Natural Woman

So it's been about a year since I last had a relaxer and made the decision to transition to natural. I've pretty much been keeping my hair under wraps (and tracks and wigs and braids, etc.) for the past year as I let the chemicals grow out. This week I decided to wear my hair out in its natural state. It's been very liberating, frustrating, and irritating.

Liberating because it's stressful always trying to think of what to do next with my hair, and always feeling like I had to disguise what was really going on under my tracks, wig, or braids. It's great to just have it out and nappy, in all it's natural glory, for the world to see.

Frustrating because...natural, non-permed hair is a bit difficult to work with if you have a truly coarse and resistant grain of hair like I do. At times it can be painful, especially right after it's been washed and before it's been combed out, conditioned, and braided. It's also frustrating learning the tricks to getting my hair to be manageable and presentable, and learning what products to use and which ones are a total no-no.

Irritating because I hate having to explain to all my perm-having or non-African-American friends, coworkers, relatives, and nosey-posies why I made the decision about MY OWN HAIR to not put anymore chemicals in it. And I hate hearing their judgmental tones or watching their faces as I go through what is already a difficult enough process because they feel like my hair looks better "the other way". Who asked you??? lol.

But I continue to receive support from my girlfriends and relatives that have made the transition and love their kinky, curly, coiled, resistant, and sometimes non-resistant, or dare I say nappy, hair in all it's natural, chemical-less glory.

I'M SO HAPPY BEING NAPPY!

My Commitment to Precycling

I read somewhere last week that more and more people are trying to precycle versus recycle. I have always been a strong anti-litter advocate, I drive a pretty fuel-efficient SUV (don't laugh, it gets better gas mileage than most cars on the road), I don't print the banner pages when I print at work, and love the idea of recycling. But I will admit, I could definitely do more in my efforts to "save the environment."

From trusty old Wikipedia:

"Precycling is the practice of reducing waste by attempting to avoid bringing into the home or business since such items which will generate waste.

It includes such practices as buying consumables in bulk to reduce packaging, buying consumables in recyclable packaging over non-recyclable packages, avoiding junk mail, and using electronic media for reading materials, especially throwaway items such as magazines or newspapers."

One of the things I've noticed recently is that I throw away A LOT of plastic water bottles. I buy the 24 case each week and toss each and every bottle right into a recycling recepticle if it's available, but most of the time it goes right into the trash. One day I realized I had about four or five bottles in the trash and I thought that it was pretty wasteful to have all those bottles, when I could just refill one bottle and use that over and over. It's a pretty small step, but I'm committed to it.

I've also done away with getting bags when I buy one or two things from the store. I went to Dollar Tree the other day to buy gift bags. I also picked up some strawberry candies, which I love! I told the cashier not to worry about a bag because I'm gonna rip right into the candy when I get to the car, and I'm using the gift bag for a gift that I also have waiting in the car. Why would I need a bag just to take two items from store to car, and then just throw it away? I did the same thing the previous week in Dollar Tree. I bought some plastic bins in there, along with other random junk. Why get a bag when everything fit so neatly in the storage bin?

So I am making a promise to be more environmentally-minded as I go through my day. I can't change the world alone, but I can do my small part. I am also committing to carrying cloth bags to the store when I go. I have a bad habit of buying the cloth bag, carrying the groceries inside, forgetting the bag in my house, and then not having it the next time I go to the store. SO I end up either repurchasing another bag or just getting the plastic store bags which suck.

If you also are interested in precycling or in eliminating / reducing the number of plastic bags that end up in landfills, consider this 3-piece bag set from Avon for $6.99. Keep it in your car, carry your purchases into your house, and then, this is the key, RETURN IT BACK TO YOUR CAR for the next time you need it.

Good Luck! And remember, TREES ROCK!

Note: The liiv Botanicals Three Piece Bag Set can be ordered at http://youravon.com/makiariley. Use search work "liiv".

"DING DONG! Avon Calling!"

The torch has been passed. From grandmother, to mother, to sister, to aunt, to me. I am now an AVON LADY! I have always loved Avon products and I love retail, and who can’t use a little side money these days, right? So it’s perfect!

But let me tell you…this is NOT your mother’s Avon! The name may have a not-so-cool connotation for those not raised on it, but the products are definitely chez chic! Avon has done a tremendous job bringing its offerings into the 21st century. The company continues to offer some of its standard classics for its hardcore customer base, but it has also created products for the trendy fashionista that may need a little persuasion to try Avon. And with Avon’s mark line, they offer fashion, skin, make-up, and body care items for that true urbanista on the move.

