What A Year!

Hi my loves,  

I am not much of a Happy Holidays type of person, meaning I would much rather say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year because I feel Happy Holidays is so generic but I saw the above picture and thought it was very cute. It inspired me to write this post.

 

2013 will be over very soon and this has been simultaneously the greatest and worst year of my life. How is that possible you may ask? Well some of the best and most memorable events in my life happened this year --- I got married, I bought a house, I graduated with my MBA. Some of the worst things, which I don’t care to revisit, also happened this year. I will never forget this year, EVER! I grew more as a person this year than I have all of my 30 previous years. God revealed a lot of things to me about myself and what better way to learn than through a unforgettable experience.  He shook my world, I fell and he gently helped me back up. I leaned on HIM.  Oh my goodness, what a year! 

Well, I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas. PLEASE REMEMBER CHRIST. I feel like more and more people are making this life is about everything but Christ. And when this life is over, then what? Nothing will matter but your relationship with Jesus. I love you all, genuinely and truly.  Even if I don’t know you personally, I feel love in my heart for you. I know the love I feel everyday comes from the love Jesus shows me, it pours from Him to my heart to others.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Sometimes That's The Way It Is...

Eyes are open but I cannot see

My thoughts are clouding everything around me

My mind is consumed with thoughts unyielding

My heart is heavy with all of my feelings

It is not easy and it is not fair

I only hurt because I truly care

I only hurt because someone cares not

Past situations are gone, but forgotten you have not

I want to be free from the bondage of this world

I want to see the Father of this broken girl

I want my Father to make it right

I want my Father to shine his light

My heart is heavy and this room is dark

My heart is heavy and torn apart

In darkness lies fear and sadness 

In darkness are voices driving you to madness

The voices never whisper what is good

Yet the voices are clearly understood

Because they analyze my reality 

And sum it up with great finality 

Clear it up and wash it away

Clear it up with the truth today

For the longer a lie sits the deeper the stain

The purity of love we can never reclaim

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette ♥ First Impression & Makeup Look (Brown Skin)

Senegalese Twists!

Senegalese Twists - Video Coming Soon

I will be posting a video on my YouTube channel (EverythingEbonee01) very soon about my new hairstyle. I am loving my Senagalese Twists. I will put all the details about how this look was achieved in the video. Look out for it. Should be up this weekend, and I will also post it here on my blog.

Bee Mine Black Friday Sale -- Huge Discount!

Bohemian Ricci Wig

Profusion Eyeshadow Palettes (Only $1 at Walgreens)

Wash and Go Routine for my TWA

♥ My Birthday Haul - Lots of Goodies ♥

All items mentioned in the video are listed below. Thanks for watching!

1. IMAN BB Cream in Earth Medium
2. ELF Studio Cream Eyeliner in Black
3. ELF Essential Shine Eraser Blotting Sheets
4. ElF Essential Defining Eye Brush
5. Giovanni Weightless Moisture Direct Leave-In Conditioner
6. MAC Plumful
7. MAC Fresh Brew 
8. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Scene to be Seen (Divine Night Collection)
9. MAC Cremesheen Glass in Private Party (Divine Night Collection)
10. Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette 
11. Philosophy Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser 
12. Anne Klein Handbag, Perfect Tote (Small)
13. AGB Jumpsuit, Short-Sleeve Cowl-Neck Wide-Leg 

Hair Styling | From TWA to Curly Luscious Fro

2 Months Post Big Chop & Current Products (Hair Journey Update)

Thirsty Roots Apricot Castor Oil & Tresemme Naturals Conditioner

So here was my old wish list...

