it prolonged the completion time again (by the second portion of hair, I'd decided to at least thread the hair with the spaces, and re-thread them outside of the shower.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. Water usage! As a quasi conservationist, I like to think that I live an eco-friendly lifestyle. I recycle. I live with a light nazi, who's always on my heels about leaving the lights on, and my showers are super quick- in under 15 minutes, all the essential parts are fresh and clean. That noted, I wasted so much water attempting this under the shower.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4. My right wrist actually became achy midway through. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>:-/</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjHS_xs4jafigOk-CQJrnuExaOUoZGpeVHEBsq5-9UlYSQhOA3_ZVdvsuPotk2Os4a4psSeV4DcW8j9NWxKysAFDjU7YCQoJeHo9WC2lNPlePckZY9eplIFAkAhXv9GszeQ0qcXFalcY/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjHS_xs4jafigOk-CQJrnuExaOUoZGpeVHEBsq5-9UlYSQhOA3_ZVdvsuPotk2Os4a4psSeV4DcW8j9NWxKysAFDjU7YCQoJeHo9WC2lNPlePckZY9eplIFAkAhXv9GszeQ0qcXFalcY/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, I got it done.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwbXLBHanTTCGf_KnpI0bItZ1BtgX5ie1kh260wTLUId87nMskLr8ir86OApPcxr7SB4sZmhNHqd0doyyFVpuiPcqagCTz2OWG4QLWkKrm8UgLQlKPc09zelhB5Ky21UohGAGNa4qwFo/s1600/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwbXLBHanTTCGf_KnpI0bItZ1BtgX5ie1kh260wTLUId87nMskLr8ir86OApPcxr7SB4sZmhNHqd0doyyFVpuiPcqagCTz2OWG4QLWkKrm8UgLQlKPc09zelhB5Ky21UohGAGNa4qwFo/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I ended up removing the threaded hair and condensing the sections into four. This made for a faster takedown, when I was ready to remove them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMc9xSOTKMZRdXiarh45H4Ts3RQwRqQn0gU7A9Iqn1DrSzyMoprGvT57pu-6oWp08Xv7B-hy53gV6gIXgI4WKLoGApJcl_wPqj8QzHcNId8HqJBBuat9Tt7RowXJcQSn3rijUtVonWOE/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMc9xSOTKMZRdXiarh45H4Ts3RQwRqQn0gU7A9Iqn1DrSzyMoprGvT57pu-6oWp08Xv7B-hy53gV6gIXgI4WKLoGApJcl_wPqj8QzHcNId8HqJBBuat9Tt7RowXJcQSn3rijUtVonWOE/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A braidout later, and the final result was all of this fabulousness.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsVpBbH1jGRM-QREGXBN3gYLmcmbBltMkrShHR8NIJ6gZSDicC9s18_p-DjPjtLYMaSaCUovkwbl8iRe1uEhjmyQjQvgD3hib9keZg2Pj8Rc1g-3NHEq0niI1DlHXQ_v5_nFOGtgqJQw/s1600/IMG_1469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsVpBbH1jGRM-QREGXBN3gYLmcmbBltMkrShHR8NIJ6gZSDicC9s18_p-DjPjtLYMaSaCUovkwbl8iRe1uEhjmyQjQvgD3hib9keZg2Pj8Rc1g-3NHEq0niI1DlHXQ_v5_nFOGtgqJQw/s1600/IMG_1469.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHy59lr5fzZWtcMZ0wJocyUtPSyD39yijievfO9DitaHrhWnLLYOKPW00jc0GBhpKU9yCZepgBhmEKQlRIpjkOQooyQMMUTa_BqkKEBpJA2tsZQb5XX4OhgmVSAc3I1L14NVEgH0DwGZA/s1600/IMG_1465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHy59lr5fzZWtcMZ0wJocyUtPSyD39yijievfO9DitaHrhWnLLYOKPW00jc0GBhpKU9yCZepgBhmEKQlRIpjkOQooyQMMUTa_BqkKEBpJA2tsZQb5XX4OhgmVSAc3I1L14NVEgH0DwGZA/s1600/IMG_1465.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There's nothing better than good hair on a good day.</span></div>
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<br />Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-47637978681446804532015-04-08T00:57:00.001-04:002015-04-08T00:57:14.090-04:00Dry Wash and Go Revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> was headed out, they were headed in. We converged at the doorway simultaneously, the bottleneck causing me to glance up from my phone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"You guys, go ahead." I smiled as I stood aside, waiting for my two coworkers to step through. They did, but one paused and turned back towards me, inquisitively. Her eyes were bright, and her lips parted. She hesitated, as if she were carefully choosing which words she wanted to use first.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I moved towards the doorway, she spoke, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"You never do anything to your hair. Does it give you a hard time?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Record scratch. Ma'am?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I turned around, and looked at her. She met my eyes, politely assessing me. My hair was in a bun, and I'd switched into my more comfortable ballet flats. My textured black pumps were splayed out haphazardly underneath my desk. The work day was almost over, and I had gone for a quick water run. She was polished, with neat and luscious locs that cascaded down her shoulders. Her skin gleamed, her teeth beamed, her perfectly hydrated locs swayed... I sheepishly patted my hair. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Okay, so maybe I was slumming a little this week, but even if I was, it would be my prerogative, no?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I'm sorry?" I asked. </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Girl, come again? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"You're natural aren't you? How come you don't style it up more often?" </span><b><span style="color: #e06666;">See my life? Some people have no chill, y'all.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The irony lol.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A number of years ago, I had a similar interaction with another loc'd coworker. That time, he'd praised me for big chopping my hair, and he'd told me I reminded him of his daughter. While I was busy feeling surges of warmth and acceptance, he'd asked if I would eventually loc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's amusing when co-workers urge me to 'show off' my hair, as if I'm being given permission. </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Style it for us! </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I find it even more amusing, since protective styling is a major element in my healthy hair journey. It keeps my life simple and it allows my hair to thrive. That aside, I'm one of the ones whose work persona (including hair manifestations) is completely different from real life. I fervently believe in the separation of the two, call me schizo.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8adkrXPncnjbQnT-BLh9-D1ja7npHCcm0cRPWrRpYsvGVsOzQMeEMa4a0S9BoqgANLQKeSRCm2Bz9QVx16ck_bn1UCz62GC6d7-a2kzNCrcUyHpTYTTH3wiCxanLHOprhYASGRnxGqsA/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8adkrXPncnjbQnT-BLh9-D1ja7npHCcm0cRPWrRpYsvGVsOzQMeEMa4a0S9BoqgANLQKeSRCm2Bz9QVx16ck_bn1UCz62GC6d7-a2kzNCrcUyHpTYTTH3wiCxanLHOprhYASGRnxGqsA/s1600/image.jpg" height="425" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, speaking of protective styling- it's finally getting warmer in New York, so I tried out a wash and go. It's been over a year since I last wore one, and I was a little nervous about it trying it again. However, it worked out really well, and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was able to wear it for an entire week and some extra days. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfT6c9TKC1qbG2CDRT0ldkKmQM_T_V_14hbVrdIWC7Lrghg5RQnacnbukfMJRRodG13c96oTYNODDwYgYiMnvD6X-dT7-jcbuGHmU2kLWu1hiN8X6fdiFKNaI1a30omLICd6SX9nFBp4/s1600/IMG_20150407_164948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfT6c9TKC1qbG2CDRT0ldkKmQM_T_V_14hbVrdIWC7Lrghg5RQnacnbukfMJRRodG13c96oTYNODDwYgYiMnvD6X-dT7-jcbuGHmU2kLWu1hiN8X6fdiFKNaI1a30omLICd6SX9nFBp4/s1600/IMG_20150407_164948.jpg" height="640" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The video's up for your viewing pleasure.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>:-)</b></span></div>
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-56813966503777573562015-04-02T06:48:00.000-04:002015-04-02T06:48:34.530-04:00Quick and Easy bandana styling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi Guys!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The last time we were together, I was to embark on a fun experiment with threading, remember?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So what had happened was... actually, I had overestimated how long it usually takes me to get through all of my hair on wash day. With removing tangles and shedding, I don't know how I forgot that working through my hair on wash day makes me fantasize about lopping it all off for my twa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm working on getting that post up for you guys, because the entire process really was quite the undertaking. Don't worry, I'll fill you in soon. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, have you caught the latest video? A while ago, I was thumbing through an old photo album with pictures of me in high school, college, post college... and apparently, headpieces (scarves, hair jewelry, bows, bands, etc) and I go way back. This would be where I'd insert an old picture for you to aww over lol. Let's pretend I did. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well recently, I came up with some fun ways to rock a bandana. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know every girl must own at least one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did I also mention that the styles are all </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>suuuper</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> fast to do? They're a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ll under 10 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">ma'am</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, quick and easy is how we like to do it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtciuRpIw_ieDdatqbhQnrsMtGATHxiyl4QcSPPVoaacDW2hvIZplagk102iqz6Z-LKl_g8O5Fr3Ltvj2NoK-PKfDsfBTX3OVuHI3xQzXRfmHNa6XuA-pfSi4fUfyfKxS0g10QfOy5ZPo/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GeraldinetheGreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtciuRpIw_ieDdatqbhQnrsMtGATHxiyl4QcSPPVoaacDW2hvIZplagk102iqz6Z-LKl_g8O5Fr3Ltvj2NoK-PKfDsfBTX3OVuHI3xQzXRfmHNa6XuA-pfSi4fUfyfKxS0g10QfOy5ZPo/s1600/collage.jpg" height="400" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUnyi3FWcBniyaoUUB4d7SVz7ZeoVksFxwP9cj6uDyej271s5MMawqqOlHZ4D1wI35gTq-v4miotAd4Gt0D_-9ok1IMCmlJm2oh119MZ9ATykKS5jI2uQ0QJJbQlkesSAljPtycmPOgM/s1600/My-new-video-project112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GeraldinetheGreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUnyi3FWcBniyaoUUB4d7SVz7ZeoVksFxwP9cj6uDyej271s5MMawqqOlHZ4D1wI35gTq-v4miotAd4Gt0D_-9ok1IMCmlJm2oh119MZ9ATykKS5jI2uQ0QJJbQlkesSAljPtycmPOgM/s1600/My-new-video-project112.jpg" height="640" title="" width="488" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsFPD4I5P6_lVx9TmzGgh8rJk48SIdD8za8AcFPl7n-1Ok8Yfa805hCDsGD0nUKrpK9I8UQiM6eXAeKCv_XujxaOgigQ8Sxw_GW6mPxMf6g42OfQ3igAGXcvQsx6hpl58fxjTT-DJVF4/s1600/My-new-video-project114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GeraldinetheGreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsFPD4I5P6_lVx9TmzGgh8rJk48SIdD8za8AcFPl7n-1Ok8Yfa805hCDsGD0nUKrpK9I8UQiM6eXAeKCv_XujxaOgigQ8Sxw_GW6mPxMf6g42OfQ3igAGXcvQsx6hpl58fxjTT-DJVF4/s1600/My-new-video-project114.jpg" height="640" title="" width="563" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwLWNB_R6ivIKkixp867k9AmQU0gwAuG1CWpDEPvMTC83g1Rd07gPJH56QffTV3Q4OnwH53LI1q298zxj9ZhYBvJYieLposDRtaIw2O3ReaBsUJbexVsacuWptF6qYVCv4mC0jkVEc-g/s1600/proxy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GeraldinetheGreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwLWNB_R6ivIKkixp867k9AmQU0gwAuG1CWpDEPvMTC83g1Rd07gPJH56QffTV3Q4OnwH53LI1q298zxj9ZhYBvJYieLposDRtaIw2O3ReaBsUJbexVsacuWptF6qYVCv4mC0jkVEc-g/s1600/proxy3.jpg" height="640" title="" width="582" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first style was a simple bun, with 3 sections that were pin curled in the front.