Never Say Never

You know that saying “never say never” ? Yeah, it exists for a reason.  There’s a long list of things I said I would never do. This list includes never wearing animal print (did that), never buying skinny jeans (in my defense it was 2006 nobody knew what they would last) and never ever wearing denim on denim (….)

Top of the list Things I Said I Would Never Do But Did Anyway must be weaving my hair (pause for effect). Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I've always been quite vocal about weaves. Although truthfully I’m vocal about a lot of things, weaves however are near and dear to my heart. I think MOST OF THEM look fake and therefore defeat the purpose. Why put something on your head that supposed to look like your hair but doesn't? Something that actually looks worse than your own hair?
Why? Why? Why?

 I always end my argument with a picture of Beyoncé, the golden standard of all weaves, ever! Her weaves are flawless (I woke up like this, if you don't get the reference its fine). I want my weaves too look like Beyoncé’s. If I don’t end up looking like Beyoncé-esque what’s the point?

Well.... guess who got humble pie shoved in her face?

It all began on fateful day in September. After a series of bad hair days I decided I was ready to cut all my hair off and start afresh.  Once you get to a certain stage in your hair growth things get tough. It takes forever to detangle your hair, plait it and you need twice as much time and hair product as you did when you had a TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro). Thing is I didn't have the guts to actually cut my hair so I went for the safer, less extreme  option... trying out a short weave in hopes that it would suppress the urge to cut my hair. I was desperate. I needed something new.

I took the plunge and Voila Luwi ala Weave.

I have very mixed feelings about the whole experience. I was extremely happy with how it looked but that’s about the only thing I am happy about. This is by far the most low-maintenance protective style you can have HOWEVER for me it came at a great price. It was so tightly done that I couldn't reach any of my actual hair therefore no moisturizing and oiling. That left me with the itchiest scalp in the history of itchy scalps. To say I nearly died is not an exaggeration, okay fine it clearly is but still, you see my point. Everyone I talked to said I had just picked the wrong hair dresser and it’s usually not that bad. I’m not sure I’m convinced. I don’t know if it was Karma’s way of getting me back for all the weaves I've laughed at in my life but whatever it is, lesson learned!  I will not be saying “never” to anything anytime soon nor will I will putting another weave on anytime soon. I still have serious Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and an Itchy scalp (yes still!)Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with cold sweats having dreamt about killer weaves taking out their revenge.

I suppose something good did come out of this whole experience. I learnt about not being so judgmental, personal growth moment! Putting yourself in a box of do’s and don’ts clearly isn't a way to progress in life. All this from a weave. Who would have thought fake hair could have such profound effects on one’s life?

So …never say never because it only a matter of time before you do it and when you do Karma will be waiting… passop!

Writer's Block

Hey Lovely Makgarebe

Lately I haven’t been blogging much (sighs). Okay that is a major understatement. I’ve barely blogged at all since got moved to Zambia. Partly due to logistical issues such as finding a new camera person , new locations to shoot and so on.... but a lot of it has been mental and spiritual. I guess you could call it writers block but it’s more a case of wanting to write about everything except the stuff we said this blog would be about. This is supposed to be a style/lifestyle blog but my musings have been anything but style related lately. Don’t get me wrong , I’m still a very dedicated style fiend, I don’t foresee that ever changing but of late I've had a lot more on my mind than outfits and trends.

But then I had a” revelation”, mind blowing really. This is our blog, we’re supposed to write about our lives right? And if things change in our lives there is no reason why our Blog can’t change a little too.


This will probably always a blog heavily influenced by style and fashion but who you are and what you do are not aren’t mutually exclusive. Who you are affects what you do and how you do it. What am I ? A Christian, A child of the most high and that will have an effect on everything that I do and say. I am also a woman, a sister, a friend, life's test subject  and will talk about the issues I face as a woman, growing up and starting my own life.


So what have we learnt today class ? That if you’re into style and fashion watch this space but if you’re looking for something more we’ve got that for you too. Continue to watch the adventures of Pris and Lu as we conquer the world one outfit and life lesson at a time.

In order to prove said statement check out the picture above of me staring into the distance in a deep and introspective manner. Totally legit right ? I think I’ve proved my point.
The outfit is actually something I put together for a different shoot and was waiting to use at the opportune moment. Viola! The Skirt is thrifted and the top is my ever faithful Mr Price (you’ve got to love him).

Catch you on the flip side (throws up gang signs). Promise our posts will be more consistent from now on.

