Another Blog Year, Another Journey Coming Up

Well, Thoughts of an OUTSPOKEN_DIVA is almost 4 years (July 3rd). On the third, I'll be a tad busy with work and preparations for my weekend plans so, I'm telling you guys early of a few known new plans for the blog.

This is what I looked like 4 years ago at my birthday dinner. That dress is so big on me now. I could put a blouse under it and make it a jumper. Oh and see my short bob. I told you guys my hair was short.

This is me at this year's birthday dinner. Longer hair and fitting in a dress 5 years old and 2 sizes smaller without seeing my rolls. Still working on my arms. I was looking at my oldest aunt's arms and I think it might be hereditary among the heavier members. Regardless, I'm still lighting the kettlebells to get the jokers slimmer not hit people with them like my name is Sean Combs (He & I are too old to act that foolish).

Now as for the blog, there will be a New year-long series based healthier holiday recipes.

Do you know parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14–30?
A master who was leaving his house to travel, and, before leaving, entrusted his property to his servants. According to the abilities of each man, one servants received five talents, the second servants received two talents, and the third servants received one talent. The property entrusted to the three manslaves was worth 8 talents, where a talent was a significant amount of money. Upon returning home, after a long absence, the master asks his three servants for an accounting of the talents he entrusted to them. The first and the second servants explain that they each put their talents to work, and have doubled the value of the property with which they were entrusted; each servants was rewarded. .The third servant, however, had merely hidden his talent, had buried it in the ground, and was punished by his master.

Well, because of  me doing a healthier soul food series, I am being rewarded and the Holiday Healthy series is a part of it. I am so glad I was not like the third servant and decided not to hide my talent.

The series is self explanatory. I will be providing healthy & helpful tips & recipes doing different holidays. Weight gain refuses to not take a vacation. So, the calories we consume on holidays count too. And this series starts right in time for Independence Day. I know many of us will be chowing down of on some cookout food if some kind. Some will even be cooking for some of these cookouts. Well, if you want to save yourself some calories & fat stay tuned. It will probably drop soon because if you are like my home, there's some shopping that needs to be done this week.

It has been a while since I told you guys anything here about a web series. That is because I have been watching them. LoL Oh there is a new one by Black & SexyTV on there new Black & Sexy Now PPV called Sexless that wrapped in May. I promise you, they have been taking notes on my life since I was 15. It's about 4 ladies (well 3 and maybe 1 depending on your definition of sex) who are all not having sex. 2 are virgins & 2 are celibate (again depending on your definition). I have been every woman on that show in some shape, form or fashion. The introduction minisodes & first episode are free on their YouTube channel. You can watch them HERE. Also the Marriage Tour season 3 HERE & Dating Savannah Love HERE (who's dating life looks a lot like mine) have started. And soon prepare for my thug tears. The web show, That Guy is ending its run with a third season. I reviewed the movie (LINK) earlier this year. Thanks to its spin-off, Being Nia & the Sexless spin-off, Chef Julian some of my questions have been answered. Ronnie will be around a little & Darryl has learned a lesson from the Judah/Stacy issue. He learned it so well he was schooling this guy named Julian well. After the series finale, I will do a farewell post to That Guy. I think as long as Judah & Deon or Mike & Deon don't start dating, I think I will be fine. We shall see.

And that is it. I'll try not to negative and be very informed about everything I post for another year. No matter the topic, I will be 100% OUTSPOKEN_DIVA. Last and Never least, Thank You to every reader of this blog. I was just typing stuff  I need to get off my brain.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

3rd Relaxer in a Year (It's My Hair)

So the last time I talked about my hair was in December or January, I looked like this. My experience relaxer stretching for 6 months was not that bad so I decide to stretch it for 6 months again. Well, with all the rain pouring down in the DFW metroplex, I cut this 6 months stretch off by two weeks.

I also during the stretch I bought a new investment to go with the last investment I call Marshall Royce Williams. I call this one, Kelly Royce Williams.

She is so cute. This is my first wig. It has been a few years since I had worn tracks. I forgot what it was like to wear that much hair. She took some time to get used to but I love her. But of course like Marshall, Kelly is not to totally relied up on. I wore my hair out.

I think this my roller set was bomb for a showing of "Kinky Boots".

And my hair was "Aunt of a High School Graduate" fabulous on this day. That was such a hectic morning at my house. I was very proud of my hair and my niece.

My hair is growing.  In March, I was blow drying my hair and all of  sudden I realized, I couldn't see very well.

My bangs were passed my eyes. The last time I had check on my bangs since I parted them in January of last year was in November. They covers my brows some but passed my eyes. I was excited.