Avon has also made it easier to shop with them. You can always stick with the face-to-face relationship that you have built with your Avon Representative, but now you can also shop online and have the purchase directly delivered to you! And most times, Avon has a FREE SHIPPING promotion going on, which will get your items to you in a matter of days with no additional cost to you. For those that don’t know what to try, here is my latest list of recommendations:

PLANET SPA African Shea Butter Brown Sugar Body Scrub - $4.99
With this body scrub, you come away with a great scent and wonderfully replenished skin! Shea butter contains vitamin E and is known for its healing properties.

PLANET SPA African Shea Butter Whipped Body Balm - $5.99
After you’ve used the body scrub, polish the skin off with this ultra rich whipped body balm.

mark Earth Eu de Toilette - $22.00
This is my favorite smell from Avon! It has a hint of sweetness, flowers, and woods. It’s very chic, very sophisticated, and a great everyday fragrance. And nobody has to know it didn't come from an upscale department store.

mark Self-Sanctuary Honey Jasmine Body Butter - $8.00

I just love this fragrance, and I love it even better in a body butter. It’s perfect for those dry winter days when the skin needs a little extra moisture.

mark Knot Stuff Earrings - $12.00

Tough, sexy, and feminine! This chunky, brushed metallic look is the perfect accessory for your skinny jeans and leather jacket. Add the matching Knot Too Shabby bracelet for $15.00

PRO-TO-GO Lipstick - $9.00

Just because you aren’t rich doesn’t mean your lipstick can’t be. Rich lipstick in great packaging! It looks fab and feels great!

Smooth Mineral Eyeshadow Duo - $6.99

Mineral make-up is all the rage these days. Avon offers great mineral eyeshadow singles, duos, and powders. Tuck them in your purse and dash. You can add an eyeshadow brush for $1.99 with any $10 Smooth Mineral Makeup purchase.

Visit my online store at http://youravon.com/makiariley. Email me to find out about free shipping at makia.riley@gmail.com.

Au Natural: Perm is so Passe'

Well that's how I feel today. After seeing more and more women saying good bye to no-lye... relaxer, that is...I too realized that I was totally over the ritual of perming my hair. Weaves, wigs, tracks....OVER IT!

So discreetly, I stopped perming and started growing. I still wore relaxed styles until I got to the point where I could no longer disguise my natural coils...which I affectionately refer to as naps!

I finally got to the point where I couldn't just blend my hair in with straighter styled half-wigs and tracks, full wigs looked totally ridiculous, and i was just irritated with having crap on my head all day.

So I got brave...and started wearing my hair in its natural form. Though it isn't my best look, it has been very liberating. I'm really looking forward to my hair growing and trying twists and other styles.

But I'm not going back to perms any time soon.

Welp...It's a Wrap

It was a beautiful summer day in July, and I had everything on my mind except for what happened to me on the day of my parents' 25th anniversary.

Boo asked me to swing by his job after work for a hug on the way to the restaurant for a family dinner in honor of my parents. After pulling the car to a non-parking spot and throwing on my hazard lights, giving boo a quick hug, having some mindless chit chat about the haps of the day, my love pulls a red box out of his pocket and says..."well what if I asked you to marry me?"

Uhhhh.....WHAT?!?!?!

He did not just say that, and what the hell is he digging in his pocket for??? WHAT IS GOING ON??? lol.

And out popped a little red box.

After several rounds (about 20 minutes worth) of "Are you kidding?" "Is this for real?" "What's in that box?" "You're so crazy!" and of course "Oh my GOD!" I finally opened the box a peep and saw that there was in fact something sparkling inside of it. So it was at that point that I turned it up a notch and kicked into a few rounds of "OH MY GOD! IS THIS FOR REAL? WHAT IS THIS? WHY DID YOU BUY THIS!!!???"

And once it all got through my big skull what was going on...I finally said,"Well why are you doing it like this? You aint even on your knee!"

So boo gets down on one knee on the corner of 13th and L and asks me to be his Mrs.!

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!

So... it's a wrap folks! I'm officially OFF THE MARKET!

YAY!

Time for the next scene...

I Thought This Day Would Never Come!

