It's My Hair: Experimentation

I LOVE my hair. I really love it. This is something that being on this natural hair journey has given m e: hair confidence. I love the versatility of my own God-given hair. I am in love with it. Even on the days that my twist outs aren't completely dry and the style I tried doesn't quite turn out the way I felt it should, I still love it. I have been very experimental with my hair this year. More bantu knot outs, wash and go's and pinup's. My hair amazes me daily. I am learning that my hair demands a lot of moisture because it is so thick. I use the LOC (liquid, oil & cream) method when I do my hair, emphasizes on the oil part. I have stopped cowashing or prepooing my hair every week. Now, I do it every two weeks or so since I am fully natural now. It takes so long to air dry. I try to avoid using heat on my hair at all costs. This means I will usually wash my hair on a Friday or Saturday night so that it has the weekend to dry completely. This is the only method that works for me. 

I've learned that less is more with hair products. Also, things I can make in my own kitchen are always a great thing. I think I am going to avoid straighten my hair all year if I can. I have no real need for it. I do need to get my ends trimmed soon though. I haven't set foot in a salon in over 3 years. That is huge for someone who lived and died by them. I don't miss it. Have I mastered all there is to know about natural hair? Not hardly. Am I a pro at all natural hair styles? No way. What I am doing is having fun with my own hair. Good or bad, right or wrong, I am learning what works for me and my natural hair. It's an interesting journey to be on. I love it though. It's my hair and I am conquering it. Just wanted to check in with my fellow naturalistas. Hope everyone is loving their hair as much as I am. Enjoy your God-given hair, ladies!!

Get Into It: Daily Horoscope App

I am not a hard core believer in astrology. I don't pick my friends by their signs. I don't live my life according to the stars. I am well aware of my Sagittarius traits. I do know what signs I don't get along with & the ones I will. Since nothing this year has gone according to my plans, I've started taking my daily horoscopes more seriously. It's been enlightening to have a little insight on the disarray that my life has become. I like to take in the information and use it in my pursuit of happiness. That's what it is to me. An avenue to get me to a better place. Any one who has read my blog lately can tell that I'm not myself, not in the best head space. But, I'm working on it. I'm slowly pulling myself out of this sea I've been in. I'm open to whatever works at this point.

I read my horoscope at night. I do this to see if my horoscope was right. It's kinda crazy how on point it's been for the last few weeks. I have this app called "Daily Horoscope" which sends it to me daily. The pictures are from my horoscope this week. Notice the pink/purple hue they are in. I opted for that. Also, you can check your yearly horoscope, Chinese horoscope, compatibility and druid horoscopes. It's also color customizable and you can set a horoscope reminder. I like all the features. I also read the yearly horoscope of another sign. For reasons. And, it made me ubër sad. Only because I believe it will affect me as well. I've been searching for clarity for weeks now. This app gives me a little of that. If you're curious like I was, I suggest getting into the Daily Horoscope app. It's available for Android and iPhone users. It's also $Free.99 which is always a great thing. What sign are you? Let's talk!

I'm Feeling These Tracks Right Now

These are just a few of the songs that I cannot get out of my head lately. Wanted to share them with you. I've been vibing with them for a few days. Just some feel good music by a few known artists and  a couple of new ones.  Maybe you guys will discover some new artists/songs because of me. Enjoy!!

Chrisette Michele "A Couple of Forevers"

Drake "5AM in Toronto"

Fantasia "Lose To Win"

Jade Alston "I Try"

Lianne La Havas "Elusive"

Alice Smith "The One"

Eric Bellinger & Amber Riley "Never Be Lonely"

Justin Timberlake "Tunnel Vision"

Olivia "Where Do I Go From Here"

Oh, How I Love New Shows!

When it comes to summer television programming, it used to be nothing but reruns. But, times have changed drastically. Now, most channels offer specific new summer programming. I have a few faves like USA's "Royal Pains" and CBS' "Big Brother." This summer brings a few new shows that I can't wait to watch. Let's discuss.



USA is known for their summer programming. This summer is no different. The new anti-buddy cop show is called "Common Law." My initial interest in the show was based solely on the eye candy that is Michael Ealy. I have been a fan of his since "Barber Shop." I tuned in just to see that face and that smile. Turns out, the show is pretty dope. It's a lighthearted turn on the tried and true cop show formula. It is like the polar opposite of one of my all time favorite shows "Law & Order SVU." Ealy plays Travis Marks, a former foster kid turned playboy Detective. His partner, Detective Wes Mitchell, is a lawyer turned very straight laced, recently divorced detective. The two are in couples counseling because their constant fighting is causing trouble at work. Of course, comedy ensues. The show is very cute. It airs at 9pm on Fridays.



