Update [2] 2011 Hair Challenge-Concoction: Mint Spritz

Okay. So I said in my last hair challenge update I said & I quote "Update #2 will be geared towards my HAIR goals & the products I'm currently using". Well FAIL!!! I've been busy...okay no. I've been too lazy to really break everything down & post pictures over here. It takes time to upload, & edit photos. But I promise I will share all that with those that care in my next update which I'm hoping for this week. I've made changes in how often I co-wash & wash my hair. So yes, I'll share.


THIS post is about a random concoction I myself made, & it's simple. My mom has mint growing all over our yard like crazy. It grows so quick & nice. But it smells even better! typically people use mint in their teas. Well, I am the QUEEN for making something up. I thought hey, we have all this mint, and although I LOVE tea, I don't always like to add mint in it. So what else can I use it for?


Oh my hair! It's a natural. Why not?  So the pictures below our pictures I took last week of me cooking up this Mint Spritz for my hair. It's simple and easy. & get this, it may do wonders for our natural hair. 

Freshly picked Miny. Rinsed them off with warm water. I only used the leaves.

Put them in a pot of boiling water

This is what it looks like after it's been simmering for 10mins

I covered the pot for 3-5mins

Trying to see if the leaves are simmering in the water well

I strained it, and then put it in a cup

I then later put it in my empty S-Curl activator bottle (Yes I honey I use it to detangle my hair without having to Co-wash my hair. It does wonders. Mop top Maven shared that on her blog).

I use this spritz as my daily moisturizer. It smells bomb.com

So, I did my research (a little), because I know it's good to know some type of facts about the Pros of mint :)

-I read that MINT shampoo helps with growth (I don't know how true that is)

-MINT conditioners are good for our scalp

-You can check out this Citrus & Mint Cooling Hair Conditioner Recipe HERE

I plan to try this recipe out, sometime soon. If you do, LET ME KNOW :)

Old Post: I'm Going To Need A Strong Support System

So0o0 when I started this blog, I was transferring old post from my beauty blog GlamNoLabelz to here because those didn't fit the topics I cover over there. So, I brought them here. This was posted 12/31/10. This will give a little more information about me, & challenges I started. It's written in the past tense to my readers over there. But you get the idea.


So, I come to share something cool with you all. I have so many things lined up for myself for the year of 2011. I feel like I've been doing work non-stop since I've graduated on Dec. 11th. But I can say what I have in store for myself is much more FUN then studying lol.

1. I'll be participating in a natural hair challenge with Mop Top Maven. I'll basically be keeping track of my hair regimen and continue to keep my hair moisturized and wearing protective styles that my hair will benefit from. Overall, keeping my hair healthy and allowing it to grow better and stronger. {I STARTED THIS CHALLENGE MAY, 2011}

2. I'm participating in a fitness challenge as well. Super stoked about this. MissJia (one of my fave bloggers) is putting on this challenge. It's not a strict challenge at all. She has made a forum  called http://www.fiercefitfab.com/ where we can encourage one another, and share tips, recipes and other great things on our journey. {I AM NO LONGER PARTICIPATING IN THIS CHALLENGE/MESSAGE BOARD. I STAY ABOARD JAN-MARCH}.

3. I finally have time to put towards my nonprofit organization. I've been wanting to have my own program/organization for sometime now, and 2011is the time & deadline for me to get the wheels rolling. I'm still working out the details, but I'll be mentoring middle-high school girls in my community in Southern California. I've already reached out to one young lady that attends the same church as I do, and have been keeping in contact & recently met with one another one-on-one. I also have a blog for my nonprofit journey http://www.mentoringyounggirls.blogspot.com/ (This isn't the official name for it).
The other step that I've taken is printing networking cards (from VistaPrint) to hand out to parents and others that could help me spread the word about my organization. 

4. Accomplishing these goals, along with others that I'm working on for my VISION BOARD :)

Overall, I'm going to need support for this long, but rewarding journey. I'm thinking about putting together a contact list of individuals that want & need support for certain things & wouldn't mind having someone by their side and will keep in contact with one another. I've noticed many of us have few things going...Like Kerissa-In a PhD program, Alex-Mamavation/Obtaining her BA, and Kinah-Mentoring the youth in her community. That's just to name a few & those that I have/having the pleasure in getting to know.

Thank you for the love & support. I am extending my arms to you all if you're in need of a support system. Sometimes doing it alone, and being your own cheerleader does indeed get lonely. Or maybe you just need that little PUSH. 

Random: You know a lot about me...but who are YOU? [Part 2]

Sauniya suggested that I answer the questions I posted. So here we go :)

1. From what you've read about me through my posts so far, what do we have in common IF anything? From what I can remember from those that have responded in the comment box of the original post HERE starting with destined2luvkiki we were both born premature, we have a small group of friends, we contribute in some sort of way to the March of Dimes. What I have in common with  lil miss Sauniya' is that we are both on this natural hair journey, we're both trying to get fit, not good at swimming anymore. Now on to FROM THE "REZ" TO THE "CITY" we both love Beyonce, Fashion (although I'm nowhere a fashionISTA like her), sweet. Lastly,  Luminous JL we are both recent grads, we're both looking for a job, & we're both natural.

