my healthy clear-skin-food-diet-lifestyle-challenge

To those who don't know, I'm on a 8 week no junk, no preservatives only healthy food challenge.

I was doing good the first two weeks; eating healthy foods, eating extra fruits, vegetables and drinking a lot of water. I was also exercising twice a week and following my skin regimen.

My third week I was was getting lazy, tried to continue to eat healthy but I did go to taco bell and I drank soda.

The weekend before Christmas I ate the greasiest, fried, sugary, processed food I could imagine at this gift exchange party, I woke up the next morning wanting to throw up.

Last night I had taco bell because I felt like I deserved it but instead of a beef chalupa, I got chicken which I guess is better...

For the next four weeks I'm gonna discipline myself because I've been getting a little bit of pimples here and there but no more mr.nice girl ..lol

one day..

...a $54 blazer wont sound absurd to me. in the mean time I'll just admire from my computer screen and hope to find a $5 dollar one in goodwill lol.( missselfridge.com )

nastygal.com

i love her natural hair !

Christmas wish list

1. $40- topshop | 2. $68- fredflare | 3. $50- sephora | 4. h&m gift card | 5. $58- missselfridge.com | 6.$600- target | 7.$20- amazon | 8. $40- target | 9. $81- asos.com

random, but i love this pic..

4 ways to wear black tights for fall : featuring my lil cousin =)

Shesha is so adorable! she's 16 and she was wondering how to wear tights so I decided it'd make a great post, so here it is..

Laid Back Look

Preppy

 Cool Kid

 Grunge Look

enough is enough!

My Journey to Clear and Healthy Skin by Shani

Right now at this point in life I feel like I’ve tried everything. Although I’m 20 and my skin hasn’t been as bad as back when I was 16. I still have acne and I WANT CLEAR SKIN! I’ve had enough. As of now my battle is getting rid of scars. Pimples are not a problem to me, but it leaves these vicious scars that won’t go away. I need to nip that in the butt to achieve clear skin, today. I’ve been doing some research and with the information I created a diet and lifestyle challenge consisting of 8 weeks and record what my skin likes and doesn’t like, also my improvements.

Diet Regimen:

WARNING!!!!!! STAY AWAY FROM JUNK FOOD, FRIED FOOD, GREASY FOOD AND CANDY FOR 8 WEEKS.

1. Drink 4 bottles of water, or 8 cups. (16 ounces in one regular bottle = 2 cups)
2. Try to eat a salad everyday.
3. Drink Green Juice everyday / Boost.
4. MAIN FOODS (stay away from red meat)
1. Eggs
2. Sardines in olive oil
3. Low salt tuna
4. Chicken Breast
5. Salmon
6. Beans 
7. Fresh Tortillas
8. Whole Wheat everything , ima try!
9. Rice
5. Incorporate 5 fruits or vegetables everyday.

Fruits:

1. Strawberries*
2. Blueberries*
3. Lemons
4. Peaches*
5. Grapes*
6. Grapefruit
7. Mangoes
8. Green Apples*

Vegetables:

1.     Broccoli

2.     Asparagus

3.     Bell Pepper*

4.     Celery*

5.     Fresh Spinach*

6.     Romaine Lettuce

7.     Eggplant

8.     Green beans

9.     Potatoes*

                                                            

* = should buy organic, why? http://www.spaweekblog.com/2010/11/19/the-big-o-the-dirty-dozen-and-the-clean-fifteen/

6. Intake on Healthy Fats like Olives, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Nuts
7. Others: Unsweetened Greek Yogurt, Granola
8. Green Tea, Ginger Tea
9. Multi vitamins!

Need ideas on healthy recipes ? http://www.dailyperricone.com/2010/01/28-day-start-fresh-challenge/

Skin Regimen:

1. Steam face twice a week with or without castor oil.
2. Indian Healing clay twice a week.
3. Stick to natural skin products.
1. Morning Routine

                                                             i.      Rinse face with warm water to open pores

                                                           ii.      Use face wash with baking soda

                                                         iii.      Rinse with cool water

                                                         iv.      Apply shea butter or spf moisturizer 

2. Night Routine

                                                            i.      Same applies, but apply lemon juice and shea butter after

4.   KEEP IT SIMPLE! Try not to focus on products, focus on your diet....you are what you eat!

Lifestyle Regimen:

Exercise twice a week.

