Product Review: Let's Jam Custard Cream Gel

While watching one of my favorite vloggers the other day, mahogany curls, she spoke about a new product that was on the market.

SN: Did your walmart start carrying more natural hair products. The store near me does and I'm excited. I usually have to travel 2 or 3 cities over to find some of my goodies.

Anyway, I realized that Walmart had a very few items left in stock. I had to grab it. I mean it was only 3.49. I have used it 3 times, so far. I have to say that it will be in my regular rotation. I have tried it without leaving condish in my hair. Awesome hair. I even used it leaving all the condish in my hair. Awesome hair. The third application, I added a little KCC to it. Awesome hold and hair. That's right it plays nice with the fickle KCC.

The consistency is like most moisturizers. I would say it looks like most pudding like products. Too me, it is a not thick enough to be a custard. It has the same typical Let's Jam fragrance. It does not offer a super hold on your hair but you will notice great holding power. If you decide to add gel on top, it will give that extra hold you are looking for without that crunch.

My hair is soft. It looks and feels very moisturized.

Its not all natural. Though silicons (that I can tell), mineral oil, nor petroleum.

Go check it out and tell me what you think!

"Flexible hold - 3X conditioning** (**vs. Untreated hair) - 24-Hour humidity protection - No mineral oil, no petrolatum, no alcohol - From AMERICA'S #1 conditioing gel brand* (*based on iri unit sales data for ethnic conditioning gels sold in food, drug And major discount retailers (excluding wal-mart), calendar year 2010."

A Natural Hair Swimming Protection Tip

I dont know about you but when the weather starts to get warm, the first thing I want to do is get in a pool and swim. I LOVE it. My hair is too big for a swim cap. I dont think that they are all that cute anyway. So I tend to swim without that protection. 

But here's a tip that I have for you that will help your strands while you are swimming in chlorinated pools.

Grab a spray bottle and your favorite oil (maybe even one with silicone to coat the hair). Then spray your hair well before getting the pool. I use olive or grape seed oil. Once you get home, I would also recommend to wash/condition to put those naturals oils back your hair. I didn't say shampoo wash because the chlorine may have strip it enough.

Now how much oil needed in hair really depends on how long you are swimming. But, Chile, please do not have so much that you are leaving a trail in the pool. That aint hot!!! :)

Hope that helped someone.

D.

I forgot to mention, Protective styling while you are swimming!!!!

G+ Moisturizing Spray Review

As I mentioned previously, I am a member of the CurlKit Monthy Sampler. The product that I will be review was included in my April's Box

What is it?

It is a moisturizer that has essential oils and veggie glycerin. 

What is the purpose?

According to the website, "Sometimes water just isn’t enough for your hair. G+ Moisturizing Spray is essential, like Gatorade for your hair."

Workout usage:

• Use it before an outdoor workout to prevent your hair drying out in the sun
• Use it after your workout to add additional moisture
• If biking, spray your hair with G+ Moisturizing Spray and braid or twist it down so it will fit under your helmet

It offers moisture with added oils is the basis of this product. 

Does it work?

Yes, it does. It is very moisturizing .

Does it have a fragrance?

Yes, to me, it smells like baby powder.

What's in it?

According to the business website, Purified water, Vegetable Glycerin and a Mixture of Essential Oils.  

Can I use it on chemically processed hair?

I think you can. A light mist before wrapping your hair up at night will be great. 

Where can I find it? and for how much?

Check out Sporty Afros Store to purchase this product for $8 for 8oz.

Would you purchase again or recommend? 

I believe that this product is amazing but I do not think I will purchase  because I make a mixture already on my own. 

If there are people that just dont have the time or the patience to make mixtures as such I would  purchase this product, I would highly recommend it. It is a GREAT product.

Its wk 17 right? of our financial challenge

That means we need to grab out 17 bucks and put it away. That will bring out saving total to.....$153 

Why am I doing this challenge? Since I spend money on sooo much that I dont really need. Why not incorporate a simple savings plan that I can see grow. 