2. What's the link to your personal blog? I have three blogs. The links are to the right --->

3. What's your relationship status? I am single & not ready to mingle. Not even for a second. Lol

4. How did you find out about my blog? Going down the comment list HERE on how I found out about YOUR blogs. I I found everyones blog through either a comment they left on my blog, someone elses blog. I found  FROM THE "REZ" TO THE "CITY" blog through a comment she left on Prissy's blog.

5. Why did you start blogging? My first blog was the GlamNoLabelz, which was originally GlamChicWithUs. I started it with two friends, that fell through, added a few ladies, they fell through. Lol, so I was up in the air about continuing the blog. I did, changed the name & bam, it's doing well. Overall just to have a voice & share my interests. My second blog is my Mentoring blog Profit With a Purpose which is fairly new. Mentoring young girls in my area (ages 11-18). I have so many plans & ideas for it. Can't wait till it actually happens. Lastly this blog. I was scared to start it & actually vent about ME to people that maybe lurking, and strangers. But I have no regrets & I could care less :)

Working On Your Fitness?

Hey familyyyy. I've been meaning to post this a few months ago when I was working on my fitness REAL tough. I got this from a message board I was apart of.

BEST TIME TO.....

Weigh Yourself: 6:30am or when you wake up in the morning. Thats when you are lighter.


-Exercise: After you weigh yourself
-Eat Breakfast: 7:30am or within an hour of waking up
-Eat Lunch: 12 noon or 4 hours after you eat breakfast
-Eat Dinner: 6:30 pm or no LESS than 3 hours before going to bed
-Boost Metabolism: 8am. Drink a glass of ICE COLD WATER. It forces you to burn calories to warm the water up in your body

Grocery Shopping: 10am. You're still full from breakfast and blood sugar levels are stable

Take Fiber Supplement: 6:15pm. Before you eat dinner

VIDEO 1: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/best-tim ... eight-pt-1
VIDEO 2: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/best-tim ... eight-pt-2
VIDEO 3: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/best-tim ... eight-pt-3

Random: You know a lot about me...but who are YOU?

With time I'm slowly but surely getting to know some of you. Through comments & your personal blogs. But I would like to put YOU on the spot for a second. If you don't mind answering the few questions below in my comment box, I'd appreciate it.

1. From what you've read about me through my posts so far, what do we have in common IF anything?

2. What's the link to your personal blog? 

3. What's your relationship status?

4. How did you find out about my blog? 

5. Why did you start blogging? 

Ps. if you don't feel comfortable doing so, you don't have to answer all of the questions. I just thought this would be fun, and to kind of help me get to know you all better. WHY? Because shoot...you're basically like family now.

Are Termites Eating Away At YOUR Foundation?

Most houses are built out of wood. Termites (The type I'm referring to) eat away at wood. 

A house made out of wood+Termites=A house that will soon fall a part.

[I do not own the above picture]

Your assumptions are termites. Your relationship is the foundation...the house.

Do you see where I'm going with this example? 

I like to use relationships in my examples as some of my readers may have noticed. I promise you, there's a reason & purpose for me doing so.

Anyways...I know we've ALL done it once in our lifetime. 

We may have assumed something & asked our significant other. 

But the worst part is assuming & allowing it to EAT away at your thoughts.

Where do these assumptions come from?

Lack of communication.

So, if there is LACK of communication from JUMP, why assume...why assume & not ask?

Doesn't make sense right? Not at all...

If I knew everything I know NOW...well yea you get where I'm going.

The Power Of Intuition

One of my followers on Twitter posted the link to this video last night, and I wanted to share it with you all.
I wanted to really critique the message behind the video, but I'm too tired to write & think.


But I will say...I know what it feels like thinking "my boyfriend is up to something"...well "I think he's doing this, so I'm going to do this in return". So childish. I don't know what it's like to receive news like that (in video) from a significant other. But I do know that we tend to let our mind roam in places that aren't really there. We sometimes think too deep about a situation. Make it bigger than what it really is. Acting on things that can hurt & damage relationships.


Some of us suffer the consequences. But I rather not take that road at all. No matter what it maybe. With that being said. Check out the video, leave your thoughts. I'm open for a discussion about the video or anything similar to what I've mentioned in this post.

The BC (Big Chop)

Life without two-three different textures is great!
BUT! That's not how I felt seconds after I seen inches of my hair laying in the sink.

In order for this to be clear I'll doing the whole Q&A throughout this post. 

When did you BC? The day of my hair challenge May 6th

How did you know it was time? I just felt like then was the right time. I wanted this hair challenge to be easy, & successful. So I went ahead and did it. 

