Chocolate Hair / Vanilla Care : Natural hair care for kids, adoption, and family life.

December 30, 2010

No More Bath-Time Detangling

We knew the time was drawing near. Boo's hair is getting so long, and it's filling in nicely. We're so excited to see that it is growing well and is feeling well-moisturized and looking shiny and healthy. But all of that comes from the hard work we put into maintaining it, not the least of which is detangling. And now that her hair is getting so long we can no longer do the detangling during her bath time.

Chapped Skin: Our Neverending Winter Battle

Yes, we still have Christmas hair in. The style is holding up, albeit a little fuzzy, with the daily addition of jojoba oil along the hairlines and part-lines. What isn't holding up these days, however, is Boo's face, specifically the area around her lips and her cheeks. The lack of humidity in the winter months already wreaks havoc on sensitive skin, but add a cold with a runny nose to the mix and Boo's skin spirals out of control.

Merry Christmas 2010

Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas! Blessings to you all!

Book Review: The Night Before Christmas in Africa

What better day to review The Night Before Christmas in Africa than on, well, the night before Christmas! After what seemed like an uphill battle getting my hands on this book, it finally arrived before Christmas (and with a few days to spare).

Itchy, Scratchy, Dry Scalp

Yeah, it's that time of year. Well, to be honest, I was going to post a book review on a book that I ordered a few days ago. Although the tracking said the book was delivered today at 2:05pm, I have yet to receive it. I can't tell you how bummed I am, I was really looking forward to reading this children's book and sharing my thoughts. But alas, I guess that will have to wait until I find out where the book went. In the meantime, I think it's equally (if not more so) important to talk about the itchy winter scalp with which we've been dealing.

Christmas Hair: Back to Our Signature Style

This year we have decided on a new "signature style" for Boo. What I mean by that is that we have a look that is a regular look in our bag of tricks that is, well, "Boo's look." Our signature hairstyle this year is Cornrows With Two Asymmetrical Puffs. So that's what we're going with for Christmas and we couldn't be happier about it.

I Have A Bow-Holder (And You Don't!)

Wow, I never thought I'd arrive at the day that I would be bragging about a bow-holder. Seriously. My inner tomboy is rolling her eyes at me as I type. I'm sure many of you who are reading this are all-girl, all the time. Me, not so much. Not even a little bit. So to write a review on such a girly-girl item is a real stretch for me. A big stretch!

Maintaining the Sock Bun (and Other Reveries)

Well, in case there was anyone who hadn't figured by my lack of posting a new style, I decided to leave in Boo's all-around veil and sock bun for another week. It still looks pretty good and her scalp is doing fine so I didn't see any reason to take it out. I am noticing, however, that her scalp will probably be in need of a thorough scrubbing at the end of this week, so I'll be posting more about that when it happens. In the meantime I'll talk a bit about how I'm taking care of her current style.

Need A Sleep Cap?

Just wanted to let our readers know that you have a chance to help in the creation of a new line of sleep caps from Blended Beauty. They are looking for adults and children willing to be testers.

If you want a chance to be able to participate, head over to Blended Beauty's Facebook page and see their discussion "New Satin Sleep Cap! Need your input please" for details on how you can participate, free of charge.

This is not intended for you to review their product for them publicly; they actually just want personal feedback from your own experience with their product and would appreciate you not posting publicly about the sleep caps.

Sleep caps are such a personal choice; here's your chance to help develop one for either you are little one. If you've had problems with your little one keeping them on, this might be your opportunity to tell someone why it's falling off and what they may be able to do in the design to help prevent that from happening.

This is not a contest or giveaway, just a notice to let our readers now of this opportunity.

Product Review: Kinky-Curly Knot Today

I can't believe it. I've been using the same product for detangling for ages now and am shaking my head at myself that I haven't reviewed it yet. Duh! I mean, I have got to love a product if I'm willing to drive 2 and a half hours to get more of it when I run out! So please allow me to ~~shamelessly gush about~~ share my experience with my absolutely favourite hair product for Boo's hair.

Snow Princess Party Pics 2010

As promised I've posted a few photos from Boo's third birthday party. Today is her actual birthday. Happy Birthday Boo! We are so blessed and honoured that God chose us to be her parents and pray that we can continue to provide her with all she needs for many years to come. Many prayers going out to Boo's birthmother today, too, as I'm sure she's missing her little one this time of year.

Recycled Pantyhose Make Awesome Sleep Caps

If you may recall in my post the other day, Princess Hair, Part 2, I destroyed a pair of pantyhose in order to make a donut for the sock bun. Being ~~a total tightwad~~ super frugal as I am, I cannot let all the other parts of the pantyhose go to waste. So I saved the other leg for a future sock bun and put the waist portion of the pantyhose to good use last night.

Princess Hair, Part 2 (The Sock Bun)

I am so excited to report that I managed to talk Boo out of her purple beads this morning. What a timesaver. So instead of doing something really complicated with her puff as I had planned on doing in Princess Hair, Part 1, I went with a really easy yet princess-looking solution: The sock bun.

Princess Hair, Part 1 (The Halo Veil)

Yes, I'm having a hard time believing that there will be a "part 2" to this post, too. I think the style we chose for Boo's "Princess Party" tomorrow came out great, and we could probably go with it as-is. But Boo has a specific request for purple beads (her party colour is purple) and so I'm going to have to see what I can do to the puff tomorrow that will allow me to use beads and still make it look formal but wearable. Because honestly, she's stuck with this hairstyle for the week so it can't be too fussy.

What Is Princess Hair, Anyway?

Boo's third birthday party is this weekend. She is very excited because she's having a princess party. No, not a Disney princess party. She's currently unfamiliar with all things Disney princess at present. In fact, earlier this week I was informed that it's not just any old princess party. Nope. Boo wants a "Snow Princess" party. Whoo hoo! I'm not a princess-type of girl, so I was thrilled with this one. Snow=winter=Christmas in my mind, so you can see where I'm going in terms of being really cheap when it comes to decorating for said party and Christmas.