In 52 weeks you can save $1378 by saving money each week. All you need to do is save the same amount as the week you are on.


Week 1= $1
Week 2=$2 
So on and so forth. 


Feel free to add more to your savings but please to the minimum. At the end of this challenge do what you like with the money; vacation, IRA, Saving, down payment of a car or home project. 

Update on my experience with the CG Method.

 The pictures included is of my hair 70% dry.

Well, I think about a month probably more has passed that I have implemented the CG method to my routine. As of today, I LOVE my hair. I LOVE what this method is doing to my hair. I LOVE the compliments that I get from people when they see my hair. Even when I wasnt using CG, I got questions or compliments. This honestly made going natural easier. Now the questions are, what are my products, how to I get such bouncy Q's, and all the time I get asked for advise. Makes a girl feel good.

The best part about this method. MAINTENANCE FREE. I honestly just wash and go!! Like yesterday after my workout, I hopped in the shower, co-washed, and was out the door to get the kids. Simple!!! This is WHAT I LOVE!!

What I dont like about this method? My hair's favorite products are not available locally and shipping takes so long. Well my conditioner, at least. With more co-washing, I use more conditioner. Make be I should look into making that myself. At least I know that it is ALL natural like I prefer it with all the ingredients I LOVE!! I went back to my castile soap for shampoo and I am fine with that. I actually use it as a clarifier.

Using this method I do get a lot of shrinkage. I dont mind though. I like my shrunken length. Easy maintenance. I am all about easy. When my hair is stretched I have about a little more than shoulder length but when I am sporting it curly, its about ear length.

When I first started this journey, I needed gel. I had a lot of frizz. I believe it was because I wasnt leaving in enough conditioner. Now, I use gel if I want hold for a long period of time. I sleep wild so even with a bonnet or whatever I need some added protection.

SN: When I do use gel, I will spritz with water the next morning. Then I shake and go. If I am wearing gel, I will wear my hair like this for at least 4 days then wash. If no gel, I am washing the next morning because the head is looking rough from my sleeping habits. 

One thing that I havent been doing that is suggested was pre-pooing. I honestly forget about it. I havent really deep conditioned neither. Two things that I will try to incorporate in the coming days and weeks. I will share if I see a difference. I am still trimming my hair. I believe this is the key.

Sooooo, so far so good.

Next coming days I will be experimenting with hair and body recipes and I will share. I really wanted to try hair exfoliating with brown sugar and grape seed oil. I will let you know.

Solange's Essentials List

So many absolutely adore Solange and loved her essential list. Just in case you missed it, here you go. Enjoy!

My Top: A silk white blouse.
It is for sure my most frequent purchase.
I have them in several different cuts and wear them with everything.
You know the famous scene in Forest Gump, where he names all of the different ways Bubba Gump can prepare shrimp?

I feel the same ways about all the different styles I can name of white silk blouse’s.
A sleeveless, a short sleeved, a quarter sleeved, a long sleeved, a spaghetti strap, a silk chiffon, a silk satin, oh the list can go on. I think they are so easy, simple, and comfortable.

My favorite is a sleeveless v-neck by Vince.

My Bottom: A printed pant.

I missed out on pants for way too many years of my life. I was an avid skirt wearer from ages 13-22.
As a young girl, I made the common mistake of defining classic girly-ness and sexiness by showing my legs.
Since I found the right pants 3 years ago, it’s been hard to keep me out of them.

Opening Ceremony, DFV and Marni all make great ones in wonderful prints.


My Jeans: It is a rare occurrence that I wear jeans…but if I do denim, oversized vintage Levis.

My Evening: A simple silhouette dress in an amazing print or striking bright color.
Yellow and fuchsia tones are my favorite to wear.
I also love a nice clean white.
I’m extremely experimental with prints and colors, which I think draw me to a more minimalist design in terms of silhouettes and proportions.

My Intimates: Easy and comfortable American Apparel Tri-Blend Halter Romper in Gray.

