#so now it's just its own post ghds

[sonder-palms]

PREVIOUS POST

> Try to convince the whimsicott to go back in the jungle?

> Go into the jungle yourself and try to help them out?

> Give them a scare?

[99corentine]

Afterword: Will there be a sequel to GHD?

After almost four years, GOL HAH DOV is finally a finished project. 50 chapters, just shy of 375K words (about 4-5 full novels’ worth of writing) and I don’t want to know how many hours of furiously typing, here we are at the finish line. As we started getting near the end a few people asked whether I was going to write a sequel, but the answer was too complex to put in an author’s note, so I thought I’d discuss it in more detail here.

Unfortunately, the short version of this is probably not, but let me explain why.

So, there are many things that could go in a sequel. Off the top of my head, I’ve yet to write about: the events of the Dawnguard DLC. The truth about Chrysanthe’s past. How they contend with Hermaeus Mora, who is still gunning for them. How the civil war unfolds when the First Dragonborn looks at both the Empire and Stormcloaks and says ‘nah, I’ll make my own faction’. How the Thalmor react to this. Miraak’s rise to power when he’s not allowed to use his mind control powers, and Chrysanthe’s general struggle to keep Miraak on a morally good path.

All of this could definitely make for another longfic but what I don’t have is any sort of romantic development. The trouble with writing a soulmates fic is that once the couple have overcome their personal issues, there’s very little further tension. Chrysanthe and Miraak actually got together very early in the fic (about chapter 12 out of 50) and the rest has been about them learning each other, becoming more intertwined… but I’m not really sure how they can get more intertwined, after the events of GHD. There are many external points of tension (politics, Thalmor, daedra) but there’s nothing internal - only Miraak’s dubious morality, but we already know that he’ll change his course for Chrysanthe, so what else is there to add?

Essentially, I can’t see how to further develop the relationship, and to me the romantic tension is what makes a fic worth writing. Without it, I just know that even if I started a GHD sequel, I wouldn’t have the enthusiasm to see it through to the end. Now that may change, and I might think of something new… but for the time being, I’m going to put GHD down and focus on other things.

Those other things are: 1) The Tav/Astarion Baldur’s Gate 3 longfic I’ve started, Tooth for a Tooth, which has all my attention at the minute. It’s darker than GHD but the protagonist has the same steely-stoic paladin vibe, so if you liked Chrysanthe you might like him too 2) A while ago I posted a fic idea in which the Last Dragonborn (Chrysanthe, or a totally new character) ends up in the past with pre-Apocrypha Miraak. Again this is a longfic that I’m not sure I really have the spoons for, but I’d say I’m more likely to write this than a GHD sequel 3) Various other bits and pieces, unfinished oldfics, etc.

I know that might be disappointing for some to read, but I hope my reasons make sense at least! And I hope that you still enjoy GOL HAH DOV as its own piece of work, and come back to read anything else that I might write in the future. Thank you again for coming on this Skyrim adventure with me!

[ritahanson]

post/165129170506 'at least we fucking appreciated it' how about fuck you for hating the broadway production and acting like it doesn't mean more than the london one did the london one ran for two months that's the worst thing i've ever heard. this show would be nothing without the broadway production and its fans HOW DARE YOU SAY WE DON'T APPRECIATE IT

OUT OF STICKY BUNS  ::  Funny how I ended up seeing this after replying to something telling people this fandom was lovely, isn’t it?

First things first, I’m going to suggest you calm the hell down. Secondly, I’m going to suggest that your interpretation of my comments on the post in question say a lot more about you than it does about what I actually said.

Not that I need to justify myself to you, but I didn’t ‘hate the Broadway production’. I live in England, and flew to New York to see it in April - and I saw it four times, including on opening night. Some of the additions and changes from London were absolutely fantastic, and completely blew my mind (looking right at you, tilt-a-whirl). I devoured every piece of promotional material (despite being of the belief that the marketing team did the production a huge disservice from the off, but that’s another matter entirely). I was going to be going back to see it again in January, at the end of the original booking period (which would have ended up being either the cast change or the closing performance). Except this show - this gorgeous, clever, funny, devastating show - didn’t make it that far, and as such I and numerous others have lost the chance to see the incredibly talented and incredibly kind OBC work their magic again - or at all, in many cases.

I did all of these things because I fell in love with this musical during the London run. A run which (and you might’ve wanted to do some research before heaping scorn on it) was always supposed to run for ten weeks. The Old Vic doesn’t do ‘unlimited runs’, it has its own internal season, and Groundhog Day was the final production at the end of Matthew Warchus’ first season as the artistic director of the theatre. Groundhog Day was phenomenally well-received in London. It opened to a raft of five star reviews praising more or less every element of the show. They added extra matinees to try and meet demand for tickets, and regularly sold out of even the standing room tickets (I know this, because I stood on more than one occasion just to have another chance to see it). They even added a ‘gala’ performance two days after the original final one to raise money for the theatre, and were able to charge £150 for seats - which is a lot, at the OV.

Not only was it fantastically received during the limited run it had in London, but in April of this year (over six months after the London production closed), it won this country’s most coveted theatre award - the Olivier Award for Best Musical. If you know anything about awards shows, you’ll know that a new musical that only ran for just over two months and closed months before the awards ceremony isn’t generally going to win the big one. And on top of that? Andy, who was so unknown here that he was the subject of articles called things like ‘who is Andy Karl?’, won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He wasn’t even the favourite to win (someone else was, who was in a show that was still running in April and as a result theoretically had a better chance). People have been clamouring for GhD to get back over here since before it even closed, because it was so damn hard to get tickets because it was so successful.

The fans that’ve found the show since it transferred are wonderful. The sheer amount of amazing fanart and interesting discussions and all kinds of other things that’ve come about since the Broadway production regularly make my day. The newer fans I’ve spoken to are an absolute joy to speak to, and I hope to get to know them even better! But as I’ve already mentioned once today, those of us who’ve been fans since before Broadway don’t mean less than everyone else, despite what you’re inferring.

When I talked about the Broadway production not being appreciated, I did not mean that it wasn’t appreciated by the fans - this fandom is incredible, and the appreciation for the show within it is palpable. What I meant was that the Broadway production was not appreciated critically, and unfortunately, critics and awards count for a hell of a lot when you’re trying to fill a theatre.

The reviews weren’t as glowing in a lot of cases (unfairly, in my entirely biased opinion!), and while Andy won other awards in the run up, they ultimately lost out at the Tonys. It is an absolute crying shame that things turned out the way that they did. This fantastic musical and everyone involved with it deserved far better. It should still be running on Broadway. The creatives shouldn’t now be worrying that they need to change things within the show to bring it back to the place where it was already a sell-out success. 

And to be honest? This fandom deserves better than people who think sending catty anons is an acceptable form of behaviour.

[gadgetblogger]

The Dyson Supersonic -  Just an expensive gadget that dries hair or is it more?

I’ve been a fan of Dyson brand since I bought my first Dyson vacuum cleaner14 years ago (and it’s still going strong) while living in the UK. When I heard about the rumours that they were going into the personal grooming industry by reinventing the hairdryer, I was most certainly  intrigued. Then I heard a bit more and the rumours proved to be true 3 years ago, as after 50 months and 103 engineers and Fifty million pounds in the making , the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer was finally launched with a pretty hefty price tag (I guess not surprising for something that took over 50 million pounds to create) – you can read about it’s engineering story here .

