Thick hair Straightening routine

I do not have a daily hair routine. Since I have thick hair I wash my hair every 4-5 days max. I do not have a hair curl type per say…I just say it has a wave to it.

Once I straighten my hair I don’t do much after but use a hair clip or use a tie for a ponytail. I do no use any gel or hairspray.

Over the years I have mastered this routine to better suit me. Back when I was in High School I had long long hair, almost reaching my thighs. When I wanted my hair to be straight it was a big deal. First I would wash my hair and let it air dry. Then with the help of my mom we would enter the laundry room and I would lay my head on the ironing board and once she placed a towel on top of my hair she would iron my hair straight with an the iron we used on our clothes.

This at times got tiring she I was bent over the ironing board for a bit. One time my sister, Steph helped me and right when she started there was a release of steam from the iron which caused a blister on my head of how hot it was. This was my only issue with using an actual iron on my hair. I  loved having my hair straight but the process was one I didn’t mind changing.

As I became older I  was more verse on the beauty side and the knowledge of a flat iron was an answer to my prayers.

My thick hair straighten routine is:

• First I start off washing my hair with a Keratin infused shampoo and conditioner. I’m not picky when it comes to brands; as long as it has “Keratin” stated on the front I use it. Almost monthly I use a deep conditioner as well to help with all the heat damage that may arise. Today I used the Hask Keratin Shampoo & Conditioner.
• After I apply a leave-in conditioner and let my hair air dry. Currently I have usedthe Suave leave-in conditioner. It smells great and doesn’t leave my hair greasy.
• Once my hair has air dried I start with the flat iron. The flat irons that I have used range from the cheap quality made to a Chi. The results for me are the same I believe but others like my sister Tatiana feel different about this. Currently I am using a Remington Hair Straightener for Wet/Dry hair. It didn’t cost me much but the results I love so I will stay with it until its last day.
• Once I have flat ironed my hair I then apply a Keratin Replenisher I purchased from Visible Changes. I use a small amount, no more that two pumps.

 

This flat ironing process takes me about 1 hour max since I have thick hair. The reason why I use keratin infused products is because frizzy as well. I have seen a wonderful improvement since using keratin products. My hair is smooth and more manageable.

 

 

 

Obsession

Obsession:
1 : a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling
broadly : compelling motivation
an obsession with profits
has an obsession with gambling
2 : something that causes an obsession
Losing weight can be an obsession that results in the avoidance of certain foods.

Synonyms: fetish, fixation, idée fixe, mania, preoccupation, prepossession

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Obsession?!? What is my “obsession”?

Well it sure will depend on what specifically you are referring to. So let me be very very honest here.

I have an obsession with 3 things:

• binge watching:

I love to binge watch shows…Why you may ask?!? Well to be specific I want to know what happens quicker than waiting for the next episode to come on which typically is one week or worst wait until the season X comes on after the summer. I very much dislike waiting! Very very very much! I prefer to use Netflix, Hulu or the app for that show.

The genre of show that I watch varies. I go by recommendations given by my family, friends and co-workers. For example I am currently watching Greenleaf on Netflix since I finished watching Roswell on Hulu.

• reading books:

My obsession with books started when I needed to pass the time in order for me not to be bored out of my face. Younger I wasn’t an avid reader as I am now. I hated to read when I was assigned to do that from my teachers. As a adult I can’t wait to find out what will happen which creates the binge reading.

I have used different platforms to read since I love love love romance novels. The platforms range from iBooks, Kindle, Nook and other free sites. I have found even some sites that help new writers that are trying to get their books published. These sites allow the writer to post them in order to get known.

It is very true what people say about reading a book compared to watching the movie. I recommend 1,000 times over to read the book first then if you want watch the movie. Watching the movie might mess up your concept or idea of the character that author tried to portray to you the reader.