Are there still relaxed pieces in your hair? Yes. Less than an inch. I couldn't cut it any shorter. I'm literally rocking the 2 yr old baby Ashley hair. What I mean by that is I was born premature. They had to shave my hair all off to run tests. And however long it took for it to grow back cute & curly is what it looks like today. Of course it's fuller today. 

Is it easier to maintain? Yes. It makes washing my hair much easier. No longer shedding either. 

What tools/process did you use to cut it? I used regular scissors which aren't good on your hair. Especially everyday use scissors. But I didn't care. But before I cut it. I shampooed my hair then cut it myself. You want to make sure your hair is wet and true to it's length so you know where to cut the relaxed ends. And even then it can be tricky. 

I think that's it. I've watched quit a few YT videos and read quit a few blogs about the BC before doing it. So, I had an idea what I was getting into. 

I plan to do a post on the tools and products I use on my hair as well. 

Overall. I have no regrets. Technically I was transitioning for 6 months and that seemed long. My hair has been doing well. I'm glad I have a BC partner, all I need is someone to hop on this hair challenge with me :)

The Little Black (Back Up) Book

It's late. But a song that reminded me of an individual just came on. Sigh, memories.

In life we meet many different people. Some that stay around for a season with a reason. And a few for a lifetime. For whatever reason we get the two mixed up at times.

Where are you going with this Ashley?
I don't think I'm the only one that has a  phone number or two...3...5 that needs to be deleted from my address book.

It's those you no longer talk to, don't see eye to eye with, the drama queen, the jerk, an ex. Regardless, I think it's time I delete these people from my book. I don't ever talk to them. And running across their name brings back heartache, anger, discomfort or nothing at all. And there's nothing healthy about that. Especially if you're trying to move on. I guess you can say this is the last straw for me.

Deleting the number isn't the hard part. It's getting over the person/feelings.
This is just one of the many steps I have to take to move on. There's no way we can ever act like we never met these people. They're history. A part of our history.

Let them go & regain what is yours.

Just One Of Those Days

Feeling really blah today.


I don't know if it's the weather, a certain question that was asked that hit a nerve.


I though this post would be longer, but I really don't have much to say.
I will say, thank you to those that follow my blog & comment. Because at times I know you're there, but commenting really allows me to get to know YOU. I'm not a big fan of talking to myself.


& although my blog isn't "popular" I'm grateful for the readers I do have.

Share Your Hair Type: Simplicity

Hey ladies!


So, I'm finally getting around to talking about my hair & all that other stuff. As stated in my description section of my blog, I will be talking about MY natural hair. I noticed I have followers that are following for other reasons as well. So I won't go into depth about my hair.


This is a post where YOU can get an idea of what my hair is like & I want to get to know YOUR hair type.

Photo from : http://www.coolhaircare.com/hair-types-moisture.html

You're probably like "Oh, well girl I'm a 2c". Or maybe "Hmmm, I don't know what type I am". If you thought the second thought, I'm with you. I don't know my hair type, nor do I care that much (Not that big of a deal to me).
Some natural hair women like to know what type of hair they have so they can better identify what type of products they can use. Or different naturals do this so they can get more information about their hair.


I'm simple. All I know is that my hair coarse, have 90% shrinkage when water has been applied to my hair & dries without anything being done to it (Like the time when I tried to define my curls. Omg, I don't know what I did wrong but it was a fail situation. I'll share that in another post).


Onward...As stated in my last post. I did the big chop the day of my hair challenge. I have two, maybe three different type of curls going on in my hair. I have the spiral, the wavy, loose curl. & my hair is really thick.


Okay, so share away (Be descriptive).

Update [1] 2011 Hair Challenge-Brief

This is going to be quick & simple. Reason being is because it's late, but I wanted to get this post up ASAP.


1. I did the BC (big chop) The day of my challenge started.Yes, my hair is now SHORT. 5-6inches gone :(
2. I've been relaxer free since Spring 2010 (Year). But I dated it Aug, 2010
3. Started the challenge May 6th
4. I shampoo my hair ONCE a month (I don't apply a lot of product on my hair 
5. Co-wash a few times a week, followed by hot treatments
6. Figuring out what products work for my hair


That's about it. Update #2 will be geared towards my HAIR goals & the products I'm currently using.

Reflection: What Makes YOU Happy?

Yes, I've been MIA. But not on purpose this time. I've been on the busy side. Which totally felt OH so good. Now I have some down time...


I'll be back to blogging about my HAIR journey, and something I wouldn't have thought I would do so soon with my hair.
& the different products I've been using, as well as recipes...& other random stuff.


Back to the topic at hand. I was sitting here on my computer and was thinking. I wonder what makes others happy. What is that one thing you can count on to make you happy? It could even be an individual. But carefully think about what it is that makes you happy INSIDE and OUTSIDE and why. I'm really interested in knowing. It allow me to get to know you ALL.