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ1UbTFvKL0mLAjsOcAQVX7O9b6XaDDbr97sxRjp1IuY4ki8QD3Wd6JkI-dBPiIxSn6YN4fFuQhSweBnM9EpKr5em0QSf-BsOlyFz2_7-VjYRfLgZ5P8UdecAeZFeV2j0xgEJQ5lWV3o/s1600/collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GeraldinetheGreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ1UbTFvKL0mLAjsOcAQVX7O9b6XaDDbr97sxRjp1IuY4ki8QD3Wd6JkI-dBPiIxSn6YN4fFuQhSweBnM9EpKr5em0QSf-BsOlyFz2_7-VjYRfLgZ5P8UdecAeZFeV2j0xgEJQ5lWV3o/s1600/collage1.jpg" height="640" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The second style was achieved by tucking and folding the hair inwards. The front pieces were again pinned curled, though a bit looser for volume.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-8HXJ1ufdTtNFmmImwo4ZDN1ViuRP4ihZrFArXh-KhMkta-SJ8LQqczROJbfWCPvtVnnH3rGUcrGB5D_b3OJ9hRzustyrFzbdbIlrumxMK14yRGrwUKeYux4SDZqjXsjJmoyJKdGZjc/s1600/My-new-video-project14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GeraldinetheGreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-8HXJ1ufdTtNFmmImwo4ZDN1ViuRP4ihZrFArXh-KhMkta-SJ8LQqczROJbfWCPvtVnnH3rGUcrGB5D_b3OJ9hRzustyrFzbdbIlrumxMK14yRGrwUKeYux4SDZqjXsjJmoyJKdGZjc/s1600/My-new-video-project14.jpg" height="380" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With the third style, I played around with the placement of the bandana. The back of my hair was gathered in to a ponytail, and I wrapped the ends of the ponytail around the base, concealing the ponytail holder. The front was two strand twisted and tucked under.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There's the video for ya, to see the styles in action, and if you're wondering about my makeup look, I have a review coming up for</span> <b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Hard Candy's</span></b> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">latest spring collection. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNHS_2iOe6utfhYDS-nTdTU8Az_ElqJgtdJJ-8OtSbGHyKBRQgt9nmhxaVQ0KDH_oAUMmvthwtUabreUs6T0S26NIqh2HIHVD4Bb2Dmu4cIp793gRz6rdMw9D99VEV2vHMm9uGz_ibM8/s1600/proxy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="GeraldinetheGreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNHS_2iOe6utfhYDS-nTdTU8Az_ElqJgtdJJ-8OtSbGHyKBRQgt9nmhxaVQ0KDH_oAUMmvthwtUabreUs6T0S26NIqh2HIHVD4Bb2Dmu4cIp793gRz6rdMw9D99VEV2vHMm9uGz_ibM8/s1600/proxy1.jpg" height="380" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-87761500118902743052015-03-13T22:43:00.002-04:002015-03-13T23:22:38.064-04:00New Mission<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hey Guys!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just checking in before the weekend starts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How has the week been for you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Good??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I hope so.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ah, so it's been a month since my last deep condition, and in a few hours, I'll be detangling, shampooing... the whole nine. I'm actually </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>low key </b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">excited about it y'all. We know that protective styling gives you a break from constantly manipulating your hair, yes, but after a period, do you ever start to feel disconnected with your tresses? I do. Is that weird? </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Meh.</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think that there is a connection and a type of bonding that happens when we touch ourselves. </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Wait o</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, that didn't come out right lol... or maybe it did? There truly is a connection we make with ourselves whenever we take care of our bodies. Nourishing it through hair care, exercise, water, laughter, music, meditation, prayer etc are all ways we continue to reinforce the healthy mind body spirit connection.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, why else am I excited? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, I've been researching heatless ways to quickly stretch my hair after wash day. Normally, after my hair has been washed and conditioned, I usually stretch it through a series of braidouts. While this method is effective, it's really time consuming. Depending on the curliness/coilyness of your hair, this process can take days to achieve fully stretched hair, not to mention, the braiding pattern you're left with. If you don't mind rocking a cute braid out for a few days, then all's right with the world. But, lately, I've been on a mission to achieve stretched hair, without the pattern, without the heat, and without the huge investment of time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why has it been so elusive?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So tonight, after my final rinse, I've decided to thread my hair, right there in the shower, under the water stream to stretch it. I plan to thread my hair where no spaces will be shown. This will allow for maximum stretching. I plan to keep the threads in place, for as long as it takes for my hair to dry. This is my only major concern with this experiment, as I suspect that the threads may trap the water, and prolong the drying time. However, I will document the process for you guys.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Pass or fail, you guys will journey with me </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">o.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Stay Tuned!</span></b></div>
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-40056900621694725792015-03-08T23:57:00.000-04:002015-03-09T00:04:32.803-04:00International Women's Day #DearMe<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/109236537/women-hold-up-half-the-sky-feminist-riot" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt=" massmedia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bibdAWZRqSa8ek3FOtWFIhdVQUUQe-fkTSp-h6QDDmNSyzFA9JnelhGzMUKCr1YkSsg18UwlItXMLiJCQq1Xa_STljhovCCD7IsZMybQkuyFKY9sSlVo9icm6UGDhpn2RpPHy1mkxN4/s1600/massmedia.jpg" height="462" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Image Credit massmedia</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi hi hi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Women hold up half the sky."</span> <b style="color: #e06666;">Mao Zedong </b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(by way of Thomas Sankara)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my favorite quotes of all time. When I think of it, my insides get full, my throat fills with emotion, and I feel super charged. Hell yeah we hold up half of the sky, often without credit. We're connected and strong, with the energy of the universe moving through us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to film my contribution to the #DearMe tag that has been floating around. But, I've always been better with the written word. My letter is addressed to me at 13. I was in the 7th grade, unassuming and uncertain</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, but observant and sharp. Reflecting back; I feel that I was always uncertain, always a little afraid...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear Ijeoma,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How are you, little girl? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For real </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>nne'm</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. How is your spirit? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know that you're feeling uncertain about yourself. Your accent is different and it makes you feel insecure. You think that perhaps, if you keep your head down, focus on your school work, and obey your parents, everything that seems unfair to you now, will have been worth it in the future. Those are the rules. The way things should work. Trials, tribulations, hard work, they all eventually pay out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But Ijeoma, my love, listen- there aren't any rules. Even if you do everything the way you should, life will still surprise you. Open your watchful eyes and learn as much as you can. Always be willing to accept the lesson the universe is teaching you. You won't get them at first. You won't know that you're being trained. But do your best to keep </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>listening </b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and watching.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You'll hit several hiccups. But yours is a fiery spirit. You resilient girl, you will get back up and push through, every single time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Your heart will be broken. It will heal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Friends will fall by the wayside. Let them go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You will find love, many times over, and you'll feel blessed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You'll go natural. Go natural sooner. It will be one of the best decisions in your life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Follow your passions. You have talents that others will not notice, immediately. Leave them. Don't look to them to validate your dreams. You can't expect that of anyone who isn't you. Do everything that scares you to death. Always try to push yourself towards new experiences.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Read</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. Run. Workout.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eat the same way you do at home - veggies and water. You'll always look younger than your age, but your body will be healthier. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't censor yourself so much. Don't worry about what others think. Your own words and feelings have merit and worth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Get out of your head sometimes. But, don't feel guilty if it's how you like to spend your time. Don't mind the ones who judge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Embrace being kinda weird. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's okay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> You're the only one of you that has ever been and who will ever be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Invent twitter or something!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be self aware. Be strong. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be vulnerable. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Remain soft. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Remain honest. Remain kind. Remain passionate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With all the love in the world-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ijeoma circa 2015</span></div>