1. Napa Valley Grapeseed Oil

2. Thirsty Roots Apricot Castor Oil

3. Tresemme Naturals Conditioner

4. Bee Mine Deja’s Hair Milk

5. 100% Pure Unrefined Shea Butter

I actually purchased the Tresemme Naturals Conditioner and I LOVE IT!!! It works so well and makes my hair extremely soft. It is almost as if it melts my curls in the shower if I let it sit on my hair just for a short period of time, maybe 3-4 minutes. The smell is pleasant and the consistency is not too thick but not too watery and runny. I only spent $4.99 on a huge bottle at target but I feel like this conditioner is worth at least three times that. Seriously, it is good stuff! It's my new favorite conditioner.

I also purchased the Thirsty Roots Apricot Castor Oil. This is also wonderful product. I did a review about it on my YouTube channel. That video is linked below. Please check it out and I definitely recommend purchasing this oil. Not to mention the packaging is very cute, but more than the packaging, the actual oil is excellent.

 

1 Month Post Big Chop

It has been one month since I big chopped. I have gained a little bit of growth, can you tell a difference?

Check out my update below on YouTube. Thanks for watching!

Current Hair Wish List

So I am trying not to run out and buy every product I hear people raving about but these are a few products I would love to try/repurchase in the near future (the first three I have never tried but am interested in, the last two are a couple of my favorites): 

1. Napa Valley Grapeseed Oil

2. Thirsty Roots Apricot Castor Oil

3. Tresemme Naturals Conditioner

4. Bee Mine Deja’s Hair Milk

5. 100% Pure Unrefined Shea Butter

What’s on your wish list?

 

RPG SHOW PTS001

So, about a year ago, I watched one too many YouTube videos on this RPG show wig and gave in and spent my precious hard earned money on this wig. When I got the wig, it did not look as good as it did on the heads of the women on YouTube. I was not feeling it at all. It felt that the wig cap was too big (although I ordered the smaller size) and the wig just would not lay flat. It has adjustable straps in the back but it was not enough to get the wig to sit flat up against my head. 

So I put the wig back in its box and tucked it away in my closet and never wore it. Yes, I could have gotten in touch with the company and sent the wig back but by the time I realized that I was not going to be able to work with the wig, I had already cut the lace and therefore could not try to send it back.

Anyway, so I pulled the wig out again this weekend. It still had all the original issues with the wig not laying flat and being kind of bulky in near the roots but I threw a few curls in it, pinned one side back and made it work. This was a 14-inch wig in yaki texture, glueless cap construction. See pics below. I actually liked how it turned out. All is not lost with this wig, lol.

New "Let's Talk About It" Series

Hello! I hope you are having an awesome Labor Day weekend.

I wanted to inform my blog readers of my new "Let's Talk About It" series on my YouTube channel. Basically if you are going through any life situation that you would like me and my subscribers to weigh in on the situation with advice and opinions, please send an email to everythingebonee@yahoo.com and write in the subject line Let's Talk About It.

Your identity will remain anonymous and will never be mentioned in the YouTube video. I think this will be a fun way for us to have like a girl talk series and share, uplift, encourage others.

Talk to you again real soon :)

"Weight" a Minute!

So the battery in my scale has died and I have no idea what my current weight is. It is a good thing and a bad thing. Good because I am not faced with the shock of whatever that number is currently….and bad because I really need to know, ignorance is not bliss when it comes to weight gain. I am debating whether I want to embark on another hardcore weight loss attempt or let the pounds fall off slowly by making a few changes here and there.

 

Those of you who are like me and struggle to maintain a decent weight know the frustration that comes along with it. Every month of every year is focused on something weight related. If not through actual actions, weight related issues can consume your thoughts and affect your mood. To put it in terms that are easier to understand, if I am not actively trying to lose weight through diet and exercise, weight is still an issue because it ends up consuming my thoughts (as it is right now because I am writing this blog).

This Make-up Look Coming Soon on YouTube!

African Inspired Headwrap with Bright Colored Cloth

So I decided to spice up this TWA a bit with a decorative headwrap. After only a week of wearing short hair, I am already ready for something different. Here are a few pics of the looks that I came up with. Please check out my YouTube channel for videos on both how I tied my headwrap and this makeup look seen in the pictures below. Talk to you all very soon and as always, thanks for your continued support!!!

