20 Things I Learned at 20

Hello world,

I recently celebrated a big birthday, my 21st birthday on February 28th. As I've celebrated my special day with loving family, friends, and delicious drink specials at bars, I came to the realization that the year of being 20 years old, for me, has ultimately changed my life. I've noticed that I have become more "grown up" as they say by doing the ultimate mature adult thing: moving out of the house, renting my own apartment and paying for most of my expenses. As I thought I was ready to be a full adult, I quickly realized how much of a struggle it is to fend for yourself without any assistance. However, it was my decision so I'm dealing with true adulthood a little before my official calling after college. As I pondered on my new adulthood lifestyle, I also reflected on some theories, concepts, opinions, and facts about myself and others that I've noticed during my reign as a 20 year old in the world. I'll share them with you:

1. It's okay to say "NO" sometimes

2. However, don't let someone tell you "NO" as the end result of not being able to accomplish something

3. I feel as if I'm sometimes left out or forgotten in situations but I've realized it's because of my shyness that I don't speak up or make lasting impressions when I'm around a group of people...something I am personally working on

4. Start a 2nd savings account to help you save money for future needs (I've already accumulated a couple hundred dollars from payroll deposits and YouTube earnings since starting in January 2014)

5. I have my own personal complexes & I am currently dealing with, altering, or embracing each and every one of them

6. Love yourself first or else no one else will

7. There are sooooooo many different uses for Coconut Oil...I love it!

8. Make-up foundation is not for me. No matter the brand, it makes me look washed out or ashy

9. "What Suzie says of Sally says more of Susies than of Sally..." Remember that, #DEEP

10. Leggings are pants, thank you very much.

11. Avocados/Guacamole are magically delicious...and healthy

12. You lose your tastebuds as you get older (The other day I had a bowl of Lucky Charms and could not taste the sugary goodness from the marshmallows, a moment I used to cherish as a child....how disappointing)

13. Maintaining natural hair is harder than most people think...it's no friggin' joke!

14. There are reasons why we pay people for certain services, we all aren't capable of doing everything on our own

15. That being said, it's okay to ask for assistance

16. There's a time and a place for everything

17. I'm not a fan of the whole #teamlightskin or #teamdarkskin battle amongst black people in society, but I think #teambrownskin is where it's at! LOL

18. Twerking is indeed a talent.

19. Don't wait until the last minute to do everything that needs to get done, it'll put you so far behind and will stress you out more than ever in the long run

20. Your family are the closest people you'll ever have to you...always remember "blood is thicker than water"

These are just a few things that I've observed and developed as prominent more so at the age of 20. Who knows what life will hit me with at the age of 21. Can't wait to see what the next 357 days have in store.

Until next time,

Simone

DAY1: ABOUT ME #FEB2014WRITINGCHALLENGE

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them

They say they still can't see.

I say,

It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It's in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need of my care,

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me. 

-Maya Angelou

10 days late...& more

 

 Hello world, 

As you can visually see I have been slacking on my blogging game for the past 7 months. It's become a routine for me. Fall back into blogging regularly for 6-8 weeks then fall out of updating for 6-8 months. However, I found this February Writing Challenge proposed by Kim @ From A Wildflower. I think this will be a great way for me to get back in touch with blogging on a daily basis. I'll start from Day 1 & work my way from there in my next post. Join me on this writing adventure! Until next time... 

 XOXO, 

Simone

Anti-Natural Husband...

So I was just browsing the blogs and I came across this article about a man who actually preferred his wife NOT to go natural. He goes on to explain how he feels insecure about his wife transitioning stages of going natural. How he has succumb to the media's idea of European beauty and how women look best with long, flowy hair instead of short kinky hair. This article really hits home for me because in the back of my mind I am still a bit self-conscious about what others think/feel about my natural hair...especially what black men think. I believe we need more black men who will voice their opinions about their fellow counterparts' hair. It may ease the curiosity or tension we have within our community when it comes to what they think of black women and natural hair. Read the article here in its entirety please, he has some interesting things to say. What are your thoughts?

 

XOXO,

 

Simone

90 Day Hair Growth Challenge!

 

Length as July '13

Hey y'all! Hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far. Can't believe it's more than half way over! This summer I've been super busy working on projects of all sorts. Because I've been so busy I sort of neglected my natural hair. It's pretty much been kept under wraps in protective styles like my box braids and now my Marley twists. I believe my hair has grown an inch since my intial length check in May and I am looking forward to attaining more growth! I came across ClassyCurlies blog the other day and saw that she was doing a 90 day hair growth challenge. She has her own set of products she will be using to attain hair growth but because I'm ballin' on a budget I'll just be using some good 'ol Jamaican Black Castor Oil. I've heard great things about this oil because it really promotes hair growth! Only thing is it smells terrribbllleeee. My family hates when I use it in their house lol. But as long as it helps my hair grow I don't care what it smells like. ClassyCurlies has asked her followers to join her on this journey and because I've committed to joining I would like to invite you all to join us! My growth duration will occur from August 1st-November 1st. By then I will be past my one-year nappiverasry so this works out to be perfect timing. I will be
updating with my results + if I figure out a solution to mask the stank smell of JBCO :)

 

XOXO,

 

Simone

YouTube Channel Giveaway!

Greetings everyone!

It's been a while since I've posted so I thought I'd update you quickly about something big that's going on. I'm hosting a giveaway on my YouTube channel!!! I'm hosting this giveaway because my goal was to reach 1,000 subscribers this summer but I exceeded my goal have exceeded 3,000 subscribers!! So thank you so much to those of you have subscribed. If you haven't done so, please do. You won't regret it. My established 'neffyBOX' consists of 4 great hair products for all naturalistas or even relaxanistas out there lol. Check out my video down below for instructions on how to enter to win. Hurry though, there's only two days left to enter. Good luck!

 

XOXO,

 

Simone

Thrift Shop Haul!

Finally went thrifting! I found some good items (all for under $30) at a local thrift shop. Two patterned button ups, two basketball jerseys, and a pair of high waist blue jeans (not shown). I was excited about my new finds because I had given up a few months ago due to not having any luck finding things. I will be posting about how I style these items shortly. Check out my YouTube video about this haul for more details.

XOXO,

Simone