Day Dreams

 I don’t know if I’m the only one out here with this “problem” but I have an extremely over active imagination. I'm often told I look at things in ways that most people don’t. In new situations and environments my mind goes haywire. Maybe it’s the story lover in me but I’m always trying to figure out how things will end.

Although it’s something I’m most certainly hard wired to do it’s something I’ve realised I need to control. Moving to Zambia has changed my life drastically and I’m in unfamiliar places and situations every single day. New country, new friends, new church, new job (hopefully), new family dynamics, new lifestyle.... I could go on. Every day is a new adventure filled with possibilities but some days I spend more time worrying about these possibilities than actually enjoying them.

Am I alone in this? Do you ever find yourself  worrying the days and weeks and months away ? Day dreaming about the future. About who will stay, who will go, where you’ll live, your success ? Lately I’ve been doing a lot of that and it dawned on me that not only is worrying a total buzz kill, it’s also a complete waste of time! Preparing for the future is wise, driving yourself crazy wondering about what-if’s won’t get you anywhere but the looney bin.

I’ve been thinking a lot about trusting God more. Fact is you can’t trust someone you don’t know. If a stranger walked up to you and asked you to hold their hand and walk with them you would run, well at least I hope you would, this world is crazy ya’ll. But I digress, it’s the same with God. We ought to trust him but we have to know him, his nature, his character, his faithfulness in a personal way in order to trust him. That’s something I’m working on implementing as this journey continues so I too can say with the utmost conviction that I know whom I have believed.

2 Timothy 1:12

....for I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to him against that day.

Hairdresser Hell

 

This is not a natural hair blog. I repeat this is not a natural hair blog! That was much more for my sake than yours. We seem to write a lot about our hair don’t we?

I took these pictures a few weeks ago, the last from “ode to Maun” series.  There she is, my fro in all her glory.  These days my hair is braided eighty percent of the time, usually some form of twist because it takes the shortest amount of time to braid and take down. These days I’m all about protective styles and reducing the amount of damage to my hair when manipulating it. My aunt who I lived with in Maun always did my hair and we had over the years developed an awesome rapport. After much nagging she finally understood my Natural Hair Nazi ways. Then I moved to Lusaka and had to begin the search for a new hair dresser. *sigh*

Interesting thing amount Zambia.  Having natural hair isn’t a big deal, lots of women have it. What lots of people don’t have is natural hair that does not get heat treatment. I blow dry my hair twice a year for length checks and trimming my ends. Besides that its heat-free, something that seems  hard for people who aren’t deep in the natural hair movement to understand.  And so my kinky fro and I went in search of a new hair charmer. Our first audition was an disaster of EPIC proportions.  This woman yanked, pulled and did everything but pull my hair out (allow me to embellish, I’ve earned it). My constant pleas for her to be gentle fell on deaf ears. And if that wasn’t enough she decided she was going to comb my hair bone straight because it wasn’t blow dried. I could hear individual split ends forming each time she attacked the fro with her machete (comb). She was cheap and came well recommended so I suffered in silence. Okay fine, I'm a coward, don't judge me! 

 

Lesson learned. My selection process will be a lot more thorough in future and never let cheap hair get in the way of good hair.

From a heartbroken Lekgarebe to all of you out there.  Share you hair dressing horror stories with us comrades, lets band together, vent and heal.

Pants and T Shirt – Mr Price

Blazer – Thrifted

Shoes – Old

Scarf – Chinese Shop

Bag - Gifted 

Accessories - Here and there

 