Living for the Weekend - TGIF

 

Living for the weekend. Most people do it and I must admit I am one of those people. I try to get through Monday-Friday as quickly as possible. The faster the week goes by the better because I can enjoy some much needed time off work. I do wonder though, if I did not have a job to go to Monday-Friday, would I really anticipate the weekend as much? Basically, I just got to thinking, every day is a blessing. Every day that we wake up and are given another opportunity to live our lives, enjoy our family, do what we are put here on earth to do is a blessing but why is it so hard to see that? Why is facebook always filled up with “Thank God it’s Friday” posts? Why do we not thank God for Monday, Tuesday and all the rest of the days?

 

We have been so programmed to go, go, go that we don’t stop to enjoy the moment, whether it is the weekend or not. There is beauty in everyday, every hour, every minute. There are things happening all the time that are really something special to praise God for, but we easily forget. These are my thoughts right now as I began to think how excited I am to be entering the weekend. There is more to life than the weekend.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to realize that every day is a gift from you. Each and every day you grant us mercy and grace but we seem to overlook our blessings. Help us to have an appreciative and thankful heart for each day we are alive, regardless of the day of the week. Let us not look forward to Friday, but to each new day that you allow us to wake and live our purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Restarting My Hair Journey | Current Concerns

Learning My Hair All Over Again

So after only these first few days of caring for my natural hair, even though there is only a little of it, I am realizing that I am going to have to learn what works for my hair all over again. The same products and methods I used for my relaxed hair will not work the same for my natural hair. That is where YouTube is proving to be sooo extremely helpful. I don’t think people really know the value and worth of their videos.

 

For example, when I was relaxed, I could care less about “cones.” After co-washing my hair for a few days with a particular conditioner, although my hair felt very soft when rinsing it in the shower, by the next day, my hair is extremely dry feeling. So I watched a few videos on YouTube and found that the conditioner I was using was filled with cones and cones create a barrier on your hair locking moisture out. The more you use it, the drier your hair will feel.

 

So, now I must start looking for cone free products. To be continued…

BIG CHOP 8.16.13

Guess What I Have Been Up To?

Big Chop Coming Soon...

So last night, after weeks of contemplating what I wanted to do with my hair, I got a intense urge to just cut it all off and go natural. I hesitantly asked my husband if he would shave my head. I hesitated because I was unsure of his response, I did not want him to think I was crazy or going through some kind of crisis. Unfortunately, he told me no, he would not do it. So I asked him can I borrow his clippers and shave my own head. He said no again. I did not explain to him my goal of going natural. He probably just thought I wanted a bald head like him, lol.

Although my husband declined to assist me, I am still ready to go back natural. This has been a struggle in my mind, which I have written about a little on this blog, not because I am afraid of going natural but because I have aspects of both natural and relaxed hair that I love so much. Although my decision does not have to be permanent, if I go natural, I have to start from scratch growing my hair back out. That is at least two years of growth to get to a decent length. Two years is a long time. Lot of parties, events, special occasions can happen in two years all requiring me to be able to do decent styles with my hair. If I stay relaxed, I am wasting time that I could be growing my hair out natural (if for some reason I decide to go natural later, I could have had a head start in gaining length).

Well, my mind is made. The thing that made be lean towards going back natural is the fact that natural hair is in its healthiest state, thus easier to thrive because it is not damaged from the start. Relaxed hair is damaged from the start because of the chemical process it goes through to remove the curl pattern. Can you have damaged natural hair? Of course. Can you have healthy relaxed hair? Of course. But a healthy head of relaxed hair will never be as healthy as a healthy head of natural hair….if that makes sense.

Don’t get me wrong, I will truly miss my relaxed hair. It has brought me much joy in styling over the past years. The only issue was the thinning and breakage I would get once it start getting long which would force me to cut it. Here was the process….grow it out, cut it to removed damage, grow it out, cut it to remove thinning, grow it out, etc.

