I’m Back!!! With visions for self-improvement in 2012 and favorite things I’m bringing with me!

Happy MLK Day everybody! Oh yeah and Happppy New Year!! Wait…Merry Christmas and Happy Thanksgiving too. Yeah…that’s how long it’s been. Blame life. (work, kids, stuff, and pinterest) I must apologize to my people out there who took the time to follow my lil ol blog. I promise to do better in 2012… I promise!

2012!!!

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited about this year and it’s been pretty interesting so far. I’m looking forward to new beginnings, renewed purpose, and turning 30!!! Something about turning 30 makes you zoom in to  your own individuality and what’s most important and necessary involving relationships and family, career goals and paths, and even how you look. And since this is a blog focused on personal style, I’m sharing the deets on my new outlook on fashion, hair health, and beauty as well as some new allies that will be joining my arsenal in 2012. My mantra for 2012: Focus on outwardly reflecting the optimism that I’m feeling on the inside.

Let’s get right into it…

 [ Not only am I working on the most obvious resolution, getting my body in shape, but I’m also beginning to realize the importance of creating a more positive mental image of the body I’m working with right now. And that positive body image needs to reflect in my wardrobe…Instead of feeling that “my body makes certain clothes look bad”, I’m choosing to focus on certain clothes that make my body look BADDDD (bad meaning good not bad meaning bad).

FAVORITE WARDROBE ADDITION

THAT WILL ROCK IN 2012!

This black sweater knit cotton skirt from the Sophia Vergara line at KMart is everything to me and probably my favorite clothing purchase of 2011! And from Kmart of all places! Not that I’m a snob about where I buy my clothes…I’m just more of a Targét girl

Sophia Vergara for KMart

The details make all the difference between this skirt and a regular ol mini. The ruching is very flattering on my curves and forgiving of any lumps and bumps. It can be worn high on the waist (which is how I prefer it because it adds length to my short legs, balancing out my longer torso) or stretched and worn low on the hips to create a near knee length pencil skirt look. It can be dressed down or up, worn with boots, pumps, or flats, and layered over tights or under blazers, tunics, or sweaters. I love to pair this with a billowy flowing top to balance wide hips and hide not so shapely arms. Absolutely perfect addition to the collection! And the price was oh so right. Can you say clearance for $12?!

Here’s me rocking the skirt on NYE…

This skirt seems to be in limited availability and is clearancing out but for some alternatives check out…

Free People black ruched mesh mini      Rachel Pally Cinched Front Mini          Asos Club L Ruched Skirt
Sale $47.19                                                  $165                                                    Sale $35.81

Honorable Mention: Platform Pumps!!! I’m sooo not a “heels girl”…as a matter of fact I’m not really a big “shoe girl” (I know I should be stoned). But I realize the magic that they can create for an outfit, my posture, and height. Platform pumps can perform miracles with the illusion of extra heel height supported by the platform. Finding the right ones can still require a lot of searching but these babies have definitely come through for me in the clutch and will be rocked in 2012!

 [ Next and just as important…I’m focusing on giving my hair the attention it craves. Not too long before the new year I did some major chopping starting about here…

To This…

 

About a good five inches. Not tooooo drastic.  But I hate when I have to chop my hair due to negligence. Yes negligence. Stemming from detangling too infrequently, too many wash n go’s, and not protecting at night. I have recently realized just how fine in texture my hair is. This means that my strands are relatively weak and delicate and MUST be pampered in order to prevent breakage.

FAVORITE HAIR PRODUCT THAT WILL ROCK IN 2012…

Kinky Curly Knot Today!!!! I know, I know…I’m late to this party. It has been a fave amongst natural/kinky/curly ladies since it’s creation years ago. But I love to resist the norm… *shrug*, especially at a borderline high price tag ($12 at Target). For those of you who are like me, let me tell you…this stuff is the BEES KNEES!!! Meaning awesome and definitely worth the cost. Used as a detangler, it simply melts knots and tangles. It’s a dream on my hair as well as my two daughters. And we all have different textures. Life is so much easier since torturing hair combing sessions have been reduced by at least half the time. Used as a leave-in, it defines and shines my curls and leaves them moisturized but not greasy at all. I will definitely be using this to keep my hair detangled more frequently which will reduce unnecessary shedding and breakage. KEEPER!!

Honorable Mention: OLD SCHOOL HAIR GREASE. Yes, petroleum…mineral oil…parabens and all. Old school grease (think Blue Magic, Magic GRO, Indian Hemp) has made a comeback. Surprise Surprise…women are fickle. Warning! While some use this a sealant over oils, I only use it for braid and twist-outs (nothing I’ve seen creates shinier deeper sets). I also wouldn’t recommend putting this on your scalp because of the pore-clogging tendencies of some of the ingredients. Finally, a nice clarifying wash should follow to prevent dullness, dryness over time, and hair that is attractive to lint.

Click on for more…

E.L.F. Haul!