• smelling good:

You might be thinking how can someone be obsessed with smells. Let me clarify it a bit. I love to smell fresh & clean. I hate with a passion girly flowery smells. They actually give me migraines so my hate is a valid one. I do love when the hubster puts on his cologne after showering. Even in the am when he leaves for work.Something about that sandalwood musk, white agarwood and others I can’t get enough. My car is heaven after I have placed a new car fresher “Black Ice” in and I open up my car after is has been sitting, parked in the sun. Especially in Texas where you can cook an egg on the sidewalk on a normal summer day.

I was introduced to a new smell from Bath & Body works while over a good friends house. Later that week I was at Bath & Body Works purchasing the shower gel, body lotion and mist. Since the purchase I have showered with the gel, used the lotion after my shower and sprayed myself with the mist prior to leaving my house.

 

 

I try to limit my show watching or reading to lunchtime or my wind-down after I get home from work. If I start reading or watching an episode you can say I get carried away and I need to prioritize. Which is hard at times when I would prefer to wind-down and relax but mom/wife duties call.

So to some it up, I prefer to binge watch/read to know how the story ends on my terms and smelling nice, clean and fresh.

These are my obsession that make me unique…now I ask you: “What is your obsession?”

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My current morning routine

When asked the question “what is your morning routine?” I don’t have to think about it since its not much and I can probably do it with my eyes closed.

I normally wake up no later than 7:15am to leave my house and head to work by 8am if its a weekday. This changes when I have washed my hair the day before, which I then have to style my hair (details in another future post).

The…just woke up look

Once I am awake, I place my Iwatch to charge and head over to wake my daughter up so she can get ready. Then I enter my in-suite restroom and start my routine. Since I have braces I start off with my mouth care followed by my facial care. Once that is done I get dressed and comb my hair.

And that my wonderful readers is it. I really don’t have an elaborate routine just repetition. I would love to share my facial routine as I have oily skin mixed with dry skin.

My current morning facial routine is the following:

• Chanel cleansing milk
• Chanel toner
• Chanel gel creme

I was introduced to this facial routine when I had my makeup done at the Willowbrook Mall for an event this past November. It was done by a wonderful women at the Chanel area.

She started with the cleansing milk, then used the toner with a cotton ball and lastly she applied the gel creme.

Chanel cleansing milk, toner and gel creme

Once these were applied to my skin it felt cleaner and fresh. She then applied my makeup. I really don’t use loads of make-up daily just eye shadow and lip gloss if that; but she didn’t over do it. I have had my makeup done previously for other events but for this recent event my makeup didn’t feel cakey nor too much using this regimen prior to the application.

After the event I removed my makeup and my skin feel good. A bonus that was unexpected was I didn’t break out either. To top it off I was complemented on how I looked that night which made me feel great.

This regimen or routine is quick and easy. I will stick to it until I finish the product and/or a new or different product comes up.

Finished product…lol

What is your current morning routine obsession!

 

This post portrays my opinion and my own thoughts about a product that I fell in love through the help of a women at a mall department store cosmetic station.

My favorite childhood memory

Growing up in my house was a little crazy. I am the oldest of 4; all girls.

I was born in Luthern Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. I grew up on 52nd St located in the Sunset Park area.

I was born in December and by November of the following year my sister Stephanie was born. Making me 11 months and 1 day older then her. After Steph, Cynthia was born about two years later. My mother took a break then had my youngest sister Tatiana, 6 years later.

Growing up in our house was an experience in itself. When Tatiana was born Steph, Cyn and I were already enrolled in school. Since I can remember my mother installed in us to be independent and capable to conquer our goals and dreams.

My mother would remind us that we can do what we determine ourselves to do since she came from a failed marriage that left her a divorced single mother of three with the youngest being 6 months.

When my mother meet my step-father that I call Dad, that experience changed us forever. This gentleman accepted my mother with three girls that were not his. He showed us love when at times we would act up. He would take care of our mother and support her whenever we needed anything. Together my parents would make sure we had our school supplies, clothing and shoes ready in time before school started.

