miss sixx – Page 5 – The Lupie Chick Project

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Lupie Emotional Roller Coaster

August 18, 2011March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

Who knew that revealing to the world that I have Lupus would take me on an emotional roller coaster? I still remember having written the post 4 days before I released it. I would read it every day, and become nauseous at the thought of releasing it. On Friday [August] the 13th, I decided to finally publish it. As soon as I hit publish, I was panicked and tried to figure out how to delete it. Before I could delete the post, it had already gone to my yahoo groups, and emailed to my blog followers it was too late! Immediately my phone started ringing, emails, text, tweets, were all coming in so fast that I turned my phone off, went to the bathroom and cried. I got my composure, grabbed a hot cup of green tea and came back to my desk- 5 minutes later a co worker came over and hugged me [ I forgot that some of my co workers follow my blog] tears instantly started streaming down my face. Friends and followers told me how emotional they were reading the post. Some were so emotional that they couldn’t talk- that’s why they took to text and email. I thought to myself “why were YOU so emotional” I didn’t get it. I didn’t think much more about it, until later that evening when the tweets came in and people were crying and asked if they could forward my post. I found myself getting depressed.

“Why did I write the post” I asked myself over and over. I wasn’t ready to be the face of Lupus- or was I? People started asking me more questions about Lupus. Some had never heard of Lupus and some only knew it as the disease that Toni Braxton has. I started to explain as best I could, provide an explanation for the condition of my skin, and my inability to move sometimes. Most were very compassionate, and then something happened. I no longer was Mz. Sixx or Sixx (mc/sc club name), or Au’Naturale (my Twitter name), or Toni (child hood nick name), I was the helpless natural haired lady with Lupus. People started treating me as if I was sick. I know it was all heartfelt, and came from a place of love- but it made me a crying mess and I felt like a burden to people. Now every minute was about Lupus. Here comes the babying “ how are you”, “are you feeling OK” “sit down”, “lay down” “go home”, AGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I had wanted to make a you tube video with me actually speaking on it, but I felt like I had nothing to talk about [Up until this point I had only created picture slide shows]. Well today was going to be different- I needed to get a few things of my chest. My hand was hurting to bad for me to type- so I came home, grabbed my lap top, sat on the floor and just started to speak. I didn’t edit it, apply music, and make it “cutesy”. I wanted it to be raw- because that’s how I was feeling at the time.

Click Here to watch Video

This experience has made me reflect on who I am. Among the many hats that I already wear, I just added one more – “The Lupie Chick”. I’m realizing that I have to be selfish [in the instance] and make myself a priority. I’m the star on the team of “ME”. Some won’t like it- but guess what? I don’t like having Lupus either [shoulder shrug]. I have to listen to my body and not push myself being what I can handle. I will not give in the “pity parties” that some have invited me to join. I will not be treated like a helpless baby, and I will not hide. I will LIVE and ENJOY my life until the wheels fall off-and all the wheels must fall off before I stop [insert fist pump]!

[climbs off the roller coaster]

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2 strand twist, 3-C hair type, au naturale, bun, detangle, goody spin pin, hair challenge, hair growth, mini twist, miss naturale, miss sixx, natural hair, natural hair styles, wet bun

Bun Lovin

August 11, 2011March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

I challenged myself with a 30 protective style. My protective style of choice was mini twist.

After a week or two I was getting “bored”. I started watching checking You Tube vid’s and came across an interesting tutorial on how to make a sock bun. This was my mother’s go to style. She wore her hair in a bun everyday for as long as I could remember.

I made my sock bun, then was anxious to rock it! I’d lusting on this naturalista’s bun I met at the reggae wine festival- I decided to try my hand at recreating her look

Another view of the bun

This was me bun lovin at the beach

Overall, I loved rocking the bun. It was quick, easy, and keep me on target with my challenge.

