DIY Fashion: Sheer Crop Top

Hey ya'll crop tops are so in right now (despite the weather) here is a really easy and cheap tutorial on a sheer crop top. You can pair it with high waisted jeans, skirts etc

Let me know if you try it out. This would look really cute with some patterned tights as well.

Here's one of mine in black.

This is one of the tutorials

Hope you had a great Christmas.

~AF

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to say Merry Christmas (or Happy Holidays) to everyone. Hope you're all enjoying this time with family and friends or at least away for work and stress.

Don't forget the reason for the season!

God bless.

Christmas Eve look: Curlformers working their magic again :)

Gold tree with gold and ivory decorations. This years theme.

-Femi

Sunday Blues

This is the outfit I wore to church yesterday. I love the richness of the blue and the studded detail on the collar. pair it with my platform leopard pumps and caramel dress pants.

My hair is a 7 day old twist out that was sprayed with water and sealed with coconut oil. Very little twist out definition left, but I love the volume and shape.

This is a new lipstick I picked up from Ulta Saturday, #477 Black Cherry by Revlon. I also picked up some metallic liquid liners by NYX. I'm currently wearing a blue one in Extreme Blue.

Merry Christmas Eve

-AF

Easy Last Minute Gifts

Happy Days after doomsday!

Huge sign of relief.

Well turns out the Mayans were wrong, a solid effort on their part though. On a brighter note Christmas is almost here and I'm sure some of you were banking on the end of the world and didn't bother buying gift, WHOOPS. Lol, well since that plan didn't work out too well here are some easy DIY gifts.


Until the next near apocalypse.

Some of my own DIY gift are a painting, hand knit scarves, hats and a blanket (I'll post pictures soon).

Cheap Gift Ideas for Your Boyfriend! DIY and BUY! 

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR GIRLS 

DIY Natural Body & Facial Scrubs (DIY Gift)

Last Minute Christmas DIY Gifts :) 

DIY Phone Case (Gift Ideas) 

 

This link includes things like Homemade hot sauce, bath bombs, and a bracelet.

Pinterest is another great place to find DIY ideas, otherwise a simple Google search will bring up a plethora of options.


Have a Merry Christmas (and Happy Holidays)

~ Femi

Eye Do Too [3]: Smoldering

Hey thought I'd share some of the makeup looks that I've loved thus far.

They are a collection of dark sexy eye looks. Hope you enjoy

DivaOnADime384 - Glitter Rock Chic Makeup Tutorial 

LaurenBeauty- Dark Clubbing Smokey Eye tutorial 

EyeLuvMakeup- Vampy Vixen - Bold Eyes and Bold Lips

LilPumpkinPie05- YSL Sexy Fall Makeup 

Hope you enjoy these looks as much as I did. Let me know if you try them out. :)

-AF 

Natural Hair and Thinning Edges

Got Edges? Also known as the Noami Campbell syndrome, well hopefully not as severe. A lot of naturals, and women of color in general, combat thinning edges, often as a result of hair habits (perms, too tight weaves and braids etc). It can be very limiting and damaging to our self image.

Keeping good health and eating well will help improved your hair health, good in, good out. There are many things that you can apply to the hair itself, but it's what's on the inside that counts. Eating foods rich in protein will provide structure and strength (the main component of hair is the protein keratin).

Exercise also stimulates blood flow. If you eat the right foods, the nutrient-rich blood will nourish each hair follicle, promoting healthy hair growth. Deficiencies of vitamins and minerals result in duller hair. (See list of vitamins/minerals below)

Thinning edges are caused by slow growth, scalp infection or an excessive amount of tension/stress applied to a specific area over a long period of time. To help the hair grow back, the hair follicles need to be rejuvenated and stimulated to improve blood circulation and promote more hair growth. I've noticed that products containing anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties, help combat dandruff and bacteria on the scalp. The removal of dandruff/bacteria unclogs the hair follicles allowing the scalp to breathe resulting in faster hair growth since nothing is inhibiting the growth.

I've compiled a list of potential remedies to this problem

- Rosemary Oil - Needs to be mixed with a carrier oil (too potent otherwise). Known to increase blood flow, therefore, promoting hair growth.

