10 Essential Must Haves for Spring!

Spring is the time to blossom. It's the time to get started on your New Year Resolutions (again...), stop and smell the roses, enjoy the sunshine and the cool breeze. However, if you going to "Spring" into action then you must dress properly, and be prepared for the awesomeness that Spring brings! I know Spring officially began about a week ago, but I'd figure I'd let all you late bloomers know my Top 10 Must Have Essentials for Spring. You know what they say, it's never too late to look great!

1. Light Color/Pastel Blazer: I have to admit that  I have a small obsession with blazers. They were truly and seriously created for me...and you!  I can wear them with a dress, shorts, jeans, linen, tank tops, blouses, to work, to play, to date. The list goes on and on!  For the Spring, I like lighter colors  or pastels. I find that a pastel pink pretty much goes with everything. 

2. Color Blocking Dress: Color Blocking is the name of the game if you haven't heard already. Color blocking when done correctly can look incredible. I chose this because it's bright and screams SPRING! I also like that the colors are still color blocked but similar enough to easily match with shoes, accessories, and outerwear.

3. Light Color/Pastel Pencil Skirt: Pencil skirts are cute in every situation. Get one in a nice light color that will compliment most of your tops. Khaki is also a great alternative. You can't go wrong. 

4. Button Up Blouses: Okay, this is definitely my second obsession. Button ups are the epitome of versatility. This shirt can honestly go with anything. I can't even begin to tell you the pain I feel when I have to resist buying a really cute button up. It hurts. It hurts a lot. Pick up one (or many) in any color. 

5. Ballet Flats: I love brightly colored ballet flats for the spring. On those lazy days when it's too cold wear sandals, a ballet flat always fits the bill. They will always compliment your outfit, and your hardworking feet will thank you from the high heel break!

6. Airy Blouses: With Spring comes the wind, and trust me you want to look great in the wind. This flowy blouse is perfect over leggings, in a pencil skit, and anything else. It also goes great under blazers and looks perfect with jeans and ballet flat. It's also great to own a blouse that is warm enough to wear without a jacket. It really helps simply things.

7. Jean Shorts: Not much to say here. Get some. I would go with a jean pair and then venture out to other styles as the wallet will allow. 

8. Pastel Skinny Jeans: It's another must have trend for the Spring. Get a light color that will go with many things you already own. They are fun to wear, so accesorise accordingly and play around with them!

9. High Heel Wedges: I love wedges, they are great comfort wise, and there are so many styles available you really can't buy a bad pair!

10. Leather/Faux Leather Jacket: April flowers, really do bring May showers so be prepared! I live in California, so a big jacket is almost NEVER necessary here. Honestly, just driving from one city to the next will have you looking either to hot or too cold.  A warm casual leather jacket is great to have, and it will look great with everything!

10 Essential Must Haves for Spring! by fraziergirl featuring ballerina shoes

Under Ligne scoop neck dress
$392 - barneys.com

Alexander McQueen sheer top
$1,320 - net-a-porter.com

Summer top
€100 - veryeickhoff.com

Mango cropped jacket
£215 - mango.com

Akris knee length pencil skirt
$633 - stylebop.com

Current/Elliott zipper jeans
$185 - stylebop.com

Miss Selfridge denim short shorts
$44 - missselfridge.com

Peep toe shoes
$225 - shoptheshoebox.com

Frye ballerina shoes
$128 - zappos.com

100% Natural Homemade Shea Butter Lotion for Hair and Skin

So, um Shea Butter is amazing. Not sure, if you knew that, but it is.   You can use it in soooo many things. It's probably the best all natural ingredient that you can find. It's like the best thing since sliced bread. Yep, I would put it right up there with water. Yes. It's amazing like water is amazing. Yep.That's it. So, because Shea Butter is SO AWESOME! Sorry, I got excited there. I wanted my first recipe to be the most useful for you, and this product is what I use the most. I use it for my skin and my hair. As you read in my earlier post I went natural about 6 months ago. When I first went natural I was aware that people were making their own hair care products, but I was more afraid to do that more than anything. I didn't really want to experiment on my fresh hair, if you know what I mean. So, for a while I pretty much bought all of my hair care products. But, I noticed that my hair was always dry, or crunchy lol. No matter what or how much I put in my hair would suck it up like a dry dessert getting rain. Before you knew it,  I would be reaching for another handful of whatever it was. So, I decided to make my first batch of Shea butter. I was fed up with what "the man" was offering, and wanted to cure my own problem. Now, to be clear my hair is still dry on occasion, but not every 15 minutes like before.