Stay tuned. A big chop is coming….

Bee Mine Back to School Sale

Get Glammed Up Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway!

Hair Styling | Phony Pony with Flat Twists

Operation Grow My Hair: Restarting My Hair Journey

So right now my hair is slapped is this ugly lopsided bun on the top of my head. My hair is extremely dry and I probably could not get a comb through it if I wanted to. Needless to say I have been neglecting my hair. I want to do better and I AM going to better. I will wash and deep condition my hair probably Wednesday. Then, since I am hosting a housewarming party this Saturday and don’t want to be bothered with styling my real hair, I will go to the beauty supply store and get a phony pony and hook that up. I have an idea for a style that I am going to call the basket weave ponytail. I will be sure to record it and post it on my YouTube channel. After I have worn that style for about a week or so, I am going to start what I will call “Operation Grow My Hair: Restarting My Hair Journey.”

 

I am still trying to figure out if this new hair journey will be natural or relaxed. In my opinion, natural hair is so much easier to grow. Not easier to maintain, style, wash, detangle, and all that but easier to grow because the hair bonds have not be broken down by chemicals, they hair is in its natural state so a bit stronger than relaxed hair. Relaxed hair is more fragile because it is already “damaged” to some extent by the chemicals. Oh decisions, decisions. You all are probably like make a decision already, are you going to stay relaxed or go natural! I know, I am feeling like that, too!

Talk to you all soon,

Ebonee

Beautiful Hair Everywhere

It's Saturday night and I am just laying in my bed surfing the internet. I was on the facebook page of a lady who I am subscribed to on YouTube. Unfortunately, she has been away from YouTube for quite a while, over a year, but she seems to update her facebook page regularly.

Anyway, she has what looked to be an Instagram picture on her FB page with her hair beautifully swept to one side cascading down in healthy looking layers. She doesn't have the longest hair, or the thickest hair, but boy was that picture beautiful. I wish I could post it here but since I don't have her permission I won't. To make a long story short, that simple picture renewed my passion for growing out my relaxed hair.

I told you all I have been battling between going back natural and keeping my relaxed hair. That picture made me remember all the things I love about relaxed hair. On the flip side, when I was in church this past Wednesday quickly glancing around the room, I noticed that half the women were natural. I saw some extremely beautiful heads of hair. Almost became jealous.....almost, lol. 

Still not sure what I should do as far as my hair....

What is LOVE?

What is love really?

 

I think we have all loved or claimed to love. Husbands, wives, significant others, parents, children, our friends, etc. The list goes on and on. At one point in my life it was difficult for me to tell my sisters and friends that I love them, even though I truly did, it felt uncomfortable coming out of my mouth.  But even at that point, when I did not freely go around telling the people I love those three words, I really did not understand the meaning of love anyway to say it wholehearted without any reservations.

 

Love is so much more than the box we put it in…true love that is. It is powerful. The bible explains it best...

 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 

Let’s look at marriage, and although I am no expert in marriage, I know what the bible speaks to my heart. I will speak from a woman’s perspective because I am a woman. We claim to LOVE our husbands. Maybe you currently feel you have fallen out of love but at one point you did love him, right? So how does love, true love, end in divorce? Love “keeps no record of wrongs” so how is it we can go on and on about what our husbands have done to us in the past? Things that we have supposedly forgiven and let go. It is the record of wrongs that can give us the fuel we need for divorce. How many less divorces would there be if we did not keep that list in our minds of all the things our spouse has done to us, fueling our anger and resentment, but instead choose to LOVE them the right way.

This can also be true for family members. Maybe a family member of yours has really done some terrible things to you, to a point that you do not want to have anything to do with that person anymore. It happens. I have felt that way. But looking back at the scripture. Love is patient. I believe we should patiently wait (while praying) for the loved one to do what is right. Not what we feel is right, but what is really right. Love is not proud. Pride sometimes will prevent us from being the first person to apologize. Pride is so strong, trust me I know. But love is not proud and if you claim to love someone, do not let pride stop you from loving. Love always hopes, meaning it never gives up on a person but always hopes for the best in every situation.