- Peppermint Oil - Needs to be mixed with a carrier oil (too potent otherwise). Gives a cooling effect/tingle to the scalp, and removes dandruff. Purifies the scalp. Known to increase blood flow, therefore, promoting hair growth.

- Castor Oil - Cleanses toxins & impurities from the scalp, nourishes and thickens the hair. Stimulates hair growth while moisturizing dry brittle hair.

- Coconut Oil - Promotes hair growth by revitalizing and exfoliating dead skin tissue from the scalp. Great in removing dandruff so that the scalp/hair follicles can breath and the hair can grow at a faster rate.

- Aloe Vera Gel/Juice - Includes an enzyme that is beneficial in stimulating new hair reproduction.

- Vitamin E - Antioxidant that enhances scalp circulation. Helps to increase and improve circulation of your scalp, promoting the growth of healthy hair

- Miconazole Nitrate - Found in Yeast Infection Creams & Neosporin. Has antifungal properties. If applied to the scalp, it will remove dandruff/bacteria off of the scalp thus promoting hair growth (caution: can cause headaches).

- Sulfur 8 - Provides a tingling sensation to the scalp. Helps remove dandruff off the scalp. Sulfur does three important functions in our body. It brings about hair growth, strong nails and smooth skin.

- Mega-Tek - It stimulates and promotes RAPID hair regrowth without the use of silicone, synthetic polymers, oils or petroleum based products. Many ladies have seen great results with this product.

Promote hair growth
Protein: fish, eggs, cheese
Iron: whole grain, dark leafty vegetables
B Vitamins: eggs, meat
Essential Fatty Acids: walnuts, soy
Vitamin E: nuts, seeds
Sulfur: meats, legumes, vegetables

Growth Aids
(apply directly to the hair or scalp)
Cinnamon extract (Essential oil must be mixed with a carrier oil. Too potent alone, may cause irritation)
Grape seed oil
Castor oil
Vatika oil
Avocado oil
Henna
Amla oil

Stunt hair growth
Coffee
Sugar
Fat



Check out the comments section here for other peoples experiences and ideas




Hope this helps

~Addicted Fembot

Top 5 AHOLICS [11]

Instagram
Jeffrey Campbell shoes
American Apparel disco pants
Curly fros
Manicured/Sculpted eyebrows

It's been a while since I posted a top 5 aholics. But there's my list. I had to do some very strategic downsizing ("eeney meeney miney mo") to settle on just 5.

In no particular order the aforementioned items have been things that I've been addicted to. I'd be hard pressed to say that I've gone a day without thinking about/using one of them at least once.

Instagram: I joined many moons ago but never really used it. But early this school year I started posting semi-daily outfit of the day pictures. I've since stopped in favor of posting it to my blog. But I do still use the app as a way to see other peoples fashion, food and randomness. LOVE it. If you have an Instagram account leave ur user name below and I'll follow you. Mine is @f3mb0t. (Same on Twitter) We're social creatures and Instagram is just another medium for us to stay connected.


Jeffrey Campbell shoes: If you don't know this designer you may just live under a rock, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. I love his shoes. LOVE LOVE! As in I'd be willing to give up cupcakes for one TWO months for another pair and I LOVE cupcakes! His shoes are ultra comfortable and absolutely fabulous. They can really spice up an outfit. Check here for my recent haul.


American Apparel disco pants: I bought my first pair last year around the same time I bought my first pair of Litas (Campbells). It was love at first sight. I put them on and basically never took them off. Like my Lita's I took any and every opportunity to wear them out. they are AMAZING and a great investment piece. Heavier than leggings and way more fashionable they were a great addition to my collection of bottom. I've since bought a red pair and will be getting navy soon. Here are some outfits I styled with them here, here and here.


Curly Fros: Since ending my 4 month Hide Your Hair Challenge I've been loving wearing my hair curly. Obviously being natural myself I'm biased towards this look because it's so easily achieved, but aside from that it's really cute and chic look. My favorite method is a flat twist out with the ends bantu knoted. Here's a tutorial on how to achieve the look. I recently did this to my hair as well, here.

Last year

Twist and Curl

TWA

Manicured eyebrows: I don't wax my eyebrows anymore and rarely pluck them so this method helps keep them looking crisp. I don't wear (eye) makeup on a daily basis because I'm in school and just don't have that kind of time. But I've found that just by having nice looking eyebrows my whole face looks put together. It really makes a difference. If you don't do anything do your eyebrows, and it doesn't mean you have to fill them in or line them with concealer. Just brushing them or gelling them down is enough effort.