I know there are certain...issues that come with living in an older, non-contemporary building. The appearance may be less than perfect because of its age, things may need to be repaired or replaced, amenities that may come standard in a newer building may require substantial time and money to upgrade to in an older building, and as things get worn out, they may just flat out break down. Such is the case with the elevator in my building...which I found out the hard way, after returning home from an extended stay at my parents' house in November. I was loaded down with a heavy overnight bag, shopping bags, and other things that I was toting up to my condo on the 4th floor of my building.

"Hmmm...what's this note say?...it's BROKEN? Oh no! Now what am I supposed to do??"

And I took the stairs, looking back at the elevator as if it was my best friend riding off into the sunset to a new house with her family far, far away. OK, a little dramatic, but I was sad. Then...a few weeks later, after looking at that same pitiful note on the elevator...a new note came. A part has to be replaced, but we should be back in business in 10 weeks. TEN WEEKS!?!?! Did that say 10 weeks or am I hallucinating?

Yep, 10 weeks.

Don't get me wrong...I feel it's a priviledge to be physically able to climb three flights of stairs. (And good thing too, because I have no idea what the physically challenged or disabled were supposed to do during this time). But it gets real old having to always live your life knowing whatever you took home, you'd have to tote up a rack of stairs. Or not wanting to have company because the last thing you wanted them to think was that you live in a raggedy building with a broke down elevator. Or to not be able to properly furnish your place because there was nobody at your disposal that could take sh*t up all those stairs. Or to not be able to clean your place out because you didn't want to take things one at a time, down a bunch of stairs, then go back up a bunch of stairs 4, 5, and 6 times. And when you (a) are a pack rat and (b) live in a fixer upper, not having an elevator can be a bit of a hinderance to your efforts to get things in order. Not to mention grocery shopping, regular shopping, the flea markets that I participate in. I do a lot of lugging for some reason, and I was always able to just put things on my wheely cart and get on the elevator whenever I needed, and without arranging for anybody to help me.

It's notable to point out...that one flight actually equals 2 sets of stairs. (ie., 10 stairs, turn, 10 stairs = 1 flight).

So...once the 10 weeks was up...or somewhere there 'bouts...a new note appears. The elevator has to be "modernized" (whatever the hell that means), a special part has to be manufactured (since the elevator is soooooo old, there is no place that has the required parts on hand) and just getting the part was going to take 10 weeks, and installing it would take another 6 to 8 weeks. At this point...I'm feeling like life with no elevator is basically what I'll endure until I finally move out or die. And the thought of moving with no elevator made me want to cry.

Climbing stairs got real old, real fast. Because it is a building with an elevator, the stairwell was not designed with actual climbing in mind. The stairs were steep, narrow, and hard to climb, not to mention the stairwell was just plain ugly.

The day finally came that we got the notice that the part was being delivered and the cars had to be moved from the parking lot so that the part could be lifted into the building through the roof. Aaaah what a great day that was. It fell on my Friday off, and watching them work brought tears to my eyes. Blake and I supervised from the balcony. BUT...we still had the 6 to 8 weeks to go while they installed the part and got the elevator up and running. Of course, that 6 to 8 weeks ran long, and what was not factored in was the testing and the state inspection. UGH!

But...the day finally came with little fanfare. From November to July...we had no elevator. I thought there would have been balloons and flyers and everything announcing the new, modernized elevator was up and running. Nope! I actually wasn't even sure we were allowed on it...but of course I just took my chances. The moment it took off, I felt like I was taking off in a rocket ship for territories unknown. Well...of course the territories were in fact chartered and known, as it was the 4th floor of my building which I'd seen many times. But never through eyes full of the joy I felt that day. I got off the elevator and walked down the hall to my door like it was the most normal act on earth. And now my life is back to the way it was. What a sigh of relief.

Happy Belated Birthday!

Boo and I had a nice 4th of July. We went to my sister's house waaaaaaay down in St. Mary's County, then went to my girlfriend's house. Sis's cat just had kittens so that was really cute to see them. There are 5 of them. One minute they were all curled up together sleep on a pink blanket. Next time we went to look at them, they were all curled up together on the black blanket. It was like they all got up and scooted over to the other blanket while nobody was looking and fell right back into place.

Then at my girlfriend's house, we had the chance to spend sometime with her new baby girl. She's only 8 weeks old and she's just as cute as ever. We also got to see my other girlfriend's little girls. They are 2 year old twins and they are just so so precious.

It was such a treat seeing everybody and enjoying the 4th with my sweetums.

Happy Birthday America!