 

Love is powerful. Think about how the biblical definition of love can change almost any negative situation between two people. “¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

 

I hope you are having an awesome summer. Talk to you again soon.

I'll Be Back!

It has been quite a long time since I have really blogged. Life has been so crazy, literally. I’m not kidding. Sometimes I even wonder how I made it through the day. My poor YouTube channel has been neglected also but I have great plans for upcoming videos very soon. I am in the process of moving into a new home right now it is not really easy to record videos during this transition.

 

I will be dedicating more time and energy into my blog and YouTube channel and thank you to those of you who continue to visit me here (blog) and there (YouTube). I appreciate your time and support. Believe it or not, I truly enjoy blogging and vlogging, just don’t have the time to do it as much as I would like. I am thinking about doing a vlog every day in August (VEGA). So everyday sharing just a short simple video about something in my life. It will help you all to get to know me better, too. (If you even care J)

 

Oh, I have recently been enlightened about the power of prayer. I have always believed in prayer but I have recently been shown that it is more powerful that we sometimes think it is! If you have a situation that you would like me to lift in prayer with you, please send me a message either here or YouTube and I will be happy to do so. You can go to the contact me section at the top of this blog, or if you want to contact me privately, please send it through a private message on YouTube.

 

God Bless You!
Ebonee

Laser Tattoo Removal Update #5

I went this past Saturday for my second laser tattoo removal session. It was long overdue because I had to postpone it for various reasons. Before I had the laser treatment done, I noticed that all of the darkness around the tattoo that I mentioned in previous posts had faded. The technician also took a picture of the tattoo and compared it to the last picture and you could definitely notice fading. I still have a LONG way to go but you could definitely tell the colors of the ink were not as vibrant as they were before indicating some fading has occurred since I had my first treatment. 

This session went pretty much the same as the last. I was instructed to numb the area with an ice pack for about five minutes before I went into the room with the laser. There the technician numbed the area again with dry ice. Afterwards, she proceeded to test a small area with the laser to see how much she could turn up the frequency this time. The pain was a tad bit more that the last time maybe in part to the fact that the laser was turned up higher. 

Today (two days later), the area is very sore to the touch and I can see some redness around the lines of the tattoo. She scheduled my next appointment eight weeks out. So we will see how things go. I am optimistic.

Top Five Favorite NYX Lip Glosses

Trials and Tribulations

Wow! I am ever amazed at this life that we live. Although different from person to person, no one is short of their own personal struggles and the circumstances that leave us worn out and weary. Why is life so hard? Why is it so much harder for some than it is for others?

In the midst of the storm, I pray strong prayers and I praise God for it all because I know He is in control and there is nothing that I cannot handle. Although I know this to be true, I have to continue to remind myself as my patience for the craziness wears thin and tears emerge out of no where occasionally.

Dear Lord, keep us and protect us as we live our lives in this crazy world where evil knocks on our door daily.

Final Review: D.S. Hair Extensions Brazilian Petite Curly Loose

Top Five Favorite Covergirl Lipsticks

Laser Tattoo Removal Update #4

Hello there. I wanted to do a quick laser tattoo removal update. It has been six weeks since my first laser treatment. I was actually supposed to go for my second treatment today but for various reasons I rescheduled it for next month. I must say that I am really happy right now with how this tattoo removal process is coming along. In my last update, I told you that my skin was whitish in certain areas after the skin peeled off. There was a small fear that I would lose the brown pigmentation in my skin permanently but I no longer have that concern. The areas that were whitish in color are now back skin tone almost completely. The skin around the tattoo had turned a dark brown almost blackish color and that has faded to almost skin tone as well. So as of right now, no scarring, no discoloration that seems to be permanent, no problems. I really wish I could go for my second treatment today but I could not so I will update you all again after my second treatment.