Now, did I mention I use this on my skin too? Yep. I don't buy lotion, or skin butters anymore. And, boy what a difference! My skin is so soft. It's like a supple baby's bottom. I have also noticed that the stretch marks on my hips are slowly disappearing. No joke. And, I owe it all to the best God-given all natural ingredient you can find.  Read on for my method on making this magical concoction. You will not regret it.

100% Natural Homemade Shea Butter Lotion for Hair and Skin 

Step 1. Collect your tools.

You will need a blender, a spoon, and a rubber spatula.

One plastic container

One bowl

I used to use a bowl and a spoon and would hand mix this recipe.  Now, I use this. Much easier. :)

I always have an extra smaller container ready in case I make too much. 

Step 2: Collect your ingredients

Shea Butter!! I buy a 5lbs at a time. You may need less especially if this is your first time. 

1. Shea Butter--You can find this online which is your best option. You can also find it in the beauty supply store, but it might not be 100% or fair trade! Here is where I purchase mine: http://www.agbangakarite.com/  The rest of the ingredients include: Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil,  Castor Oil, Essential Oil (optional) These ingredients can be found in your local grocery store. You will have the most luck at an organic food store, or health store. These are the basic ESSENTIAL ingredients. This is how I started off. After you do own research you will find out that all of the oils can be exchanged for other oils that are just as fabulous! 

I also add in: April Kernel Oil, Peach Kernel Oil, Cherry Kernel Oil, Mango Butter, Avocado Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, and Blueberry Oil.

Step 3: Leave your Shea Butter out for awhile, so it can soften. It should take about half a day to a couple of hours depending on the temp. Some people melt theirs. I do not. I find that heating the oils can remove some of the awesome properties it has to offer. Kind of like cooking vegetables. The rest of the ingredients should already be in liquid form. Coconut oil may also need to sit out with the Shea Butter, however, it is very easy to mix even when solid.

Step 4: In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the essential oil if you are using it. Because this is SHEA BUTTER lotion, Shea butter should be your main ingredient. I usually do about half Shea butter and then equal parts of everything else. Sometimes, I add in more Coconut Oil and Olive Oil because they are both great moisturizers and healing agents.

Half Shea Butter

Add in coconut oil

This pic is optional. This is where I add in the mango and avocado butter. :)

Add in oils. I like a lot of Olive Oil in my mix. 

Step 5:  Give it a quick stir, and then blend (or stir faster) until you have a liquid pasty consistency. The more you blend the less thick it will be. I usually stop around the time it's thick enough to still be creamy. 

Stir

Blend

Nice and creamy!

Blend in oils.

Step 7. Add in your essential oil(s). I have found that the essential oils come through more when they are added last. Not sure why. Shea Butter has a strong smell, but remember less is more with essential oils. The smell will settle in and blossom. You might not smell it the way you want right away. Be patient.

Step 8: Transfer in storing container. Make sure you have an airtight container.We want this to stay as fresh as possible. 

Step 9: Use it! You can use this right away, and then store it in a dry cool area. There are no preservatives in this mix except for the Vitamin E, so be sure to use frequently or give it away if you made too much. The shelf life is about 3 months to 6 months. You may experience natural separation and/or melting and firming of the texture, but don't worry because it's natural! :) If you see any discoloration or mold, discard...quickly! But don't freak out,  and make more,water probably got in it somehow.

I recommend using this butter on moist skin and damp hair. This mix is basically an oil mixture which means it will seal and trap moisture. Always remember that oil is a sealant more than a moisturizer. Water is your best bet for moisture, and this lotion helps seal in that moisture. Sometimes, when my skin dry from being out of the shower too long, I spritz it with a bit of water. Sometimes I mix the water with coconut water, and Aloe Vera juice mix which I love. Rose water is also a nice option. I am also playing around with coconut and almond milk as a moisture alternative.

Spring is here!

Spring is here and boy is it grand! There is so much to look forward to when Spring comes. More daylight, growing flowers, colorful trees, Easter, SPRING BREAK!, and most of all the best weather that most cities will experience all year. It's the perfect mix of windy breezes, warm sun, and just enough chill to wear a cute a blazer or sweater. Not only that, but we can begin to forget the drab and drear colors of winter and pop into the colorful tones of whatever the day brings. This is my ultimate perfect spring outfit. It would be perfect for any day. Even this rainy Spring day that I am experiencing as I type this. I love it. I wish I had it. Darn you polyvore! Darn you!! Surprisingly, I actually have a variation of all these pieces except for the mint jeans (which I love! Get in my closet!!), I will have to pick those up at my local Forever 21. And ya know... I don't really mind doing that. The challenge will be getting out of there well-- first alive, and second with one item and not ten. Wish me luck. My version of this outfit will pop up on the blog soon. Stay tuned, and Happy Spring!