TVLand is jumping into the fray with a new show. "The Soul Man" stars Cedric the Entertainer as Reverend Boyce Ballentine, a soul singer turned preacher who uproots his entire life and family to take over his Father's church. His wife, Lolli, is played by Niecey Nash, his daughter Lyric played by Jazz Raycole are not adjusting well to the new changes in their life. Boyce's life is rounded out with his Father and lazy brother as well as the members of his church. It premiered on Wednesday, June 20th @ 9pm. The series premiere was funny, insightful and music. I think it's a really cute show. I will continue to watch. And, I love seeing functional Black families displayed in a positive light on television. The show airs @ 9pm on Wednesdays.



Next on my list is the ABC Family comedy "Baby Daddy." I have to say that I wanted to see this show for Tahj Mowry. I've liked him since his "Full House" and "Smart Guy" days. This show is essentially the tv modern version of the hit movie "Three Men & a Baby." That may be the appeal for me since I loved both of those movies. It's always funny to see people's funny antics when it comes to babies. And, of course, none of the 4 main characters have any real experience with babies. The twins who portray baby Emma are adorable. Adorable kids will always draw me in. This show is cute and I will be watching. It airs on Wednesdays @ 7pm.

I kinda have a love/hate relationship with summer shows. They are great but they take forever to return. On the nights when it's too hot to be out and about, mindless tv makes any night better. I can only watch reruns of shows I really love. There aren't many on that list. So, I'm always on the lookout for something new to indulge in. What are your favorite summer shows? Are you watching either of the two above? Tell me your thoughts.

Get Into It: HTC Evo 4g LTE

I have been waiting patiently for this announcement. Sprint & HTC finally released the specs & info for the new Evo cell. It's bigger, better than the 4g & the 3d, both phones I have owned. It's called the HTC EVO 4g LTE. It will be available for preorder in early May. The phone will be released in June. I can upgrade in September. I'm super excited about it. It has all the things I've loved about the Evo line so far plus so much more. It's the first HD voice compatible cell phone. HTC has just boosted the expectations of other phones with this one.



I can proudly say that I am an uber fan of the HTC EVO cell phones. Since the first one was released, the HTC Evo 4G, I've been sold. I had a white Evo 4G that I loved. I then moved up to the Evo 3D. This phone has been my lifeline. It is simply amazing. I love the look and feel of it. It's the best phone I've ever had the pleasure of owning. I'm more excited that the new Evo will be available in white. I loved my white phone the best. The 3D was never available in white. The LTE is the bigger, better, badder version of my current cell. I am do for an upgrade in about 2 months. I already know what phone I have to have. I can't wait.

The actual specs are ridiculous. The kickstand that was missing from my 3d is back thankfully. The audio system will be supplied by Beats by Dre. The battery is bigger but embedded. It will run on Sense 4.0 and Android ICS. The pictures look amazing. The camera is 8 megapixels in the back, 2 mps in the front. It just seems like a great cell. I can't wait to actually get in my hands and try it out. Hopefully, it's as great in actuality as it is on paper. The Evo line has been pretty awesome so far. It seems that HTC has no plans on slowing down. If you're a Sprint customer like me, be sure to check this out. Get into it!

Adventures In Cooking: Domesticated Diva II

In my never-ending quest for knowledge, I've decided that 2012 will be the year I conquer "outside of my box" cooking. I like to cook, love to bake. I really enjoy being in the kitchen pulling it all together. Even if its just for me. I can cook a lot of staple meals. I almost always cook the same things. I need to explore new avenues. That is on my to do list in the new year.

I'm also realizing that I prefer cooking from scratch. I thoroughly enjoy creating things on any level. So, of course, cooking would be no different. I enjoy looking up recipes online and then making them my own. I am always super impressed with myself when the results are even better than I imagined. There is something truly fulfilling about knowing that it all came from you. I have been cooking for a long time. But, this is the first time I can say I really enjoy doing it. It was necessity before. Now, it's a luxury that I relish.

New and more daring dishes will be forthcoming. I am sure I will start with Chinese food. I love it and want to try my hand at it. I have to buy a wok too. This adventure is going to be fun and interesting. I am very excited to see what my hands can come up with. Cooking is a joy that I hope all of you enjoy as well. It makes me happy. I'm going to try my hand at a few cake recipes as well. That should definitely be a great thing. This Domesticated Diva will see you guys in the new year and in the kitchen. Cook on!

Musical Moment: Marsha Ambrosius

Marsha Ambrosius has a voice I've loved since she first hit the musical scene. She was the angelic voice of Floetry. She is now back with her fist solo cd "Late Nights & Early Mornings." It debuts on Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Her first single was a catchy tune entitled "Hope She Cheats On You (With A Basketball Player)." It was followed by the very conscious "Far Away." The video for the second single tackles the issue of gay issues and suicide. You can preview her cd before it drops on Bossip. I happen to love the whole thing. Stand out tracks to me are "Lose Myself," "Your Hands," "I Want You To Stay," and the title track. I actually thought her first single was funny but after listening to the whole cd, I see that it isn't needed. It just does not fit in with the rest of the songs. I digress, but I still like the cd. I will be purchasing her cd. It will be a great addition to my ridiculously huge (and still growing by the second) music collection.