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My absolute FAVORITE protective hairstyle: Crochet Braids

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I cannot tell you how in love I am with crochet braids as my go-to protective style for my natural hair! I used to get my hair braided but I can no longer sit for 8 hours or more to get individual braids. So, I met a young lady about a year ago that changed my life. We were at a shopping event and she had crochet braids that I thought was her real natural hair. When she told me that it was crochet braids I was AMAZED! .She has been doing my hair ever since and I will continue to go to her as long as she is doing hair!

What are crochet braids, you ask? It is when your entire head of hair is cornrowed and single strands of braiding hair are literally crocheted onto your cornrows. The single strands is what gives it such a natural appearance to make it look like hair that is growing from your scalp!

Crochet braids have been around for a long time and I remember that my mom got crochet braids years ago when she was going on a cruise.But I am here to tell you that the type of hair being used now and the way your natural hair is cornrowed underneath has changed the game! Now with the more natural look hair textures and the many ways you can get your hair cornrowed determines the many different ways you can rock your crochet braids.

How my hair was cornrowed – don’t say anything about all of my grey hair!

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The absolute best thing about the crochet braids is that it only takes 4, maybe 5 hours from start to finish! And you come out with a hairdo that you can not only style many ways but the type of hair that I use is also water-friendly for easy washing and going swimming.

The comment I always get when I wear crochet braids is “Your hair is so pretty!” And I always tell people that it is crochet braids and not my hair. They always think it is my very own hair – again a shout out to my stylist for always hooking me up!

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So, if you want a protective style that is easy to install, easy to maintain, looks like your hair and that you can wear for up to 3 months – I suggest crochet braids!

The hair I use:

Brand: Freetress, Style: Water wave

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What to wear to work: Black & White & Bright

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Nothing makes me feel better than bright colors. I am also a huge fan of black and white – so why not put the two together!

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What I am wearing:

Black & white polka dotted shirt (Dress Barn) – Thrifted for $2.00

Yellow knee length skirt (Golden Flava) – Thrifted for $3.00

Black strappy sandals (Cloudwalkers) – Thifted for $2.50

The entire outfit cost $7.50. I did have to get the zipper replaced on the skirt which was $10 at my local dry cleaners – so if you ad that on, the entire outfit was a whopping $12.50!!

Shopping on a dime (Thrifting) is one of my favorite things to do!

 

Photo Credits:  Jacki Manson (Photographer)

I am BACK! (I took a short hiatus)

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I took a hiatus from Naturally Curvaceous to take a minute to focus on what I want for myself and what I want for this blog.

I am BACK!

My promise to my subscribers and readers is that I will post at least once a week on my blog. I will still focus on fashion (on a dime), natural hair, being curvaceous, weight loss, and of course my random thoughts.

What I wanted to achieve for myself was:

  • A healthier lifestyle – some of which I will document on this blog
  • An addition to our family – a Yorkie named Nitro that I am sure you all will meet soon
  • A way to incorporate more family time into my schedule (with fun, free events, of course!) I will be sharing those with you as well.

For the blog I want to stay true to my authentic self and hopefully post information that is entertaining and interesting.

Thank you for sticking with me through this time, now let’s get on with it!!

Yani

I AM NOT SORRY…. for being me

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I AM NOT SORRY… for being me. What does that mean you ask?

I am not sorry for:

  • Being the best Mom that I know how to be; having open and honest communication with my son
  • Being a hopeless romantic; loving with my entire heart and putting my all into my relationsship
  • Working hard to have the things that we need and want but not always being in love with having to go to work
  • Standing up for the things that I believe are correct
  • Wanting a new “life experience” & hoping to move to the West Coast
  • Loving my family but knowing that it is time to “live” for me
  • For doing 90% of my shopping at thrift stores and online boutiques & closet sales –  I just cannot seem to want to pay full price for clothing and accessories. You just get so  much more for your money
  • For being ME – I have come to love myself which allows me to love unconditionally

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Tonight I had a movie date with my son to see Penguins of Madagascar. I wanted to be comfortable and relaxed so I opted for a graphic sweatshirt & jeans with the black jacket and silver scarf. The movie was great. Below are options on styling the outfit for a easy, breezy early evening outing.

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The look:
Graphic Tee – Forever 21
Teal Faux Leather Jacket – Forever 21
Black Faux Leather Jacket – Forever 21
Black Skinny Jeans – Forever 21
Lace up boots – Bee Fly
Accessories – from cloest sales and gifted
Purple and Silver Scarves – thrifted

Pay it Forward with Random Acts of Kindness

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As Thanksgiving approaches it would be easy to list all of the things that I am thankful for. Instead, I want to challenge each one of my followers to Pay it Forward.

The Pay it Forward concept is that you do something nice for 3 people and then each of those people do something nice for 3 people and the cycle just continues with random acts of kindness. Imagine how much better off the world would be if Paying it Forward never ended.

