Well, two days before my 35th bday I'm beginning a new chapter in raising my hair.  I got the Curly Girl book and will be trying out her method of caring for wavy hair.  I'm a bit apprehensive, but I'm willing.
I can't remember the last time I wore my hair naturally curly, guess it was when it was long-HIGHSCHOOL.  Ugh.  That was forever ago.
I look forward to recording my hair journey...
currently using:
Avalon Organics shampoo & conditioner (nourishing & clarifying)
Silk Elements & Beyond the Zone for deep conditioning
Jojoba Oil
Look forward to trying some of the recipies from CG book- gotta get me some gel...maybe make some aloe vera and try it first??

My first order consisted of:
Chinoiserie Original, Green Toumaline Glitter, & Gilded Nutmeg Gemstix
Not quite sure of the order of the rest:
Gothic Midnight II Geisha
Electric Ice Original
Opal Petals Bridal
La Jolla Geisha
Shanghi Rapunzel
Emerald Myst
Sapphire Myst
Glass Gardens Duet
Autumn Oak Swing
Indicolite Sea Duet
Silver Myst
Blue Sky Glimmer
Silver Dove Spiral
Star Shadow
Peacock Flash Foil
Purple Smoke Gem
Raspberry Frappe Gem
China Sky Gem
Botswana Rose Gem
Aqua Freeze Foil
Ruby Romance Swing
Night Angel Spiral
Good Cheer Spiral
Zircon Waters Spiral
Opposites Attract Duet
Creamed Coffee Duet
Colorado Gold Majestix
Imperial Highness Shadow
Sultan's Mistress Sterling
Violet Noir Shadow
Mariah Swing
Royal Blush Shadow
Ripe Peach Glimmer
Frozen Sun Myst
Pearl Mist Geisha
Fan Tasy Original
Green Sea Shadow
with 6 more pairs on the way as of today.  I don't think I'll ever catch up to the Greek Lady.

Ok, let's get this out of the way.  He died.

I tried my first cwc on my birthday, 1/25 and am pleased and surprised with the results.  Pooofy my husband calls it.  He's right-major volume increase.  It's going to take me a while getting used to wearing it curly when it's down.  I'm liking to maximize the curls appearance by wearing a half pony with hairsticks.

Did my next cwc on Friday 1/28 and once again poooofy.  By using the gel when my hair's wet I can get really good results on following days by spritzing rose water on the hair and re-scrunching.

My scalp is a bit itchy, I may need to use a bit more shampoo than she recommends and/or try her brown sugar scalp scrub.

I'm slightly bugged that NO ONE has said ANYTHING about my hair being less red or so curly/wavy/poofy.

I'll get over it.

Yesterday, at my post birthday celebration of Dim Sum I wore my new Exotic Aqua Shadow-looked great with my aqua silk sweater and my pua shell neckless.
On Tuesday, 1/25 I wore my Green Sea Shadow with all black-lovely.  These sticks are way more beautiful in person
On Wednesday I wore the Fan Tasy Original with my mandarin collared red & black top, very hip.

Did the cwc again today, but used more shampoo and a more conditioning conditioner.  My scalp is a little flaky in front, so maybe too much 'poo?  I combed the conditioner through this time and have less volume.  I think that's a combo of deeper conditioner and the combing.
I also tried a new gel from the health food store, Aubrey Organics.  2nd ingredient is aloe vera.  This one will be ok for wanting less curl.
The Tiger gel I used last week gave much better curl results and didn't get cruchy on my like the AO gel.
Hmmm.
Gotta figure out how to include a deep conditioning session along with my cwc.  Maybe oiling the night before I wash will be enough?  I bought two different kinds of deep conditioners, maybe should use them up first.  Rotate?  Plan deep conditioners on days when I can wash in middle of day instead of AM before work so I can have a good air dry.
A work in progress...

So, here I sit with a plastic cap on my head having had Agus oil my hair last night.  It was easier this time sleeping with the cap-last time was terrible.
I'm trying to decide if I should really shampoo my hair, or if I should cwc as I have been doing.  I guess if the oil doesn't come out completely I'll just have to wash it again.
My bangs are about an inch from my shoulders now and they are at a very poofy stage.  Irritating!!!!
I have another month before my trim and possible recolor to get me back to my natural and let it grow from there.  Gotta trim it up to eliminate the layers.  Oh how I look forward to braids that are not springing ends!!
I hope to figure out how to fit in a facial with my hair routine.
Mom, Dad and Grandma will be here in a few days.  I hope we can all keep our cool.
Looks like Magus had cardiomyopathy, it helps knowing but doesn't bring him back.  [sigh]

Happy happy, joy, joy!!  I got a present in the mail today!!
Ocean Fantasy Fantasystix
They're so beautiful-I think they'll perfectly match a yoga top I bought in New York City-heehee-can't wait to wear 'em.
I really like how the knots have turned out-for now they look better than the pin curls I've been trying to do, but I think the thing I've missed is letting the pin curls dry completely before removing the pins.  Maybe try that next Friday-after my massage

A bun was not in the forcast for today-too much volume so I had a very fluffy pony that I pinned up partially with hairpins (a first for me) and they held beautifully with the fantastic Raspberry Frappe Gemstix.  Too much fun.  They brought out the pink in the shrug I wore.  How wonderful it is to feel pretty and put together just so.
I'm so enjoying getting back to being creative with my appearance-discovering Susan's hairstix have rejuvenated this long lost part of myself.
Now only if hubby could understand and quit grumbling about the frequent LL packages in our mailbox!

Last night is the first night I slept with my hair braided.  It was more comfortable that I expected.  I did notice that my hair was not covering my face when I turned over.  I guess it's growing still-must be those supplements!!
I have yet to run a comb through, so I don't know if my ends are less tangly than usual-have to get back to you on that.
I love my silk pillowcases!  BTW, they're currently on sale @ Dreamsacks.com in pink, red and passion (kind of a magenta color)  Got a sheet set on sale, too in red, can't wait to surprise hubby on V-day