Growing my hair - update 6 months

In April I told you that I was going to start a healthy hair regime, so I thought it was about time I provided an update. I've been doing the following since April:

Using heat sparingly, I've used my straighteners 5 or 6 times at most, I do blow dry my hair sometimes on the low heat setting but this is also infrequent.

Washing weekly and then if I go to the gym I will rinse out my hair and wash it with conditioner (co-washing). I also deep condition with my hood dryer weekly.

Reduce the amount of protein conditioners I use, I had a love affair with Affirm's 5in1, I only use it the week before I relax my hair to strengthen it, directly after rinsing out my relaxer but before neutralising and the week after I relax. I still think its an amazing product i just don't need to use it every week. Instead I alternate my conditioners weekly using Keracare Humeteco for moisture and Aphogee 2 minute for protein (I'm not sure I like this product so looking for an alternative).

Relax my hair every 8-10 weeks, rather than every 6 weeks. I currently have a weave in so probably won't relax my hair again to February but that depends, although that's the aim.

Stopped using products that contain mineral oil, petrolatum or certain types of alcohol.

Since doing all of the above my hair has grown from just below my ear lobe to chin length at the front and to the end of my neck at the back. Although due to constantly putting my hair in a top knot I have suffered some breakage.

If you're interested in finding out more about the health of your hair I would definitely recommend this book 'The science of black hair' it basically challenges lots of myths about black hair.

My new past time - baking

When I was growing up I was a keen baker, I regularly used to bake at the weekends, rock cakes, flapjacks and scones were my particular favourites. But as I got older and life got in the way baking took more of a back seat; however lately I've started baking again and I'm really enjoying it. I find it a great way to relax and sometimes knock up a cake after work or on a Sunday afternoon.

So far I've perfected Humming Bird's Red velvet cake recipe, tried my hand at Let Them Eat Cake, made a banana cake that my work colleagues and my niece and nephew loved and have made a number of desserts. I'm now getting requests and have been asked to make a carrot cake and am currently soaking fruits for my first ever Christmas cake - the fruits are already well laced with rum and I can't wait to bake the first attempt in late November.

I'm now looking for an amazing cake stand and tea set so that I can have afternoon tea, so if you see one  do let me know.

Film Africa 2012

I'm a bit of a film fiend, and I generally love watching movies and making good use of my Cineworld card. As well as going to see blockbusters at the cinema, I also enjoy attending film festivals; there are so many great independent films that you can see, and hearing from the director, screenwriter etc, who sometimes attend the screenings makes the experience so much richer. So when I stumbled across information on the Film Africa Festival, which runs from 1-11 November I was quite excited. With films in different locations in London, I'm sure there will be something that I would like to see.

Wise words

Saw this today and it seemed to be speaking to me, so I stole it and am now sharing it with you. If you can't read it here's a link http://instagr.am/p/RFXVMkPOEC/

For other words of wisdom do check me out on Instagram nache79

FA stop insulting our intelligence

I'm a massive football fan, I actually spent my birthday watching Arsenal at the Emirates, as a lover of the sport I am disgusted by the FAs punishment of John Terry. Not only is it way too lenient it's another indication that other things are far more important within the game eg Bentner's fine at the Euros for promoting a brand that wasn't a sponsor was doled out quick time but as yet no action against Serbia.

Although I don't believe football per se is a racist sport I definitely believe that it reflects the society that we live in. Fans of the game are the same people you meet day in day out and their thoughts, belief systems etc are not different because they saw a black player score or defend a goal that helped their team win on Saturday.

Yesterday Alex Ferguson said he was 'embarrassed' because Rio chose not to wear the Kick it Out T-shirt?! Sir Alex truly needs to get his head out of the clouds (or that large glass of red), wearing a T-shirt will not change what is becoming a more visible issue in the game. Racism exists throughout football from the lack of black managers to the limited number of Asian players and much more needs to be done by the powers that be to rid racism from the sport.

Hopefully the reports that Rio will be fined £220k for not wearing the T are unfounded and Man U will use a common sense approach to Rio's protest. The PFA, a number of other top flight managers and even commentators from MOTD believe every player should have the right to choose whether they wear the T-shirt. My guess is no matter how much Rio is fined (if he is) the fact that he can go to sleep at night knowing that he stuck to his principles will be more important to him than a couple of weeks wages.Those idiots aka the FA have made a total mare of the whole situation firstly but not hearing JT's case directly after it happened and secondly by supporting Terry's request for the criminal process to be delayed until after the Euros. Both actions were a clear indication of their thoughts on eradicating racism from the game.

It saddens me that a sport I love, and the organisation of a league that is followed by so many people around the world can't get their house in order and is using rhetoric and pr stunts to try to whitewash a serious issue. I truly hope that they will either ask black players what needs to be done or hire a consultancy to advise them; even as a start these basic steps would make a difference:

1. stop dripping money into Kick Racism Out, if you truly believe in it English FA put your hands in your pockets and bring out some real money;
2. have real sanctions for racism and racist behaviour which includes not playing international games in stadia or countries where your black players have to endure extreme racist taunts or be attacked; 
3.  not playing for the national team if you are being investigated for racism.

