Christyn Big Chops!

I've known Christyn for a while and she's always had beautiful long locs.  Well, last year she decided to cut off her locs and start a loose natural journey and she is finding her way through styling!  After wearing her hair cut very closely for a few months, she decided to let her hair grow and venture into attempting some loose natural styles!  This week was her first attempt at finger coils and coil out.  I think for a very first time she did an AMAZING job!  Go Christyn! Check out the photos below.  Also, this was her birthday week.  Wish her a happy birthday and leave her some encouraging words below!

Finger Coils under way!  You can see her TWA length on top.

Finger Coils All Done!

Coil Out in the Back!

Coil out Close Up in Front

Happy Birthday Christyn!!!  Looking Good!

I'm on Instagram!! Follow Me!

Are you on Instagram?  So am I!  Follow me there for real time pictures of hairstyles in progress, projects, and randomness that I am getting into!  Always fun!  My user name is NaturallyNitaNC.

On Being Pensive....

Pensive - engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought

One of my most dominant but often unnoticed traits is how pensive I am.  I have a habit of replaying events, situations, scenarios, & conversations in my mind.  Not only do I think about things that have happened, I also think about the outcome of future events.  There are definitely great things about this.  One of the best things is that I tend to hold on to events & emotions that make me feel great.  Conversely, I tend to hold on to events & emotions that I'd rather forget.  This trait has helped me to not react purely based on emotion but to think about the potential outcome of my actions before I react.  It also can cause others to feel as though I'm not emotionally engaged in to what is going on around me.  That's not the case, my mind is simply reviewing, pondering, considering, and evaluating.

What I love about these pensive times (of which this past week was full of, both great & not so great) is that during it I challenge myself (in the words of Iyanla Vanzant) to sit in my own truth.  At the end of my cerebral review, I am able to make an honest assessment of the situation, whether positive or negative, determine how I will proceed and make peace with my decision.  I believe God has gifted me with this trait also so that I can sit quietly during these times (even in a crowded room) and allow His Spirit to speak to me.

I encourage you to take some time to review those events & moments that are significant to you.  Sit in your truth and make peace with your experiences.

Opinion: Oprah's September 2013 O Magazine Cover with Natural Hair

So Oprah has done it again!  She's created a buzz....something she's known for.   This time it's about this over of her September issue of O Magazine.  Oprah reportedly donned a 3.5 lb wig for this cover where the feature is going to be about hair.  Some have said they don't like it because it's not truly representative of our natural hair texture.  Humph, I say she who has not bought yaki, Remi, virgin Indian or Malyasian, marley, or otherwise may cast the first stone.  First of all, it's clearly a wig and a fabulous one at that.  Second of all, many of us have donned extensions or hair pieces to change our look, to prepare for vacation, or to give our hair a break from time to time.  So why is the fact that Oprah has done the same such a big deal??  I think it's amazing and a very fierce accent to her bright orange sleek dress.  Would I be bold enough to wear a hairpiece this large, nahhh, with my 6'1 foot, 3 inch heel wearing frame I would surely block an 10 ft radius and that wouldn't fair to anyone, now would it?  LOL

So sound off, what do you think about Oprah's hair?  Love it or Hate it?  And share why in the comment section below.

Curly Flat Twist Out on Natural Hair

One of the things that I'm finding out with my natural hair journey is really that technique & understanding YOUR hair texture is the key.  After my hair trim I decided to do a flat twist out on hair & set it with rollers on the ends.

A couple of things happened that challenged this style.  (1) I finished the style at 1 am & went to bed while it was still wet.  (2) It didn't dry all the way by morning & I was trying to get to church.  I had to undo the twists & sit under the hooded dryer to get it to dry before fluffing.    This was the result.   My hair was very defined, which I loved, but I had no curls on the ends even though I slept in the rollers.

This week I saw this video.

The thing I noticed she did differently was that she didn't twist all the way to the ends.  So  I flat twisted my hair again during the day a 2 weeks later, let it air dry in addition to 15 mins under the hooded dryer and got this result.

I loved both twistout results but really like the 2nd one best.  I didn't get disappointed that my hair didn't look exactly like the girl in the video.  I appreciated the styling tip for a different look & will try it again.  Plus these were both successful flat twistouts!  I'm going to continue to practice flat twistouts because I love the additional definition it creates all the way too the root!

Which do you like best?  What styles had you previously given up on that you've finally mastered?

Sunday Inspiration - What Can Separate You From God's Love? Nothing!

Happy Sunday!  I hope this excerpt from a recent sermon by my Pastor, Andy Thompson, of World Overcomers Christian Church blesses you!   Romans 8:31 -39.

A Beautiful Summer Day

This summer has been absolutely gorgeous & non-standard for NC.  We've only had a handful of 90 degree days & I don't think we've hit 100 yet.  That's almost unheard of for this time of the summer in the South.   Today is no different,  we're going to be high 80's to low 90's today.  It's beautiful!

Today I will spending time with family & good friends celebrating their family reunion.  I encourage you to set aside some time in your day to slow down the hustle & bustle & enjoy spend some quality time with those who you truly care about.  And when you do, make sure you drink in this amazing canvas that God has given us; the blue sky, the green grass & trees, the birds & butterflies. Enjoy the simple things.  Appreciate them & when you do, it uncomplicates life, if for only a moment in time.   HAPPY SATURDAY!