Some Naturals prefer “wet bunning”

Wet bunning is great for protecting the length of your hair and for obtaining your dream ends. However, if done incorrectly it can damage your hair.The most important thing to remember when wet bunning is to listen to your hair! If your hair hates wet bunning, then do not do it! If your hair is breaking, try a protein treatment and if it persist, stop wet bunning, etc.

Again, Just listen to your hair

Here are basic tips on Wet Bunning

1. Keep your hair clean!: You are wetting and putting product on your hair and inevitably your scalp every day. Shampoo or ACV rinse to attack product build up. Make sure your hair and scalp is moisturized with natural products before putting it in a bun.

2. Do not use a rubber band to hold your hair. The elastic can break your hair. Go for the Goody ouchless no metal elastic hair ties, Goody Simple Style Spiral Bun Pin , Goody Simple Styles Hair Pin, or Goody Spin Pins. For added protection, Soak hair bands in natural oil once a week: This prevents hair from coming out where the band holds your hair every day.

3. Reposition the bun frequently: This prevents thinning in the area where the bun is formed. If you frequently switch it up between high, medium, and low buns, then this should not be a problem. If you see breakage, just stop. Your hair has feelings, and may not like it.

4. Give your hair line a break: Too much of anything is not good. If you plan to wet bun for a long time. Try taking it down once in a while and just braid while at home or asleep at night.

5. Keep your hair detangled: I comb my hair daily while wet to smooth before bunning. This also keeps it from getting ratty, matted and drawn up. You can use your fingers to do this as well. DO NOT USE a shower detangling comb unless your hair is wet because they will more than likely rip your hair out when dry. If you are co-washing then finger detangle in the shower.

I may start a 30 day (wet)bunning challenge- whose in with me???

au naturale, baby food, bananas, carols daughter, coconut milk, loc butter, marguerites magic, miss naturale, miss sixx, product review, product swap, raw honey, shea butter, tui hair smoothie

Product Review – Carols Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie

August 10, 2011March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

Manufacturer: Carols Daughter

Type: Tui Hair Smoothie

Size: 8fl.oz

Price: $18.00-$20.00

Rating: 1 out of 5

Attributes: ( from Carols Daughter.com)

Detangles, moisturizes and protects your hair

Tames and detangles

Is rich in fatty acids and creamy butters for intense conditioning

Has Nutrient-rich oils of Olive fruit and and Sunflower Seeds to boost shine.

Has Shea and Cocoa Butters to provide moisture and help protect hair from dryness and brittleness.

Has Rapa Seed Oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids, Omega-6 and Omega-3

Has a fragrance cocktail of Guava, Mango and Passion Fruit

PLUS, it has NO Parabens, Petroleum, Mineral Oil or artificial color

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Amodimethicone, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium Bourbon) Flower Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Aspartic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Polyquaternium-37, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum)

The Good: (scent) the scent was very “tropical” and lured me in to proceed. Outside of the scent and the fact that I received this product FREE at a product swap my “good” was limited.

The Bad: (consistency) the smoothie was very thin and runny. I could pour it out of the jar. I think the packaging could be better. A product that thin should be in a squeeze tub, not a jar (IMO). I didn’t see any “results” but I didn’t see any reverse behavior with my hair either ( dryness, brittle, or limp hair that other reviewers have complained about.)

The Ugly: (price) $20.00- TWENTY AMERICAN DOLLARS?? RI-DAM-DICLIOUS!!!- nuff said!!!!

