Saturday 31 March 2012

And so it begins...

I feel that this is completely topical right now.
And very, very true.

Yesterday, for what may actually be the first time in my life, I went to the gym.

By myself.

No nagging.

And I used the equipment and everything.

The gym has always petrified me because it doesn't come with instructions and, unlike dancing or running outside, it don't come naturally either.

My main reason to run, for netball, is gone because the season is over.

So who know why I packed my kit up and decided to do the darn thing anyway? Maybe because of all the other reasons left on that list.

I went in the morning, because if I didn't go in the morning, I'd find some excuse not to go.

I felt incredibly self-conscious as I passed the school kids at the bus stop, swinging my sports bag.

I'm pretty sure young adolescents and children can smell fear, so I crossed the road.

When I got there, my main targets, the treadmills, were already taken up. So I got on the cross trainer while I waited, since I know it's less impact on your joints.

I did a distance of 1.10 in 10 minutes something on the cross trainer. I did a distance of 1.14 on the treadmill at a speed of 7 in 12 minutes something.

I'd like to declare I have no clue what the heck those numbers mean.

But I ran! On the dreaded treadmill! For more than 4 minutes! And I didn't throw up! And I didn't do an Edie either!

I don't know what distance I did, but I want to see that number go up and the time number go down. I'm not sore at all, so I know I can definitely do better.


So I'm definitely going back on Monday morning.

Friday 30 March 2012

Neggative Experience

When I came back from church on Sunday, I realised somebody had half-heartedly egged my house.

I say half heartedly, because it was just one egg. Maybe they were aiming for their friend who had quick reflexes or something.

That one lone egg sat just out of reach on the upper rim of the door, which meant I would have to get the mop to clean it off. And it was a hot day, so cleaning was going to happen quick sharp.

As I stood there in my doorway, I have to admit I felt a little bit annoyed.

I mean, come on! It wasn't even Halloween. Who went around on hot, balmy Sunday afternoons carrying an eggs? And then throwing the aforementioned egg? Was it thrown in a fit of anger at a failed omelette?  Were they not aware of the fact that food costs were going up? Or did they not pay for the egg? Had someone not educated them on the proper usage of an egg? Fry it, scramble it, warm it and let it hatch even - but why waste it?

Who had that much money to be chucking eggs? Didn't they know that free-range eggs cost around 25p each?! Or was this not even a free range egg? Was it an egg from a battery egg? Was it fair that this an animal may have been cooped up in dire conditions just so that some irresponsible so-and-so could chuck their produce about?! Did that person even know where the egg had come from?

Whilst finishing off my polish of my door, it's rim and handle, I mused on how reading a Jamie Oliver book the night before could send one's mental thoughts into a completely random direction.

My door was now clean. It was time to move on.

If I could give the mystery egger feedback, I'd just say - next time, just use loo roll.

Thursday 29 March 2012

Thrifty Thursday: Musically Inclined

Sometimes, when you're aware of something, you can forget that other people don't know.

I like music. I also happen to be quite fond of free stuff. So I quite like free music. I get some here by clicking on the link on the left that says 'Free Songs'.

First things first, the music you find here isn't usually well known mainstream music, such as Katy Perry, Rihanna etc etc. There is a reason they are so rich and it's because they don't give their money away for free.

However, I've found tracks by Estelle, Labrinth, Pelican and Maverick Sabre there which I do enjoy. And then randomly, I got some credit to buy actual non free music by buying something through nectar to collect my points.

Plus, if you're up for trying something new, you can click to preview the songs (or try and find them on youtube for the full length version....good luck with that).

Some tracks seem to have been there since the idea of Amazon was conceived, whilst others stay there only for a while, so it's always worth checking back every now and then. I totally dropped the ball when it came to Maverick Sabre's 'No-One' and had to deal with hearing it on the radio for the next two months and yet not have it on my mp3 player. I was full of ire.

Basically, if you like something there, I would get it now. Doesn't cost you anything...

Wednesday 28 March 2012

It's Messy but the Twists are Alright

On Sunday evening, I washed my hair. I went a bit crazy, used some Lush Trichomania instead of the usual Apple Cider Vinegar and water mix, therefore breaking my no sulphates rule.
In my defence, it had been a weekend of summery sun and striding aggressively up hills in a sweat inducing way and so it was needed. And I stuck to using it on my scalp only.

But man, I'd forgotten how much I loved this shampoo bar- the coconut smell, and the way my hair feels when I put it on is divine. It feels wonderful. (I'm just uncertain as to the consequences of these snatched moments of bliss).

Then I conditioned with Original Source Mint and Tea Tree conditioner. £0.99 from Bodycare.




Next, I decided - "What about stretching with my Curlformers? It's been a while!"

The last time I used them, the Tresemmé had been too heavy, so back to my ever so dependable Giovanni's it was. And slicking on lots of newly defrosted flaxseed gel too.

