11 Things: Late Night Edition

So while late night blogging, I came across a post on a blog that I admire (femmeswithbenefits.com) & saw that they had an 11 things about me & 11 questions post. I'm deciding to join in on the fun! Something interesting & quirky to adhere to, especially during my late night blogging session.

1. Probably the first thing I tell people when they ask, "Tell me something I don't know about you". I always reply with: "I can't whistle or snap my fingers."

2. I am absolutely obsessed with Instagram. It's like a mini-blog with picture tweeting. All my favorite things rolled into one!

3. It was a spontaneous decision for me to go natural, made on October 28th, 2011.

4. Growing up, I had quite a vivid imagination (Still do, actually). I would constantly make up realistic case-scenarios for my Barbies as if they were in day-to-day soap opera stories. I was in dork heaven when the computer game, Sims, was made.

5. I always claim the last movie I see as my "new favorite movie". Obviously, I don't watch very many movies or have much movie experience.

6. I'm on the road to changing my lifestyle. The way I present myself, the activities I'm involved in, my diet and exercise regimen...I think this is my alert for maturing from a teenaged girl to a young woman.

7. I once was a basketball player, and a cheerleader in my sporting career. I wasn't very good at either.

8. Indecisive should be my middle name. I'm never satisfied with just one thing.

9. I'm not really into foreign foods. I'm an all-American girl at heart, with a southern fried appetite. 

10. I absolutely love "fresh starts". There's nothing better than going into something with a clean slate.

11. Documenting everything (digitally) is a new found hobby of mine. Taking photos of my progressions, the people around me, and unforgettable moments. I'd like to call in online scrapbooking.

1. Who is your favorite author? This is embarrassing but I don't have a favorite author. I like many works from various authors. My top two favorite books though are The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald & The Coldest Winter Ever by Sista Souljah.

2. What is the best career advice you've ever been given? I guess you could say this can be applicable to life as well..."Drink beer now, and champagne later." Comes directly from my father. Simply meaning, you may have to struggle and settle for things at this moment, but your handwork will definitely pay off and be rewarding.

3. What is the best relationship advice you've ever been given? Honestly, I've never really been given any memorable relationship advice. I am usually the one giving the relationship advice. So it's just a matter of me learning to practice what I preach.

4. What is your favorite song? Electric Relaxation - A Tribe Called Quest

5. Do you have any bad habits you're not afraid to admit? I have terribly ashy skin, especially when it comes to my legs. I do not lotion enough during the wintertime. I often neglect the parts of my body that covered by my clothing.

6. If you could give your 16 year old self one bit of advice, what would it be? Being that this was only 3 years ago..I would have totally told myself to 'stop dwelling on what you don't have in life and embrace what you do. I know you hate things that aren't welcoming and open easily to you, but push your way through, try to make some great connections and leave a lasting impression.'

 7. What's your zodiac sign? Pisces. I live by my zodiac sign, its horoscope & everything it stands for.

8. What's the longest relationship you've ever been in? Happily? 4 months.

9. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of "Self Love"? That's easy. Inspired by a graffiti on a gazebo nearby, tatted on the inside roof "Love Yourself". I instagramed the photo & instantly thought of the term "LoYo". That is my new catchphrase now.

10. Favorite fragrance? My newest perfume, Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana

11. What were your New Years Resolutions? Did you stick with it/them? It was to stop swearing, a highly difficult task that was not completed lol.

Thanks for reading & feel free to repost with facts about yourself and answers to the questions on your blogs!

(Credit: http://www.femmeswithbenefits.com & http://www.noboizallowed.com)

(Photo credit: http://www.femmeswithbenefits.com)

Introductory

Hello world! To anyone who's reading this, thank you for visiting Nappily Ever After! This blog is dedicated to keeping track of my natural hair journey. I'm currently transitioning from relaxed to natural and I'm post relaxer since October 2011 (6 months yay!). This blog is for me to document my experiences and share them with you. I'm open to giving advice (with the little knowledge I have about naturality) and open to receiving advice too! My eyes light up when I see a natural girl in the crowd. Just simply embracing natural beauty, don't be alarmed...

Well, to tell you a little about myself..my name is Simone. I'm a 19 year old rising sophomore in college. I'm a communications major with a concentration in journalism. I'm from Albany, NY. I have a wonderful family, a loving boyfriend, and some pretty amazing friends. Without them, it'd be pretty hard to get through this transitioning process with ease...

I begged for and received my first relaxer when I was 8 years old and boy, was I in love. Before then, I would go to my grandma's house to get my hair straightened by a hot comb heated up on the stove (if you're a black girl, you most likely know what that's all about lol). My hair from ages 6-8 was pretty long, from what I can remember I'd say bra strap length. But until I received my relaxer, all I can remember is that it'd come out little by little. Infatuated with the new straight, flowy hair I had I ignored the fact that my hair was falling out. Therefore, I just kept getting them because it's the only thing I've ever wanted...

It wasn't until 6th or 7th grade that I realized I had thinning hair problem. Sure my edges would lay down perfectly, but my hair was never full so I really couldn't do much with it. It always pained me to see other girls (regardless of race) with long, beautiful hair because that's something I once had that I could never get back, all because of that creamy crack...

I started wearing braids & weaves to achieve my lengthy desires but deep down, it still wasn't self-satisfying. My real hair would often grow nice & healthy. But then I'd do something crazy to it like glue in a weave or dye it myself, and it'd all fall out again. My hair was thinning, my hairline was receding, I had uneven hair lengths. It wasn't until my freshman year of college, specifically winter break, that I said "enough is enough, I'm going natural!"

Now my story about wanting to become natural isn't really different from the next black girl's, but my journey through this transitioning process is what I believe is a story worth telling. It's hard to maintain confidence when people are constantly are telling you, "You look a hot mess" "What happened to your hair?" "You need to go to the hair salon and get that taken care of". Most people in society don't view having hair styles like bantu knots or twisted locks as professional. It's also very hard to maintain a style when the roots maintain a perfect coil pattern and your ends just weren't having it. But, I'm making a promise to myself that I will get through this WITHOUT the big chop! (No offense to the ladies who have gone through it though, more power to ya)

I guess what I'm really trying to say is I don't need somebody to tell me that my hair is nappy. That is something I already know. All I need is some coconut oil, a wide tooth comb, and an excellent support system of caring individuals. By this, I will live Nappily Ever After.