$elf Care $unday: I finally washed my hair.

I really don’t like to do my own hair.

At first, I’d complain it was because of how much hair I had, thick and long *pause😋*, but seriously. That’s not true. I cut my hair, and it still just isn’t the same doing it myself. Short or long, I never really liked doing my own hair. It just doesn’t hit the same as when a pro does it.

So let me give ya the rundown. My birthday was March 25th, which I was planning on getting my hair done, but that didn’t happen #quarantine. On my birthday, I was a month in with the same wash and set, no heat. I was SUPER PROUD. Since we’re on lockdown, (seriously I hope ya are keeping ya asses home, I feel like we are going to be in this til possibly after June), I hadn’t done my hair up until Friday afternoon, April 10th. I usually don’t wash my hair often, *keeping natural oils is good for you*, so no biggie, but I was already running out of patience between my hair, these nails that are hanging on for dear life, AND these brows!

So back to “I hate doing my hair”. I really hate doing my hair. I can never really accomplish the look and feel I want with just my regular blow dryer, and prior to my last trim and deep condition, flat ironing made my hair look dead.

I recently got the Revlon Pro Collection Salon One-Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer, courtesy of Barry Sal 🥰😇

Revlon Pro Collection Salon One-Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer

Let me just tell ya, this made a major difference in my hair. I’m so happy I added this to my fake at-home salon because GIRL. You can use it with your hair still damp, and it dries it SO QUICKLY. There’s a low, hot and cool setting. This thing is super easy to use. I look so stupid trying to figure out how to combine a brush and regular blow dryer, does anyone feel me?! 😂 This is literally you brushing your hair out! That simple!

There are different color options available! Got mine from Amazon!

With this I wanted to also share, that with God’s god grace, my local beauty supply store happened to be open when I went to the post office to drop off some KD orders. If you know me, you know I LOVE a good beauty supply spot. I go through all the aisles looking for new things to try. I find it’s always good to try new products, and switch up your routine from time to time, so you can keep learning about your hair, what works, and what doesn’t.

Here are a few things I picked up to add to the at home salon —

Alopecil Garlic Shampoo

I’ve heard lots of good things about garlic and hair growth, so I’m finally trying it out. Totally different texture and a bit of a funny smell, but I’m going with it! This 8 oz bottle was $3.99.

Mayoliva Màs Omega 3

This smells sooo yummy! I love a Dominican product, so I couldn’t pass these up. This 8.5 oz bottle was $4.89.

🍧🍧

I love getting little affordable treatments and leave-ins, so I figured I’d stack up. I have yet to try the below, but I purchased two of each to try! I also picked up a pink microfiber hair towel, for quicker drying for $3.49!

From top left:

• Absolute New York's Jamaican Black Castor Oil Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment $1.99

• Absolute New York's Shea Butter Leave-In Hair Treatment $1.99

• Sofn'free Grohealthy Milk Protein & Olive Oil $1.29

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This is not a sponsored post either my loves! Just wanted to share some personal hair tips/new products with you all! Comment below any good tools or products you’d recommend!

Love ya, and please #stayinside!

xx

$elf Care $unday: Surviving the quarantine

I’m fully aware that today is Monday, but that’s only because I got so many good suggestions on what movies/shows to watch, I wanted to be sure I didn’t miss any.

Some of us like being home, and are enjoying this quarantine time, while for others, it isn’t as easy. I put up the question box on Insta yesterday, for movie and show recommendations! Here is a list of the ones many people suggested, along with some of my faves!

This was not edited! Straight screenshot!

• Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and chill:

  Now’s a great time to start a series, or watch some good movies. Not everyone is subscribed to one of the above, but you could always use YouTube, or those free movie websites too! Make if fun! Movie theater vibes, with snacks! These were top suggested by my Insta fam. If it has an aesteric (*), it was suggested MULTIPLE times!

• Sex & the City (Confession. I have never really watched a full S&TC. I know, I know. I just never watch TV!)