Together as a family we would experience going to theme parks together with family friends that had kids around our age. Together as a family we traveled to Guatemala to meet my fathers family that would meet us for the first time after the birth of Tatiana.

Together as a family we would go to church rain, snow or shine. Together as a family we experienced the adventures this world brought us. Together as a family we relocated from Brooklyn to Staten Island.

From left to right: my father, Steph, Tatiana, me, Cyn and my mom

My favorite childhood memory was being able to have the experience of doing things together as a family. This taught us, my sisters and I that family is everything.

I remember one time when we all moved down to Texas we decided to travel to New Jersey to visit our aunt, my mothers sister. We rented a 15 passenger van loaded up and went on a road-trip during our Thanksgiving break. The experience was wonderful. We had my parents (2), my husband and I(2), my son JohnPaul, Steph and her husband (2), her daughter Gianna, Cyn, and Tatiana. To top it off Steph and I were pregnant with our 2 child as well. We have fun playing music, games, singing and of course stopping at Dunkin’ Donuts…my fathers favorite.

These memories have made me the wife and mother I am today to Pablo, JohnPaul and Gabi. It showed me to put them first.

What are is your favorite childhood memory? Is it a restaurant? Is it spending time with the cousins? Is it youth camp? Is it the birth of a younger sibling?

 

 

Travel Bucket List

Lets talk travel!

Who doesn’t like to travel?!? This girl right here loves to travel. It can be a road trip to the next town over or a plane ride to anywhere. When talking travel count me in.

To travel is something that I have wanted to do since I was in High School. Just think I traveled alone once I graduated High School…it was an all expense paid trip to Puerto Rico given to me by my parents.

Just the thought of travel I get all giddy inside. Which makes me want to start to pack even if the trip is months away. I like to be prepared and ready for that day way way way in advance…lol – this will have to be another post

This here is my travel bucket list…

1. Paris, the city of love. See the Eiffel tower along with The Louvre, Notre-Dame and The Marais. That is just to name a few.
2. Italy. When I think of Italy I see a gondola ride with the hubster and our attempt to straighten the Tower of Pisa. Just the thought of having fresh pasta and pizza there gets me. Might even take up a culinary class.
3. Africa, lets be a little more specific…Tanzania! To climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa. Lets not mention the go on a safaris, visit the local markets and go to the Sahara.
4. India, to see the Taj Mahal. Just one of the wonders of the world. Go on a multi-day tour or even stay overnight in the desert.
5. China…just to name a couple, Great Wall of China, Palaces, Temples, gardens and rivers. The architecture is what draws me here.
6. Australia. Visit the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Also swim in the Great Barrier Reef…might want to swim with Sharks if I can. Probably take up surfing as well.
7. Peru. Visit the ‘lost city of the Incas’ trek Machu Picchu, go to the Galapagos Islands and see The Amazon.
8. Japan, climb Mount Fiji, the highest mountain in Japan. Also attempt to cross Shibuya Crossing as well as visit museums and climb the Tokyo Skytree.
9. England…hmm if only taken a pic in front of Buckingham Palace would land me a prince?!? Visit Big Ben, Stonehenge, Tower of London and the River of Thames just to mention a few.
10. Lastly go on US road trip starting in my current state. Visit each state capital with its known tourist areas.

These are just some of the places I would need to visit to cross them off my travel bucket list. What is on your travel bucket list??

Over the last years I have been able to travel to Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Guatemala. This year my husband and I are planning to visit more places. For example in August we will go to 3 countries, Turkey, Greece and Israel.

Mark Twain once said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.” This world offers so many spectacular sights, it’s hard to narrow them down my favorite or a bucket list.

But these incredible destinations that I mentioned above which span across the globe are all must-visits for everyone’s travel bucket list.

Don’t dream of what might have been – get out there and do it. Lets be positive and create great and wonderful memories with out families and friends even if its just to the a road trip to the town over.

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