Thanksgiving Hair --- Straightening my natural hair success!

I usually reserve doing drastic things to my hair for the holidays. I know it sounds strange but, around this time last year is also when I cut my hair into layers because I was tired of looking like COUSIN IT. Of course, it's just hair right? So it will grow back....

Well, my hair is still sort of in layers since that time but I am proud to announce that I have finally discovered even more neat things about my hair in the past few months than I ever have.

In this post I'd like to share with you some of the things I've learned about my hair, as well as document the regimen I will be using from now on when I straighten my hair.

Products Used: 

e-CURE Treatment M-3.2
e-CURE Treatment P-3.2
S-Series Shampoo
Aussie Moist Conditioner

Chi Silk Infusion

Wide Tooth Comb
Jilbere Straightening Comb
Paddle Brush


Gold N Hot Hooded Dryer
Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium Blow Dryer (w concentrator nozzle)
Croc Infrared 2 Inch Flat Iron



First, I applied M-3.2 to my dry hair and scalp and made sure that it was dripping wet. I then applied a mixture of M-3.2 and Shampoo (I no longer use the shampoo mix bottle but use a foam pump or an applicator bottle).

I massaged this into my hair until it became a rich (and grapefruit smelling) foam. Placing a plastic cap on, I sat under the dryer for a good 45 minutes. I wanted to make sure that my hair was as completely moisturized as possible before heat styling. I have learned from so many of my past experiences that the more moisturizer my hair is, the straighter and sleeker I can get it to look and the longer it STAYS straight.

Anyway, after I was done under the dryer, I sprayed my hair lightly with P-3.2 and made sure that I massaged it into my hair, especially onto my ends before going ahead and rinsing. I rinsed, making sure that my scalp was absolutely as clean as possible and then went ahead and applied Aussie Moist, leaving it on my hair for about 15 minutes (until I finished showering). After rinsing I noticed that my hair had minimal frizz and  my curls were so defined. I will attribute that to the level of moisture that I had in my hair after the intensive conditioning of the e-CURE Treatment.

Next I sectioned my hair off, and used a paddle brush, working my way up from the bottom of my hair to the top, and went through, removing any shed hairs and tangles from my strands. I applied a drop of Chi Silk Infusion and then pulled this first small section of my hair taut, and moved my blowdryer up and down using the concentator nozzle. I found the small section, the high heat, and the detangling session really helped to get my hair quite straight with the blowdryer.

I repeated this until my entire head was blowdried and then proceeded to flat iron. I used even smaller sections this time and went through the blowdried section with my straightening comb. This helped me to ensure that my hair was really separated into strands and ready to be flat ironed. I was able to flat iron my hair and it came out SO smooth and SO shiny. I also took the time out to dust any straggly ends and any single strand knots (which are so much easier to see on straight hair).


I assume that I will be straightening my hair every 2-3 weeks this winter because it helps me retain length. I am really determined to continue growing my hair out and hope that I will get the waist length hair that I've been hoping for by next winter. I am confident that e-CURE will continue to be a staple in my hair journey, as it replenishes my hair with much needed moisture and helps keep my hair looking shiny, healthy, and beautiful.


Wish me luck!

yay for macrons!

This morning Carla brought us a yummy treat for Thanksgiving!
This was my first time trying macarons.
I honestly did not think that I would  like them because at first glance, they appear to have a crunchy shell.

But...

they were AMAZINGLY delicious and so very chewy! The flavors that I got a chance to taste were dark chocolate and pumpkin. Both were very rich but fun treats before the holidays.

Just a few more days until my Japanese exam.

 

Only 3 weeks left and we are at the final countdown before my Japanese Language Proficiency exam. This has been one of the hurdles in my language learning and we are fast approaching the deadline! 

My exam is on December 2nd and I am really nervous about it. I have been studying for a really long time and much harder than I have in the past (though there is always room for improvement). 

The main issue that I think I should focus on over the next 10 days or so will be grammar. 

As we say in Japanese--- GANBARIMASU! 

Photos of my Nikujaga.

Finally I was able to find the photos of  my nikujaga from the other night. 

What do you think?

Making Japanese comfort food at home.

When I studied abroad in Japan, one of my favorite foods that I ate at my host family's home was NIKUJAGA. 

This very traditional meats and potatoes dish is named for exactly what is in the pot. In Japanese NIKU means meat and JAGA (which is short for JAGAIMON). I love this because as many Japanese foods it has a soy sauce base and is both a little bit sweet and a little bit savory. 

When I made mine I used yukon gold potatoes, yellow onion,  baby carrots, and sukiyaki meat from the local Japanese market. It was amazingly good and I plan on making it one more time... in fact, I may make it again this week! Traditionally, I have read that NIKUJAGA is supposed to be served with white rice so next time I will try it that way (ive just been eating it alone!)

I plan on making many more stops to the Japanese market to stock up on Sukiyaki meat in the near future!

my favorite things at Yankee Candle!

The winter weather has been dumped upon us here in New York City. Just as we have been trying to get back to normal life around here after Hurricane Sandy, we were hit with a Nor'Easter storm that has left us with a lot of snow and slush in the streets.

Whenever winter hits, I always think of one of my favorite hobbies. Maybe I am a nerd for doing this but, I am an avid collector of Yankee Candles. Well, my collection isn't HUGE but, I will say that I love Yankee Candle and I look forward to smelling their new fragrances whenever they come out with a new set. 

Last year one of the sets that really impressed me was the "My Favorite Things" line of candles. 

This line is based on the song "My Favorite Things" from the classic film, "The Sound of Music".

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittensBright copper kettles and warm woolen mittensBrown paper packages tied up with stringsThese are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudelsDoorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodlesWild geese that fly with the moon on their wingsThese are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashesSnowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashesSilver white winters that melt into springsThese are a few of my favorite things..."
Yankee Candle has brought us lots of candles with fun new scents, inspired by this song. Last year, I walked away with just the Crisp Apple Streudel candle but, this winter I am going to try a couple more. I cannot wait to try the following: 
Whiskers on Kittens
Brown Paper Packages 
and yep, Schnitzel With Noodles

Vintage goods.

I bought this agenda in Tokyo! 

I have been looking for a new agenda for some time now and it just so happened that I found this beautiful, vintage-style planner. 

I will be using this on my next trip to Japan....