Tag: 50 Facts About Me

God is Faithful

I am the type of person that goes out of my way to look for ways to make people’s lives a little better. Literally. If I can help you, I will without hesitation. I think that is the secret of life --- go out of your way to genuinely love and care for others. Imagine what kind of world we would live in if everyone did this. 

Unfortunately, recently I have been shown that there is evil in this world and that people don’t care. That people don’t have a conscience and they make decisions based on their own selfish wants. I’ve thought about changing who I am because the more positive energy I put out into the world, the more I get ran over and abused. But I won’t change. I am hurting, deep to my core. I am confused because I am sure this is not how things are supposed to be.
 

I still have faith in good but lately that faith has been tested. I still have faith in God and NOTHING will change that. I rest assured that no evil is greater than my Father. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. No enemy shall win while I am under the protection of the only One who is worthy of praise and worship. I am a little depressed right now but I am leaning on my Lord and he is carrying me through. I choose to praise God through the good and bad. God is faithful. Praise His Name.

My Hair Journey - Relaxed & Natural

Why Are We Contouring Our Noses?

I wanted to do a video on this and post to my YouTube channel but I have not been in the mood, so I decided to just write a blog post about it. Today I was watching a YouTube video of a lady doing her makeup. She forgot to contour her nose and she said something to the effect of “I had to go back and contour my nose because this makes your nose look thin and perfect.” Hmmmm….I do not equate a thin nose with being a perfect nose, nor do I equate a thick nose and being a perfect nose. In my mind, the nose you were born with should be your “perfect” nose.

 

Let me explain further. One of the identifying features of black people are thick facial features…i.e. thick noses & thick lips. That is not to say that some black people do not have thin noses or lips, we do, but a lot of black people have thicker noses and lips in comparison to our Caucasian brothers and sisters. The opposite is true for Caucasian people, their noses and lips tend to be thinner than black people. 

So who came up with the idea that a thin nose is a perfect nose? Was it Michael Jackson or someone else? Why are black women all over YouTube contouring their noses so that their nose appears thinner? Is a thin nose the standard of beauty? This is just another example of why we must be careful of the trends we are following. Yes, it is a huge make-up trend right now to contour your face including your nose. I have no problem with contouring your face to bring back the dimension that was lost after applying foundation, but I do have a problem with contouring your nose so that it appears thinner for the sake of having a thin and perfect nose. Personally, I will stick with the nose I have. 

Please share any thoughts you may have in the comments, I would love to hear them. Also, if you have not read my post regarding mindlessly following trends, it can be found here: Mindlessly Following Trends

Weekend Hair & Outfit of the Day

Spring/Summer Clothing Haul

Shoe Haul - Just Fab, Shoemint, Forever 21, etc.

Laser Tattoo Removal Update #3

It has been ten days since the first laser treatment. I can definitely see changes happening. These changes, unlike what I saw in the initial days after the treatment, are not ones that can only seen by me but actually other people would be able to notice, too. My skin is peeling in certain areas within the tattoo and once the skin peels, the new skin underneath is whitish in color. That could be a little scary but given the fact that normally if I get a scab and it peels off, the skin underneath is pinkish or whitish in color, so I am not worried. Also, the "what to expect" paperwork the laser clinic gave me said that this is a normal occurence and not to pick at the skin or apply any oitment to aid in healing --- just let it heal naturally.

Also, the whitish skin that is left once the top layer peels off does not have as much ink as the skin that has not peeled. This contradicts my understanding of how the laser tattoo removal works. I was my understanding that the laser will break up the tattoo ink and the body would naturally absorb and dispel the ink. More to come…

D.S. Hair Extensions Virgin Brazilian Petite Curly Loose Hair

Is This Not Beautiful?

Now only if I can think of a way to recreate this. It's so chic! 