Meditate / Yoga everyday

Go to bed before 11pm, unless working.

No tv/computer after 10pm unless needed.

Wash sheets once a week

Wash face immediately after you get home.

No excessive makeup, want pores to be clean…

LASTLY! JOURNAL EVERYTHING ONCE A DAY WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU DID WHAT YOU ATE AND THE OUT COME, YOU ARE YOUR OWN TEST. SEE WHAT YOUR SKIN LIKES AND WHAT IT DOESN’T LIKE AND ALSO HOW YOU FEEL, WHAT TIME YOU WENT TO BED ECT. ITS NOT ONLY ABOUT HAVING CLEAR SKIN ITS ABOUT BEING HEALTHY AND FEELING GOOD. 

happy thanksgiving ...grub time!

Let us all celebrate the history of when the white folk took the native american's land. 

lol, I'm kidding...

yes! for shea moisture

I'm in love with shea moisture! Lately my hair hasn't been doing what I want and it's very frustrating. I honestly hate washing my hair every week because I'm a 4b-c and detangling is a pain in the butt. I was washing my hair with some cheap shampoo and not only was it stripping moisture from my hair, I found my self itching the life outta my scalp within 3 days..shame on me =(

I'm a bit of a cheapo when it comes to hair products because I hate investing and being disappointed but I bought the Deep Treatment mask and the curling and styling milk, both were $10.


Last Sunday I decided to switch up the regimen. I did an apple cider vinegar rinse (I take a cap full of acv mix it with water in a spray bottle and drench my hair with it) and I used the deep treatment mask. Its been 10 days since I've washed my hair and I haven't touched my scalp. I use coconut oil to moisturize my scalp and ends. Detangling after using the deep treatment mask was easy. There wasn't a lot of breakage and my hair was super soft. The styling milk is good also, it makes my hair all wavy looking lol. To all the naturals who hasn't tried it yet, your missing out lol it's definitely worth 10 dollars..

fall faves.

elf 32 eyeshadow palette - $5

elf eyeliner & shadow stick - $3

Essie matte finisher - $10

Shea Moisture products -  Both $10

Indian Healing Clay - $8 

Apple Cider Vinegar - $1.16

Im trying the Shea Moisture products for the first time. I Bought the Indian Clay at the Vitamin Shoppe , best mask I ever put on my face, its really hardcore lol and of course ACV helps with the dandruff. Good stuff. 

being a shopaholic..

What is a shopaholic? Someone who shops carelessly and spends money on things they dont need! I have allowed my shopping habbits get the best of me and now I have to hide my wallet, hide my debit card, and pretty much never go near a mall. I get paid tomorrow, and I'm going nuts. Luckily I don't like expensive stuff, or brand names because I'd be done for. But I work at target, part time which isn't much and I shop every weekend and blow off 100 a day. That's a problem. After I buy something I fuss to myself all the way home saying how I shouldnt have bought those $50 dollar minnetonka boots or I shouldn't have bought those pants even though I fell in love when I tried them on in the fitting room and I blacked out after that. Although I suck I have strategies that help me when I'm shopping like..

1. Only go to one store, that doesnt involve a mall. Like Ross, or TJ Maxx.
2. Never go shopping by myself, I cant rely on myself to say no.
3. BUDGET! this is the most important. Im tryna set it lower but it was $100 last week.
4. Eat before I go shopping, the more tired I am after eating the less I wanna walk around and stuff. lol itis..
5. The Goodwill, I can make a killing and save money at the same time! lol

Thats all I got so far.. If I can get to a point where I dont have to go shopping and be fine with life itself that would be great. What are some ideas you shopaholics have to save money or what do you do to resist the temptations?

mali music - the job experience

batman .

