Monday, February 28, 2011

Braids & Countdown to D-Day!

Hey guys! I am 2 weeks away from delivery of my little man and I can't wait! Nesting is in full effect and I think we finally got everything in place. Yesterday was unseasonably warm and I enjoyed sitting outside in the sun with the hubby. It's amazing how a little bit of sunshine can brighten your mood and lift your spirits. Spring is definitely on its way!

So on to the hair....

I finally got my hair braided and I am thrilled! Last weekend I remember thinking "I can't do this wash, condition, detangle, twist thing another time!" Luckily, on Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting a really nice young lady who was recommended to me by a co-worker to braid my hair. It took around 12 hours (gasp!) and about 10 pack of hair! I used Kenekelon hair in the color 1B. The price was super reasonable as compared to a braid shop I went to inquiring about prices. One lady took one look at my hair (in a poofy old stretched twist-out) and said "Is that all your hair? Yeah, we're looking at no less than $250." What?!?!?!?!?! Um, no thanks.

So here's how the process went:

Prepping the Hair: I washed and conditioned my hair, applied a creamy leave-in, then put in 10 large twists to dry overnight on Friday. Saturday morning, I got up and took each twist down. I added a little bit of coconut oil and I sprayed a heat protectant. I blew each twisted section out on medium heat. My hair was soft and fluffy and ready to be braided.



Halfway Done: We were about 3 or 4 hours in at this point. The extensions felt super heavy because they hair was really long, like waist-length. It made me think about all the gals out there with waist-length hair goals. I can't imagine having hair that long for real! I think my slightly below BSL is just fine for me!


The final look: So like 12 hours from beginning this was the final product. I was so tired from sitting (although I took many breaks for snacks, bathroom, and stretching). We boiled a pot of water to dip the ends in and that made them super straight and shiny. Now, they can stay loose without unraveling.

I'm not used to having this much hair on my head so I am warming up to the fullness of it. We cut them a few inches so the back is about BSL and the front is a little shorter than that.

I look so tired! But it was worth it :-)


Sleeping, Showering & The Next Day: I pulled the braids low with a large elastic- the regular ones were too small- and I slept on a satin pillow case. It was a little bit uncomfortable but I think it will loosen up over the next few days and sleeping will be easy breezy. Today before I showered, I used one large shower cap and tucked the ponytail under and inside the cap. I had to pull the cap low to cover the bulk of the ponytail so it left the top portion of my hair uncovered. I took a second large plastic cap and put it over the front. So yeah, I double bagged it. Worked just fine!

Sunday, I went to Target to pick up some household items and I grabbed a pack of mini clips in black, brown, and clear. I used a few to pull back the braids away from my face.


Overall, I am very pleased with how they look and feel and the price could not have been beat. I plan to keep them in for about 2 months but we'll see how they look overtime. I purchased two products to use on them in addition to some diluted shampoo for my scalp that I already have. The first product is Elasta QC Feels Like Silk Leave-In H2 Moisture Sealing Conditioner. The second is Fantasia IC Herbal/Vitamin Braid Sheen Spray. I will be using these after I wash weekly or bi-weekly, depending on how my scalp does, as my strengthener and moisturizer.

So that's it! I'll try to post updates as they age, depending on how much little man let's me sneak away to the Mac!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Oscars 2011!


Award season is in full swing and tonight is promising to be a great one! I love everything about the Oscars-the glitz, the glamour, the fashion! Here are some of my favorites from the red carpet so far tonight ....

Halle Berry (OMG I am LOVING this dress. Stunning!)
{Image Credit}

Jennifer Hudson

Mandy Moore
Michelle Williams

Dallas 2010

Finally got down to editing my pictures from my trip to Dallas, Texas last December!

Wow, my average wait time for a blog entry is about 2.5 months. And to think they say one of the things blogs beat traditional media at is their speed to publish. Hmmm...

Anyway mostly pictures coz I finished editing at freaking 5.26am! Say whattttttttt?


Snow-filled landing strips in Minnesota where we transitted. THANK GOD Dallas winters are not so crazy cold!!