By Paying it forward with random acts of kindness we can create a world where everyone would have something to be thankful for.

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There are many ways to Pay it Forward. The ways I like best are doing something for a stranger that does not know you and will not feel obligated to do something nice for you but in turn will Pay it Forward to someone else. I have done things like paying for the next person behind me at a toll booth, if someone behind me in line at the grocery store has a couple of items, I will pay for their items along with mine. Giving to the homeless. Taking the time to say hello to strangers. Putting coins into expired meters.

You can also Pay it Forward for people you do know. Things like free babysitting, writing thank you notes for coworkers that have helped you with projects or events atwork, giving people compliments, taking the time to listen to someone that needs to vent and many others.

Many people are severely depressed during the holidays.  Small gestures can make a huge difference! Most things that you can pay forward take less than 5 minutes and less than $5. Let’s make someone’s  and Pay it Forward!

Have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Weekend date night

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Weekend date night

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE COLORS!!!  A weekend date night is a great time to wear colors to express your true self. Pairing the colors with black and white accent pieces are a great way to make a bold statement!

Weekend date night by Yani featuring a pencil skirt

Black pants
$23 – beyondtherack.com

Pencil skirt
maurices.com

H M knee length skirt
$39 – hm.com

Shoe Republic LA black shoes
$27 – beyondtherack.com

Fiorelli satchel purse
$115 – asos.com

Pluma leather cuff bracelet
$345 – uk.forzieri.com

Melinda Maria bracelet
bloomingdales.com

Shop the NEW Naturally Curvaceous Boutique!

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Brand spanking NEW: I have decided to open the Naturally Curvaceous Boutique!

The boutique will cater mostly to the “Curvy Girls” since that is what I know best as I am definitely a curvy girl. I will sometimes offer youth boy items as I sometimes buy my son too many items.

Where do the items in the boutique come from? Most items are thrifted or purchased at closet sales. Most of the items are gently worn and sometimes brand new and never worn. Think of it as thrifting online.

How much do the items cost? I want to make this boutique extremely affordable so the item are priced as such.  You all know that I am big on keeping as many coins in your pockets as possible. I will include the price along with the shipping for each item within the description.

How do I  purchase? All you need to do is leave your email address below the item on Instagram or send me a direct message with the piece you want and I will send you a Paypal invoice – it as simple as that!

An example of item currently for sale:

Blazer  Sweater

Booties  Jordans

I invite you to take a look at the boutique and share it with your “Curvy Girl” friends, http://instagram.com/naturallycurvaceous

Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Shopping!

Random Rant: Metro Rail…. Longest Commute EVER!

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Today was the longest time I have EVER sat on the Metro Rail. My short little 20 minute commute turned into 1 hour and 15 mins. Why you ask? There was a cracked train rail on the line that I was on, but about 20 stops away from where I was and it still had an effect on the entire line as trains were just sitting at each station waiting for the problem to be resolved.

I truly understand that things happen – but why must they always happen when I am in a hurry? I wonder how many people have been fired over Metro Madness – not having an understanding supervisor like I do that say “some things are out of your control”. I wonder how many times people have gotten the side eye or reprimanded when they said that there were Metro delays.

Do you live in the DMV area? If so, share your Metro Madness story with me….

Steppin out Style: Curvy & Twisted’

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Today I stepped out to The Shopaholic Suite event that was hosted by Kim of  Curvy CEO in Silver Spring, MD. The event was amazing – you do not know what you missed out on, if you were not there! Not only did I get to find some statement pieces for my wardrobe, but I met some really amazing people – More about the event in the next post.

Since I was stepping out to a shopping event, I wanted to be super comfortable so I chose to be Curvy & Twisted:

Full outfit cropped

Outfit details: grey twisted high low shirt by Starstruck Fashion(through Ebay), black tank by Old Navy (sold out), black jeans by Forever 21, shoes by Bandolino (through Macy’s) and clutch by Nine West (sold out), my Yani nameplate necklace created by Monogramhub and bangles bought from Burlington.

Yani necklace Twisted The shoes The purse and bangles The back of shoes

This outfit was definitely comfortable for my day of shopping and hanging out with some of the best bloggers in the biz.

Look away Shoulder overlook Look down From the side Closer shot Arms outBackside bun

Hair by me: Faux bun with Marley braiding hair

Photos taken by Neko Wright (that is my son and he is 10 years old- I love that lil dude!)

Random Rant: Wash N Go – OH NO!

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My texture is to be considered 4C, I like to call is “4Z” because it is sooooo coily that every time I attempt a wash n go it looks great when wet but then just dries into an afro with no curly pattern to be seen. Does anyone else have this problem? Are there better products to use on my 4Z hair for the ultimate wash n go? HELP ME, PLEASE!!!!!