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-60358369984669229912015-02-28T01:31:00.000-05:002015-02-28T01:49:44.732-05:00It IS Black History Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While we're still in the month of February, I wanted to be sure I squeezed in a post commemorating natural hair, within the realms of </span><b><span style="color: #e06666;">Black History</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. Recently, I listened to some funny podcasts where natural hair was being discussed. The podcasts are old, years old in fact, so some of the ideas that were expressed then, have now fallen out of popularity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> For example, answer the following questions below -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1: African hair textures come in a multitude of curl diameters. </span><b style="color: #e06666;">(True/False)</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2: Larger curls are always an expression of genetic admixture (African and European, etc). </span><b style="color: #e06666;">(True/False)</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you're a natural head today, my bet is that you answered both questions correctly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For those of us who are still learning, the increased representation of our hair textures in our ordinary human experiences, will make it easier for us to grow. The journey ahead of us is still long, and in many regards, irritatingly tumultuous, but I think we are privileged to be able to personally witness the birth and evolution of this period of awareness in ourselves. It's</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">pretty cool.</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Perhaps, in ten to twenty years from now, the process we all took part in jump-starting, will be a seen as a curious </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hopes and dreams, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime, while we're still in the present, I thought it would be apt to recognize some of the women who inspired me along my natural hair journey. Though, some of them have passed on, the knowledge they graciously shared, remains evergreen.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Dawnyele" target="_blank">Dawnyele</a></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjaLNohh4ubIPd04hvNJqDYwW5zMSoUMmpEjHbPVebE2eXNaTykWUG2RQb_wHv6tPewZSSlI4H4VoxXZ8HIZiBybw8zP-ocfGh3Ur_wvrSpDGVFG7uNHFPVJG7hD9vqlCDaYAziuiM88/s1600/mq1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dawnyele" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjaLNohh4ubIPd04hvNJqDYwW5zMSoUMmpEjHbPVebE2eXNaTykWUG2RQb_wHv6tPewZSSlI4H4VoxXZ8HIZiBybw8zP-ocfGh3Ur_wvrSpDGVFG7uNHFPVJG7hD9vqlCDaYAziuiM88/s1600/mq1.jpg" height="400" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Dawnyele</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, y</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">our spirit was refreshing and the breadth of your knowledge, extensive. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From you, I learned that spending hours detangling tightly coiled hair like ours, didn't always have to be. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Longhairdontcare2011" target="_blank"><b>Longhairdontcare2011</b></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFesWqiOGmIKaaA-I7wNllBKlmEDLnqSu6z_Y6n6eSjb9DChplT9TXkwNBgTv1ot3QuKb4PA6pznexpJiqKwWeK6Fo5Weyd2FD2ZKe3y-ywSqcEPLleeNlTSfIy7HsQOCVDKEJKiEvDglF/s1600/10251925_10100118522208006_6392786462134363403_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Longhaircaredontcare2011" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFesWqiOGmIKaaA-I7wNllBKlmEDLnqSu6z_Y6n6eSjb9DChplT9TXkwNBgTv1ot3QuKb4PA6pznexpJiqKwWeK6Fo5Weyd2FD2ZKe3y-ywSqcEPLleeNlTSfIy7HsQOCVDKEJKiEvDglF/s400/10251925_10100118522208006_6392786462134363403_n.jpg" height="400" title="" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b> Dominique,</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I'd never doubted that black women could grow their hair, however, watching your hair story unfold was particularly awe inspiring. You were a solid hair icon for many of us. Yours is another sweet spirit, that we will always miss.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/chery818" target="_blank"><b>Chery818</b></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiauWxfTeLiw2ZXDtnkcAKNjmJLarLp-LzrMgDFAcFPld_ABl42fTH3g-1fE2kjpKDAElQ4ON8g4b-GhyphenhyphenSSJs9KaQHWhrYkYiHG0IrFYiN8vQtDdxtGJxexu_S89NlleeNNeo_04vYHes/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chery818" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiauWxfTeLiw2ZXDtnkcAKNjmJLarLp-LzrMgDFAcFPld_ABl42fTH3g-1fE2kjpKDAElQ4ON8g4b-GhyphenhyphenSSJs9KaQHWhrYkYiHG0IrFYiN8vQtDdxtGJxexu_S89NlleeNNeo_04vYHes/s1600/photo.jpg" height="400" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666;">Chery</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> my dear friend, you were the first YouTuber I saw with hair that looked exactly like my own. You taught me that <a href="https://geraldinethegreat.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=BTFT0EsBAAA.D7YC2OVgBeyDvn3mDuQ6bg.9NkuhkbvER0LsevYl_2zeg&postId=6035836998466922991&type=POST#!/2012/08/shedding-vs-breakage.html" target="_blank">ssks </a>happened to us all, and that it was okay to accept it. Your honest approach to your hair and its upkeep, is sincerely appreciated.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Shingai Shoniwa</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yzaJQ_Gyy37RXHtAVYoqGBKNga3WXaSqe9TFKPJ-zIaWKq2ZCEZGPnKOyEQYs-DR2wY2MDsnAdAr54vX3L9CBGX8KrvVpZ4U1PbyMQGJKW1fLV6yWeIXgsseyXdYWjcpdYWR0qwcgjU/s1600/shingai-shoniwa-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pride Magazine" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yzaJQ_Gyy37RXHtAVYoqGBKNga3WXaSqe9TFKPJ-zIaWKq2ZCEZGPnKOyEQYs-DR2wY2MDsnAdAr54vX3L9CBGX8KrvVpZ4U1PbyMQGJKW1fLV6yWeIXgsseyXdYWjcpdYWR0qwcgjU/s1600/shingai-shoniwa-3.png" height="640" title="" width="448" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8PhFzIdwXvqqv76kK92kjK0tAF3sSP1Rif1Y4LkiqunXJrkB-vT7ji85sFOc9rn1VYa4YwTTTMDwAvkGuPtceu_E2OWv2_5ky_UJEi0FDyNsp-xTyL-iW6LNR8bgOxq85BufNaMFvgo/s1600/Shingai-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pride Magazine" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8PhFzIdwXvqqv76kK92kjK0tAF3sSP1Rif1Y4LkiqunXJrkB-vT7ji85sFOc9rn1VYa4YwTTTMDwAvkGuPtceu_E2OWv2_5ky_UJEi0FDyNsp-xTyL-iW6LNR8bgOxq85BufNaMFvgo/s1600/Shingai-01.jpg" height="640" title="" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvjST8FReVJSqkaIqhRcD8IQ_ywFU0uz9bP32-TlESz1mT-pvzqU2-45NYjrHsaucnHpQFxA2FGeGV1YJ4EKDfuHLSqVdWerETb6V1Qa1gc3WYOfdyN8UkJraNLquD9BM62nbJxpIa5s/s1600/Shingai-Shoniwa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pride Magazine" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvjST8FReVJSqkaIqhRcD8IQ_ywFU0uz9bP32-TlESz1mT-pvzqU2-45NYjrHsaucnHpQFxA2FGeGV1YJ4EKDfuHLSqVdWerETb6V1Qa1gc3WYOfdyN8UkJraNLquD9BM62nbJxpIa5s/s1600/Shingai-Shoniwa.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There was a time when no one could tell me that I was not this woman</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I devoured articles about her, snatched up magazines in which she was featured, and lost count on the number of times I replayed</span> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRQ0EMGb89E" target="_blank">Never Forget You</a>. <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A unique blend of charming whimsicalness and strength, and beauty, can you tell I still </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-weight: bold;">fangirl </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> over her</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are several more who continue to inspire, but I thought I'd leave it at these four.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What about you?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Who are the YouTubers, bloggers, forum posters, and hair icons that inspired you throughout your natural hair journey? </span></span></div>
Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-87279300759761068922015-02-25T00:00:00.000-05:002015-02-25T00:02:17.311-05:00Side Swept in Full<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's here guys!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for patiently waiting.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMb_77mEzc4g6WN4Ywa3KBODWEO1df1aDuFbpog1rmlWIt-KV40FfbmKifidOXna2uD5BRPzTIfcpr1LzlTvfQcPq424rB2Y7UMsji0qB9p7PWW4I0K09Lowy4MwBTCsXWFpQXE_cq8RU/s1600/proxy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="geraldine the great; geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMb_77mEzc4g6WN4Ywa3KBODWEO1df1aDuFbpog1rmlWIt-KV40FfbmKifidOXna2uD5BRPzTIfcpr1LzlTvfQcPq424rB2Y7UMsji0qB9p7PWW4I0K09Lowy4MwBTCsXWFpQXE_cq8RU/s1600/proxy3.jpg" height="640" title="" width="530" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Extra down time from the regular work life hustle, always turns into creativity. A couple of weeks ago, I channeled this energy into some hair play. Believe it or not, I haven't gotten to experiment with it, in months. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, without further ado, we're gonna get right to it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>The</u> </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Hair</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Freshly washed and stretched through threading and a light blow dry</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>The</u> </span><span style="color: #e06666;"><u><b>Players</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.asiamnaturally.com/cocoshea-whip.html" target="_blank">As I Am CocoShea Whip</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.asiamnaturally.com/images/product-cocoshea-whip.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CocoShea Whip" border="0" src="http://www.asiamnaturally.com/images/product-cocoshea-whip.png" height="320" title="As I Am" width="309" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie64KZKEDi-EhNq-DNzemKR9wFPEz16fvcCtCgBKy9lWuvwvaDCrNbDxJP-ERMYqH8SsCpteacCgoQITUnpkRu0Bb3REyAwf3OrINe9Ww-p0LfyXakRwNejvbekcuHVpWZE5ndKMrKM4I/s1600/2012-12-26+14.46.44.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="geraldinethegreat.blogspot.com, cashmere curl jelly" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie64KZKEDi-EhNq-DNzemKR9wFPEz16fvcCtCgBKy9lWuvwvaDCrNbDxJP-ERMYqH8SsCpteacCgoQITUnpkRu0Bb3REyAwf3OrINe9Ww-p0LfyXakRwNejvbekcuHVpWZE5ndKMrKM4I/s400/2012-12-26+14.46.44.