Say hi to my new camera pouch! :D It costs only $3 from one of those vending egg machines!! Cannot choose the colour though. Got pink, purple, blue, white and yellow (listed in my order of preference) and my first try I got a damn yellow (ugly!) and second I got the blue.

Ok lah I'm growing to like it. I should go try for a few more!


His and her footwear at Mike's uncle's lakehouse. Fun place!


Enjoying the sunset even at sub-zero temperature.


Rainbow sky... Can't get over how gorgeous it is! And that's the moon!


Tried to take a photo with the sky but unfortunately blocked by my big head/hat. Not a bad thing. LOL!


Artsy shot


In case you ever wondered "How would Xiaxue look like with puffy white cheeks?". 
Your question answered.


Mustang with reindeer ears. Love the Americans' Xmas spirit!



Camwhoring in the car


Burger from Steak n' Shake. Freaking awesome skinny fries! 

Guess what the patty is made of?


Yup


No wonder Voldemort's such a fan


Found my brown wedged oxfords at F21 - was so mad happy! 

These kinda shoes were all over Vivi then but unfortunately are now 
phased now before I even managed to blog about them fml.


Romantic drive to the lake that Mike loves


Watching seagulls and ducks. Too cold to walk outta the car though.


Cooked dinner for his family... LOBSTER TAIL!!


Pack of 2 tails only $7usd, but frozen ones lah. And so easy to cook - dig out the meat, stuff cheese in between meat and shell, sprinkle garlic and put some butter then pop into the oven.

It was not bad but my first attempt was quite raw!! Had to put it back in for another 10 mins. That's the shit thing about oven-cooking!

And that CORN.

You may think it is a insignificant side dish but my GOD the corn in the states is so freaking yummilicious!!!!!!!!!

Freaking sweet and the kernels are firm and crunchy and bursting with juice when you bite into them. Nothing like the mushy and lou feng variety you get in Singapore!! I can eat 4 in a row I swear!


I miss you V Coke!


Kitty thinks he is the king of the world sprawled all over the floor


This photo looks like an ad for fabric softener. I'm showing some love to my Uniqlo pink fur coat!! It is so nice and snug for winter and not to mention CHIO :p


Mike's mom specially cooking creamy pasta for me!! Love


There she is constantly fussing over how comfortable we are and how filled our stomachs are.


Doggie in da house


The house decorated for Xmas


 With a real fire! Careful of falling into the cinders Santa!


Pardon this ghost-like photo. I curled my hair and thought it was gorgeous that day...


Did I already mention gorgeous? I did...


Watching a movie together


Our first Xmas together married! :D


Xmas pressie to myself: Juicy Couture knitted earphones with mouse ears!! TOO CUTE



Yes I'm a bit too old for them but WHATEVER! Blondes get away with anything.



AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE.....

Playing with FIREWORKS!!!

Illegal in Singapore but legal in the states:



I have a feeling I posted a photo of this place before. Or is it a Deja vu?


BOOMBOOMBOOM! I will resist posting Katy Perry lyrics.


Had a hard time choosing our stash! Also I learnt the names of the different kinds of fireworks! "Artillery Shells" are those that we see at our NDPs. And the only sort I find are worth the money.

Roman Candles are lame!


LOL Mike's dad's gonna kill me for posting this up. We went to a field to set off the fireworks and it was super cold and he was underdressed so he took a blanket that was in the car to wrap himself in!!

We forced him to take a photo and it's so cute!! LOL

I will NOT post boring badly taken shots of the fireworks to torture you. You are welcome.


Hey this photo is not photoshopped!! Rare!!!


Dinner at a vintage burger joint with Mike's brothers... Erm just this photo I got distracted by my meal after that.


Wah lau... Coz the weather is so dry over there, my wedding ring finger acted up and had this.... What's this thing called?

Like a dry patch that's super itchy!!

Had to wear my ring on my right hand -_- Thank god it's ok now!! THANK YOU 100% HUMIDITY!


Ann and Paul waiting for a table for our dinner...


My, ahem, husband posing like a model. Unbeknownst to him, a mouthless cat at the background threatens his masculinity...


Sayre family


Girl in green is Daniel's fiancee!


My doodle on the table's paper!


Ok finish!!! I have relieved the guilt I've been having the past few days over not properly blogging. Phew!