Simple brows

Perfect Eyebrow Tutorial

Honorable Mentions and Repeat Offender
Law and Order SVU
YouTube
Mint (Financial site/app)



What are some of your latest addictions? How do you feel about mine? I definitely recommend them.

-Addicted Fembot

   

Front Row

Will Smith is onto something.
The fewer actors in a film the more money you pocket.

Anyway I'm gonna go see it because I LOVE Will Smith and it looks like a good movie. :)

What do you guys think?

Natural Hair: Flat twist out

Yesterday instead of studying for my test, and while watching Law and Order SVU I felt inspired to do my hair. Nothing too complicated just a simple flat twist out.

My hair had been in a low bun for a day after co-washing it so it was dry and stretched (using the bun method, tutorial here). I sprayed my hair lightly with water, then used some of Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothing and finally coconut oil to seal in the moisture.

I parted my hair randomly with my fingers and flat twisted the sections. There was no real method or special techniques used, as you can see from the before pictures my sections are kinda horrible lol. I detangled my ends with a modified Denman brush and wrapped them up with flexi rods.

The next day I just unraveled the twists, doing minimal separation and picked my roots out with an afro pick.

Before

After

 

My ends got kind of frizzy because I didn't properly detangle the ends and I was also in a rush that morning to get to my exam. Priorities.

I love the over all look though.

To preserve the style for day two I retwisted my hair in a couple of chunky twist.



~AF

OOTD: Real OG

Best Hump day of the year!!!
Today was the LAST day of classes (for the semseter) WOOOT. I'm so relieved, it's been a great semester and year but I'm glad to be done. Two finals and then I'm FREE. Free to study for the DAT anyway.

Anyway, I decided to keep things really relaxed. I had an exam this morning and plan on being in the library for the rest of the day so I wanted to be comfortable.

I wore a thrifted old grampa (OG) sweater and leggings. My hair is a flat twistout I did last night (post soon).

Enjoy

Excited!

~AF

Reblog: 5 Health Habits that Lead to Stronger, Longer Hair

Thought I'd share this with you guys.

See original post here. 

5 Health Habits that Lead to Stronger, Longer Hair

By Christina of The Mane Objective
It’s almost the end of 2012 and everywhere you turn, people are once again drawing up laundry lists of resolutions for the new year. According to statistics from the Journal of Clinical Psychology, at least 45% of people make New Year’s resolutions. Some of the top ten resolutions include losing weight, getting or staying fit/healthy, and quitting smoking. Interesting that many resolutions revolve around health, right? With rates for (largely) preventable diseases on the rise, there is no wonder that folks are hopping on the health bandwagon in record numbers.
Beyond that, there is an undoubtedly strong connection between our overall health and the health of our hair. There is only so much that conditioners, oils, and other products can do when it comes to growing and maintaining our manes. There are five essential areas of our health that we need to get a grip on if we want a healthy body that will grow healthy hair.

1. Reducing Stress

I’m sure one way or another, you’ve heard that stress can cause premature hair loss. Certainly, external stressors can make you want to yank the hairs off your head. But emotional and physiological stress can and does cause hair loss for any number of reasons. Being depressed or stressed for one day isn’t going to cause major trauma per-se, but long-term behaviors that impact your body’s internal balance is what causes hair loss. For example, if you are going through a bad breakup or job loss, that may spurn you into behaviors like not eating well, or losing sleep. Your emotional response triggers a physiological imbalance, which manifests itself in hair loss. No, you won’t lose hair because you hate your Ex. But losing sleep over him long-term may cause your resting hairs to shed prematurely. Other stressors that aren’t necessarily emotional but can cause physiological imbalance and hair-loss are: a strict low-calorie diet, severe illness or infection, low estrogen levels after childbirth, major surgery, and switching on and off oral contraceptives.