The Best Blog Comment ever

Two weeks ago I wrote a post on my big move to Zambia and the challenges I was going to face. The response was great as always, we'll never get over the fact that people all over the world are reading our little blog. It gives us the warm and fuzzies. In the spirit of warm and fuzzies I had to share this message I got on facebook from a friend in response to the post. I was truly humbled by the effort put in and the wisdom this young woman was willing to impart. I'm sure as you read you'll agree such wisdom deserves its own post.
I hereby present to you..... *drumroll* Moyo Ngubula. Passionate Lawyer, Woman of God and an Honorary Lekgarabe. I hope this warms your heart as it did mine.
" Any advice on new beginnings ? I have a bit of advice.I have had so many new beginnings but I think the best ones to refer to are the ones I have experienced in my adulthood. So here it goes;
1. Change is good but that doesn't mean that it will be easy. I have found that there is a period of disorientation, irritability and adjustment but eventually there will be some calm. Then you will miss the past badly but you will in time adjust to the new. A year and three months after moving from South Africa back to Botswana I am yet to fully adjust . Sometimes if you stay too long into one place you become comfortable and then complacent but change makes you step out into the unknown and learn new things, you grow. Often you will not immediately see the growth but you will reflect some time later and you will realize just how much you have grown. We grow I think, through exposure. Exposure does exactly that; exposes us to a different world, to pain to love and to possibilities. So in that sense change is good.
2. Be Easy on yourself; When i moved to South Africa In 2006 I spent 80% of my time surrounded by other Batswana. They were the ones I went shopping with, sat next to in class and lived with. Terrible idea! In 2007 most of these Batswana opted to go to different towns, a few stayed in Cape Town but only one person decided to come to The University of Cape Town with me. I was constantly on the phone with her, we constantly had to meet because we were both so scared and school was very real. This was just unrealistic; I was studying Law she was studying Property Studies, I was staying on campus and she lived in a residence a bit far off from me. Eventually we simply just had to adjust. So I withdrew to my room.I took my meals from the dining hall to my room, ate, studied and went to church on Sundays. I was so scared of the unfamiliar and didn't think the girls I saw in the dining hall would have anything to say to me let alone be interested in me. Then one day I decided to start getting involved in church, in societies on campus and in conversations at the dining hall. I eventually ended up with friends from all over the world with whom I had common interests; girls who were passionate about God, about the law and who loved the same cultural activities as me. Sometimes I wish I had done things differently; put myself out there more but I realize that it might have not have gone the same way, caution is necessary. Most of the people I became friends with were people that I had watched from a distance and realized I could be friends with. I messed up because I made a lot of assumptions that I shouldn't have; because she is from Botswana we should be cool, because she is white and I am black we can't be people's, she is doing humanities and I am on my way to lawland and money, her life is too chilled I cant have that in my life. BE UNASSUMING but be cautious as well.
3. I know you are from Zambia and you probably have lived there for a bit or used to visit and most likely think that you know Zambia and the transition is gonna be easy. Well its not. You will get culture shock! I am being for real. I got it when I came back to Botswana and some things still disturb me to this day. It might sound snobbish but it's the truth of the matter. I hate the fact that you queue at the ATM, I'm still to get used to speaking Setswana to service providers and every other person that assists me. I am still getting used to people looking at me funny when I address them in English and I am also trying to get used to the fact that people do not say thank you here. Yes this is the place I was born and bred but that like I said you adapt to certain places and they become your new normal so when you go back to the old it will not instantly come back to you. Just because its homes doesn't mean you should feel guilty about the fact that it irritates you sometimes. It will come back to you with time. Do not be hard on yourself but also be careful who you share your frustrations with. Guys that were at UCT understand what I am on about when I complain about South Africa but people from the University of Botswana think we are being unnecessary. Oh and you may have old friends you stay connected with via social media, you will find that trying to play out the friendship in real life may prove difficult. I have learnt to let go, not in a mean way but to just know that it's not what it was. For some friendships it will be like you never left. Learn to know who to keep and who to let go of, at the end of the day a girl over 24 has at most 10 true friends. Those friends, no matter where you are or where they are will come through. I have such, and those Luwi, are the ones that matter.
Enjoy the transition! Its part of your growth, its part of your story and it really is up to you to ensure that it's well written, do you BUT do not be selfish, honour the ones that are yours and above all remember to ask God to journey with you in this chapter; know that things will not always go your way in this process; we tend to envision things a certain way and when the tide doesn't go our way we are disgruntled we look at God unhappily. BUT just yesterday I was reading Hebrews chapter 3. The chapter warns against disbelief and calls it a sin. I know we read the text over and over again but yesterday I got a fresh perspective, especially when I considered the verses that talk about how the children of Israel saw God's hand and saw his signs and wonders and yet they would turn and rebel. It was a beautiful yet stern and rebuking reminder to me that I need to count my blessings and continually praise even when things do not go my way ( I am still unemployed, with an LLB and an LLM, I am on government internship earning P1320 per month) but I have seen God's hand in my life before and so this temporary situation will pass. So say your prayers when things are tough and stay true to your maker. xoxo

The Proverbs 31 Woman Is a Fashion Blogger ?