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" height="354" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Curls Cashmere Curl Jelly</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>The</u> </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Technique</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My hair had been stretched by threading, so there were already predefined sections of hair, that I decided to simply work with. I parted my hair on the right, moisturized with the CocoShea Whip, further sectioned out pieces for my flat twists, and added a dime sized amount of the curl jelly before flat twisting down. The ends were curled around a single flexi rod.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the section of hair on the right, I brushed it all back, added a small amount of the gel and twisted it into a tiny bun. The style was then secured with my scarf for the rest of the day, allowing it to set. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kqa4VbRIHseSrSXa9NxKBOv78l8kGPHU5Zmsn9d0OzHEHHT7zPbL-aubf6n-wV6WQilHq1kUBNXDxSZNM1mQAlvw6tn6zPCA6OfFzzf6mPtA4sxCEWnIz4T4BKXoZyByfjQ2i7x9bUo/s1600/proxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="geraldine the great; geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kqa4VbRIHseSrSXa9NxKBOv78l8kGPHU5Zmsn9d0OzHEHHT7zPbL-aubf6n-wV6WQilHq1kUBNXDxSZNM1mQAlvw6tn6zPCA6OfFzzf6mPtA4sxCEWnIz4T4BKXoZyByfjQ2i7x9bUo/s1600/proxy.jpg" height="640" title="" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">S</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ome apologies are due here, as I forgot to take pictures of the flexi-rodded hair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A year long hiatus from this space, has made me a tad rusty, but I'll get it together.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #e06666;">Promise!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next day, the rod was removed and the twists were unraveled and separated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also unraveled the tiny bunned section, rolled the hair upwards and inwards, and secured with bobby pins.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbriyAZjZz9WDlHdQjLKe4oIlOOdMRJ5omuW0qO0Qpm2X1niAkb-D2ENLa0nYPeSL3QY8YbZS4fpuCq8qwwMQMgvtdLJF5I-fZ0UA25jE0z4hdGsGemDN2HvXpKmbqRmXuH29dn2MITg/s1600/collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="geraldine the great; geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbriyAZjZz9WDlHdQjLKe4oIlOOdMRJ5omuW0qO0Qpm2X1niAkb-D2ENLa0nYPeSL3QY8YbZS4fpuCq8qwwMQMgvtdLJF5I-fZ0UA25jE0z4hdGsGemDN2HvXpKmbqRmXuH29dn2MITg/s1600/collage1.jpg" height="640" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO5YC1BvQaHqgq16m2ij9kkDd38TvmgGl-Y4NT-MvYcR3OqBtcKzuSiarP-Gf0uDDFVU3Ab3rmMOxJuZVN3fmA3jt3yaogrPgDZMgRh-6uBfTk3_47x9M2HU8EVhhxSnJGBITWFYxVpw/s1600/proxy6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="geraldine the great; geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO5YC1BvQaHqgq16m2ij9kkDd38TvmgGl-Y4NT-MvYcR3OqBtcKzuSiarP-Gf0uDDFVU3Ab3rmMOxJuZVN3fmA3jt3yaogrPgDZMgRh-6uBfTk3_47x9M2HU8EVhhxSnJGBITWFYxVpw/s1600/proxy6.jpg" height="640" title="" width="462" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It came out pretty cute and it lasted for just that day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My hair has definitely grown, but I'm currently focused on improving it's health. That battle is a constant one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stay tuned for more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also stick around for the upcoming video tutorial on this style.</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #e06666;">:-)</span></b><br />
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-53620508697783392962015-02-19T06:48:00.001-05:002015-02-19T06:48:37.606-05:00Stay Tuned!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCnLX9uoHMbQU_JhW2UQI_Fkp2XQDd_LMMatu2CpmlmTBzz8huzh8ErpoZA4CJe4BRhKXowiB-_Rz2dkv5f9AqLqBfl1GTStVcPTFoi-LUmZdY56EIn7IHCK9jmwpAwG3V-LMKZFmXcY/s1600/tmp_6274-C360_2015-02-15-12-36-22-5481850046436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCnLX9uoHMbQU_JhW2UQI_Fkp2XQDd_LMMatu2CpmlmTBzz8huzh8ErpoZA4CJe4BRhKXowiB-_Rz2dkv5f9AqLqBfl1GTStVcPTFoi-LUmZdY56EIn7IHCK9jmwpAwG3V-LMKZFmXcY/s1600/tmp_6274-C360_2015-02-15-12-36-22-5481850046436.jpg" title="Geraldinethegreat.blogspot.com " /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Deets </b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">on achieving this hair style, are on the way folks.</span></div>
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:-)</div>
Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-60254467350365589942015-02-17T01:13:00.000-05:002015-02-21T11:17:11.031-05:00Vintage Tip- Winter Protective Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"> Hi Friends!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Although, we're firmly in the clutches of a frigid winter, this girl still likes to look decent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Over the Valentine's Day weekend, the boo and I decided to chill indoors with some wine and a few movies.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLZ_kGyNaD5y0HNwDbKasxm40xH3vLO7Gy2hw9hwLKHq6vdU2RtB9s_G5rYEM25nTfa1u9t87Hxax7MyZCvRAYWhpo_eBCnh4DAfzgupSNds3yeSwrtQONhyBGH4nmbxepcbUeiRvOY4/s1600/IMG_1096+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLZ_kGyNaD5y0HNwDbKasxm40xH3vLO7Gy2hw9hwLKHq6vdU2RtB9s_G5rYEM25nTfa1u9t87Hxax7MyZCvRAYWhpo_eBCnh4DAfzgupSNds3yeSwrtQONhyBGH4nmbxepcbUeiRvOY4/s1600/IMG_1096+(2).jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I thought I'd still dress for the occasion, and it gave me the excuse to try out my new Sephora Collection Cream lip stain in</span> <b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Polished Purple</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the store, while I stood in front of a vanity mirror, debating on whether to pick it up, a beauty consultant stopped by to grab some other items for her customers. She glanced at me and whispered devilishly, "Get it!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh? Okay, done!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I didn't really even need her prodding lol.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Though the stain is incredibly pigmented, the consistency as a matte cream is very drying to the lips. But, I'd still recommend it for you bold lippie girls out there.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjlm2heH8QaO6Wif1f0KVhkj-212XOX84GA7ucY2gxG5D4IHyT8Fg_w6f_DoimacWo4-kH5ROL62DM-SzJsuMtQGNchUCGLERqwhUQzWzX9VA4cDAEwwYTmla6-00P9t4KoILxKWeUok/s1600/IMG_1082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjlm2heH8QaO6Wif1f0KVhkj-212XOX84GA7ucY2gxG5D4IHyT8Fg_w6f_DoimacWo4-kH5ROL62DM-SzJsuMtQGNchUCGLERqwhUQzWzX9VA4cDAEwwYTmla6-00P9t4KoILxKWeUok/s1600/IMG_1082.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I decided to whip my hair into an easy updo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The style can double as a low maintenance protective style for the rest of the week, if I chose to keep it in for that long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>The</u> </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b><u>Hair</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Previously stretched through threading</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>The</u> </span><b style="color: #e06666;"><u>Players</u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">eva.nyc Mane Tamer Leave In Cream</span></div>
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<img alt="" src="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0305/5589/products/EvaNYC_ManeTamerLeaveInCream_Rendering_pinkpump_250mL_new.png?v=1424133454" height="400" title="http://eva-nyc.com/collections/treatments/products/mane-tamer-leave-in-cream" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>The</u> </span><b style="color: #e06666;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">Technique</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since my hair had both been freshly washed and freshly unraveled from the threading, I lightly remoisturized with the eva.nyc mane tamer leave in cream.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujknqeaiwY8qBJySkU6X0hIUQq_460ubhG-Pk9D98bvGbWjoFjgaO_XMhYLh-uNnO2tebFR5ZZpqQ3Tg19lRPp44wpmJSRWtb7aFc0QGDXYSYyTb3byLdkMyhAxNjxc-XRlW_Xik7SxQ/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujknqeaiwY8qBJySkU6X0hIUQq_460ubhG-Pk9D98bvGbWjoFjgaO_XMhYLh-uNnO2tebFR5ZZpqQ3Tg19lRPp44wpmJSRWtb7aFc0QGDXYSYyTb3byLdkMyhAxNjxc-XRlW_Xik7SxQ/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The hair was sectioned on the right, and loosely braided into four sections- two braids on each side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLQ_oHPuepNRzkR3yLFz9yABjufaHTZw80bZZWDKr-8QeUKacpzS1sX1bKGZbp6qfkQ42pUrgewtZcT5XEohq0C13FodHCPYdn_roL97HDKNeF2pXKofBpwpkHCpM0lafJKkgwNPFDEA/s1600/IMG_1077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLQ_oHPuepNRzkR3yLFz9yABjufaHTZw80bZZWDKr-8QeUKacpzS1sX1bKGZbp6qfkQ42pUrgewtZcT5XEohq0C13FodHCPYdn_roL97HDKNeF2pXKofBpwpkHCpM0lafJKkgwNPFDEA/s1600/IMG_1077.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Afterwards, I pulled the braids apart, loosening them further, for an even fuller effect.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UVIX7iHtflVjaSoeBYMzT_YHuKecW-MNURZjpYYPFAxJPyMLCWK06zz0tmizTXZzPWEOLWFZIp-Ws4bVwJvQmWA07FuKA7j7lrcs96CtmweQBjxOpEwwTxOls4igrh5rKQR0nc3QngI/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UVIX7iHtflVjaSoeBYMzT_YHuKecW-MNURZjpYYPFAxJPyMLCWK06zz0tmizTXZzPWEOLWFZIp-Ws4bVwJvQmWA07FuKA7j7lrcs96CtmweQBjxOpEwwTxOls4igrh5rKQR0nc3QngI/s1600/collage.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The braids were pulled backwards, and secured with bobby pins.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEP-RN2y2IbcsnkAlzDNG8M-ckdBsGVHHiDxLU8KAN_WqvUhUIROTniCh1osTPorFGBsyLVXALo0upxebgVYqAUvIrYh0u8ZueiZSZt3dggNUT80JgsHl5e6iNavSRGJjKJzFuwawet8/s1600/IMG_1086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEP-RN2y2IbcsnkAlzDNG8M-ckdBsGVHHiDxLU8KAN_WqvUhUIROTniCh1osTPorFGBsyLVXALo0upxebgVYqAUvIrYh0u8ZueiZSZt3dggNUT80JgsHl5e6iNavSRGJjKJzFuwawet8/s1600/IMG_1086.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some adjustments, here and there...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuya-vKSoA0QsS5E3qBiFWiI3gXN31ihwi7dl6EqSfVA0DIeCy9EiKR-no5R12nnoC_tKZDsLBiUGyBurLFW8l0aav7KcTOcaev09VvUZXl_kqsSwDPiTiHZBFb4xu91-0ld3CWgLuG3g/s1600/IMG_1060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuya-vKSoA0QsS5E3qBiFWiI3gXN31ihwi7dl6EqSfVA0DIeCy9EiKR-no5R12nnoC_tKZDsLBiUGyBurLFW8l0aav7KcTOcaev09VvUZXl_kqsSwDPiTiHZBFb4xu91-0ld3CWgLuG3g/s1600/IMG_1060.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjko-IKaKW3dlgKepQXFSvU13zscVd6Xm7BIGHAu6libDqkFGBuXDDrKDFiWvForKOQ6c2rL3Y0w2EdjLTSTN4SKu_gO_UKprIBk5Lr5Gf3w-xYRDEYqULT9OGb7q6QwxT6GRe82myisc/s1600/IMG_1075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjko-IKaKW3dlgKepQXFSvU13zscVd6Xm7BIGHAu6libDqkFGBuXDDrKDFiWvForKOQ6c2rL3Y0w2EdjLTSTN4SKu_gO_UKprIBk5Lr5Gf3w-xYRDEYqULT9OGb7q6QwxT6GRe82myisc/s1600/IMG_1075.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> et voila!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWw8VfVp9t9QeVqGLgsTCSZgsBj0V3S8-MrOit53I3KUolUbqGa13I80hFEmS5oONOlaXWZt4ql0Kc-2jAInXZ98Z2tOog1UklTfYD-zdSDhzqpomgIYjFSr-s-Pab7Toe1K8p76eyac/s1600/IMG_1057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWw8VfVp9t9QeVqGLgsTCSZgsBj0V3S8-MrOit53I3KUolUbqGa13I80hFEmS5oONOlaXWZt4ql0Kc-2jAInXZ98Z2tOog1UklTfYD-zdSDhzqpomgIYjFSr-s-Pab7Toe1K8p76eyac/s1600/IMG_1057.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14VetdVONvz_8xzZq3xUbHx8Zsran6uobNZmeXECgxQD_NJsjkc7PFemYX_YQfsTR48qBBceADBHPwMYBpz8mtvLeNFZtHSVh6qX2GjbnXBR9b9mqtWGQG0y12Kj9O1V7PcZEPsEXBKE/s1600/IMG_1054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14VetdVONvz_8xzZq3xUbHx8Zsran6uobNZmeXECgxQD_NJsjkc7PFemYX_YQfsTR48qBBceADBHPwMYBpz8mtvLeNFZtHSVh6qX2GjbnXBR9b9mqtWGQG0y12Kj9O1V7PcZEPsEXBKE/s1600/IMG_1054.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGXIdemRtZVKtN6y4zXn0iSkcZ2uTIxN1-GAKKBJe3updrzfBBFwDwG6tfyYYuASooXtdaWBnSb-vwUV1EZbVkOgWTfK0pfbqAslEybwIDLakBSa2ylobYfAYTehJtz4s0CIjmiOy-58/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGXIdemRtZVKtN6y4zXn0iSkcZ2uTIxN1-GAKKBJe3updrzfBBFwDwG6tfyYYuASooXtdaWBnSb-vwUV1EZbVkOgWTfK0pfbqAslEybwIDLakBSa2ylobYfAYTehJtz4s0CIjmiOy-58/s1600/collage.jpg" title="geraldinethegreat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">An impromptu hair style that came out pretty cute, for</span> <b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Vday.</span></b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o0JxPST-LD4" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> What did you guys do for Valentine's? Leave a comment below. I'd love to hear from ya!</span></div>