Okay so I am actually late doing this blog. I got a relaxer two weeks ago. I forgot to take pictures of my hair of my hair when it was freshly done.

Here it is once I got in and put on my "hair shirt" so I could put it up for the evening. Then all the rain and humidity in the area made it impossible to keep my style properly so I wrapped it. And I wrapped it just in time for my birthday event. So, this is what I looked like a week after my relaxer.

I haven't worn my hair wrapped in so long I looked weird to me. Cute but a little weird. I'll have to wear it like that more often.

Well, wash day was two days ago. I washed my hair with the Pantene Truly Relaxed Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner as always. I don't add the Clarifying Shampoo & Deep Conditioner to the routine until week 8. I'll have enough new growth to be concerned with, then.

Then, I put the styling aids in before I dry my hair. I usually air dry or sit under a hooded dryer until week 6 when the new growth makes an appearance. That also mean that the styling aids change after 6 weeks also. I don't use the L'oreal Intense Smoothing Serum before I dry. I use the Dark and Lovely 6 Week Anti-Reversion Cream Serum to keep my hair from shrinking some much after I blow dry my hair.

And here are the results after I air dry and comb it out with my trusty wide tooth comb that is older than me.

I then sectioned it off, two strand twist and roll each section at the end overnight.
Viola!!! Looks like the style I had when I got my relaxer.

My style for the next two weeks if we keep this wonderful dry weather. If not, I'll just wrap it,

In two weeks, one of my closest friends, Intellectual Diva (Smartest Diva, I know) is getting married. I'm a bridesmaid and I'll be returning to the land of buns & updos. I get addicted to not doing my hair. LoL

So pray my strength that I may continue to comb my hair and not slick it up and put it in a bun after this. As long as I have my spray oil & my edge control, I should be fine.

So that is my hair. Relaxed Hair, I Don't Care!!! I really don't care. I wear it my way and you should wear yours, your way. And We'll All Be Happy Again!!!


As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

My Relaxer Stretch Journey (It's My Hair)

Sorry Team Natural I was not transitioning for the big chop. I was relaxer stretching. Team Natural & the Fashion Fair counter ladies can't stand me. They are always questioning how I am supposed to look like as a Black Woman. I really wish the Naturalistas & Johnson Publishing Company get their people in line.

So I have completed my 1st relaxer stretch. What is Relaxer Stretching?  This is when you extend the period between two relaxer sessions. You go longer than you normally would in between getting relaxers. Most people (including me) usually retouch their relaxers 6 weeks. Stretching relaxers can thicken your hair.  Hair tends to become thinner over time if you are overlapping relaxers on your hair.  Overlapping relaxers happens when you relax previously relaxed hair.  By stretching your relaxer, your new growth becomes more prominent and therefore easier to see when applying the relaxer.
For a year I kept tinkering with Relaxer stretching. I had my haircut into a bob last year. This me on my birthday.

As cute as I was, I wanted to do something new with my hair. So I decided let me give this "grow my hair thing a try again" I kept seeing talk about relaxer stretching. I even followed a Stylist/Blogger Stretching Series named Latoya Jones on YouTube at the beginning of the year. So I decided I would try this. I would get to week 8 and slap on some chemical. Well my last relaxer was in February.

Well around week 5, I was blow drying my hair and decided that I going to do the stretch for real this time. 

So here I am at Week 6.

Usually I would be getting a relaxer. But Ms. Jones said it is safe to get a relaxer once you get have 2 inches of new growth. That usually takes 16 weeks (10 weeks passed  the usual retouch time) Now go look at a ruler. 2 inches!!! I barely had 3 centimeters. But I stuck in there. 

What did I use?

A Clarifying Shampoo (2x's)

A Moisturizing Shampoo (1x)

Conditioner (used Deep Conditioner once a month)

A 6 week Reversion Smoothing Serum (I like that brand. I tested another brand for another company (Can't tell the brand yet, still "testing". I hate it) (I take one week off and start again after every cycle)

Blow Dryer

Flat Iron 

Edge Control Stick

Two Satin Scarves (I like to flat iron my hair once a week. Hair does Not need that much heat. Plus I am lazy and like to sleep until the last minute. Satin scarves keep my hair in place and pretty straight)

Here is Week 7 (First week of the "stretch").

I got it pretty straight. It was cute. I felt like I can do this. This won't be so bad.

Week 9 was funny. I was going to my cousin's wedding. And I had sweated a lot in Line Dance Aerobics that week. I had been wearing my hair down and I didn't have time to wash my hair. So I put it up in a chignon and parted out some bangs to "hide" the new growth in the front. 