Spring is here! by fraziergirl featuring pamela love jewelry

Plunging neckline top
$53 - romwe.com

Tux jacket
$130 - topshop.com

Current/Elliott lime green jeans
$185 - stylebop.com

Rupert Sanderson patent leather shoes
$595 - rupertsanderson.com

Chanel beige handbag
fashionphile.com

Ten Thousand Things chrysoprase jewelry
$1,585 - ylang23.com

Pamela love jewelry
$255 - ssense.com

Stretch jewelry
£60 - the-dressingroom.com

Stella Dot vintage style jewelry
$49 - stelladot.com

H&M retro shades
£4.99 - hm.com

Classy Summer-Outfit of the Day (In a dream world!)

Laid back, classy, and cute. I really want to wear this tomorrow. Too bad I don't have any of it... Ya gotta love Polyvore.com though right? I mean who comes up with this stuff? A whole website dedicated to creating the cutest outfits ever... Do they want us to be active in real life? And, the best part? You can buy it. All of it. No kidding. It's all for sale! I first discovered Polyvore through Pinterest. Pinterest in of itself is addictive, but to add this on top? Ridiculous (!!!). Did I mention I wish I had this outfit in real life. It's actually making me a bit depressed that it's stuck in my computer and not in my closet. Sad face. Oh well, I'm going to be really mean to all my real clothes tomorrow. And, it's not their fault. They don't deserve it.

Classy Summer by fraziergirl featuring beach tank tops

I think I am going to try to recreate this outfit with actual pieces of clothing that I own (Relax, Relate, and Release!). There's a thought! I plan to post sometime next week with what I come up with. Hopefully, the weather will permit. It has been weird lately. This is California, so I am sure there are plenty of sunny days in sight. 

Quiksilver beach tank top
$30 - quiksilver.com

Madewell cuffed denim shorts
$50 - madewell.com

Miss Selfridge flat heels
$57 - missselfridge.com

Hat Attack flap handbag
$125 - calypsostbarth.com

Pink jewelry
$18 - topshop.com

Irene Neuwirth peach jewelry
$6,360 - barneys.com

Chain jewelry
£239 - farfetch.com

Antique jewelry
€1.750 - colette.fr

Mango square sunglasses
£18 - houseoffraser.co.uk

I'm Coming Out!

So last year at the end of July, I came out.  Many of you were shocked. Many of you made fun of me. Many of you said that I would never be able to accept the change I made for myself in the long term. On the other hand, many of you and the same many of you accepted me and my change. Some of you said “Whatever floats your boat!”  Some of you were happy for me. Some of you said I was brave! And, most of you didn’t care at all to be honest!  Yes, if you don’t know by now…. I went NATURAL (gasp!). I know this may be hard to process, especially if you are African-American woman with a relaxer. I cut off all of my hair except 4 inches of nappy new growth and said “Hello World!, I am going to be nappy and free from now on!” True story. This happened. Last July. And. I. Am. Happy. SO HAPPY!! I really am. I feel so much better about my hair and myself. I wish I was kidding because it’s sad that I had to go this route to feel this way. When I went natural…I just let go. I Relaxed, I Related, and I Released all of the pressure, the negativity, and the misconceptions about myself and my God-given features.

Here is what I looked like before I big chopped my hair:

Here is what I looked like after I big chopped my hair:

I decided to go natural for one reason and one reason only. I was sick of my hair. Sick of it. SO SICK OF IT. I can’t even begin to explain how fed up and how much I hated my hair. It was not cute. I didn’t like anything about it. To be fair... this wasn’t always the case. I cannot say I’ve always been a fan of my hair, but I didn’t start actually hating (such a strong word!) my hair until about 3 years ago. Before then, I was happy getting relaxers, blow drying, flat ironing, and even weaving my hair.  I did everything to make it look straight, calm, put together, and controlled because there was just no way, (I mean no way!) I could go too long with a little bit of new growth. On the other hand, I’ve always wanted my hair to grow. It never did. When I was younger around 5-7 years old I did have long hair. I also didn’t have a relaxer. Here is a picture of what I looked like when I was 6 years old (above).