Batman shirt - target | Booties - minnetonka | jeans - gap 

Toe to Toe

Although it was the typical black girl trying to make it out of the hood, and the rich white girl who is neglected at home and looks for attention by being the high school slut I loved it anyway. It wasn't too hollywood nor was it gritty and overly dull. It was real. The way it was written I didn't feel like I was just watching a movie or watching people act, I was following these two girls lives. I don't want to spoil it, but it most def was worth watching and very inspirational plus it was taken place in DC!

midi skirts

Turquoise Skirt - Goodwill |  Navajo Print Skirt - Goodwill | Black Wedges - Target | Belts - Goodwill 

fall 2011 : the midi skirt

The length is kinda weird because were all used to the short and cute, but its something different to mess with. I bought a couple midi skirts at the goodwill, I'm so over the short thing ya know lol. When I think of midi-skirts I think of classy even edgy, or urban, layering, tights and belts around at the waist and heels whether its boots, oxfords whatever! It's definatley something for this upcoming fall and I love it! <3

Skirts From :
topshop.com
dorothyperkins.com
missselfridge.com

fall shoe wish list, lets go!

nastygal.com looks

the sweater

baking soda uses

Hair Care

• To cleanse hair, add a little bit of baking soda to your shampoo and rinse. It will help remove any build-up from hair products.
• To clean your combs and brushes, soak them in a sink filled with warm water, baking soda and bleach.
• Add a small amount of baking soda to dry hair to help control oil.

Body Care

• To soften dry skin, add ½ cup of baking soda to a bath.
• Exfoliate calluses with a baking soda paste.
• Relax your Feet in a bowl of baking soda and water to help ease tension.
• Add baking soda to your cleanser to exfoliate, this is perfect for sensitive skin.

I've been using baking soda recently for my face and my face is soo smooth, it is most definatly worth 74 cents...

elf cosmetics fail.

The cover stick leaves my face looking ashy, as well as the face powder and the liquid concealer.

 The water proof liquid eyeliner does the job and so does the blending brush...idk about the eye lashes or the primer

I chose very random colors for the lipstick, the matte lipsticks (the two in the black box) were not my color whatsoever! and for the others one of them made me look like Bonquisha, idk light peach dont look good on me lol . -__-

honestly I must say, I got what I paid for. I see why its only a dollar, lol.

appreciating the little things...

Its been 3 weeks living in Virginia and I'm really enjoying it. It's not a big difference from where I lived before but   it's cool and my hair is loving the humidity! I'm almost settled in. I got a job and I'll be starting school next month, winning! 

I'm so thankful to have family who cares enough to take me into their home. I've came from  a not so good situation. Every month my mom and I were walking on egg shells, we had no idea if we would be homeless, and sharing a bedroom with the moms was not a good time, the fridge was empty (until foodstamps whoo!) and I was selling my clothes for gas money. It was definatly a stressful time, but we got through it.

 Now I have my own bedroom and bathroom, downstairs in the refurbished basement. Lord knows I am grateful. It's crazy how you can take the simplest things for granted until they're stripped from you. I take so much pride in my stuff nowadays, also with me having to buy all my stuff unlike back when I was a teenager. I feel so comfortable and peaceful, I can sleep at night. This is what I call home. 

<3

The girl you just called fat? She is overdosing on diet pills. The girl you just called ugly?...She spends hours putting makeup on hoping people will like her. The boy you just tripped? He is abused enough at home. See that man with the ugly scars? He fought for our country. That guy you just made fun of for crying? His mother is dying. Put this on your status/blog if you are against bullying. 


- Save a life. National Suicide Prevention Week

the best shampoo to ever touch my hair.

It was on sale at Walmart for only $3 , so I got the shampoo and conditioner. Best shampoo/conditioner I have so far. The shampoo is a great clarify-er, and has acai berry & avocado extract. They say it's sulfate free but on the back it says Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate I know sodium lauryl is drying, I have no idea. But on the other hand there is Cocamidopropyl Betaine which is good, I've read. The conditioner is good too. All I can say is that I've been using it for two weeks and I'm pretty satisfied. 

...to the mall