Until the FA do something about this there will be no England games watched in my home, my son will not be wearing an England shirt and I definitely won't be buying one. I refuse to support or endorse a team organised by those pricks at the FA. It might not make a difference to them but this is about exercising your own free will to protest in a non-violent way.

That's all from me

Nx

Since I originally posted this we have seen Chelsea fans 'help' a black steward from the stands onto the pitch, by chucking him over the hoardings. We have also witnessed another fan, a supporter of the same club imitating a monkey towards a black player. This is now getting out of hand something needs to be done now!!

Products I love - nail varnish remover

I love to paint my nails and change my nail colour a couple of times a week. Constantly painting my nails means I go through an awful lot of nail varnish remover but recently I found this product Bourjois Dissolvant and it literally has made removing nail varnish so simple.

All you have to do is dip your finger in the pot, twist and voila varnish free nails. I would definitely recommend it as its so much easier than using a liquid and much better than nail wipes on the go; that aren't very good at providing a clean nail.

I'm off to try my Ciate Caviar nail kit that I received today. Update: Check out the pick of my manicure - luv it x You can purchase the exact same kit at Selfridges. Also Boots are currently running their 3 for 2 Autumn event, so do stock up - I have!

So late but now jumping on the Elle Varner band wagon

So basically I love music, especially live music. I am a very regular concert attendee, I would say on average I attend a concert at least once a month. I couldn't imagine my life without music in it, and I love hearing a new album or song and being mesmerised by new talent. So when hearing Elle Varner for the first time, earlier this week - bare in mind its only Tuesday - I couldn't understand why I hadn't heard of her before and why one of my so called friends (if they haven't been sharing good music like this with me I'm not sure I can call them friends) hadn't told me that I needed her album in my life.

Well anyway lets just say I am now a Elle Varner fan and am loving 'Perfectly Imprefect' (her debut album) and Elle has now been added to my line of girl crushes. You can check out her video for the song that led me to want to find out more here 'I don't care'. Let me know what you think of the video x

Fitness fun

If you are anything like me then (to my boyfriend's derision) you work out so you can look hot, rather than for health! Well actually looking good is great for my general health and well-being - so I do work out for my health. But anyway I don't really enjoy going to the gym, I go because the days of just cutting back on Friday to ensure a flat pack stomach on Saturday are a few Fridays before the big night out.

To counteract my general dislike of the gym, I've tried very hot personal trainers (so far this has been the best motivation), using  apps such as Nike Training Club and Spin, all which have worked, but I still seem to get bored. So a couple of months ago I found this website http://www.boutiquesport.co.uk/ and after checking out what they are all about, they describe themselves as 'the ultra-glam way to work-out' I knew I needed to sign up to their emails.

Last month I was lucky enough to receive the opportunity to attend a Boutique Sport event, and with my friend in tow, went to a yoga class at Blue Cow Yoga. The class was great fun, and the facilities at Blue Cow were relaxing.

After the yoga session we were invited to attend a cocktail session with the other attendees and the team from Boutique Sport at a bar just down the road. After a relaxing yoga session, cocktails aren't normally the order of the day but this was all about a little rest and relaxation and it would have been rude to refuse. The cocktails weren't to my taste but the goody bags we received were lovely especially the blueberry chewy that I had; and to top the night off I also won 6 months membership at the yoga studio.

 Boutique Sport is such a great idea, and its a great way for health & fitness businesses to market themselves to completely new clientèle - do check it out!


Hopefully your soon to be yogi!




Update Just got another chance to try out a new class - hot Pilates, courtesy of Boutique Sport I'll let you know what is was like. But do sign up, you can try something new for free and if you like it it you could be the next Nell McAndrews.

More Solange

More amazing Solange photos and I love that she used the Gentleman of the Bacongo in her latest video! If you haven't seen it yet its here.Yeah I'm still crushing.

Photos courtesy of http://www.skinnyhipster.com/

August - October

I would love to say that I have been travelling the world or doing something equally exciting since I last blogged, but I haven't. I've just been rather rubbish, but I plan to rectify that soon, but for now do check out some of the links below:

http://www.almonadeluwoyeart.com/#/art/4564845306 - amazing art by a very dear friend of mine, that's me!

http://www.kayosoulmusic.com/#!home/BlankPage_0 - this is the website of another friend singer Kayosoul, please check out his EP and new video released last week.

http://www.necessaryp.com/campaign.html - I love the creativity of this project.

This is one of my fave daily reads http://www.skinnyhipster.com/.

This is on my list of things to see - do let me know if you get a chance to go.

Hope to see you soon Nadie x