Random: It's Sweeetness That I'm Thinkin' Of

This was my, no, everybody's JAM back in the day. No words, just Neneh.

Enjoy.

Red Dresses and Straightened Tresses

Even though I am studying for my Psychology degree, I am a total left-brain person when in comes to dreams. I look for clues to life, clues to live life, and even messages from loved ones who have moved on. I can hear you now.."She's spent one too many of her teenage years hangin' out with the hippies in Berkeley."

And, damn skippy, you'd be right.

Last night, I had a powerfully vivid dream about nailing a job at a fashion design company in Benicia, California. My dad was there and wanted to take me out to dinner to celebrate. Fluffy details aside, the real star of the dream was a dress that I was wearing: A hot red vintage number that I felt totally sexy in. My hair was straightened and styled into a chic bun accentuated by a gardenia.




Dream Interpretations (source:http://www.dream-analysis.com)
Red-Red is an energizing color and is often used in dreams to give you the energy to be passionate about life.
Dress-How you dress in dreams indicates your attitude towards the subject matter of the dream as we dress to suit our mood or to suit the role we feel obliged to play (e.g. career)
Gardenia-Flowers symbolize love just as they do when you receive them in reality

Ladies and gentlemen, I have just found my New Years outfit! I'm headed into the new year with a new attitude of passion and purpose!

P.S. I will be updating this blog once a week starting January 1, 2011. I am committed to finishing school this year and I WILL, repeat WILL prevail! *muahahaha*

It's so damn good to be back.

Bear with me

I'm re-designing the site and this is gonna take a lil-bit of elbow grease. I will debut the makeover results on Monday and I am so excited! I think it's time to infuse more "me" in the blog.




Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukkah!

Feliz Naviddad!

and all that good ish.

Scalp Soothing Hair Spa

Do you have dry scalp due to the harsh winter cold? Try this quick recipe to get your scalp supple and nourished.

Scalp Soothing Hair Spa

What you will need:

4 tablespoons of grapeseed oil (adjust accordingly if your hair is longer)
5 drops of rosemary essential oil
5 drops of lavender essential oil
Aloe vera gel or juice (optional)
Washcloth
Shower cap

Mix well and massage this potent concoction into your scalp focusing on thinning and extremely dry sections. After scalp is coated, work the mixture to the ends of your hair. Wet your washcloth with hot water (not too hot!) and wring out the excess. Wrap the towel around your hair and cover with a shower cap. Wait 15 minutes and enjoy the warm, soothing feeling. Kick back with a good book or try this while you are soaking in the tub. Rinse well. Cleanse and/or condition-wash as usual.



Cherry on Top: This is also a great treatment for stimulating the hair follicles and encouraging growth.

Happy Tuesday!

Random: You Send Me Swingin'

They really pronounce it "swangin" in the song.

Just one of the many reasons why I love it. This is definitely one of my favorite songs. Takes me back to my black cherry lipstick and waffle boot days of the 90's. I know y'all remember this jam.

Skin Soothers 101

I have struggled with eczema since middle school. This is not a fun thing, especially if you are all about preserving your sexy on a daily basis like myself. I went to so many doctors and tried so many creams! It seemed like a horrible nightmare, until I saw the light. The natural light, that is.

I ditched the creams and focused on healing my skin naturally. Here are some of the precious gems that have helped me out. Using the following items, I have managed to keep my eczema in check 98% of the time:

Shea Butter (Unrefined)- I apply this at night around my eyes and where other fine lines may pop up. Whipped, it makes an excellent anti-aging cream. Shea butter works really fast at soothing eczema flare-ups.

Grapeseed oil- I apply this to my skin in the morning after cleansing my face. This makes my skin feel so smooth and silky. It is an extremely light oil that absorbs into the skin quickly without leaving a greasy feel. Grapeseed oil is chocked full of antioxidants! It also evens the skin tone after a few months of consistent use. I have noticed brighter, smoother skin using grapeseed oil.