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<br />Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-33269861522470894632015-02-13T00:57:00.005-05:002015-02-14T22:45:05.884-05:00Are you a true Nigerian?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSOmwqSIiUX5D4zDRIowYPFepcC0AW9vabEVXkEJQ1zYRRuirB4RtaVp901WLEZjHiwaHbdBJ-cnOciFWqY3Zr8WLO0Zp1_FmDDZyLFW85T6TgUahQRDnBVlm1R3_RRKHVwkcRXAAGY0/s1600/PhotoGrid_1350857500628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSOmwqSIiUX5D4zDRIowYPFepcC0AW9vabEVXkEJQ1zYRRuirB4RtaVp901WLEZjHiwaHbdBJ-cnOciFWqY3Zr8WLO0Zp1_FmDDZyLFW85T6TgUahQRDnBVlm1R3_RRKHVwkcRXAAGY0/s1600/PhotoGrid_1350857500628.jpg" height="425" title="geraldinethegreat" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Black American!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My narrowed eyes scanned the crowded room, eventually spotting the voice and its owner. Why was this man grinning at me like that? I thought to myself, slightly irked. The closer I approached, the more his grin broadened. The apples of his oily cheeks caught the harsh glare of the fluorescent lit room. He was flanked by two women; one who mirrored his bright demeanor and another who seemed to eye me, warily.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Black. American." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The man emphatically declared, once I reached his booth. He looked impressed with his assertion. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> "Igbo." I stated, smiling and handing over my passport and plane ticket. Simply put, I identify as Nigerian American, but it can get complicated depending on who's asking. In trendier times, I'd would have said that I was a classic Afropolitan; ethnically Igbo, born in Alabama and raised between tucked away enclaves outside of Atlanta and Owerri. </span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My parents had named me Ijeoma, aptly marking the transitional periods our family moved through during the time. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He flipped open the hard booklet and leaned over to share its contents with both of his colleagues,</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Eh heeeh! Ijeoooomaaaa!"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He sort of sang my name, drawing it out so dramatically that I couldn't help but to laugh. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I knew where the man was headed with his outbursts. The path had been previously charted by older conversations. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">l'm proud to be Igbo. Female. Black. I've identified with those themes throughout my adult life.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> His colleague on the left, who'd formerly eyed my presence with suspicion, now offered me an unguarded smile. Her disposition transformed with the articulation of my origin. At that busy airport, as I was being jostled this way and that, I recounted similar moments when I'd experienced the same conversation. It had come up once, during my first visit to Nigeria as an adult, and had reared its head with a vengeance, two Decembers ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"So, you're Nigerian? Like, </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>fully </b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nigerian?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> These times, the question had been posed by a </span></div>
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<a href="http://geraldinethegreat.blogspot.com/2014/02/The-Great-Kinky-Hair-Affair.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Great Kinky Hair Christmas Affair</b></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> attendee, a guy who I'd idly chatted with in the lobby of my hotel, and by a woman I'd sat beside on my plane ride home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the moments that I've given
these curious occurrences thought, I've wondered if they were uniquely
Nigerian expressions of the 'are you mixed?' trope, commonly trotted out
throughout the Black diaspora. How many times had I heard about these
interactions? What about the conversations I'd personally witnessed
where the question had been posed? Never, had I thought that the question would ever be applied to me. Was this the Nigerian equivalent?
Was there even any real significance that I was oddly especially
confronted with the question, whenever my natural hair was worn in a
swollen braid out?</span> </span></div>
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<img alt="" class="aLF-aPX-J1-J3" height="480" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=ed09bb42a3&view=fimg&th=1451664daa1d8361&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1464063785635414016-1&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ81C7yryndA085jhww0pliEtHojR6UURtTsYxqHIYBCwId2nt1NiRw6zhHxCe3Axc1saw1zXySR4Ax2pDmAgLF3P1ZbVfeRn6BsdcPVvLyqLaBgIlJ_HmRoi0Y&ats=1396240203866&rm=1451664daa1d8361&zw&sz=w1803-h829" title="geraldinethegreat" width="640" />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Weeks before my trip home, thanks to <a href="http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2013/11/african-ancestry-project-offering-free-genetic-testing-kits-people-sub-saharan-african-ancestry/" target="_blank">an article</a> I'd come across on Clutch Magazine, I'd submitted a saliva sample to 23andme. The ancestry genetic testing company had sent out an appeal to African descendants, requesting DNA samples, in order to boost their understanding of genetic diversity in Africa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After waiting with bated breath for two torturous weeks, I finally received my results and was a bit miffed with the findings. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu6ufNbk3DiNOnMv7RwmaQf8swy5quSWALQM4bum63qz34NsBZ1VySf7AXPHOMSO-h76gUhqTV4hDbw-tt9dxqvEqs_UukSXcH7BCavr5sCJVWgFCagL57tTCSF_kJhN1suZhXSTAodk/s1600/sub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu6ufNbk3DiNOnMv7RwmaQf8swy5quSWALQM4bum63qz34NsBZ1VySf7AXPHOMSO-h76gUhqTV4hDbw-tt9dxqvEqs_UukSXcH7BCavr5sCJVWgFCagL57tTCSF_kJhN1suZhXSTAodk/s1600/sub.jpg" height="616" title="geraldinethegreat" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYziqe7iwSswqWy7BzH0OK9BT0-UOXCITjhyphenhyphenDlQg6u6ttonLyH87bu5De6haZR9fw_TriKrjESdYmYd_J5-bvDyV-K8IuI996sr1LVl1uyTSCtrrw4B-6xxXnPyHxYMzl_VafeSHE4jQ0/s1600/west.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYziqe7iwSswqWy7BzH0OK9BT0-UOXCITjhyphenhyphenDlQg6u6ttonLyH87bu5De6haZR9fw_TriKrjESdYmYd_J5-bvDyV-K8IuI996sr1LVl1uyTSCtrrw4B-6xxXnPyHxYMzl_VafeSHE4jQ0/s1600/west.jpg" height="636" title="geraldinethegreat" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm as African as one can get. Of course. But, I had been curious about my genetic background. Where there any other ethnic groups, besides Igbo, that might have been hidden in my DNA? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to know. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After all, Africans traded, fought wars, fell in love, and moved about for millennia</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Perhaps, future improvements to the testing will list specific groups, or migration patterns within Africa (and not just out of the continent). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Socially, attitudes change, albeit more slower than we'd like. A few years ago </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">phrases like 'good hair' and 'mixed hair' were absorbed with little question. If they were challenged, it seemed as if the popular opinions were also the most ignorant and unaware ones. They carried more weight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Today, though those opinions certainly still exist, they exist in a world where the visibility of the diversity of natural hair, steadily continues to increase. Today, those opinions are met with </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">natural hair advocates who ARE aware and are unapologetic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think some Nigerians struggle to reconcile the notion that this '</span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Igbo </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">babe from Owerri, Imo State, has hair like </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">this</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But again, times are changing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm happy to be a part of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Yes, oo I am Nigerian. No, I'm not mixed.</span><br />