2. Getting Enough Sleep

Beyond relaxation, sleep is a restorative, repairative, and rejuvenating process for our bodies. While we’re in la-la land, our bodies are fast at work — repairing muscles, tissues, and sending growth hormones (HGH) throughout our system. The same growth hormones that are responsible for repairing muscles and tissues that we use and abuse throughout our busy day, are responsible for stimulating your hair growth. Although growth hormones are released in small doses throughout the day, more are released at night. If you are losing sleep (or your sleep pattern is erratic/disrupted by apnea or other causes), you’re hurting your hair’s chances to be stimulated to growth internally. In fact, if you aren’t getting proper rest, you may notice that your hair is drier, more brittle, and breakage-prone than normal. So before you switch your sealing products, check your sleeping patterns.

3. Exercise

Another internal growth mechanism is kicked into high gear when you get moving. Heart-pumping exercise gets your blood circulating like none other. When blood is moving through your body, it carries nutrients and oxygen to your scalp — stimulating growth. Sure, you could achieve this by massaging your scalp with a good oil. But the hands down best way to stimulate the blood flow throughout your body is exercise. Cardiovascular exercises like running, walking, dancing, kickboxing, elliptical, biking, and more are great ways to get your heart pumping. Weight lifting and resistance training are awesome as well. Aside from feeding your hair, regular exercise supports weight loss/healthy weight maintenance, decreased risk of hypertension, diabetes, and everything else under the sun. Do you really need another reason to get moving?

4. Good Nutrition

As it was mentioned under physiological stress, super calorie-restrictive diets are one of the triggers that can cause hair loss. Typically, nutrition plans where under 1,000 calories per day are consumed place you in the danger zone for hair loss and more (I’m looking at you, Master Cleanse). Simply put, our bodies need fuel to function. When our bodies are deprived of fuel, functions begin to slow or shut down entirely. Because we are survivalists by intelligent design, whatever our bodies don’t get in food, we get by breaking down fat and muscle. Don’t start jumping for joy thinking starvation will cause weight loss and keep your body going. Only essential functions will continue in the state of starvation — and let’s face it: hair growth is not an essential function when compared to keeping your heart and lungs pumping. On the flip side of that coin is our rapidly growing over-dependence on heavily processed pseudo and fast foods. As a general rule of thumb, the more processed a food is (meaning it has less real food ingredients, and more chemicals and junk that you can’t pronounce or don’t readily have available in your house), the less beneficial it is nutritionally. The converse also applies. When less whole food ingredients are present, our bodies are deprived of essential nutrients that help us function optimally, and consequently, that stimulate hair growth. To maximize your health and hair growth, make it a point to include more whole foods into your diet.

5. Moderating Alcohol Consumption

Drank. Shots. Booze. The elephant in the room that nobody wants to discuss. I’m not here to crash your party, or encourage you to pour your margarita down the drain. However with the exception of wine, alcohol consumption has little to no benefit to the body, except for loosening inhibitions and making us believe we are having a great time. In moderation, alcohol consumption has virtually no impact on the body. But when done in excess, alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain, liver damage, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and hair loss. Yes, getting wasted every weekend can cost you your precious mane. Frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can lead to increased estrogen levels (hello, hormone imbalance) and spur a condition known as Telogen effluvium into high gear. Telogen effluvium is a temporary hair loss condition that can be curbed when the body’s balance is returned. In addition to the aforementioned condition, alcohol consumption decreases the levels of important nutrients in the body, such as zinc and iron. Decreased levels of zinc result in dry, brittle hair that can break easily at the roots, while decreased levels of iron prevent hair follicles from receiving important nutrients that are needed for hair health and growth.

How do your health habits affect your hair?


 _______________________________________
Happy reading.

-AF 

Lust List

Current Lusts

1. leather/faux leather/pleather pants
2. leather/suede protector
3. new digital camera (with flip screen)
4. camo jacket
5. virgin Mongolian kinky-curly hair (to make a wig with)

It was surprisingly difficult to come up with this list. Which is good and means that I have everything I want. OR a really bad memory.

Anyway wants on your lust list?

-AF

OOTD & OOTW: Flash back

I wore my matching tropicana jean outfit today! Loved it, it definitely brightened up the gloomy snowy day we had.

I styled it with my more wearable black combat boots considering the weather (instead of my Spiked Litas).

Here are some throw back OOTDs, they're from my visit to MN and before thanksgiving.
I loved this first one and it makes me want to buy more midi-skirts. What do you think?

Enjoy

 

 

 

-AF