While I was super impressed with the reviews and the tech behind it (it has a digital motor, called the V9 that does most of the work and is the smallest and lightest digital motor yet, which spins at an insane rate of 15,000rpm – comparable to a F1 CAR ENGINE!!!.) I still didn’t think paying close to R7K (at the time of launch) was worth the price for something that (that I thought of at the time)  just dries hair and does nothing else…until this year.

So I Caved and got one

I’ve got long hair and reached a point this year where I simply got fed up of spending almost 25-30 mins doing an average job of drying my hair and worse about 45 mins to dry my 11yo daughter Hannah’s hair (she want’s Rapunzel’s hair) so I finally saved up and decided to get a Supersonic 6 months ago (when there was a special on) and due to popular request, here is my personal views of using what I honestly consider the best grooming gadget since the GHD in 2001.

What’s in the box

It all starts with the packaging Honestly unboxing a Supersonic gives you the same experience as unboxing an Apple product, I can’t describe it but if you are an Apple Fan Girl like me, you will know what I mean 😜

The dryer comes with an extremely long, heavy duty cord which is about 2.7m which Dyson describes this cord as “salon length”.

There’s a diffuser cone for managing curly hair and creating volume, two styling nozzles (a smoothing nozzle and a styling concentrator) that attach with magnets (how cool is that!), a rubber mat for placing the dryer on, and a string loop for hanging. All of nozzle attachments, including the diffuser snap on with strong magnets, making attaching and detaching them super easy.

So there are plenty of reviews out there, what is it like in action, well here is how it’s worked for both me and Hannah

FACT: It truly is Fast drying

Most reviewers have said “At its highest speed and heat settings the Supersonic is one of the fastest hair dryers available – some testers say that it can dry hair in half the usual time.”

Pre Supersonic Days Well I have fairly longish hair and washing and conditioning aside (which takes me a good 15-20 mins alone) it usually takes me just over 25-30 mins to blow-dry my hair, thereafter another 15 mins to straighten if I wanted it to look like I bothered to make an effort. 

Post Supersonic Days The first time I used to Supersonic. I specifically timed the drying time, and using it on the highest setting, it took 8 mins! 8!!! That’s almost a 1/3 of my usual drying time. The second time I used it, it was cut to 7 mins. The third time,  I decided to use experiment with the attachments. I used using the smoothing nozzle I found my drying time took 10 mins and it eliminated the need for me to use my straighteners after. Using the diffuser I found it helped creating the volume that I was able ever able to get by a salon professional.My hair also still looked nearly as smooth  and volumised the next day too.

On Extra-long hair Pre Supersonic Days After a few uses on my hair I thought it was time to put the Supersonic to the test on Hannah’s hair. Usually the washing and drying process for her hair takes at least 3-4 hrs of my time with the drying time taking at least 45 mins with lots of stopping and starting , due to the hairdryer getting  too hot and Hannah complaining that her head gets too hot and me being afraid of too much heat burning her hair.

Post Supersonic Days Using the supersonic on Hannah’s hair on its fastest setting took 12 mins max and there was not a complaint about getting her hair getting too hot. Using the smoother, took an extra 4 mins and even Hannah said there is no need for a straightener anymore.

Less Heat and Healthier Hair

Using the supersonic I don’t really use as much hair styling products anymore and our hair just feels so much healthier, smoother and shinier. It’s obviously your choice about using styling products but in the past, I found there was no real cure for split ends and since using the Dyson, my stylist finds that I don’t really have as many split ends as I used to. For Hannah’s hair though as it does take a few mins longer and I’m extra protective of her, I just spray on a detangling spray as she has finer hair than me that tangles very easily.

Hannah’s favourite part of using the dryer on hair is that she feels her hair does not feel like it’s burning anymore like the old dryer, whether I dry her hair for 10 mins or 15 (when I use the smoothing nozzel)

I definitely see a glow and natural shine to both of our hair that proves the point Dyson makes “Unlike some others, the Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer measures air temperature 20 times a second and regulates the heat. This prevents extreme heat damage, to help protect your hair's natural shine.”

I can see that this is potentially going to save women a lot of heat damage and split ends.

Noise Level

Many people have been asking me about this and quite honestly while it may not be as silent as people expect it to be, it is by far the least noisy hairdryers I’ve ever heard. We can certainly still dry our hair and listen to our favourite music, be it Ed Sheeran (for me) or BlackPink (for Hannah obvs) on at our usual decibel audio levels ☺️

Perfect for Travelling

The Supersonic is compact and lightweight (560g without attachments), compared to models that can weigh over 1kg and the fact that I can now go on a business meeting and wash dry and style my hair in 15 mins or less, is definitely a more cost effective option if I think cost/hr as I can spend more time on my work than time (which equates to money) drying my hair.

My Final Verdict

As sceptical as I was about the initial hefty price tag , after 6 months of owning this hairdryer, I can certainly say that owning a Dyson Supersonic is a bit like owning an Apple product , its essentially a top quality product at a premium price.

However taking into consideration the time saving factor (whether you are a new mum with barely any time to yourself or an entrepreneur always on the go, or simply someone who has gotten fed up of spending over 2 hrs drying and styling their hair),  and overall healthiness of both mine and especially my daughter’s hair , this was certainly a (hopefully) long term investment for us.

If this is something on your bucket list to get, I would recommend saving up and getting one as it certainly does more than just dry hair. It has been a while since a personal grooming tool has impressed me, the last was my GHD that I also saved up and purchased in 2001 with my first UK Christmas bonus back in my 20s (soon after it was released) and even though I’m a little late on acquiring the Dyson Supersonic, it is most definitely the gadget that has impressed me more than anything else since that 2001 GHD purchase.

[jessicakehoe]

Texture Talk: Celebrity Hairstylist Kahh Spence Chats Wig Maintenance and Caring for Curls

Welcome to Texture Talk, our weekly column that celebrates and deep dives into the dynamic world of curly hair, from crowns of curls that are free flowing to hair that’s tucked away in a protective style. This week, a textured hair expert to the stars shares his dos and don’ts when it comes to wig and curl maintenance.

If you haven’t heard of Kahh Spence, keep scrolling.

At just 25 years old, Spence already counts superstars Kehlani, Cardi B, Ella Mai, and Yara Shahidi as clients, and is the founder of his own unisex beauty brand. Known mainly for his custom wigs, the Brooklyn-born, self-taught hairstylist and OGX Beauty brand ambassador is behind many of Cardi B’s ever changing looks, and shares that his first encounter with the female rapper was the year before the juggernaut’s meteoric rise to fame with the release of her single Bodak Yellow.

But the rising Brooklynite’s real break came a few months later when R&B singer Kehlani asked him to join her on tour. “Probably the second time I worked with her she asked me to go on tour, and I’ve been working with her ever since,” he says. Spence credits the clout of social media for gaining him his celeb visibility; it is the way Cardi’s publicist reached out to him, after all, he reveals.