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-80296315213057242352015-02-10T00:52:00.001-05:002015-02-13T00:59:47.868-05:00Fitness and Natural Hair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Hi Friends!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In an earlier post, I mentioned that I had started seriously working out again. It's quite true. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On this side of 30, I've grudgingly come to accept that my face likes to secrete excessive amounts of oil unlike before, and that if I'd like to maintain a certain physique, a healthy diet and some sort of daily physical activity, must be a non-negotiable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> With the latter, I actually resisted the idea and would constantly sabotage any progress I gained from the gym with various confectionery indulgences- a candy bar here... a cupcake or three there...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I really struggle with my sweet tooth, and curbing the urge to nibble is a constant work in progress.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, lately, I've been setting tiny achievable goals for myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week, my tangible goals are:</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">* </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> To workout for at least<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: #e06666;">3 days</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">* </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> To add two fistfuls of steamed</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b><span style="color: #e06666;">fresh kale<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to each of my dinners</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">* </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> To increase my water intake by one extra 17 oz<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: #e06666;">bottle<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">a day</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">* </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To limit the sweets to one day per week</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I plan to round out the week by rewarding my hair with a nourishing hot oil treatment and a soothing deep condition.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglT3vxnf1svRXWaoBNpzvnq5NnzjfMv0M36tmcR2u04c3Mtsz0G2m0E_VDXiDywVSvv4TXz7gFj0Q8t5HEH6YKqJ_1XntonLkNMsHK34SsJXXSg-KILl-w1wvahwIixP-zdvqKSoig9k/s1600/IMG_20150117_174050.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglT3vxnf1svRXWaoBNpzvnq5NnzjfMv0M36tmcR2u04c3Mtsz0G2m0E_VDXiDywVSvv4TXz7gFj0Q8t5HEH6YKqJ_1XntonLkNMsHK34SsJXXSg-KILl-w1wvahwIixP-zdvqKSoig9k/s1600/IMG_20150117_174050.jpg" height="400" title="geraldinethegreat" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On a quick touch base, in case you're wondering how I've been wearing my hair lately, it's been tucked away under my trusty boo, </span></span><a href="http://geraldinethegreat.blogspot.com/2013/02/Harmattan.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Lauren</span></b></a>, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">remember her?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> On my workout days, the wig comes off and my braided twists are wrapped up in my turban.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6x8F0jP3tl0X_kNBSKYKNkkWdTn0x9efNHFwamk3SwTz42x3DGRXtkIvt_ifQyi8IhKgp_T8T9-lI0wEiTmdNzXS0iSZRX3_xlaJlDUQUBDP3xQ1GsXvASmFt99Il5DtSh0qQhZwO4s/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6x8F0jP3tl0X_kNBSKYKNkkWdTn0x9efNHFwamk3SwTz42x3DGRXtkIvt_ifQyi8IhKgp_T8T9-lI0wEiTmdNzXS0iSZRX3_xlaJlDUQUBDP3xQ1GsXvASmFt99Il5DtSh0qQhZwO4s/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" height="640" title="geraldinethegreat" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After my workout, I cowash, and at the end of the week, I detangle and start all over. I'm planning to keep up this routine, for as long as the cold weather lasts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0-yyrk5a82djRtwE3fLuQ8IqJEFtcMs_wfUB5iOphz3X22UDfQwT-PYu_S1eZ7pCLwZBhK-XWY0bJLgu26IbMMsiCFbWqfki3EUfWj8nZr9RmCsbcfrEDJQatcbj3K_NWDtkqwKTlFw/s1600/IMG_20150121_230731_886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0-yyrk5a82djRtwE3fLuQ8IqJEFtcMs_wfUB5iOphz3X22UDfQwT-PYu_S1eZ7pCLwZBhK-XWY0bJLgu26IbMMsiCFbWqfki3EUfWj8nZr9RmCsbcfrEDJQatcbj3K_NWDtkqwKTlFw/s1600/IMG_20150121_230731_886.jpg" height="640" title="geraldinethegreat" width="360" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In case you missed it, here's a quick video on my workout regimen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hope you like!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How are you protecting your hair this winter season?</span><br />
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-56667470861276696702015-02-05T05:30:00.000-05:002015-02-05T06:31:47.687-05:00Pageant Pretty <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Hey Guys!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you catch the Miss Universe pageant that aired a few weeks ago?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Are you into beauty pageants, at all?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Personally, I have a passing interest in them. For the grand pageants like Miss Universe or Miss World, if a good number of women of color make into the final rounds, then my passing interest ratchets up proportionally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All of a sudden, there's a succulent piece of steak in the fire.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year, I casually watched to see who would make it through to the top 15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Miss Jamaica's delicate beauty was so arresting, that I became hopeful that she had a real shot at taking the crown this year.</span><br />
<img alt="" src="http://content.missuniverse.com/media/photos/galleries/pu_1_2014_missuniverseregistrationandfittingpart3_uni201400785_46.jpg" style="text-align: start;" title="Miss Ghana" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, she came in as the 4th Runner Up, which was a hard blow since Miss Jamaica came in as the 1st Runner up last year. Even the audience voiced their displeasure with her placement with loud boos. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I booed my TV. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you catch the contestants lifting her up on stage, after Miss Columbia was announced as the winner? Lol.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgSBEwalLHAKG89sexGYzGXAjBL3zFopgdYg19JqFOAV6KAGipdY1qvFkLwk2G8YX1ePXwuLJYEX6TKiowOe2s9KuglozqeUX_j8NbdhC-6J8bsEDs7lV7dRKUmBCbSkhRigxQCED05eRyzRS5t6sTS69wdDXqSbwjShHGPEB3C=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="irc_mi" src="http://bellanaija.cdn.ng/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Kenya-1.jpg" height="547" style="margin-top: 53px;" title="Miss Kenya" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Miss Kenya serving all kinds of Lupita tease</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every year, I get suckered in, hoping that a more inclusive display of beauty will be shown, and every year, the general look of the contestants remains the same. This year, I faithfully scanned the blur of similar looks and immediately noticed Miss Kenya and Miss Ghana.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEj_Dszg_llfZ0sUXfy1Udm0ypuQoDwD9TbVM3aST6tLIKihjoH9t61xY4gsOww7Vo_dC4PoEpDWP_0J6eKIDckzCZR3SIWG6BZixJhQP1NRhR3-btdhY2UM5-D1KVk7j6eA_L0r94jIRq9M2yYkktCDvN-S2a5r9fDv9qbXobIj_Zfn6BYqUn_majztU7h_2yKAJKIMX9wDymBKwCQR9G3_wwuMtRadaDygUX_cSZxoQ_-j077TNJ-FzO8nfNOGuWuy-IKvhvO8kG8GBVWhIg=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="irc_mi" src="http://content.missuniverse.com/media/photos/galleries/pu_1_2014_yamamayformissuniverse2015collectionswimsuitfashionshow_uni201403325_32.jpg" height="547" style="margin-top: 53px;" title="Miss Ghana" width="364" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>And she wore her hair just like this on stage! :-D</b></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666;">Those skin tones!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><br />Those faces!!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #e06666;">Their hair!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Though both of these women didn't place in the finals, they represented their countries beautifully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It would be amazing to see more black contestants dare to be more diverse in their presentations. I'm here for the day when a contestant decides bucks the system and decides to don a couture evening gown made entirely of African lace, or an Ankara or Kente print on stage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'd be present for it.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10628503_10204654254028982_8778475987706771039_n.jpg?oh=3e0f873c3a0fc31b01ab1fece4806319&oe=5566DBA6&__gda__=1431847088_5fd1ce4a57fb529d292c9a077af92d44" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" border="0" class="spotlight" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10628503_10204654254028982_8778475987706771039_n.jpg?oh=3e0f873c3a0fc31b01ab1fece4806319&oe=5566DBA6&__gda__=1431847088_5fd1ce4a57fb529d292c9a077af92d44" style="height: 563px; width: 308px;" title="Miss South Sudan" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Isn't she lovely?</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Remember this</span> <span style="color: #e06666;"><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AkeseStylelines" target="_blank">Akese Style Lines</a></b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">top?</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s7KUmP14YhA/ULRkpl-HlgI/AAAAAAAADsU/QIJ4RVh0TWM/s640/049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s7KUmP14YhA/ULRkpl-HlgI/AAAAAAAADsU/QIJ4RVh0TWM/s640/049.jpg" height="640" style="text-align: start;" title="GeraldinetheGreat" width="446" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My friend and talented fashion designer<b><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/akese01" target="_blank">Jennifer Akese Burney</a> </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">has been busy creating more amazing pieces, including the cape featured on Miss South Sudan.</span> </div>
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<img alt="" src="http://wwwameyawdebrahcom.c.presscdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/jennifer-Akese-2.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" title="Akese Stylelines" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgh0CcuvEObzG5FuN-Vemy1U95Hhyc7h9A3QdtXGeWWCu0_U7DZXSwtfDbjyr62plKw9bnN4bysTUnJPFyTBkcck78Nr641McLv3lp-QQD0XD9uUbhAp6jIgL7YE57A_p3PFQ_If8e-1226M0YVyjiFf-Fb5huf80kUh5X4UKiOtF_Ix2SDKK-4U9RlPVamWfYITSTanoXFopQ=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://wwwameyawdebrahcom.c.presscdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/jennifer-Akese-10.jpg" height="640" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" title="Akese Stylelines" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jennifer custom makes unique clothing that ranges from glamorous ballgowns fit for elegant evening events, to casual pieces that can be paired with jeans and cute heels. Click the</span> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/people/akesestylelines" target="_blank">link </a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to check out more of her current collection. </span> </div>