Coconut oil- I mix this with aloe vera gel to make a soothing mask for my skin when I have a rare flare up. The aloe vera gel is excellent at soothing any kind of skin irritation. The coconut oil acts as a conditioner, softening the skin. For those without eczema, this is a wonderful facial mask for those with dry skin.



I hope this information was helpful to those in need. We gotta keep our skin game on point for the holidays, right?

Have a great weekend <3

Favorite Eats: Kate's Kitchen

This place is truly orgasmic. Located in the Lower Haight district in San Francisco, it is nestled between smoke shops and bus stops. Small and sometimes crowded, it is somewhat of local breakfast secret amongst those who are in the know. Unlimited coffee and friendly servers are amongst the long list of awesome things about Kate's kitchen.

Some of the things that I have tried:

French Toast Orgy - The name says it all! Cinnamon french toast smothered in fresh fruit, honey, and powdered sugar. This has got to be one of my favorites.

New England Flannel Hash - This is the most perfect corn-beef hasn I have ever eaten. Not too mushy, not too hard, and not too salty. This makes me hungry now talking about it. My mouth is watering.

They also cook some mean organic pancakes with interesting ingredients like oatmeal and cornmeal.




The hours are kind of strange, but it is more than worthy of a try!

The Deets:

Kate's Kitchen
471 Haight Street @ Fillmore
http://www.kates-kitchensf.com
Open 7 days a week
Mon 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Tue 9 am - 2:30 pm
Wed-Fri 8 am - 3 pm
Sat-Sun 8:30 am - 4 pm

Oh yeah, it's a cash only joint, so hit up the ATM before you get your grub on.

3rd Day Hair and Local Love

I am swamped with school registrations, job interviews and family buisiness, but my hair still has managed to look cute amidst the chaos.

Observe:




How am I managing to stay sane you ask? Last Sunday, My sis and I decided to try the only place remotely poppin' in Hercules, CA...44 Sports Lounge. We arrived around 3 pm just in time for happy hour and all of the drinks were $5! After our heavy-pouring, steaming hot bartender served us our cosmos, we enojyed (to say the least) our deliciously flavorful carne asada tacos. I couldn't resist ordering them because they were only $5 for 2. Ain't nothin' like a good deal. 44 Sports Lounge is a cute, laid-back place to get a well-made drink. Peep the pics:







Local love deets:

44 Sports Lounge
848 Willow Avenue
Hercules, CA 94547
www.44sportslounge.com

Friday Hair: My deliciously poofy braid-out

I am MIGHTY proud of my hair today.

I styled 12 braids on really damp hair. For us kinky, curly and wavy ladies the more you let your hair dry before styling, the more it "stretches" out your natural texture and final style. I chose to do this on damp hair because it provides a more defined set. Also, the more braids you make, the more definition you will experience. Try bigger braids for a wavier set.

Products used:
Leave in - Darcy's Botanicals Transitioning Creme and aloe vera gel
Sealant(to seal in the moisture from the leave-in)- Castor oil & shea butter mix

Ispiration - Braid Outs on kinky, curly, wavy, and relaxed hair:

Kinky


Curly (Nilla Shake's braidout - featured at http://www.honeybrownsugar.com)



Wavy


Relaxed


Try it this weekend for a rain-proof hairstyle! Humidity is at 100% today. Whatcha got to lose?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Hair Tidbit: Oil Solutions for the Hair

To start the week off, I have listed some of my favorite oils to solve some of the most common hair issues that we have. As we speak, yours truly is stocking up on hemp seed oil and shea butter. I love the two mixed together for a twisting balm! Indulge your hair this week and try one of the treatments below.


Hair Problem: Frizzy, dry,coarse strands

Oil Solution(S): Avocado oil or Shea butter. These oils have very moisturizing and softening properties. They smooth the hair and make it less prone to frizz. Use a little straight from the bottle on wet hair to smooth down flyaways.