I was cute had on a "new to me" strapless dress. I debuted my "lollipop lips". You couldn't tell me nothing at my foundation church that night. 

Week 12 was where the work really kicked in. I was almost a month away. I washed my hair and  I couldn't find my any fake hair. So I had to wear my hair down. I had my niece & nephew's godfather's funeral to attend. Problem was I could stop sweating because the fan in my bedroom stop blowing the night before. I looked okay that day but by time for me to wash my hair. My hair was so big.

Yes, that hair is screaming wash me. Oh and yes, I got a new fan for my room. Sweat is the enemy of a relaxer stretch. Trust me!!! I don't sweat often but when I do...it pours from my body. I need an ice water I.V. just talking about it. LoL

Last week of the stretch. So I decide to take these pics of my last week before my relaxer. The first picture is where my new growth stops indicated by my finger (Yeah, I finger parted it. So it looks funny). The next two pictures is my hair wash, blow dried & flat ironed with a little bump. Don't be fool by the clean look. It's thick in there. I'm looking at the back. Once my stylist relaxes and trims my hair properly, my hair will probably not be as long as I envisioned it but it will be thicker and healthier. That's what is important. 

 

Well I ended up roller setting my hair. It has rain a few days this week so the weather is humid. I went to a outdoor event at the Fair Park so this hairstyle is perfect. 

 

I was at my one of best friend's we will call T.T., birthday event, the day after the out the outdoor event. My "little" brother, BJ said He now knew what I would look like with a natural and he approved. (He has Team Natural tendencies so yeah he gets side eye a lot). On the way to the venue I was concerned because my edges weren't  matching the curls in my eyes. But in this photo taken by my BFF, Love, my hair looked fine. Yeah My hair was ruling me for a moment. 

During the stretch I only wore my hair in 3 styles, a bumped wrap, updo, pulled back braided bun (bun is unraveling, need a new one), and a roller set. 

My tresses will be in the hands of my long time stylist, Adrienne. I've been with her 20 years, this year. I trust her. So what ever hairstyle she envisions will be my hairstyle. 

So are you ready for the reveal. Introducing Adrienne's "Betty Boop". But first look at me under the dryer. 

 
I don't like being under dryer. It's boring. I can't hear and if someone is talking to me I feel like I am screaming. Okay I'm stalling. Here is the style result of my first relaxer stretch.

 

I just pin curl it a night and as the curls fall I will wrap it. Do you like it? I do!!!

Will I do a relaxer stretch again? Yes!!! Unless it is an emergency, I'll go 16 weeks between relaxer touch ups from now on. My hair feels great and full. Got a little more length to the hair. I like the results.

I told you guys I followed the Relaxer Stretch tips from a Hair vlogger who is also Hairstylist. Her name is Latoya Jones. Her YouTube Channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkjr8TmEu7Hv_GvfWkpVYbw
Her Blog is http://www.latoyajonesblog.com/
She gives great tips and her Vlog is very helpful. Go Check her out.

Any other questions, leave them in the comments below or Email OUTSPOKEN DIVA at
c.out.spoken.diva@gmail.com

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

The Hair Debate

I told you all that there three social debates I honestly think are stupid. Skin tones in the black
race has already been discussed. One day I'll discuss Working/Stay-at-Home moms but today let me discuss Relaxed/Natural hair.

I wear a relaxer. I've had a relaxer since I was 5. I don't want to wear my hair any other way. That's my choice. My sister wears her hair in natural locks. She can't imagine wearing a relaxer ever again. That's her choice.
Who made the Good Hair choice?
If you said My sister of if you said me, you are wrong, in my opinion. We both made Good Hair choices.

I HATE the term Good Hair. If you have hair on your head that is not falling out of your head, it is Good Hair.
The hair debate makes me outraged. Straight hair is not better than Wavy hair. Wavy hair is not more comb-able than Natural Coiled hair. Natural Coiled hair is not healthier than Straight hair. We need to get that through our skulls to our brain. The fact must get lost in the hair.

Hair choice is a matter of opinion. Opinions are not right or wrong. So how someone wears their hair is not right or wrong.

Boy massa did a number on us again. Lincoln may have emancipated us but our brains are still enslaved when it comes to hair choices. Well I'm off the plantation. My relaxed bob is cute just like my sister's locks. Afros are cute. Bald heads are cute. Weaves & ringlets are cute just like close cut haircuts. I think all hair is Good Hair. That's Great!

Always Talking to You in Adult Terms