“I feel like it’s opened over 112,000 peoples eyes to me,” he says of his amassed following. “They get to see me, what I do, who I work with — they get to experience everything.” Since December 2018, Spence has been posting self-shot hair tutorials that have been racking up thousands of views — reactive proof that people are hungry for hair diversity. Playing with all types of hair textures and hairstyles, the pro can basically do any style imaginable — all while showcasing Black hair in its full glory.

Below, we spoke to Spence about wigs and natural hair maintenance, plus all his favourite products.

FAKE HAIR, DON’T CARE

Thanks to a slew of female celebs who wear faux locks proudly, and hair masterminds like Spence who are pushing the hair conversation forward with informative tutorials, wig-life is no longer merely hush-hush gossip among Black women anymore. But contrary to what many believe, wigs aren’t simply a grab-n-wear deal. “You definitely want to treat your natural hair under your wigs,” says Spence. “I think the misconception with wearing [them] is that you can go months without touching your protective style, but you want to make sure that you keep conditioning it every so often [and] trimming your ends — doing everything you can to treat your natural hair.” As for what to do with your own hair under the wig to avoid daily manipulation and breakage (aka the protective style mentioned by Spence): “Just cornrows,” he recommends. “Straight back, super simple.” Lastly, a hairpiece isn’t something you can just toss around and expect to stay looking on fleek. “Treat them like your natural hair,” says Spence. “You need to wash them, store them, and make sure the hair has some air and moisture.”

The Product Heroes: When wigs are the game, Spence reaches for OGX’s Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner for a double-duty boost of hydration, he says. “I use [it] as a conditioner for extensions and to treat natural hair.” As for a go-to finishing spray that gives wigs a natural, lived-in feel without weighing strands down, he loves the Natural Finish Aspen Extract Dry Texture Spray. “Say you’re doing some type of curl style or even a straight style, just spray a bit of [it] to keep the hold a little longer.” When you’ve put the time into styling your mane to perfection, there’s nothing worse than creepy crawlies that break away. Spence’s secret to keeping flyaways at bay is a good control paste. “My ultimate fave is the Natural Finish + Aspen Texture Molding Paste,” he says. “It serves multiple purposes: flyaways, styled edges, baby hairs — every little thing.”

  Courtesy of OGX

Courtesy of OGX

Courtesy of OGX

1/3

Fake Hair, Don’t Care

OGX Hydrate & Revive + Argan Oil of Morocco Extra Strength Conditioner

($11, Shoppers Drug Mart)

Buy Now

2/3

Fake Hair, Don’t Care

OGX Natural Finish Aspen Extract Dry Texture Spray

($11, Shoppers Drug Mart)

Buy Now

3/3

Fake Hair, Don’t Care

OGX Natural Finish + Aspen Texture Molding Paste

($11, Shoppers Drug Mart)

Buy Now

  The Tools To Use: In the world of human-hair wigs, the heat tools you reach for to style your hairpiece are just as important as your products. Considering how much of an investment some of them can be, the last thing you want to do is ruin the strands. Opt for professional-quality tools, preferably with temperature-control dials. “I love, love, my flat iron from Theorie. I’ve been using it for the past three years and it hasn’t given out on me,” raves Spence. The pro is also a huge fan of the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, plus the unique tapered barrel of GHD’s Curve Creative Curl Wand for flawless curls. And note: a good heat protectant is a must. “It helps hold [the look] a little longer and it protects the hair.”

Courtesy of Amazon Canada

Courtesy of Dyson

Courtesy of Sephora Canada

1/3

The Tools To Use

Theorie Saga 1” Flat Iron

($190, Amazon)

Buy Now

2/3

The Tools To Use

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

($500, Dyson)

Buy Now

3/3

The Tools To Use

GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand

($249, Sephora)

Buy Now

  TEXTURE TEASE

Natural hair isn’t just one big coily category. “Some people think everyone’s curl pattern is exactly the same,” says Spence. “I’ve had situations where I’ve worked with girls who have 4C curl types, and they’ll tell me they like to use a certain product. I’ll be like, ‘I’m not sure if this works on your hair because you have a lot of buildup, or your curls aren’t as defined as they could be.’ It’s about knowing where your curl stands and finding products that work for your texture.”

The Product Heroes: Decoding your own curl and its unique characteristics takes a bit of exploration (and some trial and error with products, tbh). A go-to curl definer for Spence is OGX’s Locking + Coconut Curls Creamy Mousse ($10). “That helps, especially when wanting to add moisture at the root but also giving the rest of the hair a [hydrated] feel,” he says. It’s also a favourite to layer over a curl cream for extra definition and bounce. “It doesn’t weigh heavy on the hair,” he adds. “I think that’s been a problem for people; they don’t have products that are lightweight.”

Courtesy of Shoppers Drug Mart

The Tools To Use: Finding a friendly hairbrush for thick curls that won’t rip out massive clumps isn’t the easiest feat. Spence’s go-to is his trusted Denman brush, he says — a tried-and-true tool for a wicked wash-and-go style. “I usually section the hair in fours and then use my Denman to brush through [damp] hair. I’ll then apply some conditioner, a bit of curl defining cream and then brush through it again.” Certain highly-textured curls and coils can take, like, FOREVER to air-dry so for a faster drying time (bonus: and a little more bounce), Spence reaches for his handy Dyson Supersonic magnetic diffuser attachment. “I love every piece the blow-dryer comes with.”

Courtesy of Amazon Canada

Courtesy of Dyson

1/2

Texture Tools

Denman 7-Row nylon bristles styling brush

($15, amazon)

Buy Now

2/2

Texture Tools

Dyson Supersonic Diffuser

($44, Dyson)

Buy Now

  The post Texture Talk: Celebrity Hairstylist Kahh Spence Chats Wig Maintenance and Caring for Curls appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Texture Talk: Celebrity Hairstylist Kahh Spence Chats Wig Maintenance and Caring for Curls published first on https://borboletabags.tumblr.com/

[push511]

October Member of the Month

                                    Congratulations Nathalie Iden!

Nathalie is one of the hardest working people I’ve seen! She pushes herself hard and others to keep us (me) pushing ourselves. She gets her workout day started before almost anyone, and she’s come so far, she doesn’t even realize it!

Nat is a beast! She pushes herself in every aspect of CrossFit. She’s got her eyes on the prize, and she doesn’t deviate. She’s in the gym making herself a better person by 5am almost every day. I’m continually inspired by her dedication and focus. She pushes me to do better and to be better. And on top of it all, she’s a great friend, great squatting partner and awesome teammate!

**** A morning WOD nemesis, Nathalie has been exciting to watch mature into one heck of an athlete. She came in with an endurance background and now she's powering through the big weights and keeping her speed. She's become a motivating factor and key component to the girl power squad that I see every morning. Determined and strong, she continues to impress the coaches and her squad. Gurl, you may have think you have RBF, but we all know it's because you're upset the WOD is over. :)

****

One of the best things about Nat is that she has this quiet tenacity that I don't think many people see. Coupled with her fierce competitiveness, her skills and abilities have skyrocketed at the gym and I've lost count of the number of PR's she has accomplished recently. She set out on a mission to get handstand walks and within a couple of weeks, she nailed it. She wanted to get a 150# clean and she got it. She refuses to give up and will grind through what she needs to do to get better.