Overall: The only CD product I’d ever tried was the Loc Butter and Marguerites Magic. I was happy with the loc butter ( click her for that review), the Maragruite Magic was so-so ( I purchased that for my daughter when she was relaxed). I was happy to be able try another CD product with out emptying my purse. Thank God for product swaps!!!!!! This product was a huge disappointment- so much so that I wanted to give it back to the person that gave it to me at the product swap ( I will be swapping this at the next meet up- T-R-U-S-T). Had I purchased this product- it would have been returned for a full refund. Maybe if CD market it differently, repackage the product, re price the product- it would do better ( well, I guess- that would make it a “new” product” :o). This one needs to go back into the test kitchen. **Note** I make me own hair smoothie with (1) jar of stage 2 banana baby food (.49), raw honey ($3.99) cream of coconut (milk)(1.99), avocado (.79) ( put it all in a blender, mix well, apply to hair, leave on .30 minutes with a heat cap for deep conditioning treatment)- Similar CONSISTENCY as the CD product, and my hair is left feeling soft, moisturized, and shiny for a fraction of the cost!

Have you tried Carol’s Daughter’s Tui Hair Smoothie? What did you think?

coily, curlfriends, dc natural hair, dread locs, Facebook, girlfriends, hair accessories, jaspers, kee-kee, kinky curly, MD, meetup, miss sixx, naturals, Twitter, youtube

DMV Natural Hair Meetup- Recap

August 9, 2011March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

Last Saturday I co hosted and attended my 1st natural hair meetup with my sista Kee-Kee All Natural at Jaspers in Largo, MD. I had been wanting to attend a meetup for a while and when I saw her posting about the meetup she was working on- I contacted her and got on board! I wasn’t sure what to expect, what was suppose to happen, or what we would “talk” about for 3 hours, but I did know that I was extremely excited.!

When we initially advertivtised the meetup- the RSVP’s filled up in a few hours!!!! Alot of my Facebook and Twitter friends had their curls in a knot because all the RSVP’s were taken. We established a waiting list advertising that as space became available we would open up additional RSVP’s.

Days leading up to the event were stressful for me ( not really, but thats how I operate..lol..lol…). I really wanted all to have a GREAT time. Between working my full time job, family, and mixing products – THIS DIVA WAS TIRED.COM. The night before my daughter and I sorted the product samples from our sponsors and put together the gift bags.

Our sponsors

African Pride

http://www.african-pride.com

Au’Naturale by Mz. Sixx

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuNaturalebymzsixx

Bo Beam

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Laquita33

Kee-Kee All Natural * certified natural stylist/braider *

Mobile: 202-315-8479

Email: ChiChiSophistication@comcast.net

Oyin Handmade

http://www.onyinhandmade.com/

Tailored For Naturals

http://www.tailoredfornaturals.com

Tropical Traditions

http://www.tropicaltraditions.com

Twisted Sista

http://www.twistedsista.com

Asaze Natural Hair Salon

Pooka Pure and Simple

http://www.pookapureandsimple.com

Madam Walker Braidery & School

Mobile: 301-505-5313

Imani Joy Naturals

http://www.IJNaturalHair.com

Defined Physique-Personal Training Studio

http://www.definedphysique.com/

I arrived at out venue 2 hours early!!!! lol..lol. I wanted to ensure that we had all the requested accommodations and set everything up. Beleive it or not I have a fear of public speaking, so I needed a cocktail of some sort just to introduce myself. Shortly after I arrived- the sky fell wide open and it rained cats and dogs!!!!!!

The control freak that I’am, I created little booklets that would serve as an agenda along as a “keepsake”. We’ll you know the ONLY thing(s) we did on the agenda was the welcome and introduction..lol..lol.. ( my “strutruced agenda quickly went out the window). lol..lol..

Once we all ordered food and had a couple of cocktails- we chatted about everything from natural hair, to grand children to cupcakes, and mishaps on the metro ( kee-kee- I will never forget that story 🙂 Before I knew it, we were product swapping, drawing numbers for door prizes and give aways, and having some good “curl friends” conversations, sharing tips, and tricks, laughing up a storm!

Make a video – it’s fun, easy and free!

www.onetruemedia.com

I made some new friends, chatted up with some old friends, and over all had a GRAND TIME!!!!!! Much love to all that attended, and Kee-Kee thank you so much for allowing me to be part of such a magnificent event.