• HER

• The Mule

• All American*

• On My Block*

• Hunters*

• Ozark

• The Pharmacist

• Little Fires Everywhere*

• Belly (Classic!)

• The 100

• Peaky Blinders

• The Gift

• Friday and all the other Fridays after (A lot of ya’ll like Friday! lol)

• Paid in Full

• ATL

• Love Jones

• Kill the Irishman

• Shot Caller

• American Me

• Blood In Blood Out

• The Man from Nowhere

• The Place Beyond the Pine

• Bad Boys (Sean Penn)

• Carlitos Way

• The Irishman

• Fear of the 13

• The Night Of

These were the most suggested for everyone’s top 5 faves! I wanted to give you guys a few more ideas that you could do at home:

• Cook: I’ve been doing this a lot! Cook, cook, and cook some more. Come up with new ideas!

• Meditate: Every day when you open your eyes, close them back and be thankful. Today you were granted life! Focus on things that you already posses and are grateful for. Now focus on things you wish to attain/become. MANIFESTATION IS REAL! I also like to write my goals down, and write poetry!

• Exercise: Oh gym how I miss you! I’m not the best at home workouts, but I’m getting better! I have resistance bands, and a kettlebell to work with. You can even use household objects like a gallon of milk! It’s all about the improv!

• Read a book: Kick back and get lost in a book. It’s a great way to past time. I’m currently reading The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls #ChapterChics

• Learn a language: Why not!? I really want to learn French, and eventually, Arabic!

• Play games/puzzles: I’ve been seeing my grammers use puzzles as a super good way to pass time. Get a challenging one! Battle your boyfriend on Xbox or PS. I have the throwback Nintendo systme with like classic Mario. That’s my go-to!

• Self care: Wash your hair. Make an all natural face scrub. Take a long bath. All the things that make you feel nice and relaxed.

Sending lots of love to you all! Stay safe everyone, and most importantly, STAY INSIDE!

These are just a few ideas to make this quarantine just a little better. Feel free to drop a comment with anything I haven’t suggested! Each one teach one!

xx

Cop or drop?: Melody Ehsani Air Jordan OG

As some of you may already know, Melody Ehsani dropped her second pair of Jordans this past Thursday, *GO M.E.!*

🍒🍒🍒

When I first saw the shoe, I honestly wasn’t too moved. I thought, “hmm, these are cute”, as I recently had copped the white and black Jordan OG.

Seeing them in person absolutely changed my opinion.

“If you truly knew what you had was *rare* you would never waste it!”

I think these are a solid COP! I love the feel of the shoe, and especially the reflective details when that flash hits! The cherries are a super cute touch, and they also come with a second pair of dope laces!

As seen on @alealimay!

In my opinion, the Jordan OG is a bomb sneaker, especially for the Summer. I want to wear mine with cute shift dresses and shit!

Thoughts? Did you cop or drop? Would you have done something differently? Let me know!

You can check out more of the Cherry Collection M.E. dropped here. I personally love the Cherry Signet ring and Cherry sweatsuit!

xx

Gettin' to the gainz 🍑

Happy Friday everyone!

As I sit here eating my Raisin Bran, and yes, I like Raisin Bran, I thought to myself, “So many people have been asking me what I’ve been eating, I should share”.

So here we are.

First things first, I have the slightest clue how much I weigh. I do not weigh myself, I simply try on clothes that were bigger on me before to see how much progress I’ve made 🥴. I’ve always had a slim frame, but recently, I lost a ton of weight. I’m talking none of my jeans were fitting and you could see my bones. Not cute.

I’ve finally been taking the steps to be proactive, and my appetite has opened up so much! I use to eat maybe once a day during my downfall, and now I’m at a solid 3 meals and snacks #lesgooooo

If you’re looking for a super healthy diet, this isn’t it. I’m extremely picky, and I’ll always pick pizza over salad. Actually, I don’t even eat salad. What I will say is the foods I’m going to list have helped and are helping me gain weight!