Fashion blogging isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you consider spiritual life lessons. It isn’t the second or third either. In fact I doubt it crosses anyone’s mind. It certainly didn’t cross mine until I started to seriously consider starting a fashion blog. However though my personal experiences as a style blogger I’ve often had to think how best my Godly principles can shine through in an activity that isn’t your stereotypical ministry outlet. In the Apostle Pauls letter to the Colossians he says “whatever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus”. Pretty sure “whatever” covers style blogging too. The nagging question is how exactly do you go about style blogging in Jesus’ name? That brings to mind an even bigger question, how do you do anything in life which isn’t an exclusively Christian activity in Jesus’ name? As much as I wish I had an exact answer I’m not sure there is one but fear not, there are some principles one can follow.
Things have changed quite a bit since Adam and Eve donned animal skins in the Garden of Eden to hide their nakedness. Aren’t we all grateful for that? Clothes have become more than just covering and protection from the elements. They are a way in which we express ourselves and more often than not our clothes speak volumes about who we are, where we come from and what we believe. They’re a form of art which is one of the reasons I started blogging but another was to encourage young African women to take pride in their unique culture and looks. So how does the woman of God find a balance between consistently looking good, promoting style and fashion without becoming obsessed with her appearance? I immediately think of proverbs 31 woman who wore fine linen and purple but strength and honour were her clothing.

Doesn’t it sound like an impossible task sometimes? But then most things are when Christ is taken out of the equation. How do I stay current, fashionable, look good, keep my body in shape all while staying focused on the bigger picture? Here are a few things I have learnt to keep in mind.

Looks aren’t everything but God wants you to look and feel good both inside and out. You’re not doing anyone any favours by not taking care of yourself. I don’t believe that the Spirit of Joy and Peace is best manifest in a dowdy, depressed woman. The woman of God enjoys the pleasures of life that include taking pride in her appearance. She fasts, prays and shops!
Looking good does not have to be costly or time consuming. The proverbs 31 woman was wise with her time and money. Good time management and budgeting can allow you to create the time and resources necessary to add a few extra things to your wardrobe or a little extra time doing whatever hobby you enjoy. A happy woman is a beautiful woman.
Being modest and carrying you with poise will never go out of style. As the adage goes “fashion comes and goes but style is forever”. Don’t feel pressured to follow every trend that comes especially if that trend goes against how you believe a Godly woman ought to dress. You can’t afford it and it won’t make you happy anyway.
Comparing yourself with others will only take away your Joy. Remember who you serve and whose opinion really counts in the end.

 There are many ways we can minister to a world that has so many preconceived ideas of what it means to be a Christian. Sadly we live in world that judges people based on how they look more than what is in their heart. Fortunately the Godly woman can literally where her heart on her sleeves.

Dress & Sandals  - Mr Price

Bag - Custom Made

Accessories - Jewellery Box

Fun With My African Print

This is possibly one of the longest farewells in history. More pictures from the love of my life, my muse,  my hometown, Maun. Oh how I  shall miss thee. One week In Lusaka, not homesick yet but I think about Maun and Botswana all the the time. Constantly comparing and contrasting.

Another photo shoot from the village. Notice how I am the only person in sight? That I already miss. In Lusaka there are people everywhere. Its amazing, a buzzing city, constantly moving and changing. Drastic change from sleepy Maun. I'm always in need of a nap these days but the bum in me is slowly dying. Watch me morph into a street wise city chick (delusional much?).

Remember when we talked (gushed) about African Prints ? You knew it was only a matter of time before I came back for more. One of my new obsessions is mixing and matching unexpected patterns. In this case stripes and vibrant prints. Its fun but still pretty simple. Plus you don't want to go through all the trouble of having a African Print outfit  tailor made  and only be able to wear it one way. You know how us girls can be. You know you look awesome, plaster pics all over Facebook and then realize you can never wear it again because you don't want to be that one outfit girl *looks around*. Wait... its just me ? Well this is awkward. Sigh..... hash tag first world problems! 

Jacket - DFX

Shirt - Mr Price

Skirt - Tailor Made

Shoes - Sissy Boy

Accessories - Jewelry Box 

Thanks for stopping by..... 

We love hearing from you. You know what to do *winks*

Fruity Football

The World Cup starts in a few hours and the chances of Ghana making it out of the group stages is slim to none. Check out my defeated stance below.

Oh! The humanity!

According to most predictions Ghana is doomed and will not be making it out of Group G since we have been pitted against Germany, Portugal and the USA. There is not a lot of hope for us and as such there is not as much news coverage on the world cup as in previous years, probably to soften the blows of defeat we may face. But I say bullocks to that! Go Ghana! Where there is a will, there’s a way and football has always been one of the most unpredictable sports out there. It just takes a team with unfailing heart, part luck, part prayer, and one player with sure aim and confidence and we can make it. So the way I see it, we have as much chance as everybody else out there on the field. So…. my money is on the Black Stars!!