She is an awesome teammate to push and motivate you to always put forth your best effort. Want to get better at burpees and air squats? Do them in a workout next to Nat and try to keep up. You will end up on the floor in a pool of your sweat and tears ;). Working out next to her will simply make you better. Outside of the gym, Nat takes that same tenacity when she approaches her career and life. She continues to seek out ways to challenge herself at work (yay for the new job!) and I am so beyond happy that she bought a house here so she is forced to stay and be a part of PUSH for the foreseeable future!

**** Nathalie quickly became a friend when she joined PUSH! She is always, always, always putting in the work to get better and improve her CrossFit skills across the board. Her discipline is admirable, and I'm so glad to have her as a friend.

****

From the first time I met Nat, I knew that we would become great friends. It is crazy to believe that she has been part of PUSH for a little over a year -- her presence makes it feel like it has been much longer! Nat embodies the meaning of grit, dedication and hard work. She is such a great competitor and always pushes me to be better not only at the gym but beyond the walls of PUSH. I am so grateful that we have developed such a strong friendship, which I knew will become stronger for years to come!

Now let’s hear from Nathalie

Started CrossFit: MLK Day 2016  

What is your fitness background: I’m a jack of all trades, master of none ;) I played many sports growing up including Soccer, Cross Country, Tennis, Powerlifting, and Swimming (rec team). Once I went to Michigan State University, I joined our club Triathlon team and competed in probably 10 triathlons as part of the team including Collegiate Nationals in 2012. Once I graduated I continued to pursue triathlon and endurance sports including a half ironman triathlon (5:26:51). Overall I’ve done well over 20 in at least 7 different states, I’ve lost count.

Favorite Movement: Pistols, GHDs, Squats of all sorts: Back, Front, Overhead, DB Overhead (I guess a pistol is a squat, probably why I like it?), and running over 400m

Least Favorite Movement: WALL BALLS omg I hate them, Assault bike

Occupation: I work at Constellation Energy as a Sr. Pricing Analyst, currently pricing/costing power for load served in the Midwest. I get to use some math, excel, market fundamentals and even some regulatory research. In October I’m switching positions to a Portfolio Analyst where I’ll do a lot more with our power trading desks, Finance, Products and even some Mergers and Acquisition work when it comes up. Basically making sure our position and revenues are integrated across business units and that they are accurate. It’s still new to me so it’s even hard for me to explain.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family: I’m the oldest of 3, and definitely fit the oldest child mold. I have 2 younger brothers; Michael who is 27 and Stephen who is 13. My dad is a retired engineer in the auto industry and my mom is a High School French and German teacher. I also have tons of aunts and uncles and cousins. My best friend Sydney lives in DC, she is like family to me.

I would say that I’m pretty competitive and I have a weirdly good memory if I had to pick a few traits.

Tell us something we don’t know about you: Most people don’t realize I play piano and I used to do classical piano competitions growing up. I own a piano and play it from time to time but also try to be courteous to my neighbors who might not enjoy listening as much as I enjoy playing.

How has CrossFit affected your life outside the gym: I think it has affected my life outside of the gym by being part of my life outside the gym. I’m better at all my sports and activities. I have an awesome group of friends that I talk to and see all of the time. I have moved cross country 2 times without really having close friends or family nearby and CrossFit gave me a community.

What do you enjoy most about PUSH: It’s my safe space. I can push myself outside of my comfort zone and am not judged, if anything I am encouraged. I love the people, they push me too and inspire me. I have made some of the best friends of my life here in only just a year.

I also LOVE when new people join the gym and workout with me because I have been the new guy and I know the feeling and I know that that person is putting themselves out there. That takes guts. I know I might have RBF like 90% of the time, but I’m actually friendly so don’t hesitate to WOD with me because I think that is really cool and I love it when the fit fam grows.

Fill in the Blank:

I like… making my friends laugh is definitely number 1, working out, cats, being on the water, learning new things, Michigan State University sports, long drives, spending nights in with my friends watching movies and post-gym weekend hang outs.

I eat… “healthy” 80% of the time. I followed Renaissance Periodization, which is great about making sure I eat enough food and don’t over eat certain macros. I still utilize the macro nutrient “checks” so to speak but have gotten less religious in following it and am focusing more on fitting its principals into my life. As far as food, eggs make up 25 to 50% of my meals. I like all types of food but as far as what I cook for myself, I’m working on diversifying. I could probably take on almost anyone in an eating contest.

I am… A Michigander. A Baltimorean. A older sis. Single (wink wink). An Athlete and hopefully a friend.  O and I’m short.

Favorite Cheat Meal… A whole bag of Garrett’s Chicago mix popcorn. Pretty sure there’s supposed to be 12 servings in a bag but I can polish of a bag in 30 minutes no problem.

Favorite Real-Life Hero/Athlete… My mom. Growing up, she trained and road-raced all over the area , putting up lifetime PRs that I’m not close to touching (yet?). She qualified and ran the Boston Marathon twice. Pretty sure a year after giving birth at age 45 she ran a 1 hour and 16 minute 10 mile time, a 7:37 pace. It was cool growing up and going to her races, seeing her train. I remember we’d go and put water bottles out on the roads for her when she would do her long 3 hour runs for marathon training. She even tried to help me with my running, but there was nothing worse than being 15 years old and getting destroyed by your mom on a run. Eventually I caught on thoughJ However I’m still trying to get her into CrossFit. Outside of sports, she has also gotten after her dreams, living abroad for a few years in her 20s, earning a scholarship and becoming I think the 2nd person in her family to graduate from college at that time.

[thesmallcast]

Soberversary

As soon as I hit 17, and I had my first drinking experiences I knew that I was different from the rest. I never knew my limits or when to stop and others didn’t understand that, “Why can’t you just have 4, and stop?”. It just wasn’t that black and white for me; it can be really hard to explain to people. I had to big of an ego to admit that my drinking was a problem. It took me a decade of humiliation, mistakes, hurting myself and others and ultimately hitting rock bottom. to realise I just wasn’t cut out for alcohol. There were many stories over the years of disaster but the three main ones that really led me to change my ways is what this post is about.

Just before I hit 18,  I was house sitting and I had drinks with one of the guys I worked with and his friends. We headed out to town and went to a bar called Margaritas. I drunk wine that night. Afterwards, we all returned to my house. The story gets fuzzy but my house became the after party. All I remember is waking up in the morning with no underwear on, all the doors open. I noticed immediately that items had been stolen; my speaker, my GHD, Tupperware?!. I didn’t even know what to think. I messaged the guy I worked with and was trying to put the pieces together. Apparently, people from the ‘coast’ were at my house. I soon realised that more than material items were stolen so was my dignity, self-worth and a part of me. I was sexually assaulted in my Mums house that night. I can't even explain how it felt. Some days I still feel get that same ‘feeling’ , when I was standing in the shower with the realisation and it makes my gut sink. The next night, I asked my oldest brother to come around - I had told him what happened I didn’t feel safe. What if they came back?. 