 

They Won Second Place! #TalentShow

I was so proud of my little girl. She came to me a couple of weeks ago and told me about her talent show at school. She said that she and her friends had entered and I was really surprised. She said they were going to do a dance routine to Miley Cyrus’ song Party in the USA. Well, she and her friends practiced with her coach and music teacher after school and when I asked to see the routine at home she was too shy to do it. 

When I went to the talent show, I was surprised at how good the routine was. These are second graders but they performed like professionals and their choreography was quite complex. Needless to say I am a proud mama. They won second place. First place went this cute little boy dancing the “Gagnam Style.” 

My baby is on the far right.
 

Laser Tattoo Removal Update #2

Today marks a week since I had my first laser tattoo removal session. I notice very slight fading on the ink in certain areas. If I were to show them to someone else, they probably would not see a difference but I can. I have seen this tattoo for years (unfortunately) so I can definitely see some fading of the ink in certain areas, not a huge difference though. It is very minor, very slight, which is to be expected because this is the first treatment and I have at a minimum seven more sessions to go. 

The area that was lasered is still sensitive to the touch. Slightly uncomfortable if someone bumps into it or if I rub my hand across it.  I did not expect that. I thought the pain would only last 1-2 days at the most. I don’t know why I thought that but I did. I was also reading on the internet that for the first laser tattoo removal treatment that the laser in not turned up as high and subsequent treatments. That can explain why I did not feel much pain during the process the first time. I am expecting the laser to hurt more the second and third treatments. 

Right now, I am optimistic. I truly believe that I can get this tattoo removed. What a mistake, but I am human and mistakes I shall make. But I will not make the same ones twice :)

Maintaining My Hair in Between Relaxers

Hairstyling | Twists and Braids

Weight Loss Update #6 | Down 0.6 lbs (Practically No Loss)

Another Bee Mine Sale!

Laser Tattoo Removal Update #1

I had my laser tattoo removal consultation this morning and I also had my first treatment done! Yes, after the consultation the lady asked me if I wanted to get started today and I told her yes! So excited.

I already had a lot of my questions answered about the procedure based on my own personal research. I knew certain colors were harder to remove from skin than others.  Black is the easiest to remove and lighter colors are more difficult colors to remove. My tattoo is black, red and blue so I was informed that the blue would probably be the last color to go and the most difficult to treat. Also, tattoo ink is more challenging to remove from darker skin tones without having adverse or negative effects. Negative effects as in light patches where the laser removed the brown pigmentation in black skin. Scary right? The good thing for me is that my tattoo is always covered by clothing so if something does go wrong, I won’t have it showing to the world every day. Just to myself L

We started by putting a regular ice pack over the tattoo for about three minutes. That was followed by a dry ice pack which stung a bit. The dry ice pack was on there for only about a minute. Then she lasered the area. At first, I could barely feel anything but once she got towards the end I could feel the popping or snapping feeling of the laser. It was totally bearable in my opinion. She made sure I was comfortable and asked me every so often if I needed a break, which I did not because it was not that painful. Maybe that is because this was the first treatment and the laser was not turned up that high.

She told me that in about twenty minutes after we were finished that I would have a “sunburn” feeling in the area that was treated. I kind of laughed in my head because I (being a black woman) have never had a sunburn in my life so I do not know what a sunburn feels like. But I know now! LOL. I did get an uncomfortable sensation in the area which I assume is similar to that of a sunburn.

That is about all regarding my experience with my treatment. Oh, maybe I should mention cost which I must add will vary depending on the clinic, the size of your tattoo, and other factors. The lady measured my tattoo which I believe was about 2 X 3 inches. Based on that, she quoted me a price of $200 per session with an estimate of 6-8 sessions to remove the tattoo (maybe more if the blue color does not respond well). If I purchased all my sessions in advance, I could get a bulk discount which was up to $150 off. Overall, this turned out to be a lot less expensive that I thought it would be.  

