Jessiker Bakes!

Check out this vlog done by guest blogger  Jessiker Bakes here on Candid Cinni

Perfect for the holiday season!

produced by Struck x Gold.

SN: Try the Biscotti flavor of Baileys in the recipe.

Daily Fix of Hair

Its Me on Christmas Day

Artiste Spotlight - Chloe & Halle

WHY AM I JUST FINDING OUT ABOUT THESE GIRLS??!

No seriously... dem baaaaaaadddd!!!
Their voices are so mature for their age & they're so gorge! I know they're gonna go far in life

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day surrounded by their loved ones :)

Straight Road Ahead

So its Winter time and I want to straighten my hair.
Nothing new or out of the ordinary for that.. many naturals get the itch to around this time. The cool weather just sends some message to us that says... "let it be pressed".
Now since I've cut off my relaxed ends I haven't straightened my hair. I haven't even done a blow out.

*insert gasp*

I pretty much treated Heat like the ugly stepchild and did away with it. Hardly even used it for deep conditioning treatments, diffusing, nada. Why? Well simply because 

1. I was scared of heat damage & 2. I just couldn't be bothered to do it especially since I was living in Florida. I didn't want to spend time into getting it all smooth and flat only to have it revert in no time. No sir, No ma'am.

Now that my hair is longer I want to give it a go. I think I've watched enough Youtube tutorials and read up on heat damage preventative measures to have a go at it. I'm also very curious as to what it would look like. My only thing is, I'm currently in Florida.. one of the reasons why I didn't attempt it sooner lol. I'm still gonna try.. I've put in my head that its ok if it fuzzes up.. I'll just work around it.

Toya's twitpic of her natural hair flat ironed. All hers!

I bought the Carol's Daughter Chocolat Smoothing Collection to do it. Figured why not treat my tresses since its the first time I'm straightening it since I've gone natural. Cause for celebration!
Check out KisforKinky's post here on it & Elle of QuestForThePerfectCurl review on it here.

Now all I need to do is buy a flat iron.. I loaned it to someone last year and never got it back...
Another reason I didn't attempt to straighten it. I entertained the idea of doing a roller set then silk wrap to get it straight buuttttt I suck tremendously at roller sets. Even when I was relaxed, could never get the hang of it.

So flat ironed hair is on my to do list for the holidays.  How about you guys? Thinking of taking the plunge into the heat pool and emerging with swing swang hair?

Hoppin' Cross Di Pond

Hello Lovelies :) Hope all is well with each and every one of you!

I'm so happy, I've reached South FL!!! Took so much to get here. Left the snow for sunshine even though I was enjoying the snow.

My "IT SNOWED!" Face

View from a window of the snow

Hopped a bus then train to Manchester.. stayed the night with family friends and then off to the airport early in the morn.. around 8 am.

Poor guy, totally exhausted at Manchester Airport.

Caught a flight to Heathrow then a 10 hr flight to Miami. 10 bloody hours. When I was going to to the UK, it only took 8 hours.. My day was entirely too long.. didn't get to bed until after 1 am FL time which was after 6 am UK time. I haven't got much sleep yet but its probably because I'm so excited to be here that I want to take it all in.

Waiting to depart from Heathrow

Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean

Will be updating you guys on my adventures.. stay tuned!

Worn Free?

I was on Concreteloop and I saw a story about a t-shirt company called Worn Free producing tees with designs first worn by Bob Marley.

Y'all know I love me some Bob Marley and I think the idea is great but then I saw this pic

Spartan Health Club is a gym in Jamaica and I'm just wondering if they are getting any of the proceeds from this particular t-shirt being sold or if they even agreed to it.
I just found it a little hilarious that they were making a tee with that design on it because people are going to be snatching that up for $45 because Bob had a tee like it when someone in JA has one stored in their "yaad clothes" pile.