3-C hair type, 4-b hair type, Atlanta, au naturale, curly fro, Fro Fashion Week, kim coles, loc styles, maghoney knots, miss sixx, natural hair, natural hair events

Fall Fro Fashion Week 2011

August 8, 2011March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

For more information click here

acv rinse, au naturale, baking soda, co-wash, coconut milk, conditioner, miss sixx, t-shirt dry

My Method of Co- Washing My Hair

July 19, 2011March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

I’m often been asked how do I “wash”my hair? When I tell people I wash my hair with conditioner I oftentimes get a “confused” look. So below I’ve outlined my routine. There is no WRONG or RIGHT way to this method.

First, find a conditioner that works for your hair type. I’m a 3B/3C. My co-wash mix consist of Hello Hydration conditioner, mixed with VO5 Moisture Milk ( Strawberries and Creme), with Alma oil, Grapeseed oil, or Evoo Oil added. You can use conditioner right out the bottle- I’m a mixologist- so I mix EVERYTHING!

Get to know your ingredients. The long, hard-to-pronounce ingredients on the label can be overwhelming. But with familiarity, you can learn to spot which ingredients you want to keep and which you want to avoid. Ingredients like propylene glycol, cetyl alcohol and panthenol are common. Search online for ingredients lists. One such list can be found at http://sci-toys.com/ingredients/ingredients.html.

Recommended: Alot of naturals co-wash in the shower- I do not. If you choose to co-wash in the shower, purchase an extended shower head/hose. I co-wash my hair in the sink- I don’t like the feel of wet hair on my shoulders or back-again this is preference

Rinse the hair with warm water. Avoid water that is too hot (if it initially stings your back, it’s too hot). Cleansing results from the action of water plus cleanser (shampoo and/or conditioner) and agitation (hand movements through the hair). Warm water will clean hair well while hot water can be damaging. While rinsing with water, gently comb your hair with your fingers.

Apply your conditioner. This can be done in several ways.

(1) I pour my conditioner mix into a bottle with an applicator tip ( similar to the type of bottle hair dye comes in), I finger part my hair and apply the conditioner ( because of the applicator tip- it come out in a “line” formation”. Work the condition from root to the tips, continue until all the hair is covered.

(2) Pour conditioner mix into a large clean spray bottle and mix with water (optional: add a little coconut milk). Shake well and spray liberally onto the hair. This mixture will be more dilute than a direct application. I use this method when I need to mist my hair or to re freshen twist outs/braids outs.

Rinse your hair well, with warm water. Ease your fingers through each section while the water flows through to remove any remaining conditioner. I do not rinse all the conditioner out- this step is optional

Optional: Apply product and comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb with rounded-edge teeth (detangling comb). This step is optional, I only comb my hair once a week during my weekly detangling session. Comb from the TIPS first, ensuring there are no snags then work your way to the roots. I don’t always add product- depending on how much conditioner is left on my hair- this step varies for me.

It’s time to dry. Just as with the application, there are several ways to dry your hair.

(1) Dry with a t-shirt, simply dab and pat your hair dry, or grab sections and squeeze excess water into the t-shirt. I t-shirt dry in the colder months

(2) Shake and go. Lay your t-shirt across the back of your shoulders (lengthwise shoulder to shoulder). Grab the bottom corners of the t-shirt and raise it up to your head, almost over your head. Think of Batman’s cape raised up as he jumps off a tall building! With the shirt raised, shake your head from side to side (ear to shoulder) and left to right (like saying no), shaking excess water into the towel. This is called the “no touch” method. For me- the less I manipulate my hair- the more my curls pop. You also want to avoid the frizzes. I shake and go in the warmer months

For me, co washing my hair is the way to go! I rarely apply commercial shampoo to my hair. Shampooing is too harsh and it strips my hair of much needed oils and moisture. In place of shampooing I do the ACV rinse ( click here for recipe) & Baking Soda Rinse. If you co- wash- share your method? What conditioners do you use?