My Coat: Anything in leopard. Somehow it just always seems to work with everything in my closet.
This past Fall/Winter I lived in my Malene Birger one.

My Bag: I have to admit, I’m not a big bag girl at all.

Maybe its because I don’t carry a lot of stuff, so the idea of buying this source to hold just my phone, keys, and wallet just doesn’t grab me. It could also be that every time I see a bag I like, I see a shoe I like…and the shoe purchase wins over the bag one in my budget. I do love a really funky clutch though, and often wear them during the day.

My Shoes: There’s not really any consistent measure of what I love in a shoe.

I really, truly, simply, just love shoes in general. A beautiful designed shoe instantly sends my endorphins into overload. The older my son gets, and his daily activities become a part of my life…the more I crave comfort. These days it’s essential to have a sensible heel. It would be absolutely a disservice to name one designer, as my closet really houses everything from Alaïa to Nine West.

My Accessories: Rings! Lia Sophia and Lorraine Schwartz are my faves. I love to stack them and pile as many of them as I possibly can. I also live by my Aldo packs of simple studs. I go through about a pack every two months.

My Watch: I have never owned one.

My Glasses: I love Illsteva sunglasses. Super great shapes that frame my honker quite nicely:)

My Scent: Good ole deodorant and my hair butters and oils…See next question.

My Hair: Carols Daughter Monoi oil shampoo and conditioner. I also use raw shea butter every day and pure Argon oil when its really dry (so pure, it makes me smell like a basket of nuts). Once a week I set up a time where I wash and deep condition and very carefully comb out my hair, always starting with the ends first. Yesterday was that day, and so I literally popped in a dvd (My Week With Marilyn to be exact)…sectioned off my hair with clips, and combed. I usually sit under a heat cap to penetrate the conditioner and when it’s all clean and rinsed, I twist it with two strands of hair into twists.
When I take them out, I shower again …not getting the hair wet, but letting the steam frizz my hair up a bit more. Occasionally when I am tired of this lengthy regimen , I get braids or wear extensions in the same texture as my own hair to give myself a break.

My Lip: Bright orange, orange red, or hot pink lipstick. It’s one of the few things that feels very essential to my beauty style.  

My Skin: Epicuren skin products and Neutrogina daily moisturizer with SPF 30.

My Inspiration: My daily walks of life. I see inspiration in all alleys of my journey. The potato man my son made two nights ago, the super posh women I met in Moscow the other night, the street characters on Hollywood Blvd…. When it comes to what inspires me, God has created such a beautiful playground to explore and I want to see and breath every corner I can…

I'm Push Pop Cake Inspired.

I was over at Love From the Oven Blog and seen these two things and got some ideas. I have seen this project before but forgot all about it. Since I have the babycake maker and found where I can get some reasonable priced push pop containers, I will be making these real soon. Stay tuned. I will have pictures.

Slimkicker a level-up game and point-based weight and health maintenance program review

About a year ago, Christine over at Slimkicker gave me a heads up about a website her team was working on and wanted me to be on the look out. If its about my weight, healthy, and if it's a healthy situation, I would love to try or check out the product or service. 

Well, a few weeks ago, I received another email from Christine telling me that the website was up and running. Of course I went over to check it out. 

First the website's version of their FREE service. That's right, a FREE service!

About SlimKicker

Turn your weight loss and fitness goals into a level-up game

SlimKicker was formed to solve a huge problem when it comes to losing weight, or living healthier: sustaining motivation. Many people makes resolutions to stop eating junk, or start going to the gym every New Year. But once March or April hits, we forget about our goals, and return back to our old ways.

That's why we created SlimKicker, a level-up game and point-based program. You start by tracking your diet, where whole foods are worth more points than processed foods. It's similar to Weight Watchers, but in reverse.

But diet, and fitness are half of the battle. Most people regain weight because they never learn long-term habits. We solve this by taking habits as quitting soda, and turning them into 7-30 day challenges. Like a regular game, the challenges start out easy, and gradually become harder, with more points. We encourage you to check-in daily with others doing the same challenge for accountability and social support.