Community Carol

For the past couple of days, I've been watching Community from Season 1 right up to Season 3.
I've never been the type of person who has "shows" - the one who tunes in every week to a specific scripted series and then waits patiently (or impatiently) for the upcoming epi the following week.
It has been of late that I'm getting into certain shows and Community is one of them.

Totally love it. LOOOVVEEE. Yeah, late sue me.

Just watched the latest and what could possibly be the last (NOOO! #saveCommunity) and the end credits bit had me cracking up so I thought I'd share :)

Happy haPPY mERRY Ding

Hello all!

town square of where I reside

Tis the season to be Jolly :) I hope you all are well and that the holiday season isn't stressing you out. I know finals are either drawing to a close or done for some people while others are wondering what to get the loved ones in their lives.

I'm right there in that boat with you all. My first term in the UK is officially over and now I'm in the prep stages to go home to FL for Christmas. I can't wait!

I love me some Christmas.. celebrating the birth of Christ with loved ones all around is just wonderful & with all the commercialism of the holiday, one can lose sight of what it's about. In one of my devotionals, it speaks on the gifts we can give this holiday and not necessarily ones that speak financial volumes.

So drawing from that, I thought I would put together some ideas for gifts that is easy on the pocket but means so much.
Ideas after the jump

Daily Fix of Hair

Today's fix is of myself 

*cues streamers*

lol this is of a failed W'n'G I did last week.

Hair ended up feeling all dry and bleh the next day 

but looked nice initially

not the best pic I know but I like playing around with instagram.

I can assure pics will improve in quality & a lot more personal pics will be on the blog in a couple of weeks

Texture shot

MANE-ly Speaking

Who are you?

WELL!!! I am Amanyea Shadea Milagros Stines (love my full name :))  :) I dance with L'Acadco - A United Caribbean Dance Force and I am studying Aerospace Engineering and Dance at Penn State University. I love cars, shoes, clothes, chemistry and ballet :)

3 words you would use to describe yourself.

Eclectic, Random and ADHD (not an adjective but! lol definitely me )

Why did you go natural?

I have been natural almost all my life, I've been rocking short cuts since I was 13 (when I decided to go completely bald :)) ONE DAY! -_- I decided to put a relaxer in, that was almost the worst decision in my entire life, SO! last year, I cut all my hair off! to start again!. I am currently trying to achieve a long mane.

Was it difficult or easy to go natural?

Wasn't very difficult for me, since that is what I was use to, I didn't know how to manage my new found relaxed hair, it was a lot more work for me. My mother also didn't believe in relaxers or anything chemical, not even gel. I've been putting olive oil, shea butter and mayonnaise treatments in my hair from an early age, :)! THANK GOD for the mother I have. 

4 words to describe your mane.

unruly:)!, bipolar, GORGEOUS!, and loyal!

Tell us a little about your regimen.

In all honesty, I love my hair but I always NEED a different look. So my regimen is purely strategies to keep the hair "on my head" lol. I highlight, low light, streak, and bleach my hair almost every month, and I cut it almost 4 to 5 times a year. This is my first year attempting to grow my hair out. I shampoo once a week and co wash every other day :).  I deep condition my hair every other week, and do oil treatments the weeks I don't deep condition. I use anything that smells good and feels good to me, I trust my hair to tell me what it likes and it definitely likes Herbal Essence's Hydration conditioner, and Yes to cucumbers shampoo. I usually make my own deep conditioner with anything that is left in my refrigerator. 

Yogurt

Mayonnaise

Avocados

Eggs :)!

and I mix it with MY FAVOURITE OIL IN THE WORLD, coconut oil! 100% coconut oil :)

What have you learned on your natural hair journey?

To listen to my hair. I've realized my hair is my hair & although you can listen to other opinions, you have to just follow what makes you! feel good. I've realized Giovanni didn't work for me nor Kinky-Curly and that Shea Moisture and Herbal Essence did. It all depends on you.  Do not be afraid to experiment :)

Candidly speaking.. (anything else you would like to add)

I love designing swimsuits, I actually can't even remember the last time I've worn a swimsuit that wasn't my design! 

also, I secretly want to be a performing artiste

:)

Daily Fix of Hair

Today's fix is of Abenah Gonzalez

Muzik Mondays

P-P-P-P-PULL UP DA CHUNE DEH SELECTA!