au naturale, curly fro, dread locs, linganore winecellers, miss sixx, natural hair, reggae wine festival, twist outs, two-strand twist, wine

Naturalistas & The 2011 Reggae Wine Festival

July 18, 2011March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

This pass Saturday I toured, tasted an assortment of fruit & speciality wines, and had a picnic at Maryland’s oldest winery, Berrywine Plantations/Linganore Winecellars at the 2011 Reggae Wine Festival. My social club-Majestic Divas (http://www.majesticdivas.org/ ) sponsored a bus. We picked up passengers in Greenbelt MD & Baltimore, MD. For the ride we enjoyed a continental breakfast and mimosa’s. It was truly a day of fellowship, fun, and relaxation. I highly recommend for your safety that anyone that attend the wine festival in the future, have a designated driver or ride one of the excursion motor coaches from a city near you. There is unlimited wine tasting and bottles of wine available for purchase. You can EASILY drink past your *limit*.

What a perfect way to spend a Saturday- listening and dancing to hot Caribbean sounds while enjoying friends and family under the sun. There were 2 great Reggae Bands (Image Band & Stryker Band) that provided us with live entertainment. The Image Band (from Washington, DC) was my favorite (http://www.imageband.com/).

They are one of the largest and best Soca and Reggae bands in the Caribbean community in the DC area. By the time Image Band took to the stage-everyone was in P-A-R-T-Y mode. The guys had taken off there shirts, ladies had their shoes off, and hips were winding everywhere!!!!! I ran into friends, co workers, and folks I’d met at the year previous at the wine festival. It was a very relaxing day, and I enjoyed having a “girls day” with my mini me. Mini Me ran into a few classmates, her 2nd grade teacher and her 6th grade teacher.

As we were sipping wine, munching on the delicious food from our picnic baskets, we came across a caucasian lady that was going from tent to tent with her chair asking to take pictures so that she could send them to her friends in Colorado ( and rub it in about how many friends she had made). She was a sweetie-she worked the entire section and EVERYONE took pictures with her!!!!! It was truly a testament that diversity is is amazing and WE CAN ALL GET ALONG!

I ran into a vendor selling natural hair and skin products. The body cream wash was DIVINE- her products can be found locally at Browns market (Forestville, MD) or online at: http://www.zuresh.com/ . In addition to hair and skin care products she also has jewelry and organic cosmetics. Those items can be purchased at http://www.zureshface.com/

There weren’t as many vendors this year as years past. One of my favorite vendors was the almond man, Jimmy. He has the best cinnamon roasted almonds ever. You get them hot out of the mixture. Jimmy also has pecan as well.

The art was beautiful. I’ve recently gotten “into” art and I’m looking to treat myself to an original painting in the near future. Below is a pic of one of my favorite pieces at the festival.

After chilling under my tent, sipping on the many flavors of red wine, white wine, sweet wine, and dry wine, and ate a few snacks-I decided to walk around and snap a few pictures of the naturals that was there. There were some BEAUTIFUL heads of natural hair of all textures, hues, and styles gracing the winery. I must admit I was very intimidated to walk up to strangers and ask them if I could snap a picture- I was shot down a few times, but most obliged. Fam, I’ve never seen so much beauty in one place!!!!! My daughter was amazed at how many ladies was rocking natural hair. This was her first experience being surround by so many naturalistas- I felt like I was one among a sea of queens.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

You’ve not attended a wine festival until you attend a Linganore Reggae Wine Festival. This event is one of the BIGGEST of the summer (in addition to Wine in the Woods ( Columbia, MD), and the Caribbean Wine Festival-another festival held annually at Linganore) which drew +15,000 people of from all races, genders and cultures.

I hope to see ya’ll at the next festival October 15-16. I will be there celebrating my 40th birthday. For additional information on Linganore Wine Cellers Festival schedule Click Here