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<img alt="" src="http://content.missuniverse.com/media/photos/galleries/pu_1_2014_rustypelicandinnereventforbestbuddies_uni201401200_46.jpg" height="425" style="text-align: start;" title="GeraldinetheGreat" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In any case, pageants are fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll probably casually watch again next year and hope that more women of color confidently celebrate traits that make us uniquely beautiful.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o7ehEvbWryuUvLNFGsQyI8mjtwQwPJ6Jf-y0-HybCQ8ZKq9it8ShJOKStmsF-8cWHNyj66kY4MwunmiKrzrvZFZvJ99Tc9RrwoXKAhJ7oYfFkGx2dF6f-LEzr82vFgt9Rncp8OweWaQ/s1600/WiX__MS-J263bceDJ8si31x26o6HFMksRd6Lc3Ix0Zap5Ep6Zu0ijvvxOsnyWUCDd4cJaw=w1896-h859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GeraldinetheGreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o7ehEvbWryuUvLNFGsQyI8mjtwQwPJ6Jf-y0-HybCQ8ZKq9it8ShJOKStmsF-8cWHNyj66kY4MwunmiKrzrvZFZvJ99Tc9RrwoXKAhJ7oYfFkGx2dF6f-LEzr82vFgt9Rncp8OweWaQ/s1600/WiX__MS-J263bceDJ8si31x26o6HFMksRd6Lc3Ix0Zap5Ep6Zu0ijvvxOsnyWUCDd4cJaw=w1896-h859.jpg" height="400" title="Geraldine Amakihe" width="298" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear Friends,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's been so long!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">An entire year has passed between us, and in that time, some things happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's see... I started a new job. Hated it. Gained some weight. Abhorred that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lost my </span><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Grandmother</b></span>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, I quit my job, gained a new one, and began working out again. I also switched gears and made some more <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/geraldinethegreat1" target="_blank">Youtube</a> videos for you guys. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's been a struggle, but I've pushed my head through the murkiness of depression, to take a few of those deeply soul cleansing 'it's gonna be alright' breaths of fresh air. My quest towards devoting serious time towards experiences I find rewarding has been refueled, and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm ready to be better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> An amazingly rewarding activity I learned that I truly may be unable to live without was blogging in this space and interacting with you all, my oldest supporters. But, after being absent for so long, I was secretly afraid of coming back. I didn't know what I'd find. However, you still emailed hair questions and commented on my videos and on <a href="http://instagram.com/gerimua/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> querying my return.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Made a girl feel mighty special.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've realized that spending time here, writing, story-telling, and sharing knowledge about natural hair, was an energy releasing outlet for me. Without it, life had been dimmer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, I'll keep it short and cute before I divulge too much more </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">lol</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many many thank yous for hanging tough with your girl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's to resilient spirits, forgiving hearts, and brighter achievements in 2015!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love Always, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Geri </span></div>
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-67917739946743573962014-12-29T00:31:00.002-05:002014-12-29T00:31:57.830-05:00Clearing out the cobwebs<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yoo hoo!</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666;">Una dey here?</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you are,</span></span> <b><span style="color: #e06666;">THANK YOU.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you dipped out during the hiatus, I do hope you come back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My year has been interesting/busy, but I've been lurking behind the scenes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have</span></span> <b><span style="color: #e06666;">seriously </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">missed this space and you guys.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Though I haven't posted on the blog, I made two videos for you all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Catch up below -</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The first video is a walk through my hair journey. I dug deep and shared some</span></span> <b><span style="color: #e06666;">ultra </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">back in the day pictures lol.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made the second video towards the end of summer. I still love a good curly fro, so I filmed a tutorial using sponge rollers to create it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm currently lining up new stories and postings for y'all, so here's to</span></span> <span style="color: #e06666;"><b>mo' better</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">in 2015!</span></span></div>
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-22845840933519514612014-02-06T11:33:00.001-05:002014-02-08T13:43:17.856-05:00The Great Kinky Hair Christmas Affair- a Recap and a GIVEAWAY!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<strike style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6r68qO4rb972c-wTTZwkwT_n03oTMSf9lqeXlAStwZqa288Hg7Gxv9_MO06-CtQY6pZbrwNWmFDsHyl0hhTdEXlHkH5PvSTcFKqUGal-a_EMyyBiF4p9oyeF9BrI-yRhl__r9Q3bhKc/s1600/rest112+(753x645).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="geraldinethegreat, geraldine amakihe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6r68qO4rb972c-wTTZwkwT_n03oTMSf9lqeXlAStwZqa288Hg7Gxv9_MO06-CtQY6pZbrwNWmFDsHyl0hhTdEXlHkH5PvSTcFKqUGal-a_EMyyBiF4p9oyeF9BrI-yRhl__r9Q3bhKc/s1600/rest112+(753x645).jpg" height="273" title="" width="320" /></a></strike></div>
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>My</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> right arm dully ached from being
awkwardly held in place as I wielded the blow dryer over my head. Most of my hair had already been lightly stretched and plaited, and by three
o'clock that early morning, the last plait had finally been wound around a plastic cold
rod. I exhaled in relief, clasping the rod into place and eyeing the neat hotel room. The gift
bags were assembled by the door and my assistants- my cousin and sister, had been briefed.
This event was to go as smoothly as possible. I crashed into bed and briefly bargained with
sleep, mulling over the number of ways matters could go off course. What if the infamous </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Lagos</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> traffic trapped us in a never-ending commute from hell? What if no one showed?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The morning was a flurry of makeup </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>brushes</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, last minute outfit changes, and meticulous hair primping. The braid out had emerged beautifully, but the moment we streamed outside and into the humidity, the relaxed definition I'd worked so hard to achieve had all but vanished. In an attempt to control the impending frizz, I decided to tie down my hair with a dark blue bandana that I had quickly snatched on my way out. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nevertheless, as our pleasant taxi driver, who earlier had smiled at the look of amusement on our faces, after introducing himself as </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Goodnews</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, pulled up to the entrance of the <a href="https://twitter.com/SocialLagos" target="_blank">The Social Place</a>, I shed the nervous energy and approached the steel gate. I imagined there'd be throngs of event attendees, most already eagerly shopping and awaiting the series of workshops that we'd prepared for them. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioL4oRsOHrafcymEcGVGeC7inkcjl9ktWfx_jWaDvG9ViiA_Cv0OzgkTIbhFU5Ol0gr_yPLh02u2VWqflcWvc4SXX97pQuqYrqeu827iTW_qmkX22eVq-EHnp84eK534AxHqAaCP3Z9AI/s1600/2005-01-03+19.51.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="#Naturalsdey" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioL4oRsOHrafcymEcGVGeC7inkcjl9ktWfx_jWaDvG9ViiA_Cv0OzgkTIbhFU5Ol0gr_yPLh02u2VWqflcWvc4SXX97pQuqYrqeu827iTW_qmkX22eVq-EHnp84eK534AxHqAaCP3Z9AI/s1600/2005-01-03+19.51.47.jpg" height="459" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> The </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Great Kinky Hair Christmas Affair</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> was a collaboration between myself, Nibi from the <a href="http://thekinkyapothecary.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kinky Apothecary</a>, and my name sake, Ijeoma from <a href="http://klassy-kinks.com/" target="_blank">Klassy Kinks</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Staying Natural, Year 0 to Infinity, my workshop, would explore the overlooked mental aspects of being natural (because half of the battle is in how we perceive natural hair), and the technical elements in retaining healthy hair. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT6hdO7Wv7dbKP6IRGKua8LRFck9YazYlb_tU9Y17_OtGCG35OR5pwn-_vvaJmH7gB7G5U3NSA3wBbC3YmGvfQFpPyMUtaHY2V0YbyubJV3whI-psmkAYd5s2ZFhkqQQJ1YdAh02JjJg/s1600/2005-01-03+19.53.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="4c hair, Nigerian Hair" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT6hdO7Wv7dbKP6IRGKua8LRFck9YazYlb_tU9Y17_OtGCG35OR5pwn-_vvaJmH7gB7G5U3NSA3wBbC3YmGvfQFpPyMUtaHY2V0YbyubJV3whI-psmkAYd5s2ZFhkqQQJ1YdAh02JjJg/s1600/2005-01-03+19.53.01.jpg" height="480" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Loved what my hair was doing here.</b></span><br />
