A girl's other best friend

Last week I took a quick trip to the mall..not for myself.  I hardly do any mall shopping for myself.  I prefer Target, Marshalls & T.J. Maxx to name a few.  My son wanted to purchase some overly expensive socks for Wacky Tacky Day at school.  He was purchasing with his own money so I didn't object.

I came across a few new stores and I love to window shop.  I tend to be an impulse buyer and I'm working on that so window shopping is a new requirement of mine.  I was able to keep my funds in my pocket while perusing a few stores, but then my eyes happened upon a new store.  It was accessories only.  And they were inexpensive.  I tend to not purchase many accessories..not sure why.  Sometimes I think accessories are too trendy.  I usually stick to my main staples such as hoop earrings, bracelet and necklace.  But I notice more and more, that having a cute, trendy pair of earrings every once in a while can spruce a simple outfit right up.  I really enjoyed my purchase that day. I bought a few funky pairs of earrings, a cute necklace and even threw in a couple of things for my mom.

Another reason, I tend to not buy lots of accessories is because after they aren't in style anymore, they kinda become junk or clutter.  I think I enjoyed the mall more than my son that particular time.  I got home and realized that I didn't have a fancy jewelry box or accessory tree to hang my new items on..so I found some packaging that came with a portable heater and reused them.  It had lots of little compartments which is what I needed and they costed me nothing, zip, $0.

I got to digging in my nightstand which is where I usually throw my jewelry and started organizing.  I had even forgotten about the earrings and necklaces that my neighbor bought back from her trips home to Punjab, India.  Although, I'm not done organizing and sifting through it all, I still plan to find something cutesy to store my pieces on or in, for right now my solution is on point.  And now I realize that accessories really can make or break an outfit!

Neither hair nor there..

Every year around this time, I become obsessed with what to do to my hair.  I have generally nice hair. Its not long, probably from too much processing.  Its not super short, otherwise I wouldnt be able to maintain it.  I like my hair at neck/shoulder length.  And I tend to wear it in a straight wrap or roller set.  I love my roller sets, but despise sitting under the dryer. 

Last year, I was into wigs and sew-ins and it really made my life easier.  But at the end of the summer, I had a patch of hair missing.  Not exactly sure how that happened.  So I got over the sew-in really quickly.  I chose to start fresh on New Years Day and left the weave in 2010.  Now I miss it!!

I have been taunted with seeing so many people going natural and loving it.  Unfortunately, I wait until the summer to start trying the natural thing.  I always end up here.  So...I am going to try and stick with the no relaxers (maybe just a edge up).   Jill Scott definitely has had a few styles that I have loved over the years.  This one being my all time fave!

I need a little more length on the sides and front to pull this off.  Anyhoo, I love that as a black female I have so many hairstyle options.  But it can become stressful and costly.  I used to be a braids girl and would easily drop $250.  I tend to be a little more frugal these days. 

I also love color.  Streaked, tipped etc.  But bleaching can be brutal on your hair, especially if you don't condition it.  I generally stick with reds, burgundy's and any shade of brown.  We could talk all day about this hair thing..I mean really what girl doesn't obsess over her hair???

Summer's in session!

Here in Richmond the weather has been HOT to say the least.  I even have a heat rash to prove it (I know TMI), but oh well.  Just getting over the Memorial Day weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I cooked out at home, didn't visit family or friends..just chilled at home with my son and we had a friend or two over.
Due to my poor planning I didnt have my own pool cleaned out and ready in time to enjoy it, so we visited the pool at Pocahontas State park. It was crowded to say the least.  Then of course someone had an accident in the pool, which made for a perfect exit.  My little menu consisted of baby back ribs, beef sausages, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, potato salad, squash & zucchini, macaroni & cheese, chips and watermelon (you can't have grilled food without it). Ended the night, watching TV and drinking daiquiris with one of my best friends. 

I usually head to the beach for a quick getaway, but I couldnt muster up the energy to sit in traffic or splurge on gas.  Even though gas prices dropped a little something..I still wasnt feeling it. 

My summer plans are still TBD.  I have to do better with having a plan.  I got Myrtle Beach, Orlando, and Miami on the brain. Hopefully the family can pull together and make a nice vacay out of one of these places..if not..my son and me will make a road trip of it!  And I definitely have to make it to Atlantis in the Bahamas, that is definitely a dream vacation.