BREAKFAST:

• Smoothies: MMM, my fave! This is what started opening my breakfast appetite! My go-to is strawberry banana! You can use any fruits you like (get creative), and add yogurt, protein powder, granola, and any other goodies! If you like peanut butter, it’s a great add in to your smoothie for extra gainz.

• Cereal: With so many cereal options, I’m sure there’s something you’ll like! You also don’t have to keep this as strictly breakfast, but it can be a snack mid-day, or before bedtime!

• Bread: Okay so bread is lit for the gainz. Like, forreal. I go to Stop and Shop and cop the fresh baked artesian breads, bagels, croissants, and so on. I like to do little breakfast sandwiches like the classic “baconeggandcheese”, honey turkey with Swiss, or sometimes just a bagel with cream cheese. I always add a little butter to my sandwiches as well! #Gainz

• Eggs: A good gain! Sometimes I do egg whites with cheese on toast, boiled eggs, scrambled, or sunny side up. Those are my faves. A little salt and pepper 🔥. I also like to add eggs into my lunch/dinner, which we’ll get into.

• Orange juice: I mean, YUM. Fresh OJ is taste great AND it’s good for you!

Before we continue, I want to note that breakfast is such an important meal. PLEASE DO NOT SKIP IT. I completely know what it’s like to not have an appetite, so starting with things like fresh fruit and water, or a smoothie, is great. Your body will thank you.

LUNCH/DINNER:

• You guessed it, PIZZA: I am the ultimate pizza girl! If you're ever in Jamaica Queens, grab Margherita Pizza 🤤 You’re welcome. Nonetheless, you can create your own pizza at home too! I’m always poppin’ pizza in the oven!

• Rice: White rice, brown rice, yellow rice, totally up to you, but rice is a great gain!

• Protein: Chicken, beef, pork. I don’t eat pork much, but I do eat chicken and usually beef in my pasta (ground beef). Curry chicken is one of my favorite things to make, as well as BBQ chicken (I’m making some tonight!). You can get super creative because there are so many different flavors/recipes you can use and create! Have fun with it!

• Seafood: Shrimpys, crabbies, fishies, squidies, I could keep going!

• Quesadillas/Tacos: Love me some tacos! Another meal you can get super creative and add whatever you like, plus fun sauces!

• Potatoes: I love potatoes 🤤 I like to add eggs into my mash potatoes sometimes! Baked potatoes, french fries, and UGH SWEEEET POTATO FRIES!

• Burgers: I love doing homemade burgers! Some ground beef and extra garlic and oil flavor! Super easy, quick, and delicious! *I may need to do a burger tutorial on my Youtube channel!*

• Pasta: I’m a big pasta girl! I like to get yummy sauces, and flavor it up! You can always add different protein in for extra gainz! I always add cheese, and play with different pasta shapes!

SNACKS:

• Fruit: Bananas, strawberries, oranges, peaches, all fruits are so yummy!

• Peanut butter: PB&J sammies are always a vibe! You can always have one with fruit, and yogurt for a light lunch too!

• Nuts: Cashews, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and I can keep going.

• Yogurt/String cheese: Taste good and good for you, it’s a win/win.

• Milkshakes, ice-cream, cake: Okay, I had to add these in. I am such a dessert girl! Ugh! I always have to have one of these after a meal, especially dinner! I keep ice-cream in my fridge at all times! Haha!

GYM:

I will absolutely say that once I started getting more active, my appetite increased. I found myself eating before and right after the gym. You don’t necessarily have to get in a gym, but you can get active at home! With the current quarantine going on, I’ve been using my resistance bands and kettlebell at home. I even did an IG live workout the other night, and have been finding that Youtube is a great place for workout routines!

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I really hope my little gainz guide was helpful! I understand that some of my readers are veggie/vegan, so you can always make substitutions where necessary! Please feel free to leave a comment below with any feedback or extra tips for myself, and anyone else reading who’s interested in gaining!

xx