Favorite Ethnic Hair Products

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT AN EXPERT!  THIS IS MY SOLE OPINION.  I'M JUST SHARING MY FAVORITE THINGS THAT WORK FOR ALETHIA'S HAIR.

Shew, now that we've cleared that up...;)

I'm not scared to go up to complete strangers in the grocery store or fast food line (I must get that from my mom, ha!) and ask how they got their, or their daughter's, hair to look that good:)  The only downside is that everybody has their own opinion.  I'll think I've got it all down and then someone else will shake their head saying, "Oh no girl, that ain't right."  So, I pick, and choose, and try different products.  I've sampled dozens of products that are supposed to be "perfect for all hair types" and I have a few that have proven to be my absolute favorites for Alethia's hair!

DETANGLING CONDITIONER
Biolage - Just a quarter sized amount lathered up into her hair does wonders!  I can easily work out the tangles with my fingers while rinsing.

The rest of my products come from the same place.
I have fallen in love and am totally sold on Tacia Essentials products.
I could go on and on about Tassie Small's precious family.  Their wisdom in parenting.  Their talent and heart.  Their servant attitude.  But I'm just here to talk about Tassie's beauty line:)

Tassie hand makes her entire line of products with 70-90% organic ingredients.  I haven't tried a single product that I don't LOVE.  In fact, Josh and I may have stolen the body bar for our own personal use:)  I'm telling you, she knows her stuff!

She makes this hair growth oil that we can apply after a bath and even daily when it's styled.  Just massaging it into the scalp.  We could tell a difference within hours!  I'm not joking.  Alethia's hair used to be so dry and brittle and now it shines and feels so much softer.  LOVE that stuff.  PLUS it smells SO good.

We also use the Vanilla body and hair cream.  It smells so good that I could eat it!  We actually use this on Jude's excema to help maintain smooth skin.  It melts in your hands and soaks in so well.

Then there is the Hair Vitamin.  I mainly use this after a bath.  She told me you can't use too much, ha!  I use it when we fro it out to keep it full bodied and healthy.  I use it when styling, fingering it in as I work through the strands.  You can also apply it to the scalp to keep it moist while it's styled.

So, if you are looking for some new ethnic hair products or just some personal holistic products, check out Tacia Essentials!

Keepin' The Frizzies Out

We have the hardest time keeping fuzzies and lint out of Alethia's hair!  I had a friend suggest getting a night cap.  I found one at Wal-Mart for about $4!  It is silky and purple.  What more could a little African princess ask for?!  It keeps lint out of her hair, protects her hair from breakage, keeps products in to allow them to soak into the scalp which also alleviates the need to wash her pillow case every few days!  I'm sold!

Friday Free-For-All / Things To Click On

So, we just finished week 3 of school for Areyna and Zeke.  Overall it has been a good experience, but after the initial adjustment and then the "honeymoon" week, I'm pretty sure it is setting in that we are, in fact, sticking to this new normal...and it's been a bit rough this week.  Let's just say that we are SO glad that it is Friday, and that they get 2 days to regroup before heading back for another week.

I know it's a process.
It's always a process...

Oh my goodness, the amount of post-adoption paperwork seems never-ending.  There is always some fee to pay and some other form to fill out!  So worth it, but man, does it make me feel on edge that I'm going to do something wrong.

We went and got our pictures done for our christmas cards, ie-we called my sister-in-law who is a professional photographer, to come over before Alethia's birthday party, and snap a few shots of us all looking, ahem, presentable:)  They turned out SO good!

Just ONE of my favorites

I was lovingly informed that I was doing Alethia's hair wrong.  See, I told you I was NO expert and I am VERY teachable:)  Instead of rubber-banding the root of her braids, I will now be trying THIS.  It seems easy enough, and much more gentle on her hair and scalp.  Thank you Sunny!

This weekend is Josh's first weekend home in a month!  We are SO excited to have daddy here for our weekend so we can relax and have some much-needed family time. Can I get an "Amen" for bedtime routine help!

I have some friends of a friend who are really in a tough spot.  Tricia is fighting for her life, literally!  She has been battling CF her entire life, has already endured a double lung transplant, cancer, giving birth at 27 weeks to a now-healthy, beautiful little girl, and is now waiting to get back on the list for a second double lung transplant in order to save her life.  The odds are against her, but we know a God who can conquered death!

They need prayer.
They need encouragement.
They need a miracle.

You can read a summary of their remarkable story HERE.
You can pray.
You can encourage.
You can help be a blessing.

My friend, Patience, is hosting a trunk show and 100% of the profit will be going directly to this family to help provide for her critical medical care.
You can get all the information HERE. You have from now until Dec. 8th to shop online.

I have been completely and utterly overwhelmed and burdened by the goings on in Israel today.  There is something stirring in my heart...

Believers should be a praying people.
So, pray for Tricia and Nate.
Pray for Israel.
Pray for your family, friends and leaders...

and have a GREAT weekend!

Happy Friday Ya'll!

DIY - Ethnic Hair Extensions

I will NEVER claim to be an expert on ethnic hair

but I AM learning!

Alethia LONGS for long hair.

(did you see what I did there?:)

Ahem...

and as soon as I saw a friend tweet pictures of her new "do" I just had to try it.

So, I went to Wal-mart and bought:

black yarn for about $1

art/craft beads for about $1.50

and I already had the rubberbands (under $2)

I cut the yarn into 8-9" pieces

Then I divided her hair into little sections

(just like I do for almost every other hairdo I try)

I took 3 strands of my pre-cut yarn and rubberbanded it to the root of each little section of hair.

I divided each small section of hair into 3 sections.

One for each strand of yarn.

Then I braided it all together.

The trick was to make the braid tight at the root and loosen as I go

so it doesn't look half the size once the hair runs out and only yarn is left.

Then, at the end of each braid I added a bead at the bottom.

Pulling the very end of the (yarn) braid through the hole and folding it up to the top of the bead.

The last step is to add another rubberband over the bead.

Then all you have to do is play around with different styles by adding ponytails and hair clips!

Because we all know that a hairstyle is only as good as the smile being worn with it:)

This took me about 5 hours on and off.

I know, a little overwhelming to think about, but I haven't had to touch it in almost a week!

I guess all those years of playing with My Little Pony hair is finally paying off!

P.S. She walks around bobbing her hair all sassy-like now that she has "long" hair...