That goes to show how much I love this song "Call fi Mi Cure" by Tessanne Chin produced by Washroom Entertainment.

Tessanne can never do me wrong. Her voice.. my goodness. So bloody rich! 

Her + Washroom & their wicked beats = earful of bliss. 

WARNING: Your hips may move upon hearing.

Heard the song & I would wheel an come again with it bout 10 time. Yeah that good.

The song is on the Bubble Gum Riddim which you can get on iTunes.

Enjoy =)

TWA Tales - Styling

Hello my gentle people out there!

Ok so as the post says TWA Tales. No I do not have a TWA (not anymore) but I've been on the hunt for easy TWA styles for my sister. She's like me - likes no fuss hair. She likes elaborate styles but rather have someone else do it for her.

& now I'm looking for easy styles for her. Oh the joys of being the younger sibling -.- (which would be me if You didn't catch that)
The search for the styles took me back to the times I had a TWA and it kinda made me want to do it all over again... kinda.

That is a whole 'nother post.
Anyhoo I found this vid on CurlyNikki. I remember really digging this style.. I think I attempted it too.

Enjoy =)

Daily Fix of Hair

Today's fix is Anonymous.

I saw the pic & loved it.

Daily Fix of Hair

Today's fix is of Canadian pop singer Kreesha Turner.

(not sure if her hair is natural or not but who cares?! its lovely :)

Clean an Out!

Weekly post done by Shonique D. Thomas of caughtupinmyreverie.tumblr.com. She is a student at the University of Florida currently studying Marketing. Shonique has a passion for fashion so her weekly posts will be fashion oriented. 

HAREM PANTS? OFF THAT! 

WIDE-LEGGED PANTS? ON IT!

Disclaimer: Before I even get into the topic at hand, I want to apologize for failing to commit to my weekly fashion posts promise! I swear, I am not a flake, but I have been absolutely overwhelmed with school, especially with exams right around the corner! I am so sorry and I feel absolutely horrible!

I want to begin by first saying that when the harem pants trend first surfaced, I was a major fan! I quickly realized that it would be one of those love/hate trends – no neutral feelings. Initially, I only liked it on others – a lot of celebrities rocked it so effortlessly.

 Over a time, I started to wonder if I could pull it off and this curiosity encouraged me to shift outside of my comfort zone and venture further into the realms of fashion. 

Above is a picture of my first attempt at the harem pant trend (left)! Unfortunately, I don’t have any individual pictures, because interestingly enough, I’m always the one behind the camera. I always regret it the next day when I have nothing to show for last night’s attire!

Now on to the next issue!

I am tired of the harem pant trend! I am completely over it! Possibly, because it is no longer unique – everyone is in it! Also, I am constantly seeing it so badly worn that I’m turned off! So, where I’m at right now is that I’m leaving the harem pant trend to those just catching up and moving on to something new!

So, what exactly have I moved on to? Can you keep a secret? Promise? Wide-legged pants!

Now, wide-legged pants is not for everyone, as are most trends. The trend first started resurfacing around January of this year, and as you can see it still is not well-represented on the streets. Personally, I like that. I like being the odd girl, wearing the odd item of clothing, and standing out – be it good or bad!

 

I don’t want to make this post too long, so we’re going to wrap up with couple tips on how to wear wide-legged pants, in my opinion of course:

• With heels! Flats just don’t complete the look for me.
• With a slim-fitting top to balance out the volume of the bottom half. A soft, flowy blouse can also work, but I would advise one to break up the look by wearing a waist-cinching belt.
• You can also go completely 70s and wear it with a pair of platform shoes.

With love, Shonique D. Thomas.