I must have applied the Curlformers funnily though, because I only got 3/4 of my hair sorted.

 

 Not to be deterred, I simply banded the last two sections and went to bed.


 

The sun arose and light poured into room. Sleeping had been slightly more awkward, probably because I spaced them closer together than usual but shh.



Removed the Curlformers to reveal the usual curls and apparently a mass amount of flaxseed gel residue that I hadn't noticed before looking at this photo.

Suddenly! I was struck! By inspiration! And the realization that I'd still had a Curlformer left in my head!

Holding on despite the fact that Hide and Seek is clearly over...


Back to the inspiration.

Since my hair was (mainly) all stretched, I decided to put twists in. All I used was some coconut oil and they stayed fine.
The twisting was great, in that I didn't need to part since I'd already previously done it. But I hadn't parted it properly. So I got a, er, wide variety of sizes. Again.

I would like to believe that I won't mess with my hair again until next weekend, but it's been two days and I'm bored already...

Monday 26 March 2012

Back to the Bun and a Predictable Twist

The Wonder Thing: Aw, your hair looks nice.
Me: Thank you! *Grins and leans over conspiratorially* There are two socks in there.

The last time I did this style, all my socks were intact and I used a knee support that was embarrassingly obvious at times [lesson learnt: white knee support + black hair = a stupid idea]. I knew it wasn't the best at the time, but I was loathe to cut up a perfectly good sock and widow it's partner.

This time, I learnt my lesson. Plus, a few socks had bitten the proverbial dust since then, so provided a brilliant foundation for my new doughnut/sock bun ring (because there's no way I'm paying £5 for one from Boots).


Sorry Snoops....


I repeated these actions with a black sock (to avoid being exposed) and rolled it onto and over the grey one.
Et voilĂ !



And the predictable twist!

Sunday 18 March 2012

Ejeka Kira Fun Awon Iya Wa!

(Rough Translation: Let's show appreciation for our Mums!)
I totally forgot when Mother's Day was exactly and sent my present to my Mum far too early.

Ah well. At least it got there on time! This song always reminds me of my mum and I included a version with English translation because parts of the song are in Yoruba.

Tuesday 13 March 2012

Bargain Accessories

The other day, I was in Home Bargains, probably picking up pitta breads or something.
That's what I usually enjoy doing on a lukewarm Saturday afternoon. As usual, I wasn't paying attention to my own business but was instead paying far too much attention to the people around me. In this instance, it was the woman in front of me in the cue. She'd tipped out her basket and dozens of hair accessories clattered onto the conveyor belt. I raised an eyebrow in mild surprise at the amount and tried to guess why the lady had decided it was necessary to buy so many - maybe she had the birthday of triplet nieces coming up? Why else would someone need so many hair accessories?

The next time I went in and something caught my eye that solved the mystery.

39p! 

screamed the sign. I looked closer. Whoa, Babyliss accessories? For only 39p?! Sign me up!

Monday 12 March 2012

Luxuriating with Laziness

After spending two days taking my twists down, I didn't really want to do anything else with it.

I cleaned it with a mix of a little something something (if it works out, I'll let you know) and then put my hair up into a ponytail with a quiff. Or a hump. Or a pompadour. Whatever it's called :)


Anyway, I took the opportunity to just not do anything to my hair. I'm not even joking. I literally went to bed like this. Woke up. Maybe fluffled the ponytail bit. And then didn't take a look in the mirror again to peek my hair until the next morning. 

I played a netball match as well (and my body suffered for it for about 3 days afterwards, kai!). Since I knew that the team we were playing uh, hated us, I decided that having my hair free was not a good idea.
But it still had to be, you know, cute. Yep, proving my defiance by maintaining my appearance. An oldie but a goodie!
I decided to pull out my dear old style, two puffy buns: my hair was parted (roughly, didn't want to make too much effort) into two sections and each section was rolled under in a lazy bun (pull hair through the hair band in a ponytail, then only pulling it through the hair band halfway the second time). On the left section, I flat twisted my fringe as well and then tucked/pinned it into the section/bun behind it.


And then beat we them by one goal. I don't even know the actual score. I just know it was one goal - and that is enough.

I don't want to take all the credit but I do think that the laissez faire attitude behind my hairstyle definitely helped boost morale and let the other team know we meant business...

Friday 9 March 2012

BGLH and Terry Crew's Pectorals

Me: I need you to do something for me.
The Wonder Thing: Okay..
Me: I need you to check a link for me! I think I'm on another website!
The Wonder Thing: Is it a hair blog by any chance?
Me: Yes.....are you judging me?
The Wonder Thing: No. I'm just amused that you're on another website and you can't look at it because you gave up hair blogs for Lent.
Me...Whatever. Just check for me!  
And then we somehow got into a conversation about Terry Crew's pecs spelling out the word 'Indeed' (skip to 1:29 for that exact part):


Anyway, the list is apparently quite impressive and features blogs from all over the world. Click here to check it out. I certainly will....

after Easter.