A lady I worked with, knew some of the people that came that night and managed to get the stolen goods back. I thought that was the end of it… I thought I could just blame it on a blackout, store it at the back of my mind and that would be the end of it. I was not conscious, I just remember that  ‘feeling’ I had. I could pretend nothing happened, right?!  My Mum and stepdad got home from their trip. Immediately, my stepdad noticed his $10,000 watch was missing… so it turned out I didn’t get all the stolen goods back. Life at home was horrible after that. I already struggled with my stepdad and issues at the time with my Mum. I moved out shortly after to live with my Dad but no one ever knew what really happened that night - other than my brother. I was raped that night and I didn’t realise how much it affected me until years later.

I later messaged the guy to confront him about it, I said I was so drunk, I didn’t consent I wasn’t even conscious. He told me - “Yeah I probably shouldn’t have done it.” I was out cold. He thought it was what I wanted? How the fuck can someone unresponsive tell you they want it?. It is so hard to know that not only has this guy admitted it but to have the strength to report it. I couldn’t. My dad worked for the police, he would be crushed. I felt embarrassed, humiliated. I lost a lot of friends too because people blamed me for being too drunk and ‘asking for it’. Was it my fault?! I always questioned that. The public scrutiny of it all, some people don’t realise. I admire anyone who comes forward and identifies there rapist it’s so courageous and brave because it’s hard enough having to deal with the situation itself but also the attention, pity, blame, the judgement that follows. It was hard I didn’t know how to handle it and after that point when I drunk and got to a certain point, I would get really aggressive and violent. One would think that it would make me hate sex but it had the opposite effect - I had no feeling. I was insecure. I slept around. Sex never really had the meaning of ‘love’ associated to it for me. 

My mum didn’t speak to my brother for a decade after that night, and the guilt I felt year in and year out. They blamed him because I couldn’t be honest about what happened or who was there. My mum told me that wasn’t the reason but I always knew it was the tipping point. Last year, during my self-discovery I finally told my mum what happened that night and it was one of the hardest things to do - it's one thing to have the awkward sex talk with your parents let alone telling them you had been sexually assaulted. I was 18, I moved on with life, drinking and partying was just part of life and I always had a good story to share of my drunken antics. I just couldn’t handle it or have control over it.

When I moved to Sydney in 2016 ( almost a decade on), it was my chance to turn a new leaf, my boyfriend at the time did not promote my drinking at all. While we were still together some friends of mine came and visited me in Sydney. We were excited for a night in the town to experience the nightlife together. We were pre-drinking at my flat at the time and then headed to a cocktail bar in the city. I wouldn’t be able to tell you how many drinks I had that night - I remember being bounced from a bar and running out of the taxi in the middle of Kings Cross before getting back in the Taxi. Once home, MK had passed out and SPK was showering - I lost it - can't tell you why. I started smashing up the kitchen, I used my arm to push all the glasses and drinks from the bench onto the floor - my recollection is a bit hazy. However, I tripped in the glass that was on the floor and started bleeding. When SPK came out of the shower, she put me in the shower and placed some tissues on my knee. Before long, the police were knocking at the door. I opened the door and had it slightly ajar… Now, my memory is not the greatest but once they saw the apartment, they ordered an ambulance. The police asked what had happened, I realised at that moment that my floor looked like a crime scene there was shattered glass, alcohol and ALOT of blood. The paramedics took me away in the ambulance and the police couldn’t make sense of what had happened.

Once at the hospital, I had an Xray and was told that not only was a piece of glass still in my knee, but I had cut the tendon behind my knee cap. I required knee surgery the next morning - as I sobered up. I was completely devastated - not only because I was stuck in the hospital while my friends were visiting but yet again my drinking has led me into a hole.

My neighbour has come to visit and I broke down, I always felt that I subconsciously lost it when drinking due to what happened to me when I was 17 and I guess my own mental issues. I just was continuously winding up in hospital, police cars, losing friends. I didn’t know what to do. My boyfriend at the time wasn’t the right match for me but our relationship was so comfortable. I felt lost.I had a brace on my knee for six weeks and was on crutches which made it hard to get to work, shower. Being in a country on your own - made reality hit.

My boyfriend and I broke up in Feb 2017, although it was the right decision it was also a hard one - I had loved him and it made me feel super lonely. Looking back on our relationship now it was emotionally toxic, he was very judgemental of me and what I did and never truly accepted me… But I never really knew who I was. I truly thought me cutting open my knee would have been my rock bottom, but the final catalyst was in May. I was hitting depression, experiencing anxiety, emotional turmoil - I went out drinking on a Friday with no food in my stomach I smashed at least 8 beers/ ciders/ wines. I had invited a guy from work to come and join me - I wanted to keep drinking. At this point, I didn’t know a lot of people or had many friends. I didn’t know when to stop. My memory past this point is again hazy but in the morning I woke up to 12 empty cider bottles, a bottle of wine and in bed with no underwear on I had no clue how or what time I went to bed. I woke up to some messages from the guy from work; “ You completely freaked out on me, and locked yourself in the bathroom”, “It cost me 90 dollars to come out there and back”. “ I won't be doing that again in a hurry”. I was so shocked I had no clue what happened. In the process of searching for my habit shirt, I looked in the bin - and found a condom. It stung. It hurt. I cried. I have yet again put myself in a position by my drinking that I had no control over or memory of. On an empty stomach, I had drunk over 19 alcohol drinks, I am surprised I wasn’t in the hospital with alcohol poisoning - let alone being able to consent to have sex. It was hard not to blame myself as I had invited him over to my house in a drunken state - but I wouldn’t have even been coherent. I struggled for so long over the first time and to let it happen again to me- I knew I couldn’t drink again because I could not only not trust myself but I also couldn’t trust the action of others.

I finally realised drinking just wasn’t for me,. I truly didn’t have the confidence I have today - I was insecure, always out to impress others and needed attention ( though I still have some of those characteristics today). When I drunk it would give me the confidence but it would also drastically change my character. I was Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde - I wouldn't know right from wrong. I guess it's bold to admit you are a bad drunk but its safe to say that all those around me knew it. I have been tremendously lucky to have such amazing friends and family who have not only supported me through my sobriety journey but stood by me through the bad.

I am one year sober today ( May 27th) and I truly could not be happier. This is a lifestyle choice for me and it has been the most rewarding one. I have succeeded in my career, I have paid off all my debt, I am confident and I am happy to just be me… Sober Sam. I don't change what I do socially I still party and go out. I just choose to do so without the alcohol or the drugs involved.

I don't want this to be a sad post, I have to admit its been an absolute struggle to write it which I think is why its taken so long to post but I am so glad to have penned it to paper. I am so happy with who I am today and all the choices I have made. I have had my self-discovery journey but it never ends it just keeps on going as we learn more and more about ourselves. I think that I have learnt so many important valuable lessons. I want to share my message, I want people to feel good and okay to share their story.  I have gone through so many life-changing events that's had a huge impact on my life and they have made me stronger and who I am today. I struggle with male interaction maybe this is part of it ?! Who knows... I'm learning .. I’m trying to work on what works for me and make my own decisions. So to finish on a happy note - I'm bold, I'm brave, I take risks, I love who I am and I am so ready to take on the world.