Now my Take. 

The Good! 

            

            This website has a  Facebook/twitter type vibe. I really like that. Once you create a free account, you are able to log your food, exercise and weight. You can blog, join groups, challenges, and add friends.

 All food, exercise, and challenges that you log are worth points. Like Weight Watchers, They have a point system. The difference is that you get points rather than lose points, in a sense. Not to take anything away from W.W. I was a member and I loved it. You can also use this program a long side any plan that you are currently working on. 

All the points you earn goes toward your level completion. At the beginning of each level, you set a reward you want to earn at completion of each level.  Each level has a set amount of points. I cannot remember how many points are needed each level. Right not I have 2386. I am on the second level. I am 95% complete of reaching my goal.  

In a sense, you are playing a weight loss game. If you have a buddy, you can make it into a contest or challenge. I am working toward earning points for a spa pedicure. YIPEE!!! Set any goal you want. This is just a want to make it fun and a little competitive. Being a competitive person, I like winning my points.

 There are also challenges you can participate in to earn, I believe, 500 points once the challenge is over. I completed 3 challenges: move slow, meditate, and throw your sneakers on and workout.

I forgot to mention that when you log your food, there is a nutrition chart that tracks your stats. You have a baseline of how much sugar, protein, and etc, you need to eat and have eaten thus far.  I realized that I have a problem with sugar. I eat food that is high in sugar and didn't even realize it. My favorite instant oatmeal is like WOW!!! The better you eat more more points you get. Even if you eat something that's not so good, you will earn at least 1 point for logging it.  I believe that once I earned like 30 points for eating a salad. But got only 1 point for eating that Easter peanut butter chocolate egg.

The Bad

I only have one point five negative things that I have to say about this site. They don't offer an Android App, yet. They do have it for iPhone, though. I am not always near a computer. Actually rarely in front of a computer, so remembering to log in has been a challenge. I can still get on with my phone but some of the website is jumbled and hard to navigate. 

Since, the website recently launched in March, logging foods is a little annoying because there is a lot of stuff that is not in there yet. You can add it but if you are in a hurry, that can be a pain. Also adding it from my phone is a pain.

Wish List for the website.

Some of the things that I wish the site had was a UPC scanner when the android program comes out. I would LOVE that.

 If you head over and join, come find me...momwifeme 

I hope you enjoy the site. Congratulations to the Slimkicker team on a great launch!!! 

I may have forgotten a few things to add about the website but please forgive me. That may be an awesome opportunity for you to check  it out for yourself. Talk to you later. 

Remember #teamgethealth

Dana

Twitter: Disfordana

Facebook: momwifeme

Dont forget to check out Slimkicker on Facebook and Twitter and tell them momwifeme sent you.

Make your Garden beautiful with the help of Wayfair.

 

Awaken your sanctuary with some florals, new patio sets, and garden tools. Head over to Wayfair to take advantage of those GREAT discounts. 

Garden – Two Green Thumbs Up
• Make it work. Garden tools to help your garden grow. Garden - Savings on Tools to Make Your Garden Grow
• Make it pretty. 20% off garden décor. Garden - 20% off Garden Décor

Patio – Bring the Indoors Out

• Up to 35% off patio sets. Up to 35% off Patio Sets

Florals – Bloom your Home to Life
• Floral-patterned accents splash life into every room. Florals Its Alive

Keep the flies away from my drink...

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Cupcakes Take The Cake, and found this idea. 


Isnt this cool! I love it.

A Glass, cupcake liner, and straw. 

This will be awesome for summer cookouts. 

CHARMERS•*´¨`♥ what an awesome picture. 

So what is Good Friday anyway???

Today is the day that Christians show respect for the crucifixion  of Jesus Christ. We show respect of all his suffering and death on the cross. Many Christians show their respect through some sort of fasting (I participate in a partial fast I exclude meats from my diet), repenting, and meditation. 

Top 10 spring 2012 shoe trends

Below you will find some of the trends that will be Hot this year; Silver, Hightops, Wedges, Toe Caps, Cowboy boots, Mary Janes, Mules, Stripes, and Perspex. 