Hair Problem: Hair thinning or hair loss

Oil Solution: Coconut oil. Coconut oil is chocked full of vitamins and minerals, It also has antifungal, moisturizing, and softening properties. Try a hot coconut oil treatment with a few drops of an invigorating essential oil (tea tree, rosemary, peppermint).



Hair Problem: Hair that lacks shine and elasticity

Oil Solution: Hempseed oil. This is my favorite oil of all time! It is full of ceramides which are great for restoring elasticity and shine to the hair. It also has a very smooth texture which aids in detangling. Try adding a few tablespoons to your next deep conditioning treatment. You will definitely notice a difference.

Enjoy your day!

Get a chic new wardrobe for practically nada

The Gorgeous Pearl Bailey


Do you need a cute, new, unique wardrobe without breakin' the bank?

Lord knows I do. That's why were going to do this together!

Vintage and thrift shopping is the holy grail of an answer to all of your problems. I love finding one-of-a-kind peices that no one else has for next to nothing. You can also find some buried treasures every once in a while. I'm talking designer peices y'all. Even if you find something that doesn't fit perfectly, you can take it to the tailor to make it fit perfectly. And we all know that the better your clothes fit, the more flattering they are to your body.

Some of my favorite thift, vintage, and second-hand shops :

$=What a steal
$$=Cool beans
$$$=Still cheaper than full price

Goodwill - www.goodwill.com ($)
Buffalo Exchange - www.buffaloexchange.com ($$)
Wasteland - www.wastelandclothing.com ($$)
Thrift Town..MY FAV - www.thrifttown.com ($)
Salvation Army Thrift Store - www.sanfrancisco.satruck.org ($)
Painted Bird - www.paintedbird.org ($$$)

A few of my finds this year:


Leopard scarf, $0.50 from Thrift Town


Enigma Shoe, $4 from Goodwill in San Franciso


Brand spanking new Forever 21 Shoes. Leopard print,cone heel. $8 from Thrift Town.

As you see, I love leopard. Rawwwr.



Vintage/Thrift event happening TODAY:

The Find hosts the Vintage Gift and Antique Fair
Where: Broadway and Water St, Jack London Square Pavillion, Oakland, CA
When: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
How Much: $5

Enjoy your weekend!

Local love: Thursday Night Happenings

Fellow Bay peeps! Wanna get out tonight? I gotcha covered.

Read on!

OAKLAND


Tonight! Oakland Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Oakland

Thursday, December 2, 2010 - 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Cost: FREE
Oakland City Center - 12th St @ Broadway, Oakland, CA


Don't forget to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the Mayor's Toy Drive. Cheer up a child's Christmas :-)


SAN FRANCISCO

<--The Hotel Rex


I love a good mid-week party. Gives you an excuse to pull out the cute shoes and funky hair.lol

Check out the Indie Craft Fair supporting 826 Valencia, a center that helps students improve their reading and writing skills.



The goods include...

*specialty handcrafted cocktails
*live music by Kevin Meenan from epicsauce & Electric Sunset
*raffle benefitting 826 Valencia with prizes like a Globe bike, Rickshaw Tweed *Messenger Bag & more from the crafters
*live screenings from the Disposable Film Festival.
*Cost...um no its free. Score!
*Starts at 6:00 pm in the Hotel Rex - 562 Sutter St. San Francisco, CA


You're welcome :-)

Have a great Thursday!

Links
http://www.826valencia.org/
http://www.oaklandcitycenter.com/happenings.cfm

Pictures of Ukiah Trip (As promised)

I know that I am super late on sharing these, but better late than never!

Ya girl is a little busy these days studying for midterms, but I digress.

Without further ado, I present to you my hike in Montgomery Woods (aka Magical Fairy Forest). This place rejuvinated my soul, y'all. If you ever head up this way in California, visit the natural goodness that is Mongomery Woods.

