Friday, March 27, 2015

What Are You Doing? Friday Blog Hop #95

Welcome to this week's blog hop!
This blog hop runs from Friday 12:00 PM through next Wednesday 12:00 PM EST.

Your hosts:

Sara from Content in the Meantime
 

Kassandra from Coffee and Their Kisses

Featured posts of the week:

Posted below is the featured blog post of the week. I love to find unique blogs and post to share about and write little comments on their writings. I try my best to give every blog a chance to be chosen, so check both of the blogs to see if you have been featured!
Sara's featured post of the week
Kassandra's featured post of the week
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I can have the need for chili at any time, and this recipe for Three Alarm Crock Pot Chili from The Lazy Gastronome looks amazing! I never thought you could put avocado as a garnish for chili! And it's a interesting use of brewed coffee. Never thought of doing that! Thanks for sharing, Helen!

Congratulations to the featured blogs!


Don't forget to check out the other blogs from last week! 


What have I been doing?

Wrote some more blog posts! 

And I've been working on a Tunisian hat pattern from Sick 'Lil Monkeys. I'll write something on that later.

Now it's your turn! What have you been doing this week?

  • Please post the link to a specific blog entry, not just the blog. I look at every link posted, and I comment in every entry. If you don't post a specific entry I can't comment!
  • Adding your email address will add you to my blog hop email list. I will only send you an email once a week informing you of the blog hop. If you don't want to be emailed, just let me know.
  • If your blog is featured on this blog hop, I will be using the picture you posted on the linky.
  • All blog posts will also be pinned on my What Are You Doing? Pinterest board, so others can see the awesome things you are doing!
  • Family friendly posts, please!
  • *NEW* I also added a LIKE feature to the list, so make sure you check out the other blogs and like your favorite! Help me choose the featured blogs for the week! You only get one choice for a favorite though, but if you have other favorites, let me know in the comments!
Grab a Button!
Content in the Meantime

Follow Content in the Meantime for future blog hops!


     


Follow Coffee and Their Kisses!

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~Sara



I shared this blog post on:

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Going Natural - Sulfate-free, Baking soda and Apple Cider Vinegar

I've been on the hunt for a better hair regimen for a few years now. I wrote about my new hair adventure almost 2 years ago.


The Final Hair Change - For Now

I stopped making changes to my hair after that experience. I could never get the texture back that I was used to. I usually let my hair air dry, but it would always have this dry texture. 

I am back to my natural dark hair color now, grey hairs and all. It took a year and a half to grow out the dried colored hair. My hair was getting better, but I couldn't find the right hair products.

I finally cut most of the colored hair off, and now it's time for a change with my hair products. 

I started hearing about sulfate free shampoos and conditioners. After my last coloring I bought Redkin Color Extender Shampoo and Conditioner. I liked the way my hair was looking, but it was expensive. I started going back to the Garnier Fructis products, especially liking the "Damage Eraser Reconstruct Butter". Before long, it was making my hair dry and waxy.

I started going back to sulfate free products. I did some more researching online, and I found the less expensive L'Oreal Sulfate Free products.   

I first went with the EverSleek Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner. I really liked this product, although I would use a lot more to get the clean feeling I wanted.
I still felt bad about using shampoo, so I tried the EverCreme Clensing Conditioner. I read some negative reviews on it when I started the search. I decided to try it, but I was wrong. It smells like wax, and I did not like the way it worked on my hair. It still made it feel dry!
All that drama led me back to DIY. I talked to some friends that told me how baking soda and apple cider vinegar does a pretty good job. I actually tried apple cider vinegar the first time I colored my hair, but the smell was overpowering.

I kept on searching for some measurements to use for the baking soda wash and apple cider vinegar rinse, and I stopped on this post from Mind Body Green. One part baking soda to 3 parts water, and one part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water. I ended up using 1 3/4 cup of water with 4 tsp of baking soda, and 1 cup (8oz) water with 2oz of vinegar. That was it. 

I was so surprised how the baking soda/water mix actually cleaned my hair! I sprayed half of the small spray bottle of liquid and massaged my scalp. I went to the Ren Fest over the weekend, and I knew there would be some visible dirt/dust residue. When I squeezed some of the water out, I saw the dirt run off. When I rinsed with warm water, my hair felt cleaner!

Now for the apple cider vinegar rinse. Adding it to water cut the strong smell dramatically. I poured it on and rinsed with cold water.  I added some coconut oil to the ends and went to bed. 