[techgirlza]

I did a favourite finds post a few weeks ago and you loved it. So I’m thinking this needs to be a regularly thing. Mainly because I do find some gems. But to begin, this needs a name! Any suggestions? Drop them in the comments.

I have a few things I want to add to my list of rad geek inspiration and top tech finds this week and I’ve dropped them all below. Some are just funky items you can purchase while others are just rad internet finds I think you need to know about. Take a look:

The new ghd Gold

I actually did a video about my time with the new styler on Tuesday which you can watch here:

I had a chance to try it out and I really did feel a difference. I love the new metallic features but there are also a host of funky tech innovations that you need to pay attention to. It takes only 25 seconds to heat up and I thought it slid through my hair much quicker (while still doing a great styling job). The new ghd Gold has dual zone technology incorporated. This means it now has 2 heat sensors instead of 1 which allows it to control the optimum heat a bit better. I was really impressed with this baby and think if you’re looking for a new styler it is worth the splurge.

Seeing Allred

I mentioned yesterday with my Stationery post that I’ve started investigating the history of feminism a bit more. I’ve had to handle some heat recently when trying to defend the historical divides of gender and the blatant sexism on display in so many majority male industries. It is a tough conversation and I’ll be the first to admit that I feel like my eyes are being opened to a world I don’t really comprehend. The severity of the issues we, as females, face hasn’t hit me as hard as it has recently. In my search for materials to help me better understand the issues at hand I came across a documentary on Netflix called Seeing Allred. Gloria Allred is an extremely prolific women’s rights attorney. The documentary showcases her career and life so far. Watching it is fascinating, inspiring and depressing all at the same time. The public hate and misogyny she faces will make you feel so incredibly helpless and full of despair but her continual fight for equality will also drive you to do better. I think it is a documentary every female needs to watch. It really made me re-examine my own actions and also my own lack of action when it comes to fighting for what is right and just.

Overwatch Jewellery

I’m sure you’ve noticed but I’ve recently been slightly obsessed with Overwatch. I came across some of the best jewelry designs celebrating the game and I had to share. I cannot take credit though. ChipChick found these beauties. My favourite piece is pictured above. Unfortunately if you want to get your hands on these gorgeous designs you’re going to have to ship them in via Amazon. Not always easy but it can potentially be done if you use Aramex Global Shopper.

The Ford LEGO partnership

Call be biased, but I drive a Ford. So when this dropped in my inbox I had to share. LEGO has recently added the M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC rally car kit to its LEGO Speed Champions range and I am kind of obsessed. Its a 203 piece set and you’ll be able to customise wheel trims, change out bonnets and even add your own little race-graphics. For the petrol heads out there this is kind of all sorts of amazing. You’ll only be able to order it from LEGO on 1 March though. Seriously how cute is this kit? I’ve stuck to building Star Wars LEGO sets but I’m seriously considering expanding to the Speed Champions range, if only for the Fiesta and the Mustang (which has also been added to the collection).

#Bites4Bytes

I love chocolate. Like a lot. Cadbury is my favourite. In fact, Cadbury Top Deck is basically my life go to. Besides chocolate I also like blowing ridiculous amounts of money on data. So adding to my favourites list is how these two come together. Till the 30th of April if you buy  5 bars of any of the chocolates pictured above and submit all five barcodes on the wrappers to a number you’re guaranteed data or air time. Basically for every five large bars you get 50MB of Data and for every 5 mini bars you get R5 of air time. It is an excuse to eat more chocolate right?

I still need a name for this little space. Working on that. But for now – those are my favs 😉

  More favourite things! Geek inspiration and top tech finds I did a favourite finds post a few weeks ago and you loved it. So I'm thinking this needs to be a regularly thing.

[dietplanpros]

Best Functional Exercises & Home-Gym Equipment for Elite Fitness

With the modern-day developing world and increasing innovation, it is now highly possible to achieve your dream body from the comfort of your home using elite, functional exercise methods and fitness equipment. All it takes is the right attitude and consistency to accelerate the progress of your fitness to another level! We understand your eagerness to achieve elite perfection in your fitness regime which is why we put together this guide that will help you get as fit as possible no matter where your starting point may be. Those always visiting the local gym will be stunned by your increased athletic performance and youthful glow as you smile with confidence knowing you have all the bases covered in your fitness program. What’s more, these exercises are relatively simple and can be safely practiced to perfection over time all while reaping tremendous physical and mental results. Now, you can follow these guidelines we have laid out all from the comfort of your home to plan your own elite training regime. Here are some functional fitness exercises you can do at home and with the right equipment, to achieve a pure, balanced elite level of fitness.

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BOSU Ball Exercises

Bosu balls enable you to burn calories while at the same time building muscle. The best part is you can do any of these exercises in your bedroom or other open space within the house. They include push ups, sit ups, squats, ball curls, lunges, boat poses, mountain climbers, side lunges and chest presses. Did you know you can perform a full-body workout with only the aid of a Bosu ball? That just goes to show how efficient this tool is.

Plyo Box Exercises

If you’re looking for a way to burn fat and improve your overall fitness quickly, then these workouts are just for you. They also improve your cardiovascular health. Plyometric exercises using boxes include step ups, elevated push-ups, lateral step overs, knee touches, box jumps and full as well as spilt squats.

Balance board exercises

These activities mainly serve to improve coordination. Further, they can strengthen the core and improve your reaction time. Always ensure your feet are drawn back and that both the feet and knees are hip distance apart when doing these workouts. Exercises include the primary balance stance, single leg stance, calf raises, half-moons as well as single and double leg tilts.

Gymnastic Ring Exercises

The challenge in balancing your body while performing workouts on gymnastic rings causes you to make more effort to maintain proper form during your movements. As such, you can burn more fat and condition your body towards better muscle growth. Further, your body’s tone is set to improve drastically. Exercises here include classics such as the pull-up and dip, while more advanced techniques include swinging motions.

TRX Exercises

Using these straps in your workouts challenges the core and increases the overall resistance your body encounters in exercise. As such, these activities use gravity and your body weight to improve your overall performance and muscle tone. They include TRX pushups, chest presses, rows, triceps presses, TRX flys and the TRX alligator.

GHD Exercises

Short for Glute Ham Development, this machine is popular amongst CrossFit participants. It improves vertical jump and increases your range of motion for basic exercises such as deadlifts and squats. Activities include the glute ham raise, hip and back extensions and GHD sit ups.

For each category of exercises above, here are our home-gym equipment choices and reviews to aid you in getting the best results out of your personalized workout plan:

1. The Bosu Ball Pro Balance Trainer

Pros: The ball’s design, contrary to the imagination, is composed of a flat and raised side. This unique approach, as compared to medicine balls, enables you to use both sides of the ball for different exercises. It also broadens the scope of the workout you can do with it. Also, the Bosu Ball Pro Balance Trainer comes with a free DVD including step by step workouts for guidance. Further, it comes with a training manual that enables you to plan your workouts effectively. In case you are not sure where to inflate your ball from, the package also includes an easily portable hand pump.

Cons: The product has no warranty mentioned, and you have to pay an extra fee for protection in case of damage.