Enjoy!



Ooooo....




Ahhhh....




I bet you little gnomes live in there.

My Hair Staples: The Current Lineup

Hello! My name is Bitty Boss and I am a recovering hair product junkie.

It took me a while to get out of the temporary insanity of product junkyism. I was filled with pure, heart-racing glee when I would go to the beauty supply or any large department store. After a year of experimentation, throwing tubes of products at the wall, and deep conditioning more than I have ever done in my life, I am finally becoming in sync with my hair and what it needs. It may sound like a lot, but I am a mixtress at heart.

Pre-poo (a treatment done on your hair before you shampoo to prevent dryness): Grapeseed oil and a cheap-o conditioner

Shampoos:

Clarifying - Giovanni 50:50 Balancing Moisturizing. Strips gunk off the hair without sulfates

Moisturizing- I gotta admit, I'm still on the search for a great moisturizing shampoo, but I am currently using diluted Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Creamy Aloe. I add a little tea tree oil. It is great for itchy scalp due to its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. I am considering apple cider vinegar as a light cleanser.

Conditioners :

Most V05 conditioners work for me, as I have fine hair. I use the Split Ends, Volumizing, all of the Moisture Milks for detangling and pre-poo mixes.

Deep Conditioners:

Silk Elements Megasilk Moisturizing treatment - This is a great treatment for rollersetting.

Silicon Mix - This is a fabulous conditioner from the Dominican Republic that I use when I roller set or straighten my hair. Smells great too.

Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment - SUPER moisturized hair.

Joico Moisture Remedy Treatment Balm - I usually dilute this because it is soo thick. It contains nourishing exotic oils and extracts.

Edible stuff I add to my treatments - Various combinations of coconut milk/cream, moisturizng oils, kokum or shea butter, eggs, honey (my love), bananas, sour cream, lemon juice, and much more. Sounds yummy, huh?

Leave ins:

Only one has completely stolen my heart: Darcy's Botanicals Transitioning Creme. I love this stuff! It's chocked full of herbal extracts and it's nice and creamy. Dreamy creamy. When I ever run out, I will use my old stand-by, Trader Joes Nourish Spa Moisturizng Conditioner.

Hair Spa Time:

I do tea hair rinses and ayurvedic treatments/herbs (henna, amla, maka, brahmi powders) once a month or when I have time.

Pics of my hair after using these products:





What are some of your hair staples?

Cyber Monday Gems

Today is probably going to be the least productive workday in America due to the phenomenon known as Cyber Monday. Extreme deals and coupons are the ONLY way to go if you are on a budget like moi. Take the following coupns and run! Use them, abuse them, and most importantly, save money!

Online Coupon Havens:

*Coupon Cabin - www.couponcabin.com
*Target - www.target.com
*Retail Me Not - www.retailmenot.com
*Savings.com - www.savings.com
*Dealio - www.dealio.com




Some of the sites I will be taking a peek at today:

Tarjay.com (lol..Target)
Sephora.com
Mybabyjo.com
Curlmart.com
www.lucky13apparel.com



Happy Shopping! Wait..why wouldn't you be shopping happy? It's shopping.

*I am in no way affiliated with any of the companies above. Just wanting to share the goodness with you.

I'm Baaaaack!

Just got back from a Thanksgiving in Ukiah, California a few minutes ago. I am dog tired and about to drink a beer and call it a day. I NEED to do my hair though. As I am writing this I have a pre-shampoo treatment on my hair mixed with the following ingredients:

1/8 cup of V05 Kiwi Lime conditioner
1/8 cup of Suave Aloe and Waterlily conditioner
3 tbsp of almond oil
1 tbsp of grapeseed oil
1 tsp amla powder

I will be posting pics of my holiday adventures tomorrow. Stay tuned.

How was your Thanksgiving?

Ready, SET, go!

Because who doesn't love big,bouncy, lasting curls?