Why did I get a relaxer you ask? One weekend my mother went to an all women’s Christian conference, and she left me and my two older sisters home with our dad. He had no idea what to do with our hair, so he took us to a beauty salon. That was first time I received a relaxer.  This very persuasive black woman named Toni put it in… I think it’s crazy that my sister’s and I still remember her name. Talk about a life changing moment! I was either 7 or 8 years old at the time. And, believe me I LOVED my hair. It was long and “bouncing and behaving” as my late Grandma Gertie would say. It was awesome. And, it was awesome for a while till it wasn’t awesome anymore and the fight for healthy hair became a daily battle. Breakage, thinning, lifeless, brittle, bone straight hair.  It didn’t necessarily look the way; I am probably painting this picture. My hair was cute. It was. I only noticed the damage when I washing or styling my hair.  The short little pieces of hair that fell and collected on my upper shoulders, floor, and bathroom counter when I was styling my hair said everything I was trying to deny. I did manage to keep it looking nice for the most part, but it was severely broken off, damaged and unhealthy.  

Look at those ends! 

Part of the reason, I experienced this was because I probably did not take care of my hair the way I should have. There were probably many many things I could have done to prevent the breakage, thinning, and damage. I rarely did deep conditions, hot oil treatments, and I washed and blow dried my hair probably too often or not enough. I don't know. I probably should have went to the salon more often. My sister Briana actually is having a lot of recent success with her relaxers and her hair. She has found something that I never did. 

I tried many different methods for trying to grow my hair out including braids, and weaves. I never truly saw a lot of growth with braids. We would always get them in the summer, so it was easier to swim and that’s about it. I hated putting them in and taking them out. It would take like 6 hours each time! However, I did see a lot of growth with weaves. In fact I wore a weave for one and a half years during my last two years of college, and my hair did actually grow significantly. I didn't like putting weaves in and taking them out either, which is primary reason I stopped getting them.

With Weave:

Right After Weave: 

Once, I decided to take the weave out for good, I tried to go without a relaxer for as long as I could, but eventually got another one. And, then the battle began all over again. I also noticed that I was cutting my brittle ends with every relaxer and before I knew it my hair was up to my ears.  I had been playing with the idea of going natural during the year after I took out my weave, but I wasn’t serious. I watched many YouTube videos, and tried to transition into natural hair twice! Each time resulted in a failed attempt and me reaching for the creamy crack (relaxer). Two of those failed attempts had to do with major events that were happening at that time. One being my sister Briana’s wedding. I really didn’t want to look bad during her wedding or mess up the pictures. Honestly, that’s why I put a relaxer back in my hair. The other event was my birthday….not much to say there. Honestly, it wasn’t actually a major event either.... I just wanted to look cute, and I didn’t feel like I could ever actually really and truly go natural. 

Before my last relaxer: 

 This is my boy friend Donald. He love my hair! At least that's what he says. ;-) I think he is happy with whatever makes me happy, and that ultimately makes me happy. 

Before my birthday that year I received my last relaxer in September of 2010. Although, I didn't know it at the time. I decided it would be my last when I saw the new growth creeping up about 8 weeks later. I thought …here is my chance! I can try one more time!!  It was then I had finally convinced myself that this was going to work.  And no one (not even myself) was going to stop me. My family still didn’t believe me, but they were supportive in my decision. I have to say I was not the greatest person while transitioning. Transitioning is hard!! I didn’t like it at all. I mean at all. I had two textures, it took forever to wash, blow dry and flat iron. And, the styles I tried via YouTube (twists outs, braid out, bantu knots) looked nice, but a little off because I still had my relaxed ends. 

I honestly couldn’t even talk about my hair without getting defensive and arguing. And, then one day my two older sisters Jessica and Briana and I were at my sister Jessica's house getting ready for a party. I was complaining  about my hair as usual. When Briana suddenly said, “If you’re going to do it, just do it…and shut up about it. What are you waiting for???” They were tired of hearing me complain. And, I was tired of hearing myself complain.  I originally wanted to transition for a year, but after the hard truth I received in Jessica’s bathroom I knew I had to Big Chop soon. Like really soon. Like the next day. And, I did.

Here is what I look like now 6 months post relaxer:

Wow, this is a LONG BLOG POST!! I originally wanted to tell my natural hair story to share a homemade natural shea hair butter and lotion recipe, but I think I will save that for part two! My natural hair is the reason I began loving all natural homemade beauty products in the first place, so I wanted to give a little background. I think I might have given a little too much…