I am to return every 8 weeks for the next treatment so my second treatment is scheduled for May 31. is More updates to come….

Laser Tattoo Removal | The Time Has Come

The 19 year old Ebonee is quite different from the 29 year old Ebonee, and understandably so. With the addition of years come life lessons that help you to mature and grow as a person (most of the time, lol). Some of the things I have done in my teenage years, I would not do now. One specific thing is this 10 year old tattoo that I am wearing. I have wanted to get rid of it for the longest time but never took the steps to do so. Tomorrow, I have my first laser tattoo removal consultation to see what it is going to take to free myself of this impulsive body art I had inked many years ago. 

I won’t go into details about what, where and why…..just yet. I am going to document the process from start to finish, however long that takes. Then I am going to weave the clips together for my own mini tattoo removal documentary that I will upload on my YouTube channel showing before, after and everything in between. 

If anything, this should be a learning tool I can show my children about why tattoos are not the best idea. I am not knocking anyone with tattoos either, I have a second one on my ankle which I still like and which will remain for now. But really how often is it that someone gets a tattoo that they like “now” and will still like years later? Very rare. You grow. Your tastes change. Your perception on the different things in life change.  

I am at a different place in my life and I have little people I am setting an example for now. Much different than my life 10 years ago. I pray this all goes well.

Sensationnel Bump Collection Wig - Fab Fringe

I made a video on this wig a while back and forgot to mention it on my blog for those of you who visit my blog but do not visit my YouTube channel. I am in love with this wig. I do not know if it is because of the short cut or if it is because of the auburn highlights in the front but I love, love, love this wig! The way it is cut and stacked in the back is so beautiful. Once on, it lays nicely against your neck in a tapered fashion.  

The auburn highlights on this unit are gorgeous but if they are not your style, they have other highlight colors and also solid colors like 1 and 1B all over. If you are looking for a wig to freshen up your look for the spring and summer, or if you have been wearing long hair for a long time (lol), this might be a good change that is not permanent because you can go short by slipping on this wig and then back long if you prefer.  

I am thinking about getting this wig in another color. The price was so reasonable. I purchased it for $24.99 but the price may fluctuate depending on where you purchase the wig. I got my from hairsisters.com.

 

 

Mindlessly Following Trends

I may ruffle a few feathers with this post but please know that anything I write it not meant to make someone feel convicted but rather just to express and different point of view in love and in the hopes that we are viewing the world with "open" eyes. This is not to say that I am right about everything but I know what I feel in my heart and I compelled to express that.

The first time I ever saw stilletto nails was in Rhianna's video Russian Roullette. The first thought that popped into my head was "Wow, she has claws." That thought has never changed. As the pointy tip, animalistic, witchlike nails have become more and more popular, I started to wonder am I just too old-fashioned or possibly not "hip" enough to embrace this new trend. It's not that. It is not that at all.

I noticed that Beyonce and Lady Gaga and lots of other celebrities were really into these stilletto nails. Fans and people who mindlessly follow everything celebrities do, say, wear, or think are quick to mimic the things that see on the internet and television. This is all I want to say with this post, PLEASE be careful with who you look up to, who you decide to mimic, who you decide to copy. If it does not feel good or right in your heart, that is because it is probably not. You know if a person is singing and promoting the things that speak goodness and truth. You also know if they are singing and promoting things that are opposite of Christian beliefs. I know everyone is not Christian, but I am, and I can only speak from that point of view.

When you say I want this celebrity's hairstyle, or my nails the way this celebrity wore it, or I want an outfit similar to what I saw this celebrity wearing, just know that it is not that simple. Do you really want to align yourself with that person and their agenda? It is more than just nails.

 

 

One more trend I must quickly mention is the scull trend. It is popular and trendy to wear scull scarves, jewelry, clothing, etc. But really, what are sculls associated with? I associate them with death. So how has death become a fashion statement?

 



God Bless You All,
Ebonee