Welp…as you can see I’m off makeup punishment! About six months ago I put myself on an extended makeup purchasing “time-out”. For one, there was nothing I really needed to add to my overflowing supply of war paint. Secondly, my budget was in need of some restrictions. Of course my eyes wandered in department stores and drugstores but I can’t say there was anything that I just HAD to have my hands on. But when one of my favorite cheapie brands hosted a 50% off sale on Fall product picks, I gave in and browsed the digital aisles at EyesLipFace.com. They were actually offering some things that I had my eyes on for a while.

Check out my stash!:

All of this for a little over $20!

Keep reading for a closer look at some of my faves and swatches…

30 Day Style Icon Challenge: Day 4–Zoe Kravitz

(and the whole dang Kravitz/Bonet/Momoa Family)

Growing up as the child of two aesthetically eccentric artists has got to reflect in your own personal style. Zoe Kravitz truly embodies that freedom of expression that her actress mom, Lisa Bonet, and rock star dad, Lenny Kravitz are known for.

Zoe Kravitz

Zoe is the spitting image of her mom with similar funky hippie style, yet she makes seemingly more approachable and fun choices (like her dad). In her teens, she became popular as the paps would catch her on the street rocking her “dirty boho grunge” also lovingly called by press, “dumpster chic”. She was even quoted as saying “my look is I don’t give a f@@k.” But the camera loved her. She was so strikingly gorgeous and confident that the look worked for her.  Zoe embodies the idea that fashion shouldn’t be pretentious or based on some standard of what’s hot. It should truly be a personal expression.

Check out some candid shots of her a few years back:

Since making her debut on the big screen, her style has evolved into a more glamorous starlet with an edge of course.

Clearly, Zoe has developed beautifully into her own personal style.

Speaking of sophistication, I love the more sophisticated laid back yet edgy look her dad Lenny is rocking these days.

But in his hey day Lenny was definitely unafraid to take it there fashion-wise.

Whoa Lenny! So glad you pulled it back a little in your older age. Lol

By the way, I love the father-daughter bond between these two! Awww!

And mom, our beloved Denise Huxtable, has long been known for her funky expression of personal style…

Shout out to Denise Farquar, lol. Loved that look when I was little!

And most recently:

Obviously mom and daughter have an awesome relationship as well. Sweet!!

And if Lisa’s almost 45 year old swag wasn’t already off the Richter, she married this gorgeous hunk of man…

…actor/model Jason Momoa, who could do no wrong style-wise in my humble opinion

And look…they all get along

One big happy stylish smoking hot family!

Love them!

Until we meet again,

SPC

Product Review! Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Soufflé

I have been a fan of Shea Moisture Products for quite some time now. Shea Moisture (exclusively found at Target and Walgreens stores) offers a full line of organic and natural hair and body products. Most of the items that I have tried from this line, I have absolutely loved (Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo and Conditioner, Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Baby Eczema Therapy Butter, Curl & Style Milk, Black Soap Balancing Conditioner etc., etc., …).

Imagine my excitement when I learned that a new product would be arriving on Target shelves on August 28th. Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Soufflé with Agave Nectar & Flax Seed Oil sounded pretty darn great to me. If it was anything like my vision, it would be an awesome gel alternative that would allow me to smooth my edges AND create curl poppage without drying to a hard crisp. This should be a score! So I hit the store on launch day halfway knowing that the product wouldn’t be stocked yet. And it wasn’t . Finally a few days later I found a jar tucked away in the Shea Moisture bath and body section (kept separate from the line of hair care products) AND at a cost of $11.99 ($2 more than the rest of the hair care line). Hmm? Oh well, into the cart anyway. This stuff must be good.

When I opened the jar, I noticed the consistency to be pretty much what I expected, a clear gel-like formula. And the smell was wonderful as per usual with Shea Moisture products. However, what I got when I dabbed a little bit on my fingers was quite off-putting. This stuff was greasy and sticky.  Somewhat like a silicone. I already knew that this would leave some sort of film on my hair.

I thought maybe it would be ok if it also added an abundance of moisture and shine without the hardness that can be left by many products after the hair dries. But I can’t even say that it left much shine or moisture. And the residue was overwhelming! The jar claims that it eliminates frizz. Not so much.  I tried it on my edges and not only did it provide no smoothing hold, but it seemed to UP the frizz factor (???) No comparison at all to my beloved EcoStyler Olive Oil Gel. I tried it as a blow-drying aid as indicated on the jar. No bueno! The residue made me nauseous . I tried it on a wet twist-out. A little better here as it did provide some definition. But again with the residue!! I didn’t even want to touch my hair. I didn’t even take the time to use it on a wash n go. There was no point.

What I like about this product:

• Decent twist-out
• Smells great
• Great ingredients (I thought)

What I don’t like about this product:

• Silicone-like RESIDUE!!!
• Didn’t dry hard, but no hold whatsoever
• Actually costs $2 more than the rest of the Shea Moisture hair product line

Although the Curling Soufflé might work for some heads of hair, it was definitely a miss for me. It had potential if not for the sticky yuckiness. What a disappointment! But hey, I still love you Shea Moisture and I’ll keep my eyes open for the next product launch.

Peace,

SPC

P.S. Just checked out a few other reviews online and I am definitely not alone I see!