Price Range: $145 - $160

2. Revolution 101 Balance Board Trainer

Pros: The board can be used over a wide range of individuals; including those beginning activities such as skateboarding. Further, the product is very helpful if you want to practice your stretches in yoga. As a result of its design, this balance board has no grooves or tracks. As such, you can achieve movement on it without limitations. Interestingly, this product is made of bombproof material and has a comfortable feel when in use regardless of whether you have shoes on or not.

Cons: The product has no manuals or videos to guide users on its use. However, these can be found online.

Price Range: $130 - $140

3. 3-in-1 Plyo Box for Jump Training and Conditioning

Pros: Boxes are available in a variety of heights. That means that as you improve your vertical jump, you can continue to use them for progress. The box can also be easily disassembled and put back together, with assembly speeds ranging from ten to fifteen minutes. As such, you can always stash it away when it is not in use and reassemble it before your next workout. Further, the box’s edges have been smoothened to prevent injury from a slip or fall that could otherwise hamper your exercise program.

Cons: Again, there is no mention of any routine guidance coming with the package

Price Range: $50 - $120, depending on size.

4. Nayoya Gymnastic Rings

Pros: According to the manufacturer, this product can provide a full-body workout. This means you do not have to purchase any additional equipment for your fitness once you own a pair of these rings. Their short set up time which is approximately five minutes also saves time and enables you to easily keep them away when they are not in use. As a result of the tough material used to manufacture the straps, they can support weight amounting to 2000kg. That means they can support absolutely anyone!

Cons: In as much as the product has instructions on how to set up the product, there is no correspondence on how best to use the straps.

Price Range: $34 - $100

5. TRX Suspension Trainer Basic Kit

Pros: This product is Amazon exclusive, meaning you can only get it through Amazon. That means you are not susceptible to getting a counterfeit from other sources. It comes in a complete package, inclusive of a suspension trainer basic kit and door anchor. As such, you do not have to make any additional purchases once you acquire this product. Professionally, this suspension kit has been sold to a variety of sporting teams within the NFL, MLB, and NBA. If these athletes are using it to bolster their fitness, so can you!

Cons: No warranty has been mentioned by the manufacturers. Additionally, the product does not feature set up instructions and guidance on how to use the straps for exercise.

Price Range: $150 - $160

6. Valor Pro CB-29 GHD Machine

Pros: The Valor Pro CB-29 Glute and Ham Developer is manufactured for strength and durability, using a heavy duty steel construction, wheels for easy mobility, band pegs for adding resistance, high-density foam padding, and plate storage. In addition, the foot rests are vertically and horizontally adjustable for a custom fit.

Cons: Few customer reviews and vague mentioning of warranty by manufacturer.

Price Range: $250 - $550

The post Best Functional Exercises & Home-Gym Equipment for Elite Fitness appeared first on DietPlanPros.

[thehappywildflower-blog]

SO… I know I have been AWOL for a while. I guess since I got back home and the reality of finding articles started to sink in so did all my inspiration. Reality hit me, until Im done with this-professional part of my life… I wont be travelling abroad for a while. So yeah… The post travel blues are real…

Now that I’m past all that… Its time to reminisce. In my next several blog posts ill be filling you in on my little euro tour I took last year with one of my best friends. To start, my advice when travelling with a companion, is take someone super awesome, that’s on the same wave-length as you are, if you are an eager beaver and want to eat, smell and see everything, best your buddy is the same. I was in luck.

September last year i embarked on one of the most incredible journeys of my life… for now… (Im an optimist)… starting with Paris…

I arrived from Serbia- my start was plagued with bad omens, the night before my ghd had tripped the electricity, the plug blew, which ended up with our neighbour coming over at midnight to try fix my straightener, me in tears (wailing that I simply could not go without it) and that morning i overslept, nearly missing my flight..

Dom arrived hours before me travelling from South Africa… lets just say… it was not easy finding each other as we were on opposite sides of the airport. When we did, we were those high school girls squealing from excitement.

We purchased a 3 day all zone metro pass at the airport and went staright to Disney Land leaving our luggage at the disney train station. We were excited and giddy, our energy contagious. Disney Land was so much fun! Its huge and we somehow managed to go through most of it. My absolute favourite was the Phantom Manor which is a haunted house, Pirates of the Carribean which is a cruise through a pirate attack on a Spanish fortress, Space Mountain a roller coaster and La Taniere du Dragon- we went several times… i was like a kid in a candy store- or lets rather say- me in a candy store! Disney Land is a must do when visiting Paris! For kids and big kids (i.e. 25 year olds who still watch animations= ME) it is a dream. I was a bit disappointed that rides such as Big Thunder mountain and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril were closed, however the park is has tons of stuff to make up for it.  By the time we reached our hostel called the Generator we were broken!

Excited!

Two dorks on a carousel.

We aint scared!!

The Generator

The Generator hostel in Paris was the best hostel Ive been to so far! Ultra modern 3 story building with a nightclub on the last floor. Our hostel dorm had its own bathroom and although we all shared it, it felt private and was very clean. We both went in there not knowing what to expect as Id never stayed at a hostel before… Ive never regretted it since…

We met the most incredible people in our hostel! 2 super funny Australian boys who we later met up with in Amsterdam, beautiful sisters from Washington DC, a soon to be very unhappy French dude, and our most favourite Mexicans and in the mix a Argentinian! That there, is also a huge reason why i love travelling! Meeting strange unique foreign people! I love it!

Our second day we headed out to the palace of Versailles bright and early. We spent hours and hours roaming the gardens, stalking tour guides to overhear some information. When we thought we could go no more… We finally went into the palace itself. Which is not a good idea!! Go into the palace first!! Our poor legs no longer had sensation! I took a moment to soak it all in, to imagine the extravagance that has walked through those halls, Im a history buff, knowing Marie Antoinette and King Louis among many other royals, walked and ate cake in the very space that I was now stepping with a grumbly tummy, I was perhaps starstruck. Above all the glitz and the glamour, the beauty of the interior, my most memorable moment was when Dom set off the alarm. In the Palace of Versailles!!! Only my friends are capable of such things…

We walked the streets of Paris, getting happily lost, talking endlessly, entertaining ourselves with impersonations of accents. We had not yet seen the Eiffel tower and it came into our view suddenly and unexpectedly but far off into the distance. Don’t the two of us decide to walk there. Along the way we found the most amazing Gelato shop called Amorino which made your cone in the shape of a rose! I was pretty chuffed with our find. We walked and walked, discovering the Pantheon, Notre Dam and many other finds. Never did we actually get to t he Eiffel that day.

On our last day in Paris we went to the Louvre. Another remarkable place to see. I remember walking into the room where the Mona Lisa stood, a huge crowd gathered around it, as I turned around I caught my breathe. There on the opposite wall was a huge painting of the last supper, from floor to ceiling. Now that, my friends, was greater than the Mona Lisa. From the Lourve we had lunch under the Eiffel Tower, exhausted from all the walking. How wonderful it was for us to sit eating our budget meal of wrapped up bread and cheese from that mornings breakfast buffet. We pushed ourselves to visit The Arc de Triumph and Champs-Elysees. When we thought we could take no more, we headed back to our hostel. Not realizing what it had in store.

so happy to see the eiffel for the first time

did we need to pee when we took this pic?