This is my hair now. I straightened my bangs because they looked crazy (I'm still learning how to style them). But I only swiped the straighter on them for a few seconds. I'm loving that my hair feels clean, and it doesn't look too dried out. I didn't even put any mousse in it. I'll have to see how long my hair will last until I have to wash again. I heard the oil buildup might increase.

I'm going to continue using the baking soda wash and apple cider vinegar rinse. If I ever felt like using a shampoo/conditioner, I would continue using the L'Oreal EverSleek line. 

Have you tried the no 'poo method? How's it working out for you?



I have not been paid or compensated for any of the products mentioned in this blog post. I am just sharing my experiences.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Pixie Blossom Hair Attire - Pattern Review


I have been trying to test less to make time to work on my own projects. But when I started seeing posts of lovely flower hair pieces from Sick 'Lil Monkeys on Facebook, I decided to join in.


I had the chance to test the twist holders.The small version is the blue pansy, and the rose is the large version. 
It was my first time using the Sizzle line from Red Heart. At first I was thinking of using a different yarn I had, but I wanted to see how different Sizzle was. This was also my first time using my B hook. 
The thread did slip around at first. But after getting the first few stitches in, the flower started coming together. The Sizzle thread had such a nice, clean look to it. The nylon texture was really smooth too, compared to other rough nylon yarns I have. The thread was strong, and it gave the flower a shimmery effect. 

The e-book has 6 flower patterns to choose from. I'm glad I got the chance to try out 2 different types.

 

There are so many varieties of hair accessories you can make with Sick 'Lil Monkeys pattern. You can purchase the full e-book on her Ravelry page. 

Click HERE to buy the full eBook for $2.00


Believe me, once you try one of the patterns, you will be jumping to try the rest of her ebook. To prove this, Sick 'Lil Monkeys is sharing two free patterns. You can find the pattern for the Braided Ivy and Headband on the Sick 'Lil Monkeys blog. This beautiful design made me want to try it out!


She is also sharing the Hair Comb and Rose Pattern on the Cre8tion Crochet website. Look how beautiful this hair comb looks! Imagine how many other flower combinations you can add to this design!
Pixie Blossoms Hair Comb free hair accessory pattern by Sick Lil' Monkeys exclusively for Cre8tion Crochet

I shared this blog post on: Stitch It Up Link Party #4, Best of the Blogosphere #11

What Are You Doing? Friday Blog Hop #94

Welcome to this week's blog hop!
This blog hop runs from Friday 12:00 PM through next Wednesday 12:00 PM EST.

Your hosts:

Sara from Content in the Meantime
 

Kassandra from Coffee and Their Kisses

Featured posts of the week:

Posted below is the featured blog post of the week. I love to find unique blogs and post to share about and write little comments on their writings. I try my best to give every blog a chance to be chosen, so check both of the blogs to see if you have been featured!
Sara's featured post of the week
Kassandra's featured post of the week

We didn't have any link-ups last week, so I chose from the week before.

These denim storage baskets and flowers shared from Purple Hues and Me look terrific! I have a few pairs of jeans to make some for me. And I love the flowers. She has a great tutorial for both. Thanks for sharing, Gail!

Congratulations to the featured blogs!


Don't forget to check out the other blogs from last week! 


What have I been doing?

I wrote two more posts this week! Go me!
and 

I also tested the Pixie Blossoms Hair Attire Pattern for Sick 'Lil Monkeys. It was just released this morning, and I will be writing a post on it here's my post: Pixie Blossoms Hair Attire - Pattern Review
P.S. I also have to write other posts for all the other Ravelry projects I've completed.

Now it's your turn! What have you been doing this week?

  • Please post the link to a specific blog entry, not just the blog. I look at every link posted, and I comment in every entry. If you don't post a specific entry I can't comment!
  • Adding your email address will add you to my blog hop email list. I will only send you an email once a week informing you of the blog hop. If you don't want to be emailed, just let me know.
  • If your blog is featured on this blog hop, I will be using the picture you posted on the linky.
  • All blog posts will also be pinned on my What Are You Doing? Pinterest board, so others can see the awesome things you are doing!
  • Family friendly posts, please!
  • *NEW* I also added a LIKE feature to the list, so make sure you check out the other blogs and like your favorite! Help me choose the featured blogs for the week! You only get one choice for a favorite though, but if you have other favorites, let me know in the comments!
Grab a Button!
Content in the Meantime

Follow Content in the Meantime for future blog hops!


     


Follow Coffee and Their Kisses!

follow followfollowfollowfollowcheckfollowfollow







~Sara



I shared this blog post on:
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