In other news, I have discovered a new fruit! Okay, maybe discovered is the wrong word, it was always here, I just did not know it existed, let me not put myself in the same boat as Cecil Rhodes and Christopher Columbus, taking credit for something that belongs to Mother Nature. So the other day I was given a fruit I have never tasted before; green and prickly, roughly the size of a large mango with a white, fleshy, center. I was beyond sceptical, new foods always seem to disappoint me but I was surprisingly blown away by its awesomeness.

It doesn't look so good on the inside, but looks aren't
everything people! Its what you taste like that counts!!

The fruit is called soursop or ‘aluguntugui ‘ (pronounce aloo-goon-too-gooey, now say that three times fast) which is the local name for it. How to describe the taste? Like the tanginess of an orange mixed with one part pineapple sweetness and one part creamy banana aftertaste.  The flesh is quite chewy and bursting with juiciness. I have found my new favourite snack! I’m sure to all you readers who have grown up in the tropics this fruit is not new to you and you have been eating it since you were a wee kinder but some of us growing up in the harsh climes of the Kalahari had no such exotic delicacies, and I plan on indulging till I’m sick to death of its Vitamin C rich goodness.

I will be sure to be munching on some as I watch the opening ceremony tonight and as I watch Ghana kick some American butt in their first match a few days from now. I got football on my mind people, the world cup comes only every four years!

V for Victory!
(wearing a tailor made peplum dress
and thrifted pumps)

Saying Goodbye

 

I’m leaving on a jet plane don’t know when I’ll be back again - John Denver

Okay fine, I’m leaving in a Toyota Land Cruiser Station Wagon but let’s not nit-pick. I’m leaving Maun, The Town (okay fine Village) I grew up in, leaving to find fame and fortune in the land of my ancestors, Zambia! The fame and fortune bit is a bit exaggerated but its part of the plan, kinda-sorta (watch this space). I’ve lived in Botswana since I was two years old and though I am technically a Zambian I’ve never actually lived there so to this will be a new experience. Major culture and language shock! People keep asking how I feel, am I excited? Well, I have a feeling that years from now I’ll remember this happily but for now remember that song by Vivian Green, Emotional Rollercoaster?  Yeah that’s me.

 

 

 

Instead of making this a tears and snot fest I’ve decided to share happy memories. These photos were taken at one of my favourite places in the whole world, the Thamalakane river behind my house. Beautiful isn’t it? The River is a very big deal in Maun, back in the day it would dry out towards the end of summer and you could literally walk across re-enacting Moses and the children of Israel escaping that crazy Pharaoh. Predicting the exact date the water would return was a really big deal when I was a kid. Sounds trivial now but these are the kind of things you remember when you’re old and grey (rich and famous) In Zambia, when Botswana has become a distant memory (sniff sniff).

 

This post is a perfect reflection of my day to day life. I never know what to wear, often too few or too many options. So I decided to share all the different ways I accessorise this all white ensemble and let you choose for me. The top and Jeans are Mr Price. The more time you spend on this blog the more you will see that Mr price and I are soul mates. It’s that simple.

 

Jeans and Vest - Mr price

Blazer– Lindex

Blue Sandals – Gifted

Denim Jacket – DFX

Black Booties – JB Sports

Tie Dye Vest – Thrifted

Gold Chain – Jewellery Box

Leaving Maun and Botswana for the unknown is a big deal for me so expect lots of posts on my adventures leaving Botswana and settling in Zambia. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be awesome. Had to make any big changes recently? Any advice to share?

My Crowning Glory Is Giving Me A Headache

This is a picture of what the hair on top of my head will NEVER look like

I detest my hair in its ‘natural state’.  By natural I mean it has not been straightened with the application of heat or chemicals. The real version of “I woke up like this”. When it is natural, it is a coiled, spongy, springy, dry, tangled life form upon my head. Oh I know my hair is not alive, it is simply a mass of keratin and dead skin cells but believe me, it has a life of its own! It shrinks down three times its size after the application of water, combs break in it when I try to tame it into something recognizable, and humidity (thank you, Ghana!) makes it into a puffy mass of untidiness!