That night, it being our last, our entire dorm (except for Frenchie) decided to celebrate, we missioned the streets trying to find somewhere to go, it being a Sunday led us back to our hostel where we partied in the underground club, when that ended we got kicked out by the security and commensed outside, picking up whichever stragglers we could find. When all the members in our dorm- besides the French guy that remained to sleep due to work the next day- decided to call it quits, we snuck up to our room chanting “Frenchie, Frienchie” from a whisper to shouting, waking up our Frenchie, making him officially hate us for life, creating our life long bond of room 808 Generator Paris September 2016.

#room 808

Then we went onto our next adventure…

To be continued…

Peace…

Milica xoxo

From Paris… With Love…❤ SO... I know I have been AWOL for a while. I guess since I got back home and the reality of finding articles started to sink in so did all my inspiration.

[jessicakehoe]

Cardi B’s Hair Stylist Kahh Spence On Wig Maintenance And How Not All Curls Are Equal

At just 24 years old, Kahh Spence already counts superstars Kehlani, Cardi B, Ella Mai, and Yara Shahidi as regular clients. Known mainly for his custom wigs, the Brooklyn-born, self-taught hairstylist and OGX Beauty brand ambassador is behind many of Cardi B’s ever changing looks, and shares that his first encounter with the female rapper was the year before the juggernaut’s meteoric rise to fame with the release of her single “Bodak Yellow.”

But his real break came a few months later when R&B singer Kehlani asked him to join her on tour. “Probably the second time I worked with her she asked me to go on tour, and I’ve been working with her ever since,” he says. Spence credits the clout of social media for gaining him his celeb visibility; it is the way Cardi’s publicist reached out to him, after all, he reveals.

“I feel like it’s opened over 70,000 peoples eyes to me,” he says of his amassed following. “They get to see me, what I do, who I work with — they get to experience everything.” Since December, Spence has been posting self-shot hair tutorials that have been racking up thousands of views — reactive proof that people are hungry for hair diversity. Playing with all types of hair textures and hairstyles, the pro can basically do any style imaginable — all while showcasing Black hair in its full glory.

At the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York last weekend, we spoke to Spence about wigs and natural hair maintenance, plus all his favourite products.

FAKE HAIR, DON’T CARE

Thanks to a slew of female celebs who wear faux locks proudly, and hair masterminds like Spence who are pushing the hair conversation forward with informative tutorials, wig-life is no longer merely hush-hush gossip among Black women anymore. But contrary to what many believe, wigs aren’t simply a grab-n-wear deal. “You definitely want to treat your natural hair under your wigs,” says Spence. “I think the misconception with wearing [them] is that you can go months without touching your protective style, but you want to make sure that you keep conditioning it every so often [and] trimming your ends — doing everything you can to treat your natural hair.” As for what to do with your own hair under the wig to avoid daily manipulation and breakage (aka the protective style mentioned by Spence): “Just cornrows,” he recommends. “Straight back, super simple.” Lastly, a hairpiece isn’t something you can just toss around and expect to stay looking on fleek. “Treat them like your natural hair,” says Spence. “You need to wash them, store them, and make sure the hair has some air and moisture.”

The Product Heroes When wigs are the game, Spence reaches for OGX’s Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner for a double-duty boost of hydration, he says. “I use [it] as a conditioner for extensions and to treat natural hair.” As for a go-to finishing spray that gives wigs a natural, lived-in feel without weighing strands down, he loves the Natural Finish Aspen Extract Dry Texture Spray. “Say you’re doing some type of curl style or even a straight style, just spray a bit of [it] to keep the hold a little longer.” When you’ve put the time into styling your mane to perfection, there’s nothing worse than creepy crawlies that break away. Spence’s secret to keeping flyaways at bay is a good control paste. “My ultimate fave is the Natural Finish + Aspen Texture Molding Paste,” he says. “It serves multiple purposes: flyaways, styled edges, baby hairs — every little thing.”

  1/3

Fake Hair, Don’t Care

OGX Hydrate & Revive + Argan Oil of Morocco Extra Strength Conditioner

($11, Shoppers Drug Mart)

Buy Now

2/3

Fake Hair, Don’t Care

OGX Natural Finish Aspen Extract Dry Texture Spray

($11, Shoppers Drug Mart)

Buy Now

3/3

Fake Hair, Don’t Care

OGX Natural Finish + Aspen Texture Molding Paste

($11, Shoppers Drug Mart)

Buy Now

  The Tools To Use In the world of human-hair wigs, the heat tools you reach for to style your hairpiece are just as important as your products. Considering how much of an investment some of them can be, the last thing you want to do is ruin the strands. Opt for professional-quality tools, preferably with temperature-control dials. “I love, love, my flat iron from Theorie. I’ve been using it for the past three years and it hasn’t given out on me,” raves Spence. The pro is also a huge fan of the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, plus the unique tapered barrel of GHD’s Curve Creative Curl Wand for flawless curls. And note: a good heat protectant is a must. “It helps hold [the look] a little longer and it protects the hair.”

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The Tools To Use

Theorie Saga 1” Flat Iron

($190, Amazon)

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2/3

The Tools To Use

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

($500, Dyson)

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3/3

The Tools To Use

GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand

($249, Sephora)

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  TEXTURE TEASE

Natural hair isn’t just one big coily category. “Some people think everyone’s curl pattern is exactly the same,” says Spence. “I’ve had situations where I’ve worked with girls who have 4C curl types, and they’ll tell me they like to use a certain product. I’ll be like, ‘I’m not sure if this works on your hair because you have a lot of buildup, or your curls aren’t as defined as they could be.’ It’s about knowing where your curl stands and finding products that work for your texture.”

The Product Heroes: Decoding your own curl and its unique characteristics takes a bit of exploration (and some trial and error with products, tbh). A go-to curl definer for Spence is OGX’s Locking + Coconut Curls Creamy Mousse. “That helps, especially when wanting to add moisture at the root but also giving the rest of the hair a [hydrated] feel,” he says. It’s also a favourite to layer over a curl cream for extra definition and bounce. “It doesn’t weigh heavy on the hair,” he adds. “I think that’s been a problem for people; they don’t have products that are lightweight.”

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Texture Tease

OGX Locking + Coconut Curls Creamy Mousse

($11, Shoppers Drug Mart)

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  The Tools To Use: Finding a friendly hairbrush for thick curls that won’t rip out massive clumps isn’t the easiest feat. Spence’s go-to is trusted Denman brush, he says — a tried-and-true tool for a wicked wash-and-go style. “I usually section the hair in fours and then use my Denman to brush through [damp] hair. I’ll then apply some conditioner, a bit of curl defining cream and then brush through it again.” Certain highly-textured curls and coils can take, like, FOREVER to air-dry so for a faster drying time (bonus: and a little more bounce), Spence reaches for his handy Dyson Supersonic magnetic diffuser attachment. “I love every piece the blow-dryer comes with.”

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Texture Tools

Denman 7-Row nylon bristles styling brush

($15, amazon)

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Texture Tools

Dyson Supersonic Diffuser

($44, Dyson)

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  The post Cardi B’s Hair Stylist Kahh Spence On Wig Maintenance And How Not All Curls Are Equal appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

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