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</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We trooped onto the venue grounds which were tastefully decorated in accents of pinks and silvers. The staff uniformed in black slacks and tops moved about efficiently, some carrying trays of champagne, while others were busy setting up tables and banners. A small array of people were clustered off to our right, and in their midst was </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Ijeoma</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. Honestly, I spotted her hair first- a brassy reddish brown riot of fabulous curls. She was to present a workshop on maintaining healthy hair while protective styling with braids and twists. </span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Nibi </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">was also summoned upon our arrival, and she sort of floated over to us, reminding me of a tiny fairy. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Quick introductions were made, a round of air kisses and hugs were shared, and a short tour of the premises was given. Afterwards, we began the long wait for the arrival of our guests.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_p4rqG1STJU9qgwGD1cZCS7sdU5uC9rGJvs6GyerHEmDpBBbX83lKUtqpTQzOsAY17JIl-exgwS0tCKLG-P194dPGKVAEd0lfbJyi_qjVBwZsrNeOM25eC9BoVCd1ZDT1PUYoQRd1rs/s1600/IMG_5666.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="4c Hair" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_p4rqG1STJU9qgwGD1cZCS7sdU5uC9rGJvs6GyerHEmDpBBbX83lKUtqpTQzOsAY17JIl-exgwS0tCKLG-P194dPGKVAEd0lfbJyi_qjVBwZsrNeOM25eC9BoVCd1ZDT1PUYoQRd1rs/s1600/IMG_5666.JPG" height="480" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>(L to R) Ijeoma of Klassy Kinks and Nibi of The Kinky Apothecary</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Where the hell is everyone? This isn't a party!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> My sister looked at me, exasperated, as if I could offer her a real answer. Tempers easily flair in hot weather. Shrugging impotently, I retied my scarf for the millionth time in an already lost battle to frizz, and stood in front of a fan, arms akimbo. A few hours had passed. I couldn't believe that I'd convinced myself that attendees would be waiting my arrival. I'd forgotten where we were. Nigerian</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">s are</span> <b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">notoriously</span></b><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">late comers. I recalled something I'd read about African peoples being so in tune with the natural world and the sun that we attended ceremonies and events when it <i>felt </i>right. People would come when they were ready. </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>No wahala.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwyq6dSFXxvuGsCDaDCO-1xmTiSvk_MI1jeqMaUHOOyuqdlnwidNSwoE_PBO4ich8ASl5FXAjUJyZM4ZZ-jj4qiAzgHmjY6GdVBNdjmeBmcs87KuEtEsyAEZXwcTn5XK4m39goK8LoyU/s1600/bandana1+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="4c hair, Type 4, Nigerian Hair" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwyq6dSFXxvuGsCDaDCO-1xmTiSvk_MI1jeqMaUHOOyuqdlnwidNSwoE_PBO4ich8ASl5FXAjUJyZM4ZZ-jj4qiAzgHmjY6GdVBNdjmeBmcs87KuEtEsyAEZXwcTn5XK4m39goK8LoyU/s1600/bandana1+(2).jpg" height="438" title="" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>My scarf working overtime</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, in the meantime, we chatted...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RCJWXYb9XYuZIb5VLdE0-zIzll-kqmchO27SN30drAS73AQholpzrApvQHNef3fl2GJASYzq6Xo6vcnvL_wcHV7VtxS8WbN9DeILcpxmjv-RAlcHRCQnzZqUnaywLfedQ_twr1lGxpk/s1600/IMG_5663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="#Naturalsdey" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RCJWXYb9XYuZIb5VLdE0-zIzll-kqmchO27SN30drAS73AQholpzrApvQHNef3fl2GJASYzq6Xo6vcnvL_wcHV7VtxS8WbN9DeILcpxmjv-RAlcHRCQnzZqUnaywLfedQ_twr1lGxpk/s1600/IMG_5663.JPG" height="480" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ijeoma's hair makes me really really consider color</span></b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2vmgT3_G_h_55ReHR4W07lZ0ImRlTrJ794XKIYRwpogzXLLH-SrLhS-vp-1J3oGjkgbV2cP-P-oMwd1WeTrnfnNaMTf0UO7H5lepCkS58vebGF6oxhrmqcH-J_105NiZc2Rc4V9BWq4/s1600/IMG_5667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="#Naturalsdey, geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2vmgT3_G_h_55ReHR4W07lZ0ImRlTrJ794XKIYRwpogzXLLH-SrLhS-vp-1J3oGjkgbV2cP-P-oMwd1WeTrnfnNaMTf0UO7H5lepCkS58vebGF6oxhrmqcH-J_105NiZc2Rc4V9BWq4/s1600/IMG_5667.jpg" height="480" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and I fussed with my hair...lol.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D0Mz8KKYyu0OALA3EibgwNAkpZuiAaVGIhgu3r41SQpdRQYUnPdr3H1F273qMpnRs3Njl3HwwIm-fQT2u-9ZWY1LN9MAOx-QNixc77g3A6csKoYkoku0IxPDFChqdTIgHxr7qVJzTAo/s1600/IMG_5664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="#Naturalsdey, geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D0Mz8KKYyu0OALA3EibgwNAkpZuiAaVGIhgu3r41SQpdRQYUnPdr3H1F273qMpnRs3Njl3HwwIm-fQT2u-9ZWY1LN9MAOx-QNixc77g3A6csKoYkoku0IxPDFChqdTIgHxr7qVJzTAo/s1600/IMG_5664.jpg" height="480" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, folks did start to trickle in, and eventually, our workshops were under way. I answered questions including a curious one I kept getting- 'are you a real Nigerian?' </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I plan to explore this further in a future post.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnt_u6n3slnt-ewm7gF-qNxRqEeR289Q7VPTwOgF-4aouznHkA6oS_Oed9N6LughTV_2fpoJrzyC29595oIjiy11HL6pD6PA8cAFPQGx4lXJLQc7Xs4vDmrctZES9itvMJ7DkH43JKs4/s1600/2005-01-04+00.53.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="#Naturalsdey, geraldinethegreat, geraldine amakihe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnt_u6n3slnt-ewm7gF-qNxRqEeR289Q7VPTwOgF-4aouznHkA6oS_Oed9N6LughTV_2fpoJrzyC29595oIjiy11HL6pD6PA8cAFPQGx4lXJLQc7Xs4vDmrctZES9itvMJ7DkH43JKs4/s1600/2005-01-04+00.53.16.jpg" height="480" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoVlXpBg-PzZZfEfeb6keZjHzuVuOF3tXb6cNay_-7-5ePRI_G_4dS_77lhTgz92wgjWIX9RVCEr6A902RkkWhgrG_RhFTcsNIY4CqOSfYvyTtvNQyZ1AsWJQzDYK4J_0-60SA9OJtd8/s1600/2005-01-04+00.53.55.jpg"><img alt="#Naturalsdey, geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoVlXpBg-PzZZfEfeb6keZjHzuVuOF3tXb6cNay_-7-5ePRI_G_4dS_77lhTgz92wgjWIX9RVCEr6A902RkkWhgrG_RhFTcsNIY4CqOSfYvyTtvNQyZ1AsWJQzDYK4J_0-60SA9OJtd8/s1600/2005-01-04+00.53.55.jpg" height="480" title="" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I distributed gift bags and Ijeoma treated us to a live protective style tutorial. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSO4NnAEH3qMSqyI21yl4AxnhR5Vt_t9vXCovoBMhlNsATaq-bEQwQIsLssQ9WWeUq9xr6cBdLfJCOBi8pxKgygz3DoVnybxfibDCdtitR4MKEXB-lfE_KvRpuA1AZICYti-107FbVVk8/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="#Naturalsdey, geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSO4NnAEH3qMSqyI21yl4AxnhR5Vt_t9vXCovoBMhlNsATaq-bEQwQIsLssQ9WWeUq9xr6cBdLfJCOBi8pxKgygz3DoVnybxfibDCdtitR4MKEXB-lfE_KvRpuA1AZICYti-107FbVVk8/s1600/collage.jpg" height="312" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6ZMRb9Z79ImuvoPGUIRqEQLfXARbu2P3eb4HO2W0yu9FYmiuNF60LZ3S9nH641Z-tVt3xbvUatEMW7mG9Belsv7nqMhvyVYUpllD9_EXHwGAadsNt7vygrXBmbAv8fCyKMYvt6LYHhQ/s1600/2005-01-04+02.20.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="#Naturalsdey, geraldinethegreat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6ZMRb9Z79ImuvoPGUIRqEQLfXARbu2P3eb4HO2W0yu9FYmiuNF60LZ3S9nH641Z-tVt3xbvUatEMW7mG9Belsv7nqMhvyVYUpllD9_EXHwGAadsNt7vygrXBmbAv8fCyKMYvt6LYHhQ/s1600/2005-01-04+02.20.05.jpg" height="480" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Disheveled lol. The humidity just had its way with me sha.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> By the event's end, my hair had shrunken into a textured fro. I had stopped wearing my hair this way when I started gaining considerable length because of the knotting my ends would experience, but on this night, I finally decided to accept it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love doing these workshops, as I get to share information that helped me through my journey, and I get to meet you guys- hey</span> <b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;">Natural Girl</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">hey!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I'm already planning for the next.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMGQVburjiQdV5mh-rXkyl3sJ62KVv3xUW8sbIbNdn4B5xb8PKLHd0jzKqfPKhI8L__l6h7QqMSTW2caQSwGoB3VgZqsSLxZkYt72KME628m0ekAI4IdPvzgbCeosBcQgAg8XvW7a5F8/s1600/proxy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="4c hair, geraldinethegreat, geraldine" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMGQVburjiQdV5mh-rXkyl3sJ62KVv3xUW8sbIbNdn4B5xb8PKLHd0jzKqfPKhI8L__l6h7QqMSTW2caQSwGoB3VgZqsSLxZkYt72KME628m0ekAI4IdPvzgbCeosBcQgAg8XvW7a5F8/s1600/proxy.jpg" height="480" title="" width="640" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This trip had me dealing with a ton of things unforseen, including not being able to distribute samples of one my top natural hair brands and event sponsor, </span> <b><span style="color: #e06666;">Nene's Secret</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, to attendees. In lieu of that misfortune, I am hosting a giveaway for </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b>y'all </b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">in Nigeria!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Starting today, twelve of you lucky winners will receive two FULL sized <a href="http://www.nenessecret.com/" target="_blank">Nene's Secret</a> products including the <span style="font-family: inherit;">Gorgeous Gro</span> and My Mom's Hair Masque.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1S7KVQ8EsipkRcm4bLx4uHRh0YOG90jrMccuiy1_tOOmNEN-p_qBywb9DmTaEVSuWuTNJEE0Pu0i5blpr_nLpe53VcxJJEPM0ChEDBlbQHybejr21VMvqLIFsGiwBi8glGKu7BhbHgU/s1600/proxy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nene's Secret" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1S7KVQ8EsipkRcm4bLx4uHRh0YOG90jrMccuiy1_tOOmNEN-p_qBywb9DmTaEVSuWuTNJEE0Pu0i5blpr_nLpe53VcxJJEPM0ChEDBlbQHybejr21VMvqLIFsGiwBi8glGKu7BhbHgU/s1600/proxy.jpg" height="315" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Simply be sure to do the following-</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. Like Nene's Secret on Facebook OR follow them on Instagram</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. Comment "Enter Me' under this post, on Facebook, OR tag me on Instagram so I know you've entered the contest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's it. Easy peasy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All contest participants will be entered into a drawing, and 12 of you will randomly selected.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The contest is only open to Nigerian residents and ends on 02.21.2014.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good luck, guys!</span><br />
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079336119802566621.post-27094087785366620142013-12-20T19:46:00.000-05:002013-12-20T19:51:09.112-05:00Naturals Dey!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;">Miss it, Miss out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You guys see that? </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7079336119802566621" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lol- if you're in Ikoyi, Lagos and you want to hear about length retention and protective styling for the season, stop by! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBRdafvyfF5aq9a7NFuS2q5CQTeKvY5ixjBBszjpab-nmshIu1awshpzTdMtOVzzMAT-ZcgIWE5fOaTLiKo5RzQydXT6nvGyVKjhc3W9XFwGkE6F12Vl5gpkmXeVqF8BDUupop2ilgxs/s1600/Flyer+2(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBRdafvyfF5aq9a7NFuS2q5CQTeKvY5ixjBBszjpab-nmshIu1awshpzTdMtOVzzMAT-ZcgIWE5fOaTLiKo5RzQydXT6nvGyVKjhc3W9XFwGkE6F12Vl5gpkmXeVqF8BDUupop2ilgxs/s640/Flyer+2(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">New posts are coming up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm still here y'all.</span></span></div>
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Gerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326345886576571752noreply@blogger.com0