So if I am unable to cope with my hair in its natural state, why am I typing this to you dear reader having avoided relaxer and heat applications, which make it infinitely more manageable, since May 9^th 2013? Well I will tell you why, it is because of a new fad sweeping the interweb, it is the dawn of a new age, the dawn of the Natural Hair Blogger (NHB)! These bloggers are usually women with thick, luscious manes that bounce when they walk and glisten in the sunlight.Their are blogs dedicated to advising and encouraging women of African descent to resist the application of relaxers – or as they affectionately call it- the creamy crack. And they have brainwashed me!

The creamy crack, is aptly named, indeed I am an addict. I dream of walking down the road to any of the small hair salons littered in my neighbourhood and getting my fix. Any cream will do really, just to rid me of this mass of steel wool atop my head, but I am feening most especially for my drug of choice, Dark and Lovely. Oh to sit in the comfortable padded chair surrounded by discarded hair and braid extensions at my feet, the sound of blow dryers and gossip, the smell of hair dye and shampoo, and let the hairdresser knead my head with the noxious smelling chemicals that will leave my hair a flat, shiny, lifeless, but manageable mane. It has been too long since my fix, too long!

These NHBs have lied to me though! They have extolled on the virtues of keeping my hair in its natural state and applauded me for staying away from the crack but they forgot to mention all the WORK I would now have to put into my hair to make it manageable. They have coined terms such as ‘hair regimen’ (a plan of your daily treatments to your hair), ‘co- wash’(washing using only conditioner because apparently shampoo can be too drying sometimes) and ‘pre-poo’(moisturising your hair with oils BEFORE you wash). They swear by applications of extra virgin olive oil and shea butter hot oil treatments, Jamaican black castor oil and coconut oil moisturisers, bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar cleanses. Natural hair is needier than a new born baby! Terms and conditions apply friends! I beg you to read the fine print before embarking on this journey!

Natural hair bloggers as Krystal K (The Feisty House), Jenell Stewart (kinkycurlycoilyme) and Afrodiva Nally (ghanaiannaturals), are my go to blogs on how to keep my hair moisturised and soft and stretched out to prevent the inevitable dreaded shrink. However let me come clean to you, dear reader I am EXTREMELY LAZY when it comes to my hair. Luckily for me I have a bit of an obsession with headscarves so my dense sprouting is more often than not covered up. But I cannot just ignore my precious strands underneath. This is why I am endeavoring to take better care of my hair.

On that fateful day on May 9^th when my crowning glory was laid down (also known as the ‘big chop’ in natural hair circles), I thanked God that I did not have a weirdly shaped head and could pull off a short crop, but I also prayed for HEALTHY hair, strong and without dandruff, my arch nemesis. Blessed with a hairline that was receding on the sides, 80% genetic (shout out to my dad) and 20% just plain old lack of care and too many tight braids, I vowed to take better care of it and this is where the NHBs come in. Using science and facts they taught me how poisonous the creamy crack is (it has sodium hydroxide as the active ingredient people!!!) and how African hair should be treated. They made me aware of the different types of kink hair there was (4a, b, and, c) and I was dismayed to find I possessed the kinkiest kink of them all! 

THEN: short and manageable. I miss it

So for the past year I have been lax in my care. But no longer! I will pre-poo, co- wash and stick to a hair regimen… okay I lie. Ain't anybody got time for that. But I will step up my game a little bit. This is why I signed up for the kinkycurlycoilyme castor oil challenge. Which simply entails that I apply castor oil to my hair at least three times a week. NHBs swear by castor oil, it is their liquid gold, they have an unwavering belief that continued use will produce waist length hair in all who are diligent in its application. And don't get me started on how much they luuurrvve it in its most natural form - Jamaican black castor oil (JBCO) some would sell their grandmothers for a lifetime supply of this substance and I firmly believe this is NHBs own form of 'crack'. Although some are kind enough to point out in the footnotes that genetics plays a part in how fast and thick your hair will grow. Tactfully saying, results may vary. 

NOW: my hair after a year of neglect, tsk still got nonexistent edges.
Look at that bush!

I will say one thing though, reduction of my use of relaxers has reduced my dandruff, not much but a little, so maybe there is something to all the bad press.. or I should give praise to my sporadic use of olive oil and castor oil in my hair this past year. Either way, my goals are to achieve soft and dandruff free hair. Is that too much to ask?

But do not be fooled with all my natural hair speak, just because I have gone natural for a while does not mean I am leaving the chemicals for good. Once I am satisfied that my hair is as healthy as its ever gonna be, well.. I’m an addict, I love the creamy crack...  I see you friend. One day we will meet again. All things in moderation though, maybe just a once a year fix.