Wednesday 7 March 2012

Mixtress Mischief: It Ain't heavy, it's my Winter Leave in

I mentioned in this post that I was going to moisturise more heavily. My beloved Giovanni's just doesn't cut it in the cold weather, which is fine considering I quite like it for it's lightness, but not so great considering there was now a gap in my hair care structure.
I wanted something I could use on Monday and would allow me not to think about my hair until 2 day later. Fortunately, I stumbled upon this little mix to sort me out with these moisturising issues

It's so easy that I can do it with one hand. I actually feel really patronising posting it up.
But here we go anyway!


Ingredients:                                                                                                                                      


A blob of Tresemmé Natural Conditioner [about a tablespoon]
A splash of your favourite oil(s)/oil mix [just under 1/2 a tablespoon] (I used my Felix Capillus).


Method:                                                                                                                                          


Squirt a generous blob of conditioner into your hand.



 Add a splash of your favourite oil(s) [it is surprisingly difficult to unscrew a cap with one hand. I would advise doing this before dealing with the blob of conditioner].


Mush together in your hand and apply to your hair. If I use it on damp/wet hair, I seal it with shea butter. If I use it on dry hair, I simply leave it as is it.

Repeat the aforementioned actions if you so feel it is necessary.

I know that there's a lot of issues around using rinse out conditioners as leave ins, but this just helps me out massively. There are some you can't do this with - my previous attempts at leaving in Inecto Coconut condtioner, for example, were both disastrous and sticky. But the Tresemmé doesn't seem to do me any harm, so there you go ^_^

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Vatika Winner!


I've been incredibly lazy and late for the last week concerning...well, most things >.<

But according to random.org, the winner is...


Libby!

Please can you e-mail me at asimplething [at] hotmail [dot] co [uk] with an address to send the Vatika Oil to?

Thank you very much to everyone who decided to take part!

Friday 2 March 2012

Last year, I gave up meat for Lent.

Well, not really gave up. I decided to look at it less from what I was not getting and more as a glance at that which I had left to totally and completely embrace.

This year, I've not been so easy on myself.

I've given up hair blogs *passes out*

Even typing the words makes my insides crawl at the thought of it.

Partly, it's to cut down on my electricity and laptop usage. I will quite happily spend at least 5 hours every day on my laptop simply clicking through to random blogs and watching people (the amount of hours I spent watching people on Youtube has in no way transferred to my styling skills in real life. Ergo, twas a waste of time).
And secondly, it's because I have a serious, serious addiction. The few days when I finally decided has been incredibly difficult. Two of the most visited  pages on my google chrome new tab thingy are hair blogs (mainly hairscapades, due to a combination of regular updating and brilliant, engaging content). My shy, private nature has become much worse in the last couple of weeks and being in real social situations has started to seriously stress me out (yes, it's that bad).

The rules are simple: Absolutely no hair blogs (unless a post comes up in my reader that is apparently non hair related - which kind of nullifies the absolute part of this rule) and no using the laptop between 8am - 12pm. I'm still allowed to update here though, because if not the back log of thoughts will build up in my head and drive me mad.

Hopefully, this will give me enough time to start back up and improve on my atrocious sewing skills....

Thursday 1 March 2012

Twenty is Plenty - Final week

So my grocery shop for this final week was initially £24.57.

I say initially, because I came to my senses and returned some stuff I didn't need. I'd gone shopping with friends, which meant my head was in la la frivolous mode rather than lean, mean, thrifty machine and I ended up buying cereal and then stuff to make bagels and even, annoyingly enough, doubles (this is why I need to check my cupboards before writing my shopping list). For one thing, the ingredients for bagels from this supermarket was grossly inflated and I could've got it cheaper elsewhere. Also, I knew I wouldn't make bagels that week - the ingredients would just lounge desolately in the depths of my cupboard. Fortunately, the supermarket in question allowed me to return most of the surplus ingredients (but they don't take back frozen or fresh, which makes sense).

So in total, it came to £19.61.

And for the entire month of February, I spent £101.45 on food.

Whoa. It sounds a lot, dunnit? I guess there's a lot I could have done to cut it down but one thing I realised during my frugal food February is that I use food as a manner of hospitality. With that £100, I fed myself for at least 29 days, pizza to 11 people for an evening, teriyaki meatballs to 3 other people, pasta to 2 other people and the Wonder Thing on a few occasions too. I could budget to the nth degree and calculate and ration how much I eat to optimise savings but that all goes out the window when friends come over and that has a knock on effect on my food spending.

Not that it's impossible to feed people and yourself on under £20, but it takes a lot of foresight and planning.

And soup, I'd imagine. Soup goes a loooong way.