"Just Looking at the Stars"

Today I was in thinking mode, as I contemplated my new acceptance for change.  Life goes so fast that events are over before we have a chance to truly experience them.  I couple that with the senses overload I get by what's constantly being streamed at me through various media channels.  I personally want to keep my life simple, so as to have opportunity to be a part of humankind's change for the better.

Knowing that each change we make as individuals does affect the whole of mankind. This strain of thoughts brings me to the knowledge, if asked the question, "If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there, is there still a noise?"  The answer of course is yes, there is a great sound.  So I'm changing me, and my husband will be affectd, followed by my children, then co-workers and anyone else I come in contact with.

Soap is the Last Thing on My Mind

Since January 2015, I've been using Baking Soda and water for personal hygiene.  It all started with my use of baking soda and water as an alternative hair shampoo.  The great results on my hair made the transition to body wash a simple one.  The reason I chose this absolutely common household staple, was I wanted to see if the results of using it on my skin would mimic the improved scalp and hair environment, I was experiencing.

Before beginning the use of baking soda as a body wash my skin was always dry, with "ashy" elbows and "flaky" heels. Now what I have is smooth and shiny skin, from head to toes. There is nolonger a feeling of soap residue on my skin, and my body dries off much quicker. Body odor is eliminated, as the baking soda acts a natural odor neutralizer, so my daily antiperspirant is enough to keep me fresh all day. Now its only been 10 months since I started this really simple and basic personal hygiene program, and I would love to hear from others who have tried using baking soda as a body wash. Let me know how your body has reacted to less man-made chemicals in your body wash.  Enjoy!



The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.  

                 Psalm 119:130

Really Loving My Hair!!!!!!

I've been natural with my hair presentation for most of my adult life, beginning with a shaved head when I graduated from high school.  As I progressed into adulthood and took sole responsibility for my image, I moved from shaved head to TWA and then just unprocessed hair, from age thirty to fifty I sported hip length locs. Although my hair was in its natural state, my care was commercial abusive, without me really realizing how my care was fighting against true easy to manage hair care.  Check out  Water Washing Only for Manageable Hair ,its me talking about how simple it really is to have great hair. Here are a few pics of my true hair as I progress into water only washing hair care. Enjoy!

My hair with no manipulation, about 2 months into water washing only.

The Mister and I, hair is growing out of my initial TWA cut, so I'm patting it into a tight shape.

I've really picked my hair out with a hair pick and you can see the growth, still only water washing.

This is how I wear my hair to work, very full and dense "fro".

For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

                                                                                 Psalm 33:21

"It Is What It Is!"

Just finished this dress on this pass week, and it offers great possibilities for personality presentation. I don't care what fashion experts say, but wearing a more relaxed style of dressing requires very deft styling and image coordination. This is a casual styling, that I have worn to church on my teaching day. The pattern is my own adaption of the basic T shape body covering. Check out my youtube video of basic components of the one-piece pattern, "New Twist on Old Style Dress". My measurements put me in a ready to wear size 10, and I classify this dress as a small.

ELEMENTS: Faux Ivory Carved necklace (a gift from sister-in-law), black wingtip brogues by ABOUND (Nordstrom Rack), flower print anklets (Nordstrom Rack), Anna Beck silver ring.

"Be the type of person you want to meet"

"Find a Need and Fill It"

Great day, I'm back to producing and selling hair aids. I stopped production about four years ago when my husband, daughter and I moved to Texas. My dream at the time of our move was to reinvent myself as an online marketer, selling my creations, and living off the income----but things went array. I haven't put it all into thoughts or words I can currently express, things just went in another direction.  But I'm back!!!!!!  My easy order shop.

LARGE SLEEP BONNET, GRAPHIC HOUNDSTOOTH PRINT, will fit comfortably over big hairstyles, is fully lined with soft grey 100% polyester knit, that will not grab or pull hair. The smooth finish outer covering, is 100% polyester that will move freely on bedcoverings.

SMALL SLEEP BONNET, GRAPHIC HOUNDSTOOTH PRINT, this small sleep bonnet fits comfortably over my short TWA, and I just love it.




Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.  Psalm 31:24

OOTD: My New Jumper

This is my easy and roomy jumper, I wore to church today. I wanted to be very comfortable because it was my day to work with the 2 - 5 year olds during service time.As anyone knows, children in this age group can be a handful to work with. I try to dress not only comfortably and creatively around my little charges. The jumper is a upcycle from a wool crepe wrap skirt in aubergine, bordered at the bottom with the recut of a charcoal grey bias cut skirt.  The neckline and armscye are trimmed with the same charcoal grey, adding a small patch on the jumper back, one of my favorite design features. The necklace is a 25 year old button assembleage my children made, probably one day when there was nothing else to do---it is a favorite accessory.

 "Never underestimate God's hand in all your plans."

Making mistakes

I love taking my thrift store purchases and creating new yardage for my signature dress. Sometimes the," best laid plans of mice and men" goes array, like with my three patterns of blue dress. The original idea was like in picture #1, but it just presented me with to much visual light blue---eekk!
So the stripe shirt I had planned not to use became the saving feature of my dress.  

Original Idea

Revised Styling

Back Detailing



Don't be the same. Be Better.

"Thanks for the Memories"

About 4 years ago my best friend Christine Dougherty, watercolor artist, sent me a large box of old clothing. This box is a treasure trove of great usuable items, silk shirts; silk suits; a tapersty jacket; a few over-sized linen shirts and much more. The thing about this box is it travelled with me for 4 years before I could get an opportunity to be creative with the contents. In the last three months, the box of goodies has been, my main source for new wardrobe items----I've been cutting and building virgin yardage from suits, tops and skirts. Below is two dresses I've made using brushed silk suits in lovely jewel tones. The first is a deep purple silk pieced from jacket and pant, with some salvage yardage as the center panel. Dress number two is a lovely teal color, also made from a pantsuit, with the additional yardage created by reconstructing a short sleeve top to be the dress yoke.

Everything has been cut apart and ready for reassembly into usable yardage.

Its not finish for me, until I add my label.

"Happiness consists not in having much, but in being content with little."

                        -Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington