My Obsessions: Hair Edition

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the first ever Queen City Naturals hair meetup. I met a ton of amazing women and gained a lot of knowledge from our fabulous speaker. She spoke about the science of hair and why certain products work the way they do. I look forward to our next meetup in March!

I even caught up with an old friend who has also gone natural.

Here are some of the current hair products that I am truly obsessed with!

Giovanni's 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Clarifying Shampoo and Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Conditioner. Both products leave my hair super soft and super hydrated. I use Giovanni's 50:50 conditioner when it is a shampoo day. I usually use Trader Joe's Nourish conditioner for my cowash days.

My  Denman brush which helps to detangle without pulling out my hair. To set my hair (two strand twist or braids)  for my twist/braid outs, I use a mixture of Trader Joe's aloe vera gel and their jojoba oil.

Last but not least I sleep in a good satin cap which keeps my hair protected at night and prevents breakage or loss of moisture!

I am on the hunt for castor oil. I have heard a ton of great reviews about castor oil and natural hair. I will let you know how that goes!

If you are natural what are you go to products?

xoxo,

Ronita

Homemade Butter

I followed this simple recipe and made delicious homemade lightly salted butter. I don't think I will ever buy it in stick form again. The taste is fresh and light! Try it for yourself and let me know how you like it. I put some on a biscuit with some of my homemade strawberry jam!

Muy delicioso!!

1 pint of whipping cream.

Put it in the processor until the butter separated from the milk. Processed about 7 minutes.

Homemade buttermilk!!! I will make some more biscuits with this goodness! I drained the buttermilk into a separate bowl.

Final products. Buttermilk and butter. It's so good and let me not forget way cheaper than buying sticks of butter!

Enjoy....xoxo,

Ronita

From Kate Spade's FRTW Fall 2011 line.

Found this vintage dress this past Fall at a Northside Community Yard Sale for $1.00. My mom said she will help me refashion it to have a 50's inspired A-line cut.

Saty Tuned!

xoxo,

Ronita



It's butter baby...

SHEA BUTTER

I have fallen in LOVE with my tub of butter. Raw shea butter has my benefits for hair and skin. Here are some, just name a few...

Daily skin moisturizer (face and body)

Dry skin relief

Dry scalpSkin rash- including diaper rash

Skin peeling, after tanning

Blemishes and wrinkles

Itching skin due to dryness

Sunburn

Shaving cream to reduce razor irritation

Small skin wounds

Skin cracks

Soften tough skin on feet (especially heels)

Stretch mark prevention during pregnancy

Minor burns

Eczema

Sun and wind protection

Even skin tone

Reduce blemishes and scarring

Eliminating scalp irritation from dryness or chemical processing

Preventing bumps after shaving

Reducing acne (especially in combination with African Black Soap)

Absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue

Helps restore elasticity to skin

Restores luster to hair

Why wouldn't I slather this all over my body!!!

Click here to read about the many benefits and history of shea butter.

xoxo,
Ronita

I have my own vintage store...

(via)

...on ETSY...

My husband always gets on me about my obsession with vintage shopping. During the summer, every Saturday, I LOVE to visit at least 2 or 3 yard sales, during the Winter I hit up thrift stores and vintage/antique shops. It's in the thrill of the find. It amazes me what people give away as junk. I have run across some pretty wonderful things that I still see the beauty and lustre in.

Please check out my items and spread to word. I only have 3 items listed so far but there will be more to come. Check back daily for updates!!

Click here to view my shop!

Thanks for the support. I hope to list something you like.

xoxo,

Ronita

From Seed to Skillet...love it!

As you all know from last year I really got into growing and harvesting my own veggies, visiting
farmer's markets and many local farms, and enjoying afternoons in Ms. Sarah's (my mom's neighbor) back yard garden!!! Well thanks to Martha Stewart I can across this wonderful author and gardener. Please believe I have this book on reserve at the library!!! I can't wait to dive into it!!!

xoxo,
Ronita

A little Herbie Hancock

After taking piano lessons this Fall and being introduced to the great jazz pianist Herbie Hancock he is trying his favorite song on guitar.

Too cute!!!!!
My Tre Tre is something else!!!
xoxo,
Ronita

Anthro Wedding

Although I am not wedding planning anymore, I still find my eyes drawn to wedding fashion.

Feb 14th,  Anthropologie  will debut their wedding line.

I know it will be delicate and feminine with hints of vintage chic...

We will have to wait and see.

xoxo,

Ronita

Shoe fashion on a budget

Queen of the shoe bargains!!!

Recently I came across two great shoe bargains and just had to share with my fabulous readers.

My Pour La Victoire Riana Heels Slides

perfect for date night with the hubby...

Original price $285.00

On Sale: $125.00

My price: $35.00

and

My Loeffler Randal Maltide Rainboots

perfect for splashing in those Springtime puddles...

Original Retail Price: $195.00

Sale Price: $54.95

My price $20.00

I love bargain shopping and these will be perfect for Spring!

xoxo,

Ronita

Ebony Covers...a little late but WOW!!!

These playful shots were taken for the November 2010 Issue of Ebony Magazine to celebrate it's 65th anniversary.

I am loving these!!

Regina King as Eartha Kitt

John Legend as Duke Ellington

Mary J as Diana Ross

Nia Long as Dorothy Danridge

Taraji P. Henson as Diahannn Carroll

Usher as Sammy Davis

How creative!!!

xoxo,

Ronita

Blueberry Turnovers..."easy like Sunday morning"

After hitting up the best grocery store sale ever (they are closing and remodeling for 5 months-as much produce you could fit in a bag for $1.50) I came away with tons of fresh fruit. I have tons of blueberries and I wanted to make a special dessert. I hopped on allrecipes.com and viola...

Blueberry Turnovers

They are so good and easy to make. 4 ingredients....3 steps!!!

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1/4 cup prepared vanilla frosting (optional)

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Roll out crescent dough triangles onto a baking sheet.

2.Place 1 tablespoon blueberries on the widest end of each triangle. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon confectioners' sugar over blueberries on each roll. Beginning with the wide end, roll up each crescent around blueberries; pinch both sides to seal completely.

3.Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 12 minutes. Remove to cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes; dust with the remaining confectioners' sugar. Drizzle with the vanilla frosting.

*I made my own frosting with a little powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk.

Enjoy!!
xoxo,
Ronita



The New Chocolate bar fad

Spicy ones, salty ones, savory ones and let’s not forget the sweet!!!

There is a new fun trend in chocolate…create your own bar! Many companies are popping up that allow you to create your own candy bar. You to choose from many different chocolates-as your base, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, black chocolate…then pile on the toppings!!! There are sites that have over 100 toppings to choose from! The bars can get very expensive for such small amounts so of course….. I’m going to try it at home!!!

I’m thinking this would make such a fun DIY project and once mastered would be a great Girl’s Night In activity. I have everything I need at home.

Stay tuned for my DIY post!! In the meantime enjoy these wonderful pics!!!

White: Sweet Valentines Special

Spicy: Dark: Jalapeno Salt Spicy Mango

Salty: Dark Salt Almond Blueberry

Here are two sites that carry these yummy treats...Chocbite and Chocomize!!!


How Sweet?
xoxo,
Ronita

Another fab mag....High Gloss

There has been a steady increase in the amount of great online magazines! Here is another one to add to that list! It's a great mix of design and fashion....and bursting with delicious color.

Click here to preview their premiere issue!

Happy Thursday

xoxo,

Ronita