Roller setting has been around since the invention of the blowdryer in the late 19th century. Voluminous roller sets were common-place for women of all races and economic backgrounds from the 1940's all the way to present-day where the Dominican salons reign supreme as many of them claim to be able to roll and straighten ANY type of hair.


1950's African-American hair salon


1960's roller set style on short hair


A cute little girl getting her hair roller set at a Dominican Salon


My roller set results from this past spring

Do-it-yourself roller setting tips:

*Always roller set clean, deep conditioned hair. You will get more bounce this way!

* Use smaller rollers for a more spiral set and use larger rollers for a more wavy or straight set.

*Keep hair wet by using a spray bottle filled with water. You can also toss in additional goodies like honey, conditioner, oil, or serum for an extra moisturized set.

*Use small amounts of hair per roller to ensure that hair dries in a timely manner. This may mean using more rollers than you would like, but the results are more even this way.

*If you have a really tight curl pattern like mine, use setting lotion to lock in shape for a more smooth set.

*If you hair that takes forever to dry, you can try mesh rollers! The drying time is cut in almost half using these rollers.



Try it! I just might bust out the rollers myself for Thanksgiving...

Have a great holiday!

Monday Hair

Last night I did a tea rinse (see last Monday's post for more info on tea rinses)and co-washed with V05 Split Ends conditioner. Next, I applied a light deep conditioner with Redken All Soft mixed with V05 Strawberries and Cream, wheat germ oil, grapeseed oil, almond oil (Thanks to BRI of Naturally Fierce for this tip!). After rinsing, I moisturized with Darcy's Botanicals Transitioning Creme and sealed with castor oil for my braid out (setting the hair with braids). I styled my braid out into a bun updo because it is freezing outside.

This is a great protective style to protect those strands from the winter wind.

Have a great Monday!

Oooo! I really wanna go to this.

It's time for the SF Hip Hop DanceFest and I am too excited! I have always had a soft spot in my heart for hip hop as I used to be HELLA good back in my high school days...participated in competitions and everythang. The founder, Micaya, will be celebrating her tenth year bringing the best raw and professional hip hop talent to the stage. The festival kicks off tonight in San Francisco. Check out the deets below!

*Where*
Palace of Fine Arts
3301 Lyon Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

*When*
Fri Nov 19 (Starts at 8pm)
Sat Nov 20 (8pm)
Sun Nov 21 (2pm, 7pm)

*Why*
You need new dance move ideas to break out at the club this weekend.

For even more details check out http://www.sfhiphopdancefest.com/

Random: Travie, why are you making me like you?

Travie McCoy.

I never really liked his music much until I heard this song the other day. I did not know that he could sing with his crazy self. I really like the Asian theme and I ALSO admire him for wearin' those sticks in his hair. I will let the video speak for itself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c16KraHZ7GE

There's something about Bettie

Bettie Paige is one of my favorite naughty retro icons. She is the classic story (along with Marilyn Monroe) of a girl next door gone deliciously bad. She even worked in the San Francisco and visited Haiti for a while. She changed pin-up game. Period.

Here are a few of my favorite Bettie things:

Bettie Paige Stores
1529 Haight Street
San Franciso, CA
www.bettiepageclothing.com

I visited the Vegas store last year and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Every piece of clothing I saw was made for my curves. I spotted and tried on a leopard cocktail dress as well as some smokin' leopard pumps. The store also featured 50's style accessories, lingere, and purses. I will be making a MANDATORY trip to this store before year's end.



The Bettie Page Films by Cult Epics

This dvd is not for the faint of heart. It is an absolutely must-have collection of Bettie's treasured naughty films. Rare footage of her fetish, dance and wrestling films stimulate the senses. Perfect for an artsy, romantic evening with the significant other.

Bettie Inspired Makeup

I wore this look for Halloween in San Francisco a few years ago. I was a sexy purple-wigged dominatrix. Loved it!



Happy Thursday!