Thrift Store Haul equals Two Dresses

Sometimes you just make a great buy when visiting the local thrift store. My last visit yielded over 12 yards of stripe plisse’  cotton. I made two different looking dresses in my signature lagenlook style, simply by changing the direction of the stripe. FUN!

Slow design: Done to Soon

It didn't take as long as I thought it would, but my second knitted lace project is complete. I obtained a great book from the San Antonio, TX Library titled, "Perfectly Feminine Knits: 25 Distinctive Designs" by Lene Holme Samsoe, just by choosing it for the enticing cover. The design suggested a lightweight yarn, and I choose a slightly heavier ply. The three ply yarn in a gentle baby blue has a silver novelty yarn strand intertwined, giving my scarf/stole a bit of sheen. I work on my slow project at end of workday, while the Mister is either watching a sporting event, or some other nondescript show on television.  This lace pattern gave me just the right amount of challenge, and I had to unwind and reknit several times. I really enjoyed working this pattern, the scarf is just what I need to work with my Signature Dresses, adding some unique panache. Next slow design will be a counted cross stitch kit purchased at the thrift store for $1.99. I intend to use the finished small canvas as a pillow center when complete. 

The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it,but what they become by it.

                                                                                                   -John Ruskin

OOTD: Wool Crepe in Small Check

Got a few errands to run today, and the weather is lovely, bright and sunny. I put on one of my newest Signature  Dress, socks and lace-up flats.

Wool Crepe Signature Dress handmade by me, Handbag a gift purchased in China, Charm Pendant Necklace purchased from Nordstrom, Medium Hoop Earrings, Nordstrom,Pinstriped Brogues purchased at Nordstrom Rack, Anklets from Nordstrom Rack.

Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.                                                            Deuteronomy 29:9

"5 Things My Natural Hair Does, Naturally"

My hair has been in its natural kinky state for over 30 years, but its only recently that it has truly been natural.  For just over a year, I’ve maintained my natural hair environment by using the “water only method for cleaning and maintenance. This hair care regimen, has also lead to not using any commercial hair products, such as shampoos, conditioners or gels.  My hair is now what I consider really natural, and here are five things my natural hair does naturally.

The first thing my hair now does naturally is it sheds water very quickly, and dries faster after “water washing” now that it is no longer striped of its natural coating of sebum, because I don’t use shampoo or conditioner.

The second thing that naturally happens with my hair is based on its  full sebum coverage, which keeps my hair strands moisturized and protected from dirt and grime, so now my hair is naturally stronger and has a nice natural sheen.

The third thing my natural hair does naturally, is it consistently maintains hair strands definition in concentric coils, that are following a known natural pattern that is indicative of my ethnic heritage, and its really easy to manage.

The fourth natural thing my natural hair now does is grow, now that I’m not smothering it with all kinds of supposedly beneficial products, or using blow dryers or perming products, my hair seems to be growing quite nicely.

The fifth thing my natural hair does naturally is complement  me, and makes me feel good. My hair is no longer an issue, its now an impressive asset, that I love flaunting daily.

Its truly a great time in history, where the natural expression and identity of ethnic variances can be boldly projected. I don’t have to hide, or alter my hair to suit the idea of “good hair” set by anyone else. My natural hair is naturally GOOD.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.                  1Timothy 6:6

"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