I am an addict!

The first step to recovery is to acknowledge that you have a problem. 
Well here goes, I AM A PRODUCT JUNKIE!!!! I am addicted to hair products. Luckily for me, I know the source of my addiction... those darn YouTube videos featuring the latest hair product reviews. When a hair vlogger comes across a product that they coin as their "staple" they make it sound like the holy grail. And of course being the addict that I am, I am drawn in and want to get my hands on the wonder product. As a matter of fact, just yesterday, I watched a video on YouTube by a 4c vlogger talking about how amazing Entwine Couture Butter Creme Hydrator was. So of course today, I went to one of the local beauty stores and sort it out. Thankfully, they didn't have it in stock, otherwise I would have fed my addiction. 
On the way home, I reflected on all the products that I have and barely use. I determined that after two and half years on this natural hair journey, I pretty much have a handle on my type 4c hair and the products that work best on it. I can continue to enjoy watching videos of what other 4c ladies are doing but I don't have to be cajoled into buying a product that I don't need.  Truthfully, in my relaxed hair days, I don't recall ever having so many products. But now that i'm natural, it's like a hair care products beast has been unleashed. Below is a picture of my current stash. 

As of today, I solemnly pledge to not buy another hair product until I have completely used up the ones I already have. 

Transparency

Every now and again, I stumble upon music that catches my attention. I was watching Couples Therapy today on VH1 and heard the song below playing. I was moved by the simplicity of the music and the sincerity of the song writer's words. Check it out below.

Downy Disaster!

With days away from welcoming my second child into the world, I decided to gather all the baby clothes I had bought and wash them in preparation for baby's arrival. I've always been told to wash the baby clothes before putting them on a newborn. I still don't understand this logic considering that the clothes are new but decided nevertheless to do as told (maybe some of you can clear up this old wives tale for me). On the rinse cycle, I added some downy softener into a downy ball and dropped it into the washing machine. Upon completion of the clothes being rinsed, I was devastated to see a few of my baby clothes ruined with downy stains. I was close to tears and began searching the internet feverishly to see how the clothes could be salvaged.  I came upon a remedy that seemed pretty straight forward and didn't require me to go out and purchase any products. 

To remove downy softener stains from clothing, simply wet clothing and rub with a bar of ivory soap. Wash on hands then let soak for about 10 -15 minutes in either warm or cold water (I used cold water). 
I was amazed by the results! My baby clothes looked new again. See below for before and after pictures. 

Before       

Rub ivory soap on the spot

After (good as new)

Home Solution # 1

One of the most difficult tasks for me in "keeping house" is folding fitted sheets. Folding fitted sheets is comparable to tying my shoes while nine months pregnant (both are next to impossible) in my humble opinion. But, today I came across a simple method to conquer the arduous task of folding fitted sheets. Peep the video below to see how to...

Fringe

So my all time favorite Sci-fi tv-show next to X-files has come to an end.  So what's a girl to do. Look for other shows that will keep me in a Fringe state of mind. Here's what i've been watching since the close of Fringe.

Eureka is a bit of a quirky show but interesting nevertheless. Everyone in this government top-secret town is a science genius with big secrets. 

A shrewd FBI agent with a lost past who arrives in the small town of Haven, Maine, to solve the murder of a local ex-con only to discover that the curious enclave is a longtime refuge for people with supernatural powers that holds a lot of secrets, including to her own past. Written by THR

A group of revolutionaries must battle a governing dictatorial militia 15 years after an instantaneous global shutdown of all electronic devices known as the Blackout.

A billionaire software-genius named Harold Finch creates a Machine for the government that is designed to detect acts of terror before they can happen, by monitoring the entire world by monitoring every cell-phone, email and surveillance camera. Finch discovered that the machine sees everything, potential terrorist acts and violent crimes that involve ordinary people. When the government considered violent crimes between normal people "irrelevant", Finch built a back door into the system that gives him the social security number of a person involved in a future violent crime so he could act. Partnered with John Reese, an ex-CIA agent, the two work in secret to prevent violent crimes before they can happen. Eventually their activities lead to being hunted by the New York Police Department, CIA Agents in pursuit of Reese who was listed as dead, a computer hacker named Root who wants access to the Machine, and government officials who want to keep all knowledge of the Machine a complete secret. Written by Jones

So those are the shows that have been keeping my Fringe cravings at bay. What other shows would you suggest?

People say that pregnancy is suppose to be one of the most exciting times in a woman's life. But for me,  it is the most nerve wrecking.  The thing that I look forward to the most at this stage, is my appointments with my doctor. It is at these meetings when affirmation of a heart beat makes me most excited.  I can just sit for minutes on end and listen to the heart beat of the child growing inside of me. I don't need to see photos and videos of fetal movement, just let me hear the heart beat.  This makes my day!!! Sadly, this feeling that everything is alright, lasts for about a week and then i'm on edge again, stressing that something might have gone wrong. I hate feeling so paranoid during what is suppose to be the happiest time of my life. I wonder, if this feeling that possess me is normal. It's not like i'm a first time mom. Is this healthy????

Crossroads

I'm at a crossroad in my life. I've been at this point for a little while now just trying to decide which direction to go in. I'm an over thinker so this is proving to be one of the hardest decisions i've ever made in my life.  I need an epiphany, a breakthrough.