 

One of my favorites from the Top 10 spring 2012 shoe trends.

Aren't these Burberry's GORG!!! LOVE!!!!

Recreating a Halle Berry look for less

Recreating a Halle Berry look for less by momwifemedaily featuring hobo handbags

Do you need to CLEP

Graduating with a Bachelors in Business and wanting to go to grad school in counseling, has been a bit of a pain. Especially since I started off as a psychology major. I think I majored in business because that is where my resume is the strongest. 

Well anyway...In order for me to go to a few schools that I am looking at, I needed  3 more psychology credits. I decided that I would CLEP the class that I need for psychology (Human Growth and development) since it was very similar to my life span and development class I have already taken. I thought that since I already know most of the concepts and theories that this was going to be a breeze.   At first, I just went to B&N and got a CLEP book I needed for a quick review. Then I realized that I didn't remember as much as I thought I did. Then I started to push off this test. Finally, I decided that I needed to Google some tips on how to ace my CLEP. I found a few and I wanted to share them with you.

First, Go buy the REA CLEP book on the subject needed and then go the instantcert.com. You will spend a little money but it really helped. The book helped with information recall. It also gives test taking tips and 3 practice test that are formatted similar to the actual test. The Instant Cert website assist with the concepts learned by offering flashcards and forums. Based on what I needed and what I knew, it took me 2 weeks to have all the information needed to take the test....after months of procrastination.

I am still procrastinating to take the GRE but I will share any tips that I may have when that time comes. If you have any tips, please please share. I have to take it before the end of summer. So I better get to work, huh?

Picture used from UniversityTimes.com

Week 13 of our Financial Challenge.

Time to put your $13 dollars away. We should have a total of $91.

  

 In 52 weeks you can save $1378 by saving money each week. All you need to do is save the same amount as the week you are on.


Week 1= $1
Week 2=$2 
So on and so forth. 


Feel free to add more to your savings but please to the minimum. At the end of this challenge do what you like with the money; vacation, IRA, Saving, down payment of a car or home project. 

So far on the Curly Girl method.

I believe that I have been using the CG method about 2 or 3 weeks so far. I wanted to give you my take on this process, so far. 


1. The first thing that I have noticed is that I use a good bit of conditioner. I read that the longer I am on this method the less conditioner I will need. 


2. More Frizz. Im not too sure why but I do have a  more frizz. I control that frizz with a little gel-Kinky Curly Custard. I put the gel in the freezer while I am in the shower. Works GREAT cold. 


3. Less shedding. I have so much less shedding. I still shed. Remember that is normal but I can say that I shed less. I exclusively finger detangle. Works better for me. 


4. Though I do have more frizz (will be trying new conditioner), my curls are more tight. I am looking more like a poodle. My hair is a combination of  s-shaped and corkscrew curl. It may start as a corkscrew but ends as a s-shaped curl. Then I have some places where it is corkscrew mainly in the back area.  My hair seems to be getting a tighter curl, like it is more light weight. The pictures that I included is of wet hair with my conditioner (Shea Moisture, the one in the black bottle and KCC). 




I recently trimmed my ends and my hair seems to like this method even more now. I believe that regular trims are a must. Trimming like 2 to 3 months. I trim about 1 to 3 inches. 


 My hair so sooooo soft. This may be the cause of the frizz, I cant stop touching my hair. I have been getting SO many compliments on my hair, also. 


I absolutely love the tighter curl and the more shrinkage doesn't bother me at all. Throughout the week it does loosen but my hair is holding the wash and go longer with the tighter and more shrunken curl. My hair is actually shoulder blade length when stretched. We all know how that goes. LOL!!! Sorry that you cant really see the definition in the curl. 

I think I will keep up with this method. I will also start exploring some of the recipes that the book offers. I will share some of the recipes and my hair results soon. I just have to find a health food store near me that offers itmes that I need. I really want to stop online shopping for hair products.