Life of a Carnivalista -- 5 minute Plank Challenge

For the Carnivalista's who like myself are still trying to cinch that waist and drop a few pounds before Carnival Monday....

It's not over untill the fat lady sings!!!

#bustasweat   #lifeofacarnivalista

Carnival Tuesday....In Brooklyn!

This morning I woke up in a certain kind of mood...

 

 

 In my career I ask people to define their thoughts and feelings ALL of the time but this time around "using my words" isn't working.  I am excited! Trinidad carnival is literally around the corner, Private Ryan's Soca Brainwash mix has been released, and I am 50% packed and ready to go. I am also feeling a tad of jealousy (maybe not a tad) for the people who are already IN Trinidad--waking up in the sun, eating doubles, drinking during breakfast because "it's carnival", and of course feting (missing Machel Monday ALWAYS hurts).  And I am anxious! My Monday Wear is still under construction (hopefully I can pick it up today), my belly still pokes out like I swallowed a cantaloupe, and there is so much more I have to do between now and when I (FINALLY) depart on Friday!

In other news... I finished my Carnival Tuesday boots over the weekend. Deets to follow!!





#carnivalcrafting  #lifeofacarnivalista 

Just had to share folks!! For those of you who like me is anxiously awaiting their departure date, what do you have left on your carnival to do list? For those of you who are already there.... TAKE A WHINE FOR ME!!!

7 Minutes for Perfection????

It's CRUNCH TIME!!! 

Trinidad carnival is around the corner.... and AS ALWAYS I am scrambling to tone up. The pressure is REAL...

Although I secured a gym a few moments from my house the snow that has been hitting NYC has been draining all of the motivation from me. Despite the influence of 2014 soca and planning fete outfits I have been spending the last few evenings snacking and watching Netflix (no shame!!!). 

When a friend of mine recently shared The  Scientific 7 Minute Workout  from The NY Times Magazine article on May 12th she gave me hope....

Source

According to the article, "In 12 exercises deploying only body weight, a chair and a wall, it fulfills the latest mandates for high-intensity effort, which essentially combines a long run and a visit to the weight room into about seven minutes of steady discomfort — all of it based on science...The exercises should be performed in rapid succession, allowing 30 seconds for each, while, throughout, the intensity hovers at about an 8 on a discomfort scale of 1 to 10"

So what do you think people? Can you achieve perfection in 7 minutes?

Hair Product Haul! & #NNCP Update

Hey People!

I just wanted to update you all on a few things....

First up, the #NNCP (No New Clothes Project), this @*%#! is hard. The seasons are changing and NEW Spring clothes are everywhere. When I  am on the internet, watch TV, or ride the train,the urge to shop takes over. Who knew my love affair with new clothing was THIS deep.  July seems so far away. The only saving grace is that I have given myself a tiny bligh for Trinidad Carnival. So along with the purchase of my Monday Wear and Boots (more on that later)I am allowing myself to buy one outfit per fete. And since I am not going to be in Trini long (more on that later too) that won't amount to much! After Trini though I am not sure how I am going to be able to maintain...

Keep me in your thoughts people!!

Enough about my suffering!! On to some goodies... well first some background info. For a while (since October)  I had been wearing extensions in various styles--cornrows, Senegalese twists, havana twists-- in an effort to give my hair a "break".  After NYE however I decided to let my hair breathe and was faced with the winter dilemma of DRY HAIR.  I went to a tried and true source, Curly Nikki, and left satisfied with some products I would try. 

Ok, on to the hair haul deets....

OYIN HANDMADE SNACK PACK for hair--21.99

Curly Nikki raved about Oyin Handmade's Hair Dew in her Fall/Winter 2013 Hair Regimen Post! What struck me  the most was that she claimed this product moisturized without product buildup. I can't stand greasy hair, and I have learned there is a fine line between moisturized and oily hair strands!  When I went to the Oyin Handmade's website there were a few other products that caught my attention, so I decided to give the Snack Pack a try. The delivery was pretty quick (I received it the same week I ordered it) and they even added some candy and bubbles to the package (how cute)!   After a few uses I am absolutely addicted to the Hair Dew (Curly Nikki was right--moisture for days AND it smells amazing), the Greg Juice (compliments the Hair Dew smell nicely and comprised of hair friendly natural ingredients), and the Burnt Sugar Pomade (I use it as a sealant-- it adds shine, smells amazing, and of course seals. Also a little goes along way. I still have plenty left and I have used it several times). 

Now, I tired to use the Shine and Define but was thrown off by the consistency. It reminded me of a Shealo, whipped and airy. I rarely rock twist outs (which Shealo is ideal for) and the product had no real impact on my strands. This product may be beneficial to others, but for me, totally not worth it. I also tried the Honey Hemp conditioner as a leave-in ( Oyin claims it can be used as a leave-in, traditional conditioner, or deep conditioner) but the smell wasn't pleasant and the results were not as impressive as the Hair Dew. 

CAROL's DAUGHTER--MONOI HAIR OIL--24.99

Curly Nikki wrote that Carol's Daughter's Monoi Oil was her go to because "it's non-greasy and seems to provide more nourishment than my regular oils". In her My Fall/Winter 2013 Natural Hair Regimen post and also mentioned that she adds oil to hair NIGHTLY to keep it soft and pliable.  I have been a huge fan of Vatika Oil for years  but I was willing to give the Monoi oil a try. The Vatika didn't seem to be having much impact. The jury is still out for me on the Monoi Oil. Although it isn't greasy and does seem to make my hair feel soft. I am not sure how long the benefits of the product lasts. And, quite frankly, if the cost  of this product is justified by the cost. In addition to this I am still experiencing some breakage which is disappointing because it is the one thing that this product was designed to combat.  I am not sure if I will reorder this one. 

HAIR THERAPY WRAP-- 

I must confess I already own a hooded dryer and a hair steamer but I still felt the Hair Therapy Wrap would be a good edition to my hair regimen. Often times my deep condition time is minimized because I can't commit to sitting under the dryer for 30 mins (especially in the summer). With the Hair Therapy Wrap I can deep condition on the go while doing my laundry, my nails, cooking, whatever I need to do. I was skeptical at first about the length of time the wrap would stay warm for but it lasted about 30 mins and when I finally removed the wrap my head was still warm to the touch.  This purchase will be used every time I wash my hair.

JOICO MOISTURE RECOVERY--Treatment Balm --

My ALL TIME favorite deep conditioner, Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm is formulated for thick/course dry hair. Which I believe describes my hair quite well...lol. Each time I use this as a DC my hair comes out super soft and moisturized.  The price of this product though was a turn off in the past and I refused to purchase it unless  I found it in TJ Maxx or Marshalls which seldom happened. I decided to bite the bullet this time around an and purchase it because after the hair extensions my strands needed some TLC. 

That's all folks! Not too bad! Everything I purchased was necessary  and have been used more than once since I purchased them. What new products have you added to your WINTER HAIR regimen?